Juneteenth Resolution to be reconsidered by the County Commission

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – The County Commission will again discuss a resolution to make Juneteenth a legal, paid holiday for Montgomery County tonight, Sep. 8, at 6 p.m.

The resolution was hotly debated in August with commissioners offering several amendments, most of which involved striking a currently recognized holiday from the calendar before adding a new one. Commissioner Garland Johnson called the increasingly complex proceeding embarrassing.

A voting miscommunication

Resolution 20-8-1, which would have added a paid holiday for Montgomery County employees on June 19, failed by one vote at the Commission’s August meeting; however, Commissioners Tangi Smith and Lisa L. Pritchard later confirmed that they had thought amendments were still being considered and had incorrectly voted.

“I make mistakes. I own it. I’m a first termer, it happens,” said Smith.

As a result, Commissioner Rashidah Leverett has again placed the resolution on the agenda, this time as Resolution 20-9-1. According to County Spokeswoman Michelle Newell, while the Commission’s current rules do not permit commissioners from rescinding their votes once the meeting has adjourned, there is nothing to stop a resolution from being resubmitted.

A second chance

When asked about the second chance her resolution has received, Leverett expressed her confidence that this month’s vote would go differently.

“I am really hoping and praying that we do it right this time. I am excited., I think that this holiday is going to be magnificent for Montgomery County, for everyone in Montgomery County. It’s not just for one group of people. I think that this is the forwardness we need in Montgomery County to help our nation, to bring people together, to understand that Juneteenth is a part of American history,” said Leverett.

Grounds for a majority

The Juneteenth Resolution will again be voted upon Monday, Sept. 14 at 6 p.m.

Commissioners Ricky Ray and Brandon Butts, were absent from the August meeting. When asked, Butts said he had not yet decided how we would vote on the Juneteenth resolution. Ray could not be reached for a comment.

However, should all other commissioners sans Smith and Pritchard vote the same way they did previously, this would give the resolution 12 affirmative votes, enough to pass.

A resolution to prevent future repeats

Also on the September agenda is a resolution (20-9-13) to limit the rehearing of matters previously heard by the Commission. This resolution would require that any future resolutions which fail to pass shall not be reintroduced for at least 12 months without undergoing extensive revision. Whether a resolution has been substantially revised would be decided by the Chair.

The resolution would also allow a matter to be reintroduced as new business upon a two-thirds vote from the commission.

This resolution is likely in response to Leverett’s; though, as it comes later in this month’s agenda, is unlikely to effect to the current Juneteenth amendment.

Both amendments can be read in their entirety here. The County Commission will meet tonight, September 8,  at 6 p.m. The proceedings can be watched live via the Montgomery County Government’s YouTube channel.