The court date of June 20, 2008 at 9:00 a.m. regarding the requested temporary restraining order in the Voss. v. Centerstone matter as pending in the Maury County Circuit Court has been changed. The new date is July 1, 2008 at 9:00 a.m. at the Maury County Courthouse.
The new court date is now ordered by the court and is unlikely to change. We are encouraging as manner residents as possible to be present. Please make plans to arrive early as you will have to go through security at the courthouse. Enter at the east door only.
The purpose of this next hearing is to finalize our request for a temporary restraining order whereby Centerstone will be prohibited from either using the subject facility altogether or will have some other restrictive order placed upon them. The hearing is a continuation of our last hearing.
Please also remember that many residents will attempt to speak to the Columbia City Council tonight at the 7:30 p.m. meeting. Note, however, that this opportunity comes during a “public comments” section and is at the end of their agenda. Therefore, I have been warned that our opportunity could come late in the evening. I hope to see many of you there.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Community Rally a complete success!
Over 90 of our residents showed up in a demonstration of their opposition to Centerstone's Jackson Hall. The event was coordinated by our committee of concerned citizens, including George Nuber, Susan Clasby, Ray Woody, David Brown and A.C. Howell. Marie Voss, one of the new Jackson Hall's immediate neighbors, hosted the event. Ms. Voss, the widow of Sheriff Bill Voss, voiced her concerns for her safety, especially in light of recent revelations about the history of Jackson Hall and the necessity for police involvement with its residents. There were examples of Jackson Hall residents being unconscious, fighting, committing assault, threatening and/or attempting suicide, committing illegal activity and even one allegation of a hostage situation at Jackson Hall (although the residents claimed that the accuser hallucinated the entire ordeal). Ms. Voss ended here statements by asking, "Who will protect me?" Special thanks to all the citizens that helped to make this rally a success.
The rally was covered by the Daily Herald and News Channel 4 from Nashville.
Sunday, June 8, 2008
COMMUNITY RALLY! Thursday, June 12, 2008, 6:00 P.M.
As part of our effort to educate the community regarding Centerstone's Jackson Hall and its impact to Rolling Fields, YOUR HELP IS NEEDED! On Thursday, June 12, 2008 from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m., in the front yard of Marie Voss, 1002 Rolling Fields Circle, we will be holding an informational rally for the community. All Rolling Fields residents are strongly encouraged to attend. The purpose of the rally is both distribute information about the problem and to present a unified front to Centerstone and the area.
It is our hope that the event will be attended by local and/or regional media outlets, as well as local leaders. Your presence will help send a message that the neighbors of Rolling Fields are active in this effort.
It is our hope that the event will be attended by local and/or regional media outlets, as well as local leaders. Your presence will help send a message that the neighbors of Rolling Fields are active in this effort.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
About this Blogspot...
This blog serves as an information hub for the residents of Rolling Fields, a subdivision of Columbia, Tennessee and their effort to protect their community from commercial encroachment. This subdivision, developed in the late 1950s, is one of Columbia's most established and convenient. However, its convenience has also appealed to a number of commercial interests in the last several years, the latest being an attempt by Centerstone Community Mental Health to convert one of Rolling Field's premier homes (1000 Rolling Fields Circle) into a group treatment facility for persons with certain serious mental health problems. Centerstone is one of the largest providers of mental health services in the United States.
Centerstone’s purpose is to use the facility as a replacement for its existing “Jackson Hall,” a facility designed for the continued treatment and temporary housing of persons suffering from a mental illness or illnesses (e.g. paranoid schizophrenia), often transitioning such persons from local jails, psychiatric hospitals or homeless shelters to more stable, permanent housing. The proposal calls for up to eight (8) so-called “residents” and up to three (3) Centerstone staff members. It is very important to understand that this is not a facility for the treatment or housing of mentally retarded or autistic individuals, but rather by persons with some other diagnosed psychiatric illness(es).
A few months ago, Marie Voss, a resident of 1002 Rolling Fields Circle, filed suit to stop Centerstone’s intended use of the property. In her complaint, Ms. Voss presents several arguments, including that the property is not zoned for such use. That lawsuit is still pending and is many months from being finished. Ms. Voss’ attorney, Jason Whatley, is very confident that the lawsuit will ultimately stop Centerstone from using the house as planned. However, Mr. Whatley also cautions that Centerstone will likely occupy the facility while the lawsuit is pending and before any final decision of the courts on the issues.
There are many different reasons why our residents may be opposed to having this facility in Rolling Fields. However, one common objection is that the use of this residence as part of Centerstone’s continuum of treatment introduces a major commercial use into the heart of our residential community. Many of our neighbors believe that it is critical that the continued pressure to commercialize homes in Rolling Fields, especially those close to Trotwood Avenue, must be stopped in order to insure the survival of one of Columbia’s most special neighborhoods.
It is for this and other reasons that our community is in the process or organizing a very reasonable, but forceful campaign to stop Centerstone, utilizing the legal process, the media and other political/governmental assistance. It is the belief of many that each of these areas must be utilized to convince Centerstone that 1000 Rolling Fields Circle is a bad choice for a mental health treatment facility.
Centerstone’s purpose is to use the facility as a replacement for its existing “Jackson Hall,” a facility designed for the continued treatment and temporary housing of persons suffering from a mental illness or illnesses (e.g. paranoid schizophrenia), often transitioning such persons from local jails, psychiatric hospitals or homeless shelters to more stable, permanent housing. The proposal calls for up to eight (8) so-called “residents” and up to three (3) Centerstone staff members. It is very important to understand that this is not a facility for the treatment or housing of mentally retarded or autistic individuals, but rather by persons with some other diagnosed psychiatric illness(es).
A few months ago, Marie Voss, a resident of 1002 Rolling Fields Circle, filed suit to stop Centerstone’s intended use of the property. In her complaint, Ms. Voss presents several arguments, including that the property is not zoned for such use. That lawsuit is still pending and is many months from being finished. Ms. Voss’ attorney, Jason Whatley, is very confident that the lawsuit will ultimately stop Centerstone from using the house as planned. However, Mr. Whatley also cautions that Centerstone will likely occupy the facility while the lawsuit is pending and before any final decision of the courts on the issues.
There are many different reasons why our residents may be opposed to having this facility in Rolling Fields. However, one common objection is that the use of this residence as part of Centerstone’s continuum of treatment introduces a major commercial use into the heart of our residential community. Many of our neighbors believe that it is critical that the continued pressure to commercialize homes in Rolling Fields, especially those close to Trotwood Avenue, must be stopped in order to insure the survival of one of Columbia’s most special neighborhoods.
It is for this and other reasons that our community is in the process or organizing a very reasonable, but forceful campaign to stop Centerstone, utilizing the legal process, the media and other political/governmental assistance. It is the belief of many that each of these areas must be utilized to convince Centerstone that 1000 Rolling Fields Circle is a bad choice for a mental health treatment facility.
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