*** PRESS STATEMENT ***

December 21, 2007 (2:30 p.m.)

Statement by Tennesseans for Accountability in Government

Although TAG appreciates the presentation of Mike Fitts, the state architect, at the Oak Hill Planning Commission meeting Thursday night, the session raised more questions than answers and raised new concerns about the ballroom project.

When questioned for specifics, Mr. Fitts repeatedly had to say studies were not done, potential problems were not analyzed and answers were not available. The issues included no final plans, no final costs, no traffic impact studies, no infrastructure improvements approved, no promises for repairing damages to Curtiswood Lane, no emergency plan for fire or safety and no environmental impact study on the water table and flow after the removal of such a huge volume of dirt and rock.

The question must be raised about why so many aspects of the project’s impact have been ignored and unplanned. Other state construction projects have a comprehensive and open planning process; why not this one?

When asked about the need for the ballroom/entertainment center, Mr. Fitts again could not provide usage information. Asked how many events per year would occur, he said no projections were made. Asked about prior events using tents, he did not know how many took place. He said everything varies by Governor. Does anybody plan such facilities without a study of past and future usage?

With other first class venues available, e.g., The Schermerhorn Center, War Memorial Auditorium, Opryland hotel, et al., why is this facility needed? As Lee Beaman, the President of the Nashville Symphony said, the state could rent out the full use of the Schermerhorn once a week between now and the end of time on the interest of what they think this thing is going to cost!

Lt. Governor Ramsey, a member of the State Building Commission (SBC), and other state representatives have raised numerous and serious questions about this use of tax revenues. To dismiss them as partisan attacks is deliberately misleading, especially in light of how this project has been handled and the secrecy involved.

There are also very serious legal issues concerning the approval process. Does the state have the right to ignore the local planning commission’s decisions? Can the state impose a non-residential use facility on a neighborhood zoned solely residential? Does the Governor and the SBC believe the laws don’t apply equally to them?

Has this all been a comedy of errors and incompetence or has there been a deliberate ignoring of the public good and taxpayer concerns? TAG believes the people of Tennessee are entitled to a full and open hearing and answers to all the questions and concerns before the first blast occurs.

Tennesseans for Accountability in Government, (T.A.G.) has been established as a non-partisan 501 (c) (4) not-for-profit corporation to educate and to inform the public on issues relating to the expenditure of state tax revenue by government officials and agents for the purpose of holding those officials accountable to the citizens of Tennessee for the use of State funds for the public welfare.

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For further information, please contact:

Susan Kaestner
615-948-8867

Steve Brumfield
(o) 615-244-7104, ext.12
(c) 615-804-5925

www.taxwastestopshere.org