The Tennessean from Nashville, Tennessee • Page 61

I ff. -3 A.M. Got a news tip? Call 771-5411 or fax 771-5409 THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2000 WILLIAMSON TheTadPad se 40 to open at 3 D.m. gment of 8 Triune to 1-65 section still a year away Section of S.R.840 opening I today I Commentary way 100. A group of county associations and landowners are claiming that proper environmental assessments were not performed before the route was chosea TDOT lawyers have until Monday to aaswer Chancellor Russ Heldman's questions on the highway's original interstate designation and TlXJrs later treatment of the road as a suite highway.

just beyond Interstate 65, is set to open late next year. While the many motorists calling TDOT about the construction schedule are excited about 840's newest section, most are kxiking forward to completion to Interstate 65, she said. The first action in more than a month is expected next week on the disputed section of S.R. 840 between Thompson Station Road and High completing the job by finishing signage and placing "thermoplastic" coating over the newly painted lane lines. The latest segment is expected to tike some of the pressure off crowded Highway 96, a two-lane road between Murfreesboro and Franklin, With today's opening, a total of 36 miles will be open to traffic from Ibanon to Triune.

The next section, from Triune to Lewisburg Pike By EDWARD TERRY Staff Writer TRIUNE (X)MMUNITY Some evening commuters can try a much-anticipated new way home today as the first section of State Route 840 in Williamson County opens. The 12.7-mile segment, from Interstate 24 in Rutherford County to the Triune in terchange, will be open to motorists beginning at 3 p.m. today when contractors remove the barricades at both ends, said Deborah Fehr, a spokeswoman for Tennessee Department of Transportation. "It looks like everything will be fine and ready to go in the morning," she said. Workers yesterday were Bulbous eyes fill with farewell tears I S.R.840 construction I 1 sip A.

HOLLAND STAFF HMs up mwh it. Lawyer attacks use of test scores Wheeler: Tests not 'relevant evidence' of effective schools By NANCY MUELLER Stuff Writer FRANKLIN The value-added scores Tennessee uses in its report cards on public schools are not "relevant evidence" for judging a school system's performance, the attorney for Williamson County's school board told a court here. In a request yesterday to exclude value-added scores as evidence in an upcoming lawsuit, the board's lawyer, Rob Wheeler, told Chancellor Russ Heldman that "value-added scores are not relevant evidence of a school system's level of performance in educating students." Wheeler asked Heldman to disallow evidence of the scores in a trial over a lawsuit filed by a Franklin couple challenging the school board's policy that excludes Please see TESTS, 3W v7 The Frog has taken all his funny money and invested it in Kleenex. These are turbulent times for the stock market, but there has never been a more secure investment opportunity. The Frog is leaving town.

(Cue for you to start tearing up.) So go ahead with your own, personal Niagara Falls, blow that cute little honker and make The Frog some dough. The suitcase is packed. Visioas of tasty, tropical insects are flying inside The Frog's mind. It's time for The Frog to begin his eight months of paid vacatioa Yes, it's kind of a raw deal that the Williamson AM made The Frog labor in this sweat shop for four straight months, but now the favorable section of his contract kicks in Football season wraps up this weekend in Murfreesboro, And when the pigskin goes in the toolshed, so does the The Frog's computer. Editors tried to keep The Frog around for basketball season But The Frog don't do no roundball.

Besides, when one player tackles another on the hardwood, they call it a foul except in the NBA of course. The Frog has agreed, out of pity for the people of Williamson County who will miss him so, to hire a new subject for the winter sports sea-soa Three candidates have made The Frog's short list: a woodchuck that can't chuck wood, a perturbed penguin and a one-toothed walrus. If you would like to vote for whom the next prep columnist should be, call our sports department at 771-5461 and leave a message or drop an e-mail at thefrogtennessean.com. Votes must be certified by 5 pm Sunday; and The Frog reserves the right to call for a hard recount Now back to business. The Frog has been pondering how to say his goodbyes, at least until next August without his green skin getting any oilier than it already is.

So here goes: see ya Whoa! That was tougher than it sounded But it was from the heart One more thing. If any of you are thinking of getting The Frog a little Christmas gift, anything Grinch will da The Frog just loves anything groen and self-loathing. RIBBm For the record: The Frog will go 70-17 if CPA beats the University School of Jackson for the Class A title at 330 p.m. Friday. Game of the Week: CPA vs.

USJ Let's be short and sweet here. David Latimer. Cooper Wallace. Steven Ross. Johnny Shields.

James Corder. Brian Stone. Sam McKinney. Austin High. Rob Ames.

These Lion seniors didn't come this far for a runner-up trophy. All those losses to Trousdale County in past years weren't avenged to make the champi-oaship game, but to win it USJ (13-1) will be the toughest opponent CPA (14-0) has faced all year. They will put up a fight and probably match talent with Coach David Pack's squad. But these games come down to heart and execution CPA should have both. The Frog says: CPA by 7.

if. 8 I AH I liJ Proposed Westhaven subdivision Fnrtfn A-BoydT M.IIAio FILE PHOTOS FranklinT" Willow 5 Joey Dembek does his part to light neighborhood luminarias in 1997. Brentwood will continue its holiday tradition at nightfall Dec. 9. In the top photo, Santa Claus waves to spectators during 1997's Franklin Christmas Parade.

This year's parade rolls on Saturday. Commerce may have exploded last week, but this week communities will come together STAFF Celebrity restaurant guests to lead parade i -fK. marshals have breakfast at his restaurant, The Country Cafe, every Saturday morning. "It took me a while to ask them and then they had to clear it through their booking people," Tidwell said. Now Tidwell is hoping that a rainy weather forecast misses the parade, which is followed later in the evening by the holiday tree-lighting ceremony.

EDWARD TERRY FAIRVIEW It looks like Old Saint Nick won't be the only star of the annual Fairview Holiday Parade. Williamson County residents Ray Stevens and George "Goober" Lindsey will join the festivities, scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday in Fairview. The parade is sponsored by the Fairview Chamber of Commerce and will feature various floats along with the LINDSEY STEVENS By TAMMY BINF0RD Stuff Correspondent The holiday season arrives in Williamson County this weekend bringing parades, carnival rides, games, Santa and more to towns across the county. Here's a look at what's planned: Tomorrow Celtic Holiday with the Nashville Chamber Orchestra, a program of holiday, bluegrass and Celtic music, 8 p.m.

Friday in Jamison Hall at The Factory at Franklin. Tickets are $25 and $18.50 for adults and $5 for students. They can be obtained by calling 256-6546. They also will be available at the door. Saturday Breakfast with Santa in Brentwood.

Santa is scheduled to breakfast with area kids Saturday at the Brentwood Library. Doors will open at 9 a.m. when children will be able to visit with Santa and participate in other activities many participants. Chamber President Grady Tidwell said his two guest grand Westhaven woos transit advocates developer: Temporary traffic solutions being developed for project By ROSE FRENCH Staff Writer FRANKLIN Developer Tun Downey has seen the light The Southern Land Inc. developer who wants to construct what likely will be the state's largest planned community ever told city transportation officials Tuesday he's a recent convert to the "smart growth," neo-tradi-tional planning philosophy that calls for homes to be Please see PROJECT, 3W enue.

It will then enter the Public Square and head west on Main Street. The tree lighting will be at 7 p.m. Saturday on the Public Square in front of City Hall. Choral groups from local elementary schools will perform and Santa Claus is expected. Please see COUNTY, 5W Christmas parade will begin at 10 am at the Fairview Ball Park and go west past the library.

Expect to see Santa on the Chamber of Commerce float. Franklin Christinas parade and tree lighting. Franklin's parade steps off at 1p.m. Saturday beginning at Freedom Intermediate School, then proceeding along Highway to Third Av before attending a magic show. Anyone who wants to participate should pick up free tickets at the library before the event.

Tickets will be distributed for one of three magic shows that begin at 9-30, 1030 and 1130 am. Magician Scott Humston will provide the entertainment, according to Pat Ladnier at the library. Fairview parade. Fairv iew's aTfTTTTii gTTiTTa AtiiliillAIi.f' PBITI1 Jessica Brown, 10 4th grade, Fairview Elementary History resources abound On the anniversary of the Battle of Franklin, Bluestar.com trims staff Franklin-based company cuts employees as part of layoffs at its troubled parent company, Covad Communications Group. In Business.

Income tax fallout prompts concern Tennessee Association of Business lobbyist warns chamber members that tax on them could be next. On 3W. Letters to the Editor Williamson A.M. 320 Premier Suite 202 Franklin, Tennessee 37067 E-maB: waarnetennessean.com Rue 771-5409. Advertising information: 771-5430.

Monday-Friday Sunday in 7heTennessean fennessean Publisher Craig Moon General ManagerEditor fedPower Community Newt Editors Mark Cook, Laura Cook Advertising Manager Jenriie Stowey I liTI Williamson I Countyncws, I features and car the World iClickWi-jnA. i A4f T33 Mostly sunny with little or no chance of rain learn how you can re- search those who served in the Civil War. On 4W. I.