During Monday’s Bradley County Commission meeting, Commissioner Lisa Stanbery said that a local non-profit organization contacted her to tell her about a growing problem with bed bugs. According to Commissioner Stanbery, The Caring Place has had three families come in who have been affected by bed bug infestations. Commissioner Stanbery said The Caring Place asked if a tracking system could be put in place so that citizens looking to move into a new rental property can rest assured that bed bugs have not been found in their potential apartment.

“They travel close to how lice do,” Commissioner Stanbery said. “It’s in our best interest to curtail this problem before it starts to become an epidemic issue.” However, all commissioners weren’t in agreement.

“I think we ought to let everybody take care of their own mess,” said Commissioner Howard Thompson. “All that is is nastiness.”

Commissioner Stanbery replied that waiting until it becomes a serious problem is much more costly, but Commissioner Thompson wasn’t sold. “I’ve been dealing with bed bugs all my life,” he said. “All you have to do is clean your bedroom and clean your house.”

Going on, Commissioner Stanbery stated that a tracking system would protect landlords and citizens, as it takes a concentrated effort to get rid of bed bugs, and bed bugs can be passed from person to person.

Also during the meeting, the commission considered a request from a non-profit organization called CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates). As CASA no longer receives funding from the state of Tennessee, the group asked the county to charge a $45 fee to individuals who plead guilty or are found guilty of certain crimes. Most of this money would go toward funding CASA.

Many commissioners, including Jim Smith and Michael Plumley, said they would like more information about CASA, the organization’s structure and budget, before agreeing to the proposal.

“We passed our budget this summer with contributions to non-profits,” Commissioner Plumley said. “Where were they then?”

After a few minutes of discussion, the commission decided to discuss the issue further when more information is available.

The swearing in of elected officials is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 1, at 9 a.m. The next meeting of the Bradley County Commission is next Monday at 10 a.m.

daniel@danielkbrantley.com