Page 25 - Nov-Dec 2019 Vol37 No5

TCAPWA EVENTS AND HIGHLIGHTS

Upper East Branch Meeting in Knoxville By Lisa Hood Skinner

Approximately 35 attendees were personnel frequently are at risk as they “Stop the texting and stop the distracted
present at the September 24th Upper East work beside the roadways, performing driving.”
Branch meeting, featuring a lawmakers’ duties including picking up brush and
panel on Public Works Advocacy, clearing sidewalks. A lively discussion Briggs cited two personal family
Transportation and Infrastructure Issues ensued over recent legislation passed in accidents caused by other motorists who
in the State of Tennessee. The meeting was the 111th General Assembly that prevents were texting while driving. His 85-year-
held at the City of Knoxville Public Works the use of electronic devices while driving. old father was sitting in his pickup truck
Service Center with lunch sponsored by Russell said it undoubtedly will save lives. when he was hit by a texting motorist.
Stringfellow, Inc. His truck rolled over at least a half dozen
Massey said surveys showed Tennessee times, causing numerous injuries. And on
Moderating the meeting was Nicholas “is number one in the nation for Christmas Day two years ago, Briggs’ wife
Bradshaw, deputy director of fleet services cellphone-distracted drivers. This key stat Stephanie was hit head-on by a distracted
for the City of Knoxville and Upper East made the biggest difference to me” for motorist.
Branch Director, who reviewed chapter her support. “That was compelling,” she
announcements about training classes and added. The meeting attendees agreed that when
the upcoming Chattanooga TCAPWA/ lawmakers put constraints on citizens’
SWANA Conference in early November. Briggs said he directly asked a actions, an outcry always will be raised
Updates also were given regarding the Tennessee Highway patrolman “what about limiting personal freedom. Massey
APWA governmental public affairs can the state legislature do to save lives agreed the legislation can be controversial,
committee’s work in transportation, water on Tennessee highways?” And he was but said “you have to balance personal
and emergency management. convinced when the patrolman said freedom with safety.”

Comprising the legislative panel were Left to right: Sen. Richard Briggs, Dist. 7; Rep. Lowell Russell, House Dist. 21; Sen. Becky Massey, Dist. 6;
State Rep. Lowell Russell, representing Nicholas Bradshaw, Branch Director; and Calvin Clifton, Chairman, APWA Government Affairs Committee.
District 21, and State Senators Becky
Duncan Massey, District 6 and Senator
Richard Briggs, District 7.

The current Chairman of the Senate
Transportation and Safety Committee,
Massey said she also is honored to be
the first woman to chair that committee.
“Transportation is the one issue that
affects everyone in the district, and
always gets a large audience when it’s the
focus of a meeting,” she said. “People see
it every day.”

She voiced her respect for the Public
Works community, stating she “grew up”
around city employees and Public Works
personnel when her father was mayor
of Knoxville, and later when she worked
with the Dogwood Arts Festival and as
executive director of Sertoma Center of
Knoxville.

Briggs, a cardiac surgeon and retired
Army Colonel, noted the complexities
between local government and utilities,
and the need for consistent management
between the two entities.

Russell, a former Tennessee Highway
Patrol sergeant who narrowly survived a
fiery interstate crash in 2012, was elected
to legislature last November on his
platform of public safety, the economy
and keeping state government small. He
said transportation issues naturally have
been a large focus in his professional life,
past and present.

Bradshaw noted that Public Works

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