It may be a technicality, but if it helps to derail this misguided, hateful and intolerant initiative, I’m all for it:

The Metro Law Department has been made aware of a legal technicality, which could potentially derail the proposed English Only charter amendment and prevent it from being on the ballot in November. Nashville attorney Gregg Ramos, of the firm North, Pursell, Ramos & Jameson, has called the department’s attention to the intricate wording of the Metro Charter on when proposed amendments can be submitted.

According to the charter, a petition-driven amendment proposal, like English Only, may only be submitted once every two years. “The council shall not adopt a resolution proposing amendments to this charter more often than twice during the term of office of members of said council,” the charter reads, “nor shall any such amendment or amendments be submitted by petition more often than once in each two years.”

“The council shall not adopt a resolution proposing amendments to this charter more often than twice during the term of office of members of said council,” the charter reads, “nor shall any such amendment or amendments be submitted by petition more often than once in each two years.” In 2006, Davidson County passed a petition-driven charter amendment, giving voters the power to approve property tax increases. The amendment passed on Nov. 7, 2006.

Normally I’d say such a close call should be overlooked. In the case of an amendment that benefits no one and hurts the city and some of its most vulnerable residents, though, I’m all for anything that will keep it from becoming law.

Maybe City Paper commenter “Big Papa” (see bottom of page) is on to something when it comes to the future of Hickory Hollow Mall: “Bulldoze down [the] Mall and put in an amusement park.” Is that such a bad idea?

Nashvillians have lamented Opryland’s departure for 11 years even though they have embraced its replacement, the Opry Mills mall. Maybe this is the right location for Thrillopolis rather than downtown? As local residents discuss the mall’s future, perhaps a theme park (with fresh retail supplementing it) should be on the table. This wouldn’t be as intrusive as the originally proposed Thrillopolis location downtown, and it would likely draw visitors/customers to an area of town that has been in steep decline for several years.

DeadMalls.com user Daron Dunkin predicted Hickory Hollow Mall’s demise in 2006, though he noted that it “isn’t dead yet.” National radio personality Tom Joyner made an appearance at the mall earlier this month, so perhaps the mall’s fate is yet to be sealed. Then again, maybe paying Joyner to broadcast from the mall was a desperate effort to draw customers.

As local officials are beginning to make clear, it would take substantial private development in the mall site for it to transform to a theme park or anything else that different from its original use. I’d say it’s worth considering, so long as it’s more Six Flags than Six Flags Over Jesus.