Council Reviews Projects Totaling $11,000

by Leslie Lytle, Messenger Staff Writer

At the March 28 meeting, the Sewanee Community Council reviewed recommendations for allocating $11,000 in funds for Community Enhancement projects.

A committee led by Sarah Marhevsky considered 12 project proposals submitted by the community and narrowed down the list to seven, recommending the following Community Enhancement projects receive funding: $3,179 for sand and refurbishing the restrooms at the youth soccer field on Ball Park Road; $2,049 for mulch at the Elliott Park playground; $1,800 for a picnic table at the Elliott Park playground; $2,200 for electrical repairs at the American Legion Hall; $1,322 for lighting at Angel Park; $300 for soil and bulbs for planting by children in the Plateau Playground group; and $150 to help offset operating expenses for Community Poetry Night.

The Council will vote on the recommendations at the May meeting.

Commenting on the choices, Marhevsky said the committee wanted to continue to support Elliott Park, which received funding last year, and similarly, the soccer field was a community undertaking deserving of ongoing support.

All the projects submitted had substantial merit, Marhevsky said. The committee also received a number of suggestions not formally drafted as proposals. Marhevsky thanked committee members Pixie Dozier, Theresa Shackelford, and Megan Taylor for their commitment to making fair and carefully thought- out recommendations that would benefit a broad segment of the community.

The Community Enhancement program is in the second year of a two-year trial. In the summer of 2014, the Council approved increasing the municipal service fee paid by all leaseholders to generate $10,000 to be used for physical improvements and amenities on the Domain. Of the seven Community Enhancement projects funded in 2015, all are at or near completion. The total award for 2016 was increased because the dog park proposal funded in 2015 had $1,000 left after purchasing a fence, and the unspent amount was added to the 2016 fund basis.

Two proposals calling for construction of sidewalks on Brakefield Road and Tennessee Avenue were not recommended for funding, Marhevsky said, because they would have cost $10,000 or more each, using up the full amount of resources available in 2016.

Council member Phil White supported the need for sidewalks and asked the council to discuss this in May.

A visitor asked if the amount of funding could be increased, since there were many worthy projects. Provost John Swallow said increasing funding would require increasing the municipal service fee. The council will consider putting the question before the community in the November elections.

Lighting Sewanee’s Christmas Trees

Today (Friday), Dec. 4

4 p.m. Snacks and music in the University Quad

4:30 p.m. Quad tree lighting

5:30 p.m. Angel Park tree lighting

Cookies, cocoa and caroling at Angel Park will follow.

Santa and the Grinch will be available for photos. Everyone is encouraged to bring nonperishable food items and/or unwrapped new toys. All donated items will go to the Community Action Committee or Operation Noel. 

Tree Lighting Kicks Off Holidays on Dec. 4.

The University will join with the community for two holiday tree lightings on Friday, Dec. 4. Students and community members will gather at 4 p.m. in the University Quad for music and snacks. The campus tree lighting will be at 4:30 p.m.

Music will begin in Angel Park in downtown Sewanee at 5 p.m. 

A Sewanee fire engine will carry Santa Claus and friends to downtown around 5:15 p.m. 

The tree lighting at Angel Park will be at 5:30 p.m. Cookies and hot beverages will be available afterward, and Santa and the Grinch will be posing for photos. 

Joe David McBee, road commissioner for the first district of Franklin County, reports that the county has given permission for University Avenue to be closed, 4–7 p.m., on Friday, from Regions Bank to State Highway 41A for the event.

The Sewanee Chorale will lead Christmas caroling. Please bring unwrapped toys for Operation Noel. Gifts of money and nonperishable food will be collected for the Community Action Committee. 

In case of inclement weather, the post-tree-lighting activities will move inside to the Blue Chair Bakery and Tavern.

Decorating of the Christmas tree at Angel Park will be at 9 a.m., Wednesday, Dec. 2. All are welcome to come help with this festive activity. 

This event is co-sponsored by the University and the Sewanee Business Alliance.

AngelFest Tonight

Sewanee’s AngelFest will kick-off at 4:30 p.m., today (Friday), Sept. 25, with kids’ activities including games, science demonstrations, a bounce house and face painting, wild animals, helium balloons, arts and crafts, marshmallow poppers and a Canine Musical Sit contest (musical chairs with dogs and owners).

For adults, this year there will be a Beer Flight at local restaurants. After purchasing a $10 ticket, participants can taste selected beers at different locations. A portion of the proceeds from this event will go toward funding the Elliott Park playground.

The children’s activities will finish by 7 p.m.; area restaurants and mobile food vendors will be serving food.

Jason Eskridge will take the stage at 7:30 p.m., under the kite at Angel Park. Bring a blanket or lawn chair and sit under the stars to enjoy the rest of the evening.

AngelFest is organized and sponsored by Joseph’s Remodeling Solutions. For the full schedule of event activities, go to <www.sewaneeangelfest.blogspot.com>. The Angel Park and Pavilion were created by the Sewanee Business Alliance.

Jason Eskridge at AngelFest on Sept. 25

Singer Jason Eskridge will perform at the fifth annual AngelFest on Friday, Sept. 25, in the Angel Park in Sewanee. Family-friendly activities will begin at 4:30 p.m.; this year’s plans include face-painting, inflatables, hands-on building projects and wild animal presentations.

Eskridge and his band will begin at 7:30 p.m. He is a native of Tennessee and is known for his soul-acoustic-folk music. Later this year Eskridge will be touring with the Zac Brown Band.

AngelFest is organized and sponsored by Joseph’s Remodeling Solutions. For the full schedule of event activities, go to <www.sewaneeangelfest.blogspot.com>. The Angel Park and Pavilion were created by the Sewanee Business Alliance, which is committed to developing the downtown area as a center for families, businesses and nonprofits to enjoy the lifestyle Sewanee offers and to build relationships throughout the community.

Playing Big Chess in the Realm of Angels

by Kevin Cummings, Messenger Staff Writer
A flock of chimney swifts sweep the sky above the chess board as dusk approaches—occasionally one of them darts into the Lemon Fair’s chimney.

Freddy Saussy watches the swifts’ frenzy as his opponent, Charles Whitmer, studies the three-foot high chess pieces and ponders his strategy.

Big chess, with oversized plastic pieces weighted with sand bags that sometimes require two hands to move, is an event that occurs every Wednesday evening at Angel Park in Sewanee. The set belongs to Charles, who has a vision of Sewanee becoming “the destination for big chess” in the world. He imagines big chess boards at different points on the Domain.

“That is a mighty exposed king there,” Charles chides Freddy after a series of moves. “But he’s got space. I like space,” Freddy laughs. “That’s the only rationale I can come up with to why he’s exposed there.”

Charles discovered the big chess set at an antiques store in Cowan, and it called to him, not unlike the “needful things” from Stephen King’s novel. “I had an ‘I’ve got to have that’ feeling stronger than I’ve had in a long time,” Charles says. “I thought, ‘If they want my kidney they can have it, or I can pawn my (wedding) ring.’” 

Later, Charles’ parents tell him about a picture of when Charles was 3 years old, hugging a giant queen chess piece in Finland. “Apparently this (fascination) has been buried deep in my psyche for 40 years,” he says.

Charles didn’t offer any vital organs or the symbol of his vows to his wife Kelly Whitmer, a Sewanee history professor. He did strike a deal to make payments on the set and a few months later he hauled it up the Mountain in the back of his pickup truck. While parked on University Avenue, a couple of log cabin assemblers from Kentucky took an interest and started pulling the pieces out of the truck.

“Can we play with these?” they asked when Charles returned to his truck.

“I was just planning on taking it home and playing in the backyard,” Charles recalls. “Then some kid started showing them how to play.” Thus, Wednesday evening big chess was born.

Stephen Carter, a local handyman, climbs the steps to Angel Park to watch the Saussy–Whitmer match. He tells them they’ve got the board set up all wrong, “white always on right and the Queen takes her color.” 

A little later, Tom Phelps stops by the match. He is a Sewanee resident and a physician in Tullahoma who is a sleep disorder specialist.

“Chess is really good because the brain can relax for a moment while it’s working,” Tom comments.

Freddy started strong and a handful of Charles’ captured pieces sit along the Angel Park wall, but now Charles is coming back and decorates his side of the wall with two white pawns and a rook.

“Big chess has sort of a “Wee!” factor that’s missing from regular chess,” Charles says.

The knights waiting patiently all have goofy grins on their faces, maybe because Charles complains that the grease from the hamburger he’s eating makes it hard to move the pieces.

Freddy totes a captured pawn with two hands and walks it from the board to the wall of death. A donation jar also perches on the wall, stuffed with greenbacks that Charles hopes will eventually grow to be enough to purchase a 5-foot-tall community chess set.

Tom has left, but Susan Holmes of Sewanee arrives with her two black Labrador retrievers on leashes. One of the puppies runs around the board and its leash hits a rook but the stately castle barely budges. Susan asks Charles if he’ll watch the dogs while she places an order at the Blue Chair across the street. With one black lab in his arms, and Carter watching the other puppy, Charles needs help.

“Can you kill your own guy for me?” he asks Freddy. Freddy captures his own pawn. 

Darkness has fallen. Someone utters checkmate and Freddy is finally victorious. He also wins the next match. A small knot of brew-bolstered onlookers have gathered; Freddy and theology student Paul Schutz play to a stalemate.

With the hour late, the small but hearty team of men load big chess back into Charles’ truck. Any resolutions or revenge matches will have to wait until next Wednesday, when Angel Park hosts another clash between two armies. 

Council Learns About “Trial” Crossing Lights :: County Studied Traffic Flow Before Installation

by Leslie Lytle, Messenger Staff Writer

Joe David McBee, Franklin County highway commissioner, told the Sewanee Community Council that the new crosswalks and lights in downtown area are “a trial” at their meeting on Aug. 31. 

“The crosswalks are a trial, but we hope they will be permanent,” McBee said. McBee attended the meeting to address the concerns in response to the two crosswalks and the solar warning lights installed in mid-July, one on University Avenue at the Blue Chair and Angel Park, and the other on Ball Park Road next to the Senior Citizens’ Center. The push-button style crosswalk warning lights were installed after traffic flow studies and two years of research by the Franklin County Highway Commission, McBee said.

On behalf of the Sewanee Business Alliance, council member Theresa Shackelford brought the need for a crosswalk in the Angel Park area to the council’s attention in June of 2014. Police Chief Marie Eldridge concurred, saying street-side parking posed hazards for pedestrians. After considering options, the council voted to approve a raised crosswalk and asked Eldridge to communicate the request to the highway commission.

The installation of the crosswalks and their accompanying warning lights came as a surprise to the council and the community when they were installed in July.

“Council members were at a loss to explain [to constituents] where the crosswalks came from and why,” Vice-Chancellor John McCardell said.

McBee said the Highway Department rejected the request for a raised crosswalk due to the difficulty of snow removal and the hazard to bicyclists. Stressing the need for the crosswalks, McBee said research and traffic flow studies showed motorists did not stop for pedestrians in these two locations, street-side parking often made it impossible to see children crossing, and motorists tended to speed in the area. The highway commission chose not to include an audible warning device on the crosswalks because of possible disturbance to people dining outside.

McBee said other options were considered, but the discussion and decision-making process did not take place at the public highway commission meetings.

“We want to be involved in discussions before decisions are made,” McCardell said, echoing the frustration of many council members. McBee agreed and said, “I think communication should be better.”

Highway superintendent Johnny Woodall brought to the council’s attention that many crosswalks in Sewanee were not marked with the regulation signage and had not been approved by the Highway Commission.

In 1969, the Franklin County Commission designated all roads in Sewanee as county roads, McBee said, making the county responsible for their maintenance. All signage, crosswalks and other highway markings must meet county regulations and be approved by the county. The county does not maintain and regulate roads in the incorporated communities of Cowan, Decherd and Winchester, McBee said.

Forty-eight community members have contacted McBee about the crosswalks, with only eight residents raising strong objections, he said. Some parents expressed concern the button was too high for small children to reach. State guidelines determine the height, McBee said, and smaller children should be accompanied by adults. Similarly, the button height meets compliance guidelines for ease of use by people in wheelchairs.

Council representative Barbara Schlichting asked if a “smaller, less obtrusive” design was an option, voicing a frequently overheard community complaint.

Woodall replied signage needed to be at least 30 inches by 30 inches to meet state statutes, and there were also concerns about motorists colliding with and destroying less sturdy signs. 

McCardell asked for details about how long the crosswalk trial period would last, what was being tested and on what basis would it be evaluated.

McBee said a one-year trial was planned, and he intended to revisit the issue with the council in a year to determine the community’s response.

“I don’t think anyone objects to the crosswalks,” McCardell said. “It’s an aesthetic discussion.”

McCardell encouraged residents to communicate their views through their council representatives and to the Sewanee Mountain Messenger. “This is the beginning rather than the end of a public discussion,” he said.

In other business, the council voted to appoint Pam Byerly and Dennis Meeks as Lease Committee representatives.

Responding to a question about the traffic roundabout proposed for the intersection of University Avenue and Highway 41A, Michael Gardner, director of physical plant services, said plans were “heading away from a roundabout to a simplified intersection. The state wants to keep traffic moving.” Although referred to as Highway 41A, the main highway passing through Sewanee is actually State Route 15, so it is subject to state regulation.

Schlichting reminded council representatives of the meeting with the Trustees Community Relations Committee on Oct. 14 and encouraged council representatives to be in communication with constituents so they could convey any community concerns. A community meet and greet will follow.

The council meets next on Oct. 19.

AngelFest Set for Sept. 25

The fifth annual AngelFest will take place on Friday, Sept. 25, in the Angel Park in Sewanee. Family-friendly activities will begin at 4:30 p.m.; this year’s plans include face-painting, inflatables, hands-on building projects and wild animal presentations.

For adults, there will be the opportunity to purchase a “beer flight” or a “liquor flight” with samples of the adult beverages at some of the downtown area restaurants.

Singer Jason Eskridge and his band will provide the music, beginning at 7:30 p.m. He is a native of Tennessee and is known for his soul-acoustic-folk music. Later this year Eskridge will be touring with the Zac Brown Band.

AngelFest is organized and sponsored by Joseph’s Remodeling Solutions. For the full schedule of activities go to <www.sewaneeangelfest.blogspot.com>. The Angel Park and Pavilion were created by the Sewanee Business Alliance, which is committed to developing the downtown area as a center for families, businesses and nonprofits to enjoy the lifestyle Sewanee offers and to build relationships throughout the community.

Music in Angel Park

The fifth season of “Friday Nights in the Park,” hosted by the Sewanee Business Alliance (SBA), continues tonight (Friday), June 26, at Angel Park on University Avenue in Sewanee. University Avenue will be closed at 6 p.m., so that guests can safely enjoy all the activities, including local vendors offering food and drink. 

Men of Soul will perform at 7:30 p.m. Band members Towson Engsberg, Robbie Legette, Mike Futral, Bob Jones and Stan Lynch play soul, blues, Southern rock and oldies. This is the third year Men of Soul has played at the event.

On July 3, the band will be Boy Named Banjo and on July 10, Hotel Oscar will perform. For more information email <info@sewanee.biz>. 

“Friday Nights in the Park” Return on June 19

The fifth anniversary of “Friday Nights in the Park,” hosted by the Sewanee Business Alliance (SBA), begins at 6 p.m., June 19, at Angel Park on University Avenue in Sewanee. University Avenue will be closed at 6 p.m. (with the exception of July 3, which will be earlier) so that guests can safely enjoy all the activities, including local vendors offering food and drink. 

“The Sewanee Business Alliance is proud to host this annual event for our community, and it couldn’t happen without the support of our local sponsors,” said John Goodson, SBA president. “For five years now, we’ve brought the very best in music and fellowship in the village during the summer, and everyone who attends has a great time.”

This year’s lineup is: June 19—the Uprights; June 26—Men of Soul; July 3—Boy Named Banjo; and July 10—Hotel Oscar. All “Friday Nights in the Park” bands will perform from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. under the pavilion at Angel Park, with the exception of Boy Named Banjo, who will perform at 6 p.m. on July 3, prior to the Fourth of July Street Dance. 

For more information email <info@sewanee.biz>. 

Hunger Walk to Support Morton Memorial & CAC on Saturday

All Events Still Planned, Rain or Shine

Monteagle Sewanee Rotary, in partnership with the Community Action Committee of Sewanee, Morton Memorial United Methodist Church of Monteagle and the Mountain Goat Trail, is sponsoring the first annual Hunger Walk. On Saturday, April 25, the walk will begin at the Sewanee Angel Park; registration is at 9 a.m., with the walk beginning at 10 a.m. 

Participants will walk to Pearls Café on the Mountain Goat Trail and return to Otey Parish, a total of five miles. The Hunger Walk will end at Claiborne Parish House, where a complimentary lunch will be served .

“Rotary wants to help raise awareness of poverty and hunger in our communities. That’s why we’re so excited about this event,” said John Goodson, president of Monteagle Sewanee Rotary. “We hope everyone will come out and join us.” 

Registration for the event is $10 per person. Register or find more information online at <www.thehungerwalk.com> or call (931) 968-1127.

Mountain Goat Trail Walk & Run on April 4

The newest section of the Mountain Goat Trail will be the site of the second Annual Mountain Goat Trail Run and Walk on Saturday, April 4. The event is a fund-raiser for the Mountain Goat Trail Alliance; it is sponsored by Mountain Outfitters. Registration begins at 9 a.m. (runners at Angel Park in Sewanee, walkers at Pearl’s Cafe), with the start at 10 a.m. Cost is $15 for students, $25 early registration, and $35 day of the event. 

Prizes will be given for the fastest male and female finishers of the 5-mile course. A costume category has been added to this year’s event: The best costume worn by a walker or runner will receive a prize.

Mountain Outfitters will host finish-line festivities, including drawings, free snacks for the runners and food for sale from Dave’s Modern Tavern’s taco truck. To learn more or to register go to <mountaingoattrail.org/run>.

Monteagle Sewanee Rotary Hosts Cajun Supper

The Monteagle Sewanee Rotary Club is hosting a Cajun Supper on March 7 on the grounds of the Sewanee American Legion and the adjacent Angel Park. 

The event is a fund-raiser for Rotary’s collaboration with the Haiti Outreach project, which is coordinated by the University of the South’s biology department and outreach office. At the supper, live music will provide a festive atmosphere, while diners enjoy the freshly prepared Cajun fare, including crawfish étouffée or vegetarian red beans, rice, sides, a dessert and beverages. To-go plates will be available, and beer can be purchased.

Tickets are $20 per person, with discounts for multiple ticket purchases ($35 for two; $50 for four). Tickets are available from any Monteagle Sewanee Rotarian; from Sandy Layne at Regions Bank in Sewanee; Barry Rollins at Citizens State Bank in Monteagle; or Tracy Temples at Franklin County United Bank in Decherd; or by going online to <www.monteaglerotary.org>.

Lighting Sewanee’s Christmas Trees

Today (Friday), Dec. 5

4 p.m. Snacks and music in the University Quad

4:30 p.m. Quad tree lighting

5 p.m. Cookies, cocoa and caroling at Angel Park

5:30 p.m. Angel Park tree lighting

Santa and the Grinch will be available for photos. Everyone is encouraged to bring food and/or unwrapped new toys. All donated items will go to the Community Action Committee or Operation Noel. In case of inclement weather, the Quad tree lighting will be cancelled; the Angel Park post-tree-lighting activities will move inside to the Blue Chair Bakery & Tavern.

Sewanee Christmas Tree Lighting

Sewanee’s third annual Tree Lighting will be on Friday, Dec. 5. 

The University will again join with the community for this year’s event. Students and community members will gather at 4 p.m. in the Quad for music and snacks. The tree lighting will be at 4:30 p.m.

Music, cookies and cocoa will begin in Angel Park in downtown Sewanee at 5 p.m. 

A Sewanee fire engine will carry Santa Claus and friends from the Quad to the village around 5:15 p.m. The tree lighting at Angel Park will be at 5:30 p.m.

Santa and the Grinch will be available for photos. 

The Sewanee Chorale will lead Christmas caroling. Everyone is encouraged to bring food and/or unwrapped new toys. All donated items will go to the Community Action Committee or Operation Noel. 

In case of inclement weather, the post-tree-lighting activities will move inside to the Blue Chair Bakery & Tavern.

This event is cosponsored by the University and the Sewanee Business Alliance.

Family-Friendly Fun and Music at AngelFest

The fourth annual AngelFest will begin at 4 p.m., today (Friday), Sept. 26, with dozens of children’s games and dog activities throughout the downtown area of Sewanee. Joseph’s Remodeling Solutions is sponsoring the three hours of fun, which will be based at Angel Park. The WannaBeatles will take the stage at 7:30 p.m. for family-friendly music; bring a chair or a blanket. 

More than 20 activities will be offered by area businesses and community groups. The treasure hunt returns this year with the opportunity to enter a drawing for a treasure chest full of prizes. 

Dogs are encouraged this year and will have their own special events, including Canine Musical Sit (musical chairs for dogs). Please leash your dogs, using a six-foot or shorter leash (no flexible leashes); please bring baggies and pick up after your pet.

Acoustic musicians are invited to gather from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., at Crossroads Café for a jam as part of Angel-Fest. The group will meet again at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 2, at Crossroads. 

As part of the Sewanee Business Alliance’s ongoing effort to finish the buildout of Angel Park, residents will now have a chance to “name your own Sewanee Angel.”

Beginning this week, anyone can name someone they consider their angel, and a special brick will be placed in Angel Park that designates their “angel” status. Naming an angel with a brick costs $75 at the AngelFest. After tonight (Friday), Sept. 26, the price will increase to $100 per brick.

For more information go to <www.sewanee.biz/park/> or <www.sewaneeangelfest.blogspot.com/>.

2014 AngelFest Features Events for Kids & Dogs

Featuring family-friendly activities, the fabled Treasure Chest of prizes and a special emphasis this year on Sewanee dogs, the 2014 AngelFest will begin at 4 p.m., Friday, Sept. 26, in the Sewanee Angel Park. 

Kids, families and dogs will enjoy community camaraderie for three hours, sharing good food, meeting each other’s dogs together, and marking a time to welcome the weekend. The event is organized and sponsored by Joseph’s Remodeling Solutions. 

Following the activities, the WannaBeatles will take the stage at AngelPark for Beatles-inspired music. [See story on page 6.]

Among the new activities this year are an opportunity to have dog paw and children handprints transformed into keepsake paintings. A dog version of the children’s game, Musical Chairs, will also be featured.

Exciting and new activities for children of all ages will come from Tullahoma, Tracy City and Winchester to join talented children’s authors and entertainers from across the Mountain. 

For more information go to <www.sewaneeangelfest.blogspot.com>.

Angel Park Hosts Return of the Culprits

After a busy year of study and international travel, the Culprits are coming together for a free hometown concert today (Friday), Aug. 15, at Sewanee’s Angel Park. Blues Regimen will open at 7 p.m.; the Culprits will take the stage at 7:45 p.m. The back-to-school concert, a new tradition in Sewanee, coincides with the University of the South’s First Year Program and St. Andrew’s-Sewanee School’s opening weekend, but it is free and open to the public. 

Blues Regimen’s members include students from St. Andrew’s-Sewanee School, Franklin County High School and the Ensworth School. 

The Culprits include SAS alumni Nick Evans, ’10; Will Evans, ’12; and Zach Blount, ’12. 

There will also be live music in Angel Park on Saturday, Aug. 16. See story on page 6. These are great opportunities to enjoy an evening of family-friendly entertainment. For more information go to <www.sewanee.biz/>.

Council Votes to Increase Municipal Fee for Sewanee Leases

by Leslie Lytle Messenger Staff Writer


At the June 30 meeting, the Sewanee Community Council approved increasing the municipal service fee paid by all leaseholders to generate $10,000 to $20,000 in funds to be used by the Community Council for municipal improvements. The fee increase is for a trial two-year period.

A committee charged with investigating ways to encourage active participation in the council drafted the proposal. The committee was comprised of council representatives John Flynn, Theresa Shackelford and Pam Byerly, University community relations liaison Barbara Schlichting and University provost John Swallow.

Council representative John Flynn said the proposal addresses the complaint that the Council has no power.

The fee increase would be based on home value according to the Franklin County tax assessment. For example, to generate $10,000 of revenue, the owner of a home valued at $300,000 would see a fee increase of $56, said John Swallow, provost of the University. The average leasehold fee increase would be $22 annually. 

Council representative David Coe took issue with the proposal saying non-leaseholders would benefit from the municipal improvements and not share in the cost. Council representative Theresa Shackelford countered that individuals could make contributions to projects that interested them. Flynn said that community organizations could also make contributions.

A visitor suggested the municipal service fee increase for community improvements would be more meaningful if the University matched the funds raised by the fee increase. Swallow said the University contribution would depend on the project.

Coe said the proposal needed to be brought publicly to the community for discussion before a vote. Council representative Pat Kelley agreed. Flynn argued that as an elected body the council was empowered to make decisions regarding the constituents they represented.

The council voted 12 to 2 in favor of the proposal; Coe and Kelley voted against the proposal.
Vice-Chancellor John McCardell said, “This is not a step the University is taking lightly.” At the August 25 meeting, the council will determine the amount of revenue to be raised and the exact percentage of the fee increase.

The committee charged with ad- dressing council participation also recommended three changes to the constitution: reducing the residency requirement for council members from four years to two years; formalizing the expectation that council members attend meetings; the stipulation that all terms, including terms of council representatives elected this November, end in 2016. Swallow said ending all terms in 2016 would put all council representatives on equal footing if other changes such as redistricting are implemented. The council will vote on the constitutional amendments at the August meeting.

In addition to redrawing district boundaries so council representation more accurately reflects the number of residents in each district, the council is considering increasing the membership to include at-large representatives.

Following up on a suggestion made by student representative Caitlin-Jean Juricic, council representative Annie Armour proposed minutes from meetings of community groups like the Civic Association, the Business Alliance and the Community Center be made public. Kiki Beavers, web manager for the Sewanee Mountain Messenger, will ask community groups to send her their minutes and post them on the Messenger’s partner web- site <TheMountainNow.com>.

Based on consultation with the Sewanee Business Alliance, Shackelford proposed a slightly raised (painted) crosswalk in the vicinity of Angel Park. Police Chief Marie Eldridge said street-side parking and speeding posed hazards for pedestrians. Other solutions considered included speed bumps and ripple strips (slight ridges in the pavement) which frequently lead to complaints about noise. The Council voted to approve the proposal.

Eldridge will forward the request to the Franklin County Highway Department. The Highway Department will determine the exact location of the crosswalk and bear the cost.

For the coming academic year, the council will meet on Aug., 25, Oct. 13, and Dec. 1 in 2014 and on Feb. 23, April 27, and June 22 in 2015. 

Friday Night Music in Angel Park Continues

Southern Proof will take the stage at 7:30 p.m., tonight (Friday), June 27, at the Angel Park in downtown Sewanee. Local vendors will be offering food, ice cream and beverages. University Avenue will be closed at 7 p.m. for this annual outdoor family-friendly event. 

More than 300 people enjoyed last week’s event, with music by Towson Engsberg & Friends. 

Bring a lawn chair or blanket to enjoy the music and conversation. Future events are: July 11—Hard Times Band and July 18—Boy Named Banjo. 

Friday Nights in the Park is organized by the Sewanee Business Alliance with generous support from area businesses. 

For more information send an email to <info@sewanee.biz>.