Clarksville, TN Online » Veterans

Cold wet weather could not drown out the spirit at the 2009 NCC Intertribal Powwow

Bill Larson — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 06:24:45 +0000

The Native Cultural Circle closed out their 12th Annual Intertribal Powwow Sunday. The Powwow showcases the culture, heritage, and traditions of all Native Americans. The Powwow opened Saturday morning with the third annual Trail of Tears Memorial Walk.

The walk remembers the plight of the Native Americans forced from their ancestral homes to the Indian territory in what became the State of Oklahoma. Diary records of the removal mentioned Port Royal, the last stop before leaving Tennessee, as an encampment site where the Cherokee stayed to re-supply, grind corn and rest. Hundreds of Cherokee died during their trip west, and thousands more perished as a consequence of relocation.

The third annual Trail of Tears Memorial Walk

Members of the Hawaii O Tenesi Hawaiian Civic Club

Attendance this year was somewhat lower than expected most likely due to the cold wet weather on Saturday, but it picked up with the warm sunny weather on Sunday. NCC Treasurer Philenese Slaughter said “Everyone who attended had a wonderful time.” she had especially glowing praise for the Hawaii O Tenesi Hawaiian Civic Club who preformed on Saturday, “The Hawaiian dancers added a lot, and are wonderful. I want to thank them for coming out and sharing their culture with the mainland Indians.”

Click here to view the embedded video.

WWII Veteran John Clark

Part of the Grand Entry ceremony that opens the Powwow each day is giving special recognition to the Active duty soldiers, and Veterans from all branches of the Military that are present. One of those recognized was John Clark who fought in the United States Army in the Pacific theater of operations during World War II. He celebrated his 91st birthday at the Powwow this year. John was accompanied by his daughter who was also a retired army veteran. The Women Veterans of America had a booth at the Powwow providing information about their organization to the attendees.

The Head lady this year was supposed to be Jill Smith, but she became ill a day before the Powwow began, and was sent home to recover. The head man was Chris Crosby. Faron Weeks the Master of Ceremony. Charles Page served as the Head Vet. Shawn Longfeather as the arena master. The Powwow Princess was Christa Koontz. The host drum was The White Horse Singers from Alabama. The guest drum was Southern Echo which hales from East Tennessee.

The Powwow showcased the best of Native American culture, and in doing so reminded us all of the heritage of this great land that we all call home. And since in Tennessee October is “Native American Indian Month,” the Powwow was a great way to celebrate it.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Photo Gallery

[Show as slideshow]

Oct. 17 is Last Day for Businesses to Request Tax Credit Certification for Some New Hires

News Staff — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 19:37:31 +0000

Businesses planning to claim the recently-expanded work opportunity tax credit for eligible unemployed veterans and disconnected youth hired before mid-September now have until Oct. 17 to request the certification required for these workers, according to the Internal Revenue Service.

In Notice 2009-69, released in August, the IRS extended the certification deadline from Aug. 17, 2009, to Oct. 17, 2009, and clarified the definition of “disconnected youth.” Revised Form 8850 , available on IRS.gov, is used by employers to request certification from their state workforce agency.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, enacted in February, added unemployed veterans returning to civilian life and certain younger workers, referred to as disconnected youth, to the list of groups covered by the credit.

Normally, a business must file Form 8850 with the state workforce agency within 28 days after the eligible worker begins work. But under a special rule, businesses have until Oct. 17, 2009, to file this form for unemployed veterans and disconnected youth who begin work on or after Jan. 1, 2009 and before Sept. 17, 2009. The instructions for Form 8850 provide details on requesting the certification.

Veterans Upward Bound at APSU reminds Vets of services offered

News Staff — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 17:00:57 +0000

With the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill to go into effect Aug. 1, the Veterans Upward Bound program at Austin Peay State University is available to qualified veterans planning to enroll in college or technical school or take the GED Tests.

Veterans Upward Bound (VUB) is funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Education as a TRiO project. VUB provides veterans with free academic and counseling services to assure they are ready to succeed in their educational pursuits. That includes free preparation to take the COMPASS college entrance exam.

Under the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill, eligible individuals will receive payment of tuition and fees for college, a monthly housing allowance, up to $1,000 in stipends for purchasing books and supplies and a one-time rural relocation benefit payment.

The Post-9/11 G.I. Bill is only payable for training at an institution of higher learning. Those currently active in the military will not receive the housing allowance or the stipend for books and supplies. Students enrolled exclusively in online training will not receive the housing allowance. This bill provides up to 36 months of full-time education benefits. Benefits are typically payable for 15 years following release from active duty.
The following list indicates those who may qualify for the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill. Anyone meeting the criteria listed is encouraged to attend an informational session.

Members of the U.S. Armed Forces who have served at least 90 aggregate days of active duty after Sept. 10, 2001, and are still on active duty.
Anyone who was honorably discharged or released from active duty and placed on the retired list or temporary disability retirement list after Sept. 10, 2001.
Members of the U.S. Armed Forces who were released from active duty and transferred to the Fleet Reserve, Fleet Marine Corps Reserve after Sept. 10, 2001.
Reservists or guardsmen who qualify for REAP benefits and have served at least 90 aggregate days of active duty after Sept. 10, 2001.
Members of the U.S. Armed Forces who have been released from active duty to serve in a reserve component of the U.S. Armed Forces after Sept. 10, 2001.
Members of the U.S. Armed Forces who have been honorably discharged from active duty due to a service-related disability and served 30 continuous days after Sept. 10, 2001.

For more information, contact APSU Veterans Upward Bound, (931) 221-7600.

HUD offers permanent homes for more than 10,000 homeless vets

News Staff — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 19:34:52 +0000

$75 million HUD-VASH program to provide rental housing and support services

WASHINGTON – U.S. Housing and Urban Development announced today the final allocations of more than 10,000 vouchers to local public housing authorities across the country to provide permanent supportive housing for homeless veterans.

For a local breakdown of the rental vouchers announced today, visit HUD’s website.

“Numerous men and women voluntarily leave their families and put their lives on the line to ensure that we, their fellow Americans, live safely in our homes,” said HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan, who announced the $75 million in funding last month with Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric K. Shinseki. “These vouchers offer veterans a permanent home and critically needed supportive services to those who have served our nation.”

HUD’s Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing Program (HUD-VASH) will provide local public housing agencies with 10,290 rental assistance vouchers specifically targeted to assist homeless veterans in their area. Public housing authorities, that administer HUD’s Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCV), work closely with Veteran Affairs Medical Centers to manage the program. In addition to the rental assistance, VA Medical Centers provide supportive services and case management to eligible homeless veterans.

“The announcement of an additional 10,290 HUD-VASH vouchers for homeless Veterans and their families allows us to take another giant step forward with a collaborative effort to reach some of the most vulnerable Veterans; including women Veterans and Veterans with children,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki “We will connect these Veterans with dedicated case managers to insure they receive the health care and benefit assistance to help them to move on with their lives with dignity.”

HUD allocates the housing vouchers to local public housing agencies across the country that are specifically targeted to homeless veterans based on a variety of factors, including the number of reported homeless veterans and the proximity of a local VA Medical Center with the capacity to provide case management.

HUD’s HCV program (Section 8) allows participants to rent privately owned housing and generally pay no more than 30 percent of annual adjusted income. The VA will offer eligible homeless veterans clinical and supportive services through its medical centers across the U.S and Puerto Rico. The VA addresses the needs of more than 100,000 homeless veterans who access VA health care annually.

In the last two years, HUD has provided $150 million that will sustain 20,000 vouchers to support the housing and service needs of homeless veterans across America. In its proposed 2010 budget, the Obama Administration demonstrates its support of homeless veterans by renewing these and other special purpose vouchers.

Local communities or “Continuums of Care” that receive HUD homeless assistance will work with local VA Medical Centers to identify eligible participants. The VA will then screen homeless veterans to determine their eligibility. Those eligible vets will receive treatment and regular case management to retain the voucher. VA Medical Center case managers will also work closely with local housing agencies to help participants find suitable housing. Participating local housing agencies will also determine income eligibility in accordance to HUD regulations for the HCV program.

About the Deparment of Housing and Urban Development

HUD is the nation’s housing agency committed to increasing homeownership, particularly among minorities; creating affordable housing opportunities for low-income Americans; and supporting the homeless, elderly, people with disabilities and people living with AIDS. The Department also promotes economic and community development and enforces the nation’s fair housing laws. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet at www.hud.gov and espanol.hud.gov.

House Passes Tanner-Requested Military, Veterans Investments

News Staff — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 13:33:28 +0000

WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. John Tanner and the House of Representatives passed a bill that includes investments Tanner requested in Fort Campbell facility improvements and encourages construction of a veterans’ nursing home in Montgomery County.

The 2010 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act passed the House Friday by a vote of 415-3. It includes the following investments requested by Congressman Tanner:

Support for a Veterans’ Nursing Home in Montgomery County

“It has long been clear to us in Middle Tennessee that there is a need for a long-term care facility to serve the large veteran community in and around Montgomery County,” Tanner said. “This vote by the U.S. House instructs the VA to more closely study the need, which we feel will make it clear to VA why this investment should be higher on its priority list.”

VA construction projects are decided at the discretion of the VA and cannot be directly funded by Congress. The proposed 140-bed veterans home in Montgomery County is currently ranked 70^th on the Department of Veterans’ Affairs list for construction priorities.

Physical Fitness Center, Fort Campbell

The bill invests $900,000 to construct a 44,347-square foot Army Standard Physical Fitness Center to serve family members on the south side of Fort Campbell Army Base. Fort Campbell’s current conditioning and training facilities do not adequately meet the community’s needs.

Chapel and Multi-Purpose Complex, Fort Campbell

This $14.4 million investment calls for construction of a 1,200-seat chapel and family-life multi-purpose facility important for worship services, large gatherings and classroom education. Current facilities were first constructed during World War II and cannot adequately meet the needs of the families on base today.

“These investments support the military families sacrificing in service to our country and those veterans who have served us in the past,” Tanner said. “We are working to better meet quality-of-life standards for servicemembers and their families and taking another step toward construction of a veterans nursing home to serve those who have sacrificed for their country.”

In accordance with the House’s new appropriations transparency guidelines, Congressman Tanner has posted detailed information about these requests on his Web site, www.house.gov/tanner.

The Senate still must consider its version of the legislation.

About Congressman John Tanner

Tanner, a veteran of the U.S. Navy and Tennessee Army National Guard, represents the 8^th Congressional District in West and Middle Tennessee. Co-founder of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Democrats, Tanner serves on the Ways and Means Committee, where he chairs the Social Security Subcommittee, and on the Foreign Affairs Committee. Tanner chairs the U.S. delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly and is serving a two-year term as NATO PA President.

New Tennessee laws are in effect

News Staff — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 14:00:34 +0000

Despite tight revenues, state finishes fiscal year on schedule, lawmakers save jobs, education programs. (See complete text below of newly published Public Chapters of the Tennessee Code Annotated.)

NASHVILLE – While several other states struggle to close out the fiscal year ending Wednesday, Tennessee has already published new laws passed during its recently completed legislative session.

“We didn’t have a $24 billion shortfall in revenue like the legislators in California are struggling with, but it was still a tight budget year in Tennessee,” Senator Lowe Finney of Jackson, incoming chairman of the Senate Democratic Caucus, said.

Still, we were able to protect our better schools program – pre-K in particular – and we can move ahead with projects that will put Tennesseans back to work.

That’s good for our families, our hometown economies and our state revenue. As more jobs begin to open up – thanks to projects like the West Tennessee industrial megasite – we can build a stable tomorrow for Tennesseans.

Among the laws now in effect:

Increased energy efficiency is now required in state buildings and vehicles.
Sex offenders are prohibited from being within 1,000 feet of certain places where children are likely to gather.
Tennessee driver’s licenses now print birthdates larger to make them easier for retailers to read.
Vending machines installed on state property after July 1 must use energy efficient lighting, and the new lighting must be installed on any that are repaired.

Public Chapters with 7/1/09 Effective Date

Topic	Chapter No	Doc Number	Description
Abuse	337	SB1776	As enacted, revises definitions of “adult” and “imminent danger” in the adult protection statute. – Amends TCA Title 71, Chapter 6.
Alcoholic Beverages	208	SB1947	As enacted, specifies that retailers are prohibited from selling intoxicating liquors to persons who are “visibly intoxicated” or accompanying a “visibly intoxicated” person rather than somone who is “drunk” or accompanying a “drunk” person. – Amends TCA Section 57-3-406 and Section 57-5-301.
Attorneys at Law	7	HB0416	As enacted, clarifies that certain government employees are not prohibited from providing pro bono legal services. – Amends TCA Title 8; Title 16 and Title 23.
Autopsies	276	SB1517	As enacted, creates Class A misdemeanor offense for unauthorized dissemination of autopsy materials. – Amends TCA Title 38 and Title 39.
Beer	314	HB0347	As enacted, authorizes a city or county to seek a criminal history background check or fingerprint check on an applicant for a beer permit and to enter into an agreement with the TBI to conduct a search on such information. – Amends TCA Title 57, Chapter 5, Part 1.
Boards and Commissions	497	SB2149	As introduced, establishes the “Tennessee state museum commission.” – Amends TCA Title 4.
Child Abuse	86	SB0810	As enacted, clarifies that the meaning of near fatality, for purposes of allowing public disclosure of confidential department of children’s services information relating to such, is a child having a serious or critical medical condition resulting from child abuse or child sexual abuse as reported by a physician who has examined the child subsequent to such abuse. – Amends TCA Title 37, Chapter 5.
Child Abuse	88	SB0866	As enacted, describes serious bodily injury in children to include second or third degree burns, bone fractures, concussion, and permanent or protracted disfigurement. – Amends TCA Title 39.
Child Abuse	89	SB0867	As enacted, describes dangerous instrumentality as any item in its manner of use or intended use as applied to a child that is capable of producing serious bodily injury. – Amends TCA Title 39.
Child Abuse	335	SB1530	As enacted, specifies that juvenile courts, general sessions courts, and circuit and criminal courts have concurrent jurisdiction to hear criminal prosecutions of child abuse and neglect. – Amends TCA Title 16, Chapter 15; Title 37, Chapter 1; Title 39, Chapter 15 and Title 40, Chapter 1, Part 1. -
Child Custody and Support	442	HB0804	As introduced, permits parents called to active military service that requires them to be out of state for more than 90 days to petition the court to assign their visitation rights during their absence to another person approved by the court. – Amends TCA Title 36, Chapter 6, Part 3.
Children’s Services, Dept. of	87	SB0853	As enacted, requires the department to consistently apply policies, rules, and regulations across the state; adds an annual legislative review of department policies and attached protocol and procedures; and requires the department to submit new policies for legislative review. – Amends TCA Title 37, Chapter 5, Part 1.
Children’s Services, Dept. of	358	SB0809	As enacted, clarifies that the department and any state or local agency records that contain information that identifies the person who made a report of child abuse or neglect are confidential; specifies limited exceptions. – Amends TCA Title 10, Chapter 7, Part 5; Title 36, Chapter 1, Part 1 and Title 37.
Consumer Protection	469	SB0812	As introduced, enacts the “Uniform Debt Management Services Act.” – Amends TCA Title 47.
Contractors	483	SB1417	As introduced, establishes as an unfair act under the Consumer Protection Act the practice of a general contractor requiring a subcontractor, as a condition of being awarded a job, to waive the subcontractor’s lien rights. – Amends TCA Title 47, Chapter 18; Title 47, Chapter 25; Title 62, Chapter 6 and Title 66, Chapter 34.
Correctional Programs	452	SB0104	As introduced, mandates the department of correction to develop and implement a society plan for every incarcerated prisoner for reentry into society. – Amends TCA Title 41.
Courts	427	SB0683	As introduced, prohibits any person who has, or has had in the past two years, a sexual relationship with a party or a party’s attorney from recording or transcribing for submission to any court or administrative tribunal any hearing in an action involving such party or such party’s attorney. – Amends TCA Title 24, Chapter 9, Part 1.
Courts, Juvenile	411	HB0327	As introduced, requires the juvenile court to work in coordination with any other court having jurisdiction over the child or the child’s family when requiring any parent or legal guardian of a child within the jurisdiction of the court to participate in any counseling or treatment program the court may deem appropriate and in the best interest of the child. – Amends TCA Title 16; Title 17; Title 18; Title 34; Title 36; Title 37; Title 39 and Title 40.
Criminal Offenses	83	SB0437	As enacted, creates Class A misdemeanor offense of possession of device, tool, or other item with the intent to use it, or allow it to be used, to unlawfully render inoperative a security device used or designed to prevent or deter the theft of retail merchandise. – Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 14, Part 7.
Criminal Offenses	155	SB0294	As enacted, creates a Class A misdemeanor offense for a person to knowingly provide, transfer, or submit to any other person false identification for the purposes of obtaining or maintaining employment. – Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 14; Title 39, Chapter 17 and Title 50.
Criminal Offenses	241	SB0388	As enacted, provides that escaping from the lawful custody of a law enforcement officer constitutes the offense of escape the same as escaping from a penal institution. – Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 16, Part 6.
Criminal Offenses	274	SB1168	As enacted, creates offenses regarding improper wearing of military decorations or falsely representing that one has been awarded military decorations; offense is Class B misdemeanor, unless medal involved is a Congressional Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross, Navy Cross, Air Force Cross, Silver Star, or Purple Heart, in which case it is a Class A misdemeanor. – Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 14 and Title 58, Chapter 1.
Criminal Offenses	282	HB0218	As enacted, requires certain actions by buyers and dealers of scrap jewelry and metal and makes a violation of such requirements a Class A misdemeanor. – Amends TCA Title 38, Chapter 1, Part 2.
Criminal Offenses	307	SB1665	As enacted, redefines “serious bodily injury” to include a broken bone of a child who is eight years of age or younger. – Amends TCA Section 39-11-106. -
Criminal Offenses	325	HB0516	As enacted, creates offense of making false statement or concealment of material fact for purpose of obtaining accommodation in housing project of a housing authority or for paying less rent than required for such dwelling; offense is Class A misdemeanor punishable by fine only, with fine to be determined in accordance with value of the benefit, in accordance with theft provisions. – Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 11, Part 1 and Title 39, Chapter 14, Part 1.
Criminal Offenses	342	HB0253	As enacted, adds certain violations of rules of road to present violations resulting in accident that are penalized as Class A misdemeanors when involving death or as Class B misdemeanors when involving serious bodily injury. – Amends TCA Title 55, Chapter 8.
Criminal Offenses	347	SB0113	As enacted, revises the Class A misdemeanor harassment to add offense committed by a person who intentionally communicates with another person without legitimate purpose: with the malicious intent to frighten, intimidate or cause emotional distress or in a manner the defendant knows or reasonably should know would frighten, intimidate or cause emotional distress to a similarly situated person of reasonable sensibilities; and as the result of the communication, the person is frightened, intimidated or emotionally distressed. – Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 3.
Criminal Offenses	386	HB0590	As enacted, defines “proceeds” for money laundering offenses to include gross profits from commission of any unlawful activity including real or personal property. – Amends TCA Title 39.
Criminal Offenses	408	SB1976	As introduced, modifies certain statutory provisions pertaining to certain types of theft. – Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 14, Part 1.
Criminal Offenses	412	HB0351	As introduced, creates new Class E and D felony offenses of assault on law enforcement officer, and Class B felony offense of aggravated assault on law enforcement officer. – Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 13, Part 1.
Criminal Offenses	439	HB0588	As introduced, establishes what crimes may be a lesser included offense generally and states that second degree murder is a lesser included offense of certain first degree murder charges. – Amends TCA Title 40.
Criminal Offenses	440	HB0591	As introduced, deletes offense of interception of cellular or wireless telephone transmissions; redefines “electronic communication” and “wire communication” for certain wiretapping and electronic surveillance offenses. – Amends TCA Title 39 and Title 40.
Criminal Procedure	115	SB0284	As enacted, establishes the venue for a violation of community supervision for life of a sexual offender as the county where the offender was being supervised at time of violation and permits probation officer to be affiant for purposes of obtaining affidavit of complaint against person. – Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 13, Part 5.
Criminal Procedure	194	HB0070	As enacted, revises the prohibition against using deadly force in defense of property to specify that prohibition would not apply if a person is justified in using deadly force as otherwise provided by law for defense of oneself or defense of another person. – Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 11, Part 6.
Criminal Procedure	379	SB1638	As enacted, requires district attorney general to complete and file uniform judgment document within 30 days after sentencing; requires that the document be signed by all parties, but if not signed by the parties, the clerk must make a copy of the document available to the parties before entry by the court. – Amends TCA Title 40, Chapter 35. -
Criminal Procedure	387	HB0815	As enacted, expands the offense of aiming a laser pointer or other device at a law enforcement officer to include aiming at firefighters, emergency medical technicians, or other emergency service personnel. – Amends TCA Section 39-16-515.
Criminal Procedure	390	HB1210	As enacted, prohibits parent from being issued arrest warrant or criminal summons against teacher without written approval of district attorney if the conduct alleged involved the teacher and a child of such parent. – Amends TCA Title 40.
Criminal Procedure	432	HB0583	As introduced, adds property received that is used as instrumentality in or in furtherance of violation of any criminal offense to criminal proceeds subject to forfeiture. – Amends TCA Title 39.
Divorce, Annulment and Alimony	280	HB0066	As enacted, removes a provision that allows a court to dismiss a divorce or legal separation complaint because the complaint lacks required information; allows, as an alternative to the specified information being included in the complaint, that the information be provided by the parties and be contained in the court’s records prior to the entry of the final decree of divorce; revises provisions governing when information does not have to be included. – Amends TCA Title 36, Chapter 4, Part 1.
Domestic Violence	455	SB0314	As introduced, requires person subject to order of protection to surrender all firearms the person owns or possesses to the sheriff of county of residence and creates Class A misdemeanor of person subject to an order of protection possessing a firearm. – Amends TCA Title 36, Chapter 3, Part 6; Title 39, Chapter 13, Part 1 and Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 13.
Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation	459	SB0451	As introduced, adds assisting clients with applying for state and federal benefits to the statutory functions of licensed alcohol and drug abuse counselors. – Amends TCA Title 33; Title 68, Chapter 11 and Title 68, Chapter 24.
Economic and Community Development	424	HB1847	As introduced, revises the Neighborhood Preservation Act. – Amends TCA Title 13, Chapter 6.
Education	38	SB0073	As enacted, removes restriction on commercial advertising on school buses that requires such advertising to be composed of black lettering on a white background; prohibits advertisement of individual food items that, pursuant to law, cannot be sold via vending machines to students in pre-K through grade 8. – Amends TCA Section 49-6-2109(e).
Education	127	SB0850	As enacted, places restrictions on universal mental health testing, or psychiatric or socioemotional screening of juveniles; requires certain consent by a juvenile’s parent, guardian, legal custodian, or caregiver before such testing can occur. – Amends TCA Title 9, Chapter 4 and Title 49, Chapter 2, Part 1.
Education	160	SB0680	As enacted, authorizes courts to notify the school of a child who is adjudicated delinquent based on an offense for which school notification is not mandatory under law. – Amends TCA Title 37, Chapter 1 and Title 49, Chapter 6.
Education	262	SB2312	As enacted, removes requirement of passage of the Tennessee comprehensive assessment program tests in order to receive a full diploma; provides for end-of-course assessments; revises lottery scholarship day provisions. – Amends TCA Title 49.
Education	283	HB0324	As enacted, restates provisions governing reporting of suspected child abuse by personnel of educational institutions and release of related records. – Amends TCA Title 10; Title 37 and Title 49.
Education	315	HB0374	As enacted, requires written referrals for student’s behavior to be returned to faculty or staff member issuing the referral; referral to be kept in a student discipline file and not part of student’s permanent record. – Amends TCA Title 49, Chapter 6. -
Education, Higher	204	SB1073	As enacted, exempts from the American History course requirement for a baccalaureate degree persons who pursue baccalaureate degrees in areas of study exempted, either by regulation of the board of regents or by regulations or delegated authority of the board of trustees of the University of Tennessee, if they have successfully completed a course in American History in high school. – Amends TCA Section 49-7-110.
Education, Higher	352	SB0681	As enacted, renames or corrects the names of certain community colleges. – Amends TCA Title 49.
Election Laws	218	SB1420	As enacted, makes various revisions to the election laws including allowing a person to email a transfer of voter registration or email a request for an application to vote absentee. – Amends TCA Section 2-7-112(a)(3)(C)(i); Section 2-2-129(a)(1); Section 2-6-103(b)(1); Section 2-6-202(a)(3); Section 2-6-304(f); Section 2-7-133(i); Section 2-7-142; Section 2-8-108 and Section 2-8-113(c).
Evidence	332	SB0523	As enacted, creates privileged communication between critical incident stress management team members and persons participating in crisis intervention. – Amends TCA Title 24, Chapter 1, Part 2.
Evidence	413	HB0619	As introduced, admits into evidence a videotaped statement made by a child under the age of 13 years describing any act of sexual contact or physical abuse if child unavailable and statement reliable. – Amends TCA Title 24. -
Financial Responsibility Law	370	SB2150	As enacted, requires law enforcement officers to request proof of compliance with financial responsibility laws upon charging a person with any motor vehicle violation instead of only moving violations. – Amends TCA Section 55-12-139.
Firearms and Ammunition	102	HB0254	As enacted, deletes requirement that the purchaser of a firearm give a thumbprint as part of background check process and that the TBI furnish thumbprint cards and pads to firearm dealers; clarifies that dealer must request TBI to conduct background check by “means designated by the TBI” instead of “by telephone”. – Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 13.
Firearms and Ammunition	195	HB0411	As enacted, enacts the “Coach Willard Ross Act of 2009,” which creates a Class A misdemeanor offense of attempting to buy firearm when prohibited by law from possessing firearm and attempting or selling firearm to person known to be prohibited by law from possessing firearm. – Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 13.
Foster Care	270	SB0855	As enacted, establishes procedures for reviewing actions of department of children’s services when a foster parent believes that the department has failed to follow the foster parents bill of rights and such failure has harmed or could harm a child. – Amends TCA Section 37-2-415.
Game and Fish Laws	213	SB0235	As enacted, provides that the determination as to whether property, such as vehicles, seized for violations of certain game and fish laws is forfeited to state is determined by court hearing the violation rather than an administrative hearing officer. – Amends TCA Title 70, Chapter 6, Part 2.
Hospitals and Health Care Facilities	312	SB2234	As enacted, extends expiration date of the tax on the gross receipts of ICFMRs from July 15, 2009, to July 15, 2011. – Amends TCA Section 68-11-830.
Hospitals and Health Care Facilities	323	SB0443	As enacted, authorizes the board for licensing health care facilities to delegate to the department of health the authority to issue a new license to a successor owner of a health care facility when there has been a change of control if certain requirements met; increases the amount of major medical equipment, the acquisition of which requires a certificate of need from $1.5 million to $2 million. – Amends TCA Title 4 and Title 68. -
Hospitals and Health Care Facilities	384	HB0093	As enacted, requires criminal background checks to be conducted for nursing direct care employees “prior to employment” instead of “prior to employment or within seven days of employment”. – Amends TCA Section 68-11-256.
Hospitals and Health Care Facilities	405	SB0485	As introduced, increases maximum civil penalty for operating a facility without a valid certificate of need from $500 to $1,000 per day of continued operation. – Amends TCA Title 63 and Title 68.
Hospitals and Health Care Facilities	460	SB0453	As introduced, extends nursing home bed privilege tax for two years until June 30, 2011; revises provisions governing delinquent tax. – Amends TCA Title 68, Chapter 11, Part 2.
Hospitals and Health Care Facilities	461	SB0454	As introduced, extends prohibition on new nursing home bed certificates of need to June 30, 2011, except for 125 Medicare SNF beds. – Amends TCA Title 68, Chapter 11, Part 16.
Human Rights Commission	437	HB0129	As introduced, directs human rights commission to develop a Title VI compliance plan applicable to certain state governmental entities; sets out duties of human rights commission in regards to Title VI provisions. – Amends TCA Title 4, Chapter 3.
Insurance Companies, Agents, Brokers, Policies	178	HB0981	As enacted, revises provisions governing maximum liability under the Tennessee Life and Health Insurance Guaranty Act in regard to annuity benefits to increase liability amount from $100,000 to $250,000. – Amends TCA Title 56, Chapter 12.
Judges and Chancellors	172	HB0083	As enacted, adds retired general sessions judges to present officials, including general sessions judges and retired judges and chancellors of courts of record, who may administer oaths of office to elected or appointed public official. – Amends TCA Title 8, Chapter 18, Part 1.
Law Enforcement	190	SB2161	As enacted, clarifies that the POST commission will issue a certificate to any campus police officer or public safety officer upon the officer’s completing a training program. – Amends TCA Title 38 and Title 49.
Law Enforcement	284	HB0417	As enacted, authorizes independent contractors who provide on-site security and law enforcement capability at certain government property that is an air force base and flight simulation test center to employ persons to act as private special deputies for such purposes. – Amends TCA Title 38, Chapter 8, Part 1.
Limitation of Actions	498	SB2164	As introduced, limits tort liability of agritourism professionals under certain circumstances. – Amends TCA Title 43 and Title 70, Chapter 7.
Litter Control	382	SB2184	As enacted, requires county mayors to administer certain funds for litter control programs. – Amends TCA Section 39-14-510.
Local Education Agency	153	SB0283	As enacted, requires, rather than encourages, school districts to include certain criteria in policies prohibiting harassment, intimidation, or bullying. – Amends TCA Section 49-6-1016.
Local Education Agency	291	SB0251	As enacted, enacts the “Archival Protection Act of 2009″ to urge preservation of historically significant personal property located in public schools that have been closed. – Amends TCA Title 49.
Mental Illness	95	SB1538	As enacted, establishes legislative intent concerning priority of services to behavioral health safety net; establishes 19 years of age as the minimum age at which a person qualifies as an adult for purposes of determining which persons qualify as seriously and persistently mentally ill adults for purposes of this bill. – Amends TCA Title 33, Chapter 6 and Title 71, Chapter 5, Part 1.
Mental Illness	419	HB1348	As introduced, authorizes court to order outpatient evaluation of criminal defendant pending a post-trial proceeding under certain circumstances. – Amends TCA Title 33, Chapter 7, Part 3.
Mental Illness	468	SB0772	As introduced, provides for prescreening agents, physicians, and psychologists to be considered state employees when assessing persons for admission and transportation to involuntary inpatient treatment; establishes a task force to study issues related to transportation of persons to such treatment. – Amends TCA Title 8, Chapter 42, Part 1 and Title 33, Chapter 6, Part 9.
Mental Retardation	458	SB0416	As introduced, specifies that new ICF/MR beds must be filled by persons from the developmental centers or from the wait list; requires that the division of mental retardation services approve the persons to fill the new beds. – Amends TCA Title 33; Title 68, Chapter 11 and Section 71-5-105.
Mobile Homes and Manufactured Buildings	132	SB0883	As enacted, revises provisions concerning manufactured homes affixed to real property including cancellation of certificate of title. – Amends TCA Section 55-3-138.
Motor Vehicles	201	SB0393	As enacted, prohibits sending or reading text messages while operating a motor vehicle; provides certain exceptions. – Amends TCA Title 55.
Motor Vehicles	286	HB1187	As enacted, broadens prohibitions on window tinting to any motor vehicle operated on a public highway, rather than only to those registered in Tennessee; and creates exemption for motor vehicles registered in another state that comply with requirements of such state. – Amends TCA Title 55, Chapter 9, Part 1. -
Motor Vehicles	324	HB0355	As enacted, requires law enforcement officer to conduct test to determine blood alcohol of driver involved in accident resulting in injury or death if officer has probable cause to believe driver committed DUI, vehicular homicide, or aggravated vehicular homicide; provides that test results may be offered as evidence in court or administrative hearing relating to accident or offense, subject to rules of evidence. – Amends TCA Title 55, Chapter 10, Part 4.
Motor Vehicles	441	HB0669	As introduced, requires liability insurance be maintained on all motor vehicles operated in Tennessee; insurance companies shall notify division of financial responsibility when coverage is terminated; owner of motor vehicle has 60 days to obtain insurance coverage again. – Amends TCA Title 55 and Title 56. -
Motor Vehicles, Titling and Registration	265	HB0985	As enacted, specifies that an “antique motor vehicle” additionally includes a motor vehicle at least 25 years old with a non-modified engine and body that is used on the highways for the purpose of selling, testing the operation of, or obtaining repairs to or maintenance on the motor vehicle. – Amends TCA Title 55, Chapter 4.
Narcotics	67	SB0408	As enacted, makes concealing that one has received a controlled substance in an effort to obtain more of that substance a Class A misdemeanor and requires certain health care professionals to report suspicion of such to local law enforcement without civil liability. – Amends TCA Title 53, Chapter 11.
Nurses, Nursing	403	SB0009	As introduced, certifies medication technicians who can administer certain medications in nursing homes under the supervision of licensed nurses. – Amends TCA Title 63, Chapter 7, Part 1.
Parks, Natural Areas Preservation	207	SB1793	As enacted, requires the commissioner of the department of environment and conservation to offer discounted rates to veterans who are Tennessee residents for activities at Tennessee state parks during the off season. – Amends TCA Title 11, Chapter 3.
Pensions and Retirement Benefits	438	HB0352	As introduced, authorizes retired members of TCRS to work for a city or county government without their retirement benefits being suspended or lost; provides that retirement benefits are not increased by employment in a local government entity. – Amends TCA Title 8, Chapter 36, Part 8. -
Pest Control	363	SB1548	As enacted, provides terms for the engagement of services for certain termite inspection and prevention plans without initial chemical treatment. – Amends TCA Title 62, Chapter 21, Part 1.
Physicians and Surgeons	416	HB0722	As introduced, removes the Class B misdemeanor offense of practicing naturopathy. – Amends TCA Section 63-6-205.
Probation and Parole	313	SB2271	As enacted, requires offenders under the jurisdiction of the board of probation and parole who transfer residence to another state pursuant to the interstate compact for the supervision of adult offenders to pay to the board an application fee for the transfer; requires board to set the amount of the fee by rule. – Amends TCA Title 40, Chapter 28, Part 2.
Professions and Occupations	279	SB2310	As enacted, makes various changes concerning pre-need funeral contracts, home inspectors, collection services, and real estate appraisers. – Amends TCA Sections 62-5-403, 62-5-409, 62-6-307, 62-20-102, 62-20-108, 62-39-102, and 62-39-105..
Professions and Occupations	421	HB1495	As introduced, revises various provisions involving the practice of polysomnography. – Amends TCA Title 63, Chapter 31, Part 1.
Public Contracts	251	SB1213	As enacted, requires the department of health to reimburse residential homes for the aged for each resident whose income does not exceed $800 per month and whose income is limited to SSI benefits. – Amends TCA Title 12, Chapter 4, Part 3.
Public Records	176	HB0604	As enacted, extends confidential status to certain identifying information compiled and maintained by the department of correction or board of probation and parole concerning a person who has requested that notification be provided regarding the status of criminal proceedings or of a sentenced felon. – Amends TCA Title 4, Chapter 3; Title 10, Chapter 7, Part 5; Title 40, Chapter 28; Title 40, Chapter 38 and Title 41, Chapter 21.
Railroads	372	SB2224	As enacted, requires any person commissioned as a railroad police officer to receive POST certification prior to such commission; requires the POST commission to issue a certificate of compliance to any person seeking to be commissioned as a railroad police officer, if the person meets the qualifications for employment as a police officer and satisfactorily completes the approved recruit training program. – Amends TCA Title 38, Chapter 8 and Title 65, Chapter 6.
Real Property	112	HB0380	As enacted, requires seller of real property to disclose if property is located in planned unit developments prior to entering a contract with buyer. – Amends TCA Title 66, Chapter 27 and Title 66, Chapter 5, Part 2.
Real Property	156	SB0429	As enacted, authorizes right of redemption within one year from the date of the order of confirmation of sale, rather than from date property was sold. – Amends TCA Title 67, Chapter 5.
Remedies and Special Proceedings	385	HB0527	As enacted, allows court to deny name change petition if court believes it is to defraud, not made in good faith, will cause injury, or compromises public safety. – Amends TCA Title 29, Chapter 8, Part 1.
School Transportation	436	HB0092	As introduced, allows school buses to be used up to 20 years of service, subject to annual safety inspections, by extending permissible, yearly waiver limit for their service life after initial 12 years of service from current three years to eight years. – Amends TCA Section 49-6-2109.
Sentencing	203	SB0946	As enacted, grants trial judge the option to resentence a defendant whose probation has been revoked to a sentence of community correction, if the probation violation was a technical violation, as well as ordering the original sentence reinstated and the incarceration of the defendant. – Amends TCA Title 40, Chapter 35.
Sexual Offenses	414	HB0620	As introduced, redefines “indecent exposure” to include knowingly engaging in the person’s own residence certain conduct in the presence of a child for the purpose of sexual arousal or gratification. – Amends TCA Title 39 and Title 40. -
Solid Waste Disposal	73	SB2066	As enacted, amends the Landfill Methane Development Act to identify certain circumstances and purposes for which refined, landfill methane shall be deemed to be natural gas. – Amends TCA Title 65, Chapter 28, Part 2.
Taxes, Exemption and Credits	380	SB2090	As enacted, authorizes conveyance of certain property purchased at tax sale by Shelby County, or included municipality, to adjoining property owners upon actual or in-kind payments of property’s fair market value. – Amends TCA Section 67-5-2509(d).
Taxes, Litigation	488	SB1684	As introduced, adds $1 privilege tax on criminal cases to fund grants for a 24-hour a day victim information and notification system to be operated by the Tennessee sheriff’s association. – Amends TCA Title 40, Chapter 38 and Title 67, Chapter 4, Part 6.
Taxes, Real Property	478	SB1166	As introduced, specifies procedures for sale of property purchased at a delinquent tax sale for municipal taxes only. – Amends TCA Title 6, Chapter 55, Part 2 and Title 67, Chapter 5. -
Taxes, Severance	138	SB1086	As enacted, increases the tax on coal products severed from the ground in this state and increases the amount of tax revenue collected that is allocated to the county from which the coal products were severed; allows department of revenue to retain certain amounts in two fiscal years to recover expenses. – Amends TCA Section 67-7-104 and Section 67-7-110.
Teachers, Principals and School Personnel	353	SB0718	As enacted, extends provisions regarding dismissal of tenured teacher in Davidson County to also apply in Shelby County. – Amends TCA Title 49, Chapter 5.
Telecommunications	275	SB1210	As enacted, creates a 2-1-1 advisory council. – Amends TCA Section 65-4-117(b).
TennCare	471	SB0851	As introduced, requires that home health care services be provided in the recipient’s home and for service delivery purposes follows the recipient into the community. – Amends TCA Title 71, Chapter 5.
Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement	340	HB1676	As enacted, imposes penalty for failure of a tobacco distributor or manufacturer to provide certain information to commissioner of revenue. – Amends TCA Section 67-4-2604.
Tobacco, Tobacco Products	343	HB0530	As enacted, requires that at least 15 days prior to removal of a tobacco product manufacturer or brand family from the tobacco product manufacturer directory, the commissioner of revenue must post notification of such removal in the directory and transmit notice to any person who provides an email address to the commissioner for the purposes of receiving notifications of directory updates via email. – Amends TCA Title 67, Chapter 4, Part 26. -
Tort Liability and Reform	425	HB2233	As introduced, adds the necessity of showing by clear and convincing evidence to the extraordinary good cause needed for a court to excuse noncompliance with certain requirements for medical malpractice filings. – Amends TCA Section 29-26-121.
Traffic Safety	397	HB1605	As enacted, revises requirements governing bicycle use at nighttime to require that a bicycle be equipped with a lamp on the front that emits a white light visible from a distance of at least 500 feet to the front and either a red reflector or a lamp emitting a red light that is visible from a distance of 500 feet to the rear when directly in front of lawful upper beams of head lamps on a motor vehicle. – Amends TCA Title 55, Chapter 8. -
Transportation, Dept. of	197	HB1311	As enacted, removes department of finance and administration’s authority to transfer funds from the highway fund. – Amends TCA Section 4-3-1016 and Title 54, Chapter 2, Part 1.
Vending Machines	350	SB0395	As enacted, requires vending machines located on state property to either use energy efficient lights for advertising or have the lights used solely for advertising removed. – Amends TCA Title 12, Chapter 2, Part 1 and Title 53, Chapter 12, Part 1.
Veterans	219	SB1659	As enacted, authorizes veterans to request removal of their social security numbers from war records. – Amends TCA Title 4; Title 10 and Title 58.
Victims’ Rights	50	SB1208	As enacted, confers immunity from civil action upon victim of crime for testimony given at offender’s parole hearing unless testimony is intentionally and maliciously false and defamatory. – Amends TCA Title 40.
Wine, Wineries	348	SB0166	As enacted, creates direct shipper license to be issued through the alcoholic beverage commission that would allow an in-state or out-of-state entity to ship wine directly to consumers age 21 years or older in this state for personal use. – Amends TCA Title 57, Chapter 3.
Workers Compensation	364	SB1567	As enacted, provides that any employee who retains the right to reconsideration of an award of permanent partial disability benefits for a workers’ compensation injury that occurs on or after July 1, 2009, and whose pre-injury employer is sold or acquired after such award is made, may seek reconsideration from the successor employer if either the employee’s employment with the successor employer is involuntarily terminated through no fault of the employee or the employee’s rate of pay is reduced to a level below the rate of pay that the employee had at the time of the injury. – Amends TCA Title 50 and Title 56. -
Workers Compensation	373	SB2299	As enacted, authorizes the commissioner of commerce and insurance to establish by rule requirements for securities posted by self-insured employers; requires that the employer’s losses and adequacy of reserves be certified annually, instead of biennially. – Amends TCA Title 50, Chapter 6, Section 405, and Title 56, Chapter 4. -
Workers Compensation	486	SB1574	As introduced, decreases amount of civil penalty commissioner of commerce and insurance may assess to insurance companies for failure to submit modification factors or rates from $2,000 per incident to $1,000 per incident. – Amends TCA Title 50 and Title 56.

IRS offers tax credit guidance to businesses hiring unemployed veterans and certain youth

News Staff — Fri, 29 May 2009 12:00:19 +0000

Washington — Businesses planning to claim the newly-expanded work opportunity tax credit (WOTC) for eligible unemployed veterans and unskilled younger workers hired during the first part of 2009 have until Aug. 17 to request the certification required for these workers, according to the Internal Revenue Service.

Newly-revised Form 8850, now available on IRS.gov, is used by employers to request certification from their state workforce agency. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, enacted in February, added unemployed veterans returning to civilian life and “disconnected youth” to the list of groups covered by the credit. Though eligible unemployed veterans and disconnected youth who begin work anytime during 2009 or 2010 may qualify a business for the credit, certification by the state workforce agency is required.

In general, an unemployed veteran is a person discharged or released from the military during the five years preceding the hiring date who received unemployment benefits for at least four weeks during the one-year period ending on the hiring date. A “disconnected youth” is a person age 16 to 24 on the hiring date who has not been regularly employed or attending school and who meets other requirements.

The WOTC offers tax savings to businesses that hire workers belonging to any of 12 targeted groups, including unemployed veterans and disconnected youth. The other 10 include people ages 18 to 39 living in designated communities in 43 states and the District of Columbia, Hurricane Katrina employees, recipients of various types of public assistance, and certain veterans, summer youth workers and ex-felons. The instructions for Form 8850 detail the requirements for each of these groups.

The certification requirement applies to all groups of workers except employees who were Hurricane Katrina victims. Normally, a business must file Form 8850 with the state workforce agency within 28 days after the eligible worker begins work. But under a special rule, businesses have until Aug. 17, 2009, to file this form for unemployed veterans and disconnected youth who begin work on or after Jan. 1, 2009 and before July 17, 2009. Notice 2009-28, posted today on IRS.gov, and the instructions for Form 8850 provide details on this special rule.

For more information contact the IRS at (800) 829-1040.

Tanner Helps Preserve TN Veterans’ Memories at Library of Congress

News Staff — Mon, 25 May 2009 04:00:38 +0000

WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. John Tanner announced that his office is partnering with the Library of Congress’ Veterans History Project to record an oral history of Tennessee’s military service through the stories of veterans from the 8th Congressional District. The Library of Congress will catalog video interviews conducted for the initiative.

“Many generations of Tennesseans have bravely answered the call to service,” Congressman Tanner said. “They have made history, and it is important that we help them document their first-hand experiences, share their stories of military life and combat, and honor their comrades, many of whom gave their lives in service.”

Since Congress created the Veterans History Project in 2000, it has compiled personal accounts and artifacts from more than 60,000 veterans, from World War I through the ongoing conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq. The Veterans History Project accepts submissions from anyone who wants to help record a veteran’s memories.

“We hope veterans, family members, students and others will join us in documenting the memories of their loved ones, friends and neighbors who have honorably served our country in uniform,” Tanner said. “This program is one of the best ways to ensure their service is remembered forever.”

More information on the Veterans History Project, including guidelines for participating, is online at www.loc.gov/vets.

About Congressman John Tanner

A veteran of the U.S. Navy and the Tennessee Army National Guard, Tanner represents the 8th Congressional District in West and Middle Tennessee. Co-founder of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Democrats, Tanner serves on the Ways and Means Committee, where he chairs the Social Security Subcommittee, and on the Foreign Affairs Committee. He chairs the U.S. delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly and is serving a two-year term as NATO PA President.

Out again! Eternal flame extinguished on apathetic election day

Christine Anne Piesyk — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 15:00:19 +0000

The darkened flame mirrors both voter ambivalence and the loss of a sense of honor.

The flame is out -- again!

Light’s out. Again.

Just when we thought the Eternal Flame was finally going to remain lit, its blaze was doused again — on election day.

Apart from being completely irritated and totally digusted with a city that can’t seem to get its collective act together long enough to keep one itty-bitty little thing ablaze (such as a monument that honors all American soldiers), there is another irony, one that I, as an American citizen, find disgusting.

The city seems to have no problem lighting the flame for commercial events. The flame blazed when the new downtown fountain was lit. It blazed during the last three Riverfests and Rivers and Spires festivals. It blazed when nothing was going on downtown but city government as usual. Because we (Clarksville Online) check every single day, we know when the flame is lit. And when it isn’t.

It was off on the fourth of July, even as the Vietnam Vets staged a striking ceremony honoring their fallen. It was re-lit after the 4th of July passed, and blazed right up until the eve of primary election day. It has been lit while the Legion Street-turned-Strawberry Alley construction is underway. Now the city managed to keep the new streetlights ablaze throughout the daytime hours this entire week. Water continues to flow through the lovely new fountain on Public Square. Only the flame, the best and brightest of our symbols, seems eratic.

It is primarily the holidays, the last two Memorial Days, Veterans Day, Flag Day, and days related to the rights our soldiers fight and die for (like Election Day and our right to freely vote) — that see the flame conspicuous by its darkness, a collective slap in the face to soldiers and their families.

Ever since the American Revolution, soldiers have fought and died to protect and preserve our freedoms, including our right to vote, one of the most basic rights and privileges we as Americans cherish. Or used to. We seemed to have lost that concern.

So here we stand, on the brink of still another presidential race, and what happens? People in their thoughtless, mindless apathy fail to vote (as an 11.86% turnout indicates), and the soldiers who have for centuries fought to preserve such rights, and help establish them for other nations, stand dishonored by that apathy. The darkened flame mirrors both voter ambivalence and the loss of a sense of honor.

On Thursday night, as I left the Riverview Inn in the shadow of the unlit flame and in wake of the narrow defeat of Tim Barnes by incumbent Rosalind Kurita, I thought of a larger issue, that of individuals who care enough to take up the challenge and run for public office, and the individuals who have the courage to work tirelessly behind the scenes for both challengers and incumbents, who face daunting tasks in the running of America at every level. The ability to hold office, or to run for office, the bloodshed it has taken over centuries to secure and sustain those rights, are tied to that flame, the one that was out, again, Thursday night. The blackened space at the top of ‘Pillar of Fire, Pillar of Clouds’ is an embarassment to the city — and we, its residents.

I don’t want to hear the lame excuse that “the wind blew it out” (that’s been used before by a city councilo representative on a windless witless day). I don’t want another round of pass the buck by city officials who apparently are too incompetent to fix the problem permanently — they are solidifying the “top spot” in that. If the city can’t cut it, maybe some business that makes its living off the backs of military paychecks in Clarksville will step up and address the problem. Or just maybe, citizens, veterans included, could make enough noise that the city will have to take successful action. Don’t apologize to me, to the people of Clarksville, to the soldiers of Fort Campbell. Just fix the darned flame.

Fort Campbell troops might consider posting a soldier a day — an honor guard — to stand downtown at the base of the flame with a candle and sign that reads “Thank you Clarksville for failing to honor us and our fallen brethen for our dedicated service.” Maybe some military wives, husbands or mothers with family deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan might want to take turns sitting at the flame during the day, every day, until it is re-lit PERMANENTLY. Maybe guilt or public embarassment will fuel the flame.

I am ashamed that more folks are not stepping up and deluging city hall with complaints, writing letters to the editors of local media, or otherwise showing some pride and honor towards our troops and the freedoms they fought for.

What will it take for Clarksville to keep one simple symbol ablaze to honor our troops and our military history?

Wingmen plan benefit ‘Poker Run’

News Staff — Thu, 29 May 2008 06:00:00 +0000

The Wingmen Motorcycle Club will sponsor a Poker Run On May 31 to benefit the Veterans Temporary Emergency Assistance Program, which provides financial assistance to active and retired servicemen and their dependents. Assistance is provided for basic needs including housing costs, food, utilities and medicine. VTEAP operates solely on donations and money raised through events such as this.

The run will be launched between noon and 2 p.m. from Buddies on the by-pass at Appleton’s HD, with the run ending at 6 p.m. at the Wingman Motorcycle Clubhouse at 3437 Pembroke in Oak Grove, KY. Free hamburgers and hot dogs will be served at the clubhouse. Card games and prizes are also offered. For more information, call Robert Warren at 905-0366.

Memorial Day: Remember, honor the fallen

Christine Anne Piesyk — Sun, 25 May 2008 17:00:22 +0000

Though summer is a month away, Memorial Day has become the traditional launch date for the summer season, with all the accompanying hype about barbecues, picnics, the end of school for many, the start of vacation season for many others.

And while all of that is true, we need to take the time to remember and honor the reason we have this holiday: our veterans and our soldiers on active duty.

War has littered America’s historical landscape, beginning with the Revolutionary War that forged the democracy we live in. The Civil War bloodied our own soil in a way that World Wars I and II, Korea and Vietnam, did not, though those wars took an enormous toll on American soldiers and their families. There have been other battles along the way, inclduing the much more recent and controversial Gulf Wars I and II (a.k.a the Iraq war).

Memorial Day, though, is not about plans or policies or civil disobedience. It is about honor. Respect. That is the starting point of the day.

Many of us have veterans in our families or in our ancestry. My own uncle was a WWII prisoner of war who never understood my opposition to war when Vietnam changed the face of conflict. Nor would he have understood my current anti-war activism. Yet one of the things he and all of our soldiers defended was our constitutional right to disagree. I was proud to be at his side when he passed on, some fifty years after the ravages of war irrevocably altered the rest of his life. I passed his medals on to the next generation — my children and grandchildren. To remember.

Ceremonies, services and vigils are being held around the city, across the country, at various monuments or parks and by various groups, even as 150,000+ American troops continue to put their lives on the line in Iraq and Afghanistan. Regardless of whether we support the current war or not, we should pause and honor the fallen, and those who serve on the front lines as well. We also need to consider the fate of our emotionally, spiritually and physically wounded veterans.

As we move through the weekend, pause and remember, take a moment of silence to honor the fallen men and women of our armed services.

House GOP review for 4/10/2008

Tennessee Republicans — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 02:00:58 +0000

The House GOP Review is a weekly feature that gives Tennesseans an in-depth look at what our Republican state legislators have been working on this week, and a glimpse into what’s planned for the coming week at our state house

Consensus reached on cable bill

Legislative leaders reached a consensus this week on the much-anticipated “Competitive Cable and Video Services Act.” Legislators held a press conference this week to announce that they had come to an agreement, stating that all parties involved were pleased with the progress that was made, and that consumers would be the real winners of the hard work.

Representatives from the competing cable industries have worked on a compromise with legislative leadership for the past 14 weeks. The bill was put on hold a year ago, with the legislature adjourning before a decision was reached. It passed House Commerce Committee this week, and is now headed to Finance, Ways and Means. Leaders said they believe the passage of the bill will expand competition, jobs, choice for consumers, and investment in Tennessee with broadband infrastructure.

Under House Bill 1421 / Senate Bill 1933, new cable competitors could obtain a 10 year franchise certificate from the Tennessee Regulatory Authority (TRA) beginning July 1. Existing providers would continue to pay local franchise fees directly to local government. New competitors operating under a state franchise would also pay for access permits to right of ways for cable lines. In addition, the bill requires service providers to continue allowing access to PEG channels (public, education, and government programming).

With regards to consumer protection, the bill specifically prohibits discrimination based on income or race with strong penalties against violations. Similarly, existing cable companies would be required to continue to serve unprofitable areas. New providers must demonstrate at the end of 3.5 years that 25 percent of the households with access to the service are low income. All providers must meet FCC mandated customer service standards and the TRA can require credits if a provider does not remedy service complaints.

Legislators said the expansion of high speed broadband to un-served and under-served communities was one of the key provisions of the legislation in order to foster access to rural areas of the state. Video providers that deploy broadband in new areas will get a four to one credit against their video build-out requirements in un-served areas, and a two to one credit in under-served areas, under the proposal. Local governments may subsidize broadband deployment to under-served areas if a TRA review determines no private sector interest exists.

Constitutional amendment to elect Lt. Governor granted approval by subcommittee

Senate Joint Resolution 687 cleared the first of many hurdles in the House this week by winning the approval of the State Government Subcommittee, but was amended to delete what proponents argue is a key component of the bill. SJR 687 is a constitutional amendment that would allow voters to elect their Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of State. The resolution would also solve a succession problem that was realized in 2006 when the Governor became ill due to a tick bite. It was determined then that there was no one to temporarily succeed the Governor should he become incapacitated.

Currently, if the Governor becomes incapacitated, the next in the line of succession would be the Lieutenant Governor, who also serves as Speaker of the Senate. The Attorney General recently opined that if the Lieutenant Governor were to assume the position of Governor, even if only temporarily, he or she would have to vacate their senate seat. If the Lt. Governor or the Speaker of the House (who follows the Lt. Governor in the line of succession) were to refuse, the unelected Secretary of State would then assume the position of Governor.

How would SJR 687 work?

After the gubernatorial primary, the candidate for each party would select a running mate that would serve as their Lieutenant Governor. The running mate would run on the same ticket as the Governor. The sponsor pointed out that we would not be creating a new position or adding a new salary, because the Lieutenant Governor would essentially replace the position of Deputy to the Governor, which is currently unelected.

The resolution also calls for a statewide elected Secretary of State, which the sponsor pointed to as a critical component to solving the succession problem. This component was stripped from the bill through an amendment that narrowly passed, in a move that the sponsor warned was problematic. Should both the Governor and the Lieutenant Governor be unable to serve, the Secretary of State would assume the position of Governor—and should therefore be elected by the people. The sponsor stated that while it may not seem likely that both the Governor and Lt. Governor would be either permanently or temporarily incapacitated, we must be prepared in this post-9/11 world.

Proponents of the legislation argue that there would be several advantages to restructuring the system via Senate Joint Resolution 687. The constitutional amendment would not only solve the succession problem, but it would also provide an opportunity for more diversity in the Executive Branch. Further, the Secretary of State—being in charge of elections—would be accountable to the voters, not the elected officials.

The resolution has already passed the Senate, and must now work its way through the House. It could be on the ballot, letting voters decide whether or not they want to amend the constitution, as early as 2010. For that to happen, the resolution must pass the 105^th General Assembly (2007-2008) by a simple majority and the 106^th General Assembly (2009-2010) by a supermajority. The referendum would then have to receive 50 percent plus one of those voting for Governor in 2010.

In brief…

House Bill 3339 will transfer jurisdiction of the Off-Highway Vehicle Act from Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency to the Department of Environment and Conservation. It also includes a hold-harmless provision, which states that a person cannot sue the landowner if that person is injured on the landowner’s land. The intent of the general assembly is to encourage off-highway vehicle activities by limiting the civil liability of those facilitating or providing access to such activities. The bill is currently in the Conservation and Environment Committee.
A house joint resolution that urges the Department of Education to study and develop lesson plans for parents to utilize in conjunction with the Books from Birth program is on its way to the House floor. The sponsor said he hopes HJR 932 will take the already successful program one step further in fostering a sense of educational responsibility in our children and their parents.
House Republicans are continuing their efforts to crack down on sexual offenders this year. House Bill 957 saw passage out of Judiciary Committee this week; the bill requires resident sexual offenders and violent sexual offenders to obtain and carry a driver license or photo identification card in a manner that allows law enforcement officers to ascertain the person is a sexual offender.
Friday, April 11^th is Tax Freedom Day in Tennessee, with the national Tax Freedom Day on April 23^rd. The Tax Foundation describes the occasion

“Tax Freedom Day is a vivid, calendar-based illustration of government’s cost, and it gives Americans an easy way to gauge the overall tax take. We count every dollar that is officially part of national income according to the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Economic Analysis, and every payment to the government that is officially considered a tax is counted. Taxes at all levels of government are included, whether levied by Uncle Sam or state and local governments.”

For more information, visit www.taxfoundation.org.

The week ahead…

House Bill 3715 requires meat for milk from cloned animals and all food for human consumption that has been genetically altered or modified to be labeled as such and that notice is appropriately given to the public. (Agriculture Committee)
House Bill 2883 creates the legal status of a de facto custodian and provides standards and procedures to be used by a court to determine if a person should be awarded permanent custody or joint custody of a child. (Children and Family Affairs Committee)
House Bill 3019 prohibits buildings in which educational activities are conducted from being treated as schools for fire safety and building code inspection purposes when the primary purpose of such facilities is not for educational activities. (Commerce Committee)
House Bill 4029 creates a pilot program to make laptops available to juniors and seniors attending high school who are also enrolled in college courses at eligible post-secondary institutions. (Education Committee)
House Bill 2750 authorizes a governing body to allow electronic communication between members under certain conditions in an effort to expand ways elected officials can effectively communicate with one another. (Finance, Ways and Means Committee)
House Bill 1231 requires the commissioner of finance and administration to seek a new federal waiver or an amendment to the TennCare waiver in order to implement a personal health accounts program. (Health and Human Resources Committee)
House Bill 955 requires the TBI sexual offender and violent sexual offender registration form to disclose the number of different victims involved in the offenders’ convictions. (Judiciary Committee)
House Bill 3661 creates within the TBI a “Repeat DUI Offender” registry of persons who have two or more DUI convictions and whose license is currently suspended or revoked, and also makes this information available on the Internet. (Judiciary Committee)
House Bill 3155 would require the governor to declare a day of mourning and fly the state flag at half-staff over the state capitol whenever a Tennessee member of the armed forces is killed in action or dies from combat-related wounds and stipulates that the flag be delivered to the deceased member’s family. (State and Local Government Committee)

Unlit Eternal Flame dishonors all veterans

Bill Larson — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 04:09:42 +0000

Saturday was the fifth anniversary of the launch of the invasion of Iraq. Since the 2003 invasion America has suffered the grievous loss of some of it’s best, brightest, and most patriotic citizens. As I noted just a few days ago, the casualties of this war had reached 3987; 84 of those were from Tennessee, 4 from Clarksville.

As many of you know, I have in the past written articles strongly disagreeing with the Iraq war. I still oppose it and will continue to protest until it is finally ended, and the last American soldier has safely returned home. Now that we have made that clear, I must make something else clear.

I have nothing but the highest respect for the dedication and the totality of the sacrifices that the soldiers serving our country make. As someone who has served in the military I understand that those who serve in our military are not granted the privilege of being able to cast a moral judgment about the legitimacy of the wars they are ordered to fight, and they share none of the blame so richly deserved by those who intentionally lied us into this conflict.

So on Saturday around dusk I went to Public Square in downtown Clarksville Tennessee in order to conduct what amounted to a one person vigil honoring those lives which have been lost in this unjust and immoral war in Iraq. I said my silent prayers for the souls of those no longer with us, and my continuing prayer for the safe return of those who are still in harms way.

After I was finished, I went for my camera. It is frequently said that a picture speaks a thousand words, so I will let the picture I took speak loud and clear, “Someone has a lot to answer for!” Fuel the flame; honor our soldiers.

Demand Action For Our Veterans

A Guest Commentator — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 13:54:51 +0000

The budget for the Department of Veterans Affairs is officially late. Instead of working to get it passed, Congress is caught up in a furor over Rush Limbaugh’s latest comments and MoveOn.org’s most recent ad.

With the help of grassroots supporters, the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans for America Action fund is running this ad to break through the clutter. If you’re interested in getting involved, whether you’re a veteran or a concerned civilian visit their web site.

As a recent report from the Government Accountability Office reveals, seven months have passed since the Walter Reed crisis and serious problems in veterans’ care remain.

Click here to view the embedded video.

As of October 1, the veterans’ budget is late. Until it is approved, the VA will be forced to ration care.

Now, it’s up to the President and Congress to approve the budget. Add your name to the statement, and demand they take action.

The VA Budget

Last year, the VA provided benefits to 3.5 million veterans and their families and health care for 5.5 million patients.

Unlike programs such as Medicaid and Medicare, which require mandatory funding, allocations for the VA are discretionary. Only once in the past 13 years has the veterans’ budget been passed on time.

As a result of the stalled VA budget, the VA is forced to operate at last year’s funding levels. Hospitals must ration care and postpone new programs and construction and repair projects.

This year, Congress authorized the highest increase in the veterans’ budget in over 77 years, for a total of approximately $88 billion. This is significant progress, but unfortunately, while the funding waits in conference, wounded veterans are again kept in waiting.

Care and Benefits for Wounded Veterans

Since 2001, more than 26,000 troops have been wounded in action, and almost 45,000 veterans have been diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

Many of these servicemembers face delays when they seek treatment from the VA.

A significant cause of the delays is the maze of paperwork troops and veterans must navigate to get care or benefits. The VA disability benefits system is so severely backlogged that there are over 378,000 pending disability claims, including 83,000 that have been waiting an average of 177 days or more, according to a recent GAO report.

Some veterans with serious mental health problems have committed suicide while waiting for emergency counseling, and others have fallen into debt awaiting government compensation for their injuries.

Also according to the GAO report, there are plans to train case managers and psychiatric nurses about PTSD and traumatic brain injury (TBI) but only 6 of the 32 Warrior Transition Units have completed training for all staff.

About Annette L. McLeod

Annette L. McLeod is the wife of Army Specialist Wendell W. McLeod, Jr. On July 6, 2005, at the end of a ten-month deployment, Spc. McLeod sustained multiple injuries while serving near the Iraqi border in Kuwait.

On August 8, 2005, Wendell arrived at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. During his stay, Spc. McLeod experienced sporadic appointments, was often denied the necessary tests and treatment, and had his identity stolen. Furthermore, though Wendell suffered from traumatic brain injury, the doctors concluded that his cognitive impairments were the result of a pre-existing learning disability.

In hopes of sparing other military families from having to go through a similar ordeal, Mrs. McLeod testified before the House Government Reform and Oversight Committee on March 5, 2007. In her testimony, Mrs. McLeod called attention to the bureaucratic hurdles and poor care that her husband and other soldiers faced at Walter Reed. Her full testimony can be found here.

Today, Wendell continues to suffer from migraines, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and chronic pain. He also has behavioral and short-term memory problems. As a result, Annette has assumed the role of almost full-time caretaker for her husband.

About Staff Sgt. John Daniel Shannon

Staff Sgt. John Daniel Shannon was wounded in Iraq on Nov. 13, 2004, during a gunfight in the town of Habaniya. He suffered a gunshot wound to the head that resulted in the loss of his left eye and a traumatic brain injury.

At Walter Reed Army Medical Center, SSG Shannon endured bureaucratic neglect and was continually denied proper benefits. Largely as a result of lost paperwork and delayed treatment, it took Shannon over two years to secure medical retirement through the Medical Evaluation Board and Physical Evaluation Board.

On March 5, 2007, SSG Shannon spoke out about the problems at Walter Reed during his testimony before the Government Reform and Oversight Committee. His testimony revealed that injured troops encountering obstacles to receiving their proper treatment often give up their benefits in order to move on with their lives. His full testimony can be found here.

About IAVA

Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) is the nation’s first and largest group for veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. A non-profit and nonpartisan organization, IAVA represents more than 60,000 veteran members and civilian supporters in all 50 states.

Political music videos

Bill Larson — Fri, 30 Mar 2007 22:35:54 +0000

Here’s a collection of protest music as a continuation of our Dear Mr. President article from the other day. Each of the videos below pose questions which deserve answers, but will likely never receive one from this administration. Oh well, I guess we can look forward to the next one in 2008.

Eve of Destruction

Click here to view the embedded video.

Barry McGuire’s classic anti-war song, Eve of Destruction.

We can’t make it here anymore

Click here to view the embedded video.

A excellent song by James Mcmurtry, the video is by Peter Anderson

‘We Can’t Make It Here’ is a seven-minute state-of-the-union mantra that looks at the Bush claims of economic recovery and finds nothing but smoke and mirrors. – Texas Monthly

Visit James Mcmurty’s web site at http://www.jamesmcmurtry.com/

Dear Mr. President

Click here to view the embedded video.

This is not Pink’s Dear Mr. President song. It’s an original song written in 2001 by up and coming artist Jamison. This is not a pro or anti war song, but a song about the loss for victory. It’s a wonderful song by a great artist. Video by phillygrrl.

That Is the War on Terror

Click here to view the embedded video.

“That Is the War on Terror” is on Roy Zimmerman’s CD “Faulty Intelligence,” which is available on iTunes and on his website.

Bring them home

Click here to view the embedded video.

Burns Sisters sing “Bring Them Home”

The Bush Legacy

Click here to view the embedded video.

Randel W McGirr’s song about the legacy George W. Bush will be leaving behind in 2008

That’s enough for now… I am sure there will be more later!