LaVergne Celebrates Three Five

Although the city has been around for much longer, La Vergne is celebrating its official 35th anniversary tomorrow (Thursday) from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. at the public library. Terrie B., a friend to this LaVergne blog, has been working on her movie about the city that debuts tomorrow! Read about it in today's Daily News Journal linked here.

Terrie has put in a lot of time and effort in this huge undertaking and I'm sure it will be a job well done! Thanks, Terrie!

Growth Slowing in LaVergne?

The city of La Vergne has issued a press release showing that fewer permits for construction of single family homes were issued in 2006 over 2005. Here's the press release:

Single family dwelling permits in La Vergne decreased in 2006, according to the City of La Vergne Codes Department.

The Codes Department issued 814 total permits during 2006, down from 832 in 2005, Of those, 551 were for single-family dwellings, 0 were for multi-family dwellings, 19 for garages and sheds and 173 for miscellaneous construction.”

Commercial building permits increased to 44 in 2006, versus 42 in 2005 according to the Year End Report for 2006.

In addition to the increase in permits, yearly permit total building valuation totals were $94,685,656.00. The yearly permit total building valuation totals for 2005 was $106,871,011.90 -- $73,268.000.00 of that total was posted for single family dwellings.

For the 2006 year $790,105.46 was collected in road, police and park impact fees according to the year end report.

In addition, the municipal codes department responded to 217 complaints of tall grass up from 180 complaints from last year. In the 2006 year, 473 calls about junk cars in yards. Last year junk car complaints were 450. In the 2006 year, 740 calls were about trash in yards. Last year 570 complaints were reported about trash in yards. And there were 1773 other complaints during the year 2006 up from last year’s report of 1,154.

Those are some pretty interesting numbers. It looks like more complaints about trashy yards, broken down cars, un-mowed lawns, etc. But less construction. Looking at that hill off of Bill Stewart Rd. with grass, trees being removed, it makes me wonder if building permits won't increase in 2007.

Also, FYI there was a story about gangs in LaVergne in today's Daily News Journal. I'm hoping the police WILL concentrate on ending this trend quickly. Neither of my daughters have experienced gang activity at LaVergne Middle or LaVergne High.

Mr. McCann is the Man

The beloved principal of Roy Waldron Elementary School has been appointed the man-in-charge of the new elementary school of LaVergne, slated to open this fall.

Jeff McCann has been principal of Waldron School since 2004, after Mr. Jerry Hesson retired. Before that, he was assistant principal and band director. I had the distinct pleasure of serving as president of the PTO under Mr. McCann's leadership and unflinchingly sing his praises. It is rare when you meet such a warm, caring leader who was as firm with wayward students as he was caring to both them and all students. He will be greatly missed on Mayfield Drive, but Waldron's loss is most definitely to the wonderful gain of LaVergne Lake Elementary.

Dr. Polly Pewitt has been named interim principal of Roy Waldron School, and I am VERY hopeful Mr. Gill will see what a fine leader she is as well and promote her to the position permanently. The highly educated Dr. Pewitt also has the common sense that can be forgotten when working in the trenches. Her no-nonsense approach to respecting mandates from the state and county is tempered with her compassion to students and dedication to this community.

We are truly blessed to have these fine leaders in our schools. Read more about the announcement in the Daily News Journal here.

339 Homes for Sale and One Featured

At this moment, there are 339 homes for sale in LaVergne on the MLS (listed by a Realtor). The least expensive* is a mobile home in Driftwood Village for $38,500 and the most expensive is an elegant home in Hampton Estates for $485,900.

There are 86 homes currently under contract and 29 homes have closed so far this year. Last year, a total of 1,015 homes were sold in LaVergne. The average price of homes now available is $156,000.

Like the children of Lake Woebegone, I want to describe a home in Lake Forest that's above average. This home has over 2,000 square feet, 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, a huge bonus room, and a back yard enclosed with a privacy fence. It has hardwood floors in the kitchen and dining room, like-new carpet, and fresh paint throughout. One of the amazing features is a dual fireplace (or two-sided fireplace) that you can see both from the living room and the sunroom. The address is 1712 Jimmy Cove and the sellers are asking $177,000 - they may be somewhat negotiable on the price. Here are some photos:









This home is the perfect example of the beautiful, affordable homes in this community. We have great neighbors here - big city convenience with a small-town feel. If you like to drive down a road and see someone giving you the hand-on-the-steering-wheel "howdy wave" then this is a terrific place to be! LaVergne has so much to offer - come on over!

*These figures are homes that have LAND or LOTS that are also owned by the seller, not mobile homes parked on a rented pad.

Middle Tennessee Bloggers & Podcast Meeting

Do you have something to say, but the media elite just won't listen to you? The monthly meeting of the Middle Tennessee Blogger & Podcasters Group is Saturday, January 27th at 2:00 p.m. at Espresso Joe's in Smyrna. It's a great opportunity to get your opinion heard! Or if you don't want to express your opinion but do want to meet the fabulous hosts of this and other blogs, come on by!

Enjoy a nice cup of joe (Espresso Joe), make some friends, visit with old friends, and have some laughs. We'd love to see you!

Reward Offered

Crime Stoppers is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of vandals who trashed at the Mason Cemetery in the Lake Forest subdivision and the concession stands at Veteran's Park. Read all about it in the Daily News Journal here or on LaVergne's web page here.

While you're at it, take a gander through the LaVergne website for news you can use, library events, and more!

Playing Catch Up

There's a lot to update here and all of it has been taken from LaVergne's web page. The second edition of the community's newsletter is now available. My guess is if you didn't get one in the mail, you can pick one up at city hall or you can read it online here. It's taking my computer some time to download, so be patient. It is a virtue.

There's a special meeting this Friday (Jan. 19th) at 3:00 p.m. at the City Hall to talk about a contract with "Severn Trent Services for the operation of the La Vergne Water Treatment Plant."

Now this sounds really cool...

The City of La Vergne is hosting the second annual "Celebrate, La Vergne! (Show and Tell)" from 4-7 p.m. on March 17 at the Civic Auditorium, 283 Old Nashville Highway in La Vergne. This event gives those with historical items the chance to bring them to the building to be scanned for preservation by the Historical Preservation Advisory Committee. Anyone who is interested in La Vergne history or has information they want to share is encouraged to attend. For more information, contact the La Vergne Parks and Recreation Department at 793-3224.

And finally, the city is accepting applications for entertainment at the 2007 Old Timer's Day celebration. Read about it here.

Is there anything else going on you want to talk about? Just comment here and we'll post it! If it's appropriate, of course. And if we like it. ;)

Who Will be Principal?

Four people have applied to be the principal of the new elementary school opening in LaVergne this Fall. Like politicians, I'd like to throw my support to one, but I can't. I personally know two of these individuals: Mr. Jeff McCann and Dr. Polly Pewitt. Both are very talented people who would be outstanding in the top position at the school. When my daughters attended Roy Waldron Elementary School, these administrators were smart, fair, talented, and obviously cared deeply for the educational well-being of their students.

I want to wish both Jeff and Polly all the best. Our community would be very fortunate to have either of you at the helm of the new school, so we beg Mr. Gill to make the right decision. We're rooting for both of them.

Here's the article from the Daily News Journal.

In other news, the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards has released the named of those earning certification in Tennessee - and none were from Rutherford County. :( My pal Ivy has been thinking about how to restructure schools so that all children are challenged - read her post over here. There are really two challenges with her proposal: 1. No Child Left Behind; and 2. What happens to the child who should be advancing to the next level but is stuck because they've been labeled another way? But a topic well worth the discussion. Go read and comment.

Wishing everyone an outstanding Tuesday!

Moll Industries Cuts 153 Jobs

LaVergne lost 153 jobs in December when Moll Industries closed its doors. According to the Tennessean, the plastics factory supplied the nearby Whirlpool plant and that contract was not renewed.

In other news, developers are questioning the county's spending of the existing development tax, especially since commissioners have voted to increase it again. Read the article in today's Daily News Journal.

Also for your information, Smyrna's Planning Commission is considering several proposals that include a senior day and evening care facility, a new Comfort Suites hotel, the airport business park, and several other annexing opportunities for development.

Don't forget the meeting tonight at 5:30 p.m. between the county commissioners and the local state legislators. The public is invited and encouraged to attend at the courthouse on the square in Murfreesboro.

Public Meeting Wednesday

LaVergne County Commissioner Doug Shafer popped in tonight to tell me (us!) about the Annual Public Meeting of our County Commission and State Legislators. Mr. Shafer said it's usually an informative, interesting meeting between the commissioners and about four legislators who represent this area.

The meeting will be held at the County Courthouse at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, January 3rd. Commissioners are asking, "Let's pack the County Courthouse on the Square to show our State Legislators that we support the County Commission's UNANIMOUS vote to increase the Development Tax."

Money would be used to fund schools, new roads, and other services.

Speaking of roads, Mr. Shafer also told me that LaVergne is getting TWO NEW STOPLIGHTS (but not at the Jefferson Pike-M'boro Rd. intersection). The lights will be:

• Dick Buchanan Drive and Murfreesboro Road
• Floyd Mayfield Drive and Murfreesboro Road

They'll be coming in 2007, along with several road widening projects. Get ready!

Road Work Coming in 2007

LaVergne's Waldron Road may be widened in 2007, according to the Daily News Journal. City leaders will be meeting at a retreat in March to discuss the how-to's and when's of the road and other infrastructure needs. I encourage our officials to also consider funding a stop-light at Jefferson Pike and Murfreesboro Rd.... is it even in our city limits or is it Smyrna? It is a very dangerous intersection and very much needs a light (much more so than the useless one at the unused "airport entrance" probably put in because of grant money). Also, I was glad to see the city pave that turn-in onto Stones River Road a couple of weeks ago.

OH! While our city leaders are at retreat, could you discuss a city pool?