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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-05-16 Euless Articles DISTRIBUTED TO: PAGE l OF MAYOR CITYCOUNCIL CITYATTORNEY CRIM HENNIG MCKAMIE DELA CRUZ RIDGWAY ' YOUNG McDONALD COLLINS WILHITE GETCHELL LIBRARYAADMIN LIBRARYREF ANIMAL CNTR DATE DISTRIBUTED S / (Q /D 3 DATE OF ARTICLE `7— I S /03 NEWSPAPE Games of Texas The Games of Texas has added extreme sports to the event,scheduled July 24-27 at venues throughout the six host cities of Bedford, Colleyville, Euless, Grapevine, ' Hurst and North Richland Hills. Extreme sports events will be held at ESPN X Games Skatepark in Grapevine Mills Mall. The Games of Texas' extreme sports ' competition will include inline skating on Friday,biking on Saturday and skateboard- ing on Sunday.The Games of Texas is the ' largest multi-sport event in the state and is sponsored by the Texas Amateur Athletic Federation(IAAF). For more information, go to www.gamesoftexas.com. t DISTRIBUTED TO: PAGE ) OF MAYOR CITYCOUNCIL CITYATTORNEY CRIM HENNIG MCKAMIE DELA CRUZ RID GWAY(2) YOUNG McDONALD COLLINS WILHITE GETCHELL LIBRARYADMIN LIBRARYREF,� ANIMAL CNTR ' DATE DISTRIBUTED 3 DATE OF ARTICLE NEWSPAPER DMN H-E-B ISD Trinity will perform ' a tribute to Euless The Trinity High School drama ' department will present "Home- town, USA,"a musical tribute to Euless'150th anniversary,at 9:30 and 10:30 a.m.Friday in the Trini- ty High School Auditorium, 500 N.Industrial Blvd.in Euless.The tribute will Cover the city's history ,from,the mid-1800s to today.The ' musical was written by local actor, costume designer and choreogra- pher Ric Leal.The event is free. DISTRIBUTED TO: PAGE OF MAYOR CITY COUNCIL CITY'ATTORNEY CRIM HENNIG MCKAMIE DELA CRUZ RIDGWAY(2) ' YOUNG McDONALD COLLINS WILHITE GETCHELL LIBRARYADMIN LIBRARYREFt ANIMAL CNTR DATE DISTRIBUTED S I ' 3 DATE OF ARTICLE 5 / 1 0� U 3 NEWSPAPER FWST 1 1 Texas Rangers' ownerpledges piteh to in on Euless_ ballfield By ELLENA F.MORRISON The South- west Sports Group,which also 1 STAR-TELEGRAM STAFF WRITER west Sports owns the Stars. "We like the w EULESS — Get ready to Group, which owns the fact that we could have a pres- play ball with the Texas Major League Baseball ence there." 1 Mangers at The Parks at Texas team, will contribute to a How much money the Star. $600,000 youth baseball Rangers plan to offer and - The Southwest Sports field at The Parks at Texas whether the field would be G-roup, which"owns the Texas Star in Euless. named after the team has not 1 Rangers, has committed to .be ready for play by 2005. been decided, Southwest `ssignificantly" contribute to a They will dovetail into a Sports Group and Euless offi- $600,000 youth baseball field, sports complex that includes cials said.The city plans to ask Euless officials said. Sports the Dr Pepper StarCenter at another 'soft-drink company to 1 camps and clinics with the Texas Star, a 9,600-square-foot sponsor the project if Dr Pep- Texas Rangers could be building that houses two ice per, which is mulling over ,offered,city officials said. rinks. The Dallas Stars occa- whether to participate, decides : The baseball field will sionally practice at the center, against the idea 1 include raised and covered which is popular with amateur The City Council is'sched- bleachers, warm-up areas, hockey teams.The success of uled to vote Tuesday on a con- ;bullpens, lights and ticket the center, one of the first pri- tract with Schrickel, Rollins ' 'booths.An 80-by-130-yard soc- vate/public partnerships of its and Associates of Arlington to -der field that can be divided type in the area, motivated design the project. Originally :into three separate fields, two Southwest Sports Group to scheduled to be completed this -T-ball/coach-pitching fields c6nsider the ballfield project. year, the project was delayed 1 and a pedestrian walkway are "We would like having the because of design questions also planned as part of a $1.4 Stars on one end and the and because the city wanted to million project. Rangers on the other end of secure more funding. Construction could start in the complex, said Mike Ellena E Morrison,(817)685-3888 1 the winter. The fields should Cramer, president of-South- emorrison@star-telegram.com 1 i 1 DISTRIBUTED TO: PAGE ]_OF MAYOR CITYCOUNCIL CITTYATTORNEY CRIM HENNIG MCKAMIE DELA CRUZ RID GWAY(2) YOUNG McDONALD COLLINS WILHITE GETCHELL LIBRARYADMIN LIBRARYREF,. ANIMAL CNTR ' DATEDISTRIBUTED `J I Q ' 3 DATEOFARTICLE `�n103 NEWSPAPER FWST H-E-B schoolsrated hl ® "If I'm a parent and I know The center analyzed the "I think it's very unfortunate ' The center because it's certainly not a'analyzed the that my school is rated exem- improvement of individual stu- reflection of who we are," she progress of sixth-graders plary,that really doesnt tell me dents on the Texas Assessment that much about the school,"he of Academic Skills from fifth to said."Fin disappointed that they,- and compared their results would choose to rate a school with others across the state. said. But if I scan use this sixth grade and compared them based on one grade's erfor- resource that we've provided to to other students in their same g P By EVA-MARIE AYALA determine exactly what it is the subgroup, such as Hispanic or mance on the TAAS test,but we STAR TELEGRAM DALLAS BUREAU school is providing for my kid, economically disadvantaged stu- are a public school,so they have DALLAS — Elementary' then we're so much further dents, across the state. Moore the right to do thatf schools in Arlington were rated ahead of the game." said the center did not average The school only has 22 Sixth—. the most effective at teaching school test scores but looked at graders.If a few students'.scores . ' Here are the top 10 and bottom 10 it can have a major impact sixth-graders, and Fort Worth schools in the Fort worth area as rat- individual student groups. drop, " middle schools ranked among ed by the National Center for Policy Yvonne Harris-DuPont,prin- on percentages,she said. the worst in the area, according Analysis'school report card released cipal of the area's No. 1-ranked Owens, a Fort Worth native, to a study by the National Cen- Thursday in Dallas. Knox Elementary School,attrib- said Texas could implement a , ter for Policy Analysis released i Top 10 Schools uted her students'improvement voucher system as well but Thursday. to the teachers'teamwork would first have to overcome' 1.2 Knox Elementary,Arlington Fort Worth Superintendent The Dallas-based National 2.Remynse Elementary,Arlington P aggressive opposition from 3.Burgin Elementary, g Thomas Tocco said he is con Center for Policy Analysis is a g ry,Arlin ton teachers. 4.Oakwood Terrace,H-E-B cerned about the low ranking of .� nonprofit research organization; That is probably the most" 5.Pearcy Elementary,Arlington Fort Worth schools but cannot that advocates private-sector 6.Morton Elementary,Arlingtoncomment In detail until di powerful, organized force in ' solutions for public policy 7.Midway Park Elementary,H-E-B strict officials analyze how the rank- Austin," he said."It is going to issues such as education, wel- 8.Rankin Elementary,Arlington be difficult,but it eventually will fare,health care,taxes and trim- 9.Johns Elementary,Arlington mgs were made'. . '10.Blanton Elementary,Arlington "If we were compared to sub- happen." incl justice. At least one teacher group The study was released at a Bottom 10 Schools urban schools, that's one thing. doubted it would happen this school-choice conference at the I (No.1 IS the lowest rated) If we were compared to other WyndhamMorningside Anatole Hotel,where 1. Middle School, large districts, that's another," year. Colorado Gov. "It is one of o oke Bill Owens s Fort Worth , P 2.Marsh Middle School, Tocco said. None of these ties" to defeat legislation top-priori-_ islation that. about the nation's largest vouch- Castleberry schools are rated low perform- could create a voucher program,. er program,which was recently 3.Monnig Middle School, ing by the state. said Richard Kouri, a Texas created in his state. Fort Worth State Teacher Association In the study,the center ana- 4.Handley Middle School, "But I am concerned that a ' 'Fort worth state couple of our schools are very spokesman. lyzesixth-grade students 5.Treetop International(Charter), low compared to all other Staff writers YamilBerard,Martha statewide to determine what EulessDeller,Jennifer Radcliffe and Lamor value schools add to their stu- schools with sixth grades. Once 6.MeachmanMiddleSchool, I get a full analysis, I'll deploy Williams contributed to this report ' dents' educational performance. Fort worth instructional teams to work on Eight Arlington elementary 7.Lipan Elementary Lipan schools and two from the Hurst- 8.Daggett Middle School, the quality of instruction in Euless-Bedford school district Fort worth these schools:' 9.James Middle School, g Also listed among the bottom , ranked in the top 10 of the Fort Fort worth Worth area. Seven"Fort Worth , 10.Dunbar Sixth Grade, 10 schools in the area was Tree- middle schools ranked in the Fort Worth tops International in Euless, bottom 10. which ranked the fifth lowest in Matt Moore,a policy analyst the area for the center,said the study was Lou Blanchard, principal of" done to provide data to parents Treetops,said she is disappoint- that gives them a better idea of ed that her school was ranked so how the school actually per- low. .• form's. Information on an indi-, She said it is a small charter vidual school's performance is sch461.'that targets students who`= available on the study's°Web don't thitve in traditional class; site. rooms "landshouldri t:be com- " pared to'traditional schools:' DISTRIBUTED TO: PAGE ! OF MAYOR CITYCOUNCIL CITYATTORNEY CRIM HENNIG MCKAMIE DELA CRUZ RIDGWAY(2) ' YOUNG McDONALD COLLINS F17ILHITE GETCHELL LIBRARYADMIN LIBRARYREF% ANIMAL CNTR DATE DISTRIBUTED S I / / 3 DATE OF ARTICLE / 3 / NEWSPAPER FWST 1 Charitytournament 0 is a win-win aff iair In the fun'battle of domi- This week dozens nance between the cities of of trophies go Southlake and Colleyville, out in the name of Summer Southlake residents have Santa, the charity that something to helps children in the cheer about. summertime. New ' Southlake a benefit for the Summer Santa tZ 01 Mayor Andy charity.Arp is a two-time Wambsganss champion;Wambsganss was Team Bowling Champion Tony's Pizza&Pasta of was paired elected mayor only the week ' Watauga(Patricia Scoggins, against Col- before.But Colleyville has no Mike Brennan,Katie Giffen leyville May- golf courses,while Southlake and Tony Barducci). Dave � or Donna has Timarron Country Club. ' NORTHEAST BEAT Arp in the Advantage Southlake. Team Golf Champion Rocky Top Ranch of Keller - Mayors' Mayor Andy shot a Shootout at High Noon puma- respectable 45 for the win and (Doug Newton,Vivian New tore y, - ton,Brooke Wing and Dako- golf tournament Saturday, to Wing). proudly held aloft the win- New Keller Mayor Julie In the Firefighters Mini- Overall Team Champion ner's trophy.He said,"This is Tandy was escorted by the Golf competition,the Euless 1 Rocky Top Ranch(the New- one of the reasons I ran for most cheerleaders,16 Keller Fire Department squeaked tons,the Wings and Kurt ' mayor—to bring the Sum- High School students who out a one-stroke win against Wright). mer Santa trophy back to cheered her every shot.Oth- Southlake's Department of Chamber of Commerce Southlake." er mayors and council mem- Public Safety. Champion Fort Worth Cham- Westlake Mayor Scott bers playing on behalf of In the Police Mini-Golf ber(Andrew Mantecon, ' Bradley and Watauga Mayor their cities were:Richland Contest,Haltom City Police Joanne Gray and Robin Harry Jeffries,playing before Hills Mayor Nelda Stroder, defeated Keller Police Bonn). Department. Chamber Runner-up his hometown crowd outside Haslet Mayor Francis Leong, Greater Keller Chamber of ' Brunswick Watauga Lanes, Trophy Club Mayor Scott Other area fire and police were runners-up,finishing Smith,Hurst Councilman departments who competed Commerce(John Logue and only one stroke behind the Richard Ward,Haltom City represented Bedford,Col- Kenny Smith). winner. Councilman Jim Sutton and leyville,Richland Hills and Mayors'Trophy Wambs- ' The event was the high- North Richland Hills Coun- Watauga, ganss. light of Saturday's 6th annual cilman Joe Tolbert. Here are the winners of Police Mini-Golf Champ Yankee Cowboy Celebrity Hurst-Euless-Bedford the tournament,as well as. Haltom City(Deputy Chief Miniature Golf&Bowling - Superintendent Gene trophy winners in the sev- Cliff Jaynes,Sgt.Tony Veltre, ' Tournament for the Summer Buinger made a guest enth annual Summer Santa and Officers Adam Whitley Santa camp fund. appearance.And for those Toy Drive in the schools: and Joe Hackfeld). Actually,Bedford Mayor who believe that miniature Police Mini-Golf Runner- Pro Tem Jim Griffin,substi- ' golf scores,may. up Keller(Chief Mark Hafn- tu be,an,ier,Lt.Tommy Williams,ndica- tuting for incoming Mayor tion of future election results Investigator Jeff Stafford and Rick Hurt,.shot a 41,but to (I don't,but maybe you do), Officer Eddie Jeff Stafford take home the coveted May- the two Colleyville mayoral f ' or's Trophy,you actually runoff.candidates enjoyed a Firefighter.Mini ist have to be the:mayorl prelude to the upcoming Champ Euless(Assistat, race:Joe,Hocutt beat Richard Nevtonin a tight contest ' tla ent>all the way'to the finahole r DISTRIBUTED TO: PAGE � OF MAYOR CITYCOUNCIL CITYATTORNEY CRIM HENNIG MCKAMIE DELA CRUZ RID GWAY(2) YOUNG McDONALD COLLINS WILHITE GETCHELL LIBRARYADMIN LIBRARYREF, ANIMAL CNTR ' DATE DISTRIBUTED sem/ 16-3 DATE OF ARTICLE ,S /I�3 / NEWSPAPER FWST Chief Robert Isbell and Fire- fighter/paramedics Jon Winners of the toy drive Evans,Jacob Smith and are: ' Dustin Benton). Top School Central Junior Firefighter Mini-Golf Run- High. ner-up Southlake Depart- Top District Hurst-Euless= ment of Public Safety(DPS Bedford. , Director Rick Black,Fire Top Financial Donor Chief Bob Finn,Lt.Mike Birdville High. Leonard and Firefighter Best Birdville School Randy Mood). Academy at C.F.Thomas. ' Teachers Champions Park Best Carroll School Car- . Glen Elementary(Tracey ..- roll High. Hill,Beverley Figueroa,Kim- Best Grapevine-Col- ' Ingram and Janet Temple). w. leyville School O.C.Taylor Male Child Bowler Skyla, Elementary. Smitherman of Haslet. Best H-E-B School Cen- Female Child Bowler tral. ' Teresa Gallo of Keller. Best Keller School Keller Male Youth Bowler Middle. Joseph Roe of Newark. Best Northwest School Female Youth Bowler Haslet Elementary. ' Rebecca Houston of North Best Elementary School Richland Hills. Park Glen. Male Adult Bowler Mike- Best Middle/Junior/Inter , Brennan of Fort Worth. mediate School Central. Female Adult Bowler Lau- Best High School Carroll. ren Hendrickson of North Most Improved District Richland Hills. Carroll. ' . Best Mom Bowler Ruth Most Improved School Gallo of Keller. - Carroll High. Male Child Golfer Dakota;; Rookie of the Year Har- Wing of Keller. wood Junior High. , Female Child Golfer Bri- Thanks to all the above ley Smitherman of Haslet. trophy winners for helping Male Youth Golfer Matt make sure that thousands of Orr of North Richland Hills. area children will attend ' Female Youth Golfer camp and enjoy new toys Traci Troub of Watauga. this summer! Male Adult Golfer Bob Dave Lieber's column appears Sun-' ' Westgate of Grapevine.. days,Tuesdays and Fridays.For mor4 Female Adult Golfer information about Summer Santa, Cheryl.Troub of Watauga. visit wwwsummersantaorg i Best Mom Golfer Cheryl ' Troub of Watauga Church Champion-St, Anne's Episcopal Church, ^ Lake Worth. ' I'I DISTRIBUTED TO: PAGE ' OF 3 MAYOR CITYCOUNCIL CITY'ATTORNEY CRIM HENNIG MCKAMIE DELA CRUZ RID GTVA Y(2) ' YOUNG McDONALD COLLINS WILHITE GETCHELL LIBRARYADMIN LIBRARYREF% ANIMAL CNTR DA TE DISTRIBUTED / C� DA TE OF ARTICLE I O 3 NEWSPAPER Fff"ST Rise i* n ]pro]perty values slows ' By ANNA K TINSLEY The decline in uations on business inventories and and Tv=LEE ® commercial activity devaluations of aircraft at area air- STARTELEGRAMSTAFF WRITERS 'in Northeast Tarrant County is ports, according to.the appraisal dis- t After leading the boom during the particularly evident in cities that trict. 1990s, Northeast Tarrant County rely on Dallas/Fort Worth Airport "These are good numbers. Now appears to be leading the decline in and the airlines for their survival. we have to look forward," chief ' commercial activity, according to fig- appraiser John Marshall said. "We ures released Tuesday by the Tarrant construction in west and northwest have to see what happens with tenta- Appraisal District. Tarrant County. tive job situations, layoffs and how Net taxable property values in Tar- That construction, including near- that affects the upper-end housing ' rant'.County grew 8 percent from ly 11,000 houses, was offset by slow- market" 2002 to 2003,spurred largely by new ing business construction, lower val- 1 The decline was particular- Haslet's tax base would have Top gainers ' ly apparent in cities such as shrunk,he said. • Top gainers among Tarrant County Grapevine, Haslet and South- Mayor Francis Leong said cities and school districts. lake.They once led the area ir. the lack of growth shouldn't Percent gain in ' economic growth but are now affect Haslet's $2.7 million Top gainers net taxable value growing slower than the coun- budget. Sales tax revenues are ty average. increasing and coufa increase Lake Worth ISD 20.5 2 The Keller school district, further now that voters have 2. Mansfield 17.7 ' arts of north approved the sale of beer and 3. Mansfield ISD 15.9 which includes P PP 4.r Sansom Park 14.4 Fort Worth, had a 13.7 percent wine, he said. Also, Haslet's 5. Crowley 14.1 increase in 'valuations, the property values jumped 25.8 6. Kennedale ISD 14.0 highest in Northeast Tarrant percent a year ago. 7. Crowley ISD 13.5 County. The city of Keller's "I think we'll be in pretty 8. 'Keller ISD 13.4 ' values grew 9.7 percent. good shape,"Leong said. 9. White Settlement ISD 13.3 �' Pe Haslet had zero percent Grapevine, which is next to 10. River Oaks 12.4 growth in valuations because Dallas/Fort Worth Airport, SOURCE:Tarrant Appraisal District ' businesses at Alliance Airport was hit by problems in the'air- reduced their inventories, line industry for the second Marshall said. If not for $6.3 year in a row.Appraised values ' million in new construction, grew 3.7 percent in Grapevine "If people think their and 4.7. percent in the value is too high,we'd be Grapevine-Colleyville school district. That's sharply down gladad to share them with' 1 from two years ago,-when why we valued the Grapevine grew 10.2 percent property the way we from 2000 to 2001. did.If the discussions The city and the school dis- show a change is ' warranted,we can change it.We're trying to ' get it right:' —John Marshall, Tarrant County chief appraiser.. DISTRIBUTED TO: PAGE OF MAYOR CITY COUNCIL CITYATTORNEY CRIM HENNIG MCKAMIE DE LA CRUZ RID GWAY(2) YOUNG McDONALD COLLINS l WILHITE GETCHELL LIBRARYADMIN LIBRARYREF ANIMAL CNTR ' DATE DISTRIBUTED 5 I/ `�� / 3 DATE OF ARTICLE 5 / � NEWSPAPER FWST trict both collect property tax- Countywide, the Lake Worth es on planes based at D/FW. school district posted the HOW to protest Residents who have had' They lost about$100 million in biggest gain in valuations,at 20.5 •appraised values homestead exemption for at taxable value because Ameri- percent, because of commercial ` Property owners may file a notice least one year cannot see the' can Airlines and other carriers development, and was closely of protest with the Tarrant Appraisal taxable value increase mo� shrank their fleets. I followed by the city of Mans- Review Board.A form is printed on than 10 percent in one ye The airlines"are not buying field,with a 17.7 percent gain. the back of valuation notices.That But the market value can grow - form does not have to be used,but a at a higher rate,Marshall said any new airplanes, and they Mansfield's growth is attrib- parked a lot of the fuel-ineffi- uted to about 1,000 new.houses protest must: If there e homeste cient ones,"Marshall said. and new commercial activity ■Be in writing. exemption,there is no limit imit The same thing happened Fort Worth saw an 8.3 per- ■Identify the protesting property how much the market valug last year, after American cent gain, and the Fort Worth owner. and taxable value m protested the appraised value school district saw a 7.3 per- '' ■Identify the property that is the increase,he said."If people think their val of its airplanes. Grapevine lost cent gain. Arlington posted a subject of the protest. P P $700,000 in tax revenue and 7.9 percent gain, and the i ■ is too high, we'd be glad to Indicate dissatisfaction with some share with them why we vao had to freeze employee Arlington school district saw a determination of the appraisal ued the roe t salaries and capital spending. 5.5 percent gain. office. property rty he way The Grapevine-Colleyville "We've got our work cut out 1 ■Be postmarked or delivered to did," Marshall said. "If the dig- school district lost $2 million for us in balancing the budget the review board by May 31,or the cussions show a change is war- in property tax revenue. The without a tax rate change,"" deadline date printed on the ranted,we can change it.We' r' g school district had to raise its Fort Worth City Manager Gary property value notice,whichever is trying to get it right." property tax rate by 3 cents Jackson said, adding that the later. :Marshall cautions cities per $100 valuation and draw city has to find $ll million to The mailing address for the board about being overly optimist, $750,000 from its reserve fund. 1$12 million to balance next 7s P.O.Box 185519,Fort Worth 76181- about huge property to Grapevine officials were ,year's budget while maintain- 0519.The Tarrant Appraisal District growth in the future. is at 2500 Handley Ederville Road. "A look at history tells us prepared for the news this ing current services. Y time, finance director Fred- "This is the only significant The TAD Web site is www.tad.org. that real estate runs,n cycles SOURCE:Tarrant Appraisal District , he said. "We've been in an u Werner said.. revenue source that's growing "We anticipated last year, for the city at this time, he cycle since 1995. after the discussions with said. "Other than that, we're fied of new values in the past "We're already seeing a slow- TAD, that the airlines would seeing steady or declining month and have until May 31 down in commercial constru probably come down again.' sales taxes,fines and fees:' to protest their appraisals._ tion,a lessening of inventories, We built a lot of that into the The preliminary figures are ' The appraisal district will lessening of buying equipment, budget process lastyear. So based on the value of land, release final estimates of vat- he said."When will that happen we're not startled when these buildings and business inven-. ues in the,coming months, with houses?I would think wi� numbers come out,"he said. tories as of Jan.1. after protests have been ;the great activity we've had Colleyville and Southlake The tax roll includes both processed. Values generally the last few years that we can't also grew more slowly than in market and net taxable values. drop 3 percent to 5 percent sustain or top that:' years past — 5.3 percent and Taxable values reflect deduc- because of the protests. ONLINE:www.tad.org 7.4 percent, respectively. tions for homestead exemp- So far, protests seem to be Anna M.Tinsley,(817)390-7610 Southlake grew 19.7 percent tions,abatements and free-port lighter than last year, but that .,. atinsley@star-telegram.com between 2000 and 2001; Col- exemptions for businesses.The could change quickly,-Marshall Mike Lee,(817)685-3858 leyv,lle grew 123 percent dur- percentages noted above are said. mikelee@star-telegram.com ing the same years. based on taxable values. The numbers released Property owners were noti- Tuesday are important for ' municipalities and school dis- tricts that rely on property tax- es..for much of their revenue. h1oy begin preliminary bud- ' get discussions this month The average value of a home in Tarrant. County, increased.7.25 percent,oto ' $120,975 from$112,7?5, reeor'as'; show. w DISTRIBUTED TO: PAGE 3 OF MAYOR CITYCOUNCIL CITY'ATTORNEY CRIM HENNIG MCKAMIE DELA CRUZ RIDGIVAY(2) YOUNG McDONALD COLLINS fi'ILHITE GETCHELL LIBRARYADMIN LIBRARYREF, ANIMAL CNTR DATE DISTRIBUTED S I I I C 3 DATE OFARTICLE ,S-114103 NEFFSPAPER FTVST Preliminary Tarrant County property values Taxing Previous Current Percent authority net taxable net taxable gain Arlington $14.5 billion $15.6 billion 7.9 Arlington ISD $17.5 billion $18.5 billion 5.5 Azle $425 million $455 million 7.1 Azle ISD $1.1 billion $1.2 billion 10.9 Bedford $2.7 billion $2.8 billion 5.5 Benbrook $876 million $972 million 10.9 Birdville ISD $5.7 billion $6.1 billion 6.9 Blue Mound $61.7 million $68 million 10 Carroll ISD $3.5 billion $3.7 billion 7.4 Castleberry ISD $334 million $373.8 million 11.9 Colleyville $2.4 billion $2.5 billion 5.3 Crowley $300 million $342.3 million 14.1 w Crowley ISD $2.6 billion $3 billion 13.5 Dalworthington Gardens $217.4 million $235.6 million 8.3 Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD $2.8 billion $3.1 billion 10.4 .. Edgecliff Village $140.5 million $143.1 million 1.9 Euless $2 billion $2.1 billion 6.9 Everman $112.3 million $124.2 million 10.7 ' Everman ISD $588 million $626.8 million 6.6 Forest Hill $294.7 million $316.9 million 7.5 Fort Worth $24.1 billion $26.1 billion 8.3 - Fort Worth ISD $17 billion $18.3 billion 7.3 Grapevine $4.9 billion $5 billion 3.7 ' Grapevine-Colleyville ISD $7.7 billion $8.1 billion 4.7 Haltom City $1.3 billion $1.4 billion 7.3 Haslet $265.2 million $265.3 million 0 Hurst-Euless-Bedford ISD $7.2 billion $7.4 billion 3.9 ' Hurst1.8 billion $ $2 billion 7.1 Keller $2.3 billion $2.5 billion 9.7 Keller ISD $5.3 billion $6 billion 13.4 ' Kennedale $298.6 million $321.9 million 7.8 f i Kennedale ISD $651.3 million $742.7 million 14 Lakeside $58.3 million $62.5 million 7.1 ' Lake Worth $244.2 million $266.4 million 9.1 Lake Worth ISD $389.6 million $469.5 million 20.5 Mansfield $2 billion $2.4 billion 17.7 Mansfield ISD $4.3 billion $5 billion 15.9 ' North Richland Hills $2.8 billion $3.1 billion 7.8 Pantego $197 million $209 million 6.2 Pelican Bay $14.8 million $15.2 million 2.6 ' Richland Hills $375.8 million $397.8 million 5.8 River 6aks $160.9 million $180.8 million 12.4 Saginaw $686.6 million $750.5 million 9.3 Sansom Park .$69.2 million $79.2 million 14.4 1 Southlake $3.4 billion $3.6 billion 7.4 Watauga $850.1 million . $928 million 9-2 Westover Hills $225 million $241.4 million 7.3 Westworth Village $30 million $32.7 million 89 �} ' White Settlement $392.2 million $431.4 million 10 White Settlement.ISD: $721.1 million $816.8 million 13.3 +r; ", Tarrant County $799 billion $863 billion 8 ' SDORM Tarrant Appraisal District, �I� DISTRIBUTED TO: PAGE i OF MAYOR CITYCOUNCIL CITYATTORNEY CRIM HENNIG MCKAMIE DELA CRUZ RIDGTVA1(2) YOUNG McDONALD CCOLLINS __ WILHITE GETCHELL LIBRARYAD/MIIN LIBRARYREF, ANIMAL CNTR ' DATE DISTRIBUTED S tP Q 3 DATE OF ARTICLE 5' / I'7 103 NEWSPAPER FWST Fe(Is o 0 into clenial -of ehureh p By ELLENA F.MORRISON ® Grace Community Church STAR-TELEGRAM STAFF WRITER contends that Euless violated , EULESS—The U.S.Department of justice is its civil rights by rejecting the church's investigating whether a church's civil rights were expansion plans. violated when Euless denied its request to move into a vacant supermarket. to restrict zoning and land use for religious orga- ' Grace Community Church sued Euless in nizations. February, accusing the city of discrimination in The Housing and Civil Enforcement Section denying the church a specific-use permit.The of the Justice Department is collecting informs- ' church wanted to buy and renovate a former tion from the city and the 400-member church- Food Lion building to expand its congregation. to determine whether the act was violated. The building has been empty since 1995. Justice Department officials would not com- The lawsuit contends that the city violated ment on the investigation or say what prompted ' the First and 14th Amendments and the Reli it. gious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons "We don't comment on those matters," Act of 2000,which limits a municipality's power '�,^+a. �C'.'t"e it,ew �'�:�'*.k•' ,. et ,� r wa % s F race�ommumf A+ Od L10 Z, f �huirch� �� n � � k k not Onoit� KIN � � 2 $ 3' \n .w 183 01 - STRR-TlELEGRAmgim BEDI$ON r' ., lid^.": •'i'.j I - I I DISTRIBUTED TO: PAGE -� OF MAYOR CITY COUNCIL CITYATTORNEY CRIM HENNIG MCKAMIE DE LA CRUZ RID GWAY(2) ' YOUNG McDONALD COLLINS WILHITE GETCHELL LIBRARYADMIN LIBRARYREF� ANIMAL CNTR DATE DISTRIBUTED S I / DATE OF ARTICLE /�� ly 3 NEWSPAPER Ftt'ST ' law does not prevent the council ty of becoming a major prece- from denying the request if it .dent" concludes that the church The department is requesting ' would not be the best use of the documents from the church land. related to growth beyond its spokesman Jorge Martinez said. City officials said the Justice current space; plans for expan- If infractions are found, the Department investigation was sion;its search for suitable prop- department can take several expected. erty; the decision to pursue the courses of action, including "It's just another part of the Food Lion property-,the effect of mediation or litigation,Martinez overall process," City Manager the city's denial of the specific- said. Joe Hennig said. use permit on its religious exer- The church wanted to buy The church's lawsuit could cise; and any other information and renovate the 36,300-square- have far-reaching effects in the church believes shows how foot building because its build- Texas, which has had few cases the city's actions imposed a sub- ' ing on Kynette Drive could hold that test the act, said Roman stantial burden on the church's no more worshippers. But in Storzer, director of litigation for religious exercise. October,the City Council voted the Becket Fund,a nonprofit law Hulet said he believes that 5-2 against granting the permit, firm in Washington, D.C., that the investigation lends credence ' saying the church would not be specializes in religious freedom to the church's contention that it the best use of the building at cases. was discriminated against. Harwood Road and Main Street. The act "is still being inter- "The Department of Justice Senior pastor Eric Hulet said preted by the courts,"he said."If stepping in to say,We recognize ' he believes that Euless instead the reason for the permit denial the possibility of a violation,' I wanted a business that would is to enhance tax revenues, think it further validates our generate tax revenue for the city. churches could just be zoned claim,"he said. . . Euless City Attori�ey.Bob out of existence. I think 4ny of Flena[Morism(817)685-3888 ' McFarland contends _hat the these lawsuits have the possibili- emorrisonftar-teiegramcom L • r DISTRIBUTED TO: PAGE OFi_`J MAYOR CITY COUNCIL CI74YATTORNEY CRIM HENNIG MCF-AMIE DE LA CRUZ RID GTVA Y(2) YOUNG McDONALD COLLINS WILHITE GETCHELL LIBRARYA``D��MIN LIBRARYREF, ANIMAL CNTR ' DATE DISTRIBUTED �J / L LP ID 3 DATE OFARTICLE 5 /�.,I 03 NEWSPAPER DMN 1 valuegrowth slows Tarrantpropertya consultant and president of the slight decreases or no growth percent. ' Soft economy at play'' Payables Group in Kerrville."It Mr.Marshall said. Increases in the municipali- ' didn't stop it,but it hurt it." But average increases on in- ties of Arlington, 6:8 percent; ' county records 6.4% The numbers are still strong, dividual residential properties, Bedford,5.4 percent;Colleyville, increase from last year if less than what Tarrant County by jumping 7.25 percent from 5.9 percent;Euless,6.8 percent is used to, said John Marshall, $112,795 in 2002 to$120,975 in and Fcrt Worth, 5.1 percent; By DAVE LEVINTHAL executive director of the Tarrant 2003, outpaced the average Haltom City,6.2 percent;Hurst, , Staff Writer Appraisal District. property value increase county- 6.5 percent; and Southlake, 7.1 Property values in Tarrant "It's not the double-digit wide. percent,generally adhered to the County continue to increase but .growth that we used to see,and Tax units that experienced a countywide average jump. at a slower clip than earlier this it's going to be a few years before 10 percent or more increase in Increases 'fell well below ' decade,according to preliminary we get back there,"he said."But total property value include average in Grapevine; 2.6 per= tax data released Tuesday by the we had another good year for Crowley, 13.9 percent; Crowley cent; Edgecliff Village, 1.8 per- TarrantAppraisalDistrict. residential property,at least," Independent School District, 13 cent; and Haslet, 0.5 percent. ' The market value of Tarrant New construction in the percent; Keller Independent No municipality or school dis; County property is 6.4 percent county totaled more than$3 bil- School District, 12.9 percent; trict experienced a decline in val- greater than last year. But be lion,representing about 47 per- Kennedale Independent School ues. tween 2001 and 2002,property cent of the total value increase in District, 12.6 percent; Lake Property owners may protest ' values rose 9.1 percent, accord- Tarrant County,according to ap- Worth Independent School Dis- value estimates, with the first ing to the appraisal district. praisal district data- trict, 18.9 percent; Mansfield, deadline to do so May 31. The The most prominent reason When the appraisal district 16.5 percent; River Oaks, 11.3, county must certify the value roll for the slowdown? releases final numbers in July, percent;Sansom Park,12.6 per- by July 25. ' "Absolutely, the soft econo- commercial and business prop- cent; and White Settlement In- my,"said Will Yancey,a taxation erty values probably will show dependent School District, 11.6 E-mail dlevinthal@dallasnews.com t J DISTRIBUTED TO: PAGE l OF a MAYOR CITY COUNCIL C[�Y'ATTORNEY CRIM HENNIG MCKAMIE DELA CRUZ RIDGWAY(2) YOUNG McDONALD COLLINS __ WILHITE GETCHELL LIBRARYADMIN LIBRARYREF� ANIMAL CNTR DATE DISTRIBUTED / I l /�� DATE OFARTICLE � I ' 5 I o 3 NEWSPAPER FF17ST 1 1 Embattled eo_m__P1,nXr saecl for demolitl on ' By ELLENA F.MORMSON STAR-TELEGRAM STAFF WRITER EULESS—The city has ordered the demoli- tion of the Dickey Apartments by June 30,forc- ing tenants to quickly find new housing. �� ` Euless officials say the 42-year-old,complex is being razed because the area is zoned for sin- -_ gle-family houses. Dickey Apartments,which accepts residents with less-than-perfect credit, charges $140 a ' = week for a one-bedroom unit and $155 a week ' for two bedrooms. Some tenants are not sure where to turn. "I don't know what I am going to do," said I ` ' b» Lori Butcher,who has a 2-year-old son,Timmy, �+ and a 1-year-old daughter, Melanie. "They are putting a lot of families on the street." ' - A STAR-TELEGRAMBAN MCVEA The city began delivering letters to tenants Euless contends that the owner of the apartment complex on Monday, notifying them of the demolition has been derelict in keeping it cleaned up to code, an issue plans. Twenty-one of the complex's 36 units disputed by the attorney for the owner. 1 DISTRIBUTED TO: PAGE '2N OF , MAYOR CITY COUNCIL CITY'ATTORNEY CRIM HENNIG MCKAMIE DE LA CRUZ RIDGWAY(2) YOUNG McDONALD COLLINS WI LHITE GETCHELL LIBRAR/YADMIN LIBRARYREF, ANIMAL CNTR ' DATE DISTRIBUTED S �D ! (J 3 DATE OF ARTICLE 5 / S (D NEWSPAPER FWST notice they received about the Condemned, ' demolition plans.The city said Overton must set the deadline Apartments to vacate the apartments. ;ie3 Euless Tenant Richard Chavez saidia are occupied. he had spoken with Overton on c Euless Blvdwti p For your information Tuesday and was told,"No one EAlexander q;F r City officials said the apart- Relocation-aid meeting for ment complex's owner has Dicke Apartments residents, will be moving." N , known about the demolition 6:30 tonight,council chambers "He told me, 'If you don't plans for two years and shouldat City Hall,201 N.Ector Drive, see me packing, there's no rea- have notified tenants earlier. (817)685-1684. son for you to worry; " Chavez Huitt ems" "This has been a long said. process," City Manager Joe Meier said people were Hennig said. "It is not the city debris. informed of the possible demo- <; showing up one day and being The owner plans to fight the lition when they inquired about MappeG area the bad guy. They should have demolition,contending that the renting. He said that the city's Fort; � ' apartments have repeatedly letter to tenants was inappro- worti m, had a great deal of warning." A meeting is scheduled passed routine city inspections, priate and that he plans to nota tonight at City Hall to discuss said Bob Meier of Bedford, fy residents of the owner's side m ' the relocation. Tenants will be attorney for the owner., of the issue. STAR-TELECRAMITI M BEoiSON ' given information about assis- Documents name God's Euless annexed Dickey tance and moving services. Chariot Limited Partnership as Apartments in 1971 as a non- owner has recouped the Dickey Apartments has frus- the owner of the complex and conforming property, meaning $349,049 investment. trated city, officials for years. Steve Overton of Euless as the that the complex did not meet Meier disputes that assump- ' They contend that the owner primary,member of the part- zoning regulations. A munici tion. has been derelict in keeping the nership. Meier said Overton pity can demand that such a "There is nothing wrong complex up to code. For exam- will not comment. The com- business be closed or demol- with these apartments, except ' ple, city officials said they had plex is south of Texas 10 in east ished after giving an owner a they are in an area not zoned asked the owner to repair Euless. reasonable chance to recoup for apartments,"he.said. unsafe handrails,remove peel- Some tenants said the city's the investment. Ellena F.Morrison,(817)685-3888 ing paint and pick up trash and letter was the first official The city contends that the emorrison@star-telegram.com ' — — -- _ Dickey Apartments residents are not sure where to turn after Euless tells them the complex will be razed June 30.- a, 0_, � 7 � '�• s((•r�n.� _-..mow... � ' ' V t it a k f PT^^ya P S' - S1ckelf;ApartmenteVesident Richard'Chavez,who has lived ati th'2 complex for foot th hths says o+lner'S { ,f,E le'ss.I dim that ono one wil(be movingy',despite the cl 'i-'0 S'to derpohshth2�complex � r ,: mss.