Facing the voters: Justin Davis, candidate for Boiling Springs Town Council

By Chuck Thompson | The Shelby Independent

Davis

Editors’ note: Marty L. Thomas and Patrick Litton are also candidates for town council; both are running for reelection.

On Tuesday, Nov 4., registered municipal voters will cast their votes for the candidate(s) of their choice.

Justin Davis, a Boiling Springs native and candidate for Boiling Springs Town Council, is one of those determined few that will find out after the election on Tuesday if he has the honor of serving on town council.

Like many who have answered the call to serve the small college town in southwest Cleveland County, Davis is a generational Boiling Springs resident.

A 2006 graduate of Crest high School, a R.N., father of four and husband to Kaitlyn, Davis has decided to step into the ring of politics, in Boiling Springs.

On a rainy afternoon at The Snack Shop, on Main Street, Davis spoke about the reasons that motivated him to want to serve in the synchronist Town Council of Boiling Springs.

Davis joined the Boiling Springs Fire Department, then became a certified paramedic before becoming a registered nurse. He said his care for people extends into public service.

After spending a few years in rural Washington County as a paramedic and an instructor at a community college, he moved back to Boiling Springs over a decade ago.

He said his heart has always belonged to Boiling Springs, stating, “Even when I moved away, I couldn’t wait to get back.”

Having worked as a nurse in an intensive care unit and being part of an emergency management team during COVID, he said thinking under pressure and working under stressful situations is something Davis is accustomed to in his profession.

“Through all that I have developed a calmness about handling situations, talking with people and how to respond and lead people, coming up with innovative ideas,” explained Davis. He said during Covid, his team worked to be innovative and protective of themselves and others when dealing with covid patients.

Davis feels that being part of the Boiling Springs Town Council would be another way of serving others, adding, “This is home to me. As a husband and a father, what happens in this community and the challenges we will face in the future matter to me as a family man. If elected, I would like to give back by being a part of the council, helping others and giving back.”

He said he hopes his children will stay here when they are grown and raise their own families here, someday.

“I want to create an environment for my own children to live here as adults, and we do that by thinking logically by spending our funds sensibly,” he said. “How do we improve our town by bringing more businesses to our small town, so we don’t have to travel to Shelby, or elsewhere, to buy the things we need, and create more jobs.”

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He said he’s mulled over running for office for some time and after discussing it with his wife, Kaitlyn, now is the time to run or never, adding that he’s not sure if the time is ever right or not.

“I don’t know if there is a right time, but I’ve always been told ‘listen to your wife,’” he added. Stating that his preacher told him that if he never listens to anything he says, to at least listen to his wife – so that’s what he did.

“Her opinion is very important to me, and my love for my family and Boiling Springs brings all that together, so now I’m running for town council.”

Davis said that when it comes to community, from starting with the people in your own home, to your neighbors next door and people across town, everyone is connected and everyone needs to look out for one another to build and sustain a safe and strong community.

“Family at the center – everything we do is affected by what we all do here, be it church or town sponsored events to bring people together.”

Davis said he believes he has a good relationship with those that he knows in the town and on the council, and you have to be able to work together and get along, even if it requires compromise when living in a small town.”

“Relationships are everything in a small town,” Davis added. “Whether its with your neighbors, business owners, Gardner-Webb University, town government or the county commissioners. It’s about communication and listening to the thoughts, concerns and ideas of others.”

So, what exactly does the town council have the authority to do?

They pass the budget of the town. This budget may include things like tax increases and setting the financial priorities of the city. They also determine the town's land use ordinance, which controls zoning and property taxes, flood control. They also set ordinances for residents, visitors and businesses to adhere to, like the speed limit which is enforced by the police department.

Davis believes there needs to be some changes to traffic and parking in the heart of Boiling springs and that can be corrected over time’ which he says is just another example of working to better improve the community for everyone that lives there, to encourage the younger generations to stay and raise their families here one day and encourage growth.

He also mentioned complaints received from residents about garbage pickup happening in certain areas while people are leaving in the morning for work – the possibility that hours could be changed to better please residents.

“It’s the small things like that, which we can do, that could eventually move mountains,” he said, also mentioning the desire from some for a new ballfield, but which would cost money. “While a new ballfield would be nice, as an example, we start with the little things like garbage collection and go from there to be improve things little by little.”

Davis said he is approachable and always willing to speak with residents because with their input town leaders have a better understanding of what is needed in the town.

“I believe Boiling Springs is strongest when we work together,” Davis said. “My commitment is to listen to our residents, lead with transparency, and fight for what benefits our town. I am running to represent our community, support responsible growth, and protect the place we call home.”

“I will work hard, remain accessible, and stay rooted in the values that make this community strong. Every decision I make will be guided by a simple standard: does this improve the quality of life for the people of Boiling Springs? I would be honored to earn your trust and your vote.”

Three candidates are on the municipal ballot for Tuesday in Boiling Springs, including Justin Davis, along with current council members: Marty L. Thomas and Patrick Litton.

Boiling Springs residents registered to vote in Tuesday’s election will do so at Boiling Springs Town Hall, located at 114 E College Ave.

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Chuck Thompson is a reporter and columnist for The Shelby Independent.