Nashville, Tenn. (July 6, 2010) -- Tennessee Citizen Action (TNCA), Tennessee's premier public interest and consumer advocacy organization, announced today the appointment of Mary Mancini as its new Executive Director.
"As a nonprofit serving the citizens of Tennessee, TNCA required a combination of vision, compassion and management expertise in its leader," said Karla Hewitt, TNCA's Board President. "Mary has just this combination. Her wealth of private and community experience and commitment to the health and well-being of all Tennesseans - and not just a select few - will be valuable assets in our ongoing efforts to protect consumers from abusive business practices and preserve their access to a responsive civil justice system."
Mancini joins TNCA with a background in communications, experience in navigating through the state legislative process, and the ability to mobilize communities through grass-roots organizing and campaigns. Most recently she served as election integrity activist and co-producer of the documentary film, UNCOUNTED: The New Math of American Elections, as well as founder and president of Great Minds Media, LLC, the company behind Liberadio(!) and Liberadio.com, Middle Tennessee's award-winning progressive public affairs radio show.
"I am thrilled to be working with a well-established organization that is known for its deep-rooted and unyielding commitment to the people of Tennessee," Mancini said, "Continuing TNCA's dedication to the fiscal stability and independence of the consumer, workplace health and safety, clean air and water, increasing civic engagement in traditionally underserved populations, and representing the people's interests in the state legislature is my utmost priority as we move forward."
Tennessee Citizen Action (TNCA) is a non-profit, community-based public interest and consumer advocacy organization. TNCA has a website, blog, email newsletter available at http://www.tnca.org.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
George Michael Unsafe At Any Speed
LONDON — British singer George Michael has been arrested after his car hit a building on a road in north London at the weekend, police said on Tuesday.
Police were called to the scene at around 3.35 a.m. local time on Sunday.
"The man aged in his 40s was arrested on suspicion of being unfit to drive," a spokesman said.
Police do not name individuals when making preliminary statements, but the spokesman was speaking in response to questions about Michael, who is 47. He was taken to a north London police station and bailed to return in mid-August pending further inquiries.
The star, who became famous as part of the band Wham! before launching a successful solo career, was banned from driving for two years in 2007 and sentenced to 100 hours of community service after admitting driving when unfit due to drugs.
Police were called to the scene at around 3.35 a.m. local time on Sunday.
"The man aged in his 40s was arrested on suspicion of being unfit to drive," a spokesman said.
Police do not name individuals when making preliminary statements, but the spokesman was speaking in response to questions about Michael, who is 47. He was taken to a north London police station and bailed to return in mid-August pending further inquiries.
The star, who became famous as part of the band Wham! before launching a successful solo career, was banned from driving for two years in 2007 and sentenced to 100 hours of community service after admitting driving when unfit due to drugs.
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Gay Coach Fired
Cordova, TN—A softball coach was kicked out of a local church softball league after the religious establishment learned of her sexual orientation. While a civil rights attorney claims Bellevue Baptist Church did not break any laws in dismissing the gay coach from the team, he disagreed with their decision, claiming individuals—both hetero- and homosexual—should protest it, according to a June 17, 2010 New York Daily News report.
Reports indicated Jana Jacobson signed up, paid an entry fee and showed up for the leagues preseason organization meeting prior to her discharge. While attending the meeting, Bellevue Baptist reportedly explained the team’s rules, which included but were obviously not limited to, “no alcohol, smoking or cursing and no offensive terms on uniforms.”
Jacobson was later called to attend a follow-up meeting, in which she was told that the church softball league also banned “public displays of affection,” noting that they had obtained information concerning her standard of living.
“Finally, in my frustration, I said that I am going to be clear… I am gay, and I find all of this to be absurd and against the word of God as I know it,” Jacobson said.
Upon directly unveiling her sexual orientation, the church’s recreational minister allegedly told her she could not be part of the team, allegedly stating the church did not wish to appear as if they pardoned her “deviant” lifestyle.
Jacobson continued by stating, “This is silly, we’re simply here to play ball.” Nonetheless, executive director of the Baptist History and Heritage Society, Bruce Gourley contended, “Homosexuality and how Southern Baptists handle that is a huge issue with them. A softball league seems like a minor playing field to take a stance, but that is how seriously [Southern Baptists] believe about this issue.”
Jacobson maintained that even if the church were to reverse their decision, she has no desire to return to the league.
Reports indicated Jana Jacobson signed up, paid an entry fee and showed up for the leagues preseason organization meeting prior to her discharge. While attending the meeting, Bellevue Baptist reportedly explained the team’s rules, which included but were obviously not limited to, “no alcohol, smoking or cursing and no offensive terms on uniforms.”
Jacobson was later called to attend a follow-up meeting, in which she was told that the church softball league also banned “public displays of affection,” noting that they had obtained information concerning her standard of living.
“Finally, in my frustration, I said that I am going to be clear… I am gay, and I find all of this to be absurd and against the word of God as I know it,” Jacobson said.
Upon directly unveiling her sexual orientation, the church’s recreational minister allegedly told her she could not be part of the team, allegedly stating the church did not wish to appear as if they pardoned her “deviant” lifestyle.
Jacobson continued by stating, “This is silly, we’re simply here to play ball.” Nonetheless, executive director of the Baptist History and Heritage Society, Bruce Gourley contended, “Homosexuality and how Southern Baptists handle that is a huge issue with them. A softball league seems like a minor playing field to take a stance, but that is how seriously [Southern Baptists] believe about this issue.”
Jacobson maintained that even if the church were to reverse their decision, she has no desire to return to the league.
New Pool Attendance Record Set
Sports*Com Pool Breaks Attendance Record
July 2, 2010
July 1 was a record-breaking day for Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation Department (MPRD) as its new water park at Sports*Com attracted the facility’s highest number of visitors and the most revenue in history. The fun began with a grand opening at 10 a.m. that drew a number of dignitaries and a host of visitors to the facility’s official first day.
“We had 1,300 people pay to use Sports Com today,” stated Tommy Gregory, Sports*Com Operations Coordinator. “We had 1,161 people pay to use Sports Com from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and we had about 350 people come through between 10 and 11 a.m.
There were two lines for people to pay to get in,” he added. “Bart Fite (Sports*Com Superintendent) and I took customers with correct change in one line [with the help of some of the ladies from the (Rutherford County) Chamber of Commerce helping put on wristbands] and the rest of the customers went through the regular entrance.
“We were able to get them through in about 15 to 20 minutes,” he said.
Along with the record attendance came record revenue, he reported. Outdoor pool admissions generated $2,067, concessions generated $2,011.60 and $1,246 came in from indoor admissions for a total of $5,324.60 for the day.
In comparison, he said during seven previous years the best day for admissions was July 4, 2007 when $1,457 in revenue was generated and the most revenue for concessions was $1,142 on June 2, 2009.
“As director,” MPRD Director Lanny Goodwin said. “I am proud of the commitments made by the Mayor, City Council, and the City Manager to ensure that our residents have the best quality of life possible in Murfreesboro.
“The new outdoor water park at Sports*Com will provide all of our citizens of all ages a great place to come and have fun in a safe and friendly environment,” he added. “Individuals, families, and visitors to our community will enjoy benefits of this facility for many years to come.”
Under constructions for several months, the $3.6 million facility features water slides, rope monkey bars, a variety of fountains and a dumping bucket that periodically “dumps” water on younger visitors using the zero-depth part of the pool. There is also a diving area that is 12 feet deep.
Fifty certified lifeguards alternate between the indoor pool at Patterson Park Community Center and Sports*Com, 10 of which will be on duty at the new pool at any given time though the number may vary depending on need, MPRD Aquatics Coordinator Nate Williams explained.
The new pool is open in time for the July 4 holiday and events that surround it, including the annual Celebration Under the Stars which gets underway that evening at McKnight Park, which is adjacent to Sports*Com.
David Crower* Band New Release
BRENTWOOD, TN. (Top40 Charts/ Sparrow Records) - If you find yourself fanning yourself with a David Crowder*Band smiley face fan this summer or wearing a smiley face sticker, it probably has something to do with DC*B's new album, Summer Happiness, being released today exclusively on iTunes.
Summer Happiness is a 4-song EP featuring 'Oh, Happiness (Acoustic),' 'How He Loves (Acoustic),' and more. Grab the set at iTunes during its first two weeks of release or at other digital service providers after that.
And be sure to check out David Crowder*Band's 'Summer Happiness FestivalTour'
dates.
David Crowder*Band continues to promote its 2010 Dove Award-winning album CHURCH MUSIC.
Right now you can purchase Church Music on iTunes for only $7.99.
Summer Happiness is a 4-song EP featuring 'Oh, Happiness (Acoustic),' 'How He Loves (Acoustic),' and more. Grab the set at iTunes during its first two weeks of release or at other digital service providers after that.
And be sure to check out David Crowder*Band's 'Summer Happiness Festival
Right now you can purchase Church Music on iTunes for only $7.99.
Tennessee Put's Lein's Against Sommet Group
FRANKLIN, Tenn., -- The company that once put its name on the Nashville arena has its reputation on the line.
Sommet Group boasts that it can make things easier for other companies by overseeing their payroll, tax and insurance issues but now, Sommet and 54 of its trusting customers are staring at a lien from the state.Their name became a common term in Nashville because for years it stretched across the Sommet Center.However, in January when the Sommet Group suddenly lost those naming rights, it raised questions about the Franklin based company.On the Sommet group's website, it describes itself as an innovative company that handles the chores of payroll, billing, and insurance for smaller companies.A representative on the website asks, “Wouldn't it be a lot more efficient to have a dedicated payroll person to make sure everyone gets paid on time and accurately?”But apparently Sommet hasn't been paying their own bills.On Friday, Jeff Hentschel of the Tennessee Department of Labor said, “They haven't paid their unemployment insurance for the first quarter, so that was due at the end of April” when asked about Sommet.On Wednesday the Department of Labor filed a lien against the Sommet Group and while they didn't pay, neither did the 54 other companies Sommet represents.Hentschel said, “Just for Sommet's employees only, not the associated companies, we're talking about more than $17,000 are due. Both Sommet and those companies are libel for these payments.” Channel 4 spoke with the president of one of those companies Sommet represents. The woman, who asked to remain anonymous, said by phone that after four years of a great relationship with Sommet, she terminated the contract with them on Wednesday after learning that Sommet had been taking their money but not paying the company's bills.When questioned about this, Jeffrey Sowell with the Sommet Group said in a statement, "We work hard every day at Sommet Group to provide our clients with the best service we can. We deal with a number of complex issues. We understand that this is an important matter to our clients and us. We are already in the process of resolving the matter."Sowell also said Sommet currently employees between 80 to 100 employees. When asked if the company was in danger of closing, he said no.Sowell also said, “These issues have nothing to do with the naming rights at the arena. That was resolved earlier in the year.”However, the Nashville Predators sued the Sommet Group last Fall claiming they weren't making their payments.Should any employee of Sommet or any of these companies be fired or laid off, they could still receive unemployment benefits even though their parent company hasn't paid premiums.
Sommet Group boasts that it can make things easier for other companies by overseeing their payroll, tax and insurance issues but now, Sommet and 54 of its trusting customers are staring at a lien from the state.Their name became a common term in Nashville because for years it stretched across the Sommet Center.However, in January when the Sommet Group suddenly lost those naming rights, it raised questions about the Franklin based company.On the Sommet group's website, it describes itself as an innovative company that handles the chores of payroll, billing, and insurance for smaller companies.A representative on the website asks, “Wouldn't it be a lot more efficient to have a dedicated payroll person to make sure everyone gets paid on time and accurately?”But apparently Sommet hasn't been paying their own bills.On Friday, Jeff Hentschel of the Tennessee Department of Labor said, “They haven't paid their unemployment insurance for the first quarter, so that was due at the end of April” when asked about Sommet.On Wednesday the Department of Labor filed a lien against the Sommet Group and while they didn't pay, neither did the 54 other companies Sommet represents.Hentschel said, “Just for Sommet's employees only, not the associated companies, we're talking about more than $17,000 are due. Both Sommet and those companies are libel for these payments.” Channel 4 spoke with the president of one of those companies Sommet represents. The woman, who asked to remain anonymous, said by phone that after four years of a great relationship with Sommet, she terminated the contract with them on Wednesday after learning that Sommet had been taking their money but not paying the company's bills.When questioned about this, Jeffrey Sowell with the Sommet Group said in a statement, "We work hard every day at Sommet Group to provide our clients with the best service we can. We deal with a number of complex issues. We understand that this is an important matter to our clients and us. We are already in the process of resolving the matter."Sowell also said Sommet currently employees between 80 to 100 employees. When asked if the company was in danger of closing, he said no.Sowell also said, “These issues have nothing to do with the naming rights at the arena. That was resolved earlier in the year.”However, the Nashville Predators sued the Sommet Group last Fall claiming they weren't making their payments.Should any employee of Sommet or any of these companies be fired or laid off, they could still receive unemployment benefits even though their parent company hasn't paid premiums.
Friday, July 2, 2010
Threats Send Police To Home For Disabled
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Metro police spent Thursday evening patrolling a home for the developmentally disabled after someone called out some kind of threat over the facility's radio system.
Police said the threat happened around 6:30 p.m. and patrols continued around the Clover Bottom Developmental Center past 10 p.m. Thursday night.
Police said they were checking every building and searching every car, looking for anything suspicious.
Officials said more than 100 patients are being treated at the facility.
Police would not say exactly what the threat was.
"We haven't seen anything to make us think it was a viable threat," Metro police Captain David Imhof said. "But we want to make sure we're safe anyway."
The Clover Bottom facility is set to be closed by the state, but it was not clear whether that had anything to do with the threat.
Police said the threat happened around 6:30 p.m. and patrols continued around the Clover Bottom Developmental Center past 10 p.m. Thursday night.
Police said they were checking every building and searching every car, looking for anything suspicious.
Officials said more than 100 patients are being treated at the facility.
Police would not say exactly what the threat was.
"We haven't seen anything to make us think it was a viable threat," Metro police Captain David Imhof said. "But we want to make sure we're safe anyway."
The Clover Bottom facility is set to be closed by the state, but it was not clear whether that had anything to do with the threat.
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