Candidate: Stephanie Montenegro
Metro Council District 9
Website: stephanie-for-council.com
Occupation: “I’m a paralegal for a local law firm.”
Previous candidacy/offices held: “None”
Community experience: “I have volunteered and participated in various community events and organization.”
What will be your top three priorities on the Council?
“We must build safe streets for our community. District 9 has been growing fast and our infrastructure hasn’t kept up with our needs. We can save lives by ensuring crosswalks are properly marked, sidewalks are available for pedestrians to safely move around our community, implementing traffic calming measures, and build bus shelters. We must fully fund our local public schools. By working with other council members and the School Board, we can attribute more funds to MNPS to increase teacher and support staff pay. Lastly, I will work with community leaders, residents, organizers, and developers to ensure that new projects are focused around the needs of the people in Madison.”
What is the biggest issue facing your district? How would you approach it?
“Voters in Madison want to live in neighborhoods that are walkable, public schools that are fully staffed, and housing that is affordable.”
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’m focused on the development and progress of Madison.”
Did you or would you have voted to approve the new Titans stadium financing legislation?
“No, I would not have voted to approve the new Titans stadium financing legislation.”
Does Metro need more police officers beyond the unfilled positions?
“I think we need to fill the positions we currently have available and reassess. There is a new precinct that is being built in Southeast that should help with response time.”
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?
“LPRs have been used in other cities and have shown to have misreads. There are privacy and data concerns.”
Do you think a property tax rate adjustment will be needed in the next 4 years? Why or why not?
“I think this is hard to predict but we would do what is necessary to insure services are provided to our communities.”
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 there is a balance to do both.”
How do you view the relationship of the city and Council to the General Assembly in the face of adverse legislation from the state?
“The city and the council need to always advocate for the best interest of the city. We should try to have a working relationship with The State but we will fight for our communities.”
The city is experiencing an affordability crisis. What is the council’s role in creating more housing for buyers and renters in Nashville?
“Metro needs to fully fund the Barnes Fund. We should work with developers and non-profits so they may apply for funds and build affordable housing. We should also work on recruiting landlords that accept Section 8 vouchers.”
What improvements do you think WeGo should make during the next four years? Would you back creation of a dedicated funding source?
“WeGo needs a dedicated funding source in order to adequately provide transit options for the people in Davidson County. We need to expand bus lines, bus hours, build bus shelters, and make sure we have enough sidewalks for users to safely reach their destinations.”
Second-quarter campaign finance disclosure
Raised: $8,392
Spent: $1,634
Cash on hand: $6,758
Link to full disclosure here
Pre-General campaign finance disclosure
Raised: $15,823
Spent: $5,532
Cash on hand: $16,848
Link to full disclosure here