Get Fit Franklin project among areas cited
On January 31, 2013 at the annual Partner Recognition Luncheon, the Clean Air Partnership of Williamson and Rutherford Counties presented the prestigious Outstanding Clean Air Partner Awards to those businesses or organizations who have gone “above and beyond” in their commitment to environmental excellence.
Franklin Tomorrow was among the four firms or organizations honored as Outsanding Clean Air Partners.
TMA Group Executive Director, Debbie Henry, and TMA Group Board Chairman, Julian L. Bibb, presented the Outstanding Partner Awards.
Honored as 2012 Outstanding Clean Air Partners at the Jan. 31, Clean Air Partners Luncheon were (L-R): Doug Anderson, Brentwood High School; Kevin Keidel, Brentwood High School; Trevor Goulding, Embassy Suites; Mindy Tate, Franklin Tomorrow; Lou Thompson, Lou Thompson Agency; Julian Bibb, TMA Group Board Chairman. (Photo by Deb Varallo, Varallo Public Relations)
Franklin Tomorrow
Franklin Tomorrow seeks to engage the community, foster collaboration, and advocate for a shared vision for the future of Franklin. During the 2011 Franklin Tomorrow Vision Fair, citizens said their #1 and #2 priorities were to seek implementation of the city’s adopted Open Space & Greenways Master Plan and Streetscape, and secondly, to see further development of trails and greenways for walking and bicycling. Additionally it was shown that health and well-being of the community needed to be addressed. In 2012 Franklin Tomorrow sought ways for implementation of these strategies. Highlights include: 1) the founding of Friends of Franklin Parks, LLC, which seeks to build stewardship and support for the expansion of the city’s park systems through corporate and private donations; 2) out of the development of the Healthier Communities discussion group, a partnership with BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, called Get Fit Franklin was born. Get Fit Franklin seeks to get citizens to take the first step to fitness by stepping out their front doors onto existing sidewalk networks for a walk to better health. To date more than 600 people have registered for the program which will feature quarterly events in 2013 – improving their health and wellness one step at a time.
Brentwood High School – Environmental Education Program
The environmental education program lead by educator Doug Anderson is about taking students outside the classroom and impacting the community in a positive manner leading to a more sustainable future. BHS students are engaged in a conversation about their local environment and challenged to act to positively impact their environment. Mr. Anderson and BHS students accomplished this in several ways. First, students were introduced to environmental professionals with varying expertise including working with City of Brentwood to plan the Environmental Education Day at Deerwood Arboretum. Second, in order to create a spirit of service at the school, students were put in charge of the BHS recycling program. Roughly twenty-one tons of paper and six truckloads of aluminum and plastics are recycled each year. Additionally, AP Environmental Science classes spend several afternoons a year removing exotic invasive plant species from Warner Park Nature Center. This service gives park patrons a chance to see what Middle Tennessee forests should look like in addition to allowing students to get hands on experience in habitat rehabilitation.
Embassy Suites Hotel – Franklin/Cool Springs
This year, Embassy Suites Hotel of Franklin/Cool Springs introduced a concept like no other – an Electric Nissan LEAF Limo. While its time on the property was limited, this Embassy Suites pushed open the environmental envelope is premiering the world’s first road-worthy, licensed, street legal electric limousine – which meant zero emissions. Additionally, the hotel launched on-site guest electric car charging stations as part of its latest eco-friendly amenities. The hotel is a prime example of the hospitality and tourism industry addressing the demands of the sustainable traveler and convention attendee. The Embassy Suites utilizes the LightStay program which measures sustainability performance in operational practices such as housekeeping, food waste, energy and water use, as well as carbon output. The LightStay system also can calculate the environmental impact of any meeting or conference held at the property.
Lou Thompson Agency
A true champion of all efforts which improve the earth’s environment and the health of all who inhabit it, Lou Thompson has advocated tirelessly throughout the years for the importance of educational awareness about the environment. As the producer of “Air Care”, innovative and creative solutions are the fabric of the company, using a vast network to promote and educate all citizens about air pollution, the use of alternate modes of transportation, and making environmentally sound choices.
Former Outstanding Partners Award winners include: APCOM, Centennial High School, City of Brentwood, City of Franklin, Comcast Spotlight, Crescent Resources, CTEH, Downtown Franklin Association, E3 Innovate, Franklin Special School District, Ford Motor Credit, Franklin Marriott, Keep Williamson Beautiful, Middle TN Clean Fuels, Passport Health Communications, RPM Transportation Consultants, Sims Recycling Solutions, Spectrum Properties/Emery Inc., The Factory at Franklin, Wild Oats Market, Williamson County Franklin Chamber of Commerce, Williamson County Government, Williamson County Public Library, Williamson County Public Schools, WAKM 950AM, Williamson Herald and Taylor Ware.
Held at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Cool Springs, the program also included keynote speaker, Thomas Flagel, local author and historian.