The aquarium is now home to native lake and river fish

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Tenn. – On Saturday, October 7, the lone large-mouth bass inhabiting the 500-gallon aquarium at the Wade Bourne Nature Center (WBNC) received some company. Catfish, black crappie, bluegills, and two additional large-mouth bass, all native to Tennessee lakes and rivers, were carefully released into the tank by Montgomery County Parks and Recreation Natural Resource and Program Manager Katie Nettie. 

The aquarium and fish are available for the public to enjoy thanks to generous donations from the Wade Bourne Nature Center Foundation (WBNCF). The WBNCF donated the funding for the 500-gallon Fish Tank in April of this year, the water and chemicals were added in June, and the test fish was released into the tank on September 1, to ensure the chemicals were properly balanced before adding more fish.

"We have added fish to our huge tank and we want people to come out to the Nature Center and see them. They look small now but they will grow quickly,” said Rosalind Kurita, Chair of WBNCF.

The aquarium is visible outside from the deck until 9 p.m. and inside the WBNC along with many other displays and species native to Montgomery County.

“We are excited to offer this unique educational experience to our community and thankful to the Foundation for their support. The fish bring life and an opportunity for kids of all ages to engage with our local river neighbors,” added Montgomery County Parks and Recreation Director Sally Burchett.

For information on Montgomery County Parks and Recreation and the many educational and fun opportunities they offer, visit mcgtn.org.

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Last Edited: October 07, 2023 @ 7:40 am

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Tenn. – Montgomery County elected officials Julie Runyon, Register of Deeds, Erinne Hester, Assessor of Property, and Kimberly Wiggins, Trustee, recently presented on the order in which a transaction travels through their offices during a continuing education class for the Clarksville Association of Realtors (CAR) on October 4, in the County Commission Chambers.

Runyon, who has over 20 years of experience as a real estate attorney, discussed the mandates of the Register of Deeds Office related to the new templates recently issued by the Tennessee Association of Realtors for real estate transactions. She also presented a new Land Alert service. 

Hester, who is in her third term as Assessor of Property and previously worked as the County Director of Accounts and Budgets, highlighted the work of her office, including mapping and land records, new construction, and the annual assessment roll. She also touched on the 2024 revaluation. Julie and Erinne explained how state requirements to record a document at the Register of Deeds Office differ from state requirements to transfer property ownership through the Assessor’s Office. 

Wiggins, who is in her second term as Trustee and has over 20 years of banking experience, spoke about tax freeze and relief programs. She also informed the group that her team manages and invests hundreds of millions of dollars daily. The Trustee’s Office audits every hotel/motel every year for hotel/motel tax, and collects and distributes sales tax. 

“The CAR Professional Development Committee greatly appreciates the participation of Erinne Hester, Julie Runyon, and Kimberly Wiggins in our Pilot Program for the Clarksville Local Expert Certification (CLE). This Triumvirate shared their expertise with us and helped us – and hopefully many more realtors in the future – to better understand the process after a property has transferred ownership and subsequently better serve our clients. It is great to have elected officials in our community who are accessible and supportive of our business,” said Realtor Marion Jewell, who has served as President and Treasurer for the Clarksville Association of Realtors.

Jewell shared that City of Clarksville Mayor Joe Pitts along with staff from City Parks and Recreation, Austin Peay State University President Dr. Michael Licari, Montgomery County Commissioner David Harper, Clarksville-Montgomery County School System Director Dr. Jean Luna-Vedder, and Director of the Regional Planning Commission Jeff Tyndall, also presented important information during the training.

For more information on the Assessor of Property, Register of Deeds, and Trustee offices, visit https://mcgtn.org/ under Elected Officials after clicking the Gov tab.

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Montgomery County Government seeks nominations for outstanding local volunteers

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Tenn. – Montgomery County Government is seeking adult and youth nominations for the Governor’s Volunteer Stars Awards (GVSA). Nominations are due by November 8, 2023, and are located at https://bit.ly/3Rvw68i. 

As part of the effort to promote a culture of volunteering, GVSA recognizes people who contribute to the community on a local level. The GVSA promotes statewide volunteerism and strengthens community service participation throughout Tennessee every year. GVSA seeks to recognize one youth and one adult in each Tennessee county for exemplary volunteer work.

“Our community is great because we have so many kind and caring people. There are unsung heroes who make a difference every day without seeking reward. Recognizing them is one way to show gratitude and encourage others to get involved,” stated Montgomery County Mayor Wes Golden.

The nominations will be judged by a local committee and final selections are sent to GVSA Tennessee staff. As well as nominees from other counties across Tennessee, Montgomery County's adult and youth nominees will be honored at the GVSA Ceremony on February 18, 2024.

Please send your nomination form or questions to Montgomery County Public Information Officer Michelle Newell at [email protected] or call 931-648-8482.

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Archives opens for tours and honors Eleanor Williams in October 

Montgomery County, TN — The 2023 Archives Month theme is “Everyone has a story. The world is an archive.” In recognition of American Archives Month, the Montgomery County Archives Department, located at 350 Pageant Lane in Veterans Plaza, welcomes the public to enjoy a behind-the-scenes tour to see how the stories of Montgomery County are preserved. 

Tours will occur on October 12, 21, and 30 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. On October 21 at 9:30 a.m., a special dedication of the Eleanor S. Williams Reading Room will take place to honor her memory and her 30-year service as County Historian. 

Anyone who tours the Archives can also view the newest exhibit called Haunting or Hoax: The Bell Witch about the history and American legend centered on the 19th-Century Bell Family in Adams, Tennessee.

“The work at the Archives is just as important to the past as it is to the future of Montgomery County. I am thankful we have found such a fitting way to honor the work of Eleanor Williams and her devotion to Montgomery County history,” said Montgomery County Mayor Wes Golden.

“We are always enthusiastic about giving tours and look forward to sharing our work with the community. We believe everyone has a story and are grateful to be the keepers of so many interesting and wondrous stories,” said Archives Director Sarah Fry. 

Created by the County Board of Commissioners in January 1995, the Archives Department serves as the official repository for county records and operates under Tennessee State law and under the direction of the Montgomery County Public Records Commission. 

The Archives entrance is on the Crossland Avenue side of Veterans Plaza in Clarksville at 350 Pageant Lane, Suite 101-D. Archives hours are 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. You can reach Archives by email at [email protected] or by calling 931-553-5159.

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The Legislative Liaison Committees share their requests with state delegation

CLARKSVILLE, MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Tenn. – Montgomery County and the City of Clarksville presented to the local delegation of the Tennessee General Assembly Thursday evening at William O. Beach Civic Hall during an annual reception that combines representatives of state and local governments in collective dialogue.

Introductions, words of gratitude for the local delegation and the legislative committees, and a list of prior legislative accomplishments were shared by Montgomery County Mayor Wes Golden and City of Clarksville Mayor Joe Pitts. 

The state legislative delegation for Clarksville and Montgomery County includes 22nd District State Senator Bill Powers, 23rd District State Senator Kerry Roberts, 67th District State Representative Ronnie Glynn, 68th District State Representative Curtis Johnson, and 75th District State Representative Jeff Burkhart.

Montgomery County’s Legislative Liaison Committee is chaired by County Commissioner Lisa Prichard (District 16) and includes County Commissioners John Gannon (District 1), David Harper (District 15), Rashidah Leverett (District 5), and Joe Smith (District 3). 

The City’s Legislative Liaison Ad-Hoc Committee is chaired by City Councilperson Stacey Streetman, and includes Mayor Pro Tem Wanda Smith (Ward 6), and councilpersons Travis Holleman (Ward 7), Keri Lovato (Ward 12), Deanna McLaughlin (Ward 2), Joe Shakeenab (Ward 11) and Brian Zacharias (Ward 1).

“Presenting our legislative items together is another example of collaboration that makes us stronger and unique from many other communities. I appreciate the work done by the County and City Legislative committees and the continued efforts made on behalf of Clarksville and Montgomery County by our delegates,” said Mayor Golden.

“I want to commend these councilpersons who take their service to heart, and have invested the time to create a working document for the coming session of the General Assembly that represents several of our City’s most significant needs,” said Mayor Pitts.

Councilperson Streetman said, “I am grateful for the Legislative Liaison Committee’s time commitment to draft an agenda. This is an important opportunity for us to showcase our needs before the State Legislature.”

The combined legislative item from the County and City is to encourage the Tennessee Department of Transportation to obligate funding the following road project phases in the FY24-26 Transportation Improvement Program:

• SR237/Rossview Rd. from two to four or five lanes (from east of International Blvd. to east of Kirkwood Rd) and complete the construction in a timely manner.
• Widen Interstate 24 from four to six lanes (from KY State line to SR76/MLK Pkwy, exit 11) and complete the PE-NEPA and PE-Design in a timely manner.

Key agenda items presented on the County’s legislative agenda include:

• DireNeed to Address Infrastructure
• Private Act Limitation of County Commissioners to Hold Incompatible Offices – Would apply to counties with a population greater than 200,000.
• Collection of User Feesfor Collection of Waste - Allow the legal application of user fees to be collected from all persons to whom fees are applicable                                                    
• Private Utilities Delaying Public Projects - Request a time limit for private utility companies to respond and act upon a local governmental project when utilities need to be moved.         
• Sheriff Office Fees - Allow sheriffs to demand advanced fees for services of all processes originating outside the sheriff’s county.                                                                                                
• Legalize Medical Cannabis
• Demolition by Neglect - Three key components: identification, incentives, and enforcement.
• Animal Welfare Regulations - Addition of regulations to the State of Tennessee Animal Control Laws pertaining to the duties of pet owners.

Key agenda items presented on the City’s legislative agenda include:

• Road projects and infrastructure
  • State Route 48/Trenton Road 
  • State Route 374/Warfield Boulevard/Richview Road
• Private Utilities - Request an imposed time limit on private utility companies, to address the need to respond to local government projects where utilities need to be moved.
• Fire Station Safety Improvement Grant Program - Replacing or renovating existing fire stations or building new fire stations
• Emancipation Day Holiday – Acknowledge August 8 as “Emancipation Day” in Tennessee
• Equalization Rate Application to Pilots – Exemption for municipal utilities from the equalization ratio.
• Legalize MedicalCannabis
• Restore/ReturnShared Sales Tax – Support restoration of the historic revenue-sharing relationship (pre-2002)
• Local Sunshine Laws – Allow local governments to follow the same Sunshine Laws as state

Following the presentation, Senator Powers spoke on behalf of the state legislative body.

“We always appreciate the legislative committees bringing the needs of our community to us. We are fortunate that the state representatives for Clarksville and Montgomery County get along so well together. I promise we are constantly fighting for our fair share,” said Senator Powers.

The Legislative Agenda process has a history of making a difference for County and City constituents.

Mayor Pitts noted that one significant win for the process was securing state BEP funding for Genesis Teen Learning Center on Fort Campbell Boulevard, which is devoted to students having emotional or behavioral challenges that affect classroom performance.

Senator Powers also gave credit to Representative Burkhart for his successful efforts in securing state funding for the second DMV location, scheduled to open in 2025.

The County and City requested public input on legislative agenda items from June 2023 through August 2023 through local media outlets as well as County and City social media outlets. The detailed list of County/City legislative items as well as past legislative item successes is posted at https://bit.ly/3ROnUQP 

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