Bristol, Tennessee City Council amended dog ordinances in November, 2014. While these ordinances improved conditions for dogs in our city, they did not address some significant issues. To prevent dog abuse and neglect, our dog ordinances need to be comprehensive and address all reasonable issues for the health and safety of our pets and our community.

Dr. Sara Goldrick-Rab has come under fire for some innocuous comments she made to incoming Badgers on Twitter. UW-Madison Chancellor Becky Blank said: "Any institution has its critics, and especially in social media, it's important to remember that the loudest voice usually isn't the most accurate." More info: http://www.jsonline.com/news/education/uw-professor-under-fire-for-tweeting-at-incoming-freshmen-b99538936z1-315784681.html

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My friend, TransconJohn Seattle, has had his account suspended because Facebook can't handle his ingenious creativity. Find another way to link his real name to his account versus making him change it altogether.

The movies 20th Century Fox produces are having a negative impact on the comic book universe. Mutants will eventually become extinct. The true genius of 4 elements working together to battle an Epic Evil is failing and will be canceled. Future Generations will never understand the beauty of "breaking the 4th wall" and that its truly OK to have a crush on pretty much anyone with a pulse. Fox has the ability to tell a GREAT Spy story: Mr. & Mrs. Smith ... they are fantastic with chic flicks: Devil Wears Prada ... but when it comes to Superheroes they should leave those stories to the Professionals: Stan, Jack & Chris. #freeTheMutants

Facebook is being a jerk. They deactivated Paul's account because they decided he isn't who he says he is. Which is rubbish. Listen, you all know that you miss the daily ranting and ravings of this beloved guy. Without a daily dose of life according to Rev Paul Bearer your Facebook news feed is truly incomplete. Stop this injustice now!

Andy Animal was booted because they didn't believe that is his name. We know it's his name, bring him back.

More than 36% of Montgomery County residents now live in rental housing, and the number is rising at a hurried pace along with rental housing construction. But renters face increasing challenges from irresponsible landlords who raise rents excessively, fail to maintain their buildings, provide illegal, defective and confusing leases and resist tenant organizing and tenants’ pursuit of required and promised services. Bill 19-15 is a common-sense, first step to addressing some of these issues. Help us convince the Montgomery County Council that renters are our neighbors, friends, customers, workers, veterans and retirees and community participants who deserve to live in stable, quality buildings and communities without fear of losing their homes.

The scale of personal and institutional corruption within FIFA is staggering. In this toxic environment, workers’ rights and human rights are ignored when determining hosts for international events, including the World Cup, and female players are subjected to systemic discrimination and outdated sexist attitudes. We have a game-changing shot at reform. On July 20, FIFA’s Executive Committee will meet behind closed doors to determine the future of the organization—but the last thing we need is more secrecy. It is abundantly clear FIFA will not change on its own. Only an independent reform commission can root out corruption, tackle long-standing issues with the lack of human rights criteria in tournament host selection, address workers’ rights issues in countries that have won the right to host the games like Qatar and Russia and end gender discrimination. There is a desperate need to establish a transparent bidding process for potential hosts for international soccer events. This process must include human rights criteria, particularly labor rights. High-profile international events should promote the highest possible standards. They are enormously profitable, and the workers who make these events possible by constructing and maintaining critical infrastructure should share in that wealth. An independent reform commission must ensure upcoming hosts Qatar and Russia respect labor rights. No one should ever lose their life constructing stadiums for high-profile international tournaments, yet thousands of migrant workers in Qatar, which will host the World Cup in 2022, are at risk. Under the country’s kafala system, migrant workers’ passports are confiscated upon arrival and these workers need their employer’s permission to leave the country. They are often housed in squalid conditions and work long hours in the incredibly hot climate without adequate rest, shade or water. Young, healthy construction workers are dying at an alarming rate. There also are serious labor concerns in Russia, the 2018 World Cup host. FIFA has the power to demand change and ensure workers on World Cup projects are not subjected to abuse, but for that to happen, we must change FIFA. Reform also must address gender discrimination within FIFA. The gender pay gap is perhaps unsurprising considering FIFA President Sepp Blatter’s stated belief that what women’s soccer needs is tighter uniforms. It’s high time to hand this kind of outdated sexism a red card. A new FIFA is within reach—but it’s up to us to win this once and for all.

I was denied a liquor license after 131 New Orleans French Quarter Business (FQBA) members submitted a letter to Troy Hebert instructing him to deny my license. Within three days of his receipt of the FQBA letter my application was denied. I received over 20 unannounced inspections to ensure I was not in violation of state ordinances particularly selling liquor to minors. Each official inspection indicted that there were no violations. Generally, businesses serving liquor can expect 2 - 3 unannounced inspections over a 2 or 3 year period. The denial and violation of my right to pursue a business and economic development is a direct violation of U.S. law 18 USC code 249. September will mark the 2nd year of my application process and denial. Last week the ATC filed an Opposition with Judge Brown to "stay" our administrative hearing which was scheduled in March 2015. This delay will create further financial and economic hardship. Email Judge Paula Brown and request that she deny the ATC its' last minute request to "stay" the administrative hearing.

The proposed location to be opened in Mid August is moving into Spartan Station in Downtown Harrington. This is not the right location. This is at a major school bus stop and down the street from a Headstart school. The opening of the Detox center will kill the economic growth for potential businesses and residents, not to mention the crime growth. Move out of our DOWNTOWN. MOVE ON Governor Markell!

The proposed zoning change would cause the following: 1. MAJOR INCREASE IN TRAFFIC along Hilltop Road. 2. Town-homes crammed onto a narrow strip of land would be an eyesore and have a NEGATIVE AFFECT ON PROPERTY VALUES. 3. Questions remain regarding the INSTABILITY OF THE SLOPE with the possibilities of LAND SLIDES. 4. PROBABILITY OF RUNOFF from the sewer system onto neighboring properties.