2013/10/30
City news,
features
and
updates
October 30,
2013
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City employees complete advanced FEMA training
Walker County, SHSU, HISD, TDCJ, other entities participate
The Tourism Department joined over 60 residents
at the Sam Houston Statue Visitor Center and Gift
Shop on October 22 to celebrate the 19th Anniver-
sary of the landmark monument, “A Tribute to
Courage.”
The world’s tallest statue of an American hero
was dedicated to the City of Huntsville on October
22, 1994 by the artist, David Adickes, in honor of
Sam Houston becoming the first President of the
Republic of Texas.
“The birthday celebration was wonderful - our City
Council members and Mayor Mac Woodward
shared in the day with us,” said Jamie Matthews,
Visitor Services coordinator. “We had visitors join
us throughout the day from as far away as the
Netherlands and Russia.
“In the coming months, we plan to hold a volun-
teer appreciation open house on December 5
from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.”
The Visitor Center is located at 7600 Highway 75
South. For more information, call 800-289-0389.
Sam Houston Statue
celebrates
19th anniversary
The City of Huntsville partnered with several local
entities in October to complete an advanced emer-
gency management training course created by the
Federal Emergency Management Agency.
The training, held on October 21-23 at the Walker
County Storm Shelter, took a group of over 40 partici-
pants through the intermediate level of National Inci-
dent Management System training, ICS-300.
“This training course, facilitated by the Texas A&M
Forest Service, was very successful,” said Butch Da-
vis, Walker County Emergency Management Coordi-
nator. “We had representatives from the City of
Huntsville, Walker County, the American Red Cross,
Sam Houston State University, the Texas Department
of Criminal Justice, Huntsville Independent School
District, the Texas Forest Service and more, which
represents a significant level of community participa-
tion.”
During the training, representatives from the Hunts-
ville Police Department, the Huntsville Fire Depart-
ment, City administration, Information Technology
and Public Works worked in teams with individuals in
other organizations.
Over the course of three days, each team completed
the step-by-step process of managing a complex
emergency situation based on FEMA’s Incident Com-
mand System model.
“NIMS and the accompanying ICS training represents
a core set of doctrines, concepts, principles, terminol-
ogy and organizational processes that enable effec-
tive, efficient and collaborative incident manage-
ment,” said John Waldo, City of Huntsville Emergency
Management Coordinator. “The way the class is set
up allows participants to learn how to create a new
organizational hierarchy with members from any
number of responding agencies.”
Chris Vasquez, IT Director for the City of Huntsville,
said the ICS training was very similar to project man-
agement in that it required entities to work together
to achieve a common goal.
“I definitely have a better appreciation for what goes
on during an emergency after taking this course,” he
said. “I also feel better prepared for the next major
disaster we face as a community.”
For more info., contact Waldo at (936) 291-5945.
November military
events 2013 Walker County 2013 Walker County 2013 Walker County 2013 Walker County
Heart WalkHeart WalkHeart WalkHeart Walk
2013 Walker County 2013 Walker County 2013 Walker County 2013 Walker County
Heart WalkHeart WalkHeart WalkHeart Walk
Packet PickPacket PickPacket PickPacket Pick----Up EventUp EventUp EventUp Event
TONIGHT, October 30 TONIGHT, October 30 TONIGHT, October 30 TONIGHT, October 30
Los Pericos - 1548 11th Street
5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Individuals, businesses and teams are encouraged
to come have dinner and learn more!
Just say you’re with the “Heart Walk” group for a
25%* discount!
*excludes alcohol and appetizers
Join CoJoin CoJoin CoJoin Co----Chairmen Mayor Mac Woodward and Chairmen Mayor Mac Woodward and Chairmen Mayor Mac Woodward and Chairmen Mayor Mac Woodward and
County Judge Danny PierceCounty Judge Danny PierceCounty Judge Danny PierceCounty Judge Danny Pierce
at the Heart Walk event!at the Heart Walk event!at the Heart Walk event!at the Heart Walk event!
November 16 November 16 November 16 November 16 ---- 8:30 a.m. registration8:30 a.m. registration8:30 a.m. registration8:30 a.m. registration
SHSU Bowers StadiumSHSU Bowers StadiumSHSU Bowers StadiumSHSU Bowers Stadium
Register online: www.walkercountyheartwalk.orgRegister online: www.walkercountyheartwalk.orgRegister online: www.walkercountyheartwalk.orgRegister online: www.walkercountyheartwalk.org
For more information, call (936) 291For more information, call (936) 291For more information, call (936) 291For more information, call (936) 291----4599459945994599
The City of Huntsville Veterans Affairs Advi-
sory Board would like to invite all citizens to
several special events recognizing veterans
and active military this month.
The HEARTS Veterans Museum – located at
445 State Highway 75 North – will hold a
celebration in honor of the 239th birthday of
the U.S. Marine Corps on Friday, November
8. Beginning at 11:30 a.m., a barbeque
lunch will be served for $10 a plate, and all
surplus funds will be donated to the Semper
Fi fund. For more information, contact the
museum at (936) 295-5959.
On Monday, November 11 at 11 a.m., the
Sam Houston State University Bearkat Bat-
talion will host a special Veterans Day Cere-
mony at the main flag pole on campus, lo-
cated at the Johnson Coliseum.
Following the ceremony, the American Le-
gion Post 95 – located at 1919 Industrial
Drive – will host a barbeque event, which
will include representatives from the Veter-
ans Affairs Advisory Board, the SHSU ROTC
program, the Military Officers Association of
America, the Veterans of Foreign Wars
(VFW) and more.
For more information, contact LTC Robert
McCormick, SHSU Professor of Military Sci-
ence, at (936) 294-1297.
The HEARTS Veterans Museum will also
hold a Veterans Day celebration on Novem-
ber 11, with a 6 p.m. silent auction benefit-
ting the Martinez ROTC Scholarship. Dinner
and a special program honoring veterans
and museum volunteers will follow at 6:30
p.m.
During the week of November 11-15, the
SHSU Veterans Resource Center will hold
several special events on campus. For more
information, contact VRC Recruiting Coordi-
nator Jacob Bullion at (936) 294-4079.
Finally, the Soldiers of the Huntsville-based
536th Brigade Support Battalion, Texas Ar-
my National Guard cordially invite the Hunts-
ville community to attend an open house of
the Huntsville Armed Forces Reserve Center
on November 20 from 4 to 8 p.m. Bring the
family for a tour of the facilities, military
equipment displays, food, silent auction,
and activities for the kids!
For more information, contact Captain
Mikey Pham at (936) 291-1703 or
hieu.n.pham3.mil@mail.mil.
City Council member Clyde Loll
will complete his term in
November, and the City would
like to take this opportunity to
thank him for his service.
For a special thank you note
from Council member Loll, check
out the November 2013 City
Connection!
The City of Huntsville held two special Halloween
events on Saturday, October 26, and both experienced
a high volume of citizen participation.
Scare on the Square, a chance for families to partici-
pate in trick-or-treating, a costume contest and fun and
safe activities, brought approximately 6,000 parents
and children to the downtown area.
“We were so happy to see so many families come out
and share in Scare on the Square with us,” said Ariel
Traub with the Main Street Program.
The Parks and Leisure Department also held a success-
ful event at Kate Barr Ross Park. The first-ever Haunted
Hayride and fire truck ride drew a combined total of
over 300 participants.
“We didn’t really know what to expect with our first
Haunted Hayride, but we were thrilled to see the level
of participation we did,” said Natalie Reid, Recreation
Services coordinator. “We’re already working on ideas
for next year’s event!”
To hear more from Reid about the
planning process for the Haunted
Hayride, as well as information about
other Parks and Leisure activities,
tune in to KSHU Channel 7 for the
“City Spotlight” program. Reid will be
interviewed October 31, and the inter-
view will air the week of November 4-
8.
For a list of Halloween safety tips for
use during trick-or-treating, please
visit the City’s Web site,
www.huntsvilletx.gov.
City holds two successful Halloween events!
Photos
by Kylee
Kleiner
State of the City available online
(A Where’s Waldo? special appearance)
City Emergency Management Coordinator John Waldo was one of
many City employees to participate in the State of the City event on
October 17, offered as part of the Huntsville-Walker County Chamber
of Commerce Seminar Series.
As of Monday, October 28, the State of the City address - presented
by City Manager Matt Benoit - is available for viewing on the City’s
Web site, www.huntsvilletx.gov. From the homepage, click on the
“Live & Archived Meetings” tab, then click on the “Your City” tab.
The PowerPoint presentation utilized during the event is also available
on the site.
For assistance locating the video, contact the IT Department at (936)
291-5959.
Expert in Every Office
Time employed with City of Huntsville:Time employed with City of Huntsville:Time employed with City of Huntsville:Time employed with City of Huntsville: 4 Years
Education: Education: Education: Education: Bachelor of Psychology from Texas A&M University
Job description: Job description: Job description: Job description: As a Charter officer, the City Secretary reports di-
rectly to the Mayor and City Council, facilitating bi-monthly Council
meetings and board/commission meetings, maintaining City records
and documents, assisting citizens with information requests and
other needs, releasing public information and press releases and
conducting elections.
Certifications/Memberships/Activities: Certifications/Memberships/Activities: Certifications/Memberships/Activities: Certifications/Memberships/Activities: Currently pursuing Certified
Public Manager Certification through the William P. Hobby Center for
Public Service; Completed Texas Municipal Clerks Certification Pro-
gram in January 2012, earning Texas Registered Municipal Clerk
designation.
Unique contribution to City of Huntsville: Unique contribution to City of Huntsville: Unique contribution to City of Huntsville: Unique contribution to City of Huntsville: “Utilizing Laserfiche - an
advanced digitization program - the City Secretary division has up-
dated and improved records management practices for the City of
Huntsville. Digital records allow for additional storage, more secure
maintenance and better accessibility for both citizens and other
employees.”
Colleague perspective: Wayne Keen, City of Huntsville, Texas, Vet-Colleague perspective: Wayne Keen, City of Huntsville, Texas, Vet-Colleague perspective: Wayne Keen, City of Huntsville, Texas, Vet-Colleague perspective: Wayne Keen, City of Huntsville, Texas, Vet-
erans Affairs Advisory Board: erans Affairs Advisory Board: erans Affairs Advisory Board: erans Affairs Advisory Board: “As Chairman of the VAAB it is my
pleasure to compliment the highly talented and supportive City
Secretary Lee Woodward, who tirelessly and diligently provides the
minutes and supportive information that is critical to making our
committee a success. Thank you Lee.”
City Secretary
Lee Woodward
(936) 291-5403
Offices at City Hall
HUNTSVILLE / WALKER COUNTY POLLING LOCATIONS
POLLS TO REMAIN OPEN FROM 7 A.M. TO 7 P.M.
Precinct (Recinto): Precinct (Recinto): Precinct (Recinto): Precinct (Recinto): Polling Place (Sitios de VotacionPolling Place (Sitios de VotacionPolling Place (Sitios de VotacionPolling Place (Sitios de Votacion
101, City Ward 3 101, City Ward 3 101, City Ward 3 101, City Ward 3 ---- ((((101, Sala 101, Sala 101, Sala 101, Sala 3)3)3)3) Walker County Annex – 1301 Sam Houston Ave. Ste. 101, Huntsville, TX 77340
102, City Ward 1 102, City Ward 1 102, City Ward 1 102, City Ward 1 ---- (102, Sala 1)(102, Sala 1)(102, Sala 1)(102, Sala 1) Walker County Annex – 1301 Sam Houston Ave. Ste. 101, Huntsville, TX 77340
103103103103 Cook Springs Baptist Church – 1936-A State Highway 75 North, Huntsville, TX 77320
104 104 104 104 Northside Baptist Church – 1207 FM 980, Huntsville, TX 77320
201, City Ward 2 201, City Ward 2 201, City Ward 2 201, City Ward 2 ---- (201, Sala 2)(201, Sala 2)(201, Sala 2)(201, Sala 2) Walker County Storm Shelter/Veterans Complex – 445 SH 75 North, Huntsville, TX 77320
203/204 203/204 203/204 203/204 Walker County Fairgrounds – 3925 State Highway 30 West, Huntsville, TX 77320
205205205205, City Ward 4 City Ward 4 City Ward 4 City Ward 4 ---- (205, Sala 4)(205, Sala 4)(205, Sala 4)(205, Sala 4) Elkins Lake Conference Center – 634 Cherry Hills Drive, Huntsville, TX 77340
206, City Ward 4 206, City Ward 4 206, City Ward 4 206, City Ward 4 ---- (206, Sala 4)(206, Sala 4)(206, Sala 4)(206, Sala 4) Huntsville Fire Station #1 – 1987 Veterans Memorial Pkwy, Huntsville, TX 77340
301, City Ward 3 301, City Ward 3 301, City Ward 3 301, City Ward 3 ---- (301, Sala 3)(301, Sala 3)(301, Sala 3)(301, Sala 3) Huntsville ISD Transportation Building – 95 Martin Luther King, Huntsville, TX 77320
302/303 302/303 302/303 302/303 Calvary Baptist Church – 1135 US Highway 190, Huntsville, TX77320
304/305 304/305 304/305 304/305 Riverside United Methodist Church – 2341 FM 980, Huntsville, TX 77320
401 , City Ward 2/4 401 , City Ward 2/4 401 , City Ward 2/4 401 , City Ward 2/4 ---- (401, Sala 2/4)(401, Sala 2/4)(401, Sala 2/4)(401, Sala 2/4) University Heights Baptist Church – 2400 Sycamore Avenue, Huntsville, TX 77340
402/403 402/403 402/403 402/403 Phelps First Methodist Church – 13 Dorrell Road off FM 2296 (at Watson Lake Road),
Huntsville, TX 77340
404404404404 New Waverly First Baptist Church – 460 Fisher Street (at corner of Hardy),
New Waverly, TX 77358
Please visit www.huntsvilletx.gov www.huntsvilletx.gov www.huntsvilletx.gov www.huntsvilletx.gov and www.co.walker.tx.us www.co.walker.tx.us www.co.walker.tx.us www.co.walker.tx.us for more election information.
The November 5 Regular and Special Election, to be facilitated by Walker County, will include City races for Mayor at-Large, four Council
ward positions and a Special Election for Position 1 at-Large, as well as seven proposed City Charter amendments.
City residents in three voting precincts, along with County residents in two voting precincts, will also have an opportunity to vote on a
local option liquor measure affecting dry areas in Justice Precinct 2.
Registered voters of Justice Precinct 2, which consists of voting precincts 201, 203, 204, 205 and 206, will be eligible to vote on the
ballot measure for or against “the legal sale of all alcoholic beverages including mixed beverages.”
Finally, state constitutional amendments, as well as local elections for the Huntsville Independent School District, the New Waverly Inde-
pendent School District and the City of New Waverly, will also be included on the applicable ballots.
November 5 Regular and Special Election information