They want to encourage well-planned economic growth. It sets the table for further development.

There are very few issues that concern us more than the safety of our community,

It is not a secret that Nashville has seen an increase in the rate of murders and armed robberies. Those trends and those numbers overall must end.

[Nashville Mayor Bill Purcell thanked Metro Schools Director Pedro Garcia and other educators in attendance. The church hosts school-related neighborhood partnerships.] Despite everything we might do during the school day, there is a lot more that needs to be done, ... This is a place for families. And because it is Sunday, it seems appropriate to mention that it makes use of a sacred space. Churches are often looking for ways to make their facilities available through the week in their communities.

We're not sitting here thinking there's going to be another property tax increase next year, ... I can tell you that now. I remain hopeful that this is the year in which the state will provide additional resources to the urban systems.

The music we're going to hear at the Opry House on Jan. 21 is music all of us need in our lives,