Council Wants To Move Forward On Race Dialogue

The Cookeville City Council wants to move forward with a community dialogue on race relations.

City Council Member Eric Walker suggested a coming together of council and local leaders to look at ways the community could promote better understanding.

“I think if you if you have a calm setting and you can bring all minds together and discuss an issue and you’re you’re open to listening and you’re open minded, then you certainly, you know, people need to be heard,” Walker said. “And I think that that that is a very important part of the government system. And so you want to provide that opportunity and and really listen to it.”

Cookeville Mayor Ricky Shelton suggested this week an interactive work session where issues could be discussed openly and ideas for action addressed. Walker said he believes interaction is critical right now.

“That requires bringing in leadership from around the community, making sure that each culture group is represented and that that you’re bringing the best minds of the community together to try to make those decisions for the community,” Walker said.

Shelton suggested an early August timeline giving the council time to put the work session together. Vice Mayor Laurin Wheaton said it would be a chance to further the dialogue.

“I think that that is a very important thing to go forward with,” Walker said. “You know, I’m certainly concerned with what’s going on in the country and and the concerns of our residents and citizens here in Cookeville. I think that we do have our obligation to address anyone’s concerns, but it’s also important to protect our liberties.”