« August 2006 | Main | October 2006 »
September 29, 2006
We Blame Robert T. Nash for This
For the first time since the U. S. Senate race began, Slate's daily polls coverage shows Harold Ford, Jr. leading Bob Corker. Ford's trending up, too.
Just thought you should know.
Posted by mesh at 04:57 PM | TrackBack
September 27, 2006
In This Week's Edition of The Pulse
In this week's edition of The Pulse...
Surviving Chattanooga – The 2006 Annual Manual: Do you want to find out about fantastic local activities? Do you have the skills required to look things up alphabetically? Well, then have we the directory for you!
The Thrilla on Pinevilla: Last Thursday, WGOW talk radio host Robert T. Nash was seeking sincerity and accuracy. And he turned into Republican U. S. Senate candidate Bob Corker’s worst nightmare.
Attention Corruption Shoppers: Please bring your malfeasance to the register. The window on unethical behavior is closing. Read all about it in Joe Lance’s Civic Forum.
Far East Brainerd: The savory meets the sweet at Royal Thai.
Happier Max: Max Gerskin is back. And he’s happy.
Classic Beatlemania: John, Paul, George and Ringo get down with the CSO. And Ann Caldwell uses seven Beatles song titles in one paragraph.
...plus our event picks, calendar, dining guide, movie and CD reviews and MUCH, MUCH more.
Posted by colrus at 09:48 AM | TrackBack
PulseCast: Music Edition #006 - Now Online
Features music from The Rapture, Dosh, Grizzly Bear, Jolie Holland, The Thermals, The Blow, Joanna Newsom, Beck, Bonobo, The Whitest Boy Alive, The Skygreen Leopards, Benoit Pioulard and many more.
Click here to listen.
Click here to subscribe.
Posted by colrus at 09:45 AM | TrackBack
September 26, 2006
Yes, There Are Such Things As Guard Donkeys
Here's the press release from the city:
One of the kudzu eating goats on Missionary Ridge has been mauled and was found dead this morning. A concerned citizen called 311 this morning to report the downed goat.
“The contractor in charge of the goats will probably try to put a guard donkey in the area to protect the goats. Donkeys raised with goats become very protective of their flock and can ward off attacks from coyotes or stray dogs,” said Lee Norris, assistant administrator for public works.
Poor goat.
Posted by colrus at 02:55 PM | TrackBack
For Just $25 More, You Can Get Your Bin Monogrammed!
When last we considered the curbside recycling controversy, it looked like Frank DePinto and his recycling activists had managed to collect enough signatures to force the issue onto November ballots. But he wasn’t so sure. “There’s a lot of grey areas,” he told The Pulse. “On quite a few of [the petitions], they had missed putting the date, they had missed putting their address or zip code. These are what I call the grey areas. That’s where the politics come in. There could be the mayor and his boys saying, ‘There’s a lot at stake here – we don’t want this sucker passed.”
Turns out DePinto was right to worry – though perhaps not for those reasons. The Hamilton County Election Office count of the petitions found that even though more than 7,000 signatures were submitted, only 4,992 were valid. That was well short of the necessary 6, 372. “We gave them every benefit of the doubt,” election official Charlotte Mullis told Chattanoogan.com. “We put in every possible effort for them.”
So no dice. And, if the city’s Public Works department has its way, no curbside service for glass, aluminum, electronics or plastic. In the proposal submitted to the City Council last Tuesday, curbside pickup would be reduced to once a month, for paper only – and participating citizens would have to purchase a recycling bin for $70.
Oh boy! You mean I can shell out 70 smackers to participate in a failed recycling program that I wasn’t using in the first place? Where do I sign up?
The Council was equally skeptical. “Why do you think people will pay $70 for a trash can when they don’t have to?” Marti Rutherford asked Public Works officials. Council members instructed Public Works to keep the full curbside program running monthly until November 1, and to submit a report on how to use its $100,000 education budget to encourage use of the new program.
Hey, maybe they could use that $100,000 to buy hammers. Then they could hit people over the head until they were stupid enough to spend $70 on a recycling can.
Addendum: The bin plan has now been trashed. (Get it?!?)
Posted by colrus at 09:57 AM | TrackBack
Something Is Going On Here and We Don’t Know What It Is, Do We, Mr. Jones?
Edward Antwan Jones finally got a day in court. And one of his alleged victims said what Jones has been saying for months: he didn’t do it.
Cory Harris, who has shot in the chest in a November 17 home invasion, testified Tuesday in Hamilton County Criminal Court that he was coerced and threatened by police into identifying Jones as his assailant. “I just went with it,” Harris said.
But that testimony wasn’t enough to get Jones out of jail. Judge Rebecca Stern refused to reduce Jones’ bond until after his trial for the first-degree murder of Don Maurice Airline – a trial that has once again been delayed, this time until October 31. That was all good news to Assistant District Attorney Leslie Longshore, who said Tuesday that shots had been fired at Harris’ house since he first testified against Jones, and that Jones had called Harris from inside county lockup. “There are all kinds of reasons why Mr. Harris would change his story that do not include him not telling the truth the first time,” she said.
Here’s one possible reason: in an interview with Pulse city editor Aaron Mesh last month, Jones confirmed that he had called Harris – and told him who really shot him. “I been in here on a bogus charge that I didn’t even do and that the victims and witnesses say that they know that I didn’t do, and they know who done it, and they try to come forward and say who done it, but them people try to charge them with perjury.”
Now they’ve come forward. Whether it will matter remains to be seen.
Posted by colrus at 09:52 AM | TrackBack
Video: Steve Poltz at Barking Legs
Phil Luckey managed to shoot the ENTIRE Steve Poltz concert at Barking Legs last week. On HD.
Here's the last tune. Phil says he hasn't mixed the audio yet, and that the clip is "massively compressed." It's still quite watchable, however.
Rumor has it he will be making DVDs available to a select few folks around town.
Hook me up, Phil.
Posted by colrus at 09:47 AM | TrackBack
September 24, 2006
Local Man Writes a Song About the Kudzu-Eating Goats on Missionary Ridge
The kudzu-eating goats stationed on Missionary Ridge prompted Randy Mitchell to write a song.
Click here to hear "Ode ot Billy Goats."
Posted by colrus at 06:36 PM | TrackBack
September 21, 2006
Now Online -- "The Thrilla on Pinevilla": Robert T. Nash Interviews Bob Corker on Yesterday's "Live and Local" Program on WGOW
In case you missed it, WGOW "Live and Local" host Robert T. Nash conducted a rather heated -- especially in the last half -- interview with Bob Corker on yesterday's show.
Click here to hear the show.
Posted by colrus at 03:02 PM | TrackBack
September 20, 2006
In This Week's Edition of The Pulse
In this week's edition of The Pulse...
Trapper Max: Max Gerskin’s “feline jihad” made national headlines last week – but he says he just wants to find good homes for smelly felines. Aaron Mesh reports.
Bliss They Wanna Know: Hinder is #12 on the Billboard Chart, are VH-1’s “You Oughta Know” band of the month, are #1 on MySpace, and are opening for Staind at the Roundhouse Friday night. Find out why they would climb over their gear to connect with you.
Looking for the Deliverance People: The last BackRow Film Series event informed, but where was the movie?
Like a Stump on a Log: In the marketplace of the arguably fickle electorate, the Bob Corker vs. Harold Ford Senate race, like so many others, does not come down to whom would be the better United States Senator. It instead will be decided based upon which candidate reaches out with the most personal appeal.
Don’t Try This at Home: When Indian food is good, it’s really good. And it’s really good at Sitar.
His Introspective Trance: Local filmmaker Jarrod Whaley is releasing his latest film, The Amaranth, online. A little bit a time.
...plus our event picks, calendar, dining guide, movie and CD reviews and MUCH, MUCH more.
Posted by colrus at 09:34 AM | TrackBack
September 18, 2006
Squeal Like a Local
Amongst the many things I learned in putting this week's issue together:
Bill McKinney, the "squeal like a pig" guy from Deliverance, is from Chattanooga.
Visit his Web site here: www.SquealLikeAPig.com.
Question: Why isn't he featured in any of the city's marketing materials?
Posted by colrus at 10:45 AM | TrackBack
September 15, 2006
Barry Graham: "Chattanooga Cops Act Like a Gang"
From Barry Graham's blog:
Last night, staff at the Mud Pie cafe called the Chattanooga cops when a customer assaulted three different people, including a staff member whom the customer grabbed by the face. Instead of arresting the drunk, the cops threatened the staff, and a reporter - me - who asked questions.This report is, by its nature, incomplete, but there will be more to follow.
Three police cars showed up, but, even though the suspect was clearly drunk, they let him return to his car. When staff members questioned the cops, they were told that the suspect was not being allowed to drive, but was just going to his car to lock up before walking home. When I asked what the guy's problem was, a cop said, "His personality." I thanked the cop for taking the time to answer my question, and I returned to the cafe.
The guy didn't walk home. Instead, he got in his car and drove away. This seemed to upset the staff members who'd called the cops on him. I heard them discussing it with the cops, one of whom told Jennifer Thaggard, "Get out of my face or we'll call the Beer Board." At that point, I decided to get involved.
I approached a cop, who refused to identify himself, and I calmly asked him why they had let the guy drive away. He answered that the guy hadn't committed a crime and wasn't drunk. I asked if they had given him a sobriety test.
"Get out of my face, or I'll arrest you," he said.
I was far from being in the cop's face. He was in a car, and I was at least ten feet away. "Arrest me for what?" I said.
"Disorderly conduct."
"How is asking you a question disorderly conduct? I haven't raised my voice. I'm not giving you an attitude. I'm just asking you a question."
He didn't answer. Instead he said, "He isn't drunk."
"Did you give him a sobriety test?" I asked again.
"No."
"Then how do you know he isn't drunk?"
"Expertise. I have four years experience."
"What's your name?"
"I don't have to tell you my name. What's your name?"
"Are you on duty right now?"
"Yeah."
"Okay. Then you've forgotten the law. I don't have to tell you my name, unless you arrest me for something. But, out of goodwill, I'll tell you anyway. My name's Barry Graham. I'm a reporter. I write for local newspapers and national magazines, and I'm concerned by what I've seen tonight. Now, if you're on duty, you're supposed to give me your name."
He drove away. I turned my attention to the cop in another car who was threatening to arrest staff members of the Mud Pie, who were consistently polite (mainly, I found later, because they were intimidated). I asked the other cops to tell me the name of their belligerent colleague who had just driven away. They refused, but also offered to arrest me. I (politely) accepted their offer, but they didn't follow through.
Then their colleague came back.
I wrote down the number on his license plate (GX9219) and told him, "I'll check this with your bosses tomorrow." Then I turned away and walked back towards the Mud Pie.
"Sir!" I heard him call. "Sir! Sir! Get back here right now!"
This ain't my first rodeo. The staff of the Mud Pie aren't stupid either. They urged me to keep walking, which I did, and when we got inside they locked the door.
In about a minute, the cops appeared at the front door. They demanded to be let in, and, when the staff refused, they demanded that I come outside.
"Sorry," I said. "Not until I call my lawyer."
"Oh, your lawyer," said the guy who'd refused to give his name but had threatened to arrest me. "Go ahead and call your lawyer, then."
The staff shut the door, but I took the guy's advice. I called my friend Jimmy Logan, one of the best attorneys in the nation. I told him what was going on. Jimmy told me to sit tight, and he made a few phone calls, telling the cops to call off the hounds.
It worked.
For a while, cop cars kept circling the Mud Pie. After that, an unmarked car pulled into the parking lot, and a guy in plainclothes jogged through the parking lot and up the nearby alley. One customer remarked, "Yeah, I like to keep in shape by jogging up alleyways at three in the morning looking really sketchy." But, soon after Logan got on the phone, there was nobody there but staff and witnesses.
Those who remained adjourned to a nearby Waffle House to relax and recover from what had happened. I went with them, and got the numbers of witnesses. Enough people were outraged that once the investigation is complete they will go on the record. This is as much as I have at the moment, but I will be talking to the police chief as soon as business hours open, and you can expect the rest of the story to be reported here and in local media soon.
Posted by colrus at 11:17 PM | TrackBack
September 13, 2006
Police End Their ‘Feline Jihad’ Probe
From today's Times Free Press.
Red Bank police determined Tuesday that there was no evidence to support animal-cruelty allegations against the writer of two "feline jihad" articles that appeared in a local publication.Detective Sgt. Steve Dillard said the Red Bank Police Department has turned all further investigations in the matter over to Humane Educational Society officers.
Allegations against Red Bank resident Max Gerskin stemmed from a report filed with Red Bank police Monday, Sgt. Dillard said. Humane Society officials, he said, "want to verify some of (Mr. Gerskin’s) statements just to make sure."
The Humane Educational Society has since cleared Max of any wrongdoing and has agreed to pick up any cats that Max traps in the future.
Bill Colrus, Pulse editor, said he "wholeheartedly" supports Mr. Gerskin pending further investigation and "(does) not believe he has killed any cats."
Yep, pretty much.
In related news: Sirius Satellite radio just called for Max...
They love what he's doing and want to talk to him about it.
Posted by colrus at 12:11 PM | TrackBack
PulseCast: Music Edition #005 - Now Online
Features music from Tokyo Police Club, OOIOO, Okkervil River, Serena Maneesh, Comets On Fire, Caribou, Figurines, Wooden Wand and the Sky High Band, Shugo Tokumaru, Adem, The Curtains and many more.
Click here to listen.
Click here to subscribe.
Posted by colrus at 12:03 PM | TrackBack
Max Gerskin Responds...
Web traffic, E-mails and reader comments are flowing at a furious pace in response to Max Gerskin's "Cat Lady" controversy.
Click here to read part one.
Click here to read part two.
The Times Free Press published a piece about it this morning, all the local TV stations covered it this evening, the AP picked up the story this afternoon and both the "Cat Lady" and myself appeared on Robert T. Nash's radio show this afternoon. Max appeared on WGOW this morning. Channel 9 did a follow-up piece -- including an an interview with Max -- on their late news broadcast. The Times Free Press will also be running a follow-up in tomorrow's paper.
The Red Bank Police Department has dropped the case, and an inspector from the Humane Society visited Max's home this evening. He told Max that he is not doing anything wrong. He also told Max that, in the future, he would arrange to pick up any trapped cats.
You can read Max's response in this week's edition of The Pulse.
Posted by colrus at 12:48 AM | TrackBack
In This Week's Edition of The Pulse
In this week's edition of The Pulse...
The Accused: One year after the slaying of Don Airline, his accused killer still sits in jail. But did Edward Jones really do it? Aaron Mesh reports.
Just Kidding: We catch up with the pranksters behind those fake Missionary Ridge “goat fine” signs.
Cats on My Back: Max Gerskin wants you to know that he's not a cat killer.
Cleaning House in the Tennessee Senate: Joe Lance outlines preparations for a new Lieutenant Governor.
Celebratin’ the ‘Noog: Chuck Crowder and Mark Song make pretty much the coolest T-shirts we've ever seen. Now you can see them, too.
...plus our event picks, calendar, dining guide, movie and CD reviews and MUCH, MUCH more.
Posted by colrus at 12:47 AM | TrackBack
A Manny for All Seasons
City Councilman Manuel Rico is safe for at least another year. Not that we were all that worried about him.
The Hamilton County Election Commission ruled last week that a recall effort targeting Rico could not appear on ballots for at least a year. “It’s very poorly presented, and it’s too late to get anything on the ballot this year,” Elections Administrator Bud Knowles told the Times Free Press last week.
Black community leaders had drafted a petition to recall Rico for “abuse of his office, and showing no respect or regard for the citizens of District 7.” Which Rico thinks translates into “failed to vote for $450,000 disparity study proposed by the Office of Multicultural Affairs.”
“I've had several elected and other black leaders come and ask me to vote for it,” Rico told WDEF News 12, “and sometimes even try to intimidate me. So, that's the only thing I could think of that they're not happy with.”
Well, Manny, there was that time that you suggested that Power 94 attracts “bad people.” But we’re sure that has nothing to do with this. Just ignore that poll on the Power 94 Web site – the one asking, “Do you feel that Manny Rico is representing his district in the best interest of the people?” That’s not important. Let’s move along. No impending racial conflict to see here.
Posted by colrus at 12:46 AM | TrackBack
Do You Believe in Miracles? Okay: They did it. They saved curbside recycling. Well, maybe.
In one of the more impressive grassroots efforts since those people hung those balloons from that bridge, Chattanoogans Recycle came in under the wire with 7,133 signatures needed to get a curbside recycling ordinance on the November ballot. Only two weeks ago, the group had only attracted 2,250 signatories. Now the Election Commission – that poor, poor Election Commission – has to verify that at least 6,372 of those John Hancocks were from registered voters living within the city limits.
Campaign leader Frank DePinto was, as you might have predicted, gleeful. “It was fun, it was meaningful and hopefully this Campaign will have been an asset to this Wonderful City,” he wrote in a statement. Then he explained why the vote mattered.
“Presently, the mayor and City Council are trying to institute 'selective curbside recycling' for just some neighbors in Chattanooga, not all. This would be neighborhoods that have had a good record of curbside recycling, neighborhoods that are probably wealthier, better educated, etc; while not allowing for recycling in less educated, not as wealthy neighborhoods; although these people would be paying the taxes for curbside recycling for the wealthier neighborhoods i.e. Segregated Recycling. This will not happen if the initiative passes in November. Curbside recycling will be a service for ‘all Chattanoogans,’ not just a select few. This will be accomplished by a more aggressive recycling education to the entire city.”
And so it will. If, you know, people vote for it.
Posted by colrus at 12:45 AM | TrackBack
September 12, 2006
Red Bank Police Department Investigating Pulse Writer Max Gerskin
Red Bank police said Monday they are investigating animal cruelty allegations against a contributor to a weekly publication who has written about launching a "feline jihad" to rid his neighborhood of stray cats.Max Gerskin of 3616 Oakland Terrace is credited with a two-part series in the Chattanooga Pulse about his alleged attack on local strays. The first installment, "Madder Max: The Cat Lady and My New Dog," was published Aug. 9, and the second, "Feline Jihad: The Cat Lady, Part II," on Wednesday.
In his commentary, Mr. Gerskin said the strays fed by a "neighborhood cat lady" have brought filth and disease to his home, and the "Red Bank Humane Society was somehow completely unable to help."
As a result, he writes, "I’ve officially become a trapper and it’s time to take a walk to the river."
From today's Times Free Press.
Max's response to the allegations will run in this week's Pulse.
Posted by colrus at 11:02 AM | TrackBack
September 11, 2006
Watch Out for Falling Chances: Corker Must Give Deposition in Wal-Mart Case Prior to Election
Chancellor Howell Peoples ruled Monday that Republican Senate nominee Bob Corker will have to give a 3-hour deposition, though his attorney said he is too busy with the election.
From Chattanoogan.com
Posted by pulseblogger at 12:21 PM | TrackBack
Sketches of 9/11
Click here to read our remembrances of that day, five years ago today.
Posted by colrus at 10:17 AM | TrackBack
September 08, 2006
The Signal Mountain Mountain Lion
Here's a shot of the ever-elusive Signal Mountain Mountain Lion:
(Click for bigger view. Photo courtesy of Robert T. Nash.)
Posted by colrus at 10:44 AM | TrackBack
September 07, 2006
Slick Acoustic Cover of "Baby Got Back"
Click here to download "Baby Got Back" by Jonathan Coulton.
Posted by colrus at 02:26 PM | TrackBack
Reporter Beaten Up on Camera
Thoughts?
Posted by colrus at 01:30 PM | TrackBack
Our World of Warcraft Story Discussed in Enigma
In case you missed it, Blair Hickman's recent Pulse piece on World of Warcraft was referenced by Matthew Anderson in last week's Enigma.
Posted by colrus at 10:21 AM | TrackBack
What Is a "Goat Fine," Anyway?
As was reported in today's Metro section, the "Slow Goats Working - Goat Fines Up To $250" signs around Missionary Ridge were posted illegally and anonymously. The city plans to take the signs down.
Public Works Deputy Administrator Lee Norris told the TFP that the city's "going to think of it as a nonevent," and while they are looking into who created and put up the signs, they are not going to take any action against them.
Norris went on to say that there's no need for a sign, adding, "I'd just as soon not anybody know the goats are there."
If you happen to know who created the signs, have them call me.
Posted by colrus at 09:35 AM | TrackBack
September 06, 2006
"Public Domain": Submit Your Band Names Here
"Public Doman" is a new, quick, fun, little feature here at The PulseBlog. We will be posting topics and asking for your lists, suggestions and whatnots to be later reprinted in The Pulse.
The inaugural "Public Domain" post, inspired by local filmmakers Lazy Bear Productions, is a list of band names. Please submit as many orignal band names as you can. Perhaps there is a local band that needs a name. Let's help them, shall we?
Enter your suggestions in the comment thread below.
Thanks!
Bill
Posted by colrus at 04:40 PM | TrackBack
The Pulse's Local Personalities Collectable Poster Series - #1: Robert T. Nash
My latest Photoshop doodle is now up at WGOW's "Live and Local" page.
(Click for larger view.)
Collect 'em all!
Posted by pulseblogger at 12:25 PM | TrackBack
The Masters of Aristocratic Rap: Lord T. and Eloise Revealed
We briefly mentioned them earlier, but now the secret's out: Former Chattanooga Outlook editor Robert Anthony (left) is part of the Memphis-based "aristocratic rap" trio, Lord T. and Eloise. (Robert is Maurice Eloise XIII.) The group made their live debut a few nights ago, and might be playing Chattanooga soon.
Click here for their MySpace page to hear them bust it private-school.
Click here to read an article about them in Commercial Appeal.
Click here to read an article about them in the Memphis Flyer.
Click here for some live footage of the band.
(Warning: The sound levels are too hot. Turn down your speakers.)
Posted by pulseblogger at 11:13 AM | TrackBack
The Pulse Needs You!
News Writers/Reporters
The Pulse is looking for strong, intensely curious, driven and self-starting news writers and reporters to find the stories behind the stories, the stories that aren’t being reported, and the stories that matter. Newsroom experience is preferred. If you prefer in-depth magazine-style reporting to the frenetic pace of daily papers, we’re looking for you. Full time and part time positions. Contact us now to discuss openings.
Freelance Columnists, Book Reviewers, Arts Writers, Food Writers, and Film and Music Writers and Reviewers
We are looking for freelance contributors for our food, book, film, music and arts sections. We are also looking for compelling columnists that make our readers think and talk. Contact us now to discuss openings.
Interns
Want an opportunity to get your feet wet with a chance to make a big splash? Want free CDs, movie and concert tickets, and a chance to be published? Internships at The Pulse provide all of those, plus—most importantly—valuable practical experience. Contact us now to discuss openings.
If you are interested in any of the above positions, please send a cover letter, resume and your three best writing samples (published or otherwise) to BColrus@ChattanoogaPulse.com or The Pulse, attn: Bill Colrus, 1110 Market St. – Suite 209, Chattanooga, TN 37402. No phone calls, please.
The Pulse is an equal opportunity employer.
Posted by colrus at 09:52 AM | TrackBack
What About Toddlers Who Commit Armed Robbery? What’s Required of Them?
So a Hamilton County Grand Jury panel isn’t exactly impressed with the county workhouse at Silverdale. How unimpressed are they? To wit:
“We believe that child day care centers require more from their charges than is required of the inmates,” the panel said in its final report. “This facility appears to be a place where convicted criminals can go to heal up, rest up, and fatten up, at taxpayer expense, before being released back into society.” Well, at least they’re fat. Fat criminals can’t run very fast.
So what would the Hamilton County Grand Jury panel have us do instead? “If it were true that taking away one’s freedom is enough of a deterrent to prevent crime, why are there so many repeat offenders? We believe that these inmates should have a vocation while incarcerated – this is supposed to be, after all, a ‘workhouse’, not an assisted living facility. Detention facilities should not be nice places and inmates should have few rights. When individualism and personal rights win out over the well being of society, then we all lose.”
The Hamilton County Grand Jury panel sounds like it would be a lot of fun at parties.
Posted by colrus at 09:44 AM | TrackBack
Just In Time for Tourist Seas… Well, Next Year’s Tourist Season!
It finally happened. The City Council passed a new waterfront vending policy. If you’re anything like us, you stopped caring about this about a month ago, but here’s the lowdown:
The city’s Parks and Recreation Department will now control 21st Century Waterfront vending. The department is taking bids for seven waterfront spots. The bids must be in by September 29. Then Parks and Rec staff will sit down with Friends of the Festival members to pick the best bids.
“This is a dynamic process,” Parks and Rec Administrator Larry Zehnder told the TFP’s Herman Wang. “We’ve never done this before.”
Actually, they have. Several times. That’s been the trouble. Here’s hoping it takes this time.
Posted by colrus at 09:43 AM | TrackBack
The Same Services, But Now with More Poisoned Dirt!
Farewell, Homeless Hilton. We hardly knew ye.
Mayor Ron Littlefield told the Chattanooga Times Free Press on Wednesday that he is no longer pushing to construct a homeless campus on the Farmer’s Market property the city has purchased – and he doesn’t want the city to spend money on such a building.
“It was a concept for the way things could be,” he told the paper’s editorial board, while a muted rendition of “The Rainbow Connection” played in the background. “I’m not talking about building. The cost to us is minimal if the agencies already out there utilize the space.”
So that’s the new idea: gather the Union Gospel Mission, the Chattanooga Rescue Mission and the Interfaith Hospitality Network to the property across the street from the Community Kitchen. “There are buildings there that, with very little cost, could be renovated into offices for the various agencies,” Littlefield said. “We can make the land available to them at a very desirable price.” Because it’s not like this land has any history of contamination! No sirree! This is clean land! Or it will be as soon as the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation finishes testing for foundry sand, coal tar and “volatile vapors”! And that will take only six to eight weeks!
So what do the opponents of the Homeless Hilton think of the downscaled plan? Are they happy with a more measured approach? Nope. “Having large concentrations in one location only multiplies the number of individuals that would be unconfined and in our neighborhood,” said Merri Mai Williamson, “and they would certainly be a magnet for predators.”
By “predators,” we can only assume she means the dinosaurs currently trapped in the coal tar.
Posted by colrus at 09:42 AM | TrackBack
In This Week's Edition of The Pulse
In this week's edition of The Pulse...
Sketches of 9/11: Five years later, our staffers, readers, family and friends remember the day we'll never forget.
Deflated in East Ridge: East Ridge says sex and shopping don’t mix. Aaron Mesh reports.
Brokeback with Less Sheep: Thief River director Scott Dunlap says he’s never shied away from material because of sexual content, and Lee Blessing’s play is no exception.
And the Midtown Will Rock: Van Heaven is playing Midtown Music Hall Friday night. They will bring the hits— everything from “Ain’t Talkin’ About Love” to “Panama”—complete with spandex and “all the jumping around that Dave and Ed used to do.” But don’t ask for “Love Walks In.” Seriously. Don’t.
...plus our event picks, calendar, dining guide, movie and CD reviews and MUCH, MUCH more.
Posted by colrus at 09:41 AM | TrackBack
September 04, 2006
PulseCast: Music Edition #004 - Now Online
#004 features music from Sonic Youth, M Ward, Six Organs of Admittance, Junior Boys, Chin Up Chin Up, Four Tet, Magnolia Electric Co, Edan, Les Savy Fav, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah and many more.
Click here to listen.
Click here to subscribe.
(Note: This PulseCast has actually been up for a week. Server problems last week kept me from posting about it. All is fixed now. Enjoy.)
Posted by colrus at 11:10 AM | TrackBack