Get it done

The 365th day of the year is nearly over - oops, 366.  This is a leap year, almost forgot.

It's been a good year, a busy year by all accounts.

Some highs and some not so, with most in-between.  Typical in that sense.

Much has gotten done - but much more to do.

So let's get on with 2013.

Memory

A journey of a 1,000 miles starts with the first step - but never forget the path that got you to the starting line.

Give thanks

Did you get a chance this week to thank folks for all they mean to you?

If not - get on with it.  There's still plenty of time.

Winner

We had a great October for retail sales in the city - the latest month reported to us by the Department of Revenue.

So good in fact that it bested every other month since July 2004 when I first started tracking it - and probably well beyond that too.

Let's hope the trend continues as it's a great indicator of how things are going in the community.

Silence

Waiting on a return phone call, email reply, or visit that are slow in coming?

If so, don't fill the temporary void of silence with negative thoughts or connotations.

Almost without exception the delay will be innocent - and you'll fret needlessly along the way.

A new era

At the stroke of midnight on December 21, 2012 a new day will start and the current day will end.

And this cycle will repeat on the next day and the next day and on and on and on.

So the Mayans had it right - we just read more into it than we should.

Presence

Act like you've been there before - and you will be again and again.

Pipe line

In April 2012 the Downtown Bristol Redevelopment Loan Program was launched to stimulate redevelopment in downtown Bristol on both sides of the state line.

Since its inception, 6 loans have been approved.  Statistically, the average loan is $12,000 for 40 months at a 6.25% interest rate.

Importantly, the 6 loans are credited with the creation of 17 new jobs and the retention of 9 existing jobs in downtown - thanks to the vision of the Bank of Tennessee, Citizens Bank, First Tennessee Bank, Green Bank/Capital Bank, BB&T, Highland Union Bank, and Wells Fargo.

And more applications are in the pipe line for consideration.

Call

The ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Sprint customer resolution center took place today in Bristol.

Over 600 employees call this new location home.

It was nice to hear that in its first month of operation, the Bristol facility was the most productive of the 28 or so Sprint call centers across the nation.

Now that's a testimonial to be proud of.

TML

The Tennessee Municipal League District 1 meeting took place in Bristol to discuss legislative policy issues and initiatives for the upcoming first session of the 108th Tennessee General Assembly.

Councilwoman Margaret Feierabend, District 1 Director, welcomed a room full of local elected officials, city staff, and TML staff to the meeting. The size of the crowd underscored the importance of the event.

Thanks are in order to the TML staff for an outstanding presentation of the issues facing Tennessee cities - as well for the good work they do in representing the interests of Bristol and other cities in Nashville.

Job fair

A Greater Bristol Job Fair was held in downtown Bristol yesterday with over 700 persons in attendance in hopes of matching their skill sets to the needs of numerous area employers that set up booths seeking qualified candidates for employment.

The event was a huge success thanks to the event sponsors - Networks Sullivan Partnership, the Foundation Event Facility, and the City of Bristol.

Milestone

Each year in December an employee service recognition luncheon is held in honor of employees reaching the milestone years of 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40 years of service with the city.

The luncheon was held today for 50 employees with a combined 680 service years.

Four employees - Danny Bains, Jim Graham, Reford Lunsford Jr., and Clayton Smith - were recognized for 35 years of service.

And Johnnie Gorley Sr. was honored for his 40th year of service to the city.

Thanks to all employees - and in particular Johnnie, Danny, "Cracker", Reford, and Clayton - for your long and outstanding service to the community.

Flag

In December 2006, the City Council formally adopted a city flag - the same design that was used by the Sesquicentennial Committee during the city's 150^th anniversary that ended on December 31st of that year.

The flag is flown at all major city buildings each and every day.  But unless you're here to see it - you probably don't know that one exists.

So for those of you from places far away, presenting the Bristol city flag:  

Act

Knowing how to handle success is more important than defeat.

So go out and be successful - but handle it with class.

Exactly 181

The 31st annual Christmas Parade took place last night with a record number of entries - 181 to be exact.

Kids of all ages lined State Street for this much anticipated event - and another good reason to live in Bristol.

Networks

Networks Sullivan Partnership held its December board meeting and year-end review with a number of very special guests - namely, the members of the Sullivan County Commission, Kingsport Board of Mayor and Alderman, Bluff City Board of Mayor and Alderman, and the Bristol City Council.  These elected leaders had the vision to create, fund, and sustain this important economic development organization.  It represents the best in a collaborative partnership where local government works together to enhance the economic well-being of the entire county.

This past year much success was recorded in creating jobs, private sector investment, and in growing the tax base - thanks to the good work of the Board of Directors and CEO Richard Venable and his staff.

Technology investments

Two major projects received the green light by City Council last evening that will significantly enhance city technology and efficiency going forward.

The purchase of a police wireless field reporting system was approved that will provide a seamless, wireless interface between officers in the field and law enforcement computer networks.  Personnel will be able to instantly check for warrants and personal information of contacts made while performing their duties.  This system will enhance productivity and will officer safety by providing real-time information on traffic stops and police-related incidents.  This system will be 100% grant funded.

The second technology investment will result in the automation of our meter reading process, with a drive-by system to be instituted over a three-year period.  Staff productivity will be significantly enhanced with this automated process allowing for the reassignment of meter readers to other duties.

Both projects were identified as objectives in the Fiscal 2013 Goals Program.

Now on to the other 166 objectives to get done this year.

Digging deeper

The City Council honored the 15 participants in the fall 2012 Citizens Municipal Academy today with a reception and recognition ceremony at the Slater Center.

The participants showed great interest and attention during the 6-week course for which the thanks of our staff are collectively extended - it's always nice to present to a group that truly wants to be there.  They weren't shy about asking questions and digging deeper into the operations of city government.  Good for them.

Presenting the fall 2012 CMA graduates (drum roll please):

Richard D. Allison, Dale Carrick, Sara Carrick, Jennifer Carrier-Berkley, John F. Cartwright, Chris Connally, Tammy Connally, Charlotte Duncan, Julian Hernandez, Kenny Hopkings, Kathe Rainwater, Robert Rainwater, David H. Ring, Joshua Shaffer, and Mary Lou Sproles

Sugar hollow

Sugar Hollow Park in Bristol Virginia is a great public space - just as is Steele Creek Park on the Tennessee side of town.

With warm temperature and sunny skies on Sunday, Sugar Hollow became the destination for a long dog walk that included the Black Forest Trail, the wetlands area, and the top of the dam.  Many others recognized a great place on a great day to appreciate this special place.

Thanks Bristol Virginia for Sugar Hollow Park - its never looked better.