Metro council may urge voters to reject English-only plan

By MICHAEL CASS • Staff Writer (Tennessean)• July 29, 2008 The Metro Council could go on record next week against a proposal to make English the official language of Nashville. Under a non-binding resolution introduced by Councilman Ronnie Steine, the council would officially ask voters to reject the English-only push led by Councilman Eric Crafton, who is trying to gather enough voters' signatures to place the idea on the ballot in November. If a majority of council members agree with Steine, the council will urge voters not to sign Crafton's petition cards. The council also would ask voters to reject the proposed Metro Charter amendment supported by Crafton if a referendum is held this fall. The charter amendment would limit all government business, publications and meetings to English, with no exceptions for health or safety. It does include language indicating it should not be interpreted to conflict with state or federal law. Supporters say immigrants should learn English and shouldn't be able to demand services in other languages. Opponents say the proposal would make Nashville an unfriendly place and would face serious legal challenges, though Crafton disputed that. "It's important that the public understand that while one council member is supportive, not all of us are," Steine said Monday. "It's not in the best interests of the community." Council makeup changed The council approved an English-only ordinance in February 2007, but then-Mayor Bill Purcell vetoed it. Crafton said he decided to take the issue straight to the voters this year and has collected more than 9,000 signatures; he needs 10,103 registered voters to sign the petition cards by Aug. 16. "I kind of felt the council already spoke when it voted to pass my bill the last time," he said. Only 20 of the 40 council members from 18 months ago are still serving, however, because of term limits and elections last summer. Steine said he expects the council to vote on the resolution when it meets at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 7.

Council members may try to stop Music Row seizure

By CHAS SISK • Staff Writer(Tennessean) • July 22, 2008 The Metro Council may take up debate on whether eminent domain should be used to seize a Music Row property under a proposal now being drafted. At least two council members have asked the council’s attorney to draw up a bill meant to put a stop to eminent domain proceedings against Joy Ford, the owner of a small record label and music publishing business. The bill would eliminate the redevelopment district that includes Ford’s property at 23 Music Circle E., said Michael Craddock, who represents the city’s fourth district in North Nashville. Craddock said he was briefed on the bill’s contents by Jon Cooper, the council’s attorney, when he contacted Cooper to discuss ways the Metro Council could stop the eminent domain proceedings against Ford. Cooper told him such a bill had already been requested, Craddock said. Because he is not the bill’s sponsor, Craddock did not know when — or if — it would be brought before the council. Cooper confirmed that he had been contacted by more than one council member to discuss Ford’s situation, but he said he was bound by confidentiality rules from discussing the bill’s contents until its sponsor is prepared to introduce it. By Craddock’s account, the bill would appear to remove one of the underpinnings for the Metropolitan Development and Housing Agency’s petition to take Ford’s property through eminent domain. The MDHA argues that Ford’s property can be considered blighted because it lies within a redevelopment district. That district was created nine years ago to spur a turnaround in the area at the northern end of Music Row, but Ford has repeatedly turned down offers to sell her property to developers.