The Sept. 11, 2017 Franklin Tomorrow FrankTalks was a deep look into the crisis of opioid use and abuse in Williamson County, with a panel of individuals with hands-on knowledge of the rising tide locally.

“Facing the Opioid Crisis” was held in partnership with the Williamson County Anti-Drug Coalition (WCADC) to educate the community about the use and misuse of opioid drugs and the crisis that has hit the nation and the state and is creeping into Williamson County.

Panel members included Cindy Blom, an addiction and recovery counselor whose son’s addiction to opiates eventually ended his life; Tony Owens, a licensed clinical social worker who works with individuals and court-sanctioned programs; and Franklin Police Detective Robert Dilworth. Franklin Tomorrow Board Member Patrick Baggett moderated the panel.

You can watch the video below, provided by the City of Franklin’s FranklinTV, or the Williamson Herald story through this link.

The Franklin Tomorrow Mayor’s Cup Gold Tournament, presented by Full Service Insurance & Grange Insurance, on Oct. 4 at Vanderbilt Legends Club will be here before we know it! Even sooner is our Preview Party on Sept. 27 at the Williamson County Enrichment Center, featuring a “Friends of the Brand” tasting by Jack Daniel’s master taster Lynne Tolley.

Lynne Tolley

This party is for the tournament’s overall partners, but this year has also been opened for hole and contest sponsors, which include Andrews Transportation Group, our hole-in-one contest partner.
To learn more about a hole sponsorship, contact Carmen Stanek.
A hole sponsorship at the Mayor’s Cup is $300 and includes one ticket to theSept. 27 for We’re excited to have all our VIPs join us for an evening of whiskey tasting, visiting, and bidding!
Franklin Tomorrow is pleased to provide several great items, one of which is a golf getaway trip to California Wine Country through our partnership with one of our sponsors, American Fundraising Foundation – AmFund.
This specific trip to Bodega Bay will be one to remember! It is designed for two travelers, is good for three years, and has no blackout dates! It will include round-trip airfare and deluxe hotel accommodations.
For questions, please email carmen@franklintomorrow.org.

On September 11, FrankTalks will cover a topic that has started to hit our community too close to home. We have all seen it in the headlines and heard it on the news. While we would all rather believe that the opioid crisis will not affect us, it is a very real situation that is consistently growing in severity.
FrankTalks is partnering with the Williamson County Anti-Drug Coalition (WCADC) in an effort to further educate the public and discuss ways our community can fight this epidemic. The panel will consist of individuals who have personally been affected by the opioid crisis and those who work as professionals in law enforcement or treatment and recovery.
To RSVP for the event, follow this link.
FrankTalks is free and the public is invited. Franklin Tomorrow partnered with Vanderbilt University’s Office of Neighborhood, Government and Community Relations to expand the frequency of FrankTalks in 2016 to a monthly program. It is held at various locations across the city, but always on the second Monday of the month. FrankTalks will begin at 9 a.m. in the City Hall Training Room on the Church Street end of the building. The program will begin at 9:30 a.m.

Franklin Tomorrow’s FrankTalks on Monday, Aug.14, will help you get ready for a total eclipse of the sun. Get your questions answered about how to safely view the eclipse and pick up some glasses for viewing.

Rocky Alvey

Join Rocky Alvey, director of Vanderbilt Dyer Observatory, and observatory astronomer, Billy Teets, for a fascinating program about The Mighty Sky and specifically about the 2017 Solar Eclipse, which will come right through Middle Tennessee on Aug. 21 in the middle of the day.

To RSVP for the free event, go to https://aug14franktalks.eventbrite.com

Rocky Alvey has been involved in amateur astronomy from 1970 to the present. He has been conducting educational programs and public outreach at Vanderbilt Dyer Observatory and other locations in Tennessee since 2000. Working as an amateur astronomer, he has treated thousands of individuals to views through the eyepiece of his telescopes over the past 40 plus years. In 2007 the Vanderbilt University Chancellor presented Alvey with the Commodore Award in recognition of significant achievements in pursuit of excellence in education and community service.

Billy Teets

At Vanderbilt Dyer Observatory, Teets is responsible for a myriad of projects. He is a regular speaker for the Observatory’s community programs, camps, teacher workshops and special school events and is a knowledgeable and trusted operator of all of the Observatory’s telescopes and astronomical equipment.

He is continuing his community outreach efforts as well as teaching astronomy at Vanderbilt. Since 2012 Billy serves as the Vanderbilt Dyer Observatory Astronomer.

FrankTalks will begin at 9 a.m. at the Westhaven Resident’s Club, 401 Cheltenham Ave., with a 30-minute coffee social, followed by the program at 9:30 a.m.

FrankTalks is free and the public is invited. Franklin Tomorrow partnered with Vanderbilt University’s Office of Neighborhood, Government and Community Relations to expand the frequency of FrankTalks in 2016 to a monthly program. It is held at various locations across the city, but always on the second Monday of the month.

During Franklin Tomorrow’s 11th annual Exemplary Community Volunteer Awards, held on July 26, at the Franklin Theatre, we instituted a new segment to recognize a wide spectrum of individuals who had passed away within the last 18 months after living lives which were exemplified with service to their community.
As we said that night, while these individuals were recognized, they were honored so they could serve as examples for others. In conjunction with Friends of Franklin Parks, pavers in honor of these individuals will be installed at the Park at Harlinsdale Farm and a ceremony held this fall.

Former longtime Williamson County Commissioner and volunteer Judy Grigsby Hayes was named the recipient of the Anne T. Rutherford Exemplary Community Volunteer Award on Wednesday, July 26, as part of the 11th annual Franklin Tomorrow Exemplary Community Volunteer Awards and Volunteer Spirit Awards, at the Franklin Theatre.

Hayes was nominated for the award by Williamson County Mayor Rogers Anderson and his Chief of Staff Diane Giddens.

(L-R) Tim Murphy, Anne T. Rutherford, Judy Hayes (award winner), Mayor Rogers Anderson, Nancy Conway, Diane Giddens and Joyce Smith

In 2007, Franklin Tomorrow established the Exemplary Community Volunteer Awards to honor the decades of service and tremendous impact of Anne T. Rutherford, with an award which recognizes the collective effort of an individual’s work, the impact on the agencies themselves, and the community at large.

While spotlighting her 28 years as a County Commissioner, the two wrote of Hayes, “For decades, she has made the conscientious decision to ‘serve first.’ Though her professional career of choice was that of an elementary schoolteacher, her desire to serve others extended far beyond the classroom.”

In the nomination, Hayes’ early involvement in the recycling and environmental efforts in the county was highlighted, as well as her promotion of heritage tourism and involvement in the revival of the Williamson County Fair after a 50-year hiatus.

Hayes also served as the first chair of Williamson Inc. after being involved in the Williamson County-Franklin Chamber for 30 years as a small business owner.

“As a member of the transition team, established to consolidate the chambers throughout the county, she assisted in the efforts to unify the collection of talent, resources and voices to form today’s Williamson Chamber Inc.,” Anderson and Giddens wrote.

“Whether leading or watching from the sidelines, you can always count on her to put others’ interest before her own. When you think of exemplary volunteers who have been involved in the betterment of our community, city and county, you will most likely see the handprint of Judy Hayes woven within the project somewhere,” they wrote. “Judy has selflessly devoted herself to exemplifying volunteer, servant leadership.”

Franklin Tomorrow President Tim Murphy presented the President’s Award to Franklin Tomorrow Board Member Mike Alexander for his work with the organization as well as his widespread community involvement with organizations like Brightstone, Franklin Breakfast Rotary, the Williamson County branch of the Better Business Bureau, and P38, a local organization that works primarily with the First Brigade of the 101st Airborne (AASLT) Division at Ft. Campbell, Ky.

Tim Murphy reads the list of reasons why Mike Alexander was awarded the President’s Award.

Other awards were bestowed during the evening in various categories, as well as the Franklin Tomorrow Business Legacy Award, given to well-known local attorney and community philanthropist Julian Bibb.

In the Civic Group category, awards went to CrossPoint Church of Franklin, nominated by WAVES Inc.; and VITA tax preparation, nominated by United Way of Williamson County.

In the Corporate Team category, awards were given to APCOM Inc., nominated by Brightstone; and Carbine & Associates, for its work on the House for Hope Designer Show House.

In the Corporate Volunteer category, Brian Evans of Tractor Supply was the recipient, based on a nomination from United Way of Williamson County.

In the Volunteer Spirit category, award recipients were Susan Edenfield, Franklin Lions Club; Eunetta Kready, Williamson County CASA; Ann Logan, People for Animals; and Andy Marshall, Brightstone.

In the Youth Initiative category, award recipients were Destiny Moore, Boys & Girls Club of Williamson County; and Threads of Care, a youth initiative to collect clothing for teens in need.

Making the event possible as presenting partners were FirstBank, Jackson National Life, PARKS, and Williamson Medical Center. Acting as sustaining partners were Buerger Moseley Carson and Franklin Rotary at Breakfast. Patron supporters are Signs First, The TMA Group, and Franklin Lions Club.

Supporters include Taziki’s Mediterranean Café; Lipman Brothers, and the R.S. Lipman Company; 61st District State Rep. Charles Sargent; 63rd District State Rep. Glen Casada; 65th District State Rep. Sam Whitson; 23rd District State Sen. Jack Johnson; Ernie & Nell Bacon; Deana Hood, Attorney at Law; District Attorney General Kim Helper; The BBB Integrity Foundation; and Ryan Search & Consulting.

Franklin Tomorrow is a community visioning nonprofit which seeks to engage the community, foster collaboration, and advocate for a shared vision for the future of Franklin. That shared vision includes a vibrant economy, distinct character, robust neighborhoods, and great people.

Franklin Tomorrow held its 11th annual Community Volunteer Awards on July 26, 2017, at the Franklin Theatre. The event was preceded by a reception at FirstBank and ended with a champagne and dessert finale at PARKS on Main.

(L-R) Tim Murphy, Anne T. Rutherford, Judy Hayes (award winner), Mayor Rogers Anderson, Nancy Conway, Diane Giddens and Joyce Smith

Apcom Inc. (nominated by BrightStone) receives a Corporate Team Award

Franklin Cross Point Church (nominated by Waves, Inc.) received a Civic Group Award.

Julian Bibb and Tim Murphy with art by Debbie Smartt

Tim Murphy presents Mike Alexander with President’s Award.

VITA Volunteers (nominated by United Way of Williamson County) receives a Civic Group Award.

Franklin Tomorrow’s quarterly Breakfast With the Mayors, presented by Pinnacle Financial Partners, on Tuesday, July 25, was  a candid and insightful look at “The Business of Sports” with executives from Nashville’s existing and hopeful professional sports teams.

Tennessee Titans President Steve Underwood, Nashville Predators President Sean Henry, and Nashville Major League Soccer co-founder Will Alexander joined County Mayor Rogers Anderson and Ellie Chin, CEO of the Williamson County Convention & Visitors Bureau, to discuss existing and future plans.

Underwood stunned the crowd when he announced a practice scrimmage by the Titans on Friday, Aug. 4, at Centennial High School. The event will be 7:15-9 p.m. and open to the public.

A school in Williamson County was selected because so many Titans fans and season ticket holders live there, Titans president and CEO Steve Underwood told The Tennessean Tuesday.

“Our head coach (Mike Mularkey) and our general manager (Jon Robinson) and our owner (Amy Adams Strunk) wanted to get out in the community,” Underwood said. “We have thousands of PSL holders and lots of fans in Williamson County. A lot of our players and staff live out there. It’s a great opportunity for us to spend time in the community and get away from our own environment and out into another place.”

Henry also had news, saying he expects to see a youth hockey and Predators training facility in Williamson County, which he calls home, within three years.

“I don’t think anyone wants it here more than me,” he told The Tennessean. “All four of my kids play, and I hate putting a timeline on anything, but I would sure hope there’s a positive announcement about an ice rink in Williamson County in the very near future.”

The next Breakfast With the Mayors will be Oct. 31.

Julian Bibb

Julian Bibb will be the recipient of the Business Legacy Award to be presented Wednesday, July 26, as part of the 11th annual Franklin Tomorrow Exemplary Community Volunteer Awards and Volunteer Spirit Awards, at the Franklin Theatre.

The event will begin at 7 p.m. following a 5:30 p.m. reception at First Bank at Five Points for nominees, their families and ticketholders. New this year will be a champagne and dessert after-party, hosted at PARKS Realty.

The awards presentation will begin at 7 p.m. Tickets are available for $25 per person through the Franklin Theatre at www.franklintheatre.com and include the pre- and post-parties, as well as the main event at the Theatre.

The Franklin Tomorrow Business Legacy Award is a continuation of the Business Legends Award previously presented by the Williamson County-Franklin Chamber of Commerce.

This award recognizes an individual who has made significant impact in the areas of business, quality of life, and leadership, according to Tim Murphy, Franklin Tomorrow Board president.

Bibb, who lists among his biggest passions the pursuit of the law and the Franklin community, most recently finished a term as president of the Heritage Foundation, but has been a leader in the founding of numerous community organizations and activities.

Among the organizations he helped to found is Leadership Franklin and Debbie Henry, associate executive director of the program, had this to say in a nomination.

“Above all, Julian is the epitome of volunteer servant leadership. Each day, he unselfishly rolls up his sleeves, and brings his expertise, his talents, his passion, and his toolbox filled with love for Franklin, Williamson County, and Tennessee, with the goal of continually helping others and bettering the community,” Henry wrote, with the support of Leadership Franklin prepared for her and Leadership Franklin Executive Director Paula Harris.

Mary Pearce, the recipient of last year’s Business Legacy Award and recent retiree as the long-time executive director of the Heritage Foundation, also submitted a nomination for Bibb. She noted he has served more terms as Heritage Foundation president than anyone else in that organization’s 50-year history.

“Julian has served as the leader who can build consensus for projects that profoundly impact our community such as battlefield reclamation, conservation easements, tourism, historic zoning, community visioning, leadership building for youth and adults, purchase of special places like Harlinsdale Farm and support of education,” she wrote. “He does the needed homework for each project, takes the best notes, creates the best teamwork, never gives up and always finds the time to also be an amazingly productive attorney, wonderful family man and great friend.”

Bibb is a member of Stites & Harbison PLLC with a practice specializing in banking and real estate law. Earlier this summer, Bibb and the firm were recognized by The Land Trust for Tennessee for providing $500,000 in pro-bono services to the organization, and also they were recognized by The Civil War Trust for providing pro bono legal services to battlefield preservation in Franklin valued at $1.5 Million.

To list the organizations which Bibb has helped to start would be lengthy, but they include Franklin Tomorrow, Franklin’s Charge, the Education Foundation of Williamson County, and several more. He is active with the Land Trust of Tennessee, Cumberland Region Tomorrow, The Transportation Management Association, and Leadership Middle Tennessee, as well as many professional organizations.

He is married to Jayne, and their children are Julian and Debra, Polly and Chris, Joseph and John. He has six grandchildren.

Making the event possible as partners are FirstBank and Williamson Medical Center. Acting as supporters are Buerger Moseley Carson, PARKS Realty, and Rotary Club of Franklin at Breakfast.

In 2007, Franklin Tomorrow established the Exemplary Community Volunteer Awards to honor the decades of service and tremendous impact of Anne T. Rutherford, with an award which recognizes the collective effort of an individual’s work, the impact on the agencies themselves, and the community at large. Awards will also be presented in the Volunteer Spirit, Youth Initiative, Civic Groups, Corporate Volunteer Teams, and Individual Corporate Volunteer categories.

Patron supporters for the event are The TMA Group, Franklin Lions Club, and Signs First. Supporters are 61st District State Rep. Charles Sargent, 63rd District State Rep. Glen Casada, 23rd District State Sen. Jack Johnson, 65th District State Rep. Sam Whitson, Ernie & Nell Bacon, Deana Hood, Attorney at Law, The BBB Integrity Foundation, Taziki’s, District Attorney General Kim Helper, Lipman Brothers, and the R.S. Lipman Company, and Ryan Search & Consulting.

Franklin Tomorrow is a community visioning nonprofit which seeks to engage the community, foster collaboration, and advocate for a shared vision for the future of Franklin. That shared vision includes a vibrant economy, distinct character, robust neighborhoods, and great people. Visit our Website at www.franklintomorrow.org.

Franklin Tomorrow’s 2017 Breakfast with The Mayors series, presented by Pinnacle Financial Partners, will continue on Tuesday, July 25 at Rolling Hills Community Church.
The event will begin with networking at 7 a.m., followed by the start of the program at 7:45 a.m. Williamson County Mayor Rogers Anderson will help facilitate the timely topic of “The Business of Sports” Representatives will speak of the economic impact of sport organizations in Middle Tennessee.
While the full roster of those on stage is still being drafted, the panel will include Sean Henry, President & CEO of the Nashville Predators, and Mike Keith, The Voice of the Tennessee Titans. Coffee will be served by MJ Roasting of Nolensville and breakfast will be catered by Puckett’s Grocery & Restaurant.
Thanks to our generous partners, Breakfast with the Mayors is free to attend. Our 2017 supporters include Pinnacle Financial Partners, Williamson County Association of Realtors, Williamson Medical Center, Tennessee Equine Hospital, Rolling Hills Community Church, Patterson, Hardee, & Ballentine, Puckett’s Grocery & Restaurant, and MJ Roasting. We would also like to thank our July Sponsor, Andrews Transportation Group, for their support as well.