County commission denies funding for rural community centers

April 19– With no discussion, members of the Hardin County Commission narrowly rejected Monday a proposal to give one-time grants of $20,000 each to eight existing or newly formed nonprofit community center organizations.

Commissioner Mike Jerrolds of Walnut Grove first made the $160,000 funding request several months ago in the wake of the closing of two elementary schools in his district.

The commission previously voted to convey the former Burnt Church and Walnut Grove school buildings to nonprofit corporations created for the purpose of using them as community centers.

"Clearly, Hardin County has the funds to help its communities improve these facilities and the lives and activities of its citizens," Jerrolds stated in the formal request presented to commissioners.

But while there was no debate Monday night or at last Thursday’s planning meeting, commissioners opposed to authorizing the funds raised concerns about opening the door to similar donation requests from other local organizations. Some commissioners with no community centers on the list of potential recipients also objected.

With 11 votes needed to pass and Commissioner David Childers absent, there were nine votes in favor of Jerrolds’ motion, nine votes against and one pass.

Voting aye were Commissioners Gary Combs, Roger Jenkins, Vicky Cotner, Charles Holloway, David Channell, Jimmy Grisham, Nickie Cagle, Jonas Morris and Jerrolds.

Voting nay were Commissioners Adam Coleman, Darren Howard, Boyce Bain, Wally Hamilton, Thomas Smith, Larry Byrd, Emery White, James Berry and Mike Fowler.

Commissioner Fred McFalls passed.

Organizations which had requested funding under Jerrolds’ proposal are, in addition to Walnut Grove and Burnt Church community centers, Saltillo Community Center, Morris Chapel Recreation Organization, Crump Community Center, Counce Community Center, Cerro Gordo Community Center and big Ivy Community Center.

In other business, commissioners named two members to the Hardin Medical Center Board of Commissioners, but were unable to come to an agreement on a third member.

Combs moved to reappoint Larry Hinton, David Long and Kent Collier for another three-year term.

Jerrolds moved to reappoint Hinton, and appoint veterinarian Granville Conaway and Crump Mayor Glen Spencer.

With 11 votes needed, Conaway and Hinton were elected.

In a subsequent round of voting, Collier received 10 votes and Spencer nine. Commissioners will take up the matter again next month.