FEBRUARY 2010
Post your thoughts about News worthy articles, events, happenings, questions, garage sales, and general information regarding our town.
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Every blogger, lets each come of with a minimum of five suggestions to work towards solving some of the issues the city has.
City recorder is a hired position (as far as I can find out) and the 6% annual guaranteed increase, I have heard that this is why her pay passed the mayor but I haven't been able to confirm if this is fact or fiction. Still working on that one.
Is the city recorder job an appointed job or an elected job ?
If appointed --- appointed by whom ?
OMG --- well, add "angry" to my list of feelings about all this.
Portlanders should be outraged.
justmyopinion, I would love to be city recorder of a town of over 11,000 people and over 100 employees and make 31,500 a year. I have my own copy of accounting for dummies so the city won't have to spend money for a copy. Submit my name with all those other qualified people you know who can do that job.
My personal opinion is that the entire government needs to be replaced. We need a mayor with a backbone who can stand up for what's right rather than what cushions his wallett. The city recorder makes $63,000 and is guaranteed a 6% pay raise every year.... get rid of her. I know lots of people who could do that job and be happy to make 1/2 her wages. The mayor (and a large majority of the council) has no respect for the city employees that pay his salary!! I even had it brought to my attention that he was asked if they needed to get some chairs out for the people to sit in at the last council meeting and his reply was "they're city employees, they can stand." Well you can certainly tell that he hasn't been standing very much!! If our city is in a bind cut the crap, stop spending money that you don't have, stop the donation of $675,000 to the library, cut off what is unneccesary and save the peoples jobs. If they cut the pay (when there wasn't even a raise for the "normal" city employees) the people will never make their money back. Why cut everybody when you can cut one or two and better the entire situation. They need to stop protecting people, find out what the problem is and cut it off at the root!! There are many alternatives for city revenue and if taxes increase we should expect an improved city in the near future but 19 police officers can't run this city 24 hrs a day 365 days a year and maintain order. The city is trying to put the buggy ahead of the horse and they need to get basic. Get out of debt and save rather than blow every dime and more they think they may make.
No, you're not the only one. ( I just think there's only a few of us that are willing to speak out about it, though. ) I think a lot of people were appalled and dismayed and extrememly disappointed. It was everything you said and more.
Honestly, I was embarrassed for them. Hopefully, they can get their act together soon, and do a better job of things. The way it looks, though, it's not too promising.
Am I the only one who was apalled by the behavior of the councilmen at the last Call Meeting on Thursday night? What a travesty! Between the tears, the Altar Call, and the constant questioning "What are we voting on?", it's no wonder that nothing is decided in these meetings. These people are elected and PAID to do their homework, study the options and be informed about what decisions are being made. Yes, it has been intense for the last six weeks, and they have other commitments. But there is really no excuse for showing up at the meeting unprepared when this kind of a crisis is at hand.
Ironically, they "voted in" the same measures that were suggested at the Jan. 22 meeting. Six weeks of arguing, indecision and nerves for the city employees could have been avoided by a decisive vote on Jan 22. Way to go, Council.
I do applaud the Mayor for starting things out by basically saying, "This is what I propose you do. Get on with it." The Council members were taken by surprise and so were the citizens. Way to go, Mr. Wilber!!
Some of the drama, however, could have been avoided by the use of the little hammer that sits at the Mayor's right hand. Things were said and done, and a lot of time was wasted, that could have been avoided if the moderator of the discussion (the Mayor), had brought the meeting back to order and kept the council members on the topic.
All in all, it was enlightening.
Am I the only one who was apalled by the behavior of the councilmen at the last Call Meeting on Thursday night? What a travesty! Between the tears, the Altar Call, and the constant questioning "What are we voting on?", it's no wonder that nothing is decided in these meetings. These people are elected and PAID to do their homework, study the options and be informed about what decisions are being made. Yes, it has been intense for the last six weeks, and they have other commitments. But there is really no excuse for showing up at the meeting unprepared when this kind of a crisis is at hand.
Ironically, they "voted in" the same measures that were suggested at the Jan. 22 meeting. Six weeks of arguing, indecision and nerves for the city employees could have been avoided by a decisive vote on Jan 22. Way to go, Council.
I do applaud the Mayor for starting things out by basically saying, "This is what I propose you do. Get on with it." The Council members were taken by surprise and so were the citizens. Way to go, Mr. Wilber!!
Some of the drama, however, could have been avoided by the use of the little hammer that sits at the Mayor's right hand. Things were said and done, and a lot of time was wasted, that could have been avoided if the moderator of the discussion (the Mayor), had brought the meeting back to order and kept the council members on the topic.
All in all, it was enlightening.
WOW...that's an awesome suggestion !!!
The parks department should put up small billboards around the ball fields and let local business advertise on them and that money could go towards the upkeep of the fields.
Another option for upkeep is to let a single business adopt one of the fields and keep it mowed themselves and in return they can advertise on that field. This would save the Parks department a nice chunk of change.
Judy, I'd love to give my recap of the meeting , but I will leave it to others, more knowledgeable, to give you the details of it. I was so caught up in the theatrics of it ..... but I will give you the word it ended on. When the vote was taken -- it was to ------ DEFER !
LOL....And so it goes.............stay tuned.
OK, You all need to fill me in on Thursday nights special meeting, we had company come over right when it got started and I wasn't able to watch it............... ackk!! I don't want to wait for replays, please do tell.... lol
Hey Charlie, In my post basically I was thinking the whole strawberry fest week, which includes the main activities down town, the carnival, pagents, pancake breakfast, tournaments, etc. and hwy 52 yard sale which does run the same week. It's a festive week that brings so many visitors to our town like you said.
Judy: You wrote: "there is but one nice event ..." Please don't forget the TN Highway 52 Yard Sale! The Yard Sale is sometimes the same weekend as the Strawberry Festival, sometimes the week after. The TN52 Yard Sale brings people from all over Tennessee, and I have met people who have driven all the way from Illinois and California to attend. Visit a bank or a restaurant on the Monday after the Yard Sale, and you'll see a lot more locals with money to save or spend! Charlie
I believe there is a lot of volunteers that work the strawberry fest, and over the past few years the Chamber has done an awesome job of putting together a great event. Does it cost the city? I'm sure it does to some degree, however the revenue that is generated during this time I'm sure pays for the cost in sales tax generated from people that come here and buy gas, shop, or eat.
I'm saddened that there is but one nice event that puts Portland on the maps and people want to chew it up, spit it out, and then cry foul.
I wish it were known to what extent the City helps with the Strawberry Festival -- how many hours' pay is required for the workers to do all the preparation required for it,are city employees paid overtime for this, or for hours on duty during the Festival, the clean-up afterwards, etc. Just how much does this actually cost the City ? Honestly, the City should be more forthcoming with some figures for the budget and they are going to have to make a priority list of essential services and stick to it, and put the "fluff" and the non-essentials at the bottom of the list, till we get through this tough time. If they will do that, confidence will be restored and the City should find themselves in better financial shape. I just can't help but wonder what perks could be eliminated, also. However, small they may be, they add up if overused or many people get them. I like the park at much as anyone, but it's a luxury to have and maintain at a time when we are talking about essential city services or employees having to be cut. Safety, Sanitation, essential city services - road maintenance, salaries of its workers, good water, gas: these are essential. Parks, festivals, etc. are extras if they can be afforded without putting a burden on the citizens by raising fees to provide for them.
I wonder how much the electric bill alone is...to run all those lights in the park. Who pays for that ? Us ? Or the teams who use the park ?
It'll be interesting to see the meeting tomorrow night, to see what they will decide -- that is...IF they decide or defer.
Gomer , you really didn't tell us anything, please give specifics if you have any. Each voter has one vote. The city doesn't do the strawberry festival, the chamber does and the city helps. Please help me understand where you are going with this.
You say that the parks department is as important if not more important than a good police department because you think that there should be some place for your kids to go and play and have fun.......that to me sounds like you think that bad people don't come to the parks so my question is who is going to protect your children at the park? Do you think the parks department will be able to do that? I don't think so it is going to take the police. I understand that you want a good parks department but I would rather get my police department up to date and then start working on the parks.......I am not going to take my kid to the park and think they are safe if the police aren't going to be able to protect us....
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THEY WILL BE DELETED
all I'm saying jdog is they don't spend that much time & energy on what's essentially a one day event unless there's a profit to be had. elections are choreographed events to the point of that incumbent you may be ready to send packing is in a chain of many with the same agenda. you make one look bad & it runs down hill to all of them. ya'll get together & make em sweat thinking the strawberry thing won't go down then they'll be more receptive to what the people want & need from their elected officials. the town I grew up in was about one third the size of portland with not near as many hangups (we had taverns & catholic churches)but the same group called the shots & the same thing every year went down. "you can always move away". no issues solved & I did move.
tell us more about these under the table deals we are really intrigued haven't read about these in the newspapers and am trying to do the math on vendor fees vs cleanup and traffic control please tell us more
I have found an camera operator to be able to televise February 25th council meeting.
as UNpopular as this IS going to be here's an idea to make it hit home with the city....when they come out recruiting folks for the strawberry festival in May just say no. ya'll know the town reaps a profit from it with vendor permits, a lil under the table exchange here & there,...remember the rhubarb about the Christmas parade ? sometimes a good old fashioned "boycott" works & then there are times it does nothing. something to think about peoples...
When my personal finances are in a mess, I see what I can do to decrease spending and increase income. In addition to big changes, I do little things; adjust the thermostat, eat out less, decreasing the amount of gas I use. I don't see the council trying to cut day-to-day expenses, the only issue on the table seems to be the elimination of personnel or their hours. I have also not heard any discussion whatsoever about increasing revenue. (Increasing property tax is NOT the only way to accomplish this!!)So we are left with a Council who can't agree on anything, and is unable to make any decisions.
Here's what I don't understand about the Parks Department. Portland put tons of money and a large amount of energy into developing the new Richland Park. Yet it is empty most of the time, only being used for organized sports. However, the organized sports are fairly pricey, and as a parent, I found the cost to be prohibitive at times. I'm sure that with so many people out of work, it will be even more difficult this year for parents to come up with the cost of joining a league for their children.
Joining an organized league doesn't address the day-to-day "What is there to do?" that kids experience. If we're going to pour tax and city money into the Parks Department, why does it have to cost citizens to use them? Are there any daily summer programs that don't cost anything? Why does the pool cost to use? What is the well-paid Parks Dept doing to provide free activities for the kids in the summer? Help us understand this.
I fear that, as in most Bureaucracies, a lot of the money is going to those in administration, and not to the people for whom the money is intended. It seems that, as a society, we have lost sight of what is really important.
I would think the same would hold true for the city employees if they get their pay cut. Alot of them probably have the right to vote too.
P Watcher - a successful parks dept is as important as a good police dept. Portland has so little to offer the young people so the parks dept becomes that much more important. If you don't have a good parks dept with programs for the kids you will see a need for more police. As a parent, I would rather have a stronger parks dept.
If there is anyone who knows how to dig a hole, it's Phil!
Mike, the answer to poor management and indecision is not to raise taxes and increase fees. Any city councilperson up for reelection that votes for a tax increase will lose my vote!
Looks like City Hall is the place to be then, if they aren't going to be able to televise it that night.
I don't think any of them really know what the exact state of the city is --- I really don't. It looks to me like they are all working on separate agendas, instead of trying to pull things together for the good of the whole city.
I have a real problem with even the suggestion that my property taxes or any city services fees be raised until I see them making some real cutbacks across the board, not favoring one dept. over another. Let the cuts start at the top.
They should look at what is crucial to the running of the city and take care of that first....whatever is not essential, let that dept. take deeper cuts, for example. Parks are not essential to the survival of a town. They are very nice, but when push comes to shove .... would you rather play ball, have a place to walk, or have police protection ? Just my opinion. That is, if the City is in the bind they say they are, then that's what it comes down to, before passing the bills on to the citizens, many of whom are lower paid, senior citizens, etc.
One question I have is:
How is that the City can "owe Gas" over a million dollars ?
Are we being that overcharged on our gas bills that they can have all that money to borrow from for other things? I just do not understand what that's all about. I thought the money we paid for our gas bill went, for the most part, to pay for the gas we use. Is the gas dept. making that much of a profit on it ???
So many questions -- so few answers. "Politics " is sure showing itself lately .....you gotta wonder what's really going on. Well, I do anyway.
Well, see ya Thursday night !
and when election time rolls around again....see ya then, too !
i think phil should dig a big hole and jump in it. doesnt he know that the city is in debt
is the mayor going to cut his pay also
also why want the city raise taxes . i would be more than happy to pay more taxes to have my police,fire,water ,sewer service .
just want to say i dont think the city counicl want the meeting on tv because of what they are doing to all the city empolyees by cutting there pay
Just informed that the Special Call Meeting on February 25th (Thursday) may not be on Channel 3. Our Camera Operator is not available for this time. We will know more on Thursday. If you need to attend, please be at City Hall at 6pm.
how is it that the city has money now. I read in paper where 1.5 million in debt and the meeting they say they have like a plus of what $100,000 or more. who is keeping the books? Maybe they need to look at the books better. Possible that ever who keeps money records needs to be fired. How much are they getting paid and how come so fast a turn around on the money in 1 month time? Something is wrong here somewhere. Council people you need to help us with some more better answers. help.
You can always find links and contact info for civic clubs for youth sports programs, and general Parks & Rec information at the city site (www.cityofportlandtn.gov).
Steve Osborne
Director
Portland Parks Department
Matt, go to www.portlandsoccerclub.com.
All the information is on there, plus an application, etc.
Hope this helps.
does anyone know when and where the spring soccer sign-ups are?????
Yep, he wants the Vic-Mayor's job to have an office, desk and the works, and get on the payroll.......LOL.....gosh, I gotta get on that Council so I can create me a job and give myself a raise ! LOL
I'm sure what they are going to come up with next is ways for us to pay for all this mess.......:(
Did the progressive state what position Hobdy the Vice Mayor wanted to add to the payroll? What I heard from "the grapevine" is it was for the Vice Mayors position to be a voter elected paid position with desk and the works. Who knows what they will come up with next.
SIGH............more of the same from them. Still can't decide anything !!
Maybe the reason they can't make these decisions is because they are too all too connected, either socially or related to, or are friends with, or professionally connected with, the people whose lives will be affected by these decisions. These are tough times and call for tough decisions. If they can't do it, then it's time to bring in someone who can run this city and keep it within it's budget. After watching that meeting I feel all the more strongly about the need for that unbiased, objective thinking, professional city manager: someone who has no ties to the people here and doesen't live here to be influenced by anyone, but simply looks at the budget and says..."here's what y'all need to do". Period.
I am beginning to wonder if all this is about justifying a possible future increase in sewer fees, gas bills, and property taxes. I forsee that happening. Where else are they going to get the money ? From us, of course.
After hearing that meeting and hearing all that was presented, now
I am reading in the Portland Progressive, that Vice Mayor Hobdy has suggested that Portland should add yet another salary to the City's budget !
At a time when the City is "needing " ( ? ) to cut salaries or positions --- how could the suggestion of another city salary even be thought of, much less suggested ?? WOW. Thought they HAD to cut salaries and positions.....oh, who knows ??? In theory, it may be ok, but the reality is......it is not. Not right now, anyway.
Another issue -- the truck route around Portland. That should have been done YEARS ago. Can't wait to see what results come from that Transportation meeting...if any. LOL.
How much business do those truckers using our town as a short-cut to the interstate add to our local economy ? I'm sure they don't stop here...that's the reason they are here, so they can "make time" getting to where they are going...not to stop and shop .....oh well.
Don't forget the budget was not finalized until October or November for the 09-10 budget year.
I too was absolutely shocked that once again they have basically come away from the table empty handed. How many times do they ask department heads to come up with plans, they do what they ask and then get shrugged off and go the other way.... no where! I saw Coker, Mclearen, McDowell & White, really making an honest attempt to get something done. Chief West was humiliated and talked rudely to and that I find a disgrace coming from our vice-mayor Hobdy!!
Kudos to ms Johnson for speaking her mind, yes someone needs to make a decision and get this city back on track!
To even hear some (bratton) suggest that an outside firm needs to be brought in to look at the city as a whole is just absurd!! If you wanted this WHY wait until NOW!! They knew the budget would need adjusting after the first of the year when they passed it in June!!
Basically the budget as it is now is some where around 110k to the good, as ms Johnson stated that is the "best" case scenario should no further problems occur between now and June ex: tax revenue come in as expected, no further snow storms creating OT, no severe weather, etc etc.
They proposed a 4% employee pay cut across the board basically taking things back to before their last cost of living raise. This would basically save the General Funds aprx 31k in 4 months.
They also proposed every employee take 1 day a month off without pay, then the issue of public safety came up and how short staffed they currently are and wether they could handle that, that's when things went a little out of hand.
In the end both were approved on first reading neither was unanomous, several voting to approve to give time to get the true figures as to how much each would save the city and have the option of voting against it on second reading or removing one or both all together. So the wheels are rolling but both of these proposals are basically a drop in the bucket for our financially strapped city. But a start.
And yes that ugly phrase "property tax increase" was thrown around but only in saying we need to cut somewhere or you all know what the other options are!! Would you rather face a city full of residents or one or two employees?
This is what I remember of the televised meeting, please take time if you have the ability and watch the meeting, if I have misquoted anything feel free to correct me, my memory isn't too good these days, it's kinda frozen!! lol
dc - Sorry you don't have cable. It was quite a show. My forehead is bruised from banging it on the wall while watching the call meeting. Our poor Police Chief must be disheartened and discouraged -- let's hope he isn't looking for another job. He is the best thing this town has going for it. He was treated rudely and humiliated publicly, and he, from where I sit, is trying to sincerely come up with solutions to the budget issues without compromising the safety of the citizens. He was actually asked if he was willing to fill in and take shifts in the patrol cars, and only allowed to give a "Yes" or "No" answer. It was horrifying to watch.
Most of the council members made it very clear that they have personal agendas, and are only interested in getting re-elected by their special interest groups. Some of the members were genuinely trying to accomplish something last night, but they were running up against the same two brick walls that Chief West was banging his head against.
Portland is doomed. There is no EFFECTIVE leadership, and it's sad to watch.
Replay Schedule
Weekly Program Guide for Channel 3 - Feb 19, 2010 to Feb 25, 2010
All regular programming will continue as normal, except when the Special Call Meeting pre-empts it.
Friday, February 19, 2010
12:00:00 PM February 18th Special Call
8:00:00 PM February 18th Special Call
Saturday, February 20, 2010
12:00:00 AM February 18th Special Call
4:00:00 AM February 18th Special Call
8:00:00 AM February 18th Special Call
12:00:00 PM February 18th Special Call
4:00:00 PM February 18th Special Call
8:00:00 PM February 18th Special Call
Sunday, February 21, 2010
12:00:00 AM February 18th Special Call
4:00:00 AM February 18th Special Call
8:00:00 AM February 18th Special Call
12:00:00 PM February 18th Special Call
4:00:00 PM February 18th Special Call
8:00:00 PM February 18th Special Call
Monday, February 22, 2010
3:00:00 PM February 18th Special Call
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
10:00:00 AM February 18th Special Call
5:00:00 PM February 18th Special Call
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
10:00:00 AM February 18th Special Call
6:00:00 PM February 18th Special Call
Thursday, February 25th, 2010
6:00:00 PM Special Call Meeting
Another Special Call City Council Meeting is scheduled for next Thursday (2-25-2010)@ 6pm -- This will be "live" again on Comcast Channel 3 & the discussion is on the City Budget (budget cuts)
Hopefully someone will post what the topics were at the meeting tonight. I don't have comcast and can't watch.
Thank You Janice for that information, I am glad to hear this, I hear it may be verrrry interesting!!
The Special Call City Council Meeting will be televised "live" tonight (2-18-2010) beginning at 6pm on Comcast Cable Channel 3. I am having several calls on this subject & please inform anyone who is interested in viewing this meeting tonight. Thanks, Janice Ferrett Channel 3 Manager/City Hall Receptionisit
Drinking alcohol is not a sin. Why do churches place so much guilt upon their members for having a drink every now and again?
Does anyone know why a helicopter flies over my house every night going to and from the airport? It happens everyday between the hours of 4:00pm til 11:00 pm.
You can't win, speaking as a "church person", I completely agree with your thoughts.
As my pastor says, How do you know when a "Church person" is in the liquior store?
They are the ones who won't look at you!
You can't win -- I have to disagree with you. It would seem to me that the Church people don't run thing's here anymore. If they did then we wouldn't have a Liquor Store so I guess I would agree with Tom. What in the world do "church people" have to do with anything?
MITCH -- (like I said, You can't win!)
I apologize for my mistake, but I'm glad to know that someone thinks like I do. As for pictures of previous ribbon-cuttings, you can always go to the Library, where past copies of both the Leader and the Progressive are available.
Tom;
I apologize for my mistake, but I'm glad to know that someone thinks like I do. As for pictures of previous ribbon-cuttings, you can always go to the Library, where past copies of both the Leader and the Progressive are available.
Correction to your post below, I "mitch" did NOT say "what in the world do church people have to do with anything!" That is a quote from "tom". I happen to agree with what you think on that topic.
I wishe I had the photo's from other most recent business openings in town (what few there has been) and see just how many if ANY "councilmen" have attended them, and if I were a betting man I think I could win some money on that bet.
Mitch said, "What in the world do 'church people' have to do with anything?" OH, honey, you must not be from around here!! In Portland, church runs the show. If you watch much of the City Council in action, it doesn't take long to realize how many times a member's personal beliefs or personal agendas dictate the decisions that are made. If your personal beliefs don't agree with those of the predominant church, don't expect to get ahead in this town.
No, the Council members don't want to be photographed in front of a liquor store. What would people think? I personally know a woman who had car trouble near the state line, and pulled over at the first place she could to call for help, which happened to be a place that sold liquor. This woman, who was in her mid-20s, was beside herself because she was afraid someone she knew would drive by and see her car sitting in front of a bar. SO WHAT? She was over 21, had car trouble, and was just using the phone. Why the guilty conscience?
Our council members manage to make it to all the other ribbon cuttings in the city. The Mayor had been sick and in the hospital, so he may have not been well enough to attend, but he should have asked someone to attend in his place. Jody seems to be the only level-headed council member who thinks for himself -- I wish he had been able to attend, but I'm sure he would have also been criticized if he had attended.
Bottom line -- you can't win.
First of all, the voters aren't the ones that make law. They don't vote for something unless the council wants it to be passed. Also, the voters are not paid to represent the city. The council is.
All of this just boils down to being accountable for what they do. It is convenient that several of the council members are up for re-election.
According to your way of thinking every citizen that signed the petitions to get liquor on the ballot and voted it in should of attended and stood up for the decisions *they* made, hold them accountable as *they* are the ones that brought it in by *their* votes. What in the world does the "council" have to do with it! Other than determining the number of stores and other limitations after it was voted in! they didn't bring it here.
What in the world do "church people" have to do with anything? This is about being accountable for your decisions. If you wanted to bring liquor to a town, shouldn't you at least stand up for the decision you make?
Yep, that pretty much sums it up, Gomer.
well somebody has to come out & actually say it....welcoming a liquor store into town will rub the church folks & major donaters the wrong way so keep your pic out of the paper. reminds me of the places where they have dirty movies & people will actually wear disguises.
The mayor certainly should have been there, as well as a Council member or two, to welcome a new business in town.If he couldn't been there for some reason, then someone from the Council should have been there in his place. To say that council members can't afford to attend a five minute photo op and to shake hands isn't a valid point, since most of the members are business owners themselves and are their own bosses and can take five minutes out of their day for whatever they want to do, and I would have thought they would have wanted to be there, if for no other reason, than to thank them for investing in Portland. To do that isn't saying " I approve of your business, I think alcohol is ok," or whatever else they may have been afraid would be the public perception. ( I hope that wasn't the reason: public perception, meaning: votes ) It's just good manners and good business to welcome new business to your town,esp. at a time when others are leaving.
No, I am not a past Council member, nor do I desire to ever be in the future. I'm just a citizen who lives here, works here, and volunteers here. I just get tired of hearing the Council talk about how we need to get more business in town and go so far as to hire a consultant to tell them how to go about it -- then when someone does start a business and invests here, it's seems to be too difficult to have a welcoming photo op with them. I don't understand it, that's all.
I'm curious why you are dogging the council members and not the Mayor! He is the true "paid" city rep for this city and is without any doubt his responsibility to be at these welcoming festivities. The council hardly gets paid as it is, they would lose about half of what they are paid in one day off their regular job, maybe we should have these on a sunday then everyone can attend the liquor store opening. Elections are another year away, you have plans for one of the seats? sounds to me like you might or perhaps you once were!
I think the message it sends is one of hyprocrisy, bad manners, politics, and the typical Portland attitude of not being Progessive. They have GOT to take that out of their slogan...LOL LOL.
The City Council really bugs me, in that they will spend a lot of money on hiring a retail consultant to tell them how to get business to come to Portland, yet, on the other hand when a new business decides to set up business here, they shun them. How much sense does that make ???
On the city's website at www.cityofportandtn.gov there is a line that says..... "You Are Welcome Here........ come to Northern Middle Tennessee and enjoy some of our Southern Hospitality " hmmmmmm...maybe they need to take that off, too !
I'm sure they won't refuse to accept the tax dollars this new business brings to town.
Are you suggesting that LBTD is so unpopular that no one on the council wants to be seen as supporting it?
That is not completely true. The council members are encouraged to attend every event and, especially when they're up for re-election, council members can be found everywhere.
Their absence can't be explained away that easy!
Most often it is the "Mayor and the Chamber Pres" that represents/attends ribbon cutting for the city, mmm NOT the council, most of them do hold full time jobs and cannot be expected to attend ribbon cuttting and miss paid time from a regular job. I understand the place was elbo to elbo the first few days it was opened. Too bad the mayor isn't up for reelection huh! I hope he donates all that tax revenue to a good charity, evidentally the city doesn't need it!
Is there anywhere in or near Portland to take my wife out to brunch for v-day?
Since they decided to shun this opportunity to welcome the new business,I should expect that they, too, will not be accepting any of the tax revenues this store generates !
I don't know if anyone else saw it, but Andrew Simmons, the editor of the Portland Progressive, wrote a great editorial in this week's issue of the paper.
The Progressive ran a picture of the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new liquor store near Papa John's and China Buffet.
A ribbon cutting is a community event where elected public officials show up so they can be in a picture that shows them supporting growth in their city. It is a great picture opportunity for all public officials/politicians.
Simmons pointed out that NOT ONE Portland elected official, council member, politician, etc. was in the picture. Even the director of the Chamber of Commerce, who is usually in the front row of the pictures next to the business owners, was pictured two or three rows back.
I thought that was very interesting. Considering beer and liquor permits were such a big issue with the council, I was shocked that our city leaders weren't out there celebrating what they brought to town.
Their absence couldn't have been about politics, or worry about offending voters since four of the council members are up for re-election???
They will tell you, I am sure, they were busy, etc. Very convenient! I would advise all politcians to have some accountability!
GAS is $2.36 and $2.39 in Hendersonville and most likely the same in Gallatin. The stations here don't seem to lower there Prices very fast anymore. If they did I would be spending my $80.00 a Week here and Portland would be getting the taxes.
Let's all Remember the Month of February -- Share the LOVE with everyone & just give back a Smile or a Nice Gesture! Make someone's day a little Brighter...,.