The word for today is...

de-annexation

On the agenda for tonight is a request by a company to have some land de-annexed. I really cannot remember the last time I've seen this request in front of the town council.

Planning Commission Report:i. Consideration of an ordinance relative to the de-annexation of property located on Tax Map 28, part of Parcel 62.02, comprising approximately 2.327 acres, (requested by Mid- South Logistics). Property is located off Chaney Road behind Cedar Grove School. First Reading.

I wonder what reasons they have to leave us.

3 or 5

My column next week mentions briefly that the town of Smyrna is proposing widening Weakley lane to 3 or 5 lanes. This would be from Sam Ridley to just were the residential area starts past the national guard armoury.

For those interested the town has put online in PDF form the two proposals, 3 and 5 and you can download and view them to see what you think. If you have an opinion please take a moment and give the council a call or drop them an email. They need to be informed of your thoughts in this process.

A column and a cause

I write a bi-weekly column for the local newspaper and I stick to subject matters of government for the most part. In the years I have written about the town government and council I have had I think two turned down and one of them I simply re-wrote from a different viewpoint. One that was not published was due to timing. It specifically mentioned a town council member by name that was running for re-election and a comment they made did not set to my liking.

On Facebook I came across something that made me decide to publish the column here with the council members name deleted so you can see what I was trying to say and what is an example of the problem as I see it.

I’ve had something rumbling around in the back of my head and it simply has not settled down. A statement made in the [redacted] Smyrna Town council meeting needs to be addressed. I was surprised and a bit disappointed to hear what [redacted] said that evening.

The Division Street church of Christ is moving ahead with its plan of moving the "Tipperary" one room school house to a town property to preserve it. [redacted] commented that the town was of the mind that the church was just in the informational phase. It seems the church is moving forward with fundraising to move the building and now the town is in the position of not having budgeted the money to deal with their end of this historical preservation project.

It was during Council member [redacted] addressing the issue that [redacted] said “a lot of the people that have called me didn’t feel like that the parks were a place to put it, a lot of them indicated that they felt like that the building, as a whole, not just the back portion of it, held historical significance sitting just exactly where it is and the way it is, and it’s not..it’s not for us as the town of Smyrna the council or whatever to tell anybody what they can do with their property or whatever…”

I’m happy that a private organization is attempting the use private money to save part of the history of Smyrna I was rather bothered by the last part where the innocuous comment that the town does not tell people what to do with their property flies in the face of reality.

During the recodification of 2007 the town seemed to be an a regulatory ‘buzz’ passing new laws left and right telling us what to do with our properties. They told us what to do when they added bush height limits near windows, and parking vehicles on certain material. They really enjoyed the governmental ‘high’ of running tow trucks off of people’s property and making people moves their own school buses behind their houses.

Of course controlling items ON a property is much different then controlling the property itself. There was the case of a landowner near Front Street who was not allowed to rezone her property to allow a lawyer’s office to move in, thus quashing her sale of the property. They have made so many rules telling us what to do with our properties that one member of the council found himself in violation of some of the sign ordinances and property ordinances during the package liquor campaign.

Maybe some council members feel that they do not tell us to do with our properties. Maybe they say that to their selves as a way to feel better about all the ordinances that they have passed to make Smyrna into Brentwood-lite, but do not expect me to sit and agree with you. You cannot control the minutia of our lifes and then claim not too…that doesn’t pass the sniff test.

Now understand that I'm not talking piles of trash, or a person who decides to open a junkyard in their backyard...but items like this from Facebook by county commissioner Rhonda Petty Allen.

I disagree with the Town regarding their interpretation of a zoning ordinance that prevents the return of our weekly produce vendor to The Market. Respected unnamed Town Officials agree with me that there is a flaw in this ordinance. If you would like to see produce return to downtown, please make your feelings known to the Town Planner or any Council Member. Hopefully, this will expedite amending the ordinance.

Everything has to be put into neat controllable columns for the town so in my view the town DOES have a desire by act to control our property.

My humble rant for the day.

Art and the city

In just a few moments Christina Cudworth will hopefully join a growing rank of people who will become a more visible site in Smyrna. Activists. People with ideas and a mission. Hers is based upon art and she is addressing the town council tonight. She has given me permission to post here her speaking notes so wish her luck.

My name is Christina Cudworth and I own a local business “Cudworthcreative” that is a service business in where I teach and make custom murals and art. I moved here to Smyrna, and have enjoyed the growth and community here, The only thing I have noticed is a lack of connection with visual art. I know there are art leagues in Murfreesboro and Nashville, but those who live here in Smyrna have to leave and drive a distance for time to work and relax in the realm of art. Which brings me to my desire to start an art league /community art center here in Smyrna.

I plan on having the league family friendly, children, teens, adults and seniors, but not denying artists who paint more than just landscapes.. I am looking to educate, encourage art in the community of Smyrna. I plan on for profit, and membership based, capacity in the community. I also teach art at Jerry's Artarama. I want a strong emphasis about redefining art in Smyrna as being more than just paintings or sculpture. I would even like to have themed rotational art exhibits. New art festivals here and group with others for a large event showcasing art, in all mediums. The only restrictions for the immediate gallery would be nudes or offensive material., the artists are free to explore these areas, but for the sake of children being present members would be asked not to show work depicting such things .

Currently I am seeking a building or meeting place that is visible to the public, and can accommodate 50 or more artists. Any offers or suggestions are welcome. Also a place to host a fundraising event would be very helpful.

I am open to any questions regarding this matter. Thank you for your time I greatly appreciate it.

Art today...Chickens tomorrow...who knows what activist might decide needs addressing the day after.

Being a good neighbor...Oregon style

In Philomath Oregon they have poultry codes like I wish Smyrna did.

Here you need to get your neighbor's permission like I suggested.

6.10.080 Restrictions on keeping animals and fowl.

B. Any person desiring to keep any such animal shall submit to the city manager an application for a permit, accompanied by written evidence that three-fourths of the adjoining property owners or residents within a 200-foot radius from the site where the applicant proposes to keep said animals do consent to the keeping of such animals. The city manager shall cause a record to be made of its approval or disapproval of such permit, and provide a copy thereof to the applicant and to the police department.

I can even see how this would be good. To keep it from being to redneck looking.

C. No stable, barn, shed, coop, hutch, pen, or shelter in which any animal is kept shall be located within 30 feet of a city street or sidewalk. Such structures, with their pens and yards, shall be kept clean and sanitary.

Keeping it clean is of course part of being a good neighbor.

E. The manure and offal shall be removed by hauling beyond the city limits, unless used for fertilizer, in which case it shall be spread upon the ground evenly and turned under at once. Manure must be removed with sufficient frequency to prevent offensive odors.

Now that we have a new member on the council I might hit him up with the idea of the value of this plan.

Signs, signs, and a phone call UPDATES

Smyrna is enjoying a bumper crop of political signs. what I did not expect was an automated phone call from one of the candidates. Just a few minutes ago I received on my cell phone (how they got the number I'm not sure) an automated message from Tim Morrell reminding people that tomorrow was the last day for early voting and how he would fight against any tax increase (He might have said property tax increase but don't hold me to it).

I almost did not answer it because it came through as a "private" call. Luckily for him I get intrigued enough to answer most private calls.

UPDATE:
I received a "private call" yesterday and today. I missed both so I can only best assume they are political calls, but not who from. From comments some are bothered by them and rightly so, but they are a tool to get a quick message across with having to answer a door or throw more paper fliers into the landfill.

Since I already voted they are pretty much wasted on me.

UPDATE II
Sprint sucks...and so do these Razor cellphones. It took a few days but the message was recorded and finally showed on my phone. They both were from Tim Morrell and they were different from each other and from the first I got. He's really hitting the full media playbook for votes.

UPDATE III
It's 7:25pm Monday and I received another Tim Morrell call, this time from "Unknown".

I wonder how much he paid for these calls?

Good afternoon Smyrna. Here's your regular (mostly) update on happenings around town.

Our town government has a few meetings planned.

Historic Zoning Commission: October 27, 2008 - 5:00 PM
Next Town Council Workshop is: October 28, 2008 - 7:00 PM

The Historic commission's meeting tonight will have on it's agenda the property owned by Phyllis Campbell who made the horrible mistake of asking to have her property rezoned. Her property is within eye sight of the Historical district so our fine town council said that it should be added. She did not ask for it, but what the heck. Tonight she will find out if she loses a lot of property rights in the name of pretty'fication.

In local events
Mourning

Widows, Weepers and Wakes: Mourning Customs Exhibit
October 01, 2008 - October 31, 2008
Held at Oaklands Historic House Museum, 900 North Maney Avenue, Murfreesboro. Victorian mourning customs will be explored. Contact: Oaklands Historic House Museum, (615) 893-0022

More mourning

A House in Mourning - Expression of Mourning Customs in the 19th Century
October 08, 2008 - November 02, 2008
held at the Sam Davis Home, 1399 Sam Davis Road, Smyrna. The Sam Davis Home will host "Cult of Mourning" which was at its peak during 1850-1890. The house will be prepared for a funeral, with mirrors draped in black cloth and clocks stopped at the time of death. View the Mourning Artifacts and learn the history of this practice to respect and mourn for the deceased. Contact: Sam Davis Home, (615) 459-2341

Pumpkins

Pumpkin Patch Days
October 27, 2008 - October 31, 2008
Held at the Sam Davis Home, 1399 Sam Davis Road, Smyrna. For educational groups only. Tours of the historic home, Halloween games and activities, reading circle, and an opportunity to pick your favorite pumpkin.Call to schedule your event. Contact: Sam Davis Home, (615) 459-2341

Hunting ghosts

Tuesday, Oct. 28
Presentation on the Paranormal: 6:30 p.m., Smyrna Library, 400 Enon Springs Road. Noe will talk about paranormal activities and guide the audience through an investigation.

Well that's it for this week. I hope to have some good material during the next week or so. As always if you have material you wish posted please contact me or leave a message in comments. I'm hoping Rebecca who wrote this wonderful comment will volunteer to do a guest column...or two.

I don't have two heads...honest!

Earlier this year I went in front of the town council and asked for them to review my idea of a good neighbor fowl program. let's say I was looked at like a two headed freak. I was VERY disappointed in how the subject was addressed by the administration of the town.

In comments and in posts(item 6) by OTHERS on this blog the idea lives on. This article I found from the Christian Science Monitor addresses the idea that some people just go ahead and do it be damned the laws, and some have a town council that looks openly at the subject and agrees that it isn't an idea that will destroy a town.

The Worldwatch Institute reports that a growing number of US city-dwellers are raising their own chickens, often in defiance of local ordinances.

Citing unsanctioned henhouses in Denver, Boston, and other cities, Worldwatch’s Ben Block notes that an “underground ‘urban chicken’ movement has swept across the United States in recent years,” flouting authorities’ concerns about noise, odors, and public health.

But in some cities, such as Ann Arbor, Mich., Ft. Collins, Colo., South Portland, Maine, and Madison, Wisc., owners of these clandestine coops have successfully changed the laws to allow them to keep a limited number of hens. (Roosters, whose characteristic crowing can disturb neighbors, are usually more restricted, but they’re not needed for hens to lay unfertilized eggs.)

Take a moment and read just a few of the comments to the article.

I don't have two heads and damned if I feel that if I can be a good neighbor then why the heck is the town government involved? I live in a town where we have already been judged as doing it wrong before we even try.

Smyrna. Where you're a bad neighbor before you even start...

more from Worldwatch.org

The Perfect Council-Person in 12 Easy Points

Here's a recipe for the perfect town council candidate, in line with the traditional American values of private property, low taxes and small government.

1. Candidate is anti-debt. The town would avoid taking on any new debt and would actively pay down any debt currently owed. Debt is more often a trap than a tool! If paying off debt requires selling city land or property, then it should be sold. We're in economic decline right now because of federal and corporate profligacy - let's set a better example on the local level.

2. Candidate recognizes sovereign right of citizens over their own property. This means that codes would be minimized and citizens would be encouraged to "talk over" issues between each-other without involving the city. It also means that city property taxes on homeowners would be eliminated.

3. Did I mention NO property taxes on homeowners?

4. Candidate would fight to abolish historic district and its draconian rules. Then property owners in the current district could run their businesses without the long noses of the city being poked in everywhere. It's tough enough to make money already!

5. Candidate would support a savings fund for emergencies to avoid having to take out any new debt.

6. Candidate would push for "good neighbor" poultry policy and loosening of codes. Gardening, urban homesteading, and composting should be encouraged.

7. Candidate would oppose any new boondoggle programs like a bus system, digital signs and other silliness. We don't need them, we don't want them!

8. Candidate should agree that development should only proceed without running over the property rights of homeowners.

9. Candidate should respect the senior citizens of Smyrna. They made this town what it is and their voices should be honored in return.

10. Candidate should fight to reduce the size and scope of town government.

11. Candidate will not cow-tow to established interests, old families, or those with money and power. Alternately, candidate should not oppose established interests for the sake of being reactionary. Rich, poor, black, white, old, young - all voices should be noted and respected.

12. Candidate will fight for individual rights - not corporate interests, government control, or personal power.


Whaddya say, Smyrna? As far as I can tell, we don't have a freedom-oriented candidate like that in this race.

Maybe next time?

Maybe it'll be you?

-DG

What is a...

I was looking at the Smyrna town government website for the meetings Monday when I noticed something new. I'm just not sure what it is or why.

The town has always been good at putting up minutes for their meetings and you can find them here near the bottom of the page. what is new...at least to me, is something called a "legislative report that lists like a set of minutes the happenings in a more formalized fashion. I'm curious about why this has been added.

Here is a copy of the only one posted as of yet.

2008-10.14LR - Upload a Document to Scribd

I'll ask someone the next time I go to a town council meeting. Maybe they have been putting them up as an informational item until the minutes can be agreed on by the council. I might have missed this item but it is interesting to me at least.

Voted today and an admission

I went to meet my wife for lunch in Murfreesboro and after we sat at Stones River park and enjoyed the weather for a bit we decided to vote. The lines at the Park building are short and we spent only a minute or two in line.

Sadly my legs were killing me so I could not do something that I had planned on doing. I simply could not stand long enough to do it, but my wife did have time and she cast a write in vote for...me. I was hoping to get at least two votes.

Meet your candidates

The Smyrna AM has a series on the four candidates running for town council.

Mary Esther Reed

James Yates

Paul Johns

Tim Morrell

I thought the one candidate who admitted that "I once woke up with a tattoo I don't remember getting" was very revealing....if I was telling the Truth.

Early election news.

This is going to be an election year in Smyrna and the three council members have spoken already.

Will they run again?

All three plan to do so.

Reed consulted her family, saying, "It is definitely a family decision to run for office."

Yates plans to pick up papers early next week. "I've enjoyed the past few years on the council and I think (Smyrna) is going in the right direction. I want to be there to carry the torch," he said.

Though he underwent quadruple bypass surgery in November and stomach surgery earlier this year, Johns plans to run one last time.

"(My wife) doesn't want me to, but I'm going one more time," he said, noting that the end of this term will complete his 25th year in service to the town.

I'm glad all three are running. Experience counts for many things. Surprised?

I might try to get a list of the others who are running and see what issues they are running on. Might be an intersting year for 'This is smyrna, TN.'

Workshop agenda

Here is the town workshop agenda for tomorrow night. To my delight they do have as item 17 a "Discussion relative to Smyrna Municipal code 10-101 and 10-102 regarding animals running at large and ordinances restricting certain animals from being kept near a business or residence." Hopefully they will add it to the agenda for next month's town meeting.

Here is a view of the workshops agenda for those interested.

Read this doc on Scribd: Town Workshop -April

I might just show up with a "Free the Chickens" sign for fun.

Town Council meeting address.

I addressed the town council tonight on the issue of allowing people the ability to raise fowl in residential areas. Before I addressed them I gave them a handout that had three sections.

Section 1 had a list of other large cities that allow fowl to be raised and what limits they had.
Section 2 was the copy of the fowl ordinance used by Minneapolis Minnesota and how I feel it is a good example of a "good neighbor law"
Section 3 addressed briefly a few concerns they might raise with the idea of fowl inside of the town limits.

Embedded below is a copy of the handout given to them.

Read this doc on Scribd: A proposal for Fowls in Smyrna

The top part of this document has a full screen button for easier reading.

Addresing the town council tonight

I'm doing two jobs tonight. One is an address to the town council on a small issue that I would like to bring to their attention, and the other is a speech class project. Since both can be done together I would like to invite you to watch the town council meeting tonight at 7pm.

Channel 3 is the local cable channel for the town of Smyrna, but for those who do not have cable they stream broadcast the town meeting live on the net here for those who want to watch it on their computer.

For anyone who knows me personally, or those who read my columns, the idea that government should back off of its controlling nature is a view that I hold and espouse. I will be addressing the council on the subject of personal fowl inside of the city limits. It may be fun, or it could be a disaster, but most definitely it should not be missed.

Even better. Drop by and watch the meeting live. After the fiery workshop I wonder how this meeting will end up.

Blogging the town council meeting

Two council members area no show tonight but a quorum was met so the moved forward.

While watching the meeting an item being addressed was the requirements for "key boxes: for ease of entrance for the fire department during an emergency. An odd situation occurred. The mayor read a letter from a Mike Wood(If I heard correctly) with certain worried about the safety and cost of these new key boxes. Oddly the letter was read, but not a single one of his worries was addressed. The mayor said that he had already had several conversations with him and was not able to convince him of the good of the program. After reading they voted and went on to the next item as if the letter was not read. It brought up several items I had not thought of. Why read it if you will not address the issues?

My term on the board of adjustment and appeals ended and I did not reapply, so I was replaced on the committee. Many other appointments were made to pretty much all the town committees at the meeting. I am still on the Storm water advisory committee.

They voiced the reminder to fill out your census so the town can get the proper amount of money from the state.

Also it seems that LaVergne is going to donate a police dog to Smyrna saving us over $6000 plus and I would like to say "Thanks" to our neighbor city. It is a trained tracker/drug sniffer dog and will be an important asset to our police department.