Councilor Doyle seeks city council support for Red Cross emergency vehicle

By Christine Anne Piesyk | May 29, 2008 |

The City Council Finance Committee Tuesday rejected Ward 10 Councilor Jim Doyle’s request for $80,000 in municipal appropriations to assist the local Red Cross in acquiring an emergency response vehicle. The Red Cross ERV and all of its equipment was burned to rubble by an arsonist, and insurance on that older vehicle fell far short of replacement value.

Red Cross Executive Director Linda McCoy, Health and Safety Director Patricia Brown, and Emergency Services Director Cecil Stout stand before the charred ruin of the emergency response vehicle.

Since the rejection of the request must still come before the council in executive session, tonight Red Cross Executive Director Linda McCoy, Emergency Response Director Cecil Stout, and Logistics expert Mike Vogt will offer a presentation to councilors on the need for this vehicle and the impact its loss has had on the agency’s ability to effectively respond in its service area. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: News | 2 Comments

Think Clarksville! Shop Clarksville!

May 29, 2008 |

Lately, the national economic news is rather bleak—there’s even been the reluctant mention of the “R” word, but how does it apply to our area? Further, what can we do about it?

According to a new U.S. Census report, the Clarksville TN-KY Metropolitan Statistical Area is now the 10th-fastest growing MSA in the nation. Even though the national news may be depressing, our local economy is in good shape. Jimmy Settle, business editor for The Leaf Chronicle, says of the recent slow down in the residential market, “It’s a temporary condition, and should be perceived as more of a correction in the market, than a troubling decline. The truth is, the economy in northern Middle Tennessee is currently one of the nation’s best.”

The other truth is the residents in Clarksville are doing more than their share when it comes to helping the economic growth for surrounding cities and counties. The numbers are quite staggering! (More on those numbers later . . .)

The entire nation is feeling the pain at the gas pump. Gas prices are at an all time high and climbing higher. We’re all thinking about how to save gas, which will then make more money available for the necessary expenses and the extras; extras like dining out, shopping for clothes and home goods, entertainment, and more. Where will we be dropping those shopping and dining dollars? «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Business, Issues, Opinion | 1 Comment »

Wingmen plan benefit ‘Poker Run’

May 29, 2008 |

The Wingmen Motorcycle Club will sponsor a Poker Run On May 31 to benefit the Veterans Temporary Emergency Assistance Program, which provides financial assistance to active and retired servicemen and their dependents. Assistance is provided for basic needs including housing costs, food, utilities and medicine. VTEAP operates solely on donations and money raised through events such as this.

The run will be launched between noon and 2 p.m. from Buddies on the by-pass at Appleton’s HD, with the run ending at 6 p.m. at the Wingman Motorcycle Clubhouse at 3437 Pembroke in Oak Grove, KY. Free hamburgers and hot dogs will be served at the clubhouse. Card games and prizes are also offered. For more information, call Robert Warren at 905-0366.

Sections: Arts and Leisure, Events | No Comments

Parks and Recreation pools open June 1

May 28, 2008 |

Summer is finally here and that means it’s time for pools to open. Clarksville’s pools open June 1. The Parks and Recreation office will be open May 31 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and June 1 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. for pool pass sales only. The office is also open regular hours weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Crow and Kleeman Community Centers also sell pool passes. Please check with these community centers for a schedule.

Summer Youth Program gyms open on June 9 for six weeks of free summer fun for children ages 6-16. Locations include: Burt-Cobb Community Center, Crow Community Center, Kleeman Community Center, Barksdale, But, Glenellen, Hazelwood, Liberty, Minglewood, and St. Bethlehem Elementary Schools, Summit Heights and Caldwell Lane Housing Authority sites, and New Providence Outreach Center. Sites are open Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. except Caldwell Lane which is open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Arts and Leisure, News | No Comments

Ft. Donelson Memorial Day service rained out; women vets “disappointed”

By Christine Anne Piesyk | May 27, 2008 |

What was supposed to be the first sponsorship of its kind for Woman vVeterans of Tennessee was doused by downpours at the Fort Donelson National Battlefield and Cemetery on Monday. The rain failed to dampen the spirits of the servicewomen, who simply opened up dozens of red, white and blue umbrellas and kept on smiling.

“We’ll be back next year,” they promised.

It was to have the first time a women’s group hosted the event, in this case reflecting the combined efforts of the Women Veteran’s of America Chapter 20, the Women Veterans Network and VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare System. The women veterans reflect every branch of the armed forces except the Coast Guard. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Events, News | No Comments

A little respect, please!

By Christine Anne Piesyk | May 26, 2008 |

How about a little respect, please! A show of good manners.

For the second time in as many years, I attended a local graduation ceremony for a grandchild. It’s been an eye opening experience on the issue of pride, respect, and just plain and obviously old-fashioned etiquette. The parental pride was evident. More so was the absence of respect and good manners towards other parents and the graduates they love.

Okay, maybe I am out of touch. But when a student about to graduate dons dress pants, a white shirt, a tie, or a new dress and shiny high heeled sandals, when they don the robes and the caps with tassels, when they walk proudly in to the strains of Pomp and Circumstance, it’s a powerful moment, their moment. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Education, Issues, Opinion | No Comments

Memorial Day vigil honors Vietnam Vets

By Christine Anne Piesyk | May 26, 2008 |

• Vietnam Vets honor POW-MIAs
• Rep. Joe Pitts addresses constituency
• “Eternal” Flame unlit on Memorial Day

One by one, as a bell tolled a single chime and the words “Absent, not forgotten” were spoken by people in the viewing stands, Vietnam veterans carried thirty-three empty chairs draped in the black and white POW-MIA logo, carrying the names of Tennessee soldiers still missing from the Vietnam War, to “center stage” and saluted.

To the side, another veteran lit a candle for each name called. Gery Ezell read the roster of the missing. Reverend Elijah Oliver gave the benediction for this vigil.

Dozens of Vietnam veterans and their families gathered in Public Square Sunday evening to honor their fallen comrades, Tennessee’s 33 POWs and MIAs of the Vietnam War. The event was sponsored by Chapter 396 of the Vietnam Veteran’s of America, who launched this annual service in 1989 when the fate of forty-three Tennessee soldier serving in Vietnam did not return. In the intervening years, 10 soldiers have been returned, the most recent in 2005. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Events, News, Politics | No Comments

A simple thing proves to be beyond us!

By Turner McCullough Jr. | May 26, 2008 |

Lighting a flame is just too much to ask. Even during Memorial Day Weekend, the flame is out. Yet “We support the troops!” claims and stickers are everywhere. Who’s foolin’ who?

Yet another national observance dedicated to honoring the nation’s debt to its military forces, past and present, is upon us. Flags are flapping in the wind. Boy Scout Troops are preparing to descend upon various cemeteries to place small flags at veterans graves. Politicians gear up to make patriotic oratory praising America’s military forces and the noble sacrifices made by them and their families, past and present. Even the president has reminded us to remember the veterans as we celebrate this weekend. All of these annual gestures of reverence are expected and applauded

But there is an affront to all this staged posturing in our community. For quite some time now, Clarksville has been playing footloose and cheap with its symbolic gesture to military honor and sacrifice- the eternal flame on Public Square. The flame has been unlit for most of this year. Citizen inquiries have resulted in a myriad of replies, to include being told that, “Surely, the wind must have just blown it out!”

«Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Events, News, Opinion, Politics | No Comments