Dresden mayor expresses concerns over Economic Development

By Amanda Mansfield

Press Reporter

During Monday night’s Dresden Board of Mayor and Aldermen meeting, Mayor Jeff Washburn expressed his concern over the merger of the Weakley County Economic Development District and the Weakley County Chamber of Commerce, which was announced in Nov. “I was initially in favor of [the merger], but I’ve become very concerned about it,” Washburn stated. “From the standpoint of what services we have received from them, what they have done for us, are we being treated fairly when a new industry comes to look at Weakley County? Those are all concerns that I have.

“I have voiced my opposition to the Weakley County [Economic Development District] being located in the same office as the Martin Economic Development office because I think there is too much opportunity that somebody’s going to get favored treatment.”

According to Washburn, he has been told that there might be some cherry-picking going on in regard to industry recruitment in the county. In addition, Washburn said, regarding the merger, “They appointed a committee, and they didn’t even bother to appoint anybody from the city of Dresden.” Washburn stated that he has withheld the city’s contribution for the third quarter to the Economic Development District. “I don’t know any other way to get their attention,” he said. “We’re not getting any representation on the committee.”

City attorney Beau Pemberton advised the board that they had a right to invite the chairman of the Economic Development District, Tommy Legins, along with Shelby Spurgeon, the director, to a board meeting to discuss these issues with the Board of Mayor and Aldermen. Alderman Lyndal Dilday expressed his concern over the lack of involvement Spurgeon has had in the city of Dresden. He went on to say that she didn’t have a clue who he was, “and that ought to tell you something.”

Washburn said, “I have stood up at meetings and expressed the city of Dresden’s concerns and represented our city to try to ensure that we get treated fairly, and they take offense at that.

“We need somebody who is going to represent all of Weakley County. They need to be selling the clay in Gleason, our pad-ready site in Dresden, and Greenfield’s got a great site that they’re trying to develop.”

Washburn brought up the possibility of the city forming their own Economic Development Board in the city of Dresden. The board members seemed to agree with the mayor. “If we do our own, I’d be happy with that,” said Alderman Sandra Klutts. “I am for anyone who are doing projects for Dresden. My main concern is this town right here,” she went on to say.

While no motion was made at this time, the frustrations could be felt by all members of the board, the mayor and the city attorney.

In other city news, an ordinance to rezone a parcel of land at 145 East Main Street from B-2 (Central Business) to R-2 (Medium Density Residential) was passed on its second reading after a public hearing in which no one in the community made comment. Stan Hurt, owner of the property plans to build two modular two-story rental homes on the property.

The board was informed by the mayor that a donation had been received. “We’ve received a $1,000 donation for the Civic Center from the McWherter’s Foundation,” Washburn explained. “We’re looking at making improvements to the interior to make it more inviting and attractive to the citizens.” Washburn explained that the Civic Center is being used to administer COVID-19 vaccinations. The city is also interested in improving the bathroom facilities at the Civic Center with the donation.

“We also need some signage,” Washburn went on to say. He said it might be a good idea to have directional signs on the highway and on the roadways directing citizens to the Civic Center so they easily find it when going to receive their vaccinations. “This will be ongoing for several months,” Washburn said. The donation was accepted by the board for these purposes.

The city of Dresden sought bids for smoke testing, inspection and cleaning of sewer lines. Three bids were received; Champion Cleaning services bid for $106,00, Vortex Services bid for $77,500, and Bobby Luttrell & Sons bid for $36,500. According to Washburn, rainwater is getting into the sewer system. “We’re going to smoke test and camera 10,000 linear feet,” he explained. “That will indicate where we have the most inflow into our sewer system.”

The city has applied for a maximum $450,000 grant, and the city’s portion would be approximately 15%. A motion was made that the city agree to pay the 15% portion, if awarded the grant. A motion was made to accept Bobby Luttrell & Son’s bid of $36,500. Alderman Gwin Anderson stated that this issue has been going on for many years, and he wanted to make sure before this money was spent, that it would correct the problem. Washburn believes that it will. “I’m with you, and if we’re going to do this, let’s see it to completion,” Washburn responded. Both motions ultimately passed unanimously.

Washburn stated that city revenues were looking very good and are on target for sales tax and property tax revenues. He noted that the past two years the city has not had to do any borrowing from the city’s water and sewer fund to perform city business, as has been done in the past.

According to Washburn, the city should be debt-free within four years. He has spoken to the fire chief and is looking at grants that might cover part of the expense of a new fire department. Other things the city might purchase in the future are soccer fields and parks. “Whatever we do, we are going to have to own the property,” Washburn explained when discussing how grant funding worked.

Finally, in appointment news, members of the community have been appointed to the Industrial Board, the Personnel Committee, the Beer Board, the Planning Commission, the Board of Zoning Appeals, the City Beautification Board, the Condemnation Board and the Arts in Dresden Committee. All appointments were approved and are as follows:

• Industrial Board – Mayor Ex-Officio Jeff Washburn, Mark Maddox, Colin Johnson, Brad Branscum, Keith Hardeman, Judy McAlpin, Tom Reavis, Tony Winstead, Jimmy Westbrook, Ricky Finney, Junior Moore and Larry Jolley.
• Personnel Committee – Gwin Anderson will chair the committee, and members of the Board of Aldermen will fill the positions.
• Beer Board – Alderman Lyndal Dilday, Jimbo Crawford, Tim Spence, Steve Pectol and Mark Bell.
• Planning Commission – Mayor Jeff Washburn, Alderman Kenneth Moore, Dick Tidwell, Joyce Hurt, Tommy Moore, Paul Hutcherson, Mike Youngblood and Allen Strawbridge.
• Board of Zoning Appeals – Alderman Ralph Cobb, Chariman Mike Youngblood and Kory Green.
• City Beautification Board – Ex-Officio Ray Griffith, Alderman Sandra Klutts, Tonya Baker, Angie Hewett, Jason Kemp, Melinda Goode and Connie Killebrew.
• Condemnation Board – Mayor Jeff Washburn, Ex-Officio David Kelly (Building Inspector), Alderman Willie Parker, Mike Youngblood, Dick Tidwell and Lin Dunn.
• Arts in Dresden Committee – Mayor Ex-Officio Jeff Washburn, Tommy Moore, Inju Winstead, Cathi Bickley, Paula Thomas, Mark Maddox, Julie Mosely and Pam Copeland.