Meet Natisha Brooks, candidate for Nashville mayor
David PlazasEditor'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.
More: Learn about all the candidates running in the Aug. 3 Nashville mayoral 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: Natisha Brooks
- Which office are you seeking? Mayor
- Age: 52
- What neighborhood/part of the county do you live in? Nashville - Antioch
- Education: Prairie View A&M University - Chemistry
- Job history: Public, Private And Home School Education Educational Consultant
- Family: Amberlee’ Nichole Brooks Miles Karron Brooks Jr. Esq. “Nay Nay” - Family Dog And “THE BOSS”
Twelve questions for the candidates
Why are you running for this office?
Seeking the office of mayor to represent those who can’t represent themselves: mental health, gentrification and the homeless. Our city has gone from a city that had a feeling of empathy towards all citizens to a city of “business” as usual.” Our culture and way of life – “the Southern charm and hospitality” is being attacked and is under “reconstruction” by those who refuse to know us and our needs. Philadelphia is known for the city of “brotherly” love. As mayor, Nashville will be known for the motto: the “it city of brotherly and sisterly” love!
What makes you qualified to hold this office and better qualified than your opponents?
Qualifications include but not limited to the following: experienced years in education - public, private and homeschool sector - 10 plus years with community and political groups and 30 plus years in church facilitated children’s community programs.
Hear more Tennessee Voices:Get the weekly opinion newsletter for insightful and thought provoking columns.
If you are elected, what are your top 2 to 3 priorities for your first term in office?
- More funded mental health facilities
- More security and safety from police force - increased police force and salary
- Increased teacher’s salaries and teacher’s stipends.
What are you hearing most from voters about what they want you to accomplish, if elected?
- Voters don’t want the new Titans stadium
- Gentrification, cost of real estate for older Nashville citizens who helped to build the city and property taxes
- End the homelessness problem
A 2023 Vanderbilt poll showed that most Nashvillians do not agree with the direction of the city. Do you agree? Why or why not?
Agree with the Vanderbilt poll. “Covid” was not a reason to increase our property taxes. Accepting the RNC 2024 convention and future Democrat conventions could have helped the downtown and small business with losses due to the COVID pandemic. High property taxes placed many people in foreclosure and increased rent along with evictions. Police Chief Drake needs additional police staff with increased salaries to help with security within our city to maintain more visibility throughout our city. Citizens should not have to be placed on hold or wait 30 plus minutes for police regarding emergency calls.
Sign up for Latino Tennessee Voices newsletter:Read compelling stories for and with the Latino community in Tennessee.
What is your assessment of the performance of the Mayor and Metro Council over the last four years?
My assessments are the following:
- Not listening to your constituents regarding property taxes.
- Not listening to your constituents regarding our homelessness problem.
- Not listening to your teacher constituents regarding their pay and current cost of living
- Not listening to your constituents regarding the new Titans stadium - no new Titan stadiums
- Not listening to your constituents regarding gentrification. People deserve to live in their homes without the fear of moving because of increased taxes.
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?
Simple answer - cut the property taxes, the same way the taxes were raised, the same way “in reverse.” Reduce the taxes.
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?
Past comments made by myself - no retaliations against Metro Council from the state legislature. However, my position has changed regarding the subject. Whoever, the next mayor might be, that person will need a council that’s going to have a working relationship with the state legislature. The current council of 40 members has proven that the chances of future decisions regarding what’s best for the city will be challenging with those that don’t agree with them.
Sign up for Black Tennessee Voices newsletter:Read compelling columns by Black writers from across Tennessee.
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.
Currently, I oppose the titan stadium. It will eventually pass to the taxpayers/citizens of Nashville! Monies that could be put towards a new stadium (which many who can’t afford a Titans ticket because of increased property taxes and rent). Let’s increase teacher’s and police salaries, more money for mental health and increased salaries for Department of Human Services and Department of Children Services workers.
What else do you want voters to know about you that will help them make an informed decision on Election Day?
Nashville has been home since arriving across the Davidson county line in 1989 from Texas! My son miles Karron Brooks Jr., esq. was one of the first born in Centennial Hospital and proud third graduating class of Belmont Law School. Both my children Amberlee’ Brooks And Miles Brooks Jr. are proud graduates of Trevecca University. Educational career in Tennessee started at Hillsboro High School - Green Hills. Retired educator and educational consultant for the home school community of Nashville, state and country. Community service and charities involvement include the Ronald Mcdonald House - Veterans Affairs Of Nashville through the involvement of schools. Our family has deep ties to the city and metropolitan. Education and charity start in the home and only a healthy child can learn, but without a home education and mental health fall short of what Nashville should offer to everyone who wants to live here! Together again, we can make Nashville the “it” city!
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?*
Top three places:
- Monell’s Restaurant - either location Germantown or Murfreesboro Road
- The Bicentennial Mall - Farmers’ Market
- Tennessee State Museum
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.