By Shannon McFarlin WENK/WTPR News Director
Paris, Tenn.—Following a presentation by County Elections Director DeLaina Green regarding a growing problem with space constraints, Henry County Mayor Brent Greer said at Monday’s county commission meeting he will be presenting a proposal to move the elections office to Weston Hall.
Green said she has already given a full presentation to the courthouse committee about her continuing space concerns. She said, “It’s important for us to have the space we need” and noted that voters do not have the space they need to vote with privacy. “We’re so cramped for space now, we do not meet the professional requirements for voter privacy at this point,” she said.
Voting equipment needs are growing and more space will be needed by the 2020 election, she said. “But I like to be proactive”, Green said. “We really need more space and more space for storage. We’re spread over four different places right now. My equipment needs have doubled since I took office, but the space has stayed the same.”
The elections office now is in the courthouse annex on W. Washington St.
Greer said he will be preparing a proposal on relocating the elections office to Weston Hall, which is located on Grove Hill next to Grove Tower. An area in Weston Hall could be renovated and provide much more space for the office as well as space for the early voting periods. “We want to have this done by 2020,” he said, “And I feel the cost could be done for under $60,000 and that’s for a 2,400 square foot space. I think it could be done for a reasonable cost.”
Also Monday, the commission welcomed the newest Leadership Henry County class to the meeting. Leadership Henry County is a program of the Paris-Henry County Chamber of Commerce and Monday was their government day, spending all day visiting county and city governments.
In other business—
–Citizen Rick Parker asked whether the county could be doing a better job of keeping trash off of the roadways and private properties. “Trash is getting out of hand”, he said. “Can we see what we can do to clean this up?”
Greer noted that the county has a codes enforcement officer and asked the public to call the commissioner’s office any time they see trash and it will be investigated. “It’s a continual effort,” Greer said, “and I don’t disagree with any of your comments.”
Sheriff Monte Belew said he is looking at the possibility of having inmates pick up trash on roadways more and he said local Scout groups also are looking at that possibility for weekend projects.
Top photo: Elections Administrator DeLaina Green addresses the commission; Leadership Henry County is welcomed to the commission meeting. (Shannon McFarlin photos).
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