Good Afternoon MJ:
It has been a few weeks since my last report, and in that time we’ve seen unprecedented challenges, tremendous opportunities. Here’s a few items to mention from my view:
Flooding: I’ve been asked by the papers and other media to describe flood conditions in Mt. Juliet. The best I can say is we were blessed. Yes, there was some significant damage, but it was very limited compared to other cities in the region. Several houses were flooded while possibly hundreds had some type of water damage. The Mt. Juliet Little League complex suffered extensive damage. I met with the League reps and they estimate tens-of-thousands of dollars in damages, with no insurance. It was truly heart-warming to so many volunteers rise to the challenge of the clean up process on Monday afternoon. Our Parks and Rec Department is working actively with League personnel, to schedule the use of the fields at Mundy Park to the fullest extent possible.
Speaking of Parks & Rec, the fences at the Youth Football fields at Charlie Daniels Park, as well as perimeter fence around the park took a significant hit. Mr. Lee, the Acting Parks Director, is partnering with Youth Football leaders to work through those issues. I want to thank the staff of the Charlie Daniels Park for their outstanding efforts in trying to keep the water pushed out of the Rec Center. While we had some overflow in the new Exercise Room and in the gym as well, the impact was minimal due to the staff’s diligence. While thanking people, my sincere appreciation goes to the men and women of the MJPD and the Public Works Department. They’ve had some very long days, and some extraordinary challenges.
Mr. Kenny Martin, the city’s Economic Development Director, toured several businesses yesterday. Stores in the Valley Center were hit hard; many will be down for days. It was an emotional experience visiting the fellow who just came from Brooklyn, New York, who was getting ready to open up his new “Poppy’s Pizzeria and Italian Restaurant” at the end of the Center, in the next couple weeks. Not only did he have water coming through the doors over the weekend, but he, as many of the individual businesses in the Center had major roof leakage as well. He was thoroughly committed to MJ though, and indicated despite losing all his carpet and ceiling, he still planned on opening within the next few weeks. Meetings like this truly underscore the need to “Shop Mt. Juliet” and keep your dollars here in our community.
For homeowners who had enough damage to force them out of their homes, please ensure you contact the WEMA Operations Center and let them know your predicament. WEMA officials are gathering data to support the Governor’s declaration of a disaster area, and for possible Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) reimbursement. Even if you aren’t sure if you qualify, give them a call. The number is 444-8777. WEMA’s Chief Jewell has teams canvassing the county to assess damages to homes and businesses, but they may miss some areas, so again, if you have any questions call 444-8777. You can also tune into MJ Channel 3. Chief Jewell filmed a short “infomercial” with most details you would want to know about the flood. We’ll be running that several times a day over the next week.
On a concluding note, all-in-all Mt. Juliet was spared most of the worst flooding; thus my “blessed” statement. Other than a few street issues there was really no major infrastructure concerns from the flood. Rutland Elementary was flooded, but thanks to a host of volunteers, they were back in school today. Also kudos to the crew of WEMA Station 3. Between running calls all day Sunday, they were pumping and pushing water out of the station house. You guys are great. Thanks for what you do.
There’s nothing significant to report on the NMJR Road Project. While there has been a little progress, the weather obviously slowed various work crews down last week.
Want to get rid of that household “junk”? Remember, one person’s junk is another’s treasure. Join us at the Mt. Juliet Spring Community Yard Sale, this Saturday (8 May), from 0700 to 1200. Booths are only $20, and there some left. Last year we estimate over 2k persons attended the yard sale, and every vendor reported brisk business. Call the MJ Rec Center at 758-6522, or Tim Henson at 642-6130 to lock in your spot or for more info. As an added feature, the MJ Help Center will have a truck on site for those who wish to donate their “treasures” rather than cart them back home. What a deal!
There will also be a yard sale supporting the Mt. Juliet Animal Shelter on Saturday, 5 June, at the Bob Parks Realty Office, 547 North Mt. Juliet Road. Last year’s sale raised thousands of dollars for the Shelter, and provided the staff and volunteers with resources they wouldn’t otherwise have had to assist our furry citizens. Donations are being received now at the Bob Parks office, so if you’ve have items you just can’t wait to contribute, make the trip now. Questions? Call 585-5050.
For those who take the Music City Star, operations will be down for the rest of the week. For more info call 615 862-5950.
If you haven’t seen Channel 3 in a while take a look. Mr. Taylor and Mr. Adams have done a yeoman’s job repackaging much of the static info presented, while adding things like a schedule, weather reports, live camera shots from various interstate locations, and even a news “crawler” at the bottom of the screen. Stay “tuned” for more.
That’s about all for this week. Take care and God Bless.
R. Robertson
City Manager
1. This won’t be a “blog” per se. It isn’t meant to be a place to post all commentary or opinions. Everyone is invited to send in a note, but don’t be offended if it isn’t posted. There’s other sites that are perfectly content to drag through what they believe to be wrong with every issue at every turn. This is about what was done, why and where do we go from here. We won’t talk about two and three year old issues. If the desire is to engage in those discussions then look somewhere else.
2. This isn’t the Board of Commissioner forum. MJ has a City Manager form of government. The Board makes policy; the staff implements. I’ll be happy to pass your comments along to the Board, either good or bad, but the intent of this medium is to address how we could better enact policy and improve city services.
3. The narratives will be directly from me, your city manager. I won’t hide under some pseudonym or other persona. My name is Randy Robertson. My phone number is 754-2552. I am your City Manager. If your issue or concerns involves another department of the city (Public Works, Police, Animal Control, etc.) I will invite the appropriate team member to provide some comments, but it will still be done under the auspices of the City Manager.
4. I will try and be as timely as possible, but this is another one of the “additional duties” for which civil service is renown.
5. The City Staff is here for you. The desired outcome is for us to have a positive relationship with the citizens we serve, but we all know that always won’t happen. Everyone has an opinion. It is the staff’s responsibility to work through the opinions and emotion, meet the requirements of the laws and rules under which we operate, and hopefully serve the greatest number in that process. It is not an exact science. The more we have a relationship with you, the better we can meet your expectations.
6. Finally, this is about telling our story. Hopefully you will be able to sort the myth from reality or see the issue through a different set of lens. I hope you will find this of value and participate.
2. This isn’t the Board of Commissioner forum. MJ has a City Manager form of government. The Board makes policy; the staff implements. I’ll be happy to pass your comments along to the Board, either good or bad, but the intent of this medium is to address how we could better enact policy and improve city services.
3. The narratives will be directly from me, your city manager. I won’t hide under some pseudonym or other persona. My name is Randy Robertson. My phone number is 754-2552. I am your City Manager. If your issue or concerns involves another department of the city (Public Works, Police, Animal Control, etc.) I will invite the appropriate team member to provide some comments, but it will still be done under the auspices of the City Manager.
4. I will try and be as timely as possible, but this is another one of the “additional duties” for which civil service is renown.
5. The City Staff is here for you. The desired outcome is for us to have a positive relationship with the citizens we serve, but we all know that always won’t happen. Everyone has an opinion. It is the staff’s responsibility to work through the opinions and emotion, meet the requirements of the laws and rules under which we operate, and hopefully serve the greatest number in that process. It is not an exact science. The more we have a relationship with you, the better we can meet your expectations.
6. Finally, this is about telling our story. Hopefully you will be able to sort the myth from reality or see the issue through a different set of lens. I hope you will find this of value and participate.
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