Update: October 13, 2011

Good Evening MJ:

A few updates as we head into the weekend:

1. Thanks to a couple of you who have expressed interest in participating in the Community Resiliency System (CRS) initiative which MJ is serving as one of 7 pilot cities in the U.S. If you would like more info on CRS or how to participate, please call Mark Hinesley, President of the MJ/West Wilson Chamber of Commerce, at 758-3478, or me at 754-2552 for more details. Our inaugural meeting will be in early November, so there’s plenty of time to check out some details.

2. September was another great month for sales tax receipts across MJ with nearly $22k more than in September 2010 ($500k v $478k). Remember how important it is to our local economy and our own businesses to “Shop MJ First.”

3. Several local church youth groups are partnering together to host a “Glow Party” at the Charlie Daniels Rec Center on Saturday, 22 October, from 8:00 pm to midnight. A nominal entry fee will be charged which will cover the cost of glow sticks, refreshments, music and more. This promises to be a great event for our teens (13 to 18), and the churches and Parks and Rec Team who are sponsoring this have asked me to encourage all our readers to let your teen’s know this truly great activity. For more info or to help with the cost of the event, call Taylor Bates (566-1660) or Tim Henson (642-6130).

4. Kudos to the MJ Parks and Rec Team and our own PD for great planning and execution of last week’s Halloween in the Park. We estimate about 6k rolled through the park that afternoon, loading up on tons of candy, sun and fun. One of the more interesting things I found from manning the city’s booth is how many of you there were who were already on Nixle. Most of the people I spoke with about signing up said they’ve been on for months and how much they loved the service. For our newcomers, you are an army of nearly 2,300 and growing. Tell your friends to sign up by going to the city’s web page (www.cityofmtjuliet.org) and go to the “Nixle” logo at the bottom left side of the screen.

5. A couple events to be on the lookout for: first, Sam's Sprint 5k Run, this Saturday (15 Oct). Sign up at 7 a.m. with the run/walk starting at 8 a.m. For those who don’t know, Sam's Sprint was created to honor the memory of infant Sam Clark, from here in MJ. Through your kind donations, last year Sam’s Sprint was instrumental in underwriting the cost of creating our “Squirrel’s Run” tot area at Charlie Daniels Park. This year proceeds from the run will go to support the Mt. Juliet Library. What a fantastic way to spend what promises to be a beautiful Fall Saturday morning.
Also, MJ’s own Senior Citizens Center will be holding its own “Celebrate MJ Walk” on Saturday, 29 October, right along North MJ Road. Vicky Yates, News Channel 5 Anchor, will serve as the Honorary Chair and Official “Celebrate Mt. Juliet Walk” Starter for this 6 mile event. Registration starts at 0600, ( yes, that’s 6 a.m. for the rest of you), with opening events at 6:45 a.m. For more details google the “MJ Senior Citizens Activity Center.” Proceeds go to the Center in it’s expanding mission to improve services for our senior population.

6. Did you see the latest edition of the front page of the MJ News? Our own Casey Binion, Project Officer for the NMJR widening project was interviewed, and reiterated, that barring major bouts of inclement weather, all 5 lanes of the road should be “drivable” by the end of the year. While there’s still touch up work to be done, this will be months ahead of what was forecasted when the project started. Many thanks to LoJac, TDOT, the City of MJ, Piedmont Gas, MTEMC, TDS, WWUD, Comcast, and others who have been involved in this tremendously complicated and expensive endeavor. Also, a special thanks to all the businesses and home owners along NMJR, and to our commuters for your patience and consideration. It’s been a long journey but the end is in sight.

7. On a final note, hopefully by early November, we’ll be looking to unveil a major initiative in City Hall with our plans to go to a “311” call in system. You’ll no longer need to remember a whole litany of phone numbers for individual city departments, by using a easy to use, menu driven prompt, you’’ be able to go straight to the department you wish to talk to. There’s still a few more “bugs” to work out, but we’re shooting to be up in the next few weeks.

Have a great weekend. Take care, God Bless and talk with you later.
R. Robertson

Update: October 7, 2011

Good Afternoon MJ:

It’s the day before our annual “Halloween in the Park” blast, and your Parks and Rec Team are busy with last minute preparations in what is traditionally our biggest and best event of the year. Please join us, and over 60 vendors tomorrow for what promises to be a beautiful Fall day. Wear your best costume. There’ll be loads of free candy, great live music, food, hay and pony rides as well as inflatables for the kids. We have over $1k in prizes donated this year for the costume contests thanks to John Barker and his crew at Two Rivers Ford. It all starts at 11:00 am.

Do you have a question on your property taxes? We had another request to publicize the property tax calculator web site. Go to http://www.tennesseetrustee.com/node/13 and just follow the menu.

Kudos to the MJ Animal Shelter’s 501 3C Board of Directors for their excellent guidance and stewardship of the Shelter’s charitable fund. Thanks to them the Shelter continues to have the resources to work with select animals without consuming additional taxpayer funds. They are, in large measure, responsible for raising both the money and food donations that has enabled the MJ Shelter to not spend any operational funds on animal food in now nearly three years. Well Done! Speaking of the Shelter, there will be an Adoption Fair at Halloween in the Park. What a great opportunity to see your prospective pet in the great outdoors.

The Mapco North Station is up and operational. We wish General Manager James and his entire team the best of luck in their bright, attractive and well-designed new store. We also want to welcome a new store, Great Price Cleaners, on Lebanon Road at the Clearview Shopping Center, to the growing roles of new MJ businesses. A few other business notes include Kay’s Jewelers build-out is going great. They should be open just in time for the holidays; the Massage Envy at Providence has an awesome new addition going up; Price’s Collision Center commercials are advertising their new MJ location will be the their largest in the state; the new Firestone Store (behind Cheddars) will hold their ribbon cutting today; and the Diamond Dance Academy at Providence Commons is open for business with a ribbon cutting scheduled for next week. Good luck to all.

Best wishes and God’s speed to the Mission Team from Grace United Methodist (UMC), Providence UMC and churches from around the nation for their mission trip to Zimbabwe, Africa the next few weeks. Under the watchful eye of Mt. Juliet’s own Dr. Paul van Burean, this team will be doing medical, social and construction work with citizens from one of the world’s most challenged nations. Safe travels.

The Annual Martin Cummings Sweet Tooth Auction to benefit United Way - specifically Mt. Juliet Sr. Citizens Center and Mt. Juliet Help Center, will be Tuesday, October 11th at 9:30, with light breakfast at 9:00. Plenty of wonderful cakes, pies, etc., to be auctioned!!! Always a lot of fun, and open to the public!! The event will be at Crye-Leike Realtors on 1285 N. Mt. Juliet Road.

On a final note, the Community Resiliency program is gearing up. To refresh your memory, MJ was selected as one of the seven pilot cities across the US to work with federal officials at Oak Ridge National Labs and the Federal Emergency Management Agency to drill into what makes some communities more resilient to natural, man-made or economic disasters. Last month several of us from MJ attended a Department of Homeland Security session of what the pilot program is designed to do, and how it will be tested in these 7 select cities. The fun part is about to begin, and we wanted to extend an invitation to one or two select persons who want to make a difference in our community, and who has some time and the skills and talents to help us move MJ forward through the program. Does any of this sound like you or someone you may know? If that’s the case call or email me at (754-2552) or Mr. Mark Hinesley, Director of the MJ Chamber of Commerce (758-3478 or cell 668-5614/ email: mtjuliet@tds.net ) to talk about “what if’s.”

Until next time, take care and God Bless.

R. Robertson

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