Mayor Chuck Vest
Phone 423.202.1563
The devastating natural disaster that struck our area and many other communities many miles away has caused great hardships and in many cases tragic consequences. The sadness we rightly feel can be countered with our empathy turning into action for others and recognizing the goodness on display by countless people.
In Jonesborough we provide valuable water to thousands of citizens throughout our county. It is a service our town takes to heart, and our community losing that service even for a short time is disheartening, but it could have been much worse. By the grace of God, our water treatment facility, located directly on the Nolichucky River, survived the dangers the storm sent its way. A house eerily floating near our water intake could’ve had disastrous consequences for our community.
Our Utility leaders made the tough call to shutdown part of our water system because the turbulent, extremely muddy river water couldn’t be safely treated as fast as demand. Now thanks to our treatment plant operators, who worked tirelessly and patiently to treat our water, we started reopening the areas previously shutdown. As of Tuesday morning, we have all shutdown areas back in full force with treated water. There will be a 48 hr boil alert as required by the state agency TDEC, just in those areas that lost complete water service, or until required tests are processed. The residents that never lost service and our businesses are not required to do so because those parts of our system remained operational. Our plant is working at full capacity and producing safe water. Unfortunately the water service for about 600 homes, nearest the river and highway 107 area could be out for an extended time due to more massive damage to bridges, roads and water infrastructure. Our crews are in the process of assessing that damage now. Jonesborough’s wastewater system is operating properly and at full capacity.
Jonesborough’s Public Safety teams have been readily available to help our surrounding communities whenever needed. Our police and fire departments responded quickly to help during the early moments of the storm and will continue helping those in need. We are so thankful to all the other municipalities, state emergency teams and volunteer departments rushing to these disaster areas as well.
Lastly it has been humbling to witness so many individuals rush forward to help those in need or to help those helping others. Countless volunteers are giving time, effort and heart. Jonesborough’s own Community Chest, led by volunteers, has excelled getting relief where directed, and will be partnering with our Senior Center to lead donation and relief efforts at our center location going forward. Area churches are making a difference in lives and helping others, our area’s first responders, Public Safety teams, Utility crews, town staff and emergency workers are all doing truly amazing deeds. It’s great to witness our Washington County Mayor Joe Grandy and our highway department, State Representative Rebecca Alexander and Sheriff Keith Sexton and his forces providing strong leadership. Our own Jonesborough Alderman and community members are joining donation efforts and helping neighbors impacted by the storm. These efforts by so many are why this area will overcome this devastating tragedy. In these tough times we can be thankful for these examples of goodness. In the days and weeks ahead, keep impacted neighbors in our thoughts and support our rescue teams as they search for those still missing. We thank you all. Volunteer Strong is the Tennessee way.
Chuck Vest
Jonesborough Mayor
Welcome to Historic Jonesborough, the oldest town in Tennessee. We’re the little town with the big story. We have been serving our residents and entertaining our guests with our rich history and proud heritage for over 230 years. We’ve worked hard to preserve our historic buildings and character, and our cultural heritage as well. Jonesborough is the Storytelling Capital of the World.
Arts and cultural activities are in abundance in the downtown, from storytelling to theater and musical entertainment. The arts community features the International Storytelling Center, McKinney Center which houses the Mary B. Martin Program for the Arts and the Jonesborough Repertory Theatre. We are also proud of the work we have just begun in acquiring and renovating the historic Jackson Theatre, which will round out our wide range of arts opportunities in our downtown.
Jonesborough’s six parks include neighborhood parks and our largest, Persimmon Ridge Park, made up of 130+ acres, which houses our own Wetlands Water Park. In addition, the Town’s landscaping, from the entrance into town off of 11E highway, to our own Veterans Park, the downtown and other areas throughout town, feature self-sustaining native plantings.
We have a broad range of year-round activities for residents, including internationally known National Storytelling Festival, Jonesborough Days Festival, Halloween Haunts and Happenings, and much more. All of our events are family-friendly and many are offered free of charge. We cap the year with our Christmas In Olde Jonesborough series which runs every Saturday from Thanksgiving to Christmas.
Whether you are a resident or are considering making Jonesborough your new home, I hope you will use the Town’s website to become familiar with all of the activities, programs, and special events in Jonesborough. Whether it is art activities, theater, senior center initiatives, youth sports, or programs that bring our residents together in fellowship, there is a lot going on in our small town. I also hope that you will shop Jonesborough first. We have great restaurants, businesses and shops, and the sales tax dollars spent in Jonesborough help us improve our quality of life. If you have a question or concern, we encourage you to call Town Hall at 423.753.1030. We even accept compliments. Your involvement in Jonesborough also helps make our community a better place to live and work. Whether you are here for a day, a month or forever, we welcome you to Jonesborough and are so glad you are here.
