By Shannon McFarlin News Director
Paris, Tenn.–In observance of Black History Month, the Paris City Commission Thursday night made recognition of several historic firsts for the city, honoring the first Black fireman James Palmer, first Black policeman Jimmy Rowe and first Black city commissioner Billy Byars and their families.
The meeting was a busy one and included a report from Auditor Matt Wood, who said the city’s audit was a ‘clean’ and ‘healthy’ one and that the city “is in good standing across the board”.
In her reports, City Manager Kim Foster said the long-awaited Wilson Street sidewalk project will soon be underway, A pre-construction meeting was held at which timelines were set. She said the 180-day project will be completed in September.
City Finance Director Traci Shannon reported another good month, with retail sales tax revenue for November up 12.98 percent compared to last November. “We are ahead 9.02 percent for our fiscal year-to-date”, she said. Four new business licenses were issued in December: Rosemary Road, JTG LLC, Jerry & Co. Market Place.
City Mayor Carlton Gerrell appointed Willie Ruth Pearson to the Paris Housing Authority board, replacing Charlie Atkinson.
Commissioners forwarded a request from Jamie Orr to acquire a small portion at the end of Jean St. to the planning commission, which met immediately following the city commission meeting. Orr has purchased the Wing-n-it property adjacent to the property he already purchased and where he intends to build a retail development. As we reported in September, Orr has plans to locate his investment firm, a Holley Credit Union branch and a restaurant on the W. Wood St. property.
At the planning commission meeting following the city commission, the request was approved.
In other business:
The city approved a resolution in support of restoring historic revenue sharing, as requested by the Tennessee Municipal League. The TML has as a priority this legislative session to generate support for bills aimed at restoring the historic relationship of the state sharing its sales tax collections with cities, Foster said. Commissioner Jackie Jones said, “I’m really for it. It will be much better this way for cities.”
The city approved a certificate of compliance for the Mineral Wells Package Store, as requested by Matthew Michael. Michael owns The Loft and has now also purchased the Mineral Wells Package Store. The certificate of compliance shows property background checks completed by the city police department and nothing was found to prohibit issuance of the signed certificate.
Photo by Shannon McFarlin