Aldermen increase awaiting approval

CELINA-The Clay County Election Office officially announced the City of Celina Election for the offices of mayor and aldermen will be held here on Tuesday, June 3, according to an election notice published on page 6 of this week’s HORIZON and appearing at the end of this article.

The notice also included a qualifying deadline for potential candidates of March 20 at 12 noon and addressed the proposed aldermen increase from the current three members up to a five-person legislative body.

“Currently, the number of aldermen to be elected is 3,” the notice stated.  “However, if a proposed charter amendment is adopted by the General Assembly and ratified by the Board of Alderman for the Town of Celina, the number of aldermen to be elected will change to 5.”

This statement comes due to the fact House Bill 50 (HB0050), which “amends Chapter 90 of the Private Acts of 1991” to reflect the increase, has yet to pass the State House.

The change was proposed locally in April of 2024, when alderman Kenny Westmoreland suggested the increase.

It came up when aldermen were trying to decide who to appoint to fill the alderman seat vacated by the death of Winton Dillon, which was eventually filled by his daughter and current alderman Brittany Kerr.

Kerr was appointed by City of Celina Mayor Luke Collins, who broke a tie between Westmoreland and alderman Justin Rich under the legal statue of section 2.05 of the city charter, after the deadlock remained in place for 15 days.

Local aldermen approved the measure in June of 2024, when Westmoreland made a motion to change the number of aldermen to five, Kerr seconded the motion, and it passed by a 2-1 vote, with Rich voting no.

The bill was then introduced in the 114th Tennessee General Assembly in January, before passing the State Senate last month, and currently showing a status of “rec. for pass; ref to Calendar & Rules Committee” in the State House, according to www.capitol.tn.gov. as of HORIZON press time.

After passing the House, the enrolled copy must be signed by Governor Bill Lee before it becomes law, and it will also have to be ratified by the City of Celina.

Those interested in running for mayor or alderman “shall have lived within the city limits thereof for a period of (12) twelve consecutive months previous to being eligible to run for such offices, and shall be qualified voters in the city,” the election notice said.

Petitions, which must be returned by the qualifying deadline with the required number of signatures, are currently available at the Clay County Election Office located here at 145 Cordell Hull Drive.

For more information about the upcoming election, call 931-243-2536.