County Title VI resolution urged by committee

Bedford County Board of Commissioners' rules and legislative committee recommended a resolution Tuesday night certifying that the county complies with Title VI civil rights regulations. The resolution will be voted on next month by the full commission.

A similar resolution was passed a year ago. It's needed as part of the process of applying for Three-Star Community status from the state.

Title VI, which originated with civil rights laws passed in 1964 and 1987, forbids discrimination based on race, color or national origin by programs receiving federal assistance. Since Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development receives such funds, it must know that local governments are in compliance before passing along any grant funding under the Three-Star program.

In other discussion Tuesday night:

* The committee placed the closure of a section of Shofner Bridge Road, measuring 0.4 miles in length, on the full commission's agenda for a second reading. Commissioners approved the closure earlier this month, but committee member Jimmy Woodson said he believes that road closures fall under a rule requiring two readings. The committee went ahead and placed the closure on the agenda, and in the meantime will try to confirm that a second reading is required.

John Cooper now owns all of the property surrounding the dead-end segment and had requested the closure, saying that there have been problems with vandalism and rowdy behavior at the site.

Cooper requested that the county abandon the segment beginning just past Jenkins Chapel and continuing to the dead end. He would then put up a gate to block access to that portion of the road.

* The committee placed nominations to Bedford County Board of Equalization on the full commission's agenda for two-year terms. Ron Adcock, Fred Davis and Marianne Jenkins are nominated for reappointment; Wayne Williams, who joined the board last year, is nominated for appointment to a full term; and Dixie Parker, who has retired from her job with the county clerk's office, is nominated to join the board for the first time.

Assessor of Property Ronda Clanton submitted the names, saying that equalization board members must own property in their own names within the county.

The equalization board hears appeals from property owners who disagree with the assessed value of their property.

* The committee placed nominations to the University of Tennessee Extension Advisory Committee on the full commission's agenda. Members J.D. "Bo" Wilson, Tony Barrett and Margaret Stewart are up for second terms, while David Womack Sr. is up for first-time appointment to a seat representing active farmers.

* The committee recommended a resolution praising the Nashville Symphony for its annual concert in Shelbyville.