Mayoral candidates debate at TSU Avon Williams campus
Clement, Dean tackle education, economic development
Dustin Shane
Issue date: 8/30/07 Section: Campus News
- Page 1 of 1
Nashville Metro mayoral run-off candidates Bob Clement and Karl Dean debated on education, public safety and economic development TSU's downtown Avon Williams Campus on Tuesday, Sept. 4.
With the Sept. 11 runoff election less than week away, both candidates were eager to garner any last-minute support.
William H. Kraus, assistant professor of public administration at TSU's Institute of Government and Oak Hill city manager, served as the moderator as well as organizer for the event attended by more than 200.
Kraus said he thought was important that TSU students know, that young people "should get involved in the campaign."
Clement argued that the state of the city's public schools could be improved through better handling of funds and accountability while Dean focused on the drop-out rate in some Davidson County schools being as high as 50 percent.
"Nashville needs to be a city where families live," Dean said while Clement decried the rise in juvenile crime.
Both candidates agreed upon fully staffing the Metro police department.
Dean placed first emphasis on good schools and public safety and Clement expressed support for education and safety but said that Nashville should dream big.
"Music City-that's a big deal!" Clements exclaimed.
Both candidates supported mass transit. Dean mentioned his comprehensive plan for Bus Rapid Transit and Clement reminded the audience of the work he did in getting the Music City Star Commuter Train funding while in Congress.
Minority business ownership was also a topic covered during the debate. Dean shared his plan for helping minorities establish and run local businesses while Clement reported that 90% of business contracts go to white males, a trend he hopes to reverse.
According to Kraus, the idea for the debate the day after the Aug. 2 election closed and called the two mayoral campaigns about the Sept. 4 event.
Kraus said contacted Ann Marie Rizzo, director of the Institute of Government, who spoke with Johnson about holding it atthe Avon Williams campus.
A panel of community figures allowed two rounds of questions to the two candidates.
The panel included Oak Hill Mayor Tommy C. Alsup II; Lisa Karen Atkins, TSU legal counsel; Rubin Cockrell, academic dean of Strayer University; and, Joan Armour, a community activist.
Early voting ends Thursday, Sept. 6.
With the Sept. 11 runoff election less than week away, both candidates were eager to garner any last-minute support.
William H. Kraus, assistant professor of public administration at TSU's Institute of Government and Oak Hill city manager, served as the moderator as well as organizer for the event attended by more than 200.
Kraus said he thought was important that TSU students know, that young people "should get involved in the campaign."
Clement argued that the state of the city's public schools could be improved through better handling of funds and accountability while Dean focused on the drop-out rate in some Davidson County schools being as high as 50 percent.
"Nashville needs to be a city where families live," Dean said while Clement decried the rise in juvenile crime.
Both candidates agreed upon fully staffing the Metro police department.
Dean placed first emphasis on good schools and public safety and Clement expressed support for education and safety but said that Nashville should dream big.
"Music City-that's a big deal!" Clements exclaimed.
Both candidates supported mass transit. Dean mentioned his comprehensive plan for Bus Rapid Transit and Clement reminded the audience of the work he did in getting the Music City Star Commuter Train funding while in Congress.
Minority business ownership was also a topic covered during the debate. Dean shared his plan for helping minorities establish and run local businesses while Clement reported that 90% of business contracts go to white males, a trend he hopes to reverse.
According to Kraus, the idea for the debate the day after the Aug. 2 election closed and called the two mayoral campaigns about the Sept. 4 event.
Kraus said contacted Ann Marie Rizzo, director of the Institute of Government, who spoke with Johnson about holding it atthe Avon Williams campus.
A panel of community figures allowed two rounds of questions to the two candidates.
The panel included Oak Hill Mayor Tommy C. Alsup II; Lisa Karen Atkins, TSU legal counsel; Rubin Cockrell, academic dean of Strayer University; and, Joan Armour, a community activist.
Early voting ends Thursday, Sept. 6.
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