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 1, 2010

Update: 11/1/10

Good Afternoon MJ:

We’ve received some wonderful news late Friday evening. MJ has been approved to receive over one-half million dollars in Congestion Mitigation Air Quality (CMAQ) funds for Phase 2 of the West Division Greenway. CMAQ funds flow from the Federal Highway Administration through the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) for administration to cities and counties with viable projects that help our region address the growing challenges of air pollution. Mt. Juliet’s West Division Greenway does exactly that; providing commuters with options rather than the auto. A special thanks to Mayor Elam, Vice Mayor Sellers, and Commissioners Hagerty, Bradshaw and Floyd for their vision and continued support of alternative transportation.

Speaking of the West Division Greenway, if the weather holds we are looking at a late November or early December completion date for Phase 1. Commuters on West Division Street have been extremely patient with some delays and their courtesy is most appreciated. Phase 2 will move closer to the railroad tracks, so when work does begin on that segment we don’t anticipate the same kind of delays.

As we approach the holiday’s several schools in the city will be hosting special events over the next few weeks. MJ, West and Lakeview Elementary schools are each holding some kind of event this Saturday. Here’s a great chance to not only support your city but our schools as well by “Shopping Mt. Juliet” as we gear up for Christmas. One of the bigger sales this weekend takes place at the Mt. Juliet Christian Academy, where they will be holding their 4th Annual “Shopping Extravaganza”. Our own Kenny Martin, MJ Economic Development Director, advises that if the 4th Annual Extravaganza is anything like the others, shoppers are in for a real treat. Numerous vendors, most of whom specialize in hand made arts and crafts will line the Academy’s hallways. Times are from 0800 to 1700 (that’s 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. for everybody else). This is one of the largest fund raisers for MJCA, there’s games for the kids, and the best thing is there’s free admission. That’s right! Entry is absolutely free! Gratis, Zdarma, Libre, Vapaa, Okeypis, Libero, Frei, Wolny, Ucretsiz, . . . you get the picture. The folks at MJCA really hope you’ll take time out of your day join them and over 60 vendors this Saturday.

We notched another mark in the timeline for the North Mt. Juliet Road widening project with the wooden utility poles slowly starting to come down. Commuters have been commenting that with the curb work recently done, they are starting to really see some progress to this initiative.

Rudy is coming to town, Saturday 11 December. Yes, the namesake for maybe one of the most inspiration films out there, Mr. Rudy Ruettiger, will be co-Grand Marshal along with Mr. Ross Browner, former Notre Dame and NFL football great. More on Rudy to come, but keep the 11th open; it promises to be a unique day in the history of Mt. Juliet.

On a final note, don’t forget to vote tomorrow. It’s important!

Take care and talk with you later.

R. Robertson
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