TRACY HARRIS
Staff Writer
Marshall County Recovery Court graduation took place on Wednesday Aug. 30. at the McKnight Center of First United Methodist Church. Close to 50 people attended the ceremony including the three graduates, family members, Marshall County Prevention Coalition, probation officers, law enforcement, friends of the graduates, and Recovery Court leaders.
The program began three years ago when Judge Lee Bussart was encouraged by other judges to try something new for people struggling with substance use. Things got off to a rocky start in 2020 and during the final day of training all the courts shut down due to COVID-19. They were forced to move all systems online and do the best they could. Making it work financially was a struggle, so Bussart thought outside the box and combined Recovery Court with Marshall County Probation.
The event opened with Lonnie Cook of the Lewisburg Police Department leading prayer. Then Bussart introduced the main speaker, Phillip Wilson, a graduate of Williamson County Recovery Court. Wilson now has over 6 years clean. He shared how important the program was and how being involved with a 12-step fellowship has been instrumental to his recovery. Finger foods were enjoyed by all. Bussart made sure each graduate had their favorite flavor of cupcakes.
Linda Bassham, Recovery Court Coordinator, spoke next. She said, “They call you when the worst things happen to them, but also when he best things happen to them. We became friends and are now friends forever.” Bassham encouraged the graduates, “There are people in this room and in this county that pray for you. We are here for you, the judge is always here for you, and I am always here for you.” 
Judge Bussart presented all three graduates with their certificate of completion. These three graduates bring the total to nine graduates since it began in 2020.
The night ended with a personal story for everyone. Bussart was driving a car earlier in the day that she had let her niece borrow. She noticed her college-aged niece hung a tag from the car’s rearview mirror that said be the positive ripple.
“It wasn’t my style, but my niece is way cooler than me so I couldn’t bring myself to take it down. I kept thinking about how I want to be the positive ripple. It made me smile,” Judge Bussart said. “I look out at you, and I see the positive ripple. Think of all the changes we can bring to our community. I ask you to be the ripple.”
