The controversial rezoning of land behind Cracker Barrel on Indian Lake Boulevard to accommodate a 312-unit apartment complex has been removed from the Board of Mayor and Aldermen's consideration ... for now.
Former Mayor Charles Kimbrough is consulting with the North Carolina-based company and admitted he was unsure the votes were there to approve the new development.
Some advocates for schools also raised concerns about the number of new students who would be zoned to attend either Whitten Elementary or Nannie Berry Elementary -- two already over-crowded schools.
Whether or when the rezoning will be back before the Aldermen is unclear.
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Battle Lines Being Drawn
In a continuation of the seemingly never-ending saga that is the relationship between the Sumner County Commission and Sumner County School Board, the Commission's Budget Committee recently moved to slow funding for capital projects in order to address near-term deficits.
Of course, funding for school projects was delayed this past year as capital funds were shifted to the general operating fund in order to ease the budget impasse that caused a delay in the start of the 2012-13 school year.
With Commissioners such as Jerry Stone and Jim Vaughn continuing to put road blocks in the way of fully-funded schools, it seems another tense budget battle is already brewing. The Commission has yet to address the school safety request from the School Board (though a preliminary meeting is scheduled for Thursday) and the system needs about $7 million worth of computers for the new standardized tests tied to the Common Core State Standards.
The School Board has already approved offering a retirement incentive again this year as a way to encourage more senior teachers to leave -- saving money by hiring newer teachers at lower salaries and hopefully avoiding layoffs.
However, with computers to buy and reserves spent to the maximum last year, it seems likely that absent additional funds from the County Commission, some teachers and staff will lose their jobs.
Of course, funding for school projects was delayed this past year as capital funds were shifted to the general operating fund in order to ease the budget impasse that caused a delay in the start of the 2012-13 school year.
With Commissioners such as Jerry Stone and Jim Vaughn continuing to put road blocks in the way of fully-funded schools, it seems another tense budget battle is already brewing. The Commission has yet to address the school safety request from the School Board (though a preliminary meeting is scheduled for Thursday) and the system needs about $7 million worth of computers for the new standardized tests tied to the Common Core State Standards.
The School Board has already approved offering a retirement incentive again this year as a way to encourage more senior teachers to leave -- saving money by hiring newer teachers at lower salaries and hopefully avoiding layoffs.
However, with computers to buy and reserves spent to the maximum last year, it seems likely that absent additional funds from the County Commission, some teachers and staff will lose their jobs.
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Aldermen Meet Tonight
Monday, February 25, 2013
Sumner County Commission Meets Tonight
Here's the agenda. It seems the Finance Office "needs" some new furniture.
Friday, February 22, 2013
Jim Vaughn's Not So Secret Meeting
In spite of his attempts to keep his committee's business from public view, it appears the Ad Hoc Committee on School Safety, Chaired by County Commissioner Jim Vaughn, will hold its meetings in public.
Despite swift action on school safety in surrounding communities and a clear and direct proposal from the School Board that has been available for more than a month now, the County Commission has yet to approved funding for any new school safety procedures or facilities upgrades. The first meeting of the Commission's Committee will be on February 28th -- 3 days after the County Commission meets on Monday. So, it seems it will be March or later before the Commission decides if it will step up and fund recommended safety improvements in local schools.
Despite swift action on school safety in surrounding communities and a clear and direct proposal from the School Board that has been available for more than a month now, the County Commission has yet to approved funding for any new school safety procedures or facilities upgrades. The first meeting of the Commission's Committee will be on February 28th -- 3 days after the County Commission meets on Monday. So, it seems it will be March or later before the Commission decides if it will step up and fund recommended safety improvements in local schools.
So There's a Petition About Apartments
And not building them. Or, at least not the apartments being proposed behind Cracker Barrel on Indian Lake Blvd.
Here's the text:
We, the citizens of Hendersonville, petition the Board of Mayor & Aldermen to:
Here's the text:
Preserve Hendersonville
The Petition
We, the citizens of Hendersonville, petition the Board of Mayor & Aldermen to:
1. Deny the rezoning of the land parcel behind Cracker Barrel on Indian Lake Blvd. for the construction of multi-family housing.
2. Conduct a comprehensive traffic study of the Indian Lake Blvd. area between Main Street & SR 386, independent from the studies conducted by apartment developers.
3. Grow our city in a responsible & controlled manner without the negative impact of overdevelopment on our way of life, our schools, infrastructure or overall crime rate.
Hendersonville currently has no fewer than 22 existing or approved apartment complexes totaling 4,881 apartment units. There are currently 2 complexes under construction, but not yet complete: 1 is located behind the Glenbrook shopping center & the other is located behind the cinema at the Streets of Indian Lake. No one currently resides in these 2 complexes under construction. Our infrastructure, schools and way of life have not felt the impact of these 2 new complexes yet. However, the Board of Mayor & Aldermen is weighing the possibility of adding yet another apartment complex to the already overloaded Indian Lake Blvd.-changing our community forever.
The long-term impact of overdevelopment cannot be un-done. We urge the Board of Mayor & Aldermen to study the impact of multi-family housing & general overdevelopment by glancing toward the Antioch & Rivergate areas. The citizens of Hendersonville want to preserve our community, and the hometown atmosphere that makes Hendersonville a great place to live, work & play.
Let your voice be heard by signing this petition, contacting the aldermen and by attending the Board of Mayor & Aldermen meeting next Tuesday, Feb. 26th at 7:30 pm @ City Hall.
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Wise Resigns from Safety Committee
Sumner County School Board Chair Ted Wise announced at last night's Board meeting he is resigning from the Sumner County Commission's Ad Hoc Committee on School Safety.
Perhaps Wise's resignation comes as a result of pressure placed on him by Board members Don Long and Tim Brewer at a recent Board study session.
The move comes as the Committee has scheduled its first meeting for February 28th.
That meeting will occur AFTER the County Commission meets on Feb. 25th -- thus, making it impossible for the Committee's recommendations to be considered by the full Commission until March -- possibly at the March 18th County Commission meeting.
It is not clear what motivated Wise to step down. And the full agenda for the Ad Hoc Committee's Feb. 28th meeting has not yet been announced.
Will they take up the School Board's proposal for improvements to school buildings and additional SROs? What research is being done by the Committee on current school safety procedures? Will they make recommendations in time for the March 18th Commission meeting? Will the School Board adopt any of the recommendations? Will funding for school safety result in losing teachers and/or other staff in the 2013-14 school year? Stay tuned ...
Perhaps Wise's resignation comes as a result of pressure placed on him by Board members Don Long and Tim Brewer at a recent Board study session.
The move comes as the Committee has scheduled its first meeting for February 28th.
That meeting will occur AFTER the County Commission meets on Feb. 25th -- thus, making it impossible for the Committee's recommendations to be considered by the full Commission until March -- possibly at the March 18th County Commission meeting.
It is not clear what motivated Wise to step down. And the full agenda for the Ad Hoc Committee's Feb. 28th meeting has not yet been announced.
Will they take up the School Board's proposal for improvements to school buildings and additional SROs? What research is being done by the Committee on current school safety procedures? Will they make recommendations in time for the March 18th Commission meeting? Will the School Board adopt any of the recommendations? Will funding for school safety result in losing teachers and/or other staff in the 2013-14 school year? Stay tuned ...
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Ad Hoc School Safety Committee Schedules Meeting
The County Commission's Ad Hoc Committee on School Safety and Implementation, discussed here, will meet on February 28th at 5:30 PM at the Emergency Operations Center on Airport Road in Gallatin.
The meeting, which falls AFTER the February 25th County Commission meeting, will ostensibly begin the process of this group formulating recommendations for improved school safety. Because of the date, the earliest these recommendations could come before the full County Commission is March 17th. Meanwhile, School Boards and County Commissions in Wilson, Rutherford, Robertson, Williamson, and Davidson counties have all taken action on school safety proposals and are moving forward with the implementation process.
No word on how many meetings this Ad Hoc committee will have or IF the School Board will even agree to adopt ANY of the policies proposed by the committee.
The Board has requested physical improvements to facilities to enhance safety and also asked for a School Resource Officer (SRO) for every school in the district. So far, a vote by the County Commission on that request has NOT been scheduled and it is not clear that the Board's request will be discussed by the Ad Hoc Committee.
The meeting, which falls AFTER the February 25th County Commission meeting, will ostensibly begin the process of this group formulating recommendations for improved school safety. Because of the date, the earliest these recommendations could come before the full County Commission is March 17th. Meanwhile, School Boards and County Commissions in Wilson, Rutherford, Robertson, Williamson, and Davidson counties have all taken action on school safety proposals and are moving forward with the implementation process.
No word on how many meetings this Ad Hoc committee will have or IF the School Board will even agree to adopt ANY of the policies proposed by the committee.
The Board has requested physical improvements to facilities to enhance safety and also asked for a School Resource Officer (SRO) for every school in the district. So far, a vote by the County Commission on that request has NOT been scheduled and it is not clear that the Board's request will be discussed by the Ad Hoc Committee.
Friday, February 15, 2013
Sumner School Board Meets Tuesday
The Sumner County School Board will meet on Tuesday, February 19th at 6:00 PM at the Board offices in Gallatin. The complete agenda is here.
Among the items for consideration are bidding for completion of Phase I of a soccer field at Merrol Hyde Magnet School. The project is expected to cost $87,000 to complete and the school has secured funding from parents for the full amount. MHMS athletic boosters pledge to only use private money for the complete field project and indicate they are raising the money in phases. The Board of Education must authorize the project bidding in order for the process to begin.
Another item up for discussion and possible vote is a proposal by Board Member Vanessa Silkwood that would place school safety signs at the entrances to school buildings in Sumner County. It is not clear what the signs would say as the County Commission has yet to approve funding for additional School Resource Officers (SROs) or any needed physical improvements to make buildings safer.
Among the items for consideration are bidding for completion of Phase I of a soccer field at Merrol Hyde Magnet School. The project is expected to cost $87,000 to complete and the school has secured funding from parents for the full amount. MHMS athletic boosters pledge to only use private money for the complete field project and indicate they are raising the money in phases. The Board of Education must authorize the project bidding in order for the process to begin.
Another item up for discussion and possible vote is a proposal by Board Member Vanessa Silkwood that would place school safety signs at the entrances to school buildings in Sumner County. It is not clear what the signs would say as the County Commission has yet to approve funding for additional School Resource Officers (SROs) or any needed physical improvements to make buildings safer.
Steve Brown may get his Dog Park
Apparently, the City of Hendersonville is considering a Dog Park. Some may remember that Steve Brown ran for Mayor on a Dog Park Platform. It looks like he'll be getting his wish. While a dog park wasn't enough to give Brown a plurality win in the Mayor's race, it seems there is in fact enough interest among Hendersonville citizens that a dog park will be created.
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Garry's Back!
Former Hendersonville Alderman Garry Forsythe is back at City Hall. This time, as a special consultant to the Mayor.
Of course, Forsythe sort of ran for Mayor against Scott Foster back in 2012. His campaign was so tepid that many suspected he was running simply to muddy the waters and allow Foster to win re-election in the face of strong challenges from both Alderman Steve Brown and Alderman Tommy Elsten.
Now, Forsythe will make up to $48,000 a year consulting at the Mayor's direction and reporting exclusively to the Mayor while having a City Hall office and City of Hendersonville email account.
Aldermen expressed concern about the arrangement noting they didn't even know it had been arranged.
Some speculated that Forsythe would receive a plum city position in exchange for his willingness to help the Mayor win an otherwise unwinnable campaign.
Now, that speculation seems to have proven rather accurate.
So, 2013 has not started well for Mayor Scott Foster. He's taken heat for buying gifts and meals for his wife with taxpayer funds and now he's hired a friend for a taxpayer-funded position without telling anyone.
Of course, Forsythe sort of ran for Mayor against Scott Foster back in 2012. His campaign was so tepid that many suspected he was running simply to muddy the waters and allow Foster to win re-election in the face of strong challenges from both Alderman Steve Brown and Alderman Tommy Elsten.
Now, Forsythe will make up to $48,000 a year consulting at the Mayor's direction and reporting exclusively to the Mayor while having a City Hall office and City of Hendersonville email account.
Aldermen expressed concern about the arrangement noting they didn't even know it had been arranged.
Some speculated that Forsythe would receive a plum city position in exchange for his willingness to help the Mayor win an otherwise unwinnable campaign.
Now, that speculation seems to have proven rather accurate.
So, 2013 has not started well for Mayor Scott Foster. He's taken heat for buying gifts and meals for his wife with taxpayer funds and now he's hired a friend for a taxpayer-funded position without telling anyone.
Monday, February 11, 2013
Hendersonville's Hungry Mayor
So it seems Hendersonville Mayor Scott Foster is a hungry guy. That, or he is being reimbursed from City funds for meals he purchased for his wife on a recent business/personal trip.
What's most telling about this story is the arrogance with which Foster responds to the questions. Not only does Foster believe he is exempt from the policies that govern every other city employee, he also believes taxpayers won't mind too much if he's spending their money for personal purchases.
Not once in the piece does he apologize or offer to re-think the policy or reimburse the City of Hendersonville.
Instead, he responds incredulously to the idea that a reporter might actually obtain publicly available documents and use them to write a story.
While the receipts don't necessarily indicate that Foster purchased food for two people (he is a bodybuilder, after all, and could be very hungry when he travels) -- he doesn't dispute the claim.
Foster is right in one sense. The story is talking about a relatively small sum of money in the grand scheme of the City's budget. However, readers don't know (yet) if this is the norm for Foster - is he frequently spending City money to purchase meals/entertainment for his wife while she's with him on City business?
Can the Finance Director really not deny his claims? Why doesn't the reimbursement policy for every other City of Hendersonville employee apply to the Mayor - a full-time position funded exclusively with taxpayer dollars?
Fortunately, Alderman Matt Stamper seems focused on getting to the bottom of this. Possibly even changing the policy going forward.
No word (yet) on Foster reimbursing the City for this trip, though.
What's most telling about this story is the arrogance with which Foster responds to the questions. Not only does Foster believe he is exempt from the policies that govern every other city employee, he also believes taxpayers won't mind too much if he's spending their money for personal purchases.
Not once in the piece does he apologize or offer to re-think the policy or reimburse the City of Hendersonville.
Instead, he responds incredulously to the idea that a reporter might actually obtain publicly available documents and use them to write a story.
While the receipts don't necessarily indicate that Foster purchased food for two people (he is a bodybuilder, after all, and could be very hungry when he travels) -- he doesn't dispute the claim.
Foster is right in one sense. The story is talking about a relatively small sum of money in the grand scheme of the City's budget. However, readers don't know (yet) if this is the norm for Foster - is he frequently spending City money to purchase meals/entertainment for his wife while she's with him on City business?
Can the Finance Director really not deny his claims? Why doesn't the reimbursement policy for every other City of Hendersonville employee apply to the Mayor - a full-time position funded exclusively with taxpayer dollars?
Fortunately, Alderman Matt Stamper seems focused on getting to the bottom of this. Possibly even changing the policy going forward.
No word (yet) on Foster reimbursing the City for this trip, though.
Friday, February 8, 2013
Shhh! Jim Vaughn's Got a Secret!
That's right. County Commissioner Jim Vaughn wants the Ad Hoc Committee on School Safety to meet in secret. To devise recommendations in secret. And possibly to make recommendations to the County Commission that are shrouded in secrecy.
The problem is: State law requires the public's business to be conducted in public. In open meetings. Here's another challenge: The County Commission can meet and talk about school safety all day every day -- but the School Board sets policy for what goes on in schools. The only role for the County Commission is if/when funding is required -- the Commission can fund or not fund the Board's requests.
So, this supposedly secret information would have no force or effect at all unless the secrets discussed in the secret committee are shared -- publicly -- with the School Board.
Of course, the School Board has already made recommendations on school safety to the County Commission. And the Commission has so far NOT taken those recommendations up and is not scheduled to take them up at its February 25th meeting.
In fact, it seems the County Commission is poised to do little in terms of school safety until Jim Vaughn's committee gets permission to conduct business in secret. Then, of course, we won't know what they're doing because it will happen behind closed doors.
The problem is: State law requires the public's business to be conducted in public. In open meetings. Here's another challenge: The County Commission can meet and talk about school safety all day every day -- but the School Board sets policy for what goes on in schools. The only role for the County Commission is if/when funding is required -- the Commission can fund or not fund the Board's requests.
So, this supposedly secret information would have no force or effect at all unless the secrets discussed in the secret committee are shared -- publicly -- with the School Board.
Of course, the School Board has already made recommendations on school safety to the County Commission. And the Commission has so far NOT taken those recommendations up and is not scheduled to take them up at its February 25th meeting.
In fact, it seems the County Commission is poised to do little in terms of school safety until Jim Vaughn's committee gets permission to conduct business in secret. Then, of course, we won't know what they're doing because it will happen behind closed doors.
Thursday, February 7, 2013
Lawsuit: Filed!
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
School Board Study Session
Tonight. Here's the agenda. Note that it includes a discussion of employee insurance benefits and also a discussion of the soccer field at Merrol Hyde Magnet -- a topic that has been controversial in recent years.
Monday, February 4, 2013
The Ad Hoc Committee on Delaying Action
So, the Sumner County Commission now has an Ad Hoc Committee on School Safety and Implementation.
The list of Committee members includes police chiefs from across the County and exactly ONE school system employee.
It is not clear when the committee will hold its first meeting.
It is not clear IF they will consider the School Board's recommendation for facility upgrades and additional School Resource Officers (SROs).
Committee Co-Chair Jim Vaughn has been advocating spending zero additional dollars on school safety and instead has proposed arming teachers. This in spite of serious physical issues that make many schools vulnerable.
Noteworthy, too, is the fact that the County Commission may make recommendations to the School Board, but the Board is not bound to implement them. That is: Unless these recommendations have buy-in from the Board, they won't happen.
The Board has made a request and is continuing a school security review with an outside expert on the issue. The Board is asking the Commission to fund that request, which includes facility improvements. The Commission has yet to schedule a vote on the Board's proposal.
No one is talking seriously about the vulnerability of portable classrooms - a result of poor planning for community growth. There is so far no discussion of a plan to rezone, improve/expand facilities, or build more schools in order to ensure that portables are nothing more than a temporary solution to a space problem.
With no meeting date set, it seems likely that this Ad Hoc Committee will not present findings at the February 25th County Commission meeting. Unless someone moves to add the School Board's proposal to the February agenda, it seems unlikely it will be addressed. And then, on to March. When will the Commission take up the issue of school safety and vote to approve or reject the necessary funds? Or, will they?
The list of Committee members includes police chiefs from across the County and exactly ONE school system employee.
It is not clear when the committee will hold its first meeting.
It is not clear IF they will consider the School Board's recommendation for facility upgrades and additional School Resource Officers (SROs).
Committee Co-Chair Jim Vaughn has been advocating spending zero additional dollars on school safety and instead has proposed arming teachers. This in spite of serious physical issues that make many schools vulnerable.
Noteworthy, too, is the fact that the County Commission may make recommendations to the School Board, but the Board is not bound to implement them. That is: Unless these recommendations have buy-in from the Board, they won't happen.
The Board has made a request and is continuing a school security review with an outside expert on the issue. The Board is asking the Commission to fund that request, which includes facility improvements. The Commission has yet to schedule a vote on the Board's proposal.
No one is talking seriously about the vulnerability of portable classrooms - a result of poor planning for community growth. There is so far no discussion of a plan to rezone, improve/expand facilities, or build more schools in order to ensure that portables are nothing more than a temporary solution to a space problem.
With no meeting date set, it seems likely that this Ad Hoc Committee will not present findings at the February 25th County Commission meeting. Unless someone moves to add the School Board's proposal to the February agenda, it seems unlikely it will be addressed. And then, on to March. When will the Commission take up the issue of school safety and vote to approve or reject the necessary funds? Or, will they?
Moser Resigns Committee Post
County Commissioner and Budget Committee Chair Kirk Moser resigned from his position as Chair last week, according to County Commission Chair Merrol Hyde.
Moser has been a leading voice against full funding of budget requests from the School Board. He continues to maintain that the school system does not need new revenue while failing to offer solutions for outdated technology, inadequate facilities, and improved management.
It is rumored that Moser will not seek re-election to the Commission in 2014.
Moser has been a leading voice against full funding of budget requests from the School Board. He continues to maintain that the school system does not need new revenue while failing to offer solutions for outdated technology, inadequate facilities, and improved management.
It is rumored that Moser will not seek re-election to the Commission in 2014.
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