I received an e-mail this week from an insider who pointed out that ending the current events at the State Fairgrounds would adversely affect nearby Fall Hamilton Elementary School, which uses those events to fundraise by charging for parking on its grounds. Leaders at Fall Hamilton have not waited on the Chamber of Commerce's One Nashville to raise money for their school. They created their own source of funds.
While the predominantly white gentrifiers in the SNAP neighborhoods might reduce the community concerns here to racetrack noise, this predominately African American neighborhood school is concerned with providing educational opportunities for its kids. Given the state of Metro Nashville Public Schools, those opportunities have to be bought with outside money. Office parks provide their own parking, so the Mayor's plan could spell the extinction of Fall Hamilton's fundraising efforts.
Where is that money supposed to come from? What plans do neighborhoods who support Karl Dean's plan to move fairgrounds events to Antioch's Hickory Hollow mall (which garners strong Antioch opposition ignored by some leaders in South Nashville) have to help Fall Hamilton make up the financial losses? Or maybe those losses do not enter the equation for supporters. Nonetheless, Mayor Dean needs to come up with a Fairgrounds redevelopment plan that suits community interests not limited to those of gentrifiers and developers.
This is an interesting post. Let me guess which “side” your insider is on.
ReplyDeleteI was one of the people who actually STARTED the parking for the flea market and other events as a fundraiser for the Fall-Hamilton PTA about 18 years ago. I am quite sure that losing that money will be a problem for the school.
But I also know that getting rid of the incredible racetrack noise will be a major step forward for the school. A few years ago, a Fall-Hamilton staff person did a survey of the teachers and found that many of them had to simply stop teaching due to racing practice during the day. The noise was massive, especially for the special ed classes in the building. That was one of the times that SNAP members went to the fair board and testified about the problems created for the school and the neighborhood by the noise.
One of the people who spoke at the fair board meeting was a woman who grew up in the neighborhood, and still lives in that house, just a short distance from the racetrack. She said that the noise has gotten incredibly worse since she was a child. You and others seem to delight in characterizing this neighborhood as all “gentrifiers.” This is simply not true now – and definitely was not true when SNAP first started working on the racetrack/fairgrounds issue. There certainly are some gentrifiers involved – as there are in Salemtown.
You expressed concern for this “predominately African-American neighborhood school” and try to paint the neighborhood as being unconcerned about the school. People from SNAP who had kids at the school started the parking fundraiser 18 years ago, overcoming opposition from the then-principal. SNAP members worked to have CDBG funds spend for a new playground for the school. SNAP members agreed to be part of an advisory committee that was formed for better social services at the school. SNAP members supported the school when a law against parking on the grass endangered their continued use of parking as a fundraiser. Many years ago, SNAP organized teenagers to tutor children at Fall-Hamilton. For the last two years, the “gentrifiers” (as you call them) have sponsored a May Community Festival for children from Fall-Hamilton.
By the way, parents at the school don’t necessarily want the fairgrounds/racetrack to stay. A few years ago, a Fall-Hamilton staffer asked parents to write on a poster what they wanted to see at this site, whether the fairgrounds stayed or not. Most mentioned recreation, some said a grocery and retail and other things (I don’t have that poster with me.). Quite a few wrote on it, “But no racetrack!!”
The fairgrounds issue is really a complex one, that many of us have been working on for years. It is frustrating to see people showing up at the last minute and thinking that they understand it all. But I am especially tired of people on both sides of this issue demonizing the “other side” – and assuming that their opponents have no brains/morals/ethics/right to be heard/etc. (By the way, I personally am probably on a third “side” in all this.)
The concern that you and your “insider” have about Fall-Hamilton seems to be just one more way of bashing the other side -– and it’s hard to believe that you have the school’s interests at heart. Perhaps that makes you feel good and self-righteous, but your statements about the neighborhood (1) are not grounded in facts, and (2) do not contribute to our understanding one another and coming to a thoughtful solution to these problems.
Advent is a time for hope. I hope that we can find ways to get beyond the stereotyping and work for understanding.
This is an interesting post. Let me guess which “side” your insider is on.
ReplyDeleteI was one of the people who actually STARTED the parking for the flea market and other events as a fundraiser for the Fall-Hamilton PTA about 18 years ago. I am quite sure that losing that money will be a problem for the school.
But I also know that getting rid of the incredible racetrack noise will be a major step forward for the school. A few years ago, a Fall-Hamilton staff person did a survey of the teachers and found that many of them had to simply stop teaching due to racing practice during the day. The noise was massive, especially for the special ed classes in the building. That was one of the times that SNAP members went to the fair board and testified about the problems created for the school and the neighborhood by the noise.
One of the people who spoke at the fair board meeting was a woman who grew up in the neighborhood, and still lives in that house, just a short distance from the racetrack. She said that the noise has gotten incredibly worse since she was a child. You and others seem to delight in characterizing this neighborhood as all “gentrifiers.” This is simply not true now – and definitely was not true when SNAP first started working on the racetrack/fairgrounds issue. There certainly are some gentrifiers involved – as there are in Salemtown.
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ReplyDeleteYou expressed concern for this “predominately African-American neighborhood school” and try to paint the neighborhood as being unconcerned about the school. People from SNAP who had kids at the school started the parking fundraiser 18 years ago, overcoming opposition from the then-principal. SNAP members worked to have CDBG funds spend for a new playground for the school. SNAP members agreed to be part of an advisory committee that was formed for better social services at the school. SNAP members supported the school when a law against parking on the grass endangered their continued use of parking as a fundraiser. Many years ago, SNAP organized teenagers to tutor children at Fall-Hamilton. For the last two years, the “gentrifiers” (as you call them) have sponsored a May Community Festival for children from Fall-Hamilton.
By the way, parents at the school don’t necessarily want the fairgrounds/racetrack to stay. A few years ago, a Fall-Hamilton staffer asked parents to write on a poster what they wanted to see at this site, whether the fairgrounds stayed or not. Most mentioned recreation, some said a grocery and retail and other things (I don’t have that poster with me.). Quite a few wrote on it, “But no racetrack!!”
The fairgrounds issue is really a complex one, that many of us have been working on for years. It is frustrating to see people showing up at the last minute and thinking that they understand it all. But I am especially tired of people on both sides of this issue demonizing the “other side” – and assuming that their opponents have no brains/morals/ethics/right to be heard/etc. (By the way, I personally am probably on a third “side” in all this.)
The concern that you and your “insider” have about Fall-Hamilton seems to be just one more way of bashing the other side. – and it’s hard to believe that you have the school’s interests at heart. Perhaps that makes you feel good and self-righteous, but your statements about the neighborhood (1) are not grounded in facts, and (2) do not contribute to our understanding one another and coming to a thoughtful solution to these problems.
Advent is a time for hope. I hope that we can find ways to get beyond the stereotyping and work for understanding.
You expressed concern for this “predominately African-American neighborhood school” and try to paint the neighborhood as being unconcerned about the school. People from SNAP who had kids at the school started the parking fundraiser 18 years ago, overcoming opposition from the then-principal. SNAP members worked to have CDBG funds spend for a new playground for the school. SNAP members agreed to be part of an advisory committee that was formed for better social services at the school. SNAP members supported the school when a law against parking on the grass endangered their continued use of parking as a fundraiser. Many years ago, SNAP organized teenagers to tutor children at Fall-Hamilton. For the last two years, the “gentrifiers” (as you call them) have sponsored a May Community Festival for children from Fall-Hamilton.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, parents at the school don’t necessarily want the fairgrounds/racetrack to stay. A few years ago, a Fall-Hamilton staffer asked parents to write on a poster what they wanted to see at this site, whether the fairgrounds stayed or not. Most mentioned recreation, some said a grocery and retail and other things (I don’t have that poster with me.). Quite a few wrote on it, “But no racetrack!!”
The fairgrounds issue is really a complex one, that many of us have been working on for years. It is frustrating to see people showing up at the last minute and thinking that they understand it all. But I am especially tired of people on both sides of this issue demonizing the “other side” – and assuming that their opponents have no brains/morals/ethics/right to be heard/etc. (By the way, I personally am probably on a third “side” in all this.)
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ReplyDeleteThe concern that you and your “insider” have about Fall-Hamilton seems to be just one more way of bashing the other side. – and it’s hard to believe that you have the school’s interests at heart. Perhaps that makes you feel good and self-righteous, but your statements about the neighborhood (1) are not grounded in facts, and (2) do not contribute to our understanding one another and coming to a thoughtful solution to these problems.
Advent is a time for hope. I hope that we can find ways to get beyond the stereotyping and work for understanding.
One would think that Mike Hodge of the Neighborhood Resource Center would be neutral on this issue since the NRC supports neighborhoods across the city. Is he in the mayor's pocket too? What has the mayor promised him? To me, Hodges comments devalue the NRC.
ReplyDeleteWhen you take that much money away from a school, especially a Title I school, it will hurt them a lot. Seems Councilmember Sandra Moore might consider the education of the small ones in her neighborhood, instead of cozying up to the mayor herself.
As for the noise, what about mufflers? They sure work on every other car in this city.Is Hodge going to take the interstate away next? Lots of noise comes from the interstate.
Always appreciate "Anonymous" postings. And this comment is exactly what I was speaking against int he last post -- twisting anything that someone says to "score points" for your "side." If you re-read my post, I said that I personally had a third "side".
ReplyDeleteAnd I always love it when people accuse me of being in anyone's pocket, just by asking for reasoned discussion. Seems a lot more likely that Anonymous is in someone's pocket by ignoring the facts that I presented in my post.
I doubt that Anonymous has helped develop the PTA at Fall-Hamilton or that he/she worked for years to park cars to raise money, or that he/she has done anything to support the school. But of course, I don't know. It seems more likely that this supposed concern about the school has become a convenient weapon to try to use against others.
Advent is the time that we prepare for Christmas -- for the coming of Jesus. It starts this Sunday. And I still have hope that we can learn to understand one another if we can get beyond the need to demonize each other.
Mr. Hodge: Your naivete notwithstanding, there is no 3rd side. You may have a 3rd side yourself, but that's not apart of the debate. Whether its your professional or personal opinion. You fail to recognize what's going on. There are 2 sides in this debate. One is being presented by the administration and supported by a few, young white folks.......gentrifiers. This side will bulldoze the speedway, including the fairgrounds, and send the other fairgrounds activities to a DEAD mall in Antioch at great expense to ALL taxpayers. The latter is against the wishes of the fine folks of Antioch (in case you haven't heard). Any implication otherwise is downright foolish.
ReplyDeleteThe other side of the debate wants to maintain the events at the fairgrounds, including the speedway, as-is. The status quo if you will.
Now, if you can get the Mayor or the council to file a bill relative to this 3rd side, then there will be one. Until then, there are 2 sides. Pick one. Period.
The demonization began when the Mayor took office. At least according to his ECD flack, Ms. Poe. I am baffled you haven't experienced this yourself if you opposed an initiative of this Mayor. The Mayor has said we would all face a tax increase if the council doesn't pass his plans. That's an ALL or NOTHING approach. Don't you agree?
This is a win or lose proposition. And, the council member for District 17 is being disingenuous when she suggests she is undecided. Her actions belie such conclusions.
Instead this has turned into a debate over councilmanic courtesy. Doth you protest? At the end of the day, what should be done is what the majority of the people want, right? Consent of the governed.
I hope you will get more up to speed instead of being self-righteous. This is a fight and the Mayor plays for keeps. When it's over, no one will discuss your 3rd side unless you get it on the table. I hope to see your presentation of this 3rd side in the media soon. Please do. Write an op-ed, call a press conference. Do something other than convincing yourself your engaged in the debate by commenting on this blog.
I am certain the *new* leaders of SNAP would appreciate your participation. But, knowing them like I do, you will not be welcomed. You will know this when your ideas aren't supported.
Did you go to their meeting on Nov. 24th after the "shellacking" as described by Mr. Phillips?
Mr. Hodge: Your stated survey. Was it taken this year under the current track management? If not, it's not a real reflection of current events.
ReplyDeleteGrocery stores not on Mayor's table. Instead there will be almost anything. Have you checked the current zoning? Industrial.
In case you haven't read the latest article at the Scene, the mayor's office has stated the time for talking is over.
Can someone please explain to me how Mike Byrd can call anyone a gentrifier? How many lower class blacks have you and your gentrification friends ran from the salemtown neighborhood? You're the gentrifier you piece of trash.
ReplyDeleteYou forgot to speculate that this "piece of trash" also sends his kid to a public school in this zone in order to drive out the 90+% African American demographic there, too. Or maybe it's just easy to make up crap when you lack the guts to sign your name to your comment.
ReplyDelete