September 7, 2023

Election Day approaches — again

BY D. PATRICK RODGERS

It feels as though Nashville’s mayoral race has stretched on for decades.

In reality, it began when term-limited District 19 Metro Councilmember Freddie O’Connell declared his candidacy back in April 2022, and heated up when Mayor John Cooper announced in January of this year that he would not seek reelection. The already-crowded field filled in further after that, with 12 candidates qualifying to run for the office by the May 2023 deadline.

Ultimately, O’Connell, the most progressive candidate in the field, came in first on Election Day with about 27,000 votes. Conservative Alice Rolli landed about 20,000 votes on Aug. 3, coming in second

and leaving the rest of the field — mostly Democrats — to split the remaining liberal votes among themselves.

With early voting now open, and runoff Election Day set for Sept. 14, we’re taking a close look at O’Connell’s and Rolli’s campaigns. Also in this issue you’ll find our pieces on the remaining Metro Council races — eight candidates are vying for the body’s four remaining at-large seats, while three of the city’s 35 district seats are also headed to a runoff. Read on, and head to the polls one last time.

This story was first published by our sister publication Nashville Scene.

Special session ends in disappointment, confrontation

BY STEPHEN ELLIOTT AND KELSEY BEYELER

The special legislative session has come to an end with little movement toward a safer Tennessee

Gov. Bill Lee, a Republican, called the GOP-controlled legislature into special session in response to a shooting at the Covenant School in Nashville earlier this year that left three children and three staff members, including a Lee family friend, dead. Lee advocated for extreme-risk protection orders, a way for courts to temporarily remove guns from the possession of people experiencing mental health crises.

Republican leaders in the legislature rebuffed Lee’s calls for ERPOs and ultimately passed just a few pieces of legislation, including additional mental health funding. Another bill encourages but does not require safer gun storage, while others require the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation to submit a report on human trafficking and shorten the window during which courts must report criminal proceedings to the TBI for background checks. The legislature also allocated $112 million for school safety and mental health supports.

“The goal of this session was public safety, from the very beginning,” Lee told reporters Tuesday. “There are a lot of disagreements

about the way forward with that. But it’s really important that, in spite of the disagreements, that we find the things that people can agree upon, so that we can make progress.”

Tensions were high throughout the session, with Covenant School parents and protesters advocating for further action from the Tennessee General Assembly. The House instituted a new rule banning attendees from holding signs, though a Nashville court quickly moved to reverse the rule. House leaders directed state troopers to remove attendees from multiple meetings, and the House voted to restrict the speaking rights of state Rep. Justin Jones (D-Nashville) over supposed disruptions. On Tuesday, an encounter between state Rep. Justin Pearson (D-Memphis) and House Speaker Cameron Sexton (R-Crossville) left Republicans and Democrats hurling accusations.

“We thought there were other bills that would be beneficial and that could have helped the Covenant shooting situation in the future — we passed them,” Sexton told reporters on Tuesday. “Unfortunately, we couldn’t get across the finish line with the Senate and so we’ll come back in January and see what we can do.”

Republicans also fought among

themselves, as House GOP leaders accused the Republican-led Senate of inaction for refusing to take up a slate of bills considered in the House.

“We aren’t doing the will of the people

who sent us here,” said Sen. Charlane Oliver (D-Nashville), who called the special session a waste of taxpayer money.

This story was first published by our sister publication Nashville Scene.

State Reps. Jason Powell, Gloria Johnson and Justin Pearson comfort Covenant School parent Sarah Shoop Neumann at the state Capitol Tuesday.

PHOTO BY MATT MASTERS

Signs outside of a Nashville voting precinct

PHOTO BY ELIZABETH JONES

Runoff Rundown: A deeper dive into the at-large runoff candidates

BY CONNOR DARYANI, NASHVILLE BANNER

This story is a partnership between the Nashville Banner and The News. For more information, visit NashvilleBanner.com.

Of the 21 candidates running for the Metro Council’s five at-large seats in the general election, only one candidate — Zulfat Suara — secured enough votes to win outright. That means eight candidates are now vying for the four remaining at-large seats in the Sept. 14 runoff.

When the ballot was finalized in May, the Nashville Banner asked questions of each council candidate on a range of major issues that the current Metro Council faced (and that the next Metro Council may face as well). We have compiled their answers into these mini profiles for each at-large candidate who qualified for the runoff on Aug. 3. If you would like to read their full answers, visit the Banner’s Voter’s Guide page, and find in-depth interviews with all eight of these candidates via nashvillescene.com/ elections.

BURKLEY ALLEN

Burkley Allen received 7.97 percent of the vote in the general election, securing the second spot in the runoff. She is running for a second term as councilmember at-large, and previously served two terms as the District 18 council representative. She voted in favor of both the Titans stadium deal and license plate readers (LPRs) but does not support use of facial recognition technology by the city. Affordable housing is one of her top priorities, and as a councilmember, not only has she participated in the affordable housing task force, but she also worked to pass multiple pieces of housing-related legislation, including one allowing people to build detached accessory dwelling units in their backyard. She played a significant role in regulating short-term rentals, requiring permits and enforcement. She says the city needs to secure dedicated funding for transit and believes community engagement will be an essential aspect of getting people on board to avoid a failure similar to the transit referendum that was defeated in 2018.

She was one of the highest fundraisers among the at-large candidates, and received endorsements from the Fraternal Order of Police, the Nashville Business Coalition and the Central Labor Council. Throughout the election season, it was uncommon to go to any mayoral forums or political events without seeing Allen there wearing a big button with her name on it.

CHRIS CHENG

Chris Cheng received 5.78 percent of the vote in the general election, securing

the seventh spot in the runoff. He might be recognizable from his hot sauce business, Hot Sauce Nashville, which he owns with his wife and sells at local farmers markets. He was also a captain in the U.S. Army, serving as a Ranger. One of his top priorities is supporting small businesses, and he says he hopes the new Titans’ stadium deal will encourage people to spend more money at local restaurants and businesses. On the question of more police and LPRs, he says he’s open to discussion and wants to ensure there are open lines of communication to see what is best for the city. He wants to explore options for dedicated transit funding, and as well as upgrading bus services, wants to encourage regional transit systems.

Of the at-large candidates who made the runoff, Cheng raised the least money. He received endorsements from the Fraternal Order of Police, SEIU Local 105 and the Central Labor Council.

QUIN EVANS-SEGALL

Quin Evans-Segall received 6.78 percent of the vote in the general election, securing the fifth spot in the runoff. She serves on Metro’s Industrial Development Board. Although the IDB is typically a somewhat invisible government body, during her time on the board she pushed back on deals the city cut, such as one with Montgomery Bell Academy. She co-founded Voices for a Safer Tennessee and has served on several nonprofit and community boards and committees, and is a lawyer by day. Her top priorities involve updating city government to be more effective and efficient and better able to carry out vital tasks such as updating the bus system. She does not think the Titans’ stadium plan was a good deal, and she has concerns over LPR usage.

Evans-Segall was the highest spender in pre-general campaign finance disclosures, but went into the runoff with one of the smallest amounts of cash on hand, second only to Cheng. She received endorsements from the Nashville Justice League, SEIU Local 205 and Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition Votes.

OLIVIA HILL

Olivia Hill received 6.78 percent of the vote in the runoff election, securing the third spot in the runoff. She first made a name for herself when she sued Vanderbilt University over allegedly discriminating against her because she’s transgender. She has worked to advocate for women and the LGBTQ community. A veteran of the Navy, she says her top priorities are infrastructure, homelessness and transportation. She does not believe

the city should use LPRs. While she did not take a position on the Titans’ stadium deal, she now wants to focus on the surrounding neighborhoods and update the transportation and utilities downtown. She believes we need to expand the bus system and establish a dedicated funding source for transit.

Of the candidates in the runoff, Hill raised the third-most money in the pregeneral disclosure period, and spent nearly as much as she raised. She received endorsements from the Nashville Justice League, the Nashville Business Coalition and the Equity Alliance Fund.

HOWARD JONES

Howard Jones received 6.65 percent of the vote in the runoff election, securing the fourth spot in the runoff. He might be a familiar name to anyone who has voted in Nashville recently, as he has run for office multiple times, including a bid for Circuit Court judge last year. He has worked as an assistant high school principal, a senior pastor and a community organizer. His top priority is community safety, and he says he believes the city needs more police officers beyond the unfilled positions. He says he would not have voted for the Titans’ stadium deal, and he supports LPR usage and facial recognition technology. He says he believes that if the city can do a deal like the Titans’ stadium, it should be able to put together a $1 billion plan to address affordable housing. He would support a dedicated funding source for transit and says WeGo should be updated to support the city’s needs.

Jones did not turn in a pre-general financial disclosure, and was reported to the state by the Davidson County Election Commission. He received an endorsement from the Equity Alliance Fund.

DELISHIA PORTERFIELD

Delishia Porterfield received 9.06 percent of the vote in the general election, less than 1 percent off of the 10 percent threshold required to win the seat outright, finishing in the first spot in the runoff. She is one of the three district councilmembers running, but the only one who is not term-limited. She was first elected to District 29 in 2019 through a special election, before winning the seat in the general election that August. She was against the Titans’ stadium deal, does not support usage of LPRs, and rather than invest in more police officers, wants to invest in affordable housing, creating well-paying jobs and other community programming to decrease crime. She is one of the few candidates who definitively says a property tax adjustment will be required in the next four years to meet the city’s needs. She joined Suara in the lawsuit against the state over legislation to cut the Metro Council in half, and has been an outspoken voice against many of the state’s actions during the past session. She also made headlines when she led the charge to reinstate state Rep. Justin Jones after his expulsion, which was notable because Jones beat her for the District 52 state House seat in the 2022 election.

Porterfield received endorsements from the Nashville Justice League, Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition Votes and the Equity Alliance Fund.

RUSS PULLEY

Russ Pulley received 5.88 percent of the vote in the general election, securing the sixth spot in the runoff. Pulley is termlimited in District 25. He is a retired FBI agent and spent 24 years officiating college football in the Southeastern Conference. He has participated in various community organizations and church groups

Burkley Allen Chris Cheng

Delishia Porterfield Russ Pulley

Olivia Hill

Howard Jones

Quin Evans-Segall

Jeff Syracuse

At-large candidates

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

in the Green Hills area. He voted yes on the Titans’ stadium deal, wants to invest in more police and “strongly” supports LPR usage. Crime, public safety and affordability are some of his top priorities. During the 2020 budget cycle, he pushed for a $2 million increase in the Metro Nashville Police Department budget, despite an attempt from current at-large Councilmember Bob Mendes to strip that from the budget. Recently, he was a primary opponent of a bill from District 5 Councilmember Sean Parker that redefined “family” in the zoning code, allowing more unrelated individuals to live in a single household.

Pulley went into the runoff with the third-most cash on hand. He received endorsements from the Fraternal Order of Police and the Nashville Business Coalition.

JEFF SYRACUSE

Jeff Syracuse received 5.42 percent of the vote in the general election, securing the final runoff spot. He is one of three district councilmembers vying for a promotion to an at-large seat, wrapping up his second term as the District 15 representative in the Donelson area. He voted in favor of both the Titans’ stadium deal and LPRs. He has spent his career working in the music industry, and during his two terms placed

7th annual Green Hills Park Festival set for Sept. 9

a strong emphasis on preserving the music business in Nashville. He is in favor of Nashville dedicating funding to transit and increasing WeGo’s bus services. Syracuse also has played a big role in advocating for better trash pickup, and pressuring Red River, a waste service contractor, to be more consistent with their pickups. He was also responsible for legislation late last year that banned smoking in bars and concert venues, a bill that was met with contention from local dive bars. He supports having another transit referendum and wants to see a big emphasis on regional transit.

Syracuse has been campaigning for atlarge for longer than anyone in the pool. And as the top fundraiser, his finances show it. His fundraising numbers frequently put him at the top of the pack, and his cash on hand nearly doubled the numbers of the second-place campaign. His failure to spend some of it — he had $191,000 cash on hand in his last disclosure — nearly cost him the runoff. He has received endorsements from the Fraternal Order of Police, the Nashville Business Coalition and LiUNA! Local 386.

STAFF REPORTS

The seventh annual Green Hills Park Festival is set to take place on Saturday, Sept. 9 from 5-9 p.m.

Green Hills Park, located at 1200 Lone Oak Road, was established in 2016. Each year, the Festival helps raise money for Friends of Green Hills Park, which makes improvements to community areas in Green Hills. The 2023 festival aims to raise money for new misting water fountain for the park.

This year’s iteration is set to feature local shops, family-fun activities, food trucks, beer and wine vendors, live music, face painting, juggling lessons, screens showing college football games, and a family movie night.

The music stage will feature Incognito Cartel, while the outdoor film, a showing of 2023 smash hit The Super Mario Bros. Movie, will begin at 7 p.m.

You can RSVP for the event on Facebook.

Runoff Rundown: Three of the Metro Council’s 35 district seats are on the runoff ballot

BY D. PATRICK RODGERS

Nashville saw lots of close races on Aug. 3. In Madison’s Metro Council District 9, for instance, newcomer Stephanie Montenegro came within 40 votes of incumbent Tonya Hancock. Ultimately, 32 of the council’s 35 seats saw a victor on election night. But three districts with crowded fields didn’t see any candidates break the 50 percent threshold, meaning the contests for Districts 4, 11 and 29 will be decided in the Sept. 14 runoff. Below is some context on each of the three races.

DISTRICT 4

Just 53 votes separated first-place finisher Davette Blalock and runner-up Mike Cortese in the general election race for District 4, which covers the Nippers Corner neighborhood in the southeastern portion of the county. Blalock, a real estate agent, previously served as a District 27 councilmember from 2011 to 2019, and ran an unsuccessful campaign for state House District 53 as a Republican in 2016. Cortese, meanwhile, is an adjunct professor at Belmont University, and previously lost to outgoing District 4 Councilmember Robert Swope in 2019.

Swope, who wanted to bring the Republican National Convention to Nashville during his term, endorsed Blalock in the general election, and has said the council should build a bridge with the state legislature’s Republican supermajority. Blalock seems to agree, telling the Scene’s Hannah Herner in June: “There just needs to be more conversations between the state and the council. I think [state lawmakers] have no idea what the majority of the council feels and desires.”

Cortese has said he’d like to hold monthly town halls with his constituents, and touts his ability to build a bipartisan coalition. “I

have people who voted for Donald Trump twice with my signs in their yard, and I have people who voted for Hillary Clinton and Joe Biden with my signs in their yard,” Cortese told the Scene early this summer.

DISTRICT 11

Lots of eyes are on the District 11 race, where two diametrically opposed candidates have made it to the runoff. Out of a fourman field, Jeff Eslick finished with 1,142 votes on Election Day, while Eric Patton trailed right behind at 1,086. Seen by many as a last bastion of Old Nashville, District 11 borders Old Hickory Lake at the eastern edge of the county.

Eslick owns Slick Media Productions and has worked closely with divisive conservative Lower Broadway bar owner Steve Smith, who also owns land in District 11. Ahead of the general election, Eslick’s company produced an attack ad directed at mayoral candidate Freddie O’Connell, which Smith paid for. “Metro Council doesn’t need another political activist,” says Eslick on his website, “but someone who will focus on the basics that go into making safe, flourishing neighborhoods.” He says he wants to limit homeless encampments in the area and manage growth.

Patton, on the other hand, received endorsements from progressive groups including Planned Parenthood and TIRRC Votes ahead of the general election. Director of client relations at Artemis CPA, Patton has not previously run for office, but is active in the LGBTQ community and has worked with the Human Rights Campaign. He wants to focus on schools, city services and small business, telling the Scene in June: “It feels like we’re getting left behind by people who want to keep us small. We’re growing, but we’re not growing like the rest of town.”

DISTRICT 29

District 29 incumbent Delishia Porterfield opted to run for an at-large seat this cycle rather than pursuing a second term in her district, opening up a fourperson race. On Election Day, Tasha Ellis earned 911 votes to represent the Percy Priest Lake-adjacent district — about 112 votes shy of the 50 percent she would have needed to win outright. John Reed trailed behind with 484 votes.

Ellis has worked for the Tennessee Democratic Party and started a consulting firm. She has said her priorities as a councilmember will include infrastructure

upgrades and combating street racing and other prevalent crimes in the southeastern portion of the county. Reed also runs a business and has worked on campaigns for Councilmembers Gloria Hausser, Zach Young and Thom Druffel. A member of the LGBTQ community, Reed is focused on traffic issues in the district, as well as a need for transit and walkable neighborhoods throughout all of Davidson County.

Hannah Herner, Braden Simmons and Kelsey Beyeler contributed reporting for this story.

This story was first published by our sister publication Nashville Scene.

Mayor Cooper signs slew of legislation as term ends

BY MATT MASTERS

Nashville Mayor John Cooper signed a slew of legislation on Aug. 28 in an example of what his office called “unparalleled success” in getting his legislative agenda passed as his term comes to a close.

A signing ceremony took place on the steps of Nashille Historic Metro Courthouse alongside numerous Metro Council members and city staff.

That legislation includes:

- The full implementation of license plate readers across the city.

- A resolution approving a $19,500,000 grant agreement to the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee for the purpose of creating the Housing Catalyst Fund using American Rescue Plan Act

(ARPA) funds

- An ordinance limiting the number of entertainment vehicles that can operate downtown, with the Metro Transportation and Licensing Commission set to determine the number that best serves “public necessity and convenience”

- A “Traffic Bill of Rights” which requires traffic impact studies that precede significant property developments to assess the impact of developments on surrounding traffic to now include more expansive multimodal transportation analysis, as well as adding bond requirements

- A downtown noise ordinance, which requires speakers and amplifiers located within 10 feet of a door, window or other

opening to be oriented inward to spare the streets and sidewalks from excessive noise as a safety precaution

- A food waste reduction resolution, which aims to see the Metro Government and greater community reach a target of a 50% reduction in food waste from 2017 levels by 2030

Cooper’s term comes to an end as Nashvillians are set to elect their next mayor with candidates Alice Rolli and Freddie O’Connell in a runoff ahead of the Sept. 14 election.

Mayor Cooper PHOTO BY MATT MASTERS

Tennessee Supreme Court picks new chief justice

BY STEPHEN ELLIOTT

The Tennessee Supreme Court has unanimously elected Holly Kirby as its chief justice, effective Friday. The term is set to last two years.

Kirby succeeds Roger Page in the position. She was appointed to the court in 2014 by then-Gov. Bill Haslam after spending nearly two decades on the Tennessee Court of Appeals.

The chief justice attended University of Memphis School of Law and is, according to the court, the first Memphis graduate to sit on the Supreme Court.

Kirby was the first woman partner at Burch, Porter & Johnson in Memphis and was the first woman to serve on the appeals court when then-Gov. Don Sundquist appointed her in 1995.

“I am honored to have been chosen chief justice by my colleagues on the Court,” Kirby said. “I have the highest respect for Justice Page, my predecessor as chief justice, Justice Bivins, also a former chief justice, Justice Campbell, and now Justice Tarwater.

“Tennessee has the finest judiciary in the country; our judges are dedicated public servants who serve with integrity. I am grateful for the opportunity to work with all of them to strengthen public confidence in our courts, access to justice for vulnerable citizens, and the rule of law in Tennessee.”

A ceremonial investiture with Gov. Bill Lee is scheduled for Oct. 4.

Also effective Sept. 1 was the addition of Dwight Tarwater, former legal counsel to Haslam, to the court. He succeeds the retiring Justice Sharon Lee, meaning the five members of the court were all appointed by Republican governors.

This story was first published by our sister publication Nashville Post.

Holly Kirby PHOTO BY WENDY ADAMS

Runoff Rundown: Freddie O’Connell consolidates support during mayoral runoff

BY ELI MOTYCKA

pro-parks, pro-transit, pro-mobility Metro axis outwardly critical of big subsidies for tourism and corporations.

O’Connell has consolidated support among important city leaders and institutions since taking the most votes into the runoff on Aug. 3. Many of his former opponents have fallen in line, including Heidi Campbell, Jeff Yarbro, Matt Wiltshire and Jim Gingrich. Labor unions and business leaders agree on O’Connell, as do most of his colleagues in the Metro Council, where O’Connell has represented parts of the downtown core, Germantown, Salemtown, Midtown, Napier-Sudekum and North Nashville for eight years. As early voting began last week, the entire Metro school board endorsed O’Connell’s bid — “many believe this is the first time” the board jointly endorsed a mayoral candidate, according to a release from the body.

that reason, a huge swath of politicized young people identified with O’Connell and helped furnish a field campaign that knocked on doors and phone-banked — all in the hopes that Mayor O’Connell could move their city further left.

Before he had a polling advantage or an endearing football commercial, before virtually all of the city’s political class lined up behind him, Freddie O’Connell won yards. “We have Burkley-O’Connell yards,” O’Connell says of yard signs, speaking excitedly outside Dose Coffee on Murphy Road. “We have O’Connell-Pulley yards. We share yards with Angie [Henderson] and Jim [Shulman].”

He had been sharing an early-Monday coffee with Brad Gioia, the outgoing director of Montgomery Bell Academy, the preppy West End academy where O’Connell finished high school. His mom, Beatie, taught French there for three decades.

I’d bumped into O’Connell by coincidence. While we sat outside, I kept track of the interruptions — four in 10 minutes — as passersby stopped to offer a word of encouragement or to tell Freddie they’d already voted for him.

O’Connell staffer Alex Apple estimates that the campaign had planted royal-blue signs in front of 1,600 houses. You can see them on fences, balconies and windows, bold white letters over a yellow outline of Davidson County. O’Connell’s point was that, to him, signs were the tangible proxy for the wide appeal he shared with colleagues and candidates across the Metro universe. While voters split narrowly for Angie Henderson — the West Side councilmember who defeated incumbent Jim Shulman in the race for vice mayor — O’Connell could win both sides. While he’s consistently voted opposite more conservative councilmembers like Russ Pulley and Burkley Allen on wedge issues like license plate readers and the deal for a new Titans stadium, both Allen and Pulley are vying for two of the city’s remaining at-large seats, and they all share yards. Fellow at-large candidate Quin Evans-Segall has forged a strong alliance with O’Connell’s campaign, both anchors of a

Drive in Wedgewood-Houston and you can see yards with O’Connell signs and signs opposing the NASCAR track at the fairgrounds, a controversial tourism play that advocates put on ice early in August before it was set to die in council. Approach the four-way stop at Blair Boulevard and Natchez Trace from the west and you’ll see a stately stone bungalow that’s supporting the NASCAR deal and O’Connell.

“We don’t know him personally, but I watched four televised events,” says Joyce Quirk, who lives there with her husband Preston. “Observing the candidates and their responses and presence and intelligence, I settled on Freddie after the second forum and first debate. I appreciate all he’s done in council and serving on the transit board. I actually completely disagree with him about the stadium deal, but I feel like he’ll get over that and make the East Bank development the best it can be. He has experience and knowledge, and I know this race is supposed to be nonpartisan, but I can’t support a Republican candidate. Not in this era, with Republicans at the state and federal levels who refuse to condemn Donald Trump. And the gerrymandering.”

“I’m also a car person,” says Preston, who concurs with Joyce’s political analysis. “I have a race car and I enjoy racing.”

To older voters, O’Connell has proven his experience and smarts. To parents, he’s proven his support for public education, burnished by his own credentials as an Eakin Elementary alum. His formal relationship with Nashville liberals dates back well over a decade to Liberadio(!), a politics show he hosted on Vanderbilt’s WRVU in the 2000s with Mary Mancini, who went on to chair the Tennessee Democratic Party. Long concerned with environmentalism, housing and homelessness, O’Connell has shown up at rallies, protests, memorials and actions over the eight years he’s been in office. For

To the business class, he’s proven that a little extra scrutiny won’t stop the city’s economic growth. O’Connell has been the councilmember approving controversial new real estate projects that have made parts of North Nashville whiter and wealthier while also winning the support of Black city leaders and politicians, like state Rep. Brenda Gilmore and Metro Register of Deeds Karen Johnson. Downtown, O’Connell has stamped massive corporate projects like Amazon’s Nashville Yards and AllianceBernstein’s move to Fifth + Broadway. In 2021, he delivered Stand Up Nashville’s “20 Questions about the Oracle deal” — which skewered corporate-centric city priorities — to Mayor John Cooper before voting for the deal, along with every other councilmember, a month later, with many of those questions unanswered.

The Nashville Post and Nashville Scene’s Stephen Elliott asked O’Connell in a recent interview about a proposed land swap in District 19. At Church Street Park, O’Connell supported a land swap with a developer — Tony Giarratana, who recently co-hosted a fundraiser for O’Connell — in return for certain community benefits.

“Can you show me where I supported that?” O’Connell responded.

“I actually watched a Parks board meeting this morning from 2018 where you said, ‘I think this is better than the current —’”

“I said, ‘I think anything is better than the status quo,’” O’Connell responded. “And that was true. And if Parks couldn’t do better than the status quo, then I think it’s important to consider all options. But I also feel like we wanted to leave the space if the park could perform better. Which is something I also articulated.”

O’Connell’s circumspection can, at times, saddle him with contradictions that will be more difficult to avoid when he holds enough power to drive the city’s agenda. He has already begun arguing that he won’t drive the city’s agenda, but rather be its shepherd, favoring the careful language of stakeholderheavy, community-driven priorities that activate and leverage strategic partnerships.

“I think there is a responsible way to implement license plate readers as a technology,” O’Connell tells the Scene via Zoom in August, a few days after he started isolating due to an inconvenient COVID diagnosis. As a councilmember, O’Connell voted against LPR approval and echoed his colleagues’ pleas for caution. “We knew that multiple, long-standing, highly credible organizations that represent a variety of

different parts of Nashville’s communities of color expressed profound concerns there. But if we’re going to expand this program, or even make it permanent, the best thing to do from a broad public-trust standpoint would be to involve the voices that express the most concern. That’s exactly what I would hope to do from the mayor’s office.”

While the Titans and Mayor Cooper coordinated a full-throated push for billions in taxpayer money to fund a new domed stadium on the city’s East Bank, O’Connell saw a bad deal and an early plank that aligned his mayoral campaign with pissedoff Nashvillians. O’Connell separated himself from the mayoral field with his vocal opposition to the stadium lease and had the chance to actually vote against the deal, which sailed through the council early this spring.

“Metro legal, Metro finance and the mayor’s office seemed more interested in getting a deal done quickly that revised a lease we knew was bad, but left us with a different set of risks and obligations,” says O’Connell when asked if there was any play left on the $2.1 billion stadium deal. “But I don’t intend to undo any element of the deal. We have a contract now, and I’m not going to say to Metro legal, ‘Let’s sue ourselves or the sports authority,’ or anything like that. What I would say is, I hope to continue working with the Titans as a goodfaith partner. It’s important to me to secure favorable terms for Metro in affordable housing commitments or infrastructure commitments to make sure the East Bank succeeds more broadly.”

Throughout 2022, O’Connell built his campaign for mayor on the ambient feeling (backed by polling) that the city has been on the wrong track for years. “I want you to stay,” a message emblazoned on early campaign materials, was a plea to his fellow Nashvillians not to give up on a city that has for many become unrecognizable, alienating and prohibitively expensive. Its bouncier counterpart — “More ’Ville, Less Vegas!” — is emblazoned on the back of O’Connell campaign T-shirts. He took on the billionaires and bachelorettes in another popular campaign ad.

A runoff with conservative Alice Rolli was O’Connell’s dream scenario. He has not had to prove to a moderate city that his opponent sits too far to the right, because Rolli has done it for him. She’s argued that state lawmakers, seen by many Davidson County voters as radical extremists intent on attacking Nashville, will listen to her because she agrees with them. Her “Taxpayer Protection Pledge,” an oath against tax hikes offered to elected officials by the D.C.-based activist group Americans for Tax Reform, reads like a stunt from a bygone era. Rolli’s direct connections to MAGA Republicans and her former consulting firm’s affinity for

Freddie O’Connell

PHOTO BY ERIC ENGLAND

far-right militant organization the Proud Boys were gifts that O’Connell didn’t even ask for.

In the general election, O’Connell

beat her across the county. In places like Joelton and Bellevue, where Rolli won a few precincts narrowly, middling Democrats like Matt Wiltshire, Heidi Campbell and Jeff

Yarbro split votes that will presumably go to O’Connell in the runoff. Closer to the city, O’Connell will look to improve on already substantial margins.

Runoff Rundown: Alice Rolli faces hurdles in mayoral bid

BY STEPHEN ELLIOTT

Alice Rolli used to tweet. Like, a lot. About Fort Negley, about then-Mayor Megan Barry, about WPLN. Dozens and dozens of replies to reporters and politicians. Praise for her now-opponent Freddie O’Connell. A declaration that Republicans eat seafood soup from Whole Foods, too. A poster, through and through.

Rolli launched her account eight years ago with a plea for people to vote for David Fox, who is now her campaign treasurer, for mayor. These days, @AliceRolli1 is mostly quiet — just the occasional picture from some local business or meeting hall she has visited on the campaign trail. She says she left Twitter recently, in part because of “all these things I’m learning about myself” — presumably untrue.

In an unusually quiet runoff, Rolli is trying to move from the commentariat to the mayor’s office while facing several hurdles: She doesn’t have a lot of money and isn’t running a very robust campaign on the airwaves (or, anecdotally at least, in the streets); she is an unabashed Republican in a county that voted against Trump by more than 30 points; and she is facing an opponent in O’Connell who has consolidated support from many of the city’s top elected officials, labor unions, pro-business groups and left-leaning interest groups, not to mention the third-, fourthand fifth-place finishers in the first round of voting for mayor.

Obvious comparisons to the 2015 election have been made. Rolli, like her treasurer Fox, emerged from a crowded first round of voting in part thanks to a high floor of conservative support and left-leaning votes divided among a half-dozen serious candidates. Now she, like Fox, faces a liberal member of the Metro Council. But Fox had a track record in public office, having served on the Metro school board. And Fox was running before Trump’s election as president and an overall shift in national politics that seems to have soured some of the centrist and independent voters who make up the bulk of the Nashville electorate toward the GOP brand. And Fox lost by more than 10,000 votes.

But Rolli isn’t deterred.

“Eight years ago, the majority of voters believed we were going in the right direction — David was presenting a change from that direction,” says Rolli, a Nashville native who worked on Republican campaigns and in the administration of GOP Gov. Bill Haslam. “ … A majority of Nashville voters didn’t want a change. What’s different today is that

the overwhelming majority believe the city is going in the wrong direction. If we do what we did eight years ago, which is elect a city councilperson who’s served as part of where we’ve gotten, and we move them over to the mayor’s office, I think there are a lot of parallels. I think the voters today say we’ve got to reset how we’re doing things here. Nashville voters are saying to us, ‘We need to bring a different approach to how we manage the city.’”

In order to beat the long odds, Rolli would need to run a more-or-less mistakefree campaign. She has not.

One of her first stops after making the runoff was at a Wilson County meeting of the Tennessee Republican Party Executive Committee, a group of party leaders who were in the midst of chastising Gov. Bill Lee for calling a special legislative session in response to the Covenant School shooting. Then she cut ties with her top campaign consultant after she learned of his past statements in support of the far-right Proud Boys and an insurrection. (The consultant says Rolli knew all along, and that he quit of his own accord.)

Asked by the Nashville Banner about both instances, she responded more or less the same: “Probably should have thought about it a little bit more.”

Those types of ties to the right are the kind that can motivate sleepy Nashville voters in exactly the wrong way, generating enthusiasm for O’Connell and turning the nonpartisan election into a referendum on the modern Republican Party. But Rolli is also touting her ties to Republicans as a benefit in the race. She says she will have an easier time working with the GOPdominated state legislature because she is one of them.

Rolli even thinks she can get the state legislature, in recent years at war with Nashville, to redistribute state revenues more evenly, benefiting Metro and, in some cases, hurting their districts. She also thinks she can work with GOP Rutherford County Mayor Joe Carr (who ran against, and nearly beat, U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander in the 2014 Republican primary when Rolli was Alexander’s campaign manager) to get the state legislature to allow the two counties to institute development impact fees.

“How to have that conversation with the state is to come at it from a conservative position that says, ‘I want when you are here in Nashville to make sure that our police call times are not as long as they are right now,’” she says. “We need this to be a safe city.

Part of that is saying we will prioritize the funding of our police force and letting our police officers do their job.”

She does indeed have ties to Republicans in the legislature. Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson, the Williamson County Republican who led the charge against Metro this year, donated to her campaign. So did Republican state Sens. Mark Pody, Ken Yager, Richard Briggs, Shane Reeves and Frank Niceley, and Rep. Sam Whitson. Franklin Mayor Ken Moore and Williamson County Mayor Rogers Anderson gave money too, as did retired Republican leaders Bill Frist and Don Sundquist.

But Republican support for Rolli isn’t universal, or particularly energetic.

Victor Ashe, the former mayor of Knoxville and an ambassador in the Bush administration who maintains strong ties among the Tennessee GOP elite, says Rolli asked him for help identifying potential financial supporters in Knoxville, but he declined.

“I was surprised and disagreed with her failure to be outspoken in opposition to the state takeover of the airport,” Ashe says. “I expressed that to her.”

Ashe says he would have used every legislative connection he had to fight a takeover of the Knoxville airport when he was mayor. Rolli, instead, wants to meet the state in the middle on most of their ongoing fights.

“In the case for the airport authority, there is probably a place for the state to have a seat there,” she says.

Rolli’s pitch as she runs for mayor is that the city is heading in the wrong direction, its finances are shit and crime is out of control. She makes two main promises as she campaigns: She will not raise taxes, and she will hire more police officers. That means money has to come from somewhere (presuming Rolli is unable to get the state to simply redistribute tax revenues in a manner more favorable to Nashville) — as prices rise, Metro employees are promised pay increases, and continued growth puts additional stress on the city’s infrastructure.

In an interview in June, Rolli proposed that cuts to the Metro Department of Parks and Recreation could be a solution. In a more recent conversation, she expanded on the idea, arguing that she meant the city was spending too much on middle managers across the board.

“What I think people feel broadly in the city — and it’s not just in Parks, but it’s also in our teaching positions and in our police force — is that the frontline is less staffed than it needs to be, and there may be too

many layers,” she says.

Rolli also notes that continued growth in the city, and resultant increases in property tax revenue, could help offset the need for further tax increases.

Like Mayor John Cooper, with whom she worked to protect the old Greer Stadium site from development, Rolli got her start in politics advocating for her neighborhood. (They both had politically involved fathers, too.) She tweeted and showed up to Metro boards to testify about issues in and around her Edgehill neighborhood: about Belmont’s use of Rose Park, about an increase in shortterm rentals, about a disruptive apartment proposal and most of all about Fort Negley and Greer Stadium.

And though she has built a campaign describing the things that are wrong in Nashville, and she frequently laments the string of Metro councilmembers who have been elected mayor, including her old ally Cooper, she did not get into the race until after he got out of it. Rolli acknowledges that the past four years — with a pandemic, a tornado and a bombing — have been tough, and moves made by Cooper (including, unmentioned, a major tax hike in 2020) have improved the city’s finances.

“Frankly, I wouldn’t have seen a path that said how are we going to bring this city together if it was fighting against the person who had tried to hold the city together through that period of time,” she says.

Perhaps she should have heeded @ AliceRolli1’s 2018 advice: “Friends don’t let Friends run for office!”

This story was first published by our sister publication Nashville Scene.

This story was first published by our sister publication Nashville Scene.

Alice Rolli PHOTO BY ERIC ENGLAND

Remembering Gov. Don Sundquist, a resilient leader who never lost an election

BY BILL FREEMAN

Today we find ourselves reflecting on the career of former Gov. Don Sundquist, a man who left an indelible mark on Tennessee’s political landscape. Since the news of his passing broke late last month, many have stopped to remember the positive contributions he made to our state.

Don Sundquist was a name synonymous with Tennessee politics, a Republican leader who achieved a feat few can boast: “Mr. Sundquist never lost an election in eight tries in Tennessee — six for Congress and two for governor,” according to The New York Times. From his victories in Congress to his successful runs for governor,

Sundquist’s ability to connect with voters and drive his vision forward was pretty remarkable, and spoke volumes as to how he valued his constituents. According to Beth Fortune, a former Nashville Banner reporter who also served as Sundquist’s communications director: “Gov. Sundquist was a connector. He delighted in bringing people together from all walks of life to work for the common good. It was a hallmark of his governorship.”

Gov. Sundquist’s legacy is marked by several significant achievements that impacted the lives of countless Tennesseans. His Families First welfare reform program,

designed to empower recipients to find employment while offering essential support, demonstrated his commitment to both fiscal responsibility and social welfare. According to The Washington Post: “In his second term, Mr. Sundquist proposed repealing the sales tax on groceries, saving each Tennessee family of four nearly $500 per year. He also recommended repealing the franchise and excise taxes and replacing them with a ‘fair business tax’ that treats all companies the same. The levy was 2½ percent on profits and 2½ percent on salaries for all companies.” These proved his desire for equity and fairness.

Beyond the realm of politics, Sundquist’s legacy is defined by a steadfast commitment to making a tangible difference. Colleagues and luminaries within our community echo their recognition of his contributions. Lamar Alexander, a former Tennessee governor and U.S. senator, aptly observed that Sundquist “put the state ahead of his own political interests.” These words encapsulate Sundquist’s dedication to public service and the well-being of Tennessee. Democratic U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen of Memphis added: “Don Sundquist was a man of his word. … He was a man of good character and moral rectitude, and his was a life well lived.”

Despite efforts and intentions, Sundquist’s second term as governor was met with controversy, particularly surrounding his proposal for a state income tax. While opinions on the matter differ, it’s undeniable that Sundquist’s willingness to grapple with difficult issues showed his commitment to confronting challenges head on, even when it meant facing dissent. He was willing to go against what was popular when he believed it was the right thing to do for the greater good of Tennessee. And to this day, many — myself included — can only applaud him for his efforts.

Sundquist’s prowess extended beyond politics. He was known for his love of golf — a sport that, much like politics, presents formidable challenges that demand strategic thinking, patience and resilience. Perhaps that’s why the game resonated with him, offering an outlet to channel his determination and will to overcome obstacles.

Sundquist was also obviously guided by his love for and commitment to his family — his wife, children and grandchildren. I was pleasantly surprised to learn that he’d been married to his wife Martha for 64 years. That’s quite a record. Being married to a politician can be a difficult road: Every decision is under scrutiny, and it takes a special person to meet those challenges, to be

that support system.

As we bid farewell to former Gov. Sundquist, let us remember the positive contributions he made and the inspiration he leaves behind. To echo Rep. Cohen, I believe Sundquist’s life was indeed “welllived,” and I hope Martha and her family can find comfort within those words.

I extend my warmest regards and deepest sympathies to the Sundquist family during this time of sorrow and loss.

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.

MATT

LISA BOLD

PRODUCTION MANAGER

MIKE SMITH PRESIDENT AND CEO

BILL FREEMAN OWNER

Official portrait of Gov. Don Sundquist, painted by Tom Donahue

TICKED OFF!

RIDGEFIELD DRIVE AT KENNER AVENUE

Who is the brilliant engineer that made the turn lane into a bank wider than the drive lane at Ridgefield Drive at Kenner Avenue. The bank must have greased his palm. No way to pass parked cars except to use the opposite turn lane. Pitiful.

PROTESTERS AT THE CAPITAL

The protesters at the capital need to calm down, take a breath and learn how the legislative process works. Waving signs, bull horns blaring, mothers in tears, smothering lawmakers likes ants on a jellyroll, ain’t gonna get it done. It’s a slow process and it was designed that way. Solid laws take time, thought, and bipartisanship. It also helps too know what you want and so far I haven’t seen or heard anything specific coming from either side.

You gotta have a plan. Less is more. Twenty people divided into groups of three or four people each saying the same thing to as many legislators as they can get into see, in a calm, respectful manner will get you further down the road than ambushing these guys in the hall. They know you’re upset but if they don’t specifically know what you want, how can they help? They’re not mind readers and don’t have a crystal ball.

We’re dealing with at least two generations of the Microwave crowd. They want instant gratification, yesterday. Be patient and realize you may not get everything you want but you will get something. The system works, you just gotta know how to work it.

RECYCLING

I am ticked off!

We were at the Green Hills Recycling Center on Labor Day Sunday Sept 3rd and there was 40+ cases of glass strewn across the parking lot outside the full glass recycling bin. Tom, the recycling man, was there to exchange containers but could not navigate the area because of all the glass debris left on the parking lot. My wife and I began helping Tom at 1:00 PM picking up the glass and bottles, putting them in the empty dumpster. We did not finish until close to 2pm. During this time at least twenty-five people came with their individual glass recycling and never once helped pick up any of the debris in the area. Frustratingly, instead they stepped around it. Why are people so inconsiderate? They see no need to help the community around them. It is very upsetting to me to see these lazy, oblivious citizens unwilling to help where help is needed.

CAN’T VOTE

I am ticked off I can’t vote for Freddie O’Connell for mayor of Nashville because I live in Brentwood. I support O’Connell’s plan to focus on neighborhoods and build more sidewalks, so developers won’t have to foot the bill. If O’Connell is elected, Brentwood developers will make it a priority to widen Granny White Pike so we can get to Green Hills faster to tear down more houses and cut down more old growth canopy trees.

MAYOR

To the extent that Nashville can maximize its sales tax revenue and hotel/motel tax revenue provided by tourists in restaurants, shops, events venues and hotels, whether they are here for a bachelorette party, weekend getaway or a convention, that will minimize the ever increasing property taxes paid by its residents, many of whom have been forced to move out of the city in part due to these tax increases. Our city MUST remain safe for our citizens-- and for the tourists, so that they will still want to come here, so that the taxes that they pay will help lessen the burden on the homeowners.

That being said, my vote for mayor will not go for someone who voted to turn down a major convention which would have brought in large amounts of sales tax and hotel/motel tax revenue. Nor will my vote go to the candidate who voted against license plate readers, which Police Chief Drake wanted, and which have proven to solve crimes. Lastly, I cannot vote for that same candidate, who as councilman had the questionable judgment to vote for the poorly formulated, ruinously expensive (estimated cost $5.2 billion, then $9.8 billion, then?) light rail transit plan (19th century technology, rolling along at 19 MPH!), complete with a $100 million tunnel blasted through solid limestone underneath parts of downtown Nashville, not counting the extra millions of dollars per year needed to pump out the groundwater from that tunnel. Thankfully, Nashvillians had the good common sense to vote down that boondoggle 2 -1. I hope Nashvillians will carefully consider the above facts when making their choice for Mayor.

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

Green Hills site eyed for project sells for $7.25M

BY WILLIAM WILLIAMS

A Green Hills site located near Hillsboro Pike and Calvary United Methodist Church and planned for a mixed-use building has sold for $7.25 million.

The new owner of the property, with an address of 2121 Crestmoor Road, is a partnership involving Nashville development company Material Ventures and Fort Lauderdale, Fla.-based Stiles Corp.

Tim Johnson, Material Ventures founder and owner, declined to comment. The Material Ventures website offers three projects, including the planned Crestmoor Road effort. It notes Johnson previously undertook

development work with Shorenstein Properties, focusing on apartments.

Stiles is working with Nashville developer Ray Hensler on a Rolling Mill Hill mixeduse project.

As the Post reported in April 2022, Johnson is planning a structure that would stand six floors at its tallest point and offer a ground-level retail space and five floors of residential, according to a document submitted to the Metro Planning Department (see image here). A specific plan rezoning was landed in August of last year.

A partnership affiliated with Green Hills-

Law firm buys Green Hills office home for $3.8M

BY WILLIAM WILLIAMS

A Green Hills modernist office building long home to law firm Howard Mobley Hayes & Gontarek has sold for $3.8 million.

According to a Davidson County Register of Deeds document, the new owner of the property is an LLC affiliated with a successor firm. The address is 2319 Crestmoor Road.

The seller of the 0.4-acre property was Cortlandt Riggs, who paid $281,784 for it in 1999, Metro records show. The Post was unable to determine details about Riggs.

Jeff Mobley, a partner with the firm, said the transaction comes as former HMH&G partners Bryan Howard and Paul Hayes recently left the firm.

Remaining as a partner with Mobley is Paul Gontarek. In addition, HMH&G attorney Allie Bohannon has been elevated

to partner. Now called Mobley & Gontarek, the three-partner firm is home to three other attorneys.

Mobley & Gontarek’s history can be traced to 2006, with the former HMH&G having operated from the just-acquired Crestmoor Road building since 2010.

Mobley & Gontarek will continue to specialize in estate planning, trust and estate administration, and trust and estate litigation.

The 7,500-square-foot building offers no other tenants.

Mobley said no brokers were involved in the transaction.

This story was first published by our sister publication Nashville Post.

Berry Hill building sells for $1.2M

BY WILLIAM WILLIAMS

A Berry Hill commercial building that sold for $750,000 27 months ago has now sold for $1.2 million.

The new owner of the 0.22-acre property, located at 2818 Bransford Ave., is Novello Entertainment LLC. The Post was unable to determines details about the LLC.

The seller was Homeofcapital LLC, which seemingly is a Nashville-based financial consultant company affiliated with Akram Rozh, details about are unclear. As noted, the LLC paid $750,000 for the property in May 2021 — nearly 11 times the figure for which it changed ownership hands 35 years prior.

The property previously housed the office

of local accountant Donald Maloney. He and wife Harriette Maloney were the sellers in the 2021 deal, with the couple having paid $70,000 for the property in 1986, according to Metro records.

The building seemingly sits empty.

The just-sold property sits adjacent to the building housing Beaded Bungalow and across Bransford Avenue from Brothers Burger Joint.

The Post was unable to determine if brokers were involved in the sale.

This story was first published by our sister publication Nashville Post.

based real estate investor and developer Nick Spiva was the seller of the 1.15-acre property. That entity paid $3.64 million for the property in 2007, Metro records show.

John Toomey, principal broker with Nashville’s JT Commercial Real Estate, facilitated the transaction.

As previously reported, Nashville’s Smith Gee Studio will serve as architect, with Barge Cauthen & Associates, also a local company, as the land-planner and civil engineer. It is unclear if a detailed color rendering of the future building has been finalized.

A two-story modernist office building

sits on the property. Longtime locals will recognize the structure as having been home to a Comdata office in the 1980s. With an alternative address of 2207 Crestmoor Road, the building now seemingly houses offices for Brentwood-based Value Payment Systems and for Weichert Realtors – The Andrews Group.

The property sits within Metro Council District 25.

This story was first published by our sister publication Nashville Post.

appoints ‘New York Times’ columnist French as distinguished visiting professor of public policy

Previously, French helped launch The Dispatch and was the senior editor there. He was a contributor at The Atlantic and has also served as a senior writer for National Review and as a senior fellow at the National Review Institute.

French practiced law in both commercial and constitutional litigation in federal courts. He was a lecturer at Cornell Law School and is a former president of the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression. He is a graduate of Harvard Law School and lives in Franklin.

David French has been appointed as a distinguished visiting professor of public policy at the Lipscomb University College of Leadership and Public Service.

French is a New York Times columnist, former constitutional litigator and Iraqi War veteran who holds a degree in political science from Lipscomb, according to a release. He will teach both conventional and short courses in addition to supporting special events for a two-year faculty appointment while still working with the New York Times.

“David’s vast experience in law, politics and the military and his deep faith offers students a unique blend of legal expertise, thoughtful analysis and an extensive understanding of contemporary issues,” Lipscomb President Candice McQueen said in the release. “As a university that prepares students for purposeful lives through a rigorous academic experience, it is important to have scholars such as David with his extensive background to enrich this academic landscape.”

Lipscomb University offers an enrollment of about 5,000 students.

This story was first published by our sister publication Nashville Post.

Lipscomb

David French

PHOTO COURTESY OF LIPSCOMB

Titans financing clears bond market

BY ELI MOTYCKA

Metro Nashville and the state of Tennessee have successfully secured $1.2 billion to finance a new Tennessee Titans stadium. The city — acting via the Metro Sports Authority — and the state split the debt into six packages, each marked by a different mixture of revenue sources and tax requirements. The state pledged a total of $500 million toward the project, while the city agreed to $760 million.

Close to $1.2 billion in proceeds from bond sales transfer this week to the city and state, who will pass on the money to Regions Bank, the project trustee. According to bond documents, $280 million will be guaranteed by the city’s general fund. The rest of the city’s debt has been commercially insured. Money moves this week also include contributions from the Metro Sports Authority to zero out about $8 million in bonds that remained from the city’s acquisition of the current Titans campus and around $33 million in outstanding debt on Nissan Stadium paid off by the Titans, who will chip in $840 million to the project overall. The Titans expect to cover at least $350 million by issuing a new round of personal seat licenses, a prerequisite per-seat cost for season ticket holders.

Tennessee issued the bonds in two

packages: Series 2023A ($452.7 million) and Series 2023B ($44.9 million). The city issued four bond packages: Series 2023A ($345.8 million) backed by revenue pledges, Series 2023B ($79.6 million) backed by revenue pledges, Series 2023C ($59.4 million) backed by the general fund, and Series 2023D ($220.6) backed by the general fund. A combination of hotel taxes, sales taxes, ticket taxes, and team rent are pledged to debt service. All are revenue bonds, meaning regular payments on the debt come from the expected streams of revenue listed above. The full analysis of the sales, linked above, includes additional millions of dollars in costs to originate, issue and market the debt. Goldman Sachs and JP Morgan brokered the debt, while firms like HilltopSecurities, Nixon Peabody LLP, and Bass, Berry & Sims played roles as counsel and advisers throughout the process.

In February, the city received a credit rating upgrade to AA+ from Kroll Bond Ratings Agency. Standard and Poor’s Global Ratings (S&P) upgraded the city to AA+ in July. The state of Tennessee has a perfect AAA credit rating.

This story was first published by our sister publication Nashville Scene.

Rep. Gloria Johnson kicks off U.S. Senate campaign

BY STEPHEN ELLIOTT

State Rep. Gloria Johnson (D-Knoxville) is officially kicked off her bid for U.S. Senate this week with stops in Knoxville, Nashville and Memphis.

Johnson filed paperwork allowing her to begin raising money for the effort last month. She told the Post in May that she was “definitely considering” a run.

The Democratic primary also features Memphis environmental activist Marquita Bradshaw, who won the nomination in 2020 before losing to now-Sen. Bill Hagerty. Either nominee would face an uphill battle in 2024 against incumbent Republican Sen. Marsha Blackburn.

Johnson, a former teacher, was first elected to the state House in 2012, and her profile has risen significantly in recent years. House Republicans moved to expel Johnson from the legislature earlier this year though failed by a single vote. At the same time, the House did expel Democratic Reps. Justin Jones of Nashville and Justin Pearson of Memphis, who were both scheduled to appear alongside Johnson during her Tuesday launch.

This story was first published by our sister publication Nashville Post.

State Rep. Gloria Johnson during the special legislative session in August

PHOTO BY MATT MASTERS

Position-by-position analysis of Titans’ initial 53-man roster

BY JOHN GLENNON

The Titans whittled their way down to an initial 53-man on roster on Tuesday, Aug. 29, adding a kicker via trade along the way.

Among the Titans’ more notable cuts were a pair of recent draft picks — wide receiver Racey McMath (2021 sixth round) and linebacker Chance Campbell (2022 sixth round). Also cut were guard Jordan Roos, who started three games for the organization last year, and edge rusher Sam Okuayinonyu, who played in six games for the Titans last year.

Some of the more intriguing players to survive the cut included a pair of players with local ties — wide receiver Colton Dowell from Wilson Central High and the University of Tennessee-Martin and safety Matthew Jackson, who attended Nashville’s Hillsboro High before playing at Eastern Kentucky University.

Dowell was a seventh-round draft pick in April and Jackson was an undrafted free agent.

In addition, a pair of undrafted free agents from small colleges — edge rusher Caleb Murphy and cornerback Anthony Kendall — made the squad after impressive offseason work. Murphy, out of Division II Ferris State, tied for the NFL lead with four preseason sacks, while Kendall, via Division III Baldwin Wallace, allowed just two receptions on five preseason targets, per Pro Football Focus.

The Titans also acquired kicker Nick Folk in a trade with the New England Patriots, giving up a 2025 seventh-round draft pick. A 15-year veteran, Folk, 38, has made 353of-426 field-goal attempts (82.9 percent),

including 136-of-193 (70 percent) from 40 yards and beyond.

One other order of business: Titans running back Hassan Haskins was placed on the Commissioner Exempt list following a June incident for which he faces felony charges of aggravated assault by strangulation. Haskins, who had been placed on injured reserve Monday, may not practice or attend games while on the Commissioner Exempt list.

Here’s a position-by-position analysis of the team’s initial 53-man roster, which is likely to see alterations before the Titans open Sept. 10 in New Orleans:

TUESDAY CUTS:

CB Eric Garror; CB Steven Jones; DB Shy Carter; DB Armani Marsh; DL Jaleel Johnson; DL Kyle Peko; DL T.K. McClendon; DT Trevon Coley; DT Michael Dwumfour; ; Edge Sam Okuayinonu; Edge Thomas Rush; G Jordan Roos; LB Chance Campbell; LB Ben Niemann; OL John Ojukwu; OL Andrew Rupcich; RB Jacques Patrick; S Tyreque Jones; T John Leglue; TE Thomas Odukoya; TE Kevin Rader; WR Mason Kinsey; WR Racey McMath; WR Reggie Roberson; WR Tre’Shaun Harrison.

PLACED ON PUP:

CB Caleb Farley

OFFENSE

Position: Quarterback

How many kept: Three

Who made it: Ryan Tannehill, Malik Willis, Will Levis

Analysis: There was certainly one school of thought that Willis might be cut this year after Tennessee picked Levis in the second round. But Willis, a third-round pick in 2022, showed enough improvement from his rookie season to stick. Levis was limited to half of one preseason game due to a quad injury. Titans coach Mike Vrabel has not announced which of his two young quarterbacks is second on the depth chart and which is third going into the season.

Position: Running back

How many kept: Three

Who made it: Derrick Henry, Tyjae Spears, Julius Chestnut

Analysis: This is a very talented threesome. Henry has been one of the NFL’s top backs for years, while the rookie Spears showed burst and elusiveness in his rookie preseason. Chestnut had a second straight strong preseason, making a couple of nice touchdown catches to add to his skills as a runner.

Position: Tight end

How many kept: Three

Who made it: Chig Okonkwo, Trevon Wesco, Josh Whyle

Analysis: The traditionally tight-endheavy Titans opted to go with just three to start out, releasing Odukoya and Rader. Okonkwo is the pass-catcher in the group and Wesco the blocker. Whyle, a fourthround pick in April, should be able to assist in both categories, but he’ll need to improve on his preseason.

Position: Wide receiver

How many kept: Seven

Who made it: DeAndre Hopkins, Treylon Burks, Chris Moore, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, Kyle Philips, Colton Dowell, Kearis Jackson

Analysis: This positional group looks much stronger than it did a few days ago with Burks returning to practice Monday, just 12 days after suffering an LCL injury. Philips won’t be ready for a while due to the preseason knee injury he suffered, but Jackson should take over some of his slotreceiver and punt-return duties. Dowell offers potential in the form of size and speed.

Position: Offensive line

How many kept: 10

Who made it: Andre Dillard, Peter Skoronski, Aaron Brewer, Daniel Brunskill, Chris Hubbard, Dillon Radunz, Justin Murray, Corey Levin, Xavier NewmanJohnson, Jaelyn Duncan

Analysis: This is a lot of offensive lineman, and there are probably a few reasons for that. One, Duncan is more of a project, but the team likely didn’t want to expose him to waivers. In addition, Radunz has practiced only one day after returning from ACL surgery, so the Titans are likely making sure his return continues to go smoothly before potentially making another move. Also, if Hubbard doesn’t pan out at right tackle, the Titans have other options before Nicholas Petit-Frere returns.

Overall, the unit remains a question mark entering the season, as four of five starters are new, and the fifth, Brewer, moved from guard to center. During a small preseason sample size, the group looked better in pass protection than in the run game. Radunz’ return adds depth, though it remains to be seen whether he will be given a shot at right tackle, where he struggled during the 2022 offseason.

DEFENSE

Position: Defensive line

How many kept: Five

Who made it: Jeffery Simmons, Denico Autry, Teair Tart, Naquan Jones, Jayden Peevy.

Analysis: The Titans have plenty of quality and depth at this position. Simmons is one of the league’s best, Autry isn’t far behind and Tart has shown signs he will emerge as a consistent force. There were some tough selections behind those three, with the 6-6, 310-pound Peevy earning a spot after spending most of last year on the practice squad.

Matthew Jackson

PHOTO BY JESSIE ROGERS_TENNESSEE TITANS

Position: Edge rusher

How many kept: Four

Who made it: Harold Landry, Arden Key, Rashad Weaver, Caleb Murphy

Analysis: If Landry returns to his preinjury 2021 form, and if Key plays to his potential, the Titans could have a very impressive one-two punch pressuring the quarterback. Weaver has established himself as a solid rotational player and Murphy certainly flashed some potential with four sacks in three preseason games.

Position: Inside linebacker

How many kept: Five

Who made it: Azeez Al-Shaair, Monty Rice, Jack Gibbens, Luke Gifford, Otis Reese IV

Analysis: Al-Shaair, signed in the offseason, gets his chance to be a full-time

SPORTS

starter and leader. It’s time for Rice, who missed several training-camp practices and two games for unspecified reasons, to show maturation and production in his third year. It was mildly surprising to see the team cut Chance Campbell, a sixth-round pick from 2022. But offseason addition Luke Gifford adds experienced depth and strength on special teams. The surprise keeper was the 6-3, 214-pound Reese, an undrafted free agent who played safety at Ole Miss.

Position: Cornerback

How many kept: Five

Who made it: Kristian Fulton, Sean Murphy-Bunting, Roger McCreary, Tre Avery, Anthony Kendall

Analysis: The Titans have three proven starters in Fulton, Murphy-Bunting and

McCreary, as long as the trio remains healthy. Murphy-Bunting has missed a combined 13 games the last two seasons, and Fulton has missed 20 of 50 games over his three seasons. Avery started three games last season, so he has some experience.

Position: Safety

How many kept: Five

Who made it: Kevin Byard, Amani Hooker, Elijah Molden, Mike Brown, Matthew Jackson

Analysis: Tennessee offers one of the league’s best starting duos in Byard and Hooker, but there is unproven depth behind them. Molden played cornerback in his first two seasons, Brown has not played a snap on defense during the regular season and Jackson is a rookie.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Positions: Kicker, Punter, Long Snapper

How many kept: Three

Who made it: Nick Folk, Ryan Stonehouse, Morgan Cox

Analysis: In adding Folk, a 15-year vet, via trade, the Titans added a kicker with a far more proven track record than the likes of Caleb Shudak, Trey Wolff and Michael Badgley. In 2022, Folk went 32-for-37 on field-goal attempts (86 percent). He made 14-of-19 attempts from 40 yards plus (74 percent), including four-of-five from 50-plus yards. Stonehouse had an outstanding rookie season and Cox, a five-time Pro Bowler, is as smooth as snapper as there is in the league. This story was first published by our sister publication Nashville Post.

Titans’ Jackson, Dowell celebrate earning roster spots on hometown team

BY JOHN GLENNON

Matthew Jackson admitted feeling a little nervous when he got the call on Tuesday.

Colton Dowell never got a call at all.

In the end, both Jackson, a Hillsboro High graduate, and Dowell, a Wilson Central High graduate, earned spots on the Titans’ initial 53-man roster.

That’s not to say their positions will be secure for the season or — who knows — even a week from today.

But it’s hard not to appreciate the stories of two underdogs — Dowell a seventh-round wide receiver out of the University of Tennessee-Martin, Jackson an undrafted free-agent safety out of Eastern Kentucky — who grew up cheering for the Titans, and now get the chance to play for that very same team.

“Those moments, that’s what this game is about,” Titans general manager Ran Carthon said. “Those stories are cool. It’s very rare you get those in our league. I was really happy to share that moment with these guys.”

The Titans took a new approach this year when it came to telling some of their undrafted free agents they’d earned roster spots, choosing to call them into the facility to deliver the news.

In most instances, a phone call and an invitation to meet with the general manager and coach on final cuts day is not a good sign.

“It was the first time I’d ever been called into the office for that, so I was kind of a little nervous, a little tension in the room,” Jackson said. “But [Carthon] relieved my tension by telling me I made it, so I felt pretty good.”

Said Carthon: “I’m sure [the players they brought in] thought they were being cut probably. I know that’s what I would have

felt. But it was a cool moment to really share with those guys and we’re extremely proud of them.”

The 6-1, 209-pound Jackson, who made the team because of his hard work and potential on special teams, said he immediately started contacting family and friends to let them know the good news.

“My dad cried, my mom cried,” Jackson said. “I called my brothers, it was very nice. … Told my [2-year-old] daughter. She’s a huge fan of me.”

Dowell, who grew up in Lebanon, learned he made the team specifically because he didn’t get a phone call.

The deadline for teams to announce cuts was at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, and Dowell felt pretty good about the fact his phone had been silent.

“I didn’t get a call and it was three o’clock, so I figured I’d made it,” Dowell said. “Then I saw on Twitter that the roster was released, so …”

Just like Jackson, Dowell was quick to share the good news with his parents.

Dowell and his father, retired Lebanon fire chief Chris Dowell, used to watch Titans training-camp practices together years ago.

“[My parents] were super excited,” Dowell said. “He’s been a Titans fan for a very long time, so he was extremely excited. He didn’t cry, but he was extremely proud of me.”

The 6-3, 212-pound Dowell caught the eye of his hometown team during his senior season, when he caught 67 passes for 1,036 yards and six touchdowns. One of his best games came against Tennessee, when he made seven receptions for 112 yards in a lopsided loss.

Like Jackson, Dowell knows he’ll need to excel on special teams if he wants to hold on to his roster spot in the long run.

But both rookies took time to enjoy their initial accomplishments on the NFL level this week, achievements made all the more thrilling because of their local ties.

“It’s very cool,” Dowell said. “Me and Matt did pre-draft training [together]. It’s

really awesome.

“He gets to go home to his family that are all Titans fans. I get to do the same. It’s uncommon; it doesn’t happen a lot.”

This story was first published by our sister publication Nashville Scene.

Colton Dowell PHOTO COURTESY OF THE TENNESSEE TITANS

Nashville Fire Department adds new ambulance

The Nashville Fire Department has a new “all-hazards” ambulance, becoming the city’s 32nd full-time ambulance.

Medic 24 provides 24/7 emergency medical services to Northwest Nashville’s growing Bordeaux area but can respond to emergencies city-wide as needed, with an expectation to help improve response times.

“Our department continues to grow, and we can add more ambulance coverage to the community as a result of the additional staffing provided through Metro Nashville Davidson County’s Operating Budget.” Director Chief William Swann said. “We are constantly assessing our call volume and

Five free and cheap family things to do in middle Tennessee

BY AMANDA HAGGARD

It was touch and go there for a minute with the heat index spiraling out of control, but it’s feeling less and less like a hellscape outside these days. This week we bring you several ways to get the family outside, and we offer hopes and prayers that this bearable temperature trend continues.

The Nashville Fair is not free or cheap, but it deserves a mention. If you’re a big family with small kids, you might save a little by heading to the Middle Tennessee Highland Games & Celtic Festival. (Your smallest will be free.) Kidsville will be both at Musicians Corner at Centennial Park as well as over at the Hummingbird Celebration at Warner Parks Nature Center. And, last but not least, Bell’s Bend Outdoor Center will be hosting a daylong Family Outdoor Recreation Day.

As part of our series on free and cheap things to do with the family, here is our weekly roundup of places to spend time together over the next week:

THE NASHVILLE FAIR

Beginning on Sept. 8, The Nashville Fair brings “a nostalgic fair experience with a modern spin to Nashville’s urban core.”

Admission to the fair is between $8-10, with added costs for everything from rides, food, games, dinner theater, wrestling, axe throwing, balloon sculpting and karaoke. It’ll be going on through Sept. 17.

2023 MIDDLE TENNESSEE HIGH LAND GAMES & CELTIC FESTIVAL

The annual Middle Tennessee Highland Games & Celtic Festival is slated for Sept. 9-10. Kids under 5 do not require a ticket, and the event is family friendly. The festival includes opportunities for families to learn, appreciate, preserve, and celebrate

Scottish and Celtic traditions for charitable, educational, social and athletic purposes. The highlight of the weekend will be the Scottish Highland athletic competitions. There’ll be a kid’s cultural activity area with mini games and crafts, a Celtic market, a village of Scottish families, continuous live music, Scottish bagpipers, traditional Celtic dancers and entertainment on three stages.

KIDSVILLE AT MUSICIANS CORNER

Musicians Corner itself is extremely family friendly — it’s a laid back place to let the kids dance and get some wiggles out while enjoying some good tunes. Kidsville will be on deck for the fall iteration of the music festival. There’ll be fitness activities, crafts and educational meet and greets with guests.

FAMILY OUTDOOR RECREATION DAY

Family Outdoor Recreation Day is a daylong event including hiking, archery, and rock climbing at Bell’s Bend Outdoor Center. The day will take place on Sept. 9 beginning at 9 a.m. with a nature hike and guides will be available throughout the day, ending with a picnic lunch on the grounds.

KIDSVILLE AT WARNER PARKS HUMMINGBIRD CELEBRATION

Kidsville will also be stationed at Warner Parks Nature Center at their Hummingbird Celebration from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sept. 9. Kidsville will be hosting a “Cent in Centennial” weigh station to provide education around how a hummingbird, a penny and other household items clock in around the same weight.

the best way to better serve the residents and visitors of our community.”

In 2022, NFD responded to more than 254,550 medical calls, an 8% increase over 2021, while the department’s EMS division made 81,900 medical transports in 2022, a 4% increase over 2021.

“It is important for us to continue to expand with the city,” Deputy Director of EMS Operations Fred Smith said. “Not only will this additional ambulance help us reduce response times, but Medic 24 will also help relieve the heavy workload our EMS professionals already have due to the high call volume.”

Metro sued again over sidewalk ordinance

BY NICOLLE S. PRAINO

A class action lawsuit has been filed in an ongoing legal battle over Metro’s sidewalks policy for developers.

Infinium Builders and KE Holdings (Ascent Construction) filed the lawsuit Wednesday in Nashville federal court on behalf of all others affected by an ordinance that required applicants for certain building permits either to build a sidewalk, contribute to a sidewalk fund or buy and get approved for a waiver.

The plaintiffs are seeking relief for those “who suffered an unconstitutional taking as a result of the sidewalk ordinance.” Ascent claims it paid more than $99,000 to the sidewalk fund for six properties. Infinium claims it paid nearly $111,000 to the fund for 10 properties. Infinium also claims Metro required the company to destroy the existing sidewalk and reconstruct it for three properties and construct a sidewalk for one other property.

The lawsuit comes after the Metro Council and Mayor John Cooper in August agreed to settlements in two similar cases.

In May, the U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals handed down an opinion in one of those cases, Knight v. Metro, after plaintiffs had appealed the district court ruling in favor of Metro. The federal appeals court’s opinion said the sidewalk ordinance was unconstitutional under the Fifth Amendment’s “taking clause.”

James Knight and the other plaintiff in the case are to be awarded more than $224,300 paid mostly out of Metro’s judgments and losses fund but with nearly $9,000 to be paid out of the Nashville Department of Transportation sidewalk fund. The other case, MRB Developers et. al. v. Metro, will be settled for more than $150,600 with about half from the judgments and losses fund and the other half from the NDOT sidewalk fund.

Nashville sidewalk

In addition to the Fifth Amendment violation, the class action suit also argues a second count of unjust enrichment, a topic the appeals court did not rule on. That may allow claims from as early as when the original ordinance was passed in 2017, since the statute of limitations is six years, as opposed to the one year statute for the violation of Fifth Amendment rights.

Metro has a sidewalk claims submission form on its website, but it says claims would be considered for reimbursement only if costs were incurred after the date of the May court opinion and if the claimant paid under protest or requested the Board of Zoning Appeals consider a variance.

Metro’s legal department said they were reviewing the case and the plaintiffs’ attorneys declined to comment.

This story was first published by our sister publication Nashville Post.

Lauren Groff to visit Parnassus on Sept. 14 for book tour stop

BY LOGAN BUTTS

Acclaimed author Lauren Groff will be stopping by Parnassus Books on Sept. 14 as part of the book tour for her latest novel The Vaster Wilds.

Groff, a three-time National Book Award finalist, will be in conversation with Parnassus book buyer and author Lyndsay Lynch. Lynch released her debut novel Do Tell in July.

Groff is a New York Times bestselling author of books such as 2012’s Arcadia, 2015’s Fates and Furies, and 2021’s Matrix. She has also written a pair of short story collections.

The Vaster Wilds centers on “a spirited servant girl alone in the wilderness, trying to survive after escaping from a colonial settlement. She carries nothing with her but her wits, a few possessions, and the spark of god that burns hot within her. What she finds in this terra incognita is beyond the limits of her imagination and will bend her belief in everything that her own civilization has taught her.”

The in-store event is free, but registration is required. The conversation will begin at 6:30 p.m. Masks are strongly encouraged during this event.

Sports & Social opening in Green Hills

BY NICOLLE S. PRAINO

A new restaurant and entertainment space is opening in The Mall at Green Hills.

Sports & Social will open on Thursday, Sept. 7, with a lineup of events and music to celebrate the opening weekend, according to a release.

The space will feature media viewing displays including a 33-foot LED media wall to watch multiple sporting events at once. Customers can also play games like skeeball and hoops.

James Beard Award nominated chef, John Suley, created the menu for the restaurant that includes lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch as well as specialty cocktails. This will be the 13th location for the nationwide venue with prior locations in places like The Battery next to Truist Park in Atlanta and Ballpark Village by Busch

Stadium in St. Louis, Mo. Each location is specially designed, and the one in Green Hills was created by Pivot Studio.

“It has been a pleasure to work with Live! Hospitality & Entertainment to bring this first-of-its kind experience to The Mall at Green Hills,” General Manager Norah Buikstra said in the release. “Sports & Social will be the perfect destination for our loyal customers and our tourist visitors to gather to watch sports, dine and socialize all year long.”

Sports & Social is a concept created by Live! Hospitality and Entertainment, a division of The Cordish Companies, which said it is one of the largest developers and operators of restaurant and entertainment concepts in the U.S.

Lauren Groff

Late-Summer Tomato Sauce

BY EDIBLE NASHVILLE

Quick roast the last of the summer tomatoes with capers and olives for a hearty fresh tomato sauce with hints of fall. Place in jars, freeze and use all winter long. Recipe courtesy of Lee Ann Merrick of Tinwings in The Nations.

ACROSS

1 A hot one might lead to an embarrassing moment

4 Shelled out

8 November imperative

12 Two-term presidencies, say

14 College attendee in “Toy Story 3”

15 Autobiographical heroine of the “Little House” series

16 Star ting with an X in the corner, say?

19 Billionaires’ homes, often

20 Name with Slim or Diamond

21 “Stupid me!”

22 Excel (at)

23 Formula 1 Grand Prix locale

25 Rocket launcher that makes a whimsical buzzing sound?

30 Informal garb for working from home, informally

33 Cr y like a baby

34 It may be mar ked with an X

35 Feels remorse about

INGREDIENTS

4 cloves garlic, minced

1 cup chopped red onion

1/2 cup pitted Kalamata olives

1/4 cup drained capers

1 teaspoon fresh thyme or 1/2 teaspoon dried

1. Preheat oven to 450ºF degrees.

2. In a medium-size baking pan large enough to hold the tomatoes without overlapping, combine the garlic, onion, olives, capers, thyme, and cayenne. Drizzle with olive oil and spread out ingredients evenly.

3. Core the tomatoes, halve crosswise and arrange, cut side down, on top of the other ingredients in the pan. Roast 20 to 25 minutes or until the tomato skins

Pinch of cayenne pepper

4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

2 pounds local ripe heirloom tomatoes

1/2 cup chopped fresh herbs such as parsley, basil, or oregano (optional)

appear blistered and wrinkled. Cool in pan 15 minutes. Using your fingertips and a paring knife, carefully remove the tomato skins; discard.

4. Working in batches, place contents of the pan (including juices) into a food processor or blender and pulse two or three times (sauce should be very chunky).

5. Stir fresh herbs into the sauce. Place in jars to freeze or serve over pasta with grated parmesan.

Follow Edible Nashville on instagram @ediblenashtn and their website ediblenashville.com. To subscribe to the magazine that comes out 6x/year, go to ediblenashville.com.

37 Part of a bad trip, maybe

40 “Winning ___ everything”

41 Ran in place

43 Store whose products often come with Allen wrenches

45 “Woo-hoo!”

46 Become a leading citizen of Nor th Dakota?

50 Activist Abrams

51 “Wouldn’t that be nice!”

55 Feeling in Yosemite Valley, say

57 Used to be

58 Italian dish similar to grits

60 Disrespected adviser?

63 One who might check all the boxes?

64 ___ Rachel Wood of “Westworld”

65 Ship or mail

66 It goes downhill fast

67 Lucy’s “I Love Lucy” co-star

68 Daisy Ridley’s role in “Star Wars”

DOWN

1 Hands (out)

2 Like everyone on March 17, it’s said

3 Prickly pears, e.g.

4 Unit in a duel

5 Life study of the biologist E. O. Wilson

6 Possible response to “Who wants ice cream?!”

7 What might get to the root of a problem?

8 Shop ___ (ar ticle of cleaning equipment)

9 Like hiking , birdwatching and similar activities

10 The Ronettes, e.g.

11 A pop

13 Reeked

15 Some breathing lessons

17 Starters

18 Fey who wrote “Bossypants”

23 Placate

24 ___ Bush, Missouri representative and Black Lives Matter activist

26 End of the London Blitz?

27 Be beholden to

28 Coffee-growing region of the Big Island

29 Affected, in a way

30 Strait-laced sor t

31 Spor t whose name means “way of gentleness”

32 Kind of gas station that’s illegal in New Jersey

36 Goal for a politician

38 Alias letters

39 “___ out!” (ump’s cry)

42 Part of a chest

44 Able to bend over backward, say

47 Volunteer’s statement

48 Like matr yoshka dolls

49 Jesse who won four Olympic gold medals in 1936

52 Bury

53 Diamond, e.g.

54 Like pansies, but not touch-me-nots

55 Bread boxes?

56 Ewe got it!

58 Smartphone ancestors, in brief

59 Prefix with -vore

61 Word after Club or before school

62 T ime of preparation, maybe

ANSWER TO PUZZLE

Online subscriptions: Today’s puzzle and more than 9,000 past puzzles, nytimes.com/ crosswords ($39.95 a year).

Read about and comment on each puzzle: nytimes.com/wordplay.

Crosswords for young solvers: nytimes.com/ studentcrosswords.

4 CUPS

PUZZLE BY BARBARA LIN

Goodwill Impact Awards Patron Party

BY BRENDA BATEY

PHOTOS BY BRENDA BATEY

The stunning home of Patti and Brian Smallwood was the scene of Goodwill’s first-ever patron party for its Impact Awards Luncheon fundraiser.

Brian Smallwood, an architect, designed the residence, a unique contemporary located on a hidden ridge top just outside Nashville, which was greatly admired by all the guests.

The cocktail party was held for table hosts and sponsors of the main event, which will be Thursday, October 26, at the Music City Center.

Impact Awards Co-chairs Robin Andrews and Ryan McLaughlin, and Goodwill’s Beth Alexander welcomed the attendees and explained the importance of the funds raised from the luncheon.

Past Impact Awards Chairs Deena Drummond, Carrington Fox and Cristina Oakeley were recognized for their innovative work on the event.

Everyone enjoyed delicious hors d’oeuvres by Kristin Winston Catering, which included beef crostini with truffle aioli and crispy shallots, shrimp ceviche on

crispy tostadas with avocado and peaches, mini grilled cheese sandwiches, smoked chicken flatbread with caramelized onions, sweet peppers, arugula, and Manchego and goat cheese, fried green tomato BLTs, and Mediterranean cucumber bites.

The Impact Awards Luncheon is an uplifting community event that supports Goodwill’s mission to change lives through education, training and employment. The occasion will highlight some of the most inspiring stories of those whose life trajectories were lifted from poverty to productivity.

For 65 years, Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee has provided job training and job placement free of charge to people with disabilities or other barriers to employment through the sale of donated items.

Goodwill’s vision is “that all people will have the opportunity to reach their fullest potential through the power of work.”

More information about Goodwill’s Career Solutions, retail stores and donation centers can be found online at www. giveit2goodwill.org

Lee and Brandi Thomas, Cameron Sweeting, and Jeff Young

Robin Andrews and Julia Hawkins

Fred McLaughlin, Patti Smallwood, and Ryan Wood

Kathleen Maxwell, Mary Raymond, and Cristina Oakeley

Ellen Andrews and John Googe

Chip Hickerson and Jade Sampson Britney Campbell and Steve Schaller

Brad Thomason and Beth Alexander Emily and Spencer Cummings

Janet Kurtz and Tom Black

Oscar Fox and Carrington Fox

Ruth Cate and Chuck White

Andrene Cole and David Maxwell

Biscuit Love Berry Farms Media & Influencer Brunch

PHOTOS BY NICOLLE S. PRAINO

The new Berry Farms location of Biscuit Love opened up on Aug. 25. But, just a few days beforehand, media and local influencers were able to gather for a sneak peek brunch. The restaurant passed around its brunch cocktails and some food items to share while people mingled and took photos and videos of the food and decor at the new spot. The location has an updated design

from some of the previous locations but still has the same charm that Nashville has come to know and love about the restaurant. Plus, the menu has the same favorites like the East Nasty and Bonuts with berry compote. Now five locations strong, Biscuit Love first started out as a food truck and has now partnered with Goldbelly to ship its biscuits and jams nationwide.

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Katie Murphy and Merricks Berthelsen

Buffie Baril and Rachael Putney

James Handy and Sarah Beth Hadzor

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