Candidate: Dan Jones
Metro Council District 15
Website: danjones4metrocouncil.com
Occupation: “Marketing Dir. & Media Relations Mgr. for Magill’s GlockStore.”
Previous candidacy/offices held: “US Navy – Enlisted”
Community experience: “Always been a member of one.”
What will be your top three priorities on the Council?
“As a new councilman, my #1 priority would be to immerse myself into the Metro Council agendas, and procedures, so I could determine how those agendas would effect both my district and Nashville as a whole.
Once that is accomplished, I believe it will be much easier to prioritize other tasks.”
What is the biggest issue facing your district? How would you approach it?
“Road Conditions. To be determined. See above answer.”
Much of the city’s developmental focus, like plans for a new East Bank, have focused on downtown. What’s your vision for downtown?
“Also to be determined.”
Did you or would you have voted to approve the new Titans stadium financing legislation?
“No. As I understand the final deal, I would not have voted to approve it.”
Does Metro need more police officers beyond the unfilled positions?
“Likely so, but I would need further research to say definitively.”
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?
“In discussing that topic with the FOP, by their description I see no issues with implementing the LPR’s. Facial recognition is, however, a fairly slippery slope. Like many ways to curtail freedoms, once implemented, it’s hard to keep contained. I would need more info on the proposed uses, and safeguards against abuse, to form a final opinion.”
Do you think a property tax rate adjustment will be needed in the next 4 years? Why or why not?
“Yes. Because taxes are aways being “adjusted…” whether it’s needed or not.”
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 feel my role would be to reflect the views of the people who voted me into office. They didn’t vote me in so I could tell THEM what they should feel about the issues.”
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 view the relationship as antagonistic and combative on both sides… certainly NOT the best environment for cooperative government between the two entities. Neither side seems to be very good at picking their battles”
The city is experiencing an affordability crisis. What is the council’s role in creating more housing for buyers and renters in Nashville?
“Housing affordability is an issue in every major city in America… and it seems like it always has been. The Council should certainly be looking at whatever ways and means are at their disposal to ensure Nashvillians have a variety of housing to choose from at every income level.”
What improvements do you think WeGo should make during the next four years? Would you back creation of a dedicated funding source?
“I think they need to improve the safety and security of the drivers. If the drivers aren’t safe, or don’t feel safe, then the passengers won’t either. I would need more info on creating a dedicated funding source to state an opinion on that issue.”
Second-quarter campaign finance disclosure
Raised: $1,670
Spent: $425
Cash on hand: $1,245
Link to full disclosure here
Pre-General campaign finance disclosure
Raised: $439
Spent: $1,084
Cash on hand: $601
Link to full disclosure here