Drinkin' the Franklin Kool Aid

Franklin's water supply violates state standards.

2011-08-04T05:14:00.000-05:00

Franklin's water supply violates state standards.

Is anyone really shocked?

Good Stuff Coming Up.

2011-01-13T20:48:00.002-06:00

Part of starting this back up is to identify the outright censorship of the Tennessean newspaper in their forums.

An of course, why they continue to simply publish puff pieces for a former mayor or attorney that needs a press release from a friend.

And they gave Gwen Shamblin a hard time ... WTF?

2010-10-04T18:42:00.002-05:00

You mean they gave Gwen Shamblin a hard time ...

... and here's "The Campus"

Really? One thing's missing ... Kool Aid!

Sold our souls.

2010-10-04T18:22:00.002-05:00

What's the big freakin' deal? Developer seeks new Mack Hatcher access

Mack Hatcher is a ... "parkway" now ... not a bypass -- open the entire loop up for access!

What mouthbreather doesn't know this: the fastest you can travel is at the slowest speed limit on the ... new ... "parkway?" i.e., the weakest link.

Why would anyone expect TDOT to be any different about their rules and regulations than Franklin -- whose planning and zoning requirements are for sale for anyone with a buck?

Franklin's planning and zoning requirements are not worth the paper they are written on. They can be changed by anybody, at anytime, for any reason -- and have been.

The votes are for sale. Who beside the 'Elrod Lemmings' people don't know this?

Silver Lining.

2010-10-04T18:17:00.002-05:00

Yep ... there is a 'Silver Lining' ... just wonder why it took the local yearbook insert so long to report it.

Maybe they had another friend-of-a-friend-motorcycle-mid-life-crisis homage they were all brainstorming over -- right behind the next man-crush piece.

Admission is Free at 2010 Heritage Ball.

2010-09-30T05:37:00.002-05:00

If you check the City of Franklin "Upcoming Meetings" feed ... apparently the Heritage Ball is now a City of Franklin sponsored event -- surely admission is free.

Girl in the Black Honda.

2010-09-08T06:10:00.002-05:00

One of the more ... curious ... stories that sort of happen in the background that you don't really hear about: NISSAN Whistleblower Arrested.

This is the "Girl in the Black Honda whistleblower" that I still don't understand what story she is trying to get out there.

Transition ...

2010-09-08T05:46:00.002-05:00

Transition to different venue ... unsuccessful.

"Blogger" needs more interaction with mobile devices programmed into it ... many of its features are too 'clunky.'

Rhetorical Question.

2010-09-05T05:59:00.000-05:00

From: City officials: Monticello wasn’t left out on purpose

"But here’s the question: Was Simmons Ridge and its developer Jay Franks given precedence over Monticello because he’s a supporter of Schroer? I heard it whispered the other night so I thought I would ask."

I've said it time and time again.

2010-09-02T09:35:00.002-05:00

I've said it time and time again:

Franklin's planning rules and regulations are completely and totally baseless - they are not worth the paper they are written on that taxpayers paid to have them cut & pasted from the internet - they can be changed at any time, by any body, for any reason.

Waiver opens door in garage rule

TDOT can't even finish Mack Hatcher they started.

2010-08-10T05:59:00.003-05:00

Franklin buys more land, homes for parkway:

"Franklin has bought nearly half of the homes that will need to be removed from the Rebel Meadows neighborhood to make way for the long-delayed Mack Hatcher Parkway extension, even though the state's financial backing of the $90 million project isn't clear."

What's not clear about TDOT's funding? TDOT has sooooo much money sitting around, they're going to spend an extra $4,700,000 on interpretive monuments, special pretty signs, and even custom decorative railings for bridges that were chosen by another specially-selected committee.

I have an idea - how about finishing the Mack Hatcher they already started?

And after being in limbo for 20 years:

All the appraisals on the Rebel Meadows properties have been completed and offers on the remaining homes should be made by mid-August, said Eric Gardner, city engineering director.

Are you sure you want to do that Eric - can't you squeeze in one more rainy season? Maybe at least some of the houses will wash away next spring and you'll have more money for downtown $treet$ham.

Big Ol' Police Station Can't Keep Up With Crime Wave.

2010-08-05T20:33:00.002-05:00

Seems to be a big crime wave here in South Franklin with multiple break-ins overnight.

I'll say it - the Taj Mahal that Come-lately-Elrod was bitching about sure doesn't represent the level of service by the Franklin police.

Maybe they should stay off the damn cell phone.

Can't see the forest.

2010-08-04T06:54:00.003-05:00

Can't wait to see how much energy those humongous billboards are going to suck up, potentially negating any savings while the City does the circular grabass talk.

Speaking of traffic ...

Taylor's Grocery; Future Farmer.

2010-07-28T07:33:00.000-05:00

Deactivated ... you know how to contact if needed.

Dear Franklin Sign Guy,

2010-07-27T06:30:00.002-05:00

While you're out today getting all of those pesky and law-breaking Yard Sale signs, maybe you get all of those political campaign signs out of the public right-of-way ...

... maybe start along Lewisburg Pike between South Margin and East Fowlkes?

One bad, tragic joke.

2010-07-22T16:18:00.002-05:00

Census has state House watchers talking

Former Franklin Mayor Tom Miller:

One person has already been approached by supporters about running: former Franklin Mayor Tom Miller.

While not committing to run, Miller, a commercial real estate broker, says he's interested in listening to what supporters have to say.

"I don't think my time of public service is over," said Miller, who lost his mayoral re-election bid in 2007. "But in all honesty, I also have to say that I'm not making plans to run for that seat or any other seat at this time."

Good God Almighty ... what the f*** did we do to deserve this?

OK ... I really mean it this time.

2010-07-22T08:12:00.000-05:00

Back to blogging more consistently.

Good News.

2010-07-14T07:31:00.001-05:00

Franklin alderman survives massive heart attack.

Another Johnny-come-lately.

2010-07-12T10:44:00.002-05:00

Well, here's a guy named Kevin Ross who is upset (and I mean upset damn it!) at developers and their cozy relationship with the City of Franklin in: Fighting Generals Retreat rezoning.

Wonder who he voted for as his downtown Alderman? Probably same as Elrod.

Vaccine.

2010-07-11T05:22:00.003-05:00

Franklin may relax rules for stalled subdivision

Well of course they will!

The City of Franklin's planning and zoning regulations are completely worthless and not worth the cheap paper they were cut and pasted onto -- they can be changed at any time, by anybody, for any reason - especially if it's your developer buddy.

And then of course, another bizarre comment from Captain Pickle:

"I'm so sick and tired of seeing $600,000 and $700,000 houses that people only 40 and up can afford to buy."

Dude, I've been "40 and up" for a bit and I'll never, ever be able to afford a $600,000 home.

Like I said before ... it's like a sickness with these people, living in some sort of romantic downtown bizarro world they've built in their own minds - completely out-of-touch with the average person ... if there were only some sort of vaccine.

aanexed over at the heavily-censored and identity-leaking Tennessean forum usually has a good comment:

"Martin said. "We are not in the business of making a very successful project for developers..." The city does exactly that, just look at who pays for the Simmons Ridge sewer.

Elrod Syndrome: Spreading.

2010-06-27T07:36:00.004-05:00

Franklin approves General's Retreat rezoning:

But around 20 residents and neighbors turned out against the rezoning, saying the added density would reduce open space and increase traffic on what is already a traffic-clogged part of Franklin.

Wait a minute ... downtown ... residents don't want density or traffic in their neighborhood, after voting in for two terms, a guy that promoted one of the biggest density-for-sale-to-develoeprs land shams of all times (TDRs), and then voted for someone whose family was paid by Franklin taxpayers, arranging $treet$ham for their own home, while letting the Staff Clones - people that can't even draw a straight line - let the rest of the City's planning go to shit?

This is what I call the Elrod Syndrome, characterized by mugging at the next booze down Main Street wino festival, playing big shot and rubbing elbows with people of self-proclaimed fame, and then expressing surprise at how back-room multi-million dollar $treet$ham deals are stuck in Franklin.

And of course, what was the result of the density vote:

Mayor John Schroer broke two deadlocked votes to move forward a controversial rezoning of a parcel of land in the General's Retreat subdivision.

Our developer mayor, instead of following the accepted procedure of voting against a deadlocked item - to ideally return it to committee to have it researched further and improved and be presented again - of course broke the tie in favor of the developer ... you know .... screw Rebel Meadows taxpayers, help out the developer.

Return to blogging in earnest ... coming up.

2010-06-18T21:02:00.000-05:00

getgaylordoutofnashville.com

2010-06-03T06:42:00.003-05:00

Gaylord is discussing suing the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for hundreds of millions in taxpayer for apparently not being able to predict the weather, even though Gaylord's property is in a flood plane - that already flooded in 1975 - duhhhh!.

And what ... they didn't incrementally increase their flood insurance after 1975 to match their asset growth? Sounds like poor business practices to me.

Anyway, they've had the run of Nashville for decades ... JUST GO AWAY ... and return the real Opry to the Ryman. In the meantime, maybe someone will start that website.

Trivia: I wonder if there are any Nashville veterans out there that remember 'the great water line robbery?' Jim East might remember ...

MS-13 + Guns + Pinkerton Park.

2010-06-01T16:03:00.003-05:00

You just have to laugh at the ignorance of the unifnformed in Guns in parks back before County Commission:

"Accidents happen," [Mary] Brockman said. "Williamson County has a responsibility to families that depend on these parks for recreation. I just don't have as much faith in people who want to bring handguns onto parks property."

***
"Children don't need to be anywhere where anyone is carrying a gun," [Mary] Mills said.
O.K. ... how about driving down the road? Publix? Chili's? Blockbuster? The Post Office?

Forget the 'guns-in-parks' issue ... people like this ... they're just a collective albatross around the neck of this county. It's mind-boggling they even remember to breath.

If you didn't know.

2010-05-30T21:22:00.002-05:00

The reuse center out on Mile End Road (Off Carter's Creek) is closed and being rebuilt after the flood. There are no signs.
Word has it the county funds were yanked for the recycling centers at Independence Square and Williamson Square.

FPD Ticket Writing Conspiracy Disappears.

2010-05-27T08:51:00.005-05:00

I see the downtown wacko contingent reined in their newest member, lest he expose their shallow numbness.

So, I offer the Downtown Wacko Starter Checklist:

Move to Franklin, Tennessee and think you’ve discovered … historic … “downtown.”
Sit around Merridee’s and lament (and I mean LAMENT damn it!) over being held to the same standards of strict liability as the rest of the tawdry unwashed.
Piss away vote - let special interest continue to throw millions of honest taxpayer dollars away on pet projects.
Revel in $110,000,000 $treet$ham for your own house; bitch about $38,000,000 police station.
Wash away self-disappointment and lack of resolve at next Wino-Fest/booze-laden event; rub elbows with special interest alderman and act like you’re best buds.

Indeed:

"I sure hope this flooding inconvenience can go away quickly so the jack booted thugs can stop helping with rescues and traffic and other emergency stuff and get back to writing tickets."

If anything, the FPD doesn't write enough tickets, and don't get me started on their DUI checkpoint plan.

Hey Mayor Schroer, what are you waiting for now, a tornado to move through Rebel Meadows so you won't have to pay for anything?

2010-05-26T18:29:00.006-05:00

I bet if those homes were in precious downtown, they would have paid triple the price the minute the homeowners wanted out.

See: Harlinsdale versus Liberty Creek.

Those assholes downtown at City Hall have dicked around for so long, now they're chasing $50,000 here and there so they can pay for trolleys and the rest of that crap that downtown.

Yeah ... go pat yourself on the back in church this Sunday.

Not from here.

2010-05-25T04:47:00.003-05:00

From K-Walt's Franklin Flood 2010 update:

Also of note, police were called to the Carnton Lane area because of someone using a jet ski — no, that’s not a misprint — to blast around in the water. That’s just shockingly asinine.

"Asinine?"

I bet the people they were taking water to didn't think so ... homeowners that spent days on their second floor trying to save the last little bits of life left in their house as the waters rose.

CIty of Franklin: Taking advantage of a tragedy.

2010-05-25T04:07:00.006-05:00

City hopes for quick offers on homes in right of way

Franklin's John Schroer:

"How can we appraise it at pre-flood and then let them have the insurance money as if the flood didn't happen? .... We can't rationalize it."

An insurance settlement is to make the homeowner whole and be in a position to put the home back into "pre-flood" condition, erego, you should owe them the full appraised amount, REGARDLESS of what they do with the money.

But here's the real question: why haven't you greedy assholes already purchased the damn homes after DECADES of inaction?

I can't even believe this home purchasing conversation is still happening .. WTF?

Franklin and TDOT have had these people pinned against the damn wall for years - YEARS - while the City has pissed away millions in $treet$ham taxpayer money like a doped-up racehorse.

And now what's happened, John, is that City has sat around with its thumb up its ass for so long, these homeowners are now in the impossible position of getting a rightful return on their premiums for a home that's going to be torn down anyway - while you're going to penalize them by taking advantage of a tragedy that happened by pure chance.

The City should have ALREADY bought these homes looooong ago - consider their insurance settlements as restitution for sufferage for having deal with the various layers of greedy pricks down at City Hall.

Damn son ... wake up out of that downtown fog you're in and go do something for somebody.

Protecting the incumbency.

2010-05-09T05:59:00.004-05:00

Voting during flood chaos disappointing.

I can’t even express my disappointment in Williamson County’s government going ahead with voting Tuesday when a huge portion of their community is digging their lives out of brown, muddy floodwaters! (“Primary election will continue, but two polls move,” May 4)

I was appalled to the point of tears that someone would think that that was more important than helping neighbors. As a flood victim myself, it was all I could do to not voice my opinion at my son’s school. It was all I could do to get him there that day safely with all on my mind, and Williamson County government was going on with business as usual as if my world and my neighbor’s world weren’t falling apart!

I hope whatever insensitive people made that call get a clue before the next disaster strikes.

K. Shaver, FRANKLIN 37069

Jon Stewart ignores tragic loss of life in Nashville to set up a tasteless joke.

2010-05-06T08:41:00.013-05:00

I've been tempted to use the 'D' word on many occasions, but if there was ever an opportunity, Jon Stewart deserves it on this occasion.

The tragic loss of life in Nashville and Middle Tennessee is not a prop or pratfall to be used to set up a tasteless and unfunny joke, merely to get some misguided and nebulous dig in on other cities as part of comedy sketch.

I hesitate even posting the link, but you'll want to watch for yourself: Nashville Flooding.

Franklin Police make major MS-13 and illegal alien bust.

2010-05-06T04:57:00.002-05:00

As seen here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UCJr1ByKsOs&sns=em

Help is on the way!

2010-05-03T09:27:00.002-05:00

Substations: 2010.

2010-05-02T05:51:00.004-05:00

From December 2007: Big Picture.

This post is where I proposed much smaller, less costly police stations - substations - at key locations with enough property to expand as needed, and at locations where growth would eventually meet up with them.

I had to recall this post because in the meantime, you still have Elrod and K-Walt humming about this topic - they're busying themselves with tracking down the Aldermen from 2008 and 2009 ... it's a little strange.

I mean what are you going to do now ... write a stern (and I mean STERN damn it!) email to Pam Lewis or someone not even in the arena anymore?

The interaction has been like a proof for the Downtown Wacko Matrix - there have been any number of media bits on it, even all the way through when Schroer should have pulled the plug on it, but backed down anyway ... and the City demolishes an entire city block, destroys a landmark that could have potentially transcended above the local phony battlefield variety, and alienates the Natchez community ...

... where have these people been, laying in the tub of jelly next to Neo, plugged into an alternate winofest reality? Dude could probably spit on the HQ from his back porch.

Anyway, can't wait to see this same years-late scenario when they eventually tear down the old Boys and Girls Club gym.

With interest ...

2010-05-01T05:06:00.000-05:00

Court of Appeals rules Franklin owes contractors $1.1M.

What is this I don't even

2010-04-30T04:52:00.004-05:00

I'm still in absolute disbelief over the exchanges and responses between K-Walt and Elrod, briefly outlined in the previous post.

It's like a ghost-written Griffin and Sabine exchange penned by Dalton Trumbo, where Joe Bonham gets his head unwrapped and is shocked - SHOCKED I tell you.

Dude ... Elrod ... it's not like the City hired David Copperfield to fly in, lay out a big tarp, and then - Alacazam! The Taj Mahal police HQ!

I've always described the downtown wackos as being unable to walk past the 5-5-Margin-Margin force field ... but dayyyuuuuum ... as Lili Von Shtupp put it: "It's twue it's twue!

what is this I don't even

Clif Bar!

2010-04-29T19:57:00.007-05:00

By way of K-Walt, here's some guy named Randy Elrod who published An Open and Candid Letter To Franklin, TN Government & Citizens about the Franklin Police HQ.

78 responses and many following pages for posing these questions:

What is that monstrous building on Columbia Ave?
How much did it cost?
Why are there police EVERYWHERE?
Is crime really that bad?
Why are there not more local tourists in downtown?

Mr. Elrod ends his piece with:

Many people have asked for suggested actions:

In the elections, VOTE!!
Vote against EVERY “good ‘ole boy” incumbent government official in this election and subsequent elections. We need a change.
Make your voice heard. This is no longer a “good ‘ole boy” city. It is a diverse, technologically savvy citizenry.
Write letters to the editor, inundate the local media and maximize your blogs, social networks and creativity. Make sure your voice is heard!
Support our local downtown merchants. Free enterprise needs our help in SPITE of the local government.
Remember to vote. It takes just a few votes to sway the Franklin election. Only 10% of us vote in city elections. Every vote does count.
Plan to be conspicuously absent from the May 15 Grand Opening of the new Police Headquarters.
Citizens, this is OUR city. It does NOT belong to the government nor the Police. Last time I checked, this is America.

My thoughts are:

Good Lord - I need more carbs to get through this - somebody get me a Clif Bar.
Big deal Randy Elrod - where have you been ... on a desert island?
Elrod claims his rightful place in "historic" downtown according to his profile ... hmmm ... really? And then wonders why nobody is shopping downtown and blames it on the police?
By the way K-Walt, what are you doing Saturday?

More on this tomorrow. I have laundry to do.

Brownshirt Express.

2010-04-28T13:10:00.003-05:00

Well, of course I forgot one of the biggest "Show me your papers" examples in the previous post. And I if there's anything that needs to be added to the list, please feel free to submit.

Each year, we are required to:

Gather all of your papers showing income information.
Gather all fo your papers showing investment information.
Gather social security numbers of all of the dependents in your house.
Fill out forms and paperwork showing your occupation and detailing every financial aspect of your life.
Organize mine, my spouses, and child's W-2s, and all of the rest of those ridiculous forms.
Send them in to the Internal Revenue Service along with a check from your bank.

And guess what happens if I don't do that - I could get fined and/or serve time in a federal prison. If that's not "showing your papers," I don't know what is.

Buuuuuut, if you're a hitman for a Mexican drug cartel, sent out to take people out in order to protect smugglers, traffikers, and mules - well hell - you'll probably get amnesty.

State of the Union Address.

2010-04-27T17:29:00.014-05:00

♣ Preface: Sorry, but I can't NOT comment on the issues below. I include a few links here-and-there on this. You can do all of the internet searches you want, there are just too many results to refer to.

♣ In this country:

You can watch poor pitiful Illinois state congressman LaShawn Ford ask for the National Guard to mobilize to Chicago to stop violence, and if you watched any of his numerous blubbering interviews, sit there and listen to him bitch and moan about him worrying about the safety of his precious little kids.

Or, you can watch Hussein’s administration continue its alienation of the only ally in the Middle East the U.S. has (Barack Obama’s top ten insults against Israel) who use anti-Semitic anecdotes in front of a pro-Israel group.

But if you live in Arizona and want to stem the tide of illegal alien violence all the way into Phoenix as Mexican drug cartels behead police chiefs and kill innocent people, or prevent the chance you will wind up in a shallow grave on your own homestead – you’re a “racist.”

Try this search: Mexican drug cartel violence in Arizona.

And then of course, after city workers wash the refried bean swastikas off of the Arizona state capitol, and recover from the violence of a 'peaceful people' you have to listen to all of the B.S. about being profiled and having to “show papers” as if it were early Bavaria when the brownshirts began to take over and painting “Juden” on storefronts

♣ Let me ask you a question, do you have any of these:

Birth certificate?
Death Certificate?
Driver’s License?
Voter Registration Card?
Car title?
Deed to your home?
Social Security card?
I-9 card?
"Papers of Guardianship?"
Library Card?
Passport?

Ever get carded buying a pint at the tavern, checking out a library book, or using your Visa at Target?

Surprise! You had to show “papers.”

I live in this country legally and I can easily list 11 types of “papers” people have to use to prove their age and verify who they really are in order to be in a position to check out a book, travel on a honeymoon, or go cast a vote against the J.A.P.

♣ Let me ask you this, have you …

Been stopped by the TSA at the airport and put through security?
Been stopped/detained/questioned at a DUI checkpoint?
Passed by the same 10, 12, 15 Drug Task Force cars west of Dickson, Tennessee?

Surprise! You were detained and/or profiled. Know why? Because it works - and I'm all for it.

Profiling is even performed at major sporting events with digital face-recognition technology.

So, illegal aliens, until you look at the identification, reporting and tracking requirements for visitation into YOUR country - STFU, and here's to a hasty deportation.

One to watch.

2010-04-27T05:39:00.001-05:00

Franklin man whose ex-wife fled to Japan with children sues judge in custody case.

POS. Not a POS.

2010-04-26T17:26:00.002-05:00

If you've caught up on the latest development on Franklin's strongarm tactic in Franklin pays couple $650 in demolition case, well then you might want to refresh with The Big Difference.

Loss Leader.

2010-04-23T21:02:00.003-05:00

Darn.

Just when you think K-Walt is back into some assimilance of form, he cranks out: Unknown soldier, dry reservoir, and Main Street fest.

♣ "Real" Soldier

Ever pick up a phony map, and then go ... wait ... duhhhhh ... where did they find that Chick Filet soldier mummy again?

Get off of it and publish the real story, you know, with the ... trailer trash ... kind of angle.

Please tell me you're off the interview circuit of people with creepy wall-sized, own-self portaits that look like the nutty wide-eyed runaway bride.

♣ Reservoir Repair

You mean the same reservoir back during the Reign of Terror when there was an active coverup of millions gallons of water leaking every day while the JAP's pool was full to the brim (check your own paper), and the adminstration's only thought was to run around fining everyone for watering a couple of tomato plants?

♣ Main Street Feel Good Party (we're actually not white ... I LOVED the "Blindside")

Nobody gives a shit about this - anybody that has at least one friend in the state will be in Nashville tomorrow, rain or shine (check your own paper).

Bullet Points.

2010-04-21T16:38:00.002-05:00

Random things, thoughts, and ruminations from today:

♣ Who knew there was a 'Republican lawyer' search ... something-whatever ... website. Local result: Lassiter, Tidwell, Davis, Keller & Hogan.

♣ Wonder if Schroer will mention how many rescue trips were made to Goose Creek today, this week, and this month - including the one just a little while ago?

♣ Yes, the U.S. Census Bureau is surfing the web on your dime. Trust me.

♣ Close Encounters of the Fourth Kind: Apparently since Richard Dreyfus took the real K-Walt's place on the mothership, the real K-Walt has returned to Earth to resume normal journalistic activity: The bill for Franklin's SPUI arrives and Long Lane, Old Peytonsville and more [Read this one first].

♣ Clayton Rule, Part 'B' coming up.

Mayor Schroer to hold Franklin layoffs in public going-away picnic at Harlinsdale.

2010-04-20T18:46:00.004-05:00

Referencing an article discussing potential layoffs and budget cuts on the eve of the State of the City Address in Franklin, Tennessee, Mayor John Schorer announced:

I am so sick of these worker bee people acting like just because they've put in dedicated service over the years, we owe them something.

These people have no idea how hard it is to soak the city coffers for $4,209,388 for a horse barn, so my idea is to hold a brownbag luncheon at Harlinsdale with food from Freedom Intermediate and give them some sort of sendoff and inkjet printer certificate and picture of them in front of the barn .... and then ... well ... fire them.

I won't be able to stay long though - gotta hit Sperry's - but I'll have Solid Waste come by and clean everything up.

Note: This post is a combination parody and spoof. John Schorer never said those things, but I would make certain to watch the address tomorrow -- there's really only one issue to discuss and the entire address should take 2-to-5 minutes.

I could go through the City of Franklin's Budget and have it balanced in 2 minutes and not have to layoff one single person -- hell, I might be able to add to fire/rescue and police jobs.

Franklin, Tennessee Police Department does nothing once again.

2010-04-17T23:04:00.002-05:00

What, no DUI checkpoints?
No noise enforcement?

You all prove Jerry Horne more correct every step of the way and you're your own worst advocate.

I did think it was funny that when the festivities started to pick up, a fire truck had to head toward Goose Creek.

"$10,000" Reward*: For video of people drinking in Hillsboro Village bars and then driving their cars.

2010-04-15T06:52:00.008-05:00

* The "$10,000" will be payable in monopoly money - I have to give all of my 'real' fiat money to the government.

But the Music Row and Village lunatics - and I mean lunatics - have decided to target Representative Charles Sargent over House Bill 3125, the bill covering the expansion of HCP carry rights.

Here's an example ... the page content and comments are open and public, but I blurred the name of this particular commenter anyway - you can visit the page for your own edification:

And of course, who started all of this (check the bottom line)?

Let me tell you, for all of the outlandish misinformation and characterizations of HCP holders who go through the HCP process in a conscientious manner -- I'd hate to see someone like that in a fit of drunken rage.

The Burger Principle.

2010-04-14T05:38:00.003-05:00

I remember Burger yappin' about how churches don't disrupt neighborhoods as far as traffic, light, noise, etc.

All you have to do is look at the picture above and see that the guy directing traffic is actually creating a traffic problem ... for three freakin' cars ... just so that a few self-entitled don't feel like they have to be ... inconvenienced ... for more than a minute.

And yeah, I had plenty of time to count the cars behind me and in the other lane - at least Car #50 had to sit there as well.

Then you get over into Brentwood, where instead of taxpayer resources being spent on preventing crime, you have two officers actually tapped into the signal cases controlling the lights - hacking into the signal system is actually in their job description?

Here are some questions:

So all I have to do is pay the Franklin Police Department ... money ... and all of the traffic rules and regulations become as baseless as the Franklin Planning Department guidelines?
Why can't those few church people wait for an opening - isn't this same traffic scenario played out every day at the mall and busy intersections - and if it's so disrupting to traffic why aren't the Franklin Police directing traffic, at say, along Mack Hatcher during rush hour?
What's the fee for hiring a Franklin police officer who uses a government vehicle paid for by taxpayers, and how are taxpayers repaid for the wear-and-tear on their investment they so kindly bought for the Franklin Police to use?

Another Gail Kerr flunky.

2010-04-14T05:24:00.002-05:00

You have to read S-Town Mike's post back in February about Tennessean reporter Mike Cass to understand how other reporters, like Nate Rau for example, get away with blatantly using a term that's incorrect: "guns-in-bars."

On another note: TN House committee passes bill to close handgun records.

"Success" equals injury crashes.

2010-04-13T06:14:00.006-05:00

Crash numbers show Franklin intersection needs help:

It [Clovercroft Road/Oxford Glen intersection] has an accident rate eight times the state average for rural intersections on two-lane roads.

And then there's this gem:

"Part of the issue that's causing everybody some concern is that most of the traffic that is dumping out onto the road is because of the success they've had with McKay's Mill," said County Mayor Rogers Anderson.

Sorry dude, but injury crashes do not equal success:

Right now, two stop signs with flashing lights atop them mark the intersection. But county officials say they need more precautions near the McKay's Mill subdivision where, in 2009, an average of 5,813 vehicles a day used the intersection.

It also racked up 12 crashes during a three-year and four-month traffic study, including four crashes with injuries.

Actually, injury crashes at an intersection with an accident rate 8 times the state average = shitty planning.

And what the hell does "because of success" mean anyway - are families doubling, tripling, quadrupling-up and packing 'em in or something? Last time I visited the Mill, my friend wasn't building a 3rd, 4th, or 5th story on the place.

Here's an idea - get an abacus out and count the total number of homes in the McKay's Mill Master Viewshed Razing Plan, and project the traffic at full capacity - some people call this "long-range planning."

What a dumb and moronic statement that makes absolutely no sense - and in my opinion, what they did was another Franklinesque crap traffic study so they could get going on cramming in the homes, and have been playing Actuary by Proxy alllll along hoping to get away without spending the money on a damn traffic signal.

And for those of you new here, the post Actuary by Proxy is required reading for this blog.

Saplings.

2010-04-12T07:01:00.002-05:00

Even the City won't use the Millionsdale Boondoggle for Arbor Day - what's wrong - not enough cattle prods to go around?

Dwelling & Gushing.

2010-04-10T15:12:00.006-05:00

I don't know if it has something to do with Cook's mea culpa, which I wouldn't dwell on this as it's simply a mistake, but once again, the A.M. keeps gushing in the form of free wacko advertising for a few days now:

Meanwhile, you'll never see the real story just blocks away where whitey has started to move back in - check your battlefield map:

Deaf Ears.

2010-04-08T18:03:00.003-05:00

Sorry, I generally support the fire and police, even though I give them a ration, as is due on occasion, Andy King's plea is falling on deaf ears:

If an emergency were to occur, responders with the county [county?] Rescue Squad would be directed to the residence on John Williams Road, not the actual location on Liberty Pike.

Yeah, and when the world blows up in 2012, we could be in real trouble!

What-if-sky-is-falling-B.S.

Same old Franklin AHK-UGB Syndrome - control freak central. And it's the County you're counting on anyway - probably because McEwen is cut off and you have to drive 10 minutes out of the way to get to most of Liberty Pike in the rest of Franklin anyway.

It's like kiss-ass central downtown, we may as well have Le Petomane running the show - it's pathetic.

And then:

One stand would be located west of the McKay’s Mill subdivision off Liberty Pike at 1050 John Williams Road on private property while the second is located at the southwest corner of Henpeck Lane and Lewisburg Pike.

Guess what could be just over the hill - the Goose Creek Fire and Rescue station!

And it doesn't matter anyway - if the fireworks tent doesn't open across from Henpeck, people will just get them from somewhere else and STILL shoot them off in City Limits ...

... just like the heritage wackos are going to do whatever the hell it is they want to on the phony battlefield under the nose of the law.

If you want to show everyone you mean business, go talk to Jackie Moore and have him set a DUI checkpoint at Carnton and Mack Hatcher on Lewisburg the day of the heritage boozefest and then you might get some support.

Otherwise, leave everybody the hell alone on one of the last holidays we can celebrate what made this country great and being American without having to be politically correct.

Franklin's Annual Amnesty Night.

2010-04-07T06:33:00.002-05:00

It's Franklin's Annual Amnesty Night: now you know where the DUI checkpoints and after-hours noise enforcement WON'T be ...

... because you know ... you can't have that tawdry listening room music coming from a downtown Pickin' Parlor disturbing the uptight-and-all-white while they circularly claim the superlative of being the draw for all of Franklin.

Get on wit ya' bad self.

2010-04-07T06:29:00.002-05:00

Look at K-Walt ... doing some photo verification.

Cramhaven, Polluted Liberty Creek, and Million-Dollar Dog Poop @ Millionsdale.

2010-04-04T18:36:00.011-05:00

♣ Money crunch hits high-dollar houses [Picture from Cramhaven in article]

♣ Polluted Liberty Creek in Franklin, Tennessee to undergo more study [Picture from K-Walt's Blog]

♣ Franklin to open new dog park at Harlinsdale
You'll recognize this picture, but I actually did see a car on the property just the other day -- the red Franklin Parks truck ... collective $4,000,000+ ewww here.

Plurality.

2010-03-31T12:02:00.003-05:00

As I read through Removing dam won't solve all of Harpeth River's woes, I am reminded of the time D-Mac and Dodson garnered criticism for taking a short, harmless canoe ride down the Harpeth with the Harpeth River Watershed Association ... apparently some thought the non-profit HRWA had an ... agenda!

HA! How laughable that plurality was - and still is!

Even today you certainly don't need to go far to see the courtship with members of heritage-based groups ... stumbling down Main in a drunken haze ... or perhaps taking part in the GREEN lobby dog and pony show on Fourth.

Hell, for that matter, even our own objective city staffers belong to such agenda-driven organizations.

For the most part, a decent article considering the front page is usually set aside for free developer advertising or WilCo/Franklin Chamber of Commerce bits - still some things missing though.

Even Mark Cook got close today with his weekly ... whatever you call it. Lots of numbers - but boy-howdy did Cook ever overtly skirt around the conclusion everyone else has already come to, apparently to avoid getting into trouble with the A.M.'s local handlers.

So who is up for verifying the Clayton Rule today?

2010-03-30T15:01:00.002-05:00

It's a pretty day ... anyone?

Schneier.

2010-03-29T07:24:00.003-05:00

I love Schneier on security.

Here's an excerpt from Time to Show Bottle and Tackle the Real Issues:

Airport security found a bottle of saline in my luggage at Heathrow Airport last month. It was a 4oz bottle, slightly above the 100 ml limit. Airport security in the United States lets me through with it all the time, but UK security was stricter. The official confiscated it, because allowing it on the airplane with me would have been too dangerous. And to demonstrate how dangerous he really thought that bottle was, he blithely tossed it in a nearby bin of similar liquid bottles and sent me on my way.

Just FYI, generally the only things that get searched in airports are the passengers and pilots and their luggage.

It's because the passengers see the pilots - not the hundreds of other workers at the terminal and thousands of pounds of unscanned/unsearched commercial cargo underneath your feet.

The Mother of Invention.

2010-03-29T05:44:00.012-05:00

♣ Thank you Michelle Malkin: If you can’t stand the heat, manufacture a hate crime epidemic.

All of these supposed incidents against "democrats" ... bullets through windows, cut gas lines, and epithets -- some of these are "hate crimes" aren't they?

But I don't see the FBI rushing out on dragnets and rounding up herds of malcontents - and in this day and age electronic recording equipment and webcams that feed megasites like YouTube and LiveLeak, I haven't seen or heard of any clips verifying such claims.

♣ Then you absolutely have to read Victim of road rage sparked by Obama sticker pleads for civility.

There something missing here, so I'll quote the meatier part of the story:

[Tennessean:] The Nashville schoolteacher was picking his daughter up from school. At a stop sign near the Belmont campus, a larger vehicle pulled up behind their car, and the driver began honking and gesturing angrily toward the right bumper and its Obama/Biden '08 sticker.

[Duren:] "I raised my hands palms up and shrugged. He then eased up behind my car so I could only see the grille of his SUV and blew his car horn, nonstop," Duren said.

[Tennessean:] Duren eased through the intersection and continued on his way home. The next thing he knew, the SUV was closing in rapidly in his rear-view mirror, accelerating straight toward him, the driver still flipping him rude gestures and pointing at the bumper sticker.

No doubt, the guy driving the SUV was drunk and way, way, waaayyyyyy out of control, but I only see the Tennessean making the case for this Obama stickergate - I never read a direct quote from Mark Duren (the 'victim'), only a paraphrased description by the Tennessean of what the nutty SUV driver might have been doing.

First he can only see the grille. Then the nutty SUV guy is speeding toward him "rapidly" and somehow this guy clairvoyantly assessed the situation in milliseconds? Oh ... really?

Mr. Duren, are you sure he wasn't pointing at a place where your car may have thrown up a rock and hit his SUV? You know how people in Middle Tennessee feel about their SUVs!

Tennessee Patriot.

2010-03-28T14:22:00.002-05:00

Did you get your issue of the Tennessee Patriot, "Serving all true Tennesseans and American Conservatives?"

I got my first issue, it says "Volume 1, 2nd Quarter," so I don't know if I've missed an issue already.

Very interesting. Everything from information on gun shops I didn't know were in business, to articles from local and state 2nd Amendment politicos, the Tennessee Firearms Association, ads, gun show announcements, special articles on firearms, and more.

If you're a reporter who is still chasing down all of those phantom wild west shootouts - filling the streets with blood, you probably don't want to waste your time.

K-Walt-goes-a-Sleuthin'?

2010-03-26T16:40:00.004-05:00

Under Franklin news grab-bag, K-Walt offers up some info on the resolution [from City's website - takes a bit to download].

K-Walt seems like he wants to say ... connect the dots ... but anyway, here's a picture from the Williamson County Mapping page you should compare as you look at the graphic in the City's document:
Let me save you some time, it's real simple: taxpayers are paying for yet another "South Carothers road [Surprise!] that gives road frontage to ... a few ventures ...while connecting Ladd Park.

Look for yourself folks - just in case you're wondering why McEwen and the rest of the infrastructure is being ignored.

Pravda on the Harpeth.

2010-03-26T06:21:00.005-05:00

Planners will discuss route of South Carothers:

Trillium Ventures Inc., the project's developer, wants Franklin to split the cost of redesigning that road. The city's share would be about $14,000. But the redesign, undertaken with Trillium, allowed Franklin officials to save about $3 million on the project itself.

aanexed had this to say:

Why doesn't the Tennessean publish a list of who the property owners are along S.Carothers who are going to make a fortune with the adjacent land. We know why. It will lead right back to city officials and their cronies!

Anyone care to help aanexed out on why the Tennessean will not do this, and, why the City of Franklin is in the Carothers Parkway business?

BOMA Makes Taxpayers Perform 2 Rescues.

2010-03-25T19:43:00.006-05:00

If you read the story Franklin takes over Fieldstone Farms tunnels, there are two rescues going on here:

Taxpayers rescue ... from what I understand ... a very political, overbearing, and one-sided home owner's association (HOA).
Taxpayers rescue the various departments in downtown Franklin that approved this debacle with absolutely no accountability.

Here ya' go:

The association came to the city back in 2009 for help, raising concerns about vandalism of light fixtures in the tunnels, their periodic flooding and the stormwater pump station used to clear the tunnels of water. One tunnel, under Hillsboro Road, was built in 2001 as part of the widening of the state highway in part using money set aside by the Fieldstone Farms developers in an interest-bearing account for the project. The other tunnel, under Fieldstone Parkway, was installed during initial construction of the master-planned community.

Clayton Rule is in effect.

2010-03-24T17:01:00.002-05:00

It's 72 degrees out today, and the Clayton Rule is in full effect.

You may remember the post Lisa Clayton: $4,209,388 more for Harlinsdale and Government Mules.

You're telling me taxpayers are expected to pay $4,209,388 for a shrine to backroom wheeling & dealing between the most crooked people in this City, while Clayton is essentially sitting there and telling everyone taxpayers bought a pig in a poke - restore a piece of shit building after spending MILLIONS on that property? WTFO?

Here's MillionsDale today -- not a single damn person on the property:

And here's Pinkerton Park - the parking lot was FULL, so people started driving around and parking on the circle.

If all Clayton is going to to do is carry the water for the downtown heritage wackos - she should do us all a favor and QUIT.

If the Harlins are all so 'effing proud of their heritage - let them pay for it.

In the meantime, start providing for the citizens of this City.

March 21, 2010: Adopt-a-Pothead Day.

2010-03-21T16:28:00.002-05:00

Get ready folks, the Obama machine is getting ready to further drag down the hard workers that made this country great by saddling them with the burden of the do-nothings who think the world owes them everything.

And just before that, he was sitting in the lunchroom "drinking a Coke."

2010-03-20T06:25:00.003-05:00

Franklin Murder Suspect Captured in Texas in a movie theatre!

Yes Virginia, there really are Leprechauns.

2010-03-19T19:40:00.004-05:00

What can you say -- it's been a bad week for Brentwood High School graduates.

You had David Cotton and Ryan Skinner die in a shootout with police, and Jesse Knapp kill his youger brother and stab his mom.

And of course, editorial malpractice at the Tennessean: "Leprechaun used disguise in 2007 school break-in"

Well, if the Tennessean says a "Leprechaun" had to use a disguise to break into a school in 2007, it must be true.

9018784034.

2010-03-19T06:28:00.001-05:00

Speaking of police, now the "American Association of State Troopers" is at it with the evening phone calls.

Blotter.

2010-03-18T05:50:00.007-05:00

I'm sure the Franklin Police have their hands full at the moment, but I couldn't help looking at the blotter ...

♣ Do your best Jon Stewart Imitation: Franklin Sex Offender Registry Absconder Wanted by Police

Baugh, a convicted felon, has been known to use the alias ‘Kevin Wilson, ’and is believed to frequent the Columbia Avenue and West Main Street corridors (no B.S. - it really states this!) in Franklin. His last known address was 269 Natchez Street, Franklin.

This is hilarious! Where do you even begin? Maybe put one of those coin-operated metal tourist binoculer thingys on top of the Taj Mahal -- dude's probably walking by the place every day!

♣ Drive Drunk, Get Nailed ... Except during Brewfest, of course.

A 22-year-old Franklin woman was arrested for her second DUI shortly after 11:30 last night after nearly (?) striking a Franklin Police cruiser patrolling downtown.

What, no blotter update on alllllllll of the DUIs from Brewfest? You mean thousands of people were able to roam Main Street for the express purpose of getting trashed at an expensive kegger - not one report of a DUI on the FPD feed?

And what's "nearly" anyway? Nearly Pregnant? Nearly winning the Lottery? Nearly defusing a hand-grenade?

♣ Franklin police delay headquarters opening until May

I guess they don't want drunken, crazed arborists getting out of control during Arbor Day, so all of the police would be busy with that instead of being able to go to the Taj Mahal? WTFO?

Side Story: Census B.S.

2010-03-16T06:54:00.002-05:00

Taxpayers.

2010-03-15T04:55:00.003-05:00

FSSD can't dodge building fees:

It turns out the Franklin Special School District [F$$D] does [have to pay fees], and because of that, ~~the school system~~ TAXPAYERS paid the city of Franklin more than $35,000 to expand two schools.

Where's the 'Report' K-Walt?

2010-03-11T05:55:00.006-06:00

Lone dam on Harpeth River may be removed in 2011

If you're gathering $1,295,000 to remove a structure where a 1.7 mile-long impoundment will affect 125 miles of river, surely there's an official report floating around out there, complete with everything from an Environmental Impact Statement to comprehensive drainage basin modeling showing the impact to watersheds and flow along the entire waterway.

Perhaps the 'report' has been put on the same server as the mysterious McEwen closing report and the now-disappeared City's powerpoint presentation of the "Goose Creek Character Area Committee."

Lisa Clayton: $4,209,388 more for Harlinsdale.

2010-03-10T06:31:00.002-06:00

See more of the imbalanced and out-of-control expenditures here.

Nashville is the Reason Franklin Exists.

2010-03-09T09:42:00.012-06:00

We don't need this Metro Convention Center mentality here - we need a government concerned with representing its citizens -- the BOMA and Franklin's government are not a freakin' life-support system for every snake oil developer wanting to turn a goat farm in Franklin into Cool Springs II -- it's why people moved AWAY from Nashville.

And downtown? Really?

There are so many bullshit special area this-and-that plans especially for downtown Franklin -- the various downtown wacko groups can't even figure out who they hate at the moment -- when AHK was still around, you had one downtown wacko member of one phony WINO association complaining about traffic when his own alderman was taking traffic capacity improvement projects off the books for another contrived, phony special character area plan!

Here's an idea - fix the damn reservoir.

Franklin can learn from Nashville on downtown development

Metro Nashville's recent adoption of the Nashville Downtown Code is an important step in encouraging new development and redevelopment of the downtown core areas.

Previously, developers faced barriers and uncertainty when considering downtown projects. However, this new code permits additional height and density, removes difficulties associated with use of sky exposure plane restrictions and provides more predictability for development forms.

Keep in mind, the code is not a blank check for development. Stakeholders who developed the Downtown Community Plan on which the code is based also considered residents and other interested parties. As a result, it includes development standards that are unique to separate neighborhoods and preserve the distinct lifestyles of each of the 15 recognized sub-districts.

Existing development overlays continue to apply, including the Metro Development and Housing Agency redevelopment districts and historic preservation districts, maintaining this existing fabric of development. The downtown code serves as a guide for development that simplifies the process, reduces planning and design costs, and enhances the likelihood of successful neighborhood development in the downtown core.
Franklin also recently took steps to improve prospects for redevelopment of its downtown core by revising the Central Franklin Area Plan.

Similar to Nashville's effort, the plan recognizes that the downtown area is a mixture of neighborhoods with unique characteristics by establishing nine special areas. Each is described in the plan with respect to character, development form, open space and connectivity.

As Franklin moves forward with its plan, the Nashville Downtown Code should be used as a guide. In it, specific building forms including maximum heights, densities and building-setback requirements are described. Building widths, floor heights and first-floor window requirements are also mandated. While Franklin has traditionally provided general guidelines, it still requires developers to go through an exhaustive process of determining what will actually be approved. The Nashville Downtown Code avoids this uncertainty.

The Downtown Code also incorporates incentives for sustainability and affordable housing, both of which Franklin has cited as a priority for future development. It provides a Bonus Height Program for public benefit contributions that include sustainable measures (certified by the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design program), limitation of impervious surfaces, publicly accessible open space, improved parking structures and provision of work-force housing and civil-support spaces.

Franklin should strongly consider similar provisions. Like the Downtown Code, which was derived from the 2007 update to the Downtown Community Plan, the Central Franklin Area Plan makes recommendations for revisions to the Franklin Zoning Ordinance. Franklin planners and leaders can learn from Nashville's accomplishments by working to strengthen incentives for investment and remove barriers to redevelopment.

Bryan Echols is a member of Stites & Harbison PLLC. He focuses on commercial real estate issues ranging from zoning and land-use to finance and development.

Response to Echols' column from Tennessean readers:

Werwatching wrote:

Bryan Echols has way too much power in the BOMA group here in Franklin. As a private contractor living off of our Tax dollars it is a shame we can't vote him out. The mayor is already playing slight of hand tricks with BOMA by trying to update codes rules and increase building heights, parking lot sizes to create a sea of pavement. WE DO NOT WANT TO BE LIKE DOWNTOWN NASHVILLE we like the charm of DOWNTOWN Franklin. These people are the same group that brought us the police station on Columbia avenue. This is not what people who live in Franklin want, we moved here not downtown Nashville for the small town feel. It is special. The biggest complaint is the mayor who works double time to play games and then when questioned he tries to Bully members of belittle them. What an arrogant little boy, Bryan we can't vote you out... but we can call attention to how you and the Good Old Boy Mayor work together in concert to shove through your changes into place. Mayor it's an electionyear

fromacrosstheway wrote:

Downtown Nashville is the LAST place I would copy if a city wants to develop or re-develop their downtown area. Nashville is a joke - at best. Nashville's arrogance is well-known in development circles. When it came time to "develop" the downtown areas (including riverfronts), Chattanooga, St. Louis, and Savannah, GA all passed on the opportunity to check out Nashville. Visit those cities if you want to see how it is done right.

catfish6 wrote:

I would really like to know who cares. Downtown Franklin is a joke to the people who are really from here. I have lived lived in Franklin all my life and am a part of the "working class" people. We don't shop downtown Franklin because it is over-hyped and over-priced. They do not want our kids riding up and down main street but as I have said before, they are the shoppers of the future and I hope they remember just what the merchants of main street have done for them. I remember a time when shopping on main street was a treat, but no more. If you are looking for a bargain, stay away from Downtown Franklin!

aanexed wrote:

How does a developer lobbyist write articles for the Tennessean? Shouldn't this be a letter to the editor?

I can has more political commentary?

2010-03-05T04:33:00.003-06:00

Abandoning race is head-scratcher

To the Editor:

I was disappointed when I learned that Mrs. Rita Jorgenson has decided to suspend her campaign against incumbent Juvenile Court Clerk Brenda Hyden in the Williamson County Republican primary.

I was not disappointed because of Mrs. Jorgenson's suspension decision, but because of part of her haughty rationale.

Had Mrs. Jorgenson won the primary and subsequent general election, she said there would have been "little, if any, opportunity to serve as an advocate for people" and "this position involves nothing more than being a glorified file clerk and office manager . . . I cannot be passionate about being stuck in an office, being a paper pusher. I am a people person and thrive on making people happy."

Well, Mrs. Jorgenson, if serving as an advocate for thousands of Williamson County juveniles is not a worthy vocation in life, I don't know what would be. Perhaps you already have too many juveniles involved in your life, I don't know. But Lord knows all the so-called "glorified file clerks and office managers" who "push paper" help our world rotate more smoothly.

Give me more glorified file clerks, office managers, paper pushers and public servants like Brenda Hyden any day over someone with your condescending attitude, Mrs. Jorgenson. You should be ashamed, ma'am.

Jim East
Franklin

Requiem for Queequeg.

2010-03-04T07:50:00.001-06:00

Starbucks Sticks to Gun Rights Policy at Stores.

Having fun with a Franklin meme.

2010-03-03T06:57:00.001-06:00

Tennessean: staging photos of posed Franklin gang members.

2010-02-28T07:10:00.002-06:00

From the article Gangs expand their criminal business into TN suburbs, here' the picture (with quoted caption) linked directly from the Tennessean:

"Franklin is a stomping ground for members of Sur-13. Once a threat confined to city streets, gangs are now a significant and growing problem for Tennessee’s suburbs."

Government Mules.

2010-02-27T06:00:00.001-06:00

♣ Conspicuously missing from the City's web page: The Powerpoint presentation and the findings of the "Goose Creek Character Area Committee," where the landowners of and around the Goose Creek interchange got to serve on this committee and present official findings dictating what commercial development was out-of-character to them.

♣ As we know, we're getting curbside recycling and somebody finally grew some balls: Franklin backs out of $4.8M I-65 interchange project.

♣ Observations from Tuesday's Governement Mule show:

→ The real battle of "historic" downtown Franklin in full swing. Just in case anyone thought I was joking about The Battle for Natchez, watch the beginning of the replay.

→ Ahhh ... Franklin's S.O.P. rush to condemnation, fortunately headed off by D-Mac.

→ Lisa Clayton's, and in a much larger since, the BOMA's inability to HONESTLY distinguish between a park, and a heritage monument/back-room deal boondoggle. Let me break it down for you:

Collins Farm: Heritage monument
Harlinsdale: Back-room deal boondoggle
Pinkerton: Park

Here's how you can tell, Lisa: When you have to continually improve the running trails because you have an entire City crammed into one small patch of land -- that's a park.

And now having to update the facilities -- restore an entire effing structure that is now an albatross around the City's neck, or drive by an empty, unused horse farm -- that's a heritage/downtown wacko boondoggle.

'Clayton Rule:' People = park ...... Symbols of an outdated industry under perpetual animal cruelty investigation and rescue of privately-owned monuments to war = boondoggle.

I loved the little 501(c)(3) marionnette show -- somebody has obviously been in Clayton's ear. And it must get awful confusing when you have to jump in at the table and try and remember ... am I a reporter ... editor ... city planner ... or member of a local political organization ...?

It's the same people wasting time and money trying to make rules specifically for them.

→ SPUI. Fortunately is no more, but you heard who Schroer met with? TDOT and Boyle, which is a good thing as far as TDOT is concerned and trying to make sense of a multi-million dollar decision.

But how strange was it when Schroer, leading into his here's what TDOT said part of his spiel, someone from the other side of the room off camera asked out loud something like 'what did Boyle say?'

Who gives a shit what Boyle said? It's taxpayer money that can be saved when Franklin's Police Department is working longer shifts to cut costs.

→ It's funny listening to the wife of the former planning director who worked for Franklin for 28 years complain about how short-sighted Mack Hatcher was. Had all that time to plan for the REST of the City and just didn't do it, and blowing money like drunken sailors on brick pavers.

→ Finally, remember when Spring Hill was all fired up because their police department got new noise monitors and they were going to be ... just like Franklin! Well, someone down at the station needs to do an inventory -- apparently there's one floating around somehwere when a downtown wacko complains about a bar that they moved in next door to.

Word of Warning

2010-02-26T07:22:00.001-06:00

After reading some of the comments under the post Keep Karl Dean out of WilCo, I just want to reiterate that some may want to review the “Warning for City of Franklin Workers” in the sidebar.

I understand that you may be frustrated and want to bring to light egregious back-room transgressions of the public process, but the simple truth in Franklin, Tennessee is that amid the charm and bedroom community appeal, there are those that have made too many deals and spent an inordinate amount of money to embed themselves in the local political arena for profit.

They will ... I REPEAT – THEY WILL ... come after you using any means necessary, from direct contact all the way to using detectives to back-door you.

When Aldermen of the City are not even immune, whether through an all-out PR campaign with magically disappearing phony charges, or some lame duck ouster attempt by leftovers from the Reign of Terror, it should serve as a stern warning.

So, be very careful.

If you need to communicate privately or send anything, use the email address.

OnNashvile.

2010-02-25T20:28:00.002-06:00

OnNashville purports to take up Nashville is Talking's void.

Other blogger news: K-Walt slacks.

In the in-betweens ... I will have three days to make up with a replacement 'puter.

Keep Karl Dean out of WilCo.

2010-02-22T10:00:00.004-06:00

Dean will lead regional transportation board.

Called the “Transit Alliance of Middle Tennessee,” Dean states:

“We have the Middle Tennessee Mayors Caucus and private-sector Transit Alliance both working diligently to develop a plan for dedicated funding at the local level for regional mass transit."

See also: Nashville Mayor Dean turns eye to mass transit, and of course the propaganda: Mass transit is viable option.

Let me tell you, after Dean’s Convention Center ramrodding of Nashville with the help of a frivolous, parochial and out-of-control Metro Council Goon Squad – you don’t want Dean’s brand of abusive fiscal pipe dreams infecting WilCo under the guise of some middle-Tennessee “Alliance,” much less, some figurehead ‘regional transportation board’ that he was – SURPRISE – appointed to chair!

Funny how that works, isn’t it? Maybe almost like appointing yourself to the Planning Commission.

Anyhoo … speaking of Nashville-flavored mass transit, look no further than the Music City Star, a puffed-up boondoggle from the beginning that makes Franklin’s Folley Trolley Authority look like a 5-cent ~~lemonade~~ Kool Aid stand.

Coupled with more old and outdated Belle Meade political white guys, that know absolutely nothing about light rail/mass transit (much less the World Cup), and you’re in for a perpetual Music City Star cornholing in the 1st degree.

Tennessean's Silverman fails to rein in rogue Editor.

2010-02-18T04:13:00.012-06:00

♣ Mark Cook goes 'rogue' ... embraces reality (other than Tennessean pabulum):

"My friend the Captain isn't likely to be questioned about his gun. He is your typical handgun carry permit holder. There is nothing to fear from him or his ilk."

What ... you mean "the Captain" has no wild west predisposition for haunting the local bars looking for late-night gunfights in a drunken rage?

I'm shocked ... SHOCKED I tell you! No more "packing heat" a la Kline?

I can only imagine, that Silverman was away to some closed-door meeting getting his marching orders from Cooley and just missed Cook's piece that is actually down-to-earth.

But don't worry, I'm sure Silverman will get Randy Rayburn on it and then have Gail Kerr to do a bunny rabbits and peace dust up as soon as her convention center retainer is up.

BTW: Your own outlet reports that Nashville's crime rate is the lowest it's been in 31 years.

♣ Let's go over this again ... Cook states:

Last week a gentleman [Leonard Embody] from the Grassland Community who apparently has a different philosophy about carrying guns filed a lawsuit against a state park ranger for unlawfully detaining him in December after he carried an automatic pistol on a sling through the park, apparently to test the law that allows people with permits to carry handguns in state parks.

Duuuuude ...... really?

Load up the trolleys!

2010-02-17T18:44:00.001-06:00

Here's why.

White wash.

2010-02-17T12:44:00.013-06:00

Franklin leaders remain split on interchange project

But Franklin resident Bryan Echols fears walking away from the SPUI could mean delays in the overall project and loss of momentum as TDOT planners must redraw plans.

However, work on the SPUI probably would not begin until 2012 or 2013. Echols said he's also focused on the future.

"The people who never get a say in these things are the people who don't live here," said Echols, an attorney. "They don't get a vote. They don't even get a chance to speak at the podium. They're the ones who are going to be impacted by this decision."

Echols represented Boyle Investments, Berry Farms' developer, but said he is speaking out now as a private citizen.

Well ... how convenient!

And by the way, what's the deal ... just too far to go to interview some of the real residents that will have to bear the traffic from that zoo of a development?

And then how about Schroer:

"If someone said to me, 'With the potential growth, we need to have the SPUI to handle the traffic,' I'd be all over it," Schroer said. "Nobody will say that or can say that. TDOT has never said that."

WTF?

Want to remind everybody why we're here shelling out millions in the first place?

20 Pages.

2010-02-15T07:31:00.007-06:00

Board does U-turn on 11th Avenue parking ban:

Aldermen gave 8-0 approval to rescind an earlier resolution that bans parking on the west portion of 11th Avenue South between West Main and Natchez streets. In October, they banned parking on the west side of the street at the request of a few residents living there. But that decision angered some residents, who questioned the city's decision and the need for a parking ban.

After a wider survey, city staff couldn't find a majority of people seeking the parking ban, so aldermen are now re-establishing parking on the west side of the street. This was the first of two readings to approve the measure.

You should read the document under 2009-59 closely -- pay close attention to petition on page 12.

Wonder how much this cost taxpayers?

And gosh -- wouldn't you just LOVE to see the same paperwork and learn how much money was spent on the same BS as the traffic signal in front of Klatt's house under Small Town Mysteries?

Should be "Not-for-Profit."

2010-02-14T07:08:00.003-06:00

Franklin keeps nonprofits paying for new projects.

Franklin gives away "roughly $450,000 for donations to local nonprofits and other causes" each year.

Ahhhh ... the business of being a "non-profit."

Franklin's "bad message" to its employees.

2010-02-14T07:06:00.006-06:00

Loss of pension plan gives Franklin a black eye:

What has the Franklin Board of Mayor and Aldermen been doing that they take a knee-jerk reaction to exclude new employees from the city pension plan? They have known that the plan was too expensive for years and have failed to modify it until now that the cost projections are critical. Most plans have a rule of 90 (age plus service). The city's plan has needed modification for years. What kind of message does that send to people who want to serve in local government? How can the city hope to attract and keep good people if it doesn't have a pension plan. The Franklin BOMA and staff need to get this straightened out. The action taken was hasty and sends a bad message about our city and the city government.
Michael J. Bolduc Franklin, 37064

You may remember Mr. Bolduc from Franklin continues the tradition: 'Political Bribery.'

Automatic Weapons for Sale in Tennessee!

2010-02-14T06:00:00.000-06:00

Mr. Kyle Stoney, of Franklin no less, says Radnor Park ranger was just doing his job.

Now, if you don't know the story, Mr. Stoney is talking about a guy named Leonard Embody -- you can do a Google search for "Leonard Embody" for your own edification, but long story short, the guy is using shock value by carrying around an AK-47 style pistol to test the limits of the Handgun Carry Permit laws.

Suffice it to say, Mr. Embody isn't doing the rest of the HCP holders any favors -- as in other HCP holders that exercise caution and judicious practices of carrying concealed as not to alarm others. In my opinion, Embody is hurting the 'cause' for Amendment rights.

In the meantime, the rest of us have to deal with the statewide venereal disease known as the Tennessean, who collectively devotes time to anti-2nd Amendment causes, when of course they're not busy getting busted[!] for donating thousands of dollars to Nashville's convention center ramrodding while claiming journalistic objectivity.

Where is this going? Well, again there's no editorial responsibility for fact-checking, not even a "Letter to the Editor" [and I use Editor loosely]:

"To sue a park ranger for taking a man into custody for carrying around an automatic weapon is ludicrous."

I'll let others argue the merits of the case, ad nauseum, but here we are again with the ignorance of NOT knowing between the action of an "automatic weapon" and the ones on the shelf down at Academy Sports & Outdoors.

Nonetheless, it's a shame what's happened with Silverman and the Tennessean - it's now little more than an arm of the Chamber of Commerce employing Bongo Java Macbook journalists that think they discovered the Pancake Pantry.

Stuckey proposes 'Buy-a-Streetscape-Brick-Paver-Save-a-Pension' Campaign.

2010-02-13T05:56:00.012-06:00

In a response to the freezing of pensions for new employees, City Administrator Eric Stuckey announced 'Buy-a-Streetscape-Brick-Paver-Save-a-Pension' Campaign.

You've probably seen similar campaigns at college alumni facilities and the YMCA, where one can purchase a brick with a name or dedication imprinted on it:

Stuckey mentioned:

Look, it's simple math. You buy a Streetscape brick paver for $50 and we donate $1 to a prospective employee's pension fund of your choice.

It's a win-win deal when we can blow $100,000,000 on a sham, and then get people to pay for bricks on top of that - you just can't find that kind of dedication to humanity in any other progressive city in the country.

When asked about the impetus for the campaign, Stuckey commented:

Hey, I'm not opposed to looking out for the little man - I don't necessarily think they need pensions, I mean, what are they going to buy with it? Beer? Tattoos? Take a trip to Vegas?

But I guess we should take care of the underlings as well - and from what the private detectives have told me, the only people that really have anything to worry about in Franklin are Department Heads and Aldermen.

Note: Obviously, this post is a parody. Stuckey never said any of the things in this post, however, even though parodies are for comic effect, they often reflect the sentiment over issues others may have to deal with in real life.

Snowden to return entire bonus to taxpayers.

2010-02-12T09:30:00.005-06:00

Snowden gets ovation, returns entire bonus to childrenless taxpayers stuck in the bloated F$$D.

If you believe that, I have some multi-million dollar brick pavers to give you to deposit in your retirement account.

6%.

2010-02-12T09:17:00.004-06:00

Great letter by Kevin Thibodeaux in Quality of life means not tolerating pollution, where he addresses the Essex and Egyptian Laquer dustup by the local politicos that are more concerned with their good ol' boy network.

But there's one small problem with the premise in which Thibodeaux ends his letter:

Yes, it is a quality-of-life issue, and our local and state officials should stop playing "nice guy" and begin using every resource necessary to immediately stop these polluters. Otherwise, the voters will be left with little choice but to replace them with leaders who aren't afraid to make the tough choices needed to protect the citizens of Williamson county, our economy and our quality of life.

The fact is, voter apathy in the City of Franklin, and to some extent, the County, is crippling any reasonable repsonse that an honest taxpaying resident would expect -- as a matter of fact, the elected count on voter apathy - it's what keeps them and their cronies in business.

The desperate act of a $treet$ham despot.

2010-02-10T21:35:00.006-06:00

You think Stuckey would have come to Franklin without a pension plan?
Is Stuckey willing to suspend his pension plan until it's fixed? Let's see some leadership by example there Stuckey.

Time for a real mayor - one that invests in the people that make this City run - not some phony developer looking to make a deal and form another phony committee to hand out projects to their buddies.

Franklin freezes city workers' pension plan:

Franklin leaders have frozen the city's pension plan over growing fears the current plan risks the city's financial future. Phony AAA bond rating?

Beginning Feb. 15, no new city employees will be eligible to be included in Franklin's pension plan, which was considered among one of the best for cities its size in Middle Tennessee.

The plan, which was beefed up in 2003, has meant burgeoning expenses through the years for aldermen to face. Last year, Franklin contributed around $8.4 million toward the pension plan, including a one-time $2 million contribution to cover downswings in financial markets and the addition of new eligible employees.

To cope, Mayor John Schroer and city aldermen in January stopped adding new employees to the plan and set a six-month deadline to make changes to the pension plan.

While it's a drastic step, Franklin officials say it's the only way they can permanently address a plan that they believe is becoming too costly to maintain.

"If we don't (change it), we'll go broke. It's as simple as that," said Schroer about the pension freeze. "We'll be spending more money on pensions than on building roads, and that's just not right." [WTF? Roads?]

Current pension plan participants will not be affected by any future changes made to the plan. They get to keep their gold-plated plans!

Franklin has a total of 758 participants in its pension program, including 557 active participants, city records show.

'Better Than We Can Afford'

Schroer and city officials trace the problems back to July 2003, when city leaders beefed up the city's pension plan in order to be more competitive with surrounding cities' plans.

The costs of Franklin's pension plan are paid totally by the city, and employees are not required to contribute. Eligible employees are paid a monthly benefit of 2 percent of their average monthly pay multiplied by their years with Franklin. Employees are eligible for the plan after completing one year of service and vested after five years of service.

"They created a pension plan that was better than we can afford," Schroer said. "I'm not sure what possessed them to do that, but they did. We can't afford to continue with that."

For years, city employees could draw full retirement benefits from the pension plan, regardless of age, after 25 years of service to the city. In 2006 officials finally set 55 years of age as a minimum age requirement to receive full benefits after 25 years of service.

City Alderman Clyde Barnhill said he wants aldermen to settle on a revised pension plan before the budget-making sessions that will occur later this spring.

Aldermen haven't taken a stab at creating a plan yet, though the new plan might be similar to the current state employees' pension plan.

Examination of the pension plan has been years coming because aldermen have been busy addressing other issues facing Franklin, said Barnhill, who was elected in 2007.

"I think the pension plan may have taken a little bit of a back seat," he said. "There's only so much you can get done."

Pay to play.

2010-02-10T18:50:00.003-06:00

Recycling should be easier, not harder by Laura Coughlin of Franklin.

It's going to be hard to predict how this recycling operation will function and Ms. Coughlin makes some very valid points about costs.

I will say that by recycling, I have only have to roll the garbage can out once a month -- otherwise, that's a lot of material being thrown in the landfill ... do I get a refund?

Cuts n' Blessings.

2010-02-10T05:58:00.001-06:00

Guys, do yourself a favor and get yourself a real haircut at Cuts n' Blessings.

RK Gun & Knife Show.

2010-02-09T10:26:00.001-06:00

Williamson County Ag Expo Center

February 13-14

Details here.

Ghost of Klatt.

2010-02-09T05:36:00.010-06:00

You can read the City's creative spin in Franklin’s $10,000 paint makeover via K-Walt where they're claiming to be approximately $1,000,000 under budget on Franklin's Monument to Government.

Who remembers the A.M. article 'Mayor perturbed at costs' back in November of 2008, where Captain John Schroer was going to step up to the helm and right the ship?

My question, is that $1,000,000 before or after change orders?

Kind of reminds me of the mysterious traffic signal in front of Klatt's house that conveniently disappeared - somebody's personal taste is continuing to cost taxpayers.

Where the hell is Tommy Goldsmith?

2010-02-07T21:41:00.004-06:00

PTL Saints!

No longer will I hopefully have to endure more of the Tennessean meathead sports writers telling everyone how they need to get on their knees and worship the 'Manning royalty.'

I've already had my fingers down my throat for the past couple of days after Naomi Judd proclaimed Taylor Swift is a role model, and Peter Cooper wrote an apology piece for the phony weekly-baseball-card-trading-club-dreamt-up-music-award show of the week.

Please -- somebody with a brain find Tommy Goldsmith, and while you're at it, get Harold Huggins back to replace Biddle and Climer.

Optimus: The Battle for Natchez.

2010-02-03T12:20:00.011-06:00

Nothing exposes downtown phonies faster than a picture:

Nope ... no more Optimus League here. The gym at the old Boys & Girls Club is boarded up and sitting empty, and everybody knows why -- got to make way for Mr. Charlie and the Man.

So while you're reading the latest developer hagiography, chamber of commerce parrot piece, and gettin' all warm and gushy over Kenny Chesney (*squeeee*) in the Truman Show Fishwrapper, Franklin continues its march through Natchez that of course has been fortified with the multi-million dollar Monument to Government:

And of course, since fictitious battle maps are status quo in Franklin:

Pearl Bransford's GOP.

2010-02-02T05:26:00.006-06:00

Read: Ordinance focuses on affordable homes in Franklin

The phony Advisory Committee for Affordable/Workforce Housing is probably the most successful recycling attempt the City has made to date ...

... recycling the Ghosts of Potentate (GOP): Lillian Stewart, Alma McLemore, Jay Franks, Al Gregory (Sullivan Farms HOA Greg Caesar supporter), Dan Crunk, Rick Moody, and of course ... Pam Lewis, Pam Lewis, and Pam Lewis ... she's on there three times - she must really be bored these days.

And what do you mean "workforce" anyway? Poor people? Minorities? People not like you?People that are only good for you as long as they're cutting your grass? Building your deck? Cleaning up the dogshit in your backyard?

Good Lord, Pearl ... RTFP: The Evolution of Goose Creek, or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb, and then after that balance the committee member list with those on the Mid-Cumberland Community Action Agency -- an agency whose mission is to "help low-income residents become self-sufficient."

Don't you get it Pearl? The friends-of-friends, developers and realtors aren't on your ACAWH Committee to help you out - they're there to sound the alarm!

Here's an idea: Count the number of affordable houses in Berry Farms - you just might be surprised to find out who might be on the Board of Directors.