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As Kingston Springs prepares for its upcoming local elections on Nov. 5, the Kingston Springs Gazette sat down with the residents who are running uncontested for the three open city commissioner seats. Lauren Hill, 73, a dedicated community advocate with extensive experience in local governance, is passionate about fostering thoughtful growth while preserving the character of Kingston Springs.
Hill is stepping up to run for city commissioner, drawing on her extensive experience in local governance and community engagement. Having served on the Kingston Springs Board of Zoning Appeals and as the current chair of the Kingston Springs Planning Commission, Hill believes her background equips her to help the town navigate its upcoming growth.
“Davidson County is pushing us, and we’re on the precipice of really strong growth,” she said. “We're almost at a tipping point that it's going to be a critical time, so I want to be a part of that.”
She continued, “It’s a beautiful community, and I love it. We can’t sustain where we are without some growth to increase our tax base, but we have to be careful about what comes into our community.”
Hill emphasized that the city commission plays a crucial role in setting the community's direction. “Even in a community of 2,800 people, having five people making significant decisions is powerful,” she said. “I want to be thoughtfully engaged in that process, ensuring we balance growth with the needs of our residents.”
One of Hill's priorities is addressing the town's aging infrastructure. She said, “We have to take care of our sewer system and our water infrastructure. These issues have been simmering for years, and it’s time to address them.”
“It's a conundrum that has to be fixed,” Hill emphasized. “I don't have the answers – I've got a lot of questions, and we will need to do a lot of research on what's going to be best for everyone, but that's my priority. That's number one.”
In her view, communication is key. Hill envisioned enhancing outreach efforts to keep residents informed about local issues and developments. “I want to create an automatic way for people to receive updates about city meetings and issues,” she said. “We need to expand our communication channels so residents feel connected and informed.”
Hill was born in Illinois and raised in Mississippi, but first moved to the volunteer state to attend college at the University of Tennessee at Martin. She moved to Kingston Springs in 2005.
With a diverse background that includes social work, education, and extensive management experience with Tennessee State Parks, Hill brings a wealth of knowledge to her candidacy. “I love growing people and want to see our community grow thoughtfully and positively,” she said. “It’s important that we listen to everyone and work together for the best outcomes.”
As Kingston Springs prepares for growth, Hill’s focus on infrastructure, communication, and community engagement positions her as a candidate committed to maintaining the town's unique character while embracing the future.
“I love this community,” Hill said. “I really appreciate the diversity and the quality of life in this community, and I look forward to being able to contribute to its future in a thoughtful and positive way.”
Early voting for Kingston Springs’ elections will open on Oct. 16 and run through Oct. 31. In that two week time frame, residents can vote Monday through Saturday at any of the county’s three satellite locations: Pegram City Hall; Pleasant View Baptist Church; or the David McCullough Room in Ashland City. On election day, Kingston Springs residents will vote at Harpeth High School.
Kingston Springs saw three open seats this election cycle, with Mayor Tony Gross, Vice Mayor Glenn Remick and Commissioner Carolyn Clark not seeking reelection.