from the Town
Observations from a retiring communications manager
By the time you read this, I’ll have retired from the Town of Farragut after 9.5 years of service as the communications manager/PR and marketing coordinator. When I was first hired, I was part of the
Parks & Recreation Department and primarily wrote media releases about events and programs. Oh, how times have changed!
Working for the Town of Farragut has been rewarding in many ways, but I most appreciate the opportunity to work with Town staff, who are devoted to making Farragut better every day. Here are some of the experiences I’ve enjoyed the most:
Working at Town events: I was hired by Parks & Rec director Sue Stuhl, and it was one of her policies that new staff work every event during their first year. That’s a lot of events. My favorites are Freaky Friday Fright Nite (candy and costumes are always fun) and the Shamrock Ball. When you make kids happy, it’s contagious.
Opening new Town amenities: Ribbon cuttings are fantastic because they’re the public announcement of the end of a project — usually a very long project. The most memorable grand opening was that of the Farragut Community Center on Jan. 16, 2020, the 40th anniversary of the incorporation of Farragut. The Town’s
partnership with Knox County to purchase the former Faith Lutheran Church has provided a space for thousands of events and classes since then, both at the community center and the West Knox County Senior Center. This amazing local government partnership was recognized last year by the Tennessee Municipal League.
Another memorable ribbon cutting event was the opening of the Campbell Station Inn in January. This historic property was purchased in 2013, so the renovation and repurposing of the inn was a long time coming. It was worth the wait! The grand opening of Phase 3 of McFee Park in 2022 also stands out. The addition of the Great Lawn, tennis and basketball courts and the Great Lawn Pavilion made McFee Park a true destination.
Interacting with and informing the community: I’m not going to say that interacting with the community is always positive. As it turns out, it’s much easier to criticize than it is to compliment local government. (To learn more, watch Citizen’s Forum during a Board of Mayor and Aldermen meeting at townoffarragut.org/agendas or check out the Town’s Facebook account.) But when the community steps up to ask sincere questions or offer constructive comments, good stuff happens. There are several ways to do this:
• Schedule a meeting with a staff member or visit the reception desk at Farragut Town Hall. If you have questions or comments about development within Farragut, a road project, our parks and greenways or any other topic that staff can address, they’re happy to chat. Calling 865-966-7057 also works.
• Attend a public input session. The Community Development Department will soon ask for feedback as they update the Town’s Comprehensive Land Use Plan, and a few weeks later, the Parks & Rec Department will ask for input on amenities for the new park property on McFee Road. These are both important opportunities to share your thoughts and learn more about how local government works.
• Reach out to individual board members. Their email addresses are available at townoffarragut.org/board.
Farragut is an amazing community, and those who are fortunate enough to live
here should appreciate the things that make it unique: a volunteer government, a friendly and accessible staff, attractive public buildings, beautiful parks and greenways and a multitude of
events and programs for all ages — all without an additional property tax. If you’re thankful for any of these things, please share it!
