By Kimberly McMillian
Correspondent
DAYTON, Tenn. -- Newly elected Rhea County Executive George Thacker recently sought funding assistance from local and state officials for two area park renovations.
Morgantown Park off Back Valley Road in Dayton and Old Washington Park off Highway 30 near Decatur, Tenn. -- known for the gravesite of War of 1812 veteran David Campbell -- will receive new playground equipment once funding has been received, Thacker said. The cost could average nearly $10,000 for each park, he said.
In May, resident Marty Revis, who oversees maintenance at Old Washington Park, requested the county's assistance for a new "child's play area" and equipment to continue park upkeep properly.
During Thacker's campaign, he said children should have the opportunity to play with better equipment when they visited the older parks. He launched a plan called the Healthy Kids Initiative.
Recently, Thacker received a check for $3,000 from the Tennessee Valley Authority, whose involvement came after the TVA had "wanted a park close to their [Watts Bar Nuclear Plant] facility and Spring City," he said.
Jim Hopson, head of communications for the Watts Bar plant, said the utility wanted to assist with Thacker's plan since it was a "worthy cause" near the plant.
Hopson said TVA encourages other counties and employers to apply for funding because they'd like "to give back" to the area.
So far, Thacker has received nearly $5,500 from state and local donations, he said.
During the campaign he also said he would donate part of his salary for such improvements.
In more than two months since the election, Thacker's salary, vehicle and gas allotments have been discussed at Rhea County Purchase and Finance Committee meetings because of budgetary concerns. The county is awaiting state officials' approval of the budgets.
Kimberly McMillian is based in Rhea County. Contact her at kdj424@ bellsouth.net.