Governor Bill Lee and State Leaders Present Historic Grants For Smyrna and La Vergne

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by Tennessee Ledger Staff and audio by WGNS Radio

Governor Bill Lee visited the Smyrna Campus of the Tennessee College of Applied Technology for two very special grant presentations.

Smyrna Town Manager Brian Hercules welcomes elected officials, educators and community members.

Rep. Mike Sparks, Rep. Charlie Baum, Rep. Tim Rudd were on hand to help the governor present the two historic grants yesterday (Sept. 26th).

Rutherford County elected officials and local business leaders, including Mayor Bill Ketron, Smyrna Mayor Mary Esther Reed, Vice-Mayor Marc Adkins, Smyrna Town Councilmen Tim Morrell, Gerry Short, Raquel Peebles, County Commissioners Rhonda Allen, Wayne Blair, Joe Gourley, Craig Harris, David Gammon, Rutherford County Property Assessor Rob Mitchell, Road Board Commissioner Keith Bratcher, La Vergne Alderman Steve Noe, Murfreesboro Councilman Eddie Smotherman and others were in attendance Thursday to celebrate the historic grants for Smyrna and La Vergne.

TN Governor Bill Lee attended the ceremony and presented the grants to local leaders, totaling $85,000. One of the grants totaled $75,000 and will be used for the Town of Smyrna to construct an all-inclusive playground – designed for people of all ages and abilities.

Another grant totaled $10,000 and will be used for the Smyrna/La Vergne Nourish Food Bank. LaDawna Parham with the food bank told WGNS News…

Dr. Carol G. Puryear who oversees the Tennessee College of Applied Technology in Smyrna where the check presentation was made, talked to WGNS about the importance of public / private partnerships..

TCAT, Vice-Chancellor Dr. Carol Puryear, Mayor Ketron, Motlow President Dr. Michale Torrence, and historian Mary Luffman. DR. Puryear and Dr. Torrence both gave a few words of what both schools had to offer and Dr. Torrence spoke about the Smyrna Motlow Campus being the fastest-growing college in Tennessee and the new $28 million, 80,000 square foot building soon to be completed next year.

Representatives Baum and Sparks submitted an appropriations amendment to the Governor’s budget for the playground, and Representative Sparks submitted the request for the food bank, both of which were granted.

Smyrna business owner Tony Campbell, Commissioner Rhonda Allen, Councilman Tim Morrell, Councilman Gerry Short and Vice-Mayor Marc Adkins

Below: Photos of those who were on WGNS Thursday at the check presentation.

“I want to thank our Smyrna Rotary Club President Bobbie Hopkins, our rotary members, Governor Bill Lee, Commissioner Brad Turner, Mayor Reed and the Smyrna Town Council for their efforts to help build the All-Inclusive playground. I also want to thank LaDawna Parham with the Smyrna-La Vergne Nourish Food Bank for all they do. Both grants will help those who need it the most,” said Representative Mike Sparks.

“I’m very thankful Governor Lee included these projects in his budget. The all-inclusive playground will be the first of its kind in Smyrna and will greatly benefit our community,” said State Representative Charlie Baum.

“This is a great day for Rutherford County,” said State Representative Dan Rudd. “I enjoyed working with our local leaders to secure this important grant funding as it will help improve our communities. I look forward to seeing the finished playground in the near future, and I will continue to support our local food bank as they work to help feed our needy citizens.”

Governor Bill Lee takes the time to speak to Spencer Hawn, son of the late Sgt. Asbury “Freddie” Hawn who was Rep. Sparks co-worker, customer, and friend. Colonel Jim Reed served as Sgt. Hawn’s commander while they were stationed in Iraq. The governor thanked Spencer for his father’s sacrifice and that his father would be very proud of him today. Spencer attends Stewarts Creek High School.

TN Senator Dawn White added, “The Nourish Food Bank and the efforts of the Smyrna Rotary to build an accessible playground are just two examples of selfless service here in Rutherford County. I am so grateful to Governor Lee and the legislature for recognizing the outstanding work that is being done here in Rutherford County. Our citizens truly model the values of the volunteer state.”

Smyrna Mayor Mary Esther Reed joins Rep. Mike Sparks and Charlie Baum on stage to welcome everyone moments before Governor Bill Lee arrives.
Two Smyrna Trailblazers: Gils Ace Hardware owner Ginny Williams and Smyrna Council-lady Racquel Peebles