September 14, 2009

Minutes of RUN Meeting, September 10th

Billy called the meeting to order at 7:00. There were no old minutes because Scott missed the August meeting. Jamie said they talked about the fire on Morrow Road and moving the Police station to the old Ford dealer at 5500 Charlotte. Blaine passed around a petition on that subject. Norma reported that there was $759.03 in the treasury.


Brenda and B.G. invited everyone to the health fair and carnival on September 19th from 9:00-2:00 at the 61st Ave church. Scott asked if we could recruit a candidate to run against Buddy in the 2011 election. Everyone seemed to think it was a good idea, but Billy reminded us that in the RUN by laws, RUN could not endorse any candidate. Angela reminded us that St. Luke's had stimulus Money that could help folks with their house payments if they meet certain conditions.


Blaine and Brenda gave a recap of the meeting with the North precinct. Their will be another meeting with the Police Monday. The meeting was adjourned early so we could all catch the Titans game.


Submitted by Scott GillihanSeptember 13, 2009

Notes From the Nations

River Music--Sorry I missed the August RUN meeting. I went to a concert downtown and when I bought the ticket I didn't realize it was on RUN night.


Digital Age--You may have noticed I have a proper email address now. I am also working on a MySpace and Facebook page. It's what all the kids are doing. It is all very strange to me so bear with me as I am dragged kicking and screaming into the the 21st century.


Gail Kerr--I hope y'all got a chance to read Gail Kerr's piece August 15 in the Tennessean. It was about the Metro law against discrimination of gays. Our councilman Buddy Baker was featured. Buddy and I have not agreed on every issue but he is right on this one.


Marketplace--I hope y'all have had to chance to visit the new farmer's market in Richland Park. I have been there the last two Saturdays and it seems to be thriving. If you haven't been there yet be sure to go before it gets too cold.


The Price of Freedom--I am sorry to hear about Cynthia's cousin who was wounded in the war.

Movin' the Cop Shop--I think it is a good idea to move the West precinct down to the old Ford dealer, but I do have two thoughts on the subject. First, I thought Metro was broke and are laying off employees. How can we afford to buy the land? But if the property is cheap enough it might be a good deal. Secondly, Richland Creek runs right by there and the Richland Creek people have talked about putting a pocket park in there. They want to extend the Richland Creek Greenway to Charlotte and eventually to West Park. Perhaps the two projects could be combined.

VFW recycles--In case you haven't heard, they have moved the recycling center from Wal-mart to the VFW another mile down the road. It's better than nothing I suppose but it's way out of the 20th district now. I take the recycles from work to the center at TSU, which is out of the way but a lot closer.

August 24, 2009

Scott's Blog: August '09

River Music--Sorry I missed the latest RUN meeting. I went to a concert downtown and when I bought the ticket I didn't realize it was on RUN night. I'll be there in September if the creek don't rise.

Digital Age
--You may have noticed I have a proper email address now. I am also working on a My Space and Face book page. It's what all the kids are doing. It is all very strange to me so bare with me as I am dragged kicking and screaming into the the 21st century.

Gail Kerr--I hope y'all got a chance to read Gail Kerr's piece last Sunday August 15 in the Tennessean. It was about the Metro law against discrimination of gays. Our councilman Buddy Baker was featured. Buddy and I have not agreed on every issue but he is right on this one.

Marketplace--I hope y'all have had to chance to visit the new farmer's market in Richland Park. I have been there the last two Saturdays and it seems to be thriving. If you haven't been there yet be sure to go before it gets too cold.

August 11, 2009

Firebombing in Our Neighborhood

The home of Lamar and Mamilee Throneberry at 6200 Morrow Road was fire bombed about 10:00 last night, August 7.Thankfully,the fire and damage was contained to the front porch and no one was hurt.
Reportedly a black man was seen who had three Molotov cocktails which he lit and threw at the living room window. The outer pane was shattered and soon the front porch was engulfed in flames. A neighbor who lives at 6202 Morrow Road and saw the attack rushed next to tell Lamar and Mamilee their house was on fire. Lamar got his hose out and extinguished the fire before the fire department could arrive. Meanwhile the perpetrator walked down the street perhaps to be picked up by a slow moving car seen cruising the neighborhood.

Now why would anybody want to attack the Throneberry's, good friends and neighbors who are some of the sweetest people you'd ever want to meet? Well details are murky but apparently there was trouble at the house next door, 6202 Morrow road which was the true target. A young man there was dealing in stolen cars and somebody came looking for revenge. Why Lamar's house was attacked is unclear; was he trying to send a message or did he just make a mistake.Whatever it is a shame.

I'll send you more updates as I learn them. I know that Metro Police, the ATF, and other law enforcement are looking for the people who committed this heinous crime. Perhaps we should contact the media to be on the look out for the suspects.

Scott Gillihan

WEST NASHVILLE FARMER'S MARKET

Good Food for Good People and Metro Nashville Park District havepartnered up to answer the high demand for a farmer's market in WestNashville!

The market opening date is next Saturday, August 15th from9-12pm & will continue every Saturday after that!

The market will feature:
* local farmers
* artisans with locally produced products
* live music
* a child friendly atmosphere
* lots of ways to join the fun

Look for the market under the big trees near Park Avenue and 46thAvenue North in Richland Park.

Scott's Blog - Beautification

Big News at Beautification

Billy Lynch, director of Metro Public Works sat in on the last beautification meeting. A big topic was losing the recycling center in West Nashville and the one in South Nashville Wal-mart is kicking us out of. Mr. Lynch said he is working on a deal to put it on Metro/State property. He didn't have any details as it is still in the works, but putting it on government land is a better solution than getting jerked around by big companies. Let's wish him well and hope we can get recycling out here soon. I'll keep you posted.

What makes me mad is we had to move to Wal-mart because they were going build a frozen food store in the old location. Well it's been almost two years and still nothing. I know these things take time and the economy has been down, but I don't like people who say they are going to do something then don't follow through.

I Need an Intern

I guess you all have heard about that State Senator from Memphis caught messing around with an intern. That brings to mind our own State Rep. Gary Odom. Now I know he did the honorable thing and married that young girl. Part of me wants to say good for you, I think I'd like to try that. But the more I think about it, it all seems so creepy. Our state legislature is an embarrassment, in a nation with lots of bad State governments. Can't we get some better people to fill these offices? Or is the money machine all that matters?

July 20, 2009

RUN Meeting Minutes - July 9, 2009

Minutes of the RUN meeting July 9, 2009


The meeting started at 7:00. Billy was at work receiving an award so Norma and Scott ran the meeting. The first order of business was what to do for the Night Out Against Crime. BG said someone had moved into the yellow house and the burned down house at 6108 New York looks too dangerous to enter. Buddy said that house is to be torn down. We decided to clean the alleys around the church. So we plan on meeting near the church in the vacant lot on 60th and New York Ave. The date is August 4 and the time will be 6:00.


In new business, Buddy said the Maytown plan has been deferred indefinitely after it was turned down by the planning commission.


Sean dropped by to say he wants to run a food market from local farmers at Richland Park on Saturday mornings. After a a few questions like where exactly and when the market will be open, the group seemed pleased with the plan. Sean spoke about a food security meeting July 26 that Angela was familiar with.


Norma talked about all the work going on at I 40 and White Bridge Road. Bernadette talked about her involvement with protest rallies. Angela said she has a program to help people in the recession and needs us to get the word out.

July 9, 2009

Scott's Blog

MEDIA MAVENS
It was good to see a couple of our RUN members in the Tennessean recently. Bernadette Ash was quoted at a tax protest rally downtown and has been on the local radio as I understand. Then I saw Norma's photo in the paper in a story about the Phase II construction on I-40. You go, girls! More people should be as politically active as the two of you.

OH CANADA
Well I'm back from my two week vacation to British Columbia. I had a good time but I'm glad I'm back in good ole West Nashville. I'm sick of travelling and won't be going anywhere for a while.

51st RENAISSANCE
Seems to me more small businesses are coming back to 51st Ave and Centennial Blvd. Wayne Greer has opened an arcade by the Stop and Shop and Fast Freddy's is expanding. We should encourage more small business to locate in West Nashville. The next clean-up for 51st is July 11.

R.I.P. MAYTOWN?
So I hear the planning commission voted against Maytown and the motion will be deferred. That's good but I hope we can move on from here. We've been arguing this for 18 months now and everybody has had their say. I hope we can work out some kind of land swap with the fairgrounds or even the old Bruce Hardwood Floor land. And why can't we get the Ferry to Bell's Bend re-opened?

RUN Meeting Minutes - June 15, 2009

Minutes of the RUN meeting June 15, 2009

See Blaine for attendance.

The new business was about the Night Out Against Crime coming up on August 4th. Norma said it was hard to get any donations from businesses this year compared to previous years. People were dissatisfied with the Block Party at the church and wondered how much it really did help to stop crime, so other ideas were brought up.

Norma suggested a walk around the neighborhood to get people more involved. Jamie and Audry talked about getting the Red Cross for classes and maybe a blood drive. Scott talked about targeting drug houses and abandoned properties and fixing them up. After some debate we voted to clean up derelict property. We targeted two right on New York near the church. That will make the block look good for the Fall Health Fair on September 19th. (Scott's update: the burned apartment building looks too dangerous to enter, but we could at least clean up the yard.)

Jonathan asked about the codes and we told him where he could get help identifying violations. Lamar talked about clean-ups they have done along 63rd avenue.

Angela told us about the job fair and free haircuts going on at St. Luke's. I hear that now they are helping people with mortgage issues. It's a great example of more good work from those people in these tough economic times.

July 7, 2009

RUN Meeting this Thursday!

Don't forget to attend our meeting this Thursday, July 9th at 7pm. We'll be at St. Luke's in the gym!

July 1, 2009

Billy's Blog - Last week's Maytown Meeting

“Seriously?” That is the only word that I can use to describe last night’s meeting/meetings. Really “seriously” with something this big like the May Town center, there are still a lot of unanswered questions. At the meeting/meetings last night a lot of people did not know that there was one meeting not even two meetings being held in the same place, mind you to talk about the same thing. Yes, I said in the same place, Cohn High School. I know that Cohn has a lot of good memories for a lot of people, but last night, baby, if "the walls" could talk.

One meeting was in the library called by Councilman Buddy Baker at 6:00p.m. and the second meeting was in the auditorium called by Mrs. Hand at 6:30p.m. both to talk about the May Town Center and the effect on District 20. Council Lady Emily Evans suggested before the meeting/meetings started that the two meetings should join together to give both time to talk and state why the meetings were called in the first place. So the meeting started out by Councilman Baker saying that the two meeting will be together. I was thinking to myself I smell trouble and folks you know that this is serious. But back to the meeting. A lot of people asked Councilman Baker questions and some people were just making comments. One of the questions was, “We are not in favor of a bridge in the Charlotte Park area at all, are you???” Councilman Baker answered, “No, I’m not, but I'm going to vote the way the majority of the people in District 20 want me to vote but I'm not in favor of a bridge in the Charlotte Park area at all.” Another question was a two part question, "OK, so you are not in favor of the bridge in the Charlotte Park area, okay good, but are you saying that it's okay for the bridge to be in the Cockrill Bend area "The Nations"?” He answered, “Yes.” Now the second part of the question was more like a comment than a question, the person stated "how can you say that it is okay for the bridge to be in one part and not in the other because both the Cockrill Bend area "The Nations" and Charlotte Park area are both in District 20." I was thinking to myself, “The Nations”, wow, that’s an interesting story on how the Nations got it's name, you know and it is not because the streets are named for states. Bet you did not know that. But that’s another story for next time. Okay, I know ,sorry, I will get back to the meeting.

So now it's about 6:30p.m. time for Mrs. Hand's meeting to start. She started out by talking about the planning commission staff recommendation "on page 44 it states “At the risk of over simplification of a very important proposal, not every impact can be determined, nor can every contingency be anticipated." Then there were more questions and comments both for Councilman Baker and Mrs. Hand. One was “are there any other Council Members here tonight?” Yes, there were Councillady Evans, Councilman Holleman and Councillady Wilhoite. Another question was, “okay, do y’all know how y’all are going to vote on the May Town Center?” Councillady Evans said, "I'm voting no", Councilman Holleman said "I'm voting no" and Councillady Wilhoite said "I'm voting no, but I'm still open to hear from both sides". One of the comments that was made "why is it that a former Council person and the present Council member for the same district are holding two separate meetings on the same night at two separate times but in the same place to talk about the same thing." Okay, I know what you’re thinking "seriously" right? But again I know, I know, back to the meeting, sorry. So now it's about 7:30p.m.- more questions and comments was made and then brace yourself folks "seriously" brace yourself. Mrs. Hand stated "If you originally came here for my meeting we need to leave because Councilman Baker just asked us to leave because his people wanted to meet alone without us here, so let's go to the auditorium." Remember what I said in the beginning I smell trouble "seriously". I knew that it was a bad idea in the beginning for both meetings to be together.

Okay, so let me tell you what I got from both meeting/meetings .You need to call, write or e-mail the Councilmembers all forty, the Planning Commissioners all ten and the Mayor to let them know if you are in favor of or if you are against the May Town Center. Remember if you favor the Center, you favor the bridge in District 20 whether it be one bridge or two. Your voice needs to be heard.

Billy Walls is the president of the RUN Neighborhood Association.

June 20, 2009

MTC....meeting @ Cohn 6/23 this Tuesday 6.00

I received this email from The Nations list-serve. You can join by following the instructions below.

Whether you are for or against the Maytown Center development, it is important for all of us to be informed and involved. If it does progress, it WILL have an effect on our neighborhood, for better or for worse. Our participation can help to steer things in a positive direction for our community either way.

Jamie


MTC....meeting @ Cohn 6/23 this Tuesday 6.00

Everyone who is interested in the future of our neighborhood should plan on attending this meeting - our councilman Buddy Baker will be there and needs our support for his anti MTC development stance........Tony g will also be there.

--~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~

You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "The Nations West Nashville" group.To post to this group, send email to the-nations-west-nashville@googlegroups.comTo unsubscribe from this group, send email to the-nations-west-nashville+unsubscribe@googlegroups.comFor more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/the-nations-west-nashville?hl=en

June 4, 2009

Job Training Fair

St. Lukes is holding a Job Training Fair this Saturday, June 13th.

It will be from 12:00-2:30pm at St. Luke's Community House - 5601 New York Avenue.


GED & Literacy Registration * Resume & Cover Letter Writing * Local Colleges and Businesses * Appropriate Dress-for-Less-and-Success Fashion Show * Budgeting * Open Bank Accounts * Free Credit Scores * Snacks * Children's Activities

May 21, 2009

Angela's Blog - What Are Neighbors For?

A few weeks ago after mowing my yard, a neighbor and I decided to mow the grass of an elderly couple’s yard nearby. Both have been very ill and were unable to do it for themselves. We were already doing yard work anyway, what was a little more?

So, the two of us tackled their grass. It was rather high and took its toll on us. However, when we finished, we felt really great about the good deed we had done. The wife called the next day and thanked us as they weren’t sure when or who would be able to get to it. What a great feeling!

Since I work with St. Luke’s Community House, I’m aware that we once provided a mowing service to seniors in the neighborhood. Unfortunately, this had to be cut in 2007 because of budgeting issues. With donations down because of the economy, we will not be able to start the mowing program again any time soon.

Volunteers through West Nashville Community Development Partnership mow a few homes in the area when they do their once a month work day. Unfortunately, they are not able to do this very often or for very many yards.

According to Neighborhood Resource Center, there are more than 1,000 seniors age 60 and above in West Nashville including the Nations area and Charlotte Park. They live among us and could use our help. If we all looked around on our street, we could probably identify a senior that could use some help.

Maybe not just with yard work but also with picking up items for them when we are at the grocery or just checking in on them. While most of us have family members we could rely on for this, many seniors do not.

I had prepared to mow the yard again for my neighbor this past weekend as I had noticed it was getting tall. When I came home Friday from work, I realized another neighbor had already mowed it. Isn’t it great when everyone takes the time to help others?

We will hopefully continue to work together to help this elderly couple through the summer. If an out of shape, thirty-something mother of two could help them every few weeks, couldn’t you help one of your neighbors? Isn’t that what neighbors are for?

Angela Bryan

May 12, 2009

Scott's Blog - Updates

--Recycle Walmart--

In case you havn't heard, the recycling center that was by Strike and Spare has moved two miles west to Walmart. Thanks to Public Works, Buddy Baker, Lee Scott and all that saved the recycling center in West Nashville! Remember there is another recycling center at TSU that may be closer to those of use who live in the Nations.

--Watching the River Flow--

Your tax dollars are at work next to West Park. They have trucked out tons of top soil to build a new storm water holding place next to the water plant. With all the rain we've had today I'm glad we have it so raw sewage doesn't enter Richland Creek.

RUN Meeting Minutes - April 9, 2009

Billy called the meeting to order at 7:00.

The meeting was pretty much about keeping up with the police force with commamder Anthony Carter of the North precinct and Ricky Williams of the West. They said crime had gone down in 2008 and continues to be reduced this year. They are studying crime maps to find patterns and pockets of drug activity. Mr. Carter said there is a new number (862-7873) to report suspicions without leaving your name. But the 242-DOPE number is still open.

Angela asked about the comstat meeting every week where he has to identify the crimes and what he is doing about it. The news media and Chief Serpas are there. They have a crime analysis person to direct the focus of the investigations. They have a flex unit who drive those unmarked grey cars to catch more crooks.

Mr. Williams said there may be new officers hired with money from the Feds. He said watch your GPS systems and report gang graffiti. He didn't know if the West building would replaced any time soon.

BG is still fighting for her section 8 landlord bill. Norma said there is $781.97 in the bank (isn't that more that usual?) and the native american people were booked up for the next four months.

March 29, 2009

West Nashville Community Coalition Meeting

The next West Nashville Community Coalition meeting will take place this coming Monday, March 30th at 6:00 p.m. at West Nashville United Methodist Church at 4710 Charlotte Ave. (48th & Charlotte).
Lt. Pylkas and our community Metro Police liason, Sgt. Conni Tripp will be joining us and Neighborhood Resource Center's own Tiffany Israel and Blaine Ray will facilitate our meeting.

Please make plans to attend and invite neighbors.

Following is a proposed agenda:
West Nashville Community Coalition Agenda
6:00pm- Welcome & Introductions, Sherry Cothran Woolsey
6:10pm- January Meeting Updates (crime issues), Blaine Ray
6:30pm- Youth Engagement Panel Discussion, Tiffany Israel
7:00pm- Identify Next Steps, Tiffany Israel
7:30pm- Adjourn

Hope to see you there.

March 23, 2009

Neighborhood News - West Nashville in the News

Here is a link to an article about West Nashville in the Tennessean:

http://www.tennessean.com/article/20090313/NEWS01/903130356

The current plans for the neighborhood are still in process and the first draft can be viewed here:

http://www.nashville.gov/mpc/subarea/subarea7.htm

For anyone who is interested, there will be an Open House for the West Nashville Draft Plan TONIGHT at 6pm at the Cohn School Library.

Scotts Blog: A Few Items

TOO MANY TIRES

Someone has been dumping a lot of tires in West Nashville lately. There is a collection in the alley between Georgia and Indiana by Morrow Road. But most aggressive offense is the 100 or so that was dumped behind the Church on 61st and Centennial. It's a disgrace and something needs to be done about it. But what?


You see it all goes back to the economy. A year ago you could take bad tires to Firestone and they would recycle them for free. Now it cost $2 a tire. So all the local tire shops have to dump them somewhere and where better than a quiet neighborhood.


Tires can be recycled, but right now it is not profitable. Can't we get some federal or state money from the stimulus to help with this problem?


MUSIC VIDEO FILMED IN WEST NASHVILLE

Word on the street is that music producer John Rich, formerly of the group Big and Rich, has filmed a video at one of West Nashville's drinking establishments.


Johnny's bar on Centennial Ave. was rented out for $600 on March 17 so Mr. Rich could produce a video for his upcoming single Down in Detroit (or something like that) that should be on CMT soon. Apparently, it is a song about the recent recession and the wanted the foulest little honky tonk bar they could find. Well I've been to Johnny's (mostly to play guitar on jam night) and they sure picked the right location. I hear they closed part of Centennial and Kris Kristofferson and other stars were there.


I don't know if you're a county music fan, but just a few years ago Big and Rich were singing to the excess of being Big and Rich. Now he sings about the the poor working man in difficult economics times, while he builds a 70 foot high house on Love Circle. Thanks John, but don't come back.


ENVIRONMENTAL UPDATE

The 51st Ave clean-up is slated for April 11. That is the same date of the Richland Creek clean-up and we will work together to have the maximum amount of trash to pick up. I am off the Friday before so we should be able to get a lot of trash picked up.


The Nashville Urban Harvest is looking forward to their best year ever. Volunteers are needed at any time.

RUN Meeting Minutes - March 12, 2009

The meeting was lightly attended due in part to the bad weather. The entire meeting was devoted to the emergency plan for West Nashville.

Billy called the meeting to order a little after 7:00. Scott Harris and Marah Hokensten form the Office of EmergencyManagement were the first to speak. Mr. Harris said we work behind the scenes and coordinate with State and Federal Offices. He said be prepared to live for 72 hours as a household.

He continued saying he is not too concerned with dam failure to the West Nashville area. He is more worried about tornadoes which could strike at any time of year but especially during the the spring. He recomended getting a weather radios which would tell the conditions as soon as he knew. He spoke of the sirens we hear every saturday at noon and said they only reach so far. He wasn't too worried about earthquakes as Nashville is built on limestone. He said the Crieve Hall Neighborhood group had walkie talkies and had very good local response. He couldn't name an evacuation route because he didn't know the nature of the emergency.

The next speaker was Marqentas S. Deaderick of the American Red Cross. She showed off an emergency kit the Red Cross has. She talked about the training they offer that Billy and Cynthia have been through. She talked about other training and where to call for help.

The meeting adjourned about 8:00.

Minutes submitted respectfully by Scott Gillihan

February 25, 2009

Scott's Blog: The Economy

Something is not going on on Charlotte and I don't like it. Just West of White Bridge road, between the Jack in the Box and the Dominoes, there use to be a little strip mall. They had a video rental store, a nails place and a little Indian restaurant. Well a year or more ago, someone razed the building and now it's a concrete slab with a chain link fence around it. I heard that a bank branch was supposed to move to the location. A 5th 3rd bank, which is the stupidest name for a bank I ever heard. Come on guys, just pick one number.

Well since then we've had the credit crunch or whatever you want to call this recession. Could it be that this bank got caught up in all the bad home loans and doesn't have the money to build the bank? I did notice 5th 3rd could afford to build a big building in Green Hills.

But isn't that the way things go in today's economy? The rich and powerful can pay lower taxes and get a bailout from the government when they screw up. But if you're just one guy trying to make your own business, they knock the walls around you down.

As Alan Jackson sang, there goes the little man.

Update: I wrote about to dog abandoned when the duplex burned on Morrow Road. Well, I'm pleased to say the dog has apparently been adopted by the folks living across the alley from the burned house. I don't know the people but I'm glad to see they had the heart to care for him. The shell of the duplex is still an eyesore and it will probably be up to the neighbors to clean it up.

RUN Meeting Minutes - February 12, 2009

Billy called the meeting to order at 7:00. The minutes of the January meeting were read and approved noting the new frozen food store is called "Gordon's." Norma said there was no activity in the treasury except that RUN's Post Office Box is due. In old business Billy talked about the two new subcommittees.

Regarding the Emergency Preparedness subcommittee, Angela reported little luck with the Office of Emergency Management. Cynthia said she contacted the Red Cross and planned for them to to the April meeting. She also passed out a list of "safe places" in West Nashville, should disaster strike.

Regarding the web site subcommittee, Billy said that we should all take digital pictures of the neighborhood and write what you can and so it can be uploaded to the RUN blog (online at runneighborhood.blogspot.com). We talked about getting a proper website and the cost is $10, only payable by credit card. Scott, Blaine, Jamie and Johnathan said they will help with content. Norma will look into getting a debit card with a small balance so RUN can purchase a domain name.

Norma said she spoke to a Mr. Wilson at the Native American Indian Assn. on Spence Lane about holding a pow wow in the neighborhood. He may come to the March meeting. Mr. Bradford brought up the subject of the water rate increase and he didn't like it. Neither did BG who was most concerned about elderly residents on a fixed income having a hard time paying their utilities. Scott spoke in favor of the increase, saying storm water is undermining roads and houses in West Nashville.

Buddy said that Publix is a done deal, and will be moving to the location where HG Hills used to be located. They will be moving the bank but not putting in condos in the new shopping center. He said that the police want to move up the hill to the Horizon Building, since their current location is over-crowed. He spoke to Billy Lynch at Public Works about a committee to find a new recycling center if the existing one must move. Scott talked about getting sound walls installed if and when TDOT finishes phase 2 construction on I440.

We retired to delicious snacks prepared by the cooking class at St Luke's.

Minutes submitted respectfully by Scott Gillihan

February 24, 2009

New Nations Listserve

Hello everyone!

A Nations resident and friend, Valerie Harrell, recently started a Nations listserve -- please join in if you'd like!We hope to make it a great resource for people living in the Nationsarea.

Here's a link to the group:
http://groups.google.com/group/the-nations-west-nashville?msg=subscribe

Please pass this information on to others who might be interested.

Hope to see you -- online and / or in person -- soon.

warm regards,

alesandra bellos

February 9, 2009

Scott's Blog - TVA Ash Sludge Spill

I guess y'all have heard about that ash sludge spill from the TVA plant up in East Tennessee. So what does that have to do to us here in West Nashville?

Well…if you are reading this on a computer or with the help of an electric light, it has a lot to do with you. See, the electricity to power that light comes from removing mountaintop to reach the coal that the TVA burns to generate electricity.

Think of it this way…if when you flip a switch or turn something on in your house, a little ash or a puff of blue smoke comes out of the plug, would you live there long? Even with the blessing of electricity? We need to think in a new way. Electricity can be generated on a smaller scale though solar or geothermal power and we would, in a way, be paying as we use it. And we wouldn't have to rely on NES or the TVA. I know that the issue is a lot more complicated, but I think West Nashville is the perfect place to start this new way of thinking.

What do you all think?

- Scott

RUN Meeting Minutes - January 8, 2009

Billy called the meeting to order at 7:00. Councilman Buddy Baker was the first to speak, and he described a few changes at the old Hillwood Plaza. He said that Nashville West is on hold for the moment, due to constraints from the current economic climate. Buddy mentioned that the bank is being torn down and moved, and that a Publix store will be going in where HG Hills was located previously. Buddy reported that a frozen food store will be going in, and that he is working with Billy Lynch (Metro Public Works) to relocate the recycling center. Costco won't let us put it there. Councilman Baker said that the H2O project may start in October and that MayTown is on hold as well. He’s also is working on obtaining cameras for West Park.

Afterwards, the group discussed goals for 2009. Bernadette said we still need an emergency plan. Scott said “how ‘bout a powwow” like Norma has mentioned in previous meetings. Jonathon and BG said we need a newsletter and flyer. Jamie said she liked living here but wished that more people had internet access. BG talked about getting a law on the books that would require more police action regarding problem renters (that landlords should be notified of illegal activities occurring on their properties).

All attendees voted and the disaster plan and newsletter were the top vote-getters. A general discussion took place when we started to realize how much work and how much this would cost. We agreed to schedule two auxiliary meetings on January 29. One half-hour discussion for the disaster plan at 6:30 and another for the newsletter at 7:00.In new business.

Scott mentioned the cleanup of 51st Ave is scheduled for Saturday, January 10, and he hope to see everyone there. Update: Scott, Jan, and Jamie cleaned up on a rainy day. Lamar and Mamie also participated in the cleanup.

February 7, 2009

Scott's Blog - Fire on Morrow Road

Last saturday afternoon there was a house fire just up the street on Morrow Road. The fire department was there quickly and contained the fire to mostly one end of the duplex. You've got to give those firemen credit. That's a tough and dangerous job that I wouldn't want to do. They saved the people inside with only one person sustaining minor injuries.
Now this property is right on the corner of 61st Ave and Morrow Road right across from West Park. It's a very old and tiny duplex that has had many differnt tenants since I've been living down the street. It has been up for sale for a year or more. I suppose it still is and now at a reduced price. I wonder what will happen to that little house. It is all boarded up and scorched on the inside and unfit for human habitation. But there are a lot of homeless poeple around here who have been known to squat in an abandoned building.
What I would like to see is that old duplex torn down and the land left alone. The lot is too small for the condos they are building around here now. Maybe even that land could be donated to the city as sort of an annex to West Park.
The strange thing about all of this is - although the guy who lived there moved out with the help of the Red Cross, he left behind his dog. It's one of those pit bull mixes so popular these days. He is still chained to a tree next to his makeshift dog house (at least it didn't burn) looking as sad and forlorn as the charred furniture lying in the gutter. Someone still brings him food and water and he looks healthy enough, but still it's a pitiful sight. I hate to see an animal suffer. Let's hope we can get that place torn down and the dog can find a happy home.
All from the West Side for now. More later.

- Scott