BOMA 1-17-06 Update

I fell asleep Tuesday night sufficiently ticked. I have now had a couple of days to think about the issues, the sun is shining, and the tide is still turning despite Tuesday night. I am going to spend this post reviewing a few things and informing some of the new members to this blog. This will be relatively lengthy, but hopefully very informative. Please read on, and if you are finding it hard to keep up with this website on a daily basis, that is fine. I can do it for you by simple sending you an email when I post. I absolutely do not sell your email address, and I do not show your address to any other person receiving the updates. If at any time you do not want to receive the update, just let me know and I will take you off of the list. This site is here for the community and run by several members that do not have any interest in your information other than keeping you informed about the things going on that most affect you and your family. If you ever have any questions, or want to subscribe, just send an email to gorilla_in_the_corner@yahoo.com.

Now for the rest of the post...

I was a little bit disheartened Tuesday night to see that about 20 people could BULLY this BOMA into approving a measure that greatly affects the workings of this city. I am curious to see what happens in the future in regards to the BOMA v. the Planning Commission because I can tell you that this is only the start of a LONG term disagreement over the direction of the city. I think that one thing is very clear, the majority of the Aldermen in this city are very much influenced by the vast minority of the city of Spring Hill. Something needs to change very soon.

Having said all of that, I know for a fact that the board is going to have to deal with some VERY important issues in the near future. I will fill you all in very soon so keep in touch. Thanks to the combined voices of this group, things are in the process of being changed, and this BOMA might be dragged along kicking and screaming. I implore you to come to the next meeting in February, and bring as many people as you can. I will guarantee you that after witnessing one meeting, the need for this website will become crystal clear, and you will not have any trouble finding the motivation to attend the following meeting in March.

Now for the rundown on the meeting.
Tuesday Night 1-17-2006

Item number 3 Consider Second and Final reading, Ordinance 05-51, establishing rules for the adoption of subdivision regulation amendments.
No need to beat a dead horse. It passed. I think that it screams of the "Good 'ol Boy" network and might even be considered illegal depending on how you read the law. Illegal or not, it is an attempt for the BOMA to dictate to the Planning Commission what they do and do not need to carry out their business. I find it reprehensible that Charles Raines would lecture to anyone in the Planning Commission how to conduct their business. I am curious how this one will play out long term, because I am not exactly sure if the BOMA can legally "water down" subdivision regulations. (Subdivision Regs. are basically a list of design standards that regulate quality building for the city. It is a little more in depth than that, but that gets you in the discussion) I would love to see this decision challenged in court, but I would also love to see Mr. Raines lecture us for the next few meetings about his qualifications v. the Planning Commission. For now I will hold my tongue.

Item Number 2 of New Business Consider Resolution 06-01, authorizing the City Attorney to file the necessary documents with the Tennessee State Legislature to change the term of future Mayors from 4 years to 2 years.
This was defeated, but after listening to the meeting on Tuesday night, I would support ALL future terms to be places at 2 years. If we are going to restrict the Mayor to 2 years, let's restrict the aldermen also. I want the city to put together a referendum to address our entire voting process and let the people vote. If we want everyone to be "accountable" to the citizens, lets go all the way!

Item Number 3 of New Business Consider Resolution 06-03, eliminating the Subdivision Regulation requirement that trees be shown on preliminary plats filed with the Planning Commission.
See photo of me beating a dead horse! One question...Who do we want in charge of the Subdivision Regulations?
a) The BOMA....with Charles Raines' 38 years of experience and conflicts of interest across the board influencing the rest of the "anti-Jonathan Duda" aldermen.
b) The Planning Commission....With a variety of opinions, variety of relevant experience, and those who sit in on all of the meeting with various developers on a project by project basis.
c) Maury County planning commission....If this is found to be illegal, that is who will determine the subdivision regulations of the City of Spring Hill.

IF YOU DO NOT TRUST THE PLANNING COMMISSION, TAKE IT AWAY ENTIRELY. Someone must be accountable to actually making informed decisions on topics. Obviously this BOMA is far too influenced by 20 people from Ward 1 and 4 to make ANY reasonable decision regarding our city based on the facts of the issues.
---Pan to me shooting the dead horse!---

That is all for now. SUBSCRIBE TO THIS PAGE. If you do not have time to come to every meeting I truly understand. Let this page inform you as to when you should take the time to come speak your mind at City Hall.