District 29 NEWS - District 29’s Una Art Student, Judging for Holiday Lights, Metro Parks, Community Ed and More

TVA Rate Impacts - December 2011

NES recently completed the bill effects evaluations for the December 2011 bills. The average residential home with 1,300 kWh usage will have a bill of $135.15, approximately a 3.9% increase from last month. There are two factors which contribute to higher bills in December: 1) the higher winter rate and 2) an in Impacts - December 2011crease in the fuel cost adjustment (from 0.447 cents per kWh to 0.657 cents per kWh).

You may recall that TVA implemented seasonal rates earlier this year. The highest rates are in the summer and winter months when the cost of purchasing/producing energy is higher; the rates are lower in the transitional months. These rate fluctuations are to the TVA base rates; NES has not increased its rates in more than two years.
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Temporary Street/Alley Closings

Bell Road, Dodson Chapel to Stewarts Ferry
Closed through December 15, maintenance on Percy Priest Damn
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Another Opportunity to Clean Up and Clean Out! You can participate in our adjouring Metro Council District 33's Cleanup this Saturday.

Metro Beautification Commissioner Sidney Ames
Councilmember Robert Duvall
Metro Public Works
Metro Beautification
TDOT Litter Grant
Publix - Mount View Market Place

District 33 Neighborhood Cleanup

Keep Nashville Clean and Beautiful because Cleaning up is Everyone’s Business!
visit www.nashville.gov/beautification

Date: Saturday, December 3, 2011
Time: 9 AM to 1 PM
Location: Publix - Mount View Market Place
3532 Murfreesboro Pike

For More Information and to Volunteer your services.
Please Contact: Sidney Ames 870-8942

Trash Pickup (Murfreesboro Road from Lavergne City limit to Hamilton Church Pike)

Illegal Sign Drop-off (Remove from Public Right of Way and Utility Poles ONLY)

Supplies will be provided.

Coffee and Donuts will be Served.
The refreshments are being provided by our Publix in support of this clean-up event.
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Nashville Beautiful Art Contest Winners Announced - Congratulations to District 29's own Una Elementary student Cadence Brown!

Art students from Una, Glendale, Crieve Hall and Hickman elementary schools have been named winners among the 70 finalists in this year’s “Nashville Beautiful” art contest. The competition features original works by 3rd and 4th grade public students in Metro, and is designed to raise awareness about recycling and environment. The grand prize winning entry by Cadence Brown of Una Elementary will be featured in the city’s Christmas Parade on Fri., December 2. Mayor Dean will host a public viewing of all winning artwork on Sat., December 3, at 10 a.m. in Lot R of LP Field. The student artwork will be displayed on the sides of Red River waste collection trucks through May 2012, to be seen by more than 9,000 people each day while the trucks are on their routes. To learn more, visit www.nashville.gov/pw
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Metro to Offer Christmas Tree Recycling Sites Again This Year
Starting December 27th, Metro residents will be able to recycle their live Christmas trees at 11 sites in Davidson County for pickup by Public Works. In order to be mulched at the city’s Bordeaux Mulch Facility, trees must be free of all lights, ornaments, garland and tinsel. The list of sites will soon be posted at www.nashville.gov/recycle.
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JUDGING STARTS MONDAY IN ‘ HOLIDAY LIGHTS’ CONTEST

District winners, then five regional winners to be selected from 37county wide entries

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The entry deadline has passed, and now the contestants have a few more days to add any finishing touches to their displays for one of Metro’s longest-running holiday traditions, the 2011 Alice Chapman Holiday Lights Competition.

Judging will begin Monday, December 5, with winners in each Councilmanic district represented being selected. From those district winners, five regional winners will be chosen December 7-8; final judging to select the Overall County Wide Winner is Friday, December 9.

This is the 24th year of the contest, sponsored by Mayor Karl Dean, Metro Beautification and Environment, Metro Public Works, NewsChannel 5 and Nashville Electric Service.

The competition is open to all Davidson County residents, and this year boasts a total of 37 entries. “We have twenty-two of the (35) council districts represented, and while we would love to see every district have an entry, we’re still pleased with the level of county wide participation this year,” Metro Beautification Director Veronica Frazier said. “And as always, our judges will have a tough time deciding from so many colorful, unique and original holiday displays.”

Residents are judged according to their designs, originality and use of environmental elements such as LED lighting, recycling and/or nature themes, or including recycled items in their display.

A list of all 2011 entries is available online at www.nashville.gov/pw. The list will be updated late next week to show district and regional winners.

The five regional winners selected will be highlighted on NewsChannel 5 the week of December 12-15. The overall County Wide Winner will be announced live on their 6:00 p.m. newscast on Friday, December 16.

For more information, contact District 29's Metro Beautification Commissioner Karen VanCleave at 399-1550.
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New Embroidery and Silk Screening Business in Hickory Hollow

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Metro Police Department Promotions

Chief Steve Anderson announced the promotion of 14 officers to the rank of sergeant effective January 1, 2012. These new sergeant positions are necessary to staff the new Madison Precinct, which will begin operating on January 1.

The 14 officers being promoted to sergeant are:

• Officer Matthew Barnes, a six-year police department veteran, who holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas. Barnes is currently assigned to the Hermitage Precinct Flex Unit;
• Detective Anthony Brooks, a six-year police department veteran, who holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Union University in Jackson, Tennessee. Brooks is currently assigned to the Gang Unit;
•  Detective Troy Gossett, a ten-year police department veteran, who is currently assigned to the Fraud Unit;       
• Officer Ryan Hampton, a five-year police department veteran, who holds a Bachelor’s Degree from The University of West Florida in Pensacola. Hampton currently works the South Precinct evening shift;       
• Officer Matthew Howlett, a 14-year police department veteran, who holds a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Alabama. Howlett is currently assigned to the Strategic Development Division;
• Officer Scott Hull, a 30-year police department veteran, who holds a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. Hull is currently the School Resource Officer at H.G. Hill Middle School
• Detective David Layne, an 18-year police department veteran, who holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Middle Tennessee State University. Layne is currently assigned to the Specialized Investigations Division;
• Officer Jonathan Marklein, a 14-year police department veteran, who holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Middle Tennessee State University. Marklein is a School Resource Officer currently assigned to Maplewood High School;
• Officer James McGill, Jr., a ten-year police department veteran, who holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Hobart College in Geneva, New York. McGill is currently the School Resource Officer at Two Rivers Middle School;
• Detective Robert Peterson, a ten-year police department veteran, who holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina. Peterson is currently assigned to the West Precinct Investigative Unit;·
• Officer Marty Reed, a seven-year police department veteran, who has completed the equivalent of an Associate’s Degree. Reed is currently assigned to the East Precinct;
• Officer Matthew Sears, a six-year police department veteran, who holds a Master’s Degree from Lipscomb University. Sears is currently a Field Training Officer at the East Precinct;       
• Detective Michael Straube, a five-year Police Department veteran, who holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Trevecca Nazarene University. Straube is currently assigned to the Gang Unit;
• Officer Mark Wells, a seven-year police department veteran, who holds an Associate’s Degree from Georgia Military College. Wells currently works as a School Resource Officer at McGavock High School.

“These individuals have a combined 148 years of Nashville police experience, and have expressed a strong desire to join our first line staff of supervisors,” Chief Anderson said. “I have every expectation that they will continue to serve our community very well as sergeants.”
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Community Education Opportunities

Hello Council Members,
I hope this message finds you well.

My name is Philip Stoecklein and I am the Program Coordinator for Nashville Community Education Commission.

We have completed our Spring 2012 catalog.

I am writing and asking you to please forward the Spring 2012 catalog link below to your constituents.

Your assistance would be greatly appreciated.

Community Education is once again growing, and with your help we will continue to grow.
Thank you for your time and attention.

Philip

http://www.nashville.gov/ce/docs/catalog/current.pdf
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METRO PARKS: Holiday Season Art Exhibit and Sale - Don't miss it!

Hope Everyone had a wonderfully blessed Thanksgiving Holiday. The next newsletter will share updated information on our District 29 Christmas Party, Legislation and our next District 29 Community Meeting being planned for early 2012 with our Metro Hermitage Police Precinct and apartment managers and more. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve you!

Bell Road over dam to reopen Thursday

Tennessean
Nov 29,2011
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced Monday that Bell Road across the J. Percy Priest Dam will reopen in time for the morning commute on Thursday.

This section of Bell Road has been closed to traffic since Aug. 1 for scheduled maintenance on the dam.

The Stones River Greenway Trailhead, the J. Percy Priest visitor information center and the Overlook remained open to the public. The Right Bank Tailwater area will remain closed as repair work to the river bank below the dam continues.

Concerns or questions can be addressed to the J. Percy Priest Resource Manager’s Office at 615-889-1975.

— Cindy Smith
The Tennessean

Razz'z Restaurant

One of our area businesses Razz'z Restaurant is offering a special today and tomorrow - Buy One Meal and Get One Free Monday November 21 and Tuesday, November 22.

 Please Support Razz and his business. They are a real asset for our area. 

Their facebook page is http://www.facebook.com/pages/Razz-Restaurant-Bar/255917245053
and you can print off a coupon there or below. 

Look forward to seeing everyone there!

Bagging Leaves for Pickup, Home Foreclosure Prevention Information

Information on Bagging Leaves for Pickup

I received several inquiries regarding Metro's new requirement for disposing of leaves.

Metro accepts leaves in plastic bags at any of the below convenience centers, however the biodegradable paper bag requirement is for pickup with Brush Removal only. The next Brush Removal scheduled for our area is January 23, 2012 http://www.nashville.gov/Recycle/Brush/map/pdfs/AREA4.pdf
The bags will not last until January if left outside and during the upcoming pick up time no plastic bags will be picked up. The biodegradable bags can be purchased at the convenience centers. If you have regular trash bags placed on the curb, please try to have these dropped off at the convenience centers below.

The Convenience Center locations that accept bagged leaves are below
Omohundro
1019 Omohundro Place (entrance on Freightliner Drive)
Nashville, TN 37210
Phone:880-1955

Hours: Tue.-Sat.: 8:00am-4:30pm

and

Bordeaux Mulch Facility
1400 County Hospital Road
Nashville, TN 37218
Phone:862-8640

Open Monday through Saturday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Accepts: untreated wood; limbs and brush; leaves and non-commercial grass clippings only in biodegradable paper bags that are free from any other trash or material.

Does not Accept: stumps (with roots and/or dirt)
http://www.nashville.gov/Recycle/Centers/compost_center.asp

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Many of our neighbors are experiencing difficulty during this time with mortgages due to the number of foreclosures that have developed in neighborhoods around our city. Please share the below information with others so that if there are neighbors who are in need of help, they can find assistance and we can keep our property values from experiencing declines.

Lost your job? Don’t lose your home.

If you live in Tennessee and lost your job, there is a great new program to help you avoid losing your home. Not a lot of people know about it and your mortgage company may not even know about it. It is called “Hardest Hit Fund.” This program is also available in about a third of the other states of the union but it can differ from state to state and I only know the details of how the program operates in Tennessee.

I am a housing counselor with the Woodbine Community Organization which is a HUD-approved housing counseling agency. I want to tell you about this great new program.

What will the program do:If you qualify, the program will do one of two things,
(1) it will bring your loan current, or,

(2) it will make your house payment for you for up to a year or until $15,000 (or $18,000 in some counties) has been paid out on your behalf.

The program provides money in the form of a loan, but it is a “loan” that never has to be repaid, assuming you stay in your house for five more years. The loan is forgivable at the rate of 20% a year.

Who qualifies?
One must have had an income reduction of at least 30%. Usually, this means you must have lost your job, however, a reduction in work hours or reduction in commissions, or a reduction in earnings if one is self employed, may also qualify one for the program. The job lost must have been through no fault of your own. If you quit your job, you do not qualify. If you were dismissed for cause however and subsequently were able to get unemployment benefits, then you still may qualify. There are other qualifying requirements, but a reduction in income due to job loss or job income reduction is the first test that must be met.

How to make application:
The easiest thing to do is just call me at 850-3453 and I will walk you through it, or you may do the following:
 
(1) Go to the website WWW.KeepMyTNHome.org, log in and answer the twelve qualifying questions and then complete the on-line application. Be careful. Read the qualifying questions carefully before answering. If you are told you do not qualify and do not understand why, call me at 615-850-3453 and I will review your situation with you on the phone.
(2) While at the Keep My TN Home website, choose “Woodbine Community Organization” as your counseling agency. That’s me. You will see a question that asks if you are working with a counseling agency. Please answer “yes.” You will then see a drop down box and you are to select the agency with which you are working. Woodbine Community Organization is the last name on the list in the drop down box.
(3) After, the above is completed, call me, Rod Williams, 615-850-3453. Please call immediately. I will set an appointment with you to complete the Hardest Hit packet. If you do not reach me, please leave a message. You may also email me at Rodwilliams47@yahoo.com.
This is a great program, however not everyone qualifies. The same type documentation that one must provide when financing a home, one must provide to be approved for this loan, and more. I will walk you through the process. I have been a housing counselor for over twenty years and while I hesitate to brag on myself, I do what I do very well. I have all of the training and certifications one could have and recognitions and awards. I know how these programs work. If anyone can get you approved for the program, I can.

If you do not need this program, but have coworkers or relatives who may, then please pass this information on to them. If your civic group, church group, or place of employment located in the Nashville area would like to have me come speak about this program to them as well as other loss mitigation options, I will be glad to do so.

As a word of caution: Please do not pay anyone to help you with mortgage default or loss mitigation services. Most companies charging to provide mortgage default resolution are scam artist who will take your money and deliver no service. I often see people who have paid a company money to help them save their home, when if they had used that money wisely, it could have been part of a down payment on a mortgage default resolution work-out or at least paid the rent on their new lodging if their home could not be saved. Also, it seldom helps to pay a lawyer to represent your interest when dealing with a mortgage company. Tennessee is a “non-judicial” state with regards to home foreclosure and there is little an attorney can do for you.

If you have questions about the Hardest Hit fund or other mortgage default questions, feel free to call me, Rod Williams (615)850-3453.

Also Mr. J.R. Herrell with Crye Leike Realtors is a resource for assistance in foreclosure prevention and he can be contacted at (615) 361-6949 email: herrell@realtracs.com

http://www.nashville-mdha.org/pdfs/2011FactsSheet.pdf
The above link also shares information on a program that is available for homeowners.

Meeting with Congressman Jim Cooper, District Holiday Lights Contest Time is Running Out, Legislation Update

Meeting with Congressman Jim Cooper on Federal Funding
Last week I along with many members of the Metro Council met with Congressman Cooper to learn of grant funding cuts on the federal level that can impact State and Local funding. This link http://www.nashville.gov/finance/docs/omb/20110908_Memo.pdf provides information on what was discussed.

Update on Hickory Hollow Mall Improvements -

This past Tuesday at our Metro Council meeting, the funding request was approved.

RESOLUTION NO. RS2011-77

A resolution authorizing the Director of Public Property, or his designee, to exercise an option to purchase real property (Map 163-00-0 Parcel 255.00) for use as a community/recreation center, public library, and storage, including conversion of the parking area to a recreational area (Proposal No. 2011M-022PR-001).

Click on this link to view what was approved http://www.nashville.gov/mc/resolutions/term_2011_2015/rs2011_77.htm

Former Metro Councilman Mike Jameson was appointed to fill the late Judge Leon Ruben's seat in Metro General Sessions Court by the Metro Council.

Legislation Update

The ordinance regarding Chickens - The Public Hearing for comments regarding this legislation before the Metro Council is scheduled for January 3, 2012 at 6:00 p.m.
http://www.nashville.gov/mc/ordinances/term_2011_2015/bl2011_47.htm

Continue to provide feedback and share this information with neighbors who may not be on my email list so that they can join in the discussion and feedback and also be added to future newsletters. I thank each and everyone of you for the significant number of emails with feedback to date. Thank you for taking time to respond. I will represent your voice accordingly on the council floor.

The Ordinance regarding Tri-faced Billboards - Item 4 on this link 

http://www.nashville.gov/mpc/docs/meetings/2011/111110sr.pdf has been deferred http://www.nashville.gov/mpc/docs/meetings/2011/111110ac.pdf at the request of the Planning Staff and Commissioners. 

I appeared before the board last week and this item was on the agenda to be disapproved. 

However with the assistance of Attorney's I was able to provide information that they are now considering. When the Commission learned that they had approved this on consent without discussion also they wanted to discuss what was shared further. 

One of the commissioners asked if I would be open to deferring this and in an attempt to act on good faith, I agreed. 

This item will be moved from the public hearing agenda in January at the Metro Council to the February public hearing. 

However the billboard company who has demonstrated they are not willing to act in good faith and be a good neighbor in our community took advantage of the deferral and placed just the pole up in pouring down rain in a rush so that whatever happens they can still proceed through a grandfathering option. 

What I have learned is that when there is pending legislation such as what I have no action can be taken by any company during this time, however if a deferral takes place, they can proceed with at least starting and it is apparent that one of the commissioners was knowledgeable of this and moved quickly to have this done when it appeared that the other commissioners were wanting to consider discussion and to look at the issue since it was on consent with no discussion when it was passed earlier this year in January. 

I will continue to work with the staff and commissioners and the hope is that a fair decision is made that can truly allow neighborhoods and communities to have input into decisions on billboards that affect their areas instead of how it is presently, whereby it is automatically approved due to a technicality of moveable/changeable tri faced boards not being defined. 

Therefore resulting in them being considered the same as a static billboard face which does not move and is stationary. You can view this meeting that has been replaying this week tonight at 9:00 pm on Cable Channel 3. It has also been scheduled to be replayed on Saturday, November 19 at 9:00 am. A list of times when this is being replayed can be viewed at this link http://www.nashville.gov/calendar/metro.asp

The Ordinance regarding overgrown lots passed Second Reading and is coming up for final reading. http://www.nashville.gov/mc/ordinances/term_2011_2015/bl2011_34.htm

A Special thank you to all who participated in Mayor Karl Dean's 5 K Run/Walk last Sunday. Southeast Nashville was one of the largest groups in participation and it was equally as exciting to see so many of us from District 29. I have posted pictures on my facebook page http://www.facebook.com/pages/Karen-Y-Johnson-for-Metro-Council/136610609741870 please visit, view and comment on these and/or any other items that are posted.

Friday December 9, 2011
6:30 pm until 8:30 pm
Planning for Tentative Location - Our District's Very Own Gran Dale Manor - Planning has begun for our District Christmas Party. Please join me at my office hours Saturday at First Tennessee Bank from 10 am until 12 noon if you would like to help. Also other meetings have been planned for Monday, November 21 and Monday, November 28 at 6:00 pm at 500 Moss Landing Drive. You can also contact me by emailing me at Karen.Johnson@nashville.gov or JohnsonKarenY@gmail.com to help make our event a success for everyone. Thank you for your involvement in our District.


METRO NASHVILLE'S HOLIDAY LIGHTS CONTEST - TIME IS RUNNING OUT TO ENTER AND WE WANT DISTRICT 29 TO SHINE TIME IS RUNNING OUT TO ENTER 'HOLIDAY LIGHTS' CONTEST

One more week until November 23 deadline for annual Metro tradition
Just one more week left to enter Metro's Holiday Lights Competition, which invites all Davidson County residents to share the Christmas spirit by decorating their homes and lawns. This is the 24th year of the contest, sponsored by Mayor Karl Dean, Metro Beautification & Environment, Metro Public Works, NewsChannel 5 and Nashville Electric Service.

The deadline to enter is Wednesday, November 23, and judging begins on December 5. Winners will be selected in each of the 35 Councilmanic Districts, and the County Wide Winner will be announced live on NewsChannel 5's 6:00 p.m. newscast on Friday, December 16.

Contestants are encouraged to include Environmental Elements such as energy conservation, recycling and/or nature themes, or recycled items in their display. Rules for the competition and a list of judging criteria are available at www.nashville.gov/beautification. For more information, contact our Beautification Commissioner Karen VanCleave at 399-1550 or by email at bubbavan@comcast.net.

Click here for Entry Guidelines

All Entries must be returned by Wednesday November 23, 2011

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve you. I look forward to working with each of you to make our district the best that it can be.

Opryland Hotel To Flip Switch On Lights Thursday

News Channel 5
Posted: Nov 17, 2011 6:08 AM CST
Updated: Nov 17, 2011 7:42 AM CST
By Janet Kim

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - A Nashville holiday tradition continues at the Gaylord Opryland Resort. The hotel will flip the switch on their 28th annual "A Country Christmas" celebration on Thursday night.

Hundreds will gather for the lighting ceremony which kicks off at 5:40 p.m. Two million Christmas lights will shine outside the Gaylord Opryland Resort throughout the holiday season.

The light display is one of the signature attractions of the Opryland's Country Christmas celebration, going hand in hand with decorations throughout the resort. They include a 48 foot Christmas tree, a 25 foot tree made up of poinsettias, and an additional 200,000 lights throughout the inside the hotel.

NewsChannel 5 got a look behind the scenes as the final touches went up; the poinsettia Christmas tree alone took four hours and more than half a dozen people to complete.

"Country Christmas at Gaylord Opryland is so neat because people come from all around Kentucky, Alabama and their spirit is so full of Christmas. That's what's so neat about us, because we get to provide a place where people can come and share the Christmas spirit. And we get to put it forth for them too," said Horticulture Supervisor Brooks O'Brien.

This year, the ICE attraction has a new theme, in a new building that was built after the devastating flood 18 months ago.

Gaylord Opryland has teamed up with DreamWorks to bring the animations from its movies throughout the resort. This year, ICE will feature Merry Madagascar.

The indoor frozen attraction includes life size characters and scenes from the movie and 20-foot tall ice slides. The exhibit was hand carved out of two million pounds of ice by 40 artisans.


Organizers said this is their second Christmas since the flood, and they haven't missed a beat.

"The flood was certainly tragic but it's amazing that we're back and we're better than ever, and this Christmas, it's going to be our best yet," said Spokesperson Jenny Barker.

The Radio City Rockettes are also back in town with their world famous "Radio City Christmas Spectacular". Louise Mandrell is also back this year for her final year with her Christmas Dinner Party.

For the kids, there are all kinds of things to do including a ShrekFeast Interactive Character Meals, a Puss in Boots scavenger hunt, and wake-up calls from favorite DreamWorks characters.


www.gaylordopryland.com

To see Video and Pictures Click Here:

Cancer patient's dog missing in Brentwood

WKRN Channel 2
Posted: Nov 15, 2011 4:39 PM CST
Reported By Stephanie Langston, Reporter

BRENTWOOD, Tenn. - A Mid-State woman battling cancer is hopeful her dog, missing for more than three months, will be found safe and returned to her.

Jill Napier was in the hospital receiving treatment for ovarian and uterine cancer when her dog, Skippy Lou, wandered off from her pet sitter in August.

"Skippy Lou is like a child," Napier said, adding, "She is a part of the family."

Friends of Napier's, volunteers from the community and animal rescue squad members have been searching non-stop for Skippy Lou since her disappearance.

Leslie Morrison is charge of the search effort and told Nashville's News 2 the dog search team, Team Skippy Lou, has spent more than $1,000 and hours of volunteer time placing flyers throughout the Mid-State.

Recently, however, officials with Brentwood's codes department said the flyers violated policy and took them down.


Morrison told Nashville's News 2 she wishes there was a compromise.


"Without public awareness, without the sightings, there is no way to find her," she said.


In recent weeks, a bloodhound has joined the search for Skippy Lou.

"She has given positive indicators on three of the last sightings," said Michael Fay, among the dozens of volunteers who has spent time searching for Napier's pet.


"It's for a good cause. We have to get this animal back home because it has a mother that needs it and it's going to help her through recovery," He continued.


Napier said she continues to hope Skippy Lou will be come home safe and worries about the dog's safety as cooler weather moves into the area.

"The part I worry about the most is [bad weather]," she said. "She might die out there in the elements."


Skippy Lou is a light golden colored Lab mix with white around her nose. She has a pinkish-brown nose and is six years old.

Skippy Lou was last seen wearing a pink collar with dots on it and a heart shaped ID tag.

The bloodhound last picked up Skippy Lou's scent in the Southernwoods area of Brentwood.

Volunteers say their main goal is to get Skippy Lou food and then try to lure her into an enclosed area.


Anyone with information on Skippy Lou's whereabouts should call 615-772-7368.

To See Video: CLICK HERE!

Tennessee's Big Health Care Decision

Tennessean
Posted: Nov 09, 2011 4:59 PM CST

Updated: Nov 09, 2011 6:48 PM CST

by Scott Arnold

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - For many Tennesseans health insurance will undergo a significant change in 2014 due to federal reforms.

A number of major decisions about health insurance at the state level still have to be made. State officials have asked Tennesseans to share their opinions about the options.

Governor Haslam and state lawmakers have to decide if the state will handle health care reform or if they will leave it up to the federal government to create what is being called a Health Insurance Exchange.

The Health Insurance Exchange is a government-regulated marketplace of insurance plans with different levels of coverage, offered to individuals without health care, or to small companies.

The debate about state versus federal control has already began.

"I for one don't want you all to manage an insurance exchange. We have a history going back to the Civil War, when you turn federal programs over to the states, they are invariably administered, heavily handed, against poor and minorities," said Reverend Joe Ingle.

"One of the advantages if the state were to offer the exchange, is we can use existing infrastructure, and organizational talent to bring this thing forward. If the federal government does it, they are going to have to build a whole new system, hire new staff that means the people who use the exchange will have to pay more for it. "said Brian Haile, with the Health Insurance Exchange.

"It scares me when I think about the community that I serve, and the people who are in the community understanding what is actually going on," said Sharon Hurt with the Jefferson Street Merchants Association.


Over the next few months Governor Haslam will make the call if Tennessee should be in charge of health care, but he'll need the backing of state lawmakers.

Regardless of who's behind the wheel health care reform will mean up to $700,000 uninsured Tennesseans will get health care in 2014.

The price tag has many worried, and it's predicted insurance premiums for many of us could jump dramatically.There are several things that could happen to make all of this worry irrelevant. The U.S. Supreme Court could rule health care reform is unconstitutional or this month, on the 23rd that budget super-committee in D.C. could dramatically cut Medicare and Medicaid spending.

But either way the state has to be ready with a decision.

Info on listening sessions for Health Insurance Exchange

http://www.tn.gov/nationalhealthreform/forms/listeningsessions.pdf

Info on giving feedback on Health Insurance Exchange

http://www.tn.gov/nationalhealthreform/forms/listeningsessions.pdf

MTA Considering Fare Increases

Channel 5 News
Posted: Nov 09, 2011 5:01 PM CST

Updated: Nov 09, 2011 5:01 PM CST

NASHVILLE, Tenn.- Riders could soon be paying more to take the Nashville bus, but before prices are raised the public will get their chance to weigh in.

The Nashville Metropolitan Transit Authority is considering a 10-cent increase in the basic cash fare, raising the price from $1.60 to $1.70. AccessRide cash fare might also see a 20-cent increase from $3.20 to $3.40.


MTA is also considering increasing the rates for Regional Transportation Authority's basic cash fare, changing it from $3.50 to $4.00.


MTA said that rising healthcare, fuel and other related operating costs are the reasons for the proposed fare increases.


Meeting to discuss the potential raises will be held next week at the Music City Central off of Charlotte Avenue.


Meeting times are:


7-9 a.m. and 3-5 p.m. Monday, Nov. 14.


11 a.m.-1 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 15.

Middle TN homeowners get relief

Tennessean
Retooled federal program affects Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans
12:32 AM, Nov. 6, 2011

For some of the 67,000 homeowners in Middle Tennessee whose properties are financially underwater or near it, partial relief could be close at hand, thanks to a retooled federal program affecting droves of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans.

President Barack Obama late last month announced changes to a federal refinancing program that will allow hundreds of thousands of homeowners nationwide to refinance their mortgages, some of whom may be able to take advantage of historically low interest rates.

But for other homeowners who haven’t kept their monthly payments current, the situation may remain bleak. The revamped program applies only to borrowers who haven’t fallen behind on their mortgages, even if they owe more on the house than it’s currently worth.

Despite such caveats, the program could put more money in the pockets of many Middle Tennessee homeowners who will end up with lower monthly rates after refinancing.


“It could boost consumer spending because money that used to go to banks to pay for mortgages will now be used on other things,” said Gregory Brown, an economics professor at Martin Methodist College in Pulaski, Tenn. “The new program has the potential to have a real stimulus effect on the local economy.”


Underwater cap gone
The Home Affordable Refinancing Program, or HARP, was introduced in spring 2009 and was intended to assist many troubled borrowers with refinancing.

The rub, though, was thatthe program applied only to borrowers who were no more than25 percent underwater on their mortgage loan.

Fewer than a million borrowers refinanced under HARP, which was expected to help many millions more.

The new rules remove the underwater cap and scrap some appraisal requirements in addition to nixing closing fees and other charges associated with the former program. Thus, refinancing will be cheaper and easier.

“It is certain that many more borrowers will benefit than would have otherwise,” said a statement from CoreLogic, a real estate data firm.

“There are no silver bullets that will solve the issues facing the housing and mortgage markets, only solutions that play their small part,” the statement continued.

Nationwide, nearly 1 in 4 of the country’s homeowners are underwater, according to CoreLogic. That’s roughly 11 million borrowers.

In the Nashville area, 13 percent of all homeowners, about 42,000 borrowers, are underwater, and an additional 25,000 people are on the cusp, owing more than their home’s value, according to the firm’s latest report.

Local lenders expected to embrace program
The announcement of the revamped program from the Federal Housing Finance Agency, the overseer of mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, noted that the new program relies on private bank participation, which is voluntary.

A spokeswoman for Bank of America confirmed by email that the bank will participate in the new HARP program. Other big lenders are expected to follow suit.

Furthermore, banking experts in Middle Tennessee expect local lenders to also embrace the rules.

The federal government will provide lenders with pricing guidelines on Nov. 15, and some banks will begin taking applications by Dec. 1.

“What bank would say no to helping borrowers lessen their burden? I can’t imagine any,” said Ross Kinney, Pinnacle’s residential and mortgage manager. “The legislation is aimed at big banks, and they’re the ones who will make the decision.”

Geoff Hill, president of Fifth Third Bank’s mortgage division, said the program will shore up housing markets in certain hard-hit pockets of Florida and Nevada far more than it will affect Middle Tennessee.

Still, “it will get people talking about the program again. There are people in Nashville who are already eligible and don’t know it,” Hill said.

Nearly half of the country’s mortgages are backed by Fannie or Freddie.

When one of the two agencies guarantees a loan, the lender promises the loan will meet federal standards. If it fails to, Fannie or Freddie can force the lender, typically a bank, to put the loan on its books.


Consequently, banks were hesitant to issue new loans for underwater homeowners to refinance because they wanted to steer clear of more troubled loans.

But the new rules reverse that.
Now, Fannie and Freddie no longer have the authority to force a lender to buy back a sinking loan. The government justifies the change by insisting that nearly all the loans eligible for the program are “seasoned,” meaning they are not expected to fail, according to a FHFA statement.


“That provides a big incentive for banks to do this,” economist Brown said.

Borrowers must be current on payments
The revised HARP applies only to borrowers who have been current on their mortgage payments the past six months.


That means hardscrabble borrowers who are unemployed or underemployed are still out of luck, according to local housing advocates.

“Most people I see who are underwater are in a crisis mode. They haven’t been current for months,” said Ron Williams, senior housing counselor for the Woodbine Community Organization. “I think it will help a handful of people, but every federal program I’ve seen so far has failed to live up to expectations.”


Others, including some local mortgage bankers, also remain skeptical.

“We want to minimize risk to the bank and be able to assist the public as much as possible, but I don’t know if it’s going to be as widespread as some are predicting,” said Steve Swain, senior vice president of direct lending for First Tennessee Bank.


“For some people, it’s just putting off the inevitable,” Pinnacle’s Kinney said, suggesting that borrowers who do qualify may end up in foreclosure on their homes anyway.


Edsel Charles, chairman of MarketGraphics research group based here, said the program does not address declining home values, which, he predicts, will soon return to pre-crisis levels in Nashville.


“I’m glad there’s some effort to fix what is a very difficult issue, but only time will fix the equity problem,” Charles said.

Alice Walker, president of the Greater Nashville Association of Realtors, said any effort designed to provide incentives for homeowners to stay in their homes should be applauded.

Homeowner stability helps entire neighborhoods, she said.

“For a certain segment of homeowners, tweaking this program can be quite effective at that,” Walker said.


Contact Bobby Allyn at 615-726-5990 ormailto:ballyn@tennessean.com.

City to buy JCPenney building for library, community center

Channel 4 WSMV
Posted: Nov 04, 2011 11:08 AM CDT

Updated: Nov 04, 2011 1:59 PM CDT
Posted by Scott Sutton - email

NASHVILLE, TN (WSMV) - Mayor Karl Dean announced plans Friday for the city to purchase the JCPenney building at Hickory Hollow Mall for a major development.


The project would include an expanded library, new regional community center and 2.6 acres of green space for a park.


"Southeast Davidson County is one of the fastest growing parts of our city, and this purchase will help make sure that the facilities and services there keep pace with the needs of its residents," Dean said in a news release. "The new public facilities will bring new life to Hickory Hollow Mall and become a model for grouping community services in a way that both serves residents and benefits surrounding retail and commercial areas by attracting more visitors and creating a more stable business environment."

A resolution authorizing the city of Nashville to purchase the property for $3.25 million from CBL & Associates will be filed Friday and go before the Metro Council on Nov. 15.


The 30,000-square-foot regional community center is expected to include a gymnasium, fitness center, multi-purpose room and other amenities, said the city in a news release.


The expanded library would replace the current Southeast Branch Library located at 2325 Hickory Highlands Dr. The new library, at 25,000-square-feet, will be more than double the size of the existing library.


Copyright 2011 WSMV. All rights reserved.

Bank of America nixes $5 debit card fee

Tennessean
November 1, 2011

NEW YORK — Bank of America is nixing its plans to charge a $5 debit card fee.

The news comes after other major banks, including Chase and Wells Fargo, said last week that they were canceling tests of similar fees.


Bank of America had said last week that it would stand by its decision to roll out the $5 monthly fee starting next year.


The about-face by the banking industry comes amid growing public anger over higher fees. A movement to get customers to switch to credit unions and community banks had marked this Saturday as “Bank Transfer Day.”

SunTrust, Regions drop debit card fees

Tennessean
November 1, 2011

Banks say customer feedback led to about-face; some customers still plan to switch to new banks


After customer discontent rose to a fever pitch, Regions Financial Corp. and SunTrust Bank on Monday scratched plans to impose monthly debit card fees, the latest in a spate of announcements reversing new fees.

“Consumers were ticked, and this is a short-term victory for consumers,” said bank analyst Bill Hardekopf, who runs LowCards.com. “But I would caution them that it’s not the end of new fees.”

Birmingham, Ala.-based Regions — the institution with the largest share of deposits in the Nashville market — announced last month it would start charging customers a $4-per-month fee when they made purchases with a debit card.

Monday’s policy reversal means customers who incurred the monthly fee over the past few weeks will have the money refunded to their accounts on Friday.

SunTrust, which has the city’s third-largest share of deposits, also on Monday nixed plans to continue its $5-a-month swipe fee, which the bank had introduced in June. Fees that were already assessed against customers’ accounts will be returned, SunTrust said.

Both banks say the reversals came as a result of “customer feedback.”

For Regions customer Bill Dobbins, 57, the bank’s sudden about-face to abandon its debit card fees won’t be enough to make him rethink his recent decision to switch banks. Dobbins is in the process of closing all his Regions accounts.

“For me, it’s too little, too late,” Dobbins said, adding that he picked a community bank that doesn’t plan debit card fees. “I don’t know what to expect from them,” he said of Regions. “So, that’s why I’m leaving.”


Other customers, however, heaved a sigh of relief at Regions’ fee reversal.


Regions customer Joe Lance, 42, of Chattanooga, said he was hunting for a bank with no debit card fees before the announcement. He welcomed the bank’s decision to drop the swipe charges, adding a note of caution.

“I’m glad to see they’re no longer pursuing it,” Lance said. “But I’ll continue to be on my guard and watch for new notices because they’re still on thin ice trying to make up lost revenues.”


Plans reassessed

The fee changes had been the result of last year’s Dodd-Frank financial overhaul legislation, which, in part, halved the amount that merchants pay to banks every time a debit card is used to make a purchase.

Regions had estimated the fee caps would cost the bank $170 million annually.

First Tennessee Bank, which was planning a debit card fee of 4 cents per transaction up to $3 a month beginning the end of November, said Tuesday it will not be charging customers for debit card use.

“We’re going to make sure our pricing remains competitive,” said Dave Miller, executive vice president of retail banking.

New fees likely, bank analyst says

Bank of America Corp., the second-largest bank in Nashville by deposits, said on Monday that it will be not charging customers for debit card use. The bank had planned to charge a $5 monthly debit card fee starting in January.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. and Wells Fargo, furthermore, plan to back away from their debit card fee tests that were conducted in several states.


Bank analysts predict that even if the lucrative debit card fees vanish altogether, consumers should look for other heavier charges to be tucked in other places.

“The new fees will probably be more subtle,” Hardekopf said. “Consumers should look for (more) increases in existing fees and raises in introductory rates on debit cards. There’s no question that there will be more fees on the way.”

Titans to collect food for Second Harvest Sunday

Posted: Nov 01, 2011 2:28 PM CDT


NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Tennessee Titans are again teaming up with the Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee this year for their annual non-perishable food drive as they take on the Cincinnati Bengals this weekend at LP Field.


The collection will take place from 1 p.m. until kickoff, which is set for 3:05 p.m. Sunday.


Second Harvest Food Bank will have volunteers stationed at the seven charity drop sites around the stadium to collect donations.


"If every fan attending the game donates at least one pound of non-perishable food, then Titans fans will raise 68,000 pounds of food that will result in thousands of meals for hungry families in Middle Tennessee," Jaynee Day, president and CEO of Second Harvest Food Bank, said.


Canned tuna and chicken, peanut butter, canned vegetables, cereal, canned fruit, pasta and canned soups and stews are among the most needed items.


Second Harvest's Feeding Hope Challenge runs November 1 through December 31 with a goal to raise nine million meals for those in need.




Read more at SecondHarvestMidTN.org.