Local Media Objects To Montgomery County Legislative Wish List Item Asking To Stop Publishing Paid Public Notices

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The Tennessee Conservative [By Olivia Lupia] –

As Clarksville and Montgomery County work to finalize their legislative agendas for 2026, the county’s wish to ask the General Assembly to “remove the burden” of publishing public meeting notices has struck a chord with some local media outlets.

The request is one of four public policy changes the county is requesting of state legislators and will ask to “remove the burden of local governments having to publish public notices in newspapers and provide much better notice to the public through electronic notices on governmental websites and social media platforms.”

Rickey Ray, a Montgomery County Commissioner who sits on the Legislative Liaison Committee said the aim of this request was to see public notices published in more places than just a newspaper. “They’re trying to get it to where they can have it more widespread where people can see it that don’t get the newspapers,” he said. “I think they are trying to add this to the [state] code so they can do it more than just one way.”

But according to Dave Gould, owner of Main Street Media of Tennessee, the Clarksville edition of the paper publishes the notices both in print and online, a service he feels community members expect and deserve.

“Every notice that runs in the newspaper also runs on our newspaper website as well as a statewide website with notices from the state,” Gould said. “People have come to expect to see notices in their local newspaper. It’s one place they know they can find out what’s happening relative to government meetings.”

The Commission will consider approving its legislative wish list on Oct. 20, and if it passes will then present the resolution to state legislators.

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.