HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-05-08 Euless Articles DISTRIBUTED TO: PAGE / OF l
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North Tarrant Express workers beg motorists to slow down, watch road - National Work Zone Safety
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Earlier this year, a trio of workers on the$2.5 billion North Tarrant Express project was out repairing
signs at about 4 a.m. when a car driven by an older gentleman plowed into the back of the workers'
pickup.
One of the workers was outside the pickup, so he missed the collision the morning of March 23 near
Texas 183 and Industrial Boulevard in Euless. But the two workers inside the vehicle were bruised and
cut-as was the older driver, who was hospitalized and his Honda was totaled.
"It could've been a lot worse," said Kyle Freeman, safety officer with Bluebonnet Contractors. "Our guys
were both still wearing seat belts. But the guy in the passenger seat said he was a second away from
taking his off."
Freeman and several dozen other contractors and Texas Department of Transportation employees
gathered Tuesday at the newly-poured Murphy Drive/Westpark Way bridge over Texas 183 to call
attention to National Work Zone Safety Week.
Thankfully, they said, there have been no worker fatalities in the North Tarrant Express project, or the
LBJ Express project in Dallas. But, as Freeman illustrated,there have been more than a few close calls.
Excessive speeding, alcohol and distractions such as cellphones are the most common reasons why
drivers crash in a work zone.
"Put everything down that could distract you, grip the steering wheel with both hands and pay attention
to what's around you," said North Tarrant Express spokesman Robert Hinkle.
The speed limit in the North Tarrant Express corridor is 50 mph, and police are stepping up efforts to
enforce it, said North Richland Hills police chief Jimmy Perdue.Traffic fines in the corridor, which
includes Texas 121/183 and Northeast Loop 820, can be doubled in a work zone, he said.
He said traffic in the work zone "self-regulates during rush hour," when roads are so congested it's
usually not possible for drivers to speed. So the real danger for workers, and motorists, is at night, he
said.
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U.S. Concrete to move headquarters to Euless
Posted Wednesday, Apr. 25, 2012
BY STEVE KASKOVICH
skaskovich@star-telegram.com ._
U.S. Concrete, a producer of ready-mix concrete and precast concrete products, will move its
headquarters from Houston to Euless, becoming the only publicly traded company based in the Northeast _
Tarrant County city, officials said Wednesday.
The company already employs 250 workers at a regional headquarters for its Redi-Mix subsidiary at 331
N. Main St., which the city built for the company. U.S. Concrete is expected to add 45 professional-level —
jobs with the relocation, which is expected to be completed by July 1.
"Redi-Mix has been a crucial business partner with Euless for many years, and we are excited to see _
them expand," City Manager Gary McKamie said.
Bill Sandbrook, U.S. Concrete's chief executive, said that the company has no operations in the Houston _
area and that moving to the Redi-Mix site will help the headquarters staff"become more aligned and
responsive to both our customers and operating companies' needs."
Sandbrook also cited available space at the Euless facility, financial incentives from the city and proximity
to Dallas/Fort Worth Airport as factors in the decision.
Euless put together a generous incentive package for Redi-Mix when it needed to expand several years
ago.
The city built the regional headquarters, spending $4.9 million for a 27,551-square-foot building on 2.2 _
acres. Redi-Mix occupies the building rent-free as long as it generates a certain level of sales tax
revenue.
Under a 25-year agreement, a portion of sales taxes from regional concrete sales are rebated to the
company.
To attract the corporate headquarters, Euless committed $150,000 to help renovate the building and will
give U.S. Concrete $2,000 per new job, up to 45 jobs, city spokeswoman Betsy Deck said.
U.S. Concrete went through a Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization in 2010. _
Steve Kaskovich, 817-390-7773
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Arbordaze 2012
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Anika Robison, 5,videos Elvis during the city of Euless Arbordaze celebration Saturday morning April 28,
2012. Robinson's mother said that Anika and sister Avery developed an attraction from their
grandmother who is a huge Elvis fan. Festivities included entertainment, arts and crafts, games and
food. During the two day celebration 500 Red Oak seedlings will be given out. (Special to the Star
Telegram Bob Booth)
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Red Oak seedlings sit on a table waiting to be handed out during the city of Euless Arbordaze celebration
Saturday morning April 28, 2012. —
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Tyler Faulk of Cub Scout pack 546 gives Rochelle Drake and her grandson Aidan, 3, a Red Oak during the
city of Euless Arbordaze celebration Saturday morning April 28, 2012.
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Twins,Tyler and Ryleigh Hanks, 10, paint a ceramic tile during the city of Euless Arbordaze celebration
Saturday morning April 28, 2012.
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Oliver Kanoa Billington, 2, and his shirt enjoy an ice cream cone during the city of Euless Arbordaze
celebration Saturday morning April 28, 2012.
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Special to the Star-Telegramra
Amanda Mendoza, 5, prepares to take the stage during the city of Euless Arbordaze celebration
Saturday morning April 28, 2012.
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Local Elections
HURST-- The Metroplex Republican Women provided a potluck lunch of neatly assembled sandwiches,
stuffed croissants and homemade tomato-basil soup while District 9's two state senate primary
candidates--Todd Smith of Euless and Kelly Hancock of North Richland Hills-- each worked to convince
listeners that he was the purest conservative.
In many ways, the Republican candidates who want to succeed retiring Sen. Chris Harris are remarkably
similar. Both were born in 1963, are smoothly polite and photogenic.
Both multiterm legislators are anti-abortion, Southern Baptist family men who have been representing
Northeast Tarrant County communities in the Texas Legislature.
Both believe in creationism and like the idea of intelligent design being taught in public schools, and
neither has embraced vouchers to defray costs of private academies.
Hancock, the owner of a chemical business, who was dressed in a blazer and open shirt, is shorter,
thinner and has a folksier North Texas accent, although the pair grew up a few miles apart.
Smith, a personal injury lawyer in a trim black suit with tie, later told the Star-Telegram that he tries to
speak like the late ABC news anchor Peter Jennings, a native Canadian. Smith lives in a 3,140-square-
-
foot house appraised by the tax district at$191,000; Hancock's is 3,770 square feet, valued at$473,000.
Significantly, neither has joined Gov. Rick Perry's five-point, no-new-taxes pledge. Smith said: "I will not
agree to something that ties me down before I get all the facts."
Before the governor endorsed him April 24, Hancock said he was still studying the pledge.
Neither would disclose his 2011 income when asked by the Star-Telegram. However, Smith said he
would release 10 years of tax returns if Hancock did. Hancock's campaign said it's mulling the challenge.
Neither hopeful met the criteria of the Texas Eagle Forum to be considered among its "most
conservative" lawmakers in the Legislature last year.The Young Republicans give Smith an overall career
rating of 69 and Hancock an 83, while Texans for Fiscal Responsibility handed Hancock a "B+" for the
82nd Legislature and Smith a "C+," an improvement on his "F" from the previous session.
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Smith took issue with the ratings, saying they skew a few votes on issues that are of importance only to
a narrow perspective. He noted that the chief of Texans for Fiscal Responsibility was U.S. Rep. Ron Paul's
former press aide and so could be considered more Libertarian than conservative Republican.
At the lectern, Hancock railed against Smith for wanting to raise the gasoline tax and said he
demonstrated his willingness to take on the medical establishment, which he described as one of the
strongest lobbies in Austin. Later, Smith said, "Kelly didn't mention that I was one of four joint sponsors
of the bill."
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Regarding his own act of legislative courage, Smith told the Republican women that he had raised the ire
of fellow personal injury attorneys by voting in favor of tort reform. And since he is an active lawyer in
the field,the insurance lobby has never given him much in contributions, he said, and neither have his
lawyer colleagues. —
Smith has emphasized that he was raised with his sister in a cramped two-bedroom apartment complex
off Airport Freeway by a single mother and is not the product of inherited wealth. Hancock's campaign
declined to characterize the Hancock family's economic situation.
Smith said an academic scholarship enabled him to attend Southern Methodist University. He studied ..
law at the University of Texas at Austin; Hancock has a bachelor's degree from Baylor University.
In November, the primary winner will confront Libertarian Dave "Mac" McElwee, 73, a retired —
schoolteacher and 24-year Navy veteran from Arlington, and Democrat Pete Martinez, 41, also of
Arlington, who is a firefighter and builds wooden sheds, in the heavily Republican, double saddlebag-
shaped constituency that includes chunks of Northeast Tarrant County and western Dallas County, along —
with a sliver of Denton County.
If the primary were decided by the gasoline tax issue alone, he'd lose, Smith told a reporter after the —
luncheon.
He said he raised the idea 11 years ago as a means to avoid toll roads operated by foreign companies.
The situation has now changed, he said.The toll roads are here.And he said has long since abandoned
the proposal, which would "prevent my constituents from being buried with toll roads." —
"I am not supporting a gas tax increase now," he said, even though Hancock resurrects the issue to
question his fiscal conservative bona fides. The Hancock campaign responded by saying that in a 2009 _
vote recommending killing the gas tax, Smith voted against it while Hancock voted to ask a conference
committee to end it. —
On Monday,The Dallas Morning News endorsed Smith for his legislative flexibility, particularly citing his
support of a possible gas tax hike.
This prompted Hancock campaign spokesman Craig Murphy to assert that Smith changes his views
depending on the audience. —
Smith clarified his position, telling the Star-Telegram that he wouldn't want the tax raised during an
economic downturn, but he'd keep options open so he can make a decision in his constituents' best —
interests.
Barry Shlachter, 817-390-7718 _
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Euless council Places 5 and 6 are contested
EULESS -- One councilman has a pair of challengers, while another incumbent faces a single opponent.
Jay Jenson, 69, and Bruce German, 59, both hope to unseat 73-year-old Glenn Porterfield, who has held
Place 5 since 1999.
"Porterfield has been there more than 14 years," Jenson said. "You can make too many pals doing the
same job over so many years."
Jenson said that if he's elected he'll propose a two-term limit be added to the city charter.
Lorren Britton, 62, also promised to support a two-term limit should he defeat 50-year-old Perry Bynum
for Place 6.
"I don't believe any council representative should serve more than two terms," he said. "When they sit
in office too long they tend to forget about the citizens."
But even more important is that Euless should elect its leaders from districts rather than at-large "so
there is fair representation throughout the city," Britton said.
Early voting begins today for the May 12 elections.
Running for his third three-year term, Bynum said he's more concerned about the city's well-being and
believes economic development is the most important issue.
"It allows us to keep taxes low," Bynum said. "We've been able to bring strong businesses into the city
because the city is a great product."
He says the most important thing he has done to help with business growth is to be a good steward of
city dollars.
Porterfield, seeking his titth term, said his experience as a CPA and president of three banks before his
retirement makes him uniquely qualified to oversee the city's spending.
"Our citizens deserve a council and city staff who look after their best interests," he said. "Keep the tax
rates low, the cost of services as low as possible and provide the services needed for our citizens, as well
as new and improved services that haven't been available."
German cited his experience as owner of a salon and spa business in Colleyville as his qualification to
represent the people.
"The most important thing in Euless are the citizens and voters," he said. "Win, lose or draw, I want to
increase voter turnout. If we can increase the turnout and citizen involvement, the city of Euless is the
winner in the long run."
Terry Evans, 817-390-7620
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Two Legislators Strive to Out-Conservative Each Other for
a State Senate Seat
By AMAN BATHEJA
Published:May 3, 2012
Three years ago, State Representatives Todd Smith and Kelly Hancock,both Republicans,
were on opposite sides of a fight over how to dig the Dallas-Fort Worth area out of gridlock.
THE TEXAS TRIBUNE
Now, as the two men vie for a rare open state Senate seat covering portions of Tarrant and
Dallas Counties, that disagreement has hardened into a key philosophical divide that
supporters on both sides say paints their candidate as the true conservative in the primary
race.
Both men have longstanding ties to their districts. Mr. Smith, of Euless, cut his teeth serving
on his hometown City Council before advancing to the House in 1996. Mr. Hancock, of
North Richland Hills, was elected to the House a decade later, after 13 years on the Birdville
school board.
Both hope to succeed Senator Chris Harris, Republican of Arlington, who is retiring after 21
years in the upper chamber. The winner of the primary in District 9, which leans
Republican, will face Pete Martinez, a Democrat, and Dave McElwee, a Libertarian, in the
general election in November.
"You've got two experienced campaigners with a following and the ability to raise money,"
said District Clerk Tom Wilder of Tarrant County, a Republican. "It's just a shame they
decided to run against each other. They're both pretty conservative people."
In 2009, Mr. Smith supported the Texas Local Option Transportation Act bill, which would
have given some urban counties the option to ask voters to approve raising local taxes or
fees to pay for new transportation projects. The measure failed amid opposition from
antitax groups.
Years ago, Mr. Smith differentiated himself from other Republicans, including Mr. Hancock,
when he proposed increasing the gas tax to keep pace more effectively with the state's
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transportation needs. He frames both stances as proof of his courage to make tough
decisions despite the political costs.
"It's always a can that can be endlessly kicked down the road, at least past the next election,
and there's always another election,"Mr. Smith said. "I feel a moral responsibility to
propose real solutions to these problems."
Mr. Smith said he no longer supports an increase in the gas tax because the area is now
covered in toll road projects, and increasing the gas tax would be like taxing his constituents
twice.
Mr. Hancock opposed the local option measure, drawing rebukes from some area officials,
but he received praise from statewide conservative groups.
That same dynamic is emerging in the primary race, as conservative leaders including Gov.
Rick Perry and Attorney General Greg Abbott are backing Mr. Hancock. Meanwhile, Mr.
Smith has drawn support from dozens of local school board and city officials, including 12
mayors representing nearly the entire district.
Mr. Hancock dismissed Mr. Smith's backers as not representative of the district's voters.
"There's obviously a connection with those who were looking to raise taxes with some of his
endorsements," Mr. Hancock said.
At a forum at a Grand Prairie church last month, the back-and-forth between the two
candidates largely pivoted on how Texas should finance big-ticket needs like transportation.
Mr. Hancock said there is a reason he has received endorsements from the Texas
Association of Business and major grass-roots conservative groups.
"There is a belief of mine that government needs to be run much more like a business,"he
said.
Mr. Smith said that he did not support raising taxes during a recession but that the state
needs lawmakers who have the will to invest a future surplus in infrastructure rather than in
tax cuts.
"I am a conservative,but I am not someone who takes instructions from anyone else other
than my own conscience,"Mr. Smith said.
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The last word came from Mr. Hancock, who encouraged attendees to research both
candidates online.
"I hope that you will become informed,"he said. "Find out that there are different
definitions of conservative."
abatheja@texastribune.org