By Shannon McFarlin News Director
Paris, Tenn.–At a busy meeting of the Henry County Commission Monday night, the Rev. Kenneth Humphreys was presented an award from the State County Commission Association for outstanding leadership as a county commissioner.
After a presentation from City of Paris General Manager Kim Foster, the commission also voted to donate easements to the city of Paris for construction of new crosswalk signals, which is part of the planned downtown signalization project.
The Rev. Kenneth Humphreys, who has served District 4 for a number of years, was presented with the award by Charles Curtiss, Executive Director of the Tennessee County Commissioners Association. The courtroom was packed with Rev. Humphreys’ family, friends and supporters and he received a standing ovation after the presentation was made.
The award is called the ‘Ralph Puckett Outstanding County Commissioner Award’ and was created to honor the legacy of longtime Obion County Commissioner Ralph Puckett. Curtiss explained that Mr. Puckett is the longest-serving county commissioner in Tennessee history, having served as a commissioner for 60 years.
“Ralph Puckett is wonderful and this man right here is wonderful, too,” Curtiss said.
The award recognizes three county commissioners for their outstanding public service to the state and their local communities. Curtiss explained that one commissioner from each of Tennessee’s three grand divisions is presented the award, elected by fellow county commissioners within the membership.
Curtiss noted that former County Mayor John Penn Ridgeway nominated Rev. Humphreys for the award. Ridgeway was also on hand for the presentation.
Rev. Humphreys thanked the state of Tennessee, Henry County and “the people of the 4th District” and above all, thanked his wife, Sylvia. “Every convention I’ve ever been to, she’s been right there with me.”
In other business, the commission approved donation of easements so that the downtown signalization project can go forward. Providing the lone ‘no’ vote was Commissioner Ralph Wiles.
In her presentation, Foster said that shortly after being hired as City Manager, BPU General Manager Terry Wimberley told her that the signals in Paris were obsolete and that the city would be having trouble finding parts for them. That has proven true, she said.
Grants have been sought for signalization projects downtown for some time, she said, noting that during COVID, the grant process was bogged down. “This has been a long and painful road to where we are today. But we are really, really close to getting the construction process started,” she said.
Foster was accompanied to the meeting by Bob Safin, engineer with TLM Associates.
They said it is hoped that the downtown project can be bid in the spring and started soon after that. Foster said once started the project should take 4-6 months. “It will increase pedestrian safety,” she said. “It will be painful while we’re doing the construction, but we’re going to do all we can to get in and get out.”
The best news is, “We’re finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel”, she said.
–The full commission also heard the news that Henry County has received a payment from the TVA of more than $750,000 due to the closure of the coal plant in Stewart County. County Mayor Randy Geiger had reported on the news at the recent county budget committee meeting. The money is unencumbered and officials –including the county building and grounds committee–are working on what the funds will go toward.