Topic: State Legislature

Clarksville’s city charter, revised or not, still lacks the simplest of principles

By Mike Sanford | March 7, 2010 |

In the latest round about the city charter, the leaders in Nashville deemed it necessary that the people of Clarksville should have a say in its adoption, which in my opinion is only correct since it is the constitution of the city. However, the points that were brought out about the flaws in the revised charter are indeed important; they did not address the major issue of what the charter is lacking in the governance of the city: a lack of separation of powers within the frame work of checks and balances.

The separation of powers is that in which the different branches of government are separate within a system that each branch checks the other so that no one branch can do as it pleases. Clarksville is setup with an Executive (Mayor) and Legislative branch (City Council), but there is not a separation due to the fact that the Mayor is a voting member of both branches.

In the revised charter it states that the City Council is the legislative body of the city: «Read the rest of this article»

City Charter Revisions – You May Get to Decide

By Blayne Clements | March 3, 2010 |

The bill to significantly revise the City of Clarksville charter made it out of a legislative subcommittee  today, with an amendment attached mandating that the changes be voted on in a referendum.

Terry McMoore asked Rep Curtis Johnson office to comment on what we should expect to happen next in the legislature.  Rep. Johnson stated next Tuesday at 12 noon the bill will go before the full Local Government Committee and if  it passes then it will go before the Calendar and Rules Committee which meets twice a week. They usually pick to meet either on a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday. at this time they don’t know which day.  So it is far from over, the bill as amended could be passed, which would allow voters to decide.  Or the bill could be voted down, which would kill the charter revisions.

But, as citizens and voters you need to educate yourself on the issues.  I have written and collaborated with others (thanks Terry and Bill) on several articles that you may find helpful.  I did not start this series of articles anticipating a long term series, but I am glad to help disseminate information.

One additional piece of information that I have obtained is a copy of the city charter with the recommended changes highlighted.  I would like to thank Mr. Joesph D. Schwenz Sr, for providing COL with this file. «Read the rest of this article»

City Charter Video – A Follow Up

By Blayne Clements | February 6, 2010 |

Based on the emails I have received, I feel that a follow up is needed to address some the issues raised about the video I posted in my last article.

First, I found the video clip while researching an article I am working on highlighting current bills before the legislature.  Like many of you, I was shocked after viewing the video and I thought it should be shared.  However, I did not want to revisit every twist and turn that has occurred in the multiple year  journey of the charter revisions.  I simply did not have the time, and the local paper has published numerous articles on the topic.  My first thought was to merely post the video without commentary.  But since local elections occur this year, I decided to loosely tie the video into a quick pitch for citizen’s to get educated on local issues and cast an informed vote.

Not reporting all the exhaustive details of the charter’s legislative  journey has led a city council person to accuse me of “duping” readers using Michael Moore sound bite type tactics, failing to tell “the rest of the story.”  To those readers, I say I cannot fail at what I did not attempt.   I clearly state in the article and in my subsequent comments, that the article is not addressing the charter’s legality.  To imply that I conscientiously left out information because I wanted to paint the local administration is just poorly constructed political spin. «Read the rest of this article»

City Charter revisions going down in flames at the State Legislature

By Blayne Clements | January 28, 2010 |

With the city charter being in the news for the past few months, I found a short video of a state committee meeting that I thought should be shared.   The video is of the  meeting where the committee killed the bill which would have revised Clarksville’s city charter.

The committee members comments are insightful.   No representatives from Clarksville’s administration attended this meeting – not the Mayor, not the Council Members that are for the revisions, and not the Council Members that are against the revisions.  Representative Curtis Johnson presents the bill alone…and gets hammered with questions.

«Read the rest of this article»

Senate Democrats release statements on the passing of Former Lt. Gov. John Wilder

January 2, 2010 |

John Stanley Wilder (1921-2010)

Nashville – The Senate Democratic Caucus released a statement after receiving word that former Lieutenant Governor John Stanley Wilder (1921-2010) had passed away as the result of a stroke yesterday at the age of 88.

John Wilder was born in Fayette County Tennesee. He attended Fayette County Public Schools, and received his undergraduate degree from the University of Tennessee College of Agriculture, and a law degree from the Memphis State University (now the University of Memphis) Law School. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II, and served in extensively in City, County, and State Governments, including a stint as the Lt. Governor of Tennessee.

He was preceded in death by his wife Marcelle Ann Morton Wilder who passed away in 2004. Together they had two sons, Shelton Wilder and wife Judy of the Longtown Community and David M. Wilder and wife Patti of Collierville; four grandchildren, John Wilder III, of Longtown, Joseph C. Wilder of Knoxville, Jarod Wilder of Memphis, and Whitney Wilder of Collierville; five great grandchildren, John Wilder, IV, and Judith Suzanne Wilder, both of Longtown, Russell Wilder, Marcel Wilder and Ansel Wilder, all of Knoxville. «Read the rest of this article»

Herron announces Legislative endorsements

December 10, 2009 |

Roy Herron

Dresden – State Senator Roy Herron, Democratic candidate for Tennessee’s 8th District in the U.S. Congress, today announced endorsements from State Senator Tim Barnes (D-Clarksville),  State Senator Doug Jackson (D-Dickson), State Representative Joe Pitts (D-Clarksville), and State Representative John Tidwell (D-New Johnsonville), all prominent legislators who represent Tennesseans living in the Congressional District.

“I’ve had the opportunity to serve with Roy Herron, and I have seen his care and concern for people. I’m confident that the people of the 8th congressional district will be well-served when Roy becomes their Congressmen,” said Sen. Barnes, whose 22nd District includes Houston and Montgomery counties. «Read the rest of this article»

Representative Brian Kelsey to introduce “Health Care Choice Act”

September 23, 2009 |

State Rep. Brian Kelsey

Nashville – Representative Brian Kelsey announced yesterday that he will introduce the “Health Care Choice Act” in an effort to lower health insurance costs and provide choice to Tennesseans. The legislation would allow Tennesseans to purchase health insurance plans from companies in other states, a practice that is currently prohibited.

“Americans want and deserve health care reform but not the government-run health care that is being discussed in Washington. This legislation is health care reform at the state level that will lower heath insurance costs and provide more choices to Tennesseans,” said Representative Kelsey.

The Health Care Choice Act will expand the number of health care plans available for purchase from 127 in Tennessee to potentially more than 5,000 plans nationwide¹.

“The goal is to lower costs by offering more choices,” continued Kelsey. “With this legislation, Tennesseans will have more access to affordable health care insurance.” «Read the rest of this article»

House Democrats defeat effort to poison Tennessee streams

June 7, 2009 |

Measure would have allowed increased dumping of selenium compound by coal mining companies

NASHVILLE – On Wednesday State Representative Joe Pitts (D-Clarksville), along with thirty-nine other House Democrats and two Republicans, voted down a bill that would have allowed coal mining companies to dump unacceptable levels of selenium into local streams and rivers.

“The overwhelming scientific evidence cited in committee testimony indicated the proposed levels of this dangerous mineral would be intolerable for humans or animals,” said Pitts. “We chose to maintain a safer position than to risk the public health over something that can’t be undone if we make a mistake and today we said enough is enough.”

Selenium

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