Portland, Tennessee Blog

Hey Daniel, Since the world is talking more and more about going "Green" why don't you do a newspaper article about the local Freecyle Group on Yahoo groups. This is a great way to keep things out of the landfills. I have talked to people about the group and they didn't realize it existed. You can find out more at Freecycle.org

Portland Fan, I feel the same way.
I would have thought when the Parks Director position came open they would have been thinking about those things and if Mr. Bratton felt that the Director should live in Portland, he should have asked for a policy change immediately, not wait till someone was hired. They had months to consider that.
That was very bad timing and I, too, lost respect for him that night, and he has forever lost my vote.

The thing that made me feel terrible for Osborne is the fact that he didn't get unanimous support from the council. Bratton made his point by delaying the vote, but given he was the only person who felt that way, he should have shown support for the new parks director by voting for him and showing unanimous council support. I'm appalled. Imagine how Osborne feels - he will probably never forget that. I've voted for Bratton many times in the past, but I won't do it again! He just lost my respect.

I reiterate: "What Principle" A "no" vote based on the "principle" that the applicant does not live in the City is really only an "opinion" vote when there is no law requiring residency.

True, everyone has their own opinion, and as a voting member, one can vote as one pleases. However, take responsibility for a decision made and don't try to blame it on something as evasive a "principle." If you feel the Parks Director should live within the city, then say so and vote no!

Having said that, if there are no legal requirements, take steps to change the law and in the mean time, go with what you have! To deny, an otherwise qualified and acceptable applicant because of a personal opinion and/or preference, is an injustice to the applicant and to the city.

What principle ???

The principle of changing the rules in the middle of the stream ??
The principle of requiring someone to move here when residency isn't a requirement ??

He was in his right to state an opinon, but not in his right to ask the man to move here as a condition of employement, when there is no rule requring it.

So, I ask....WHAT principle ??

“It’s nothing personal (against Osborne,) I have the right to my opinion, and you all have the right to yours,” Bratton told the council Thursday night.

He added that his vote against hiring Osborne was based strictly on principle.

“If he becomes our new parks director – and I think he is - I’m going to do all I can to help him and support him.”

************************
Please don't insult my intelligence.

One of the papers had an article about Party Time Pizza. It is owned by the same people that own PT Designs. They have lots more than pizza on their menu. You can find it on the Portland web site.

Anyone know how the meeting last night went on the Parks Director?

As for Party Time Pizza, at one time they were in the building where the lawnmower shop is across from City Hall, after a short time they closed. I heard they did reopen next to PT Designs just down from City Hall across from the crossing that is closed. We ate at the old Party Time Pizza once, not sure if it is still the same owners or not.

I noticed on the Portland website the announcement of a new Pizza place in town on North Russell. Has anyone eaten there yet?

MODIFIED WATER RESTRICTIONS

1. Those customers who reside on the WEST side of State Highway 109 may use water for non-essential purposes on Monday, Thursday and Saturday.
2. Those customers who reside on the EAST side of State Highway 109 may use water for non-essential purposes on Tuesday, Friday and Sunday.
3. Non-essential water use will not be allowed on WEDNESDAYS in any area of the City’s Water System.

The Library is having a Silent Auction to raise funds for their new addition. There are many great items to bid on and will make for some wonderful Christmas gifts. It started today and will go until Dec. 1.

Did any one else here Councilwoman McClerran, yeep out a no on the vote to deferment, and when the city recorder asked for clarification, she voted yes? I will have to watch the replay, but I am sure that's what I heard. Councilman Meadows was the only no vote.

MR BRAT

you said you are sure the community will speak to you about this, I'm not sure who you talk to
probably the rest of the good ole boys.
well listen up!
this was not fair not only to this gentleman and his family but our town as well, it was pitiful!
To the rest of you who did not stand up to mr b and say no to defer this was wrong your just as guilty.
Signs should read Welcome to Portland - where the good ole boys rule!

I'm in agreement with most of you on the living in Portland issue for city employees. I don't necessarily think that a person has to reside in a particular area to be able to put the welfare of that area first when employed by them. The paycheck is incentive enough for someone to put their priorities in the right place. However, having said that, if any city wants it's employees to be permanent residents, the requirement should be included in the job posting -- not thrown out there at decision making time! Seems to be a lot of time wasted and confusion on just about any decision made in the running of Portland! Just an observation!!!

I, too, watched this council meeting last night - then I watched it again to make sure what I heard and saw was correct. I just don't know what to think. Either the mayor and the town council are totally inept or there are last ditch political reasons for what went on in that meeting. It was disgraceful. That was simply pitiful last night.

If a condition of employment is living in the city, then that man should have known about that condition from the beginning and it not been sprung on him in public and on tv ! That was very unfair.

The thing about the railroad crossing...didn't the mayor or city council think to ask the railroad about that before they made that a one way street ?? Did they not think the railroad should have been consulted?

I am left wondering if the City Council even talks to each other about anything until they come to the monthly meeting.

I would have thought the City attorney would have been in on some of this from a legal standpoint - he was hearing all this for the first time last night, too, about the hiring issue.

That was very unfair to him, too. Gee, he must be irritated, too !

More evidence of Portland's inability to govern itself in any professional manner.

Seems to me, a precedent has already been set for city employees living outside of Portland. I don't see how the Park Director can be held to a rule that doesen't exist.

I watched this on TV last night and was dumb founded that during the final stages all this was brought out in the open, why in the world wasn't this considered prior to now, if it isn't already in the hiring guidelines for this position or ones similar this council (mr Bratton in particular) should be ashamed for what it has done to this candidate. A vote should of been allowed to occur with Bratton voting NO, and then addressed this issue for future positions.

It seems to me that this town is always putting the cart before the horse, how professional does this look to outsiders. While I agree that some positions should have a residency requirement and was further stunned that this is not already in place. I do agree that someone who has held like positions outside of our town could bring fresh ideas and would be a big plus to our community, I believe this candidate may very well of done just that! I am embarrased that our City leaders put him thru all this and pulled the rug out at this last minute, and "we'll" most likely become the laughing stock of sumner county.

I also have to ask what kind of process takes place prior to the council vote that all this time can be spent by who, what, when, and where.... determining who is best qualified only to find out at the yeah or nay there may be a conflict, makes no sense to me.

This is an issue where I have a differing opinion than most.

Many people that know me, say I always look at things from a very different point of view so here goes on this issue.

First of all, Why is it necessary that this person live in Portland. I just can't grasp the need for this. Seems to me that utilizing only people from Portland has not done us much good in the past given that Portland in many ways is light years behind many of the communities around us.

Perhaps it would be better to have someone from the "outside" take control of some of these things. Maybe then some change will come.

Seems that there is a mentality in this town against what is percieved as "outsiders". Until this stops, this town is stuck right where it is.

This mentality that all things that are outside of our comfort zone are evil is so silly.

Someone mentioned the need for someone who share's a vision for Portlands future....exactly what is that vision of the future? I haven't heard it or seen it. Is this a book I can buy? because it seems I hear alot about this "vision" yet never seem to see or hear anything about this "vision". Is this some sort of religious experience? I mean with all this talk about this "vision". Could someone please fill us in on this "vision".

With regards to the parks director, a mountain is being made out of a mole hill here, yet again. I think it is high time for someone for the outside come in here and take some things over and I think it should happen more frequently.

Jody, thank you for asking for public input on this issue. I'm gonna sound like some I have complained about when I am negative and whine a little, but this reeks of politics! Like DA, I don't think you'll see Mr. Osborne again and what a shame. He is by far the best qualified candidate (yes, I'm aware of the others). The worst part is that all this was done publicly and at the last minute. You can bet the local papers will report it and it will be all over Hendersonville. If he isn't ready to commit to moving, he obviously won't get the job and his current employer will know all about it. If that was a requirement he should have been told and he could have pulled out earlier. This was a DIRTY trick and in my opinion a move to get someone else in the job. It will be interesting to see who is ultimately hired for this position and what connection they have with Mr. Bratton. At his urging, the council made a big mistake here.

Lastly, there are other dept heads who don't live in Portland or even in Sumner county. I'm more concerned about someone putting out a fire or answering an emergency police call than I am about them turning out the lights or locking the gate at the park. Mr. Bratton appears a little bit two faced here, don't you think? Thanks for what you do and thanks for listening, Jody.

Jody,
If there were no residency requirements upon applying, then that shouldn't factor into the decision. It should be based on whoever is the overall, best qualified candidate. So, if he is otherwise the most qualified candidate,(and someone, somewhere along the way was convinced he is or else it would have never been presented to the council for consideration) where he lives should NOT factor into the decision.

The main basis for my opinion is that, minus a residency requirement, there is nothing to prevent another candidate, who may currently reside here, from moving away from Portland. The secondary basis is that it inately unfair to add requirements mid-course, or in this case as they are crossing the finish line. Doing so, in this or in any other situation, could possibly open the city up to civil liability, especially if someone were to claim that the rules were changed as a means to discriminate.

Now, would I like to see a residency requirement for city workers? I don't think it is necessary for the majority of the positions, but it does make sense that department Directors should be stakeholders in the community. Maybe the council, or whoever develops job descriptions and determines qualifications, should consider including residency or relocation requirements for future positions of this caliber. However, all in all, I think it is MOST important to have a qualified individual who shares a vision for Portland's future.

Just my opinion.

Jody;
I agree, both sides have their merit. Perhaps Mr. Bratton should have stated his objections, voted no, and dealt with the issue of living here with future hirings in the City.

I don't think it's unusual for a person in a position of authority to live in a different city. If Portland wants only Portland citizens to be hired, then that should be part of the City Charter and definitely be made clear at the beginning of the application process.

I don't know how old this gentleman's children are, but it would be a HUGE family decision to move children from a school system like Hendersonville has, into the Portland system. We made that decision, moved our children from Beech to Portland, and have had cause to regret it.

I don't think you'll see that gentleman again, after the flogging he recieved Monday night.

Ok folks, I can't find my login and password for the blog, and it's 11:45 PM, so until tomorrow comes where I can get it, I wanted to go ahead and post something while it was fresh on my mind!

In tonights council meeting, we were voting to hire an individual for the new "Parks Director". It was mentioned during discussion that he resides in Hendersonville. He was asked if it were possible that he might move to the Portland community in the near future (within 12 months) and he said it would be a family decision, and wouldn't give us an answer without first asking his family. The vote was therefore deferred to December's meeting to give him time to make that decision. Arguments were given on both sides of the issue. One being that if he lived in this community, he would be more likely to be involved with that department on a more personal level. The other side stated that during the interview process, it was never impressed to him that he would have to move here if hired.

I myself am kinda torn. I agree that our "Parks Director" should either be from Portland, or should at least care enough about it to move here. But on the other hand, he applied and interviewed for a position that did not require residency in Portland.

And by the way, there WERE qualified persons who applied, and interviewed, who are from Portland and lived here now. I didn't sit in on the interviews or the hiring process, so I can't explain why this Hendersonville native was chosen.

To me, this isn't political, I just want some answers, and some input from all of y'all,

Thanks, Jody Mc

Oh, My Goodness!!
Just look at the surprise on my face!!!
Are you suggesting, "just_curious", that there are people on our City Council who have a hidden agenda?
Imagine that!
I thought, according to the events of last year, that skateboards were evil!!! (Although not as evil as liquor, apparently.)

Just curious if anyone read the article in this weeks progressive about Artistic Signs & Banners that will be adding a new line to their products Custom Built "SKATEBOARDS" . Well unless I'm mistaken wasn't there another company practically run out of Portland because they sold skateboard products, like Studio16a! Now the co-owner of Artistic Signs "Jake Callis" says he will be offering this product at his portland location. I'm wondering, how is Councilman Callis's skateboard park project coming along? Just Curious, how bout you?

According to the Sumner County School website, Wisman was santized Tuesday nite 10/30.

Since this has showed up I think ALL schools in Portland should be santized.

Staph infection reported at JW Wiseman, yet it remains open.

I have 2 children at Watt Hardison, if this infection shows up there, my kids will not be going back until the school is sanitized. I can not believe Wiseman is having classes. May seem like an over reaction to some, BUT this thing can and has killed.

Wiseman should have closed it up until they could have a professional come in and sanitize the school. There are also several cases in Robertson County. Springfield High School Athletic Dept was mentioned. I don't mean to be an alarmist here, but didn't Portland Play Springfield a couple of weeks ago? Does anyone know if there is a incubation period for this and how long before symptoms show up?

I just think we are all better off safe now before were sorry later.