Dispute over residency at center of South Fulton Commission meeting

The South Fulton City Commission meeting rescheduled for Thurs., Sept. 25, to avoid conflicting with the 2025 Banana Festival, opened with a tense acknowledgment of confusion surrounding the agenda but soon expanded into wide-ranging discussions about wards and commissioner residency.

Mayor Kent Greer addressed early concerns about the ward system, clarifying why the item had been removed from the agenda.

Greer said that the first version of the agenda, provided to local news agencies, was revised to remove a discussion on the city’s wards. Greer said he removed the ward discussion from the agenda, as there was no reason to discuss the city’s wards because the city has no intent to change the city’s three wards.

“Regardless of whether you like them or you don’t like them, they’re here to stay,” the mayor said firmly. “That’s just life. There was never any intent to redraw or dissolve them, and if there’s ever any tweaking of them, it will have to be done with everyone at the table—the city, the NAACP, and the community.”

Much of the meeting was consumed by commissioner Jake Clapper’s lengthy statement, addressing concerns about his residency, past relocation, and recent conduct.

Clapper admitted temporarily living outside his ward earlier this year because of personal matters but emphasized his intention to return and his eligibility to serve South Fulton’s Ward 1.

“After extensive reviews with City Attorney Kirk Moore, he confirmed that I had not violated any laws and could continue to serve,” Clapper explained. “Had there been any doubt otherwise, I would have willingly vacated my seat.”

Clapper also addressed his controversial response to a recent Facebook post.

“I let my emotions get the better of me, and my professionalism slipped,” he said. “I’ve spoken directly with the individual I was communicating with, taken responsibility, and I promise it won’t happen again.”

In dispelling rumors, Clapper reiterated his residency status.

“I’ve been told I live in Dresden. That is not the case. I’ve been told I live in Kentucky and have a Kentucky license plate. That is not the case. If you’d like to see my driver’s license, I’ll gladly show it. My car is parked out front and has a Tennessee license plate,” Clapper stated.

He reaffirmed his commitment to constituents in Ward 1, referencing his involvement in flood relief and community issues.

“Every time flooding occurs, I’m out there checking on citizens,” he said. “I remain committed to serving with integrity and professionalism.”

Greer asked City Attorney Kirk Moore to speak about the residency requirements for city commissioners. Moore explained the complexity of determining residency, noting Tennessee law considers both physical presence and intent.

“Residency is not just where you lay your head at night,” Moore explained. “It’s a legal definition, and intent is one of the main factors. In my opinion, based on the information provided, the commissioner has not automatically vacated his seat.”

Public discussion became heated as confronted the attorney, the mayor and the accused commissioner regarding residency. 

During the public comments portion of the South Fulton City Commission meeting, resident Kathye Stem directly addressed the ongoing controversy surrounding Commissioner Clapper’s residency.

Stem began by apologizing for a social media post in which she had accused City Attorney Jeff Moore of finding a “loophole” to allow Clapper to retain his seat. Still, she pressed for clarity, questioning how long Clapper’s “intent” to move back into his ward could remain valid.

“Can you intend to move back somewhere in the next year? I can intend to live in a mansion in the country, but...” Stem remarked, adding that the lack of transparency risked damaging Clapper’s credibility.

Clapper, in response, offered a brief defense, saying, “I’ll do it as soon as I can,” of his plans to return to the ward.

Stem countered that the issue would likely surface in court, where residents could be called to testify under oath, warning Clapper that continuing in the seat without clarity would not earn the respect he hoped for.

Mayor Kent Greer then intervened, noting that while Stem disagreed with Clapper, the commission was bound by the city attorney’s opinion until a higher authority ruled otherwise.

“Until we have a third party with the authority to say he’s out, according to our city attorney, he has a right to sit in that seat,” Greer explained. “At the very least, he will answer at the next ballot.”

The exchange closed with Stem raising concerns that Clapper had previously pushed to eliminate the ward system, a claim Greer swiftly refuted.

“He is mistaken if that’s what he ever thought, because wards are here to stay,” the mayor said. “They’re not going anywhere.”

Stem ended by thanking Greer but noted, “We’ll see how it turns out.”

South Fulton resident Felicia Lightner delivered a pointed critique of commissioner Clapper’s residency status and his ability to represent Ward 1.

Lightner emphasized that most municipalities, including South Fulton, require commissioners to live in the ward they represent for at least six months to a year prior to election.

“You can’t serve me if you don’t live where I am, because you don’t know what I’m going through,” she said. “If a commissioner is elected in the wrong ward, that commissioner may be disqualified,” Lightner warned.

She argued that residency means more than intent, pointing to voter registration, utility bills, leases, and deeds as proof of domicile. While acknowledging that she once trusted Clapper’s intentions, Lightner said she was disappointed when he had raised the possibility of rezoning or dissolving the wards.

“Those were your words,” she reminded him. Clapper responded briefly, “Yes, ma’am, I know,” he said.

Lightner continued, citing Ward 1’s hardships: widespread home condemnations, its floodplain status, and residents’ struggles to rebuild. She warned against removing representation from the ward, noting many residents were not yet registered to vote but would be if their voice was threatened.

“Hardships are not new, and there hasn’t been any attempt by anybody on this board to help the citizens that are still there,” Lightner said. “Your excuse is that the Corps of Engineers says you can’t touch the creek. Then find some other way to help the citizens—because they’re still there, they’re still getting flooded out, and nobody cares.”

Finally, the Rev. Marvin Mercer of Mt. Olive Baptist Church also spoke, urging transparency and making a request from Moore. He acknowledged that he does not reside in Ward 1, but his church is there and almost all of his congregation lives there, and he chose to represent them.

“All I’m asking is for a legal opinion in writing,” Mercer said. “Not just an opinion, but a clear legal determination we can take forward.”

The commission later voted to instruct Moore to provide a written legal opinion on the matter for the record.

The commission briefly discussed a potential liquor referendum. With little debate, a motion passed to table the matter as city manager Joyce Gray could not attend the meeting because of a family emergency.

Attention then shifted to the city’s water plant. Officials reported that the main meter used to measure water output had been nonfunctional for some time, requiring estimations.

“This meter has been down for a while,” Greer explained. “We’ve been estimating based on pump run times, but that’s not accurate. State regulators are pressing us to fix it.”

A motion was approved to purchase and install a replacement meter at a cost of $1,500.

The commission reviewed proposed amendments to the Parks Board charter, including: standardizing all appointments to four-year terms; allowing commissioners to remove or refuse appointments; changing meeting dates from the last Monday to the first Tuesday of each month at 5:30 p.m.; allowing appointed officers to review board financials; and requiring all purchases to be made by city employees with prior approval.

After discussion, the revisions were adopted.

The commission then debated replacing a damaged water service truck that had been rear-ended and was experiencing turbo and smoke issues. Commissioners discussed costs, with prices ranging from $30,000 to $60,000.

Vice mayor Billy Williams urged caution.

“I don’t want to put this off—we need a reliable truck,” he said.

Clapper agreed, adding, “I’d like to work with a local dealer to keep tax dollars in Obion County.”

Ultimately, a motion passed on a 2-1 vote to allow up to $60,000 for a replacement, with the city manager tasked with seeking options.

Mayor Greer and Commissioner Clapper voted to pass the motion with Williams voting against it.

Commissioners expressed gratitude for the success of the recent Banana Festival, a cornerstone community celebration.

“I think the Banana Festival went extremely well,” the mayor said. “I appreciate all the volunteers—none of it could have happened without them.”

As the city manager was absent because of a family emergency, but commissioners relayed information on her behalf about the annual Trunk or Treat, scheduled for October 25 with a rain date of October 31. The event will run from 5 to 8 p.m.

Commissioners also praised the festival as an opportunity for fellowship.

“You get to connect with people we hadn’t seen in a while,” Williams noted. “It was a hit this year, and people don’t realize how much work goes on behind the scenes.”

After wrapping up a heavy debate, motions, and public input, the commission adjourned. The meeting closed with acknowledgment of lingering tensions, but also a shared desire to move forward.

“The past is the past,” commissioner Clapper said. “We’re going to learn from it and keep serving the people.”

The South Fulton City Commission will meet again on Thursday, Oct. 16, at 5 p.m. at the South Fulton Municipal Complex.