JOHN COFFELTEditor

The County Commission at the April 11 meeting moved to pause selecting a Chairman Pro Tempore member who will fill the role as chairman in the absence of the mayor until resolution can be written that will regulate which commissioners are eligible.

The verbal agreement currently in place calls for a nominee to come from one of the county’s three caucuses, rural, Manchester and Tullahoma on an alternating basis. That nominee comes from the Commission floor and is selected by a majority vote.

With the passing of Mayor Judd Matheny who was the chairman of the County Commission, Commissioner Dennis Hunt, who the body voted Pro Tempore earlier in this year, according to state rules of accession was named interim mayor.

“For those wondering, I am wearing three hats tonight,” Hunt said. “I am the interim mayor, I am the chair and I am still a commissioner of District 6.”

Commissioner Terry Hershman made a motion to pull the item from the agenda. The motion to amend the agenda passed 15-1 with Commissioner Joseph Hodge voting no. Commissioners Holly Jones and Dwight Miller were absent. Hunt as chairman did not vote.

“I think that right now we are under a gentlemen’s agreement on how the transfer of this position goes,” Hershman said. “I think we need to have something in writing in a policy instead of just going by the seat of our pants.”

Hershman suggested the matter go to the Policies and Procedures Committee and then to the Legislative Committee and then on to be approved by the full Commission before a Pro Tempore Commissioner is considered.

Interim Mayor reassures the county

Hunt discouraged the idea that the county was in uncharted waters with the loss of its mayor. Using an extended train metaphor, Hunt said the county would continue to travel along the proper tracks that Matheny had chosen.

Hunt continued the analogy by saying that like fabled train driver Casey Jones dying with his hands at the controls, Hunt said Matheny died with his hands on a wide-open throttle.

“I intend to maintain the momentum he had going,” Hunt said. “I do know how to control the throttle. If there is a cow on the tracks, I know how to blow the whistle.”

Nettles replaces Willis on Planning Commission

The Commission approved an appointment by Hunt to add Commissioner Laura Nettles to the Coffee County Regional Planning Commission.

The resolution passed will minimal discussion with 15 yes votes and Nettles abstaining.

The Commission also approved Hunts’ appointment of Hershman to the Capital Outlay Committee.

Hunt said that he would will no longer act as chairman of the Planning Committees while serving as interim mayor. The committee will appoint a chairman at its next meeting.

The resolution passes 15-0 with Hershman abstaining.

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.