Alternatives to Violence Program: Releasing the anger

By Christine Anne Piesyk | October 8, 2007 |

“I would not volunteer my time for such a long weekend if I were not convinced of the efficacy of the program.” — Polly Coe

With those words, Coe said it is not too late to register for the next offering of the Alternatives to Violence Program, a transformative weekend program designed to break down the barriers of suppressed emotions and thus learn new strategies to break the cycle of anger and violence.

Coe, a licensed therapist, is once again offering this three-day workshop October 12-14 at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship at 3035 Highway 41A South. The $30 fee includes food and facilities costs. «Read the rest of this article»

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City Council seeks new meeting space following ‘Bo’ Ward suicide

By Christine Anne Piesyk | October 8, 2007 |

One of the issues facing the City of Clarksville in the fallout from the October 4 suicide of Ronald ‘Bo” Ward in City Council Chambers is security.Ward, 60, a popular local businessman and owner of Bo’s Barber Shop on Fort Campbell Boulevard, was denied a zone change for his Madison Street property, a move he believed would be financially devastating for him. He pulled out a gun and killed himself before the Council and an audience of about 50 people.

Mayor Johnny Piper, with full support of the Council, said the present 2nd floor chambers would not be used again and that plans to relocate the Council to new quarters would proceed immediately. Any new meeting place must meet one key criteria: hi tech security in the form of a metal detector.

Piper has been adamant in his statements that no further city meetings will be held in locations without metal detectors. Possible meeting sites include the County Commission chambers or the School Board facilities. The city had already begun a search for large quarters prior to the shooting; no one questions that a return to the scene of the shooting would acerbate the trauma for all involved. «Read the rest of this article»

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Demolition Derby to run at fairgrounds

By Christine Anne Piesyk | October 8, 2007 |

Rev’ up those engines and be prepared to crash. That’s the point in the 1st annual Demolition Derby to be held October 20 at the Clarksville’s Fairgrounds Park to benefit the Life Center Foundation.

Sponsored by the Championship Mud Racers Association Inc., the main event will feature three categories of racing: Big Car Class, Outlaw Class, and Small Car Class. Entry fees are $40 for the Big and Outlaw Class, which offer $800 and $500 first place prizes, and $25 entry fee for Small Car Class with a prize of $125.

The point of a Demolition Derby is to be the last car standing, or in this case, still running. «Read the rest of this article»

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SECURE: not just another website

By David W. Shelton | October 8, 2007 |

When Terry McMoore asked me to help out with a new website he had in mind, thought it would be just another online brochure or nonprofit website presence. I wasn’t sure if it would be something I really wanted to do at first.

Then he explained the purpose of this proposed website, S.E.C.U.R.E. or Safe and Effective Community Using Resources for Empowerment. It would be a site that would provide critical information to local parents and schools on gang awareness. He didn’t have to twist my arm anymore. I was sold.

After all, this wasn’t my first exposure to working to help promote gang awareness. When I attended the Citizen Police Academy back in 1998, I was astonished as to just how much of a problem it really was, even nine years ago. I didn’t know what a Crip or a Blood was, or even that there was a difference between ‘people’ and ‘folk.’ It was a bone-chilling evening for all thirty-plus people in that class. «Read the rest of this article»

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A victory for the Open Meetings Act

By Turner McCullough Jr. | October 8, 2007 |

Chancellor affirms State’s Open Meeting Law; 12 appointees axed!

In East Tennessee, a victory for the common citizen and open government was upheld in a case that gives new emphasis to our “Sunshine Law.” Chancellor Daryl Frasler’s ruling voided 12 appointments to elected offices in Knox County. The ruling resulted from a violation of the state Open Meeting Act. Additionally, the judge permanently barred the Knox County Commission and its members from violating the act in the future.

In the past, Tennessee public officials have demonstrated a large degree of disregard, if not contempt, for this law. This ruling upholds a jury’s verdict. As a result, eight county commissioners and four countywide officeholders, including the county sheriff, are immediately out of work. There have been several lawsuits filed alleging officials at various levels of government across the state with violating the state’s open meetings law. Few of those lawsuits have resulted in any real punitive effect. The ruling in Knox County is the most dynamic case so far.
«Read the rest of this article»

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