By Kara Crump, CCI Staff Writer
Tennessee Supreme Court Justice Roger Page, Chester County/Henderson-native, completed his final act as Chief Justice before his retirement with a swearing-in ceremony at Henderson City Hall Friday, Aug. 30. Justice Page swore in three alderman Michael Phelps (fifth term), Jason Rhodes (second term) and Buel Maness (fifth term) as well as the newly elected City of Henderson Mayor Terry Bell.
Judge Page said a few words before swearing in Mayor Bell, “I’ve known Terry since he was a kid and he’s going to make a great mayor. There’s no one better prepared for this job than Terry and he’s going to do a great job.” Both Mayor Bell and the three aldermen will be serving their current terms until September 20, 2028. Mayor Bell gave a special thanks to the Chief Justice Page for swearing him in as his last act before retiring, and then proceeded to give thanks to the previous Mayors of the city of Henderson, “I want to take a moment to honor our past mayors and their families. These remarkable people have made our city a wonderful place. We are standing on their shoulders. A special thanks to Mrs. Betty Record, first lady from ’76 to ‘80 when Mayor Gene Record served, and he was a fine mayor.”
Mayor Bell went on to talk about Mayor Eddy Patterson, “He is just a wonderful man. He planned to be here today with his wife,” he said, adding that Mayor Patterson and his wife, Judith, were unable to attend due to Mayor Patterson’s illness. Mayor Bell asked the community to keep them both in prayers. Unfortunately, Mayor Eddy Patterson died Sunday morning, Sept. 1. “I also want to honor Mayor Bobby King, he has carried the city in numerous ways for the past 16 years,” said Mayor Bell, he then went on to give credit to and honor King’s wife, “Teressa King has got to be one of the most hard working, committed people you will ever find.” All the mayors’ wives (first ladies of the city) were honored with bouquets of flowers. This included Betty Record, Teressa King and Judith Patterson (Mayor Bell stated he would be delivering her bouquet personally in her absence due to her husband’s illness). “I’d like to honor one other person, the most important. She’s the one who let me run and I wouldn’t have done it without her support. Thank you, Crista, I love you, my partner and wife,” stated Mayor Bell while presenting Crista Bell with her own flower bouquet. In his closing comments, Mayor Bell ended his speech saying, “I pray that someday when the next generation accepts the time of leadership from us that we can say what Ronald Reagan said at his leadership conference: That we made the city stronger, we made the city freer, and we left her in good hands. Let’s commit to doing that.” Pastor and missionary David Flowers closed the swearing-in ceremony in prayer.
