Jeff Syracuse – Page 2 – Jeff Syracuse

Laura Carrillo

Written by Jeff Syracuse on February 8, 2017. Posted in Hearts of the People.

Laura Carrillo has a very unique and special connection to Donelson. Her family has helped care for Donelson’s crown jewel historic site – Two Rivers Mansion, for over 50 years and her dedication has helped make the Two Rivers Mansion, the 1802 House and 14-acre property the success it is today. Laura’s grandfather, Z.L. Milton, purchased a lot on Pennington Bend Road in 1959 to build a retirement home after working for years at Nashville Street Car and Rail. Laura’s parents married and moved into the home with Laura’s grandparents. After acquiring a few more contiguous properties, the family still lives there after four generations.

Laura recalls, “My grandfather started me on this journey when I was 5 years old. Mary Louise Bransford McGavock passed away in November of 1965. In January of 1966 her estate auction was held in a downtown Nashville warehouse with 8 inches of snow on the ground. All of the contents from inside the Mansion were sold and the remaining 445 acres were bought by the new Metropolitan Government of Nashville & Davidson County. After the sale took place someone broke in the Mansion stealing carpets, drapes all the chandeliers and back banister. Metro Police quickly recovered the stolen items. Now some security had to be put in place to protect the Mansion. My Grandfather got word that they were looking for someone to move into the Mansion and care for it. Not that my Grandparents wanted to live in a Mansion, but there was 445 acres to raise Black Angus cattle on. They moved from Pennington Bend to the McGavock Mansion (as it was known back then) in the winter of 1967 and stayed until 1972. So many fond memories with Grandparents and family were spent there. I wanted them to stay forever.”

Laura is able to combine a close personal connection to the Mansion and its history and a professional one as she has worked for Metro Parks for over 25 years. She further recalls, “Growing up down the street, attending both Two Rivers Middle and McGavock High, I would see the Mansion almost every day. A friend was getting married back in 1990 and I tagged along on the site visit. I just wanted to see the inside again and walk down memory lane for a moment. By accident I heard of a job opening there and the company I was working for was going out of business. I applied for the job and two weeks later they handed me the keys to the Donelson Castle!! Another journey had started and the plan was just to be there for a short time, which was 25 year ago this past March. “

Laura says she was born in the wrong century. As a lover of antiques, especially from the mid to late 1880’s, it’s a passion that she shares with husband, Joe. When they were dating, they’d spend all day in small towns going through all the antique shops and flea markets. Laura’s Mother-in-law had been an antique dealer and owned a shop. Laura and Joe plan their vacations around antiquing and touring historical homes. They even have his and hers antique booths to see who does better each month. They’ve both brought that passion to the Two Rivers Mansion with the Friends of Two Rivers Mansion’s “Two Hearts Antiques & Crafts Show, which this year will be Friday, February 17 and Saturday, February 18 from 10am-4pm and Sunday, February 19 from 12pm – 4pm. The Mansion is full of vendors both downstairs and upstairs, so it’s a great opportunity to see the mansion as well. Members are free. $5/adults and $2/kids. There’s a Coffee Shoppe as well.

As to the future of the Mansion, the future is bright. One of the latest successes of the Friends of Two Rivers Mansion is completing the process to research and design a Two Rivers Master Plan, which was recently finalized was presented to the Metro Parks Board on January 3, 2017. It will help guide the preservation and advancement of the property. One exciting element is the recommendation to rebuild the carriage house that would become an event center. The building would be designed to hold 200 – 300 people and could be used for all types of events. The inside of the Mansion and 1802 house would become house museums. Tours are only available now on a limited basis, but hopefully more will be available in the future. Laura’s personal and professional passions are on full display as she greets guests in her 1850’s costume and shares the whole McGavock story.

Jeff Syracuse, Jeff Syracuse, Metro Council District 15, Laura Carrillo, Metro Council District 15, Two Rivers Mansion

Markey Blue Janury 21 - The Larry Keeton Theatre

Donelson Non-Profit News – January 2017

Written by Jeff Syracuse on January 10, 2017. Posted in Donelson Non-Profit News, News.

Markey Blue returns to The Larry Keeton Theater on Saturday, January 21^st as part of the Larry Keeton Live series. They have sold out in the past pretty quickly, so be sure to buy tickets here in advance. Lots of great shows coming up in 2017, so be sure to check out their website and make plans to enjoy a great performance!

I was honored to be asked to serve as a dog walker at the 7^th Annual Dinner With Your Dog fundraiser for the Nashville Humane Association on Saturday, January 21^st at the Hutton Hotel. This year’s dinner is hosted by Tanya Tucker and chaired by Marcia Masulla. As part of my involvement, I’m challenged to raise $777. I’m almost 70% of the way there thanks so far to those listed on my CrowdRise fundraising page. It’s a tax-deductible donation. Any help is appreciated to reach the goal of $777!

Thanks to Metro Public Works for moving the signs below honoring our McGavock Band and Donelson Christian Academy Wildcats football team. It was moved just across from Donelson Hills Drive on Lebanon Pike. Now it can be more visible and properly displayed as part of our landscape design of The Donelson Gateway Projects site at Briley Parkway / Lebanon Pike.

7th Annual Dinner With Your Dog Fundraiser, Donelson Non-Profit News - January 2017, Jeff Syracuse, Jeff Syracuse, Metro Council District 15, Markey Blue at The Larry Keeton Theatre, Metro Council District 15

Cary Street - Donelson Hermitage - Chamber of Commerce Executive Director

Donelson Business News – January 2017

Written by Jeff Syracuse on January 10, 2017. Posted in Donelson Business News, News.

I am thrilled that Fort Knox Studios has chosen the 15^th District to locate their second location for a 180,000 square foot space on Massman Drive.. Fort Knox currently has a very successful location in Chicago and they are already starting to receive interest from notable artists and music industry veterans. Check out their FKS Nashville website that has a marketing brochure. Read the article about this development in The Tennessean here.

Congratulations to Cary Street on becoming the next Executive Director of the Donelson-Hermitage Chamber of Commerce. I’ve known Cary for several years and know she’ll bring great creative energy and experience from government to non-profits to this role and make us all proud.

I was also quite honored to receive the DH Chamber’s 2016 Community Service Award at the December year-end breakfast. Thanks to 2016 President Sharon Kipp for presenting it to me. It sits proudly on my desk at work next to the 2014 Anna Wiggs Memorial Award I received two years ago. I am very thankful for the opportunities I’ve had to work with the Chamber on making a difference in the community. The Chamber has great opportunities ahead in 2017 and beyond.

Congratulations to Paper & Ink Arts on their upcoming Grand Opening on Saturday, January 14, 2017 from 10am to 3pm. They did a wonderful job rehabbing their new home at 113 Graylynn Drive. Be sure to stop in and check them out. Additional parking is available across the street at Holy Rosary.

Last June, Nashville received a rare opportunity for areas of Davidson County to be designated as “Promise Zones” by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). This program specifies six areas of the county to receive technical assistance and federal investment. One of those areas (Subzone 3) has a portion of the 37210 area of the 15th District. Read more about the Promise Zones here. To that end, there is an opportunity with AmeriCorps for a year-long, full-time commitment to serve on a specific project in collaboration with the Mayor’s Office of Economic Opportunity and Empowerment and the Metropolitan Development and Housing Agency. See the documents below for more information and how to apply.

Cary Street D-H Chamber ED, Fort Knox Studios, Jeff Syracuse, Jeff Syracuse, Metro Council District 15, Metro Council District 15

Donelson Neighborhood News – January 2017

Written by Jeff Syracuse on January 10, 2017. Posted in Donelson Neighborhood News, News.

The Neighborhoods Resource Center and Nashville Neighborhood Alliance are attempting to determine the number of active neighborhood organizations (associations, watches, HOAs, and resident and/or condo associations that are active in Metropolitan Nashville and Davidson County.)

Their goals are to (1) improve databases so that they can more effectively communicate with neighborhood organizations; (2) create an online directory of neighborhood organizations for access by the public (including other neighborhood leaders); (3) determine the organizational types and the level of participation in neighborhood organizations; and, (4) gain a sense of the organizational and neighborhood issues facing these organizations.

Your participation will help the NRC and NNA better serve neighborhoods across Metropolitan Nashville and Davidson County. Take the 2017 census here: NRC 2017 Neighborhood Census

Donelson Neighborhood News January 2017, Jeff Syracuse, Jeff Syracuse, Metro Council District 15, Metro Council District 15, Nashville Neighborhood Alliance

Important Community Meetings Coming Up and Many More Updates to Kick Off 2017

Written by Jeff Syracuse on January 10, 2017. Posted in Donelson Council News, News.

Happy New Year, Everyone –

I hope your Holiday Season was enjoyable and restful.

The required, every four-year Property Reassessment is coming this year and each Council Member had the opportunity to meet with Property Assessor Vivian Wilhoite and members of her staff regarding the work they have done and the reassessment process coming up this year. They have also offered an opportunity for communities across Davidson County to have informational community meetings to help answer questions. Councilman Steve Glover organized a meeting on Thursday, January 12^th at 6:30pm at the Hermitage Precinct for a presentation from the Property Assessors Office regarding the process throughout the Donelson-Hermitage-Old Hickory area. (Councilman Glover also has a community meeting at 6pm prior to this about a development happening in his district.) As we know, Nashville is booming and property values are much higher than they were four years ago, so make every effort to attend this meeting and stay informed about the 2017 Property Reassessment.

Congratulations to 15^th District neighbor and owner of Cumberland Hospitality Group, Barrett Hobbs, on his appointment by Mayor Barry to the Metro Historic Commission.

The 15^th District has unfortunately been experiencing some trash pick-up issues over the past several months. Not the whole district has been affected, but random streets have been missed (me included) and collection times have been inconsistent. The collection before New Year’s was by far the worst experience the district experienced. I serve as Vice Chair of the Council’s Public Works Committee and so I have brought this issue up and asked to see 1) Red River Waste Solution’s contract with Metro so I can review it, and 2) Receive documentation associated with the procurement of the contract. I will be reviewing this and have also learned the Mayor’s administration and Public Works leadership has taken a more active role in ensuring they do not violate the contract any further. I also had a friendly, but frank conversation with President and COO Weldon Smith and members of their staff came to the Public Works Committee to hear from us. They have had some long-term key staff members leave the company and are rebuilding their team so we can return to safe, consistent, timely and efficient trash pick-up.

Short Term Rental Properties (STRP’s) is a hotly debated issue right now. After a judge found the STRP legislation vague and ruled against them, it was back to the drawing board. Legislation was filed (BL2016-492) to regulate them, but some feel it does not go far enough. There are basically two type of STRP’s – owner-occupied and non-owner occupied. Non-owner occupied STRP’s are owned sometimes by an owner from out of the country with a local management firm managing the rental. These types of scenarios have too often including here in Donelson, most notably the development along Miami Ave of homes specifically for STRP use. There have been instances where the home is rented out specifically to host large parties that are incredibly disruptive to what is usually a quiet neighborhood street. The Nashville Neighborhood Alliance has proposed an amendment to phase out STRP’s in R and RS zoning (single family residential). While I do understand the argument to not let a few bad apples spoil the whole bunch, the situation has actually amounted to some negative impact to the character of residential neighborhoods. Some argue they pretty much serve as mini-hotels in the middle of neighborhoods. I am an advocate for our protecting neighborhoods, so I’m poised to support this amendment that will phase out non-owner occupied STRP’s specific to R and RS zoning over the next two years.

The update to Nashville’s Strategic Plan for Sidewalk and Bikeways (called Nashville WalknBike) is wrapping up and a draft will be presented on January 9^th the public. Visit their website for a list of Community Meetings where team members from Public Works will present the draft plan, answer questions and take feedback. One of those meetings will be here in Donelson at Stanford Montessori School at 2417 Maplecrest Drive on Tuesday, January 10^th at 7pm. I know this is a big issue for many of us in Donelson, so please plan to attend and be involved.

Metro Animal Care and Control will begin offering three-year rabies vaccine and three-year license at monthly low-cost rabies vaccination clinics starting on the third Saturday of the month in February (February 18, 2017) and go through November. Metro Animal Care and Control is located at 5125 Harding Place, Nashville, TN 37211.

With cold days ahead, it’s important to remember those that are homeless and need a shelter in times of cold weather. As you may have read in The Tennessean, Nashville’s homeless rate spiked 9.8% from 2015 to 2016. Before our December 20^th Council Meeting, Open Table Nashville and the Mayor’s Office gave Council Members an update on current efforts and challenges this winter. To that end, it’s good to be knowledgeable about Nashville’s Cold Weather Response Plan, which is a collaborative effort across non-profit organizations and government. There is a How You Can Help section on their website.

Metro Public Works has completed the signal timing optimization project. Read about it here in the Nashville Business Journal. I know there are a few signals in particular for folks that don’t change fast enough. Hopefully this will help.

The 15^th District has been very fortunate to receive four funded projects via Metro Arts Commission THRIVE Program over the past couple of years. Here’s a highlight:

FY17

Artist Elizabeth Davidson was awarded $3,000 to activate community with her production of a one woman play based on the life of the indomitable American author, Harriet Beecher Stowe, and her writing of her most famous novel, “Uncle Tom’s Cabin”.
Nashville-based Shelby Bottom Duo (Michael August and Nell Levin) was awarded $3,000 to engage 4 community based organizations (3 labor unions and 1 university) with vested interest in workers’ rights in their original multimedia educational show A Musical History of Joe Hill and the Early Labor Movement.
Playwright Carolyn German was awarded $4,000 to work with McKendree Village, Donelson Public Library, and FiftyForward Donelson Station to coordinate opportunities for seniors to come and share their stories.
Mural and graffiti artists J. Dante Bard and Troy Duff were awarded $4,000 each to activate two different sites at the pedestrian tunnel of the Two Rivers Parkway Greenway.

FY16

The $40 million Metro Water Services Cumberland Low Water Project along Elm Hill Pike, Donelson Pike and Lebanon Pike will be underway soon. You may have seen the large signs such as the one below. There is a 24/7 Project Hot Line – 615-953-2899 for up to date information as well as the website link above.

Best

Barrett Hobbs Metro Historic Commission, Cold Weather Community Response Plan, Jeff Syracuse, Jeff Syracuse, Metro Council District 15, Metro Council District 15, Property Assessor Vivian Wilhoite

Phil Dillon

Written by Jeff Syracuse on November 29, 2016. Posted in Soul of a City.

When I first met Phil Dillon, I sat in row of bleachers with other parents as I watched him do an amazing job as a dynamic tennis coach to my son and other kids. I was pretty sure he wasn’t a Nashville native and he sounded like he may even be from up-state New York like me. Sure enough, upon meeting Phil, not only was he from up-state New York, but from Buffalo where I was born and I also learned he was a very successful producer, engineer, singer, songwriter and musician. Suffice to say, we hit it off with much in common.

Phil heard Frank Sinatra sing “All The Way” on the radio in 1960 at his grandparent’s house as a kid and was hooked. He sang in both church and school and by the 5^th grade started to play drums, playing along with Gene Krupa and Buddy Rich records. After playing bass drum and snare in grammar school, Phil started playing guitar and wrote his first song at 11. After building a long career as a musician in Buffalo, Phil started visiting Nashville and realized that Music City was the place to be to keep his career moving forward. One of Nashville’s “A Team” keyboard players, Steve Nathan, told Phil, “If you want to hunt tigers, you have to go to where the tigers are.” Phil had successful friends like Steve, Harry Stinson and Stuart Ziff who were there to help him integrate into the Nashville scene.

Finally moving to Nashville in the fall of 1994, Phil hit the ground running and immediately started working with Stuart Ziff, Billy Henderson, Carson Whitsett, Kim Parent, Tim Loftin, Barry Walsh, Tommy Spurlock, Mike Rojas, Gary Morse, Bob Britt, Maxwell Schauf and many more great Nashville musicians and songwriters. In 1999, Phil started working with Jimmy Nalls, co-producing records for Rick Moore & The Mr. Lucky Band. They worked on Jimmy’s critically acclaimed “Ain’t No Stranger” album. In 2000, Phil was inducted into the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame.

Phil has worked on other great projects over the years, including Michael McGrew’s “I’d Like to Be the Man” (co-produced with Harry Stinson), “The Amazing World of Doc Butt,”, a 16-piece big band endeavor produced by Bob Moore, featuring “Ranger Doug”, Boots Randolph, Bill Pursell, Kenny Malone and many others.

Phil began playing with T Graham Brown in 2003, spending the next six years playing acoustic guitar and singing background vocals at venues like Bluebird Café, Wildhorse Saloon, The Trapp, on GAC Classic and over thirty appearances on The Grand Ole Opry. He went on to record and co-produce T Graham Brown’s “The Present” album with T and Mike Caputy. In 2007, Phil met Jim Tract and recorded and mixed all the projects on Adroit Records. Most recently, Phil has produced and recorded Bill Edwards’ “Here Lately” album and David Nipper’s self-titled EP.

In addition to his incredible list of musical accomplishments and collaborations, Phil also has built an impressive career as a PTR Certified Tennis Teaching Pro for the last 31-years. He’s held several positions as Head Pro at Country Clubs and with the YMCA. Phil currently serves as the Head Professional at Langford Farms Club in Old Hickory. Phil and his wife Jane have two grown boys, Andrew and Chris, and are a great family Donelson is lucky to have as neighbors.

Check out Phil’s website about his studio and publishing company, Nickel City Music.

Someday/Together We’ll Grow Old (Written by James Ralston, Phil Dillon)
Mister Please Understand (Written by Phil Dillon)
Don’t You Think You’ve Had Enough (Written by Phil Dillon)
How It Feels (Written by Phil Dillon)
Now That We’re Not a Family (Written by Phil Dillon)
Hey Brother (Written by Phil Dillon & Bill Edwards)
I Sleep With One Eye Open (Written by Phil Dillon & Bill Edwards)
Walkaway Joe (Written Vince Melamed & Greg Barnhill)
Through The Eyes of a Child (Written by Phil Dillon, Stuart Ziff, Kim Parent)
Never Be The Same (Bill Edwards)
Drive (David Nipper)

Jeff Syracuse, Jeff Syracuse, Metro Council District 15, Metro Council District 15, Nashville A Team Keyboard Player, Singer & Songwriter

Donelson Non-Profit News November 2016

Written by Jeff Syracuse on November 16, 2016. Posted in Donelson Non-Profit News, News.

I was honored to attend Mass at the Cathedral of the Incarnation and present a Proclamation to recognize the 150^th Anniversary of the Sisters of Mercy. Pennington Bend is home to one of their Retreat Centers. Joining me was US Congressman Jim Cooper, a representative from Lamar Alexander’s Office, State Senator Jeff Yarbro, State Senator John Ray Clemons. Pat Nolan moderated the event.

Congratulations to one of Donelson’s newest non-profit organizations, GROW Enrichment, for securing an agreement with Metro Parks to utilize land near Two Rivers Park, Two Rivers Mansion and the Two Rivers Dog Park for their educational offerings. They offer great classes. This is an exciting opportunity for them and I encourage everyone to support them!

Donelson Non-Profit News November, Jeff Syracuse, Jeff Syracuse, Metro Council District 15, Metro Council District 15, Sisters of Mercy 150 Years Proclomation

Donelson School News November 2016

Written by Jeff Syracuse on November 16, 2016. Posted in Donelson School News, News.

I was honored to be asked by Lipscomb Academy teacher Mark Pugh (also a Donelson neighbor) to speak to the students in the IGNITE program. On Election Day morning, I presented some history of Metro Government, NashvillleNext and how Donelson plays an important role regionally in the plan for our feature.

Donelson School News November 2016, Jeff Syracuse, Jeff Syracuse, Metro Council District 15, Metro Council District 15

Donelson Neighborhood News November 2016

Written by Jeff Syracuse on November 16, 2016. Posted in Donelson Neighborhood News, News.

The 29^th Annual Ann Chapman Holiday Lights Contest is here! Neighbors of the 15^th District have been strong contenders in year’s past. See flyers below for details and visit the link above to register.

The first sidewalk project in the heart of Donelson has moved closer to becoming a reality with easements being requested from property owners for construction. You can view this legislation as well as any other pending development in Davidson County on the Metro Planning Development Tracker website.

Holiday Lights Contest, Jeff Syracuse, Jeff Syracuse, Metro Council District 15, Metro Council District 15, Metro Planning Development Tracker

Opry / Music Valley Traffic Flow Improvement Plan, 29th Holiday Lights Competition and 32nd Annual DH Chamber Christmas Parade

Written by Jeff Syracuse on November 16, 2016. Posted in Donelson Council News, News.

Thanks goes to our Metro Nashville Police Department and Metro Public Works Department for their hard work in working with business all throughout the area. The below communication describes the traffic flow improvement plan for the Opry / Music Valley area. While no plan will be perfect, there are more resources this year and MNPD is dedicated to managing these resources as effectively and efficiently as possible for both our neighborhoods and visitors to the area.

The Opry / Music Valley Holiday Traffic Flow Improvement Plan is comprehensive and has three facets:

1. Separate Opry Mills mall traffic and Opryland Hotel A Country Christmas attractions from the Dancing Lights of Christmas at Jellystone Park Campground traffic.

2. Manually changing Music Valley Drive to one-way traffic (northbound from Sante Fe Cattle Co Restaurant) during peak congestion times.

3. Divert exiting traffic from Jellystone Park thus limiting congestion from Jellystone Park to the McGavock Pike and Music Valley Drive interchange.

Proper variable traffic signage is paramount in addition to the planned traffic direction and control. Opry Mills’ traffic will be directed on and off Opry Mills’ property. Officers will be used along the roadway in the intersections as well as deploying proper traffic cones to move traffic more efficiently. Additionally, Grand Ole Opry, Gaylord Opryland ICE and the Opryland Hotel will certainly require the placement of officers along the roadway and in intersections directing traffic on and off the properties; specifically along McGavock Pike from Briley Parkway to Opry Mills Drive.

Dancing Lights of Christmas management has been in contact with Public Works Permits Office for the proper closure permits. Specifically, the permits will allow the diversion of normal traffic patterns exiting the Jellystone Park Campground, thus decreasing the amount of southbound traffic to McGavock Pike. The diversion will direct all traffic exiting Jellystone Park Campground northbound on Music Valley Drive to Pennington Bend Road. Once at the intersection, all traffic (local traffic exempt upon proof) will take a right on Pennington Bend Road. Proper signage will direct vehicles to McGavock Pike on the east side of Briley Parkway. Motorists may access Briley Parkway or travel toward Lebanon Pike.

MNPD supervisors will monitor all points of the traffic plan and make adjustments if necessary.

The plan is designed to minimize the impact on the community members in and around the McGavock Pike, Music Valley Drive and Briley Parkway interchange during the holiday season.

The 32^nd Annual Donelson-Hermitage Chamber of Commerce Christmas Parade will be on Sunday, December 4^th at 2pm! It will go down Donelson Pike from Elm Hill Pike to Lebanon Pike. Get a good spot on either side of Donelson Pike on the sidewalk and enjoy the parade! Big thanks goes to the Hobbs Family for being this year’s Presenting Sponsors along with all the Sponsors this year as shown on the flyer below for making the parade possible.

Best

Donelson Hermitage Christmas Parade, Jeff Syracuse, Jeff Syracuse, Metro Council District 15, Metro Council District 15, Opry / Music Valley Holiday Traffic Plan

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