City and county like the Hatfields, McCoys
The city and the county are bickering yet again. Why are we not surprised?
It’s probably because government officials from McMinnville and Warren County have a feud as legendary as the Hatfields and McCoys. Yes, our local officials are very much like those Hatfields and McCoys, the two families who fought in the Appalachian mountains of West Virginia and Kentucky for decades. It was a feud so fierce, it resulted in about a dozen deaths.
Take away the fatalities and you’ve got the city of McMinnville versus Warren County. Looking at the silly squabbles which have taken place in recent years, it’s apparent the two sides are both stubborn.
• Both the city and county lay claim to the dilapidated ball field located behind what’s now called Warren County Administrative Offices. Why either side would waste time fighting for ownership of that ball field is perhaps the most pressing question.
• Officials argued over who should pay for a $50,000 fingerprint machine mandated by the TBI. After the city and county agreed to split the cost, the city tried to back out of the agreement and not pay. These two sides should know by now to get it in writing.
• Then you’ve got the infamous move where the Warren County Commission voted to support residents who were fighting McMinnville annexation by suing to remain outside the city. For all the residents living inside McMinnville city limits, the county commission’s actions meant they were suing themselves since the city of McMinnville will always be located inside Warren County.
• The city is currently talking about suing the county over the right to dump its garbage in county convenience centers.
• And let’s not forget when county officials tried to push the city out of the way and take full control of the Industrial Development Board.
All this brings us to our current city/ county battle where county officials took down two-hour parking signs outside the courthouse because County Executive Kenneth Rogers says the signs aren’t fair.
In response, McMinnville Mayor Royce Davenport issued a stern ultimatum: Replace the signs at once, or city officials will replace the signs themselves. If only mom issued such ultimatums growing up. “Now you clean your room, or I’ll clean it for you.” Hmmm. Doesn’t take much thought to figure that one out.
It’s sad our city and county officials can’t get along. We’ve seen this time and time again. And if you can’t agree on something as simple as a parking space, what are you going to agree on?
The truly unfortunate aspect of all this bickering is it hurts all Warren County residents. It’s also probably no coincidence a major industry hasn’t agreed to locate here in almost 15 years. Things like city/ county harmony are important to million dollar businesses.
The key to economic development and recruiting new industry is for our local governments to work together. City and county need to cooperate for the common good of the community.
The Standard has long called for the two sides to have an amiable relationship but that request has generally been given the cold shoulder. Whether you live in the city or you don’t, all of us are unified by the fact we are Warren County residents.
Instead of acting childish by suing one another and removing parking signs, the city and county need to form a harmonious relationship. Based on past history, don’t look for that to happen. Our leaders apparently have more fun squabbling than they do in bringing new jobs to this community.