The constant refrains from Mayor David Briley’s challengers highlights the negatives while providing zero solutions.

Mayor Briley discusses Nashville’s public schools during his State of Metro address. Mayor David Briley, Facebook.com livestream

You know what? I like Nashville and I kinda like living here.

Actually, I like living here a lot. Don’t you?

It makes me wonder if the candidates challenging Mayor David Briley in the forthcoming election actually live here? Or do they spend all their valuable time drumming up new things that they have decided not to like about our great city.

All of us can conjure up a few irritants, like rerouting around construction zones–construction that is providing jobs to build places that will ultimately provide more jobs. Oh yes, and the rush-hour traffic. Does anyone know a city of any size without a rush hour? Consider Atlanta, or Tampa, or Houston or anywhere.

Mayor David Briley delivers the 56th Annual State of Metro Address at the Nashville Public Library’s Grand Reading Room on Tuesday, April 30, 2019.
Buy Photo
Mayor David Briley delivers the 56th Annual State of Metro Address at the Nashville Public Library’s Grand Reading Room on Tuesday, April 30, 2019. (Photo: Shelley Mays / The Tennessean )
We live in a city which is vibrant, evolving and prospering; a city that people want to visit and move to; a city that provides sports and entertainment and dining options like few others; a city that is adding more parks and green space every year; and a welcoming, friendly city which our out-of-town visitors find consistently charming.

Of course, there are a few pains that come with growth. However, even more painful would be no growth, fewer jobs, empty storefronts and a depressed real estate market, a declining tax base and high unemployment.

I have long believed that Nashville’s form of government–good government working with the private sector–is one of the primary reasons for its sustained success. The city’s stable government was threatened last year but Briley stepped right up and performed admirably amidst the chaos.

He was thrust into a tough situation. He righted the ship and began to address the challenges of a growing city without taking his eyes off our collective aspirations.

The major candidates for Nashville mayor, clockwise from top left: Mayor David Briley; Rep. John Ray Clemmons, D-Nashville; Carol Swain, a retired Vanderbilt professor; At-large Council member John Cooper.
Buy Photo
The major candidates for Nashville mayor, clockwise from top left: Mayor David Briley; Rep. John Ray Clemmons, D-Nashville; Carol Swain, a retired Vanderbilt professor; At-large Council member John Cooper. (Photo: The Tennessean)
The constant refrains from Briley’s challengers highlights the negatives, what they don’t like and what needs to be changed, while providing zero solutions. Fortunately, they are receiving rare air time or print space right now. But, when the rhetoric ramps up you’ll be thinking, “Do they live in the same city as I do?”

Each of us should create a list of the many things we like about Nashville and why we are proud to live here. I dare say that list is going to be considerably longer and much stronger than any routine list of complaints.

Do we have challenges? Yes. And, do we have issues to address? Of course. But, I am proud that we have a good man, who is quite bright with a positive approach facing our issues head on: education, public safety, traffic, and affordable housing.

Briley brings stability and experience, but more importantly he doesn’t dwell on adversity, he devotes his time to seeking and proposing positive solutions. There’s no boohooing in his camp.

Woe is not us, and we don’t need the Chicken Littles working to bring us down.

As I said, I like this city a lot.

Bo Roberts is a Nashville marketing consultant.