While many Spring Hillers undoubtedly like Florida for vacations and breaks, Florida, in turn, must really like Spring Hill. Why else would the Sunshine State have four towns named Spring Hill?
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GREAT OPENING(S) FOR SUMMIT HIGH: New Summit High's opening was big in more ways than one. For those not in the know, the brand new education facility opened amid a beautiful locale off Buckner Ln. on August 11 with an enrollment comprised entirely of freshman and sophomore students. Then, on August 19, its Summit Spartans football team held a home opener, losing to Clarksville Northwest 34-12. However, continuing with the "opening" theme here, Summit's Phillip Shearry returned the inaugural game's opening kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown, amazingly enough. The school held an Open House August 30.
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DUPLEX ROAD WIDENING: I talked to a high-ranking city official -- unofficially -- about the future widening of Duplex Rd., a state project. I stepped into a City Hall office, unannounced, unknown, and caught the individual totally unprepared for my questions. Unfortunately, I got the responses I expected. Discussion made it obvious he had not even thought about some possible concerns regarding the project. First, he wanted to table any discussion on it right then and there with the declaration, "It is a state project." Not having an appetite for red herring on that day, I persisted that city input could still be administered. He then said, "It's probably two years away." Great. Let's wait two years and by that time the state will have the entire project finalized and any input will be too late. Back a few years ago, then-mayor Danny Leverette made a big push for the state to get on the project posthaste. It did not happen, but some folks at the Wyngate subdivision were alarmed at what might happen to the aesthetics of their entrance. That raises the question of what side, or sides, will the state decide to widen the road? Will they move telephone poles or will they decimate front yards? Aesthetics matter. On a similar project not that long ago concerning the widening of Hillsboro Rd., the City of Franklin kicked in a few million to the state to move some telephone poles. Give the city officials there credit for caring and, more importantly, recognizing the broader picture. Again, it was a matter of aesthetics. Complain now, before it is too late.
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MIGHTY MCCUTCHEON?: In late August, the little no-name creek behind my house inside Ridgeport continued to flow water, while the mighty McCutcheon was dry in places such as Jerry Erwin Park, where joggers and walkers normally hear -- depending on the amount of rainfall -- a soothing swoosh, or a gentle gurgle, indicating the sound of moving water behind the line of trees lining the asphalt trail. Other Spring Hill creeks, those with names, include Aenon, McCormick, Crooked, Rutherford, Grassy Branch, and Johnson Branch. Rutherford, Grassy Branch, McCormick, and McCutcheon are all state waters. Everrun Creek. That's what I've named my modest but active cr'ick.
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COLLEGE, ANYONE?: With so many commercial buildings staring at us with blank storefronts, you would think our city leaders would be more accountable in finding ways to fill those buildings. I have a suggestion that to me seems obvious. How about a college? Nashville State Community College recently spent $3 million to purchase a former Saturn dealership in Clarksville to turn into a branch campus. Nashville State offers a great Music Technology degree. I'm positive our area could find enough qualified sound engineers, songwriters, and the like to qualify as instructors for Nashville State. I do know we have some buildings we could sell for the purpose. How about a campus here connected with Columbia State? Even if their city did oppose our hospital plan. Something of this sort should have been in the works moons ago. Don't tell me about the classes offered at the UAW building. I'm talking about a real college, with a real name, and a real campus. Step up, leaders.
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