Long-time Franklin CFO/Assistant City Administrator Retires

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After National Search, City Hires Maryville Finance Professional to Position

Franklin—City of Franklin Assistant City Administrator/Chief Financial Officer Russ Truell announced his retirement earlier this year which will be effective December 15.  Truell has worked for the city for the last 13 years and oversees the following departments:  Water ManagementSanitation and Environmental ServicesFinance; Information TechnologyMunicipal CourtPurchasing; and Transit.  Truell received a B.E. in Engineering from Vanderbilt University and a Master’s degree from the University of London.  Truell has worked in both the public and private sectors.  He began his career with Franklin in 2004 as the Finance Director. In the fall of 2007, Russ was named Assistant City Administrator for Finance.

 “It has been a pleasure working with the entire city team over the last thirteen years. When I started I was asked what I wanted to accomplish for the City and my first reaction was that I wanted to leave the city in better shape than how I found it.  I feel I have accomplished that.  Franklin is poised for continued growth and I wish the city enormous success with future projects.” Said Truell.

“Russ Truell has made tremendous contributions to the community and our organization including obtaining Triple-A bond ratings from both Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s, developing the tax increment financing district which helped to bring Nissan to Franklin, leading the development of important financial policies with our Board, and initiating important strategic efforts to stabilize and improve the City’s employee pension system to name a few,” said City Administrator Eric Stuckey.   “Russ has been an outstanding member of our City team.  We are pleased that he will continue to assist us with the transition after his retirement.”

After an extensive national search City Administrator Eric Stuckey has hired Kristine Tallent from Maryville, Tennessee to fill the position of Assistant City Administrator/Chief Financial Officer.  Tallent currently serves as Director of Management and Budget for the City of Maryville, Tennessee.  Prior to her service in Maryville, Tallent worked for Gwinnett County, Georgia as Budget Director.  She has also worked in the private sector for Public Financial Management as a Senior Managing Consultant.  Tallent holds a Master of Science in Public Policy and Management from Carnegie Mellon University and a Bachelor of Arts from Maryville College.

“I am humbled for the opportunity to join the team of the City of Franklin, one of the most highly regarded places to live in the State of Tennessee.  With its long tradition of sound financial management and services of the highest quality, the City of Franklin has long been an example of best practices for local governments across our state and even the nation.   I look forward to working together with elected officials, administration and staff to continue the highest quality of life expected by the residents of the city,” said Tallent.

“Kristine Tallent will be a great asset to the City of Franklin as we move forward,” said City Administrator Stuckey.  “We look forward to adding Kristine to our City Leadership Team. She is not only a skilled professional, but also a respected leader in her profession.”  In addition to her strong professional background, she was recently selected as an Executive Committee member for the Tennessee Government Finance Officers Association (TGFOA) and has been appointed to the prestigious Debt Committee of the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA).  She is also a board member of the Tennessee Chapter of Women in Public Finance.

Tallent will begin work with the City of Franklin around the first of the year.

Pumpkinfest Returns to Franklin, TN

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Pumpkinfest festivals in Franklin, TN, family events and activities for kids, restaurants, shopping, entertainment, music and fun things to do in downtown Franklin.

Franklin, TN’s favorite celebration of fall returns October 29 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. 

 

Presented by Bank of America, the festival stretches along Main Street and its avenues and offers tons of festive fun for families.

Check out the lineup of things-to-do at Pumpkinfest!

Church of the City Kids’ Zone

Third Avenue South will be transformed into a full block of free children’s activities from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.  Bouncy houses, pony rides, face painting, games, a dedicated preschool area, and much more will keep the small fry entertained for hours.

HomeTown Pet Costume Contests

Costume contests for both humans and pets will take place on the stage on the Public Square.  More details will be coming soon!

Live Entertainment

Two stages will feature full lineups of music and dance performances.  In addition to the stage on the Public Square, this year a second stage will be located on Main Street at First Avenue, near Landmark Booksellers.  The ConSoulers will take the First Avenue stage at 4 p.m. for a two-hour street dance.  Additional stage lineups will be posted soon.

Arts and Crafts Vendors

More than 80 artists and crafts people with handmade wares will line Main Street from Second to Fifth Avenues.  Don’t miss the unique shopping opportunities.

Street Festival Food

Old favorites like corn dogs, funnel cakes, fried catfish, and chicken tenders will join some newer offerings in two dedicated food zones:  around the Public Square, and on Fourth Avenue South.

Chili Cook Off

The Franklin Tomorrow Chili Cook Off will take place on Third Avenue North.  For more information, click here.

The Great Pumpkin

Franklin’s Sister City, Carleton Place, Canada, is again growing our Great Pumpkin.  Stop by its location on the Public Square and guess its weight for a chance at a fabulous prize.

Grave Matters:  The Stories Behind the Stones

After dark, Franklin’s historic cemeteries will come to life with first-person stories of some of the folks buried there. For more information, click here.

Photo Ops

Be sure to bring the camera!  Photo ops will abound!

Parking

In addition to the parking in and around the downtown area, parking and shuttle service will be available from Church of the City and Harlinsdale Farm for $1 per person each way.  No pets, non-folding strollers, or food or drink except bottled water is allowed on the trolleys.

Producing Pumpkinfest is just one of the many activities of The Heritage Foundation of Franklin & Williamson County. Since 1967 the non-profit group has been dedicated to protecting and preserving Williamson County’s historic, architectural and geographic resources; in short, saving the places that matter.

Craftmasters Dinner Series

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Featuring Local Craftmaster: Corsair Distillery
Benefiting Williamson County CASA
Entertainment By Buddy Jewell

Tickets include a four-course Chef’s menu, inspired by and paired with dynamic Corsair Artisan Distillery whiskey cocktails, as well as complimentary drink tickets, a photobooth and intimate acoustic live entertainment in our Grand Event Barn provided by Grammy and CMA nominated artist and Nashville Star winner Buddy Jewell.

Homestead Manor is proud to partner with Corsair Distillery for the second in our 2016 Craftmasters Series, benefiting the Williamson County chapter of Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) for Children. Proceeds from the July 29th evening will fund their will fund their Service Technology Initiative, providing much needed resources for the tools to serve ever more children in need.

Senior Potlucks

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The Williamson County Parks and Recreation Department invites area seniors (55+) to bring along their grandchildren to July bingo and potluck events at four locations. The events are free, but registration is required at www.wcparksandrec.com.

 

July potlucks are: Tuesday, July 12 at the Longview Recreation Center at Spring Hill, 2909 Commonwealth Dr. (activity #5821); Monday, July 18 at the Franklin Recreation Complex, 1120 Hillsboro Rd. (activity #5677); Monday, July 25 at the Fairview Recreation Complex, 2714 Fairview Blvd. (activity # 7021); and Wednesday, July 27 at the Williamson County Recreation Complex at Nolensville, 7250 Nolensville Rd. (activity # 6052).

 

Doors open at 11:30 a.m. The lunch begins at noon, and seniors are asked to bring a side dish or dessert to share. Meat and drinks will be provided. After lunch, a bingo game will begin at 1:00 p.m. with plenty of great prizes. Everyone is welcome, so bring a friend along and be sure to register your grandchildren.

 

Williamson County Parks and Recreation is a public organization, here to benefit the community.  Anyone may register for and participate in the department’s programs, teams, classes and events. For program registration, pass purchasing or additional information, visit www.wcparksandrec.com.  You may also receive department information by “liking” Williamson County Parks and Recreation on Facebook; following us on Twitter at @wc_parksandrec or on Pinterest or YouTube.

July Jamboree: A Picnic on the Grounds of Oaklands Park

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Less than two weeks remain to purchase your tickets to Oakland’s Summer Picnic on the grounds featuring The Knott Brothers Band, all-you-can-eat fried catfish and chicken and spirits by Prichard’s Distillery.

 

The summer picnic-style party will be held Saturday, July 22, 2016, at 6:30 PM on the front lawn of Oaklands Mansion, 900 N. Maney Ave.

 

“The July Jamboree is a fun, casual night out that provides a very different way to support Education and Historic Preservation in downtown Murfreesboro,” said James Manning, Executive Director for the historic site that was once home to one of Murfreesboro’s first families. “This is one of only two major ‘fun-raising’ events held annually that sustain this nationally-registered historic site.”

 

While Nashville’s The Knott Brothers Band performs favorites on the front porch, guests can expect to be treated to Southern-fried chicken and catfish, cooked on site by Uncle Bud’s and served with all the “fixins”. To wet your whistle, there will be both an open bar as well as Prichard’s Distillery, who will be personally serving Rum tastings to guests.

 

“Oaklands After Dark”, night-time tours of the mansion are always a favorite of party-goers.

 

Tickets are $75 per person. For tickets, call Oaklands at 615-893-0022 or visit www.OaklandsMansion.org.  Although the evening is picnic themed, there will be plenty of casual outdoor seating provided, in addition to air-conditioned seating in Maney Reception Hall. For those concerned about mosquitos, the grounds are being treated for biting-pests.

 

Oaklands Mansion is nestled in Oaklands Park, a native tree arboretum and natural wetlands, which includes Maney Spring as well as heritage and native gardens.  Oaklands Visitors Center houses a gift shop and Maney Reception Hall for special events and temporary exhibitions.  Oaklands Mansion is open to the public Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00AM – 4:00PM and Sundays 1:00PM – 4:00PM. For more information visit these sites:

 

www.OaklandsMansion.org   www.prichardsdistillery.com

www.knottbrothers.com   www.unclebuds.com

Willy Wonka Live Theater

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WILLY WONKA AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY will be performed at Generations Church in downtown Franklin this summer. Visit www.offthesquaretheatre.com to learn more.

SHOW TIMES:

  • Thursday, June 16th 2016@7:00PM
  • Friday, June 17th 2016@7:00PM
  • Saturday, June 19th 2016@11:00AM & 4:00PM

Carnival at CoolSprings Galleria

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The Carnival is coming to CoolSprings Galleria June 16 through Jun 26 and will be located in the parking lot near the Belk Men’s and Kid’s entrance. It is going to be fun for all ages!

CoolSprings Galleria is a more than one million square-foot super-regional shopping destination featuring more than 150 stores including The Apple Store, American Girl, Ann Taylor, Banana Republic, Brighton Collectibles, The Cheesecake Factory,  Forever 21, H&M,  J. Crew, Pottery Barn, Pandora, White House | Black Market, Williams-Sonoma and many more.  CoolSprings Galleria is anchored by Belk, Dillard’s, JCPenney, and Macy’s and is conveniently located off I-65 at exits 68 and 69, just fifteen miles south of Nashville. For additional information, find us on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/CoolSpringsGalleria, follow us on Twitter @ShopCoolSprings or visit www.CoolSpringsGalleria.com.

Sandra Moody Sullivan Named “Ed Moody Award of Excellence” Recipient

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Boys & Girls Clubs of Middle Tennessee (BGCMT) announced Sandra Moody Sullivan as the recipient of the 4th “Ed Moody Award of Excellence.”  She will accept the award at the 27th Annual Steak & Burger Dinner taking place on Thursday, May 5, 2016 in Jamison Hall in the Factory at Franklin.

 

Sullivan is the niece of the late Ed Moody and has been an after-school volunteer tutor at the Franklin Club for more than two years. She taught in the Williamson County Schools system for 42 years. The “Ed Moody Award of Excellence” honors the revered Williamson County businessman, who helped establish the Franklin Boys & Girls Club in 1989. Moody co-founded Moody Tire Co. after World War II with his brother, Tom, who was Sullivan’s father. Moody’s widow, Eileen, will present the award to her niece.

 

“I’m very honored to receive this award, particularly since it is named for my uncle Ed,” said Sullivan, daughter of the late Tom and Isabelle Moody. She is the mother of Lisa Carson, Rachel Sullivan, and the late Jennifer McGhee. “I started working with the Club in August of 2014, and I help the youth with whatever work they have, not just math,” Sullivan said.

 

Teaching children is nothing new for Sullivan, an Auburn University graduate who began her education career in 1963 in Columbus, GA. From 1970-1985, she taught at Lipscomb Elementary, and from 1986-2014 at Grassland Middle School. Sullivan had compiled 18 months of unused sick days upon her retirement.

 

A member of Franklin First United Methodist Church, Sullivan said she was surprised that she had been named to receive the Moody Award. “I’m a supporting player, not a star,” Sullivan said.

 

About the Steak & Burger Dinner

The Steak & Burger Dinner is one of Boys & Girls Clubs of Middle Tennessee’s oldest and most time honored traditions. While the event is a fundraiser, it is designed to honor Club members and engage supporters of our organization with the young people who benefit from their generosity. During the event, while all attendees gain inspiration from a keynote speaker, adults dine on finely prepared hamburgers while Club members are honored with special steak dinners, which for some,

may represent their very first steak dinner. The Steak & Burger Dinner incorporates an evening of good food, great entertainment, and interaction with Boys & Girls Clubs’ youth at each table.

 

Each table consists of six (6) adults and two (2) kids so that event attendees learn about the kids in a unique setting.  Steak & Burger Dinner table sponsorships are $1,000 and include tickets for six guests and two Club members. Individual tickets are $125 each, which buys a burger for one adult and a steak dinner for a Club youth member. Top-tier levels include the $10,000 Presenting Sponsor, $7,500 Diamond Sponsor, $5,000 Gold Sponsor, and $2,500 Silver Sponsor.

 

Sponsors receive numerous advantages ranging from various advertisements to tickets and tables. Tickets and tables can be reserved at www.BGCMT.org. For sponsorship opportunities, please contact Denise Carothers, Area Director and Resource Development Director, Williamson County, at 615-628-8188 or dcarothers@bgcmt.org.

 

About The Ed Moody Award of Excellence

The Ed Moody Award of Excellence, an annual honor from the Williamson County Advisory Board, recognizes an individual who has made a lasting impact with the Franklin and Fairview Boys & Girls Clubs and the Williamson County community. Each year the award is chosen by a panel of Williamson County Advisory Board members, Boys & Girls Clubs professional staff and community leaders.

 

About Boys & Girls Clubs of Middle Tennessee

For more than 113 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of Middle Tennessee (BGCMT) has enabled all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, and responsible citizens. Annually, more than 3,400 youth are served at seven Middle Tennessee Boys & Girls Clubs and through community outreach initiatives. Clubs are located in Davidson & Williamson counties. Boys & Girls Clubs provides a safe place, professional caring staff, fun and friendship, and high-impact youth development programs on a daily basis during critical non-school hours. Priority programs emphasize academic success, good character and citizenship, and healthy lifestyles.  To learn more, please visit www.bgcmt.org, like us on Facebook [GreatFuturesStartHere] or follow us on Twitter @BGCMT.

 

Closing the Learning Gap for Complex Children

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High Hopes Development Center is hosting Professional and Family/Caregiver workshops by Rett University: “Closing the Learning Gap for Complex Children – All Engaged, All Communicate, All Learn!” at Brentwood Baptist Church on April 16 & 18

Children with complex disabilities who are severely motor challenged or non-verbal can often be overlooked regarding communication and academic progress, due to the challenges faced by teachers, therapists, administrators, parents and caregivers.  These informative workshops, given by experienced course director Susan Norwell, M.A. Special Education, are designed to help “Close the Learning Gap” by teaching specific methodologies for using AAC soft and high tech tools.  Susan has worked with a wide array of students, including those with Rett Syndrome, Autism and multiple disabilities for the last 40 years High Hopes is proud to present these offerings by Norwell, who has presented workshops worldwide and consults with various school districts on successful education of children with Rett Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy and other complex needs, including those on the autism spectrum.

The April 16 Professional and April 18 Family/Caregiver workshops will equip attendees with strategies and methodologies for supporting even the most complex learners.  The workshops will include robust videos and hands-on demonstrations of academic supports and strategies that aid the processes of learning to read and write, especially for students that often get left behind in these areas.  Participants will learn methods to build better communication, support academic growth, and be empowered with a renewed confidence and belief in their child’s or student’s underlying abilities, regardless of their diagnosis!  Speech-Language Pathologists, Physical and Occupational Therapists and assistants, teachers, special educators and administrators are strongly encouraged to attend the Professional workshop on April 16.

Workshops are from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., with lunch provided, and sponsored by Tobii Dynavox, Continuum Planning Partners and Therapy-in-a-Bin.  Brentwood Baptist Church is located at 7777 Concord Road, Brentwood, TN.  Space is limited to offer an optimal learning experience for attendees.  For more information or reservations, please visit http://www.highhopesforkids.org/closing-the-learning-gap-for-complex-children/ or call 615.661.5437.

 

High Hopes Development Center is a non-profit inclusive preschool and pediatric therapy clinic that loves, nurtures, and educates children from infancy through Pre-K with and without special needs in inclusive classrooms.  A team of experienced teachers and pediatric therapists support the individual needs of each child in the classroom, and the outpatient therapy clinic meets the therapeutic challenges of infants to adolescents in the community. High Hopes is the only non-profit inclusive preschool in Williamson County with a preschool and therapy clinic under one roof. High Hopes is truly unique in the way that children with and without special needs such as Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and other developmental delays play, learn, and grow together every day. The outpatient pediatric therapy clinic provides multiple therapies in one location: occupational, speech, physical, and feeding therapies. High Hopes gives children of all intellectual, physical and mental abilities the opportunity to learn and grow together in an environment that provides a strong foundation for future academic and social success.

 

For more information, visit www.highhopesforkids.org.

Battle Ground Academy Denim & Diamonds

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Battle Ground Academy Denim and Diamonds Franklin TNBattle Ground Academy’s second annual Singer- Songwriter Night with a silent and live auction.  Drinks, dinner and lot’s of great entertainment.

Saturday, March 12, 2016 DENIM & DIAMONDS – $100 per person.

Half of $100 ticket is tax deductible. Dinner includes passed appetizers during cocktail hour, gourmet meal by Suzette, and fine wine. Attire is a little jeans and a little bling! Remember, the sooner you get your money in, the better table you will have. Big-ticket items include two Luxury Suite tickets to Adele and an exclusive VIP trip for two to New York with Billy Joel tickets at Madison Square Garden.

For more information, click here:http://bit.ly/BGADenimandDiamonds2016