The Tennessee Valley Authority held an open house last Thursday afternoon at White House First United Methodist Church displaying plans and proposals for a new 161 kV line and substation soon to service the area. Although some of the 356 invitees were hopefully anticipating quick cash in exchange for easements across their land, others approached in fear of losing their homes.

Bowling Green resident Allan Larsen staged a respectful protest outside the meeting’s main entry point hoping to warn White House residents to protect themselves from suffering his fate. For the past year Larsen has seen the value of his home destroyed by the placement of numerous 100 feet tall electrical poles, similar to those being proposed for White House, on three sides of his home. His compensation was a mere $700.00.

“My goal is to try to educate everybody I possibly can about what could happen,” he explained to curious onlookers. “There are plenty of other options available to TVA to bring power to homes. Don’t let this happen to you.”

Property owners, city officials and area politicians were invited to the open house in order to provide an opportunity for every person potentially impacted to voice his or her opinions on the matter. From now until September 29 TVA will be accepting information and comments by way of a special survey, available from Location Engineer Todd Moore at 1-800-362-4355. According to TVA representatives, input from the community combined with cost and anticipated impact will be used to determine which of the thirty-four potential routes will be selected.

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Invasion of the starlings
By Stacy Saunders
If you live near trees, power lines, a substation or tall buildings, you may have noticed a marked increase in the pesky little bird known as the starling this summer. The small black birds gather in huge numbers, sometimes by the millions, to roost and to loaf. This has been especially true this year in the state of Tennessee.

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Three sanitation workers and three sanitation drivers received special recognition at the August 21 Board of Mayor and Alderman meeting. The six men are responsible for removing 602,608 pounds of trash from the city’s residences and businesses each month, based on recent figures.

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There were eighteen participants who completed the summer challenge and shared in $900 prize money.

The beginning weight for the group was 4,200 pounds. There was a 200 pound loss during the ten week challenge–great job!

Our fall challenge will begin Tuesday, September 16 and run through December 16. Come join us as we work toward a heathier future.

Registration fee is $20, with all proceeds being distributed as prizes. Meetings will be held on Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. in the fellowship hall of the First Baptist Church 31W. Park out back–we hope to see you there!