Looking back at a busy 2018
Mayor hits the highlights
Mayor Terry Frank
Here’s what she had to say:
Q: What are you most proud of accomplishing in 2018?
A: 2018 was a busy year all across the county as we had almost every office up for election. I’m proud of our continued emphasis on education and also workforce training. A big moment was an actual groundbreaking for our new TCAT facility (Tennessee College of Applied Technology.) I believe this to be a great symbol of what we can accomplish when various community partners come together in one accord to see a vision realized.
Commissioner Isbel sponsored a visioning workshop where we heard from folks in the community about what they want our county to be, to accomplish, to strive for. I consider this a step in a new direction where we discuss where we would all like to focus our sights as elected leaders.
Q: What improvements took place in EMS?
A: I believe an audit of our EMS Department was a great accomplishment, providing transparency and analysis and helping us better partner with county commission as we provide these critical services to citizens. I’m very proud that much needed funding for critical capital needs was provided. I’m thankful to commission as 2018 saw the arrival of new cardiac monitors for our ambulances. These new monitors are able to directly impact patient care as the hospital is able to directly connect with real time data on the monitors. 2019 will see a lot more work on EMS, and will also see the arrival of new ambulances provided by commission.
Q: The location of the Glen Alpine convenience center has the been the source of some disharmony for decades. What’s going on with that?
A: For the first time that most folks can ever recall, the county and the city of Clinton held a joint workshop that brought together city and county leaders. Instead of throwing the proverbial ball back and forth, the entities joined forces and worked together to find a new location and commission authorized the purchase of property for a new location. We hope to have this project finished up with a new, better, more efficient operation in 2019.
Q: What’s going on with the animal shelter?
A: Our Animal Care and Control Department entered into a partnership with PetSmart in Oak Ridge and also continued to grow the number of partnerships with rescues organizations. Given the limited size of our shelter (only 12 runs), these partnerships have helped us drastically reduce our euthanasia rates. Currently, we are working with Blakenship & Partners Architects to design a new shelter. We will unveil the new plans in 2019 and embark upon a capital fundraising plan to create a space that is not only a shelter, but a community educational space.
Q: Have there been any developments for senior citizens?
A: 2018 has seen the services we provide to seniors in the community grow, but we are limited by space. We’ve been doing a lot of work in the area of more space and we’ll continue to work on advancements and partnership in this area. One of the main goals for seniors in 2019 is in the area of transportation where we hope to help facilitate a volunteer ride sharing program. We have been approached as a potential recipient of grant dollars to stand up the program, but we’ve got some work to do.
Q: Are there any other programs you’re excited to see grow this year?
A: We have grown services we offer at the recycling center, but we need to work on a cost effective way to be open more hours for the public. We are proud to have partnered with the State of Tennessee on new funding for a new concrete pad at our Green Valley Convenience Center.
We hope to finish upgrades there in 2019 and look to upgrading and improving our other convenience centers. Our Pre-Trial program continues to excel—essential to helping our judicial system run efficiently and cost effectively; our Fleet Service Department has promoted training growing their ability to handle most every maintenance need. EMS and Fleet Service have grown their partnership and now Fleet Services handles bumper to bumper, providing efficiency and cost savings.
Our Health Department is doing great work and our dental program is meeting greater need in our community, but has also grown partnership with our school systems.
Our veterans department continues to make a positive impact in the lives of veterans.
We’ve had a lot of meetings in 2018 on expanded partnerships for greenways and trails and connectivity between our cites and the county. 2019 will see some of the partnerships put on paper and actual work in earnest begin.
2018 saw the fruition of some work for the Briceville Volunteer Fire Department, including USDA equipment grants. We hope by leveraging community partnerships, that 2019 will see a new Fire Hall for BVFD.
and disenchantment it is perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.
Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly and listen to others, even the dull and ignorant; they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter—for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time. Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals; and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.
Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly and listen to others, even the dull and ignorant; they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter—for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time. Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals; and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.
Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly and listen to others, even the dull and ignorant; they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter—for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.