Transit, public education, affordable housing, green space and income inequality were top topics at YP Nashville’s mayoral forum this week. Candidates Megan Barry, Charles Robert Bone, David Fox, Bill Freeman, Howard Gentry, Jeremy Kane and Linda Eskind Rebrovick answered questions submitted by Nashville’s young professionals about the issues of greatest importance to them.
Young professionals make up 43 percent of Middle Tennessee’s workforce, and represent a significant portion of the new residents moving to Tennessee annually. Fifty-three percent of the registered voters in Davidson County are within the young professional demographic.
The capacity crowd all said they plan to vote in the August election, which comes at a pivotal time for Nashville. Our city’s economy is experiencing unprecedented prosperity, and we have become one of the fastest-growing MSAs in the country. However, there are challenges ahead for Nashville’s next mayor, including the need for affordable, reliable mass transit solutions; creating a more bicycle- and pedestrian-friendly infrastructure; reducing poverty/homelessness; and the importance of remaining competitive in the global economy.
We encouraged attendees to use the hashtag #MyFutureNash to broaden the conversation on Twitter. The event inspired great conversation – read a recap of tweets here.
