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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-02 Euless Today2023 *February As our City celebrates its 70th am so proud to call Euless my home and so appreciative to be able to serve as its mayor for the past nine years. We will be celebrating this 70th Anniversary throughout the year. In the meantime, we have created a new logo, "70 Years Strong," to commemorate this anniversary. Look 21, 1953, Euless has experienced tremendous growth, both in the infrastructure and in the population. approximately 16.3 square miles and has a population around 61,480. It is truly, "70 Years Strong." T H E C I T Y O F EUL•ESS Celebrating February 21 marks an important date for the City of Euless. It's Euless' 70th Anniversary of Incorporation. On this date in 1953, an election was held and 59 local folks voted yes to incorporating Euless. However, the City's history really began in 1841 with the construction of Bird's Fort at a site just south of the present city limits. In 1845, a small parry of pioneers led by Isham Crowley reached the confluence of Big Bear and Little Bear creeks and started a farming community. There on the eastern edge of the site of present Euless, on the current airport grounds, a post office was founded in 1857, followed by a school, a church and a store. In 1881, ElishaAdam Euless and his wife, Julia, built a home and cotton gin nearby, and the community began to thrive. Fast forward to 1953, when Bell Helicopter and Amon Carter Field opened in Fort Worth. That same year, FM 157 (Industrial Boulevard) and State Highway 10 were paved. These events greatly benefitted Euless. Last year, the New York Times chose Euless as the best place to live in the United States, after comparing it with 16,847 places in the country. Multiple factors went into the decision process, with three of the biggest deciding factors being jobs, climate risk and racial diversity. Other factors included affordable cost of living, school quality, high median incomes and crime rates. Based on the New York Times' criteria, Euless had high marks and scored a perfect 10 out of 10 for racial diversity. According to Mayor Linda Martin, "Euless is an amazing city that celebrates our great diversity and values our history. We work closely with our neighboring cities, businesses, faith -based and non-profit organizations and our wonderful school districts to promote a vibrant and safe community for all of our residents." To see firsthand some of the City's history, take a free tour of the Euless Heritage Museum in Heritage Park. This park is an historical area that features the museum, the first brick house in Euless, a log house dating from the 1850s and more. Throughout the year, volunteers of the Historical Preservation Committee host a Heritage Park Open House and give tours. The committee also works to preserve and protect the culture, genealogy, archives, structures and historical treasures of the City. Euless Today is published by the City of Euless. 201 N. Ector Dr. • Euless, TX 76039. 817-685-1400 • eulessinfo@eulesstx.gov Christmas Light Removal The extreme weather in Texas can damage Christmas lights. To protect your home from possible fire and electrical damages, please remove your outdoor Christmas lights as soon as the holidays are over, as required by City code. If you have questions, please contact Code Services at 817-685-1507. Your assistance is greatly appreciated! Daddy/Daughter Valentine's Dance Friday, February 3, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. Texas Star Conference Center 1400 Texas Star Parkway Calling all dads, uncles and grandpas: This is the event you've been waiting for. Grab your favorite little lady and get ready for a night you'll both remember forever. Enjoy a night of dancing, refreshments, goody bags, photos and fun. Create memories that will last a lifetime for you and the most important girl in your life. All ages are welcome. This event sells out quickly, so please get your tickets early. Tickets are $15 per person and are available at the Euless Family Life Center or online at recreation. eulesstx.gov beginning January 3. For additional information, please call 817-685-1814. Summer Camp Lottery Registration It's time to start planning for Summer Camp! Euless Parks & Community Services has a three -step registration process. First, submit your application in person to enroll in the lottery system. Next, a staff member will notify you by email to confirm your enrollment. Finally, for each week of camp, you will pay a $10 deposit, which will be due before summer camp starts. Application Submission Dates: • Returning Residents: January 6 - January 27 • New Residents: February 6 - February 24 • Returning Non -Residents: March 9 - March 31 • New Non -Residents: April 3 - April 21 • Open Enrollment for those who missed deadlines: May 15 We want all children to have fun this summer, and we look forward to the memories we will make in Summer Adventure Camp/Summer Teen Camp. For more information, call 817-685-1666 or visit the Parks and Community Services page on www.eulesstx.gov. Registration forms and the parent handbook are also available on this website. More Lighting Coming to Euless Trails The City of Euless is installing new solar lighting along the trail that extends from Heritage Avenue to Main Street. Installation begins within the next month or so and will take several weeks to complete. Over the years, the City has made many great improvements to its parks, and its extensive trail system is a valuable asset to the community. It provides a safe pathway for walkers, joggers and bike riders. Besides illuminating the trails, these long-lasting solar lights are also energy efficient, because they are powered by the sun. A solar panel collects solar energy during the daylight hours and charges a battery that powers a light fixture when the sun goes down. Solar lighting is one of the most environmentally friendly and sustainable outdoor lighting solutions available. Although there are significant benefits to improving trail lights, the City always encourages trail users to be mindful of their surroundings and take appropriate measures. The FY'23 Capital Improvement budget includes funding for these solar lights. As more funding is available in the future, more solar lights will be added to Euless' trails system. Valentine's Day Dinner Tuesday, February 14, 5:30 - 9 p.m. Raven's Grille 1400 Texas Star Parkway Treat your sweetheart to a romantic night out at Raven's Grille inside the Texas Star Golf Course. The restaurant is serving three- or four -course dinners, as well as wine and champagne specially chosen to complement the delicious entrees and desserts. You may choose from the prix fixe menu or select your meal a -la -carte with your choice of a scrumptious appetizer and salad, a mouthwatering entr6e and a decadent dessert. Dinner is by reservation only beginning February 1, so make yours soon for a very special Valentine's Day at Raven's Grille. Call 817-685-1847 to secure your spot. Sign up Now for Citizens Fire Academy The Euless Citizens Fire Academy (CIA) is a program designed to show Euless citizens what their Fire Department does on a daily basis. Participants learn about the capabilities of firefighters and emergency medical personnel through lectures and hands-on demonstrations. The Academy is a 13-week course covering: • The history of the Euless Fire Department • Use of self-contained breathing apparatus and protective firefighter clothing • Search and rescue operations • CIA fire hose methods • Vehicle extrication • Emergency medical operations and CPR • Live fire training scenarios • And much more! The CIA meets one evening a week, with two optional Saturday exercises available for willing participants. The class starts in April. It's free of charge for citizens age 18 or older who live or work in the City of Euless. Applications are available online at https:Hforms.eulesstx.gov/Forms/FireProgramInterestCard. To enroll or to get more information, please call 817-685-1600. City of Euless General Election Candidate Filing Jan. 18 - Feb. 17, 8 a.m. - S p.m. Euless City Hall 201 N. Ector Drive Filing for a place on the May 6, 2023 City of Euless General Election ballot runs from Wednesday, January 18, through Friday, February 17, at 5 p.m. During the filing period, qualified persons may file as a candidate for Mayor or a member of the City Council (Place 2 or Place 4) in the City Secretary's Office on weekdays. For more information, please call the City Secretary's Office at 817- 685-1419 or visit www.eulesstx.gov/cso. Citizen's Police Academy Classes Begin in February The Euless Citizen's Police Academy (CPA) provides residents with a better understanding of the dedication and commitment of the Police Department. The CPA will not train you to become a Police Officer, but it will give you valuable insight into the philosophy, strategies and training that shape your Police Department. The CPA is a great way to get to know the Police Officers who patrol your neighborhood and to see your community from their perspective. The Academy is a 12-week course covering • Police history and community policing • Polygraph examination • Ethics and internal affairs • Traffic enforcement (practical) • Identity theft • Crime scene • Emergency operations • Auto theft • Crime victims assistance • Courts and other areas of criminal justice The minimum age for enrollment is 18 and you must live or work in the City of Euless to be eligible to attend. There is no cost to participate, and all instructional materials are provided. Applications are available online at https://bit.ly/3W4snyl. To enroll or to get more information, please call 817-685-1536. What do City Employees do in Winter Weather Emergencies? As you probably are aware, North Texas has endured some costly and impressive winter storms over the years, many of which occur in February. However, do you know the roles that City employees play in the event of winter weather emergencies? The Office of Emergency Management is responsible for disaster planning for the City of Euless. It identifies potential hazards in different scenarios and then it creates emergency management plans to match those situations. Those plans serve as a guide for the City on how to respond to disasters, such as Arctic temperatures, homes without power or impassable road conditions. Of course, emergency responders are always on alert, especially when a winter storm hits. Police officers and firefighters are the first to arrive on the scene to help accident victims or stranded motorists when roads freeze or become dangerous. Among other things, the Euless Police Department assists with vehicle accidents, helps stranded motorists, reports on road conditions and closes unsafe roads. In the event of an emergency, dial 911. The non -emergency Police number is 817-685-1526. The Euless Fire Department provides fire, emergency medical and specialized rescue services. The firefighters/paramedics are cross -trained to deliver emergency medical services, so they provide medical assistance after a car accident, home injury or similar type of emergency. The Euless Public Works crews monitor for slick spots and sand the roads. They also remove fallen trees and branches that block streets. Moreover, if a water main breaks, they are responsible for repairing it. In the event of frozen pipes, Public Works employees help residents shut off their water at the water meter. For assistance Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., residents can call 817-685-1580. The after hours non -emergency number is 817-685-1526. The Parks and Community Services Department helps to sand City facilities during winter weather. When people lose power to their homes, it may also provide a warm place to stay, where people can have a snack, take a shower and charge their devices. Lastly, the Communications and Marketing Department keeps citizens informed through posts on the City's website and posts on social media sites, such as NextDoor, Twitter and Facebook. It communicates information regarding City office closures, delayed trash pick-up, the opening of Warming Stations and other helpful information.