Conversations with Hope Oliver

Today we’d like to introduce you to Hope Oliver.

Hi Hope, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
As Shirley Chisholm said, “You don’t make progress by standing on the sidelines, whimpering and complaining.” What was my complaint? Unopposed elections with candidates that did not speak for me. So, after much thought and prayer, I decided to get off the sidelines and run for Rutherford County Commissioner representing District 1. My goal was to provide a fresh, more diverse, and inclusive perspective to the Commission that would prioritize, value, and serve the diverse needs of my district and our county.

My family and I have lived in La Vergne, Rutherford County, Tennessee since 1999. My husband and I chose Rutherford County because of its excellent neighborhoods and exceptional schools. We chose La Vergne because of its proximity to Nashville. As a citizen of La Vergne for over 20 years, I have been immersed in the community and witnessed its tremendous growth. From coaching little league sports and being a team mom to working in the community and being a business owner, recreation and business expansion has made La Vergne a more attractive city for our residents to live, work, and play.

While the potential for continued growth and improvements in North Rutherford County is excellent; I think that more focus should be on pacing development to not overwhelm the infrastructure and building more schools in La Vergne so our students can attend school here and not be bussed to a neighboring city.

During this first year of my 4-year tenure I have, indeed, learned a lot and veteran Commissioners have been most gracious. The committees that I serve are Audit, Health and Education, and Public Safety. Since being elected, I have had the opportunity to engage with Rutherford County citizens and hear their concerns regarding the management and administration of county business.

Citizen engagement is invaluable in the decision-making process, as I do work at the pleasure of and on behalf of our citizens. I look forward to continuing my duties as a servant leader to improve District 1 and Rutherford County.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Once elected, the learning curve was steep. I had to attend orientation and quickly learn the Commission policies and procedures. Along with myself, 8 other Commissioners were newly elected.

So, I was not alone in getting up to speed on rules and decisions that were made or carried over from the previous Commission. I will say that veteran Commissioners were gracious and offered assistance to get me up to speed.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a proud graduate of Memphis Public Schools and Tennessee State University. I have enjoyed a career as a registered dental hygienist, an educator, and a business owner. I have practiced dental hygiene for 30-plus years and have been an educator for 25 years at the high school and collegiate levels.

Most recently, I owned and operated H.O.P.E. Early Learning Center, focusing on the Kindergarten readiness of our littlest citizens. This summer, I made the business decision to close my Center and return to school to pursue a Doctorate of Education. I am currently practicing dental hygiene in La Vergene as an independent contractor. My goal is to return to the education arena upon graduation.

We’d love to hear about how you think about risk-taking.
Risk-taker? Yes, that would be me. I am not afraid of a challenge or a dare.

Major risks include marriage, having children, starting a business, and running for an elected office. Being an Independent Contractor can be risky because the contract length and needs can change. Of course, being an elected official is risky because just as you are voted in, you can be voted out.

I always say, you never know unless you try. Lessons are learned from trying and I am a life-long learner.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @hope4rucod1
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/votehope4ruco/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hope-oliver-089ba522/
• Twitter: @mshope65