Q&A: Memphis City Council Super District 9, Position 2 candidates talk priorities, experience
Memphis City Councilman J. Ford Canale faces one opponent in his campaign to continue representing the Super District 9, Position 2 seat on the council.
All but two seats on the Memphis City Council are contested in this year's election, scheduled for Oct. 5 with early voting running from Sept. 15 through Sept. 30.
The Commercial Appeal reached out to each candidate running for City Council to ask for written answers to questions about background and priorities if elected.
To read responses from candidates for other City Council districts, click here.
To see a full list of all the candidates who qualified for the upcoming Memphis Municipal Election, click here.
Responses have been edited for length and AP style.
J. Ford Canale
Q: What is your background and any experience relevant to this elected office?
A: I am a small business owner and a licensed funeral director and insurance producer. I have been a member of the City Council since 2018, serving in various capacities on several different committees. I have also served on various boards, including Ave Maria Home, Habitat for Humanity and Convergence Memphis. While serving on the council, we have increased funding for MATA, affordable housing, parks and community centers and roads. We have also given our first responders the largest raise in history.
Q: Why are you running for this position?
A: I am running for reelection because I believe in Memphis. I want to ensure that future generations have a city that everyone is proud of and creates opportunities for everyone.
Q: What would three of your top priorities be for your district if elected?
A: My top priorities would be crime first and foremost. Public safety is of utmost importance. Secondly, we have to continue to invest in ourselves. Certainly, upgrading and updating MLGW infrastructure, but also roads, parks, community centers and other public assets for citizens to enjoy. Along that line, we need more quality affordable housing and investment in our neighborhoods.
We also must invest in our youth creating opportunities for them and giving them every chance to succeed. They are our future.
Q: What would three of your top priorities be for your district if elected?
A: The greatest challenge Memphis is facing right now is its crime rate. We have to be tougher on crime, or we will continue to lose citizens to other cities, and we will not attract new businesses and better-paying jobs to Memphis. We also have a public education system that is not working for all. Literacy is most important for our children, and we are not living up to our full potential. This leads to poverty and lack of opportunity for too many. We have to come together to solve these issues.
Brandon D. Washington
Q: What is your background and any experience relevant to this elected office?
A: Since aging out of the foster care system, I’ve been raising awareness about the problems troubling foster youth. I’ve been invited to Nashville and Washington D.C., where I’ve successfully lobbied to expand resources for those in foster care. Being an advocate is second nature to me at this point. I will advocate for all Memphians on the city council.
Q: Why are you running for this position?
A: I’m running for City Council because I want to demonstrate that people who look like me and come from similar backgrounds can make a change in this world if we put our minds to it. Another reason is because I’ve personally experienced lawmakers ignoring their constituents in my advocacy work. Inaccessible leadership is unacceptable. I want the people of Memphis to know that they can count on me to listen to them.
Q: What would three of your top priorities be for your district if elected?
A: I would work with MATA to address the gaps in their services and oversight. I will tackle homelessness by working with the housing authority, the affordable housing trust fund and nonprofits to get houseless folks into permanent, supportive housing. Last, I will expand the reach of youth empowerment programs in Memphis to unleash the potential of our young people. Investing in our youth is the key to a brighter future.
Q: What do you believe are the greatest challenges facing Memphis?
A: One of the main challenges facing Memphis is the negative perception of this beautiful city. Because of many people's negative perceptions of Memphis, investors don’t pour into this city or they only pour into the “good parts.” This chronic disinvestment leads to a lack of adequate public funding for critical services such as schools, infrastructure and upkeep. The lack of services only deepens the existing poverty and creates crime. This crime then feeds into our city’s negative reputation. Breaking this cycle is the challenge that Memphis should focus on.
Katherine Burgess covers government and religion. She can be reached at katherine.burgess@commercialappeal.com or followed on Twitter @kathsburgess.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis City Council Super District 9, Position 2 candidates on top issues
