by Leslie Lytle, Messenger Staff Writer

Five candidates are seeking election to the Monteagle Council with two seats open. Incumbents Dan Sargent and Nate Wilson, and challengers Jessica Blalock, Felicia Ladd, and David Pilcher are on the ballot. Read on to learn about the skills and experiences the candidates will bring to the table and how they propose to address the challenges confronting the town. Early voting is underway through Oct. 29.

Born and raised in Gruetli-Laager, Jessica Blalock married her Grundy County High School sweetheart Jeremy Blalock. The couple bought a home in Monteagle in 2004 and have lived there ever since. “Monteagle’s biggest challenge is our infrastructure,” Blalock insisted. “We have so many new residents and new businesses coming in and our water and sewer is at a limit of capacity.” Owner of Jessica’s Pampered Pets, in business for 19 years, Blalock celebrates small businesses and their part in guaranteeing a thriving community. “I will back our businesses. They play a crucial role in our beautiful town.” Blalock was twice before elected to serve on the Monteagle Council. Harton Park and the ball field were her priorities as an alderwoman, and she ushered in renovation of both. Heading up Parks and Recreation, she also oversaw the Easter Egg Hunt, Movies in the Park, the Community Yard Sale, holiday parades, and ball season. “I am running for council again because I feel like the town has just been let go. It’s time to get back our traditions,” Blalock stressed. “Our citizens’ voices need to be heard again.” Ever community-minded, Blalock was recently recognized by Marion Animal Resource Connection for fostering puppies, dogs, cats, and kittens for over 10 years. “Monteagle is my home,” Blalock said. “Do I want change? No, Monteagle just needs structure and guidance.”

Born and raised in Pelham, Felicia Ladd and her husband have called Monteagle home for 40 years. Her children attended Monteagle Elementary, as do two of her grandchildren. “One of the biggest challenges facing Monteagle is our water, sewage and aging infrastructure,” Ladd insisted. “Many residents are on a fixed income. I would like to see us pursue every grant, state and federal funding opportunity available before putting more financial burden on our residents. We need to prioritize the most important repairs and look for ways to save money. I don’t believe we have to choose between improving our town and taking care of our people.” Ladd stressed the importance of nurturing a sense of community where “neighbors look out for one another, help one another and come together when someone needs a helping hand, where people feel heard and work together to make our town a better place.” Ladd wants to see more community gatherings, activities at the ballpark, movies in the park, activities for families, and opportunities for people who have lived in Monteagle their entire life and those new to Monteagle to get to know one another. Ladd’s credentials: “I am a wife, mom, and a nana. I care about what kind of community we leave for our children. I am willing to listen, learn, ask questions, to work with others, and to do my best to make decisions that benefit our entire community.”

Although he was born and raised in Nashville, David Pilcher has deep Monteagle roots, visiting his family’s Monteagle vacation home among his earliest memories. He and his wife Martha Ann married in Monteagle 50 years ago, and he has served over 20 years on the Board of Trustees of the Monteagle Assembly, including three terms as its treasurer. Pilcher and Martha Ann became permanent residents seven years ago. “I think the biggest challenge facing Monteagle is upgrading our aging water-sewer system to bring it up to modern standards and accommodate future businesses and housing,” Pilcher said. “It is likely going to require some gradual rate increases as well as obtaining a series of federal and/or state grants. I feel it is time for me to give back to the town using my financial accounting and business experience.” Pilcher has worked as both a public and private accountant and performed audits for businesses, as well as for a small municipality. He still works part-time preparing tax returns. Pilcher also does bookkeeping for Folks at Home and serves on the Leadership Board and as church treasurer at Morton Memorial United Methodist where he is a regular volunteer at the monthly food distribution. An active supporter of the Imagine Monteagle initiative, Pilcher cites businesses improving their visual image and creating a Visitor Information Center as key to sustaining a vibrant community. Asked to describe Monteagle in a single word, Pilcher replied, “exceptional.”

Born in Portland, Ore., Dan Sargent moved to Tennessee at the age of 10, what he calls “a return to my father’s homeland.” Sargent seeks reelection to a second consecutive term. He has lived in Monteagle 62 years. Sargent opened a lawn mower business in 1974 and served on the Monteagle Planning Commission and two terms as alderman in the 90s, believing as a business owner knowledgeable about the community he “could help make things better.” In 2003 Sargent sold his business and went to work for the University of the South, and his wife Joanne went to work for the city of Monteagle. When Joanne retired, with the conflict-of-interest factor removed, Sargent decided to embrace public service again. “The biggest challenge for the town of Monteagle is the continued lack of infrastructure, namely utilities,” Sargent said. “The ongoing housing needs can’t be adequately supported unless we have upgraded water and sewer. Planning is in place and we are moving in the right direction. I want to see changes that are potentially beneficial for our community, and the people who have been here all their lives.” He cited the importance of “common sense and respect for our fellow American citizens,” expressing concern that many people did not understand “how small-town life is lived!” Sargent’s single word to describe Monteagle is “comfortable,” comfort rooted in him and his family feeling supported by the community. For Sargent, serving as alderman is “giving back.”

“I like to say I am a TAG local,” said Nate Wilson. Wilson was born in northeast Alabama, raised in Northwest Georgia, and has lived in Monteagle, Tenn., for the last 22 years. “I value small towns and small-town living. My graduating class at Menlo Elementary School was almost exactly the same size as my daughter’s graduating class from Monteagle Elementary.” Wilson seeks election to a third term. He cites managing growth while staying “a great small town for families” as among Monteagle’s biggest challenges. As an alderman, he worked to implement zoning changes to make investment in downtown easier and to acquire a grant to foster investment in affordable housing, a crucial issue with housing prices being driven up by second-home owners. The other major challenge cited by Wilson is how to fund water and sewer improvements without making rates unaffordable for fixed-income residents. Looking to solutions, he points to a current grant focusing on drought mitigation; his efforts to secure funding for a city park adjacent to Laurel Lake that will both protect water supply and provide outdoor recreation opportunities; building up Monteagle’s capital reserves; and multi-year budget planning. “Forestry is about long-term planning, experience in budgets and planning that I bring from my education as a forester,” Wilson said. “I am running for city council again because I am proud of the work we are doing and recognize there is still more to do.”