Metro Mayoral Candidates Answer Questions from Citizens in Forum

Ten candidates for Metro Nashville Mayor answered questions by fellow Nashvillians Tuesday night at a televised forum hosted by WKRN.

Natisha Brooks, Heidi Campbell, Jim Gingrich, Sharon Hurt, Stephanie Johnson, Freddie O’Connell, Alice Rolli, Vivian Wilhoite, Matt Wiltshire, and Jeff Yarbro fielded questions during the two-hour event from citizen representatives, selected by the station, from the north, south, east west, and downtown Nashville.

The first citizen representative for north Nashville was a community activist named Simone Boyd. Boyd asked the candidates what their plans were to address the needs for mass transit, schools, sidewalks, and neighborhood infrastructure given the state’s threats to take over Metro’s finances and the new Titans stadium financing deal.

Many of the candidates noted their opposition to the Titans stadium deal, such as former AllianceBernstein COO Jim Gingrich, who said that the stadium deal would be a “burden” for the next mayor to deal with. Metro Council Member-at-Large Sharon Hurt noted that the new stadium will be a way to bring in more revenue, meaning that the issues in question would be given more access to funding.

State Senator Jeff Yarbro (D-Nashville) argued that the function of Metro government should be focused not on tourists, but on Nashvillians, in the form of sidewalk and road repairs. Former Lamar Alexander aide Alice Rolli argued that there must be a “top-to-bottom review” on the city’s mismanagement of its finances, namely the debt that is causing tension with the State government.

The next citizen question came from east Nashville resident Carey Rogers. He was concerned about speeding in his neighborhood, specifically Gallatin Road, and how soon traffic calming measures will appear in the area under the candidate’s administration. Metro Council Member Freddie O’Connell noted that last year was the deadliest year on record for pedestrians in Nashville and argued that the city’s infrastructure should be “transformed” to make it safer for pedestrians.

State Senator Heidi Campbell (D-Nashville) argued that Nashville must take advantage of state and federal funds to improve this infrastructure. Former Congressional candidate Natisha Brooks noted that Metro policemen cannot afford to live in the city itself and noted that part of ensuring street safety is properly supporting first responders. She said that starting salaries for police should be at least $70,000.

Next up, from south Nashville, Sabina Mohyuddin was concerned about a lack of diversity in the Metro workforce and asked the candidates what they would do as mayor to address that. Alice Rolli said that she values the city’s diversity and that a more diverse Nashville can be an attractive factor for business investment.

Gingrich touted his business experience setting up his former company’s first DEI department. Matt Wiltshire noted that the city has become more diverse during his lifetime and that his city government would reflect the citizens it serves.

Citizen representative from west Nashville, food writer Carrington Fox, asked what the candidates would do to combat the sharp rise in violent crime in the city. Davidson County Property Assessor Vivian Wilhoite argued that to address crime we must address the root causes, mentioning gun control measures against assault-style weapons as a possible solution.

Gingrich said his administration would focus on three things – 1) properly funding law enforcement, 2) lobbying the State to enact what he dubbed “common sense gun legislation,” and 3) creating an office of public safety to address the root causes of crime beginning with the city’s youth in a community-based approach. Hurt said that “poverty anywhere is a threat to prosperity everywhere,” in arguing that the struggles of poverty cause a heightened crime rate.

Downtown Nashville representative Wade Munday asked the candidates what their top three priorities were for capital spending. Yarbro said his priorities were sidewalks, parks, and schools. Wiltshire said his priorities were schools, transit, and affordable housing. Similarly, O’Connell’s priorities were transit, affordable housing, and education.

Boyd in her second question asked what the candidates’ plan is to build more affordable housing for lower income individuals. Rolli complimented Nashville’s use of federal funds to address homelessness, and argued that those dollars must be managed in an equitable way to house the most people as possible.

Brooks argued that developers must work with Metro government to address the problem, and that property tax raises are pushing some residents to the edge of homelessness. Hurt argued that there underlying issues that must be addressed as part of the greater issue, including mental health and building enough housing to meet demand.

Rogers asked how the candidates would advance traffic calming measures and increased police enforcement of speeding. Campbell argued that the root cause was the volume and speed of drivers, and that one thing that could help the issue is making sure traffic lights are in sync. Stephanie Johnson, creative director for a Skincare Company, said that the solution for safer streets is not more police, but fining and impounding violators’ vehicles.

Mohyuddin asked candidates what their plans were to institute and fund cultural competency training to policemen. Wilhoite said the funding exists, but the city must prioritize sensitivity training. Johnson said that the Community Oversight Board is part of the solution and that it is important to call for Governor Bill Lee to veto the bill dissolving it.

Fox asked candidates what their plans are to assist young people in finding paths to successful careers in trades. Gingrich argued that Nashville should invest in apprenticeship and entrepreneurship programs to ignite the economy and raise people’s incomes. O’Connell said the city should invest in Financial Empowerment Centers and similar pipeline programs to lift young people into good jobs.

Yarbro said he thinks that high schools should have more programs to develop hard skills and pathways to trade schools. Rolli touted former Governor Bill Haslam and Alexander’s efforts in instituting robust community college programs in Tennessee, and said that working regionally will also bring results.

When Moderator Bob Mueller asked if the candidates would seek to raise property taxes in their first term, all ten answered “no.”

The mayoral hopefuls were able to summed up their thoughts and highlighted their platforms in brief closing statements. Brooks emphasized the need for increased police pay. Wilhoite asserted that she is the ideal candidate because she has the will and conviction to make policy changes for the better. Rolli stressed the importance of addressing grade school reading deficiencies and the need for fixing potholes regardless of political party.

Campbell talked about the important qualities of leadership – namely knowing how to find the answers even if you don’t know all the answers. Yarbro attempted to set himself apart from the group, noting that as a legislator, he can bridge the gap between Metro and the State.  Johnson promised viewers to be the “conductor” of a Nashville symphony.

In his closing statement, O’Connell alluded to his campaign slogan referencing the many Nashvillians who are leaving the city due to the rising cost of living – “I want you to stay.” Hurt touted her 45 years of public service, saying that she would “ease into the office of mayor.”

Wiltshire told viewers why he decided to run: “a lot isn’t working in Nashville.” Lastly, Gingrich noted his outsider status as the only person on stage to have not run for office or worked in politics, and that Nashville needs leadership who will “not play politics as usual.”

The candidates wrapped up the forum with a one-word description of Nashville. The choices were: best, home, hope, beautiful, optimism, mine, and faith.

The upcoming mayoral election will take place on August 3rd, with early voting running from July 14-29. The voter registration deadline for the election is on July 5th.

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Mac Roberts is a reporter at The Tennessee Star. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Jim Gingrich” by Jim Gingrich. Photo “Sharon Hurt” by Sharon Hurt. Photo “Jeff Yarbro” by Sen. Jeff Yarbro. Photo “Heidi Campbell” by Senator Heidi Campbell. Background Photo “Tennessee Capitol” by Kayfishup. CC BY-SA 3.0.