.png)
The local election season is upon us in Pegram, and residents are eager to learn more about the individuals vying to represent their interests and lead their community forward.
The Kingston Springs Gazette sat down with each of the six candidates running for the town’s two open alderman seats, offering insights into their backgrounds, motivations, and visions for the town.
Early voting for Pegram’s local election is now open until Saturday, July 27. See the early voting schedule and polling locations here. Pegram residents can also vote at Pegram City Hall on election day on Thursday, Aug. 1.
Each candidate brings a unique perspective shaped by their experiences and dedication to Pegram. Whether they are long-standing residents deeply ingrained in the fabric of the community or newer arrivals driven by innovative ideas, their stories represent a diverse spectrum of voices committed to tackling local challenges and propelling positive growth.
Leah Louallen is the wife of current Pegram Mayor John Louallen and serves in several capacities for the town, including on the planning committee and the Emergency Management Board.
Below, get acquainted with alderman candidate Leah Louallen, who has lived in Pegram the past two decades, and delve into her perspectives on crucial issues through our comprehensive Q&A session.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
KSG: Can you introduce yourself and explain why you're running for alderman in Pegram?
Louallen: I’ve lived in Middle Tennessee my entire life. I grew up in Goodlettsville and hopped around until I found my little slice of heaven when I moved to Pegram in 2004. Pegram is a special place and there is nowhere else I would want to have raised my kids.
I am happily married to my husband John, who is a REALTOR®. Our daughter, Kennedy, recently earned her MBA and works in the insurance field. After finishing his BS degree, our son, Bret works as a police officer for Metro Nashville.
I am running for Pegram Alderman first and foremost because I love this town and I love its people. I truly believe that we can change the world by serving and loving our neighbors and community. I have been a community volunteer for most of my 20 years living in Pegram. I learned to love my neighbor and serve my community by watching how my father and maternal grandmother lived. They showed me how to be a servant leader and seek out those in need. I want to continue serving the community as Pegram Alderman because I have a passion for public service and a sincere desire to serve others. If elected, it will allow me the opportunity to address critical issues, such as public safety, improved infrastructure, and economic development.
KSG: What qualifications and experience do you have that make you suitable for this role?
Louallen: My professional experience comes from 25 years in the field of higher education;
14 of those years at Nashville State Community College and the last 11 years at the Tennessee Higher Education Commission/Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation working as the Director of Compliance, Grants, and Scholarships. My team at THEC/TSAC is responsible for administering more than a half billion dollars in state grants and scholarships for students
attending college. One of our major responsibilities includes performing comprehensive audits of higher education institutions to ensure financial assistance is administered within regulatory boundaries, providing fairness and equity to all Tennessee students. I continuously evaluate legislation and regulatory requirements to create policy and procedures to improve the administration of financial aid. I also create quality controls to ensure policies and
procedures are accurately followed and to prevent the recurrence of long-term problems. I have been responsible for budgets exceeding $100 million dollars, those primarily surviving from sponsorship donations of less than $100,000, and those where we were excited to earn $500 in the concession stand on Saturdays for booster clubs. I’ve served on the Executive Boards of the Tennessee Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (TASFAA) for more than a decade and the Southern Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (SASFAA) for four years. These two groups of educators are movers and shakers making a difference on college campuses nationwide. I’ve also served as Treasurer for both TASFAA and SASFAA.
Volunteerism is the heartbeat of a small community and I’ve been blessed to volunteer with numerous community organizations. In addition to serving TASFAA and SASFAA, locally, I served on the Pegram Emergency Management Board, Harpeth High School Volleyball Board and in countless PTO/Room Mom/Team Mom/etc. roles. Our family has aided in flood and tornado relief, collected and organized donations for those in need, and delivered meals and Christmas gifts to the needy members of the community. For the last four years, I’ve volunteered for the Town of Pegram as the unofficial event planner, errand runner, and roadside trash pick-up to assist my husband while he served [as mayor]. I have a deep understanding of the creativity needed to make improvements within a small budget and how to prioritize necessary expenses based on serving the greater good of the community. I believe all these experiences and my ability to roll up my sleeves to get the job done right will serve me well if elected.
KSG: What are the top issues facing Pegram that you would prioritize if elected?
Louallen: Public safety and quality of life issues will remain my top priority. I will support the Pegram Fire Department and will continue the relationship with the Cheatham County Sherriff’s Office to ensure the community has access to assistance in the event it is needed.
I believe our current budget is sufficient to continue the necessary support for Pegram’s needs and I would not support a property tax increase. I would, however, explore other options, such as grant funding, to help our community thrive without utilizing town funding.
KSG: How do you plan to engage with the community to understand their concerns and ideas?
Louallen: Listening to your constituents should always be a priority of an elected official and I have been fortunate to have a front row seat to that example over the last 12 years. My door will always be open. The community will be encouraged to communicate their concerns to me, and my contact information is and will be published. After the closure of our beloved Advocate that was faithfully delivered to our mailboxes each week, spreading the word can be difficult. If elected, I will pursue publishing a quarterly town newsletter for residents to stay informed. I also plan to expand the new text alert program and the use of the Town’s social media platforms.
KSG: How do you balance the need for growth and development in Pegram with preserving its small-town character?
Louallen: Currently, there are few areas zoned commercial within the Town corporation limits. It is critical to ensure the appropriate infrastructure is in place to entice business owners to invest their hard-earned money in our community. I support the current plan to expand the sewer plant and will work with the board to identify grants and other funding resources to ensure the infrastructure is in place. I will also propose a plan to highlight and garner support for the local businesses whose home bases are already in Pegram.
My daughter recently said it best: “Pegram is small but mighty.” Growth can be scary, but it can also bring significant opportunity to our community. The land in Pegram available for growth will (thankfully) always be limited due to the river and railroad. However, we can embrace growth for the town by ensuring reasonable measures are in place to maintain our small-town feel.
KSG: What strategies do you have to encourage economic development and support local businesses in Pegram?
Louallen: Truly, the infrastructure, such as the sewer growth must occur before Pegram can attract many businesses. Before and after this occurs, I will work collaboratively with the Cheatham County Economic Development board and the Chamber of Commerce to bring in new businesses and support the ones we already have. Those relationships have been established over many years and it will be important to foster them as the town prepares its infrastructure for smart and limited growth.
KSG: How do you propose managing the city budget effectively while addressing the needs of the community?
Louallen: The town is required to present a balanced budget which has occurred the last four years with no tax increase. I will continue this approach and without using funds from the fund balance. I will work with the board to ensure essential services are provided and research other funding resources that do not use town funding.
KSG: How will you work with other city officials, including the mayor and other aldermen, to achieve common goals for Pegram?
Louallen: My staff would tell you one of my favorite things to say is that teamwork makes the dream work. Maybe that sounds a bit silly, but I do not operate in a silo. I welcome and encourage ideas from others, especially those that are different than mine. The board members will not always agree but it will be important to have mutual respect and listen to those with differing opinions. Frankly, some of the best ideas and changes are born out of conflict. I’ve served on many professional boards where there were as many opinions as people. However, I’ve learned to work collaboratively for the greater good, which I will also do if elected as Pegram Alderman. The people of Pegram will come first and I believe we can all work together to serve them in the best way possible. At the end of the day, we are called to do a job and I will build relationships in order to appropriately serve the community.
KSG: How do you plan to ensure transparency in local government decisions and processes?
Louallen: If elected, I will work to educate the community that all town meetings, votes, and official actions are open to the public. Although this system is already in place, I believe the town could improve communications through its social media platforms to encourage the community to attend meetings and to get involved in the issues potentially impacting them. The new text alert system and the social media accounts are an excellent way to get word out and help the community stay informed. I will also ensure the community understands how to contact their elected officials to express concerns or ask questions.
KSG: What do you see as the biggest challenge facing Pegram in the next four years, and how do you plan to address it?
Louallen: The growth Nashville is experiencing is headed our direction, although on a much smaller scale. Rather than being reactive to this growth, I want to see the town take a proactive approach. To do so, the town must take steps to improve infrastructure, support and enhance access to first responders, and proactively work with the Planning Commission and the Town’s City Planner. The town must implement, enhance, and enforce policies to control the growth moving into Pegram. I would facilitate work sessions with these groups and solicit community feedback before implementing any necessary changes. Being proactive with these measures will allow Pegram to guide the inevitable growth rather than the growth guiding Pegram.
KSG: Why should the residents of Pegram vote for you?
Louallen: I am deeply grateful for the support I received from the community throughout this campaign. Pegram has several qualified candidates this year. I believe my professional career and volunteer experience within this community make me the right person for the job. My professional and personal track record demonstrates a strong work ethic, a determination to do whatever it takes to complete a task, a history of treating everyone with fairness, and an ability to listen to others. Most importantly, I love this community and its people. I believe that together, we can bring positive change and build a brighter future for our community. I would ask Pegram residents for their vote and their trust in me to represent their interests, values, and concerns.
Comments