2015/12/10
City news,
features,
and
updates
December 10,
2015
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Letters to Santa! - page 2
Solid Waste/Recycling schedules - page 3
Nutcracker at the Wynne Home - page 5
Mayoral Runoff Election
Saturday - December 12 - 7 a.m.-7 p.m.
The Huntsville City Council, at its November 10 special session,
voted unanimously to hold the runoff election for the mayor's
race on Saturday, December 12, 2015. The City Council formal-
ly called the runoff election by ordinance at its November 17
regular meeting. Voting for all precincts is at the Walker County
Annex on Sam Houston Avenue.
Councilmembers Andy Brauninger and Keith D. Olson garnered
the two highest voting totals in the November 3 regular elec-
tion, and are the only names on the December 12 ballot.
The mayor is an at-large position that may be voted on by any
qualified voter of the city of Huntsville. City voters whose regis-
tration is valid on the day they vote (early voting or election day)
may vote in this election, regardless of whether or not they vot-
ed on November 3.
Questions about registration should be directed to Diana
McRae, the Walker County Tax Assessor/Collector and Voter
Registrar, at 936-436-4950. Voting by mail, curbside voting,
and voter assistance, under the guidelines of the Texas Election
Code, as in any election, will be available to eligible voters.
City Hall will be open to the public from 7 p.m. on election night
for returns, which will also be posted on the website. For contin-
uing information, visit the City's election page at
www.huntsvilletx.gov/Elections, or contact the City Secretary's
office at 936-291-5403 or citysecretary@huntsvilletx.gov.
December 12 Runoff Election
Letters to Santa
Santa Claus wants all of the children in the Huntsville area to
send him their Christmas letters. Not only did Santa give the
Huntsville Public Library a special Santa mailbox, linked di-
rectly to the North Pole, but he even promised to respond
with an email!
Starting November 23rd, children of all ages can visit the mail-
box in the Children’s Library. Santa says, “Please write as
neatly as you can. My eyes are old and the elves are always
losing my glasses.”
Santa will accept letters until December 15 (he needs to spend a little time on dou-
ble checking the naughty list). Santa also said that the best person to contact for
more information is Rachel McPhail, Children’s Coordinator, at 936-291-5910.
When is Election Day?
Cuando es el Dia de Eleccion?
Saturday, December 12, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
La Ciudad de Huntsville sostendran una eleccion unida
el Sabado 12 de Diciembre 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 City.
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 ciudad de Hunts-
ville. Si no esta seguro si su registracion para votar esta vigente puede llamar
(936) 436-4959 o visite https://team1.sos.state.tx.us/voterws/viw/faces/Introduction.jsp.
Where do I go for early voting? A donde voy para votar temprano?
Walker County Annex, 1301 Sam Houston Avenue, Suite 101,
Huntsville, Texas
Holiday Solid Waste Schedules
The Solid Waste Disposal and Recycling facility will be open Saturday, December 26, 2015 and
Saturday, January 2, 2016, from 7:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon.
For questions about the garbage collection, the Solid Waste Transfer Facility, or the Recycling Drop-Off Center,
please call the Solid Waste Division at 936-294-5712.
CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS RESIDENTIAL SERVICE CHANGES
Thursday, December 24, 2015 CLOSED Residential Curbside Recycling will be picked up
on the following Thursday, December 31, 2015.
Extra recycling beside the blue cart will be picked up.
Friday, December 25, 2015 CLOSED Residential Curbside Recycling be picked up
on the following Friday, January 8, 2016.
Extra recycling on side of blue cart will be picked up.
CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS COMMERCIAL SERVICE CHANGES
Thursday, December 24, 2015 CLOSED Commercial Garbage Collection customers with a scheduled Thursday
dumpster/roll-off/compactor pickup will be serviced on
WEDNESDAY, December 23,, 2015
Friday, December 25, 2015 CLOSED Commercial Garbage Collection customers with a scheduled Friday
dumpster/rolloff/compactor pickup will be serviced on
SATURDAY, December 26, 2015.
The Streets Division will pick up live Christmas trees (not artificial) at the street’s edge from
Monday, January 4, 2016 through Friday, January 8, 2016 .
Trees must be on the curb no later than Monday, January 4, 2016 for these pick ups.
The Solid Waste Division will make additional pick ups of live Christmas trees (not artificial) at the street’s edge
on Wednesday, January 6, 2016, and Wednesday January 20, 2016, only.
City residents may also take their Christmas trees (not artificial) to the Solid Waste Disposal Facility, free of charge with their current City of Huntsville residen-
tial utility bill, during regular business hours. Live Christmas trees (not artificial) must be unloaded at the brush pile only. For questions about garbage collec-
tion, the Solid Waste Transfer Facility, or the Recycling Drop-Off Center, please call the Solid Waste Division at 936-294-5712.
NEW YEAR’S DAY
HOLIDAY
RESIDENTIAL SERVICE CHANGES
Friday, January 1, 2016 CLOSED Residential Curbside Recycling Collection will be picked up on the following Friday, Janu-
ary 8, 2016; Extra recycling on side of blue cart will be picked up
NEW YEAR’S DAY HOLIDAY COMMERCIAL SERVICE CHANGES
Friday, January 1, 2016 CLOSED Commercial Garbage Collection customers with a scheduled Friday
dumpster/rolloff/compactor pickup will be serviced
on Thursday, December 31, 2015.
Adopt-A-Senior!
The City Council members, City Manager, and the
City Secretary recently showed their support of
HISD by participating in the new Adopt -A-Senior
program at Huntsville High School.
Working with Assistant Principal Demeka Simmons,
all seniors received personalized notes of encour-
agement, thanking them for their dedication to
their studies and urging them to pursue lifelong
learning.
Having well-educated residents benefits the entire
community by providing a strong labor force who
take their roles as citizens seriously.
Above: Here’s what 387 student notes and 110 teacher appreciation notes look like!
Kroger’s
Open!
Several members of
the City Council at-
tended the ribbon cut-
ting for the new Krog-
er store on November
18.
Public Affairs Manager Joy Partain and Vice President of Merchandising Ron Parucki
thanked the community for their many years of loyalty. They said the prior location
had served the community for 34 years, and introduced Store Manager Phillip Lucia.
Lucia will lead the Kroger team at the new Signature store, which is more than twice
as large as its predecessor. The new Signature Store now offers the Huntsville com-
munity an in-store Starbucks, a Chef Shop with ready -to -eat meals, new expanded
beer and wine selections, drive-through service at the pharmacy, and a Fuel Center.
HPD Officer Recognized
Huntsville Police Officer Je'rard Collins was honored recently with the
"Heroes of the Highway" award by Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD).
The East Texas Region of MADD covers a 15-county area including Walker
County. Select officers from these counties were honored at MADD's annual
Outstanding Law Enforcement Ceremony.
Due to his tireless efforts in DWI enforcement, and the high quality of his
investigations and courtroom testimony, Officer Collins was selected as the
honoree from HPD. He is diligent in his DWI investigations and led the De-
partment in DWI apprehensions this past year.
The Huntsville Police Department is proud of the professional manner in
which Officer Collins represents the agency and our community.
Holiday Fun at the Library!
Holiday Closures
- Closed Dec. 24-27 for Christmas, will reopen at 10:00 a.m. on Dec. 28
- Closing at 5 p.m. on December 31, and closed on New Year’s Day, January 1, 2016
Winter Break Activities
Christmas Music - Jan Cole will be playing Christmas music at the library on Dec. 21 from 10:30
a.m. -noon. Refreshments will be served. Whether you prefer to sing along or just sit back and
listen, come prepared to enjoy yourself. Requests of holiday favorites are welcome!
Holiday Craft Time: Come make a cute winter craft to take home! Dec. 21, 22, or 23 at 3:00 p.m.
Movie Afternoons: The library will show kid-friendly movies Dec. 28 & 30 at 3:00 p.m.
Wii Tournament: Show off your Wii video game skills on December 29 at 3:00 p.m.
(The Holiday Craft Time, Wii Tournament, and Movie Afternoons above are special
Winter Break editions for elementary and junior high students.)
Regular Library Events & Classes
Mother Goose Lapsit - This new program is designed for parents and infants aged birth to 24 months, and fea-
tures songs, toys, and stories on Mondays at 10:30 a.m. – Dec. 14, 21, & 28; Jan. 4, 11, 18, & 25
Story Time - Every Wednesday and Friday at 10:45 a.m. Parents and their children are invited to enjoy songs, sto-
ries, and crafts with a new theme each session. Dec. 11, 16, 18, 23, & 30; Jan. 6, 8, 13, 15, 20, 22, 27, & 29
Lego Club - An elementary-aged building program on the 1st & 3rd Thursdays of the month from 5:00-6:00 p.m.
Legos are supplied and participants are encouraged to build themed creations. Dec. 17; Jan. 7 & 21
Family Movie Night - Doors to the Community Room open at 5:00 p.m., with the movie beginning promptly at 5:30
p.m. Family Movie Night is sponsored by the Texas Children’s Health Plan Program. Complimentary drinks and
popcorn are served and all viewers are encouraged to bring a pillow or blanket. Dec. 11; Jan. 8
Wii Friday - An exciting new program for elementary through high school-age students to enjoy the library’s Wii
system. From 4:00-6:00 p.m. Jan. 22 & 29 (Tournament on December 29 at 3 - see top of page!)
Read with the Dogs - The monthly Read with the Dogs program is held with help from Huntsville Pets Helping Peo-
ple. Children are invited to read to trained therapy dogs in 15-minute segments. Participants also receive a stick-
er with a picture of the dog they read to. Sign up for a session is available beforehand, but not required. 4:00-
5:30 p.m. Dec. 21; Jan. 18
For more information about any Children’s programs at the Huntsville Public Library, please contact Children’s
Coordinator Rachel McPhail at 936-291-5910; for adult programs, contact Adult Services Coordinator Mary Ko-
kot at 936-291-5471; for teen programs, contact Teen Services Coordinator Ashley Newsome at 936-291-5912.
Yoga Class at the Library
Are you looking for a convenient way to try yoga for the first time? Try attending our
free Adult Yoga Program for Beginners at the Huntsville Public Library each Thursday
from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. It’s the perfect opportunity to learn and practice yoga
techniques with other enthusiasts. All we ask is for you to bring your own mat or towel.
The program will take place in the Library’s Community Room on Thursday, December
3, 10, and 17 and will continue after the holidays on January 7, 14, and 21. Please
consult your doctor before starting any new exercise program. Sign up at the library,
online at www.myhuntsvillelibrary.com, or call Mary Kokot at 936-291-5471.