Please describe the occupations, education/training, and experience that qualify you for this office.
DISTRICT 2
Alisha Gredy (I): I’ve been a small business manager in Nashville for over 15 years and I currently sit as a member of the Nashville Town Council.
Raymond Modglin (R): I have been in numerous high-level positions within the corporate world, and recently as a small business owner, that have required excellent communication and negotiation skills with various parties. I know that listening and communications are the key to understanding and creating compromise for all interested parties.
DISTRICT 3
Jane Gore: I have owned and operated two businesses in Nashville since 1977, which makes me a self-starter — a necessity when holding an office for the town. It’s a big responsibility and I take it very seriously. I have nine years of experience and currently serve as the board’s president.
Mike “Possum” Roberts: I graduated from Brown County High School and I have a bachelor’s degree from Indiana University in kinesiology. I was the director of Brown County Parks and Recreation for 19 years and worked for the Town of Nashville water/wastewater utilities for about seven years and held a DSM certification as a water operator.
What motivates you to run for this office?
DISTRICT 2
Gredy: I want to create policy to make sure Nashville remains economically, socially and environmentally sustainable for many years to come for the next generation of Nashville residents.
Modglin: I am a strong believer in giving back. I give back to my church, my profession and want to give back to my community. Before asking anyone else to commit, I feel that commitment should start “at home.” I want to be able to give back to Nashville what I believe Nashville has given me.
DISTRICT 3
Gore: I’ve lived in Nashville since 1976 and raised my family here. I love this community and truly care about what happens to it.
Roberts: I have decided to run because I think it is time for change. It is time for a new perspective and fresh new ideas. I believe there is room to grow our economy yet still preserve our small-town atmosphere. This is an opportunity for me to serve in a capacity where I can have an impact on keeping our town financially strong while still providing for the established town priorities of public safety, a positive community appearance, and retaining the town history and character while also promoting transparency, consistency and fairness in our local government.
What are the responsibilities of a Nashville Town Council member?
DISTRICT 2
Gredy: Stewardship of the taxpayer’s dollars. Public safety, making sure everyone is safe. Good infrastructure for water, sewer and roads.
Modglin: The council’s over-arching goal is to help drive Nashville to a brighter future, economically and socially.
DISTRICT 3
Gore: Looking out for the community and its citizens, being a good steward for its properties and assets, and maintaining budgets with a watchful eye.
Roberts: Town council members have many responsibilities, but I think the biggest is to work diligently to make life better for those they serve. Council members play an important role in promoting the town, representing its interests and supporting the work of different groups in the community. They are responsible for providing strong financial and budgetary plans as well as providing all ordinances, rules and regulations for the welfare of the town.
What are the greatest issues facing Nashville? Short term? Long term?
DISTRICT 2
Gredy: Long term — preparing/managing smart growth as well as economic development. Short term — economic development, new private investment into the economy. Affordable and attainable housing. Strengthening the town/county relationship.
Modglin: I see Nashville’s greatest issues as being increased economic growth while sustaining the small-town charm that is Nashville. I foresee two long-term issues on the horizon: the aging population without access to any Nashville-centric medical facilities, and the decline of population due to the loss of our school system and their employees.
DISTRICT 3
Gore: Affordable housing — short and long term. Available housing — both. Making every effort to keep water and sewer rates stable.
Roberts: Short term would be getting many of our water lines replaced and to look at ways to reduce the water pressure in town. Aging water lines and high water pressure in town is something that must be addressed. Businesses in Nashville can lose a great deal of money when water leaks pop up, especially in October. In the long term, we must find a way to make housing attainable for our younger generation and provide better paying jobs. Our population is getting older and many of our younger people are forced to leave the town/county for better jobs and cheaper housing. It is important to maintain the healthy growth of our community as well as a healthy economy by finding ways to keep our future generations in Nashville. This is necessary to increase population in Nashville to preserve our cultural uniqueness and way of life.
Please discuss Nashville’s fiscal situation and ability to meet its infrastructure needs.
DISTRICT 2
Gredy: Nashville in the short term is in good shape to meet infrastructure needs. Create good policies to make sure those can be met in the future.
Modglin: Nashville’s fiscal situation is tenuous at best. There are rising costs that come from increased infrastructure, such as medical treatment facilities, better roads, cheaper access to quality public utilities, etc. This, combined with a potential decline in the population due to current residents leaving the county, could severely drain Nashville’s coffers. Theoretically, costs could only be offset with a rise in taxes and fees to the remaining residents to cover these increased costs. Therefore, we need to find a way, as a city and county, to retain our current resident base while seeking ways to increase new residents to our great city.
DISTRICT 3
Gore: In my opinion, we maintain a fairly healthy balance for a community of our size. The town’s roads are paved and kept clean. There will always be need for sidewalk repair, and underground water leaks it seems are always a constant battle.
Roberts: Now is the time to start tightening our belt and going over the budget with a fine-tooth comb. Also, it is important to start looking at ways to improve the way we do business. Currently, I don’t think the town is financially able to cover all of our infrastructure needs. There are many infrastructure issues that must be addressed like water and wastewater, communications, roads and transportation, trails and walkways. Our infrastructure needs can be accomplished through various rural grants and searching for problems that inhibit our local government from reaching its financial goals.
