Rutherford County mayoral candidate Randy Allen can remember a time when he had to drive to Hickory Hollow to eat at Chick-fil-A.
It was a time before traffic clogged our roads and construction crews dotted the landscape. A resident since 1974, Allen has had a front row seat to the unprecedented growth that Rutherford County is experiencing.
“The growth in Rutherford County keeps our economy strong, however it is causing challenges for families in our community.”
Having dedicated his career to workforce development and non-profit oversight, Allen began to see opportunities on how to move Rutherford County forward.
“It’s my belief that one-size-fits-all solutions are not the best way to resolve the complex quality of life issues that families and individuals are facing,” said Allen. “It will take a conscious, collaborative effort to make sure that the population growth will ensure prosperity for all residents.”
Allen believes that it’s time to put Rutherford County first and be proactive on core issues. A plan to address infrastructure, education and job growth are his top priorities. By being accountable to taxpayers and attracting more employers, Allen feels he can minimize the burdens of growth on the residents of Rutherford County. That is why he is running for Rutherford County Mayor.
Infrastructure: Rutherford County’s population is projected to double in the next 15 years and with the greater population will come additional stress on existing infrastructure and a need for increased capacity. A proactive plan that addresses needed repair and identifies opportunities for economic and educational growth is critical for Rutherford County. Allen proposes to strengthen existing relationships with key stakeholders in our community to implement a comprehensive plan to replace, upgrade and build new roads, schools and provide our citizens with the tools to achieve their greatest potential.
Education: Families love Rutherford County because of the great education system available. It’s vital that schools adapt to the changing landscape to remain competitive when recruiting and retaining high quality teachers, addressing unprecedented growth and preparing students for post-secondary success. Allen plans to encourage efforts to engage parents, teachers and administrators in identifying concerns and opportunities, and then to support initiatives that build consensus around successful resolutions.
Good Jobs: Rutherford County has over 50,000 people who leave each day to work in other areas of our state. But what if those people didn’t have to leave the county to make a living? For the business community the issue is the availability of a skilled workforce. For the individual the issue is quality of life. Allen has worked extensively with the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce to bridge the gap between employer and educator. He has also worked directly with individuals in Rutherford County to identify training resources and obtain the credentials needed to achieve a better quality of life for themselves and their families. Allen’s plan begins with promoting economic growth by supporting efforts to attract good jobs to Rutherford County, and partnering with education providers to address the needs of current employers. By identifying desirable skill sets and providing opportunities for residents to obtain those skills, will make Rutherford County more attractive to businesses seeking opportunities to relocate or expand.
Randy Allen is not a career politician. He is a concerned citizen with a servant’s heart. His vision for putting Rutherford County first and improving the quality of life for all residents is why he is running for Rutherford County Mayor.
For additional information about Randy Allen for Rutherford County Mayor please visit www.randyallenforcountymayor.com.