Franklin incumbents replaced with new faces
The Franklin Board of Aldermen will soon have some new blood leading the town into the future.
While one of those faces is familiar — former mayor Joe Collins — the other two candidates are new to local politics. Brandon McMahan, 33, and his former business partner Adam Kimsey, 30, were able to unseat incumbents Joyce Handley and Verlin Curtis.
The shift on the board could mark significant change ahead for Franklin. While the under 40 generation has been accused on not being involved or interested in local government, Kimsey and McMahan are bucking that assumption.
McMahan, an elementary school teacher, said it was an exciting time to be a part of Franklin and he wants to take advantage of that. He wants to see better communication between the board and other community groups as well as more community development projects outside the downtown corridor.
Kimsey is the co-owner of The Rathskeller Coffee Haus & Pub in downtown Franklin. He said he is excited about getting involved and making important decisions for the town’s future.
His goals are to improve the town’s economy and infrastructure while building a more vibrant downtown.
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Local attorney Joe Collins, 60, has plenty of experience on the town board. He served as alderman from 1997-2003 and as mayor from 2003-13. While he decided not to run again in 2013, he now wants to get back in the game and offer his expertise on the board.
His top three goals are to work on plans to secure an alternative water source for the town, market and sell the Whitmire property acquired by the town 10 years ago, and to construct more permanent structures on the town square. He said he decided to not run for mayor because he thinks Mayor Bob Scott is doing a good job.
Scott ran unopposed for his second two-year term, but 300 people still put a check by his name on the ballot. Just like his first campaign, he has promised continued transparency in town government and continued progressive thinking to move the town forward.
Even though only 15 percent of registered voters cast ballots in the Franklin election, it seems like a clear mandate that they wanted younger representation to lead the town. With all the growth happening in Franklin, it makes sense that a new perspective is wanted on the board.
The town is growing in a way that is more attractive to younger residents. Franklin recently got its first brewery and a second one may open next year. Franklin also was just recognized by Blue Ridge Outdoors magazine as the ‘Top Small Town,’ which will likely draw more outdoors enthusiasts to the area in the next few years.
