Topic: Marc Harris

In honor of Reverend Martin Luther King Jr.

By Debbie Boen | January 22, 2008 |

Yesterday several hundred people of all ages filled Burt School’s auditorium and classrooms for workshops and  seminars before the annual NAACP Martin Luther King Day march. Children worked on projects and learned more about the civil rights movement and Rev Martin Luther King Jr.   Director of Schools Michael Harris spoke to adults about their children’s education. Vanderbilt University Professor Wanda Snead addressed issues of  domestic violence, and Valerie Hunter-Kelly of Keller Williams Realty spoke about mortgages and personal finances.

Several elected officials attended today’s event, including State Representative Joe Pitts, County Commissioner Lettie Kendall, and City Council members Barbara Johnson and Marc Harris. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: News | 3 Comments

Property Rights Coalition, Councilor Harris seek “blight” ordinance repeal

By Christine Anne Piesyk | January 10, 2008 |

“It’s all just a big mess.”

Those words summed up the state of the city, City Council, and the Downtown District Partnership regarding the now infamous “blight” ordinance.

The Clarksville Property Rights Coalition met tonight at Austin Peay State University to review the status of a redevelopment ordinance put on hold by Mayor Johnny Piper when it was found to be in violation of state law.

Originally, the Downtown District Partnership had scheduled an informational meeting to explain what were termed “misconceptions” about the ordinance, which declares two square miles and 1823 properties in downtown Clarksville, with the solitary exception of Austin Peay State University, were declared blighted as part of an ambiguous redevelopment plan.

The DDP had suggested that the property in that area were “misinformed” about this legislation. As it turns out, the DDP “failed to use due diligence” and violated state law.

The mayor’s findings and the cancelled meeting brought satisfaction to the citizen’s group who felt their concerns about the ordinance have been substantiated. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Issues | No Comments