Candidate: Joe Delucas
Metro Council District 11
Website: www.JoeDeLucas.com
Occupation: “Currently I’m a songwriter, author and actor but I formerly have over 25 years in Retail/Restaurant”
Previous candidacy/offices held: None
Community experience: “Volunteer Treasurer of my community Hoa board. Volunteer Treasurer and IT Director for the non profit Tennessee Songwriters Association International”
What is the biggest issue facing your district? How would you approach it?
“I want to work with local police to raise police presence and community drive by’s”
Much of the city’s developmental focus, like plans for a new East Bank, have focused on downtown. What’s your vision for downtown?
“Easily accessible, family friendly, fun environment”
Did you or would you have voted to approve the new Titans stadium financing legislation?
“Yes”
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 think lpr is ok because it shows violations on a vehicle. I think facial recognition is very similar to stop and ID. Tennessee is not a stop and ID state. Citizens are free unless they are suspected of committing a crime. I Do Not support facial recognition but I am open to more information on the argument”
Do you think a property tax rate adjustment will be needed in the next 4 years? Why or why not?
“In Davidson County? No. The current tax hike is high enough.”
Do you view your role in the Council as leading your district on issues or simply reflecting the views of the district’s residents?
“Both. As a retail manager your main job is to find out what customers and employees need and make an educated decision to encompass the best result for all. As a council person I am the leader of the community and I need to speak to the community to represent their needs.”
How do you view the relationship of the city and Council to the General Assembly in the face of adverse legislation from the state?
“From reading articles and watching the news it seems that the squabble is just retaliation for current disagreements. We need to sit down together with an open mind to rectify the situation. I would be willing to be one of those members.”
The city is experiencing an affordability crisis. What is the council’s role in creating more housing for buyers and renters in Nashville?
“With the current rise in property value there will never be affordable housing unless we stop allowing overbuilding. When we allow the destruction of greenery for over 200 homes priced above $450,000 you’re continuing unaffordability.
If we must build new homes it needs to be a mix of lower income size homes too.”
What improvements do you think WeGo should make during the next four years? Would you back creation of a dedicated funding source?
“Personally I have never ridden WeGo so I would need to look more into it to give an acceptable answer”
Second-quarter campaign finance disclosure
Raised: $835
Spent: $777
Cash on hand: $58
Link to full disclosure here
Pre-General campaign finance disclosure
Raised: $0
Spent: $0
Cash on hand: $58
Link to full disclosure here