Metro District 18 Candidates Forum July 12!

From a flyer sent out on various listservs:

METRO COUNCIL
DISTRICT 18
CANDIDATES FORUM

Tuesday, July 12, 2011 @ 7:00 P.M.

Belmont United Methodist Church 2007 Acklen Ave.

Refreshments and Meet & Greet 6:30 p.m.

Hear from candidates Burkley Allen and David Glasgow

Neighbors who live or work in District 18 are invited to
email questions in advance for consideration to District18CandidatesForum@vanderbilt.edu
Question submission deadline: June 27th

The forum is sponsored by Belmont Hillsboro Neighbors,
Hillsboro West End Neighbors, Hillsboro Village
Merchants Association, Belmont University
and Vanderbilt University.

Meet Burkley June 15!

From a email blast sent out today:

Gary Bynum ▪ Bruce Carter ▪ Evans Donnell ▪ Mark Duren ▪ Gordan Gilbreath ▪ Jon Kaas ▪ Carole Kenner ▪ Barbara Martin ▪ Barbara Moutenot ▪ Ross Pepper ▪ Nathan Phillips ▪ Joe Prochaska ▪ Bill Ramsey ▪ Lisa Ramsey

invite you to a gathering of
friends and neighbors with

Burkley Allen
Candidate for Metro Council District 18

Wednesday, June 15
6:30 - 8pm
at the home of Bill & Lisa Ramsey
1711 Sweetbriar Avenue 37212

Meet Burkley. Share your ideas and concerns.
She wants to hear from you!

RSVP: info@Burkley.org or 974.7015

If you’d like to learn more about Burkley, please visit her website at www.Burkley.org. There, you can sign up to volunteer, view the Events Calendar, and donate to the Burkley for District 18 campaign.

Burkley Allen Campaign Kickoff Invite

From a campaign email blast:

Jan Bushing - Ginger Hausser - Ross Pepper - Bonnie Myers - Bill Myers - Jeanne Ballinger - Irwin Venick - Bill Ramsey - Barbara Moss - Tom Campbell - Joe Prochaska - John Teselle - Maria Teselle - Gary Bynum - Stephenie Dodson - Evans Donnell - Ann Donnell - Nancy Fullerton - Dan Raines - Evelyn Raines - Mark Denison - Laura Denison - Ron McNutt - Camille McNutt - Adam Hill - Emily Einstein - Sharan Martin - Tony Martin - Mike Zanolli - David Ettinger - Kitty Calhoun - Roy Gottfried - Mary Stevens - Kren Teren - George Teren - Madeline Bridges - David Bridges - Ann Roberts - Martin Strobel - Bruce Carter - Tania Carter - John Bradford - Marion Bradford - Cameron Phillips - Nathan Phillips - Chris McCain - Joyce Quirk - Preston Quirk - Mark Smith - Irish Park - Barbara Moutenot - Elizabeth Gilbreath - Gordon Gilbreath - Tim Richardson - Rita Richardson - Paula Jennings - Jan Jennings - Kate Mittelsdorf - Alan Mittelsdorf - Catherine Soudoplatoff - Fran Zinder - Melissa DuPuy

Invite you to join us for

Burkley Allen's Campaign Kick-Off
Candidate for Metro Council District 18
May 18, 2011
7 - 8:30pm

At the home of Barbara Moss and Tom Campbell
2707 Belmont Blvd
Nashville, TN 37212

Please RSVP to Joyce Quirk at jaycue@comcast.net.

If you’d like to donate to the Burkley for District 18 campaign, sign up to volunteer, or learn more about Burkley, please visit her website at www.burkley.org.

And please feel free to forward this invitation to your neighbors and friends!

Burkley Allen Enters District 18 Race

Here's this week's presser from Burkley Allen as she throws her hat in the ring for Metro Council:

Longtime neighborhood advocate Burkley Allen has filed with the Davidson County Election Commission as a candidate for the 18th District Metro Council seat in the Aug. 4 election.

“I am thrilled at the prospect of being a public servant in a vibrant progressive city like Nashville,” said Allen, 53, who has lived in the Hillsboro-West End neighborhood for 29 years. “District 18, with Nashville’s two oldest neighborhood organizations, two universities, and several thriving commercial districts, has benefited from the city’s growth and effective leadership.”

Allen has been considering running for council for several years. “I wanted to wait until my three children were grown and time could be devoted to the job,” she said. “With the recent redistricting, the residence where my husband Newton and I live was reassigned from the 25th district to the 18th district. With the seat open following Councilmember Kristine Lalonde’s decision not to seek re-election, I decided I wanted to run for this office now.”

Allen is an active member of the Hillsboro West End Neighborhood Association (HWEN) whose 25-year involvement with that group includes two terms as president in 1995-96 and 2005-08. She has also spearheaded more than 20 neighborhood annual tree planting events, and served as co-chair of the city-wide Vice Mayor’s task force that examined Metro’s sign ordinance in light of new LED technology.

Community committee work has included service on the Nashville Electric Service Citizen Advisory Committee for a high power wire project along I-440. Allen was also on the committee that gauged resident interest and then worked to institute a historic conservation zoning overlay.

She led the effort to downzone much of the area to RS to preserve the existing balance between single family homes and duplexes at a time when the housing bubble was encouraging the demolition of moderate size single family homes that are the backbone of this mid-town area. A winner of HWEN’s Betty Nixon Good Neighbor Award, Allen has worked closely with past and present council members in the 18th and adjacent districts on sidewalk installation, street-widening and many zoning issues.

“District 18 faces on-going challenges to direct growth in a smart way that preserves the character of the neighborhoods while allowing our businesses and institutions to thrive,” the mechanical engineer said. “The councilperson’s job is to create an environment of open communication so that stakeholders can hear all sides of the issue and work toward an acceptable compromise.

“I look forward to that challenge.”

For more information visit Burkley.org.

LaLonde Wins District 18 Seat

I came out of a play presented by Asolo Repertory Theatre in Sarasota, FL, turned on my cell phone and found out that Kristine LaLonde is the newest member of Metro Council.

Kristine's margin of victory increased in the runoff win over Stephenie Dodson from her March 26 tally. It's a no-brainer looking at the numbers to say that both times she was the clear choice of voters in District 18 -- though I'll never understand why so few residents turn out for these races when we're electing the representative that may have more to do with our everyday lives (traffic, parking, zoning, etc.) than any other political office, no matter who wins.

I strongly supported Stephenie, and I'm proud to have voted for her and to call her my friend. But I'm no Rush Limbaugh. Kristine is our new district councilmember and I want her to succeed. I wish her all the best as she prepares to take office.

Betty And Ginger For Stephenie

From scans of the latest Stephenie Dodson campaign mailer (click on the images to enlarge them):

Six Days To Go!

From an email sent out today:

To the good folks of District 18,
Early voting ends tomorrow and our Run-Off Election Day is just 6 days away! There’s not much time left in our campaign but there’s plenty to do.

Before getting to that, though, I want to say what a great time I had at the Belmont-Hillsboro Spring Cleanup. A lot of campaign folks joined with their friends and neighbors to collect and dispose of trash and other items, and the cookout at Brett Sheriff’s house afterward was wonderful! Thanks to all who participated in that great annual event.

EARLY VOTING ENDS SATURDAY!
If you can “bank your vote” by tomorrow that means you’ll be able (a) to not worry about getting to the polls to vote next Thursday and (b) be able to focus on getting your friends and neighbors to the polls that day instead. I don’t have to tell you that actually getting out the vote is what matters most!

You can go to the Metro Election Commission office which is on the first floor of the Metro Office Building at 800 Second Ave. South next to the old Howard School site that’s being renovated from 9AM to Noon on Saturday. After that, it’s on to Thursday for final balloting.

COUNTRY MUSIC MARATHON!
You’re probably just as excited as I am about the annual Country Music Marathon. I’ll be on Belmont Blvd. as the runners go through our area after their 7 AM start at Centennial Park. For more details on the race visit www.cmmarathon.com.

FINAL CANVASSING!
We’ve all been wearing out our shoes as we take our message of serving all of District 18 all the time to voters. Please join me for some final canvassing this weekend from 11 AM to 4 PM Saturday or 1 PM to 4 PM Sunday. We’ll meet at my house (3434 33rd Avenue South). Please let me know you’re coming by calling 582-8892 or emailing stephenie@stepheniedodson.com, or just show up!

PHONE BANKING!
We’ll be calling friends and neighbors from my house each night through Election Eve starting at 7 PM. If you could spare a few hours to help us reach out to others in the district that would be great. Just call or email me using the aforementioned contact info to let me know you’re coming and thanks in advance for helping us get the word out!

WE NEED YOU ONE MORE TIME NEXT THURSDAY!
We need your vote, but we also need your help one last time on April 30! Hold a sign at one of the district’s three polling places anytime from 7 AM to 7 PM. Give friends and neighbors a ride to a poll if they need it (let us know if you need one and we’ll be glad to arrange it). Call or email me to sign up for one last time!

COME TO BROWN’S DINER AFTER THE POLLS CLOSE!
Brown’s Diner (2102 Blair Blvd.) has been where we’ve gathered throughout this campaign. Join us Thursday after the polls close at 7 PM.

THANKS!
We’ve all put in a lot of hard work, and it’s been great talking to people about what they need from their next District 18 Metro Councilmember. I want to thank all of you once again for your support and efforts.

In just 6 days we’ll see the end of this campaign and the beginning of our work to make our district, and Nashville, stronger and better than ever. How exciting!

Warmest regards,
Stephenie Dodson
Working Hard For You
www.stepheniedodson.com

Come Early Vote On Saturday!

WHAT A BEAUTIFUL DAY...FOR VOTING!

It's quick, it's easy and it does your community good. Come with us on this beautiful Spring Saturday as we vote for Stephenie!

Where: Davidson County Election Commission, Metro Office Building, First Floor, 800 Second Ave. South (next to old Howard School building)

When: 9 AM to Noon tomorrow!

Bring your driver's license or voting registration card with you and vote to keep our progressive neighborhoods on the move!

If you need a ride, we'll be glad to provide! Email stephenie@stepheniedodson.com

Brenda Gilmore Will Moderate Forum

Michael Cass spreads the word that State Rep. Brenda Gilmore will be the moderator at Sunday's District 18 runoff candidate forum.

Stephenie Dodson: Yes on Permit Parking and Green Construction

From an email Stephenie Dodson sent out last night:

To the good folks of District 18,
There are about two weeks to go in our Metro Council District 18 Run-Off campaign. Our support continues to build and your efforts are the reason!

There are some important events coming up this week to remind you about. I need you out in force as we move forward to April 30. But first I want to briefly talk about two of the issues you’ve been talking to me about as I’ve gone through the district during this campaign.

PERMIT PARKING
I wholeheartedly support Residential Permit Parking. It’s quite simple – we should be able to park in front of our own homes. There is already a law that enables residents of any Metro district to enact permit parking. As your council member I will do all I can to make that law work for you. I’ll hold various district institutions’ feet to the fire on their use of employee & student parking so that residents don’t feel crowded out of their own streets.

GREEN LEADERSHIP
We can be proud of the fact that Vanderbilt University has been Nashville’s leader in green construction. As your council member I will continue to encourage renovators and developers to use green construction within the context of our conservation overlays. Sustainable building matters in our neighborhoods. Let’s continue to set the trend for our progressive city.

RUN-OFF CANDIDATE FORUM
The 18th District Special Election Run-Off Candidates’ Forum will be held on Sunday from 3 to 4 PM in the Eakin Elementary School Auditorium (2500 Fairfax Ave.). It’s sponsored by the Hillsboro-West End Neighborhood Association; Belmont-Hillsboro Neighbors; Hillsboro Village Merchants; Belmont University; and Vanderbilt University.

You can submit questions in advance at 18thdistrictforum@vanderbilt.edu through Thursday. You can also submit questions in writing at the forum until 2:55 p.m., which is five minutes before opening statements.

I need you to submit strong questions and attend this important event. It will be the last time the candidates come together to answer your questions before we decide who our next council member will be.

BELMONT-HILLSBORO CLEANUP DAY
Belmont-Hillsboro Neighborhood Spring Cleanup Day is this Saturday from 8 AM to 12 PM. I’m going to pitch in and I hope you will too.

The event involves a bulk cleanup as well as e-waste and household waste collection areas. The location is behind Helios Artglassworks rear parking lot (3108 Belmont Blvd.) For more details visit the Belmont-Hillsboro Neighbors, Inc. website at www.belmont-hillsboro.org.

EARLY VOTING CONTINUES
Early Voting continues at the Davidson County Election Commission offices (Metro Office Building, First Floor, 800 Second Ave. South) Friday through April 25:

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM

THURSDAY, APRIL 16: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM

FRIDAY, APRIL 17: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM

SATURDAY, APRIL 18: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

MONDAY, APRIL 20: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM

TUESDAY, APRIL 21: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM

THURSDAY, APRIL 23: 8:00 AM – 4:30 P.M.

FRIDAY, APRIL 24: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM

SATURDAY, APRIL 25: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

SIGN UP AND CONTRIBUTE TODAY!
We need your help as a volunteer and your contributions now more than ever. Getting our voter out to the polls is the key to victory on April 30. You can email me to volunteer at stephenie@stepheniedodson.com or visit my website (www.stepheniedodson.com) and click the “Volunteer” link at the top of the page to enter your information.

To contribute, click the “Donate” link on my home page or enter the following into your web browser:

http://www.campaignwindow.com/stepheniedodson/contribute/index.cfm?Fuseaction=contribute

Thanks for all you’ve done and all you’re doing! Just two more weeks until we take our collective voice to Metro Council!

Warmest regards,
Stephenie Dodson
Working For You
www.stepheniedodson.com

Stephenie Dodson's Latest Update

From an email sent out today by Stephenie Dodson:

To the good folks of District 18,

It’s been great hearing from and seeing so many of you during the first two weeks of the run-off campaign, and now it’s time to start voting! Your support means so much to me, and as we gear up for early voting I know our momentum is growing.

EARLY VOTING STARTS FRIDAY!
Early Voting starts at the Davidson County Election Commission offices (Metro Office Building, First Floor, 800 Second Ave. South) Friday and runs through April 25:

FRIDAY, APRIL 10: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
SATURDAY, APRIL 11: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

MONDAY, APRIL 13: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
TUESDAY, APRIL 14: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
THURSDAY, APRIL 16: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
FRIDAY, APRIL 17: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
SATURDAY, APRIL 18: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

MONDAY, APRIL 20: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
TUESDAY, APRIL 21: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
THURSDAY, APRIL 23: 8:00 AM – 4:30 P.M.
FRIDAY, APRIL 24: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
SATURDAY, APRIL 25: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

EARLY VOTING KICKOFF EVENT TONIGHT!
I hope you can join me at the home of Brett Sheriff (1504 Linden Ave.) tonight from 6 to 8 PM for an Early Voting Kickoff Event! And please invite your friends and neighbors to come and talk to me. Bring the children, as Brett will be grilling hot dogs. After all, I don’t need to “educate” you and your friends and neighbors on our district; I need to listen to all your needs and concerns and take them with me to Metro Council.

Former District 18 Councilmembers Betty Nixon and Ginger Hausser Pepper will be there in support of our campaign. They will be joined by other friends and neighbors including Burkley Allen, Bonnie & Bill Myers, Linda & Darrell Bengson, Melinda Newpher, Russanne Buchi-Forte’, Nancy & Mike Noland, Jan Bushing, Gary Bynum, Jon Norris, Ann & Evans Donnell, Ross Pepper, Mark & Diana Duren, Cameron & Nathan Phillips, Nancy Fullerton, Will Pinkston, Elizabeth Gilbreath, Abby Rubenfeld, Gill Geldreich & Glenn Swann, Lynne & John Shaw, Joe Kovalick & Sunday Camp, Sandra Shelton, Judy Locke, Sharan & Tony Martin, Laura & Eric Swanson, Wayne Morris and Bertha Walker.

RSVP to stephenie@stepheniedodson.com.

KEEP THE MOMENTUM GROWING!
Let’s keep the momentum growing! You know I’ll represent all of us all of the time. And you know I’ll take your voice to Metro Council, whether it’s the opposition to LED signs I wrote about in my Feb. 18 email message or the continuing crusade to make our Hillsboro Cluster schools the best they can be. We’re going to do great things together!

Warmest regards,
Stephenie Dodson
Working For You
www.stepheniedodson.com

P.S. Remember to “save the date”
18th District Metro Council Candidate Run-Off Forum
3 to 4 PM on Sunday, April 19
Eakin Elementary School Auditorium
Please come and invite as many people as you can!

Run-Off Forum in District 18!

From the Hillsboro-West End Neighborhood Association email list:

Please save the date
18th District Special Election Run-off
Candidates’ Forum
Sunday, April 19th at 3 p.m.
Eakin School Auditorium

Please attend the 18th District Council run-off election forum on
Sunday, April 19th at 3 p.m. at the Eakin School auditorium. This
event is sponsored by Hillsboro West End Neighborhood; Belmont
Hillsboro Neighbors; Hillsboro Village Merchants; Belmont University;
and Vanderbilt University.

Candidates Stephenie Dodson and Kristine LaLonde will discuss issues
of concern to the 18th district and Nashville. To submit a question,
please e-mail it to 18thdistrictforum@vanderbilt.edu by Thursday,
April 16th or you may submit questions at the forum up until to 2:55
p.m.

For additional information, please contact Mary Pat Teague at 322-8337
or marypat.teague@vanderbilt.edu.

UPDATE: A press release put out by Vandy today (April 8) says my former boss Howard Gentry will moderate the forum. I'll take that as a good omen, though I know he'll be fair and impartial as a moderator should!

Early Voting Kickoff Event This Thursday!

JOIN US FOR AN EARLY VOTING KICKOFF EVENT

Early voting starts April 10th & we're kicking it off with a
Dodson fund raising rally

Join us as we rally 'round Stephenie in a show of support

Stephenie will represent ALL of us ALL of the Time

 Thursday, April 9, 2009

6:00 PM - 8:00 PM 

 Home of Brett Sheriff

   1504 Linden Avenue

  Please invite your friends and neighbors to meet Stephenie and learn how she'll represent us in Metro Council 

 

HOSTS

Burkley Allen	Bonnie & Bill Myers
Linda & Darrell Bengson	Melinda Newpher
Russanne Buchi-Forte’	Nancy & Mike Noland
Jan Bushing	Betty Nixon
Gary Bynum	Jon Norris
Ginger Hausser Pepper & Ross Pepper	Ann & Evans Donnell
Mark & Diana Duren	Cameron & Nathan Phillips
Nancy Fullerton	Will Pinkston
Elizabeth Gilbreath	Abby Rubenfeld
Gill Geldreich & Glenn Swann	Lynne & John Shaw
Joe Kovalick & Sunday Camp	Sandra Shelton
Judy Locke	Brett Sheriff
Sharan & Tony Martin	Laura & Eric Swanson
Wayne Morris	Bertha Walker

RSVP

stephenie@stepheniedodson.com

Stephenie, David, John and District 18

Stephenie Dodson wants David Glasgow, John Ray Clemmons and the voters that supported them last Thursday to know that their priorities are also among hers. From a message she sent out today:

To the good folks of District 18,

Here’s an old adage you’ve probably heard – since we each have two ears and one mouth, we should listen twice as much as we talk. I’ve been listening to voters throughout the district during this campaign. I’ve also been listening to the other candidates.

It’s vital as a leader to know that’s it’s not just your ideas that are the only good ideas. When I read the thank you message David Glasgow sent to his supporters on Sunday, I was once again reminded of just how passionate and insightful David is about District 18 and Nashville.

He said in that letter he planned to ask me if I supported the measures he and his supporters have been concerned about. The answer to David is a resounding, “Yes!”

David and I agree these actions are among those that should be taken (and I’m basically quoting from David’s message for the following to show we’re in complete agreement on these matters):

-- Make our streets safer for walkers and bikers by adding crosswalks, at least at 21st and Bernard, Blair at Harris Teeter's back entrance, and two more along the south end of Belmont Blvd. The new crosswalk on Blakemore must also be made safer.

-- Clean up Love Circle for good by breaking through the bureaucratic impasse that keeps the area in limbo. Work with the neighbors to solve the new traffic and parking issues created by new development.

-- Improve traffic safety at Chesterfield/Fairfax by adding a traffic mirror added at the bend in the alley between there and the Continental.

-- Add parking along Magnolia. Institute 2 hour parking between 9am-4pm and longer parking available between 6pm-6am in the outer lanes. This would help merchants in the Village, provide places for more people to start their jog or walk and help visitors and Belmont students avoid residential streets.

-- Adopt the green space on the Brightwood overpass as a demonstration project. This requires gaining the necessary permissions from metro, state and federal agencies, inviting Civic Design Center staff to develop ideas for using this neglected space up to its full potential, and bringing together neighbors from the bordering neighborhoods to raise the funds and donate the time needed to put the plan into action. This could be used as an example of what can be done with other green spaces around our neighborhood and the city - including Love Circle.

-- Social issues. Our representative should take the lead on social issues that hurt Nashville's reputation and ability to attract new businesses and commerce. English Only was a huge waste of taxpayer dollars and time. Discrimination should not be tolerated in any guise.

-- Work with Metro Transit Authority to develop a pilot project to take people from residential neighborhoods to commercial districts from 6pm-2am on Thursday through Saturday nights.

John Ray Clemmons said the following when The Tennessean asked him for the top three things he’d want to do in District 18:

“We must support and strengthen our public schools. I also believe we should focus on parking and traffic issues that plague certain parts of our district. Permit parking is a solution that may not work everywhere, but if a residential street or neighborhood wants to enjoy their fundamental right to park in front of their own home, I will champion it. Also, there are improvements that can be made to make the district friendlier to bikers and pedestrians.”

I concur with those statements as well.

I salute the commitment to and the ideas for our district voiced by David, John and many others throughout our vibrant and diverse neighborhoods. Their causes are mine, theirs, yours and ours. What an exciting future we’ll have in District 18 and Nashville as we work to make these ideas realities!

Warmest regards,

Stephenie Dodson
Working For You
www.stepheniedodson.com

A Run-off Forum For District 18

That's what Stephenie Dodson and others want. Even if I wasn't one of her supporters I'd agree. She notes the "unfiltered" nature of such live encounters in a statement today. As someone who witnessed many such events during the last mayoral campaign, I concur that it's a good chance to size up the candidates without the filters that polished campaign materials and messages possess.

Here's the text of the email she sent out this afternoon:

To the good folks of District 18,

As I’ve gone through our neighborhoods talking with residents one thing is clear – the people here care deeply about the direction in which we take District 18 and Nashville. They’ve got needs and concerns they want government leaders to know about. They have questions they want answered.

There were two terrific candidate forums with the four people on last week’s Metro Council District 18 special election ballot. In those forums residents got to hear from each of us and ask questions. They also got to talk to us one-on-one before and after each forum.

Now Kristine LaLonde and I are in the April 30 run-off to decide who will represent you as we deal with budget, safety, education and other important matters in the challenging years ahead. I’ve already heard from many people across District 18 that want the chance to see us both in another forum now that the final candidate slate has been decided.

I think that’s an excellent idea. I’m ready to meet Kristine anytime, anywhere to discuss and debate the issues that matter to you. I’m ready to answer the questions you want to ask in a public, unfiltered setting where you can see us “in action” and decide for yourself who will best serve your needs in Metro Council.

Let’s get this done to give all residents the chance to assess the two of us before casting their final ballots. Early voting begins April 10, so we should have our forum as soon as possible.

Together we’re going to make our wonderful district and city the best it can be!

Warmest regards,
Stephenie Dodson
Working For You
www.stepheniedodson.com

Stephenie Dodson: The Real Work Begins Now

Here's the message Stephenie Dodson sent out today:

WE’RE IN THE METRO COUNCIL DISTRICT 18 RUN-OFF ON APRIL 30
Thank you so much for all you’ve done to get our campaign this far. I wasn’t the first to enter this race, and we didn’t spend the most money. But our message about schools and neighborhoods certainly gave us a strong run in the backstretch. Now we’ve got the momentum as we make the turn for home! Visit www.stepheniedodson.com and get involved with our campaign.

NOW FOR THE RUN-OFF
The real work getting our message out begins now.

With the run-off on Thursday, April 30th, early voting will start less than two weeks from now. Our opponent, Kristine LaLonde, has run a first-rate campaign and is well-financed.

I welcome the supporters of David Glasgow and John Ray Clemmons to join our campaign. These two fine candidates ran good campaigns, and the issues they talked about matter. I want those of you who supported them to know that your needs and concerns will be voiced in council chambers along with those of other district residents.

We need to continue telling voters that our neighborhood experience is unique in this race. As I’ve said before, people can tout their professional or party political resumes, but I’m the only candidate who’s lived here and worked for our district concerns for more than two decades. My track record on issues that matter to District 18 is clear and extensive. That’s why the Nashville Neighborhood Defense Fund endorsed our campaign.

Also, there is absolutely no employment conflict of interest on matters that would be part of my duties as Councilperson. The after-care program I work for is funded by parents. I don’t work for a major institution in this district. It’s not just about recusing yourself from occasional council votes about Belmont; it’s about being able to work effectively on a weekly basis with the university and neighbors about issues like traffic, parking and the Institutional Overlay. These issues affect many neighbors daily. To effectively work with the universities and neighbors, you need a Councilperson who does not have to worry about their employer. I can represent all of us all the time.

WHAT YOU CAN DO NOW
Contribute money! I know times are tough. But every little bit you can give – $5, $10, $15 and so on – will have a great impact on our ability to get our message out over the next month. Please go to the Donate page on my website. Every dollar is greatly appreciated!

Volunteer! We’re going to be knocking on more doors and continuing to spread the word! Help us with that or the other vital tasks we’ll undertake during this run-off. Call me at 582-8892 or email me at Stephenie@stepheniedodson.com to sign up today!

THANKS TO ONE AND ALL!
There have been many great folks who’ve been alongside me as I visited with voters across this great District 18, including former District 18 Metro Councilmember Ginger Hausser Pepper who has been a great source of support and encouragement to me in the race. Thank all of you for believing in me and in our campaign!

Folks, it’s this simple – I haven’t, and can’t, do it without you. I need you once again in this run-off, and then I need you alongside me as I go to Metro Council. Thanks again for all you’ve done and all you will do, including voting for Dodson on April 30!

Warmest regards,
Stephenie Dodson
Working Hard For You
www.stepheniedodson.com

UPDATE: The Davidson County Election Commission already has the sample ballot with early voting schedule up on its website. Early voting begins April 10 and ends April 25.

Stephenie Dodson in the Run-off!

The votes are in and Stephenie Dodson is in the Metro Council District 18 run-off! As she thanked jubilant supporters at Brown's Diner tonight, she noted, "The work begins now."

Indeed it does. While Metro mayoral runoffs have always gone to the candidate who finished first on Election Day, that's apparently not always been true of council run-offs. It will be interesting to see how the vote breaks down April 30.

Here are the unofficial results (first numbers are Election Day votes; second numbers are early and absentee votes):

Kristine LaLonde: 403 + 80 = 483
Stephenie Dodson: 283 + 49 = 332
David Glasgow: 239 + 62 = 301
John Ray Clemmons: 86 + 22 = 108

The 1,224 who cast ballots in the race represent about 11.1 percent of the district's registered voters. A low turnout, but not too surprising in a special election.

UPDATE: The Davidson County Election Commission has now posted updated figures that include one more vote for LaLonde and four-write in votes:

Unofficial Election Results - March 26, 2008
Special Election Council District 18

Registered Voters: 11,096
Voter Turnout: 11.09%

Candidate Name: Election Day + Absentee/PV + Early + FS = Total

John Ray Clemmons: 86 + 6 + 16 + 0 = 108
Stephenie Dodson: 283 + 5 + 44 + 0 = 332
David Glasgow: 239 + 6 + 56 + 0 = 301
Kristine Lalonde: 403 + 11 + 70 + 0 = 484
WRITE-IN: 4 + 0 + 0 + 0 = 4
Totals 1,015 + 28 + 187 + 0 = 1,230

Stephenie Dodson on NewsChannel5+

Nashville Neighborhood Defense Fund Backs Dodson in 18th District Race

The Nashville Neighborhood Defense Fund is backing Stephenie Dodson in the March 26 Metro Council District 18 special election. Here are the releases from the candidate and the NNDF:

NASHVILLE NEIGHBORHOOD DEFENSE FUND
ENDORSES STEPHENIE DODSON

(NASHVILLE, March 9) -- Stephenie Dodson has received the endorsement of the Nashville Neighborhood Defense Fund in the March 26 special election for the Metro Council District 18 seat.

"I'm honored and humbled to receive the Nashville Neighborhood Defense Fund's endorsement," Dodson said. "Like them, I know our diverse and vibrant neighborhoods are the backbone of our great city. I won't forget that when I'm serving District 18 on Metro Council."

More on Dodson can be found at www.stepheniedodson.com. Early voting for the March 26 contest began Friday and goes through March 21 at the Metro Nashville Election Commission office (800 Second Ave. South).

The full text of the NNDF's announcement release is below:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For Additional Information
Contact Lane Easterly
At (615) 957-0969

NEIGHBORHOOD DEFENSE FUND
ENDORSES DODSON IN 18TH DISTRICT

The Nashville Neighborhood Defense Fund has endorsed Stephenie Dodson for Metro CounciL in the 18th District Special Election.

"There are four well-qualified candidates in the 18th District race, but only one, Stephenie Dodson, has a proven track record of neighborhood involvement," said Lane Easterly, Treasurer of the NNDF.

"The support was overwhelming among our members for Stephenie’s candidacy," continued Easterly, "her 22 years of involvement with neighborhood and school issues gives her a knowledge and depth of experience in the 18th District that none of the other candidates match. She is clearly THE neighborhood candidate."

"Our neighborhoods are concerned about incompatible development, about better schools, about better police and fire protection, about improved services, about historic preservation, and many related issues," said Burkley Allen of the Hillsboro-West End neighborhood. "We can trust Stephenie to represent the wishes of the residents and neighborhoods, because she’s worked on these issues for 22 years and she’s been active in our neighborhood association."

"I believe Stephenie will make an excellent Council representative," said Ginger Hausser Pepper of the Belmont-Hillsboro neighborhood. "She’s been active in the community for years. She’s a tireless supporter of our public schools, served on the Eakin PTA Board for years where her children attended school. She was instrumental in helping preserve Eakin School as a founding member of the Friends of Eakin and through our conservation overlay. She’s knows the issues; she knows the neighborhoods; she will represent the wishes of the community."

The Nashville Neighborhood Defense Fund is a group of neighborhood activists whose goal is to support candidates for office who are committed to protecting and preserving Nashville’s neighborhoods. The NNDF is not directly affiliated with any other organization or neighborhood association. Our members are active in their neighborhood associations and related organizations. Many serve in leadership roles.

Neighborhoods represented in the NNDF include:
Belle Meade
Belmont-Hillsboro
Cliffdale
Cherokee Park
Curreywood
Dodson Chapel/Central Pike
Donelson Hills
Edgehill
Edgefield
Germantown
Glencliff
Hermitage Hills
Hermitage Meadows
Hillsboro-West End
Jefferson St./ D.B. Todd
Kenner Manor
Lake Park
Lockeland Springs
Nashboro Woods
Priest Lake
Richland-West End
Salemtown
South Nashville
Stanford Estates
Sylvan Park
12South
Warner Park
White Bridge Road
Whitland
Woodland-in-Waverly
Woodlawn West

-end-

The Voting Begins

I was only the sixth person to cast a ballot when I voted for Stephenie Dodson down at the Metro Nashville Election Commission shortly before 12:30 PM today. It's the first day of early voting for the March 26 special election where Dodson and three other candidates are vying to succeed Keith Durbin as District 18 representative on the Metro Council.

When our district last had a contested council race, it was between two people on a August 1999 general election ballot that also featured a wide-open mayor's contest. Despite the intense interest in the overall election there were only about 1,000 district residents that voted in the race between Ginger Hausser and Jayne Gordon. Hausser won by a mere 10 votes. It's hard therefore to expect a big turnout for this race when it's a special election, despite the strong field of four candidates.

Early voting goes through March 21. If no candidate gets 50 percent plus one vote on March 26 then the top two finishers will square off in a April 30 run-off to decide the issue.