Podcasts about metro government

Dr. Isaac Addae, the Small and Minority business liaison with the Metro Government of Davidson County, discusses his own journey and the support he receives from family and community. Dr. Addae also talks about his role with Metro and the diverse responsibilities he has in supporting the business community. He offers advice to young business founders on the importance of moving with intention and allowing the journey to unfold organically. He encourages individuals to lean into their purpose and be unapologetic about pursuing greatness.

Solutions to Violence features Bonnie Jean Feldkamp, Eleanor McCrary and Connor Giffin. Before becoming a member of the Louisville Courier-Journal staff, Bonnie Jean Feldkamp served on the Cincinnati Enquirer's editorial board and was the Media Director for the National Society of Newspaper Columnists. Bonnie Jean is also an award-winning syndicated columnist. Eleanor McCrary is a native of St. Louis, Missouri, and is the Metro Government reporter for the Courier Journal. She recently received her master's degree in investigative and data journalism at the University of Missouri. Before working at USA TODAY as a climate fact-check fellow, Eleanor worked at the Courier Journal as a news intern. Connor Giffin is an environmental reporter for The Courier Journal and a corps member with Report for America, a national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on under-covered issues.

Our host Lyndon Pryor, Interim LUL President & CEO, is joined by Ben Johnson Jr, Assistant Director of Recreation for Louisville Parks and Recreation. Johnson shares the vital role parks and recreation play in the community, his love of cooking, and how his time at Florida A&M University helped shape him into the man he is today. Johnson is committed to serving youth in the community, having previously served as the Assistant Director of Youth Development for Metro Government. He was recently named a BMe Genius Fellow for his service as a mentor to young Black men and innovative programming for Louisville youth. Johnson also serves as President of the Education First Foundation which hosts the Showcase of HBCU, the second largest college fair in Kentucky and the only one dedicated to Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

Early voting begins 20 days before an election and typically ends 5 days before Election Day.  Translated to the current election for Nashville Mayor and other local runoff elections, that means early voting started August 25th and will run until September 9th, with Election Day being September 14th. In the general election, which took place on Thursday, August 3rd,  101,245 votes were cast.  Councilmember O'Connell garnered 27,470 votes, or 27.13%, while Alice Rolli placed 2nd with 17,186 votes, which was good for 20.21% of the total vote.  But, with no candidate earning more than 50% + 1 of the total votes cast, Nashville now heads to a runoff election to decide who will become Music City's 10th mayor (since the consolidation of the Metro Government in 1963!). Both Alice Rolli and Freddie O'Connell joined Climbing the Charts as mayoral candidates – Freddie in October 2022 (when the field was small and many assumed Mayor Cooper would seek a second term and would be a formidable incumbent), and then Alice in April 2023 (after the field had greatly expanded after Mayor Cooper announced he would NOT seek a second term) - and were some of our most memorable guests on Season 1 and Season 2 of the show.  With a new introduction to frame the race, Climbing the Charts is now re-releasing those episodes as Nashville goes to the polls to elect a new mayor!  The stakes are high, and we believe these long-form interviews present one of the very best ways to access the thoughts, beliefs, decision-making qualities, and personalities of these two very smart, highly educated, and dynamic leaders that are now seeking to become Music City's next mayor.

Early voting begins 20 days before an election and typically ends 5 days before Election Day.  Translated to the current election for Nashville Mayor and other local runoff elections, that means early voting started August 25th and will run until September 9th, with Election Day being September 14th. In the general election, which took place on Thursday, August 3rd,  101,245 votes were cast.  Councilmember O'Connell garnered 27,470 votes, or 27.13%, while Alice Rolli placed 2nd with 17,186 votes, which was good for 20.21% of the total vote.  But, with no candidate earning more than 50% + 1 of the total votes cast, Nashville now heads to a runoff election to decide who will become Music City's 10th mayor (since the consolidation of the Metro Government in 1963!). Both Alice Rolli and Freddie O'Connell joined Climbing the Charts as mayoral candidates – Freddie in October 2022 (when the field was small and many assumed Mayor Cooper would seek a second term and would be a formidable incumbent), and then Alice in April 2023 (after the field had greatly expanded after Mayor Cooper announced he would NOT seek a second term) - and were some of our most memorable guests on Season 1 and Season 2 of the show.  With a new introduction to frame the race, Climbing the Charts is now re-releasing those episodes as Nashville goes to the polls to elect a new mayor!  The stakes are high, and we believe these long-form interviews present one of the very best ways to access the thoughts, beliefs, decision-making qualities, and personalities of these two very smart, highly educated, and dynamic leaders that are now seeking to become Music City's next mayor.

Climbing the Charts sat down with Vivian Wilhoite, a former two-term member of the Metro Council (District 29) and current Assessor of Property for Davidson County (since 2016).  And on April 28th, 2023, she formally announced that she would be auditioning for her biggest role yet:  Mayor of Music City.    Among the top ten candidates vying to become Nashville's 10th mayor since the consolidation of the Metro Government in 1963, Vivian is now one of FOUR African-American women candidates.  If elected, Vivian would become the first African-American mayor of Music City, and only the second woman.  Vivian has been a trailblazer since, at the encouragement of her cousin Homer R. Wheaton - aka, “Uncle Homer" - she arrived in Nashville from Gulfport, Mississippi to attend college at Tennessee State University (TSU).   Vivian tells us her story of how she got a start in a real estate career – first as a real estate appraiser with the Tennessee Regulatory Authority (TRA), where she would become Chief of the Consumer Services Division, to her current role as the head of a team of 87 professionals at the Office of the Assessor of Property—a government services division that would be selected as a finalist for the Nashville Business Journal's “Best of Business” awards in 2022.  This episode will be of particular interest to anyone who wants to gain a deep(er) understanding of property values and property taxes in Davidson County.  Vivians explains what her office does, how it differs from the role of the Davidson Country Trustee, and explains how her office's role interplays with state law, including “equalization,” as well as the roles of the Mayor and Metro Council in the overall process (a fascinatingly complex process that few people, including even many “experts,” do not fully understand!).    Lastly, Vivian reveals her personal side, including her love of various types of music, shares some her personal and professional accomplishments, and tells us about the wells from which she derives much of her energy and motivation.  With the release of this episode, Climbing the Charts concludes its conversations with the top ten (10) candidates vying to become Nashville's next mayor in 2023.  If you or someone you know is trying to decide who to vote for, please pass along the recommendation to listen to our conversations in a long-form format that gets beneath the surface and sound bites and provides a more real, 3D, way to get to know the candidates.

On this very special episode of Climbing the Climbs, we are joined by John Cooper, Music City's 9th Mayor (since the consolidation of the Metro Government in 1963).  One of the few things Mayor Cooper's champions and critics can both agree on is that he served a term that was almost Biblical in nature.  His first week on the job, the city was threatened with receivership by the State of Tennessee.  And, that fact is almost forgotten because of shadows cast by subsequent events:  the worst global pandemic in a century and one that caused him to shut down the city,  the most destructive tornado the city has ever experienced, a Christmas Day bombing that 2nd Avenue still hasn't recovered from 3 years later, and an almost existential threat posed by a supermajority Republican General Assembly.  And then there was the Covenant school shooting that captured the attention of the nation and the world. Mayor Cooper offers a candid take on the most challenging events he confronted as Mayor, telling us that it's “actually very inspiring to be a mayor when you have these kinds of challenges because people really come together.”  Mayor Cooper believes one of his greatest legacies will be his financial stewardship as the CEO of Music City.  He describes the status of Nashville's finances, when he first took office after a reluctant decision to run for Mayor, as “broke” but “disguising its broke-ness through several deceptive budget practices.”  Even some of Cooper's harshest critics will have to concede some points as he offers strong empirical support for his record, which includes dramatically raising funding for public education, creating a living wage for Metro employees, and turning around the city's credit rating.  Mayor Cooper also offers a master class in negotiations by walking us thru the salient details of the Titans Stadium deal, explaining why critics of the stadium deal are simply wrong—or worse, engaging in all all too popular cynicism in their often deceptive attacks on the deal which he says will pave the way for Nashville's “biggest next chapter.” Mayor Cooper explains what qualities Nashvillians should seek out when selecting our next mayor, and explains some of the aspects of being mayor that many may not fully appreciate or fully understand.  Finally, Mayor Cooper offers some truly fascinating insights and concluding thoughts about his beloved city's past, present, and future, including why he thinks Music City is poised to be the “human connection capital in America.”  That theme was, and is, the driving inspiration for the Climbing the Charts podcast, and we can't wait for our listeners to hear Mayor Cooper's thoughts on the subject. 

On this week's Sustainability Now!, your host, Justin Mog, catches up with Sumedha Rao, who has recently been appointed Director of Louisville Metro Government's Office of Sustainability. When Mayor Greenberg set up his new administration, he elevated the Office of Sustainability back into the Mayor's office, reporting through Deputy Mayor Barbara Sexton-Smith. Listen in to hear about the progress being made in sustainability across Metro Government and the city as a whole! Sumedha has a background in urban sustainability, environmental policy, and green building in the United States and India. In 2022, Sumedha was named a Future Leader by the Aspen Institute, among 100 climate leaders in North America under the age of 30. Sumedha holds a master's degree in Sustainability Science from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, a bachelor's degree in Environmental Science from St. Joseph's College in India, and a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED AP, accreditation. Learn more at http://louisvilleky.gov/sustainability Find out about Solar Over Louisville at http://100percentlou.com/2040 Listen to the April 21, 2023 Mayor's Earth Day Town Hall at https://soundcloud.com/wfmp-forward-radio/truth-to-power-mayors-earth-day-town-hall-april-21-2023?in=wfmp-forward-radio/sets/truth-to-power As always, our feature is followed by your community action calendar for the week, so get your calendars out and get ready to take action for sustainability NOW! Sustainability Now! is hosted by Dr. Justin Mog and airs on Forward Radio, 106.5fm, WFMP-LP Louisville, every Monday at 6pm and repeats Tuesdays at 12am and 10am. Find us at http://forwardradio.org The music in this podcast is courtesy of the local band Appalatin and is used by permission. Explore their delightful music at http://appalatin.com

Attorney General Merrick Garland came to Louisville to deliver the findings of a 2 year investigation of the Louisville Metro Police Department and Metro Government after the death of Breonna Taylor.In this episode, we take a look at some of the findings and the recommendations spelled out in the Consent Decree. I also have a conversation with Louisville Mayor , Craig Greenberg and LMPD Chief Jaqueline Gwinn - Villaroel about the impact the investigation and findings will have on the city and the police department. You can now see the video version of the podcast at "GunnShots: The Video Clips"Make sure you check us out on "Live In Louisville" on 104.7 WLOU Radio. We stream live at www.wloufm.com.

Attorney General Merrick Garland came to Louisville to deliver the findings of a 2 year investigation of the Louisville Metro Police Department and Metro Government after the death of Breonna Taylor.In this episode, we take a look at some of the findings and the recommendations spelled out in the Consent Decree. I also have a conversation with Louisville Mayor , Craig Greenberg and LMPD Chief Jaqueline Gwinn - Villaroel about the impact the investigation and findings will have on the city and the police department. You can now see the video version of the podcast at "GunnShots: The Video Clips"Make sure you check us out on "Live In Louisville" on 104.7 WLOU Radio. We stream live at www.wloufm.com.

This week on Sustainability Now!, your host, Justin Mog, sits down for a chat with Brent Fryrear, a long-time champion of sustainability who wears many hats in Louisville. He has served as the Director of the Partnership for a Green City (http://partnershipforagreencity.org) since its founding in 2004. The Partnership is a sustainability collaboration between the four largest public institutions in Louisville: Metro Government, University of Louisville, Jefferson County Public Schools, and Jefferson Community & Technical College. Listen in and learn about what it is like to wrangle so many cats. We'll also hear Brent's thoughts on the new leadership in both Metro Government and the University of Louisville, where Brent chairs the university-wide Sustainability Council's Planning & Administration Committee. We also discuss Brent's experience teaching Sustainability courses at UofL, working with his new TA, Robin Frederick (Forward Radio's former station manager!), and developing a SUST 101 Dual Credit program with JCPS. As always, our feature is followed by your community action calendar for the week, so get your calendars out and get ready to take action for sustainability NOW! Sustainability Now! is hosted by Dr. Justin Mog and airs on Forward Radio, 106.5fm, WFMP-LP Louisville, every Monday at 6pm and repeats Tuesdays at 12am and 10am. Find us at http://forwardradio.org The music in this podcast is courtesy of the local band Appalatin and is used by permission. Explore their delightful music at http://appalatin.com

Judge David Holton discusses the Department of Justice's investigation into the high number of people with mental health issues in Jefferson County that seem to be being left behind by Metro government and the possibility that the issues violate the Americans with Disabilities Act...

Adria embodies hope, integrity, humanity & has focused her career on lifting some of society's most vulnerable populations & being of service to others. She is a dedicated & well-respected servant leader with more than 26 yrs. of hands-on experience in both the public/private sectors. Her proven ability to lead efforts toward reform & work collaboratively across a wide range of stakeholders has served her well in her current position of Chief Impact Officer for Metro United Way and prior roles held in KY. State Govt. & Lou. Metro Govt. Her leadership has been instrumental in bringing about expanded service provision in many areas, including neighborhood revitalization supports, preventive services for children & youth at risk of abuse or neglect, comprehensive services for children & youth with greater behavioral & developmental needs, employment opportunities for youth aging out of foster care, & dev. of workforce opportunities for social services disciplines. Also, Adria has stood at the forefront & led & supported efforts to address racial disparities & equity concerns within the populations served in child welfare. Before joining Metro United Way, Adria served as Commissioner & Deputy Commissioner of the Ky. Dept. for Community-Based Services. Before joining state govt. Ms. Johnson held key roles in Lou. Metro Government ranging from Capital Planning Analyst in the Office of Mgt. & Budget to Acting Dir. of the Dept. of Community Services & Revitalization. Adria's strong fiscal experience was gained in various roles held in the private sector for the 1st half of her career at Humana, LG&E & Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corporation. She completed her undergraduate studies at Ball St. Univ. & completed several post-graduate courses from the Univ. of Lou. She is ALSO a published author, having published a book of poetry in 2004. Adria is a native of Lou. & has 2 children, a daughter named is Brenlie & a son named Kenneth (but she has called him KJ since birth-(hey I kind of like those initials…wink), & 2 precious grandchildren-a grandson named Kye, & a granddaughter named is Amerie.

We'll begin our program sharing war stories from Lao veterans who fought in the secret war. We'll also discuss AB1393, an effort to include Lao history and cultural studies in CA's K-12 curriculum, starting a fish sauce business, and "nung pee"—Lao horror films with the only female film director in Laos. The evening will end with a special performance by Lookthung/Morlam Esan singer Tookta.  Meet the Speakers Lao Secret War Veterans: David Phommavong is a father, husband and the son of a Secret War veteran, the late Keoson Phommavong of SGU Scorpion Unit. Co Founder of Laotian American National Voice (LAN-V), Co Chair of LAN-V Secret War Veteran's Benefit, and Lao Global Heritage Alliance Board of Director. David is an advocate and a community activist. David and his wife have a private charity Nourish Lao Children where they provide financial / educational support to impoverished children in Lao PDR. Chantho Vorasarn, former Royal LAO Armed Forces Major (1972), 11 year POW (1975-1986) after US pull out from VN and communist took over Laos. Fled to to Thailand in 1986 and resettled in the USA in August 1987 (St.Petersburg, FL). Retired High School Teacher in 2013 and presently residing in Pinellas Park Florida as Chairman of the Board of Director of the LAO Arts and Cultural Foundation of Florida, Inc. and Associate Director of the United Royal LAO Armed Forces & Special Guerrillas Units Veterans, Inc. (URLAF&SGU). Vice Chair of Laotian American National Voice, Secret War Veteran's Benefits Subcommittee. Medd Rattana married two children, three grand children. Residence,Dallas Texas. Retired from Insurance & Financial services. Graduated, Saint-Cyr (French Military Academy). Ex Royal Lao Army Major. Infantry battalion and GM(brigade) commander. Liaison Officer @ US Allied Officer's Training School. Graduate: Us Army Airborne-Ranger Course. Advanced Artillery's Officers School. Current Chairman,BD Lao American Senior Mutual Assistance,Inc. Past chairman BD Wat Lao Siri Buddhavas of Dallas. Vice Chair of Laotian American National Voice, Secret War Veteran's Benefits Subcommittee. Khambang Sibounheaung joined the Royal Army in 1960. In 1961 he was recruited into the Secret War, where he was wounded twice, captured and spent 8 months in hard prison 1964. He immigrated to USA in December 1975, where he spent 4 years teaching World Cultural, worked 15 Years worked for Metro Government in Nashville as Court Officer, spent 11 Years With Tennessee Military Department as LTC TNSG As a Battalions Commander, and 5 years with NUSC as Major General. He was promoted to Lieutenant General in 2013 By Admiral Carlos Martinez. He is a member of the RLA Committees since 2006. Additional Speakers Alex Sirivath - Founder & CEO of Sirivath Corporation (Ninja Foods) Bobbie Oudinarath - Founding member and the Communications Director for Lao Advocacy Organization of San Diego (LAOSD) Tookta - Musician In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are currently hosting all of our live programming via YouTube live stream. This program was recorded via video conference on April 16th, 2021 by the Commonwealth Club of California. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We'll begin our program sharing war stories from Lao veterans who fought in the secret war. We'll also discuss AB1393, an effort to include Lao history and cultural studies in CA's K-12 curriculum, starting a fish sauce business, and "nung pee"—Lao horror films with the only female film director in Laos. The evening will end with a special performance by Lookthung/Morlam Esan singer Tookta.  Meet the Speakers Lao Secret War Veterans: David Phommavong is a father, husband and the son of a Secret War veteran, the late Keoson Phommavong of SGU Scorpion Unit. Co Founder of Laotian American National Voice (LAN-V), Co Chair of LAN-V Secret War Veteran's Benefit, and Lao Global Heritage Alliance Board of Director. David is an advocate and a community activist. David and his wife have a private charity Nourish Lao Children where they provide financial / educational support to impoverished children in Lao PDR. Chantho Vorasarn, former Royal LAO Armed Forces Major (1972), 11 year POW (1975-1986) after US pull out from VN and communist took over Laos. Fled to to Thailand in 1986 and resettled in the USA in August 1987 (St.Petersburg, FL). Retired High School Teacher in 2013 and presently residing in Pinellas Park Florida as Chairman of the Board of Director of the LAO Arts and Cultural Foundation of Florida, Inc. and Associate Director of the United Royal LAO Armed Forces & Special Guerrillas Units Veterans, Inc. (URLAF&SGU). Vice Chair of Laotian American National Voice, Secret War Veteran's Benefits Subcommittee. Medd Rattana married two children, three grand children. Residence,Dallas Texas. Retired from Insurance & Financial services. Graduated, Saint-Cyr (French Military Academy). Ex Royal Lao Army Major. Infantry battalion and GM(brigade) commander. Liaison Officer @ US Allied Officer's Training School. Graduate: Us Army Airborne-Ranger Course. Advanced Artillery's Officers School. Current Chairman,BD Lao American Senior Mutual Assistance,Inc. Past chairman BD Wat Lao Siri Buddhavas of Dallas. Vice Chair of Laotian American National Voice, Secret War Veteran's Benefits Subcommittee. Khambang Sibounheaung joined the Royal Army in 1960. In 1961 he was recruited into the Secret War, where he was wounded twice, captured and spent 8 months in hard prison 1964. He immigrated to USA in December 1975, where he spent 4 years teaching World Cultural, worked 15 Years worked for Metro Government in Nashville as Court Officer, spent 11 Years With Tennessee Military Department as LTC TNSG As a Battalions Commander, and 5 years with NUSC as Major General. He was promoted to Lieutenant General in 2013 By Admiral Carlos Martinez. He is a member of the RLA Committees since 2006. Additional Speakers Alex Sirivath - Founder & CEO of Sirivath Corporation (Ninja Foods) Bobbie Oudinarath - Founding member and the Communications Director for Lao Advocacy Organization of San Diego (LAOSD) Tookta - Musician In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are currently hosting all of our live programming via YouTube live stream. This program was recorded via video conference on April 16th, 2021 by the Commonwealth Club of California. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Congressman John Yarmuth discussed the impending DOJ investigation into LMPD and Metro Government, the results of the census and how they could effect national politics, and the aspects of the President's Infrastructure Bill that he still needs to sell to the public...

Congressman John Yarmuth discussed the impending DOJ investigation into LMPD and Metro Government, the results of the census and how they could effect national politics, and the aspects of the President's Infrastructure Bill that he still needs to sell to the public...

This week on the Truth to Power Happy Hour, we gather around the microphones at the end of the week for an important conversation about the Land Development Code (LDC) reform process, land access, enforcement, systemic racism, and environmental justice with LeTicia Marshall (Shively), Katheryn (Russell) & Lisa Santos (Irish Hill) from the newly formed Citizens' Coalition for LDC Reform. These citizens are organizing to hold the city accountable when it comes to equitable enforcement of codes, and equitably addressing issues such as tree canopy declining, carbon footprint, and the urban heat island effect. Many are concerned that the city is pointing to racial equity as a Trojan horse, not the true motivation to reform the land development code. Citizens have a voice and we should be the driving force for how our neighborhoods look and feel. We also discuss what is community? What does it mean to rebuild or build a community? Find the Citizen’s Coalition 4 LDC Reform at https://www.facebook.com/groups/751609232424548/ Contact them at citizenscoalition4ldcreform@gmail.com Join them for their next community conversation on Tuesday, March 16th at 5:30pm on Zoom at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87960167624?pwd=d0taS3o0RmZyWkp0YW5NbHQxZ0Jjdz09&fbclid=IwAR1HVUz8W8oUml5Ra1nCW4kqKnI8hUfBXNePrMdIIx69suyPrefwCKmoxH8#success Meeting ID: 879 6016 7624 Passcode: 580181 One tap mobile +13126266799,,87960167624# US (Chicago) Or join by phone at 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) To learn more about the Land Development Code reform process and see Metro Government’s recommendations, visit http://www.louisvilleky.gov/ldcreform. On Truth to Power each week, we gather Forward Radio programmers and friends to discuss the state of the world, the nation, the state, and the city! It's a community conversation like you won't hear anywhere else! Truth to Power airs every Friday at 9pm, Saturday at 11am, and Sunday at 4pm on Louisville's grassroots, community radio station, Forward Radio 106.5fm WFMP and live streams at http://forwardradio.org The music in this podcast is courtesy of the local band Appalatin and is used by permission. Explore their delightful music at http://appalatin.com

Courier Journal reporter Tessa Duvall called to discuss her story about claims made by Breonna Taylor's lawyer. Her lawyer claims Taylor's death was ultimately due to a gentrification project by the Metro government, which led to the No Knock warrant, and her shooting...

Courier Journal reporter Tessa Duvall called to discuss her story about claims made by Breonna Taylor's lawyer. Her lawyer claims Taylor's death was ultimately due to a gentrification project by the Metro government, which led to the No Knock warrant, and her shooting...

The Louisville Pride Foundation (LPF) and Mayor Greg Fischer meet for a virtual “Community Conversation” on COVID-19: How Louisville Metro Government (LMG) is dealing with the repercussions of the Corona Virus. Sit down with LPF's Executive Director, Mike Slaton, Kendall Boyd, and Mayor Fischer as they engage in a discussion on how the city of Louisville's focus on resilience, equity, and compassion has helped during this pandemic; how they're responding, what they've learned, and how they're helping. You don't want to miss it!

In this episode intern Emma Young had a chance to interview John Cooper, candidate for Mayor of Nashville. The Nashville Municipal Election will be held August 1. Learn more about the candidates running for office in your community at www.Vote-USA.org! Narration Transcription In the coming weeks, Nashvillians and citizens of Davidson County will go to the polls to vote in a variety of races including Mayor. Early voting starts July 12th and goes through July 27th. Election day is Thursday, August 1st. The candidates for Mayor this August 1st are a diverse crowd. There are nine candidates in total, with four having ran in the 2018 Special General Election for Mayor and three having held office previously. The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County’s city charter, created in 1963, stipulates that, to run for Mayor, a candidate must be 30 years of age at the beginning of the term, must have lived in Davidson County for at least three years prior to the election, and must live in the county during their term as Mayor. The Mayor serves a term of four years, and is a nonpartisan position. This is an at-large position that will represent all of Nashville and Davidson County. On election day, if any one candidate receives a majority, or greater than half, of the votes cast in the election, then this candidate will become the new Mayor. However, if no candidate receives a majority of the vote, then there will be a runoff election between the two with the most votes in a September 2019 Runoff Election. Whichever candidate that wins the most votes in the runoff election will become the next Mayor. The Mayor makes a salary of $180,000 per year. Current mayoral candidates will be running to unseat the incumbent David Briley who took office in 2018 as the Metro Government’s 8th Mayor. Mayor Briley rose to this position in an unusual fashion by first serving as the Acting Mayor following the resignation of Former Mayor Megan Barry and by later winning the Special General Election to become Mayor. While mayor’s normally serve a four year term, the Special General Election of 2018’s purpose was to fill the remaining year of Former Mayor Barry’s four year term which began in 2015. Therefore, Mayor Briley will only serve for one year as Mayor before having to run for reelection for another term. While Mayor Briley won the Special General Election with 54.4% of the vote, avoiding a runoff election, the crowded field of eight challengers will certainly not make reelection easy. Today we speak with one of these challengers: John Cooper. Mr. Cooper was first elected to public office in 2015 as one of Nashville’s five Metro Council at large representatives. During his time in office, he has worked to save public lands and to ensure the Metro government is spending taxpayer’s money well. Notably, largely through his efforts and dedication as an at-large councilman, Ft. Negley Park was saved from being sold off for private development. Prior to his work on the council, Mr. Cooper was involved in banking, real-estate, and retail business. Now let’s hear from Councilman Cooper himself.

The Abell Foundation’s report on the mergers of city and county governments in Nashville, Louisville, and Indianapolis. We talk with the report’s author Jeff Wachter about where these mergers succeed, fall short and why some local leaders are intrigued about the potential of a similar arrangement in the Baltimore region. We also dig into regional ...

On this edition of the Ed and Bob Show the former Knox County Commissioners are joined by a special guest! Who could it be? Also, Ed and Bob discuss the Knox County Retirement and Pension Board's lawsuit. Which begs the question - which is more powerful - the Charter the people voted for or elected officials? Plus, could we have Metro Government? What about these loud motorcycles and shouldn't all yellow lights be the same length? It's all in the latest Ed and Bob Show podcast! Ed Brantley and the special guest on this episode!

Tina Ward Pugh is hard to miss. She's a brilliant presence, with her bright colored clothing and bracelets that jingle when she speaks. She's hard to miss, too, because she's been advocating for women in Louisville for decades now. A former social worker, District 9 Councilwoman, and Hillary Clinton campaigner, she now works for metro government's Office for Women. Councilman Coan talks with her about her new job, and how the Office will continue their mission of empowering women in our city. Visit https://louisvilleky.gov/government/office-women for more information on the Office of Women.

Food writer. World traveler. Courier-Journal restaurant critic. Proud District 8 resident. That's how Louisville resident and life-long Kentuckian Lindsey McClave describes herself. In this episode of Eight More Miles, she joins Councilman Coan to talk about our city's food scene, her favorite restaurants in the Highlands, and how food has the power to both create - and connect people to - a sense of place. Read more about Lindsey and her food adventures here: http://www.lindseymcclave.com/

After a successful corporate career, a period of loss, and raising millions of dollars for local nonprofits and arts organizations, Barbara Sexton Smith never expected to hold elected office. But now that she's Councilwoman for District 4, its her experiences outside of government that makes her the best person for the job. District 4 is home to both some of the most economically challenged areas and the most expensive development projects in the city. It's this dichotomy that makes her district one of the challenging in the city, and why her mandate is to connect people in her district to each other and to their government. For more information on Barbara Sexton Smith and District 4, visit: https://louisvilleky.gov/government/metro-council-district-4

Louisville sports is more than just a game; it's an identity, and one that's embedded into Councilman Coan sits down with sports journalist Mike Rutherford, a Louisville native and law school dropout who started Louisville sports blog Card Chronicle, now owned by SB Nation and Vox Media. Together, they talk about the potential of sports - and endeavors like the new Louisville FC stadium - to both build community within our city, as well elevate the status of Kentucky in the eyes of the rest of the world. Read some of Mike's work at: www.cardchronicle.com.

School policy is an oft-discussed topic, especially for a district that has over 170 schools, 101,000 students, and a multi-billion dollar budget. Dr. Chris Kolb, one of the newest members of the Jefferson County Public Schools board, talks with Councilman Coan about the unique challenges of an urban school district and how the district works with metro government.

Major Aubrey Gregory is the brand new commander of the Louisville Metro Police Department's Fifth Division, which includes the Highlands, Crescent Hill, and the Irish Hill neighborhoods, among many others. Though overall crime is down in the Fifth Division and across the city, Major Gregory says the opioid crisis continues to contribute to higher rates of burglaries, arrests, and medical emergencies in the Fifth Division - though he also says the LMPD can't arrest their way out of the crisis. Major Gregory and Councilman Coan also talk about their "wish list" for the area, including lighted alleyways, cameras, and extra personnel to help keep residents of District 8 safe. For more information on the Louisville Metro Police Department's Fifth Division, visit: https://louisvilleky.gov/government/police/fifth-division

The relationship between government and media is the bedrock of democracy. Here, Councilman Coan about that relationship with the Courier-Journal's Metro Government reporter, Philip Bailey. They also talk about how government can be more transparent with the media, what it really means to be "off the record," and what makes a story newsworthy.

How do you grow a city? And can too much growth be a bad thing? Mary Ellen Wiederwohl is the Chief of Louisville Forward, a "super department" that focuses on the economic and community development of Possibility City. Here, she talks with Councilman Coan about the things that make Louisville unique (like bourbon!), harnessing Kentucky's natural assets (the Ohio River), and place-making as economic development (think Highlands). For more info about Mary Ellen and Louisville Forward, visit: https://louisvilleky.gov/government/louisville-forward

Hal Heiner served as a vice chairman of Greater Louisville, Inc., and in 2002, he was elected to the Louisville Metro Council. On the Council, he spent eight years focusing on finding efficiencies in services, shedding light on the inner dealings of Metro Government, and finding smart ways for the community to grow and prosper. After receiving a master’s degree in engineering from the University of Louisville, he became a partner in one of the city’s largest civil engineering firms. In 1997, Heiner founded Capstone Realty, which helped to bring more than 4,000 jobs to South Jefferson County and across the region. Hal has been active in numerous charities and educational organizations and currently serves on the Metro Leadership Foundation as a founding board member.

State senator Morgan McGarvey joins Councilman Coan to talk about current issues facing Kentucky state government, the similarities and differences between city and state offices, and how he decided on a career in politics instead of journalism.

What makes a great leader, and how do you know the decision you make is the right one? District 8 Councilman Brandon Coan talks with Mayor for Life Jerry Abramson about his time as Louisville mayor for over two decades, then as Lieutenant Governor under Steve Beshear, and later as White House Director of Intergovernmental Affairs under President Barack Obama.