Meet Brian Hellwig, candidate for Nashville Metro Council At-Large
Editor's note: The Tennessean Editorial Board invited candidates for the 2023 Metro Nashville-Davidson County municipal elections to fill out our questionnaire. They include biographical information and answers to 12 questions on variety of topics from key policy issues to their recommendation for visitors on what to see or do in the city.
Election Guide: Learn about candidates running in the Aug. 3 Metro Council At-Large election | Editorial
Key dates:
July 5: Voter registration deadline
July 14-29: Early voting
July 27: Deadline to request absentee ballot
Aug. 3: Election
Sept. 14: Runoff election
Biographical information
Name: Brian Hellwig
Which office are you seeking? Metro Council At-Large
Age: 47
What neighborhood/part of the county do you live in? Antioch, by the airport
Education: I have a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science from Heidelberg College in Ohio and a Master of Education degree in Higher Education Administration from Kent State University in Ohio. I have most recently completed the Loss Prevention Qualified (LPQ) program through the Loss Prevention Foundation.
Job history: I am currently an Asset Protection Specialist with The Home Depot. Prior to that I worked in higher education at Kent State University for 20 years, serving in various administrative roles from an Apartment Manager, Residence Hall Director, Interim Assistant Director for Residential Facilities and finally Assistant Director for Safety and Security serving as the Chief Safety and Security Officer for Housing. I also had the privilege of working for the Cleveland Indians during the 2018 season as Gameday Security.
Family: I am a single gay male.
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Twelve questions for the candidates
Why are you running for this office?
I have always been interested in politics and civic engagement and believe the best way to make change is to do it from the inside. Nashville is a vibrant and diverse city with a lot to offer and I want to see it become the best city that it can become. The citizens deserve more than they are currently getting out of their government.
What makes you qualified to hold this office and better qualified than your opponent(s)?
Since living and working in Nashville these past four years I have seen and experienced first had the inadequacies of our justice system that fails to hold offenders accountable and for crime to take root and grow in the county with little being done to change this. Citizens should and deserve to be safe in their homes, on their streets and at work and places of business, but unfortunately that is not the case for everyone.
If you are elected (or re-elected), what are your top 2 to 3 priorities for your new (or next) term in office?
Growth of crime, specifically retail theft, has flourished so much so that many thefts simply go unreported due to the many barriers place on victims to report and prosecute crime. This needs to be changed.
While Nashville continues to see significant growth, the pace of adequate infrastructure development has not kept pace with this growth. More effort and funding needs to be put into this area.
Continuing to invest in the public education system so that we attract and retain qualified and invested educators.
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What are you hearing most from voters about what they want you to accomplish, if elected?
I am hearing that residents are not content with how things are on many different fronts. There are many opportunities for growth and continued improvement in city services and functions.
A 2023 Vanderbilt poll showed that most Nashvillians do not agree with the direction of the city. Do you agree? Why or why not?
I am not surprised to see that most Nashvillians believe this. I too would agree that the direction of Nashville needs to be changed and adjusted so that it becomes a safer community that everyone feels a part of and are proud to be a part of it.
What is your assessment of the performance of the Mayor and Metro Council over the last four years?
There has been a lot of challenges over the last four years, to say the least. A change in leadership will help re-focus the priorities for the Mayor's Office and Metro Council.
Affordable/attainable housing has been named by citizens again and again (NashvilleNext, polling, etc.) as a top concern. What should the city do to address this crisis?
Affordable housing in Nashville is most certainly a struggle and in many cases not possible to find for those residents making less than the average median income (myself included). There is no one single solution or idea to correct this and will take a multiprong approach to begin to address the housing crisis.
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The Tennessee General Assembly has gutted Metro Nashville's governance model and finances. What is your position on this and how should the city address the relationship with lawmakers?
It's a retaliation effort on that part of the Tennessee General Assembly to try to subject and force Metro to the will of the state. In order to build relationships and repair hard caused, it always comes down to open and honest conversations and dialogues, which is not always easy.
Are you supportive of Mayor Cooper's plans to renovate the East Bank now that the Titans deal has been approved? Elaborate on your position.
I believe that the use of the new taxes that will be generated from hotel taxes could be better used to serve the residents of Nashville instead of serving the interests of millionaires and billionaires.
What else do you want voters to know about you that will help them make an informed decision on Election Day?
The first and only time I ran for public office, prior to this year, was when I was 18 years old when I ran for Township Trustee. I didn't win that election, but my desire to serve my community and provide my skills and knowledge to help my community grow and develop has never left me. I am excited for the future of Nashville and I hope ALL residents, regardless of their political beliefs, get out and vote on August 3rd!
A "fun" question: When visitors ask you, "What should I do in Nashville?" what are the top 2 or 3 things or places you recommend?
Nashville is a "Food City," so go out and try a new place to eat. You will be amazed and surprised by what you will find! You must stop by and check out the Nashville Farmer's Market as well. I am always amazed by, yes, the food options, but also the selection of crafts and other vendors there and support these local small businesses!
Will you commit to being civil in how you present yourself and the way you interact with opponents and others? (Our definition of civility is being a good, active, honest and respectable citizen)
Yes
Call Opinion and Engagement Director David Plazas at (615) 259-8063, email him at dplazas@tennessean.com or tweet to him at @davidplazas.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville election: Brian Hellwig for Metro Council At-Large
