Bradley County commissioners offer condolences, schedule committee meetings in brief session

BRADLEY COUNTY — Bradley County commissioners opened their meeting with an invocation and a series of condolences for Mayor Gary Davis and his family and then moved quickly through brief reports and scheduling announcements; no agenda items or formal votes were taken.

Retired Kinzer Road Church of God pastor and Bradley Medical Center chaplain Gwen Green delivered the invocation, praying for the commissioners and "for our mayor Gary Davis, for his family as they're going through this, valley of the shadow of death," and asking for comfort for the family. Commissioner Scott Gilbert led the Pledge of Allegiance.

The meeting consisted largely of short reports from commissioners. Commissioner Winters praised Lake Forest's traveling musical group Revolution, led by Jeremiah Pritchett, and noted, "one of the twins on stage is my my grandson," thanking school principals and teachers for their work. Commissioner Ledford offered condolences and apologized for remarks he said had offended some people on social media, saying he had attempted only to explain "what I do with issues" and that he "apologize[d] to those 2 folks that are offended." Several other commissioners echoed sympathy for the Davis family.

Officials used the session to set the schedule for several committee meetings. Commissioner Alford announced the law enforcement committee will meet Wednesday, Feb. 25 at 11:00 a.m. in the commission room. Commissioner Hughes said the building and land committee will meet jointly with the road committee on Feb. 25 at 9:00 a.m. Commissioner Beatty announced the tax committee will meet Feb. 25 at 10:00 a.m., and the finance committee was scheduled for March 2 at 10:30 a.m. at the courthouse. The chair said there were no agenda items for the meeting.

The chair opened the floor for communications from the audience and said speakers must identify themselves and address the commission as a whole; the chair reported that no one wished to speak. An attendee indicated a desire to speak about a road but did not deliver a formal public comment.

Former commissioner Ed Elkins was introduced and acknowledged in the room. The meeting closed after reminders about "Chamber Connect" tomorrow at 4:30 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Express and Suites and the various committee meetings.

The commission did not take formal actions or votes during this session.