Lebanon, Mt. Juliet and Watertown election guide as early voting underway

Andy Humbles, Nashville Tennessean
·4 min read

Wilson County’s Nov. 8 municipal election will have only two contested city council races in Lebanon.

Lebanon has three of the city's six council seats up for election with one uncontested race as well.

Mt. Juliet has two of its five city commission seats that are voted on and both are uncontested.

Watertown has three candidates for three at-large council seats up for election, which makes that election effectively uncontested.

Lebanon City Council

Ward 3

Camille Burdine, 52 on Oct. 19: Seeking a second term on the council. Economic development is “my passion,” Burdine said. So is recruiting business residents want, supporting local business and recruiting companies that pay higher wages. Burdine also wants to update infrastructure, proper zoning and codes enforcement, revitalize downtown, connect sidewalks to parks and schools and manage growth while improving youth engagement. “It takes a while to get things done and I feel we still have work to do. I think this (council) group has really worked well together and has accomplished a lot in the last four years.”

Shawn Hicks, 58: Hicks regularly attends city meetings and has a “Sunny Lebanon” Facebook page where he and wife Lorrie report on city happenings. Maintaining existing neighborhoods, community preservation, proper zoning, infrastructure, economic support for local business and government transparency are among priorities. Lorrie has an active lawsuit against the city that alleges open meeting and records violations. The lawsuit does not seek money. “Resident-oriented public service,” Hicks said about his campaign. “There is a lot positive going on with the city if we can just trim the edges.”

Ward 4 (uncontested)

Chris Crowell, 54: The incumbent was appointed in 2016 to fill a partial term and then was elected in 2018. Maintaining Lebanon’s identify as growth occurs is a priority. “We have a good culture and we want to maintain the positive and unique (aspects) of our community," Crowell said. "And I want growth to pay for itself. We want to make sure if a developer comes in the community is better off that they are here and not worse off.”

Ward 6

Phil Morehead, 65: A first-time candidate who moved several years ago from Illinois to Wilson County, initially to Mt. Juliet and then to Lebanon. Morehead is a board member and president elect for Wilson County’s Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) chapter. Managing growth and growth that pays for itself is a priority. Morehead would also like standards that will attract more high-quality home construction and to focus on high-level industry and business recruitment that will pay wages so more workers can afford higher quality homes. “A few more nice restaurants” and improving parks, including those within residential neighborhoods, are priorities.

ZaBrina Seay: The director of the Wilson County Veterans Services Department is a retired U.S. Army Lt. Colonel with 20 years of military leadership. Seay is now on Lebanon's Board of Zoning & Appeals and has nearly 30 years of leadership experience with multiple leadership and service organizations. Seay is a rotarian, past Wilson County Help Center board member and past vice president of Lebanon's vision committee. The mother of two's campaign emphasis is "to make sure all voices are heard." Growth that keeps Lebanon relevant and competitive while managed and controlled and to "improve the overall quality of life," in Lebanon are priorities.

Mt. Juliet commission

District 2

Bill Trivett, 44: Trivett is unopposed. Ben Hopper did qualify for the seat, but withdrew due to family responsibilities. Trivett was appointed in early 2021 to fill the seat that came open when James Maness was elected mayor in November 2020. Working with local business and developers to establish a youth activity venue in Mt. Juliet is a goal for Trivett in the upcoming term. Parks, emergency services and first responders are also priorities.

District 4

Jennifer Milele, 62: The incumbent who is unopposed was appointed in 2019 to replace Brian Abston, who moved out of the district. Milele was elected in 2020 for two years to finish out the term. A public pool facility, preserving more park land and green space, road projects, sidewalks and traffic calming measures are among priorities for Milele. “It takes years to see some of these projects through, so I want to continue working toward these goals as well as many others.”

Watertown

Kyle Stacey, 33: A first-time candidate. Infrastructure improvements and updates starting with sewer and roads are on the list of priorities.

Howell Roberts, 84: An incumbent has served multiple terms on the city council at different times over the years. Was appointed to the current term to replace Brandon Howard who resigned. “There are a lot of infrastructure needs and I’d like to help if I can.”

Caleb Barrett, 30: An incumbent who was appointed to replace Catherine Smith. Infrastructure that includes sewer and water system updates, roads and sidewalks are priorities.

Early voting in Tennessee

Dates: Oct. 19-Nov. 3.

Times: 8 a.m.-6 p.m., Monday-Friday and 8 a.m.-1 p.m., Saturday.

Locations:

  • Wilson County Election Commission, 230 E. Gay Street, Lebanon

  • Mt. Juliet Community Center, 1075 Charlie Daniels Parkway

  • Gladeville Community Center, 95 McCrary Road

  • Watertown Community Center, 8630 Sparta Pike.

Reach Andy Humbles at ahumbles@tennessean.com or 615-726-5939 and on Twitter @ AndyHumbles.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Lebanon, Mt. Juliet and Watertown election guide