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Spring Clean-Up, the Hip Donelson Farmer’s Market Opens Soon and a New Restaurant is Coming to the Heart of Donelson

Written by Jeff Syracuse on April 3, 2017. Posted in Donelson Council News, News.

Dear Friends –

Hopefully Spring is here to stay and we get to enjoy it before the hot temperatures of summer.

Spring means it’s time to begin the 2017-2018 Metro Budget process. This past week Mayor Barry held budget discussions with department heads, which can be viewed at the link above. All departments submit a requested budget, which will exceed the available funds. The administration continues the shift from incremental budgeting (year-to-year) to long-term financial planning. Budget proposals will be for fiscal years 2018, 2019 and 2020. As we grow as a city and a metropolitan government, this more strategic-focused process will bring more transparency and accountability. This will also be the second year Mayor Barry’s administration will hear Public Investment Proposals (PIP’s), which is an innovative new way of approaching budgeting that challenges Metro Departments and agencies to creatively collaborate on citizen-centered pilot initiatives. Learn more about the PIP’s here. The administration will now put together a balanced budget proposal to send to Council in May for us to hold our own hearings with departments.

Spring Clean-Up! Thanks to the efforts of 15^th District Beautification Commissioner Naomi Regensburg, the Donelson-Hermitage-Old Hickory community will have an area-wide clean-up with a number of neighborhoods participating. A drop-off bin for large items will be made available at Donelson Corporate Center, thanks to SmartSpace for allowing us the use of the parking lot. See flyer below for details.

We are close to the Senior Tax Freeze & Tax Relief enrollment deadline—Tuesday, April 5^th at 4:30pm. Please visit the websites above for more information and to determine if you’re eligible.

Although I don’t have specific information yet to share, I did want to let everyone interested to know (especially in Maplecrest and Donelson Hills) to stay tuned for more information about a Community Meeting coming up about Belair Mansion. Since it sold to new owner’s last summer, multiple departments have been engaged in helping put a plan together for the preservation and future use of this historic site. Metro and State Historic Commissions, Planning and Public Works have all been part of the effort. Although the new owner filed documents last month for rezoning and neighbors have seen signs regarding a hearing at the Planning Commission for late March, the plan was not yet finalized, so that public hearing is delayed. I also want to have a Community Meeting before that hearing. Time and place to be determined once a plan is finalized to be presented for public input. Stay tuned.

Metro Arts has released a draft of their Draft Public Art Plan Recommendations and is seeking public input. View the plan here.

Speaking of Metro Arts, I am thrilled to welcome another 15^th District constituent to a board appointment by Mayor Barry. Danielle McDaniel, known well to the community as The Clay Lady, has been appointed by the Mayor to serve on the Arts Commission. And, while I was there to take the below picture with Danielle and Mayor Barry, Larry Keeton (14^th District resident and constituent of CM Kevin Rhoten) was there as well as he was reappointed. I was proud to stand with both of them and thankful for their service.

Best,

Author

Jeff Syracuse

Jeff has called Nashville home since 1998, moving here to complete his music degree at Middle Tennessee State University. He went on to complete his MBA in Technology Management from the Nashville campus of University of Phoenix, located in Donelson. Jeff was a first-time homebuyer in Donelson Hills in 2002 and soon became involved in his neighborhood and community.Jeff was born in Buffalo, New York. Jeff’s Dad retired from the Army as a Lieutenant Colonel while stationed at Fort McPherson, Georgia after serving 20 years of Active and more than 11 years of Reserve service in Buffalo, NY, St Louis, MO and Atlanta, GA. Jeff’s parents are happily retired in Marietta, GA and enjoy the warmer weather. His dad was President of the Georgia Department of the Reserve Officer’s Association and both he and his Mom stay involved in their neighborhood, civic organizations, and church. Jeff has one son, Joey, who attends Meigs Middle Magnet School.Jeff has been very active in the Donelson community for over a decade and has a deep appreciation and understanding of its rich history and a strong vision for a bright future.

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Jeff Syracuse, Metro Council District 15

Jeff Syracuse

Jeff has called Nashville home since 1998, moving here to complete his music degree at Middle Tennessee State University. He went on to complete his MBA in Technology Management from the Nashville campus of University of Phoenix, located in Donelson. Jeff was a first-time homebuyer in Donelson Hills in 2002 and soon became involved in his neighborhood and community.Jeff was born in Buffalo, New York. Jeff’s Dad retired from the Army as a Lieutenant Colonel while stationed at Fort McPherson, Georgia after serving 20 years of Active and more than 11 years of Reserve service in Buffalo, NY, St Louis, MO and Atlanta, GA. Jeff’s parents are happily retired in Marietta, GA and enjoy the warmer weather. His dad was President of the Georgia Department of the Reserve Officer’s Association and both he and his Mom stay involved in their neighborhood, civic organizations, and church. Jeff has one son, Joey, who attends Meigs Middle Magnet School.Jeff has been very active in the Donelson community for over a decade and has a deep appreciation and understanding of its rich history and a strong vision for a bright future.