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

West Nashville Crime Meeting - Wednesday, November 19

West Nashville United Methodist Church will host a second community meeting on "Coping With Crime in West Nashville" on Wednesday, November 19th at 6:30 p.m. The first meeting, held on Oct. 22nd, hosted a panel of civic and religious leaders from the community including the Metro Council representatives from two West Nashville Districts, a Lt. Police Chief from the Metro Police Force and two ministers from local churches. If anyone would like a summary of this meeting, please send an email request to sdcothran@gmail.com

Representatives from Neighborhoods Resource Center will be on hand on Nov. 19th to facilitate discussion regarding further community organizing efforts towards dealing with the issue of crime in West Nashville. We hope to develop plans for working together as a community to deal with crime in our neighborhoods. The meeting will last from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. Please call West Nashville UMC at 297-3216 if you would like more information or visit the website www.westnashvilleumc.org. Business owners, residents, church members and concerned members of the community in the West Nashville area are encouraged to attend.

RUN Meeting Minutes - October 9, 2008

Attended by Billy Walls, Angela Bryan, Mary Baker, Cynthia Black, Lamar and Mamie Thronebury, Audrey and Buddy Baker, BG Wadholm, Jonathan Carrera, Matt Bigalow, William and James Bradford, Sherri Sloan, Norma Hand, and Scott Gillihan.

Billy called the meeting to order at 7:00 and introduced Sherri Sloan, an eight year veteran of the public works department. She explained the advantages of curby recycling, stating that it costs Metro $30 per ton to landfill waste while we make $10 to recycle. She spoke of the recycling center and Jonathan said his school took a tour of it. Norma asked Sherri about the recycling center that we might lose beside the strike and spare. Sherri stated that the city would do all it can to save a drop-off place in West Nashville.

Mary Baker from St. George's Church said she would like to know how they can help the people of West Nashville. She wanted to get input from community leaders.
In old business, Norma said we had $810.97 in the bank. Buddy said the people on O'Brian were going to form their own organization. We then voted on the Bylaws changes in Article 2 Section 1. Then changes were approved. See Billy for the new language.

Norma said she talked to people about the Indian celebration for West Nashville. We also talked about another ride along looking for codes violations although most agreed the neighborhood looks pretty good. Scott invited everyone to the 51st Ave cleanup and the Richland Creek cleanup later in the month. Angela reminded everyone that the adopt-a-family program was starting soon and wanted everyone to help out.

The meeting adjourned at 8:00.

Minutes submitted respectfully by Scott Gillihan.

RUN Meeting Minutes - September 11, 2008

Attended by Bernadette Ash, Buddy Baker, Cynthia Black, Angela Bryan, Ron Burch, Scott Gillihan, Norma Hand, Brenda Hix, Blaine Ray, BG Wadholm, Billy Walls, Dave Wascher, Yolanda Vaughn, Matt Bigelow, Jonathan Carrera, William and James Bradford and Brian Diller.

Billy called the meeting to order at 7:00 In old business, Billy talked about the idea of changing RUN’s bylaws to allow members to vote if they’ve attended six meetings during the previous year. We talked about extending the boundaries of RUN over to the south side of Interstate 40 where a nascent neighborhood group is forming.

We talked about a follow-up Codes tour (we toured the neighborhood in July). Group members expressed interest in doing a second tour - looking for new code violations and identifying problems that have been corrected. There will be another ride before the next meeting in October.

Norma spoke of the Nations and how the name came from Indian Nations who brokered and dealt with early white settlers in the area. An idea was thrown out to organize a pow wow to celebrate our neighborhood’s history.

Angela said the St Luke’s Resident Planning meeting will take place Sept. 25

BJ was concerned with stray dogs and is pushing for a law to fine landlords who rent to tenants who are consistently involved in illegal activities. She’s working to get it included in a bill at the state legislature level. Councilman Baker said he has been calling animal control and public works frequently to report neighborhood issues.

Councilman Baker informed us that a Gordons Food store is planned to be built at the site where Kmart previously existed in Hillwood plaza. Many residents expressed concern about losing the recycling center after working so hard to get one in there. We all agreed to think of new places where a new center could be located if the old one must close.

Brenda invited everyone to the Light of the Nations Carnival and Health Fair. There will be food and music and fun for all.

The meeting adjourned about 8:00.

Minutes submitted respectfully by Scott Gillihan.

RUN Meeting Minutes - August 14, 2008

Attended by Blaine Ray, Dave Wascher, Scott Gillihan, Sandy Sandberg, Buddy Baker, Cissy Mynatt, William and James Bradford, Cyndi Hoeger, Jonathon Convoa, BG Wadholm, Norma Hand, Cynthia Black, Lamar and Mamie Thronebery, Bernadette Ash, and Brenda Hix.

Cynthia called the meeting to order after reporting that Billy was sick. She welcomed everybody and turned to Norma for a treasurer report. Norma said that the RUN treasury had doubled from $405.44 to $810.97 because of donation from the Night Out Against Crime. More news on that later.

Blaine talked about the drive through the neighborhood attended by Ron, Blaine, Cynthia, Brenda, Billy and Scott. They found some code violations and he called about a few but wishes some members of the community would take charge in fixing up problem properties.

Brenda said that lost of older people needed help caring for their yard. It was suggested that maybe a partnership could be set up to care for the lawn mowers and trimmer needed. Norma suggested that a school program that could help out.

Norma gave a more detailed explanation of the Night Out Against Crime. All agreed it was a good night and everybody had fun. Everybody got what they wanted and there was very little waste. (Scott's note: these numbers may be off as I might have misunderstood them. Ask Norma for a better accounting.)

Buddy was asked about a council update and he reported that "No news is good news."

David described a crime incident in which he reported a theft in action, but very little response was made by the Police Dept. David also said we need to be better-prepared for an emergency. He also expressed a desire to include more minorities in RUN meetings, mentioning that new members might feel intimidated. Bernadette agreed with David. B.G. discussed issues regarding a problem property on her block.

The meeting adjourned at 8:00.

Minutes submitted respectfully by Scott Gillihan.