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Fairgrounds preservation group hires attorney to fight decision to close
Friday, November 6, 2009 at 1:44pm
The group challenging the legality of the Fair Board's decision to close the State Fair and allow the property to be redeveloped has hired an attorney to advance its legal fight.
Robert W. Rutherford, a founding partner with Rutherford & DeMarco, signed on Thursday to represent the Fairgrounds Heritage Preservation Group in its effort to raise objections to the board's recent decisions to close the site in June 2010.
Rutherford is a former attorney with Metro's Legal Department. He joined that department in 1971 and was responsible for working with the Board of Education, the Planning Commission, Codes Department, the Traffic and Parking Commission and was co-counsel for the Health Department.
After entering private practice in 1980, Rutherford focused on land use and real estate law.
The Heritage group's objections to the closing of the fairgrounds are based on a 1901 piece of legislation calling for a permanent state fair on the site. They have also questioned who has the ultimate authority over the property.
Despite the Mayor's office and Metro Legal's contentions that the groups' arguments are baseless, members have continued to push for a re-examination of the situation.
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Filed under: City News
10 Comments on this post:
Where were these legal dissidents when they closed Vandyland?
Good for this group. No need to be bullied by the Mayor
or his law department on this issue!
Thank you , tell us how we can help. We want this treasure saved.
Maybe now the real reason the Mayor wants to sell this will come to light. Frank, while Vandylnad was an iconic eatery, it is hardly the same as the entire Fairgrounds.
I guess some people are just attracked to the battle of the lost cause. "Move on , there's nothing to see here."
here's a way to help... attend these meetings-- show your support
Board Meeting
4:15pm.
Council Codes, Fair, and Farmer's Market Committee
Special Guests Mr. Buck Dozier and Mr. Weaver will address the committee to provide information and answers concerning the proposed closing of the Fair Grounds property.
Contact: Councilmember Rip Ryman
Location: Metro Historic Courthouse, Second Floor, Committee Room 1
Council Meeting
6:30pm
Council Meeting
Agenda (Posted on Wednesday of week before mtg)
Location: Council Chamber in the Metropolitan Courthouse
The Day that Crafton puts in his bills we Really need to Support Crafton...
both meetings on nov. 17 need you and all of your friends, neighbors, co-workers to be there!
I am encouraged that the Fairgrounds Heritage Preservation Group now has legal representation and advice on moving forward to protect the historic Fairgrounds from our "carpetbagger" Mayor and his buddy, the real estate lobbyist (James Weaver) who serves as the Chairman of the Fair Board. Talk about the "Fox in the hen house!" Weaver cares no more about saving the Fairgrounds than the Mayor who is looking for money (sell the Fairgrounds) to finance pare of the not needed new Convention Center. Example: what was Weaver and the board doing all this time when Buck Dozier was racking up six figure losses? Dis they take any action to stop the financial bleeding that Buck was responsible for? The answer is no because they wanted the Fairgrounds to fail. Now maybe some of the back room deals that have taken place will come to light. Those of us who love our heritage and the Fairgrounds need to support the Heritage Preservation Group.
About closing the fairgrounds....WHAT a tragedy !!. Once again "NASHVILLE",, you are destroying a part of significate history..I guess it was't enough, .. when you destroyed some of the most beautiful theatres in the nation.etc. etc.Need I painfully remind you further????... You, highrollers( including
mr. Dean) who give no thought or care ,but are motivated , to line your pockets with money. NASHVILLE, as there is much regret in losing more of our share of history,, You,,will regret this !!! I already do !! But as for me, here is one of my true stories ..... Beginng in 1926....The fairgrounds was the home of my Grandfather(a guard) and from the age of 6 years old, my father.They lived in the only house on the property..Right next to the creek below the hill. But, at least I have my true stories told to me of the fairgrounds and Nashville..I will make my last, walkaround and cry in memory of my mother and father,who both played as children making mudpies with the dirt of the fairgrounds.....
b.g.walt
About closing the fairgrounds....WHAT a tragedy !!. Once again "NASHVILLE",, you are destroying a part of significate history..I guess it was't enough, .. when you destroyed some of the most beautiful theatres in the nation.etc. etc.Need I painfully remind you further????... You, highrollers( including
mr. Dean) who give no thought or care ,but are motivated , to line your pockets with money. NASHVILLE, as there is much regret in losing more of our share of history,, You,,will regret this !!! I already do !! But as for me, here is one of my true stories ..... Beginng in 1926....The fairgrounds was the home of my Grandfather(a guard) and from the age of 6 years old, my father.They lived in the only house on the property..Right next to the creek below the hill. But, at least I have my true stories told to me of the fairgrounds and Nashville..I will make my last, walkaround and cry in memory of my mother and father,who both played as children making mudpies with the dirt of the fairgrounds.....
b.g.walt