Nashville Quickies

Flipping Channels: Is ‘Rubicon’ Damned with Intelligent Praise?

Nashvillian — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 10:22:16 +0000

Below, Ron Wynn trains his spyglass on AMC’s new espionage…

Titans Eager For Camp After Hectic Offseason

Nashvillian — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 23:45:30 +0000

It’s time for Jeff Fisher to open his 16th straight training camp with the Tennessee Titans, and that first practice Saturday will be a welcome return to football after a busy offseason.

Girl, 13, Fights To Play Football In Henry County

Nashvillian — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 22:43:08 +0000

School-sanctioned football can only be played by boys in Henry County, but a middle school girl and her mother want to change that.

Franklin High Students Protest Flip Flop Ban…FAIL?

Nashvillian — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 20:42:28 +0000

Perhaps not filed within the Department of Truth and Consequence, under the heading “Profiles in Courage,” Franklin High students — who attend a school in…

Zut Alors Need Their Start Kicked Just a Little More; Those Budget Darlins; Make-Out With Blu-Ray [Newsy Bits]

Nashvillian — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 19:41:44 +0000

* Hey, so as D.P.R. told you back when, local popular music band The Zut Alors started a Kickstarter project to raise enough…

De Novo Dahl and Friends Launch Family Tree Art Collective, Saturday Night at The 5 Spot

Nashvillian — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 18:38:11 +0000

I mentioned in the round-up that De Novo Dahl will be launching Family Tree on Saturday night at The 5 Spot, so that’s all…

Cumberland County Commission puts off budget vote until after election

Nashvillian — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 16:34:13 +0000

The Cumberland County Commission has shelved a vote on the county budget until after next Thursday’s elections. Commissioners are at odds over how to plug a gaping budget deficit. The commission will meet for a “work-session” on August 9, four days after the upcoming election, to restart budget negotiations. Commissioners will be appearing on the August 5 ballot for re-election, and some see the delay as a maneuver to avoid a difficult tax increase vote on the eve of an election.

A number of commissioners have offered property and wheel tax increases to balance the budget. In a meeting earlier this week, Commissioner Jeff Brown sought an 11-cent property tax increase, but the motion failed by a 10-8 vote. Soon after, Commissioner Mike Harvel proposed a $25 wheel tax for the next two years, but no official vote was taken on the proposal.

With the delay, some commissioners avoid a budget vote that could potentially cost them their seats. According to the Crossville Chronicle, “[t]he move practically guarantees a lame-duck vote by some commissioners who may not be re-elected and a safety net for others, who won’t have to vote for a tax increase until after the general election.”

Despite the inability of commissioners to reach consensus on a tax increase, not a single commissioner offered a specific proposal to cut spending to balance the budget. This makes it even more likely that the budget deficit will be filled by a post-election tax increase.

This is not the first time the county commission has failed to act on a budget vote. Just two years ago, Cumberland County schools failed to open on schedule because the commission was unable to pass a budget. This year, the state will begin withholding education funding if the commission does not approve a budget before October 2, potentially paving the way for yet another school shutdown if the commission fails to act.

For a more detailed report on the situation, including video of the recent commission meeting, visit the Crossville Chronicle website here.

Group To Play Soccer 40 Hours For Kids

Nashvillian — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 16:34:11 +0000

Some local soccer players want to help out less fortunate children in Middle Tennessee by doing what they know how to do best.

Lake Fever Presents The Chris Crofton Show, Episode 28

Nashvillian — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 16:34:11 +0000

Logo by Mike Clausius

Booyah! It’s episode 28. Enjoy yourselves, fools.

Anticipating Far-Right Losses at Polls, Gill Disses Tea Party

Nashvillian — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 15:33:25 +0000

The election still is six days away, but right-wing radio hero Steve Gill already is making excuses for movement conservatives. Do you think he can…