Portland, Tennessee Blog

DeeAnna-
Yes, individuals can be members. You can download the form from the Portlandtn.com homepage. It opens as a pdf file and gives you the rates for the various kinds of memberships.

Can anyone be a member of the Chamber of Commerce or is it just for business owners? I saw a website for another city where they sold individual memberships. Do they do that here?

I can't answer that....but what I've wondered about the Chamber.....Can an individual belong to it? Or is it just for business owners?

I have a question about the Chamber of Commerce.

I know that the Chamber does a lot for the City, but isn't it a political group also?

Terry, suppose so. I would assume in the certification of the census, it would catch any households that aren't in the city limits.

How thorough do you suppose they are at certifying these things?

I think in something as important as counting people for census...that relying on a card being sent in isn't the best way to do it.

It's possible that the cards were sent to addresses of people who have Portland city water or natural gas.

Deanna, I believe someone called her. I'll have to ask her again, but I'm pretty sure that is what she said. I received a census card as well, and I'm WAY out here. I was just wondering because I seem to remember the last time it was done, I lived off Church Street, and the census guy told me it was to count those within city limits. It just irked me that we couldn't vote in the election, but it seemed like they wanted to count us for the census anyway...and that just didn't seem right.

Thanks to all that responded.

I have a question about the Chamber of Commerce.

I know that the Chamber does a lot for the City, but isn't it a political group also?

All of the census has to be certified.
We are confident if we had a little more time we could have exceeded the 11,000 mark, but due to the state's dealine for us getting our money this year, we had to stop when we did.

You could also go to the Portland Website and fill it out there. We kept forgetting to mail ours, so we just filled it out online. I'm assuming when they counted them, they took note of all the addresses (whether in city limits or not) otherwise anyone could have done a mass mailing with dummy addresses/people or filled out online. I'm sure they have some safeguards on this sort of thing especially since money is given based on a results.

I thought the census was for the purpose of counting the number of people in the city limits, too.

Did someone come to her front door and get the information for the card, or did she receive one in the mail, possibly by accident? That being the case, maybe someone just gave her wrong information by telling her she had to fill it out.

I remember they said if the cards weren't mailed in, they would be sending someone around to get the information.

However -- if they went out of the City Limits just to get more "numbers" of people just so they could get more govt. money....then that is WRONG.

Interesting.

I have a question about the census. Exactly who should have filled this out? I was under the impression it was solely for residents within the city limits, however, my grandmother was told she had to fill it out and lives close to New Deal. So we outside the limits residents should be counted for the city to receive money, but we can't vote in city elections? Do I have that right?

How many of you plan to attend the City Council meeting tomorrow night?

I know that the CEMC has the option to add $1 for PROJECT HELP which provides assistance to low income people, maybe you could check to see how many people participate in that program and that might give you an idea of how something like that would go over.

LOL @ DeeAnna, you & jwmason too funny!!

JW --- yes, I think that is what I was trying to say....5,000 households @ one dollar a month...that would be 5,000 a month ! Ok...think I got it now...gosh...thanks. I am so horrible at math...I don't know why I try. Ok..then that would be 5,000 a month x 12 months....equals ....60,000 !!! Now....that's a good amount of money....(assuming everyone gave the dollar ). Great idea.
Thanks, again. Guess I can forget running for City Finance Director, huh ??? LOL LOL

Sorry..

I should have read Judi's post before I did.

kind of redundant.

(Smacks self upside head)

Judy....oh, gosh, I am soooo bad at math. Thanks for correcting my dismal math.... :)

Well, JW had a great idea and I wish it would work and it would bring in much needed money for the library....maybe that will be implemented. Who would decide that? The Council ? Think it would help to write the mayor a letter and suggest this ?

As I said in one of my earlier postings....I think there should be some partership formed between the business and industry sector and the Library...and more corporate funding go into the Library...

Thanks again for re-doing the math !! :)

Dee

DOn't you mean $5,000 monthly (assuming those numbers and everyone giving).

Watauga isn't much bigger than Portland. Every $$ helps tho.

It was a thought.

DeeAnna - If half of the households in this town added an additional $1 per month /$12 for the year, estimating using the census and I divided it by 3.25 people per home =3,366 households (an estimate just for calculating), if only 1500 of the households sent a dollar each month that would be 18K per year, or $1,500 per month. However I don't think everyone in Portland has Portland City Water so not sure how that would play into those figures. Even still I think jwmason has a GREAT idea. Why not put that option out there, they don't have to give if they don't want, but I bet it would generate some much needed income for the Library.

Maybe they could get the Larger Industrial and Businesses in the City to become sponsors for the Library, where they donate a certain amount and a plaque is placed let's just say, "Media Center Sponsored in part by XYZ Inc." This is a Tax write off for them. Don't know, just a thought.

JW -- the idea of paying an extra dollar on the water bill ---
I looked at the Census for Portland and it says there are 10,941 people. I don't know how many households there are, but assuming there are 2 people, at least, in a household, that would come to about $5,000 a year. That would be helpful, for sure -- but the majority of people will not give a dollar extra for anything, that's the catch.

Speaking of the library, I remember a few years back, they hosted a party, like a dance. It was so much fun, it was "Happy Days" theme and you were asked to dress the part.They had a small band, scooted the tables and bookshelves around and everyone danced, some folks brought food, others brought drinks, it was very simple, but yet very much entertaining. Everyone had such a great time! That was one of my first times at the library and we have been enjoying the library and the staff ever since. I think that as a community, we need to realize how important the library is to our town, if you haven't been,you should certainly go and see for yourself. If you don't like to read much, they have movies, LOTS of movies, in VHS and DVD, they have computer games, magazines and really nice people who can assist you in anyway. I'd certainly be willing to pay for a membership if that allowed them to still be there as a safe, nice place to take my family.

To help funding the Library here. We have the option of paying $1.00 extra on our water bill. It's strictly up to you if you want to pay the extra $1.00 or not.

Just a thought how it's done here in Watauga.

Who updates the Portland Website? It still has J.D. Vandercook listed as the County Sheriff.....

FYI - anyone with preteen or teenagers that are getting into babysitting the Sumner Regional Medical Center will be hosting the "Safe Sitter Classes" June 6-7, for more information on registering call the HealthLine at 1/866-230-0324

Michelle - You hit the nail right on the head, "we can, as a community, address the hunger problem one child at a time through an effort such as a soup kitchen and that needs exist even if some are receiving assistance elsewhere." that is the way I looked at it as well.

Too many times discussions can be interpreted the wrong way because we have only the black & white text to "hear and speak with" and not the tone of a voice which many times makes things clearer.

DeeAnna - I too have learned quite a bit about the library on this thread, thank you Councilman Callis!

I am not oblivious to the fact that some individuals abuse the system or that individuals commit fraud, but it's not just food stamp recipients. There are MANY government and charitable programs that are abused and defrauded, and there are many children who are going hungry for reasons other than their parents are selling food stamps for drugs.

The reason I felt that food stamp recipients were being singled out is because they were the only "group" noted as a concern. It has been posted since then that it was not intended to sound that way. I went back and re-read the post I was responding to and admit that I could have misunderstood the "bigger picture" which I THINK was that we can, as a community, address the hunger problem one child at a time through an effort such as a soup kitchen and that needs exist even if some are receiving assistance elsewhere. ??? Did I get it that time?

Thanks ! NOW, I understand the use of the word "charity" ---- it all makes sense now.
I didn't realize the library was in a city owned building...and I didn't realize what "hoop-jumping" grants caused.

Seems to me now that the Library needs to come up with some creative ideas to get more people to contribute -- more corporate giving, more Friends of the Library memberships, or something.

It would be really neat if a partnership with the library and local businesses could be formed --calling it the Literacy Partnership or something..and each would contribute a minimum set amount to belong...and in return their employees would get some added benefit from it...like a Gold Library Card or something ...
Are there a hundred businesses in Portland? What if they each gave 1,000 to belong ....( it's tax deductible, right ? ) that would be a hundred thousand per year for the library.
Bigger industries could give more, perhaps. Maybe base the amount on the size of the company. The Library is really a vital part of any community --
a lot of people just really don't realize what function the library serves in their community.

Ok...thanks for everyone's explanations about charities and grants.

as noted below, "when you are caught in a grant funded situation, you must be careful" this is very true and why a lot of NON-Profits won't go after GRANT money, many of them attach so many strings to the funds awarded that you are like a puppet there after. Others if you are awarded grant funding from them, you cannot apply to many, many other organizations that they partner with, say you apply for 5k they may only give you $500. and then you give up the possibility of thousands from others. There is plenty of Grant Funding out there, but not many want to go thru the hoops to get it.

This may not be 100% correct, but...
Knowing how everyone's budget is so tight and tax money is always spread thin, another enity (i.e. the county or feds)thought we were commited to a certain amount each year, they may not be as inclined to continue to give at the amount they have been.
It's seems strange, but when you are caught in a grant funded situation, you must be careful.
The Library is caught in a tight spot and they need all the funding they can get.
The building they are in is a city building and the money we give really just helps with some upkeep.
I think the money we give is only about 1/6 of their budget.

Councilman Callis -- Thanks for that explanation.
Just wondering -- why would they want to be listed as a charity ???

The Library has been given this $25,000 each year for several years.
This money is already figured in the budget, but the way the other funding for the Library is structured, those at the Library ask that we keep it listed as a charity, even though it has a line item in our city budget.
As I have stated, our Library should have more focus, and with their proposed expansion they will need to gain more support if they will ever get the funding needed.

Michelle, In no way did I degrade people that have to use food stamps. I had to use them myself several years ago. I was pointing out a FACT how SOME mis-use and abuse the system and the children are the ones that suffer. I would not be on this blog just throwing out accusations unless I had seen this with my own eyes. And in no way was I grouping food stamp recipents as a whole.

My previous post really had nothing to do with food stamps. I was pointing out some reason why children in this country go hungry. Was my previous post ignorant?? Not at all.
People that believe this sort of thing does not happen are the ones that are ignorant.

Any gifts or donations are tax-deductible...I think it's just a very distasteful thing to call the library a "charity". I think that's the objection. Again...just my opinion.

Currently they call it 'charity', so isn't it tax deductible? If they change it to 'grant', wouldn't that change that? Maybe that's why?

DA ---

You're exactly right..........that's what I meant when,in my past comments, I have said that the City uses the term "charity" loosely......whoever is making decisions is making them based on something other than common sense, in my opinion.

The concept that I have the most trouble with on this thread, is that the Library is considered a "Charity". Gee, folks, let's rethink this. A library is a place where we have all done research, found books to read for fun, borrowed movies, taken our children for story hour; I can't imagine a world without our wonderful library system. It is too vital a part of our society to be considered an optional charity.

I would think that a City that placed any kind of value on education would insure that a specific amount of money was set aside each year, without question, for the support of a public library. I think it's sad that Barbara Russell has to come to the City Council every year and justify why the Library needs funding. It isn't right.

Some cities have started charging an annual fee for a library card, just to stay afloat. Maybe that is next for Portland. I'd much rather see the City place a top value on education by supporting, without question, our library.

The concept that I have the most trouble with on this thread, is that the Library is considered a "Charity". Gee, folks, let's rethink this. A library is a place where we have all done research, found books to read for fun, borrowed movies, taken our children for story hour; I can't imagine a world without our wonderful library system. It is too vital a part of our society to be considered an optional charity.

I would think that a City that placed any kind of value on education would insure that a specific amount of money was set aside each year, without question, for the support of a public library. I think it's sad that Barbara Russell has to come to the City Council every year and justify why the Library needs funding. It isn't right.

Some cities have started charging an annual fee for a library card, just to stay afloat. Maybe that is next for Portland. I'd much rather see the City place a top value on education by supporting, without question, our library.

The concept that I have the most trouble with on this thread, is that the Library is considered a "Charity". Gee, folks, let's rethink this. A library is a place where we have all done research, found books to read for fun, borrowed movies, taken our children for story hour; I can't imagine a world without our wonderful library system. It is too vital a part of our society to be considered an optional charity.

I would think that a City that placed any kind of value on education would insure that a specific amount of money was set aside each year, without question, for the support of a public library. I think it's sad that Barbara Russell has to come to the City Council every year and justify why the Library needs funding. It isn't right.

Some cities have started charging an annual fee for a library card, just to stay afloat. Maybe that is next for Portland. I'd much rather see the City place a top value on education by supporting, without question, our library.

Michelle - My comment below using the reference to another comment that I_Care made about some parents selling their food stamps for drugs was just that a reference to a comment. I think I_Care does have a valid point and was not trying to generalize and degrade any group as you put it by that comment. I never even looked at the statement as Grouping, as far as I'm concerned food stamp recipients are no different than anyone else, not everyone goes thru life without needing a little help from time to time. Just my opinion.

I care-Do you realize that eating my cooking is worse than starving?...seriously though, you're right, there's nothing worse than starving and no reason why people should in our country.

Self-righteous, judgemental, stereotyping is a serious CHARACTER FLAW.

It doesn't matter what your socio-ecomonic status, your race or your religion is, there are criminals amoung you. Does that make YOU a criminal? ONLY if YOU commit a crime.

THE COMMENT about people receiving food stamps selling them for drugs, as a generalization, in an attempt to impune the integrity of a group as a whole, was just . . . well, IGNORANT.

Helping Hands does still have a meal route, they provide meals for elderly individuals of need, and yes they have been recepients of the city funding many times. Anyone with a family who is experiencing a hardship can go and talk to them and they will provide a food box of several days worth of food. You're not going to get T-Bone Steaks, but food is food when it is really needed. Also, Cares gives out food every day to customers, I am sure they can help others too if asked, it may be cakes, donuts, cereal, bread, etc. Then the churches of this town have many, many times given to families that need help with food, clothing, or whatever.

I'm not saying a soup kitchen for children can't be justified, but there is help out there it takes the parents to make the effort. And if like you say parents are selling foodstamps to buy drugs what makes you think they care enough to get their children on a soup bank so that they can eat. Sounds to me like they need to be reported to DCS, it's sad because the children are the ones suffering no matter how you look at it because of these irresponsible parents. I don't mean to sound ignorant, I'm sure it is happening everywhere, but if I knew of children that really needed food I would be more than happy to provide a couple meals a week as I'm sure many others would as well, I must not be as in touch with this town as I thought because I don't see it.

MDL - Yes Angel Food Ministries is a good group, and I agree Portland churches really should look into this, I especially liked your last sentence "If you don't want to do it for yourself, then do it for someone else!"

Angel Food Ministries is an AWESOME group. I've often wondered why NO churches in Portland participate. Especially as there are so MANY churches in Portland alone. Most of the surrounding towns participate, some even have more than one location/church. Everyone should check out their website. The food you get is great quality (not govt issue) and the stock purchase is only $25, which is a steal for what you get. But the specials offered in addition are only $18 each and quite large. Always good quality meats, so it's a bargain! No qualifying, anyone can do it. And no limits on what you want to buy! If you don't want to do it for yourself, then do it for someone else!

Here is a Group that some Church might look into.

http://www.angelfoodministries.com/default.asp

Oh, I am very serious. If not a soup kitchen how about Meals on Wheels for Children. Does Helping Hands still do that for the elderly and shut ins? If so does the city donate any money to that cause? If not, why not?

Isn't there a church or organization in this town that would be willing to take this on, with the town's help of course, and see that children in this town do not go hungry?

Daniel, you can "adopt" a child or family in need. Invite them over for supper a few times a week. Maybe go grocery shopping and surprise them with a bag full of food. Cook a casserole and drop it off at their house. There are many things that citizens of this town can do to make sure the children are fed.

But, from what I have read on this blog I guess sidewalks are more important.

Sara, so what would be so wrong about Portland operating a soup kitchen? Feeding hungry poor people/children is every bit as important as funding the "charities" that Portland is throwing money to....I really think they need to publish the list of these in the paper, so everyone can see who is getting our tax dollars. Portland or whoever decides is really using the word "charity" loosely....Everyone needs to write a letter to the mayor or the Councilmen to protest this "charity" giveaway program. I know..."like it would do any good"...but they should still get letters and calls and know that the people don't like it.
I would think, as religious a town that Portland claims to be, feeding the hungry would be top priority...as the Bible tells us to feed the hungry, etc....
Does Portland have a Food Bank?

I_Care,

Is operating a soup kitchen really the kind of thing you think the City of Portland ought to be involved in? Seriously?

If the kids are in summer school they will still get fed, outside of that I don't know what else we can do.

Since the city seems to have extra money laying around to just give away here is an idea. Why not open a soup kitchen to feed the hungry children in Portland. I often wonder do the kids that received free lunch during school get to eat now that school is out? For some of the children the school lunch was the only meal they had for the day. If a child came knocking at your door begging for food would you feed him? I sure hope so. Portland, the children are knocking. What will you do?

Don't roll your eyes and say this doesn't happen. You know it does.

Yeah, there are food stamps etc etc. But what about the parents that sell the stamps so they can buy drugs? Their children go hungry. This is a big problem in the USA, but small communities like ours can put a stop to it one child at a time.

Shana - Thank you for that information, I wasn't aware that something of the sorts existed and that is GREAT! My thoughts were merely that if the City made donations with City funds that I would rather see it go to other sources such as education.

Yes the money could be used in better ways within our city, 46K might lay sidewalks on 1 small block of town, it would probably pay for another officer, maybe they should take the money and hire the resource officer that is needed at the schools. I know the majority of the money is tax payer funds equivalent to around $4.10 per resident according to the new census, and like many have said if they wanted to donate that is their choice as to who, what, where and when they donate to. The buck needs to stop somewhere and like I said earlier, these non-profits have many other alternatives for funding, If the city wants to give away my households $8.20 give it where it will do some GOOD, not to pay for someone's lunch at 5Chef's.

I still think that ANY money given to ANY organization, including the library, should be structured as a GRANT.

Something else that no one has mentioned specifically is that the City just conducted a CENSUS to bring in some MUCH NEEDED revenue from the state. The $66000.00 in "charitable donations" represents over TWO-THIRDS of what we gained as a result of the census. HELLOOOOOO!

As Councilman Callis pointed out, we need more officers - we need A LOT OF THINGS.

Giving away the City's money, no matter HOW WORTHY the organization may be, only leaves the City scrounging for MORE money to pay for the NECESSITIES.

And where do you think they will be scrounging??? THINK HARD!! That's right! TAXES!!!

Judy,

I think that sort of organization already exists. Around 2005, a Portland Community Education Foundation was formed with the help of some folks from the City of Portland and the local community. Its a great organization and does the kinds of things you refer to for local students AND teachers. It's not really the city's responsibility to pay for educating our kids either. That's why these kinds of organizations are formed. The city really shouldn't be in the scholarship business - our money should go mostly for city services, not charity.

Councilman Callis,

I think you're on the right track. If I want to make charitable donations (and I do), I should be able to choose to whom those are made. It's not the City's place to assess property taxes that I must pay and then turn around and make charitable donations with my tax money to local organizations. Especially not $66000 worth of it. Maybe I can swallow $25000 to the library - I think that is a little different. Those public organizations should ask for the public's donations themselves based on their own merit rather than just having the ability to come to the city for it. That's too easy. We should give to whomever we want to give. It's not our councilmens' place to decide that for us.

Jerry (you don't mind if I call you Jerry, do you?), you're wrong about the anonymous posts. They are mine....not Mr. Callis's. That's the way a blog works. Keep posting what's on your mind and don't worry about what comments belong to whom. It's just an exchange of ideas - doesn't matter who they belong to.

Anon

I for one would rather the Charity money be distributed to other means. Having worked for a non-profit organization I know there are mega grant monies available to them thru large and small organizations all they have to do is take the time to complete their extensive application process, submit their request, some must appear before a board and then wait to see if they will be awarded funds. An example being the Community Foundation of Middle TN, www.cfmt.org this organization gives out millions yearly and has contributed to many of the same that our city gives to. Wal-Mart is another, I've seen many of our non-profits listed on their wall of recipients every year.

I would rather this money be given perhaps in the form of scholarship monies to our graduating students that reside right here in our town. Maybe take the $40K and give out eight 5K scholarships to students that may otherwise not have the resources to attend even a community college. I believe this town has many students that if the opportunity presented itself would cherish the opportunity to further their education. Since the city has little for them to benefit from after high school other than working at a factory or McDonalds give them something that may change those options or better yet change their lives.

Just my Opinion

Thank you Councilman Callis and Judy for explaining the charity giving "plan" the city has.
I listened to the Tim Coker show on the radio this afternoon, and he told about some of the "charities" the City gave to. There HAS to be a better way of determining who gets what and how much. Michelle, you're right about there should be strict guidelines in the application process.
Money can't be just handed out willy-nilly to whoever asks or how better they present their case than someone else. From listening to the debates during this last election, I heard of all the real needs that Portland has now with it's growth and I don't see how the City can even begin to think about increasing it's charitable giving...and desire to play Santa Claus !
Some of these "charities" can apply for government grants and get money other ways. I was looking at a website from another small town..and one thing they did was to create library districts, for example, so that all the libraries in a designated area shared resources and each library didn't have to bear all their expenses alone. It's nice to be able to give away money, but you can't do it unless your necessities are met and you can do it without creating another problem. If I were on the Council, I'd have to vote No on any increases to "charities".

Sorry to disappoint you, but those are not me.

Now that I think about it, maybe that's another reason why all those old posts and blogs with that type of demeanor were removed. So that with new anonymous names,...you know...Stayin and Lovin ...etc, no one would notice the same person posting under a different name when wanting to take on a more confrontational demeanor.

I think it is funny how since Mr. Callis took so much flack with his more confrontational posts in the past, he is now posting "Anon M. Us"-ly and what not.

Notice how his posts as Councilman Callis are posted within a short amount of time as the Anti-LBTD rants....The way those posts are worded are EXACTLY the way he used to post when being confrontational in the past....be honest, it's you dude.

I think the City Council should designate these monies as GRANTS rather than "charitable donations" and allow for COMPETITION based on VERY SPECIFIC, OBJECTIVE CRITERIA.

Most GRANT applications are very detailed and provide for the who, what, when , when, where, how, how much and how long. They also have provisions for accountability (audits) for the use of the monies granted and RETURN of UNUSED monies.

What was in the paper and what we considered the other night is for this new budget.
It totals a little over $66,000.
$25,000 of that is our yearly contribution to the library; which leaves us with $41,000 being asked for by other organizations.
Let me say that I am all for giving and helping, I practice this in my personal life, but as I stated at the last meeting and for the last 2 years, I do question our role as a city to donate money paid by the public.
While all of these organizations are worthy, where does it end?
Should we set a predetermined fee and limit the total of recipients or should we be giving at all?
If I worked for a unionized business and had to pay dues, and my political association was a certain way, it would upset me when I would have no say to my money being given to a party contrary to mine. This has been going on and many cases have been tried in court.
We have many decisions to make on how best spend the tax payers money for running the city, but should charity donations be one of them?
I believe we could add 1 more officer if we limit the amount of charitable giving and pay off a couple of loans using our fund balance. We must set priorities as a city.
The list of those in need continues to grow. They only need to be a non-profit and let us see their financial report to be considered. I also believe this lends itself to become political when certain groups lobby for their cause.
We should have a set limit on the money and limit it to only a certain number of organizations. Our city has many needs and we are just unable to support these other causes.
This is just my opinion, but I think our top 3 priorities should be:
1. Library
2. Senior Citizens
3. Chamber of Commerce

Then if there were 5 other organizations the council felt were worthy, then they would receive no more than $1000 each.
Many may not like this solution, but each year we struggle with our budget and then give away thousands of dollars.
Do these organizations deserve to be helped? Yes, but is it the job of the city to do it?

As always, this information is of public record and is openly discussed at the meetings.

Judy, thank you for your response to my question about the City's charity program -- I, too, would like to see an accounting for that money and how much is given to each of these charities. Is this information ever made public ? I think we have a right to know.

Re: DeeAnna's Post about Charities

I believe this money is budgeted each year, what they are now giving was approved last year. The monies are given to charities that work within our community where individuals/families in our town from time to time receive help from these non-profit organizations and is one way the city supports or gives back to the community. I believe these organizations submit applications each year in order to receive this funding and a member of their charity has to go before the board with a presentation about their organization in order to be a considered yearly for the city funding. The amount stated is divided among many organizations and not just one or two. Perhaps Councilman Callis could correct me if I'm wrong here.

I think the only thing I would like to see differently about this program and it may already be a requirement is 1) - for these organizations to disclose the amount of Grant monies and funding they receive from other sources. 2)- the exact number of CITY residents these organizations help including a dollar amount. and 3)- The amount of wages their organizations officers/employees receive.

Re-Post from Jessica E.

Since it states we can post about garage sales, that is exactly what I'm gonna do :) Thursday,Friday, & Saturday from 8am-3pm I will be having a yard sale at 153 Cornerstone Blvd., if you would like any further info, please contact me at welovetaterbug@aol.com. Thank you!

Posted by: Jessica E. at May 30, 2007 09:32 PM

I just visited the Portland Web Site and seen they are promoting the Library's Summer Reading Program, looks like they have a summer full of fun, activities, crafts and great things for all the kiddies, both young and old. When you get a minute hop on over to www.portlandtn.com and check it out.

Re-Post from DeeAnna

I just read on the front page of the Progressive, that in the budget meeting, a figure of $46,000 + is what the city gives to different charities.....
is it published somewhere what charities receive this money? And can the city afford to be giving away money like this? I think it even talked about increasing it to $66,000.
Shouldn't the city's needs to taken care of first...and then if there's money left over...give to charities???

Posted by: DeeAnna at May 30, 2007 07:41 PM