On May 18, 1933 the TVA Act by Congress gave authority for flood control, improved navigation, and cheap electricity production. Nowhere in that act did Congress authorize the agency to become a news or social media influencer outlet. Perhaps the person or persons who generate social media should focus on topics of flood control, navigation, and electricity production. Or perhaps, if they plan to take on other matters of news, TVA social media group should maintain some awareness of all events transpiring in the area. Otherwise folks will begin to ask why some and not others.
After reading your article in the Roane County News I reviewed the TVA Twitter/X account. I saw a number of posts related to the TVA mission and some posts that were community relations type posts. I saw no recent posts mourning nor mentioning our fallen deputy in Blount County. Surely we have Blount Countians who work for USTVA who would have interest.
I think your article poses an interesting question. Why would the agency take on the responsibility for the communication of social issues or news matters unrelated to the specific TVA mission? Then a reasonable person could ask why the person or persons responsible for social media posts would omit a tribute to the life and service of a fallen Blount County deputy. I know many people who work at our TVA facilities. My friends and acquaintances hold positions from hourly workers to senior managers. I have to believe many of them are asking the same question that you seem to pose in your article.
I got to know a little about Deputy McCowan today. I saw the evidence of commitment to one another by the men and women of the thin blue line in Tennessee. I heard testimony of Deputy McCowan’s impact upon his community. I felt the pain that was shared by the community at the loss of this good man. I can assure you his life deserves a recognition.
Perhaps the social media folks at TVA are pulling together a tribute for this good man. Perhaps they have a release forthcoming that discusses his impact on our area and the great loss we suffered. Perhaps the release will speak of Deputy McCowan’s bravery …a bravery that is shared by hundreds of men and women in blue. Perhaps they will again condemn violence.
In the meantime USTVA risks hurting the very people who work daily to keep our communities free from all forms of violence. This period of what seems to be an awkward silence on behalf of TVA’s “influencers” leaves many asking… why.
Life is precious. All life. The Tyre Nichols story continues to hurt. His life mattered. But, so did the life of Deputy Greg McCowan matter. Lives lived in service to others deserve a recognition. And lives laid down in service to others merit a mention. Greater love hath no man than this…
Thank you for addressing this matter in our local paper.
