What are the greatest challenges facing Collierville?

Candidates for public office in Collierville addressed questions about public safety, taxes and school start times at a forum on Monday at Collierville High School

Early voting starts Wednesday, and Collierville residents will have the chance to elect four candidates in contested races, including state representative, alderman and school board.

On Monday, candidates delved into the issues they believe will impact the town most. They answered questions submitted by the public, including one inquiry about what is the greatest challenge facing Collierville over the next decade.

Incumbent Alderman Tom Allen, Position 4, said public safety is a top issue, including adding more police and giving officers necessary training and equipment. His opponent, attorney Greg Cotton, placed educating citizens about what’s going on in town hall, economic Incumbent and Realtor Maureen J. Fraser Greg Cotton, attorney development and academic excellence among the high priorities.

For incumbent Alderman Maureen Fraser, Position 1, the biggest challenges the town faces are things out of its control, such as decisions made in Shelby County government. With a new county commission and mayor, Fraser said Shelby County’s priorities and plan for

Alderman Position 1 Former firefighter William Boone Alderman Position 4 Incumbent Tom Allen, retired regional manager for Arcadian Corporation School Board Position 4 Eelco R. Van Wijk, information technology manager Frank Warren, Realtor

Democrat Sanjeev Memula, assistant public defender in Shelby County Position 2 School Board member Wanda Chism Position 2 Alderman Billy Patton taxes are unknown.

Her opponent, former firefighter William Boone, said keeping people in Collierville while taxes have risen is one of the biggest challenges. Officials voted earlier this year to raise the town tax rate from $1.63 per $100 of assessed value to $1.83 after studying how to address a $2 million shortfall in the budget.

The budget funds two new police officers, seven new police vehicles, school administration building renovations, parks improvements, walking trails, new sanitation vehicles and street overlays, among other items. The town eliminated 15 employee positions, and the budget includes no raises for employees.

The two school board opponents for Position 4, Eelco R. Van Wijk, an information technology manager, and realtor Frank Warren, are addressing whether Collierville Schools have the proper start times, and if not, what would they do to remedy the situation. School starts at 7 a.m. at the high school.

Jokingly calling it the “dreaded start time question,” Warren said the issue isn’t easy. He said he is currently undecided and will wait to hear from the committee.

Van Wijk said student academic success, safety and health are most important and that studies show an ideal start time for high school as 8:30 a.m.

“Currently we’re at 7,” he said. “That’s a huge gap. How do we solve that?”

State Representative District 95 Republican William Kevin Vaughan, incumbent, engineer and real estate developer Unopposed for re-election