To Rescind the Tall Betsy Joint Resolution No. 358, passed in May 1989

We, the undersigned eligible voters of Bradley County, Tennessee, petition the County Commissioners to submit the following resolution to the State of Tennessee to rescind the Tall Betsy Resolution No. 358 and have this resolution stricken from the official State of Tennessee records. This resolution was in essence hidden from the citizens of Bradley County.  It is imperative that we stand united in rejecting the imposing of this resolution upon us as a community.  We have the right to make decisions as a community, and not succumb to the whims of a few over the majority.

The Tall Betsy Resolution, No. 358, identifies Tall Betsy as the official Bradley County goblin.  In this resolution, the community of Bradley County has been painted, for decades, as part of an unrequested, occultic celebration.  The Bradley County citizens have been included in this resolution without any opportunity to weigh in on this decision.  Considering current exposure regarding sex trafficking, kidnapping, and cannibalism, the mayor, the commissioners, the sheriff, and all law enforcement personnel, have a responsibility to respond, in their official capacities, to the atrocities that are blatantly part of this resolution.

The author(s) of this resolution circumvented all protocols and procedures dealing with presenting a resolution to the State level.  The legal, constitutional process would include making this resolution public.  In hiding this resolution from the public, by not publicizing it, the authors effectively suppressed the 1st amendment rights of the citizens of Bradley County to voice their opinion and weigh in on this resolution.  This makes the passing of this resolution unconstitutional, an affront to the Bradley County community.

State Of Tennessee
Senate Joint Resolution Nov. 358
By Senator Lou Patten and Representative Steve Bivens
A RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Halloween night is recognized as a festive occasion all over the world; and

WHEREAS, small children go out dressed as spooks and goblins to trick or treat; and

WHEREAS, Centenary Avenue in Cleveland, Tennessee is where the most recognized “goblin” in Bradley County comes out; and

WHEREAS, all the residents along Centenary promote a fun and safe Halloween for all little girls and boys by giving out treats and opening their homes as “spook houses”; and WHEREAS, “Tall Betsy” is the main attraction and spookiest spook on Halloween; and

WHEREAS,
She comes out only on Halloween
On Centenary Avenue she can be seen.
Tall Betsy is the “Lady in Black”
For scaring “night-owls” she has a Knack.
Now if you’re good and go home early,
You won’t get ‘et by this gruesome girlie.
But if you linger ‘til after ten,
We want you to know you’re a “has-been.”
Cause Betsy will tuck you under her arm,
And you can bet, that’s cause for alarm.
To Fort Hill Cemetery she will go,
To her mausoleum, with you in tow!
If you don’t escape before sunrise
I warn you now you’ll be her prize.
She’ll have you for breakfast, I do not jest,
You’ll be on the menu, not as her guest.
Your bones she’ll dump in that old well,
At Arnold School, and no one will tell.
Your parents, they’ll worry and fret,
They’ll search all over for you, I’ll bet
So, go home early on Halloween night,
And November 1st you’ll be all right.
Trick or treating is so much fun,
But if you see Tall Betsy, you’d better run.

Now therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING, that it is only fitting and just that “Tall Betsy” be proclaimed as the official Halloween goblin of Bradley County with all the rights and privileges pertaining hereto.
Dated: May 24, 1989