County Commissioner Mary Smith candidate Wilco Mayor | HLJ EP437

Williamson County TN has had a county mayor for a generation. Mayor Anders has done an excellent job and I want to acknowledge how he was there at a time of explosive growth in Williamson County, making it the desired location from most of you in this room not born here. To amplify just how unique and special Wilco is let me tell you some facts: In the rest of America, Counties don't have mayors. Counties will be typically headed by a board of some name. If they have an executive they will not be called a mayor. While the specific title "county mayor" is rare, Tennessee is one of the few states that formally uses the title for all its county executives. However, a similar executive role (county executive, county judge-executive, or county chair) exists in roughly 30 states, while others use a board of commissioners or supervisors. Again, we’ve only known a mayor for 24 years and one of these two candidates will get to take over where he left off. On that note, in Mayor Anders time in office right up to February of this year we got our 17th consecutive AAA bond rating on our debt, As of mid-2025, approximately 13 to 14 U.S. states hold a AAA rating—the highest possible credit rating—from all three major rating agencies (Moody’s, S&P, and Fitch). Approximately 130 to 150 counties (roughly 2% of the ~3,100 U.S. counties) hold a AAA rating for their General Obligation (GO) bonds, which is the highest possible rating from major agencies such as Fitch Ratings, Moody's Investor Services, and S&P Global. And we are one of them. Something to be proud of. How will we keep it, even NYC is on negative watch will make their cost of funds go up.Williamson County Schools (WCS) is consistently ranked as the top school district in Tennessee, boasting high academic achievement with a 2024 district ACT composite of 25.2. The district is rated A+ for academics, teachers, and college prep, with high schools like Brentwood, Ravenwood, and Franklin ranked among the best in the state. With High Schools like Brentwood, Ravenwood & Franklin HS over 97% graduation rate.How will we keep it with new arrivals every day and a teacher unaffordability crisis in the housing? When Mayor Anders arrived, according to the 2000 U.S. Census, 126,638 people lived in Williamson County, Tennessee. This population figure marked a 56.3% increase from 1990, representing a significant growth period for the county at the turn of the millennium. Today approximately 272,061. The county has experienced rapid growth, adding over 24,000 residents since the 2020 census, driven by new developments and high demand in the Nashville suburban area. He welcomed 100%+ new arrivals during his tenure.How will we steward this growth with land, debt and infrastructure including traffic already a daily concern? Let’s find out what our next county mayor has planned for us? Please don’t let this be a low turn out vote, some anticipate 10% or less. The stakes are high as I explained. I’m encouraged by y’all’s willingness to come out on a Monday Night and her from these two excellent candidates. Please enjoy the forum and thank you for being active citizens in the best county in the best country on Earth…and God bless America.  If you like what you hear make sure to subscribe to the show and share it with your friends. You can find us at http://heartlandjournal.comDisclaimer: Comments expressed in this show are the sole opinion of the host and or guest(s) and does not reflect the views or opinions of the media platform(s) where show is heard or watched.All audio, transcripts, artwork, and show materials are © Heartland Journal LLC.