Mayoral Candidates
Voters will elect the mayor of Franklin for a four-year term on Oct. 25. Two men are vying for that post, incumbent Mayor Ken Moore, who was first elected aldermen in 2007, and Jay Wade, a retired consultant and Monticello subdivision resident. Wade is also a candidate for at-large aldermen, although if elected to both posts he must choose one and resign the other. Franklin Tomorrow will hold a Candidates’ Forum on Sept. 29, 6 p.m., at Franklin City Hall. It will be televised and replayed prior to the election on Franklin TV.
Ken Moore
“My wife, Linda, and I moved here over seven years ago upon her suggestion when I was retiring from my orthopaedic surgery practice. I am proud to call Franklin my home and since moving here I have made it a point to be involved in the community. This includes serving on boards of organizations that address issues including healthcare, transportation, education, and homeless veterans, as well as being very active in my church.
“Even though my formal education lasted almost 14 years to be a physician, I have continued to be a life-long learner as a physician and now in my role as mayor I continue to learn about the issues that we face as a city and how to address them. My newsletter and additional information about me are available at my Web site www.kenmooremd.com or you can contact me by e-mail at kmoore43@comcast.net. I am also on Facebook at www.facebook.com/kenmooremd.”
Jay Wade
“I am a former private sector environmental consultant, and after 26 years a retiree from the Federal Aviation Administration. We moved to the Monticello subdivision in 1996, which was annexed into the city of Franklin in 2007. I have been actively involved in city/county water sewer issues, TDOT planning on Mack Hatcher, homeowners association, and served as an official in the annual ‘Science Olympiad’.”
Why are you seeking the office of Mayor or Alderman?
Moore: “My father advised me that if I was going to live in a community, I should give back to it. I believe that I have the experience and proven ability and skills to lead Franklin and ensure that it remains one of the best places in America to live. My candidacy is a reflection of my desire to be a public servant.”
Wade: “I am seeking elected office in order to try and change the ‘Politics of Franklin.’ Please visit my Web site, www.wade4franklin.com, and view the video
clips of my participation in Franklin government. Various law enforcement agencies have told me, ‘Municipal officials lying under the color of their office is not a crime, just politics.’ That is why I’m running for office. We need elected officials who represent the interests of the ‘Average Citizen’.”
What skills do you have which qualify you over your opponent for election to this office?
Moore: “My experience as an elected official, my leadership skills, my ability to be a good listener, and the relationships that I have established give me an edge in leading Franklin.”
Wade: “I am not related to, or affiliated with, any person or organization that might likely have business with, or an agenda for the city of Franklin. Having worked in a small private sector company as well as the federal bureaucracy enables me to understand both sides of city issues. The city spends a lot of money on consultants, many times unnecessarily. As a former consultant, I would insist on getting our money’s worth.”
Under what circumstances would you support a property tax increase and for what purpose? What are your ideas for staving off an increase?
Moore: “We have all heard the statement, “never say never.” A property tax increase should always be a last resort and should only be considered when essential services such as fire and police protection may be threatened because of budget constraints. Fortunately, we have in place spending and fiscal policies, particularly regarding our city’s debt management and reserve fund that will help us avoid any tax increases.”
Wade: “In 2000 the per capita city debt was $829 by 2010 it had grown to $3105, and is still higher today. We need to keep our debt down, which is usually the
driving force behind tax increases. Growth should pay for the ‘cost of growth’ not the average citizen. City ‘Beautification’ projects should have part of their costs
allocated to the benefitting property owners. Extravagant city buildings should be scaled back to more affordable levels.”
What is the city’s most underutilized resource?
Moore: “Our parks. We have over seven hundred acres of parkland in Franklin. Long-range plans have been developed for these spaces and we continue to fund these plans as monies become available in our capital projects plan.”
Wade: “Our most underutilized and abused resource is the Harpeth River. Rather than an open square bottomed sewage ditch, the Harpeth needs to be transformed into an accessible city treasure. Families should be able to put their feet in clean water, flip rocks for crawdads, fish, and float without fear of contamination. Rather than spending city monies on brick sidewalks and fancy streetlights, we need to cultivate this natural resource.”
What is the city’s most pressing need?
Moore: “As the fastest growing city in Tennessee, we continue to experience a high demand for infrastructure to support this growth. Keeping ahead of it is a constant challenge.”
Wade: “The elephant in the room is the city’s approaching severe water/sewer crisis. Growth has overwhelmed the Harpeth watershed’s ability to serve the
populace. We either have to severely restrict growth, or spend a lot of money upgrading the quality of our treated sewer discharge. Growth needs to shoulder the burden of these costly upgrades.”
If elected, what would be your priorities during your term in office?
Moore: “Franklin is blessed to have a unique balance of preservation and development. Maintaining that balance will be my top priority as Mayor. Through
sound fiscal policy, proactively addressing transportation and infrastructure issues, and smart economic development this can be achieved. Not only should
we be working to attract corporate relocations but also working with our existing businesses and tourist attractions to make sure we are adequately promoting and supporting them.”
Wade: “I would insist that city government be ‘honest’ with the citizens and put their interests first in the decision making process. Government should take the ‘long view’ for the benefit of all citizens and not act as an agent for the latest developer. I would also take a critical look at all the consultant contracts the city issues to see if they are indeed justified.”
Does Franklin need a new City Hall and if so, where should it be located?
Moore: “Yes, we need a new City Hall. A number of years ago it was determined that the current facility has outlived its usefulness and the amount of money that would be required to revitalize it was not fiscally sound. I personally believe the location should remain on the square, but as mayor my responsibility is to consider all options.”
Wade: “The city does need a new city hall but not one ‘pigeon holed’ into a boutique hotel. We can sell the existing property to the highest bidder and use the proceeds towards a new city hall away from downtown. A ‘right sized’ building that will cover our needs can be built with room for expansion in future years. Citizens need to have available parking and access because it is their city hall too.”