We were told WE couldn’t have a table at Germantown neighborhood preservation summit (AFTER it had been confirmed weeks earlier). That happened just before start. Why? We weren’t vendors “selling” something. I told Michelle I was indeed a vendor and was selling neighborhood preservation. Still no go. But police, fire department, Tennessee genealogy, library, and a few neighborhood associations were given tables (and I’m fine with that,), but not citizens who won’t bow down. Oh, no.. Why what were they selling? Are they vendors?
So a special someone brought the gorgeous signs. And another wonderful person brought first class treats. See photos! Then Michelle McDonnell told us we should take down signs (she was not at all pleasant) and we said “no” we are citizens, and they are staying up on our table. We put them there, and we want them there. Then she said it would offend the vendors who support summit with money. So it’ll always comes back to money...said we weren’t taking them down we are citizens. Ask how many vendors said something. She was caught off guard and didn’t answer (obvious answer-none).
We had two flyers one simple and sweet asking citizens to go to this site and Shinning a light on Germantown. Other one page, back and front, telling citizens about just some of misdeeds and check for themselves to learn the truth.
Passed them out. People read and kept them! Many passed them around to others. Many said they did not want more apartments period. Hopefully the activity will increase. And as words gets out more and more will act. Thus truth will win out.
Only one man was angry about the signs. He told us we should take them down. Said we wouldn’t because we were free to express our views at our neighborhood preservation summit. That infuriated him and he asked how would we like it if he put a sign over our sign (his view was clear he could exercise his freedom of speech over our table, but we couldn’t!). Told him go put his own sign on his table, and go away because I wasn’t going to listen to him any more. That infuriated him. Another person at our table told the guy,”I’m sorry you are so sensitive!” That didn't sit well so we told him just go away.
Summit was success for us because you could tell the powers that be were freaking out at it waiting for us to jump up and start screaming or waving signs. We aren’t Palazzolo, Janda, Owens, Gibson, or their parliamentarian who shuts citizens up.
Forrest's Momma came over for candies and was scooping them into our bag
(Wish you could have all been there! ) Told her she could have all of the candies if she was going to eat them. She Then tried to say they belonged to the city (ummm, in that case, what gives her a greater right to them? Oh right, her boy is an Alderboy and it her due!) I again said they were mine not the city’s but she could have some. I did tell her she could keep the bag. When she saw what was on it she Reacted like the wicked witch of oz who had a bucket of water poured on her. She shoved it back to me. I felt badly about her view of the truth.
