Saturday, March 31, 2012

Robertson County Director of Schools: Individual Interview Schedule

I appreciate Robertson County Education Initiative (REdI) Director, Kathy Johnson Gunn, keeping the Community update with information related to the Director of Schools search. The information below comes from her notification as to the interview schedule – I wanted to pass it along here.
The schedule for the five school director candidates’ visits to the Robertson County Chamber and interview with the Board of Education has been set as follows:

Inpatient Evaluations: Why These Matter to Robertson County

During the General Assembly’s Session, the Tennessee County Services Association (TCSA) keeps members up to date on the bills meandering through the halls of Legislative Plaza in their “REPORT.” In a recent TCSA REPORT, the following item was discussed.  

2012-13 Operating Budget Schedule

Below, please find the 2012-13 Operating Budget Schedule that Commissioners recently received from the Finance Director's Office:

Friday, March 30, 2012

The Week of April 2, 2012

MEETINGS SCHEDULED WEEK OF:
April 2nd – April 6th
Date & Committee/Board                              Time                                      Location
Monday – April 2nd
Finance Committee                                           4:00 P.M.                             RCOB
Building & Grounds                                                                                                                                                  
Tuesday – April 3rd
OPEN
Wednesday – April 4th
OPEN
Thursday – April 5th
Joint Economic / Community Dev.              7:00 P.M.                             Springfield City Hall
Nominating Committee                                 5:00 P.M.                             RCOB
Fire Committee                                                5:30 P.M.                             RCOB
Planning Commission                                     7:00 P.M.                             RCOB
Friday – April 6th
OPEN

Sunday, March 25, 2012

RC: Comprehensive Growth Plan

Here is an article discussing the issues facing local governments (think: Robertson County) related to planning & zoning. The Tennessee General Assembly is currently considering various bills that could have an adverse impact on local control of planning and zoning.

I wanted to highlight this portion of the article that discusses the Comprehensive Growth Plan -
The commission has also approved the development of a comprehensive growth plan for Robertson County, a process that is in its very early stages at this time. The impetus for creating this plan came from a series of workshops held in 2007 with Robertson County citizens who shared their concerns and opinions about the future growth and development of our community. The majority of people that attended these workshops expressed the same general feeling about what they want for our county—to maintain the agricultural landscape and encourage future growth around existing town centers and infrastructure.
We will be meeting with municipality leaders on this very Tuesday.

Dr. Weeks in Dickson

I found this story particularly interesting.
It appears that Dr. Danny Weeks entered as a candidate for Dickson County Director of Schools some time ago.
Here is coverage on the story from The Dickson Herald.

Robertson County Director of Schools: The Search Continues

This was something that I posted earlier in the week on my Facebook account.
The Robertson County Times has provided some great coverage on the search to fill the Robertson County Director of Schools position (the link is here) – check out the list of candidates in the article. If you would like the sheet passed out by Mr. Qualls at the meeting, please e-mail me to request one as I have electronic copies.
Over the 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 10th and 12th of April one-on-one interviews will be scheduled.
On April 16, 2012, there is a special-called meeting of the Board of Education will announce the two finalist for the position.
On April 23, 2012, the Board of Education will vote on their final selection.

The "Batson Property" Purchase

On Monday, March 19, 2012 , at the Regular Meeting the RCC voted to allow the Robertson County School Board to purchase what has come to be called the “Batson Property.”

I wanted to note here that if you would like an electronic copy of the contract and/or the site plan for this endeavor, please e-mail. I will be happy to send them to you, since I am not able to post them here on FTB.
SIDE NOTE: Many folks have been asking me how and where the RC Commission “found the money” to purchase the property. The Robertson County Commission did not purchase this property – Robertson County Schools purchased this property – they will be using funds from their own budget to do so. Frankly, RCS came to the RCC for the purposes of the RCC to purchase the property. It was made known early on that the County is not anywhere near the financial position to undertake that project, but anything could be done to assist would be done since the purchase of this property was so ideal.

Welcome to Robertson County, Kyowa!

What an exciting day for our County!

Friday saw the announcement of Kyowa America Corporation opening a new facility in Portland, Tennessee (yes, this is in Robertson County – I will explain below).  This is a $12 million investment that will create 160 jobs….just think on that for a little while.
Here is Governor Haslam’s press release on the announcement.
Here is coverage of the announcement in the Nashville Business Journal.
Here is coverage of the announcement in The Tennesseean.
As an officer and board member of The Robertson County Chamber of Commerce as well as serving as counsel for the Robertson County Industrial Development Board – it is a pleasure to watch these entities work in facilitating these types of projects. The untold number of thankless hours that Robertson County Chamber President & Chief Economic Development Officer Margot Fosnes put into facilitating the communication between the City of Portland, Robertson County and Kyowa should be appreciated and commended. I certainly thank you, Margot!
UPDATED: Folks had asked some of the specifics regarding Kyowa - Kyowa America, an automotive supplier to Toyota, will be bringing their plastic injection molding business to the facility on Fred White Blvd. in Robertson County. They will employ 160+ at this facility at full capacity and production is expected to begin in late summer. Jobs available will include accounting, supervisory and other office related positions as well as production. Kyowa is using Sumner Employment Exchange to handle all job inquiries, www.sumnerexchange.com , 615-325-5161.

Oh – and, I had put this on Facebook when the announcement was unfolding – Many of you inquired how Portland is in Robertson County. Here is an eloquent explanation by none other than Margot Fosnes:
Just to clear up any confusion about this company locating in Portland and whether it is actually in Sumner County, this building sits on the Robertson County side of Hwy 31W in Robertson County. Portland has also recently annexed the TN-KY Industrial Park which sits entirely in Robertson County, further extending the area of the Portland city limits which lies in Robertson County. We are proud to have Portland as the 11th muncipality in our county and we have a great working relationship with their city officials in bringing economic development to our communities.

The Week of March 26, 2012

Here is your weekly update of committee and other meetings scheduled for the Robertson County Commission. As always, should I be able to answer a question or assist in any way, please get in touch with me.
MEETINGS SCHEDULED WEEK OF:
March 26-March 30
Date & Committee/Board                 Time                           Location
Monday – March 26
EMS                                                            5:00 P.M.                    EMS Building                               
Tuesday – March 27
OPEN
Wednesday – March 28
Safety Committee                                8:30am                         County Mayor’s Office
Thursday – March 29
Budget                                                      5:00pm                        RCOB        
Friday - March 30
OPEN

Saturday, March 17, 2012

Robertson County Schools Director: The Search Continues

I had posted this to my Facebook account earlier this week, but had not commented further. This is an article from the Robertson County Times on the search for a new Robertson County Schools Director.

It appears that Wayne Qualls is compiling a healthy list of candidates. I look forward with anticipation when we are able to vet specific candidates.

The Next President of Vol State Community College

Lest we forget, Vol State Community College has been actively searching for a new president.

This is important to us here in Robertson County because we hope that the new president is just as active in Robertson County as his predecessor, Warren Nichols. President Nichols was an integral teammate in what eventually became Highland Crest College in Springfield, Tennessee.
Jerry Faulkner has been submitted for recommendation – here is a full article on the process and the selection.

Re-Districting: State Democrats File Lawsuit

An expected, but interesting note, on the state re-districting process.
State democrats have filed a lawsuit – see this post for a full discussion of the lawsuit.
The reason I take time to point it out here on ‘From the Blackpatch’ is that it continues to be something to watch for with our own Senator Kerry Roberts.  

Reminder: "March Commission Packet" for the March Regular Meeting

With there being a ‘Regular Meeting’ of the Robertson County Commission scheduled for Monday, March 19, 2012; I just wanted to remind everyone that you kind find the “March Commission Packet” (agenda).
Ms. Atchley (Robertson County Clerk) and her deputy clerks do a great job of providing those for us – they are customarily posted a week in advance on the Robertson County website. Here is a direct link to the March Commission Packet.

The Week of March 19th

MEETINGS SCHEDULED WEEK OF:
March 19- March, 23, 2012
Date & Committee/Board                           Time                                      Location
Monday – March 19
Animal Control                                                6:00 P.M.                             Juvenile Courtroom
County Commission                                       7:00 P.M.                             Juvenile Courtroom                                                                                                                                       
Tuesday – March 20
911 Board                                                         9:00 A.M.                             ECC Building
Health & Safety                                               5:30 P.M.                             Finance Office
Wednesday – March 21
RTA                                                                    10:00 A.M.                          400 Charlotte Ave., Nash.
GNRC                                                                 11:00 A.M.                          400 Charlotte Ave., Nash.
MCHRA                                                              12:00 P.M.                           400 Charlotte Ave., Nash.
Thursday – March 22
Highway Commission                                     7:00 P.M.                             Highway Office
Friday - March 23
OPEN

Sunday, March 11, 2012

The Week of March 12, 2012

MEETINGS SCHEDULED WEEK OF
March 12 –March 16, 2012:
Date & Committee/Board             Time                    Location

Monday- March 12
OPEN                                                                   
Tuesday- March 13
Joint Meeting:
Law Enforcement/Workhouse Board      5:00 P.M.                             Co. Detention Ctr.
Solid Waste                                                        6:00 P.M.                             County Office Bldg.                                                                        
Wednesday – March 14
OPEN   
Thursday- March 15
OPEN                                                                                   
Friday-March 16
OPEN  

Economic Development that We Do NOT Think Of...

Here is a piece that I did not discuss at the time regarding the T-N-T Tournament played in Robertson County.  
What a great way to bring in tourists and showcase what a community we have.
It is great to see more of the same with Robertson County being awarded the  Dixie Youth Baseball Tournament.

Monday, March 5, 2012

2012.3.1 - Legislative Committee Meeting - "Unfunded Mandates"

This was one the resolutions approved to the Robertson County Commission on the March 1, 2012 Legislative Committee meeting. This will be taken up on March 19, 2012.

It seems as though the scenarios are countless. The state passes a bill mandating that the counties pick up the funding...

The Week of March 5, 2012

MEETINGS SCHEDULED WEEK OF:
March 5-March 9
Date & Committee/Board                 Time                           Location
Monday – March 5
Building & Grounds                         5:00 P.M.                    County Office Building           
Education                                          6:00 P.M                     Central Office
School Board                                    7:00 P.M,                    Central Office
Tuesday – March 6
Budget                                              5:00 P.M.                     County Office Building
Wednesday – March 7
OPEN
Thursday – March 8
OPEN
Friday - March 9
OPEN