Walking around

City work can be soooooooo boring - right?

Think not you non-civil servant types.

Sometimes it can drive you over the edge - and often in a good way.

I just happened to be managing-by-walking around this afternoon and came across this stately group - a vampierette; a cat; Jackie-O; raggedy ann; a scarecrow; and a ghostly bride - or is it a ghostly maiden-of-honor?

Thanks Darlene, Benjie, Megahn, Rebecca, Lynda, and Jaime in the Finance Department for making the day a little brighter - and feel a little less like work - for the rest of us.

Thanks for the cupcake too.

Hydrants

Hey dog lovers - don't miss the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Bark Park this Tuesday, November 1, 2011 at 4:00 p.m.

The Bark Park is the our newest recreation facility located in Charlie Robinette Park on Vance Drive across from Rooster Front.

The Bark Park is also the new home of four of the mature trees moved from the Central Elementary site last week.  The trees add a nice finishing touch to a great facility.

Bring your pooch to help christen the site - we have two matching fire hydrants awaiting the canine crowds.

Waxing

Cold today - colder than normal.

Kids didn't seem to care - pumpkin palooza was jammed this morning with hundreds of ghosts, goblins, pirates, princesses, and others in attendance to decorate their free cucurbita maxima (i.e., pumpkin).  This was the final day for the 2011 farmers market - what a great season we had.

Later today and a scant block away, the Police Department and Drug Enforcement Administration held a drug turn-in day.  Hundreds of pounds of unwanted prescription drugs were turned-in to be properly destroyed. 

Did I mention this was Saturday night before Halloween?  A large number of adult ghosts, goblins, pirates and princesses were seen moving about downtown Bristol in the early evening hours.

I suspect there will be many more howling at the waxing crescent moon this evening. peace

Titanic

100 years ago this month Mr. Fred T. Vance, a visitor at the October 6, 1911 city council meeting, made a request on behalf of Hose Company #1 of the need for a new fire horse to replace the 19-year old horse then in service.  No action was taken but the matter was referred to the Committee on Fire and Lights for investigation. 

At that same meeting, an inquiry was made regarding the lack of police enforcement of folks spitting on the sidewalks and a lack of enforcement of the "move-on" ordinance.

Times were simpler 100 years ago - or were they?

1911 - 100 years ago:

• the federal government sends 20,000 troops to the Mexican border
• the Polo Grounds grandstand and left field bleachers go up in flames
• the first Indianapolis 500 is run
• the Lost City of the Incas was discovered by Hiram Bingham
• the first woman to complete a solo transcontinental trip by horse was made
• the Mona Lisa was stolen from the Louvre
• the first transcontinental airplane flight taking 82 hours was recorded
• the South Pole is reached
• the ground breaking for Boston's Fenway Park began
• the Supreme Court dissolves Standard Oil on antitrust act violations
• the R.M.S. Titanic was launched
• Italy declares war on the Ottoman Empire

Time were simpler - perhaps in Bristol.

Catch the bus

Raise your hands:  who has ridden a city bus recently? 

OK, raise your hands again:  who likes hamburgers, hot dogs, cookies, and soft drinks?

Now with both hands held up high:  who likes free food and free transit rides on the same day?

I thought so - so come out to the Bristol Transit Customer Appreciation Day on Thursday, October 27 to enjoy a free-ride day and enjoy lunch complimentary of our transit system.  Lunch will be served from 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. on the Shelby Street side of the Downtown Center.

The Bristol Transit System operate Monday through Saturday between the hours of 6:00 a.m and 6:00 p.m.  Over 65,000 passengers are transported each year.  And for those persons unable to use the regular fixed route service, there is a special service also available for you.  Please call the transit office at (423) 989-5586 for more information.

Put your worries and mind at rest - ride the bus and leave the driving to us!

Relax

Went downtown today several times.

Visited the H.P. King Builiding on State Street to view the progress of the adaptive reuse of the former department store into a multi-use facility.

Wow.  The project is moving ahead with dispatch.  The vision is incredible - it will bring something unique to downtown Bristol that we'll all be proud.  Watch for the next announcement coming soon.

Came back later - after hours - to relax for a bit.  The downtown is so vibrant and comfortable - I think I'll go back tomorrow.

How about you?

Mayo

Do you ever have just one of those days?  You know - one of those days when the four corners of the world seem to be closing in; when minor issues seem somehow to morph into something more; when your ordered corned beef and swiss on rye and you got pastrami - with mayo.  Is that what's got you down Bunky?

Hope not - welcome it all with gusto.

Remember the world is large with many lessons to be learned - mine the corners and embrace the opportunities that you'll discover.

Remember that minor issues are granular opportunities to fix something meaningful to someone somewhere - and can result in the most deep felt thanks.

And never forget that pastrami is leaner than corned beef and healthier for you - and it's tasty too.

There's a whole lot more good days ahead - and we need everybody to get us there - so hold the mayo.

A few recent photos of employees at work over the weekend. Which one is Chippy?

Moving day

Moving day at the Masters is always Saturday.  That's the day when players position themselves for a win on Sunday.

Moving day in Bristol will be tomorrow - Monday.  Monday will be the first of several days when a number of of the nice, larger trees located on the Central Elementary site will be moved to their new homes.

And where are they headed you ask?  Plans call for trees to be relocated to the Downtown Center, Fairmount Elementary School, and to the Bark Park in Charlie Robinette Park.  Each relocated tree will be placed in a prominent new location.

Our contractor will be surveying the route on Sunday and the entire job should be completed in a couple of days.  Be watching for the large hydraulic tree spade that will be employed to get the job done.

Several of the trees at the Central site will stay - it's just those that are in the way of the new field uses that will be addressed. We'll be moving all that we can but unfortunately a couple will be eventually cut - one is too large to successfully transplant and the other is unhealthy.

None of us wanted to see the trees taken down - so now they won't be.

Hungry day

Busy day in Bristol today - and I tried it all.

Started out with a trip to the farmers market. Came home with homemade pesto bread, a dozen apples, a hunk of cheddar cheese, and a single-portion of German chocolate cake. All of that followed a sausage biscuit and a cup of coffee from concessions.

Next to the Central Fire Station to watch WellmontOne land - it was a perfect landing in a tight spot. More later.

Off to Steele Creek Park on bike for the wildlife weekend. Met Chippy, the new park mascot; chatted with friends and staff; and then to downtown to visit Boyd's Bicycle Shop. What a great business and downtown institution - had a slow-leak in the back tire that they promptly replaced and then to the Fire Department open house.

Ever have one of those hungry days?  A few pizza slices, hot dogs, and tortilla chips later, wandered over to WellmontOne air transport to make a close inspection. Quite an impressive bird which is great to have stationed in our own backyard.

The afternoon was as eventful.  A long hike on the spillway trail at South Holston Lake and then a day ending visit to Inari Wines Gourmet Market - another great downtown business.

A days full of activities rolled into one beautiful fall day - another great reason to live in Bristol.

Winning formula

I had a great opportunity to visit with the Board of Education last night and share information about city finances and our efforts to grow our economy.

We focused on community development and the importance for the city to be visually attractive to enhance its image as we believe that community development precedes economic development.  After all, how can you expect a new business to invest in the community if the city is unwilling to do so itself?

I shared a number of slides (way too many I know) about the improvements that have been made:  streetscape; downtown; and educational; to name the most important few.  Luckily the slides were primarily photographs of attractive changes to our community that have taken place - new street signs, entrance signs, landscaping, decorative streetlights, and their favorite, the new Fairmount Elementary School.

My message was simple:  winners want to be with winners.  Let's win.

Ray of sunshine

We've talked about sales tax receipts in the past and the importance of that as a revenue source for the city.  The nice thing about it is it comes from all over - residents and non-residents alike - who choose to trade in Bristol.

We watch these receipts closely and with clock-work accuracy receive a monthly activity report from the state that collects it for municipalities.

The trend this month was the same as the past five months - an increase over the same period last year.  That is good news and hopefully portends of better things to come.

For purchases made in the month of August, our receipts were up 6.8 percent from August 2010.  For the first two months of this fiscal year receipts are up 9.5 percent from 2010 levels.

A ray of sunshine of good news on this rainy October day in Bristol  

Self-reliance

The steering committee tasked with drafting a strategic economic development plan met for the final time and signed-off on the plan to be presented to the City Council in November.

The committee worked hard to the end - they identified and agreed on adding a couple of new objectives to the 64 already contained in the plan and had considerable discussion on the performance metrics that will serve in part to measure plan success over the next several years.  Ten key measurements - including financial, general, and educational - will be monitored. 

As importantly, a great discussion ensued on the importance of community self-reliance - all agreed that our success will come from within through strategic partnerships that are forged.

Our community is greatly indebted to the members of the steering committee who gave of their time and talents to serve Bristol.  Thank you steering committee members - we couldn't have done it without you.

50,000 eyes

I was walking the dogs the other day and came across a leaking water meter.  How did I know that it was leaking?  First I heard the unmistakable sound of water rushing like is heard from a lawn hose followed by a visual as I searched the grass median on the side of the road for the source.  Yep, the water was shooting about two feet high - a sliver of a leak, but a leak nevertheless.  I phoned in the repair which was made later that day.

Other walks have resulted in the same scenario developing but with different needs - a missing valve cover; a bent street sign; a missing street sign; a faded no-outlet sign; a different water leak.  Each time the repair need was reported and the city folks responsible took care of it.

I wonder how often you see something that needs repair but don't let us know thinking it's not that important in the grand scheme of things.  Trust me - it all is important.

We need your eyes help us see what we might not - it is important.

Let's harness the power of another 50,000+ eyes - the next time you see a bent, faded, or missing sign; a pothole needing fixing; a water leak; or other public infrastructure that needs attention - please let us know.

We want it to be right - it's just that important.

Saturday musings

Stopped by the State Street Farmers Market today to participate in customer appreciation day.  Word must have gotten out - the market was full with customers and friends enjoying the free breakfast.  I can't recall seeing so much bacon in one place at one time - and it looked good and smelled even better.  None for me though - coffee was fine at the end of the line.

Hopped on my bicycle later in the morning and took the normal route - home to Steele Creek Park to Downtown to home.  The Steele Creek Express was whistling away on its endless journey from the station to the turnaround to the station.  I suspect it enjoys getting tucked away in the tunnel for a well-deserved rest at the end of a long day - I know I do.

I noticed that another fan has joined the 'thousands' of others that look at the blog once in awhile.  Oh - you can see that too can you?  Oops - I messed up my decimal point........

Thanks for reading. 

Passport to nature

Interested in Wildlife?

If so, come out to the 14th Annual Wildlife Weekend at Steele Creek Park hosted by the Friends of Steele Creek Nature Center & Park and our own Parks and Recreation Department.

On Friday, October 14 an evening program titled "porch light insects" by Larry McDaniel will follow the photography contest awards and reception in the Lodge.  The award ceremony will start at 6:30 p.m.

A day full of activities will begin at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday the 15th including bird banding, nature hikes, wildflower & mushroom walks, lots of kids activities, and much much more.

All activities are free - a deal at any price.  Call or visit the Nature Center (423.989.5616) for more details and a full schedule of events.

Mushrooms?  Hmmm, I could use a few good ones atop my next pizza project - but I guess I better not.  peace

Party softball style

The City Council recently awarded two bids in the combined amount of $666,000 for improvements at Rotary Park (behind Pfizer) including the reconstruction of two softball fields on the site, the construction of a locker room and score tower/concession stand; and a new entry road with an on-site parking lot from Ash Street.  One additional contract for field lighting is yet to be awarded. 

The fields will be used by Tennessee High and Vance Middle School girls softball teams during their seasons and will be available for city recreation league use during other times.  The project will be cost shared by the city and the school system - another example of a great working relationship.

Back in February 1940, the city fathers (sorry but they were all men) adopted a resolution at the request of the then movement to establish professional baseball in Bristol indcating a willingness to sell or lease Rotary Field to parties that would bring organized baseball to town.  I guess nobody came to the party with an offer - a good thing for girls softball today.

Early bird

Come by the State Street Farmers Market this Saturday for the 12th annual customer appreciation day.  Enjoy the bountiful breakfast including biscuits and gravy, scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon, and slices of locally grown fresh tomatoes.  Wash it down with hot coffee and juice - all for you to enjoy as a friend and customer of the market.

While at the market, pick up your free copies of the 2011 market poster series.  The six posters are great for framing.

Never been to the market before - no problem.   Come down and meet our farmers, craft vendors and staff - everyone is welcome.

Breakfast will be served from 8:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. or as long as supplies last.

Remember the early bird gets the worm.

Crème brûlée

The City Council and Board of Education toured city school buildings today to see firsthand the improvements that have been made as part of the $8.5 million school energy conservation initiative.

Avoca Elementary School, Vance Middle School, and Tennessee High School were all visited to see the improved educational environment resulting from the new lighting, HVAC, computerized control systems, windows, and other improvements resulting from the project.  The day started at Fairmount Elementary School which was a great reminder of how important it is to have top-notch school buildings - and the new Fairmount Elementary certainly didn't and doesn't disappoint.

The energy conservation project is funded with a combination of $5,088,000 in grant and loan funds from the Tennessee Energy Efficient Schools Council and $3,500,000 in general obligation bond proceeds.

The energy conservation measures will significantly reduce operating expenses while improving the learning environment in the schools.  Saving in energy expenses through a performance based contract provides the resources to pay the debt associated with the improvements.

Six school buildings are being upgraded with the project now approximately 90% complete.

The participants also enjoyed a great lunch at Tennessee High prepared by the advanced culinary arts students under the direction of Chef Almaroad.  I hear that it concluded with Crème brûlée for dessert ........ I guess that will teach me for leaving early.    peace

Open House

Mark your calendars to visit the 2011 Fire Department Open House on Saturday, October 15 at the Central Fire Station, 211 Bluff City Highway.  The event will take place between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.

Firefighters will demonstrate various items of safety and rescue equipment including Bristol Virginia's mobile smoke trailer and our "Patches and Pumper" fire safety robot.  Fire personnel will also provide hands-on portable fire extinguisher training and will distribute important fire safety information.

The Wellmont One medical helicopter will also be on display and its flight crew will be available to discuss emergency medical flights - you won't want to miss that.

Come see the equipment and meet the folks that keep Bristol a safe place to live - and while you're at it, enjoy the refreshments including hot dogs, potato chips, popcorn, drinks, and dessert.

Saturday, fire trucks, a helicopter, our own public safety heroes, and free food - what could be better than that?   peace