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, April 15, 2011

Update: 04/15/11

Good Afternoon MJ: They say “It Starts in Parks” so let’s begin this edition there: Saturday, 23 April, Charlie Daniels Park. Our annual “Easter Eggstravaganza”. This year a record 50k eggs through the sponsorship of Friendship Community Church of Mt. Juliet. 18 inflatables, pony and train rides, and a free lunch. The rush for the eggs starts at 10:30. Saturday, 30 April. Our third Community Flea Market. Fast becoming one of the largest in the Middle Tennessee region with more than 40 booths of rare collectables, exotic gifts, and a variety of things from the attic or garage. Rummaging starts at 7:00 a.m. and runs to noon. There’s still booth space available. Info: 758-6522. Sunday, 1 May. Worship Without Walls ( a Community Help Day). Sponsored by Providence United Methodist Church (PUMC). Want to help with the Senior Citizens Center, Animal Shelter, Charlie Daniels Park, or simply cleaning up litter from MJ Streets? Come join nearly 500 members of PUMC in a fun filled morning of helping our community. Interested? Call Becky Yates at 969-4960. Friday/Saturday, 20-21 May: The American Cancer Society Relay for Life at Charlie Daniels Park. Come help find a cure! Teams are still forming. For more info call Cassy Thompson at 308-3557. Saturday, 21 May, 9:00 a.m. Armed Forces Day 5K Run/Walk. Charlie Daniels Park. Info: 758-6522. Saturday, 21 May, 10:00 a.m. (tentative). Ribbon Cutting for our Community Flag. Thanks to the members of Life Assembly Church and Reverend Andrew Wharton, the long awaited, and one of the tallest in Tennessee, flagpoles will be opened. Join us in this great community event featuring the MJ Color Guard and Guest Speaker, Lieutenant General (Ret) John Pickler, former Director of the Army Staff. This promises to be a very moving event at 555 Pleasant Grove Road. Saturday, 21 May 11:00 a.m. Armed Forces Day. Charlie Daniels Park. Members of the motorcycle vets group “Rolling Thunder”, static military displays including an Army Blackhawk helicopter. Members of the Ft. Campbell Wounded Warrior Unit. Friday 3 June, Movies in the Park. Charlie Daniels Park, starting at dusk. A great family event. Saturday, 4 June, Time: TBA. Our first ever Community Health Fair. Charlie Daniels Park is the place to be for free medical advice and consultation with more than 30 stations. Sponsored by University Medical Center of Lebanon. Some other news: MJ sales tax receipts went up again for March 2011 compared to the year before by nearly 7%. Remember, sales tax receipts is the city’s principal form of revenue that goes back into Police, Public Works, and Parks and Rec. Continue to support your home team by “Shopping Mt. Juliet First.” Tomorrow, at the Cedarstone Bank in MJ and Lebanon, members of Leadership Wilson, along with Summit Hospital, University Medical Center, Walgreen’s Drug Stores, the Wilson County Sheriff’s Department, and the City of Mt. Juliet will host “Mission Medical”. “Mission Medical allows all citizens the opportunity to drop off expired and unused prescriptions and over-the-counter medications. Again, Cedarstone Banks of MJ and Lebanon will be taking your prescriptions between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Congrats to BSA Troop 150’s Aaron Davis and Hayden Witt who will formally receive their Eagle badge at a Court of Honor next month. Very few boys who enter scouting are able to reach Eagle, the BSA’s top rank. Well done gentlemen. Ava’s Run for a Reason a couple weeks ago was a fantastic success. Ava’s parents , Mr. and Mrs. Bright, advise that nearly $50k has been raised so far to create a splashpark in honor of their daughter, Ava. But we need much, much more! A first class splashpark will cost between $250k to $300k. What to help? Call Jennifer Hamblin, Treasurer, at 773-6237. “Empower Me” Day Camp is also looking for your help. This Wilson County-based 501-C3 organization provides special needs children with recreational programs and summer camping opportunities, led by professional, therapeutic staff members. Take their $10.00 challenge to help make a positive difference in the lives of hundreds of local children and parents. For info call Michelle Hill, 453-0005, or email to empowermedaycamp@aol.com Some good news to end today’s report. Here’s just a few of the recently or soon to be opened businesses springing up across MJ: 1. Do you like to sew or quilt or know someone who does? Come see Marita Wolf’s new store, “The Quilters Path” at 105 Industrial Drive. 2. Notice the ground behind Cheddar’s? MJ’s new Firestone Store is headed this way with an estimated opening date of the end of the summer. 3. A new Japanese Steakhouse, the Tokyo Japanese Steakhouse, is scheduled to open their doors by the end of April. 4. The Corner Pub Between the Lakes Restaurant, located in the old Hollywood Video Store on North MJ Road, should be having a ribbon cutting by EOM May. 5. Like to trip the light fantastic? MJ’s “International Champions Ballroom Dancing Studio” should be ready for you by early June. 6. We’re getting a new Roadhouse Subs, in Providence Commons by Publix’s #2. They just signed their lease, so details will be forthcoming. 7. A lease has been signed with Farm Bureau Insurance for Providence Common. 8. Wilson Bank and Trust and Region’s Bank will both be opening south side offices around Providence in the next couple months. 9. Academy Sports is looking at MJ very hard. Keep your fingers crossed. Remember, “Shop MJ First.” Take care and talk with you later. R. Robertson
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