Ajax Turner Senior Center speakers urge council to reverse mayor’s lease termination; city moves to private legal session

Members and supporters of the Ajax Turner Senior Center told the Clarksville City Council on May 7 that a sudden, mayor‑initiated termination of the center’s lease threatens services for more than 1,400 members and asked the council to reverse the action.

Jill Turner Crow, who identified herself as the daughter of Ajax Turner, said the center — operated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit since 1966 — received a registered letter from Mayor Joel Pitts terminating its lease and giving the organization 90 days to vacate. "The mayor used his power of his office to do this," she said, adding that the center was also asked to leave nonprofit assets behind. "That will never happen. These assets belong to the nonprofit."

Crow and other speakers said the center provides meals, adult day care and social services relied on by people with dementia, vision or hearing impairments, and residents who…