How do you plan to effectively address and improve the aging infrastructure in Davidson County?
We have been talking about these same issues for at least a decade. Go back and watch the 2015 mayoral forums. We have kicked the can for far too long. Our city needs a leader with the know-how and experience to get things done. As our city grows, we cannot continue to ignore needed investments in sewer, stormwater, electrical grid, roads/bridges, sidewalks, parks and greenways, and a host of other areas critical to sustaining our quality of life. I will work diligently to secure state and federal funding to upgrade our infrastructure, and work with counties across the state that would like to see relaxation of the 2006 TN county powers relief act which restricted a county’s ability to fund infrastructure at the point of growth.
Would you commit to supporting a dedicated funding referendum during your first term as Mayor of Metro Nashville-Davidson County?
Our city leadership has commissioned multiple studies of our transit and traffic issues, but we have done little. We need to focus on multiple sources of revenue. Merely choosing one may not work or unequally impact one group or community more than the other. Transit is a basic service that is necessary for people to live, to work, and to feel good about the city they live in. We must find dedicated funding for this important issue and I hope to find it by the end of my first term.
In light of the current housing and infrastructure challenges, what sustainable strategies will you implement to ensure the long-term affordability of Nashville as a place to live, work, and thrive?
It is unacceptable that the people who serve our city – our teachers, firefighters, police officers – cannot afford to live in the city they serve. That is what happens when a city has unrestrained growth with no plan to manage it. We have done multiple affordable housing studies, which sit in three ring binders with wonderful recommendations – but we have done little. I didn’t build a career studying problems to death, I solved them. We urgently need action, and that starts with three things: First, I would properly fund the Barnes Fund to turbocharge our non-profit affordable housing community. Second, I would make use of the city’s land holdings, much of which is ripe for affordable housing. Third, I would cut red tape and put in place stronger, more creative, financial incentives for private developers to construct the affordable housing we desperately need.
How do you propose to effectively reverse the rising juvenile crime trend in Davidson County?
Making a city safe is job one for a mayor and we are far from where we need to be. We need to act with urgency.
I will do three things:
First, I will properly fund and resource our police force.
Second, I will tirelessly advocate for common sense gun legislation.
Third, I will implement a comprehensive crime prevention strategy focused on our young people. I will establish an office of public safety, reporting to me, that will roll out strategies that have been proven to work in other cities, that will integrate the efforts of multiple Metro departments as well as community partners.
In addition to meeting the budget requests of Metro Nashville Public Schools, what measures can you take as mayor to enhance the success and achievement of K-12 students?
If you are born poor in Nashville, you are more likely to remain poor than in 80% of the other cities in our country. That is unacceptable.
Education is the key to changing these statistics. Every generation deserves the opportunity to build a better life. As mayor, there will be no greater priority for me than investing in our children. And that starts with education.
I will do three things:
First, I will partner with our superintendent to develop a comprehensive five-year plan that will deliver better outcomes for our children. My website discusses some of the elements I believe should be included in this plan.
Second, I will fund that plan.
Third, I will hold the system responsible for achieving that plan, starting with myself.
In your vision for Nashville’s future, what specific investments and initiatives do you believe are necessary to empower residents with the skills, resources, and equitable opportunities needed for significant upward economic mobility?
My vision starts with a higher performing K-12 system. We’d support programs like technical/vocational training, work/learn programs, summer job programs, and supporting Nashville Grad for both TCAT and Nash State. Additionally, we must support adult learners such as investing in proven workforce development programs. We want our students prepared for post-secondary success, and we want an education system that is structurally sound that can reliably mold our state’s next generation of leaders. However, increasing economic mobility does go beyond education. Addressing affordable housing, transportation, and public safety are also key to improving economic mobility in Nashville.
How will you strategically support the growth, development, and sustainability of small, medium, and large businesses?
In my experience, the city’s economic development office has been largely following the state’s lead on economic development and focused on downtown. When relocating AllianceBernstein to Nashville, I rarely interacted with the city’s economic development office. I primarily interfaced with state officials and the mayor. That needs to change. Under my administration, our economic development department will play a much more active role in our city’s economy. To ensure our city’s economic future is representative of all aspects of Nashville, we must have members of our small business community, entrepreneurial community, creative workforce, and cultural community at the table. With more community voices helping guide what our city’s economic future looks like, we will be better able to efficiently invest in both community and workforce development.
From your perspective, do you believe that the continued growth in Davidson County is ultimately beneficial? If so, how do you plan to manage and maximize its positive impacts?
The purpose of economic growth should be to benefit the people who live in Nashville, and we should not be growing just for growth’s sake. I will focus on growing our small businesses in all neighborhoods by encouraging economic investments in every corner of Davidson County. That means investing in workforce development and ensuring our workers are trained for a 21st century global economy. And working with community partners to ensure we’re taking thoughtful actions to preserve our cultural institutions, creative cornerstones, and historic venues. I will focus on implementing a long-term plan for growth and economic development that is sustainable for generations to come. We need to ensure that we will have the jobs that keep our kids here while prioritizing livability here in Nashville, so families and businesses can thrive.
