Approach

It never ceases to amaze the efforts city staff make - day in and day out - to provide services in an efficient and fair way.

No matter the situation or person - the goal is to be uniform in application and to do what can be done.

And as importantly - if it shouldn't be done - then it isn't.

That consistently of approach says volumes about the organization - and should provide comfort that city government is looking out for you.

Remember

Memorial Day - a day of remembering the men and women who died while serving in our Armed Forces - was celebrated on Monday.

A fitting national tribute - but let's do more.

Commit to remembering those fallen heroes continuously throughout the year.  Nothing is more deserving - or important.

MTAS

The Municipal Technical Advisory Service (MTAS), an agency of The University of Tennessee Institute for Public Service, provides technical assistance to 350 cities and towns across the state.

Its mission - to meet the challenge of providing timely, valuable information, and assistance to Tennessee cities to build better communities.

Simple enough - but to know it is to know that it is much, much more.

With municipal management professionals with expertise in all municipal functions, MTAS exists for the sole purpose of helping cities - and help they do.  MTAS annually completes more than 1,000 major municipal management projects and provides an average of 6,000 other services each year - including many of them here for us in Bristol.

All a city has to do is ask - and a consultant is available to assist in the development of practical and individualized solutions. 

And the cost - zip, zero, nada. Almost all of MTAS's services are free due to the vision and wisdom of the Tennessee General Assembly that provides a direct state appropriation and a portion of the local share of the statewide sales tax to fund it - something it has done now since 1949.

MTAS is a jewel and the envy of other states - and it is my distinct pleasure to join its ranks as a management consultant late in June.  Perhaps the 35 years of municipal management experience gained in five cities in three states will be useful to the 40 cities in Middle Tennessee that I will directly support.  I suspect it will. 

Stay tuned

Today was one of the best days each month that I have  - breakfast with employees day.

What a great way to start the morning.  Just a nice chat on various items of interest both professionally and personally.  Always frank and candid, with purpose and meaning.  The kind of talk friends have as there is no boss in the room at these events.

Today was the last breakfast that I'll be attending with my planned departure in June.

Oh, I haven't mentioned that before - but will provide details soon.  

So stay tuned - we'll leave the light on for you.

Angiosperm

OK folks, you've asked for more..........and here it is.

The latest edition of Steele Creek Explorer hosted by Jeremy Stout.

Want to know more about wildflowers?  Click here:  Steele Creek Explorer

Thanks Jeremy - they keep getting better and better.

Democracy

Every other year the city holds an election for the privilege to serve on the city council.

This year is that year; in fact, today is that day.

Given early voting interest, a large turnout is expected to fill three seats on council and three on the board of education.  Democracy in action - and that's a really good thing to see.

Perhaps Sir Winston Churchill summed it up best in a speech in the House of Commons in 1947: 

No one pretends that democracy is perfect or all-wise. Indeed, it has been said that democracy is the worst form of government except all those other forms that have been tried from time to time.

So vote if you haven't; and vote every time you can.  We'll all be better off because of it.

Scofflaw

Scofflaw - one of the great words of all time in municipal government.

The word - which combines scoff + law - was the winning entry during a Prohibition era national contest to characterize a person who drinks illegally.

It is now most commonly used to define a person who flouts the law, esp. by failing to comply with a law that is difficult to enforce effectively.

Scofflaw - hard to address, so please don't be one.  Your city government will thank you for it.

Officer of the year

It's always nice when nice guys - in this case a really nice guy - is recognized for outstanding service.

Congratulations to Clint Hull for being selected Tennessee officer of the year by the Optimist Club of Bristol TN/VA.  Virginia Officer Brandon Barr was similarly recognized

You'll see Clint often when you visit downtown Bristol - and when you do, congratulate him for a job well done.

City management 101

Surround yourself with the best and brightest staff and be the dumbest in the room.

Alliteration

Belk, Bass, Birthplace, BMS, and Bristol - are you sensing a pleasing pattern here?

Signs

Things remain very busy around city hall these days - much is underway.

A number of commercial construction projects are about to launch after a number of lean years following the great recession of 2007.

Importantly, the Belk groundbreaking takes place tomorrow at the Pinnacle.

Signs of recovery are in the air - and everywhere.

Housing assistance

Through the good work of the Community Development Department, the city has accessed new grant funds for emergency housing repairs under the Federal Home Loan Bank's Accessibility Rehabilitation Program.

The city, through the Bank of Tennessee and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati, may access up to $75,000 for emergency repairs and accessibility modifications to owner-occupied homes.  Up to $7,500 may be spent per home.  These are private bank funds that do not require a local match.

This new program serves as a valuable addition to our housing assistance efforts as the spending requirements of the other programs are very limited for emergency repairs. 

Emergency repairs include items such as a roof or heating system replacement; while accessibility modifications may involve installing grab bars/handrails, widening doors, erecting handicap ramps, and others.

Interested persons may contact the Department of Community Development to discuss qualification requirements.

Nicker

An archaic definition for the word Orb is to encircle- and boy did he.

Orb was winner of the 139th running of the Kentucky Derby on Saturday at Churchill Downs.

I hear he was heard nickering with happy anticipation in the stable after the race:  "I'll have another."

And perhaps he will - at the Preakness in two weeks - just like the chestnut a year ago.

Do it

The best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago.

The second best time is today.    Chinese Proverb

Market

Saturday marks the opening of the 2013 season for the State Street Farmers Market - 8:00 a.m. sharp.

The first in the series of 6 free market posters will be available while supplies last.  

This year the posters will feature gardeners and cooks from a simpler time.

Stop by the market - you'll be glad you did.

And so will be your farmer friends.

Encore

The fashion department store Belk announced today that it will be building a new two-level, 132,000 square foot store at the Pinnacle at Exit 74.

A grand opening is set for the Spring of 2015.

Belk joins Bass Pro Shops as the second anchor tenant to commit to the 250-acre Pinnacle, a 1.2 million square foot open-air, mixed-use regional destination center.

Great news during this, the 125th anniversary of Belk.  Welcome to the Volunteer State!