The Franklin Town Council held its organizational meeting Dec. 1 with the swearing in of a new mayor and three council members.
Clerk of Court Shawna Lamb administered the oath of office to Mayor Stacy Guffey, council member Rita Salain, who was reelected for a second term, and new council members Jeff Berry and Travis Higdon.
Following the swearing in ceremony, Guffey called for a vote for the vice mayor position, which he previously held. Mike Lewis was unanimously selected as vice mayor. “I appreciate the confidence,” Lewis said.
Each council member then took a moment to express their appreciation and said they looked forward to working together the next four years. (The mayor serves a two-year term while the council members serve four-year terms.)
Guffey reminded those in attendance of “the Franklin way” of doing things and how it elects its leaders. The Town Council is a nonpartisan board.
“Franklin’s heart beats stronger than its labels. We look for character, not party. For service, not slogans,” he said.
He pointed out that across the country people are walking away from political parties because they are tired of self-interest, partisanship and power coming before service.
“But here, in this little mountain town, the best small town in America, we can show there’s another way. We can prove that government still works when people put neighbors before names and service before self.”
He said he has already seen mention of how the party makeup of the board has shifted. “I want to say this: no party gained seats on this board, because the party stops at that door right there,” he said. “This is a nonpartisan board. What Franklin gained are two new board members, neighbors that are eager to learn, ready to serve from the heart, and ready to get to work for you,” he said.
“When I hear someone say that their party is going to take control of this board, no. No party controls this board. The people of Franklin control this board. That’s the Franklin way. Service over self and people over politics,” he said.
Guffey went on to say he would be glad to talk with anyone whether it be in the grocery store, on the street or at a council meeting. “If I can’t help you directly, I’ll help you find the right person or the right level of government who can. Because that’s the Franklin way. We help our neighbors.”
He encouraged the new board to keep up the momentum started with the previous board. “We can strengthen this town we love, protect what’s worth keeping, and dream about what’s yet to come,” he said. “Let’s make a commitment tonight. Let’s make a commitment to bear down over the next two years and get some good stuff done.”
The new council’s first item of business was the reappointment of Town Manager Amie Owens, Town Attorney John Henning, and Clerk Nicole Bradley.
2026 meeting schedule
The council set its meeting schedule for 2026, with meetings being held the first Monday of each month at 6 p.m. There will be an exception in September due to the Labor Day holiday; that meeting will be held Tuesday, Sept. 8.
The next Town Council meeting will be Monday, Jan. 5. The council will hold its annual retreat Jan. 23-24 at Fontana Village Resort.
Holiday closures
Town Hall offices will be closed Dec. 24-26 for Christmas and Jan. 1 for the New Year’s Day holiday.