I.        CALL TO ORDER

II.      ANNOUNCE MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE  (VERIFY QUORUM)

III.    ADOPTION OF MINUTES:   December 3rd
IV.    DISCUSSIONS

1. RDC Website
2. Rails to Trails
3. Phase II Master Plan
4. 2009 Budget

V.    COMMISSION ACTION REQUIRED

1. None

VI.    CITY COUNCIL ACTION REQUIRED

1. None

VII.   ADJOURNMENT

VIII.  PUBLIC COMMENTS  (5 minutes each)

As the Independence Day weekend moves on, the smoke from fireworks has dissipated and the residue from our recent fireworks show have been cleared away. The traffic jams cleared up, and we each go on our merry way. Yes, the city’s celebration was quite a sight. And as noted in previous coverage here, the Pillar of Cloud, Pillar of Fire Eternal Flame Memorial was burning bright and strong at 11:30PM on July 3rd. The flags at City Hall were still sadly un-illuminated but the eternal flame did shine for that night. Hallelujah!!!

Alas, it was too good to last. It was not burning during the daylight hours on our nation’s birthday, and when the evening of July 4th dawned upon us the flame was still NOWHERE TO BE SEEN. It was AWOL again! We took date stamped photographs to verify this.

Are our public officials really committed to keeping our pledge to light the flame, and in doing so honoring our fallen military personnel? Or is this just a “showpiece” there only to be utilized during special promotions and city events?

The Eternal Flame was kept lit for the entire run of ‘Rivers and Spires.” Every day and night it was there. But the flame ceased burning a mere three days following the close of that festival. It stayed that way until two weeks before Memorial Day.

But strangely the flame was once again unlit for the entire Memorial Day weekend. As the Vietnam Veterans Association held their candlelight vigil on Public Square that Sunday, the absence of that flame was conspicuously felt as the names of Tennessee’s MIA were called off. Apparently their sacrifice did not warrant the flame. It was only veterans and MIA service members, after all.

All of last week, workmen were busy installing a new eight or new nine foot diameter water fountain on Public Square. (This is not the fountain that is still planned for location on Legion street). It became functional last Thursday. Thursday night the water was freely flowing, and the interior lights were shining brightly. It is admittedly a lovely sight. Too bad the Eternal Flame couldn’t have been blessed with the same good fortune. It has remained unremarked in the darkness at the other end of Public Square. while the fountain has remained fully functional every day and night since it was turned on.

Recent coverage on Clarksville Online has highlighted the glaring failure of many local government and business entities to properly illuminate our national flag during the hours of darkness. Once again our own City Hall is in violation with two towering flag poles, front and rear, each over thirty feet tall. Neither of which are properly illuminated at night. Perhaps there is a pattern at work here; one of a blatant disregard for our nation’s flag, and for a memorial honoring our serving soldier’s and military fallen.

Despite all our public officials pretty speeches and their placing big yellow ribbons on the sides of our city’s buildings, could it be that deep inside we really just don’t care? Maybe Clarksville’s true claim to the title of “Tennessee’s Top Spot” is for our elected officials disrespect for our nation and the sacrifice of it’s soldiers. You be the judge.

We at Clarksville Online have tried over and over again to get our elected officials to do something about keeping the flame lit, with no luck. If each of you take a moment to email or call our elected officials and tell them to light the flame, and keep it lit! Perhaps at long last they will get the message! Light the flame already! Because if not we will hold them to account the next time they are up for re-election!

The United States flag properly illuminated

With Memorial Day and Flag Day behind us and July 4th just ahead, the proper display of our national symbol takes center stage. A recent late night driving tour around our city revealed that there are many locations where our national flag is on display after sunset. We commend all who seek to demonstrate this patriotic effort. We found several private residences and business operations which were compliant with the U.S. Flag Code.This means that they have installed spotlighting which, after sunset, clearly illuminates the flag. Above we show an example of proper nighttime illumination of the flag.

There is no shortage of after dark displays of our national flag, which is commendable. However the nighttime drive tour showed that churches, banks, various business outlets, public monuments, even City Hall, the police department, some fire stations, the 911 Center, the County Jail, the EMS Rescue Station and other enterprises, all seem in violation of the official United States Code rules governing the display of the Flag of the United States after sunset.

Our nation is, itself, a living entity and our flag is to be regarded as a living representation of that entity. Thus, it is never to be dipped in submission to another country’s flag, never to be gathered up or bound, never to be allowed to touch the ground or floor beneath it, never to be embossed on any item which has a temporary existence, is meant to receive trash or is meant to be discarded (such as. napkins, paper plates and cups, ashtrays, etc., or worn as clothing).

Title 4 of the U.S. Code, Chapter 1, Section 6 states:

1. It is the universal custom to display the flag only from sunrise to sunset on buildings and on stationary flagstaffs in the open. However, when a patriotic effect is desired, the flag may be displayed twenty-four hours a day if properly illuminated during the hours of darkness.
   

While there is no declared standard of proper illumination, having direct illumination would seem to be an obvious objective of nighttime display. The following pictures showcase examples of failing or poor flag illumination. These photos were shot time-lapsed to insure sufficient exposure to capture a clear image. No other manipulation was used on any of them. The intent here is not to embarrass anyone, but to point out glaring shortcomings of the flag code objective- during hours of darkness, the U.S. Flag is to be properly illuminated. In most instances, the deficiency can be corrected with minimal effort.

A gallery of Clarksville’s darkened National Flags: [place pointer on image to reveal location.]

Rejection of resident participation on redevelopment review board slams public demand for representation.

The Clarksville City Council returned to its Council Chambers, delivering two thunderous slaps to the public’s collective face in a single meeting.

Before delivering the back-to-back punches, and with the smell of fresh paint still lingering in the air, city departments, staff and council members were praised for their response to the recent tornado touchdowns in our community. Mayor Pro Temp Barbara Johnson gave city certificates to Council Members Deanna McLaughlin, Geno Grubs and Bill Summers for their personal efforts in aiding with the clean-up.

City Hall security package felt to be urgent! Security concerns came unannounced to Council agenda

Moving to the meeting’s agenda. the council approved a budget amendment of $620,000 for city hall security upgrades. The upgrades would institute rigid controlled access to city hall, cameras in elevators, restricted access to stairways (for exit only) for the public and limited access to city departments. The printed agenda only listed an additional $96,000 for unanticipated maintenance to Public Square properties. The mayor insisted that this action should not be put off until the new fiscal year budget cycle, even though admittedly it will be at least 14 to 16 weeks before actual implementation could begin.

Mayor declares, “No property or development interest in redevelopment area!”

Mayor Piper made a strenuous declaration that he has no property in the redevelopment area. He acknowledged owning a business office property in the area, which is up for sale. He stated he owned no development property in the area, had no stake or interest in any developments in the redevelopment area, in any way, and that stories to contrary were false.

Appointed Review Board to replace residents election of representatives

The Council also approved on second reading the much debated redevelopment ordinance. Discussion was again heated, intense and filled in petty vitriol by some. Bill Summers, Ward 10, offered amendments to clarify resident membership and business owner participation on the review board. Bill Forrester, Ward 11, offered an amendment to eliminate resident participation by election on the review board altogether. Deanna McLaughlin, Ward 2, noted that resident elected participation was included at the behest of “adamant public demand.” Ward 5 Diane Ward questioned the resident election component of the ordinance. The Co-City Attorney clarified that the resident elected participation format was untested in any court review while an appointed board format had been tested and passed court review.

A motion to postpone the vote on the matter was rejected . Only Ward 6 representative Marc Harris and Ward 12 representative Wayne Harrison voted ‘NO’ on the ordinance passage. Jim Doyle and Richard Swift were absent.

Clarksville NAACP President Jimmie Garland, who earlier this week announced he asked requested a review of the new development ordinance by HUD and the Justice Department, said:

“The properties of the affected areas are now in dire jeopardy. Conditions created last evening by eight council members who believe their obligation to the elitist is more of a priority than that of looking out for the residents of wards that do not affect them. We should thank Councilmen, Harris, Harrison, and Doyle in his absence for their compassion for the citizens of Clarksville versus loyalty to the status quo. I wish each of them much success in their future endeavors. By no means…. is this over. Keep the faith!!!”

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