MCDP officers, front row from left, Rene Poindexter, Kate Ravels, Kim Smith, Barbara Brown; back row from left, Gene Lewis, Keith Jackson and Robert Lewis

Gene Lewis was unanimously re-elected MCDP  chairman, with Kim Smith as 1st vice-chair, Keith Jackson as 2nd vice-chair, Robert Lewis as 3rd vice chair, and Kate Ravels as 4th vice-chair.

Barbara Brown was voted treasurer for the group, with Rene Poindexter as secretary. Thirty-eight party members were appointed to the executive committee and by-laws for the organization were approved in a unanimous vote.

The MCDP meets monthly at 7 p.m.  at the Smith-Trahern Mansion on McClure Street. The Democratic Women’s group meets that same evening at 6 p.m., prior to the MCDP session.

The past several months have provided a wealth of images and topics to be covered. Local and regional interests have drawn my attention, eye and words to their descriptive influences.

I thought it a fitting action to showcase the ninety or more days of news coverage to give you, our readers, a glimpse at just how much effort goes into bringing you information and news of your world. Not every image presented here will have been previously included in a published news story. Some of these images are background material and some are just for visual impression. Often we see things which are inspirational, if not exactly newsworthy or pertinent to the immediate story. They have to wait for special coverage like this to have their day.

Starting with the volunteer parachute packer above, who gave his time and service to the Thank You Foundation’s courtesy parachute jumps at Outlaw Field as a way to honor wounded soldiers, many opportune moments of singular deference to others abound through out our community.

American Flag in the dark

While some show deference, there are those instances where an apparent indifference is on display. This writer has more than once commented about how businesses and governmental entities are dishonoring our nation’s flag by flaying it at night without proper illumination. City government functions share an unseemly portion of this shame. From city hall to the police department to fire stations, the nation’s flag flies 24 hours a day. At night it is not properly illuminated.

Fun times are to be had as a writer covering community events. One such example is the bedlam that is the APSU Mud Bowl. This year was my first occasion to witness this descent into seemingly mindless abandon.

Otherwise perfectly sane college students willingly climb into an arena of mud for a three-minute round of volley ball, with no other incentive than to be able to say, “We did it!” In the process, the mud bowl conquers all who dare enter. And the students gleefully rejoice in this. It beats goldfish, at least.

New to the city’s landscape this year is Strawberry Alley. This new downtown gathering area was christened by an equally new  city-sponsored bi-monthly event dubbed, “Jammin’ in the Alley!”

The inaugural opening honors was bestowed upon “The Beagles,” who gave a rollicking good show that saw dancing in the street and yes, that was Kevin Kennedy joining in to do ‘The Electric Slide!’

The Franklin Street merchants took full advantage of this crowd attraction to accent their businesses with Benne’s Steakhouse and Piano Bar, The Front Page Deli and Brunnie’s all setting out bistro tables for the more than willing patrons.

A favorite annual event is the Native Cultural Circle Inter-Tribal Powwow. Staged out at the campground in Port Royal adjacent to the Port Royal Historic State Park. The park has seen distinction added to its crown with the National Park Service designating it an official Trail of Tears historic park. This year, in recognition that the park encompasses that last unobstructed section of the original trail in Tennessee, a Commemoration Trail of Tears March Walk was conducted on that hallowed ground.

Following the Park System ceremony, the walk continued on to the Powwow grounds where Head Lady Loretta Howard and Head Man Michael Veal led the opening traditional dance. A new community group debuted at this year’s powwow. The Hawaiian Civic Group performed several native Pacific Islander dances. Fun dances included the ‘Children’s Candy Dance,’ and the ‘Ugly Man’ dance.

National politics had an impact here this year. The presidential election saw a marked increased in voter registration and turn-out. Voter rallies and forums were held all over the area. Candidates knocked on doors and held town hall meetings to introduce themselves to their constituencies. Articles on voter registration requirements and voting practices appeared in the local mainstream media. Negative campaigning saw new heights on both the local and national stages. Unprecedented election politics were played out and locally a write-in campaign by a major political player stirred up the public’s appetite for drama. Although the August primaries saw an abysmal voter turnout, the November General Elections saw a resounding repudiation of that voter apathy with a strong seventy-percent voter turn-out.

Also during this time, the APSU Woodward Library held another session of its Athenaeum presentation series. Kasey Hendricks gave an impressive and stirring talk on his study: “Defending Affirmative Action- E’race’ing Inequality.” The lecture/discussion was well attended and the following discussion proved quite enlightening as information about discrimination in a little known realm was revealed.

Autumn continues its advance in Middle Tennessee and Montgomery County shares in the seasonal changes in nature. Trees change color, shed leaves and all other signs of time’s passage are manifested. At Dunbar Cave Park, the advance of seasons is well on display. The waterfowl make their noises and the landscape yields to changes in light. One of the most colorful examples of this is the beautiful berry clusters found along the stairway from the park’s information center towards the cave itself. This colorful display belongs to the American Beauty Bush.

Dunbar Cave also shifts gears as it gears up for the annual October nighttime tour event known as, “The Haunted History Tour.” These guided tours take visitors inside the cavernous depths of the cave, the seventieth long in the entire U.S., and informs them of the cave’s development and history. Held over the course of two days, usually the weekend prior to Halloween, the tours are a family fun way to explore the cave. This year saw well over 500 visitors take the tour.

Now viewing the changing season is not restricted to Montgomery County. There was also the opportunity to travel to a business expo in Paris. No, not that one across the Atlantic. this one is much closer. We don’t have a budget that would allow the Trans-Atlantic expense and I don’t know anyone in France, although Strasborough is really nice. The backroads between Montgomery County and Henry County afford one the opportunity to see Mother Nature’s paint brush busily at work. The many scenic vistas of bodies of water marking landfall are nicely contrasted with the changing colors of the wooded foliage that dominates the abundant landscape of the area. And of course, when in Paris, how can you leave without visiting The Eifel Tower? Expect to see a posting about that expo soon on ‘Discover Paris!’

As autumn’s march continues, the window for early voting for the general election was closing. This year had seen a abysmal voter turnout for the August primary. Not even ten percent of the county’s voters felt compelled to cast their votes and decide how their government would take shape. However the general election was a horse of a different  color indeed. Montgomery County got energized and really stepped up to the ballot box in record numbers.

Early voting saw fully forty percent of registered voters had gone to the Election Commission in Veterans Plaza and cast their votes. Also during this time, Austin Peay State University held its annual homecoming activities. This year, the celebrations extended to the city’s newest gathering spot with the Homecoming ‘Street Dance in the Alley.’ The Mike Robinson Band was the music choice and gave a lively set for the evening’s participants.

The presidential debate scene came to Tennessee as Belmont University played host to the second 2008 Presidential Debate. While Clarksville was not a central player in this dramatic event, its proximity did draw elements of our community into its sphere of influence. The Montgomery County Democratic Party held a Debate Watch Party at its Madison Street headquarters. There was an alternative debate and other debate day activities that gave special emphasis to the event.

On our local political scene, after the nastiness of the August primary and the bad vibes that followed the special tri-county convention to select the Democratic Party candidate for District 22, voters turned out to resoundingly favor Attorney Tim Barnes as their state senator. Congrats to him for running a clean, above board campaign all the way thru. He’s got some really great people working with him- DJ, Adam and Adam, and a very supportive partner in wife Linda and their children. If you haven’t already done so, please do check out the exclusive interview Tim gave Clarksville Online. I think you’ll find it a good read.

The Youth Victory Garden celebrated its first harvest and held a community fair to mark the occasion. Various civic and social consciousness and service groups participated in celebrating the young people’s efforts and making the community aware of their presence. The Brandon Hill Community Heritage Youth Victory Garden was under the guardianship of The Mount Olive Historical Preservation Society. The youth came from the Clarksville-Montgomery County Schools System. They cleared the land and planted all the crops, tended to them during the growing season, even during school breaks and over the summer.

Additionally the APSU Music Department’s Percussion Ensemble held its annual Halloween Concert with all performers in some form of holiday costume. The musical selections were a lively mix that were well adapted to the occasion. The APSU University Choir lent their voices to marvelous effect in producing a musical presentation that left no one unimpressed. Barvo!

Also happening within this timeframe was the 24th Annual Ohio Valley History Conference, held this year at Austin Peay State University. The two-day event proved an exciting and informative affair. Presenters came from across the country and even Canada. The History Honor Society, Phi Alpha Theta, recognized new members. Dr. Richard Gildrie celebrated his retirement after a 38-year career in history academia. The APSU Graphic Arts Dept. showcased its Goldsmith Press and Rare Type Collection, printing conference posters and gift bags. John Seigenthaler Sr. was the keynote for the conference banquet dinner. In all, over one hundred-twenty papers were presented and discussed. I wish I could have cloned myself about fifteen times, and that still would not have been enough to cover the sessions that drew my interest.

Not even a full two weeks following the OVHC, the Arts and Heritage Development Council held it Lifetime Achievement Awards celebration at the Pace Alumni Center at Emerald Hill. A warm and lively gathering of celebrants and well-wishers filled the center’s hallways and rooms. A wide cross-selection of the community was on hand to fete Dr. George Mabry, his equally talented wife, Dr. Sharon Mabry and Secretary of State Riley Darnell. Then there was last week’s surprising city council meeting, where the cost of the marina project shot from $20 million dollars to $32 million dollars. I think there’s more on that to come. Of course, most of you will be aware of the mayor’s signing a contract with Rediflex for installation and operation of red-light cameras in our community. Instead of the original six, we will now get twenty of these devices. The University of Tennessee released a study on the effectiveness of these types of so-called safety measures back in September that may provide you, our readers, with some somber thought-provoking information.

Gee, but it’s hard to believe all this happened within the sixty to seventy-five days. How did I ever cover it all. I must acknowledge my colleagues here at Clarksville Online. The team effort is all important and central to our operation and success. The holidays are fast coming upon and Clarksville Online will seek to provide ever relevant coverage of news and public interest events. Still to come are updates on TEPPCO’s processed fuels storage facility two miles from the city’s water-intake point on the Cumberland River and the unveiling of the city’s newest fountain on Strawberry Alley; the USDOJ/HUD Public Fact Gathering Meeting on the city’s Redevelopment Plan, and of course the corresponding lawsuit against the citizens group filed by a council member and a real estate developer connected to the plan; the swearing-in of new city council members and the closing of Fairgrounds Park to make way for the marina dredging and development.

The Montgomery County Democratic Party has received its last shipment of Obama/Biden yard signs and bumper stickers for the 2008 Election. Signs are available now at MCDP headquarters at Madison Street and University Drive during regular business hours, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.

A spokesman for MCDP said once these signs are gone, “they are gone.”  He noted that demand has been high, and previous shipments have been depleted ‘within days.”

For more information, call MCDP at 931- 552-5523.

Montgomery County Democratic Party

The Montgomery County Democratic Party and Clarksville for Obama now have a good supply of campaign buttons, bumber stickers and yard signs available at the Democratic headquarters on the corner of Madision and University Drive. The office is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday, for a small donation.

Those who signed up on the waiting list will be called to pick up their signs. The Dems are also seeking volunteers to work at campaign headquarters and to assist with special events.

Special guests include Kim McMillan, Former Majority Leader, Tennessee House of Representatives; Joe Pitts, Tennessee State Representative (District 67); Jerry Martin, State Campaign Director for Barack Obama; Wade Mundy, Communications Director, Tennessee State Democratic Party; and Jerry Lee, Tennessee AFL-CIO Union President.

The MCDP and Clarksville for Obama will serve food and refreshments. the event is open to the public and a $10.00 or higher donation is requested. For additional Information, call 931-378-1999

On Saturday, May 31, the Democratic women will be at Krogers at Dover Road from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.. On June 2, they will host a voter forum at the Public Library on Pageant Lane at 6 p.m. The public is welcome to take this opportunity to learn about the upcoming elections and register to vote.

This is the first step in selecting a Tennessee delegation to the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver.

The meeting will take place at 2050 Ft Campbell Blvd (Kennedy Law Firm) with doors opening at 11:00 am. The county Convention convenes at noon. All Democratic residents who are eligible to vote in Montgomery County are urged to attend. At this time, the MCDP will elect delegates to attend the Congressional District Convention on February 23rd, 2008.

For more information, you may contact MontgomeryCounty Party Chair at (931) 645-9159 or (931) 801-6209.

For anyone interested in becoming a elected delegate or in how this process works, here are the rules:

To become a delegate to the 2008 DNC Convention in Denver, CO, you will need to follow the simple steps listed below:

1. Make sure you are a registered voter in the State of Tennessee. All delegate candidates must be registered and eligible to vote in Tennessee’s February 5th, 2008 primary election.
2. File a Statement of Candidacy and Pledge of Support form with the Tennessee Democratic Party by 12 noon (CST) on January 29, 2008. This form is available on our website at www.tndp.org, at our office at 223 8th Avenue North, Suite 200 Nashville, TN 37203, or may be requested via phone at 615-327-9779. It must be returned by hand, mail, or via fax (615-327-9759) by 12 noon (CST) on January 29, 2008. You will be asked to choose which presidential candidate you are supporting.
3. Attend your County Democratic Convention on Saturday, February 9th at 12 noon (CST) or 1 pm (EST). Each county will hold a convention on this date to select delegates to attend the Congressional District Conventions. Each county will be assigned a number of delegates for each presidential candidate based on the results of the February 5th primary. Each county party is requested to notify the public of the location of their convention not more than 14 days or less than seven days in advance of the convention. The state party will also have a listing of locations on its website at www.tndp.org or by calling 615-327-9779.
4. Delegates elected at the County Democratic Conventions will then attend the Congressional District Conventions on Saturday, February 23rd at 12 noon (CST) or 1 pm (EST). Only delegates elected at the County Democratic Conventions will be eligible to attend the Congressional District Conventions. Each Congressional District will be assigned a number of delegates for each presidential candidate based on the results of the February 5th primary. Locations for these conventions will be announced at the County Democratic Conventions.

The 44 Delegates and seven Alternates will be selected at the Congressional District Convention will compromise the majority of the National Convention Delegation!

However, 15 At-Large Delegates and four Alternates will be selected by the State Democratic Executive Committee during their meeting on March 8th, 2008.

Anyone who has submitted a Statement of Candidacy and Presidential Preference form is eligible to be selected as an At-Large Delegate or Alternative. Additional at-large candidates have an alternate deadline of 12 noon (CST) on Friday, March 7th, 2008 to complete and return this form.

The entire Tennessee National Convention Delegation will be selected by March 8th, 2008.

From left, MCDP Vice-Chair Robert Lewis, Senator Rosalind Kurita, Rep. Joe Pitts, Kim Smith, and House Majority Leader Gary Odom at Tuesday’s MCDP holiday celebration and annual awards ceremony. David Shelton Photo.

State House Majority Leader Gary Odom addressed the group, summarizing the legislative achievements of the year while citing a need to continue to “build up our majority” in the State House. Odom tossed a question to the audience in an impromptu forum centered on the Hope Scholarship. Odom said the past year in state government “was one of the best” in his 21 years of public service.

Citing fiscally conservative practices that have led to a substantial “rainy day fund,” Odom (pictured at left with Kim Smith) sought opinions on whether standards for maintaining the merit-based HOPE Scholarship, which is funded by lottery monies, should be lowered. Currently, students are required to maintain a 3.0 GPA to retain this $4000 scholarship; Odom fielded the idea of dropping that benchmark to 2.75, or even 2.5 (the later is a C+), stating that this scholarship incentive would motivate more good students to pursue higher learning. The proposal drew a substantially favorable response from his listeners, which included several faculty members from APSU.

Odom also voiced a deep concern over an escalating crime rate, citing the increased violence that in Tennessee is most visible in cities like Memphis, and surprisingly, Jackson. He referenced the passage of Jessica’s Law, which mandates a minimum 25 sentence and lifetime GPS monitoring of 25 years in prison and lifetime electronic monitoring of adults convicted of lewd or lascivious acts against a victim less than 12 years old.

State Senator Rosalind Kurita and Representative Joe Pitts spoke briefly prior to the awards presentation.

Photos from the MCDP holiday party:

Rep. Gary Odom chats with legislators and MCDP members

Charles Moreland and Senator Kurita

Among The Guests:

Senator Rosalind Kurita, Speaker Pro Tempore, and Rep. Joseph Pitts of the 67th District are featured guests.

The MCDP is also asking for donations of American-made toys for the annual Fire Fighters Toy Drive. Toys may be brought to the party. the public at large is also asked to support the Firefighters toy drive with donations of toys that can be dropped off at any fire station in Clarksville.

For more information, call 931-216-9795 or 931-801-4821. Information on American made toys can be referenced at Clarksville Online’s Nov. 25 story, Toy Shopping? Buy Made in the the USA“.

MCDP Chairman Gene Lewis said the Democrats across the county were launching individualized action aimed at promoting the Democratic Party and “showing what we can do as a party for the people.” The MCDP was publicizing key issues on the Democratic agenda and registering voters for the Presidential Preference Primary Election on February 5, and the ensuing 2008 presidential election. (Pictured left, Tiffany Myers registers to vote.)

“Every county in the state has something different going on, going door-to-door with information, working for a candidate…” Lewis said. Locally,” we decided to do voter registration.”

The MCDP meets on the fourth Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Smith-Trahern Mansion in downtown Clarksville.

Working the MCDP voter registration table at veteran Plaza: (seated from left) MCDP Chair Gene Lewis, Sandy Shirley and Vice-Chair Roger Lewis; standing, Milan Lewis and Vice Chair Keith Jackson.

Walk the State Blue is a statewide Democratic initiative involving all Tennessee counties to “take back” their counties and turn the state of Tennessee “blue.”

The MCDP will offer information on the local party and issues that concern not just Democrats but all Americans. Voter registration will be available for all local citizens who need to register to vote in the Presidential preference on February 5, 2008.

Gene Lewis, MCDP chairman, said this is the first of several events to be sponsored by the party in the coming months. Refreshments will served.