Sunday, 11/09/03 Downtown neighbors to gather Nov. 18   _____Today in Williamson A.M._____ • Injured soldier says he serves to make a difference • School board ready to search for new director • Nolensville Town Hall outgrows Piggly Wiggly strip

FRANKLIN — A gala social evening and feast at City Market on Nov. 18 will give members of Franklin's Downtown Neighborhood Association a chance to meet new neighbors, catch up with old friends and find out what's happening in Franklin's original downtown area.

''From long-range planning to new school zoning, from preservation of landmarks to construction progress on the new county judicial center, a lot is happening downtown,'' said Dick Thuma, DNA president. ''We hope everyone who appreciates our historic downtown, especially everyone who lives here, will join DNA and come to our social.''

The social begins at 6 p.m. and will feature City Market delicacies like crawfish fettuccini, beef tips and noodles, and sour cream chicken with au gratin potatoes for $15 per person. Soft drinks, tea and coffee are included, and Red Dog Wine and Spirits is donating wine for the social. Admission for children younger than 6 is free. Beer will also be available for sale.

Julian Bibb, chairman of the Central Franklin Area Plan Steering Committee, and Bob Martin, Franklin Planning Director, will update DNA members on the current status of the central Franklin plan, while Judge Connie Clark, chairman of the Franklin Land Use Plan Steering Committee, will briefly highlight the character area designations developed by the Urban Growth Boundary plan process.

Martin, Clark and Bibb all live in downtown Franklin.

The Franklin Land Use Plan Steering Committee studied all of Franklin outside the downtown area and has presented its recommendations to the Franklin Planning Commission, while the Central Franklin committee is assimilating recommendations from a number of subcommittees. These reports will be made to the main committee at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday in the City Hall boardroom.

''From recommending sites for new construction downtown to discussing the expansion of increased protection for historic sites, this committee is of vital importance to the future of our neighborhood,'' Thuma said. ''The committee is beginning to formulate recommendations, so everyone who cares about downtown should join us at our social on the 18th and go to this important city meeting Nov. 13.''

Both of Franklin's aldermen who live in the downtown area — Alderman-at-large Ernie Bacon and Fourth Ward Alderman Dan Klatt — are planning to attend, and Tom Miller, newly elected Franklin's mayor, will be at the social unless a new grandchild arrives that evening.

''We have a very dynamic and active mixed-use neighborhood. Nowhere else in the city do government decisions affect residents quite like downtown,'' Klatt said.

The Downtown Neighborhood Association is open to all residents of Franklin's original 15-block downtown area and to people who care about the future of this historic heart of town. The original downtown is from First Avenue to Fifth Avenue and from South Margin to North Margin streets.

Reservations are mandatory for the social. To make a reservation, call Dick Thuma at 591-1017 or e-mail dickthuma@worldnet.att .net.