OPINION: When local government stops working, elections matter more than ever

This opinion piece was written by Krystle James, a Pegram resident and the former chair of the Cheatham County Democratic Party.

Like most Americans, I want to live my life in pursuit of my dreams — to care for my family and enjoy the freedoms that brought me to Tennessee. When government works well, it fades into the background, like the steady hum of a generator: rarely noticed, but essential when you need it.

For a long time, I believed that once my family resolved a legal dispute with Cheatham County over selective enforcement in our neighborhood, I could step back and live quietly.

What followed was not a single dispute, but a pattern — one that revealed breakdowns across multiple county systems responsible for roads, property records, emergency response, planning, and enforcement. Challenging one selectively enforced policy exposed how often inconvenience to a few is deemed acceptable if correcting it requires effort, resources, or political will.

Winter Storm Fern made that pattern impossible to ignore.

While elected officials shared self-congratulatory posts online, my family and neighbors remained stranded without electricity, water, or passable roads. The darkness felt like more than a power outage — it was a reminder of how selectively enforced policies and stagnant infrastructure quietly leave entire communities behind.

Cheatham County continues to grow, welcoming new developments and custom homes, yet the Roads Department still plows the same limited routes it did a decade ago. Enforcement remains inconsistent, particularly in economically challenged areas where illegal subdivisions are ignored under the guise of compassion. In reality, this neglect strips residents of clear titles, insurance access, and generational wealth. Devalued property is not a favor — it is a failure of governance.

This is not about one storm or one road. It is about a system that treats enforcement as optional and accountability as inconvenient.

Which brings us to elections.

Local government affects our daily lives far more than the partisan noise dominating national news. Yet election after election returns the same officials who created conditions many residents find intolerable. Government was never meant to be a lifetime career insulated from consequences. It was designed to be responsive, participatory, and accountable to the people it serves.

Voting matters — but so does who chooses to run.

This year, Cheatham County voters will again face local and state races that shape infrastructure, enforcement, and quality of life. While I will not be voting in the Republican primary, multiple Republican candidates are seeking office, each aligning their campaigns with the Republican Party and presenting different styles of representation, yet offering little clarity about their vision for Cheatham County under their leadership.

Competitive elections force transparency. They require candidates to explain their priorities, defend their records, and articulate how they would address the systems they seek to oversee. That scrutiny benefits everyone, regardless of party.

Democracy does not function when choices go unchallenged.

If we want better roads, fair enforcement, and a county that works for all its residents — not just the most convenient or visible — we must demand more from our leaders and from ourselves. Your voice matters not only in the voting booth, but when you step forward with questions, solutions, and accountability.

The qualifying deadline for local candidates is Thursday, February 19th, 2026, at noon. Participation is not disruption. It is the foundation of a functioning democracy.