2020 in Nashville.
We were tested. I was tested.
District 19 was damaged by the March tornado, civil unrest, and a bombing.
And we had to navigate the recovery efforts and healing for all of it set against the backdrop of COVID, which made both recovery and healing harder.
By early 2021, I was a little startled by how many people approached me to say they had noticed and appreciated my leadership.
After an entire year getting a crash course in applied crisis management, I guess I hadn't given myself much time to reflect.
Fortunately, about a year after all the tests started, Nate Rau prompted me to do that in the Tennessee Lookout.
This was another conversation (like Deep Dish) that seemed to attract some attention.
Someone told me—a year before I even started seriously consider it!—"If you become Mayor, you have this Nate interview to give some credit to."
This is a picture of Hatcher & Fell Photography in Germantown.
When I walked by on the morning March 3rd, 2020, all I could think was, "Is Kacky okay?"
She was. And they rebuilt. And just had an open house a few months ago. It was refreshing to be gathered in a restored space. It was a moment of hope.
So many of us still have some sort of rebuilding to do after the past few years.
And we have a better future to build together.
I hope you'll join me.
As I mentioned to the person about the interview: no one becomes mayor. You earn it. In a citywide conversation.
But I hope some of these key conversations I've had over the past year help demonstrate my motivation, my preparedness, and my commitment.
So, again, I hope you'll join me.
My best…--
Freddie O'Connell
Metro Council, District 19
Mayoral Candidate, 2023
http://www.readyforfreddie.com
http://twitter.com/freddieoconnell
http://www.facebook.com/FreddieForNashville
615-260-0005
