Governor comments on possible state park name change
JACKSON, Tenn. — While in West Tennessee on Wednesday, Gov. Bill Haslam shared his thoughts on the discussion of potentially changing the name of a local state park. Amid the controversy surrounding Confederate flags and other potentially racially sensitive topics, the Klan-leading namesake of Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park has entered the conversation. Haslam said a decision would require a look into the laws governing the naming of state parks. “The state park what we have to look at and see if what is the laws governing that naming certain things we can change certain are in there by statue. I do not know the answer to which one this park is,” said Governor Haslam. State Rep. Johnny Shaw of Bolivar is calling for a name change, while State Rep. Jimmy Eldridge of Jackson said he will wait see and talk with voters to see what they want before making a decision.
