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November 2013 Connection CITY CONNECTION Volume 10, Issue 2 November 2013November 2013November 2013November 2013 Calendar November 2013November 2013November 2013November 2013 1 - Early Voting for November 5 Election ends 5 - Regular and Special Election 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. 6 - Yard Waste Trimming Collection 7 - Planning & Zoning Commission - City Hall at 12 p.m. 12 - City Council Meeting at 6:00 p.m. 13 - Heavy Trash & Large Yard Waste 14 - City Council Meeting at 6:00 p.m. Election Canvass 19 - City Council Meeting at 6:00 p.m. 20 - Yard Waste Trimming Collection 21 - Planning & Zoning Commission - City Hall at 5:30 p.m. 27 - Heavy Trash & Large Yard Waste Submit requests for Heavy Trash pick-up before noon on Monday, the week of the pick-up at 294-5796. Please note irregular City Council meeting schedule for November, to include 11/14 meeting to canvass the November 5, 2013 General and Special Election. State of the City address draws high State of the City address draws high State of the City address draws high State of the City address draws high attendance, community praiseattendance, community praiseattendance, community praiseattendance, community praise Over 120 citizens attended the State of the City address on October 17, a presentation by City Manager Matt Benoit which highlighted the major activi- ties and achievements of the City during the 2012-13 fiscal year. Offered as part of the Huntsville-Walker County Chamber of Commerce Sem- inar Series, the address was held at the Walker County Storm Shelter and included displays and information from all major City departments. “I was very pleased with the response at the event, and I look forward to more of our residents being able to see the presentation on our Web site,” Mayor Mac Woodward said. “I think the state of the City address is a great way to keep our citizens informed about what the City has accomplished and will be doing in the future, and I think having our directors present provided a great opportunity for residents to give us their feedback.” Chamber President Carol Smith said she was very pleased with the attendance at the event as well as the overall presentation. “I thought this was a wonderful first-time event to showcase the City of Hunts- ville,” she said. “Mr. Benoit did an outstanding job of highlighting all of his departments, and we were proud to have such a wide variety of the community attend.” The State of the City presentation featured highlights pertaining to economic development, ongoing construction projects, departmental efforts and City information platforms. Several key aspects of the fiscal year 2013-14 budget were also addressed. “Overall, I think the City has reached an incredible level of momentum and efficiency, and this presentation illustrated that very effectively,” Council member Lydia Montgomery said. “The City and its departments are well-managed and are completing great projects that will be ben- eficial to our citizens in the coming years.” The State of the City presentation can be viewed on the City’s Web site through the Live/Archived meetings tab on the left side of the homepage. After clicking the tab, navigate to the “Your City” section and select the video entitled “State of the City – 2013.” The accom- panying PowerPoint presentation is also on the City site. For more information, contact the City Secretary’s office at (936) 291-5403. The State of the City address is available for viewing on the City’s Web site, www.huntsvilletx.gov, as is the accompanying PowerPoint presentation. Downtown Downtown Downtown Downtown Christmas FairChristmas FairChristmas FairChristmas Fair Saturday, December 7Saturday, December 7Saturday, December 7Saturday, December 7 10 a.m. 10 a.m. 10 a.m. 10 a.m. –––– 5 p.m.5 p.m.5 p.m.5 p.m. A special thank you A special thank you A special thank you A special thank you to all City employees to all City employees to all City employees to all City employees who have served in who have served in who have served in who have served in our nation’s military!our nation’s military!our nation’s military!our nation’s military! Anderson Adams Anthony Tryon Chris Vasquez Darryle Slaven David Pearsall Harold McHenry James Gonzalez James Reynolds John Agey Joseph Wiggs Josh Whittle Liesa Hackett Lonnie Shepherd Mark Jenkins Mark Moore Marshall Douglas Richard Lane Stanley Kittrell Tim Stafford Lindsey Owings Cody Perkins Thomas Dawson Keith Sarraf Bob Stanfill Harold McHenry James Williams Jr. Veterans Affairs Advisory Board works diligently for military communityVeterans Affairs Advisory Board works diligently for military communityVeterans Affairs Advisory Board works diligently for military communityVeterans Affairs Advisory Board works diligently for military community In observance of Veterans Day, the City of Huntsville, Texas, Vet- erans Affairs Advisory Board would like to take the opportunity to thank all veterans for their service to the United States of Ameri- ca. VAAB is committed to addressing the needs of active military and veterans citywide. Meeting on the third Thursday of each month, the board focuses on generating information that is help- ful to local and statewide veterans, the City Council and the City of Huntsville as a whole. Meetings are open to the public, and attendance and ideas relat- ed to serving and assisting local veterans are welcomed. State agencies have attended the VAAB meetings and provided critical information dealing with family services, law enforcement dealing with Veterans and various other topics, especially those dealing with PTSD and traumatic brain injury (TBI). Several military organizations are represented on the board, in- cluding the American Legion, Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), the Sam Houston State University ROTC pro- gram and the HEARTS Veterans Museum. Current board mem- bership includes active members of the Texas Army National Guard, as well as retired members of the U.S. Army, U.S. Ma- rine Corps, and U.S. Navy. In the coming months, the Veterans Affairs Advisory Board will increase its presence on the City of Huntsville Web site. “The Veteran’s board is pleased to introduce an additional link, ‘Our Military Matters,’ to the City’s Web site,” VAAB member Leta Reiner said. “We hope to present a changing calendar of military events for our area and state that may be of interest to current and former veterans. Although the calendar will be the primary function of the link, veterans will be able to find arti- cles and informational links to state and federal sites. Addition- ally, local and state contacts will be listed. We hope any veter- an that seeks help will be assisted by this site. It will be our honor to further serve these selfless warriors.” Submission of military-related items is encouraged and should be submitted to leta@suddenlink.net. The next tentatively scheduled meetings of the VAAB are No- vember 21 and December 19, 2013 at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall, located at 1212 Avenue M. 2013 Walker County Heart Walk2013 Walker County Heart Walk2013 Walker County Heart Walk2013 Walker County Heart Walk Individuals, businesses and teams are Individuals, businesses and teams are Individuals, businesses and teams are Individuals, businesses and teams are encouraged to sign up at encouraged to sign up at encouraged to sign up at encouraged to sign up at www.walkercountyheartwalk.orgwww.walkercountyheartwalk.orgwww.walkercountyheartwalk.orgwww.walkercountyheartwalk.org November 16 November 16 November 16 November 16 ---- 8:30 a.m. registration, 9 a.m. event start8:30 a.m. registration, 9 a.m. event start8:30 a.m. registration, 9 a.m. event start8:30 a.m. registration, 9 a.m. event start SHSU Bowers StadiumSHSU Bowers StadiumSHSU Bowers StadiumSHSU Bowers Stadium Sponsored by: City of Huntsville, Walker County, Huntsville Sponsored by: City of Huntsville, Walker County, Huntsville Sponsored by: City of Huntsville, Walker County, Huntsville Sponsored by: City of Huntsville, Walker County, Huntsville Memorial Hospital, Texas A&M AgriMemorial Hospital, Texas A&M AgriMemorial Hospital, Texas A&M AgriMemorial Hospital, Texas A&M Agri----Life Extension OfficeLife Extension OfficeLife Extension OfficeLife Extension Office For more information, call (936) 291For more information, call (936) 291For more information, call (936) 291For more information, call (936) 291----4599459945994599 If four pages wasn’t enough for you, either, If four pages wasn’t enough for you, either, If four pages wasn’t enough for you, either, If four pages wasn’t enough for you, either, check out “This Week in Huntsville”!check out “This Week in Huntsville”!check out “This Week in Huntsville”!check out “This Week in Huntsville”! Want more information from the City of Huntsville? The October 30 issue of “This Week in Huntsville” includes recaps and photos from the October 26 Scare on the Square and Haunted Hayride, the Sam Houston Statue Birthday celebration, updates on citywide training efforts and much more! Plus, signing up is easy. Just log onto the City’s Web site, www.huntsvilletx.gov, click “e-news Subscriptions” on the left-hand side of the page, enter your email address and select “This Week in Huntsville.” You’ll automatically receive a free, digital newsletter twice each month! The Good Shepherd MissionThe Good Shepherd MissionThe Good Shepherd MissionThe Good Shepherd Mission 1005 Avenue F (MLK Blvd) - (936) 291-8156 Walkercountyonline.com/org/mission gsmission@suddenlink.net Several food items are needed in preparation for Thanksgiving including frozen turkeys, frozen hams, dry beans and rice, canned goods, and other holiday meal items Volunteers are also needed, especially in the food bank, to help sort donations and prepare meal bags for local families. The Good Shepherd Mission also works with Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church each year to collect toys for the San-San-San-San- ta’s Helpers ta’s Helpers ta’s Helpers ta’s Helpers program, benefitting 350 local families with 485 - 515 children. Santa’s Helpers is held every year on the second Saturday in December - this year it will be held on December 14th. Coat and blanket drives will also be conducted throughout the holiday season. Boys & Girls Club of Walker CountyBoys & Girls Club of Walker CountyBoys & Girls Club of Walker CountyBoys & Girls Club of Walker County 119 FM 980 – (936) 291-6054 - info@bgcwc.org Businesses and individuals are encouraged to partic- ipate in the Boys & Girls Club’s annual “Operation Santa” program. Children involved in the club pro- vide “Wish Lists” including clothing sizes and toys, and those who wish to “adopt” a child receive a list and purchase the items included. Lists will be availa- ble beginning November 8, and the gifts should be returned by December 13. As well, volunteers will be needed to help package, tag and sort the gifts be- tween December 13 and the club’s Christmas party on December 18. For more information, to adopt a child or to volun- teer, contact Diane Balderas, Director of Operations, at dbalderas@bgcwc.org or (936) 291-6054. Community Service IdeasCommunity Service IdeasCommunity Service IdeasCommunity Service Ideas I would like to take a moment and thank the citizens, my fellow City Council members, and the administration and staff of the City of Huntsville for an incredible two years. There have been many things over the last two years I’ve seen and was glad to be a part of. We got a new City Manager, and I think we did the right thing by hiring Matt [Benoit]. The process we went through was pretty extensive, but was a good process, it was fair, and hiring him was certainly good for the city, In addition to getting that position filled, I said when I was run- ning that I wanted to try to help bring some civility back to the dais. I wanted to make it a place where we spoke to one another with respect, regardless of our opinion or whether we’re serving at-large or in a ward position, and I believe that’s happened in two years. With respect to our accomplishments over the last two years, I’m very proud that after an exten- sive process, we balanced a $58 million budget. Am I proud of the fact that we had to raise our taxes four cents? No, no one would be, but I am proud that we bit the bullet and did what we had to do. In terms of economic develop- ment, I’m very excited about the expansion of the [Brooks Brothers Huntsville Regional] Airport, because I feel the mod- ernization of that facility will be significant in terms of our City’s future. One other thing I’m extremely proud of, and anyone could check the voting records on this, is that I supported any opportunity to better our Fire and Police Departments because I’m a former firefighter myself. They knew they had my support, and I’m glad they knew that. Finally, I’m very glad we got 12 new homes built over the past year through our Neighborhood Resources Office. I feel that pro- ject allowed us to help the people who needed it. I need to give special thanks to the many individuals who made my term so incredible. The staff of the City of Huntsville has been so gracious to me – everyone has welcomed me with open arms, they were always helpful and smiling, and if they didn’t enjoy what they were doing, did an awful good job of fooling me. As well, I am humbled and honored to have served two years with this City Council. We come from all walks of life, with differ- ent backgrounds and lifestyles, but I believe every person there has the best interests of the City at heart. Regardless of the political bantering from time to time, I think everybody’s here because they want to make the City better. Finally, I have a great deal of respect for Mac [Woodward], as a person and as the Mayor of this City. I have watched him display a strong sense of grace, diplomacy and respect toward others that I don’t know I would have been able to. He has taught me some things about being humble and gracious. Finally, to my wife Stacey, thank you for your support, encour- agement and assistance during this two year term and always. When the election is over, and I am no longer on Council, I’ve told the Mayor that I don’t plan to just fade away. I’m willing to serve in any way I can - I like the idea of accomplishing things behind the scenes, and I want to be able to continue to help. I’m not going to be a stranger by any means. Sincerely, Clyde Loll, City Council member A Special Thank You from outgoing City Council member Clyde LollA Special Thank You from outgoing City Council member Clyde LollA Special Thank You from outgoing City Council member Clyde LollA Special Thank You from outgoing City Council member Clyde Loll The Sam Houston State University Center for Academic Com- munity Engagement, an initiative whose primary objective is to bring the community and the university together, is working with dozens of local entities including the City of Huntsville to bring that goal to life. Having recently celebrated its one year-anniversary, ACE will continue to connect courses and programs with community partners to meet local needs and enhance student learning. “Currently, over 118 professors teaching 186 courses have collaborated with many Huntsville community non-profit organ- izations and businesses in a variety of ways,” said Dr. Joyce McCauley, Director for the Center for Academic Community Engagement. “In the City of Huntsville, for example, we are working directly with the Main Street Program and the Sam Houston Statue Visitors Center to provide students with experi- ence in business, marketing, fundraising and more. “It is our hope that the number of courses with this powerful component of community engagement continues to increase, and that more and more SHSU students realize the im- portance of contributing to their communities.” Here is a small sample of the many outcomes of these partner- ships: (1) Within Victims Studies Victims Studies Victims Studies Victims Studies courses, students serve organiza- tions that support domestic violence victims, children and youth under the care of child protective agencies, and families who have lost loved ones to drunk drivers. (2) Children with physical disabilities come to campus and KinesiologyKinesiologyKinesiologyKinesiology students design and implement personal- ized exercise programs to meet their needs. (3) Students in the Honors Program whose major interest is Environmental ScienceEnvironmental ScienceEnvironmental ScienceEnvironmental Science volunteered at a local organic farm to provide local organic fruits and vegetables to the Walker County area. (4) BusinessBusinessBusinessBusiness majors work with small businesses and non- profit organizations by assisting with fundraising, con- ducting strategic reviews and creating marketing and business plans. Through course-related service in this past year alone, SHSU students and professors contributed well over 500,000 hours. These volunteer hours translated into more than $8 million dollars in community support. For more information about The Center for Academic Com- munity Engagement at Sam Houston State University, please visit the website at http://www.shsu.edu/academics/ace/, or call (936) 294-4559 to speak with Dr. McCauley, Office Manager Michael Bosquez or Community Outreach Coordi- nator Iesha Wooley. Center for Academic Community Engagement connects SHSU, communityCenter for Academic Community Engagement connects SHSU, communityCenter for Academic Community Engagement connects SHSU, communityCenter for Academic Community Engagement connects SHSU, community THANKSGIVING HOLIDAYS SERVICE CHANGES Thursday, November 28, 2013 CLOSED Residenal Recycling Collecon will be picked up on the following Thursday, 12/5/13; Extra recycling on side of blue cart will be picked up. Commercial Garbage Collecon scheduled for Thursday , 11/28/13 will be picked up on Wednesday, 11/27/13 or Friday, 11/29/13 Friday, November 29, 2013 CLOSED Residenal Recycling Collecon will be picked up on the following Friday, 12/6/13; Extra recycling on side of blue carts will be picked up. Commercial Garbage Collecon will run regular sched uled routes. Solid Waste/Recycling holiday closures: Solid Waste/Recycling holiday closures: Solid Waste/Recycling holiday closures: Solid Waste/Recycling holiday closures: Residential and commercial users affected City of Huntsville residential customers: It’s time City of Huntsville residential customers: It’s time City of Huntsville residential customers: It’s time City of Huntsville residential customers: It’s time to “winterize” your sewer chargeto “winterize” your sewer chargeto “winterize” your sewer chargeto “winterize” your sewer charge Water meter usage for the months of November through Febru- ary is used to calculate your new sewer average charge for the next year. Consciously reducing your water usage during these months could lower your sewer charge. Methods to reduce us- age include limiting or completely eliminating outside watering. The new sewer average charge will be effective with the April billing (due in May). “Basically, the City of Huntsville would just like to advise resi- dents to curtail any kind of outdoor watering, such as washing cars, in order to keep water consumption down during winter months,” said Jerri Weaver, City of Huntsville Billing and Reve- nue Manager. “Also, residents should be aware of any water leaks and make sure to have those repaired.” For more information, contact City of Huntsville Utility Billing at (936) 291-5431. Remember Remember Remember Remember ---- Recycle Grease and Antifreeze!Recycle Grease and Antifreeze!Recycle Grease and Antifreeze!Recycle Grease and Antifreeze! Like many other residential customers, do you plan on replac- ing the antifreeze in your vehicle this winter? Do you plan on disposing of other kinds of liquids, including motor oil, peanut oil or cooking oil? Don’t run those materials down the drain – recycle them!recycle them!recycle them!recycle them! The City of Huntsville Solid Waste Services Department offers free, year-round recycling for these liquids as well as other items for residential customers at the Recycling Drop-Off Cen- ter, located at 590 I-45 North from 7:30 a.m. through 5:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Other items, including oil filters, are recycled in specifically marked collection barrels. As they are flammable, neither gasoline nor diesel from lawn equipment or vehicles will be accepted for disposal or recycling. Unfortunately, due to disposal restrictions, the Solid Waste Ser- vices Department is not able to pick up liquids on a curbside basis. If you have any questions, please call 936-294-5743.