Candidates outnumber constituents at Bordeaux political forum

By Wally Rendon
Diversity Institute Fellow

07.28.03

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Contenders in next month’s Metro Council race found themselves primarily politicking to one another at a political forum hosted July 24 by the National Association of Black Journalists at the Northwest YMCA in Bordeaux.

Only six people trickled in at various intervals to mingle with 12 of the 19 candidates vying for five Metro Council at-large seats in the Aug. 7 elections.

Unlike other political events, this one did not have a candidate panel. It allowed interested voters to meet candidates on a one-on-one basis to discuss their respective views or concerns.

Lelan Statom, who coordinated the event for the journalist association, said that the forum had been promoted on the Channel 5 News earlier this week, as well as in The Tennessean. He said the low turnout might have been the result of overkill. Several other political forums were held during the week, and the Democratic Women’s picnic was being held simultaneously.

But the lack of a crowd didn’t discourage candidates attending the forum from promoting their platforms.

Tracey Kinslow, a newcomer to the political arena, wants to bring strong leadership to the Metro Council by emphasizing education, health, housing and economic development.

“We need to bring politics back to the people,” he said. “Small businesses should be brought into downtown Nashville. That would increase the tax base for our city.”

Incumbent Adam Dread, running for a second term, said he would advocate for public safety if re-elected.

“We need to hire more police officers and firemen to make the city safer,” he said.

Dread said he is working on a program that would place more officers in the neighborhoods they work in by offering incentives for them to purchase homes in the neighborhoods.

Cheryl Banks, a single mom, was one of the few residents who attended the forum.

Banks said she came to hear what candidates had to say about employment. She once worked in a Head Start program but quit because she felt unfairly compensated.

“The cooks were making more money than I was,” Banks said. “I am also concerned because there are no sidewalks out here. … People have to walk on the side of the streets and could get hurt.”

Incumbent Councilman Brenda Gilmore, who represents the Bordeaux area where the forum was held, echoed Banks’ sentiments about sidewalks. Gilmore added that the area along Clarksville Pike has way too many service stations, used car lots and used tire shops.

“I would like to change that,” said Gilmore, who is unopposed in her re-election bid. “I would work to bring neighborhood groups and Metro planning together to make this the gateway to the Bordeaux area.”

Mos Davis, a retired attorney, made his way to the forum despite the fact that he uses a wheelchair to get around. But he didn’t seem too impressed with the event.

“I heard of this through word of mouth,” he said.

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Articles, photos by Summer 2003 Diversity Institute Fellows
Collection page for articles  07.29.03