Lynn Sebourn for Tullahoma Mayor

LYNN'S PLATFORM

"I have been blessed to raise a family of three children with my late wife, Teresa, in Tullahoma. We have always felt that Tullahoma is a special place. I believe that every citizen of Tullahoma can look forward to a bright future if we all work together to make it happen."

EXPERIENCE

It has been my privilege to be involved in civic leadership in Tullahoma for over 17 years. I started with several years of service on the Tullahoma Planning Commission. During that time we updated the Subdivision Regulations, the Land Use Maps, and the Zoning Maps. I learned the importance of long-term planning for a community, but also the importance of being flexible as things change.

15 years ago, Tullahoma suffered through the Great Recession and many of our local businesses were struggling. I was asked to lead a committee to improve our economic condition. After a year of planning, we formed the Tullahoma Area Economic Development Corporation (TAEDC). The TAEDC works to recruit new businesses and strengthen existing businesses in retail, medicine, aerospace, and technical services. We also work with the Coffee County Industrial Board to recruit manufacturing industry to Tullahoma and the surrounding areas.

I have served as the chairman of the TAEDC over the last 14 years. We work with local businesses and investors to recruit and strengthen our business climate. Tullahoma retail sales are now stronger than ever, and sales tax revenue from visitors helps support our school systems and city infrastructure.

For the last six years, I have also served on the Coffee County Commission. I've served on the County Budget and Finance Committee for 6 years and I've been the chairman of that committee for 2 years. I also led a strategic planning review for the county government, developing an action plan to prepare for future growth.

As a commissioner, I've learned that many activities in Tennessee and Coffee County affect our city. The mayor of Tullahoma needs to represent us at the county and state levels and make sure our city is taking full advantage of the resources available to us.

In addition to my experience in civic leadership, I have 32 years of experience as an aerospace engineer, mostly at AEDC. To support AEDC, I have been a long-time member of the Arnold Community Council, and I attend our trip to Washington DC each year, to visit with our military and congressional leaders, and advocate for AEDC and our community.

Infrastructure

Infrastructure, such as roads, schools, and fire stations, is very important for a thriving city, but unfortunately, they are expensive. We need to work together to create a prioritized list of needed infrastructure and arrange funding for it as our budget allows.

Some of you have asked if Tullahoma can afford new infrastructure. I believe we can, if we work carefully, because we always have in the past. Since I moved to Tullahoma 34 years ago, we have

Renovated Tullahoma High School
Built a new football stadium
Built a new softball complex
Built a new West Middle School
Rebuilt the C.D. Stamps Community Center
Built a new outdoor water park and refurbished the indoor pool.
Replaced the East Lincoln Elementary School
Built a new Police Station
Major renovations currently underway at Farrar Elementary School

Tullahoma has accomplished a major project about every 4 years for the last three and a half decades. Some of these were accomplished during the Great Recession, with a lower population than we have now.

I believe if we have good growth and we plan responsibly, we can provide the infrastructure our city needs.

CIVILITY

I want to say a few words about civility and respect. Many of you have expressed disappointment & frustration with some of the conduct in our city board meetings. In today's social media world, the conduct of our board is seen as a reflection of our entire city.

I know from personal experience that emotions can run high when debating important issues. That's why it is important to have safeguards in a public meeting.

Our city board meetings are governed by Robert's Rules of Order. Robert's Rules provide for orderly debate. When the rules are followed, each member's views are heard and personal arguments are eliminated.

Our BMA meetings should be focused on doing the business of the people in a professional and orderly manner. As mayor, I will run the meetings as fairly and smoothly as possible.

I also will work to treat every citizen with dignity and respect at all times. I believe you deserve to be heard, even if we have different opinions. It's just the right thing to do.

GROWTH OF TULLAHOMA

We are currently experiencing a period of growth, not just in Tullahoma, but all of Middle Tennessee. We are seeing growth for several reasons.

Tennessee is a low-tax, freedom-loving state. And it's beautiful! As a result, many people from other states are moving to middle Tennessee.
As the Nashville and Rutherford County areas have grown, people have started moving into Coffee County. This trend is expected to continue.
AEDC is growing. Additions of new test facilities and upgrades of existing test facilities are bringing more jobs to AEDC.
The State of Tennessee has purchased the I-24 Industrial site just north of Manchester. Tennessee is actively recruiting large manufacturers to this site and there will be many new jobs in Coffee County in the next decade.

Growth brings both benefits and challenges.

The benefits include good-paying new jobs and career opportunities for you and your family. New businesses and infrastructure will improve our tax base. These opportunities will also bring talented young people to our community.

The challenges of growth include the possibility of congestion, providing adequate housing, and the initial cost of new infrastructure, such as schools or roads. These are challenges that all communities in Middle Tennessee are feeling right now.

It is important for us to realize that much of the current growth is caused by forces outside of the control of Tullahoma. The city of Manchester and even the rural areas of Coffee County are growing in population faster than the city of Tullahoma. The same is true for Bedford county. Much of the traffic on Jackson Street is caused by shoppers from surrounding communities visiting our retail stores. Good for our business and tax revenue, a challenge for our traffic.

All cities face change with time. The challenge for the next mayor and the city board will be managing the future growth in a way that benefits everyone as much as possible while minimizing the inconveniences.