Career Trend, an online resource that discusses duties of elected and appointed city officials (for anyone entertaining the notion of serving), describes small town mayors as the Chief Representative of the People.
That description is quite fitting of the Mayor of Plainview, Gary D. Chandler. Having an interest in making his community better, Chandler began serving as Plainview City Alderman in 2003. He was elected Plainview City Mayor 10 years ago and is currently serving his third term. Chandler is the third mayor to serve the City of Plainview in its 28-year history.
When asked what led him to public service, Chandler lightheartedly shared that he had attended Lincoln Memorial University (LMU), and while playing baseball on the university team, he quickly realized that he wasn’t destined to become a professional baseball player.
He graduated from LMU in 1983 with a degree in PE/Health. He earned a Master’s Degree in administration and supervision from Union College Kentucky in 1986 and has enjoyed teaching and coaching for the past 38 years.
As for the skills needed to hold the office of mayor, Chandler says it helps to surround yourself with quality people, be a good listener and always do what you believe is right for the city.
His advice for anyone wanting to enter the field of politics and public service: “Always have the best interest of the people you represent at heart. Not all decisions will be popular, but we are elected to make decisions based on the betterment of the city. Being a successful mayor means making decisions that improve the quality of life for the citizens.”
He is happy to point out to prospective businesses that Plainview citizens have proven they will support and patronize businesses that cater to their needs, such as the Dollar Store, which opened last year. His hope for the City of Plainview is that the city will see improvements and growth while maintaining the small town and rural atmosphere that its citizens desire and love.
Two of his favorite sayings are: “lf it were easy, anybody could do it,” and, “Bloom where you are planted.”
Additional roles Chandler is proud to hold are husband to wife Lisa, father to Chelsea and Christian, grandfather to Kennedy and Elsie, member of Cedar Ford Baptist Church, boys’ basketball coach at Horace Maynard Middle School, boys’ and girls’ golf coach at Union County High School, PE/Health teacher at Horace Maynard Middle School, and caregiver to his cat Coco and dogs Woody, Lucy, Spot, and Precious.
He loves spending time with his family, enjoys baseball, football, and basketball card collecting, supporting Vols sports, Duke basketball, and the Boston Red Sox. His favorite TV shows are the Andy Griffith Show, Jeopardy, and Westerns.
The Plainview City office is at 1037 Tazewell Pike in Luttrell. On the second Tuesday of each month, the Planning Commission meets at 6:30 p.m. followed by the City of Plainview City Council meeting at 7 p.m. Office hours are Tuesday and Thursday 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and the office phone number is (865) 992-5841.