WELCOME HOME

WELCOME HOME — The Rev. Darrell Turner (seated) discussed final details of his new home on East Vine Street in Union City with contractor Donnie Mays (standing right) of Right Choice Construction and Jim Pillow, who does Tennessee Housing Development Agency (THDA) inspections, before signing some required paperwork Thursday afternoon on his new front porch. The three-bedroom two-bath house was built with a HOME program grant from THDA and is constructed on land where Turner’s great-grandparents’ home once stood. The old house that was demolished was over 100 years old. In addition to funding Turner’s total rebuild, HOME grant funds were utilized to rehab three or four existing residences in Union City. Prospective recipients had to qualify and meet strict guidelines in order to make application for funding, with the final recipients for projects — including Turner — selected by random draw, according to the Northwest Tennessee Development District. Turner, who pastors Mt. Zion C.M.E. Church, told The Messenger that those involved in building his new home gathered on the site and had prayer before construction began earlier this year. Pillow, who was at the home for a final walk-through inspection for THDA, was extremely complimentary of the City of Union City and its inspectors and Planning and Codes Department for their assistance throughout the construction project.