JACKSBORO, TN (WLAF) – Here is the Campbell County Mayors Update March 26, 2020.

Campbell County’s people remain strong through this challenging time to defeat the COVID-19 Corona virus. Your care for one another, diligence and hard work to overcome the virus are inspiring.  Please continue to practice social distancing, hand washing, covering your cough and staying home if you are sick or caring for those who are sick.  Work from home.  Stay at home.  Even if you are not sick, it will help solve this health crisis.

In accordance with Governor Lee’s guidance to close state park campgrounds, playgrounds, picnic pavilions and gathering places, I issued a closure for Lonas Young County Park today.  The free launch remains open under social distancing guidance with no congregating in the parking areas.  This is a temporary measure at least until April 10th and may be extended if necessary.  This closure is consistent with state parks.  Read more at https://tnstateparks.com/about/keeping-visitors-healthy

Many workers are experiencing the loss of a job.  It is the second part of this virus crisis.  Governor Lee announced The Tennessee Talent Exchange effort today to help folks find work.    Read more:

The TN Talent Exchange powered by @Jobs4TN will match you with employers in your area who have immediate job openings in the grocery and retail industries. Good paying jobs with flexible hours.

APPLY HERE: https://www.tn.gov/workforce/covid-19/jobs.html

I want you to know I remain in contact and coordination with our Health Department, City Mayors, neighboring County Mayors, Law Enforcement, State and Federal Legislators, Tennessee homeland Security and Tennessee Emergency Management Agency, local Emergency Medical Service providers and EMA leadership.  I ask every day what more I can do to protect Campbell County Citizens.  Consistently, I am told to encourage the distancing and hygiene measures we have been emphasizing, because it is slowing the spread.

Every emergency that can be declared to benefit our county, under these conditions, has been declared.  Many have asked if I can declare an emergency.  The Public Health Officer, for our fifteen-county area, remains the only official that can declare a health emergency to close a building or business.

I have reported several activities questioned by the public and the Health Department has responded.  Last weekend a Citizen requested action on an advertisement for a band party at an establishment that served food and alcohol.  The next day, Executive Order 17 resulted in take-out or delivery restrictions for those establishments.   https://publications.tnsosfiles.com/pub/execorders/exec-orders-lee17.pdf

Other commercial activities have been reported this week and the Health Department is coordinating efforts to ensure social distancing at specific sites.  County government does not have authority to close a business for health reasons.  Only the Public Health Officer can do so.

Some county Mayors in Tennessee have declared emergencies and issued safer at home guidance out of an urge to do something, even though they have no authority to do so.  I do not want to create a false sense of expectation, when it will not result in legally enforceable actions.  I encourage everyone to stay at home to reduce the spread of the virus.  That is a powerful tool in reducing the spread and I urge you to do so.

We have access to all the resources and funding available at state or federal levels,  because the Governor declared the statewide emergency under Executive Order 14 on March 12thhttps://publications.tnsosfiles.com/pub/execorders/exec-orders-lee16.pdf

Congressman Fleischmann assured me this week, that because of Governor Lee’s Emergency declaration, any funding from the spending package approved yesterday is available for Campbell County if, and when we need it.

Thank you for everything you are doing to solve this problem.

Sincerely,

Mayor Morton

(WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 03/27/2020-9:45AM)