By Shannon McFarlin News Director
Paris, Tenn.—At a meeting streamed on Facebook Live Thursday evening, members of the Paris City Commission heard a report from Carl Holder, chairman of the Henry County-City of Paris Joint Bicentennial planning committee on the proposed plans for the upcoming celebration.
The meeting was live streamed to follow social distancing guidelines, with attendance at the meeting limited to 10 people at any one time and with everyone spaced apart.
Holder outlined the plan for what is being proposed as a joint Henry County-City of Paris Bicentennial Celebration, with activities and events held from 2021 to 2023.
As proposed, the Paris-Henry Co. Heritage Center will oversee the activities. A committee has been formed: In addition to Holder, co-chair is David Webb, who also is the county representative; Paris Vice Mayor Jackie Jones; Kasey Meunch of the Chamber office; County Archivist Stephanie Routon; Lucy Presson, representing the local schools; Kathy Ray of the Downtown Paris Association and Suzy Herron of the Heritage Center.
It has been determined that tentative start date for activities will be November 2021 through September 2023 based on the founding dates of the county and the city.
Possible events include Founder’s Day luncheons, cemetery and ghost tours, 1820s sports, dancing events; period plays and performances; school contests such as t-shirt designs; African-American spirituals performed; showcasing 200 years of county history (Civil War, WWI, Depression, Camp Tyson in WWII, etc).
City Commissioners gave the go-ahead to continue plans for the events.
In other business:
–Commissioners heard a lengthy presentation from Paris Board of Public Utilities General Manager Terry Wimberley on proposed formation of a Utility Authority. The proposal has been discussed at length by the BPU and on Tuesday, April 28, that board passed a resolution recommending that the city form the Paris Utility Authority.
During tonight’s discussion, City Attorney Fred McLean raised issues regarding how future board members will be appointed.
The proposal to form the Utility Authority will be acted upon at a special called session at 5 p.m. Thursday, which will be held just prior to the planning commission meeting.
–An election will be needed for two City Commission seats that are currently held by Vice Mayor Jackie Jones and Commissioner Terry Fuller. The commission formally called for the municipal election and directed the County Election Commission to take necessary steps to hold the election.
— Several amendments to the Fiscal 2020 budget were made in various categories. City Finance Director Traci Shannon said, “As usual, most adjustments relate to unplanned expenses and the timing of grant related projects. The overall impact to the budget is a significant decrease in both revenues and expenditures. Expenditures will decrease more than revenues potentially leaving us in an even better position than originally planned. Due to the current state of affairs and the unknown impact to the economy, sales tax numbers have not been adjusted.’
Photo by Shannon McFarlin.