It’s a familiar story. Persons without homes in Nashville try to figure out a safe space to stay while they figure out a means to move into stable housing. While the existing sheltering system is available for some, there are others who can’t work within that system. Some of these folks are in couples (who … Continue reading Something has to change…
Dear Mayor Cooper, I want to begin by thanking you for the work that you and other city leaders are trying to do to balance the pressure between keeping the people of Nashville safe from the COVID outbreak, and the call to keep businesses open so that our citizens are fully employed and able to … Continue reading An Open Letter to the Mayor on Bar Closures
6/2/2020 TO: Mayor John Cooper and the Members of the Metro Council Dear friends, Like many of us, I have been watching the financial situation of our Metro Nashville government closely in the glare of reports regarding our inability to fund essential services. As I’ve known for several years, our city was spending funds that … Continue reading An Open Letter on the Nashville budget
This past Thursday night (January 17, 2019) I sat before a sub-committee of the Metro Nashville Council to be interviewed as a part of the discernment process for election to membership of our new Community Oversight Board, which will work with our police to make sure all are treated equally and with respect. We were … Continue reading Community Oversight Board Interviews
God of all people, male and female, old and young, from all nations, races, and backgrounds, we come to you as a city that is broken. Trust has been eroded; lives have been disrupted; and we find ourselves wondering where we go from here. We ask that today represents a new day, a new season … Continue reading A Prayer for Nashville
The city of Nashville has a long legacy of city leaders gathering in back rooms to determine the future of their neighbors. From the Watauga Club downtown to the West Nashville Mafia gathered in a booth at Wendell Smiths to the sheriff and his friends talking in the lounge of an East Nashville funeral home, … Continue reading The Room Where It Happens
I was in a Justice For Our Neighbors meeting last week (an amazing faith-based organization that is providing counsel and assistance on legal issues to immigrants) when I learned about a young lady named Mercedes Gonzalez. Mercedes was brought to the U.S. when she was 2 and has been a successful newcomer to Nashville. She … Continue reading It’s Time to Help Mercedes
A day or so ago I posted on the other site an expression of concern regarding a conflict between two events on Saturday. What I failed to mention is that the Martha O'Bryan event helps at-risk kids and is certainly worthy of your support. I just received word that they are struggling a bit … Continue reading Martha O’Bryan Center Needs Volunteers This Saturday
The Tennessee State Fair opened last night, and as has become the tradition of the Voorhees household, daughter number two and I traveled down Nolensville Road, braved the muddy field parking lot, and found ourselves in the middle of a world filled with the smells of grilling onions and peppers, cotton candy, with a whiff … Continue reading A “Fair” Review
The Tennessee State Fair opened last night, and as has become the tradition of the Voorhees household, daughter number two and I traveled down Nolensville Road, braved the muddy field parking lot, and found ourselves in the middle of a world filled with the smells of grilling onions and peppers, cotton candy, with a whiff … Continue reading A “Fair” Review
The last time I wrote on this topic I focused on the financial subterfuge in which we seem to be participating here in Music City. Of course there are many who would say that I am splitting hairs, and I’m willing to plead guilty to a bit of fiber carving. Yet let’s be honest in … Continue reading The Music City Center Skeptic – Part 2
The last time I wrote on this topic I focused on the financial subterfuge in which we seem to be participating here in Music City. Of course there are many who would say that I am splitting hairs, and I’m willing to plead guilty to a bit of fiber carving. Yet let’s be honest in … Continue reading The Music City Center Skeptic – Part 2
One of the ongoing recent debates in my hometown has been the development and creation of a new convention center for our city, known as the Music City Center. As a former meeting planner responsible for a large denomination meeting, I understand both the need and desire for a new convention center in Nashville. Our … Continue reading Another Music City Center Skeptic – Part 1
One of the ongoing recent debates in my hometown has been the development and creation of a new convention center for our city, known as the Music City Center. As a former meeting planner responsible for a large denomination meeting, I understand both the need and desire for a new convention center in Nashville. Our … Continue reading Another Music City Center Skeptic – Part 1
April 26,2009 written by Rev. Jay Voorhees As a pastor, I spend a lot of time in area hospitals. Fortunately, when most of us seek healing in a hospital, we trust that insurance will cover most of the bill. However, for growing numbers of Nashvillians, money is a huge concern when they need health care. … Continue reading Nashville must support General Hospital
Currently in Nashville there is some debate about a proposed school rezoning plan. This issue has been tough for me, for I have good friends on both sides of the debate. The main point of contention is that this plan, which attempts to move kids who live an a chronically impoverished area of town from … Continue reading Let’s Talk Rezoning
Currently in Nashville there is some debate about a proposed school rezoning plan. This issue has been tough for me, for I have good friends on both sides of the debate. The main point of contention is that this plan, which attempts to move kids who live an a chronically impoverished area of town from … Continue reading Let’s Talk Rezoning
Folks often wonder about the availability of affordable housing in Nashville. Here are a few recent statistics from MDHA: Nashville currently has over 5,300 units of public housing available for those in need. The occupancy rate of those units is 98 to 99%, with some 3,000 persons on the waiting list to fill vacancies. Currently, … Continue reading Statistics on Affordable Housing In Nashville
This morning, I watched the inauguration of President Obama with 400 neighbors and friends at the Belcourt Theatre in Hillsboro Village. The viewing “party” was sponsored by Nashville for All of Us, the group leading the opposition to the English Only amendment being voted on in Nashville this Thursday. I had been scheduled to speak … Continue reading What I would Have Said
In lieu of writing a formal review of the 2008 Acoustic Christmas show, here are a few superlatives that reflect my opinion of the evening. Most Talented As I stated earlier, I was surprised at the level of talent overall, expecting a few clunkers along the way. There was one who didn’t make the grade … Continue reading Acoustic Christmas Superlatives
Only Wonder Understands 