Car warranty phone scams ensnare, enrage Americans

Lawmaker wants FTC to investigate harassing calls By Karen Matthews • ASSOCIATED PRESS • May 11, 2009 Americans increasingly are receiving calls with a computerized voice saying, "This is the final notice. The factory warranty on your vehicle is about to expire," or something similar, several times a day on their cell or land lines. The calls come even if a person has signed up for the national "do not call" registry. Now, Sen. Charles Schumer of New York wants a federal investigation into the "robo-dialer harassment." "Not only are these calls a nuisance, but they tie up land lines and can eat up a user's cell phone minutes, possibly leading to a higher cell phone bill due to overage charges," Schumer, D-N.Y, said. Meanwhile, officials in 40 states are investigating the companies behind the car-warranty calls. Michelle Corey, president and CEO of the Better Business Bureau in St. Louis, said the industry is based largely in the St. Louis area and generates thousands of complaints a year. She said a group of companies began operating in Missouri in the mid-1990s that offered extended repair warranties to people whose manufacturer-issued warranties were about to expire. Within a few years, about 35 firms were offering similar services. "It's a very lucrative industry," Corey said. The companies offer contracts akin to insurance policies, pledging to pay for car repairs in exchange for fees paid upfront. The companies call numbers randomly and leave messages telling people that their auto warranties are about to expire — whether or not they even own a car. Some companies also send out cards that mislead recipients into thinking that their vehicle has been subject to a safety recall, Corey said. If people call back and agree to buy a policy, Corey said, the companies often don't let them see the contract until they agree to pay. Victims lose thousands Some scam victims don't learn until it is too late that the deals don't cover many types of repairs, Corey said. "Some people are losing thousands and thousands of dollars in purchasing a product that turns out to be useless," she said. The Federal Trade Commission, which already operates the do-not-call list, should work with state and local authorities "to find the scam artists and shut their operations down," Schumer said. "This is an annoying scam whose perpetrators have found a way around the do-not-call list," he said at a news conference in his Manhattan office. "The FTC has to track them down and then shut them down to put an end to this nuisance once and for all." Missouri authorities filed a lawsuit last month against one of the largest car-warranty companies, Wentzville, Mo.-based USfidelis, charging that company officials ignored a subpoena demanding that they answer questions about their business. A spokesman for USfidelis, which has more than 1,000 employees, said Sunday that there was "some confusion about the appearance date." The spokesman, Ken Fields, said USfidelis "treats every customer fairly and honestly." The company stopped making unsolicited marketing calls last year, he said. Corey of the Better Business Bureau said it is often difficult to know who is making the calls, because companies change names frequently and use telemarketing subcontractors. Schumer, who received a call last week, said a federal crackdown is needed. "A few states have tried, but we need national action," he said.

Autism discussion set at Vanderbilt

May 11, 2009 Tennessean DAVIDSON COUNTY There will be a panel discussion on autism spectrum disorders beginning at 8 a.m. Saturday at the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, in the MRL Building at the intersection of 21st and Edgehill avenues. The event is free. Topics for discussion will include sleep, psychiatry, gastroenterology, neurology and epilepsy, genetics, and metabolics in treating autism. Autism is a complex brain disorder that inhibits a person's ability to communicate and develop social relationships. It is often accompanied by extreme behavioral challenges. An information session on the Ann and Monroe Carell Jr. Family First program, a series of free workshops serving families of children ages 2-5 with autism spectrum disorder, will be included. Limited free child care is available. Reservations are required by today. For more information or to pre-register, visit http://kc.vanderbilt.edu/registration, or call 322-8240.

Budget cuts may hit emergency services

Middle Tennessee counties face limited choices to balance budgets By Clay Carey • THE TENNESSEAN • May 11, 2009 David Stricklin has never had to call an ambulance to his Smyrna home. But he lives within a half-mile of one stationed on Almaville Road, and it has no shortage of work. "They stay busy all the time," Stricklin said. Budget cuts could make the work of Rutherford paramedics even harder. As local governments in the Nashville area begin the process of balancing budgets hit hard by tax shortfalls during a bad economy, emergency services have found their way into the discussion. On the table: cutting back on police or fire staff, putting off the construction of new stations, and shutting down ambulance crews. Those cuts can be hard pills for citizens and leaders to swallow, officials say. But hard economic times have limited the choices they have. To cover an $8 million budget shortfall, Rutherford County Mayor Ernest Burgess has recommended reducing the county ambulance service's management staff to save money. That would not mean cutting medics in service at any given time. Burgess' option will be among those considered when county commissioners start examining department budget requests this week, but so will some much deeper cuts. Without a tax increase, Rutherford County may well have to resort to emergency-worker furloughs, staff reductions or closing an ambulance station, county Finance Director Lisa Nolen said. Those are options officials like Burgess hope to avoid. "We don't have any surplus in those positions," Burgess said. "I don't think there is a way to furlough those employees without affecting the health and safety of our employees, as well as the public." The cuts worry residents like Stricklin, who fears that people might have to pay a lot for ambulance service. "The county really doesn't offer that much in the way of services as it is," he said. "You can't start butchering up the emergency services." Few alternatives to cuts Cutting emergency services is hard to contemplate, said Fred Congdon, executive director of the Tennessee Association of County Mayors. But governments, especially counties, sometimes have few alternatives, he said. School budgets often make up two-thirds or more of a county's spending, and federal mandates make cutting education spending difficult. "If the revenue is not there, they've got to find some other place to pare down the budget," Congdon said. "Unfortunately, sometimes it's in the services that people want. It's either that or raise taxes." Leaders can relate to that in Hendersonville, where Mayor Scott Foster is proposing a 12-cent property tax increase to stave off cuts in police and fire. La Vergne officials decided against expanding the fire department this year because of budget worries. The fire department, which a private company runs under contract, had plans to ask for three new officers a year for the next six years. The request came in the wake of an inspection by an organization that rates community fire services for insurance purposes. Assistant Fire Chief Ricky McCormick said La Vergne's inspection revealed the department needed 18 additional firefighters to keep its current rating. If the department hasn't added them by the next inspection, which could come in as soon as three years, La Vergne's rating could drop, forcing residents to pay more for homeowners insurance. "It's pay for it now or pay for it later," McCormick said, adding that holding off on bringing on new firefighters won't jeopardize safety. But, he said, "the more (firefighters) we have to put on at one time, the more it taxes us in terms of training." Unpopular choices Rutherford's financial position puts the county in a hard spot, County Commissioner Anthony Johnson said. Tax increases are unpopular with residents, but so are cuts in emergency services. "The bottom line is, we have to pay our bills," he said. "But I don't believe in cutting services people want and need." Similar discussions have been going on in Sumner County. Just a few weeks ago, it seemed the reductions could be serious. Ambulance service revenue was at least $400,000 below expectations. To make up the difference, county officials asked for a plan that would have saved $125,000 by the end of the year — at the cost of permanently parking three of the squad's 11 ambulances. Another more extensive plan would have taken six ambulances off the road. "It had to affect services," said Keith Douglas, director of the Sumner County Emergency Medical Service. "We had to look at the emergency side." For now, it seems Sumner has dodged the most serious cuts. Douglas presented a plan to county commissioners last week that cut $312,000 out of the EMS budget without reducing ambulance crews. "I don't think in emergency services that there is much fat to be trimmed," Douglas said. "Even if you just shut down one ambulance, it affects the whole system. … It affects the whole county."

Happy Mothers Day To All!

May this special day and everyday always be a Happy Mother’s Day. ~ Vivian

Robbery suspects needed money to pay bills, police say

Tennessean May 9, 2009 Police say a Nashville man and his girlfriend admitted to trying to rob a restaurant Friday morning because they needed money to pay their bills. According to a Metro police statement: At 9 a.m., Alexa Forkum, 22, of Roxbrough Drive, pulled out a gun and demanded money at the Subway restaurant at 450 Donelson Pike. She fled empty-handed in a Chevrolet Blazer driven by her boyfriend, Alex Lane, 23, of Lincoya Bay Drive. They were later caught. During questioning, Forkum admitted to the Wednesday night armed robbery at the Circle K, 2011 Elm Hill Pike, police said. The couple is jailed and faces attempted aggravated robbery charges. Forkum is also charged with aggravated robbery. — NICOLE YOUNG

Mayor Dean kills $172 million in projects

Scuttled plans affect parks, public works By Michael Cass • THE TENNESSEAN • May 9, 2009 Metro would pay for $560 million in building, renovation and equipment projects and pull the plug on nearly $172 million in previously approved plans under the capital budget Mayor Karl Dean proposed Friday. Dean's recommendations include about $54 million to expand and renovate the Fulton government complex on Second Avenue South, $6.1 million for new bikeways and sidewalks, and about $6.5 million for a DNA crime lab. At the same time, Metro would drop about 30 planned projects dating back as far as 1999, including $58 million for various public works and $22 million for parks. But each of those departments would get slightly more money for new projects. "We have curtailed millions of dollars of projects and clearly identified those we believe important for our City at this time, recognizing that our resources are limited now and for the foreseeable future," Metro Finance Director Rich Riebeling wrote in a letter to Metro Council members. Councilman Carter Todd of Green Hills said he liked what he saw in the plan, which Riebeling said would take at least three years to complete. "It's easy during tough times to get kind of scared and not make the proper investments," Todd said. "If we stop spending money and hunker down, we'll lose what makes Nashville so special." But Councilman Duane Dominy of Antioch said it might be wise to de-authorize even more projects than Dean recommended. "We need to limit how we're increasing the debt load of the city, especially in these economic times," he said. $178M would be new Metro has already spent about $132.8 million on projects that are in progress. About $178 million would be completely new, including $50 million to control stormwater and $22 million for riverfront development, where an additional$7.95 million was already planned. About $250 million was previously approved but put on hold by Dean after he took office in 2007. Riebeling said the city would start hiring architects and working up designs for many projects soon after winning council approval. A new police precinct in West Nashville, new and renovated fire halls around the city and a new library in Goodlettsville — which former Mayor Bill Purcell proposed two years ago — would be among the first things to get started. Two of the de-authorized projects are actually still planned, but with new arrangements. Instead of renovating the existing Lentz Public Health Center, Metro plans to swap the facility for property owned by HCA Inc., where the city would construct a new building. Also, Foursquare Properties, which plans to redevelop Bellevue Center mall, would build a public library there in exchange for $12 million from the city. Jim Forkum, chairman of the council's budget committee, said the deauthorization plan makes sense. "It's kind of like going through a file cabinet," he said. "You keep what you need to get done."

Mayor's budget funds riverfront park

Dean's plans also include library, bus rapid transit By Michael Cass • THE TENNESSEAN • May 8, 2009 Mayor Karl Dean said his $560 million capital budget will include money to replace portable classrooms with traditional ones, develop a bus rapid transit system and build a park on the Cumberland River's east bank. Dean also will recommend $50 million in major storm-water projects, a new public library for Goodlettsville and more than $30 million for public safety. The mayor plans to file the full, multiyear capital budget with the Metro Council today. He released some of his proposals Thursday. "It is important, even during difficult economic times, for a city to invest in its infrastructure and facilities needed for our citizens," Dean said in a news release. "But given the current economic environment, it's more important than ever for our investments to be made wisely and support our priorities and our community's greatest needs." Dean's administration put about 140 capital projects on hold last year because reserve funds set aside to pay off debt had declined dramatically in the previous two years. Dean planned to submit a capital plan last fall, but pulled it back because of turbulence in the United States credit markets. Metro Finance Director Rich Riebeling said the new plan would include about $130 million that has been spent on projects in progress and $110 million for completely new plans. With council approval, the city also would eliminate about $170 million approved by previous councils. "There were a lot of unclear priorities," Riebeling said. The announcement that Dean plans to build an "adventure play park" along the river drew praise from East Nashville residents, who were saying much different things about him two months ago. The park was the first priority in a riverfront plan developed by Metro consultants with considerable public input in 2006-07. But Dean's administration said in March that it was reassessing the priorities in light of the recession. In the end, Dean said he would propose $30 million for projects on both sides of the river. "It's an important victory that we kept the plan in place," said Kenny Byrd, president of Historic Edgefield Inc., a neighborhood a few blocks east of the river. "We can continue the process of reinvigorating residential and business life on the east bank." Antioch stands to gain Councilman Mike Jameson, who battled Dean when it appeared the park would be pushed back, said he was "enormously grateful to the mayor." "His decision will benefit Nashvillians on both sides of the river for generations to come." Councilwoman Vivian Wilhoite, who represents part of Antioch, said she was pleased to see Dean's recommendations for a new fire station, a new police precinct and new parkland in southeast Davidson County. "It's a great thing," Wilhoite said.

Thank you Mayor Dean!..It's Christmas Time for District 29 and all of Southeast

Well District 29 residents, it looks like we are closer than ever before to getting community center facilities needed for our families and children in southeast Davidson. In the Message from Mayor Dean (see release to the left under Mayor Dean's picture), he has proposed in his Capital Spending Plan a new community center combined with a public health department to be located in southeast Davidson. How great is this! I will be getting more details about this endeavor in respects to location, timeline etc. as details are provided. But for now, it is MORE than just a dream and it's about time. This plan has vision for southeast Davidson. Metro parks will have the ability to purchase more park land. This is absolutely wonderful. A New Southeast Fire Station He has also proposed such needed services like a firestation in southeast Davidon. Certainly this will mean that our firefighers at Engine 33/35 will be getting a better living condition facilities. We are tired of them living in the ghetto type facility that they are in now. These are the women and men that put their lives on the line to save the lives of residents and their homes. And like the other newer fire halls maybe it too will have a community room. We will provide such input on the plans I pray.

Clinics offer free or low cost healthcare for uninsured

WKRN News Channel 2 Posted: May 5, 2009 08:59 AM CDT Even for the employed, health insurance is becoming a luxury and many, trying to save money in the down economy, are skipping routine doctor visits. Dr. Robert Cranfield, a physician at Tennessee Urgent Care, which has four Mid-State locations in Antioch, Smyrna, Rivergate and on White Bridge Road, says the growing trend is a dangerous one. "A lot of people are just holding back on coming for routine healthcare," he told News 2. "They're going to try and wait it out and see if things will get better, or for better economic times." Dr. Cranfield believes while basic healthcare can be affordable for the uninsured, overcrowded emergency rooms continue to show the uninsured are using hospitals for primary care because they know they won't be turned away if they're unable to pay upfront. There are several area clinics, however, that offer healthcare options for free or at reduced costs. Dr. Cranfield said statistics show urgent care centers are about 60% less than going to an emergency room for your healthcare. At Tennessee Urgent Care, a routine visit costs between $100 and $180 and customers paying in cash can get a 20% discount. Additionally, there are programs for the uninsured through nonprofit organizations. St. Thomas Health Systems, for example, offers clinics that base fees on a sliding scale, depending on your income and several major drug stores, like Walgreens and CVS, offer clinics where patients can see a nurse practitioner for as little as $50. In Davidson County, uninsured residents can sign up for Bridges to Care, a program funded by Catholic charities that links enrollees to a network of doctors based on the patient's ability to pay. "It may not be full cover insurance, but at least you have that primary care doctor you can go to instead of going to the emergency room," said Holly Sanchez with Bridges to Care. "As long as you're uninsured and live in Davison County, we're happy to sign you up." "You're general health is extremely important and doesn't need to wait for better economic times," said Dr. Cranfield. "You've got to make sure that you do keep up with your routine healthcare."

Seven Nashville schools to shed uniforms

Most in Metro will relax standards By Jaime Sarrio • THE TENNESSEAN • May 7, 2009 Nearly every Metro school next year will relax the district's "standard school attire" policy to include more clothing options for students, and seven schools are scrapping it altogether. In 2007, the board adopted a detailed uniform policy that outlined dos and don'ts for students, including making sure belts weren't too long. After two years, schools would be given the chance to drop the policy or make changes. This week, school officials announced that all but about 10 schools were granted permission to modify the uniform policy starting next school year. Seven schools will drop the policy completely and revert to the district's original dress code. All requests to opt out were granted, said Ralph Thompson, assistant superintendent of student services. More requests may be considered next year. "Each school was asked to consult staff, students, parents and the community and from that make the determination," he said. "Many schools did feel it made a difference, which was the reason wewanted to leave it up to schools." The policy requires all students to wear solid-colored shirts with collars. Slacks or long shorts or skirts of appropriate length can be worn in khaki, navy or black. Advocates for the policy said it would make schools safer, while opponents complained it created discipline problems out of otherwise good students. Most elementary schools asked that more colors be included on the list of acceptable shirts, Thompson said. Other schools wanted to allow school spirit attire. Seth McCammon, a sophomore at Hume-Fogg Magnet High, which opted to drop the entire policy, said uniforms were not needed because discipline problems at his school are rare. "I hate SSA, and I think that having to dress in a specific way is a waste of time and money," McCammon said. The 15-year-old said he couldn't wait to go back to wearing T-shirts. Metro Schools also is dropping the punitive portion of the uniform policy, which required students to serve one day of in-school suspension after the second violation. After the third offense, a student could be suspended out of school. Now, schools will be able to decide how and if students should be punished for violating the dress code, Thompson said.

Volunteer List for May

Tennessee won't require restaurants to list calories; Nashville still on track

Phil Bredesen's proposal to require calorie counts on menus at chain restaurants in Tennessee has failed for the year. The proposal carried by House Democratic Caucus Chairman Mike Turner of Old Hickory was sent to a summer study committee by the Public Health and Family Assistance Subcommittee on Tuesday. The move means Davidson County's menu labeling ordinance, adopted in March, remains on track to go into effect March 31, 2010. A state law would have pre-empted a local law. Metro's menu labeling law requires calorie counts to be next to food items on menus or display boards. It applies to chains with 15 or more outlets nationwide, not mom-and-pop eateries or local restaurants. It also exempts institutions such as schools, entertainment venues such as movie theaters and lodging. Calories don't have to be posted for wine and alcoholic drinks. A bill was introduced in the Metro Council challenging the health board's authority to make a menu labeling rule. It was deferred in April. Several House subcommittee members raised concerns about whether the calorie counts would be an effective tool to fight obesity and diabetes. "It seems to me to be a little obvious that Big Macs make you fat," said Republican Rep. Vance Dennis of Savannah. State Health Commissioner Susan Cooper said the proposal would have followed similar laws in New York City and California. "This isn't about a Big Mac in particular, it's about how many calories exist in a meal, which is very deceptive," she said. "Is it to tell people what to eat? No. It's to arm them with the data to make the best decisions." The menu requirements were aimed at chains with more than 20 restaurants nationwide. But members of the committee expressed concerns about the costs to business owners. "Before we issue a mandate for all these businesses in Tennessee to do this, we need to get a little more solid numbers and feedback as to whether this actually works," said Dennis. Democratic Rep. Jeanne Richardson of Memphis said she was wary of imposing the menu requirements on businesses when the same rules aren't in place for schools, where many children acquire eating habits they keep later in life. Richardson also jokingly asked whether the administration had chosen the hulking Turner to carry the bill for any specific reason. "I want you to know the fast food industry did this to me," Turner joked back. Another Democrat, Rep. Sherry Jones of Nashville, made the motion to study the proposal before giving it another shot next year. That motion passed on a voice vote, to the apparent disappointment of the panel's chairman, Rep. Joey Hensley, a Hohenwald Republican and a physician. "I wanted to vote it down," he said after the vote prevailed.

And the Winners Are..................................

Congratulations to well deserving teachers and principals selected for 2010 Teacher of the Year and 2010 Principal of the Year. There are no losers, all of our hardworking teachers and principals are all winners! Thank you for helping us to help our children aspire to the top of their potential. Vivian. Nashville, Tenn. (May 4, 2009) - Monday, May 4, aboard the General Jackson, MNPS announced its 2010 Teachers of the Year and 2010 Principals of the Year. This annual program seeks to recognize outstanding educators and administrators. The 2010 Teachers of the Year will go on to represent the district in the state competition for their division. 2010 Teacher of the Year The annual Teacher of the Year program seeks to recognize teachers from each school who have been selected by their peers as among the best. A panel of judges reviewed materials submitted by each school-level teacher of the year and narrowed the field to nine finalists-three each representing elementary, middle, and high schools. John M. Shuler, reading specialist at Jones Elementary Paideia Magnet School, was awarded Elementary School Teacher of the Year. For the past 15 years, Shuler has worked with students grades K-4, helping them hone their reading skills. Nancy Stewart, third grade teacher at Hattie Cotton Elementary, and Sara-Ann Bryant, Pre-K teacher at Tusculum Elementary, were finalists in the elementary school division. Renita J. Cobb, language arts and reading teacher at West End Middle, was named this year's Middle School Teacher of the Year. Cobb teaches 7th grade and has served the district for 36 years. Other finalists in this division were Angela Deel, language arts and reading teacher at DuPont Hadley Middle, and Gary Hughes, MIP Conduct instructor at Two Rivers Middle. Stacey Hinchman, AP English literature and composition teacher at McGavock High, was awarded High School Teacher of the Year. Hinchman has been teaching at McGavock for 17 years. Lt. Col Barry Sprouse, Army JROTC instructor at Hunters Lane High, and Kathryn Lee, science teacher at Martin Luther King, Jr. Magnet High, were the other finalists in the high school division. Also recognized at the ceremony was each individual school's teacher of the year. A complete list can be found at http://www.mnps.org/ <http://www.mnps.org/> . Principal of the Year Each year, MNPS also recognizes a Principal of the Year from each tier - elementary, middle and high. Principals are nominated and voted on by the other principals in their tier. This year, the Elementary School Principal of the Year is Brenda Steele of Alex Greene Elementary; the Middle School Principal of the Year is Bill Moody of Two Rivers Middle; and the High School Principal of the Year is Fran Stewart of East Literature Magnet High School. "These teachers and administrators are the district's front line," said Dr. Jesse Register, Director of Schools. "They work one-on-one with our students and their families every day; they deserve to be recognized for their excellence and dedication to our students and community." The ceremony was held on board the General Jackson Showboat. Guests enjoyed dinner and live entertainment provided by The Howard Fine Band. Special guest Vicki Yates, News Channel 5 Anchor, was on hand to help present the awards. Metro Nashville Public Schools provide a range of educational opportunities to more than 75,000 students in Nashville and Davidson County. The governing body for MNPS is the Metropolitan Nashville and Davidson County Board of Public Education, a nine-member group elected by residents of Metropolitan Nashville. For more information, please visit http://www.mnps.org/.

Wilhoite sets Presentation on Proposed Music City Center (Meeting Reminder)

District 29 residents and surrounding neighbors will be given the opportunity to attend a presentation on the proposed building of the Music City Center, a state of the arts convention center facility that will help make Nashville be more competitive in getting large convention conferences to have their meetings in Nashville. Councilmember Vivian Wihoite has invited the staff of the Metropolitan Development and Housing Administration to provide the same presentation that was recently provided to the councilmembers. "Conducting this meeting so that area residents can learn more about the proposed Music City Center is a good thing," says Councilmember Wilhoite. "It is good for the constituents of District 29 to know as much as possible about this proposal. I want to listen to their concerns and give them an opportunity to get an immediate response to their questions where possible." The meeting is set for May 4, 2009 at 7:00 pm at Lakeview Design/Elementary, 455 Rural Hill Road. The meeting will be held in the cafeteria. To contact Vivian please call 589-2003 or at www.vivian-29.blogspot.com.

Fire damages Arby's restaurant in south Nashville

WKRN News Channel 2

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - An Arby's restaurant in south Nashville was nearly destroyed by fire early Monday morning.

Crews were called to the restaurant, located at 1212 Murfreesboro Pike, near Briley Parkway, around 3 a.m.

They arrived to the scene to find a lot of smoke and flames coming out of the roof. Murfreesboro Road was shut down for about two hours as firefighters battled the blaze. Firefighters busted out windows to get inside the restaurant and make sure no one was inside. They tried to fight the fire from the inside but had to pull the firefighters out because conditions became too hot and too dangerous, according to fire officials.

"We had to actually bring firefighters out one time," said Lee Bergeron, assistant fire chief of the Nashville Fire Department. "We thought the building might collapse."

He said the design of the building didn't help in the situation.

"This type of building really is sort of known as a firefighter killer because of the nature of the construction. You have heavy fire loading at the rear of the building, and then you have a void where the patrons actually dine."

Officials said the building suffered significant damage, but it is not a total loss.

They said they did their best to save the building, in light of the damage last month's tornado caused to other businesses in that area, such as the McDonald's restaurant across the street. Officials said that because of the status of the economy and the importance of jobs, "it was worth some risk" to save the building.

It is believed the fire started in the back of the building.

No one was injured in the fire.

The cause of the fire is under investigation but officials said it is not suspicious.