“Blight” bill up for 2nd reading & vote; City Council sets Executive & Special Sessions

By Christine Anne Piesyk | April 24, 2008 |

UPDATE: Upon receipt of a Special Called Session agenda at 12:30 p.m. today, the vote in question on the adoption of ordinance 96-2007-08 is NOT on the agenda; it was listed as part of the special session agenda previously received by Clarksville Online and discussed on 4/23/08, the agenda upon which this story is based. The ordinance will have its second reading as scheduled.

Ordinance 96-2007-08, a.k.a. “the blight bill,” is coming before the City Council in back-to-back meetings for a second reading AND a vote to adopt the controversial ordinance tonight starting at 4:30 p.m. in the City Hall Conference Room at 1 Public Square in downtown Clarksville. At a recent meeting on this issue on the APSU campus, Mayor Johnny Piper assured concerned residents affected by this ordinance, titled Clarksville Center Redevelopment and Urban Renewal Plan, that it would NOT come up before the Council “until May.” Today is April 24.

The first item under new business for the special session reads as follows:

1. ORDINANCE 96-2007-08 (Second Reading) Adopting the Clarksville Center Redevelopment and Urban Renewal Plan

The ordinance in its original form deemed approximately two square miles of downtown Clarksville as blighted, subject to eminent domain, under a Clarksville Redevelopment Plan. That plan was flawed in content and the process used to present it to the affected residents and business owners. A re-worked version which has some improvements, added the words “urban renewal” to “redevelopment” but still carried many of the same problems including eminent domain and an assemblage clause that Clarksville Property Rights Coalition (CPRC) attorney Attorney John Summers called “audacious.”

Here’s the game plan: The City Council will meet in a non-voting Executive Session first, at 4:30 p.m., in the conference room, with an extensive agenda that includes a second reading of the ordinance as the first item under new business, a move which caught members of the coalition members off-guard, but not for long. That Executive Session agenda lists time for “Public Comment” at the END of each meeting. The Executive Session will be immediately followed by a “Special Called Voting Session” at which a full agenda of items including the Redevelopment Plan will be presented. (See complete Special Session and Executive Session agendas at the end of this article). The Special Called Meeting will also only accept public comment only AFTER the meeting. «Read the rest of this article»

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License plates to honor 101st Airborne

April 23, 2008 |

Following approval by the State of Tennessee last summer and special action by the Association Board of Governors in November, vehicle owners/lessees in the Volunteer state may soon have the opportunity to acquire a specialty license plate honoring the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault).

Before Tennessee begins production of the plates, the 101st Airborne Division Association, with its headquarters located on the Tennessee side of Fort Campbell, must pre-sell 1,000 of them at $35 each (additional registration fees apply). If the Association fails to reach the 1,000 pre-sale minimum requirement, all purchase amounts will be returned.

L-R Representative Curtis Johnson, 101^st Airborne Division Association Secretary/Treasurer Sam Bass and Representative Rosalind Kurita stand outside the Clarksville, TN Courthouse with the newly designed 101^st license plate. Photo by 101^st Association Graphic Designer, Catie Rodriquez

Net proceeds from the sale of the plates will be allocated 50% to the 101st Airborne Association; 40% to the Tennessee Arts Commission; and 10% to the State Highway Fund. Sales are restricted by the legislation to registered vehicle owners of Tennessee. «Read the rest of this article»

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HIV/AIDS Awareness program to offer information, education

April 23, 2008 |

Working of the premise that knowledge is power, the Latino Commission on AIDS is sponsoring a free education and information program on HIV/AIDS on Saturday, April 26th, at The Eternal Rock, 812 Tiny Town Road, Clarksville, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Everyone should have the opportunity to get educated about HIV/AIDS. With knowledge, the community is empowered to protect themselves and their love ones against HIV. The public is invited to come and learn how to protect yourself and love ones against this terrible illness that is affecting our communities, and learn about the resources that are available, for “with wisdom comes power.” With this knowledge, we can empower ourselves to get into care and treatment for ourselves and our love ones.

The program will offer information on HIV/AIDS is, HIV/AIDS awareness, how HIV is spread, an explanation of HIV symptoms, and diagnosing AIDS. The program will also provide counseling and education and HIV/AIDS testing. Refreshments will be served over the course of the event.

For further information, contact Elizabeth Veldez Adamski at 931.249.5330 or Yvette McCutchen at 931. 920.7234.

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Obama supporters plan phone bank rally

By Terry McMoore | April 23, 2008 |

It has been a very busy month for Clarksville Team Obama a local grass roots organization of supporters of Senator Barack Obama for President of the United States of America. Having recently wrapped up a successful three week voter registration drive campaign in Hopkinsville Kentucky, where citizens will be holding their presidential primary very soon, and after just participating in the National Nation for Change Rallies, Clarksville Team Obama will have phone banking rallies on the following dates to help rejuvenate voters in the remaining primary states.

• Saturday April 26 from 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.
• Sunday April 27th from 3 p.m. - 8 p.m.
• Saturday May 3rd from 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.
• Sunday May 4th from 3 p.m. - 8 p.m.

The Call Center Location will be the New York Pizza Depot (NYPD) Restaurant, 3297 Fort Campbell Bvld.(across from Gate 3 of Fort Campbell Military Post). We invite all members of the public to volunteer your time to make phone calls for Senator Barack Obama at this event! Clarksville Team Obama holds weekly meetings every Thursday evening at The New York Pizza Depot (NYPD) 7:00 p.m. Visit our Websites for on going updates! www.myspace.com/clarksvilleforobama. To get involved please contact Bernice Benbow at bernicebenbow@yahoo.com

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Gas price increases another 2 cents a gallon

By Bill Larson | April 22, 2008 |

High cost of food. High cost of fuel. One topic or the other is headlining the news everyday, with the per barrel price of oil topping $117, and gas prices in some parts of the country topping out $4.00 a gallon today, economists are predicting $4 a gallon here in Tennessee by summer. Tonight the Shell station on South Riverside Drive was adding another two cents to the price of regular unleaded. The cost of premium will really widen your eyes, just before it takes an even bigger bite out of your wallet!

Sheryl Pace of the Shell Sudden Service gas station located at 1070 S Riverside Dr increases the price of gas by 2 cents a gallon. She said she expects the gas prices to continue to increase.

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‘Nation for Change’ rally draws Team Obama to Nashville

By Turner McCullough Jr. | April 22, 2008 |

Despite wind and rain, Nashville’s ‘Nation for Change’ participates in simultaneous nationwide event.

Members of the Clarksville Team Obama attended the Nashville Nation For Change Obama rally Saturday. On the plaza behind the state capitol, members of Nation for Change held a rally in support of Senator Barack Obama’s presidential campaign. Regional and local speakers addressed the supporters. Several performers were also on hand to entertain.

Rev. Jerry Jerkins of Clarksville (at left) next addressed the rally. He enthused the crowd with his message that “Senator Obama reflects that new morning has arisen! There’s a fire growing in the hearts of America!”

Randall Dunn, state coordinator of Nation For Change, kicked off the rally with a welcome message. He reminded everyone that this event was part of a simultaneous nationwide rally and thanked everyone for their continued support of the Obama campaign and the staging of this event. «Read the rest of this article»

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Happy Earth Day!

By Beth Robinson | April 22, 2008 |

Ask not what your Earth can do for you.

Ask what you can do for your Earth.

I know alot of wonderful people that are working hard to make this a healthier planet. I’m sure we have many, many people in the Clarksville area that are living with the environment in mind. As a Earth Day activity, I invite you to comment to this post and let others know at least one of the actions you take to Reduce-Recycle-Reuse.

Here is a list of some of the things I do:

1. Bought a Prius (even though no rebates or tax incentives remain)
2. Buy Green Power
3. Recycle paper, plastic, glass, cardboard, tin, aluminum
4. Compost
5. Write my local, state and other government representatives to support environmental measures
6. Eat less meat
7. Use my programmable thermostat
8. Buy energy efficient appliances & HVAC system
9. Active in local environmental groups
10. Buy only CFL’s

«Read the rest of this article»

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Looking back on Rivers & Spires 2008

By Bill Larson | April 21, 2008 |

Rivers and Spires 2008 is over, with a final day (Saturday) that remain cloudy, cool but relatively rain-free. Several thousand visitors flocked to Franklin Street and Public Square in Downtown Clarksville for the festivities, taking time to browse the booths, ride the rides, listen to the music, watch the dancers and mingle with family and friends.

We offer this final collection of Rivers and Spires photos for your enjoyment.

«Read the rest of this article»

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