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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-10-12 Euless Articlesr DISTRIBCTED TO; PAGE,--:...I_OF Jl-t 'fOR C1T'fCVCL CITY A. TTl\' Y CRnl JICK·UHE BROWN YOCVG ANI.ll-tL CST J/cDONALD COLLISS C. BARKER GETCHELL L1BRARYADMIS LIBRARY REF HARTSELL DATEDISTRIBUTED__I_'"___,_/_!_'__ DATEOFARTICLE '/ /J(/;'( NEWSPAPER__--=-F.;,.;.JJ..::;S...:..T Makeover of NE Loop 820 and Airport Freeway will start soon o The North Tarrant Express is a four-year. multibillion­ dollar project. By Gordon Dickson gdick50n@star·telegram,com With all the talk about the $1 bil­ lion DFW Connector project un­ der way in Grapevine, Tarrant County motorists may not real­ ize that an even bigger project is about to kick off just down the road. It's the megarnakeover of Northeast Loop 820 and Airport Freeway, a $2-billion-plus job dubbed the North Tarrant Ex­ press, which cuts through far north Fort Worth, Haltom City, North Richland Hills, Hurst, Euless and Bedford. By late October, motorists will see the beginning of work zone preparations, particnarly near the always strapped 8201 Interstate 35W interchange, said Robert Hinkle, spokesman for developer North Tarrant Ex­ press Mobility Partners. And as early as 2012, work may begin on another Northeast Tarrant project -the addition of toll lanes on Interstate 35W from 1-30 near downtown Fort Worth to North Tarrant Parkway, just past the U.S. 287 split. That phase was initially not planned for at least a decade, but on Wednesday state officials an­ nounced a tentative agreement with Mobility Partners to add the 1-35W work, including a ma­ keover of the poorly designed interchange at 1-35W and 820 and removal of all left ­ lane exits -and get those new lanes open by 2017. In all, the work on Loop 820, 121/183 and 1-35W could total $3.3 billion, most of which Mobility Partners, led by Spain­ based Cintra, would bring to the table. In return, it would keep tolls collected on the pro­ ject for 52 years. The toll lanes would be all-elec­ tronic, and motorists would pay them via a Toll­ Tag. Those without a TollTag would have their license plates photographed and be billed. Public nxnds spent on the project would total $773 million, including at least $10 million from Tar­ rant County for right of way and utilities. Initial work on the North Tarrant Express project shouldn't cause major traffic disruptions, Hinkle said. "They'll start putting the pad sites down and preparing the sites for heavy equipment and the cranes between now and the end of the year:' Hinkle said. But he said drivers probably won't have to worry about narrow lanes or other obstructions that could significantly slow their commute until late this year or early 2011. Mobility Partners plans to invite the public to an North Tarrant Express ~~~~~~~- 281" '"'''ill!ll'l'''''!~'m'''''~,rlllJl}!IJIII'. Gp3 The first phase of Northeast Loop 820/Airport Freeway expansion is scheduled to begin in late October with completion set for 2015. Negotiations are also under way to expand 1-35W by 2017. open house Oct. 27 in Hurst to make sure area residents understand what to expect during an esti­ mated four years of con­ struction. Northeast 820 will like­ ly be the first area of the project under construc­ tion, during winter, fol­ lowed by work on Texas 121/183 -aka Airport Freeway -probably in the spring, he said. But at dif­ ferent times during the next four years, several stretches of road could be under construction simul­ taneously. The project includes re­ construction of existing lanes, plus two new toll lanes in each direction of 820 and 121/183. Frontage roads, safer ramps and fly­ overs will also be added. That work, which totals about $2.1 billion, is ex­ pected to be completed by 2015. The tentative deal for work on the 1-35W toll lanes requires an extra $135 million in public nxnds, ---DISTRIBlTED TO: P.JGE OF J14rOR CITYC"CL CITYATT,VY CRIJI JICK-t,lIlE BROWN YOl'SG ASJJl4L CST J/cDO;\:·.JLD COLLI.VS C BARKER GETCHELL LIBRARY ADMLV LIBRARY REF HARTSELL DATE DISTRIBUTED! /! ~ / / i_ DATEOFARTICLE c ( / .~,--Jj SEWSPAPER__-.:...F.:.:.It...:.::S~T ----~~~~------- possibly from Proposition 14 bonds backed by state gas taxes. In October, the Texas Transportation Commis· sion will consider the deal. Thxas has a logjam of several hundred road pro· jects because of a shortage of state tax· supported funds. Communities that bring outside revenue to projects can expect them to go to the top of the list of state priorities, one official noted. "I hold up the creativity in the Metroplex as an ex· ample the rest of the state needs to look at:' commis· sion member Ned Hobnes of Houston said. "It's very impressive!' Transportation Depart­ ment officials and some lawmakers have said the state will run out of tax­ supported funds for new road work by 2012 and will then use its highway fund mostly for maintenance. Gordon Dickson, 817-390-n96 D1STRIBDTED TO: PAGE I OF·, JDO'OR JlcDONALD ClTyeVCL COLLISS ClTYATT:\ir C BARKER CRI.U J.ICKAJIIE BROWV GETCHELL LIBRARY ADJI/,V rO[,SG ASI,1L1L CSTR LIBRARY REF HARTSELL DATE DISTRIB L'TED I ( / i ~) / I :,' DATE OF ARTICLE I ( /., / i NEWSPA.PER Dl/N Officer who missed Lone Star Park event for funeral duty gets a refund -and more Sunday, October 3,2010 Dallas Morning News A police officer working in a funeral honor guard wound up missing his family's gathering at Lone Star Park at Grand Prairie. til was hoping you could persuade them to do a refund," his mother, Joan Fraticelli, asked Problem Solver. "It's just an awful lot of money to us." Fraticelli, her three sons, their wives and her 5-year-old grandson all had tickets to attend the family outing at the track this summer. 'We've been going there for years. I love the place and my sons do, too," she said. "This time, my son really wanted his son to see the horses." Then tragedy struck when the son of Dallas Police Chief David Brown got into a shootout, killing Lancaster police Officer Craig Shaw and another man before he was shot and killed. Shaw, a five-year veteran of the Lancaster police force, was the first to respond to the reports of Brown's gunfire. His death in the line of duty was a first for the city. Police from surrounding cities lined up to offer support in honoring their own. Ramon Fraticelli has served with the Euless police force for six years and is in charge of the department's honor guard. He knew his place that Saturday was at the funeral service and cemetery. "I told my family we couldn't make it, but they thought I might be able to show up for the later races since the funeral was in the morning," he said. In hopes of still getting together that day, his brother left tickets for him, his wife and son at the will-call booth. But that day was long and filled with grief. The activities, including the service, escorted procession to the cemetery and graveside services with a horse-drawn carriage, began in the morning but stretched into late afternoon. Fraticelli was OK with that and was resigned to losing the $81 spent on the tickets. But his mother wasn't. "She asked them for a refund, got upset about it and then wouldn't let it go," he said. She believes she was taking a principled stand, After all, her son was doing his duty. "He's very modest. He would never himself have pursued this. He would have just walked away, but it's an awful lot of money," she said. "I just felt like it was beyond his control." --DISTRIBLTED TO: PAGE '< OF .' JIA rOR ClTyeVCL C1TY.-tTT.VY CRI....! JICK4JIIE BROWV yoeVG AiV/.UAL C:VTR JlcDOY1LD COLLISS C BARKER GETCHELL L1BR.-tRY.-tDJIIN LIBRARY REF HARTSELL DATE DISTRIBUTED .I C / / ~ / ! 1-DA TE OFARTlCLE,__I_l...:..I_'·--,-I_/_r_-'__ ,VEWSPAPER__----:;:D~J/:.:...:.N Fortunately, Lone Star Park also feels the same way. "Our admissions department employee was correct in explaining that we have a no-refund policy on our reserved seat sales," said G.W. Hail, vice president and assistant general manager. "However, this situation was unavoidable." Hail said Lone Star would be happy to offer Fraticelli six seats in the house box at a comparable race next spring during thoroughbred season at the track. Those tickets represent some of the best seats available. The seats are at the finish line and come with wait service and bet runners. You never even have to leave your seat. "Our mission statement is 'creating winning experiences,' " Hail said, explaining why he was offering twice the number of tickets than went unused. He then sweetened his offer even more. "We will also include a paddock tour before the race by yours truly and a winner's circle photograph of his party," Hail said. "They'll be set." The Fraticellis think so, too. 'Wow. That's a little much, but it's really great," Ramon Fraticelli said. His mother was happy to hear it, too. 'We've always liked going there. I'm just delighted. It's real nice of them to do something," she said. DISTRIBL'TED TO: PAGE___OF___ JLtYOR CITYCSCL CITYATTi''-Y CRnl J/CKAJIIE BROWN YOUSG A,vHl-1L CNT McDON4LD COLLISS C. BARKER GETCHELL L1BRARYAD,U/,V LIBRARY REF HARTSELL DATE DISTRIBl'TED~/_(_',--,1,--/_'_"_,'~/_i_\~__ DATE OF A RTICLE ! r; ! IV ! Ie ,vHFSPAPER__--=-F...:"..:::'S:..:,.T LETTERS Meeting too distant I'm not sure how many other city councils take their annual budget planning meeting out of the city, but the Euless council does. For at least the last five years, the meeting has been in Kauf­ man, nearly 60 miles from City Hall. This meeting, required by law to be open, is essentially closed because it is so far away. This is a three-day event, which would make a Euless resi­ dent drive nearly 360 miles to observe all or part of each day's activities. This places an ex­ traordinary burden on anyone who wants to attend. Not only that, this year's fa­ cility rental, lodging and meals cost more than $6,000, which is an unnecessary expense. The re­ modeled Euless City Hall is per­ fectly suitable to host this meet­ ing. Is the Euless council moving this meeting out of the city to in­ tentionaily limit access?, I ask the residents of Euless to write or call Mayor Mary Lib Sa­ 1eh to ask why. -Darl Easton. Euless !DISTRIBlTED TO: PAGE_,_'_OF----L­ J/AJ'OR C1TYC\iCL C1TYATT,YY CRIll JfCK4MIE BROWN YOU,VG ANIJl4L CST .1IcDO.":~LD COLLISS C. BARKER GETCHELL LIBRARY ADMIN LIBRARY REF HARTSELL / / /' I ' ~~LJ /DA TE DISTRIBUTED '-I / ' ~ DA TE OF ARTICLE /" /7 / I NEWSPAPER___FJf'ST ----------~-------- Sales tax collections o In Tarrant County, they rose nearly 6 percent in up locally, statewide August compared with a year ago. "This is positive news "There have been some for us:' said Horatio Porter, swings. Hopefully By Anna M. nnsley Fort Worth's budget offi-we'll catchup next month!' atinsley@star·telegram.com cer. "We might be seeing In Tarrant County, Pel­Monthly sales tax collec­some signs of consumer ican Bay saw the largest in­tions in Texas rose 6.8 per­spending. With two to crease -223 percent _cent over the same month three months of positive which officials have attrib­last year, giving some offi­numbers for the city, it uted to a new convenience cials hope that the state's could suggest the worst is store opening in their small financial picture may fi­behind us!' community.nally be improving. The sales tax collection Haslet saw collectionsMany Tarrant County numbers were released as a grow 54.28 percent, Bluecities showed increases as new National League of Mound's tax collectionswell -some in the double Cities report shows that grew 38.07 percent, anddigits and one in the triple cities aren't out from un -Dalworthington Gardens'digits -although a few der the recession and many collections went up 37.72showed decreases, the say they are financially percent.largest in Westlake, where worse off than they were Arlington, where sales sales tax collections last year. tax numbers have risendropped 8.43 percent from As less revenue flows since Cowboys Stadiumthis time last/year. into cities, officials say opened in June 2009, saw a "This increase is signif­they are reducir).g spend-slight drop last month, buticantly larger than recent ing,laying off workers, de-collections this monthmonthly gains, which have laying infrastructure pro-picked up 1.53 percent.been in the 0 to 2 percent jects and modifying health Arlington Budget Man­range:' state Comptroller benefits, according to the ager Mike Finley said that Susan Combs said City Fiscal Conditions in with the latest gain, the ci-Wednesday. "Sales tax in­2010 report. ty expects to end fiscalcreases were posted across "This historic recession 2010 with a $750,000 bal­almost all sectors, includ­has forced city officials to ance.ing oil and gas, construc­make difficult decisions That money can be used tion, manufacturing, that impact the social and for one-time expendi­wholesale trade, retail economic fabric of their tures, such as public safety trade and restaurants!' communities:' said Ronald vehicles or technology up­Tarrant County overall Loveridge, head of the grades.saw a 5.96 percent increase league and mayor of River-Arlington will receivein sales tax collections in side, Calif. one more sales tax checkAugust, compared with a Westlake was among for fiscal 2010 in Novem­year earlier, pumping an the municipalities that saw ber ' additional $1.6 million into a drop in sales tax dollars, Staff writer Susan Schrock area city coffers. collecting about $18,000 contributed to this report. In Fort Worth, sales tax less than it did this time collections grew more than last year. Anna M. TInsley. 817-390-7610 7 percent, prompting offi­The volatility of sales cials to say they are "cau­tax collections is part oftiously optimistic" about what prompted Westlakethe economic future. leaders this month to enact the town's first property tax, 16 cents per $100 of assessed value. "Forecasting our sales tax is difficult," Town Manager Tom Brymer said. DISTRIBlTED TO: PUlE I OF --­ "l~ YOR C1TYCVCL C1TYATTSY CRIM JICKA;'tflE BROWN rOCSG ASIJHL CST McDOI'v'ALD COLLISS C BARKER GETCHELL LlBRARYADJ/l.V LIBRARY REF HARTSELL DATE DISTRlBVTED / / / ~) / I L/ DATEOFARTlCLE / I -, I ,I) / ! ( SEWSPAPER__--=-F..:..;Jf...:::S;.,::..T A labor of love and lamb o A Euless church has been hard at work to get its Greek festival ready. By Jessamy Brown jessamybrown@star-telegram com EULESS Parishioners of St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church have worked for weeks to pre­ pare for this we"l~end's Mid-Cities Greek Fest. Bakers have made pans of baklava, the popular pastry with layers of but­ tered phyllo dough and honey syrup. It will be served along with other traditional favorites such as gyro pita sandwiches, Greek coffee and stuffed grape leaves. An open grill will serve up octopus, sau­ sage, fried cheese. roasted garlic and lamb on a stick. New this year is a $30 Olympic Sampler Dinner for two, including several entrees, Greek salad and bread, and two desserts, allowing diners to try sev­ eral dishes. "We've been baking all fall;' said Harriet Blake, the event's pUblicity co­ chairwoman. "They start­ ed making all the items that can be frozen. This week, they've been mari­ nating the meat. They're putting up the stage. It takes the whole communi­ ty to put this on!' The festival, which be­ gins today, will also in ­ elude live music, Greek dancing and churc:' tours led by parish priest Vasile Tudora. The 19th annual event raises money for the church's building fund. The zoo families in the parish expect to begin can - . struction next year on a Byzantine -style building next to the current build­ ing on Cullum Drive, Blake said. The parish started in 1980 with 50 people who met in a local Episcopal church. It moved to the Hurst -Euless -Bedford Greek festival Mapl""l ...... fort J_ D Oi Euless r-]f-l r 1L \~~liCLn --; ~~--'''"~ Mexarde< L~_ St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church is hosting a food festival thrc'Jgh Sunday Star·re!egr ,,Wl Chamber of Commerce building and then to its present location in 1985. Jessamy Brown. 817·390·7326 If you go • The 19th annual Mid-Cities Greek Fest • St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church. 303 Cullum Drive. Eufess • Free parking and admission .11 a.m.-l0 p.rn. today-Saturday; 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday • midcitiesgreekfest.info .. ~",,, For many festivalgoers, a highlight will be the trays of baklava. The pastry is made of layers of buttered phyllo dough and honey syrup. Gyros and stuffed grape leaves will also be served. Star·Telegram arrhives DISTR1IJ[,TED TO: P,IGE OF__"_ JfAYOR CITY CSCL ClTYATTNY CRIM JICK.-UIIE BROWN YO [',VG ANIMAL CVT JlcDO'vALD COLLI:VS C BARKER GETCHELL LIIJRARYADJIIN LIBRARY REF HARTSELL DA TE DISTRlIJl/TED I '-/ / ) / .:, " /8// 1DATEOFARTICLE ,I' , .VEWSPAPER__.....;F~Jt,£.:s.!..T Fanitsa Limberis, left, rehearses a dance with Elizabeth Ruppel, Elise Peters and Megan Huber for the 2005 Mid-Cities Greek Fest. Greek dancing and live music are again on the schedu!e for this weekend's festival. which will raise money for the Euless congregation's building fund, Star·Telegram archves