A while back, the City Commission asked two members of the planning commission, two members of the City Commission and me to sit on a steering committee to talk about Collegedale’s future and how we might best face it. The results include the restructuring of the planning commission to have goals, a more proactive stand and more communication with the City Commission and the creation of the Collegedale Tomorrow Advisory Board, which will meet monthly and report to the city manager and the other two commissions. This board will act as the vision group for Collegedale.

Hurray for the City of Collegedale and County Commissioner Bill Hullander because the Collegedale Recycling Center opened Tuesday at 1 p.m. It will be open most days from 1 to 4 p.m., except Mondays and Thursdays. Recyclables excepted will be 1 and 2 plastics, newsprint, mixed paper, steel cans and aluminum.

By the time you read this, our trio of travelers should have returned to the "dale", after traveling more than 5,300 miles. Currently, I am sitting under the portico of the Old Faithful Inn, sipping a hot cocoa, watching Old Faithful go off, and enjoying the 70 degree weather with 10 percent humidity. Oh well, back to Collegedale by July 2 to enjoy the fireworks and the symphony, lead by my good friend Richard Hickam. This is the best event we have in Collegedale and a great way to see a lot of your old friends. I will try to bring some cool weather with me.

Greetings from the shores of Swift Current Lake in Glacier National Park. One thing I have noticed as I have crossed the nation is the preponderance of good city planning that is starting to take place. Billings, Mont., has a Wal-mart that you can actually call a beautiful structure. Sidewalks, multi-use developments, red lights, green ways, architectural standards, all in use to make the cities nicer for their citizens. I am glad that the Collegedale City Commission has started to work on this issue before the Volkswagen growth inundates us.

Just a quick reminder that the East Tennessee Symphony will play for the Forth of July celebration on July 2, so come on down to the Veterans’ Park and have a fun time.

There is a new sheriff in town. OK, there is a new police chief in town, and his name is Brian Hickman. He is replacing retiring Chief Dennis Cramer. Formerly Sgt. Hickman, he served with distinction over the Special Operations Division which included traffic, canine and SORT. He has been working with the Collegedale Police Department for almost nine years, and he and his family live in Collegedale.

Coming up on June 7 from 8 to 11 a.m. will be the annual Kiwanis Club Pancake Breakfast at the Picnic Pavilion at City Hall. This is always fun and delicious.

It is that time of year again here in the “Dale.” It's time for Collegedale Camp Meeting May 27-30. For more information, visit www.gccsda.com.

Sometimes we here in Collegedale just need to say thanks to our county commissioner. I have known Bill Hullander since I was a kid, his wife shops at the Village Market, and they are members of the Hulsey Wellness Center. If you like recycling, thank Mr. Hullander for the $25,000 he got us for the bins in the new center.

Remember, the Veterans of Foreign Wars’ community yard sale is coming up on May 17. As always, it will be set up in the music building parking lot at Southern Adventist University.

This is a note to the residents of the eastern end of Hamilton County, especially if your property, or you and your neighbor's property, are bordered by the City of Collegedale. From what I understand, you can request Collegedale to annex your property into the City of Collegedale even if you are not within Collegedale's growth boundaries. With Chattanooga talking about metro government, it may be a good time to consider your options. Collegedale is a nice little burg, which has a much lower property tax rate than Chattanooga, so think about making Collegedale your home.

Coming up on May 17 is the Collegedale VFW Post's spring rummage sale in front of the music building on the SAU campus. Money raised from slots sold, as well as the VFW's drinks and assortment of treasures, will go to a scholarship for a student at SAU, the Chattanooga Food Kitchen and the Samaritan Center. Applications can be picked up at the VM, or for more information call 236-4093. These are good folks working for a good cause, so let’s get out and support them.

I just wanted to give everyone an update on the “Founders” painting which we are raising money for. So far, we have nearly $1,500 without fundraiser letters, but we need $4,500 total. Thus, be on the lookout for a letter in the mail in the next week or so from Mayor John Turner and myself asking you for a donation. I believe this is a good idea, a great cause and honors a group of gentlemen who put their hearts and souls into our city. Remember, I am putting up the first $500, and remember all we need is another 35 folks to put up a $100. My number is 423-316-0202 for further information.

Get your running shoes on! On Sunday at 2 p.m. the Ooltewah-Collegedale Kiwanis Club’s annual 5K Run and Fun Walk will be held. All proceeds will benefit the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Speech and Hearing Center. The entry fee for the Fun Walk will be $10. The race will begin across Apison Pike from the old Winn-Dixie parking lot. All walkers and runners will receive a T-shirt along with awards and refreshments.

Network 7 Media Center of Collegedale will host its third annual Premiere Night in downtown Chattanooga. The Premiere Night is the annual event for Network 7 to present its current projects in educational and religious media. The evening will provide an opportunity for donors to support Network 7, as donations will be accepted.