Naming the new four-lane after former state Sen. Jerry Cooper is not a done deal. The issue will be presented to the full Warren County Commission for its consideration this Thursday night at 6:30 p.m.
During a former county Highway and Bridge Committee meeting, it was stated that full Warren County Commission approval would not be needed. County Executive Herschel Wells says that is not entirely true.
“It’s not that we have to approve it, but we do need the state’s approval,” said Wells. “Because it’s a state route, we have to pass a resolution and submit it to the state. That’s usually just a formality. If it was a county road, we wouldn’t have to do that.”
Approximately two weeks ago, Highway and Bridge Committee members voted to name the four-lane after Cooper. The measure passed 4-1. Commissioners Gary Prater, chairman, Randy England, David Rhea and Melissa Yancy voted in favor of it, while Commissioner Blaine Wilcher voted against it.
Wilcher stated he wanted to name the highway after Eric Frazier, a Marine Reserve who served in Iraq. Frazier was seriously wounded when the Humvee in which he was a passenger drove over an IED in October 2006. The explosion nearly claimed his life and resulted in the loss of both his legs.
Tennessee’s legislative session began Jan. 13. Wells says the county’s request will be considered close to the end of the session.
“We will send it to the full commission. From there, it will go to the state,” said Wells. “About a week or three days before the close the session, they will have what they call a Sweeper Bill. They will have all the roads and all the bridges across the state on that list.”
The Warren County Commission meets monthly. While the resolution pertaining to naming the highway after Cooper is not on the agenda, it can be added by majority vote.