Metro program aims to change nonprofit grant process

By MICHAEL CASS • Staff Writer (tennesseam) • May 8, 2008 Nashville nonprofit organizations have about three weeks to apply for $2 million in Metro government grants under a new program Mayor Karl Dean announced today. The "community enhancement grants" will be available to groups working in three areas: domestic violence ($750,000), education/aftercare ($750,000) and community service ($500,000), which the program defines as services "that enhance the lives of Nashvillians and the community in which we live." Dean aides have previously mentioned the American Red Cross and Second Harvest Food Bank as examples of community service agencies. Dean said the city needs a new, less political system for awarding grants to nonprofits. “We have a number of nonprofit agencies that offer vital services to our community, many of which government itself cannot provide and would not otherwise be available. This grant program will ensure that those are the services our resources support and that funding decisions are based on needs and results,” the mayor said in a news release. A panel of reviewers selected by the mayor, the vice mayor and the chair of the Metro Council's Budget and Finance Committee will evaluate applications and make recommendations to the mayor, who will submit a budget amendment for the council's final approval as part of the city's operating budget, Dean spokeswoman Janel Lacy said.Lacy acknowledged that applicants who are turned down by the reviewers could lobby council members for funding in the final budget. She said the program could change in future years "depending on how this year goes." Applications are available today on page 11 of this web site: http://www.nashville.gov/finance/CEF/docs/CEFHandbook.pdf.. They're due at 4:30 p.m. on May 28 and will be reviewed June 10-12. "Pre-application training meetings" are scheduled for May 15 and 16. Times and places for the training sessions weren't announced.

Sounds show Salt Lake who's great

Surging Nashville takes its first series against PCL's finest
By MAURICE PATTON • Staff Writer(Tennessean) • May 5, 2008

It took the Nashville Sounds — losers of 19 of their first 26 games — to do what the rest of the Pacific Coast League hadn't done through the opening month of the season:

Nashville clinched its first series win of the season Sunday, defeating Salt Lake 5- for its first three-game winning streak of the season. For the Bees, the three losses are one more than they had through their first 26 games; their 24-2 start coming into the weekend was the best in the history of minor league baseball.

"I think it's obvious we have a good team," said third baseman Adam Heether, whose two-out, bases-loaded double in the fourth inning gave the Sounds a 4-0 lead following Russell Branyan's second-inning solo home run. "I don't think anybody was pressing too much; we were waiting for things to go our way, and it was a matter of time before that happened."

The Sounds improved to 10-19 with their fifth win in six games; it took Nashville 21 games to get its first five wins of the season.

"We were scuffling a little bit, but we've regrouped," Sounds pitcher Mark DiFelice said. "The team we have now is pretty solid. It took time for everybody to jell."

DiFelice pitched five innings of four-hit ball, struck out nine and allowed only a leadoff homer to Dee Brown in the fifth inning.

New bridge opens to pedestrians

Nashville opened the Cumberland River Pedestrian Bridge Saturday morning. The 700-foot bridge spans the river from Shelby Bottoms to Two Rivers Parkway, joining pieces of the Stones River and Shelby Bottoms greenways. Outdoor enthusiasts walked across the bridge with Nashville Mayor Karl Dean to mark the official opening. The bridge, designed by Consoer Townsend Envirodyne Engineers and built by Bell and Associates Construction, connects schools, parks and businesses along a 22-mile stretch of greenways. Metro hopes the bridge will serve as an alternative method of transportation for people traveling from the Percy Priest Dam area to downtown Nashville. The city received $2.8 million from federal and state funds to build the $8 million bridge. STAFF REPORTS (Tennessean)

Captain D's writes correction

We would love to have all of you visit Captain D's this Saturday and try one of our great grilled dinners. Unfortunately, the only restaurant in the metro area that does NOT have a grill is the restaurant on 1133 Murfreesboro Road. Internally, we refer to that restaurant as Bell Road, because it is at the corner of Murfreesboro Road and Bell Rd (and some of you history buffs might remember there used to be another Captain D's on Murfreesboro Road, closer to town). I was the one who wrote this invitation that you so kindly posted to the blog - and I apologize for that error. However, our restaurant at the corner of Bell Rd and Murfreesboro Road will be offering 50% off your meal this Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Any other area Captain D's would LOVE to serve you a FREE great tasting grilled dinner this Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. So please - come on by! Sandy Smith SVP - Marketing Captain D's

Faulty sprinkler soaks office in criminal justice building

Chris Echegaray (Tennessean)• April 22, 2008 The criminal court clerk's office in downtown Nashville's A.A. Birch Building suffered water damage after a sprinkler head dropped four inches of water near the customer service area. They are open today. The leak in the six-story building at 408 2nd Ave. occurred just before 9 p.m. last night, said Tommy Bradley, chief administrative officer. Bradley is determining the damage. The state-of-the art $49 million criminal justice building was dedicated two years ago.

Nashville-area road work

SOUTHEAST— Today through Wednesday, 8 p.m. - 5 a.m., there will be lane closureResurfacing s on Bell Road eastbound and westbound in order to work on handicap ramps. One lane will remain open.

Predators' lease proposal questioned

'Seems like a blank check,' Metro councilman saysBy MICHAEL CASS • Staff Writer Tennessean) • April 9, 2008 A handful of Metro Council members asked tough questions about proposed arena lease changes for the Nashville Predators on Tuesday, a week before their final vote on the deal. Council members asked how they could sell multimillion-dollar annual subsidies of the pro hockey team to middle-class and poor constituents; why the cap on arena operating losses that the city would pay is set at the 2006 level, which is more than $2 million higher than this year's projections; and whether other cities are on the hook for such losses when a sports franchise also serves as the facility manager. (A 2003 audit by KPMG LLC said Metro's arrangement is unusual.) "It just seems like a blank check," Councilman Phil Claiborne of Donelson said after the council's Budget and Finance Committee met with city attorneys and finance officials. The Predators' new, mostly local owners say they need a new, more generous deal at the Sommet Center — which the team's sister company operates for the city — to have a chance of succeeding financially and keeping the team here. The proposal negotiated by Mayor Karl Dean's administration would increase payments and incentives to the Predators while also protecting the city's investment more effectively, supporters say. At-large Councilman Charlie Tygard said Nashville is "considerably different" than it was before major-league sports teams arrived in the late 1990s."I don't want to go back to those previous days, quite frankly," Tygard said. The full council is expected to vote on the lease when it meets next Tuesday.

Metro police to continue search for mall suspect

Metro police are searching for a man suspected of stealing items from the Bass Pro Shop in Opry Mills Mall Tuesday night.The robber was chased by store security before jumping in the nearby river headed east.He was described as a white male, bald, 6'2" and around 220 pounds. He was seen wearing a pair of tan shorts, a white shirt and a green hoodie, Capt. David Imhof said.— NANCY DEVILLE (tennessean) Overnight Update Police plan to continue the search for the suspect on Wednesday. The search for him Tuesday night involved the use of a police helicopter with a heat-indicating device. The helicopter made several sweeps along part of the Cumberland River but found no indication of heat, Imhof said.The Nashville Fire Department put in two boats and searched the shoreline but found nothing. The Office of Emergency Management decided against using a diver because the river is high and rough and contains too much debris, according to Imhof.Police will review surveillance video from the mall and also try to identify the man through his vehicle.— LEIGH RAY (Tennessean)

District 29 Crime Update Meeting Minutes

District 29 Crime Update Meeting Minutes Hermitage Police Precinct Thursday February 7, 2008 A very big thank you to the members of the Priest Lake Presbyterian Church for the opportunity to conduct the Crime Update Meeting at their church. Council Lady Vivian Wilhoite, presiding Opening of the Meeting –Prayer by Reverend Paul Burns Introduction of the of the Guest Speaker-Council Lady Vivian Wilhoite Discussed the continuous meetings to keep everyone abreast of the crime situation I District “29” and through the entire Nashville area. Thanked everyone from the community for attending the meeting. Introduced Chief Ronal Serpas Metropolitan Nashville Davidson Police Department- Chief Ronal Serpas 1) He states that they are only notified of about ½ the crimes that have been committed. • The department has stopped reading fiction about how to police people • Have a professional police attitude- every person should be helped by a police person no matter what the problem • The police have started to do things to help people better 2) Auto theft has not been lower then it is now (2007 reports) 3) Burglaries are lower now then they were in 1965 4) People that are releases from prisons are the ones causing most of the crimes 5) January 1, 2008 “Crooks with Guns” law is passed. Repeat offenders that are affected the most by this law. 6) Out of 70% of armed robberies, 40% of the crimes committed are by criminals that have been convicted on a felony charge. 30% have committed some type of crime. This is an ongoing, uphill battle. 7) Narcotic arrests higher now then ever before. Dealers are running a business and they are only concerned about making money. A drug arrest that takes place in a car where there is also a gun found carries a stiffer penalty. 8) Gangs- the idea of gangs has been going on for a long time. The differences with the gangs we have now are that members change to other gangs and they are not looking to make a lifetime commit to any one gang. 9) Some kids might dress like they are in gangs but they are not. The new dress code has helped this situation. 10) From August 2007 through October 2208 three days a week time are spent to monitor gangs and their activities. Extra money spent on overtime has been used to control gang problems. What is needed for the next four years have a stronger police department and be able to obtain more officers 1) Need to be able to offer better pay and benefits to be able to obtain more police 2) Better education for the community 3) More Precincts in Nashville 4) More Precinct Staffing 5) Need to have DNA lab- being able to use DNA samples would solve more crimes 6) Trying to get some Police Officers to patrol neighborhoods 7) Crimes against you are usually by some one you know Questions for Chief Ronal Serpas Q) What about the safety at Bicentennial Mall? A) Perhaps better lighting and different policing methods In general, Nashville has a higher % of crime reduction than other cities. Q) What does a Sheriff do? A) Not a law official, maintance of prisons and prisoners, serving warrants. The Police department has the criminal responsibility. Introduction of Commander Michelle Richter - Hermitage Precinct If you see a criminal try and get a good description of person, car, anything you can get to help. There was a 3% decrease in the crime rate in 2007. Questions of Michelle Richter Q) Man and woman that are homeless keep coming into Cablegate, what can we do? A) Nothing unless they are committing a crime or panhandling. Q) Nashboro Village – What about the high crime rate? A) Nashboro Village has been a roller coaster ride. Management has been working hard to correct issues. They have changed the Section 8 status. Met with management to try and get better lighting. Q) Are there many gangs around here? A) Not really, just a few. At one point there was a gang issue when they were living in vacant apartments. Q) In Cane Ridge there is a new High School is being built, have the police evaluated what will happen with the gangs between Antioch High School and the new one? A) They will have support there. The new dress code is making a large difference. Q) Vivian Wilhoite asked how we can obtain truancy reports? A) Looking to have a link added to this blog Q) Are the Police around when blasting is happen? A) NO, but if people think the vibrations are too much, make the police department aware and they can find someone to measure the blasting. If blasting is going to happen and you are within 300 feet you should be notified by the city. Q) The speeding around Antioch has gotten worse. Can you post a speed limit? A) It is a societal problem and is very difficult to change Q) I have been living in the condos in the Nashboro Village area for 7 years and feel the crime rate has drastically increased. A) Setup a Neighborhood Watch Closing by Vivian Wilhoite That is the crime update. These meetings are for the public to voice their concerns. We need to strengthen our relationship with the Police Department. Further updates will be posted, to keep the district up-to-date on all important issues. It is very important that more people start getting involved and attend the Crime Update Meetings. If you know people in your neighborhood that might not have access to a Computer please make them aware of the meetings. Spread the word and let’s strengthen “District 29” and make our neighborhoods a great place to live. Posted on the side of the blog are important phone numbers to keep on hand to report a crime or information concerning possible drug activity. Do not be afraid to use them. Crime Stoppers 74-CRIME (742-7463) Drug Activity 244-DOPE (244-3673) You do not have to give your name! Just make the call! Start a Neighborhood Watch Group. If you are interested in starting a Neighborhood Watch Group in your neighborhood please send an email to fullcircle148@aol and leave name, area you live and contact information. Have a great Weekend! Posted by MS