Supporting our sister city blog.

This is La Vergne, TN is our sister site in more then one way. We have exchanged bloggers, and have become friends.

In our last get together Betty veronica Marylin kaiser soze Bad Bad Ivy, one of the bloggers at This is La Vergne, TN, said she was worried about a situation that was brewing in La Vergne. I didn't hear more about it until she posted the whole fiasco on her blog.

Go read this press release from the City of La Vergne and then come back. No worries, I’ll wait.

Did you notice where Angie Mayes, the city’s publicist, quoted herself as saying “Anyone can hide behind a computer to complain, but to take action shows a real interest in the city.”?

Okay, well go read the comments to this post, particularly the comment where “John Duncan” says “Anyone can sit behind a computer and be brave and say strong things, but why not write the officials directly and use your real name (and include an address and phone number).” That’s the same commenter that says “Yes I can speak for the Board…they are friends of mine and I’ve asked them if they read the blog. They said not anymore because of the controversy and all around bitchiness.” Yes, she speaks for the board that they aren’t interested in what the citizens of La Vergne want to say.

This is also the same commenter that keeps harping on and on and on and on about using my real name. You want to know why I don’t use my real name? Because that comment is coming from an IP address that, when you do a whois on it, comes from the City of La Vergne. Not an IP address IN the city of La Vergne. The IP address that says “The City of La Vergne”- as in Town Hall. That commenter, who uses nearly the exact same words as our city’s publicist does in that press release.

This "Angie" had already come to my attention by her "sharp" comments on the La Vergne blog. Very defensive of the establishment there, and quick to go after anyone who questions the city or it's plans. Very odd acts for a publicist.

Her sharp comments and subtle hits against bloggers now come in the guise of official La Vergne press releases.

“Yes, 75 percent of the people who responded to the survey about volunteering to be on boards said they were interested in being on a board,” said Publicity Coordiantor[sic] Angie Mayes. “However, as of 9:30 on May 4, only a handful of citizens have actually applied for these boards, according to City Recorder Bruce Richardson. Anyone can hide behind a computer to complain, but to take action shows a real interest in the city.

“This shows a great apathy on the part of the citizens,” Mayes continued. “A lot of people want to be heard and that’s great, but to actually be involved to help make decisions is another story. I don’t know why these people haven’t applied, but we need individuals to help fill the boards so that we have a quorum when they meet.”

Recent comments on local blogs show that people do have concerns, but very few have taken an actual role in helping out with the various boards and committees that need people. This includes National Night Out and Old Timers’ Day.

The press release seems to have been "pulled" from the city website. I'm not surprised in the least.

Other blogs have commented on this situation.

Nashville is Talking
Volunteer Voters
Just another Pretty Farce
Newscoma