No Conflicts Of Interest

By Kleinheider Posted on March 29, 2009 at 5:38 pm

Stephenie Dodson makes the case for her candidacy in the runoff election for Metro Council District 18:

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.

MORE: Former candidate David Glasgow on the runoff.

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Tags: David Glasgow, District 18, John Ray Clemmons, Kristine LaLonde, Stephenie Dodson  

New Candidate In The 18th District Council Race Makes It Official

By Kleinheider Posted on January 27, 2009 at 12:23 pm

Stephenie Dodson is in. From the presser:

Long time Hillsboro-West End neighborhood activist Stephenie Dodson announced today she is a candidate for the District 18 Metro Council seat recently vacated by Keith Durbin.

“My participation in neighborhood activities for twenty-plus years is unique among the candidates in the race,” Dodson said. “I see the opening of the District 18 council seat as my next call to service. I ask my neighbors to support me in answering that call.”

Dodson’s views on district issues will soon be available online through a campaign web site at www.stepheniedodson.com.

A neighborhood meet-and-greet with Dodson is scheduled for 4-7 PM this Saturday, Jan. 31, at the home of Brett Sheriff at 1504 Linden Avenue. Sheriff’s co-hosts for the event include Gary Bynum, Ross Pepper, Melinda Newpher, Jan Bushing, Ann and Evans Donnell, Mary Brooke and Blaine Bonadies, Susie Campion, Christine Ward and Will Pinkston.

Dodson served as Treasurer for the Durbin for District 18 Campaign in 2007 and also volunteered for Megan Barry during her successful run for a Metro Council At-Large position. Bynum, a Belmont-Hillsboro Neighbors, Inc., steering committee member, will serve as Dodson’s campaign treasurer.

She has been a resident of the Hillsboro–West End neighborhood for twenty five years. Her work on several boards, committees and advisory groups includes service on the board of the Hillsboro-West End Neighborhood Association (HWEN) for the past nine years. That service has given her numerous opportunities to participate in activities and initiatives aimed at improving her neighborhood’s viability and livability.

Dodson has also been active in Eakin Elementary School’s PTO. She has formerly served as president, vice president and vice president of fundraising for that organization. In her role as president she worked with then-Metro Councilmember Ginger Hausser Pepper and HWEN to reverse the Metro Nashville Public Schools Board of Education decision to tear down the Eakin and Cavert School buildings. Both were saved and now have historic landmark status.

Dodson is the Director for Percy Priest Extended Day Program (PPEDP) at Percy Priest Elementary School. She is responsible for program administration and coordination with the PPEDP parent board.

Stephenie is the mother of 3 children: John, 21, a Nashville resident; Marie, 19, a sophomore at Colorado State; and Tom, 14, a student at West End Middle School.

The special election for District 18 will be held March 26. Early voting is March 6-21.

Other candidates include Kristine LaLonde, David Glasgow and John Ray Clemmons.

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Tags: David Glasgow, John Ray Clemmons, Kristine LaLonde  

A Lot Of Work Goes Into Running Unopposed Sometimes

By Kleinheider Posted on December 3, 2008 at 5:30 pm

Sean Braisted makes an important observation regarding the developing 18th Metro Council District special election race:

What I find most interesting about all this, is that when Keith Durbin ran in 2007, he didn’t have a single challenger…which just goes to show that he held quite a bit of respect from people inside the district.

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Tags: Allen Woods, John Ray Clemmons, Keith Dubin, Randy Rayburn, Ross Pepper  

From Openly Gay To John Ray?

By Kleinheider Posted on at 12:06 pm

John Ray Clemmons, former Bob Clement congressional staffer and the day-to-day campaign manager for Clement’s 2007 mayoral campaign has thrown his hat into the exploratory ring for the very recently vacated 18th District Metro Council seat. Clemmons is currently a lawyer for Blackburn & McCune:

Due to various calls of encouragement from friends and neighbors, I am seriously considering running for the open Council seat vacated by Mr. Durbin. The decision is contingent upon the blessings of my family of course.

Interesting that two attorneys, both close to the Clements, have decided to take a look at this race. Very interesting.

Both Ross Pepper and Randy Rayburn have expressed interest and Maria Salas is also a possible candidate.

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Tags: Allen Woods, John Ray Clemmons, Keith Durbin