Coffee County Commission adopts several policies, recognizes VFW and student winners

Manchester — The Coffee County Commission approved multiple items on its agenda Tuesday, including a separations policy, a revised public-comment policy, and a TDEC-required municipal solid-waste regional plan, and it recognized a local VFW post and student winners in patriotic essay contests.

The separations policy (agenda item 9a) was moved by Commissioner Hirschman and seconded by Commissioner Watkins; the commission adopted it by a recorded vote (transcript reports 16 yes votes). When adopting the public-comment policy (9b), the commission clarified that speakers may not donate their time to another person during public-comment periods, a rule the mayor said was intended to ensure fair time distribution. The public-comment policy was approved with 16 yes votes (motion by Commissioner Miller, seconded by Commissioner Hollingsworth).

Commissioner Morris explained the municipal solid-waste regional plan (agenda item 9c) as the TDEC-required 10-year plan for rural solid waste; the plan extension covering 2024–2035 was approved (motion by Commissioner Morris, seconded by Commissioner Watkins) with 16 yes votes.

The commission recognized VFW Post 10904 of Manchester for its Patriot's Pen and Voice of Democracy contests and teacher-nomination program. Kimberly King, commander of the post, described the programs and introduced student winners and teachers. "I cannot say enough good things about these teachers," King said, describing nominees who advanced to district and state levels and whose packages were being sent to nationals.

Students and teachers identified or introduced during the recognition included Kenneth Buchanan (Patriot's Pen, 2nd place at post level), Roy Slaughter (Coffee County Middle School, 8th grade), Robin Walker (teacher at East Coffee, elementary teacher-of-the-year at post level), Lexi Newman (3rd place), Riley Willie (2nd place) and Jada Kokushburger (3rd place). The mayor and commissioners thanked the post and applauded the winners; the mayor noted the post and local volunteers also received an eastern-division volunteer award at the governor's ceremony.

The mayor also warned of controversial activity involving farm ponds being opened with heavy equipment and dynamite that may amount to quarrying operations circumventing local zoning. He said Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation officials will hold a public hearing in the commission chamber on March 24 at 5:00 p.m. to take comments limited to water-quality matters; the mayor urged residents with water-quality concerns to attend.

Other business included routine committee reports, announcements about upcoming meetings and training, and plans for the county's 250th-anniversary events this July.

Votes recorded on the consent docket and agenda items were taken as part of the full meeting; the commission adjourned after approving the day's business.