Last Edited: December 10, 2025 @ 3:10 pm

On December 8, 2025, Montgomery County Commissioner Michael Lankford was elected by the County Commission to serve as State Representative to State House District 75.  Lankford is filling the vacancy created by the passing of Representative Jeff Burkhart, leaving a vacancy in the Montgomery County Commission for District 6.  

Pursuant to state law, Commissioner Lankford submitted his formal resignation on December 9, effective immediately, thanking the Commission for their collaboration and professionalism.  

The Montgomery County Commission will seek applicants to fill the vacant seat and fulfill the remainder of the term through August 2026. Nominations and voting for the vacancy will take place at the Formal Commission meeting January 12, 2026. 

Candidates must be at least 18 years of age, and a resident within and a qualified voter of the district they represent. Interested candidates may submit a letter of interest, current resume, and a copy of their current voter registration card to Montgomery County Chief of Staff at lharrell@montgomerytn.gov no later than noon Tuesday, December 30, 2025, to be duplicated and distributed to the County Commission prior to the Informal Commission meeting, Monday, January 5, at six o’clock p.m., 2026, where all qualified candidates will be given 5 minutes to speak to the County Commission. 

“Representing District 6 has truly been a privilege, and I’m eager to continue serving our community in Nashville. Jeff Burkhart was a friend and someone I deeply respected, and it is an honor to carry the torch forward in service to the people he cared so much about.  I also want to thank all who stepped forward to run — each did so out of a desire to serve our community. I will gladly assist the next commissioner however I can, to ensure a smooth transition and uninterrupted service for our community,” said Commissioner Lankford. 

“Congratulations on your new role in the Tennessee House of Representatives. It has been a pleasure to work alongside you, and we are grateful for your service to Montgomery County. We know you will continue to serve our community well at the state level, and we look forward to seeing the positive impact you will make,” said Montgomery County Mayor Wes Golden 

The Montgomery County Child Advocacy Center is excited to introduce Hobbs, a handsome dog, expertly trained to provide comfort and support to children and families. He comes to the Child Advocacy Center from Canine Companions®, a national nonprofit with over 50 years of experience as America’s first and largest provider of service dogs, and as part of their puppy-raising program—which provides early care and socialization—he was raised right here in Clarksville by Megan McWilliams of Fortera Credit Union, who shared his journey on social media, giving him a strong community from the start. In addition, his preventative veterinary care is being provided through the APSU Veterinary Technology Program directed by Christina Webb, DVM, in the APSU College of STEM. 

Following his official graduation in November, Hobbs and his handler began their new duties at the Child Advocacy Center and District Attorney’s Office. He has already been involved in multiple forensic interviews and has accompanied clients during interviews and throughout related follow-up appointments. To help him adjust to the judicial environment, initial courtroom visits are being coordinated with Chancellor Lund, a strong supporter of the program with prior facility dog experience, and introductions are being scheduled with all Montgomery County judges. 

“Children and families often arrive at the Center feeling worried or overwhelmed, especially when they’re facing difficult conversations. Hobbs brings a cheerful, comforting presence—whether he’s sitting with a child, helping with puzzles, tugging open drawers, or simply resting his head in their lap. In the courtroom, he will offer quiet, steady support as children bravely share their stories. We are deeply grateful to Canine Companions for the love and dedication they poured into Hobbs, which will now be poured into the families we serve.” said Anne Post, Montgomery County Child Advocacy Center Director. 

About Canine Companions:  
National nonprofit Canine Companions® is celebrating 50 years of empowering people with disabilities to live with greater independence. Canine Companions invented the concept of the modern service dog in 1975 and has since placed more than 8,400 expertly trained dogs at no cost to clients, entirely supported by donations. Today, Canine Companions serves adults, children, and veterans with disabilities as well as professionals working in health care, law enforcement, and educational settings in all 50 states. Volunteer, donate, and learn more at canine.org. 

Looking for family-friendly holiday activities this season? Check out the Montgomery County Parks and Recreation December schedule of events, including festivals, crafts, winter hikes, ice sculpting, movie nights, and photo ops with Santa! All events are free and open to the public; some require registration.  

SpiritFest & Lighted Christmas Parade
Stop by Downtown Commons on December 6 to watch the lighting of the Montgomery County Christmas Tree at 4:30 pm and stay for the Lighted Christmas Parade at 5:00 pm. The tree lighting will also be visible via livestream through the Downtown Commons camera at https://downtowncommons.org/live-stream. Prior to the Christmas Tree Lighting, SpiritFest will take place from 2:00-4:00 pm on the lawn of Downtown Commons, First Presbyterian, and Trinity Episcopal Parish.  

 Drop in DIY Holiday Cards
Stop by the Nature Center on December 4 from 10 am to 4 pm or December 5 from 12 pm to 4 pm for Holiday Card drop-in Days to make a card for someone you love and/or donate a handmade card to someone who needs holiday cheer. An abundance of materials will be available for your creative ideas! 

Photos with Santa
Santa will visit the Nature Center each Saturday leading up to Christmas from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm, December 6, 13, and 20. Santa will be seated on a lush green velvet couch with a beautiful nature-themed tree backdrop, perfect for family photos! Photographer Cassidy Johnson will be on site to take your photos at no charge, but personal phones or cameras are also welcome! While waiting, guests are welcome to write Santa a letter, drop it in the magical North Pole Mailbox, and search for a hidden mischievous "Elf on the Shelf"!   

Cocoa Hike 
Join us on December 2 or December 11 for a 45-minute Cocoa Hike with lanterns through Rotary Park! Please dress appropriately for weather conditions. Appropriate footwear, long pants, and bug spray are recommended. Guests will meet at the Nature Center front doors to check in up to 10 minutes before the program and to distribute lanterns. After the hike, stick around for a cup of hot cocoa! The trail difficulty level is rated moderate; please use your best judgment when registering. Strollers are NOT recommended for this terrain. Registration is required. 

DIY Holiday Ornament Making 
Stop by the Nature Center on December 10 from 10:00 am-4:00 pm for a drop-in holiday ornament activity. Materials are provided, but you are welcome to bring your own trinkets and materials to add in. 

Ice Sculpting & Movie Night
Get ready for a holiday night of fun! Head to Downtown Commons on December 22 at 6:00 pm for a special screening of National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, plus live ice sculpting by Joshua Perry from Burgasm during the movie. It’s a Christmas classic with a frosty twist! 

 Story Tails
Every 3rd Saturday of the month, the Wade Bourne Nature Center holds "Story Tails," a program promoting literacy to children by creating a wonder for the natural world. This program aligns with the mission of the Center by fostering appreciation for the environment and encouraging kids to explore the outdoors. This month’s session will be held inside and/or outside, depending on the weather, on December 20 from 10:30 am to 11:30 am. This program is for children ages 1-6. Registration is required.  

New Year’s Eve Party  
Beginning at 9:00 PM on December 31st, at Downtown Commons, we will kick off our third Montgomery County New Year’s Eve party with presenting sponsor Austin Peay State University! Join us for a night of singing, dancing, and enjoying delicious food as we enter 2025! We will have a live band, dance floor, photo-booth trailer, food trucks, a balloon drop, and a surprise at midnight. This is a once-a-year event you don’t want to miss! Free and open to the public, all ages are welcome. 

For event registration visit: https://secure.rec1.com/TN/montgomery-county-parks-recreation/catalog 

 For information about Montgomery County Parks and Recreation, visit https://mcgtn.org/parks.  

Montgomery County Government offices will be closed beginning at 12 noon, Wednesday, Nov. 26, in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday. All County offices will reopen on Monday, Dec. 1, during normal operating hours. 

Please remember the health and public safety teams that are working hard to keep us safe during the holiday season.

For online services available through Montgomery County Government, visit the GOV tab at montgomerytn.gov.

Montgomery County Parks and Recreation invites local businesses to showcase their holiday spirit in the 2nd annual Deck the County: Holiday Business Showdown. This friendly competition encourages businesses across Clarksville Montgomery County to showcase their most creative and spirited holiday lights and decor for a chance to be named the best in the county.  

Businesses are encouraged to enter their most festive holiday displays no later than December 11 by visiting the christmasinclarksville.com page, hosted by ClarksvilleNow, and selecting the Business Category to be considered.  

The top five finalists will be featured on the Montgomery County Government Facebook page, where community members can cast their votes online from December 12–19. 

The top three winners will be notified and publicly announced and receive an award during the Ice Sculpting and Holiday Movie Night at Downtown Commons on Monday, December 22 at 6:00 pm. 
 
The business with the most votes will take home this year’s trophy—and the all-important bragging rights for the year along with one month of free advertising on Clarksville Now and a digital ad at Downtown Commons from January through March. 

Montgomery County encourages all local business owners to share their holiday spirit and help “Deck the County” with cheer. 

Let the holiday decorating begin!