Portland, Tennessee Blog

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February 28, 2008

Zoning Rules & Regs within City Limits

By request I am starting this thread

Hi all. I was wondering if you could possibly start a thread regarding zoning issues in the city limits. I moved out here from California almost two years ago, and one of my big draws to this area was the land. So I bought a house and 5 acres, with the intention of allowing my children to raise a couple of animals for livestock shows, and for my family to have a handful of chickens for eggs.

We had asked our Realtor to check the zoning, and she claimed she did (my fault completely for not checking myself.) ~ To make a long story short, I have asked our City Council to take into consideration changing the zoning to allow for livestock with limitations (like the zoning for horses that just went into effect) ~ I am just trying to get a feel for what all of you think. Thanks for listening.

Tanya

Perhaps some of you could shed a little light on this situation and what would be expected.

Posted by judy at 01:28 PM | Comments (23)

February 25, 2008

Mandatory Retirement

Mandatory Retirement For Public Safety Employees

Jody has raised an item for discussion and one that we have debated over the last couple of months; and that is mandatory retirement for public safety employees.
There are many particulars to this plan, but the sum is, age 60 would be mandatory for most positions and at age 55 some would be able to retire; the city would have to pick up some of the cost until age 62.

Having served our city as a policeman, Jody has a heart for the men and women who serve in public safety, and he understands the stress of the job.

The state has passed this retirement plan and it is available for local cities to pass; currently only 2 cities have passed this measure.
Jody, along with many others, are concerned that an older force would create more problems and would increase cost to the city.
Some question how a better benefit package could be offered to one department and not to the rest of the employees, and how the city could commit to a plan that must be funded no matter the cost.

I understand the argument that the stress of policeman and fireman are higher and that the physical ability needed is demanded, but I do worry that if we fund this program that our ability to hire new officers will be hindered due to the extra strain on the budget.
We were told tonight that if we implement this, it would add about $75,000.00 to the public safety budget in the first year.
I would feel more comfortable with passing this, if I knew we were also committed to continue hiring more officers, but I fear this extra cost will keep us from adding to our force.

I really appreciate Jody's work on this, and I would like to hear your comments.

As with all legislature there are pros and cons; here are some:

Pros:
have a chance to retire in better health
create a constant younger force
cut down on workers comp claims

Cons:
increased cost to the city
once adopted, the city cannot opt out
the state decides how much we must pay

Here is a link that may be helpful; check out Title 8, Chapter 36, 8-36-201 & 8-36-211
www.michie.com/tennessee/lpext.dll?f=templates&fn=main-h.htm&cp=tncode

Read this article for more;
http://preps.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080128/COUNTY090101/801280319/0/COUNTY090101

Posted by Councilman Callis at 10:46 PM | Comments (18)

New to Portland

Good Morning. This is my very first post. Thank You Charlie for allowing me to participate. My name is Lee and my wife is Shelia we have been married 38yrs (I think) and we have 2 children (22yr old twins) our son Alex is in the Air Force station in Oklahoma City and his sister Brianna is slightly handicapped and will be moving to Portland with us. We are very lucky that we can retire at 58 at the end of March. We currently live in the central valley of California and will be moving there in April. We have a Motor Home and love to travel and see the sites. Well thats about it for now I just wanted to introduce my self. I look forward to reading and participating in this blog and learning more about the wonderful town of Portland Tennessee. Yes we have already bought a house on the north side of town. Once again thank you.....

Posted by Lee at 07:27 AM | Comments (22)

February 21, 2008

Severe Weather Warning?

Just a quick comment for feedback! A few of us councilpersons have requested information on possibly installing disaster warning sirens in the Portland area. It was mentioned in the legislative committee that every household paying a couple bucks a month for 3 or 4 months would generate the money to have it completed. How does this sound to all you bloggers? Thanks in advance for your comments, Jody Mc

Posted by jlm722 at 11:18 PM | Comments (97)

February 18, 2008

You Are Invited!

Brian Ruckle, who first suggested that Portland needs a blog, has now suggested we have a lunch so that blog participants may meet each other in person. The lunch is Dutch treat and is open to anyone who wants to attend. Brian suggested a good meeting place would be the El Moro Mexican Restaurant on the north end of Portland. The date is Monday, March 3, 2008, at 11:30 a.m.

Again, this lunch is open to anyone, whether or not you actually participate on the blog. This will be a good time to meet each other, share ideas on the blog, share ideas on Portland, etc.

Hope to see lots of people there!
Charlie

Posted by admin at 04:35 PM | Comments (11)

February 14, 2008

Will Extra Tax Rebate Help?

With all the hoopla surrounding the "stimulus package" that was recently signed off on by the Congress, the Senate and the President, I am curious to know what everyday folks are actually planning to do with the additional money. And if people decide to pay bills or save it for a rainy day, rather than going on a spending spree (which is what the politicians are hoping for), what good is it going to do?

Does anyone really believe this will thwart a recession?

Posted by Michelle Hanners at 05:01 PM | Comments (39)

February 13, 2008

Passing of an era

From the left, retired doctors Ralph Simonton, Albert Dittes and James Ladd in 2006 at the farewell reception for Tennessee Christian Medical Center.

Both Portland newspapers headlined this week the sad passing of Dr. Ralph Simonton, a retired doctor who started his practice in Portland in 1949 and took over the practice of his father. He died in a house fire on Monday.
In a hallway of Portland Medical Center there are portraits of three doctors: Dr. Albert Dittes, Dr. Ralph Simonton and Dr. James Ladd. Dittes passed away in 2006 and Simonton died this week. Ladd lives in a retirement home in Hendersonville. These three doctors delivered many babies, saved many lives and provided incredible Christian service to the community. They didn't just leave work at 5 p.m. and spend the rest of the evening relaxing at home. They responded to house calls at all hours of the night and often would bring patients into the hospital in their personal vehicles. They could have made a lot more money and had a much easier life had they gone to work in a larger city. These men instead chose to serve the Portland, Tenn. area and went way beyond the call of duty in that service.

Posted by B. Ruckle at 09:19 PM | Comments (4)

February 12, 2008

CASINO GAMBLING over the State Line??

As reported by local media, the possiblities of casino gambling at Kentucky Downs is growing closer.
A link to the story by the Herald-Leader is provided within.
News4 also did a segment on this last evening.

If this should be passed what affect, if any, do you think it will have on our area?

http://www.kentucky.com/176/story/315595.html

Posted by judy at 07:19 AM | Comments (40)

February 10, 2008

FRONT PAGE - Around the Town - FEBRUARY 2008

Post your thoughts about News worthy articles, events, happenings, garage sales,and general information regarding our town.

Want to talk about something specific, post it here and one of the blog authors will start a topic for you!

Happy Posting - Judy

While we welcome and encourage your thoughts and ideas we must ask that you refrain from the use of profanity and/or personal attacks, these are not acceptable and will be deleted by the administrators of this blog.

Posted by judy at 09:03 PM | Comments (79)

February 07, 2008

Have a Happy and Prosperous Year of the Rat

Today is the first day of the Chinese lunar calendar and this year is the Year of the Rat, the first year in the cycle of 12 animals that make up the Chinese zodiac. Anybody born in 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996 or 2008 was born in the rat year.
"Tension, disaster, and turbulence," is what this AFP article says is in store for us in 2008. Let's hope Portland escapes the worst of it like we did Tuesday evening.

My wife and daughter are currently in her hometown in Northeastern China celebrating the Chinese New Year. They go crazy with the fireworks on the eve of the New Year. Below is Chinese New Year's Eve in her hometown in 2004.

Posted by B. Ruckle at 06:52 AM | Comments (11)

February 06, 2008

Storms

Our sympathies go out to those who were affected by the storms last night in Sumner County, Macon County and the rest of Tennessee. Sumner County Schools are closed Wednesday, February 6, 2008. The Tennessean is reporting five dead in Sumner County and multiple fatalities in Macon County.

Posted by admin at 05:09 AM | Comments (9)

February 03, 2008

New Portland business

Usually I am quite happy when new businesses come to town. I however am not very enthusiastic about Walgreens coming to Portland. I'm not against them setting up business, I just wish we had some other business opening up at that location. First, I dislike the fact that we lost that beautiful Ponderosa building. I was really hoping another restaurant would open up at that location. Second, I'm concerned about the impact that it will have on other Portland pharmacies, especially the locally owned ones that have been in Portland a long time and are very generous to youth leagues, newspapers, and other community organizations and businesses. Third, big chain businesses often make very little attempt to contribute to the surrounding community. Does Portland need a Walgreens? They will generate sales tax revenue for the city, and hopefully a lot of that will come from people who would have gone to Wal-Mart in Gallatin or Franklin. I will continue to go to Pharmacy Express or Village Drugs when I have prescriptions or want to buy greeting cards. I may go to Walgreens for photo services or household items.

Posted by B. Ruckle at 04:10 PM | Comments (52)

Best election YouTube videos

YouTube and other online video services are certainly playing a role in the 2008 Presidential Election. Below are some of the best I've seen so far. If you have any favorites leave links in the comments below.

Yes I Am, by will.i.am of The Black Eyed Peas

Update:
This one is one of the worst:

The Red State Update Series

Very creative video by a pro-Bloomberg for president group

Mike Huckabee's ad with Chuck Norris

Mike Gravel's silent ads

Ann Coulter threatening to vote for her nemisis Hillary Clinton if Republicans choose McCain

Obama girl...

...and Hillary boy

The Presidents

Update:
The Hillary Clinton Sopranos parody

No You Can't

McCain sings Streisand

Vote different

Hillary vs. Obama

Posted by B. Ruckle at 06:54 AM | Comments (2)

February 01, 2008

Local bloggers out there?

Are there any Portland area bloggers out there with blogs on public sites like Blogger or individual URLs? One of the best Tennessee blogs out there is Volunteer Voters, which is on News 2 WKRN's website.

Any other local favorites? National favorites? International favorites?

Posted by B. Ruckle at 08:50 PM | Comments (1)