The Metro Action Commission estimates nearly 90-thousand Nashvillians live in poverty. But only a handful showed up to last night’s public forum that was meant to take comments on the effectiveness of city and non-profit services.
Several recommendations included pie-in-the-sky concepts like changing racial stereotypes and getting rid of economic disparity. More specific suggestions were targeted at improving the city’s public transportation system, consolidating duplicating services and holding the education system more accountable.
Denise Knowles, who has lived in North Nashville public housing for 15 years, says she wants more people to give city leaders feedback. But, she says, so many people won’t even help themselves.
“ It’s very easy for me to be motivated, especially since I’m expecting a change. I bet there’s a lot of people who don’t even know that this forum is going on. I live two streets up in a neighborhood called Chesapeake, plenty of single parents over there, plenty of kids walking up and down the street, but I bet you they don’t know about it.”
Last night’s conference was one of five held this summer by the Metro Action Commission. Organizers say they will compile the information gathered at each meeting and possibly create a poverty task force to begin implementing some of the ideas.
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