Off Limits

Argument 1,281 Against Direct Democracy: Sylan Park Politics. Things are getting ugly in West Nashville as tempers flare over the snooze-inducing but controversial conservation zoning overlay. According to unconfirmed reports from pro- and anti-overlay forces (Off Limits stays strictly neutral on neighborhood disputes—we’re the Switzerland of anonymous columns), acrimony reigned at Monday night’s neighborhood association meeting, where a nonbinding vote passed requesting that District 24 Metro Council member John Summers resign from the association’s steering committee. (Can that get people off the Metro Council as well?) Additionally, the group may have discussed motions to investigate and/or sue itself; they’re not really sure. We say you people deserve each other. Craig Commits. According to a press release that arrived in our inbox this week, Predators owner Craig Leipold is the proud new owner of a $1.05 million penthouse in the The Cumberland, a downtown apartment building. “I have been living in The Cumberland since 1998, and my family and I enjoy its proximity to the arena, restaurants and many other amenities,” said Leipold, apparently taken hostage by downtown developer Tony Giarratana. “I also recognize that there is a great deal of momentum in downtown Nashville and am enthusiastic about investing here for the long-term.” While the quotes sound stiffer than Bill Frist’s hair, we’re just happy to hear Leipold plans to stay for a while. Hell, between the penthouse and Paul Kariya, Nashville’s hockey team may have a future. Political News of Interest to Two People. Off Limits is told that former state Rep. John Arriola is running for the county clerk position currently held by the oft-investigated, never-indicted Bill Covington. (Remember how he was sending Metro employees on beer runs for him? Hey, you’d drink too if you were the county clerk.) May the best keeper of licenses and registrations win.