Southern Middle TN Today News with Tom Price 8-22-24

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Daily News from MuleTown to Music City and beyond. Listen to Tom Price read the news of the day from Kennedy Broadcasting, WKOM & WKRM Radio.

WKOM/WKRM Radio
Southern Middle Tennessee Today
News Copy for August 22, 2024

All news stories are aggregated from various sources and modified for time and content. Original sources are cited.
We start with local news…
Two Fugitives Arrested (MSM)
Columbia police arrested two apparently unrelated fugitives from Polk County, Florida, three days apart last week.
Cory Ayers was arrested in Columbia on the morning of Monday, Aug. 5, for reportedly violating his probation. He had failed to appear in Polk County court on March 13.
Destiny Robbins was apprehended on Bear Creek Pike on Thursday night, Aug. 8, after allegedly failing to appear in Polk County court. She was scheduled to be tried there on charges of burglary and theft.
No reason is known for why Robbins and Ayers were in Columbia in the same week. The police department has found no connection between the two fugitives and officials said they do not expect to find any.

County Commission Nixes Admin Building (MSM)
At its Aug. 12 meeting, the Maury County Budget Committee amended a motion to fund the planned administrative building at the site of the old McDowell Elementary School, effectively canceling the current plans for the building and sending the Building Committee back to the drawing board.
Budget Committee member Gabe Howard led a motion to amend the resolution to essentially kill the project, saying that the Budget Committee ought to scrap the project for now and possibly reallocate its $4.824 million budget at future meetings.
“My intent, when we voted to postpone this a couple months ago, was to get some questions answered. I think the school board really answered those questions for us last week,” Howard said. “I felt like we’ve got a lot of commissioners who are not on the same page about the building itself… the school board is not at all on board with the project.”
On the previous Tuesday, the Maury County School Board voted to not build an administrative office until the County Commission agreed to build a new elementary school. Howard said that the office clearly wasn’t the school board’s top priority, and it couldn’t be built without their consent since they own part of the old McDowell campus. He further argued that the County Commission didn’t fully agree on the project’s details.
Committee member Kathey Grodi clarified that the school board’s intent was to protest the County Commission’s apparent prioritizing of an administrative building over badly needed teaching space. Commissioner Ray Jeter brought up the fact that a majority of the school board would be leaving office after its Aug. 19 meeting, and the new majority might have different ideas about the administrative building.
“What happens if this new school board that takes office in September changes its mind? I believe this commission has voted twice on this unanimously. If they change their mind because they have huge turnover on Sept. 1, perhaps we can we bring this back up?” Jeter said.
Another topic of discussion was the resolution to add $746,000 to the Highway Department’s budget, to finish fixing the bridge over the Duck River on Tom J. Hitch Parkway. Commissioner Howard moved to add the $443,000 needed to repave Mt. Olivet Road to the budget too, since Mt. Olivet would be taking the diverted traffic from Tom J. Hitch. Since attaching this amendment to the Tom J. Hitch project would defer the vote on both to the next month, the Budget Committee kept them separate, passing the Tom J. Hitch budget addition and calling upon the Building Committee to make a plan to repave Mt. Olivet.
The Budget Committee voted to pay back $15 million in school-improvement bonds out of the 151 debt service fund. County Finance Director Doug Lukonen said that the debt service fund has profited so much that it currently holds 130 percent of a year’s worth of debt payments. Paying these bonds back would also free up the county to take on up to $26 million in debt for other projects. Several other funds are also running at a surplus.
The committee also voted to bring over unfinished and unpaid budget items into 2024 that weren’t completed in the previous fiscal year, and to add block grants to the county budget and the Mount Pleasant city budget.

City Short-Term Rental Policies to Change (MSM)
Columbia Mayor Chaz Molder and City Planner Kevin McCarthy spoke to Main Street Maury to clarify the nature of existing city regulations on short-term rentals. Last week, city officials served notice to the owners of some short-term rental properties that such use of their properties was not permitted under existing laws. The notice caused a stir online among the owners of such properties and the community at large.
There may be a widespread misconception that the city is taking action based on new laws, according to city officials.
“Right now, the same regulations apply which have been in effect since July of 2022,” said McCarthy; the laws are just being enforced consistently now. “The previous zoning ordinance did not permit zoning rentals. The current Zoning Ordinance permits them in some locations subject to limited use standards.”
Short-term vacation rentals are allowed in “mixed-use character districts,” but not in “character districts” or neighborhoods zoned for single-family occupancy.
Recent enforcement of the law, which regulates vacation rentals booked through popular apps like Airbnb and VRBO, seems to have been prompted by incidents over the last few years. Partying vacation renters were reported as disrupting the neighborhoods in which they were staying.
The law that the city cites is zoning ordinance 4400, passed in July 2022. The relevant section, on pages 255-6 of the ordinance, mandates that the owner be the primary occupant of a short-term rental property in a single-family zone. Therefore under current city law, no properties can be dedicated solely or primarily to vacation rental in a single-family residential zone. The law also defines a short-term rental “unit” as each room or plex used for that purpose (page 257), not whole properties (258).
None of the regulations are written in stone, however, and the city of Columbia is seeking community comment on the laws.
“We are currently in the process of reevaluating the STR regulations,” McCarthy explained. “The upcoming community forum is part of that process.”
He added that a planned public forum about vacation rentals, scheduled at City Hall at 5 p.m. on Oct. 23, might result in their legalization in the areas where they’re now prohibited.
Mayor Molder was optimistic about the outcome of the upcoming forum. When food trucks came to Columbia, a discussion with the community led to laws that he believed pleased all stakeholders.
“We held public forums on this topic. We heard from interested parties. And, we ultimately passed an update… to… regulations which we’ve seen work quite well,” Molder said. “This [was] government at its best.”
Molder said that the initial law was intended to preserve the famous charm of Columbia’s residential districts, but that doesn’t automatically rule out vacation rentals. The issue is nationwide and it would arise whether or not the local government chose to respond to it.
“Cities across the country are dealing with the dynamics, if not dilemmas, that short term rentals create. We are not alone in this regard,” he said. “But, perhaps we are unique in… working towards finding common ground and solutions to this dilemma.”
The notice served to a property owner on Facebook elicited a range of responses.
“I honestly don’t see what the big deal is with having them. There’s really no viable hotel option[s] in Columbia,” commented one resident.
“All this does is hurt us little guys and put a complete monopoly in the hands of the developers, like everything else around here,” a property owner complained. “Is someone pushing for a hotel? Is there anything on record about incentives being offered to the city or county? Follow the money. We’ll figure out what’s going on.”
“If this means locals get some affordable housing back, then great. Where we live, the rental market is an unmitigated nightmare because of them,” said a non-resident who had visited Columbia. “I am sorry for the people who are losing needed income.”
“I urge any local business owner to care about this and attend the meeting,” said original poster Suzanne Roberts, who had received the original notice shutting down rentals of her triplex in the Riverside neighborhood. “If you are a local short-term rental host and want to work together to advocate about this issue, please reach out,” she stated.
Santa Fe Farm Recognized (MSM)
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee and Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) Commissioner David Salyers last week announced the winners of the 2024 Governor’s Environmental Stewardship Awards.
The winners will be formally recognized at an awards ceremony Oct. 18 in Franklin for their achievements and positive impact on the state’s natural resources and communities.
The 2024 winners included in the Agriculture and Forestry category: Foster Land & Cattle Co., LLC, in Maury County.
The Foster Land and Cattle Company, LLC, in Santa Fe has achieved many environmental and agricultural improvements over multiple generations, with Ethan Foster currently operating the farm. The farm includes a small cow/calf operation of about 40 pairs on 200 acres of pasture and about 75 acres of hay production.
The farm practices rotational grazing in the paddocks and with the help of the local Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) office and a grant they have built cross fencing, dividing the paddock into four sections. This allows the livestock to be rotated every two weeks. In addition to rotational grazing, they also enrolled in a 15-year contract through the Grassland Conservation Reserve Program. This program allows the farm to reduce bushhogging during prime nesting season for local wildlife and maintain beneficial ground cover for wildlife.
The farm’s rotational grazing has also had a major impact on the grass productivity and health, reducing the need for inputs such as fertilizer. By planting a winter annual cover crop mix into their stocker pasture, they have measured a dramatic increase in soil health. The need for additional fertilizer has dramatically decreased, as well as weed pressure in months that cattle are not on the winter stocker pastures. The farm uses the stocker calf pasture for dual purposes: grazing of the stocker calves in the fall and an annual warm season grass hay field in the summer. This rotation allows the farm to graze the cattle and produce the hay needed for these calves all on one land unit.

Ethan is a member of the Maury County Cattlemen’s Association in addition to the Tennessee Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers (YF & R). He was elected to the Farm Bureau Board of Directors as a YF & R representative.
“These organizations go above and beyond what is required to protect our natural resources, and we are grateful for their dedication,” Gov. Lee said. “Tennessee is recognized around the world for its beauty and natural treasures, and organizations like these play a significant role in securing such a prestigious position.”
“Tennessee continues to be a place where we can grow our economy and protect our natural resources at the same time,” Salyers said. “A big part of what makes Tennessee special is the individual contributions made by our citizens that help keep Tennessee beautiful.”
The Governor’s Environmental Stewardship Awards program recognizes exceptional voluntary actions that improve or protect the environment and natural resources with projects or initiatives not required by law or regulation.
In its 38th year, the awards program covers the following categories: agriculture and forestry; building green; clean air; energy and renewable resources; environmental education and outreach; materials management; natural resources; sustainable performance; and water quality.

Traffic Concerns at Spring Hill Schools (MSM)
Parents of students at Summit High School and Spring Station Middle School have been dealing with unexpected traffic delays as the school year begins, the result of ongoing construction along Twin Lakes Drive.
The Buckner Lane widening project began some months ago and while that road remains open, Twin Lakes Drive was closed during July. However, the need to move a water line under the road has led that closure to be extended until Aug. 30.
In a Facebook post, the City of Spring Hill provided an update, saying, “Twin Lakes Drive will be closed until August 30 as crews continue the Buckner Lane Widening Project. Buckner Lane will be fully open during this time. This closure has been extended one month due to unforeseen underground conditions found once the improvements were started. While Twin Lakes Drive will be closed to thru traffic, access to Summit High School and the surrounding area will still be available via Spring Station Drive.”
City spokesman Lucas Wright said the city has been in touch with Williamson County Schools and is working to resolve the traffic problems as quickly as possible.
“It’s obviously very unfortunate, as the timeline was originally set to complete this project prior to the school year to avoid this happening, but complications with the water line found under the road have led to significant delays. As any further updates come about, we will be sure to update residents through our Facebook and website,” Wright said.
Carol Birdsong, Communications Director for WCS, said the district was reaching out to affected families.
“We have communicated that families should plan for longer arrival and dismissal times due to the work taking place,” Birdsong said in an email. “We anticipate the work to be completed by the end of August.”
Asked if students were being penalized if arriving late because of traffic issues, Birdsong said that was not the case.

Spring Hill Administrator Forced to Retire (MSM)
City Administrator Pam Caskie announced her intent to retire to the Spring Hill Board of Mayor and Aldermen during its regular session on Aug. 5.
However, comments from Mayor Jim Hagaman made it apparent that Caskie’s retirement was a forced one, made in response to the Tennessee Comptroller’s rejection of the city’s 2024-25 budget earlier this summer.
“Our budget transparency task force had recommendations: one was the termination of one of our staff members, which has been done. Another was the termination of Ms. Caskie herself,” Hagaman said. “I asked her to resign over this. It’s unfortunate, HR items are usually done in private. In this case, because of Ms. Caskie’s position, we have to talk about this publicly.
“My issue with the letter of retirement, I do not accept it with regards to one thing, she wants to remain on staff through the hiring and training of a new city administrator. In my opinion, that’s bad management.”
Hagaman also noted that the budget rejection could impact the city’s bond rating, which is currently at AA+.
Caskie said in her retirement letter that she wanted to continue working until the new administrator’s first week on the job. While Hagaman said he was opposed to such an open-ended arrangement, the remaining members of the board made it clear they supported keeping Caskie on, especially in light of a number of projects the city either has underway or will start in the near future.
Alderman Trent Linville called the budget rejection “a significant error” but said he firmly disagreed with Hagaman’s assessment of keeping Caskie on for the immediate future.
“I think Ms. Caskie is the best fit to continue to lead the city staff until we identify the next hire… There’s going to be significant challenges in having someone take the reins for an interim period,” Linville said.
Matt Fitterer concurred with Linville, calling the mayor’s logic “flawed” and “inappropriate.”
“Ms. Caskie offers continuity and an opportunity to continue the critical projects they’ve been tasked with… To disrupt that is to create long-term and perhaps irrevocable damage,” he said.
Fitterer added that it was the BOMA’s responsibility to set a timeline for and oversee the hiring process of a new city administrator. Vincent Fuqua suggested, and board members concurred with, hiring an outside firm to conduct a hiring search.
“The goal here should not be to hit a deadline, the goal should be to make the best hire possible,” Fitterer said, while asking that a Request For Qualification (RFQ) for a search firm should be on the agenda for the next BOMA meeting.
Alderman Brent Murray said he is concerned about how the city would operate if Caskie left, considering that she is temporarily serving as the city’s finance director after the departure of Deborah Dutcher.
Caskie said the rejection of the budget was because of the city’s failure to follow a new ordinance format now required by the Comptroller’s Office.
“I have no excuses,” she said. “What I want to do is make sure that we fix the problem and never let it happen again.”
As a result of the budget rejection, Caskie said the city is being required for now to obtain written permission from the Comptroller’s Office to issue new debt.
“We have been assured that will be approved,” she said
“I’m proud of the achievements we’ve made together, such as implementing effective systems, adopting a comprehensive approach to economic development, enhancing cost accounting and fostering a skilled and cohesive staff,” Caskie said in announcing her retirement. “The quality and commitment of the team I have assembled here is unparalleled in the history of Spring Hill. My colleagues are not just employees, but trusted friends.”
“Most importantly, I express my gratitude to the Board of Mayor and Aldermen for their support, their encouragement, their willingness to take some risk on new ideas and different approaches to solve old problems,” Caskie added. “Serving Spring Hill has been the pinnacle of my career, and I thank you all.”

And now, Your Hometown Memorials, Sponsored by Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home…
Henrietta Smith Dooley, 89, former owner and operator of Henri’s on the Square, and resident of Columbia, TN, died Wednesday, August 14, 2024 at NHC Columbia.
A Memorial service will be conducted Friday, August 23, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at Graymere Church of Christ. The family will visit with friends Friday, August 23, 2024 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Graymere Church of Christ.

Now, news from around the state…
Parties Vie for State Seats (TNLookout)
With less than 100 days until the election, state Republicans and Democrats have narrowed their election maps to a handful of seats as each party sees a chance to add members to next year’s General Assembly.
Republicans have limited opportunities to expand their caucus, as they already dominate nearly every seat outside Nashville and Memphis, controlling 75% of House seats and 81% of the Senate.
Democrats see seats in Memphis, Knoxville, Clarksville, Smyrna and possibly Signal Mountain as up for grabs. The addition of Signal Mountain follows the primary loss of more moderate incumbent Republican Patsy Hazlewood. Michele Reneau narrowly won the primary by positioning herself to the right of Hazlewood, painting her as insufficiently conservative.
Democrats have also nominated Kathy Lennon, a former school board member and teacher, to face Reneau, hoping her local name recognition and popularity can help overcome party identification.
A top Republican priority is also to regain a foothold in Nashville, where they’ve been shut out of the Senate since 2020 and the House since 2018. The party will also try to flip a Clarksville seat held by Democrat Rep. Ronnie Glynn, who won his 2022 election by 153 votes.
State Republicans and Democrat leaders hesitated to share their election plans, trying not to tip their strategy to the other party.
Republican House Majority Leader William Lamberth of Portland said his caucus was “focused on every race a Republican was running in.”
Democratic House Caucus Chair John Ray Clemmons of Nashville said his party’s positions on issues like abortion and education would allow them to compete in more races than initially anticipated.
Conservative credentials and support for private school vouchers broadly defined Republican primary races in August. The only competitive Democratic primary was in southeast Nashville, where liberal credentials won out over perceived electability.
But the November general election will likely be defined by the presidential campaign.
“The issues haven’t changed,” said Kent Syler, a political science professor at MTSU. “What’s happened is now all politics is national, and it absolutely sucks all the air of the room to the point where voters are picking races for county clerk and school board based on party. Local candidates are often defined by national party positions, not their own.”

Gas Prices (MSM)
Gas prices rose six cents at the beginning of last week, but began falling again midweek and through the weekend. We started the week only a penny more expensive than last week. The Tennessee Gas Price average is now $3.02 which is 11 cents less expensive than one month ago and 46 cents less than one year ago.  
“Volatility in crude oil prices is likely the cause of the fluctuating pump prices that we’re seeing in Tennessee,” said Megan Cooper, spokeswoman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Additional fluctuation in pump prices cannot be ruled out this week, but the good news is that Tennessee has the 4th least expensive state gas price average in the country, and six of our metro areas still have metro averages below $3 per gallon.” 

Final Story of the Day (Maury County Source)
Mark your calendars, Columbia – Room in the Inn’s biggest fundraiser of the year is just around the corner! On October 4th, the community is invited to join in the Oktoberfest festivities and support a fantastic local cause.
Room in the Inn is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing shelter, resources, and hope to single mothers and their children in need. Their latest project, Grace House, aims to create a safe, supportive living space with individual beds, private bedrooms and bathrooms, a community kitchen, and laundry facilities. All proceeds from this year’s Oktoberfest event will go directly towards the construction of Grace House, making a real difference in the lives of local families.
So what can you expect at this year’s Oktoberfest celebration? Plenty of fun, food, and community spirit! The event will take place on October 4 at Riverwalk Park in Columbia from 6pm -10pm. Guests will be able to enjoy local craft beer tastings, delicious fare from food trucks, live music, and traditional Oktoberfest games and activities. Riverwalk Park is located at 102 Riverside Drive, Columbia.