Murfreesboro, TN

Rutherford County PAWS Animal Shelter
Murfreesboro Tennessee 37128
(615) 898-7740 press 5 -- Fax (615) 898-7994
Open Mon - Fri -- Noon till 6pm
Open Saturday --11am till 2pm
Closed Sundays & Holidays

• Animal: Dog
• Breed: Australian Cattle Dog/Blue Heeler[Mix]
• Sex: Female
• Age: Baby
• Size: Small
• ID: A036967

Officials with SafeHarbor Holding, LLC, developer of the Bible Park USA have committed to developing the Park in a way that is both "sustainable and carbon-friendly," according to Armon Bar-Tur, the Park's developer.

Developers said in a release today that the geothermal energy used to heat and cool the Park to the significant green space that surrounds it, the grass pavers that replace traditional asphalt in parking areas, and an aggressive recycling program inside the Park will make the development a model of environmental responsibility for Rutherford County and indeed all tourist attractions.

"We are committed to ensuring the Park itself, from the ground up through our daily operations once we are open, is designed and managed in a way that has virtually no impact on the environment," Bar-Tur said. "Our employees will be trained in conservation measures and our visitors will be encouraged to participate by depositing their trash in recycling centers that will be positioned throughout the Park."

In addition to its own consultants, park officials have begun discussions with Mimi Keisling, Rutherford County Environmental Education Coordinator, regarding the County's policy and philosophy on sustainable practices, according to the release. In addition, Keisling has recommended both local and regional recycling companies to contact for further information and possible partnerships.

"We look forward to working with County officials and local community groups like Recycle Rutherford," Bar-Tur added.

The Park will use geothermal energy to heat and cool all of the buildings at the Park. "Initially, installing geothermal is a little more expensive, but we believe it is worth it to use this renewable resource," said Bar-Tur.

The application of geothermal heating and cooling, also known as ground source heat pumps, has been named "the most energy-efficient and environmentally sensitive of all space conditioning systems," by the Environmental Protection Agency. The basic concept behind geothermal heating and cooling is its ability to take advantage of the earth's constant temperature, approximately 55 degrees, to heat and cool a building. By tapping this steady flow of heat from the earth in the winter, and displacing heat in the earth in the summer, geothermal heat pumps can save money while also saving energy.

In addition, master planners for the Park have worked to sustain many natural areas that currently exist on the proposed site, and use those areas in the Park's design.

A petition may make it much harder for the developers of the Bible Park USA to get their development approved.

The petition, signed by landowners of property surrounding the 282 acres where developers hope to build the Bible theme park, has been submitted to the Rutherford County Planning Department. If validated, that petition would require that a proposed rezoning of the land be approved by two-thirds of Rutherford County Commissioners rather than by a simple majority.

The 21 member commission is set to vote on the rezoning Thursday.

In order to force the two-thirds vote, the petition would have to be signed by 20 percent of all owners of land adjacent to the property being rezoned, according to County Attorney Jim Cope.

County officials are currently reviewing the petition in order to determine if it is valid and hope to make that determination by the end of the day, Rutherford County Planning Director Doug Demosi said.

Demosi said the petition had been submitted in a timely manner.

The $175 million to $200 million park, which developers want to open by 2010, has drawn some heated opposition from Blackman residents and others in the county, while many in the business community have spoken out in favor of the park, citing its potential economic impact to the county.

Some Blackman residents in favor of the proposed Bible Park USA gathered Thursday to talk about the positive aspects of the park.

Blackman residents in favor of the proposed Bible Park USA gathered Thursday to talk about the positive aspects of the park.

About 40 people met at the Blackman Community Club to discuss the good things the park could bring to Rutherford County.

"There has been so much negative information and inaccurate information about the park," said Donald McDonald, one of the organizers of the event.

He said that in the year or so developers have been talking to the public about the project, many changes and improvements have been made to the plan, including buffering for the park, a dedicated entrance to keep traffic off local roads and lighting that won't light up the sky.

McDonald, a co-owner of some of the land where an access road to the park would be built, said the tax benefit to the county would help cope with the cost of schools and infrastructure. The park could also keep the property taxes low, he said.

The county would see $125 million in sales and property tax revenue from the project over the course of the next 30 years, according to SafeHarbor Holding LLC, the park's developers.

John Brockwell said he attended Thursday's meeting to show his support for the park.

"I think it's a good move for the county," he said.

Brockwell said he thought the park would be a good neighbor, and he'd rather see it on the 282 acres where it is planned than a residential development.

"Change is going to happen," he said. "This is a good change."

Resident Dick Meadow said claims that the park wouldn't attract the 1.5 million visitors annually that developers have projected don't hold water. He said the developers were professionals and could make it happen.

"This would be a world-class operation, and it will be operated as such," he said.

The $175 million to $200 million park, which developers want to open by 2010, has drawn some heated opposition from Blackman residents and others in the county, while many in the business community have spoken out in favor of the park, citing its potential economic impact to the county.

Under the terms of a possible plan which would have to be approved by the Rutherford County Commission, property taxes generated by the park and a 5 percent privilege tax on sales made inside the park would go to pay down bonds taken out to pay for the park's construction.

No date has been set for the commission to vote on that issue.

According to developers' estimates, the privilege tax would generate an estimated $4.5 million annually and the property tax would generate an estimated $1.5 million annually. The bonds would be "no recourse" bonds, which means the county would not be liable for payment, even if the project failed.

The county's Regional Planning Commission rejected a rezoning request for the development last month. The County Commission will consider the rezoning at its meeting Thursday.

David Graves, who lives next to the new Beesley Road/state Route 840 interchange, said most of his neighbors were against the park, but he's definitely for it.

"I see nothing but good things coming from it - jobs, tax money," he said.

From 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, May 10, Boro Book Warehouse will accept monetary donations and Wish List items for Rutherford County's Pet and Animal Welfare Services, P.A.W.S

Every person who makes a donation will receive a free book ($25 value). Bring the whole family and meet Sunny, the P.A.W.S. dog, enjoy live music, and support the furry friends that need a home.

From noon to 5 p.m., Rutherford County P.A.W.S. representatives will be on hand to distribute information about spay/neutering pets, micro-chipping, and general information about pets available for adoption.

From 2 to 3 p.m., live music will be presented by local band Flight of the Might.

This event is free and open to the public. All donations are very much appreciated.

Wish List items include: food/water dishes, food (dry and canned), cat litter, litter pans, large manila envelopes, towels, bankets and sheets, plastic dog/cat toys, cleaning supplies (bleach, detergent, and soap), laundry detergent/bleach, dog houses, copy paper/notepads, pet care products (shampoo, brushes, combs), pens, paper shredder, digital camera, AA batteries, 35 gallon plastic trash cans, and 55 gallon storage containers with lids (for food).

For more information, call 615-225-8924 or email raemona.bookwhse@gmail.com.