Erwin BMA candidates make pitch to voters

Seven candidates are vying for three open seats on the Erwin Board of Mayor and Aldermen. The Erwin Record invited the candidates to answer two questions for our election preview. Their answers are printed verbatim. Early voting runs from Oct. 14 through Oct. 29. The election is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 3. MICHAEL BAKER Why do you wish to serve on the Board of Mayor and Aldermen? I wish to continue serving on the Board of Mayor and Aldermen because I genuinely love Erwin and believe deeply in the future of our community. Serving our citizens as an Alderman since 2014 has been one of the greatest honors of my life. Over the past 12 years, I have had the opportunity to be part of many important decisions and projects that have helped move our town forward. We have seen investment in our downtown, improvements to our parks and public spaces, new businesses and jobs, and continued efforts to strengthen the quality of life that makes Erwin such a special place to call home. We have also faced challenges that none of us could have imagined. Hurricane Helene changed our community forever. In the days, months, and now years following the storm, I have seen firsthand the strength and resilience of the people of Erwin. I have also been proud to work alongside local, state, and federal partners as we continue rebuilding and advocating for the resources our community needs. There is still a great deal of work ahead of us. As Erwin continues to recover and grow, we must remain focused on responsible budgeting, strong public services, infrastructure, economic development, recreation, and maintaining the character of our community. I believe my experience on the Board, my relationships throughout our region and across Tennessee, and my involvement in our local business and nonprofit communities allow me to bring a valuable perspective to that work. Most importantly, I still have the same desire to serve that I had when I first ran for office. I want Erwin to be a community where families want to raise their children, businesses want to invest, visitors want to return, and our longtime residents remain proud to call home. Erwin has given my family and me so much. I am asking for the opportunity to continue giving back through another term of service on the Board of Mayor and Aldermen. What qualifications/qualities do you bring to the office of alderman? I believe one of my strongest qualifications is experience. I have served as an Alderman since 2014, giving me 12 years of firsthand experience with municipal government, budgeting, infrastructure, economic development, planning, and the day-to-day decisions that affect our citizens. I understand how local government works, but I also understand that there is always more to learn and that every decision deserves careful consideration. My professional background as a local business owner and real estate broker also brings an important perspective to the Board. I understand what it means to manage a budget, make difficult financial decisions, create jobs, work with the public, and plan for the future. I see firsthand the opportunities and challenges facing our local businesses, property owners, and families. I also bring strong relationships throughout our community, region, and state. Through my service with the Tennessee Municipal League, local and regional boards, and community organizations, I have developed relationships with other local officials, state leaders, and organizations that can help Erwin advocate for funding, resources, and opportunities. Those relationships became especially important following Hurricane Helene and will continue to matter as our community rebuilds. Perhaps most importantly, I bring a willingness to listen and work with people. I may not always agree with everyone, but I believe residents deserve an alderman who is accessible, responsive, and willing to hear their concerns. I try to approach every issue by asking what is responsible, what is achievable, and what will best serve Erwin in the long term. I bring experience, a business-minded approach, strong relationships, and a genuine commitment to this community. After 12 years of service, I know the responsibility that comes with this office, and I remain committed to doing the work and making thoughtful decisions on behalf of the people of Erwin. RYAN BLANKENSHIP Why do you wish to serve on the Board of Mayor and Aldermen? I wish to serve on the Board of Mayor and Aldermen because Erwin is home to me. This is where I have built relationships, made memories, and seen the hard work and generosity that make our community special. I care about Erwin's future, and I want to help ensure that the decisions we make today create opportunities for the citizens who will call this town home tomorrow.A strong community needs a healthy local economy. I want to support small businesses and make it easier for local entrepreneurs to open, grow, and succeed here. Small businesses create jobs, keep money circulating locally, and give Erwin its character. Town government can help by listening to business owners, making processes clear and predictable, investing in welcoming public spaces, and working with employers rather than putting unnecessary obstacles in their way.We also need to think carefully about how we fund the services and improvements our community needs. Property owners are important members of Erwin, but they should not be expected to carry all the weight. I believe we should look for responsible ways to broaden our economic base, attract investment, and encourage business growth so that the cost of maintaining a strong town is shared more fairly. That means asking practical questions, weighing long-term benefits against costs, and being transparent with residents about the choices before us.Most of all, I want our children to be able to build their lives here if they choose. They should not have to leave Erwin simply to find a good job, affordable housing, or a chance to succeed. Creating that future will take more than one decision or one term of service. It will require steady work to attract good companies, support local businesses, strengthen infrastructure, and make Erwin a place where people can both work and put down roots.Serving on the Board is an opportunity to listen, ask questions, and work with residents, businesses, and fellow leaders toward practical solutions. I won't pretend every issue has an easy answer. But I believe good local government begins with being honest about challenges, using public resources responsibly, and keeping the community's long-term well-being at the center of every decision.I want to serve because I believe in Erwin—not just as it is today, but as the place it can become. I want to help build a town where local businesses can thrive, families can afford to stay, and the next generation can find both meaningful work and a place to call home. This community has given a great deal to me, and serving Erwin is one way I can give back. What qualifications/qualities do you bring to the office of alderman? I bring four years of experience working in city and county government, along with a practical understanding of how local decisions affect residents, businesses, and the future of a community. That experience has given me a useful foundation for serving as an alderman: I know how to work through regulations, coordinate across departments, listen to different perspectives, and focus on solutions that can be put into practice.In my government work, I have helped develop and write ordinances. This has taught me that good rules should be clear, fair, and grounded in the needs of the community. Ordinances can shape everyday life for residents and business owners, so they should be written carefully, applied consistently, and explained openly. I understand the importance of considering both the purpose of a rule and its practical effect before making decisions.I also have experience with building and codes inspection. That work calls for attention to detail, sound judgment, and the ability to communicate requirements in a straightforward way. Safety standards matter, but so does treating people with respect and helping them understand what is required. I would bring that same balanced approach to the Board: protect the public interest while being thoughtful about the burdens local decisions can place on residents and small businesses.Floodplain management, particularly in the aftermath of Helene, has reinforced the importance of preparation, coordination, and resilience. Severe flooding can affect homes, infrastructure, businesses, and livelihoods all at once. Responding well requires clear communication and cooperation among local officials, agencies, property owners, and community members. It also requires planning ahead so that recovery is not the only time we think about risk. I would bring those lessons to discussions about public safety, infrastructure, and responsible growth.My work coordinating planning and zoning has given me experience balancing property rights, community standards, development, and long-term needs. These issues can be complicated, and people may have strongly differing views. I believe an alderman should listen carefully, ask good questions, consider the available facts, and explain decisions honestly—even when everyone may not agree.I also bring a personal understanding of small-business challenges. My father and grandfather owned local businesses, so I grew up seeing the effort, risk, and long hours that go into keeping a business open. I understand that business owners must manage costs, serve customers, and make decisions with limited time and resources. That perspective would shape how I consider local policies, fees, permitting, and economic development. I want Erwin to be a place where small businesses can grow and where local people can find good work without feeling they have to leave to build a future.The qualities I would bring are a willingness to listen, a candid and respectful approach, attention to detail, and a commitment to responsible decision-making. I know experience does not mean having every answer. It means being prepared, asking questions, learning from others, and staying accountable to the people affected by the Board's decisions.Erwin is home to me. I would bring both professional experience and personal investment to the office of alderman, with the goal of helping our community remain safe, welcoming, and economically strong for the next generation. JEFF CANON Why do you wish to serve on the Board of Mayor and Aldermen? The direction of the town doesn't seem to reflect the values of the people I have met over the last 8 years. I have spoken to many people that have expressed concern that Erwin is being shaped for the needs of a few instead of the needs of the whole. I witnessed some of these disconnects in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, when I was asked to be the disaster recovery coordinator for my church, Evergreen FWBC. That role consisted of rebuilding and remodeling homes, coordinating volunteers, inspecting completed work, and working with the Unicoi County and Washington County Recovery Groups. For over 18 months, I was blessed to serve the people of this community. Being the hands and feet of Jesus was the most rewarding thing I have ever done. I would like to continue that service as Alderman. I want to be part of reshaping the town to better serve the entire community. What qualifications/qualities do you bring to the office of Alderman?Faith in God, hard work, integrity, and strength of character are essential in serving in any government office. I hope I have exhibited these qualities throughout my years of work and service. I have served the church for many years as a teacher and leader of kids 0-18, and as a deacon. I have served communities such as Erwin throughout my professional career: as a plumber, building inspector, chief building official, building plans examiner and disaster recovery coordinator. In those roles, I have led meetings, managed budgets, rewritten policies and procedures, resolved conflicts, presented plans and projects to community leaders, helped homeowners rebuild their homes while they rebuilt their lives. I plan to use the knowledge I've gained over my lifetime to assist me as I navigate the office of Alderman in Erwin. CATHY HUSKINS Why do you wish to serve on the Board of Mayor and Aldermen? I am running for the position of Alderwoman in the Town of Erwin for the same reason I ran four years ago: I believe I can make a difference, and I believe I have made a difference. To be effective in this role, one must look at the picture as a whole rather than focusing on individual parts. The objective of an Alderwoman is to make decisions based on what is best for the entire community, rather than a single business, department, or issue. What qualifications/qualities do you bring to the office of alderman? As an incumbent Alderwoman, I bring four years of proven experience serving Erwin and making decisions that directly impact our community. I understand that leadership means listening to our citizens, asking the hard questions, being fiscally responsible, and putting Erwin's best interests first. With more than 20 years of experience teaching and developing leaders, along with my work in community development, and working closely with many local organizations, I bring a strong combination of leadership, communication, and community knowledge to the Board. I don't just believe in Erwin—I love Erwin, and I am committed to continuing to work hard, protect what makes our town special, and help build a strong future for the people who call it home. ELEANA PATE Why do you wish to serve on the Board of Mayor and Aldermen? I am running because I love our town. I have lived here my whole life (minus the first six months), and I truly believe Erwin has a lot of potential. I want to see our town move forward, but I also want us to remember what makes Erwin special in the first place. We have a lot to offer. I don't want Erwin to just become another town that looks like every other place in the world. I want us to grow and improve while still keeping the atmosphere, character, and small-town living that we have here. I believe we can make progress without losing the things that make people love calling Erwin home. I am not running because of money or notoriety. I am running because I believe in the bigger ideas for our town, not just what benefits me personally. I want to be part of making decisions that will benefit Erwin for years to come, even if those decisions don't always have an immediate payoff. I MAINLY believe people deserve to be heard. I want the people of Erwin to know that their concerns matter and that someone is willing to listen. I may not always agree with everyone, but I will listen, consider different opinions, and make the best decision I can for our community. What qualifications/qualities do you bring to the office of alderman? I think one of the biggest things I bring to this position is that I am a lifelong resident of Erwin. I know this town, I care about this town, and I care about the people who live here. I am not looking at Erwin from the outside. This is home to me. I am also a teacher, and I think that has taught me a lot about working with people. I have to listen, communicate, solve problems, be patient, and sometimes bring people together when they don't agree. I think those qualities are important for an alderman. I am willing to ask questions and do the work to understand an issue before making a decision. I don't believe an alderman should simply vote based on what is easiest or what one person wants. We have to look at the bigger picture and think about how decisions will affect our town and the people who live here. I bring honesty, common sense, a strong work ethic, and a willingness to listen. Most of all, I bring a genuine love for Erwin. I want to see our town succeed, but I don't want us to lose who we are in the process. I want to be a voice for the people of Erwin, and I want to help us make progress while still being proud of what makes our town unique. ANGELA WILCOX VAUGHN Why do you wish to serve on the Board of Mayor and Aldermen? I would like to continue to serve on the Board of Mayor and Aldermen for the same reason I ran in 2022 – I want to see Erwin grow and thrive. I want to serve the residents in the town of Erwin and help build it to allow our future generations to work and to stay in the Erwin we love – as I have. Erwin is making progress in that compared to four years ago the Tennessee Commission and Children and Youth Report ranked Unicoi County (which represents Erwin as well) 49th out of 95 counties from 70th out of 95 in 2022, which is great improvement. The per capita income for Erwin is decreasing. I would like to help turn this around.I want to improve our local economy. We have seen a substantial shift in our town over the past 20 years with the closure of CE Refractories (later Mogar Insulation), Morrill Motors, Hover Ball and Roller, the railroad, and most recently Tsubaki Nakashima (NN). We have had a return of approximately 100 railroad jobs and an announced expansion with the possibility of 100 jobs at BWXT (formerly NFS). In addition, we experienced devastation from Hurricane Helene by loss of friends and family and the loss of our industrial park.Throughout these losses, the Town, Chamber, and Economic Development Board has shown resilience with committed efforts through retail shops, grocery stores, food establishments, small business recruitment, a business incubator (in plans), and supporting and promoting established local businesses, and tourism. I would like to see a balance of that growth in partnership with the Economic Development Board through recruiting new industries that pay workers a living wage. It is the love for Erwin and commitment to growth while maintaining our small-town values that make me want to run for reelection. I, like you, live here in Erwin with my family. This town means everything to me, and I want to make it better for our future generations. What qualifications/qualities do you bring to the office of alderman? For the past twenty-three years, I have worked as a Teacher, Principal, RTI Coordinator, and RTI Interventionist with District Duties, and am currently the Manager of Intervention for the State of Tennessee. Before teaching, I worked in retail for eight years with five of those being in management positions. I hold a BA in English (with a business minor) and MA Ed in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis-both from East Tennessee State University.I come from a wonderful, supportive family who instilled morals and a strong work ethic. I persevere through failures and tackle obstacles with a positive attitude. I look for solutions to problems, and I constantly research issues that come before the board. I have worked for the public all my adult life and believe those skills help me to be a better Alderman. If reelected, I will continue to think through decisions, research decisions, seek input about decisions, pray about decisions, and make decisions that I believe are right for the town of Erwin and not for any other reason. I will strive to insert my Christian values into the decisions I make and do what is right for the people of Erwin. I value your thoughts and input and am available to discuss any further questions at avaughn@erwintn.org or 423-502-0598 (text first because I don't answer unknown numbers). DUSTIN WALDEN Why do you wish to serve on the Board of Mayor and Aldermen? I want to serve as an alderman to be the voice that the citizens might feel they don't have. Some residents don't like to be vocal and give their thoughts but still want to be heard. I want to be that voice for them. I'm a fighter by nature and I want to fight for the residents of my hometown. What qualifications/qualities do you bring to the office of alderman? I've got a mixed martial arts fighting and coaching background, I feel the discipline that part of my life gave me the will to stay in the battle when things aren't easy and to overcome tough situations. I have also been in real estate for a decade and that has helped me to forge relationships and taught me negotiation skills that I feel will help me go to bat for the people of Erwin.