Park Range Eric Runkle is the recipient of this peer based award for his continuous efforts to lead the field… Congratulations Eric!
Budget Hearings for the Department of Environment & Conservation
For more information on the Fiscal Year budget hearing follow this link: Budget Hearing Video
Presenters include: TDEC Commissioner David Salyers and Deputy Commissioners, Greg Young and Greer Tidwell.
This video is informative and pertinent to Tennessee State Park Rangers as it discusses some of the requests being made for additional land acquisition, water shed protection, funding for staff and the important partnerships shared across the State of Tennessee.
This video was recorded On Nov 17, 2022 9:15 AM
A message from Deputy Commissioner Greer Tidwell
Law Enforcement Officer Task Force
The Task Force’s purpose is to study retirement benefits for law enforcement officers:
The Task Force is to remit a report to the Council on Pensions with its recommendations on legislative changes, financial impact of legislative changes, policy considerations, and solutions that do not require legislative changes by January 1, 2023.
A committee has been formed to study & discuss:
Tennessee Consolidated Retirement Services (TCRS) benefits for Law Enforcement Officers
Surrounding States Law Enforcement Officer Retirement Benefits
Tennessee and Surrounding States Funded Status, Employee & Employer Contributions
Inclusion of Job Categories in Mandatory Retirement:
State Positions – Revenue Officers / Revenue Agents – Park Rangers / Managers – College/University Police Officers – Correctional Officers
These job descriptions were compared to the exception in the Federal ADEA that would allow for mandatory retirement and were found to meet the exception
Topics being discussed:
Extend Bridge Benefit to Social Security Normal Retirement Age
Bridge (temporary) benefit currently is payable from the later of age 55 or age at retirement to first Social Security eligibility (age 62)
For anyone born after January 1, 1960, normal retirement age for unreduced Social Security benefits is age 67
Increase Multiplier used in Benefit Calculations to Encourage Law Enforcement Officers to Continue Employment
Legacy Retirement Plan – Regardless of length of service, the multiplier is 1.575% (including the 5% benefit improvement1 )
Hybrid Retirement Plan – Regardless of length of service, the multiplier is 1.0%
Several options were studied that would increase the multiplier once a law enforcement officer attains a certain years of service
Defined Contribution Plan Targeting Replacement of Bridge Benefit:
Most law enforcement officers employed by local governments in Tennessee are not subject to mandatory retirement, earlier retirement eligibility, or a bridge benefit
Reviewed concept to provide a defined contribution plan to local governments that would replicate the bridge benefit
Assuming an employee could earn a 5% return, a contribution of 4% would be needed to replicate the bridge
A 3.5% return by the employee would require a 5% contribution
All meetings are recorded and shared by the Department of Treasury here: Videos
2021 Ranger of the Year Award
We would like to officially congratulate Assistant Park Manager Brittney Magness, from Pickwick Landing State Park, on being the 2021 Ranger of the Year. As an excerpt from her nomination reads:
“Few … will put in the time, energy, and enthusiasm equal to Brittney Magness in such a broad range of areas leading to impact at so many levels. She is clearly the type of ranger we should all strive to be and is absolutely deserving of being named the 2021 Ranger of the Year.”
On behalf of everyone, thank you Brittney for being an inspiration to your coworkers, a friend to your fellow rangers, and a great representative of the profession.
Pictured: Pickwick Landing State Park Assistant Manger Brittney Magness and Park Manager Andy Wright
BRAT presents check for nearly $15k to TPRA...
The Tennessee Park Rangers Association accepted a check for just shy of $15,000 on behalf of the 34th annual Bike Ride Across Tennessee event. This is a tremendous accomplishment and an honor for the board to accept. The proceeds of this event are shared between the hosting park(s) and the TPRA. With well over 300 riders participating in the event, Cumberland Mountain State Park, who hosted the event was able to bring in nearly $80,000 in revenue during the week long event.
The Bike Ride Across Tennessee is a showcase that highlights many of Tennessee’s finest and most diverse landscapes. Participants will ride hundreds of miles throughout the week cruising through parks, towns, and scenic vistas all while being supported by our law enforcement rangers, staff members and volunteers. Without this group effort and the many hands it takes, this event would not be sustainable. It’s safe to say that the BRAT is a hit and has been for a long time!
The funds generated from the 2021 Bike Ride Across Tennessee will directly benefit the Tennessee State Park Rangers who apply for scholarships. Rangers can use these funds to offset or overcome the costs associated with trainings, educational workshops, travel expenses, lodging which helps support the mission of the TPRA which is… To promote professionalism and raise hiring standards, improve communications, upgrade working conditions, support and participate in active training programs, and champion common concerns among the members of the Tennessee Park Rangers Association and those individuals representing Tennessee State Parks.
Thank you to those who supported this event and our Tennessee State Park Rangers!
The TPRA board accepting check from TSP Marketing Manager Heather McGee & BRAT Coordinator, Anthony Jones.
The 2020 Park Ranger of the Year goes to Neal Weatherly…
Neal is an outstanding Ranger. He is professional, courteous to park visitors, and is always willing to help anyone anytime he can. Neal is a huge part of the Cummins Falls team. He has a tremendous work ethic and is constantly working to make Cummins Falls better. On top of law enforcement duties at Cummins Falls, Neal helped to train rookie Rangers and Seasonal LE Rangers with the chief Rangers office in 2020. As a member of TSP SORT he worked every day of the protests at the Capitol. He worked every major rescue at Cummins Falls this past year and saved lives.
Neal does more than just carry out heavy patients and save lives. He led Cummins Falls efforts in paid programs in 2020 by offering a variety of paid programs, ranging from night hikes to fire-side concerts. Neal also began a partnership with a local homeschool collective, and now leads regularly scheduled programs for first graders. I know, the mental picture is priceless. Neal was the driving force behind getting the 3 miles of new trail built, signed and open by the time we reopened Cummins Falls after the Covid-19 closure.
Neal accepting his ROY plaque at Edgar Evins State Park, during our 2nd quarterly meeting.
TLETA Class #1919 Graduates Are Here!
Congratulations to our Tennessee State Parks rangers who graduated the Tennessee Law Enforcement Training Academy with class #1919. Our eight newest rangers include:
Dedra Irwin (Pinson Mounds State Archaeological Park)
Savannah Jackson (Fort Loudoun State Historic Park)
Joseph Gamble (Norris Dam State Park)
Joshua Welch (Cordell Hull Birthplace State Historic Park)
Clinton Armstrong (Alvin C. York State Historic Park)
Lydia Martinez (Frozen Head State Park & State Natural Area)
Michael Hudson (Mousetail Landing State Park)
Please join us as we welcome our new rangers & congratulate them on successfully completing their police academy training!
1st Quarterly Meeting Update
Thank you to Cummins Falls State Park for hosting our quarterly meeting on February 10th in their fantastic new visitor center! Topics discussed included:
-2021 Membership Drive
-Ranger of the Year nominations & voting
-Retirement bill legislative update
-TPRA-sponsored events and volunteer opportunities
-Spring newsletter (share your news items here: https://www.tpra.net/tell-tpra)
Look for emails from the chair soon for more critical info and announcements. Thank you to everyone who participated in yesterday’s productive discussions. We are looking forward to a great year.