Candidate: Terri Laine Klingner
Metro Council District 5
Website: terrilaine.com
Occupation: “Financial Analyst/Project Manager”
Previous candidacy/offices held: “none”
Community experience: “Junior Achievement, LA Teamworks, Boys and Girls Club (LA) – worked with middle school and high school students on various skillsets such as leadership, business acumen, basic math.”
What will be your top three priorities on the Council?
“1.Public safety is of paramount importance to ensure a thriving secure community. 2.Infrastructure – repair existing roads – fix potholes; address transportation needs.
3. Financial responsibility – fiscal responsibility. Oversight of new Titan stadium budget.”
What is the biggest issue facing your district? How would you approach it?
“One of the biggest issues in my immediate neighborhood is speeding on our residential streets. With the congested traffic from main thoroughfairs, cars and trucks cut through our neighborhoods at high speeds. There are no sidewalks in many neighborhoods making this very dangerous for people walking dogs, pushing baby carriages, and our elderly people with canes and walkers. I would advocate for traffic calming measures such as 3 way Stop signs, speed humps, and sidewalks.”
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 would like to see downtown be a friendly and affordable place for the people of Nashville to enjoy as well as those that come to visit. My position is “Nashville as a good place to live first and a good place to visit second.”
Did you or would you have voted to approve the new Titans stadium financing legislation?
“I am a strong advocate for local involvement of the people in any and all decisions that affect their lives and their pocketbook. I would have advocated for a very transparent approach to educating the public on the pros and cons of building a new stadium v. repairing the existing structure, then asked the public to vote on it.”
Does Metro need more police officers beyond the unfilled positions?
“When speaking with people in my neighborhood, I would have to answer “yes”. Most of my neighbors feel like we are “on our own” when it comes to neighborhood crimes such as theft, car break ins, and excessive speeding on our residential streets. Also of note is the amount of police protection our downtown area requires 4-5 days a week due to the incoming tourist attractions/events.”
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 read articles related to the LPR technology and the current results of the Nashville pilot program which ends in July 2023. I do not know the cost of this technology to the city of Nashville so I cannot say whether it is cost effective based on the reported stolen automobile recovery rate or the arrest rate. My personal stance is that this is a privacy issue for all individuals. Good intentioned technology can easily become a tool against the public it is trying to protect. Additionally, there is no clear published evidence the LPR’s actually reduce crime. I am against facial recognition technology downtown for the invasive privacy issues related to this technology.”
Do you think a property tax rate adjustment will be needed in the next 4 years? Why or why not?
“I do not know the answer to that question at this time. Based on the last 2 increases, I am sure the topic will arise in the next 4 years. I do not advocate increasing property taxes just because it is an easy source of revenue for the city. Instead, I would advocate looking into other areas of the budget for funds. In Nashville, we have many seniors in our neighborhoods with fixed incomes. These seniors should not fear increased property taxes every 2 – 4 years which they cannot afford, making them homeless or being forced to sell their homes. For the rest of us, lower property taxes is one of Nashville’s perks to entice home ownership which in turn builds personal wealth for the people in our communities. And, while on this subject, I would advocate for putting any property tax increase on the ballot for the public to vote on. All in the spirit of true transparency of Nashville’s fiscal spend and fiscal needs.”
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 in local engagement and participatory government. I want all Nashvillians to pay attention to decisions being made at the closest level of government that affects their lives. My role will be to engage my constituents, and the public in general through a 2 way dialogue, keeping them informed of actions being presented to the Council.”
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 believe the Chamber of Commerce, City Government , and the State General Assembly will need to bury their disagreements and continue working closely for continued economic growth in Nashville.”
The city is experiencing an affordability crisis. What is the council’s role in creating more housing for buyers and renters in Nashville?
“One of the Council’s roles is planning and development so the Council is influential in this area.”
What improvements do you think WeGo should make during the next four years? Would you back creation of a dedicated funding source?
“There have been multiple talking points by multiple people on this subject. Nashville does need a plan! I have lived and worked in a city with no transit plan to speak of. I am originally from Alabama, but lived in Los Angeles for many years. In Los Angeles the express bus to downtown from all points east, west, north and south used a bus line called the Commuter Express. In the mornings the bus went in one direction only, picking up passengers along a dedicated route. The first pick up was at 5:45 am in my area. There were 4 additional pick up times in the mornings. In the evenings, these same buses would do the reverse, picking up passengers from these same drop off points in the evenings, going in one direction only, delivering passengers to their car lot or to their neighborhood stops. These are baby steps for a Nashville transit plan, but ones that could be put into action easily using the WeGo buses already in service. I would also support dedicated buses from downtown to the airport and vise versa. As for funding, I would back a plan for dedicated funding if it made fiscal sense and my constituents benefited from the plan.”
Second-quarter campaign finance disclosure
Raised: $2,631
Spent: $2,506
Cash on hand: $125
Link to full disclosure here
Pre-General campaign finance disclosure
Raised: $3,061
Spent: $3,186
Cash on hand: $0
Link to full disclosure here