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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMemories of 50th Anniversary of Incorporation T H E C I T Y O F SS* Mary Lib Saleh MAYOR MEMORIES OF 50th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATING THE INCORPORATION OF THE CITY OF EULESS, TEXAS (1953 - 2003) When the City Council and staff began to discuss how we would celebrate our 50th Anniversary, we decided to celebrate all year long with many activities in order to showcase our city. A committee was formed consisting of former Mayors Jimmy Payton and Harold Samuels, former Mayor Pro Tem Willie Mae McCormick, Council Member Leon Hogg, City Manager Joe Hennig, Deputy City Manager Gary McKamie, City Secretary Susan Crim, Director of Parks and Community Services Ray McDonald, General Manager of Texas Star Golf Course and Conference Centre Glenda Hartsell-Shelton, Communications/Marketing Manager Lori De La Cruz, and Mayor Mary Lib Saleh. The committee discussed memories from the past and the events we would pursue during the year of 2003. And what a busy year it has been! The committee worked together in planning with great ideas and diligently performed the many tasks associated with the events. We began with the Euless Christmas Parade of Lights in December 2002, and our entry float announced that we were beginning the celebration of the city's 50th Anniversary. Following the parade, we had an open house at the Heritage Park Christmas Event and invited all the previous Mayors and City Council Members. We met in the Ruth Millican Center and had standing room only of citizens and dignitaries. All the former Mayors spoke on events during their time in office. In January we announced a poster contest for all Euless students, and the Hurst- Euless-Bedford Independent School District encouraged the students to participate. The winners were to be recognized at the annual Arbor Daze auction in early March and all participants were honored at a reception later in the year at the city library. The committee decided to have a Euless Christmas Ornament made available for our citizens. It was designed by our city staff and was well received. A booklet entitled "From Grange Hall to Texas Star" was put together for all citizens by city staff. 201 N.Ector Drive,Euless,Texas 76039-3595 817/685-1400 •Metro 817/267-4403 •Fax 817/685-1416 In April at the first night of the city's Arbor Daze celebration, the Trinity High School Drama and Music Department presented a musical on the 50 years of Euless history. The original play was written after many interviews with citizens and past city leaders. This took hours of practice and talents of all involved. It was a great performance. In May the Euless Library Foundation hosted a reception to honor all those who participated in the poster contest and the Trinity High School musical. During the reception, the booklet on the history of Euless was presented to all who attended. The booklet was made available to all citizens at city offices. The City Council and staff began to review plans for the renovation of Building A on campus. The building was originally a recreation center and had seen many changes through the years. The concept was approved and the city staff members in Building A were moved to several city locations while renovation began. In the past, Pre-Council meetings were held in Building A and the Council meeting was held in the old Courts room in Building B. Plans for all meetings of the Council would be in Building A which would be called THE CITY HALL. During the summer months we gathered the names of veterans residing in the city. Invitations were sent to all those veterans to join with city leaders to celebrate Veterans Day during our 50th celebration. At the last minute the threatening rain caused us to cancel the fly-over and move the ceremonies inside the Dr Pepper StarCenter. Again, we had standing room only with veterans of every branch of service. City leaders announced that the new and largest ball field at the Parks at Texas Star would be called VETERANS FIELD. All the veterans received a commemorative Euless Veterans lapel pin designed especially for veterans. The grand finale of our city's celebrations was the opening of the renovated City Hall in early December. All citizens were invited to visit our new facility, beautifully decorated for the holidays. The artwork of the brick city seal in the hallway plus the water fountain just outside the entrance were impressive. The facility included many advantages such as security for staff members, ample meeting rooms for citizens, staff and business meetings, a beautiful Council Chamber and a Pre-Council room with new maps and electronic features. The Council meetings would be changed from a paper agenda to computers with large screens so the audience could follow the agenda. This City Hall is the centerpiece of the Euless campus and the visionary planning is evident throughout the facility. -2- • The 2003 Christmas Parade of Lights was led by all the former Mayors and the present Mayor and City Council members along with 90 other entries, culminating an exciting day of festivities. The final celebration of the 50th Anniversary was held at the Heritage Park Christmas celebration. The Fuller House (first brick house in Euless) and the Log Cabin, along with the Ruth Millican Center, are located in the park. The day included activities from the early days of Euless along with local choirs and, of course, Christmas decorations. A year of celebrations will long be remembered for all those who participated in the numerous events. A time capsule with memorabilia from Euless history will be placed in a large rock in front of City Hall. Hopefully, when it is opened 50 years from now, citizens will appreciate all the time, talents and dedication citizens have made in the past to make Euless the great city it is. We stand among other communities in Northeast Tarrant County as the leader in city administration and leadership. As we continue to "Build a Better Tomorrow for our Citizens", I want to thank all those who participated in our 50th celebration, especially the members of the committee who devoted many hours of planning and attendance at all the events. My hope is that our future leaders will have the vision and the wisdom to continue to make Euless the great city it is today. (-1 Mary Lib Saleh Mayor -3-