Weakley County citizens had the opportunity to hear their mayors speak on local issues last week. “Meet the Mayors” was held in Watkins Auditorium last Tuesday. The forum featured Ron Gifford, Weakley County Mayor, Randy Brundige, Mayor of Martin, James Gary Roberts, Mayor of Sharon, Danny Forrester, Mayor of Dresden and Ed McKelvy, Mayor of Greenfield. Judge Tommy Moore moderated the panel, which was broadcast on the radio.

The mayors drew questions submitted by residents out of a fishbowl. The questions ranged from issues such as disaster preparedness, industry and gas prices to education and eminent domain.

When asked what the Weakley County Economic Board had done to promote economic development, Mayor Brundige said, “We’ve been very productive with the joint economic board.” He addressed growth, saying that I-69 and airport expansion would put Weakley County on the map. All of the mayors were satisfied with the success of the WCEB.

The expansion of Everett-Stewart Airport was discussed. Mayor Forrester said that not funding the expansion could be a great detriment to the county. “The first thing potential businesses ask us is ‘how do we get our people in and out of your area?’ The larger airspace will allow for connections to larger cities,” said Forrester. “We must fund it even though it’s not located in Weakley County.”

The expansion is something that Weakley and Obion counties are working together on through a joint economic development program. Roberts was asked how I-69 would benefit industry in the county. “It won’t hurt anything for sure. The main thing it will do is give us recognition. It might change the perception of our community. To what degree is subjective at this point,” said Roberts.

The mayors talked about a technical training center for Weakley County. Mayor Brundige agreed that there was a need for one in the area. There are plans to build one in Martin.

“The technical center will offer nursing and welding programs. The city has agreed to help the center with utilities. We’re expecting it to grow,” said Brundige. “We’ve planted the seed to getting a well-trained job force in Weakley County.”

Mayor Gifford was asked what could be done to prevent loss of industry in Weakley County.

“We’ve lost garments and shoes to other parts of the world. It’s reality. We need to look at our natural resources, namely clay and bio-fuels,” said Gifford. “We need to promote these resources and work together. We aren’t big enough to be divided.”

Mayor McKelvy was asked how gas prices were regulated in his city. “Pricing depends on how they are down the street. Greenfield doesn’t have any city regulations. Prices are regulated by store owners.”

A recent battle in the county over eminent domain produced a question on the issue. Mayor McKelvy was asked if anything was being done to prevent eminent domain in his city. “There is a time when eminent domain is needed, but when something can be moved a mile down the road and be just as effective, then we should do that. Eminent domain should only be used in necessary situations.”

Brundige assured the audience that Martin was prepared for disaster. “Extensive training is done with the police and fire department. It’s done in several units – the city, the county, the region and West Tennessee. We continually train for natural disaster and are kept up-to-date by Homeland Security. I feel the whole county is ready,” said Brundige.

As for weather, he said, “Martin has seven sirens that are turned on when the weather gets bad enough. When the electricity goes out, these sirens are run by batteries.”

In closing, each mayor was asked what he would do for his city with $1 million grant. Brundige said that he would like to see a civic center to host events and to be used for different functions.

McKelvy said that Greenfield was also in need of a civic building. Their current building was built in the 1940s. He said he would also use it for water and sewer improvements.

Gifford said that he would use the grant for seed money to be distributed on a loan basis for entrepreneurs and small businesses in Weakley County.

Forrester said that he would take care of Dresden’s water and sewer lines first, and, if anything was left over, he would use it for a parking lot for the court house.

Roberts said that he would use the money to bring more people and more homes to Sharon.