News & Updates – Page 2 – Jeff Syracuse

Appointed Committee Chair of Public Health and Safety

Written by Jeff Syracuse on September 21, 2022. Posted in Donelson Council News, News.

Vice Mayor Shulman announced new Committee Chairs and has appointed me Chair of Public Health and Safety. As we emerge from the worst of the pandemic, deal with the fentanyl crisis, advance our co-response model for public safety, and more in this area, I will be focused on these areas and more in my role. I want to thank District 12 CM Erin Evans for all her great efforts as the last Chair of this committee.

Mental Health Co-operative, Public Health and Safety, Vice Mayor Jim Shulman

Metro Schools now an “Advancing” School District

Written by Jeff Syracuse on September 21, 2022. Posted in Donelson School News, News.

I am very proud to share that Metro Schools has announced that student academic achievement is improving, and the district is now an “Advancing” school district, which is the second highest rating a school system can achieve. That’s largely based on TCAP scores and then schools are broken down into three categories – Reward, Priority or Targeted Support. There are many more schools in the Reward category this year.

Advancing School District, Jeff Syracuse, Metro Council District 15, MNPS

Music Makes Us Advisory Council Chair Hand Over

Written by Jeff Syracuse on September 21, 2022. Posted in Donelson Council News, News.

I recently completed my two-year term as Chair of the Advisory Council for Music Makes Us that serves to support the 44,000 students and 188 music teachers across MNPS. I handed it over to Brian Sexton, whom is a wonderful community leader within arts and music, and he will be an excellent leader as we emerge from the pandemic and focus on rebuilding some programs and bringing further investment to support our teachers and students.

One such effort to support our student’s performance opportunities is the “Metro Marching Classic” where marching bands across Davidson County participate in an exhibition of their marching shows this year. It’s a free event and all are welcome to attend on October 1st. See flyer below for details.

Brian Sexton, Metro Marching Classic, MNPS, Music Makes Us

Mayor’s Youth Summit

Written by Jeff Syracuse on September 21, 2022. Posted in Donelson Council News, Nashville Special Events, News.

Encourage your student to engage with the Mayor’s Youth Summit on Wednesday, November 2nd, which will be back in person this year. The summit is held annually to bring together young people from across Metro Nashville to discuss issues important to them with their peers and local stakeholders. Registration is due by October 14th. Thanks to the Oasis Center for hosting. Visit this link to register and see flyer below for more details.

Jeff Syracuse, Metro Council District 15, Mayor Cooper, Mayor's Youth Summit

Point and Play - Jeff Syracuse - Metro Council at Large

Metro Parks add “Point and Play” Banner at Two Rivers Park

Written by Jeff Syracuse on September 21, 2022. Posted in Donelson Neighborhood News, News.

I want to thank Donelson neighbor Amanda Moss for reaching out and educating me about how communication can be extremely difficult for non-speaking children. They may not have acquired the reading skills to communicate, or don’t have access to AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) devices, especially at parks. So, I reached out to Metro Parks about her suggestion of including a “Point and Play” banner to Two Rivers Park playground so that everyone will have a way to communicate their needs. I’m thankful to Metro Parks for agreeing to purchase this banner (shown below) as a pilot program. So, if you see this banner, thanks go to Amanda for her advocacy to help ensure our Parks are welcoming and engaging for all our children.

Jeff Syracuse, Metro Council District 15, Point and Play Banner, Two Rivers Park

Citizen's Water Academy with Metro Water

Fall 2022 Citizen’s Water Academy

Written by Jeff Syracuse on September 21, 2022. Posted in Donelson Neighborhood News, News.

Metro Nashville Water Services encourages everyone to sign up for the Fall 2022 Citizen’s Water Academy. The Citizen’s Water Academy (CWA) is an opportunity for Metro Water Services (MWS) customers to learn about our most precious natural resource, water, and how Water Services manages it from “river to river.” Citizen’s Water Academy is an in-person interactive five-session program, held over the course of 2.5 weeks.

Citizen's Water Academy, Jeff Syracuse Metro Councilman 15th District, Metro Water Services

You May Be Right Podcast

Written by Jeff Syracuse on September 21, 2022. Posted in Donelson Council News, Donelson Neighborhood News, News.

I think we’ll agree that our public discourse when it comes to difficult topics we may disagree on needs to improve. I am encouraged that the Howard H. Baker, Jr. Center for Public Policy at The University of Tennessee at Knoxville has launched a new podcast called “You May Be Right”, co-hosted by former Governor’s Phil Bredesen and Bill Haslam. Check out more info here and to sign up for updates when new episodes of the podcast are available. It will tackle tough topics like gun violence, climate change, and the national debt and feature conversations between Governors Bredesen and Haslam and guests with differing viewpoints including Paul Ryan, Al Gore, Erskine Bowles, Nancy Ann DeParle, and Arne Duncan.

Bill Haslam, Howard Baker Center, Phil Bredesen, University of Tennessee

Hispanic Heritage Month

Written by Jeff Syracuse on September 21, 2022. Posted in News.

This is Hispanic Heritage Month and there are several activities happening to celebrate and support our growing Hispanic and Latino communities. The observation started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period starting on September 15 and ending on October 15. Here’s a list below of several events and activities.

Hispanic and Lantino Communities, Hispanic Heritage Month, Jeff Syracuse Metro Councilman 15th District

Lincoya Hills Contextual Overlay

Written by Jeff Syracuse on September 21, 2022. Posted in News.

Discussions continue with Lincoya Hills on a Contextual Overlay that will help control the type of development that can occur within the neighborhood. It is a delicate balance of wanting to protect the character and integrity of the neighborhood while giving families the ability to expand their homes to meet their needs. It’s not a balance that can be made perfect as there are no true character definitions of our mid-20th Century single family neighborhoods. But I know there is a desire to keep “tall skinnies” out and protect some aspect of character. That does mean neighbors have to agree to some limitations, and I also hear the concerns loud and clear that some don’t want to be encumbered with any restrictions.

Contextual Overlay, Lincoya Hills, Metro Council District 15

Sutherland Heights Contextual Overlay Community Meeting

Written by Jeff Syracuse on September 21, 2022. Posted in Donelson Neighborhood News, News.

Sutherland Heights has also expressed interested in learning more about the Contextual Overlay, so we will be having a community meeting on Tuesday, September 27th at 6pm at Pennington Fellowship Church at 2745 Pennington Bend Road. All are welcome to attend if you’re interested in learning more.

Contextual Overlay, Donelson Neighborhood News, Jeff Syracuse, Metro Council District 15