Welcome! ....to the Tennessee Technology Center.

Forgive me for being a little late in posting anything on this, but I certainly wanted to welcome the Tennessee Technology Center to the City of Springfield and Robertson County.

If you have not heard of the TTC, take a look here.

Just a look at what is immediately in store

“We’ve brought in the equipment for the nursing CNA program,” Lenz said. “We ran a survey to see if there was enough interest in making [licensed practical nurse] classes available and there wasn’t at this time, but we will do it again in the fall. We’ll ask the Board of Nursing for permission to start an LPN class as soon as we get a survey that justifies beginning an LPN class.”

And,

Lenz said the school will begin open courses for Introduction to Computer in June. “This class will teach people how to access their bank account, how to use their email, how to fix simple problems using their computer at home; how to print; how to Skype your grandchildren,” he said. “Those classes will be offered in day and at night.”

And,

Lenz said the TTC campus will be open for any kind of special industry classes for businesses, including Microsoft Office, Microsoft Word and Excel. He said the staff will be open to teaching classes such as a billing and coding class and other areas of interest."

This facility is the old "Alternative School" - you might recall my discussing this project here. It was certainly an easy vote, and I am proud to have voted to provide this building for the TTC.

 

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Robertson County Growth Plan: Hope to See YOU Tonight!

By now you have probably heard of tonight's Public Workshop at Highland Crest Community College campus where the draft of the Robertson County Growth Plan will be presented - TONIGHT at 5:00pm.

Here are my comments in the Robertson County Times

“We can’t stress enough how important the input of residents and business owners is for the success of this project,” said Jonathan Garner, chair of the project’s steering committee. “This plan will affect everyone in Robertson County in some way, so providing ample opportunity to have issues addressed is very important to us."

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Robertson County Growth Plan: "Can A County Outside Nashville Grow Without Losing Its Fams?

And, this was the precise question we tried to answer this morning on Nashville Public Radio.

We being Robertson County Chamber of Commerce CEO Margot Fosnes, Robertson County Mayor Howard Bradley and myself.

How did we do?

 

Posted with Blogsy

Tennessee Farmland Legacy Conference

Many of you will remember Cumberland Region Tomorrow (“CRT”) – I had posted their own coverage of our Comprehensive Growth Plan (“CGP”).

It has been a privilege working with Bridget Jones of CRT, as she has provided us with a great deal of insight and advice in coordinating and in moving forward with the CGP.

Recently, Robertson County Chamber of Commerce CEO Margot Fosnes and Mayor Bradley (I was also invited, but regretfully could not attend because of worked related scheduling) attending CRT’s “Farmland Legacy Conference” – both had an opportunity to share with the conference attendees what is going on with our CGP.

Here are video excerpts from that conference – please take a moment to check it out.

December Commission Packet

Many of you may know this already, but just as a reminder, our “December Commission Packet” can be found here. They are regularly posted on the Robertson County website approximately a week before each Regular Meeting of the Robertson County Commission.

As you know, the “commission packets” are our monthly agendas for the Robertson County Commission “Regular Meetings.”

The Week of December 17, 2012

MEETINGS SCHEDULED

December 17, 2012 – December 21, 2012

Date & Committee/Board             Time                    Location

Monday – Dec. 17

Animal Services                                                    6:00 p.m.                      RCOB

Finance                                                                  6:30 p.m.                      RCOB

County Commission                                            7:00 p.m.                      RCOB

Tuesday – Dec. 18

911 Board                                                             9:00 a.m.                       ECC Building

EMS                                                                        5:00 p.m.                      EMS Buildin

Wednesday – Dec. 19

OPEN

Thursday – Dec. 20  

Highway Commission                                         10:00 a.m.                      Highway Office

Friday – Dec. 21

OPEN

The Week of December 10, 2012

MEETINGS SCHEDULED WEEK OF

December 10, 2012 – December 14, 2012

Date & Committee/Board             Time                    Location

Monday – Dec. 10

OPEN

Tuesday – Dec. 11

Law Enforcement/Workhouse Board              5:00 p.m.                             Sherriff’s Conf. room

Solid Waste                                                          6:00 p.m.                             RCOB

Wednesday – Dec. 12

Airport Board                                                       8:00 a.m.                              Airport

RTA                                                                        10:00 a.m.                           Nashville

GNRC                                                                     11:00 a.m.                           Nashville

MCHRA                                                                 Noon                                     Nashville                             

Thursday – Dec. 13  

Zoning Board of Appeals                                    6:00 p.m.                             RCOB

Friday – Dec. 14

OPEN

Federal, State and Local Inmates: What is OUR Responsibility?

How might this apply to Robertson County? Well, in my humble opinion, this County relies too much on “state” (“Tennessee Department of Corrections” or “TDOC”)) prisoners as well as federal prisoners to – and, I quote folks around government - “make” money or “generate revenues.” You are reading this correctly, there are folks in and around your county government who believe that “the jail” (the “Robertson County Detention Facility”) is an opportunity to increase our county revenues.

Robertson County Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony

Here is just another quick reminder about tonight’s tree lighting ceremony in Springfield at the Courthouse Square – we will look forward to seeing you there this evening!

The county is scheduled to light up a Christmas tree at the county courthouse in Springfield at 5 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 30.

This year, a permanent Christmas tree – a blue spruce – is being planted at the corner of the courthouse building nearest to the red light at the intersection of Fifth Avenue and Main Street.

The Week of December 3, 2012

MEETINGS SCHEDULED WEEK OF

December 3, 2012 – December 7, 2012  

Date & Committee/Board           Time                    Location

Monday – Dec. 3

Buildings and Grounds                  5:00 p.m.                     RCOB

County Growth Plan workshop     5:30-7:30 p.m.             First Presbyterian

School Board                                 7:00 p.m.                     Central Office

Tuesday – Dec. 4

County Growth Plan workshop     5:30-7:30 p.m.             Cross Plains City Hall

Wednesday – Dec. 5

County Growth Plan workshop      11:30 a.m.-1:30p.m.    Adams Clubhouse 

 

Thursday – Dec. 6  

County Growth Plan workshop      5:30-7:30 p.m.             Coopertown ES                        

Friday – Dec. 7

OPEN

Red River Preserve: Business Feasibility Study

It is great to see this project being discussed in the news – these next couple of months will be critical for the project’s moving forward. The culmination of over two years work will likely be at a pivot point over the next two to three months.

Check out this discussion with County Mayor David McCullough of Cheatham County.

Cheatham County mayor David McCullough said officials should have the study sometime next month.

He said it will first be reviewed by the industrial development boards and Chamber of Commerce and ECD representatives in both counties as well as himself and Robertson County mayor Howard Bradley.

If officials believe the park is financially feasible, the goal is to get a copy of the study to county commissioners the first week of January.

McCullough said a joint meeting will be held the second week in January for Cheatham and Robertson officials, pending a decision to move forward on the park. The meeting would be held in Robertson County as Cheatham County previously hosted a similar meeting in July.

I really do not think folks grasp just what this projects means for Robertson County, but not just for Robertson County and Cheatham County – the entirety of Nashville and Middle Tennessee.

Robertson County Food Banks Need YOUR Help

Just thought I would pass this along due to the circumstances -

Food banks throughout Robertson County are facing supply shortages as the winter months and holidays approach.

Mary Jackson, with United Ministries, said the shelves get pretty low each year between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

“This is our most dire time of year,” Jackson said. “We’re in need of non-perishable foods, canned meats, vegetables, peanut butter and cereal.”

It is a blessing to be apart of so many civic groups that contribute to these ministries, and Jillian and I try each year to participate with our church, Springfield Baptist Church. I am not saying this to tout what we do, but I am saying this as someone who believes in these ministries, and what they do for our community.

If you have an oppurtunity, follow the links that I have embedded in the "sidebar" and find out a way that you can contribute and help!

The Week of November 26, 2012

MEETINGS SCHEDULED

November 26, 2012 – November 30, 2012

Date & Committee/Board           Time                    Location

Monday – Nov. 26

EMS                                              5:00 p.m.              EMS Building

Tuesday – Nov. 27

Highway Commission                     7:00 p.m.              Highway offices

                                   

Wednesday – Nov. 28

Safety                                            8:30 a.m.              Co. Mayor’s Office    

Thursday – Nov.29

OPEN

                                                           

Friday – Nov. 30

OPEN

White House Library Expansion

I try to keep up with our neighbors in Montgomery, Cheatham and Sumner Counties - it is always a good method to assess where we are in Robertson County. Not to mention, in Sumner County, we share municipalities.

This story has to do with the City of White House, and the Sumner County Commission's allocating funds for a library expansion project.

Raising the funds for a library in White House has already began. Mayor Mike Arnold said a bond issuance would likely be taken out for the project, which is expected to break ground in the summer of 2013. While the city’s current 4,000-square-foot library is located on the Robertson County side of White House, the proposed new 25,000-square-foot facility would be in Sumner County.

“We are estimating it would cost about $3 million,” said Elizabeth Kozlowski, director of the White House Library. “We are going to be putting it in front of city hall, because the city already owns that land.”

The excitement for residents, said Kozlowski, is the additional 21,000 square feet of space for new and expanded programs the new facility would have, which would include a second floor for meeting space.

2012 Election Season Coming to a Close

Well, and I should be a little reserved when saying this, this most recent election season is finally coming to a close - pending any action taken by some of these candidates.

The votes in alderperson's race in the City of Springfield and the city commissioner's race in the City of Cedar Hill have been tallied.

Comprehensive Growth Plan & Cumberland Region Tormmorow

Here is yet another reference to our Robertson County Growth Plan (“CGP”) OUTSIDE of Robertson County – this article from Cumberland RegionTomorrow (“CRT”).

Many, many thanks to Bridget Jones of CRT for passing this article along to me. Robertson County can look forward to being publicized in a forthcoming newsletter discussing our efforts with the CGP.

Here is a blurb from the article describing Robertson County,

....a Blessed and Happy Thanksgiving!

Words that were applicable 30 years ago, 150 years ago, and 300 years ago....and, even  today. 

Since the Pilgrims observed the initial Thanksgiving holiday in 1621, this
occasion has served as a singular expression of the transcending spiritual
values that played an instrumental part in the founding of our country.
One hundred and twenty years ago, in the midst of a great and terrible civil
conflict, President Lincoln formally proclaimed a national day of Thanksgiving
to remind those “insensible to the ever watchful providence of almighty God” of
this Nation’s bounty and greatness. Several days after the dedication of the
Gettysburg battlefield, the United States celebrated its first national  

Thanksgiving. Every year since then, our Nation has faithfully continued this
tradition. The time has come once again to proclaim a day of thanksgiving, an
occasion for Americans to express gratitude to their God and their country.
In his remarks at Gettysburg, President Lincoln referred to ours as a Nation
“under God.” We rejoice in the fact that, while we have maintained separate
institutions of church and state over our 200 years of freedom, we have at the
same time preserved reverence for spiritual beliefs. Although we are a
pluralistic society, the giving of thanks can be a true bond of unity among our
people. We can unite in gratitude for our individual freedoms and individual
faiths. We can be united in gratitude for our Nation’s peace and prosperity when
so many in this world have neither. 

As was written in the first Thanksgiving Proclamation 120 years ago, “No human
counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things.
They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God.” God has blessed America and
her people, and it is appropriate we recognize this bounty. 

NOW, THEREFORE, I, RONALD REAGAN, President of the United States of America, in
the spirit of the Pilgrims, President Lincoln, and all succeeding Presidents, do
hereby proclaim Thursday, November 24, 1983, as a National Day of Thanksgiving,
and I call upon Americans to affirm this day of thanks by their prayers and
their gratitude for the many blessings upon this land and its people. 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 15th day of
September, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and eighty-three, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and eighth.

Happy Thanksgiving, to you and yours! Count your Blessings, one by one, not just today, but  each and every day!

Robertson County Director of Schools Search: Timeline

The Robertson County School Board has recently released a timeline for the ongoing Director of Schools search.

The board decided at the Nov. 5 school board meeting to bring in candidates to be interviewed the third week in March, following the system’s spring break. Interviews of the five semi-finalists will be conducted in one day, Saturday, March 23, with plans to choose the new director by the following Monday, March 25.

The State of [Robertson County] Schools

I was able to attend this event hosted by The Robertson County Chamber of Commerce and Robertson County Schools(“RCS”). This article was written in advance of the event.

The State of the Schools event organized in conjunction with the Robertson County Chamber of Commerce will be held Thursday, Nov. 15 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Springfield High School. Topics include accountability, local school scores and their trends, school building plans for the county and an update on the search for the next schools director. A question-and-answer session is reportedly planned.

I appreciate RCS having a frank discussion with members of the community with regard to the “state” of the school system.

Overall, at times, it was readily apparently that RCS was defensive about the scores. I can certainly understand that posture with the discussions being held in our communities. Just imagine what RCS would be like if we could address the issues we have with the Springfield cluster….

Here is a previous article by the Robertson County Times related to the system-wide scores. Apparently, this article was the source for the angst expressed continuously by RCS.

Comprehensive Growth Plan: Online Surveys

The following in announcement/press release regarding online surveys that can be completed in order to assist in the Comprehensive Growth Plan effort.

It is a way that you can help with Robertson County’s Comprehensive Growth Plan without leaving your home! Follow the link below to complete the online survey.

Though, I certainly encourage you to attend the upcoming Community Workshops, please take a couple of moments to assist Robertson County in this effort.