Mayor: Fairview pig went gangbusters

Don't ever think Mayor Betsy Crossley is one to make excuses. No sirree, she gives credit where credit's due, and in this case, she gave it to a little brown pig that put her piggy to shame.
The second annual Mayor's Pig Race Friday helped kick off opening night activities at the Williamson County Fair and our Brentwood mayor tried her best to retain the crown won last year by then-Vice Mayor Paul Webb. Alas, it wasn't to be.
County Mayor Rogers Anderson's pig brought home the bacon, by winning two of the three heats.
"My pig was doing great, and I really thought we had it until right at the very end when that pig just held up," she said. "The Fairview mayor's pig just came up gangbusters." And beat hers by about 25 snouts, she said.

Since she was just elected to a two-year term, she said she looks forward to coming back and trying again next year. She added she will spend the off-season in training. Not sure exactly what she means, but when she puts her mind to something look out.

Speaking of the fair, check out its website to see what's happening out there today and the rest of the week. Plus, here's a link to a Tennessean story about how corporate sponsorships help keep our local fairs afloat.
Maybe the 2010 edition will be the "Williamson County Fair presented by Brentwood Home Page." It has a nice ring to it.

Williamson County Fair website: http://www.williamsoncountyfair.org/
Middle Tennessee fairs find ways to stay afloat: http://tinyurl.com/BWcountyfairs

Not giving in to bum knee

Speaking of the mayor, Betsy let her friends on Facebook know that she is having knee surgery on Thursday.

What's the matter, I asked her.

What's not the matter, she replied, rambling off a long list of things like arthritis, a torn meniscus, something about a burr and a this and a that; well, you get the picture.

So how long are you going to be out of commission? I asked.

"Well, I'll probably miss Rotary on Friday," she said, but noted she expects to be back in the office on Monday, albeit on crutches.

As for tonight's City Commission meeting, she said it should be "pretty mundane and boring," but hinted by the time September rolls around, things should liven up again. I think that's good news...

Fair weather ahead! Cotton Candy too

If it's hot, it must be time for the Williamson County Fair, which opens this afternoon for a nine-day run.

But the heat can't be helped, County Commissioner and one of Brentwood's best people, Tom Bain, told me Thursday. As the baby of the Tennessee fair circuit, Williamson County had "to get to the front of the line or the back of it" when it rejuvenated itself after a 50-year lapse four years ago.

The powers that be decided August was a better bet than late fall, so the second week in August it is, come searing temps or drenching rains or a combo of both. But don't let that deter you. In fact, the 10-day forecast looks pretty good. Sure, there's a chance of isolated thunder storms most days, but what summer days aren't like that? And temps are supposed to max out in the mid-80. Can't ask for much better this time of year.

Sounds good to me. And I can't wait. I need a new set of Ginsu knives. Now, I'm not sure if I'll find them there, but I've got my fingers crossed. The best knives I've ever owned I bought at the Sonoma County Fair in a pavilion packed with hawkers who sold everything from dusting wands and Orange Glo cleaner to waterless cookware.

Tom couldn't promise I'll find a pavilion full of purveyors, but he did say several will be found on the top level of the air-conditioned arena. Can't wait to check them out!

And should anyone get tired at the fair, just be on the lookout for Mayor Betsy Crossley, Commissioner Paul Webb, John Lackey, Tom Allen and Arley Henry who are among the Brentwood volunteers Tom has lined up to be "Fair Ambassadors." He's got Police Chief Ricky Watson and Fire Chief Kenny Lane on call. They'll be driving courtesy carts around the fairgrounds to give a lift or a hand to anyone who needs one, taking up tickets at the Elvis show and more.

Commissioner Joe Reagan, a CPA by trade, has worked the fair from the start as a money counter. And Sonnie Bain, one of the talented women who run Brentwood Baptist Church, is a roving ambassador, doing whatever husband Tom says needs to be done.

You have to love these folks. And all the other volunteers that make the fair happen every day.

Hope to see them, and you, there!

• For complete fair information, visit www.williamsoncountyfair.org
• To learn why Mayor Betsy Crossley will be saying "here suey, suey" this afternoon, read today's fun story from Williamson A.M. at http://tinyurl.com/BWpigrace

Brentwood welcomes new banks

Red Mountain Bank makes it official

Movement from inside the cool confines of Red Mountain Bank out into the 90-degree weather for the bank's official ribbon cutting Tuesday took a while. No one seemed in a hurry to step outside to the parking lot.

But when everyone got there, Market President Rick Archer Jr. made quick work of it, introducing the bigwigs from the Birmingham home office, his Brentwood staff and special guests.

"You've made a big improvement to this corner," Mayor Betsy Crossley told Archer and the crowd of about 40. "It's absolutely beautiful."

Then not half as slowly as they came out, everyone filed back in, where a serious buffet of goodies and cold drinks waited.

I could grow to like ribbon cuttings, I think, with grow being the operative word.

Weight Watchers. The Martin Center. Tomorrow.

Reliant opens first Brentwood branch

And this news just arrived in the BrentWord home office:

Reliant Bank has officially opened the doors in Maryland Farms. The bank acquired the Brentwood location of Magna Bank making it Reliant’s third location and second expansion within just 10 months.
The new location at 5109 Peter Taylor Park, is located just off Maryland Way in Brentwood. The full-service branch offers consumer, business, investment and mortgage services.
Branch Manager Mike Buffler previously served as the assistant branch manager for the bank’s main office. Sarah Johnson the location’s commercial lender, joins Reliant from Magna Bank.
“This is a great opportunity for Reliant to further our footprint and meet the needs of those looking for a better banking experience. We have a great team of employees who are ready to serve the area,” Buffler stated. “Being located in Maryland Farms also provides excellent growth opportunity for the bank.”

A big open house celebration is planned later this month.

Automated call warns west BW residents

Police searching for three men
An update from earlier post this afternoon on police activity in and around the west Brentwood neighborhood of Highland View and nearby roads and subdivisions.

City residents who live near Brentwood's western border received automated phone notifications Sunday evening, informing them of police activity and safety concerns in the area.
"Area residents be on the lookout for three burglary suspects last seen on Manley Lane around 4:30. All three fled on foot from scene. Described as one black male wearing red T-shirt, one Asian male with two diamond stud earrings, one white male. All are young and all are wearing shorts and tennis shoes. If you see strangers in your neighborhood call the Brentwood Police Department at 371-0160.
Mayor Betsy Crossley was one of the residents who got the recorded message. "I locked my doors, but felt safer for getting the warning. Way to go BPD!" she wrote me in an email Sunday night.
Local homeowners associations also responded. Holly Tree Farms HOA president Matt Smith sent the following email to neighbors about 9 p.m. Sunday night:
"HTF Neighbors,
"This evening the Brentwood police department has asked several of our neighbors to please be on the lookout for 3 suspects they are searching for in the west Brentwood area. ... The police have specifically asked us to notify them by dialing 911 if these men are seen. PLEASE DO NOT TRY AND CONFRONT THEM ON YOUR OWN. This is a police matter and should be handled by dialing 911.
"Per police description: the three men in question are thought to be wearing shorts, one is Caucasian, one Asian with diamond stud earrings and one African-American wearing a red T-shirt and black wire glasses.
"I don't want to be alarmist, but thought it was appropriate that we all be aware. The Brentwood Police can be reached at 615-371-0160 if you need more information or clarification. "
I have contacted the Brentwood Police Department for an update and will report as soon as I know more. In the meantime, please lock your doors and be aware and familiar with your surroundings. As noted above, if you see or hear anything suspicious or have information that could help the investigation call 911 if you feel you are in immediate danger or 371-0160 to talk directly to a police dispatcher who can direct your call to the appropriate person.

For information on recent home burglaries, please see my earlier post. Expect more details on Monday.

On TIFs and Town Center

Thursday work sesson open to public

No doubt it won’t be as entertaining as last week’s public forum sponsored by the city's Environmental Quality Coordinating Committee, but Thursday’s special City Commission work session may prove to be far more valuable.
Property and business owners in the Town Center area have been invited to hear, along with the commission, a presentation on tax increment financing (TIF) options available under Tennessee law for the city’s downtown commercial area.
The meeting begins at 5 p.m. in the commission chambers.
So, just what is a TIF anyway?
Attorney Mark Mamantov will share information on what TIFs are, what's needed for them to work effectively, and the legal aspects and requirements associated with their use within the Town Center area.
Rick Delaney from the investment firm Morgan-Keegan will address the practical applications of issuing TIF bonds in today’s credit market; the attractiveness of TIF bonds to investors; the potential risk to the city, and the use of TIF Bonds for projects such as the Nissan headquarters, which opened in Franklin last year.
“This is mainly a meeting to disseminate some facts to the commission through a workshop concerning development of the Town Center,” Mayor Betsy Crossley told me Wednesday. She explained that in a nutshell, TIFs use the property tax increases collected from an improved property to carry out public improvements in the area through the use of bonds rather than using the new taxes to pay for general fund services.
Since Tennessee laws concerning TIFs differ from other states, Mamantov will outline them and answer commission members’ questions.
Private/public sectors must work together
Crossley acknowledged that Thursday’s meeting will be rather limited “since it is regarding a specific technical aspect of development.” She added, however, that she is “happy that there are individuals discussing development in Town Center like (Brentwood architect Walter Kassidon’s) Brentwood Future group. As you have said, there is going to have to be public/private partnership to bring a plan together for the redevelopment.
“… I look forward to continued future dialog with Town Center landowners and developers regarding what the vision for that area should be.”
David Green, spokesperson for the grassroots Citizens for Town Center (www.brentwoodsfuture.org), said the organization is “delighted to see the City Commission examine alternate ideas for moving the Town Center project ahead. While we have not taken a stand on TIF, we think it is a great idea for the city to examine any and all ideas for helping advance the progress of Town Center redevelopment.”
“TIFs are very complicated and can be a great benefit for our city,” Mac Kelton, a Brentwood resident and local investor, said. “It all depends on attitude. If the approach is ‘how can we do this?’ then great ways will be found. If the approach is ‘what can we do to prevent this from happening?’ then we will get different results.
“I am looking forward to see the approach taken. Forward thinking and can-do spirit is needed.”
Respect for property owners' rights
“As a City Commissioner I would love to see the property owners, the chamber and the city all working together to really push and promote this redevelopment,” Commissioner Regina Smithson wrote me. “As I have stated from the beginning, I believe every property owner has a right to develop their property the way they want and on their time table. Our city government can and should only do so much.
“I welcome any and all property owners or any developer with a plan to bring it to me. I will be glad to sit down and do what I can as a City Commissioner to help make it happen.”
The redevelopment of Town Center, defined as the 55 acres roughly bordered by Old Hickory Boulevard, Church Street, I-65 and East Park Drive, has been a major source of hope and frustration since first discussed as a Leadership Brentwood project a decade ago.
So far the city has invested more than $2 million in infrastructure improvements within the C4 Town Center zoning district.

Thursday’s public meeting takes place in the Brentwood Municipal building, 5211 Maryland Way.

Think green and much more...

Big day for BrentWord Communications yesterday, so big in fact that it kept me from blogging (not to mention that two-hour nap late in the afternoon). So today I hope to redeem myself. Let's get started:

Calling all citizens to take survey
If you have not completed the Brentwood environmental committee's citizen survey, please take a minute now to do so. Here's the link to make it super easy:
www.brentwood-tn.org/greensurvey

And if you have questions, concerns, ideas on how the city can be more environmentally savvy and progressive, please consider attending next week's June 9 public forum hosted by the committee. It's at 6 p.m. in the Municipal Building, 5211 Maryland Way.

Today's Brentwood Journal featured a story on the committee and its work. In case you missed it, here's a link:
http://www.tennessean.com/article/20090603/COUNTY0903/906030303/0/COUNTY09/Brentwood+seeks+green+ideas

Happy Birthday Madame Mayor
Rumor has it that Friday is Mayor Betsy Crossley's birthday. Hope she takes the day off of city business to enjoy herself. For instance, she could have lunch with me. And pay for it, since she stood me up when I was going to treat her to a high-dollar treat a while back.
I'm not bitter, though. Really.
See, as I walked on that 90-plus degree day with my elderly dog five miles and barefoot to the restaurant where we were supposed to meet, it came to me that a priority for the city must be sidewalks on Centerview Drive and Wilson Pike Circle. Over the past few days and weeks I've met several prominent businesspeople who work in and around those roads who agree with me.
Truly, if people could walk to the Brentwood Post Office without risking life and limb, it would really cut down on the traffic jams there. And with our new "restaurant row" at Brentwood Place, and the growing number of neat retail and eateries in Town Center, all the folks who work in the Synergy Center buildings could enjoy a shady stroll up or down Centerview if only there were sidewalks.
But in the meantime, you have two days to get your card in the mail to our new mayor. She tells me she's 72 and looks fabulous. I don't believe her (about the 72 part, that is). I think she's closer to 38 like me.

City proclaims Pete a legend

Anyone who read my newspaper column or now reads this blog knows I cheat on my husband. I have a thing for older men. Much older men.

And there's one in particular who has won the key to my heart. And now he has the key to the city.

Pete Schutt's daughter asked me Tuesday night how I had gotten to know her dad. I really couldn't remember. I think we connected on some city issue and just clicked. Since then we've lunched and laughed and he's given me some great political and life advice.

My family was lucky enough to have attended two of the Meadowlake Homeowners Association picnics that Pete and his bride Joyce hosted for years at their "lakefront" home on Williamsburg Road. But beyond introducing ourselves, we didn't connect then.

It was several years later that the World War II veteran and I started "sparking" so to speak. I always light up when I see him. Maybe it's because I so seldom get to see my dad and Pete reminds me so much of him.

For years, some might say 33, Pete has been a Brentwood fixture. He's been an active citizen by attending board meetings and writing letters to board members and city staff. He even put his name forward to fill out Bill Youree's seat last year after Bill's too-sudden death.

As recently as a few weeks ago, Pete sent a letter to all of the commissioners urging them to take the lead in redevelopment of Town Center.

"As a concerned member of the community, can I expect to hear that the city commission is going to get the ball rolling?" he asked. He wrote he had read about a small, grassroots group that wants to see more progress made there.

"The city has the gavel. Let me hear it to get the meetings started. Together we can move a mountain but divided all we can do is talk ... Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference," he continued.

He signed it, "May love, joy and peace be yours, Pete Schutt."

At Tuesday's City Commission meeting, love, joy and peace were evident. Commissioners recognized him for his role as a soft-spoken citizen activist -- activist being used here in the best sense of the word.

You see Pete is moving to Franklin soon. I actually suggested the 50-plus development where he is buying a home. Now I feel guilty.

At the meeting, Mayor Betsy Crossley called Pete up to the front of the board room. First she presented him with an official proclamation and key to the city. Then the accolades began.

Calling Pete, "a citizen who has never held back," Commissioner Anne Dunn noted that when Pete had concerns, his criticism was "always taken to heart."

"Pete, we love you," Joe Sweeney told him. "You've never been vindictive, you've always been firm." He added how much he had enjoyed the birthday cakes Pete and Joyce had baked for board members over the years.

"It wouldn't be a city commission meeting if he wasn't sitting there on the second row," quipped Joe Reagan, who went on to mention his and Pete's shared love of woodworking. (And for the record, I'm convinced the too-small wood shop at The Heritage may have been the deciding factor in Pete's departure.)

Pete actually has several reasons for moving to Franklin, not the least of which is being closer to his bride. Joyce, as much a figure at Brentwood City Commission meetings over the years as her husband, has Alzheimer's Disease. A few years ago she moved into a Franklin assisted living facility better equipped to take care of her.

In a prepared statement, carefully printed in pencil on an index card, Pete told the commission how much he appreciated the fact that it had remained non-partisan and urged it to stay that way.

"Joyce and I have enjoyed every minute we've been here," Pete told those attending the meeting, including two of his children, a granddaughter and a great-granddaughter who traveled to Brentwood to see him honored. "Brentwood has been good to us ... I am not moving far down the road so will be able to come back often."

I sure hope so.

When Pete's the star, put him on agenda!

I am so not happy with the City of Brentwood.
It cost me 43 minutes of my life Tuesday night after a fast 35-minute City Commission meeting.
You see, it's like this: Pete Schutt, one of my all-time favorite people in Brentwood and beyond, was elevated tonight to the ranks of country music legend Eddy Arnold, the mayors of Brentwood, England and a very few other esteemed individuals.
Mayor Betsy Crossley presented Pete with a proclamation and a key to the city.
Was it on the agenda? Did they announce it to media outlets, especially ones as big and important as BrentWord? The answer would be no. So did I have a camera? No. Did Kiri Walton from the Williamson Herald? No. Was Williamson A.M. there? No.
Before I knew it, Pete's up there getting proclamated and there's nary a cameraman to capture the historic moment. After the meeting I took a few shots on my new-but-not-yet-web-connected cell phone but had no idea how to download them to my computer.
That's where the 43 minutes comes in.
As a faithful Sprint subscriber for almost 10 years, I gave it every benefit of the doubt tonight, checking out the User's Guide first and then the website (as directed in the User's Guide). I even tried live chat with online adviser Bryan J.
But do you see a picture of Pete, or his proclamation, or his key here? Let's just say that I'm not a happy camper right now.
But like John Paul Jones, I have not yet begun to fight. Check back Wednesday for details from the short but intriguing meeting ... and hopefully a few pics of Pete.

It's Madam Mayor now

Betsy Crossley is Brentwood's new mayor.
The first-term commissioner was elected by her fellow board members in a 4-3 vote Monday night. Paul Webb, sworn into his second term just minutes before, received three votes.
And in a surprise action, the commission elected its newest member, Rhea Little III, as the city's vice mayor. Little received five votes; Joe Reagan two.
Crossley and Little will serve two-year terms. The next City Commission election is in 2011.
Immediately following the elections, Crossley took her first action as mayor. She called for a 10-minute recess to regroup.
Popular thought among commission watchers was that the mayor's seat would be decided between Webb and long-term commissioner and former mayor Joe Sweeney.
BrentWord will have complete coverage of the meeting on Tuesday.

***

Also coming tomorrow:

• Late city historian Vance Little's final coffee table book is now available for $40 -- a fitting price for a book published to help promote the city's 40th anniversary.
• Why the city should seriously consider supporting the county's Convention and Visitors Bureau
• Should Brentwood ever need help dealing with the aftermath of a natural disaster, the city of Picayune, Miss. is ready to help.

Have BrentWord worthy news to share? Please email it to brentword@comcast.net!