Topic: Clarksville TN

Reform required: Outdated City Charter is Clarksville’s weakness

September 27, 2007 |

The Constitution of the City of Clarksville has been identified as as a weakness for the people of this community, but that’s on the brink of change.

The City finally has formed a Charter committee to look into and reform the Charter and Codes, the documents that form the Constitution of the City and its laws. But why did it take so long when it was identified years ago that the Charter was indeed a weakness.

It had been reported (LC Sept 27, 04) to the people that one of the many problems in our city government is ineffective communications between city leaders, and this is true. However, this is only a symptom of a greater problem of which was also identified. I am referring to our city constitution which was identified as “an outdated city charter.”

This was identified at a session of the Council’s strategic planning process which was facilitated by a member of U.T. Municipal Technical Advisory Service (MTAS). MTAS is the so-called expects in the field of city government, but what exactly do they say about charters, and our abilities to understand and question our charter? «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Opinion, Politics | No Comments

Metro Clarksville: Maybe it’s time

By David W. Shelton | September 9, 2007 |

The 21st century has seen some wonderful changes in the way business is conducted in Clarksville, including some refreshing progress in settling some old baggage. Specifically, the City Council approved settlements for the lawsuits filed by Kenny Austion and Tony Blakely.

The Clarksville Police Department has long been struggling with the multiple lawsuits that have been filed against them. No one could say “there’s not a problem,” after the City started losing these suits, one by one. Action was needed. Thankfully, action has been taken.

Further, this isn’t the only area where we’ve seen progress in Clarksville. No matter what one’s opinion is regarding the current or previous mayoral administration might be, it’s clear that things are beginning to change. Clarksville is growing up, and we’re starting to see some much-needed progress in several areas in town. To be fair, I don’t think any one mayoral administration can lay claim to most of these projects, since they’re often the result of years of planning: «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Opinion, Politics | No Comments

Clarksville PD lock down; HazMat checks “suspicious substance”

By Christine Anne Piesyk | August 13, 2007 |

When Clarksville resident and APSU student Sandy Shirley signed on for a ‘ride along’ with the Clarksville Police Department, she had no idea she’d spend the evening locked down in the station, waiting for clearance from Emergency Management officials and a determination that a white substance brought into the station was– or preferably - was not a contagious virus such as smallpox.

Shortly after 7 pm. a young man walked into the station on Commerce Street with a package with a white powdery substance and possibly a syringe. Unconfirmed reports state that a syringe labeled smallpox fell from the package, confirming much of what Ms. Shirley witnessed. At one point she was a mere five feet away from the young man carrying the substance.

Response was immediate; the building and its staff and visitors were locked in and the rest of the world locked out. Within ten minutes, Commerce Street was closed to traffic, four fire engine, assorted EMS vehicles, an ambulance and numerous cruisers lines the street and parking areas. A decontamination station was erected near a department entrance, but then it became a case of hurry up and wait in the hot humid evening air. Wait for word on what the substance really was, and if it posed a real threat.

«Read the rest of this article»

Sections: News | No Comments

Possible smallpox contamination at Clarksville PD

By Christine Anne Piesyk | August 13, 2007 |

The Clarksville Police Department on Commerce Street was locked down shortly after 7:30 p.m. after a young man walked into the department with a “suspicious” package possibly containing smallpox. Within minutes the City’s Rescue Squad, Fire Department and Homeland Security vehicles arrived on the scene. No one, police officers or civilians, was being allowed into the building, or allowed to leave. The police could not yet confirm definitely that the substance was smallpox virus.

Clarksville Online contacted the department but officers refused to comment on this breaking story or events leading up to it.

A witness to the event, calling from the station after the lock down, reported being told by police that they believed the substance in question to be smallpox virus and would have to wait out the investigative process.

We will continue to follow this breaking news story. A press statement is expected at approximately 8:40 p.m.

Sections: News | 2 Comments

Dallas Cowboy Fans Invade Clarksville

By Terry McMoore | August 7, 2007 |

A Clarksville Dallas Cowboys Fan Club Rally will be held on Saturday, August 25, at noon at the New York Pizza Depot (NYPD) At 3297 Fort Campbell Bvld. in Clarksville, across from Gate 3 at Fort Campbell.

Join Cowboy fans from Clarksville, Montgomery County, Fort Campbell & Hopkinsville, KY, and the middle Tennessee area for fun, food and networking as we celebrate the Dallas Cowboys.Click here to visit the official Clarksville TN Dallas Cowboys Fan Club website

Sections: Sports | No Comments

Should the Bible be taught in schools?

By David W. Shelton | July 31, 2007 |

This is a question that has polarized the secular and religious community since the early 1960’s. A casual glance at most Christian websites that offer political commentary will reveal a very popular assumption, that our national moral decline is a direct result of the Bible being removed from schools. Therefore, they say, the Bible should once again be taught in public schools.

Some youth pastors have encouraged their youth groups to take their Bibles to schools and to even do reports on Bible stories. I won’t comment on prayer in school, since there’s serious prayer every time a hard test is scheduled for the day.

According to School Board director Mike Harris, there are currently no Bible classes in the Clarksville-Montgomery County School systems. As we prepare to start another school year, it might be interesting to entertain this question. Should elective Bible classes be considered as an option for our schools? «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Politics, Spirituality | 5 Comments

City Council plans town hall meeting to review final strategic plan

By David W. Shelton | July 28, 2007 |

Ward 2 City Councilwoman Deanna McLaughlin has released the final version of the Strategic Plan which was discussed at the summit during the weekend of June 10. Immediately after the summit, officials released a 21-point strategy. The document Councilwoman McLaughlin released is a much more detailed version of the initial report.

Areas of major focus were identified as Economic development and job creation, Infrastructure planning and development, Operations and communications, Public safety, Recreation and parks, and Standards and beautification. Each of the 21 points of the strategy touches at least one of these areas. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Politics | 2 Comments

Wolf Creek Dam failure scenario now available

By David W. Shelton | July 23, 2007 |

The City of Clarksville’s website now has a link on its front page to a website provided by Austin Peay State University which provides a model of the failure of Wolf Creek Dam. Wolf Creek Dam was finished in 1950 and was one of the first dams built under the flood control act of 1938. The map shows a potential rise of about 15 feet over its normal level.

The map outlines specific areas that would be affected should the dam fail. Nearly the entire area around the Two Rivers Center would be flooded, as would the Clarksville Fairgrounds, Jostens Printing and Publishing, and the new sports center for Clarksville Academy. Land near Big West Fork Creek, the Smith Station area, and several neighborhoods near the Red River would also be affected. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: News | 2 Comments