Page A2 — The Brownsville States-Graphic, Thursday, May 6, 2010

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As far as structural damage, Parks estimated that the early estimates are at $4.5 million.

FEMA will produce the final estimate, report to Governor Phil Bredesen who will then make a declaration to the President for federal aid.

Bredesen recently asked President Barrack

Obama to declare 52 counties.a disaster area. So far, the federal government has declared four counties: Cheatham, Davidson, Hickman and Williamson.

Although there are many more counties that need aid, Bredesen remained impressed with Obama’s quick response so far.

“The federal government has moved quickly to assist Tennessee and

I appreciate the quick action by President Obama to declare the first of what I expect will be many counties authorized for federal assistance,” Bredesen said. “In addition to the state and local resources utilized in the initial response, I know all counties impacted by these devastating storms are anxious for assistance and access to the resources of the federal government.”

their country as a whole, as well as their specific home regions, family and daily life activities.

Local rotary members also listened to some of their international cousins’ projects, including a cycling project of peace meant to “bridge the gap between Christianity and Islam. The project ran from Rome to Mecca in

2009, gained a letter of goodwill from the Pope and managed to raise 80,000 Euros.

Concluding the program, was Yildiran, who treated the crowd to two Turkish beautiful folk songs on his guitar.

TurkeyContinued from Page A1

FloodContinued from Page A1

After a month of events to support the National Child Abuse Prevention Month, the Carl Perkins Center concluded the April event with a Candlelight Vigil held outside the courthouse Tuesday, April 26.

After opening greetings, City Mayor Webb Banks read the proclamation signed earlier in April by him and County Mayor Franklin Smith.

Lisa Carlton, Secretary of the Carl Perkins Center Advisory Board

explained the reason why wearing blue is significant for the event.

The blue ribbon is the result of the tragic story of a Virginian grandmother and her grandson in 1989.

The three-year-old died at the hands of his mother’s abusive boyfriend. As a result, the ribbon is a memorial to children who have been touched by abuse and neglect, and a reminder that everyone has a responsibility to do to prevent child abuse.

According to the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS) there was an estimated 1,760 child fatalities in 2007. The NACANDS translates this to a rate of 2.35 children per 100,000 children in the general population.

After the candlelight ceremony, the Haywood County Jr. High School Choir concluded the evening with the song “We Are The World.”

Candlelight Vigil HeldThe Haywood County Jr. High School Choir performs “We Are The World.”

First State Mortgage welcomes Tammy Barr to the Brownsville office located at 111 Peachtree Plaza. First State offers both consumer finance and mortgage services through their office at 111 Peachtree Plaza. The mortgage office will be managed by Tammy Barr as the Mortgage Loan Originator. The phone number for this new office is 731-772-2343 or 731-780-5859.

With over 15 years of mortgage lending experience, Barr is joining Lisa Carlton, of First State Bank, and Larry Grandberry, of First State Finance, as the leadership team in Brownsville, TN. Barr will be responsible for the daily operations and service in First State Mortgage’s Brownsville market which includes Haywood and Lauderdale counties.

Barr is a graduate of Haywood High School. She has an associate degree in business from Jackson State Community College and a bachelors degree in management from the University of Memphis. Barr is a member of Poplar Corner Baptist Church of Brownsville. She is a graduate of Leadership Haywood County and the past chairman of Relay for Life for Haywood County. She is a lifetime resident of Haywood County and resides in Brownsville with her husband and children.

“I have the utmost confidence in Tammy Barr’s ability and experience,” said Jeff Devereaux, executive vice president of First State Mortgage. “Tammy will be an enormous benefit to our existing customers in the Brownsville market. Her outstanding customer service and mortgage expertise will enable First State to significantly enhance its community presence.”

“I am very excited about this opportunity,” said Tammy Barr. “First State Mortgage offers products tailored especially for low to moderate income borrowers. I joined the company specifically because I am excited to be able to offer these types of loans to my customers. I needed more avenues to help clients in the market in which I serve, and First State Mortgage offers such products.”

Before joining the First State family, Tammy worked with SunTrust Mortgage for four years. All four years, she was placed as top unit producer for the Memphis market and was in the President’s team, top 20% of the company.

First State Mortgage is a division of First State Bank, which is owned by Community First Bancshares, a holding company headquartered in Union City, Tenn. Community First Bancshares also operates an insurance company, a specialized ag services division, investment services, a finance company, and an indirect auto financing division at various locations across the state.

First State Mortgage has sixteen mortgage offices located throughout Tennessee. The mortgage company has offices in the communities of Atoka, Brownsville, Dyersburg, G o o d l e t t s v i l l e , Henderson, Humboldt, Jackson, Knoxville, Lexington, Nashville, and Union City.

The banking company currently has assets totaling over $1.4 billion. The banking company has offices in the communities of Davidson, Dyer, Gibson, Haywood, Henderson, Knox, Madison, Obion, Robertson, Shelby, Sumner, Tipton, and Weakley Counties in Tennessee.

First state mortgage welcomes

Tammy Barr

On Wednesday, April 14, Memphis Police Colonel Billy H. Garrett, Jr. retired from the department after 32 years of service. For the past two years he commanded the Union Station during which time a group of Midtown residents formed the Midtown Security Community as a way to support police activity and decrease crime in their neighborhoods. Colonel Garrett partnered with them and worked along with Dr. Richard Janikowski, Research Professor at the University of Memphis, to work on measures to reduce crime. The Union Station under Colonel Garrett’s leadership saw a substantial decrease in crime. According to Peggy Williamson, chairman of the organization, Colonel Garrett is “a tremendous listener. He has a great sense of presence and worked really hard to connect to our community.” At their latest meeting on April 6, she hosted a retirement celebration and honored Colonel Garrett with numerous presentations. Notable proclamations and honors were bestowed by Shelby County Sheriff, Mark Luttrell, Memphis City Mayor, A. C. Wharton, Attorney General Bill Gibbons, Ninth Congressional District Representative, Steve Cohen and Jim Strickland

of the Memphis City Council. Among many, Mrs. Williamson presented a framed certificate to Colonel Garrett on behalf of the Midtown Security Community. She read a portion of the inscription, which reflected their admiration as “ an extraordinary leader for the Union Station and all of Midtown because of his deep and passionate commitment to going above and beyond for all of our citizens – from the homeless to the wealthiest.” She further cited his “highest degree of professionalism and kept them smiling with his humor and offered immense hope that together they could all make a difference in keeping Midtown safe.” Colonel Garrett connected with the businesses and residential associations to make them more proactive in preventing crime. The significant reduction in Midtown crime was especially rewarding to Colonel Garrett as he left his precinct the overall leader in crime reduction citywide. His wife, Vickie and their daughter and son-in-law, Brittney and Jonathan Buchanan and his grandchildren, Abby and Clayton, supported him at this event. His parents, Billy Garrett, SR and Jessie attended along with his sister, Michelle and her daughters,

Lindsey and Morgan, and brothers, Johnny and Steve. Also several friends from Brownsville Baptist Church attended the surprise event.

The officers of his precinct hosted another surprise celebration on April 12 at the new Circuit Playhouse. His fellow officers, command staff, family and more friends from Brownsville attended. He was presented several commendations and shown great appreciation from those he served.

At a ceremony in the Criminal Justice complex on April 14, Colonel Garrett officially retired with recognition by Director Larry Godwin. Director Godwin noted the accomplishments of Colonel Garrett along with his various roles within the department. He also cited the reduction in crime in the Union Station boundaries.

Colonel Garrett resides in Brownsville and graduated from Haywood High School in 1975. He graduated from the Memphis Police Department Training Academy in 1979 and obtained a BA in Criminal Justice from Memphis State University in 1982. He had a life long ambition to be a police officer and feels blessed to have been allowed to succeed. He is an active member of Brownsville Baptist Church and desires to give back to his community as God leads.

Brownsville resident retires from MPD