Amid a backdrop of vocal opposition from neighbors in her district, Councilwoman Pam Murray was forced to withdraw at Tuesday’s Metro Council meeting a controversial bill that would have allowed mobile vendors on Cleveland Street.
At the public hearing Tuesday, Murray had requested a deferral of the bill to allow mobile vendors on the stretch of road in District 5. Last year, Council passed an ordinance that outlawed most mobile vendors. Murray followed by proposing a bill to exempt certain properties along Cleveland Street, but the bill drew opposition from her constituents.
When some of the constituents felt Murray was not responding to their concerns, they turned to District 8 Councilwoman Karen Bennett, who tabled Murray’s motion to defer. Council voted in favor of Bennett’s tabling motion 27-7.
Murray withdrew the bill after the tabling motion passed, but vowed to re-file an amended version soon.
Murray said she was “shocked” by Bennett’s tabling motion and called the action “unethical.”
Bennett said she was merely responding to the requests of neighbors, who said they felt they were being snubbed by Murray.
Murray has been under fire following a WTVF NewsChannel 5 report, which indicated she lived a majority of the time in Detroit, where she works as a social worker. After Tuesday’s meeting, Murray called the report false and said she only travels to Detroit for work twice a month for three or so days at a time. Murray’s residence is 802 Stockell Ave.
“I live in Nashville,” Murray said.
LaLonde sworn in as District 18 Council member
Fresh off her win in last week’s run-off election, Belmont professor Kristine LaLonde was sworn in as the new District 18 Council member Tuesday morning. Councilwoman LaLonde attended her first meeting last night.