A community united in grief.

By Bill Larson | June 30, 2006 |

Clarksville came together today, to recognize and celebrate the lives of two of it’s citizens. We came together representatives of every race, creed, and walk of life, united by our mutual respect, friendships, and love for Juan Julian Vasquez, Sr and Thomas Leon Vasquez. Though their lives were cut short, they left their indelible mark on the city and the community they loved.

Clarksville should take steps to memorialize Juan Julian Vasquez Sr and the contributions he made towards the unity of our city during his tenure as the vice chairman of the Human Relations Commission. «Read the rest of this article»

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$5.15 an hour, the minimum wage since 1997

By Beth Robinson | June 30, 2006 |

Most Americans support minimum wage increase
Published in the Leaf Chronicle - Jun 30, 2006

On June 21, our two multi-millionaire U.S. senators from Tennessee, Lamar Alexander and Bill Frist, voted “no” again on a bill to increase the minimum wage. I find this appalling.

Growing up on a small farm in Tennessee, it was impressed upon me that hard work was not only expected but also is an important character trait. I think most people agree that no one in the United States who works full time for a living should have to live in poverty. To me, that means they can afford basic housing, groceries (not including meals out), needed health care, child care and other necessities. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Issues, Opinion, Politics | No Comments

State of Tennessee sues to remove Mayor of Coopertown from office

By Bill Larson | June 28, 2006 |

Update 07/14/06: Danny J. Crosby was suspended as the Coopertown Mayor pending a November proceeding which will determine whether he should be permanently removed from his office, due to the allegations which the state has made against him. The allegations includes the use racial slurs and ethnic profiling in traffic enforcement.

The State of Tennessee has sued to remove Danny J. Crosby as the Mayor of Coopertown, Tennessee.

Many Clarksville, Tennessee residents have learned the hard way about this sleepy little town of 3,176 residents. The town operates several infamous speed traps on Interstate 24, U.S. 431, and State highway 49. The city’s police budget has nearly tripled, from $155,880 during the last year to $451,550 this fiscal year. The town budget plans on between $400,000 and $800,000 in traffic court revenues, comprising over one third of the city budget. This percentage is much higher than that of many larger U.S. cities. «Read the rest of this article»

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A Hockey Challenge

By Betty Pitts | June 28, 2006 |

Our town needs some excitement and hockey can bring it. We need the Events Arena if for nothing else, well, events. Our adults, kids, and especially teenagers, need a place to go that doesn’t involve an hour long, 70-80 mph three-dollars-a-gallon drive to Nashville. Clarksville is the size of a city but continues to have a town mentality. The ever-climbing population is here however we choose to embrace it. The quality of growth depends on making our “town” a place where people want to be; not a place from where they want to escape from the lack of “things” to do. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Opinion | 2 Comments

Funeral Information For Juan & Thomas Vasquez

By David W. Shelton | June 27, 2006 |

The viewing for Hispanic Civil Rights Leaders, Thomas and Juan Vasquez will take place on Thursday June 29, 2006 from 3:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Followed by a prayer vigil from 8:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

The family extents an invitation to all to join them for the funeral on Friday June 30, 2006.  The funeral will begin at 11:00 a.m. «Read the rest of this article»

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An inconvenient truth - Global Warming is a scientific reality

By Beth Robinson | June 27, 2006 |

I saw the movie on June 24th. It’s a very powerful film. It challenges the apathy of the US in the face of a global climate crisis. Although there are no plans for it to visit Clarksville, it is playing now in Nashville and I highly recommend it.

With wit, smarts and hope, AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH ultimately brings home Gore’s persuasive argument that we can no longer afford to view global warming as a political issue - rather, it is the biggest moral challenge facing our global civilization. - http://www.climatecrisis.net/aboutthefilm/

Now thru June 29th: Regal Green Hills 16
June 30th - July 4 : Opry Mills theatres

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Clarksville, TN MoveOn rally

By Bill Larson | June 27, 2006 |

This is a press release from MoveOn.org

Tomorrow is the big day: thousands of MoveOn members from Nashville, Tennessee to Phoenix, Arizona will come together at more than 300 rallies across the country to demand an “oil-free” future.

Tomorrow’s National Day of Action is really important because this weekend is the 4th of July holiday and gas prices are on everyone’s minds. We need to seize this moment to make sure the media and the public know that the Republican addiction to oil money is keeping gas prices high and holding America back from the clean energy future that we desperately need.

Can you join us at a rally in Clarksville? «Read the rest of this article»

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Community comes together in memory of civil rights activist and his son

By Terry McMoore | June 27, 2006 |

The Hispanic Organization for Progress and Education (HOPE), and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), along with the Clarksville Korean American Association have joined the Clarksville – Montgomery County Community in support of slain civil rights activist, Juan Vasquez, Sr., and his son, Thomas Vasquez. Juan was the founder of H.O.P.E. and served as the Hispanic liaison for the Clarksville NAACP.

«Read the rest of this article»

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