Laura Bush visit highlights our preservations

It was an honor last week to have first lady Laura Bush come to Nashville to announce a program through which neighborhoods can access federal money to help preserve the historic nature of their areas.

Historic neighborhoods will be able to apply for a 50 percent match with money they raise themselves for such projects as business plans, feasibility studies, signage, guides and walking tours - all ideas that would enhance the economic development and heritage of the neighborhood.

It is particularly fitting that Mrs. Bush announced the plan in Nashville because of its many historic neighborhoods.

A few years ago, the Mayor's Office of Neighborhoods gave grants to neighborhoods to help them enhance their appearance. The neighborhoods used the grants for everything from signage to benches.

Unfortunately, in these economic hard times, that money has dried up. But the grants did help strengthen and solidify the some 150 neighborhood associations now active in Nashville.

Mrs. Bush noted that Nashville is a model for the rest of the country in the appreciation and maintenance of our historic neighborhoods. That is a tribute to all the hard working residents in those neighborhoods who spend time and money to improve their areas.

Mishandling the protest

Hindsight is 20/20, but Gov. Phil Bredesen's staff made a mistake in the way it is handling the TennCare protestors who are camping out in his reception area.

Had the governor's staff been firmly polite a month ago and told the protestors that they had to take their demonstration outside the Capitol, the whole matter would have been forgotten by now.

Clearly, an argument can be made that protestors sitting in the reception area day after day is disruptive to state business.

A few weeks ago, the state began enforcing a rule that the general public can't bring large amounts of food into the Capitol. No one is fooled into thinking the enforcement of that little-known rule did not come in response to the protestors.

It would have been better to handle the matter swiftly but politely and be done with it.