ZIP Code (again!)

I recently received my Time Warner Cable bill and was surprised to see I lived in "Arlington" again. Also, I recently was advised that the City Hall phones read as "Arlington" for people who have caller id.

I suggest you check your Time Warner Cable, MLGW and BellSouth (or other phone providers). I think you will be surprised to find that they don't bother to take the time and consideration to address "Lakeland" residents to "Lakeland" rather than mindlessly sending it to "Arlington".

It makes me wonder if they take the same care when they send in their taxes (that LAKELAND residents pay).

The City is currently conducting a study to verify that businesses in Lakeland pay their taxes to Lakeland and not Arlington, Memphis or Bartlett.

I urge all Lakeland residents to assist by checking your cable, phone, MLGW etc. bills and notify them that you live in "Lakeland", not "Arlington". It may assist in insuring your taxes that YOU pay are going to the correct city. If nothing else, it will make you feel better when you see your next bill addressed to "Lakeland".

While the companies have all been very cooperative about changing the address to Lakeland, I have to wonder, why do I need to notify them? Why don't they have the correct address in the first place?

Take a minute, and check your bills. I think you'll be surprised to find where they think you live!

Comrehensive Plan schedule

The update of the Lakeland Comprehensive is important to all Lakeland residents and future residents as it will define the future of Lakeland. Lakeland residents are encouraged to review J. Higbee’s updates in CityWatch and attend meetings on the Comprehensive Plan update.

Meetings on the Lakeland Comprehensive Plan update are planned as follows:

4:00 p.m., Thursday, September 8 at Lakeland City Hall: Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee meeting. (Public welcome to listen)

6:00 p.m. Thursday, September 8 at Lakeland City Hall: PUBLIC INPUT MEETING on Comprehensive Plan update. Public input is desired and encouraged on the Comprehensive Plan thus far.

6:30 p.m., Monday, September 19 at Lakeland City Hall. The Lakeland Municipal Planning Commission is scheduled to review the proposed Lakeland Comprehensive Plan at the regular MPC meeting.

Comments, questions or suggestions? Contact Lakeland City Hall at 867-2717, E-mail CityHall@lakelandtn.org or visit at 10001 Highway 70, Lakeland.

Gerrit Verschuur leaving Lakeland BOC

Gerrit Verschuur decided not to continue on the Lakeland Board of Commissioners, so the September 1, 2005 meeting will be his last regular meeting on the BOC.

The Board of Commissioners will recognize and thank Commissioner Verschuur at 6:15 p.m. prior to the start of the September 1 meeting. The public is invited to attend and join us in saying "thanks" to Dr. Verschuur.

We are thankful he is not leaving the Lakeland community and I am sure he will continue to remain active in Lakeland activities. He will continue with CityWatch and many of his other many activities.

Dr. Verschuur is one of the most interesting persons I have worked with and certainily one of the most intelligent. He is retiring from the Board of Commissioners because of his need to spend more time on his specialized research.

I could make a list of contributions Dr. Verschuur has made to the city and community just since I have known him, and it would be a very long list. I will just say that he is part of the fabric of Lakeland and he has decided to play a different role in the future.

It has been a real privilege to work with Commissioner Verschuur and I am glad I will continue to have the opportunity to continue to work with him as a community resident. (Although I have never said this to his face, after reading a biography of Ben Franklin, I started thinking of Dr. Verschuur as the "Lakeland Ben Franklin" for his curiosity, his interesting questions, his wit and sense of humor, his intelligence and, again, his driving need to learn and know).

Come join us in thanking Commissioner Verschuur for serving on the Lakeland Board of Commissioners. The Board of Commissioners regular meeting starts at 6:30 p.m., and the appreciation ceremony will be at the start of the meeting.

Bike/walking trails/lanes

Whew! I just finished riding my bicycle over some of the Lakeland streets I normally avoid (Canada Road etc.) and I feel like I biked on a survival course! We need more bicycle and walking trails and paths!

I usually don't ride my bike right after work for longer periods because of night meetings, but last week I had the chance to ride around 5:30 p.m. or so for an extended ride several times In the worst case Davies Plantation from Fletcher Trace north, I was shocked by the display of hostility, indifference and downright criminal behavior shown to me as a bicycle rider! We need some safe places to ride bicycles and educated motorists!

Actually, today is Sunday, and I rode longer this afternoon just because I had some spare time (and a growing spare tire I am trying to reduce), but unlike most Saturday and Sundays, it felt like a weeknight out there today!

If you ride a bike or walk on Lakeland streets, be careful and observe all the rules of bicycle riding (assume you are invisible to motorists, assume vehicles will take the worst action etc.).

I recently read the experience of several bicycle riders involved in motorist/bike wrecks (the bike always lost) and it is not a pretty story. Multiple painful operations, months off of work, lawsuits against the motorist, criminal action against the motorist in many cases. All because, in most cases, the motorist was thoughtless and/or in a hurry.

I'm like many motorists, even though I ride a bike. If I approach a group of riders in my car, my brain turns to mush, and I don't know what to do, even though I frequently ride a bike! I normally just stay behind the bikers until I have a clear, long space to pass. While riding my bike, I prefer to get over and let the vehicle pass as soon as possible, but PLEASE, don't pass me (within six inches of my bike) on the curve on Davies Plantation Road!

I could go on like this forever, but I know bicycling (for me) is a fun, healthy hobby and I want to keep it that way! Hopefully, we can continue to emphasize bike and walking trails to connect throughout the City. For example, Highway 64, for me, is a good place to ride because there is a place for bicycles, even though the fast traffic is rather intimidating at times.

The best slogan I have seen is "Share the Road". I know, some bicycle riders (including me, at times I am sure) do not always ride correctly either.

Think safety the next time you see a bicyclist-it could be me!

Soccer and Recreational programs

With the start of the school year, it is time for youth soccer, and later basketball and other recreational sports for Lakeland children.

As you may have read, the City of Lakeland is in the process designing an athletic field, which will include soccer fields. The Shelby County Schools and Lakeland Elementary personnel have been very cooperative in the use of facilities for youth basketball, cheerleading etc.

What programs do you think the community should be offering our community children? Suggestions, comments, complaints (or compliments!) on our present program and how they are operated?

I value your opinions, as I don't know how you feel unless you tell me! Let me know at LakelandCityMgr@aol.com, CityHall@Lakelandtn.org write me at 10001 Highway 70, Lakeland, Tennessee 38002 (or stop by and visit) or call me at 867-2717. Also, the Lakeland Park Board meets on the second Monday of each month and always welcomes visitors with comments and suggestions. Of course, the Lakeland Board of Commissioners is always interested in comments and suggestions. The Lakeland BOC meets for a Work Session on the 4th Monday of each month (actually, the last Monday of the month the week before the first Thursday of the next month) and the Regular Meeting on the first Thursday of each month.

New faces at City Hall

We are pleased to introduce two new personnel, both from the Lakeland area:

Harold Poore is the new Wastewater Specialist. He is responsible for oversight of the Lakeland Wastewater System and will respond to emergencies as well as maintain the system. Harold is familiar with the Lakeland area, since he lives just outside of the Lakeland city limits and was formerly employed by Mid-South Septic.

Dee Foster, who recently passed away, formerly handled this responsiblility.

Brenda Lockhart is the new Park Supervisor. After recruiting for this position for some time, we found the best person for the position lived in Lakeland! Brenda formerly worked for the City of Memphis and the City of Germantown. She was on the Lakeland Park Board and is familiar with the Lakeland park and recreational programs.

Brenda will be responsible for supervising the Lakeland park system and Lakeland recreational programs.

We welcome Harold and Brenda to the City of Lakeland family!

Lakeland Chamber of Commerce meeting

I hope all Lakeland residents and business owners/managers/personnel will consider attending the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce meeting at 11:00 a.m, Thursday, August 11, 2005 at the Stonebridge Clubhouse.

A primary purpose of the meeting is to elect Officers of the re-emerging of the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce.

Delories Williams, with the Memphis Regional Chamber of Commerce will speak on the "existing business" program, which is a key program to contact all exisitng businesses and having a frank discussion on what is both good and bad about the community. Lakeland hasn't participated prior to this since the existing business program was for industrial companies and Lakeland has not industrial companies.

However, the Memphis Regional Chamber of Commerce recently expanded the progam to include retail and service businesses and this program will become a priority for Lakeland.

If you are a business owner or manager or a Lakeland resident interested in a better Lakeland, plan to attend this important meeting.

Door to Door Soliciting with Handbills

Handbills or "flyers" attempting to sell something is generally illegal in Lakeland, unless the appropriate Permit is obtained. We have received seveal calls about unauthorized sales solicitations being left at Lakeland resident's houses.

Generally, literature left by religious organizations, schools etc. and political campaigning (during the authorized campaign period) is exempt from this requirement.

We do request all organizations or individuals to monitor placement of flyers and handbills so that they do not become "litter" and blow around the neighborhood.

If you have a question or need additional information on this, please call Code Enforcement at Lakeland City Hall, 867-2717

QNET Newsletter

If you want updated news for the Lakeland community, I recommend you subscribe to Qnet, the community electronic newsletter.

Subscribe (or send any changes to): Qnet@midsouth.rr.com.

If you have an event or news for community distribution, you may also send your event or news to this address for possible distribution by Qnet.