The Carter County Commission lost one of its own Oct. 11 with the death of Commissioner Ronnie Trivette. He had served on the Carter County Commission for over 20 years.
Trivette served the Third District, which is made up of the communities of Central, Keenburg, Range, and Watauga.
It was a position he took seriously. To Trivette, his service on the commission was all about the public good. He was passionate about his duties, and sought to do what he felt was best for his community and the people he served. The decisions he made were not always popular, but he defended them, was quick to explain them. He always took the time to listen to his constituents and was prepared when he came to commission meetings.
Trivette was a kind man, who loved his family. He grew up in the Valley Forge community and attended Valley Forge Elementary and Hampton High School. He served in the United States Army and the Tennessee National Guard.
He like many Carter Countians and his father worked at the local rayon plants and was a bus driver.
Trivette loved Carter County and was a student of history. He enjoyed studying and learning about local history. He loved to see government work, and work on behalf of the people it served.
His family was well-known in the Valley Forge community.
A lifelong Republican as are most people in Northeast Tennessee, Trivette was a man of conservative values, a man of faith. It was his faith that often guided his decisions as a public servant. He didn’t vote for something because it was the popular thing to do, but he weighed his decision on the premises of was it the right thing to do.
Trivette was just a country boy, who was a hard worker, believed in teamwork, and had an open mind. He was also imaginative and believed in being fair. He operated from a premise of ideas and principle.
As a commissioner, Trivette challenged constantly. He challenged his own ideas and biases. He challenged the way it has “always been done” and he challenged the people who served with him.
Ronnie Trivette wasn’t the perfect commissioner, but he stepped up and was willing to serve. He served his country in the military and he served as a commissioner. He was not one to take and not give. He was a man of integrity and was trustworthy.
Our community would be a much better place to live if we had a lot more Ronnie Trivettes — people willing to serve, take care of their families, honest, and a hard worker.
To his family and the county commission, we extend our deepest sympathy in his death.