Not a single countywide office changed hands in yesterday’s Metro elections. Incumbent Nashville Mayor Karl Dean and Vice Mayor Diane Neighbors won reelection handily along with all five of the city’s at-large council members.
The most vulnerable countywide incumbent according to some observers was at-large councilman Jerry Maynard, who wound up a comfortable five thousand votes ahead of the nearest challenger. Maynard figures the lack of turnover means Nashville voters are pleased with the city’s current direction.
One looming question officials face is whether to raise property taxes; that hasn’t happened since 2005. Maynard says he’ll vote to give constituents what they demand and deserve. And he says metro employees have gone several years without raises.
“More importantly we’ve got to make sure that the quality of life remains at the same standard as it is today and continues to improve for all Davidson County. So if that means a property tax… –increase, rather, then that’s what it means.”
Maynard also says he’ll push for a new venue for the Nashville Sounds, which he wants at Sulphur Dell – the historic site of a demolished baseball stadium north of downtown.
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