The five Murfreesboro City Council candidates competing for three seats shared their positions during a Monday forum.
The candidates all spoke about the city keeping up with growth by providing needed government and public education services and projects.
The top three earning at-large votes in the Aug. 1 election will win four-year terms. Early voting will be July 12-27.
Murfreesboro voters will choose three of the following candidates listed alphabetically:
Bill Shacklett, an incumbentvice mayor;
Kirt Wade, incumbent;
All five responded to the same questions crafted by event sponsors: League of Women Voters of Murfreesboro/Rutherford County, Middle Tennessee Lawyers' Association for Women and the Rutherford County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma ThetaSorority Inc.
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Those wanting to watch recorded video from the forum held in Council Chambers at Murfreesboro City Hall have the following options to search through television and internet options: Murfreesboro City TV on Comcast Xfinity Channel 3 and 1094, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, YouTube, Facebook, mobile devices, and the city website: www.murfreesborotn.gov.
What Matt Herriman says
Herriman touted his experience in working for Gov. Bill Lee's administration as providing connections that can help get state roads widened in Murfreesboro.
In addition to state government, Herriman talked about his local experience in real estate and community education. A staff member with Noble Education Initiative's Tennessee office, Herriman has led development efforts for Rutherford Collegiate Prep, a public charter school set to open this August in west Murfreesboro on Manson Pike adjacent to Blackman United Methodist Church.
Herriman also mentioned that his "conservative Christian values" in faith and family are important to him as a leader.
He said his "ABC" priorities are "Achieve in education" and "Believe in public safety" and "Commit to infrastructure."
The council should pursue strategic planning with input from leaders in the community and industry, said Herriman, adding that he has the problem-solving skill set to respond to growth.
Herriman said the objective is to provide effective services, including for public safety, in a fair and equal way while pursing a robust economy.
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What Kelly Northcutt says
Northcutt mentioned being a 26-year resident and Middle Tennessee State University graduate who chose to raise her three children in Murfreesboro.
One of her goals is for Murfreesboro to improve traffic through long-range road planning. Northcutt also talked about the city continuing to build schools, parks and greenways that add to the quality of life in Murfreesboro.
"We need smart growth," said Northcutt, a graphic design manager with experience in quality assurance and project management.
Another top issue for her is for Murfreesboro to improve affordable housing through an adequate supply of mid-range priced homes and apartments to meet the demand.
Northcutt also mentioned wanting the city to avoid returning to a now rescinded community decency standards ordinance that denied First Amendment rights to LGBTQ+ people after being adopted in 2023. The Murfreesboro City Council rescinded the ordinance as part of a $500,000 lawsuit settlement with organizers of the annual BoroPride festival and American Civil Liberties Union.
"We need to make sure we're welcoming to all," Northcutt said.
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What Bill Shacklett says
Shackett was the only council member to oppose to the community decency standards ordinance in 2023 prior to the the repeal of the controversial policy.
Vice Mayor Shacklett expressed concerns about the ordinance violating free speech rights, including for library books.
The city should provide "access to different points of view" and show "empathy" for others, said Shacklett, who's part of his family's longtime photography business on the Public Square in downtown Murfreesboro.
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Shacklett mentioned wanting to build trust in the community to make a great city even better.
Another city goal, Shacklett said, is for the people to communicate respectfully with each other to build a "better community for our children and our grandchildren."
"I deeply love our city and care about all of our citizens," Shacklett said.
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What Kirt Wade says
Wade is pursuing a third four-year term. He mentioned continuing the city's efforts to manage growth to allow Murfreesboro to be a great place to live, work and play.
The city, Wade said, should focus on growth and infrastructure, schools and education, and emergency services.
The city should provide education the right way for "all our kids," Wade said.
The goals, Wade said, include the city government working together to pursue good quality jobs and affordable housing.
The city, for example, should work with Tennessee government officials to widen state roads in Murfreesboro as fast as the city is growing, said Wade, the owner of Price Paving, an asphalt and paving contractor in Murfreesboro.
Wade mentioned the importance of the city communicating to all segments of the community. He touted his efforts in leading the city to rename a road to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.
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What Shawn Wright says
Wright mentioned how the city has spent over $100 million on road projects since he won his seat in 2020.
The council is also pursuing a solid waste solution project that will divert an estimated 90% of what's collected by trash haulers from being buried in a landfill, Wright said.
The project includes 20% being recycled and 70% being converted to a renewable fuel source through a partnership with WastAway, a Warren County company, Wright said.
One of the city's priorities should be to make sure public safety workers are paid well, Wright said.
Another goal is for the city leaders to work together as a team to attract high-paying jobs, so that more people can afford homes, said Wright, who works as a real estate broker.
"We need to listen to the voters," Wright said. "We need to listen to the people who live here. We need to hear from the people."
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Reach reporter Scott Broden with news tips or questions by emailing him at sbroden@dnj.com. To support his work with The Daily News Journal,sign up for a digital subscription.
Election schedule 2024 for Rutherford County
Election Day for Rutherford County and Murfreesboro offices, as well as primaries for state and federal legislative offices: Aug. 1
Last day to register to vote in Aug. 1 election: July 2
Absentee by mail voting period for Aug. 1 election: May 3-July 25
Early voting period for Aug. 1 election: July 12-27
Election Day for president and offices for federal, state, Eagleville, La Vergne and Smyrna: Nov. 5
Last day to register to vote in Nov. 5 election: Oct. 7
Absentee by mail voting period for Nov. 5 election: Aug. 7-Oct. 29
Early voting period for Aug. 1 election: Oct. 16-31
Source: Rutherford County Election Commission website
This article originally appeared on Murfreesboro Daily News Journal: Murfreesboro City Council candidates share positions at June forum
