Candidate: Brian Hellwig
Metro Council At Large
Website: https://www.facebook.com/brian.hellwig/
Occupation: “I am an Asset Protection Specialist with The Home Depot. I focus on Safety and Shrink/Theft mitigation and reduction.”
Previous candidacy/offices held: “None”
Community experience: “I served on the City of Kent, Ohio Housing and Zoning Appeals Board. I completed the Citizens Police Academy with the Kent, Ohio Police Department.”
What will be your top three priorities on the Council?
“My top three priorities are Safety & Security, Infrastructure Development and Education.
With Safety & Security, crime in the city is underreported, specifically with regards to retail theft and organized retail crime. From my own personal experiences having to go to court and trying to get shoplifters prosecuted, I know it is very rare for anyone to actually serve jail time, regardless of how many times one commits theft in Davidson County. But, the shoplifters know this as well, which is why they continue to do so without fear of any real accountability. Plus, if they do happen to get arrested and not post bond, then THEY get to decide if they want to go to court or not, since the Sheriff’s Office refuses to transport any inmate to court if they simply don’t want to go, which is quite frustrating for those who actually show up for court after having been subpoenaed to do so.
With regard to Infrastructure Development, there needs to be better planning, both short-term and long-term on how to address the additional growth in the city. That includes maintaining and expanding our roads, adding additional sidewalks in our communities and better public transportation n general.
With regards to Education, we need to continue to invest in the education of our youth by recruiting and retaining staff and educators who are qualified and invested in the successes of our children.”
Much of the city’s developmental focus, like plans for a new East Bank, have focused on downtown. What’s your vision for downtown?
“Downtown is and should continue to be a great destination for residents and visitors alike. But, it needs to be made safer. Too much crime takes place in our downtown area.”
Did you or would you have voted to approve the new Titans stadium financing legislation?
“I would not have been in favor of such legislation. I believe that we could better invest the $100’s of Millions in other projects and community resources rather than on a new football stadium to benefit a billionaire and millionaires.”
Does Metro need more police officers beyond the unfilled positions?
“Absolutely! Metro is understaffed and we need to begin focusing more attention on preventing and solving crime and thefts that take place in Nashville.”
What do you think of the current framework passed by the council around LPR (license plate readers) usage? Do you think Metro should allow facial recognition technology to be used downtown?
“I have seen successes with LPR cameras used in public areas. I assume that in 2023 anytime I am in public, that I am on camera somewhere. Facial recognition technology is still developing and isn’t as advanced or wide spread as most think it is. But, if it were to be utilized to help deter or solve crimes and bring more criminals to justice, then I would be in support of it.”
Do you think a property tax rate adjustment will be needed in the next 4 years? Why or why not?
“Yes, I would like to see it lowered. I do NOT support increasing the property tax, given that it was just recently substantially increased.”
Do you view your role in the Council as leading your district on issues or simply reflecting the views of the district’s residents?
“I would view my role as being a leaders and bring attention and awareness of issues to Council and the community.”
How do you view the relationship of the city and Council to the General Assembly in the face of adverse legislation from the state?
“Well, the current relationship is not very good, as everyone has seen. The best was to help repair harm caused is through open and honest dialogue and through the building of individual relationships.”
The city is experiencing an affordability crisis. What is the council’s role in creating more housing for buyers and renters in Nashville?
“As a renter myself, I know firsthand how difficult it is to find affordable and quality housing in Nashville. With more businesses coming to Nashville and more people moving to Nashville, we can only expect the price for housing and rent to only increase, especially since tiny houses are not permitted in Davidson County. Supply and demand sets the costs of what housing prices are being sold for and properties are being rented for.”
What improvements do you think WeGo should make during the next four years? Would you back creation of a dedicated funding source?
“The future of WeGo cannot simply be more buses and more routes. We must put together a long-term plan for the future of Nashville that’s bold, that looks beyond just busses. If we had a highspeed rail system that connected the airport with downtown and other areas of the county I think it would be popular and heavily utilized, by residents and visitors alike. I am not opposed to the creation of a dedicated funding course, but that would depend upon from where it’s coming from and what it would go to support.”
Second quarter campaign finance disclosure
Raised: $1,200
Spent: $772
Cash on hand: $528
Link to full disclosure here
Pre-General campaign finance disclosure
Raised: $0
Spent: $5
Cash on hand: $523
Link to full disclosure here