Embrace your civic duty: Let your voice be heard in Nashville’s mayoral election

BY BILL FREEMAN

As early voting continues until Saturday, and with a staggering 11 candidates currently in the running for the esteemed position of mayor, the future of our beloved city hangs in the balance. As a long-standing member of this community, I can’t stress enough how vital it is for each and every one of us to exercise our right to vote in this race. Voting is the cornerstone of democracy. It is a privilege that gives us the power to shape the course of our society; it holds our elected representatives accountable. I hope my fellow Nashvillians will also cherish this opportunity to have our say in shaping the future of our city.

A shining example of the power of voting comes from renowned artist Taylor Swift. In a recent Instagram post, Swift passionately urged her followers to make their voices heard in the upcoming election. She clearly understands the influence each vote wields in transforming our community for the better.

Adding more insight to the importance of voting in this particular mayoral race, think about the three former Nashville mayors — Bill Purcell, Megan Barry and Karl Dean — who all expressed their thoughts in a recent Nashville Banner article. Notably, all three agreed that this election season has been lackluster, and it’s now up to the candidates to inspire the voters. But we can be inspired simply because we know we are making a difference when we cast our individual vote.

With numerous challenges and uncertainties facing our city, the candidates have a prime opportunity to lay out visionary plans to connect with Nashvillians. The next mayor must steer a city in which — according to a Vanderbilt Poll — around 56 percent of the population believes it’s currently heading in the wrong direction.

In the ongoing mayoral race, a new Power Poll shows candidate and Metro Councilmember Freddie O’Connell gaining an increase in support, positioning himself as a strong contender for the runoff — possibly against fellow candidate Matt Wiltshire. The crowded field also includes state Sens. Jeff Yarbro and Heidi Campbell, who have struggled to gain traction. Another candidate, Republican Alice Rolli, has stood out by appealing to conservative voters. Regardless of the candidates, the city is bracing for a low voter turnout, emphasizing the urgency for all Nashvillians to engage in this critical democratic process and let their voices be heard.

According to a study by Pew Research Center, statistics reveal that around 69 percent of U.S. adults consider voting very important to be a good member of society. Democrats and Republicans alike, at around 70 percent each, agree on the significance of voting in this crucial race. Age and education also play roles in voter engagement. Older and more educated individuals place a higher value on most civic activities, highlighting the need to bridge the gap and encourage younger individuals to participate actively when it comes to voting. This is why I was pleased with Taylor Swift’s exemplary call to action. Let’s continue that momentum. Now more than ever, each of us must recognize the power we hold as citizens. No longer can we afford to believe that our vote does not matter; it absolutely does in this race. With a wide array of candidates representing diverse visions for Nashville’s future, our votes can help shape the direction we want our city to take.

Our city deserves a strong leader who reflects our collective vision and values. This can only be achieved if we all exercise our right to vote. Nashville’s future is in our hands, and it is our duty to make our voices heard loud and clear at the ballot box. So during early voting or on Election Day, cast your ballot with confidence, knowing that you are contributing to a brighter and more inclusive future for the heart and soul of Tennessee — our beloved Nashville.

Bill Freeman

Bill Freeman is the owner of FW Publishing, the publishing company that produces the Nashville Scene, Nfocus, the Nashville Post and The News.

Voting

I am ticked off with people voting that do not do the research on candidates and base their decisions off of TV ads!

If you always do what you always did, you will always get what you always got! (I know, it’s grammatically incorrect). But the point is this, the city of Nashville has been in control election after election by one party and what did we get? Well, we got a 34% to 37% increase in property tax, deplorable public schools, crime and homelessness increasing by the month, fiscal irresponsibility to the point that the state was going to step in and take control of the situation! I can go on and on about the wasteful spending such as health insurance for life for metro council members and having a metro council membership of 40 which only added more cost to the city. They were not going to change until the state mandated that the council be reduced to 20. In addition, Nashville’s debt is higher than the states!

Now, let’s look at the state government which is run by the opposite party. The state has low debt, if any, no state income tax and has demonstrated fiscal responsibility for years. They have demonstrated that they

Opinion

TICKED OFF!

can run the state correctly and to the point people are moving to Tennessee to escape high taxes!

There are only two candidates running that have stated that they will not raise property taxes. However, that all changed on 7/17/23 when he elected to drop out of the Mayoral race. He was with is with the party in control and currently on the metro council which voted for the 34 to 37% but now states that he will not raise property taxes. Hmmm? The other candidate who represents the opposite side states that she will not raise property taxes! Now there is only ONE candidate stating that she will not raise your property tax!

Perhaps it’s time to try another party and see if there are improvements which have been needed for years. Maybe, just maybe you will like the results. But we won’t know if you always do what you always did, you will always get what you always got. Doing that same thing year after year and expecting different results is insane.

In closing, one should not base their vote on ads you see on TV which are deceptive at best. Please go to the candidates’ web site and see what they really stand for. If you are not willing to do so, please don’t vote if you don’t know what you’re voting for.

WOW - CAN WE & DEMOCRACY SURVIVE THIS?

I am ticked off but sadly not surprised that our local Attorney General like other far right (“Don’t tread on me”) and red state AGs have started the process of treading on common citizens rights by ordering unredacted medical records to be sent to them, and this has been going on for a time with the first targets being those kids and families needing gender correction procedures and now expanded to all those women who are interested or need abortion --basically HIPPA protections do not now apply to all!

Vanderbilt has been ordered to cooperate and has done so - who voted for and authorized this “Big Brother” unexplained maneuver?

This taking of rights (without notice to the victims or citizens in general) is in line with the recently stated GOP objectives of centralizing all government agencies and institutions (Congress, FBI etc.) with the office of the President of the United States; preferably Trump if the Trumplican cult gets their way!

Taking control of voting procedures has been expanded in most Red states and gerrymandering has already hurt Nashville citizens sadly.

Once again democracy is under attack locally and nationally and the only hope to preserve the American way of life is to vote against those representing autocracy and false, divisive and selfish agendaswill common sense prevail? Trump is no victim and neither should we the American people be, this being the real truth but not seemingly their truth imho!

Early Voting

I early voted. Voter is given skinny red straw to “mark” machine ballot. I had difficulty marking my ballot. The straw didn’t work as intended. A worker came over and told me to just use my finger and punch name instead of circle in front of name. That worked. I hope my vote registered.

NOISE

Noise is Noise, it can be dogs barking, trucks with broken mufflers, or grown men doing a teenager kid job mowing, blowing and weed wacking a yard for over an hour. Nobody wants to hear it, STOP the noise. Give it a rest! No Needless Noise.

The comments in the Ticked Off column do not reflect the views of FW Publishing.

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Invitation To Bid

The City of Forest Hills will accept sealed bids for 2023-2024 Indefinite Delivery/ Indefinite Quantity Contract for Construction of Miscellaneous Street and Drainage Projects for a one (1) year period from the effective date of contract. This Invitation to Bid is subject to the instructions, conditions, specifications, addenda, and other elements, including those incorporated by reference. This is an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity contract.

ISSUE DATE: July 27, 2023

BID TITLE: 2023-2024 Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity Contract for Construction of Miscellaneous Street and Drainage Projects

CONTACT: Brad Bivens, City Engineer of the City of Forest Hills

TELEPHONE: (615) 383-8420

E-MAIL ADDRESS: brad.bivens@neel-schaffer.com

BID OPENING: Thursday August 10, 2023 at 10:00 A.M. CST

LOCATION: City of Forest Hills, City Hall 6300 Hillsboro Pike, Nashville, TN 37215

Copies of this solicitation may be obtained from the City of Forest Hills Vendor Registry. You may register your business, and obtain the solicitation at the link below: https://vrapp.vendorregistry.com/Bids/View/BidsList?BuyerId=bb43feeb-0407-4794-836ca1aa4278eac4

Bids must be received by the City of Forest Hills Office on or before Thursday, August 10, 2023 at 10:00 A.M. CST (bids received after this time will not be considered), at which time the bids will be publicly opened and read aloud.

SUBMIT BID via electronic submission using the City of Forest Hills Vendor Registry link. Vendor Registry Link: https://vrapp.vendorregistry.com/Bids/View/BidsList?BuyerId=bb43feeb-0407-4794-836ca1aa4278eac4

All bids must be made on the forms included in this solicitation. All bids must be signed. Unsigned bid forms or bid proposals will not be considered. The City will not accept bids that are faxed, mailed, hand delivered, or emailed.