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.

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Update: February 2, 2011

Good Afternoon and Happy Ground Hog Day MJ:

Here’s some data that should be shared with the community. Every year Market Graphics Research Group collects and publishes new housing permits data for the 11 county region of middle Tennessee. The latest report documented 4,405 new house permits were issued in those 11 counties in 2010. The report also broke down permits issued either by individual cities or within the unincorporated portions of the respective county. Here’s a few numbers you’ll find interesting: Gallatin issued 112 new housing permits; Hendersonville had 136; Spring Hill ended the year with 122, and La Vergne did 57. Closer to home, 132 permits were issued in Lebanon. Want to look at bigger cities? Franklin did well with 287 permits authorized. Even bigger? Murfreesboro issued 346. How about us? In 2010 MJ issued 367 new housing permits. In fact, last year MJ issued more new housing permits than any municipality in middle Tennessee, with 367. This speaks volumes to the quality of life people see in Mt. Juliet, and the business friendly environment we’ve strived to build. Congratulations MJ!

Speaking of quality of life, the crew of the MJ Parks and Rec Department will be hosting a “Father-Daughter Dance” on Saturday, 5 Feb, at the Charlie Daniels Rec Center. The event starts at 6:00 p.m., and it’s the perfect gift for daddy’s and their little girls. Catering will be provided by “Signatures”, with finger foods, punch and a special “Chocolate Fountain” all included in the $15 per couple admission fee. You can sign up at the door, but we ask that you please try and get your tickets before Friday so the Parks and Rec Department will know how many to cater for. There’ll be a live DJ, with music that ranges from oldies to today; something for the very young to the young heart. For more info or to secure a ticket, call 758-6522.

The MJ Senior Citizens Center will be holding a “Sweetheart Serenade” at the St. Stephen Community Church on Friday, February 25th, from 6 to 9 p.m. There’ll be live music, a silent auction, and your choice of Prime Rib or Chicken. Corporate tables are available, or individual tickets at $40.00 ($25 for individual Center members). Info or RSVP by 15 February at 758-9114.

We want to welcome a couple new members to Team MJ. Mr. Dwayne Hicks joins us as our Chief, Building and Codes Department. Mr. Hicks comes from comparable duties in Tullahoma. He also served as an instructor with the Tennessee State Fire Academy, and has extensive credentials in that arena. We look forward to Dwayne’s efforts to move MJ towards greater fire protection services, as he takes on new responsibilities that we previously relied on state officials to conduct. We’re also pleased that Mr. Eddie Blackwood has assumed the position of Chief, Animal Control. Eddie has tremendous experience with Animal Control, having served as Director of Animal Control for Cheatham County, and also in a leadership position with the Nashville Zoo. Eddie and Dwayne have tremendous experience, training and credentials in their respective professions, and will be great assets to MJ.

Want to get involved with your community and help fight cancer at the same time? The team kick off for the MJ Relay for Life will be tomorrow (Thursday), 3 Feb, at 6:00 p.m. at the Charlie Daniels Rec Center. Here’s a great opportunity to see what you and your friends can do on “race day” (20 May) to be part of history in the making . . . the battle against cancer. Light refreshments will be served; see you there.

Here’s some news for the economic development front:
- There’s a new quilting shop and men’s/women’s clothing store opening in the next few weeks on Industrial Drive. Come join owner Marita Wolf and a fast growing community of quilters in what promises to be a great addition to our business community.
- The Tokyo Restaurant is scheduled to open its doors in March. They are located on North MJ Road, and will also be a wonderful compliment to eating establishments on that end of town.
- Welcome to the Party Zone, and to Angle’s Stop and Play, both located in Providence Commons, by Publix’s southern store. The Party Zone should on your shopping list for this weekend’s Super Bowl, and Angle’s is a really unique store providing quality child care on a drop in basis; just the thing for parents night out.
- Finally, though not a public business, here’s a warm welcome to employees of the Veterans Administration, Office of Clinical Oversight and Compliance, who will be reporting for duty over the next few weeks. They join the ever growing list of professional offices that are calling MJ home.

Remember to keep your dollars here - Shop MJ!

Take care and see you next time.

R. Robertson
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