Soddy-Daisy city commissioners honor Billy Jack "Punk" Heard at their March 2 meeting. From left are Commissioner Max Lowe, Mayor Robert Cothran, Commissioner Geno Shipley, Heard, Commissioner Rick Nunley and Vice Mayor Jim Adams.
Do you know how old the city of Soddy-Daisy is? Billy Jack "Punk" Heard does - he's attended nearly every single city commission meeting since the city's inception in 1969.
Over those nearly 50 years, the 80-year-old Heard has become a mainstay of the meetings, never afraid to speak his mind about the town. He's become so popular, that during the commission's March 2 meeting, officials voted to inaugurate the day as "Punk Heard Day" with an official proclamation. He was also selected to be the Grand Marshall of the Soddy-Daisy Christmas Parade in 2016 before the parade had to be cancelled due to weather.
Heard isn't certain where his popularity comes from, and he said he definitely never expected to get a day named after him.
"I got a good nickname, and everyone seems to know me," he said. "I just say what I think. Sometimes it hurts, and sometimes it helps, but I'm the same every time someone sees me."
Heard was in favor of incorporation in the 1960s, and attended the first city government meetings as a way to stay involved in the process. Since then, he's worked to better the town when possible, such as by cleaning up Soddy Lake and donating his time mowing the lawn for Sequoyah Baptist Tabernacle church.
He said he hopes more people will get involved, attend the commission meetings and speak their mind.
"I ain't never had a worry in my life. I just try to speak the truth all the time," Heard said.