Congratulations to Terri Hightower, Paramedic with the Montgomery County Emergency Medical Services, for being selected for the Larry Griffin Paramedic of the Year Award at the Tennessee Ambulance Service Association’s Annual Conference. Terri was chosen from numerous nominations of deserving Paramedics from across Tennessee.

It’s the time for the 2010 Census. This survey is extremely important to our county. For every survey that is not returned, we lose federal funding dollars! The census consists of ten questions and can be filled out in a very short amount of time. Help spread the word that we need EVERY survey in Montgomery County filled out and returned! For more information on the census or to see a sample questionnaire, you can visit www.2010census.gov. Be sure to watch your mailbox and to return the questionnaire by April 1!

Bi-County Solid Waste Management Systems will be hosting a Household Hazardous Wastes collection Day on Saturday March 20. The event is from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Veterans’ Plaza parking lot. Any Tennessee resident can dispose of items such as: Antifreeze, gasoline, paint, pesticides, kerosene, etc. So, now is the time to begin cleaning out the garage and gathering items for disposal!

Due to the inclement weather, the Rotary Park Tree Planting Day has been rescheduled to Saturday, March 20. If you are interested in helping with the enhancement of Wall Branch Creek by planting trees along its banks...now is your chance! On March 20 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the Montgomery County Storm Water Program, the Montgomery County Parks Department, The University of Tennessee Extension Service, the Cumberland River Compact and many local volunteers will join forces to plant donated trees in the area that will help protect the stream. For more information or to volunteer, contact John Doss at 931-648-5718.

With the bombardment of news stories chronicling the job market, unemployment and the state of workers’ futures, it might be of interest to folks to know that there are programs and apprenticeships available that offer job training in growing industries. Many plumbers and pipefitters who for years have successfully honed their skills, are beginning to retire. As our economy starts to make a turn for the better, many construction projects are getting back on track and that requires skilled plumbers, pipefitters, and welders for the foreseeable future. Fortunately for Tennessee, Montgomery County, and the surrounding area, we have had several large construction projects and/or businesses recognize the benefits of our communities. The UATN Local 572 offers an Apprenticeship Program and is hosting an 18 week Accelerated Welding Program tentatively scheduled to begin in the Spring. Interested applicants can call (615)227-5542 for more information. The Training Center is located at 225 Ben Allen Road in Nashville; submit $25 non-refundable application fee (cash or money order only); Complete the Application Form; pass the urinalysis/drug test; Must be 18; Show High School Diploma with Transcripts (or GED with test scores); Have copies of Birth Certificate, Social Security Card, and TN Drivers License; Pass 4 parts of Workkeys Exam (available through your local TN Career Center); and Submit DD214 if Veteran. Once the application is complete and application session is closed, applicants will be notified of interview date and time. You must appear to be considered. Start date for training will be announced after selection process is complete. The UA Accelerated Welder Training is strictly a voluntary educational program. Students will be invited to participate in the training program on a voluntary basis. Training will be provided to students at no cost (other than $25 application fee). Each student must provide their own personal protective clothing and work boots. Some financial assistance for training supplies may be available to those who qualify through your local Workforce Essentials office. Students begin by welding plate coupons using SMAW process, and progress into welding pipe coupons, first with the SMAW process, followed by the GTAW process. Those with previous welding experience can advance at a faster rate. Students will receive basic training in the following areas: use of oxy-acetylene cutting torches; trade related math; use of standard hand tools; piping and equipment terminology used on the job; students should obtain skills to take and pass the UA-SMAW & GTAW welding certifications. Participants who complete the requirements of the welder training program become eligible for direct entry into the Plumbers & Pipefitters Apprenticeship Program. Jobs will be assigned after successful completion of this program. There are strict attendance policies, rules, and performance expectations that will be enforced.

Under a new Tennessee immunization requirement, children entering 7th grade in 2010 will be required to have a Tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis (Tdap) booster and verification of varicella immunity through disease or two doses of varicella vaccine. During Publc Health Week, April 5-9, 2010 from 1:00-3:30 p.m each day, the Montgomery County Health Department will be offering any required vaccines FREE OF CHARGE to students who will be entering Kindergarten or 7th grade and any new student to the Montgomery County School system needing required vaccines to enroll in K-12. If you have any questions, please call the Health Department at 931-648-5747, which is located at 330 Pageant Lane.

The Clarksville Area Chamber of Commerce announces upcoming events during the month of March. The Clarksville Young Professionals (CYP) will host a Mentoring Seminar on March 9 at 7:30am at Riverview Inn at 50 College Street. The guest speaker will be consultant and leadership development expert Dan Ryan. There is no cost for CYP members to attend. Business After Hours will be held on Thursday, March 18 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The event will be hosted by Hilton Garden Inn at their location at 290 Alfred Thun Road. This event is offered at no cost for members. A Women in Business event will be held on Wednesday, March 24 at 12:00 p.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn at 290 Alfred Thun Road. Deborah Varallo, president and founder of Varallo Public Relations in Nashville, will be the guest speaker. The topic of the luncheon is “Building and Strengthening Customer Relationships.” The cost to attend is $20 for members and $25 for non-members. Please call Melinda Shepard at (931) 245-4341 to register for these events.

Having trouble finding a place to hold that meeting or event? Look no further! Montgomery County Civic Hall is available for meetings, private parties, weddings, etc. This large meeting space, located in Veterans’ Plaza on Pageant Lane has one large room with seating for up to 300 or 216 people banquet style, or it can be subdivided into three smaller rooms. The smaller rooms seat up to 72 each. All rooms are equipped with the ceiling projectors and drop down screens. We provide the tables and chairs as well as the set up of your room. There is also a catering kitchen available if you wish, equipped with two warming ovens, a refrigerator, ice machine and commercial dishwasher. Rooms are free for county government use, but may be rented for private use as well. Click on the link below to check out the policies and procedures for renting Civic Hall. Call Elizabeth Black at 931-648-8482 to check availability or for more information.