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Friday, October 06, 2023
Thursday, October 05, 2023
Brentwood, Tennessee ranked 3rd best small city in America.
The study looked at five weighted factors including 1) affordability, 2) Economic Health, 3) Education & Health, 4) Quality of Life, and 5) Safety. These five factors had components and in in all the study looked at 45 key indicators of livability. The factors ranged from housing costs and school-system quality to restaurants per capita and the crime rate.
Ranked in 19th place, also in the 99 percentiles, was Franklin Tennessee. Spring Hill, Tennessee came in, in the 91 percentiles of cities. Mt. Juliet was in the 80 percentiles. Hendersonville, Tn and Maryville, Tn were both in the 65 percentiles. Other Tennessee cities ranked lower. To view the complete list and see the interactive map and to learn more about the study follow this link.
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Mayor Freddie O'Connell address the Metro Council and reports on action on the "Fifteen Fixes on Day One."
by Rod Williams, Oct. 5, 2023- This being the first meeting of the new Council there are only resolutions and bills on first reading. When the old council goes out of business any bills in the process such as bills that had passed second reading and would have been on third, simply go away. Any bills that had been tabled just go away. The new council starts with a blank slate.
The important part of this meeting is that Mayor Freddie O'Connell addresses the Council. His address starts at timestamp 31:50 and ends at timestamp 37:49.
It appears that Mayor O'Connell is very serious about the things he campaigned on. Durning the campaign he laid out fifteen fixes he said he would start working on, on day one. He has appointed committees to work on these with a short deadline to report back to him. He has hired a person to work with Nashville Hub to make Metro services easier to access and more user friendly. He has initiated additional cross town bus service. He is working with Metro Schools to delay school start times.
To read candidate O'Connell's 15 Fixes on Day One, follow the link.
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Monday, October 02, 2023
How did the Tennessee delegation vote on a continuing resolution to avoid a shut down.
by Rod Williams, Oct. 2, 2023- As anyone paying the least bit of attention knows by now, the Congress passed a resolution at the very last minute to keep the government running for 45 more days. You can read more about it here, here and here.
In the Senate the continuing resolution passed by a vote of 88 to 9. Only 60 votes were needed for the bill to pass. Sen. Marsha Blackburn and Sen. Bill Hagerty were among the nine Republicans who voted against the bill.
In the House the continuing resolution passed by a vote of 335 to 91. Among Tennessee's delegation voting for the continuing resolution were:
- U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Memphis
- U.S. Rep. David Kustoff, R-Germantown
- U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann, R-Ooltewah
- U.S. Rep. John Rose, R-Cookeville;
- U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles, R-Columbia;
- U.S. Rep. Mark Green, R-Clarksville;
- U.S. Rep. Diana Harshbarger, R-Kingsport;
- U.S. Rep. Scott DesJarlais, R-South Pittsburg;
- U.S. Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Knoxville.
In my view nothing would have been gained by shutting down the government. As Rep. Kustoff said following the vote, "It is critical that we keep our government open so we can continue to work on bills that cut wasteful spending and get our country back on track."
The continuing resolution did nothing to solve the fight over spending levels or the ballooning national debt, but shutting down the government would have done nothing to resolve the issues either. While not including money for additional border security or Ukraine, the measure did include $16 billion in disaster relief. Aid to Ukraine and funding for border security are unresolved contentions issue the Congress needs to address in the next 45 days.
The House has passed four of the 12 overall full-year appropriations bills to fund the government, while the Senate has passed none. Passing 12 individual spending bills covering 12 major functions of government is the way things are supposed to be done. That was made law in 1974. However, it has rarely happened and instead Congress usually passes one big ominous spending bill. Also, the budget is supposed to be passed by October 1. That also rarely happens. A continuing resolution is the norm.
The House is to be commended for attempting to follow proper procedure. My hope is that the House would continue to pass the other eight of the twelve spending bills and that the Senate would act on them. I doubt that will happen, however. In any event, nothing would have been gained by a government shutdown. I am disappointed that so many Republicans voted to unnecessarily shut down the government.
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From Raphaela (Rae) Keohane, The Council Agenda Report for the Oct. 2, 2023 Meeting.
From Raphaela (Rae) Keohane, Oct. 1, 2023:
Hello BRANDON AND ALL COUNCIL MEMBERS
Congratulations to the new members and re-elected members of the council. For those returning councilmembers who know me, I am sure you will explain to new members about my e-mails each meeting.
Since you will be voting on several matters of concern below is my opinion and questions about some matters before you TOMORROW night.
I spend a few hours on this each meeting I would appreciate a response to my questions.
I and many others will be WATCHING you all on TV!
RS2023-1 I SUPPORT From what I see this is a program similar to Thistle Farms and that is a good thing. However, as I always ask when TAXPAYER money is involved is there going to be some accountability and reports with general data as to success and failure? A resolution appropriating $45,500 from a certain account of the Community Safety Fund for a grant to Pass the Beauty for South Nashville Community Safety programs.
RS2023-2 I SUPPORT A resolution approving an application for a Courtroom Security grant from the Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts, to the Metropolitan Government, acting by and through the State Trial Courts, to improve security in the Historic Metro Courthouse (HCH) and the Justice A. A. Birch building through the addition of security cameras and the securing of executive and judicial parking in the HCH parking garage
RS2023-3 I SUPPORT My question is what happens when the grant is used up and no longer in effect? Will these programs have to be funded by TAXPAYERS directly? A resolution accepting a Tennessee Highway Safety Office Recovery Court Enhancements grant from the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services to the Metropolitan Government, acting by and through the State Trial Courts, to fund various Alcohol Countermeasures Highway Safety Projects.
RS2023-6-7 I SUPPORT A resolution accepting the terms of a cooperative purchasing master agreement for pursuit vehicles and other special purpose vehicles with emergency upfitting for first responders.
RS2023-8 I SUPPORT I have some questions from what I saw in the exhibit we are paying for the entire budget of this organization. Will we receive data (not specific people) as to how many people have been counseled, tested and monitored? A resolution approving a grant contract by and between the Metropolitan Government, acting by and through the Office of Family Safety, and the Sexual Assault Center, for the provision of medical legal exams, therapy, and assist with the Safe Bar program all for the benefit of residents in Davidson County who are victims/survivors of sexual assault.
RS2023-9 I SUPPORT I have a question. Will we receive data (not specific people) as to how many people have been counseled, tested and monitored by each organization? A resolution appropriating a total of $200,000 from the Office of Family Safety to various nonprofit organizations selected to receive Community Partnership Fund grants.
RS2023-10 I SUPPORT A resolution accepting a Community Project Funding grant from the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services to the Metropolitan Government, acting by and through the Department of General Services, to fund the construction of the third floor at 1354 Brick Church Pike for the future Nashville Assessment Center to provide therapeutic pre-charge diversion services to address low level misdemeanor and youth offenses.
RS2023-11-12 SUPPORT A resolution accepting a donation from Music City, Inc. to the Nashville Fire Department (“NFD”) of a 2023 Polaris ATV equipped with a medical bed to transport injured individuals. A resolution accepting an in-kind grant from Vanderbilt University Medical Center to the Metropolitan Government, acting by and through the Metropolitan Nashville Fire Department, to provide training materials for paramedics who participate in the Prehospital Airway Control Trial (PACT) trauma airway study.
RS2023-13 I OPPOSE! I don’t usually comment on these settlements but this one is outrageous. He is an employee of the NFD who made an error by going under an underpass which could not accommodate the truck’s height. Why are the TAXPAYERS paying him damages we had to pay for the repairs to the truck and other than paying for his medical bills and disability if he was disabled during his recovery???? A resolution authorizing the Metropolitan Department of Law to compromise and settle the personal injury claim of Marse Hanback against the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County in the amount of $145,000, with said amount to be paid out of the Self-Insured Liability Fund.
RS2023-16 I SUPPORT! A resolution accepting a Statewide School Resource Officer (SRO) grant from the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security to the Metropolitan Government, acting by and through the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department, to provide funding to place School Resource Officers in all Nashville Public Middle and High Schools.
RS2023-17 I SUPPORT! A resolution accepting a Victim Services State grant from the Tennessee Department of Finance and Administration to the Metropolitan Government, acting by and through the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department, to administer funds to enhance the use of evidence-based strategies to provide support services to victims of crime.
RS2023-18 I SUPPORT! A resolution accepting a Community-Based Traffic Safety Enforcement and Education grant from the Tennessee Highway Safety Office to the Metropolitan Government, acting by and through the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department, to continue the enhanced DUI enforcement initiative and target distracted driving and seatbelt enforcement.
RS2023-19 I SUPPORT! A resolution approving amendment one to a grant from the Tennessee Department of Finance and Administration to the Metropolitan Government, acting by and through the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department, for funding for the Internet Crimes Against Children Unit.
RS2023-20 I am conflicted about this since I hardly see a police officer drive or ride or bike in my neighborhood, but the recreation areas of the Lakes are patrolled? Can’t Sherriff’s departments do this and free up MNPD officers to patrol neighborhoods? A resolution approving amendment one to an intergovernmental agreement by and between the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, acting by and through the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department (hereinafter “MNPD”), and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for extra-duty police services.
RS2023-21 I SUPPORT! I enthusiastically support all PAL programs. A resolution approving an application for a Hot Spot Violent Crime Intervention Fund (VCIF) Targeted Community Crime Reduction Project (TCCRP) grant from the Tennessee Office of Criminal Justice Programs, to the Metropolitan Government, acting by and through the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department, to utilize funding for the formation of the PAL program to help build strong community relations and facilitate early intervention in the lives of at risk youths and to purchase equipment and increase staffing to better prepare officers to respond to violent crime incidents.
RS2023-26 I have asked this before and I will continue to ask. I am not opposed to giving care to the homeless but what exactly is the purpose of Nashville General Hospital? Why can’t the hospital clinic take care of the medical and dental care of the homeless? Why do the TAXPAYERS have to pay and additional $355K to a different clinic? A resolution appropriating a total of $355,200 from the Metropolitan Government, acting by and through the Metropolitan Board of Health, to Neighborhood Health, Inc. and approving a grant contract by and between the Metropolitan Government, acting by and through the Metropolitan Board of Health, and Neighborhood Health, Inc. to provide homeless individuals with medical and dental services at two or more clinics in or near downtown Nashville.
RS2023-30 I am conflicted about this one! Do we receive data from the Contributor as to how many people have moved to private employment and housing? I have lived here for 8 years now and the same guy is on my corner in front of BRICK-TOPS selling the contributor. A resolution approving a grant from the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, acting by and through the Office of Homeless Services, to The Contributor, Inc. to provide Critical time Intervention Services to ensure that individuals are connected to supportive services that will address barriers to maintaining housing and achieving self-sufficiency.
As always thanks for your time and attention.
Rae
Rae Keohane is a local active Republican. She reads and studies each Metro Council agenda and shares her opinion with members of the Metro Council on items of interest and she shares the email to those on an email distribution list. I know how time-consuming reading and studying the agenda can be. If you would like to be included on Rae's email distribution list, contact her at raekeo@aol.com. In addition to her reporting on the Council, Rae is a facilitator of the Nashville Conservatives breakfast group.
To view the Council agenda and analysis, follow this link.
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Sunday, October 01, 2023
Did you miss DCRP Chair Lonnie Spivak on "The Tennessee Star Report" yesterday? You can still catch it here.
To jump right into the portion of the show with Lonnie Spivak, go to timestamp 28:00. The segment with Lonnie ends at timestamp 52:00.
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