Candidate: Ruby Baker
Metro Council District 1
Website: www.rubybakerfordistrict1.com
Occupation: “Retiree – serves currently as President of Bordeaux Hills Residential Assoc.”
Previous candidacy/offices held: “No Governmental Office held”
Community experience: “+15 Years as Community Leader and President, Bordeaux Hills Residential Assoc.”
What will be your top three priorities on the Council?
“People-Preservation-Progress – Working to keep the People informed and engaged, helping to protect and preserve our homes, assets, historical land and things that are important to us and pursuing smart growth and equitable and sustainable development that will move our District 1 forward and ensure that no community or neighborhood in our District 1 is left behind as our city continues to grow.”
District candidates only: What is the biggest issue facing your district? How would you approach it?
“Community Engagement – I have held more than 200 community meetings as president of my neighborhood association that included several guest presenters and I will continue to have regular community meetings to keep the community informed and engaged in any discussion(s) regarding matters that will have an impact on their quality of life, esp. as it relates to rezoning request and discussion(s) with developers wanting to invest in District 1.”
Much of the city’s developmental focus, like plans for a new East Bank, have focused on downtown. What’s your vision for downtown?
“I do not have a vision for downtown because I think more than enough funding has been allotted to that area of town and I would like to see the focus and funding redirected to support our neighborhoods.”
Did you or would you have voted to approve the new Titans stadium financing legislation?
“Support only with a condition of a dedicated source of funding solely for the neighborhoods.”
Does Metro need more police officers beyond the unfilled positions?
“Yes, a lot of demand is being placed on the officers we have and our city is growing so the increase in officers if very much needed, because our level of safety should not be compromised any longer!”
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 support the use of LPR’s and since it’s installation the use has proved to be very beneficial. Yes, I think facial recognition technology should be used as well.”
Do you think a property tax rate adjustment will be needed in the next 4 years? Why or why not?
“No, I think the city should live and operate within its budget, just like we have to do for our personal budgets that cause us to spend and live within our means.”
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 believe my role as Council Representative is to reflect the views of the district residents to bring their neighborhood concerns to the attention of the appropriate metro department and work towards a resolution and to bring their views to any rezoning or development request its impact to their neighborhoods and any district issues that are not local should be addressed by our State and/or Senate Representatives.”
How do you view the relationship of the city and Council to the General Assembly in the face of adverse legislation from the state?
“I think is it a strained relationship because the authority boundary lines between state, city and council have been breached and blurred and until the lines are made clear again, what seems to be authority overreach is going to continue.”
The city is experiencing an affordability crisis. What is the council’s role in creating more housing for buyers and renters in Nashville?
“I think diverse housing is needed to address the housing affordability crisis and Smart Growth, Equitable and Sustainable Development should be considered and being mindful in minimizing gentrification and not drastically impacting the neighborhoods character, etc.”
What improvements do you think WeGo should make during the next four years? Would you back creation of a dedicated funding source?
“More service routes added to more neighborhoods and yes, a dedicated funding source is needed to support additional service routes, vehicles and staff that would be needed to sustain this request.”
Second quarter campaign finance disclosure
Raised: $2,878
Spent: $4,242
Cash on hand: $417
Link to full disclosure here
Pre-General campaign finance disclosure
Raised: $1,350
Spent: $915
Cash on hand: $852
Link to full disclosure here