Learn the latest, give your comments on Nashville riverfront plans

July 8, 2010 DAVIDSON COUNTY The public is invited to LP Field from 6-8 p.m. July 15 to review design plans and get updated information on current Nashville Riverfront projects. Mayor Karl Dean, Councilman Mike Jameson, and representatives from the Metro Development and Housing Agency, Metro Parks and Recreation department, Hargreaves Associates and Hastings Architecture Associates will be on hand to answer questions and take comments. The update will include information on the refinements to the 2007 New Riverfront Park Concept Plan, the proposed final designs for the Adventure Play Park and the phase one renovation of the former Nashville Bridge Company (NABRICO) Building. The event will be at the field's club level west. Free parking will be available on the west side of the stadium. For more information, visit www.nashvilleriverfront.org. — NICOLE YOUNG THE TENNESSEAN

New farmers market opens in Woodbine

A new farmers market is opening in South Nashville today from 4-7 p.m at the Coleman Park Community Center, 384 Thompson Lane. The market will include 17 farmers and vendors who will feature local produce, organic meat, gourmet cheese, roasted coffee, artisan breads and milk. In addition to fresh and seasonal food, the market will also provide a free yoga class taught in both English and Spanish at 5 p.m. followed by a zumba class at 6 p.m. For more information, visit www.woodbinefarmersmarket.com

Nashville restaurants warned of bogus food inspector

By CHRISTINA E. SANCHEZ • THE TENNESSEAN • July 7, 2010 DAVIDSON COUNTY The Metro Public Health Department is advising local restaurants to watch out for a person pretending to be a food inspector for the agency. At least five restaurants in Davidson County notified the health department after they got calls from a person who wanted to set up an inspection. Health officials said no inspection had been planned. Also, the health department only does unannounced inspections, and they are not scheduled over the phone. Inspectors always carry photo identification and will never ask for sensitive information over the phone. Restaurant owners and operators are advised not to provide sensitive or confidential information over the telephone and are encouraged to report calls from those claiming to be a food inspector to the Nashville Police Department's Fraud Unit at 615-862-7594. The health department said similar food inspection scams have been reported in other states. In those cases, the fake inspector would ask for money on the spot for an alleged violation.

Sommet Group accused of mishandling money

Affidavit: Company bounced paychecks, failed to pay claims By Brian Haas and Kevin Walters • THE TENNESSEAN • July 7, 2010 As the Sommet Group spent thousands to keep its name atop the Predators' hockey arena, it failed to pay its clients' payroll taxes, medical claims and 401(k) contributions, according to a federal affidavit unsealed Tuesday. The Sommet Group, a Franklin-based business that managed payroll, human resources, employee benefits and other administrative services for companies, is under investigation for misappropriating hundreds of thousands of dollars, according to a joint investigation by the FBI, U.S. Department of Labor and IRS. Agents are investigating possible wire fraud, money laundering, embezzlement and false health-care statements, according to the affidavit. The affidavit says that Sommet's own employees and some of the company's 52 clients were affected by the mishandling of money, though it doesn't say how many clients. As of June, Sommet had not paid $2.1 million in medical claims, the affidavit said. The company tried to make payments in late June as its medical provider threatened to sever ties, but the $250,000 check bounced. The problems also affected employees' and clients' retirement funds. In May and June, authorities say, Sommet didn't forward any of workers' contributions to designated 401(k) plans. Clients were being told they were delinquent on payroll taxes even though they sent the funds to Sommet. Paychecks bounced. Alex Cavnar, a 27-year-old software developer, worked at Sommet for four months before being fired in 2009. He said the company told him it couldn't afford him because of his medical condition at the time. Cavnar said the company then blocked his unemployment benefits, claiming he had an attendance problem. The problems continued in 2010, even though he hasn't worked for the company for nearly a year. "I haven't been able to file my taxes because I still haven't gotten my W-2 from them," Cavnar said. The company's managing partner, Brian Whitfield, could not be reached for comment, and no employees were in the business Tuesday. No arrests had been made. The U.S. Attorney's Office declined to comment. More than a dozen FBI agents Tuesday morning raided the company's Cool Springs Boulevard headquarters, seizing documents and occupying the company's third-floor office. The FBI raid of the company is a far cry from 2007, when the Sommet name graced what is now known as Bridgestone Arena. The Sommet Center's naming rights didn't come cheap — between $2 million and $4 million a year by some estimates. Low-profile roots. Sommet was founded in 2003 by Whitfield and his father-in-law, Ed Todd. It kept a low profile for years as it quietly built a small client base of small to mid-size companies looking to outsource payroll functions. Its first public move was bold: In 2007, seemingly out of nowhere, the company purchased the exclusive naming rights to the Predators' hockey arena. The naming deal became a linchpin in fans' efforts to keep the Predators in Nashville when the team was sold in 2007. The company also increased its profile by increasing its participation in local events over the next two years. But the company's good fortune ended in mid-2009 as complaints from clients surfaced. Federal regulators first stepped in around October 2009, when the IRS filed a $337,161 tax lien against the company. Sommet officials, at the time, said the firm was "absolutely not" in financial trouble. A month later, the naming deal with the Predators fell apart when Sommet didn't make its regularly scheduled payment. Whitfield blamed the Predators at the time, saying they didn't meet their end of the bargain. In a growing war of words, Whitfield also revealed that the Predators' co-owner, David Freeman, had a $3.3 million tax lien against him by the IRS. That lien remains in place today. Adding to the company's woes is a lien filed last week by the Tennessee Department of Labor. The company failed to pay $17,622 in unemployment taxes on behalf of itself and its clients for the first quarter of this year, department spokesman Jeff Hentschel said. He said the companies that Sommet serviced may now be held responsible.

Music City's blowout Independence celebration underway

WKRN - Channel 2 News NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Music City's blowout Fourth of July weekend celebration is underway, with live entertainment and a fireworks show every night. The celebrations began with special General Jackson cruises Friday afternoon, as this weekend marks the showboat's 25th anniversary. The free concerts and fireworks kicked off Friday night at Riverfront Park with country star Chuck Wicks. On Saturday, activities begin at the Riverfront at Noon. Live music will start at 8 p.m. with Julianne Hough taking the stage, followed by fireworks. Sunday, activities at the free family fun zone begin at Noon. Entertainment begins at 1:30 p.m. Trace Adkins will headline the official Fourth of July celebrations on the Riverfront at 7 p.m. Jaci Velasquez and Julianne Hough are also scheduled to perform on the main stage. This year's show entitled "Let Freedom Sing!" with fireworks set to the music of the Nashville Symphony will begin around 9:30 p.m. For more information about the events in downtown Nashville, visit www.musiccityjuly4th.com. Several downtown roads will be closed during this weekend because of this weekend's events. All roads to re-open no later than 5 a.m. on Monday. STREET CLOSURES: Friday, July 2 6 a.m. West lane of 1st Ave. from Broadway to Church St. North lane Cut-Out on Broadway from 1st Ave. to 2nd Ave. 8:15 a.m. Riverfront Park Arrival Court Saturday, July 3 6 a.m. 1st Ave. from Demonbreun St. to Church St. Broadway from 1st Ave. to 2nd Ave. Sunday, July 4 6 a.m. Broadway from 2nd Ave. to 3rd Ave. 2nd Ave. from Demonbreun St. to Church St. 1st Ave. from Church St. to Union St. Commerce St. from 2nd Ave. to 3rd Ave. Bank St. from 1st Ave. to 2nd Ave. Church St. from 1st Ave. to 2nd Ave. Gay St. Connector from 1st Ave. to 1st Ave. 8 a.m. Victory Lane from Titan Way to South Second St. South First St. from Victory Lane to South Second St. (1st becomes Davidson) 8 p.m. Woodland Street Bridge Union St. from 2nd Ave. to Woodland St. Bridge Gateway Bridge.

WeCar project has good start

By Anne Paine • THE TENNESSEAN • July 4, 2010 WHAT HAPPENED: In April, Nashville got a little greener with the introduction of the WeCar program.www.wecar.com/howDoesItWork.html Four cars were placed around downtown and citizens and businesses were invited to rent them hourly or overnight with prices starting at $8 an hour. The program, run by Enterprise Rent-A-Car, was intended to make downtown living more attractive, giving residents the option of occasional car use as needed. Members make reservations online to use cars, and they have cards that are scanned to unlock the cars and get the keys from the glove compartments. There's a $20 application fee and an annual membership fee of $50. Members must be 21 years old. WHAT NOW: More than 50 members have signed up to share the cars. The program had at least one devoted fan here before kicking off. "I couldn't wait," said Michelle Boucher, who lives downtown and walks three blocks to work at LP Building Products. Boucher, the first to rent a WeCar here, has a membership that allows her to go online and reserve a car for $8-$10 an hour or $40 a day. The program is doing well, said Lisa Martini, a company spokeswoman. She added that an active marketing and awareness program has been under way for just a month because of the flood, so it's particularly remarkable. While it's still early to predict usage patterns, so far on the weekends members are taking the cars for the day, she said. During the week, they rent them for an hour or two, usually for business.

Too much water is bad way to beat heat

Overhydration can kill, health officials warn By Christina E. Sanchez • THE TENNESSEAN • July 4, 2010 You're sweating profusely from the sizzling heat, and you're so thirsty you could chug a gallon of water. But how much should you drink? The answer isn't so simple: not too much and not too little. Either way can harm you. Not enough and you can get dehydrated, and too much can cause hypernatremia, or water intoxication. Health officials are warning that with the impending return of scorching, relentless temperatures in the 90s, people should be smart about when they're outside, what they wear and how much they drink. More than 1,000 people were treated and three died in Tennessee in 2008 for heat-related illness, according to the Tennessee Department of Health. Nationwide, about 700 people die each year. "Heat poses a risk to all of us under different situations," said Susan Cooper, state health commissioner. "Young children and infants and people age 65 and older with chronic conditions are at higher risk. We really just need to be attentive to our own personal needs and use good judgment." The tough part about treating heat-related illnesses is knowing the source of the problem. But symptoms can be similar across the different types. Common signs include dizziness, confusion, nausea, irritability, a rapid heartbeat and a headache. Often, the least-discussed illness connected with extreme heat is water intoxication. It occurs when a person drinks too much fluid, causing the brain to swell, said Mari-Etta Parrish, a registered dietitian and board-certified sports nutritionist at Baptist Sports Medicine. "Drinking too much water is far more dangerous than not drinking enough," Parrish said. "Your body will stop you when you are dehydrated, but when you overdrink, that's not always the case." Contest turns deadly A high-profile case in California highlighted the danger of water intoxication. A 28-year-old woman died in 2007 after taking part in a radio contest in which she had to drink as much water as possible without urinating to win a video game system. She was found dead a few hours after the contest. Water intoxication can happen to anyone, but it is most common in marathon runners who sweat a lot and try to compensate with water. Along with water they also need sodium, a lack of which can increase the risk of hypernatremia. Parrish said the maximum fluid intake is 32 ounces an hour, and that should be balanced with getting enough sodium to keep the body's chemistry in check. It can take six hours for the body to adjust to too much water. A 2005 study in The New England Journal of Medicine found that 13 percent of Boston Marathoners had hypernatremia, which can vary in severity. The most common way to tell is by comparing pre-race weight to post-race weight. If someone weighs more after the long run, it could mean too much water. Cooper said infants can be at risk for water intoxication because they don't need plain water. "Healthy babies' water needs are met by correct amounts of breast milk or properly prepared formula," Cooper said. "The best prevention for heat-related illness in a child is to limit exposure." Children at risk Dehydration, when the body does not have enough fluid, is a more common result of heat exposure. It can lead to heat stroke, a condition in which the body can't control its own temperature. Dr. Andrew Gregory, who practices pediatric sports medicine, sees dehydration and heat stroke in a lot of young football players. Last year, four football players died in the United States, including one in Tennessee. "Your body can get used to exercising and working in the heat, but it takes about two weeks," Gregory said. "You should also practice at cooler times of the day." Checking a child's temperature can be a good indicator of heat stroke. When in doubt, Gregory said, call 911. "It's important that you recognize and treat problems quickly," he said.

Friday night Music City Star runs one hour later

DAVIDSON AND WILSON COUNTIES People who take the Music City Star into Nashville on Fridays now will have an extra hour to spend in the city before heading home. Starting this week, the final train will leave Riverfront Station at 10:30 p.m. on Fridays, stopping in Donelson, Hermitage, Mt. Juliet and Martha before making its last stop in Lebanon at 11:20 p.m. "We want to be able to give passengers more time to enjoy activities downtown on Friday nights, and the timing is perfect to start this week since the Fourth of July activities begin on Friday night," Regional Transportation Authority CEO Paul Ballard said in a news release. The last train into Nashville arrives at Riverfront Station at 7:30 p.m. on Fridays. For more information, visit musiccitystar.org or call Customer Care at 615-862-5950. — MICHAEL CASS THE TENNESSEAN

Mayor praises Nashville's volunteer spirit during N.Y. visit

By Michael Cass • THE TENNESSEAN • July 1, 2010 Mayor Karl Dean spread the word about Nashville's volunteer-fueled response to devastating floods during a visit to New York on Wednesday. Dean participated in a panel discussion at the National Conference on Volunteering and Service, which about 5,000 people attended. He also helped New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg announce the latest group of cities to win $200,000 grants to boost volunteerism from Cities of Service, the Rockefeller Foundation and Bloomberg Philanthropies. Nashville was in the first group of grant recipients in January. Dean said he talked about the city's agreement with Hands On Nashville, which has been responsible for recruiting and deploying volunteers in a crisis since 2007. The nonprofit group has put 18,341 volunteers in position to assist flood victims through 995 service projects since May 2, said Lisa Davis Purcell, director of external affairs. "We really benefited from the groundwork laid by Hands On Nashville and the (memorandum of understanding) with the city," Dean said by phone from New York. "They were ready." He said Bloomberg asked him to help announce the latest Cities of Service grant winners because the New York mayor and multibillionaire had heard about how Nashville handled the historic floods. "Our next speaker knows just what a powerful force volunteers can be, especially for a city in crisis," Bloom-berg said of Dean. " And he has done a really great job of leading his city through some very rough times." Grant helps fund plan In his own prepared remarks, Dean said, "Volunteers can play a big role in making a city a better place to live, and as in our case, they can be the difference between simply surviving a disaster and being able to recover from one." Metro is using its two-year, $200,000 Cities of Service grant to develop and implement a plan to increase volunteerism. Dean hired Laurel Creech to be the city's chief service officer; she happened to start work on May 3, the Monday after the flood. Creech is responsible for putting the plan together, with an emphasis on volunteer work that can make a difference in education, the environment and disaster preparedness. Dean's office said it should be ready sometime in September. Davis Purcell said Hands On Nashville won the 2010 George W. Romney Volunteer Center Excellence Award from the Points of Light Institute this week. Brian Williams, the organization's executive director, received the award at the volunteering and service conference in New York. Contact Michael Cass at 615-259-8838 or mcass@tennessean.com

Car stickers could help diabetics get help faster

By Christina E. Sanchez • THE TENNESSEAN • July 1, 2010 Diabetics have warning bracelets and wallet cards to alert emergency responders to their health condition, and now they will have car stickers to hasten their chances to get lifesaving care. The Nashville area today joins a growing initiative in Tennessee called "My Diabetes Alert," a free program that provides diagnosed diabetics with a window sticker for their vehicle. It is supposed to make law enforcement and emergency personnel aware that a person who is driving erratically on the road or has been in an accident could be having a diabetic attack. For Josh Overstreet and other diabetics, quick care could mean life or death if blood sugar drops too low or goes too high. "I think it's great that they are coming out with stickers and training law enforcement to be able to know how to help a diabetic," said Overstreet, who blacked out a year ago while driving when his blood sugar dropped too low. The 25-year-old Hermitage resident drove into five cars, finally stopping after he hit a retaining wall. Baptist Hospital in Nashville and Middle Tennessee Medical Center in Murfreesboro are heading up the local sticker program in a joint effort with the founders, Wellmont Health System in Northeast Tennessee. The hospitals believe that at least 10,000 people would be eligible to get the sticker. Any diagnosed diabetic can sign on to the program, with documentation from a doctor. Tennessee has among the highest diabetes rates in the country, with more than 13 percent of people suffering from the chronic condition. "It's a serious thing," said Mary Gaines, program director for Baptist and Middle Tennessee Medical Center diabetes centers. "The more we do to educate people about ways to take care of diabetes, the more we improve chances that they will get the best help possible at the most crucial moment." 'Educate community' My Diabetes Alert began in Northeast Tennessee in three counties — Hawkins, Washington and Sullivan — in November 2009. More than 2,000 stickers have been distributed in those counties, which have among the highest concentrations of diabetes in the state, ranging up to nearly 16 percent of the population, said Jim Perkins, diabetes program director for Wellmont. "We were seeing more people with hypoglycemic and hyperglycemic events while on the roadways, and we developed this window sticker to help folks with diabetes," said Perkins, who also is a member of the state diabetes advisory council. "We want law enforcement to be aware of this, and to educate the community." Some people aren't aware of the symptoms of a diabetic attack. Victims may be dizzy, confused, nervous, agitated or drowsy. They also could have fruity breath or start to vomit. In Overstreet's case, his blood sugar levels had dropped to 27, well below the ideal 80 to 120 range. His blood sugar kit inside his car eventually alerted the police officer who followed him that he might be a diabetic. He suffers from Type 1 diabetes, also known as juvenile diabetes, in which the pancreas can't produce insulin. It is different from Type 2 diabetes, which typically appears in middle age and often is connected with obesity. During his erratic driving incident, the police officer thought Overstreet was drunk. "He tried to stop my car, but there isn't much you can do when you have someone passed out behind the wheel," Overstreet said. "He even videotaped me because he thought I was drinking." That's exactly the misconception that Perkins hopes to change for diabetics. Besides stickers, the diabetes alert program also gives police pocket cards on what to look for. "The sticker can be an indicator for law enforcement that something else is going on," Perkins said. Lt. Teddy Douglas with the Tennessee Highway Patrol said it's another tool to help law enforcement officers do their job. "It's a great thing, and it's going to be a big help to emergency medical professional if they get to a crash scene where there is a diabetic," Douglas said. "It may help them get the help they need quicker."

Food stamp fraud, property theft among cases tied to flood

By Clay Carey • THE TENNESSEAN • July 1, 2010 Since the May flood, at least a dozen people have been accused of stealing property from flood victims or trying to scam the government. Four Nashville residents have appeared in court on charges of lying about losses to get extra food stamps intended for flood victims. More criminal cases are expected, prosecutors said, as fraud investigations continue. "In any situation, you are going to have a small group of people trying to take advantage of a situation to get something that doesn't belong to them," said Jim Milam, a prosecutor with the Davidson County district attorney's office who specializes in fraud cases. The penalty depends on how much was taken. If the amount is less than $500, the crime is a misdemeanor and carries a maximum jail sentence of a year. Taking between $500 and $1,000 is a felony and can carry a jail sentence of up to two years. Latosha Wright, 26, faces that charge. She is accused of applying for $526 in emergency food stamps. "My lights had went out for maybe an hour or so" on the day of the flood, Wright said. That was long enough for food in her refrigerator to spoil, she said. She said she was truthful when she went in to apply for aid. "I told them nothing got wet, nothing flooded. My lights just went out," she said. Wright spent five hours in jail earlier this month after state investigators learned she had received emergency aid. The state's case against her is that she did not qualify as a flood victim because she did not lose any food because of power outages. Her next court date is in September, but she said she'll probably try to settle and move on. Not every fraud case goes through the criminal courts, said Tennessee Inspector General Alan Hall. Some people are just kicked off aid programs anywhere from one year to life. Deciding whether to prosecute is left to the state. Hall said it depends "on the egregiousness of the situation." He would not say how many people had been through the administrative system. More charges expected Statewide, more than 23,000 households received some sort of food stamp assistance after the flood, Hall said. About 13,750 families had received a total of $5.3 million in cash disbursements in increments of $250 or $500. Both Milam and Hall said they expect more people to be charged with food stamp fraud or trying to take advantage of FEMA or other federal programs in Tennessee. Police are still conducting extra patrols in flood-damaged neighborhoods across Davidson County. "People are starting to get into the rebuilding stage. Us being visible is helping with that," said Michelle Richter, commander of the Metro Police West Precinct. Officers are encouraging residents to secure items like appliances and lumber that could be attractive to thieves. "We know it's going to be a long recovery. We want to be there for them," Richter said. Contact Clay Carey at 615-726-5933 or mcarey@tennessean.com

Violent crime at TN schools increases

TBI report does not include college campuses July 1. 2010 TENNESSEE Overall school crime dropped statewide in 2009, but violent crime continued a slow, upward climb. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation released its school crimes report Wednesday, detailing violent, property and drug crimes on primary and secondary school campuses. Crime on school grounds dropped a little more than 2 percent in 2009 when compared with 2008, the report said. But last year also saw double-digit increases in forcible rapes, fondling and stalking cases. Rapes rose from 20 in 2007 to 35 in 2009, fondling cases went from 225 to 276 and stalking cases went from 18 to 33 during that three-year period. Violent crimes have risen just over 2 percent since 2007, the report showed. "The largest percentage increase being stalking and rape,'' said Kristin Helm, spokeswoman for the TBI. "However, simple assault still makes up the largest percent of crimes against persons occurring at schools.'' According to the report, simple assaults were up statewide by almost 4 percent. The report does not include college or university campuses. —BRIAN HAAS THE TENNESSEAN

Oil prices drop below $75

Associated Press • July 1, 2010 Oil prices fell below $75 a barrel today as sliding global stock markets and continuing uncertainty about demand dragged down confidence among crude investors. By early afternoon in Europe, benchmark crude for August delivery was down 93 cents to $74.70 a barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The contract fell 31 cents to settle at $75.63 on Wednesday. "Crude oil prices still seem to be stuck in a trading range, and there is no compelling reason for a breakout in either direction," said Edward Meir, senior commodity analyst at MF Global in New York. The Dow Jones industrial average fell 1 percent Wednesday to its lowest level this year and extended losses to 10 percent in the second quarter. All major and European stock markets dropped today. Oil traders often look to equity markets as a barometer of overall investor confidence. "With global equities falling, the dollar holding strong, and the future uncertain, oil could easily drop in price," Sander Capital Advisors said in a report. "One can easily make the argument that the price of oil should fall back below the $70 level." Oil prices ping-ponged between $64 and $87 in the second quarter on fluctuating investor fears about the impact of Europe's debt and fiscal crisis on the global economic recovery. "There has been a good deal more talk about a double-dip recession, or a 'W' bottom," said a report from U.S. energy consultancy Cameron Hanover. "Nothing we have seen this week would tell us definitively that a double-dip is not in the cards. And that fear has pressed equities and oil prices lower." Analysts also said forecasts about the strongest Gulf of Mexico hurricane season in five years were keeping a floor under oil prices, on the rising risk of an interruption of oil supplies from the region. In other Nymex trading in July contracts, heating oil fell 2.43 cents to $1.9900 a gallon, gasoline dropped 2.42 cents to $2.0362 a gallon and natural gas was down 6.9 cents at $4.547 per 1,000 cubic feet. In London, Brent crude was down $1.10 to $73.91 a barrel on the ICE futures exchange.

Islamic Mosque at Antioch Belle Forge Theater?

After reading the information below, I would like to hear from you. What are your thoughts? I am not sure if Councilmember Robert Duvall, where the site of the Islamic Center is proposed, is planning a meeting as it is in his district and is a matter of great interest.

Gratefully,

 Vivian

I received an email May 15 from a gentleman in District 29 that asked me about whether I knew that an Islamic Mosque was in the works at the Antioch Belle Forge Theater. He was very concerned about the mosque being placed at this location. He provided the website that indicated such mosque was being planned at this location http://theictn.org/. The acronym ICT is the Islamic Center of Tennessee.

Believing that the location was in Councilmember Sam Coleman’s district, I contacted him shortly thereafter to see if he knew anything about it. He promised that we would investigate and get back with me. During that time, it was quite ironic that Williamson and Rutherford counties were in the news daily for a similar issue. Nevertheless, prior to start of a recent council meeting, I asked Councilmember Coleman about what he had learned. First, he stated that the location that I referenced is in fact in Councilmember Robert Duvall’s District 33 and not in his District 32. He stated that he learned of this shortly after talking with me. He went on to share that the property in question has a zoning that allowed for religious use. He did further state that he informed Councilmember Duvall about it and that he was respectfully letting him handle the matter since it was in his district. I agreed.

In checking with Planning, the property carries a Commercial Planned Unit Development (PUD) overlay that allows for the commercial use as well as the religious institution use. Under this zoning, religious type use is allowed. There is also an underlying zoning of AR2 which is Agriculture Residential that also allows for such use as well. I am all too familiar with this type of scenario of this type overlay and underlying zoning that is rarely found today.

Who owns the property?
As of June 28, 2010, the property is still owned by Martin Theatres with an address of Martin Theatres c/o Carmike Theatres, P. O. Box 391, Columbus, Georgia 31902. However, the website advertises a countdown to closing on the property of 42 days. A closing date leaves me to believe that Belle Forge is being purchased by ICT and not leased. ICT has also planned a fundraiser at the Belle Forge location for July 11, 2010 to increase collection from 1.15 million to a goal of 1.55 million. According to the website, it appears that this will be their second fundraiser.

Permits
As of June 28, 2010, no application of permits of any type Use and Occupancy permit has not been applied for which is something that will be required. This is something that would be provided by Metro Codes.

So, what are your thoughts about this? Please feel free to leave your comments and be sure to take the poll on the side of the blog regarding this issue.

Mayor Announces ‘We Are Home’ Rebuilding Assistance Program

$7 million allocated to date to help rebuild homes through public-private partnership

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Mayor Karl Dean today announced the launch of a local rebuilding assistance program called We Are Home, which is intended to provide additional funding to help Nashville residents repair their flooded homes when FEMA and SBA are not enough.

“The federal government was swift to respond to this disaster and has been a constant presence in our recovery efforts since,” Dean said. “But the reality is many Nashville homeowners’ needs are beyond the limitations of the available federal disaster assistance. We Are Home is a true public-private partnership that will funnel cash donations to the area of greatest need – helping Nashvillians get back in their homes.

“Helping these homeowners is not only the right thing to do for them, it is the right thing to do for our city. For Nashville to remain the vibrant, economic engine that it is, we have to ensure that all of our neighborhoods recover from this flood.”

We Are Home is a joint effort of Nashville’s private and public sectors, including The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, financial institutions, nonprofit organizations and Metro Government. The Housing Fund, a local nonprofit organization dedicated to affordable housing and neighborhood revitalization projects, is administering the program with support from the Metropolitan Development and Housing Agency and the Mayor’s Flood Recovery Team.

“In the weeks since the flood we have talked to many homeowners who have repair costs well beyond the disaster assistance provided by FEMA and SBA. Through We Are Home all sectors of the community are coming together to help close this gap and get Nashville families back into their homes,” said Loretta Owens, executive director of The Housing Fund.

To date, $7 million has been allocated to support We Are Home, which includes $5.1 million reallocated by the Metro Council from two federal grant programs, $1 million from Regions Bank and $900,000 from two equal grants from The Community Foundation's Metro Nashville Disaster Response Fund and its Tennessee Emergency Response Fund. The goal is to identify a total of $50 million – combination of federal grants, citizen donations and private sector contributions – in order to meet all of the anticipated financing needs of Nashville residents.

“As our community moves from stabilization to restoration, from triage to healing, The Community Foundation knows that rebuilding lives, rebuilding homes and rebuilding livelihoods are of paramount importance. To make the precious gifts we have received go as far as possible toward accomplishing these goals, The Community Foundation searches for critical intervention points where we can leverage the funds entrusted to us to make the biggest possible impact on this community’s future,” said Ellen Lehman, president of The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee. “We are pleased to partner with the Mayor’s Office and The Housing Fund in helping hundreds and hundreds of Nashvillians restore their homes. We are grateful for the opportunity to connect the continuing generosity of so many donors with the long-term needs of our neighbors and know that much remains to be done.”

Homeowners that apply will be offered assistance through a three-tiered approach that takes into account their individual financial situation and home repair needs:

· First, a 4 percent interest loan will be offered based the individual’s ability to repay with terms ranging from five to 20 years.

· Second, if repair funds are needed beyond an owner’s ability to repay a loan, they will be eligible for a grant up to $10,000.

· Third, if a gap remains after the grant, an owner will be eligible for a 0 percent interest Due-On-Sale loan up to $20,000. The Due-On-Sale loan does not require a monthly payment. Instead, the loan is repaid when the property is sold.

Reconstruction projects that require additional resources beyond these three funding sources will be referred to volunteer rebuilding agencies for assistance, including Hands On Nashville, Habitat for Humanity and various faith-based partners.

Interested homeowners should call (615) 862-6523 to setup an appointment to meet with a housing counselor and fill out an application. Appointments will begin Wednesday, July 7. The We Are Home office is located at 300 11th Ave. S. in the former Velocity sales center. MarketStreet Enterprises provided the office space for the program rent free.

Homeowners will have the opportunity to work with their existing licensed contractors, so long as established contracting procedures are followed. We Are Home is not able to reimburse homeowners for work already completed or for work to portions of their home not impacted by the flood.

The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee continues to accept donations to support ongoing flood recovery efforts in Davidson County and the other 39 counties of Middle Tennessee. The Metro Nashville Disaster Response Fund targets aid to nonprofits serving the needs of Nashville’s response. The Tennessee Emergency Response Fund’s work addresses the wide range of differing needs in all the Middle Tennessee counties The Community Foundation serves. All grants are made to nonprofits, including churches, and are to be used to help rebuild the lives of those affected by disaster. These funds and their grants are in place to serve through the many stages of disaster (response, relief, recovery, and restoration) and remain flexible to respond to emerging and evolving needs. Donations can be made to the disaster response funds at The Community Foundation online by visiting http://www.cfmt.org/