RUN Meeting Minutes, February 11, 2010

Cynthia called the meeting to order at 8:00. No one had a copy of the minutes of the January meeting but some got them on email. I'll try to bring a copy of these minutes to the next meeting.

Jamie brought in copies of some literature she and Angela have been working on to promote RUN. All seemed to like it except some of the boundaries lines were wrong. Clever use of RUN (are you in) I thought.

We talked a bit about litter pick up. The next 51st Ave cleanup is set for the first week in April. Scott said other areas need attention like the James Ave. bridge. Update--It seems the sheriff's department sent some community service out there as I saw two bags of trash I picked up and put in my curby. Cynthia asked about getting a dumpster for big items. At the beautification meeting, they said public works is one million dollars over budget due to the snowy weather. But we could still get one if we ask soon enough. We need to decide on a date and talk to Mr. Jackson and see if we can't get one.

Next up was Mathew Portell with Ride for Reading. He said he has a building on Alabama Ave the needs work and needs more books donated. He spoke about the needs for kids to read more especially in middle school. He plans on working with Bass and other area schools. Update-- I stopped by their building and while no one was there it was wide open. It is a mere skeleton of a building and needs lot of work to be of any use.

Buddy was asked about a couple of council issues. The Farmer's Market at Richland Park will be back but in a smaller form. Only produce is to be sold there, not hippy clothing and used books. The said the Maytown issue will come before council but will need a super majority to pass. He seemed to think that was unlikely although I don't recall him saying how he intended to vote. As almost everyone here is against I hope he will listen to the opinions of the voters.

The meeting ended early and we had to get out before 8:00.

Minutes of RUN meeting January 14, 2010

Minutes of RUN meeting January 14, 2010

Present: Councilman Buddy Baker, Audrey Baker, Cynthia Black, Angela Bryan (St. Luke's), Johnathan Carrera, BG Wadholm,Jamie Kunzmann,, Lamar and Mamie Throneberry, Scott Gillihan, and Melissa Gordon.

Cynthia called the meeting to order at 8:00. She introduced Melissa Gordon who will be taking Blaine's spot at NRC. Melissa asked what RUN did well last year and what was not so good. Scott said we got lots of information on emergency management but not well at improving our web site. Jamie said supporting the farmers market was a good thing. It was followed by a general discussion on tearing down the swimming pool to put in a garden. We all seemed to think it was a good idea.
BG and Jamie talked about how we could get more members. Cynthia remembered how Bernadette said she felt not welcomed when she started coming here and the whole image of RUN with neighborhood watch. We talked people for other parts of the world who have moved here and changed the face of the neighborhood. We talked about Light of the Nations as a way we could reach new members.

Buddy said the new police station has started work and should be open in 12-18 months. He as been working on the sound walls along the I-40 construction and a remote start law. He said no community centers would close out here despite trouble at the Parks Department. We would like more information on the new Police station and maybe we could get someone from metro to tell us more about it.

Angela talked about teaming up with the kids at Bass and other school to give the children something to do. We would also like some kind of clinic to aid the uninsured folks around here.

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.

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?

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 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!

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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