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.

Sunday, October 3, 2010

Update: October 3, 2010

Hello MJ

A few items FYI:

Team MJ once again showed its leadership in progressive municipal programming and governance through awards distributed at last week's Greater Nashville Regional Council recognition ceremony.  Winning awards for its online "Crime Reports" system, re-use of empty stores in the "Build a Block" initiative, and the Animal Shelter's "Dog Therapy Program", Team MJ tied the City of Gallatin for the most awards received in 2010.  As in 08 and 09, MJ beat regional powerhouse cities like Nashville, Franklin and Murfreesboro in this programming and services benchmarking effort.  Congratulations to all the members of the city staff for this outstanding achievement.

Speaking of excellence, we were notified this week of two grants we will receive.  This first is over $16k for DUI reduction efforts by the MJPD.  The second is a $25k matching grant for improvements to the Charlie Daniels Park.  Again, well done Team MJ.

Didn't catch the "Commissioners Forum" last Thursday?  A video will be rebroadcasted the next few weeks on Channel 3.  Check Channel 3 for times.  Remember, early voting will begin in a couple weeks at CD Park.

Work is progressing well on both the North MJ Road and W. Division Greenway projects.  We anticipate most of the old wood poles lining NMJR should be down in the next month.  Remember it is imperative to support businesses along NMJR during the construction.  They are all open for business, accessible and need your patronage - they are Mt. Juliet.

If you are up early tomorrow (0645), tune into WANT radio, 98.9 FM, to hear our Parks Director, Jay Cameli and I, update you on Halloween in the Park.  One of the biggest events of the year, Halloween in the Park is scheduled for next Saturday, 9 Oct, at 11 a.m., in CD Park.  There's lots of candy, prizes and events, so we'll see you there.

On a final note, we hope many of you will join us at the 11 October Board of Commissioners meeting where we will recognize the family of Spec Michael Stansbery. The meeting begins at 6:30 and will be televised on Channel 3.

Take care and talk with you later.

R. Robertson
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