Lewis County Government found airport manager replacement

Monday night marked the first County Committee meeting of the new year. As such, the audit reports for the county came back, and new business had to be discussed.

One problem the Solid Waste department faced was finding a buyer for their bales of recyclables. When the County first began to recycle, it was understood that buyers would be willing to purchase bales of mixed plastic. However, some bales of plastic have been left sitting since Bradley Loveless was in office as Solid Waste Director.

In trying to find buyers, the County learned that there are buyers for mixed bales of plastic, but only certain kinds of plastic. The County reached out to four different sources in an effort to find a buyer. One source, Lindsay Ross with the Wayne County Solid Waste Department, responded, “Unfortunately, I have not found a buyer with the mixed plastic bales that contain plastic bags. We did have a company that said there was a little revenue for mixed plastic bales, as long as they only consisted of #1’s and #2’s, no #3-7’s, no plastic bags or film.” This would mean the mixed bales at the Solid Waste Department do not qualify.

Since learning the new information, Solid Waste Director Jason Drum has begun baling the correct numbered plastics and discarding and disposing of the plastics that are unwanted and unrecyclable. During the meeting, County Mayor Jonah Keltner asked the commissioners’ blessing to send the ‘contaminated’ bales to the landfill in Marshall County.

New Airport Manager

Following the resignation of Terry Cotham as Airport Manager, the Lewis County Government set out to find a new replacement. A board was assembled, and quickly began the advertising and interviewing process.

One candidate stood out from the rest. Gary Nash applied and interviewed exceptionally well. His impressive resume included time as a mechanic/welder/fabricator, aviation mechanic and instructor, and a machinist technician.

Nash also received a gold medal in Tennessee SkillsUSA for Aviation Maintenance and several awards for his time in the Armed Forces.

A resolution will go before the full commission to officially hire Nash on January 24, 2022, during their regular monthly meeting.

Summertown Metals Industrial Park Purchase

It was announced by Mayor Keltner to all three committees that Summertown Metals had approached the County, requesting to purchase three, possibly four, plots of land at Industrial Park.

Mayor Keltner let the committee members know that the Industrial Development Board who wished to purchase the park was notified and approved of the purchase. A resolution will be discussed and possibly approved by the full commission on January 24th, during their regular meeting.

The committee meeting report will be continued in next week’s issue.