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Tennessee Conservative News [By Olivia Lupia] –
The Ajax Turner Senior Center nonprofit in Clarksville was granted a temporary restraining order in its lawsuit against the City claiming it has no authority to force them out of their building or assume operations as the municipality moves toward a takeover of the organization.
Mayor Joe Pitts, the City of Clarksville, and four former members of the community’s Senior Citizens Board are named as defendants in the nonprofit’s suit which was filed at the end of July.
The city has made plans to move the Ajax Center under its Parks and Recreation Department, citing a growing number of concerns with the center’s operations, including extreme turnover in the leadership and health and safety of staff and members. Mayor Pitts has maintained the city has the right to do so as the city owns the building, to which it has made capital investments, and provides nearly 90% of the funding for the organization.
However, members of the Senior Citizens Board contend the city does not lawfully own or control the center, holding no deed, though the city terminated the center’s lease back in March. The nonprofit also says the city has no right to remove them from the building, refusing to fully vacate without a formal eviction notice, and has continued to hold board meetings in the building.
“We cannot explain why, but the named defendants, including the City of Clarksville, have dedicated their efforts to end this needed charitable institution,” the complaint read. “The defendants have violated numerous laws and basic community values doing so… The Center never had problems until government got involved in its management. For this we sue, stand our ground, and instruct the defendants to cease and desist its unlawful course of conduct.”
According to local reporting, Chancellor Kimberly Lund granted the temporary injunction last Tuesday, restraining all defendants and “persons in active concert or participation with them,” from the following:
- Evicting, locking, or dispossessing the center from its building, or removing, transferring, or disposing the center’s property, charitable assets, equipment, or records.
- Taking any action on or giving any effect to the city’s Notice to Vacate.
- Making false or misleading statements to the center’s employees, vendors, banking institutions, or government agencies that license or regulate the center, including the TN Dept. of Human Services, about who controls or is authorized to act for the center.
- Interfering with the center’s staffing, vendor relationships, banking relationships or its relationship with the Dept. of Human Services and its licensed Adult Day Care program.
The motion also said the center has shown a “probability of success on the merits” regarding the city holding no title and no right to immediate possession of the property.
A hearing on the temporary injunction is set for Aug. 18, where each party may present their arguments and proof, including documents and live testimony before the judge rules whether to extend or grant fully the restraining order.
About the Author: Olivia Lupia is a political refugee from Colorado who now calls Tennessee home. A proud follower of Christ, she views all political happenings through a Biblical lens and aims to utilize her knowledge and experience to educate and equip others. Olivia is an outspoken conservative who has run for local office, managed campaigns, and been highly involved with state & local GOPs, state legislatures, and other grassroots organizations and movements. Olivia can be reached at olivia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
