Election Day set Nov. 5
Scott BrodenMurfreesboro Daily News Journal
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- The Smyrna Town Council has three seats up for election and six qualifying candidates
- The La Vergne Board of Mayor and Aldermen has two aldermen seats up for election and two candidates
- The Eagleville City Council has three seats up for election with three incumbents qualified to keep seats
- Local voters Nov. 5 will choose candidates for president, and other offices for federal, state, Eagleville, La Vergne and Smyrna governments.
- Smyrna Councilman Tim Morrell decides against campaigning for reelection
- La Vergne Alderman also chooses against seeking reelection but may campaign in 2 years
Eleven local candidates have qualified to campaign for Smyrna, La Vergne and Eagleville offices in the Nov. 5 election.
The candidates will have until noon Aug. 22 to withdraw from having their names appear on ballots, said Alan Farley, the administrator for elections in Rutherford County.
Two incumbents chose against campaigning for reelection:
- Tim Morrell, a Smyrna Town Council member who serves as the chairman of the town's Planning Commission
- Dennis Waldron, a La Vergne alderman and former mayor of the city.
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Morrell seeks to focus on family and career
Morrell said he decided against seeking another four-year term to focus on his family and career.
"It’s been an honor and a privilege to serve the citizens of Smyrna for the past 16 years on the town council, 18 years on the Smyrna Planning Commission and seven years as the town’s representative on the Rutherford County Economic Development Board," Morrell said.
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Morrell has served as the chairman of the planning commission for about four years. He said he's proud to be a part of the town's economic development efforts, including off of Sam Ridley Parkway with the medical corridor of offices near TriStar StoneCrest Medical Center.
The retiring Smyrna councilman said he was involved with negotiations and meetings to attract the $215.6 millionSewart's Landing project off Sam Ridley Parkway by Motlow State Community College and the YMCA. The project includes plans for 400,000 square feet of medical offices, 250,000 square feet of shopping center space, a 240-room hotel and 75 townhomes.
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Waldron hopes to campaign in 2 years
Waldron said he intended to run to keep his La Vergne alderman seat but needed to take care of ill family members, including his 91-year-old mother.
"My plate has just been so full," Waldron said. "I just had to make a choice, and I'm comfortable with the choice I made at this time."
Waldron has served 18 of the past 20 years on the La Vergne Board of Mayor and Aldermen, including one four-year term as mayor from 2014 to 2018.
"I want to thank all the residents and friends who supported me," said Waldron, who also served one year on the La Vergne Planning Commission prior to winning election to be an alderman in 2004. "I'm going to stay out this time, but I'll be ready for them next time. I love elections. I love associating with the people."
Election 2018: La Vergne Alderman Jason Cole tops incumbent Dennis Waldron in mayor's race
Smyrna Town Council has 6 candidates for 3 at-large seats
- Steve Sullivan, incumbent
- Jerome Dempsey
- Tony Dover
- Lisa Reasonover
- Racquel Peebles, incumbent
- Marquinta Richardson
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2 qualify for 2 La Vergne aldermen seats
- Steve Noe, an incumbent vice mayor
- Graeme Coates, a former alderman
Election 2020: Former La Vergne mayor Dennis Waldron rejoins board as alderman
Eagleville City Council as 3 incumbents qualify to keep seats
- Jason Blair, incumbent
- Ryan Edwards, incumbent
- Chris Hendrix, incumbent
Incumbent lawmakers advance to election: Republican state Reps. Tim Rudd and Robert Stevens win contested GOP primaries
Reach reporter Scott Broden with news tips or questions by emailing him at sbroden@dnj.com. To support his work with The Daily News Journal,sign up for a digital subscription.
Election schedule 2024 for Rutherford County
- Election Day for president, and other offices for federal, state, Eagleville, La Vergne and Smyrna government seats: Nov. 5
- Last day to register to vote in Nov. 5 election: Oct. 7
- Absentee by mail voting period for Nov. 5 election: Aug. 7-Oct. 29
- Early voting period for Nov. 5 election: Oct. 16-31
Source: Rutherford County Election Commission website
