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.

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.

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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

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

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.