June 14, 2021 Tennessee Celebrates 225Th Birthday

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

June 14, 2021 Tennessee Celebrates 225Th Birthday 6,250 subscribers www.TML1.org Volume 72, Number 10 June 14, 2021 Tennessee celebrates 225th birthday TML Annual Conference registration to begin July 6 Conference planning is well 18 concurrent sessions covering a underway. We’re excited about be- broad range of topics important to ing able to offer an in-person event, cities and towns will be offered as scheduled for Sept. 18 - 21 at the part of our conference lineup. And Chattanooga Convention Center. as in the past, we will be offering The four-day conference will many workshops that qualify for feature top-notch speakers and CMFO and Utility Board Training workshop sessions, several special continuing education hours. events, and ample time to network When registration opens TML with your peers. The conference will post a link to the registration will conclude on Tuesday morning, forms on our website, www.TML1. Sept. 21 with our annual awards org as well as email a notice to all breakfast. members. TML’s annual conferences So mark your calendars and have traditionally featured a strong plan to attend TML’s 81st Annual educational component. A total of Conference in Chattanooga. Tennessee’s 225 birthday celebration in Knoxville included a parade from James White Fort to the Blount Mansion. Parade attendees included U.S. Rep. Tim Burchett, Gov. Bill Lee, First Lady Maria Lee, Lt. Gov. Randy McNally, Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon, and Knox County Mayor Five cities hold elections Glen Jacobs. Parade participants signed an official parchment marking the ceremony, using the By KATE COIL quill pen and desk used by Gov. William Blount to sign the official documents declaring Tennessee TML Communications Specialist a state in 1796. Elections were held in five municipalities across Tennessee in early summer. CELINA Voters went to the polls in Ce- lina on June 1 to elect city officials. Newcomer Luke M. Collins defeated incumbent mayor Ton- ya Spears and fellow challenger Michael E. Boles for the mayoral Caleb Dyer defeated fellow chal- seat. Collins earned 239 votes to lenger Chelsea Wyrick for the two Boles 131 and Spears’ 61. A na- open seats on the Luttrell City tive of Celina and local business Council. Griffy lead the vote total Celebrations began at the Bicentennial Mall State Residents and visitors gathered in Jonesborough, owner, Collins formerly served as with 54 followed by Dyer with 39 Park in Nashville. Tennessee’s oldest town, for the finale of the executive director of the Upper and Wyrick with 19. See More about the TN 225 project on Page 3 birthday festivities. Cumberland Human Resource Agency. MILLEDGEVILLE Three new aldermen will also Voters went to the polls in be joining the city’s ranks. Justin Milledgeville on May 29. The Maryville Housing Authority chosen to “Rooney” Rich, Lester Kenny town had two races where all can- Westmoreland, and Winton Dillon didates were unopposed. participate in expanded HUD program will take the three open seats on Incumbent Ricky L. Hollin the board, outpacing fellow chal- ran unopposed and was re-elected By KATE COIL um-sized or smaller communities. some landlord incentives.” lengers Dawn Dale, Ron Haston mayor while incumbents Dannie The goal of the expanded At present MHA largely and Jennings “Trader” Hill. Rich Kennedy and Danny H. Williams The Maryville Housing Au- program is to allow housing au- serves two distinct groups of led the vote count with 258, fol- ran unopposed and were re-elect- thority is one of a select number of thorities adapt funding, rules, and tenants, and there are often more lowed by Westmoreland with 210, ed to two of the three open at-large public housing agencies – and the services to better meet the needs people seeking assistance than Dillon with 197, Dale with 173, seats on the Board of Mayor and only one in Tennessee – chosen of their community. Participating can be currently provided for. Haston with 125, and Hill with 30. Aldermen. No candidate qualified to be part of a new Department of agencies can better tailor their “The biggest challenge our Incumbent aldermen Bruce for the third open seat. Housing and Urban Development Section 8 housing choice models agency faces is that we have long Rhoton, Buddy Thompson, and (HUD) pilot initiative. and rent calculation processes, wait lists,” Sharp said. “Right Donald Haston chose not to run ROGERSVILLE The Moving To Work (MTW) among others. now, we have a couple of groups again for re-election. Citizens in Rogersville went program was established by HUD The decision to expand the of tenants. The first are our elderly to the polls to vote in a municipal in 1996, but until recently was program was made in 2015 and disabled tenants. When they LUTTRELL election on June 5. only available to 39 housing au- with agencies submitting to the come to us, they typically don’t Luttrell voters went to the Incumbent Jim Sells ran un- thorities nationwide, most of them program in 2018, and the new leave unless they have to go to a polls for a municipal election on opposed and was re-elected mayor serving large cities like Philadel- program takes effect on Jan. 1, nursing home or they pass away. June 3. of Rogersville. phia, Chicago, and Washington, 2022. Maryville Housing Au- We try to help them age in place. Incumbent Jerry L. Lawson ran Incumbents Brian Harkness, D.C. However, the program was thority (MHA) Interim Executive Then we have a second group unopposed and was re-elected may- Sonda Trent Price, Mark DeWitte, recently expanded to include a Director Julie Sharp said MHA is that is families and single-parent or of Luttrell. He received 74 votes. and Eloise Edwards will be joined total of 100 housing authorities, already looking for ways the pro- households. Moving To Work Newcomers Brad Griffy and See ELECTIONS on Page 3 including several that serve medi- gram will benefit the community. will help us establish programs “It’s very exciting,” Sharp and services that will help these said. “We are in the transition right families become self-sufficient Cybersecurity tools must detect and prevent now of learning about the program and move out of public housing. and developing our plan that In doing that, it allows us to house BY JOE HOWLAND Yet, one day you fail. Bad outside of your vetting process? would go into effect for 2022. It’s the next group of applicants who VC3 Chief Security Officer people get inside. In fact, an inves- At this point, you might be a process. We are really proud to need that transition.” tigation uncovers that bad people asking, “What does the physical be the only authority in Tennessee Even before the pandemic, Imagine you’re in charge of the have been inside your organization security of an office building have to have received this designation. Sharp said there are many work- physical security of a large office for many months. During that time, to do with cybersecurity tools?” It It is hopefully going to provide ing families served by MHA who building. Your job is to keep bad they stole company information that serves as a non-technical illustration some growth in the housing have found it difficult to cover the people out. Excited about your du- cost your company millions. of how antivirus software fails as choice voucher program that we cost of rent, utilities, food, trans- ties, you enact a variety of security How did this happen? After all, a standalone tool in today’s cyber- offer. We are also hoping to create See MOVING on Page 3 measures. you were doing all the right things. security environment and why it’s You develop ID badges for Right? Wrong. critical to use better tools that help employees and a vetting process you detect cyberattackers already for guest admittance that includes By Focusing on the Outside, You lurking inside your systems. another employee authorizing ac- Failed to Detect Threats from cess, a digital sign-in process, and the Inside The Failure of Antivirus Parallels a database with the guest’s picture, Your biggest physical security Your Physical Security Failings information, and reason for visiting. blind spot was an inability to detect Antivirus software works sim- You create security checkpoints bad people who had already infiltrat- ilarly to how you were physically at all entryways where people must ed your office building. You focused securing your building by: show their badge, go through a metal only on vetting people entering • Examining the “definitions” detector, and sign in as a visitor if and exiting your building, and you of known viruses and malware they are a guest. assumed that anyone who followed that seek to enter your servers and You install gates around your your processes was a “good” person. computers. Antivirus checks the office’s parking lot, with a security However… “ID badge” of programs and only person at each gate monitoring • What if a person created a fake lets in “employees” and “authorized people going in and out. They must ID badge and looked legitimate guests.” have an ID or guest permission to upon your inspection? • Keeping out viruses, malware, access the parking lot. • What if an employee let in bad and other unwanted programs. Once You install security cameras, people, authorizing them as guests? recognized as a “bad person,” the put exterior lights in place, and • What if a person lied about antivirus software kicks out the hire security guards to watch for themselves, sounding legitimate to virus or malware. The Maryville Housing Authority (MHA) is one of a select number people entering your building in an a security guard? • Scanning your servers and of housing agencies nationwide and the only one in Tennessee unauthorized manner.
Recommended publications
  • TN Metro Economic Restart Task Force
    April 16, 2020 Contact: Kristin Farley 865.215.2589 office MEMPHIS, NASHVILLE, KNOXVILLE, AND CHATTANOOGA UNITE TO PLAN ECONOMIC REOPENING AND RECOVERY FROM CORONAVIRUS Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland, Nashville Mayor John Cooper, Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon, and Chattanooga Mayor Andy Berke today announced the formation of the Tennessee Major Metros Economic Restart Task Force to plan and coordinate the restoration of business activity currently suspended due to COVID-19. The Tennessee Major Metros Economic Restart Task Force is composed of business leaders and health care professionals appointed jointly by each metro area’s city and county mayors. Task Force appointees were vetted with and agreed to by the County Mayors in each metropolitan area -- Mayors Lee Harris (Shelby County), Glenn Jacobs (Knox County), and Jim Coppinger (Hamilton County.) Tennessee Governor Bill Lee has begun a process for planning the reopening of Tennessee’s economy, and this Task Force intends to further link communities together in a coordinated response. Over the last month, the mayors of Tennessee’s “Big Four” cities and counties have signed multiple executive orders to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus. These orders have placed their cities under states of civil emergency, asked the public to observe strict social distancing measures, and required the closure of non-essential businesses and public gatherings. Governor Lee has maintained regular contact with Big 4 mayors to discuss protocols for eventually lifting these restrictions. The Tennessee Major Metros Economic Restart Task Force is an organized way of collecting input and collaborating with the state government about how to handle this process safely.
    [Show full text]
  • 1 May 20, 2021 the Honorable Charles Schumer Majority Leader
    May 20, 2021 The Honorable Charles Schumer The Honorable Nancy Pelosi Majority Leader Speaker United States Senate United States House of Representatives Washington, DC 20510 Washington, DC 20515 The Honorable Mitch McConnell The Honorable Kevin McCarthy Minority Leader Minority Leader United States Senate United States House of Representatives Washington, DC 20510 Washington, DC 20515 Dear Leader Schumer, Speaker Pelosi, Leader McConnell, and Leader McCarthy: As 81 mayors representing communities across 28 states and the District of Columbia, we write to urge Congress to enact the Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act (AHCIA) of 2021, S. 1136 and H.R. 2573, which would strengthen and expand the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (Housing Credit). The Housing Credit is our nation’s primary tool for encouraging private investment in affordable rental housing. While rental assistance is critical for keeping renters in their homes during this time of financial instability, the need for more affordable housing production and preservation in cities and towns preceded the pandemic. Since its creation in the Tax Reform Act of 1986, the Housing Credit has been the primary financing source for the production and preservation of affordable rental housing. It has financed nearly 3.5 million apartments since 1986, providing affordable homes to approximately 8 million low-income households, including families, seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities. The Housing Credit brings together private-sector resources and oversight by state agencies, resulting in a durable solution to the need for affordable housing. The AHCIA of 2021 includes a number of provisions that would enhance the program and enable cities like ours to better serve the affordable housing needs in our communities.
    [Show full text]
  • May 10, 2021 Census Bureau: TN Sees TN General Assembly Adjourns 2021 Session Nearly 9% Population Growth by KATE COIL TML Communications Specialist
    Save the Date 6,250 subscribers www.TML1.org Volume 72, Number 8 May 10, 2021 Census Bureau: TN sees TN General Assembly adjourns 2021 session nearly 9% population growth By KATE COIL TML Communications Specialist Tennessee’s population grew nearly 9% between 2010 and 2020 and is now the sixteenth most pop- ulous state in the union, according to new information released by the U.S. Census Bureau. The new data showed the addi- 2020 Census in TN tion of 541,466 new residents made by the Numbers Tennessee rank eleventh out of the the percentage 50 states and District of Columbia of the total U.S. in terms of which states gained or 2.07 population made loss individuals. The state’s 8.49% up by Tennesse. population increase made it rank seventeenth in terms a percentage change to population. million, the amount Overall, Tennessee is home to 6.91 of people who call 2.07% of the total population of Tennessee home. the U.S. Of Tennessee’s population, the percentage 6,910,840 – or 99.9% – are Amer- 8.49 the state’s popula- ican citizens. There are also 6,057 tion grew by since Republican members of legislative leadership assembled with Gov. Bill Lee for a post-session Tennesseans who were living 2010. news conference. Pictured are Rep. Jeremy Faison, House caucus chairman; Rep. William Lamberth, abroad – including active duty House majority leader; House Speaker Cameron Sexton; Gov. Lee; Lt. Gov. Randy McNally; Sen. Jack Johnson, Senate majority leader; and Sen. Ken Yager, Senate caucus chairman.
    [Show full text]
  • At a Glance: State and City Action on Covid-19 April 21, 2020, 4:00 PM ET
    At A Glance: State and City Action on Covid-19 April 21, 2020, 4:00 PM ET There has already been significant differences between state and local governments over the imposition of mandatory shelter in place orders, the need for social distancing and the definition of “essential” and “non-essential” businesses and workers. And now we are seeing similar conflicts over the easing of these public health restrictions and the reopening of businesses. Reopening starts with the South Southern governors – with the exceptions of the governors of North Carolina and Kentucky – met by phone last Friday to discuss plans for reopening the region. The governors of Alabama, Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, and Mississippi who were among the last in the nation to issue statewide stay at home restrictions are among the first to lift restrictions. Georgia Governor Kemp has set the most aggressive reopening course, announcing Monday (April 20) he will ​ allow gyms, barber shops, tattoo parlors and bowling alleys, among other businesses, to reopen on Friday. He said theaters and dine-in restaurants would be permitted to resume activity on April 27. And he will allow the statewide shelter-in-place order to expire at the end of the month. Kemp, in his remarks Monday, stressed that ​ his directive overrides local orders, saying, “Local action cannot be taken that is more or less restrictive.” ​ Georgia has reported nearly 20,000 cases and 775 deaths. o Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms (D) condemned the decision. “More than 19,000 Georgians have tested positive for covid-19 and the numbers continue to increase,” she said in a statement.
    [Show full text]
  • Nov 23, 2020.Indd
    6,250 subscribers www.TML1.org Volume 71, Number 18 Nov. 23, 2020 Bill Hagerty wins U.S. Senate seat Registration now open! Virtual TML District Meetings set for December The 112th General Assembly Tennessee Municipal Bond Fund will convene in Nashville on Jan. President and CEO Wade Morrell, 12. TML anticipates they will ad- and a brief message from our new dress a number of issues that will TML Executive Director Anthony impact cities and towns in our state. Haynes. It is important that all city officials Information on how to register are prepared to voice support or for each meeting has already been concern with their legislators and sent to city officials in each district. help educate them on the needs of A meeting reminder and Zoom our cities and towns. link will be sent out prior to each This year’s TML District meeting. For further assistance, Meetings will be conducted virtu- please contact your TML staff. ally using a Zoom webinar format. Accordingly, this district meeting 2020 TML Virtual will be conducted on an abbreviated District Meetings schedule and the information will be related in a condensed format. The District 1 Dec. 2 10a.m./ EST abbreviated meeting is expected to District 2 Dec. 3 10 a.m. / EST Photo by The Tennessean last 75 minutes. District 3 Dec. 9 10 a.m. / EST Republican Bill Hagerty has won the U.S. Senate seat in Tennessee being vacated by retiring, long- TML staff will share the District 4 Dec. 2 1 p.m./ CST legislative agenda created by Ten- time Sen.
    [Show full text]
  • TML District Meetings Students Have to Receive a Grade of Has Set Forth Six Criteria for the Programs for Students from Fourth Dec
    6,250 subscribers www.TML1.org Volume 70, Number 17 Nov. 18, 2019 Census 2020 is closer than you think! TML discusses legislative priorities with Speaker Sexton Members of the TML Executive Committee recently met with House Speaker Cameron Sexton to discuss cities’ fiscal conditions and to provide an overview of the economic impact municipalities have on the state of Tennessee. Attending the meeting are: Ken Moore, Franklin mayor and TML 2nd vice president; Speaker Sexton; Jill Holland, McKenzie mayor and TML president; and Curtis Hayes, Livingston mayor and TML past president. Once a decade, America comes together to count every resident Voters go to polls in six municipalities in the United States, creating national awareness of the impor- BY KATE COIL tance of the census and its valuable statistics. The decennial TML Communications Specialist census was first taken in 1790, as mandated by the Constitution. It counts our population and households, providing the basis for Municipal elections have been reapportioning congressional seats, redistricting, and distribut- held in six cities this fall, bringing ing more than $675 billion in federal funds annually to support both new and familiar faces to states, counties and communities’ vital programs — impacting boards and councils across the state. housing, education, transportation, employment, health care Oneida re-elected Jack E. Lay and public policy. Find out how you can help at www.census. to its mayoral seat, making him the gov/partners. longest-serving mayor in the city’s history while Knoxville elected a new mayor after the end of Mayor Madeline Rogero’s final term.
    [Show full text]
  • Tennessee Major Metros Economic Restart Task Force: a Phased Approach to Restarting Our Economies
    Tennessee Major Metros Economic Restart Task Force: A Phased Approach to Restarting Our Economies April 27, 2020 I. LETTER FROM THE MAYORS II. VALUES AND PRINCIPLES III. TASK FORCE MEMBERS AND PROCESS IV. WHEN TO RESTART: TRIGGERS AND BENCHMARKS V. HOW TO RESTART: RECOMMENDATIONS AND PHASES VI. NEXT STEPS Tennessee Major Metros Economic Restart Task Force: Page 2 A Phased Approach to Restarting Our Economies I. LETTER FROM THE MAYORS Dear Friends, When the first coronavirus case in Tennessee was confirmed by Governor Bill Lee on March 5, we knew that our communities and countless lives were about to change. A month later, our state had 3,633 confirmed cases and 44 deaths. As of today, there are 8,266 positive cases and the death toll has risen to 170. Rural counties and major metropolitan areas alike have worked hard to contain the spread of the virus through restrictions on travel, prohibitions on public events and mass gatherings, and the closures of non-essential businesses. Customers who had been filling shops and workers who had been earning wages are now home. A job-creating economy that was one of the most dynamic and enviable in the United States is reeling from being suddenly slammed shut. We have had to ask for extraordinary sacrifices from our residents. The good news is that social distancing and the other measures we have had to put into place appear to be working. Hospital emergency rooms are not yet overtaxed and adequate supplies of personal protective equipment are in place. Free community testing is available in every major city in the state, allowing public health departments to more closely track where and how the virus is spreading.
    [Show full text]
  • Tennessee Municipal Mayors
    Published on MTAS (https://www.mtas.tennessee.edu) September 25, 2021 Tennessee Municipal Mayors Mr. Wayne Evans Phone: (615) 696-2593 Mayor, Adams Adams Fax: (615) 696-2220 7617 Highway 41 North, Suite 101, PO [email protected] Box 67 Adams, TN 37010 Mr. David Leckner Phone: (731) 632-1401 Mayor, Adamsville Adamsville Fax: (731) 632-1779 231 East Main Street, P.O. Box 301 [email protected] Adamsville, TN 38310 Mr. John A. Emison Phone: (731) 696-4515 Alamo Mayor, Alamo [email protected] 97 S. Johnson Street Alamo, TN 38001 Mr. Odis "Clint" C. Abbott, Jr. Phone: (865) 380-4795 Alcoa Mayor, Alcoa [email protected] 870 Darwin Street Alcoa, TN 37701-1943 Mr. Bennett Armstrong Mayor, Alexandria Alexandria Phone: (615) 529-2171 102 High Street, P.O. Box 277 Alexan- dria, TN 37012 Ms. Lisa Chapman-Fowler Phone: (931) 537-9545 Algood Mayor, Algood Fax: (931) 537-9429 215 W. Main Street Algood, TN 38506 [email protected] Ms. Patricia "Pat" Brown Clark Mayor, Allardt Allardt Phone: (931) 879-7125 1421 Pennsylvania Avenue Jamestown, TN 38556 Mrs. Jana L. Barrett Phone: (931) 692-3971 Altamont Mayor, Altamont Fax: (931) 692-4027 P. O. Box 200 Altamont, TN 37301 [email protected] Mr. Mike Magnusson Mayor, Ardmore Ardmore Phone: (931) 427-2124 25844 Main Street, P.O. Box 55 Ard- more, TN 38449 Mr. Mike Wissman Mayor, Arlington Phone: (901) 867-2620 Arlington 5854 Airline Road, PO BOX 507 Arling- [email protected] ton, TN 38002 Mr. Steve Allen Mayor, Ashland City Phone: (615) 767-9347 Ashland City 233 Tennessee Waltz Parkway, Suite [email protected] 103, PO Box 36 Ashland City, TN 37015 Mr.
    [Show full text]
  • March 29, 2021.Indd
    Save the Date 6,250 subscribers www.TML1.org Volume 72, Number 5 March 29, 2021 TN leaders tout positive economic recovery at Legislative Conference By KATE COIL portion of our CARES money and TML Communications Specialist put it in our unemployment trust fund because of the rapid use of Gov. Bill Lee, Lt. Gov. Randy the dollars in that fund and nearly McNally, House Speaker Cameron 16% unemployment. We knew if we Sexton, and Comptroller Jason could keep that trust fund solvent Mumpower were among the state that the rates that employers pay leaders who discussed the important for unemployment trust insurance issues facing Tennessee and its mu- would not go up.” nicipalities at the TML Legislative As a result, Lee said Tennessee Conference held both virtually and is one of seven states in America that in-person on March 15, 2021. has had a positive economic return With participants both online since April 2020, which will allow and in the conference room of the the state to move forward with other Tennessee State Comptroller’s Of- priorities like healthcare, mental fice at the Cordell Hull Building, health resources, broadband expan- speakers hit on a variety of topics in- sion, and supporting businesses and cluding the state budget, education, communities. tax revenues, rural development, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee addressed 350 city officials via Lee also said he would like economic recovery, healthcare, ZOOM during TML’s 2021 Virtual Legislative Conference. to see more strong investments in and forthcoming federal stimulus Lt. Gov Rancy McNally reported on the foster care services, adoption ser- dollars.
    [Show full text]
  • Saturday, December 21, 2019
    COMMUNITY RETAIL Haslam-Sansom Shop local, complex a hit support neighbors Neighborhood kids wowed ere’s probably a locally by 30K-square-foot, $8M made product for everyone multipurpose facility. on your gift list. P16 P18 December 20-26, 2019 Vol. 45 | Issue 51 KNOXVILLE EDITION www.TNLedger.com/Knoxville The power of information. KNOX • ANDERSON • JEFFERSON • CAMPBELL • CUMBERLAND CLAIBORNE COCKE • GRAINGER • HAMBLEN • BLOUNT • LOUDON • MONROE • MORGAN • ROANE • SCOTT • SEVIER • UNION Ledger FORMERLY WESTVIEW SINCE 1978 In with the new-ish Mayor Kincannon hopes to keep city on ‘same general trajectory’ as Rogero administration Story by Joe Morris begins on page 2 Photo by Adam Taylor Gash |The Ledger Community Calendar ............................5 More inside: Public Notices .........................6-13, 20-29 Find Public Notices Career Corner ..........................................3 Newsmakers ..........................................15 inside & online: Personal Finance ....................................3 Crossword...............................................19 www.TNLedger.com News Briefs ..............................................4 Behind the Wheel .................................32 Page 2 www.TNLedger.com/Knoxville DECEMBER 20-26, 2019 hen Knoxville and has studied and taught abroad, most mayor- recently in Slovenia. Not one to squander elect Indya educational opportunities in her backyard, Kincannon she also has spent time at the University with Indya is sworn in of Tennessee, taking teacher licensure Saturday, she’ll courses. Kincannon beW looking for both continuation and Now, after a public and professional Q change. career that has both inside and outside at’s just how she likes it. elements, she prepares to become the Knoxville She was elected to the Knox County face of local government for Knoxville. & Board of Education in 2004, two years It’s a job that requires listening to, and mayor-elect after moving to the city.
    [Show full text]
  • Tennessee Mayors Growing Civic Engagement
    J A N U A R Y 2 0 2 0 tennessee mayors growing civic engagement H O W L O C A L L E A D E R S C A N L E V E R A G E T H E I R O F F I C E T O E N G A G E V O T E R S introduction For over a decade, Tennessee has consistently trailed most other states in voter registration and turnout. Participation in local elections is particularly low: Voter turnout fell below 25 percent in recent elections in our state's four largest cities. As a state with a proud civic history, Tennessee has an important opportunity to examine practices, from election administration to civic engagement, that may offer room for improvement. Systemic reforms, such as policies that modernize and secure election machines and voter- registration databases, are critical, but so too are efforts that better connect voters to their communities and elected representatives. Although state leaders, election officials, community groups and individual residents all have roles to play, city and county mayors are uniquely suited to promote civic engagement at the community level. This report highlights Tennessee Mayors Growing Civic Engagment (TMGCE), a new cohort of city and county mayors who collectively committed to making civic engagement a priority in their communities. Within these pages, readers will learn why mayors are well-placed to lead civic engagement efforts, be able to review specific examples from the participating Tennessee leaders and have access to tools and templates to build a civic-engagement action plan all their own.
    [Show full text]
  • At a Glance: April 23, 2020 (PDF)
    At A Glance: State and City Action on Covid-19 April 23, 2020, 1:00 PM ET There has already been significant differences between state and local governments over the imposition of mandatory shelter in place orders, the need for social distancing and the definition of “essential” and “non-essential” businesses and workers. And now we are seeing similar conflicts over the easing of these public health restrictions and the reopening of businesses. Reopening starts with the South Southern governors – with the exceptions of the governors of North Carolina and Kentucky – met by phone last Friday to discuss plans for reopening the region. The governors of Alabama, Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, and Mississippi who were among the last in the nation to issue statewide stay at home restrictions are among the first to lift restrictions. Georgia Governor Kemp has set the most aggressive reopening course, announcing Monday (April 20) he will ​ allow gyms, barber shops, tattoo parlors and bowling alleys, among other businesses, to reopen on Friday. He said theaters and dine-in restaurants would be permitted to resume activity on April 27. And he will allow the statewide shelter-in-place order to expire at the end of the month. Kemp, in his remarks Monday, stressed that ​ his directive overrides local orders, saying, “Local action cannot be taken that is more or less restrictive.” ​ Georgia has reported nearly 20,000 cases and 775 deaths. o Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms (D) condemned the decision. “More than 19,000 Georgians have tested positive for covid-19 and the numbers continue to increase,” she said in a statement.
    [Show full text]