If you have come to this page searching for information on why the City of Calhoun is so hard on speeders, I believe you've come to the right place. Let the Chaplain educate you a bit. OK???

1. Calhoun is a small city with a great deal of traffic flow. I would venture to say that the amount of traffic going through our city each day is equal to a city at least three times the size of Calhoun. Mainly because of the Bowaters Paper Plant, CTS trucking, and our close proximity to I-75, not to mention that we are at the back door to Cleveland. On any given day I can sit near the intersection of Hwy. #11 & Bowater Road and watch over 100-120 cars and trucks pass within a 10 to 15 minute period. I've seen less busy main intersections in larger cities like Atlanta.

2. Also within the city are many elderly citizens who have to drive to and from their homes on these same roads every day. Facts are plain folks, the older you get, the slower and more cautious you become while driving. And how about the many residents of Calhoun? You can't tell it from Hwy #11 but there are quite a few residences in this beautiful little hamlet.

3. Third step is the math:

   • Logging and Transfer Trucks + Elderly Drivers & Family Vehicles + Cross Traffic to Athens/Etowah/Cleveland x People Simply Ignoring the speed signs and not paying attention in a cramped area = DISASTER...

The only way to keep disaster from happening is to ENFORCE the speed limit. Chief Tanksley, Captain Berger, Lt. Bell, along with our other officers are bound and determined that the folks of Calhoun are safe. And the only way they can at least have a minor bit of safety is if they are dilligently watching and enforce the speed laws.

There is NO speed trapping employed in Calhoun either. NO hiding behind signs and buildings. We are right there in the open for all to see. The reason that folks say they never saw where the police came from is that they are not paying attention to their surroundings just the same as they are not paying attention to the speed limit signs.

It is as simple as this. If you are going to speed in Calhoun be prepared to pay the price. If you are gonna dance you gotta pay the fiddler! Galations 6:6 Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things. 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 6:8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

Duties of a Police Chaplain

• Give spiritual and Biblical counsel to peace officers, department members, family members, and those who come in contact with Calhoun Police Department who request assistance. All counsel with chaplain will be confidential excluding situations where it is deemed the person in counsel will be a danger to himself/herself or others.
• Visit sick or injured officers and department personnel in home and hospital.
• Make death notifications and deliver emergency messages.
• Provide assistance to victims of crime.
• Serve as a liaison with clergy within the our area.
• Provide biblical answers to spiritual questions.
• Offer prayers at special occasions.
• Assist in crisis situations.
• Deal with homeless and prisoners requesting assistance.
• Provide resources and referrals for those requesting assistance.

Romans 13:1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. 13:2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.13:3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:

LINKS

• Boy Scouts of America ~ Troop 616 ~ Calhoun, TN
• Cub Scouts of America ~ Pack 616 ~ Calhoun, TN

One of my duties is Community Service Officer for Calhoun City. There are some interesting stories that have taken place with this new duty as an officer. Here is one of them.

One evening while I was on community patrol I happened to notice a 4 door sedan traveling through the town at what seemed a rather high rate of speed. When I check on the radar the car was traveling 52 mph in a 35 mph speed zone. One of my duties as community service officer is to enforce the speed laws so on goes the blue lights.

After stopping and approaching the vehicle, I came to find this dear sweet grandmother type lady behind the wheel. I told her my name and that I had pulled her over for traveling 52 in a 35. What happened after that was nothing more than something to ponder on.

Sweet Little Old Lady: But you don't understand young man, I just came from prayer meeting and I was being controlled by the Holy Spirit.

Chaplain Davis: Thats good ma'am but the reason I pulled you over was............

Sweet Little Old Lady: Really sir, I was so much in the Spirit that I didn't have control.

Chaplain Davis: So let me get this straight ma'am. You weren't in control of the vehicle and the Holy Spirit was guiding you and thats why you were speeding?

Sweet Little Old Lady: Yes and I really don't think you understand young man. It wasn't my fault because I was totally under the control of the Holy Spirit.

Chaplain Davis: But ma'am. You went past two speed limit signs that said 35 mph and ...............

Sweet Little Old Lady: But you really don't understand young man .....

Chaplain Davis: (Interupting with a grin) Ma'am, I'm pastor Tim Davis Sr. of Bethel Springs Baptist Church and Chaplain of the Calhoun Police Department!!! I do understand and what I under stand is this; That speed limit sign was placed there by the city. The city is what the bible calls the "powers that be". The Bible says to obey the powers that be! "Romans 13:1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God." The Holy Spirit will not lie nor go against His Words. SO.......... may I see your drivers license, registration, & insurance please.

That has got to be the only time that I have ever written a sweet little old lady a speeding ticket.

SPEEDER'S HYMNS

• 45 mph...........................God Will Take Care of You
• 55 mph...........................Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah
• 65 mph...........................Nearer My God To Thee
• 75 mph...........................Nearer, Still Nearer
• 85 mph...........................This World Is Not My Home
• 95 mph...........................Lord, I'm Coming Home
• over 100mph......................Precious Memories

"Policeman's Prayer"

When I start my tour of duty God, wherever crime may be,  as I walk the darkened streets alone, let me be close to thee.

Please give me understanding with both the young and old.

Let me listen with attention until their story's told.

Let me never make a judgment in a rash or callous way, but let me hold my patience let each man have his say.

Lord if some dark and dreary night, I must give my life,

Lord, with your everlasting love protect my children and my wife.