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.

Monday, November 24, 2008

Update: 11/24/08

Hello MJ:

Today I would like to spend a little time talking about our own Hometown Heroes.

As we approach Thanksgiving my mind turns to the many blessings that I, my wife Darlene and our family have had. Many of you know that Darlene and I are both retired Army officers, and collectively have spent nearly 60 years in or with the United States Army. This time of year was always special to us. Regardless of where we were, or whether we were together, we felt pride in knowing that our service was hopefully making America and our world a little better. Since leaving the military and working in municipal government though, I’ve come to better recognize the gifts of another group of selfless servants who, day in and day out, strive to make our communities safer and a little better. So while you and your family enjoy this special Thanksgiving together, please take a moment to give thanks to our brave Police and Firefighters who are on duty, 24-7 – 365, for you. It take a unique person who consistently puts the needs of others before theirs. These men and women who willingly face the unknown challenges of what the next call will hold; sacrificing many Thanksgivings or Christmases, and missing too many son’s, daughter’s or spouse’s birthdays in the name of public service.

This Thanksgiving and Christmas, I pray you not only remember the hundreds of thousands of soldiers, sailors and airmen who serve our nation around this large, and often unfriendly world, but also your own Hometown Heroes who are on duty right here, right now. Thank you.

Take care and talk with you later.

R. Robertson
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