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, August 19, 2011

Update: August 19, 2011

Good Afternoon MJ:

A couple weeks ago you may have read articles in our local papers about some vandalism that took place in MJ’s South Park, off Belinda Parkway. I’m pleased to tell you today that several juveniles have been identified in this matter and are being dealt with appropriately. Special thanks to Detective Joe Riddle for the good work on this one.

Know a professional looking for a job? R&D Fixtures of Mt. Juliet is hiring Cabinet Makers and Metal Fabricators. Applicants need to have at least three years of experience. Send resumes to: Bill Wicks, R&D Fixtures, 490 Industrial Drive Mt. Juliet, Tennessee 37122. No Phone Calls Please. Also, the soon to open Mapco station at the intersection of Lebanon and North Mt. Juliet Roads advises they are hiring. For more info check out their web page.

Paving on Lebanon Road is done . . . it looks super! The TDOT, Region 3 Deputy Director advised today they’ll soon start the appropriate painting and signage to add bike lanes along the route. He also indicates they are on track to have the all lanes of the North Mt. Juliet Road widening project drivable by late this Fall. Every indication is both TDOT and the Contractor are doing very well on this project.

Here’s some business openings Kenny Martin, MJ’s Economic Development Director, advises have just occurred or are in the window:

- Los Compadres is now open for business. They are located on Lebanon Rd., close to the site where the new Lexon Insurance is under construction.
- Pizza Hut Carry out is opening in Providence Commons, close to Publix South.
- Roadhouse Subs, also located in Providence Commons should be opening in the next month.
- Diamond Dance Academy, another new business for Providence Commons is also projected to be up in the next 4 to 6 weeks.
- The new Maristone Assisted Living Complex in now taking residency applications. They are located in the Providence area, near Two Rivers Ford.
- Firestone at The Paddocks should be operational within the next 4 to 6 weeks.
- Murphy Oil, also in The Paddocks, should be moving earth in the near future.
- McDonalds has been approved for a new restaurant in the Providence Commons area.
- A Jonathan’s Grill is coming. This promises to be one of MJ premiere restaurants.
- The Faulkner Center, on Mt. Juliet Road will have a Merle Norman Cosmetics, Elegant Diamond Jewelers as well as an exercise facility and a hair/nail salon hopefully up in time for the holiday’s.

Remember: Shop MJ First.

Captain Marty Heckman of WEMA advises ground sites for all three of the additional WEMA emergency sirens MJ purchased have been approved. They include: across from Brookstone Subdivision; at Mt. Juliet Elementary on West Division; and across from the Providence Marketplace. Marty states he hopes to have the sirens operational by September. Thanks for your help Marty.

Need to get rid of a few of those household “treasures”, or looking for a place to make some great buys? They are both in the same place, at the MJ Annual Community Flea Market, next Saturday, 27 August, at the Charlie Daniels Park, starting at 7 a.m. We’ve already have close to 20 vendors signed up but there’s room for lot’s more. For details or to secure a booth, call the MJ Community Center front desk at 758-6522. See you there.

Finally, federal officials from Oak Ridge National Lab, Community & Regional Resilience Institute briefed about 30 county and city officials, along with transportation, faith-based, utilities, roads, non-profit and business sector leaders this afternoon regarding Mt. Juliet’s selection as a pilot city for the Community Resilience System (CRS). Those in attendance learned what steps the federal government has done since 9/11 to help assist and improve a community’s capabilities and timeliness in recovering from manmade, natural or economic disasters. Mt. Juliet will join 10 cities from across the U.S. testing a community oriented, automated driven assessment system to better prepare for issues such as those recently faced in cities like Joplin, Missouri; Huntsville, Alabama; towns across the Gulf, or in scenarios involving the loss of major employers. You’ll be seeing more about this here and in the media, but for now, congratulations MJ on your inclusion in this process.

That’s all for this week. Take care, God Bless and talk with you later.

R. Robertson
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