Mayor Clary's Trash Talk

In response to sketchy service from new trash vendor WastePro, Hendersonville Mayor Jamie Clary posted the following letter:

A letter to Waste Pro representatives from Mayor Jamie Clary

This week many customers are receiving fliers that hang on their trash cans. These fliers appear to be placed there by WastePro employees. I appreciate the communication but disagree with items #1 and #4. I recall some committee conversations about these two issues, but I need to remind you that the operational expectations are guided by the contract and bid that were approved by the city’s board of mayor and aldermen.

The first item seems to claim that a 96-gallon trash can is too large to be serviced at the back door. Neither the contract nor the attachments supported this restriction. They do address height. Exhibit A, under “Containers larger than 42 inches in height”, states that containers taller than 42 inches must be placed at the curb. It does not address 96-gallon containers below that height.

Many residents in Hendersonville have 96-gallon containers that measure less than 42 inches. Those cans should be serviced at the back door. From the ground to the top of the cover on the front, those cans are 40 inches tall. The back of the trash can, from the ground to the top of the cover, is 41 inches tall. These cans should be serviced by WastePro per the contract with the City of Hendersonville.

Regarding item #4, many times I have said that WastePro employees must “find the can.” I have said that in several meetings that included WastePro representatives. If a homeowner has set a large item at the curb, WastePro employees still need to “find the can”. If the can is not visible from the road or one side of the house, WastePro crews need to “find the can”. I have said this many, many times. So, item #4 is not acceptable. Nor is it consistent with the contract. The trash containers do not have to be visible from the driveway side of homes.

I look forward to WastePro correcting these two items and abiding by the contract it signed with the City of Hendersonville.

The previous hauler did not have a problem with these items and did not seek to make these changes. Had the city board known of these changes prior to signing the current contract, I venture that the board would not have chosen WastePro.

If WastePro does not comply with the contractual obligations, as you know, the City has the opportunity to penalize the company.

City waste service is now only one day per week and there is still no plan on the table to offer citywide recycling.

For more on news impacting Hendersonville and Sumner County, follow @HvilleNews 

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Station Camp Hires Alexander as Football Coach

Zach Womble in the Gallatin News reports that Station Camp High School has hired Brent Alexander as the school's next head football coach:

The Bison have hired current Station Camp teacher and former NFL standout Brent Alexander to lead their program. 

Alexander, who is from Gallatin and graduated from Gallatin High School in 1989, has taught computer applications and algebra at Station Camp High School for the last five years. 

“His attention to detail is very impressive,” said Station Camp Athletic Director Patrick Duffer. “Considering his resumé, he has quite an extensive amount of football knowledge. He has been around the game a long time and been coached by some of the greatest ever. We are excited to have him lead our program.”

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Feeding the Beast

In a state that focuses excessively on testing, the Sumner County School Board has unanimously decided to feed the beast. The Hendersonville Standard reports that Sumner County has agreed to enter into a contract with a new benchmark testing provider so that our students may take a test to get ready for the TNReady test:

School officials are hopeful that new benchmark tests that will be administered to elementary and middle school students in February will better prepare teachers and students for the state’s TNReady assessments in the spring. 

The Sumner County Board of Education voted unanimously during a special-called meeting on Jan. 7 to approve a bid of $72,460 from TE21, Inc., to purchase pencil and paper tests for 6,819 elementary school students and 7,173 middle school students.

The assessments will be administered some time in February and will measure students’ understanding in the subjects of math, science, social students and ELA (English language arts), according to Sumner County Schools Spokesperson Jeremy Johnson.  

While school officials may be "hopeful" about yet another round of testing, students, parents, and teachers are certainly less than enthused.

It's worth noting here that TNReady has been riddled with problems since inception and that some at the Department of Education predict more trouble this year:

“There is a complete lack of urgency or understanding regarding the human resource needs to launch an effective assessment in support of the districts, schools, teachers, students and parents of Tennessee.”

It's not clear what Sumner County officials hope to achieve by spending these funds on a February test ahead of TNReady. It is clear that Tennessee students are among the most tested of any in the country.

Recently, the Murfreesboro City School Board called on the state to reduce the testing burden placed on districts.


For more on news impacting Hendersonville and Sumner County, follow @HvilleNews

County Moves to Save Comer Barn

The Hendersonville Standard reports that the Sumner County Commission is moving forward with steps to preserve the Comer Barn:

County leaders took a small step on Monday toward preserving the Comer Barn, a historic structure between Hendersonville and Gallatin that was deeded to the county nearly four years ago. 

The 8,500 square-feet Tennessee Walking Horse barn built in the 1930’s was deeded to Sumner County by Rogers Group, which operates an adjacent quarry, in March 2016 contingent on several conditions. The county also leases the Comer House next to the barn from Rogers Group for office space for the Sumner County tourism and visitor’s bureau.

During a budget committee meeting on Monday, Chairman Chris Taylor proposed a resolution to hire a consultant to evaluate the aging structure and determine what’s needed to protect it from further deterioration.  

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Lady Commando Coach Filson to Step Down

Main Street Preps is reporting that Hendersonville High School's girls basketball coach John Filson will step down at the end of this season. Here's more:

Second-year Hendersonville girls basketball coach John Filson will step down at the end of the season. 

Filson, who took over after two seasons as an assistant, informed administration of his plans to step down last week. He is currently 16-28 overall as head coach and 2-16 in District 9-AAA play.

“I came back from the Christmas holiday and had a conversation with administration after meeting with my family on a couple of occasions,” he said. “I made the final decision last week.” 

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Sumner Democrats to Host Potluck

From the Sumner County Democratic Party newsletter:

Please join us for our monthly potluck on Thursday, January 16! Bring a dish, unless it's your first potluck. Bring a friend, always! Beverages will be provided.

We have several opportunities for you to be a part of SCDP by joining one of the committees. Bring your talents to the party. We need event planners, singers, artists, graphic designers. If you want to stay flexible we encourage you to join our volunteer list.

Doors open 5:30pm, dinner is served at 6pm. 333 W Main St., Suite F, Gallatin, TN.

For more on news impacting Hendersonville and Sumner County, follow @HvilleNews

Black Backs Challenger to Rep. Terri Lynn Weaver

The Nashville Post reports that former Congressman Diane Black is backing County Commissioner Luke Tinsley in his challenger to 40th district state representative Terri Lynn Weaver.

State Rep. Terri Lynn Weaver (R-Lancaster) has drawn a Republican primary challenger in Sumner County Commissioner Luke Tinsley, and one of the district’s most prominent Republicans is behind him.

Former U.S. Rep. Diane Black, who ran for governor in 2018 and lives in House District 40, has endorsed Tinsley, who worked for Black in the past. 

Tinsley voted against funding for a teacher pay raise as well as the funds that would support improving the Sumner County Jail, building a new courthouse, and working to improve roads. While every teacher in Sumner County will see an increase in their paychecks come January 15th of this year, they should also know Tinsley stood in opposition to the funds necessary to make that raise possible. 

Black has long been a supporter of candidates for local elected office who oppose school funding initiatives.