Meet your candidates: Landon Lyon for Pegram

The local election season is upon us in Pegram, and residents are eager to learn more about the individuals vying to represent their interests and lead their community forward.

The Gazette sat down with each of the five candidates running for the town’s two open alderman seats, offering insights into their backgrounds, motivations and visions for the town. Current Pegram aldermen Randy Howington and Michael Paszek are not seeking reelection.

Early voting for Pegram’s local election will take place Friday, July 17 through Saturday, Aug. 1. See the early voting schedule and polling locations here. Pegram residents can also vote at Pegram City Hall on election day on Thursday, Aug. 6.

Each candidate brings a unique perspective shaped by their experiences and dedication to Pegram. Whether they are long-standing residents deeply ingrained in the fabric of the community or newer arrivals driven by innovative ideas, their stories represent a diverse spectrum of voices committed to tackling local challenges and propelling positive growth.

Below, get acquainted with alderman candidate Landon Lyon – owner of Kona Ice and Travelin Tom’s food trucks and resident of Pegram since 2006 – and delve into his perspectives on crucial issues through our comprehensive Q&A session.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

KSG: Why are you running for alderman, and what unique perspective would you bring to the board?

Lyon: There are very few businesses in Pegram. I'm one of the business owners there, and a longtime resident, so I have that perspective of the balance of business and personal life.

KSG: What do you believe is the biggest issue facing Pegram over the next four years?

Lyon: From what I've seen, it seems to be the sewer system. It's been a big issue.

KSG: Pegram continues to grow. How should the town balance new development with preserving its small-town character?

Lyon: As far as growth in Pegram, we have topographical constraints already. I'm not sure that we can develop too much more just based on the land available. And with the railroad; we've got the river; we've got the bluffs. So I don't know how much more room we have. There's a couple of farms I believe that can be turned into small neighborhoods, but I don't think there's that much of a problem to have to worry about.

I would like to see more business. I think that's what we need most – sales tax generation – so we can add services or improve services and not put it on the burden for the residents.

There's some things that are underdeveloped, and there's nothing the city can really do to force people to develop it. It'd be great if there were a way to induce them to put in something, or develop it, or sell it, but from what I understand, there's nothing that the town can do.

KSG: What infrastructure projects should be prioritized?

Lyon: I live on Walkup Road, so I would love a way out when the train stops, and I know there are provisions in place for emergency needs, but it's just inconvenient.

Sidewalks would be nice. Those are very expensive. The place where I would love sidewalks would be along 70. I'd love to be able to ride a bike safely.

KSG: What is one area where the town should spend more money and one area where it should spend less?

Lyon: I'm hesitant to spend more money, because that ultimately is a burden on the taxpayers. But, if they gave me a check to do something, I would love to update the website and make it more modern. I would also get a sign in front of the town hall just for information. It'd be great – just as you drive by, here's our meetings on this date. 

KSG: How would you keep taxes and utility costs affordable while still funding town services?

Lyon: All the utility costs the town has no say over, it's regulated by the state, so there's nothing we can do at the city level. Property taxes are relatively new here in Pegram in the last few years, and ever since it's been implemented, it has not been increased. So the easy answer is to not increase taxes. 

Is that always going to be practical? It depends on what the citizens want. If everybody decides, "Hey, we want sidewalks,” that's going to come with a tax increase.

KSG: How can the town better engage residents in local government?

Lyon: I’ll go back to my suggestion for a sign and that would bring more awareness to attend meetings. A few more channels for public notices would help. 

I would love to see more events at the park. Pegram is known for the Fourth of July Independence Day celebration and Christmas in the park is great – those are two great. But I'd like to do more community things, because the small town charm and the character falls more on opportunities for the community to do things. I'd love to see the park open up more for some regular events, like the movies in the park, – just things that foster a sense of community and bring people together. I grew up in a time where we had ice cream socials. I love that. Give me a mild summer day and a bunch of people bringing homemade ice cream. Let's do stuff like that and just be in community. 

KSG: Why should the residents of Pegram vote for you? 

Lyon: I have been a long time resident and a business owner. I can't say as alderman that I wouldn't vote to raise taxes if we needed something, if the community wants something, but also any tax that would be implemented would affect me as a person and as a business.