Safe Routes to Schools update

Many of you have asked for a update on the Westwood Safe Routes to school project, and as promised when I receive information I pass it on. This is email I received today from the state.

Dear Ryan,

The Safe Routes project is in the right-of-way phase. We are waiting on right-of-way certification, utility certification, environmental permit approval, and a construction authorization checklist before the project can go to construction.

Thanks,
Monique Hazlewood


Office of Local Programs
505 Deaderick Street
Suite 600, James K. Polk Building
Nashville, TN 37243
(615) 532-3176

Manchester Economic Development

This past August Manchester witnessed something that has never happen in our area, a complete political revolt against the "same ole, same ole". Over the first few months of the new administration several changes have taken place both in the form of personnel and policy reforms. But the most noticeable change may be the approach to Manchester's economic development strategies.

"Mayor Norman and I spoke early an often on changes that we felt we not only necessary in our development strategies, but were absolutely critical" said Vice Mayor Ryan French.

Early this month newly elected Alderman Cheryl Swan accompanied by Vice Mayor French traveled to Atlanta with the Chamber of Commerce to visit with retail developers from across the country. The team made up of veteran chamber members and staff included John Roberts of Roberts Automotive Group, Amber Dotson of Fantasy Radio, and Director of the Chamber Susie Mcerin.

"The mission was simple", said French. "These folks are the professionals, and for the city to build an affective economic development strategy it only makes sense to learn from the best".

French said he felt good about the trip "I think we had a great trip, there is a lot of buzz about our city and it was great to materialize the needs of this group that will only enhance this experience further. These guys told me this was the best trip they have had in sometime, and they are the pros... That only excites me that much more."

The Vice Mayor followed his trip to Atlanta with a two day stop in Nashville at the Governors Economic Development Conference.

"The Governor's ECD Conference was a fantastic experience", said French. "I was able to speak one on one with the Governor about our community needs, our focus, and our strategies moving forward and took away invaluable advice from the Governor and other industry professionals that will help shape our approach to economic development."

Last week French announce two major potential partnerships that came away from the two day conference in Nashville. "Susie Mcerin and I spoke with officials from Chattanooga and Murfreesboro about their development strategies and how we could fit a mold somewhere between the two great cities. They were fantastic to work with and both have extended their hand to help Manchester build partnerships with each city and assist in the development strategies we put in place moving forward."

French said he will have a presentation to present to the full board in a "few weeks" to outline the development strategies process.

Joint Government Session

On Wednesday October 24th leaders from the Manchester, Tullahoma, and Coffee County governments met in Tullahoma to discuss the direction of our community and what can be achieved by working together.

"It was great to see leaders from each government in our county in the same room. This was very much a new concept and something I know Mayor Norman and I spoke about just hours after this past August election. Mayor Norman has a vision of what we can accomplish as a community and his outreach with Tullahoma Mayor Lane Curlee has started the movement in the right direction. These meetings will become a quarterly tradition and are sure to involve some fantastic discussion about the direction of our community as a whole."

French visits New Union Elementary School

First it was a honor to speak to the children of the New Union Community. The quality of questions and the attention to detail was very impressive and something that I'm excited about as this generation grows older. I think it is important for our children to not only learn about government and the impact it has on our every day life, but also to be heard... to have their questions and concerns answered. This visit has inspired me to get more involved in our school systems and become more familiar with the concerns of the students and our teachers in our community. We are launching a new initiative at RyansReasons.com where we are focusing on our outreach to students and teachers both in our city school and in our fringe community schools as well. I will be sending out a letter to all of our educators next week that will outline the program, provide a mission statement, and list of goals that we hope to accomplish together.

Vice Mayor's Advisory Panel announced

Manchester Vice Mayor Ryan French has announced intentions to form a Community Advisory Panel. The panel will meet monthly with the Vice Mayor to report on various issues that affect the city.

 

"I'm excited to form this panel as an outlet for passionate citizens to further get involved in our community. The creation of this panel and the Mayor's Advisory Panel are fantastic examples of how we are working to open the doors of the city government to the citizens it is meant to serve", said French. "I look forward to participation from various sectors of the population. I feel strongly about the diversity of the panel, the more diverse the panel the more objective the dialog will be."

If you are interested in signing up for the Vice Mayor's Advisory Panel simply visit RyansReasons.com or pick up an application at the Mayor's office at City Hall. The deadline for applications will be October 15^th at 4:00pm

 

Ryan P. French

Vice Mayor

City of Manchester, TN

 

Contact Info:

(931) 273-6639

RyansReasons.com

CityofManchesterTN.com