After an extensive interview process with candidates running for Metro office, the Nashville Business Coalition (NBC) announced today its support for 43 candidates in the Aug. 4 election. The NBC is a political action committee comprised of business leaders committed to supporting local and state candidates that are in favor of a prosperous business environment.
“The Nashville Business Coalition understands that individual prosperity and city services are dependent upon having a prosperous business environment,” said Dan Haskell, chair of the NBC and an attorney with Gullett Sanford Robinson & Martin PLLC. “Therefore, it is vital to our city’s future to support pro-business candidates that help our city create jobs, attract and expand businesses and grow our infrastructure which, in turn, increases our revenue and tax base.”
Davidson County has a total of almost 19,000 business establishments, reflecting a workforce of close to 408,000 employees with an annual payroll projected at close to $18 billion.
“Our work, following a very thoughtful and deliberate process, has resulted in a powerful list of candidates supportive of and willing to work with the business community,” said Haskell.
The endorsed candidates are:
District 1: Lonnell Matthews, Jr.
District 2: Frank Harrison
District 3: Walter Hunt
District 4: Brady Banks
District 5: Scott Davis
District 6: Hans Schmidt and Dave Rich
District 7: Anthony Davis
District 9: Bill Pridemore
District 10: Doug Pardue
District 11: Darren Jernigan
District 12: Steve Glover
District 13: Josh Stites
District 14: Robert “Bob” Budesa
District 15: Phil Claiborne
District 16: Anna Page
District 17: Sandra Moore
District 18: David Glasgow and Burkley Allen
District 19: Erica Gilmore and Curt Wallen
District 20: Buddy Baker
District 21: Edith Langster
District 22: Sheri Weiner and Seanna Brandmeir
District 24: Sarah Lodge Tally
District 25: Sean McGuire
District 26: Brock Parks
District 27: Davette Blalock
District 28: Tanaka Vercher
District 29: Karen Johnson
District 30: Jim Hodge
District 32: Jacobia Dowell
District 33: Page Turner
District 34: Carter Todd
At-Large: Tim Garrett, Megan Barry, Ronnie Steine, Charlie Tygard, Jerry Maynard and Renard Francois
Vice Mayor: Diane Neighbors
Mayor: Karl Dean
The endorsed candidates share certain key characteristics of an ideal candidate, including an understanding that:
- Individual and business prosperity are crucial to Nashville’s future and economic growth and depend upon one another;
- Nashville must be competitive with other cities, states and countries, and incentives and similar programs must be considered as a way of “doing business;”
- Downtown – as the economic core of the city and region – must be successful for the entire city/region to be successful;
- The retention and creation of jobs help drive the economy;
- The adverse affect of mandates/regulations on business should be minimized or eliminated;
- Nashville’s public education system must have the resources for student achievement and success in the 21st-century workplace;
- Higher education plays a significant role in attracting and retaining students and future workers;
- Land use policy, codes and zoning regulations must support an environment in which business can prosper;
- Nashville’s infrastructure development (transit, public safety, etc.) and quality of life contribute to the creation of a business climate that will retain and attract workers; and
- Nashville must strive to be a diverse, inclusive and international business city.
“As always, we had a difficult decision. All of the candidates we interviewed were passionate about improving our city,” said Haskell. “While we hope all of the candidates continue to seek ways to support business growth and overall prosperity in our city, we believe the NBC-endorsed candidates would best serve Nashville’s citizens and businesses.
http://nashvillepost.com/blogs/postpolitics/2011/7/6/biz_y_bees
