A state senator, a state representative and the county executive were special guests at the Annual Legislative Breakfast Tuesday morning in downtown McMinnville. Enjoying a breakfast catered by Keepsake, the event was sponsored by Security Federal Savings Bank and hosted by the Chamber of Commerce.

Tennessee Sen. Janice Bowling, State Rep. Paul Sherrell and Warren County Executive Terry Bell participated in the moderated Q and A session. A host of questions both from the moderator, Public Defender John Partin, and the live audience kept the politicians on their toes.

McMinnville Mayor Ryle Chastain had been scheduled but was unable to attend due to a last-minute scheduling hitch. The early morning event was held in the basement at Central Church of Christ.

Two of the guests are up for re-election this year. State Senator Janice Bowling of the 16th District will face Democrat Wayne Steele of Fayetteville.

Incumbent Paul Sherrell will face Tim Lewis of McMinnville and Robert McCormick of Sparta, all Republicans, for the 43rd District state representative race.

Bowling started off with a detailed account of how the private school voucher proposal did not pass this year. She said she is also against the potential law, but says it will most likely be back next legislative season.

She also discussed the reschedule of marijuana by the FDA. She herself has written legislation that the state of Alabama has “borrowed.” She claims they’re ahead of Tennessee in terms of rewarding local growers and farmers. Bowling says the FDA is opposed to decriminalizing cannabis for obvious reasons, but it is just a matter of time. “I have used deep and extensive research on medical marijuana by Israeli scientists to write my legislation. Cannabis receptors are an inherent part of the human brain composition,” she explained. “I speak out for Tennessee growers. Now because of Alabama passing it, Tennesseans can just drive over to the interstate market to get their legal CBD.” On a side note, while Alabama is ahead of Tennessee in legalizing medical marijuana, they are currently having legal woes of their own within their burgeoning medical cannabis industry.  A successful state is Arkansas whose five-year-old cannabis sector seems to be doing very well. 

Bowling also wants to improve transportation, particularly on the deadly stretch between Murfreesboro and Nashville. She says there are three wrecks a day on that corridor. Ownership of the land and public vs. private ownership of highways is holding up making progress. She’s against toll roads and “choice” lanes for a number of reasons. 

Asked about lobbyists and their questionable influence on lawmakers, she called them a mixture of “bad” and “good.” “Are they too powerful? Are they appropriate?” she asked. “You can learn about issues from some lobbyists, but other times their motives aren’t good. Ben Lomand is a powerful lobbyist for example” she explained. “But they have not abused their role.”

Paul Sherrell answered questions on the progress of the potential Cardwell State Park. There is still a lot of pre-planning involved. He praised state parks and how they attract only good things for the area. 

Terry Bell said the Senior Thrift Center will be opening in Three Star Mall in June. He said they just received two grants which  will allow free broadband wi-fi at the mall and help develop the Health Department. 

The grant will help fund a community room for 150 - 200 people, a SMART board, kitchen area and Telehealth operators. He said they are moving some jail offices to the old armory now that the new one is fully functioning.

He also discussed homelessness in Warren County. “Some of the homeless people refuse to take help,” he said, “then others say they have no money to go anywhere.” He said it’s a problem he’s not sure how to handle and needs the community to put its heads together to figure it out. 

Bowling praised Main Street McMinnville and said how important it is to keep McMinnville original and true to its identity. She said it’s a good example of the private and public intertwining interests. She says other towns have let their identities become homogeneous for a number of reasons. 

Rock Island resident Joe Schofield asked how these elected officials expected McMinnville to keep its small-town charm in face of all the growth and progress. Bowling said the necessity of zoning laws is looming and for Warren County to stay true to its roots, it is going to need to use them. She grieves how downtown Nashville is “now surrounded by 17 cranes out any window you look.” Citing San Antonio, Texas as a city that has kept its originality, she says it comes down to good sensible zoning laws. “There is no shadow on the Alamo,” she said, “while the Ryman is in a sea of downtown development. This could have been prevented with sensible zoning laws.” Balance is the key in her estimation.

Ending with “This is the Nursery Capital of the world, Warren County. You need to dance with who ‘brung’ you.” Bowling’s advice to government officials, whether elected or not, is to stay loyal to your ultimate providers.

Election primaries for both Bowling and Sherrell will be Aug. 1.

Opening and parting remarks were offered by Chamber of Commerce President Melissa Mullins and John Partin. Jeff Neal offered the invocation.