The Collierville Board of Mayor and Aldermen could potentially see some changes with three incumbents challenged for their seats in the Nov. 3 election.
One of those races will be incumbent Missy Marshall, who will face off against challenger Elizabeth “Liz” Deely, for the alderman Position 4 seat on the BMA. Marshall seeks her third term as alderman after being elected in 2020 and 2022.
Marshall has served on the Town of Collierville’s Tourism Board, Design Review Commission and Planning Commission. For the past 13 years, Marshall served as the executive director for Keep Tennessee Beautiful, according to her LinkedIn profile. Keep Tennessee Beautiful is a statewide nonprofit and community improvement organization that is touted to educate and inspire
Tennesseans to prevent litter, recycle and beautify their neighborhoods.
Deely — who has resided in Collierville for 31 years — used to work for some major corporations as well as taught before retiring. She began her career at 17 years old at General Motors and later worked for DuPont and Merrill Lynch. Afterwards, Deely taught businesses courses at Southwest Tennessee Community College and dual enrollment at Kirby High School. Since her retirement, Deely said she has spent her time serving through different organizations such as Collierville Rotary, Main Street Collierville, Collierville Chamber of Commerce, and CASA, which serves abused and neglected children in DCS custody.
Marshall and Deely answered a candidate questionnaire from The Commercial Appeal. Their answers are as follows:
Position 4
Missy Marshall
Why did you decide to run for re-election?
Collierville is a special community, and I believe it is our job to protect what makes it special while preparing for the future. The leaders that served before me established a standard of excellence that created quality services and high standards for development that help make Collierville a desirable place to live and work. I am seeking re-election because I want to preserve the quality of life we as citizens of Collierville are so fortunate to experience.
Why should the people of Collierville re-elect you?
I am an experienced servant leader who demonstrates my commitment to the citizens on a daily basis. It is important to me that the residents and business owners of Collierville know that I will listen to them, respect their concerns, and then have the courage to make informed decisions even when the decisions are difficult.
What do you want the board to focus on to improve the Town?
Continuing to be good stewards of the taxpayers' dollars should be a primary focus of the board. The employees of the town are the reason why the residents experience quality services and enjoy a safe, clean, and vibrant community. Being fiscally responsible allows us to continue to provide excellent public safety, infrastructure, quality schools, and other core services. Employee retention and recruitment are essential to the future success of the Town.
What are the major challenges in Collierville you would like to see addressed?
Protecting the character and quality of life we value, while embracing the right opportunities for our future could present some challenges. The question isn’t whether Collierville will grow; the question is whether we will be intentional about how it grows. The 2050 Plan is a tool that is intended to help us with future growth. One of the challenges will be to make sure we are adequately prepared for growth. Prior to moving to Collierville over 20 years ago, I lived in a community where the infrastructure was not in place to handle the growth, and it had a negative effect on our quality of life. There is an old saying, “the more you have, the more you have to deal with.” I do not want Collierville to grow just for the sake of growth; I want us to grow in ways that strengthen the community we love.
Elizabeth 'Liz' Deely
Have you ever been involved in politics, and if so, what is your background?
While I haven’t previously sought public office, I first volunteered over 20 years ago on Mayor (Linda) Kerley’s campaign. Since then, I’ve supported local candidates by participating in voter registration drives and grassroots efforts. I’ve spent over 31 years serving our community through leadership and volunteer roles with many different organizations in Collierville and Shelby County. These experiences have taught me the importance of collaboration, listening, and putting people first. I believe public service should be about serving the people. I will always put the residents of Collierville first, not special interests.
Why did you decide to run?
I have loved living here for 31 years, but during the last two years, something has changed. The schools and public safety have remained world-class. But there’s been an increase in controversial issues that have reflected negatively on our town, and I believe we deserve leadership that communicates openly, listens to its citizens, and respects our tax dollars. I believe it’s time for a BMA that has a broader base of experience in decision-making and better communication amongst town leadership. If the voters are satisfied with the past two years and the decisions made by town leadership, then they should maintain the status quo. But one of my core beliefs is that “Nothing changes if nothing changes.”
Why should the people of Collierville elect you?
I bring decades of experience in business, education, and community service. My background in critical thinking has prepared me to evaluate issues, make responsible decisions, and work collaboratively to find solutions. I promise to bring transparency, accountability, and fiscally conservative leadership to Town Hall without raising taxes. I’m retired and have absolutely no ties that would influence my decisions. I will never personally profit from any vote I would ever make. I will always put Collierville’s interests ahead of special interests
What do you want the board to focus on to improve the city?
1. Promote Transparency: I believe residents deserve town leadership that is open, accessible, and accountable to the people it serves.
2. Protect Taxpayers: I will fight to keep government spending responsible, protect taxpayer dollars, and ensure Collierville’s budget reflects the priorities of its residents.
3. Prioritize Public Safety: I will stand with Collierville’s police, firefighters, and first responders. My top priority is to make sure that our families and neighborhoods are safe.
4. Preserve Our Community: I will protect the character and quality of life that have made Collierville a great place to live for generations.
5. Preserve Property Rights: I will respect the rights of homeowners, support responsible growth, and stop overdevelopment.
Check back with The Commercial Appeal to learn about the candidates in suburban races in Shelby County, including Bartlett, Collierville, Germantown, Lakeland and Millington.
Corey Davis is the Collierville and Germantown reporter with The Commercial Appeal. He can be reached at Corey.Davis@commercialappeal.com or 901-293-1610.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Deely challenges Marshall for Collierville Position 4 seat
