JOHN COFFELTEditor

The Coffee County Health, Welfare and Recreation Committee approved a motion during the Sept. 26 Meeting for the county to purchase Christmas lights for the Courthouse on the square.

HWR Chairman Jimmy Hollandsworth brought the item before the committee after a discussion with Manchester Mayor Joey Hobbs.

Hollandsworth said with the recent revitalization of the square and the success with the county’s involvement in Safe on the Square last year, the mayor approached the county with the idea of expanding the Christmas tree lighting ceremony that follows the Christmas parade on the courthouse lawn.

“Christmas will be even better for the square, Hollandsworth said. There’s a lot going in up there as far as shopping.”

Commissioner Tim Morris said he was all for decorating the courthouse, but he recalled being blocked during an earlier time in office by the Manchester Historical Commission who said that any decorations would need to be from the 1800s.

“I’m all for decorating the courthouse,” Morris said. “I remember as a kid when the courthouse was lit up. If it doesn’t hurt the historical standing of that building, I think decorating it for kids and for adults my age, it would bring a lot. Christmas is always special and we need a special Christmas this year.”

The motion passed unanimously. The matter will next go before Budget and Finance Committee for funding appropriations and then to the full legislative body for final approval.

John has been with the Manchester Times since May 2011. John has won Tennessee Press Association awards for Best News Photo and placed in numerous other categories. John is a 1994 graduate of Tullahoma High School, a graduate of Motlow State Community College and earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Middle Tennessee State University. He lives in Tullahoma, enjoys painting, dancing and exploring the outdoors.