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THE CHRONICLE
of Mt. Juliet
The Largest Circulation in Wilson County 
Celebrating our 28th year as the leading newspaper in Mt. Juliet and West Wilson County
 www.thechronicleofmtjuliet.com
 Volume 29 July 29, 2009 Number 29
Page 2
 You Heard it First
MJHS gradon new MTVreality show“Making HisBand”
Page 3
Guns allowed in MJ parks
Guns allowed in MJ parks
Larry Hillis, owner of The Reloader’s Bench in Mt. Juliet, said that permit-carrying gun owners are “the mostlaw-abiding citizens you’ll ever meet.” He was one of many local residents in favor of legally allowing gunsin parks. See story on Page 3. ~
Photo by Tomi L. Wiley
How the IRScan help youor someoneyou know finda job
Page 10
Lowe’s grandopening tobenefitlocal Habitatfor Humanities
Page 4
‘Pistol-packin’mayor votesnot to opt out
 
Page 2, The Chronicle of Mt. Juliet, July 29, 2009
By Tomi L. Wiley
 Managing Editor 
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A journey thatbegan in Chicago in Marchand has led to a televisionreality series on MTV thatpremiered Monday night hasits roots right here in Mt. Juliet for a young man whohas moved both physicallyand musically from Middle Tennessee to Memphis toLos Angeles, California.Alex Kramer, 20, aMt. Juliet native and Mt. Juliet High School graduate,currently lives in L.A. afteran audition in Chicagolanded him on “Making HisBand,” a new reality seriesthat chronicles the journeyof Sean “Diddy” Combs ashe searches for the ultimateband to take on tour as hepromotes his upcomingalbum, “Last Train toParis.”Kramer was livingin Memphis working asa freelance guitarist andattending the University of Memphis on a full musicscholarship when he “wenton a whim” to Chicago at theurge of friends to audition forthe reality show in March.“I had not intendedto go,” Kramer said viatelephone from L.A. “I had asession booked for a monthin advance for a gospel artistout of Memphis. I foundout (about the reality showaudition) through a localdrummer in Memphis, thatsome others were going. Wehad our own little circuit,our little hub in Memphis.”Kramer cancelledhis gig, however, and droveto Chicago, where he waitedin line for hours with hisMemphis roommate, DavidParks, who also made itthrough to the “Hollywoodround.”“It was a nationwidecompetition,” Kramer said,“with auditions in Chicago,Detroit, L.A. and New York, with rounds and rounds of auditions, and the show
fi
lming all the while. For meit was a wholedifferent world,it goes insidethe world of backstage,the inside of abackup band.So manypeople go fromraw talent,before artistdevelopment,and (the realityshow) showshow I wassculpted intobeing a bettermusician thatdeserves thegig.” Kramer saidthe realityshow chronicles what the musicians learnedthrough the process of auditioning. He said of theover 10,000 musicians whoattended open call auditionsin the four cities just 42 were called to live in thereality show’s house in L.A.He said the reality show is“pretty standard protocol,”but the ultimate prize isexposure by being includedin Combs’ backup band and world tour.“They were tapingconstantly as we worked onvarious projects,” Kramersaid. “We went through the
fi
re, and I was de
fi
nitelytransformed by theprocess.”Kramer said that while he’s been a musiciansince a child – beginning with piano lessons that“just didn’t take” – he’snever thought of himself asa solo artist and doesn’t seehimself becoming one.“That’s not my role,”he said. “And I’m just asinterested in producing asfreelancing. My goal is tobrand myself as a guitaristand producer. I’d like tohave my hands in a bunchof buckets – music is theonly thing I really know, andI want to do it for the rest of my life.”Alex’s parents, RBand Selina Kramer, havebeen in the music businessfor all of his life as well – his father has worked inNashville as a bass player,and his mother sang. Theymet when she substitutedfor a singer in RB’s band and were married three monthslater. They’ve been marriedfor 24 years.“I was raised aroundmusic,” Kramer said.“Everyone in my family plays,
MJ musical roots leads native to national screen on MTV
See MJ MUSIC, Page 8
 
The Chronicle of Mt. Juliet, July 29, 2009, Page 3
Mt. Julietcommissioners votedMonday night to not optout of a new state law thatallows people with permitsto carry their weapons intopublic parks.Local citizens on bothsides of the issue attendedthe scheduled meeting,resulting in a packed roomthat sparked with con
fl
ictbetween people with opposingopinions several times. Theoverwhelming majority of area residents who attendedthe meeting were in favorof not opting out, meaningpeople with permits wouldbe allowed to carry guns in“municipal parks, naturalareas, historic parks, naturetrails, campgrounds, forests,greenways, waterways,or other similar areas,”as the ordinance reads.Over a dozen local citizens,including some fromLebanon, spoke during thecitizens comments section of the meeting, and almost allof them were against optingout.District 1Commissioner Ted Floydasked several weeks ago forlocal residents to contacthim and tell him “how tovote.” He said Monday nightthat of the 37 emails and/orphone calls he received 31people were against optingout and six people were inapproval of it.District 2Commissioner Will Sellerspointed out that the item was on the agenda becausehe is a member of the Mt. Juliet Parks and GreenwaysBoard, which unanimouslyapproved a recommendationto opt out of the new law. Henoted that he did not see the“justi
fi
cation of having gunsin those places.”District 3Commissioner Ed Hagertysaid he felt as if he were“preaching to the choir,”and that he only had twocalls from constituents who wanted to opt out.He argued that “our parksare safe now, but crime isrising with the Mt. Julietpopulation.”District 4Commissioner JimBradshaw remindedeveryone that Lowe’s isopen and commended Mt. Juliet city staff on handlingMonday’s gas line break onMt. Juliet Road.Mt. Juliet MayorLinda Elam, the “pistol-packing mama,” said shehad originally wanted toseparate the various areascovered in the new law, butthat wasn’t possible to do with the way it is written.She said for her it was “apretty easy decision,” andshe thinks guns should havebeen allowed in state parksfor a long time.Commissionersvoted 3 – 2 for Mt. Juliet tonot opt out of the new law, with Floyd, Hagerty andElam voting against theordinance and Bradshawand Sellers voting in favorof the ordinance to opt out.Of 
fi
cials pointed out thatopting out of this law doesnot affect the Mt. JulietLittle League park, which isprivately owned and a non-pro
fi
t organization.There will be nosecond reading, since theordinance died at the table.In a matter of business not on thepublished agenda,commissioners voted 4 – 1on
fi
rst reading concerningthe back sewer billing of many Mt. Juliet businessesin the wake of a West WilsonUtility District mistakethat totaled some $71,000.Commissioners agreed tocut the back sewer costscharged by the City by 50percent; to allow Discount Tire and Enrichment Schoolthree months to pay theirback charges, Goodworks,WOW Wingery, Marble SlabCreamery, and The Pantry12 months to pay their backcharges, and the Mt. Juliet
By Tomi L. Wiley
 Managing Editor 
W
e’re celebrating ourfifth year of service to theMt. Juliet community at our office onHwy. 70! You’re invited to join us on July31 and enjoy refreshments and special offersand enter to win door prizes. It’s our way of saying thank you for five terrific years!
 www.wilsonbank.com
Committed tocommunity banking since 1987.
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Call or stop by on the 31st totake advantage of our specialanniversary offers!
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MJ leaders approve guns in parks
See GUNS, Page 4
of 00

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