Councilman Chris Williams First Town Hall Meeting Provides Bolivar Citizens with City Updates
Bolivar City Councilman Chris Williams held his first Town Hall meeting on Thursday, March 21, 2024, at Carriage House Coffee in Bolivar with special guests that included Executive Director of the Hardeman County Chamber Vickie Walton; Director of Lone Oaks Farm Jeremy Burnett; City of Bolivar Code Enforcement Officer Ricky Watkins; City of Bolivar Police Chief Michael Jones; and City of Bolivar Mayor Julian McTizic. Williams’ goal for the meeting was to “provide a platform for our citizens to actively participate in local decision-making processes”.
Mr. Williams shared some updates with the citizens in attendance that included the renovations to Sand Beach Lake, the feasibility of the YMCA project, Hollywood Acres Annexation, and he complimented the city employees for their work. And ensured citizens that just because they do not see things happening right now to know there is a lot of work going on behind the scenes.
Ms. Walton, who shared her vision for the chamber, has spent a lot of time with community engagement.
“A lot of people didn’t know what the chamber is,” said Ms. Walton who continued with her vision for 2024. “Education, workforce development, and leadership [are some of the goals]. We are in business for your business.”
Ms. Walton also shared that the Chamber offered an ACT Prep class with only five high school students in attendance the first time it was offered, but in the second class, there were 45 students. She commented “education is advancing every day” and noted the Chamber is working to be a part of preparing students for those advancements. Ms. Walton hopes to begin working with students as early as middle school to impact the next generation of leaders.
Mr. Burnett, who manages 1,200 acres at Lone Oaks Farm, shared the function of the farm as Sporting Clays, a working farm with 58 black Angus, a hospitality retreat center, and a 4-H Youth Development and STEM education facility. He encouraged citizens to visit the farm, noted that experience is not necessary to use the Sporting Clays, and that a First Fishing Day event will be held on the property in June.
City of Bolivar Code Enforcement Officer Ricky Watkins discussed blight in the City of Bolivar. He shared there is criteria for determining the blight status of a property and abandoned vehicles are also given attention. He is currently working on 10 active blight cases. Mr. Watkins noted he has found several of the abandoned homes are owned by out-of-town people, which presents more of a challenge for his department.
“It [abandoned houses] destroys the value of your home, but doesn’t change the taxes you pay,” said Mr. Watkins who expressed his goal for the community. “I want to keep the city looking nice and really want to help owners.”
Watkins shared his telephone number to encourage people to reach out to him for assistance.
Chief Jones discussed the use of SkyCops audio/video surveillance being used in the city. He fielded questions from citizens regarding police coverage in the community, and shared the department is making significant effort in patrolling the streets with the staff it has. The Bolivar Police Department (BPD) as are many police departments across West Tennessee are suffering from low staff.
Councilman Williams, who works with the Memphis Police Department shared, although there is a need for more police on the streets, they would rather hire someone who is qualified than just hire someone to fill the job.
“We want people to be involved,” said Chief Jones in response to a citizen who inquired about a neighborhood watch program.
Chief Jones also shared about the community engagement of the BPD that included a City egg hunt that was held at Bolivar Elementary School and an upcoming event at the Bolivar Head Start.
Mayor McTizic was the final panel speaker at the Town Hall and opened his presentation jokingly noting he wanted to squash the notion that the city operates off of ticket revenue; it does not.
He reiterated what Mr. Williams said with it being a “hurry up and wait process” regarding grant money.
“We get announced a grant and we may be two years in before we see that grant contract from the state,” said McTizic.
Some of the open grants include a $500,000 grant on the tannery to do phase one and phase 2 clean up, Tennessee Commission on Aging and Disability (TCAD), Out Fitter Hut at Sand Beach Lake, and other Sand beach Lake additions. The City is working on a project with the Tennessee Arts Commission where it is spending $86,000 to purchase sound and video equipment that will be used in a class at Bolivar Central High School.
“It is a partnership we’re doing with the school system where the students can do the tech for {City] events. The City will own the equipment and can pay the students to do that work,” said McTizic.
McTizic commented about infrastructure.
“The most expensive thing we deal with in our city is infrastructure, stuff that you don’t see. When that ice storm happened, every town around us had boil water alerts, we didn’t because of the great job our [city] employees do. They are not into politics. They are getting the job done. If you see any of those guys in a city truck, thank them.”
Councilman Williams was pleased with the attendance and plans to hold more town meetings throughout the year to update and provide the citizens of Bolivar with a platform to voice their concerns, ideas, and aspirations for Bolivar.
“I believe that transparency inspires trust and promotes accountability in the community,” said Mr. Williams. “I’m proud to serve the City of Bolivar as your councilman and a leader in the community. When we work together, much can be accomplished.”
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