RUTHERFORD COUNTY, Tenn. (WGNS News) - Now that the Rutherford County Republican & Democratic Primary races are in the rearview mirror, the boxing gloves have been removed. However, it appears that some of the dirt and debris continues to be stirred up in ways that some may call unimaginable. In this case, a missed opportunity involving a $12 million grant program that could have strengthened the fight against drug use, increased recovery rates and provided additional resources to the community.

Commissioner Craig Harris, who previously ran against Mayor Joe Carr for county mayor, explained how Carr allegedly refused to sign the grant application because Harris’ name was included in the proposal as a potential program director... Evidently, the funding was part of a federal grant that could have gone a long way toward helping people battling more than addiction...

Rutherford County ultimately failed to secure the grant... Harris told WGNS that Mayor Carr refused to sign the grant application because Harris’ name was attached to the proposal... Harris said he removed his name from the grant application in hopes that the county could still receive the funding and hire someone else to lead the program... Commissioner Harris confirmed that the county is no longer eligible to receive the grant, which could have provided $12 million to fight drug addiction while also helping people with mental illness and those experiencing homelessness...

Had the county properly applied within the required time frame and received approval, Harris said the program would have worked to bring nonprofit organizations together under a new, coordinated approach... Harris said there were only around 32 counties across the nation that applied for the funding, with eight potentially receiving approval... That means Rutherford County may have had a one-in-four chance of receiving the grant funding to provide assistance locally.