Topic: Mayor Johnny Piper

The Mayor’s anti-Islamic email is a major embarrassment

September 4, 2009 |

The stamp in question

Clarksville Tennessee’s Mayor, Johnny Piper has sent an inflammatory anti-Islamic email to employees of the city, encouraging them to boycott a stamp issued by the U.S. Postal Service.

According to the U.S. Postal Service, the stamp in question commemorates the two most important festivals—or eids—in the Islamic calendar: Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. On these days, Muslims wish each other “Eid mubarak,” the phrase featured in Islamic calligraphy on the stamp. “Eid mubarak” translates literally as “blessed festival,” and can be paraphrased as “May your religious holiday be blessed.” This phrase can be applied to both Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha.

The email in question is the equivalent of a chain letter, which according to the Snopes Urban Legends web site was first seen in 2002. The letter was modified in August 2009 to falsely accuse President Barack Obama of ordering the U.S. Postal Service to issue a 42 cent first class stamp in honor of these Islamic holidays. In fact the stamp was first issued on September 1st 2001, and has been re-release several times since then. Mayor Piper’s email painted everyone of the Islamic faith with the same brush as those who carried out the various terrorist bombings over the years.

Several questions arise regarding the Mayor’s actions in sending this email that must be answered…. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Politics | 16 Comments

Keith Lampkin named as Director of Housing and Community Development

May 27, 2009 |

The City of Clarksville has named Keith Lampkin as the new Director of Housing and Community Development. Beginning June 1, he will oversee the development and execution of strategy to create, maintain and expand decent housing, suitable living environments and economic opportunities for low and moderate income persons in the City.

Mr. Lampkin has been a senior planner with the Clarksville-Montgomery County Regional Planning Commission since 2004. The basic function of the Planning Commission is to create and adopt a plan for achieving coordinated, adjusted, efficient and economic development of the physical region.

“I have worked hand-in-hand with Keith on short and long-range Planning Commission projects, and his knowledge and skills will be of great benefit in this new role,” said Clarksville Mayor Johnny Piper. “He has an excellent work ethic and will contribute greatly to Clarksville’s housing and community development.”

Mr. Lampkin has a degree in public management from Austin Peay State University and has worked in community development and city planning since 1992.

Sections: News | No Comments

Upcoming summit to focus on regional transportation system

May 20, 2009 |

Prince survey finds overwhelming public support for regional collaboration to address challenges

Nashville – Business, governmental and community leaders including Clarksville Mayor Johnny Piper and Montgomery County Mayor Carolyn Bowers will gather in Nashville on May 27^th for the annual “Convening the Region” Summit focusing on regional transportation system development in the ten-county Middle Tennessee area.

Cumberland Region Tomorrow (CRT), in partnership with Nashville Mayor Karl Dean, the Nashville Area MPO and the Tennessee Department of Transportation, will co-host the event as leaders work to gain collaboration and consensus on the development, funding and operations of a Regional Transit System.

“Ask any citizen in the middle Tennessee area what our top challenges are and I can assure you that traffic, congestion and gridlock will be right at the top of their list,” said Pat Emery, co-chair of CRT. “But this issue is about more than inconvenience; it’s a matter of economic competitiveness, quality growth and development and working to maintain our quality of life here in middle Tennessee. The only way we’re going to solve it is by working together – all ten counties – in a collaborative manner to turn these challenges into opportunities.” «Read the rest of this article»

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City Councilors, Judge Smith to take oath of office on New Year’s Day

By Christine Anne Piesyk | December 31, 2008 |

The Clarksville City Council will meet in special session on January 1 at 10 a.m. at City Council Chambers, 108 Public Square, to administered the oath of office to the city’s recently elected city council members and a city judge.

Mayor Johnny Piper will swear in the following: James Lewis, Ward 3; Wallace Redd, Ward 4; Candy C. Johnson, Ward 5; David Allen, Ward 8; Joel Wallace, Ward 9; and Jeff Burkhart, Ward 12. City Judge Charles W. Smith will also be sworn in. The election of a Mayor Pro Tem will follow. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: News, Politics | No Comments

Councils okays $32 million in marina debt

By Christine Anne Piesyk | December 2, 2008 |

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. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Business, News, Opinion | 3 Comments

Lighting up “Christmas on the Cumberland”

By Christine Anne Piesyk | November 27, 2008 |

Christmas on the Cumberland is not just a city event but a regional attraction that is now open and free to the public.

Walking through a garden of holiday lights...

The City of Clarksville unwrapped its Christmas gift to the city Tuesday evening with the lighting of Christmas on the Cumberland, a holiday light display that is a top attraction not just to local residents but the region.

Bundled up and braving the cold at Christmas on the Cumberland

On a brisk and cold eve, a substantial crowd gathered, bundled in coats, scarfs, hats and mittens — a far cry from the 2007 event and its exceptionally temperatures that could have given Santa heat stroke under all that velvet suiting and flowing cape.

Hot chocolate and spice cider were in demand as two tables served up beverages to help revelers beat the chill in the air. Frances Sykes donned a Victorian gown to set the holiday spirit as she handed out programs for the evenings event.

J.T. Daniels of Eagle 94.3 FM emcee’d the event, with Pastor Scott Evans of the Grace Church of the Nazarene offering the invocation. Mayor Johnny Piper took time to acknowledge the city employees who have spent hundreds of hours installing this years holiday display. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Arts and Leisure, Events | No Comments

Christmas on the Cumberland lights up for the holidays

November 23, 2008 |

Christmas on the Cumberland, Clarksville’s walk-through holiday light display, will open for its 10th year on November 25,  with a lighting ceremony and entertainment at Clarksville’s McGregor Park RiverWalk on Riverside Drive.

The Grand Opening Celebration next Tuesday will begin with holiday entertainment performed by the Austin Peay State University Honors Brass Quintet and Hypertension.  Clarksville’s Mayor Johnny Piper will officially light up the park during a lighting ceremony that begins at 6:30 p.m. The Mayor’s Youth Council will be serving up hot chocolate and apple cider and children will be able to visit with Santa and The Grinch. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Arts and Leisure, Events | No Comments

Justice Department, HUD, hear citizen concerns on development, urban renewal

By Christine Anne Piesyk | November 21, 2008 |

CPRC member Don Sharpe speaks out against redevelopment at "fact-finding" community meeting

“Sued for a half million dollars for speaking out…”

“This ordinance is detrimental to the community…”

“The City Council ‘rubber stamped’ the mayor…”

“I don’t think they have a plan…”

“Our Leadership doesn’t want to listen to us….”

“CHA is a shadow, not a voice…”

“Preying on minority communities…”

“I’ve never been to a public forum where the public couldn’t speak…”

This is what representatives from the United States Department of Justice, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the Institute for Justice  heard when they came to Clarksville Thursday to listen to community concerns about the about the city’s controversial redevelopment plans. Seventy people participated in a fact-finding meeting at the New Providence Community Center on Oak Street sponsored by the NAACP and the Urban Resource Center.

Walter Atkinson, Senior Conciliation Specialist with the U.S. Department of Justice Community Relations Service (Southeast Region IV), in stating that the meeting was “to hear community concerns,” said his role was in part to try and avert “litigation.”

“I am here to listen and observe,” Atkinson said, noting that it was letters from NAACP Chapter President Jimmie Garland and Terry McMoore of the Urban Resource Center that focused federal attention on this local issue. Atkinson had been “in communication” with Mayor Johnny Piper and with the Downtown District Partnership Board. Piper, DDP members and most sitting City Councilors did not attend this meeting. Jim Doyle, who was not re-elected to his Ward 8 seat, along with newly elected councilors Candy Johnson, David Allen and Jeff Burkhart did attend the meeting and spoke with the Ward 6 constituency. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: News | 3 Comments

City to unveil Strawberry Alley fountain

November 20, 2008 |

Mayor Johnny Piper and members of the Clarksville City Council will unveil the new fountain on Strawberry Alley on Tuesday, November 25, at 4 p.m.

Installation of the fountain has been ongoing for several weeks, with large blue and green tarps encasing the multistory structure., which cost approximately $125,000. The fountain was purchased for the city by an anonymous donor and will be dedicated in honor of a former Clarksville citizen during the unveiling next Tuesday, November 25.

Sections: Events, News | No Comments

Mayor Piper to appear on Channel 5+ Open Line

November 13, 2008 |

Mayor Johnny Piper will appear on the live broadcast Channel 5+ Open Line on Thursday, November 13, from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.  Channel 5+ is Charter Cable channel 50.  He will discuss items of interest to the Clarksville area. Questions and comments may be phoned in to Channel 5+ at 615-737- PLUS (7587).  Mayor Piper will be featured quarterly on Open Line.

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