Thomas Magnet students study the square | |
Models of downtown Shelbyville landmarks, plus a tri-fold display envisioning what the Shelbyville square might look like in 2033, were displayed last month at the historic Bedford County Courthouse. The displays were created by students at Thomas Magnet Elementary School as part of a class project. When County Mayor Chad Graham saw the displays, he invited the school to send several representative models to be displayed at the courthouse. The models depict the Bedford County Courthouse, the historic rock jail near the square, and the Capri Theatre. | |
New graduate? Looking for new career choices? Maybe you belong in Bedford County government! At our jobs page, bedfordcountytn.mysmarthire.com/jobs/, you can see and apply for all open positions with county government. New positions are added frequently, so bookmark the site and check back often. (Photo by Rufino, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons) | |
County progress discussed at luncheon | |
From left, County Commissioners Sylvia Pinson and Scott Johnson, County Mayor Chad Graham, and County Commissioners Linda Yockey and Greg Vick following the quarterly Chamber of Commerce luncheon. | |
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Bedford County Mayor Chad Graham outlined recent achievements and ongoing challenges during a speech at the Shelbyville-Bedford County Chamber of Commerce quarterly luncheon, held May 7 at the Fly Arts Center in Shelbyville.
Mayor Graham said his strategic areas of focus since taking office in 2018 have been education, public safety and economic development.
In the area of education, Mayor Graham said that when he took office in 2018, there were 800 children in portable classrooms, but the county is on the verge of ending the need for portables, at least for now, with the opening of the new Cartwright Elementary School later this year and with a planned expansion of Liberty Elementary School. Portables are a security and severe weather risk and many educators say they don’t provide the best learning environment.
Graham, a former school board member, noted that the school board and administration are in charge of day-to-day educational operations but it’s the county commission which must make funding available for brick and mortar. With Bedford County growing at a rapid pace, by more than 500 new residents a year, that puts pressure on the county to provide sufficient classrooms.
In the area of public safety, Graham said that a new salary scale passed in 2022 has helped stabilize the county’s work force and make pay grades more equitable and based on actual job duties. Pay adjustments have resulted in less turnover in emergency service personnel.
A new public safety firing range will be located on the grounds of Bedford County Justice Complex. It will replace the current city-owned firing range, in a location that sometimes draws complaints from nearby residents.
Graham discussed plans for a new juvenile detention center, also to be located on the grounds of the Justice Complex. He said if the county were starting from ground zero, it might make more sense to outsource juvenile detention to other counties which have such facilities. But the county has a center in place. The center is in need of replacement, and demolishing the current location would improve the appearance of the approach to the county’s downtown shopping area. Graham said the issue has been discussed for years and the best choice for now is to continue operating juvenile detention, which would require the new facility.
In the area of economic development, Graham noted the county’s aggressive pursuit of broadband services, which are becoming increasingly critical to individuals, families, businesses and other agencies.
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Hopkins graduates Archives Institute | |
From left: Jami Awalt, Assistant State Archivist; Kathryn Hopkins, Bedford County Assistant Archivist; and James Ritter, State Librarian and Archivist. (TSLA Photo) | |
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The Tennessee State Library & Archives recently recognized nine archivists who earned their Archives Management Certifications at the 2024 Tennessee Archives Institute, including Kathryn Hopkins of the Bedford County Archives.
Hosted by the Tennessee State Library & Archives, the Tennessee Archives Institute is an annual two-day workshop focused on the principles and practices of archival management and records preservation.
“The Tennessee Archives Institute is an excellent opportunity for archivists to receive additional training and share ideas with their colleagues so they can continue to effectively serve their local communities,” said Secretary of State Tre Hargett. “We greatly appreciate all who have graduated for their commitment and dedication to preserving Tennessee’s history.”
In 2024, 27 archivists from historical institutions and local archives participated in the Tennessee Archives Institute. Those who complete three years of coursework through the institute graduate with an Archives Management Certification.
“Congratulations to our nine program graduates for earning their Archives Management Certifications,” said State Librarian and Archivist Jamie Ritter. “Their local communities and our entire state will greatly benefit from the knowledge and experience gained through this recent opportunity at the Tennessee Library & Archives.”
This year’s institute focused on advocacy in archives, and it included sessions on digital project planning, tools for determining copyright issues, born-digital and e-records management, connecting students and teachers with archival collections, exhibit planning, and a discussion panel featuring past Institute graduates.
Visit the Library & Archives homepage here: https://sos.tn.gov/tsla For more information about the Archives Development Program and the Tennessee Archives Institute, visit https://sos.tn.gov/tsla/services/archives-development-program.
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A chocolate toast to June Dairy Month | |
Enjoying a glass of chocolate milk are, clockwise from left, John Teague and Samantha Peyton of the UT/TSU Extension Office; June Dairy Month chair Scotlynn Osterhaus; Bedford County Mayor Chad Graham; Kaylin Osterhaus; and Emily Mote of UT/TSU Extension. (Bedford County Government photo) | |
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Bedford County Mayor Chad Graham signed a proclamation on June 3 recognizing June Dairy Month, a nationwide celebration of dairy products and the farmers who make them available. The mayor toasted the event by sharing a glass of chocolate milk with June Dairy Month chair Scotlynn Osterhaus and representatives of the University of Tennessee/Tennessee State University Extension and the 4-H program.
The 2020-2025 dietary guidelines released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Department of Health and Human Services (HSS) include the importance of consuming three daily servings of dairy foods like milk, yogurt and cheese.
According to The Dairy Alliance, National Dairy Month started out as a way to distribute extra milk during the warm months of summer. The commemoration was established in 1937 by grocer organizations sponsoring National Milk Month. By 1939, June became the official dairy month.
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Teacher Appreciation Week observed | |
Bedford County Mayor Chad Graham, a former school board member, visited a number of Bedford County schools in observance of Teacher Appreciation Week, May 6-10. Graham presented a copy of his Teacher Appreciation Week proclamation as well as a personalized certificate for each school. | |
Be informed, and be heard | |
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As county government prepares for a new fiscal year, starting July 1, important budget decisions will be made over the next few months. Tennessee’s Open Meetings Act ensures that you, the citizens, can attend meetings at which public business is discussed and decided.
You can always attend in person; in addition, some meetings are livestreamed, and the video is available for viewing any time after the meeting. Meetings of Bedford County Board of Commissioners and its four standing committees can be found on the county’s YouTube channel, www.youtube.com/@bedfordcountytngovernment
State law provides for a period of public comment at local government meetings to provide the public with an opportunity to comment on matters that are germane to items on the agenda. Any person interested to speak should:
1) Record name and address on a sign-up sheet that will be provided, prior to meeting being called to order.
2) When called upon, address comments to the Chairperson in a respectful manner.
3) Limit remarks to three minutes for item(s) germane to the agenda. If you have concerns about an item not on the agenda, your best bet would be to discuss that in person with your elected representatives and attempt to have the item added to the agenda of an upcoming meeting.
Here are some of the regular county meetings. Schedules and locations are subject to change; you may want to confirm the time and location in advance if you plan to attend. Check the county website, www.bedfordcountytn.gov, for a calendar of upcoming events.
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Bedford County Board of Commissioners meets the second Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. on the second floor of Bedford County Courthouse;
- Three of the commission’s standing committees — Rules and Legislative; Law Enforcement; and Courthouse and County Property — meet on the third Tuesday of each month at 5 p.m. on the second floor of the courthouse.
- The Financial Management Committee meets on the fourth Tuesday of each month at 4:15 p.m. at Bedford County Business Complex, 200 Dover Street in Shelbyville, in Room 110.
- Bedford County Board of Education meets on the third Thursday of each month 6 p.m. at the school system’s Central Office, 500 Madison Street in Shelbyville.
- Bedford County Road Board meets on the first Monday of each month at 4:30 p.m. at Bedford County Highway Department, 328 Dover Street in Shelbyville.
- Bedford County Planning Commission meets on the fourth Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. on the second floor of Bedford County Courthouse.
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Here are some upcoming dates of interest:
- June 3-7: Bedford County Board of Equalization, 9 a.m.-noon and 1-3 p.m. each day, historic Bedford County Courthouse
- June 11: Bedford County Board of Commissioners regular monthly meeting, 7 p.m., historic Bedford County Courthouse
- June 18: Rules and Legislative Committee (5 p.m.), followed by Law Enforcement Committee, then Courthouse and County Property Committee, historic Bedford County Courthouse
- June 19: County offices, convenience centers, Highway Department closed for Juneteenth holiday.
- June 25: Financial Management Committee, 4:15 p.m., 200 Dover Street, Suite 110.
- June 27: Bedford County Board of Commissioners special called end-of-fiscal year budget meeting, 7 p.m., historic Bedford County Courthouse
You can get more information about upcoming dates on the calendar at our county website, www.bedfordcountytn.gov/calendar.php
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Bedford County Update is published once a month and includes information and features about county government. It's intended to serve the citizens of Bedford County. We will also use this platform for special timely announcements. We promise not to overload you with too many messages. You can unsubscribe at any time using the link at the bottom of this e-mail.
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