April 12, 2008
FRONT PAGE - Around the Town - APRIL 2008
Post your thoughts about News worthy articles, events, happenings, questions,
garage sales,and general information regarding our town.
Want to talk about something specific, post it here.
One of the blog authors will start the 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 08:36 PM | Comments (59)
March 04, 2008
Is the Kerley Building a Health Risk
Is our City saying Don't Ask Don't Tell
This months council meeting included discussions on moving public works to a rented building across the street from city hall which resulted in the issue of the Kerley building (old Farmers Bank Building) on Main Street being brought up. And the fact that the city owns it with 8,000 sq feet of space and it isn't being utilized much by the city.
The issue of that buildings condition quickly became the topic of conversation with the possibility of mold, aspestos, etc, etc being addressed once again and they didn't want employees working in that building not knowing the degree of health issues that could arise.
My concern is not with this being brought up, but the outcome of where it ended.
One of the Councilmen wanted a study done once and for all to determine if indeed there were health hazards within this building, what degree they might be, and what it would cost to get them fixed if there were any. Sounds logical to me, however, this suggestion was met with basically WE don't need to know......... if there is health risks in that building we would have to lock it up and would not be able to be use it for the various things it is currently used for, example: Traffic Court, Boy Scouts, Church (which will soon be moved out), Some Insurance company, etc If they are not able to hold traffic court there they would have to find somewhere else which they don't have that space anywhere else.
What are your thoughts on how this is being handled?
Does the City have an obligation to find out if indeed people are being exposed to possible health hazards?
Should they just shut it down completely or give it back, which will place a further burden of space on the city?
Comcast Cable Channel 3 repeatidly broadcasts this meeting for a few days after the meeting, if you haven't already done so, please take the time to watch it.
Posted by judy at 02:39 PM | Comments (19)
January 02, 2008
Health Dept. Building!?!?
What is the deal with the County or Portland approving the Health Dept. building on Ewing Dr? I'm not quite sure why there building it there but I would hate to still live in South Fork Estates and have to come out and see that sight everyday. I know it's a great cause but I mean.....What gives??
Posted by jasonmiddletn at 05:39 PM | Comments (21)
October 06, 2007
Director of Schools Causes Uproar
In this week's The Portland Progressive, Josh Nelson reports on a hiring decision made by the Director of Schools, Benny Bills, that has the School Board, as well as the County Commission in an uproar. Commissioner Cummings even went so far as to suggest, "I think we need to consider getting a new Director of Schools."
It was reported that less than 11 hours after the school board created a new position by combining two departments, Benny Bills had selected, and hired Steve Nichols as the Assistant Director of Schools for Faculties.
Mr. Nichols is the husband of Rachel Nichols who is the Sumner County Finance Director.
While many believe that there will not be a "conflict of interest", they are basically stunned that the position was filled almost instantly and that Mr. Nichols reported to work the following morning.
Even after reviewing Mr. Nichols' resume, many disagree that he is properly qualified for the position. This is based on the education and experience the Board had determined that the ideal candidate would possess.
I hope you are able to to read the article since I do not have enough space to adequately relay the entire story.
Posted by Michelle Hanners at 10:21 AM | Comments (9)
September 24, 2007
Recycling
I just called the Sumner County Resource Authority in Gallatin to find out if there are any places in Sumner County where one can recycle cardboard. There are not.
Considering that:
1) Sumner County is Three-Star certified at Level 3.
2) Sumner County claimed the points for having an active recycling program on the 2007 Three-Star.
3) A rather famous environmentalist lives just south of Sumner County,
I am disappointed.
Charlie
Posted by admin at 01:54 PM | Comments (11)
April 22, 2007
Earth Day
Today is Sunday, April 22, 2007 -- Earth Day. Thanks to everyone who is taking care of our planet by reducing energy use, driving less, planting trees, recycling, etc.
I would like to challenge Sumner County to return the recycling bins to Portland. The Sumner County Resource Authority removed the bins a couple of years ago. Since then, they have replaced the bins in Gattaltin and Hendersonville, but not Portland. Hopefully, the City of Portland will work with Sumner County to make sure this happens by next Earth Day! Thank you.
Posted by admin at 10:42 AM | Comments (48)
July 25, 2005
Sumner County Resource Authority
What's going on with the Sumner County Resource Authority?
This morning's News-Examiner quoted commissioner Matt Stone "The Resource Authority died last night" after "the resolution was added to the [Sumner County Commission] agenda on the night of the commission meeting without initial discussion in a committee meeting."
County Executive Hank Thompson says he might veto the resolution.
Sumner County Law Director Leah Dennen said "if the county opts out of the contract ..."
If?? Might??? Again, what's going on here??
Normally if you have an operation like this and you are planning to shut it down, somebody makes a PLAN for how to shut it down. You figure out step-by-step what needs to be done, and you review contracts, legal issues, job issues, etc.
In addition, you set up a PLAN for what you are going to do after the Resource Authority goes away. Will there be a transfer station? Who will run it? What will happen to the county's recycling program? Who will haul away the trash?
Sumner County has had at least a year to plan for this. Yet we see things that look unplanned -- the removal of the recycling bins without any notice nor any plans to replace them; the events reported in this morning's News-Examiner, etc.
I would like the local newspapers to look into this matter. Something is radically wrong in Gallatin.
Posted by admin at 12:52 PM | Comments (8)