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Donelson Gateway Project Update |
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One of the things that I’m most proud of during these past two and one half years as Councilman of District 15 is the formation of the Donelson Gateway Project. I still recall the day Jane Eakes stopped me on Brookview Drive and asked what I was going to do to beautify Donelson if I got elected. Out of that encounter the idea for the Gateway began to take place and with the help of a number of dedicated individuals, generous businesses and organizations the work began.
The western Gateway at Lebanon Rd and Briley Pky has been expanded well beyond the early vision for that site and now presents a beautiful entrance into our community. The addition of a new “Welcome to Donelson” ground sign has made this location a true landmark for our side of Nashville and is seen by hundreds of motorists on a daily basis.
One of the more recent expansions to the Gateway Project took place in mid December when the smaller “welcome” sign from the main Gateway site was relocated to the median of Donelson Pike just north of the I-40 interchange. Plans were for the Gateway group to do landscaping around the sign in the early spring until I received an inquiry about the sign from David Legg. David is the General Manager for Country Inn and Suites which is located just across the roadway from where the sign was placed and he asked if the Country Inn could take the responsibility for landscaping and maintaining that site going forward.
I presented his request to the Gateway Board and with their blessing that work has just begun. The sign was newly landscaped during the week of Feb 22 and additional work will be done to the median and the sign as the temps rise and the ground warms.
David and Country Inn is a great example of a community business stepping up to take responsibility for a small area nearby for the purpose of giving something back to the community and which adds to the greater effort of making Donelson one of the most attractive communities in Davidson County.
If you or someone you know would like to be involved with the Gateway we are open to all who want to participate. For anyone that would like to donate monies or in-kind materials or services, the Gateway is a qualified 501(c)3 community charity and all donations are tax deductible. You can visit the website at www.donelsongateway.org. |
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Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease |
Recently I had the privilege to participate with Patty Loveless in a local event held at Opry Mills to draw attention to Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).
The campaign was launched at the Datoyna 500 track in February 2010 as DRIVE4COPD. This will be a multi-year public health initiative that aims to help people identify symptoms of COPD and take action. Founding sponsor, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. has joined forces with a cross-section of organizations, including the American Lung Association, the COPD Foundation, and NASCAR®, on this large-scale education and awareness campaign to help bring COPD to the forefront. The initiative aims to help millions of people affected by COPD by focusing national attention on this common and debilitating disease. The campaign includes
- DRIVE4COPD 300, the first NASCAR Nationwide Series™ race of the season
- "Race for the Missing Millions," a star-studded four-day cross-country "race" to identify the millions of people who may be at risk for COPD and don't know it. Opry Mills in Nashville is one of 44 local "Pit Stop" COPD screening events at which the celebrity spokespersons will appear. In addition to Patty Loveless, Danica Patrick, Jim Belushi, Michael Strahan and Bruce Jenner are also involved.
- Public service announcements
- An original campaign song, "Drive," composed by country music star Patty Loveless will also be used in promoting the campaign
You or anyone you know, age 35 or older, that has smoked more than 100 cigarettes in their lifetime is urged to take a short 5 question screener that assesses risk. The screener and other information is available by visiting www.DRIVE4COPD.com and while you’re there, you can vote for Patty as your favorite local celebrity COPD ambassador.
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Changes in store for Donelson and Lebanon Pike |
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Lebanon Pike is covered with wires, poles and asphalt. Thats exactly what thousands who travel through Donelson daily see on their way to other destinations. The same is true for other major Metro Nashville corridors like Gallatin and Nolensville roads
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