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 -