Ambitious agenda on tap for Obion’s mayor, council

By KEVIN BOWDEN
Staff Reporter
Glen Parnell is back as mayor in Obion, and he has a short but ambitious agenda for his fourth term in office.
It was in 1991 when Parnell was elected to his first of two consecutive terms as Obion mayor. He was elected to his third two-year term in 2003.
Now in the first few weeks of his latest term in office, Parnell says he is ready to tackle the challenges ahead for his town.
Obion has gone through many changes since Parnell was first elected its mayor nearly 20 years ago.
From his office inside City Hall, located at the corner of Palestine Avenue and Broadway Street, Parnell took a few minutes out from his busy schedule to take a look back and a look ahead.
Like other towns across the county, Obion is dealing with financial struggles and that’s a major concern for Parnell.
“We’re going to have to tighten up in a lot of places if we’re going to make it,” Parnell said.
Looking back, Parnell said one of the most noteworthy accomplishments during his first two terms in office was securing a government loan to build a half million dollars worth of new housing for low income families in the city. He also pointed out the city was able to buy the former Dillingham restaurant building and convert it into a community center.
Housing development and the new community center are just two of the noticeable improvements in Obion. The town has also done considerable work on the city’s park and the city recently completed its new public safety building off Palestine Avenue.
Looking ahead, Parnell said he remains committed to focusing on the city’s budget. He said the deteriorating condition of the town’s streets is another major issue he plans to address.
Parnell said because of the heavy truck traffic through Obion, the streets have become run down and need to be repaired.
“There are a lot of areas that need to be addressed,” Parnell said.
He said he would also like to see some commercial development in the downtown area. He specifically cited the need to have a new retail store in the old dollar store building across the street from Obion City Hall.
That building originally housed a grocery store and, later, a dollar store. The building has been vacant for some time now and Parnell said he would like to see a new retail store open in the building.
“I’ve been talking to TVA about getting some money,” Parnell said.
Staff Reporter Kevin Bowden may be contacted by e-mail at kmbowden@ucmessenger.com.

Published in The Messenger 12.31.10

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