2015/10/9
City news,
features,
and
updates
October 9,
2015
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Town Hall Tuesday
Inform yourself for the Special Election!
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Drink “The Legend” - page 2
Election Information - pages 8-9
Scare on the Square - page 10
The November 3 election is coming up fast. Only one race in the City’s general election
is contested, so candidates are preparing for forums and debates and the start of early
voting on October 19. But the mayoral race isn’t the only thing on the ballot...there’s a
special election on the reallocation of sales tax being contemplated.
This is a big issue for Huntsville, and one that has not been seen before. The City of
Huntsville has been investigating it this year, as the Council was considering a variety of
options to fund economic development. The Council ultimately voted on a 4B Sales Tax
proposition for the ballot, which will allow the voters to decide. To do so confidently, the
public needs to be equipped with the facts.
The Council has announced a town hall meeting to be held this Tuesday, October 13, at
7 p.m. in the Huntsville Public Library Community Room (following the yoga class held
in the room from 5:45-6:45 p.m.). City Manager Matt Benoit will lead the presentation,
which will be an opportunity to review the proposition and how it would function if
adopted by the voters.
The intent is not to ”sell” or encourage or dissuade any opinions, but simply to enhance
understanding and encourage informed voter participation. Documentation on the is-
sue disseminated by statewide agencies and organizations is lengthy and detailed, and
the City is committed to providing resources for the public to access the material direct-
ly.
Tuesday evening’s town hall is intended to be informational, enlightening, and brief. As
announced at the October 6 City Council meeting, the City will be activating a web page
so that everyone will have access. Attendees will be able to submit questions, which
Benoit will then answer and post to the web page. Then, every Monday between now
and the November 3rd election, the page will be updated.
“Following Tuesday’s town hall, citizens will be able to submit questions through the
web site, or they can email or bring them here to City Hall,” said the City Manager.
“Providing everyone’s questions and the answers online will ensure all voters receive a
consistent and complete public discussion.”
For more information, contact the City Manager’s office at 936 -291-5411 or
mbenoit@huntsvilletx.gov.
The City of Huntsville's Third Annual
Haunted Hayride will take place at
Kate Barr Ross Park on Saturday, Oc-
tober 24, at 6:30 P.M. Tickets will be
$5 per hayride and $3 per fire truck
ride. Concession prices will vary.
Contact Penny Joiner in the City of
Huntsville Parks and Leisure Depart-
ment at (936) 294-5708 for more in-
formation, or if you are to volunteer as
an actor or assistant for the events.
On October 22, the Sam Houston Statue, “A Tribute to Courage” will turn 21. To com-
memorate the special occasion, the City Tourism and Cultural Services Department is
hosting a competition to create a drink that will be unique to Huntsville.
All of Huntsville’s bars and restaurants are encouraged to create a refreshing
non-alcoholic drink that will be named
“The Legend” in honor of the statue and
great statesman, General Sam Houston.
Community dignitaries will decide the win-
ners, and all participants are to be fea-
tured on a special recipe card indicating
where the drinks will be sold throughout
the city.
For more information, contact the Tourism
office at 936-291-5935 or lphil-
lips@huntsvilletx.gov.
There Could be a new legend in town!
HUNTSVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY SCHEDULE
October Events
Story Time - Every Wednesday and Friday at 10:45 a.m. at the library. This complimentary program promotes emergent reading skills for
young children. Story Hour includes stories, songs, dance and finger plays and concludes with a craft activity. October 14, 16, 21, 23,
28, and 30.
Wii - Wii Friday will continue in the Children’s Department from 4 to 6 p.m. on October 16, 23, and 30.
Drama Story Time - Featuring the SHSU Theater Department, this will begin October 20 and be held weekly at 4 p.m. on Tuesdays.
Read With the Dogs - This is an excellent program that helps children who experience anxiety when reading out loud or in a group set-
ting. The dogs are trained and friendly, and make excellent reading companions. Read With the Dogs takes place on the 3rd M onday of
every month. October’s READ is Monday, October 19, from 4:00 -5:00 p.m.
Family Movie Night Series - Huntsville Public Library, in partnership with Texas Children’s Health Plan, is offering a free monthly family
night movie. All movies are rated PG or G. October’s Family Movie night will be Friday, October 9, at 5:30 p.m. Complimenta ry popcorn
and drinks will be served.
Lego Club - The Lego Club for ages 5-12 will be the 1st Thursday and 3rd Thursday of every month. They will meet on Thursday October
1st at 5:00 and Thursday October 15th in the Children’s Room at the Huntsville Public Library.
Special Events
New yoga class (Beginner's Level 2) on Tuesdays from 5:45 to 6:45 p.m. Classes run October 20-November 24.
The Essentials Oils class will meet from 5:45 -6:45 p.m. on October 12, 19, and 26.
Author Angela Williams will hold a special reading for adults from 2-4 p.m. Wednesday, October 28.
Scare on the Square, Saturday, October 31, from 3:00-5:00 p.m. Stop by our booth for special prizes!
November Events
Mother Goose Lapsit - Beginning November 2, this 0-24 months-focused event with movement, song, and story will be held Mondays at
10:30 a.m.
Story Time - Every Wednesday and Friday at 10:45 a.m. at the library. This complimentary program promotes emergent reading skills for
young children. Story Hour includes stories, songs, dance and finger plays and concludes with a craft activity. Nov. 4, 6, 1 1, 13, 18, 20,
and 25.
Wii - Wii Friday will continue in the Children’s Department from 4 to 6 p.m. on November 6, 13, and 20.
Read With the Dogs - This is an excellent program that helps children who experience anxiety when reading out loud or in a group set-
ting. The dogs are trained and friendly, and make excellent reading companions. Read With the Dogs takes place on the 3rd M onday of
every month. November’s READ is Monday, November 16, from 4:00 -5:00 p.m.
Lego Club - The Lego Club for ages 5-12 will be the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of every month, in the Children’s Room at the Huntsville Pub-
lic Library.
Drama Story Time - Featuring the SHSU Theater Department, this will be held weekly at 4 p.m. on Tuesdays. Nov. 3, 10, and 17.
Special Events
Beginner Level 2 yoga class continues through November 24 on Tuesdays from 5:45 to 6:45 p.m.
The Essentials Oils class will meet from 5:45 -6:45 p.m. on November 2, 9, and 30 (Holiday Special).
****Please take note that the Huntsville Public Library will close at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 25 and reopen Mon-
day, Nov. 30 at 10 a.m. The HPL will not be open Thursday through Saturday.****
For more information on all events, call the Library at (936) 291-5472 or visit at 1219 13th Street.
Find checklists,
games, preparation
guidelines and more
on www.fema.gov, for
all types of emergency
and disaster readiness
Local Government Day With LEAP!
For several years, the City Secretary’s Office has offered local groups the opportunity to come learn about local
government and even practice it in action by scheduling a Local Government Day. Any group of 10 -30 individuals
of any age (the program is about two hours overall) can arrange one.
Recently, SHSU students from The Center for Law, Engagement, and Politics took part in an afternoon at City
Hall, beginning with a question and answer session with Mayor Mac Woodward.
“Local government is where you are,” Woodward told the group. “You are students, but also citizens, and local
government touches your lives every day.”
The students seemed to really enjoy the chance to sit at the dais and deal with a scripted Council meeting, gain-
ing a new appreciation for what that part of public service can be like.
“Overall, we did pretty well. One of the most difficult things was adjusting to parliamentary procedure,” noted Me-
gan Chapa. “Another was understanding the various rules under which city governments have to operate. If noth-
ing else, this was a good exercise to know how hard council members work for virtually no pay.”
To schedule a Local Government Day, contact City Secretary Lee Woodward at lwoodward@huntsvilletx.gov.
Participants included Professor Mike
Yawn, Constance Gabel, Megan Chapa,
Marisa Brusuelas, Austin Campbell,
Jazmin Perez, Paul Oliver, Paula Lindsey,
Alejandra Galvan, Kaitlyn Tyra, Yarixza
Rivera, Brittany Lightfoot, John Turner,
Jamaus Williams, Joanna Abril, Hannah
Zedaker, Caitlin Suman, Karla Rosales,
and Haley Bond.
National Night Out
Sees Great Participation!
HPD Community Service Officer Ryann Kaaa worked throughout her department and
the community to put together another great National Night Out event Tuesday, Octo-
ber 6.
“National Night Out was a huge success,” said Kaaa. “We had an amazing turnout.
Huntsville Police Department would like to thank all of the sponsors and members of
the community who helped make this year's event what it was. We hope to see every-
one again next year!“
Chief Lunsford applauded Kaaa for her efforts, and thanked all who participated,
“We love how much the community has been supporting us lately. We are here to
serve them and are so appreciative of their response.”
In Texas, National Night Out is held on the first Tuesday in October. To keep up with
all HPD outreach and enforcement, like their Facebook page.
November 3, 2015 General Election
Voting information, key dates
EARLY VOTING INFORMATION/VOTACION TEMPRANA POR ASPECTO PERSONAL
Early voting will be conducted at the following location:
Walker County Annex, 1301 Sam Houston Avenue, Suite 101
October 19th to October 30th, Monday through Friday
8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
EXCEPTIONS:
There will be two twelve hour days during early voting:
Tuesday, Oct. 20th and Tuesday, Oct. 27th – Early Voting Hours 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Photo ID Required for Texas Voters
Voters are required to present one of the following
forms of photo ID when voting in person:
(1) Texas driver license issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS)
(2) Texas Election Identification Certificate issued by DPS
(3) Texas personal identification card issued by DPS
(4) Texas concealed handgun license issued by DPS
(5) United States military identification card containing your photograph
(6) United States citizenship certificate containing your photograph
(7) United States passport
**With the exception of the U.S. citizenship certificate, the identification must be current or have expired no more than 60
days before being presented for voter qualification at the polling place.**
The voters name on the identification presented must match or be “substantially similar” to the name on the official list of
registered voters (poll list).
Additional information, including material on further exemptions, is available through the Texas Secretary of State’s office at
www.votetexas.gov.
CITY POLLING LOCATIONS/SITIOS DE VOTACION
Ward 1/Sala 1 –
Pct. 102 - Walker County Annex, 1301 Sam Houston Avenue Suite 101
Ward 2/Sala 2 –
Pct. 201 - Walker County Storm Shelter, 455 State Highway 75 North
Pct. 401 - University Heights Baptist Church, 2400 Sycamore Avenue
Ward 3/Sala 3 –
Pct. 101 - Walker County Annex, 1301 Sam Houston Avenue Suite 101
Pct. 301 - Huntsville ISD Transportation Building, 95 Martin Luther King Drive
Ward 4/Sala 4 –
Pct. 205 - Elkins Lake Conference Center, 634 Cherry Hills Drive
Pct. 206 - Huntsville Fire Station #1, 1987 Veterans Memorial Parkway
Pct. 401 - University Heights Baptist Church, 2400 Sycamore Avenue
(All Walker County polling locations are available at www.co.walker.tx.us
Map available at http://www.co.walker.tx.us/egov/docs/1377003789_401641.pdf)
Dates to
Remember
for the
November 3, 2015
election
First day to apply
for ballot by mail
September 4
Last day to
register to vote or make
name/address changes
October 5
Early voting begins
October 19
Last day to apply for ballot
by mail (application
received, not postmarked)
October 23 (reg ABBM)
October 27 (FPCA)
Early voting ends
October 30
Election Day
November 3
7 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Identificación con Foto se Requiere para Votantes Tejanos
Ahora tiene que proporcionar una de las siguientes formas de identificación
con foto cuando vota en persona:
(1) Licencia de Conducir de Texas expedida por el Departamento de Seguridad Publica (DPS, según sus siglas en inglés)
(2) Cédula de Identificación Electoral de Texas expedida por DPS
(3) Tarjeta de Identificación Personal de Texas expedida por DPS
(4) Licencia de Texas para Portar un Arma de Fuego Oculta expedida por DPS
(5) Cédula de Identidad Militar de los Estados Unidos con fotografía de la persona
(6) Certificado de Ciudadanía Estadounidense con fotografía de la persona o
(7) Pasaporte de los Estados Unidos
**Con la excepción del certificado de ciudadanía estadounidense, la identificación deberá estar vigente; si no la está,
debe haberse vencido hace 60 días o menosen el momento de presentarla para calificar como votante en el sitio elec-
toral.**
El nombre del votante en la identificación presentada debe hacer juego o ser “considerablemente similar” al nombre en
la lista oficial del certificado de votantes (lista de encuesta).
Los votantes son animados a actualizar su registro de votante para reflejar los nombres en sus tarjetas de identidad
antes de la fecha límite del 7 de Octubre.
When is Election Day? (Cuando es el Dia de Eleccion?)
Walker County will hold a Joint Election including the City of Huntsville on Tuesday, November 3, 2015
from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m..
La Ciudad de Huntsville y el districto independiente escolar de Huntsville sostendran una eleccion unida el Martes 3 de Noviembre del
2015 de 7 a.m. to 7 p.m..
Am I registered to vote? (Estoy registrado para votar?)
In order to vote in this election, you must be a registered voter of the particular political subdivision.
The last day to register to vote for the November 3 election is OCTOBER 7, 2013.
If you are not sure if your voter registration is current you may call (936)436-4959 or visit:
https://team1.sos.state.tx.us/voterws/viw/faces/Introduction.jsp.
(Para poder votar en esta eleccion tiene que ser un votante registrado de la division politica particular. Si no esta seguro si su regis-
tracion para votar esta vigente puede llamar (936)436-4959 o visite nuestra pagina de web arriba.)
Where do I go for early voting? (A donde voy para votar temprano?)
There will be one Early Voting Polling Place for all entities:
Walker County Annex, 1301 Sam Houston Avenue, Suite 101, Huntsville, Texas.
(Habra solamente un lugar para votacion temprana para todas entetidades que sera localizada en el Walker County Annex.)
PLEASE CHECK YOUR BALLOT!
There are five entities holding elections on November 3, 2015, including Walker County (State Constitutional Amend-
ments), Walker County Hospital District, City of Huntsville, New Waverly ISD, and City of New Waverly (City of Riverside and
Huntsville ISD were able to cancel their elections; political party primaries are in the spring of 2016). There are sixteen
local voting precincts voting at thirteen local polling locations (on Election Day - all early voting is at the Walker County An-
nex) resulting in a total of 24 different ballot styles for this election.
Please be sure you are in the right location and be sure you have received the correct ballot before you vote it. There is
information on all November 3, 2015 early voting and election day dates, times, and polling locations on the City website at
http://tx-huntsville.civicplus.com/395/ElectionsElecciones and also on the Walker County website at
http://www.co.walker.tx.us/egov/docs/1377003789_401641.pdf
The ballots have two sides, please read and vote both sides!
November 3, 2015 General Election - Important Dates to Remember
First Day to Apply for Ballot by Mail - Friday, September 4, 2015
(does not apply to FPCA (Federal Postcard Application for Military/Overseas))
Last Day to Register to Vote - Monday, October 5, 2015
First Day of Early Voting - Monday, October 19, 2015
Last Day to Apply for Ballot by Mail (Received, not Postmarked)
Friday, October 23, 2015 (regular ABBM (Application for Ballot by Mail))
or Tuesday, October 27, 2015 (FPCA)
Last Day of Early Voting - Friday, October 30, 2015
Last Day to Receive Ballot by Mail - Tuesday, November 3, 2015 at 7:00 P.M.
(unless overseas deadline applies)
It’s Fall Downtown - Save these dates!
Downtown Farmers Market - Fall Edition - Saturdays from 8 a.m.-noon, the
2nd Saturday in October until Thanksgiving (same place as summer mar-
ket, on University Avenue between 11th and 12th Streets). Call the Main
Street office at 936-291-5920 for more information.
Scare on the Square - Saturday, October 31, from 3-5 p.m. down-
town. Booth applications are now available through the Main Street office
at 936-291-5920.
Downtown Christmas Fair and Winter in the Park - events held together
this year, on Saturday, December 5, from noon-5 p.m. Booth applications
are now available through the Main Street office at 936-291-5920.
Wynne Home
Happenings!
The Wynne Home’s Day of the Dead events
will be held on Friday, October 23, including a
showing of the animated children's movie The
Book of Life (still from the film at right), and a
craft/art project involving sugar skulls.
Liberties - Area Artists Show opened Septem-
ber 17 and runs through January 9.
For all events and lots more, regularly check
in with the Wynne Home on the City web site
at www.thewynnehome.com