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Citizens asked the board of mayor and aldermen to consider bringing back the annual soap box derby, which was canceled this past year due to lack of participation. The request was made during the public comments section of the meeting by supporters of the derby. Their hopes for a return of the annual event was supported by members of the city board.

Dr. Hunter Norris trumpeted the concern of many soap box enthusiasts that the annual event was not held this past year nor was it in the upcoming city budget.

Norris pointed out the soap box derby on Lincoln Street was a popular event which produced at least two world champions.

“We can’t just see this die,” Norris said, suggesting a citizens committee be formed to work with parks and recreation to get the soap box derby back on its wheels. “There’s not a lot for children to do here in Tullahoma. We invent our own entertainment for our children and the soap box derby, thanks to Kurt Glick, was started in the year 2000.”

Norris explained that his children and he were heavily involved in soap box.

“That’s where they learned lefty loose-y and righty tight-y and what a Phillips head is,” Norris noted, adding that Tullahoma is an engineering town. “It’s embarrassing to give up on this since there’s so many engineers here and future engineers.”

Norris added a thousand children have participated in soap box during its quarter-century in Tullahoma. Of that number, 79 were “super kids” which are challenged children who co-pilot cars in the downhill race.

Joseph Thomasson said there are things that could make the soap box even better and help with the city’s ability to put on the project. One thing is advertising, beginning with the Christmas parade with the winners riding on a float. He also thinks the derby could be made fun for everyone.

“Currently the derby is mainly families watching their own child,” he said. “Bring in food trucks, bounce houses. Make it a party on Lincoln Street.”

He also suggested getting corporate sponsorship for the race. He read a letter from the UTSI President John Schmisseur, with the educator saying things like the soap box derby could help spur on the next generation of engineers.

Greg Douglas reiterated that Tullahoma is an engineering city.

“We’re known for several things here, great baseball being one, engineering, great schools,” he said, noting that forming a partnership between government and the public could be beneficial.

Alderman Kurt Glick agreed that a special study session to look at the return of the soap box derby would be appropriate. Glick said the idea of forming a citizen’s committee, much like is done for little league baseball, is a good thing to do.

“I think the citizens can get the participation up,” Glick said after the derby was canceled this past year due to lack of participation. “I don’t think it’s a matter of the funding, it’s a great event and something Tullahoma should have.”

Glick said the first year he started the race they were constantly on the phone and got 30 cars that first year.

“I think we could do it again,” he said.