City Seeks Input on Spending

 The city of Hendersonville will hold two workshops in November to discuss potential uses for its share of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. The $1.9 trillion federal economic stimulus bill was passed in March to speed up the country’s recovery from the economic and health effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The city of Hendersonville’s share is estimated to be around $5.9 million and is expected to go toward investments in water, sewer or broadband infrastructure. The city has received its first allocation of $2.9 million, and is expected to receive a second payment in 12 months. None of the funds have been spent.

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Dixon Announces Bid for Alderman

 Karen Dixon is running for Alderman in Ward 4, she announced recently. Here's more:

I am introducing myself as a 2020 candidate for Hendersonville Alderman in Ward 4. My husband and I have lived in Hendersonville since 2012 and fell in love with this city and the people in it. We have two wonderful grown children; a daughter living in Japan with her husband who is a chief in the US Navy, and a son who lives here in Tennessee as well.

I retired in 2018 with a fortune 20 company with 35 years of service.  During my career, I worked in various corporate leadership roles in Finance, Quality Compliance and Regulatory Affairs. I most recently have worked as an independent consultant in the area of FDA Regulation. I also enjoy being a volunteer with the Middle Tennessee Literacy Council.

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Got news? Email us: newshendersonville@gmail.com

Aldermen Reject Term Limits Proposal

The Hendersonville Standard reports that the city's Board of Mayor and Aldermen (BOMA) rejected proposal that would have let citizens vote on whether or not there should be term limits for Aldermen. Here's more:

A resolution that would have paved the way for Hendersonville voters to decide for themselves whether or not the city’s mayor and aldermen should be limited to the number of terms they can serve failed on Tuesday.

Resolution 2019-60, proposed by Ward 5 Alderman Darrell Woodcock, sought to ask members of the Tennessee General Assembly to amend the city’s charter to allow for term limits for the two offices.

 

The measure needed a two-thirds majority of the 13-member board, or nine votes, in order to pass.  It failed 7-5-1. Voting yes were Woodcock, Edwards, Roberson, Waters, Bolt, Skidmore and Mayor Jamie Clary. Voting against were Brown, Petrelli, Sprouse, Pat Campbell of Ward 2 and Jonathan Hayes of Ward 5. Vice Mayor Arlene Cunningham, who represents Ward 3, abstained from the vote.

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

Waste Pro, Week 1

Last week was Week 1 of Waste Pro, the new trash service in Hendersonville. By all accounts, it was somewhat rough.

This week will be the second week -- if you're on the Indian Lake Peninsula, your pickup is tomorrow (Monday, July 8th).

Here's more on Week 1 from Ward 2 Alderman Scott Sprouse:

Today was the first day of trash collection on the Walton Ferry Peninsula under the new service provider. You don't need me to tell you the change has not gone well. Many of you just have to look out your backdoor and see a full trashcan. Yesterday (first day on the Indian Lake Peninsula) wasn't very good either.

I voted against the change to once a week and the change to a new provider, but I was in the minority. Once the decision was made, however, my job became helping make it work. Quite frankly, we have a way to go.

I am reporting misses, escalating second misses, and working with staff. I am answering questions and striving to clear up misinformation, including when an employee of the new company told someone erroneously cans had to be visible from the street in order to be picked up. (This is not a requirement as it is impracticable if not impossible at many homes.) We were able to nip that one in the bud pretty quickly. This afternoon, I had a conversation with the new company's representative about setting expectations both ways. I had my most recent conversation with our acting Public Works Director this evening.

If you have a miss, the best way to let me know is via direct communication. I cannot guarantee I will see every comment posted in every discussion in social media. Please contact me via a Facebook private message, phone call (615-824-9327), text message (same number), or email (ssprouse@hvilletn.org). I will do all I can to help.

And, an end of week update with positive news:

Waste Pro has crews out today working specifically on misses from Monday through Wednesday. (Originally, they planned to take today off for the holiday.) So far this morning, two people for whom I have reported misses have told me their trash was picked up this morning. We still have a way to go, but I'm taking this as a good sign.

How did it go for you? Keep us posted: newshendersonville@gmail.com

Chief Steele's Last Week on the Job

Hendersonville Fire Chief Jamie Steele will retire this week after 28 years as a Hendersonville Fire Fighter. A reception honoring Chief Steel will be held from 1-5 PM on Friday, June 27th at Fire House #3 located at 179 Bonita Parkway.  The event is free and open to the public.

More on Chief Steele and his career in Hendersonville.

What ARE they looking for?

A group of citizens digging into the City of Hendersonville's records has failed to turn up any significant wrong-doing by city officials over the last 8 years.

According to the Hendersonville Standard, records requests by the group, led by local muckraker Donna DeSopo, have created a backlog at City Hall and yet no criminal charges or significant improprieties have been discovered or reported. 

Aldermen Don Ames and Jim Waters were interviewed for the story and both said that while they support the public's access to records, the group digging has not presented anything extraordinary.  Both expressed a desire for the group to present clear information about wrongdoing, if any has been discovered.

More on this story here.

Emissions Testing Coming to Hendersonville

Tena Lee has the story. But, basically, it starts on Monday, Dec. 2 and will be available on most Mondays at Veterans Park via a mobile emissions testing service. 

Liquor Money on School Board Agenda

The Sumner County School Board meets tonight at 6 PM in Gallatin and Liquor Money is on their mind. That is, the funds the school system is due from the City of Hendersonville and other Sumner municipalities from unpaid liquor by the drink taxes. 

Hendersonville approved a resolution stating their intent to pay back the $1 million over a 5 year period beginning in August of 2014. 

Quality of Life vs. Schools?

That's what Fox 17 News seems to be pitching in their story on the Liquor By the Drink funds going from the City of Hendersonville to Sumner County Schools. 

Check the video and you'll note that the piece opens with this statement:

 "And some money that could go to improving your way of life will now have to be sent to schools."  

Not sure what, exactly, they're trying to do here.  Pit citizens of Hendersonville against the very same school system that educates their children? Or suggest to taxpayers that somehow the negotiated settlement is a raw deal for them -- even though the money benefits the school system that, again, educates the children of families in Hendersonville? Maybe they want to create conflict in a story where a reasonable solution between two governing bodies has been reached - now, that does seem rare in Sumner County. 

But to suggest that the quality of life in a community is somehow divorced from the quality of its public schools is just downright wrong.  Strong schools are the backbone of any community. And when two governing bodies reach a reasonable solution to a tricky issue, that should be cause for praise, not invented conflict. 

Thankful Dogs

Hendersonville's dogs can rest easy -- and be thankful! It seems the first dog park in the city will likely open by Thanksgiving.