eric cole

While $5 mil is really a drop in the bucket, officials, advocates and members of Nashville's Homelessness Commission have been trying for years to establish a similar effort and collaboration here. Frankly, I don't see us much closer to fruition than when they started.

It’s a story straight out of a political potboiler. A tough-minded government bureaucrat trying to enforce zoning rules crosses swords with two developers—one the chairman of the city planning commission and the other the vice mayor’s husband. The mayor’s office intercedes, and the bureaucrat loses his job.

Although I still don't think it was needed, there was little doubt in my mind that it would pass, especially after the "all panhandling" ban after dark was removed.

An important side note; Councilman Eric Cole requested a "concerned stakeholder" meeting in June with downtown movers and shakers to see if there was a better way to address the issues facing both the Homeless and those who feel impacted - either negatively or positively - by them.