Women of Influence
Guidance for Good Growth – Halie Gallik
William and Sarah Nolen bounced along in a rough-riding wagon in 1797, seeking a new life and their fortune. Suddenly, the cumbersome vehicle jolted to a leaning stop when one of the wheels broke with a loud crack.
The Nolens paused their journey to think. They decided the land appeared fertile, and a good place to launch that earlier mentioned new life (which eventually included 16 children!).
William built a cabin while brother John constructed a water mill. They called in a surveyor to determine street locations. The emerging grid was a bit erratic since the surveyor used a pocketknife instead of a straightedge to measure. The birthplace of Nolensville (first known as Nolen’s Mill) was just 22 miles southeast of Nashville.
The Nolens became quite wealthy, and built a mansion in 1830. The settlement incorporated in 1838 and reincorporated in 1996. The population in 1880 was 145, expanding to 13,829 in 2020. A special census puts the town now at approximately 16,000 and preparing for more growth.
A large portion of the current Nolensville residents was once-upon-a-time city dwellers who, like William and Sarah Nolen, wanted a new, quieter, more neighborly way of life. They relocated to the charming town, where everyone cares about everyone else, from Nashville and other Tennessee cities. Others came from cities in states across the country, while still others were born there and saw no reason to leave.
Halie Gallik and husband Michael moved from Knoxville to Nolensville in 2009. Halie, with a master’s degree in Public Administration, landed a job with Public Entity Partners, where she is currently Director of Underwriting. She also serves as the town’s mayor, appointed by the elected Board of Commissioners.
“Nolensville is a wonderful town,” Gallik said. “I decided to run for Commissioner because I knew there would be growth over the next several years, both residential and commercial. The decisions made by the Commissioners would determine how we grew, and whether we focused our values on families and neighbors or on strip malls and runaway development. I wanted to contribute to a measured and well-reasoned approach to the changes facing us. To me, community support is the key to handling the growth we anticipate. The expanding number of residents also means an increase in our portion of the State Shared Tax, which is based on population.”
Gallik won her bid for Commissioner with 1,424 votes, more than any of the other four candidates. She performed so well that she was later appointed by the Commissioners to a two-year term as Mayor.
What does the expected growth explosion mean for Nolensville? Is it destined to become one of those cities that was left behind by so many residents?
