JOHN COFFELTEditor

The Coffee County Commission officially set in motion during the Oct. 1 meeting a push to acquire 150 acres on Highway 55 for a proposed new judicial center.

Commissioner Lynn Sebourn, who also is the incoming president of the Arnold Community Council, said that group has had discussions with Arnold Air Force Base leadership here and in Washington.

“The Air Force no longer gives away property,” Sebourn said. “They enter into long-term leases. They call it an enhanced use lease.”

The process, Sebourn said, was once the Air Force understands what the intended use of the property and is willing to do it, they will release a request for proposal that the county in turn would respond to.

Sebourn said the Air Force would need to have some kind of benefit, but that would be heavily negotiable.

The ACC is anticipated to have further talks with the Air Force in the future. The resolution to authorize the County Mayor to pursue the matter passed 14-0.

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.