Representative Ron Lollar to speak at Lakeland Chamber lunch Thursday, Sept 9

JOIN US FOR THE CHAMBER'S SEPTEMBER LUNCHEON

Guest Speaker State Representative Ron Lollar

Clubhouse @ Stonebridge Golf Course

3049 Davies Plantation Road

Thursday, September 9th · 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Northeast Shelby County has a vested interest in the decisions being made in Nashville, and who better to fill us in on the current and future happenings from the state capital than Ron Lollar, our district's State Representative. Mr. Lollar will provide the Chamber's members with updates on issues that affect our business community, as well as an overview of other legislation that is currently being considered.

Join us for lunch on Thursday, August 9th to gain a better understanding of government issues that affect you. The Lakeland Area Chamber of Commerce luncheon meeting will be held at Stonebridge Golf Course's Clubhouse. We ask that you reserve your seat in advance so that we can get an accurate count of how many people to expect for lunch.

LACOC Members: $10 / Guests: $15 / First Time Visitors or New Members: FREE

Please reserve your seat today by leaving a message on the LACOC voicemail at 867-5411.

About Our Speaker

Ron Lollar (born August 13, 1948, in Jackson, Tennessee) is a Republican member of the Tennessee House of Representatives for the 99th district, which encompasses the northeast part of Shelby County. Lollar has served as a state representative since being elected to the 105th Tennessee General Assembly (2007-2008). He serves on the House Agriculture Committee, the House Education Committee, the House Higher Education Subcommittee, and the House Special Initiatives Subcommittee. For three terms, he represented the second district on the Shelby County School Board. In 2004, he was a member of the Tennessee School Board

Ron Lollar graduated from Jackson State Community College with an associate degree in 1973. In 1975, he graduated from Austin Peay State University with a Bachelor of Science degree. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps. from 1967 to 1971, and in the Army National Guard from 1980 until 1982. He was a Staff Sergeant as a Ceremonial White House Guard. He has been bestowed with the Vietnam Gallantry Cross, the Navy Commendation Medal w/ "V" device, a Combat Action Ribbon with a Navy Unit citation, a Good Conduct Medal with a Meritorious Unit Citation, a Vietnamese Service Medal, and a Vietnamese Campaign Medal. He currently works as a manager.

In 2004, Ron Lollar was a member of the Tennessee School Board Association, a representative agency for members of Tennessee's school boards. In 2006, he was a member of the Tennessee School Board Association's board of directors. He is currently a Tennessee State School Board Association panel moderator. In 2006, he was Chair of the Tennessee Legislative Network. He serves as President of Future Farmers of America. In 1973, he was President of the Student Body Association of Jackson State Community College. In 1975, he was President of the Student Government Association at Austin Peay State University.

Consolidation information

Information on consolidation is available at the following web sites:

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=77827759676&v=wall FACEBOOK group: No Consolidation of Memphis and Shelby County Governments

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Save-Shelby-Now/155360524477396?ref=mf FACEBOOK fan page: Save Shelby Now

Save Shelby County - we OPPOSE consolidation - Good Government Save Shelby County . org website

Save Shelby Now website (coming soon with online donation link)

The proposed Metro Charter, along with consolidation information is also available by clicking here, if you want the Charter and Map in separate sections or here if you want the Charter as one document and additional information on consolidation. Both of these web pages are at www.CityofLakeland.com.

Bicycle and walking path scheduled for completion by December 18

The bicycle and walking paths being constructed along Canada Road from Highway 64 to I-40 are scheduled for completion by December 18. Weather delays etc. could delay the completion.

The paths will create a separate walking and bicycling path on each side of Canada Road. The trails will run from Highway 64 to approximately 1/4 mile south of the Canada Road/I-40 interchange on both sides of the road. The remainder of the paths to the I-40 and Canada Road interchange will be completed as development occurs or as part of the Interchange project to be completed in several years.

Dance Lessons and Dance this Saturday at IH Clubhouse

Dance lessons at 5:45-6:45 Saturday followed by dancing at 7:00 p.m. highlight the monthly dance at the IH Club, at 4523 Canada Road in Lakeland. this Saturday, August 28. No partner is needed for he dance lessons.

Carrie Perry is teaching West Coast Swing from 5:45 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. prior to the dance. An admission fee of $5.00 is charged. Soft drinks and water are available for a donation. Eddie Richardson will play a variety of adult music from 7:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

Make plans to attend on September 25, when Glen and Vickey Wright will be teaching country two step prior to the dance!

I-40/Canada Road Intersection Signal Lights

Shelby County officials have advised that the signal light at the I-40 and Canada Road interchange is on schedule and due to be operational by early November, 2010. The signal light is funded by a federal grant to fund projects that reduce congestion (reducing air pollution) and administered by Shelby County. We appreciate the efforts of Shelby County in this and look forward to signals lights at the interchange.

9-1-1 comments illustrate future treatment if "consolidation" is approved

The comments by a 9-1-1 Board Member recently illustrates how the suburbs would be treated if "consolidation" is approved.

The comments (saying the suburbs are "toy towns" and other demeaning remarks) are what Lakeland and other suburbs could expect if consolidation is ever approved.

While Lakeland is well served by Shelby County dispatch, the other suburbs have legitimate reasons why they prefer to keep 9-1-1 dispatch in their cities. Instead of being asked for possible alternatives, we get demeaning remarks.

These comments, and comments by a Memphis City Council that the suburbs "shouldn't have a vote" in Metro Government even though we are certainly affected by Shelby County illustrate the future if consolidation is approved!

Regardless of what the organization running the very expensive (where did they get the money) campaign to force consolidation on the suburbs says, it is the people not the structure that matters. If the same people are running "consolidated" government as are making demeaning, ignorant comments about the suburbs now, this is exactly what we would get after consolidation!

"Final" proposed Metro Charter

This is a link to the "final" proposed Metro Charter. This will be placed on the Lakeland Board of Commissioners Work Session agenda to determine the Policy of the City of Lakeland on this proposed Charter. While this is legally a merger between Shelby County and the City of Memphis, it would have significant impacts on Lakeland.

Click here for the final proposed Metro Charter.

Consolidation Watch: Proposed Metro Government Districts

The proposed "Districts" for the proposed Metro Charter are available by clicking here. Note that Census Data from the year 2000 was used, so Lakeland and Arlington are starting out being under represented by 15,000 or so residents! The Constitution requires the 2000 Census figures be used, but it seems the Charter could provide for immediate redistricting

It also appears Lakeland representation would be significantly diluted.

If the link to the district maps does not work, this web address can be copied and pasted:

http://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0B3t8GdcKiitnMzYwMTMxNzYtYTI4Mi00ZjVhLWI3NGUtMzgzZDY4YjY0YTUx&hl=en

Consolidation WAtch: Draft Metro Charter available

The Metro Charter Commission has released a copy of a "draft" Metro Charter. At this time it is not on the Metro Charter Commission website for review by the public.

Due to the size of the proposed Charter (107 pages), it has been difficult to post the draft charter.

A copy is available by clicking here. NOTE: To allow posting on the website, spacing has been condensed and some comments have been consolidated. This is not an official copy of what was distributed by the Metro Charter Commission is noted below and it can be copied and pasted.

If the link doesn't work, the website address is: https://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0AXt8GdcKiitnZHMyNXR2OV8zNDlmeDIyNmNkag&hl=en

City Hall Parking Lot expansion will create parking problems

Parking will be limited during construction of a "green" parking lot and additional spaces for Lakeland City Hall and City Hall Park. All of the west portion of the parking lot will be eliminated during construction. The "green" parking lot is partially funded by a grant. The parking lot will absorb rainwater rather than then creating stormwater runoff.

Periods of high activity (soccer, baseball etc.) will be a special problem and residents are asked to plan ahead and, if possible, car pool or take other action to limit the number of vehicles. Parking will be allowed on grassy areas etc. during dry weather when it does not damage the grass or trees.

We will take all actions possible to insure adequate parking is available during construction of the new parking lots. We will appreciate any comments or suggestions on mitigating parking problems during the construction period.

Lakeland City Hall Park playground closed until August 11

The playground area in City Hall Park is closed until August 11, 2010. The closing was necessary to install a new surface in the playground area to maintain a safe surface for children.

All other facilities at the park will remain open.

Lakeland August events and meetings on YouTube

Lakeland August events and meetings on YouTube in "channel 19" format. Click here.