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Contributed commentary from Monica M. Meeks on the election of Rashidah Leverett to chair the County Commission:

Every Montgomery County state legislator except Rep. Ronnie Glynn voted to dilute the one Democratic congressional seat in Tennessee. We all know Shelby County is a majority‑minority county. Glynn is not only the sole Democrat in our Montgomery County state delegation; he is also the only veteran serving as a state representative for Montgomery County. Yet he was recently left off the invitation list for an event hosted by Highway Department Supervisor Jeff Bryant, a staunch Republican and member of the Montgomery County Ethics Committee.

So, the question becomes: Are we ready to confront these issues honestly, or are we going to keep pretending that party politics haven’t shaped Montgomery County for centuries?

Rep. Michael Lankford voted to split Montgomery County into two different congressional districts, placing North Clarksville in the same district as Memphis. I also find it interesting that my own commissioner, David Harper (District 15), who was formerly an independent, said he voted for Mayor Wes Golden (as chairman) because “his constituents wanted it.” I am one of his vocal constituents. When exactly did he poll this district?

| PREVIOUSLY: Democrat-led County Commission votes 11-10 to replace Mayor Golden as chair

This is the same body that (politically flipped) a School Board seat last year. The same body that posted about Rep. Jeff Burkhart’s seat before his burial. The same body where contenders for that seat changed their profile pictures before a proper burial.

Commissioner Joshua Beal made it clear that his constituents told him to support Golden, but he abstained from the mayor pro tem vote. Interestingly, all three independent county commissioners voted for Wes Golden as the legislative chair. What’s even more telling is that I see all three of them at far more Republican events than Democratic ones.

And please spare me the “we’re better than this” speeches. A quick scroll through social media makes it painfully clear that we are not. The self‑proclaimed “most patriotic county in America” is not modeling anything close to unity, respect or consistency.

Moments like this show exactly why Montgomery County could become ground zero for a viable third political party. The two‑party system keeps failing everyday people, and voters are paying attention. It’s time for something new that represents the community. Celebrate last night’s Democrat wins, but stay mindful: City leadership could easily become Republican‑led after November. When political retaliation becomes the agenda, everyday working people suffer. None of us, regardless of party, need another property tax increase.

Monica M. Meeks

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