By Shannon McFarlin News Director
Paris, Tenn.–Two long-time public servants were honored at Monday night’s meeting of the Henry County Commission: County Archivist Stephanie Routon Tayloe was presented with the Loyal Patriot Award and Retired Commissioner Dell Carter was honored with a proclamation recognizing his service.
The Loyal Patriot Award is the highest award a private citizen can be given in Henry County. County Mayor Randy Geiger read a long list of Tayloe’s accomplishments, including the design and management of the construction of the County Archives, which is now regarded as one of the top facilities in the state. She has been County Archivist for over 17 years and has written numerous books on local history, including the county’s most notorious murders and prominent figures. She initiated the project which produced the Revolutionary War monument on the courthouse lawn and currently is working on raising funds for an historical marker for Mordecai Johnson of Paris, who was the first black president of Howard University.
Tayloe thanked the commissioners for the honor. “You truly are the backbone of Henry County”, she said, noting she was the third generation of her Routon family to receive a Loyal Patriot Award.
Carter retired from the commission after some 22 years and Geiger noted he “faithfully and honorably” served the county. A reception for Carter will be held at 2 p.m. Friday at the courthouse.
Carter said, “I’m just an old country boy and this is a higher honor than I deserve.”
Both Tayloe and Carter received standing ovations.
Monday’s meeting was lengthy and at time contentious, with commissioners voting down a proposed contract with TLM Associates of Jackson for the design phase of the county-owned facility at 311 E. Wood St. and tabled a proposal for creation of a ‘code enforcer’ for the county.
During the commission forum segment of the meeting, Commissioner Ralph Wiles again objected to the county’s direction on building renovation. “My people don’t want it. We already have buildings”, he said, and alleging that commissioners “don’t get the info we need”.
During discussion of the proposed resolution authorizing the agreement with TLM, David “Tater” Hayes said commissioners asked Architect Ben Witt to develop drawings on the E. Wood project “and then he comes back with a TLM agreement.”
Commissioner Marty Visser, who is chairman of the building and grounds committee, said when commissioners first spoke to Witt it was about renovating the former TRC building and he had not association with TLM, but later after plans were revised, he was working with TLM.
Commissioner David Flowers said, “I’m not in favor of spending any money on any building that we know has structural issues. We need to be focusing on the new county building.” (Last week, the Paris regional planning commission approved a site plan for the new county office building to be located on Hwy. 79S. The site plan was developed by TLM).
Geiger noted that the structural engineer “said the building was good for another 30 years if we take care of it.”
The proposed agreement with TLM was resoundingly rejected by commissioners.
In other business, the commission tabled a proposal to hire a ‘code enforcer’ for the county. The enforcer would be responsible for enforcing county ordinances related to property health and safety, environmental protection, addressing violations such as illegal dumping, used tire disposal, etc.
Geiger noted that the county used to have code enforcement officers and that “We’re a tourist destination and we’re going to have to clean up our act.”
After discussion on where the money for salary would come from ($42,000) and what teeth the job would actually have in enforcing violations, commissioners tabled the resolution until more details are worked out. Commissioner Jay Travis noted, “It’s a great plan, but timing is the issue.”
The commission also accepted an airport development grant for $120,000 for new lighting at the airport.
Photo: Stephanie Routon Tayloe receives a standing ovation from commissioners and citizens. Shannon McFarlin photo.