John Norment Powell Cooper (October 15, 1956)

Now that the Presidential election of 2020 has ended with the insertion of Joseph Robinette "Joe" Biden and Kamala Devi Harris as President and Vice President, the United States has become even more divided from the communist agenda propelled by the fraudulent trash that now illegally hold two of the highest offices in the free world! Politicians Kamala Harris and other Democrats are jubilating over how pro-Trump supporters should be either re-programmed or imprisoned in concentration camps, fostering crippling fear that is beginning to choke many Americans. Without a doubt, Czars Biden and Harris are determined to destroy American freedoms as their words, actions, and policies follow the communist manifesto. This election has taught Americans a valuable lesson in politics as opposing speech becomes silenced, freedom of religion gets usurped, and the right to bear arms becomes challenged in courts. Americans are coming to understand the profound role that local officials can play in safeguarding their citizens against tyrannical leaders who choose to ignore the Constitution. And this has never been evidenced so flagrantly as during this Wuhan Covid pandemic, as local and federal lawmakers force Americans into wearing ineffective diapers across their faces. The debate is not against the effectiveness or ineffectiveness of facemasks, although science has proven that they do not work. The disaccord lies within the constitutionality of its enforcement. The decisions made by local leaders signal the differences in their ideologies that either support a Democratic, Socialist, or Communist society or the Republic of which the United States became founded. Woody Jacobs is currently the Mayor of our municipality in Cullman, Alabama. So far, Jacobs has respected his constituents' right to decide whether a mask is warranted by not enforcing the state mandate issued by Alabama Governor Kay Ivey. Jacobs has abided by the Constitution. If he continues to consider the Constitution, illustrate fiscal responsibility, ensure voter integrity, and reign without corruption, I will undoubtedly vote for his third term. My citizen obligation is to research every candidate and to understand their dogmas. The Wuhan virus has taught me how relative local politics are in my life! It has awoken this sleeping giant. Hopefully, it will awaken the citizens of Nashville, Tennessee, where my distant cousin John Norment Powell Cooper has begun to serve his first term as Mayor. 

1958, July 21, The Knoxville Journal,
Knoxville, Tennessee, Page 3

John Norment Powell Cooper was only a mere toddler when his parents introduced him to the world of politics [1-2]. Born on October 15, 1956, in Nashville, Davidson County, Tennessee, to parents William Prentice Cooper II and Hortense Hayes Powell, John's debut on the political stage came naturally [1-13]. His father, William Prentice, who was sixty-one at the time of John's birth, had already spent years serving his country and state. His father previously had held the esteemed offices of Tennessee Senator (1936-1939), Governor of Tennessee (1939-1945), and Ambassador of Peru (1946-1948) long before the births of him and his two older brothers, William Prentice III (January 1, 1952) and James Hayes Shofner Cooper (June 19, 1954) [7]. But in 1958, his father decided to challenge freshman U.S. Senator Albert Gore in the Democrat primary, requiring countless hours of campaigning [1-2]. On the campaign trail, John, his siblings, and his mother, Hortense, shadowed in staunch support of his father's bid for the Tennessee Senatorial seat [1-2]. John, held by one of his parents, would speak into the microphone one common word that would make the crowd rally behind his father [1-2]. John's only gurgled sound was "Hi" [1-2].  

John Norment Powell Cooper

As a young child, John grew up with all the expected advantages of a child whose lineage held many past prominent politicians with wealth and stature [14]. He spent his formative years in Shelbyville, Tennessee, presumably at the Victorian farmhouse (now referred to as Governor Prentice Cooper House) specifically built for his grandfather, William Prentice Cooper I, by John's great-grandfather, Jacob Morton Shofner, and now owned by his father [15-18]. Tragically, though, at thirteen, John lost the most relative role model a young boy can have, his dad, when his father passed away on May 18, 1969, from cancer [7, 13,15]. Around that same time, John's life changed even more when he left known hometowns, Shelbyville and Nashville, by being sent to Groton, Massachusetts, to attend Groton Christian Academy, a private Episcopalian college preparatory school [2, 19-21]. Upon his graduation from Groton in approximately 1979, John decided to attend Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and it was there that John earned his bachelor's degree in history [3, 22-23]. After graduating from Harvard, he completed his education by attending the Owen School of Management at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, graduating in 1985 with his Master's in Business Administration [3-22-23]. While completing his studies, however, John also directed his attention towards politics. At twenty-three, John became the Chief of Staff for Politician Charles Elson Buddy Romer and aided Romer with a run as a House of Representative candidate in 1980 [1]. That same year, he also assisted Jane Greenbaum Eskinel in her campaign for a seat in the Tennessee Public Service Commission [1]. 

With his newly earned MBA, John headed to New York after graduation. Immediately, John found employment with Shearson Lehman Brothers on Wall Street, using his expertise in corporate finance and mergers [1, 23-25]. He later became the Managing Director of Technology for an investment bank in San Francisco [1, 24-25]. However, in John's home state of Tennessee, where he returned to afterward, he found the most success as a real estate developer in Williamson County [1,24,26]. His most notable accomplishments are The Heritage at Brentwood, a senior living community, and Happy Retails, a charitable business whose profits go 100% to animal rescuing [1,24, 26]. He also developed, in 1995, Maryland Farms in Brentwood, Tennessee, a mixed-use office and retail district [1,24,26]. 

John Norment Powell Cooper with sons John Norment Powell,
 Prentice Fitzgerald McGavock, and Landis Crockett

John was forty years old before investing in a family, the most profound asset of his life [27-32]. On June 21, 1997, in Warm Springs, Bath County, Virginia, John married Laura Suzanne Fitzgerald, the youngest child of four born to Ray Burton Fitzgerald and Mary Catherine Wiseman [27-32]. Born August 24, 1997, in Staunton, Virginia, Laura understood the world of wealth, prominence, and politics since her father was the Supreme Court Chief Magistrate for the 25th District of Virginia [33-36]. Like her father, Laura pursued her law degree after graduating from Robert E. Lee High School [37-38]. She attended Hollins College and Yale Law School, eventually receiving a law degree [37-38]. After completing her education, she received a Professorial position at Washington Lee University teaching Public Constitutional Law [37-38]. But soon after their marriage, they welcomed their first son, John Norment Powell Cooper II, born August 16, 1999, in Charlottesville, Virginia [39-42]. Two years later, John and Laura welcomed another son into their welcoming arms, Prentice Fitzgerald McGavock Cooper, born October 24, 2001, in Nashville, Davidson County, Tennessee [43]. On March 31, 2005, John and Laura expanded their family for the third time with another son named Landis Crockett Cooper, born in Charlottesville, Virginia [36]. Like his father, John had three sons to shape and mold!

In 1982, John's brother, Jim, decided to begin his political career by running for the 4th Congressional District of Tennessee [24, 44-4]. John supported his efforts by campaigning for Jim, helping him win the seat John served on from January 3, 1983-January 3, 1995 [24, 44-45]. When his brother ran for the Senatorial seat in 1994, John campaigned again for his older brother [24, 44-45]. However, this time, Jim's opponent, Fred Thompson, a Republican Attorney and an Actor, won, overwhelmingly defeating Jim [24, 44-45]. In 2002, John's brother, Jim, needed his brother's help for the third time when he ran for the 5th Congressional District of Tennessee [24, 44-45]. The brothers were successful, and James Haynes Shofner "Jim" Cooper still retains that seat after being sworn in on January 3, 2003 [24, 44-45]. It was an experience that John would use to propel him into his political career.  

By 2015, twenty years after the founding of PLC Properties, John had developed 1 million square feet of retail and office space to his credit. John's impact on the community led to countless job opportunities for the city of Brentwood, the place he called home [25]. However, it seems that John did not want his commitment to his city to end with just assisting in its development. So, on April 21, 2015, John announced his candidacy for one of the five at-large council positions available on the Metro Council [25]. He wanted to use his financial expertise to help the Nashville and Davidson counties make more fiscally responsible decisions that assured community growth and development [25]. Upon his announcement, John declared, "Metro Government spends more than 2 billion dollars per year, and my professional experience in financial management will be an asset in providing oversight for the city budget [25]." 

After almost four months of campaigning, John's goal of becoming an at-large metropolitan council member was close to being recognized. On August 6, 2015, he positioned second, winning 9.2% of the general election votes [46]. One month later, on September 10, John won 14.5% of the votes in the run-off election, becoming one of the five newly elected at-large council members [46]. Also elected to the council were Erica Gilmore, Bob Mendes, Sharon Hunt, and Jim Shulman. When asked what he was most passionate about, John stated, "responsible public finance [4])." He added, "It may not be the most exciting part of governing, but the decisions leaders make about how the government spends money determine the level of services they can provide for their constituents [46]. As the saying goes, "You show me your budget, I'll show you your priorities [46]." As a council member, John would advocate for a bill that strengthened the council's ability to amend capital plans introduced by the Mayor [47]. Additionally, he presented a bill that would not allow spending on a capital project to exceed the amount earmarked originally by the Mayor [47]. Eventually, John's beliefs and advocation for fiscal responsibility led him to become the coveted Budget and Finance Committee Chairman [48].

After four years as an at-large council member, John's aspirations led him to declare, officially on April 15, 2019, a run for the Mayoral position [26]. In an exclusive interview in the Tennessean, John said he wanted to "return to a simpler, more nuts-and-bolts government that favors paying police officers and teachers more instead of big-ticket projects like sports stadiums and expensive downtown tax incentive deals [26]." He vowed to prioritize neighborhoods over pet projects and be a good financial steward of the city budget [26]. John summarized his campaign principles by saying he thought of teachers as developers who needed support and human capital [26]. John said, "It's all about human capital. That's the ladder of opportunity and success [26]." "The teachers are developing the human capital of our community that is going to create the great future," he said [26]. On August 1, 2019, John defeated nine other candidates by winning 35% of the votes [46]. In the general election on September 12, he overwhelmingly defeated candidate David Briley by securing 69.1% of the votes over his opponent's 30.2% [46]. It was time to start walking the walk and not just talking the talk. 

In 2020, John's role as the ninth Mayor of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County began by facing a national health crisis, the Wahun virus pandemic.   John's ability to lead his citizens during a world crisis became quickly tested.   As a candidate, John had vowed to be a leader whose financial expertise would lead the metro area in a clear direction [49].   However, John's campaign declarations were unrealistic despite his educational pedigree and competence.  They did not allow for obstacles and challenges.  His promises included affordable housing incentives, high-quality education for all citizens, sound management of taxpayer money, goals to achieve more green space and parks, improved infrastructure, solutions to traffic problems, and restoring the public's trust [49].   John allured his constituents by offering the hope of using the city's other revenue sources to achieve city goals instead of increasing their property taxes [49].  

In total, John made fifty-one campaign promises to his constituents. Some of what he has guaranteed the voters he has accomplished during his first unconventional mayoral year, despite the challenges he faces [50]. John has decreased the policing overtime budget by requiring events like the NFL or NASCAR to pay for their security [50]. He purchased 2.1 million dollars of body-worn cameras for the Metro Nashville Police Department to help protect those wearing blue [50]. John increased the city's revenue by securing a lump sum of monies annually from the Convention City Authority and the Music City Center [50]. He renegotiated the soccer stadium deal, eliminating all taxpayer risk, and arranged for the stadium group to pay for any necessary applicable infrastructure [50]. John allocated money for school improvement, including 24 million dollars towards laptops for every student [50]. To increase minimum wages to fifteen dollars hourly for the Metro Nashville Public School staff, he spent $4.9 million [50]. And John allotted 175 million dollars towards bicycle and pedestrian accessibility to green areas and parks [50]. Of course, depending on your viewpoint, these can either be considered successes or failures.

Despite his promises, according to the 2021 fiscal operating budget, John did what most politicians do when the list of wants exceeds the revenue generated. He raised taxes significantly instead of prioritizing the wants and needs of the city [51]. "A large tax increase is never easy, and it was made more painful by the sharp economic downturn brought on by COVID-19," said John [51]. Under normal circumstances, John declared, he would have never considered it [51]. However, since Nashville was now facing financial challenges because of the crisis, John deemed it necessary [51]. Audaciously, John patted himself and the council on their backs for their work on the budget [51]. In summation of John and the council's misguided priorities, the city's budget included 24 million dollars for student laptops and only 5.7 million dollars for small business owners [51]. John and the council also allocated $229,000 to hire a Chief Diversity Officer and a Workforce Diversity Manager to satisfy the thirst of a few for wokeness [51].  

John has almost three years remaining in his current term. Undoubtedly, he will be unable to resist the temptation to spend more instead of prioritizing less. However, it is what John will demand out of those who voted for and supported him. John will not ask his city employees to drive around in used vehicles, the choice many financially astute homes will have to make. John will not demand that his teachers forfeit a yearly wage, even if many of their student's parents are unemployed. John will not ask city employees to cut their budgets, use products frugally, prioritize their departmental needs, or be better stewards of the people's money. John will also not implement policies that reward those who work. He will only incentivize those who use the welfare system funded by the taxpayers' money with more policies that do not, have not, and will never work! John will be the typical politician in what has become an extension of communist China -- aka what used to be known as America. And John will continue to trample on the Constitution of the United States by imposing a mask mandate on its citizens [52]!

John Norment Powell Cooper, Laura Suzanne Fitzgerald

As a citizen of the United States, I am astonished by the representatives that we people elected. They have no respect for their constituents and no longer have honor for their country. Our politicians use to respect we-the people-enough to hide their illegalities. But now, they openly display their lack of virtues by defying Americans to complain about their blatant and corrupt financial deals with foreign assets. The bills they pass no longer contain only the pork for district pet projects. The enormous bills they pass now include avenues to wash dirty money through foreign entities back into the ever-growing politicians' bank accounts. Dictator Joe Biden and his crime family have mastered this feat better than most politicians. COVID-19, or the Wahun virus, has been the manufactured tool to distort our reality. What was true is now considered false. What is untrue is now considered a lie that we must believe! Americans have forgotten how to use common sense! Americans have forgotten how to ask practical questions, beginning with an easy one. If medical masks worked, why does the box they come with warnings stating that they do not protect you from COVID-19? And if cloth masks worked, why do they say not for medical use? Ask yourself, "How did John's wife, Laura, contract Covid-19 on January 5, 2021, after supposedly obeying the mandate [53]? Our Politicians and the Tech Tsars don't want us asking questions. It is harder to control a society that seeks logical answers. As Thomas Jefferson says, "Question with boldness even the existence of a God; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason, than that of blindfolded fear [54]." And as one of my icons, Glenn Beck, says, "I may not have the answers, but power left unchecked can turn very ugly, very rapidly. So it's vital that we all question with boldness, hold to the truth, and speak without fear [55]."

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