November 2009
Post your thoughts about News worthy articles, events, happenings, questions, garage sales, and general information regarding our town.
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Go to www.highschoolsports.net.....put in your our zip code , 37148, and you'll be able to get the schedule for Portland High School.
I know this is a little off subject, but where does a person go to get the schedule for the Portland High boys Basketball team. I go to the schools website and the link does not work, I go to the radio station website and that link doesn't work either, I even e-mailed the coach with no response. Is this a national security secret or something?
If anyone has a copy of or know where one is available, please let me know.
Thanks
Laughed ??? Well, I don't see anything funny about a role model for our young children acting like this and that she had a student with her involving them in her vandalism is just unbelievable....guess a lot of people don't think much about it....guess they think it's funny, too.
I'm glad I don't have a young child to have to explain what their teacher did.
Wow she did a little destruction. I had a different reaction when I read this on wtvf.com. I just sat there and had a good Laugh. It could have been worse she could have had sex with a student.
Well, I don't know what wrong, but there is something bad wrong around here.
This last incident is the most disgusting, sickening thing..and what's worse is how everyone is keeping so quiet about it. Why aren't people outraged at this ? This happened in August ???
And she's been in the classroom every day since then teaching our children ??? How do the parents of her students explain to them why she is no longer their teacher, and how on earth are they going to answer their questions about what she did ???
I read that she has been suspended without pay till the investigation is over. If she did this...they need to throw the book at her and the people who helped keep it so quiet and protect her or whatever. I am just so disgusted, disappointed, and embarrassed for Portland. Again. And Again.
Yes, I know...these are the times we live in...etc....but this is getting ridiculous and such a shame on Portland.
read about it here
http://www.wsmv.com/news/21766567/detail.html
What is the problem with our teachers in Portland? Now we have yet another teacher making headlines. What kind of message is this sending to our children? I know this stuff happens other places,and I am sure there is probably much more that goes on that doesn't get splashed all over the news. But 3 in one small community? Makes me feel so good sending my kids to school here.
Well, Obama is going to speak to the nation tomorrow night and he is expected to tell us that he is going to send 30,000 more troops into combat in Afghanistan.
Well, that should make the Democrats really excited? The president campaigns on bringing an end to the war and now he's sending more troops into battle.
I wonder how the pro-Obama fans will spin this? I can hear them now trying to figure out a way to spin this decision and blame it on Bush.
I am a big fan of the media. I religiously watch the news every day, so I say this with some reverence.
Why is everyone making such a big fuss over the Tiger Woods' incident. This kind of thing happens all the time and they're going to rake Woods over the coals just because of his name. If he was just a regular person, this would not be a story.
Why is the media like that for?
The same thing folks had to look forward to after WWI, the Great Depression, WWII, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the recession of the early 80's. You become resourceful and move on. Who knows, in 2030 things will be wonderful and there will be world peace :)
Well, Time Magazine's cover story coming out this week states that the decade we're not far from closing out was the "Decade from H***"
As I look back over the decade, it has been pretty terrible. Some of the events over the last 10 years include: Sept. 11, 2001, Katrina, numerous school shootings, two wars, a failing economy, etc., etc.
Wow, it is depressing. I am wondering what my grandson has to look forward to???
I would like to ask that while everyone is gathering together with their families this Thanksgiving holiday, that you please say a prayer for Jimmie Seabolt and Jacob Baretta and their families. This is the man and stepson that were severely burned last Friday while working on a car in their garage.
If I am not mistaken, the Catholic church asked him to not receive communion because of his very vocal stand pro abortion. I don't understand why this is wrong. I have been a Catholic all my life, and the Catholic church is against abortion. According to what I read, he was not banned from receiving communion, he was asked not to, because he is fighting for something that goes directly against the Catholic church's teachings. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34102230/ns/local_news-boston_ma/
So I am not quite sure why the Catholic church is coming under fire for this. I hope and pray they don't give in to Kennedy's demands, if he is Catholic, then follow the doctrine. If he doesn't like it, find another religon. Tim, I don't think the Catholic church has the philosophy of "you can't receive communion because you feel differently from us" - I think they have the philosphy of "we would like you to refrain from receiving communion becase you are openly, publicly and loudly fighting for something that the Catholic church is very adamently against."
Refusing to serve communion to someone does not mean they have been turned away from the church. As an ex-Catholic, I find it interesting that this decision did not come from the Pope, but from a local Bishop. The Catholic Church as a whole seems to be eerily quiet concerning such matters when the person in question has any sort of money or power. If the Catholic Church was supporting this ban on communion, why hasn't anyone spoken out about Nancy Pelosi,
Here's an interesting piece on the issue:
"Brown says Pelosi – like many other Catholic pro-abortion Democrats in Congress such as Ted Kennedy (Mass.), John Kerry (Mass.), Joe Biden (Del.), and Chris Dodd (Conn.) – is "a victim of the philosophy undergirding the 1960s sexual revolution." She notes that Pelosi advocates a worldview of sexuality without any responsibility, and she laments that Catholic Church leaders are doing nothing to correct the mistaken belief that a person can demoralize Catholic teaching with no consequences or accountability – what Brown calls "reinventing Catholic teaching to suit [the CINO's] own agenda." This agenda, according to Brown, is a murderous social agenda that destabilizes communities and individual lives while also "rain[ing] down terror" on unborn babies."
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Church/Default.aspx?id=205614
Just one of many reasons I left the Catholic Church.....
The same reasons they don't support anything in this town! And I have yet to figure out what they are. The only thing I can think of is there isn't enough of a even semi quality variety in town to keep people shopping here, ex; if one needed shoes and clothes they would need to go to Franklin, Bowling Green, Gallatin or Rivergate to get both of their needs satisfied with one outing. I'm sad to hear the Factory Connection has left, it was nice to have them nearby and did shop there many times.
Another store bites the dust. The Factory Connection store has closed up shop. The prices there were not bad and the selection was ok so why didn't the people of Portland support this store by shopping there???
I'm sure churches have the right to take a stand on any issue they please, but I think turning your back on a member b/c he or she has made public how they feel about an issue is just wrong. Thats when the church should open up and let the member know of Gods love for them, no matter what they believe. And possibly help the member to see the err of their ways through study of the scripture.
As for the preists refusal to allow Mr Kennedy to receive Holy Communion, I dont feel is right or just. In my limited knowledge of Catholicism( I'm assuming he's catholic), the burden falls on you to know if you're able to receive communion. If you're burdened with sin, big or small, you're not supposed to receive communion until you have been to confession and had your sins absolved. But for the church to say "you cant receive communion b/c you think differently from us" is a load of b/s, IMHO. Wheres the love in that? Just some thoughts. I'm sure I'll be burned at the stake for them too.
The Kennedy's want the church to give in because they want them (the churches) to compromise their beliefs to make themselves (the Kennedy's) feel better. Personally, I don't see how any one can claim to be Christian and be for abortion on demand. If Kennedy doesn't like it, find another church. But the church will most likely give in, since I'm sure the Kennedy's put a lot of money in the collection plate.
He may ask his priest to ride home across the bridge with him.
Can someone explain something to me and let me know if I am reading this correctly?
It is being reported that Patrick Kennedy, the son of the late Ted Kennedy and a Rep. from the state of Rhode Island, has been asked by the Roman Catholic Church in Rhode Island not to receive communion because of his pro-abortion stance. Kennedy is reportedly very upset over the request.
My question, is do churches have the right to take a stand on issues?
We tell people if they don't like a television show to change the channel. We tell people if they don't want to hear a person speak on issues they don't believe in, don't attend the meeting.
Doesn't it stand that if Kennedy doesn't believe in the issues his church believes in, shouldn't he find another church?
I guess I am confused about why some people believe the church should give in on this issue?
Moose, there is nothing strange about that. He was probably running radar since the high school was in session earlier today for channel 4 news. He was just doing his job.
While driving my kid to the high school this morning we noticed something strange on College Street. We saw one of our police cars pull into a lot and turn so that he was facing towards the high school then turn off his lights and everything. When he turned off his lights you could just barely make him out. He was still sitting there when I passed on my way home. This was around 4:30 a.m.
I'm looking for some assistance. Our church, The Lord's Sanctuary in Gallatin, had a fire last week that essentially destroyed our church building. We were in the middle of a project to fill shoeboxes to be sent to Operation Christmas Child, which sends these shoeboxes of toys, gifts, and toiletry items throughout the U.S. and the world to needy children. By the grace of God, the fire spared all of the items we had collected for the shoeboxes and the agency cleaning up the fire damage has "de-smoked" those items. Unfortunately, we lost our collection of empty shoeboxes.
We have a short deadline as we have to wrap and pack the boxes this weekend for delivery next week to the drop-off point. We are looking for donations of empty shoeboxes. We only need a couple dozen boxes. If you have any empty boxes that you would like to donate, please e-mail me at mgillespie62@comcast.net and we will arrange to pick up today or tomorrow.
I have read the newspaper report of the sentencing phase of the trial and while I feel Ms Binkley does deserve some jail time I feel like the sentence was a bit excessive. For someone who did not have a criminal record and to have the sentences handed down to be served consecutively is excessive and I hope her lawyers are successful in having it overturned. That same day in Nashville a woman who had driven drunk, hit a man and left him to die in the street and was even arrested on a DUI while out on bond was sentenced to 9 years. And as for the family of the male students and all parents who have students who go to PHS, wake up and pay attention to what your children are doing at school. I bet they are doing a lot more than learning!
anyone know of 3rd shift employment in or around portland? (25 miles or so)
I agree with DebraP. I too would like to know how much the City has saved with the recycling program. I would also like to know how QRS Recycling is doing with the program. (QRS is the company which provides the recycling bins and picks up the contents.) Specifically, is QRS happy with the arrangement, and are they making a suitable profit on the service? (If they are not, they aren't going to want to renew their contract.) Also, I wonder what the percent of "allowed" recycled material they get, and what percent of non-allowed materials (e.g., glass, car batteries, etc.) they get. This is a valuable service; we need to insure QRS is happy.
I wish someone from the city would come on here or in one of the papers and let us know how much the city has saved since they started the recycle program.
Also, how much revenue has the city collected since the start of Sunday beer sales.
Anyone heard the rumor that 52 coming into is going to be turned into 4 lanes with islands down the middle with trees planted in them. I hope this isn't just a rumor because it would be nice to have streets like the streets of indian lake in Hendersonville. I have a feeling that Portland is going to explod with growth in the next 5 to 10 years and this would be good at attracting new businesses.
I heard that it was going to be done with stimulis money.
Well, the Binkley trial has come to a close. She was sentenced this past week.
I am not sure how I feel about that whole situation???
Wow.
Yes, you sort of do need a Presidential order to do that. There are specific guidelines with respect to when the flag is flown at half-staff. I posted some links earlier that can educate on the subject. And yes, the flags were flown at half-staff from the 6th thru the 10th with respect to the Ft. Hood situation, as ordered by the President of the U.S.
Thank you, Read, for the support. Well said.
I believe they have already been flown at half mast out of respect for the ft hood tragedy as noted below, maybe you should read the posts before spouting. And you wonder why no one from the city dares come here to give information!
Then how about lowering them out of respect for the recent attack at Ft. Hood ? Do you need a Presidential order to show respect for fallen soldiers ??
Yes ma'am. No problem.
When in doubt - go right to the White House Proclamations! Several newspapers reported sunset on the 11th, which wasn't accurate. A lot of folks assume that Vets Day is also a half-staff day, when in fact it's a full staff day.
Thanks.
I guess when the Pres said *fly flags at half staff until Veterans Day* it was totally misinterpreted by not only the public *me*, but by the media as well. Thanks for clearing that up Steve. :)
There were at half-mast on Tuesday the 10th, until sunset. As instructed by the President.
There were at full on Wednesday the 11th, as they were supposed to be. Full staff on Veterans Day, not half.
Well, I know I went to City Hall to check for myself while the sun was still shining brightly -- and there was the flag flying at full mast.
I was surprised to see it not lowered.
The flags at City Hall and on City of Portland Parks property were flown properly.
The President ordered flags to be flown at half-mast through sunset of Tuesday Nov 10. All flags were at half-mast as instructed. Here is the official link, from the White House ...
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/honoring-victims-tragedy-fort-hood-texas
Veterans Day is not a "half-mast" day - flags are to be flown at full-mast on Veterans Day.
http://www.flagandbanner.com/e-newsletters/November22009.asp
All flags at City Hall and in the Parks were lowered Friday, November 6.
Actually this states that he proclaimed the flags be flown half staff THROUGH Veterans Day. This was dated Nov 6.
http://www.examiner.com/x-1406-Chicago-Community-Life-Examiner~y2009m11d6-Obama-orders-US-flags-to-be-flown-at-half-staff-through-Veterans-Day
So maybe it is not customary do to so, but he saw it fit to do so this time.
Ummmm LA.....He made that declaration LAST FRIDAY!!!! But I dont know if they were lowered last Friday...or Monday...or Tuesday. Anyone know?
The proclamation plainly states the flag was to be at half staff until Tuesday November 10th. It was to return to full staff on Veteran's day which was yesterday, November 11th. It is not customary to fly our country's flag at half staff on Veteran's Day. The decision as to when to fly the flag at half staff is made via a Presidential Proclamation.
I went to City Hall well before sunset while the sun was still bright and the flag was not at half staff. I took a picture of it.
Perhaps, they raised the flag before they left for the day, so it'd be at full mast the next day, but it did not stay half masted till sunset.
The following is an excerpt from the proclamation from Pres. Obama.
The flags here in Portland were flown in accordance with this proclamation.
As a mark of respect honoring the victims of the tragedy at Fort Hood, Texas, I hereby order, by the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, that the flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff at the White House and upon all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its Territories and possessions until sunset, Tuesday, November 10, 2009.
Maybe there's your reason they didn't do it ! LOL
I thought Obama deemed it to fly half mast last week after the tragedy at Fort Hood and to continue to do so until today? I wonder who didnt get that memo?
Well, I had to see it to believe it ! After reading your comments, I got in the car and drove up there....and sure enough....there it was..flying right up there just like usual.
Portland, you're going to have to do better than this !!
As an American, wife and mother of a veteran and mother of an active duty Sailor , I am disappointed that they didn't lower their flag to salute all our veterans.
can anyone in our fine city tell us why our city hall is not flying the
flag at half mast on veterns day, and the week of 13 soliders been killed at ft. hood, tx.
Yes please, Thanks!!!
yes, batteries were out of that camera for months now time stamp is 07. Would you like a photo with todays Tennessean? Thanks
They don't know how to change the date on their camera. Some people are so paranoid........
Why does this picture has a 2007 date stamp? Did he just wander up 2 years ago?
Please do not be upset that I am posting this here. I just have a very very sad adult cat that wandered up to my home on robin dr. If you know where he belongs please let me know. He is a solid black adult cat. A pic here. I hope this doesn't violate any rules, if so mods please delete link. http://i38.tinypic.com/s1t5z8.jpg
I thought that too, my mother said the same thing, she thought 12 or 13 years old was the youngest age. I was doing a little research and found this:
Legal Age
There are very few states in the U.S. with legal minimum ages for children home alone, but many state agencies have published guidelines. Georgia, Illiniois, Maryland and Oregon are a few of the states with specific ages specified in their laws.
12 years of age appears to be the most common recommendation. Below in Related Links is an article entitled Home Alone Children Legal Age Limits which provides one guideline from a California agency representative who suggests that 8 year olds and over can be left at home for up to several hours (usually after school before a parent gets home from work). This site also provides a state by state comparison with references.
The Tennessee citation referenced in this link (Tennessee Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges) states:
"There is no legal age for children to stay at home alone. Parents are advised to use their best judgment, keeping the child's maturity level and safety issues in mind."
Here is what I found for Neglect criteria by the state of TN:
Neglect
Citation: Ann. Code § 37-1-102
Neglected child means a child:
Who is under unlawful or improper care, supervision, custody, or restraint by any person, corporation, agency,
association, institution, society, or other organization, or who is unlawfully kept out of school
Whose parent, guardian, or custodian neglects or refuses to provide necessary medical, surgical, institutional,
or hospital care for the child
Who, because of lack of proper supervision, is found in any public place the existence of which is in violation
of the law
Who is in such condition of want or suffering or is under such improper guardianship or control as to injure or
endanger the morals or health of the child or others
I have wondered if the third stipulation "found in any public place", would constitute our 'hood?
Hag, I applaud you for your concerns, indeed a troubling situation especially considering the recent rash of small children disappearing across the united states. I seem to recall doing some research myself years back and I though what I learned is they needed to be 12 years of age and there's limitations as to when and for how long they can be left alone.
I thought that too, that a child had to be a certain age. Yes I did follow up on this. The trouble is, its not illegal to leave them alone. They have food and clothes. Of course, the times DCS has checked up on them, the mother is home.
The parameters for neglect are vague at best. One PPO offered to go by on his day off and the lady I spoke to at DCS says that unfortunately, something has to happen before neglect is found. She wanted me to report it anyway.
I have written a letter to our congressional repersentatives, not sure if I will get back more than a "thank you,but im too busy right now" letter or not. I felt it was something else I could do to help.
Does anyone have a suggestion for revamping of this law? Anything to add to the two criteria?
I also want to say again, Im understand parents have to work and sometimes cant afford the after-school programs. Im not "after" anyone. I just want to help our children be safe.
Did the police or DHS check into the situation? This seems like child neglect to me. I always thought a child had to be at least 12 years old before they could be left alone.
If I was you I wouldn't let this drop. I would keep calling DHS until someone checked into this.
Sorry for posting this here, but I couldnt find another place to post it.
I recently called the police and DCS about a nieghborhood child I was concerned about. She and her brother are probably 6 and 9 years old. They are left alone for long periods of time. In the summer, it was while thier mother worked 12 hrs shifts. They can usually be found wondering our neighborhood all day, mother never looking for her or knowing where they are when the mother is home. I found out some disturbing news. TN law has only two requirements for a child to stay home alone: 1. They can call 911 2. They know their address.
I was shocked and outraged! My four year old fits these criteria!
I understand that parents have to work. Also, that their are prolly some 16 year old that have noe business being left alone and some 6 years old that could handle it. I also understand that it is up to the parent to make intelligent, informed decsions in the best intrest of the child. It just seems like there should be more detailed criteria for leaving young children alone for extended periods of time. Unfortunately, too many children are being neglected by their parents. I think this law is making it too easy for them.
Same here. Not as many kids and not as many people handing out candy. I think the cruddy economy might play a part as well.
We had around 12 total not counting grandkids. The first year we moved here, 6 years ago, we had over 100 and I ran out of candy.
My daughters said that Main St was packed but just 6 business were handing out candy which is sad. I think people just feel that it's not safe any more to go house to house.
Hope all the kids had a safe and fun Halloweeen night! We had four whole tricks or treaters... my grandkids!