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2014/02/17 City news, features and updates February 17, 2014 Th i s W e e k i n H u n t s v i l l e The Huntsville Police Department invites all citizens to apply for the 2014 Citizens Police Academy, a unique chance for participants to learn about police operations first-hand. According to HPD Senior Officers Mark Jenkins and Kenneth Posey, the deadline to apply for the program is March 28, and those approved to take part in the program will attend sessions every Monday from April 14 to July 7. “If you have ever wondered how a Huntsville police officer is trained, how the SWAT Team operates, or what it’s like to go on a night-shift ride-along, the Citizens Police Academy promises to be an engaging, one-of-a-kind experience,” Posey said. “Participants will have the opportunity to see and hear about the overwhelming curriculum recruits must master before becoming part of the HPD. “Instructors will be real police officers who will take you on accelerated overview of various operations of our department. It is our goal to increase understanding of police work and develop effective partnerships between the Huntsville Police Department and our community.” According to Jenkins, the ideal candidate for the Citizens Police Academy is any local citizen with interest in the department or in law enforcement in general. “Join us and be part of this important effort – the only investment on your part is three hours of your time for 13 weeks,” he said. “What our participants will learn will not only benefit them; when those participants share what they’ve learned with family, friends, neighbors and co-workers, we believe that will have a significant impact on the Police Department and on community relations. “This is going to be an exciting program – participants will tour the County Jail and the Communications Center, ride with a police officer and explore the Firing Range. There will also be guest speakers from entities including Juvenile and Adult Probation and the District Attorney's Office.” Posey said he and Jenkins hope to see as many applicants as possible. Those applying to participate in the program must be 18 or over and live and work in Walker County. “The HPD strives to make this class hands-on and enjoyable while educating the participants about the police department and the local criminal justice system,” he said. “Our hope is that attendees are committed to getting the most out of the program as possible and that they will attend at least 10 of the 13 sessions.” To apply for the Citizens Police Academy, visit www.huntsvilletx.gov, scroll over “Departments,” select the Police Department and click on the Citizens Police Academy application information link under “News & Announcements.” For more information, contact HPD at (936) 291- 5480. Huntsville Police Department to offer Citizens Police Academy The City’s new “Easy Recycling” Campaign With the activation of curbside recycling in all eight areas of Huntsville, the Public Works Department has launched the “Greener Huntsville: Easy Recycling” campaign, an informational outreach effort for our residents. Efforts will be composed of a series of how-to guides, tips and reminders about curbside recycling, “Greener Huntsville” instructional videos and public engagements. By providing residents with all the information they need to make recycling a quick and convenient part of their daily lives, the City hopes to make recycling an easy and fun practice for any Huntsville household. Check out the City Connection, our new “This Week in Huntsville” digital newsletter, the City’s Web site and more for “Greener Huntsville” tips and reminders. Last spring, the City of Huntsville Fire Department took a major blow - two heavy rains caused extensive flooding in Fire Station #2, making it uninhabitable for department personnel. Over the next several months, the Fire Department conducted a restoration process which required two fund allocations from the City Council, assistance from licensed contractors, and hundreds of hours of manpower from both paid and volunteer personnel. Now, nine months later, the firefighters who call this station home will finally be able to move back in. “This is a big day,” Assistant Fire Chief John Hobbs said on February 13, as he and Chief Tom Grisham, Emergency Management Coordinator John Waldo, Inspector Greg Mathis and Firefighter Norman Langwell unpacked the last of the furniture. “By Monday, our four shifts of firefighters will be able to come back to the station and resume their jobs from one of the most viable locations in the City. “It’s their house, and it’ll be good to have them back where they belong.” “Water up to our ankles” In May 2013, two instances of heavy rainfall left Fire Station #2 – located on Sam Houston Avenue on a piece of property that rests at the base of a small slope – with more than four inches of water on the floor throughout the facility. "After the two heavy rains we got last May, we had water up to our ankles in the station, and we knew we had gotten too much water to sustain it," Hobbs said. “The water just cascaded down the hill and came straight through the back door, flowing from there through our offices, sleeping quarters, everything. In my entire career, I’ve never seen anything like it.” Knowing the station would be uninhabitable without some kind of action, Fire Chief Tom Grisham worked with Director of Public Safety Kevin Lunsford to bring the concern before City Council. "We were given the permission of Council to see what it would cost to repair the station, replace the station or move the firefighters housed in that facility to a different location,” Grisham said. "After weighing all the options given to us, we realized that no other location would offer all of the operational benefits of Fire Station #2, so we made the decision to repair Coming Home After a nine-month remodel due to extensive flooding, Huntsville firefighters move back into Fire Station #2 the fire station and once again make it an active facility." Once the decision was made to rehabilitate the station, Council allocated $75,000 to the effort, which was needed to remove the mold and residue caused by the mass influx of water to the building. "It took us months to get all of the mold out of the station, and after that was done, we had to clean the station enough to qualify for a clean bill of health," Grisham said. "We came back to Council and asked for permission to complete the station, and received an additional allocation of $75,000. Working together The additional funding allowed the Fire Department to hire the licensed contractors needed to bring Fire Station #2 in line with current City building codes. However, it was the work of City employees, volunteer firefighters and work crews on hand from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice that made the project a success. “Some of the work to get the station back up to code had to be taken on by licensed professionals,” Grisham said. "In that respect, we were no different from any other building constructed in the City of Huntsville - we had to have help from licensed plumbers, electricians and other experts to get where we needed to be. We also had the assistance of [City Electrician] David Pearsall during that phase, and his help was invaluable and saved a considerable amount of funding. “When all of the contract work was completed, we worked closely with [City Building Official] Mike Roempke to make sure the station would meet all the fire and building codes necessary.” While the building was being rebuilt from the inside, Hobbs said dozens of City employees addressed different facets of the station, contributing their skills to ensure the continued safety and sustainability of the station. “The Water Department and the Streets Department helped out by doing everything possible to keep a similar flood event from reoccurring,” Hobbs said. “This included the creation of retaining walls and a drainage system behind the fire station which will draw water away from the station in the future. “Building Maintenance Crew leader Jerry Hightower and his team, City Horticulturalist David Zellar, our Information Technology Department, as well as our own staff of paid and volunteer firefighters, also spent countless hours working on the station. There was a considerable amount of effort put into this station by those individuals, and we could not have gotten everything done without them.” The TDCJ work crews, Hobbs said, were also invaluable to the remodeling efforts. “From the first day the TDCJ crew came on at the station, we knew we had a professional crew,” he said. “It didn’t take long at all for us to realize the level of knowledge and experience present in those individuals, and before long, we had their group installing drywall, working on plumbing, painting, and anything else that came up. “They grew to love this job and this station, and that was really touching to see.” By the end of the process, every area of the station had been remodeled, from the kitchen to the offices to the workout area. “When you tear down and rebuild an entire station, you’re taking on an immense amount of work,” Grisham said. "We virtually put the fire station back together after sustaining awful damage, and I must say I am extremely proud of the way the station looks." Coming home After the intensive process of remodeling the station, the entire department is looking forward to getting back to normal and utilizing Fire Station #2 for the convenient, strategically valuable facility it has always been. “During the last nine months, we’ve had to house all of our firefighters over on one side of town,” Grisham said. “We made it work, but we have certainly seen a difference in response times since we were coming from the outer areas of the City. “Moving back into Fire Station #2 will bring us back to a central location with more room, better parking and more convenient access to our citizens. That’s the key to this industry - this station really is the perfect place for emergency services to use for response.” Director of Public Safety and Huntsville Police Department Chief Kevin Lunsford credits Grisham for coordinating the necessary efforts to restore the station. "All throughout this process, we were extremely fortunate that Chief Grisham and Assistant Chief John Hobbs stepped in as project coordinators," Lunsford said. "They have done an exceptional job, taking all the steps necessary to bring the help we needed into the station and complete repairs while staying under budget. “I sincerely appreciate their efforts, and I know the citizens will appreciate it." Check the March issues of "This Week in Huntsville" for information about how the department will utilize Fire Station #2 going forward. A Whole New Station By the end of the process, every area of the station had been remodeled, from the kitchen to the offices to the workout area. As with any other City facility, the station does include an office area where citizens may come to ask questions. Photos by Kristin Edwards Expert in Every Office Time employed with City of Huntsville: 38 years Education: Bachelor of Arts, Southern Methodist University; Arts Administration Training, Texas A&M University; Peer Consultant Training, Texas Commission on the Arts Job description: As the Cultural Services Coordinator, Pease oversees the operation of the Wynne Home, including its programs and activities. Pease has also served as an advisor/ coordinator for the Huntsville Arts Commission since 1978. She also coordinates special projects such as the Huntsville Linda Pease Cultural Services Coordinator (936) 291-5422 Cultural District, the Historical Marker Project, and grant- award projects, and is responsible for maintenance of the City’s public art. Unique contribution to the City of Huntsville: In her time with the City, Pease has served as the project coordinator for the Downtown Revitalization Project (1987-2001), spearheaded the Wynne Home Arts Center Planning & Renovation Process (1999-2006), added a range of cultural programming, worked tirelessly to secure the designation of the Huntsville Cultural District by the State of Texas, initiated and facilitated children’s programs such as HEAP and pre-school reading outreach programs, and much more. Colleague perspective: Ann Hodges, Huntsville Arts Commission Chair — “I can’t say enough good things about Linda - she is the Wynne Home Arts Center. Without her efforts, the facility would not be what it is today. She is thorough, pleasant, and very easy to work with. She does a fabulous job.” The City Council toured two new local facilities this week, both of which promise to have a significant impact on the Huntsville/Walker County community. On Monday, February 10, Council members Keith Olson, Lydia Montgomery, Ronald Allen, Joe Emmett and Joe Rodriquez were taken on a guided tour of the new Walker County Jail, a 75,000 square foot facility located on FM 2821 next door to the Walker County Sheriff's Office. According to Walker County Sheriff's Department Captain Steve Fisher, who is serving as the Jail Administrator, the department is very pleased with the final product and credits a successful working relationship with architects, contractors and - above all - the other governmental entities who worked with the County to make the jail a reality. "We're actually completing construction a few months ahead of schedule, and right now, we believe we may be able to transfer inmates into our new facility by the end of March," Fisher said. "As built, it will hold up to 268 inmates. We're very pleased with this finished product - we think it will be a more efficient, safer facility." Fisher said the Texas Commission of Jail Standards would be arriving at the facility in late February to conduct a final review and occupancy test. On Tuesday, February 11, Council also visited the Huntsville Area Technology and Business Complex (HA/tch), which houses the three primary functions of the SHSU Economic Development Initiatives Department. Council members Tish Humphrey, Joe Rodriquez, Joe Emmett, and Lydia Montgomery toured the facility, which HA/tch Executive Director Terry Stokes said would be centered around "leveraging university resources to strengthen the region, improve wage opportunities, and provide sustainable employment." According to Stokes, the SHSU Economic Development Initiatives Department is the only facet of the university not under an educational mission. For more information, visit http://www.shsu.edu/hatch/. Council members tour new Walker County Jail, HA/tch complex Top: Council members tour the new Walker County Jail with Walker County Sheriff's Department Captain Steve Fisher, who is serving as the Jail Administrator. Bottom: Council members hear a presentation from HA/tch Executive Director Terry Stokes. The Walker County Historical Commission, Sam Houston Memorial Museum, and the Sam Houston Statue and Visitors Center will hold a celebration of Texas Independence Day and General Sam Houston’s Birthday with a weekend of activities this March, and the public is invited and encouraged to attend. The events, which will be held on March 1 and 2, will include a ceremony at the Sam Houston Gravesite in Oakwood Cemetery, entertainment, a special history panel, cemetery tours and more. “Every year, we do something a little bit different to celebrate Texas Independence Day and General Sam Houston’s Birthday, and this year’s celebration promises to be really fun for everyone,” said James Patton with the Walker County Historical Commission. Patton said this year’s two-day celebration - the first extended set of festivities held in recent years - will include exciting features for local families, history enthusiasts and visitors to Huntsville alike. “We’ll have a group of Cherokee coming from Tennessee to take part in a historical panel discussion, as well as a group of Alabama Coushatta from Livingston,” he said. “The featured speaker for the annual Gravesite ceremony will be State Historian of Texas Dr. Bill O’Neal, who will share fascinating pieces of local history. “Dr. O’Neal’s presentation, entitled ‘Sam Houston as a leader,’ will be followed by the ‘Baptized Texan Ceremony’ which has attracted attention throughout the state. This is going to be an exciting time to be in Huntsville.” Weekend itinerary The events will begin on Saturday, March 1 with a panel discussion on the Cherokee Tennessee -Texas Connection to be held at the Katy & E. Don Walker, Sr. Education Center from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. "The panel will include Dr. Robin Montgomery, cultural historian Tommy Wildcat of the Cherokee Nation and others to talk about the historical connection between Tennessee and Texas, and Anita Batisse from the Alabama Coushatta Tribe of Texas Tribal Council with a focus also on General Sam's connection to the Cherokee and the Alabama Coushatta," said Connie Heiland, Reporter, Walker County Historical Commission. A Wine and Cheese Reception will be held at the Sam Houston Statue and Visitor Center 5:00 – 6:30 p.m., including music and storytelling. “The event will feature Tommy Wildcat, a Cherokee Nation ‘National Treasure,’ a Native American flutist and historical storyteller, and other opportunities to hear of General Sam's connection to Tennessee and Texas through song and stories, with greetings and welcome by Anita Batisse of the Alabama Coushatta Tribe of Texas said Jamie Matthews, Visitor Services Coordinator. On Sunday, March 2 there will be a buffet luncheon at 11:30 a.m. at the Katy & E. Don Walker, Sr. Education Center in the W.S. Gibbs Conference Hall, with the “Toast to Texas” and General Sam’s Birthday Cake at 12:30 p.m. The luncheon will be followed by the traditional march to the Gravesite, starting at Austin College at 1:15 p.m., proceeding along University Avenue, and the community is welcome to join in. The Gravesite Ceremony will begin at 2 p.m. at General Sam Houston’s gravesite in Oakwood Cemetery, 9th Street and Avenue I. In case of rain, the gravesite event will be held in the Mance Park Auditorium. Following the gravesite ceremony will be the “Baptized Texan Ceremony” and tours of Oakwood Cemetery. A special exhibit of correspondence between Sam and Margaret Houston and a Texas Revolution Scavenger Hunt will be available in the Sam Houston Memorial Main Museum Rotunda on both Saturday and Sunday. All events will be open to the public with reservations and fees for the Wine and Cheese reception on Saturday, the luncheon on Sunday, and the “Baptized Texan Ceremony.” All proceeds to benefit the Walker County Historical Commission. Call Matthews at 936-291-5932 or visit www.huntsvilletx.gov or www.huntsvilletexas.com for ticket information and registration fee itemization. Two-day celebration planned for Texas Independence Day, Sam Houston’s Birthday - March 1-2 Coming soon: Special Issue of “This Week in Huntsville!” Within the next few weeks, the City will release a special issue of “This Week in Huntsville” providing extensive detail about the Texas Department of Transportation’s ongoing construction project at the interchange of State Highway 75 and Interstate 45. The issue will diagram the various phases of the project, the detours to be put into effect and other critical items. The City would like to thank TxDOT for their invaluable efforts in completing this publication. We hope our citizens will utilize the issue throughout the project.