BD Newsletter

Third in a Series…

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Times and conditions change so rapidly that we must keep our aim constantly focused on the future.     

 Walt Disney       

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What do you think when you reflect on McMinnville’s future?

By Brad Durham

The comments from the twelve people I interviewed regarding McMinnville’s future were very positive. It is reassuring to know that a cross-section of McMinnvillians are thinking optimistically about our future.

Perhaps the centerpiece of McMinnville is downtown, the town itself. The court square in downtown is looking as good as it has looked in my lifetime (66 years). There may not be as many businesses and people downtown as there were many years ago, yet the physical appearance has improved dramatically in the past few decades. Without question, businesses and people are coming back to downtown McMinnville.

The questions of economic growth, education, housing and leadership in local government are all wrapped up in how people view the future. Although we may disagree on some of these things, I believe, in general, the people in McMinnville are glad to be here and see a positive future for our town.

The following are comments from the twelve interviewees about McMinnville’s future.

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It is still a good place to raise a family. The town is comprised of so many good folks. I do express some concern about the leadership of our city. I do wish that we had some good, solid leaders with the insight that this is where we want to go in five years, ten years. I just wish we had some leaders with a little more foresight.                     

Tony Lawrence

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There is going to be great improvement here. The cost of housing and the weather are all prime things right now. This is the place where the cost of living is reasonable.

 Wayne Wolford

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If you had asked me that 10-15 years ago, it looked bleak. But I am very hopeful now, overwhelmingly positive. 

You drive through Main Street on any given day, and there is life now.

 Dr. Bryan Chastain

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I think positive. I know that Murfreesboro and surrounding towns are growing, so I think we are in a good spot. We are in the middle of everything. We’re close to Nashville, Chattanooga and Murfreesboro.

 Judith Gomez

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I definitely think positively. I see a lot of changes here with the influx of people from different areas. This is going to become one of the up-and-coming areas of Middle Tennessee to move to.

Lisa Zavogiannis

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I think it has more potential than it has ever had. We can’t turn this into California. We’re just not going to let it happen. I’ll fight it till the day I die. Warren County. Warren County. I want people to come in here, and want to be Warren Countians and McMinnvillians.

 Stacey Harvey

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I see it as very positive. I see a lot of young people getting involved, investing in businesses, running for offices, so I think that’s a sign for long-term growth.

 Mandy Eller

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I’m an optimist. I always think that the best is yet to come. We have had ups and downs. With good leadership and good planning, being more proactive rather than reacting to situations. That is how you expect something good to happen down the road.

 Jimmy Haley

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We could do so much better, and I think we will because we’ve gone to training levels that most people would love to have, and it’s here. Our CT program at the high school is phenomenal. I think it is the best in the state. Obviously, the robotics center is a major win. Megatronics is a big win. There is a lot going on here.

 Todd Herzog

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I think it is very positive. I think that progress has continued. I think we are a kind of jewel, a diamond in the rough. I think a lot of people feel that way when they come here.

 Justin Tanner

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I’m encouraged by the leadership in the County Commission and the Board of Aldermen. I have found them approachable and to be good listeners at their meetings. There has been good financial management from the finance committees and the chief administration officials. I feel they are aware of the challenges facing a community with growth potential.

 Mac McWhirter

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Next week’s article on May 2 focuses on what people would change in McMinnville.