Wow . . . the 4th of July has been changed!!!

The Fourth of July is considered to be the most patriotic of all American/United States holidays. It is a federal holiday commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, declaring our independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain and commonly called Independence Day. A pretty big deal, right? Yeah, some historians submit that it was actually August 2, 1776 when the signing of our Declaration of Independence took place. However, it is documented that signers such as John Adams, Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin declared they had signed the document on July 4, 1776. Regardless, Americans celebrate this holiday on July 4th, each and every year! Oops, my bad, not the City of New Johnsonville, TN in 2013! Did anyone see the “Notice” in the News-Democrat informing citizens that City Hall will be open Thursday, July 4, 2013 and closed to celebrate our nation’s independence Friday, July 5, 2013? I fully understand how this will give city employees a three day weekend. Who among us would object to a three day weekend? And, isn’t Thursday one of the garbage pick up days? But, July the 4th IS the holiday, not July 5th! What’s next changing Christmas for convenience?


Chief Ellison has handed out a multitude of awards, plaques or whatever to veterans of military service. Isn’t the sentiment behind this recognition basically a Thank You for defending our country and our freedoms? How does ignoring the most patriotic holiday and changing it for the sake of “convenience” make sense? Were it not for those brave patriots 237 years ago . . . how different would our world today be? Perhaps Germany would have won WW I or WW II?? Sure on one hand this is petty, but when we allow tradition and meaningful dates, times and history to take a backseat for “convenience”, what really matters after that?

Have a safe holiday, whether you celebrate it on the 4th or the 5th or the 4th through the 7th! I just cannot imagine picking up garbage on July 4th!! 


 O'Malley out -

And the Safe Room will be finished in August or September or October or ????

Simple questions go unanswered and this is not an alert that something is amiss? Pleeze . . .it is difficult, if not impossible to be positive, think or even consider all aspects of New Johnsonville, TN city government is operating without secrets or questionable spending and use of city monies when no one will even anonymously, come forward and answer legitimate questions pertaining to various “projects”. My last post I asked a few questions about the Senior Citizens Center. No one came forward and offered the first answer! Why? Are the answers a secret or is it that only a chosen few are privy to the answers? I pointed out how out-of-date your city’s website was, again no one responded and the website remains the same, unchanged and out of date. Then a comment following my last post asked what seemed to me to be a non-loaded, legitimate question. The poster asked the difference in city codes and city ordinances. Perhaps I am mistaken, but it seems to be one of two factions from those who profess to have “the answers”. The self-proclaimed “knowledgeable” individuals are either ignorant or arrogant! I have a tendency to suspect both!


Moving forward to the June 3, 2013 NJCC meeting and the News-Democrat’s account of said meeting. Damn!! Councilwoman Stella Matney asked about the city’s contract with the meter reader. Before I continue, was this contract put out for bids? If so, when and to properly and legally do this, a notice in the News-Democrat would be required. If it was there I missed it! Did ANYONE see such a notice or invitation to bid?



The “pretty and clean” issue is getting out of hand. Fining fifty dollars a day is outrageous, ridiculous and basically the acts of a dictatorship. What happened to Councilman Woods suggestion of the city offering assistance? Of course it is understandable why the city needs extra money. Paying $1500.00 for a fireworks display, can New Johnsonville, TN really afford that? No, it’s not a lot of money, but isn’t there more worthy NEEDS than to “burn” the city’s money? And just how much will an entire year’s worth of utilities at the Senior Citizen’s Center cost the City of New Johnsonville? Worthy causes are wonderful, but meet obligations and responsibilities first!

In closing, I found it strange for your Assistant Police Chief to be changing jobs and going to the water/sewer plant. Will he be replaced, will this be a drop in wages?? Wasn’t he the K-9 officer? Oh yeah, I mentioned a drug dog in a past post and someone commented, something to the effect of . . . uh, what drug dog. What is the situation with currently having a drug dog?

Glad to see Chief Ellison’s name back in the article for NJCC meetings! Seems his back or whatever injury he sustained is doing well, but I do wish his monthly report was more detailed. The account in this month’s meeting shortened it to he “gave the monthly report”.  


O'Malley out -

Doin' things correctly

I try to be positive and get two comments!! Where are all those people who have criticized me for being negative? Now’s the time to spread your goodness and let EVERYONE know what a wonderful little town New Johnsonville, TN is! Sure I’m guilty of “stirring the pot” from time to time. Have you ever cooked a pot of soup and not stirred it? Stirring can make a huge difference and keep crap from sticking to the bottom and sides. But, some of you wanted a positive twist, oh my last post wasn’t sugar-coated or sickening sweet, but it surely made intelligent people wonder about some things and it was insulting to anyone. However, that’s just it, you want insulting! You want to be able to insult me mostly, but you also seem to enjoy bashing city officials and members of the NJPD. C’mon, the bashing may be true and hey, it may even be fun, but it accomplishes absolutely nothing! Of course, if your goal is sit at your computer and bitch, gripe, whine, complain and ALLOW your little town to get worse than it is or has ever been . . . continue on the path you’re following.


Moving along, have you visited the City of New Johnsonville’s website lately? It shows this as “NEWS” -

SCHOOL IS BACK IN SESSION. PLEASE USE EXTREME CAUTION ESPECIALLY IN THE SCHOOL ZONE & SURROUNDING AREAS.

POLICE OFFICERS WILL ALWAYS BE IN THE SCHOOL ZONE

BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL UNLESS THEY HAVE

AN URGENT CALL.



Isn’t school out for the summer or at least close to being out? Were police officers ALWAYS in the school zone before and after school?

More from the website -

ELECTION DAY IS HISTORY AND THE CITIZENS HAVE SPOKEN..

And when was the city election, August 2012?? But you know, there is no current “New Johnsonville News”! There is no mention of street repairs, water outages, even trivial things like when garbage is picked up or information for new residents. Why? And are all those named in the various departments still city employees?

Ladies and gentlemen, people do visit the websites of places they consider visiting. Each of you do realize that www on the address line is a shortened version of worldwide web, right? In fact, this blog is viewed by folks from all around the globe. For me it is a disgrace and an injustice to the citizens and taxpayers of New Johnsonville, TN to have such an obvious disregard for the upkeep of such a valuable tool in bringing visitors to your town. Allow me to explain, visitors means money being spent, taxes collected and directly going into the operation of New Johnsonville.

God bless our senior citizens and while I am still having a few slight concerns about the “Senior Citizen Center”, that could be explained if someone “in the know” would take the time to do so, I am thrilled this place exists. However, I’m just a little confused on a few things. According to the “New Johnsonville Senior Center News”, in the current News-Democrat, they have games of bingo every Thursday morning and it appears these games/bingo has been a success. Great! Right?? Oh but wait, the center will be closed on Thursday for a TVA Retiree lunch! What? Yes it is petty, but the day the center has a structured activity and TVA retirees decide to choose that day for their lunch. Is this fair to seniors who did NOT retire from TVA? Again, who “owns” the Senior Center? How is it being funded? And why, if everything is on the up and up is there secrecy? Maybe not secrecy, but newspaper accounts have been vague, why not be open and upfront? One other issue, breakfast on Monday and Tuesday. This sounds like a wonderful idea, but sometimes wonderful ideas need some “i’s” dotted and “t’s” crossed to satisfy certain requirements. First, since there is cooking on the premises is the kitchen required to be inspected by the state? Second, donations are mentioned in the News-Democrat column, donations for what exactly? Is the lady who cooks being paid or is she donating her time? Then there’s the food and if someone goes in to eat, do they pay for their breakfast? Yes, I am pleased New Johnsonville has a Senior Center, but I do hope all angles have been examined and EVERYTHING is being done exactly as the law and legal requirements intend.    


O'Malley out -

Can we try a different approach??

Can we not be positive, productive and forego the insults and name calling? Pay attention, there seems to be issues that needs to be addressed, questions that need to be answered and accountability for matters that effect ALL citizens of New Johnsonville, TN. Do you really have time to be petty?


Need an example? This may indeed be insignificant to most, but is it really? Did you know the City of New Johnsonville, TN has a website? Have you visited this website? As an observer it is pitiful! It lacks up to date information and this looks horrible on your town. Do you not want visitors? You know some people actually take vacations! What does New Johnsonville, TN have to offer? The Tennessee River for boating and fishing, a Civil War attraction are there other things? And, IF visitors come they will spend money at restaurants, convenience stores, the grocery store, maybe the hardware store, etc. and this will increase revenue.
To the Mayor and City Council - quit milking your residents of their earnings. I was recently told water bills are excessive, your police department chooses Long Street to run radar instead of Highway 70/Broadway and spending is getting out of control. You do realize spending money requires money to be available? What’s up with purchasing mowers, were they really needed?

Now back to the website. Local events, scheduled repairs on city streets or water/sewer lines could be posted on the website. Hey, as a public service, you could list businesses in town. I noticed in the News-Democrat, Humphreys County has budgeted something like $160,000.00 for tourism, New Johnsonville is a part of Humphreys County, but is New Johnsonville getting their fair share of publicity, advertising and attention? What about the Tennessee River Resort District monies? You do realize that money comes because of the Tennessee River and while I am confident Loretta Lynn’s Ranch is a great place, name recognition alone should attract visitors. New Johnsonville you deserve a piece of the pie!

Why not eliminate the negative BS and work together to make New Johnsonville, TN a better place?    


O'Malley out -

A NEW DAY HAS DAWNED!!

I bet you’re wondering what happened! Yeah, me too!! Oh, I know what happened to the content of my blog, but I fail to understand “barking dogs”. Why can’t we play nice? Why do some feel the need to make threats? Truthfully, for me personally being threatened pisses me off and I have a tendency to . . . behave badly. However, as has always been the case, my intent is to make New Johnsonville, TN a better place to live, work and visit. It is doubtful that would happen for some time if I countered the threats.


I do not know whose hands may be in the proverbial cookie jar or if anyone has a hand in it. I do know it appears taxpayer’s money is being wasted and spent less wisely than it should. This should be a great concern to ALL who live in New Johnsonville, TN, but unfortunately it is not. I get accused of “stirring the pot”, causing trouble and not knowing what I write about. Well gee, when some have multitudes of questions that go unanswered, are not allowed to view city documents that are suppose to be public record and are ridiculed for the desire to want to know honest answers . . . something seems to be wrong with this picture.

I will continue to post on this blog and will make an attempt to find a source or sources other than the News-Democrat to ascertain information. One final comment . . . I encourage ALL who have issues, comments and complaints pertaining to the City of New Johnsonville, TN to share them. And to those who are not doing your job, yet in some form or another are receiving money from New Johnsonville, TN . . . lace up your boots it may get a little bumpy.



O’Malley out -