Hundreds of community leaders and concerned residents in Williamson County have banded together to launch a new organization, the Coalition for Common Sense TN, aimed at supporting elected officials and candidates who have the greater good of the community as a priority versus divisive ideological issues.
According to a press release, the group believes the community is at a critical crossroads as the quality of life that has made Williamson County one of the fastest growing and most desirable places in the country is being threatened by individuals and groups on the extremes. The Coalition for Common Sense TN is a response to a widespread concern and is being initiated by an active, cross-section of citizens who see a need to engage their friends, families, and neighbors in local government.
“Franklin is our first priority in Williamson County as so much good has taken place here while there are some who are attempting to bring it all down,” community leader and coalition chairman Bob Ravener said in the release. “When a community like ours shows up on many ‘best places to live and visit’ lists, you have to recognize that there are lots of committed residents and leaders making that happen.
“The vast majority of our residents love what has been built and improved within our county by the leadership of so many of our past and present elected officials,” said Ravener. “Those same people are tired of the small, yet vocal and disruptive groups on the extremes of the political spectrum that seek to dismantle the fabric of our community by electing officials who do not represent the values of most people in our area.
“We want to build on that success, not tear it down as some are working hard to do, while providing an avenue for other concerned residents to have their voices heard.”
The goal of the coalition is to elect leaders who are committed to supporting the greater good of the community in a constructive and positive manner. With hundreds of residents already signed on, the Coalition for Common Sense TN is reaching out to other like-minded residents who want to play a role in finding solutions.
In October, city elections will be held in Franklin for the positions of mayor and the four at-large aldermen. The coalition will seek to educate voters on candidates and their positions, with a focus on driving voter engagement.
“Too often,” Ravener said, “voting in local elections is incredibly low and results are not representative of the overall sentiment of the community. We believe there are many more citizens who believe in common sense … and our goal is to get them to the polls so we can continue to have leaders who believe in and love our great county.
“Many times, the level of participation in local elections does not parallel, or even come close to, how Williamson County residents participate in other community activities. This is a critical time, and we are actively seeking residents across the county to join us in this effort.”
Link to article on WilliamsonHerald.com: https://www.williamsonherald.com/news/local_news/williamson-county-residents-rally-to-create-community-advocacy-group/article_3e52a566-4745-11ee-aee8-bb58f1e7942f.html