AAA Auto Club South and Budweiser will offer free rides and tows to Halloween revelers who have had too much alcohol to drive.
Anyone in need of the service should dial 1-800-AAA-HELP.
"Tow to Go" will be available Oct. 29-31. The program has kept more than 10,000 drunk drivers off roadways since its inception in 1998, said a statement from AAA.
— JANELL ROSSTHE TENNESSEAN
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Metro Nashville Parks Department may cut staff, services
Director submits plan to balance budget, takes blame for overruns
By Nate Rau • THE TENNESSEAN • October 29, 2009
Operating hours for some Nashville parks services would be trimmed and workers would be laid off under a plan submitted by embattled Parks Director Roy Wilson to balance his agency's budget, which has a $1 million shortfall.
Wilson submitted a plan to trim $463,000 from the Metro Parks & Recreation Department's budget at a special board meeting Wednesday. The proposal will be reviewed by Mayor Karl Dean's administration, and a vote on the plan by the Parks board could come as soon as next week.
Under Wilson's proposal, operating hours at Davidson County's neighborhood community centers and nature centers would be trimmed, and seven recreation staff employees would be laid off as a result of the cuts.
Wilson's plan comes in addition to steps the board already took earlier this month to trim $386,000 from its budget. Those cuts led to an unspecified decrease in the number of athletic programs operated by the department, in addition to closing Shelby and Warner golf courses during the winter.
Wilson acknowledged last week that the $1 million in overruns were his responsibility, and echoed that sentiment before the Parks board on Wednesday.
"I'm not here to give excuses," Wilson told the board, accepting blame for the overages. "That's not what you want and it's not what I want to do."
Wilson gave a presentation outlining how the Parks Department ran over a total of $704,000 for the budget year that ended in June. The presentation also explained that the department needed to trim about $500,000 in operating expenses for this year to stay under budget.
Wilson attributed the overages to unexpected expenses, including surprise repairs. But the most expensive overage Wilson mentioned was staffing two new nature centers at a cost of $304,000.
The fifth-year director also approved opening the two popular golf courses last winter, which cost Metro $184,000.
Wilson's proposal Wednesday seemed to catch the Dean administration by surprise at the meeting.
"It seemed to me it was a little quick on the trigger and more thought needs to be given to it," Metro Finance Director Rich Riebeling said. "They may be the right (cuts) and I don't know. When they're just being thrown upon you, it's hard for us to react to it."
Oversight concerns
Riebeling said his primary concern was that Wilson did not alert the administration that his department had run over budget, especially at a time when most other agencies stuck to budget reductions of at least 10 percent for the year.
"I don't think they've answered those questions," Riebeling said. "I think there's not enough attention devoted to the why's? I think it's important that we solve the issue this year, but I think we need to know the systematic cause to it, and I don't think we have those adequate answers yet."
Metro Council member Jerry Maynard, who attended Wednesday's meeting, pointed out that other departments ran over budget last year, including the Community Education program.
Councilman Ronnie Steine has asked Parks to make a report at the Nov. 16 Council Budget and Finance Committee meeting.
The next regularly scheduled board meeting is Tuesday.
By Nate Rau • THE TENNESSEAN • October 29, 2009
Operating hours for some Nashville parks services would be trimmed and workers would be laid off under a plan submitted by embattled Parks Director Roy Wilson to balance his agency's budget, which has a $1 million shortfall.
Wilson submitted a plan to trim $463,000 from the Metro Parks & Recreation Department's budget at a special board meeting Wednesday. The proposal will be reviewed by Mayor Karl Dean's administration, and a vote on the plan by the Parks board could come as soon as next week.
Under Wilson's proposal, operating hours at Davidson County's neighborhood community centers and nature centers would be trimmed, and seven recreation staff employees would be laid off as a result of the cuts.
Wilson's plan comes in addition to steps the board already took earlier this month to trim $386,000 from its budget. Those cuts led to an unspecified decrease in the number of athletic programs operated by the department, in addition to closing Shelby and Warner golf courses during the winter.
Wilson acknowledged last week that the $1 million in overruns were his responsibility, and echoed that sentiment before the Parks board on Wednesday.
"I'm not here to give excuses," Wilson told the board, accepting blame for the overages. "That's not what you want and it's not what I want to do."
Wilson gave a presentation outlining how the Parks Department ran over a total of $704,000 for the budget year that ended in June. The presentation also explained that the department needed to trim about $500,000 in operating expenses for this year to stay under budget.
Wilson attributed the overages to unexpected expenses, including surprise repairs. But the most expensive overage Wilson mentioned was staffing two new nature centers at a cost of $304,000.
The fifth-year director also approved opening the two popular golf courses last winter, which cost Metro $184,000.
Wilson's proposal Wednesday seemed to catch the Dean administration by surprise at the meeting.
"It seemed to me it was a little quick on the trigger and more thought needs to be given to it," Metro Finance Director Rich Riebeling said. "They may be the right (cuts) and I don't know. When they're just being thrown upon you, it's hard for us to react to it."
Oversight concerns
Riebeling said his primary concern was that Wilson did not alert the administration that his department had run over budget, especially at a time when most other agencies stuck to budget reductions of at least 10 percent for the year.
"I don't think they've answered those questions," Riebeling said. "I think there's not enough attention devoted to the why's? I think it's important that we solve the issue this year, but I think we need to know the systematic cause to it, and I don't think we have those adequate answers yet."
Metro Council member Jerry Maynard, who attended Wednesday's meeting, pointed out that other departments ran over budget last year, including the Community Education program.
Councilman Ronnie Steine has asked Parks to make a report at the Nov. 16 Council Budget and Finance Committee meeting.
The next regularly scheduled board meeting is Tuesday.
Nashville banks report skimming thefts at ATMs
By Nicole Young • THE TENNESSEAN • October 29, 2009
Metro Police believe Nashville bank ATMs have been targeted by an organized skimming operation.
So far, 39 people have reported that their ATM cards have been compromised, but investigators said Wednesday that they believe there may be hundreds of victims across the city and most of them may not even realize their information has been stolen.
"Go online and check your accounts," warned Metro Police Lt. Mickey Garner, supervisor of the department's fraud unit. "See if there are any charges on there. Don't wait until your paper statements come in. Most banks only give customers a 60-day window to dispute charges."
Police say the suspects, described as three white men with European accents, may have left town. They are believed to be traveling from city to city in groups, staying for two or three days before moving on.
Metro Police have contacted agencies in Florida, Georgia and North Carolina that reported similar fraud operations, Garner said.
In Nashville, the suspects were able to steal nearly $30,000 by installing skimmer devices on bank ATM machines. When a customer places his or her card into the machine, the skimmer records the card number and the personal identification number.
The suspects take the data and clone duplicate cards with it. They then take the cloned cards and go to another bank to withdraw funds or to stores to make purchases, police said.
Investigators are obtaining surveillance video from the compromised ATM machines from a U.S. Bank, Fifth Third Bank and Bank of America. Police said they did not recover skimmers from the machines, which were located in the Church Street, Belle Meade and Antioch areas of town.
"We don't know how many other banks they hit," he said. "The important thing is for people to check their bank accounts and look closely at ATM machines before using them. If the machine doesn't look right, don't put your card in it."
Anyone with information may contact fraud detectives at 862-7594 or Crime Stoppers at 74-CRIME.
Metro Police believe Nashville bank ATMs have been targeted by an organized skimming operation.
So far, 39 people have reported that their ATM cards have been compromised, but investigators said Wednesday that they believe there may be hundreds of victims across the city and most of them may not even realize their information has been stolen.
"Go online and check your accounts," warned Metro Police Lt. Mickey Garner, supervisor of the department's fraud unit. "See if there are any charges on there. Don't wait until your paper statements come in. Most banks only give customers a 60-day window to dispute charges."
Police say the suspects, described as three white men with European accents, may have left town. They are believed to be traveling from city to city in groups, staying for two or three days before moving on.
Metro Police have contacted agencies in Florida, Georgia and North Carolina that reported similar fraud operations, Garner said.
In Nashville, the suspects were able to steal nearly $30,000 by installing skimmer devices on bank ATM machines. When a customer places his or her card into the machine, the skimmer records the card number and the personal identification number.
The suspects take the data and clone duplicate cards with it. They then take the cloned cards and go to another bank to withdraw funds or to stores to make purchases, police said.
Investigators are obtaining surveillance video from the compromised ATM machines from a U.S. Bank, Fifth Third Bank and Bank of America. Police said they did not recover skimmers from the machines, which were located in the Church Street, Belle Meade and Antioch areas of town.
"We don't know how many other banks they hit," he said. "The important thing is for people to check their bank accounts and look closely at ATM machines before using them. If the machine doesn't look right, don't put your card in it."
Anyone with information may contact fraud detectives at 862-7594 or Crime Stoppers at 74-CRIME.
Friday, October 23, 2009
Briefs: Need help at holidays? Deadline nears
United Way is looking for individuals who need help purchasing toys for the holidays.
Call 2-1-1, a community referral help line, for assistance, but you must apply by Oct. 30.
The association and other area nonprofits expect to see a spike in requests due to the economy and unemployment in the area.
Links chapter reaches out to cancer patients
The Parthenon Chapter of The Links, Inc. is sponsoring a wig drive for African-American cancer patients.
The wigs can be donated Saturday, Oct. 24, at 1915 Charlotte Ave., Suite 205.
The group recently learned there is a national shortage of wigs for African-American women cancer patients.
Wigs can also be donated at any of the following locations: 4243 Lebanon Road Suite B, 740 Cool Springs Blvd. Suite #100, 1747 Medical Center Parkway in Murfreesboro and 100 Springhouse Court Suite 230 in Hendersonville.
For more information, call 615-320-0099.
Church celebrates new hymnals
Bellevue Baptist Church, 7400 Highway 70 S., will hold a special evening worship service at 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 25, to celebrate the new hymnals donated to the church.
NCS hosts fall festival and crafts fair
Nashville Christian School, 7555 Sawyer Brown Road, will hosts its fifth annual Fall Funival and Craft Fair 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31.
The event will feature several activities including inflatables, a treasure dig, a hayride, karaoke and the sack race and pumpkin seed-spitting contests. A cakewalk and silent auction will feature theme baskets full of prizes.
There will also be a free trunk or treat 3–5 p.m. Concessions will be available throughout the day. A haunted house will kick off the festivities Friday, Oct. 30.
The entry fee is $5 per person. The haunted house admission is included in the Saturday armband rate of $10. Single activity tickets will also be sold.
Craft vendors interested in participating in the craft fair should contact Ashley Page at 356-5600, ext. 114, or pagea@nashvillechristian.org.
The school will also hold open houses from 8 to 10 a.m. Nov. 4 and from 2 to 4 p.m. Nov. 8.
Faculty and staff members will host tours of the school and answer questions regarding the admissions process and academic and extracurricular offerings for students in Pre-K through 12th grade.
Fest celebrates Beaman, Bells Bend parks
The Beaman-to-Bells Bend Park2Park Celebration, an event to raise awareness about the two Davidson County parks and the rural corridor that connects them, is Saturday, Oct. 24.
The daylong event includes a variety of events, including workshops on art and photography, bake sale, arts and crafts sale, hayrides, hikes, a bloat float and a free Buffalo Rome concert and camp fire.
All events are free and open to the public.Concert goers should bring a blanket, flashlight and picnic dinner.
Alcoholic beverages are not permitted at Bells Bend Park.
For more information, visit www.bellsbend.org.
The Tennessean
Call 2-1-1, a community referral help line, for assistance, but you must apply by Oct. 30.
The association and other area nonprofits expect to see a spike in requests due to the economy and unemployment in the area.
Links chapter reaches out to cancer patients
The Parthenon Chapter of The Links, Inc. is sponsoring a wig drive for African-American cancer patients.
The wigs can be donated Saturday, Oct. 24, at 1915 Charlotte Ave., Suite 205.
The group recently learned there is a national shortage of wigs for African-American women cancer patients.
Wigs can also be donated at any of the following locations: 4243 Lebanon Road Suite B, 740 Cool Springs Blvd. Suite #100, 1747 Medical Center Parkway in Murfreesboro and 100 Springhouse Court Suite 230 in Hendersonville.
For more information, call 615-320-0099.
Church celebrates new hymnals
Bellevue Baptist Church, 7400 Highway 70 S., will hold a special evening worship service at 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 25, to celebrate the new hymnals donated to the church.
NCS hosts fall festival and crafts fair
Nashville Christian School, 7555 Sawyer Brown Road, will hosts its fifth annual Fall Funival and Craft Fair 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31.
The event will feature several activities including inflatables, a treasure dig, a hayride, karaoke and the sack race and pumpkin seed-spitting contests. A cakewalk and silent auction will feature theme baskets full of prizes.
There will also be a free trunk or treat 3–5 p.m. Concessions will be available throughout the day. A haunted house will kick off the festivities Friday, Oct. 30.
The entry fee is $5 per person. The haunted house admission is included in the Saturday armband rate of $10. Single activity tickets will also be sold.
Craft vendors interested in participating in the craft fair should contact Ashley Page at 356-5600, ext. 114, or pagea@nashvillechristian.org.
The school will also hold open houses from 8 to 10 a.m. Nov. 4 and from 2 to 4 p.m. Nov. 8.
Faculty and staff members will host tours of the school and answer questions regarding the admissions process and academic and extracurricular offerings for students in Pre-K through 12th grade.
Fest celebrates Beaman, Bells Bend parks
The Beaman-to-Bells Bend Park2Park Celebration, an event to raise awareness about the two Davidson County parks and the rural corridor that connects them, is Saturday, Oct. 24.
The daylong event includes a variety of events, including workshops on art and photography, bake sale, arts and crafts sale, hayrides, hikes, a bloat float and a free Buffalo Rome concert and camp fire.
All events are free and open to the public.Concert goers should bring a blanket, flashlight and picnic dinner.
Alcoholic beverages are not permitted at Bells Bend Park.
For more information, visit www.bellsbend.org.
The Tennessean
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Nashville International Airport makes traffic, parking changes
DAVIDSON COUNTY
Driving patterns are about to change at Nashville International Airport, the Metro Airport Authority said Wednesday.
Changes include:
• The Long Term parking lot is now Long Term A, and the former seasonal overflow lot east of Donelson Pike will soon open permanently as Long Term B.
• The entrance to Long Term A and Short Term Parking has moved. They have a common parking ticket dispenser station that will open Wednesday, Oct. 28, weather permitting.
• Short-term parkers will stop at a second parking ticket dispenser at the entrance to the Short Term garage, where they will validate their tickets to enter the garage.
• The cell phone/waiting area will reopen today in a new location with more than twice as much space, giving drivers a free place to wait to pick up arriving passengers.
Changes will be marked with directional signs to help drivers reach their destinations.
"The traffic flow will be very different, and it will be imperative that airport visitors allow a few extra minutes, watch their speed and pay close attention to signage until they are familiar with the improved layout," Raul Regalado, president and CEO of the airport authority, said in a release.
— MICHAEL CASS THE TENNESSEAN
Driving patterns are about to change at Nashville International Airport, the Metro Airport Authority said Wednesday.
Changes include:
• The Long Term parking lot is now Long Term A, and the former seasonal overflow lot east of Donelson Pike will soon open permanently as Long Term B.
• The entrance to Long Term A and Short Term Parking has moved. They have a common parking ticket dispenser station that will open Wednesday, Oct. 28, weather permitting.
• Short-term parkers will stop at a second parking ticket dispenser at the entrance to the Short Term garage, where they will validate their tickets to enter the garage.
• The cell phone/waiting area will reopen today in a new location with more than twice as much space, giving drivers a free place to wait to pick up arriving passengers.
Changes will be marked with directional signs to help drivers reach their destinations.
"The traffic flow will be very different, and it will be imperative that airport visitors allow a few extra minutes, watch their speed and pay close attention to signage until they are familiar with the improved layout," Raul Regalado, president and CEO of the airport authority, said in a release.
— MICHAEL CASS THE TENNESSEAN
Nashville parks spend $1M over budget
Mayor, agency board want answers
By Nate Rau • THE TENNESSEAN • October 22, 2009
In a year when nearly every department in Metro faced budget cuts of 10 percent or more, Parks & Recreation was the only one to come in over budget, and it has continued to run a deficit for the first two months of this budget year.
triggerAd(1,PaginationPage,8);
Those overruns, caused by unexpected expenses and a decision to keep open two popular golf courses during the winter, only became apparent recently and have left Mayor Karl Dean's administration and the Parks board searching for answers about what happened.
The Metro Finance Department awaits final figures for just how far over budget Parks was at the end of last fiscal year, but Deputy Director Talia Lomax-O'Dneal estimated the overrun would be in the neighborhood of $800,000. For the first two months of the current budget year, Parks is over budget by about $200,000, as of September.
"I think it is a significant issue that needs to be dealt with," Metro Finance Director Rich Riebeling said. "Frankly, it's just not fair to the rest of the government when other departments are playing by the rules and living within their means."
Virtually every Metro department had its budget cut by about 10 percent this year, and Parks was no different. Its current $28 million budget reflects a 12.5 percent cut compared to last year. The department said in May, when the Metro Council passed the current budget, that it planned to lay-off about 50 workers, although that number has been reduced largely by leaving positions vacant.
Parks Director Roy Wilson said the department suffered a series of "unexpected expenses" in May and July, including repairs at Two Rivers golf course stemming from a lightning strike to its irrigation system.
But the fifth-year director also acknowledged that some of the budget overruns stemmed from decisions he made to open golf courses at Shelby and Percy Warner parks during the winter months, though they were scheduled to be closed. Wilson also opened the Cleveland Park swimming pool this summer.
"Some things I added back into operation that had been reduced … due to pressure from the community," Wilson said, referring to his decision to open the golf courses and pool.
The Metro Parks Board became aware of the situation after the Finance Department gave the seven-member body the budget numbers earlier this month. It plans to hold a special meeting next week to discuss the issue.
Councilman concerned
Board Chairman Stanley Fossick indicated it was too soon to point fingers, but said the board wanted to see the budget balance out soon. Fossick pointed out that typically the Parks Department sees its budget rise in the summer months with additional seasonal workers.
"When we meet again, hopefully we'll have the audited September (monthly) budget," Fossick said. "If we're not seeing the trend starting to correct itself, the board is going to have to make recommendations to get this back in order."
Riebeling said his greatest concern stemmed from the fact that the Parks board was not alerted to the budget over-run and learned about the problem from his department. Wilson said he made the board aware of his decision to open the seasonal facilities and of the extra repair expenses.
The situation also concerned District 4 Metro Councilman Michael Craddock.
"I'm extremely disappointed. I think Director Wilson needs to do a much better job," said Craddock, who tends to be outspoken on budget issues. "The buck stops at his desk. He's in charge. There is absolutely no excuse for operating over the budget, none whatsoever."
By Nate Rau • THE TENNESSEAN • October 22, 2009
In a year when nearly every department in Metro faced budget cuts of 10 percent or more, Parks & Recreation was the only one to come in over budget, and it has continued to run a deficit for the first two months of this budget year.
triggerAd(1,PaginationPage,8);
Those overruns, caused by unexpected expenses and a decision to keep open two popular golf courses during the winter, only became apparent recently and have left Mayor Karl Dean's administration and the Parks board searching for answers about what happened.
The Metro Finance Department awaits final figures for just how far over budget Parks was at the end of last fiscal year, but Deputy Director Talia Lomax-O'Dneal estimated the overrun would be in the neighborhood of $800,000. For the first two months of the current budget year, Parks is over budget by about $200,000, as of September.
"I think it is a significant issue that needs to be dealt with," Metro Finance Director Rich Riebeling said. "Frankly, it's just not fair to the rest of the government when other departments are playing by the rules and living within their means."
Virtually every Metro department had its budget cut by about 10 percent this year, and Parks was no different. Its current $28 million budget reflects a 12.5 percent cut compared to last year. The department said in May, when the Metro Council passed the current budget, that it planned to lay-off about 50 workers, although that number has been reduced largely by leaving positions vacant.
Parks Director Roy Wilson said the department suffered a series of "unexpected expenses" in May and July, including repairs at Two Rivers golf course stemming from a lightning strike to its irrigation system.
But the fifth-year director also acknowledged that some of the budget overruns stemmed from decisions he made to open golf courses at Shelby and Percy Warner parks during the winter months, though they were scheduled to be closed. Wilson also opened the Cleveland Park swimming pool this summer.
"Some things I added back into operation that had been reduced … due to pressure from the community," Wilson said, referring to his decision to open the golf courses and pool.
The Metro Parks Board became aware of the situation after the Finance Department gave the seven-member body the budget numbers earlier this month. It plans to hold a special meeting next week to discuss the issue.
Councilman concerned
Board Chairman Stanley Fossick indicated it was too soon to point fingers, but said the board wanted to see the budget balance out soon. Fossick pointed out that typically the Parks Department sees its budget rise in the summer months with additional seasonal workers.
"When we meet again, hopefully we'll have the audited September (monthly) budget," Fossick said. "If we're not seeing the trend starting to correct itself, the board is going to have to make recommendations to get this back in order."
Riebeling said his greatest concern stemmed from the fact that the Parks board was not alerted to the budget over-run and learned about the problem from his department. Wilson said he made the board aware of his decision to open the seasonal facilities and of the extra repair expenses.
The situation also concerned District 4 Metro Councilman Michael Craddock.
"I'm extremely disappointed. I think Director Wilson needs to do a much better job," said Craddock, who tends to be outspoken on budget issues. "The buck stops at his desk. He's in charge. There is absolutely no excuse for operating over the budget, none whatsoever."
Friday, October 16, 2009
Nashville Zoo puts on special Halloween event
Nashville Zoo puts on special Halloween event
October 16, 2009
Goblins, mummies and monsters will join the animals at Nashville Zoo for the 12th annual Ghouls at Grassmere.
The Halloween event kicks off Friday and continues each weekend through Oct. 30. There will be themed treat stations, animal shows, costume parades and more. Guests can take a haunted hayride through the zoo's back roads, go for a spin on the scary-go-round or play games at Carn-Evil.
The Grassmere Historic Home will offer a special tour showcasing the dying traditions and superstitions of the 1800s.
New this year, the zoo is offering advanced tickets at www.nashvillezoo.org that can be purchased at the ticket booth. Advanced tickets are $4 for Nashville Zoo members and $8 for nonmembers. Day of tickets at the gate are $5 for members and $9 for nonmembers. Children under 2 are free. Extra fees apply to the haunted hayride, Scary-Go-Round, pumpkin painting and face painting.
For more information, visit www.nashvillezoo.org.
October 16, 2009
Goblins, mummies and monsters will join the animals at Nashville Zoo for the 12th annual Ghouls at Grassmere.
The Halloween event kicks off Friday and continues each weekend through Oct. 30. There will be themed treat stations, animal shows, costume parades and more. Guests can take a haunted hayride through the zoo's back roads, go for a spin on the scary-go-round or play games at Carn-Evil.
The Grassmere Historic Home will offer a special tour showcasing the dying traditions and superstitions of the 1800s.
New this year, the zoo is offering advanced tickets at www.nashvillezoo.org that can be purchased at the ticket booth. Advanced tickets are $4 for Nashville Zoo members and $8 for nonmembers. Day of tickets at the gate are $5 for members and $9 for nonmembers. Children under 2 are free. Extra fees apply to the haunted hayride, Scary-Go-Round, pumpkin painting and face painting.
For more information, visit www.nashvillezoo.org.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
