City officials from Bartlett Tennessee visited today to learn about our school system as they evaluate the creation of their own.
They were interested in the organizational structure, finance, operations, and academic programs. They basically were trying to understand it all.
Dr. Lilly and his staff did a fine job presenting relevant information to our visitors. Bristol was one of three stops they made to better understand the dynamics of operating schools - they also visited Johnson City and Kingsport while in the area.
A major question will be placed before their voters in a few months to establish a separate city school system apart from Shelby County.
Way back in 1888 a decision was made to create a separate city school system here in Bristol.
Over a century later we know what a good decision was made.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Monday, January 30, 2012
Rules and regs
Rules and regulations are good, right?
Without rules and regulations there would be no law and order.
Without law and order there would be no social order.
Without social order there would be chaos and dysfunction.
With chaos and dysfunction there would be a loss of natural and legal rights.
Yes, a few rules and regulations are a good thing to have. Even those we don't particularly like.
Without rules and regulations there would be no law and order.
Without law and order there would be no social order.
Without social order there would be chaos and dysfunction.
With chaos and dysfunction there would be a loss of natural and legal rights.
Yes, a few rules and regulations are a good thing to have. Even those we don't particularly like.
Friday, January 27, 2012
Year of the dragon
The year of the dragon - It almost slipped by me.
Meaningful? Sure - if you want it to be.
A dragon signifies wisdom in many cultures. There's never enough of that.
And it's considered the luckiest year in the Chinese Zodiac. Luck is important too.
So during 2012 use all of the wisdom you possess - and welcome the luck that finds its way to you - to make it the most successful year ever.
Meaningful? Sure - if you want it to be.
A dragon signifies wisdom in many cultures. There's never enough of that.
And it's considered the luckiest year in the Chinese Zodiac. Luck is important too.
So during 2012 use all of the wisdom you possess - and welcome the luck that finds its way to you - to make it the most successful year ever.
Thursday, January 26, 2012
BPL
The Bristol Public Library hosted a luncheon for the Bristol Tennessee and Bristol Virginia city councils on Wednesday to update them on the operation of the library this past year.
Our public library is a great community asset and is widely used. Last year 319,000 patrons entered the library with 383,000 items checked out.
The summer reading program was a big hit with 3,000 children and 1,000 adults involved in the six week program. The literacy academy is also based at the library with over 800 people receiving assistance with their GED preparation and another 1,000 taking computer classes.
The Bristol Public Library - another great reason to live in Bristol.
Our public library is a great community asset and is widely used. Last year 319,000 patrons entered the library with 383,000 items checked out.
The summer reading program was a big hit with 3,000 children and 1,000 adults involved in the six week program. The literacy academy is also based at the library with over 800 people receiving assistance with their GED preparation and another 1,000 taking computer classes.
The Bristol Public Library - another great reason to live in Bristol.
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Swamp
Had an interesting conversation today about alligators in the monthly employee breakfast meeting. You just never know what will come up.
I couldn't contribute much since I know so little about alligators except that which is commonly known - where they live, what color they are, big teeth (or is it a big mouth or big snout?), etcetera.
The nice thing about the conversation was that many of us were learning about something we knew not much about - and from a teacher who wasn't on the agenda to teach this morning.
The moral of this story is that each of us has a knowledge base to educate others - never miss a teachable moment when the opportunity arises.
No matter how seemingly inconsequential, the information imparted may come in handy sometime or somewhere to someone.
Now remember that the next time you're in a Florida swamp.
I couldn't contribute much since I know so little about alligators except that which is commonly known - where they live, what color they are, big teeth (or is it a big mouth or big snout?), etcetera.
The nice thing about the conversation was that many of us were learning about something we knew not much about - and from a teacher who wasn't on the agenda to teach this morning.
The moral of this story is that each of us has a knowledge base to educate others - never miss a teachable moment when the opportunity arises.
No matter how seemingly inconsequential, the information imparted may come in handy sometime or somewhere to someone.
Now remember that the next time you're in a Florida swamp.
Monday, January 23, 2012
Options
I was thinking the other day about options - no, not the financial or legal type - but rather those that give you a choice, or better yet - choices.
Options are a really good thing to have. They don't come magically or by happenstance - most the time you have to work to get them in place. And they're as important to a person as they are to an institution like city government.
But once in place they give you opportunities to advance your target when the planned route requires a major detour; and even a viable outcome with a destination change.
The only thing worse than have one choice is having none.............. or is it?
After all, isn't one choice really no option at all?
Options are a really good thing to have. They don't come magically or by happenstance - most the time you have to work to get them in place. And they're as important to a person as they are to an institution like city government.
But once in place they give you opportunities to advance your target when the planned route requires a major detour; and even a viable outcome with a destination change.
The only thing worse than have one choice is having none.............. or is it?
After all, isn't one choice really no option at all?
Friday, January 20, 2012
Municipal Academy
The 4th annual Citizens Municipal Academy commenced last night with a class on "The Big Picture."
This 2 1/2 hour opening session is designed to provide a broad overview of city government including a quick history lesson; key demographic information; a discussion on the form of government and organizational structure; a discussion on budget and finance; and a review of strategic initiatives and goals.
Future classes in successive weeks will include presentations on recreation and leisure services; fire and emergency medical services; community and economic development; public works and utilities; and police and emergency communications.
The academy graduates will be treated to a reception and will be presented at the March 6th Council meeting when they will be publicly recognized for their participation.
The CMA is a great way to better acquaint our residents about the operation of city government in an intimate setting and is always an enjoyable activity for the participants and presenters alike - I give it a thumbs up.
This 2 1/2 hour opening session is designed to provide a broad overview of city government including a quick history lesson; key demographic information; a discussion on the form of government and organizational structure; a discussion on budget and finance; and a review of strategic initiatives and goals.
Future classes in successive weeks will include presentations on recreation and leisure services; fire and emergency medical services; community and economic development; public works and utilities; and police and emergency communications.
The academy graduates will be treated to a reception and will be presented at the March 6th Council meeting when they will be publicly recognized for their participation.
The CMA is a great way to better acquaint our residents about the operation of city government in an intimate setting and is always an enjoyable activity for the participants and presenters alike - I give it a thumbs up.
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