Nashville’s Metro Council pays its respects to mayor’s son

At the beginning of each Metro Council meeting, the custom is for Nashville’s vice mayor to ask the Metropolitan clerk whether there are any messages from the mayor.

But on Tuesday night, Vice Mayor David Briley and the 40-member council had a message to give to Mayor Megan Barry on behalf of the city.

Earlier in the day, Barry, surrounded by hundreds of friends, family and political associates, including many council members, watched the memorial service for her only child, Max Barry, who died at 22 on Saturday from an apparent drug overdose. The day before, thousands attended a visitation for the Barry family.

Kicking off Tuesday’s council meeting, Briley read aloud from a letter — signed by council members — that he penned and sent to the mayor offering her and husband Bruce Barry condolences. He said it was written on behalf of Nashville’s residents.

Reciting the letter, an emotional Briley teared up as he discussed the loss of a young man that he said has “sparked feelings of sadness, guilt, fear and anger in us.”

He at times struggled to get through, pausing between sentences, as he talked about the “unshakable sense of compassion and love” shown by the city during Barry’s difficult time.

He ended by offering the city’s love and support and by expressing hope that the compassion for the Barrys shown by Nashvillians will continue in the days ahead.

The letter, in full, reads: “Dear Mayor Barry,

“We were all shocked and deeply saddened to hear the news of your son Max’s death on Sunday. Please accept our most heart-felt condolences for your loss.

“The shock of your loss has sparked feelings of sadness, guilt, fear and anger in us. Many of us have felt not only sadness for your family but also a renewed sadness for those we have lost before. We have struggled with guilt that we could not prevent the loss of such a young man. Fear for our own children has shaken us. And we have felt anger that life should be so cruel.

“Yet, as we waited to visit you and Bruce on Monday and as your friends congregated, another sense began to take hold. The people of Nashville arrived to show an unshakeable sense of compassion and love for you and Bruce. This morning, Max’s friends shared that sense of love for him as we celebrated his life. And as we heard the story of Max’s life, your and Bruce’s love for Max moved us all.

“May this sense of love and compassion, which we have seen in Nashville since Sunday, surround you and Bruce in the coming days. We offer our love and support to you both as you go forth.

“Sincerely,

“David Briley

“The Vice Mayor and Metropolitan Council

“On behalf of the citizens of Metropolitan Nashville and Davidson County.”

Reach Joey Garrison at jgarrison@tennessean.com or 615-259-8236 and on Twitter @joeygarrison.