Make Gallatin NICE Again! (MGNA)

What Friends of Old Hickory Lake 

learned while opposing the Foxland Harbor Marina

Ironically, Reader’s Digest published a feature in 2017 titled “Meet Gallatin, Tennessee: The Nicest Place in America.” Today, that story would read very differently. Under the current city leadership, Gallatin has moved away from the values that once earned it national recognition. Instead of prioritizing the preservation of our lake, and our quality of life, city officials have increasingly catered to developers and pursued tax revenue at the expense of the community’s long‑term well‑being. It is time for the citizens of Gallatin to reaffirm the principles that made our city exceptional. It is time to restore what once made Gallatin a truly “nice” place to live.

The citizens that organized and led the FOHL to successfully oppose a very flawed plan to build a 200-plus commercial Marina in a small cove located at Douglas Bend and Gallatin Pike were disappointed in Gallatin city leadership in many regards. A few of these observations are as follows:

1. Repeatedly, the leadership of FOHL was asked by the Mayor, Vice-Mayor and other proponents why we were wasting our time opposing the Marina? “The decision is already made ” they would say. This was before public hearings, environmental studies, traffic studies, city approval,  or a final agreement with the Army Corps of Engineers. “It is already decided” speaks volumes regarding the arrogance and hubris of many of our elected officials.  It was clear there was really never any genuine concern by many city officials in regard to the concerns of the citizens or protecting the city from a foolish development. Nice!

2. Developers run Gallatin, not elected officials. Most city officials just rubber stamp whatever the developers design. The impact on Gallatin's quality of life is not considered. Nice!

3. Many of our elected officials do not bother to submit annual ethics reports known as Statement of Interest disclosures with the State of Tennessee as required by law. They apparently believe laws and rules do not apply to them. They only just do as they wish. And they do. Nice!

4. Our mayor does not feel compelled to reveal her conflicts of interest when leading the effort to approve the Marina project. She does not reveal that she grew up with the wife of the Marina developer and thus they have had a lifetime relationship. Apparently, that is not important. She also does not point out when her father speaks at a public hearing that he is a biased speaker. Such details are important to be revealed to the citizens and should be declared. But they were not . Nice!

5. Our mayor does not feel compelled to reveal the Gallatin City attorney is a childhood friend. The city attorney should be representing the city and the citizens, not the mayor and her developer friends. The attorney sits in authority to guide presentations and rules of behavior which can be manipulated to favor or oppose what is being presented. This conflict should have been declared. It was not. Nice!

6. Gallatin city officials brag they do not conduct traffic studies to consider the impact on road infrastructure prior to approving developments. The attitude is clear…developers can maximize profits while shifting the cost of the development impact on infrastructure over to the taxpaying citizens of Gallatin…roads, schools, safety, etc. are all afterthoughts and any cost incurred can just be shifted to the hardworking families  and retirees. Nice!

7. Within the city administrative structure, there are employees afraid to express their true opinions on the over development of Gallatin. Speaking up is neither encouraged nor accepted. This is good old fashion politics at its’ worst…comply or face various forms of disapproval. Nice!

8. For those leaders and supporters of FOHL who attended the city council meetings to protest the Marina, the indifference of the Mayor and most city council members was readily observable. Paying attention to their phones, computers, papers, etc.  while citizens voiced their concerns was the predominant behavior observed. Why bother having public hearings? Really Nice!
 
Yes, it is time to restore what once made Gallatin a truly “nice” place to live. Doing so requires a renewed commitment to stewardship, transparency, and community‑driven decision‑making. When citizens speak up and stay involved, Gallatin can once again become the kind of place worthy of the pride it inspired in years past.

Over the next few weeks, we will explore how to Make Gallatin Nice Again! 

Please Sign Our Petition and stay up to date on how you can help us Make Gallatin Nice Again!

Visit our website at www.friendsofoldhickorylake,com