1. Tell us about your story. How does your background qualify you for serving as Metro Councilperson for your district? 

Baker - Editor’s note: Phil shared his bio as an answer to this question which can be found here.

Parrish-Wright - As of June 2022, I am the Executive Director for VOCAL-KY, a New York based nonprofit focused on ending the AIDS epidemic through both direct support and systemic advocacy. While this position, as well as my former work with the Bail Project, has helped me to hone my professional skills, what qualifies me to be a Metro Councilperson for District 3 is my own lived experience. I am a longtime resident of D3. I care deeply for my community, as evidenced by my longtime history of advocacy with several nonprofits and movements in the city, and I have close relationships with neighbors and leaders across Louisville and the state. My combination of skills, experience, and my network makes me uniquely qualified to represent my neighbors, many of whom share my experience as a working class parent.

Stallard - I am a small business owner of 22 years plus. I was Church Administrator for Walnut Street Baptist Church for 4 years. During that time I helped the church get out of debt and into the black so that we could live out of the offering plate.

I have been working in West Louisville wherever I have been needed for several years and was given a Lifetime Achievement Award for that work at the Peace Awards Dinner hosted by Reverend Charles Elliott and King Solomon Baptist Church this past February.

Reno-Weber - I grew up in this neighborhood, moved home after 12 years away, and am now raising my family here, supported by the ~20 Reno-Weber-Payette-Harlows who also live in the District. I have spent most of my career at the intersection of business, policy, and social good. I did financial empowerment work for marginalized communities in the post-war Balkans, ran a YMCA focused on lifting youth voices into policy, started a tech company that focuses on encouraging volunteerism, and the Greater Louisville Project, which repeatedly made the call for using data to invest in underinvested communities (and ultimately closed because our community did not respond).

My last two jobs have been about broadening the tech talent pipeline to be more diverse and helping largely black and brown founders start companies that close health equity gaps.

What I think I bring to this job is an understanding that the people closest to the problem have the best solutions, and that you can often bring people who are ideologically different together around issues of justice if you can speak the language of finance to do so.

2. What do you see as a Metro Council Person’s role in opposing white supremacy culture and in addressing racial inequality in local legislation?   

Baker - I believe that a Councilperson can address racial inequality through many aspects, such as planning and zoning issues and economic development investments.

Parrish-Wright - One of the ways a Metro Council member can address white supremacy is through their vote on policy. We know that Louisville has a long history of segregation, so one way to combat that is voting for policy that promotes equitable zoning, or environmental regulations for historically Black neighborhoods. Additionally, Metro Council members have “soft” power, meaning they can address white supremacy in more ways than voting for or against certain ordinances, or, put simply, council members can “lead by example”, and encourage others to get involved in addressing white supremacy.

Stallard - The Metro Council should treat every person fairly. Race should never enter into it.

Reno-Weber - The history of intentional disinvestment and redlining in this community, across more than just the traditional real-estate frame, requires intentional over-investment if we are ever going to have a community in which one's zip code isn't overwhelmingly predictive of ones educational and employment prospects. Government's role is to set the playing field on which all other aspects of our community (business, public services, and the non-profit sector) operate.

3. What do you see as the role of the Metro Council Office when it comes to environmental justice issues - in the district and across the county?    

Baker - In the Sixth District, we have been working to improve environmental issues, specifically related to the Rhodia Chemical site in Parkhill, next to Parkway Place Housing Site.

Parrish-Wright - The primary way metro council members can work towards environmental justice issues is through their vote on local ordinances and policies. When I am on the metro council, I will be sure not only to vote for, but also to sponsor bills that promote equitable, sustainable use of our land and resources.

Stallard - Again the Council should always work for justice as they are making laws

Reno-Weber - We have to be the font-line of defense not just for immediate environmental protection, but also longer-term investments. In the four months I have been in, I have been deeply involved in protecting our watersheds in Floyd's Fork and elsewhere. I've also pushed for additional investment by Metro Government in energy efficiency, green-fleets, and renewable energy as a part of our normal budget. Related to that is an investment in more parks and tree canopy in the West End of Louisville.

What I think I can really do in this role is make not just the environmental justice case, but also the financial case.

4. What is your vision for how your Metro Council Office interfaces with the Jefferson County Board of Education and other education stakeholders, such as students, caretakers, educators, and policy makers?

Baker - As a JCPS employee, I take the same attitude as I do in my my job as a Family Resource & Youth Center Coordinator: to continue to remove barriers for students and families.

Parrish-Wright - I see Metro Council as one of many bodies working to improve the material conditions for everyone in our community. Council is (or should be) in symmetric partnerships with the Board of Education, workers, state legislators and community members to work for our shared interests. As a legislative body, Metro Council should be actively listening to all stakeholders in our community and sponsor legislation that is drafted with many voices in mind–not just the privileged few. When I am in office, I plan to meet regularly with and co-develop policy with those who will be most impacted by said policy.

Stallard - The Council should work with the Board in an advisory capacity to help them to make good decisions.

Reno-Weber - Metro Government should be supporting the wrap around services for families that will enable our students to be successful in the school systems. We should be building o

Editor’s note: The answer we received for this question was cut off. It is printed as we received it.

5. The Louisville Metro Council Planning & Zoning Committee is presently considering the Anti-displacement Ordinance. What’s your position on this policy? What do you think the policy position should be for the Metro Council Office? (link to info on the bill)

Baker - As a Committee member of the Planning and Zoning Committee, I am unable to comment on pending items before the Committee.

Parrish-Wright - I unequivocally support the anti-displacement ordinance and think all metro council members should, too. Too often housing developments push out long term residents and the interests of the wealthy are the only interests considered.

Stallard - Metro funds should never be used to fund developers.

Reno-Weber - I'm working closely with Councilman Arthur and the Tenant's Union to shape the ordinance, and am part of why we renamed it from Historically Black Neighborhoods. I think any investment of Metro dollars should be evaluated for its impact on displacement. And I think focusing on displacement is a great step for us as a community.

6. How do you plan to include young voices in your Metro Council district?

Baker - Throughout the past 7 months, I have invited several youth groups to present before the Council, brought youth groups and issues to the Council Podcast, and hosted a youth legislative page. Through these initiatives and more, I hope that I have brought more young voices into City Hall.

Parrish-Wright - Currently, my team is primarily young people and I plan to keep it that way. I also plan to do high school outreach and ask for advice from our young people. The policies I vote on will impact their lives and I want to make sure their voices are not just “heard” but their values are upheld and supported in the legislation I sponsor.

Stallard - I would like to meet with students in the high schools to get their input as well as meet with leaders in the community who work with young people.

Reno-Weber - l used to run the Kentucky YMCA's youth empowerment programs, so a) I want to grow those and their connection with Metro Government. I'd like to restart the Metro Youth Advocated Program. I'll also be doing a series of "Lincoln/Douglass" conversations with my Republican opponent in schools in the lead up to the election.

7. Anything else you would like to add?

Baker - During my seven months at City Hall, I have worked hard to represent the concerns of ALL the neighborhoods in the Sixth District— one of the most diverse districts in Jefferson County. The needs of our community are vast, but I truly believe that if we work together, we can accomplish our goals and make Louisville the city we want it to be.

Parrish-Wright - First, thank you for reviewing this application and for the excellent work you are doing in Jefferson County. Second, I am thrilled to continue our work together and look forward to drafting legislation that will support our shared goals.

Stallard - I feel that I am the most qualified person for this job because of my work and volunteer experiences.

Reno-Weber - I'm grateful for all you do. You are what democracy should look like.