A second seat opens on the Nashville Fair Board after stalemate over who has power

The Nashville board that oversees the Fairgrounds has yet another opening.

In an internal email shared with WPLN News, the board’s chair Erin McAnally says she’s stepping down since she’ll be spending less time in the city.

“The Fairgrounds has vastly transformed in the last decade from a property in need of much innovation and funding into a bustling site with so much potential,” she told the mayor’s office via email. “I believe the property is on the right path and I look forward to the future of Fairgrounds Nashville with great hope and anticipation.”

The resignation comes after intense deadlock on filling another vacancy on the board.

Out of Metro’s 50+ commissions, the fair board is one with significant power. It’ll make suggestions about the new soccer stadium and updated race track.

Board members skip the election process — they are appointed to make important decisions, yet the first opening has sat vacant since February. That’s unusual. appointments usually sail through.

But there’s been tension between the city council, mayor and vice mayor. The all-white Fair Board is drawing attention to the disparity in power for residents of color, including in neighborhoods near the Fairgrounds.

Erin McAnally served on the fair board for six years before resigning and says she hopes the opening will make way for better representation.

“I write this with the hope and expectation that my seat will be filled promptly and with a candidate who adds much-needed diversity to this board,” she says. “All eyes will be on the Mayor and the Vice Mayor as they work to fill two empty and important seats.”

This year Vice Mayor Jim Shulman has had to address a backlog of appointments since the mayor has missed several deadlines.