Page 20 - TNPW Mar-Apr 2018
P. 20
STATEWIDE By Sharon Rollins
A Brief Look At MTAS - As A Whole
It was six men of Indostan A former director of the Municipal Technical Advisory Service used this poem
To learning much inclined, in addressing MTAS Advisory Committee members and stated that he felt that
Who went to see the elephant MTAS is like an elephant – that most city officials see only the part that helps
(Though all of them were blind), them. Few city officials get to see all of MTAS.
That each by observation
MTAS was the brainchild of Herbert The decision was to place MTAS at the
Might satisfy his mind. J. Bingham who was Executive Director University of Tennessee.
of the Tennessee Municipal League
The first approached the elephant from 1946 to 1982. Bingham’s life- MTAS carries out its legislative
and happening to fall long goal was “to make democracy mandate by providing professional staff
work at the local level.” Bingham to provide assistance to the 345 cities
against his broad and sturdy side was convinced that government, like and towns of Tennessee. MTAS offices
at once began to bawl: business, must use technical, trained are located in Knoxville (central office),
persons in such fields as engineering Johnson City, Chattanooga, Nashville,
“God bless me! but the elephant, and general administration. In 1949, Jackson, Martin and Memphis so as to be
Is very like a wall!” at Bingham’s urging, the Tennessee close to customers. MTAS service areas
General Assembly created MTAS for are:
The second, feeling of the tusk the purposes of: “studies and research
cried: “Ho! what have we here, in municipal government, publications, MANAGEMENT CONSULTANTS
so very round and smooth and sharp? education … and furnishing technical, – nine consultants located across the
consultative and field services to state are assigned 35 to 40 cities each.
To me tis mighty clear, municipalities in problems relating Management consultants generally have
this wonder of an elephant, to fiscal administration, accounting, backgrounds as city managers.
tax assessment and collection, law
Is very like a spear!” enforcement, improvements and public TECHNICAL, FINANCE AND LEGAL
works and any and all matters relating CONSULTANTS – this includes 19
The third approached the animal, to municipal government ….” MTAS finance, legal, fire, police, human
and, happening to take, works in cooperation with the Tennessee resource, information technology,
Municipal League. utilities and Public Works consultants.
the squirming trunk within his hands, These consultants generally have deep
Thus boldly up he spake experience in their specialty areas.
TRAINING CONSULTANTS – provide
“I see,” quoth he, “the elephant both core programs and customized
is very like a snake!” educational classes and conferences in
multiple locations and venues across the
The fourth reached out an eager hand, state. Some training provided by MTAS
and felt about the knee: is mandated by state law.
“What most this wondrous beast is like, MTAS consulting and training services
is mighty plain,” quoth he; are delivered in city hall and face to
face. Consultants answer questions,
“Tis clear enough the elephant conduct research, conduct studies, write
is very like a tree!” reports and publications, help cities solve
problems, teach classes, serve on boards
The fifth, who chanced to touch the ear, of professional organizations, etc.
Said; “E’en the blindest man
MTAS office-based staff assists cities
can tell what this resembles most; with new and updated municipal
Deny the fact who can, codes, benchmarking, research and
surveys. All MTAS customer services
This marvel of an elephant, are possible because of a great group of
is very like a fan!” administrators and support staff.
The sixth no sooner had begun So, if you have not discovered all of
about the beast to grope, the MTAS “elephant” yet, look further.
There’s probably a new service that you
than, seizing on the swinging tail would find helpful. Explore at the MTAS
that fell within his scope. website www.mtas.tennessee.edu or call
865-974-0411.
“I see,” quoth he, “the elephant
is very like a rope!”
And so these men of Indostan
disputed loud and long,
each in his own opinion
exceeding stiff and strong,
Though each was partly in the right,
and all were in the wrong!
by John Godfrey Saxe (1816-1887)
20 TPW March/April 2018
