Local family attorney James Widrig says he's running to replace Parker Toler on Metro Council. In addition to running his downtown-based firm, Widrig is president of the Lenox Village Homeowners Association.

Joey Garrison has the news that former Bass Berry attorney Renard Francois has picked up qualifying papers for a Metro Council at-large seat. Francois has been working at Caterpillar Financial Services since 2008.

Attorney George Barrett is keeping up the pressure on the Metro Planning Department in his push to have Metro Council district updated before May's election.

He today shipped a letter to Vice Mayor Diane Neighbors and Council members with a range of questions — "assuming that the public will not be asked for input" — that he wants Planning Director Rick Bernhardt to answer. The leadoff:

1. Can Mr. Bernhardt explained to the Council how redistricting was done in 1971, based on 1970 Census figures, before the 1971 election, and before the "age of computer" generated program for redistricting?

SEE ALSO: Vice mayor sets informational meeting to address redistricting

Presser from the candidate:

East Nashville business owner and Rosebank resident Anthony Davis announces his bid for the District Seven Metropolitan-Nashville Council seat currently held by term-limited Inglewood resident, Councilman Erik Cole. Davis’s campaign –and prospective service on the Council– will focus on: continued leadership, building on the good work of Mayor Karl Dean and Councilman Cole; economic development; smart growth policies and respect for the Gallatin Road SP; and public education reform. The campaign will hold an official kick-off reception in the candidate’s honor on March 2, 5:00 p.m., at Watanabe’s in Riverside Village. “It’d be an honor and a privilege to serve the wonderful area that is Inglewood and East Nashville on the Metro Council,” said Davis. “I’d like to see continued improvement of our neighborhoods, and so promise to be a highly open and accessible Councilmember. Because good communication among neighbors is fundamental to sustained progress in our district, and to ensuring that all of Davidson County remains a great place to live, work, and play. Councilman Cole has done an outstanding job strengthening community relationships, informing District residents on Council activities, and working with Mayor Dean to accomplish big things for Nashville. Davis pledges to maintain the momentum and build on his predecessor’s reputation of community stewardship, and his positive, hopeful perspective on even the most difficult of urban challenges.

Joey Garrison with the scoop on Pam Murray;

Former Metro Councilwoman Pam Murray, ousted from office 15 months ago through a special recall election, says she plans to run to reclaim her old District 5 seat. “I’m going to run,” Murray told The City Paper Tuesday. “I’ve got a lot of people who’ve asked me to.”

Read the whole thing here.

In an e-mail to constituents explaining her no vote on CANDO, Karen Bennett encourages them to call her with concerns, since e-mails are subject to public-records requests:

In an effort to keep you informed and reduce gos­sip, I want you to know the Coun­cil office has received a pub­lic records request for my emails from Jan 1st to yes­ter­day from some­one out­side of our dis­trict.  This per­son has worked actively for the pro­posed leg­is­la­tion.  I will not be bul­lied or threat­ened either in my per­sonal life or as I rep­re­sent you on coun­cil.  Many of you phoned your views to me and I would encour­age you to con­tinue to use this form of com­mu­ni­ca­tion.  I am in the process of com­pil­ing the emails to respond to the pub­lic records request.  It is my hope that your per­sonal infor­ma­tion can be removed from the requested emails for your own pro­tec­tion.  How­ever, I am not sure this infor­ma­tion can be legally redacted since all emails sent to or received by me regard­ing Coun­cil busi­ness are pub­lic records under state law.  I plan to make this desire known to the Met­ro­pol­i­tan attor­neys, but I can­not guar­an­tee that your per­sonal infor­ma­tion will be removed.

“This sends the message that we believe in equal opportunity for employment for everyone,” said Chris Sanders, president of the Tennessee Equality Project, who was among dozens of gay rights advocates who cheered after the bill’s approval.

“We’re one reading away from it being the public policy for this city to tell all the world no matter who you are, no matter what your sexual orientation and gender identity is, we’re not going to tolerate discrimination,” said Councilman Jamie Hollin, one of the bill’s sponsors. “Everybody is welcome in Nashville, Tenn.,” he said. “I’m proud to be part of an effort to make that statement.” Hollin and fellow council members Erica Gilmore and Mike Jameson introduced the ordinance following the December exit of Lisa Howe, the former Belmont University women's soccer coach who supporters say was dismissed after school officials discovered she planned to have a baby with her same-sex partner. Leading up to the vote, conservative critics of the legislation had said the policy represents an intrusion of government on the private workplace. On Tuesday, that was one prominent theme echoed from the 16 council members who voted against the bill, but many focused on morality. “An alcoholic can be likeable and have redeeming value in spite of the addiction,” said Councilman Phil Claiborne, who voted against the ordinance. “But that doesn’t mean the behavior is acceptable to the masses of the people,” he said. “In the case of sexual orientation, the vast majority of the world’s religious population is willing to embrace the individual, but they do not find the actions acceptable.” Councilman Jim Hodge, who also voted against the ordinance, said the nondiscrimination policy actually prevents contractors employing 16 or more from exercising freedom of religion. “Jesus said love your neighbor,” Hodge said. “He didn’t say endorse their lifestyle. I cannot as a businessman with 16 employees conduct my business the way I want to — the way I desire to based on my faith — if this passes. “We don’t have any reason to interfere in a private contractual relationship between an employer and an employee,” he added.