January/February 2025

We’ve refreshed the look of The Voter to make it more vibrant and engaging for our members! Expect a streamlined design, fresh colors, and easy navigation to keep you connected with all the latest updates and events. Let us know what you think of the new style—we’d love to hear your feedback!

Virtual Event
Speakers: Jason Sprouls, Urban Forestry Program Manager
Time: Friday | 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM CT

Join us for a free event with Jason Sprouls, Urban Forestry Program Manager for the Cumberland River Compact! He leads Root Nashville, a citywide initiative aiming to plant 500,000 trees by 2050. Register to receive your meeting link and details!

REGISTER HERE

In Person Event
Speakers: Nashville Department of Waste Services and WM staff
Time: Tuesday | 9:00 AM - 2:30 PM CT

Celebrate Global Recycling Day with a behind-the-scenes tour of Nashville’s recycling process! Learn how recyclables are sorted, what can and can't be recycled, and get expert answers to your questions. *Address provided upon registration.

REGISTER HERE

In Person Event
Speakers: MTSU's Blue Raider team and Champions of Irish Times National Debate
Time: Wednesday | 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM CT

The League of Women Voters of Williamson County proudly hosts its third annual debate between MTSU’s award-winning Blue Raider team and champions of Ireland’s prestigious Irish Times National Debate. Led by Coach Dr. Pat Richey, MTSU has won 11 national titles. This year’s final will be judged by Chief Justice of Ireland, Donal O'Donnell. Join us for an engaging and dynamic debate—topic to be announced once the Irish winners are selected!

REGISTER HERE

Virtual Event
Speakers: Peter Skerry, Boston College Professor and Tessa Lemos Del Pino, Executive Director of TN Justice for our Neighbors
Time: Thursday | 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM CT

Join us for a discussion on immigration with Boston College professor Peter Skerry and Tessa Lemos Del Pino, Executive Director of Tennessee Justice for Our Neighbors. They’ll explore the challenges, key drivers, and potential solutions for a better system. Join us on March 20 at 7 pm CT / 8 pm ET on Zoom! (Meeting ID: 826 3639 3445/Passcode: 880632).

REGISTER HERE

Celebrate Women's History Month by gifting a League of Women Voters membership! This meaningful gift provides a year of opportunities to promote democracy, educate the community, engage in political discussions, and help register new voters. Plus, membership includes access to national, state, and local LWV organizations. Honor the legacy of women change-makers by supporting civic engagement and advocacy. 

For more information about the different membership levels, please visit our website.

Last month, the tragic shooting at Antioch High School was devastating. We extend our deepest sympathy to the victims, their families and friends, and to all of the students and faculty at Antioch High School. These tragedies have a profound effect on the students in our schools and in our community. The ripple effects from the tragedy will be felt for years to come. 

The LWVN will continue to work with our close partners including Moms Demand Action TN. If you would like to participate in the Moms Demand Action TN Advocacy Day, click here.

This month’s newsletter highlights key legislative updates on education, public safety, and environmental concerns. Our Legislative Forum fostered meaningful discussions with local legislators, reinforcing the League’s role in civic engagement.

Additionally, as immigration remains a pressing issue, we are exploring the formation of an Immigration Committee. If you're interested, please email lwvnash@gmail.com.

Over the past month, the committee’s focus has been on engaging with the community about the impact of the voucher bill, encouraging discussions on its potential effects on public school funding, and urging individuals to communicate with their district legislators about the pros and cons.

Additionally, after the recent shooting incident at Antioch High School, community concerns have shifted toward school safety and security. This incident underscored the need for proactive measures, including emergency response plans for active shooter situations. In response, the Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools (MNPS) Board voted to approve the purchase and installation of concealed weapon detection systems in all high schools.

The following proposals were presented by Governor Lee in his State of the State budget message:

 - Early Childhood education funding—$7.2 million bonuses for childcare workers 

 - Public school funding of $244 million to include teacher pay increases

 - Student mental health—$1 million expansion of school-based behavioral health programs

Proposed Road Through Warner Park Threatens Protected Forest

A proposed Belle Meade Highlands Design and Mobility Study suggests cutting a new road through Warner Park to ease Belle Meade traffic and improve Cheekwood access. While framed as "shared access," this plan would clear protected, old-growth forest, disrupt ecosystems, introduce invasive species, and threaten wildlife and beloved trails. Allowing this sets a dangerous precedent for private interests encroaching on public land.

We urge a solution that preserves parkland and seek clarity on the decision-making process. How can citizens voice their concerns effectively? Let’s protect our natural spaces from unnecessary development.

Nashville’s web pages for the project are listed here and here. Click the button below to sign the petition.

Legislative Forum Recap & Health Care Committee Invitation

On February 7, the League of Women Voters of Nashville hosted a successful Legislative Forum at the Lentz Public Health Center, bringing together community members and key Davidson County legislators to discuss Tennessee’s legislative priorities.

Event Highlights:

Strong Participation: 27 LWVN members and 4 legislators attended, despite a busy legislative session.

Notable Attendees: Senators Jeff Yarbro and Heidi Campbell, along with Representatives Harold Love and John Ray Clemmons.

Engaging Moderation: LWVN member and journalist Yolonda Beech led discussions, keeping the session dynamic and informative.

Constructive Dialogue: Legislators shared insights on their positions and expressed strong support for LWVN’s priority issues.

This forum reinforced the importance of civic engagement and policy advocacy for our community.

Metro Council Recap (1/21/25, 2/4/25)

EDUCATION/ SCHOOLS/ IMMIGRATION

On 1/21/25, council passed a resolution opposing expansion of the ESA (Education Savings Act or Vouchers).

The Metro Nashville School Board will consider a $5 million expansion of the use of concealed weapons detectors, which are currently being piloted at Antioch High School, to all MNPS high schools. 

PUBLIC SAFETY/ TRANSPORTATION/ TRAFFIC/ POLICE

Bill 689 passed on 2 nd reading on 2/4/25 after much discussion. This ordinance approves a memorandum of understanding (“MOU”) between the Metropolitan Beer Permit Board (“Beer Board”) and the Metropolitan Department of Codes Administration (“Codes”). Codes would delegate authority to enforce noise complaints to two full-time Beer Board employees. These two full-time Beer Board employees would function as compliance inspectors under the auspices of Codes. Codes would allocate $171,100 to the Beer Board to fund the two full-time Beer Board employees. Code only works during daytime. These two employees would work at night and move with MNPD officers. It is considered a pilot that would start by working downtown under supervision of the night mayor.

ENVIRONMENT

On 1/21/25, the council passed a resolution supporting the TN Waste to Jobs Act in the State Legislature sponsored by Sen. Heidi Campbell.

GENERAL

A pre-budget public hearing occurred at the 2/4/25 meeting. The two largest groups speaking were in support of the Varsity Spending Plan and SHIFT Nashville. The Varsity Spending Plan is a plan to keep youth safe from gun violence. Last year, the council gave $1 million towards the plan to start a youth safety program that was separate from the police. SHIFT Nashville is a group requesting jobs, housing, transit, affordable day care. Quite a few metro employees requested full funding of salary requests and to not forget support staff.

At the 2/5/25 council meeting, many council members were wearing blue Antioch High T-shirts or blue ribbons to show respect for the school shooting at Antioch High.

Co-Presidents: Lara Webb & Ophelia Doe

1st Vice Presidents: Melissa Hanson & Karen Weickert

Secretary: Ethel Detch

Treasurer: Susan Mattson

Nominating Committee Members:

Betsy Walkup

Constance Caldwell

Hasina Mohyuddin

June Bond

Brenda Wynn

Portfolio Chairs

Communications: Yolonda Beech

Community Connections: Sabina Mohyuddin & Leona Edwards

Education: Dr. Patricia H. Brock, Dr. Leslie Cowell, and MaKenzie Mosby

Environment: Russanne Buchi-Fotre & Jack McFadden

Health Care/Public Health:  Harper-Grace Niedermeyer & Dr. Patti Scott 

Membership: Reba Holmes & Cindee Gold

Metro Government:  Pat McCauley & Karen Hernan

Voter Services: Kathryn Anderson & Kalen Russell

Williamson County Representative:  June Bond

Nominating Committee Chair: Senator Brenda Gilmore 

LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS NASHVILLE
Box 158369, Nashville, Tennessee 37215

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