The ballots have been finalized as of noon today.
We have three individuals running for mayor including incumbent Ronnie Erwin, Alderwoman Senna Mosley, and rotarian Mike Slinker.
There are seven running for two Alderman positions including incumbent Sherry Green. She’s joined by Earl Wilson, Teresa Bess Smith, Kandy Pierce, Chris Farmer, Tom Broeker, and David Gammon.
The signs are already appearing in yards, so get ready for a long two and a half months of campaigning!
I need to let Teresa Bess Smith and Randy M. Barnes know about the OTD booth deadline (Saturday). Can anybody help me with that?
Angie is Mr. Barnes on the ballot?
I am somewhat surprised that Jerry Gann decided not to seek re-election, so if nothing else we can be assured we will have a new vice mayor.
Ok, the signs are tolerable but what I really want to hear are the candidates plans for the next four years. We have finally seen work on Waldron Road begin, and overlay districts are nor entering our lexicon. Don't just tell me you want low taxes, tell me how your plan will improve the quality of life and attraction to La Vergne.
I just got to meet the Mosleys this morning, and let me tell you I am looking forward to doing all I can to help Senna get elected this fall!
I agree. I met Senna several years ago. I was impressed then and still today. She can make a difference and help Lavergne grow in every way. GO SENNA
i just wanted to stop by thisislavergne for a quick moment and thank those who signed my petition.
I have started a Facebook page, Elect Earl Wilson for La Vergne Alderman. I hope to post an idea each day and to show the citizens of La Vergne who I am from there. I will be starting my effort to meet each citizen this Sunday. I look forward to hearing from you and hope that anyone who wishes to contact me can do so at an email address of EARLFWILSON@YAHOO.COM or call me at 967 5963.
I hope to earn the right to call you a voter for me over the next several weeks and that we hear NO MORE EXCUSES ,,,,,,THE BEST LA VERGNE NOW!!!!!
I, too, know Senna and hope she wins the Mayoral race…she has already begun to get things done for the city and when she becomes Mayor, she will be able to do more. Also I am very strong on Chris Farmer for Alderman…he seems to know what is best for the city as well as Senna….good combination . GO SENNA and CHRIS….
I can't wait to vote! Change change change. Finally.
I have had the chance to meet Senna and Chris on different occassions and yes i agree that i will be voting for these 2 come election time. I have seen them out on the streets with the Box 100 rehab, on more than 1 occassion, i have yet to really see any of there other people running for office out in the community doing anything. I know that they busted their butts during the flood and have seen them out when the little girl passed away, and saw them out on several fire calls as well. I think it is time for new blood to sit on the council and take La Vergne in a new direction, and i know that these folks could do that for us. Good luck guys, i'll be in your corner
yes this is true. I remember during the floods the only time any of the officials from the city was out to help was only to get a photo opt….there was one alderman that ran things from the civic auditoriam from sun up to sun down and worked so hard at getting people what they needed. that would be Senna. I have heard that MS GREEN did help some but where was the dear old mayor during all of this for the people? Box 100 is something the city needs and should be very proud of. I know that Senna is running alone and that most of you one here are saying they are going to vote for Senna and Chris but remember they are not running together. It's time for a new direction and the new dircetion would be the Mosley way! so the good ole boy network better go on and Mosley along!!
I had a chance to meet with Senna when she came by to drop off her sign in my yard. I just listed a few brief gripes/thoughts on our city and was assured it would not be tolerated under her as mayor. She has already helped us get a drainage ditch cleaned out that was flooding homes and overrun with snakes and mice. No one else would help even though everyone on the street had called. I have every belief in Senna and I am also pulling for Chris Farmer and i will do everything in my power to get all my friends and neighbors behind me to get them elected. I am also tired of the good ole boy club and its time we overhauled this city and make it the great city it should be.
I was one out during the flood helping Box 100 and individuals during that difficult time for our city. I have volunteered my time for the citizens in this city for the past 15 years at the schools, City Football and Baseball Leagues, Boy Scouts, and on the Beer Board for the last 8 years. I never did any of this for any other reason than the enjoyment of helping others and giving back to the city I enjoy living in while raising my family. I am now a candidate for Alderman and my boys no longer play sports, but I am still an active member of Boy Scouts, JROTC Mom at La Vergne High, and Chairman of the Beer Board. I want to be a part of the changes that need to happen in La Vergne and am ready to give my all and do my best for this city and all of its citizens. I am not running with any other candidate, but will and have for a long time tipped my hat to Mrs. Mosley for all of her determination and hard work for this city and its citizens. Now we need to elect the candidates that can help her accomplish those overdue changes by educating themselves in order to make valuable decisions we can all benefit from in the future of La Vergne. We do need a change! Please encourage your friends, family, and neighbors to vote this November 2, 2010.
I am Earl Wilson, a candidate for Alderman and by the end of the day I will be posting my ideas for the city's future. I hope that those of you who do not want to support the usual can support me. For seven years now I have heard ifs and excuses, I will do everything possible to have NO MORE EXCUSES AND THE BEST LA VERGNE NOW!!!!!!!!! Please call me at 615 967 5963 or email me at EARLFWILSON@YAHOO.COM if you have any questions.
Earl,
I tried looking up your facebook page. Can you put up the address?
Mr. Wilson, i have a question for you and would like an answer as well. Were you at one time on the police department of La Vergne? And if so would you please tell me and the other readers why you are no longer with the department! I await to hear your answer.
I will be posting my list of ideas and vision for the city later this week . I will try to put it on Facebook and if not maybe I can post them here.
Jennifer, the facebook is Elect Earl Wilson for La Vergne Alderman.
Master Drill Sergeant, as to your question I am glad you have asked and I am more than willing to address this. I was a La Vergne officer from November 11 2003 until I resigned as an Investigator on May 3 of this year. The reason I resigned is that I was accused of making a threatening blog comment towards the current mayor. I did not post that comment and denied at the time doing so. No one at the police departent who knows me will tell you they believe I did it. However, by allowing myself to be accused, I embarrassed those who had supported me and did not I wish any allegation against me to be used against my supervisors. The political nature of the city caused me to resign for I feared retribution.
Ask any employee and they will tell you I have always had ideas and been willing to stand up for my ideas. I know that as an Alderman I can continue my service to the citizens and employees.
I am not running for vengeance and I am not mad at the city. I am running because I have talked about this for years and now without having city ordnance against me then I decided to run.
I would love to speak with you or any citizen who has any questions of me at 615 967 5963. Please call me, I am available all day everyday.
And thank you Master Drill Sgt for allowing me to address this issue.
I had heard you were fired from the city? can someone tell me if this is true?
Mr. Wilson,
I do not know you or anything about you, and did not know that you had worked for the city, much less quit/fired until the post on here.
I am interested in hearing more about what happened. I don't recall hearing about this, but I would like to know your full side of the story of the "blogging-gate."
Here's why:
If someone accuses me of doing something I didn't do, I am going to fight it tooth and nail as hard as I can, and as long as I can even If I have to go all the way to the supreme court. You have to agree that by "resigning" your position, it gives the impression that you were guilty of whatever you were accused of, but wanted to save face. You use the phrase "by allowing myself to be accused…" but that phrase makes no sense.
I think I can speak for many of us who are not pleased at the direction this city is going, so to express displeasure with the Mayor or M/A board is understandable. But I don't know what the comments were, or the context of your comments, so I would love to get some more feedback from you on this matter if I am to consider voting for you.
I was told he had resigned.
ok thanks!!
breaking news from the city
rock quarry gets water cut off……owes $122,000 in back bills…….
http://www.wsmv.com/news/24775843/detail.html
I just read the story. In all fairness, I'm not sure I agree with the city's deciision on this. Mayor Erwin can say Duggin should have known that they shoudl be getting a bill, but how in the world could the city allow ANY water user to go almost 5 years without paying a water bill? I am sure Duggin is a big company that probably has an employee who processes their bills, or outsources it to another company. Why would Duggin call to make sure there was a water bill coming in?
The story indicates that Duggin actually did start paying when they finally started getting a bill in May, but not surprisingly the back-costs were pretty steep.
Think about it – Let's say you have a mortgage with an escrow account and your escrow tells you they are paying your homeowners insurance premium. 5 years down the road you get call from the insurance company saying they haven't received a payment in 5 years and now you owe them $3,000 plus interest, and you've got 14 days to pay before they sue you. Wouldn't you be pretty ticked at the insurance company for letting the non-payment go on for so long, and then giving you so little time to remedy the problem?
I am afraid La Vergne will be taken back to court. Bye bye trees and sidewalks, hello legal fees and higher liability insurance premiums.
remerber when I said that they knew that there was a meter there and the dept head sent out a meter reader to do a reading? they knew this was going on long time ago but are lieing about it. Senna was told by this meter reader that he went out to do a reading for the dept head a few yrs ago and what she did with the reading ? we still dont know. My mother has said this kind of stuff has been going on for many yrs and nothing will be dont about it. That is why she left.
if any of you were late I know they wouldnt have a problem cuttting you off and the would argue with you about it. I am so glad this has come back into light since its an election yr and people now can see what is truley going on in the city and will vote a new mayor in!
well folks, I know for a fact that the rock quarry" duggin" had no account created five yrs ago until this past May.
my question is this?
Someone knew something about them using the water 5 yrs ago and why there wasnt an account created back then I dont know. Someone should be held accountable for this and I do hope this all comes out and someone looses their job over this. How can you not know that much water has been used over the amount of time? No wonder this dept is over 1 million in the hole. this dept isnt being run correctly because everyone is worried about making fun of certain folks and staying on their cells phones all day long. This is a know fact and not a lie. If people would do their job and not play in this dept then there wouldnt be any problems.
Many at city hall have worked in this dept and got out as fast as they got in. I wonder why? shouldnt this send out red flags why people dont stay in this dept long? yes it should.
Unfortunately you are right and if I am not mistaken the Driftwood motel has taken La Vergne water department to the cleaners in the past too. I just wonder how many other large water bills have been written off. As for legal issues why is the Waldron road project so pieced together, are there still unsolved issues there too? The empty promises and back door deals really need to become a thing of the past.
if you would look at all the past ordinaces that i have dont and posted in the past on here you can see that the music city campgrounds as well has had many bills wrote off for thousands of dollars. some at the water dept says this is lies but hey its posted on the citys site!
I think it is time for the whole rock quarry battle to come to a stop. The courts have already put a stop to the selling of rock (if i am not mistaken). So my question would be why are they still operating and using so much water. I have to admit that my wife pays the bills around our house and if you do not send us a bill then odds are you are not going to get payed. Why have we never been given a reason as to why they were not getting a water bill for so many years?
Life is full of changes and it is very simple to figure out what we woulda coulda or shoulda done after the fact. With the limited space available here I can only offer a short explanation. Please call me at 615 967 5963 if you have any further questions. Please know that I did what I beleived to be best for all involved at the time especially for my babies.
From almost day one I was warned about becoming involved in city politics and the good ol boy syste, That is what I mean by allowing this to happen.
I was accused of posting I will get you ronnie. I did not send that post and would not have threatened the mayor. I am not that stupid folks.
In retrospect I should have fought for what I loved police work and my home, La Vergne. For the forst time in my professional career I felt personally attacled and defeated. So I resigned.
I could say lots of things but I did what I felt was best for my babies, my Chief, my Lieutenant and my fellow officers. All of whom still support me fully.
I know that may not make sense but it is what I thought was best at the time. Would I do it again? I don't know.
As for this election, I ask you to consider my ideas, call me 967 5963, meet me as I walk the city or at Old Timers Day information tent. Then decide if you can support me or not. That is all I can ask.
I promise to do my best for the citizens and to not allow the normal politics and goold ol boy system to take place.
Forgive all my typos I was typing thinking faster than my fingers work.
What do I want out of my elected officials? I want them to put the best interest of the city first. I want them to think about the long term impact of their decisions. I want them to envision how they'd like the city to be and then PLAN for it. I want to see them hire more police officers and fund more firemen so retail can grow. I want to see beautification. I want them to take a long hard look at city operations… is the current structure working? Why the lawsuits? How can they be stopped so money can go to sidewalks or road improvements or public safety rather than paying a disgruntled employee. How can the city afford improvements? Maybe it is time to either look at taxes OR come up with other funding. Speak up, ask questions, get answers, and make an INFORMED DECISION … not just one because it's popular or dictated by someone holding a bag of money.
Kathy I totally agree with you and think I have posted most of the same things you mentioned in earlier blogs. I think we have a very good HR person now who can hopefully stop some of the lawsuits from happening by properly documenting when someone is fired or when there is a problem within a department. We still need the city administrator to step up and take control of these problems too or we need to find a new one who will be willing to stand up and handle the daily business of the city. As far as taxes go I think everyone knows that is inevitable at some point, but it needs to be implemented properly and include freezing taxes for the elderly and fixed income, which I would guess would take a while to get it up and running. I also feel like if there was a more detailed budget we just might be able to see where the money is being spent. We could then see if taxes would need to be raised or not.
Mr. Farmer,
What is your definition of a fixed income? How would this affect the rest of the citizens of La Vergne if you did freeze the taxation of the elderly or fixed income?
Fixed income usually applies to the disabled and elederly. I personally do not know how the exact laws are written and I am sure it would be overwhelming, but I would like to see that if taxes did have to go up the "fixed income" to include our residents who have lost jobs due to the economy such as our Bridgestone citizens who have lost their jobs. This would be a very detailed job for someone and would require a lot of research. Therefore it may not even be feasable to do it for our residents who have become unemployed. It is just an idea. I do know taxes can be frozen for the elderly and most may not agree with me but I feel they should have their taxes frozen. They are the ones who got our country and freedom to where it is now, so if I personally have to pay a little extra on my taxes so they can live the rest of their retirement out on what little most of them receive, then I will. I was raised to take care of our elderly. I hope this answers your question. Once again this would take much research which I have not had time to do yet.
nclb,
I think I missed answering part of your question. If the elderly and fixed income taxes were frozen. No one else would pay to make up their part. I was basically trying to say if for instance say taxes are raised a penny. Then your taxes would go up to reflect that you would not pay more just because they are not paying theirs. The more I try to explain that it looks like it is clear as mud to me.
Thank you for responding to my question, would you also include the economically disadvantaged in this plan?
nclb,
I would if the law allows you too. I do not know the federal laws on all that so it would take lots of research to do it legally. Then you would more than likely need to hire someone to keep up with all that so no one would take advantage of the city. Hope that helps. I do not mean to come across vaque but I have not done enough research yet to know what would be allowed by law.
This has nothing to do with our current conversation, however, I'm much interested in learning more of your vision for the City of La Vergne, I'm a registered voter and see a great need for change in the city.
I've resided in Lake Forest Estate for the past 15 years, my once beautiful neighborhood has been taken over by crime, foreclosure and vacant homes. My property value continues to decrease and like others, I feel the only option is to leave.
Concerns have been addressed in the past with nothing more than a empty police sub station, which I feel is a huge waste of tax dollars.
Would you be willing to address these issues if elected Alderman, a plan of action is much needed to keep residents.
I will address them right now as best that I can. The empty substation I too find disheartening. We have officers off at time who are hurt or on light duty. There is no reason that they could not be filling in at the substation and at the very least having a warm body there. As far as crime in Lake Forest we need more officers and they need to be allowed to fight crime and not write speeding tickets. I am not saying that they do not do this now. I am a paramedic for the county and I work at the La Vergne station so I see our officers out working very hard there just seems to be more than they can do at times. I believe we need more officers or need to schedule them differently it really needs to be addressed, but it needs to be addressed by our Police Chief and then brought to your Mayor and Alderman as to how to resolve the problem. If he can not do it then we would have to look into finding a Chief that could figure a way out to resolve problem. When it comes to hiring officers we would have to find a way to pay for them so that would lead into some critical thinking on the budget ,or taxes would have to come unless there are government grants out there to fund the officers. I believe once we got the crime out of Lake Forest and start enforcing the codes through the codes department we can get citizens to move back to our area. If these houses that are foreclosed on are to the point the are not able to be lived in then the city needs to condemn them and most likely not allow a home to be built back there. We have enough starter homes in La Vergne we need some homes with bigger lawns and square footage. None of this is something I feel can be completed in the next 4 years, but once its headed in that direction whomever would be elected again would already have the ground work started for them and they could keep on going. We have also get some retail businesses interested in La Vergne there is no reason we should have to go to another city to get what we need when we could kkep our tax dollars being spent in our own town.
Thank you Mr. Farmer for addressing my concerns of Lake Forest Estates, I would like to hear the opinions from the other Mayor or Alderman canidates in regards to LFE.
You know I really do think the people currently serving as Mayor and Aldermen are GOOD people. But just because you're a good person, it doesn't mean you have the skills to get it done.
I've gone to meetings before and made suggestions. Instead of people buckling down and figuring out HOW to implement new, good ideas, I've been told why it can't be done. That's the attitude I want to see changed.
You look at some cities that have come back from the very brink and have to ask how they did it. It's determination, strong will, and long-term planning. We have EVERYTHING going for us in LaVergne…. close to Nashville, affordable housing, sit next to a lake (just to name a few) … we need to use these things to our advantage rather than just always being mired down by poor management and the lack of vision.
I was shocked when I heard the other day that the city of LaVergne used to own all the land on this side of Sam Ridley Parkway, but they gave it to Smyrna. I don't know the details, but have to ask… WTH? That's the kind of crazy we need to change!!
Okay I'm done ranting for a while. Sorry you had to put up with it.
Wow the city actually owned that land and just gave it to Smyrna!!!!!!!! That is mind boggling to say the least.
I don't think La Vergne gave the land to Smyrna, I believe it was sold to Smyrna. In fariness, I believe this all happened when Sam Ridley was a small 2 lane road with nothing on it until you got to old nashville highway. Of Course, we all know how things went – Sam Ridley was widened and is now the hub of northern rutherford county.
Of course the La Vergne leaders who agreed to sell this land had poor vision for the future. It was Mike Webb and the rest of the same gang who sold off half of La Vergne to Shreibman and let him destroy it as he saw fit…
Earl,
I'm just curious of your opinion on this matter. Isn't it a conflict of interest for a police Lieutenant to run the weekly rental motel and weekly rental extension, the campground, and townhouses on the corner of 73rd and shriebman (not affiliated with cottages of lavergne) next to library, knowing that there is under age drinking, and drug use going on? He only work from 9 to 5 which most of the residents there are at work. So, he has really no clue what goes on there. I called there one morning to complain about a resident defacing my property and the lady who answered the phone told me to call the police. I thought it was ironic since a police officer/lieutenant runs the place. I'm just curious to know what you think about it?
When Cedar Grove school was an idea, my husband, Carol Cook, myself and several other parents fought hard to get this school built. The county owned all the property at the side of the high school going toward Smyrna given to them for schools by the Chaney family. The school board at that time stated that the land could not be built on and traded for other land or sold it I cant remember. At this time, the school board was pushing for a year around mutlitracking system so they would not have to build a new school in this area. This is how I got into politics. We finally got Cedar Grove built and YES it was in La Vergne. Remember, I worked there and did a lot of office work knowing the address. The next thing I knew was that the address was changed to Smyrna because La Vergne did not want to fix the road going to the school.
It looks like La Vergne has "given/sold" some very valuable land to Smyrna. It seems that the Smyrna Board/Aldermen/Mayor has taken the next step to
improve their city by looking to the future. It seems that La Vergne is stuck in the "past" and seems to be satisfied staying there. Unless they change their attitude about improvements to the city, we will stay in the "dark ages". Hopefully, a new mayor and some new aldermen on board, we will turn things around and get some wrongs, in the city, righted. Look at all the taxes and revenue we have lost. It is never too late to turn things around. Lets make La Vergne a place that people are proukd of and willing to move to. Forget the negative things and push all the positive things we can do here and I know that Senna will get this done. My support is with you Senna all the way.
Back in 1989, when Jack Moore was Mayor, there was a big lawsuit between Smyrna and La Vergne about the properties along Sam Ridley and the area down along South Waldron Road. The lawsuit was settled and a court order was given that divided the property up between the two cities. I remember it very well.
Smyrna got the better end of the deal. They got the state highway and they didn't have to pay hardly anything to get it widened from the little 2 lane road it was at that time.
I wouldn't say that La Vergne gave or sold anything away in that area – it was decided by the courts and the leaders of both cities at that time.
http://pubrec.lavergne.org/WebLink8/0/doc/113393/… (bottom of page)
http://pubrec.lavergne.org/WebLink8/0/doc/695/Pag…
http://pubrec.lavergne.org/WebLink8/0/doc/697/Pag…
http://pubrec.lavergne.org/WebLink8/0/doc/699/Pag… (page 2)
There should be a map at city hall showing the parcels and where the new city limits were placed.
As far as the Cedar Grove school moving from La Vergne to Smyrna, I don't know, but it was probably just an address change and not the moving of a parcel from one city to the other. I can't remember how long Cedar Grove has been located on that parcel.
I agree with you Elizabeth leave all the bad behind us and lets make La Vergne a place we all can be proud to call home > The only problem with that is…is it not your son that likes to trash talk La Vergne and all that its people do? and the funny thing is he does not ever live here so is it not true that one needs to clean up his own back yard before telling others how to clean theirs. I am all for moving forward and seeing great things happen in La Vergne but how can we get it done when there are those that will do everything they can to dig up old newS (like Driftwood and the sale of land ) just to get a vote. I want to hear what they are going to do to better the city and not what others in the past have done to hurt us.
this is Elizabeth's son,
I dont ever talk trash about La Vergne. I do tell it like it is and when I post something it most likely has some backing behind it. all those past wrote water bills and accounts, they are are online for everyone to look at. I used to live in La Vergne and still do business there as I did yesterday, eating lunch and shopping!
The old news can helkp the city become a better place by trying to get folks in office that know about the past and the problems and can fix them. If they know up front what is going on then they can come into office and fix what has been going on.
Senna, I am here for you and will be helping you as much as I can.
Mike, aren't you Mike Slinker? If so, I dont want an alderman airing out someone's dirty laundry.
Mike
First of all, my son has researched the city's website for many, many months and found resolutions that he would link to this site many times. So lets don't call it "trash talk", lets call it "the truth". (Everyone has the right to their opinion.) Enough said on that!
Next, no we don't need to go over the past but La Vergne is "stuck there". What improvements have been made except for widening Waldron Rod? We need to correct the things from the past, like the rock quarry, music city campground, driffwood inn, etc and then "move forward" and hope the past has taught us a lesson on what not to do in the future. There are many good people in La Vergne that wants to see things done for the betterment of the city. So let the past go and with a new mayor and aldermen uin November, we can move forward to a much better La Vergne.
WE must all be willing to learn from the past benefits and mistakes in order to make a positive change for the future of La Vergne. No one can change the past, but knowing the past allows one the knowledge to not make the same mistakes.
thank you….
True, it helps to learn from past events, but you can't blame the current elected officials for things that happened 21 years ago, like the boundary line between Smyrna and Lavergne. They weren't on the board at the time.
Those lines were decided by a court order and agreed to by both Smyrna and Lavergne. It was a big lawsuit at the time. Look at the August, September and October, 1989 Mayor Aldermen minutes.
As far as Cedar Grove School, I bet it was just an address change. I don't think the property switched over from Lavergne to Smyrna after that lawsuit was settled in 1989.
I had links to the minutes in a post last night, but for some reason the post didn't go through. I guess I had too many links in the post. Took me a long time to find them and then the post didn't work. Oh well…
The city needs a comprehensive master plan. Planning by the seat of your pants just doesn't work – that's been proven. Once you get the plan, you have to have a council with the nerve to fund those improvements without worrying about their own political future. That's our biggest problem right now. No planning and board members who are too worried about their own re-election to increase the tax rate to fund improvements and add more personnel.
Perhaps, if the PD didn't fire good officers for simply being injured, they wouldn't be hurting as badly for personnel. Did you know that by policy, (I don't know if that's the city's policy or the PD's) if an officer's injury is determined to be "not work related", that officer is not allowed to work light duty? Rather than doing anything productive, they are forced to sit at home and do nothing. Meanwhile, the sub station collects dust because the Pd is unable to staff it. Also, despite their contributions and years of service to the city, if they aren't cleared for full duty at six months….they get the axe. The fact that they are fully capable of doing other duties until they are completely healed is irrelevant. Never mind all the money that was spent on that officer's specialized training. Even if they were never going to be able to return to full duty, as employees of the City of La Vergne, is there no position in the entire city they could be transferred to?
First, I pulled the comment by "blah blah" out of the automated spam bot and approved (it was all the links). Here's the link back to that specific comment: http://thisislavergne.wordpress.com/2010/08/19/le…
Second, I'm the one who brought up that this side of Sam Ridley had been LaVergne's before. I didn't know about that until last week and was just so surprised. I really appreciate the clarification from blah blah that at least LaVergne fought the measure and took it to court. Sounds like it was a bitter, drawn-out feud. We need to now also concentrate on kicking some Smyrna butt somehow (football games, etc.) hahaha…
Finally, I really do appreciate that everyone engages in conversation here… no matter if you're a resident, candidate, or if you used to live here – open dialogue is what this country needs more of – in my opinion. Through discussion we find compromise and through compromise is growth.
Keep it up!
Thanks Blah Blah for the info! That was some very interesting reading. Sadly, it seems like absolutely nothing has changed in this city. I read a spot about how Smyrna would provide sewage to LHS for as long as needed until La Vergne decided to finally start taking it. And of course there were comments about not having enough city employees and the tax rate being the "second cheapest in the area."
I also didn't realize those big green tanks off Sanford Drive were sewage tanks. There are houses built right there that back up to those tanks! Part of me says the city was stupid for zoning that as residential, but the other side says someone bought that house so it must not be as horrible as I would think.
I agree with the sentiment that this city needs to develop a growth plan and stick to it. Although at this point, how much undeveloped land still exists in the city limits?
michaelinLV,
I, too, read those minutes but wasn't clear on what they said. Thanks for clarifying them for me. It seems there was poor management then and poor management now. We are in dire need of some big change in government.
By the way, I too, live down the hill from the "big green tanks" and recenlty one of them had a leak and water was running down the hill. When I bought my home 5 years ago, I was told those were "water reserve taniks". WOW what an eye opener. I wonder if they are inspected on a regular basis? What a disaster that would be if they broke open. Bye bye house.
The big green tanks off of Sanders right behind Griffth is WATER HOLDING TANKS they are NOT sewer tanks. One tank holds 1 million gallons and the other holds 2 million gallons of WATER, The closest sewer pumping station to this area is in Chaney Woods sub. and all holding for sewer is at the pumping stations and it is underground. I beleive there are 21 sewer pumping stations in La Vergne. Note I beleive my numbers are correct.
Thanks, Senna, for the update on the tanks. Even though it is water not sewage, either way, if they sprung a big leak it would still be a disaster. Still, I hope they are maintained and inspected regularly.
I could of swore it said sewage in those minutes, but I'll take your word for it since I don't want to go back and look. Plus, you are probably more in the know, being an alderman and all 🙂
I believe there was a note in those minutes about there being 3000 water and sewage customers at the time (1989). And to think there are now that many customers just in one subdivision!
Now, I don't know a lot about what happened in 1989, that was the year I was pregnant and needless to say very occupied. lol I have gotten to know a lot about the water and sewer the last couple of years with all of the different matters that has arisen in my alderman years.(STILL HAVE MUCH MORE LEARN and will never know all of it) We(the City) had to watch the levels in that tank when we had water line issues and I was taught how to check to see what level the water was at in the tanks.
Was out for a Sunday afternoon ride and have seen some new signs go up for the election (Senna Mosley for Mayor) and (David Gammon for Alderman). Looking forward to seeing who else starts putting out their signs. Good luck to all
I know this is of the subject, but I have to say something about La Vergne High School. I was at the ballgame Friday and was so impressed with the overall look of the school. It looked GREAT!!! I know the change this year has been overwhelming, but I see great things ahead. Please continue to back the new administration as they work hard to give our children what they so richley deserve an education and a since of belonging to something great. Thank you Mr. Ash and Staff.
Senna, do you know who makes the budget decisions for each school? Is it the principal or the school board? I'm trying to figure out if the school board gives each school a certain amount of money and the individual school decides how to allot the funds, or if the school board tells them how and where to spend it? Big issue going on at LHS right now and I'm debating whether or not to get involved! Thanks.
Sherry, I am just not sure. All I know is that La Vergne has ALWAYS had to really fight for everything we have ever gotten and will get. Heck, one year I had Channel 2 in my home office looking at pictures of LHS when the roof was lecking into the school and the lockers. When Jenae started at La Vergne Primary, all the swings sets etc. had not been put up. My husband got the county to give him some inmates and they along with Ronnie put up the play ground equipment. Like I said I have been fighting for our children and our schools since 1994.
I'll tie into Senna's comments on LHS, and Kathy maybe you want to give this it's own thread.
WSMV is doing a poll for HS player of the week, and this week Landon Grooms from LHS is one of the 4 nominees. I don't know anything about the kid but I definitely want to support our local kids. You can vote on the poll here: http://www.wsmv.com/hsfootball/index.html
It's still early, the leader onlyt has 8 votes (Grooms has 2, I guess me and himself).
Also Senna, maybe you can address this, but does RCS not care that people sit outside of the stadium on Cheney and basically watch the game for free? Where I grew up, we had a similar issue, so the school system put black screens around the open endzones and basically had the sherriff's office ask people to show tickets or move along. I'm not suggesting this is neccessary, I just was curious people's thoughts on this. I've been to a few games at LHS, bought tickets once, but a couple of times I've been guilty of hanging out on the hill just to watch the game for a couple of quarters.
Actually, they usually get run off if their car is on the side of road. Thanks for the info about voting for Mr. Grooms.
I guess this website doesn't carry quite as much clout as I thought! Grooms now has a total of 5 votes, trailing the leader who has 283 votes.
Ouch. Burned! 🙂
Okay okay… I'll post the link in a separate post. And further state THAT'S why MichaelinLV should be an author on this site. *cough*
As for a senior citizens tax freeze, that is my number one issue. The state law sets the parameters and since Rutherford County has adopted this and they are also the folks that set our property values, we need to just piggy back off of them.
As for Weekly Rentals, no business operator can control what their employees let alone tenants do. Every city employee has the right to pursue business interests and employment outside of their normal city working hours. At times I have wondered myself about this business, I will not deny that. However, I have never been told by Lt Ruch to not police there and he has always been willing to immedialtely evict any tenant who the police officers told him was a problem.
The main issue at Weekly or the Driftwood with policing is simpy this, you always police the most where people have the least.
As for the substation, it was not intended to be manned 24/7, it was intended as an office for a specialized detail to work out of. The easiest thing to do is this. Make officers stay in there assigned areas and use computer reporting to allow officers to work out of the substation. Not every officer has access to the building and that must change. The shifts should hold briefings there at random and officers should be required to eat there and break there. This has been one of those rules that is enforced for a short time and then kind of falls to the side, but, if every officer has a key then they have no excuse.
My basic platform is as follows:
1. Immediately implement senior citizens property tax freeze
2. address the imploding water and sewer billing issues
3. the board must stop interfering in daily operations and instead focus on a legislative agenda
4. no more unknown rock quarries, water billing issues or preventable lawsuits by installing professional LEADERS not caretakers
5. top to bottom evaluation of every aspect of city operations
6. clear detailed published master plan which includes infrastructure improvements
7 citizen survey of what you want and think we need
8. stop personnel turnover
I will post more detailed ideas later today both here and at my Elect Earl Wilson facebook.
Those are my basic ideas. I want NO MORE EXCUSES, THE BEST LA VERGNE NOW!!!!
eLIZABETH,
I hope you will become my friend on facebook. Later today I will post my entire platform.
I hope anyone with questions will call me 967 5963
Question – why the focus on a tax freeze for seniors? I mean, the tax rate is $.50 and has ben so for awhile and will be so for the forseeable future; Why even worry about it?
3 and 5 seem to be oxymorons. You say part of your platform is to get out of day-today operations, yet you want an audit of the whole city? I would probably include number 8 in there as well.
I 'm with you on number 6.
We do number 7 every 2-4 years when we vote. I don't see any advantage in spending money on a survey that most people are going to ignore or throw away.
I'm not sure what my comments are on number 2 and 4, but as I read these other comments I am gathering that the problem has nothing to do with our current council. It seems that a lot of these problems could be resolved by an effective city administrator. I don't know anything about Mark Moshea, and he's always been responsive to me whenever I've needed him. But in my opinion, the council exists to direct the city, the city administrator exists to ensure those directions are carried out. If the directions are not being carried out, that eeds to be addressed with the city administrator, right?
michael
1. the seniors voting block is the largest obstacle to raising taxes if and when it is needed. if they are safe from a tax increase that obstacle is removed
3. to do this must have the best qualified leadership in place possible at city manager and every department head
5. we need some outside evaluation of what the city should do. this would lead to the master plan and then allow the board to hold the manager accaountable, the manager to hold the department heads accountable and the citizens to hold the board accountable
7. elections are not surveys of what the citizens want, i mean a real questionnaire of what you want, think the city should provide and what level of taxation you would be comfortable with. mtsu socioligy dept does these surveys all the time for almost no cost
8. the largest personnel problem is turnover. that must be addressed through pay and environment. if the employees feel the board and manager respect them, the employees will stay, if they don't then we will leave. every time a police officer is lost it takes about 18 months to replace that officer and the new officer to return to the same level of service the previous officer should have been providing
and finally there are in my opinion two members of the city leadership that must be addressed. one is the city administrator/manager and the other is the water department head
and the water dept has every thing to do with current council, the board often has 4 to 1 votes and refuses to address issues when it comes to "friends" and yes men
In reading all the comments posted lately i see that there is a problem with administration, if we are to turn things around then the first person to look at would be him. If he can not do what is needed to be done then the city needs to find someone that will follow threw. And i agree with Mike, this is not the place to air out your dirty laundry for everybody to read.
Earl, what are you trying to say about the council? That the men stick together on making decision that are going to be in favor for their friends instead of what would be good for the city? Please clarify on this comment. And i have read your post where you answered my question about you being a police officer. Thank you for responding, BUT my concern is, when the situation got rough, you bailed. So why should i beleive, trust or vote for you now, cause i am sure that things will be rough for whom ever gets elected.
If there is a problem with the water department, and apparently there is, then once again, why are heads not rolling over this. Why does the city continue to let things get out of hand. Again is it because the (men) are friends with these people and showing favors. Can anyone comment on any of this
Master sargent,
You answered your own question. Fiefdoms have been created and are protected at all costs.
As for me bailing, I know what happened and can not explain it in a blog. Once again I say call me and I will be more than happy to discuss it. But I did what I felt was best for my family at the time. I would probably not do it again but fight harder, but that is woulda coulda shoulda and we can not redo the past. If we could I we would all be perfect.
I am not tied to the old guard and realize that La Vergne is not a city of 7000 and this is not 1990. This is 2010 and we are approaching 32000 and will be at 55000 by our buildout. Hard decisions must be made and new ideas embraced. Ever since I moved here I have had ideas, some great some good some not so good and some awful. But I have always had ideas and have always wondered why not La Vergne, why not now?
At the end of the day I promise my full attention, my full effort, and my willingness to make tough decisions.
I want the best La Vergne NOW!!!!!! No more excuses.
YOU TELL EM MOM…..They all thought I was full of crap-o-la and was not telling the truth about what was going on but now you have confirmed it for everyone.
CLEAN UP THE WATER DEPT NOW!!!
PLEASE can we close down Music City Campground? It is such an unpleasant sight and so close to major entryways to our city.
I'm with you on that one kitti. It's really rough in the eyes. I wish the weekly rentals and the weekly rentals extension would go away too. But, I don't see it going away anytime soon. It would sure help my the value of my home go up. I wish at least they would do some renovations to make it look somewhat attractive. I'm sure they pull in a lot of money. I heard there is a waiting list for people to get in.
Mr. Earl Wilson
What are "fiefdoms"????
If I answered my own question….Please elaborate on that. I must not be understanding completely what you are trying to tell me. As far as you not being able to tell me on a "blog" (which really confuses me) and wanting me to call for the answer that is not going to happen. That would require me calling and then having to post the whole conversation on here so EVERYONE else who is wondering what happened can get the answer. Next as far as the tax freeze your are talking about. How is that going to work? You make it sound like all that has to happen is the board vote on it and it is done. Is it truly that easy? If so why has it not been done already? I do agree on freezing taxes for elderly but how much will this help them out? County property taxes will still be high for them will it not? Once they are frozen for them is that it do they stay frozen for them forever? I am really curious on how this works. I must agree with Michael though if you on the oxymorons. Finally I will go ahead and answer your survey without being asked on my taxes. I do not want to pay anymore taxes. I kinda figure that is what you would get for your answer from most anyone. As a leader you should do what is best for the city and citizens. Taking a survey would just be mind numbing and useless.
Master sargent,
You answered your question by asking me if we needed to replace some city leadership. WE DO!!!!!
We should endeavor to have the best qualified persons at every office.
What I am saying is in some ways it is difficult for me to explain in a short blog my thoughts at the time. I believe I did what was best and if that is not good enough then it is not good enough.
A fiefdom may not be a real word, it is a little piece of the world that someone feels they control and completely control.
The property tax freeze is just like any other ordinance, It is presented, voted on three times and becomes law. It would probably require an extra employee in the tax office, but until it is brought before the board no one knows.
The county HAS enacted the seniors property tax freeze.
The tax freeze could be rescinded by later ordInance of another board.
I take offense that the survey would be useless. It would allow all of us to say what we want it would show what direction the majority of citizens wish to go in and what they would like. i feel it would be extremely beneficial. Every company in America does constant customer feedback.
I will do what is best for the citizens and the city. I will make tough choices even if it means cutting services.
My personal city tax rate is 33 cents a day. We are operating on the same budget as we have for at least three years. We are attempting to operate a city of 30,000 with the property tax rate that was set when the population was less than 18,000. No one wants a tax increase, but if the citizens have true input into city projects and then through a master plan see they get what they wanted and needed, then we will all be better off.
We can not continue to avoid making difficult choices.
Also, not to be rude but it would be nice for you to identify yourself and what service you were in.
Just looked up "fiefdoms" on google. The definition is:
Fiefdoms – definition of Fiefdoms by the Free Online Dictionary …
The estate or domain of a feudal lord. 2. Something over which one dominant person or group exercises control: "long the independent head of a powerful … http://www.thefreedictionary.com/Fiefdoms – Cached – Similar
Hope that helps you but I still don't understand it.
Okay fiefdoms is me saying that certain people have their little kingdom or piece of power over something that they will do anything to protect. Those folks who know me will tell you that I often kind of make up uses for words and it is one of my quirks.
Elizabeth I am certain you know at least one person who fancies themself a Queen of say a certain city department that provides a clear liquid to the citizens.
Now does fiefdoms make sense???????
There is a process that senior citizens can go thru for freezing COUNTY taxes. They can contact the county tax department in Murfreesboro (located in the middle of the square at the courthouse). They will tell them what to bring and what to fill out. Then they will either be approved to freeze taxes for the county or not and that will be for 1 year. Then the next year you have to go thru the process again. But it is worth the time and effort each eyar. Hope that helps for county taxes.
Earl I was in the Corp. That is all I am willing to say. I am not trying to bust your B!!!s either. I had heard you were employed by the city and wanted to know why you were no longer there. I can see that this must be a "touchy" subject with you, but from the outside looking in it kinda give me the gut feeling you are hiding something. Maybe not. I do not know you. Don't need to meet you. I can see you are not afraid to at least try and answer my questions and I commend you on that!
Now you did kinda contradict yourself in your last statement. You said you were willining to make tough choices even if it meant cutting services, then you said a tax freeze may require hiring people. A touch confusing.
Finally the survey answer was not meant to "hurt" your feelings. I just think there is enough wasteful spending in the city and this seems like another one. If someone has an idea there is a Public Hearing where you can speak before every city meeting. I have been going to them for years and we have one young lady who speaks out for our children in town quite frequently. You would know that if you had been at any city meetings.
Drill Sergent,
Since you brought it up, I would like to know what you consider "wasteful spending"? The city is running on a bare-bones budget and I don't know of anything that I would consider wasteful.
As far as other comments made – Yes, this city needs a new administrator – no doubt about it, but you can't blame it all on the city administrator. I think an even more important piece of the puzzle is a plan for the future plus a city council that is willing to step up and fund that plan. Every time the city has tried to plan, the council has backed out and not funded the improvements that are necessary for this city to move forward. This city needs better leadership, starting with the city council. That council needs to SET POLICY, not run the day to day operations. That is what a city manager is for. The council needs to hire a competent city manager to run the day to day operations. We don't have that now. The Mayor also needs to give up the hire / fire authority. That position is just too political to hold that power.
Thanks Sarge for pushing me on the issues. It is good to debate but let me address your comments.
My leaving the city is one of the most painful decisions I have ever made. I failed many people but most importantly i failed three little boys, one of whom still plays Police everyday because his daddy was the police. There is nothing to hide. i just made the best decision at the time. I would not make the same decision today.
To implement the senior tax freeze we may have to hire an extra person in th tax office.
We have had the same budget for three years. The exact same one. if we do not either cut services or raise more tax money from somewhere then soon we will have to cut services. when you operate at bare minimums where can you cut services from?
As for the survey we could get it done for free by MTSU or TSU sociology departments.
As for persons speaking at Public Hearings, well you know that maybe one person speaks on a subject at any meeting. We need more interaction from the citizens, this survey would more than allow every citizen to participate in the process.
Thanks for your service Sarge and for holding my feet to the fire.
I want this race to be about the real issues facing us and that should we fail then La Vergne will continue to have less than we deserve. I am willing to make hard decisions and will fight every day for every aspect of the city, the citizens and the employees.
NO MORE EXCUSES, THE BEST LA VERGNE NOW
blah blah, to start with why do we have a contract for the grass to be mowed in the city when we have perfectly good lawnmowers sitting there not being used. There is also a golf cart at parks and rec that has aluminum wheels and a lift kit on it, what is the purpose in having that and spending that money. I see this as wasteful spending. I agree we need an administrator that will take charge and see that the day to day business is taken care of. The MAYOR does not need to be in the administrators day to day business at all if he or she is doing their job correctly. And there is more wasteful spending by contracting out the water treatment to a company when the city owns the treatment plant, why not hire someone to run it,
Sargent,
I don't know the situation about the grass contract – maybe they don't have enough time or personnel to operate those mowers and it is cheaper to pay an outside company to mow – I don't know. As far as the golf cart – I don't know how that can be justified, but I wouldn't think you're talking about a whole lot of money. Both of these items are just one department – maybe that department head should held accountable for those items.
I'm looking for big stuff – from more than just one department. What else is there that anybody can point out. I just don't see much fluff when you look at the budget. We desperately need more police officers and firefighters and I'm sure other departments need more help too. The city employees are all underpaid when you compare their saleries to other cities around us. Lavergne has always been a training facility where people are hired, trained, and then they go to other cities to make much more money – then we are out of all the expense of training that person. The city employees need to be taken care of.
why dont we have more inmates mowing grass? or persons doing community service from probation?
the mayor should get out of city hall and let the professional staff do the job they have been hired for
I'm going to start calling Mr. Wilson "Hurricane Earl" !!! 🙂
Kathy
I intend to be a hurricane , a strong force of nature that shakes things up at city hall and moves La Vergne forward and does not allow the past to hold us back. we can not allow the "good ol boys" to stop progress and what is right for all citizens not just for selected wallets.
And I'm hijacking this post to say here too… go vote for LHS student Landon Grooms! Come on LaV!!
http://www.wsmv.com/hsfootball/index.html
There are employees in many different departments that need to listened to and not just nodded at and ignored. This city has incurred enough legal and training expenses due to the lack of properly solving issues and that needs to end. I have heard that our new HR director is very good and hopefully two or three new members to the Mayor/Alderman board will set the course for better communication in order to achieve more employee job satisfaction and less turn over. This is one issue I feel very strongly that if addressed correctly would save this city a lot of wasted tax dollars that could be used more wisely toward the benefit of a better future for La Vergne.
For those voting for Landon Grooms you can vote more than one time. He needs your votes he is still over 300 behind the leader. So please vote and support the youth of La Vergne. They are our FUTURE!!
I have finally figured out how to post my platform on the facebook Elect Earl Wilson. It is under the discussions page. I hope everyone can look at it and send me feedback.
Well citizens of La Vergne it looks to me like that Mayor Erwin and David Gammon are running toegther, they have their signs next to each other here in the city, anyone have any comment on this? And yes Mr. Wilson i will keep your feet to the fire and all the others running for office, i want answers and improvements for this city and i want to know who is really serious and who is blowing smoke up my a_ _!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I hope you go to te facebook Elect Earl Wilson and check out the platform I have posted. Please excuse the spelling and grammer.
I want to make La Vergne a better city, I am not running to profit myself only to insure that the city I am a property owner in is better for my sons as they get older.
interesting news that you bring us….I guess the mayor is wanting more good ole boys in his network. The city will never be cleaned up until a NEW MAYOR is elected. We all know what has been going on in the city for yrs and a new direction is what the city needs.
Well, I still have not heard any news on this to be fact, so still waiting for someone to confirm this.
Mark i am with you, it is time to clean up this city so we can bring new business to our area. I would much rather do all my errands right here then have to go somewhere outside our city.
And Mr. Wilson someone made the comment to night at a gathering that i was at, that i was on your side, that you have won me over from reading this blog, let me say it nicely, CHRIS FARMER for ALDERMAN, thats all i have to say.
Hey Drill Sarge,,,,You get to vote for two so I hope I am one of the two……..
your getting closer…..
SERGEANT
if one does not know how to use spell check, google it. If someone is going to use the name of an E-8, they should know how to spell it.
spell check, do us a fovar and go anonyy oethr popele.
Spell Check , thank you for being so observant.
Rumor has it that election signs are being stolen from where the candidates are putting them out, why are the citizens of La Vergne stealing these signs that these people have spent time and money to purchase? I will call the police if i see anyone taking any of these signs and i ask that other citizens do the same. It is a shame that someone would do this, and if you are reading this i hope you feel a shamed for doing it. PLUS i hope you get caught.
michaelinLV,
Good job at being a smart ass, but you missed the point. Master DS stated that he served in the Corps, if so then I have the utmost respect for him for his service. But the rank of E-8 is not easy to obtain and if one is going to use it, spell it correctly.
If you do not like my attitude, maybe we should meet up to see if you have what it takes to adjust it.
Master DS, thank you for your service, jar-heads are the best.
"If you do not like my attitude, maybe we should meet up to see if you have what it takes to adjust it."
Spell Check – 2 things for you to consider:
1 – Threatening someone via the internet is the same as threatening someone in person. It is a crime and you can be prosecuted for it.
2 – You are not posting anonymously. Your IP address is logged by WordPress and you can be located using that IP address.
You accuse me of being a "smart ass," yet it is you who got on this board with the sole purpose of pointing out someone's spelling.
Master,
Thank you for watching over everyones signs! Yes there is someone taking signs and from what I have heard it is not just mine they are getting, seems to be everyone who has them out. I am personally checking all signs at different hours of the day and night not just mine and if I see any gone I will be calling whomever has theirs gone to let them know. They are expensive and it is frustrating to have to go around daily just to check them, but I have just decided that is part of running a campaign now. I was mad about it at first. Now I have come to the conclusion it really doesn't matter if you have 1000 signs or 50. The citizens are smart enough to know who they want in office and the signs are not going to win anyone an election. I appreciate yours and everyone elses support!! And by the way I am not saying that I want anyone to take anymore of my signs. Lol
MichaelinLV
Where is the threat? I believe my comment was stated as a question. Try not to be so sensitive.
I am offering a $100. 00 reward to anyone with pictures and/or videos showing tag # or enough information to prosecute the thieves stealing our signs. These signs are expensive and we only have so many. Please help us to stop this act of hatred. I am sorry it has to come this, but enough is enough.
Ok spell check
I have corrected my mistake so i hope this makes you happy. I apologize for the agruement that this has caused on here. This is election time and i realize that tempers are up and i am not here to cause problems between citizens of this city. I ask questions and hear things that are being said among people here in La Vergne and would just like to have my quetions answered.