John Coffelt, Editor

Manchester Vice Mayor Mark Messick has announced his intent to run for county mayor in 2026. Messick will not seek reelection as a city alderman once his term ends next year.      

Running as an independent in August, Messick will face whoever wins the Republican and Democratic Party primaries in May.

Messick said he considers himself a conservative Democrat, though he has voted Republican in the majority of recent primary elections.

“I don’t want to be beholden to the Republicans, and I don’t want to be beholden to the Democrats. I want to be beholden to the people of Coffee County, the people who elect me to serve them,” Messick said. 

Messick said he will campaign on fostering growth in the county, partnering with the State to promote the I-24 Industrial Site (megasite).

“I think the first thing we need is to do away with this ridiculous 5-acre zoning (resolution) that we have,” Messick said. “If you own your property, you should be able to do what you want to with it, within reason. There is no reason to put that burden on people.”  

Messick said that the county’s zoning resolutions have historically had a good track record and have stood up well since they were implemented.

“I would do my best to put us back there,” he said.

He further suggested greater participation between county and city governments to improve water access to rural residents and to reduce redundancy in municipal services.

“There’s got to be some duplicates and some triplicates that we could do away with and save some money,” Messick said, while stating that he’s not in favor of school consolidation.

Growth, according to Messick, is the vehicle that will foster the county’s struggling budget. He said that during his time in office, the city grew its coffers from a $3 million surplus to nearly $14 million.

“I know times are a little tight,” Messick said referring to the county coffers. “The current administration started talking about a (property) tax increase, so I know we’re not swimming in money… I just don’t won’t to ever raise taxes.”

“Growth is a nasty word to a lot of people, but we have grown our revenue every year by a million dollars every year since I’ve been (alderman). We’ve done that because we’ve had growth. You either grow or you die.”

He sharply criticized the county’s recent move to fund the Old Stone Fort Bridge Preservation Group’s legal expenses related to a failed administrative hearing that challenged an Aquatic Resource Alteration Permit (ARAP) and chancery court appeal filed on Oct. 27.

“We receive hotel and motel taxes that according to the state of Tennessee must be used solely for the purpose of growing tourism in our county. I don’t believe it is the proper use of those funds to pay an organization’s legal bills,” Messick said.

He did, however, support County Mayor Dennis Hunt’s efforts to find grant money to save the derelict Riverview School. He differed on Hunt’s suggestion of using the facility as a daycare. Messick proposed a Black history museum would be more appropriate.

Messick also stated that he will step away from his work as a realtor if elected County Mayor.    

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.