BRADY FLANIGAN
Editor
Tuesday, July 8th’s Bedford County Board of Commissioners meeting was a brief pageant on a short runway—just around half an hour. Little of what might be called newsworthy by 21st century standards unfolded during the meeting proper. It was a presentation-heavy, numbers-forward kind of meeting: Q4 budget reports. Only a few procedural items required a vote:
- Appointment of a County Representative to the Senior Citizens Board
- Appointment of a County Representative to the Shelbyville-Bedford County Library Board
- Appointment to the Audit Committee
- Approval of a County Surplus Property
All passed with a wiry tempo, like a good steer auction. An item would come up for bid, and a commissioner would shout, “motion!”, then “second!” Mayor Chad Graham would take a half-breath from the bench and say, “okay, any discussion or questions on that? All in favor, any opposed?” Nothing needed discussion, and everything was unanimously approved.
When it was time for department heads to present budget reports, there was little interjection from the 18 commissioners or Mayor Graham. For something as labyrinthian as governance and money, few questions were asked of the directors—just a few asides.
Mayor Graham opened the reports by quipping with County Trustee Tonya Davis.
“This is your opportunity to show the other ones how proficient and effective you are and concise with your information,” he said with a wry smile.
Several department heads gave presentations with little regale. Clean.
Halfway through Road Superintendent Mark Clanton opened with:
“ Good evening everyone. I think this deal is a setup deal where I’m going to be last. So I’ll beat Tonya, because I’m going to hold you for about 45 minutes, and we’ll be ready to go.”
One topic that elicited some dialogue was an old initiative of Clanton’s—a project to paint street names on the pavement, replacing signs. The idea was to save money on replacements for stolen or damaged signs. But once the project began, “the public sort of wore my office out [saying] that they wanted signs back,” he said. “So that’s sort of where we’re doing now.” As of two weeks ago, 65 signs had been stolen.
“They just take them down and steal them,” he said.
Commissioner Scott Johnson spoke up, slightly aghast.
“65 stolen. Alright. Okay. Public, please do not steal the street signs. It is a public safety issue in responding to somebody.”
A few more reports trickled in—little excitement—and the meeting was coasting toward the end of the driveway. Mayor Graham said:
“Alright, we’re driving down to announcements. I do have one, but I’m going to catch everybody first. Does anybody have an announcement specifically they want to give tonight?”
He surveyed the commission with his pen, pointing through the crowd, across the walls, and toward his notebook. From the pews, it looked like he was firing a laser into the carpet, watching the cat chase the dot.
Commissioner Bill Anderson took a minute to speak about the upcoming county fair.
“Just a reminder—the Bedford County Fair, of course. That’s coming up, and hopefully the weather doesn’t get us, but it starts up—what?—I think next week.”
Mayor Graham acknowledged the announcement, with hopeful good tidings about the weather. Commissioner Anderson was the last commissioner to speak. Graham had the final word.
“I want to take a moment and share my thoughts with you regarding the future of Bedford County.
With the political season fast approaching—and the Republican primary is set for May 5th of 2026—it’s important that you hear from me first: I will not be seeking a third term as your county mayor.
There has been tremendous success and progress during my tenure, but there is more work to be done. So I will be preparing my administration and ensuring a smooth and successful transition, with the voters’ choice, to follow my administration.
So I thank all of you for making Bedford better.”
Bedford County, Tennessee will have a mayor again. Republican? Almost certainly. But come 2026, it won’t be Chad Graham behind the gavel. And that was a July 8 evening with the county commission.
