Elected officials need to understand public perception of safety and policing. display: block; margin: 0px 10px; overflow-x: scroll; Nashville deserves better deals. display: block; John Cooper, the frontman and bassist for the Grammy-nominated Christian rock band SKILLET, has once again railed against COVID-19 vaccine mandates, saying they are "much more about tyranny than . We have divested ourselves of these public jewels and we will wish that we had it back.. Interest groups and activists make parties their . Click here to read the survey answers. What would be your top three priorities, if elected? Wage stagnation makes it hard to sustain a career in teaching; it shouldnt take 18 years of teaching in MNPS with a Masters degree to reach $60,000 per year. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it. As a council member, I created the Blue Ribbon Commission to identify $20 million in savings for Metro Government. Let me give you an example of why leadership from the Mayors Office matters on these important safety issues. Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? In a 15-page ruling issued Monday, Circuit Judge John Cooper said the law was constitutional because a public official with a trust is not supposed to know any more than voters about what is in. Driving the news: Cooper had more than $1 million in his campaign coffers and was well-positioned to win against a primary challenge from his left in Tennessee's 5th congressional district, which represents Davidson, Dickson, and Cheatham counties. It is clear that access to affordable housing is a concern across the city, as is transportation, public safety, and education. } THE TEA PARTY and . My task as mayor will be to manage that growth and address the costs of growth, one of which is affordability. width: 250px; left: 0; Accountability begins with transparency. } .votebox_bp_logo { Weve created a lot of growth but the growth has increased rents and priced people out of their neighborhoods. Affordable Housing: I have too much optimism in Nashville to believe that we need another four or five years to come up with a comprehensive transportation plan. I am honored to be endorsed by the political committee affiliated with the Coalition of Nashville Neighborhoods: the Nashville Neighborhood Defense Fund. I want Nashvillians to feel safe as they move about the city. In February 2019, a deal orchestrated by Mayor Briley passed through Metro council with only three votes in opposition. } left: 0px; .widget-row.value-only.black { "[12] On April 20, 2021, Chauvin was found guilty of murder and manslaughter in relation to Floyd's death. The developer paid MDHA $9.4 million, but the land was actually worth many millions more, perhaps double. Better management of taxpayer money will free up resources for priorities like education and infrastructure. Parks promote investment. As mayor, I will commit to further developing the human capital of Nashvilles residents and will prioritize education and workforce training as mayor. This is money that can be used to invest in schools. Existing bikeways and sidewalks must be kept clear of parked cars, debris, and scooters. Cooper said he wouldn't accept the testimony because it was not corroborated. Bennett, Coleman, Cooper, Duvall, Gilmore, Holleman, Hurt, Matthews, Mendes and Shulman advanced to the runoff election. We need implicit bias and de-escalation training that goes above-and-beyond the standards required by the State of Tennessee. All-in, we paid Omni more than the hotel cost to build! As your mayor, I will set clear goals, provide the resources necessary to realize those goals, and hold people accountable for results. margin: auto; Rising rents and gentrification have pushed many residents out of their homes. 3. Legal 500. Children do better in school; mental and physical well-being improves; seniors remain more socially connected and live longer; residents mental and physical wellness improves, particularly when people live close to where they work. In fact, in a 2016 interview with Howard Stern, Anderson went so far as to say that he believes reporters shouldn't vote. . As mayor, I will put taxpayers first in negotiations. With your help and support, we can make Nashville a city that truly works for everyone. The current course of deficit spending and selling assets for short-term operating funds is unsustainable. Ive consistently favored the good management approach over a sizable property tax increase. Metro needs to make affordable housing central to every incentive that it gives. Cooper has stated that he is a Democrat.[1]. Events in Nashville, Tennessee, began on Saturday, May 30, 2020, downtown and at Capitol Hill. F. E. Steinmeyer, III. I have always prioritized green space in my real estate development work because I know how critical it is for a citys health and the health of future generations. .mw-body #mw-content-text th.votebox-results-cell--text { We need to find better ways to communicate and work with homeowners and renters who are experiencing housing instability. margin-bottom:16px; Private developers, not the public, were the winners. This paper offers a theory of political parties centered on interest groups and activists. J. Tallahassee, FL 32301-1861 Update your Profile Education & Credentials University Attended: Florida State University, B.A., 1972; Florida State University, B.A., 1972 Law School Attended: Teachers actually saw their take-home pay decline due to rising insurance premiums. Judge John Cooper appears to be a democrat and a supporter of the Democratic Party. Cities across the country have recognized that parks are about more than green space. .mw-body #mw-content-text th.votebox-results-cell--text { $150 million in Mayor Brileys plan is an investment in the Barnes Fund, the citys affordable housing fund. Abstract. Time spent in traffic is increasing. Other cities have found new funding sources by creating citywide park improvement districts and by creating business improvement districts around parks, identifying sponsorship opportunities, and developing more robust public-private partnerships to support our parks. } See John C Cooper's compensation, career history, education, & memberships. We need to reign in deficit spending because it hampers our ability to pay for essential services. Additionally, I will create an affordable housing board of public entities, for-profit developers, nonprofits, and elected officials, including Metro council members and state legislators, to identify obstacles and challenges to affordable housing projects, and propose evidence-based solutions that could work in our city. The mayors plan envisions increasing the citys contribution by $5 million a year. } .votebox_legend .non_result_row { It comes just three days after he vetoed House Bill 239, which would have decreased the number of Appeals Court judges from 15 to 12. Sound fiscal management will allow us to get beyond this moment of financial stress. The following were found on Cooper's campaign website. As a council member, I am proud to stand by my record of supporting access to green space and preserving Nashvilles unique assets. Cooper was an at-large member of the Nashville Metro Council from 2015 to 2019. Cooper holds a bachelor's degree in history from Harvard University and an MBA from the Owen School of Management at Vanderbilt University. Lobbying & Government. Restoring public trust in Metro through transparency and accountability position: relative; His first job came on Wall. Funding has been secured for improving many of them, but the work is happening too slowly. Education: Metro Nashville Public Schools has been under-resourced for too long while downtown has a surplus. As a former banker and a long-time businessman, Ill do the math to make sure developments benefit taxpayers. } It is a false choice that our only option is to approve Brileys parking privatization plan or increase property taxes. This represents a 93 percent increase in resignations compared to the same period in 2018. .mw-body #mw-content-text .votebox .race_header h3.votebox-header-office-name { The MDHA has long insisted that it has sufficient funding to carry out its Envision projects, without additional funding from the city. 1. margin-right: 10px; .non_result_row div { Therefore, I will invest in common sense solutions to reduce the time spent in traffic, such as fixing problem intersections, utilizing smart traffic signals to better control traffic, widening turning lanes on key routes, and limiting construction lane closures. We know where the problems in our neighborhoods are; Nashville needs a mayor who will address them. } In effect, Metro is paying to help build a development and secure the tenant of a lifetime for the developer. Nashville needs all of the approximately 1,500 police positions funded. Cooper won in the general runoff election on September 12, 2019. Cooper completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2019. } I will invest in our schools and neighborhoods, come up with a real affordable housing plan, and address our transportation needs within my first term. I was the first candidate for mayor to endorse it. Develop a new transportation plan within the first year. display: block; As mayor, I will continue to exact the same scrutiny on the budget to ensure that our schools have the resources they need to succeed. width: 43%; Its time to stop selling off our parks and disposing of properties in a piecemeal fashion and time to start looking for creative ways to expand green space in this city. John C Cooper is Judge at Florida Circuit Court. We are handing subsidies out due to habit.. Only a mayor can turn the page and usher in an era of good management. .widget-row.Independent, .widget-row.Nonpartisan, .widget-row.Constitution { Neighborhoods need investment. He claims. Protected bikeways should be expanded; a recent study showed that protected bike infrastructure nearly halves the number of fatalities and results in fewer deaths of drivers and pedestrians too. As senior advisor for communications, John Cooper provides trusted advice and counsel to Heritage leadership on communications and media relations issues, helping advance the messaging and policy . The rank and file should be treated fairly by their superiors, just as the citizenry at large deserve to be treated fairly. MDHA is one of Metros least transparent agencies, and not always in alignment with our needs today. background-color: #003388; text-align: left !important; Nashville is a dangerous city to walk in. .top_disclaimer { } padding-left: 8px; The increased cost of living in Nashville has made it difficult for many educators to afford to live in the county. vertical-align: top; background-color: green; Building the stadium itself should have been enough of an incentive for a soccer team. In the race for five open at-large seats, candidates included Buddy Baker, Jody Ball, Karen Bennett, Al Carota, Erin Coleman, John Cooper, Elizabeth Dachowski, Adam Dread, Robert Duvall, Leroy Johnny Ellis, Erica Gilmore, Ronnie Greer, Sr., Frank Harrison, Jason Holleman, Martin Holsinger, Phillip Joseph Hostettler, Jr., Walter Hunt, Sharon W Hurt, Ken Jakes, James Keeton, John Lasiter, Don Majors, Lonnell Matthews, Jr., Bob Mendes, Sandra Moore and Jim Shulman. Metro needs a reset of priorities and leadership. The subsequent cuts in bus service are yet another example of the current administration not prioritizing the essential. } In a new episode of the CooperStuff podcast, Skillet frontman John Cooper discussed political tyranny, the implications for church leaders, and the church's responsibility in the modern day. color: #fff; } General obligation debt will be $6,500 per person in Davidson County this is one of the highest per capita debt burdens in the country. Building the stadium itself should have been enough of an incentive for a soccer team. The current mayors budget proposal would result in fares increasing by ten percent, the elimination of seven bus routes, and a reduction in service on another seven routes. John Cooper talks pain of losing friendships over biblical views, defending faith in public sphere. I am most passionate about responsible public finance. He won a special election to fill a partial term in the Arkansas Senate in 2014, and was reelected in 2016. } In 2018, budget issues were kept quiet until the last minute, presumably to boost the chances of the transit referendum passing. What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about? Due to generations of underinvestment in certain neighborhoods, low-income students and students of color are frequently left behind in our current system; in some neighborhoods, students move from a low-performing elementary school to a low-performing middle-school and into a low-performing high school. height: 100%; He was elected to this position in 2002 and took office the following year, replacing retired Judge F. E. Steinmeyer III. That requires targeted investments in neighborhoods that havent seen meaningful investment in generations. It should not have taken sustained community activism to get leadership to pay attention. That means targeted marketing and reaching out to HBCUs and minority police officer associations. As mayor, I will lead the way in establishing a $25 million revolving loan fund for affordable housing that can be seeded with a $10 million investment from Metro. At the June 4, 2018, Budget and Finance Committee meeting, Metro Finance stated that the fund balance was well below the 5% threshold and that the pay plan had to be vacated due to this fiscal emergency. It isnt enough to be the fastest improving urban district if there are students who are left behind. Organizations like the Nashville Technology Council provide apprentice programs for those interested in a career in Nashvilles growing technology field. font-weight: bold; The John Cooper School is an independent, non-sectarian, co-educational, college preparatory day school. Improve safety. Here are some of my ideas. After four years on the city council, Ive seen what Metro is doing to address the housing problem. It is also failing the men and women who serve us. The Promise Zone is made up of areas where poverty is concentrated; unemployment is high, educational attainment is lower than other areas of the city, residents are geographically isolated from healthy food options and employment opportunities, and violent crimes are more likely to occur. [15],

The budget is the document from which all decisions flow; it's how our city's priorities are determined. Under the current system, its hard for people who need help to get it. School districts | Misplaced priorities and missed opportunities arent the only problems. Interns wanted: Get paid to help ensure that every voter has unbiased election information. Voters rejected last years transit plan supported by this mayor because it cost too much and delivered too little. It may not be the most exciting part of governing, but that the decisions that leaders make about how the government spends money determine the level of services they are able to provide for their constituents. He was previously married to Lynne Miller. John C Cooper Judge Profile on Martindale.com Home Florida Tallahassee Judge Profile Judge Profile: Hon. } Moving forward, this program should have sustained support and all corporations that receive any sort of incentive funding from the city should be required to have strong TDM plans in place. I would like to be remembered as the Mayor who got our city back on track. This is by far the most cost-effective way to build new affordable housing. color: white; Building safer crosswalks and making strategic sidewalk connections should be prioritized in our city budget. But rejecting a bad plan is no reason not to present a good one. background-color: grey; In short, this administration is faking it. I invite you to share what youd like to see moving forward so we can continue this discussion. John Cooper, who campaigned on a platform of getting the city's fiscal house in order, was elected the ninth mayor of Nashville's metropolitan government on Thursday in a historic election that. Here are some of the changes I will pursue in my first year in office: Public trust is easy to lose. } Transportation: .votebox-scroll-container { padding-bottom: 7px; For instance, Tennessee is the only state where adults can attend community college or a Tennessee College of Applied Technology tuition-free. However, his budget continues to include the parking meter proposal and is expected to bring it up again after the election. Overview; Contributions; Expenditures; . We must prioritize the recruitment of officers who reflect the diversity of the community they serve. I believe that Nashvillians are ready to address this problem. Connect our city. One in four urban residents does not have access to a vehicle. Our biggest challenge as a city is making schools our top priority. As a cost savings measure, we should bring some of the sidewalk project work in-house at Metro Public Works because we know sidewalks are going to be a stable long-term capital spending need. U.S. President | I will work with Metro Council to develop an enforceable ethics code that would apply to all Metro departments and employees. Nashville cant wait another five years for solutions to our traffic and transportation problems. Improve residents access to services. Building a safer community requires setting goals. In my administration, Parks will play a central and valued role in helping Nashville continue to be and become more of the city we all want it to be. In the past couple of months, this administration has talked a lot about its affordable housing plan. The two remained friends in spite of being from different political parties and were often spotted together in the Washington D.C. social scene. According to the CNN anchor, he doesn't express his political views and goes out of his way in doing so. I will be especially focused on reducing equity gaps in student outcomes. Their presence in a neighborhood promotes residents health and well-being by cooling urban heat islands,providing places for recreation and exercise, improving air quality, and helping to prevent flooding. The district and non-profit partners such as STARS, the Oasis Center and the Martha OBryan Center have been working hard to support successful student outcomes. John Cooper is the Mayor of Nashville in Tennessee. We need to fully staff the police department and our E-911 call center and embrace a shift to community policing. As mayor, I will commit to doing the hard work of getting affordable housing right. Instead of listening to these criticisms and developing a new plan, Mayor Briley has announced that if he is reelected there will be no plan in the next four years. This is short-term thinking at its worst. John L. Cooper (photo by @marynikkel insta) An article was written for CNN entitled "Why Christian Music's biggest stars refuse to change their tune for the Trump era" that I think deserves a response. Auditing the Barnes Fund and Nashvilles HUD HOME/CDBG grants and process will ensure that we maximize the impact and the speed necessary for better results. The Convention Center Authority will have an estimated unrestricted cash balance of $190 million. Look closely, though, and you will see a plan that is all sound bite and no substance. Make affordable housing central to everything we do. .votebox-covid-disclaimer { State executives | But he was less than thrilled with the media firestorm surrounding his appearance, remarking, "I was not expecting that." . background-color: #003388; He attempted to sell eleven wooded acres at Trinity Ridge. The parking plan did not include a business plan, finalized rates, a map of where new meters would go, or a firm commitment to the number of additional metered spaces. How many of these intersections have been upgraded since then? Cooper saw this as personified in FDR. However, even this was botched. I will do the math and negotiate good deals for this city. Thats not all our taxpayers paid for. The increase in debt service payments since 2013 would essentially fund our entire police department. Consider the current discussions around purchasing the Morris Memorial Building. Skillet frontman John Cooper has said that he will likely be speaking out a lot more about topics pertaining to Christianity and the church. Through neighborhood and precinct visits, surveys, and community forums, I will work to ensure that community residents are actively involved in reshaping our police department for the 21st century. Diversify park funding. It should not have taken the deaths of Jocques Clemmons and Daniel Hambrick in officer-involved shootings for this to happen. .results_row.winner { Only 12.9% of Davidson County households live within a mile of high-frequency bus service at rush hour. Nashville is going to grow more in the next five years than in the last five years. padding-left: 0; Keeping people safe is the most fundamental job of government. background-color: green; Fifth and Broadway, the site of our old convention center, was probably the most valuable piece of undeveloped property in the Southeastern United States. } Cooper said the ordinance is not vague and is necessary, especially given the increase in cases in Leon County. .widget-key { This mayors budget underfunds WeGo by $8.7 million. Nashville cant wait five more years for transportation solutions. This work could go further and be more impactful with sustained leadership from the Mayors Office and further investment where necessary. } .results_row { } The last chapter of Nashvilles economic development story was focused on downtown development and tourism. Federal courts | I will conduct performance audits of metro departments and agencies to increase transparency of how our tax dollars are being spent and identify areas for improvement. Counties | 100% remote. I will commit to a goal of raising the percentage of Nashvillians who live within a 10-minute walk of a park from 37 to 50 percent.