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 Gov. Phil Bredesen chats with children following a ceremony in Wartrace at which he announced a $43,440 revitalization grant. (T-G Photo by John I. Carney) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo] |
"This is precisely the kind of place people think of when you say Tennessee," said Bredesen, during a ceremony held in the shadow of the town's iconic wellhouse. "People are always looking for ways to connect to the past."
He said that while no community needs to live "under a bell jar," preservation efforts and efforts to bring a pleasing, unified appearance are beneficial.
"I think that a unified effort is really vital," said Bredesen. He noted that the grant would supplement efforts already undertaken by the town, including money raised through the annual Wartrace Music Festival.
The grant came through a federally-funded program administered by Tennessee Department of Transportation.
"Through the Enhancement Grant Program, TDOT has helped fund approximately $189 million in transportation-related projects such as the restoration of historic facilities, bike and pedestrian trails, landscaping and other non-traditional transportation projects," said Transportation Commissioner Gerald Nicely in a news release announcing the grant. The federal grant program was established in the early 1990s.
 From left, State Sen. Jim Tracy, Wartrace Mayor Don Gallagher, Gov. Phil Bredesen, County Mayor Eugene Ray and State Rep. Curt Cobb celebrate a $43,440 community revitalization grant for the Town of Wartrace. (T-G Photo by John I. Carney) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo] |
Wartrace Mayor Don Gallagher thanked Bredesen and praised Cobb, State Sen. Jim Tracy and County Mayor Eugene Ray as "the dynamic trio," saying their work was instrumental in obtaining grant funds, and also thanked the South Central Tennessee Development District for writing the grant proposal. He praised the townspeople who work to support efforts like the music festival.
State issues
After the ceremony, Bredesen told the Times-Gazette that the newly-announced Volkswagen plant would likely lead to spinoff jobs by bringing more automotive suppliers to the Volunteer State.
The governor said that the slowdown in state revenues due to the economy is a concern, but "not a disaster," and that the state needs to live within its means and stick to its policy of using savings to pay for operating expenses.
An employee buyout program is progressing more slowly than hoped, leading to the possibility of state employee layoffs, but Bredesen said he is taking the process one step at a time because of various legal obligations and requirements.
"From there, we'll look at what we have to do," Bredesen said.
The Governor has not yet finalized his schedule for next month, he says, and is not sure whether he'll be able to attend the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration.
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BETTER USE THIS MONEY TO REPAIR HOLES IN THE STREETS DUG UP BY THE WATER SYSTEM.IT WILL TAKE A MIGHTY GOOD BITE OUT OF $43K TO FIX UP THE DIGGINGS.PS. WARTRACE HAS NEVER HAD OLD-TIMEY STREET LIGHT POLES,AND SHOULD NOT START NOW.FIX THE SIDEWALKS,TOO!!!
this is a load of crap. victorian street lights, benches, and trash receptacles isn't gonna do bit a of good in Wartrace. There are only a few times a year that there is anybody that will sit on the benches, the trash will have to be collected so that menas paying more money for such pickup, victorian lights well la te da nobody looks up cause of all of the eyesore sores example CHOCKLEY INN and the rest. SIDEWALKS>>we already have the money for that and the construction was to start this past spring. Don you are making a joke out of Wartrace. I wish I could afford to sell and leave. Dang Stupid.
Wow . . already such negative comments. I am sure these are the same people who are negative about everything else and whine and complain about anything that happens in Wartrace. Instead of being part of the solution, you are just the problem.
My solution is this . . . if you dont like it then move. :-)
jaxspike I agree with you. It reminds me of an old Merle Haggard song. Of course it was about our country,it also applies to our town "if you don't love it leave it" Personaly I would love to see Wartrace spruced up a bit. And I would also like to see the people of wartrace support the town and it's buisnesses. I would like to see more going on. The music festival is a great thing I would like to see it grow beond all expectations. I do agree that their are a few places that need to be repaired and cleaned up a bit. Thank you Mr. Mayor for your good works.The state is going to spend the money some where why not spend it in wartrace? I enjoy living in a small town I've been here 25 years and love it.We also in my oppinion have the best school in the county. I have two children that have attended cascade one graduated five years ago and one graduating this next spring. Negativity in the community is why nothing is ever supported or kept up so if you want to move that bad truckindaddy I suggest you pack and leave such negativity will not be missed I assure you
PULEEEEZE!!The both of you can bite me!!!! As I wrote if I could sell it I would!! Spruce up Wartrace PLEASE!! That money could be spent for far better things than sprucing it up. And Jaxspike I have argued with you in the past and you know what you can do with your direct comments to me and tnmoonshiner I am sure that your running days are over. Don't single out anybody unless you are prepared to take it back. And Merle Haggard also sang Fightin Side of Me.
truckingdaddy,
Have you got your place on the market yet? And I never had any "running days" that name was a c.b. handle when I was an over the road truck driver. As far as the grant you just as well accept it their is not one thing you can do about it. You can get as mad as you want,rant rave or what ever. You are the one that said "if i could afford to sell and leave" I think it's funny you like to argue with jaxspike. And I think I can take care of my self when i'm on your fighting side.I wont argue with you I love seeing how ignorant people are in here. he's all yours jaxspike i'm out of here. truckingdaddy comment all you want I am not playing ping pong with words!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yeah truckindaddy . . the one and only time I have argued with you was when you was whining yet again about Wartrace and the water situation. Your whining didnt solve any problems then and it is not solving any problems now. Like tn.moonshiner said, it is better to not argue with those that lack the wit or knowledge to actually have something meaningful to say.
Also, usually grant money is giving with certain criteria to be met and guidelines for its use and maybe that is what the grant is designed to be used for and Wartrace must abide. What do you want Wartrace to do . . .say no? While there are lots of things that could be done to improve the town, I am glad that Wartrace received some extra cash to do something that will only enhance the community. What is wrong with that?
tuckindaddy,
what your saying is a load of crap!!!! Just so you know your the one that is singling my father Mayor Don out. Do me me a favor and make a list of everything you've done for Wartrace. Is that list short? I would guess so. It's real easy set back and complain. I'm only 27 i can remember when the town wasn't even close to where it is today. There was no park, a rundown downtown, no new firehall, and old sewage plant that was out of date. How do you thank these things where established? My guess is you don't have a clue. I would say I'm wasting my breathe on you, but maybe there is hope. This is my challenge for you. You don't have run for mayor but join a committee or run for consul. Maybe you should run for mayor, but this i know for sure, the least you need to do is figure out what's really going on. Then you might know why the sidewalks haven't got started yet and you could help get the sidewalks started. You have a chance to do something for your town, lets see what you do.
HELLLOOOO did somebody say something AT me once again. BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH SOS!
And to you Junior.....I shouldn't have to join or consul anything to be told what is happening with MY tax dollars. This spectacular town keeps everybody in the dark. Just like never getting proper notification about the bad water.....Why aren't we getting notification about why the sidewalks, that were scheduled to be started last spring, are now needing more money. And I don't really care about what your father started I just wish that he would put more into giving this town what it needs Not what it wants. I keep getting flyers in the mail about the church why not put forth the effort to send out Town News. I guess I am upset at being left in the dark. You never know about anything until it's to late or the Town is covering it's rear.
Junior, after talking with a family member I was reminded what my now deceased father once when I decided to buy here in Wartrace.....WHY? It's nothing now but way back yonder it was the happening place...more to do in Wartrace then in Shelbyville. But those with only their small town ideas and non budging ways ran it into the ground. It is and always will be just an ink spot on the map, a blimp on the map that you go through to get to the interstate. So to ALL of those who think that I am the bad apple pool your money together and pay me my asking price and I will leave this going no where, got nothing (oops I'm sorry it has a park) town and you can let it become an eyesore like everything else. So Junior your daddy didn't do anything that somebody else couldn't have done. He is your hero not mine. This town has nothing to offer, when I can look out my window and see something worth doing or someplace worth going then I will change my opinion. One last thing....since you are so well informed and I can see why ....what happen to the grants for the sidewalks and why didn't the construction start in the spring????
Rome was not built in one day truckindaddy . . . Wartrace has come a long way and keeps getting better. Is it perfect . . . no, but then what town is?
Those people you can do or be constructive usually just whine and complain and only add to the problem.
But hey, I guess I can buy a lot of cheese for all the w(h)ine you have stored up. :-)
Puleeze Jaxspike.....blah, blah, blah...I am assuming that you are trying to say that those who can, do and those who can't whine about it. Well maybe so but I wouldn't really know since I am one of those who packed up my cheerleading outfit cause doing where this town is concerned is like cheering for the losing team.
Also you use the word w(h)ine here and other places alot, I think I may see an underlying problem, I would like to suggest A.A.!
And when your buying that cheese make sure you get the good stuff,(and NO you can't get that in Wartrace, either). So I would like to help by suggesting that you remove your head from your butt, and take off the rose colored glasses before making your selection. I wish that this was someplace special but it's not so quit beating a dead horse. This is my opinion and if you don't like it tuff titty said the kitty. But I appreciate the ruffled feathers out there just goes to show that small town folk continue to try and stifle the opinions of others. Kinda like when I was a kid and there where those certain things that you just didn't talk about and if it happens turn a blind eye and pray that no one saw and sweep it under the rug! that TO ME is Wartrace...backwoods, underdeveloped, and stifled. WOOOOOWEEEEE I live in Wartrace and we have a new firehall, a park, and an upgraded sewer plant, and soon weez is a gettin some of them thar fancy victorian lights. Except for the sewer what will any of this do to improve day to day life? I mean stop doing things that people really could care less about. Let's be known for what we do as far as education, helping the sick, poor, and elderly. Get the drugs out of the town. Give the youth someplace that they can go and congregate, socialize and stay out of trouble, hell give the old folks someplace too. Stop sugar coating it and putting on a mask, and stop thinking that if it looks good it is good. A turd can be decorated and fancied up but on the inside it's still just S**T. Also above it says that these funds will go with the monies from Musicfest, what money...we broke even.
OMG . . . what do you expect from a town the size of Wartrace. Of you are looking for all the above things you mentioned, then move to a bigger town or another state for that matter.
I mean really, if you hate it that much then do all of us a favor and move.
I hope you are not as bitter about everything else in your life but I seriously doubt it. You seem so unhappy . . . which is sad.
You know the old saying...You have to give to get!! If Wartrace gave more to the community that would benefit their day to day lives maybe it would get back in spades. But having read your post about the peanut allergy I can see right off that you are one of those close minded and stifled folks that made Wartrace what it is today. And you already know what I think it is....Known for what it has and what it looks like not for what it benefits.
And as I said before if I could get my price I would be gone. And I am not the only one just the only one to say so.
WOW . . . I have never been called close minded or stifling in my life. I am actually one of the most open minded people there is and have been a critic before of some of the things that Shelbyville and Bedford County does since I have only lived in Wartrace the past two years. I just dont get upset that a Wartrace official doesn't come to my house and scratch my back everytime I have an itch or a complaint.
I just dont know what you are expecting from Wartrace? They fixed the water issue(getting water from Tullahoma) and they are slowly working on making the downtown area look better which will help maybe draw more interest in the area. I just dont get your hatred for Wartrace?
I grew up in Wartrace and it has changed (for the better) alot since I was a kid. I agree it needs alot of things, but it will get there. I love that town.
truckindaddy,
wow dude! I love the way you put your comments forward. I wish you were not so ignorant on the subject you are talking about. You are very funny and i like your style. I dont understand why you get off on calling everyone who is proud of there small town life close minded. I wonder if there is anything you are proud about and will stand up for. Maybe try doing something that will change something for the better and not just complain. I never understand why people complain about the govt but will never participate in it. Run for office or support someone who you think can do better. I think the mayor of wartrace is doing a fine job, but i think someone who fronts that he cares as much as you should run for office. GET YOUR HANDS DIRTY AND GET INVOLVED. I have not lived in wartrace in several years but i am happy to see how it is improving itself.
SURRRRPRISEEEEEE There's another one!! But I envy you dubbya you don't have to live here anymore. And to all.... when the day comes and I sell I will put up a huge sign in my front yard telling all sweet goodbye and sign it truckindaddy and you all can sit back and either scratch your heads or your butts when you realize exactly what all I have done for the town of Wartrace and just where all that effort went...down the updated sewer drain.
while reading this it really bring home the thought of how negative someone can be when they do not get what they want out of a given situation. I've had my house for sale in Wartrace and have yet to complain that no one would give me what I want for it, I just smile and go on with life. The power of positive thinking can do wonders.
-- Posted by Bill H on Tue, Aug 5, 2008, at 2:24 PM