Love-Hate Mail
Electric response
Kudos to the Nashville Scene for its forward-thinking editorial regarding energy conservation (“Five Things We Should Do,” Sept. 29). As the editorial plainly stated, rising energy costs are with us for the long haul. NES recently was compelled to raise rates about 8 percent effective Oct. 1, mostly to offset cost increases from our supplier. Meanwhile, the Tennessee Regulatory Authority recently forecast 30 to 50 percent increases in natural gas prices.
Lifestyle changes are the only realistic answer to this situation. We at NES have been educating our customers to save money at the thermostat, close off costly leaks in their homes, be sure appliances are running efficientl, and take other commonsense measures to save costs.
We plan to seriously explore the Scene’s suggestion that we have a competition among our customers to see who can save the most power. But the best first step is heightening public awareness of the issue, as the Nashville Scene did last week.
Decosta Jenkins
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President, NES
1214 Church St., Nashville
It’s not easy being green
I’ve been a damn Yankee for five years and I’m mostly proud of it. I moved from Madison, Wis., served by Madison Gas and Electric (MG&E). MG&E allowed customers the option to purchase some or all of their power needs from the utility company’s wind power program. If customers chose to have all their power needs supplied by wind power, they did not face the rate increases passed along to traditional energy users.
I already drive my Toyota Prius hybrid, live in Nashville (to avoid long commutes), recycle and do other eco-friendly things. I also participate in TVA’s Green Power Switch at a level that exceeds my current power needs. Unfortunately, TVA passed along a rate increase to NES, which passed along the rate increase to its users, including me. I already pay more for Green Power. Now I’m also going to be paying more for the general rate increase. Perhaps TVA and NES could encourage Green Power by not making its customers backtrack from the right choice with higher general power rates.
Todd Liebergen
tliebergen@yahoo.com (Nashville)
Yes to conservation overlay
Regarding Lisa Ferris’ letter (Love/Hate Mail, Sept. 29): it is so lame to assume that everyone who is pro-conservation-overlay in Sylvan Park has a desire to control other property owners. Any ordinance, law or rule reduces someone’s freedom, supposedly for the good of the community. This is not a control issue.
A historic overlay does not affect materials, siding, landscape, walkways or small sheds. Approval is required for additions to keep them about the same height and style of other buildings near it; enclosing front porches is not usually allowed; tearing down a structurally sound house is usually not allowed. The rules are stricter for houses built before 1945. The commission will look at sketches and drawings and assist owners and builders to find acceptable solutions for additions.
There are contractors who are looking for small houses to buy so that they can tear them down and build large Brentwood-size houses on the small lots. The pro-overlay folks like the mix of dwelling sizes as well as the character of many of the historic houses.
One if not both of the historic Utah Avenue houses used as examples were too rotten to renovate. One is now 3,370 square feet and the other used about the same size foundation and added a full second story. The setback is good and they have front porches and seem to fit into the general historic style of the area. Others have no obligation to conform to size, style or height, and that is the rub.
The committee overseeing the canvassing of the neighborhood reports that about 70 percent of the residents have expressed their preference. This process should be complete about mid-December.
Ms Ferris is passionate about this issue; but living with fear and negativity certainly must detract from living in this nice urban neighborhood. I look forward to 2006 when this will be over.
Elaine Hackerman
ejhackerman@aol.com (Nashville)
No to conservation overlay
Lisa Ferris’ letter about the Conservation Overlay in Sylvan Park is right on. She said, “...they don’t care about the homes being torn down, but instead about controlling what’s going up in their place. Freedom often presents us with things we don’t like, but that is freedom’s price.” The issue at hand is freedom vs. control. If the overlay passes, the individual homeowner will have to hire a lawyer to override their decision, according to the person fielding the questions at a hearing in the Whitland Area Neighborhood Association recently. John Summers is also Councilman in WANA.
Fay Forlines
Cashville shout-out
I’m Dyverse, a hip-hop artist here in Nashville. I have to say that you all did an excellent job with “Cashville Underground” (Sept. 22). Recognizing that local stations do not show local artists support was something that needed to be mentioned. The Nashville Scene has given hip-hop here a chance and has opened people’s eyes to the work, dedication and growing success of rap and hip-hop artists in our community. I thank the Scene for showing us local artists support and love, and I believe it is something that will continue to grow. It’s all about networking, publicity and what the Scene did, I think, is about as solid as you could get. Being an artist that moved here a year ago from Miami, Fla., I see the differences and I think that article has finally made them noticeable. Check out my website at www.DyverseRap.com and my album Struggles of Survivors, in stores now.
Dyverse
Dyverse@DyverseRap.com (Nashville)
Laughing at Lucius
I have been so depressed by the news lately. Therefore, it was wonderful to see a news item that gave me the best laugh I have had in years. Lucius Carroll for mayor (“Mayoral Watch,” Sept. 22)! Well, it is a free country. Good luck, sir. As my grandmother was fond of saying, “there’s a lid for every pot!”
Mark Lee Taylor
markleetaylor@aol.com (Nashville)
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