Much has occurred since the first of this month. First, I am recovering from pneumonia nicely... according to the doctor. He says that my lungs are clearing, but that my energy will slowly return over the next four weeks. I hope this is the case, having to take a nap in the middle of the day, every day, just to be able to function, is getting quite old although the doc says it's normal. In the meantime, I will be fine as long as I keep my pillow and a bottle of Geritol or a Red Bull close by. Thanks for all the get well messages, notes and prayers.
THIS TUESDAY EVENING!!! September 29th.
A district-wide town hall meeting has been scheduled at Antioch Church of Christ, 2142 Antioch Pike (right behind the Food Lion on Richards Rd.) We will be meeting in the fellowship hall which is in the basement below the main auditorium. I have confirmed a representative from the Convention and Visitors Bureau to explain the proposed NEW Convention Center. I also will have someone share some of the concerns regarding the funding options. We will discuss how this project may impact you and our city. Is it needed? Now? How will it be paid for? What will happen with the current facility? Why not spend this money on schools or more police? This is your opportunity to get the facts and share your thoughts on this large project. Come out and bring a friend. This is going to be a great meeting. I will also schedule time to hear your community concerns.
Councilman Robert Duvall and I will be working with Public Works, Metro Water & Sewer, Planning and the Mayor's office to resolve the 5-way intersection at the railroad tracks and Antioch Pike, Una-Antioch Pike, Blue Hole Road and Hickory Hollow Pkwy. This intersection, or the lack of flexibility to configure the intersection correctly is impacting the Rural Hill/Moss Rd Design Plan we submitted to Planning which was so highly praised. I think more importantly, the "five way fiasco" (My new nick name for this intersection.) is and has been impacting the residents of this community for far too long. I have requested funding to improve this intersection though it has not been granted, yet. This will be an interesting process. I am sure I will learn much. Maybe, I can even learn where to find the loose end of the ever-present "red tape." Then say PULL!
The Antioch Delegation of the Metro Council is working to make the Red Cross more accessible to the community. Our Delegation will have its second meeting with the Red Cross in an effort to bring more visibility and support to the Antioch area, from the Red Cross. We have many citizens that will give blood, which is the gift of life, if we could just make it easier for them to visit a Blood Drive. Our goal is to add that convenience and accessibility.
In an effort to meet with each neighborhood within district 28, I've been scheduling community meetings across the district by subdivision for months. Some of the larger developments are being divided up by groups of approximately 300 homes. I've held two community meetings this month in the Richards Rd area and will be scheduling another for the homes south of Richards and along Reeves Rd., Bowfield Dr., Irma Dr. and the general area. I will be sending written notices to the homes in this area and will include the date in this newsletter when the time and location are confirmed. These meetings allow more direct neighborhood specific issues to be addressed and allow promotion of neighborhood watches which help address community concerns on a more long-term basis.
Saturday was a great day as Hands on Nashville held events all across our city to work at our schools. Leaders at Apollo promoted a community work day they called Hands on Apollo day. We had over 75 volunteers participate in a tremendous event that was a uniting force in the community. Four businesses helped with the event and I encourage everyone to thank them by doing business with them and letting them know you appreciate their willingness to invest in this community. Those businesses are: Food Lion on Richards Rd; Pizza Hut, 944 Richards Rd, (615) 832-5000; 7 Mares Restaurant, 957 Richards Rd, 615-315-0207, www.7maresrestaurant.com ; and Tracy Williams at All-N-One Lawn Care, Commercial 615-445-5134 or Residential 615-586-0001.
Welcome to all the new members of this newsletter list. Feel free to share these with any concerned community member. You may opt-out of future issues by replying to this email with remove.
Thanks for caring for our community.
Honored to serve,
Duane Dominy
District 28 Councilman
101 Cherokee Place
Antioch, TN 37013
615-831-0774
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Jean Marquis wrote the following related to possible neighborhood safety issues. What is described below is how identities are stolen. Be on the lookout on your street.
Subject: Chatham Pointe mail security alert
Hello,
Yesterday afternoon the man who does my yard said he saw a tall, dark haired man walking up and down Waterford Way opening mailboxes and looking inside. He said he had parked a 1988 Ford 150 on the street. The distinguishing thing about the truck was the left front fender had been replaced and was white. When he saw my guy watching him he crossed to the other side, went to his truck and left. My guy did call police at 862 8600. If you see this truck again please get a tag and call that number.
My assumption is it is an attempt at theft or identity theft. I personally don't put things out to mail the night before, or leave them over a weekend. It's also a reminder for mothers to always have "eyes on" their children.
Please pass this on to everyone you know.
Jean Marquis
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Departmental reports and press releases.
This information comes to us from one of our neighbors in the Long Hunter/Tune House area. As you will read below, he is very active in the activities at the Long Hunter State Park.
Just a reminder about our final three programs of September coming up at Long Hunter State Park this week:
Rope & Knots: Monday, September 28th at 6 PM
Rope and knots were very important in the exploration of the world. Learn about the history of rope and how to tie some useful and perhaps lifesaving knots.
Hiking Hickory Hill: Tuesday, September 29th at 6 PM
Hickory trees are common in all parts of Long Hunter, but the one-mile Inland Trail features superb examples of several types of hickories. During this hike we will discuss the life of a hickory tree, folklore and uses, and why they are important to many insects and mammals.
Famous Fauna: Wednesday, September 30th at 6 PM
Long Hunter State Park is home to two of Tennessee’s most famous wildlife, the Wild Turkey and the White-tailed Deer. This program will focus on the life of these animals, their history in North America, and why they are so abundant in today’s time yet faced extinction in the early 1900’s.
All programs are free and open to the public. No reservations necessary. Unless otherwise noted, program participants should meet at the park visitor center at 2910 Hobson Pike.
For more information, contact the park office at (615) 885-2422.
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This is an excerpt from the weekly message from our FABULOUS principal at Apollo Middle School.
AMS WEEKLY UPDATE...
Thought for the week: "You can do anything if you have enthusiasm.
Enthusiasm is the yeast that makes your hopes rise to the stars.
With it, there is accomplishment. Without it there are only alibis."
-Henry Ford
Hands-On Apollo Day- H.O.A. was a HUGE success this year. We had a great turn-out last weekend.
Dozens of students and parents worked tirelessly in the rain to help make Apollo beautiful and better.
The conference room and teacher's lounge were painted, and a number of outdoor beautification projects were completed as well.
I will be meeting with the beautification committee to develop a plan to complete the remaining portion of the landscaping out front.
Special Thanks goes to the following staff members for leading the charge: Officer Kirk, Ms. J. McDonald, and Ms. S. Bowins. Kudos to: Ms. Ferguson, Ms. Zinder, Ms. Gleaves, Ms. Gail Bobo, Councilman Duane Dominy, AMS students, parents and volunteers, Food Lion, Pizza Hut(Richards Rd.), Seven Mares Mexican Restaurant, ALL-N-ONE LAWN CARE, MNPS Operations/Maintenance Dept. and Antioch Fire Dept. Photos by: Mr. Story (community volunteer) (Photo's deleted due to large size of over 12Mb. DD)
Rain, Sleet or Shine... Nothing will stop the vision!!!
Moving onward and upward- Can you believe it!!! We are already at October. The semester is rapidly moving. As we continue on our journey to success, we must remember that there will always be distractions and adversity will be ever present. We must put last week behind us and look forward to a new week and new possibilities. The strength of our team rests within the efforts of each individual member, and the sum of our collective efforts will yield rewards beyond measure.
Apollo: We are Blasting off to GREATNESS....
KEEP THE FIRE!!!
Ron L. Woodard
Principal
Apollo Middle School
Home o f the "Mighty Astros" where Pride, Dignity and Excellence pave the road to success"...
615 333-5025 Office
615 333-5029 School Fax
Thought for the week Sept 20-26: Great things are not done by impulse, but by a series of small things brought together. - Vincent Van Gogh
Thought for the week Sept 13-19: What we do today, right now, will have an accumulated effect on all of our tomorrows. -- Alexandra Stoddard
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Link to Children First – Schools News Letter
September 25, 2009
Click on the date above to view this week’s issue.
In this edition:
• Ask a Pediatrician: H1N1 Flu - by Dr. Kimberlee Wyche-Etheridge
• Hands On Nashville – volunteers ready to get their hands dirty
• National Merit semifinalists named
• Maplewood principal receives high honor
• Reunion Time! Three schools host “all-class" get-together
• Demographics change with new student assignment plan
• Croft students present and perform at the Nashville Zoo (pictured right)
• Rose Park Principal recognized by school board
• Southern Festival of Books’ authors coming to Cane Ridge
• Bellshire hosts Harvest Festival
• Lockeland students ‘Save the Frogs’
• Glencliff Neighborhood Association holds dedication ceremony
• Glendale students celebrate heritage
• Thomas Edison hosts ELL Welcome Workshop
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Precinct-Based Undercover Officers Charged 135 Persons This Week
September 25, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Undercover detectives, assigned to the department’s precincts, charged 135 persons this week with mostly drug and prostitution offenses as the result of investigations in various Nashville neighborhoods.
South Precinct detectives charged 25 people this week as a result of investigations on Moore Avenue, Wharton Drive, Hamilton Avenue, and Lewis and Trimble Streets. Seized were 95 grams of marijuana, one gram of cocaine, 22 hydrocodone pills and 15 Xanax pills.
Hermitage Precinct detectives charged 21 persons this week as the result of investigations on Visco Drive, Trails End Lane, Truxton Drive, Cloverwood Drive, Donelson Pike, and Lewis Street. Seized were 1.5 grams of cocaine, 29 grams of marijuana and 71 various pills.
West Precinct detectives charged 31 persons as the result of investigations on 11th, 12th, and 17th Avenues North, Charlotte Pike, Herman, Jefferson, and Division Streets, Murray Place, and Westboro Drive. Seized were 15 pounds of marijuana, 98 Lortab pills and 58 grams of cocaine.
North Precinct detectives charged 31 persons as the result of investigations on Gallatin Pike, 11th, 16th, and 41st Avenues North, James Avenue, Forest Park Road, Buena Vista Pike, and Cockrill Street. Seized were 50.1 grams of cocaine, 11.7 grams of marijuana, two weapons, three vehicles and $463 cash.
East Precinct detectives charged 14 persons as a result of investigations in the James Cayce public housing development and on Litton Avenue, Dickerson Pike, and Trinity Lane. Seized were 5.65 grams of cocaine, 12 Dilaudid pills, 213 hydrocodone pills and 15.8 grams of marijuana.
Central Precinct detectives charged 13 persons as the result of investigations on 10th Avenue North, Jefferson, Oak, North 1st, and Pine Streets, and Ewing Avenue. Seized were 32 grams of cocaine, ten oxycodone pills and one rifle.
Persons suspecting drug activity in their neighborhoods are urged to call the police department’s 244-DOPE hotline. Callers to the hotline can remain anonymous.
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Officer John Cumberland Arrested for DUI and Weapon Violation
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
East Precinct Crime Suppression Unit Officer John Cumberland has been decommissioned of his police authority (his gun and badge have been taken) following his arrest early today on charges of drunken driving and possessing a firearm while under the influence of alcohol.
Cumberland, 32, crashed his unmarked police vehicle into a ditch on Newsome Station Road near Settlers Way just before 12:30 a.m. A citizen called to report the crash and said that the driver appeared to be impaired. Responding officers found that Cumberland smelled of alcohol and, after performing field sobriety tasks, indicated impairment. Cumberland consented to a breath alcohol test, which registered 0.12%. In Tennessee, a person is considered to be legally under the influence of alcohol with a reading of 0.08%.
Cumberland got off work at 8 p.m. Wednesday.
Cumberland’s bond was set at $7,000. The police department’s administrative investigation of Cumberland’s actions, which is separate from the criminal matter, is underway.
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Joint Metro Police - Mt. Juliet Police Investigation Leads to 17 Pound Cocaine Seizure from Spare Tire
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (See photos attached)
A joint investigation by Metro Interstate Interdiction Unit officers and Mt. Juliet Police led to this afternoon’s seizure of eight kilograms of cocaine concealed inside the spare tire of a Chevrolet Tahoe.
The driver of the Tahoe, Rodrigo Leon-Castillo, 36, of Katy, Texas, was arrested and is being charged federally with trafficking cocaine.
Metro officers this afternoon stopped a Chevrolet Impala with Texas plates for a traffic violation in West Nashville. As they spoke with the occupants of the car, one of whom had a drug history, it became clear that they were traveling with a tan Tahoe also with Texas plates. Information on the Tahoe was relayed to Mt. Juliet Police, and Officer Eric Joubert subsequently stopped it for speeding on I-40. Police dog Raptor alerted to the presence of drug odor coming from the vehicle. The spare tire underneath the Tahoe showed signs of tampering. It was removed and concealed inside it were eight packages of cocaine weighing 17.6 pounds. The cocaine has an estimated street value of $250,000. Nearly $900 cash was also recovered.
It is believed that Leon-Castillo was traveling from Houston to Washington, D.C.
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Weekly Flu Bulletin
Please share this week's Flu Bulletin from Dr. Kimberlee Wyche-Etheridge. Also, check out the Health Department's website (www.health.nashville.gov) for the latest updates on flu. You'll notice we now have Dr. Paul's Community H1N1 Flu Forum on our website. The Forum is also being shown on Metro 3. Look for more information about our upcoming H1N1 flu shot campaign in next week's Flu Bulletin.
Thanks for helping get the word out.
Brian
Ask a Pediatrician: H1N1 Flu
By Dr. Kimberlee Wyche-Etheridge
H1N1 flu has kept doctors’ offices and emergency rooms busy in Nashville over the past few weeks. Some parents have questions about what to do if their child is ill. This week’s Flu Bulletin offers answers to some of those questions.
What is H1N1?
H1N1 is a new type of flu (influenza). Almost every year we have a flu season and many people become ill with the “seasonal flu.” Like the seasonal flu, H1N1 flu is caused by a virus. Like seasonal flu, H1N1 flu causes fever and other symptoms like cough or sore throat. Sometimes H1N1 flu causes vomiting too. Most children who get the flu will be ill for a few days and get better. A few children will get sicker, and in very few cases children may need to be admitted to the hospital. Unfortunately, some cases can lead to very severe infection and death.
Why is there so much talk about this virus?
Because this is a new flu virus, very few people have had it before. This means very large numbers of people could become ill. Also, this virus is causing illness early in the fall, outside of the usual flu season.
Why is there so much attention on children with this flu?
Children less than 5 years of age are more likely to get sick with H1N1 flu. Children of all ages with a chronic medical condition are also more likely to get sick with H1N1.
What should I do if my child gets sick?
You should call your doctor if your child has a fever of 100.4 or more, a cough, a sore throat, or cannot drink or keep liquids down. Your doctor will determine if you need to be seen. Your child should stay home from school or daycare until the fever is gone for a whole day.
If your child gets very ill and has difficulty breathing, a significant decrease in energy, an increasing fever, or she is dizzy or confused, then your child should be taken to the hospital.
What do I do if I don’t’ have a doctor?
If you do not have a doctor, you can call the Metro Health Department at 340-7775 and they will help you to identify a doctor.
How do I keep my child from catching the H1N1 flu?
The virus that causes the H1N1 flu is spread by coming in close contact to someone who is already sick. You can help keep your child healthy by keeping them away from sick people. Also, teach them two important rules: Cover your Cough and sneeze, and wash your hands frequently with warm water and soap. If you don’t have water, use an alcohol-based hand cleaner.
We recommend that children get the seasonal flu vaccine, and also the H1N1 flu vaccine. Many children can receive Flu Mist vaccine. Flu Mist is a nasal spray and not a shot. The H1N1 vaccine will be available in a few weeks. The seasonal flu vaccine is available now. You may be able to get these from your Doctor, or from the Metro Health Department. Children under 9 years of age will need two doses a month apart. Children 10 and older will only need one dose.
Is the H1N1 vaccine going to be safe?
Flu shots have been available for many years. Millions of people have received them. Most people have no problem with the shot. The most common side effects are soreness, swelling and a little redness at the site of the shot.
Where do I go for additional information?
If you have access to a computer you can go to the Metro Health Dept. website http://health.nashville.gov/ for additional information. If you are not near a computer, you can call the Community Information Telephone Line at (615) 340-7775.
Kimberlee Wyche-Etheridge, M.D., MPH, a pediatrician, is the director of the Metro Public Health Department’s Bureau of Family, Youth and Infant Health.
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Extra Duty Officers Charged 34 Persons with DUI Last Weekend
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Officers paid through a Governor’s Highway Safety Office grant charged 34 persons with DUI last weekend in the police department’s continuing DUI initiative using extra duty officers. These officers target impaired drivers Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. in areas with a propensity for fatal crashes, crime and DUI arrests.
Additionally, the DUI Unit charged 17 persons last week with driving under the influence.
Enhanced visibility on Nashville’s roadways and zero tolerance for impaired drivers are the cornerstones of the police department’s DUI initiative.
So far this year, extra duty officers working under the grant have arrested 1,568 suspected drunk drivers, an increase of 16% compared to this time last year. The DUI Unit has arrested 1,359 suspected drunk drivers.
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Text from State House Press Conference Speech.
Thanks to those that attended on the 8th. This district remains my priority and I will continue to serve as councilman. I believe I can accomplish more for our community while serving in both positions. I respectfully ask for your support in this election.
Duane
I have had the privilege, over the past few years, to meet many people. I have listened to concerns and cares from all walks of life, income levels, nationalities, and ages. There is a common theme among them all – responsibility. People want responsible governing, responsible spending, responsible laws, responsible lawmakers, and responsible planning amid responsible growth.
I have watched as our state has risen and fallen with the economic tides yet state lawmakers have made no real fiscal changes. I have watched as useless pork projects laden our state budget, yet we will begin the next years in debt. I have watched as criminals are being freed because we have too many loopholes in our state laws. The time for real responsibility is now.
As a member of the Metropolitan Council of Nashville and Davidson County, I have attempted to be accessible to constituents whenever and wherever concerns have been voiced. This is the same approach I feel we need, but do not have on the state level of our government. I believe elected officials should be accessible through email, phone, in person, and at the very least mail. Right now we do not have that and it is time that we do.
There comes a time when a person has to take a stand for the issues that are important and affect the way we live. That time for me is now. It is in that spirit that I would like to formally announce my candidacy for the 59th Tennessee State Legislative seat in the upcoming general election.
