HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-09-26 Euless Articles DISTRIBUTED TO: PAGE � OF "<
MAYOR CITYCOUNCIL CITYATTORNEY CRIM HENNIG MCKAMIE DELACRUZ RIDGWAY(2)
' YOUNG McDONALD COLLINS WILHITE GETCHELL LIBRARYADMIN LIBRARYREF ANIMAL CNTR
DATE DISTRIBUTED_q I CG ? DATE OF ARTICLE'_L i C 3 NEWSPAPER 1 `
Cleburne neglects
1
SENIORS, again
1
1
1go. i
z.
1 Cleburne senior citizens have a new center but few programs are
scheduled to meet their interests and needs.
1 BY BARBARA CHAYER 62, which means that 25% of the their blood pressure checked on
On April 23, 2002, a dedication population (6500 residents) are Wednesdays, about 13 participate
ceremony was held to mark the eligible to participate in programs on game day, and 30 may go to
1 official opening of the Cleburne at the center. Regularly scheduled bingo or potluck on Fridays. Most
Senior Citizen Center. During the programs at the Center are not de- mornings, five or six play table
ensuing 16 months, no one has signed to reach and serve the var- games near the entrance to the
been hired to run the Center and ted interests and needs of this large main room. Some men also play
few programs for seniors have group of our senior citizens. dominoes in the meeting room.
been developed. No money for ei- By contrast, some area senior
Durin Jul the scheduled night ther item has been included by the g y' g centers are very active, providing
1 activities at the Center included a wide range of programs and
city in the 2003/2004 budget.What Friday and Saturday night dances, activities.
a dismal story this is, that the city Tuesday night Ingo, and a Mon-
takes such little interest in enhanc- day night coronary health lecture.
1 ing the lives of those who helpedpotluck meals, health seminars
Lana Dibble, Cleburne Public
build and sustain the city. Library Director, has opened a and exercise classes, the Center
No program of the city has re- g provides notary service, holiday
small reading center in the meet-1 ceived more interest and attention ing room.Groups using the Center gatherings and one trip each week
over the last several years thanto area attractions. Upcoming trips
included Newcomers, Busy B s include the Fort Worth Zoo,Botanic
restoring services to our seniors Bridge, the National Association
whose former facility was closedE others. Dianne E Garden, Canton, the State Fair and
1 Retired & Veteran Railway
in 2000. Now, as a result of much Employees, The Military Order of Eggers, Director,
pressure on city officials,they have the Purple Heart, and the Johnson opens the Center at 6:30 a.m. so
a building but little else. early senior walkers can drop in
many members of the groups are'
The Cleburne Senior Citizen County Master Gardeners. While for coffee and companionship. She
Center uses the AARP age guide- seniors,their meetings merely con- has studied the needs and wishes of
line of 50 and over to determinethe seniors who use the Center and
stitute the use of a public building.
This does not indicate any effort
1
eligibility for use of the center.The tailored activities to please them. A
2000 census indicated Cleburnebus is provided for those who need
on the part of the city to provide
had a population of 26,005,of this activities for seniors. transportation to and from the Cen-
number 4145 (16%) were 62 and The approximate numbers of ter. The bus is also used for their
' older. According to a study con- seniors who participate in the trips.
ducted by the city the same year, Center's daily activities are as fol-
approximately 9%n of the popula- lows: four or five take advantage
' tion is between the age of 50 and of Meals on Wheels,about 15 have
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MAYOR CITYCOUNCIL CITYATTORNEY CRIM HENNIG MCKAMIE DELACRUZ RIDGWAY(2)
YOUNG McDONALD COLLINS WILHITE GETCHELL LIBRARYADMIN LIBRARYREF ANIMAL CNTR
I
DATE DISTRIBUTED 9 '��6 ' 3 DATE OF ARTICLE Ci ' 1� / NEWSPAPER1h 1r C P
cic�\e KI e v=:5 '
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The Euless Center has a great two ovens and an area in which The Cleburne Senior Center '
room, full kitchen, comfortably projects can be stored. The Al- needs a vigorous Development
furnished TV/reading room, storage varado Center has been providing Committee that will advocate for
room, shuffle board game and pool computer classes. and act on behalf of our seniors.
table.One wall holds about 15 sign- In reviewing literature from other Through the City Council they
up sheets for various activities. centers and what their communities should secure a full time director,
The Somervell County Senior have provided for their seniors it's a Cletran bus and driver for weekly
Center in Glen Rose is managed obvious Cleburne can do more for field trips and transportation as
by Pam Baker and her staff. They ours. One sentence of the mission needed. The center should have its
prepare meals in their kitchen for statement of one Center reads, "To own budget.Grant applications may
about 35 people who eat there each provide resources to older people be made to secure additional fund-
day plus meals delivered to homes. in order to enhance their dignity; ing and public and private institu-
Forty or more use the facilities of support their independence, and tions should be asked to provide
the Center daily. They have uphol- encourage their involvement in all used computers and whatever other
stered chairs, three sofas, a piano aspects of community life." help is needed.
and an organ. The Center offers ad- It's time for Cleburne to show
niirable services for a county with a concern for its seniors. Let us re-
population of 8747. place a sense of shame for the inad-
Burleson's Senior Center has at equacies of our Center with a sense
least one employee, a stove with of pride by enhancing the lives of
those who helped build and sustain
this city.
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• MAYOR CITY COUNCIL CITYATTORNEY CRIM HENNIG MCKAMIE DE LA CRUZ RID GWAY(2)
'YOUNG McDONALD COLLINS WILHITE GETCHELL LIBRARYADMIN LIBRARYREF ANIMAL CNTR
DATE DISTRIBUTED g J a te I a 3 DATE OFARTICLE G I q as D3 NEWSPAPER u51 ss
' �;-e S S
Heart Walk Saturdayl
' arrant County businesses can
make a difference by helping to
save lives through their partici-
pation in the American Heart Walk
Saturday, Sept. 20.-
The Tarrant
' County events .y
will be at the Al.r y :.
Trinity Park
' Shelter House � ate
/
in Fort Worth l�G
and at the Texas
' Star Golf
Course in Euless. This year's present-
ing sponsor is S Health Network.
Last year's event raised close to
' $650,000 and this year's cumulative
goal is $900,000.
For information on participating,
call the American Heart Association
' at (817) 315-5000 and visit
walk.americanheart.org.
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MAYOR CITYCOUNCIL CITYATTORNEY CRIM HENNIG MCKAMIE DELA CRUZ RIDGWAY(2)
YOUNG McDONALD COLLINS WILHITE GETCHELL LIBRARYADMIN LIBRARYREF ANIMAL CNTR
DATE DISTRIBUTED G 3 DATE OFARTICLE `1 - r 03 NEWSPAPER i S
- gess
Whitley p ens
a new course
r
BY BOB FRANCIS
Fort Worth Business Press
len Whitley admits he is not by " LL
nature a patient man. Take. for q_
instance, his decision to become an
accountant. `
"I was a business major at UTA and the =
woman at registration said I had to declare a
major,a specific major or she wouldn't let me Impatient and hands-on, county commis-
sioner Glen Whitley is not taxed by addition-
al transportation duties.
register. I said, `What's the first thing
on your list?' She said 'Accounting,'- "Right now, I'm not that involved in After having educated himself,
and I said, 'Sign me up."' the [accounting] business. I have nine Whitley ran against incumbent Bob
The co-founder of the Whitley Penn _
other partners in the firm, so it is pretty Hampton in 1996. There were three
accounting firm and Tarrant Count easy to pass something off to someone
g y else if there is a conflict. I have a few other candidates. Whitley made it into
Commissioner admits he likes to see the runoff and then defeated Hampton.
the end results of projects and enjoys clients I work µ.: t being county He since has run unopposed twice. He
Commissioner, I don't work in the firm
being involved from start to finish. He plans to run again next year.
runs his own business because he can nearly as much as I once did," he said. "Unopposed, I hope. Campaigning is
make the decisions, and he can rattle off Whitley first got involved-in public not much fun," he said.
a list of accomplishments as county affairs when he was elected to.the board Being county commissioner sits well
of the Hurst-Euless-Bedford Independent
commissioner as if reading a shopping with Whitley. "You can be very hands_
chool
Sistrict. e advise ancon-
But thdvid
list. Q on with projects, which I enjoy, even if
sent role of being a board member did
Whitley grew up in Grand Prairie, you do have to get
not fit Whitley's hands-on nature. "Ina
made his fateful accounting degree two other people in
decision at UTA, and graduated in school district, the superintendent is the the room to go
1976. He then settled in the mid-cities one making the decisions and taking the along with you on
action, which is as it should be. But I
after he had married his wife, Brenda. something," he
After working several years for Ernst& knew I couldn't stay there," he said. said. Two projects
Ernst, then Rylander, Clay & Opitz, Someone suggested he take a look at that he regards
running for county commissioner. "I'll
Whitley and several partners founded most proudly are
the Whitley Penn firm in 1983. be honest, when I was first approached, setting up the
The firm satisfied Whitley by being I didn't really know what a county com- Tarrant Youth
"
successful in short order. The now 70- missioner did. Recovery Campus,
'
i
issoners court is
person firm offers tax preparation and The county comma project that gives
compliance services, but has branched the governing body of the county.It sets teenagers with sub-
out to offer its clients several different the tax rate, adopts the county budget stance abuse prob-
services, including investment advice. and builds and maintains county roads lems a place to
The company also has performed audit- ttnd buildings. Next year's budget is stay, and the
ing services for several governmental expected to be $332.5 million. The Alliance for
agencies, including the Fort Worth Tarrant County Commissioner's court Children,a cooper-
Independent School District. Whitley consists of four precincts with one ative effort
often has to recuse himself from panic- county judge who is elected at-large between several
ipating in the company's business if and presides over the court. Whitley is
there is a conflict of interest. in charge of Precinct 3, which includes
most of northeast Tarrant County.
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MAYOR CITY COUNCIL CITYATTORNEY CRIM HENNIG MChAMIE DE LA CRUZ RID GId'AY(2)
YOUNG McDONALD COLLINS WILHITE GETCHELL LIBRARYADMIN LIBRARYREF ANIMAL CNTR
DATE DISTRIBUTED ti 3 DATE OF ARTICLE S Q3 NEWSPAPER lV 5 r�r S
' C'e SS
Fund and gave the Texas Transportation
agencies to more effectively investigate I see it [transportation] as a commissions-and the Texas Department
child abuse cases. The Alliance for huproblem and 1 believe
huge p of Transportation broad powers in
Children program has resulted in a
1 higher conviction rate for child abuse. we have to start addressing implementing and financing transporta-
tion ro ects.
"Both of those situations are collabora- it today. I go into it knowing p
Whitley is hopeful of developing a
' tive efforts between different agencies. that I may not live to see the
What I like to do as county commis- results of what we're trying
sioner is to get different agencies work-
y g north Texas-wide rail system, managed
by a central authority, that would con-
ing together to accomplish more and to do. But I hope my kids nect cities in Tarrant, Denton, Dallas
'
save the taxpayer money, he said. and their kids will be able to and Collin counties.The central author-
Being county commissioner keeps live here and prosper here if ity would serve as an umbrella for sev-
Whitley busy enough, but of late he haswe d " eral area transportation authorities,
o a good job.
even less time for his accounting firm. such as Fort Worth Transportation
In July, he was named chairman of the Authority, Dallas Area Rapid Transit
regional transportation council, an —Glen Whitley and the newly-created Denton County
' organization within. the North Central According to the Texas Transportation Transportation Authority. That may
Texas Council of Governments that Institute, traffic congestion in sound complex, but Whitley hopes
– Dallas/Fort Worth increased 198.3 per- users won't see it that way.
works on transportation issues. cent from 1991 to 2000 and travel "I want users of the system to see it
' He admits it is difficult explaining delays increased 136.4 percent. "That as seamless. If someone buys a ticket in
why someone lacking in patience kind of congestion really begins to hurt Denton and goes to Dallas on the train,
' decided to take up the politically- economic growth," he said. they should be able to pay their fare in
thorny, slow-as-molasses issue of trans- Though Whitley just became chair- Denton and pot have to worry about
portation as his key issue. "I'm not by man, it already has been quite a year. In What happens when they get to Dallas
' definition a patient person. The only mid-August,more than 400 area leaders and get on the bus system,"he said.
way I can explain it is that I see it as a from Denton,Tarrant,Collin and Dallas Tolltag users should shortly get a
huge problem and I believe we have to
counties,convened to discuss building a as planned. The
start addressing itaste of what Whitley has'
today. I go into it region-wide transportation system to regional transportation group expects to
knowing that I serve rpe area. approval"It was great to see so from the various toll-
many people discussing transportation roads in the area to allow users to pur-
' may not live to see chase one tolltag that will work on all the results of what issues" area tollroads. "It should be a simple
we're trying to do. Whitley does not see the area's trans-
But I hope m kids � matter of getting the revenue to the
P Y portation issues being solved by any proper authority," he said.
' and their kids will one program. "The transportation issue That may be simple, but Whitley
be able to live here is not really just one issue. It's not just understands convincing the myriad and
and prosper here if toll roads, light rail or more lanes on the diverse communities in north Texas to
' we do a good job," freeway. It is more complex than that," hop on board the transportation train
he said.
Whitley cites Whitley
said. won't be easy. And it is going to take
One of his goals is to have a solid patience. "At a recent meeting we had
growth and regional transportation plan to present someone speak against the idea, from
increases in con- to the state during the next legislative the Arlington group that opposed public
gestion and travel session. Last session was regarded as a transportation in that city. He basically
time as reasons he missed opportunity because area lead- said, `We're not going to get out of our
views transporta- ers had no cohesive transportation plan cars, so quit wasting money on public
tion as a key issue for north Texas.At the same time,Texas transportation.' I know it is going to be
in continued economic growth. legislators passed what some called the difficult to convince some people, but I
"biggest transportation bill in the histo- believe they will understand over time,"
ry of the state." The bill pumped $240 he said.
million per year into the Texas Mobility Whitley, like everyone else, will just
have to be patient.
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MAYOR CITY COUNCIL CITY ATTORNEY CRIM HENNIG MCKAMIE DELA CRUZ RID Gl4'AY(2) 1
YOUNG McDONALDnCOLLINS WILHITE GETCHELL LIBRARYADMIN LIBRARYREF ANIMAL CNTR
DATE DISTRIBUTED `1 o�C� ' y DATE OF ARTICLE�J I C� / NEWSPAPER FWST
. 1
MiXTU"d-use development still In
1
works for vacant Euless tract
By ELLENA F.MORRISONThe Proposed 1
STAR-TELEGRAM STAFF WRITER ® proposed development
218"acre town -
EULESS — Nearly two center has not emerged HarwaDdd.' 1)ydl,
years ago, Bennett Realty as quickly as originally <, Air€Ew. 1
Group unveiled a grandiose thought but could finally
plan to transform 218 unde- be moving forward.
veloped acres at Texas 360 a a 3601 1
and Texas 183 into a neighbor- w
hood brimming with resi- Euless land and chairman and
dentes and businesses. chief executive officer of Ben- 183
The California firm laid nett Realty Group, is talking m '
out visions of town houses, to developers about being
hotels, corporate campuses involved in the project, Ridg- '
and more — with 2003 as a way said. Fort 3sw a aPelL
possible construction start Bennett and other officials worth
date. with his company did not
But the land remains return repeated phone calls
vacant. The economic down- seeking comment.
turn and 9-ll may have added The developer has said his ' <�
to the delay, Euless officials concept would include 54 ,
said. acres for commercial mixed- STAR-TELEGRAM/TIM BEDIS01,
City Council members say use, such as entertainment ,
that they are encouraged by venues, a hotel and a confer- the council on the project's
an August visit,from Bennett ence center. status and review the site
officials and that the much- Another 68 acres could be plan, Ridgway said. Officials
heralded town center could used as an employment cen- declined to release details
be moving closer to reality. ter or possibly'a corporate about the meeting.
"There are meetings going headquarters. Multifamily "I don't think anyone is
on almost a$ we speak," said housing could take up 52 giving up,"Councilman Glenn
Bill Ridgway, Euless econom- acres, with the remaining 44 Porterfield said.
is development director. acres available for parks,trails "I think we will see some- ++�
"There is significant interest and lakes. thing very, very special in the
being shown. There is'activi- Last month, Bennett city of Euless." i
ty" brought several members of Ellena F.Morrison,(817)685-3888
Del Bennett, owner of the 'his team to Euless to update emorrison@star-telegram.com ""i
.r
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MAYOR CITY COUNCIL CITYATTORNEY CRIM HENNIG MCKAMIE DE LA CRUZ RID G111AY(2)
rUNG McDONALD COLLINS WILHITE GETCHELL LIBRARYADMIN LIBRARYREF ANIMAL CNTR
DATE DISTRIBUTED �i ,?(y: U-3 DATE OF ARTICLE q� `1 J NEWSPAPER F1d`ST
Ajug of wine?
Thanks to revisions in state law, , , With lower barriers to
talk in several Northeast Tarrant Focal-option alcohol
' County cities is turning to wine again. sales elections, expect to see push-
Efforts to authorize wine sales have es in Northeast Tarrant County.
failed in some of those cities before,
but new laws would make it much eas cials and residents discussed the issue
' ier to try again.And try some of.them at the time, but interest fell off when
apparently will. the petition drives in neighboring
The theory is that profitable wine cities failed.
sales would help draw and retain In 2000, then-Mayor John Murphy
' supermarkets, including some trendy of Bedford brought the idea up again,
mega-stores — and boost sales tax but again it died.
revenue. That's likely to bring more What's changed are the state's
local=option elections in many cities requirements for petitions that force
' where the issue has not been elections.Alcohol advocates are given
approved before. 60 days instead of 30 to complete their
Residents of Hurst, Euless, Bedford petitions.
and North Richland Hills have dis- The number of signatures required
cussed new efforts for the sale of wine has been sharply reduced. It's now 35
in grocery stores. Beer is already sold percent of the number of voters who
in all four cities. voted in the last election for governor,
' In Haltom City,a group of residents down from 35 percent of all registered
is deciding whether to work for an voters.
election to allow the sale of beer apd With city budgets short in tough
wine for consumption off-premises economic times, and with the poten-
t and to permit alcohol sales in restau- tial of increased sales tax revenue,
rants. expect to see more local-option elec-
In 1998, two petition drives for tions in cities across Tarrant County
' local-option elections failed in Hurst, where alcohol sales are not currently
along with one in Euless.Bedford offi- allowed.
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MAYOR CITYCOUNCIL CITYATTORNEY CRIM HENNIG MCKAMIE DELA CRUZ RIDGWAY(2) ,
YOUNG McDONALD COLLINS WILHITE GETCHELL LIBRARYADMIN LIBRARYREF ANIMAL CNTR
DATE DISTRIBUTED C� I '��� , �j -� DA TE OF ARTICLE I� C� ' �-� NE1J`SPAPER FWST
NETWORKING ' : 1
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Stringing them along
Note to the disgruntled:If
you're planning to lodge a com-
plaint against your local govern-
ment officials next week,you
may want to hold off for a few 1
days.Kites Over Euless,which
features demonstrations by
amateur and professional kite 1
fliers,will be at The Parks at
Texas Star on Sept.27,making
this the one week of the year
that public employees can tell ,
you to go fly a kite without suf-
fering repercussions.
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MAYOR CITYCOUNCIL CITYATTORNEY CRIM HENNIG MCKAMIE DE LA CRUZ RID GWAY(2)
'YOUNG McDONALD COLLINS WILHITE GETCHELL LIBRARYADMIN LIBRARYREF ANIMAL CNTR
DATED IS TRIB U TED CI a�,, I L' 3 DATE OFARTICLEa CJ C' NEWSPAPER FWST
Man accuse In Euless robbery
nabbed In Louisiana
By BEN nNSLEY I` An escaped pris- Parish Jail in Walker, authorities
STAR TELEGRAM STAFF WRITER
' oner who police said.
A man who police believe say stole a Euless woman's The Euless woman's aban-
threatened an infant and the car is awaiting extradition doned vehicle was recovered
child's mother with a knife dur- to Texas. Sept.4 in Covington,La,east of
ing a home-invasion robbery in Baton Rouge, Euless police Lt.
Euless this month has been cap- was captured two weeks ago at Steve Kockos said.
tured. the scene of a wreck in Walker, Euless detectives drove to
James Patrick Minos, 39, an La.,Euless police reports show. Covington to inspect the vehi-
' escaped prisoner who police say Minos was being held with- cle and learned that Minos was
stole the Euless woman's car, out bail Friday in the Livingston in a hospital in Walker. He was
' believed to have stolen another and Livingston Parish Sheriff's captured in Texas a few days lat-
vehicle near Walker and to Detective Murphy Martin. er,according to police reports.
have caused an accident involv- Minos and an Illinois man The wreck site where Minos
ing several vehicles, officials escaped from custody Aug. 21 was captured was less than a
said. when they overpowered a guard mile from where he had escaped
"Our detectives went to the from a private extradition com- custody,police said.
hospital and tried to talk to him, pany transporting them to a jail Louisiana authorities list
but he would not consent to an in Tampa, Fla., reports show. Minos as being from Florida,but
' interview,"Kockos said. They left the guard and a female he has no driver's license in his
Euless detectives identified prisoner at a church in Baton name there,state records show.
Minos using a photograph taken Rouge, then drove away in the However,he does have a
at a Euless convenience store company's van, according to criminal record in Texas — a
before the home invasion. police reports. conviction out of Houston. He
The Tarrant County district Minos,who was sentenced to pleaded guilty on March 31,1999,
attorney's office will handle jail for a probation violation, is to possession of a controlled
extradition,but Minos first must believed to have robbed a man substance and was sentenced to
' face Louisiana charges that in Baton Rouge before coming 120 days in jail.
include robbery,kidnapping and to Texas, authorities said. The Ben Tinsley,(817)685-3821
drunken driving, said Kockos man Minos escaped with was btinsley@star-telegram.com
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MAYOR CITY COUNCIL CITYATTORNEY CRIM HENNIG MChAMIE DELA CRUZ RIDGWAY(2)'
YOUNG McDONALD COLLINS WILHITE GETCHELL LIBRARYADM/I�N LIBRARYREF ANIMAL CNTR
DATE DISTRIBUTED_ ( ' V3 DATE OF ARTICLNEWSPAPER FWST
NORTHEAST TARRANT '
SEE IT IN THE STAR
y
MM3t i..;-� q^' ,: r.,_..,r�"'�+_r�-"� "rr.rr•.;�� .pec
Mr.and Mrs.Ralph Williamson attend the banquet in Euless. Janine Wolzen,Monica Fridge and Michelle Westfall
Euless says thanks J
More than 100 people were honored at the City of National Baseball Tournaments,Halloween Thing,
Euless Volunteer Appreciation Banquet on Sept.13 at the Christmas Parade of Lights and New Year's Eve Chil-
Villages of Bear Creek Park. IV dren's Concert.
The banquet was to show the city's gratitude for thou- This year's thank-you gift to volunteers was a beverage
sands of hours of help on 10 to 20 community events coaster embossed with the Euless Parks and Community
such as Arbor Daze,Easter Egg Hunt,Texas Trash Off, Services Department logo on the cover.
corrKt1011
A woman was incorrectly
identified in a photo caption in
the Sept.21 See It in the Star.
She was shown with Ralph
Williamson of Euless,who
identified her only as a friend.
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MAYOR CITYCOUNCIL CITYATTORNEY CRIM HENNIG MCKAMIE DELA CRUZ RIDGWAY(2)
YOUNG McDONALD COLLINS WILHITE GETCHELL LIBRARYADM LIBRARYREF ANIMAL CNTR
DATE DISTRIBUTED v� c 3 RTICL
DAT �
�� E OF A E NEWSPAPERGH FLYI.,,.- G FL
FK ST
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Kites Over. Euless gives---
people
a chance to play
1 By TERRY LEE GOODRICH Star soccer fields.Stunt kiters
STAR TELEGRAM STAFF WRITER will demonstrate their talents,
E ULESS—A 75-square- amateurs will brush up on
foot kite ascends to the their skit's and novices can try
1 clouds,toting an enor- their luck Kiteless folk may
mous bag.Children gaze sky- buy kits and make one.
1 ward expectantly.When the "We focus on family.We
moment's right,the kite's oper- want people to turn off the TV
ators yank a cord,and the bag and get out together,"said Jer-
splits open. ry Poteet,the city's volunteer
1 Wrapped candy rains down and special events coordinator.
for the gleeful youngsters. He said city officials hope to
"There's a mad dash,"said attract several hundred people.
kite technician Stan Harmon "We aren't making money;
1 of Waxahachie,who has but we have hopes to make it
helped orchestrate such candy annual,"Poteet said."We've
drops many times. been handing out fliers at
On Saturday—wind per- libraries and grocery stores.It
1 mitting—there will be a drop has potential to take off—no
at Kites Over Euless,a new city pun intended."
event at The Parks at Texas Harmon and his wife,Glo-
ria,who operate the Rainbows
1 4 Sail kite business in Waxa-
hachie,will oversee the fun.
Kite festival advise and rally those hoping marveling at people who
1
Kites Over Euless will be from for cooperative winds and choreograph kite flights to
10 a.m.to 2 p.m.Saturday at The untangled strings. music.
Parks at Texas Star,1501 S. The couple will also regale Gloria Harmon speaks rev-
Pipeline Road.The event is free. anyone who will listen with erently of a Tulsa,Okla.,man
They will sell kites and fly Fun seekers may bring kites or tales of their fixation,which in his 70s,who flew three kites
some of the many they tote in purchase kits for$1 to$3 and began eight years ago on a trip at once,guiding one with each
a 40-foot trailer. make a kite.Concessions will be to New Jersey.As they listened hand and the third,attached to
1 sold.Lawn chairs and coolers are
Among the stunt kiters will to friends who had opened a his waist,with tummy move-
be Trung Tran,42,of Rowlett. allowed but no alcohol.Pets must lute shop,Gloria Harmon,a ments.
His motto is"Have you tugged be leashed and will not be allowed school bus driver,was polite But one of her favorite
on flying flown during lightning.If there is fields.Kites will not be
your kite today?" but puzzled. • scenes was at a Rainbows 4
1
"It's really cool,"said Tran, no wind,the Harmons will show "What are middle-aged peo- Sail event. `
who works in semiconductor and sell kites and help people ple doing flying kites?"she "I'm thinking of a 14-year-
production."A lot of people make them.For more information, wondered. old whose mother bought him
think a kite has a one-line call 18171685-1666, On the drive home,Stan a triangle kite.He was think-
string,but some have two Harmon,a plumber,was excit- ing,'This ain't cool,'"Gloria
lines.I use a dual line for con- called a screeching halt. ed,telling her that they should Harmon said.
trol., Tran and other stunt kiters fly kites in Texas'wide-open "An hour later,he came
1 He can coerce his dozenwill fly kites in a 10-acre roped- spaces. bebopping up to our trailer
ff field,kites to flip and dive. oeld,while amateurs will "I wasn't paying much and said,`I've really had so
Among stunt kiters'maneu- be in another 10 acre field, attention;'Gloria Harmon said. much fun!'"
vers are the Crazy 8—a figure organizers said. These days,the Harmons ONLINE:www.ci.euless.tx.us
1 8—and the Stalls in which a The Harmons know kiting travel on weekends to kite Terry Lee Goodrich,(817)685-3812
kite comes to what might be can be frustrating,so they will events around the country, terry@star-telegram.com
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MAYOR CITY COUNCIL CITYATTORNEY CRIM HENNIG MCKAMIE DELACRUZ RIDGWAY(2)
YOUNG McDONALD COLLINS [YILHITE GETCHELL LIBRARYADMIN LIBRARYREF ANIMAL CNTR
q J '1
DATE DISTRIBUTED �J I DATE OFARTICLE I I �` 3 NEIYSPAPER Ff41`ST
EULESS
3 more tenants lease
at Heritage development
Heritage Towne Crossing, '
a 247,375-square-foot
development of Dallas-
based Weber&Co,has some - -- - -- — '
- T-
Teves .—"
new tenants. "'°'°' �5r
... � . 6peedw�y,F flower Vk
Ultima Fitness has leased k ?e.. Mound
2,266 square feet,Delicious
WISEC"OUNTY .....NNo� DEN 7N COUNTY`
Delights Bakery has leased TARtpNI COUNTY x t A: Nly" ,
1,500 square feet,and APB _•
Grapenne w
Mortgage has leased 2,500
square feet. ' "h Al
The center is anchored by 121
SuperTarget and Home M..� 0 ��..
Q'> w
Depot.It has about 14,000
square feet of remaining retail Y _ '� � :: Irvin
space. •�� � M^� ,
Andrew Scroggie and Chris •Q It
Greene with Venture COIN- em Arlin ® Grand
mercial Real Estate negotiated
the leases for the landlord ``q f �'
—Sandra Baker '
L. T
Sf4� W.'Id'pw
r
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MAYOR CITY COUNCIL CITYATTORNEY CRIM HENNIG MCKAMIE DE LA CRUZ RID GWAY(2)
�OUNG McDONALD COLLINS WILHITE GETCHELL LIBRARYADMIN LIBRARYREF ANIMAL CNTR
DATE DIS TRIB UTED 9 I � � J �-3 � �
DATE OF ARTICLE �-� ��� NEWSPAPER FWST
1
At long last
1
Those who were visionary enough After 45 years, a
in the early 1950s drew a line on a map short stretch of cru-
representing what would become cial highway in the middle of the
Texas 360 serving Greater Southwest Metroplex is finally finished.
Airport.
1 They reasoned that 360 would be ton to Mansfield.
needed not only to serve the airport Though four lanes of service road
but to be a crucial north-south artery is not the ultimate answer,at least it is
as the Mid-Cities area between Fort now possible to travel the entire sec-
Worth and Dallas developed. The tion.
roadway opened,in part,in 1958. The extension of service roads,
But it has been tough going ever which cost $41 million and caused
since. considerable hand-wringing over
1 gg
Eventually it was Dallas/Fort funding lulls during the past decade,
Worth Airport that 360 served when will provide a straight shot from
Southwest was closed to make way for Mansfield, Midlothian, Venus, Italy
1 what is now the country's third- and other communities to the center
busiest airport. of the Metroplex and D/FW Airport.
But though commuter-clogged, If those early dreamers were still
rush-hour gridlock has become an all- around, they'd probably say, "About
1 too-familiar component of 360, com- time!"
pletion of all ll miles of the roadway Whatever dream they had about a
from U.S. 287 South north across giant regional airport and Mid-Cities
Interstate 20, Interstate 30, TeAs 183 development has no doubt been far
1 (Airport Freeway) to Texas 114 has exceeded.
proceeded through 45 years at glacial That's why it's important for all the
speed. cities involved — from Grapevine,
Last week, at long last, the final Bedford and Euless through Arlington
1 connection was made: a three-mile and Mansfield—to keep the pressure
section of 360 frontage/service road on for future 360 improvements and
connecting to U.S.287 through Arling- expansions.
1
1
1
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MAYOR CITY COUNCIL CITYATTORNEY CRIM HENNIG MCKAMIE DELA CRUZ RIDGWAY(2) '
YOUNG McDONALDnCOLLINS WILHITE GETCHELL LIBRARYADMIN( LIBRARYREF ANIMAL CNTR
DATE DISTRIBUTED "I , C�(,) DATE OF ARTICLE I l NEWSPAPER FWST
Euless council ap"Proves wa�
to handle delinquent utili bills �
By ELLENA F.MORRISON The ability to utility bills," Deputy City Man-
STAR-TELEGRAM
an-STARTELEGRAM STAFF WRITER place liens on ager Gary McKamie said.
EULESS — Apartments and nonhomestead property A lien will be considered
other nonhomestead property means that the city will now only after all other collection
with delinquent city utility bills have an alternative to turn- options, such as letters and 1
can now have liens placed ing off the water. hang tags, are exhausted, said
against the land thanks to an Loretta Getchell, the city's
ordinance the City Council "You need to be proactive. director of fiscal and adminis-
unanimously approved Tuesday. trative services. Only one or
ffi1
The move gives Euless o - you See a delmgllent two cases a year are expected
cials an option for collecting biU,you need Wimp in to be affected,she said.
overdue water and sewer bills )) "We would not imagine
th ,
other an turning off the water, and do something. using this very often,"she said.
a move city officials say they are —Councilman Carl Tyson "But we would like to have this
loath to make because of the dis- ability in the rare case when
tress to residents. But city offi- apartments,commercial prop- someone tried to sell their '
cials need a way to collect,even erty and other nonhomestead property to avoid the bill
if the property is sold. property, but not residential Euless has about 65 multi-
"You need to be proactive," houses, according to state law family apartment properties.
Councilman Carl Tyson said An administrative fee may be Currently, city officials are '
before the council meeting added later to cover the city's working with a property that is
Tuesday. , $9 cost of filing the lien with behind on its bill payments.
"If you see a delinquent bill, the Tartant County district City officials did not release
you need to jump in and do clerk's office. the name'of the property.
something." "It is just one more means Ellena F.Morrison,(817)685-3888
The liens can be placed on for us to try and collect on our emorrison@star-telegram.com
3
3
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AYOR CITY COUNCIL CITYATTORNEY CRIM HENNIG MCKAMIE DE LA CRUZ RID GRIA Y(2)
rUNG McDONALD COLLINS N'ILHITE GETCHELL LIBRARYADMIN LIBRARYREF ANIMAL CNTR
DATE DISTRIBUTED 'I I L DATEOFARTICLE q JQ� J Ci -3 NERSPAPER FRIST
NORTHEAST
AFTER HOURS
JOY DONOVAN
' Kite stunts
EULESS—Stunt kite
demonstrations will be part of
the fun Saturday at Kites Over
Euless,a family event from 10
a.m.to 2 p.m.at The Parks at
' Texas Star,1501 S.Pipeline
Road.
Weather permitting,kites
are expected to grace the skies
' over the city in what could
become an annual event.Kite
kits and concessions will be
sold,but the event will be free.
Call(817)685-1666.
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MAYOR CITY COUNCIL CITYATTORNEY CRIM HENNIG MCKAMIE DE LA CRUZ RIDGWAY(2) '
YOUNG McDONALD COLLINS WILHITE GETCHELL LIBRARYADMIN LIBRARYREF ANIMAL CNTR
DATE DISTRIBUTEDaJ2Cejo3 DATE OF ARTICLE 1�q 105 NEWSPAPER F6fST
E D 6
W IRECT 0 ,N_
Increasing ridership is goal as T, lied Cross take over
transportation service for elderly and disabled people
By ELLEN SCHROEDER ■Getting a ride on NETS. 9B the Northeast Tarrant County areas
STAR-TELEGRAM STAFF WRITER that are not currently members of the '
A floundering transportation ser- Northeast Transportation Service, or T," said Dick Ruddell, chief executive
vice for the elderly and the disabled NETS, starting Monday.,Officials said officer of the transportation authority
will be taken over by the Fort Worth riders should notice no major changes known as the T. "Our first goal is to
Transportation Authority and the as NETS transfers responsibility from provide the maximum number of trips ,
American Red Cross, which hope to the YMCA to the new providers next we can within the budget we have."
add more riders and more trips. week. Several mayors and government
The two organizations will join "We are excited because that is a officials will participate in a ceremoni-
with eight communities to operate the chance for us to provide services in
al signing of the agreement Goodner said she would "We hope that ridership
today at North Richland Hills like:to see the service com- will increase as we get the ,
City Hall bined with a supplemental new vans and have greater
NETS has about $500,000 service to get riders to capacity,"Hibbs said.
in federal, state and local evening and weekend jobs. Through an open procure= '
funding this year. Riders pay "What we need is some- ment process, the T and the
$1.50 each way for a trip, and thing they can depend on Red Cross offered the best
the Leight participating com- because 0 ultimate goal is to proposals to provide more
munities contribute 50 cents make them independent," trips at the same operating
per capita. Those cities are Goodner said. cost, said Paulette Hartman,
Bedford,Colleyville, Euless, Others depend on the ser- assistant to the city manager
Grapevine, Haltom City, vice regularly for medical in North Richland Hills.
Hurst, Keller and North Rich- appointments. Keller resident The YMCA, which will
lan(fHills. Cecil Hamilton, 81, uses it operate NETS until Monday,
The member cities formed also submitted a bid to contin-
an urban transit district in Getting a ride on NETS ue operating NETS, but the
2002 to oversee the service, To schedule a ride on NETS bid was not accepted, said
whi'th had experienced starting Monday,call(817)336- Hope Caldwell, marketing
declining ridership over the 8714 between 8:30 a.m.and 4 p.m. director for the YMCA of
yeats. Ridership dropped weekdays.Riders must give at Metropolitan Fort Worth
from about 32,000 trips in least two days'notice.The vans "We are glad that another
1997,,to about 20,158 trips in operate weekdays from 7 a.m.to organization is" serving
6.p.m.Rides cost$1.50 each way. g g
2001. The service provided seniors, she said. "They will
13,919 trips in 2002. still receive. transportation,
NETS takes elderly and which they need desperately.
disabled people to medical about 10 times a month. We ... hope to serve some of
appointments, jobs and other "Truthfully speaking, I those clients in a different
places from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. don't know what we would do way."
weekdays. But Rita Goodner, without the service,"he said. Ellen Schroeder,(817)695-3815
president of the North Texas NETS has received eschroeder@startelegramcom
Special Needs Assistance $136,000 in funding for two
Partners, said the service is new vans,said Jennifer Hibbs,
not reliable for getting people assistant to the city manager
to jobs. SNAP is a nonprofit in Grapevine.
group that helps young adults
with special needs.
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AYOR CITYCOUNCIL CITYATTORNEY CRIH HENNIG MCKAMIE DELA CRUZ RID GTd'AY(2)
DUNG McDONALD COLLINS WILHITE GETCHELL LIBCR�ARYADMIN LIBRARYREF ANIMAL CNTR
DATE DISTRIBUTED IC':5
aE C- DATEOFARTICLE I �� NEWSPAPER&jLt�I(le
' f'►�e s s
'
real
A,
ut
a
/
y,
Shannon Canard
Staff Writer
yf C,
' Scroggie also has been busy doing
deals for John Weber's shopping center
development in Euless, Heritage Towne
' Crossing, which is anchored by a
SuperTarget.
He expects to complete leases with 14
' separate tenants for close to 36,000
square feet before the end of 2003.
Tenants includes Art and Frame
Warehouse , Wings to Go, Ultima
Fitness, APB Mortgage, and Delicious
Delights Bakery.
Heritaga�.Towne Crossing opened in
2001- with 72,000 square feet of retail
space.
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MAYOR CITYCOUNCIL CITYATTORNEY CRIM HENNIG MCKAMIE DELA CRUZ RID Gfd'AY(2)
YOUNG McDONALD COLLINS WILHITE GETCHELL LIBRARYADMIN LIBRARYREF ANIMAL CNTR '
DATEDISTRIBUTED /a4' /� DATEOFARTICLE / & /� �( NEWSPAPER FWST
Tax trade-offs 1
Texas voters took Step 1 towardThe politically popular '
freezing property taxes for senior and = idea of tax freezes will
disabled homeowners when they face cold reality when it comes to
approved a constitutional amendment examining the impact on budgets.
on Sept.13. '
Step 2 is more complicated:Elected That's a trade-off best examined
officials from counties, municipalities and a decision best made case by case
and college districts must look at their by those closest to those local bud-
budgets and decide whether they can gets. Some undoubtedly will decide '
afford such tax freezes. Only if that the trade-off is acceptable.
approved on the local level can a Other local officials may decide
freeze take effect. that tax breaks for seniors and the dis- '
Given that the statewide vote was abled would require tax increases for
81 percent in favor of the constitution- young families,and they will not want
al amendment — and the Tarrant to make that trade.
County vote was almost 87 percent in The amendment approved by vot- ,
favor — pressure on elected officials ers didn't say that local officials must
to follow through with their approval approve tax freezes — only that they
probably will be intense. may. If they do not, freeze supporters
Local decision-making on this issue could circulate a petition that, if '
is a good thing. Still, everyone signed by 5 percent of the local regis-
involved must remember that there is tered voters, would force an election
no free lunch 0. on the issue.
Freezing property taxes for home- The first step in this process, gain- '
owners who are disabled or 65 or old- ing voter approval for the concept of
er will have ripple effects on any local tax freezes for the elderly and dis-
budget. Income given up to such a abled,was easy compared to the work
freeze will have to be made up else- that must be done in coming months
where,or the budget must be cut. to judge the effect on local budgets.
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MAYOR CITY COUNCIL CITYATTORNEY CRIM HENNIG MCKAMIE DE LA CRUZ RID GWAY(2)
YOUNG McDONALD COLLINS WILHITE GETCHELL LIBRARYADMIN LIBRARYREF ANIMAL CNTR
DATE DISTRIBUTED_ 4� DATE OF ARTICLE �,/ �£f NEWSPAPER FTJ"ST
' Annual meeting
The members of the Euless Library Foundation held their annual
meeting Sept.18 at the Euless Library.
PHOTOS By MIKE IRVIN
i
gill
-
�!/
Glenn Porterfield,Diane Porterfield,Mary Lib Saleh and Lynn Adams,
all of Euless
• xr� rC{ ,
3 Tom Stover,Carroll"Scotty"Scott and Sue over,all of Euless
ti
l
David Keens,Frances Allen of Colleyville and Mike McGehee of Euless