Nashville Neighborhood Alliance
2007 Election Year Task Force Candidate Questionnaire


Candidate Responses - Metro Council District 31

  Fabian Bedne Parker Toler
I will make necessary changes to ensure Metro Codes, Metro Health (including Animal Care & Control) and Public Works respond to citizens' complaints and requests for service in a consistent, thorough, timely and courteous manner. YES No Response
I will work to ensure Metro's ability to produce additional revenue to invest in the programs I am committing to here including, but not limited to, determining the constitutionality of the recent charter amendment on tax increases. YES No Response
I will support and finance solid waste management programs, such as recycling drop-off centers, that are sustainable, economical, environmentally sound and based on substantiated data. YES No Response
I will block the destruction or commercial sale of unused school/government buildings until the potential for viable reuse has been explored and agreed to by Metro and the surrounding neighborhood(s). YES No Response
I will actively advocate for a centralized, Internet-accessible suggestion and complaint reporting system for Metropolitan Government, especially the Codes, Police, Health and Public Works Departments. This system will enable citizens to follow the progress and status of their report. YES No Response
I will ensure that neighborhood-identified initiatives, such as increased foot and bicycle patrol in hot spots, are supported and implemented. YES No Response
I will work to establish and/or build on effective reciprocal relationships between neighborhood groups and police precinct(s) within my district. YES No Response
I will actively support changes in state and metro law to establish an anti-loitering ordinance that will deter the drug trade and prostitution in higher crime areas, and work to ensure that such laws are enforced. YES No Response
     
Points of the program in the above question that I commit to, include: Fabian Bedne Parker Toler
a) Ensuring that police staffing of special events in downtown area does not reduce police presence in neighborhoods or dollars committed to policing in neighborhoods. YES No Response
b) Ensuring that proper incentives exist to provide Nashville with an adequate number of police officers and to ensure that they choose to stay and continue to work in Davidson County. YES No Response
c) Creating and implementing an improvement plan for the Emergency Call Center based on feedback from those that have made calls for service and from police officers in the field. YES No Response
     
  Fabian Bedne Parker Toler
I will work with the affected neighborhood(s) to co-host timely, well-publicized meetings with my constituents to discuss zoning and other issues that impact our community. YES No Response
If asked by my constituents, I will participate in neighborhood-led forums for political candidates. YES No Response
     
I will commit to attend at least 85% of: Fabian Bedne Parker Toler
a) Council meetings. YES No Response
b) Assigned or required committee, board and or commission meetings. YES No Response
c) Meetings of Metro Boards and Commissions when legislation and/or policy actions that impact my district are being considered. YES No Response
     
  Fabian Bedne Parker Toler
When asked, I will attend the meetings of neighborhood groups in my district. YES No Response
I will work together with the Neighborhoods Resource Center and current neighborhood leaders to develop the leadership of others in my district by: Training them on how they can engage Metro Departments and officials with regard to initial concerns and requests for service; Working side-by-side with residents and groups to solve problems that have not been addressed in a timely way by Metro Departments and officials; Encouraging participation in local, democratically-run neighborhood organizations; Providing significant and meaningful opportunities for residents to be involved in the public policy decision-making in my district. YES No Response
I will actively work with neighborhood groups and residents to address their concerns regarding public infrastructure such as roads, sidewalks, streetlights, crosswalks and pedestrian lights at intersections, stormwater drains, parks, government buildings, etc. YES No Response
I will support and finance the expansion of the Nashville Housing Fund, home ownership preservation programs, and other programs that encourage truly affordable housing. YES No Response
I will provide adequate funding for schools to ensure that all neighborhoods have quality education, predictable attendance zones and schools with accountable leadership. YES No Response
In order to increase parental involvement in education and the safety and quality of our schools, I will support and promote access to parents and youth in public schools by the experts in community organizing -- Neighborhoods Resource Center. YES No Response
I will work to ensure that neighborhoods are free of blighting conditions, such as abandoned buildings, overgrown vacant lots, dumping, neglected public right of way, etc. YES No Response
     
I will accomplish this (question above), in part, by using these strategies: Fabian Bedne Parker Toler
a) Creating a revolving fund to purchase property under the spot blight ordinance and to deal with, in other ways, problem property. YES No Response
b) Ensuring that neighborhood leaders play a leading role in the planning for the use of such property. YES No Response
c) Creating a system where illegally dumped material is quickly disposed of. YES No Response
d) Siting more convenience centers in order to offer alternatives to dumping. YES No Response
     
  Fabian Bedne Parker Toler
I will encourage broad-based community participation in and leadership of organizations exploring the allocation of resources to our schools and their programs. YES No Response
I will encourage broad-based community participation in and leadership of organizations exploring the allocation of resources to our schools and their programs. YES No Response
I will support and finance the addition of proven or innovative after-school activities for neighborhood youth. YES No Response
I will take the necessary actions to ensure that all neighborhoods have safe and well-maintained streets. These actions will include ensuring that: Citizens have easy access to specific schedules of street paving and maintenance activities; Neighborhood groups are encouraged and funded to partner with Public Works on traffic calming projects, including roadway and flow modifications. YES No Response
I will support and promote regional planning to prevent costly sprawl, traffic congestion, and pollution. YES No Response
     
I will sponsor and support legislation that creates a tiered Development Impact Fee that: Fabian Bedne Parker Toler
a) Financially rewards the compatible redevelopment of city neighborhoods and preservation of historical buildings; DON'T KNOW No Response
b) Ensures that all Metropolitan departments recapture the prorated cost of any new infrastructure (roads, sewers, schools, police, fire, etc.) necessary to support new and/or intensive development. DON'T KNOW No Response
     
  Fabian Bedne Parker Toler
I will commit to introduce rezoning bills only after full discussion with the affected neighborhood(s YES No Response
When approached by those seeking a zoning change in my district, I will notify them that my final decision will be determined by the majority of informed neighbors who are most likely to be impacted by the zoning change. YES No Response
I will vote no on any zoning bill, in any district, that does not meet the conditions of question 3 and 4 above. YES No Response
     
I will sponsor and support amendments to the Zoning Code that will: Fabian Bedne Parker Toler
a) Eliminate the development of property that is within the floodplain to the greatest extent possible; YES No Response
b) Increase the Landscaping, Buffering and Tree Replacement standards; YES No Response
c) Decrease the ability of developers to disturb the natural features of hillsides and other property designated as natural conservation areas; YES No Response
d) Decrease the Impervious Surface Ratio for developments within Davidson County. YES No Response
     
  Fabian Bedne Parker Toler
I will promote job creation, appropriate to the neighborhood, in areas of higher than average unemployment and where people have difficulty getting transportation to existing jobs. YES No Response
I will actively encourage those economic development programs that create jobs providing a living wage for Nashvillians. YES No Response
I will ensure that all Nashvillians have free access to the information that allows for more informed participation in government decision making processes, access to government services, and government accountability to citizens. YES No Response
I will encourage neighborhood participation and support neighborhood leadership in developing a Community Plan that, among other things, addresses controlled commercial growth, needed infrastructure changes and needed traffic and storm water management. YES No Response
     
I will support and, if necessary, legislate a citywide Citizen Participation policy that: Fabian Bedne Parker Toler
a) Requires all public meetings of Metropolitan Boards and Commissions to be held at a time, date and place where the average Nashvillian can attend without taking time off work; YES No Response
b) Ensures that broad individual and public notice is given prior to any legislative or administrative action on any proposed amendment to or variances from the Zoning Code; YES No Response
c) Provides at least a 28-day written notice, including the posting of signs, to individuals and organizations within any area affected by any proposed amendments to, or variances from the Zoning Code; YES No Response
d) Guarantees citizens the right to appear before Metropolitan Boards and Commissions to testify and introduce evidence. YES No Response
     
  Fabian Bedne Parker Toler
I will support the development of a set of guides for each Department of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County. These manuals shall include: The functions and budget of each Department; An explanation of complaint/calls for service and follow-up process; Each department's goals for the coming year; The status of each department's preceding year's goals; Each department's plans for citizen participation in planning and policy development. YES No Response
I will support the funding necessary to ensure that each neighborhood in Davidson County has a detailed neighborhood plan developed by residents with the assistance of professional planners. These plans shall include specifics regarding design standards, land use and zoning, economic development, roads, sewers, schools, parks, police and fire, and traffic management. YES No Response
I will refuse to vote for any zoning bill that is in conflict with the community or detailed neighborhood plan, no matter in whose district it resides. YES No Response
I will support and finance the Neighborhoods Resource Center in its work to assist neighborhoods to become engaged in substantive and meaningful decision making processes, crime prevention programs, and maintenance or creation of livable neighborhoods. This funding will include $100,000 in general operating support appropriations and at least $20,000 for each district council member that wants more significant support for their neighborhoods. No Response No Response
I will create and enforce a strong code of ethics and specific conflict-of-interest regulations for appointed and elected Metro Officials. This code will require the official reporting of all gifts with a value greater than ten dollars. The report shall be published on the Internet and include the name of the giver, their company, and any specific corporate, legislative and/or government initiative discussed. The code shall also accurately define the term 'constituent' and make it an actionable offense for any member of the Metropolitan Government to knowingly provide false or misleading testimony and/or information to a constituent, government or either's agent. YES No Response
I will work with Metro and State agencies to create an Internet-accessible digital database of all required election related reports, including all campaign contribution reports. YES No Response
If elected, I will attend the Constituent Service training that will be provided by the Nashville Neighborhood Alliance for Council Members. YES No Response
I will encourage the creation of duplicative services and additional bureaucracy by multiple departments of Metropolitan Government. NO No Response
   
  Fabian Bedne Parker Toler
In 50 words or less, please tell us what else you would do to ensure responsive and coordinated public services: View online responses. No Response
In 50 words or less, please tell us what else you would do to ensure safer neighborhoods: View online responses. No Response
In 50 words or less, please tell us what else you would do to ensure that you represent your constituents to the best of your ability: View online responses. No Response
In 50 words or less, please tell us what else you would do to maintain and create livable neighborhoods: View online responses. No Response
In 50 words or less, please tell us what else you would do to help develop and implement a smart growth strategy: View online responses. No Response
In 50 words or less, please tell us what else you would do to ensure substantive and meaningful citizen participation: View online responses. No Response

Copyright © 2007 Neighborhoods Resource Center.