HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-07-25 Euless Articles va,Aet
DISTRIBUTED TO: PAGE OF
MAYOR CITYCOUNCIL CITYATTORNEY CRIM HENNIG MCKAMIE DELA CRUZ RID GWAY(2)
YOUNG McDONALD COLLINS [VILHITE GETCHELL LIBRARYADMIN LIBRARYREF ANIMAL CNTR
DATE DISTRIBUTED S O.3 DATE OFARTICLE NEWSPAPE s
' rs s
HEIS Chamber
building — July 11
The HEB Chamber broke
.; ground for its office building at
2109 Martin Drive in Bedford.
Hurst Mayor Bill Souder, Bedford Mayor
Derek DeGuire, Paul Rowntree and Steve Rick Hurt, Charles Powell and Euless Mayor PHOTOS BY JON P UZZEL
Ewing Mary Lib Saleh
0
Amy
Cicherski,
' Rebecca
Hoffman
and Mary �« r
Lib Soleh Phil Freedman, Larry Forbes and Group shot at the groundbreaking of the
John Murphy
new HEB Chamber of Commerce office
building
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
l y� •� r r
DATEDISTRIBUTED y J 1 3 DATEOFARTICLE I l 19 10 -3 NEWSPAPER FWST
3
No toll lanes
for Airport Freeway
B CORDON DICKSON Charging tolls on Airport freeway lanes, Morris said.
yI 9 9 P Planned toll roads include
STAR-TELEGRAM STAFF WRITER Freewa is too risk because
Freeway y Southwest Parkway in south- ,,,
Metroplex leaders say they will not allow of a potential backlash from motorists, west Fort Worth and toll
tolls on existing lanes of Airport Freeway, even regional leaders say. express lanes on Interstate 635
though it would be the quickest way to pay for in north Dallas.
desperately needed expansion. State officials in charge of highway money The transportation council 3
Members of the Regional Transportation offered last month to speed up the process and is made up of 39•elected lead-
Council acknowledged this week that the deci- get Airport Freeway construction under way by ers from 16 North Texas coun-
sion may mean it could be 2012 or later before 2007-09 if Metroplex leaders agreed to charge ties and decides how to spend
money becomes available to double the size of tolls on existing lanes. I transportation funding in the
Tarrant County's busiest freeway. The transportation council would be willing Fort Worth-Dallas area.
"We think we're going to lose a bunch of sup- to add toll lanes after the freeway is expanded, An official with the Texas
port when we say we're going to convert free- but existing lanes must remain free,Morris said. Transportation Commission,
ways to toll roads," said Michael Morris, trans The region cannot afford to create ill will which last month came up
portation director for the North Central Texas among residents or risk losing popular support with the idea of tolls on exist-
Council of Governments. "That's where we for toll road plans by charging fees on existing ing Airport Freeway lanes,said
draw the line:' that state leaders won't force
Metroplex leaders to apply
tolls and will respect whatever
decision is made locally.
But Metroplex leaders
should consider their options
carefully,commission,member
Airport Freeway in. '
le
long-term plan •e ' '
Cheek-Sparger Rd.
1161;
Hurst X121 i
(26 Harwood Rd." W
Euless CFIrving
Arrport
121k183; � '
wwreryr�183
820
. .1, am
10
X�,,h•' 3sw Mapped area
360;
Arlington Fort
-worth U
Green yaks 8 --------
STAR-TELEGRAM/TIM BEDISON
DISTRIBUTED TO: PAGE ';� OF
MAYOR CITYCOUNCIL CITY ATTORNEY CRIM HENNIG MChAMIE DELA CRUZ RIDG6VAY(2)
' YOUNG McDONALD COLLINS fVILHITE GETCHELL LIBRARYAnnDMIN LIBRARYREF ANIMAL CNTR
DATE DISTRIBUTED -7I 5 / 3 DATE OFARTICLE � I )vl / 03 NEWSPAPER FWST
Ric Williamson said.The state . Hurst who traveled to Austin,
does not have sufficient gaso- last month to ask for Airport
line tax funding to pay for the Freeway funding.
' Airport Freeway project, She said she hopes that the
which includes an cstimated council reconsiders.
$274 million to cover construc- "Some elected officials are
' tion costs and another too deeply entrenched in their
$104 million to buy land for beliefs," Saleh said. "Today,
right of way. Airport Freeway is clogged
Airport Freeway is six lanes from Euless to North East
wide and spans about 12 miles Mall. If we have to wait until
of Northeast Tarrant County. 2020 to fix it, is that right for
The plan calls for the expan- our citizens? Just because
sion to 10 main lanes and two some government group made
express lanes from the Texas a law years ago that says we
121-Northeast Loop 820 "vor- can't toll?"
tex" interchange to the Texas Regional leaders haven't
121/183 split; and eight main given up their quest to get
' lanes with three express lanes money for Airport Freeway,
from the split to Texas 161 in Tarrant County Commissioner
Irving. Glen Whitley said. Another
A law Gov. Rick Perry possibility being discussed is
signed this year allows the whether there is room to build
state to convert freeway lanes a single, reversible toll lane in
into toll lanes to pay for Airport Freeway's median
expansion. The Texas Trans- while keeping the six main
portation Commission hopes lanes intact,he said.
that the state's urban leaders Whitley, chairman of the
will embrace such alternative Regional Transportation
' forms of funding. Council, is trying to put
Toll roads are an attractive together a meeting with offi-
way to pay for construction cials from the Texas Depart-�
because they allow the state to ment of Transportation and
' generate money by selling the North Texas Tollway
bonds rather than by raising Authority to discuss the idea.
taxes. "We're willing to put the
"If the expansion of that tolls on as quickly as we can,
road is mission critical, then but we're going to leave the
one should not reject out'of existing free lanes,"he said."If
hand any conceivable tool for the tollway authority can come
' financing,"Williamson said. in with a plan that would be an
Despite the Regional Trans- alternative, I'm certainly will-
portation Council's position, ing to listen to it"
some area officials are still in ONLINE:Regional Transportation
' favor of taking up the state's Council,www.dfwinfo.com/trans
offer. Among them is Euless Texas Department of Transportation,
Mayor Mary Lib Saleh, who www.dot.state.tx.us
was among more than 100 resi- Gordon Dickson,(817)685-3816
' dents of Bedford, Euless and gdicksdn@star-telegram.com
DISTRIBUTED TO: PAGE I OF
MAYOR CITYCOUNCIL CITYATTORNEY CRIAI HENNIG MCKAMIE DELA CRUZ RIDGWAY(2)
YOUNG McDONALD COLLINS WILHITE GETCHELL LIBRARYADMIN LIBRARYREF ANIMAL CNTR '
DATE DISTRIBUTED o�� 3 DATE OFARTICLE NEWSPAPER FWST
1
1
Hearing on Dickey 1
Apartments postponed
1
By ELLENA F.MC)IMSON Euless officials were awaiting
STAR TELEGRAM STAFF WRITER the outcome of the injunction
EULESS—A hearing Friday hearing before demolishing the 1
on whether to allow the Dickey apartments. Whether those
Apartments in Euless to be plans will change is not known,
,demolished has been post- City Manager Joe Hennig said. 1
poned. "I think it is premature to
Dickey Apartments' owners know what we would do,"Hen-
requested a delay of the hear- nig said Friday afternoon.
ing, which had been scheduled Euless originally set June 30 1
for Friday in U.S.District Court as the deadline to begin demol-
in Fort Worth, according to the
U.S.district clerk's office. fishing the complex because it .
The owners claim that is m an area zoned for single-
1
Euless' decision to raze the 32- family development.
unit complex violates due Court documents name
process and the civil rights of God's Chariot Limited Partner-
the owners and tenants. The ship as the owner of the com- 1
plaintiffs were seeking an plex and Steve Overton of
injunction to keep the city Euless as the primary member
from demolishing the 42-year- of the partnership. Plaintiffs' 1
old apartments. attorney Bill Meier of�Bedford
A new hearing has not been could not be reached'to com-
scheduled. ment Friday.
1
i
.ri►
DISTRIBUTED TO:
PAGE I OF
MAYOR CITYCOUNCIL CITYATTORNEY CRIM IIENNIG MCKAMIE DELA CRUZ RID GWAY(2)
YOUNG McDONALD COLLINS WILHITE GETCHELL LIBRARYADMIN LIBRARYREF ANIMAL CNTR
DATEDISTRIBUTED —7 / a Id 3 DATEOFARTICLE /O?D/03 NEWSPAPER FWST
Unwatehed Items are highly sgou ht
by pur
se snatehers
' By MARK THOMPSON Purse and billfold Kockos said he cannot recall es in them and come back to
STAR-TELEGRAM STAFF WRITER ® thieves usually the last strong-arm Purse- find their
purses missing, he
' A 66-year-old woman choose paths of least resis- snatching there. "They don't said.
fought off two purse snatchers tante, police officers say. need to do that, really. It's too And it seldom takes thieves
in a Keller parking lot July 12 easy the other way," Kockos more than 30 minutes from
and escaped with minor purses or wallets they spot said. the time they steal a credit
injuries and her purse, police unguarded in plain sight, Thieves usually scout low- card to start using it, Kockos
said. police said. risk opportunities. Frequent said.
Purses that people are car- The recent strong-arm targets include offices, schools Strong-arm purse thefts still
tying are not often stolen, and purse-snatching attempt in and day care parking lots, occur in rashes in larger cities
' pickpocket cases are rare in Keller is only the second in Kockos said. -- Irving police spokesman
the area, police spokesmen two years, Keller police Lt. Women dropping off chil- David Tull said eight to 10 cas-
said. Tommy Williams said. dren at day care centers often es occurred there within a
But criminals will steal Euless police Lt. Steve leave cars unlocked with purs- three-month period the past
' Christmas season. hold them close and to one
Purse thieves look for peo- side.
' ple who are not paying atten- "Do not leave it in the bas-
tion or appear distracted as ket of grocery carts," Irving
they shop or head back to their said. He also advises people to
vehicles,Tull said. place billfolds or purses in
"People who pay attention trunks if they leave them in a
and walk with a purpose are vehicle.
less likely targets. Don't look Making items tougher to
scared, but look aware," Tull take often makes crooks look
said. elsewhere, he said. "Thieves
North Richland Hills police are basically lazy,"Irving said.
investigator Larry Irving said Mark Thompson,(817)685-3859
' those carrying purses should markthompson@star-telegram.com
DISTRIBUTED TO: PAGE_LOF __L�,
MAYOR CITY COUNCIL CITYATTORNEY CRIM HENAYG MCKAMIE DE LA CRUZ RID GWAY(2)
YOUNG McDONALD COLLINS {tILHITE GETCHELL LIBRARYADMIN LIBRARYREF ANIMAL CNTR '
DATE DISTRIBUTED S C 3 DATE OFARTICLE .;� 03 NEWSPAPER FWST
For whom the road tolls 1
Members of the Regional Trans- No fees on Air-
, . , '
portation Council made the right call port Freeway
last week when they ruled out charg- means another decade of conges-
ing tolls on existing lanes of Airport tion? The county deserves better. '
Freeway to build up funds to expand
the road. lem?
Then came this zinger: Unless No, they say, work could get under
some existing lanes are turned over to way in five years — if drivers started
toll-only use, it could be 2012 or later paying tolls on some Airport Freeway
before money is available to expand lanes right away.
the congested freeway. Highway construction money is
That sounds like state highway offi- tight. Only a third of the projects
cials still want to extort money out of across the state get funded.
Metroplex drivers before providing Still, it's hard to see why the needs
them with adequate transportation of such a vital road as Airport Free-
infrastructure. way continue to be ignored.
Why is it that the needs of Tarrant And state officials,led by Gov.Rick 04
County's busiest freeway — which Perry, continue to shun the idea of
surged past its 140,000-vehicle-per- raising motor fuel taxes to provide ,1
day capacity 16 years ago — can't get more money for highways.The tax, at
more respect in Austin? 20 cents a gallon for both gasoline and ••
A $274 million plan to expand 7.6 diesel fuel, has not been raised since
miles of the freeway, the key southern 1991 and continues to lose value to
access route to one of the world's inflation.
busiest airports,has been on the shelf A 5-cent increase in motor fuels
for years. taxes would raise more than$700 mil-
Yet state transportation leaders — lion a year. But Texas leaders would
and,apparently,the state's top govern- rather force Airport Freeway drivers
ment officials — are willing to let to pay tolls now or wait a decade or so
clogged conditions on the freeway for relief.
grow worse for another nine years That's not a good plan, and it's not
before they begin to address the prob- good leadership.
w
DISTRIBUTED TO: PAGE OF I
MAYOR CITYCOUNCIL CITY ATTORNEY CRIM HENNIG MCKAMIE DELACRUZ RIDGIVAY(2)
' YOUNG McDONALD COLLINS ff'ILHITE GETCHELL LIBRARYADMIN LIBRARYREF ANIMAL CNTR
t q
DATE DISTRIBUTED DATE OFARTICLE / / V NEff'SPAPER FfVST
Today
' High heat fries plan
to unplug part of Euless
A plan to shut off electricity
in part of Euless today has
' been canceled because of the
heat.
Oncor had planned to shut
' off the power of about 165 cus-
tomers along Main Street,
south of Harwood Road and
north of Denton Drive,for
' several hours starting at 9 am.
Workers had planned to move
an electrical pole as part of the
Main Street reconstruction
' project.
A heat advisory led to the
cancellation.
"We don't want anyone to
' be in this heat without air con-
ditioning.We are going to have
to work with the city to
' reschedule at a later date,"
TXU Energy spokesman Scott
Withers said.
—Ellen Schroeder
DISTRIBUTED TO: PAGE I OF
MAYOR CITY COUNCIL CITYATTORNEY CRIM HENNIG MCbAMIE DE LA CRUZ RIDGWAY(2)
YOUNG McDONALD COLLINS ffILHITE GETCHELL LIBRARYADMIN LIBRARYREF ANIMAL CNTR '
DATEDISTRIBUTED —7 1 ,25 O DA TE OF ARTICLE �3 03 NEff'SPAPER FfVST
,t
{
Asx �
C
BOOST Jared Keahey of Southlake helps erect tents Tuesday at Mus
tang/Panther Stadium in Grapevine,one of 27 games sites.
Y
M 41
ah
..n
f;
v# j
e,
P 9�.c`C III fY ,
t 4 �
STAR-TELEGRAM/RICK MOON
Ron Whitworth of the Colleyville Parks Department, left, and Grapevine High School track coach Jerry Carter wrestle with pole- '
vault bags Tuesday afternoon at Mustang/Panther Stadium in Grapevine. Parks and recreation workers from around the state are
volunteering to help run the 2003 Games of Texas.
DISTRIBUTED TO: PAGE C� OF
MAYOR CITYCOUNCIL CITYATTORNEY CRIM IIENNIG MCbAMIE DELA CRUZ RID GWAY(2)
' YOUNG McDONALD COLLINS 111LHITE 6ETC11ELL LIBRARYADMIN i,11LIBRARYREF ANIMAL CNTR
DATE DISTRIBUTED -7 I�S 0 DATE OF ARTICLE ' l u 3 NEWSPAPER FWST
orts eThe Games of Texas
Spvent ma More than 9,000
athletes and up to
30,000 relatives and
' e o e m
� ^ spectators are expect-
11 Vgm(v--� ed to attend the 2003
JGames of Texas,
scheduled Thursday
By JOHN KIRSCH have registered. through Sunday.
' STAR-TELEGRAM STAFF WRITER Up to 30,000 relatives, friends and ■Six Northeast Tarrant
Cash-starved cities in Northeast Tar- spectators are expected to watch compe- County cities are
rant County are expecting a big econom- tition in more than 50 sports, including hosting the 23 events
is boost this week when thousands of swimming, track and field events, base- at 27 sites.The Games
' athletes and spectators gather for the ball and gymnastics. of Texas is billed as the
state's largest multi-
2003 Games of Texas.
"Clearly tourism was a big player sport event.
Bedford, Colleyville, Euless, here: to bring people to our community
' Grapevine, Hurst and North Richland to shop in our stores and eat in our
Hills are hosting the events at 27 sites. restaurants and stay in our hotels," said
Organizers said more than 9,000 athletes
for athletes, spectators and oth- Each of the six participating
' er attendees. cities contributed $20,000
"It's bringing a lot of people toward games costs, such as
to the area and a lot of business police and emergency medical
to us," said Michele Robinzine, workers and T-shirts for volun-
' Kevin Fralicks, parks and com- assistant general manager of teers. The cities also shared the
munity services director for AmeriSuites in Grapevine. cost of a $25,000 bid fee when
Bedford and chairman of the 35- She said 50 of the hotel's 125 vying for the games.
member organizing committee rooms had been reserved by The games have never
that has been planning the Games of Texas participants or before been held in Northeast
games for two years. The six spectators. Tarrant County, but multicity
local cities will also host the The Games of Texas is billed participation is not unprece-
' 2004 games. as the state's largest multisport dented. In 1989, several Gulf
The games are expected to event. It is the state champi- Coast cities hosted the games
inject $7 million into the local onship competition for the offi- together, said Holly Ellman, a
economy, said Jim Browne, cially sanctioned Texas Amateur public relations professional
' parks and recreation director for Athletic Federation sports of mnews media
hired to work with
North Richland Hills and an track and field, boxing, golf, organizations with
the media
executive committee member. swimming and tennis. Competi- games.
003
Browne said that figure is tors in those events must qualify' Holding the games in the based on expectations that par- at regional meets.
ticipants and spectators will stay Organizers are relying on up same location for more than one
at local hotels,eat at local restau- to 700 volunteers to keep costs year is also not unprecedented.
rants and purchase gasoline in down, Browne said. In addi- The games were held in Lub-
' Northeast Tarrant County. tion, 80 parks and recreation bock in 1997 and 1998 and in
Tom Smith, general manager officials from around Texas are Waco in 1995 and 1996, Ellman
of the Hyatt Regency D/FW,said volunteering to help run the said.
120 rooms have been reserved games,he said. John Kirsch(817)685 3805
DISTRIBUTED TO:
PAGE LOF
MAYOR CITYCOUNCIL CITYATTORNEY CRIM HENNIG MCKAMIE DELA CRUZ RID GIVAY(2) ,
YOUNG McDONALD COLLINS WILHITE GETCHELL LIBRRA7RYADMIN LIBRARYREF ANIMAL CNTR
DATE DISTRIBUTED- I a3 DATEOFARTICLE I � 0 NEWSPAPER FWST
H-E-B
eyes
•
wine
salt.("I' s
® Officials in Bedford,
Euless and Hurst say
allowing the sale of wine for
Off-premise consumption elections or taking a position on the three cities to explore t
could boost their economies. them. issue and try to reach a consen-
That means any effort to call sus.
By JOHN E R.SCH for local-option election would She said she expects t
STAR-TELEGRAM STAFF WRITER have to be undertaken by indi- Euless council to talk abou
BEDFORD — Officials in Bed- a result. Simon Property Group, viduals or groups that are not wine election at its budget
ford, Euless and Hurst are consid- the developer of The Shops at part of city government.Backers retreat the first weekend
ering holding a joint local-option North East Mall, had donated would have to circulate petitions August.
election to permit off-premise $214,000 toward the effort for a calling for an election. Petition organizers have
wine sales in the three cities. wine election. Mary Frazior, president and days to gather the required
Allowing supermarkets and Watauga voters approved chief executive of the Hurst- number of signatures, unde
convenience stores to sell wine wine sales in stores in May. Euless-Bedford Chamber of change approved this year I
could give a needed boost to lag-` Euless Mayor Mary Lib Saleh Commerce,said it's possible that the Texas Legislature, said Scott
ging sales tax revenues, they said. said that holding an election on the chamber would work in sup- Houston, an attorney for t
Beer is already sold in the three the same day in each of the port of an election.Like city offi- Texas Municipal League. T
cities. cities would be the most effi- cials, she said wine sales could change will take effect Sept.1,
"It's strictly economics," Bed- cient way to put the issue before provide the cities with an eco- said.
ford City Manager Chuck Barnett voters. noetic boost. Until then, the current ti
said Monday. "All of our cities are so If enough signatures were lirnit of 30 days applies,he sal]
Hurst Mayor Bill Souder said entwined. We shop in all three obtained, Saleh said;an election Houston said he did n
many residents of his city want to cities, and it would be nice if all could be held in February believe that any legal problems
be able to buy wine without having three cities had the same oppor- She said officials have been would be posed if the thr
to drive to a nearby town that tunities,"Saleh said Tuesday. discussing the possibility on an cities decided to hold a lo
allows off-premise sales. Cities are barred from spend- informal basis. The next step is option election at the same t'
"We have a lot of inquires all the ing money on local-option wine for mayors and city councils in John Kirsch(817)685-3805
time: 'Why don't you have it at
Hurst?We can get it at Colleyville
next door,""Souder said Tuesday.
In 1999,a petition drive to legal- '
ize wine sales in Hurst failed, and
Cost Plus World Market pulled out
of The Shops at North East Mall as
�• DISTRIBUTED TO: PAGE LOF
MAYOR CITYCOUNCIL CITYATTORNEY CRIM HENNIG MCKAMIE DELA CRUZ RID GWAY(2)
YOUNG McDONALD• COLLINS WILHITE GETCHELL LIBRARYADMIN LIBRARYREF ANIMAL CNTR
DATE DISTRIBUTED 5 /L DATE OF ARTICLE J 3 / C NEWSPAPER DA1N
' RECREATION
Games of Texas
' cancels three events
The Games ofTexas,which is
Thursday through Sunday at
venues throughout northeast
Tarrant County, has canceled
extremes its ice hocke and
rock climbing because of low
registration,according to Holly
Ellman,director of public rela-
tions.
As of Monday, 9,200 ath-
letes have registered to compete
in 14 other events.This breaks
the previous enrollment record
of around 8,900, according to
' Cliff Warrick,executive director
of the Texas Amateur Athletic
Federation.
Rick Kretwchmar
DISTRIBUTED TO: PAGE ( OFA
MAYOR CITYCOUNCIL CITYATTORNEY CRIM HENNIG MCKAMIE DELACRUZ RIDGWAY
YOUNG McDONALD COLLINS WILHITE GETCHELL LIBRARYADMIN LIBRARYREF ANIMAL CNTR '
DATE DISTRIBUTED _7 S D DATE OF ARTICLE —7 L�3 0 3 NEWSPAPER DMN
Region
ins orfs
spotlight ReCOrd 9,200 amateur "The significance of this is we
have people coming here from ev-
athletes expected at this ery corner of Texas," said Kevin '
week's Games of Texas Fralicks, Bedford's community
services director and chairman of.
By BRANDON FORMBY the 2003 games. "Many of these
Staff Writer people have never been to Dallas- '
When the 2003 Games of Tex- Fort worth or northeast Tarrant
as kicks off in northeast Tarrant County before,and we Nvant to ex-
County on Thursday, three years Pose them to the wonderful ame- '
of planning by six cities will finally nrtleswe have to offer."
come to fruition,bringing tourists Host cities Bedford,Colleyville,Euless, Grapevine, Hurst and
and an estimated economic boost North Richland Hills have spent
to the region. three years planning the annual '
games.Doug Evans,a member of
the games' executive committee
process,"he said."We've had great '
2003 GAMES OF TEXAS: WHERE TO GO leadership on all the committees.
and director of Grapevine's parks The support we received from city
and recreation department, esti- ■Baseball:Euless and Hurst Richland Hills managers and city councils has
mates $7 million will be poured ■Bowling,fencing,adult golf and ■Soccer:Bedford,Colleyville, been second to none."
into the local economy during the sand volleyball:Euless Euless and North Richland Hills Jerry Poteet, chairman of the
event's four days. ■Boxing:Bedford ■Softball:Bedford,Euless, games' volunteer committee and
1111
Billed as the largest amateur Disc golf,extreme sports,judo, Grapevine and North Richland Hills Euless' special events and volun-
multisport event in Texas, the rock climbing and track and field: ■Swimming:Southlake teer coordinator, said 600 area
games are the Olympic-style com- Grapevine ■Tennis:Hurst and North Richland
gvolunteers will help in a number
petition of the Texas Amateur ■Gymnastics:Hurst Hills
P of areas such as registering ath-
AthleticFederation. ■Ice hockey:Euless and North ■Youth golf:Nortn Richland Hills letes,serving as time keepers and
"I really think people are going I I working front gates,
to be thinking this is the best show off the region. the games will be'split evenly "Volunteers are the pulse beat,"
games ever,based on the reputa- "We have some of the best among the cities. Mr. Poteet said. "Without volun-
tion of the people involved and the parks and recreation facilities in Mr.Henry said having six cities teers,this event would not survive. ,
amount of work they've put into it our cities,and we get to showcase involved made the process easier. It's not possible."
already," said Tom Henry, presi- those statewide With an event like "It's been beneficial in the It has been,more than a decade
dent of the athletic federation. this,"said Doug Kratz,Hurst's as- sense that the six cities vv-ere all since the games were last held in '
Mr. Fralicks said more than sistant director of recreation. committed professionally and fi- the Dallas-Fort Worth area.Dal-
9,200 amateur athletes — the The six cities were chosen in nancially," he said. "The), got las was the host city in 1991,and
most in the event's history—have 1999 to host the games in 2003 backing from their parks boards Fort Worth hosted in 1987. The
registered to compete in 17 differ- and 2004. Since then, each city and city councils. I think it has inaugural event was held in San ,
ent competitions. More than has provided $10,000 to put on been an asset." Antonio in 1986.
24,000 spectators are expected to the 2003 games and another Mr. Evans said regular meet- Medal winners in the games
descend on northeast Tarrant $10,000 for next year's event, ings with representatives from are eligible to participate in the '
County to watch the games. making the operating budget for each city helped ensure everyone i 2004 State Games ofAmerica.
Having such a large number of each year$60,000.Each city will involved was working toward the
visitors gives area venues and gov- recover what it has pledged, Mr. same goals. E-mail bformby@dallasnews.com
erring bodies the opportunity to Fralicks said,and all revenue from "I think it's been an excellent or call 817-410-9602,ext.4970. ,
DISTRIBUTED TO: PAGE I OF t
MAYOR CITY COUNCIL CITYATTORNEY CRIM HENNIG MCKAMIE DE LA CRUZ RID GWAY(2)
YOUNG McDONALD COLLINS WILHITE GETCHELL LIBRARYADMIN LIBRARYREF ANIMAL CNTR
DATE DISTRIBUTED —7 J S l O 3 DATE OFARTICLE 103 NEWSPAPER FWST
5 j _ Summer
eyewear
Eric Morris,7,looks at
his fellow campers at
the Midway Recreation
Center's Summer
Adventure Camp dur-
ing morning activities
4 eµ Wednesday.The
�F
program in Euless runs
_ - for 10 weeks.
' STAR-TELEGRAM/RICK MOON
DISTRIBUTED TO: PAGE I OF
MAYOR CITYCOUNCIL CITYATTORNEY CRIM HENNIG MCKAMIE DELACRUZ RIDGWAY(2) '
YOUNG McDONALD COLLINS WILHITE GETCHELL LIBRARYADMIN LIBRARYREF ANIMAL CNTR
DATE DISTRIBUTED ---? I fa5 1, 03 DATE OFARTICLE :3 c 4_[()3 NEWSPAPER FWST
Couneil
year-plus," said Judy Atwood, meeting to-discuss strategies.
or arts the council's board chairwoman. Among local arts groups feel- '
The board has been studying its ing the pinch is Northeast
direction for about four years, Orchestra, which was able to
she said. raise only about $12,000 of its
For a few weeks, the council budgeted$15,000 a year.It broke '
® alte 1 will explore ways to raise more even by cutting back on mailings
1 money as it develops its 2003-04 and having members print
budget,council leaders said. brochures rather than hiring
The council is bracing for the printers, board member Phil Sil- '
local fallout of a 40 percent cut vernail said.
S o m the Texas Commission on the The Northeast council also
als Arts grants budget — from trimmed its budget this year to
$4.8 million to $2.6 million for $450,000 from $565,000 last '
2003-04. The commission year-
The Arts Council of awards grants to the Northeast Last year, the council fun-
NorthEast Tarrant council and others across the neled grants ranging from $250
County will direct its attention - to $2,350 to 57 groups. Next fis-
away from booking and organizing- state. cal year, it plans to award larger
events.
"I'm sure we'll be giving —but fewer—grants.
grants. — it's our primary focus The council's greater empha-
By TERRY LEE GOODRICH — but we haven't made deci- sis on fund raising has been
STAR-TELEGRAM STAFF WRITER sions about how much to who," hailed by those that receive its `
The Arts Council of NorthEast Tar- said Jim t di
t
i
' assistant rector for Bob McMillan,the com- help.
rant County will shift its focus away missions ass "I think this is what the coun-
from booking area events to put more administration and community
development. cil needs to do.Otherwise,it's an
evergy groups.rd raising money for local The Northeast Tarrant coun-arts obsolete organization," said Les
cil has also struggled with its
Thh e move follows the economic Jordan III, founder and artistic
downturn that has forced area arts own fund-raisers. The group's director of the Watauga-based
major event,the Taste of North- North Central Civic Ballet. "If
groups, including the council, to slash east, raised $45,000 in Se tem-
budgets,officials say.Many groups can{ P they're going to do more solicit-
book their own programs, council ber, down from $55,000 in 2001- ing of funds,that's an enormous
President Robb Wasielewski said. The event features samples benefit, whether you're a large
from area restaurants. established organization like
"Fifteen, 10,even five years ago,we g
were sometimes the only game in 'Arts groups nationwide have ours or one that needs a boost—
town,but that's not true anymore,"he been feeling the effects of the like three or four painters with a
economic downturn,with dona- wonderful idea."
said. "We had to ask ourselves what tions from corporations,individ-
we have the ability to do that no one Vickie Loftice,assistant direc-
uals and foundations decreasing for of North Richland Hills'
else can:' or vanishing.In Fort Worth,rep- Parks and Recreation Depart-
The council works with 15 area resentatives of the symphony, p
communities to serve about 400,000 ment, said the council's decision
ballet and theaters have been makes sense. North Richland
residents by providing visual and per-
forming arts programs to schools, Hills has its own cultural arts
communities and nonprofit groups. coordinator. Wd
The responsibility for organizing The council is finding a+
the events will shift to the sponsoring duplication of efforts," Loftice
groups, Wasielewski said.The council said."This is a positive step from
also will study whether to continue our perspective." riff
programs such as its summer camp. . Terry Lee Goodrich,(817)685-3812
With its new focus,the council will terry@star-telegram.com
become a sort of chamber of com-
merce for the arts,promoting them by.
giving tourists and residents informa-
tion on festivals,concerts,exhibits and
other events.
The transition will be gradual—"a
DISTRIBUTED TO: I
PACE I OF
MAYOR CITY COUNCIL CITYATTORNEY CRIM IIENNIG MChAMIE DELA CRUZ RID GWAY(2)
YOUNG McDONALD COLLINS WILaaHITE GETCIIELL LIBRARYADMIN LIBRARYREF ANIMAL CNTR
DATEDISTRIBUTED � 1 �S / tOJ DA TE OF ARTICLE / / —3 NEWSPAPER FWST
i
1
Liberians in
1
N. Texas plan
observance
1 Pm'.14: The three-day
event in Euless and Liberian independence events ry Chibli, president of the
' Arlington will be more somber The Liberian Association of Dal- Liberian Association of Dallas.
this year because of war in the las is hosting a three-day indepen- The capital, Monrovia, is
West African country. dence anniversary celebration. named after President James
Money raised will go to help Monroe. Many Liberians have
By DIANE SMITH Kortu, a Liberian and pastor of Liberia's humanitarian needs. come to the United States to
' STAR-TELEGRAM STAFF WRITER the New Life Fellowship p A welcome party will begin at 10 study and have later returned
Liberians in North Texas usually Church in Euless. tonight at the Liberian Community to Liberia to work
consider July a time for celebration Liberia has experienced lit- Center,820-C Wilshire Blvd.in 1 The Tarrant County event is because it marks the anniversary of tle peace since 1989 because Euless.Admission is$5. expected to draw Liberians
their homeland's emergence as a civil wars and conflicts have A church service is scheduled from North Texas, Oklahoma,
republic. torn the country apart.The lat- for 10 a.m.Saturday at the New
■Liberian Life Fellowship Church,3002 W. Arkansas and Colorado.
But this year's est fighting has been the focus The commemoration begins
' three-day event in independence of international news as the Euless Blvd.A picnic and soccer
match are scheduled for 3 p.m.so with a welcome party tonight
Euless and Arling- anniversary United States debates whether troo s. the Central Junior High School c- at the Liberian Community
ton will be more events. 4B to send
peacekeeping P cer field at Raider Drive and Center in Euless. Saturday's
somber because President Bush has called for Pipeline Road in Euless.A banquet events will include an evening
1 the civil war in their West African Liberia's President Charles and ball are scheduled for 8 p.m.at banquet and an afternoon pic-
homeland continues to fill Liberians Taylor to step down. the Demmy Palace Hall at 2220-B nic and soccer match among
with unease. The need for humanitarian W Park Row Drive in Arlington. players from African countries.
Several hundred Liberians are aid grows as the conflict esca- Tickets cost$20.
expected to gather this weekend in lates, Liberians said. Kortu's On Sunday,a free farewell lun- Prayer will play an impor-
Euless and Arlington for the 156th church will host a service and cheon is scheduled at noon at the pant role. Liberians said that
prayer has helped them cope
Independence Anniversary of the collect donations Saturday. Liberian Community Center.
Republic of Liberia. "The importance of this For more information,call Henry with the civil war. They pray
"We are praying for Liberians program is to bring awareness Chibli at(817)528-6170. for peace and new leaders who
here...and those in Liberia,for God to the situation in Liberia. We have the best interest of
to move the hearts of the leadership want people to know there is a Liberia at heart.
" e eeve only Gd can
of this country and for President problem,and people are suffer- Liberia was founded in 1822 trulyWsolvelthe p ob ems in the
Bush to help us. We need America ung,"Kortu said. by freed U.S. slaves. In 1847, it country," said Elizabeth Forh, a
now more than ever," said Nathan "We are trying to raise mon- was declared Africa's first member of the Liberian Asso-
ey to send people over there black republic. ciation of Dallas.
1 with a humanitarian service," The country has many ties —
he said. to the United States, said Hen- Diane Smith, r-te 685-3801
dianesmith@star-telegram.com
1
1
1
1
DISTRIBUTED TO: PAGE I OF a
MAYOR CITY COUNCIL CITYATTORNEY CRIM IIENNIG MChA11IE DE LA CRUZ RIDGWAY(2) '
YOUNG MCDONALD COLLINS 6VILHITE GETCHELL LIBRARYADMIN LIBRARYREF ANIMAL CNTR
DATE DISTRIBUTED '� S ' L DATE OF ARTICLE J /03 NEWSPAPER FWST
Prepared
, k
1 -
HEAT
r
p M..
c
4
'
k4a r Tn
`r
000-Tr 1_3
"ANN,
n
4N �t3r � f
-
>F
1� t7'S z -I 3 t ag*1
NN
i
q Sc
g
STAR-TELEGRAM/RICK MOON
At top, Jarrod Buddin,16, of Southlake uses a fan and umbrella to cool off at Mustang-Panther Stadium in Grapevine. He and
Jeffrey Rodriguez,13,of Fort Worth,above,were waiting to compete in pole vaulting at the Games of Texas.
DISTRIBUTED TO: PAGE c;;� OF
MAYOR CITYCOUNCIL CITYATTORNEY CRIM HENNIG MCKAMIE DELA CRUZ RID GTVA Y(2)
YOUNG McDONALD ^-COLLINS fVILHITE GETCHELL LIBRARYADMIN LIBRARYREF ANIMAL CNTR
DATE DISTRIBUTED / l 1 O 3 DATE OF ARTICLE 3 NEWSPAPER FEVST
Organizers of Games of Texas'have
a plan
to ken,-, spectators, partieipantscool outdoors
' By CHRIS NEELY ■Ways to beat the heat. 5B Games of Texas
STAR-TELEGRAM STAFF WRITER
GRAPEVINE The Games of Texas 0 Related coverage. SPORTS,IID ■What:Amateur competi-
' received a warm reception Thursday tion in 14 sports.
■When:Thursday through
evening. Really warm — about 94
with 100 degrees this weekend, Games Sunday.
degrees. of Texas organizers said they will try to ■Where:Locations
Even so, Carroll High School pole keep spectators and participants cool throughout Northeast Tarrant
vaulter Jarrod Buddin, who was waiting outdoors with shade tents and misting County.
to compete at Mustang-Panther Stadium, stations. ■Tickets:All-venue day
said he was ready for the heat. He had Harris Methodist HEB hospital will Pass,$5;all-venue weekend
his camp chair,his beach umbrella and a also have a 40-foot medical treatment souvenir pin pass,$10.
' hand-held fan. trailer at the soccer and the track and Children 5 and younger
"I've been practicing outside all sum- field events to assist anyone who may be admitted free.
mer, so I'm used to it," said Buddin, 16. overcome by heat. That helpcan range Opening ceremonies:
"Actually,I'd rather it be hot than cold.It 8 tonight iv Pennington Field,
I ' from a place to lie down with a few ice Central Drive,Bedford.
could be a little cooler,though." bags to IV infusions of hydrating liquids. ■Information:(817)952
With temperatures expected to flirt 2301,www.gamesoftexas.com
"That's an air-conditioned "We've got strawberry
unit, so if we need to take lemonade, lemonade, root beer Beating the heat
somebody out of the heat total- and orange,"she said.
ly, we can do that," said Mike ■Symptoms:Heat disorders
Even before competition include heat cramps,which
Janszen, director of physical began, sales were brisk, she involve painful spasms,usually in
medicine at Harris Methodist said. As hot as it was, though, leg and abdominal muscles,and
' HEB in Bedford. she hadn't been dipping into heavy sweating.Heat exhaus-
Most of the participants at the profits. tion,which is more severe,can
the games, which began "No,it's not that bad.I'm in be accompanied by heavy sweat-
Thursday,are probably familiar the shade, and there's a ing;weakness;weak pulse;faint-
with the heat, he said. With breeze. Plus,
I ride ho.:ses, so ing;nausea;and cold,pale and
more than 9,000 athletes of all `I'm used tobeing out in the clammy skin.Heatstroke,during
ages expected to compete this which the body can reach 106
' weekend, though, chances are heat,"she said. degrees or more,is character-
some of them will be unpre- By Thursday evening, Josh ized by a lack of sweating;hot,
pared. Richard was used to it,too. dry skin;rapid,strong pulse;and
"We're going to be doing a Richard, 14, was out in the possible unconsciousness.
' lot of observing, making sure parking lot with a grabbing ■Prevention:Wear loose-
everyone's doing OK;'Janszen stick, picking up trash to earn fitting,lightweight,light-colored
said. "Hydration is the most Boy Scout service hours for clothes that cover as much skin
important part here." Colleyville Troop 28. as possible.Drink plenty of water
' �. and juice,even if you aren't
That means drinkinglen I need about six more
plenty hours, and there's no way to thirsty.Avoid alcohol or
of water or juice,he said. Y caffeinated beverages.
Frozen soft drinks were also earn them indoors," he said, SOURCE:National Weather
' popular Thursday. That's what Wiping .the sweat from his Service
Elizabeth Hance was selling up upper lip. "I've already looked
in the stands. into that"
Games of Texas:
' www.gamesoftexas.com
Chris eely,(817)685-3806
cneely@star-telegram.com