Paris, Tenn.–State Rep. Bruce Griffey, R-Paris, spoke out against a proposed redistricting of judicial districts at a Friday morning meeting of the Henry Co. Bar Association. The meeting was called by Bar Association President Andy Clark of Paris.
Griffey said the proposal would break up the 24thJudicial District, which currently encompasses Benton, Carroll, Decatur, Hardin and Henry Counties. One proposal floated is to break Henry County off from the 24th Judicial District and place Henry County with Obion and Weakley Counties, which currently make up the 27th Judicial District, Griffey said.
“This would be absolutely devastating for Henry County, and everyone in Henry County with whom I have spoken is fundamentally opposed to it as am I,” Griffey said. “There would be no benefit whatsoever for Henry County or Benton County for that matter. In fact, it would be detrimental to the territory as a whole because it would likely result in the loss of a Circuit Judge position when our judicial system is already overtaxed. I feel that there is a push for this by a very small number of individuals in other parts of the judicial district for political and election reasons, and I intend to vehemently fight this.”
On May 21, 2018, Governor Haslam signed into law Public Chapter 974, which established an Advisory Task Force of 11 members appointed jointly by the Speaker of the Senate and Speaker of the House “to review the composition of Tennessee’s current judicial districts.” The Advisory Task Force is charged with reporting its recommendations for “a proposed statewide redistricting plan” by December 1, 2019. The Task Force has scheduled public meetings to seek input. It just held a public meeting for Middle Tennessee in Nashville on March 4 and a public hearing for West Tennessee is scheduled for Monday, April 15, at 1 pm at the Madison County Criminal Justice Complex, Griffey said.
Paris City Attorney Fred McLean prepared a letter on behalf of the members of the association, vocalizing opposition to redistricting when the proposal was first raised. “The opinion of the members of the Henry County Bar Association or Henry County community has not changed. In fact, the Henry County Bar Association just took a vote and all members unanimously voted against redistricting,” Griffey said.
Griffey has already approached John Ryder, who is former General Counsel to the Republican National Committee and who sits on the Task Force, to advise him of his strong opposition to making any changes to the 24th Judicial District due to the detrimental impact it would have on Henry and Benton Counties – 2 of the 3 counties making up his constituency base.
Griffey encourages all Henry Countians as well as all other members of the 24th Judicial District to contact their elected representatives (both State House and Senate members) and vocalize their opinion on this important issue.
Photo: Rep. Griffey speaks, while (from left) Andy Clark, Tas Gardner (24th District Public Defender) and Kaylee Clark (District Public Defender’s office). Photo by Rebecca Griffey.