Matt Brown
Angela Hubbard
Tina Pierret
Mike Vaughn
General election takes place on October 26, 2021
Alderman Dana McLendon isn’t seeking reelection this year, leaving his position open to four competitors.
Recommendation: Recommend Tina Pierret who is involved with children’s worship at Harpeth Christian Church, is a member of the Republican Party of Williamson County, has been involved with the Heritage Foundation, and is a member of the Tennessee Christian Chamber of Commerce. Her church takes strong stands on the sanctity of life and Biblical marriage.
Matt Brown: Do Not Recommend
Overall Rating: 75.2%
Big Government/Small Government Rating: Big 23%; Small 77%
Christian World View Rating: Christian 74%; Secular 26%
Background
Married with three children
Lives in Franklin
Is a small business owner – co-founder of BrandMETTLE, where he conducts market research and creates business strategies for clients.
Served in the Army National Guard and is involved with One Generation Away, Friends of Franklin Parks and the African American Heritage Society of Williamson County.
BA, Ohio State University, 1997
Big Government/Small Government
Budget, Spending, and Taxes Possible Score 30 Total Score 7
Business and Consumers Possible Score 20 Total Score 5
Conservative Possible Score 30 Total Score 5
Brown has contributed to:
- WinRed (6)
LinkedIn interests include:
- Williamson County Heritage Foundation (3)
Other Possible Score 20 Total Score 6
Christian World View
Abortion Possible Score 40 Total Score 28
Family Values Possible Score 30 Total Score 22
Board Member, Unite Williamson – In the wake of the shooting at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church In Charleston, SC, people of all faiths came to the support of the church and the surrounding community. “Through Unite Williamson, we hope to strengthen our community by creating a formal connection through prayer and commitment to bring hope and unity in a time of great need, should it arise. I believe that across all faiths there is a shared compassion that calls us to give of ourselves for the good of others. Our hope is that those who attend this event will take the hope, excitement and commitment to serve our county back to their places of worship and surrounding communities. (18)
LinkedIn Interests include:
- Church of the City – Our primary mission as a church is to make disciples of Jesus in order that more and more people may receive and enter into the kingdom of God announced by Jesus. (25)
Marriage Possible Score 30 Total Score 24
Angela Hubbard: Do Not Recommend
Overall Rating: 50.0%
Big Government/Small Government Rating: Big 50%; Small 50%
Christian World View Rating: Christian 50%; Secular 50%
Background
56 years old
Is the mother of a daughter at Renaissance High School
Retired from Delta as a pilot
Is running in her first city election
Graduate of Louisiana State University
Budget, Spending, and Taxes Possible Score 30 Total Score 15
Business and Consumers Possible Score 20 Total Score 10
Conservative Possible Score 30 Total Score 15
Other Possible Score 20 Total Score 10
Christian World View
Abortion Possible Score 40 Total Score 20
Family Values Possible Score 30 Total Score 15
Marriage Possible Score 30 Total Score 15
Tina Pierret: Recommend
Overall Rating: 82.8%
Big Government/Small Government Rating: Big 25%; Small 75%
Christian World View Rating: Christian 88%; Secular 12%
Background
Married with stepchildren
Lives in Fieldstone Farms section of Franklin
Is a real estate agent in Franklin; has held a broker designation at Fridrich & Clark Realty since 2015, where she has built a group of agents being trademarked as “The Southern Collective.”
Previously chaired the advocacy and government affairs committee at Williamson County Association of Realtors and is a member of the Republican Party of Williamson County.
Bachelor’s Degree, Florida State University
Budget, Spending, and Taxes Possible Score 30 Total Score 6
Business and Consumers Possible Score 20 Total Score 10
Wants to invest in affordable housing initiatives – “What makes a community have an identity starts with the people in it. When the people who grew up here don’t have an opportunity to live here, we’re changing the landscape of that community.” (10)
Conservative Possible Score 30 Total Score 4
Member of the Republican Party of Williamson County (6)
Has been involved in nonprofit work with the Heritage Foundation (3)
Other Possible Score 20 Total Score 5
Pierret said her focus will be on collaborative problem solving, leveraging Franklin’s wide array of resources and always keeping the voices of Ward 2 residents well-represented. “So many people want to experience the quality of life we enjoy here — one of our biggest challenges is to ensure we don’t lose what makes Franklin so unique and desirable, which begins with the people and business owners who have made it what it is,” Pierret said. (5)
“Franklin is experiencing a time of unprecedented growth, and it’s important that we strive to preserve the character that consistently makes Franklin ‘America’s Favorite Town,’” she said. “As the city expands, careful attention must be paid to how we support it through infrastructure. Every decision should be weighed according to how it impacts our day-to-day living both now and in the long term.” (6)
“I pledge to approach every decision mindfully, employ common sense, stay focused on facts and always seek what is most beneficial to the health, safety, prosperity and well-being of the people of Franklin,” she said. “It will be an honor to serve this community, and I ask for every constituent’s vote to confirm me in the role of representing them.” (5)
Christian World View
Abortion Possible Score 40 Total Score 36
Statement of Harpeth Christian Church – “We believe that human life begins at conception and ends upon natural death, that all human life is priceless in the eyes of God and that all humans should be treated as image bearers of God. For this reason, we stand for the sanctity of life both at its beginning and its end. We oppose elective abortions and euthanasia as immoral and sinful. We understand that there are very rare circumstances that may lead to difficult choices when a mother or child’s life is at stake and we prayerfully surrender and defer to God’s wisdom, grace and mercy in those circumstances.”
Family Values Possible Score 30 Total Score 25
Has been involved in nonprofit work with the Heritage Foundation, Second Harvest and Habitat for Humanity. (21)
Pierret says of Franklin: “It is a community that is rooted in small town traditions. It’s such a great environment for families to do things together.” (23)
Attends Harpeth Christian Church and hase supported nonprofits including the Heritage Foundation, A Vintage Affair, Second Harvest, Habitat for Humanity, HOPE Worldwide, Christian Sports Outreach International and World Vision. (26)
Is part of the children’s ministry Worship Action Team at Harpeth Christian Church – Everything we do at Harpeth revolves around our mission statement. We exist to make disciples of Jesus. (27)
Facebook Page – “Creativity trumps quarantine on Sunday mornings!… hope everyone had a glorious Easter!! Quarantine Kids Worship – 6ft apart! But Jesus is right next to you!” (26)
Member of Tennessee Christian Chamber of Commerce (25)
Facebook Likes include:
- His Hands of Hope (27)
Marriage Possible Score 30 Total Score 27
Statement of Harpeth Christian Church – “We believe God created marriage as the context for the expression and enjoyment of sexual relations. Jesus defines marriage as a covenant between one man and one woman. We believe that all sexual activity outside the bounds of marriage, including same-sex unions and same-sex marriage are immoral and must not be condoned by disciples of Jesus.”
Mike Vaughn: Do Not Recommend
Overall Rating: 68.4%
Big Government/Small Government Rating: Big 28%; Small 72%
Christian World View Rating: Christian 66%; Secular 34%
Background
65 years old
Married since 1983
Is running again for the position. He lost against Dana McLendon in 2017.
Is a retired international business consultant and the former president of his HOA.
BS, Communications, UT Martin, 1982
Budget, Spending, and Taxes Possible Score 30 Total Score 4
He described himself as a fiscal, or “granola” conservative, meaning he believes in environmental preservation as well as limited growth. (4)
Business and Consumers Possible Score 20 Total Score 12
Demand for Franklin housing is driven by its quality of life: schools, culture, stable economy, access to healthcare, and a vibrant regional economy. The problem is Franklin and the surrounding cities do not have enough supply of housing affordable to people who provide essential services, such as teachers, nurses, healthcare assistance, food and beverage, hotel, and so on. Accessible housing is needed and a public private partnership where the cost of accessible housing can be shared by private and public stakeholders. But this will require political will and consensus building inside the BOMA which is yet to happen but is needed. New ideas and new solutions from new BOMA members is needed. (12)
Conservative Possible Score 30 Total Score 7
He described himself as a fiscal, or “granola” conservative, meaning he believes in environmental preservation as well as limited growth. (10)
Vaughn has contributed to:
- Bob Corker (R) for Senate (twice) (9)
- Tennessee Republican Party (6)
- Rand Paul for President (4)
- Rusty Crowe (R) for US Congress (5)
Other Possible Score 20 Total Score 5
Initially ran due to frustration with the city’s slow progress with public works (6)
Residential Neighborhoods – Residential neighborhoods comprise the vast majority of Ward 2 and represent the first wave of post WWII development in Franklin. Schools, roads, and public services grew up around these neighborhoods, which became the middle class bedrock of Franklin. In late 1980’s Franklin experienced its second wave of growth starting with Cool Springs then expanding in all directions. As growth continues into Franklin’s third wave of growth, neighborhoods face a competition for financial resources and attention as the city concentrates on commercial growth. (6)
Development – Franklin has emerged as a divided city: Franklin West, Franklin East and Franklin Central. The majority of problems related to traffic, public services, and infrastructure is attributable to phenomenal growth and future plans of Franklin East around the Cool Springs-Caruthers Parkway areas and Westhaven in Franklin West. Mega developments are approved, but Franklin does not have adequate public works (wide enough streets, sidewalks, sewer, water, public transportation) in the areas where growth will occur. (5)
Transparency – Transparency. More citizen involvement and more direct communication from the Aldermen. I’ll set up a direct communications network between neighborhood representatives and me, to share early notices about issues and developments. I’ll meet personally with every neighborhood at least twice a year. (5)
Expand residential and neighborhood services to include citizen advisory councils chosen by alderman, to serve with the Planning Commission, BOMA and other commission and boards, providing more transparency and advance notice of developments and capital expenditures to residents via their neighborhoods. (6)
Research and discover areas of public services where public private partnerships would enhance citizen customer services and optimize efficiencies in all city services and projects. (4)
Implement smart traffic management systems, finish Mack Hatcher before starting any new road projects, prioritize need and economic impacts on low, middle income and elderly tax and revenue collection models used to fund the city budget and capital projects. (4)
Franklin should set a goal for determining it’s “development equilibrium” where new commercial development is fixed to the sustainability of its existing residential neighborhoods. Residential home values are directly linked to the quality of life enjoyed by its citizens and the area around neighborhoods. Greenspaces inside Mack Hatcher should be preserved and expanded whenever possible to maintain the pastoral setting of Franklin’s cultural heritage as the county seat of Williamson County. Franklin should focus on what happens inside its city limits and guard against expanding its urban growth boundaries. (5)
Wants to continue supporting city of Franklin employees, especially police and firemen. “I’m a ‘Back the Blue’ guy,” he said. He also praised the management of streets and waste by city employees. (4)
He pointed to projects like the pedestrian bridge over the Harpeth River from The Park at Harlinsdale Farm to Chestnut Bend as things residents of Ward 2 are looking forward to. Vaughn also said he would focus on moving capital projects forward, like the wastewater treatment facility. (5)
“If I’m elected I will continue to support and advocate for best practices,” he said. “In the next five to 10 years Franklin will change drastically and irreversibly for the worst if we don’t act to preserve the small town we all love and cherish. I moved here because Franklin is a safe, green and clean small town. But because of the runaway growth we’ve experienced over the past 20 years, we risk losing our small town and becoming just another stop on the interstate on the way from Nashville.” (4)
Christian World View
Abortion Possible Score 40 Total Score 28
Family Values Possible Score 30 Total Score 18
Involved in church and community activities (17)
Christian: Every day is a day of grace and a moment of God’s mercy. (18)
Vaughn said he made the recent decision to run after consulting his wife and praying about it. (20)
Through his extensive travels, Vaughn said what he’s found that makes Middle Tennessee and Franklin special are “Judeo Christian infrastructure, honor and honesty, it’s hard-working people.” (18)
Marriage Possible Score 30 Total Score 20