By Shannon McFarlin WENK/WTPR News Director
Paris, Tenn.—Henry County Mayor Brent Greer announced this afternoon he intends to run again for mayor. He said he is running on the platform, “Henry County United” and wants to emphasize the importance of non-partisanship in local government and the importance of working together.
Saying, “In my opinion, it’s not time for me to go home”, Greer said he has made the decision after “considerable soul searching and prayerful discussions with my family.”
Greer will be running as an Independent.
Greer made the announcement after the Henry County Tourism Authority meeting, accompanied by his wife, Sarah, who he said “is fully on board with this”.
Greer invited county commissioners and others who were at the Tourism Authority meeting to stay for his announcement and was surprised when other county officials came to the meeting for his announcement.
County Officials present for his announcement was County Clerk Donna Craig, Circuit Court Clerk Mike Wilson, County Road Supervisor Richie Chilcutt, Trustee Randi French, and Register of Deeds Pam Martin.
When Greer announced that it was ‘not time for me to go home’, he was met by applause from the county commissioners and officials present. Greer thanked them for their support.
Greer said family is the most important thing in his life, along with his relationship with the Lord and said he has considered both in his decision to seek re-election.
“It is my belief that local government should be run in a non-partisan manner. I firmly realize that partisan politics have been the fabric of our political process on a federal and state basis since the founding of our great nation. However, I believe governing on a local basis should not allow partisanship to guide our decisions concerning the delivery of services to our citizens,” he said.
Before the 2016 Henry County election, local officials and commissioners sought the opportunity to hold local elections on a non-partisan basis, he said. “We have been unsuccessful in this becoming a reality despite the efforts of our local leadership as well as our State Representative.”
Greer said he wants to continue pursuing that effort. “It’s my position that I need to continue carrying that flag,” he said. “And I’m excited about the opportunity to run.”
“I fully respect the rights of our local political parties to support and express their views and ideology on social and policy issues on both state and federal levels,” he said. “We, on a local basis, do not legislate or establish these policies. Our job is to serve the needs of our citizens on a local basis.”
Greer noted that he has been fortunate to serve with five county commissions as mayor “and we’ve always strived to work together cooperatively and it’s my pledge to continue to be transparent.”
He noted the cooperative relationship that exists between county officials and between the city of Paris and Henry County and how thankful he is for that. “I know some of my fellow mayors are not as fortunate. We need to not let anything separate us if we’re going to have a good government in Henry County.”
County Commissioner Dell Carter noted that as a commissioner, he has enjoyed a long working relationship with Greer and said it is a pleasure working with elected officials who support each other and the county mayor.
He said people who live outside of Henry County “know how good our County Mayor is and say what a great County Mayor we have.”
Commissioner Don Jones said, “Our county has accomplished more than any other counties around here and that’s because of Brent and everyone working together here.”
Commissioner Paul Mathenia agreed, saying, “I’ve never met a more honest person. We need him. He’s as dedicated as anyone I know.”
Photo by Shannon McFarlin
