DEAN ANNOUNCES PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP TO DEVELOP OPEN SPACE PLAN FOR DAVIDSON COUNTY
Plan to be supported by matching funds from The Martin Foundation and Metro Government

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (July 9, 2009) -Mayor Karl Dean announced a cooperative partnership today between The Land Trust for Tennessee and the Metropolitan Government of Nashville to develop an Open Space Plan for Davidson County.  

The plan will address the strategic conservation and creation of green space, by both the public and private sectors, in an effort to protect the unique landscape of Middle Tennessee. The plan will identify opportunities in urban areas such as the creation of neighborhood parks and gardens, and protecting the hillsides and private lands, as well as opportunities outside of the urban core, such as conserving farms and forests and protecting river corridors. Developing the plan will include a complete inventory of the critical natural and cultural resources of the county, prioritized by input from the community. The plan will also include recommendations for its implementation.

The creation of an Open Space Plan was a top recommendation by the Natural Resources Subcommittee of the Mayor’s Green Ribbon Committee on Environmental Sustainability in a summary report released this past April.

“The great cities of our nation have progressive open space plans,” Dean said. “The preservation of our private and public lands and natural resources has a direct impact on the economic viability of the region, and quality of life of its citizens. Thanks to the unique mission and expertise of The Land Trust for Tennessee and a generous donation from The Martin Foundation, this project will ensure that open space continues to enhance the environmental, social, and economic well-being of our great city.”

MAYOR, METRO AGENCIES ANNOUNCE EMERGENCY VOLUNTEER DRIVE

Hands On Nashville To Coordinate Effort

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (March 24, 2009) -Mayor Karl Dean, the Metropolitan Public Health Department and the Mayor’s Office of Emergency Management joined Hands On Nashville today as it announced its largest emergency recruitment drive ever, for more than 4,000 volunteers.

The plan, announced at a joint news conference, calls for Points of Dispensing, or PODs, to be set up across the city if there is an emergency, allowing the Health Department to quickly administer vaccinations or medications to large numbers of citizens. While the Health Department is responsible for opening these PODs in a public health emergency, it has contracted Hands On Nashville to recruit volunteers to help staff these clinics.

“We want Nashville to be the best prepared city in America should a major emergency hit, and being prepared in the case of a medical emergency is certainly part of that preparation,” said Mayor Karl Dean. “I am confident that Hands On Nashville’s experience with these sorts of projects, along with the volunteer spirit of the people in our community, will make this effort a success.”

PODs can be activated for a wide range of medical emergencies, from the outbreak of the pandemic flu and smallpox to health issues caused by bioterrorism. When PODs are activated, volunteers will be contacted and given the option to report to a designated location. Medical personnel will also be present at each POD to oversee volunteers.