I have been part of the Mt. Juliet community for 38 years, living and working here since 1984, which is where I raised my two sons in Wilson County schools, part of which as a single mom, and became a homeowner in Belinda City in 1999. I married my soulmate, Pete, 19 years ago and we have two Havashus (Havanese & Shih Tzu) who are brothers named Hoss and Little Joe. My oldest son Tyler earned his Masters on the GI Bill after serving four years in the US Marine Corps. He and his wife Tori are both CPAs and live in Murfreesboro. My youngest son Turner, who recently completed six years in the US Navy, married his high school sweetheart Halie, who gave us our first grandchild, a beautiful grandson named Maverick (3). They recently moved back home from Jacksonville, FL. My mother and sister live nearby and my father died in 2017.
Serving and helping residents is a passion. Being on Mt. Juliet’s Board of Commissioners is a position of service, not a job, and I take it seriously because I care. My desire is to educate, inform, and engage citizens about what goes on in their city and to hopefully get them to take an interest. One way I do that is send out monthly newsletters, as well as periodic notices and updates. I am here to help in anyway I can, if at all possible. I am not a politician, therefore I don’t think like one. Being on the Commission Board is an honor and a pleasure and I really enjoy it.
How did I get involved? In the spring of 2019, someone posted details on social media about a rezone (the city had posted signs) on 75 acres located between Belinda Pkwy. and I-40 (south of). I read the post and it also got a lot of attention. Many residents, along with myself, went to the Mt. Juliet Planning Commission meeting to speak out against the proposed development that was commercial, consisting of office, retail, and 200 townhomes with four connection points to Belinda Pkwy. The PC deferred to give the developer the opportunity to hold a Q&A townhall meeting, which didn’t go well for the developer. At the next PC meeting, it failed to pass thankfully. Residents decided we wanted to take our chances with the current zoning of Industrial-Restricted. Although we knew it would be build on one day, we felt like we had accomplished a small victory for the time being.
After that, I became interested in the city, who ran it, who set the policies, who the decision makers where, and how the city works. At the time, our district did not have City Commissioner since the previous one had moved. At first, I was supporting a previous five-term City Commissioner to be appointed and get his seat back, but after it became evident he did not have the votes, and with much thought and prayer, I felt lead to put my name in to be considered. There were several rounds of votes over several meetings, but eventually, I was appointed that August to the District 4 seat. Needless to say, I was very nervous as I have never done anything like that before.
In order to keep my seat, I ran for election in November 2020 and thankfully was officially elected against two opponents. November 2022 finishes out the four year term of the previous City Commissioner.
I was born in Cleveland, MS, and went to Jr. High and High School in Hendersonville, TN. Besides being a grandmother, my hobbies are crafting, spring landscaping projects in our yard, grooming small dogs, riding horses, and spending time with family.
By trade, I have been a graphic designer for 38 years and left the corporate world as a manager in 2005 to work for myself. Currently, I freelance part time, and also work part time as a merchandiser in various retail and department stores, working primarily with apparel.
Please see my entire platform on the home page.
I was born in Cleveland, MS, went to Jr High and High School in Hendersonville, TN. I then went to art school at Watkins College of Art (now called), and Nashville State Community College (now called). We absolutely love Mt. Juliet and have made a home here for the past 38 years. We are members of The Glade Church.
Professionally, I am a graphic designer of 38 years and have been self-employed since 2005, and hold nine years business management experience in the book publishing industry and a family-owned business.
Citizen Advocate for Limited Government
I know the value of being connected and having a voice. That’s I am in this seat, to be a conduit between District 4 citizens and the Mt. Juliet Board of Commissioners.
I believe in doing the hard work of personal research, to identify all sides of every issue before making any important decisions. I want to involve our District 4 citizens and represent their views and the proposals from the city, fairly and without personal agenda.
I believe in coming to the table with mutual respect and finding common ground in our decisions and finding solutions. Having said that, I am well aware that sometimes difficult decisions have to be made that may not be popular and I accept that as a part of holding the District 4 Commissioner seat.
I am in plain terms, a citizen advocate with a heart to serve, bringing open-mindedness, common sense, personal commitment and accountability with a high standard of ethics.
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