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Home My WebLink About2003-11-21 Euless Articles i DISTRIBUTED TO: PAGE_ OF iMAYOR CITY COUNCIL CITY ATTORNEY CRIM HENNIG MChAMIE DELA CRUZ RIDGWAY(2) YOUNG McDONALD COLLINS WILHITE GETCHELL LIBRARYADMIN LIBRARYREF ANIMAL CNTR DATE DISTRIBUTED / �'j DATE OFARTICLE I I S low NEWSPAPER FWST i Cheaters 1 i 1 Cheers:To the reference desk staff at the Euless Public Library.They are always pleasant and help- ful, in person and on the telephone.They have nev- er failed us,even with "under the wire"requests. Trish Morgan and family,Colleyville 1 i i 1 i 1 1 1 ' 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 / i3 DATE OFARTICLE ! //61 /C`� NEWSPAPER FWST Payoff f®r parksp. s� 00 6 � k Arlington led all Texas municipalities in the dollar value of parks grants awarded from 1993 to 2003. Four cities in the top 10- League City,North Richland Hills, Bryan and Baytown-have fewer than 100,000 residents. The top 10 Other area cities ' Grant Per Total Grant Per Total winner resident winner resident 1 Arlington $1900 $6.33 million Haltom City $32.03 S1.25 million Z.Houston S2.33 4.56 million Grapevine $26.08 1.1 million ' 3.league $66.32 3.01 million Euless $21.74 1 million City Hurst $27.57 1 million 4.North $47.88 2.66 million Keller S36.57 1 million ' Richland Hills Mansfield $35.67 1 million 5 Bryan $40.52 2.66 million Dallas 75 cents 885,000 6 Baytown $32.02 2.13 million Colleyville $40.74 800,000 7.Fort Worth $3.92 2.1 million Roanoke $177.94 500,000 ' 8.EI Paso $2.97 2.02 million Southlake S23,23 500,000 County Trophy Club S78.74 500,000 9.Harris 59 cents 2 million White $33.71 500,000 County` Settlement ' 10.Travis $2.34 1.9 million Saginaw $2424 300,000 County Wataqua $10.72 234,950 •Does not include Houston's$4.56 million Benbrook $8.83 178,405 Note:Numbers are rounded Grand Prairie $1.34 171,450 ' SOURCE:Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Cleburne 89 cents 84,149 STAR-TELEGRAM PHOTO/JILL JOHNSON Forest Hill $1.79 23,234 STAR-iELEGRAM/DEWUAN X.DAVIS 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 /f �� fl C'-� DATEOFARTICLE I /��'/63 NEWSPAPER FWST Tree ------ rings Euless parks employees I John Ledbet- ter,left,and , Dan Dearborn work atop a 50-foot metal frame of a Christmas tree in front of ' City Hall on Wednesday. The tree- lighting will \ be on Dec.6 \ f f: N STAR-TELEGRAM/KELLEY CHINN DISTRIBUTED TO: PAGE / OF_L ' MAYOR CITY COUNCIL CITYATTORNEY CRIM HENNIG MCKAMIE DE LA CRUZ RID GWAY(2) YOUNG McDONALD COLLINS WILHITE GETCHELL LIBRARYADMIN LIBRARYREF ANIMAL CNTR DATE DISTRIBUTED I / J G3 DATE OF ARTICLE J '/L�-3 NEWSPAPER FWST EULESS City Council approves 1 permit Ton an church g ' A Euless church requested a spe- dential areas.Churches still must fol- cial-use permit to operate in a resi- low some basic development guide- dential area Tuesday,the last church lines and are not allowed in small ' required to do so since the City Coun- commercial centers near neighbor- cil changed a portion of its ordinances hoods,under the ordinance. last month. The Free Church of Tonga had The Free Church already submitted its request before ' of Tonga,which has the ordinance changes. more than 80 mem- Tai Bautai,who is overseeing the be;s,requested a construction,said church members permit to build a are eager to improve and add to the ' 2,485-square-foot community with the new church building at 703 S. building. Main St.The church Ellena Fortner has already demol- Champion City award Morrison ished its previous Euless is the first community in the building at the same nation to receive a Champion City location.The coun- designation by Pat SummerallPtnduc- ' cil approved the permit 6-1 with Coun- tions. cflman Charlie.Miller the sole vote The award is given to small cities against. for excelling in community involve "The parish will probably outgrow ment,cooperative endeavors and qual- ' that facility,if it has not already,"he ity-of-life issues.The Champion City said."I think it is not the best use for program,awarded for the first time that site:' this year,is an offshoot of the 8-year- ' A similar argument was made old Pat Summerall's Champions of when the council turned down a per- Industry award,which salutes exem- mit request by Grace Community plary business practices. Church last year.The 400-member "This is an honor that recognizes ' congregation wants to purchase and our city for the dedication and com- renovate a vacant Food Lion grocery mitment to family and youth,which store at 400 Kynette Drive. have long been part of our mission," 'The church is suing the city,accus- Mayor Mary Lib Saleh said. ' ing it of violating the Fust and 14th Euless was specifically recognized amendments,and the Religious Land for its partnership with Dallas/Fort Use and Institutionalized Persons Act Worth Airport,the Hurst-Euless-Bed- of 2000,which limits a municipality's ford school district and its Arbor Daze power to restrict zoning and land use celebration. far'religious organizations.The U.S. Pat Summerall Productions is a Department of Justice also is investi- Richardson-based full-service video ' gating whether the civil rights of and television production company led chiirch members were violated. by the former football television -At its last meeting,the council broadcaster and NFL player. dropped the special-use permit Ellena E Morrison covers Euless. ' requirement for churches and other (817)685-3888 large-assembly uses moving into resi- emorrison@star-telegram.com DISTRIBUTED TO: PAGE 1 OF �r MAYOR CITYCOUNCIL CITYATTORNEY CRIM HENNIG MCKAMIE DELACRUZ RIDGW4Y(2) ' YOUNG McDONALD COLLINS WILHITE GETCHELL LIBRARYADMIN LIBRARYREF ANIMAL CNTR DATE DISTRIBUTED 0� DATE OFARTICLE L� NEWSPAPER FIfST ' INSIDE CRIME FIGHTING Area oilicers o inerease seat-belt enforeement ' By MARK THOMPSON Additional police division Lt. Barry Bowling •..6TAR-TELEGRAM STAFF WRITER I officers are said. ' ' Many Texas motorists have watching for violators of Odds are that motorists heeded an often-repeated seat-belt laws. who are stopped and not message that buckling seat wearing a seat belt will belts saves lives, but some Mound, Haltom City and receive a traffic ticket—not a ' slow learners will soon get a Keller police departments will warning,he said. reminder. use state grant money and Fines are $132 for drivers Several area police depart- assign extra officers to watch caught not wearing seat belts ments plan to assign extra for violations. and$182 for drivers who fail to ' patrol officers or to place a Colleyville, Grapevine, properly restrain children greater priority on stopping Hurst and North Richland younger than 17, a Grapevine unbuckled motorists during a Hills departments are not Municipal Court clerk said. two-week statewide Click It assigning additional patrol Euless patrol Sgt. Joe Craft Or Ticket campaign.The cam- officers, but they are asking said officers will adopt"pretty paign starts Tuesday and the officers on duty to step up much a zero-tolerance policy." extends through Dec. 1, a enforcement if they see seat- But even with an extra offi- ' Texas Department of Trans- belt violations,police said. cer assigned to each day shift, portation spokesman said. "We are telling them to the Euless Police Department Bedford, Euless, Flower stop people,"Grapevine traffic might find it tough to ticket "We would rather have people comply than issue cent of its motorists were ' tickets. wearing seat belts,he said. "Risks are substantially less —Patrol Sgt.Joe Craft, when you have the belt on," Euless Police Department Williams said. ' A national survey of traffic fatalities in 2002 indicated that 19,103 of 42,885 people killed many people. A Sept. 15-18 officer a day to watch for vio- were not wearing seat belts, ' traffic survey found that 96 lations, police Lt. Tommy Texas Department of Trans- percent of Euless residents Williams said. portation spokesman Michael were wearing seat belts, Craft Word of increased vigilance Peters said. The same survey said. "We would rather have has apparently spread,he said. estimated that the national people comply than issue tick- A September traffic survey seat-belt compliance rate is ets,"he said. showed that 90 percent of about 75 percent. It estimated The Keller Police Depart- Keller's residents were wear- that a 90 percent rate could ment has participated in sev- ing seat belts, Williams said. save about 4,200 lives a year, ' eral recent enhanced enforce- That represented a big Peters said. ment campaigns and plans to improvement from a Novem Mark Thompson,(817)685-3859 assign at least one extra patrol ber 2002 survey,when 76 per- markthompson@star-telegram.com DISTRIBUTED TO: PAGE / OF 'MAYOR CITYCOUNCIL CITYATTORNEY CRIM HENNIG MCRAMIE DELA CRUZ RID GWAY(2) YOUNG McDONALD COLLINS WILHITE GETCHELL LIBRARYADMIN LIBRARYREF ANIMAL CNTR DATE DISTRIBUTED /,w le-3 DATE OF ARTICLE 4' /C 3 NEWSPAPER DMN ' TALK OF THE TOWNS NN111",KLY 1 I:�i\' `ER 1 welhi Holiday kickoff:A holiday . ' luncheoufor seniors will he at .11:30 am.at North Main BBQ 406 N.Main St,Euless. Free.Reservations required. ' Call 817-685-1670. DISTRIBUTED TO: PAGE / OF 3 ' MAYOR CITYCOUNCIL CITYATTORNEY CRIM HENNIG MCKAMIE DELA CRUZ RIDGWAY(2) YOUNG McDONALD COLLINS WILHITE GETCHELL LIBRARYADMIN LIBRARYREF ANIMAL CNTR DATE DISTRIBUTED It /1)/ 1( 5 DATE OF ARTICLE �� NEWSPAPER DMN ' A Northeast Fire —' =- - " Department Association hazardous materials truck ' responds to calls in 14 a member cities across ` northeast Tarrant County. » �x Association's member fire departments _ f pool resources v lleach other n du calls they Whe ca t _ _ UZI f , Z v r 4 _ Photos by MARK M.HANCOCK/Staff Photographer Trophy Club firefighter Shawn Scott(left)cleaned Keller firefighter Brad Daugirda's boots during a Northeast Fire ' Department Association decontamination drill Tuesday in North Richland Hills. T. DISTRIBUTED TO: PAGE .� OF MAYOR CITYCOUNCIL CITYATTORNEY CRIM HENNIG MCKAMIE DE LA CRUZ RID GWAY(2) YOUNG McDONALD COLLINS WILHITE GETCHELL LIBRARYADMIN LIBRARYREF ANIMAL CNTR DATE DISTRIBUTED / DATE OFARTICLE �� f�' NEWSPAPER DMN By KATHY A.GOOLSBY tired in green suits. me acutely aware of everything I throughout northeast Tarrant Staff Writer Once they were satisfied Mr. was doing,where I was stepping County. ' Keller firefighter Brad Dau- Daugirda was chemical-free,Mr. —and what I was stepping in." The hazmat team is just one girda spent an afternoon last Scott and Mr. Hophus began Fortunately,Mr.Scott and his aspect of the Northeast Fire De- week standing in a child's wading scrubbing each other's suits.Sev- fellow firefighters were exposed partment Association,a collabo- pool,his face barely visible inside eral dozen firefighters watched as only to a little water and strong ration of 14 area cities that trains ablue,oversized plastic suit. the two then took turns rinsing wind last week during a decon- firefighters, responds to emer- With arms outstretched, he the soles ofthe other's boots. tamination exercise at a North genies and pools resources. endured decontamination efforts "I could see very little because Richland Hills fire station. The "This group goes back to the by Trophy Club firefighter Shawn when you start breathing the in- 32 firefighters are the newest late'50s when five cities— Hal- Scott and Euless firefighter Rob- side starts fogging up,"Mr.Scott members of a hazardous materi- ert Hophus, both similarly at- said afterward. "It really made als team that answers calls I W_ -2— ' - yaw 'ii + X. F ' MARK M HANCOCK/Staff Photographer Northeast Fire Department Association members receive decontamination instructions.The ' 14-city eo1laboration trains firefighters,responds to emergencies and pools resources. Bedford, Euless, Keller,North "There was an immediate need eland Hi s�anoke, South- ' tom City, Grapevine, Richland for a hazmat team because Fort lake,:Trophy Club, Watauga and Hills,Hurst and I think Colleyville Worth was going to charge if they Westlake have joined with the five — started working together in a were called out,"he said. "So the training capacity,"said Keller Fire chiefs got together and said,`Let's original cities.Each of the 14 cities ' paid abase fee of$3,000 to belong Chief Kelly King,president of the build one together. We realized to the consortium in 2004, plus association.`These were little-bit- we could do more together than 7.02 cents per resident. North ty towns out in the middle of no- we could separately." Richland Hills,with 58,650 resi- where back then." An explosives team was nekt, dents,paid the most at$7,117.23; ' followed by equipment for the Westlake, population 220, paid Associations growth teams. In 1992 the collaboration $3,015.44. As northeast Tarrant County incorporated as a nonprofit.That Steve Bass,former president of towns grew,so did the cooperative allowed the cities to work as one the .Northeast association, spent efforts of their fire departments. department, an advantage when 26 Years with the Dallas Fire De- By 1989,when the federal govern- buying equipment or applying for partment before becoming Bed- Ment required fire departments to grants• ford's fire chief five years ago.He ' "Each city could have easily respond to hazardous material in- ty has seen many fire associations, cidents, there were probably 10 spent a half-million dollars or but it's rare for them to encompass cities working together,Chief King more on equipment,not including the many aspects of the Northeast said. people and training,"Chief Kelly group,he said. ' said. "This way each city doesn't "I think this one is unique in have to have enough people to staff terms of its total scope and-the de- a hazmatteam or bomb squad" gree of cooperation that exists,and because of its longevity," Chief ' Bass said."One of the things that DISTRIBUTED TO: PAGE -) OF 3 ' MAYOR CITYCOUNCIL CITYATTORNEY CRIM HENNIG MCKAMIE DELACRUZ RIDGWAY(2) YOUNG McDONALD COLLINS WILHITE GETCHELL LIBRARYADMIN LIBRARYREF ANIMAL CNTR DATE DISTRIBUTED I L' DATE OF ARTICLE / �' NEWSPAPER DMN makes this work is how close we dio system so they can hear one their own city's trucks,"he said. ' are geographically,which makes it another's emergency calls and re- Since 1996, firefighters at the a natural area to do things togeth- spond accordingly. Ideally, offs- Martin Drive station in Bedford er." cials would like to see one dispatch have answered calls in nearby The bomb squad consists of system for all 14 cities. south Colleyville. Bedford pro- firefighters from North Richland "It's still a pipe dream,but Bed- vides the station's personnel, and Hills, Watauga, Grapevine and ford has put aside$600,000 from Colleyville provides $250,000 in Euless. The seven members go our November 2001 bond pro- annual funding. through the same training at Red- gram to be our city's share of the Fire association officials believe ' stone Arsenal in Hunstville,Ala_, capital outlay to build a central such cross-community efforts that FBI and military personnel dispatch center,"Chief Bass said. foreshadow things to come and undergo, said bomb squad com- "Five cities also funded a feasibility that residents will benefit. mander Charles Goggans,a North study of the concept looking at one "We really feel like we've all Richland Hills battalion chief. dispatcher for fire and EMS,and dropped our boundaries, and "When we make a call,it may since then some police depart- we're just one big fire depart- not necessarily be a bomb.It may ments have expressed an interest ment," Chief Kelly said. "When be explosives found or maybe old in it." people call 911, they just want ' military souvenirs people have Chief Bass believes it would im- someone to come.They don't care brought home," said Chief Gog- prove response times to emergen- what color the fire truck is or gans,who estimates the squad will cies. whose name is on the door as long answer more than 60 calls this "Right now if a call comes in to as they come." year. Bedford, there may be trucks in i Hazmat callsEuless that are closer,but the Bed- E-mail kgoolsby@dallasnews.com . ford dispatcher would only call in or call 817-865-4959 The hazmat team probably averages two calls a month, said Mike Richardson, a Grapevine battalion chief who heads the ' group. 'Itvo hazmat team mem- bers are on duty in each city at any given time. The number of hazmat workers ' called to an incident depends on the level of danger it poses. "The worst was a sulfuric acid spill in Richland Hills several years ago when a truck carrying 500 gallons of it wrecked and sev- eral bins broke open," he said. Mat lasted about three days with ' probably 40 hazmat techs on hand." Northeast fire association members also work together to ' hire new firefighters, Chief King said,and they often train together at shared facilities. Six cities in the association also have converted to a compatible ra- DISTRIBUTED TO: PAGE / OF ' MAYOR CITY COUNCIL CITYATTORNEY CRIAI HENNIG MCKAMIE DELA CRUZ RIDG{VAY(2) YOUNG McDONALD COLLINS IVILHITE GETCHELL LIBRARYADMIN LIBRARYREF ANIMAL CNTR D.ATF. DISTRIBUTED 11 163 DATE OF ARTICLE ( l � ' l G NEWSPAPER F-fVST UPDATE the tollway authority, which until now has operated toll- ' C only roads such as the Dallas Tolls mm 111 North Tollway and the Presi- ay dent George Bush Turnpike. Other Tarrant County free- The toll lanes are known in ' ways,including Interstate 35W, engineering circles as high- hel fund Interstate 30 and Texas 170, occupancy toll, or HOT, lanes. n might also be candidates for They work much like carpool, ' 1 toll lanes to raise money for or high-occupancy vehicle, construction. lanes, except that single-occu- expanslon "It's not your traditional pant vehicles can use them for toll-road project," said Donna a fee. Parker of Fort Worth, a mem- There would be no toll- ber of the tollway executive booths.Tolls would be collect- of ire ewaboard. "Each one is unique. ed electronically, and Some are way down the road, motorists would have to affix and others are ready for things TollTag transponders to their to be done." windshields. State funds probably won't come through until It will be a new direction for Many Hurst-Euless-Bedford 2015, so community leaders are exploring other funding sources. leaders, who have been trying Rocha, principal transporta- By GORDON DICKSON to get the freeway expanded tion planner for the North ' STAR-TELEGRAM STAFF WRITER for more than a decade, Central Texas Council of Gov- Five months ago,busloads of com- embrace the toll lanes. ernments. munity leaders in Hurst, Euless and "Everybody has worked so Even so, expanding Airport Bedford traveled to Austin to plead hard to get to this point, we Freeway will cost$250 million. for money to expand Airport Freewayy, didn't want to let it go,"H-E-B Before the tollway authority Instead, the Texas Transportation Chamber of Commerce Execu- agrees to build toll lanes, it Commission told therm that Airport tive Director Mary Frazior will conduct a study to deter- said. mine how much money can be Freeway probably will not receive the toll The Regional Transporta- raised from toll-paying cus- necessary funding until unless tion Council, which maps out tomers,Parker said. there was local support for tolls. the Metroplex's freeway plans ONLINE:North Texas Tollway Authority, Since then, the community leaders have pursued that possibility.And last 25 years into the future,oppos- www.ntta.org es placing tolls on existing free .Texas Transportation Department, week,the agency in charge g eedopet- lanes.But the council supports www.dot.state.tx.us dra up plans toll roads agreed to charging tolls-on new lanes Regional Transportation Council, draw up plans to build toll lanes on and has agreed to spend mm.nctcog.org/trans Airport Freeway and possibly other mm.nctco 0 Tarrant County roads. $22 million of its own money Gordon Dickson,(817)685-3816 The North Texas Tollway Authorl on Airport Freeway, said Dan gdickson@star telegram.com ty will discuss the plans at 9:30 a.m ' Wednesday at its Plano headquarters: Fisting freeway lanes would remain free,but toll lanes would be added for through traffic. The idea is to raise money through tolls to make up for a lack of state and federal funding.The money would be used to double the ' size of Airport Freeway,with construc- tion possibly beginning in 2007-09. DISTRIBUTED TO: PAGE I OF MAYOR CITY COUNCIL CITYATTORNEY CRIM HENNIG MCKAMIE DELACRUZ RIDGIVAY(2) YOUNG AIcDONALD COLLINS IVILHITE GETCHELL LIBRARYADMIN LIBRARYREF ANIMAL CNTR DATE DISTRIBUTED I(J 3 DATE OF ARTICLE 7 16' 3 NEIVSPAPER FIVST FARM ROAD 157 ALMOST READY After more than two years of work,a old train bridge in three pieces so that new and improved Farm Road 157 will it could be preserved for later use. ' be ready to take on some heavy-duty Farm Road 157 cuts through the area traffic in a matter of weeks. that was pitched in 2001 and 2002 as a What once was a two-lane shortcut possible site for a new Dallas Cowboys connecting Arlington and Euless soon stadium,but a study found that the will be six lanes wide from Green Oaks area would need$100 million in addi- Boulevard to Texas 10. tional bridge and road improvements It's sure to be a favorite for com- before it could be developed on a muters who are tired of the grind on grand scale. ' nearby Texas 360. Instead,area leaders hope the new The road also is known as Industrial roadway lures shops,major employers Boulevard in Euless,and Collins Street and houses in the$180,000 range. in Arlington. If you live in Northeast Tarrant County, ' Officially,the Texas Department of is there a better way than Farm Road Transportation will only promise that 157 to get to The Ballpark in Arlington? the road will be open by the end of the -Gordon Dickson year.But it's possible that it will be ' ready for action in early,as opposed to late,December. Work crews have completed all the Farm Road 157 pavement work and are now turning -157° Euless ' their efforts to landscaping and other Izl finishing touches. 183 "There's still a lot of cleanup work, some striping and detail work that E9�¢sS they're trying to get done;'said"Trans- ' portation Department spokeswoman , . Pipeline Rd. Jodi Hodges.The 3.1-mile-long project X10 a. was built in two phases by contractor S�io�tVgw ' Ed Bell Construction Co.of Dallas.Total cost:$19 million. Fort Worth For now,the road remains squeezed rte' Arf#ntor! 1 to one lane open in each direction Both lanes are temporarily using theb southbound side of the road while ' work crews finish up their cosmetic work on the northbound side.Then,in „ about two weeks,both lanes will be Mapped area moved to the northbound side so the Y �. Bro ' wn bort southbound area can be fixed up. h G blvd As part of the project,a new bridge for the Trinity Railway Express was sT 7,1„ built.Last year,workers removed the STAR-TELEGRAM/TIM BEDISON DISTRIBUTED TO: PAGE / OF - S 1 MAYOR CITY COUNCIL CITYATTORNEY CRIM HENNIG MCKAMIE DELA CRUZ RIDGWAY(2) YOUNG McDONALD COLLINS WILHITE GETCHELL LIBRARYADMIN LIBRARYREF ANIMAL CNTR DATE DISTRIBUTED I l DATE OF ARTICLE / l 13 /G NEWSPAPER FIiST 1 � Longtime family name returns to 1 the area with Audi franchise 1 3y F. STAR-TELEGRAM/IAN MCVEA Bobby Baillargeon has opened an Audi dealership on Airport Freeway in Euless,the first Audi dealership in Tarrant County 1 since the mid-1990s. 1 1 DISTRIBUTED TO: PAGE -1� OF ' MAYOR CITYCOUNCIL CITYATTORNEY CRIM HENNIG MCKAMIE DELACRUZ RIDGWAY(2) YOUNG McDONALD COLLINS WILHITE GETCHELL LIBRARYADMIN LIBRARYREF ANIMAL CNTR DATE DISTRIBUTED 1 /'� / J DATE OF ARTICLE / 4 l' 3 NEWSPAPER FWST By JIM FUQUAY STAR TELEGRAM STAFF WRITER - EULESS—When Bobby Bail- largeon opened Baillargeon Audi's showroom in Euless last month,he �- REAL DEA1 re-established a name in the local auto business that took root 40 affifiiL1 years ago in Fort Worth. . A Bob Baillargeon Sr.was a pitch- er for the old Fort Worth Cats in the 1950s,and in the off-season he worked at Jack Williams Chevrolet on University Drive,said Roger ., x - Williams,the late Jack Williams' son and now a Weatherford car dealer. f In 1961,the elder Baillargeon's f baseball dreams ended when he was released.He was considering a ' return to his native Canada when - STAR-TELEGRAM/IAN MCVEA Baillargeon Audi is one of 70 Audi dealerships in the country that sell just Audis. bought the dealership.Instead, Airport Freeway in Euless. to land a new franchise. he negotiated to retain the Audi America did not return Baillargeon said his Audi rights to use the Baillargeon telephone calls to comment on dealership represents about$10 name in the North Texas car Baillargeon's selection.Bail- million in total investment in market and set out to find a largeon said there were three land;building and inventory. Jack Williams encouraged him new dealership. other competitors,all much Audi,like other automakers, to stay with the dealership. In a happy coincidence,Audi larger operations that operated dictates much of the design and Baillargeon accepted the was looking for a dealer in Tar- multiple dealerships. hence the cost of showrooms offer,stayed a couple of years rant County.The German-built "I think it worked to my and service bays,even specify- and then moved to Dallas, brand,part of Volkswagen AG, advantage,"he said of being the ing"what-color grout is in where he worked for promi- had been without a local deal- only solo candidate."At the end between the tiles,"Baillargeon nent auto dealer Rodger Meier. ership since Autobahn Motors of the month,I'll ask how Audi said."They give you the plans, By 1981,Baillargeon had landed dropped Audi in the mid-1990s. did,"while a dealer with several and you figure out how to build his own Ford dealership in Audi enjoyed record US. lines"will ask how the group it., Richardson. sales in 2001 and again in 2002 did,"he said."I think Audi liked Paul Taylor,economist at the ' Bobby Baillargeon,now 39, as the company's distinctive TT that" National Automobile Dealers grew up in that dealership, sport coupe found favor and its Of Audi's U.S.dealers,only Association,said"a new car starting in 1984 as an apprentice entry-level A4 sold well.But in 70 sell just Audis,according to dealership represents one of technician,then working in ser- that time,Audi actually lost two Automotive News.The solo the most capital-intensive small ' vice and sales and eventually U.S.dealerships,dropping to dealership is likewise becoming businesses in the nation.You becoming a part owner in 1997 259 dealers in 2002,according a bit of a rarity in an era when - have to build an expensive facil- In 2000,however,he learned to Automotive News. large corporations such as Son- ity,plus purchase a high-value his mother had cancer,and his "Audi in the past 10 years has is and AutoNation own scores inventory." ' parents decided to sell the deal- added only two new dealer- of dealerships across the coun- While factories can help ciut ership so they could devote all ships in North America,"he try,and regional megadealers the upfront costs by owning their energy to fighting her dis- said."One's in Canada,and I'm such as Don Davis Auto Group and leasing the real estate to its ease. the other one."After gaining proliferate. dealer,"even in the best cir- "They asked me to stay,but I the franchise in 2002,he did But besides the eagerness of cumstances it still costs at least wasn't interested,"Baillargeon business at a temporary giant chains to snap up fran- $1 million,"Taylor said. said of Sonic Automotive,the Grapevine site for more than a chisel,another factor is doubt- Jim Fuquay,(817)548-5534 publicly traded company that year before moving to 1701 W. less money.It takes a lot of cash jfuquay@star-telegram.com DISTRIBUTED TO: PAGE / OF 1 MAYOR CITYCOUNCIL CITYATTORNEY CRIM HENNIG MCKAMIE DELACRUZ RIDG►VAY(2) YOUNG McDONALD COLLINS WILHITE GETCHELL LIBRARYADMIN LIBRARYREF ANIMAL CNTR DATE DISTRIBUTED / DATE OFARTICLE l 1 S' /C NERSPAPER FR'ST 1 1 Troy Richardson 1 4 EULESS—Troy Richardson,25, passed away Saturday, Nov. 15, 2003,in Euless. Celebration of life: 3:30 p.m. Wednesday at Bluebonnet Hills Memorial Chapel. Burial: Bluebonnet Hills Memorial Park.Visitation:7 to 9 1 p.m.Tuesday at the funeral home. Survivors: Wife, Jessica Richardson; mom and dad, Brenda and Bill Richardson; sisters, Regena 1 English and husband, John; and Amy Richardson; grandmother, Estelle Taylor; grandfather, John Richardson; niece, Taylor Serina English; mother-in-law, Carol Farrar 1 and father-in-law,Lynn Farrar; broth- er-in-law, Jonathan Farrar; sister-in- law,Natalie Farrar. Bfuebonnet Hills Funeral Home Colleyvifle,(817)498-5894 1 Bill Richardson is a 23 year Senior police officer for our city. i 1 DISTRIBUTED TO: PAGE / OF MAYOR CITYCOUNCIL CITYATTORNEY CRIM HENNIG MCKAMIE DELA CRUZ RIDGWAY(2) YOUNG McDONALD COLLINS WILHITE GETCHELL LIBRARYADMIN LIBRARYREF ANIMAL CNTR DATEDISTRIBUTED 41/ -7 DATE OFARTICLE / /C NEWSPAPER FWST ONGuard vet comrades, greeted visiting ' dignitaries and took part in watched historic other military ceremonies. Several days after Nov 22, 1963, Gerland and others in In the 3rd Infantry Regi- the regiment watched over highs and lows ment, also known as the Old the president's body as it lay Guard, Gerland was respon- in state in the Capitol Rotun- Being part of the military sible for guarding parts of da. regiment responsible for the White House and the "I remember it as a real ceremonial events afforded a Euless Capitol. During his tenure in hectic time. People always man a firsthand view. the oldest active infantry reg- seemed to be rushing to ELL ENA it was not unusual for somewhere or back from By ELLENA F.MORRISON STAR-TELEGRAMNAF.STAFF WRITER JFK or other politicians to somewhere," said Gerland, walk by. • who has worked for Euless for EULESS — His back rigid, Gary Gerland The president "was outgo- 18 years. "We felt a connec- stood at attention many Novembers ago as a ing and down-to-earth," said tion because we were there to member of the Army's 3rd Infantry Regiment Gerland, who joked about serve the president:' at the grave of President John F.Kennedy. being a Republican in a Mourners waited to pay Back still straight, the Democratic administration. their respects and later wait- 58-year-old Euless man "If you were in his sights, he ed to visit the president's is reliving those memo- would say hello:' grave at Arlington National ries as the 40th anniver- White gloves creased and Cemetery in lines five to X10 ' sary of the president's head up, Gerland and the Old miles long, Gerland recalled. death draws near. He FGuard also watched over the Although the Guard remained speaks precisely but Tomb of the Unknowns, stoic at this and every funeral, with a South Texas offered rifle salutes for fallen that didn't mean Gerland and twang — unhurriedly his comrades were not affect- enunciating each word with a discipline he ed, Staff Sgt. William Patter- learned in the regiment based in Washing- son said. ton,D.C.,that is known for its military pre- "It always strikes home, cision in ceremonial events. and you always want to ren- "It was a great time to be in the military der the proper respect," said and be in that situation,"said Gerland,who later left the Army as a staff sergeant after serving about six months in Vietnam. "I saw things no other 17-year-old boy from South Texas saw, DISTRIBUTED TO: PAGE ? OF �5 MAYOR CITYCOUNCIL CITYATTORNEY CRIM HENNIG MCKAMIE DELACRUZ RIDGWAY(2) YOUNG McDONALD COLLINS WILHITE GETCHELL LIBRARYADMIN LIBRARYREF ANIMAL CNTR DATE DISTRIBUTED -� DATE OF ARTICLE NEWSPAPER FWST Patterson, public affairs offi- cer for the 3rd Infantry Regi- ment. "It is never really a job you are doing. It is something that if you think about it,'it ' really touches you." Immediately after JFK'sAI death, many people ques- tioned the lone gunman theo- ry, said Gary Mack,curator of the Sixth Floor Museum at : Dealey Plaza in Dallas. Ger- land, even today, doubts that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone. Looking back, Gerland, who also welcomed the Beat- les during their first U.S. visit and took part in Gen.Douglas McArthur's funeral proces- STAR-TELEGRAM/JEN FRIED6ERG sion, is pleased to have wit- As part of his duties in the Old nessed so many historic Guard,Gary Gerland of Euless stood events. And, in some small Watch over President Kennedy's ' way,to have known JFK. casket in the Capitol. "From what I saw and what I know now, he was an aver- age man thrust into a great ' position. And he was over- whelmed for the first year,but he brought lots of class to the White House,"he said. Ellen F.Morrison,(817)685-3888 emorrison@star-telegram.com DISTRIBUTED TO: PAGE I OF MAYOR CITYCOUNCIL CITYATTORNEY CRIM HENNIG MCKAMIE DELA CRUZ RID GWAY(2) YOUNG McDONALD COLLINS WILHITE GETCHELL LIBRARYADMIN LIBRARYREF ANIMAL CNTR DATE DISTRIBUTED /�'-' DATE OFARTICLE NEWSPAPER FWST ' DAYBOOK Euless t Public meeting about a city flood mitigation plan,7 p.m.,Euless Public Library, 201 N.Ector Drive,(817)685- 1694.The city is seeking pub- lic input about a flood mitiga- tion plan being prepared by Teague,Nall and Perkins. ' ONLINE:www.ci.euless.tx.us