Over 100 engaged community members, regional stakeholders and elected officials came together last week to conduct the 53rd semi-annual Board of Directors Meeting of the First Tennessee Development District.
The Board of Directors, comprised of the region’s eight county and twenty city mayors, meet twice a year to conduct the Districts’ regional business, which included honoring legislators, approving a budget and a work plan that serves every community in Northeast Tennessee.
On behalf of the Tennessee Development District Association, which represents the nine development districts across Tennessee, FTDD Executive Director Chris Craig recognized Senator Rusty Crowe for his dedication to the District’s Public Guardian Program with a TDDA Legislator of the Year Award.
The Public Guardian serves as the conservator for 39 wards, who are seniors with no other person to make legal or medical decisions on their behalf. The program has not received an additional funding increase since 1986. Senator Crowe championed an increase for this vital program, and working with the General Assembly and Governor Bill Lee, secured a million dollars in extra funding to be shared by the nine guardian programs across the state.
Senator Jon Lundberg was this year’s other TDDA Legislator of the Year Awardee. The event also featured a report on the past legislative session by Crowe and Lundberg, who updated attendees and board members on the outcomes of new legislation.
