Ward 3 Aldermen Candidates

If you haven't voted yet...

Oct 27, 2024

Last week I sent out questions to each candidate running for alderman in Ward 3. Each candidate received the same questions. In this article I will be putting their responses in alphabetical order. Carter Beck and Jeremy Sisk are your candidates.

Carter Beck

Why did you decide to run for office?

I have dedicated my life to serving others. Most recently through my profession where I routinely travel to war zones and provide educational resources and opportunities to refugee children. I felt a calling to help these children and I feel a calling now to help the City of White House be the safest, and best community it can be for our children here. I have two young sons and I am blessed to call White House their home. We visit the city parks frequently, go to city events, and eat at local restaurants. I love this community and feel a great desire to help it be the best it can be for all residents. Over the years, I have noticed many residents voicing their concerns about not feeling like their elected officials were listening. I know I can change that and I promise to my family and the residents of White House that I will.

When was the last time you attended a city meeting, any board meeting included?

I currently serve as the board chair of the Library Board for the City of White House Public Library. We hold public board meetings every other month at city hall and I also proudly serve on several of the committees including Executive and Marketing. I am proud to serve the residents of White House and look forward to continuing to do so. I have also attended several BMA meetings as a representative for the Library Board.

What is your opinion on the six traffic projects?

I have a positive view of the six traffic projects as I believe they make meaningful steps in the right direction regarding the city’s growing traffic and infrastructure issues. However, I very much see these six projects as reactive measures to catch up with what residents have been stating have been issues for years. That being said, I commend the BMA for taking these steps.

What is your opinion on the tax increase for the traffic projects?

There are two ways that I want to address this question; one answer will be from my personal opinion, and the other (more importantly) from residents of the community. First, I oppose the tax increase to fund these traffic programs. I see many examples within the city budget where our tax dollars can be used more efficiently and believe the money to fund the traffic programs can come from different asset allocations. Second, and most important, residents are not in favor of this tax increase. I have not spoken with a single resident who has even known about the tax increase, let alone approved of it. This speaks to poor government transparency/communication where residents are not made aware, or the city government has not sufficiently communicated city spending and taxation plans. As an Alderman, that would be one of my top priorities.

Do you think the current board is moving in the right direction?

The BMA has a very challenging job in helping to govern the city. They have made some decisions in recent years that I agree and disagree with. Overall, I would say “Yes” the board is moving in the right direction. However, there are some changes that myself, and the residents of White House, would like to see. Not raising, but instead, lowering taxes. Reducing city government expenditures. Improving government transparency and communication practices. Making proactive infrastructure improvements rather than reactive. And last, dedicating time to go out into the community and directly speak to residents. Many residents do not even know the names of their Ward’s Alderman and that can easily change by making a concerted effort to go out into the community and listen to residents directly. Thank you so much for this opportunity to share my vision for the City of White House.

Jeremy Sisk

Why did you decide to run for office?

I have always had a desire to serve my fellow man. I love being of service to others. I started my public service as a “Jr. Firefighter” at the age of fifteen at Warrior’s Path Volunteer Fire Department in Kingsport, TN. I have been enthusiastic about public safety since day one. I believe we should all serve our communities in any capacity possible. I hope I always find some way to serve, even if it is to volunteer in a park, a hospital, or an animal shelter. I have loved the City of White House since my family moved here in 1997. I did not know just how much the city and its residents would impact and influence me over the next 25 years. When the City of White House, its residents, employees, business owners and visitors have done so much to impact my family, how could I not feel an obligation to try to continue to serve in any capacity if I am able.

When was the last time you attended a city meeting, any board meeting included?

I have attended Planning Commission Meetings and Board of Mayor and Alderman (BOMA) meetings numerous times over the past 25 years during my career with the City of White House. As the Fire Marshall I was tasked with ensuring compliance with applicable fire codes and state laws related to emergency response, fire prevention, water supply, emergency access, fire sprinkler systems, fire alarm systems, etc. I have presented projects to the BOMA and Planning Commission on numerous occasions and provided security at several meetings during my tenure as a police officer. I started attending meetings again in July when I decided to run for Alderman. Unfortunately, I missed one of the recent BOMA meetings due to a family vacation.

What is your opinion on the six traffic projects?

Necessary, but unfortunate. Necessary because as a firefighter and police officer I saw firsthand the suffering and destruction that crashes and other roadway incidents cause. I have watched the city grow with strained infrastructure and little concern from some earlier elected officials. Too many crashes occur at intersections and travel speeds are slow due to un-widened roadways that cannot manage traffic volumes placed on them by larger developments. Unfortunately, earlier administrations allowed almost unbridled development. Many of these developers have done little to provide the necessary infrastructure upgrades needed for the safety and well-being of the taxpayers. Additionally, the current roadway projects that the City of White House has undertaken require millions of dollars of taxpayer money. Developers became wealthy and taxpayers were unfairly burdened with the cost of the improvements while our safety was compromised. Not all developers have tried to take advantage, but many have. I understand that developers are in business to make money, otherwise they would not be in business. City leaders are elected to stand for the interests of the citizens and business owners of the city. I believe that following legal and fair processes, cooperative and mutually beneficial agreements can be reached.

What is your opinion on the tax increase for the traffic projects?

The tax increase is a necessity. No one likes a tax increase. I have watched board members that were unsettled over a tax increase because it can create a burden for families. This tax adjustment will result in a $51 dollar per year increase for my home (Approximately 1700 square feet). I have been privileged to see how tax dollars directly affect the ability to provide services. When I first started working for the city, there were minimal sales tax dollars available. We were buying “seconds” uniforms out of the basement of a home in New Deal. Things have changed over the years, but services are still dictated by available funding. Without this increase, the improvements will not occur and we, the taxpayers, will be impeded and our safety will be at risk. Further, it would be foolish to approve the infrastructure improvements without the funding being in place. If I were to oppose the tax increase, I would feel I would have to vote no for the projects’ approval as well. I have no problem paying my city taxes as I see the direct impact received. Police, Fire, Sewer, Public Works, Parks, and a library are just a sampling of the services received from City tax dollars. For the amount my family pays for City taxes, I would say we are doing well. I pay much higher County taxes and receive fewer direct benefits.

Do you think the current board is moving in the right direction?

I do. I have watched earlier administrations push developments. As the Fire Marshall, I was encouraged to “fast track” developments’ codes review processes. This is reckless returns and not in the best interest of the citizens. The process should be fair for everyone that presents a development or project for approval or denial. A chemical plant was once proposed and the realtor that was to profit from the sale said that the plant was doing nothing more than “making sweet tea.” After review of the chemicals that were to be used in the company’s processes, it was found that the “tea” was a mixture of toxic and extremely flammable chemicals. I will say the company was willing to do most everything the Fire Codes required, but the development was denied. This was encouraged to be “fast tracked,” but it was not. Projects should not be protracted either. Processes should be fair across the board. The current Board of Mayor and Aldermen understands the need to slow development and ensure that infrastructure and services are adequate for the current population as well as preparing for future growth. Mr. Herman stated last Tuesday in his State of the City address that the city could be around 29,000 in population in the next 3-5 years as the current developments are built out. This is a good period to slow the growth and allow services to catch up. This board is fair, open, and honest. I have seen the “good ol’ boy” politics at play in this city in the past, but I believe that is no longer the case. The current professional administration is the most transparent I have seen in my years of affiliation with the city. I would be proud and blessed to serve alongside the current Board, and I hope I am privileged to do so.