NES president tops Metro pay chart again

By MICHAEL CASS • Staff Writer (Tennessean) • May 7, 2008 While the Metro government prepares to lay off 200 people, another 200 sit at the top of the city's salary heap, each of them pulling in a six-figure salary. The list of Metro's best-paid employees is again led by Decosta Jenkins, president and CEO of Nashville Electric Service, the city's power utility. Jenkins is making more than $257,000 this year, according to data compiled by Metro Human Resources. But Raul Regalado, president of the Nashville Airport Authority, could make more than Jenkins if he meets performance goals. Regalado makes $232,000 but could earn a 20 percent bonus for an additional $46,400, said airport spokeswoman Emily Richard, who noted that Regalado's pay comes from airport revenues, not property tax dollars. Jenkins and other NES employees aren't eligible for bonuses. However, 49 of them are among the city's 200 best paid, including three of the top four and six of the top 10. No other Metro department or agency has more than 13 employees on the list. NES is run by an appointed board that doesn't answer to the mayor or Metro Council and doesn't receive tax dollars to pay its employees. Leo Waters, chairman of the NES board and a former councilman, said the salaries are often necessary to attract good people. "Compared to Metro government, the salaries are high," Waters said. "But most of those folks have very technical, specialized skills, and some of them have been there a long time." Waters also called Jenkins, NES's day-to-day leader since 2004, "one of the better administrators you'll find anywhere." Each of the 200 employees in the elite group makes at least $101,749. Two years ago, 160 employees made at least $100,000, and the lowest salary on the top-200 list was $95,971. There are more than 10,000 employees in Metro's central government. When NES, the airport, schools and several other agencies are included, the work force jumps to about 22,000. The salary list also shows that the mayor's salary doesn't go as far as it used to. Former Mayor Bill Purcell ranked 26th on the pay scale in 2006; his successor, Mayor Karl Dean, ranks 43rd. The mayor's salary is fixed by Metro statute at $136,500. Dean's deputy mayor, finance director and law director all make more, and Dean made more when he was Purcell's law director, earning $143,190 in 2006.

Hundreds help clean up Percy Priest Lake

Hundreds help clean up Percy Priest Lake Wkrn Channel 2 News Volunteers waited in line Saturday morning, eager to get their hands on the miles of garbage polluting the islands on Percy Priest Lake. Ronnie Baugus said the lake is more polluted now than in the past. "I've been here for about 30 years and it used to be pristine and perfectly clean and nice and wooded," Baugus said. Mark Thien, who helped organize the Nashville Clean Water Project, said, "It just looks like the entrance to a landfill." On one of the islands, you can't walk more than a few inches without running into garbage, some of which has been here for years. Everything from tires to plastic bottles and old Styrofoam coolers litter the beach area. Thien says most of the 213 miles of shoreline are the same. "It feels not so great that we have such a problem that it takes 800 people have to do it. But it feels good that people care. They do care," Thien said. "It's just amazing how somebody can just leave stuff here that's recyclable or can be taken home," Nick Ritchie said. Boatloads of trash were filled up and transported back to the shore. By midday, the five dumpsters were almost already full -- and more people lined up and boarded boats to begin the process all over again. Peg McNab, also a volunteer, said, "I'm glad to see such a big crowd. It gives me hope." Organizers say they hope to make this clean up effort an annual kick off to boating season.

Mayor urges city workers to ride MTA bus

Mayor urges city workers to ride MTA bus Nashville Mayor Karl Dean has put $50,000 in the budget for city employees to ride to and from work on MTA buses. "It helps employees by dealing with the issue of expensive gas, it helps the city with environmental and traffic concerns and just makes us a more commuter friendly city," said Mayor Dean. There are 10,000 city employees, not including schools, and all would be eligible for bus rides. Mayor Dean said he encourages all employees to take advantage because he believes it's good for the city. "This is something I think we should be doing. We should be leading by example. Of all the things in the budget, I am really excited about this and I think it's a step in the right direction," said Dean. The Metro Council has to act on a proposal by the end of June. If it passes, city employees could be riding MTA buses for free as early as this summer.

Fewer Layoffs Expected In Metro

Channel 5 News May 5, 2008 08:33 PM CDT NASHVILLE, Tenn. - A few months ago, Mayor Karl Dean announced that massive budget cuts could cost 200 Metro employees their jobs. Now, it appears the number of layoffs will be lower than initially expected. Metro Public Works and Parks and Recreation departments stood to lose the most employees, but now that's changed. A number of employees set to be laid off are finding other jobs within local government. Human resources director Dorothy Berry said her job is difficult as she tries to find new employment for what began as some 200 Metro employees. Metro Council members such as Jerry Maynard have the final say on a tight budget. The next few weeks will be intense as departments try to meet a late June budget deadline. "It will entail reviewing all of the departments' budgets," Maynard said. "It will entail determining what our priorities are." There are disagreements over who to let go and how to spend the money. A fire department plan to cut some employees salaries is already raising eyebrows. "But the chief has made a decision and made a recommendation to us that you rollback some positions instead of laying some people off," Maynard said. Metro may be able to work out their budget issues, but the so-called wildcard in this whole situation is the state budget. The state budget hasn't been finalized and it impacts the local budget, Maynard said. According to Gov. Phil Bredesen's office, the governor may reveal his budget plans sometime this week. It could include some layoffs. The Tennessee Funding Board discovered last week that the state could have a budget shortfall of $585 million next year. Bredesen has not yet indicated how many state's employees could face layoffs. As for the Metro's budget, council members continue their budget hearings Tuesday. The council has until the end of June to adopt a new budget plan. If not, Dean's proposal automatically goes into effect. To see Video Click Here

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.

Metro, state work to correct schools

Meeting addresses district's deficient status By NATALIA MIELCZAREK • Staff Writer (Tennessean) • May 4, 2008 How much will the Metro Nashville school district allocate next year to boost achievement among special education students? What will the system do about professional development for its 5,000-plus teachers and principals? Connie Smith, executive director of accountability for the state Department of Education, told the Metro school board and administrators Saturday that they must address these and other issues if they want to succeed. She suggested they use these questions as guidelines to tailor the district's proposed $614.1 million budget and target funding at areas of deficiency under a federal education law, including reading and math. The 75,000-student district's in terim director Chris Henson said he welcomed the state's help. "We're very open to the state's suggestions, and we've been working closely with the state," he said. "Changes have been made; we've totally reorganized our federal programs office. There's no hesitancy on our part. We're looking at things differently." Smith is scheduled to meet with the school board June 7 to go over the proposed budget allocations and see whether the district has taken into account her recommendations. Only then, Smith told the group, will the district get off an unflattering list of failing systems under the federal No Child Left Behind law. The school board is ex pected to present its proposed budget to Metro Council June 9. 'You can't have inertia' "We want to see targeted funds to meet the priorities that have been identified. That's what will get you off the list," Smith said. "My mission is to make this public school system competitive with any private school. This summer big plans need to be made for next year. You can't have inertia." Smith said she wasn't sure whether the sense of urgency about the seriousness of Metro's predicament under No Child Left Behind has been communicated across the district. She also said she expected some staff reassignments next academic year to ensure that competent people are in charge of appropriate duties. Metro and Robertson County last summer moved into so-called "corrective action" status under the No Child Left Behind law for not showing enough progress among pockets of students for four consecutive years. Some already speculate Metro will miss this year's achievement because the goals are higher than last year's expectations. If that happens, Metro would receive more directives from the state about its daily operations, including use of funding. It would also have to prepare a plan for alternative governance of the district and possibly face a state takeover. Board seeks direction Several school board members asked Smith specific questions regarding future im provement: how to effectively schedule professional development or how to ensure that the new superintendent — most likely to be selected this fall — will hit the ground running. "I agree with you, Dr. Smith, that principals create a climate for the school, and I'm glad you say we need that kind of professional development," board member Ed Kindall said. "The culture in our schools that comes down from principals is key, and that we're going to treat every child the same, that they all can learn. Some of these things are not about money. They're about how we think."

RESOLUTION NO. RS2008-255

A resolution recognizing and congratulating Caroline Bartlett, on being chosen the Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools 2008-2009 “Teacher of the Year” for Una Elementary. WHEREAS, Caroline Bartlett, educator at Una Elementary, has devoted her career to providing the highest quality education for Tennessee’s students and is well deserving of this recognition; and WHEREAS, Caroline Bartlett was selected by her colleagues as “Teacher of the Year” at Una Elementary, an honor most befitting her outstanding tenure as a teacher as it recognizes the positive influence she has on so many young lives; and WHEREAS, she received her bachelor’s degree from Middle Tennessee State University; and WHEREAS, she has served with distinction as the Visual Art Teacher with Una Elementary since 2002; and WHEREAS, Caroline Bartlett brings enthusiasm and energy to her students, has an excellent repertoire of teaching strategies, creativity, innovation, and vision that has brought invaluable assets to not only the classroom but to Una Elementary; and WHEREAS, a dedicated and passionate educator, Caroline Bartlett gives of herself outside the classroom in numerous capacities including serving on a number of professional organizations including Metro Nashville Education Association, Tennessee Education Association, National Education Association and the Nashville Institute for Visual Arts Education; and WHEREAS, no stranger to accolades, Caroline Bartlett is the recipient of numerous awards and recognitions for her many outstanding accomplishments in the field of art; and WHEREAS, Caroline Bartlett is an extremely talented and compassionate educator who works assiduously to motivate her students to reach their full potential, both as scholars and as citizens; and WHEREAS, it is fitting and proper that the Metropolitan Council recognizes and congratulate, Caroline Bartlett on being named the 2008-2009 “Teacher of the Year” for Una Elementary and commend her for her exceptional service to her students, and saluting her professional expertise while wishing her all the best. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY: Section 1. The Metropolitan Council hereby goes on record as recognizing and congratulating Caroline Bartlett, on being chosen the Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools 2008-2009 “Teacher of the Year” for Una Elementary. Section 2. The Metropolitan Council Office is directed to prepare a copy of this Resolution to be presented to Mrs. Caroline Bartlett, Visual Art Teacher at Una Elementary. Section 3. This Resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it. Sponsored by: Vivian Wilhoite

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)

Metro looks to aggressively fill teaching vacancies

Metro utilizes media to help fill teaching spots WKRN NEWS The hiring season is underway for school systems across the country, and the competition is fierce. This year, Metro Nashville Public Schools is pulling out all the stops to fill hundreds of vacancies in its classrooms. For the first time Metro is turning to television to help, with a public service announcement featuring Nashville Mayor Karl Dean. The Mayor says the city itself is a big draw. "I think we're going to be able to attract new teachers to Nashville... We have to be innovative. We have to think outside the box and we have got to be open, and that's what I want to do," he said. Another advantage for Nashville may be the starting salary which, at just over $34,000 for beginning teachers, is higher than in all the contiguous counties. School officials said the shortage of teachers is getting deeper, while the need to add more continues to grow. The baby boomers are beginning to retire and the younger generation is on the move, rarely staying in one job more than a few years. Metro needs to hire as many as 500 new teachers over the next few months, hoping to fill all the positions open by the beginning of the 2008 and 2009 school year. Dr. June Keel, Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources, said it won't be easy. She said, "The competition for teacher is increasing particularly as we lower classroom sizes because that requires more teachers. As we add special programs that requires teachers with specialized training. Areas like special education and math, it is extremely competitive; it is extremely competitive for teachers." The television campaign is one of several new initiatives the system is using. They have also placed ads in education journals and on education Web sites. On Saturday, at LP Field, Metro will hold its first ever invitation only job fair. Keel said, "We have invited those teachers we interviewed on our recruitment trips that we feel are really outstanding, that we would really like to work in our district." Principals from some of the highest need schools will be on hand to interview all the applicants and the school system is prepared to offer contracts on the spot. TO Watch Video Click Here: http://www.wkrn.com/Global/story.asp?S=8258675

Suspected ‘Wooded Rapist’ behind bars after 14-year search

BY ALEXAHINTON ahinton@nashvillecitypaper.com
One of Nashville’s long-standing unsolved crimes may be over following the arrest of a man Metro Police say is the infamous “Wooded Rapist.”

Police on Thursday announced the arrest of Robert Jason Burdick, 38, of 314 Ash Grove Court as the suspect behind the vicious sexual attacks that spanned 14 years and three counties — Davidson, Williamson and Wilson.

Burdick, a Nashville business owner, is charged with five counts of aggravated rape, one count of attempted aggravated rape and one count of attempted rape in addition to six aggravated burglaries, police say.

The first known attack was March 1, 1994, when a man allegedly broke into a home in the 5000 block of Franklin Pike and raped a 38-year-old woman in the early morning hours, according to police reports. The nature of the crime and its close proximity to Radnor Lake, a popular forested hiking spot, sent shock waves through the community.

The next two attacks, according to police, apparently took place about five weeks apart in late 1998. In the first case, a man allegedly broke into an Otter Creek Road home on Nov. 20 and raped a 22-year-old woman; then on Dec. 29 the same man allegedly raped a 36-yearold woman in a Priest Road house. Police linked the crimes and media dubbed the attacker, which they now believe to be Burdick, as the “Wooded Rapist.”

“His particular pattern of behavior was that he would appear from out of the woods and secondly in many of the neighborhoods where he committed these tremendously inhuman acts occurred in wooded areas of sparsely populated parts of the county,” said Metro Police Chief Ronal Serpas at a press conference yesterday. “[He raped women] in wooded areas, in the driveway, in the home.

Burdick is accused of attacking three other Davidson county women in their homes in 1999, 2000 and 2005 and police suspect he was involved in three other Nashville rapes — two in 2006 and one in 2007.

He has not been charged in Williamson County, but is suspected in at least three rape cases that occurred in 1999 and 2004. In one of those cases, Burdick allegedly broke into a home in the Mooreland Estates subdivision and raped a 48-year-old woman and her 16-year-old daughter the night of March 31, 1999.

The most recent rape was Feb. 1, 2008 and the victim was a 16-year-old girl who allegedly was raped outside her home, just off Highway 109 in Wilson County.

In all, Burdick is suspected in at least 13 rapes cases with victims ranging in age from 16 to 61.

Burdick is the owner of WB Technologies, 2201 Murfreesboro Pike, which specializes in burglar alarm technology. Its Web site, which featured a photo of Burdick above his e-mail address, said, “Our client base is impressive, we have proudly designed, installed and serviced systems for the US Military, Government Installations, US Postal Service, the United States Secret Service… Universities, major industrial, commercial, and residential facilities.”

Police could not say if Burdick’s knowledge of security systems could have aided his ability to break into the women’s homes.

Don Aaron, Metro Police spokesman, said officers had obtained a search warrant and were searching the company’s location during the 4 p.m. Thursday news conference announcing Burdick’s arrest.

A break in the case came Sunday night when a call was made to 911 that a suspicious person dressed in black, wearing a mask and carrying a flashlight was spotted in the Meadowlake subdivision in Brentwood, police said. Brentwood Police Officer Elliott Hamm responded to the call and stopped the Jeep Burdick was driving at 1:30 a.m. Monday.

Hamm, who has been on the Brentwood force for two years, said he was tipped off because Burdick “was in the wrong place at the wrong time. His car was parked in an odd place for that time of the night — especially on a Sunday night when it’s raining.”

Tennessee Bureau of Investigation DNA scientists linked Burdick’s DNA to samples taken at the crime scenes and Burdick’s arrest was ordered shortly after 9 a.m. Thursday morning, police said. Burdick was brought to Metro Police headquarters, where he refused to answer questions and was booked into the Metro jail without bond.

The Wooded Rapist was considered one of Middle Tennessee’s most wanted criminals and one of the largest and longest unsolved cases. Other known rapists, such as the “Green Hills Rapist” of the mid 1980s, had fewer victims and spanned fewer years, Aaron said.

“This selfish, heartless, inhuman criminal caused too much pain in our community and today is a good day that he is off the streets,” Serpas said. CP

Sounds still in default of Greer Stadium lease

Sounds General Manager Glenn Yaeger claims the team has been responsive in becoming ADA compliant.

By Nate Rau, Friday, May 2, 2008 3:21 am(The City Paper)
Updated: Friday, May 2, 2008 3:21 am

The Nashville Sounds organization is still in default of its Greer Stadium lease because certain aspects of the 31-year-old ballpark are not in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, according Metro’s law director.

The letter, sent to the team by Law Director Sue Cain on April 22, states that the Sounds still have a number of upgrades to make at the ballpark before they are in ADA compliance. Although the team does not have to be fully ADA compliant by a certain date, it does have to submit a plan to do so soon.

The Sounds took a step toward ADA compliance — and toward solving a beef with the team’s major league affiliate, the Milwaukee Brewers — when it recently constructed a $1 million project for new home and visitor locker rooms.

The new locker room facility, located apart from Greer Stadium behind the outfield wall, wasn’t complete until Thursday. Until then, Sounds players were forced to change and prepare for games at LP Field and then take a bus to the ballpark.

“As you are, by your own admission, in violation of the laws of the United States, the Metropolitan Government is providing you with further notice of your continuing material default of the lease,” Cain wrote in the letter.

The team’s Greer Stadium lease expires at the end of the year. The Sounds own an option to extend the lease, but must first be in ADA compliance so they are not in default of their lease, before they can do so.

The Sounds must give 180 days notice about their intentions to renew the lease, which would give the team a July 1 deadline before submitting its plan to become ADA compliant.

“It is the desire of the Metropolitan Government to continue to have the Sounds play baseball in Nashville,” Cain’s letter reads, “and to the extent it is reasonable to do so, will work cooperatively with you should you choose to correct this default in conformance with the terms of the lease.”

Sounds General Manager Glenn Yaeger claims the team has been responsive in becoming ADA compliant and would develop a plan to complete its remaining issues — like the height of concession stands, the number of wheelchair ramps and rails on certain walkways throughout the stadium.

Renewing the Greer Stadium lease is another chapter in what has become a contentious back-and-forth between the Sounds and Metro.

Earlier this week, the team’s new proposed legislation to help with the funding of a possible downtown ballpark passed a state Senate subcommittee. This angered Mayor Karl Dean, who says he asked the team not to press forward with the legislation until it had private financing in place.

The legislation, sponsored by Sen. Thelma Harper (D-Nashville), would allow the team to use the sales tax generated by the new ballpark and its surrounding development to pay back the debt on construction of the stadium.

Metro’s legislative lobbyist Eddie Davidson said the team pushing ahead with the legislation was an act of bad faith and effectively cut off communication between the city and the Sounds on a possible new ballpark.

Yaeger said the team needs to have all its revenue streams, including public money, in place before it receives private financing.

Mayor Karl Dean digs deeper into schools director search

By Amy Griffith, Friday, May 2, 2008 3:21 am(city newspaper)
Updated: Friday, May 2, 2008 3:21 am

As a new chapter for Nashville public schools continues to unfold today with school board interviews of director search firms, Mayor Karl Dean’s involvement with Metro Nashville Public Schools has the potential to grow.

A spokesperson for the mayor said he plans to conduct his own unscripted interviews more like “real conversations” with the three companies being considered to conduct the search for Nashville’s next director of schools.

“He’s expressed a clear desire to be involved in our schools, and that means he’ll be working with the next schools director very closely,” said Janel Lacy, spokesperson for the mayor, on Thursday. “I think it’s natural that he be involved in the decision of who that person is, considering the close working relationship they’re going to have. … This search is going to play a critical role in the direction of our schools, so it will in turn play a role in our city’s future.”

Danielle Mezera, director of the Mayor’s Office of Children and Youth, will be present at the interviews and will share Dean’s perspective on the decision Saturday morning, at an 8 a.m. public meeting called by the school board for the purpose of choosing a firm.

School board members have said they’re counting on whatever search firm they choose to play a role in shaping — at least in the planning phase — the process for selecting a new director, including the specific role that the mayor’s office and community stakeholders will play.

Dean — who has said repeatedly since his August election that he plans to be “very involved” in public schools — has been a part of the search firm selection from the beginning. Dean was one member of a team of three who narrowed down the list of applying firms to a group of three finalists. He has also offered to raise money through private sources to pay for a search firm, once chosen, and board members have indicated their interest in taking him up on it.

The specifics of Dean’s interviews of search firm candidates were not publicly discussed by the school board as a whole, and several board members indicated to The City Paper, when asked, that they hadn’t been aware of Dean’s individual meetings with candidates. No board member, however, has expressed to The City Paper sentiments other than support for Dean’s involvement.

“I have no problem with the mayor interviewing [the firms],” said school board member George Thompson on Wednesday.

Board member David Fox said Thursday, “If the mayor’s meeting with them, that’s fine. … I’m glad he cares enough to do it. That’s probably a good thing.”

Fox added that he expects the board to deliberate, publicly, on the role that Dean — as well as local stakeholders in public education — will play in the unfolding search before a firm is hired, either today or tomorrow.

But whatever the proposals of the search firm candidates, statements from the mayor’s office indicate that Dean plans to be a part of the search.

“The mayor’s going to continue to be a part of the process and continue to be a part of the conversation,” Lacy said.

Two Metro Council members — Jerry Maynord and Jim Gotto — said at MNPS’s budget hearing with the Council that Board of Education members should take care to make their own decision about choosing a director of schools, as board members are elected by the public for that purpose.

Dean has said he respects the school board and its legal role, and comments that Lacy said Thursday are still accurate. Mezera will present the mayor’s thoughts about search firms and Dean will leave it up to the board to decide how to weigh those thoughts.

The three search firms to be considered are Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates, Ltd. of Illinois, ProAct Search of Wisconsin and Ray & Associates of Iowa. School board interviews of the firms are open to the general public, and begin this morning at 8:30 a.m. at the MNPS central office, 2601 Bransford Ave. The board is slated to discuss and make a decision about which firm to hire at 8 a.m. Saturday, also at MNPS central offices.

Commission offers meals for kids programs

The Metropolitan Action Commission is accepting applications for the 2008 Summer Food Service Program for Davidson County. These sites will be responsible for serving breakfast and lunch to any child, up to age 18, from June 2 to July 25. Local organizations such as churches, community groups, summer school programs, summer camps or any other group that will serve children for any length of time during the summer are encouraged to submit an application. Organizations can submit their applications in person or by U.S. Postal Service to the Metro Action office, at 1624 5th Ave. N., or call 862-8860, ext. 131.

Antioch house fire

Leigh Ray (Tennessean) • A man died after a house fire Thursday night on Roxanne Drive in Antioch. When firefighters arrived, neighbors were knocking on windows and doors trying to rouse the resident. Details: Nashville firefighters responded to the call shortly before 11 p.m. Thursday to a fire in the 500 block of Roxanne Drive, according to Nashville Fire Department spokesman Joaquin Toon. Several neighbors had called reporting the fire, with suspicion that the homeowner was still inside. When a fire crew arrived on the scene seven minutes after the call, the whole first floor was on fire, Toon said. Firefighters found a resident in a bedroom on the second floor. "We believe he might have been trying to exit the home because he was found on the floor of the bedroom and not his bed," Toon said. The cause of the fire has not been determined, but it appears to have started on the first floor because that floor sustained the most damage, Toon said. "We transported the victim with critical injuries and presumably smoke inhalation to Southern Hills (Medical Center), where he was pronounced dead," Toon said. No firefighters were injured, and no one else was in the home, fire and police officials said. When the first fire engine arrived, neighbors were knocking on windows and doors trying to rouse the resident, Toon said. Also, when fire crews arrived, they heard a smoke or heat alarm sounding. Fire officials are not certain if the resident could not hear the alarm or the fire was so bad it prevented him from exiting the home. Five fire stations from South Nashville responded to the fire, which was in a neighborhood located between Ocala Drive and Bell Road. The victim is believed to have been about 56 years old, Metro police said.

Bredesen: Budget cuts will include state worker layoffs

By ERIK SCHELZIG Associated Press Writer NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- Tennessee's deteriorating state budget situation will require an unspecified number of state employees to be laid off, Gov. Phil Bredesen said Wednesday. Bredesen, a Democrat, said he doesn't see a way to fill what has grown to be a $550 million hole in the budget for the upcoming spending year without cutting the state's work force. "You just can't get there from here without doing some layoffs as part of that," Bredesen said. The governor declined to say how many of the state's more than 45,000 employees could be affected. But he said the cuts would be in addition to the 160 positions he may have to eliminate at the Department of Children's Services because of a $73 million reduction in federal program funding. "I'm not talking about 20 people or something, I'm talking about some serious change in the number of people who are employed by the state," Bredesen said. "I just want to be honest with people and not give people any false hopes about where we are." Bredesen has asked to address a joint assembly of the Legislature the week of May 12 to lay out details of his proposal for spending cuts. The State Funding Board was scheduled to set final revenue projections for the current and upcoming budget years on Thursday. Jim Tucker, executive director of the Tennessee State Employees Association, criticized Bredesen's decision on the layoffs. "It irritates me that the first thought is to cut people," he said. Tucker argued that the state's $750 million "rainy day" reserves should be tapped to keep the layoffs from happening. "It's raining," he said. Bredesen has resisted tapping into the reserves because he doesn't want to spend the state's savings on recurring expenses - especially when the end of the downturn is not yet in sight. An earlier administration proposal to give state employees the equivalent of a 2 percent pay raise is no longer on tap, Bredesen said. "I wouldn't lay somebody off and give somebody else a pay raise in this environment," he said. The governor said the only area of the budget likely to be spared from cuts will be K-12 education. The budgets for state colleges and universities, however, are likely to be trimmed, he said. "Everything is on the table," state Finance Commissioner Dave Goetz said. "When you have this kind of hole open under your feet, you have to step back." Lawmakers had mixed reactions to Bredesen's layoff announcement. "We shouldn't have to lay off," said Rep. Mike Turner, D-Old Hickory. "I won't vote for the budget if there are layoffs." But House Finance Chairman Craig Fitzhugh, D-Ripley, acknowledged that it will be hard to escape the need for layoffs. "The cuts are going to have to be pretty significant, and where you get significant reductions is in people," he said. "That's the costly part of state government - I think it goes without saying that's going to have to be part of the consideration." House Minority Leader Jason Mumpower, R-Bristol, said he hopes the layoffs will be targeted. "I hope if that's the case, that we can target employees who may be close to the end of a full career who might appreciate some type of early retirement package," he said. Bredesen previously considered layoffs when he came into office in 2003 but did not implement them. His Republican predecessor, Gov. Don Sundquist, was forced to furlough about 22,000 state workers for five days in 2002 amid a contentious debate over a state income tax. The partial government shutdown became necessary after lawmakers failed to meet the constitutional requirement to pass a balanced budget by the July 1 start of the new spending year. Sundquist and Democratic Gov. Ned McWherter used hiring freezes to cut costs during lean times. McWherter also used retirement incentives to reduce the state payroll. Robin Smith, Tennessee Republican Party chairwoman, said in a statement that the layoffs reflect Bredesen's "wishful thinking approach" to state spending. She said this year's budget "was based on a fiscal fantasy that the economic boom would never end." --- Associated Press Writer Lucas L. Johnson II contributed to this report.