Topic: Johnny Piper

Redevelopment firestorm still going strong

By David W. Shelton | February 13, 2008 |

Mayor Johnny Piper’s letter to affected residents attempts to ease concerns

The Clarksville Center Redevelopment Plan (CCRP) has been met with extreme opposition from residents in the affected area, who jokingly (or not) call their part of Clarksville “Blightville.” I’ve had the opportunity to attend a few of the meetings where the plan was discussed, and as a member of the Human Relations Commission, I’ve been on quite a few of the email lists where this topic has been the point of a lot of major contention. This has been so important that City Mayor Johnny Piper has distributed a letter to affected residents, which reads in part:

Recently, a group calling itself the Clarksville Property Rights Coalition has been distributing a flier that has false and misleading information about the redevelopment plan. I am particularly concerned with the allegation that the City desires to take property from business owners and residents and sell it to developers as part of eminent domain.

The flier states: “Your property can be condemned by a majority vote of the City Council and then resold to private developers.”

Please do not be frightened into believing what the Clarksville Property Rights Coalition is misrepresenting about the plan. The City of Clarksville has no intentions of taking your property. The redevelopment plan ordinance actually makes it harder for any government to exercise eminent domain. There are many layers of protection for property owners built into the ordinance that are not being revealed to you in these fliers distributed by the Clarksville Property Rights Coalition.

Note: the full text of the Mayor’s letter is provided at the end of this commentary.

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HOPE exceeds Thanksgiving delivery goal

By David W. Shelton | November 25, 2007 |

This Thursday, the Hispanic Organization for Progress and Education (HOPE) delivered 31 complete thanksgiving dinners, exceeding their goal of 30. Local activists, ministries, and civic groups came together to support HOPE and other organizations that worked to bring meals to area families.

The group’s effort was propelled even more once Kang Tae Myong, owner of Sakura Japanese Restaurant, committed to include it in the list of three organizations that would be given a combined 60 turkeys. The restaurateur announced their donation during a Human Relations Commission meeting held on October 25th. Mr. Kang is also a member of the Clarksville Human Relations Commission as well as an adviser and former president of the Korean American Association.

Twenty of the turkeys were given to HOPE, with the other forty divided between the Salvation Army and Lighthouse Ministries. The turkeys were distributed at a special event at the restaurant on Monday, November 19th. The turkey-dispensing event was coordinated by the Clarksville Human Relations Commission, with City Mayor Johnny Piper on hand to help hand out the birds. «Read the rest of this article»

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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»

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Activist Clears up Confusion About up Coming Community Forums on Gang Awareness

By Terry McMoore | July 9, 2007 |

Community Activist and Director of the Urban Resource Center, Terry McMoore, has assured the citizens of Clarksville and all participants scheduled to attend the July 24, 2007 “Stop the Violence Community Forum” that the forum is still on track.

Mr. McMoore also went on to encourage the community to be sure to attend both forums because Knowledge is Power and in times like these it is always a positive move anytime the community comes together for a common cause.

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City to host forum on crime and violence

By David W. Shelton | July 9, 2007 |

The City of Clarksville will host a Community Forum on Crime and Violence on Thursday, July 12th from 6p.m. until 8p.m. in the Kenwood Middle School auditorium. The school is located at 241 E. Pine Mountain Road near the intersection of Peachers Mill Road and 101st Airborne Division Parkway.

Mayor Johnny Piper, members of the Clarksville City Council, representatives from the Police Department and other civic organizations will address issues and concerns regarding violent activity in Clarksville. In addition, the Clarksville Police Department will make a presentation about gangs and will be available to answer questions. «Read the rest of this article»

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An Exclusive Look From Inside the Jeff Burkhart Termination Appeal Hearing

By Terry McMoore | June 1, 2007 |

Clarksville Online has obtained an exclusive interview with former Clarksville City Councilman Gabe Segovia who was present at the appeal hearing today.

A three-person city panel consisting of City Councilmen Bill Forrester ward 11, Wayne Harrison ward 12 and Clarksville Gas and Water Gas Division Manager Tae Eaton voted unanimously yesterday to uphold Clarksville Mayor Johnny Piper’s decision to terminate former Clarksville Fire Rescue Assistant Chief Jeff Burkhart. Jeff Burkhart was fired by Clarksville Mayor Johnny Piper for insubordination in April, after he refused a transfer to the Building Maintenance Department. Burkhart had been with the Clarksville Fire Rescue for 22 years. «Read the rest of this article»

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