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Who decides consolidated government?
February 3, 2012
Elected officials in all three Haywood County governments say they are in favor of studying metropolitan government. With caution that leaders aren't necessarily endorsing consolidation, it appears likely those studying the initiative are likely to get plenty of cooperation from community fathers.
The final decision, though, will rest with the average Haywood Countian. Elected officials don't have the final say - in the end consolidation can only be enacted by a plurality of voters.
What it takes to pass
Assuming the study committee advances to a charter commission and the group authors an acceptable document, voters would eventually get to say yes or no.
Voters within the now corporate limits of Brownsville would have to approve it. Voters who live in rural areas - those places in Haywood County that aren't within a corporate city limits (some people like to call that "out in the county") - would also have to give it a thumbs up.
Brownsville, because it is the county seat, and rural areas of Haywood County would have to be in agreement. If the charter failed in either ballot box there would be no change in government.
Stanton, on the other hand, is optional. Stanton's decision to participate could not stop the consolidation of Brownsville and Haywood County governments.
Only three Metropolitan styles of government have been legal and possible in Tennessee for decades but there are only three in the state including Lynchburg/Moore County, Hartsville/Trousdale County and Nashville/Davidson County. In Davidson County there are eight smaller cities not part of the metro.
We wait now for Mayor Franklin Smith to announce the members of the metro government study committee.
County takes lead with metro government study - but what do Stanton and Brownsville think?
February 1, 2012
Haywood County Mayor Franklin Smith surprised most observers when, last month, he asked county commissioners for a metro-government study committee. Smith got the green light for the research from the county commission January 17.
Earlier this week Mayor Smith said he has not yet picked the committee but anticipates it will be comprised of 17 or 19 members. "I want good representation from all areas of our county and I want it large enough so that there can be sub-committees,"Smith said.
The committee will be charged with studying the idea of consolidating Haywood County's three governments. If the group finds the strategy valid, the next step would be organization of a metropolitan government charter commission. The charter commission's charge would be writing a charter to be considered by voters.
(Click here to see Tennessee Code Annotated as regards organization of a charter committee.)
Mayor Smith said if the plan advances to the charter stage, his goal would be to put it on the ballot in November.
What does Brownsville think?
Apparently there have been no official talks between Brownsville's elected officials and county government, but the city's leaders, and Brownville Radio interviewed all of them, are in favor of, at least, the study.
Mayor Joe Matherne says she'll be interested to review the pros and cons. Saying the study "needs to happen," she commented the city "stands ready to participate in any way the county commission would like."
Comments from Aldermen
Carolyn Flagg; "I like the idea. I see nothing wrong with it."
Thomas Averyheart: "I've always been supportive of the idea. In time it will be good."
John Simmons: "If it will help the future of our community I'm all for it."
Leon King: "I think we should look at it real close. I'm interested in the cost factor...."
Stanton's opinion?
Mayor Allen Sterbinsky, while in favor of the study was more guarded about Stanton's future in a consolidated government. "I certainly think we should look at it," Sterbinsky said. "How do we keep the needs of Stanton from being overlooked - we have leverage now (as a city government) to make things happen."
Officials say a metro government could be formed that included just Brownsville and Haywood County, leaving Stanton as is.
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Haywood and Crockett get new legislative district
January 14, 2012
Legislators made it official Friday. Haywood County will become a part of House Legislative District 82. Tipton County and Haywood County will no longer be in the same district and that means a new representative for Haywood County.
District 82 is comprised of Haywood, Lauderdale and Crockett Counties.
The only thing redistricting lacks is the governor's signature, and a spokesman in Bill Haslam's office said that's expected.
Legislative boundary changes were required because of population shifts reported in the 2010 census. There are 132 seats in the Tennessee General Assembly.
Haywood County remains in the same senatorial district where Fayette County's Delores Gresham is the incumbent.
Jimmy Naifeh, once the powerful house speaker, has been Haywood County's representative for about the last about ten years. Naifeh lives in Covington so the new boundary lines make him ineligible to represent Haywood County. Craig Fitzhugh is the incumbent in Haywood's new district.
The changes in the districts won't become effective until after the November election.
Proposed House Redistricting Map - Click image to view PDF
Proposed Senate Map
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