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After three meetings for revision of their new Charter amendment, the Board of Mayor and Alderman passed their revisions in a special-called meeting.

Coffee County Republican Party Chairman Greg Sandlin made public comment before BoMA began discussing revisions and changes.

He reiterated his request from the first December meeting, which was to leave municipal elections in August instead of moving them to November.

“I think it’s a bad idea for the following reasons,” he said. “Would it increase voter turnout? Yes, more citizens vote in November. However, this would have an unfavorable impact on combining controversial national issues with local issues and this does not serve the citizens of Tullahoma.”

Sandlin explained that there would be no cost savings in moving the election as there would still be state and federal primaries in August. He reiterated not wanting the local election “associated with national and divisive partisan candidates and issues.”

He also reiterated his request that the board “cut our property taxes, run a lean government” and said that it would help the board in the re-election, and discussed removing the August 2025 election for city judge as well.

After he finished, Alderman Daniel Berry said “we have a tradition of responding when we’re talked about, and we were all kind of talked about there in a negative light and insinuations that what we’re trying to do here is garner votes for ourselves so I would like a second to respond.”

Mayor Ray Knowis responded that there were no specific names mentioned, so he wasn’t sure if they could respond. Berry then looked at Sandlin and said “then I hope you will stay and then when we enter this agenda item I will make my comments.”

The agenda was approved, and discussion began regarding the charter.

Berry then spoke regarding Sandlin’s comments.

“I appreciate the opportunity to present a different perspective on the issues raised by Mr. Sandlin regarding the proposed shift. While I respect Mr. Sandlin’s viewpoint, there are several aspects that merit a broader understanding,” he said.

Berry called Sandlin’s comments about November elections making local elections more partisan “a superficial argument that overlooks the core principle of democracy.”

Berry stated that the “maximization of citizen participation” in November would see a major increase in voter turnout.

“It’s ironic that someone who served as an alderman, a position involving a deep understanding of civic engagement, would advocate for a lower voter turnout,” said Berry.

He claimed Sandlin had the intent to “manipulate election dynamics to favor certain outcomes,” then went on to state that “throughout this process, we’ve seen non-elected individuals attempting to infiltrate the ranks of city government and use city government to slow down this process–several of whom have served on this board and expressed intent to serve again.”

Berry quoted an unnamed individual who, according to Berry, said “the point of having elections in August is that no one pays attention. Moving them to November changes that.” He did not say where he got this              quote from.

He called Sandlin’s claim that there are no cost savings in moving the election “shortsighted.”

“It ignores the potential for long term efficiencies in savings,” said Berry.

He went on discussing and criticizing Sandlin’s opinions and brought up his previous term as an alderman, and implied he was using his position as Chairman of the Republican Party of Coffee County to influence upcoming local elections.

He emphasized some of the upcoming projects BoMA has done, mentioning the “new street cut ordinance sponsored by Alderman Glick,” and stated that the current board is “looking to the future.”

He added that “Mr. Sandlin’s call to focus on local economic challenges like inflation and high cost is valid, but it demands an honest examination of its roots–many of these issues stem from the policies enacted during his tenure, and the tenure of boards that came before us, which favored short-term gains and photo opportunities over long-term stability. [Sandlin’s] proposal to cut taxes is a reductive solution to complex processes that he in part helped create.”

Berry said that “even with the shadow of drama that this board has had, we’ve fixed zoning issues created during the time of Mr. Sandlin and other’s tenure.”

He said that the board will continue to focus on “inclusive, forward-thinking solutions that truly benefit Tullahoma and its citizens. This charter, on the whole, does that.”

Sandlin was not given the opportunity to respond to Berry statements during the meeting, but included The News in an email response he sent to Berry the following day.

His response is as follows:

Mayor and Aldermen, I appreciate the board allowing me three minutes at last evening’s special called BMA meeting to lay out a case for why it is a bad idea to move the August city non-partisan election to the General State/Federal Election in November. I got three minutes while Alderman Berry got six minutes to attack me personally and to lay out false and misleading responses to my comments.  Then, I was given no platform to respond to these attacks. This email is my response and is being sent only to those present in the room last evening.

• City elections have always been held in August, coinciding with the county general election and state and federal primary elections.  There is no cost savings to move the city election from August to November.
• “Me thinks thou dost protest too much…” is a paraphrased line from Shakespeare’s Hamlet that may suit Alderman Berry’s response to my comments all too well.  Berry’s over-the-top response clearly struck a nerve as to his real intentions with the current charter change before the board.  Alderman Berry’s desire to move the election to November appears to be a strategy to wrap his candidacy for Tullahoma Mayor around a partisan platform in order to secure more Republican votes.  If this is the case, it is a sad abuse of power and I am disappointed that five other Alderman sided with him on this brazen tactic. I am thankful Mayor Knowis maintained his integrity.
• Alderman Berry then attempted to attack my tenure as Alderman from 2009-2012.  This is laughable and he knows better.  He can do the math – there are 7 votes on the BMA.  One Alderman represents 14.3% of the votes.  As for my record those three years, I am very proud.  As a team, we cut the property tax rate, added badly needed funds to paving, reduced the city portion of funding to the school system, created a Comprehensive Growth Plan, created TAEDC and the ability to provide TIF financing for new projects and defended citizen’s 2nd amendment rights by allowing carry permit holders to carry their firearms in our city parks.  Interesting to note also, that Alderman Mathis, sitting to Alderman Berry’s left, served during my entire term, before and after me and was a part of that successful BMA team. 
• He then accused me of all kinds of gibberish about capitulating to partisan pressure, or giving in to popular opinion – it was disingenuous, hard to follow, as it made no sense.
• In closing, I don’t hold Berry responsible for all of shenanigans of the BMA these last 3 years.  He did some good and some bad to feed the flame of embarrassment so many Tullahomans feel toward the BMA.  The next election will be here soon enough, albeit 3 months later than the voters decided.  I predict the good citizens of Tullahoma will make their will quite clear.