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City Connection April 2019C I T Y C O N N E C T I O N AP RIL 20 1 9 V OL. 15, I SSU E 7 Learn more about City events at HuntsvilleTX.gov by Brenda Poe, City SecretaryWRITING LOCAL HISTORY: THE LIBRARY AS A RESOURCE PAGE 2 VETERANS AFFAIRS ADVISORY BOARD SERVING A PURPOSE PAGE 4 COUNCIL CORNER PAGE 4 CALENDAR OF EVENTS PAGE 3 I N TH IS ISSUE Plann ing is key City Planner Janet Ridley and Planner Leigha Larkins are a dynamic duo with plans to help Huntsville continue to grow while preserving its small- town charm. The pair are planners in the City of Huntsville Development Services Department, located at the Service Center on Highway 75 North. The Planning Division implements the Comprehensive Plan and Development Code for the City by ensuring development activities are in compliance with local and state laws. Ridley said her goal is to continue growing high-quality development in the City. “I keep in mind that Huntsville has a unique character, and any development has to meet the needs of all the citizens,” Ridley said. The duo are currently involved in the Transportation Master Plan, addressing all phases of mass transportation, including walking and biking. “I like the technical aspect of my work, such as site planning and research. I enjoy the groundwork of designing and preserving the character of the City, especially through low-impact designs,” Ridley said. Ridley, a graduate of Texas A&M University, holds a Bachelor’s degree in Landscape Architecture. Her resume includes working for a Planning Consulting firm in the city of Bryan, where she got her first taste of city planning. In 1980, Ridley and her family moved to Huntsville. “I worked for Gerald Harris Associates, a private land surveyor and engineer,” Ridley said. “Then about nine years ago, I received a phone call from the City of Huntsville and the rest is history.” Ridley said that the recent addition of Larkins to the City of Huntsville Planning team was a perfect fit. Continued on Page 3 AP RIL 20 1 9 V OL. 15, I SSU E 7 by Richard Lane, Huntsville Public Library Dr. Clarke’s quotation provides an optimistic view of history in that it is revelatory. History tells us something about ourselves, our communities, our nation and our place in human existence. Still, it is difficult to say exactly what history is. We generally think of history in grand terms. Alexander the Great’s conquest of the known world and the Allied victories in World War II may come to mind when we think of history. Textbooks and works of historians generally reflect upon the sweeping events of universal and grand scale. Local histories, however, are chronicles of places and people. It is well to remember that local history is real history. Local historians apply historical methodologies as they seek evidence to support their work. Thoughtful local historians examine their biases and bring objectivity to their work. The writing of history is not easy work, but the rewards of discovery and insight justify the effort. History is the clock that people use to tell their political and cultural time of day. It is also a compass that people use to find themselves on the map of human geography. The role of history is to tell a people what they have been, and where they have been, what they are and where they are. The most important role that history plays is that it has the function of telling a people where they still must go and what they still must be. - Dr. John Henrik Clarke Writing Local History: The Library as Resource The Huntsville Public Library is fortunate to offer local historians an excellent collection of local, county, regional and state histories. Researchers need only apply a few keystrokes to the online catalog to search by authors, titles, subject and keywords. The libraries extensive genealogical collection is an excellent source for local history. In addition to the library’s collection, library patrons have access to the TexShare databases. The databases include Heritage Quest (a free genealogical database), Texas Digital Sanborn Maps and the Texas Reference Center. Other internet resources include the Castaneda Map Collection, Portals to Texas History, and The Handbook of Texas. The library staff is always available with reference help and a helping hand. For more information, Lane can be reached at 936-291-5473 or RLane@HuntsvilleTX.gov. “You never know what a day will be like in Planning.” Development Services Director Kevin Byal said, “Janet and Leigha are passionate about their role in guiding development as Huntsville grows! Much of their work is done behind the scenes and goes on without any fanfare or public acknowledgement but their dedication in making sure projects adhere to Huntsville's standards provides a huge impact on preserving the Huntsville everyone loves.” Ridley and Larkins manage two City boards – the Planning Commission and the Board of Adjustments - and provide technical advice to various City boards and committees as requested. “One moment we can be focused on long-term projects, and the door will open or the phone will ring and the entire day changes,” Larkins said. “We work hard to ensure that projects are compatible with neighborhood characteristics and community needs to lessen any negative impact.” Ridley said one of the major tasks the duo is currently tackling is regulations of the Development Code to address student housing, to better fit into Huntsville’s existing environment. “I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to all of the city staff for years of team work, especially from our City Manager Aron Kulhavy,” Ridley said. “We are family.” Ridley said she likes spending any down time from work with her family, including the grandkids. She also takes every opportunity to watch her Aggies in any sport. “I want to thank Huntsville for giving me the opportunity to serve and grow, and my husband and family for supporting my ambitions,” Larkins said. Larkins has a history of service. She completed one year in the AmeriCorps, where she learned what it took to support a community during a hurricane, leading her to pursue Resource Management and eventually Planning. “I have seen what a hurricane can do to a community. I feel a duty to support the health, safety, and welfare of the public,” Larkins said. Planning continued from Page 1 “Leigha’s background in working for growing cities in California was exactly what we needed,” Ridley said. Larkins was born and raised in North Carolina, and her husband is currently serving in the United States Marine Corp. “I graduated from Appalachian State University in North Carolina with a bachelor’s degree in Community and Regional Planning and I've spend the better part of the last nine years working in partnership with public agencies,” Larkins said. “Huntsville felt like a good fit for me.” “Our door is always open,” Larkins said. “Our job is to answer questions and to serve the public. I've always loved to read and local and state codes fascinate me. I understand that the development process can be cumbersome and helping people navigate through it is what I look forward to.” Ridley agreed, adding that the City is involved from conception to completion of projects happening within the city limits. “From a storage facility to a multi-million dollar student housing project, we are there working as advocates for the people of the City. We are very hands-on and involved with citizens and developers,” Ridley said. AP RIL 20 1 9 V OL. 15, I SSU E 7 2 - City Council Meeting at 6 p.m. 3 - Yard Waste Trimming Collection 4 - Planning Commission - City Hall at 5:30 p.m. 9 - Transportation Master Plan Workshop at 5 p.m. at the William H. Hodges Education Building 10 - Heavy Trash & Large Yard Waste 16 - City Council Meeting at 6 p.m. 17 - Yard Waste Trimming Collection 18 - Planning Commission - City Hall at 5:30 p.m. 24 - Heavy Trash & Large Yard Waste C A L E N D A R O F E V E N T S April 2019 Submit requests for Heavy Trash pick-up before noon on Wednesday, the week prior to pick-up,  at 294-5796. 1 - Yard Waste Trimming Collection 2 - Planning Commission - City Hall at 5:30 p.m. 7 - City Council Meeting at 6 p.m. 8 - Heavy Trash & Large Yard Waste 15 - Yard Waste Trimming Collection 16 - Planning Commission - City Hall at 5:30 p.m. 21 - City Council Meeting at 6 p.m. 22 - Heavy Trash & Large Yard Waste 29 - Yard Waste Trimming Collection May 2019 AP RIL 20 1 9 V OL. 15, I SSU E 7 Huntsville is a city supportive of it's Veterans. Expansive knowledge of this proposition is common among the vast majority of residents expressed by their support of the annual Wounded Warrior banquet at the Fairgrounds in January, now a 10-year event. Certainly, the H.E.A.R.T.S. Veteran Museum is a tribute to all those wanting to sample the archived past wars and conflicts. Did you know that the City of Huntsville takes its responsibility of this support one step further having established 10 years ago a Committee called the Huntsville Veteran Affairs Advisory Board (VAAB)? The VAAB meets the 3rd Thursday at City Hall each month and the meeting starts promptly at 17:30 (5:30 pm for you non-military time wise). The board consists of 14 members and at present Chaired by former LTCDR Wayne Keen, a Navy pilot. Other members have consisted over the 10 years of former military members of WWll, Vietnam, Gulf War, military wives of all services. The American Legion, VFW, SHSU, and various other Council Corner Mayor Andy Brauninger participates in Arise2Read. Recently, his two students led the pledges for a March City Council meeting. The Arise2Read program helps second graders learn their sight words and improve reading proficiency.  There are over 200 community volunteers working in our elementary schools so this is an important part of helping our children.  In order to keep children reading over the summer, back packs with books and other reading aids hopefully will be given to each second grader at the end of school.  The local POP Committee will be focusing their efforts to assist in providing back packs at the cost of $35 each. Donations may be made at www.uhbc.net/a2r by scrolling down to the “backpack” portion or by writing a check to University Heights Baptist Church with a memo for “A2R backpacks”.  All questions may be directed to Arise2Read@uhbc.net.  The deadline for donations is April 28th. distinguished locals complete the Board. The purpose of the board is to give "voice and respect" to those who have stories to tell, information of upcoming programs and events, support to those in need, SHSU ROTC updates and identifying veteran needs. Guests of the board have traveled from Austin, Houston and various other locals to define programs offered to help Veterans. Two recent guests were students of SHSU doing research on Veterans and were given the floor to ask questions to assist to complete their term paper. Tom Welch a local teacher attends the board seeking mentors and support for his students from those willing to volunteer. A shout out to anyone wanting to attend, "we encourage guests" seeking a voice to help or in need of help. Please feel free to attend and participate. Many thanks to all those who volunteer to be members of this board. — Wayne Keen, Chairman Huntsville VAAB Veteran's Affairs Board serving locally Members of Huntsville City Council and staff participated in the Walker County Fair Parade held Thursday, March 21.