Rick Graham Introduction

January 2007—Press Release

http://www.grahamforalderman.com/

Rick Graham for Spring Hill Alderman Ward 3




I am asking the citizens of Spring Hill for their vote of confidence on April 12th for Alderman of Ward 3. I am a fifty year old, native Tennessean who will be married twenty five years soon to my wife, Alicia. We have two sons, William, a twenty-one year old senior at Lipscomb University and Jonathan, a fourteen-year old 8th grader at Heritage Middle School. Alicia works at Thompson Station Church, which is also our church home. I am the General Manager of Dining Services at Lipscomb University. We have been residents at Campbell Station for four years by the election date.

I am a Smyrna High School and Middle Tennessee State graduate. Alicia and I married in Columbia and moved eight times around the country for my career until our return to Franklin, Tennessee in 1998. I was a Regional Vice President for Sodexho until my decision to change my priorities and stop traveling for family reasons.

Our city is in a very important stage with our rapid growth and the decisions our leaders make soon will affect us greatly for the next several decades. I have twenty-six years of business experience and managing budgets comparable to our city’s volume. I would like to share a few of my thoughts and why I want to be involved in the process for the next four years.

"Unite Spring Hill"… It is vital that we have BOMA representatives that can work together as a team for the better of Spring Hill. I have been attending the monthly Board of Mayor and Alderman (BOMA) meetings for one year. During that time, I felt compelled to be more involved and serve this great community! The Aldermen will not always agree and vote the same, but the spirit of debate and cooperation should be positive and not hostile or destructive. Our current board behavior and actions are not conducive to the spirit that this city deserves. Within this year alone, hasty decisions with no cost estimates have been made concerning city employee retirement benefits, re-apportionment of wards, and buffer preservation in Planning Commission regulations. Certain individuals of our board “call into question” and “second” motions on major issues which end debate and any opportunity for public comment. This civil division of our city must end! We need a BOMA that will bring us together.

"Unite Middle Tennessee"…Spring Hill needs improved relations with our neighboring governments. The need for cooperation and communication has never been more important to our region. We need to be leaders and inspire excellence for each other. We must all partner with the State of Tennessee in funding the projects necessary, “sooner-not-later” to support timely development for the growth in this region.

"Infrastructure"… I believe this is the number one concern of our citizens in my conversations. With our projected population of over forty thousand people in four years, good highways and traffic planning is a major concern today! Creative ideas, outstanding communication and cooperation with the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) are imperative to our success! Decisions for traffic lights and flow need to be made today. We cannot wait until 2016 for the widening of Main Street and Highway 31! Beechcroft, Port Royal, Cleburne and Duplex Roads are other high priority items. I am also in favor of the newly developed master land use plan, a new I-65 Spring Hill interchange, a master land use plan, continuation of Saturn Parkway to Lewisburg Pike, the fight for the proposed Spring Hill Hospital, increasing our impact fees for development, changes to our occupational license fee, enhanced city parks and play grounds, and a historical preservation board. Yes, there is a lot to do and we must get busy now! The city must take steps now to manage its growth.

I pledge to never vote favorably for any consideration that we do not have projected cost estimates to our city. We need good stewards of our city funds and resources. I am a strong advocate for the Spring Hill Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR) passed in 2003. We can fund significant city projects with alternative funding vehicles without violating TABOR.

The school systems in both Maury and Williamson Counties are very important to me. I believe the city should investigate contributing more funds to both school systems for the constant improvements of our young citizens. A large percentage of our citizen base is in our public schools. The city & county needs to identify ideal locations for potential schools, which could be included in future developments as land donations. As commercial establishments grow in our community, so do our contributions to the Williamson County School system. We need to be greater contributors to this investment of our future.

The renewing of the Economic Development Council (EDC) recently by the city was a great idea. This council needs to work closely with our Chamber of Commerce in enticing the type of businesses to our community that best serves our citizens and gives us the greatest economic value. Recruiting businesses that fill voids in our community is very important. It is imperative that the EDC, Chamber and BOMA increase their support for our established businesses. We need to encourage business networking and offer additional community town meetings. We need to be proactive in our terms of planning and research other cities around the country that have experienced a similar growth paradigm.

I also propose a review of our city employee wages and benefits compared to our neighbors and on a national level. Our city will soon have similar populations to both Columbia and Franklin and our valued staff should be compensated accordingly to allow them to work in the city they live in. I am a firm believer in "you get what you pay for." This review must have "hard dollar" data, recommendations and cost estimates that our city budget can afford.

My work schedule allows me to get off work during the week around 3 pm. I believe this will allow me the time to "walk the land", see and touch plots of land that we will be voting on for development. This time will allow me to meet with people and ask the necessary questions concerning their plans.

I hope you join me in voting on Thursday, April 12th for city leadership that will work in cooperation with our Mayor, other elected officials, and neighboring governments for the future of our great city of Spring Hill. I pray for their wisdom and guidance in the decisions they make soon for our future.


Sincerely,
Rick Graham