Sen. Marsha Blackburn Visits Putnam County Officials To Discuss Local Needs

Senator Marsha Blackburn visited Putnam County Monday to hear about local issues and how she can help at the state level.

Putnam officials brought up issues such as the Caney Fork Railroad bridge and the challenges Cookeville Regional Medical Center faces. Blackburn said one of her biggest takeaways was the issue of fentanyl is growing in the Upper Cumberland.

“And how they’re seeing the relationship between the mental health, the fentanyl, the crime, the homelessness,” Blackburn said. “That bucket of issues are now all related. And they’re saying something has got to be done to address this mental health component.”

Officials also discussed the need for more mental health facilities statewide. Blackburn said she enjoys her annual tours across the state because it provides an opportunity to meet with local leaders directly. She said she is able to learn about their needs and catch up on local business.

Blackburn said now that she has a better idea of these needs, she will work with the state team to meet them. She said as cities come forward with requests for grants or federal agency help, the team will back those up.

“Because that’s what we do,” Blackburn said. “We are there to help all of our cities and counties as they try to deal with federal agencies.”

Blackburn also visited Boys’ State at Tennessee Tech University. She and her team are set to talk with leaders in DeKalb and White Counties.