Submitted by class member Chrissy Henderson
Our Leadership 2024 class jump started our day by meeting Leadership Alumni Allen Nicholson and Jody Vann at Sycamore Square to chauffeur us to Pleasant View City Hall. We were were greeted with smiling faces and a delicious breakfast provided by Pleasant View City Hall. We were graciously welcomed by Mayor Bill Anderson, Lisa Parker, City Recorder, Tad Wheeler, Police Chief, Scott Morrissey, Building Commissioner, as well as some other Pleasant View employees. We heard from department heads regarding issues this growing community is facing, both good and bad. We learned of the history, population, growth, future expectations, etc. The city was properly named says Mayor Anderson, “It is a Pleasant View!”
Our next stop was the Ashland City Water Plant, where we were welcomed by Kris Justice, Water Plant Chief Operator. We were given a detailed tour of the plant, as well as explained and shown how each step of the cleansing process happens . . . all performed right in the heart of downtown Ashland City. We were amazed at the level of sufficiency and efficiency that takes place and provides water for so many residents and businesses. We continued with the Public
Works Department and met up with Billy Harris, Public Works Assistant Director. We met Mr. Harris just down the street from the current Treatment/Water Plant, at the future home of the treatment plant, which is currently under construction. Mr. Harris shared with us the process from the water coming in from the lagoon until it goes the complete cycle of return into the Cumberland River for the cleansed water, and for the solid waste going through its complete
cycle and then being purchased and transported by Waste Management to their solid waste facility. This was certainly an eye opening venture for our group.
Next up: Ashland City Fire Station One at 402 N. Main Street in the heart of downtown Ashland City. Station One is truly state of the art! We were welcomed by a few full-time firefighters and also got to tour the entire facility. The facility took just under $7 million to build. Most areas are not as fortunate to have such a station as the newly built one in Ashland City. An added bonus to this station is the ventilated room where firefighters can decontaminate their clothes and gear to free them of carcinogens that firefighters are often exposed to while fighting fires. Our Leadership group was able to climb aboard Ladder 10 for a photo opp. We are very grateful to the men and women who dedicate their lives to protecting us and entering buildings, etc., that most folks are running from!
Our next stop led us to an amazing lunch prepared (and served) by the fabulous ladies at the Senior Center. We were greeted by Mayor Smith and Architect Josh Wright. The Mayor briefed us on a few major and exciting news of improvements about to take place in Ashland City. One of which is the new City Hall, as well as a sports complex at Riverbluff Park. The new complex will house softball, baseball and soccer fields, as well as a camp ground, walking tract and tennis courts. This will be monumental for our great county! There will also be a community center, including an indoor swimming pool, built where the old ball fields are currently on Vine Street. All of these additions and improvements will bring billions of dollars of revenue to Cheatham Co., as well as a multitude of people into Ashland City for tournaments and family activities of all kinds, etc.
Next, we continued our journey across the river to Pegram and Kingston Springs. First stop: Pegram City Hall. There we were greeted by Alderman Michael Paszek. Mayor John Louallen was unable to be with us but certainly left us in good hands with Michael. Michael shared several things about the town of Pegram including how the train tracks on one side of Highway 70 has prevented much change to this quaint city. He showed us around City Hall, as well as the
Fire Station. Unlike other stations, Pegram has one full time firefighter, Brent Stuart. We also got a sneak peak at the different helmets the Fire Department were voting on to order next.
And, last but certainly not least, we headed to Kingston Springs. We were met by City Manager, John Lawless. John did an impressive slide show, wherein some of what he presented was regarding the different types of city government and how Kingston Springs operates the way it does being governed by a city charter. The Mayor for Kingston Springs, Tony Gross’, duties and responsibilities differ from those in other parts of the county. While the governmental process is
different, it works well for Kingston Springs and has for many years. Kingston Springs has so much to offer Cheatham County for tourism. The Harpeth River is certainly an added bonus, right along with the Splash Pad donated by their very own Kingston Springs resident, Jake Owen.
City Government Day did not disappoint. There are so many exciting aspects of Cheatham County!
Leadership Cheatham County 