Nashville Receives Federal Funds For Neighborhood Clean-Up

Channel 5 News NASHVILLE, Tenn.- Nashville is getting $4-million from the federal government. It's all to help clean up and re-sell foreclosed homes. Metro has about 3,000 houses in foreclosure. Some of them are neighborhood eyesores. The Metropolitan Development and Housing Agency says their plan is to secure those properties and resell them to stabilize the neighborhoods. That money though, isn't coming until next year

Police Hope More Visibility Will Increase Crime Tips

Channel 5 10/12/2008 NASHVILLE, Tenn.- Often times, police rely on witnesses to help them solve crimes. That's why Nashville's CrimeStoppers is taking extra steps to advertise 74-CRIME, the number to call with a tip. When crime scene investigators are working, witnesses will notice something new on their vehicles: the phone number to Crime Stoppers. The hope is the signs will generate more calls to the tip line. Calls to Crime Stoppers are anonymous. Callers are issued code numbers, and they are paid by Crime Stoppers board members who are civilians, not police officers.

Foreclosure help could be just click away

Wkrn.com 10/11/2008 The Tennessee Housing Development Agency's Web site has been getting more and more hits as families receive foreclosure notices in the mail. According to THDA director Ted Fellman, "Nashville has about 1,500 foreclosures each month." Shelby County leads the state with one out of ever 232 households going into foreclosure while Davidson County's rate has increased 35% in the last 12 months. THDA.org is the state's first attempt to create a database of rental properties. "When Hurricane Katrina happened we realized we didn't have a database that would tell us where available units were," explained Fellman. Today, their Web site is helping families receiving foreclosure notices find apartments or rental homes. "This gives them an opportunity to look without actually traveling or driving around looking at apartments or finding the sites," Fellman continued. He said three or four months ago he would have said Tennessee was just six months from the end of the foreclosure crisis. In addition to foreclosures because of adjustable rate mortgages, Fellman said "now we're seeing more foreclosures due to the economy." He said, "...At the end of the day I think we're still a year away from seeing this turn the corner." More information is available on the THDA's Web site at http://www.thda.org/.

NES will soon round up bills for charity

Wkrn.com Oct 11, 2008 10:21 AM CDT Just weeks after a statewide electricity increase, the Nashville Electric Service will soon implement a new program that rounds their customers' bills up and gives the difference to charity. NES customers were notified about the program, Change for Charity, when their October bill arrived in the mail. An insert inside explains how it works. Every NES customer is automatically enrolled in the program and beginning in January, customers' bills will be rounded up to the closest dollar. If your electric bill is $77.53 the new program would increase it 47 cents to $78. While it may not sound like much, customers who spoke with News 2 say every penny adds up and the increase comes at a difficult time. Laurie Parker with NES said the tough economy is exactly why they're implementing the new program, to help those who can't afford to pay their electric bill. She said 80% of the money raised will go to charities the utility supports like Big Brothers of Nashville, Ladies of Charity and the Metro Action Commission. 20% will be available in grant form for other local charities. NES customers are able to opt out of the Change for Charity program on the company's Web site. Click here to opt out.

Clean out those closets, donate books

Hickory Hollow Towers residents seek mysteries, romance, inspiring works for libraryBy SUZANNE NORMAND BLACKWOOD • sblackwood@tennessean.com • 259-8268 • October 10, 2008 Read a good book lately? The residents at Hickory Hollow Towers want something new to read, maybe a page-turner or a romance or a large print version of the Harry Potter books. The seniors at the retirement community off Mt. View Road, have had a library since 1980, but they've pretty much read all the books and are hoping for donations. Resident Pat Carl says the library is a popular place within the facility, even though it also has a hobby room, a piano and an exercise room. The library received a $2,000 state grant last year with the help of state Rep. Sherry Jones. "As far as I know, that's the only money we've ever received," Carl said. With that money, the residents, who operate the library themselves, were able to purchase many books. Also, said Carl, the residential facility's Activity Club purchased bookshelves, and many residents have donated books throughout the years. "We get a few outside donations," she said. But it has gotten to the point that donations have slowed down, and the library has used all of its grant money. Residents have read most of the books in the library, Carl said. Carl said the library is in need of large print books, books on tape, romance and mystery novels and inspirational books. She said it particularly needs newer releases. Hickory Hollow Towers, located off Mt. View Road near the former Texana Grill, is funded by Section 8. Residents there are low to middle income. Most residents also receive some other form of government assistance, Carl said. "To go buy a $5 book doesn't sound like much," Carl said. But, she added, "Most people don't have the funds." Resident Doris Walker, who assists Carl with library duties, said that would "buy a loaf of bread and a gallon of milk," which is likely to be a more pressing concern for most residents. Frances Ross, whose late husband Houston Ross helped develop Hickory Hollow Mall, is a regular library patron. Ross, 94, said Carl has been "a real asset" to the library, and she knows how hard Carl has worked to keep the library's collection exciting and up-to-date. "We hope it continues to get good books and grow," she said.

Davidson County crime log for Oct. 2-5, 2008

CRIME LOG These are the most serious calls handled by the Metro police, listed by time, crime reported and address. Some reports may be unfounded. Police calls are listed by police precinct or town. When police cannot immediately determine the location of a crime, the address given is that of the police station or hospital where the crime was reported. Oct. 5 Antioch 8:07 p.m., shooting, 70 block Waikiki Boulevard Donelson 10:41 p.m., holdup/robbery, 2200 block Elm Hill Pike Hermitage 5:10 a.m., holdup/robbery, 5000 block Old Hickory Boulevard 8:22 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 1400 block Elm Hill Pike 10:27 a.m., residential burglary, 4600 block Forest Ridge Drive 11:05 a.m., residential burglary, 1200 block Murfreesboro Pike 2:37 p.m., shooting, 2600 block Hobson Pike 2:38 p.m., shooting, 2600 block Hobson Pike 11:57 p.m., holdup/robbery, 600 block Fesslers Lane Lakewood 3:47 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 3600 block Old Hickory Boulevard South 3:32 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 14900 block Old Hickory Boulevard 4:44 p.m., residential burglary, 5700 block Edmondson Pike 6:53 p.m., nonresidential burglary, 400 block Murfreesboro Pike 8:55 p.m., shooting, 100 block Glenmont Drive Una 10:51 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 2500 block Murfreesboro Pike Oct. 4 Antioch 9:16 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 2400 block Edge O Lake Drive 9:42 a.m., residential burglary, 1000 block Regents Park Circle Hermitage 2:58 a.m., residential burglary, 6600 block Shadyview Drive 4:34 a.m., holdup/robbery, 10 block Fairfield Avenue 5:03 a.m., holdup/robbery, 500 block Murfreesboro Pike 7:51 p.m., holdup/robbery, 5700 block Old Hickory Boulevard 8:03 p.m., holdup/robbery, 4400 block Lebanon Pike Priest Lake 1:55 p.m., holdup/robbery, 4000 block Anderson Road Una 12:43 p.m., residential burglary, 2600 block Edge O Lake Drive Oct. 3 Antioch 10:32 a.m., residential burglary, 400 block Leisure Lane Donelson 1:24 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 200 block Shady Grove Road Hermitage8:28 a.m., residential burglary, 4200 block Laurenwood Drive 9:07 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 5800 block Old Hickory Boulevard 4:11 p.m., residential burglary, 200 block Arbor Creek Boulevard 4:58 p.m., residential burglary, 5100 block Singing Hills Drive 9:58 p.m., residential burglary, 1200 block Saturn Drive Una 1:03 a.m., residential burglary, 2000 block Nashboro Boulevard 2:18 p.m., residential burglary, 1400 block Doubletree Lane Oct. 2 Antioch 6:12 p.m., residential burglary, 400 block Leisure Lane 9:57 p.m., residential burglary, 5500 block Oak Chase Drive Donelson 7:41 a.m., nonresidential burglary, 100 block Jackson Downs Boulevard 4:47 p.m., holdup/robbery, 2300 block Lebanon Pike Hermitage 12:55 a.m., holdup/robbery, 10 block Fairfield Avenue 10:03 a.m., residential burglary, 1200 block Saturn Drive 3:57 p.m., residential burglary, 4200 block Laurenwood Drive 4:11 p.m., residential burglary, 200 block Thistle Lane 11:13 p.m., nonresidential burglary, 4200 block Sweden Drive

Sounds, Metro can't agree on lease

By MICHAEL CASS • Staff Writer(Tennessean) • October 10, 2008 The Nashville Sounds and Metro government continue to disagree about the Sounds' future at Greer Stadium as the baseball team's lease is running out, a top city official said Thursday. Metro Finance Director Rich Riebeling said the team has asked for a short-term lease of one to five years after Dec. 31, but the city wants the Sounds to make a long-term commitment to fixing up the 30-year-old ballpark. "We want their ownership to show a commitment to Nashville, to staying in Nashville," Riebeling said. Jeff Diamond, a consultant working for the Sounds, said he couldn't say much about the negotiations. "I would just say discussions continue, and we're talking and meeting and trying to get something worked out," said Diamond, who was president of the Tennessee Titans from 1999 to 2004. "I'll just leave it at that for now." Alhough there are still more than two months to reach an agreement, the impasse reflects the frosty relations between the Sounds and Mayor Karl Dean, who was the city's top attorney during previous negotiations for a new riverfront ballpark on city-owned land. Under the original plan, that facility would have opened in 2007, but the deal fell apart 18 months ago after the Sounds fought with their development partner and missed two financing deadlines. Dean has shown little trust for the Sounds' Chicago-based management since then. He was angry when the Sounds advanced state legislation last winter that would have let them collect sales tax from a future ballpark to help pay off their construction costs. The franchise eventually had the bill withdrawn. Asked if the Sounds would want to be assured that they could build a new stadium before making a long-term commitment to Nashville, Riebeling referred to the earlier deal. "They had an opportunity to build a stadium in downtown Nashville, and they walked away from that transaction," he said. Dean said in a February interview that the Sounds may have missed their best chance to partner with the city. "We're certainly not going to offer a better deal, and we may not be able to offer the same deal," he said. City asks for upgrades Riebeling said the Sounds haven't offered any new proposals or designs. In the meantime, the city has asked the Pacific Coast League franchise to upgrade Greer Stadium, a 10,052-seat facility just south of downtown. Metro wants the Sounds to bring Greer into compliance with standards imposed by the federal Americans with Disabilities Act and improve the stadium's restrooms and concessions facilities. "What are they going to do about Greer?" Riebeling said. "Because it's not fair to the fans." He also said it was too easy for the Sounds to say the stadium is old. "Wrigley Field is old," he said. "Fenway Park is old. Just because something is old doesn't mean it's something that can't be maintained in a way that fans appreciate." But many of the Sounds' peers in the minor-league baseball ranks are enjoying newer facilities. Thirteen Triple-A teams will play next season in stadiums built in 2000 or later. "I think they need a new stadium downtown, without a doubt," said Wallace Primm, a longtime Sounds fan and a retired Metro Transit Authority bus driver. "I love baseball. What matters to me is the viability of having baseball in Nashville."

English-Only Will Be On Jan. Ballot

Must Receive 50 Percent Of Voter Turnout Plus One To Pass Channel 4 News POSTED: 11:12 am CDT October 10, 2008 UPDATED: 11:53 am CDT October 10, 2008 NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- There will be a special election Jan. 22 to consider the controversial plan English-Only, which proposes making English the official language of Nashville. Councilman Eric Crafton, who is sponsoring the proposal, submitted a petition with more than 2,400 required signatures to hold the January special election. Crafton and his supporters want to require Metro government to do business in English only. The Metro council approved a similar measure in February 2007, but then-mayor Bill Purcell vetoed it.

Metro Council delays water bill changes

Revising late fees, due dates could cost city millions By CHRISTINA E. SANCHEZ • Staff Writer (Tennessean) • October 8, 2008 Nashville water and sewer customers will not get more time to pay their bills — at least for now. Metro Councilman Sam Coleman introduced a measure in August that would have given water and sewer users a consistent due date on their bills each month. But the council delayed voting on the bill Tuesday amid concerns that changes would jeopardize $5 million in late fees that the city relies on to finance some water services. Instead, the council will wait for Mayor Karl Dean's office to put together a comprehensive water and sewer rate plan that considers consistent due dates and eliminating the flat $10 late fee, Coleman said. "We're entrusting that the two issues will be taken up," Coleman said Tuesday. "In the event that these two issues are not taken up, then we would bring the bill back." Customers currently have a 15-day minimum to pay their bills, but under the proposal would have at least 25 days. They also would get a set due date each month. Metro Water Services does not read all meters on the same day, leading to the different due dates. "For customers who are on a fixed income, they need to know every month when their bill is going to come due," Coleman said when the bill was first introduced. The legislation also changes the way the department assesses a fee on late payments. In place of the set $10 late fee, customers would pay 5 percent of their balance. For example, on a $100 bill the late fee would be $5. But Water Services relies heavily on the estimated $5 million a year in late fees it receives. The proposal could mean $2 million to $3 million less for the department's budget, said Councilwoman Emily Evans. "It would have a significant revenue impact on a budget that's already in serious shape," Evans has said. "How would we replace that revenue?"

Publix shopping center on its way up

Mt. View Marketplace developer starts work on Murfreesboro Pike siteBy SUZANNE NORMAND BLACKWOOD • Staff Writer (Tennessean) • October 8, 2008 The dense residential development along Murfreesboro Pike was a huge factor in the decision to build the new Mt. View Marketplace, which will be anchored by Publix. "I think it's a great amenity for the area," said Jason Keckley, broker with Great South Real Estate & Development, which is handling the leasing for the shopping center. "There's a lack of grocery stores in the area," he said. "We saw a need for grocery and retail." The site is now being developed for the shopping center, which has been anticipated for a while. "It's still pretty early in the process," Keckley said. But, he added, "everything's still on schedule." When complete, the center will have 60,000 square feet of restaurant, office and retail space. Other tenants would likely include a clothing shop, hair salon and providers of financial, medical and dental services. "We want an appropriate tenant mix that's going to be good for that community," Keckley said. The shopping center is being built in front of Bradburn Village, a Beazer Homes community on Pin Hook Road. David Hughes, president of Beazer Homes Nashville Division, said the same property owner sold the property for Bradburn Village and Mt. View Marketplace. "We knew it was there from day one," he said. "We viewed it as a positive." Hughes said sales have picked up on the homes at Bradburn Village since development of the Mt. View Marketplace site began. The center provides convenience to residents, who can walk to the grocery store, a restaurant or the salon, he said. Mt. View Marketplace first got attention when a sign went up in the area more than a year ago saying, "Publix Coming Soon." The planned center, which is being built by PGM Properties, made the news when neither PGM nor Publix would confirm that a Publix store was going there.

Airport neighbors want Harding Place extension to I-40 shifted

By CHRISTINA E. SANCHEZ • Staff Writer (Tennessean) • October 6, 2008 Louan Brown has long wondered when she might lose her 40-acre property near the airport for a proposed new highway connecting Harding Place to Interstate 40. "They have moved the road multiple times," said Brown, whose father bought the land she lives on in the 1940s. "They have tied us up for 15 years. As it stands now, the (Elm Hill Pike) interchange is right on my property." That interchange is one of five that would be part of the project to add five miles to Harding Place, which transportation planners say would ease traffic congestion and visitor confusion around Nashville International Airport and provide a shortcut between I-40 in Donelson and Interstate 24 near Antioch. Regional transportation planners first suggested the road about 25 years ago, to the concern of nearby residents. Their opposition has delayed the project, and at a meeting last week several of them implored planners to shift the road three-fourths of a mile toward the airport and away from them. Designs for the road keep changing; they may again. No work has started, and the state said Friday it couldn't provide a total cost estimate. Previous reports indicate about $10 million is available for the segment from Murfreesboro Pike to Couchville Pike. Joe Carpenter, assistant chief engineer for the Tennessee Department of Transportation, said his department, along with Metro government, the airport authority and the Federal Aviation Administration, would listen to all concerns. "This is an extremely large and complex project for the state as far as projects go," Carpenter said. "Some residents had a desire to cancel the project altogether and put the money into existing infrastructure. We'll consider all the comments." 5 interchanges planned Along with the regional, federally authorized Nashville Metropolitan Planning Organization, state and local officials for years have debated about what roads and details should be included in the project. As it stands now, a new road would run from the Harding Place-Donelson Pike intersection south of the airport to I-40 near the Elm Hill Pike overpass. Donelson Pike through the airport property also would be relocated and straightened, to cut down on blind spots on curves for motorists headed in and out of the airport. The road is heavily traveled, including by out-of-towners unfamiliar with the area. Proposed designs call for five interchanges, including the new road's tie-in to I-40 and a major reworking of the current Donelson Pike/I-40 junction. TDOT says about 36,000 vehicles a day travel Donelson Pike at that interchange, which handles both through and airport-bound traffic. Some want road moved Metro Councilman Carl Burch, whose district includes the proposed extension area, said he believes the concept for the new road is a good one. But he wants the road moved. "We need that artery to get from Harding Place to Interstate 40," Burch said. "I think it will relieve a lot of traffic from Bell Road and Donelson Pike. It's a good project if the road is moved to the west." TDOT would have to consult with and get approval from the FAA to move the road 4,000 feet closer to the airport, as residents suggested at last week's meeting. Airport spokeswoman Emily Richard said airport officials are not involved in the decision-making process for the project. "Harding Place extension is not our project, and we are not pushing this," Richard said. "Our long-range plan calls for a fourth parallel runway, though there are no plans for it at this point." The FAA would be involved to make sure safety provisions are followed because the road, if moved west, would be close to that proposed runway, she said. Residents wary of road Meanwhile, Louan Brown and other residents wait for the road to be built or abandoned. Brown grew up on the property that fronts Elm Hill Pike south of I-40. Her parents taught her how to raise cattle and care for horses on the farm, where she now lives with her husband and two children. She has been going door to door with an aerial map of the project to alert residents that this project will come if they do not make their concerns heard. Brown's campaign, which includes a large sign in her front yard, has attracted attention from neighbors, some of whom did not know they could be living next to a major roadway. Paula Gowen, who has lived along Elm Hill Pike since 1986, drove up to Brown's home one day last week and asked, "Where's this road going to be?" Gowen shook her head at the thought of living sandwiched between I-40 and another major artery. "This is in my backyard," Gowen said. "That's depressing. I've got enough noise already." Brown said she is not giving up and will continue to speak out against the project. "I am not going away," said an emotional Brown, who grew teary over the prospect of losing her father's hard-earned land. "My entire life has been out here. I'm not stopping."

Senior boomers can learn about living well at Oct. 8 expo

Submitted by CASSANDRA FINCH • Senior Boomer Expo • October 1, 2008 Crystal Gayle will perform at nighttime concert after day of programs Grammy Award-winning country music star Crystal Gayle will perform at Living Well, a health-and-lifestyle expo sponsored by SecureHorizons by United Healthcare. The expo's evening concert will be at the Tennessee State Fairgrounds at 7 p.m. Oct. 8. The performer Gayle is best known for her international smash, "Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue." Gayle will headline a full day of entertainment, community resources and health programs designed to enhance the lives of Middle Tennesseans who are 50 and older. The Living Well Expo begins with a day program that runs 9 a.m.–3 p.m. at the Tennessee State Fairgrounds. For the first time, a special evening wellness and lifestyle program have been added from 5 to 6:45 p.m., with Gayle taking the stage at 7 p.m. Living Well is produced by Senior Boomer Expo. The expo is Middle Tennessee's biggest event dedicated to the 50-and-older generation. Tickets are $5 for the day program and $7 in advance for the evening wellness program/Crystal Gayle concert, or $10 at the door. Tickets are available for purchase online at http://www.seniorboomerexpo.org/. Included in the full package are motivating exercise programs, with many fun highlights such as Wii video game demonstrations and a mini-golf putting range. Attendees will also be treated to health screenings, cooking workshops, door prizes and a wide array of entertainment. Participants can also shop and save money at the expo's shopping bazaar, "Jewelry & More, Everything $6.00." The Walgreens special Take Care Health Tour Bus, which travels nationwide, will visit the expo to provide participants free health screenings and better health awareness. "Whether you are 50+ or caring for someone who is of senior age, the Living Well Senior Boomer's focus and vision is to provided vital information for a better quality of live coupled with top entertainment. All this in one place will make this year's event the best ever," says Vivian Wilhoite, Metro Councilwoman and honorary chairwoman of the Living Well Expo. Door prizes include a Wii Sports video game giveaway, a "VIP meet and greet" with Crystal Gayle and two orchestra level tickets to TPAC to the Broadway show of the winner's choice. For the first time, the expo will also hold a mock presidential election, with voting machines from the Davidson County Election Commission. The demo machines will be available to help educate people on how to use them in the upcoming November elections. The Tennessean's "Ms. Cheap" will speak from 5:30 p.m. to 6:16 p.m. at Living Well's evening wellness program on "Ways to Stay Cheap & Still Have Fun!" For more information and to order tickets, go to http://www.seniorboomerexpo.org/ or call 254-0250.

New medical clinic at Glencliff High opens its doors to the community

Health services are available to underserved neighborhood By SUZANNE NORMAND BLACKWOOD sblackwood@tennessean.com 259-8268 • October 3, 2008 Glencliff High School is taking an active role in promoting a healthy community. The school recently partnered with United Neighborhood Health Services to open a clinic at the school that serves students, faculty, staff and members of the surrounding community. Many of the clinic's patients are uninsured. The clinic is the fifth that United Neighborhood Health Services has opened in the Metro school system. "We have a 15-year history in the school system," said Walter Stuart, director of school programs for United Neighborhood Health Services. The Glencliff clinic provides screenings, physical examinations, immunizations and sex education, said nurse practitioner Luz Salazar, who sees patients daily. She said the clinic treats a wide range of diseases, including asthma, diabetes, upper respiratory infections and high blood pressure. "We encourage them to be healthy," said Salazar, adding this includes urging good eating habits and staying current on immunizations. The clinic also offers some behavioral health services and will begin providing care by an adolescent behavioral health specialist in January. "If we cannot provide service, we make referrals," Salazar said. Students receive services for free Any student in Metro Schools may receive services for free at the clinic. Although the clinic files insurance claims for students with insurance, the students do not have to pay a deductible or make a co-payment. Uninsured area residents are served on a sliding scale. The clinic also accepts TennCare, Medicare and commercial insurance. "These clinics are important because so many of Nashville students are economically disadvantaged," Stuart said. The clinic will provide consistent health care for those who otherwise might not be getting the services they need because of lack of income, he said. "Our students and this community often go without health care," said Glencliff High School's principal, Tony Majors. "This is an important service we can provide. We care about our students and their families." Also, added Majors, "a healthy student is better able to learn." Majors said the clinic's opening has opened doors for organizations to start providing health and wellness services for Glencliff students and the surrounding community. Parents must consent Salazar, who graduated from Vanderbilt and is fluent in Spanish, is qualified to serve the community's large Spanish-speaking population. There are also many in the community who are Asian or Middle Eastern. Salazar said someone usually comes with the patient to serve as a translator if the patient doesn't speak English or Spanish. "Sometimes it's a family member who helps them or another student," she said. "It's kind of like a team." The clinic sent home consent forms for parents to sign at the beginning of the school year indicating which services they wanted their children to receive or not receive. "We do not see anyone without parental consent, because it is a school clinic," she said. But, she added, "If it's an emergency, we provide service." Pamela Stiles said her niece, Bobbie Jo Puryer, who is a senior at Glencliff, went to the clinic earlier this year for a physical she had to have to be on the bowling team. "They found that her blood was low, so they gave her some iron pills," she said. "It has gone unnoticed a long time." If it weren't for the clinic visit, Stiles said, they don't know when the problem would have been discovered. "I was actually considered anemic before," Bobbie Jo said. Shetold Salazar her history of anemia, and Salazar ordered some lab work. Bobbie Jo said her experience at the clinic was pleasant: "They were very friendly. They make you feel welcome."

Clinic offers sex education, substance abuse services to students

By SUZANNE NORMAND BLACKWOOD sblackwood@tennessean.com 259-8268 • October 3, 2008 Sex education will be a strong focus at the new clinic that opened at Glencliff High School through a partnership with United Neighborhood Health Services. The clinic also discusses with students matters concerning substance abuse. The clinic does not provide contraceptives, but it does offer pregnancy tests and screenings and treatment for sexually transmitted diseases. Although parents are generally entitled to information about their children's health in Tennessee, exceptions include pregnancy tests, concerns related to substance abuse, and screenings and treatment for STDs. "We follow the rules of HIPAA," said Luz Salazar, a nurse practitioner at the clinic, referring to the federal healthcare confidentiality law. Students have the right to confidentiality, she said. The only exceptions are if a student's life is in danger or the student is threatening to harm someone else. If a student reveals that he or she has been experimenting with drugs, Salazar said she first talks to the student about the situation. If the student has a serious problem, she refers him or her to Project SELF, a school-based substance abuse treatment program for youths. A social worker from Vanderbilt University Medical Center and a psychologist from mental health care provider Centerstone also work with Glencliff students. In Tennessee, those age 16 or older may seek counseling without parental consent. Parents also don't have access to information exchanged during sessions with school counselors unless a student is threatening to harm himself or herself or someone else. "We'd rather have them talk to somebody than do something wrong," said Salazar. She said students might not get help if confidentiality were not protected. "We are patient advocates," she said. "We're not here to judge them; we're here to serve them." Private policy has pros, cons Salazar said most parents don't challenge confidentiality policies. "Parents most of the time want the best for their children," and that may mean giving them some privacy, she said. "I agree with that," Pamela Stiles said about the policy. Stiles' niece, Bobbie Jo Puryer, lives with her and is a senior at Glencliff. Stiles, who also has children of her own, said teenagers sometimes need someone personally they can go to with issues. Parents might overreact and not know how to handle the situation. It often helps to have an objective adult who is emotionally detached from the situation and can offer professional advice, she said. Also, said Stiles, teenagers will often listen to other adults before they will listen to their parents. "It's a good thing that students have a place they can go and feel comfortable," said Maria Bernabe, a sophomore at Glencliff. A student with an STD, for example, might delay seeking medical care if he or she fears that his or her parents might find out. Then, by the time the student gets help, it's too late, Maria said. Sophomore Jessica McCarroll said that sometimes parents should be involved. After all, whatever is going on with the teenager may involve changes that need to be made by the parents, she added.

Nashville Improvement Projects Put On Hold

WSMV-TV updated 7:13 p.m. CT, Tues., Sept. 30, 2008 NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Nashville Mayor Karl Dean said he's committed to capital improvement projects like sprucing up the downtown riverfront and improving school buildings. But the spending plan approving a lot of those desired projects is on hold, thanks to the turbulent financial markets. "We can't ignore what's going on at national level," Dean said. "Last week, in terms of fiscal bonds being sold, it was at an incredibly low number, so this is not the time to be pushing ahead." On Tuesday, Dean was scheduled to announce his $200 million capital spending plan, but he put everything on hold. That's because the city finances improvement projects by issuing debt through municipal bonds. Those bonds are usually among the most stable on the market, with billions of dollars of municipal bonds typically sold every week, but not right now. "I'm very concerned," said Metro Councilwoman Vivian Wilhoite. Wilhoite said she understands the mayor's move, but can't help but worry her number one wish just won't be in the stars. "We definitely need a community center in southeast Davidson County," she said. While the parks department agrees with Wilhoite, she hasn?t received the funding for a couple years now. Currently, there is only one community center in Antioch. "When you consider we are the fastest growing community in all of Davidson County, that's not enough," she said. Fewer projects may be approved than in the past due to the financial times. The city's finance director said too many were approved by the past administration, so this year's plan was already going to be lean. Dean doesn't know how long it will be before he proceeds with the capital spending plan, but Tuesday morning, he estimated about a week or two. Even before the turmoil on Wall Street, the plan was already delayed while the city assessed its bonding capacity.