letters to the editor
Praise is poured out for Vice Mayor Povlin
Thank you for your service Vice Mayor!
As election time comes near, it is the best time to reeducate ourselves on what it takes to serve on the Farragut Board of Mayor and Aldermen.
These are unpaid positions that require a lot of work to do correctly – not just attending Board meetings but reading; researching; going to classes for municipal elected officials; representing the Town in the larger political realm at county, state and federal levels; attending Town social functions and ribbon cuttings; serving as the Board representative on Town committees; responding to constituent and business owners’ concerns and questions; and so much more.
All this while attempting to leave your personal agenda at the door. As the Town has grown so have the responsibilities.
These positions come with no paycheck, no mileage reimbursements, no dedicated donation account (as is the custom in other elected bodies) and has less power than one would assume (because you are one vote of five and must convince at least two other board members that your position is the best course of action and do it in a public setting).
Oh – and yes, you will receive lots of phone calls, e-mails and texts from very unhappy people, often about items over which you or the Town have no control; be publicly harassed for speaking your mind and voting in a way that a person or group is unhappy about; be personally attacked; and sometimes have flat-out lies told about you. It’s often a wonder to me that anyone ever files to run for these positions.
What is the upside?
I believe that for (Vice Mayor) Louise Povlin, the upside is the dedication to help further a community that 44 years ago decided it was going to chart its own course.
And she has done an amazing job in the past eight years as alderman/vice mayor and the years before that serving on Town committees. Regardless of whether you agree with the way she has voted at times, you cannot ignore the countless hours and undying energy that she has poured into her work for the Town.
She has been (and I’m guessing will continue to be) one of the Town’s greatest cheerleaders. And she has held her head high as she has received more than her fair share of criticism and personal attacks.
Before my retirement last year as an employee of the Town of Farragut, I was fortunate to work with dozens of elected Town of Farragut officials for 32 years.
I can tell you that I have been extremely impressed with the vast majority of them – giving their time and energy, many while still working and having a family life.
I haven’t always agreed with their decisions, but with a few notable exceptions I have always respected and appreciated their willingness to serve their community.
And Louise Povlin is at the top of this list. So please join me in thanking her for her service, her commitment and the sacrifice of her personal life for the greater good. Not many of us are willing to do that.
One last request for the upcoming Farragut election. When you cast your vote, make sure that you are voting for someone who is willing to put in the time and do all the work to educate themselves and not just show up for meetings ill prepared and ignorant.
This type of behavior makes the Town look bad to others and is not helpful to you and your fellow residents.
Thank you, Louise Povlin!
Sue Stuhl, Farragut
