Mayor addresses hospital record, endorses Rep. Jones

Erwin Mayor Glenn White moved Monday night to correct the public record on the Unicoi County Hospital project and to formally endorse Rep. Renea Jones for reelection. During comments at the Erwin Board of Mayor and Aldermen meeting on Monday, Feb. 9, Mayor Glenn White addressed what he said were inaccuracies stemming from a recent Erwin Record article about rebuilding Unicoi County Hospital. "Concerning last week's article in the Erwin Record dealing with the rebuilding of our hospital, I was interviewed and asked about the price of the property; I made the statement that the 14 acres at Rocky Bottom was sold for 1.2 million dollars," White said. "No doubt, I did say the above, but it was my intention to state that this information was here and off the record. Evidently, I did not make that point clear, and it was printed." White said that he does not have confirmed knowledge regarding the property transaction and said he regretted any confusion or concern his remarks may have caused. He went on to correct what he described as another misstatement, this time related to the location of the proposed hospital site. "Secondly, in the article, it read that I said the hospital would be 1.8 miles from the old hospital," he added. "What I meant to say is that the hospital is 1.8 miles from the Second Street site; where we hoped the hospital could be built, but the railroad tracks stopped that discussion." White shifted his comments to state politics, announcing his support for Rep. Renea Jones' reelection campaign. "Tonight, as mayor of The Town of Erwin, and as a citizen, I am endorsing Representative Renea Jones for election this November to our General Assembly in Nashville," White said. "In my opinion Renea has done an outstanding job and is always ready at a moment's notice to help when needed." White cited Jones' involvement in Unicoi County following Hurricane Helene as a key factor in his endorsement, noting her availability and responsiveness during the recovery period. "During the crucial months after the flood of 2024, Renea was always present with us to find the answers we needed dealing with the state government and with TEMA," he said. "Keeping Representative Renea Jones in Nashville is a win for all of her constituents she represents."