Author: Clint Confehr

NASHVILLE, TN — With Metro Council set to vote Tuesday on a $16 million request from Metro General Hospital, emerging details raise questions about privatization. At least one councilman sees privatization as a prospective course of action to deal with recurring financial issues at Metro General Hospital; a solution that’s been applied to the Bordeaux hospital. “We are working to overcome our historic challenges and strengthen our hospital for the future,” Dr. Joseph Webb, chief executive officer of Nashville General Hospital at Meharry, has said. State lawmakers’ refusal to change health care funding with more money from the federal government…

NASHVILLE, TN – Metro Council members are thinking about imposing a moratorium on short-term rental properties where the owner isn’t a resident and, as usual, money is a factor. Changing rules opens a can of worms that raises several other issues, including laws on public accommodations — Civil Rights — as well as the economic value of STRPs. See the Tribune’s print edition for more on Civil Rights. A number of city leaders want to stop and think about how to accommodate residents concerned about their safety and property values. There’s also a concern for the benefits of short-term rental…

By Clint Confehr COLUMBIA, TN — While telling the history of R.H. Boyd Publishing Co., a retired TSU history professor recently encouraged his audience here to use Boyd’s financial practices to grow wealth. “The Boyds understand that ‘the eagle flies on Friday,’” Dr. Bobby Lovett said of payday money spent; flying to businesses beyond an economic circle. “So, they found ways to keep it in the community.” Boyd, his heirs and business partners started businesses, offering goods and services, including black baby dolls, a bank and transportation for friends, neighbors and fellow parishoners; capitalizing on economic conditions created by Jim…

By Clint Confehr NASHVILLE, TN — With mixed metaphors, Meharry Medical College and the Nashville Duffers Golf Association held a kickoff luncheon recently to announce their Sickle Cell Golf Tournament Corporate Challenge fundraising campaign. “This will be our first corporate challenge,” Duffers Golf League President Alex Coure announced in a packed conference room on Jan. 24 when golfers and medical professionals documented their mutual cause with a letter to prospective donors. “Sickle cell disease is an inherited blood disorder causing red blood cells to change their shape into a banana shape or C- shape farm tool called a sickle,” said…

By Clint Confehr NASHVILLE, TN — More marches and/or demonstrations are anticipated as a result of so many people advocating women’s rights in reaction to the inauguration of America’s new president. Women’s March signs saying “We’re just getting started” impressed former Metro Councilman Kwame Leo Lillard, 77, of Bordeaux while marching Saturday. “The question is whether this can be sustained. “Occupy Wall Street fizzled out,” Lillard said. “They have to have sustaining infrastructure.” Others agree. “The organizers did a good job on how people signed up so they can be contacted later and that people will stay engaged as these…

By Clint Confehr FRANKLIN, TN — Courage, faith, commitment, survival and success despite adversity will be celebrated during the 16th annual Black Tie Affair here in Cool Springs’ Embassy Suites Hotel Convention Center. Members and friends of the African American Heritage Society of Williamson County gather at 6 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 4, in anticipation of another grand awards ceremony, sumptuous dinner and famous entertainers. It’s usually a sell-out event. Born in Brentwood, but known for persistent public service as Tennessee’s first black female senator, Thelma Harper of Nashville is honorary chair of the affair with cousin, mistress of ceremonies, Franklin…

By Clint Confehr The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was praised during Middle Tennessee’s MLK Day in contrast to the politician who’s to be sworn-in as President on Friday. “‘Lord, what are you trying to do to us now?’” Andrew Young told 650 people in the Music City Center,  Charles Robert Bone reported after the Bone McAllister Norton law firm’s 16th annual MLK Fellowship Breakfast. That’s how the Civil Rights icon reflected on the 2016 election, Bone said. Young is “not worried about what the future holds because he knows who holds the future.” Acceptance was heard elsewhere. “It’s…

MURFREESBORO, TN — Kind hearts and heroes will be honored next weekend during this year’s Martin Luther King Jr. birthday breakfast at MTSU. The late Jerry Anderson of Murfreesboro is the inspiration for the annual award ceremony when America’s greatest Civil Rights leader is remembered. Anderson played for the Bengals and Buccaneers. On May 27, 1989, exactly five years after rescuing motorists from flood waters in Tulsa, Okla., the retired football safety rescued two boys from a rain-swollen Stones River. The boys fell off a dam. Anderson drowned after saving them. His story is dramatized in a “Rescue 911” TV show…

NASHVILLE, TN — Tennesseans’ celebration of Human Rights Day includes a lifetime achievement award for Dr. Charles Kimbrough. Membership surged and civil rights issues were addressed when Dr. Kimbrough led the Nashville branch of the NAACP. He established four branches and accomplished a great deal more. Kimbrough and others will be honored 5-7 p.m. Dec. 6 in the First Amendment Center, 1207 18th Ave., S. Reserve a $10 seat at nashvillehumanrights.org. International Human Rights Day commemorates the United Nations’ ratification Dec. 10, 1948 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The commemoration is organized by Tennessee United for Human Rights,…

Nashville’s congressman and other Oversight and Government Reform Committee members want President-elect Donald Trump’s financial arrangements reviewed like the committee’s chairman insisted when Hillary Clinton looked like the next president. U.S. Reps. Jim Cooper, Elijah Cummings and other Democrats on the House committee sent a letter to Chairman Jason Chaffetz requesting an immediate review of Trump’s financial arrangements because the Utah Republican has “not taken steps to conduct basic oversight of these unprecedented challenges.” For example, Philippine developer Jose E. B. Antonio was named in October as special envoy to the United States, The New York Times reports. Trump is…