LOCAL NEWS

City of Franklin Planning Special Census in 2008

In January, 25,600 Special Census forms were mailed to City of Franklin households. Of those, approximately 10,730 households have responded to date. Over 34% returned their census mailers; an additional 8% came from web responses.

 

Jaime Groce, Planning Director for the City of Franklin, stated, “With only 42% of the households being counted to date, the true population of the community cannot yet be determined. Given the response rate, it is important that each of the remaining households be visited to verify to the State and for our local planning efforts that our estimates are correct.” The Planning Department recently estimated the City’s population at 59,000.

 

On March 15th, census takers began going door-to-door visiting those households that had not yet responded to the Special Census. This process will continue throughout March and April.

 

Residents should know that the Special Census workers will wear orange safety vests and carry official City of Franklin identification; their vehicles will also be marked with a “City of Franklin Census Taker” sign. Census Takers work Monday thru Saturday, from 8 AM until 8 PM. Residents who have not yet responded to the Census may also get a phone call reminder from either Mayor John Schroer or a Census Taker.

 

This year, Police Officers and Firefighters will also aid in the efforts of Census Takers to reach every household in the City.

 

To avoid a call or visit by a Census Taker, residents may still go online and complete their information at

http://www.franklin-gov.com/census2008.aspx. For more information call (615) 550-6728 or e-mail specialcensus2008@franklin-gov.com.

Franklin Police Department to Host Community Meeting: Meeting to Focus on Gang Awareness

The City of Franklin Police Department, in conjunction with the Franklin Special School District and Williamson County Schools, will conduct a Community Awareness Meeting on May 12th at 7 PM at Liberty Elementary School (600 Liberty Pike). The focus of the meeting will be gang awareness.

 

“We generally receive questions on the possibility of gang activity in our community,” stated Police Chief Jackie Moore. He continued, “Those questions have increased due to events that have recently occurred around the area. We wanted to set a time when we could go into our neighborhoods and discuss the issue face-to-face.”

 

While the Department recognizes that gangs may be present in Franklin, they are not ready to press the panic button.

 

“We recognize that there is a gang presence in Franklin,” stated Deputy Chief David Rahinsky. “With that comes associated criminal activity.” This meeting will give residents an opportunity to ask questions and share concerns.

 

The meeting includes a presentation by detectives in the Department’s Criminal Investigative Division, followed by an open discussion. Parents are especially encouraged to attend.

 

For further information, please contact Officer Rose Steagall at (615) 794-2513.

The City of Franklin Celebrates National Public Works Week

National Public Works Week (NPWW) is a celebration of the tens of thousands of men and women in North America who provide and maintain the infrastucture and services collectively known as public works.

 

NPWW is observed each year during the third full week of May. Through NPWW and other efforts, the City of Franklin seeks to raise the public’s awareness of public works issues and to increase confidence in public works employees who are dedicated to improving the quality of life for present and future generations.

 

On May 17th from 10AM - 2PM at Pinkerton Park, the City of Franklin will kick off NPWW with a community celebration. We value our communities and the role public works professionals play in keeping them safe and functioning smoothly. Our objective is designed to increase public awareness of their contributions as well as to enlighten the public about the duties, practices and goals of public works professionals. Public works professionals include those who manage water, sewer, streets, refuse removal systems and the parks system. They are, in short, the people who maintain and improve the systems and services vital to a community’s health, safety and comfort. Activities will include a DJ, Touch-A-Truck, Paint-A-Truck, clowns, face-painting and fun.

City Issues Call To Artists

The City of Franklin, TN is seeking exhibits for its Community Art Display and FireHall Gallery at City Hall 109 3rd Avenue South. Exhibits are held once every month. Open to all artists born in or residing in Tennessee.

 

Various forms of visual media are acceptable including, but not limited to painting, drawing, photography, and graphics. All artwork will be reviewed by the City Hall Art Jury.

 

Interested artists should submit three high quality images that accurately represent their work and an artist biography to City Hall Art Program, PO Box 305 Franklin, TN 37065. Samples may be slides, photographs, or digital images. After reviewing the samples, the Art Jury may request an interview with the artist.

 

Email Candace Connell or call (615) 550-6618 for more details.

Franklin, TN is Among the 1,000 Places to See

We are in the book! Three and a half years ago, travel writer Patricia Schultz wrote 1,000 Places To See Before You Die. It is one of the bestselling travel books ever published with 2.4 million copies in print and 162 weeks, so far, on The New York Times bestseller list. It is the basis of the new television show by the same name airing on The Travel Channel. Online travelers will soon enjoy a major new web site, www.1000beforeyoudie.com.

 

After researching the USA and Canada, Patricia has just published a new book called 1,000 Places To See in The USA and Canada Before You Die and Franklin, Tennessee made the book! Franklin, Civil War History in a Preserved Corner of the South is one of Patricia’s must-visit recommendations.

 

“It is always exciting when we are recognized for our beautiful, historic treasures,” said Kellye Murphy, Interim Director for the Williamson County Convention & Visitors Bureau. “It is quite a feather in the cap of Franklin to be included in such a prestigious travel book. We’re enjoying the national spotlight.”

 

The travel book encourages visitors to linger in historic downtown Franklin, eat lunch at Dotson’s and tour Carnton Plantation. Copies of the travel book are available through Workman Publishing at www.workman.com or at your local bookseller.

Trolley Service in Franklin

The City of Franklin has a transit management services contract with The TMA Group for the management and operation of a flexible fixed route service called the Franklin Transit Authority (FTA). This trolley transit service meets the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Click here for more information.