Update: June 24, 2011

Good Evening MJ:

First thanks to the more than 500 individuals who attended last night’s “Community Conversation” at MJ High School. The crowd was larger than expected, particularly for a warm weeknight evening. This possibly accentuates the interest in the information shared between the Board of Commissioners and those that were there. One interesting note was the number of clickers issued and statistics collected on the questions towards the middle and end of the night indicated the crowd continued to grow as the session progressed. And unlike a usual public hearing no one left early. Over the next few weeks we’ll be talking more about the Conversation, but for now, again, thanks to all those who came out and made your opinions known last night.

We also want to extend a special thanks to those who helped sponsor last night’s event: D.T. McCalls & Sons; H@H Supply; Mayer Electric; the Del Webb Women’s Club & Lowe’s; Corner Pub Between the Lakes; the Wilson County Joint Economic Development Board; Publix’s; Marita Wolf’s Quilter’s Path and the MJ Chamber of Commerce. Your contributions made the night even more memorable.

Our next “Movie in the Park” will be at Charlie Daniels Park on Friday, 1 July, starting about 8:30. It’s the 80’s classic, The Goonies.

Cook’s United Methodist Church will be presenting a musical Independence Day celebration featuring performances from several local musicians. The event will also honor Tyler Cates and Michael Stansbery, who were MJ natives and killed during military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. The event starts at 4 pm, on Sunday, 3 July. Cook’s is at 7919 Lebanon Rd.

The City of MJ and Tom Needham, of Needham’s Nursery, are gearing up for this year’s 4 July Fireworks Festival. Those of you who’ve been around MJ for a while know our 4 July fireworks display is one of the best in Middle Tennessee, thanks in most part to Tom’s personal donations and his expertise his shooting large firework shells. Providence Mall will be hosting various musical events throughout the late afternoon of the 4th with the main show scheduled to kick off at dusk (around 9:00 pm.). Bring a lawn chair or blanket, and come out for an evening of great family fun and visual delights. Anyway, if you were planning to take the Music City Star to the Nashville fireworks, the train is sold out.

The Animals of MJ want to extend a special thanks to Karen Lowe and the crew of the Eastern Middle TN Assn. REALTORS for the much needed supplies they donated today (over $400 worth). Remember, there’s lots of cats to choose from at your Shelter and specials on them through the end of the month. Now is the time to get the pick of the litter and a “forever friend.” When you visit, take time to consider possibly joining the “Greenshirters” as a Shelter volunteer. It could be the experience of a lifetime.

A final “thank you” this week goes out to 2 Rivers Ford, Goodyear and Life Assembly Church for their kind donations to field and equip our first ever “Community Enhancement Vehicle.” Now you’re probably asking what is a Community Enhancement Vehicle (CEV)? The CEV is the brainchild of Mr. Kenny Martin. His goal was to fully equip a pickup truck to conduct maintenance work around the city by volunteers. We often have city employees who volunteer to pick up trash, or clean the curbs of the city. Kenny’s goal was to provide them with a vehicle and the tools to do that; thus increasing interest, while at the same time providing any volunteer groups with the same capabilities. For example, this weekend a couple of local churches plan to clean up around the I-40/MJ Road intersection. The thanks goes to 2 Rivers for donating a reliable utility vehicle and identifying it with the city’s logo, Goodyear, who donated over $1k of wheels and tires, and Life Assembly Church for their $500.00 donation of materials to use in this effort. This just speaks to the uniqueness and generosity of our community. A salute for a well done goes to Mr. Martin.

That’s all for this edition. Take care and have a great weekend.

R. Robertson

Update: June 17, 2011

Good afternoon MJ:

Here's some items of interest and FYI:

1. Community Conversation: This Thursday (23 June), at 5:30, at the MJ High School, MJ will make history; come be a part of it. Through interactive technology, participants will answer questions about their vision of the city, what they think it should be, and the best way to proceed. The auditorium holds nearly 1100, but the first 600 will be issued devices allowing them to anonymously record their responses. They'll be some great prizes too including a $400 electronic starting mower from D.T. McCall's, a 32" color television, a handmade quilt from the Quilters Path, power tools and ceiling fans from H&H Suppy and Mayer's Electric, Corner Pub gift certificates and much more. Come talk with the MJ Board of Commissioners and County Mayor Hutto. We need every person coming to bring others. We want to especially invite our business owners and leaders and those who do most of their shopping in Mt. Juliet. See you there.

2. An MJ institution is leaving our city. Come wish Mrs. Mary Bacon, the long-time Chairman of the Board and President of the MJ Help Center, and her husband a fond bon-voyage as they leave for their new home in Arizona. Through Mary's diligence and persistence the Help Center grew to one of the most resourceful in Middle Tennessee. We want to wish Mary goodbye at a ceremony on Sunday, 26 June, from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Celebration Lutheran Church (at the corner of Woodridge Place and North Mt. Juliet Road).

3. Sales tax receipts for May came in this week, and we are about $20k higher than May of 2010. Even though this is great, we're starting to see a discernable slow down in the percentage of year-over-year growth in sales tax revenue. All the more reason to join us at the Community Conversation and to "Shop MJ First."

4. Looking for some great summer fun right here at home? Check out the Frisbee Golf Course at Mundy Park. It's open from dawn to dusk. If you don't have the disc you can rent them at the CD Rec Center. It's fun and cheap! Other upcoming Parks and Rec events include our 1 July Movie in the Park, The Goonies, the 4 July Firework Fest at Providence, starting at dusk, and the 23 July "Splash Day" with several water inflatable's, food and fun. As a reminder, the Charlie Daniels Gym will be close until 24 June due to resurfacing . . . it will be even better then.

5. Attention all cat lovers (and those who think they might want a feline friend). The MJ Animal Shelter has a deal for you - June is cat/ kitten month. The adoption fee is being picked up by the Volunteer Benefit Fund. Right now the Shelter has nearly 50 cats and kittens, so you'll get literally the "pick of the litter." Remember, the Shelter is always in need of volunteers. Whether you have a few hours each week or month. Even those who don't have a lot of time but can help in other ways. We need you! Call the MJ Animal Shelter at 773-5533 for more information.

6. Tired of fighting the traffic to get to work in Nashville? Financially pinched with the price of gas? Take the train. Last Friday (10 June), the Music City Star held 1455 riders . . . a record day. It's fast, easy and affordable. Tickets can be purchased at City Hall.

7. Got a gripe or concern about County services and want to be heard. The last Wednesday of every month, County Mayor Randall Hutto has office hours between 8:30 and 10:00 here in MJ City Hall. Accompanying him is the Wilson County Veterans Affairs Officer, J.C. Satterfield. If you’re a veteran or the family member of a vet, here's a chance to talk about benefits, educational issues, medical care, or any other veteran related matter. It's on a first come first serve basis, or call Rachael at 444-1383 for an appointment. The next MJ Office date will be Wednesday, 29 June.

Finally, congratulations goes out to Colonel Robert (Bobby) Hibbett of Mt. Juliet, on his pending retirement from the Tennessee Army National Guard. Not only has Bobby served our state and nation through the Guard, but he protects and serves daily as a Deputy District Attorney General for the 15th District. Well Done and thank you Sir. Hooah!

That's all for this week. See you at MJHS on Thursday, at 5:30. Take care and be safe.

R. Robertson