Two seats on the Waynesboro City Commission will be on the ballot in the August 6th election, with one incumbent commissioner vying against three political newcomers for the commission seats. This week in our “Meet the Candidates” series, we are featuring the responses of two candidates to the questions we presented to each of the candidates for Waynesboro City Commissioner: Mr. Lynn Warren, a political newcomer in the city, and Mr. Jeff Davis, an incumbent city commissioner who is running for a second term.
LYNN WARREN
1) You have announced your candidacy for election to a seat on the Waynesboro City Commission. What factors helped you decide to run for this position?
In the past, several friends, neighbors and family members have asked me about being involved in such a position. Now that I am 52 years of age, I have more time and a greater desire to be involved in decisions which can help our city prosper. I feel that my education and knowledge could be a huge asset in doing a good job for the people of Waynesboro.
2) A seat on the City Commission carries a great deal of responsibility, such as making decisions regarding departmental operations within the city, and perhaps most importantly, making decisions regarding the city’s budget. What is your vision for the future of the City of Waynesboro, and how do you plan to implement your goals and ideas?
Waynesboro is a small town. One in which I am proud and happy to live in. If elected, I will work and help make decisions which are fair and equitable for everyone involved. I plan to use my experiences with grants and make connections with those involved in state government to maximize the financial opportunities available to our city.
3) Please tell us more about yourself, including your family, your work experience, your personal beliefs, and what you believe best qualifies you for a seat on the Waynesboro City Commission.
I, Lynn Warren, was born and raised in the city of Waynesboro. My parents, C.M. and June Warren, lived and worked in Wayne County their entire adult lives. I have been married to Heather Prater Warren for 24 years. She continues to work for the Wayne County School System as the Wayne County Vocational Director. We have one daughter, Jaylee, who is attending Tennessee Tech University and majoring in education/counseling. My work experience began at the age of 10 when I started mowing yards in my neighborhood. I mowed 5-10 yards for several summers and learned many lessons about satisfying the customer. From the age of 16-20, I worked as a lifeguard at our local swimming pool. I was in charge of taking care of pool funds, keeping the pool water regulated properly, and keeping swimmers safe. After I graduated from MTSU with a Business Administration degree, I went to work at Wayne County Bank for a year. The following year, I became a teacher in the Wayne County School System. I taught science, social studies, personal finance/business classes, and Microsoft Office computer classes for 20 years. Over the last 9 years, I have been working with various state and federal grants at the board of education which gives me the pleasure of working with many people at the local and state level. During my time at the board of education, I have been involved in the allocation and distribution of several million dollars of state and federal funds which should be of some benefit to any city commissioner. I hope that I am considered to be an honest, hard-working person and I look forward to the opportunity of being your city commissioner.
JEFF DAVIS
1) You have announced your candidacy for re-election to your seat on the Waynesboro City Commission. What factors helped you decide to run once again to retain your seat on the commission?
It has been a privilege to be a part of the progress and improvements made in our city the last four years, such as lights at the Sportsplex, paving projects, new water expansion, improvements at the City Park, and the golf course, to name a few. I appreciate the opportunity I was given to serve as your city commissioner the past four years. It has been a learning experience that I have truly enjoyed.
2) A seat on the City Commission carries a great deal of responsibility, such as making decisions regarding departmental operations within the city, and perhaps most importantly, making decisions regarding the city’s budget. What is your vision for the future of the City of Waynesboro, and how do you plan to implement your goals and ideas?
If re-elected, I will continue to work with my fellow commissioners on further improvements and the overall operations of our great city. Although it has been a challenging year for our small community, if re-elected I look forward to continuing to move our town in a positive direction. Through a good working relationship with fellow commissioners and Waynesboro citizens, we can work toward achieving further improvements and managing overall operations of our great city. My primary goal and motivation is to make this a better place to raise our children and grandchildren.
3) Please tell us more about yourself, including your family, your work experience, your personal beliefs, and what you believe best qualifies you to retain your seat on the Waynesboro City Commission.
I am employed by the USPS, and I am a small business owner. My grandparents are Ruby Davis and the late Milas Davis, Sr., and Ila Cole and the late Joel Cole. My parents are Glenda and Milas Davis, Jr. I am married to Becky Mathis Davis, and we have two children, Ashlee Long and husband Charles, Cameron Davis and wife Cessaley. We have four grandchildren, Makohl and Madden Haggard, Creed and Courtlyn Davis. I will work with my fellow commissioners to make our town a safe place to raise our children, the future leaders of our community. It would be an honor and privilege to serve the next four years.
