Portland, Tennessee Blog

Just wanted to let everyone know the mayor agreed to come on the show today. It will start at 3 on WQKR...we'll probably spend most of the time talking about the possible move to city hall.

Mack- I think your child restraint promotion idea is a wonderful one.

Jazzy- I would imagine that the amount of tickets written would be public record. I am not sure how you would find out, maybe call the city hall.

As for writing tickets, what's the point? If you know someone (I don't mean officers, they can't really do anything b/c the ticket books are audited)it will just be dismissed. There is still quite a bit of the buddy system going around in Portland...small towns are just like that. If you know the judge or your family is important around here...the ticket will be dismissed and you'll be back to speeding in no time. The officers know it too. Also, when you are running low on officers you really can't do alot outside of calls. If for nothing else b/c just as soon as you decide to start pulling people over there will be an urgent situation requiring more than one officer and then you have potentially put your co-workers in a dangerous situation with no back-up. During the summer they are more busy than ever because more people are "out and about". I wish that there was someway to make everyone happy, but I just don't think that is possible. Personally, I feel like they do a good job and they have to follow orders. They are told what to do for their shift. They don't just loligag at their own lesiure.

I was hoping Corey would have either went to Charlotte or Chicago, but oh well...it's been great seeing him on all the ESPN shows the last few days. Jim Rome had him on his ESPN show on Wednesday.

Why is Kelley's closing? Any good deals? Woodland has nice stuff. BOught my couch and love seat there.

Congrats to Corey........Onward to Minnesota.

Wouldn't it have been weird if he would have went to Portland!!!!

Congrats to Corey Brewer. He was the 7th pick in the NBA Draft. Way to Go!!!!

Did you all know that Kelly's Furniture store is going out of business ?? I just saw it today...stopped in...I'm sorry to see it closing.

jwmason - We hear every day on our local news about the flooding in TX, please, please, please send just a little this way!
I sincerely hope an end of the rain is near for everyone down there, stay safe!

Judy

I'd send you some if I could. We have had so much rain I'm feeling like a duck. I think I've even started to grow web feet.

Everyday it seems brings more rain and more flash flooding.

Rain.....Rain.....Rain....Will we get any?

I know some surrounding areas have received some rain over the past week but will Portland get some much needed rain on Friday? If it doesn't or it ends up being another big tease will there be any ban on fireworks, or restrictions on Watering?

In all the years I've lived here I have never seen it this dry! Everyone get out and wash their cars today & make it rain!

What kills me in addition to the speeders are the countless cars driving through Portland with toddlers either riding in someone's lap up front, or standing in the seats. I think Portland PD and the Mayor's office need to do a promotional month where they press child restraint seats, and warn violators, that if seen breaking the law, you WILL be dealt with.

Wonder how many speeding tickets the Portland Police write up a month? Anyway to find out?

DA & JW - I couldn't of said it better myself!
JW would one of those speeders on Fowler Ford be a Champagne colored Buick?? I've all but been run over by that one many a times on that road, I live out there myself and know quite well about the vehicles that travel over 50mph thru here on this narrow winding road with a 30mph zone.

As for 109 and the police dept, it's well know that if there's anywhere you can speed and not get caught it's right there, especially if you're a trucker! For the life of me I just can't figure that out!

Enforce Speed limits? Surely you jest!!!

I brought this up about a year ago only to be responded to with "you act like you never speed!"

So, I just decided to bite my tongue until it came up again.

I totally agree with you, I spend a great deal of time in my car. (I work out of my car) and it never ceases to amaze me how people continue to speed with no regard for not only thier own safety but the safety of the people in the other cars around them.

You know there is a problem with traffic enforcement when you are doing the speed limit past the Portland Police station (which is 30MPH), people pass you like you are standing still......did I mention that this is right in front of the Portland Police station......and nothing is done.

I have witnessed Portland Police supposedly sitting along the road patrolling for speeders when it is very obvious that people are speeding, yet nothing is done.

I live just off of Fowler Ford Road where the Speed limit is 30MPH and I can not tell you the countless times I will be doing the speed limit on Fowler Ford Road only to just about be run down from behind by someone who obviously does not give a rats hairy behind what the speed limit is.

I have witnessed people on Fowler Ford Road where it turnes off of South Russell who have to be doing 50 to 60 MPH. This part of Fowler Ford is heavily populated with houses on both sides of the road, yet these poeple seem to find it alright to do 50 to 60 MPH. Now if they want to put themselves in danger that is fine, but when thier idiotic driving puts my kids in danger.....

I am guessing you could ask anyone at random what the speed limit is on any given stretch of road that they regularly drive on.....and they could not tell you what the speed limit is.

Hey Portland Police, lets enforce the speed limits and enforce traffic laws.....start with enforcing the speed limits right in front of the Portland Police Station. You want more money for the city.....there's where you can start!

I am furious. I just returned from Gallatin, and I'm trying to figure out why anyone bothers to make rules for driving. Yes, I'm talking about the famous RIDGE. (And yes, I'm yelling!)

At least a year ago, the speed limit from the Cemetery to the top of the Ridge was reduced to 45. Am I the only person who noticed that? While coming up from Gallatin today, there were 3 vehicles a distance behind me. A tan car and two pickups. Lo and behold, the first truck decided he needed to get to Portland faster than the law allows, so he passed BOTH the tan car and myself, going about 60 or so, on a DOUBLE YELLOW LINE! About a minute later, the second pickup (which was a diesel) passed us on a double yellow line, too. And he was pulling a trailer with a beat-up old Chevy on it! He barely made it back into our lane with a car and a semi coming at him.

Here's the funny part. I stayed at the speed limit, drove on home, and when I arrived at the Red Light at Hwy. 76, guess who was there, waiting for the light to change? The two brainless wonders who thought that the speed limit was too slow, and they needed to get to Portland faster.

I know that the police can't be everywhere, but for goodness sake, I NEVER see any kind of a patrol on the Ridge. It's an outrage that the "Powers that Be" don't think enough of the lives of those traveling Hwy 109 to do SOMETHING to enforce the speed limits they set.

What can we do? I know they are going to widen 109 Someday, but will it be soon enough?

This is not about any issue ---- but Tim Coker announced on his show yesterday that today is going to be his last show for awhile. I am really going to miss listening to it....he had a very interesting and informative show.