Minute with the Mayor

This week, I want to address two important concerns.

First, regarding brush pickup within the city limits of Sparta: At this

time, we must temporarily halt brush collection from private properties due to the lack of a designated disposal site. Current regulations prevent us from transporting and burning brush at a separate location. However, as a property owner, you are allowed to burn brush on your land. If you choose to do so, please contact the city fire department to obtain a burn permit.

Second, I want to discuss the weather radio distribution program held last week. The City of Sparta partnered with the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) through a matching grant. As with most grants, there were specific guidelines, which required the radios to be distributed to Sparta Electric Department customers, as our electricity comes from TVA.

The good news is that TVA is expanding the program, and additional weather radios should be available soon for parts of White County. While there were not enough for every resident, we were able to distribute 765 radios. If even one life is saved because of this program, the effort will have been well worth it.

Thank you all. God bless, stay safe, and finish strong.

Jerry Lowery, mayor