By Shannon McFarlin News Director
Paris, Tenn.–Henry County Commissioners and members of the public heaped praise on last week’s Tennessee River Jam at Monday night’s commission meeting, applauding the work by organizers and recognizing the boost it gave to tourism and the local economy.
Steve Fall of Paris kicked off the compliments with, “What about that Tennessee River Jam?” He thanked the county officials for the part they played in it and said he knew of people who had come all the way from Muscle Shoals, Alabama and Arkansas just for the event and they toured downtown Paris on the Friday after the Oak Ridge Boys’ free concert.
“It was a great thing,” he said.
County Mayor John Penn Ridgeway praised the city of Paris public works employees for their part in keeping downtown maintained. “We had 4,500 people downtown, more than we’ve ever seen before, on Thursday night for the Oak Ridge Boys. And by Friday morning, you couldn’t tell there had been a concert there. Kudos to all those who were working behind the scenes to keep everything going.”
The proposed 2021-2020 Henry County Budget will include no property tax increase and a two percent raise for all county employees. Under the proposed budget, the county tax rate would stay the same, at 1.8933.
A special meeting to act on the proposed budget will be held at 5 p.m. July 1 at the courthouse.
County Budget Director Pat Hollingsworth handed out the budget to commissioners to review.
In other business:
County Commissioner and County Historian David Webb said he had done some research and determined that the huge oak tree on the courthouse lawn that was toppled by last week’s storm was 121 years old.
He said Rev. R.M. Giddens paid $9.60 for 24 trees which were planted on the court square in 1900.
“We have four left from that original 24 at this point,” Webb said.
Webb suggested that an oak tree be replanted on that spot for the County’s Bicentennial, which will be kicked off on November 7. He also encouraged the courthouse committee to approve replanting as many trees as possible.
–County Trustee Randi French said the annual Back to School Bash will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, July 24, at the fairgrounds. She encouraged commissioners to help with distributing the school supplies and backpacks to the children. This year will be a drive-through event again.
The event is sponsored by the Family Resource Center and The Shed. She noted last year, over 800 backpacks were given away to children.
Photo: County Mayor John Penn Ridgeway presides over the county commission meeting Monday night. (Shannon McFarlin photo).