Three people are vying for a seat on theBartlett Board of Mayor and Aldermen.
Incumbent Robert Griffin is being challenged by Cynthia "Cindy" Cromwell and Tim Schlum for Position 2 on the board.
Griffin was elected on the Bartlett BMA in November 2022. He currently serves as copywriter and proofreader for GreatNeckTools, a global hand tool manufacturer and wholesale supplier, according to his LinkedIn profile. Griffin is responsible for all external copy related to the GreatNeck Tools family of brands.
Early voting lasts until Oct. 29. For voting information, visit govotetn.gov.
Cromwell — who is running for political office for the first time — is the founder
and owner for more than 40 years of the Little Bears Preschool at 6975 US-70 in Bartlett. The local childcare facility services multiple age groups, including infants, toddlers, preschool (ages 3-5) programs designed for kindergarten readiness and before and after school-age care for ages 5-12.
Schlum also serves as executive director of Calvary Rescue Mission, a Christ-centered homeless shelter and ministry in Memphis. Schlum believes his work has taught him how to lead people, manage resources, solve problems and make difficult decisions that he think will benefit the city.
Cromwell, Griffin and Schlum answered a candidate questionnaire from The Commercial Appeal. Their answers are as follows:
Cynthia "Cindy" Cromwell
Why did you decide to run?
To help improve the community and to learn more about what is exactly going on at (Bartlett) City Hall and just to be involved in the community.
Why should the people of Bartlett elect you?
I’m a lifelong native, and I’ve watched the growth of Bartlett during my time. I also watched the annexation of all different areas during that time. I have a lot of base knowledge on business, and I want to try to find a direction that I think Bartlett needs to be going in a positive direction. I have a lot of experience as far as infrastructure because my Dad was over Tennessee Emergency Management (Agency) for years. I was able to learn or gain the knowledge of how much police and fire we’re going to need for per capita.
What do you want the board to focus on to improve the city?
If I’m elected, the things I would want the board to focus on is improving the streets in Bartlett, the sewer system and better zoning. I think we also need to build up our retail some, so people have better places to shop in Bartlett and not have to go outside of Bartlett.
What are the major challenges in Bartlett you would like to see addressed?
I think with all this new development and apartments coming, how are we going to have fire and police protection for that many people per capita and also how are we going to be able to service all the children with a good school district. If you add more people, then you’ve got to have more services. I think Bartlett needs to slow down a little bit on some of this residential apartment building. I think we need to stand back and take a look at it and build up our infrastructure a little bit better before we start adding more people in. I’m not against progress, and I’m not against good building. You can’t get carried away before you have services to provide.”
Incumbent Robert Griffin
Why did you decide to run for re-election?
I’ve said for the last four years that I’d like to serve two terms because there was a lot we wanted to accomplish, and it would likely take some time to do so. However, we’ve achieved more in this first term than I had expected, and now I’d like to build on that for the next four years, setting the foundation for future success.
From building up our police, fire and public works departments with competitive salaries and new equipment, to replacing aging infrastructure which will aid in attracting new business and development, to securing public-private partnerships to preserve the long-term success of the Bartlett Rec Center through the YMCA and Quail Ridge Golf Course through Aviary Golf Management, to developing new events like the Bartlett LIVE Music Series that has brought free, family-friendly entertainment to our city so our residents don’t have to go anywhere else for something to do on a Saturday night. We have more to come and I want to keep the momentum going.
Why should the people of Bartlett re-elect you?
The fact that I’ve delivered in this term on so many of the promises I made four years ago: we implemented term limits; we put the brakes on new dollar stores, discount stores and vape shops; we have ensured that our police, fire, public works and schools are fully funded. As a result, our city is thriving, crime is at nearly a 10-year low, housing in Bartlett is in demand and businesses are filling up. Promises made, promises kept.
What do you want the board to focus on to improve the city?
I’d like for us to continue the work we’ve begun to attract new businesses to Bartlett. One of our goals was to make Bartlett easier to do business with and we’ve seen that happen with more than 25 new businesses opening in the last four years, and our retail vacancy dropping to only 3%. Attracting better dining and retail to Bartlett boosts sales tax dollars and shores up that side of our revenue sources. Additionally, more new home permits were issued in the last four years than in the previous eight. Right now, “Bartlett is the place to B.”
What are the major challenges in Bartlett you would like to see addressed?
Aging infrastructure. We saw tremendous growth in the 80s and 90s and the infrastructure that was new then is obsolete and in desperate need of replacement now. We’ve spent a lot of money this term on new or replacement sewer infrastructure with more still to come. Not to mention the annual need for paving our roads as the cost of asphalt rises with that of other petroleum-based products.
Tim Schlum
Have you ever been involved in politics, and if so, what is your background?
My dad was the mayor of my hometown (Arizona), so I had a front-row seat to see how good leadership can make a good town a great town. I’ve been politically active for many years, but this is my first run for elected office. Before entering full-time ministry, I worked on political campaigns, including the Ted Cruz for president campaign in 2016, and I’ve helped elect candidates whose values I shared. I’ve always enjoyed knocking (on) doors, talking with voters and turning those conversations into solutions.
Why did you decide to run?
I believe Bartlett has a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow ahead of it, but getting there will require fresh ideas and a willingness to think beyond the status quo. I want to keep Bartlett Bartlett while preparing it for the next generation. I’m not running to reinvent Bartlett. I’m running to build its future while preserving what makes it special.
I wasn’t seriously considering running until about a year ago. Following the assassination of Charlie Kirk, someone I knew and worked alongside in Arizona, I began thinking more seriously about running for political office. Then neighbors and other Bartlett residents encouraged me to run for Position 2. Ultimately, I decided it was time to step up and serve.
Why should the people of Bartlett elect you?
I have skin in the game. I’m the next generation, I’m a homeowner, and I’m raising my children here. If Bartlett does well, my family does well.
I lead an organization, manage a significant budget, oversee staff, work with a board and make difficult decisions with limited resources. I know what it means to be responsible for people, money and outcomes.
I also want to be an accessible, vocal alderman. The people of Bartlett deserve an alderman who will be their voice and a leader—not simply a follower.
If elected, what do you want the board to focus on to improve the city?
My three immediate priorities are lowering the property-tax burden, fixing our roads, and increasing police staffing. As our tax base grows, I want to pursue a lower property-tax rate. I want to return to traditional mill-and-pave resurfacing and move away from relying so heavily on chip-and-fog treatments. If we’re spending more money and getting worse roads, we need to rethink what we’re doing. I also want to increase police staffing by approximately 20–25% over four years.
Two other big priorities would be strengthening youth sports and pursuing economic development that makes Bartlett a regional destination. We can invest in Bartlett’s future without losing what makes Bartlett Bartlett.
What are the major challenges in Bartlett you would like to see addressed?
I think Bartlett’s biggest challenge is learning to improve instead of simply managing problems as they come up.
We need to make good decisions today while thinking 20 or 30 years ahead.
We’re facing challenges with population, taxes and our city’s long-term financial picture. Those are warning signs, and we shouldn’t ignore them. We cannot continue down this path.
We need to stop putting Band-Aids on problems when we have an opportunity to fix them. Bartlett doesn’t need to become something else to have a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow. We need to keep Bartlett Bartlett—and make it even better.
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: Griffin, Cromwell and Schlum vying for Bartlett Alderman Position 2
