By Shannon McFarlin News Director
Paris, Tenn.–At a busy meeting Monday evening, Henry County Mayor John Penn Ridgeway provided an update on the future of county buildings; commissioners welcomed Rita Gean as the new District 1 Commissioner to replace her late husband, Randy; approved the amendment of the Private Act that will clear the way for the sale or lease of the Henry County Healthcare Center (hospital nursing home); and accepted the resignation of County Property Assessor Charles VanDyke. Once again, a large crowd filled the courtroom for the meeting.
Utilizing drone images projected on a screen, Ridgeway said to the commissioners, “We all know the age of our buildings” and updated them on ongoing county projects.
The TRC -VOC Rehab Building on Hwy. 79S “is one of our best buildings” and will be available once the courthouse annex is relocated (the deteriorating condition of the building has been highlighted in several articles on our website as the county has studied the issue). “The biggest issue we have here is parking, but this is the best option we have for the short and long-term.”
The county received a grant to build a new health department which will be built on Hwy. 79S (across from the TRC-VOC Rehab buiding). The current health department was built in the early 1990s and woud be available when other county offices relocate (including Weston Hall, which needs a new roof).
Ridgeway said he and County Maintenance Supervisor John McElroy will be traveling to Marshall County tomorrow to look at their health department which has the same building model than Henry County is looking at.
The new health department will have is groundbreaking in the Fall of 2024 and will be opening the first quarter of 2026.
Looking ahead, Ridgeway said the courthouse annex will require extensive work, which is estimated (a low estimate) of $15M and the roof at Weston Hall alone will cost $1.5M.
–Residents of District 1 now have a new Commissioner: Rita Gean, the wife of the late Randy Gean. The commission unanimously approved her appointment to the commission and she will fill out her husband’s unexpired term. Rita always came to every meeting along with her husband over the years.
In making the motion approving Rita, Commissioner Dell Carter said, “Randy always liked to finish what he started.”
Commissioners and audience members gave Ms. Gean a standing ovation. After the appointment she was sworn in by County Clerk Donna Craig on the Bible that her husband used when he was a Decon at Mt. Sinai Church in Buchanan.
Standing with her for the swearing in was her daughter, Jinny Pritchett and grandchildren Devin and Aubrie Pritchitt.
–The Commission approved the amendment of the Private Act for the sale or lease of the Henry County Healthcare Center (hospital nursing home) and/or The Hospital District.
Ridgeway noted it had been a long road to getting the Private Act amended for the sale. After a special meeting, the resolution was sent in December to the state and after numerous calls and attorneys, the Private Act amendment was finally acted upon by the General Assembly.
–As was reported earlier, VanDyke resigned effective at the end of April. After discussion, commissioners decided to leave the position open for now. It is on the ballot at the August election and Scott Morrison and Robert Abbott Jr. are running for the position.
–Diann McGuire, director of the Keep Paris/Henry County Beautiful group, provided an update on the litter grant and how partnering with the Keep Tennessee Beautiful campaign has helped local efforts. “I want to thank John Penn, (Sheriff) Josh Frey, (Road Supervisor) Richie Chilcutt, and all the volunteers for their support”, she said.
As was reported over the weekend on our sites, McGuire and the local program has achieved President’s Circle status.
–Ridgeway announced that the May meeting will be moved to Tuesday, May 28 due to a Legislative Conference and the Memorial Day holiday, He said if it appears there will be another standing room crowd, the meeting may be moved to the Central Services building.
–Commissioner Monte Starks said the Collegiate Big Bass Tournament is ongoing at Paris Landing this week and 250 boaters will be participating. “And that is good for the local economy,” he said.
Photo: Ridgeway provides an update on upcoming building projects. Shannon McFarlin photo.