Williamson Innovates

Franklin policeman designs app

laurien — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 20:02:48 +0000

February 8, 2012

The Tennessean

Sandi Van Orden

City is first police department in state to have mobile device link

FRANKLIN — Franklin Police Department has a free app for the public that was designed by one of its traffic officers.

The app, available through the Android market, is the first police department app in the state and one of only a handful in the nation, according to Chief David Rahinsky.

Officer Chris Grant, the app developer, showed off its features in a press conference this week. It can be used on a phone or tablet. It has a non-emergency phone listing, and a user can dial the police department from the app. It has biographical information on the department leadership, along with links to email them. There is a “submit a concern” web form. Grant said each form submitted will be read by a person and given to the appropriate division. The app also allows for the submission of anonymous tips.

“We’re bringing that to the small screen as well,” Grant said. From the screen, the user would submit a tip on a third party website to be sent to the police department.

The app also has the department address and a link to a Google map. There is a section with the latest news releases from the department and an area to sign up for alerts.

Warner said the department began with an Android app because that is the platform the city uses. He said it has allowed department employees to download and troubleshoot before the apps’ release. He said there will be an app for the iPhone in the future.

In-house project saves money

Sgt. Charles Warner said that if the app had been developed by an outside party it would have cost the city $2,000 or more. Grant developed the app while at work at no additional cost to the department.

Grant has worked with software since 1997 and has been in law enforcement since 2002. He has been with the Franklin Police Department for eight years.

Warner had viewed demos from an outside app development company, and since he knew of Grant’s computer and software knowledge, he approached Grant for an opinion about having an app developed for the department.

Grant said he thought it was a great idea and asked if he could develop the app.

Franklin named in 5 Most Romantic Main Streets

laurien — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 16:26:48 +0000

The National Trust for Historic Preservation has named downtown Franklin among five historic downtown areas as “Most Romantic Main Streets.”

The application was submitted by Downtown Franklin Association, a certified Main Street program, with photos by local photographer Debbie Carrington Smartt.

Submitted with the application were Smartt’s photos of the Franklin Theatre marquee lighting on Jan. 29, a bride and groom walking down Main Street, sidewalk dining, kids enjoying frozen yogurt and a couple walking down a snowy Main Street. Several Main Street businesses are featured in the description of a romantic night on Main Street.

“Atmosphere… History… Romance. They’re the place to go for unique experiences,” declares the Trust’s Web page listing the Most Romantic Main Streets, www.preservationnation.org/romantic-main-streets. “Candle-lit restaurants, unique wedding destinations, charming streets for strolls, intimate wine-tasting rooms, quaint B&Bs, special historic spots — these are just a few of the things that make Main Street districts a romantic destination.”

Others on the list are Middletown, Conn.; Madison, Ind.; Natchitoches, La.; and Paducah, Ky.

See full article here

Beth R. Chase

laurien — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 20:54:29 +0000

“For us, we are located in northern Williamson County which is very central to the entire Nashville Metropolitan area. The location is convenient for many of our consultants and clients who are all over the Middle Tennessee area.”

Mark A. Cleveland

laurien — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 20:37:18 +0000

“Williamson County has a variety of great companies forced to thin ranks after having attracted great people into the surrounding area creating “entrepreneurial fertilizer” and a landscape poised for success beyond our current expectations.”

Steven J. Mason, Jr.

laurien — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 20:35:28 +0000

“For us, the number of healthcare companies based in Williamson County is also an enormous benefit. This allows us to network and do business with a large number of healthcare companies without having to get on an airplane. I also prefer Williamson County’s rolling hills and leafy office parks to the traditional urban office environments.”

Wendy Loesch Watts & Ryan Loesch

laurien — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 20:33:56 +0000

“Williamson County is a budding young county that gives a great sense of community, a beautiful backdrop from which to work and live, and a progressive heart that embraces the arts, innovation and technology.”

Dena Ferrell Nance

laurien — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 20:31:46 +0000

“Being a true entrepreneur means taking calculated risks in business. Williamson County provides the opportunity for monetary gain encompassed in a culture of learning, artistic expression, high standards for the quality of one’s life, and all the resources needed to grow a business. This reduces the risk and provides a stable environment for personal development.”

Mike Wells

laurien — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 19:41:31 +0000

“There wasn’t a soul in our internal decision-making process that didn’t think Williamson County was the right place to come to.”

Best Places to Live (2010)

laurien — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 18:59:43 +0000

Best Places to Live – Franklin (66th) – Money Magazine (2010)

Where the Jobs Are

laurien — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 18:57:28 +0000

Where the Jobs Are (25 counties with highest job growth in past 9 years) – Williamson County (20th) – Money Magazine (2010)