|
| When my family first moved to Brentwood in 1985, we were enamored
of the pastoral, open countryside that protects the clearly defined yet
spacious, warm subdivisions. As we became more acquainted with the city, we
came to realize that three essential components make up the core of what the
people who live here consider to be Brentwood: the large open fields and
pastures, the one acre lot density and the great public school system. Today, for the most part, those components remain intact. Our
schools are still some of the best in the state, and one acre lot
density is still the guiding rule. However, I fear, as do most of the
other residents of Brentwood that I talk with, that the last component,
the open fields and pastures, is in great jeopardy. As the value of the
remaining land rises and as the owners of those properties get older or
their personal needs and goals change, the need to preserve open space
for Brentwood must be addressed.
That is why Citizens for Brentwood Green Space (CBGS) was formed. As
indicated in our Mission Statement, "CBGS explores and keeps citizens
informed of viable means of preserving open land, the environment, and
quality of Brentwood life. CBGS will propose initiatives, backed by
informed citizens, in support of this mission."
We recognize and respect the rights of landowners and developers. We
also recognize with unequivocal certainty that once a tract of land, be
it pasture, hillside or wooded glade falls to the push of the dozer
blade, it will never again be what it was before. Houses, schools,
businesses and all of the incumbent features of growth and development
will eternally erase the bucolic settings we all love, need and cherish.
Those of us in CBGS feel that the time to act is absolutely now. Not now
just because tomorrow will be too late. Now because there are many, many
things that have to be done before the substantive work of actually
preserving properties can be accomplished.
Time is definitely of the essence. We must move quickly to establish
goals and methods for acquiring and protecting land that treat everyone
involved fairly and rationally. CBGS is, as a group, committed to this
cause, and we are hoping to find others who share our passion. You will find other information at this
website regarding the purpose and organization of CBGS. This website is
intended to serve as an open forum where everyone can express his or her
viewpoint. You are encouraged to participate in any way you feel is
appropriate. Please let us know the concerns you have and what you would
need to know in order to support our effort. We are looking for members
who can contribute time and/or money to preserve open space in the City
of Brentwood.
The mission of Citizens for Brentwood Green Space is to support and
stimulate community action to preserve open space in the city of Brentwood.
We commit to seek opportunities to preserve for future generations open
space in the city of Brentwood. We recognize the value and desirability
of preserving the unique character and beauty of farmland, forests, and
historic properties. We seek to preserve and expand access to land for
walking, bicycling and other similar use and enjoyment.
CBGS seeks to unite the citizens of Brentwood in support of Brentwood
leadership in their quest to manage growth while preserving the quality
of life and maintaining low tax rates. Key to meeting that objective is
to preserve open space in the form of parks, trails, flood plains and
historic sites while being sensitive to the rights of landowners and
developers. We believe that preservation efforts must take into account the
economic needs of the entire community. We strive for equitable balance
of the environmental, social, and economic impact of proposed
development and preservation activities.
CBGS explores and keeps citizens informed of viable means of preserving
open land, the environment, and quality of Brentwood life. CBGS will
propose initiatives, backed by informed citizens, in support of this
mission.
Through a variety of means, including a website, we will offer
information to citizens regarding opportunities and options for
preserving open land. Information will be provided concerning
alternative methods of preservation such as acquisition of undeveloped
land, conservation easements, purchasing development rights and
potential funding mechanisms. Citizens will be asked to participate in preservation
activities and decisions.
Back to Top
Who we are: - Citizens for Brentwood Green Space, Inc. is a volunteer citizens
group organized as a nonprofit (501c3) corporation. Our mission is to preserve
open space in the form of parks, trails, historic sites, and flood
plains while being sensitive to the rights of landowners and developers.
-
CBGS supports Brentwood's Board of Commissioners and city officials in
their efforts to assure that ongoing development of land resources is
accomplished in a way that is beneficial to landowners, to existing
citizens of the city, and to future generations of Brentwood residents.
- Our goals
are:
- Adding 1,000
acres of new park land
-
Connecting additional areas of the city by bike- and walk-ways
- Preserving our precious historic sites
- Enhancing pastoral gateways to the
city
- Making
open spaces accessible
Gilbert Bosse has lived in Middle Tennessee for over 30 years and the
Brentwood area for 15 years. He graduated with an MBA from Southern
Methodist University in Dallas. His business career includes working for
General Electric, serving as VP Sales for a Middle Tennessee
Manufacturer as well as owning several small businesses. He is currently
the owner of Brentwood Building Maintenance. Bert is actively involved in community activities; currently
serving on the Board and Treasurer of the Brentwood Chamber of
Commerce, Brentwood Library Foundation. Board of Trustees for the
Brentwood Library, President of the Leadership Brentwood Alumni
Association and Treasurer for the Landmark Homeowners Association. Bert is a Member of Brentwood United Methodist Church
and has two daughters both in Graduate School. He is a Master
Gardener, avid book reader and an aspiring gourmet cook. He is
interested in preservation of green space and park lands and is a
member of Cheekwood, Radnor as well as a friend of Warner Parks. He
has previously served on the boards of Sumner County United Way, SMU
Alumni Association, 500 Club, Heart Association and other local
organizations.
Jim Cartiglia
Jim Cartiglia brings a passion for
preserving the quality of life we enjoy here today. He has a
great track record in civic involvement and fund raising
experience as past Chairman of the Board of the Nashville
Shakespeare Festival.
Jim, an attorney with Waddey & Patterson,
P.C. in Nashville, has a diverse background in the protection
and enforcement of intellectual property. He has been involved
in strategic consultations regarding best practices for ensuring
technology protection is achieved in an efficient and cost
effective manner. In his practice, Cartiglia has appeared at
patent offices in both Europe and Asia, and has worked closely
with patent attorneys on both continents, allowing him to tailor
patent filings to achieve the maximum benefit worldwide. In
trademark protection, he has prepared and prosecuted over 100
U.S. and international trademark applications and has conducted
inter partes proceedings before the U.S. Trademark Trial and
Appeal Board, including oppositions and concurrent use
proceedings. As a trial lawyer, Cartiglia has litigated patent
and trade secret disputes in a variety of U.S. District Courts,
the U.S. Courts of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and the Sixth
Circuit, and before the International Trade Commission. He is a
member of the House of Delegates of the Tennessee Bar
Association and past president of the Tennessee Intellectual
Property Law Association.
Jim Fordice, MD
Born and raised in Vicksburg, Mississippi, Jim Fordice
earned his biomedical engineering degree at Duke University in 1987. He
earned his M.D. at Baylor College of Medicine In Houston ,TX, then completed
residency there.
While training in Houston, he met his wonderful wife and
fellow doctor, Sarina. They moved to Nashville in 1998, and to Brentwood in
2002, where they are raising two beautiful children, ages 15 and 11.
Jim is an otolaryngologist practicing in Smyrna and
Murfreesboro, TN. Jim served for nine years on the state board of the Nature
Conservancy, and is proud to have the opportunity to work with Citizens for
Brentwood Greenspace. His leisure activities include tennis, jogging, and
piano playing, but his absolute favorite pastime is hiking. It comes as no
surprise, then, that the preservation of greenspace is his prime passion.
Kathy Crisp & David Kumatz These married CBGS Board members met at
Vanderbilt Law School.
Kathy Crisp is Assistant Vice President of Administrative and
Business Services at Middle Tennessee State University. She
graduated from Tennessee Technological University and Vanderbilt Law
School.
David Kumatz is
Associate General Counsel, American General Life and Accident
Insurance Company.
He is a graduate of Hamilton College in New York and Vanderbilt Law
School. They have lived in Brentwood in the Carondelet subdivision since 1992 and
have two children, Daniel and Adam. The family loves the rural
character of Brentwood and the parks and trails developed by the
City of Brentwood. All of the family either run, bike, hike, or play
soccer in Brentwood's green areas.
Gil Hutchinson, his wife of 24 years, Annette, and their two children,
Kelsey and Scott, moved to Brentwood in 1999 from Orlando, Florida.
He graduated from Tulane with a BA and Florida State with an MBA. Gil
has over 28 years of progressive healthcare management, finance and
technology experience and has worked with some of the leading health
systems and insurers in the country.
Gil is actively involved in community activities,
currently serving on the City of Brentwood's Historic Commission.
He is a member of the Brentwood Cool Springs Chamber of Commerce.
Gil was active in the City's "Adopt A Soldier" program and is a past
graduate of Leadership Brentwood and the Citizens Police and Fire
Academies. Other past activities have included being on the City's
Tree and Environmental Quality Coordinating Committees and the Board
of Directors of the Highland View Homeowner's Association, where he
was President. Annette is a realtor. The
family attends Brentwood United Methodist.
The Hutchinson's have traveled or lived in many parts of the
country, but truly believe that Brentwood is a very special place to
work and raise a family. A true gem of a community that deserves to
be cherished and protected against the blight caused by extensive
overdevelopment.
George Malo has been a resident of Brentwood since 1984. He has been in
the field of education for over 35 years as both a teacher and
administrator. He recently retired from the Tennessee Board of Regents
where he was the Associate Vice Chancellor for Research and Assessment
in the Office of Academic Affairs. Prior to joining the Board of
Regents, George worked in the Tennessee Department of Education, taught
mathematics in public schools and a community college in Illinois, and
was a faculty member at the University of Illinois. George has a Ph.D.
from the University of Illinois, a Masters of Science from Indiana
University, and a Bachelors degree from Blackburn College.
George moved to Brentwood from Davidson County because of the
quality of residential life promoted by the city. As the Williamson
County area grows, he sees the need for Brentwood residents to offer
support to help maintain this quality of life and to ensure that
growth is well-planned and managed. Hearing about the Brentwood
Green Space organization, he joined the group because of their
belief in preserving sufficient green space, especially during
growth.
Devin McClendon has been very active in
the community over the years through civic groups like Leadership
Brentwood, Brentwood Noon Rotary, Brentwood Cool Springs Chamber of
Commerce, and the MTSU National Alumni Association. Devin,
along with his wife Laura and two children, also attends Brentwood
United Methodist Church.
As a lifelong resident of Brentwood,
Devin brings a unique perspective on our city and passion for
preserving the quality of life we enjoy here today.
McClendon’s focus is commercial real estate, having been involved
with numerous successful projects and clients in the Middle
Tennessee area over the years. He is a broker with Claybaker
Properties, LLC of Brentwood.
Alex Noble
Alex Noble is a native of the Brentwood area. A little bit of
family history to set the stage. His grandfather, Dr. Albert
Noble, moved to the area in 1917 and built a drugstore at the corner of
Franklin Road and Old Hickory Blvd in 1929 and the family has been
involved in business and civic activities ever since.
Alex's father Glenn, was right in the middle of the formation of the
incorporated city in the late 1960's, chaired the chamber of commerce
committee that recommended incorporation. Glenn served on the
regional planning commission governing the area including what is now
Brentwood, actually wrote the report recommending incorporation, was
responsible for the idea of incorporating the entire 15th civil district
instead of just area around the existing business district close to Old
Hickory Blvd., campaigned for the referendum to incorporate and ran
unsuccessfully for commissioner in the first election.
Alex and Sandy, his wife of 33 years have two sons, Christian, 31 and
Dustin 28. Over the years, Alex, a retired highway engineer, has
served 5 years as city commissioner, 6 years on the planning commission,
and is currently serving on the board of zoning appeals.Having lived in
Brentwood over this length of time, Alex has a unique perspective on
Brentwood, past , present and future and wants to see the community
continue to prosper without destroying the natural beauty that makes
Brentwood such a desirable place to live, work and play.
Stephen Prince, his wife of 30 years, Carol, and their three children,
Angel, Mitchell, and Courtney moved to Brentwood in 1985. They have
built three houses in three different subdivisions here in Brentwood
over the last 26 years. Angel lives on the Big Island of Hawaii, part
time, and Buenos Aires, Argentina, the rest of the time.
Mitchell graduated from BHS in 2003 and recently completed a four-year
tour in the U.S. Air Force. Mitchell now attends Middle Tennessee State
University. Courtney graduated from BHS in 2005 and now
attends the Fashion Institute of Technology in Manhatten and plans to
graduate in December 2011. Stephen and Carol started
their company, National Business Products, in 1993 which now operates
out of a 3-year old, geo thermal heated and cooled building in
Nolensville. Stephen rebranded his company Card Marketing Services in
2007. Stephen and Carol travel all over the
country and world for their business.
In sum, the Princes love and appreciate the special
experience of living in Brentwood, TN. Carol and Stephen have
every reason to believe that they will live here for the rest of their
days. But their interest goes far beyond their own lives.
They have always been comitted to an eternal stewardship responsibility
to all following generations, and preservation of green space is just
one of those responsibilities.
Jimmy Wilson lives in Oak Hall with his
wife Sarah and son Felix. Oak Hall (Circa 1845), located on
Wilson Pike in Brentwood, was built by Jimmy's great, great, great
grandfather James H. Wilson, who also built Ravenswood (1825) and
Inglehame (1856).
Jimmy and his wife are both alumni of the University of the South.
Jimmy has a JD degree from the University of Memphis School of Law
and is a retired attorney and CEO of two companies. He
currently is a partner in the Blue Chair Cafe in Sewanee, Tennessee.
| |
