Nashville Councilwoman Pushes for ‘No Confidence’ Vote Against Two Top City Executives
June 12, 2024, Nashville, Tenn — In an unprecedented move, Metro councilwoman Joy Styles has filed a “no confidence” resolution against two senior Nashville officials, Finance Director, Kevin Crumbo and Legal Director, Wally Dietz. The decision leads to a public conversation concerning the competence and performance of these executives in their respective roles.
Mismanagement of Metro Arts Commission
Styles shared numerous reasons for her lack of confidence in Dietz and Crumbo, most of which revolved around the disorder and confusion surrounding Metro Arts Commission. The Councilwoman charged that these executives played a significant part in the commission’s recent state, which has seen artists and organizations waiting for funds due to the administrative mismanagement.
“‘Debacle’ really is just one word to describe what’s happening with Metro Arts,” Styles stated. “We are in need of a culture change. We cannot continue with the status quo. We cannot continue to say that we are a progressive city and put gatekeepers in place that want to maintain what has always been.”
The Mayor’s Reaction
In response to Styles’ no confidence resolution, a spokesperson for Mayor O’Connell stated that the Mayor backs Dietz and Crumbo, expressing disappointment at Styles for displaying her disagreement with these city leaders in public.
However, Styles, the sole supporter of her resolution, anticipates this kind of backlash. If we don’t hold the people in town with the most power accountable, why did we run and why are we serving?” she posed. “I’m not going to be quiet. I’m not going in a corner. It’s unacceptable and I realize this has never been done and it makes some people very very very very nervous about what happens now.”
Next Steps
The “no confidence” resolution is set to be discussed at the upcoming council meeting on Tuesday. Whether this first-of-its-kind move will lead to any concrete action is yet to be seen; however, it certainly intensifies the pressure on Dietz and Crumbo, putting their performances under public scrutiny.
