Last Edited: June 13, 2023 @ 12:44 pm

Montgomery County, TN — Following yesterday afternoon’s downpour, a group of approximately 60 people gathered to celebrate the Montgomery County Public Safety Training Complex (PSCT)'s formal opening at 2275 Dotsonville Road. The official name of the complex is Sheriff Billy R. Smith Public Safety Complex in honor of former Sheriff Billy Smith, who served as Sheriff of Montgomery County for 20 years and who passed away in May 2017. The 326-acre location was also the family farm of Billy Smith, born and raised on the site.

Among those who joined the celebration were PSTC Department Heads, Elected Officials, the Smith Family, neighbors and other representatives from the Sheriff’s Office, County Emergency Management Agency and County Emergency Medical Services.

Mayor Jim Durrett opened by welcoming everyone to the site and thanked the Sheriff’s Office for having the vision and the County Engineering Department for sharing their expertise to help bring MCSO’s vision to life. He also thanked the Smith Family for working with the County through the process.

“This is an important step forward in public safety for our growing County,” said Mayor Durrett.

Emergency Medical Services Director Chief William Webb followed Mayor Durrett, expressing his gratitude for the complex and the ability to conduct training and certifications at the site.

Yesterday’s ceremony was also done to celebrate the completion of Phase I of the PSCT, including a firearms training facility, improved road network, security and utilities and a small arms outdoor range.

 Montgomery County Sheriff John Fuson said, “I think everything just worked out here to be on this site for a reason. Several people were looking at the property once it was listed. Tom had made a promise to Billy that this land would not be developed, so when I shared our plans, it was a win.”

At the time of purchase in June 2017, the farm already included two residential structures, a refurbished barn, a 7,000 square-foot hanger, an FAA-registered 2,400-foot runway, a 6,000-foot garage, and pole barns, springs and creeks, which allowed MCSO to start training right away.

 “Our vision is for all public safety. That includes fire, EMS, EMA, and we can bring our sister counties right in here with our county and get on the same page with training. I’m grateful that our team, the county commission and the Mayor all shared the same vision of what this complex could do for our community,” added Fuson.

“Elaine Smith, the wife of former Sheriff Smith, said, “Billy would be so honored to have the complex named after him. He did not want a subdivision to replace the farm. The complex is the perfect way to honor his wish. I am grateful to have my family here with me. Billy was a great husband and father to our children. He worshipped his grandchildren, and they worshipped him. This is a good day.”

Phase II will include a USPCA canine training course and a fire tower building. The fire tower is part of the 2022-23 County budget. Public safety professionals are required to maintain certifications in their areas of expertise. The development of the PSCT will allow Montgomery County safety professionals to certify on-site rather than travel to other communities for certifications.

Caption PSCT 3: Pictured from left to right from the Smith Family is granddaughter Megan Goder, grandson Matthew Goder, son-in-law David Goder, daughter Wendy (Smith) Weis, Elaine Smith, daughter Lesa (Smith) Goder and son-in-law Joe Weis.

Last Edited: June 13, 2023 @ 12:44 pm

What:     Park Naming Ceremony 

Why:       To Honor Community Advocate James Brigham

When:     10 a.m. Monday, August 1, 2022

Where:    865 Gracey Ave. Clarksville, TN 37040

Who:       Montgomery County Mayor and Commissioners, Montgomery County Parks and Recreation, Brigham Family, Friends and Neighbors

Last Edited: December 29, 2022 @ 2:54 pm

Montgomery County, TN — The Montgomery County Legislative Liaison Committee is developing the 2023 Legislative Agenda for lawmakers in Nashville. This agenda includes suggestions specific to issues in Montgomery County and the state that citizens would like to have addressed. 

Montgomery County is making a second request for residents to submit legislative items for consideration to gather as much input as possible. 

Please submit the agenda items to Michelle Newell via email at manewell@mcgtn.net or by mail to 1 Millennium Plaza, Clarksville, TN 37040, by August 4. The Committee will review the suggested topics and formulate the agenda that will be presented to the Clarksville, Montgomery County state delegation in October 2022.

To see the 2022 Legislative Agenda visit https://bit.ly/3H8DG1c.

Last Edited: June 13, 2023 @ 12:44 pm

 Montgomery County, Tenn – In May of 2022, Montgomery County Trustee Kimberly Wiggins was named Middle Tennessee Trustee of the Year at the Tennessee County Trustees Association (TCTA) Conference.  

The 2022 TCTA Conference was held in Obion County, Tennessee, and hosted by TCTA President Marci Floyd, Weakley County Trustee. The TCTA is made up of all 95 counties in the state. This yearly event is five days long and includes business and committee meetings, continuing education sessions and more.  

Annually, the Trustees in attendance select a Trustee of the Year for the West, Middle, and East Grand Divisions. Wiggins was selected by her Middle Tennessee Trustee peers as the Middle Tennessee Trustee of the Year. “I cannot think of a more deserving honor for the admirable service Trustee Wiggins has provided to our local and statewide community so diligently since taking office. She is a leader and mentor who strives to continually serve well” said Marci Floyd, TCTA President. Currently, she currently serves as the Middle Tennessee Trustee Association (MTTA) President and TCTA Audit Committee Chairwoman.   

Montgomery County Trustee Kimberly Wiggins stated, “I am humbled by such an honor. The Trustees welcomed me with open arms when I took office and the least I can do is serve to the best of my ability in return.” 

Wiggins was elected Montgomery County Trustee in August 2018. This year, she has qualified as an unopposed Independent Candidate for re-election. The State Primary & County General Election will take place on August 4, 2022.  

Last Edited: June 13, 2023 @ 12:43 pm

Montgomery County will provide space for a community garden at Rotary Park

 

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, TN – On July 11, representatives from AARP formally awarded a Community Challenge Grant of $12,900 to install a community garden near the Wade Bourne Nature Center at Rotary Park. Montgomery County Parks and Recreation Natural Resource and Program Manager Katie Netti and former CMC Green Certification Manager Carlye Sommers, co-authored the grant application in March 2022 and received notification of the award in June 2022.

The grant will cover the tools and supplies necessary for tilling, soil amendment, composting, and planting winter crops, and 10 raised mobile garden beds. The garden will be a way to bring the community together while learning and immersing in the outdoors.

“I was thrilled to learn that we received the grant! My uncle is a farmer, so I learned a lot about planting crops. We want to bring people of all ages and abilities to the garden. Bringing the community together through the garden,” said Katie Netti.

“It’s evident that Katie is passionate about putting the Community Challenge Grant to good use for people in Montgomery County. It is so good for AARP representatives to get back out and connect one-on-one with our communities again,” said AARP Community Outreach Director Stacy Pennington.

Various crops suitable for every season will be planted on the plot. This month and the month of August will be the time for prepping the land, now overgrown with wild brush.  The first seeds are expected to be planted this September.

The programming staff will manage the garden while volunteers will take care of the maintenance. Anyone who volunteers to help tend the garden will be eligible to receive some of the harvests at no cost.

“The community garden is another unique way for County Parks and Recreation to serve our citizens’ needs and recreational interests. Katie and her programming team look for opportunities to encourage nature engagement at every skill level and the garden is a perfect example of this,” said Montgomery County Parks and Recreation Director Sally Burchett.

This project is part of the largest group of grantees to date with $3.4 million awarded among 260 organizations nationwide. Since 2017, AARP Tennessee has awarded 18 grants and more than $223,000 through the program to nonprofit organizations and government entities across the state. AARP Challenge Grantees will implement quick-action projects that help communities become more livable in the long-term by improving public places; transportation; housing; diversity, equity and inclusion; digital access; and civic engagement, with an emphasis on the needs of adults age 50 and over.

Please watch the Montgomery County, TN and Montgomery County Parks and Recreation social media outlets for a volunteer sign-up form.