2013/11/26
City news,
features
and
updates
November 26,
2013
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The Huntsville Public Library promoted one of its own
employees to the position of Assistant City Librarian in
November, and as of the 19th, Tosha Gibbs has
officially stepped into the job.
According to Linda Dodson, City Librarian, the duties
of the position include overall supervision of the
library, assisting with volunteers and community
service workers, purchasing all children’s and teens’
materials and much more.
“We interviewed several people including Tosha, who
was the only internal request for promotion,” Dodson
said. “She really stood out, not only because she
already holds her Master of Library Science degree,
but also because she has a background in the field
and has been in a position with responsibility for
supervising staff, dealing with technology and
purchasing materials.
“She really came in above everyone else, and it was
just a plus that we got to promote from within.”
Gibbs said she is very excited to start the position,
though she does feel she has very big shoes to fill.
“It will take a little while to learn the full position and
get everything running as smoothly as it did under the
former ACL, Kimberly Francisco,” she said. “But, I feel
confident I can do it, and I look forward to serving the
citizens of Huntsville.”
Of all the functions of the assistant city librarian,
Gibbs said she is most looking forward to expanding
the body of materials available in the facility.
“I’m really looking forward to the purchasing aspect,”
she said. “I love buying things, and we would really
like to expand our Spanish collection, as well as look
for more multi-cultural books for children and teenage
groups.”
Gibbs has been married to another City employee,
Ben Gibbs, for eight years. The couple has one child, a
four-year-old boy named James. In her spare time,
Gibbs enjoys graphic and web design as well as
sewing.
For more information, contact the Huntsville Public
Library at (936) 291-5472.
City employee promoted to Assistant City Librarian
HPD Officer commended by Mothers Against Drunk Driving
Huntsville Police Department Officer Taylor
Wilkins was recognized November 19 by
the Mothers Against Drunk Driving—Bryan
Office during the “Outstanding Law
Enforcement Appreciation Luncheon.”
The event recognized a total of 18 law
enforcement members for their efforts to
reduce drunken driving.
Specifically, Wilkins was recognized for his
great work ethic.
“Officer Wilkins quickly set the standard for
DWI enforcement, [leading] the
Department in DWI arrests [as] an
advocate for strict enforcement of DWI
laws,” the event pamphlet stated.
The MADD organization considered number
of DWI arrests, the quality of case work
completed, careful handling of specimens
and evidence and several other categories
in the recognition process.
Wilkins is pictured to the left with HPD
Police Chief Kevin Lunsford.
The Good Shepherd Mission is seeking
help from citizens to build up available
items in their food pantry before the
Thanksgiving holiday.
According to Dave Smith, Executive
Director, the pantry levels are lower than
usual, and specific items are necessary
in order to provide meals to hundreds of
local families in need.
“In preparation for the Thanksgiving and
Christmas holidays, we need all kind of
soups, canned vegetables, rice and
beans, and any other non-perishable
food items,” Smith said. “Over six
hundred frozen turkeys are being
donated through the Mission Food Bank
so local families can share with their
neighbors and family during the holidays,
and we need your help to make those
meals complete.
“At the mission this year, we have given
out more than eighty-five tons of
groceries and we have served over
eighteen thousand and five hundred
meals. Please help us to continue to
serve families in need in Walker County.”
The Good Shepherd Mission also works
with Wesley Memorial United Methodist
Church each year to collect toys for the
Santa’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.
“We need donated toys for children, from
infants to teens,” Smith said. “For a list
or gift ideas, please contact the mission.
We need to receive all donations by no
later than December 10.”
Coat and blanket drives will also be
conducted throughout the holiday
season.
The Good Shepherd Mission is located at
1005 Avenue F (MLK Blvd), and can be
reached by phone at (936) 291-8156.
For more information, log on to
walkercountyonline.com/org/mission,
or send an email to
gsmission@suddenlink.net.
Good Shepherd Mission
seeks food donations for
holiday season
Earlier this year, the City Marshal’s position was moved from the Municipal Court
to the Huntsville Police Department, and supervisors on both sides of the
transition are pleased with the results.
According to HPD Chief Kevin Lunsford, the transition has helped to streamline
the functions of the City Marshal with the ongoing operations of the rest of the
department. As well, the move allows other officers an opportunity to learn the
City Marshal’s duties.
According to the City of Huntsville Human Resources Department, the general
duties of the City Marshall include following up on issued warrants with collection
and/or arrests. The individual is also responsible for providing security for the
Municipal Court room, court office and its staff.
“Our officers are very excited to have the City Marshal as a part of our
department,” he said. “Every six months, we have a shift change, and that means
the supervisors can designate a different person to serve as City Marshal at that
time.
“That won’t always happen, but when it does, that means a new person gets to
learn the job, increase their knowledge and capabilities, and make our
department better trained and better prepared.”
Susan McGilberry, Municipal Court administrator, is also pleased with the
transition.
“We’ve had some incredible City Marshals over the years, and we’re very grateful
for the work of these dedicated individuals,” she said. “However, having the City
Marshal housed in the police department allows the person in the position to
utilize a familiar support network to get the job done in a smoother manner.
“Plus, having been a member of the Police Department already, our current City
Marshal is already familiar with many of the individuals with warrants. He knows
who their friends are and where they spend their time, which helps in locating
these individuals.
“City Marshal Marshall Douglass is both energetic and enthusiastic, and we’re
very pleased with the job he’s done for us.”
For more information, contact HPD at (936) 291-5480.
City Marshal move from Municipal Court to
HPD results in positive change
City Marshal Marshall Douglass, pictured above, is responsible for serving
and filing warrants, preparing and issuing warrant notifications, serving as
bailiff in the Municipal Court room, researching criminal history and more.
Happy Thanksgiving from
Mayor Mac Woodward, the City Council,
City Manager Matt Benoit and City staff!
Please note, City facilities will be closed on November 28 and 29 in
observance of Thanksgiving.
With any emergencies, call 911, and with any non-emergencies,
contact Walker County dispatch at (936) 435-8001.
The City of Huntsville would like to remind all residents to be
mindful of yard waste as the period with the highest volume of
fallen leaves is about to begin.
According to David Welch and John Hereford with the Streets
Department, the City’s two street sweepers will be running on a full
-time basis to keep as much debris off of the roadways as
possible.
Between now and February, citizen assistance is especially needed
to make sure yard waste is bagged and disposed of in accordance
with Solid Waste guidelines.
“Our street sweepers are responsible for covering around 140
miles at any given time, and when there is heavy debris on the
streets, our drivers will average approximately three miles an
hour,” Hereford said. “If the sweep is taking place on the south
side of town, the driver also has to make a 10- to 15-minute
turnaround to the transfer station before being able to continue.
“This time of year, that means the average street sweeper will
dump four to five loads a day, and each load averages around two
tons, so saying they pick up between seven and 10 tons a day is a
fair estimate.”
With that volume of leaves and other debris, Welch said it is crucial
that residents refrain from blowing any yard waste into the street
or into storm sewers.
“We would be very appreciative if residents would bag their yard
waste and dispose of it on regular yard waste trimming pick-up
dates,” Welch said. “Since we can only cover so much ground on a
day-to-day basis, the debris we can’t get to can start to break down
pavement, cause damage to sewers and even become a fire
hazard.”
According to Esther Herklotz, Solid Waste and Recycling
Superintendent, yard waste trimming pick-up days are typically the
first, third and fifth Wednesday of each month. Yard waste will be
picked up on December 4, December 18, January 1, January 15
and January 29.
“There is still a 12-item limit for yard waste days, and the weight
limit is 50 pounds for each item,” she said. “Some people fill
barrels, but we cannot accept those, and we also can’t take bags
that have been left open for water to get in because they become
too heavy.”
Herklotz said residents with an active utility bill have other
options for yard waste disposal.
“Active, residential utility customers may dispose of yard waste
at any time and at no cost at the transfer station,” she said. “By
transporting the waste in person, our residents are permitted to
surpass the 12-bag limit and remove waste from their property.
This service is not available to commercial landscapers.”
For more information, contact Herklotz at (936) 294-5724.
Welch may be reached at (936) 294-5727, and Hereford may
be reached at (936) 294-5722.
Check the City’s Web site and future publications for more
information about disposal of yard waste and debris, including
composting and other methods.
Did you know?
The City of Huntsville utilizes a special, more
cost effective type of street sweeper.
Where some machines can carry a price tag of
over $200,000, the City utilizes a street
sweeper valued at $159,000 which—by
operating in a different way—is just as effective
as vacuum sweepers in most situations.
“What we use is a regenerative air model, which
has a large curtain beneath the machine which
blows air straight down,” said John Hereford
with the City of Huntsville Streets Department.
“That force goes across the hood and back into
the machine, and it’s the recirculation of air that
picks up the debris under the hood.
“As the hood seals to the street, the debris is
pushed into the unit and off of the roadway.”
Street sweepers entering heaviest leaf and debris season
Citizens asked to help out by bagging yard waste
THANKSGIVING HOLIDAYS SERVICE CHANGES
Thursday, November 28, 2013 CLOSED Residential Recycling Collection will be picked up on the following Thursday, 12/5/13;
Extra recycling on side of blue cart will be picked up.
Commercial Garbage Collection 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 Residential Recycling Collection will be picked up on the following Friday, 12/6/13;
Extra recycling on side of blue carts will be picked up.
Commercial Garbage Collection will run regular scheduled routes.
Solid Waste/Recycling holiday closures: Residential and commercial users affected
Where’s Waldo?
City Emergency Management Coordinator
John Waldo is pictured above at a City
facility—can you guess where?
The first person to call the Deputy City
Secretary’s office at (936) 291-5413 and
correctly guess the location will get the
opportunity to suggest the next “Where’s
Waldo?” photo shoot location.
We’ll give you a hint: those scrolls are
actually maps and plats.
Expert in Every Office
Time employed with City of Huntsville: 5 Years
Education: Ph.D. in Sociology from Texas A&M University, Master of Political
Science from West Texas A&M University, and dual Bachelor’s degrees in
Sociology and Political Science from West Texas A&M University
Job description: The Neighborhood Resources division is responsible for
grant submission and administration for the City of Huntsville. Dr.
McKibben also coordinates with all City departments and community
organizations on project development, coordinates available funding and
other resources, oversees local housing programs and manages special
projects.
Unique contribution to City of Huntsville: “Through the HOME Program and
the Neighborhood Stabilization Program, with funding gained through the
Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs, we have constructed
dozens of homes throughout Huntsville and helped first-time home buyers
with the difficult process of purchasing their first house. These programs
have positively impacted the lives of hundreds of residents and made
Huntsville a more beautiful City with a stronger tax base.”
Memberships: Member of the Southwestern Sociological Association;
Member of the United Way of Montgomery County distribution committee
Hobbies: Fishing, crochet and knitting, reading, playing with grandchildren
Colleague perspective: Michelle Spencer, Executive Director of the Boys
and Girls Club of Walker County: “I have been working with Sherry since
she’s been a part of the City on various projects. She’s always been full of
knowledge on grants and proposals and she’s always willing to help in any
area that we might have questions about.
She has also worked tirelessly on our FEMA project, and we wouldn’t have
had the vision without her vision of making this happen. Dr. McKibben is a
huge asset to our community.”
Neighborhood
Resources Director
Dr. Sherry McKibben
(936) 291-5428