“To the victors go the spoils,” or so said Tennessean Andrew Jackson centuries ago. Today, he might have said, “To the victors go the requests,” instead. Cronyism and political favors are thankfully not what they may have been in the past, but that hasn’t stopped local residents from expecting results in a hurry from their new public servants. One member of Karl Dean’s inner circle had been asked to take care of a speeding ticket and get someone appointed to a local board within a week of the election, before Dean was even officially mayor. (These requests were politely declined, I’m told.) Reportedly the new administration has received a minimum of 100 unsolicited resumes for employment as well.

Take a deep breath, Nashville, and let’s give our new mayor and Metro Council an opportunity to go to work before we bombard them with our every wish and whim.

Karl Dean addressed approximately 1,000 attendees around 12:30 p.m. on a beautiful and very hot day at Nashville’s Public Square Park. Here are a few highlights from his remarks:

• Dean thanked his predecessor, former Mayor Bill Purcell, and observed that Purcell nobly “did the right thing rather than the easy thing” more often than not.
• Citing an example of this approach, Dean observed that Public Square Park would not be in existence if not for Purcell’s hard work.
• Dean announced a town hall meeting on education to be held this coming Monday to begin efforts to improve Metro Nashville Public Schools, one of the core elements of his campaign platform.
• While observing that it was not a focal point of the campaign, Dean stated that regionalism and a move toward regional thinking for Nashville and its satellite cities would be a major priority during his time in office.
• The area’s concerns, particularly environmental issues, “don’t end at the county line,” he said.

Dean said that he was “personally and profoundly humbled” by the support he has received and by the responsibility he now bears. During one moment of silence, a jubilant audience member shouted, “I love you, Karl!” from the back of the crowd. Dean chuckled and replied, “I love you, too.”

New District 24 Metro Council Member Jason Holleman participated in a small swearing-in ceremony yesterday prior to today’s inauguration ceremony. As usual, Jason and Margaret’s daughter Cecilia (above) stole the show.