April 2025

Missed a Hot Topics program or want to revisit a powerful discussion? Visit our YouTube channel to watch past programs on issues that matter—from voting rights and public health to education and environmental justice. It’s a great way to stay informed and engaged on your own schedule!

In Person
Time: Wednesday | 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM CT

The League of Women Voters - Williamson County invites the public to a presentation by Urban League of Middle Tennessee leadership. The Urban League's efforts in voter education, voter registration, and restoration of voting rights will be discussed.

REGISTER HERE

Virtual Event
Speakers: Gary Cohen of Reimagine Packaging Tennessee, Sandra Goldmark of the Columbia Climate School, and Danielle Azoulay, a sustainability expert and professor
Time: Wednesday | 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM CT

A panel discussion about the importance of enfranchisement for justice-involved individuals, why the League is important to this movement, and how state and local Leagues can engage and advocate.

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We’re currently planning future sessions of our monthly Hot Topics program and would love to hear from you! What issues are top of mind for you and your community? Whether it's voting rights, public health, education, the environment, or something else entirely, your input will help shape timely, relevant discussions that reflect the interests and concerns of our members. All ideas are welcomed! Email us at LWVNash@gmail.com.

As we look ahead to summer, the League of Women Voters of Nashville remains energized and inspired by the momentum we’re building together. From championing voting rights to exploring solutions for safer, healthier communities, our members continue to show up with heart and purpose.

We’re so grateful for your passion, time, and dedication—your involvement is what makes our work meaningful and impactful.

Looking toward the next League year, our Nominating Committee has been actively recruiting members to join our Board of Directors. If you’ve ever been curious about taking on a leadership role or contributing more deeply to our mission, now is the perfect time to raise your hand. We have one more Co-Chair slot for the Voter Services Committee. If you're interested in serving, please email us at LWVNash@gmail.com.

We’re excited to share that plans are underway for our upcoming Annual Meeting! This is an important opportunity to come together as a League, reflect on the past year, and set the stage for what’s ahead. Registration details will be sent out soon, so please keep an eye on your inbox. We can’t wait to see you there!

The Public Health Committee has been actively following and acting on legislation affecting women’s health, health care access, and gun violence prevention. Our focus is on health, health care access, and health equity, but we are fully aware that health happens beyond the clinical walls.

To that end, we are excited to promote the September 5 Hot Topics on Social Drivers of Health (SDOH). SDOH is usually referred to as Social Determinants of Health. Recently, public health professionals have recommended that we call it the Social Drivers of Health because “determinants” can indicate a  sense of finality. We know that the things that drive health are not permanent and that we want to work with communities to foster the change needed to promote health for all.

We are really looking forward to exploring the topic with our local experts! Please join us September 5, 2025 for our discussion with Jane Dimnawobi, Equal Justice Works Fellow with the Tennessee Justice Center, and Dr. John Vick, Director of the Office of Primary Prevention, Tennessee Department of Health. 

Metro Council Recap (3/28/25; 4/1/25)

VOTING/ ELECTIONS

NEW ELECTION COMMISSION: The Davidson County Election Commission (DCEC) will get three new faces, including a new chair, after appointments by the state Election Commission. Republican Betty Lynn Duley and Democrats Kenny Byrd and Jenean Davis will replace Republican Jim Delanis, the current chairman, and Democrats Tricia Hertzfeld and A.J. Starling. Herzfeld and Sterling retired from the commission.  Delanis's tenure has been marked by litigation, both by the DCEC and personally: the GOP commissioners, who are a majority, supported an anti-property tax measure that was shot down in the courts, while Delanis sued Baker Donelson, Metro and former councilmember Bob Mendes for allegedly forcing him out of the law firm after battles between Metro and the commission. Of the new members, Duley has been active in GOP politics and has been a poll worker and frequent speaker at the commission, while Byrd is a class-action litigator and Davis is a consultant and fundraiser. Republicans Butch Burns and Dan Davis were re-appointed to their seats.  (Banner)

DCEC on Murfreesboro Road is moving.  It’s current building is to be torn down for airport expansion. Probable new location will be third floor of a building near the intersection of McGavock Pike and Murfreesboro Pike.  Move is to be completed in early 2026.  The plan is to open a reception area in October for delivering petitions for Berry Hill election in March 2026.  There are no elections scheduled for 2025, so this is a good time for the EC to move.

HEALTH/ MEDICAL

A resolution passed to appropriate a total of $10 million from the undesignated fund balance of the General Fund of the General Services District to General Hospital due to some delays of state funding.

PUBLIC SAFETY/ TRANSPORTATION/ TRAFFIC/ POLICE

A resolution was passed that approves a memorandum of understanding (“MOU”) between the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (“ATF”) and the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department (“MNPD”) for an ATF Violent Crimes Task Force to reduce gun violence. The purpose of the task force is to develop and implement an effective and sustainable, crime gun intelligence driven strategy to investigate, prosecute and remove armed criminals from Nashville and Davidson County. 

ENVIRONMENT

Nashville attorneys sued President Donald Trump, Elon Musk and the heads of several federal agencies to recover $14 million for two grants awarded, but never paid, by the federal government. Nashville joins five major cities and 11 nonprofit groups as plaintiffs in the suit.

Nashville is suing for a $4.7 million “Electrify Music City” grant, awarded in August, to expand public vehicle charging stations, as well as a $9.3 million “East Nashville Spokes” grant awarded in January to build bike lanes and pedestrian improvements near the East Bank. Both came from infrastructure programs introduced under the U.S. Department of Transportation. 

GENERAL

Mayor O’Connell’s State of Metro Address will be on May 1, 2025 at 10am at the downtown library.  It will probably be available live on TV and recorded for Metro’s YouTube.

Some Davidson County homeowners will soon receive a notice in the mail informing them that their property value has increased. These reassessments happen every four years as part of a countywide process led by the Assessor of Property's Office.  Every homeowner has the right to appeal their new assessment if they believe it does not reflect the fair value of their property. The notice will include instructions for requesting an informal review or beginning the formal appeals process through the Metropolitan Board of Equalization.

A three-judge panel of the Tennessee Court of Appeals heard arguments in March in a case that could determine the future size of the Metro Council.   In April 2023, a three-judge panel temporarily enjoined a law passed by the Tennessee General Assembly that would cut the size of the Metro Council from 40 seats to 20, writing that Metro was likely to win its lawsuit and that the law could cause “upheaval” in the election process that was underway at the time. In July 2024, the three-judge panel made the injunction permanent, writing that the law was unconstitutional because of the state constitution’s Home Rule amendment, which outlaws legislation that specifically targets one local government. The state appealed that ruling, and now, Judge Steven Stafford, Judge Carma McGee and Judge Kenny Armstrong heard from Metro and the state over the bill. The judges did not indicate when a ruling would be published, and with the next Metro elections not happening until 2027, the judges have time to consider their decision.

In April we were treated to an informative session about advances being made by the Metro Bicycle and Pedestrian Advocacy Commission by KJ Garner, Commission member, passionate rider and Bike Fun founder. 

The BPAC was formed in 2009 and formalized as a Metro Standing committee in 2023. 13 appointed members serve 4 year terms. 

The Commission meets monthly and welcomes public participation. Some past topics of discussion have included Tactical Urbanism (colorful intersections that help calm traffic speed) and the study of sidewalks. An alarming data point is that surveys indicate 1900 miles of sidewalk are needed to address pedestrian safety and only 1328 miles of sidewalk actually exist! So the need is great but the pace of construction is frustratingly slow - just 8 miles of sidewalk were built in 2023 but this is up from just 4 miles built in 2020. 

Garner also shared information about Bike Fun, a volunteer organization that provides bike riding lessons, organized rides, maintenance instruction and workshops and free bikes to use on their park rides. Garner is a certified trainer and explained that her mission is to not just create bike riders but bike joy! 

Upcoming events include the Nashville Bicycle Festival on April 12, Pedal in Park at Shelby Bottoms on April 14, and the next BPAC public meeting on April 21. A Bicycle Revival will be held in partnership with the Oasis Center Bike Shop in May. 

You can learn more about volunteering with Bike Fun at https://signup.com/go/QnNYbHH and follow the group on Instagram, Bluesky, Facebook and LinkedIn. 

BPAC meets the 3rd Monday of each month at 6:30 at the Howard School Bldg. You can reach their NDOT representative at  BrentSchultz@nashville.gov. 

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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contact@lwvnashville.org

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