Nashville, TN – Studies show that we tend to underestimate the calories in the foods we eat. We also tend to eat out or order take-out a lot more these days. That’s why it’s so important that we have adequate information on menus and menu boards to make informed food and beverage choices.

Menu labeling is an inexpensive, common-sense measure that tells us what’s in the foods offered. It lets US make the choice. Without it, we’re eating blind.

Calorie labeling on restaurant menus

More than two-thirds of us in Tennessee are overweight or obese. The obesity rate here doubled to 32% in only 15 years, the fastest rise anywhere except Oklahoma and Alabama. As national volunteer advocate of the year for the American Heart Association, I know well that it’s a major risk factor for the No. 1 killer,cardiovascular disease.

Tennessee took the lead nationwide on this issue in 2009, as more than 20 scientific and community organizations joined the Tennessee Menu Labeling Coalition: Tennessee Obesity Taskforce, AHA, American Diabetes Assoc., American Cancer Assoc., Tennessee Hospital Assoc., UT Center for Public Health, Vanderbilt University Diabetes Center, and more. I’m proud of the role we’ve played in support of consumer choice.

As the FDA develops rules requiring calories on menus and menu boards, we hope that the final rule will include places such as movie theaters and ensure that there’s clear information on all menu items. We know that a key to better health is eating with our eyes wide open in and outside the home.

Newt Williams
Nashville, TN 37215

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Robert B. Eley stands before his crashed aircraft

My wife showed me your article on my incident a few days ago and I wanted to thank you for being so accurate with the facts.

The emergency response was top notch by all.  I am blessed to have not harmed anyone and even more blessed of the generosity shown to me by complete strangers. My wife told me that when she would be standing near the roadway, passing cars would stop and not ask what happened, but was everyone okay. This in itself shows what a great community we have here in Clarksville TN.

I have been flying since 2003 with a little over 325 hour of flight time logged. I hold a private pilot rating for vfr flight. I received my flight training over two years starting in Dickson TN and finally moving to Springfield TN where I was aggressively trained by Kevin Black. The life saving piloting skills Kevin tout me back then paid off during this incident.

Thanks to everyone who helped me when it was needed most.

Robert Eley
Clarksville, TN

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Yesterday was Veterans Day, a day set aside to honor the brave men and women who have taken up arms in defense of America and the freedom of her citizens in wars and conflicts.  It began in 1919 with President Woodrow Wilson’s words “To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…”

Through conflicts and wars, soldiers have stood to defend not only America’s freedom but the freedom of those unable to fend for themselves.  They have taken extensive lengths to be away from country, home, and family to make a safer country for you and I to live in.  Shedding efforts, energies, blood, and even their lives they have stood resolute in the knowledge that they fight for the “land of the free and the home of the brave.”  “Freedom”, more than a concept rather a way of life that we will never know different due to the soldier and veteran that stood watch while we slept.  While we at home enjoy our amenities and comforts, there was always  a soldier holding their post so we could breathe free.  Freedom is a right that every American is born with that is paid by the efforts of a soldier somewhere.

Danielle Helson, a teacher at West Creek Middle School, wanted to bring a reality to Veterans Day for her students.  Educating who soldiers are and their jobs, middle school students gained the details of what soldiers do on a day to day basis but saw the reality of what many of their parents “do for work.”  There is a reality that strikes when a child sees who we call soldiers, they call mom and dad.  Mrs. Helson wanted to bring that reality to all her students.  She wanted to make them aware that soldiers who are also “mom and dad” are also every day people that sometimes get passed by.  People like Sheriff Deputy Christopher Montjoy, West Creek Middle School’s Student Resource Officer.  Sheriff Deputy Montjoy was an Apache Longbow helicopter pilot who survived a crash that nearly took him from friends, family, and wife.  There are many “Sheriff Deputy Montjoys” around us.  They are our grandparents, husbands and wives, they are our mothers and fathers, they are our brothers and sisters.  They are our neighbors and teachers, they are all our heroes.  They walk among us every day containing memories and scars of the battle they endured for our freedom.  Lest we forget them, we salute them and honor them.

Lest we forget the battle of Somme and Verdun in WWI, lest we forget Normandy France and the sands of Iwo Jima in WWII, lest we forget 8100 plus missing in action in Korea, lest we forget the jungles of Vietnam, lest we forget the liberation of Kuwait in the Gulf War, lest we forget September 11, 2001 and the war in Iraq and in Afghanistan.  Lest we forget…

Nathan Pearson
37040

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Gabe Segovia

Gabe Segovia was my city council representative for eight years and while serving as my council representative, I found I could always depend on him to be there if I had a problem or question.

As the average citizen and on the outside looking in there was a lot I didn’t know about city government. He was always helpful in informing and educating me on the workings of government and especially city government. Additionally, while he served on the council from 1997 to 2005, he never missed a council meeting. His record is 96-0. He also served as vice-mayor of Clarksville for two years.

Segovia held monthly community meetings where he provided information to the public and citizens could present their concerns and ask questions about the city’s actions and programs. Those meetings were not restricted to just residents of his ward; people from anywhere in Clarksville were welcome and many became regular attendees.

He made people feel connected to their government, that they had a voice, even when their own representatives didn’t make such effort to do so. Since that time, we have become good friends beyond the political realm.

At this point in history everyone is eager for a true difference maker to lead this city. I see Gabe Segovia as that difference maker.

He knows city government understands city government and based on his experience with city government is why I am casting my vote for Gabe Segovia for the next Mayor of Clarksville Tennessee and you should too!

Terry McMoore
Clarksville, TN 37042

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Kim McMillan

If you really want to know who you should vote for to lead Clarksville during the next four years, I am here to tell you, vote for Kim McMillan. I am casting my vote for the one candidate who has already proven that she is a leader and strong representative for Clarksville and Montgomery County, Tennessee.

In case you didn’t know, or may have momentarily forgotten, Kim McMillan has served our community as a State Representative for twelve solid years, during which time her intelligence, leadership capabilities and interpersonal work skills helped to have her elected by her peers as the TN State House Majority Leader.  Kim has experience also in the state Finance, Ways and Means Committee as well as the State Budget Subcommittee.   Additionally, Kim served as Governor Bredesen’s Senior Advisor.

This state level experience, demonstrated leadership, and ability to work with others for the betterment of our community and our state, are the key tools that place Kim above all the other candidates who want to serve as our next mayor.

Wanda McMoore
Clarksville, TN 37042

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