June 2006 City Connection
City Connection
June 2006
Volume 2, Number 9
www.huntsvilletx.gov
What’s New at Huntsville Police Department ?
Senior Of-raised in the Houston rections Department a Bachelor of Arts de-
ficer James area. He attended where he remained gree in Criminal Jus-
Fitch was Prairie View A&M Uni-for four years. James tice from Sam Hou-
promoted versity attaining his came to the HPD in ston State University
to the po-Associate’s Degree in August of 2000. He and will graduate with
sition of Criminal Justice. He has served as a pa-his Master of Science
Sergeant worked as an Adult trol officer, bike of-in Criminal Justice
with the Probation Officer in ficer, field training Management from
Huntsville Police De-Austin County prior to officer, a member of Sam Houston this
partment effective May moving to Huntsville the crime scene unit
summer.
th
16. He will fill the po-to attend Sam Hou-and is the Team
Our congratulations to
sition vacated by Kevin ston State University. Leader of the Special
James and best of luck
Lunsford when Kevin Once in Huntsville,
Response Team.
in his new position!
was promoted to Lieu-James became an
James has his Ad-
tenant. officer with the Walk-
jsanders@huntsvilletx.
vanced Peace officer
er County Community
gov
James was born and certification. He has
Supervision and Cor-
tice Center Academy years, attaining the Jacob Rincones is orig-
May 3rd. All three rank of Sergeant. inally from the Dallas
graduated with hon-Lyza graduated from area and came to
ors. They were offi-SHSU in December Huntsville to attend
cially sworn in as Po-2005 with her BA in SHSU. Jacob graduat-
lice Officers by City Criminal Justice. ed in 2004 with a de-
Secretary Dana Welter gree in Criminal Jus-
Joe Martinez is from
th
on May 8. The three tice. Jacob was em-
Huntsville and prior to
officers have begun ployed with a local
coming to work for
The Huntsville Police
their field training that business prior to ap-
HPD, he was with the
Department is proud to
will last for approxi-plying with the HPD.
Texas Department of
introduce it’s three new-
mately 13 weeks.
Criminal Justice for 16 We are proud to wel-
est members: Lyza
A little about each of years. Joe served as a come these three of-
Bellinger, Joe Martinez,
Training Sergeant for ficers to our depart-
your new officers:
and Jacob Rincones.
TDCJ. Joe is also a ment and our commu-
The three new officers
Lyza Bellinger was
volunteer with the nity!
graduated from the Uni-
born and raised in Cal-
Huntsville Fire Depart-
versity of Houston
ifornia. She served in
jsanders@huntsvilletx.gov
ment.
Downtown Criminal Jus-
the U.S. Army for 4
Solid Waste Services—Employee of the Month
May 2006
Brandon Simmons was selected as the first Solid Waste Services “Employee of the
Month” for the month of May 2006. Brandon has been employed by the City of Hunts-
ville for sixteen months, eleven of which have been with Solid Waste Services. His posi-
tion as Relief Driver includes driving commercial, residential, and transfer trucks. When
not serving as a relief driver, Brandon provides grounds maintenance and handles spe-
cial projects, such as fence building, at the disposal site. Brandon stated that he joined
the City of Huntsville for the benefits provided but also to be close to home. When asked what he
thought about his position at Solid Waste Services, Brandon stated, “I enjoy my job and I plan to stay as
long as there is room to grow.” Superintendent Cindy Blaylock added, “Brandon is innovative, receptive
to new ideas, and eager to learn.”
cblaylock@huntsvilletx.gov
JUNE 2006
CITY CONNECTION
PAGE 2
Hurricane Awareness – Part II
When a Tropical Storm cane is about 36 hours Storm or Hurricane the main circuit breaker
or Hurricane is Ap-
away from landfall. A Watch has been issued or fuse box to protect
proaching:
Hurricane Warning is for your area, fill your appliances from power
issued when the storm car up with gas and surges and to reduce the
A Tropical Storm Watch is
is 24 hours away from keep it full until the risk of electrical shock
issued when a storm sys-
landfall and when danger has passed. during storm.
tem is 36 hours away
winds reach 74 mph or
from landfall and a Tropi-
2.Put up shutters or 6.If your house uses nat-
greater.
cal Storm Warning is is-
plywood on all win-ural gas or propane, turn
sued when the storm is
Hurricanes frequently dows. off the gas at the meter
24 hours away. Tropical
will not follow the track or tank.
Storms can be just as
3.Move patio furniture,
predicted in weather
deadly as hurricanes. In
hanging plants, and Evacuation: If an evac-
broadcasts. They are
2001, Tropical Storm Alli-
gas grills inside. Pick uation is called for, make
extremely unpredicta-
son flooded Harris County
up all toys, tools or a final walk-through in-
ble and extremely dan-
with 36 inches of rain and
other loose items in spection before leaving
gerous. It is critically
killed 22 people.
your house - then Evacu-
your yard indoors.
important to monitor
ate – according to in-
Hurricanes are measured
TV and radio broad-
4.If you live in an area
structions given. If dif-
as Categories One
casts – and your NOAA
that is likely to flood,
ferent areas are given
through Five, based upon
weather radio – as
move valuables and
different times to leave
the speed of the winds.
storms approach. Be
furniture to a higher
in order to avoid heavy
Even the weakest Cate-
ready to follow instruc-
level (upstairs) if pos-
gory One hurricane can
traffic jams, don’t leave
tions.
sible. If not, move
damage buildings, knock
until you and your area
valuables to upper
down power lines, flood
How to Prepare Your have been instructed to.
cabinets. Put small
roads and uproot trees.
Home and Property sbrim@huntsvilletx.gov
items in air-tight con-
When a Hurricane
A Hurricane Watch is
tainers you can take
threatens your area:
issued when a hurricane
with you.
is about 36 hours
1. Once a Tropical
5.Turn off electricity at
WHAT SHOULD YOU DO AS EMERGENCY VEHICLES
Police/Fire
|APPROACH YOUR VEHICLE?
Statistics
April 2006
Any Huntsville resident will agree stopped emergency vehicle if the
that the public safety agencies in road has multiple lanes traveling in
our city are busy. At any given the same direction or slow down 20
time, you can see a fire truck, am-miles per hour below the speed lim-
Police:
Police:
Police:
bulance or police vehicle going it. (If the speed limit is below 25
Calls for service:
though town. When these vehicles mph the driver must slow down to 5
3359
are responding with the lights and
mph.)
sirens on, do you know what to
Arrests made: 165
Emergency vehicles include police,
do? State law requires that all ve-
emergency medical service and fire
Accidents investigat-
hicles move to the right when
vehicles.
ed: 80
there are emergency vehicles ap-
proaching.
A violation is punishable by a maxi-
Animal Control com-
mum fine of $200. If the violation
plaints investigated:
Also, a new law requires drivers
results in property damage, the
84
nearing stopped emergency vehi-
maximum fine increases to $500. If
cles-with lights activated -to either
Fire:
Fire:
Fire:
the violation results in bodily injury,
slow down or change lanes.
the offense is enhanced to a Class B
Calls for service: 105
According to the DPS website, the
misdemeanor.
Main alarm calls: 15
law states a driver must either va-
jjanuary@huntsvilletx.gov
cate the lane closest to the
JUNE 2006
CITY CONNECTION
PAGE 3
NEW BANNERS FOR HUNTSVILLE’S
FIRE STATION CONSTRUCTION MAIN STREET AREA
HUNTSVILLE MAIN kum (1810-1856) was
RESUMES
STREET- Fifty banners born in Tennessee, grad-
adorn the downtown uated from the United
Construction of the funds to the City on
street of our cities. These States Military Academy
new Huntsville Fire
June 1.
new light pole banners and he practiced law.
Station No. 1, located
Several parties exam-represent six famous per-With his family, he
at the intersection of
sons, two women and four moved to Huntsville and
ined the portion of
Veterans Memorial
the structure which men, who called Hunts-was a close friend and
Parkway and Daisy
stood while the pro-ville their home. Sam Houston’s attorney.
Lane, has resumed.
ject was idle, and
On June 2, the City
Margaret Lea Thomas Henry
they all determined it
Engineer issued a
Houston Ball (1859-
to be generally sound.
“Notice to Proceed” to
(1819 – 1867) 1944) was born
While some compo-
Frost Constructors,
was General in Huntsville but
nents must be re-
Inc. The new con-
Sam he studied law in
placed or repaired,
tractor should com-
Houston’s wife Virginia. After his
most can be used
plete the fire station
and she lived law degree, he
without compromising
in December.
in Huntsville opened a prac-
the station or its fu-
raising their children. She tice in Huntsville where
The project was pro-ture occupants. Frost
died of yellow fever at he became very active in
tected by Perfor-warrants its work and
Georgetown. state and national poli-
mance and Payment will honor all warran-
tics. The city of Tomball
Bonds issued by St. ties on the original
Minnie Fisher Cunning-
is named in honor of
Paul Travelers. After contractor’s work as
ham (1882-1969) be-
him.
the original contractor well.
came one of the first
defaulted on the pro-
women to receive a de-General Sam Houston
The new west side
ject, St. Paul began
gree in pharmacy. Until (1793-1863) was born in
fire station will en-
the process of select-
her death, she worked in Virginia. After studying
hance fire and EMS
ing a contractor to
Democratic Party politics law, he was elected at-
coverage for Hunts-
complete the fire sta-
(National League of Wom-torney general for Nash-
ville and Walker
tion. St. Paul select-
en Voters, The United ville, served two terms
County citizens and
ed Frost Constructors,
State Senate…). as a Representative and
visitors. This project
Inc.
was elected Governor of
has helped lower our
Joshua Houston (1822-
Tennessee. He brought
No additional taxpay-community’s home-
1902) was one of Marga-
Texas to victory over
er dollars are neces-owner’s insurance
ret Lea Houston’s slaves.
Mexico and he was the
sary to finish the fire premiums.
The Houston’s freed him
first elected president of
station. St. Paul will
in 1862. He became a
tleeper@huntsvilletx.gov the Republic. Afterwards,
pay additional money
successful business man,
he became one of the
necessary to finish
serving in Local Govern-
first United State Sena-
the job – this is part
ment and the National
tors. He lived in Hunts-
of the purpose of the
Republican Party.
ville, until his death.
Performance Bond.
Col. Henderson K. Yoa-
St. Paul delivered
www.huntsvillemainstreet.com
PUBLIC NOTICE
The City of Huntsville
will not
th
sponsor a fireworks display on July 4 this year.
JUNE 2006
CITY CONNECTION
PAGE 4
th
City Calendar
Celebrate the July the 4 on the Square
Independence Day will Sam Houston Memorial featuring, patriotic
June
be here before you Museum. readings, a canon so-
19 Juneteenth—City Offices Closed
20 City Council Meeting @ 6:00 p.m. at
know it and all the fun For more information lute and plenty of all-
City Hall
that comes with the about being a part of American music and
24 City/HISD Runoff Election
Fourth. the parade call Mr. entertainment till
Please visit www.huntsvilletx.gov for a com-
plete/current schedule
As in years past the Woodward at 1:00pm at the Gazebo
Huntsville Heritage Alli-294-3931. on the Square.
designation. The Huntsville City Council
passed an ordinance confirming the name
ance, the Main Street There will be an Ice As in years past there
of the street in honor of Sam Houston in
Office and the finest of Cream contest for will be food and treats
1986. Throughout the years, entrance
flags were raised and lowered each day, by
Huntsville volunteers groups and families sold by Huntsville’s non
arrangement with the Texas Department of
will host the Fourth of with a judging for great -profit groups, church-
Criminal Justice.
July celebration on the prizes for more info call es, and clubs.
When citizens began to take stock of the
Square downtown. the Main Street Office
memorial drive several years ago, especial-
So save the date July
ly near the bicentennial birthday celebra-
Come early for a good at 291-5920.
th
4 for a great day of
tion of Sam Houston, a general consensus
fun and celebration.
spot to watch the an-At 11:00pm, enjoy free
was that improvements should be made
again to update the beautification of the
nual Children’s Parade concerts for the whole
hhutche-
drive. Mrs. Juanita Lynch, a local citizen,
son@huntsvilletx.gov
coordinated by Mac family followed by a
appeared before City Council in 1998 to
propose the City’s leadership to achieve the
Woodward and the brief patriotic program
project. She stated that Spur 94 leads to
the site of General Sam Houston’s grave
Sam Houston Memorial Drive
and to the resting places of many states-
Highway Number 19 in Hunts-
man, patriots, educators, philanthropists
ville to the gate of the Cemetery
“Opens”
and pioneers as well as heroes of all the
where Sam Houston is buried,
th
wars of the 20 century. She said “Truly,
and it is ordered by the Commis-
On Tuesday, May 23, 2006, State and
this is a sacred place with a silent procla-
sion that estimate be prepared
City officials cut the ribbon to officially
mation of the heritage which belongs to all
for improvement and marking
open Sam Houston Memorial Drive fol-
of us-a price these men and women paid
this highway for the Centennial.”
lowing the completion of the construc-
for all the freedoms and peace we enjoy
tion and beautification work accom-
today.”
For the Texas Centennial, then,
plished by Texas Department of Trans-
the short drive called Spur 94
portation in partnership with the City of
Thus, City Council agreed to participate in
was beautified with purple crape
Huntsville. Judy Kayse, City Council
th
the beautification of Spur 94 from 11
myrtle trees, many of which re-
member, spoke about remembering our
Street to the Sam Houston grave site and
main, and for many years, there
heritage and recalling our heroes and
Gillaspie Park, where heroes of the Texas
were marches of faculty and stu-
she recognized committee members and
Revolution and the War between the States
dents from Sam Houston State
staff who had participated in the pro-
are now remembered. Improvements in-
University to Sam Houston’s
ject. Representative Lois Kolkhorst
clude the lease of the Clark property at the
grave for March 2 ceremonies
made brief remarks. Bob Appleton of
th
11 Street entry, pedestrian lamps, and
honoring Texas independence
TXDOT symbolically presented the
flags. Huntsville Independent School Dis-
and General Sam Houston’s
street to the City, and City Manager
trict deeded to the City a small tract of land
birthday. The highway of 1000
Kevin Evans responded with the prom-
adjoining Gillaspie Park.
feet came to be known as the
ise that the City will properly maintain
shortest highway in Texas.
the roadway. All citizens are encouraged
And most importantly, Texas Department
In 1947, extensive improve-
to drive the “new” Sam Houston Memo-
of Transportation agreed to designand
ments were made to the high-
rial Drive, beginning at the 900 block of
implement a plan to improve the entry and
way, with citizen and Chamber
th
11 Street. The history of this street
rights-of-way and to construct sidewalks
of Commerce assistance, and Mr.
follows. For information or comments,
for better pedestrian access to the memori-
M.H. Stougaard, Huntsville
call 291-5422.
al sites. Today, at the celebration of the
nurseryman, who planted many
completion of their work, TXDOT transfers
of the crape myrtles and magno-
Reviving the 1936 Texas Centennial
the title and responsibility for this im-
lias, suggested that the name of
Beautification Project along Texas
portant roadway to the City of Huntsville to
the short highway be “Sam Hou-
Highway Spur 94
maintain for the benefit of the people of
ston Memorial Drive,” and ac-
In June 1935, the Texas Highway Com-
Texas.
cording to articles in The Hunts-
mission passed Minute Order 10925
ville Item and The Houston
lpease@huntsvilletx.gov
stating that “ in Walker County, a State
Chronicle, the state highway
Highway is designated from a point on
commission gave the street this