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, September 23, 2011

Update: September 23, 2011

Good Evening MJ:
 
Here’s a short round up of items of interest for your weekend:
 
1.       Sometimes, in a time when it’s so easy to bash government and public servants, a little good news comes along.  We were informed today that your city team, Team Mt. Juliet, was once again named the number one award winner of “Program of Excellence Awards” from the Greater Nashville Regional Council (GNRC).  This year Team MJ captured seven (7) awards, ranging from submissions from our PD, Parks and Animal Shelter, to our Code efforts and Ground Conservation programs to the “Community Conversation” over 500 of you participated in last June.  The GNRC Program of Excellence awards are the benchmark for quality, citizen focused municipal and county-level operations and programming across governments in Middle Tennessee.  The competition includes Nashville and Davidson County Metro, Clarksville, Murfreesboro, Franklin, Brentwood, Gallatin, Hendersonville and over 60 other cities in ten counties.  Kudos to the men and women of Team MJ, those who serve you each and every day, for another absolutely outstanding year of dedicated service and superlative achievement.
 
2.       Let’s stay with some more good news this week.  We were just advised today that the MJ Parks and Recreation Department will be awarded a $20,000.00 matching grant from the KaBoom Corporation for playground equipment.  For those who follow local issues, last year MJ was the first and only city in Tennessee recognized by KaBoom, the largest outdoor play ground equipment manufacturer in the U.S., with the coveted “Playful City” designation.  We replicated the honor this year, and in doing so, postured ourselves to compete for nation-wide grants.  Thanks to the hard work of members of the Parks and Rec team, but especially to Ms. Kat Cook, who has since departed city employment, today MJ was notified that we were the “best of the best.”  Well done! 
 
3.       Speaking of the Parks, here’s a couple of upcoming events:  
 
The 30th Annual Mt. Juliet Pow Wow takes place tomorrow and Sunday, Sept. 24-25, at the Charlie Daniels Park.  Gates open 10:30 am both days.  I met with Cindy Yohala, organizer for the event, and she believes that with the weather projected to be absolutely fantastic, they may see more than last year’s estimated 7k crowd.  Tribal Dancers from around North America will be here competing for $11,000.00 in prize money.  Bring a lawn chair.  Come experience Native American Food, Native American Arts & Crafts, Dancing, Music and even an on-site Silversmith.  This is one of the events that makes MJ so unique, so plan a day at CD Park.
 
October also promises to be really busy in your Parks and Rec system.  First, on Sunday, 2 October, American Idol star Bo Bice and Curb Recording artist Martin Ramey will headline “America’s Greatest Picnic (AGP)”.  AGP is an old fashioned styled picnic to honor our “Greatest Generation”, WWII vets.  All proceeds from the day will provide Middle Tennessee WWII vets with FREE trips to the Washington, D.C.-based memorial they sacrificed so much for.   The picnic starts at noon and runs to 6:00 pm.  You know you’ll want to be there for this once in a lifetime event.
 
Don’t forget, the biggest day of the year in the MJ Parks system is coming up on Saturday, 8 October, with “Halloween in the Park”.  Without doubt, this year’s Halloween festivities promises to be bigger and better than ever before.  Come see Parks and Rec Director Jay, along with Rocky, Jan, Rose, Taylor, David, Tim, CJ, Bradley and Ty in their scariest outfits . . . oops, that was supposed to be a secret. Stay tune for more details.  
 
4.       On a final note,  the City Beautiful Fall Decorating Contest deadline has been extended until September 30th! We want you to decorate your business for fall and show your city pride. Judging takes place the week of October 3rd, so hurry and get your entry in and start decorating!  First place - $500, Second place - $200, Third place - $100. Prizes will be awarded October 10th at the Board of Commissioners Meeting.  For an entry form and more information, please go to the City of Mt. Juliet website at www.cityofmtjuliet.org or contact Tina McMahel at 288-4631 or tinamcmahel@hotmail.com 
 
Have a great weekend MJ and God Bless.
 
R. Robertson
 
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