On the day Coalmont Mayor incumbent Tom Meeks received the deed and the keys to the Coalmont Elementary School property for the City of Coalmont, thanking the Grundy County School Board in allowing for the city to be able to offer upcoming opportunities GCH – $1.00

to the citizens of Coalmont and surround- ing communities, he proclaimed, “There will be challenges in the future but none that we cannot overcome. I hope that this will bring us all together to enjoy this great building.”

At Coalmont’s City Council meeting on October 19th, Mayor Tom Meeks’s report on projects and grants partnering with the TN Southeast Development Company that were in progress or in consideration went down an interminable list: Coke ovens, Firehall 2, land acquisition, tourism enhancement, red light inspection, a FEMA “BRIC” grant ( Federal Emergency Management Agency and Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities) to make a community saferoom, the kitchen and air conditioning unit for the Civic Center, the TDOT walkway from school to junction, the “LWCF” grant (Land and Water Conservation Fund), a “CDGB” grant (Community Development Block Grant), the “Bee Pond Project,” and a “BRAG” grant, which is the Brownfield Redevelopment Area Grant for the former Coalmont elementary school and future Civic Center… Meeks commented, “If you look, a lot of grants are not what you need to apply for. Some are pretty good,” and as an aside, added, “The walkway, we may have it we may not.” Meeks said he had recently been to a workshop where participants were asked to think about a five-year plan, and the Mayor had left no stone unturned.

Not merely a planner, also a business owner, realtor, and civic leader, Meeks has a strong opportunistic streak. Recounting how he was able to replace the lights at the Coalmont ballfield using lights that were taken down in Pelham, “I found out they took them down and was for the taking and I took ‘em. Made three or four trips to get them.” When it comes to phase one planning for the Coalmont Civic Center, Meeks would make haste to have all specialized inspections completed at one time in order to have a complete assessment of the integrity of the building: drone inspection of the roof, pest inspection all over, inspecting for hazardous bacteria, mold, asbestos, radon; the windows and doors, the heat and air; the electrical wiring and switches, the plumbing (piping, faucets, waterline, septic); fire suppression, cameras…Taking care of the mowing, weeds and vines, and playground equipment are also on the docket. Taking inventory of what belongs to the city or the county within the building, he says is also important. Meeks envisions three sections of community use: government municipality, sports and entertainment, and a business sector. He also imagines car shows, street fairs, a “trade day” with folks bringing cars, lawnmowers, and wares for sale are all possible uses for outside lot. But first they will need to create a board with five members who confer on the right direction to go and commit to keep it going. Community-minded individuals who are interested in the opportunity to become a board member for the Coalmont Civic Center should prepare to present themselves, their reason for wanting to serve on the board, and a pledge of commitment to seeing through a project that will benefit many future generations of the City of Coalmont.

The City of Coalmont’s next council meeting is Monday, November 16th, at 6 p.m. at the Coalmont Fire Station. The council will be swearing in the new mayor-elect. All are welcome to attend.