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.

Saturday, February 26, 2011

Update: February 26, 2011

Good Evening MJ:

It’s Saturday, 26 February, and we’ve just had one of the nicest weather days of the year. Interesting how just 48 hours ago, we were watching for tornados. Fortunately the brunt of the storm hit a little further to the southeast, with no major reports of damage in MJ.

I’d like to focus on a few upcoming Parks and Rec events you’ll want to put on your calendar, but before that, I’m going to make a pitch to those reading this to be a little more conscious of litter lining our roadways. The last couple weeks we’ve tried to dedicate some time to picking up debris, but there is far more trash out there than people here to handle it. MJ only has a handful of “laborers” assigned; they do everything from mowing miles of right of way and policing signs to clearing storm drains, operating the city’s chipper service and virtually any kind of work required in between. The point is, MJ is our city, and each of us play a role in how it looks. It’s true, you only get one chance to make a positive impression, so when businesses are looking to come to “Tennessee’s Number One Business Friendly City”, their perception of our community makes a huge impact. For those old enough to remember Woody, the slogan still stands true . . . “give a hoot and don’t pollute.” Please help us keep MJ looking proud.

Your Parks and Rec crew are going to be extremely busy the next few months. As Paul Harvey use to say, “here’s the rest of the story:”

1. The crowds are coming for our Zumba classes, held at the Charlie Daniels Rec Center. Last week 32 people exercised to the music in this fun, fast growing event. Zumba classes are Tuesday and Thursday evenings at 6:00 p.m., and Saturday morning at 9:00 a.m. Classes are $6 each, and you can do it on a pay-as-you-go basis. See you there!

2. St. Patty’s Kids Day is coming up on Thursday, March 17 (during Spring Break), from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Focused on elementary aged children, there’ll be inflatable’s, cookie decorating, a 4 leaf clover hunt, a live kid’s band, mascots, and much more. There’ll also be several “touch and tour” trucks and vehicles, ranging from police cars, to a fire truck, a Army Hummer (HOOAH!), a TN Wildlife Agency boat, dump trucks, a street sweeper, tractors, back hoes, a SWAT vehicle and more. Interested? Call the MJ Community Center at 758-6522 or visit the website at www.cityofmtjuliet.org.

3. Ava Bright’s 5K Run will be Saturday, 2 April, starting at 9 a.m. The 5k run or walk begins and ends inside Charlie Daniels Park, with funds benefiting the Avalyn Shaye Foundation, in memory of two year old Ava Bright and her inspirational messages of joy, love, and laughter. Proceeds go to help build “Ava’s Splashpad”, an aquatic playground located at Charlie Daniels Park. Please visit www.avalynshayefoundation.org to register and learn more about Ava’s story.

4. How bout a Spring Fashion Show at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, 9 April at the MJ Community Center. Come see what’s in and sheik from Christopher Banks, CJ Banks, Kasper, Belk, Chico’s, Rue 21, Old Navy, Willie Nillie Kids, Sparkling Tiaras, Memories Consignment and many more. Pooches from the MJ Animal Shelter will also be on hand strutting their stuff on the runway. Sounds fun!

5. One of our capstone events, Easter in the Park, kicks off at 10:30 a.m., on Saturday, 23 April. Easter 2011 promises to be our biggest yet with 50,000 (that’s right, fifty thousand!) eggs just waiting to found. Thanks to Friendship Community Church, the MJ Parks and Rec Team, and a couple great patrons, we’ll have twice as many eggs than in years past. With four different age categories: 2 and under, 3 to 5, Kindergarten through 2nd grade, and 3rd to 5th grade, there’s something for every kid. Post hunt activities include free food with a voucher obtained with entry into the park, over 15 inflatable’s, and a surprise visit from the man himself, Mr. Easter Bunny, who has agreed to spend some time for photos. Still not impressed? Between $800 to $1k in prize coupons wait inside special Easter Eggs.

6. Want more? The last big event of the Spring will be our community wide Yard Sale, Saturday, April 30, from 7am – noon. The Yard Sale has grown to be one of the biggest attractions with 40 to 50 booths just waiting for bargain hunters. Now’s the time to secure your booth ($20), and then start collecting those treasures from the attic, garage and even the living room. The place to be, rain or shine, is Charlie Daniels Park. For more info call the Parks and Rec office at 758-6522.

That’s enough for tonight. Take care, God Bless and talk with you later.

R. Robertson
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1 comment:

  1. AnonymousMarch 4, 2011 at 7:54 AM

    Regarding the litter on roadsides of our Community, I would be willing to help clean up the trash. we would need to get a group of people together and do it as a team.
    If i can help Please let me Know,
    Melissa McNabb
    lovecarousels@comcast.net

    ReplyDelete

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