HomeMy WebLinkAboutMayor's Newsletter 07/93 Life of leadership prepares new mayor for job
Experience comes in many shapes
and sizes, but for Mary Lib Saleh,
many forms of experience have pre-
pared her since a young age for her
new job as Mayor of the City of
Euless. From her intensive studies
and expertise in the art of Japanese
flower arranging known as Ikebana,
to her 41 years as a peacemaker and
care giver of five children and a hus-
band,Saleh has come to understand
just what it takes to serve a commu-
nity she has called home for years.
"I am a people person," Saleh said.
"I like people,and it's easy for me to
attend people functions."
A Life of Leadership Mary Lib Saleh is sworn in as mayor by Judge George Boring.
Before she was elected June 5 as the
first woman mayor of Euless, Saleh She is a member of the Northeast she was content to be a member of
built a history of community service Tarrant Arts Council Board, the the Library Board and later, the
from many different interests. She Trustee Board for Harris Methodist Parks and Leisure Services Board.In
began her life of leadership at a HEB Hospital and the only female 1989, she was urged to run for the
young age and continued it through chairperson on the administrative council seat vacated by Carolyn
her college years at St. Mary's Col- board of First United Methodist Park.
lege of Maryland. After graduation, Church of Euless. "I didn't have a great burning desire
Saleh spent time working as a math- Saleh teaches adult Sunday school, to run for public office," Saleh said.
ematician forthe U.S.Navy until she lectures in Ikebana and serves as a "After a lot of consideration, I de-
met her husband of 41 years,Ray. docent for the Japanese Gardens in cided to run for that seat as another
The two traveled for a while and Fort Worth and the Villages of Bear step in community service."
raised five children. Pam, Penny, Creek Park in Euless. She holds five Saleh said her desire to serve the
Rick, Rory and Randy are spread master's degrees in the Ohara city led to her natural progression to
from California to Louisiana, with School of lkebana. Mayor Pro Tem in 1991 and after
four grandchildren in between. Al- The Long Trek
though some of the children are far
from home,Saleh said they have not When she first started on the road to See page 6
forgotten their upbringing and they public service in Euless, Saleh said
all serve their communities.
If raising five children wasn't Inside...
enough work for her, Saleh some- *Page 3--New Councilmember Charlie Miller talks about
how managed to find time to serve family,community.
her community as a member of sev- *Page 4--Changes are in store for the Euless Public Library.
eral groups.She is a lifetime member
of the Parent Teacher Association. Page 7--Your tax dollars at work.
:.
'<
City Council faces budgeting concerns
Although Councilmembers only at-
tend two council meetings per
month, their jobs don't stop there,
and their hours of work for the city
continue well past the Tuesday night '
meetings. Over the past several '
months and for several months to
come, Councilmembers will study
the budget of city revenues and ex-
penditures for the next fiscal year. 6
6 �
Worksessions have been held to up- .
date the Council on the city's needs
in areas such as computers, capital
improvement projects, drainage,
streets,parks and other city services.
The council has also studied the
mandates handed down by the state q§
and federal governments which re-
quire cities to address specific issues City Manager Tom Hart,left,explains a drainage problem to Director
but do not provide state or federal Joe Hennig,Mayor Saleh and Councilman Miller.
funding.
The city manager's office will sub-
mit to the council its recommenda-
tion for the fiscal budget by August
1,and the council will study the fig-
ures during the month of August. A
public hearing will be held in late
August so that citizens may give _ &x
input on the proposed budget and a
revised budget will be adopted no
later than Sept.30.The new budget
goes into effect Oct. 1. '
Last year was the first time a bal-
anced budget was approved by the The 1993 councilmembers are,from left to right:Peter Staks, Todd
Euless City Council in several years. Smith,Charlie Miller,Mayor Mary Lib Saleh,Mayor Pro Tem Bobby
Mayor Mary Lib Saleh said she Baker,Henry Boatright and Frank Douglass.
hopes this year's budget will also be
balanced so the city does not have to
use money from its reserves. ■ Euless Development Corporation
Pet rs formed
..............
:>..... `K . ..:. The Euless Cit Council is accepting applications from citizens who wouldIdentifc ets
are avail : €` ...e like to be a part of the Euless Development Corporation, a board formed by
the Legislature which allows cities to collect a half-cent sales tax for eco-
_ a g
nomic development and quality of life funding.
with':m t r « '» 0 The board will be made up of four City Councilmembers and three citizens
num d °` '' € selected by the Council. Appointments will be made within the next month.
Ector Drive, E:'``-`..'..'.. ' 6039. To obtain an application,contact or stop by the City Secretary's Office.The
Call 685-1592 fo' ff :` informs- phone number is(817) 685-1419. ■
tion on how to prot ": ur pets. ■
Strai ht Talk
g
❑City's future is councilman's concern
"Going into the race, I had a good
sense of what I wanted to do for the
city, but after knocking on doors, I
saw more clearly how certain prob-
lems impacted specific areas of our
{ city,"Miller said. "I gained different
insights."
Q Miller said his top priority for Eu-
less would be economic develop-
ment.By bringing in businesses,we
solve many other problems for our
city, he said. The additional reve-
nues from sales tax coupled with a
strong employment base for our cit-
izens would give Euless the strength
and financial capabilities to provide
citizens the best quality of life and
city services,Miller said.
Miller said he believed most resi-
dents were open to the idea of at-
Charlie Miller is congratulated by former Mayor Harold Samuels after tracting businesses to Euless
Miller took the oath of office June 8. because it ultimately leads to a better
life for all residents.
Support for one another has never "I consider myself the ordinary per- "We have a lot of highly educated
been lacking in the Miller family. son who believes he has an obliga- people in Euless,and they believe in
Newly elected Councilmember tion to give back to the community economic development," Miller
Charlie Miller realized the support he calls home,"Miller said. "This is said."There's just not a lot of tax left
that holds his family together during the level of government where a per- in the households, and by attracting
the long campaign that ended in his son can give back to the commu- businesses we can take some of the
first election to public office June 5. nity." financial burden off of the families
"The kids helped in every way they Miller was a member of the Parks in our community."
could,"Miller said. "My family tries and Leisure Services Board for three Miller said he will encourage the
to participate in every aspect of the years and a member of the Half-Cent city to take a pro-active position to-
community,and they think it's great Sales Tax Education Committee last ward businesses instead of waiting
that I've been elected to the City winter. He has been involved with for business to come to the city.
Council." the Land Use Committee and the "We have a great Economic Devel-
Miller and his family, who moved committee which studied the pro- opment Advisory Board and depart-
to Euless in 1984, have gotten in- posed airport expansion in 1989. ment," Miller said. "Let's go after
volved in the community in every Miller's self-starter image is also these businesses.We've got the abil-
way possible. From 13-year-old prevalent in his professional life.He ity, we just have to intensify the ef-
daughter Vanessa's interest in sports is a partner in the Southwest Assur- fort."
to 18-year-old Shannon's job in a ance Group,a commercial insurance Miller said the effort put forth by
local store,Rose and Charlie Miller company. the city in economic development or
have encouraged a family built Vision for Euless any area would be agressive but not
around community,values and sup- Vision is what drove Miller to first controversial.
port. Miller's own involvement in seek the office of councilmember, "Controversy is not the best way to
the community began some time be- and while his vision did not change accomplish anything,"Miller said.■
fore the election for Councilmember as the race wore on,its focus became
Place 4.
clearer.
Library's future a growing success
❑Improved facilities a top priority
The future of the Euless Public Li-
brary is uncertain, but positive. 1
change for this growing city facility -
is the one sure element. With theMAL
passage of the half-cent sales tax last
January, voters agreed that im- $"
proved library facilities were a must. y` #
Some of the added revenues from °= "
the new half-cent sales tax will be w��. s• �.,
used to fund an expansion of the
existing building or construction of
a new building. '
The Euless library's history can be 'T
1�A
traced back to 1961 when it was
housed in a one-car garage at the
location of the present-day Wendy's
restaurant on North Main Street,ac-
cording to librarian Betty Library staff members are,from left to right:front row,Meredith
Yarbrough. In 1967, the present li- McMannis,Sally Cook,Sue Morrow,Sheila Williams. Back row,Bar
-
brary facility was opened at the City baro Thompson,Angela Kimbell,Sarah Poirier,Carolyn Hoots,Betty
Hall Complex. Yarbrough,Essie Dougherty,Julia Petrovich.
While the library currently holds
over 60,000 pieces in its collection, items from the library, but did you proved facility. Yarbrough said the
the facility is filled to capacity and know the library offers more than library now provides a children's
room for growth is limited. Accord- just books?The library houses over story time every week and special
ing to the guidelines of the Texas 500 compact discs, 1,200 audio cas- programs.The adult program"Let's
Library Association, city libraries settes and 1,400 video tapes, all talk about books"is also open to the
should provide a minimum of two available to the general public. The public.
pieces in the collection per capita. library is also home to an extensive The Euless Library also supports
For Euless, that means a collection collectionof genealogy information. the Book Cottage,located at 114 N.
of at least 80,000 pieces. "Most of the non-book material is Sheppard Drive.The Book Cottage
Nationally known library consul- non-fiction, how-to materials," sells used books and magazines and
tant Lee Brawner has been retained Yarbrough said.Tapes on vacation- the profits are used to make pur-
by the city to evaluate the library ing,exercise and many other topics chases for the library. The Book
needs of the Euless community for are available, as well as entertain- Cottage is run by volunteers from
the next 20 to 25 years.Brawner will ment videos for all ages. the Friends of the Library, a non-
consider the needs and desires of the profit groupwith membership open
community before making his rec- In the future, the library may con- o anyone.
p
ommendation to the City Council in tain more information on computer y
the next two months. From that and CD-ROM,a form of storage on In addition to these, citizens may
point, an architect will be hired and compact discs, Yarbrough said. join the Library Board, a board ap-
expansions to the current library or With an increase in space in the li- pointed by the City Council.Current
' construction on a new facility will brary facility, the city could offer members include Alice Ernest,
begin immediately.The entire prof- citizens state-of-the-art technology Betty Fuller, Joyce Yamamoto,
ect could take three years, and access to more information than Charlie Garrison, Wesley Scott,
Yarbrough said. was previously available. William Kirkley, Willie Mae Mc-
Another non-book aspect of the li- Cormick and Linda Garner.
Library offers more than brary is various programming pro- For more information on the library
just books vided by the staff now with hopes to or specific programs, please call
Any resident of Euless may borrow increase the programming in an im- (817)685-1480. 0
Eye on Recycling. . .
� LE
Euless residents living in single- ing push in Euless by participating
family homes have recycled 388.3 in Project Re-File. The special re-
tons of material since January 1993. cycling project is open to all busi-
Recycling coordinator Michelle nesses in Tarrant County who wish
Wyman said the high participation to have mixed paper picked up and
rate and the enormous volume of recycled at no charge to the business.
materials recycled proves more and Project Re-Directory, a county-
more residents are understanding wide telephone book recycling ef-
the program and taking time out to !ftftAL
P g g fort, will kick off July 16 at 10 a.m. �
help the environment. at the Euless City Hall Complex.
Residents in apartments have also Residents will have the opportunity Euless and Southwestern Bell Yel-
contributed to the high participation to drop off their old phone books to low Pages.
in recycling by diverting almost be recycled at City Hall any time
50,000 lbs. of recyclable material between July 16 and August 21.The For information on any of these
from the landfills. program is sponsored by the City of Programs or other questions about
recycling,please call the Recycling
Businesses are joining in the recycl- Hotline at(817) 685-1825. ■
Kid's Corner
❑What can we do this summer?
If you go on a family vaca-
tion this summer, send the
Euless Public Library a post-
4: = "' card to be entered in the
postcard contest. The con-
px test ends Sept. 8 and entries
can be mailed to Euless Pub
lic Library, 201 N. Ector
Drive, Euless, TX 76039.
Be sure to include your
name and home address.
While kids may think there's noth- 11:45 a.m. until August 13. Learn about the recycling
ing to do during the long summer Activities include movies, program and help clean up
months and parents are running out board games, bingo, indoor
of ideas to keep the kids entertained, your Earth You can recycle
hockey, soccer and baseball. plastics, lass, tin, alumi-
thecity can offer low-or no-cost fun p , g
both parents and children are sure to Kids of all ages are invited num, paper and much more
love. to join the Euless Public with the Euless recycling
Check out the classes and ac- Library's summer reading program. Call the Recycling
tivities at the Midway Recre- program. Readers may sign Hotline at 685-1825 for
ation Center. Class costs are up and record the number of more information on what
usually minimal and are of- hours read each Tuesday you can do to save the
fered for all ages. Midway morning at 9:30 a.m. at the planet.
Madness is a free activity Recreation Center or any Become a volunteer in your
time offered to children other time at the Library. community. Call 685-1674
every morning, Monday Take a break from the sum- to learn about volunteer op-
through Friday 8 a.m. to mer heat and relax with a portunities. ■
good book!
Do You Need A Construction Permit?
❑What citizens need to know, from the Development Department
Homeowners thinking about re- all new construction. In many cases WHAT IF I DON'T GET A PER-
modeling their homes or adding a permit is needed for repair or re- MIT?
other improvements such as decks, placement of existing features,such If a permit, when required, is not
spas or retaining walls may be re- as replacing windows. A plumbing, obtained prior to construction, you
quired to obtain a permit for the con- electrical or mechanical permit is re- are in violation of City of Euless
struction of these projects. The quired for any additions or changes codes and regulations and will be
following often-asked questions are to the structure's existing system. subject to fines and penalties.
answered for the summer-time For example,moving or adding any WHAT ABOUT INSPEC-
builder by the Development Depart- electrical work requires a permit. TIONS?
ment. Repair or replacement of fixtures
WHAT ARE PERMITS AND (such as changing water faucets or Permits expire after 1 days if no
WHY DO I NEED ONE? replacing switches) does not nor- inspections have beenn made. In
> mall require a permit. Replacing a order for the project to be complete,
Permits are the city's method of y q p g it must be inspected. If a permit ex-
regulating construction. They are water heater or installing a garden pires before the final inspection is
necessary to ensure all construction sprinkler system does, however, re- made, the project is in violation of
in the city is safe.There are munici- quire a permit. A permit is also City codes.
pal,state and federal laws governing needed to install a satellite dish.
construction which make permits WHERE DO I GET A PERMIT It the responsibility of the permit
necessary. AND HOW MUCH DOES IT holder or contractor to call the City
COST? for inspections at specific times dur-
There are several types of permits, ing certain points in the project,de-
based on the type of construction: Permits may be obtained in the pending on the type of project.
structural, plumbing, mechanical Building Inspections Department at For answers to your specific ques-
and combination, which is used for the City Hall Complex, Building B. tions,please call(817)685-1623. ■
single-family home construction The complex is located at 201 N.
and other small projects. Most pro- Ector Drive.The cost of a permit is
jects require a permit.The complete based on the value of the work, but
demolition and relocation of build- for a typical home improvement
ings also require permits. project, the cost ranges from $15 to
WHEN DO I NEED A PERMIT? $100-
A construction permit is needed for
Continued from page I Saleh's enthusiasm for her new po- than ever before and we have leaders
sition has touched many areas of who truly care for the city."
much thought and hard work,Mayor concern for the city. She has vowed Saleh said the highest voter turnout
of the City of Euless. to work with allarties involved to
p ever during the past election showed
When Harold Samuels decided not solve the airport issue. Her top pri- the citizens were also concerned
to run again, I decided to run for ority for the city is economic devel- with the future of the city.
mayor because I felt the City of Eu- opment. With development and "I would like to see more volun-
less needed an experienced person," redevelopment of existing busi- teers," Saleh said of the citizens.
she said. "Experience covers a mul- nesses,Saleh said the city would be "The more volunteers a city has,the
titude of things." able to fund other services and pro- better the community relations are in
Visions jects, such as more police and fire
protection, more parks, a larger li- that city."
"My plans are to be a full-time brary and improved streets and util- "I think Euless is truly at the cutting
Mayor for the City of Euless,"Saleh ities. edge of building a better tomorrow,"
said."I have an open door policy for Saleh said. ■
citizens. I think it's important to be We have an excellent city staff and
visionary and to be there for the cit- an outstanding city council," Saleh
izens." said. "Our council is more involved
Your Tax Dollars At Work f
El Street, utility projects completed
Pest Alert
To kee i}v� 3t summertime in-
The Department of Public Works streets and six driveway ap- sects a : # ':.. s, remove all
as had a busy and productive year proaches were installed. trash,
: f i a...... ...... `. : d
maintaining, building and fixing a
The Water Distribution divi- sources 111 ::::.:; ss
variety of projects in the city.Below ..
:: .;:.
is just a partial list of improvements
sion continues to replace un-
P P
dersized main lines ' � ��
made around town. tain -
throughout the city as well
The Wastewater Mainte- as replacing deteriorated tract mosquito
nance division of the city has water mains, valves and fire
worked to avert many prob- hydrants and tying in or loop- a message from vironmen tal Health De
lems in the sewage collec-
tion system by raising ing "dead end" lines. Pt•
manhole elevations and in- The Water Production divi-
stalling "rainstoppers." sion of the city has initiated Do you qualify for
These efforts have resulted several programs this year to free home repairs?
in a reduction of 500,000 gal- ensure water quality stan-
lons of water per day flow- dards are met, accounting Tarrant County offers a housing re-
ing into the Trinity River measures for water use are pair program for Euless residents
Authority for treatment. efficient and rising costs to who meet the qualifications listed
supply water are controlled. below. The program is funded
*A deteriorated sewer main These measures include: through the Community Develop-
line between Huntington and ment Block Grant. Repairs may be
Dickey streets was replaced, Comprehensive sampling made to the roof, foundation,
as well as two aerial cross- and analysis--The City of plumbing and electrical wiring or
ings over Bear Creek which Euless received a waiver weatherization repairs.
were damaged by storm from the Environmental Program Eligibility Require-
water. Protection Agency which ments:
*The Street division recon- will hold down the future you must:
structed three streets, over- cost of meeting EPA water *Have an annual income
layed ten streets and cut and quality requirements. The below HUD established in-
patched 19 streets which will city's water supply cur- come limits
rently meets all of those re-
tie overlayed with asphalt in �Own our own home lace
the near future. Fourteen quirements. Y (P
Comprehensive water of residence for at least one
streets were crack-filled. P year)*Sidewalks were constructed problem audit--An audit
was done to identify sev- *Have no more than two liens
streets to assist
t childrreetcliff
along Kyneand Eeral operational deficien- placed against the property
n
walking to school. Sidewalks cies and solutions were *Meet at least one of the fol-
on Harwood Road from offered by the Public lowing criteria--handi-
Main Street to Aransas Works Department to the capped,disabled, 62 years
should also be constructed City Countil for consider- of age or older,family with
before the beginning of the ation. dependent children.
next school year. Sidewalk For more information on For more information contact the
repairs were made on 17 Public Works projects or Tarrant County Community Devel-
streets, curb and gutter re- to report a problem,please opment Division at(817)338-9129
call 685-1580. ■ or visit the office at 1501 Merrimac
pairs were made on ten Circle,Fort Worth,TX 76117. ■
City of Euless Phone List The Mayor's Newsletter is a publication of the City
of Euless, printed on a quarterly basis or as a supple-
Emergency 911 mentto the Leisure Times magazine.
Police Department(non-emergency) 685-1500 Mayor
Fire Department(non-emergency) 685-1600 Mary Lib S aleh
Animal Shelter 685-1592 City Council
Building Permits/Inspections 685-1622 Bobby Baker,Mayor Pro Tem
City Manager 685-1420 Frank Douglass
City Secretary 685-1434 Todd Smith
Municipal Court 685-1460 Charlie Miller
Finance 685-1430 Peter Staks
Fire Marshal 685-1635 Henry Boatright
Garbage Service 283-3092 City Manager
Job Line 685-1450 Tom Hart
Library 685-1480 Assistant City Manager
Midway Recreation Center 685-1666 H. Kay Godbey
Parks and Community Services 685-1660
Personnel 685-1450 City Secretary
Susan Crim
Planning and Development 685-1630
Public Information Officer 685-1429 Editor/Photographer
Recycling Hotline 685-1825 Katherine Thompson,Public Information Officer
Streets/Utilities 685-1580 Desktop/Layout/Graphics
Water Office 685-1470 Becky Null, Administrative Secretary
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T H E C I T Y O F U.S. POSTAGE
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EULESS, TX 76039
PERMIT NO. 28
"We're building a better tomorrow."
® 201 N. Ector Drive, Euless, Texas 76039
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