NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Honky-tonk owners who generally focus on business, music, drinks, and food, are now getting into the political game.
The owners of Tootsie’s, Rippy’s, Honky Tonk Central, The Stage, Legends Corner, Nudie’s, and others have joined together to create the political action committee: Downtowners Committee for Action.
“Nashville is growing, resources are being stretched thinner and thinner every day across the county, and we all came together with an attitude towards: what can we do to help? How can we be part of the solution?” Emily Evans, who is helping with the Downtowners Committee for Action, said. “One of those things is clearly making sure elected officials know where we stand and what our interests are, and then working with them to solve problems as they develop.”
While things on Broadway are generally exciting and fun, Evans said the things the PAC will be focusing on will likely be less exciting.
“We want to focus on really mundane things like trash pickup and sanitation and clean streets, and those types of issues that keep this neighborhood family friendly.”
The committee was created in Summer of 2018 and already raised more than $20,000. They plan to continue raising money so they can support specific political candidates when the election season comes around.
“I think it’s just that they have recognized that if they don’t speak in unison, then frequently they are kind of having just this series of one-on-one conversations, but a lot of the issues might be aligned,” Council member Freddie O’Connell, who represents the downtown district, said of the PAC.
The Downtowners Committee for Action will likely focus on the council seats representing the downtown area and surrounding areas, as well at-large council seats, and potentially the mayor’s office or even state seats.
They want to ensure that the interests of the honky-tonks downtown, which bring in significant revenue for the city, have their voices heard so the customers can focus on enjoying the experience rather than having to deal with any issues with the city.
