U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn made a visit to DeKalb County last week as part of her annual 95-county tour, touching base with local leaders and hearing firsthand about issues concerning them. On Monday, May 22, she was at the DeKalb County Courthouse where she talked with city and county officials.

“Every year I visit with each of our counties, and our in-state team is always out visiting with the counties,” Senator Blackburn told the Smithville Review. “This is a good opportunity for me to be able to hear firsthand from the mayors, who are newly elected, and visit with them, and focus on the things that they are focused on.”

When asked about what were some of the main topics that were raised during her meetings, Blackburn said infrastructure was a leading concern. “Extending water lines, expanding broadband, which is something that has been ongoing here. Tennessee is a growing state. With that comes the need for expanded infrastructure and also solid waste disposal. Those are some of the issues I’m hearing at the top.”

In Smithville, local leaders discussed the need for updating the courthouse, the jail, and the need for another school. But the issue of drugs was also raise.

“One of the things I hear is the problem with fentanyl,” Blackburn said. “This is an issue they are dealing with here in DeKalb County. One of the things that needs to happen is closing that southern border. Right now, you’ve got the cartels running the border on the Mexican side. Basically the Chinese are manufacturing fentanyl and the cartels are the distribution of the network. It is the American people that are losing their lives and family’s that are being disrupted.”

Sen. Blackburn said that she has several ways for people to keep up with the issue before her. “I do a weekly newsletter that goes out on Fridays, and I would encourage your readers to sign up for it at blackburn.senate.gov and they can keep up with me on social media @marshablackburn.”