Why I Love Carter County William (Bill) E. Carter Short bio: - born in Elizabethton - grades 1-12 in Elizabethton Schools - Drafted in U.S. Army 1966, Honorable Discharge from Active Duty 1969 - B.S. Degree from ETSU 1973, major microbiology - Laboratory Director/Microbiologist Laboratory Supervisor 19732003. - Medical Service Officer, U.S. Army Reserve 1976-2005. Retired rank of Lieutenant Colonel - Owned Eagle Stores Building and operated as Ladybug Cottage Antiques in Eagle Center 2003-2018. -Elected to City Council in 2010 and currently serves as Mayor Pro Tem -Son of Elmer (deceased) and Ruby Carter. Married to Ann Boatright. Daughter- Becki Carter James, (Stephen), Granddaughter Karrah Ann Son-Chad Carter (Renata), grandson Nykolas
Questions- Why I love Carter County:
1. What makes Carter County unique by comparison to other places? I have traveled to several foreign countries as well as several states and have never found a place as unique in a positive way as Elizabethton, Tennessee. We are blessed by having natural resources as well as our TVA lake. We are extremely friendly and concerned about each other as well as always willing to offer a helping hand. I guess if I could sum up Carter County uniqueness to other places it’s THE GREAT PEOPLE living in Carter County. 2. Favorite place to visit in Carter County? The Covered Bridge- Growing up in East Side (Lilly Addition)
Why Do You Love Carter County?
made it possible for me to pass through this bridge frequently on my way home. When I lived away, I would always make it a point to drive through the bridge, before they stopped vehicle traffic flow, when I would come home to visit as I thought it would bring me good luck(it did). The City Parks are great and gives me a place to take my grandchildren as well as the Watauga Lake in the county. The Veterans War Memorial and Walk of Honor are structures which show the feelings of our community toward our Veterans and the patriotism displayed by Carter County. 3. Living in Carter County change me in any way? Growing up and living in Carter County provided me with a base that allowed me to participate in the world if you will. At my age now and looking back at growing up in Carter County made me aware of the importance of the life values instilled in me by my parents, friends, neighbors, school mates, teachers and churches. Pretty much showed me everyone had the same chance as a whole. A really great place to live. 4. Favorite time of year? Carter County is unique in that you can usually experience all four different seasons. I love the spring because I realize warm weather is coming. Fall season is a beautiful time here with all the mountains and the changing color of the leaves. Nature at its best. 5. First time visitors recommendation not to miss. Be sure to visit our beautiful downtown main street area with our unique stores and shops. People are working together very hard to continue to develop our downtown and you must see it. At the end of downtown Elk Avenue, you can look over one block and see our city signature Covered Bridge. From April through October we have a big antique car show cruise-in each Saturday night. Take a nine mile linear pleasure drive and enjoy our entire City and share some time with “what makes us tick”. You also must see the Veterans War Memorial and the Walk of Honor saluting all our Carter County Veterans in the middle of downtown.
Is it the wonderful natural resources? How about the historic downtown district? Perhaps it’s the people who make up our community? Whatever the reason, we want to know why you love it here. Tell us why you love Carter County and you could be featured in an upcoming edition of Carter County Living. Just send us a message telling us why you love Carter County. You can reach us by email at news@elizabethton.com or you can mail it to 300 N. Sycamore St., Elizabethton, TN 37643. 21
