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.

County Vehicle Usage

This is a Gallatin news-story worthy of a short note. It would appear that a county automobile may have been used inappropriately.

I say that this is a news-story worthy of a short note because I have consistently heard similar inquiries about some of our own county automobiles. I know several fellow commissioners have expressed that they, too, have heard several reports from constituents.

One thing that I envision our Personnel Committee taking a look at in our comprehensive review of the Robertson County Employee Handbook, is the usage of automobiles supplied to various departments.

County Health Rankings

If you are like me, you continued to hear about the county health rankings that were released this week.

But if you were like me, you may not have not known how they were compiled, or just what they meant in detail…

Robertson County’s own Scott Raynes (of NorthCrest Medical Center) has an op-ed in The Tennesseean that helps break these numbers down.

TCCA Executive Director David Connor shares some additional information, and also a link that has a county-by-county break down of the rankings themselves.

For those who are curious, Robertson County ranked 9^th.

Here’s how our neighbor counties fared:

Sumner                   - 2^nd

Wilson                   - 6^th

Montgomery         - 10^th

Davidson              - 13^th

Cheatam              - 21^st

Dickson               - 31^st

2010 Census: More Notes & Picture Graph

This post on the 2010 Census results last week was a very popular post here at ‘From the Blackpatch.’

More and more data continues to emerge as relates to population information. TCCA Executive Director David Connor had a follow-up post on more census data.

Check out the link to this picture-graph. It shows the percentage growth for counties in Tennessee. It is quite interesting to note the growth in and around Middle Tennessee. It is one of the first that I have seen to picture Robertson County’s growth.

I would expect the trends to do nothing but continue in the next ten years here in north middle Tennessee.

Will we plan for this growth, or will we react to this growth?

Congratulations to Roberts & Robertson County

This week the citizens of Robertson and Sumner counties elected a new senator for the 18^th District.

From The Tennessean

March 9, 2011 -- State Senator Kerry Roberts (R-Springfield) took the oath of office on Wednesday in Nashville to represent the 18th Senatorial District which includes Sumner and Robertson Counties. The oath was administered by Lt. Governor Ron Ramsey as the State Senate met in a Wednesday morning floor session.

“I am very honored to have the opportunity to represent the citizens of Sumner and Robertson Counties in the State Senate,” Senator Roberts said. “I will work very hard to represent the people of this district and honor the oath that I have taken today as I fulfill the duties of serving as their voice on Capitol Hill. I look forward to working on the issues we face in Tennessee, including providing more job opportunities for our citizens and improving education.

Senator Roberts won in a landslide victory in a special election on Tuesday, March 8. The election was called after the resignation of Congressman Diane Black who was elected to Congress in November.

Roberts, a small business owner, was joined by his wife, Dianne, who stood with him as he took the oath of office. The Roberts reside in Robertson County.

I have gotten to know Senator Roberts from his time on the trail and can share that we have someone that will share the concerns of Robertson County, and will provide this county with the representation it is owed in Nashville.

Join me in congratulating Senator Roberts.

County Population Estimates

TCCA Executive Director David Connor passes along “U.S. County Population Estimates.”

18th District: Neither ‘R’ nor ‘D,’ but ‘W’ (for Win) for Robertson County.

Congratulations to Kerry Roberts!

As a citizen of Robertson County, I am happy that Robertson County certainly will be well represented.

Kerry Roberts, of course, hails from Robertson County…

Republican or Democrat aside, it is certainly a positive for Robertson County. Of course, Kerry must now face Democratic nominee Ken Wilber on the March 8^th.

Here is the story:

Kerry Roberts of Springfield won by wide margins in Robertson County and ran a strong third in Sumner, while Gallatin candidates Bryan Bondurant and William Slater split the Sumner vote. The 18th District seat covers all of Robertson and all but one precinct in Sumner.

Roberts, 49, will face Democratic nominee Ken Wilber in the March 8 general election. Wilber currently serves as mayor of Portland.

"I hoped to win but it was a very close race, and I'm just very excited and thrilled by the outcome," Roberts said Thursday.

UPDATE:

Here are the totals:

....

The first number is votes in Robertson County. The second number is votes in Sumner County while the third number is their total of votes for both counties.

Bryan Bondurant, 118 1454 1572
Fred Congdon, 16 215 231
Joe Warren Jones 13 119 132
Kerry Roberts, 1496 835 2331
William Slater, 310 1391 1701
Jeff Stromatt. 26 55 81
Roberts takes the election by a 630-vote margin.
A special general election will be held on March 8. In it, the winners of each party’s primary election will face each other in a contest for the 18th District Tennessee Senate seat vacated by Diane Black.

UPDATE #2:

I hope that Kerry does not mind me publishing this from his e-mail newsletter:

Today has been an exhilarating day as we celebrate the primary victory. First and foremost, I praise God for his goodness, mercy, and love. There were many difficult days along the way but he is faithful. Second, I thank my lovely wife, Dianne, and our children. The sacrifice on a family is almost too much to bear - but they have been steadfast in their determination to help me win. Finally, I thank each of you - you have a been a wonderful source of encouragement and strength.

Our celebration is short-lived, though. We started working today on the general election which will be March 8th and I'm thrilled to have the support of the other Republican candidates! Please go ahead and circle the date on your calendars now.

Thanks again for all your help! Kerry

Mass Transit: HENDERSONVILLE

I came across this article from the Hendersonville Star-News. It looks like our Sumner County neighbors are considering and implementing the same/similar type of project we are considering here in Robertson County on Monday night (at the RCC Regular Meeting of December 20, 2010).

I have discussed mass transit as relates to Robertson County here, here and here.