City Council Retreat- What Does It All Mean? How Does It Impact You?

June 12, 2007 |

A private citizen’s reflections on our city council’s 2 Day Kentucky Retreat.

Having made the trip to Lake Barkley, I was impressed with the diversity of ideas expressed by our council members and city department heads. As for the event location, it was quicker to drive to Lake Barkley Resort than Paris Landing. It would have been good to have held this function instate, but that was not the decision.

The ideas, goals and mission statement of the retreat represent a declared new vision for our city. The actual realization of those ideals will be the real test. The promised final report should be “must reading” for all citizens and residents. Pour over it with a fine tooth comb. Capital projects will likely warrant intense and dynamic scrutiny by the electorate. Proposals will not meet with everyone’s approval. These officials have agreed upon a plan for Clarksville’s future. Our future. «Read the rest of this article»

Title VI Compliance- After 43 Years Where Does Clarksville Stand?

June 12, 2007 |

July will mark the 43rd anniversary of the signing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. One of the most powerful planks of that law is Title VI. “Title VI prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin in programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance.” In a nutshell, Title VI stipulates that no state, nor any agency of a state, no municipal or city government; no postsecondary or local educational agency or any private entity contracting or partnering with any of the aforementioned governmental entities, shall discriminate in programs and activities which receive federal financial assistance, based on race, ethnicity, color, or national origin.

In calling for its enactment, President John F. Kennedy identified “simple justice” as the justification for Title VI:

“Simple justice requires that public funds, to which all taxpayers of all races contribute, not be spent in any fashion which encourages, entrenches, subsidizes, or results in racial discrimination. Direct discrimination by Federal, State or local governments is prohibited by the Constitution. But indirect discrimination, through the use of Federal funds, is just as invidious; and it should not be necessary to resort to the courts to prevent each individual violation.” See H. R. Misc. Doc. No. 124, 88th Cong., 1st Sess., 3, 12 (1963). «Read the rest of this article»

ACLU-TN Applauds Legislature’s Rejection of REAL ID

June 12, 2007 |

Last night Tennessee became the 16th state to pass a resolution opposing implementation of the REAL ID act. The American Civil Liberties Union of Tennessee played a major role in making this happen. We had strong bi-partisan support which helped to ensure a unanimous vote in both the Senate and House.

If implemented, this federal legislation would have violated the rights and liberties of Tennesseans as guaranteed under the state and federal constitutions.

«Read the rest of this article»

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