Participation

The city is now accepting applications for the 2013 Citizens Fire Academy.

The six week program will introduce the participants to the history of the fire service; fire safety; firefighting skills, tactics, and strategy;  basic first aid and CPR; and emergency preparation and mitigation.

The program begins on Thursday, April 18 and will continue for six successive Thursdays.

For additional information or to request a copy of the application, please contact the Bristol Fire Department at 989-5701.  Applications may also be downloaded at bristoltn.org

Integrity and pride

"Integrity and Pride" by Matthew Mills

The 11th session of the Paper Windows photography contest - "Seeing Red" - is now in the books.  The 2nd place photo of Quint 3 was taken by Matthew Mills.

Note the interesting reflection of Fire Station 3 and the U.S. and Tennessee flags flying proudly in the breeze.

Pretty much says it all. 

Partner

The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children recently recognized the Police Department and 911 Center as an official certified partner.

Over the past year, staff completed specialized training provided by the National Center on handling calls regarding missing or exploited children.

The Police Department is adopting the best practices from the National Center as policy for the department. By participating in this program, the National Center provides additional resources to the department during a missing child event.

A good place

Tennessee is on the right
and Virginia the left

The Bristol Tennessee-Virginia A Good Place to Live sign was moved to its current location in 1915 - straddling the state line.  It formerly stood atop a hardware store on the Tennessee side of town.

The original slogan -- Push!-That's Bristol -- was changed in 1921 following a slogan contest.

The sign holds over 1,300 light bulbs and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1988.

Win-win-win

One of the annual objectives for our Community Relations Department is to enhance downtown activities by scheduling events at the Paramount Center for the Arts.

The latest promotion was the Phil Vassar concert on February 14th which was a near-sellout with 700 patrons in the house.

Financially the event was successful with net revenue to the city.

But just as importantly, the lights inside the theater were bright that night and additional customer traffic was generated for our downtown restaurants and shops.

A win-win-win outcome for sure - thanks to the good work of Community Relations staff.

Access-completion-community

Northeast State held an advisory board meeting today to discuss its ongoing efforts to open a teaching site in Bristol.

Although a ribbon-cutting ceremony is not currently scheduled - such an event now appears to be close.

And what a great event that will be when it happens.

Capital planning

The City Council reviewed the five-year capital improvement plan in work session that called for $106 million in projects during the Fiscal 2014- 2018 time period.

Leading the way were General Facility improvements at $32 million followed closely by School improvements at $31 million.

A sizable amount of the projects will be funded by others - but the the majority of the spending still depends on city funds.

And all of this is why our efforts to grow our tax base is so important - to provide the school, utility, park, and other facility improvements to benefit and serve our residents and guests.

Let there be light

The next phase of the downtown streetlight improvement project was authorized by City Council that will place decorative lights on the north side of Anderson Street between Volunteer Parkway and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.  The lights will be spaced between the existing cobra head lights that will remain in place to achieve the desired look while maintaining an enhanced level of lighting along this 5-lane roadway.

In addition, 3 lights will be installed at the City Hall and City Hall Annex with one light to be placed at the main entrance, Police Department entrance, and Juvenile Services entrance. 

The ornamental poles are identical to the poles previously which replicate the lights that once stood downtown.  The poles will include banner arms and rings, a flag pole holder, an electrical outlet at the top for seasonal lighting.

An energy efficient LED lamp, which is available now for the first time, will be used that will provide the same light color as the existing metal halide lights but will be much more energy efficient and have a longer service life.    

Police academy

Are you interested in learning more about the operation of the Bristol Police Department?  If so, applications are now being accepted for the next Citizens' Police Academy that will begin on April 8 and run weekly through June 17th.

The academy is designed to provide residents with an inside look at the operations and services of the police department and includes classroom instruction and hands-on training.

Participants will learn more about patrol services, investigative services, crime prevention, and other special services.

Applications are available at www.bristoltn.org .

9:00 - 11:00 a.m.

This one almost got away but Sunday marked the start of the Chinese New Year - the Year of the Snake.  And a Water Snake in fact.

Being a water snake myself - be nice - makes this year particularly meaningful somehow for Bristol.

Perhaps our economic development discussions with our friends from the Far East will be productive this year.  Stay tuned.

Birthplace of Country Music Museum

This week the City Council approved an agreement with the Birthplace of Country Music (BCM) for the Birthplace of Country Music Museum.

The agreement provides a financial commitment of up to $600,000 with the first $300,000 to be provided in 3 annual installments of $100,000. Up to 50% of those funds may be used for pre-opening expenses with all remaining unspent funds to be placed in an operating reserve for use following the opening of the museum.  The second $300,000 will be available during the first 60 months of operation to temporarily cover any operating losses, with any such funds advanced to be repaid without interest.

The agreement further requires BCM to contract with a qualified, venue management company with experience in museum or like entertainment/educational facilities to operate the museum for a minimum period of sixty months (60) following its opening.  This requirement coincides with the period that the city has committed to backstop any temporary operating losses that may occur.

The construction of the country music museum was identified in the recently adopted strategic economic development plan as one of two special opportunities requiring special focus and attention.  

With this action, the city stepped-up in a big way to advance this important economic development project.

Grid

Sometimes you have to go off the grid.

But always return when you do.

Ghost buster

Tomorrow is February 2 - Groundhog Day.

Didn't we just blog about this Phil Connors?

Time sure does fly - make the most of it.



Or does it.......................