By Shannon McFarlin News Director
Paris, Tenn.–At an eventful and lengthier than usual meeting of the Henry County Commission Monday night, members elected Dr. Jay Travis of Paris as the new Commissioner for the 5th District; County Mayor John Penn Ridgeway presented the Loyal Patriot Award to Diann McGuire of the Keep Paris/Henry County Beautiful group; Henry County Medical Center CEO updated the board on the hospital; and Judge Brent Bradberry made a presentation on the need for 24th Judicial District Recovery Courts.
Four Commission candidates presented resumes and gave presentations to the commission: Travis, Joe Rice, Torrance Atkinson and John Laudan. The position was vacant since last month’s resignation by Greg Carter, who is moving out of the area.
Dr. Travis spoke of his family’s community involvement over the years and his desire to continue that legacy. After “I Henry County is a special place with special people involved in all of our levels of government, school systems and community that give their time to try and do what is best for the community.”
He said he knew that once he finished dental school, he intended to move back to Paris and raise his family here, which he is doing. He is involved in both his dental practice and Henry County Monument Works, which his family started in 1924.
Rice said he has lived in Henry County since 1972 and has an extensive business background, including as manager at Serra Chevy GMC in Jackson. He has been manager, sales director, and assistant manager for several businesses including James Corlew Chevrolet, Clarksville; West TN Electrical and Industrial Supply; and T&R&W Asphalt.
Atkinson has been employed by the city of Paris for 33 years, owned and operated three successful businesses since 1995 and he has run for election to the Commission three times.
Laudan has lived in Henry County for some three years and has been involved with the Election Commission, the VFW and American Legion in Paris, and has an extensive Department of Defense, military and IT background.
After hearing the presentations, the Commission voted: 8 votes for Travis; four votes for Rice, with one commissioner (Ralph Wiles) abstaining.
In other busines:
–Diann McGuire was presented the Loyal Patriot Award, the highest honor that can be bestowed on a Henry Countian by Mayor Ridgeway. The presentation was a surprise to McGuire, who had just completed an update on the Litter and Trash collecting grants for the county and the community trash cleanups, such as the one held in the Atkins-Porter Neighborhood in Paris over the weekend. Ridgeway cited McGuire’s lengthy dedication to the cleanup projects over the years. McGuire was recently honored with the state’s top Keep Tennessee Beautiful’s Love Where You Live Award.
–Circuit Court Judge Brent Bradberry requested the county authorize participation in the 24th Judicial District Recovery Courts. The 24th District includes Henry, Benton, Decatur, Carroll and Hardin. The Recovery Board “is an alternative to the county jails” for repeat offenders and it provides a last opportunity for them to find jobs, pay off fines and get their lives in order. “These are the people who really need help”.
Henry County has the largest population of the five counties and Judge Bradberry sought and received some $150,000 to fund two locations in the five-county district.
–Hospital CEO John Tucker presented an update for commissioners on the status of the hospital and its ongoing financial woes.
He said the Paris-Henry County Clinic transition is completed (as reported on our website on Saturday); the Total Joint program was reaccredited; Dr. Ray Compton will return from retirement July 1, not full-time, but helping to cover general surgery.
Other items he reported; the Surgery Center construction is starting; work is continuing to bring anestesia in-house again by early July; physician recruitment continues to fill hospitalist and pediatrian vacancies, as well as for family physicians (due to local family doctors retiring). Improvements continue in the Emergency Department.
He also said the investigation into anonymous allegations that COVID money was embezzled is complete and there was no evidence of misappropriation of funds. $52,000 was spent on the audit. Tucker said he would be happy to email a copy of the report to anyone.
An Ad Hoc committee continues to look into potential for sale of the Henry County Healthcare Center. Given the hospital’s current challenges, the question needs to be asked: Would it make sense to divert the HC Health Care Center, even though no one really likes the idea. Can the hospital “grow our census enough and develop our other strategies quickly enough to make a sale unnecessary?”, he asked. “That would be ideal.”
Tucker asked the commission if it would be willing to secure an operating line of credit to support cash flows over the next several months as current strategies mature. $4M would be needed, he said. “It took us eight years to get in this situation and we won’t get out of it right way.”
Top photo: Dr. Jay Travis is sworn in by County Clerk Donna Craig; bottom, McGuire receives Loyal Patriot Award.
