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2017 Annual Conference Recap

The 78th Annual TML Conference was held in Murfreesboro, TN, June 10-13. 

Below are videos of select workshops and speakers.  More can be found in the TML TV player

 

Rhea Seddon, Retired NASA Astronaut

Presiding: Bo Perkinson, Athens Councilmember

Speaker: Retired NASA Astronaut Rhea Seddon

How did a small-town girl become a surgeon and among the first group of six women astronauts for NASA in 1978? Dr. Seddon’s tale of opportunities and mentors weaves a remarkable career journey that will inspire you to reach for the stars.

Combating the Opioid Crises

Facilitator: David Rausch, Knoxville Police Chief
Panelists:
Dr. Stephen Loyd, medical director, TN Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse
Dr. Mitchell Mutter, medical director, TN Department of Health
Karen Pershing, executive director, Metro Knoxville Drug Coalition

We’ve all read about it and seen it on the news – the epic opioid crisis sweeping the nation with Tennessee one of the hardest hit states. The problem can be found in large urban cities as well as small, rural towns – pain and addiction know no boundaries. A top-notch panel of experts in the field will help shed some light on the magnitude of the crisis in Tennessee and what can be done to address the problem.

Mayors' Forum

 

Panelists:
• Shane McFarland, Murfreesboro Mayor
• John Clark, Kingsport Mayor
• Doris Hensley, Erwin Mayor
• Curtis Hayes, Livingston Mayor,

Facilitator: Mark Funkhouser, Governing Magazine

Come hear from a handful of mayors from across the state who represent urban and rural, and large and small municipalities as they discuss urgent challenges government officials are facing at the local level. What does good leadership entail in 21st century government? What are successful strategies for municipal leaders to effectively manage community needs, citizen expectations, and political considerations?

Sovereign Citizens' Fraudulent Lien Scheme

Speakers: Tre Hargett, TN Secretary of State
Louis Kuykendall, TBI Assistant Special Agent-in-Charge
Dave Clark, District Attorney General, Anderson County

“Paper terrorism” has become a common tactic of members of the so-called “sovereign citizens” movement, comprised of people who believe that they do not have to pay taxes or obey most laws. After a year-long investigation, 10 people who are considered to be sovereign citizens were arrested in four East Tennessee counties and charged with more than 320 counts in a fraudulent lien scheme. Come hear about what happened with the filing of false liens and how new legislation passed into law this year will provide an expedited remedy for public officials to permanently remove fraudulent liens from their record.

Mark Funkhouser of Governing Magazine

As publisher of Governing magazine, Mark Funkhouser has a bird’s eye view of the various challenges facing government leaders at the local level. He will share those insights with us as well as discuss how municipal leaders are grappling with providing essential services while driving innovation and investing in positive change for their communities.

What Do Millennials Want?

Facilitator: Pat Hardy, MTAS Management Consultant

Panelists: Drew Danieley, sales manager, Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp.;
Courtney Brandon, SGA president, MTSU;
Hannah Leyhas, SGA attorney general, MTSU;
Dhilan Ramaprasad, Morristown West High School 2017 graduate and student council president.

As the new Millennial generation is coming of age, they are entering the workforce in record numbers. Millennials will transform young adulthood as America’s new junior citizens, but will they be engaged in civic life and find purpose in their communities? Come hear from a panel of 18 to 25-year-olds discuss what they want from their communities and elected leaders as they make decisions about where they want to work and live.