Are you tired of the daily Phil Williams click bait headlines concerning Gabrielle Hanson? The latest one is “Chaos erupts at Franklin mayoral debate.” Give me a break – check out the Williamson Families Instagram for video of the exact moment that Mr. Williams describes as “chaos.” Does that look like chaos to you? Exactly. It looks a lot like “milling about” while waiting for the forum to start. (Note: Westhaven has something to say about this, as well in their Oct 2 Press Release).
The ensuing NewsChannel5 article attempts to paint Mayor Ken Moore as the grandfatherly city leader who easily won the forum over the embattled Gabrielle Hanson. If you weren’t there, you might believe it.
Well, I was there.
And I’m here to offer the observations of the average citizen, rather than the slanted tale of the hatchet man from NewsChannel5, which is incidentally the only local news channel that seems to think Gabrielle Hanson is the most newsworthy thing since Trump came down the escalator (pause to ask why – they even call her the “MAGA Mayoral Candidate.”).
Admittedly, when an incumbent debates a challenger, one can usually assume that the incumbent will win. They have the clear advantage: the experience of years in office and talking points that only being in that office would give them. There are a few ways that an incumbent can stumble in debate and hand the victory to the newbie: 1) lack of respect for their opponent which translates to lack of preparation (recall Obama v. Romney, Round One), 2) becoming emotional, 3) bullying or railroading their challenger, because nobody likes a bully. (I won’t mention the Fetterman short circuit in his debate against Dr. Oz).
Ken Moore had everything going for him last night (even his personal pit bull, Phil Williams, in the foyer trying to intimidate his opponent) and yet somehow, he committed all three of these mistakes and ultimately lost the debate. Yes, that’s right – he lost. And it all happened in the last 15 minutes of the hour-long forum.
Since the event was not live-streamed and we anticipated some skewed coverage by the local MSM, Williamson Families did our best to transcribe the entire debate as it happened in real-time. We recorded the salient points, as close to verbatim as possible (testing the limits of speed typing). The raw video has since been uploaded here; you can verify for yourself the accuracy in our reporting.
So, without further ado, let’s get started…
QUESTION 1: What makes you qualified for this position?
Moore – “I’m a physician…. (did not catch the whole answer, and you’re not missing much, because it was pretty boring anyways).
Hanson – “I’ve been an Alderman for 2 years, fought for the franklin little guy, such as pastor, home owners, property rights. Went on a tangent about an LLC in TN for realtors, that I didn’t really follow.
QUESTION 2: Franklin has a “weak mayor system.” The office of mayor can be considered to be the “face of Franklin.” How are you more qualified to be our face?
Hanson – We haven’t had a mayor that’s protective of our culture and family values. Low taxes, decrease crime. National cultural issues have come to our doorstep.
Moore – I vote only to break ties. I report once a year on the state of the city.
QUESTION 3: Since the office of mayor is restricted by a “weak mayor system,” how will you use the office to promote the best interests of Franklin?
Hanson – I will launch an exploratory committee for strong mayor system. Better pay for the position and more collaboration from the top. Won’t take any action until thorough exploration is made.
Moore – I don’t think there is a restriction; there’s a lot of latitude. Lots of opportunity to be involved in the community. Nonprofit work such as Friends of Franklin Parks, Heritage Foundation, etc. I don’t consider it to be a restrictive office, but rather an opportunity to be creative.
QUESTION 4: In the past year, both of you have been involved in controversial decisions. Can each of you explain these positions?
Moore – I voted for Pride for four reasons: 1) The BOMA altered the application process to be apprised of all performers who will be present, 2) there is municipal code on what can be turned down, 3) the US Constitution, 4) legal advice from city attorney that advised multiple lawsuits could result from the denial of the permit. Constitutional scholar backed him up. He “felt very comfortable with that decision.”
Hanson – I emailed the BNA because my constituents requested this action against the social justice movement encroaching on Franklin. “Defund the police” is part of this movement and constituents asked for intervention. Franklin Justice and Equity Coalition (FJEC) vs. African American Heritage Society (run by Alma Macklemore). (Note: Alma Macklemore has been running the annual Juneteenth event for years, long preceding FJEC). FJEC tried to extort money from Alma Macklemore for the 2022 Juneteenth. Wrote the letter in defense of Alma Macklemore.
QUESTION 5: What do you see as the major challenges facing Franklin in coming years and how will you address them?
Moore – The charm of our city. Its’ taken 40 years to make it what it is. Growth is a challenge… 20 years, 2000 people per year. Housing in workforce range. Transportation – congestion on roadways. Workforce – more jobs than people.
Hanson – Infrastructure. How to do it without burdening taxpayer? Not be asleep and let divisive agendas into our town. Keep taxes low.
QUESTION 6: While we all enjoy low taxes here, we also enjoy a high quality of life. How to maintain that balance?
Hanson – Through our culture. Satisfied citizens, good property value, draw people to the town via tourism for revenue. Saving money is key.
Moore – We have the lowest property tax rate of any city our size in Tennessee. We have high sales tax revenue. 2nd source of revenue: the state. 3rd source: property tax. We finance infrastructure with impact fees paid by developers and regularly evaluate. Ask developers to pay for development. Franklin is #6 tourism market in TN – $1.1B last year. It’s because of the culture here that is attractive to visit, historic resources, shopping, battlefields…
QUESTION 7: What is your position on the proposed new city hall and various locations?
Hanson – Needs to draw people to city hall. Most importantly – most city halls in other towns are next to a police station. The government is not good about reigning in spending – numbers for this town hall ($100M price tag) are extravagantly high. I know we can save money. We don’t need a Taj Mahal. We can deliver a wonderful building for less. Cost savings.
Moore – The location [current spot on downtown square] was vetted 3-5 years ago by the community. Citizens said they wanted to stay on the square. The Board looked at other properties out of due diligence. Building it at various other properties was no cheaper. Keep in mind the $100M includes an underground parking garage and accounts for Inflation and temporary space during construction. The [grand] stairway adds ambience.
QUESTION 8: Skipped – as it is specific to Westhaven.
(if you really want to know, I can add it)
QUESTION 9: What is your vision for public transportation in Franklin?
Moore – We have the Franklin Transit Authority. The newly passed “Transportation Modernization Act” represents new opportunity for us to utilize buses. Adaptive signal control, new studies, autonomous vehicles coming online….
Hanson – I will never support public transportation. Our current public transit costs taxpayers $40 per ride. It causes us to hemorrhage financially. It changes socio-economic fabric of our community. Plans exist for buses, light rails, etc. in Williamson County.
QUESTION 10: Ethical conduct has recently arisen as an issue in franklin. How will you run and lead ethically?
Hanson – Two people were brought before the ethics board: Hanson and Moore. Only one was penalized. Ethics should be adhered to, should be followed. Was doing what my constituents asked.
Moore – I was found to not be in violation of ethics code. BOMA voted on ethics commission. Disputed that several members of the Ethics Commission were his friends, but some would say that “a few know him.”
FINAL ROUNDS: Each candidate is allowed to ask THREE questions of opponent. Opponent has 2 mins to answer. Questioner gets to rebut.
QUESTION 1 BY MOORE: [with a very different, accusatory tone] “Today is the 6th month anniversary of the Covenant shooting. You made hurtful and insensitive comments towards the Covenant families. Have you apologized?”
Hanson Answer – I have apologized. As an elected official, I often have access to high level information that I sometimes forget others don’t have access to. I never meant to come across as insensitive. Those families will never be the same. None of us have all the answers about Covenant yet [thanks to the withholding of the manifesto.] I hope someday the truth will come out and that people will realize that “she did know some things.”
Moore – {Very Hostile and in a loud voice} “Your comments have been debunked! Will you now at this moment apologize to the Covenant families!?” {Moderator cuts him off and moves on to next question – possibly due to the escalation in tone?}
QUESTION 1 BY HANSON: With CBDC (Central Bank Digital Currency) coming online (“FedNow” was rolled out last July, Biden administration setting up for CBDC via EO and legislation), cash is going away, with potential for value loss on current assets. What proactive steps have you taken for the city and its residents?
MOORE ANSWER – We have a CFO. State law requires it. Every year we get budget award. We have a meeting every year about how we invest our money. Lots of stop gaps in place. {Lots of audience murmuring about how he failed to answer the question.}
HANSON REBUTTAL – The financial management of Franklin is excellent, but my concern is the conversion of currency where a 1-1 tradeoff may not happen. This is not an “if” – it’s on the books via federal legislation.
QUESTION 2 BY MOORE: “You have been outspoken about transparency. You have been charged with a felony!” {voice overly forceful/hostile again} “Have there been other criminal charges against you?”
HANSON ANSWER – No felony. I plead “No contest” to a misdemeanor. The charge they tried to levy was bogus. It was a $10/hour job answering phones. I didn’t know what was happening. I plead no contest versus paying a lawyer to defend me in court. Your information is inaccurate. I am transparent – I am not running from it. It happened when I was in my late 20s. {Her tone stayed very calm and relaxed}
MOORE REBUTTAL – “I appreciate your clarification on the No contest. What about an alias and something about money laundering?” {Moderator cuts him off, moves on, possibly due to his combative tone?}
QUESTION 2 BY HANSON – We know about the Pride vote. Threats of lawsuits. Franklin PD denied entry to ladies with Bibles, but admitted a lady with a switchblade because “she looked like one of them.” Joe Cochini was arrested for wearing a Jesus shirt and talking softly and calmly with someone at a church booth. The City chose not to drop charges despite multiple opportunities to do so. Who initiated the arrest? Orders come from the mayor’s office. It was a public event on public space.
MOORE ANSWER – I wasn’t there. I saw bodycam footage. Shows Cochini telling people they are not Christians. It wasn’t about praying; it was about his activity. When Pride rents the entire park, they can ask people to leave. He didn’t leave. That’s the truth.
HANSON REBUTTAL – Did it come from the event organizer or the mayor’s office?
QUESTION 3 BY MOORE – You’ve talked a lot about the importance of land preservation. At the December 12 BOMA meeting, we voted 7-0 to purchase land that added an additional 30% to Harlinsdale Farm. You left after the beer board meeting. Where were you?
HANSON ANSWER – Kidney stone. I suffered through as much as I could, but ultimately left in pain. Had it pulverized later that week. She was, however, concerned about a letter from the First United Methodist Church, who was not on board with the decision. Looks like we’re giving some of the mayor’s friends a couple million dollars, so are we really going to keep that for preservation or is something else going to be built there?
MOORE REBUTTAL – The First United Methodist Church is my church. Their process is complex and still has to go through multiple layers. My friends… I do have a lot of friends. Only 2-3 that I can confide in. No special favors.
QUESTION 3 BY HANSON – Last summer we were all alerted to a FOIA request concerning “Bob Ravener.” (Author’s note: Bob Ravener is also the chair of the “Common Sense TN PAC” which has been supporting Mayor Moore). This is clear Hatch Act violation for politicking in city offices from city emails, implicates Ken Moore and [Ward 2 Alderman] Matt Brown on numerous counts for politicking for the Bob Ravener campaign with city resources. Have we heard back from the Office of Special Counsel? The penalty is resignation from office and 2 year forfeiture of salary.
MOORE ANSWER – “Weak mayor system… I do not vote on funding. Budget passes unopposed. I had a conversation with city attorney and I look forward to clearing my name. So…..”
Folks, that is not a typo or an exaggeration: The Westhaven Mayoral Debate ended with Ken Moore’s “So…” as he seemed to run out of things to say.
For the first 10 questions, it was really kind of wash as to who won. Ken Moore, as one would expect of a 16 year incumbent, had the clear upper hand for some of them. The surprise ending was how Gabrielle Hanson seemed to mop the floor with him at the end in the freeform round. Whoever said local politics weren’t interesting??
So….
This is Williamson Families, reporting from the Franklin Mayoral Debate in Westhaven (with superior coverage over that of Phil Williams at NBC5, I must say).