A look at the week ahead...

A full report on the weekend's damp festivities is coming, but in the meantime, here's a peak at what's ahead:
New tenant soon for Comp USA site
The city's park board meets today at 5 p.m. at the Municipal Center, 5211 Maryland Way. It's followed at 7 p.m. with the Brentwood Planning Commission meeting.
On the planning commission's agenda, shared by Mayor Betsy Crossley but not found on the city's website, are consent items concerning the former Comp USA location in Mallory Corners Shopping Center (where Barnes & Noble is located); and approval of the final plat for the Brentwood Lights subdivision off Wildwood Drive. (A reliable source tells me the Mallory Corners tenant should be great for Brentwood, but a loss for Franklin.)
Regular agenda items include a signage plan for Town Center Corner retail building; a revised site plan for Judge Beans Bar-B-Que (the old Church Street Pub building), and a revised preliminary plan for the Lombardy subdivision.
If you have interest or questions on any of the above, try to be there.


White will write, Day will 'Dream Big' at library
The Brentwood Library's Summer Reading Program continues to draw big crowds and this week should be no exception.
At 1 p.m on Tuesday, artist Michael P. White will present an interactive program for those age 7 and up. White will teach the audience how one idea can start a story and how authors and illustrators work together to bring a story to life.
And at 1 p.m. Thursday, musician Roger Day will perform a concert with "action-packed and interactive songs that will have kids jumping for joy.
For complete details on all the activities and events the library's scheduled for its Summer Reading Program this year, visit www.brentwood-tn.org/library.

All about Brentwood, brats and beer
Former Brentwood City Commission candidate Devin McClendon is putting his campaign email list to good use by compiling a monthly calendar of Brentwood events. You'll find it at http://www.allaboutbrentwood.blogspot.com/. Among the July events, Devin lists Thursday's
Brats N' Beer Tasting at the Fifty Forward Martin Center, 960 Heritage Way (just north of Concord Road. The tasting begins at 4 pm with a lecture provided by Jeff with Woody's Smokes and Brews.
Hmmmm. Brats. Beer. Think I'll be there.

Twitter me up Devin

A few final thoughts on Tuesday's election:

Personally, I'm so glad Devin McClendon lost the election. Now he'll have time to teach me to Twitter. But unfortunately for me, I have an idea he won't be twiddling his thumbs, or teaching me to Tweet anytime soon. I hope there's a 2011 Brentwood race in his future, or maybe even something bigger. After yesterday, I wonder if he's not too progressive for us. And that's a shame.

Have you ever seen the 1998 movie Pleasantville starring Nashville's own Reece Witherspoon? Since we're supposed to have another 19 inches of rain in the next few days, rent it, Netflix it or check it out from the Brentwood Library (just make sure you return it on time! This I know from experience -- see yesterday's post). Settle in on the couch, pop popcorn and enjoy. Then let me know what you think.

Speaking of rain, the Leathers’ rain gauge currently shows just shy of an inch of rain from overnight and this morning. Sigh.

And speaking of the library, you have to love Library Director Chuck Sherrill. He said he would have loaned me cash or his library card yesterday. As to why he would be late to the gathering at the library to hear who vote tallies, you must love his excuse: “I’m going out to dinner with my parents, celebrating their 64th wedding anniversary (!). I will be back at the library after that.” Congratulations to them!

Could 2011 bring a Joe and Joe showdown?
Last year, longtime commissioner Joe Sweeney announced at a city commission meeting he did not plan to run for re-election. In a Brentwood Journal story following up on the statement he confirmed that was his thinking at that time, leaving the door cracked for another run. If he decides to open the door in two years he will face Brentwood's other Joe --longtime commissioner Joe Reagan who came in fourth Tuesday. Both have celebrated 80th birthdays but both still love the city with the passion they had when they first ran for office.
Will be interesting to see what happens.

Pay no fine before its time .. and other Election Day news

It's a sad state of affairs. At 9:48 a.m. this morning, only 37 people had voted at the Brentwood Library. And that's not the worst news.
The excellent crew working the polls told me they had sent almost as many people away, because they were at the wrong polling station. But that's not the worst news, either.
What could that be? It's like this: My game plan had been to blog from one of the library's incredible array of computers after hanging out for a few hours talking to voters, candidates, etc. I went in, threw off my coat and settled in. I pulled out my handy key chain library card, put in my account number and, voila, was ready to go to work. But no. Turns out I owe a fine and access was denied.
Having no cash, I headed home to blog instead.
All's well that ends well, however. I left my chair at the library and will pay the fine when I return to pick it up. I just hope that when I ask the election crew later today how many have voted the numbers will have turned miraculously upward.

***

Dietrich "Deech" Kirk and his daughter Carlisle stopped by the library to vote. They (well make that Deech, Carlisle is 3) were among those directed to another polling place.
"You would think in this electronic age you could vote anywhere in the city, especially in an election where they are expecting less than 20,000 votes," he said before heading to the Brentwood Safety Center on Sunset Road.
He's right about being able to vote anywhere in the city for a municipal election. We should be able to. Unfortunately I don't think he's right about the 20,000 voters. From the looks of it, we'll be lucky to hit 2,000 today.

***

Speaking of turnout, Mac Kelton, out campaigning for Devin McClendon early this morning at the library, thinks Brentwood can make history in the 2011 city commission election. He truly believes there's a way to reach 100 percent voter turnout. Talk about breaking national news right here in small-town Tennessee.
He's already thinking and scheming and otherwise trying to figure out how to make it happen. If you have ideas to share, he's open to hearing them!

***

Joe Reagan isn't out trying to buy votes this morning, but he definitely is keeping his poll workers happy with a steady supply of Daylight Donuts. Joe is one sweet politician though I did call him evil for trying to compromise my South Beach effort. Thank goodness they weren't chocolate glazed ....

***

Well, it's time to get back out among 'em. Check back for more news from the streets, or parking lots as the case may be.

Candidates ask for your vote

Today I am offering each of the candidates vying for one of four seats on the Brentwood City Commission the opportunity to "speak" to the voters. Below are the messages I have received so far. Check back as the day goes on for more as they arrive.

Natalie Mertie:
This campaign has been an eye opening event for me. I assumed that some our commissioners were just dedicated citizens who enjoyed the limelight. I have certainly found that is not the situation. To function as the very best commissioner,I've discovered that your time belongs to Brentwood! I've taken phone calls at home about paving of streets, past commissioner decisions, eminent domain, senior citizen housing etc.,etc. I've attended workshops and seminars and vast numbers of community meetings. All this has shown me that to be a commissioner requires a vast amount of energy. I have that energy. I also have the DESIRE to make Brentwood an even better place. We are all grateful to our incumbants for their work in the past,but now is the time for a fresh approach to our new sets of problems: traffic, Town Center, diminishing sales tax. I am that candidate. A vote for Natalie Mertie reflects the thinking voter's decision to move ahead,not look behind us resting on past accomplishments.Remember you can vote for FOUR candidates. Choose Natalie Mertie as one of those Fabulous Four!

Paul Webb:
I am asking for your vote because I have experience in dealing with budgets, personnel, logistics and what it takes to make any business or government agency operate. Brentwood is not isolated from the recession. As a CPA, I will be looking at ways to maintain our city services and quality of life without a tax increase.
I will continue to listen to the concerns of the citizens and make decisions based upon the information available to me so that I may make the best choice possible for all of Brentwood. I care about Brentwood’s future. My record of involvement in the community helps me better understand the needs and wishes of Brentwood.

Rhea Little III:
Tomorrow Brentwood will determine the direction that we will take going from this point into the future. Being blessed to live in a nation where we have the right to vote for our leadership, it is important for us to both cherish and utilize that right. Having a long heritage in Brentwood, it has been a wonderful experience catching up with many friends and family, while also meeting and getting to know so many new residents as I have enjoyed the many activities involved in this campaign. As I have met and talked with Brentwood's citizens, it is amazing to me how we are blessed with so many high-caliber individuals. Because of the people who make up this community, I only see prosperity for Brentwood if we harness our energies in a unified way towards establishing Brentwood as one of the foremost cities in the United States. Please vote for Rhea Little for City Commission on May 5, 2009, for Brentwood's Bright Future!

Devin McClendon:
As the campaign concludes, my personal thanks to all who have voted, will vote, have offered support, volunteered or even watched or attended a candidate forum. Our election process is alive and well in Brentwood.
When you go to the polls tomorrow, please consider a vote for the future of Brentwood by voting Devin McClendon. My knowledge of and commitment to Brentwood is strong. I will serve our city with an eye for the future but with a knowledge and respect for the past. I will always keep an open mind and encourage new ideas while taking a proactive approach to Brentwood’s future.