Hardeman County Citizens Share Concerns at Tennessee Voices Listening Tour
The voices of Hardeman County citizens were heard by Representative John Ray Clemmons (District 55) and Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris during their Tennessee Voices Listening Tour, which made a stop at the county courthouse on Thursday, May 30, 2025. Although Representative Clemmons and Mayor Harris are both Democrats, the event was promoted as a non-partisan one, which brought out concerned citizens from all political parties with a variety of concerns.
Hardeman County Commissioner Bethany Miller opened the program with an introduction of both Clemmons and Harris, sharing the purpose of the tour, and setting the parameters for the one-hour event.
“This tour is about listening. We are here because we believe real change starts with real conversations. Our goal is to gather information from folks like you to shape better policy and a better future for every corner of Tennessee, rural, suburban, and beyond,” said Ms. Miller, who encouraged people to stay on topic and be courteous.
Mayor Harris expressed his appreciation for the hospitality he experienced since his arrival earlier that day. He noted similarities between Shelby County and Hardeman County, with one being both as very diverse counties of which he is proud. He also noted, as is Hardeman, Shelby is ‘Home of the Tigers!”, which drew laughter from the audience. And on a more serious note, shared about lack of access to healthcare, which he believes county citizens are also experiencing.
“We are here today, because we know we are all tied to together . . . we are up against it in a whole lot of ways. We have access to healthcare issues . . . because many don’t have a relationship with a primary care provider, it means a lot of their conditions worsen. Their diabetes turns into amputations. Their high blood pressure turns into heart attacks and strokes, and so we’re trying to do something about that,” said Mr. Harris, who is worried about Medicaid cuts happening.
Representative Clemmons mentioned Representative Johnny Shaw as the voice of Hardeman County and that his voice is a strong one in Nashville. He stressed the importance for representatives to connect with the people they represent.
“Until we break down that wall and have conversations, eye-to-eye, face-to-face, and hear what is really going on, we really do not know what we are talking about . . . We care about representing all Tennesseans . . . We have a duty to every single Tennessean. Our decisions have an impact on every Tennessean, and so that is why we are here to hear from you,” said Representative Clemmons, who shared he grew up on a farm. “I love shocking the heck out of my colleagues. They think I am this slicker from Nashville, but I probably know more about ag policy than most of them and have had more Tennessee dirt in the sole of my shoes or under my fingernails than they have ever seen. That perspective adds a lot to the debate and what we are here to do is get more perspective . . . to learn. We can’t learn unless we listen.”
The event quickly moved to questions from those in the audience, which filled the seats in the courthouse. Several county and city officials were in attendance, some which included Hardeman County Mayor Todd Pulse, Hardeman County Circuit Court Clerk Eunice Gudger, Hardeman County Clerk Tonet Griggs, City of Bolivar Mayor Julian McTizic, Hardeman County Commissioners Cory Bufford, Joseph Jenkins, Chandra Lake, and Michion Gatlin, and newly appointed Town of Whiteville Board of Alderman Philip Forbes.
Concerns from the Hardeman County citizens were varied and covered a lot of content. A few comments turned party-based, but the majority of people in attendance spoke as concerned citizens for all people.
Mr. Jerry Crisp, a former member of the Hardeman County Schools board, expressed his concern about education.
“. . . Those in leadership are making it in shambles . . . I have a real problem with public money going to private institutions. If private institutions are going to get the money, they ought to be held to the same stringent standards that the public schools are held up to,” said Mr. Crisp.
Representative Clemmons shared his opinion regarding public education and is transformation over the years since he has been in office.
“You’re absolutely right. This has been a systematic, strategic effort to undermine public education. I have served 11 years now and have seen every year a piece-meal chipping away at the foundation of public education, very strategically, very purposefully to undermine the public confidence in public education,” said Representative Clemmons
Other shared concerns included stratospheric aerosol injections, which Representative Clemmons noted at the state level, such actions are against the law. More conversation covered term limits, irresponsible behavior by government leaders, which causes a lack of trust, and the awareness of the community realizing it has the ability to affect change. Ms. Brenda Woods shared her concerns regarding the lack of affordable housing and more.
“I say things people want to say, but they are too afraid to say it,” said Brenda Woods.
She went on to share her concerns regarding lack of affordable housing, jobs, and questioned the “real” intentions of politicians.
“We need help in Bolivar, Tennessee. Nobody ever stops long enough to care. People don’t believe in this political system. People tell lies to get elected and then they go do something contrary to the people, voting in ways that hurts us. I’m very concerned. After the listening tour, then what? If I am going to support somebody, I want to know what your intentions are, so just keep it real, because I am real,” said Ms. Woods.
“The last thing folks want to hear, in my experience, are my ideas. They already have a bunch of ideas and they already know what is going on. In order to do something, this is the start. From here, we formulate an agenda, and then you try the best you can to execute on the agenda. We are in phase one, listening,” said Mr. Harris. “We don’t want to formulate the agenda before you have heard from folks. Your participation matters.”
The Tennessee Voices Tour will make stop in Dyersburg from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, and in Jackson on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
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