WHAT’S WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE GREEN HILLS TICKED OFF Page Page 6 NEWS 12 VOLUME 31 SEPTEMBER 19, 2019 NUMBER 35 Cooper: ʻA Nashville for Everyoneʼ Hurt re-elected: Four incumbents lose district races Councilwoman-At large her victory reflected true Sharon Hurt was the only community support of her incumbent re-elected in last leadership during her first week's runoff elections, with term. "Over the next four four district council mem- years, I look forward to con- bers losing to challengers. tinuing that type of leader- Hurt placed first in the at- ship to help us navigate large runoff, taking 40,300 through important issues, votes, or more than 15 per- (in other words), affordable cent of the total votes cast, housing, transportation, in- according to unofficial frastructure and quality of returns from the city's 161 life," said Hurt. Mayor-elect John Cooper addresses supporters at his victory celebration. - photo by Paul Ladd Sharon Hurt Burkley Allen Steve Glover Zulfat Suara Paul Ladd percent of the total. borhoods first, a major theme precincts. Burkley Allen, "I'm pleased to be able to Contributor to The News The runoff featured two of his campaign. He says he who currently represents the continue serving Nashville, Mayor-elect John Cooper well-known names in Nash- will work to restore trust in 18th District, placed second and I'm looking forward to says he's ready to take on the ville and Tennessee politics, government, and to make with 34,723 votes. Steve dealing with the issues that challenge of leading Nash- with Cooper, the son of the sure his administration re- Glover, completing his sec- concern Nashvillians like ville for the next four years, late Gov. Prentice Cooper, tak- flects the values of Nashvil- ond term in the 12th District, relieving traffic congestion following his victory in last ing on Briley, the grandson of lians. "We share the same con- placed third with 34,397 and managing growth," said week's runoff election. the late Mayor Beverly Briley. cerns and the same hopes. votes. Placing fourth was Allen. "I think the city has a "Tonight is about a Nash- Cooper placed first in the The whole point of growth is newcomer Zulfat Suara, an great future, and I'm eager to ville that works for everybody. August 1 general election to build a better city with assistant controller at a local be a part of making it hap- This is a win for everybody," with 35 percent of the vote, to more opportunity for our peo- university. Suara won 34,237 pen." Cooper told a crowd of sup- Briley's 25 percent. ple, a beautiful city that nour- votes. Finishing behind the Glover noted the histori- porters who gathered on elec- Cooper's victory marks the ishes her people. And yes, it is top four, respectively, were cal significance of several tion night at Nashville Palace first time an incumbent the time to get tourism dol- District 22 Councilwoman winners, including his own. in Donelson. Mayor has lost a re-election lars to residents, instead of Sheri Weiner, Pastor and “All other outlets spoke of Unofficial returns show bid and the second time a can- resident dollars going to educator Howard Jones, ‘firsts’ being elected, yet no Cooper won with 62,404 votes, didate has been elected direct- tourism." District 31 Councilman Fabian one spoke of the first or slightly more than 69 per- ly from the Council since Saying he has been told he Bedne, and former state Rep. declared Republican being cent of the votes, over Mayor Metropolitan Government cares too much about how Gary Moore. The winners elected to a county-wide seat. David Briley, who garnered was formed in 1963. Cooper, a and where money is spent, will join Councilman-At large I’m therefore grateful that 27,255 votes, or approximately developer and businessman, Cooper sees it differently. "If Bob Mendes, who was re- my conservative friends, and 30 percent. There were also has been a Councilman At- we don't get the money right, elected outright on August 1. 621 write-in votes cast, large since 2015. In a statement, Hurt said See Council Runoff on Page 3 amounting to less than one Cooper vowed to put neigh- See New Mayor on Page 2 4-DAY Thu. 9/19 89ºF Fri. 9/20 86ºF Sat. 9/21 86ºF Sun. 9/22 88ºF FORECAST Rain 0% 65ºF Rain 0% 65ºF Rain 0% 64ºF Rain 0% 66ºF # 338 # NASHVILLE, TN PERMIT PERMIT TN NASHVILLE, E-MAIL: [email protected] www.gcanews.com TICKED OFF HOT-LINE: 615-298-5597 U.S. POSTAGE PAID POSTAGE U.S. PRESORTED STANDARD PRESORTED NEWS/SOCIAL NEWS/ADVERTISING: 615-298-1500 TICKED OFF E-MAIL: [email protected] Page 2- The News, September 19, 2019 From Page One buildings, saying Nashville can be the city that met our chal- downtown interests and the Rep. Jim Cooper (D-Nashville). build a better, more livable city lenges and went forward rest of the city, pointing to his "This is a great night for New Mayor... by lifting up its residents. "And together." support from all parts of Nashville, because the people this is the moment to make He described the runoff elec- Nashville. "I think you have an have spoken, and it was over- we can't get anything else right, Nashville work for everybody," tion as "an education," giving overwhelming mandate for whelming. I've never seen such because in government, to care Cooper said. "We must not him the opportunity to learn managing growth going for- unity," he told The News. "John about finances is to care about waste this moment." more about the concerns and ward for all of our citizens wants to get everyone--even people, because that is how you Speaking with reporters needs of people all over the city. together, and getting that job those who didn't vote for him-- make their dreams real." after his victory speech, Cooper Cooper attributed his success to done as a manager, and we can to be his supporters, so he's Cooper pledged support and said he believes the city will staying on message and never do it. Again, this is not a close going to work hard to earn their more pay for teachers, police, move in the right direction running a negative campaign, election, it's not one part of the support." firefighters, bus drivers, educa- under his leadership. "Part of and also "engaged voters in real city against another." Cooper says he and his team tion paraprofessionals and oth- our strength as a city is being discussion," all of which he Several current and former will work with Mayor Briley's ers, calling teachers "the real able to work together, and go said resonated with voters. local officials and community office to ensure a smooth tran- developers." He referenced the forward and tackle the prob- Calling his landslide win leaders were in attendance at sition of administrations. As of many construction cranes lems we have. We want to be the "historic," Cooper isn't sure Cooper's celebration, including press time, no date for Cooper's around the city lifting up new city that succeeded. We want to there really is a divide between the Mayor-elect's brother, U.S. inauguration had been set. First time in Metro Council history that an incumbent has not won the Mayoral election Nashville has been the privi- lege of his lifetime, and he wishes John Cooper the best. Mayor Briley’s own transi- tion into office was not an easy one. Briley became mayor of Nashville following Megan Barry’s resignation, which was surrounded by the controversy of an affair and misuse of tax- payer money. “It was not an ideal environ- ment, you know, there's a lot of mistrust in local governments and the budget was not in the best situation,” says Hill. “The transit referendum was on the horizon and that was very divisive”. Hill says that Briley’s term Briley thanking his supporters. - photo by Morey Hill was a hard time for anyone to be mayor. Gloria Ruth Finney tion, and our job was to make Thomas Mulgrew, Press Contributor to The News sure people knew there was a Secretary at Mayor David This mayoral election marks clear difference between us and Briley Nashville, says there are the first time in Metro Council our opponent, was a little hard currently no updates for the history that an incumbent has to do that, our opponent had exchange of office. not won the election. more money than we did,” says Though it is unclear when Morey Hill, Communica- Hill. John Cooper will officially be tions Director for David Briley “Both campaigns were in sworn in as mayor, Cooper for Mayor Nashville, says the tough races, but it is what it is”. announced on Tuesday that loss can be attributed to several Hill spoke on behalf of Brenda Haywood and Mary factors. Mayor Briley, stating that hold- Falls will co-chair his transi- “I do think there's a bit of ing the office of Mayor of tion team. anxiety in Nashville right now about our growth, about the boom downtown,” says Hill. “People in different parts of the city don’t feel like they are getting the same treatment”. Hill says he believes Cooper capitalized on those feelings. Though he says he does not view that as a negative, he says he does feel it made a tough environment for the incum- bent. Mayor Briley’s said in his speech Thursday night that he knows John Cooper has only Nashville’s best interests at mind.