by Ann Marie Deer Owens

A public forum to meet the candidates running for the Metropolitan Nashville offices of vice mayor, council-at-large and three council districts surrounding Vanderbilt University will be held June 14 at Edgehill United Methodist Church.

In order to accommodate all of the candidates, the meeting will take place from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the church, located at 1502 Edgehill Ave.

“We hope this event will help Nashville voters, especially those who live and work in the neighborhoods surrounding Vanderbilt, to learn more about the views and experiences of the candidates for these important offices,” said Mary Pat Teague, associate director of Vanderbilt’s Office of Community, Neighborhood and Government Relations.   

The forum will be divided into five panels: vice mayor, council-at-large and council districts 17, 18 and 19. Candidates in each panel will have an opportunity to briefly address the audience. Their remarks will be followed by informal discussions in which audience members may ask questions individually of the candidates.

“Residents in our neighborhoods have a strong interest in learning what the candidates think about a variety of issues – ranging from planning and zoning to neighborhood safety,” said King Hollands, president of Organized Neighbors of Edgehill.   

Sponsors of the forum in addition to Vanderbilt are the Belmont-Hillsboro, Edgehill and Hillsboro-West End neighborhood associations. For more information, call the Office of Community, Neighborhood and Government Relations at 322-6511.

Posted 06/06/07