In a special session Monday night, the City Council approved an amendment to the city’s capital project budget, giving the okay to $32 million in new debt and $39 million in re-structured debt for development of Mayor Johnny Piper’s proposed marina, water park and other Fairgrounds “development.” The debt package would extend loans through 2027.

In fact, the “done deal” marina has spurred boats sales, or the illusion and suggestion of boat sales, including the collage of watercraft already on display in a Riverside Drive dealer’s lot and another boat display/storage area strategically poised on the concrete slab that once housed the Fairground Pavilion.

Councilors Wallace Redd, Marc Harris and Wayne Harrison opposed the amendment, with Harris lobbying for a 30-day stay on this vote, a move that would have allowed new city councilors a say in a development project that will, in January, fall under their purview. Not all the new councilors support the marina; the current council make-up was a guaranteed win for marina advocates.

What consideration has been given to traffic flow problems on access roads (state highways) to the new development have been elaborated on. Clarksville already has significant traffic flow issues including along Riverside Drive, and water park/marina development will magnify those issues as well for the people who live, work in or travel that area.

As the new council oversees future development of the marina and the Cumberland as a recreational waterway, it is hoped that among their concerns they will consider the overwhelming noise pollution generated by powerboats and jet skis — the latter can equal the output of a racetrack in one’s back yard. The amount of oil and gasoline residue that seeps from vehicles such as jet skis, particularly older models, is a serious pollutant on many waterways; newer models have adapted to stricter EPA standards. In many forward-thinking states these “toys” have been banned on small lakes and rivers because of the noise, noise pollution, and pollution issues, and earth-friendly reclaiming of rivers and streams — or at least, do no further harm — is the most important priority.

Given that the city for years has endured the stench of wastewater treatment permeating the downtown business and residential district, it would behoove the new council to address that that issue in tandem with any new downtown and riverfront development.

If the current administration is hellbent on this form of development, it is incumbent on the next City Council to be proactive in protecting the natural resources that run through Clarksville, and ensuring that within this development, there are ample protections for the water, the shoreline and the abutting homes and businesses (including new residential development). Or hope that the pollution just runs downstream…rendering it NIMB (Not In My Backyard).

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.

Education

Michael Harris addressed the state of education in the Clarksville area. Discussing after school programs, he said that all of Clarksville schools provide after school tutoring for at-risk students, and also provide transportation for students using the programs. He said there are still many things being developed including assisting special needs students. The number of special needs students is growing in our community and the school system acknowledges that they need to do more to help those students.

During the question and answer session, a grandmother asked Harris, “Is there a way to get local college students to help tutor? Some of our youth are still struggling even with the at-risk programs and those same youth have excelled with tutoring. The parents don’t have the money to pay for tutoring; how can we get help?” Harris said if a child is not making it despite the at-risk program, he wants to hear about it. “We don’t want to lose anybody.” he responded.

Some of the targets he saw as goals of his tenure are smaller classroom sizes for all grades and smaller neighborhood high schools. He also made it clear that he is seeking out more minority teachers and school administrators to provide positive role models for minorities.

Director Harris also stated that he would like to see parents stay more involved in their children’s education, including that transition time when children reach the Middle School age. Harris said parents are involved up to a certain age and then they stop. He wants schools to be an open, welcoming place for parents and community leaders to volunteer and he encourages them to consider doing so.

Domestic Violence

Wanda Snead offered a seminar on domestic violence and the safe houses which are available to women and their children. She made it clear that domestic violence does not discriminate.

“It doesn’t matter if you are male or female, young or old, rich or poor, White, Black, Asian, or Hispanic; anyone can be abused.”

It’s often hard for a battered person to seek help because they feel responsible for the ugliness shown to them by their abuser. It’s also much worse for children, who feel they are the cause of the problem or think that they can fix it.

She told the crowd that friends, neighbors and relatives of those in a violent situations need to reach out to the abused, and urge them to seek help. Sometimes that is the only way they will seek the help that they desperately need.

I’m reminded of the quote by Martin Luther King Jr.: Freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed. It comes down to that, as Ms. Snead points out.

Mortgages and Personal Finances

Valerie Hunter-Kelly of Keller Williams Realty spoke about mortgages and financial issues, stating that  despite the rest of the country having trouble in the housing market, Clarksville is making national news with its steady price of housing. There are many things to beware of when buying a house:  balloon payments, pre-payment penalties and variable rates.

She also urged caution regarding lending scams: cash advance loans and pre-approved credit cards with outrageous penalties, interest, and fees. Of course with the approaching tax season, refund anticipation loans is added to the list. All of these are things which prey on people desperate for instant cash.

Ms. Hunter-Kelly assured people who are having trouble with mortgage payments that there are other options possible besides foreclosure: one example she gave is short sales.

If the real estate has no equity, a homeowner may still be able to avoid a mortgage foreclosure judgment by listing the real estate for a pre-foreclosure or short sale. A short sale in real estate occurs when the outstanding loan balance against a property is greater than what the property can be sold for at fair market value.

The March

When it was time for the march, the crowd gathered in front of Burt School and with a police escort set off down Eighth Street. The march then headed down College Street. Hundreds sang together on their way up North Second and through downtown over to city hall, where all bowed their heads as a prayer was said asking for the law to be just, and justice to be fair. The march proceeded over to the county jail where another prayer was said asking for God to watch over and help those who are incarcerated. Then they traveled by the historic court house and returned back to Burt School. During the event the crowd was jubilant and their spirits were up-beat.

Image Gallery

Photos by Bill Larson. Click on any image in this article to enlarge the image.

Editor’s Note: All pictures taken taken by Bill Larson and Debbie Boen

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.

The mayor said Wednesday he would seek amendments to the ordinance, but the CPRC and City Councilor Mark Harris, and other community leaders are called for a repeal of the entire measure, citing a “broken trust” between residents and the DDP.

Harris (at left) supported repeal of the ordinance in its entirety. He added that “at least ten” City Council members were supporting the mayor in terms of amendments to the ordinance.

Harris said he was ” shocked at the lack of support from fellow Council members, knowing how much I emphasized the problem that affects the residents in my ward.” He said Jim Doyle is the only other Council member to fully support rescinding the ordinance.

CPRC organizer Debbie Hunt asked that anyone who wants to help should:

• Sign the survey or canvass card to express opposition to the Plan.
• Volunteer to help the Coalition collect signatures of other property owners on the survey/canvass cards
• And of course, join the coalition. She’s collecting email addresses. Anyone interested can join the coalition. It is not limited to residents in the affected area. Residents who live outside that area can certainly be a part of their efforts.

Nashville Attorney John Summers and Tennessee Preservation Trust Executive Director Dan Brown joined Clarksville NAACP President Jimmie Garland in addressing the group, reviewing the ordinance, and explaining the most recent action by Mayor Piper to put the ordinance under a microscope. On Wednesday, Piper cancelled a city-sponsored meeting at APSU intended to “clarify misconceptions” about the ordinance, but a fact-finding trip to Knoxville and a review of the process required to create and implement such an ordinance were found to be lacking “due diligence” and was possibly “in violation of state law” concerning notification of residents in the districts to be affected.

John Summers speaking for the CPRC

Ordinance 73-2005-07 was passed with little fanfare by the Clarksville City Council in November, but as its details emerged, it drew the ire of some 1800 property owners whose downtown homes and business fell under a blanket designation of “blighted.” Grassroots meeting on Dec. 14 at the HOPE Center on Legion Street and on Dec. 17 at the Historic L&N Train Station drew overflow crowds and united people of all ages, economic status and ethnic backgrounds in a fight for the secure ownership of their homes and property.

The faces of citizen concern :

Human Relations Commissioner George Forth

Dan Brown, Executive Director, Tennessee Preservation Trust

County Commissioner Mark Kelly