Photo: New County Mayor Randy Geiger receives a standing ovation after his swearing in. From left, Commissioners Tater Hayes, Gatlin Primrose, David Webb, David Flowers, with County Clerk Donna Craig at right. (Shannon McFarlin photo).
By Shannon McFarlin News Director
Paris, Tenn.–There was a packed house Monday evening for the swearing in of new Henry County Mayor Randy Geiger, new Commissioners David Flowers and Gatlin Primrose, and Property Assessor Scott Morrison.
Geiger, Flowers and Primrose were sworn in by County Clerk Donna Craig at a ceremony before the meeting and Morrison was sworn in during the session. The audience gave the newly-elected officials a standing ovation.
Geiger thanked everyone “who worked hard” for his election and said he looks forward to serving the citizens of Henry County. Morrison also thanked everyone who worked hard during his campaign.
An emotional Rita Gean, who temporarily served in her husband, Randy’s place after his death in February, thanked everyone on the commission and said, “I wish people understood” how much the county commission does. “I love you and I’ll be watching,” she said.
County Commission Chairman Charles Elizondo thanked Gean for her service.
In other business, the commission accepted a donation from the Paris-Henry County Heritage Center and the Bicentennial Committee of the Revolutionary War Monument, which will be placed on the southwest corner of the courtsquare in downtown Paris. County Historian David Webb said the DAR will hold a dedication of the monument in October. The monument will list the names of Henry County’s Revolutionary War soldiers.
The commission reviewed a map showing the new location for the county health department. The new location is on Kelley Drive behind the hospital and across from Carey Counseling.
County Attorney Rob Whitfield said he is still in negotiations with the West Tennessee Healthcare attorneys to make sure “they’re comfortable with the language.” The original location for the new health department was on Hwy. 79S before it was moved to a couple different sites behind the hospital.