Mayoral candidates vow to work with NOAH
A Nashville group delivered on its promise to draw more than 1,000 people to an event about the city's future on Sunday.
Then eight mayoral candidates made their promises in front of the crowd. They vowed to work with the group, Nashville Organized for Action and Hope, on a three-point platform of promoting affordable housing, reforming the city's justice system and creating economic opportunity for all.
By far the largest candidate event of the year, the crowd of nearly 1,500 overwhelmed the sanctuary inside Fifteenth Avenue Baptist Church and spilled into the gymnasium and rows of chairs hastily arranged in hallways.
"We have a vision that we believe can make Nashville a better city," the Rev. Edward Thompson, chairman of NOAH, told the crowd. "We have identified disparities and injustices in Nashville, the 'It City.' "
NOAH's 37 member organizations — which include many churches and several labor groups — put about a year of research into the platform, and delivered its findings and recommendations in about 45 minutes.
The event included personal stories of being priced out of neighborhoods, struggling to find work after incarceration and the difficulties of finding living-wage work. There was also a music video, statistics and a short skit.
Among the findings that drew audible reactions:
•77,000 Nashville households spent more than 30 percent of income on rent or mortgage.
•The city's population is 29 percent African-American, but its jail population is 58 percent African-American.
•Nashville will spend more than $1 billion on infrastructure in the next decade.
The coalition's proposed solutions and benchmarks for progress drew several standing ovations.
NOAH wants the jail population and court docket cut in half, more government transparency surrounding economic incentive packages, and more funding and new rules to ensure development of affordable housing, which Metro has begun to consider.
"We need to agree and commit to work together to make sure we overcome these disparities," event organizer Ashford Hughes told the mayoral candidates.
All eight agreed to work with NOAH and spoke for two minutes.
Charles Robert Bone said he would unite the city's nonprofits, universities and faith-based community.
Bill Freeman touted his experience working with developers to create affordable housing.
Megan Barry — garnering the loudest applause of the day — cited council legislation she helped pass for affordable housing and a Metro employees living-wage bill.
David Fox said he would measure success by how the city treats those who are most disenfranchised.
Howard Gentry said he would create an "office of social equity" to coordinate efforts around NOAH's platform.
Linda Eskind Rebrovick praised the coalition for bringing "caring citizens" together around specific solutions.
Jeremy Kane described Nashville "at its best" when rallying to those in need.
Kenneth Eaton pledged financial responsibility with tax money.
"Now is the time for accountability and action," Hughes said. "We are 10,000 strong, and we plan to flex our muscle in this election cycle."
Reach Tony Gonzalez at 615-259-8089 and on Twitter @tgonzalez.
NOAH PLATFORM SUMMARY
After more than a year of meetings and votes, Nashville Organizing for Action and Hope created a three-part platform for progress in Nashville. (Read full platform.)
• Affordable housing: To preserve and produce affordable housing by enhancing the city's housing trust fund, developing inclusionary zoning, and using federal, state and local resources to prevent displacement.
• Criminal justice: To reduce the jail population and the General Sessions Court docket by 50 percent by using alternatives to arrest and restorative justice measures.
• Economic equity and jobs: To increase transparency on public project government incentives, to hire locally first and to attach community benefit measurements to projects in high-poverty areas.