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.

 

Posted with Blogsy

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."

Posted with Blogsy

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

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!

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.

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!

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.

Comprehensive Growth Plan: Community Workshops (December 3rd - 6th)

Here is an announcement/press release regarding the upcoming Community Workshops that are coming up in December (12/3-6). Please mark your calendars to attend. The workshops will be conducted in Springfield, Adams, Coopertown and Cross Plains.

We hope to see you there!

Residents Are Encouraged to Attend Community Workshops and Provide Input for the Comprehensive Growth and Development Plan for Robertson County and the cities of Adams, Coopertown and Cross Plains

Workshops are in Adams, Coopertown, Cross Plains, and Springfield, December 3-6

Springfield, TN – Residents are encouraged to attend Community Workshops to learn about the  Comprehensive Growth and Development Plan for Robertson County and the cities of Adams, Coopertown and Cross Plains. The workshops are scheduled for Monday, December 3 through Thursday, December 6.  The workshops will be led by consultants with Littlejohn Engineering Associates, Inc.

The Comprehensive Growth and Development Plan will give officials a roadmap to guide future growth and development, accommodate change, and maintain the unique character of Robertson County.  “Every resident or business in Robertson County will be affected by this project in some way,” said Jonathan Garner, chair of the project’s steering committee. “Roads, housing, parks, schools, and even historic landmarks are under discussion. Public input on this project is crucial to its success.”

Gorham-MacBane Public Library: Director Resignation

In the event that you have not heard this by now, please allow me to pass along that Mary Schmidt, Library Director for our Gorham-MacBane Public Library has resigned.

Here is message from the Library Board of Trustees representative, James Marshall:

The Week of November 19, 2012

Here is a list of Robertson County Commission meetings for the Week of November 19, 2012:

Date & Committee/Board                                             Time                    Location

Monday – Nov. 19

Ceremony - honoring Meggs/Walton                           10:00 a.m.                           Courthouse

Audit Committee                                                              5:30 p.m.                             RCOB

Budget Committee                                                           6:00 p.m.                             RCOB

County Commission                                                         7:00 p.m.                             RCOB

Tuesday – Nov. 20

911 Board                                                                           9:00 a.m.                              ECC Building                      

Wednesday – Nov. 21

RTA                                                                                      10:00 a.m.                           Nashville                             

GNRC                                                                                   11:00 a.m.                           Nashville

MCHRA                                                                               12:00 p.m.                           Nashville

Thursday – Nov. 22 

COUNTY OFFICES CLOSED/HOLIDAY                                                                                                                                 

Friday – Nov. 23

COUNTY OFFICES CLOSED/HOLIDAY

Comprehensive Growth Plan: Being Discussed Throughout Middle Tennessee

These are several articles that I have posted on Facebook, but I wanted to share them here on “From the Blackpatch.”

It certainly seems that our Comprehensive Growth Plan is being discussed throughout Middle Tennessee.

Check out these two articles:

From The Nashville Ledger:

Residents are encouraged to attend Community Workshops to learn about the Comprehensive Growth and Development Plan for Robertson County and the cities of Adams, Coopertown and Cross Plains. The workshops will be led by consultants with Littlejohn Engineering Associates, Inc. The Comprehensive Growth and Development Plan will give officials a roadmap to guide future growth and development, accommodate change, and maintain the unique character of Robertson County.

RC Comprehensive Growth Plan in the Nashville Post

Friends of mine on Facebook undoubtedly saw where I had posted this a couple of weeks ago, but I wanted to share this post here on “From the Blackpatch.”

The Nashville Post covered our Comprehensive Growth Plan in a quick article. It is always great to see Robertson County being showcased for the rest of Middle Tennessee.

Comprehensive Growth Plan: Website

Over the last few weeks, the Robertson County Comprehensive Growth Plan (CGP) has kicked off, and is now in high gear.

One of the partners, the Robertson County Chamber of Commerce has graciously offered to allow the CGP to utilize their website – check it out here: http://robertsonchamber.org/growth

“Bookmark” this website so that you can periodically check for updates and the progress being made with on your CGP.

MPO: Robertson County is Still Waiting....

You may have seen this story recently – hopefully the MPO (the “Metropolitan Planning Organization”) will make a decision soon as to accepting Robertson County as a member.

I have spoken about the MPO before, but if you need additional information as to just what the MPO is and how this affects Robertson County – more information can be found here.

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

Bare with me for a moment, the initial segment to this post has to do with Dickson County….

Now, as many of you have asked me before – why are you sharing news from other counties? Well, the simple answer is that I have several Tennessee counties of comparable size, close proximity and others that I keep up with just to learn what is going on in other counties. I like to think that it assists me with what we can do here in Robertson County so as to be the best for our citizens.

Sometimes, as it is with this story out of Dickson County, it coincidentally ratifies just what we are doing here in Robertson County.

Looking Forward to Taste of Country USA!

Simply put, I had a blast last year at this event.

The second-annual Taste of County USA is set for June 9 in Robertson County, bringing in thousands of people to Springfield’s downtown square ready to sample a taste of pre-summer fun.

The event, sponsored by the Robertson County Chamber of Commerce, offers free admission to the event spread across several city blocks. More than 50 arts and crafts and business vendors have already signed up to participate this year.