Juneteenth holiday fails by 1 vote, commissioner calls debate ’embarrassing’

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn (CLARKSVILLENOW) – A resolution to make Juneteenth a legal, paid holiday failed by just one vote Monday night following extensive debate and many attempts at amendment that one commissioner characterized as “embarrassing.”

Multiple states observe Juneteenth as a holiday; however, it is not officially recognized in Tennessee nor on the federal level. The resolution, put forth by Commissioner Rashidah A. Leverett, would have made Juneteenth an official holiday, giving full-time county employees the day off. Leverett said she got the idea for the resolution after a similar measure passed in Shelby County.

The price of a holiday

There were five attempts to amend the resolution, most of which involved removing a holiday from the county calendar in exchange for Juneteenth. These included attempts to replace Black Friday with Juneteenth, another to replace a holiday at the mayor’s discretion and another to replace a holiday to be determined at a later date.

Commissioners in favor of these proposals suggested that the addition of a new paid holiday would be an excessive use of taxpayer money.

“Commissioner Leverett wants this observed as a holiday. Understood. I am for that as long as we swap out for another holiday and keep the same productivity by Montgomery County employees that is already budgeted,” said Commissioner Joe Smith.

Those who spoke against the amendments suggested that employees would be paid either way, and that a holiday does not necessarily represent an expense.

“Montgomery County does not produce a product. This is not a factory. This is not LG. It’s not Hankook. It’s not a day that if nobody is at work nothing is produced and no money gets made. That’s not how government works. The money for this day is the same as the money for today,” said Commissioner Garland Johnson.

What is ‘the right way’?

Others suggested that the matter would be best considered by the state, and should be added to the county’s Legislative Agenda, which is the county’s means of suggesting legislation to the state government. Commissioners Knight, Harper and Gannon argued in favor of this idea

Leverett presented a letter from state Rep. Jason Hodges saying, “There is no guarantee that it is going to pass in the state,” and urging the commission to pass the resolution and motivate the state legislature to action.

“I am just asking that we be the trailblazers we know ourselves to be. I really wasn’t expecting so much back and forth,” said Leverett. “Juneteenth is a part of American history. … We could do this here. We could make history and bring equality and equity right now to Montgomery County.”

“‘Let’s do this the right way.’ I have heard that a lot tonight. Who’s to say what the right way is? When this resolution first came forth, I had a lot of discussions with people, and a lot of the comments I got were the same ones that were echoing in my head.” said Johnson. “No one ever made history waiting for someone else to do it first.”

‘A stage for farce’

Another resolution by Harper would have added a floating holiday in honor of women’s suffrage, a suggestion that was defined on the floor and which Commissioner Joshua Beal suggested should be a separate resolution at a later date.

As commissioners continued to put forth amendments to the resolution, Johnson condemned the increasingly complex proceedings.

“Honestly I believe we are falling into ridiculousness, and honestly I am starting to not recognize this body anymore. I mean, when did the Montgomery County Commission Chambers become a stage for farce and this ridiculous display. Honestly this is becoming embarrassing,” said Johnson.

The final vote was 10 yes, 8 no and 1 abstention. Despite carrying a majority, he resolution failed due to not having the minimum of 11 votes in favor.