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, May 11, 2011

Update: May 11, 2011

Good morning:

Here’s a quick update on upcoming Mt. Juliet community events. We hope you will join us and invite your friends. Please pass this email on to others.

20-21 May: Relay for Life: Friday, 6:00 p.m. to Saturday morning, 6:00 a.m. Charlie Daniels Park. This is the largest fund raising activity conducted by American Cancer Society. The goal is to raise over $30K to help fight one of America’s greatest killing diseases. Teams are still forming. For more info or to sign up, call Cassy Thompson at 308-3557, or anyone at Charlie Daniels Park, 758-6522.

21 May: Wounded Warrior 5k Run/Walk: Starts at 9:00 a.m. Charlie Daniels Park. Proceeds go to America’s Wounded Warrior Project. For more info or to sign up, call Ryan Armstrong at 289-9181 or anyone at Charlie Daniels Park, 758-6522.

21 May: Armed Forces Day Celebration: Starts at 11:00 a.m. Charlie Daniels Park. Short presentations by MG Max Haston, The Adjutant General, Tennessee, Representative Jim Cooper, with recognition of Mr. Acie McFarland, WWII vet and vets/wounded from other wars. Static military displays and equipment including a Blackhawk helicopter. Info is available at the Charlie Daniels front desk, 758-6522.

22 May: Flagpole Ribbon Cutting: Starts at 12:30 p.m. at the Life Assembly Church, Pleasant Grove Church, across from Wal-Mart. Come join LTG (ret) John Pickler, Vietnam Vet, former Director of the Army Staff and a survivor of the Pentagon 9/11 terrorist attacks, and the congregation of Life Assembly as it unveils the new 180’ flagpole that will be a poignant addition to the city’s southern skyline. The ceremony should last no more than 45 minutes.

30 May: Memorial Day Ceremony: Starts at 10:00 a.m., at the Veterans Memorial at Bond Funeral Home on Mt. Juliet Road/Weston Dr. Join vets, families & friends and members of the MJPD Color Guard as they pay tribute to our fallen heroes. For info call Mr. Stephen DeBord, at (276) 706-1919.

3 June: MJ’s Movie in the Park: Starts at dusk, at Charlie Daniels Park. Bring your blankets and chairs for a night of family fun. Watch the city’s web page for the title of the inaugural edition of this classic summertime event.

4 June: Community Health Day: Starts at 9:00 a.m. and runs to 1:00 p.m., Mt. Juliet Community Center at Charlie Daniels Park. University Medical Center brings together over 30 health related stations, several physicians along with medical professionals to provide absolutely free health assessments and medical info at the city’s first Health Day. For more info call reps at the Charlie Daniels Park, 758-6522.

Finally: Want to make a positive difference in our community? Take the Pepsi Refresh Project Challenge and place an on-line vote for Ava's Splash Pad at Charlie Daniels Park. You may recall just a few weeks ago MJ celebrated Ava's parents’ efforts to build a splash park at Charlie Daniels by holding "Ava's Run for a Reason", with thousands of runners and walkers raising nearly $50k towards this magnificent initiative. Just being selected to participate in the "Pepsi Refresh Project" is a tremendous honor, since only a handful of projects across the country are chosen. Here's how you can help . . . Vote now, Vote every day. Go to http://www.refresheverything.com/build-avas-splashpad or Text: 106253 to Pepsi (73774). By the way, if we win one of the $50k grand prizes, a private donor has agreed to do an equal match!
Take care MJ and talk with you later.

R. Robertson
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