I Cannot Vote to Re-Elect John Rutherford in District 31

 Dear Neighbors:

I’m writing to explain why I have decided not to vote for the re-election of Councilman John Rutherford in the 31st District.

As a resident who has lived in this district since 2001, I have seen a gradual decline in our quality of life with rapid, unplanned growth and poor, unimproved infrastructure. Meanwhile, I’ve been forced to pay 37 percent more in property taxes (something the councilman supported) and increased assessments to help underwrite pet projects that have not benefited our area.

Councilman Rutherford means well, but unlike the previous two council members, he has often been asleep at the switch (while riding on Mayor Cooper’s coat tails). And his logic seems out of step on many issues. I know I sound harsh, but my quality of life has been affected. When construction of a huge charter school at a major crossroads begins before we know about it, that tells me all I need know about the level of his leadership. The same goes for Culbertson Road, which is now unnavigable without experiencing potential tire damage. Our trees have been chopped to pieces in some places. Add to that the months-long closing of Pettus Road, and one feels more than frustrated. There are no sidewalks along major thoroughfares (posing a danger to pedestrians), and the Mill Creek Greenway is being surrounded more and more by sudden development. Antioch continues to be a garbage dumping ground.

There’s an old saying/question: “Is your quality of life better now than it was four years ago?” 

I still need to contact the councilman’s opponent, Dia Hart, to understand her vision for our community. I may end up writing myself in on the ballot.

I apologize if I’m hurting anyone’s feelings. I believe it’s time for important change.

Thanks for reading. Enjoy the rest of your week.

A Letter to TransCanada - Columbia Pipeline

Editor's Note: TransCanada - Columbia Pipeline (a foreign company) has snuffed out the voices of Nashville citizens in its quest to build a large industrial complex with two turbine engines in the heart of a fast-growing residential community. Their actions may have been technically legal, but were the unethical tactics they used constitutional? You be the judge. The plant they are on the verge of building will affect Nashvillians for decades to come.

I recently wrote this letter to the project manager:

 

Jan. 10, 2018

Project Manager

TransCanada - Columbia Pipeline

Dear Project Manager:

It is with a very heavy heart and anger that I write you today.

I believe you already know the tremendous hardship TransCanada's compressor station is going to have on the thousands of people who live in Nashville (southern Davidson County). But there is something even more that grieves me.

In using its legal but unethical backdoor tactics, your terrible company snuffed out the voices of the people who live here. To me that is undemocratic and un-American. Your employment and collaboration with this makes you equally guilty of helping a foreign company exert its influence, will and control over the people who will have to endure pollution, noise, reduced property values, and a lower quality of life.

Gaining FERC's approval was probably a shoe-in. TransCanada has many utility friends there. It didn't matter that the Nashville mayor wrote to express her concerns, or that the Metro Council passed a bill to help protect its citizens. FERC ignored the hundreds of citizens who expressed concerns for their well-being and that of their children (while your PR guy was spinning the "good neighbor" and "dishwasher" nonsense). You and your company used your financial and lobbying influence to coax members of the Tennessee State Legislature to sponsor bills that would snuff out local opposition. All it took was Gov. Bill Haslam's signature, and your terrible project was a go. You can now all slap yourselves on the back and receive your bonuses. Meanwhile, Nashville residents will have to bear the burden of a polluting industrial plant. In my case, it will be across the street. This plant could have easily been built in an industrial park or rural area. Obviously, money is more important to you than people.

Shame on you and your colleagues for what you've done. I've visited many historical sites over the years. I wonder what Ben Franklin, George Washington, Abraham Lincoln and others would say to you if they were alive. The U.S. Constitution is supposed to guarantee everyone a voice. Instead, you and your colleagues have squashed it. Everything we've worked for in Antioch -- nice homes, parks, schools and walking trails -- has been ruined. For most of us, selling our homes now will be next to impossible.

There's an old saying. What you hand out (good or bad) will return to you 100 times over. I hope that's the case with you and your colleagues at TransCanada.