Leadership Overton is launching a new initiative to install American and Tennessee state flagpoles at community centers and public facilities throughout the county.
Laurie Crawford serves as the President for the Overton County Leadership Class of 2026. Crawford said each year projects are selected to meet specific community needs while enhancing the aesthetic appeal of the county.
“Our class project is entitled Flags Over Overton, and the purpose of our initiative is to establish American and Tennessee state flagpoles at our county community centers and or selected public facilities that currently do not have them,” Crawford said. “We’re hoping that by installing properly constructed and code-compliant flagpoles at the selected places, that we can create a lasting visual reminder of our shared values and heritage.”
Crawford said the project is intended to create a lasting visual reminder of shared heritage for residents to appreciate.
“I’m just blown away with the different various backgrounds that they all come from, all of different ages, different talents, and just all the contributions that each individual brings to the table is also a great… they’re just a great group of people to work with,” Crawford said. “It is a great opportunity to not only learn about what Overton County offers, and we’ve learned different facets of the county through our monthly meetings.”
Crawford said the project will provide full kits including poles, solar lighting, and flags to the Monroe Community Center, Rickman Community Center, the Joe L Evans building in Livingston, and the Overton County Housing Authority. Crawford said the group also plans to provide new flags for existing posts at the Independence Community Center, Hardy’s Chapel Community Center, and potentially other designated areas.
“The individual on our team is Amy Coffee, and she actually came up with the idea and she was just hoping to also, you know, just enhance our patriotism and our heritage and our country’s freedom in order with the flags being proudly flown and placed that that would all contribute to that theme,” Crawford said. “We have a great group of class participants, and we had various ideas that each of these talented and educated members brought up.”
Crawford said the 12 members of the current class spent time discussing various proposals before deciding on the flagpoles.
Crawford said the leadership program includes monthly sessions focused on education, manufacturing, and agriculture. Crawford said the class members have toured various facilities and heard from guest speakers to better understand the county before graduating in November.
“We are hoping to possibly have at least the first one for July 4th, fingers crossed, but there’s still a lot of legwork that we’re working on,” Crawford said.
The group is currently working on the logistics required to ensure the new flagpoles are properly constructed and code-compliant.