The weather has warmed up enough for people to get out and enjoy the start of spring. Farmers have planted thousands of acres already, and people have started their gardens. It seems like we just started the year, and now we are about to celebrate Easter. I pray that each of you can celebrate the death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. May each of you have a blessed day with your families and/or friends.
Montezuma Community will be hosting another “Big Country Breakfast” from 7-10 a.m. Saturday, April 18. Dine in or take out available. This will be a great time for election candidates to meet people within the district and talk with them to see who fits the bill for your vote.
Montezuma sends out Happy Birthday wishes to Carrie Jester on April 2, Brooke Emerson and Missy Clayton on April 4, Jo Ellis on April 5.
We are facing elections again, and candidates that intend to run in the primary have already qualified for respective positions. The primary will be held on Tuesday, May 5. I hope that we can count on all you registered voters to get to the polls in May for the primary and help to select the best candidates for the jobs. One big change for this upcoming election for County Commissioners is a change from three per District to two per District.
Our local governmental meetings need more community support. If you care about Chester County, please pay attention to what is taking place in our county, come out to budget meetings and commission meetings and show your interest or concerns. Meetings are currently regarding budget plans for the 2026-27 year. The budget committee along with the finance department will be doing their best to put together a budget that county residents can live with and have it turned into the state for approval by June 30 to be on time. If you have any comments or questions regarding county expenditures, I suggest you contact your district commissioners before the next budget meeting set for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 7, or the commission meeting at 7 p.m. Monday, May 11. Our county finances have been overtaken by inflation and no tax increase, and this will be a year for some tough decisions in order to maintain the necessary services required in our county and meet the state mandated raises to elected and appointed officials, The county is working to bring in any new revenue possible, and everything will be under review. Know that your input can matter. Everyone should be mindful of what is going on in our county and care enough to help make a difference.
We appreciate all our members at the center and would love more of our community to get involved. With more help, we could plan more events for our community. Membership dues are $25 after your first initial year of joining. Membership dues are due for the September 2025 through 2026 year, and they can be mailed to Edith Sills, 4475 Sunshine Rd., Henderson, TN 38340. Please make it a point to get this taken care of if you are current members. We welcome new members at any time. The community center can be rented by contacting Betty Cooper at 879-9078. We ask those renting our facility to please follow our rules and show respect for the building. We try to keep it in the best order possible, and it takes everyone cooperating to make that happen.
We need help with keeping our “Blessing Box” at the community center filled to help people in need.
If you care about this community, please get involved in what is taking place to continue to grow our county and make it a better place to live and raise a family. Get to know what is changing in our local government, schools, churches and communities through the news, friends, your church, teachers, etc., and if it matters to you, there are ways to help make things better.
There is much spiritual warfare with society accepting things that go against who God is and what HIS laws are that we are to follow. Every day of life has its challenges, but if we look to God for the right path, it can be a good one. Please be in prayer for our local and federal government, law enforcement, school staff, teachers and the listed individuals of Sally Dukes, Greg Morris, David Cox, Mike Cooper, Kenneth Burkhead, Carolyn Thomas, Carolyn Beecham Higgins, Dale Colbert, Marilyn Webb, Pam Priddy, Reba Croom, Taze Lofton, Peggy Lard, Randy Cooper, Marcia Moore, Judy Bernard, Donna Doyle, Mike Lott, Donnie Brooks, Mike Tedford, Sandra Lott, Faye Crouse, Janice Morris, Jeanette Walker, Paul Schilling and others that are sick or healing. Please be in prayer for the families of Maxine Hinkle Robbins, Norman Keith Cox, Larry Bates, Staley Holder, Peggy Annah Benson and other families that have recently lost loved ones.
As always, I am wishing everyone a blessed week. Please call (608-2857) or email me (gaylescox1977@gmail.com) if you have anything to be added to our weekly article.
