Had the vote gone against them, the seven Greene County Constables would have been out of a job immediately. However by the slightest of margins, second reading on abolishing the positions failed Monday night by a vote of 13 in favor and 8 against.
The vote took place as the last item on the agenda of the County Commission meeting.
In October, commissioners had approved the resolution on a vote of 15 in favor and six against. A two thirds majority (14) was required for passage on each reading.
The earliest the matter could be brought up again is in one year.
THE VOTE
Voting YES to pass the resolution to abolish the position of Constable – White, Gunter, Crawford, Peters, Kiker, Quillen, Smithson, Dabbs, Bowers, Shelton, Bible, Waddle, Lawing
Voting NO on the resolution – Arrowood, Murray, Cobble, Parton, Carpenter, Clemmer, Anderson, Burkey
DIFFERENCE IN OCTOBER VOTE
The difference in the votes from October to last night came from Commissioners Pamela Carpenter and Lisa Anderson. Both had voted last month to approve the resolution calling for the constable positions to be done away with. Last night however, both voted against the resolution. The 19 other commissioners stood by their October vote.
SEVERAL SPEAK DURING PUBLIC HEARING
Several persons spoke during the Public Hearing portion of the meeting, including long time constable Freddie Sams, Rex Gibson on behalf of Sams, Orebank Volunteer Fire Department Chief Bradley Collins, William Moles with the East Tennessee Constable Association , Constable Matthew Brobeck, Marie Marsh and Charles Harmon.
HARMON
BROBECK TAKES BLAME, . DABBS ARGUES NOT PERSONAL
Brobeck told commissioners he felt his situation has made this matter more difficult for the other constables.
Commissioner Bill Dabbs argued the constable issues have long been a problem.
Prior to a vote on the matter, Commissioner Chase Murray had proposed an amendment taking out wording related to training for the constables which was voted down. Commissioners then cast their votes for the original resolution.
Murray had learned that only one constable, Freddie Sams, had completed their training for 2025. Two others Wayne Wilhoit and Matthew Brobeck had completed their 2024 training.
MORE COMING
More on the resolution and conversation from both sides of the debate is coming up later here at WGRV.com and today on Radio Greeneville News.
