The Greene County Commission voted to postpone the resolution to remove law enforcement powers from Greene County Constables indefinitely until the end of the current session.
Commissioner Chase Murray made a motion during a discussion to postpone the resolution and Commissioner Larkin Clemmer seconded. In Murray’s explanation to the commission of what exactly he meant by the statement, he said postponing the resolution would mean that it’s gone. It can’t be addressed until the end of the current session, which ends in 2026.
Murray told Radio Greeneville News the session or term ends in 2026 when there is an election for constables. The majority of the commission voted yes for Murray’s motion. All the motion needed to pass was 11 yes votes out of the 20 commissioners that were present. Those who voted were Josh Arrowood, Chase Murray, Jason Cobble, Tim Smithson, Bill Dabbs, Lyle Parton, Pamela Carpenter, Gary Shelton, John Waddle, Larkin Clemmer, and Paul Burkey.
Commissioners not voting in favor of postponing the resolution and instead move forward in a discussion were Teddy Lawing, Lisa Anderson, Jeffery Bible, Hoot Bowers, Jan Kiker, Brad Peters, Tim White, Nick Gunter, and Kathy Crawford. Commissioner Robin Quillen was absent and was not able to attend the meeting.
Murray said he wasn’t necessarily planning on making that motion and was battling back and forth. He did mention Commissioner Lyle Parton played a hand. Parton said he believed this request regarding constables only came about because some commissioners may have personal vendettas against them. Parton expressed to the commission that the constables should be left alone to do their job and serve as the people elected them to. He said the topic needed to be put to rest.
Commissioner Murray was also influenced by the fact that there were only two lawsuits in the last 20 years involving a constable. Murray was additionally inspired after speaking with constables and hearing from people in his community. He felt there was enough support for both sides and said he saw the concerns but didn’t believe there was enough support to justify taking away the constable’s law enforcement powers.
Commissioner Murray said the county commission could come back with any variation of this resolution and that only a few words would need to change for the request to be considered again.
