HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-04-25 Euless ArticlesNortheast happenings:
BLACKSMITH SHOP NOW OPEN IN EULESS
Granted, most of us who live in Northeast Tarrant are more worried about the tires on our cars
than the shoes on our horses, but if you’re interested in learning more about how to forge a set of
horseshoes, a blacksmith shop is now set up at Heritage Place in Euless.
A grand opening was held Saturday at Heritage Park, 201 Cullum Drive, in Euless.
A blacksmith shop has been added to Heritage Park in Euless. Paul Moseley Star-Telegram archives
“We’ll use it store a lot of farm implements and will bring in a blacksmith to run a class to show
how things used to be,” Ofa Faiva-Siale, projects coordinator for Euless.
Heritage Park is a step-back in time for Euless residents that features the historical Fuller House,
Himes Log House, Euless Heritage Museum and McCormick Barn. Free tours of Heritage Park
are available from 1 to 5 p.m. the second Saturday of each month. Special group tours can be
arranged by calling 817-685-1649.
259-lot subdivision planned
for Euless Founders Parc
By Elizabeth Campbell
liz@star-telegram.com
EULESS
More new homes are coming to Euless after the City Council approved plans for a 259-lot subdivision in
the Euless Founders Parc development.
The developer, Centurion American, plans to build the single-family homes north of Texas 10 and east of
Farm Road 157 on 32 acres.
Mike Collins, the city’s planning and development director, said three types of homes will be built: villas,
row houses and town homes. The model homes should be finished in the fall.
Home development continues to take shape in Euless. Paul Moseley Star-Telegram archives
The villas, priced over $300,000 will be on lots with front doors facing open landscaped areas. The row
houses, priced over $250,000, will be on smaller lots and will face a landscaped area or a street with
garages behind the homes.
The town homes will also face landscaping or a public street, he said.
The architecture will feature brick and stone, and the homes will have varying designs including front
porch stoops, balconies and steeply pitched gables. The homes will also include natural stone counters,
hardwood cabinets and crown molding, Collins said.
Plenty of open space and wide sidewalks are also part of the plans, and the sidewalks will connect the
green spaces to the neighborhoods and to future commercial development.
The homes are part of the larger 57-acre Euless Founders Parc, a mixed-use residential and commercial
development. The boundaries of Founders Parc are east of Industrial Boulevard, north of Texas 10 and
south of Airport Freeway.
No commercial tenants have been named yet, but plans call for shops and restaurants.
Elizabeth Campbell: 817-390-7696, @fwstliz
One person dies after
shooting in Euless
By Azia Branson
abranson@star-telegram.com
EULESS
One person died in the hospital after being shot at a home in Euless late Wednesday, police said.
Police were dispatched about 11:30 p.m. to the 700 block of Henslee Drive where they found one
male victim with a gunshot wound, said Sgt. Brett Morgan, police spokesman.
The victim was taken to a nearby hospital where he was later pronounced dead, Morgan said.
Police are investigating leads on a possible suspect early Thursday.
Euless police investigate a shooting that occurred late Tuesday. Branson, Azia - Fort Worth Star-Telegram
New bridge construction in Euless to
close 183 this weekend
EULESS -- A key moment in the Midway Express project will take place this weekend
when the beams that support the new Main Street bridge are moved into place at Texas
183 in Euless.
But the milestone could also make for some traffic headaches during the la te night and
early morning hours, especially for those headed to DFW International Airport.
All eastbound lanes on 183 at Main Street will be closed from 10 p.m. Friday to 10 a.m.
Saturday.
All westbound lanes will be closed from 4 a.m. to 10 a.m. Saturday and again from 9
p.m. Saturday to 9 a.m. Sunday.
The Midway Express construction is an $847 million project that began in 2015 and will
add managed express lanes on 183, Texas 114, and Loop 12 by the time it's complete
in 2018.
It spans nearly 28 total miles and includes the construction of 28 new bridges with
improvements to another 44 existing bridges.
Full Closure of State Highway 183 in
Euless This Weekend
By Matt Jackson
Construction crews in Euless will shut down State Highway 183 this weekend as work continues
on the Euless Main Street bridge.
The closures in place are as follows:
Eastbound lanes of State Highway 183 shut down from 10 p.m. Friday until 10 a.m. Saturday
Full Closure of all lanes of State Highway 183 from 4 a.m. Saturday until 10 a.m. Saturday
Westbound lanes of State Highway 183 shut down from 9 p.m. Saturday until 9 a.m. Sunday
Crews advise that at times there will be rolling closures for the entire highway as well.
Workers will be setting beams for the new Euless Main Street bridge. That bridge was torn down
back in June of 2016 and is expected to be back open by the end of the year.
The Midtown Express project runs from Euless all the way into the city of Dallas. Work is
expected to be finished by 2018.
Police identify man shot to death in
Euless
Azia Branson, Star-Telegram , WFAA 4:40 PM. CDT April 22, 2017
EULESS -- Police identified the man shot to death in Euless late Wednesday as Tsvetomir
Neshkov.
Officers were dispatched about 11:30 p.m. to the 700 block of Henslee Drive where they
found the 27-year-old male victim with a gunshot wound, police said.
Neshkov was taken to Baylor Scott & White Medical Center in Grapevine and then airlifted
to Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas where he died during surgery.
Two suspects have been arrested in connection with the shooting but will not be identified
until they are arraigned on Monday, said Sgt. Scott Peterson, police spokesman.
Detectives are still investigating the motive.
Northeast happenings
EULESS CELEBRATES ARBOR DAZE
Euless has once again been named a "Tree City USA" recipient and is celebrating its over 30-
year recognition with Arbor Daze 2017 from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., April 29 at the Euless Family
Life Center, 300 West Midway Drive.
The arbor day event will give out free trees to attendees. Over 150,000 trees have been
distributed at the Arbor Daze Festival since its started 25 years ago. The trees are donated in the
spirit of replenishing the local tree population.
Attendees are encouraged to bring their blankets and lawn chairs and sit back and enjoy the live
music. Concessions and a kidz zone will also be part of the festivities.
ELECTIONS
APRIL 23, 2017 9:04 PM
Euless council candidates
Euless Mayor Linda Martin is seeking re-election May 6. Bob Booth Star-Telegram archives
MAYOR
Linda Martin
Age: 70
Occupation: Retired
Campaign phone number and/or email address: linda@lindamartinforeuless.com
Campaign website: LindaMartinforEuless.com
Education background, including all degrees:
I was schooled in Burbank, California, and furthered my education at Glendale College and Long
Beach College majoring in liberal arts.
Briefly list your current and past civic involvement:
• Euless Citizens Police and Fire Academy Alumni Associations Member
• HEB Teen Court Liaison
• HEB Economic Development Foundation (Past President)
• Euless Development Corporation Chair
• HEB Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors
• Northeast Leadership Forum Member
• Dallas/Fort Worth Airport Board of Directors
• Liaison to a number of City Council appointed Boards and Commissions.
Offices you have sought and/or held before:
2004-2014 Euless City Councilmember
2014-2017 Euless Mayor
In 100 words or less, what are the three most critical problems facing the public office you
are seeking and the solutions you propose to address them?
Water: Texans will always face challenges with our most precious resource. For several years we
have been using reclaimed water for irrigation of our largest recreational areas at the Parks at
Texas Star, Softball World, and Texas Star Golf Course. In addition, the City of Euless is
building a reclaimed waterline along Bear Creek Parkway to provide reclaimed water for
irrigation purposes for many of the multi-family complexes. This has resulted in substantial
conservation of potable water in a responsible manner.
Growth: With a rapidly developing City, we will continue to budget very conservatively and
carefully manage the growth and resources we have. Euless has maintained or lowered our tax
rate every year for the last 23 years. We are pleased that while property valuations are rising we
realize a stable tax rate helps homeowners with the increases.
Completion of SH183: The Main Street bridge was demolished in June 2016 leaving many of
our small, local businesses struggling. We will continue working with them through this most
difficult time. With the completion of the freeway construction we will be able to further focus
on revitalization of aging areas of Euless
What is your top priority if elected to office?
My top priority is to continue effectively managing our growth throughout the City. Careful
planning and preparation is essential. Not only is Glade Parks still developing, Founders Parc is
well underway with new homes and new retail. As a part of a visionary Council we will continue
to make sound policies to ensure we accommodate future needs. Many of the issues need to be
worked on a regional basis. I will continue to remain active with various groups and city leaders
throughout the Metroplex.
Why are you the best qualified candidate for this office?
Experience does count! I have been a public servant for Euless since 2004. We have experienced
great times as well as extremely difficult financial times during the economic downturn around
2009/10. With a cohesive Council and great City staff we have managed to keep the same high
level of service to our citizens throughout the years without raising their property tax rate. I had
the benefit of working with and learning from Mayor Saleh who led us for over 20 years. My
goal continues to keep us on our same path as being Fab-Euless.
Tupou Helu Uhatafe is running for Euless mayor.
Tupou Helu Uhatafe
Age: 51
Occupation: Business Owner
Campaign phone number and/or email address: Phone 682 241 7541 Email
heluforeulesstx@gmail.com
Campaign website: www.heluforeulesstx.wixsite.com/election
Education background, including all degrees: Mansfield Business School, Fort Worth Texas
Briefly list your current and past civic involvement: 1st Time Involvment in Local City
Office,although I never work for the City of Euless, I have been volunteering & helping with my
community in Professionally Life Coaching and Business Coaching.Lic ensing Business Owners,
for the Euless Citizens,Filing Pro Se Cold Cases,Divorce Cases,as a Professional Consultant, for
those who does not speak or wirte english well,does not have funds for Attorney etc..I also
volunteering for my Euless Community and other Community Services Works.I am a Sunday
School Teacher and I am strongly involved with my 1st Euless United Methodist Church.
In 100 words or less, what are the three most critical problems facing the public office you
are seeking and the solutions you propose to address them?
1.City of Euless is spending Taxpayers money on unprofitable investments and projects,I will
propose new Bill to cut wasteful spending of Taxpayers Money 2.City of Euless is giving its
empoyees credit cards,I will cut the authorization for City Employees to use Credit Card,its
tazpayers money they playing with. 3.There is no Hospital or better clinic in Euless,I will attract
income revenue to the city of Euless and build our 1st Euless Hospital,there are too many lives
taken in the necklegence and staff infections Happening in HEB Hospital its time for Euless to
take the Lead in Healthcare.4.I will bring Wall Mart and big Corporation to Euless attracting
more jobs for our Community.5.I will build a Performing Arts Center for Euless Children and
Family to enjoy musical play and entertainment music etc..6.I will bring in Expo and Festival to
attract more income revenue for the City.7.I will clean up Crimes in the City of Euless and create
a Euless Youth Community Program that will teach the Future of Euless how to become Leaders
and get involve more in their local government and their community.8.There is a lack of
relationship between the local government of Euless and their Euless Citizens,I will be the
People Mayor who will be visiting local schools, businesses and churches,buidling relationships,
encouraging them to help grow our City Successfully and Protect the Future of our
Community.9.I will work with our Texas State Reprensitives to protect the state and us
constitutional rights of all Euless Citizens.
Why are you the best qualified candidate for this office?
I am the Top Qualified for Mayor of Euless because Linda Martin is 71 and retire for American
Airlines,its time for her to enjoy her retirement at Home.She never own a business or have any
Leadership Roles.I am more Stronger and Experienced,I have employeed over 600 Employees
and created successful Businesses.With my 27yrs of Business Owners Financial and Healthcare
Leadership Skills I can Lead the City of Euless to a more Stronger Investment Growth, with less
expenses and bring in more income revenue through diversify investments to grow our City.I
believe Edcuation and Small Businesses are the Future of Euless,Texas,USA.I am the best
qualified Candidate for the City of Euless. Great Leader is taught and mold infused with
Knowlege = Expereince= Wisdom that is my total sum up inner values.
Euless City Council Place 2 incumbent Jeremy Tompkins.
Jeremy Tompkins
Age: 42
Occupation: Airline Analyst
Campaign phone number and/or email address: Place2@eulesstx.org
Education background, including all degrees: High School Graduate, some college.
Briefly list your current and past civic involvement: Parks and Leisure Services Board to
Planning and Zoning Commission to current City Council Place 2
Offices you have sought and/or held before: Incumbent – Euless City Council Place 2
In 100 words or less, what are the three most critical problems facing the public of fice you
are seeking and the solutions you propose to address them?
Problems we face are State proposals that will hinder our opportunity to govern local; Property
Taxes with HB2 also Municipal Court Operations with HB2702 and HB1125. Euless also has
well deserved employee retirements that we work to capture the heritage.
What is your top priority if elected to office?
Maintaining the Quality of Euless
Why are you the best qualified candidate for this office?
Experience being the incumbent. The relationships nurtured the past three years with the
community, the chamber, other city and county officials is a valuable asset for Euless.
Knowledge of the budget and operation of the city motivates me for another term.
Vera Layton
Age: 21
Occupation: Financial Money Exchange DFW Airport/Pre Law Student Political Science Major
UTD University
Campaign phone number and/or email address: Phone 817 689 3755 Email
layton.vera@gmail.com
Campaign website: veralayton.facebook/com
Education background, including all degrees: Pre Law Politcial Science Student at the
University of Texas in Dallas
Briefly list your current and past civic involvement: Volunteering Certificate helping
Homeless and Abused Women in DFW Area
In 100 words or less, what are the three most critical problems facing the public office you
are seeking and the solutions you propose to address them?
A.Three Most Critical Problems: 1.Lack of accountability 2.Lack of Voter participation and
invlovlment in local government 3.Lack of Attractions
B.1.Solution for lack of accountability is State Law Makers should push for new bill that reflect
the Taxpayers Voice 2.Solution for Voter Participation is create different methods to get them
interested in local government election.3.Solution for lack of lack of attrations is to be creative
with our local investments and seek more city revenue to grow city
What is your top priority if elected to office?
My no 1 Top Priority if I become elected to Euless City Council is to inspire more young voters
to participate in Local Government Election and to implement ways to further grow the city of
Euless base upon the taxpayers needs
Why are you the best qualified candidate for this office?
Although I am 21 yrs old I am determine to pave the way and represent all voices.I am
passionate with an abundants of enthusism regarding political leadership
Students involved in
local elections
Tepou Helu (left) is running for mayor of Euless and UTD student Vera Layton is supporting her
mother in the election. Photo by Srichandrakiran Gottipati | Mercury Staff.
Alum faces tough election to oust incumbent
Dev Thimmisetty
Alumnus Nicholas St. John said he always felt it was his duty and calling to bridge the gap
between the local government and general public. In his quest to do so, St. John is now running
for city council in Fort Worth.
The current city councilman for district six has a large financial advantage over St. John, and
there are also two other challengers running against him. However, St. John has a plan.
“The incumbent had $100,000 in his account before the campaign season even began, so it’s
going to be tough to run against that,” he said. “My goal is to get 30 percent of the vote.”
St. John’s strategy is to force the incumbent to receive less than 50 percent of the vote. Without
the majority vote, the two candidates with the most votes would proceed to a runoff, where St.
John hopes he can win with the help of his challengers.
“We made an agreement where whoever goes against the incumbent in the runoff will be
supported by the remaining challengers so hopefully we can get one of us to win,” he said.
St. John decided to run this year because of the rise of liberal political groups in Fort Worth, he
said.
“With the most recent election of President (Donald) Trump, a lot of progressives are fired up.
This is the first time that all the city council seats have challengers. I saw the opportunity to get
behind the movement I already supported and make change,” he said.
St. John isn’t the only UTD student or alumnus to get involved in politics. Political science
junior Vera Layton planned to run for city council in Euless, but ended up dropping out due to
work pressure and academic responsibilities. Nonetheless, she is an avid supporter of her mother,
Tepou Helu, who is running for mayor of Euless.
Helu, a Tongan and the first minority to run for mayor, decided to get involved in order to
combat what she called the complacency of Euless.
“Right now, people in Euless are comfortable where they are. They don’t really want anything to
change, and we want to fix that,” Layton said.
For Helu, that attitude is an obstacle to Euless becoming a big city.
“We want people to get off the airport and think, ‘Wow, I should head to Euless,’’’ Helu said.
“However, the complacency from a lot of people means a lack of growth. We want to build
Euless into a brand, like New York and Los Angeles, etcetera.”
The mother-daughter duo believes that growth in Euless should begin by making proper
investments. One current city project is looking to build a riverwalk off of U.S. Highway 121.
Helu’s platform is based on allocating finances towards small businesses and education instead.
“As far as developing Euless, I feel that we need to develop in the middle of Euless,” Helu said.
“I think the riverwalk is a waste of time. Instead, we could put a shopping center and a Walmart
or an office building for small businesses in the middle of Euless.”
Some challenges associated with running are voter turnout and the status quo.
“Even though Euless is almost 50 percent minority, none of the cit y council members are from a
minority. That’s one reason people are interested in our stories, and we want to empower other
people, whether they are minority or not, to do the same thing,” Layton said.
The other issue is with the age of the voters.
“Millennials are just not interested in politics, and that’s something that I want to change by
showing them that we can start change in our local governments,” Layton said.
Despite this, Layton and Helu said they think they have a significant chance of winning.
“People want a leader who they can look up to, and who can lead them to success. I believe that
(I) can wake people up and show how important education and small businesses to making a
great city,” Helu said.
Both Layton and St. John credit UTD to developing skills that would help them in an election.
“When I was at UTD, I actually founded the Democratic Socialists at UTD group, and those de-
bates with the Republican’s side really got me more involved with politics and made me under-
stand what I need to do,” St. John said.
For Layton, UTD helped her understand how the American political system worked.
“I learned that even though people stress the presidential election, it’s the local elections that
really make change, which is why I wanted to get involved in politics,” she said.
Nonetheless, Layton, Helu and St. John are all motivated by similar desires.
“My favorite thing is when I talk to regular people and ask them what their concerns are,” he
said. “To hear them be happy that someone is looking out for them is the best.”
Helu and Layton agree that the people’s happiness is the ultimate goal.
“I get excited when people are doing good, children are going to school, and people are opening
small businesses. (People) striving to grow and be better makes me happ y,” Helu said.
Although Layton is no longer running, she said the political process is the most meaningful at the
local level.
“When you turn 18, people get excited about their right to vote, but they’re always thinking
about voting in the presidential election even though real change comes from your local
elections,” she said. “Voting locally is where actual change begins.”
Local election voting happens the same way as presidential elections. Students can vote in their
precincts at the appropriate voting center on Election Day.
Disturbance involving three
people led to Euless shooting
death
By Domingo Ramirez Jr.
ramirez@star-telegram.com
EULESS
A disturbance between two people and a Euless man led to his shooting death last week in his
home, police said Monday.
And the two people accused of killing Tsvetomir Neshkov also are suspects in crimes in Bedford
and Trophy Club, police said.
Police identified the suspects as Jay Aaron Balch, 23, of Hurst and Christian Angel Escobedo,
26, of Grand Prairie.
The two are accused of killing Neshkov late Wednesday in the 700 block of Henslee Drive.
“It started as a disturbance between the two people and the victim,” police Sgt. Scott Peterson
said Monday in a telephone interview. “They knew each other,” though Peterson declined to say
how.
Neshkov was taken to Baylor Scott & White Medical Center in Grapevine and then to Baylor
University Medical Center in Dallas where he died during surgery.
Police believe Balch and Escobedo then went on a 12-hour crime spree before they arrived in
Bedford.
Escobedo and Balch were arrested at a Bedford bank on charges unrelated to the Euless killing,
police said.
“Our detectives had been looking for them and once we head that Bedford had picked them up,
our charges were just added,” Peterson said.
Balch and Escobedo faces charges of capital murder in Euless. Balch is expected to be charged
with unlawful possession firearm by a felon and Escobedo with failure to report a felony
involving death, police said.
The two remained Monday in the Euless Jail. Their bail amounts were not available.
In addition, Balch will be charged with possession of a controlled substance and burglary of a
motor vehicle in Bedford and with robbery in Trophy Club, according to police reports.
Escobedo faces Bedford charges of possession of a controlled substance and forgery of a
financial instrument.
Domingo Ramirez Jr.: 817-390-7763, @mingoramirezjr