The Greene County Republican Party Monday night held its first meeting since reorganization of the local party last month.
New Party Chair Tom Bible opened the meeting by introducing the new officers for the next two years.
GOP OFFICERS
Chair – Tom Bible
Vice Chair – Carolynn Kinser
Treasurer – Alan Marsh
Vice Treasurer – Vera Cox
Secretary – Sue Starnes
ROAD UPDATES
Road Superintendent Kevin Swatsell gave a quick update on bridge construction and repair. The completion date for Birds Bridge remains June 15th. Swatsell says getting the bridges opened up will relieve some traffic issues and eliminate some stress.
MAYOR UPDATES
Mayor Kevin Morrison discussing the state project at Kinser Bridge, says it remains on schedule for a June 25th opening. Engineers report traffic count on that bridge was between 12 to 14,000 vehicles per day before September. Negotiations continue with FEMA and TEMA over repair of the roads damaged by the debris cleanup. Morrison assured members the roads will be fixed and the river will be cleaned up.
SENATOR HAGERTY
Senator Bill Hagerty is scheduled to visit a week from tomorrow, Wednesday, April 16th to tour some of areas affected by the flooding and the cleanup and repairs underway.
WINGS AND WHEELS
Morrison also reminded party members the 101st Airborne Division will be at the Wings and Wheels event this Saturday. This will be the first time since assisting in the disaster response last fall members of 101st will be back in the area, this time in a more public setting and an opportunity to thank them for their assistance.
TARIFFS
Party Chair Bible discussed recent controversial tariffs ordered by the President, saying the country has been taken advantage of long enough and in the long term he thinks it will be good, calling it “short term pain, but long term gain”.
LADIES DAY ON THE HILL
Joy Rader Nunnally says seven local representatives plan to attend the Ladies on the Hill event next week in Nashville
REPUBLICAN WOMEN MEET THURSDAY
She also reported the Greene County Republican Women will meet Thursday at Noon at the Harvest Family Restaurant with School Board Chair Rick Tipton as guest speaker. Cost for the meal is $15. The membership drive for the Republican Women is also underway at this time.
AMERICAN FIRST FEDERATED WOMEN
Due to being in Nashville for the Ladies Day event next week, the American First Federated Women were also meeting last night at the VFW Post 1990. Wayne Bettis representing AIDNET Greene County was the guest speaker.
IN REMEMBRANCE
Party members remembered recently passed members Peggy Broyles, Beverly Barwick and Sam Riley for their contributions.
ELECTED OFFICIALS IN ATTENDANCE
Kevin Swatsell – Road Superintendent
Paul Burkey – County Commissioner
Nathan Holt – County Trustee
Rick Tipton – School Board Chair
Kevin Morrison – County Mayor
Wesley Holt -Sheriff
Karen Ottinger – Register of Deeds
Jan Kiker – County Commissioner
Nancy Wilson – State Executive Committee Woman
Alan Corley – Tusculum Mayor
MAY MEETING
Bible said he is hopeful State Representative David Hawk will be able to attend the May meeting of the group for a legislative update.
The next meeting will be Monday, May 5th at the party headquarters on Snapps Ferry Road across from Food City. Chairman Bible announced yearly dues of $25 which help support local candidates in upcoming elections, may be paid beginning next month.
