Friday Recap for December 13, 2024
Recently, the Williamson County Commission passed a resolution appealing to the Tennessee General Assembly to amend T.C.A. 67-4-409 that requires all counties to collect $.37 per $100 of assed value for every real estate transfer and send that money to the state. Last year that amounted to $28m from Williamson County. The resolution is asking that we get 1/2 of those monies returned to us and I have attached the actual resolution below.
Williamson Inc., which is our Chamber of Commerce, is circulating a petition to send to the General Assembly asking that they change T.C.A. 67-4-409 as requested in the County Commission's resolution.
If you click on the link that I am providing, you will see that our mayor, Rogers Anderson, has indicated in a letter to Williamson County businesses, that he and the six city mayors of Williamson County have agreed that a good purpose for the $14m we would get back be used to widen I-65 and the Moores Lane interchange. I-65 is a state road and, in my opinion, the state should pay for it.
While I am 100% in favor of getting our own money back, I don't want it to be earmarked for any specific purpose. Where that money is used is up to the County Commission and the people of Williamson County to decide.
If you decide to sign the Williamson Inc. petition, you will be signing your name to a letter that is going to the General Assembly. I have read the letter and, while it mentions I-65 and Moores Exchange, it is written more as an example of how the money might be used. I support signing the petition, but I suggest that you read both letters before you decide.
As an alternative or in addition to, you can write your own letter to one or all of our Williamson County representatives. Our state reps. are Gino Bulso, Jake McCalmon, Lee Reeves and Todd Warner. Our state senators are Jack Johnson and Joey Hensley
The Williamson Inc. petition is here. If you want more information about Williamson Inc., go here.
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Williamson County School District
There was a special meeting on Monday to vote on five challenged books agenda video. Because there was a lot of discussion about these books, I am recommending that, if you are interested, you can go to any segment in the video to hear all comments.
Lisa Carson who is an attorney for the county explained the reason for the meeting and she starts at 34:44
Next was public comment with 11 people speaking in favor of the books and 14 speaking against them and it starts at 42 mins 52 sec.
The question before each book was:
Determination of whether the following library book is appropriate for the age and maturity levels of the students who may access the books in Williamson County School libraries, and whether the book is consistent with the educational mission of Williamson County Schools
There was a lot of discussion about all five books and I will take them in order. Also, I have not commented nor highlighted any of the board's comments. If you want to here what the board members had to say about each book, I have provided the start time for each.
Extremely Loud and Extremely Close. Starts at 1 hr. 19 min. The board voted to take the book out of the WCS libraries.
Motion Tony Bostic "In response to the objection raised to Extremely Loud and Incredibly close I, Tony Bostic, move that the book be removed from Williamson county Schools library collection because it is not appropriated for the age and maturity levels for students who have access to it, and/or is not consistent with the educational mission of Williamson County Schools."
Second by Dr. Dennis Driggers
Vote 9 yes and 3 no. The noes were Eric Welch, Melissa Wyatt and Jay Galbreath
Field Guide to the North American Teenager. Starts at 1 hr. 45 min. 35 sec. The board voted to keep the book but restrict it to students in grades 11 and 12.
Motion Tonja Hibma "In response to the objection raised to Field Guide to the North American Teenager I, Tonja Hibma, move that the book be removed from Williamson county Schools library collection because it is not appropriated for the age and maturity levels for students who have access to it, and/or is not consistent with the educational mission of Williamson County Schools."
Second Dr. Claire Reeves
Amendment Josh Brown "In response to the objection raised to Field Guide to the North American Teenager I move that the book only be available to students in grade levels 11 and 12 because, while it is consistent with the educational mission of the schools, it is not appropriate for the age a maturity levels of the students who have access to it below grade 11."
Second Jay Galbreath
Vote to adopt the amendment 11 yes and one no. No was Eric Welch
It's a little confusing but, according to Robert's Rules, an amendment must be voted on before returning to the original motion. So, there are two votes, first, to approve the amendment and second to approve the original motion as amended.
Vote on the original motion as amended was 10 yes and 2 no. The noes were Eric Welch and Melissa Wyatt.
Speak Starts at 2 hr. 10 min. 19 sec. The board voted to keep the book but restrict it to grades 9 through 12.
Motion Donna Clements "In response to the objection raised to Speak I, move that the book be removed from Williamson county Schools library collection because it is not appropriated for the age and maturity levels for students who have access to it, and/or is not consistent with the educational mission of Williamson County Schools."
Second Drason Beasley
Amendment Claire Reeves "In response to the objection raised to Speak I move that the book be available to only students in grade levels 9 through 12 because, while it is consistent with the educational mission of the schools, it is not appropriate for the age a maturity levels of the students who have access to it in grade levels below 9th grade."
Second Tonja Hibma
Vote to adopt amendment 8 yes and 4 no. The noes were Margie Johnson, Dan Cash, Eric Welch and Drason Beasley.
This is the same situation as Field Guide to North American teenagers.
Final Vote 8 yes and 4 no. The noes were Dan Cash, Melissa Wyatt, Eric Welch and Drason Beasley.
Perks of being a Wallflower starts at 2hr. 44min. 28 sec. The board voted to remove this book from WCS libraries.
Motion Tony Bostic "In response to the objection raised to Perks of Being a Wallflower I, Tony Bostic, move that the book be removed from Williamson county Schools library collection because it is not appropriated for the age and maturity levels for students who have access to it, and/or is not consistent with the educational mission of Williamson County Schools."
Second Donna Clements
Vote 10 yes and 2 no. the noes were Eric Welch and Melissa Wyatt
Where the Crawdads Sing 2 hr. 46 min. 31 sec. The board voted to remove this book from WCS libraries.
Motion Tony Bostic "In response to the objection raised to Where the Crawdads sing I move that the book be removed from Williamson county Schools library collection because it is not appropriated for the age and maturity levels for students who have access to it, and/or is not consistent with the educational mission of Williamson County Schools."
Second Margie Johnson
Vote 10 yes and 2 no. The noes were Eric Welch and Melissa Wyatt.
there are no scheduled meetings for next week
Williamson County Commission
The Planning Commission met on Thursday agenda packet video
- All consent items, 3-31 passed
- Items 32, 33, 44 were pulled prior to the meeting.
- Items 37, 38, 40, 41, 42 were deferred
- Items 34, 39, and 43 were passed
- Item 45 was a presentation for mixed use in Triune. This took up most of the meeting and starts at the 42:30 mark of the video. Really interesting and worth a watch.
Next week, there are five meetings scheduled:
The Education committee meets on Monday at 4:30 pm in the executive conference room in the County Building at 1320 W. Main
The joint meeting of the joint Budget and HR Committees meet on Monday at 5:30 in the executive conference room in the County Building at 1320 W. Main. They will be receiving a compensation plan update from consultants BTA & Associates.
The Tax Study Committee meets on Tuesday at 5:30 pm in the executive conference room in the County Building at 1320 W. Main. I have not information at this time.
The Storm Water Appeals Board meets on Wednesday at 8:30 am and I have no further information.
The joint Law Enforcement/Public Safety and HR committees meet on Wednesday at 5:30 pm in the executive conference room in the County Building at 1320 W. Main
There are no meetings scheduled for the week of December 22nd.
Board of Mayor and Aldermen
There were seven meetings this week and each one had packets with numerous items. With all else that was going on this week, I didn't have time to peruse the agendas and packets for these meetings. But you can go here and click on any one of them. If anyone would like to help with reporting on BOMA, please let me know. Just email me at pettyandassociates@gmail.com
Williamson County Election Commission
There are no more meetings scheduled for the rest of December
If not me, who?
If not now, when?
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen (Heb. 11:1)
“We work hard with our own hands. When we are vilified, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; when we are slandered, we answer gently.” (1st Corinthians 4:12-13)
Blessings,
Bill
Community resources
If you like Friday Recap, check out these other grassroots conservative projects!
- Williamson County Citizens is a volunteer network of local voters that elect grassroots conservatives to public office.
- TruthWire News covers a broad spectrum of political and governmental issues, from the actions of your local school board and county commissioners to the machinations of city councils and state government officials.
- Tennessee Voters for Election Integrity is helping restore confidence in Tennessee Elections.
- Williamson County Republican Party is one of the most active parties in the state and captures the conservative heart of Tennessee.
- Mom's For Liberty Williamson County is dedicated to fighting for the survival of America by unifying, educating and empowering parents to defend their parental rights at all levels of government.
- Tennessee Stands produces video media, podcasts, and live events, and provides social commentary on relevant issues in our state.
Help educate the citizens of Williamson County!
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