GENERAL INFORMATION
Name: Theryn C. Bond
Candidate for: City Council District 6
Date of Birth: 06-20-1986
Occupation:
Educational Background:
-
- High School: THE Central High School, 2004
- College: Tennessee State University, 2008
- Masters/Ph.D (if applicable):
Family:
Community Involvement: Volunteer Room At The Inn
Volunteer Community Cleanup w/Westwood High School
2017-2019 SCYD Human Rights Chair
2019-2021 DWSC Corresponding Secretary
2019-2021 SCDP Grassroots Council
Staffer/Volunteer for City, County, and Federal Office candidates
WEBSITE/SOCIAL MEDIA
Official Campaign Website: www.PoliticalBarbie.com
Facebook: facebook.com/PoliticalBarbie
Twitter: twitter.com/TCBforSix
Instagram: instagram.com/PoliticalBarbie
CANDIDATE SURVEY:
What background/experience distinguishes you from the other candidates who want voters to elect them?
Bond’s response:
The fighter in me to demand what’s right.
The voice that I have used to bring light to corruption and abuse of power.
The commitment to service.
The willingness to listen.
Being a problem solver and solution finder.
Staffing/volunteering on other campaigns of multiple levels to see politics on all levels.
What are the top three issues facing the City of Memphis?
Bond’s response:
Transit, Crime, and Accessibility to local government officials
What do you propose to address the three issues you rank as top priorities?
Bond’s response:
Committed to finding funding for MATA/MATA Plus to ensure an efficient process, expansion of routes, express routes, and eventually a rail line.
Making sure honest conversations happen about why the community doesn’t trust law enforcement and demanding accountability when situations happen. Also, creating opportunities that alleviate folks from remaining in poverty and thus committing crimes as an act of survival.
Regarding accessibility, mainting an open line of communication between myself and the community to always have their voices at the forefront of decision making.
Do you favor the call for a half-cent sales tax increase to restore healthcare and retirement benefits for police officers and firefighters cut in 2014?
Bond’s response:
I am in favor of restoring the healthcare and retirement benefits for police and fire.
However, I don’t think it should be reinstated as a cost to taxpayers.
We have to heavily pick apart the budget and allocate money properly, to get benefits back on track.
Do you think the local PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes) program needs to be reformed? If so, why and how?
Bond’s response:
As a city, we need to stop giving away money to companies to show up, when they in turn don’t show up for the community. They put on a good show at first, but often don’t live up to the requirements set before them. It’s imperative that we attract companies equitably across the city with livable wages, good benefits, and safe working conditions.
Do you see a risk of displacement and gentrification connected to the development boom in Memphis? If so, how would you address that risk from the position you seek?
Bond’s response:
Absolutely. There is no reason that Third St., which ones from one end of my district to the other, doesn’t see the same amount of resources along the way. One end is severely under-developed and the other end over developed. This shouldn’t be the case. Residents in South Memphis deserve the same amenities, attractions, and access as those residing in South Main.
African-American-owned businesses have made up only 1 percent of all Memphis business receipts for several decades. If elected, do you see playing a role in changing that statistic? If so, what do you think that role would entail?
Bond’s response:
It has to change. I have several friends/colleagues who are business owners. They didn’t have it easy. Several of them, were not able to obtain contracts or loan because there were extra barriers in place for them that other business owners didn’t have. It takes a lot to start a business and we must equip those who would like to venture into the entrepreneurial space with opportunity to do so. It’s inexcusable for the city to contract out as much as they do, when we have local talent willing and waiting for the door to open right here at home.
