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 8, 2010

Update: October 8, 2010

Good Morning MJ:

Here’s a few items of interest and FYI:

Tomorrow (Saturday, 9 October) is “Halloween in the Park”, usually the biggest Parks and Recreation event of the year. Activities start at 11:00 a.m. and last thru 4:00 with several costume contests, candy and prizes and lots of fun for the entire family. As an added treat, while the kids are off doing their thing, we’ll have a “City Booth” where mom and dad can come by and check up on city programs and activities. Come join us and at least 75 other vendors in celebrating this annual Fall classic. All activities take place in Charlie Daniels Park. Remember, parking can be a challenge, so plan to come early and spend the day. There’s plenty of food and beverage vendors on-site. See you there.

This Monday (11 Oct) we’ll have a wonderful opportunity to honor and pay respects to the family of Spec Michael Stansbery, who recently lost his life in Afghanistan while serving us. There’s a time honored tradition of providing a handmade quilt to the family of a fallen soldier, and this Monday, at 6:30 p.m. in City Hall, along with the scheduled Board of Commissioners meeting, members of the MJ Quilting Association will present Michael’s family with a quilt. We hope you can join us and want to send out a special invitation to all veterans to be there. If you can’t make it, please tune in to Channel 3.

Work continues to progress well on North Mt. Juliet Road. Motorists will certainly notice the infrastructure is taking shape with curb and gutters being poured. While the official “opening date” set by TDOT is October 2012, barring horrific weather or other unforeseen challenges, the road should be drivable well before that. Again, please remember the merchants of NMJR and consider them when shopping or dining.

Tonight is special for the staff and volunteers of the MJ Animal Shelter. Tonight we’ll recognize the best of the best, those who have volunteered 90 hours or more, with a special dinner on their behalf. That roster includes: Jon Gray, Susan Tant, Lonnie Cannon, Dawn Turner, Holly Ross, Heather and Jacob Rampey, Heather Cravener, Tanya Beadles, Marilyn Pugh, Hannah Beadles, Flora Gibson, Hazel Lauer, and Trisha Morgan. Just a couple weeks ago the MJ Animal Shelter won one of the Greater Nashville Regional Council Awards of Excellence for its “Therapy Dog” program of taking dogs to the various nursing homes in the area. Our Shelter is renown throughout the region and the state and the standard bearer for quality programs and services. On behalf of all of us on Team MJ, the Mayor and Commissioners, and most importantly from the citizens, thanks those who go above and beyond each day to serve our community and its animals.

On a final note, our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of Det. Ric Risner (Ret). Ric passed away this week after gallantly battling diabetes and other complications for several years. He proudly and honorably served the City of Mt. Juliet for many years until his health would not allow him to serve any longer. Ric helped make this community the pride of Middle Tennessee, and today we want to thank him for him and his family for his selfless service.

Take care and God Bless.

R. Robertson

 
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