As a previous mayor of the town of Walden, I have found myself engaged in a great deal of reflection as this very important upcoming election draws closer.  I have contemplated all the wonderful improvements that Mayor Bill Trohanis has made to our picturesque little town over the past five years.  From the incredible new fire hall to the much needed renovation of our beloved Pumpkin Patch and the addition of Signal Mountain’s first Puppy Patch Dog Park, Mayor Trohanis has worked tirelessly to see all of these projects come to fruition.... all while somehow maintaining a stable budget and sustaining the low property taxes that Walden residents so enjoy. I am in awe of Bill Trohanis’s passion for Walden and his energy for getting things done. 

More importantly, I would like to extend my most heart-filled gratitude to both Mayor Trohanis and Alderwoman McKenzie... not only as a prior mayor, but also as a member of the aging Walden community. They earned my gratitude by demonstrating the wisdom and foresight that will now allow Walden to finally have its own town center with an affordable full service, one stop grocery store.  I have seen the initial drawings of the complete Walden Town Village project (as displayed on the town of Walden website), and I can tell you, unequivocally,  that they are far more magnificent than anything that the Walden board on which I served could have ever conceptualized.  Even before I served as mayor (and police commissioner), the Walden town board had aspirations of Walden having its own town center.  Studies showed that the best (and only) spot recommended for a Walden Town Center was the Lines Orchids property. With the Lines Orchids property being unobtainable until very recently, it has always been with great sadness and sense of defeat that past boards of Walden have had to deny Walden the dream of having its own  Town Center. 

However, I have always firmly believed that everything happens for a reason.  And now, I can completely understand why we were repeatedly denied the opportunity to fulfill this particular dream over the past several decades .  This epiphany became crystal clear after seeing the spectacular drawings that Bob Franklin submitted for the board’s final approval. Upon viewing the classy (non grocery store looking) grocery store, the charming landscaping and tree lined parking lot, the enchanting Walden Pavilion, the quaint little shops and even the  well placed minimized gas pumps, I finally realized that we have been denied our dream in years past in order to make way for Mayor Trohanis’s much more glorious dream  of today. 

Thank you, Mayor Bill Trohanis, for turning this old(er) mayor’s dream into a reality and for showing all of us the momentous possibilities we can now have! Thank you for allowing our aging population to have this vital option for more affordable groceries without requiring us to make the otherwise unnecessary drive off the mountain.  Thank you for providing Walden with a positive and effective means to support its financial needs without imposing a monumental tax increase on its residents (some of which are already struggling financially).  And, thank you for being the responsible voice of reason when reason was desperately needed.  I truly hope the voters give you the opportunity to continue your good works for all the fine and blessed residents of Walden, Tn.

Linda Willingham-White
Previous Mayor
Town of Walden