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Mayor calls for action on employee misconduct
Mayor Ed Hagerty called for action in the sexting allegations against City employees in the Monday commissioners meeting.
“The reports are appalling and disgusting,” said Hagerty.
Two City employees have been suspended with pay, and three others were reprimanded for exchanging sexually explicit messages and pictures over City issued phones and computers. The two suspended were MJPD Sgt. James Crosslin and his wife Charlene Crosslin, who works in the finance department.
“It is unfortunate that we have to talk about these things,” said Interim City Manager Kenny Martin.
Hagerty said he was going to add an amendment to the budget that would defund and eliminate several positions, and also add $5,000 to the budget to pay for an independent investigator for an impartial investigation if proper action wasn’t taken. Three detectives are assisting Human Resources Director Jill Johnson in the investigation.
“There is no doubt in my mind that it was impartial,” said Martin.
The investigation was to be concluded sometime this week.
In the business portion of the meeting, the yearly budget was deferred until the next meeting. The commissioners received their budget books Friday, and all felt that they hadn’t got to go through it thoroughly enough to start discussing. The commission will have a workshop before the next meeting to go over the budget.
The commissioners also approved an interlocal agreement with Metro-Nashville Government, Davidson County and NES to gain access to their 800 MHz radio system. It will allow the new communication system purchased by the MJPD to work properly.
The commissioners also approved appropriating funds to repair damaged slides on Planet Playground at Charlie Daniels Park. The slides were damaged by people “free running” on the playground equipment.
U.S. Bank donated $2,500 to the Parks and Recreation Department for the Movies in the Park during the summer. The board approved accepting the donation.
Million dollar drug bust in MJ
Over one-million dollars of drugs headed for the streets of Middle Tennessee have been seized by the Mt. Juliet Police Department. A drug investigation that started in Nashville over an anonymous drug tip led the Mt. Juliet Police Department to the largest marijuana grow operation ever discovered inside the city. Members of the Mt. Juliet Police Department’s Crime Suppression Unit executed a search warrant and shut down a marijuana grow operation inside a home at 1802 Meadow Glen Circle located in the Park Glen subdivision on Monday night. The Metro-Nashville Police Department relayed information to Mt. Juliet investigators, which prompted the search warrant.
Located during the search were over 775 marijuana plants, an additional 10 pounds of processed marijuana, 5 grams of powder cocaine, and thousands of dollars in equipment that was used to grow marijuana. The total street value of the processed marijuana is worth over $100,000, and the potential street value of the growing marijuana plants would have been well over $1,000,000 if all of the plants had been ready for cultivation. All the illegal drug material, two vehicles, and over $3,000 in cash have been seized so far in this on-going investigation.
“It is humbling to know that law enforcement neighbors can work together in a joint effort to root out drugs and their collateral public safety dangers throughout our communities,” stated Deputy Chief James Hambrick.
Two people were arrested and booked into the Wilson County Jail during the course of this investigation and have been charged with various drug related offenses.
Charged:
Stephen Middleton, age 45 of Mt. Juliet
Manufacturing Marijuana
Possession of Schedule II (Cocaine) for Resale
Possession of Schedule VI (Marijuana) for Resale
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
Susan York, age 39 of Mt. Juliet
Manufacturing Marijuana
Possession of Schedule II (Cocaine) for Resale
Possession of Schedule VI (Marijuana) for Resale
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
Anyone with any information on current investigations or ongoing crime trends is encouraged to call the Mt. Juliet Police Department at (615) 754-2550. Information can also be given anonymously by calling (615) 754-TIPS (8477) or via the Mt. Juliet Police Department website at http://www.mjpd.org/ .
Farmer's Market opens at Charlie Daniels Park
The Mt. Juliet Farmer’s Market is open in its new home.
Open Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, the Farmer’s Market is now located as you are entering Charlie Daniels Park, complete with its own separate parking area.
Parks and Recreation Director Jay Cameli said that there are six vendors signed up right now, but they have extra tent space if more decide to join.
“We can make it as big as we want,” said Cameli.
There might be some more come along in the upcoming weeks because some produce has not come in yet for the season.
At its opening day Tuesday, two vendors were out there.
It was a mini trial run to work the kinks out before the big ribbon cutting Thursday.
Jenny Fitzgerald of Main Squeeze Lemonade was one of the vendors there Tuesday.
It was her first day to debut her lemonade to the public, but she has had some practice.
“I have been making it for friends and family the past year,” said Fitzgerald.
However, the Health Department showed later in the day and asked Fitzgerald to leave. They said even though her equipment looked clean, she needed a mobile kitchen to wash her hands and utensils since she was making the lemonade on site.
“We thought we had all the bases covered,” said Cameli.
Cameli said that Fitzgerald is looking for alternatives to be in compliance and come back to the Farmer’s Market.
Matt Lake of Frontier Family Farms was also there.
They sell organic and natural soaps, lotions, and lip balms that they make at their farm near Smithville.
The Farmer’s Market new home was made possible by grants from the Department of Agriculture, Wilson County and the City of Mt. Juliet.
Cameli said that they are trying to restrict it to homegrown items, so it stays a true farmer’s market.
“It was a combination of efforts,” said Cameli. “It should be a neat project.”
Florida bank robbery suspect arrested in MJ
A Florida bank robbing suspect was arrested by the Mt. Juliet Police Department Thursday.
James Wilbert Gray II, 21, formerly of Pompano Beach, Fla., was arrested at a home in the 600 block of Meadowview Drive in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee after an anonymous tip led to his identification and whereabouts. Undercover Mt. Juliet Detectives initiated surveillance on the home where Gray was allegedly. Detectives were able to confirm that Gray and the vehicle he used during the bank robbery were at the home.
On Wednesday, April 18, the suspect entered Bank Atlantic located at 1299 S. Military Trail, Deerfield Beach, Fla. at approximately 3:30 p.m. and demanded cash from the teller while displaying a firearm tucked into his waistband. After receiving the cash, the suspect fled to Mt. Juliet, where he was apprehended.
After confirming that Gray was at the residence, the Mt. Juliet Police Department activated their Special Response Team (SRT) and Crisis Negotiators to peacefully take him into custody. With the assistance of available patrol officers, Gray was convinced by a negotiator to exit the residence to be taken into custody by awaiting SRT officers around 9:30 p.m. Thursday night.
Gray was arrested without incident and is expected to face federal charges. He also had an active probation violation warrant through Wilson County.
Set fires endanger Rutland Dr. area
Over the past two weeks, intentionally set fires have created dangerous situations for area residents, over $20,000 in damages, and multiple responses from emergency responders.
All of the fires have been set in a small, localized area near Rutland Drive in close proximity to multiple homes and an elementary school. In addition, the offender(s) spray painted vulgarities on city park property, construction equipment, and a county school bus.
The criminal acts began on March 25 around 8 p.m. in the evening under the cover of darkness. A suspect or suspects spray painted vulgarities on city park property at Sgt. Mundy Memorial Park. The criminal acts grew dangerous, and the suspect(s) began to start fires throughout the community in the following days.
On March 27, a Wilson County school bus was spray painted at Rutland Elementary school and construction equipment was spray painted at the Del Webb – Lake Providence neighborhood maintenance area. In the same location of the construction equipment, a fire was started to a large pine-needle mulch mound using nearby diesel fuel.
On March 29, a second fire was set to the pine-needle mulch in the Del Webb – Lake Providence landscaping in front of Rutland Elementary school.
Recently, on April 11 a third fire was set to the same landscaping in front of Rutland Elementary school.
The fourth and most dangerous fire also occurred April 12. The suspect(s) ignited erosion control tubes near a large diesel fuel tank at the Del Webb – Lake Providence maintenance area using nearby diesel fuel.
All of the fires have resulted in fire personnel responding to the scene to extinguish the flames, and last night’s fire caused two fire stations to respond. All of the incidents add up to over $20,000 in damages.
Investigators believe that the same individual or individuals are committing these reckless and dangerous acts. The acts are all occurring within a 10-minute walking distance from each other and between 8–10 p.m. at night. The Mt. Juliet Police Department is seeking the public’s help in identifying the suspect(s). A cash reward is available for any information leading to the identification of the suspect(s).
Anyone with any information regarding this incident is encouraged to call the Mt. Juliet Police Department at (615) 754-2550. Information can also be given anonymously by calling (615) 754-TIPS (8477) or via the Mt. Juliet Police Department website at http://www.mjpd.org/.
Confusion cleared up at BOC meeting
The Board of Commissioners approved a recall provision, and cleared up some confusion regarding the Urban Growth Boundary plan in the meeting Monday.
A local television news story had recently stated that the county was set to vote on a plan that would annex properties into Mt. Juliet.
In reality, the county was approving the Urban Growth Boundary plan for each city in Wilson County. Mt. Juliet’s plan included a portion of Gladeville, which had some residents upset. City Planner Steve Foote explained in the meeting that the Urban Growth Boundary just covers an area of properties that could be annexed at some point in time in the future based on the growth of the city. And that doesn’t guarantee that those properties will ever be annexed into the city. There are areas that were put in the Urban Growth Boundary plan several years ago that have never been annexed into the city. If properties are not on the Urban Growth Boundary plan, and they want to be in the city in the future, it can become quite costly to go through the process. The county tabled the item until the next meeting due to some complaints from citizens.
In the business portion of the agenda, the board approved a recall provision for citizens. It gives the citizens power to recall an elected official who may not be doing his or her elected duty. It would require a petition with signatures of 32.5 percent of registered voters in the City of Mt. Juliet.
In other new business, the board approved replacing a police vehicle that was damaged in an accident. All the money for the car came from insurance.
The board also approved to recognize the Community Resiliency Team as representing Mt. Juliet.
A change to the traffic commission and an amendment to move greenway money to capital projects was denied. The money was needed to repair some flooding problems at the Mt. Juliet Community Center building. It failed 2-3. Mayor Ed Hagerty said that it was a good idea, but it would be better if they waited and put the item on the budget for next year.
T-Mobile store burglarized
A suspect or suspects tried to gain access to the T-Mobile store recently, but fled after an alarm sounded.
On Tuesday, March 27 at approximately 10:55 p.m., the Mt. Juliet Police Department responded to the T-Mobile store in reference to burglar alarm activation.
Upon arrival, officers found that the business had been burglarized and checked it for suspects. No one was located.
Further investigation revealed that the suspect(s) entered the Natural Nails Too business prior to entering T-Mobile. Natural Nails Too shares a common wall with T-Mobile, and the suspect made multiple holes into the wall to gain access to T-Mobile. However, due to security features inside the wall, the suspect(s) were not able to make a successful entry. A loud alarm also sounded and apparently caused the suspect(s) to flee to scene.
Business owners conducted an inventory, and it appears that no merchandise was stolen from the businesses. However, the suspect(s) created over $5,000 in damages in their theft attempt by creating the large hole in the dry wall and busting the door locks.
Surveillance video was recovered from T-Mobile, and the suspect vehicle has been identified as a 2008 to current year model, white Ford Econoline work van with a ladder rack on top. In the video, the van backs up near the business’s front doors. A male suspect is seen attempting to gain entry into the business at the front doors.
Anyone with any information regarding this incident is encouraged to call the Mt. Juliet Police Department at (615) 754-2550. Information can also be given anonymously by calling (615) 754-TIPS (8477) or via the Mt. Juliet Police Department website at http://www.mjpd.org/.
BOC approves purchase of new police vehicle
The Board of Commissioners approved appropriating funds for a new vehicle for the police department in their Monday meeting.
Commissioner Jim Bradshaw wanted to defer the item because of fear that the rising gas prices would affect the budget. He wanted to defer it for two meetings.
“That would make it a pretty tight window,” said Police Chief Andy Garrett. Garrett said to get the best deal, this is the time to purchase because the newer models will be coming out soon.
Finance Director John Rossmaier said that the city budgeted for $4 gas, so they still have a little wiggle room.
The commissioners voted against deferring the item 4-1, then approved the ordinance.
In other new business, the commissioners approved an agreement with TW Telecom to provide the T1 line to be used by the police department for the new communication system.
Also, the commissioners approved executing a contract with Yeary, Howell and Associates for account auditing, as well as a contract with TDS to upgrade the phone system at Charlie Daniels Park.
The final item of the night was an ordinance recognizing insurance proceeds from theft and expenditure of same to replace the stolen parks mower trailer.
Martin's Bar-B-Que Joint coming to MJ
The planning commission approved a site plan for Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint, and the changed the land use plan for a property that will house upscale apartments in their meeting Thursday.
There is a Martin’s Bar-B-Que in Nolensville, and it has gained some national recognition. The restaurant was featured on Food Network’s “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.” It is known around the area, and several people make special trips to Nolensville just to eat there. It will be located at the Shoppes at Providence West, which will be behind Walgreens and Steak and Shake across from Providence.
The commission also approved the changing of the land use to a property in Paddocks from thoroughfare commercial to high density residential. It will be the future home of Pleasant Grove Pointe, a high-end apartment complex if it passes second reading at the city commission meeting.
“It looks appropriate that it would be in that category,” said Commissioner Phil Smartt.
Chairman Luke Winchester was worried that if it doesn’t pass the city commission, then the land use will be changed.
“If it didn’t pass the board of commissioners, we would want it to default back,” said Winchester.
The fear is that it will be changed and they would not be able to put a commercial building in that spot. City Attorney Jason Holleman said that it could be fixed if it did not pass.
A Town Center Retail project final plat and site plan were also approved. Town Center is where the former Mt. Juliet Elementary was, and where the new Physician’s Plaza is being built. The plat had several spots for retail outlets, and even restaurants to be placed there.
The commission also changed a property owned by Jerry Knoch on Lebanon Road from high density residential to thoroughfare commercial.
The commission also approved a minor site modification for the final master development plan to Providence Landing, and a preliminary plat for phase two of the development.
A site plan for Lexon Office Insurance was also approved.
Commissioners approve new apartment complex
The Board of Commissioners made way for a new apartment complex near the Paddocks shopping area Monday.
The vote called for a change in the zoning from commercial interchange to multi-family, and the approval of the preliminary master development plan for Pleasant Grove Pointe.
“When it is a multi-family, we look at it with a more critical eye,” said Mayor Ed Hagerty.
Hagerty’s concerns included the strain on the school system, the police department, the traffic, and the possibility of a bigger tenant coming to the area in the future. Also, he was worried about the type of renter that would be in the apartments. He said he has three former students that are living in one of the Providence area apartments, and you wouldn’t want to live under them.
Civil Site Design’s Rob Porter had answers for some of Hagerty’s concerns.
“There are some apartments in Mt. Juliet that cater to families, this is not one of them,” said Porter.
He said that 37 percent of the apartments will be one bedroom, and 50 percent will be small two bedroom apartments. He said they are geared toward white collar workers, probably right out of college that don’t need a ton of space. The apartments would also be an upscale complex, and should be the nicest in Mt. Juliet.
He said the community will be gated. In the other gated communities in Mt. Juliet, there were zero calls in 2011 for the police. That is opposed to some area subdivisions which had multiple calls.
As far as the schools go, Porter said he had a letter from Deputy Director of Schools Mickey Hall stating that the school system could absorb the new students. He talked about the new additions planned at West Wilson Middle School, West Elementary and Rutland Elementary that will increase class size. He also spoke of the long term plan the school board has to add another middle school and high school to Wilson County.
As far as the traffic concerns in an already congested area, Porter stated that the Paddocks area is already equipped to handle it.
“The roads are built with this type of development in mind,” said Porter.
Porter also mentioned the significant impact of having the extra shoppers in Paddocks for the city in sales tax.
The commissioners passed the measure 3-0-2 with Hagerty and Art Giles abstaining from the vote.
The board also approved the new commissioner districts. District 4, which is Jim Bradshaw’s district, will move back to everything south of I-40. All the other changes were minor.
In unfinished business, after a lengthy discussion, the board deferred a change to the alarm system codes because of concerns. This is the second time the item has been deferred.
In new business, the board approved allowing Relay for Life to hold their overnight event at Charlie Daniels Park May 11-12, as well as to allow side yard pools at the Village at Providence.
The board also voted to abandon a right-of-way located at the northeast corner of Old Lebanon Dirt Road and Old Mt. Juliet Road. Bradshaw voted against it.
The board also approved an ordinance addressing changeable copy signs, and an agreement with the YMCA to provide soccer at the Park Glen soccer fields, as well as an agreement with Beazer Homes concerning those fields.
Del Webb resident trying to bring liquour stores to MJ
A Del Webb resident is taking it upon herself to bring new tax revenue to Mt. Juliet.
Sidney Payne has started a petition to allow liquor stores in Mt. Juliet. She needs 750 signatures to get a referendum on the ballot. She already has 300, just from Del Webb residents.
“We are shooting for over 1,000,” said Payne.
She said, so far, no one has refused to sign the petition when approached, and some, jokingly, want to sign it more than once.
Payne said that once she gets the required number of signatures, she will submit it to the election board, and they have to verify that the people that signed are legitimate registered voters in the city.
“It’s a simple way to get income for the city,” said Payne.
She got the idea after hearing her friends at Del Webb say they make monthly runs to either Hermitage or Lebanon for wine, and spend $350 to $400. Del Webb also has a wine club.
She said if they go to Lebanon, at least they are going to Wilson County, but when they go to Hermitage, we are losing that tax revenue to Davidson County.
Payne is not a stranger to causes. She attends every city council meeting with a fire extinguisher in hand trying to get the fire station out in Providence. She said they were having Del Webb residents that needed an ambulance, and it was taking up to 25 minutes to get out there. She came here from Henderson, Nev., which was the fastest growing city in America a few years back. She used that experience of seeing the troubles of what a growing city go through to help fight for causes when she moved to Mt. Juliet.
“I’m sure it will pass,” said Payne of the liquor petition and the subsequent vote.
If it did pass, the City of Mt. Juliet could still put a lot of stipulations on the stores.
“The public won’t allow them to do that,” said Payne.
County moving forward with new schools, additions
Patrick Hall
Special to The Chronicle
Wilson County Commission approved funding for design, architectural and engineering services for additions to several local schools and for the design of a new Watertown High School at Monday night’s meeting.
The budget amendment moves $724,558 from the Wilson County School System fund balance to Capital Outlay projects fund. Of that total, $583,000 is coming from the money remaining in the $50 million bond issued for the new Lebanon High School.
“Lebanon High School is about 90 percent complete, we hope to start moving furniture in there around April,” Director of Schools Mike Davis noted.
The budget amendment was approved 24-1 with District 10 Commissioner Nathan Clariday being absent.
Wilson County Board of Education deferred contracts with architectural firms during its meeting held Monday, Feb. 6, but then approved the contracts and budget amendments during a special called meeting on Saturday, Feb. 11.
The county schools entered into contracts with Kaatz, Binkley, Jones & Morris Architectural firm and CivilSite Design Group for the design of a new Watertown High School. Also, the funding goes toward designs for additions to West Wilson Middle School, West Elementary School and a new K-2 building adjacent to Rutland Elementary.
The $583,000 being drawn from the LHS bond issue is money left over after the board has allocated all expenditures. Several commissioners were concerned the money would be needed before the school is complete.
“I’ve helped build three schools and I’ve never had one go as smoothly as this,” Davis told the commission about LHS.
In his report, Davis said construction crews are completely finished hanging drywall throughout the building, adding they are working on ceramic tile and installation of ceiling tiles, and painting is still in progress.
Also, the commission approved joining the National Association of Counties, or NACo, which District 13 Commissioner Clint Thomas said provides many services and opportunities the county can take advantage of in the future.
“They focus on the national level, they help craft legislation that will affect counties locally,” Thomas said.
He noted that Wilson County can also be a part of a group of counties that will influence legislation that is sent to the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate, giving the county a hand in laws that affect local governments.
Thomas said the membership dues are based on the county’s population and said the county is only paying $1,653 for a year’s membership.
There are also opportunities for the county to make a small amount of money from the membership, which Thomas said includes a prescription medicine card that all county citizens can obtain and use to purchase their over-the-counter medicines.
While the cards aren’t available yet and won’t arrive in the county for several weeks, Thomas said all county residents are eligible to use the card. When anyone uses it to purchase a prescription, Thomas said the county would receive $1 back from the transaction.
“It could more than pay for itself with that alone,” Thomas said.
The membership was approved by a vote of 24-1, with Clariday’s absence.
Wilson Post Staff Writer Patrick Hall may be contacted at
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Mt. Juliet family moving to Africa, helping build a future for orphans
One Mt. Juliet family is trying to give some children in Sierra Leone a better life.
Michael and Rachel Ropiecki, and their three children - Aubrey, Anna and Ella - will be relocating for a few years to Bauya, Sierra Leone on the continent of Africa.
The Ropieckis knew they wanted to do something drastic. Through an acquaintance, Rachel heard about a group called Just Hope International.
“By the end of the communication, we were sold,” said Rachel Ropiecki. “They were amazing.”
What they were sold on was building a Watoto Village in Bauya. Michael is the owner of Aubanna Homes, and Just Hope International was looking for a builder. It was a perfect fit.
A couple of years ago, there was a ferry accident, and almost all of the fathers of the community were killed because nearly all of the people do not know how to swim. Due to extreme poverty and lack of employment, many of the women can’t take care of the children, which led to a mass orphanage.
The village will be on 100 acres, and will consist of several boarding houses, schools, homes for the teachers, land to farm, as well as many other things the people of the village would need. Just Hope International will be working with another, The Raining Season, to help finish the project.
Right now, the orphanage situation is dismal. Over 200 orphans are crammed into tiny rooms. Michael and Rachel just returned recently from their first visit to Bayau. It was a bit of a culture shock for both the Ropieckis and the residents of Sierra Leone.
Rachel said upon riding the ferry into town, you could see the extreme poverty and the extent to which the government was ill-equipped to handle a mass influx of people which happened during a war around seven years ago. Freetown is now a city of over a million people.
“It was just houses on top of houses, and I’m using the word house loosely,” said Rachel.
Rachel said most of the houses were just shacks put together with whatever resources people could find, and they stretched as far as the eye could see.
Another shock upon getting off the plane was that they were confronted by a police chief who wanted a bribe. Michael gave him $20, which was about 10 times his daily pay.
“There was trash everywhere,” said Rachel.
There is no trash service there, so people just throw their trash wherever.
There was something refreshing about the community of Bayau. The people, which are optimistic, cheerful and thankful, brighten the community, and bring to light something we may have lost here.
“Community is valued so highly,” said Michael. “They come alive at night.”
Rachel said you can barely make it through the streets at night. There is no television, computer or video games to distract people, so they still interact with each other.
They got to go to a track event nearby, and it wasn’t a just a culture shock for the Ropieckis. They frightened the people attending the event.
“I am pretty sure I was the first white lady they have ever seen,” joked Rachel.
She said that everyone turned their attention away from the event and stared at them. She said even a few babies were crying when they saw them.
When buying the 100 acres of land for the village, the process was a little different from here in the United States. The land cost roughly $6,000 U.S. dollars, and one other item.
“They wanted a bottle of scotch,” said Michael.
Michael said they wanted to have a ceremony to tell the elders who had passed what they were going to be doing with the land, and their offering was some scotch that they would pour into the soul. Both Michael and Rachel thought the ritual was neat, but thought it was funny what happened after.
“Some dude just took the rest of the bottle home,” Rachel joked.
In a few weeks, Michael will go back to help build two wells, and finish the purchase of the property. He will return home, then the family will go for good after that. The kids are excited, but taking it kind of tough as would be expected. Rachel said they have their tough days, but they really understand.
“They get that we are going because there are kids that really need help,” said Rachel. “We have always tried to teach them that the world is much bigger than Mt. Juliet, Tennessee.”
Rachel said she is having bad days too.
“There are lots of conveniences I am really going to miss,” she said. “But I am really excited.”
They think that the project will take at least three years. They said they will return home probably once a year.
The Ropieckis need money to help fund the project. You can contact Just Hope International, The Raining Season or Michael at
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. You can read about their mission on westsideropieckis.blogspot.com as well.
Rachel said that The Raining Season is an excellent option for sponsoring a child because of the access you have to that child. Instead of waiting for a letter that you might or might not get, you can actually Skype with your sponsored child, so you can see how your donations are helping them.
Commissioners expand urban growth boundary
The Board of Commissioners expanded the urban growth boundary, and changed the process for billing people for false alarm system calls Monday.
There were only three commissioners present at the meeting, as Mayor Ed Hagerty and Commissioner Art Giles were not in attendance.
The accepted urban growth plan stretches all the way north, west and south to the county lines.
On the north side, it will go as far east as Highway 109, but on the south side it will just go into parts of Gladeville, but not all the way to Highway 109.
Commissioner Jim Bradshaw wanted to pull Gladeville out of the plan, saying that it is a growing community.
His amendment to take it out failed. The remaining commissioners voted for the plan.
For alarm systems, Police Chief Andy Garrett requested a change to the ordinance which required a certified police officer to issue a citation after five false alarms from their security system.
It becomes difficult because the homeowner or business owner are not always home, so it can take time away from other officer duties.
“We want to take it out of the court docket and make it a billing process,” said Chief Garrett.
Garrett said that 80 percent of alarm system calls are false alarms.
The new ordinance would allow a bill to be sent instead.
Commissioner Bradshaw amended it to have a bill sent after three false alarms instead of five.
Garrett had no objection to that, and the commissioners voted for the measure.
The Academy Sports & Outdoors sign issue was also voted upon.
The problem was that the new 24-foot sign on the south side of Old Pleasant Grove Road would sit much higher than other signs in the area because it would be up on the retaining wall.
Representation for the project came to the meeting with a new design that would take the architectural elements off the top, making it shorter and more in line with what was in the area.
The commissioners approved it.
In other business, the commissioners voted to rezone a property owned by Jerry Knoch on the south side of Lebanon Road to commercial retail, an agreement with TDOT for phase two of the Town Center Trail, and an ordinance designating Wilson Bank & Trust and the State of Tennessee – Local Government Investment Pool as official depositories for City of Mt. Juliet funds.
School board asks county for money for 2 new schools, 2 additions
The Wilson County School Board deferred approving agreements with the groups that would build two new schools, and add onto two others Monday.
The agreement was with Kaatz, Binkley, Jones, Morris Architects, Engineering Services Group and CivilSite Design Group for architectural, electrical and site preparation for the new Watertown High School.
Also, KBJM Architects, ESG and CivilSite Design were proposed to prepare the required documents for additions at West Wilson Middle School, West Elementary School and the new elementary school at the Providence/Rutland area.
That also included an agreement with American GEO Technical to do a geographical survey of the new elementary school at the Providence/Rutland area.
The deferral was proposed by Chairman Don Weathers, who thought the County Commission should approve the budget amendment first before the school system got in an agreement with the various companies.
Board member Ron Britt agreed with that motion.
“I think that’s just bad business,” said Britt of going forward with county approval.
The budget amendment for $724,558 was also deferred until the county commission approved that number.
They will send the numbers to the commission, and will call a special meeting to approve all the agreements if needed.
A new Discipline Code/Code of Conduct was also approved, but not without some changes.
In the original code of conduct, it listed alcohol offense as a category 3 offense, while use of narcotics was a category 4.
“Under the influence of alcohol, and under the influence of drugs are really the same thing,” said Board member Greg Lasater.
The board agreed and moved alcohol offenses to a category 4, then approved the code.
In other action, the board approved an agreement with the Clinch-Powell Educational Cooperative, changes to board policies in sections 6-Students and 5-Personnel, and a resolution of appreciation for professional services staff members.
Also, they approved a spill prevention control and countermeasure plan, as well as a service agreement with 1st Response.
Rutland writers get to develop their talent
Nearly 70 students participated in a Young Writers Conference at Rutland Elementary Saturday.
The event, organized by PTO parent Suzanne Bingham, gave invited students in third, fourth, and fifth grade classes at Rutland the opportunity to meet Nashville-based songwriter Rick Altizer as well as attend classes focused on writing concepts ranging from the use of onomatopoeia and hyperbole to the use of language in songwriting and designing a comic strip.
“We have the state writing assessment coming up next week, so the kids were all given a piece of writing to do, and it was judged according to the state rubric. That’s how they were chosen to come today,” explains Rutland Elementary principal Yvonne Kittrell. “These are some of our elite writers in the school, and we just want to have sessions to encourage them to become more interested in writing as a career.”
The brain child of PTO parent Bingham for more than a year, the event was comprised of keynote speaker Altizer and twelve themed writing sessions, from which students got to pick three sessions to attend. Of the educators on hand conducting sessions Saturday, six are current students at Vanderbilt University, three are family members with experience in cartooning, and one, Elizabeth Gibbons, is currently an English teacher at Hillsboro High School in Nashville.
“I just saw a need for doing something with writing,” says Bingham. “[I] started thinking about the breakout sessions that they could have.” Bingham, a former teacher, collaborated with educator Elizabeth Gibbons. “[Liz] and I just talked and brainstormed what different sessions would be and what they would look like. So, from that came all this.”
During a break for brunch, the cafeteria was teeming with students sharing what they had learned during their first two sessions. Fourth grader Millie Gnewikow had just experienced Altizer’s songwriting class. “It was so much fun”, she stated. “[Mr. Altizer] is really, really good. He worked with us, and we would start spitting things out... We all made it rhyme, and he came up with a really good melody.”
“I really liked when we did the comics,” expressed fellow fourth grader, Porter Smithson. “Mr. and Ms. Stone were really funny.”
Fifth grader Barrett Streeter shared about the alliteration session. “I loved writing [with] the alliteration. We had to write a poem, and we got to combine all these different alliterations into one, and it made a really jumpy, fun [poem].”
All students in attendance helped to bring the Young Writers Conference’s mission to fruition: to create a literary environment that leads students to become better writers, while experiencing the joy of writing and the empowering activity of communicating and expressing themselves more fully.
Mayor gives first State of the City address
Mayor Ed Hagerty gave his first State of the City address to a packed house at the Mt. Juliet Chamber Luncheon Wednesday.
“The state of the City is strong,” said Hagerty.
Hagerty followed with giving statistics about how well the City is doing.
In the past 65 months, Mt. Juliet has not seen growth in only three months when you compare it to the previous year.
He also confirmed that the City has closed on the property for a possible new fire station on Belinda Parkway and Athens Dr. He said the discussions are still ongoing with the county, but if those fall through, the citizens of Mt. Juliet shouldn’t worry. Mt. Juliet would establish their own fire department if they are forced.
“We will not leave you unprotected,” said Hagerty.
He commented on the construction on Mt. Juliet Road and said we will have five lanes running north and south soon. He also talked about the Eastern Connector, which will run from the Beckwith Road exit all the way to Lebanon Road at Benders Ferry. He said the project will take three years to finish.
Hagerty applauded the Mt. Juliet Police Department which continues to have a stellar case solvability rate. In the last two years, the case solvability rate for the department has been 57 and 55 percent, while the state average is less than a third.
He also applauded the Animal Shelter, and its large number of volunteers who have logged over 13,000 hours. He said the non-profit model that has been successful with the shelter, will hopefully make the Parks Department even better. The Parks Department recently established a 501(c)3.
In closing, Hagerty said the people of Mt. Juliet and the ones in attendance are what is making the City so successful.
“You are the reason we are hitting on all cylinders.”
Animal Shelter throwing 3rd birthday celebration
The Mt. Juliet Animal Shelter is inviting everyone to attend their 3rd birthday celebration and open house Saturday, Jan. 21 from noon until 3 p.m.
In those three years, the shelter has welcomed 1,563 animals into the shelter, an average of 44 a month.
“Our adoption, placement rate stands at 91 percent, which is unheard of in animal shelters,” said Jon Gray, Volunteer Coordinator for the Animal Shelter, in an email Monday.
He said the rate is due to the Animal Control Staff working hand in hand with the volunteer organization.
There is a Director and Assistant Director of Animal Control who answer the police department.
The volunteer organization is comprised of over 160 volunteers, headed up by the volunteer coordinator, Jon Gray who answers to a Board of Director’s headed up by Will Sellers, the former City Commissioner.
The Volunteer organization is a 501(c)3, Tax Exempt, Non-Profit organization.
The MJASVO pays for medical, transportation, food, grooming and Vet Care for all the animals.
The City pays for the building, staff, etc.
The City has never spent one dollar for food since the shelter opened.
With volunteer hours totaling over 600 a month, the city has conservatively saved $300,000 a year in additional costs to the tax payer.
Visitors on Saturday will get to see the animals and experience the state of the art shelter, as well as enjoy a variety of delicious snacks and treats.
They can also enter to win a $100 bill, or a $50 bill.
Visitors can also adopt, or their kids can have their picture taken with the shelter mascots, Wilson or Juliet.
For Further Information Contact Jon Gray at (615)294-1095 or email him at
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PFM gives final report on City's fire issues
Mt. Juliet got some answers on the fire issue Monday before the regular meeting.
David Eichenthal, a Senior Managing Consultant with PFM, presented his report and the fire issues being discussed between the County and Mt. Juliet.
Mt. Juliet had hired PFM, a forensic accounting firm, to answer three questions.
The first was does the city receive an equitable return of county services for revenue generated from taxes paid in Mt. Juliet.
The second is what are the city’s needs over the next five years.
And the last is if the interlocal agreement with the County is beneficial for the city and the county.
There had been some debate among the county commission that Mt. Juliet doesn’t pay its fair share in county taxes, so the county would not increase the amount of coverage in Mt. Juliet.
The reason being that Watertown and Lebanon have their own fire departments and Mt. Juliet does not.
However, Eichenthal said that Mt. Juliet pays out 25 percent, but only gets 21 percent back from the county.
Eichenthal said that might raise some red flags with Mt. Juliet citizens, but that it is very common.
He used the example that federally, New Jersey pays in more than they get back, while Tennessee pays in less than they get back.
Eichenthal said in looking forward for the next five years, Mt. Juliet needs to look at the data.
Of all the calls that WEMA receives, only 1.4 percent of calls are for structural fires in Mt. Juliet.
The majority of the calls are for ambulances, while mixing in false calls, rescue and calls of that nature.
“You are a relatively small fire risk for a city your size,” said Eichenthal.
He said that Mt. Juliet is lower because of factors such as a lower poverty rate and mostly newer structures in the city.
He said that 1.4 percent of the total WEMA budget is spent on fire suppression in Mt. Juliet, which works out to about $75,000 a year.
There was no question in Eichenthal’s mind about continuing the interlocal agreement with the county.
“I’d work really hard with the county to maintain the interlocal agreement,” said Eichenthal. “It’s in the best interest of Wilson County, financially for both.”
In the report, it states that the “County’s cost of providing WEMA service to Mt. Juliet would not be reduced if it ceased providing fire service. In fact, its cost would likely increase…”
Commissioner Jim Bradshaw said that the commission had been working to continue that agreement with the county, but that there were some “hardheads” on the county commission that are trying to derail it. Bradshaw represents District 11 on the County Commission as well as his District 4 post for the City.
In the regular meeting, the commission approved an ordinance regulating firework sales.
They also approved an amendment to the final master development plan for Ellenwood Farms.
Academy Sports got two issues approved, the first being their outdoor signage, and the ability to have outdoor sales under a canopy in front of the store.
The commission approved the purchase of a new K-9 Unit vehicle.
The new one has 100,000 less miles than the current, gets better gas mileage and is already equipped for the K-9.
Two grants were approved as well, one for Planet Playground and the other to plant trees at Mundy Park.
$30,000 worth of pills stole from PharmaCare
On Sunday, Jan. 1, at approximately 9:55 p.m., the Mt. Juliet Police Department responded to the PharmaCare pharmacy in reference to burglar alarm activation.
Upon arrival, officers found that the building was burglarized and checked it for suspects, but no one was located.
Further investigation revealed that 6,834 pills were stolen from the pharmacy - a street value near approximately $30,000.
The pills included Loritab, Hydrocodone and other pain medication.
It was determined that three individuals were involved in the burglary after Detectives reviewed the pharmacy’s surveillance video.
Using a hood to conceal their face, one suspect entered the pill area and filled a plastic tote with pill bottles.
Surveillance video also shows that the suspects arrived and left in a 2005-2010 year model Chrysler 300 that was white or silver in color.
Anyone with any information regarding this incident is encouraged to call the Mt. Juliet Police Department at (615) 754-2550.
Information can also be given anonymously by calling (615) 754-TIPS (8477) or via the Mt. Juliet Police Department website at http://www.mjpd.org.
Global Vision Bible Church gives members a look at 'The Homeless Experience'
A local church gave 17 men the chance to see how the homeless live the past weekend.
At the corner of Old Lebanon Dirt Road and Chandler Road, Global Vision Bible Church began services as usual on Sunday.
Well groomed, suit-clad men readied video cameras and audio equipment in a booth to the right of the pulpit, while flat panel televisions mounted high on the walls scrolled a countdown timer to alert the congregation services are about to begin.
Everything was business as usual this morning, barring the 17 homeless men that were sitting behind the pulpit in chairs typically reserved for the church’s choir.
In stark contrast to the other church members, the men behind the pulpit were unshaven, dirty, and dressed in clothes that had not been laundered.
A few men sat with their heads tilted back, eyes closed, as if here in this climate controlled haven free of hardships, they were relaxing for the first moment in days.
Fortunately for these 17 men, their lives as homeless citizens were lived with an expiration date.
They were all participants in Global Vision’s second annual Homeless Experience.
The Homeless Experience, organized by Pastor Greg Locke, is a nearly 48 hour immersion exercise in which church members volunteer to live as the homeless live in downtown Nashville for a weekend.
This year proved to have an increase in interest over last year’s Homeless Experience, with the group expanding from 13 members in 2011 to 17 members in 2012.
Three of the men that partook in the Experience this year were not members at Global Vision.
One came with a friend that is a member. Two came from Cincinnati after they saw Pastor Locke post an open invitation for the Experience on Twitter.
Regardless of where they came from, all these men had one common goal: to subject themselves to great poverty, loneliness and homelessness, so that they can better empathize with the less fortunate and understand how to more effectively minister to the homeless of Nashville.
All 17 men, ranging in ages from 16-58, were dropped off downtown Friday evening.
The only possessions they were allowed to have was the clothes on their backs and a photo ID.
The men spent Friday evening scattered on street corners begging passersby for any spare change they could offer.
Michael Light recalls his initial task when the group was dropped off downtown.
“We got down there and the first humiliating part was having to rummage through the trash to get a cup [to collect change in]. I wouldn’t even do it at first. Basil had to do it for me.”
Light is referring to fellow participant Basil Coffey, who described being homeless as “unbearable.” Coffey states, “I can’t imagine what it would be like to be out there every day. The whole time we’re out there, we know we’re going to come back [on Sunday]... And it was hard enough. I was tempted to walk home.”
The group settled under a downtown bridge Friday night.
Some slept on rocks while others tried resting on broken down cardboard, but the general result was very little sleep.
Saturday began with a 5-mile group trek for food that resulted in a donation of, as 16-year old Isaac Wright of Cincinnati describes, what had to be “12 pounds of bologna.” Wright goes on to say, “I hate bologna, but I have never loved it so much as this weekend.”
Being the youngest member of the group did not spare Isaac Wright from the experience all the men shared. He recounts, “I had a person come by, throw a quarter on the ground, and say ‘crawl out and get it’. I had a lady come by and dump her ice tea in my cup, then laugh like it was no big deal.” Pastor Locke estimates that the group as a whole collected between $50 and $60 over the weekend to feed the 17 members in their group, which was not enough.
Although the emotional testimony of the group paints a picture of gratitude for the experience rather than one of regret, all the participants were more than ready to return to Global Vision Sunday morning to partake in a hot breakfast prepared for them by friends and family and to share their testimony with the congregation.
Matt Pop’s emotional portrayal of the Homeless Experience accurately depicts the consensus of the whole group.
He explains, “I’m broken. [The homeless] are hurting bad. And there’s thousands and thousands of them out there. I know how they feel now. I know how they feel in their hearts. They’re degraded. They’re deprived. They’re lonely.” Pop goes on to say, “They deserve more. I don’t have anything, but I want to give them everything I’ve got. I don’t need it. I’ve got everything I need.”
The 2012 participants in The Homeless Experience with Global Vision Bible Church were Basil Coffey, Matt Pop, Johnny Martin, Jarrod Almond, Matt Korte, Isaac Wright, Anthony Hicks, Shannon Powell, Clint Roney, Kevin Ledbetter, Al Cross, Chris Clark, Michael Light, John Thompson, Nick Godwin, Jason Hill, and Greg Locke.
For more information on Global Vision and to watch video of The Homeless Experience testimonials, visit www.globalvisionbc.com
4 juvenile suspects arrested for home burglaries
Starting in mid-December and crossing over into the New Year, the Belinda City neighborhood in Mt. Juliet was hit hard with five residential burglaries.
Resulting from a suspicious persons call by one of the burglary victims, the Mt. Juliet Police Department has been able to solve all recent Belinda City neighborhood residential burglaries.
On Jan. 3 at approximately 11:35 a.m., the Mt. Juliet Police Department responded to a report of juveniles acting suspiciously in the front yard of a residence that was recently burglarized.
Upon arrival, officers made contact with two male juveniles and further investigation revealed that they could be the suspects in the recent rash of home burglaries.
The juveniles were apparently looking for item they lost when they committed a burglary at that residence on Dec. 31, 2011.
Their parents were contacted, and the male suspects were detained and transported to police headquarters for further questioning by detectives.
It was revealed that two female juveniles were also involved.
The female suspects were contacted and willingly participated in the investigation.
All suspects admitted to their actions of burglarizing five homes in the Belinda City neighborhood.
Each home was in walking distance of each other.
One of the homes was abandoned, and that is where the offenders stored the stolen property.
Items that were stolen included video game consoles, video games, DVDs, clothing, cash, ammunition and firearms.
Detectives were able to recover all the stolen property, which will be returned to their proper owner.
The juvenile offenders’ age range from 14 to 17, and they will be receiving felony charges of Aggravated Burglary that will be filed with the Juvenile Court.
All burglaries occurred on Meadowview Drive, Sunny Acre Drive, and Meadowbrook Court in the Belinda City neighborhood.
Commissioners approve annexing eastern corridor properties
The City of Mt. Juliet commissioners approved the annexation of 877 acres of land along the new eastern corridor, and said farewell to City Manager Randy Robertson Monday.
The annexed properties were along the proposed eastern corridor, which would go from the Beckwith Interchange to Lebanon Road. There were a few in the audience who weren’t happy about being annexed into the city. Mayor Ed Hagerty addressed that he understood their concerns, and remembers when Mt. Juliet was just 3,000 people back when he moved here in 1982.
“Part of me wishes it was still that way,” said Hagerty.
Hagerty said even then, there was talk of the road being built, so this isn’t something that just sprung up out of nowhere.
“We all knew this day was coming,” said Hagerty.
The commissioners present echoed Hagerty’s sentiments.
“I believe this is the best thing for Mt. Juliet,” said Vice Mayor James Maness.
At the beginning of the meeting, Hagerty, Public Works Director Marlin Keel, and Commissioner Ted Floyd spoke a few words about Robertson, who is leaving the first week of January for the same position in Vestavia Hills, Ala.
“You’ve turned the city for the better,” said Hagerty.
Hagerty stated that the City was in a bit of turmoil when Robertson took over, but Robertson has turned it around.
Keel gave an emotional speech about what Robertson’s leadership meant to him, and made a joke about Robertson’s constant e-mail communication.
“The little guy in my computer that says ‘you got mail,’ his job just got a little easier,” joked Keel.
Robertson addressed the commission and audience at the end of the meeting.
“I have been blessed to lead an extraordinary group of men and women,” said Robertson.
Robertson’s last day will be Jan. 8. Economic Development Director Kenny Martin will be the Interim City Manager until a new one can be found. Robertson will be having a farewell party at the Mt. Juliet Community Center Saturday, starting at 7 p.m., which the community is welcome.
The next commission meeting will not be until Jan. 9. The Dec. 26 meeting is cancelled due to it being a city holiday. |
