By Shannon McFarlin News Director
Paris, Tenn.–At a busy meeting of the Paris City Commission Thursday night, commissioners heard a downtown businessman repeat his complaints of panhandling and parking problems that he said are hurting his business.
Ed Roberts, who owns the Old Paris 5 & 10 Event Center, said the panhandling and parking problems “are affecting my business gravely. And I don’t see any progress from when I was here before. If you don’t want to do something about it, I’ll accept it and not invest in Paris anymore.”
Commissioners and city officials said one panhandler in particular is causing the problems but that the local courts do not punish her.
City Manager Kim Foster said, “We could send her through the court every week…” To which Roberts replied, “And if you do it enough, she’ll get tired of it.” He said even when she is taken to court, “the $4 fine isn’t worthwhile” as a deterrent.
Roberts said the local Chamber conducted a survey among business owners, asking for top problems facing downtown business–and panhandling and parking were named. He said people park in the same spots all day in front of the same businesses, citing the Henry County Sheriff’s Office and other business owners among the biggest culprits.
Foster said the city does not have a parking attendant patrolling downtown anymore “but we had just as many complaints as when we had someone patrolling.”
The bottom line, Robert said, is “You need someone patrolling the downtown, taking care of parking and panhandling. We pay a bunch of money in taxes and you need to do something about it. Do you want business in downtown Paris or do you want to discourage it?”
Paris-Henry County Chamber CEO Travis McLeese told RadioNWTN that panhandling and parking were identified as the top issues on a survey conducted right after the Christmas season. He said, “We at the Chamber and Downtown Paris Association listen to concerns on a daily basis and unfortunately some of those concerns take time to solve. We hope to find solutions as soon as possible.”
Also during the public comment portion of the meeting, Steve Melton had complaints about a vacant house on Fairgrounds Rd. that he says is in disrepair, with knee-high grass and a pickup truck liner which is holding water. He said the property is drawing mosquitoes. snakes and other critters. Melton said he just retired and moved here and loves Paris, but wanted to bring it to the city’s attention as a recurring problem.
Foster and other city officials said the city is aware of it and has been working on alleviating the problem.
In other business:
–The city commission approved first reading on an ordinance aimed at eliminating the problem of stored tires by local businesses. Foster noted that the city has struggled with the accumulation of tires at businesses, industries and some residences for quite some time. “It’s not only unsightly but a health hazard as well.”
After a lengthy discussion at a city commission meeting previously and by the planning commission, the planning commission recommended that expanding the ‘tire recapping’ category to include ‘sale and storage’ of tires be added and that the outside storage of tires be limited to 10. After discussion at Thursday’s meeting, it was agreed a time limit also be added by which tires could be stored.
At the August meeting, a public hearing on the ordinance will be held before the second reading.
–The city commission approved first reading on an ordinance that would prohibit the use of tobacco/vapor products at any public park, playground, public greenway or any public property that is accessible to youth.
Mayor Carlton Gerrell said the tobacco/vaping ban is the issue that he hears more complaints about than any other. “I’m happy to see this addressed,” he said. “I probably receive more calls on this than anything else.”
A public hearing will be held before second reading at the August meeting.
–Commissioners authorized matching funds and authorized the mayor to execute documents for the application of the 2021 Downtown Improvement grant.
Photo: Ed Roberts, left, addresses the commission. (Photo by Shannon McFarlin).