JOHN COFFELTContributor

Former Manchester Water and Sewer Director Jeff Perry was appointed to represent District 2 during the Nov. 18 meeting by the Coffee County Commission. 

The Commission seat was left vacant with the resignation of Commissioner Benton Brown on Sept. 2.

Perry secured a majority vote with 12 votes. Former Commissioner and Manchester Alderman Wilma Thomas received votes by Tina Reed and Frank Watkins, and local attorney Matt Harris received a vote by Roger Chambers.

Perry said his goals would be to contribute to responsible planning, strong community services and solutions that support residents and local government alike.  

“Most residents value controlled thoughtful growth,” Perry told the commission during his introduction. “I’m not against the city and county growing, but I am against irresponsible growth, especially when it outpaces the infrastructure that we have.”

When asked by Commissioner Dwight Miller about running city water to rural residents, Perry said he supported municipalities footing the cost of expansion. 

Perry said he moved to the area, in part, to be near family.  The Manchester Board of Mayor and Aldermen voted 4-0 at the April 2024 meeting to offer an employment contract for Director of Water and Sewer to Perry, formerly of Brownsville, Tennessee. He resigned from that position on Sept. 15, 2025.