Commission passes growth plan, honors baseball team
Warren County commissioners unanimously passed what was essentially a “lame-duck” 1101 growth plan at their monthly meeting Tuesday night. The plan, which the 1101 Coordinating Committee had voted on and submitted to Morrison and McMinnville for approval, was subsequently voted on and passed by Morrison but was rejected by McMinnville.
County Executive Carol Hamblen explained to commissioners that all three governing bodies, Morrison, McMinnville and the county were required to vote on the plan – even though one had already rejected it – in order for the plan to be sent back to the 1101 Coordinating Committee for revision.
Though aware their vote was entirely procedural, the commissioners still requested a recess to view the map of the rejected plan. They then reconvened and passed the plan with little further discussion.
A resolution, similar to the resolution presented by Swanson Bennett at the previous month’s meeting, designed to encourage the Tennessee General Assembly to pass a state income tax, was presented at Tuesday’s meeting, this time from the Education Committee.
“It seems to me like more and more people in Tennessee are beginning to realize what kind of disaster we’re facing if some major action isn’t taken in terms of getting adequate revenues into state government,” Education Committee Chairman Bill Zechman said.
The resolution was defeated, 10-8.
A resolution to honor retiring Circuit Court Judge Charles D. Haston was presented by Commissioner Bobby Cox.
“In life and in growing up, we all strive to be consistent in the way we live our lives and who we look to as role models, and I can think of no better person to be a role model in Warren County than Judge Haston,” Cox said.
The resolution passed unanimously.
Haston’s son, Chuck, had been given the responsibility of getting his father to the meeting, which led to an amusing acceptance speech from Judge Haston.
“I wondered why my kid was trying to get me out here. I asked what on earth they could want with me, and he said ‘I think it has something to do with back taxes.'” Haston said, “So I’m not only honored, I’m relieved.”
A resolution to honor the WCMS baseball team was presented by Commissioner Jeff Killian. The team, coached by Kevin Burnett and managed by Chris Parker, won the Middle School State Championship Tournament and ended its season with a 24-6 record. The resolution passed unanimously.
“This is really special to me tonight because I’ve known most of these boys since they were 7 years old and they and their parents have become like family to me,” Killian said before calling up the team members to receive the honor.