📍 Clarksville, Tennessee
Law enforcement officers were already on scene before Ajax Turner Senior Center staff arrived at approximately 7:00 a.m. A representative from the City of Clarksville Parks & Recreation Department, Jennifer Letourneau (spelling to be confirmed), was also present.
👮 Officers initially prevented anyone from entering the building, stating that only City employees were authorized to access the facility.
⚖️ Shortly afterward, the Senior Center’s attorney arrived and spoke with officers. According to those present, the attorney argued that the City did not have the legal authority to change the locks or deny access to Senior Center staff, patrons, volunteers, or board members.
During the discussion, it was noted that the City had issued a lease termination notice, not an eviction order. The attorney maintained that any attempt to remove the Center from the property would require the City to follow the appropriate legal eviction process.
⏳ After approximately 45 minutes of discussions, including conversations between a police lieutenant and the parties involved, officers cleared the scene. Access to the building was then restored, allowing members of the public and board members to enter so the scheduled board meeting could proceed.
📝 It was also announced that, effective July 1, board members Beverly Guynn, Otis Sanders, Rose Bennett, and Maureen Potter had officially resigned. Their departures had previously been discussed during an earlier board meeting, where Beverly Guynn stated that the Mayor had informed them their service on the board would conclude on July 1.
📢 The meeting held today was open to the public.
ℹ️ Regarding Tennessee’s Open Meetings (“Sunshine”) Law, there are differing views on whether those requirements continue to apply now that the Center is no longer receiving City funding as of July 1. That legal question has not been officially resolved, and any determination would depend on applicable law and the Center’s legal status.
📸 931Cville Media & News Company will continue following this developing story and provide updates as additional information becomes available.
Leave a Reply