CHELSEA – Members of the Chelsea High School Student Government Association presented a recently completed project to the Chelsea City Council during a regularly scheduled meeting on the evening of Tuesday, April 17.

According to President Tanner Middleton, members of the SGA, along with other members of the community, worked together to build and decorate three benches to memorialize the parents of several ChHS students who died. Those honored were Thomas Smith, Kristi Barker Ingram and Jennifer Lowe Berry.

“It was something we knew we could do to help out the community, as well as honor some students in our grade that really play an influential part in what makes up our grade. They are really talented people in a lot of ways,” Middleton said.

Picklesimer said the SGA approached him months ago, and ChHS PTO President Donna Bowles contributed to the project, Mark Hamilton of the Hoover Home Depot donated materials and Shelby County Career Technical Education Center carpentry instructor Van White provided assistance.

“We are really thankful to get to work with the city and get so many people involved,” Middleton said.

The benches were originally planned to be placed in a city park, but Picklesimer said the benches were given to the families to decide where they are displayed.

Picklesimer commended the ChHS SGA and others in for their service.

“Community volunteerism and that spirit that goes with that is irreplaceable. It just shows what the fabric of a community is made of,” Picklesimer said.

In other council news:

–The council heard from Shelby County Probate Judge Candidate Stella Tipton, Shelby County Coroner Lina Evans, who is running for re-election, and State Rep. Candidate Ted Crockett.

–The city’s bills were paid.