Topic: citizens

Out again! Eternal flame extinguished on apathetic election day

By Christine Anne Piesyk | August 9, 2008 |

The darkened flame mirrors both voter ambivalence and the loss of a sense of honor.

The flame is out -- again!

Light’s out. Again.

Just when we thought the Eternal Flame was finally going to remain lit, its blaze was doused again — on election day.

Apart from being completely irritated and totally digusted with a city that can’t seem to get its collective act together long enough to keep one itty-bitty little thing ablaze (such as a monument that honors all American soldiers), there is another irony, one that I, as an American citizen, find disgusting.

The city seems to have no problem lighting the flame for commercial events. The flame blazed when the new downtown fountain was lit. It blazed during the last three Riverfests and Rivers and Spires festivals. It blazed when nothing was going on downtown but city government as usual. Because we (Clarksville Online) check every single day, we know when the flame is lit. And when it isn’t.

It was off on the fourth of July, even as the Vietnam Vets staged a striking ceremony honoring their fallen. It was re-lit after the 4th of July passed, and blazed right up until the eve of primary election day. It has been lit while the Legion Street-turned-Strawberry Alley construction is underway. Now the city managed to keep the new streetlights ablaze throughout the daytime hours this entire week. Water continues to flow through the lovely new fountain on Public Square. Only the flame, the best and brightest of our symbols, seems eratic. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Issues, News, Opinion, Politics | 1 Comment »

‘Motherland’ wows freedom fund banquet

By Turner McCullough Jr. | November 14, 2007 |

Civic and elected leaders gathered recently for the 2007 Freedom Fund banquet which featured Sherri Bishop (left) in a striking performance of From the Motherland to the Promised Land.

Singing of The Star Spangled Banner, was led by Mrs. Naomi Jerkins, who was also the accompanying pianist for Ms Bishop. Mr. Kevin Johnson and the Youth Choir of Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church sang Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing. Mrs. Jean Scott Murphy was the Hostess of Ceremony.

Rev. Jerry G. Jerkins presented the 2007 Clarksville Branch NAACP Jerry G. Jerkins Annual Service Award to Montgomery County Commissioner Lettie Kendall. Mrs. Kendall has served on the Montgomery County Commission for 40 years. She has shown a lifelong dedication to early childhood education during her education career. She currently teaches fourth grade math at Ringgold Elementary School, served as Minglewood Elementary School Principal and has been with the Montgomery County Schools System for over 35 years. «Read the rest of this article»

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