Bill to allow handguns in bars dies

By THEO EMERY • Staff Writer (Tennessean) • April 3, 2008 A bill that would have allowed gun owners to bring handguns into bars and other establishments serving alcohol died on Wednesday at the urging of House Speaker Jimmy Naifeh, the bill's sponsor said. The so-called "guns in bars" bill had been introduced and defeated numerous times in previous years. It was recently the butt of a segment on the Colbert Report television show, with video footage of Senate sponsor Doug Jackson, a Dickson Democrat, at a gun range shooting at an apple pie, a hot dog and a baseball. House sponsor Joe McCord, a Maryville Republican, said a pre-hearing discussion Wednesday with Naifeh and fellow committee member Rep. Rob Briley made him "painfully aware" that the legislation could not be approved in its current form. He told the committee that "responsible" legislation would require legal definitions of bars and nightclubs that don't exist under state law. Further study was needed to hammer out those definitions, he said. "Over the summer, we are going to have to try to come up with a definition of nightclub or a definition of bar that currently does not exist in codes," he said. "That is the only way I think that we can accomplish the goal." Naifeh, a Covington Democrat, appeared briefly in the House Criminal Practices Subcommittee on Wednesday, conferred with lawmakers and lawyers for several minutes, and then left. He didn't vote on the "guns in bars" bill, although he could have. He is allowed to vote under House rules. He later returned to the same subcommittee meeting Wednesday to reverse another vote on a bill that would have made private information about people who have state-issued handgun carry permits.

Many skip Metro’s offer of ID theft protection

As deadline nears, 15% of those whose data was on stolen laptop have registered By MICHAEL CASS • Staff Writer (Tennessean) • April 3, 2008 Linda Goldman says she had no trouble signing up for the free identity-theft protection Metro Nashville offered after thieves stole computers containing voters' Social Security numbers. "It was very easy," said Goldman, a nurse who lives in Bellevue. "If you have Internet access, it's exceptionally easy." With just two weeks left to sign up, about 15 percent of the Metro voters listed on the laptop computers have signed up for the Debix service. The city said in January that it would pay for a year of protection for anyone who wanted it, and it expected 25 to 35 percent of the 337,000 affected voters to enroll, based on other states' experiences. Janel Lacy, Mayor Karl Dean's press secretary, said 49,495 voters had enrolled as of Wednesday morning. The deadline is April 16. Two laptops containing Social Security numbers were stolen from the Davidson County Election Commission's offices in the days before Christmas. Police found the computers Jan. 17, a week after Dean announced the Debix offer. Tests indicated that the data on the laptops had not been viewed or copied. Metro is paying a discounted rate of $9.75 for each of the first 20,000 voters to sign up and $9.25 for all others. At those rates, the city's cost stands at more than $467,800. Metro is using money from a special insurance fund designed for an unforeseen event. Debix's usual rate is $99 a year. The 4-year-old Austin, Texas-based company lets subscribers set up a personal identification number and record a "voice key" so it can call them securely whenever anyone attempts to open an account using their personal information, spokesman Shawn Freeman said. Subscribers can accept or decline transactions by using the keys on their phone. Debix's site for Metro voters is www.debix.com/nashville.

Lady Vols star cleared to play in Final Four

By MIKE ORGAN • Staff Writer (Tennessean) • April 3, 2008 Candace Parker and the Lady Vols got good news on Thursday when the injured All-American was cleared to play in the women’s Final Four. Doctors said Parker has a non-traumatic dislocation of her left shoulder but can play wearing a shoulder brace in Tennessee’s NCAA semifinal game against LSU on Sunday at 8:30 p.m. in Tampa, Fla. Parker practiced with the Lady Vols on Thursday before the team left for Tampa. “Following further evaluation and consultation with Dr. Greg Nathien and Dr. Matt Rappe, Candace was found to have a non-traumatic shoulder dislocation,’’ Lady Vols athletic trainer Jenny Moshak said. “She has very good range of motion and very good strength. She has been cleared to play and will wear a shoulder brace.” Parker will continue daily rehabilitation on her shoulder, according to Moshak. The Lady Vols will have a closed practice today at a high school and an open practice Saturday at St. Pete Times Forum, the Final Four site. Parker’s left shoulder became dislocated twice in the first half of Tuesday’s Oklahoma City regional championship game against Texas A&M. Wearing a shoulder sleeve she was able to return to the game and play the last 10:39, helping the Lady Vols to a 53-45 victory. Parker led UT to a 61-55 win over LSU in the Southeastern Conference Tournament championship at Sommet Center by scoring 28 points, grabbing six rebounds and blocking three shots. LSU beat Tennessee 78-62 in the regular season, Feb. 14 in Knoxville, as Parker scored 26 points and got 10 rebounds. In four NCAA Tournament games, Parker has averaged 24.5 points and 7.5 rebounds.

THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR PUBLICATION OF THIS UPDATE FROM THE IDENTITY THEFT COMMUNITY MEETING.

Wilhoite’s Review of District Identity Theft Meeting On Thursday, March 27, at the Hamilton United Methodist Church, Mr. Mike Hassell, Certified Identity Theft Risk Management Specialist and a residence of District 29 was invited by Council Lady Vivian Wilhoite to speak to the community about Identity Theft and “How Not to Be a Victim.” This was the second meeting on Identity Theft held in District 29. Council Lady Wilhoite says, “If you missed this informational meeting, Mike Hassell established this Q & A that was presented at the meeting that can assist you in knowing more about Identity Theft and what you can do to protect yourself. You can never do too much to protect yourself and your family.” 1. What are the five common types of Identity Theft? Driver License – Social Security Number – Medical – Character/Criminal – Financial. 2. An Extended Fraud Alert remains on a consumer’s credit file for what length of time, unless cancelled prior? 7 years. 3. Under the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act, at what frequency are consumers entitled to receive a free copy of their credit file? Once every 12 months from each bureau. 4. A fraud alert placed on a consumer credit file prevents all credit grantor's from extending credit without first contacting the consumer. Answer: False. 5. “Opting Out” of direct mail marketing lists will not stop junk mail solicitations that are generically addressed to ‘Postal Patron’, ‘Occupant’, or ‘Resident’. True. 6. Small businesses are exempt from data and information privacy laws regarding non-public and personally-identifiable consumer information. False. 7. Potential Identity Theft and related risks to employees at the workplace include: a. Unsecured employee and personnel files b. Termination for erroneous “undisclosed” criminal convictions c. Use of the employee’s Social Security number as an identifier| d. Distraction and diminished attention to detail resulting in costly mistakes, poor job performance, or increased risk of workplace injuries e. Theft of information or belongings by other employees 8. Credit monitoring services are an effective means of alerting the consumer if someone has obtained a driver’s license, birth certificate, Social Security card, or other such documents or identification in their name. False. Credit is only 28% of Identity Theft. 9. A true Identity Theft service should address all aspects of restoring the victim’s identity, both financial and non-financial. Restoration. 10. Services that provide Identity Theft “resolution”, “recovery”, or “restoration” services require a limited Power of Attorney in order to communicate with creditors and others on behalf of the victim. True. 11. Most Identity Theft resolution services provide assistance with both financial and non-financial aspects of an Identity Theft incident. False. 12. Only an individual can be a victim of Identity Theft. False. 13. What are some of the illegal techniques used to obtain identity information? Take mail from mailbox. Divert mail to another location by filling out a change of address form. Go through trash and find identification and financial documents. Access credit reports by posing as landlords or employers. Hack into personal computers. Pose as legitimate companies or government agencies to request personal information via email. Steal hard copy or electronic files from your workplace. Stand close at the ATM to learn your Personal Identification Number. Work at restaurants, gas stations, or other businesses to steal money or information from credit/ATM/debit cards. 14. Once identify thieves have your personal information, they may use it to: Charge on existing credit accounts. Open new credit accounts in your name. Use existing or open new checking accounts in your name and write bad checks. Establish phone or wireless service in your name. Use your debit cards or counterfeit checks to drain your checking account. Take out loans to buy cars and other big ticket items. 15. What are some ways to secure your personal information? Shred all pre-approved credit offers, account statements and financial documents before disposing of them. Do not carry your Social Security Card. Have a locked, secured mailbox. Do not have your Social Security or driver license numbers printed on checks. Review credit reports annually. Carry only those cards you use. Review monthly credit card statements before paying them.’ Buy only from secure websites. Never reveal personal information unless you initiate the contact and know exactly who you are dealing with. Have up-to-date virus protection software installed on your computer. Never store personal and financial information on your laptop. Know what to do and who to contact in case your wallet is stolen. Have copies of all credit cards stored in a safe place. Change your passwords regularly. Please contact Vivian Wilhoite, Councilmember, District 29 at vivianwilhoite@comcast.net or email her from www.vivian-29.blogspot.com or 589-2003 regarding this release. Mike Hassell is a Certified Identity Theft Risk Management Specialist and can be reached at 642-1113.

What to do if you cannot find your animal by Vivian Wilhoite

With the weather getting warmer and the days getting longer we tend to let our pets out in the backyard or on a lead in back of your house more during this time of year. I want to supply you all with some information that you should keep handy if your pet wanders off. These tools were used by friends that had their dog taken out of their yard last week. I am happy to say they have received their dog back and everyone is happy. 1)If you feel that your animal was taken please call the police at 862-8600 and make them aware of the situation. 2)Stop by the Metro Animal Services every few days to look for your pet. 3)Call the Nashville Humane Association at 352-1010 or visit them at 213 Oceola Avenue off of Whitebridge Road. 4)Contact local Veterinary Clinics. Most will let you post a picture of your pet in their office and will also keep their eyes open in case a animal matching your description is brought in. 5)Post flyer's around your neighborhood (mail boxes, local stores, delivery pizza restaurant's, etc) 6)Place an add in local newspapers and local websites (Tennessean, craigslist). Also check these sites for animals found. 7)If you happen to find a pet and take into your house for safe keeping follow the above information I hope no one will ever need to use these steps but, just in case...Print and keep in a handy place just in case..If you know someone that has pets and does not have access to a PC and pass information onto them. Thanks, Vivian Wilhoite

Minority-owned companies to get more Metro contracts

An effort to level the playing field for minority- and female-owned businesses competing for Metro government contracts became law Tuesday with a unanimous vote by the Metro Council. The law, supported by Mayor Karl Dean, will overhaul the way companies compete for city business and how such contracts are awarded. It follows research that showed more than 92 percent of the city's construction work from 1999 to 2003 was awarded to companies owned by white men. "It's a great thing for our city," said Darrell Freeman, chairman and CEO of information technology consulting firm Zycron Inc. and chairman of the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce. "It's something we've realized over the years we needed to get done," Freeman said just after the vote. "Having a progressive mayor and a progressive council helped. It's one more thing that can make Nashville a great place to live for everybody." The law will create a new oversight office to evaluate bids and proposals and verify that contractors have made an effort to subcontract with female- and minority-owned firms. Businesses that violate the city's requirements when submitting bids can be temporarily suspended or barred from competing for Metro work. The law does not apply to some of the city's largest government agencies, including the school system, Nashville Electric Service and the airport authority. The Metro Charter gives those entities broad authority to set their own policies. The council approved a resolution Tuesday asking those agencies to adopt and follow the new non-discrimination program. Councilman Eric Crafton of West Nashville said the law would let the city break up some large jobs into a number of smaller ones, allowing more companies to get a piece of the pie. "We're going to unbundle it so a $1 million project might now be 10 $100,000 projects," Crafton said. "We have some people who are extremely qualified, and if given the chance, they can succeed." Contact Michael Cass at 259-8838 or mcass@tennessean.com.

Crime Report: Anti-gang crime effort brings arrests

Nashville More than 80 people were arrested and 120 grams of marijuana and three weapons were seized in a Metro police sting last weekend. Operation Safer Streets took place in several areas around Nashville on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. It was part of an ongoing effort to combat gang crime. — CLAUDIA PINTO (Tennessean)

Metro police destroy 1,405 guns

By RACHEL STULTS • Staff Writer (Tennessean) • April 2, 2008 Nearly 1,500 rifles, shotguns and pistols were destroyed at dawn Wednesday by Metro police. Most of the 1,405 weapons were seized in 2002 and 2003 during arrests for illegal gun possession. Some were turned over to officers as found property. Weapons associated with homicide investigations or other serious crimes were not destroyed. The police department destroys firearms once or twice a year. The department does not sell seized or confiscated guns, police said.

Metro school board leader won't run again

By NATALIA MIELCZAREK • Staff Writer(Tennessean) • April 2, 2008 Metro school board Chairwoman Marsha Warden will not seek reelection in the Aug. 7 school board race, she said Tuesday. Warden, who was elected in 2004, said her decision is tied to her father-in-law's death two weeks ago and a desire to spend more time with her family. "This school district is in transition and our family is in transition," Warden said. "This was a wake-up call on what's important for the Warden family right now. I need to focus on the family and what I can do to be more helpful." Warden represents the Bellevue area. At least six people — including Warden — picked up papers to run for her seat. Those also included Metro Councilman Eric Crafton. Candidates have until noon on Thursday to file their petitions. "With a new mayor and a search for a new (schools) director, it's a time to bring more advocacy voices about public education to the table," Warden said. "This isn't a time to tear it down; it's a time to build up a school district." Five of the school board's nine seats are up for grabs in August. The new board probably will be charged with picking a superintendent and dealing with increased government intervention because of low performance.

Mayor to widen board searches

BMore geographic diversity promised by MICHAEL CASS • Staff Writer (Tennessean) • April 2, 2008 Mayor Karl Dean said Tuesday that his appointments to Metro boards and commissions have not represented the county's geographic diversity as well as they could have and that he plans to do better. Dean said a story in Sunday's Tennessean caused him and his aides to review their appointments to dozens of Metro panels since he took office in September. The newspaper reported that about 30 percent of board and commission members — most of them appointed by previous mayors — hail from just two affluent areas: Belle Meade and Green Hills/Forest Hills. "We're not where I would want to be in terms of geographical diversity," Dean said. "Fortunately, it's only six months, and I would say that we're just going to concentrate on improving in that area." Dean's office submitted a new round of 18 appointments Tuesday for confirmation at the April 15 Metro Council meeting. None of the 18 lives in the 37205 Belle Meade or 37215 Green Hills ZIP codes, each of which has more than two times as many appointees as any other area. "It's important that everybody in the county feel they're part of the government," Dean said. Metro Councilman Mike Jameson said he was "grateful" that Dean was "broadening the depth of his search." Tuesday night the council unanimously confirmed the appointment of former Councilman Chris Whitson to the Metro Board of Zoning Appeals. Choice upsets some Dean's appointment of Whitson upset some council members and neighborhood leaders because the attorney lives in Belle Meade, which is not subject to Metro zoning laws, and he took some stances on the council that some viewed as anti-neighborhoods. "Mr. Whitson on a number of occasions opposed efforts by neighborhoods to protect themselves from incompatible development," Lane Easterly, treasurer of the Nashville Neighborhood Defense Fund, wrote to Dean on Monday. Whitson said he understands that his role on the zoning board is to interpret and apply existing laws rather than making new ones.

Police Want Help Searching For 18-Year-Old Suspect

Police Want Help Searching For 18-Year-Old Suspect

Posted: April 1, 2008 07:11 AM CST


NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Tuesday morning, metro police said they have been working to find an armed robbery suspect.

Kanaloa Smothers, 18, is wanted in connection with two robberies from last week.

Thursday, Smothers and another man allegedly robbed an acquaintance at gunpoint.

Then on Friday, Smothers allegedly beat and robbed another man. This time Smothers took cash, a pistol and a shotgun.

If you know where Kanaloa Smothers is call police or Crime Stoppers at 74-CRIME. You can remain anonymous.

Channel 5 News

Inmate escapes from Harding Place facility

Authorities are looking for an inmate who escaped overnight from the corrections facility at 5113 Harding Place.

Rick Gentry, a spokesman for the Davidson County Sheriff's Office, said early Tuesday morning that Joseph C. Bennett, 31, a minimum security inmate at the Correctional Development Center site in Antioch, has escaped. The time of escape is under investigation, Gentry said.

Metro police Capt. David Imhof said that police were notified shortly before 4 a.m. Tuesday that there had been an escape from 5113 Harding Place. That is the address for the CDC for men, a minimum security facility. Authorities are looking for Bennett, who took off in a U-Haul van, Imhof said. According to police scanner traffic, the inmate was missing since around 3:30 a.m. Tuesday.

The U-Haul van was soon located at Haywood Lane and Bakertown Road in South Nashville, but the inmate was not found. Police are continuing to scour the area.

The inmate was said to have past charges including evading arrest, drug paraphernalia, theft, and probation violation charges.

More information will be provided when it becomes available.

— LEIGH RAY

Leigh Ray can be reached at 615-726-5951 or lray@tennessean.com.

Ordinance BL2008-115: “Split” Duplex Bill

This ordinance by Councilman Tygard would allow “duplexes” to be built as two separate structures on a single lot. The NNDF membership has voted to oppose to this fundamental change in the definition of “two-family” structures to allow the construction of two detached structures rather than one single structure with two units. This change is contrary to our basic premise of a duplex, which Webster’s dictionary defines as a two-family structure. We are concerned this change will increase the number of tear-downs in existing neighborhoods. In effect it allows for a doubling of the number of structures in neighborhoods zoned R and on grandfathered duplex lots in RS districts. In time it is likely that owners will request sub-division of these lots creating a confusing patchwork of sub-standard lots through existing neighborhoods. The current practice of building duplexes attached by a wall is the result of an “interpretation” of the Code by the Zoning Administrator; it was not as a result of a specific text change request by the Council. We are not aware of any compelling need for this text change. There are a number of questions as to how this ordinance will be applied by Codes and Planning: Will there be curb cuts for each structure? How will lot subdivision be handled? How will interior lots be subdivided? How will this affect lot comparability for other subdivisions? How will this affect historic districts? What will neighborhoods housing patterns look like with separate structures? We believe a better approach would be for the Council to correct what we believe is a “misinterpretation” of the zoning code by requiring all duplexes to have a common interior wall, which was the previous requirement.

Ordinance BL2008-115: “Split” Duplex Bill

This ordinance by Councilman Tygard would allow “duplexes” to be built as two separate structures on a single lot. The NNDF membership has voted to oppose to this fundamental change in the definition of “two-family” structures to allow the construction of two detached structures rather than one single structure with two units. This change is contrary to our basic premise of a duplex, which Webster’s dictionary defines as a two-family structure. We are concerned this change will increase the number of tear-downs in existing neighborhoods. In effect it allows for a doubling of the number of structures in neighborhoods zoned R and on grandfathered duplex lots in RS districts. In time it is likely that owners will request sub-division of these lots creating a confusing patchwork of sub-standard lots through existing neighborhoods. The current practice of building duplexes attached by a wall is the result of an “interpretation” of the Code by the Zoning Administrator; it was not as a result of a specific text change request by the Council. We are not aware of any compelling need for this text change. There are a number of questions as to how this ordinance will be applied by Codes and Planning: Will there be curb cuts for each structure? How will lot subdivision be handled? How will interior lots be subdivided? How will this affect lot comparability for other subdivisions? How will this affect historic districts? What will neighborhoods housing patterns look like with separate structures? We believe a better approach would be for the Council to correct what we believe is a “misinterpretation” of the zoning code by requiring all duplexes to have a common interior wall, which was the previous requirement.

Una Recreation Park….new and improved

The Una Park Plan update meeting was tonight at the Una Church of Christ. If you missed tonight’s meeting, this is what is being planned for the Una Park whose land was donated to Metro Parks. Children’s playground 1 Picnic Area (I have requested additional picnic area to be installed throughout the park) 2 Football Fields 2 Baseball Fields 2 Multipurpose Fields A walking trail A Skate Park Additional Parking Questions and comments were on use permitting, per cost development, usage of picnic area, honoring the past with signage and the desire to see more of a variety of recreations. The answer to these questions will be addressed. Quality recreation parks in the southeast are a deficit. The existing Metro Park Master Plan shows clearly that our area is in severe need of quality parks and community centers. Establishing the Una Recreation Park, new, improved and metro-owned is and will be a win-win for our community. Click here to see the proposed Una Master Plan. I would like to hear from you. You can email me or call me. Your concern is important to me. Last but not least, thank you to the congregation of Una Church of Christ for opening up your doors to the community. Gratefully, Vivian