Here is a link to the Council Agenda for June 4th. If you will wait I will analyze it for you, but if you just can't wait, here it is: Council Agenda.


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A right-leaning disgruntled Republican comments on the news of the day and any other thing he damn-well pleases.
Here is a link to the Council Agenda for June 4th. If you will wait I will analyze it for you, but if you just can't wait, here it is: Council Agenda.
This is the Council budget work session where council members propose changes to the mayor's budget and explain how they would pay for it. This is where something gets in the budget or not. If something is put in, something must be taken out or a new source of funding must be identified. There is apparently not much disagreement with the Mayor's budget. Providing a subsidy for the fair ground is the only thing that seems to have a lot of support. I suspect a subsidy for the farigrounds will make it into the budget. There are only a handful of proposed changes and this meeting is only 26 minutes long.
I am disappointed that no one proposed eliminating the Department of Human Relations and spreading that money among other needs. That department serves no useful purposs except for political correctness indoctrination. I feel we should not be funding a youth pavillion at the gay pride event. Maybe some one's alternative budget will propose defunding this department.
For more information on the proposed budget follow this link: Citizen's Guide to the Metro Budget.
I am not posting all budget hearings, only those that I think will be of most interest or generate controversy. Since the bulk of our tax revenue goes to support public education and since the School Board got considerably less than what they requested, I think the school budget is one that deserves close scrutiny. If you would like to view more budget hearings, you can find them at this link.
From:
From Gov. Bill Haslam
Gov. Bill Haslam : Workers' Compensation Reform Bill Signing
As governor, one of my top priorities is making sure we're doing
everything we can to make Tennessee the best state in the nation to
live, work and raise a family. And while there isn't a metric or an
organization that measures exactly that, there are several annual
rankings that help us gauge our progress. Several of those were released
earlier this month. Here's a quick run-down of how the volunteer state
faired:
No. 1 State for Retirement | Bankrate.com
No. 4 State for Business | Chief Executive
No. 4 State for Job Creation & Business Recruitment | Site Selection
Speaking of job creation, we've announced over 1,600 new jobs at 14
different Tennessee businesses in the last month alone. In fact, one of
our initiatives aimed at improving the state's business climate,
bringing clarity to the Workers' Compensation system through reform, is
the subject of the video above. We've
made some significant progress over the last few years despite the
difficult national business climate, but being proud of the progress
we've made doesn't mean we're going to rest on our laurels. Folks across
state government are working extremely hard to keep up this significant
momentum.
Here is a balanced article about the new Common Core education standards. The Sumner County Republican Women hosted this panel of Tennessee experts on Common Core.
Former State Representative Debra Maggert reports on her facebook page that she had attended the anti-common core rally in Williamson county last month and noted that it was very unbalanced and their "experts" were not Tennesseans. She says the Sumner County Republican Women's club tried to find anti-common core experts to speak on the panel, but were unable to find anyone with an education background who had first hand knowledge about Common Core to speak. All but one of the panelists at the Summer County event was a Sumner countian.
Educators say Common Core sets higher expectations
The Tennessean, May 28, 2013- Adopted in Tennessee in 2010, the Common Core initiative was a state-driven, bipartisan effort spearheaded by the National Governors Association and Council of Chief State School Officers. The movement was aimed at reforming schools to better prepare students for college and career readiness. In all, 45 states have signed on. With Common Core, states will for the first time be teaching the same standards at each grade level across the nation.
The pushback is perhaps being fueled by a misunderstanding of Common Core, panelists said. The new standards will emphasize not only student knowledge, but students will also be expected to be able to apply what they know through higher-level, critical thinking skills, educators said. (link)
Appeals Court overturns mosque ruling
The Murfressboro Post, Thursday, May 30, 2013 - A Tennessee Court of Appeals panel ruled Wednesday that the Rutherford County Planning Commission did provide adequate public notice prior to approving construction of the Islamic Center of Murfreesboro.
“We have concluded that the (Rutherford County Chancery) Court erred in finding the notice provided to be inadequate .....(link)
NewsChannel5.com | Nashville News, Weather
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Metro School Board Members said they're
preparing to make some difficult decisions when it comes to balancing
the district's budget, but vow that won't include cutting teaching
positions.
The proposed $1.81 billion budget before Metro Council Members
includes $746.4 million for schools — a $26 million increase over last
year's budget, but $18 million less than school board members asked
for. (link)
Now The Gibson Guitar Raids Make Sense
Investors Business Daily, 05/23/2013 - IRS Scandal: The inexplicable raid nearly two years ago on a guitar maker for using allegedly illegal wood that its competitors also used was another targeting by this administration of its political enemies.
(Read More)
Conservatives and the Common Core
By SOL STERN
AND JOEL KLEIN, Wall Street Journal, May 13, 2013 - Although the two of us have disagreed about several school-reform issues, we strongly believe that the Common Core State Standards, voluntarily adopted by 45 states, is one of the most promising education initiatives of the past half century. If implemented properly, they can better prepare students for college-level work and to gain the civic knowledge that is essential for democracy to prosper.
All Americans, including conservatives, should applaud these standards, which celebrate the country's foundational documents and enable students to share the heritage of Americans.
Unsurprisingly, the adoption of common educational standards is opposed by some hard-liners on the educational left. ........ Progressives tend to favor pedagogical approaches in the classroom such as "child-centered" instruction and "teaching for social justice," rather than rigorous academic content.
Much more puzzling has been the fervid opposition to the Common Core by some conservatives, including tea party activists,......
The Common Core Standards were not written by the federal government, but by a committee selected by the National Governors Association and the Council of Chief State School Officers. The committee's efforts were backed financially by several private foundations, including ........(link)
My Comment:
Unless you subscribe to the WSJ, the link will not let you read the story. I was tempted to repost the whole piece but wanted to respect the private property rights of the WSJ and abide by Fair Use rules.
The article points out that Common Core helps student get an understanding of our American heritage by requiring reading of the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution and the Federalist Papers. They say that Common Core is an advance in rigor and academic content. From what I have read about common core, I think it is a valuable educational reform. Please, before you jump on the anti-Common Core bandwagon, carefully consider the issue. There are many conservatives who think Common Core is a significant reform and others who may not be as enthusiastic but see nothing to fear in Common Core.
Mike Huckabee and former Michigan governor John Engler, who is now president of The Business
Roundtable, talk extensively about the history of Common Core and the
states' role in creating the new standards on Mike Huckabee's
radio show. This is informative. I know that some conservatives have criticism of Common Core. Some of the criticism is minor and may have merit and some verges on irrational hysteria. The tinfoil hat brigade conservatives have been attacking common core and even tying it to the Muslim Brotherhood and Agenda 21. Before you jump on the anti-Common Core bandwagon, please carefully consider the issue. I tend to think Common Core is a positive development.
Here is the link: http://www.mikehuckabee.com/_cache/files/74e7850e-7848-4c8d-b223-4935a20ea4f7/John%20Engler.mp3
Enclave: Aerial photo of water treatment plant during the 2010 flood troubles me Enclave: Council Member Gilmore says she opposes Metro Wate...: In the wake of the bad news that Metro Water, Codes and TDEC approved of a new landfill for banned chemicals near Salemtown, I wrote my cou... Metro and the state moving to create a landfill of toxins next door to Salemtown and Germantown
(FACT) is seeking a mature, experienced Director of Communications to manage and carry out its communications needs. It is a full-time position that comes with paid vacation, holidays, and some personal days. Very competitive compensation, dependent upon experience. For more information follow this link.
In case you missed it.
The theme is "Opportunity for Everyone." It is 33 minutes long and is delivered from the new Music City Center. It praises the show "Nashville," Nashville recoginition in catergoreis from job creation to culinary offerings. He promotes Bus Rapid Transit. He announces the creation of a new $3 million affordable housng trust fund. He says we have a lot of work to do, especially in improving education. He quots Bob Dylan. He says diversity is important in making cities vibrant and strong. He advocates for the new small business incentive program.
WSMV Channel 4
Thanks to Ken Jakes for uncovering more Metro malfeasance.
For Metro to award a $4 million dollar contract to Bell Construction without a
bid is outrageous. It violates Metro procurement policy. It smells of cronyism and corruption. A $4 million dollar change order? For a completely different building never intended to be part of the new Convention Center? Give me a break!
Council holds public hearing on Dean's budget, approves small cities agreement
By Steven Hale, City Paper, May 21, 2013 -
It was a familiar scene at the Metro Courthouse Tuesday night, as red-clad fairgrounds supporters turned out for a public hearing on Mayor Karl Dean’s proposed $1.8 billion budget.
Their numbers did not approach the unprecedented crowd that showed up for a hearing on the property’s fate in 2011, but members of the Save Our Fairgrounds group arrived Tuesday intent on reminding Metro Council members of that night as well as of a referendum on the century-old fairgrounds later that year.(link)Below is the video. It you haven't watched it, wait and I will watch if for you and tell you where in the video is the good stuff and also give you my opinions of what happened. check back.
WSMV Channel 4
NASHVILLE, TN (WSMV) -
There is a lot of demolition and construction going on in
Nashville these days, but there are serious concerns about the city's
plan of action for getting rid of an old building with troublesome
things inside.
The city wants to bury the materials, including arsenic and PCBs - a
mixture of individual chemicals so toxic to the environment, they're no
longer produced - right where they lie, just 300 yards from the
Cumberland River. (link)
Thanks to Ken Jakes for yet again exposing government wrong doings. This again demonstrates how government plays by different rules than those they regulate. Whether it is violating their own rules by selling wine at farmers market, allowing a nasty dumpster to block a public sidewalk, allowing lots to be overgrown, or as in this case by violating their own rules regarding land fills and environmental hazards, government does not follow the same rules they impose on others.
Channel 2, May 21, 2013. NASHVILLE, Tenn. -
Employees of Metro Nashville government rallied in front of
the Metro Courthouse Tuesday night as city council members prepared to
hear public comments on their proposed pay raises.
The group of
roughly 100 police, fire, service union members and supporters gathered
to cheer the efforts to get Metro employees more pay following years of
budget cuts and layoffs.
On Monday, the Civil Service Commission
approved a pay plan put forth by Mayor Karl Dean. The plan includes a
1.5% pay raise for all Metro employees and restores so-called increment
raises. (link)
There are
several people up for Council confirmation of their appointment to the Human Relations Commission next Tuesday night. The Human Relations Commission is an
organization that serves no purpose except to promote political correctness and
should be abolished.
One of the things the
Human Relations Commission does is sponsor a youth pavilion at the Nashville
Gay Pride Festival. I am sure many Nashvillians
believe that homosexual activity is deviant behavior and a sin. Metro should not be in the business of normalizing and promoting acceptance of the homosexual lifestyle among our youth.
I would hope that the appointees to the HRC
will be questioned and asked if they support Metro’s funding of the youth pavilion
at the gay pride event. If they do, the
council members who do not believe this is a proper roll for Metro government should
vote against those appointees.
Dean Council Lady Moore,I do not think it appropriate that Metro should fund a youth pavilion at the Nashville Gay Pride Festival. We should not be sending the message to our youth that homosexuality is normal and acceptable.Several people are up for confirmation of their appointment to the Human Relations Commission next Tuesday. I would urge you to question them on their views on Metro’s funding of the youth pavilion at the Nashville Gay Pride Festival. If they support this program, I urge you to vote against their confirmation.SincerelyRod Williams
This meeting is two hours and five minutes long. The MNPS provide good agendas. To follow along on the agenda follow this link.
Below are some items worth watching:
Public Participation
Tea Party Patriots, 912s and several other groups are having a Nationwide protest against the IRS abuses at IRS offices across the country.
The Nashville Protest will be this Tues May 21, 12noon at 801 Broadway on the sidewalk in front of the Federal Bldg.
I know this is short notice but it is an opportunity to raise our voices and protest this extraordinary abuse by our government.
I reposted an expose a couple week ago that tied Common Core to Agenda 21. You know Agenda 21? That is the conspricacy to kill 96% of the worlds population by posioning them with aspertame and floride. Everything from shady sidewalks to bike share programs to roundabouts to art in public places is part of Agenda 21 according to many Agenda 21 critics. (I have posted extensively about Agenda 21, you can read it hear.)
At the time I reposted the expose that tied Agenda 21 to Common core I said, "I knew the tinfoil hat brigade would tie Common Core to Agenda 21. I just knew it! I'm still waiting to see the connection to Sharia Law, the NAFTA superhighway, Chem trails, the Bilderbergs, the Trilateral Commission, the Council on Foreign Relations, Aspartame, Fluoride, and the Federal Reserve. If you dig deep enough and really believe it, you can find the connections."
Well, I didn't have to wait long. Common Core has been tied to the Muslim Brotherhood! A website called Tennesee Fully Exposed has posted Episode 27: “Common ‘Muslim Brotherhood’ Core Curriculum.” This post features an audio interview with Cathy Hinners who is the founder of the Daily Roll Call and she explains how "Common Core in
Tennessee is being pushed by Muslim Brotherhood organizations and why."
As soon as I find the connections to the Bilderbergs, the Trilateral Commission, the Council on Foreign Relations, and chem trails, I will post it.
In a letter Wednesday to President Barack Obama,
Senator Corker joined Senate Republicans in demanding that the
administration fully comply with congressional investigation requests on how
the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) targeted conservative groups. The
senators outlined concerns regarding conflicting responses from the
nonpartisan agency and said it is imperative the administration work with
Congress to restore public confidence.
You can get your own copy of the Metro
council meeting agenda at this link: Metro Council Agenda. You
can find the analysis at this link: Metro Council Agenda Analysis. Council
meetings can be really, really boring if you don't know what the Council is
voting on. With an agenda and analysis, they are just boring.
Several of the board members of the Human Relations
Commission are up for confirmation of their appointment or reappointment. The
HRC is a metro agency with no function that needs to be done, that could not be
done by some other agency. The whole
purpose of HRC seems to be to promote political correctness and liberal causes.
One of the things they do is sponsor a youth pavilion at the Nashville Gay Pride
Festival, which I think is inappropriate. I do not think Metro should be in the
business of normalizing and promoting a homosexual lifestyle among young
people. I hope someone in the Council
will question the appointees about this
and if the appointee supports continuing Metro's sponsorship of a youth pavilion at the Gay Prive Festival that
the Councilman would vote against thay person and state the reason why. This is an occasion where a
conservative leader could step forward in the Council.
For more on this, see this link and this one.
Public hearing on the budget: To know all you
need to know about the budget, follow this link: Citizen's Guide to the Metro Budget. Also, see the Council staff
analysis or see this link.
Since the Mayor is not proposing a tax increase there will be fewer people
speaking on the budget than there were last year. It seems critics of spending only show up in
years in which there is a proposed tax increase. The mayor's proposed budget
represents a 5.86 percent increase or about $100 million over the current
budget and does not fully fund the Schools request of $44 million increase, but
increases the Schools budget by $26 million.
It does not include a subsidy for the Auditorium, Farmers
Market or Fairgrounds. I normally would be opposed to subsidies for these
functions, however this year I think there may be reason to subsidize the
fairground. Much of the reason the
fairgrounds is losing money is because when the Mayor announced plans to sell
the fairground and turn the site into a corporate
campus, those who would rent the fairgrounds for tradeshows did not do so
thinking the fairground was going away.
I think there has been a deliberate attempt to make the fairgrounds lose
money so there could be a justification to sell the property. I could support subsiding the fairgrounds, this
one year only. To learn more about the fairground
issue, follow this link.
The budget
dips pretty deeply into the "rainy day" reserve fund. Expect
advocates of Schools, Farmer's Market, Fairgrounds, and advocates of an employee's
"step" pay increases to dominate the hearing. The budget is amendable on
third reading, so it will most likely pass tonight.
There are nineteen resolutions all of which
are on the consent agenda. A
resolution is put on the consent agenda if it is likely to be non-controversial
and it stays on the consent agenda if it passes the committees to which it was
assigned unanimously. Bills on the consent agenda are usually not controversial
and tend to be routine matters, such as accepting grants from the Federal or
State Government or authorizing the Department of Law to settle claims against
the city or appropriating money from the 4% fund. Resolutions on the consent
agenda are passed by a single vote of the Council rather than being considered
individually. However, any member of the body may have a bill pulled off of the
consent agenda. I expect a couple of the resolutions to be deferred to
"track" the budget including RESOLUTION NO. RS2013-670 which establishes
the certified tax rate in both the General Services District and the Urban
Services District.
Bills on First reading almost always pass. They are considered as a
group and are seldom discussed. First reading is a formality that allows the
bill to be considered. Bills are not assigned to committee or analyzed by
council staff until after they have passed first reading. I have not carefully reviewed the bills on
first reading, but will before second reading. There are thirteen bills on
first reading.