21 November 2007 Happy Thanksgiving! Best wishes to you and your family for a safe and happy Thanksgiving holiday. As you give thanks, please remember those who are not able to share the day with their families because they are protecting our freedom throughout the world. We have much to be thankful for! Finance Committee for Monday, 11/26 1. Election of committee Chairman and Vice Chairman 2. Review of ordinance authorizing the City Planning Director to adopt administrative regulations 3. Review and discussion of Codes Administration procedures concerning follow-up inspections 4. Review of ordinance to amend the FY07 budget for changes resulting from audit 5. Review of quarterly report and consideration of format (monthly/quarterly) for future reports 6. Consideration of addition and deletion of properties in the TIF District 7. Status reports on debt, reserves, pension and 401 program 8. Report on properties transferred from Williamson County to the City of Franklin   National Park Service Seeks Input for Resource Study of Battle of Franklin Sites The National Park Service (NPS) is seeking public input to identify issues and additional information that will be needed to prepare a Battle of Franklin Special Resource Study. The intent of the Special Resource Study is to evaluate Battle of Franklin related historic resources and present management alternatives for their long-term preservation. Potential alternatives may involve management by the National Park System, state and local governments, private sector organizations, or combinations thereof.   The study is in the start-up or "scoping" phase of the project. The goal of this phase is to initiate public involvement and gather information on the related resources and the socioeconomic environment. A public meeting will occur from 5:00pm to 7:00pm on Thursday, November 29, 2007, at City Hall in the Police Training Room. This meeting is intended to provide an informal opportunity for NPS planners and stakeholders to share ideas and discuss the project in a relaxed atmosphere. There will be no formal presentation by the NPS. Members of the public are encouraged to stop by at any time during the 2-hour session. For more information and to comment on this project visit parkplanning.nps.gov. Additional information may be requested from and written comments submitted to: National Park Service, Planning and Compliance Division, ATTN: Tim Bemisderfer, 100 Alabama Street, 6th Floor 1924 Building, Atlanta, GA 30303.   Volunteers Needed for Battle of Franklin Illumination Event 11/30 The City of Franklin Battlefield Preservation Plan Task Force is planning the second annual Battle of Franklin Commemorative Illumination. Please make plans to attend this memorable event! The Illumination will take place on Friday, November 30th (the 143rd anniversary of the battle) at the Eastern Flank Battlefield Park at 5:00pm. The timing of the ceremony roughly corresponds to the timing of the battle in 1864. There will be 10,000 luminaries lit for the ceremony representing the approximate number of casualties (killed, wounded, captured or missing) of the battle and bands representing both the Union and Confederate Armies will participate. Following the ceremony, attendees can enjoy living history vignettes including a field hospital setup nearby. Refreshments will be available and local authors will be on hand to sign books related to Franklin and the battle.    The Illumination is only possible through the work of many volunteers. Please consider helping and pass this information along to your friends, groups, neighborhood associations, email lists, newsletters, etc. Volunteers are needed to assemble luminaries in the Second Avenue Parking Garage on November 27, 28 and 29, and on November 30 to help place and light luminaries and clean up after the event. Please contact Shanon Wasielewski at shanonw@franklin-gov.com or 550-6733 for more information.   The State of Tennessee has scheduled an unveiling of the plans for the new visitors center at the Carter House at 1:00pm on the 30th. The Carter House will also have other special programming throughout the day and will host their annual Candlelight Home Tour on Saturday and Sunday, December 1 and 2. Carnton is offering it's "Blue and Gray Days" on Friday and Saturday and will be providing special candlelight tours of the mansion following the Illumination. Please contact Carter House (791-1861) or Carnton (794-0903) directly for more information.