shirleyNANNEY
Editor
Vice Mayor Nina Smothers was sworn in as Huntingdon’s mayor during the Aug. 23 council meeting.
She succeeds the late Dale Kelley in that position. Kelley, who had been ill for the last couple of years, died at this residence on Aug. 20. She will serve out the remaining two years of Kelley’s term.
Smothers has been presiding at some meetings lately due to Kelley’s absence. She has been a member of the council for 14 years and served as vice mayor for four years.
She was sworn in by city judge Marsha Johns.
“I am looking forward to working with the team of Huntingdon city employees, town council and the citizens to enhance the future of our town, Huntingdon, Tennessee,” said Smothers.
During the meeting the council acknowledged with deep sadness the loss of Mayor Kelley.
“He has left a lasting legacy in the Town of Huntingdon, Carroll County, and the State of Tennessee,” said Smothers. “Through the numerous projects completed under his leadership and guidance, future generations of our community will continue to enjoy the fruits of his labor.”
She complimented the story telling of W. Kent Jones, Robert “Gus” Radford and Judge John Everett Williams at The Dixie recently.
She announced that the Heritage Festival will be held on Saturday, Sept. 24 with opening ceremonies beginning at 10 a.m.
The second and final readings were passed on three different ordinances.
The 2022-2023 budget of $5.8 million was passed with a tax rate of $1.2487, the same as last year. Another ordinance provided for the routine fiscal year-end reviews and amendments.
As the cost of living rises, so will the water and sewer rates that were increased with the passage of an ordinance.
Passing on the first reading was an ordinance the rezones 11 pieces of properties from B-1 (Neighborhood Business) to R-a (Low Density Residential). The properties belong to Gerald Taylor, Mark Marshall, Herschel Wilkes, Joseph Foster, Roscoe Myles and Terry Rhodes.
