8/6/2019 Press Release SB 1959

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEMedia Contact: Glenda Weaver

Telephone: 615-319-4151

State Legislation Circumvents the Petition Drive to Save the FairgroundsSB 1959 is another attempt to overturn the will of voters in Davidson County

NASHVILLE, Tenn.Yesterday, in the Senate State & Local Committee, SB 1959 (asamended) 1 sponsored by Sen. Joe Haynes (D-Nashville) was advanced to cut-off thereferendum petition drive currently underway in Nashville. Yet again in the fight to Savethe Fairgrounds, higher powers are substituting their wisdom for the judgment of DavidsonCounty voters. These voters executed the same judgment to elect these decision-makers.

The record during this debate is clear. Certain people in Nashville want theFairgrounds and its related activities destroyed. The overwhelming majority of hardworking Nashvillians want it to stay, said Jamie Hollin.

Its ironic that a majority of taxpayers who fund Bridgestone Arena, LP Field,Schermerhorn Symphony Center, and other like venues cant afford to attend them. Thesevenues are entertainment playgrounds for the wealthy borne on the backs of those furtherdown the socioeconomic spectrum. Yet the Fairgrounds are under attack because someonehas other plans, continued Hollin.

The plan is really no plan at all other than to clear space for speculativedevelopment. However, this plan would eliminate thousands of jobs in the small businesssector. This is an asset for ALL of Nashville at comes at no taxpayer expense. It is self-sustaining by virtue of being an enterprise fund. Sure, we all recognize the site and facilitiesneed a facelift. Thats not reason to destroy it, but is reason to invest in it, Hollin said.

Even if you dont participate in activities at the Fairgrounds, everyone should bealarmed when the powers-that-be seek to destroy jobs during these economic doldrums.Imagine, the things you enjoy or your job site may be next. We should not let the jobs andsales tax dollars that it generates annually be tossed aside for a land speculation deal,added Hollin.

To sign the petition to set a vote on a Charter Amendment in Nashville, please go towww.SaveMyFairgrounds.Com for more information. The deadline to turn-in petitions isMonday, May 16, 2011.

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1 http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/107/Amend/SA0488.pdf .