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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-03-28 Euless Articles I DISTRIBUTED TO: PAGE MAYOR CITY CNCL CITY ATTNY CRIM MCKAMIE RIDGWAY(2) DECK BROWN °OPE ' YOUNG McDONALD 2COLLINS C. BARKER GETCHELL LIBRARY ADMIN LIBRARY REF ANIMAL CN ' DATE DISTRIBUTED 3 I �/ I V o/ DATE OF ARTICLE 1/43, .S /U NEWSPAPER FWST I INSIGHT i A Euless organization seeks long-term care for pet parrots, which can live for 50 years I IHelpings: F. And tea.y to n ® , ,4,--x .. .q me ory and Photos By KELLEY CHINN kchinn@star-telegram.comzF KathWilryn Jones started with four birds, then people started giving her their ^ �3 a ` °rds. ,, "We needed to find a solution for them because they will outlive us," is. Jones said.With proper care,parrots can live more than 50 years in captiv- r,..-',:i1,-;24:: , a ,, S , � , � ' I. e•-::7 �` s 3` £ � 1' • .< g"'''' Parrots and People was founded by Jones ® Online $� F r" s . to create long-term solutions for compan- e Hear Kathryn Jones talk ,'a� �"" �. n birds. "We've been around for 10 years, about Parrots and People and see � � A � additional photos at £ , ;mid I think we've taken in a total of about 85 ,a 4: • www.star-telegram.com/videos. �� a � birds. I could take in 85 birds a month if I ■To find out more about the 41. . 'i i,,,, - lid the facilities and the cash," she said. organization, visit their web site at Kathryn Jones,founder of Parrots and People,holds two r www.parrotsandpeople.org. of her first parrots,Sammie,left,and Crackers. he Euless-based nonprofit organization _s-at Essey pe. STAR-TELEGRAM/KELLEYCHINN uses volunteers to help care for the birds, provide foster care or adopt the 1 As. But it's not a simple process. CC We've been around for 10 """Volunteers clean cages before they're ever allowed to take a bird,and we years, and I think we've taken iii usually let the bird pick the person because if the bird really likes that per- a total of about 85 birds. I could' ' s1 they will never have a problem with that bird,"Jones said. 'till,Jones is careful about where the birds are placed. take in 85 birds a month if I had "Our birds aren't for sale.There are people who've entrusted us to make the facilities and the cash:- "' till right decision for them," she said. Kathryn Jones, founder of Parrots and People �l E (I ' TRI UTED TO: PAGE / OF 13 *A;0479, CITY CNCL CITY ATTNY CRIM MCKAMIE RIDGWAY(2) DECK BROWN YOUNG McDONALD COLLINS22C. BARKER GETCHELL LIBRARY ADMIN LIBRARY REF ANIMAL CNTR 3 DATE DISTRIBUTED `.J/( l° '. DATE OF ARTICLE / /S /U NEWSPAPER FWST EULESS 3 jumper savin• gMan honored for 1 ., Police received more than 100 calls meeting, Randolph was recognized CC There is no doubt he about the would-be jumper,but with a Lifesaving Award for the "act of only one person tried to help. bravery" on Feb. 4. The council and is alive today because of By MARK Agee. those m attendance gave him a stand- the actions of this .rmagee@star-telegram.com ing ovation. rmagee@star-telegram.com Police received about 100 calls from young man. Casey Randolph was driving home one motorists and bystanders who saw the It.John Williams, Euless policeiiii Monday early last month when he saw jumper, but Randolph was the only a weeping man step over the railing of person who approached the man,po- Euless' Main Street overpass and pre- lice Lt.John Williams said. was just praying for him." are to jump onto Texas 183. The distraught man was taken to Randolph's mother, Janace Verlei, ' Randolph, '26, of Euless hastily John Peter Smith Hospital's mental traveled from Odessa for the ceremony, parked his car along Main Street and health facility and is receiving treat- which coincided with her son's pulled the 19-year-old man back onto ment,Williams said. 26thbirthday celebration. solid ground, and then held the man "There is no doubt he is alive today She said his biggest fear was that he. NJ down until police arrived. because of the actions of this young would hurt the situation by getting in- "I tried calling out to him,but he act man," Williams said. "That was no volved. ed like he didn't hear me, said Ran- small man he pulled back over that rail- "I think God placed him at the right dolph,a graduate student in nursing at ing,either." time and place to help,"Verlei said."I'm Texas Wesleyan University."I just start- - Randolph said he thinks lots of peo- proud that he was willing to put himself ed praying about what I should do.His ple would have done what he did. out there when other people are afraid hands were off the rail so I grabbed "He didn't fight me or anything. I to get involved in the others'struggles." him." never felt like I was in any danger,"Ran- At this week's Euless City Council dolph said. "He was just crying, and I MARK AGEE,817-685-3821 °i,ii�' g Casey Randolah ," �,'p*,:, a,� V sits near the n_ ',7,4,140.6y0-1:� a ? ;'.Frg , r� ^t 'r spot on the Main Stre t SY��d $°�. Ara i a �. �, �' },� Y r E, "' overpass over ���� �� t�� �,r� ski •� - 4 Texas 183 in• Eu- :1:'Y',?.:*,,' ;art %: 3' 8 '� less where f}e `�,' `°' #1k- F7IM' Jat,:' t, , r i,4 saw a weeping rnJ _ l'a Y� ` t a r i et+ man Step over r 2�t�� ,1 ; 4 ;v A? i the railing aria a 3M1'0,,, r+t' ''r ,V4.r ,f prepare .tQ 3 "r t1 jump. The .ELF_ t"` x� less City Cour F+ cil presented,a C,:°;% N` lifesaving award 7< �kFz {14. 4 to Randolph fqf µyr '.''.''''....:',,;,:4 .j. .' pulling the 1,9: ' � - year-old to safe' ,y `. '- ty and holding3 him until au: thorities ar- rived. =f. ' STAR TELEGRAM/ 3 q- - LAURIE L.WARD ra ,,,‘ fi sa+ : ' DISTRIBUTED TO: PAGE / OF 4 MAYOR CITY CNCL CITY ATTNY CRIM MCKAMIE RIDGWAY(2) DECK BROWN ' YOUNG McDONALD COLLINS C. BARKER GETCHELL LIBRARY ADMIN LIBRARY REF ANIMAL CNTR DATE DISTRIBUTED �3 /a (, I G(3 DATE OF ARTICLE 3 / / F /G d NEWSPAPER FWST IEULESS Multitasking1 has become a way y of life for one-woman job bank 1 Her list of jobs and job Motorcycle Rescue. If you Daniel has a finger in more descriptions can go on for need Swiss skin care—or or- pies than you'll find in some 1 pages and pages. garlic nutrition products bakeries. Daniel sells them. "Somebody asked me, By TERRY LEE GOODRICH Her slogan for her house- 'How can you have five jobs?'I 1 tgoodrich@star-telegram.com „ keeping and personal organi-, have to,” said Daniel, 51. I EULESS — Evelyn Daniel is zation business is "Let's Get It can't depend on anybody to the go-to person for can-do. Together." She works season- take care of me.We have to be Your motorcycle broke ally as a receptionist at an H&R responsible for ourselves be- 1 down and you need it hauled? Block in Bedford. Toss in vol- cause big business and Uncle Call Daniel, owner of Cyclone unteer work for charities, and I 1 t41 °TO 0.' tjr R , ' 24/7 • 1 " '" i ay ' ,t . 0 IEvelyn Daniel,a longtime motorcycle aficionado,is used to work- ing a variety of jobs."Somebody asked me,'How can you have five 1 jobs?'I have to,"the says. STAR-TELEGRAM/LAURIE L.WARD I I I I DISTRIBUTED TO: PAGE OF A MAYOR CITY CNCL CITY ATTNY CRIM MCKAMIE RIDGWAY(2) DECK BROWN YOUNG McDONALD COLLINS C.BARKER GETCHELL LIBRARY ADMIN LIBRARY REF ANIMAL CNTR 3 DATE DISTRIBUTED 31 /o bvDATE OF ARTICLE 3/I g /o g NEWSPAPER FWST 3 CC I've always had closed motorcycle trailer and Sam are not going to do it." haul for AAA. and various Daniel,a native of Lamar, more than one dealerships, helping riders 3 Ark., grew up in northern job and a varietywho are stranded or need Colorado,the middle child of _ their motorcycles moved seven children. The Euless of jobs. And I've elsewhere. 3 woman — who nicknamed been blessed with Daniel's motorcycle ma- herself"Fetch"—credits her nia extends to volunteerism, father,a lumberjack,and her jobs I loved. like being the North Texas li- mother,a waitress and driver aison for the Ride for Kids, a3 of a logging truck, for her Evelyn Daniel national fundraiser for re- work ethic. search on pediatric brain tu- In the 34 years since she project was planning an itin- mors. graduated from high school erary and budget for a mo- Last year,Daniel was cho- j in Temple, she has juggled torcycle trip to go camping in sen 2007 Client Service Coor- many other jobs in Texas. the Rockies-an indicator of dinator for a nine-office dis- Among them: her love affair with motorcy- trict of H&R Block. •Co-operating a crop-dust- des. "She was just phenome mil ing business in Laredo. ', In'1992, she moved from nal," said Sue Ellen Kuchar- •Selling roses at bars in San San Antonio and bought a ski, Daniel's former office Antonio. Grapevine house on"a hand- manager. •Waitressing in Texas bor- shake and a prayer,"she said. At Grapevine's Palace iiiii der cities. After do-it-yourself improve- Theatre, Daniel was named •Bookkeeping for a Ray- ments,'including roofing and Volunteer of the Year in 2003. , mondville trucking firm. drywall, she sold it at a big "She was dependable, •Detailing automobiles in enough profit to pay cash for willing to learn all jobs, Grapevine. a new home in Euless, a whether greeting or ushering •Catering for a Grapevine washer and dryer - and a or popping popcorn," said bakery slot machine for her long- Elspeth McDonald, former None of this is what she time boyfriend, Tom Fao- theater manager. "She wasiiii dreamed of as a little girl. ro.He loves his black Harley- always smiling." "I wanted to be a secretary Davidson as much as she In Daniel's work, "I've al- when I grew up.I took typing loves her blue Kawasaki. ways had more than one job in high school,but I couldn't They started the motorcy- and a variety of jobs," she type. I still can't type;I hunt cle rescue and transport said. 'And I've been blessed and peck," she said,with a business three years ago, a with jobs I loved." laugh. plan hatched, after Faoro's But she was a whiz in her motorcycle broke down on a TERRY LEE GOODRICH, general business course.Her weekend. They have an en- 817-685-3812 I Ed 1 i r r w IDISTRIBUTED TO: PAGE r OF . MAYOR CITY CNCL CITY ATTNY CRIM MCKAMIE RIDGWAY(2) DECK BROWN YOUNG McDONALD COLLINS C. BARKER GETCHELL LIBRARY ADMIN LIBRARY REF ANIMAL CNTR DATE DISTRIBUTED 3 /cA /U $ DATE OF ARTICLE 3 /1 9 /0 1( NEWSPAPER FWST,Co 14 I R Barnett Shate �_ ,,,, „ 1 ,. ,, , ,_ .�. Drilling deep for answers il ;, � k ,„,, '- about the natural gas " �i r boom in North Texas KFIR • r ".tea - Barnett Shale ii Drilling deep for answers about the natural gas boom in North Texas March 19,2008 Euless organizes gas leasing forum I With energy companies approaching property owners for gas leases,the city of Euless is sponsoring the Euless Gas Lease Forum,7 p.m. Thursday April 17 at the First Baptist Church Euless,Worship Center,i000 Airport Freeway in Euless. Speakers: I • Ed Ireland,executive director of the Barnett Shale Energy Education Council,will give an overview of the drilling process and speak on the economic benefits of Barnett Shale production.The council,formed last year,is funded by energy companies. • Bob West,a partner in the Whitaker,Chalk,Swindle and Sawyer,LLP law firm,will give tips on what to look for in a lease and how to I approach negotiations with energy companies.Several neighborhoods have hired West in recent months to represent them in,or advise them on,talks with energy companies on a gas lease. • Representatives from Chesapeake Energy,Dale Resources,XTO Energy,and Arrington Oil"will be on site to answer questions,"the city says in a news release. I "With the influx of gas leasing occuring in our neighborhoods,the need for more information about Barnett Shale,the leasing process and t „ -i y : neighborhood negotiations is great,"the city says.The forum will"give residents an opportunity to ask i' questions and get responses directly from the source." I .4 1 !` , Here's more information about the Oakwood Terrace community I. .t s# `i in south Euless,which is organizing. ik "We have not yet received any offers as a group,"Dale Heisch,an organizer reports.Dale Resources has been rJ.,� '"offering leases in the neighborhood since last Spring,he said.'They have raised their last offer...(to)$5,000 I - ", /Z , ; T. per acre or$1,000 lot minimum,with 5-year primary term,20 percent royalty." h3 ; Cheaha Land Services also has contacted the group,Heisch reports,"but we have not negotiated with them yet either."The group plans to meet soon. I . - .. 1 t;`, ."4: Click here to visit the Oakwood Terrace web site.To join the group,you may send its organizers an email at • • A , EulessOakwood(a)yahoo.com. • Click here to read the City of Euless'gas drilling ordinance. I r —Scott Nishimura .r 1' (Photo:Glass bluebird awards for attendance at Oakwood Terrace Elementary) Posted at 12:04 PM in Arrington Oil,Chesapeake Energy,Dale Resources,Euless,Oakwood Terrace(Euless),XTO Energy I Permalink DISTRIBUTED TO: PAGE / OF MAYOR CITY CNCL CITY ATTNY CRIM MCKAMIE RIDGWAY(2) DECK BROWN - YOUNG McDONALD COLLINS C.BARKER GETCHELL LIBRARY ADMIN LIBRARY REF ANIMAL CNTR I DATE DISTRIBUTED 31 a I DATE OF ARTICLE 3l 19 l O I NEWSPAPER FWST c,gplc, , fit , 5'; 11A Y ..,,,r ,",,a '.W1. ` iS,u.kr1 aN.a*,a i e't w: ',41, �,µ e � AMA Sf r�� {�dV - v� ,.ray �y. H1. bA;d�� GkY x d A ki t ,j1 ,, rte a:e pakVhV'�,1.i #, .-:..4,,, '''''''''''',:,A,1,,4'1 , v en Vn Y v. .,'',--'*'+''''''' ti :, � ' `r 'v'''"°s' .ap ,m°�in 7' xmlq''rfi'm7; §s e 1 t G,1 �" ,t „ds 41.+Srae u :4.,.&�as ,v1.v, � p„,.�U'+ � ' a a1J k ,,, �i 1 a cs ylY f Rvx r I P WHO WE ARE... CODE 6 Tllenumberofcode .' enforcement officers in the city of Euless. Source:city of Euless IDISTRIBUTED TO: PAGE 1 OF I MAYOR CITY CNCL CITY ATTNY CRIM MCKAMIE RIDGWAY(2) DECK BROWN YOUNG McDONALD COLLINS C../BARKER GETCHELL LIBRARY ADMIN LIBRARY REF ANIMAL CNTR DATE DISTRIBUTED 3 I a y10 t DATE OF ARTICLE 3 /c.?() /0 ? NEWSPAPER FWST Martha Jean Whitener I K 4- x,, �&, d tt ` ';'''''',N:',:' I , £i�a °` Std t: . 4.4 -', IEULESS Martha Jean Whiten- er, 88, a loving aunt, sister-in-law, grandmother and friend,completed a I long battle with Alzheimer's disease on Tuesday,March 18,2008,in Bed- ford. GRAVESIDE SERVICE: 10 a.m. Friday in Moore Memorial Gardens. I Visitation: 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. MEMORIALS: In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be .. I made to First United Methodist. Church,106 N.Main St.,Euless,Tex- as 76040. - Jean was born`March 15,1920,in Cresson.She worked as a secretary I for the Euless Water Department and was a member ofthe Euless His- torical Society. Jean had been a member of the I First United Methodist Church in Eu- less for over 60 years. Jean was preceded in death by her twin sisters, Anna Fay and Ella May;her daughter, Nancy Whitener I Estes;and her husband,Leon Whit- ener. Jean will be remembered as a woman who loved God, her family I and her friends and will be deeply missed. The family sends a special thank- you to VITAS Hospice. ve-ISURVIVORS: Sister-in-law, Eve- II lyn Himes;niece,Shirley Melson and husband,Lin;son-in-law,Richard Es- tes and wife, Pam; granddaughter, Holly Estes Castillo and husband, I Eleazar; great-granddaughters, Isa- beth and Ava Castillo; granddaugh- ter, Stacy Estes; great-nephews, Matt and Mark Melson and their families; great-niece, Kelly Melson; I and many dear friends. - Moore Funeral Home-N.Davis Drive Arlington,817-275-2711 View and sign guestbook at - www.star-telegram.tom/obituaries DISTRIBUTED TO: PAGE / OF /' MAYOR CITY CNCL CITY ATTNY CRIM MCKAMIE RIDGWAY(2) DECK BROWN YOUNG McDONALD COLLINSQC. BARKER GETCHELL LIBRARY ADMIN LIBRARY REF ANIMAL CNTR DATE DISTRIBUTED3/0? J DATE OF ARTICLE /-7?0,/0 NEWSPAPER DMN REGIONAL ROUNDUP EU .;ESS Man dies in house fire; cause being investigated A Euless man died in a house fire early Wednesday. The two- alarm fire was reported about 3:45 a.m.Wednesday in the 800 block of North Atkerson Lane,the Euless Fire Department said.Authorities had not identified the man, who was pronounced dead at the scene, but said he appeared to be in his 60s.Investigators had yet to deter- mine the fire's cause. Erin Eidenshink j j 3 3 j J j j IDISTRIBUTED TO: PAGE OF MAYOR CITY CNCL CITY ATTNY CRIM MCKAMIE RIDGWAY(2) DECK BROWN YOUNG McDONALD COLLINS C. BARKER GETCHELL LIBRARY ADMIN LIBRARY REF ANIMAL CNTR DATE DISTRIBUTED 3 / R 8 /0? DATE OF ARTICLE 3/0,20/ NEWSPAPER FWST i Blogging the Barnett Shale Keep up with fast-paced developments in the booming Barnett Shale natural gas field: s North Arlington group sees$15,000 lease offers. ■South Arlington group organizes ahead of offers. ■Euless to host city-sponsored gas-drilling forum. These and more on the Barnett Shale bfog at ' www.star-telegram.com/blogs 1 1 I I I DISTRIBUTED TO: PAGE / OF /3 3 MAYOR CITY CNCL CITY ATTNY CRIM MCKAMIE RIDGWAY(2) DECK BROWN YOUNG McDONALD COLLINS C. BARKER GETCHELL LIBRARY ADMIN LIBRARY REF ANIMAL CNTR DATE DISTRIBUTED I r � 'Ug DATE OF ARTICLE '� /a 0 / NEWSPAPER FWST 3 „,,i,„1„.30.::,„,„,„,::,,,,„„„of ,..1,,i,„,,,,ii,,:„ .::.,.„,„,„..„.,:::,,,,,,„;„„,,,:20.,,,,,,„,,,.„,„:§„,„„„.„,„:""".,...,, EULESS �„ ,...,.....:.„..,.:,„..,::.:,:.,: :„,,,:,,,,„,,t,o,,„,,,,,,,,,,„.0 ,,,..,.„,.....„,....„,,,„„:„:„.„:,,,,:•,•••„,..:: Firefighters find •• f3 AUS ,..,,,,, man's body in3 3 burninghouse :,.:,•:, .0,7.,:11410:411,011,,inio, .., . . a The 62-year-old man's body was found at the front of the home. M ' , . k ,p. a X3'3' S8 I By MARK AGEE rmagee@star-telegram.com n b ' EULESS—Firefighters mdaWednes- day while battling a housefound firea in sanouthead Eulesserly, officials <, x ` . said. Investigators are not sure how the 3:45 a.m.fire started .f �` £ at the house at 832 At- " 1 `^ w� �;, kerson Lane,said Melis 1 " " oild % sa Thomas, a Fire De a, partment spokeswom gy fl ....,„„:„...r.,H,:::... .;,:',,..,:e.,..i''''':•-ii:' .-'.,,,./.-':''''''''...lil ' i ' ' an:It took s firefighters c Aviiiyes; � : 0 from four cities about 30 FAABivd'g0mt minutes to put the fire _ , out, officials said. .11:,';':.!'""'"e. ! = An autopsy isN. d k y , ] £ip planned to determine a 0 - the, cause of the mansit IIIINI .� death.He was identified ' Euless ��, k � �, by the Tarrant County �� V?� ,,,,,:::,,w,,,,,,,.,,,,,,,,., � .� medical examiner's of- . fice as Frank Dusek,62. „,..!;14..} Investigators believe Mapped area the blaze started in the !.,11,01111::,,,.:•,:t4;-,,,ii..:.•�� tliving room, Thomas �+Y � �".��des z< i �� '''''''''''F';`44 :'''-':/ '':',osaid. Dusek's body was k � 4' � �`v ”` ice found in the front of the ... @ h <� � The body of a 62-year-old man house, according to a Euless firefighter Scott Evans removes firearms from the house on At .r was found near the front of the news release. kerson Lane.More than a dozen guns were found. s-r/R.�EENn�acos home in the 800 block of Officials said the Atkerson Lane in Euless. home did not have Smoke detectors STAR-TeLeGRaM/riM seoiso • working smoke detec ■The Atkerson Lane home where the fire occurred had no working • tors. smoke detectors,officials said.The devices double the chances of • Police and firefight- escaping a house fire.Smoke detectors should be tested and the ..] ers carried more thana batteries replaced everysix months.Safety experts also recommend dozen guns out of the single story brick home. The re replacing smoke detectors that are more than 10 years old.. moval of weapons from a possible crime scene is routine, ■Euless firefighters plan to canvass the neighborhood next week to Thomas said. test smoke detectors and provide installation of a detector or batter ies if1 needed.For,more information,call the Euless Fire Department at 817-685 1600. MARK AGEE,817-685-3821 Source City of Euless DISTRIBUTED TO: PAGE / OF I MAYOR CITY CNCL CITY ATTNY CRIM MCKAMIE RIDGWAY(2) DECK BROWN YOUNG McDONALD COLLINS C. BARKER GETCHELL LIBRARY ADMIN LIBRARY REF ANIMAL CNTR DATE DISTRIBUTED 3 / e l G DATE OF ARTICLE' lam/ - /02 68 NEWSPAPER. ^4L-y�,7e4) 1 l 40 to 40it tit OP oticeitp („50 42 , ,. ,00.9111 I 111 41e i� .,., OLIVER ' Oliver is a handsome Lab about 6 yrs old with a shiny ' black coat. Oliver is house broken,has nice house manners, is crate trained, and likes to ride in the car. ' He sleeps all night on his doggy bed in his foster's bedroom. 1 Euless Animal Services ' 1517 Westpark Way Euless, TX 76040 (817)685-1594 1 1 I DISTRIBUTED TO: PAGE / OF MAYOR CITY CNCL CITY ATTNY CRIM MCKAMIE RIDGWAY(2) DECK BROWN YOUNG McDONALD COLLINS C. BARKER GETCHELL LIBRARY ADMIN LIBRARY REF ANIMAL CNTR 1 'u DATE DISTRIBUTED t.,z S2/0 DATE OF ARTICLE 3/ / - ' //v2/ /O e NEWSPAPER r, ,-, ,k 1;n 1 Vci 8.7 ‘liz ,gs-'i) 8 - 3 )-s i''O �, ' Many times you have heard and example, inspire others 3 yus say that volunteers are to engage in volunteer our most valuable assets. service. Our volunteers continue to Recently,we honored .i surprise us with the many special volunteers from hours of service they give the Euless Citizens 11 ; to the city. Police AcademyAlumni 4 ' In January 2002,the Association with the President of the United Presidents Volunteer 1 h� States challenged all Service Awards from 11114 Americans to dedicate at the President's Council $ ik least two years or 4,000 on Service and Civic 1 r a hours over the course of Participation. This is the q��� �� 4 k ailks 1 t their lives to serve others at third year that members home or abroad. In 2003, of our Police Academy 10x , X : " President Bush created Alumni Association have i Mayor Saleh the President's Council received these awards. Eulesson Service and Civic Participation to find ways 41 to recognize the valuablema EULESS contributions volunteers are making in our nation. The Council comprises leadersii) in government,media, entertainment, business, nonprofit and volunteer .a service organizations as well as community volunteers. .r The President's Council on Service and Civic Participation created the Presidents Vo nteer Service Awa s program asI 'a way to tha' and honor ma Americans who, by their demonstrated commitment 3 3 DISTRIBUTED TO: PAGE / OF I MAYOR CITY CNCL CITY ATTNY CRIM MCKAMIE RIDGWAY(2) DECK BROWN YOUNG McDONALD COLLINS C. BARKER GETCHELL LIBRARY ADMIN LIBRARY REF ANIMAL CNTR S /o8DATE DISTRIBUTED 3 /07 DATE OF ARTICLE 31a /�1 I d� NEWSPAPER 1 ,-,. 4-1-7 COMMUNITY NEWS EULESS GAS at First Baptist Church Eu- LEASE FO- less in the Worship Center, 1000 Airport Freeway in RUM' SLATED Euless.Presenter Ed Ireland, exec- FOR APRIL utive director of the Barnett Shale Energy Education ' EULESS, TEXAS—With Council will give an over- the influx gas leasing oc- view of the drilling process, curring in our neighbor- the benefits it provides to hoods,the need for more our community and the information about Barnett economic benefits. Robert Shale,the leasing process West,a partner in the law ' and neighborhood negotia- tions office of Whitaker, Chalk,tions is great.The City of Swindle and Sawyer,LLP Euless has coordinated a has extensive.experience" Euless Gas Lease Forum extensive experience in ' to give residents an oppor- ..business,real estate, and tunity to ask questions and oil and gas transactions;. get responses directly from -presentation will focus ' the source. on tips for neighborhoods The Euless Gas Lease negotiating leases and im Forum is scheduled for 7 portant clauses to look for p.m. on Thursday,April 17 in the lease. In addition,representatives from Chesapeake,Dale, XTO and Arrington will be on site to answer questions the audience may have, ' which will be the main focus of the forum. For more information please call 817-685-1623. i I DISTRIBUTED TO: PAGE / OF ,..=-3 MAYOR CITY CNCL CITY ATTNY CRIM MCKAMIE RIDGWAY(2) DECK BROWN YOUNG McDONALD COLLINS C. BARKER GETCHELL LIBRARY ADMIN LIBRARY REF ANIMAL CNTR 3 DATE DISTRIBUTED 3 I a�,V /0 K DATE OF ARTICLE 3 / � � 0 6 NEWSPAPER FWST 3 RETIREMENT SYSTEM spokesman. ' The funding shortfall, called an "unfunded liability' by ac- j • countants, is not unusual for public pension funds, said Eric l i e s must Henry,the retirement system's executive director.It is more effi- cient for pension funds to operate with slight gaps between as- sets and future projections,Henry said. TMRS maintains a separate account for each city's retire- make ment funds.Many of the accounts were falling farther behind each year under the old actuarial rules,which allowed cities to fund cost-of-living increases and updated service credits when • they were accrued,Wallace said. forpension Under the new rules,they must be funded in advance. "Fora lot of cities the unfunded liability was getting larger, not smaller,especially cities with a lot of retirees,"Wallace said. Fort Worth is not a member of TMRS and maintains its own So rt a, pension fund.But the city has had its own pension troubles and has been grappling with a projected$410 million shortfall. Each TMRS member city receives a letter each year that lists the percentage of the city payroll that must be paid into the Changes to the Texas Municipal Retirement fund the following year. The retirement system mailed letters System cause several area cities to face big last month withpreliminary figures for 2009 that included large increases in payroll contributions. rate increases for many cities.Some smaller cities reported de clines. By BILL TEETER and ADRIENNE NETTLES The final numbers for 2009 should be mailed in May. bteeter@star-telegram.com,anettles@star-telegram.com Cities can choose to cover the entire increase in one year, The massive retirement system that covers many phase in the increase over eight years or reduce retirees'bene- of the state's municipal workers is calling on Texas fits to reduce the city's contribution. cities to help'shrink a $2.9 billion shortfall, and In Tarrant County,Dalworthington Gardens faces the largest now the cities must figure out how to handle in- percentage-point increase.It now pays 16.72 percent of its pay- creased costs. roll into the retirement system;that number is projected to in13 - Reducing benefits for retirees or increasing tax- crease to 23.97 percent next year,a difference of 7.25 percent- es are among options open to the cities;,but ad- age points. ministrators say they won't know the effect of Arlington is paying 14.66 percent of ifs payroll into the retire- fioi changes to the Texas Municipal Retirement Sys- ment system this year,but next year's payment is projected to tem until they start work on next year's budgets. be 21.72 percent,an increase of more than 7 percentage points. In most cases, city officials say they doubt the If Arlington covered the increase in one year and leftbenefits increased pension costs will mean property taxunchanged, it would cost the city about$7 million more next rate increases.But whether cities will curtail retir- year,said April Nixon,Arlington's management resources direc- ee benefits remains an open question. tor. . The costs are going up because the municipal Most cities, unsurprisingly, are planning to take advantage retirement system has changed the way it calcu- of the eight-year phase-in option. lates two common annually repeating retirement That's the case in Hurst, where the contribution rate could plan features:cost-of-living increases and the up-. increase from 15.66 percent to a projected 22.42 percent.Hurst dated service credit, which increases retirement will have to carefully evaluate the cost-of-living increases itj, benefits by taking into account pay raises late in an gives to retirees each year,City Manager Allan Weegar wrote in employee's career, said Bill Wallace, a TMRS an e-mail. Wallace said TMRS plans to pay off the $2.9 billion deficit over 30 years.The payoff may not happen as planned because the system's financial situation will change over the years,but aiming at the target strengthens the plan,Henry said. "It gives us a safety margin in shooting for paying it off over, an amortization period,because it is too hard to know what is' going to happen over the next 30 years,"Henry said. 3 3 DISTRIBUTED TO: PAGE '- OF 3 MAYOR CITY CNCL CITY ATTNY CRIM MCKAMIE RIDGWAY(2) DECK BROWN YOUNG McDONALD COLLINS f C. BARKER GETCHELL LIBRARY ADMIN LIBRARY REF ANIMAL CNTR DATE DISTRIBUTEDJ1 L' DATE OF ARTICLE 3/2I / L C� NEWSPAPER FWST Some examples Benbrook In coming months, area towns and cities will begin deciding Eligible employees: 109 how to cover increased retirement costs for their employees as Current contribution: 15.22%of payroll they work on next year's budgets. Projected contribution:21.14%of payroll Below is information about municipalities whose contribu I What's being considered:Benbrook expects to phase in the lion rates could increase by at least 5 percentage points. increase over eight years.That would cost the city about IDalworthington Gardens '` $20,000 more per year,City Manager Andy Wayman said. Eligible employees:27 Current contribution: 16.72%of payroll Grapevine Projected contribution:23.97%of payroll Eligible employees:542 What's being considered:City Administrator Melinda Brittain I says city staffers are researching all options to address the in- Current contribution: 13.26%of payroll Projected increase: 18.78%of payroll crease.Research will then be presented to the City Council."Pre- What's being considered:If the projected increase is dicting an impact to the city or employees would be premature at phased in over eight years,it would cost Grapevine about .' ! ' this time,"she said. $200,000 more per year,a city official said.Once the city Arlington receives final numbers on its contribution,it will know better Eligible employees:2,417 the steps it needs to take,the official said. ICurrent contribution: 14.66%of payroll Euless Projected contribution:21.72%of payroll Eligible employees:383 What's being considered: No decisions have been made about Current contribution: 14.26%of payroll how the city will deal with the projected increase,said April NixoI n Projected contribution: 19.72%of payroll management resources director.An employee task force has beer What's being considered: If phased in over eight ears the appointed to help the city with decisions about the retire- projected increase would cost Euless about$119,500 more per ment system changes. year out of a city budget that runs about$97.5 million this year, said City Manager Gary McKamie.That should allow the city to Pantego continue offering updated service credits and maintain benefits,he Eligible employees:38 said."That is a small number compared to our overall budget.As ICurrent contribution: 14.63%of payroll with any other cost increase it will compete for funding,"he said. Projected contribution:21.50%of payroll What's being considered:"Depending on the financial How the city will find the money is unknown,though McKamie said the increase by itself should not affect the property tax rate. impact,I am sure we would probably elect to phase in the • changes,"City Manager Doug Davis said. Haltom City II Eligible employees:304 Hurst Current contribution: 14.03% Eligible employees:336 of payroll Projected contribution: 19.28%of payroll Current contribution: 15.66%of payroll I Projected contribution:22.42%of payroll What's being considered:The city plans to phase in the' What's being considered:Finance Director Joel Welch said Haltom City is likely to phase in the increase over eight years."If they just tried to swallow the elephant all at once,it would take a increase over eight years,City Manager Allan Weegar said. 41/2-cent increase in the tax rate,but I just don't seethe council Hurst will try to find ways to minimize rate increases,absorbI them into budgets and pay for increases with existing:eve doing that,"Welch said.Haltom City offers updated service credits, and there will be discussions about whether to change that part of nue.One goal is to keep the city's benefits unchanged,he the city's pension plan,he said.`There has been no discussion Isaid."It is premature to have,a final recommendation until we about modifying our[retirement]plan at this point;'he said. have analyzed all the information provided by the actuaries and TMRS,"Weegar said. North Richland Hills Eligible employees:500 Cleburne Current contribution: 13.41%of payroll Eligible employees:321 Projected contribution: 18.60%of payroll Current contribution: 13.97%of payroll What's being considered:City Manager Larry Cunningham said Projected contribution:20.49%of payroll the city might consider changing its retirement plan,but he ex- �What's being considered:City Manager Chester Nolen said hpects no major effect on the city budget."It may be we can look at e expects to consider the TMRS option that allows the city the updated service credit provisions.I would not see that this o rescind its updated service credits to maintain a rate simi would have an overall adverse impact on our budget.I don't see lar to what is now in place,instead of increasing it."We are that this would precipitate any increase on tax rates or water rates orking to identify the number of both active and retirees_ or anything else,"he said.Other escalating costs are creating big- hat would be affected;'he said.. '1 ger headaches for North Richland Hills."It's not as much as the fuel price increases,"Cunningham said. II DISTRIBUTED TO: PAGE 3 OF -� MAYOR CITY CNCL CITY ATTNY CRIM MCKAMIE RIDGWAY(2) DECK BROWN YOUNG McDONALD COLLINS C. BARKER GETCHELL LIBRARY ADMIN LIBRARY REF ANIMAL CNTR ma DATE DISTRIBUTED 3 ( `Q 10 DATE OF ARTICLE 3 /,9 / / 0S) NEWSPAPER FWST Texas Municipal Retirement System Member cities pay a percentage of their payrolls into the retirement "` system each year to fund retirees'benefits.The percentage is increasing,in some cases significantly,to reduce the system's$2.9 billion shortfall. el Percent of Percent of Percentage City/Town payroll 2008 payroll 2009* point change Dalworthington Gardens 16.72% 23.97% 7.25% Texas Municipal Retirement S Stem Arlington 14.66% 21.72% 7.06% Y Pantego 14.63% 21.50% 6.87% ■More than 820 Texas cities use the retirement system. Hurst 15.66% 22.42% 6.76% •Its three sources of funds are:money paid by employees,match ing funds from the city and the return on investments made by the Cleburne 13.97% 20.49% 6.52% fund. Benbrook 15.22% 21.14% 5.92% Grapevine 13.26% 18.78% •Employees covered: 132,000 P 5.5�% II covered:30,000 Euless 14.26% 19.72% 5.46% Haltom City 14.03% 19.28% •Assets:$14.7 billion(as of February) 5.25% •Unfunded liability:$2.9 billion (in 2006) North Richland Hills 13.41% 18.60% 5.19% Richland Hills 13.08% 17.83% 4.75% What's changing? Weatherford 13.98% 1`8.65% 4.67% •Pension costs are going up for cities because the retirement Stephenville 12.49% 17.02% 4.53% system has changed the way it calculates cost-of-living pay increas Glen Rose 12.63% 16.95% 4.32% es and updated service credits. Saginaw 14.37% 18.66% 4.29% •Cities can turn the two benefits on or off at will. Until now,TMRS Keene 9.94% 14.16% 4.22% accounted for changes in these benefits each year.Most cities leave River Oaks 12.42% 16.03% 3.61% the benefits in place,and under its new system TMRS will assume Mineral Wells 7.53% 10.98% 3.45% the cities will leave them in place indefinitely. Granbury 11.22% 14.58% 3.36% 11Also affecting the retirement system are changes in federal ac- Keller 12.18% 15.33% 3.15% counting procedures. Mansfield 10.36% 13.45% 3.09% Source Texas Municipal Retirement System Burleson 11.28% 14.27% 2.99% Forest Hill 10.42% 13.26% 2.84% Azle 8.20% 10.81% 2.61% Colleyville 11.64% 13.93% 2.29% White Settlement 8.18% 10.47% 2.29% Lake Worth 7.75% 9.95% 2.20% Argyle 10.71% 12.62% 1.91% Everman 6.72% 8.49% 1.77% Watauga 10.45% 12.13% 1.68% Crowley 7.78% 9.07% 1.29% Decatur 12.10% 13.31% 1.21%' Highland Village 9.60% 10.80% 1.20%-' Westworth Village 5.17% 6.03% 0.86% Flower Mound 12.09% 11.25% 0.84%' Trophy Club 12.32% 13.08% 0.76% Springtown 6.36% 7.05% 0.69% Haslet 11.84% 11.19% 0.65% I Godley 6.10% 5.45% 0.65% .; Kennedale 10.31% 10.94% 0.63% Sansom Park 4.45% 4.93% 0.48% Roanoke 9.35% 9.74% 0.39% Hudson Oaks 5.89% 5.45% -0.44% Blue Mound 3.85% 3.32% -0.53% Westover Hills 5.86% 4.47% -1.39% Westlake 8.76% 7.32% -1.44% OP Southlake 12.52% 14.02% -1.50% Joshua 3:58% 1.93% -1.65% Alvarado 5.81% 4.02% -1.79% Rhome 5.97% 4.04% -1.93% Tolar 8.86% " 6.64% -2.22% Northlake 7.54% 4.04% -3.50% *Projected Source:Texas Municipal Retirement System STAR-TELEGRAM DISTRIBUTED TO: PAGE / OF 3 MAYOR CITY CNCL CITYATTNY CRIM MCKAMIE RIDGWAY(2) DECK BROWN IYOUNG McDONALD COLLINS C. BARKER GETCHELL LIBRARY ADMIN cLIBRARYREF ANIMAL CNTR DATE DISTRIBUTED DATE OF ARTICLE 3/?3 /O a NEWSPAPER FIST IL , s rin outing?00 • or afun use lc k a wee ken - an wee ken e• d, ,S , ���AR t c1�u •ped �a�� �1 �� o��' ce Vte�cl s�9S- dese�- mea ,-(\z- . W°' a\- APRIL 5 AND 6 ENTERTAINMENT k Weekend celebration at Bob 111 Jones Nature Center, Save this calendar Southlake Two events coincide with April's of the hnaturlong ee cen leratiter.on of the opening of Northeast Tarrant County's "We just feel like it's a good time of - . year,the spring,"said Connie Cooley,firstvice president of the historicalStar-Telegram }�Sr�n/�J� festivals sociey."And it's in celebration of a v wonderful new facility." Spring has arrived, and so ■The Southlake Treasures in Your has festival season. APRIL 12 Attic Antiques Appraisal Fair is an At least one event will Spring Into Nash Farm, Antiques Roadshow-type event hosted take place each weekend Grapevine by the Southlake Historical Society and At the sixth annual event,visitors can k the nature center. Residents can get in April in Northeast Tar go on hayrides,make crafts,watch their valuables—including art,silver, rant CountyThe last blacksmithing and historic plowing pottery,linens,Indian artifacts,rare weekend, April 25-27, will demonstrations and help plant the books,old photographs and sports spring garden on the farm,built in I bringin some of the most memorabilia—appraised. 1859.The theme is"Growing Togeth—er!" Cost:Southlake Treasures is free, Daze in Euless and Art in The outdoor event educates chil- with appraisals costing$5 each.Ap- praisal tickets can be purchased at the the Square in Southlake— dren about life in Grapevine's founding event and in advance at the Southlake as well as new events in days."It's kind of a festival to kick off Public Library at 1400 Main St. in Haltom City and Richland spring,"said Lisa A.McCowan,media ISouthlake Town Square. relations manager for the Grapevine IMExplore the Cross Timbers involves a Hills. Convention&Visitors Bureau. nature hike,a talk about the area eco- When: 10 a.m.to 2 p.m. system by University of Texas at Arling- Where: Nash Farm,626 Ball St. ton professor Richard Francaviglia,and Cost:Free. a performance by the duo Tejas. Information: 1-800-457-6338 or When: 1:30 to 4 p.m.April 6 817-410-3185;www.grapevinetexasusa- Cost:$10,tickets available at the .com. library and at the event. – Where:Both events are at the nature center,355 E. Bob Jones Road, Southlake. Information:817-223-9606, www.southlakehistory.org, www.bjnc.org DISTRIBUTED TO: PAGE "‹ OF - 5 MAYOR CITY CNCL CITY ATTNY CRIM MCKAMIE RIDGWA Y(2) DECK BROWN YOUNG McDONALD COLLINS C. BARKER GETCHELL LIBRARY ADMIN LIBRARY REF ANIMAL CNTR DATE DISTRIBUTED 3 / )( /D i( DATE OF ARTICLE 3 /-23 /cg NEWSPAPER FWST APRIL 18-19 APRIL 25-27 APRIL 26 A weekend of wine, Grapevine Art in the Square,Southlake. Baker Days, Richland Hills Many people don't realize Texas is fifth The ninth annual event features 140 The city will celebrate the.Baker family, among wine-producing states."This is juried artists selling their wares;enter- which founded the city in 1946,with a• a great wine and culinary destination," tainment,including country band Caro- parade and celebration.The event will McCowan said. lina Rain;Fun Zone,an area for youn- also feature Lance Tahmahkera,the ■The jazz wine train will take visitors ger teens featuring inflatables and great-grandson of Quanah Parker,who on a two-hour ride toward Fort Worth rides;and Kid's Korner,with face- will talk about Comanches. as they are feted with wine tastings painting and sand art. New this year is The land was originally a Comanche and jazz music. Art Off the Vine,a wine-tasting event hunting ground.The Baker family used When:The train leaves at 6:40 p.m. featuring wines from Australia,Texas, it as a tree farm. Brothers Ed Baker Sr. Friday and Saturday Italy and California. and James Baker Jr. built the first four Where:Grapevine Cotton Belt Event co-chairwoman Carmen Evans houses here,starting Richland Hills. Depot,705 S.Main St. said the event offers activities for "The Historical Society wanted to Cost:$55 a ticket every age group. do some kind of celebration and recog- ■During the Blessing of the Vines, "It's fun. It's addictive,"she said."I nition of the Baker family,"said Jeane priests pray for a new harvest at Dela- find it hard to go home." Grisham,president of the Richland Hills ney Vineyards.The event starts with a When:4 to 10:30 p.m.Friday,April Historical Society. procession that the public can partici- 25; 10 a.m.to 10:30 p.m.Saturday, Organizers are looking for parade pate in. April 26; 11 a.m.to 6 p.m.Sunday,April entries,including youngsters on bicy- When: 11 a.m.Saturday 27 cies and skateboarders who would be Where: Delaney Vineyards,2000 ■Art Off the Vine is 6 p.m.April 25;4 willing to dress in 1950s-style clothing. Champagne Blvd. and 6 p.m.April 26;and 3 p.m.April 27 When: 10 a.m. Cost:free Where:Southlake Town Square Where:The parade will start at the •After the blessing,participants can Cost:Art in the Square is free;Art Richland Hills Visitor's Center and start on the 16th annual New Vintage Off the Vine is$20,tickets available Museum,on 6724 Baker Blvd.,and Wine and Gallery Trail,in which theyonline starting April 1. continue to Wesley Way,just past can sample the fare at eight local win- Information:www.artinthesquare- Handley-Ederville Road.The celebra- eries and visit local art galleries. .com tion will be at the museum. When: Noon to 5 p.m. Cost: Free Where:Various establishments Information:682-225-2984 or Cost:$45,with complimentary 817-284-8043. shuttle Information: 1-800-457-6338 or Spring Sports Fest, Haltom 817-410-3185;www.grapevinetexasusa- City .com A sports festival in which children can `' i�r,�`l ARTSNET Main Stage,performances participate in Junior Olympics skills FI J ` --,0-;c"''' '.it( are planned by bands such as Havana competitions;Aquafina Pitch,Hit and t - Run;and the NFL Punt,Pass and Kick. �} ,,. ,,a ;, NRG,and Crawfish and King Creole.A Bands, bounce houses and food will be It xtto. n " ,; community stage will feature local "' 9 available. .•,,,,-- 4, nx� dance groups and cheerleaders,and a The city usually had a spring festival ;� ,' Kidz Zone will have games and enter- ,, P g ` � h I • , •tainment. New this year is a fishing around Easter. Because Easter came + '' tank.The event kicks off with a fun early this year,the city staff decided to kA .;„,;„:44v-,,.,,,,,4,, a ¢. walk,sponsored by the Citizen's Fire have a sports theme,parks and recre f� 4: 4„• Academy,at 7:30 a.m.Saturday,April ation Director Tom Henry said. Ash., , A 1 ' ` 26. When: 11 a.m.to 2 p.m.Saturday R"Cl AAII.! z, "It's to celebrate trees and to teach Where: Haltom City Recreation " Center and BroadwayPark ;,/, E C children the important of trees in the 4839 -y--- +1iBroadway Ave. - t urban areas,"said Michael Davenport, ® Euless'special events coordinator.Plus, Cost: Free &' PInformation:817-831-6465, I" '"''''');.7:',.„;,..',.:,:,1%.`.. .::::::':::;.'..4„ , , is "Some people think of Euless as a € - ,- ! ° community by the airport.We're sowww.haltomcitytx.org ! '' .W 7 #' much more than that." " { _ When:9 a.m.to 8 p.m.,April 26;2 to 6 p.m.,April 27 Where:City Hall Campus,201.N. Arbor Daze returns to Euless in April with Ector Dr. plenty of entertainment options and free Cost: Free trees for visitors. s-T ARCHIVES/M.L.GRAY Information:www.arbordaze.org IDISTRIBUTED TO: PAGE 3 OF -D - MAYOR CITY CNCL CITY ATTNY CRIM MCKAMIE RIDGWAY(2) DECK BROWN YOUNG McDONALD COLLINS C. BARKER GETCHELL LIBRARY ADMIN LIBRARY REF ANIMAL CNTR DATE DISTRIBUTED 3 ! `� /0 0 DATE OF ARTICLE 3 k:.? /3 r ° b NEWSPAPER FWST ' APRIL 26-27 ' Arbor Daze, Euless The 20th annual event features the Forestry Village,which will teach kids about the importance of trees and give ' . free trees to visitors.On the MAY 16-18 Main Street Days Outdoor Adventure, Grapevine Outdoor activities—including scuba diving,kayaking,wall climbing,bungee ' jumping and carnival rides-come to Main Street. Plus,there will be bands on four stages,BMX bikers and a lum- berjack show. ' The 24th annual event kicks off the summer and promotes Grapevine as a premier outdoor destination. "It's just great for family and for kids,"McCowan said. When: 10 a.m.to 11:30 p.m.Friday; May 16; 10 a.m.to 11:30 p.m.Saturday, ' May 17; 11 a.m.to 6 p.m.,Sunday,May 18 Where: Downtown Grapevine Cost:$7 for adults;$5 for seniors 62 years and older;$5 for children 6 to 12;free for children 6 and younger; $15 for weekend pass pin;$20 for souvenir weekend pass; Free on Friday from 10 a.m.to 5 p.m. Information: 1-800-457-6338 or 817-410-3185;www.grapevinetexasusa- .com JESSICA DELEON,817-685-3932 1 DISTRIBUTED TO: PAGE / OF 'k l MAYOR CITY CNCL CITY ATTNY CRIM MCKAMIE RIDGWAY(2) DECK BROWN ; YOUNG McDONALD COLLINS C. BARKER GETCHELL LIBRARY ADMIN LIBRARY REF ANIMAL CNTR DATE DISTRIBUTED �5 ' , J /0 DATE OF ARTICLE 3/d 3/o NEWSPAPER FWST Anunexpected end1 to an ... unexpected path By GARY FICKES Corey and his brother, "What are you doing?" I Approximate ..ii Special to the Star-Telegram Chris, arrived early that Sat- asked. "Give me my food 7,000 umber of That Saturday was going to be urday. I was fixing breakfast back." Americans on a waiting list forIt a great day for the Fickes fam- -my first non-hospital food Chris said I couldn't eat a liver transplant. ily. . in weeks—when the phone anything. The telephone call "` Our middle son, Corey, rang. My wife, Cathey, an- was from the hospital's trans- 6 5OO Liver was to be married that night swered it.I paid no attention. plant coordinator. They had transplants to a wonderful woman. Even I was doing something um-',found a liver,and I needed to performed in the United States .. though I had been in the hos- portant: making the perfect rush back to Methodist Dal-- in 2005. pital for the previous 30 days, over-easy egg. - las Hospital. my doctor let me come home As I prepared to take my What an amazing day: I'd ®Q Patients on two days before the wedding. first bite,my sons surround share Corey and Kacey's wed- waiting lists r+ I would not attend, but I ed me. One snatched my ding date with the miracle of for an organ transplant could visit with family and breakfast,and the other took an organ transplant. Sources:American Liver Foundation,Organ k friends beforehand. away iced tea: Y m y Procurement and Trensplantatlon Network. Bad news,good news, bad news Dr.Jeffery Weinstein with the Liver In- The surgery team also wants to know My saga began in 2002 when I was diag stitute at Methodist Dallas Hospital tells if you're able to pay for the items that nosed with a hereditary liver disease • me that without-a successful transplant, : your health insurance might not cover. known as hemochromatosis, which my life expectancy is only six to 24 They don't want you to be worried about 3 causes the liver to accumulate excess months. Now take that information financial issues as you go through recov- iron.My doctor said that of all the major home and tell the famil liver problems, this was the easiest to y ery. If there is a problem, they can offer treat—but not cure. Liver disease is horrible. One day, different avenues to take and work to you re on top of the world.Two days later, ward solving that problem. I would need to go through a series of you're in the hospital. phlebotomy treatments (old fashion p Having completed this evaluation hleoomwhich ti bolding fashimy on After more testing than one could process,I felt good about my ability to re- bloodletting), . imagine,the doctors(specialistslivers,in levels down to an acceptable range and ceive a new liver and survive. But how stop liver damage. could respiratory, cardiac,kidney,gastroenter- foolish of me not to consider what twists stop up additional years and require This couldheck- ology, hematology, and psychiatry, as and turns a diseased liver might take. ups every six months for the rest of my well as a social worker and financial see- life. cialist) meet every Thursday to evaluate And then I woke up. . your case. Jan. 15 started like most Tuesdays. It's That all sounded fine. I've got a dis- ease that's treatable,one that I Their concerns: Will a new liver give Commissioners Court day. Corey and I from a pareata.l expected I get it inherited you the ability to extend your life in apps- always meet for breakfast in downtown from my control parents. a short time.to I e can live itive way?Are you physically and mental- Fort Worth.We met at the Corner Bakery with this. ly able to survive the transplant surgery on Main Street, enjoyed breakfast and Oh, and there's one other thing, the and recovery period? departed. doctor said. These questions matter because if you I don't remember much from that '`You have about 35 years of accumu- have past heart-related problems or kid- point at 8:30 a.m.until I woke up at la.m.ney lated liver damage that is not repairable. an problems,you might not be the best c You will probably need a liver transplare candidate for a transplant within the next two to five years." One of the surgery team requirements Fast forward to 2007. before proceeding with any transplant is that you have a full-time, committed caregiver who will always be with you during your pre-surgery period and the post-surgery recovery. My wonderful wife, Cathey, and daughter, Jennifer, serve as my caregivers. IDISTRIBUTED TO: PAGE OF MAYOR CITY CNCL CITY ATTNY CRIM MCKAMIE RIDGWAY(2) DECK BROWN YOUNG McDONALD COLLINS C. BARKER GETCHELL LIBRARY ADMIN LIBRARY REF ANIMAL CNTR DATE DISTRIBUTED 3 /0) /c c‘ DATE OF ARTICLE 3/a 3/vg. NEWSPAPER FWST I Becoming They now were talking about a kidney They had been asked to make what is an organ donor transplant as well. probablythe toughest decision:Did they I also developed a major respiratory want to approve the removal of a life To learn more about organ donation,or to problem.The hospital contacted the fed- support system.so that the vital organs I find out how to register to become a donor, eral Centers for Disease Control and Pre- could be used to extend the lives of go.to www.organdonorgov vention, and within hours, a group of others? - doctors from the CDC arrived and were A week after the transplant,I watched By the numbers examining me; the wedding video. My lungs were retaining water. My What a wonderful day for Corey and Transplants of all organs g his bride,Kacey.I had received my liver at heart had developed atrial fibrillation. 28,352 in 2007. When I told my doctor that I had seen 6 a.m. Sunday, only 10 hours after they 7 quite a lot of his colleagues in the • had exchanged their lifetime vows.They 14 395 Organ donors in 2007. previ- ous few days,he said: "Garystarted their new life,and I started mine. that's not a good thing." Thank you to everyone who cared and Source Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network In the next days, I was intubated made a difference. I again.I really don't remember what ha And please consider being an organ r pened. But by the end of January, theydonor: r k< had removed the tubes, and I realized , ., }� V that something very special had hap- GARY FICKES OF SOUTHLAKE IS THE TARRANT A'' b d pened COUNTY COMMISSIONER IN PRECINCT 3,WHICH I realized that everything COVERS NORTHEAST TARRANT COUNTY. �u t ', n was going to, Fk be OK. t '1,,v,,, ` I can't give an exact time when I knew = ,N---,,W1-., , this,but I did and still have a tremendous ��""1- feeling of warmth. It's as if I were sur-. h a ' ' - , rounded by friends,relatives and people Iwho just want to help and are all praying Gary and Cathey Fickes in January 2007. for you and your family. STAR-TELEGRAM ARCHIVES/BRIAN VENEZIA This is the point when you know that ISaturday,Jan.19,in the intensive care mit you've been to the edge and, with the at Methodist Dallas Hospital. help of many others, have decided to During those four days in between, I turn aw ay and come back home. had driven from the Corner Bakery to the County Administration parking garage, Not over yet attended the County Commissioners On Monday,Feb.4,I was told that most of meeting and returned to my Southlake the problems I had in the previous two home. I laid down in bed to rest, and. weeks were past,and that if the next liver I then,I was told later,Cathey found me on had the proper blood type, I would un the floor of my closet at 4 a.m.Wednes- dergo the transplant. day. What a great way to start the week!Af- She dressed me and took me to the ter I'd waited 10 days for a donor liver,my Iemergency room at Harris Methodist doctor,Jeffery Weinstein;suggested that I H.E.B.I was put on a kidney dialysis ma- could go home and wait. This meant I chine,a breathing tube was inserted—a could sleep in my bed, eat something I process called intubation — and I was and friends in other than that wonderful hospital food put into ICU.Early Thursday morning,I and visit with relatives was transported to the Liver Institute at town for Corey and Kacey's wedding. Methodist Dallas Hospital and put into But less than 36 hours later, I was in ICU. that kitchen,working on that egg,when The first thing I remember is waking my breakfast was taken from me. up at 1 a.m. Saturday. I felt good, other I hada date with my new liver. than having a dry mouth and a tremen- The real hero in this whole process isS I dous thirst. Later that day, the nurses neither me nor a doctor—it's the donor helped me sit in a chair and visit with and the donor's family. This family was family. forced to endure the tragic loss of a loved The next week,everything started to one. I crash again.I had never had any kind of kidney problems before, and now I was back on dialysis for the second time in a I week. DISTRIBUTED TO: PAGE l OF I j MAYOR CITY CNCL CITY ATTNY CRIM MCKAMIE RIDGWAY(2) DECK BROWN YOUNG McDONALD COLLINS C. BARKER GETCHELL LIBRARY ADMIN LIBRARY REF ANIMAL CNTR DATE DISTRIBUTED 5 1 , /0 DATE OF ARTICLE 3 4---71-7//0 Y NEWSPAPER FWST REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS Arlington leased 3,467 square feet in the Texas 1.Office lease former Sante Rehabilitation 14 Motor 1400 W.Mayfield Road building.The company will use Speedway ound p y M Alliance` Mound The Law Offices of Lee Pierson it as administrative office space. L 'I—v Airport '- 1 -1. T,i:i Pd ,U JNIY 170 114 _ ;ii_AS 1111 leased 950 square feet from PS The building is completely Tax Specialists. leased after renovations. Grapevine''`-PDBroker: Bill Jordan of Moss Brokers: Renee Efimoff and - . ® IV Jordan&Associates repre- Gary Walker of SCM Real Estate p FW I sented the landlord. Services in represented the zS7 "--1' 26 1n 411�pare' ® `� - landlord, Bardin Investors. 1 99 ! , 2. industrial lease 71; X127til a ® 3403-3405 Ave. E Fort Worth FORT 121Irving LOOP ,;t.^^, Mass Movement,a logistics 5. Lancaster Lofts WORTH .:,.> `� ' company specializing in fitness 1324 E. Lancaster Ave. 183 (.:8.,C, Grand equipment,leased 23,203 Artist space totaling 2,354 - Arlington Prairie ; �tt square feet. Landlord is Arling- square feet on the first level of s'' abo at I408. ton based Avenue E Partners. the redeveloped 1925 Lancas- 7 ?�' Broker: David Easterling of CB ter Lofts is now leased,and the zail Richard Ellis represented the building is nearly filled.The 7,-,1� zs; landlord. upper three floors of the build- ing are loft apartments. Colleyville The first floor has an art school STAR-TELEGRAM 3. Office lease and five other artists. I 4012 Gateway Drive Brokers:Mark Joeckel and Vasseur Group represented the Realty Group represented the Premier Laser Partners leased Judy Nitzinger of SCM Real buyer.Trey Fricke and Mark landlord,Carrier 360 Office 1,060 square feet at Gateway Estate represented the land- Graybill of Lee&Associates Associates. Office Park from California- lord. represented the seller,limited II based Platt Investments. partnership IRG Gardens. North Richland Hills Broker: Bill Jordan of Moss 6. Property sale 8.8201 Mid-Cities Blvd. Jordan&Associates reprep 1901 Windsor Place Grand Prairie Office lease sented the landlord. Fort Worth-based real estate 7.Office lease Kathy Thompson,an attorney, investor Conti Partners bought 2080 N.Texas 360 has leased 1,235 square feet. — Euless ' and is leasing the 141,118- Priority Power Management,an Crest Haven Properties L.P.is 4. Office lease square-foot office/warehouse. energy management and con- the landlord. 310 S. Industrial Blvd. The deal included 5.5 acres. suiting services firm,leased Broker: Russ Webb of Stream Aerotech Holdings,a maker of Brokers:J.Searcy of Coldwell 2,543 square feet. Realty Partners represented the airplane and helicopter parts, Banker Commercial Searcy Broker: Kurt Cherry of PM landlord. IDISTRIBUTED TO: PAGE / OF all- . . MAYOR CITY CNCL CITY ATTNY CRIM MCKAMIE RIDGWAY(2) DECK BROWN IYOUNG McDONALD COLLINS C. BARKER GETCHELL LIBRARY ADMIN LIBRARY REF ANIMAL CNTR DATE DISTRIBUTED 3 lag l 0 DATE OF ARTICLE 3 /oR /0 g NEWSPAPER DMN PP By JA • StaffKE WriterBATSELL jbatsell@dallasnews.com 6° \1C11\6-1:) . Jay Stine thinks of the bobwhitequail as an old friend. L \'\\-e) So in a bid to boost the species' dwindling ranks,Mr.Stine is finding some of them a home at the golf course where he works. Mr. Stine, course maintenance director for ,,Oli- Brookhaven Country Club,released more than 400 quails this year at the Farmers Branch ee course,which maintains about 15 acres of natu- ' ral prairie habitat. "It kind of serves as an oasis in the middle of ICI: :::1S-. the city where wildlife can exist,"he said. Brookhaven is among a growing number of I North Texas golf courses introducing measures to attune courses with their natural surround- ings. In the Dallas area,golf courses'environmen- 111 Golf courses link • with Audubon to help Green golf courses More than 30 North Texas golf courses are enrolled in Audubon preserve natural habitat International's eco-friendly certification programs.Here are some of them: I Certified signature sanctuary • (Most rigorous requirements,integrated into course design and construction) •Tierra Verde Golf Club,Arlington , I Certified cooperative sanctuaries (Meet required standards to protect water quality,conserve natural resources and provide wildlife habitats) I .I Timarron Country Club,Southlake ■TPC Craig Ranch,McKinney Actively working toward certification ' ' (Certified in one of six categories) ' I ■Bear Creek Golf Club,Dallas ■Cowboys Golf Club,Grapevine ■Hackberry Creek Country Club,Irving • , • ■Indian Creek Golf Course,Carrollton I .I Iron Horse Golf Course,North Richland Hills •Mansfield National Golf Club,Mansfield ■Plantation Golf Club,Frisco •Fossil Creek Golf Course,Fort Worth I .I Keeton Park Golf Course,Dallas •Lake Park Golf Club,Lewisville III Pecan Hollow Golf Course,Plano , I .Royal Oaks Country Club,Dallas I ■Tenison Park Golf Course,Dallas 4 ■Texas Star Golf Course,Euless ■Walnut Creek Country Club,Mansfield I Other area courses enrolled in the program include Brookhaven Country Club in Farmers Branch and the Meadowbrook and Chester W.Ditto public courses in Arlington. SOURCE:Audubon International I DISTRIBUTED TO: PAGE c)? OF Al MAYOR CITY CNCL CITY ATTNY CRIM MCKAMIE RIDGWAY(2) DECK BROWN • YOUNG McDONALD COLLINS C.BARKER GETCHELL LIBRARY ADMIN LIBRARY REF ANIMAL CNTR I DATE DISTRIBUTED 3 lag /0 Y DATE OF ARTICLE 3/61C/0 V NEWSPAPER DMN tel efforts include sprinkling Then there's'Tierra Verde lic Cedar Crest Golf Course I fairways with treated waste- Golf Club, a municipal course with treated wastewater since water,planting drought-toler- in southwest Arlington,which 2005 has saved the city more I ant turf grasses and.creating landed an even bigger stamp of than 210 million gallons of habitat for wildlife. approval in 2000 as an Audu- drinking water,said Bob John- The nonprofit group Audu-, bon signature sanctuary. son, water recycling manager bon International has certified Mark Claburn, Tierra , for Dallas Water Utilities. I three North Texas courses for Verde's superintendent, said Such milestones are en- their environmental efforts, conservation helps his course couraging for an industry that and-15pore are nearing certi- spend 40 percent to 60 percent has long drawn scrutiny for its fication. massive water consumption In the past year,nine Dal- less on water each year than the and destruction of native vege las-area courses have joined typical North Texas course. tation,said Jeffrey Jacoby,Dal Audubon's cooperative sanc- "We do think it's the way the las staff director for Texas tuary program,which now has industry's going, because it Campaign for the Environ- ""' more than 30 enrolled mem- makes more sense," Mr. Cla- ment. bers in North Texas. It takes burn said."You're going to save "Traditionally, golf courses one to three years to achieve money in the long run,because have not been the most envi- ,.,, the program's seal of approval. you don't have to do as much" ronmentally friendly neigh- The eco-minded push to maintain the course. bors,"he said. might seem mismatched with In Dallas,watering the pub- "Obviously, there's a long an industry known for hyper- way to go, especiallyfor golf '"" manicured, chemically engi- courses," he said. "But every neered swaths of green. step is a progression." ,But Audubon program Mr.Stine hopes at least 50 manager Joellen Zeh said of the 400-plus bobwhite about 13 percent of the na- quails he released at Brookha- tion's 16,000 golf courses have ven will survive among the joined the program. Nearly 4 course's wildflowers and native — percent of the 16,000 have. grasses,which are free offertil- been certified. izer and chemicals. "There's been an upswing Dirk Lemasters,a Brookha- „r, in interest in the environ- ven golfer who was on hand for ment,"Ms.Zeh said."We have the release of the quails,said he , been seeing an increase in en- appreciates the earthy touch. rollment and activity" "I do like the natural envi- –, The TPC Craig Ranch ronment,"Mr.Lemasters said. course in McKinney and Ti- "I'll see a lot of different wild- marron Country Club in life, and I enjoy seeing,them Southlake already are certified when I do play.It's relaxing." W as Audubon cooperative sanc- tuaries. Staff photographer Natalie Caudill contributed to this re- port. IDISTRIBUTED TO: PAGE / OF MAYOR CITY CNCL CITY ATTNY CRIM MCKAMIE RIDGWAY(2) DECK BROWN IYOUNG McDONALD COLLINS C. BARKER GETCHELL LIBRARY ADMIN LIBRARY REF ANIMAL CNTR DATE DISTRIBUTED 3 1,A 8/76 g DATE OF ARTICLE -9 l c-"? 7/6 NEWSPAPER FWST House fire likely accidental, authorities say EULESS—A house fire last week in which a man was found dead may have started because of an electrical problem,a fire official said Wednesday. But fire investiga- tors said the cause of the blaze at 832 Atkerson Lane is still undetermined,according to Euless Assistant Fire Chief Robert Isbell."We're 99 percent sure,but investiga- tors have listed it as`undetermined'because they are not ' 100 percent,"Isbell said.Firefighters found Frank Dusek, 62,near the front of the home as they battled the fire. The fire was reported at 3:45 a.m.March 19,and it took 54 firefighters from four cities to extinguish it.The house was destroyed. Investigators believe that the fire started in a living room.Officials have said that the home did not have working smoke detectors. —Domingo Ramirez Ji: 1 111 3 DISTRIBUTED TO: PAGE / OF / MAYOR CITY CNCL CITY ATTNY CRIM MCKAMIE RID GWAY(2) DECK BROWN YOUNG McDONALD COLLINS C. BARKER GETCHELL LIBRARY ADMIN LIBRARYREFANIMAL CNTR DATE DISTRIBUTED 3 /0? /0, 2 DATE OF ARTICLE 3/ 7/0 a NEWSPAPER FWST 2008 SUMMER CAMPS 8 CLASSES City of Euless Sports Camps Description:Texas Star baseball camp,baseball skills camp,British soccer camp, skating camp,gaff and tennis camps When:Varies Deadline:Varies Ages:5-15 Cost:$30-$99 Location:Varies Info: Heidi Taylor,817-685- 1666.. Parks at Texas Star Baseball Camp Description:Fundamentals in • - struction from former college and professional players When:9:30 a.m.-2 p.m.July 14-17 Deadline:June 6 Ages:5-14 Cost:$90 Location:Parks at Texas Star, 1501 S.Pipeline Road,Euless Info:Heidi•Taylor,817-685-1666; PACS@ci.euless.tx.us; www.euless.org/pacs Euless summer camps Description:Traditional day camps,art camps,leadership camp,sports camps and more When:Varies Deadline:May 3 for Euless 1 residents,May 7 for non- residents Ages:4 and up Cost:Varies Location:Midway Rec Cen- ter,300 W.Midway Drive, Euless Info:817-685-1666,81; www.euless.org/pacs._ aid I ri Nati 1 rrti IDISTRIBUTED TO: PAGE OF MAYOR CITY CNCL CITY ATTNY CRIM MCKAMIE RIDGWAY(2) DECK BROWN YOUNG McDONALD COLLINS C. BARKER GETCHELL LIBRARY ADMIN LIBRARY REF ANIMAL CNTR DATE DISTRIBUTED L3 l� l 0(-) DATE OF ARTICLE a l a l C 0 NEWSPAPER FWST 1 Super Saturday's free tax help IRS service office 819 Taylor St.,Fort Worth,9 a.m.to•3 p.m. IRS VITA center Shadowbrook Apartments,2020 S.Cooper St.,9 a.m.to 3, p.m.For other VITA centers open on other days,call 211 or 800-906-9887 or go to www.irs.gov. AARP Tax-Aide •Arlington Central Library,101 E.Abram St.,9 a.m.Ii to�p.m.,817-459-6900,no appointment required. •Euless Public Library,201 Ector Drive,call 817-685-1489 for an appointment;appointments are also available on 7 Tuesday evenings. • ' •For 37 other locations in Tarrant County open on other days,call 888-227-7669 or go to www.aarp.org/taxaide. Online ' File with online help through AARP or the IRS Free-File program: • launched an easy online tool to help people file for ' the rebate at www.aarp.org/stimulus. •Nonfilers and those earning under$55,000 also can use the IRS Free-File program,which uses third-party vendors like TurboTax,to file electronically at no cost.The program can be found at www.irs.gov. • What to bring •Photo identification. I .' Verification of Social Security number of the taxpayer, spouse and qualifying children through a Social Security card,or a letter,notice or annual statement from Social Security or the Veterans Administration. •Form 1099 from Social Security or Veterans Administra- tion or if the 1099 is not available,a monthly statement and/or the amount of the monthly benefit. I .Proof of any other income,taxable or nontaxable. Source:Internal Revenue Service DISTRIBUTED TO: PAGE / OF r MAYOR CITY CNCL CITY ATTNY CRIM MCKAMIE RIDGWAY(2) DECK BROWN YOUNG McDONALD COLLINS C. BARKER GETCHELL LIBRARY,4DMIN LIBRARY REF ANIMAL CNTR DATE DISTRIBUTED '3 / 8 /0Y DATE OF ARTICLE c_..11 3 /6S 1 NEWSPAPER FWST OBITUARIES 3 Rachel A.Fuller as r y Y ,� M� '": js �u� , , 1 ..,,, EULESS- Rachel A. Fuller, 90, passed away peacefully Wednesday, March 26,2008. FUNERAL: 2 p.m. Saturday at ma First Baptist Church of Euless.Inter- ment: Shannon Rose Hill Cemetery. Visitation:6 to 8 p.m.Friday at Lucas Funeral Home'in Hurst. Rachel, the daughter of Walter Pierce and Blanche Godfrey Hand, was born Sept.18,1917,in Burleson. She was a Euless resident for 70 years and a member of First Baptist Ail Church of Euless for 67 years. She was a cafeteria manager for the Hurst-Euless-Bedford ISD. She was preceded in death by her husband,W.W.Fuller. (t,flO SURVIVORS: Daughter, Lanette Nosey and her husband, Charles; 1 granddaughters, Jill Bratton, Robin Tusa; six great-grandchildren; one eii great-great-grandchild; and sisters, Mabel Hanes, Margaret Hand and Mary Skyles. Lucas Funeral Home Hurst,817-284-7271 View and sign guestbook at www.star-telegram.com/obituaries 1 N isi1 aril 1 W I ✓oil I§ r I DISTRIBUTED TO: PAGE / OF / MAYOR CITY CNCL CITY ATTNY CRIM MCKAMIE RIDG14AY(2) DECK BROWN 1 YOUNG McDONALD COLLINSQC. BARKER GETCHELL LIBRARY ADMIN LIBRARY REF ANIMAL CNTR DATE DISTRIBUTED 3I V l v� DATE OF ARTICLE L.7 /, Y / 0 Y NEWSPAPER FWST 1 OUT AND ABOUT SPRING IS REVVING UP FOR RELAYS, RACES AND SO MUCH MORE i A relay,a race weekend and1 �� A luminaria ceremony several other events turn t t honoring those fighting can- fun into good deeds. k i is cer and in memory of cancer, V4victims is scheduled for 9 April in Texas is about as good *a m., and a Fight-Back 1 re- as it gets when it comes to the ' ` y a ,� p't ` p' fornitCNo weather,so whynot enjoy it all �� �Y �� �� mony is set midnight. No nighter,long? 1 y g ;`.� one should be worried about g , � - '° getting sleepy—too much ex- April 18 and 19 are the JOY DONOVAN citement.Planned are several dates 'set for the Northeast jdonovan@star-telegram.com bands,an Elvis impersonator, Tarrant County version of Re- dancers, children's activities lay for Life,the American Can- ing up pledges from support- and special entertainment at 1 cer Society's overnight event. ers. 2 a.m. Seld this year at Trinity High The Web site, www.netar- This year's goal is$250,000, chool in Euless,the relay be- rantrelay.com, boasts 83 which is $10,000 more than gins at 6 p.m.Friday and ends teams so far. Chairing this last year's total. There's still at 7 a.m. Saturday. Partici- year's Northeast Tarrant time to organize a team to pants work in teams, taking County version of the cancer help reach the goal.Just check turns walking laps of the track society's signature fundraiser the Web site or call Traci at all night long in hopes of rack- is Traci Church of Euless. 817-980-1484. 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 I -j DISTRIBUTED TO: PAGE / OF `� MAYOR CITY CNCL CITY ATTNY CRIM MCKAMIE RIDGN"'AY(2) DECK BROWN YOUNG McDONALD COLLINS C. BARKER GETCHELL LIBRARY ADMIN LIBRARY REF ANIMAL CNTR DATE DISTRIBUTED 3 / /o r DATE OF ARTICLE 3! 6 70 r NEWSPAPER FWST TRANSPORTATION ] Officials: Trans-Texas is dirty word but need is reli .. Is the Trans-Texas Corridor still II© Online exclusives viable,given widespread /® What do you think:Post a opposition? comment on this report at star-telegram.com/comments By GORDON DICKSON Honkin'Mad:For more transportation gdickson@star-telegram.com and traffic coverage, check out so strong statewide that lawmakers FORT•WORTH — The Trans-Texas star-telegram.com/blogs now question whether it's wise for the Corridor is now so controversial, Texas Transportation Department to .. merely uttering the words in most po- "The Trans,Texas Corridor is a continue planning the huge project in litical circles is taboo. lightning rod," he told visiting state its current form. "We're calling it a 'regional loop' representatives this week while ex- But transportation officials say because you can't say 'Trans-Texas plaining how the corridor would con- they must press on. While opposing Corridor' in the state of Texas any- nect to regional highways by 2030. views must be respected, the state more,"said Michael Morris,transpor- Opposition to the proposed con- can't afford to ignore its growing traf- tation director for the North Central struction of a$184 billion network of fic problems, Texas Transportation Texas Council of Governments. - toll roads during the next 50 years is Commissioner Ned Holmes of Housil - tt That does not diminish the need for mobility in the state. Proposed Trans-Texas Corridor Ned Holmes, Transportation Commission member from Houston ; ton said this week. Elsewhere in Texas, co N Clearly the Trans-Texas Corridor mon criticisms are that the € ` • ' name has developed some controver- corridor plan would take too " sy in and of itself,"Holmes said."That much property out of the does not diminish the need for mobil hands of private landowners, , 37 ® ®i ity in the state." • impose tolls in rural areas _;' _ Piano r~ " In the past two years, the Metro- where drivers don't want them m. V-... ®' i Alex region and the Houston region and turn over control of Texas Keller D/FW { both have created more jobs than any roads to private,often foreign Airport , so :.i..,'''...:1 state in the union,he said. - owned companies. ao p "Texas is unique- in its' "To say that the term Trans j; Fort Dallas ' .-t4 ...:',....-:,....::.:•: j Texas Corridor is tainted is an Worth i ` growth patterns. If we don'ts understatement," said state plan for Texas growth pat i 20 i" terns,we won't have a chance . Rep. Vicki Truitt, R-Keller. i f 4s ' to meet those needs,"he said. There are some positive corn- ponents of the Trans-Texas an # 1 ..,,:....,''.1::•;••::':...--.,,,::•":-.::,.....•;•;:••:!":7,...7.7.,: j:...:.....:H::;.::,..... i Corridor,but those have been • Criticisms with merit s"' i` • • ; ' Despite Morris` hesitation to overshadowed by all the nega i "., '�, Ennis mention the Trans-Texas Cor- ,..,.tive.' s �- „� ridor by name, North Texas What makes good sense toCleburne i t s- ] generally her would be separating Y - , r, leaders enerall back the p g it le . i an.'Most are desperate to fix freight truck traffic from pas- Operatianalby2015 �* '� Fes.: the region's growing traffic senger traffic and routing it 000 • ;. g g g around major metropolitan Operational by +# problems,clean up the air and ...Operational by 2©3© ,�7 keep the economy going in the areas,she said. "The plan for marketing the +' nation's fourth-largest metro- Trans-Texas Corridor and pro- Area planners have incorporated the proposed statewide Trans- politan area. perly seeking public input re- Texas Corridor into their long-term highway plans,creating an garding the plan were flawed outer loop around Dallas-Fort Worth. Many North Texas city and and ,poorly executed," she county leaders support the Trans-Texas Corridor plan,but they said. "Rumors about the plan don't mention it by name because it's so controversial. '- • 3 were left unchecked and facts STAR-TELEGRAM/TIM BEDISON - became obliterated by fiction in the minds of many." IDISTRIBUTED TO: PAGE OF v2 MAYOR CITY CNCL CITY ATTNY CRIM MCKAMIE RIDGWAY(2) DECK BROWN ' YOUNG McDONALD COLLINS/ C. BARKER GETCHELL LIBRARY ADMIN LIBRARY REF ANIMAL CNTR DATE DISTRIBUTED 3 ! a `/()' DATE OF ARTICLE 3/�S `/v" NEWSPAPER FWST ILawmakers ma}? consider Ct To say that the term Trans-Texas passing neW laws during the 2009 legislative session to curb Corridor is tainted is an I the 'Transportation Depart ment's ability to advance the Understatement. Trans-Texas Corridor and Rep.Vicki Truitt, Republican from Keller other privately run toll pro • - I jects, accordingto state Sen. would there be widespread re- Kim Brimer, R-Fort Worth. sistance to adding lanes along One option: a ban on foreign gridlocked 1-35? investment in Texas roads. "The Trans-Texas Corridor designation has begun to de- What's in a name? velop a life of its own that has Some people who supported muddled some of that sup- ' building Interstate 69 from La port," Holmes said. "But I be redo to Houston and east Tex- lieve the support is still out --, there.Wesimply need to find a as now oppose the plan to mechanism to tap into that build it as a part of the Trans Texas toll road, Holmes said. support.' About 14,000 people have sub Transportation Commis mined comments on the 1-69 sion Chairwoman Hope An- proposal,state records show grade of San Antonio:added: I Thousands of others sub- Yesit s a viable project.We're mitted comments.during pub- moving forward on it.We have lic.meetings in summer 2006 to just be firm and committed on the first leg of the Trans- to do what we believe is the I Texas Corridor a proposed right thing in preparing our state .for the next 25 to 50 Interstate 35 -reliever route ; from Dallas-Fort Worth to San years. I Antonio.Even so,that project GORDON DICKSON,817-685-3816 is still under study and could be under construction by 2012, according to a master I plan developed by the Spanish firm Cintra. State officials- have even I considered that perhaps the name itself has become too symbolic. Without the fancy name, the argument goes, I I I I