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Southern Middle Tennessee Today
News Copy for October 24, 2024
All news stories are aggregated from various sources and modified for time and content. Original sources are cited.
We start with local news…
CPWS Customers Upset Over Price Increase (MSM)
Columbia Power & Water Systems has announced coming changes to its billing system, one of which has raised concerns from customers.
The publicly owned utility has stated that it will be doing away with its budget billing option, in which customers receive a bill for a set amount based on the average usage over a 12-month period. If energy usage is above the projection, the customer will receive a higher bill at the end of the 12-month period.
Customers have complained via social media and other outlets about the proposed change in CPWS’ billing arrangements.
“As a long-time customer, I have seen firsthand the benefits of budget billing, not just for my household, but for many others in our community who rely on this program to manage their energy expenses,” customer Wendy Davenport said via social media.
“I absolutely can’t afford to not have budget billing on a single household income, this will be bad for me and many others I am sure. There will be many people that can’t afford those high bills and many people getting shut off without budget billing,” customer Lela Meksayo added.
CPWS officials said the utility is working on other options for those currently taking advantage of budget billing.
“While yes, budget billing will be going away, we are replacing it with a very similar, yet more accurate option of variable billing. We are currently in the middle of a company-wide software conversion to better serve our customers and more efficiently utilize our resources. Some of our platforms and options could look (or be named) differently, but I assure you, serving our customers well is at the forefront of our decision-making process,” said Ashley Maddux, Executive Vice President of Administration for CPWS.
The utility’s Facebook page also states that a new customer portal is set to go online in December 2024, allowing customers to monitor their energy usage and make payments online.
Customers with questions about CPWS’ plans are encouraged to call (931) 388-4833 ext. 7796 or email cpwscallcenter@cpws.com.
County Suing City Over Water (MSM)
After an hour-long special session on Oct. 14, the Maury County Commission voted 17-0 on a Resolution to authorize legal action against the City of Columbia for providing water services to properties already serviced by the county.
The Commission’s resolution accuses Columbia of supplying water to rural properties on Rock Springs Road and elsewhere which were already served by the county utility. They contend that city service usurps the county utility’s place and is preventing the county from recouping its investment in its water service. The county sold $2.9 million in Series 2006 bonds to the federal government to finance the improvement of rural water services, most of which remains unpaid.
Prior to the vote, commissioners went into executive session to discuss their legal options.
The Commission demurred from using the county attorney, whom they declared “has a conflict of interest… in this matter,” and hired the firm Herzfeld, Suetholz, Gastel, Leniski, and Wall to represent them. They authorized the Board of Public Utilities to expand the suit as necessary.
“I appreciate Maury County Water System and their efforts to continue to provide water to rural Maury County, as well as the infrastructure upgrades they continue to put in rural Maury County. It is time to get some conversation started and get people to the table. I support whatever we need to do to make that happen,” Commissioner Gabe Howard said prior to the vote.
“The ratepayers of Maury County continue to have to pay large rates with the land grabs that we continue to see and the annexations where infrastructure has already been put in place.”
“This is a low-risk, high-benefit opportunity for us,” added Commissioner Aaron Miller. “Many of us ran on the potential outcome of this. It’s time for us to put our money where our mouth is.”
County officials referred all questions to County Mayor Sheila Butt.
Columbia Mayor Chaz Molder released the following statement, “I am disappointed to learn of legal action taken by Maury County Commission, authorizing legal action against the City of Columbia. The City of Columbia has always had a good working relationship with the Maury County Government and in fact has waived hundreds of thousands of dollars in fees in recent years relative to various projects they have undertaken. We do this out of a spirit of cooperation, the Team Maury approach, and recognizing that as county taxpayers, providing a break to the county is, in turn, providing a break to all of us.
“Maury County Water receives its water from CPWS at a wholesale rate, and Maury County Water then goes on to sell this same water to its customers, at a higher rate. The entity turns a profit literally from water being provided by CPWS. For Maury County to now seek legal action, and incur expenses against the very entity, the City of Columbia and its Public Utility, CPWS, that provides water to the Maury County Water System in the first place, seems counter intuitive and not a good use of resources.
“CPWS has fulfilled all contractual obligations since it entered into a relationship with Maury County Water in 1976, before I was even born. CPWS has also provided, at no cost, hundreds of hours of critical operational support to Maury County Water during the winter storm in 2022 and again in 2024, during the winter storm in January and from the tornado event in May of this year. This is how we should operate. As a team. Together. This action by the County does not represent such an approach, which the public so desperately wants and deserves.
“It is disheartening that Maury County has suddenly decided to take the extreme path of litigation, at the taxpayer’s expense, when much more amicable solutions would have been possible by simply having a conversation and following the contract that has served this county and its citizens for over 50 years. Literally, county taxpayers, which Columbia residents are, are now bearing the brunt of legal costs — we are paying to sue ourselves based on this recent action. As a city resident, I am disappointed by this legal action. As a county resident and taxpayer, I am troubled by this waste of county taxpayer dollars.”
Mt. Pleasant Debates Mandating Emergency Lights (MSM)
The Mount Pleasant City Commission heard reports and voted on municipal management issues at its Oct. 15 meeting.
The commissioners voted 3-1 to require developers to install 911 locator bulbs in newly constructed houses. The bulb, conceptualized by Maury County paramedic Johnathan Harris and developed with Maury Regional personnel Danny Cupples and Dr. Mike Tyler, emits a red, white and blue strobe when the owner (depending on the settings) activates it with an app or calls 911. The intent is to allow first responders to more quickly find a residence where an emergency is happening.
“Since Google Earth does not update its maps for six to nine months after you move into a house… all emergency services are coming to your location blind,” explained Dr. Tyler. “It needed to be addressed not only in Mount Pleasant but in Columbia, Maury County, [and] all over the place.
“We are excited that the Mount Pleasant City Commission voted overwhelmingly to put into code that all new residences will have a locator 911 bulb,” he said. “It is endorsed by the Maury County ambulance service director Mike Dunavant… the sheriff of Maury County, supported by the fire chief and police chief of Mount Pleasant, and… [Mount Pleasant] zoning chief Chris Brooks.”
Tyler also stated he plans to approach Columbia, Spring Hill and Maury County in the coming months about putting a similar mandate in place.
Commissioner Pam Johnston was against mandating the bulbs.
“I voted no last time and I will vote no again,” she said. “It’s a wonderful product, but I think it’s something that should be optional for people coming into town and shouldn’t be something that we mandate upon new residents.”
“This is not a bigger burden,” replied Commissioner Mike Davis, who bought a $45 locator for his own house. “We’re trying to provide for citizens to be safe.”
City Mayor Bill White agreed, saying, “If we can do anything to cut response times down, it’s a help.”
Ye Peddler Celebrates 50 Years (CDH)
Reaching a milestone of 50 years of business, Ye Peddler gift shop in Columbia has solidified itself as a beloved staple of the community.
The shop has become "the place you go" to add a little style and flair to life's biggest moments like graduations, anniversaries or registering for that wedding day fine china.
Ye Peddler, 305 W. 8th St., first opened for business in October of 1974, founded by former owner Peggy Porter, who began the business operating out of the Polk Home's sister house specializing in handbags.
Over the years, the business has not only relocated to its current West 8th Street location, but now operates two shops, a boutique and home decor store, as well as a thriving online store.
Current owners Stephen and Rachel Hughes, who took ownership in 1999, say it's relationships with their customers, as well as staff members, that make it all worthwhile.
"It's just grown every single year, which is precious. It's good to be part of the community," Rachel Hughes said. "It just keeps changing, evolving and growing, and I feel like every lady in town has probably worked here."
Hughes added that one aspect of the growth is in how much more efficient it is to meet the customer's needs, especially when making transactions and expanding Ye Peddler's customer base beyond Columbia.
"Back when we started, we handwrote all of the tickets, had to call in credit card numbers to get them approved, and now everything is electronic or over the web," Hughes said. "About a third of our sales are now done over the website."
Ye Peddler, while a popular spot for women, also boasts itself as a place with something for just about every age or demographic. For example, there is a new section of the shop dedicated to men's items and products.
"We have lots of barware, gourmet foods, as well as some leather goods," Hughes said. "My husband, Stephen, goes to market with me every July, and so he always picks out things he would like to have. So, we've started doing that in the store, and he picks out everything in our Man Corner."
The upcoming holiday season also tends to be a popular time to stop by and see Ye Peddler all adorned with festive decorations and special items.
"We decorate from top to bottom, and people drive from all over to shop with us during the holidays," Hughes said. "We've kind of turned into a destination retail spot, especially in places like northern Alabama. We put trees everywhere, garlands everywhere and it just gives you a really magical feeling."
Ye Peddler celebrated its 50th anniversary with a special ribbon-cutting ceremony Wednesday, Oct. 17, hosted by the Maury County Chamber and Economic Alliance.
Mayor Chaz Molder and Vice Mayor Randy McBroom shared their support for Ye Peddler's longevity. And the support was not just as a local business, but because they recall being customers themselves during monumental times.
"When you got engaged, one of the first things you would do was come to Ye Peddler and sign up to have a registry. Then you could go to the china room and see all that was there," Molder said.
"The fact that that's been happening now for 50 years, and the fact that the way Ye Peddler has evolved and grown over the last several years gives me great confidence in knowing that this place's best years are ahead of it."
Whether it is fine china for a wedding, fresh decor for the home or something special for him, Hughes said one guarantee she can give any customer is that they are welcomed with an enthusiastic "Hello!"
"That is our big thing, that everyone should be greeted when they walk in the door," Hughes said. "Ye Peddler is like our home, and when people are here, I want them to feel at home, or like they are at a friend's house. It just makes you feel like you are appreciated."
Ye Peddler's regular business hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. To contact the shop, call (931) 388-8888.
Christmas Festivities (CDH)
Columbia Main Street is delighted to announce an exciting update to this year’s holiday festivities in downtown Columbia. For the first time, attendees will enjoy not one, but two nights of holiday celebration, with the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony and Christmas Parade taking place on separate evenings December 6th and 7th. Two nights of endless delight makes for more opportunities to gather, celebrate, and experience the holiday spirit in downtown Columbia.
The first weekend in December will kick-off with the magical Tree Lighting Ceremony during the monthly First Fridays event on December 6th from 5pm – 8pm. This is a special, holiday-themed First Fridays blended with the Tree Lighting ceremony hosted by Santa and Mrs. Claus. Experience the fun of First Fridays with a holiday twist that includes festive music from DJ Rio, local craft vendors, food trucks, and other holiday-inspired, family-friendly activities throughout the evening.
The excitement continues the following night with Columbia’s beloved annual evening Christmas Parade on Saturday, December 7th at 6pm. Gather along West 7th Street and the town square to see local businesses and organizations showcase their creativity with beautifully decorated floats.
“More than bright lights and festive floats, these events are the spark of holiday magic that ignites community spirit and creates beloved memories that will last a lifetime,” exclaimed Kelli Johnson, Columbia Main Street Manager. “We encourage residents and visitors to attend both nights so they can fully immerse themselves in our unique holiday experience in the heart of beautiful downtown Columbia.”
Two nights, twice the cheer! Columbia Main Street is thrilled to double the excitement and spread the holiday cheer across two nights of festivities. Be sure to mark your calendars for this memorable and festive weekend. Both events are free to attend and open to the public. For more information, please visit columbiamainstreet.com or contact Columbia Main Street at 931-560-1507.
Breakfast with the Mayors (Press Release)
Join Maury Alliance on November 19th at 8:30am at the Memorial Building located at 308 W. 7th Street in Columbia for their annual Breakfast with the Mayors event. Sponsored by John Maher Builders and Fairfield by Marriott of Columbia, learn about what is happening in your community directly from the mayors. County Mayor Sheila Butt, Columbia Mayor Chaz Molder, Spring Hill Mayor Jim Hagaman, and Mt. Pleasant Mayor Bill White will be on hand to talk about their communities and answer questions. Admission is $25 for Maury Alliance Members and $30 for non-members. You must register by November 12th. You can do so by visiting www.mauryalliance.com.
City to Host HOME Grant Seminar (Press Release)
The City of Columbia will host a public meeting on October 29, 2024, at 3:00 PM on the first floor of City Hall located at 700 N Garden Street to kick off the HOME Grant Program. This meeting will provide important information regarding the application process for the $810,000 in grant funds recently awarded by the Tennessee Housing Development Agency (THDA) for home rehabilitation and repairs.
The HOME Grant Program is designed to support low-income residents by funding the rehabilitation of single-family homes, ensuring they meet residential building code requirements. The City aims to assist 8-13 homeowners with necessary repairs, improving the quality of housing for those in need. During the meeting, attendees will receive details on how to apply for assistance. Applications will be accepted for 30 days following the meeting, with a submission deadline of November 29, 2024.
Homeowners interested in this program are encouraged to attend to learn more about eligibility and application requirements. For further inquiries about the grant and application process, please contact Tia Lockridge, Director of Housing for the South Central Tennessee Development District, at 931-379-2957 or via email at tlockridge@sctdd.org.
For your Southern Middle Tennessee Weather…
We will have some clouds early that will give way to generally sunny skies later in the day. The high will be near 80 degrees with light and variable winds.
Tonight, we can expect a clear sky and a low of 52 degrees.
And now, news from around the state…
Vanderbilt Hospital Expanding (Tennessean)
Vanderbilt University Medical Center officials announced major job openings and a more than $500 million patient tower expansion that will add 180 patient beds by October 2025.
The health care system is hiring thousands of doctors, nurses, technicians and others to staff the new tower, according to a news release.
The tower will span 470,000 square feet and contain 15 levels, the largest facility expansion in the medical center's history. The building also will include radiology services and a large lobby and will be located off 21st Avenue, across from Peabody College's Wyatt lawn.
The project also will add 44,000 square feet of operating room space in the adjacent Medical Center East. More patients will need more parking, so the university is adding 600 spaces on three floors to the central garage.
A two-story bridge will connect the new tower to the existing Vanderbilt Clinic on the third and fourth levels.
Fort Negley Revitalization (Tennessean)
The future of Fort Negley Park has been a subject of uncertainty for years. But its history, layered and complex, is resting in the landscape, calling out to be explored.
Now, with funding in place, a plan to revive and repair the park and Civil War fort built by Union troops and used during the Battle of Nashville will finally move forward.
A construction timeline is set for the first phase of revitalization at Fort Negley and its surrounding park, which will transform into an open-air museum to reflect the rich history of the site — from the Civil War to Civil Rights and beyond.
Approximately $17 million was raised for the project in 2023, and $12 million of that will be dedicated to the first phase of improvements.
Project designers, Metro Parks leaders and community members gathered Wednesday, Oct. 16 to discuss the implementation of the first phase of work, previously outlined in a master plan from 2022. Construction on phase one is tentatively set to begin in the spring and last 12-18 months.
The Friends of Fort Negley Park group has been heavily involved with planning improvements alongside the Fort Negley Descendants Project and other community and academic groups.
Nashville landscape architecture firm HDLA completed the design for the master plan. Firm partner Richard Jones said the improvements will help the public see Fort Negley in an entirely new light.
"We want to send a signal to the community that this is a new day at Fort Negley," Jones said.
Key aspects of the park improvement plan include repairs to the stonework of the fortification itself, new overlook platforms, new pedestrian access points and walking paths, among other additions. The first phase of construction will prioritize fixing the fort and adding a memorial lawn at the southwest corner of the park.
Cyril Stewart, who serves as board president for the Friends of Fort Negley Park, said while more funding is needed for the entire master plan to be executed, the first phase of funding is a good start.
"$12 million is not everything we need but it's sure enough to get started," Stewart said. "That's why we are so excited, because the entire park will be open to the public. It's going to be a tremendous asset at a time when this area is growing like never before."
Final Story of the Day (Maury County Source)
John Anderson, James Burton and Toby Keith became the 153rd, 154th and 155th members of the Country Music Hall of Fame as they were formally inducted during a star-studded Medallion Ceremony in the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum’s CMA Theater on October 20th.
Anderson, Burton and Keith received country music’s highest distinction and were honored with heartfelt remarks and inspired performances of songs associated with their careers.
Some of the performers who honored the inductees were Post Malone, Eric Church Blake Shelton, Brad Paisley, Keith Richards, Tanya Tucker, Vince Gill, and Emmylou Harris.
You can see highlights by visiting countrymusichalloffame.org.
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