Let's Make Stupid Decisions Together!

During last night’s Metro Council meeting, when presented with the opportunity to end a few ongoing debates, the body decided to air them out a little longer. Right out of the gate, the council wrestled over the first item on the legislative agenda: a sole source contract with technology company Fusus to connect surveillance cameras in Davidson County. 

Two years ago, MNPD carried out a pilot program that allowed businesses and residents to voluntarily integrate their security cameras with the Fusus network. During the program, the police department found that combining private and public footage with their system increased their ability to efficiently dispatch officers and collect useful information from crime scenes. But, much like the LPR program, officially adopting the technology was put on ice.

The community conversations surrounding plate scanners are also similar to the debates about camera surveillance: while districts plagued with crime welcome the technology with open arms, those concerned with a Big Brother-esque surveillance state and MNPD overreach have pushed back against it.

Last night, the council didn’t mind dragging out the discussion a little bit longer—after all, what’s another month when it’s already been a few years? Despite the ample amount of time members have had to look into the matter, resolution sponsor Councilmember Delishia Porterfield suggested a two-meeting deferral. This would give her colleagues time to schedule a meeting with MNPD Chief Chris Gilder to showcase a demonstration of the program. Though the body wrestled over whether it should be a one or two meeting deferral, they ultimately decided to defer the vote for two meetings and schedule a public hearing, pushing the decision off until November 19th.

But the surveillance state debate wasn’t the only saga the council wasn’t ready to turn the page on. Tempting the adage, “play stupid games, win stupid prizes,” members rejected Metro Legal’s advice to settle with former Metro Arts grant manager, Jonathan Saad. Citing hiring bias and workplace retaliation, Legal suggested a $150,000 settlement with Saad instead of taking his case on in court.

Though the latest drama in the ongoing theatrics of the Metro Arts circus seemed similar to the settlement made with former Metro Arts Executive Director Daniel Singh in May, the council’s feelings about it were not. “I don't think he has a case,” said Councilmember Joy Styles. “I don't think throwing money out of the money that has been set aside from Metro Arts is the right thing to do, and I think we would be negligent in our duties to say that this is the same as giving money to former Director Singh.”

Assistant Metro Attorney Melissa Roberge later dispelled the notion that money will be taken away from artists, reminding the council that it will come from the $3 million set aside to settle the issues that arose surrounding the ouster of Singh. She also defended their suggestion to settle, divulging that Metro only has a 50 percent chance of winning the case.

Towards the end of the discussion, Councilmember Courtney Johnston established that if the council refuses to settle and lose the suit, it could result in Metro coughing up as much as $450,000. “We are listening to Metro Legal say we think we could lose this case,” she said. “It's a 50/50 shot at best, and we're worried about $150,000 being pulled out of this fund when we're really risking a lot more than that.” 

Despite her appeal, the body was willing to roll the dice. The council rejected the motion to settle and Saad will have his day in court. MEGAN PODSIEDLIK

🗳️ MAGA, MAHA, and Coconut Trees Early voting starts today! From now until October 31st, Nashvillians can vote at a number of locations throughout the county. The Davidson County Election Commission's sample ballot includes both the schedule and a list of locations. You can also download the GoVoteTN app, which allows you to review your voter registration status and which districts you fall under for local, state, and federal elections. Check out our quick guide for all contested state and local races in Nashville here.

📊 More Poll Insights Yesterday the Beacon Center released its quarterly poll, which took inventory of what’s on the minds of Tennesseans. You can check out a few of the insights gathered from the 72-question survey in yesterday’s newsletter. 

Here are a few more interesting takeaways:

• 56 percent of Tennesseans said they are much or somewhat more likely to vote for a pro-school choice candidate, while 17 percent said they are much or somewhat less likely to do so. Interestingly, 42 percent respondents said that they are very or somewhat satisfied with K-12 public education in Tennessee.
• Similarly, while 48 percent responded that they would strongly or somewhat support President Biden’s proposal to implement term limits for Supreme Court justices, 49 percent of respondents said that they strongly or somewhat approve of the way the Supreme Court of the United States is handling its job.
• As far as tariffs go, respondents were split: while 41 percent agreed with the statement, “tariffs are a necessary tool to protect American-made products, even if they temporarily raise costs,” 39 percent agreed that “tariffs are essentially taxes that increase the cost of goods for consumers and can worsen inflation.”

🥡 Taking on Take Out According to a survey from Owner.com, Tennesseans spend $3,427 per year per person on takeout food. That’s 18 percent less than the national average of $4,183. The only state that spends less money on takeout is Oklahoma with Arkansas ranked slightly behind Tennessee. According to the study, Tennesseans spend 6.12 percent of their income on takeout, while at the other end of the bell curve, Hawaiians allocate 9.27 percent of their take home pay for the convenience.

A spokesperson for Owner said of the results: “This trend in consumer spending highlights the growing convenience that takeout offers, with consumers not having to plan meals, spend time cooking, or clean up afterward. However, it also underscores the financial drain these small transactions have on Americans nationwide.”

DEVELOPMENT

• The Arcade slated for ‘tiny-tonk’ (Post)

THINGS TO DO

View our calendar for the week here and our weekly film rundown here.

📅 Visit our On The Radar list to find upcoming events around Nashville.

🎧 On Spotify: Pamphleteer's Picks, a playlist of our favorite bands in town this week.

👨🏻‍🌾 Check out our Nashville farmer's market guide and yearly festival guide.

TONIGHT

🪕 Brenna Macmillan @ Jane's Hideaway, 8p, Info

🎸 Trace Mountains @ The Basement, 9p, $19.27 Info

🪕 Carl Townes @ Station Inn, 8p, $20, Info

🪕 Bluegrass Night @ The American Legion Post 82, 7p, Free, Info

📰 Check out the full newsletter archive here.

What to Expect When AI’s Expecting

LittleOne.Care Co-founder Ami Meoded is harnessing artificial intelligence to build a community of parents around a new baby monitor, and he believes Nashville is the ideal place to introduce it to the world.

Jerod Ra’Del HollyfieldThe Pamphleteer

Nullification Part Deux

We talk with Senator Adam Lowe about last week’s summer study over whether or not the state can ignore orders from the federal government

Megan Lee PodsiedlikThe Pamphleteer

On Stoicism And New Southern Optimism

An essay by Walker Percy in 1959 can tells us something about the South today

Tyler HummelThe Pamphleteer

Robby Starbuck’s Crusade Against Woke

The Nashville-area activist carves out a niche by exposing corporate DEI programs to consumers

Davis HuntThe Pamphleteer