Springfield Mayoral Race: Incumbent Williams Faces Challenger Poole in November Election
SPRINGFIELD TENNESSEE: (Smokey Barn News) – Two candidates are currently running for the office of Mayor of Springfield. Ann Schneider Williams, the incumbent, is seeking re-election and has served as mayor for the past eight years. In her professional background, Williams brings experience in finance and community leadership, and she emphasizes responsible growth and city improvements.
Buzzy Poole, also a lifelong resident of Springfield, is challenging for the position. Poole has a background in construction and industrial service and currently holds several leadership roles in local committees. He focuses on enhancing community facilities and creating more local entertainment options.
The following sections present the full statements from each candidate, beginning with the incumbent, Williams.
Ann Schneider Williams
To the voters of Springfield,
I, Ann Schneider Williams, am proud to announce my candidacy for reelection as the Mayor of Springfield. I have tried to do my best to serve you as Mayor during this time of unprecedented growth by offering responsible but caring leadership. I am also humbled that you the voters have allowed me to serve you as Mayor for the past eight years. An honor and privilege I will carry with me for the rest of my life.
For you voters who do not know me. I am a lifelong resident of Robertson County. After graduation from Jo Byrns High School I went on to attend Western Kentucky University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in finance. A degree that has served me well as I have over two decades of experience in banking and investment as a senior vice president, bank manager, and financial advisor. This experience allows me to bring a wealth of financial expertise and acumen to City projects and the business of the City of Springfield. I am proud to say our City remains fiscally sound with low taxes in comparison to other surrounding cities in the Mid State Region.
As your Mayor, I have worked to help manage the growth of Springfield without a property tax increase. Handling the growth is very important to us now but also for the future, as more and more new people are finding their way into Springfield and Robertson County.
We are very excited about opening the Batson extension on October 4th. This will allow the city to have a bypass from Hwy 41S to Tom Austin Hwy. This will help with our growing traffic congestion and unlock a new corridor to manage growth for Springfield.
During my term in office, I have sought to make Springfield a better place for families to build community through upgrades at Garner Street Park, First Friday Night Market, Winter Wonderland, our July 4th Celebration. These are just a few family-oriented events that are brought to you by the City of Springfield. All of these family attractions make Springfield a better community in which to call home and raise a family.
As a longtime community and civic leader, I have been a member of the Springfield Kiwanis Club for 22 years, a proud graduate of Leadership Middle Tennessee and Leadership Robertson County. I have been honored to serve as past board member and chair of the Robertson County YMCA, past board member of Robertson County United Way, and served as chair of Robertson County Chamber of Commerce. I am currently serving on the Executive Board of the Tennessee Municipal League. Prior to being elected Mayor of Springfield, I was first an Alderwoman for Ward 4 and then I served as Vice Mayor.
I married Gary Williams in February of 2023. Gary has been employed for Tennessee Farmers CO-OP for over 30 years. He is enjoying living in Springfield and participating in all the events in our city.
Having served as your Mayor these past eight years has given me a keen insight on what it takes to be a Mayor of a growing, vibrant city. As with all cities in these challenging times there are indeed challenges for our city. However, I feel with your support, we together can overcome all obstacles to keep Springfield growing and caring about this place we all love so dear. I would appreciate and consider it an honor to receive your vote as Mayor of Springfield on Tuesday, November 5th.
Thank you. Ann Schneider Williams
————————————————————
Buzzy Poole
My name is Buzzy Poole, and I am a candidate for the Office of Mayor for the City of Springfield. I am a lifelong resident of Springfield and Worship Leader at North Springfield Baptist Church.
I presently serve as Chairman of the Planning Commission, Chairman of the Board of Zoning Appeals, and a member of the Springfield Parks & Recreation Committee.
I come from a background in construction and industrial service. In 1984, I began my career with Continental Machinery Movers as an entry-level employee. I worked my way up to the position of Executive Vice President/GM and part-owner of the business. I bid and managed projects for Nissan, General Motors, Standard Register, Dupont, Florim Tile, and many others. Locally, I have managed projects at Martinrea, Electrolux, Johnson Electric, and Unarco. During my time as Vice President/GM of Continental, I handled our employee health insurance, 401K benefits, workman’s comp insurance, and directed our safety programs. During my tenure with Continental, I helped grow our business to become one of the larger industrial service providers in the Southeast.
I feel my experience in business and management would be a tremendous asset to the position of Mayor of Springfield. Ask anyone who knows me, and they will tell you that I am a hard worker and a compassionate person who understands what working people deal with on a daily basis.
Springfield is a wonderful city, blessed with wonderful people who live and work here. But we have work to do.
I would love to see the Bransford Community Center Project come to fruition. This program is making such a difference in these young children’s lives.
We have very few entertainment options in our city. No longer do we have a bowling alley, a skating rink, or a movie theater. We need to attract these types of businesses back to our city, along with a couple of quality restaurants.
The median household income in Springfield is $50,655, which is 13% less than that of the state average. The median home price in Springfield is $380,000. This means that the average household wage earner working in Springfield would be hard-pressed to ever own their own home. We need more and better-paying jobs.
Springfield voters, it is time to elect a Mayor who will roll up their sleeves and work to move our city forward.
Vote for Buzzy Poole – Springfield Mayor – Tuesday, Nov. 5th.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Buzzy Poole
Mobile: To See The Latest Stories or to share this article, scroll below
