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Residents pressure county over TVA and zoning; veterans’ office defended after inquiry
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Summary
Public commenters opposed TVA access and raised zoning compliance concerns about Hope Center Ministries; county attorney said an appeal to the Board of Zoning Appeals is scheduled. Speakers also defended the Veteran’s Service Office after an HR review found no infractions and the VSO reported $24 million in benefits brought to county veterans.
Several residents used the public‑comment period at the Oct. 21 Cheatham County meeting to raise planning and service concerns.
Tracy A. O'Neill (property owner on Macon Wall Road) and Virginia Gaylord (property owner on Lockertsville Road) told commissioners they opposed pending Tennessee Valley Authority actions; Gaylord specifically said she did not want her road widened or destroyed to accommodate TVA trucks. Commissioners and staff noted a TVA meeting scheduled for Nov. 7 and community events including the Cheatham County Sasquatch Festival on Oct. 26.
Multiple speakers raised concerns about Hope Center Ministries. Ashlie Farmer and Carmen Irizarry‑Zellmann (both from Poplar Ridge Road) told the commission they believed the ministry was noncompliant with county zoning. Chairman Tim Williamson asked County Attorney Michael Bligh for a legal update; Bligh said the ministry has an appeal before the Board of Zoning Appeals next Monday and that, if the appeal is denied, the county would continue the existing lawsuit to enforce zoning.
Several speakers defended the Veteran’s Service Office (VSO). Harold Hodges and Robert Counter praised VSO efforts; VSO staff member Angela Hunt reported the office has brought $24,000,000 in new benefits into the county and had 108 new veterans enrolled since March. Human Resources Director Shelly Carney said she undertook an investigation after a complaint, found no negative infractions, and said she discussed findings with Mike Scholes, Deputy Commissioner with the State of Tennessee, who agreed with her conclusions.
No formal commission actions were taken during public comment beyond asking for legal updates; the commission moved into its regular agenda after the forum closed at 6:36 p.m.