08/18/2026
Setting the record straight and providing the transparency that the County won’t.
A few months ago, George Dukes, a Loudon resident and county employee of the County Convenience Center, posted some harassing and untruthful statements about me, the founder of Make Loudon Clean Again. I have tried for 2 months to get a response from County Mayor Bradshaw, he has not only ignored me but has refused to acknowledge my emails.
I have never met Mr. Dukes nor have I spoken to him. He started posting on my Facebook group page 1-1/2 years ago, being rude and harassing. I offered to meet with him but he refused. In recent posts, he says that I “expect the County to turn over the litter grant money from the state to me.” This is 100% false! I have never asked for money, nor do I expect it. The County initially offered to provide us with supplies to pick up the trash, and has done so, which is solely funded from the TN State litter grant. That’s it. Mr. Dukes goes on to say that I don’t live in Loudon County, I want to annex from Roane into Loudon, and I’m from California. All true, but who cares? All I’m doing is spending my spare time picking up litter in his county! But how does he know any of this information? Apparently another county employee or official is his source. But why come after me? Reason unknown.
When I asked the County Mayor and Commissioners to please address this matter with Mr. Dukes and issue a statement that I have never requested or received funds, I was and continue to be ignored. I’m told by County HR that “it’s Mr. Dukes 1st amendment right” to lie and harass me on social media. It might be, but it’s not ok.
A little history - my husband and I moved to Loudon County in 2021 from California. We built a home in Roane County in 2022, but live close enough to Loudon that we do all of our shopping, work, dining, etc there. We consider Loudon our home. After moving here, I soon noticed how much litter was on the roadways and when I reached out to local officials, I learned that neither the County nor the city has a budget for picking up the litter. The County receives money from the state, which is used to reimburse the County for use of the inmates - but only in the county limits. That’s all. No other litter pickups or anything of the sort.
I was told by County officials that, “If you want it cleaned up, do it yourself.” So, since Feb 2025, I do, along with help from other volunteers in the area. Other than supplies, we don’t receive any other support from Loudon County or its cities.
So why Mr. Dukes feels it necessary to harass me and lie about me with false information obtained by other County officials and/or staff, is beyond me.
Make Loudon Clean Again is a FB page geared toward bringing community members together to get the litter off the roadways. That’s it. We are not a non-profit and we don’t ask for or receive any money. We are simply trying to do what’s right because the leadership in this county won’t.
Again, we are all volunteers with no financial gain or support. We are just trying to MAKE LOUDON CLEAN AGAIN. If you ever have any questions or concerns about our team, please reach out directly! Thank you! Lisa
