Update: December 10, 2010

Good Afternoon MJ:

I am writing this just a few hours before one of the city’s biggest events of the year, our annual Christmas Parade. The 2010 edition kicks off tomorrow, Saturday, 11 December, at 11:00 p.m. starting at the West Wilson Middle School on Mt. Juliet Road (MJR), and moving north along MJR to the review stand at the intersection of MJR and Division. Joining us tomorrow as Co-Grand Marshals will be Mr. Ross Browner and Mr. Daniel “Rudy” Ruettiger. You know Rudy as the name sake for the classic inspirational 1993 movie, “Rudy”, and Ross, who played with the Cincinnati Bengals and Green Bay Packers for a decade, as Rudy’s Notre Dame team mate, who lead the charge to get Rudy in to the last play of the last game of his senior year, and into the history books. With Rudy and Ross as Co-Grand Marshals, and more than 70 floats and marching units, tomorrow’s parade not only promises to be one of our best, but our largest. Rudy and Ross will be signing autographs after the parade, in a tent by the review stand, so come up and join them. They also have promised to be passing out commemorative footballs along the route. Santa’s goin green tomorrow with the “Fightin Irish”!

The parade is rain or shine. There is no alternate date. In the event of thunderstorms, a decision will be made at that time.

Also, join us Tuesday, 14 December, at 11:00 at the intersection of MJR and Division for the ribbon cutting on Phase 1 of the West Division Bike Path and Greenway. This long anticipated project opens the first segment next week. Light refreshments will be served. We’ll also comment there on progress on starting Phase 2, with over one-half million dollars in federal funds recently secured for that segment. What a wonderful Christmas gift for the City.

Speaking of Christmas gifts, our sales tax number for October just came in this morning, and MJ continues to rock with over 8% growth this year over 2009. This equates to more than $37k additional this October compared to last year. We’re looking forward to ending the year on a high note with Christmas, so remember: “Shop Mt. Juliet.”

Here’s a chance to give a special gift at Christmas, the gift of life. The American Red Cross and the City of Mt. Juliet are sponsoring a community blood drive at the Charlie Daniels Rec Center on Tuesday, December 21st from 11am – 3pm. Please be there if you can.

On a final note, from Team MJ to our citizens and community, have a blessed Christmas and a safe, successful 2011. We’ll be celebrating our City Christmas Luncheon on, Wednesday, 15 December, from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m. While service may be a little lighter than usual then, City Hall will be open. In the spirit of the season, below is our Annual Holiday Letter that went out this week. Take care and talk with you later.

R. Robertson

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Season’s Greetings from Team Mt. Juliet :

Despite the challenges, 2010 will go down as one of Mt. Juliet’s most successful years. Here's a few highlights from City Hall and “Team Mt. Juliet".

We’re ending the year with a bang as MJ is named by the TN Center for Policy Research as the "Number One Business Friendly City in TN.” What a wonderful honor and distinction for a city incorporated less than 40 years ago. Being named #1 against powerhouses like Nashville and Knoxville, and "deep pocket" cities like Brentwood, Franklin and Oak Ridge speaks volumes about our community, its’ values, and the tremendous importance economic development plays.

MJ was in the enviable position throughout 2010 of having sales tax revenue up every month compared to ‘09. So far this equates to about $750k. Few cities in TN, or for that matter in the U.S. can make a similar claim. Another financial highlight this year was Wilson County leaders partnering with the City to fund the Reverse L. This desperately needed road, by MJHS, had been discussed & debated by county and city leaders for years. With the vision of several County leaders, this year the County contributed $650k towards completing that road. The County’s input will also help the City underwrite additional Eastern Connector work, the multi-lane highway stretching between the Beckwith intersection and Lebanon Rd.

Phase 1 of the West Division Greenway and Bike Path project is done! This concrete trail runs west from the train station to 4th Ave, and was primarily made possible by American Recovery and Relief Act (ARRA) funds. We recently learned MJ would also receive over $500k in air quality funding to start Phase 2, which will run from 4th Ave. to Brookstone. If all goes as planned, next year two-thirds of a project that languished for years will be done. You can help by contacting your state and federal officials for assistance with the final segment, Phase 3, the longest and most expensive part that will connect several of the city's largest subdivisions. A last note about construction; special thanks to all involved with the North Mt. Juliet Road (NMJR) widening project. Widening NMJR is the most expensive infrastructure project in the City's history, and it is progressing well. Announced as a 36 month project, barring major challenges or severe weather, it may be done next October; months ahead of schedule. New water and sewer pipes; relocated electric, telephone and cable lines; and a new gas line traverse one of the most populated and heavily traveled areas of MJ. Again, thanks to crews from TDOT, LoJac, WWUD, Cleary Construction, Piedmont Gas, MTEMC, TDS, and the City for a job well done.

Here's just a few factoids from 2010:

 From Jan to Nov we had 305 new housing permits filed. There were 192 for the same period last year.

 MJ was the #1 winner at the annual Greater Nashville Regional Council's (GNRC) Awards Ceremony. Competing against 60 other middle TN cities and counties, we captured awards for initiatives in Police, Economic Development, and Animal Shelter programs.

 The Animal Shelter remains the leader in the region, with an extraordinary adoption rate of over 96%. Thanks to donations we've run the shelter for two consecutive years without using city funds for food. Volunteers have donated thousands of hours to care for animals, saving taxpayers nearly $200k since its doors open in late 2008.

 Use of MJ Parks and Rec facilities are skyrocketing. The new exercise room has everything a private health club has, but at a fraction of the cost. The new Panattoni Room is seeing exponential usage; and our new skate park and Frisbee Golf course have significantly expanded recreational services. The new South Park Splash area has been very well received, with plans for future expansion. But Parks and Rec aren’t just focused on facilities; they’ve had phenomenal success with programs like Easter and Halloween in the Park. The Parks crew also successfully captured two major state grants for tree plantings and land improvements to take place in 2011. A last note about Parks, make sure the MJ Christmas Parade is on your calendar for 11 Dec at 11am.

 A huge thanks goes out to all those behind the scene actors involved in selling the Old Elementary School property. After years the end is in sight.

 New business permits continue to show healthy gains. From Jan to Nov 2009 there were 167 permits filed. So far this year there’s been 205; a 22% increase.

Can't keep up with what's happening around the city? Check out TV 3 and the MJ home page. Upgrades to TV 3 range from transformation from a power point to video platform to broadcasts from The Pentagon Channel, aerobic courses, news "crawlers”, live weather and even video shots from I-40. Possibly the biggest technology leap this year was streaming video on the web of TV 3. Now, no matter where you are, if you have access to the web, you can tune into what's happening in City Hall. The MJ City Code has been added to the web, and there’s now an “Action Line” to report pot holes, see animals at the Shelter, or even rent a pavilion at Charlie Daniels Park. Finally, if you aren’t on Nixle, then you’re missing out. Over 40 Nixle updates were posted during the May and August floods. Posts were published about tornado warnings, a bank robbery, and the auto accident that closed I-40 last month. Nixle is invaluable; able to be tailored to the type of information you desire and completely free. Sign up info is on the city’s web page.

Here’s some PD data:

- Even though MJ has one of the smallest police departments (per capita) in the state, we continue to see a decline in the number of major crimes committed.

- While calls for service are up 19% (the PD is busier) this year, crimes against persons are down 24%. Overall reportable crime is slightly up from the same time period last year.

- Arrests are down 5%; Traffic stops made are down 5% and citations issued are down 7%. There’s too many auto crashes, even though most are minor “fender benders.”

- The MJPD continues to have one of the best crime closure rates in the state. As of November, their closure rate was nearly 55%, compared to the state average of 34%.

Yes, it was an extraordinary year for the city. Although twice challenged by floods, the community rallied and became even stronger. Though there were the “usual naysayers”, most overwhelmingly supported and appreciated the direction MJ is headed. We were truly blessed. From all of us on Team MJ, thanks for allowing us to serve you. Being a public servant is a truly rewarding career, and we are honored to serve each of you. May God Bless you this holiday season, and our very best wishes for a safe and successful 2011.

Team MJ.