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.

Friday, October 15, 2010

Update: October 15, 2010

Good Evening MJ:
 
Some info and items of interest:
 
Work continues to move well on North Mt. Juliet Road widening project.  Several of us met with leadership from TDOT along with the on-site project manager and received a good update this week.  Overall TDOT is pleased with progress on the road and they hope to see an ability to return to at least three lanes in the not too distant future, while work on all five lanes continues.  Commuters will also note the West Division Greenway is certainly taking shape in a hurry.
 
Sales tax figures are in and August was a good month, with over $70k more received than the same time period last year.  A couple concerns observed is this is the first August where a declined from July occurred in over 4 years, and the monthly numbers are growing closer together, possibly indicating a maturing of the tax base.  All the more reason to remember, please “Shop MJ.”
 
Our Economic Development Director, Kenny Martin recently provided the Chamber of Commerce leadership with a snap shot of new businesses headed in this direction.  In my next report, I’ll go over some of the bigger items on that list.  Needless to say, it’s an impressive roster, particularly for the challenging times in which we live.     
 
Kudos to Mr. Cameli and his crew at the Parks and Rec Department.  Two grant submissions and two approvals!  The latest is a matching forestry grant for trees at Charlie Daniels Park, just announced late last week by Tennessee State government officials.  We also received word late last week of approval of a small grant to provide members of the MJPD with protective vests.  From years with the military, I know these things are truly lifesavers.
 
Remember, early voting goes on at CD Rec Center next week.  Good luck to all the candidates.
 
The MJ Elementary School, will be hosting its annual Fall Festival on 6 November.  Festivities start at from 1000 and run to 1500.  I’m told they have one of the best school festivals around with games, great food and auctions (silent and live) for gifts like a set of brand new tires, Titan's Football tickets and exotic travel packages.  Remember  Mt. Juliet Elementary is the place to be on Saturday, 6 November.  Please pass this on, and see you there!
 
Finally, here’s a test.  Can you say “Rudy”?
Yes, for those of you who know anything about football, Notre Dame University, or even a good old classic film, you’ll immediately be able to relate to and appreciate the fact that Mr. Daniel E. ‘Rudy” Ruettiger, namesake of the 1993 star packed movie “Rudy”, will be our Co-Grand Marshal, along with college and pro football legend Ross Browner, at the MJ 2010 Christmas Parade.  More on Rudy and Ross later, but keep December 11th blocked on your calendar for a thrill no other city in the U.S. has had.  
 
 
Take care and God Bless.
 
R. Robertson
Posted by at

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)