Update 1/30

[Cash, Thomas (Council Member)]

All- I’m getting lots of requests and trying my best to field them all, and canvas the district to see what’s fixed or cleared, what’s not. My main focus right now is to get NES, our utility provider, to improve communications, and asking those who have influence to make that happen. Getting them to our area is vital, getting better communication is essential and it’s not happening. 

I cannot tell you when power will be restored to an area or property. If you have specific requests aside, please email me at Tom....@Nashville.gov. I promise I’m working them as I can. 

Please post on your neighborhood facebook groups if blocks (street and # range) have come on or are still out. 

As power comes back on in areas, please be on the lookout for live electrical wires sparking or smoking and report to 911. Do not assume it has been reported.

Report any water issues to 615-862-4600. As temps rise, we will see some. Metro has good water supply but water main breaks can impact flow.

Extra brush collection has been planned; I’ll announce dates soon. Please look here for details and practices on collection.

More to come.

Tom Cash

Council Member District 18

My email to NES Board and Leadership

Dear NES Board Members:

I know we, city leaders, are in the middle of a difficult crisis. I applaud your service and our wins the public is seeing but I must reach out to ask for help. I write as the District 18 Council Member and need immediate help in 12South, Hillsboro West End, and Belmont Hillsboro, but I believe I’m speaking to the experience and needs of all council members, our staff and others working with us in Metro government.

It feels like we, city legislators, are currently serving as your customer relations team and getting insufficient and incomplete information. It’s the fault of no individual, our liaison is amazing, always, but one attorney working with 40 Council Members to help up to 230,000 Nashvillians, your customers, our constituents, isn’t enough.

We need more people, preferably directly engaging your customers more substantively, but when through Council, individuals who can give us clear and quick answers on status, on area progress, and so many things we aren’t qualified or close enough to institutional goings-on to answer.

This is an unprecedented storm but Council Members were in the same boat with the 2020 Jericho. You’ve hired hundreds of linemen and vegetation. You need to add more customer service helpers, too. Please! Help us with a solid communication plan in the coming days and weeks.

Sincerely,

Tom Cash

Council Member District 18

Chairman, Rules, Confirmations, and Public Elections