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City Connection November 2019C I T Y C O N N E C T I O N NO V EMB ER 2 019 V OL. 16, ISSUE 2Learn more about City events at HuntsvilleTX.gov HOLIDAY SOLID WASTE SCHEDULE PAGE 3 TALKING TURKEY PAGE 4 HUNTSVILLE FOR THE HOLIDAYS PAGE 2 IN TH IS I SS U E The voters of #HomeSweetHuntsville took to the polls for the November 5th Election and the unofficial results are in. Mayor Andy Brauninger ran unopposed, receiving 2,026 votes. In Ward 1, Daiquiri Beebe received 52.59 percent of the 523 votes cast. In Ward 2, Russell Humphrey ran unopposed, receiving 235 votes. In Ward 3, Blake Irving received 69.47 percent of the 285 votes cast. In Ward 4, Incumbent Joe Rodriquez held onto his seat for another term with 68.23 percent of the 1,045 votes cast. According to the Walker County Elections Office, there are 33,381 registered voters in the county. Only 16.65 percent of those voters exercised their right to vote, with 5,557 votes cast. For the City precincts, there are approximately 16,400 voters and only 4,114 showed up to the polls. The results are expected to be finalized by the Elections Board mid-November. The new Councilmembers were sworn in by County Judge Danny Pierce at 6 p.m. Tuesday, November 19th. Outgoing Councilmembers Tish Humphrey, Ronald Allen, and Mayor Pro Tem Joe Emmett were honored at 4:30 p.m., Tuesday, November 19th at the Huntsville Public Library, with a combined 32 years of experience terming out. For more information, call City Secretary Brenda Poe at 936-291-5413 or email CitySecretary@HuntsvilleTX.gov. November 2019 Elections 3 new councilmembers take seats The Sam Houston Statue, located at 7600 State Highway 75 South, celebrated its 25th birthday on October 22, 2019. City Council, staff and guests enjoyed a special signing by statue artist David Adickes and Linda Wiley. Councilmember Tish Humphrey thanked Adickes for his dedication to Huntsville. The event was also attended by filmmaker Richard Linklater, who was recording the event for a future project. CALENDAR OF EVENTS PAGE 4 N OVE MB ER 2 019 V OL. 16, ISSUE 2 Saturday, November 23, 2019 Gingerbread House Workshop, The Wynne Home Arts and Visitor Center, 10 am-12 pm, Cost: $30 It's almost that time of year again. Completed houses can be put on display and entered in the annual gingerbread house contest. Residents are welcome to decorate their own gingerbread house outside of the workshops. To display or enter your gingerbread house in the annual contest, houses must be delivered to The Wynne Home by December 4th. For registration, rules and recipes visit our website. Friday December 6, 2019 Gingerbread House Reception, The Wynne Home Arts and Visitor Center, 5-7 pm, Awards at 5:45 pm Saturday, December 7, 2019 Christmas Fair/Winter in the Park, downtown Huntsville, 10-5 pm, FREE Vendors line the streets with the perfect gifts for the holiday season. From crafts to food, there will be something for everyone on your list. Enjoy picture opportunities with your family and kid- friendly activities at Winter in the Park at Rather Park. Christmas Open House, The Wynne Home Arts and Visitor Center, 10 am-4 pm, Free Enjoy touring the Wynne Home all decorated for the Christmas season. Refreshments will be served. Cider on the Porch/Open House, The Wynne Home Arts and Visitor Center, 6 pm, FREE Join us for hot apple cider as we watch the annual Christmas parade, along Sam Houston Avenue and 11th Street, beginning at 6:30 pm. The Huntsville Lions Club Annual Christmas Parade starts at 20th Street and Sam Houston Avenue and will proceed northward on Sam Houston Avenue to 11th Street then will turn westward (left) and finish in front of HEB and turn down Ray Black Drive. December 10-13, 2019 Ornament Painting, TheWynne Home Arts and Visitor Center, 4-5:30 pm, Free Come and paint an ornament. No experience necessary. All supplies included. 12 ornaments to choose from. Saturday December 14, 2019 Santa at the Statue, The Sam Houston Statue and Visitors Center, 10-5 pm, FREE Come visit with Santa at the Sam Houston Statue and enjoy light refreshments and fun for the kids. Huntsville for the Holidays N OVE MB ER 2 019 V OL. 16, ISSUE 2 Thursday, November 28, 2019 - FACILITY CLOSED THANKSGIVING HOLIDAYS RESIDENTIAL CHANGES Curbside Recycling Collection will be picked up on Friday, November 29 COMMERCIAL CHANGES Commercial Garbage Collection customers with a scheduled Thursday dumpster/rolloff/ compactor pick up will be serviced during the week. Friday, November 29, 2019 - FACILITY OPEN Residential Curbside Recycling Collection will be picked up on Saturday, November 30. THE TRANSFER STATION will be closed Thursday, November 28, and will reopen for normal business hours on Friday, November 29. For more information about your recycling or garbage route, call 294-5712. Wednesday, December 25, 2019 - FACILITY CLOSED CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS - Residential garbage normally picked up on Wednesday will be picked up on Thursday. December 26, 2019. Do not use blue cart for garbage. Thursday, December 26, 2019 - FACILITY OPEN Residential garbage normally picked up on Wednesday will be picked up. There will be no Heavy Trash service for this week. Watch the City website and social media pages for additional information. Holiday Solid Waste & Recycling Schedule DZ & Jane Monday had the vision to preserve the “Founder’s Spring” and a green space in the heart of Huntsville. The Indians camped at the spring to go up the hill to trade with Pleasant Gray in the 1800’s. The landscape provided water, shade, food, everything needed for Indians to camp. The sculptures are of a man, woman, and child created to honor the Indians that were at the location first. The pond is in the shape of Walker County and made of petrified wood collected during a contest from all across the area. Where is Founders Park? Founders Spring, 1000 University Avenue & 10th Street Currently, the fountain is under maintenance.  The fountain once ran on natural spring, that still runs below ground, but currently runs on City water. The park has many varieties of vegetation for animals, including Mexican plum, American holly, cherry laurel, bayberry, and so much more to offer.  Of note, the entire city of Huntsville is a bird sanctuary by Ordinance and is the smallest town in the United States of its size to have an Audubon Society. N OVE MB ER 2 019 V OL. 16, ISSUE 2 C AL E N D A R O F E V E N T S 3 - City Council Meeting at 6 p.m. 4 - Yard Waste Trimming Collection 5 - Planning Commission - City Hall at 5:30 p.m. 11 - Heavy Trash & Large Yard Waste 17 - City Council Meeting at 6 p.m. 18 - Yard Waste Trimming Collection 19 - Planning Commission - City Hall at 5:30 p.m. No Heavy Trash & Large Yard Waste 30 - Yard Waste Trimming Collection December 2019 6 - Yard Waste Trimming Collection 13 - Heavy Trash & Large Yard Waste 19 - City Council Meeting at 6 p.m. 20 - Yard Waste Trimming Collection 21 - Planning Commission - City Hall at 5:30 p.m. 27 - Heavy Trash & Large Yard Waste November 2019 The City of Huntsville has preparation and grease disposal safety tips for residents who choose to deep fry turkeys this fall. According to Fire Chief Greg Mathis, there are several key points to remember when frying a turkey in grease, and keeping them in mind may help prevent dangerous accidents. “Every turkey fryer comes with instructions, and it’s very important to read those completely before starting,” Mathis said. “Also, make sure when you do begin cooking that your turkey fryer is not in a garage or under any kind of structure. Many of the calls we have had in the past have been the result of grease boiling over onto a deck and setting the wood on fire.” Chief Mathis says to make sure you have the correct level of grease. This can be tested by placing a turkey in an empty fryer, filling the fryer with water to just cover the turkey, removing the turkey, then pouring out the water and filling the fryer with grease to the previous water line. Turkey preparation, Mathis said, is also a source of trouble if not conducted properly. “If you put a wet or partially thawed turkey into 350-degree grease, it will boil over,” he said. “Make sure your turkey is completely thawed and dry, and make sure to keep children and pets away from the fryer, just in case.” Finally, both when placing a turkey in grease and removing the turkey, use caution and move the turkey 1 to 1½ inches at a time. “Wear gloves, a long sleeved shirt and closed-toe shoes. Also, have a fire extinguisher available that has a Class B rating (ABC or BC) for flammable liquids.” Alternate methods of turkey preparation including the use of infrared fryers may also be considered. "Citizens may also consider switching to an oil- free fryer, which would not only be safer all around but performs at the same rate of speed of a traditional fryer," Mathis said. Proper grease disposal is also very important. According to Brent Sherrod, Director of Public Works, grease is a waste the sewer system cannot handle and thus should be kept out of the system. “Grease should not be poured down the drain because, as the wastewater flows through the sewer line, the grease would continue to build up, restricting the flow of wastewater,” Sherrod said. “It is better to put grease in the garbage instead of the drain.” HFD talks Turkey Safety Residents should put used grease and oil in a jar, coffee can, or other suitable container. Put paper towels or some type of absorbent material in, seal the container, wrap it in newspaper, then place it in the trash. Food service establishments require a grease interceptor to Submit requests for Heavy Trash pick-up before noon on Wednesday, the week prior to pick-up, at 294-5796. Are you signed up to receive notifications from the City of Huntsville? Visit HuntsvilleTX.gov and click on Stay Notified! properly remove oil and grease. “With your cooperation, the City of Huntsville can reduce sewer backups, lower maintenance costs, and keep the sewer system operating smoothly year-round, especially during the holiday season,” Sherrod said.