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BY NIC MILLER
STAR STAFF
nic.miller@elizabethton.com

After starting “Carter County Proud” in 2016 and growing it into”Keep Carter County Beautiful,” Ed Jordan stepped down as chairman of the board during the group’s first meeting of 2022.

“It has been a pleasure over the years to be chairman of this group,” said Jordan during the January meeting. “It has taken not just me, but each and every one of us in this meeting to make our mission successful over the years. We have changed some mindsets in this community, and my goal was that if we can change one person’s mind or stop one person from littering then we were successful.”

The board unanimously elected Don Hlavaty chairman.

“As everyone who attends these meetings and has been a part of Carter County Proud knows, Ed (Jordan) is going to be a tough act to follow. He has done a huge amount for this community over the last several years, so to step in behind him is kind of like stepping in behind Babe Ruth. Nevertheless, I will give it my best effort and I know with the board we have there is no doubt in my mind that we can continue to be as successful if not more successful,” Hlavaty said.

The board also elected Ross Garland as vice chairman; Lisa Vezzosi as secretary; and Mike Simerly as treasurer.

“I am going to continue to work as hard as I can with this group,” said Garland. “I am one of several that was here from day one, so I will continue to work hard and help Don (Hlavaty) and any other member of the group in any aspect that I can.”

Jordan will remain on the board of directors.

In upcoming projects, KCCB will partner with Keep Tennessee Beautiful to host the annual Watauga Lake Cleanup on Feb. 26 and the Milligan Highway Cleanup on Jan. 29. at 10 a.m.