[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6326449,"mediaKeyId","2324450-d978592df1554942e2e7d9382d5c23c4","parentId",2324450,"title","Resident urges council to respect First Amendment after past public‑comment removals","audioSeconds",224,"startMs",437000,"endMs",661000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2324450-d978592df1554942e2e7d9382d5c23c4&start=437&end=661","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2324450-d978592df1554942e2e7d9382d5c23c4/thumbnail_437000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6326449/Lewisburg-City/Marshall-County/Tennessee/Resident-urges-council-to-respect-First-Amendment-after-past-publiccomment-removals","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6326449-ab195bebe3d0701ee3711c279168fcd3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771203180&Signature=ev8v2shtg7fjH2D3siev9EjClmwBBJsl3TMgg7LG0g3JaicaZopmfOkpZIftc8njQ2GKa2Ssa1i2YOeHhxfoQyJv0Y3nWjf7VBtKAcaPZ-YiZX8AsYOrRHzqbU~qQaFpQh15GkatVYnSp~h3NwDswmi42Y3cNUxMiIehAnclEC4IGSj0Qp3TSQg5x~WgjYYg2ciuxONz6PaTTJsHnO2s288X4Vc-bZHfg~~qDlV1mtZJyl2QWw9SqNLiHBC5KQE4PW9ERdIMkrclTIMhmNc~J9btwtunpnzTG0f2T26577MvLgCAnP9XY9Di7NzKyd6bdW9ElGxjhURC2Mr3vy0eTg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Lewisburg, TN","date","2025-02-11T00:00:00Z","article","Joe Bradford, a Lewisburg resident, used the citizen-input period to say he had observed what he described as selective enforcement of the council’s “no personal attacks” rule during public comment. Bradford asked that his remarks be entered into the meeting minutes and provided a copy to the city recorder.

Bradford recounted prior incidents in which speakers who criticized elected officials were removed from meetings while other speakers were allowed to finish. He referenced Acosta v. City of Costa Mesa, saying the court requires a person’s speech at a city council meeting to be disruptive before that person may be silenced or removed. Bradford said requests to remove officials or criticism that is calmly delivered does not meet the legal standard for removal.

Why it matters: Public-comment rules set the boundaries for how residents can address elected officials; questions about selective enforcement can raise concerns about procedural fairness and civil‑liberties compliance.

Direct quote: \"My concern is the no personal attacks rule is being applied selectively to speech with which the mayor disagrees,\" Bradford said. He added: \"The courts have upheld the right of the public to criticize the actions of public officials during public comments so long as their speech is delivered in a manner that is not disorderly.\"

Ending: Bradford requested his comments be entered into the meeting minutes; council moved on to the consent agenda after public comment concluded.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Feb 11 2025","oneSentenceSummary","A Lewisburg resident told the council he believes the no-personal-attacks rule has been applied selectively and cited court precedent supporting protection for critical speech during public comment.","taxTitle","Lewisburg City, Marshall County, Tennessee","taxId",54314,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6326454,"Lewisburg proclaims March 7 Arbor Day; recreation staff warn of major pool dehumidifier cost",2271,283000,2554000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2324450-d978592df1554942e2e7d9382d5c23c4&start=283&end=2554","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2324450-d978592df1554942e2e7d9382d5c23c4/thumbnail_283000.jpg","/articles/6326454/Lewisburg-City/Marshall-County/Tennessee/Lewisburg-proclaims-March-7-Arbor-Day-recreation-staff-warn-of-major-pool-dehumidifier-cost","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6326454-098bf4202856bb2389a718ef0210ee2d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771203180&Signature=Wq8InGyEP1YYIewn5jYjGnfE7mR-nbxmie~CCImGs8M3I6HSIkwRt4wTGci2kKlmNUHr6DB6fICETDavTapjiN3hWNVbEzFZKj8xgydf5Hncqs0ggoAzc5BCeiYQhxFJS2ug1hmgWbm3TZkieovvsDEtadM~7-DiHudeo8pvgrxfbI0GfcU8mqFafmlapESqdRnR4MHyNHz~tgQib8z1fz9xgEsHu~iPPw2BdoWbSOxnrpgWsq5SRQhu~ZUnPRIq7PgML7quRhSZWLSc42xFoxLc0v7eofspbpJehsLn8P6o1R97WpEjCvrUZCNmXEuhfVfnDhtkTEbpxLWDqW92yw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The mayor and council issued a proclamation recognizing March 7, 2025, as Arbor Day and acknowledged Lewisburg’s tenth consecutive year as a Tree City. Barbara Woods, chair of the city’s Tree City committee, described tree-planting, giveaways and a public Arbor Day event scheduled for March 7; she invited council and the public to attend.

Parks and recreation director Carrie (last name not specified in transcript) told the council the rec-center pool dehumidification unit had failed. Staff obtained a second opinion from Merriman Farr (Nashville) that recommended replacement. The director said repair-to-limp costs might be about $30,000 but a full replacement and correct installation would be about $455,000. Staff said they will consult with the budget committee to identify funding options.

The rec department also previewed a statewide aquatic summit on Feb. 19–20 to be hosted at the rec center and noted continued growth in youth programs. The department said it will perform playground audits as part of a master-plan update and is pursuing certification for playground inspection.

Quotes from the meeting: \"This is our tenth year we've been recognized as a Tree City,\" Barbara Woods said. Carrie summarized the dehumidifier situation: \"We are looking at about 455,000 to get this project corrected... we could possibly fix it to let it limp along maybe a little bit longer for about $30,000.\"

Why it matters: A full replacement cost in the hundreds of thousands would be a notable unbudgeted expense for municipal recreation facilities and could require budget reallocation or outside funding. Arbor Day activities and the Tree City designation reflect ongoing local environmental stewardship.

Ending: Staff will bring a funding plan and coordinate with the budget committee; Arbor Day events and a tree giveaway are scheduled for March 7 and March 14–15, respectively.","Council proclaimed March 7 Arbor Day and recognized the city’s tenth Tree City designation. Recreation staff said the rec-center dehumidification unit has failed and estimated repairs at roughly $455,000, with a temporary repair option near $30,000; staff will seek budget committee review.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6326459,"State, TVA visiting Lewisburg industrial site this week; officials describe potential 80-employee manufacturing investment",273,1913000,2186000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2324450-d978592df1554942e2e7d9382d5c23c4&start=1913&end=2186","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2324450-d978592df1554942e2e7d9382d5c23c4/thumbnail_1913000.jpg","/articles/6326459/Lewisburg-City/Marshall-County/Tennessee/State-TVA-visiting-Lewisburg-industrial-site-this-week-officials-describe-potential-80-employee-manufacturing-investment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6326459-c7416b2bbd6216e530a321c7609b0de0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771203180&Signature=hQVGApasTy1bGM0BkjI0imTBnw7lfGPcPznQflpo2cYfknPh4Lqe0Ans8ZvjQFG7J5u9JvSxBVT0Jmu04XAPDZp37NfOwA-1FuJdNKgbEvebZMRBoAiFy0a-fhJQAXaTJZK85DUlGQEn3c9~JlS6rhxvA~Qoya29AFi2cGNPvhEAtM~G94Z9NzZMstFYU18~mZb6ieirPX-IUBH0gqoCA~DgaZgNIwLl8-ISdm6CWXMhDbMxG7XnZJ1q384rTUAcBFzHsw-Ps46g0tbG972grQAHx7UhcnC2Zrd3LHMfvuG6uXnhDOsSsO8qL0tEPbufZClDESCHvA1FMuCSWWsTzA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Jennifer Pearson, Lewisburg director of economic and community development, told the mayor and council the state’s Economic & Community Development office and TVA will visit a privately owned site in the city’s industrial park on Thursday to evaluate it for a prospective manufacturer.

Pearson said the company is a North American joint venture in building-product manufacturing. She said the site would initially require about an 80,000-square-foot building, expandable by about 90,000 square feet, plus approximately 80,000 square feet of paved laydown. The company told staff it would not use process water, would deploy highly automated equipment requiring electrical and mechanical engineers and would bring about 80 employees over five years — approximately 60 in manufacturing and 20 in office roles — with an average wage figure cited by staff as $90,000. Pearson said the combined building and equipment investment is estimated at about $45,000,000.

Pearson presented these numbers to the council and said state and regional partners are coordinating the site visit.

Why it matters: A confirmed project of this size would be one of the larger private investments discussed in recent council meetings and could affect local workforce, utilities and transportation planning. City staff said the firm would not use process water, a detail that affects water-supply planning and permitting.

Quotes from the meeting: \"They are not using any water in the process, so we're good there,\" Pearson said. On size and scope, Pearson summarized: \"80 employees over the next 5 years, 60 manufacturing, 20 office, average wage $90,000, $45,000,000 investment between the building and equipment.\"

Ending: Pearson asked council members to allow the state-led team to inspect the site Thursday; the council received the update and moved on to other agenda items.","Lewisburg economic-development staff said a state-coordinated site visit with TVA and others will take place Thursday for a prospective manufacturing company that could invest about $45 million and add roughly 80 jobs over five years.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6326463,"Lewisburg council approves routine business, adopts social-media and retirement measures",1051,571000,1622000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2324450-d978592df1554942e2e7d9382d5c23c4&start=571&end=1622","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2324450-d978592df1554942e2e7d9382d5c23c4/thumbnail_571000.jpg","/articles/6326463/Lewisburg-City/Marshall-County/Tennessee/Lewisburg-council-approves-routine-business-adopts-social-media-and-retirement-measures","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6326463-f4dc02f022d5c9f9424507a385408b31/orig.mp4?Expires=1771203180&Signature=YyZIicP8TZEC4XbVj7TNA9dSUDQsbEuGLWcGI7gM3bixe~6ze6GEr6XPBDhQXD9k3C~0hHuQOtOQHW7GaJJJpIBM4kMtonrlfnt2Hpdoj69AJ1wsZ9jS-7wCey38ZpDWloZP1mFK02PKmvj2hDHhazc5LxDfwhFHI-Cm-UtLKuNNHBg2ymrm51xr7wymjejACm4U2Bux7TdK1W1AxUEzu4lK9vbtEDXSlJofgHtycLhTGqdPHDD-m5z3jCFlsV7cMW2n~kwiNgs7uQ3bNDN5jzVpjEVsI9NLmBpwuzyOmM~Gaoth9b~QNplvBxn9H7zbw9pSntfbVoRcdTjTQme47A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lewisburg Mayor Jim Bingham and the city council adopted a slate of routine agenda items during their March 11 meeting, including minutes, financial statements, several appointments, a zoning change, a retirement-plan resolution and a social-media policy for elected officials.

The council approved the minutes and the bills and financial statements after brief discussion. Council members also confirmed appointments to multiple advisory bodies and adopted second reading of Ordinance 25-01, which amends parts of the city zoning ordinance. The council approved Resolution 25-02 to permit employee participation in a TCRS 401(k)-style plan and adopted an ordinance adding a social-media policy for elected officials to the Lewisburg Municipal Code. A proposed payment of $56,061 to cover prior-service employee contributions for TCRS received no motion and was not acted on.

The measures were largely procedural and passed on roll calls.

Votes at a glance
- Approval of meeting minutes: Motion by Councilwoman Thomas, second Councilwoman Michael. Roll call: Councilman Burns — Aye; Councilwoman Michael — Aye; Councilwoman Thomas — Aye; Councilman Crutcher — Aye. Outcome: approved.
- Approval of bills and financial statements (includes $3,750 Confluence Consulting line item for Parks & Recreation grant writing): Motion by Councilwoman Michael, second Councilwoman Thomas. Roll call: Burns — Aye; Michael — Aye; Thomas — Aye; Crutcher — Aye. Outcome: approved.
- Ordinance 25-01 (second and final reading): Motion by Councilwoman Michael, second Crutcher. Roll call: Burns — Aye; Michael — Aye; Thomas — Aye; Crutcher — Aye. Outcome: adopted (second reading completed).
- Appointment of Pete Brown to Industrial Development Board (term discussed as approximately six years): Motion approved. Roll call: Burns — Aye; Michael — Aye; Thomas — Aye; Crutcher — Aye. Outcome: approved.
- Appointment of Millie Summers to Cemetery Advisory Committee (unexpired term): Motion approved. Roll call: Burns — Aye; Michael — Aye; Thomas — Aye; Crutcher — Aye. Outcome: approved.
- Appointment of Emily Gordon to Board of Zoning Appeals (by recommendation of Mayor Jim Bingham): Motion approved. Roll call: Burns — Aye; Michael — Aye; Thomas — Aye; Crutcher — Aye. Outcome: approved.
- Disposal of an old nonworking computer at the recreation center: Motion approved on roll call. Outcome: approved.
- Item to fund employees' contribution of $56,061 for prior TCRS service for 26 employees: No motion; no action taken.
- Resolution 25-02 (allow employees to participate/contribute to a Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System [TCRS] 401(k] plan): Motion by Councilwoman Thomas, second Crutcher. Roll call: Burns — Aye; Michael — Aye; Thomas — Aye; Crutcher — Aye. Outcome: adopted (recorded as Resolution 25-02).
- Ordinance 24-02 (social-media policy for elected officials, added to Title 1, Chapter 8 of the Lewisburg Municipal Code): Motion by Councilwoman Michael, second Councilman Crutcher. Roll call: Councilman Burns — Aye; Councilwoman Michael — Aye; Councilwoman Thomas — Nay; Councilman Crutcher — Aye. Outcome: adopted (3–1).
- Ordinance 25-03 (amend Title 2, Chapter 5, Sec. 5-101 — miscellaneous boards appointed by the mayor): Motion approved after discussion; roll call recorded as: Councilman Burns — No; Councilwoman Michael — Yes; Councilwoman Thomas — No; Councilman Crutcher — Yes; Mayor Jim Bingham — Yes. Outcome: adopted.

Why it matters: The votes implement routine governance (minutes, bills, appointments) and adopt new workplace/ethics policy (social-media ordinance) and a retirement-savings option for city employees. A requested one-time funding payment for prior TCRS service was not moved, so no fiscal change occurred on that item.

Council members spoke during roll calls and brief discussion; no lengthy policy debate occurred on the listed measures.

Ending: The meeting proceeded to city-manager and department reports after the roll-call votes.","On March 11 the Lewisburg mayor and council approved minutes, bills, multiple appointments, a zoning ordinance, a TCRS 401(k) resolution and a social-media ordinance for elected officials; one funding item received no motion.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Resident urges council to respect First Amendment after past public‑comment removals

Lewisburg proclaims March 7 Arbor Day; recreation staff warn of major pool dehumidifier cost

State, TVA visiting Lewisburg industrial site this week; officials describe potential 80-employee manufacturing investment

Lewisburg council approves routine business, adopts social-media and retirement measures