I have wrestled for more than a day about how to write this week’s column. The approach to take. How to diplomatically make the point. Be understanding to those who did the work. And the best, fairest description is this: That proposal for the Germantown city flag fell flat. Didn’t work. It is not even “meh.” It is more like “What the holy h--- is that supposed to mean?” Let me start by saying, I’m no graphic artist. My language may be graphic, but I fail miserably at the artist part. Still, even with limited expertise (or lack of it), I can’t even start to endorse the first flag under consideration. The Board of Mayor and Aldermen got a look at the potential banner — designed by former mayor Sharon Goldsworthy and Andy Pouncey, the suburb’s city historian — during a meeting this week. Reporter Abigail Warren wrote about the discussion, the reasoning for the design and presented the flag depiction later in a story on Wednesday. And the reaction was none too swift. The banner failed to draw even mediocre marks for its creativity and representation of the suburb. Mediocre seems to be a kind description of the reaction. The “flag” at first glance, shows a squiggly blue line in the upper half with a green field underneath the line. Germantown Tennessee is spelled out in the upper half, and a circle with the city’s founding date and its ever-present motto “excellence every day” occupies a lower section. As someone who has covered Germantown for decades, I recognized the blue line as the Wolf River that creates the northern border of the suburb. Pouncey saying they used green for the field in the lower half of the banner makes sense, reflecting the suburb’s recognition as a Tree City USA. And, within the founding date circle are a pair of railroad tracks, representing the Norfolk Southern line that runs through the city. While a lot of thought went into the design, it just doesn’t catch the imagination or representation of the city. The overwhelming majority of commenters on Warren’s story seemed to agree. One commenter mentioned the city needed to consult the North American Vexillological Association. That led me to look up the spelling and meaning of vexillological (it’s basically the study of flags). Germantown seems to be easing away from its horse heritage so that would eliminate the most obvious of symbolism representing the city. I suppose that is understandable. While the Germantown Charity Horse Show is still a big week in the suburb, and there are a number of horses still wandering through grassy pastures, they are no longer as prevalent. Other themes Pouncey mentioned as possibilities — residential, business, medical — are not as germane to Germantown to establish them as the suburb’s character. So, there seems to be more work needed to improve the city flag before any final decision is made. If they are looking for symbolism and want to use a city boundary, the western one might be more representative. With the acronym IYKYK. — Suburbs editor Clay Bailey
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Andy Pouncey, Germantown city historian, and former Mayor Sharon Goldsworthy worked with city staff to create two designs, which they shared with the mayor and aldermen.
By Abigail Warren
Two months after a new owner took over The Lake District in Lakeland, work remains in limbo, but research apparently is being done behind the scenes.
By Michael Waddell
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A look at The Lake District’s complicated timeline. The future of the mixed-use project in Lakeland remains in limbo.
By Michael Waddell
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Seth Rider of Germantown will have to wait one more day to compete in the Olympics. The men’s triathlon has been postponed over concerns about water quality in Paris' Seine River, where the swimming portion of the race was supposed to take place.
By The Associated Press
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Sippin Silo opened earlier this year in Silo Square, with a serve-yourself bar offering 24 different wines, including a non-alcohol option, as well as craft cocktails.
By Rob Moore
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Update
The company sells drugs for rare diseases, representatives said in previous meetings. Usually, less than 1,000 patients are using their drugs.
By Abigail Warren
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Arlington voters have a choice in only two of the six races on Thursday’s ballot. The other four are uncontested.
By Michael Waddell
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On the Aug. 1 ballot, the Bartlett race is unopposed, while two Germantown residents face off for a unexpired term.
By Abigail Warren
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One year after Germantown’s water disaster, city officials are finally resolving problems they identified as the cause of diesel seeping into the system.
By Abigail Warren
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Germantown Alderman Jon McCreery has championed the idea of changing from a part-time city leader. If fellow board members agree, the issue could be on the ballot as soon as 2026.
By Abigail Warren
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The contract primarily concerns requirements the DeSoto County Juvenile Correctional Facility must meet to receive federal funding.
By Rob Moore
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It was an emotional day for Florida-based musician Todd Herendeen as he closed on Jerry Lee Lewis’ former ranch with Jerry Lee Lewis III and Hernando Mayor Chip Johnson in attendance.
By Rob Moore
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