By Shannon McFarlin News Director
Paris, Tenn.–There were a lot of new faces at Monday night’s Henry County Commission meeting, with the seven new members taking their places at the table.
New Commissioner David “Tater” Hayes said he was honored to be sitting with the commission and noted, “I’m pretty sure the new commissioners will have some questions, so bear with us.” New members are Ricky Wade, Missy Hamilton, Charles Elizondo, David “Tater” Hayes, Melissa McElroy, Patrick Burns and Ralph Wiles.
Their first meeting was a busy one, with a special election held to appoint two new members to the Henry County Medical Center board to fill the unexpired terms of former Commissioners James Travis and Kreg Kyle.
Travis’ term expires November 2024 and Kyle’s term ends November 2023. At the outset, County Attorney Rob Whitfield explained the rules and procedures to be followed in the election. Whitfield noted that a special election was being held for the hospital board vacancies because “multiple commissioners expressed interest” in serving on the hospital board.
For Travis’ term, Commissioners David Webb, Marty Visser, Monte Starks and new Commissioner Patrick Burns were nominated. Webb, Visser and Burns respectfully declined the nomination and Starks was elected by acclimation.
For Kyle’s term, Commissioners Webb and Visser were nominated and both spoke about their reasons for wanting to be on the board.
Visser noted that he has a lengthy interest in the hospital board and has attended most of their meetings over the past year and noted that he has had numerous discussions with hospital staff and citizens about the hospital. He said he is not afraid to speak his mind and would be an ambassador for the county if elected to the board.
Webb noted the hospital is at a critical juncture at this time, with a new CEO tackling difficult decisions. He noted that when he served previously on the hospital board it was one of the biggest challenges as a commissioner. He pledged to keep a level head with good questions as a board member and said he would make decisions based on what is best for patient care.
Webb was elected by a vote of 7-6 and County Mayor John Penn Ridgeway noted both commissioners are ‘fine fellows’.
In other business:
–A long list of appointments to boards and committees was announced.
–Ridgeway noted a special election will be held at the October meeting to fill the vacancy for District 5 Constable. Ridgeway said he has received one application already. Anyone with interest in the position should contact the commissioner’s office, he said.
–The commission authoried American Rescue Plan funds distribution for water, wastewater, and drainage projects in the county.
Ridgeway said the county was allocated $4.7M. Having accepted budget requests from local towns and bodies, the funds are allocated this way:$410,000 for water; NW Henry Utility District, $176,000 for expansion and refurgishing of water lines; NE Henry Utility District, $810,017. for all new water lines; Springville Utility District, $1,030,000, all new water lines; and BPU, $2,253,982 for wastewater infrastructure improvements.
–Ridgeway said some progress is being made in the county-wide broadband project and a press release from TEC will be issued shortly.
Photo: There were a lot of new faces at tonight’s Henry Co. Commission meeting. (Shannon McFarlin photo).