Metro debt may drive up water bills

Rate hikes could reach double digits By MICHAEL CASS • Staff Writer(Tennessean) • February 20, 2008 Several years of “double-digit annual rate hikes” might be needed to pay for Metro Nashville government’s upcoming water and sewer building projects, a major rating agency said in downgrading the city’s credit. At the same time, the two other major rating firms have put the city on notice that its credit for other building projects could be lowered if it doesn’t put its financial house in better order. The Tennessean reported last week the reserve funds Metro sets aside to pay off debt on most projects dropped by more than $50 million in the past two years, forcing a rethinking of what the city can afford to build. Late Tuesday, Fitch Ratings reduced Metro’s bond rating for about $375 million in outstanding debt on water and sewer projects because of declining reserve funds, reduced financial flexibility and significant building needs. The agency downgraded Metro from an AA rating to AA-, it said in a news release. The top possible rating is AAA, but AA is considered good, said Metro Finance Director Rich Riebeling. Fitch’s announcement read, in part: “Fitch believes the overall reduction in reserves leaves Metro with little flexibility to address growing capital needs. Further, Fitch believes the growth in Metro’s capital plan coupled with a prolonged period of rate inaction will likely compel double-digit annual rate hikes over the next several years.” Metro Councilwoman Emily Evans, who used to work in municipal finance and keeps a close eye on the city’s water and sewer program, said she expects a rate increase in Metro’s next operating budget. The city hasn’t raised water and sewer rates since 1996, and it cut sewer rates in 1999. “I don’t think it would be prudent to avoid it any longer,” Evans said. Riebeling said “some form of rate increase” would be required to fund capital projects for Metro Water Services. “How much of one is the question,” Riebeling said. “When we make a recommendation, we’ve got to be comfortable that it’s enough to do the job but as low as possible for ratepayers.” A rating downgrade can make it more expensive for the city to borrow money. But Evans said the Fitch downgrade is “modest enough” so that it won’t have much impact on Metro’s ability to borrow for water and sewer projects. Outlook turns negative The other rating agencies, Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s, changed Metro’s outlook for $315 million in general-obligation bonds, which are repaid with property tax revenues, from “stable” to “negative.” Riebeling said Fitch had already given Metro a negative outlook after voters won the right in 2006 to decide whether the city can raise property taxes. “Reserve levels are currently not commensurate with the rating level, and continued draws on reserves without any long-term, recurring fiscal solutions would lead to a downgrade,” Standard & Poor’s wrote Wednesday. None of the agencies downgraded the city’s credit for general-obligation debt. But they want to see improvement, Riebeling said. “We understand the issues, we know the problems, and we’re going to try to make it better,” he said.

Performance of Metro social services chief criticized

Board meets this week to review controversial director's contract By MICHAEL CASS and JANELL ROSS • Staff Writers (Tennessean) • February 19, 2008 The head of Metro's social services programs, criticized for failing to make recommended changes, may find out this week whether she gets to keep her job. Executive Director Gerri Robinson oversees an agency that works to help the city's poorest residents, especially the elderly, disabled and homeless, through programs such as "meals on wheels" and in-home care for seniors. It has about 90 employees and an $8.7 million budget. Councilman Jim Gotto of Hermitage said Robinson has "totally refused" to carry out a reorganization of services that auditors recommended just before she was hired in 2004. He hopes she's ousted. "Quite frankly, I just don't think she's done a very good job," Gotto said. "Change is very much needed." Robinson defended her leadership, pointing to her department's accreditation last year by a national organization. She said she loves the work, which pays her $123,771 a year. "This is my dream job," she said. The ultimate decision on Robinson's fate will fall to the Social Services Board of Commissioners, which meets Wednesday to review Robinson's performance and contract. Proposal, audit conflict The meeting comes after almost a year of upheaval in the department. Three of seven commissioners resigned last spring after the board voted 3-2 to give Robinson an 8 percent raise. A fourth commissioner also quit for job-related reasons, leaving the body unable to meet for eight months. (Because the board couldn't meet to approve the minutes of the March meeting and Robinson's contract had expired, she actually never received the raise.) Mayor Karl Dean appointed four new commissioners after he took office last fall. The board started meeting again in December. On Dec. 27, Robinson recommended eliminating the department's Planning and Coordination Unit as a way to deal with possible budget cuts in the next fiscal year. The unit works to identify social service needs and develop long-range plans for meeting them. According to the official minutes of the meeting, Robinson explained that the unit isn't required by law and that government's role is "to provide safety net services." But the proposal ran counter to the 2004 audit, which said Social Services should "assume the role of planner and coordinator" and "discontinue being a direct service provider." Dr. Frank Boehm, a new board commissioner, objected to Robinson's idea, saying the planning unit was "vital to (Metro Social Services') business model," according to the minutes. Like most other board members, Boehm declined to comment for this story. But Metro Councilman Erik Cole, who represents part of east Nashville, said Robinson's proposal was "astonishing." "There is a role to play in the coordination of services and needs assessment," said Cole, who serves on a Metro commission working to end chronic homelessness. Cole said the Social Services board's Personnel Committee voted 2-1 last week to recommend that the board give Robinson a three-year contract extension. The possibility of an extension without a "thorough, credentialed evaluation" of Robinson was "very problematic," he said. Assisted in transition Robinson said the department tried to outsource its largest remaining services, nutrition and in-home care for senior citizens, but didn't get much response. "If there's a market out there, and the private sector can pick up the slack, they aren't telling us about it," she said. Gwendolyn K. Harris, chairwoman of the Social Services board, said Robinson has helped the department make the transition from service provider to primarily a research and referral agency. Robinson said the department had 400 employees just five years ago. Harris said Robinson has refused to give in during tumultuous times. "Her job has been hell, to put it mildly, and ours has been a challenge," Harris said. "But I commend her because she stayed in there and stuck with us." Metro Finance Director Rich Riebeling admonished Robinson last month for proposing a list of budget reductions that began with service cuts. But the list was approved by the board at the Dec. 27 meeting, Harris said. "Change is not always perceived as being an improvement," Harris said. Renette Miller, 34, is a single mother of three who lives in south Nashville and works as a home health aide. She describes her experiences with Social Services as mixed. She has been handed off from one agency to another while her finances are dwindling. Miller approached Social Services last month at the suggestion of a church friend. Miller recently had the flu, had to take time off from work and lost several days of pay. She said she'll need help paying her rent March 1. Social Services referred her to the Metro Action Commission, the agency that has taken over immediate family financial assistance. "I think they want to help. They sound like the want to help…," Miller said. "but I've got two weeks before I'm in real trouble."

Attackers strike in parking lot, laundry room

Separate incidents leave a man stabbed, a teen shot; neither is critically hurt A man was stabbed Monday night in a south Nashville apartment complex laundry room, and an 18-year-old was shot less than two hours later in the parking lot of a condo and apartment complex in south Nashville. Metro police Capt. David Imhof said early Tuesday morning that police were still investigating both cases and conducting interviews. Thompson Place Apartments A man was in the laundry room of the Thompson Place Apartments around 10:45 p.m. Monday when a man and a woman approached him. The man had a sharp object and stabbed the victim, Imhof said. The attacker and the woman, whom police describe as white, in her mid-30s, with blonde hair and wearing a brown shirt and brown pants, left in a red, four-door Chevy Trailblazer. It's not known yet if anything was stolen from the stabbing victim. The victim went back to his apartment, and his roommate took him to Southern Hills Medical Center. The injuries were in his head area, but they were not considered life-threatening, Imhof said. Nashboro Village Police responded to a call just before 12:30 a.m. Tuesday in the Nashboro Village complex, in the 100 block of Village Green. A teen, 18, was in the parking lot along with some other people when two young men, at least one of whom was armed with a gun, approached. Numerous shots were fired, and the teen was hit, Imhof said. The teen was transported to Vanderbilt University Medical Center. His injuries were not considered life-threatening. Imhof said police are trying to ascertain the motive for the shooting. Detailed descriptions of the young men who approached the group were not available. Both incidents occurred in Metro's Hermitage Precinct. — LEIGH RAY(Tennessean)

Metro chief wants own DNA lab

By KATE HOWARD • Staff Writer(Tennessean) • February 17, 2008 Nearly 600 cases passed through the Metro Police Department's forensics lab last year, and the bullets, guns and fingerprints collected at crime scenes were inspected one by one. That's because the century-old facility, a converted garage behind the department's James Robertson Parkway headquarters, has one microscope to compare bullets, one machine to enter ballistics information into the database, and one room to test confiscated guns. Because the integrity of evidence demands separate work space for each case, forensic examiners with fresh homicide cases often have to wait their turn. The lack of space is the reason the Police Department is studying a move into a new facility. But Chief Ronal Serpas has been lobbying for the funds to add more than space. He wants to stop sending his department's DNA analyses to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation's crime lab and get the capabilities to analyze them in-house, prioritizing cases as crime trends dictate. "The TBI does a great job with DNA, but there's 400 police departments knocking at the door of the TBI," Serpas said. Old fire facility studied Metro police submitted 179 cases for examination to the TBI last year, said Joe Minor of the agency's forensics department. That accounts for about 17 percent of the total caseload at Nashville TBI headquarters. Cases important to the public, such as the December theft of two Davidson County Election Commission laptops containing Social Security numbers of 337,000 voters, require a letter from the district attorney general's office asking the TBI lab to bump them up on the list. "If we have our own DNA lab, we don't have to ask anyone for permission," Serpas said. The department got about $500,000 last year to study a possible renovation of the Nashville Fire headquarters for a new lab, and Serpas said he plans to look into the possibilities of making DNA analysis one of its primary exports. Posted by MS

Important Information Repeated Again - Please pass these phone numbers to your friends

This is being posted again because many people I have talked to in the last few weeks had no idea these phone numbers even existed. Keep these phone numbers handy. Do you have any information about a crime? If so, pleases call 742-7463. You may receive -a cash reward up to $1,000.00, and you do have to give your name. CALL NOW, time means money! You can make a difference. Do you have information concerning possible drug activity? If you do, call 244-3673 and you may be eligible for a cash reward. You do not have to give your name and you can remain anonymous. Please leave a comment to let us know if you feel that the crime is on the rise in District 29. You do not have to leave a name. I would like to forward this information onto people that state that the crime rate is very low in our District. Thank you! MS

Woman, 74, Attacked By Purse Snatcher

Mary Hamilton Attacked While Returning Home From Shopping Reported By Cynthia Williams POSTED: 4:40 pm CST February 15, 2008 UPDATED: 7:06 pm CST February 15, 2008 NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- A 74-year-old Antioch woman who was headed home with a Valentine's Day surprise for her husband was attacked by a purse snatcher who was hiding in her garage. Video: Antioch Woman, 74, Attacked By Purse Snatcher Mary Hamilton is a petite woman with four grandchildren, but she was not a pushover for the attacker. "He came from in between those two houses and when I turned, he was right in my face," said Hamilton. It was broad daylight on Thursday when Hamilton returned home with a few bags of groceries and a special surprise for her husband, Jim, of 50 years. Cradling Jim's hyacinth, and managing a balancing act with an arm load of groceries, Hamilton couldn't have been more astonished at realizing she wasn't alone in her garage. "And he was here and he just started grabbing, and I realized what he was doing he was trying to get my purse," said Hamilton. The stranger took off with her purse and she went right after him. "He took off running, and I took off running after him because I wanted to see which way he was going," said Hamilton. The purse snatcher got away, but not without a fight. "I hurt my hand, and it does hurt," said Hamilton. At home on Friday, she expressed few regrets about how she handled the situation. "I work out. No, I'm not afraid," said Hamilton. Despite her toughness, she is thankful to still be around for her children, grandchildren and husband. "Oh yes, thankful. Yes ma'am, because it could've been bad," said Hamilton. Channel 4 spoke with Metro Police on Friday, and they said they do have some good leads in this case, but no one has been arrested. Hamilton said she was glad the thief escaped with her Liz Claiborne bag and not her more expensive Coach purse. To watch video "Click Here"

Top Metro schools administrator resigns

By Natalia Mielczarek • Staff Writer Tennessean • February 15, 2008 One of Metro school district’s top administrators, Ben Wright, submitted his resignation this afternoon, effective March 21, the district’s communications office said. Wright, who was hired seven months ago, oversaw principals, area directors and guidance counselors, career and technical education and magnet schools. The district didn’t give a reason for Wright’s resignation. A call placed to Wright this afternoon hasn’t been returned. Wright’s resignation comes weeks after the departure of the schools Director Pedro Garcia, who was released from his contract after more than six year. The 75,000-student district is now looking for an interim direction and is likely to launch a national search for the permanent position this spring.

Tennesseans brace for higher electric bills atop other rising prices

By NAOMI SNYDER • Staff Writer Tennessean • February 16, 2008 Electric customers can expect to see their bills go up by $4 to $7 per month on average starting April 1 as electric suppliers throughout the region pass on the Tennessee Valley Authority's rate hike. The TVA approved a 7 percent increase at a board meeting Friday, citing rising demand for electricity and the need for more power generation. Some customers thought the rate increases would hit them harder in the midst of other high prices for food and gas and a slower economy overall. "The timing is off,'' said Nashville Electric Service customer Arzaa Bryant, who has seen his work slack off as a mortgage broker. "With the economy in a bad situation already, it's going to make things so much worse right now." Bryant, who has three children, said he pays about $300 per month for electricity at his 3,500-square-foot home, not counting what it costs him to heat the place. He has started his own marketing event company to help make up for a slower housing market. Area distributors of TVA electricity, including Nashville Electric Service, said they would pass along TVA's rate increase to their customers. Posted by MS

Cops learned late that Metro knew when laptops stolen

Davidson Election chief says all information passed along By MICHAEL CASS • Staff Writer Tennessean• February 16, 2008 On Jan. 2, as anxious Nashville voters worried they would become victims of identity theft, Metro police announced that they had learned the likely time of the theft of two laptop computers bearing the Social Security numbers of 337,000 Nashville voters. But workers of the Davidson County Election Commission and other Metro employees had known the likely time of the theft for a week, according to e-mails examined by The Tennessean. County Election Administrator Ray Barrett said the election commission didn't sit on any information, but he could not explain the seven-day lag. "We turned everything we knew over as quickly as we knew it," Barrett said. "I can't say when the police got it. Did I pick up the phone the first minute I knew it? No. But we gave them all that we knew." Employees of the election commission and Metro Information Technology Services had learned on Dec. 26 that a computer router stolen along with the laptops had been unplugged at 9:45 p.m. on Christmas Eve, the e-mails show. The time of the router going offline seemed to pinpoint the time of the break-in. But police didn't learn until Jan. 2, the day officers told the public, that the router had been unplugged at 9:45 p.m. on Dec. 24, police spokesman Don Aaron said this week. "Detective (Rick) Mavity did not know that until the day we put it out," Aaron said. "I remember thinking that was a pretty important fact. … We were speaking about a broad range of dates then." Machines recovered Sandy Cole, director of Metro Information Technology Services, was out of the office on Friday and did not respond to a message left on her voice mail. The computer router and two laptops were stolen from the election commission's offices on Second Avenue South. Police recovered the machines on Jan. 17, and tests indicated the sensitive data had not been viewed or copied. The e-mails show that a Metro information systems analyst sent a log for the router to Kathy Charlton-Deshotels, the election commission's information systems adviser, at 12:11 p.m. Dec. 26. About three hours later, another employee asked Charlton-Deshotels whether it was true that "some equipment" was missing. She wrote back at 3:28 p.m. that she had reported the serial number for a Cisco router to the police. "The great news is ... Don King was able to provide exactly when the Router was shut down according to his log apparently sometime on 12/24/2007 around 9:45 p.m.," Charlton-Deshotels wrote, copying the message to Barrett. Aaron said both Metro agencies cooperated with every request from police investigators. Ultimately, he said, the time it took for police to get the router information didn't harm the investigation, which turned on DNA analysis of blood left behind by the thief, who cut his hand during the burglary. Barrett said it was Charlton-Deshotels, in fact, who told police about the blood after officers missed it on an initial sweep of the election commission's offices. Posted by MS

Briefs: Education alliance holds meeting

Tennessean 2/15/2008 The next meeting of the Community Education Alliance is scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 21, in room C407 on the fourth floor of the Metro Nashville Public Schools' building, 2601 Bransford Ave. The meeting will be a joint meeting of the alliance and the Central Community Council and is being held to bring everyone up to date on community education activities. Guests are asked to enter through the Customer Service Center entrance from the Berry Road parking lot. Red Cross needs blood donations after tornadoes The recent tornadoes that ripped through Middle Tennessee caused numerous injuries, sending many people to area hospitals for treatment. Many of these patients will require donated blood to treat their injuries. The American Red Cross continues to receive requests from area hospitals for units of type O-negative blood. As a result, the supply of type O-negative blood is low and expected to drop to even lower levels. Although every blood type is important, type O donors play a critical role in maintaining the blood supply. Type O negative is often called the universal blood type, because it can be transfused to a person with any blood type. The American Red Cross is encouraging people with type O-negative and type O-positive blood to donate as soon as possible. A blood drive is scheduled for 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 21, at Ezell-Harding Christian School, 574 Bell Road. For more information, call 250-4300. Edmondson library hosts Umoja bingo The Edmondson Pike Branch Library, 5501 Edmondson Pike, invites children of all ages to have fun with history and learn about famous African-Americans during a game called "Umoja: African-American History Bingo!" Umoja is a Swahili word meaning "unity." The event will be at 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 16. For details, call 880-3957.

Residents invited to meeting at Glencliff Elementary on Metro sidewalks, bikeways

Submitted by KATIE YOUNG • McNeely Pigott & Fox Public Relations • February 13, 2008 A series of community meetings will be held to update the public on the Strategic Plan for Sidewalks and Bikeways for Davidson County and to solicit input from the community. Among the meetings will be one for Zone 5, which will be at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 21, at Glencliff Elementary School, 120 Antioch Pike. The original Strategic Plan for Sidewalks and Bikeways, completed in March 2003, is under review by Metro Public Works and the Metro Planning Department and will be updated based on the Sidewalk Priority Index (SPI) and other factors. The SPI establishes the order for new sidewalk construction and improvements based on proximity to neighborhoods, schools, libraries, parks and other facilities that create pedestrian traffic. "I want to encourage residents from all parts of Nashville to participate in these community meetings," Mayor Karl Dean said. "We've made great strides in recent years to accommodate walkers and cyclists. Going forward, we want to make sure decisions about new sidewalks and bikeways are based on the most current information. "No one knows our communities' needs better than the people who live in them, and their input is critical to this process." The strategic plan provides: (1) recommended pedestrian and bicycle networks; (2) design standards for constructing sidewalks and bikeways; (3) criteria for establishing priorities for repair, improvements and new construction; (4) recommended changes to relevant ordinances and regulations; (5) public education and enforcement recommendations; and (6) an assessment of the funding mechanism. Since the plan was adopted in 2003, the city has added and repaired 124 miles of sidewalks, 94 miles of bike lanes and more than 7,000 wheelchair-accessible sidewalk ramps. For more information about the sidewalks and bikeways strategic plan, visit www.nashville.gov/sidewalks.

Please Join Mayor Karl Dean For a Town Hall Meeting on Education

Monday February 11, 2007 Time: 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Maplewood High School 401 Walton Lane Nashville, TN 37216 For further information please call 862-600

District 29 Crime Update Meeting Photos

District 29 Crime Update Meeting Minutes

District 29 Crime Update Meeting Minutes Hermitage Police Precinct Thursday February 7, 2008 A very big thank you to the members of the Priest Lake Presbyterian Church for the opportunity to conduct the Crime Update Meeting at their church. Council Lady Vivian Wilhoite, presiding Opening of the Meeting –Prayer by Reverend Paul Burns Introduction of the of the Guest Speaker-Council Lady Vivian Wilhoite Discussed the continuous meetings to keep everyone abreast of the crime situation I District “29” and through the entire Nashville area. Thanked everyone from the community for attending the meeting. Introduced Chief Ronal Serpas Metropolitan Nashville Davidson Police Department- Chief Ronal Serpas 1) He states that they are only notified of about ½ the crimes that have been committed. • The department has stopped reading fiction about how to police people • Have a professional police attitude- every person should be helped by a police person no matter what the problem • The police have started to do things to help people better 2) Auto theft has not been lower then it is now (2007 reports) 3) Burglaries are lower now then they were in 1965 4) People that are releases from prisons are the ones causing most of the crimes 5) January 1, 2008 “Crooks with Guns” law is passed. Repeat offenders that are affected the most by this law. 6) Out of 70% of armed robberies, 40% of the crimes committed are by criminals that have been convicted on a felony charge. 30% have committed some type of crime. This is an ongoing, uphill battle. 7) Narcotic arrests higher now then ever before. Dealers are running a business and they are only concerned about making money. A drug arrest that takes place in a car where there is also a gun found carries a stiffer penalty. 8) Gangs- the idea of gangs has been going on for a long time. The differences with the gangs we have now are that members change to other gangs and they are not looking to make a lifetime commit to any one gang. 9) Some kids might dress like they are in gangs but they are not. The new dress code has helped this situation. 10) From August 2007 through October 2208 three days a week time are spent to monitor gangs and their activities. Extra money spent on overtime has been used to control gang problems. What is needed for the next four years have a stronger police department and be able to obtain more officers 1) Need to be able to offer better pay and benefits to be able to obtain more police 2) Better education for the community 3) More Precincts in Nashville 4) More Precinct Staffing 5) Need to have DNA lab- being able to use DNA samples would solve more crimes 6) Trying to get some Police Officers to patrol neighborhoods 7) Crimes against you are usually by some one you know Questions for Chief Ronal Serpas Q) What about the safety at Bicentennial Mall? A) Perhaps better lighting and different policing methods In general, Nashville has a higher % of crime reduction than other cities. Q) What does a Sheriff do? A) Not a law official, maintance of prisons and prisoners, serving warrants. The Police department has the criminal responsibility. Introduction of Commander Michelle Richter - Hermitage Precinct If you see a criminal try and get a good description of person, car, anything you can get to help. There was a 3% decrease in the crime rate in 2007. Questions of Michelle Richter Q) Man and woman that are homeless keep coming into Cablegate, what can we do? A) Nothing unless they are committing a crime or panhandling. Q) Nashboro Village – What about the high crime rate? A) Nashboro Village has been a roller coaster ride. Management has been working hard to correct issues. They have changed the Section 8 status. Met with management to try and get better lighting. Q) Are there many gangs around here? A) Not really, just a few. At one point there was a gang issue when they were living in vacant apartments. Q) In Cane Ridge there is a new High School is being built, have the police evaluated what will happen with the gangs between Antioch High School and the new one? A) They will have support there. The new dress code is making a large difference. Q) Vivian Wilhoite asked how we can obtain truancy reports? A) Looking to have a link added to this blog Q) Are the Police around when blasting is happen? A) NO, but if people think the vibrations are too much, make the police department aware and they can find someone to measure the blasting. If blasting is going to happen and you are within 300 feet you should be notified by the city. Q) The speeding around Antioch has gotten worse. Can you post a speed limit? A) It is a societal problem and is very difficult to change Q) I have been living in the condos in the Nashboro Village area for 7 years and feel the crime rate has drastically increased. A) Setup a Neighborhood Watch Closing by Vivian Wilhoite That is the crime update. These meetings are for the public to voice their concerns. We need to strengthen our relationship with the Police Department. Further updates will be posted, to keep the district up-to-date on all important issues. It is very important that more people start getting involved and attend the Crime Update Meetings. If you know people in your neighborhood that might not have access to a Computer please make them aware of the meetings. Spread the word and let’s strengthen “District 29” and make our neighborhoods a great place to live. Posted on the side of the blog are important phone numbers to keep on hand to report a crime or information concerning possible drug activity. Do not be afraid to use them. Crime Stoppers 74-CRIME (742-7463) Drug Activity 244-DOPE (244-3673) You do not have to give your name! Just make the call! Start a Neighborhood Watch Group. If you are interested in starting a Neighborhood Watch Group in your neighborhood please send an email to fullcircle148@aol and leave name, area you live and contact information. Have a great Weekend! Posted by MS

Hello District 29 Neighbors-"Crime Update Meeting for Southeast Davidison, District 29"

“Crime Update Meeting for Southeast Davidson, District 29” Time: 6:00 – 7:30 pm Thursday, February 7, 2008 Priest Lake Presbyterian Church 2787 Smith Springs Road Chief Ronal Serpas Metropolitan Police Department and Commander Michelle Richter and Officers Hermitage Precinct Dear District 29 Neighbors: Please attend the Crime Update Meeting on Thursday, February 7, 2008 at the Priest Lake Presbyterian Church. Chief Ronal Serpas will share with us the State of Crime for Southeast Davidson and the Nashville community. Additionally, Commander Michelle Richter and the staff from the Hermitage Precinct which patrols District 29 and the surrounding area will provide an update on crime activity in the area, provide follow-up information from the October meeting, and give up tips for increased safety. There will be an opportunity for questions. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to bring to their attention occurrences in the community and remain anonymous. Please attend. Bring a neighbor. Bring your concerns. If you have questions, please contact me at 589-2003 or send me an email by visiting www.vivian-29.blogspot.com. Thank you for the opportunity to serve you. This is an effort to keep you informed. I look forward to seeing you at the gathering. Gratefully, Vivian Wilhoite Metro Councilmember 589-2003 www.vivian-29.blogspot.com