Meet your candidates: Jan Morrison for District 6 Commissioner

In advance of the upcoming local elections, the Gazette sat down with candidates seeking office across Cheatham County to hear directly about their priorities, platforms and visions for the community. 

Each candidate discussed what sets them apart and how they compare to their opponents in contested races. Early voting for the county primaries is scheduled to take place April 15-30 leading up to Election Day on May 5, giving residents ample opportunity to make their voices heard at the ballot box. See the full early voting schedule here.

Jan Morrison is running as a democrat for Cheatham County District 6 Commission – which represents Kingston Springs. The position is currently held by Jimmy Hedgepath and Mike Breedlove, who is not seeking re-election. 

Morrison is running against Republican incumbent Hedgepath and Republican candidate Clint Biggers. Hedgepath declined an interview with the Gazette and Biggers did not respond to our request. Since there are two seats for this position, both parties will move their candidates to the general election ballot on Aug. 6. Only Kingston Springs residents will see these seats on their ballot. 

Early voting will take place at Pegram City Hall. Kingston Springs residents will vote on election day at Harpeth High School. Pegram residents will vote on election day at Pegram City Hall.

Below, get acquainted with Morrison, 64, who has been in Kingston Springs since 2019, and delve into her perspectives on crucial issues through our comprehensive Q&A session.

KSG: Can you introduce yourself and explain why you’re running for the District 6 County Commission seat? What qualifications do you have? 

Morrison: Something that comes to mind is transparency. I want to be open and available to the people of South Cheatham County. I want to represent them. I support public schools. I am not for vouchers. I want to represent the constituents' opinions about this resort, which I'm not opposed to listening to developers' ideas, but when it seems like the developers are getting the better end of the deal, I think we need to do what's best for the community. 

So my qualifications, I would say I'm a good listener. I read about things. I have two college degrees. I have a bachelor's from Belmont. I have a master's from Vanderbilt. I feel like I'm pretty organized. 

KSG: What are the top issues facing Cheatham County that you want to prioritize?

Morrison: I think it's this idea of outside influences being pushed on the county that maybe people here don't want. They were talking about data centers and just knowing what's happened in Memphis – that really scares me.

That kind of thing really worries me, using up water and electricity and spewing poisonous stuff into the air. I care about environmental issues. This is such a beautiful area, and my husband and I have gone over to Mound Bottom three or four times. It's a magical place over there. I would just hate for that area to be poisoned. 

KSG: How should the county balance growth and development with preserving its environment and character?

Morrison: I honestly wish that area could be part of the state park. I'm not opposed to growth, but where is it going to be? Is that the best place for it? I went to the last county commission meeting, and a guy stood up and said, ‘We already have a rural resort, the golf club over here. Nobody knows they're there.’ And I emailed him later, because I live on that side of Kingston Springs, and there was a bridge that had to be repaired on South Harpeth Road. Well, it took almost two years to repair it because the golf course wanted to divert that creek so that they could use the water for their courses. There was a long period of time where nothing was being done, and we had to go all the way around toward Fairview to get to Kingston Springs. The road got torn up and there were dump trucks on this little two lane road for two years. 

There's not going to be no impact at all. They have to decide, when something goes wrong, who's going to be responsible? If they get flooded over there, who's responsible? Who's responsible for building a road over there and the water and sewer? Those kinds of things need to be worked out in advance, and it's got to be in an area that everybody's comfortable with. I'm not flat out opposed to any kind of growth. It has got to be the right place.

KSG: What is your position on the proposed resort development? 

Morrison: I don't think developers should suggest amending the zoning. I don't think that's their job. If they want to say, ‘Hey, we would like to do this. Where's a good place to do it?’ But it seemed to me that they proposed a change to the zoning so that they could put it right where they wanted it. I'd say that's my biggest opposition. I don't think they're the ones that should be writing a new zoning law.

KSG: How do you plan to practice transparency and remain responsive to your constituents? 

Morrison: I've heard rumors that people are emailing commissioners and they never get an answer. That's the job – being responsive to your constituents. I want to know what people are thinking. 

I want to have a bi-weekly coffee chat at Turnbull Provisions. This is not a political position – it should not be. I know the Election Commission is making everybody claim a side, but I don't feel like I want to be political in this role. It's a public servant role, and that's what I'm interested in. I think just being available and being a part of the community is important. 

KSG: What would a successful term for you look like in Cheatham County? 

Morrison: I want people to feel heard.I don't think that's happening a lot in this state on either side of the spectrum. I write to my senators and representatives and if I get a response back, it's not even answering the question that I've asked. I just want people to feel like they're being listened to and that their opinions matter. I would think that would be a success.

KSG: Why should voters in District 6 vote for you?

Morrison: I'm a good listener. I want to do what's best for the community, and so I'm willing to listen to what people are telling me and the reasons why.