Tennessee Voices, Episode 46: Jim Shulman, Nashville vice mayor and Tennessee state agency head – The Commercial Appeal

Tennessee Voices, Episode 46: Jim Shulman, Nashville vice mayor and Tennessee state agency head  The Commercial Appeal

opinion

Older adults have been hit especially hard by COVID-19. They are among the most vulnerable people to become infected and die.

Social distancing measures have prevented many older adults from seeing their loved ones whether in a nursing home or at their own residence.

Limited access to food and transportation created a crisis for many. This was top of mind for Jim Shulman in his role as executive director of the Tennessee Commission on Aging and Disability. In this episode of the Tennessee Voices videocast, Shulman said the agency became laser focused on ensuring needy older adults received food by working with grocery stores and nearly 100 restaurants.

Shulman is also vice mayor of Nashville, elected to a full term in 2019. He holds an office, independent of the mayor, that presides over the 40-member Metro Council.

The June 2 public hearing on the budget was not Shulman’s best moment. The well-known affable and bridge-building vice mayor lost his temper when the public comment period extended for hours and he rebuked the people waiting to speak at city hall.

Shulman apologized and he also addressed his behavior on this episode, repeatedly showing contrition and hoping people understand he suffered a moment of weakness.

When he is not working, he has found he can decompress by watching episodes of TLC’s “90 Day Fiance.”

Op-Ed by Jim Shulman: Tennessee aging and disability agencies were ahead of coronavirus pandemic, but we still need volunteers

Hear more Tennessee Voices: Get the weekly opinion newsletter for insightful and thought provoking columns.

The Tennessee Voices videocast is a 20-minute program that invites leaders, thinkers and innovators who have written guest columns for a USA TODAY Network – Tennessee publication to share their insights and wisdom with me and our viewers.

Please email your ideas for future guests to me at dplazas@tennessean.com. Thank you for watching.

Finally, our journalists are working hard during this pandemic to bring you accurate, verified and solid information. Please consider subscribing and supporting local journalism. 

Watch past episodes: Tennessee Voices videocast

David Plazas is the director of opinion and engagement for the USA TODAY Network –  Tennessee and an editorial board member of The Tennessean. Tweet to him at @davidplazas. 

Published 1:00 PM EDT Jun 8, 2020