January 5, 2021
By: Dwayne Page
As a way to honor health care workers, first responders, and essential workers in their fight against COVID-19, the Smithville Aldermen adopted a resolution paying tribute to them during Monday night’s regular monthly meeting.
In taking this action, the city was actually following the lead of the county commission who adopted the same resolution first last Monday night as sponsored by 7th District County Commissioner Beth Pafford.
The resolution states as follows:
“Whereas, the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020 has ravaged the world, the United States of America, the State of Tennessee, and DeKalb County; and
Whereas, the pandemic has caused untold stress on our health care facilities, long term care facilities, health care workers, first responders, and essential workers; and
Whereas, the health care workers, first responders, and essential workers have performed courageously and tirelessly during the pandemic; and
Whereas, the Smithville Mayor and Aldermen recognize the service and sacrifice of the front line workers and chooses to honor them and show support of them in their fight against COVID-19.
Be it further resolved that this resolution be spread upon the minutes of the meeting of the Smithville Mayor and Aldermen and that the news media be provided a copy of the resolution”.
Before final passage, the original resolution as presented was amended to remove one sentence which read “Now, Therefore Be It Resolved that the members of the Smithville Mayor and Aldermen pledge that they will practice social distancing, mask wearing, and hand hygiene as a legislative body and in their daily lives in the fight against COVID-19”.
Aldermen Jessica Higgins, who asked that the sentence be stricken , said while she didn’t disagree with the message she thought the resolution should be totally about honoring the health care workers, first responders, and essential workers and not about the mayor and aldermen.
“I am really excited to see us honoring our health care workers, first responders, and essential workers but I feel like where it (resolution) talks about us (mayor and aldermen) really doesn’t have a place there. I want to honor those moms and dads who have worked in ways that I can’t imagine. I don’t want to put in things about us and what we are doing. I want to talk more about them,” said Alderman Higgins.
Alderman Shawn Jacobs said he didn’t believe the reference to the mayor and aldermen detracted from the core message of the resolution.
“I have wanted to honor our health care workers, first responders, and essential workers for some time. I hope when all this is over (COVID) with we can have a great big celebration for all of them but us pledging that we are going to do our best to stop the spread of COVID, I don’t see how that detracts from the resolution.,” said Alderman Jacobs.