Mayor appoints group to plan Metro's 50th anniversary celebration

Thursday, May 10, 2012 at 11:45am
Staff reports

Mayor Karl Dean announced Thursday the appointment of a citizens group to plan a nine-month-long celebration and public education campaign commemorating Metro government’s 50th anniversary.

Co-chairs include John Seigenthaler, founder of the First Amendment Center and former editor and publisher of The Tennessean; George Cate, Metro’s first vice mayor; and state Sen. Thelma Harper.

Dean also appointed committee leaders to focus on different aspects of the celebration:

  • Jay Turner, managing director of MarketStreet Enterprises, will chair the Finance Committee.
  • Beth Seigenthaler Courtney, CEO of Seigenthaler Public Relations, will chair the Events Committee.
  • Carole Bucy, professor of history at Volunteer State Community College and Metro Historian, will chair the Education Committee.
  • Pat Nolan, senior vice president at DVL Public Relations & Advertising, will chair the Media and Community Relations Committee.

Activities will be scheduled around three key dates: June 28, 2012, the 50th anniversary of the successful referendum creating the Metro Charter; November 2012, the 50th anniversary of Metro’s first mayoral and run-off election; and April 1, 2013, the anniversary of the implementation of Metro Government.

Nashville’s consolidation in 1963 was the first true city-county consolidation in the country, although Miami-Dade County had merged part of their government services prior to then. Nashville-Davidson County became the pioneer and role model for future city-county consolidations.

According to the National League of Cities there are only 14 city-county consolidations in the country.

8 Comments on this post:

By: Shane Smiley on 5/10/12 at 8:00

What is the estimated budget for these grand events?
We can't afford to run the county without a property tax hike but, lets throw a series of parties.
Makes just enough sense to come from this administration.

By: Ccward on 5/10/12 at 11:06

Our mayor has lost his mind. Planning parties while increasing taxes on homeowners who have lost equity in their homes is offensive and obnoxious.

By: bfra on 5/11/12 at 3:55

Amen on the above comments!

By: Ask01 on 5/11/12 at 5:27

All excellent comments.

I believe a proper expression would be to bedeck the town in black ribbons and wreaths to observe such a mournful anniversary.

Metro Council, those who haven't been assimilated into the collective, please not the timing of a celebration and the request for a property tax increase. If the city is in such dire straits, how can we afford an extravagant observance?

Or the MCC, or tax breaks for businesses, or any number of Mayor Dean's plans?

Methinks the time is nigh to sweep clean local leadership.

By: JayBee56 on 5/11/12 at 8:18

We find money for what we want to do. The theme should be, "Metro - 50 Years is Long Enough". Metro government and the charter need some substantial revamping.
It's not 1963, but we are stuck with a compromise form of government. We can do better than 40 part time council members with most of the power in the mayor's office.

By: parnell3rd on 5/13/12 at 9:35

"no mayor likes to raise taxes, but if we don't, we'll have to lay off firemen, teacher's and policemen" Mayor Karl Dean
"But, we have enough money for a 9 month partay!!!!!" Mayor Karl Dean

By: parnell3rd on 5/14/12 at 10:56

Funny how the libs won't comment on the comrade mayor spending money.

By: SirKnight on 6/8/12 at 1:00

Why not delay this celebration, Mr. Mayor, until our economy improves?? This would set a good example to the rest of America that we know how to be frugal when we need to.

I know that's a lot to ask, but......

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