Portland, Tennessee Blog

You know, one thing I have never heard Obama say yet, and maybe I haven't been listening, but who is paying for this big stimulus bill? Who is going to feel the brunt of the cost of this thing? Someone has to. Should it be the successful businessman who worked his tail off to be prosperous? I was never a big political guy, but aren't we becoming a socialist country?

Beth--
I doubt that the press time preceded the date being set. After all, there were multiple strawberry festivals listed for the same time period in other towns, and since the festival in recent years has always coincided with the 52 yard sale, which was listed, it seems unlikely. I just was finding it hard to understand why it wasn't listed in such a widely read publication. It is essentially the only tourist-friendly event we hold here in Portland, and obviously with multiple other strawberry festivals to compete with, the advertising obviously needs to be well planned.

On the other side of your moral issue, I am very thankful that President Barack Obama has signed for fair pay for Women in the workplace, and also Health care for 11 million plus children.

Not to mention his stearn address for ending the American occupation of Iraq. I am proud of my vote for Barck Obama.

I think you have to live your life by a set of principle beliefs. I am a sinner, but I try my best to live my life according to the Bible. Because of that belief, I could not vote for Barack Obama in the last election because of his belief on abortion.
Well, Obama didn't wait too long to begin working on the abortion issue. According to the associated press today, Obama is planning to rescind a law developed by George Bush that would allow doctors and nurses to keep their jobs if they refuse on moral grounds to help a woman wanting an abortion.
I can't believe this!

MG62, if you look at portlandtn.com and check under Strawberry Festival, the date has been announced that it will take placy on May 16. Maybe the date hadnt been determined when those publications went to press.....

DebraP - Thank You for the information, guess I'll have to stop by and check it out one day soon. :)

Judy...Yes it is a Consignment Shop. I stopped by on Monday to take a look. They have some clothes, furniture, washer, dryer, books, etc. The store was full of things to sell. The prices seemed reasonable. I didn't ask about them selling things on consignment

Just a note about Portland's Strawberry Festival...I don't know about the rest of you but I read the little magazine from CEMC and the one from the Farm Bureau and I always check the events listings to see what is coming up that I might want to go and mark them on my calendar. I was sad to see a number of strawberry festivals listed throughout Tennessee, but Portland's was not listed. The Hwy 52 yard sale was listed, but no mention of the festival. Maybe there is a reasonable explanation for the omission. I'm sure there are some Chamber members who check out the blog--we'd love to hear from you about it.

Terry & Tim I think they have until some time the first week of March.

Does anyone know what is or has gone into that white building across from the old car wash on 109? Someone said they thought it was a consignment store. Went by there this evening but forgot to look for any signs.

I thought what John Bakwrds wrote was hilarious. Obviously there are some who can't read between the lines to read he was mocking the situation.

I guess there are some really touchy people on this site.

Maybe if we start writing our emotions like (joking) or (tongue in cheek) people won't get their feathers all ruffled???????

Pleeeze – thank you for your comment – you are right on target! I've commented on that from her before; I thought I was the only one seeing it. For the record, the response is always the same. You’ve never seen Charlie do things like this, and you never will. I’ve read Judy’s comment over and over and I have no clue the point she is trying to make. All that stuff about “mocking” opinions and walking the straight and narrow??? Carpel tunnel? Bear in mind, all that was a response to my simple post requesting that she and I recognize and respect each other’s differences of opinion. I’ve explained the origin and the intent of every comment I’ve made and there is no mocking or malice in any of them. My original post (not directed at her!) just said big box restaurants wouldn’t come to Portland. Next thing I knew, she was asking me where I eat out. You’d better believe she’s upset…simply because I’ve made some valid points that support an opinion she doesn’t agree with. Speaking of always answering questions, I asked her in my last post to explain where my post showed lack of respect for John Bakwrds. If it did I want to apologize to him. She didn’t answer. And that last statement???

So it's not the same as the council?

I think they have until sometime in March to come up with the signatures. I seem to remember reading that somewhere.

So,were there enough signatures to get the LBTD referendum on the ballot?

Pleeeze - I'm sorry, but you are hearing something that just isn't there, without sounding heated, I am not angered in the least! Quite the opposite. Being a moderator, I believe, whether against my better judgment or not, to always give an answer when spoken to. Although I'm a moderator, I am also Judy, I too, have the same right as you, portland fan, or any other person who comes here and that is the right of expression. I could just go on the blog under other names, like so many others that have several... but I don't. There are many, many times I comment on a thread just to show that yes people are reading what others have to say. I'm really sorry that you have that interpretation of my typing, rest assured my replies below were not a result of being angered/heated, and thanks for being open about your feelings and allowing me the opportunity to address your concerns.
Judy

Judy, with all due respect, as a moderator on this board I would expect a more civil tone from you. Just pointing out there is a great deal of heat in your words. Just voicing my perceptions.....

portland fan - you said we should respect others opinions right? They have theirs, I have mine, you have yours. But, if you perceive someone as mocking your opinion then it's ok to do the same, yet you expect others to walk the straight -n- narrow and not veer from the beaten path. It can't be both ways. Have a good day!

He who controls others may be powerful, but he who has conquered thyself is greater yet!

Judy, the term "jokesters" was not a derogatory term but simply referred to the posting by John Bakwrds that I suppose he intended as a joke. Did you read it? You raise a good point, though...it was taking a jab at those who oppose LBTD, wasn't it. Speaking of lack of respect for others' opinions! And please tell me how my post showed lack of respect for him.

portland fan - No, I don't think I missed your point again, and I think you got mine.

As for your question; "Why don't we just respect each other's right to an opinion (even if different than ours) and not condemn the other for their beliefs. I don't agree with you, but I understand why you believe it and I respect your right to do so. Can you do the same for me? Thanks."
Absolutely not a problem, and I'm assuming this same respect goes out to the "jokesters" as you referred to them below? Glad we got this all cleared up. Thanks! - Judy

Judy, I think you may have missed my point again. Rather than continuing to ask me where I eat, let's just realize that we have a difference of opinion on LBTD. Why don't we just respect each other's right to an opinion (even if different than ours) and not condemn the other for their beliefs. I don't agree with you, but I understand why you believe it and I respect your right to do so. Can you do the same for me? Thanks.

All I keep seeing in my head is that Sonic commercial where the son asks his mom how much the purse costs after hearing about the value of the dollar. Her reply....*has absolutely nothing to do with this current conversation*. :)

portland fan - Please keep in mind as you visit Ruby Tuesday's, Red Lobster or the like restaurants that you too are supporting the hiring of illegal's as you so noted should that be the case, and you are supporting establishments that serve LBTD in a city other than Portland, there by helping to build their future.

You can try to sideline the discussion to counter this theory, by using the big box chain names all day long, the fact remains, if it isn't allowed here, "they" meaning "any establishment" of dining that offers consumption of alcohol on the premises "mixed drinks" as part of their business/dining criteria will not/cannot come here. Who knows what possibilities lye within our City's future, if they don't or won't come here then all you against this have nothing to worry about other than getting carpel tunnel from shaking your fingers saying.... I told you so!!.
Thanks and have a great day!

Hey Judy,
Frankly, where I go to eat out is irrelevant and has absolutely nothing to do with LBTD or this discussion. I take it you eat there. I also know of cases where those restaurants have hired illegal aliens. Can I assume by your patronizing them that you also support the hiring of illegal aliens in the U.S.? Kind of foolish, isn't it? Just like your question to me...has nothing to do with this discussion.

Those restaurants are a sideline discussion with which some are trying to encourage others to vote for LBTD. They aren't coming to Portland. Check out their requirements.

Hey there portland fan!
You still haven't answered my question.... have you or do you eat at any of these or like restaurants?

And, trust me, I can be assured the very same even if I don't vote for it. So I don't plan to.

You can be assured 100% they won't come here, even if there was a snow balls chance in Hawaii of one coming to Portland if you vote against it!

You jokesters must be kidding. You surely don't think passage of LBTD will bring O'Charleys and Longhorn to Portland, do you? Even those who support it have admitted that won't be the case. Portland doesn't even have close to the traffic count required by those restaurants. The reason they aren't here has nothing to do with LBTD. Assure me one will locate here, and I'll vote for it. That's how sure I am.

Hey,
I am just curious. Do you still put up the front pages of the newspaper? I haven't seen them for this week. I kind of enjoy looking at the pages and I think it's funny how you can see the newspapers have different philosophies as to what's important and what isn't?

But we already know that!

forward,

I think you missed the entire point of the post you are referring to.

His point is, those that oppose LBTD don't hesitate to frequent the very places that they are so against having here in Portland.

John Bakwards,

What in the world does that have to do with liquor by the drink???

I have noticed that those opposing liquor by the drink have been very quiet?

That's the funniest thing I've read all week! Thanks for the laugh, John Bakwrds. LOL!!!!!

We are thinking about having a Portland Citizens Against LBTD Restaraunts meeting. We may have it at O'Charley's in Gallatin or at Longhorns in Gallatin. We are planning this because these are the best places to eat within driving distance of Portland.

We are oblivious to the fact that we are giving business to the exact same type of establishments that we say we don't want here.

Go Panthers!

Is a new business going into the GSI Building? My hubby said it looked like a new sign is being put out front.

Unipres has done some moves recently, but I have to give them credit for holding out on the layoffs this long. I expected them far sooner. Also to Unipres' credit, I understand they are giving laid off employees the opportunity to continue their health insurance, not through the exhorbitant COBRA, but at an employee price.

mg62 - Thank you for that information, I know a few that work there and several of them have been on a reduced work week for awhile, I think they are doing everything in their power to keep their people working, and kudos to them for giving the 60 day notice, if that's the case. This will indeed affect many families and a majority will be right here in our town. Compile this on top of Thomas & Betts lay offs over the past months plus, many left unipress a few years back to go to a competitor in KY after opening there, they just completed a big lay off a few weeks ago .... This is sad!

120 people at Unipres is my understanding, but it will not take effect for 60 days, I think. I'm praying that business increases in that time so that the layoff doesn't have to take place. That's a lot of affected families.

The "automatic" increase was not on gas.
I only asked that "any" automatic increases come before the comittee a month prior to going into effect, so that the public and the council can have their memories refreshed.
This has nothing to do with the city being in danger of loosing too much or making too much money.
The request is simply to serve as a reminder to us all.

Mike, I don't understand. Doesn't what you requested defeat the purpose of the rate going up and down automatically? When the price Portland pays for gas goes up, unless the price Portland charges for gas goes up, the City will be losing money on gas until the committee meets to raise it.

If it goes down, people will be paying more for gas than they need to until the committee meets to lower it.

Now I agree it does not need to be done in secret. It would be great if each time it was raised it was advertised to the media, or came before the full Council on TV as a report ASAP. But to put off the action until the next meeting seems a bit fiscally unwise to me. Am I missing something?

mg62,

Who announced the layoff? If it is not in the paper, please elaborate. Some of us are not aware of who it is and how many will be affected. Thank you

Councilman Callis --

Thank you very much for doing that !

Big layoff announced in town today, but was surprised not to see it posted here or on the news that I watched this evening. I guess it is not a surprise in the current economy and with Nissan's production cuts, but any layoff is devastating I think.

We met in finance this evening, and I asked that in the future, all automatic increases be brought back through the respective committee a month before the increase takes effect; so that it becomes public record again and that we are able to let the citizens know.

The papers had no reason to ask about any increase because they were simply unaware.

Will try to do a better job in the future of notification.
Thank you,
Councilman Callis

I only pay for gas as we don't have sewers run out here so I have no idea what a normal sewer bill runs (don't know I want to find out either) but aren't you still getting some sort of relief, it doesn't all wash out does it?

To say the papers should of reported the whole story, well I think they did just that. Unfortunately with the economy as it is today people are a little gun shy, when someone givith others taketh away :(
Oh I think we all need some stimulus in positive thinking, it's hard!

Doubt it. Get over yourself.

Thank you for your explanation. However, before a paper splashes out a big headline, they need to make sure they are telling the whole story, not just what they want us to see. I am cynical, I admit, but invariably, it turns out that there is more to the story to be found out later....as when the utility bill comes, for example !
I think it's really great to have the 5% reduction, especially at a time like this, when the bills are so high -- and I am thankful for it, I just think the papers should do a more thorough job or reporting the whole story, so that the people understand that 5% will be given on the one hand, and 5% taken on the other. We'd understand that. I'm glad there was no dark plan !
WHEW.....glad you responded. Maybe I will get over being cynical one day.

Often times we as people, grow cynical due to others disappointing us or others deceiving us; but I assure you this is not one of those cases.

The 5% sewer increase was an automatic increase voted on back in 2007 due to a consulting recomendation.
They urged us, I believe, to raise sewer about 25 or 30% immedately, but we chose to due 3 increments of 5% (I will check to see for sure, I have slept since then).
I my self had forgotten it was due to kick in at this time, and the timing is unfortunate; but most of us including the "papers" were not aware of this increase at this particular time.
I inquired about it when I received my bill.
From a PR standpoint it looks bad, but there was no dark plan involved.

I think the 5% decrease in gas will benefit some and the two are not connected.
Thank you,
Councilman Callis

The Headline, then should have read, 5% decrease on one thing..and 5% increase in another...that would have been honest. As it was, only the decrease was reported in the headline in the paper....and, I see that, as deceptive. I guess they didn't expect us to notice the increase in the other.

My bad. The 5% increase was for sewer service and not trash pick up.

I haven't gotten my bill yet, was it an amount equal to 5% of current fee on the trash bill, if so, that probably wouldn't equal the 5% discount on the gas, just wondering.

Sesom....you're right...but didn't it make a nice headline in the paper that our gas bills were being cut 5 % ??? LOL LOL

Election coming up soon....

My utility bill this month showed a 5% decrease in gas, but a 5% increase in trash pick up. Doesn't this work out to no actual decrease to the customer?

I now, most always buy my gas here in Portland, and wanted to give a GREAT BIG shout out to Portland stations for giving us these prices, so nice to keep money here in town. Even if I'm getting really low on gas coming back from BG, or my daughers in Franklin, I pass right by all the Franklin KY gas stations and take it to Portland.

I want to give a big thank you to this blog.
I can buy my gas here now.
Gas prices in Portland have been cheaper (sometimes even cheaper than KY) since a few people posted on the blog that they never bought gas here because it was so much cheaper everywhere else.

I didn't see where/if the media reported it was only for one month. Thanks Mike. Thanks for the info. I'll get with ya later about some other questions I have.

I had only asked for 10% reduction for 1 month, if it was possible.
As I stated in the meetings, I did not want to put the city in a bind, but the public needed a break if possible.
They reviewed the numbers and said a 5% could be done for now.
The xtra revenue could be used for infrastructure, but as I said the public needs a break now.
Having joined the gas co-op has saved the city greatly, and Brian's ability to basically "guess" at when to buy, has been a blessing.
The city is watching the revenue, and will adjust if needed. they do a good job.

So my question becomes Mike, is the City losing money selling gas now? That was the other option I was asking about. I know the profit margin (I hate to use the word profit, because it is just reinvested back into the system, but its the only one I can think of) is pretty thin. So if it is a five percent cut in addition to any decrease in the price the City pays for gas, how is it still making money?

I'm glad you are trying to help, and I know you can't hear tone on the blog, but I am genuinely concerned here. I know that when I left the Council, the gas dept. was worried about showing a net loss for three or four years in a row. If they did they would be in danger of the State or something taking over, and they were getting close. I was just wanting to see if that put the system in danger of that happening.

I asked to have the gas rate cut simply to help people in this tough economy, and I am not running for re-election.
I simply asked to see if it was possible to give some relief, and due to the current future's market we were able too; it very well may have to go back to the other rate at some time, but at least for now its a break.
Only looking to help, no sleazy motives.

I agree that they all should go. The one I'd like to see go first and never be re-elected to any office again is Jody.

When Tim Coker was on the council I believe he always weighed what was right in his mind and heart, and what was best for the City of Portland.

I have heard Tim is running again, I hope so. If you are, never let an individual(s) influence your vote.

VOTE them all out,

Topcat

Tim - How interesting, perhaps you're right and another reason our city needs you back on that board!

with the exception of Kenny Wilbur, I am casting votes for anyone who is not currently on the council.

I don't have a totally clear view of the coucil, but it is getting clearer, and I believe we all know who the movers and shakers on the council are.

Conflicts of interest are infectous for the long term health of our city.

Tim, well, I am of the opinion that no one who holds an elected office, does anything without first thinking of their next election. Politicians from the lowest office to the highest office, are just that. Politicians. With their own agendas that come first. I guess I am cynical, but I haven't seen many people in elected offices that are thinking of anything that dosen't first benefit themselves.

I also read the article about cutting the gas rates and I am confused. When I was on the Council I thought we passed a resolution that when the rates went up, the price of gas went up to match without a vote (because revenue was being lost between the time the cost of the gas went up and when it could come up for a vote). If the rate went down, then it would automatically go down without a vote.

If that is the case, why didn't the rate go down automatically when and if the price of gas to the City went down. If that is not the case, and they cut it 5% without the price to the City going down, is the gas department now selling gas for less than they are charged for it? Are they just making a little less than they were before, and if that is the case, if you can get by just making that now, why wasn't that the rate all along?

If the City is taking less of a "profit" from selling gas to help out, then kudos goes to them. But if "they put this to a vote" just so they could vote for a gas rate cut a few months before some of them are up for reelection, then that is just sorry, and they should be scorned for it, not praised.

Re-Post from another thread:
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I read in the Progressive about the aldermen cutting the gas rates...

Way to go guys (and alderwoman Mclerran). You did something that will affect a lot of people.

Posted by: really at February 8, 2009 04:14 PM

Once again, you have to go to our NEIGHBORING CITIES to purchase these!. LOL. One can't help but laugh at how much we have to rely on our neighboring cities to provide us with the things we need!

From Newschannel5 web site as seen on the news this morning.
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The News Channel 5 Network has teamed up with Midland Radio and Kroger to make NOAA weather radios available. The NOAA weather radios (NWR) use Specific Area Message Encoding - or SAME - to alert you to weather or other emergencies when they threaten your area. Weather radios can be purchased at Kroger for $29.99.
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I think the closest Krogers is Whitehouse, or Gallatin. You won't find weather radio's locally except maybe Wal-mart, but they sell out fast as spring approaches. This comes on the one year anniversary to the deadly and devastating tornado outbreak to our neighboring counties.

Does anyone know if there are any candidates challenging Mayor Wilber in the May election? How about council candidates, etc?

Has anyone came out of church for the past 2 Sundays and found a flyer on your car from the Barbeque Pit? I find this in very poor taste for advertising. I don't like to have something with advertisement on my car while I am in Church. I go to worship and not to have someone advertise. Is nothing sacred anymore? I used to visit this business but now I won't do any more business with them because of the way they conduct business and put their priorties over someone in church. An idea would be if you go to church yourself instead of visiting other church parking lots for business and money for yourself.

For further information on the benefit for Trinity Napier or to become involved with helping organize, contact Samantha Williams at 615-325-2265.

Does anyone know if there is anything citizens can do to help with the Trinity Napier benefit?