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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-02-09 Euless Articles DISTRIBUTED TO: PAGE ' OF� I MAYOR CITY COUNCIL CITYATTORNEY CRIM HENNIG MCKAMIE RIDGWAY(2) BOYETT YOUNG McDONALD COLLINS BARKER GETCHELL LIBRARYADMIN LIBRARYREF ANI, L CNTR 'DATE DISTRIBUTEDI + DATE OF ARTICLE W t_.t'\4211 01-- 7 NEWSPAPER Ohq- DFW Fun Facts DFW claims two major arts districts. The 68-acre Dallas Arts District, anchored by the Dallas Museum of . ,. ,.. Art,the Morton H. Meyerson Sym- phony Center and the Nasher Sculp- ture Center,is the largest urban arts s - district in the country. The Fort Worth Cultural District claims sev- eral of the top museums in the - �°" state, including the Kimball, the _ Amon Carter, and the Museum of q.r►a_.. _ _ ._-� �, Modern Art. rztx—' Le•K6�•t �•ii.i� Z 1-Y"-s^' —r�'•, Beyond the two central cultural dis- = -r - DISTRIBUTED TO: PAGE C� OF MAYOR CITY COUNCIL CITYATTORNEY CRIM HENNIG MCKAMIE RIDGWAY(Z) BOYETT YOUNG McDONALD COLLINS BARKER GETCHELL LIBRARYADMIN LIBRARYREF AN AL CNTR a /ter / DATE DISTRIBUTED 0-7 DATE OF ARTICLE("ryie)-, a OU NEWSPAPER Euless (19) The stars seem bigger and brighter in ' Euless.Maybe it's because Euless has one of the largest amateur sports complexes in Texas. Or it could be that Euless is developing into one of the most sought after business sites in the Metroplex. Whatever the reason, Euless is definitely ' shining brighter than ever and is becom- ing one of the brightest attractions of North Texas.Euless has built an all-encom- passing sports center that offers golf, ' baseball, softball, soccer,fishing, walking trails along with several other recreation activities.The•,Texas Star Sports Centre consists of four entities including The Parks at Texas Star,The Golf Course at Texas Star,Softball World at Texas Star and the Conference Centre at Texas Star. ' With a population of 50,000,Euless is rapidly growing into a comfortable,mid- size community with a small town feel. Located only 10 minutes from DFW Air- port and 30 minutes from downtown Dal- las and Fort Worth, one can enjoy the luxuries of the big city atmosphere yet ' come home to a community where neigh- bors know your name. City leaders are very innovative in providing cultural activities and facilities for residents.Texas Star Sports Centre, Simmons Senior Citi- zen Center, Midway Recreation Center, Fuller House Museum,Arbor Daze festival, musical events and children's activities ' are just a few of the opportunities city officials offer residents.In addition,Euless has one of the largest libraries in North- , east Tarrant County. Euless County ........................................Tarrant Population 2006 est.....................52,900 2000 ........................................46,005 Average Apartment Rent ................$660 s Average MLS Home Price........$152,696 "Tax Rate........................................8.25% :>School District ....Grapevine-Colleyville, Hurst-Euless-Bedford&Irving ISD Web-sici: utess tx_W. DISTRIBUTED TO: PAGE_ _OF� 'MAYOR CITYCOUNCIL CITYATTORNEY CRIM HENNIG MCKAMIE RIDGWAY(2) BOYETT YOUNG McDONALD COLLINS BARKER GETCHELL LIBRARYADMIN LIBRARYREF ANIMAL CNTR IDATE DISTRIBUTED `% —(��7 DATE OF ARTICLE oZ `_�:5 -G ,r NEWSPAPER FWST NORTHEAST TARRANT & AREA BRIEFS ' Gas leak closes Trinity for weekend ' EULESS-Weekend activities at Trinity High School have•been canceled because of a gas leak. The leak,near the tennis court on ' the south side of campus,posed no immediate danger to students, Principal Andy Cargile said.But the school's gas had to be shut ' off to fix it."I'm sitting here, getting cold,"Cargile said from his office just after 1 p.m.He,was overseeing the notification of ' parents that their children would be released from school early, around 1:30 p.m.Friday night's varsity basketball game was still ' scheduled to take place in the campus gym,but the weekend wrestling match was moved to L.D.Bell High School.And be- cause it was unclear when the leak would be fixed,Cargile said, all other weekend activities_we_re canceled. ' -Katherine Cromer Brock 1 DISTRIBUTED TO: PAGE 1 OF MAYOR CITY COUNCIL CITYATTORNEY CRIM HENNIG MCKAMIE RIDGWAY 2 BOYETT YOUNG McDONALD COLLINS BARKER GETCHELL LIBRARYADMIN LIBRARYREF ANIMAL CNTR DATE DISTRIBUTED � // `? l G DATE OFARTICLE <; l_310 7 NEWSPAPER FWST Cheers & JeerNo ' Cheers:To Euless Community Parks and Services the , I Lions Club of Colleyville and the Lakeside Anglers of Denton for their support in helping challenged kids enjoy a day of fishing at Wilshire Pond in Euless.Cheers also to the local merchants who contributed items for the gift bags for each kid. FishAThon Chairman Larry Turner,North Richland Hills II DISTRIBUTED TO: PAL GE l MAYOR CITY COUNCIL CITYATTORNEY CRIM HENNIG MCKAMIE RIDGWAY(2) BOYETT YOUNG McDONALD COLLINS BARKER GETCHELL LIBRAR^�YADMIN LIBRARYREF ANIMAL CNTR 'DATE DISTRIBUTED 02 / I DATE OF ARTICLE �( / / 0-7 NEWSPAPER FWST ' ROBERT ALLEN 11948-2007 Phai macis s customers. were loyal ' ■He listened to them,asked sick,"'McGinnis said."I trust- Mr. Allen used to have a Still,Mr.Allen worked fairly about their families and ed him so much. He cared contract with Euless for servic- regularly until his health dete never forgot a name. about his customers." es under the employee health riorated, said Lucille Falls, an Mr. Allen, of Colleyville, insurance plan, she said. He employee of 26 years.Worried ' By ALEX BRANCH died Wednesday,two years af- hadn't had the contract for customers often asked wheth- STARTELEGRAM STAFF WRITER ter coloncancer `was diag- years, but many firefighters er he or his family needed any- For 28 years, Robert."Pete" nosed.He was 58. and police officers remain cus- thing. Allen gave customers at Super His funeral was Saturdayat tourers. His wife and daughter were' Value Pharmacy in Euless the Parker Memorial Cemetery in Tara Meynard,a store phar- at his side when he died. kind of service they couldn't Grapevine. I macist, said Mr. Allen was as The family asks that memo- find .at the big chain drug- Mr. Allen graduated from, loyal to his employees as his rial contributions be made to stores. ' the University of Texas in'1969 customers were to him. She cancer research or scholar- He, lis-' with a degree in pharmacology started working for him in 1998 ships for aspiring pharmacists. tened to their and opened his pharmacy in and left for a few years to spend Mr. Allen was buried in a worries, 1978. His wife, Waltraud time with her family. simple pine box, per his re ' asked about "Frances" Wirth Allen, and . When she was ready,Mr.Al- quest,Katherine Allen said.He ' their families daughter Katherine Allen len hired her again. didn't want a lot of money and never helped him run the store. "He was a great boss,"Mey spent. x forgot. a Mr. Allen was soft-spoken, nard said."He was kind of a fa- "We'll take all the money we ' name, said attentive and personable,help- they figure. I could bring any save and put it toward some- AL,LEN Ialeen Mc- ing him compete with the Wal- problem to him,and he'd listen thing good; something will Ginnis,a cus- greens and CVS stores,Kather- and try to help.That's how he help someone else," she said. tomer of more than 20 years. ine Allen said. He never con was with everyone." "That was his wish." "If the doctor gave me a pre- sidered selling. In February 2005,Mr.Allen Other survivors include scription for something [that "It was something he just learned that he had colon-can- brothers Jim Allen and Charlie Mr.Allen]knew would give me wouldn't have done,"she said. cer. Allen. problems, Pete would say, "He liked helping people too , "He was devastated," Kath- " Alex Branch,817-390-7689 `Don't take it,Ialeen,You'll be much. Brine Allen said. abranch@star-retegram.coam.�om DISTRIBUTED TO: PAGE / OF I MAYOR CITYCOUNCIL CITYATTORNEY CRIM HENNIG MCKAMIE RIDGWAY(2) BOYETT YOUNG McDONALD COLLINS BARKER GETCHELL LIBRARYADMIN LIBRARYREF ANIMAL CNTR DATE DISTRIBUTED `'? I l DATE OF ARTICLE l� l -7 NEWSPAPER FWST ' PROFILE I BLACK HISTORY MONTH His Willingness to learn, work hard 1 leads-to Isueeess Tony Madden, ' ■Euless'first African-American 41,last month postmaster rose quickly through became they " ,. first African- the ranks at the Postal Service AmericanI � N thanks to a strong work ethic. postmaster in , Euless. By PATRICK McGEE Eu STARTELEGRAM STAFF WRITER ;t EULESS—Tony Madden said he Tony Madden believes in simple,old-fashioned values like hard work,a practice jt E Age:41 , that has led to four promotions forExperience:Army,1983-85 t„ U.S.Postal Service,1986 him in the Postal Service in the past present two decades. Family:married for 12 years, Last month,he became the first with a son;10,and a daughter, African-American postmaster in 5 Euless. R Hobbies:church,golf;soft- .,•' The Fort Worth native,who { ball and coaching Little started with the Postal Service as a meq.::: League janitor,is now in charge of the city's the Inspiring Temple of Praise f Madden is now working �. only-post office,a$5.4 million oper- p g o with his pastor and several We basically understaz� Church,a nondenominational p one level,the street level.We. ation with 75 employees.The city church in Fort Worth. other members of his church need to be able to elevate has 28,719 mailboxes. Madden started workin to start a program will "Madden said." "I've never gotten to a point in for the Postal Service as a g help young black men prepare ourselves, fri my career where I am satisfied in or job and careers. we grow up black or, custodian in Arlington in 1985 f1b iAmerican,your stepss are where I am.I continually try to after serving in the Army for He said the newly formedharder'for achievement. succeed,"Madden said in an in two years. program,called Clothing,teryThings don't always come more y ein his office this week."The A year Confidence and Careers,will easy,so you just always do l, more you learn,the more valuable later he was teach the men strategies for a you are,so I'm always tryingto your best and hope someone a mail han- good interview and will buy. recognizes you for what y learn more." dler in Fort them business attire if�''h°* - do." Postal officials said that's just Worth.He nary. what Madden did. was placed The Rev.Reginald Jordan,._ Patrick 1�Gee,817 685-3806 "Tony's work ethic and dedica in his first the astor of Inspiring Tem= pmcgpe ai+Feiegrain com` . ." p p g tion were evident early in his ca- supervisory ple of Praise Church,said reer,"said Linda Welch,district position in Madden is well-suited for this dw manager for the Fort Worth district. 1992, MADDEN project because he has such a. "His contributions to the organiza- As a man- strong focus on work and tion made him stand out,so it was ager,Madden said he often goals. only natural that'he would pursue a draws on lessons from his "He's very pro-man as far career in management. childhood. as career is concerned,and lie- Through various assignments His father was a master has a burden,if you will,for within the Metroplex,he sergeant in the Army,and his young men becoming artic-' sharpened his leadership career had the family living ulate,well-dressed,having skills and made major perfor- for years at a time in Germa- some intelligence'about them ` mance achievements." ny,Okinawa,Iowa and Arizo- so they can accomplish their Madden,41;is married na• goals in life.He's very pro- j with a son,1Q,I.and a daugh# "The blessing of being a professional,if you will,"Jor- 5.He descriS" himself as a " military brat is you really dan said. "huge baseball fan,"avid golf- know no race.Everybody,is Madden said he wants the er and dedicated member of the same;you don't have the program to focus on practical same divisions taught to you," steps that helped him get he said."You learn how to just ahead in the workplace. deal with people as people." .r ,DISTRIBUTED TO: PAGE LOF 3 MAYOR CITY COUNCIL CITYATTORNEY CRIM HENNIG MCKAMIE RIDGWAY(2) BOYETT YOUNG McDONALD COLLINS BARKER GETCHELL LIBRARYADMIN LIBRARYREF ANIMAL CNTR IDA TE DISTRIBUTED l� l C) 7 DATE OF ARTICLE -�?' /`1/!/D-7 NEWSPAPER FWST MUNICIPAL AND SCHOOL BOARD ELECTIONS A STRL G. GLE VOR THE BAI JLOT few stationed overseas opt to face the challenge of voting_ in local contests By KATHERINE CROMER BROCK No countywide issue is on Voting abroad The FPGA lls'.i request for a STARTELEGRAMSTAFF WRITER ballot b mail and a temporary the ballot this year, so military v p y Members of the armed forc- personnel must apply directly What is an FPCA? voter registration.It is treated es have historical) fought for The Federal Post Card A lica- as express mail at no additional Y g to their city or school district pp cost.To get an FPCA,contact g office for an absentee ballot, tion is a form that allows U.S. nur freedoms, including the the election coordinator for your right to vote in a democratic citizens abroad to temporarily city or school district. ' g or an FPCA which is free of election. � register to vote and to vote postage.That application will early by mail.Eligible are: Yet the process for military then be forwarded to the ■A member of the U.S.armed personnel stationed overseas county, and a ballot will be forces a the spouse or depen i� to vote in their local city and senty dent of a member. , said Chris Walker, early ■A member of the U.S.Mer- school district elections is voting coordinator. chant Marine or the spouse or cumbersome and confusing, Though the count receives dependent iz a member. and few choose to do so. g y ■A U.S.citizen temporarily four or five FPCA applications living outside the territorial The election season offi- daily,the same is not true for limits of the United States. cially opens Saturday,the first the local offices. ' day that candidates for the "In the five years I've been May 12 municipal and school doing this,I don't know of a W board elections may file for a single time that we've had an place on the ballot. [application] forwarded from ' But the voting process for a city or an ISD,"Walker said. citizens overseas will be even "I don't know if people just ,, ► 2 " trickier than in May 20"06. don't think about it, or if they ' Because a Tarrant County just don't know the law" '1► bond issue was on the ballot last year,the Tarrant County Elections Department mailed Federal Post Card Application u ballots to servicemen and ' women for that election. Only }t about 100 were returned, offi- cials said. ` a= "This May,we may not have any,"said Gayle Hamilton, assistant elections administra- tor. R £* a DISTRIBUTED TO: PAGE c� OF 3 MAYOR CITY COUNCIL CITYATTORNEY CRIM HENNIG MCKAMIE RIDGWAY(2) BOYETT YOUNG McDONALD COLLINS/ BARKER GETCHELL LIBRARYA�D/MIN LIBRARYREF ANIMAL CNTR DATE DISTRIBUTED L ti I l DATE OFARTICLE � `T / 7 NEWSPAPER FWST tin or armed forces absentee Key dates Ti ' 1.Contact your unit Voting Assistance Officer Feb.10-First day to file for a place' o for help with absentee registration and voting. on the ballot 2.Visit the Federal Voting Assistance Pro— gram's Web site at www.fvap.gov for informa- on the ballot tion. ■March 13-First day to apply for a 3.Make sure you have applied for your absen- ballot mail tee ballot using the hard copy or online ver- Aprill 1 12-Last day to register to vote sions of the FPCA. ■April 30-First day of early voting , 4.Make sure that your local election official 0 May 4-Last day to apply for ballot has your current mailing address. by mail 5.Sign and date all election materials. ■May 8-Last day of early voting ' 6.Fulfill your state's witness/notary require- May 12-Election day ments. ■June 16-Runoff election(if needed) 7.Ensue that your ballot or FPGA is post- marked. MAY 12 ELECTION INFORMATION 8.Register to vote and request your ballot by April 12. 9.Mail your ballot no later than May 4. Local election Grapevine-Colleyville school North Richland Hills 10.Use the Federal'Write In Absentee Ballot if coordinators district Patricia Hutson you are overseas and your state absentee Karen Coleman 7301 N.E.Loop 820,North R ballot does not arrive in time to be mailed back by the state's deadline. Bedford TX 7 Ira E.Woods Ave.,Grapevine, land 427X60160 TX 76051 SOURCE:U.S.Defense Department Federal Voting Assistance Shanae Jennings Fax:617-461-2907 i Program 2000 Forest Ridge Drive,Bedford, Richland Hills TX 76021 Haltom City Linda Cantu Important Web sites for y military voters Fax:817-952-2103 Brenda Staab 3200 Diana Drive,Richland Hiils www.fvap.gov Birdville school district 5024 Broadway Ave.,Haltom City, TX 76118 I www.sos.state.tx.us/elec- Fax:817 2991803 Kim Kirby TX 76117 tions www.tarrantcounty.com/ Birdville Administration Building, Fax:817-834-7237 Roanoke eNote 6125 East Belknap St.,Haltom City, Kelly Edwards TX 76117 Haslet 108 South Oak St.,Roanoke,Tv Fax:817-838-7261 Diane Rasor 76262 Reasons election officials City Hall,105 Main St.,Haslet,TX Fax:817-491-2242 ; have been unable to Carroll school district -- process the FPCA Donna Faifer Fa 0 817-439-1606 Southlake ■The form was not com- 3051 Dove Road,Grapevine,TX Lori Farwell pleted as requested by the 76051 Hurst 1400 Main St.,Suite 270,Soy applicant's home state. Fax:817-949-8228 Rita Frick lake,TX 76092 ■The local election official 1505 Precinct Line Road,Hurst,TX Fax:817-748-8270 could not determine a Colleyville 76054-3395 voter's eligibility because Cynthia Singleton Fax:817-788-7054 Trophy Club the voting residence ad- 100 Main St.,Colleyville,TX 76034 Lisa Ramsey dress was incomplete, Fax:817-503-1139 Hurst-Euless-Bedford Svore Municipal Building,100 incorrect or illegible. Municipal Way,Trophy Club,— ■A current mailing ad- Euless school district 76262 dress was not provided. Diane Cramer Fax:817-491-9312 Susan Crim 1849 Central Drive,Bedford,TX ■The form was not signed and dated. 201 N.Ector Drive,Euless,TX 76022 Watauga ■The form was illegible. Fax:817-354-3558 Fax:817-685-1416 Kathleen Waddell _ Keller 7105 Whitley Road,Watauga, HOW to file as 8 Flower Moana Sheila Stephens 76148 Paula Paschal P.O.Box 770,Keller,TX 76244-0770 Fax:817-281-1991 candidate 2121 Cross Timbers Road,Flower Fax:817-743-4190 Westlake Academ /Yowl �f ■Saturday is the first day to file for a Mound,TX 75028 y place on the May 12 ballot,though some Fax:972-874-6453 Keller school district Westlake Board of Aldermel cities and school districts will begin Cindy Davis Kim Sutter taking applications Friday or the follow- Grapevine 350 Keller Parkway,Keller,TX 3 Village Circle,Suite No.207, ing Monday.The last day to submit an Linda Huff 76248 Westlake,TX 76262 application is March 12. 200 S.Main St.,Grapevine,TX Fax:817-337-3261 Fax:817-430-0967 ■Some cities and school districts 76051 - - charge a filing fee.Candidates must fill Fax:817-410-3004 Northwest school district out an application and receive informa- Christa Spearman tion about campaigning and filing fi- Business Office,P.O.Box 77070, nance reports from the city or district. Fort Worth,TX 76177 It Check with your city or district for Fax:817-215-0009 specific fees and requirements. DISTRIBUTED TO: PAGE 0 OF 3 ,MAYOR CITYCOUNCIL CITYATTORNEY CRIM HENNIG MCKAMIE RIDGWAY(2) BOYETT YOUNG McDONALD COLLINS BARKER GETCHELL LIBRARYADMIN LIBRARYREF ANIMAL CNTR 'DATE DISTRIBUTED d7) ICI l Cj DATE OFARTICLE ,2 1 L l 7 NEWSPAPER FWST ' May 12 elections Keller SCHOOL DISTRICTS Here's a list of the seats that are Two years up for election,the incumbents Mayor:Julie Tandy Birdville and the term of office. Place 1:Steve Trine' Three years CITY COUNCILS Place 5:Mitch Holmes Place 6:Ralph Kunkel North Richland Hills Place 7:David Pokluda Bedford Two years' Carroll Three years Place 1:John Lewis Three years Place 3:Lori Nail Place 3:Suzy Compton Place 6:Rob Glover Place 5:Leahmon Chambers Place 5:David Whitson Place 7:Sherri Williams Municipal Court Judge:Tim Mur- Place 7:Tim Welch ' phy Richland Hills Grapevine-Colleyville Colleyville Two years Three years Three years Place 1:Jeff Ritter Place 3:Nancy Coplen Mayor:David Kelly Place 3:Phil Heinze Place 4:Lisa Hall ' Place 1:George Boll Place 5:Mike Sloan Hurst-Euless-Bedford Place 2:Tony Licata Three years Roanoke Euless Roanoke years Place 3:Jim Schooler ' Three years Mayor:Carl"Scooter"Gierisch Place 4:Ellen Jones Place 1:Carl Tyson Ward 1:Kevin Stillwell Place 5:Faye Beaulieu Place 3:Linda Martin Ward 2:Kirby Smith Keller Place 6:Vacant(two-year un- Ward 3:Frank Temple Three years expired term) Southlake Place 1:Linn Jencopale Flower Mound Three years Place 2:Randy Pugh Two years Place 3:John Terrell Place 3:Cindy Lofton ' Place 1:Joel D.Lindsey Place 4:Gregory Jones Place 5:Gerry Knowles(one-year Place 3:Tim Trotter Place 5:Virginia Muzyka unexpired term) Place 5:Jeff Tasker Trophy Club Northwest Grapevine Two years Three years Three years Mayor:Nick Sanders Place 3:Daryl Laney Place 3:Clydene Johnson Two at-large seats: Place 7:Jeannette Leong Place 4:Darlene Freed Greg Lamont Westlake Academy School Haltom City Roger Williams board/Town of Westlake Two years Watauga Board of Aldermen Mayor:Bill Lanford Two years Two years Place 1:Jim Sutton Mayor:Harry Jeffries Four at-large seats: ' Place 2:Chris Holcomb Place 3:Mike Steele Larry Corson Place 7:Diane Bransom Place 4:Mike Beierschmitt Fred Held Place 5:Seth Thomas Don Redding Haslet' Two years Bob Timmerman(one-year un- expired term) Mayor:Gary Hulsey Place 2:Lynnda McCoy Place 4:Harold Williams ' Hurst Two years Place 1:Charles Swearengen ' Place 2:Larry Kitchens Place 6:Henry Wilson t DISTRIBUTED TO: PAGE / OF MAYOR CITY COUNCIL CITYATTORNEY CRIM HENNIG MCKAMIE RIDGWAY 2 BOYETT YOUNG McDONALD COLLINS BARKER GETCHELL LIBRARYA,DlMIN LIBRARYREF ANIMAL CNTR DATEDISTRIBUTED / lo DATE OF ARTICLE ��1 0 NEWSPAPER DMN v a :�IFt7 '1 News Local News Euless pushes judge to toss Santeria suit Priest challenging city's ban on killing animals as affront to his faith 12:00 AM CST on Sunda•,February 4,2007 ' By MICHAEL GRABELL/The Dallas Morning News ' mgrabell a dallasne«s.com The city of Euless has asked a federal judge to dismiss a religious discrimination lawsuit filed by a ' Santeria priest who wants to sacrifice animals at his home. The priest, Jose Merced, sued the city in December after police and permit -®TO ENLARGE ' officials told him he couldn't kill goats for an initiation ceremony. At the center of the lawsuit is a 2000 federal land-use law, which says that local governments must show a compelling public interest before enforcing ' an ordinance that could limit a religious practice. Euless argues in court records that the act is unconstitutional because it i amounts to Congress intruding on a state's right to regulate the health and CHERYL DIAZ welfare of its residents. MEYER/DMN ' Santeria priest Jose "Slaughtering of any animal in the city of Euless is illegal for anyone,just Merced sued Euless in like it has been for decades," said the city's attorney, William McKamie. December, saying the city's ban on killing "If the local government officers, before they enforce a general ordinance, animals infringed on his were forced to question people's beliefs and practices, that would be right to practice his entanglement in religion, which is clearly unconstitutional," he said. religion. The city says the federal law used to support The U.S. is steeped in the idea that governments can't prohibit the practice his claim is of a religion. But does that mean someone can hold a religious ceremony Unconstitutional. anywhere, anytime? Where to draw the line has been the subject of a tug of war in the last two decades between the U.S. Supreme Court and Congress. And Mr. Merced and Euless have stepped right in the middle of it. Followers of the African-Caribbean religion believe that the energy contained in blood from an animal sacrifice opens a channel of direct communication with the spirits, known as orishas. Mr. Merced's lawsuit contends that the city violated the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act, which says that municipalities must show a compelling interest before implementing a land-use regulation, such as a zoning law, that hinders religious practices. IDISTRIBUTED TO: PAGE C� OF—/ MA17OR CITY COUNCIL CITYATTORNEY CRIM HENNIG MCKAMIE RIDGWAY 2 ( ) BOYETT YOUNG McDONALD COLLINS BARKER GETCHELL LIBRARYAD/M/IN/ LIBRARYREF ANIMAL CNTR DATE DISTRIBUTED o2 I �l l DATE OF ARTICLE a `� ! NEWSPAPER DMN But Mr. McKamie said the ban of animal slaughter is a health and safety law, not a land-use law, and ' applies to the entire city. If Euless had to make an exception for sacrifice, that would force the city to endorse Santeria, because it would be favoring a religious group over a secular one, he said. ' Mr. McKamie helped overturn the predecessor to the religious land-use law in a case involving Boerne, Texas. And he defended Euless against a 2003 lawsuit by Grace Community Church, which was denied a permit to move into a vacant supermarket. That case was settled with the city paying more than ' $200,000. The church moved to Southlake. Courts vs. Congress Until 1990, courts applied a broad test when determining g i f a law violated the free exercise of religion: Did the law substantially burden a religious practice? And if so, was it justified by a compelling ' government interest? But that changed in a Supreme Court case involving members of an American Indian church who were ' denied unemployment benefits after losing their jobs for using peyote in a sacrament. The court ruled that neutral laws that applied to everyone didn't constitute religious discrimination. ' Congress fought back in 1993, passing the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, which reinstated the old standard and said that if a municipality proves a compelling interest, the law must be carried out in the least restrictive way possible. ' But in 1997 the high court struck down the mission- style e law m a case involving a mission style church that wanted to expand in a historic district in the Hill Country city of Boerne. The justices held that the religious freedom act was unconstitutional because it allowed Congress to intrude on states' rights to regulate the welfare of its residents. Congress came back in 2000 with the religious land-use law, known by its acronym, RLUIPA. The act restores the old compelling interest test in specific cases, such as zoning proposals. The Supreme Court has not heard a case on land-use matters, but lower courts have. "The challenges have been consistently rejected, and the reason they have been rejected is that Congress respected the rules that the Supreme Court set out for it," said Anthony Picarello, vice president of the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, which runs the Web site www.rluipa.com. ' But Mr. McKamie disagreed, saying that courts have thrown out several cases where a law didn't create a "substantial burden" on a religious practice. t "Congress still didn't get it right when they adopted RLUIPA when they attempted to overrule the Supreme Court," he said. If it comes before the court, "I think it's going to be held unconstitutional on all or at least some of the grounds." Euless case ' The Euless dispute escalated in May when an unidentified person called police and complained that Mr. Merced and other Santeria followers were going to sacrifice several goats. An animal control officer told him that it was "against city ordinance to slaughter animals but he was unsure if it would be ok if it was done for religious purposes," the report said. DISTRIBUTED TO: PAGE 3 OF MAYOR CITY COUNCIL CITYATTORNEY CRIM HENNIG MCKAMIE RIDGWAY 2 BOYETT YOUNG McDONALD COLLINS BARKER GETCHELL LIBRARYADMIN LIBRARYREF ANIMAL CNTR DATE DISTRIBUTED I l DATE OFARTICLE NEWSPAPER DMN Mr. Merced and a Santeria priest from Puerto Rico met with Euless planning and development officials ' in June. Mr. Merced said he asked for a permit to perform animal sacrifices, and the officials told him "absolutely not." Mr. McKamie said no one from the city specifically discussed animal sacrifice with them, only that there's no permit for animal slaughter in Euless. "Religious sacrifice never has ever arisen from the city's standpoint," he said. Under the ordinance, Mr. Merced would be allowed to kill chickens so long as they are for food,Mr. ' McKamie said. After being sacrificed, the chickens and goats used in the ritual are cleaned, cooked in a stew and eaten , during a feast. But the law prohibits the killing of goats for any reason. Since the lawsuit was filed, national religious freedom and Latino advocacy groups have sent letters to ' Euless officials, pointing to a 1993 Supreme Court case that struck a Florida city's ban on animal sacrifice, saying that the law targeted Santeria followers. "It's absolutely disappointing that they're spending taxpayers' money to fight a lawsuit that was settled ' 10 years ago," said K.B. Forbes, executive director of one of the groups, Consejo de Latinos Unidos. The group, based in Washington, D.C., has asked Euless to allow the Santeria sacrifices and offered to ' hold religious tolerance training. "Euless has a broad religious base there," Mr. McKamie said. "It's been a very tolerant city forever. It's ' just surprising that someone would claim otherwise." But Mr. Merced disagreed. ' "I've had four ceremonies, and they always come down and tell me I can't do it. That's not being tolerant," he said. TO: PAGE l OF J ,D]STRIBUTED MAYOR CITY COUNCIL CITYATTORNEY CRIM HENNIG MCKAMIE RIDGWAY 2 BOYETT YOUNG McDONALD COLLINS BARKER GETCHELL LIBRARYADMIN LIBRARYREF ANIMAL CNTR 'DATE DISTRIBUTED �^ / I DATE OF ARTICLE C'� l Y l C) 7 NEWSPAPER FWST NORTHEAST AFTER HOURS Trout Fishing - EULESS—Trout Fishing in America,a three-time Grammy- nominated duo,will perform at 7:30 p.m.Friday at Midway Recre- ation Center,300 W.Midway Drive. The musical pair's recording My ' Best Day was recently nominated for a Grammy in the category of Best Musical Album for Children. The two musicians,Keith Grim- wood and Ezra Idlet,have per- formed together for 30 years and specialize in family programs. General admission tickets are $10 for adults and$8 for children. 817-685-1666. Polynesian revue EULESS—The Polynesian ' revue Ke Anuenue will present a free performance at 7 p.m.Monday. -at the Euless Public Library,201 N. Ector Drive. ' Ke Anuenue,Hawaiian for the rainbow,entertains through col- orful costumes,dances and songs. the program is sponsored by the ' city of Euless and ARTSNET's MasterWorks Series.817-283-3406.; -Joy Donovan. DISTRIBUTED TO: PAGE I OF MAYOR CITYCOUNCIL CITYATTORNEY CRIM HENNIG MCKAMIE RIDGWAY2 BOYETT YOUNG MCDONALD 'TINS BARKER GETCHELL LIBRARYADM�IN L�IyBRARYREF ANIMAL CNTR 7 r/ DATE DISTA v DATE OF ARTICLE c " —Q / NEWSPAPER DMN ' 110T • �S leased bytheir affiliates. ' iffIt used to be that the smaller ' 1 teams stayed away from the big leaguers' turf, but in the 1990s, �PX�,S minor and independent leagues <J began sprouting up across thes �toe�s ' • country in the shadows of their_'S The Texas Rangers may be the more well-known brethren. 040 only Major League Baseball act in Another league, Southern In- ' North Texas,but professionalball- dependent Baseball, had been games in North Texas cities are talking about working with Dal- more intimate." multiplying as minor, collegiate las to build a stadium in down Her league features some°of and independent leagues sprout town Dallas,but those plans ap- the country's top rising college ' up throughout Dallas and Fort pear unlikely, and the owner of sophomore, junior and senior' Worth's suburban outfields. the proposed team is now consid- baseball players from nearly 85 Frisco has the RoughRiders, eying sites outside downtown,in- schools with teams in Coppell, ' the Texas Rangers' AA minor cluding within other nearby mu- Denton, Duncanville, Euless; league team.In suburbs from Mc nicipalities. Graham,Highland Park,McKin- Kinney to Euless and from Dun- The upstart teams aren't trying ney,Mineral Wells and Weather canville to Denton,folks can watch to copy the major-league business ford. amateur baseball starring the Tex- models or marketing techniques. She said TCL attendanej has as Collegiate League's boys of And while thousands of North been growing since the firstgarfl summer: Texans now have a team nearby, in 2004. Last year the league'g And now there's a new league proximity isn't the main selling game attendance average was , in town: Officials from Dallas- point. about 500 people,up from 425 in based Continental Baseball It's cost. 2005. Ms. Reed said the league; League will reveal Thursday the League and city officials said hopes to gain more teams and names of the new independent that while many families love eventually split into'north and ' league's first two teams at news spending a day at the major- south Texas divisions. conferences in Lewisville and Kel- league ballpark, they're not fans Mr.Baron said that the Conti- ler. of the cost than can come with it. nental league,like TCL,will also Continental president and "To attend is in the upwards of offer entertainment for kids and ' CEO Ron Baron said he's confi- $220,when you include cones- marketing opportunities for local dent North Texas' newest fran- sions,parking and the like,"Mr. businesses. chises will succeed in a metropoli- Baron said."Unfortunately,that's "We're more than just provide tan area that come summer will not affordable for many families ing a baseball game,"he said."It's ' have 10 teams,including the Fort today." 1. really a way for the community to Worth Cats,which is part of an- Cost- for the smaller teams' come together with activities." other independent league. tickets are typically less than$15, Lewisville officials see their. "We think we can carve out a though some RoughRiders tick- team as a welcome addition than , nice niche there for both markets," ets are about$18.Rangers tickets falls in line with recent initiatives he said,citingthe growth in the ar- last season ran from about $6 to to increase tourism potential and eas around Lewisville and Keller $100. build a stronger, more recogniz- as major factors for selecting the Continental will charge $5 to able image. cities for the teams. $7 per game and won't charge for "If it draws the kind of crowds' The Denton County team,will parking. Texas Collegiate tickets they say it does, it's just another play at Lewisville High this year, are about $5.All teams typically amenity we can offer,"said Lewis= and the northeast Tarrant County have special pricing for kids. ville spokesman James Kunke. team will debut at Keller's Central Ginger Reed, the TCL's vice "It's got a lot of potential." High in north Fort Worth.But Mr. president of operations, said the Keller spokesman Kevin Baron said that as the league minor leagues also have more ac- Lahner agreed. grows, he hopes to talk to home cessible players who sign auto- "It all tends to work together, cities about different ballpark op-, graphs and talk to kids before or and it gives us a little bit of com- tions. after games. Because the crowds munity pride and community: Mr. Baron said he expects to are;smaller,the fans tend to forge identity,"he said. announce two other teams for his more close-knit bonds with each Mr. Baron said that while he league in coming weeks. Tryouts other and parents are able to keep visited more than 25 cities as he for the league will be in March in an eye on their kids even if they're sought the starting point for,his Dallas.While TCLfeatures players running around the park league, he liked the vision and ' who still have college eligibility, "It's like they all somewhat drive of city officials in the new Continental will showcase players' come together," Ms. Reed said. teams'homes. whose eligibility has run out or "It's a very safe environment be- "That pretty much hit a home players who have been re- cause the venues we play in are run with us,"he said. , DISTRIBUTED TO: PA GE MAYOR CITY COUNCIL CITYATTORNEY CRIM HENNIG MCKAMIE RIDGWAY(2) BOYETT YOUNG MCDONALD COLLINS BARKER GETCHELL LIBRARYADMIN LIBRARYREF ANIMAL CNTR ' DATEDISTRIBUTED .7 DATE OFARTICLE o _8 �I NEWSPAPER DMN COM IUNHY CALENDAR, VALENTINE'S DAY CONCERT: Grammy-award winr)ing Trout_ Fishing in America will perform a Valentine's concert from 7:30 to 10. p.m.Friday at the Midway Recreation ' Center,300 Midway in Euless.Tickets are$10 for adults and$8 for children. Call 817-685-1666.