City of Covington Newsletter

December 15-21 *

Thoughts and perceptions from

Mayor Justin Hanson

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

I want to wish each and every one of you a very MERRY CHRISTMAS! I sincerely hope we can

all take time to enjoy Christmas with our families, friends, and all those we love. There’s nothing more

important than time shared with loved ones. That is what keeps us going in all our other endeavors!

Take the time to make those calls, visit with those neighbors, drink coffee with the kin’folks, and make

sure people know you are there for them. I certainly want you to know that I’m here for the citizens of

Covington and Tipton County and pledge my dedicated service to you through the New Year and for

many years to come! City Hall will close on Monday, December 24 at noon and will be closed December

25 and 26 so our employees can enjoy time with their families. We will close at noon on December 31 and

be closed on New Year’s Day, as well. Look for the next newsletter in the first week of 2019 and keep up

with the great things that are happening in our fine and wonderful community. I wish you all the

merriest of Christmases and nothing but the very best in 2019!

Justin

DEPARTMENTAL TIDBITS

“keeping you up-to-date with what’s going on in our city”

HUMAN RESOURCES & SPECIAL EVENTS:

The City of Covington Human Resource Department is responsible for the administration of all Personnel and

Purchasing activities for the city. The Human Resource Department is located on the 2nd floor of the

Covington Civic Center. They can be reached by phone (901) 475-7170. For reservations, scheduling, or

information about special events, please call 901-475-7139

Applications are accepted ONLY during the time of a posted vacancy.

You can complete an application and email it to our department through the Contact Us button on our website

or bring it by our office Monday through Friday 8:00am - 5:00pm.

Click here to see all available job openings

COVINGTON AQUATIC CENTER:

The Covington Aquatic Center offers a six-lane 25 meter recreational and competition covered pool. The pool

depth is 3 feet in the shallow end and 12 feet at the deep end. The deep end of the pool houses 2 spring boards

for recreational use. We offer multiple levels of swim lessons for young children through adults. Water

aerobics and other fitness classes are also offered, and it is available for swim fitness. The pool is equipped for

those with mobility issues by way of an ADA-compliant fixed lift. This facility is covered, heated, and open

all year, and you can purchase just a pool membership for a substantial savings and receive access to all aquatic

classes. Our pool is available for private rentals for a variety of activities: such as, scout swim check, birthday

parties, company outings/parties, and church events. For more detailed rental information, contact Director

Mack at (901) 476-3734.

At left, Jeremy Bryson and Gavin Stang of Covington Public

Works Department, are installing a blower-heater at the pool.

WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF REPLACING THE

BOILER THAT KEEPS THE WATER WARM,

THEREFORE THE POOL WILL BE CLOSED FOR A

WHILE. PLEASE BE PATIENT WITH US THROUGH

THIS PROCESS – WE HOPE YOU WILL BE PLEASED

WITH THE RESULTS!

We are looking forward to a warm 2019!

Two Public Works Employees

Receive State Certifications Public Works Director David Gray (L) and

Mayor Justin Hanson (R) congratulate (L-R)

Dalton Patrick, who received a Grade II

Collection License, and Joe Bloechl who

received a Grade III Water Treatment

License from the State of Tennessee

Certification Board. Congratulations,

Gentlemen!

Public Works Employees Trained

on New Vaccuum Truck Street and Sanitation employees received

ttraining from company representatives the

proper means by which to operate the new

truck in their fleet for cleaning our streets.

Look for this nice, new apparatus on a street

near you as it comes by to collect leaves and

yard debris. We are working hard to keep

our city clean – please help us keep those

leaves out of our streets and storm drains.

For pick up – please call 901-476-9613 ext

109, 113, or 118.

PARKS AND RECREATION:

The Covington Sportsplex will be a training site for Pound Rockout Workout Instructors! click here to learn more

Master Chief’s Boot Camp – Something for your New Year’s Resolutions!

This camp is FREE and INSIDE! JOIN US!

COVINGTON FIRE DEPARTMENT

Keep up with CFD on our Facebook Page.

Please report ANY fire safety concerns you have to the Covington Fire Department at 901-476-2578.

For emergencies, dial 911. To learn more about CFD operations, click here.

Click here to see Covington’s newest apparatus that is featured in Firehouse Magazine.

COVINGTON POLICE DEPARTMENT

Covington Police Department urges all residents to report suspicious activity. Allow trained safety

personnel to decipher information and handle potentially dangerous situations – better yet, prevent them

from happening! HELP US HELP YOU! Here are contacts for your convenience:

o Covington Police Department – 901-475-1261 or 901-476-0243 blewis@covingtontn.com

o Tipton County Sherriff’s Dept. - 901-475-3300 sheriff@tiptonco.com

o Central Dispatch – 901-475-4300

TBI Tips:

We welcome tips about possible criminal activity in Tennessee. Our employees will review

tips as soon as possible and, if appropriate, forward them for further follow-up. Please include

your contact information in case we have questions or would like to contact you. Please

note: You may remain anonymous, but information received may be incomplete for follow-up

and investigative purposes. Tips that result in the capture of any of TBI's Top Ten Most

Wanted may be eligible for reward money. BY PHONE: 1-800-TBI-FIND. BY EMAIL: Click Here

Local Tips:

Recently, Drug Free Tipton launched the tip411 alert system. This is an interactive way to keep the community connected

and informed through email, text message, and online public safety alerts. tip411 also allows the public to report crimes

and other suspicious activities directly to law enforcement by sending anonymous text messages from their cell phone or

via a free smartphone app. Think about that – when you see or hear of something that makes you concerned for your

safety and/or the safety of those around you, this is your opportunity to play an active role in STOPPING CRIME!

Citizens of the community can register to receive alerts via email and/or text message to their cell phone by opting to

receive neighborhood-specific or countywide alerts about public safety issues in their area. Community members are

encouraged to sign up online by visiting www.drugfreetipton.org.

The public can also share information on crimes and other suspicious activity by sending an anonymous tip to police.

While not a replacement for dialing 911 in an emergency, those wishing to share information anonymously with law

enforcement can simply text “Tipton” and their message to 847411 (tip411) from their cellphone. Think about that! You

can send IMPORTANT information directly to police!

The new “TIPTON TIPS” App for iPhone and Android from tip411 enables the public to share an anonymous tip with

police and lets the officers respond back creating an anonymous two-way conversation. “The App can be located in the

app store of your mobile device” said Sierra Butler, Program Coordinator for Drug Free Tipton.

The TIPTON TIPS App and tip411 anonymous text a tip system are 100% anonymous, as the technology removes all

identifying information before police see the tips and there is no way to identify the sender. This allows YOU to report

suspicious activity that may PREVENT and/or SOLVE crimes in your neighborhood.

Those with questions, or who need help signing up for alerts, are asked to Contact Drug Free Tipton at 901.378-0545 or

www.drugfreetipton.org, your local Police Department (901-475-1261 or 901-476-0243) or the Tipton County Sheriff’s

office (901-475-3300)

CODES:

In the City of Covington, businesses operated from a home/residence are required to apply to the Board

of Zoning Appeals for review and approval. The applications are on the City website and also available

in the Department of Code Compliance office located on the second floor in Covington City Hall. You

may call 901-476-7191 ext. 146 or email planning.building@covingtontn.com to schedule an

appointment for assistance with this process. For additional information you may look in the Covington

Municipal Zoning Ordinance which is located on the City website. A City and County business license

may also be required – depends on the type of business.

If you know of any violations or what you think is a violation of the City of Covington

codes/ordinances, please contact the Department of Code Compliance at 901-476-7191 ext 146 or email.

WE NEED your assistance with ensuring our City is a safe, clean place to live, work and play and

greatly appreciate the input from our citizens. The Dept. of Code Compliance has responsibility for enforcing all construction codes and zoning

regulations adopted by the City.

Phone: 901-476-7191 Ext. 146 Fax: 901-476-5056

Email: planning.building@covingtontn.com

COVINGTON PUBLIC WORKS:

Leaves raked into piles and windrows will be picked up by the City using vacuum machines.

Please don’t place Yard waste in drainage ditches, on the street, or on a side walk.

Yard waste should be placed at least five feet away from potential obstacles such as mail boxes, fences,

walls, water meters, telephone connection boxes and parked cars so our machines can get to it.

Building debris, such as lumber, plaster, roofing, brickbats and other debris from construction, repair

remodeling or demolition of any building or appurtenance, will not be removed by the City. The owner

must cause such material to be privately moved.

Call 901-476-9613 ext 118, ext 127, or ext 146 for questions or concerns

MUSEUM:

Barbara McBride will continue teaching classes in 2019 on Friday mornings.

Debra Howze will be the 2019 Artist in Residence. She will have an acrylic pouring class February 16.

Check out the February Gardening Series schedule – make plans to attend!

Check out A Moment on Nature on the Museum website once a month. STAY INFORMED!

Finance and Administration Committee Votes to Gather More

Information before Deciding on Issues

The Finance and Administration Committee held their regular monthly meeting on December 18, 2018, at

Covington City hall at 1:00 pm. Present were Chairman Alderman C.H. Sullivan, Alderman Jeff Morris,

Alderman Keith Phelps, Alderman Danny Wallace, Alderwoman Johnetta Yarbrough, Mayor Justin Hanson, ,

Recorder-Treasurer Tina Dunn, Codes Enforcement Officer Lessie Fisher, Assistant to the Mayor Sara

Gangaware, Public Works Director David Gray, Covington Police Department Chief Buddy Lewis, Covington

Fire Department Chief Michael Naifeh, and Personnel Director Tiny Rose. Also present were Records Clerk

David Gwinn, Margaret Fleming, John Edwards, Dwayne Edwards and Victor Johnson.

Chairman Sullivan called the meeting to order at 1:00 with a quorum, present. First, he asked the committee to

update the Canaan Baptist Church purchase request, which is to purchase parking lot behind the church to be

used for a family life center and additional parking area. Victor Johnson from Canaan Church stated he has

scheduled a survey for the area and he believes he will have something for the committee to consider in

January. It was recommended the survey be completed before an appraisal can be done. Mayor Hanson stated

that it seems the best thing to do is put this discussion on the January committee agenda when they will have

more information. Committee members had a map of the area in their agenda packet and they referred to this

several times during this discussion. Mayor Hanson motioned to continue this discussion at the January

Finance and Administration Committee meeting when more information will be available. This motion was

seconded by Alderman Phelps. Motion passed.

Next on the agenda was the surplus property policy discussion. Chairman Sullivan asked the committee

members to refer to this policy in their agenda. Sullivan stated that the City currently has a policy in place, but

it only covers personal property, such as vehicles, and not real estate. Committee discussed auctioning off real

estate, and questioned that process in terms of getting fair market value, and the costs incurred of paying for the

auction. MTAS has provided some recommendations, and Chairman Sullivan referred to these in his discussion

with committee members. Chief Buddy Lewis stated that the law mandates the means by which the CPD must

handle seized property. Former Alderman John Edwards suggested setting a minimum bid when auctioning, if

this was the means by which we would handle surplus property. Alderman Jeff Morris then asked how much

surplus property the city actually owns. Alderman Wallace stated that he has been doing a study regarding this

issue and he has a list of them. He did not have it with him today, however, but he talked to the committee

members about his research. Lessie Fisher stated she can also provide that list, along with a map. Mayor

Hanson then stated he would like to see the list and the map, and asked the committee to put this in the

committee agenda in January for a more informed discussion on the matter. Alderman Sullivan then

motioned to gather more information and discuss this further in the January meeting. Alderman Wallace

seconded. Motion passed.

The last item on the agenda was to discuss bills over $250 that appear before the Board of Mayor and Aldermen

for approval. Alderman Phelps asked if it would be better to bump this to $1000, and add a description to

checks that are over this amount. After some discussion, Alderman Wallace motioned to move the threshold to

$1000 for approval and include a description for Board approval. Alderman Sullivan seconded. Motion passed.

Committee agreed to leave all employee reimbursement checks open to approval to keep those transactions

completely transparent.

Mayor Hanson asked committee and Department Heads to check their calendars for January 26th. This date was

suggested as an Administrative Retreat with Mayor A.C. Wharton and Dexter Muller. Hanson stated he wants

the committee to develop a Capital Improvement Plan and go through our strategic plan with some ideas for

deeper implementation. Committee agreed on the January 26th date, with the location TBA.

The Tipton County Health Department has an Immediate Opening The Tipton County Health Department has an immediate opening for a 6-week contract Registered Nurse

position. This position will work only in our Primary Care section. Pay is $25.89/hr and employee would be

responsible for their own taxes and withholding. Schedule is 8am-4:30pm, 3-5 days per week, employee's

choice on number of days. Resumes will be taken on a rolling basis, please email to matt.mcdaniel@tn.gov or

call 731-358-1714

DID YOU KNOW?

You can use paper lawn bags

instead of plastic!

Find out where plastic goes and

how to help reduce its use. Click

here

You can Recycle plastic, glass,

and cardboard right here in

Covington!

The City of Covington has two recycle bins in the parking lot just west of City Hall. One was donated by Unilever and

it is used for newspaper, cardboard and aluminum. It is emptied every Tuesday. The second bin was donated by

Republic and it is “plastic only”. That one is emptied as needed. Both bins are carried to the Brighton landfill which is

owned and operated by Tipton County Public Works and unloaded by hand. The county partners with Fayette County’s

recyclables in order to generate a larger quantity for better resale in order to help with operational costs.

Join Mayor Hanson for coffee, goodies, and lively conversations… Tuesday, January 8 Pappy & Jimmy’s 749 N Main St Tuesday, January 22 Pappy & Jimmy’s 749 N Main St Tuesday, February 5 Pappy & Jimmy’s 749 N Main St Tuesday, February 19 Pappy & Jimmy’s 749 N Main St Tuesday, March 5 Pappy & Jimmy’s 749 N Main St Tuesday, March 19 Pappy & Jimmy’s 749 N Main St

7:30 am - 9:00 am come and go as you please

December 24 – City of Covington employees will leave at NOON to celebrate Christmas

December 25 & 26 – Covington City Hall will be closed.

December 31 – City of Covington employees will leave at NOON to celebrate the New Year

January 01 – Covington City Hall will be closed.

Beginning in January, 2019, all regularly scheduled committee meetings will be at 4:00 pm (new time) in the Lower Level Conference Room at Covington City Hall. These are always open to the public.

o 1st Tuesdays – Public Works Committee o 2nd Tuesdays – General Welfare and Public Relations Committee o 3rd Tuesdays – Finance and Administration Committee o 4th Tuesday – Public Safety Committee

Saturdays in February – Gardening Series at the Tipton County Museum. click here for details

City of Covington Covington-Tipton County Chamber of Commerce Tipton County Covington Sportsplex Drug Free Tipton

Tipton County Schools South Tipton Chamber of Commerce Boys and Girls Club of the Hatchie River Region Covington Aquatic Center Tipton County Museum

*Information in this newsletter is an overview of events. All official minutes and documents can be viewed at

Covington City Hall at 200 West Washington Street, Covington, or on our website at www.covingtontn.com The City of Covington is an Equal Opportunity Employer

REPORT ILLEGAL DUMPING

Keep up with News, Events, and Information in

Covington and Tipton County

City of Covington Employees Enjoyed Lunch and Christmas Fun

Great Food, Festive Atmosphere, Door Prizes, and Christmas Songs made for a Jolly Good Time at the

City of Covington Employee Christmas Luncheon

Door Prize Winners!

Kneading a Massage 420 Highway 51 South

Covington, TN 38019

901-476-0660 Office

731-460-1639 Cell

City of Covington Supports Vitalant Vitalant – formerly Lifeblood – accepted blood donations in Covington last Monday.

City employees, including Utilities Manager Calvin Johnson and Mayor Hanson, were among those

who donated.

CHARGER Band and Choir held Winter Concerts

The Covington High School Charger Band, along with the Crestview Middle 6th, 7th, & 8th Grade Bands,

presented their Winter Band Concert at the Covington Civic Center. We're proud of our musicians and all the

hard work they put into their performances on the field, in the gyms, and for the public in concerts like this.

Thank you to Kreston Smith, director of the CHS and CMS bands, for all the hard work poured into these

groups.

The Covington High School Chamber and Concert Choir singing “Remembering Decembers” conducted by

CHS Choral Director, Mr. Steven St. Clair and accompanied by Rachel Harrell, was part of the Christmas

Concert held recently at the Covington Civic Center. We love to hear our CHARGER musicians, as we know

this brings a joyful spirit and showcases the fine talent we have. Thank you choir members and Mr. St. Clair for

all of your hard work!

Students Urged to Apply for Financial Aid for 2019-20 Academic Year

Dyersburg State Community College (DSCC) encourages all students and potential students to fill out the

FREE Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by Feb. 1 to ensure a greater chance of receiving funds

for the 2019-20 academic year. Students and parents can complete the 2019–20 FAFSA form online at

www.fafsa.gov or by using the new myStudentAid app.

Current and potential students may receive FAFSA help at the DSCC Student Center One Stop in Dyersburg, at

the Financial Aid Office in the Jimmy Naifeh Building at the DSCC Jimmy Naifeh Center and at the Gibson

County Center. The offices are open 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. each weekday. Please call 731-286-3236 to make an

appointment to see a financial aid counselor before 8 a.m. or after 4:30 p.m.

Students must submit their FAFSA to be eligible for financial aid such as the Tennessee Promise, Tennessee

Reconnect, Tennessee Student Assistance Award, Federal Pell Grant, Tennessee Education Lottery Scholarship,

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, Hope Scholarship, employment as a Federal Work Study,

and other scholarship or work study program awards at DSCC or any other college. Many awards are made on a

first-come, first-serve basis with limited funding available. If an application is not filed as early as possible,

the student may not have a chance to receive some of these funds.

tnAchieves students and Tennessee Promise students are especially encouraged to fill out the FAFSA as this is a

requirement for these programs. The FAFSA qualifies students for more than $150 billion in grants, loans and

work-study funds each year; however, in order to receive any of these funds, students have to complete the

FAFSA. For more information about FAFSA, please call the DSCC Financial Aid Office at 731-286-3236.

DSCC Plans January Orientation for New Students

Dyersburg State Community College (DSCC) will hold orientations in January before the upcoming spring

semester. All new students are required to attend an orientation event. They may complete this requirement

either in person or by using the online orientation option located inside their MyDSCC portal. Students should

be reminded that spring semester classes begin Jan. 14.

New student orientation will be held in the Student Center on the Dyersburg campus Tuesday, Jan. 8,

from 2-4 p.m., and inside the Baptist Memorial Health Care Academic Building Auditorium at the

Jimmy Naifeh Center at Tipton County Thursday, Jan. 10, from 2-4 p.m.

Students will be able to meet with advisors and instructors, get information about financial aid, tour the campus,

learn about academic programs offered, obtain student IDs and parking passes, and learn about student life and

organizations. Students, parents and legal guardians are welcome to attend.

For more information, please contact Sherry Baker at 731-286-3242 or sdbaker@dscc.edu.

Dyersburg State Announces Holiday Closings

All Dyersburg State Community College (DSCC) locations will be closed in observance of the

Christmas and New Year’s holidays from Monday, Dec. 24, through Sunday, Dec. 30. The

College will reopen Monday, Dec. 31, and close Tuesday, Jan. 1. All locations will reopen

Wednesday, Jan. 2.

King Cotton Motors in Covington Gives to Local Schools

Through King Cotton Cares Program

King Cotton Owners Dino Grisanti and Randy Fishman,

in partnership with the late Nick Belisomo, implemented

King Cotton Cares to support local organizations, and

they made it official during a ceremony held last Friday

at the dealership in Covington. Grisanti and other

members of the King Cotton team presented a check for

$20,000 for Tipton County Schools and the balance of

$50,000 going to the Carl Perkins Center for the

Prevention of Child Abuse, Go Lucy Go, and various

other local charities.

Local 4-H Implements Health Rocks at Crestview Middle School

4-H Youth Development

Agent Brigitte Passman from

UT-Extension, spoke to

students at Crestview Middle

School during Red Ribbon

Week about staying drug-free.

Tipton County Extension

received $2,650 from the

Tennessee State 4-H Office for

the 4-H Health Rocks! Grant.

Tipton County Extension is

serving 530 youth with this

program, which include

Crestview Middle School

students. The start of this

program included a Red

Ribbon Week program

presented during gym time.

Health Rocks! is a curricula for

a healthy living program

targeted at young people ages

8 to 14.

Teen and adult facilitators share hands-on activities that educate youth on the

consequences of tobacco, alcohol, and drug use. Mayor Hanson and Dr. Chris Morris,

Principal, were on hand for presentations of Health Rocks certificates.

Drug Free Tipton Honors Joseph Mack

During their annual Christmas Breakfast, Robin

Racine and Sierra Butler of Drug Free Tipton

presented Covington Parks and Recreation

Director Joseph Mack with the “Ounce of

Prevention” award for his dedication to the health

and well-being of citizens in Covington and

Tipton County. Mayor Hanson also praised

Director Mack for his leadership and joined

others from our community in congratulating him

and celebrating the good works of Drug Free

Tipton.

\

Drug Free Tipton Celebrated this year’s Accomplishments

Bank Tennessee Presented Check to Munford High School Band The award-winning Munford High School band will be traveling to Pasadena, California to participate in the

2019 Rose Bowl Parade and local businesses and residents are showing their support through the efforts of

Bank Tennessee in Munford. In a presentation Thursday morning, they presented a check for more than $39,000

to help band members in their travels.

School officials, local mayors, chamber and business

officials, and Bank Tennessee employees joined

together to bid best wishes to the Munford High

School Marching Band on their travels to the Rose

Bowl Parade.

Spirit of Life Fundraiser was held at Brighton High School

Dorothy Clemons (2nd from right), grandmother

of Adrian Clemons (2nd from left), has

spearheaded a campaign to help young Adrian

get into a better home. Adrian has been dealing

with heart issues since his birth and has

undergone several serious procedures. It is

important that he have a healthy environment in

which to live, so his family is doing what they

can to help him get that place. One such event

the family organized was the Spirit of Life

Gospel Show on December 15 at BHS. Mayor

Hanson and event co-chair Thomas Adams

joined Ms. Clemons and Adrian last Saturday.

Those interested in supporting Dorothy’s quest

for her grandson, please contact her at 901-570-

3993.

American Job Center Operating in Covington

The staffing agency for Unilever (Randstad) is looking to fill over 100 positions. Randstad comes to the AJC in Covington

every other Monday from 8:00 – 4:00 p.m. for interviews and applications - Located right behind PIZZA HUT in

Unilever has positions open – American Job Centers can assist you with this:

Click here for details.

Junior NBA Skills Training Opportunity for Boys and Girls

Research Leads to Growing Health Concerns for E-Cigs

The Bottom Line Scientists are still learning more about how e-cigarettes affect health. However, there is already enough

evidence to justify efforts to prevent e-cigarette use by young people. Because most tobacco use starts during

adolescence, actions to protect our nation's young people from a lifetime of nicotine addiction are critical.

Working together, we can keep America's youth and young adults safe from the dangers associated with

tobacco use and nicotine addiction. CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE and TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE!

Tipton County Public Library News

Check out what's in store for you at our local Library this month!

News from the Tipton County

Museum, Nature Trail, and

Veteran’s Memorial

Pay Tribute to your personal hero,

remember your loved ones, and honor

those special people in your life by

purchasing bricks for the museum

addition. Go visit the museum to see the

memorial bricks or call 901-476-0242 for

more information.

From Director Barrie Foster:

Thank you for your continued support of the Tipton County Museum! Please join us for these exciting events:

Tipton County Museum, Veterans Memorial & Nature Center

Veteran of the Month December 2018

Stephen Paul Foisy

At the age of 21, Stephen Paul Foisy was employed with IBM when he received his draft notice for the United States Army on June 18, 1968, in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania. He completed Basic Training at Fort Dix, New Jersey then served in the Republic of Vietnam with Company C, 121 Signal Battalion, First Infantry Division from January 1969 until January 1970. His job in Vietnam was critical - he worked on the electrical generators which provided electricity for the communication radios. He had studied tool design technology at Williamsport Area Community College after high school, and he was able to continue his education by completing the Powerman Course at the US Army Engineering School and the Conventional/Precise Power Generator Course in Fort Belvoir, Virginia. Steve transferred to the Army Reserve in January of 1970 before being honorably discharged on June 18, 1974. For his service to our country he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Marksman Medals for the M-14 & the M-16, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, and two overseas bars. Good fortune followed Steve after he left the Army, and he was able to return to his employment with IBM in Owego, New York, where he worked diligently and enjoyed several promotions. After 27 years his employment with IBM ended when the plant he was working in was sold to Lockheed Martin; but thanks to his number of years of service to IBM, he was able to collect retirement and begin a whole new career with Lockheed Martin. During this time, Steve contributed to the design of many of the products on their aircrafts including the SO console, acoustic rack, and ALFS pedestal, among others. Steve was the AVS CET lead from 2001 to 2003. His work lead to the application for two patents to protect his inventions. In 2003 he transitioned to the VH-71 Presidential Helicopter proposal where he remained as the lead for the Advanced Capabilities Installation Engineering Department. In July 2009 he returned to the MH-60R program where he supported installation efforts related to IRAD and FMS activities. In January 2011 Steve shouldered responsibility for the design of the modular racks as well as continuing to support FMS proposal efforts. Because of his outstanding performance and accomplishments, in May 2012 Steve was selected by his peers as the recipient of Lockheed Martin’s NHP Flag Award. In June 2012, he retired from Lockheed Martin. The brutal winters in New York coupled with high taxes convinced him and his wife Mikey to explore the option of living in places with milder winters and lower taxes. During an online search, they discovered Munford’s newest subdivision, Green Meadows, and moved to their new home in 2017. Steve was nominated for Veteran of the Month by Rich Ali, who met him through Green Meadows.

Veteran of the Month Reception Held at Tipton County Museum The December Veteran of the Month, Stephen Paul Foisy, was surrounded by family, friends,

fellow veterans, and folks from the community at the reception held in his honor.

Kathy Dejarlais of the Tipton County Veteran

Association, and Museum Director Barrie Foster

looked on as State Representative Deborah Moody

presented December Veteran of the Month Stephen

Foisy with a certificate in his honor.