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Written by Pulse Staff
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Wednesday, 15 October 2008 19:52 |
October Power Bills Are Shocking
If you get power from the Electric Power Board, be prepared for some “statement shock” when you open your current bill. The recent 20 percent rate increase from TVA has been included in the current bill. Lacie Newton with EPB explained that TVA’s increases were calculated beginning October 1, so that EPB decided to place the increase in any bill that went out on or after the first of the month, regardless of when the power was used. Naturally, this has some people a bit annoyed, but Newton was quick to point out that EPB wasn’t benefitting in any way from the rate increase; that all the extra money was getting passed along directly to TVA.
Will Anyone Recognize The City Council Come Next March?
With last week’s announcement by City Council member Dan Page that he will not be running for re-election to the District 3 seat, we are now faced with the reality that at least one third of the council will be made up of new faces next year. Page joins Debbie Gaines in deciding to not run again, and combined with the special election next month to fill the District 5 seat once held by John “Duke” Franklin, that gives us three seats to be filled. Combine this with some highly contested races in other districts—most notably in District 6 where former councilwoman Marti Rutherford has announced plans to take on incumbent Carol Berz—and we may have a substantially different look to the council next March.
How To Honor Luther Masingill
A plan to rename a section of South Broad Street in honor of radio legend Luther Masingill was derailed last week when City Attorney Randy Nelson uncovered a city ordinance that forbade the renaming of streets or public buildings after people who were still alive. The resolution was apparently passed in response to the renaming of streets after singer Usher Raymond and Olympic sports hero Venus Lacey, which annoyed some members of the council at the time. We at The Pulse have a suggestion to solve the problem: Erect a life-size bronze statue of Luther in front of the McKamey Animal Care Facility, complete with a small spotted puppy frolicking at his feet.
Renovating The Fireman’s Fountain
The Fireman’s Fountain memorial at Fountain Square across from the county courthouse will finally receive a long-delayed facelift. The statue, erected in 1887 in memory of two firemen who died in the Bee Hive store fire the previous year, has deteriorated beyond the scope of normal maintenance. The Robinson Iron Corporation will oversee the restoration, which promises to restore the statute and the fountain to a “like new” state, for a total cost of nearly $76,000. This is one of the city’s oldest and most poignant landmarks, and it is reassuring to know that it will no longer be neglected.
Can You Hear Me Now? No? Sorry…
The controversial plan to erect a 180-foot cellular tower in the middle of the burgeoning Main Street arts district has been withdrawn by officials at Wireless Properties. The company says it reserves the right to renew their application at a later date, but for the time being have capitulated to pressure by business merchants and residents in the area. One resident told the Variance Board that the tower would be a death knell to the district while artist Terry Cannon, profiled in The Pulse two weeks ago, predicted that the tower would be a major setback to the revitalization of the area. Wireless Properties say they are now looking at alternate locations within the area, which still has some connectivity issues.
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 15 October 2008 19:53 )
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