2007 News Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Dec. 18, 2007

BPD remembers fallen officer Janice Vanderveer on 20th anniversary of her death

PICTURED: Mary Kay Kinman, Sarah Kinman, Terry Vanderveer, Mary Kinman, Adam Vanderveer, Burleson Police Chief Tom Cowan, Vicki Ann Jones, and David Jones.

Thursday night, the Burleson Police Department and the family of Janice Marlene Vanderveer remembered the fallen officer 20 years after her death.

Police Chief Tom Cowan presented a Burleson Police Department challenge coin, which is given to each Burleson police officer, to Vanderveer’s mother, husband, son, sister, and sister-in-law. The coin is engraved with the International Association of Chiefs of Police oath of honor, “On my honor, I will never betray my badge, my integrity, my character or the public trust. I will always have the courage to hold myself and others accountable for our actions. I will always uphold the constitution, my community and the agency I serve.” The flip side of the coin features the Burleson badge, encircled with the words “attitude, honesty, ethics, communication, common sense.”

The Dec. 27 ceremony was a small gathering of family, former supervisors, current officers, the mayor, and the city manager. Family members included Janice’s mother Mary Kinman, husband Terry Vanderveer, son Adam Vanderveer, sister Vicki Ann Jones and her husband David Jones, and sister-in-law Mary Kay Kinman and her daughter Sarah Kinman. Family reminisced about the officer’s bright red curly hair, her determination, and her humor.

On Saturday, Dec. 26, 1987, Officer Janice Vanderveer was placing flares to divert traffic from an accident involving an 18-wheeler when she was hit by a passing car. The next day, Janice died at a Fort Worth hospital on her 36th birthday. At the officer’s request, her organs were donated. The wife and mother of two (daughter Aimee was seven and son Adam was 18 months old) had been part of the Burleson force for less than seven months. The officer was survived by her husband, daughter, son, father and mother, younger brother, and two older sisters.

According to a recent report from the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund and Concerns of Police Survivors, the year 2007 (with the exception of the terrorist attacks of 2001) was the deadliest year for law enforcement since 1989. As of Dec. 26, 186 officers had died. Eighty-one of those died in traffic accidents. Fifteen of those were hit by cars.

Janice Vanderveer is the only Burleson police officer to die in the line of duty. Her picture graces the halls of the police station. A plaque in her honor lies at the base of a flagpole in the front parking lot of the station at the corner of Renfro and Bransom. Janice’s name is engraved on the law enforcement memorial in Austin, Texas, and Washington, D.C.

Janice Kinman Vanderveer grew up in Fort Worth and graduated from Haltom High School in 1969. She attended Tarrant County Junior College where she earned an associates degree in criminal justice.

Vanderveeer graduated from the police academy at Tarrant County Junior College (now Tarrant County College), then worked for the college’s police department before going on maternity leave for the birth of her son. In June 1987, Vanderveer was hired by the Burleson Police Department.

For more information about this release, call the public information office at 817-447-5400, ext. 286.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Dec. 18, 2007

Burleson Police step up DWI enforcement over the holidays

The Burleson Police Department is working overtime to keep roads and highways safe from impaired drivers during the holidays.

Officers in Burleson will be out in force Friday, Dec. 21, through New Year’s Day (Tuesday, Jan. 1).  Funding for the increased patrols has been provided by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) in an effort to decrease the number of driving while intoxicated cases in the Burleson area.

The goals and strategies are to increase effective enforcement and adjudication of traffic safety-related laws in order to reduce fatal and serious injury crashes and, to increase the visibility of public education and information campaigns.

Impaired driving is one of America’s most frequently committed and deadliest crimes.  According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2005, 16,885 people died in alcohol-related highway crashes, of which nearly 13,000 people died in traffic crashes involving a driver or a motorcycle operator with an illegal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 or above – the legal limit throughout the United States. Overall, 39 percent of all traffic deaths last year involved alcohol.  

High visibility enforcement efforts such as saturation/roving patrols provide law enforcement officials with effective opportunities to deter and remove impaired drivers from roads and highways.   These activities enable law enforcement officials to evaluate drivers for signs of alcohol or drug impairment that lead to the arrest of violators.

Well-publicized saturation/roving patrols educate the general driving public that breaking traffic laws is a serious problem and that violators will be punished.  Saturation/roving patrols are generally conducted on weekend nights and on holidays at high risk locations where impaired driving crashes have previously occurred.  However, saturation/roving patrols can take place anywhere, at any time.  When the patrols are visible and well-publicized, they can reduce alcohol-related fatalities by up to 20 percent.

Driving impaired or riding with someone who is impaired carries many risks.  Not only do you risk your life and the lives of others, but also the trauma and financial cost incurred from a crash or arrest for driving while impaired can be significant.  Violators face jail time, the loss or suspension of the driver license, increased insurance rates and dozens of other fees.  A first time offender in Texas can expect to receive up to 6 months in jail and up to $3,000 in fines.

While the number of impaired driving fatalities has decreased slightly in the recent years, there is still much to be done.  According to NHTSA, about three in every 10 Americans will be involved in an impaired driving crash at some point in their lives. 

”The time and energy that our officers and partners dedicate to these highly-visible and ultra-effective enforcement programs will not be wasted,” said Officer M. Owen.  “If you are driving while impaired you will be caught, arrested and prosecuted.”

For more information about Burleson’s increased enforcement e-mail Officer M. Owen at mowen@burlesontx.com.

For more information about this release, call the public information office at 817-447-5400, ext. 286.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Dec. 7, 2007

Christmas fireworks are rescheduled for Saturday, Dec. 15

Santa Claus checked his list, twice, and realized that he can make it to Burleson on Saturday, Dec. 15.

Thanks to the Burleson Police Officers Association, Santa will be back in Burleson, in front of the City Christmas tree at the corner of Johnson Avenue and Ellison Street , from 6:30 p.m. until after the fireworks display, which is slated for 8:10 p.m.

Association members will be taking pictures of the children with Santa. There will be a nominal fee to help cover the cost of the equipment for those who want a picture with Santa but didn't bring their own camera. Anyone who brings their own camera can take pictures free of charge.

Winds kept the holiday fireworks from leaving the ground during the City's Christmas celebration on Dec. 1. But, within three days, the City staff had already rescheduled the Christmas celebration which will include traditional pre-firework entertainment as well as a special addition . . . Mayor Ken Shetter reading "'Twas The Night Before Christmas."  The fireworks will light up the sky at 8:10 p.m. at the original site, across the street from First Baptist Church of Burleson, the Burleson Police Department, and the City's Christmas tree.

The choirs and dancers will start entertaining on the City's stage, which will be set up in the back parking lot of the police department, at 6 p.m.

Several roads will be closed to ensure the safety of the pedestrians and onlookers. At noon, Haskew Street from Ellison to Magnolia and Magnolia from Haskew to Johnson will be closed. At 3 p.m., Ellison from Southwest Anderson to Johnson will be closed as well as Magnolia from Anderson to Johnson and Haskew from Renfro to Ellison. Thirty minutes before the 8 p.m. fireworks show, Johnson will be closed from Tarrant to Renfro, Ellison will be closed from Bransom to Johnson, and Renfro will be closed at the intersection with Johnson Avenue .

Everyone is encouraged to stay away from the fireworks staging area to ensure the safety of the operators as well as the onlookers.

For more information about the rescheduled fireworks show, call Peter Krause with the parks and recreation department at 817-295-8168 or Fire Marshal Stacy Singleton at 817-447-5400, ext. 220. For more information about this release, call the public information office at 817-447-5400, ext. 286.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Dec. 4, 2007

City offices close for City's awards luncheon

City of Burleson offices, with the exception of Hidden Creek Golf Course, will be closed on Wednesday, Dec. 12, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. so that City employees may attend the City’s annual Christmas awards luncheon.

The Burleson Animal Shelter will open at 1:30 p.m. The Burleson Public Library will be open from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Dec. 12.

For more information call the public information office at 817-447-5400, ext. 286

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Nov. 27, 2007

Burleson library rings in the holiday

The Burleson Public Library is ringing in the holiday season with a plethora of programs in December.

 “Muppet Christmas Carol” will air at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 1. This movie is geared toward children who are at least eight years old.  A second movie, “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” will be shown at 1 p.m on Wednesday, Dec. 19. Popcorn and refreshments are provided, but bring a blanket or pillow.

On Thursday, Dec. 20, Hip Pocket Children’s Theatre of Fort Worth will perform a Christmas “Story Soup” at the library at 2 p.m. Refreshments will be provided.

The December lock-in/gaming event is slated for Friday, Dec. 14. The lock-in is from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. No one is allowed in or out after 6:30 p.m. Parental permission slips are required. Lock-ins are for students in sixth through 12th grades.

The Girl’s Only Book Club will meet on Monday, Dec. 17, at 6 p.m. to discuss Lucky T by Kate Brian.  On Tuesday, Dec. 18, the Teen Book Club will meet at 6 p.m.

The library’s teen advisory board will meet on Tuesday, Dec. 4, at 6 p.m. This group plans future activities, suggests books for purchase, and provides a local voice for teens.

The adults have three events in December. At noon on Saturday, Dec. 8, the Read The Book, Watch The Movie group will watch A Christmas Story by Jean Sheperd. On Tuesday, Dec. 11, the Anything But Mystery Book Club will meet at 6:30 p.m. to talk about The Autobiography of Santa Claus by Jeff Guin. And, on Thursday, Dec. 20, at 11:30 a.m., the Mystery Lover’s Book Club will discuss Officer Down by Theresa Schwegel.

Sandwiches and refreshments are provided at all of the adult meetings by the Friends of the Library.

For the gardeners in the community, on Thursday, Dec. 6, the master gardener series will feature “Fertilizers and Other Chemicals” at 6:30 p.m. at the library. Light refreshments will be served.

For more information about the library’s programs in December, call 817-295-6131. For more information about this release, call the public information officer at 817-447-5400, ext. 286.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Nov. 26, 2007

Red Light Cameras await TXDOT construction plan approval

The City of Burleson and the Texas Department of Transportation are working on approval of the plans for the construction of the red light cameras on Hwy. 174/Wilshire Boulevard in Burleson.

In August, Burleson City Council members approved an automated red light program services contract with American Traffic Solutions Inc. (ATS) and a municipal maintenance agreement with TXDOT.

The activation date for the red light cameras is pending TXDOT’s approval of the construction plans.

For more information about the red light camera program, call Deputy City Manager David Wynn at 817-447-5400, ext. 238. For more information about this release call the public information officer at 817-447-5400, ext. 286.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Nov. 26, 2007

Burleson joins in Sept. 11 Tribute Exhibition opening ceremony in Fort Worth

New York Port Authority Police Chief Anthony Whitaker speaks about his experiences on Sept. 11, 2001, as Fort Worth Fire Chief Rudy Jackson, Burleson Fire Chief Gary Wisdom, and Burleson Fire Marshal Stacy Singleton look on.

Burleson Fire Chief Gary Wisdom and Fire Marshal Stacy Singleton represented the City of Burleson at the opening ceremony for the National Sept. 11 Memorial and Museum’s Sept. 11 Tribute Exhibition in Fort Worth.

The two joined Fort Worth Police Chief Ralph Mendoza, Fort Worth Fire Chief Rudy Jackson, New York Port Authority Police Chief Anthony Whitaker, and Mike Hurley, manager of the World Trade Center site. Members of the Fort Worth police and fire departments comprised the honor guard.

The exhibition stopped in Fort Worth, at Hulen Mall, on Saturday and Sunday to garner support for the fundraising efforts for the National Sept. 11 Memorial and Museum that will honor the lives lost on Sept. 11, 2001, as well as Feb. 26, 1993, due to terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center.

Wisdom, Singleton, dignitaries, and those who walked through the exhibit Saturday and Sunday signed two beams that will be used at the site of the memorial and museum in New York City.

For more information about this release, call the public information office at 817-447-5400, ext. 286.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Nov. 20, 2007

City, Planet Kidz/Fun Time Live host weekly lock-ins at Burleson Community Center

Quality, chaperoned activities for students from third through eighth grade are available every Saturday night at the Burleson Community Center, thanks to Planet Kidz/Fun Time Live.

There will be no Planet Kidz/Fun Time Live lock-in on Saturday, Dec. 1, due to the daylong Christmas festivities hosted by the parks and recreation department. There will also be no Planet Kidz/Fun Time Live lock-in on Saturday, Dec. 29.

But, there is plenty of fun slated for Dec. 8, 15, and 22. On Dec. 8, the theme is the Winter Olympics. Participants are encouraged to wear their favorite jersey for a chance to win four free concession tickets. There will be jump rope relay, potato sack races, half-court basketball shots, cup stack relays, hula hoop contests, dance contests, and a no-hands sour pickle-eating contest.

On Dec. 15, Santa Claus is visiting and he’s more than willing to pose for pictures. That night is also talent night so participants can tell jokes, rap, and dance. There will be five-on-five football, a holiday mystery eating contest, and a holiday scavenger hunt.

And, on Dec. 22, tis the season to  hear them sing with karaoke night. Students can also join in a fruitcake eating contest, jingle bell rock dance contest, candy cane limbo, big elf dodge ball, and have fun with crazy holiday hair paint.

The program, a lock-in, kicked off at the center at Hidden Creek Parkway and Chisenhall Park Lane in October. Planet Kidz was formerly at Hughes Middle School.

Students from Burleson, Crowley, and Joshua attend. Planet Kidz averages 50 to 75 students between 7 p.m. and 11 p.m. every Saturday night. Admission is $9. Concessions are available for a nominal charge.

The City has signed a six-month contract with Planet Kidz. The program pays the City for the use of the building. No one but Planet Kidz attendees are allowed in the community center during the lock-in.
Weekly activities include a live DJ, dancing, sports, tournaments, contests, celebrity appearances, inflatable games, prizes, and give-aways.

Saturdays are billed as the perfect Parents Night Out since the program is chaperoned by a Burleson police officer, at least one trained counselor for every 30 students, and Planet Kidz staff. Each Planet Kidz staff member must submit to a background check.

Each child must fill out and have an adult sign a rules and regulations form. Each child has to sign in and is not allowed to leave the building unless signed out by an authorized adult who has to come inside the building to pick up their child. According to the rules, there is no smoking, no alcoholic beverages, no drugs, no fighting, no belligerent behavior, no profanity, no dirty dancing, and no black sole shoes or gum chewing in the gym.

A City employee works the front desk, but Planet Kidz staff run the program. The building is closed to all other activities on Saturday nights.

Parents and students can check out pictures taken at Planet Kidz/Fun Time Live on the web site, www.funtimelive.com.

For more information about Planet Kidz/Fun Time Live, log on to www.funtimelive.com. For more information about the City’s involvement in the program, call Paula Benjamin at 817-295-8168. For more information about this release, call the public information office at 817-447-5400, ext. 286.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Nov. 16, 2007

Streets will be closed for Christmas parade, tree lighting, and fireworks

Make sure you settle in early for Burleson’s Christmas activities on Saturday, Dec. 1.

There won’t be any road closures for Breakfast with Santa (7 a.m.-11:30 a.m. at the Burleson Community Center), but roads will be closed starting as early as 3:30 p.m. to keep everyone safe for the Burleson Rotary Club’s “Texas Christmas” parade as well as the City’s tree lighting, visits with Santa, and 15-minute fireworks show choreographed to music.

The parade will step off from Kerr Middle School on Johnson Avenue at 6 p.m. The tree lighting and fireworks will take place at approximately 7 p.m. at the corner of Johnson and Ellison Street, between First Baptist Church and the Burleson Police Department.

The parade’s traditional route starts at Kerr Middle School, then goes up Johnson Avenue to Ellison Street, through Old Town to Main Street, and circles back through the neighborhoods to the school. 

Several Old Town streets along the route will be closed starting at 3:30 p.m. on Dec. 1. Those street closures include:

• Ellison Street at Southwest Anderson
• Ellison Street at Southwest Johnson
• Magnolia at Southwest Anderson
• Magnolia at Southwest Johnson
• Haskew at Renfro Street
• Southwest Johnson at Renfro (beginning at 5 p.m., and including the left turn lanes on Renfro and Johnson)
• Southwest Johnson at Southeast Tarrant Avenue (closed after the parade passes)

Streets that will close at 4 p.m. so the parade entrants can be staged in the school parking lot, include:

• Irene Street at Gregory Street
• Irene at Dian Street
• Lena Street at Irene

All driveway entrances to the front parking area of First Baptist Church (Johnson at Ellison) will be closed beginning at 3:30 p.m.  All other side streets affected by the parade route will be blocked only until the end of the parade.

These closures are necessary to allow clearance of the parade route and to protect people and property from any potential hazards associated with the fireworks show. 

A map showing the parade route and the location of all intersection barricades is available in PDF format. A copy of this press release and the map file will be available on the City of Burleson website at www.burlesontx.com. 

For information about the full range of holiday activities hosted by Burleson’s parks and recreation department, log on to the City of Burleson web site at www.burlesontx.com or call 817-295-8168.  For more information about the “Texas Christmas” Parade of Lights hosted by the Burleson Rotary Club, log on to www.burlesonrotary.org. or call 817-447-7300.

For more information about this release, call the public information office at 817-447-5400, ext. 286.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Nov. 16, 2007

Donations of canned goods and toys can alleviate library fines

Would you like to clear your Burleson Public Library account of fines and do a good deed this holiday season? Beginning Monday, Nov. 26, the Burleson Public Library will be supporting two local charities, Harvest House and Heart for the Kids, with a two-week fine amnesty.

From Nov. 26 through Monday, Dec. 10, library patrons can receive up to $20 in coupons to be used for late fees on library materials. These coupons can be used immediately or saved for future fines. The coupons will be valid through Dec. 31, 2008. The library can only waive fines on late fees. Coupons are not redeemable for lost or damaged materials.

In conjunction with Harvest House, the library is accepting donations of canned or boxed food items. For every item donated, the library will provide patrons with a coupon redeemable for $1 off of library fines. Up to $20 will be waived for each individual library account. The Burleson Public Library is also supporting Harvest House by providing a location for the Angel Tree program. Patrons can earn $20 in fine coupons by fulfilling the Christmas wishes an Angel Tree child has listed on the card.

The Burleson Public Library is also partnering with Heart for the Kids. Stop by the library and pick up a stocking with a needy child's holiday wish list. Bring the new, unwrapped toy to the library and the generosity will be rewarded with $20 worth of fine coupons.

For more information call Library Director Gayla Tennison at 817-295-6131, ext. 265, or e-mail gtennison@burlesonlibrary.com. For more information about this release, call the public information officer at 817-447-5400, ext. 286.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Nov. 16, 2007

Holiday Closings

If you're looking for something to do on Thanksgiving day, go golfing.

The only City of Burleson facility, besides the police department and fire department, that will be open for business on Thursday, Nov. 22, is Hidden Creek Golf Course. You can take your turn on the municipal greens between 7 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Normal business hours will resume Friday through Sunday.

Hold that turkey day trash until the week after Thanksgiving. There will be no trash collection on Thursday or on Friday, Nov. 23. The City's recycling center and compost center will also be closed for the holiday.

The Burleson Public Library will close early, at 6 p.m., on Wednesday, Nov. 21, and will be closed on Thursday and Friday. The library will be open for regular hours on Saturday.

The Burleson Community Center will also be closed on Thursday and Friday, but will re-open on Saturday, Nov. 24.

The Burleson Animal Shelter will be open for regular hours on Wednesday, then will be closed on Thursday and Friday. The shelter will be open on Saturday.

For more information, call the public information office at 817-447-5400, ext. 286.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 13, 2007

Citizens on Patrol will patrol retail shopping centers Nov. 23

While residents are out shopping the Friday following Thanksgiving, Burleson’s Citizens On Patrol will be working to keep everyone safe.

At least five teams of citizens will be at Wal-Mart and South Towne Crossing (Target, Office Depot, Home Depot) on Wilshire Boulevard and at Gateway Station and Burleson Town Center on I-35W on Friday, Nov. 23.

The COPs will be easy to identify. Team members wear light blue uniform shirts with light blue COP jackets and ball caps that are marked “Citizens On Patrol.”

Four of the teams will be in vehicles with magnetic signs that say “Burleson Citizens On Patrol.” The fifth team will be looking for disabled parking violations. That fifth team will be in a vehicle that is marked with the sign “Burleson Disabled Parking Enforcement.”

During the enforcement period, teams will also walk through the stores to help retail management cut down on shoplifting.

This is the second year that the COPs have patrolled major retail parking lots during the holidays. According to Sgt. Diron Hill, COPs coordinator, in 2006 there were no reports of car burglaries or thefts in the parking lots during the times that the Citizens On Patrol were watching for suspicious activity.

The COPs are certified for handicapped parking enforcement. COPs are trained to recognize violations and write citations to put on the windshields. COPs do not confront drivers.

COPs are the eyes and ears of the police department. During the rest of the year, COPs go out in pairs for four to eight-hour shifts and patrol Burleson in their personal vehicles. COPs do not initiate contact with a suspect. The role of a Citizen On Patrol is to observe and report.

The five-week COP training covers the penal code, traffic code, city ordinances, patrol techniques, traffic control, vacation checks, business checks, and traffic hazards. Each COP candidate also rides with a police officer for eight hours to learn the geography of the city, patrol techniques, and locations of businesses and city parks.

For more information about the Burleson Police Department’s Citizens On Patrol  program, call Sgt. Diron Hill at 817-447-5300, ext. 339. For more information about this release, call the public information office at 817-447-5400, ext. 286.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 13, 2007

Burleson will light the skies with fireworks Dec. 1

Burleson has something only a select number of cities in the Metroplex has . . . fireworks for Christmas.

The lighting of the City Christmas tree, talks with Santa, and a fireworks extravaganza that is choreographed to music are slated for 7 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 1, at the corner of Johnson Avenue and Ellison Street in Old Town Burleson.

The tree lighting follows the Burleson Rotary Club’s “Texas Christmas Parade,” which will step off from Kerr Middle School at 6 p.m. Once the parade passes by the corner of Ellison and Johnson, Santa Claus will jump off the final float and make his way to the City’s 25-foot Christmas tree that will be set up behind the Burleson Police Department. Before he settles into his sleigh to talk to the children, Santa will hop on the stage and, along with the help of at least two children, will flip the switch on the 10,000 lights on the City Christmas tree.

Then, the skies will light up with fireworks. The show will be approximately 15 minutes long and will be choreographed to music.

After the fireworks, Santa will start taking Christmas wishes from all of the children.

For more information about the tree lighting, Santa Claus, or the fireworks extravaganza, call the City of Burleson’s parks and recreation department at 817-295-8168. For more information about this release, call the public information office at 817-447-5400, ext. 286.

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November 13, 2007

Hundreds honored veterans at Renfro Square Saturday

There wasn’t a dry eye in the house Saturday afternoon.

Burleson Mayor Ken Shetter had to pause several times as he talked about the military service of his father, an uncle, and his grandfather. The audience was a crowd of more than 200 people, veterans and their families, at what will become an annual event . . . a ceremony to honor United States military veterans at Renfro Square.

The mayor told the crowd that when he was 15 years old he sat with his grandfather and recorded his grandfather’s memories of World War II. That experience meant so much to him that the mayor announced the launching of the Burleson Veterans History Project, which is being coordinated by the Burleson Public Library, to record the histories of all Burleson military veterans.

The emotions of the moment got the best of Congressman Chet Edwards, who told of a wounded veteran he met at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. The soldier had promised his daughter that he would come home from the conflict. The congressman was at Walter Reed when the man’s daughter walked in the room to see her father, “who kept his promise.”

Soulful Sounds, a choral group from First United Methodist Church of Burleson gave a stirring tribute to the veterans through “Salute to the Armed Forces.” The musical medley included “The Caisson Song,” “Semper Paratus,” “The Marine Hymn,” “The U.S. Air Force song,” and “Anchors Aweigh.” The veterans, some of whom were Purple Heart recipients from World War II, stood and sang along.

David McDowell, from the City’s parks and recreation department, read the poem, “I Am A Veteran” and Burleson High School band student Lonnie Kitts ended the tribute by playing “Taps” on his trumpet. The ceremony was emceed by Burleson City Council member Matt Powell.

The memorial to U.S. military veterans started as a fountain with room for 200 bricks to be inlaid in the sidewalk. Rocky Bransom, one of the developers for Renfro Square, at the corner of Renfro Street and I-35W, thought 200 was a low figure for the number of people who would be interested in buying a brick, so he made room for 900.

Thanks to the perseverance of community volunteer Betty Shelton, who helped spearhead the memorial and the ceremony, more than 900 bricks had been ordered before Saturday’s ceremony began. Orders continue to pour in. Bransom and his partner, Jim Garrett, are planning to tear up the sidewalk to make room for even more bricks that will be dedicated to the veterans.

The City of Burleson added to the memorial to the veterans by ordering the seals from each branch of service . . . U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, U.S. Marines Corp, U.S. Air Force, and U.S. Coast Guard. Three of the five seals were displayed Saturday. The seals will be mounted on the ledge of the fountain.

The brick memorial is an ongoing project. To order a brick, call the City’s public information office at 817-447-5400, ext. 286, with the name of the veteran, branch of service, and the name of the conflict the veteran served in. Veterans immortalized at the fountain must have a Burleson connection. Checks for $45 for the bricks should be mailed to Betty Shelton, P.O. Box 2737, Burleson, TX 76097.

For more information about this release, call the public information office at 817-447-5400, ext. 286.

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November 13, 2007

City unveils Burleson Veterans History Project

Burleson Mayor Ken Shetter announces the launching of the Burleson Veterans History Project at the Burleson Veterans Ceremony on Saturday, Nov. 10, at Renfro Square.

What better way to learn about history than to hear it from the ones who lived it. That’s why the City of Burleson is laying the groundwork for the Burleson Veterans History Project, which will be linked with the Library of Congress’ Veterans History Project.

Four years ago, local military veterans and members of the Burleson Heritage Foundation started compiling an oral history by interviewing veterans and recording those conversations on videotape. More than 14 interviews have been delivered to the Burleson Public Library to start the Burleson Veterans History Project.

Burleson Mayor Ken Shetter announced the launching of the Burleson Veterans History Project on Saturday, Nov. 10, at the Burleson Veterans Ceremony at Renfro Square. Veterans and their families picked up a field kit explaining the project, a registration form, and a copy of the questions that will be asked during an interview. Actual interview times are being scheduled through the Burleson Public Library.

The Library of Congress’ Veterans History Project was created in 2000 to record the memories of veterans of World War I, World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam War, Persian Gulf War, and the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. The web site for that project is www.loc.gov/vets.

Once the local oral histories are recorded they will be available for viewing at the library and, eventually, on a web site. Copies of the interview will also be sent to the Library of Congress.

Library hours are 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Monday-Thursday; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on Friday; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturday; and closed on Sunday. The library will be closed Thursday, Nov. 22, and Friday, Nov. 23, for Thanksgiving. It will be open on Saturday, Nov. 24.  

For more information, call Library Director Gayla Tennison at 817-295-6131, ext. 265 or e-mail her at gtennison@burlesontx.com. For more information about this release, call the public information officer at 817-447-5400, ext. 286.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 12, 2007

Burleson will light the skies with fireworks Dec. 1

Burleson has something only a select number of cities in the Metroplex has . . . fireworks for Christmas.

The lighting of the City Christmas tree, talks with Santa, and a fireworks extravaganza that is choreographed to music are slated for 7 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 1, at the corner of Johnson Avenue and Ellison Street in Old Town Burleson.

The tree lighting follows the Burleson Rotary Club’s “Texas Christmas Parade,” which will step off from Kerr Middle School at 6 p.m. Once the parade passes by the corner of Ellison and Johnson, Santa Claus will jump off the final float and make his way to the City’s 25-foot Christmas tree that will be set up behind the Burleson Police Department. Before he settles into his sleigh to talk to the children, Santa will hop on the stage and, along with the help of at least two children, will flip the switch on the 10,000 lights on the City Christmas tree.

Then, the skies will light up with fireworks. The show will be approximately 15 minutes long and will be choreographed to music.

After the fireworks, Santa will start taking Christmas wishes from all of the children.

For more information about the tree lighting, Santa Claus, or the fireworks extravaganza, call the City of Burleson’s parks and recreation department at 817-295-8168. For more information about this release, call the public information office at 817-447-5400, ext. 286.

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November 12, 2007

North Pole Calling program starts Dec. 10

Burleson children will receive a personal phone call from Santa Claus thanks to the North Pole Calling program coordinated by the City of Burleson’s parks and recreation department.

Children have to send their parents to the Burleson Community Center, starting Monday, Nov. 26, to make an appointment with the most famous North Pole resident. Santa’s helpers will help St. Nick coordinate the phone calls, which will be made between 5:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m., Monday, Dec. 10, through Thursday, Dec. 13.

The community center is located at Hidden Creek Parkway and Chisenhall Park Lane.

For more information about North Pole Calling, call the City of Burleson’s parks and recreation department at 817-295-8168. For more information about this release, call the public information office at 817-447-5400, ext. 286.

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November 12, 2007

Santa’s breakfast is Saturday, Dec. 1

If you want to eat breakfast with Santa Claus, he’s coming to Burleson on Saturday, Dec. 1.

All of the City of Burleson’s Christmas festivities, including the tree lighting and fireworks show, have been moved up a week to Dec. 1. The Burleson Rotary Club’s “Texas Christmas” parade is also on Dec. 1.

Santa’s Breakfast kicks off the big day with pancakes, sausage, juice and coffee served by Santa’s elves from 7 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. The big event is being hosted at the Burleson Community Center at the corner of Hidden Creek Parkway and Chisenhall Park Lane. Tickets for the breakfast are available at the community center at a cost of $3 for children and $4 for adults. Tickets at the door will be $5 for children and $7 for adults.

Children can eat breakfast, talk to Santa and create crafts in Santa’s workshop. Parents are encouraged to bring their cameras.

Last year approximately 1,000 people attended and ate 4,000 homemade pancakes and a plethora of sausage.

For more information, call the City of Burleson’s parks and recreation department at 817-295-8168. For more information about this release, call the public information office at 817-447-5400, ext. 286.

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November 9, 2007

One gas well site is vandalized, two others have valve problems

Firefighters will have the information, and additional training, at their fingertips the next time they respond to a report of problems at a gas well drilling site.

Wednesday night, firefighters responded to two reports. One was a report that “something blew” at a gas well tower in the 300 block of Hidden Creek Parkway. Firefighters responded a few hours later to a report of a loud sound at a well site in the 300 block of CR 714.

Suspects had also vandalized a well site in the 800 block of CR 714, near Prairie Spring Cemetery, on Monday. The police department is investigating that incident.

City management and staff met Thursday to compile gas well manuals for each of Burleson’s fire trucks. Those manuals will include the well locations, contact person and phone number, and the location of the access road. Firefighters will also go through additional training.

Fire Marshal Stacy Singleton told Burleson City Council members Thursday night that the safety features worked at the XTO Energy site near the cemetery. The suspects entered the fenced area around the tank battery facilities and well heads on Nov. 5, but, although damage was done, the safety features kicked in.

The suspects climbed over an 8-foot fence around the well heads, turned on some valves, and punched a hole in the methanol holding tank.

Wednesday night, a police officer reported a loud leaking sound coming from a gas well site in the 300 block of CR 714. The later call on Hidden Creek Parkway was a problem at a gas well tower. The pressure relief valves at both locations were flowing gas because the valves were frozen open. The valve at the CR 714 site was on the gas line, not the well head.

“We don’t know why the valves popped off and stayed open,” Singleton said.

Gas company representatives shut down both locations involved in Wednesday’s incidents. The representative told fire officials that the gas would dissipate.

Both incidents are still under investigation by Collin Gregory in the City’s gas well inspector’s office.

Residents can learn all they want to know about local gas well sites by logging on to the City of Burleson web site at www.burlesontx.com, scroll down to the “Online Features” box in the center of the page, and click on “Gas Well Drilling Information.”

For more information about this release, call the public information office at 817-447-5400, ext. 286.

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November 9, 2007

Learn all you want to know about gas well drilling on the City of Burleson web site

If you want to know more about the gas well in your neighborhood, just log on to the City of Burleson web site at www.burlesontx.com.

This week, the public works department launched a web page chock full of all the information you need concerning the more than 30 gas wells inside Burleson’s city limits.

Log on to the City web site, scroll down to the “online features” box in the center of the page, and click on “Gas Well Drilling Information” in the second column. The Gas Drilling Information page includes a map of all of the gas well sites, a gas and oil drilling complaint form, a description of the drilling process, frequently asked questions, the City’s gas well ordinance, and pictures of acceptable practices. The road maintenance agreement will be posted on the site soon.

The web site explains the process of getting natural gas out of the ground, from exploration to extraction, production, transport, storage, and distribution, and finally to the marketing.

The gas well map includes the company name, well name, the address of the well, and a contact phone number.

The City’s gas ordinance requires wells to be drilled more than 500 feet from any protected use, such as a home, religious institution, public building, hospital, school, or public park. The only exception is if the company secures a waiver from the protected use owners or the Burleson City Council approves the waiver.

The site also includes an oil and gas company directory complete with web site addresses for the companies (through the Texas Railroad Commission) as well as links to the Texas Commission on Environmental Equality, American Petroleum Institution, Texas Railroad Commission, Environmental Protection Agency, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and Barnett Shale Energy Education Council.

Collin Gregory is the City’s gas and oil development inspector. Other contacts on the gas well drilling issue include Public Works Director Dave Stringer, Assistant Public Works Director David Smyth, and Fire Marshal Stacy Singleton.

For more information about the new web page, call Collin Gregory at 817-447-5410, ext. 291 or e-mail him at cgregory@burlesontxcom. For more information about this release, call the public information office at 817-447-5400, ext. 286.

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November 9, 2007

Mayor proclaims Texas Recycles Day

It all comes back to you.

Bianca Chafin, Mayor Ken Shetter, and Sheri Campbell-Husband

That’s the theme of Texas Recycles Day, slated for Thursday, Nov. 15. Thursday night, Burleson Mayor Ken Shetter proclaimed this coming Thursday as Texas Recycles Day in Burleson.

According to the proclamation, which was presented to Bianca Chafin and Sheri Campbell-Husband from the City’s neighborhood services division, recycling could significantly decrease the amount that Texans spend annually to dispose of their trash. In 2006, more than 47,107 Texans participated in the 193 Texas Recycles Day events. More than 617,947 pounds of recyclables were collected.

The City of Burleson provides citizens with a facility at 124 S.W. Haskew where recyclable material can be dropped off on Tuesdays and Fridays from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. and on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon. Newsprint (no phone books), aluminum, tin, and glass can be recycled at the center. In January 2008, the City will also start a curbside recycling program.

For more information about this release, call the public information office at 817-447-5400, ext. 286.

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November 8, 2007

Ribbon cutting for Hidden Creek Parkway bridge is Nov. 27

Tuesday, Nov. 27, is the “Hallelujah” day that Burleson residents and those who work in Burleson have been waiting for.

The excitement and cheers are for the official opening of the Hidden Creek Parkway bridge over I-35W. The ribbon cutting will take place at 12:30 p.m. on the bridge in south Burleson.

The bridge is a Texas Department of Transportation project.

Dignitaries and everyone involved in the expansion of Hidden Creek Parkway from Hwy. 174/Wilshire Boulevard on the west side of the city to Renfro Street on the east side will stretch a ribbon across the overpass’ expanse and cut the ribbon.

No taxpayer dollars are being used to fund the celebration. The expenses are being borne by the consultant and the contractor. The Burleson Area Chamber of Commerce is supplying the ribbon and scissors.

The project has been a work in progress for more than six years. The extension of Hidden Creek Parkway was approved, via a bond election, by voters in 2001. Half cent sales tax funds and water/wastewater bond funds were used to fund the City’s portion of the project.

In April 2005, Burleson City Council members awarded the bid for the construction of the parkway to Orval Hall Excavating of Fort Worth at a cost of more than $13 million. Orval worked with Gilco Contracting, Inc., which did the paving on the City’s part of the project. Freese and Nichols, Inc., designed the parkway.

The parkway was under construction for approximately two years. The bridge construction started in 2006. The parkway and the on and off ramps for I-35W were completed and open by June 2007.

Hidden Creek Parkway is a four-lane roadway with underground drainage and sidewalks. The project includes bridges over Quil Miller Creek, Village Creek, and Union Pacific Railroad. Waterline projects were also figured into the project.

For more information about the project, call Lance Barton at 817-447-5400, ext. 278. For more information about this press release, call the public information office at 817-447-5400, ext. 286.

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November 5, 2007

Military vehicles and submarine join ceremony dedicated to veterans

Military vehicles and a 21-foot inflatable submarine from the United States Submarine Veterans of Fort Worth have been added to Saturday’s Veterans Memorial Ceremony at Renfro Square. Renfro Square is located at the corner of Renfro Street and I-35W in Burleson.

Bricks engraved to recognize military veterans, living and dead, will be dedicated during the 2 p.m. ceremony on Nov. 10. The bricks are inlaid in the sidewalk around the fountain.

Soulful Sounds from First United Methodist Church will sing patriotic music. The City of Burleson’s own David McDowell will read the poem, “I Am A Veteran.” A wreath donated by Flowers by Fran will be placed, courtesy of the Burleson High School ROTC, at the fountain. The ROTC will also present the colors.

A table will be set up near the stage for veterans to sign in and receive a souvenir. Representatives from the Burleson Public Library will man a table to provide information on an additional tribute to veterans that will be unveiled during the ceremony.

Matt Powell, a Burleson city council member, is the master of ceremonies.

The City of Burleson, Dist. 17 Congressman Chet Edwards, Betty Shelton, Rocky and Angie Bransom and Jim and Sarah Garrett of B&G Commercial Development, and American National Bank are joining forces to salute, honor, and remember those who have served in military service for the United States of America.

The event will include speeches by Mayor Ken Shetter and Congressman Edwards.  Lonnie Kitts, a junior at Burleson High, will play Taps.

All veterans will be recognized on Saturday. Close to 100 chairs in front of the stage will be reserved for the veterans. Others are encouraged to bring lawn chairs.

The bricks around the fountain were purchased and engraved to honor the veterans of all wars and conflicts who have a connection to Burleson.

What was expected to encompass less than 400 veteran bricks has blossomed into a project that, as of Monday, had more than doubled to more than 900 bricks. There has been such an influx of brick orders (close to 100 in the past week) that not all bricks will be inlaid by Nov. 10, but should be in place by the end of the year. Bricks can be ordered and corrections can be made to existing bricks at Saturday’s ceremony. Representatives from Etch-It, the company responsible for engraving the bricks, will be at the ceremony.

The bricks include the veteran’s name, branch of service, and, if they served during a conflict, the name of the conflict. Each brick is engraved with the information and placed around the fountain between the two B&G buildings.

The cost to order a brick is $45.

To order a brick, call the City’s public information office at 817-447-5400, ext. 286, or mail the information and check to Betty Shelton, P.O. Box 2737, Burleson, TX 76097.

For more information about this release, call the City’s public information office at 817-447-5400, ext. 286.

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October 26, 2007

Burleson Police Department’s property technician wins two state awards

Compassion, talent, dedication, and integrity. Those words are engraved on two plaques to describe the Burleson Police Department’s property coordinator, Gayla Robison. She was named the 2007 Property Technician of the Year and the 2007 Presidential Choice Award winner.

Both awards were presented by the Texas Association of Property and Evidence Inventory Technicians (TAPEIT) at the October conference in San Antonio. This is Robison’s sixth year as the secretary for TAPEIT.

“The decision to select her as the 2007 TAPEIT Property Technician of the Year was simply put, a ‘no-brainer!’” John Vasquez, president of TAPEIT, said.

The same could be said for the President’s Choice Award, which Vasquez said goes to a person who provides continual support and service and is unselfish in their endeavors.

“She is my right-hand person. As secretary, her duties are critical to the daily operations of the association. She spends countless hours, both on and off duty, in support of TAPEIT,” Vasquez said.

The statewide association boasts just shy of 1,000 members from one-person property divisions such as Burleson up to major metropolitan departments like Houston and Austin. The award for property technician was a unanimous vote.

“These awards mean a lot,” Robison said.

Robison has been a Burleson resident for 30 years. She was hired as a records clerk for the police department in 1995, then took over as the property and evidence technician in 1999. As a one-person division, Robison has to be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

“You have to be very self-motivated, detailed, and organized,” she said of her job.

The chain of custody can make or break a property technician. Robison has to know who had possession of evidence from “life to death.”

She is considered so professional by her peers and local attorneys that Robison has only been called to court to testify about the chain of custody once in eight years. When the department went through a recent reaccreditation by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Robison said her property room was praised for being organized and clean.

She gets her fair share of drugs, guns, and stolen property turned in by patrol officers and detectives. But, the most unusual item in her property room has to be stomach contents from an arrestee.

The confiscated drugs are driven to an EPA-approved burn facility at least twice a year to be destroyed. Guns, unless reclaimed by the victim, are also destroyed. Any property that was used in the commission of a crime is not returned to the defendant.

Unclaimed bicycles are donated to local charities to fix and pass on to needy children.

Robison has a 15-foot by 25-foot climate-controlled room inside the police station to hold the department’s property and evidence. She has been known to rent a portable storage unit to hold the overflow, especially after a raid.

She says the role of a property technician is becoming more professional, thanks in part to training through TAPEIT. Training for property technicians may soon be required through a state mandate. At this point, technicians rely on each other to learn the ropes and the law. One mistake could send a property technician to jail.

In his nomination letter, Burleson Police Chief Tom Cowan called Robison a “talented professional” who possesses a “strong work ethic and takes pride in a job well done . . . her meticulous nature makes her ideally suited for her position.” The chief said Robison “is routinely sought out by her peers, especially those who are just starting out or taking over property room management.”

The chief said Robison “goes the extra mile when it comes to answering questions and explaining what to expect.”

The award winner is not the only person in her family to work in law enforcement. Her father and brother as well as her husband served as police officers in Oklahoma. Before Robison joined the local police department, she worked as a secretary as well as in sales for a printing company.

She has been married for 34 years. Her husband works for a gas well company. They have a 33-year-old daughter who is a stay-at-home mother to her 4-year-old son and Robison’s “grand dog,” a chocolate Labrador named Deputy. Robison and her husband also have a 26-year-old son who is married.

Melvin McGuire is the sergeant over criminal investigations and is Robison’s immediate supervisor. McGuire said Robison is a true professional.

“Given the complexities and pitfalls associated with maintaining property and evidence it is an absolute must to have a person in that position who is trustworthy, attentive, and organized,” the sergeant said.  “Gayla possesses these qualities and has proven herself to be a true professional when it comes to the effective management of property and evidence.  Gayla is an important member of the department and it was nice that she received recognition for her hard work and dedication.”

For more information about this release, call the public information office at 817-447-5400, ext. 286.

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October 26, 2007

Many are honored at annual Character Awards Luncheon

Fourteen students, an elementary school, and a longtime Burleson banker/volunteer were honored at the Burleson Character Awards Luncheon at First United Methodist Church on Thursday.

The Burleson Character Program is a joint effort of the City of Burleson, Burleson Independent School District, Burleson Area Chamber of Commerce, and Burleson Ministerial Alliance.

The first place winners in the Character Essay contest include Kristie Huneycutt, third-fourth grade category, Bransom Elementary; Noah Ray, fifth grade, Academy at Nola Dunn; and Caitlan Smelley, secondary level, Burleson High School.

The runners-up at the third-fourth grade level include Madeleine Barnes, second, Mound Elementary; Paulina Borowski, third, Mound; Kately Peterson, honorable mention, Mound; and Brittnee Frazier, honorable mention, Frazier Elementary.

Runners-up in fifth grade include Trystan Allen, second place, Mound; Joseph Heimbigner, third place, home school; and Taylor Gasca, honorable mention, the Academy.

At the secondary level, Taylor Wilborn came in second and Kyle Beckrich placed third.

At the kindergarten level, Sydney Lewis and Kamryn Ingersoll, both from the Academy, won honorable mention.

The essay topic was "What group or organization has contributed to making Burleson a City of Character? The winning students wrote about doctors, police officers, First Baptist Church, City of Burleson employees, Upward Sports, Brazos Christian Church, firefighters, Relay For Life, the Rotary Club, Girl Scouts, the Make A Difference Club at Kerr Middle School, and the National Honor Society at Kerr.

The Organizational Character Award was given to the Academy at Nola Dunn. The award recognizes an organization that emphasizes and teaches character traits in a creative and motivating atmosphere. The Academy uses the five Olympic rings to emphasize five character traits. At the beginning of the school year, there is a raising of the rings ceremony. Students write essays about the character traits and sing a character song. Character is emphasized throughout the year at the elementary school.

The Byron Black Character Award went to Patsy Dumas. The award is presented to someone who lives the principles of the City of Character initiative. Dumas has been part of the program since its inception. She is also involved in the Burleson Making It Happen For Kids Foundation, is a past president of the Burleson Area Chamber of Commerce and Burleson Rotary Club, is vice president of Keep Burleson Beautiful, is an Athena Award winner and a member of the Burleson Community Chorale, and is an advocate for the American Cancer Society Relay For Life.

Students of the Year from each Burleson Independent School campus were also recognized at the Oct. 25 luncheon.

Ben Welch, the director of the Center for Executive Development for Mays Business School at Texas A&M, was the keynote speaker.

For more information about this release, call the public information office at 817-447-5400, ext. 286.

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October 26, 2007

Mayor Proclaims Municipal Court Week

The role that the municipal court plays in the safety of the community was recognized Thursday night when Burleson Mayor Ken Shetter proclaimed Nov. 5-9 as Municipal Court Week.

Terry Hambley, city marshal, accepted the proclamation at the Oct. 25 Burleson City Council meeting.

The municipal court has jurisdiction over Class C misdemeanors issued by Burleson police officers, the fire marshal, code enforcement officers, and animal control officers.

The Municipal Court of Burleson is a time honored and vital part of local government. More people come in contact with municipal courts than all other Texas courts combined. There are 850 municipal courts in Texas.

Municipal court judges, marshals, bailiffs, and court support personnel must be neutral, impartial, and render equal service to all. The goal is to help preserve public safety, protect the quality of life in the community, and deter future criminal behavior.

Municipal court judges and clerks participate in judicial education programs, seminars, workshops, and annual meetings of state and local professional organizations.

Burleson’s municipal court, housed at the Burleson sub-courthouse on Elk Drive, includes Interim Municipal Judge Brad Bradley, Supervisor Yolanda Trevino, Warrant/Collections Clerk Larissa Ward, and deputy municipal court clerks Stephanie Klimas and Anna Paniagua. The department is overseen by Director of Finance Rhett Clark.

For more information about this release, call the public information office at 817-447-5400, ext. 286.

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October 24, 2007

Burleson Community Center has classes for everyone!

November and December are busy times for the Burleson Community Center.

If your child is involved in dance, there are more than half a dozen choices at the community center on Tuesdays and Fridays. The cost is $20 each month.

Starting Friday, Nov. 2, it’s the Tapping Tots (2-3 years old) from 12:30 p.m.-1 p.m.; Mommy and Me Tumbling (18 months-3 years), 1 p.m.-1:30 p.m.; Tap and Ballet (3-4 years old), 1:30 p.m.-2 p.m.; Co-Ed Tumbling (3-4 years old), 2 p.m.-2:30 p.m.; Tumble and Cheer (5 years old and up), 4 p.m.-4:30 p.m.; Tap and Ballet (5-6 years old), 4:30 p.m.-5 p.m.; and Tap, Clogging, and Jazz (7 years old and up), 5 p.m.-5:30 p.m.

Starting Tuesday, Nov. 6, it’s the Tapping Tots (2-3 years old), 6 p.m.-6:30 p.m.; Mommy and Me Tumbling (18 months-3 years), 6:30 p.m.-7 p.m.; Tap and Ballet (3-4 years old), 7 p.m.-7:30 p.m.; and, Co-Ed Tumbling (3-4 years old), 7:30 p.m.- 8p.m.

The Young Rembrandts learn the power of drawing with classes starting on Tuesday, Nov. 6. The cost is $50 for four weeks. From 3:30 p.m. to 4:15 p.m., it’s Pre-School Drawing for children who are older than three but younger than six. From 4:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m., children between six and 12 years old will take part in Elementary and Cartoon Drawing.

The center will host a Christmas Art Camp on three consecutive Tuesdays (Dec. 4, 11, 18) from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. The cost is $54.

The Burleson Community Center offers American Red Cross Babysitter Training from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 10. The fee is $50. The class is geared toward students 11-15 years old.

On Dec. 3, 5, and 10 (Monday, Wednesday, Monday), you can learn how to Plan The Perfect Party for five to 500 people. Class time is 5 p.m.-6 p.m. The cost is $45.

Ongoing classes include The Tong IL Lo Martial Science, which is offered on Fridays. Beginners (4-6 years old) are 6 p.m.-7 p.m. and 7 years old and up beginners are 7 p.m.-8 p.m. The advanced class (7 years old and up) is 8 p.m.-9 p.m. The cost is $10 per week. There is a one-time registration fee of $30 per year.

If table tennis is your thing, all ages are welcome from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Mondays. The Beginner Boot Camp meets on Mondays and Wednesdays, 6 p.m.-7 p.m., for $35 a month. And, Turbo Kick starts the first Thursday of every month (Nov. 1 and Dec. 6) with sessions from 9 a.m. to 10:15 a.m.  and 7 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. The fee is $30 each month.

A full listing of all programs at the Burleson Community Center and Burleson Public Library for Fall 2007 are available online at the City of Burleson web site at www.burlesontx.com. Click on “departments,” “Parks and recreation,” and then “activity guide” in the upper left hand corner for the Fall 2007 Burleson Community Guide.

For more information about any of these Burleson Community Center programs, call the Burleson Community Center at 817-295-8168. For more information about this release, call the public information office at 817-447-5400, ext. 286.

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October 22, 2007

Things are not slowing down in November at the Burleson Public Library

Thanksgiving is fast approaching, but that doesn’t mean things are slowing down at the Burleson Public Library.

There’s something for everyone from children to teens to adults. On the movie schedule is “My Neighbor Totoro” at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 10, and “The Hobbit” at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 21. The Nov. 10 movie is geared for children eight years of age and older. The Nov. 21 screening is for the whole family. Popcorn and refreshments will be provided at both movies.

There are also three Storytime hours at the library. At 10:30 a.m. on Tuesdays, the focus is on toddlers (two-three years old). At 10:30 a.m. on Wednesdays, it’s time for the listeners (four years of age and older). And, at 10:30 a.m. on Saturdays, all babies (birth to 1 year old) are welcome to hear some stories.

The Girls Only Book Club meets at 6 p.m. on the third Monday of the month in the library’s conference room. On Nov. 19, the book to be discussed is “I’d Tell You I Love You, But Then I’d Have To Kill You” by Ally Carter. The club is for girls, sixth-12th grade. Copies of the book are available at the library. Refreshments will be provided.

Teens from sixth-12th grade are invited to the monthly Lock-In/Gaming on Tuesday, Nov. 20. The theme is “Absurdity Day.”  The fun, which includes celebrating the “holiday” with bizarre food and beverages and games, takes place between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. No one will be allowed to leave the lock-in after 6:30 p.m. Teens must be picked up by 10 p.m. Permission slips are required.

For the adults, there is the Anything But Mystery Book Club (second Tuesday), Mystery Lover’s Book Club (third Thursday), and Read The Book, Watch The Movie (Saturdays). Sandwiches and refreshments are provided at all three group gatherings.

The topic of the Anything But Mystery Book Club, which will meet at 6:30 p.m. on Nov. 13, is “Confederates In the Attic” by Tony Horowitz.

The Mystery Lover’s Book Club will talk about “Bangkok 8” by John Burdett. That group meets at 11:30 a.m. on Nov. 15.

The Read the Book, Watch The Movie group will meet at noon on Nov. 3, to watch “Chocolate” by Joanne Harris.

The Burleson Public Library also plays host to the Master Gardener Series and the Elder Care Education and Support Group Series.

On Thursday, Nov. 1, 6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m., the gardening topic is “Pruning: Why? When? How?” Light refreshments will be served.

“Holidays and Elder Care: Changing Family Traditions, Grief, and Finding Peace” is the elder care topic at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 27. The elder care program is co-sponsored by the library, Meals on Wheels of Johnson and Ellis Counties, the Cariety Foundation, and the Area Agency on Aging of North Central Texas.

A full listing of all programs at the library and with the parks and recreation department for Fall 2007 are available online at the City of Burleson web site at www.burlesontx.com. Click on “departments,” “Parks and recreation,” and then “activity guide” in the upper left hand corner for the Fall 2007 Burleson Community Guide.

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October 22, 2007

Order a brick for a veteran

Thursday, Nov. 1, is the deadline for ordering a brick for the Veterans Memorial being created in Burleson’s Renfro Square.

Bricks include the veteran’s name, branch of service, rank, and, if they served during a conflict, the name of the conflict. Each brick is engraved with the information and placed around the fountain between the two B&G buildings at the corner of I-35W and Renfro Street.

These bricks are dedicated to veterans who have a Burleson connection. As of last week, 650 bricks have been ordered.

If the bricks are ordered before Nov. 1, the cost is $15. If they are ordered after Nov. 1, the cost will be $45.

To order a brick, call Betty Shelton at 817-412-0721 or mail the information and check to Betty Shelton, P.O. Box 2737, Burleson, TX 76097.

The memorial will be the centerpiece of a Veterans Memorial Service on Saturday, Nov. 10, at 2 p.m., at Renfro Square.

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October 19, 2007

The mayor is looking for a few good youth to serve on the
City of Burleson’s first Mayor’s Youth Council

Mayor Ken Shetter needs adults who are plugged into the teen scene because nominations for the youth council must originate with an adult who lives or works inside the city limits.

The Mayor’s Youth Council will include 15 voting members, all of whom must live inside Burleson’s city limits. Thirteen of those council members will be between the ages of 13 and 19. The youth on the council will serve two-year terms.

The focus of the Mayor’s Youth Council is to study, investigate, plan, implement, and advise the City of Burleson staff and city council on issues that affect the youth. Youth council members will be expected to develop policies, programs, and services to empower, support, and inform youth, create a family-friendly community, and encourage youth to be productive and proactive members of the community. Activities will include youth summits, neighborhood meetings, building partnerships, and carrying out directives from the mayor, city council, and City staff.

Adults may nominate any youth who lives in Burleson and attends a secondary school (middle school, high school, alternative school); home-schooled students; students who have finished school but are not yet 19 years old; and students who have dropped out of school.

The mayor is looking for youth who will represent a diverse spectrum in regard to ideas, backgrounds, and experiences. No one who has been convicted of a crime against a minor child is eligible for the Mayor’s Youth Council. Nominees must consent to a background check.

All nominations for the Mayor’s Youth Council will be done online at the City of Burleson web site, www.burlesontx.com. The deadline for nominations for youth members who are between 13 and 19 years old is Friday, Nov. 16.

The other two voting members on the youth council include one counselor or educator from an independent school district and one representative from a non-profit community youth advocacy organization or program. The adults must also live within the city limits of Burleson. Non-voting members of the council will include the mayor, one Burleson City Council  member, one member of the school board from the Burleson Independent School District and from the Joshua Independent School District, one City of Burleson staff member who will be appointed by the city manager, and one staff member from one of the two school districts.

For more information about the Mayor’s Youth Council, call Kellye Cunningham, management assistant for the City of Burleson, at 817-447-5400, ext. 245, or e-mail kcunningham@burlesontx.com. For more information about this release, call the public information office at 817-447-5400, ext. 286.

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October 18, 2007

Regional Smoking Vehicle Program is unveiled

If it’s smoking, it’s choking people.

The North Central Texas Council of Governments and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality want drivers to put a stop to automobile pollutants using RSVP (Regional Smoking Vehicle Program).

RSVP was unveiled at a meeting of the Regional Transportation Commission in October. Burleson Mayor Ken Shetter, Burleson City Manager Curtis Hawk and Bart Bingham, assistant to the city manager, attended the meeting.

RSVP is a program designed to let vehicle owners know their vehicle is emitting excessive smoke and harmful pollutants. Statistics show that many respiratory illnesses are linked to air pollution, and that 10 percent of vehicles create more than 50 percent of auto emissions.

How does RSVP work? Fellow drivers get the Texas state license plate number, the address (city and street) where they saw the smoking vehicle, and the date and time of the offense. The information is then reported by calling #SMOKE (#76653) from a cellular telephone or 817-704-2522 from a land line. The call, when made from an AT&T, T-Mobile, or Verizon Wireless cellular phone, is free.
                                                                      
RSVP can not currently accept reports on vehicles that are not registered in Texas.

After a report is made, a letter stating that the vehicle was reported anonymously for emitting excessive visible exhaust (smoke) is mailed to the registered owner. Included with the letter is a brochure about RSVP, one about AirCheck Texas Repair, and one about the Replacement Assistance Program.

Nine counties in North Central Texas do not currently meet federal air quality standards for pollutant ozone. They include Johnson, Tarrant, Collin, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, Kaufman, Parker, and Rockwall counties. Burleson is in both Johnson and Tarrant counties.

Smoking vehicles registered within these nine counties (designated as a non-attainment region) may qualify for assistance for emission-related repairs up to $600 or for $1,000 toward the replacement of a qualifying vehicle.

Citizens aren’t the only people keeping surveillance on smoking vehicles. Law enforcement officers who see smoking vehicles on public roads may issue citations that could result in fines of up to $1,000. Under Texas law, all motor vehicles, including those with diesel engines, are prohibited from emitting visible exhaust emissions for more than 10 consecutive seconds.

Don’t become a problem polluter.  An automobile’s oil and oil filter should be changed regularly, following maintenance schedules; tires should be properly inflated; and the vehicle should be inspected annually (it’s the law).  It’s best to regularly rotate tires, and to replace the air filter each year.

Vehicle owners with questions about a smoking letter may call 1-800-898-9103. More information about the RSVP is available at www.nctcog.org/trans/air/smoking. For more information about this release, call the public information office at 817-447-5400, ext. 286.

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October 15, 2007

Veteran's Ceremony

Veterans will not be forgotten in Burleson.

The City of Burleson, Dist. 17 Congressman Chet Edwards, Rocky and Angie Bransom and Jim and Sarah Garrett of B&G Commercial Development, and American National Bank are joining forces at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 10, to salute, honor, and remember those who have served in military service for the United States of America.

The ceremony will take place at Renfro Square, near the fountain between the B&G buildings at the corner of I-35W and Renfro Street. Bricks engraved with the names of Burleson veterans are being placed around the fountain.

The event will include speeches by Mayor Ken Shetter and Congressman Edwards.  Lonnie Kitts, a junior at Burleson High, will play Taps.

Purple Heart veterans will receive special recognition at the Nov. 10 event. In conjunction with the ceremony, videotaped interviews of local Purple Heart veterans will be available for viewing at the Burleson Public Library.

For more information, call the City’s public information office at 817-447-5400, ext. 286.

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October 15, 2007

Burleson unveils Keep Burleson Beautiful logo Saturday

Beautification goes national in Burleson on Saturday.

The Keep Burleson Beautiful (KBB) program has been certified as a Keep America Beautiful (KAB) city. The celebration will take place between noon and 1 p.m. on Oct. 20 at the pavilion at Warren Park on Johnson Avenue.

The KAB affiliate designation makes Burleson part of a prestigious national organization dedicated to community beautification, environmental protection, and public education.

A certification training workshop is scheduled for 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Saturday for board members. The noon ceremony that follows is open to the public.

KBB board members include Executive Director Bianca Chafin, President Donna Hollowell, Vice President Patsy Dumas, Pat Dexheimer, and Secretary/Treasurer Donna Confessore.

Mayor Ken Shetter, Ann Cunic from Keep Texas Beautiful, and Hollowell will kick off the event. The KBB board members and officers will be introduced, then the KBB logo, designed by Mr. Cermak’s graphics arts class at Burleson High School, will finally be unveiled. The celebration will also include refreshments.

The Burleson Beautification Council organized in 1984 under the leadership of the late Ann Heberle. Burleson has been a Keep Texas Beautiful (KTB) affiliate since 1996. In 2007, KBB and the City decided to take the program to the next level by becoming an affiliate of Keep America Beautiful.

The designation involved a plethora of paperwork. Bianca Chafin, environmental programs specialist for the City, and the KBB board, completed an application for certification and paid a one-time certification fee (thanks to KTB, which made the payment). Both Hollowell and the mayor wrote letters of support.

In March, Chafin, Hollowell, Confessore, and Dumas attended a pre-certification workshop where they learned about the KAB mission from Cunic. By April, the KBB group had received a pre-certification affiliate letter from KAB.

Matt Ribitzki, a Burleson attorney, drafted the bylaws, which were adopted. Board members and officers were elected, and the information was filed with the Secretary of State. KBB, Inc., is a domestic nonprofit corporation.

Tom Karsten, a local financial planner, donated his services to help the KBB become a nonprofit 501(c)3 through the Internal Revenue Service. That designation is still underway.

In addition to supplying budget information to KAB, KBB members compiled a litter index by mapping the city, dividing it into districts, then driving through and giving each district a litter score.

A litter survey helped staff and KBB members understand how members of the community manage solid waste. Ordinances, technology, enforcement, and educational outreach all came into play as the local group compiled an analysis and recommendation concerning litter.

For more information about Keep America Beautiful and the benefits of becoming an affiliate, log on to the website at www.kab.org. For more information about KBB, call Bianca Chafin at 817-447-5410, ext. 269. For more information about this press release, call the public information office at 817-447-5400, ext. 286.

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October 12, 2007

David Wynn is deputy city manager

Burleson City Council members unanimously approved David Wynn, director of planning and engineering services, as deputy city manager Friday morning. The vote came at 1:05 a.m. following four annexation hearings and a public hearing about a gas well.

Wynn, 49, joins the ranks of City Manager Curtis Hawk and Deputy City Manager Paul Cain.

When Hawk, who had served as deputy city manager, was appointed city manager by the council in February 2006, his deputy post was not filled.

“Paul and I have absorbed the responsibilities that were distributed among three positions, but given the continued community growth and development and the organizational challenges that come with the growth, Paul and I believe it is time to fill the post,” Hawk said. “David Wynn has been a valuable asset to our management team. I am confident he will excel in this role.”

Wynn will oversee planning and engineering, public works, neighborhood services, and facilities maintenance. Cain maintains the library, fire department, fire /emergency management, information technology, parks and recreation, and the golf course.

Wynn joined the City of Burleson staff in April 2002 after serving in the engineering services department with the City of Arlington for 16 years.  In Arlington, Wynn was a civil/graduate engineer (1986-1993), a project engineer (1993-1997), and an engineering support manager (1997-2002).

The new deputy city manager graduated from Penn State University in December 1980 with a bachelor of science degree in civil engineering. He is a licensed professional engineer and is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers and the American Public Works Association.

Wynn worked for Missouri Pacific Railroad in St. Louis, Mo., for 18 months, then joined the staff of Eddie Cheatham & Associates in Arlington in 1982 as a graduate engineer. He also worked as a graduate engineer for Environmental Consulting of Southern New Jersey for six months before joining the City of Arlington.

Wynn is an Arlington resident. He and his wife, Pat, have one son, Andy.

For more information about this release, call the public information office at 817-447-5400, ext. 286.

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October 12, 2007

First grader is named deputy ambassador

Mayor Ken Shetter congratulates Owen Romero, who is holding Flat Stanley, after Romero was named an honorary deputy ambassador for the City of Burleson.

Thanks to Flat Stanley, Owen Romero was named an honorary deputy ambassador for the City of Burleson Thursday night.

Flat Stanley is an educational program designed to encourage students to sharpen their writing skills. Romero is a first grader at the Academy at Nola Dunn and is the son of Cheryl and Martin Romero. He is so enthusiastic about the Flat Stanley project that he wrote the mayor a letter.

Flat Stanley is a paper doll who is flatter than a pancake and needs assistance in fulfilling his duties. Flat Stanley travels the globe with elementary school students who tell his story through writing. Flat Stanley encourages children to not only write, but to enjoy reading.

Thursday night’s honor for Romero came with one stipulation. The first grader has to assist Flat Stanley in his efforts to promote good reading and writing skills to the children of Burleson.

The proclamation was presented to Owen and Flat Stanley by the mayor at the Oct. 11 Burleson City Council meeting.

For more information, call the public information office at 817-447-5400, ext. 286.

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October 11, 2007

City exceeds goal for 2007 Johnson County United Way campaign

Employees of the City of Burleson exceeded their goal of $5,000 for the 2007 Johnson County United Way campaign.

Municipal employees “blew past” that goal and contributed $5,629.40 for 2007. Contributions are made through payroll deductions and some one-time cash donations.

“This reflects about a 400 percent increase in giving over the past year,” Maria Reed, director of human resources for the City, said. “We are very proud of the employees for stepping up.”

Agencies that United Way assists in Johnson County include Harvest House, Burleson Pregnancy Aid Center, Cancer Care Services, CASA of Johnson County, Community Partners of Johnson County, H.O.P.E. Medical/Dental Clinic, Alvarado Helping Hands, American Red Cross, Johnson County Children’s Advocacy Center, Johnson County Family Crisis Center, Operation Blessing of Johnson County, Salvation Army, East Cleburne Community Center, Christmas In Action, Trinity Habitat for Humanity, Camp Sweeney Camp for Diabetic Children, Child Study Center, Meals-On-Wheels of Johnson and Ellis Counties, Reading and Radio Resource for the Blind, Boy Scouts of America Longhorn Council, Camp Fire USA Tesuya Council, Girl Scouts Circle T Council, Inc., and Johnson County 4-H Clubs.

Members of the City of Burleson’s United Way committee presented a mock check to United Way staff and board members on Oct. 11. Pictured are committee members Brandi Rendon and Lamar Byrd, 2007 United Way president Jerry Pritchard, 2007 United Way Campaign Chairman Bob King, committee members Sherra Thornton and Maria Reed, and United Way Executive Director Dianne Packwood. 

City employees who assisted with the United Way committee but who are not pictured are Brent Batla from the fire department, Terre Diduch from inspections, and Paula Benjamin from the parks and recreation department.

For more information call the public information office at 817-447-5400, ext. 286.

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October 5, 2007

History will come alive at Burleson's Founders Day

History will come alive on Saturday, Oct. 13.

American National Bank donated $1,000 to the Burleson Heritage Foundation. BHF members pictured left to right are Jim Bailey, Les Todd, Mary Norris, Neal Jones, Dorothy Nash, and T.J. Bransom.

The City of Burleson’s parks and recreation department and the Burleson Heritage Foundation (BHF) will join forces for the 15th annual Founders Day celebration from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. in Old Town.

The BHF will unveil the two-mile walking historical tour. Guided tours will leave the Interurban building (Heritage Visitors Center) at 10 a.m., noon, and 2 p.m. The tours will take approximately 45 minutes.

The center will be open and staffed by volunteers during Founders Day. In addition to the historical displays, several keepsakes, including the original interurban rails, “Burleson: The First 100 Years” book, ornaments, postcards, pencils, and photographs will be for sale. The BHF’s 2008 calendar will also be for sale for $10.

Burleson Lions Club members are stepping up again this year to not only serve breakfast, but lunch as well. Breakfast starts before the festival opens at 9 a.m. From 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on Oct. 13, the Lions will serve sausage on a biscuit, eggs on an English muffin, coffee, juice, or milk from the club’s new concession trailer at the corner of Wilson and Ellison. For lunch, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., it’s hot dogs, chili dogs, sausage, and drinks.

Between 75 and 100 vendors are expected to line the streets of Old Town with everything from food to arts and crafts and educational and service-oriented themes. The main stage at the intersection of Ellison and Main streets will host three main acts, including the Burleson Community Chorale at 9 a.m., Silver Rail Band at 1 p.m., and the Quebe Sisters Band at 4:30 p.m. The second stage will be near Community Bank and will host Christian music. Both stages will also include local dancers and gymnasts.

The gunfighters from The Legends of Texas will be staging at least three shows throughout the day. They will also stay busy arresting, arraigning, and accepting bail money, all in good fun, to raise money for the Burleson Heritage Foundation.

A new attraction at the Interurban building may still be in the works on Founders Day. Workers and landscapers are pouring the cement for a pad next to the building that will soon become home to the interurban trolley car that BHF members have been restoring for several years. If all goes well, the concrete pad and the wheels for the trolley car will be set by Oct. 13.

For more information about Founders Day activities, call the City’s parks and recreation department at 817-295-8168. For a booth application, call the Interurban building at 817-447-1575 or A Perfect Fit Alteration at 817-447-3522. For more information about this release, call the public information office at 817-447-5400, ext. 286.

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October 2, 2007

City proclaims Disability Awareness Month

Ginger Allen and Mayor Ken Shetter.

Burleson Mayor Ken Shetter proclaimed the month of October as Disability Awareness Month. The mayor presented the proclamation to Ginger Allen from the City’s human resources department, at the Sept. 27 Burleson City Council meeting.

According to the proclamation, employees and the citizens of Burleson want to be more aware of the lifestyle, access, and special needs issues for those with disabilities. The City, as well as the community, benefit from the contributions of all with disabilities. The City supports the efforts made by the Burleson Independent School District, as well as other public and private organizations, to be inclusive and to offer public education regarding the challenges and successes of people with disabilities.

For more information about this release, call the public information office at 817-447-5400, ext. 286.

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October 2, 2007

Guess what’s happening at the Burleson Public Library in October!

If you are looking for something for children, teens, adults, and senior citizens to do in October, you don’t have to go any farther than the Burleson Public Library.

On Saturday, Oct. 20, the library is catering to children who are least eight years old with the movie “Spirited Away.” Popcorn and refreshments will be provided at the 1 p.m. showing.

On Tuesday, Oct. 30, children as young as five can make spooky slime with Aja from Mad Science of Tarrant County at the library’s Halloween party. The party is from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the “Haunted Lab.” Costumes are welcome. Candy and refreshments will be provided.

In celebration of Fire Prevention Week, the library will welcome Patches and Pumper, the animated robotic dalmation and his pumper truck, on Tuesday, Oct. 9, at 10:30 a.m. for Storytime. On Wednesday, Oct. 10, firefighters will bring a fire truck and bunker gear for the children to see at that 10:30 a.m. Storytime.

On Tuesday and Wednesday, Oct. 16-17, McGruff the Crime Watch Dog will be at Storytime at 10:30 a.m.

In October, teens (grades six through 12) have the Girl’s Only Book Club, which meets on Monday, Oct. 15, at 6 p.m. in the conference room at the library. Refreshments will be provided. October’s book is “All American Girl” by Meg Cabot. Copies of the book are available at the library.

The teens will have their own Halloween party with “Scary Movie Marathon” on Saturday, Oct. 27, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. All movies are geared toward students from sixth grade to seniors. Food and snacks will be provided.

For the adults, there is the Mystery Book Lover’s Club, Anything But Mystery Book Club, and Read The Book, Watch The Movie.

Read The Book, Watch The Movie takes place on Saturday, Oct. 6, at noon. October’s book/movie is “Of Mice And Men” by John Steinbeck.

The book for the non-mystery book aficionados is “Into The Forest” by Jean Hegland. The Anything But Mystery Book Club meets at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 9.

October’s mystery book is “Vanish” by Tess Gerritsen. That group meets Thursday, Oct. 18, at 11:30 a.m.

For the gardeners, the library hosts a master gardener series on the first Thursday of the month from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The topic on Oct. 4 is “Cool Season Landscape Color.”

Anyone who wants to start a small business should be at the library on Wednesday, Oct. 24, at 6:30 p.m. for a small business program seminar by Bill Medina from the United States Small Business Administration.

And, for those caring for elders, the library hosts a free education and support group series in October, November, and January. The topic at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 23, is “Alzheimer’s Disease and Dealing With Difficult Behaviors of Dementia.”

For more information about any of the library’s programming, call 817-295-6131. You can also log on to the Burleson Public Library web site at www.library.com, or log on to the City of Burleson website at www.burlesontx.com, click on “Departments,” click on “Parks and Recreation,” then click on the “Activity Guide” on the left sidebar. There are 12 pages of activities listed in the Fall and Winter 2007 Burleson Community Guide.

For more information about this release, call the public information office at 817-447-5400, ext. 286.

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September 27, 2007

Burleson will participate in 2007 National Summit on Your City's Families

Representatives from the City of Burleson and Burleson Independent School District will join forces with city leaders from across the country to learn and share strategies for helping children and families succeed at the 2007 National Summit on Your City’s Families, Sept. 30-Oct. 2. 

Burleson Mayor Ken Shetter; Richard Crummel, BISD executive director of learning supports and public relations; and Kelleye Cunningham, management assistant for the City, are slated to attend. The summit is being hosted in San Antonio.

Key problems that will be addressed include:

• Reducing youth violence;
• Improving public schools;
• Building citywide after-school programs;
• Helping families become financially stable;
• Enhancing school readiness among young children;
• Combating childhood obesity; and
• Reengaging dropouts, youth involved in the child welfare or justice systems, and other disconnected youth. 

Sponsored by the National League of Cities’ (NLC) Institute for Youth, Education, and Families (YEF Institute) in collaboration with the City of San Antonio, the summit is the nation’s largest gathering of municipal leaders who are working to improve the lives of children, youth, and families in their communities. 

The Summit will focus on a theme of “Building Stronger Communities: City Partnerships for Children, Youth, and Families,” highlighting the importance of community-wide collaborations and the unique roles city officials can play in bringing key stakeholders together to strengthen families and improve opportunities for children and youth.

Summit participants will have the rare opportunity to participate in a poverty simulation exercise, which cities have used to engage local leaders in anti-poverty efforts, and to visit innovative programs developed by the City of San Antonio to support young people and their families.

Summit speakers will include National League of Cities First Vice President and Madison, Ala., council member Cynthia McCollum; Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper; Baton Rouge, La., Mayor Melvin L. “Kip” Holden; Charleston, S.C., Mayor Joseph P. Riley, Jr.; and former Seattle Mayor Charles Royer.

Burleson’s representatives will attend a special Sunday session that will focus on city/school teams. The mayor will also be moderating a workshop on Tuesday on expanding access to college.

Burleson’s Strengthening Families Initiative and the Opportunity Fund to assist high school students continue their education were both featured in the Sept. 17 issue of Nation’s Cities Weekly, a publication of the National League of Cities. 

The National League of Cities is the nation’s oldest and largest organization devoted to strengthening and promoting cities as centers of opportunity, leadership and governance. NLC’s YEF Institute helps municipal officials take action on behalf of the children, youth, and families in their communities.  More information on the Summit and the work of the YEF Institute is available at www.nlc.org/iyef.

For more information about this release, call the public information office at 817-447-5400, ext. 286.

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September 25, 2007

Burleson mayor is elected chairman of Tarrant Regional Transportation Coalitiion

Burleson Mayor Ken Shetter has been elected chairman of the Tarrant Regional Transportation Coalition (TRTC). His two-year term begins in October.

The mayor has been a member of the TRTC executive board for three years.

The TRTC is a non-profit membership organization that advocates for solutions to the growing mobility crisis in the western half of the North Texas Metroplex. The TRTC hopes to increase the state’s investment in transportation, including improved highways and expanded railways while working to enhance air quality and the sustainability, livability and economic vitality of the region.

“I am excited and honored to have the opportunity to serve as chairman of the TRTC, particularly because it puts the City of Burleson in a position to help lead the effort to develop a truly multi-modal transportation system for the western half of the Metroplex,” the mayor said. “The 2009 legislative session will present an historic opportunity for local elected officials and business leaders to work with our state legislators to ensure that gridlock and congestion don’t diminish quality of life and economic development in the region.”

The TRTC is supported solely by member dues. The coalition is composed of 35 cities, four counties, several transit authorities, six chambers of commerce, and 15 businesses.

TRTC members include the cities of Arlington, Azle, Bedford, Benbrook, Blue Mound, Burleson, Colleyville, Crowley, Euless, Flower Mound, Forest Hill, Fort Worth, Grand Prairie, Grapevine, Haltom City, Haslet, Hudson Oaks, Hurst, Keller, Kennedale, Lake Worth, Mansfield, North Richland Hills, Pantego, Rhome, Richland Hills, Saginaw, Southlake, Trophy Club, Watauga, Weatherford, Westlake, Westover Hills, Westworth Village, and White  Settlement.

The participating counties include Denton, Johnson, Tarrant, and Wise. Participating chambers include Arlington, Fort Worth, Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Fort Worth Metropolitan Black Chamber of Commerce, HEB Chamber of Commerce, and Northeast Tarrant Chamber of Commerce.

Businesses involved in the TRTC include Blue Star Investments (Dallas Cowboys), BNSF, Cantey and Hanger, Carter and Burgess, Dannenbaum Engineering Corporation,  Freese and Nichols, Halff Associates, Hicks Holdings (Texas Rangers), Hillwood Properties, Kimley Horn, LopezGarcia Group, S&B Infrastructure Ltd., the company of Teague, Nall, and Perkins, the company of Turner, Collie, and Braden, and URS Corporation.

Also involved are the Denton County Transportation Authority, Greater Fort Worth Association of Realtors, Metroport Cities Partnership, Northwest Communities Partnership, Safe City Commission, Tarrant County College, and The T.

"I want to congratulate Mayor Shetter on being elected chairman of the Tarrant Regional Transportation Coalition. Transportation is an important issue and his election to this leadership role will benefit Johnson County," Dist. 58 State Rep. Rob Orr of Burleson, said.

Mayor Shetter is serving his third two-year term on the Burleson City Council. He was elected mayor in June 2004, during his second term on the City’s governing body. He is active in several regional public policy planning organizations and is a member of the executive board of the North Central Texas Council of Governments.

For more information about this release, call the public information officer at 817-447-5400, ext. 286.

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September 13, 2007

Residents can pay their utility bills online

On Sept. 10, the City of Burleson activated an online service to pay Class C municipal court tickets online. This week, municipal customers can pay their utility bills online.

The utility customer service online utility payment program went live Sept. 18.

The new service allows City of Burleson utility customers to look up the status of their water, sewer, and trash account; view payment and consumption history; and pay the bill over a secure Internet connection using either MasterCard or Visa. Utility customers will be able to access their account and pay their bill 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

All payments received by 4 p.m. will be posted to the account on the next business day.

Customers must register for the free service by logging on to the City website at www.burlesontx.com, then clicking on the button “Online Utility Payments.”

Customers will be asked to create a five to 10 letter (or number) combination as the PIN number, then enter the utility account number and route and cycle number as they appear on the statement from the City. An e-mail address is also required. The sign-in will be confirmed with a reply e-mail from utilities@burlesontx.com. That e-mail from the City will include the customer’s account number, PIN number, PIN clue, and a link that the customer must click on to complete the one-time registration. The link takes the customer to the account inquiry screen.

The sign-in process is only done once. Subsequent inquiries are accomplished by clicking on the Online Utilities button on the home page.

For more information about this release, call the public information officer at 817-447-5400, ext. 286.

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September 13, 2007

Council approves first step in rezoning for HEB grocery store

Two down, one to go, en route to a new grocery store in Burleson.

The Burleson City Council hosted a public hearing and the first reading of a rezoning request tonight that would pave the way for an HEB Grocery store on the south side of Burleson. Council members voted unanimously to approve the rezoning request.

The property behind a 26.9 acre tract at the intersection of Hwy. 174 and John Jones (FM 731 North) is the focus. The 6.88 acres that are the subject of the rezoning are currently zoned for residential development. The request is for commercial zoning.

If the request is approved on second reading, the 6.88 acres will be combined, by plat, with the 26.9 acre tract and developed into an HEB grocery store and retail center.

If approved, the rezoned site will become part of a new major retail corner that includes the existing South Towne Crossing, which is home to Home Depot, Office Depot, and Target; Burleson Commons, which will be anchored by a movie theater with stadium seating; and a new planned development called Reed Parke that was also on the Sept. 13 agenda.

For more information about this release, call the public information officer at 817-447-5400, ext. 286.

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September 13, 2007

Council supports large-scale business park development

A business park is on the horizon in the city of Burleson.

Tonight, Burleson City Council members voted unanimously to ratify the acquisition and development of a business park as a 4A half cent sales tax economic development project.

A public hearing about the project took place Sept. 6.

The City has under contract 159.4 acres of undeveloped property adjacent to the west service road of I-35W, between FM 917 and Bethesda Road. The property is bisected by CR 711. The park will have access to I-35W and will be close to the future Loop 9.

The closing for that contract is set for Dec. 1. The purchase price is $3.188 million. The market value is $3.5 million.  

The business park will not be funded by property tax dollars. The money will come from the City’s 4A half-cent economic development sales tax.

City staff is working on the logistics of a Request For Qualifications (RFQ) to identify a private developer to partner with in the development of the business park. Staff anticipates sending the RFQ out in late December 2007 or early January 2008.  Staff hopes to recommend a private partner to the city council by the early summer of 2008. 

This will be the city’s first large-scale business park. A business park of this scale has been a goal of the city staff, councils, and citizen committees for at least 10 years.

Deputy City Manager Paul Cain said a business park, which would include everything from offices to warehouses to environmentally-friendly manufacturing, would help diversify Burleson’s tax base. A more diversified tax base not only helps the citizens who pay property taxes but also the Burleson Independent School District, which would benefit from the additional revenue without having to accommodate more students.

The business park that is envisioned would create jobs for residents so they can live, work, and play in Burleson. Job training partnerships could also be developed with Hill College and Texas Wesleyan University, both of which host classes at the Burleson branch campus at the corner of Renfro and Dobson streets.

For more information about this release, call the public information officer at 817-447-5400, ext. 286.

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September 14 , 2007

Council lowers speed on I-35W in area of Bethesda bridge construction

Burleson City Council members voted unanimously tonight to authorize an emergency ordinance to reduce the speed limit in the construction areas of I-35W and South Burleson Boulevard.

The speed will be reduced to 55 miles per hour on I-35W, from 1,642 feet north of Bethesda Road to 1,410 feet south of Bethesda Road, and to 40 miles per hour in approximately the same area on South Burleson Boulevard, which is the east service road to I-35W. The 55 mile-per-hour speed limit applies to both north and southbound traffic on I-35W. The 40 mile-per-hour speed limit only applies to the east service road.

The Texas Department of Transportation asked the City of Burleson to pass the emergency ordinance to lower the speed limits during the duration of the project. The reconstruction could last through the summer of 2008.

The Bethesda bridge over I-35W is being demolished and reconstructed. TXDOT and the City hope that reducing the speed in the construction zone will reduce the likelihood of traffic accidents that are due to speed.

The new speed limits went into effect when the emergency ordinance was passed by the council on Sept. 13. The Bethesda bridge over I-35W may be closed by October.

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September 13 , 2007

Mosquito sample from Burleson tests positive for West Nile Virus

A mosquito sample from Burleson has tested positive for West Nile virus.

Bianca Chafin, environmental programs specialist for the City of Burleson, said her department submitted a mosquito sample from the entrance to “The Trails,” near the intersection of Douglas and Cindy streets, behind Taylor Elementary. Taylor Elementary is located on Alsbury Boulevard in north Burleson.

The sample was submitted Sept. 7. Chafin was notified of the positive result Sept. 13.

Chafin said the Tarrant County Public Health Department (TCPH) told her that there were other positive samples submitted on Sept. 7 in Tarrant County.

The City of Burleson has been participating in the mosquito surveillance program for more than five years. This is the third mosquito sample submitted to the TCPH this year.

This is only the second positive sample for Burleson since the start of the mosquito surveillance program. The last positive sample was in 2005 and that came from a vacant lot in the Brushy Mound area which is located off East Renfro Street.

The 2007 program started May 21 and will end Oct. 31.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), most often West Nile Virus is spread by the bite of an infected mosquito. Mosquitoes become infected when they feed on infected birds. Infected mosquitoes can then spread West Nile Virus to humans and other animals when the mosquitoes bite. According to TCPH, in areas where the virus has been detected, very few mosquitoes in that area actually carry the virus.

The TCPH advises residents to stay indoors at dusk and at dawn, when mosquitoes are most active; use repellant that contains up to 20 percent DEET; dress in long sleeves and pants when outside; and drain standing water in your yard and neighborhood.

For more information about the West Nile Virus, contact the TCPH at 817-321-4700. To report any possible West Nile Virus incidents, contact Bianca Chafin at 817-447-5410, ext. 269. For more information about this release, call the public information officer at 817-447-5400, ext. 286.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 13 , 2007

Burleson Public Library hosts four seminars about elder care

The Burleson Public Library, in conjunction with Meals-on-Wheels of Johnson and Ellis counties, the Cariety Foundation, and the Area Agency on Aging of North Central Texas, is hosting four seminars dealing with elder care education and support groups.

The sessions, which take place in September, October, November, and January, are free. The focus is on providing information and resources for families and friends who are helping an older adult who can no longer take care of themselves or are limited by illness. The programs provide information and resources, and a chance for attendees to share with and learn from other caregivers.

The seminars all take place at 6:30 p.m. on the fourth Tuesdays of the month at the library, which is located at 248 S.W. Johnson Ave.

Classes include:

• September 25 – Communicating with Health Care Providers: Making the Most of Doctor Visits
• October 23 – Alzheimer’s Disease and Dealing with Difficult Behaviors of Dementia
• November 27 – The Holidays and Elder Care:  Changing Family Traditions, Grief, and Finding Peace
• January 22, 2008 – Depression, Drugs, Alcohol and Aging

For more information, contact the library reference desk at 817-295-6131, ext. 264. Information is also available through Amy LeBus Jackson at Meals-on-Wheels at (817) 558-2840 or e-mail www.servingthechildrenofyesterday.org. Or, contact the seminar facilitator, Zanda Hilger at zanda@flash.net.

For more information about this release, contact the public information officer at 817-447-5400, ext. 286.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 13 , 2007

City of Burleson helps host Disaster Preparedness Road Show Sept. 22 at Home Depot

Tarrant County emergency management coordinators, the City of Burleson and Home Depot are joining forces on Saturday, Sept. 22, to present the first of what they hope will be an annual Disaster Preparedness Road Show.

The show is slated for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Home Depot at 300 N.W. John Jones  (FM 731 North) in south Burleson.

The City of Burleson will have its fire safety house, fire trucks, Patches and Pumper (the interactive dalmation who rides around in his own pumper truck) and representation from the police department at the event. There will be disaster education, a test of preparedness knowledge, and a chance to win a disaster supply kit as well as a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) weather radio.

The road show is also a tool to get the word out about the website www.knowwhat2do.com. The KnoWhat2Do web site, developed through the collaboration of North Central Texas regional governments, teaches how to “Think, Prepare and Act” to protect your own personal safety and the safety of those around you.

A KnoWhat2Do guide and DVD, both free of charge, are available by logging on to the City of Burleson website at www.burlesontx.com and clicking on “Emergency preparedness tips, KnoWhat2Do” located on the left hand side of the page. Residents may choose to download the guide or request a copy of the DVD and guide.

For more information about the Sept. 22 Disaster Preparedness Road Show, call Burleson Fire Marshal Stacy Singleton at 817-447-5400, ext. 286. For more information about this release, call the public information officer at 817-447-5400, ext. 286.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 11 , 2007

The City celebrates Founders Day Oct. 13 in Old Town Burleson

Get ready for gunfighters, two stages of entertainment, a plethora of arts and crafts and food booths, a carnival and a petting zoo at the 15th annual Founders Day celebration in Old Town Burleson on Saturday, Oct. 13.

The festival kicked off in 1993 when Jim Bailey, a city council member for 18 years, and his wife Bettie organized the event. The focus has always been on Old Town, where the city got its roots.

Founders Day is celebrated the second Saturday of October in keeping with the founding of Burleson in 1881. Burleson was officially incorporated in 1912.

Saturday’s fun will kick off at 9 a.m. and shut down at 6 p.m. Burleson’s own Quebe sisters will fiddle and sing their way through a 90-minute set that starts at 4:30 p.m. on the main stage at Main and Ellison streets, next to the railroad tracks. The City of Burleson’s own Rey Gonzales, assistant director of public works, and his band, Silver Rail, will be the headliners at 1 p.m. on the main stage.

The festival will include dancers, gymnasts, martial arts, play equipment, a display of campers, boats, tractors, and recreational vehicles, and hands-on activities such as building crafts and displaying artistic talent. There will even be a dog obedience demonstration.

The Interurban building at the corner of Wilson and Ellison streets will be open on Founders Day to show off the wealth of history inside its doors.

Founders Day is a joint effort of the City of Burleson’s parks and recreation department and the Burleson Heritage Foundation. For more information about Founders Day festivities, call the parks and recreation department at 817-295-8168. For a booth application, call the Interurban building at 817-447-1575. For information about this release, call the public information officer at 817-447-5400, ext. 286.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 11 , 2007

Hwy. 174 traffic signal will be activated Sept. 13

Look for a flashing traffic signal on Wilshire Boulevard/Hwy. 174 starting Thursday.

The Texas Department of Transportation plans to put the new traffic signal at the intersection of Hwy. 174 and Lakewood in south Burleson on flash on Thursday, Sept. 13. The light will flash yellow for traffic on Hwy. 174 and red for traffic on Lakewood. Motorists must stop when the signal is flashing red.

The City of Burleson’s new Fire Station #3 is being built near the intersection of Lakewood and Hwy. 174.

The traffic signal will flash red for a brief test period, then the signal will become fully operational.

For more information about this release, call the public information officer at 817-447-5400, ext. 286.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 10 , 2007

Paying a ticket just got easier in Burleson

The Burleson Municipal Court On-Line Payment service went live on the City of Burleson website, www.burlesontx.com, today. The service uses VeriSign Secured for secured transactions. Only VISA and MasterCard can be used for online payment. Payments  may be made 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The municipal court has jurisdiction over Class C misdemeanors issued by Burleson police officers, the fire marshal, code enforcement officers, and animal control officers.

Those who use the service can search for a ticket five ways – by case number; by case number and the defendant’s last name; by case number and the defendant’s date of birth; by the ticket number; or by the ticket number and the defendant’s driver’s license number as well as the name of the state where the driver’s license was issued.

There are some restrictions. Juveniles can not pay their tickets online. If a driver is 16 years old or younger, the parent or guardian will receive a letter in the mail for the parent and child to appear before the municipal court judge. All juveniles must appear in open court.

If a juvenile has been cited for minor in possession of alcohol or tobacco, the juvenile must appear before the municipal court judge.

No partial payments, no cash bonds, and no dismissal fees may be paid via the online service. You can not log on to pay a fine for a person being held at the Burleson Police Department’s holding facility. And, the online service can not be used to pay an alternative sentencing option such as a driving safety course or deferred disposition.

Payment in full of any fine through the online service is an admission of guilt. All convictions are reported to the Texas Department of Public Safety or to the state where the driver’s license is issued.

For more information about the new system, call the Burleson Municipal Court at 817-447-5360. For information about this release, call the public information officer at 817-447-5400, ext. 286.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 27, 2007

City of Burleson and Keep Burleson Beautiful host E-Waste Recycling Event
Sept. 22 at First National Bank

On Saturday, Sept. 22, the City of Burleson and Keep Burleson Beautiful (KBB) will host an E-Waste Recycling event at First National Bank of Burleson, 899 N.E. Alsbury Blvd.

The event will take place from  9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

People get new home electronics every year.  But as quickly as the latest TV, computer, digital camera, mobile phone, video game console, or MP3 player box is opened, the older model is quickly discarded – usually in a closet or attic. But if you’re tired of the clutter, those old electronic devices can be recycled for reuse or disassembled and sold for parts. 

The City and KBB are partnering with ARC International Corporation for the electronic waste collection event. Burleson residency is not required to participate. Material from both residences and businesses will be accepted.
 
ARC will be accepting personal computers, laptop computers, docking stations, terminals, monitors, keyboards, computer mice, networking equipment, cash registers, printers, scanners, copiers, fax machines, phones (land and mobile), modems, batteries, power chargers, VCRs, VCR tapes, DVD/CD players, projectors, and cameras.  ARC will also accept car and small truck tires and window air conditioning units.

For a complete list of the materials that will be accepted, go to the home page of www.burlesontx.com, click on “Departments,” then click on “Environmental Services.”

Most materials will be accepted and recycled at no charge to the participants, but there are a few items for which ARC must charge a recycling fee.  Those are:

• TVs (27 inches or larger), $20
• TVs (25 inches or smaller), $10
• Passenger car tires (3-18 inches), $1.50 each
• Pickup truck tires (20-22 inches), $2 each
• Window A/C units - $15 each for Freon disposal

And, it will cost $3 per drive for ARC to erase hard drives in computers.

For more information about the Sept. 22 event, call environmental services at 817-447-5410, ext. 269. For more information about this press release, call the public information officer at 817-447-5400, ext. 286.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 22, 2007

City golf course will be open on Labor Day

The Hidden Creek Golf Course will be open, but with the exception of the police department and fire department, all other City of Burleson departments and buildings will be closed for Labor Day on Monday, Sept. 3.

The municipal golf course, located at 700 S. Burleson Blvd., will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. The regular weekend/holiday rates will apply on Labor Day. Those rates include $38 for play between 6 a.m. and 11 a.m.; $32 for course time between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.; $26 for 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.; and $20 for 3 p.m. to close.

The Burleson City Hall, Public Library, Burleson Community Center, Burleson Senior Activity Center, Burleson Service Center, and Burleson Animal Shelter are closed on Labor Day.

There will be no trash pickup on Sept. 3. The regular collection schedule will resume on Tuesday, Sept. 4.

For more information about this release, call the public information officer at 817-447-5400, ext. 286.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 20, 2007

City honors Keep Burleson Beautiful President Donna Hollowell
for winning state honor

The mayor and Burleson City Council members honored a Burleson teacher who won first place in the state in the 2007 Keep Texas Beautiful awards.

Sheri Campbell-Husband and Mayor Ken Shetter honor Keep Burleson Beautiful (KBB) President Donna Hollowell (center) for winning the Sadie Ray Graff Education Leadership Award from Keep Texas Beautiful. KBB and the City of Burleson work together to encourage environmental awareness and education, waste reduction, and community beautification.

Donna Hollowell, the president of Keep Burleson Beautiful, was honored in July as the winner of the Sadie Ray Graff Education Leadership Award by Keep Texas Beautiful. The award honors those in education who promote the Keep Texas Beautiful mission through environmental education. Graff is an educator in San Antonio where she began using the Waste In Place curriculum in 1979.

Mayor Ken Shetter and Neighborhood Services Director Sheri Campbell-Husband honored Hollowell at the Aug. 9 meeting.

Hollowell has taught eighth grade science at Hughes Middle School and is the sponsor for the school’s Students Environmentally Aware (SEA) club. This year, the SEA Club won second place in the Sadie Ray Graff Middle School Leadership Awards and third place in the Ruthe Jackson Youth Leadership Awards which honors students who beautify their campuses, parks, and communities.

Starting Aug. 27, the award winner will be at Burleson High School, where she will be teaching integrated physics and chemistry (IPC) to freshmen and environmental science to juniors and seniors. She will also be working with that school’s environmental club, the Green Club. She will continue to teach and train teachers at the district’s Outdoor Learning Center.

Hollowell has been teaching and volunteering in Burleson since 1993. She brought the first outdoor learning center to the district. The original center was on a 5-acre parcel of land near Fox Lane. The center has since moved to Bransom Elementary where the award winner taught approximately 800 students in the past year.

The City of Burleson and Keep Burleson Beautiful are partners in efforts to encourage environmental awareness and education, waste reduction, and community beautification.  Hollowell has been a board member of KBB since 1993 and has served as president for the past eight years.

KBB members and the City of Burleson jointly hosted river cleanup events, the Burleson Environmental Education (BEE) poster and essay contest, Cans for Cash City Recycling Challenge, the Ann Heberle Business Beautification Award, Earth Week events, and Arbor Day events. Hollowell and KBB members are also involved in educating those who attend Founders Day, Honeyfest, Cinco de Mayo, and local home and garden shows.

KBB was also instrumental in dedicating Ann’s Arbor at Elk Ridge Park, in honor of past KBB President Ann Heberle, who died in November 2006.

Keep Burleson Beautiful members meet once a month at Burleson City Hall. For meeting information, please call 817-447-5410, ext. 269, or e-mail bchafin@burlesontx.com.

For more information about this release, call the public information officer at 817-447-5400, ext. 286.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 17, 2007

City of Burleson focuses on ethics

Honesty, respect, fairness, equality, and teamwork . . . that’s what City of Burleson employees are striving for.

Starting Aug. 6 and ending Aug. 17, all of the 315 people employed by the City went through four hours of ethics training.  The training included the six pillars of character, right versus right dilemmas, and promoting an ethical work environment.

The core values include:

• To be honest in all areas of our jobs;
• To treat everyone with respect at all times, allowing for different cultures, abilities, races, and belief systems;
• To do the right thing at all times;
• To be accountable for our actions;
• To have standards that are the same for employees at all levels within the City;
• To guard the public’s trust and be responsible with the use of revenue and resources;
• To be committed to giving the City of Burleson our best and complete effort daily;
• And, to lead by example.

PICTURED ABOVE: Members of the ethics committee attended the Aug. 9 Burleson City Council meeting when the mission statement and core values were unveiled. Pictured (left to right) are LaRissa Ward/municipal court, Deidre Hall/human resources, Ricky Hernandez/equipment services, Lawrence Ray/solid waste, David Butler/fire marshal/inspector, Andy Golladay/golf course, Stephen Cook/community development, and Maria Reed/director of human resources. Not pictured are Scott Johns/fire department, Kristina Johnson/finance, Michael Owen/police department, Carolyn Shaffer/library, Jeff Scott/parks and recreation, Ms. Spradlin/animal control, Frank Bianchini/information technology, Larry Taylor/facilities maintenance, Lisa Kay Edwards/utility customer service, Tom Clark/engineering, and Bill Hallack/water and wastewater.

For more information about this release, contact the public information officer at 817-447-5400, ext. 286.
         

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 15, 2007

Cars are no place for dogs on triple-digit days 

Unless your job keeps you working outside in the heat of the day, chances are you prefer air conditioning, or at least a cool breeze during the summer months. Guess what . . . so does your dog.

The Burleson Animal Shelter is joining with the Humane Society of the United States in urging pet owners to leave their dogs at home during these triple-digit days.

 “If the car trip is to run errands, even quick stops, it is best to leave your dog safely at home where it is cool rather than risk his life in a parked car,” Stephanie Shain, director of outreach for the companion animal section of The Humane Society of the United States, said. “When left in a parked car, even for short periods of time, pets are susceptible to heat stroke, brain damage and death.”

The City of Burleson has an ordinance that says a person commits an offense if any animal is left in any standing or parked vehicle in a way that endangers the animal’s health, safety, or welfare. The animal control officer, or police officer, has the authority to use force to remove an animal from a vehicle, then the animal will be impounded.

“If you see an animal locked in a hot car, looking like it is in distress, call animal services or the police immediately. These trained professionals can determine if an animal’s health or safety is being threatened and take appropriate measures to render aid,” Sheri Campbell-Husband, director of neighborhood services for the City of Burleson, said.

Don’t think that leaving the dog inside the vehicle with the air conditioning on full blast is an alternative. It is against the Texas Transportation Code to leave a vehicle unattended without stopping the engine, locking the ignition, removing the key from the ignition, setting the parking brake effectively, and turning the front wheels to the curb or side of the highway if the vehicle is standing or stopped on a grade.

Even days that seem mild in temperature to people may be extremely treacherous for canine companions. On a warm day, the temperature in a parked car can reach dangerous levels, as high as 120 degrees, in a matter of minutes, even with the car window partially open. Because dogs’ only method for cooling off are panting and sweating through their paws, they can succumb to high temperatures in very short periods of time.

Cracking the window does not cool the car down. In the vast majority of deaths, pet owners believe they are taking the necessary precautions, such as parking in a shady area, cracking the window or leaving the car’s air conditioning running. Unfortunately, these methods have all proven ineffective in keeping temperatures at safe levels.

Dogs will die if left in hot parked cars too long.  The most tragic aspect of these deaths is that they are completely preventable. For more information, log on to humanesociety.org/pets.

To contact the Burleson Animal Shelter, located at 1695 John Jones Dr. (FM 731 South), call 817-447-5426 or toll free 1-866-423-4174, or e-mail animalshelter@burlesontx.com. For the website, log on to www.burlesontx.com, click on “Departments,” then click on “Animal Services.”

For more information about this release, call the public information officer at 817-447-5400, ext. 286.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 14, 2007

Library hours are extended, starting Sept. 5

Starting Wednesday, Sept. 5, the Burleson Public Library will be open later to accommodate Burleson patrons.

The Wednesday hours will change from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. to 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. As of Sept. 5, library hours will be 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Thursday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday; and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. The library is closed on Sunday.

It’s easy to take advantage of the services offered by the Burleson Public Library, located at 248 S.W. Johnson Ave. To get a library card, Burleson residents may show proof of name and current address (driver’s license, rent receipt, utility bill, insurance card, tax receipt or appraisal, personal printed check, vehicle registration, state identification card) to the library staff. The library card is free to residents who live inside the city limits.

Anyone who owns property in the city may also get a free library card by showing proof of ownership or documentation that shows that city taxes are paid.

If you live outside the city limits, a library card is $25 each year and includes unlimited checkout. For an additional $25 a year, all family members with proof of residence at the same address may also get a library card.

The library staff also offers a punch card for $5 that is good for 10 checkouts. That card must be used within six months.

The first time you apply for a library card, you may check out three items. After those items are returned, there is an unlimited book checkout.

For more information about your Burleson Public Library, call 817-295-6131. For more information about this release, call the public information officer at 817-447-5400, ext. 286.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 14, 2007

Keep it On the Lawn

It’s happening in every neighborhood . . . maybe at your own house . . . and you probably don’t know that you, or your neighbors, are breaking the law.

After cutting the grass, many people blow or sweep grass clippings into the street or to the curbline.  But it is a violation of City of Burleson code to discharge yard waste into the storm sewer system (including streets, curbs, gutters, ditches, manmade channels, and storm drains). 

Improper disposal of yard waste can pollute the waterways. When yard waste such as grass clippings, fallen leaves, bush trimmings, yard and garden debris and brush get blown into the streets during landscape maintenance, they are eventually washed into the storm drain system during rain storms or as runoff from lawn irrigation systems.

Unlike sanitary sewers, anything dumped into the storm drain system flows directly into the nearest creek or river without any treatment to remove contaminants. Organic materials such as grass clippings deplete the oxygen level in the water, which is harmful to aquatic life. Yard waste can clog up the storm drain system and cause flooding of neighborhood streets.

Do you want to improve the quality of our water? Manage yard waste.

• Clean up yard waste that gets to the streets, sidewalks and driveways.  Use those leaf blowers to blow clippings back up into the yard where they can help provide additional nutrients to your lawn.
• Don’t bag it!  Use fallen leaves as mulch or shred them and use them to fertilize your lawn and protect landscape plants from extreme weather.  Mulching mowers and blades make this easy.
• Take yard waste to the City’s Compost Center, located at 620 Memorial Dr., next to Fire Station # 2 and Burleson Memorial Cemetery. The compost center is open on Tuesdays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. During operating hours, Burleson residents (proof of residency is required) may take brush, leaves and grass clippings to the site in approved paper lawn waste sacks that can be purchased at Lowe’s, Home Depot, Wal-Mart, Sam’s Club, Albertsons, and Kroger. Cans, boxes, plastic bags and other containers must be emptied and disposed of by the resident. Free mulch is also available for Burleson residents, upon request, on those days.

To report a violation regarding yard waste in the streets, call code enforcement or environmental services at 817-447-5410 or fill out a form online.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 14, 2007

Gillaspie is elected mayor pro tem 

In a unanimous vote on Aug. 9, Councilmember Stuart Gillaspie was elected Mayor Pro Tem for the City of Burleson.

Gillaspie is the senior member of the council with eight years of service on the city council, which follows on the heels of his seven years on the City’s Planning and Zoning Commission. He served one year as chairman of the P&Z.

Gillaspie replaces Jerry Allen, who served as mayor pro tem before deciding not to pursue another term in office in 2007. Gillaspie will step up and serve as the City’s mayor when Mayor Ken Shetter is not available.

The new mayor pro tem is a 1981 graduate of Burleson High School. He is employed as a transportation manager for Union Pacific Railroad. He earned an associates degree in business management/administration from Hill College and a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Dallas Baptist University.

Gillaspie and his wife Tina have three children, Shane, Whitney, and Cristin.

For more information about this release, call the public information officer at 817-447-5400, ext. 286.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 7, 2007

Don’t drink and drive in Burleson

The Burleson Police Department is joining the Texas Department of Transportation’s (TXDoT) Labor Day Impaired Driving Mobilization effort Friday, Aug. 17, through Monday, Sept. 3.

“Drunk driving . . . over the limit . . . under arrest” is the message.

Impaired driving is not just about drinking and driving. Impaired driving means operating a motor vehicle while affected by alcohol and/or other drugs, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, or illicit substances.

Impaired driving is one of America’s most prevalent, and deadliest, crimes. Overall, in 2005, nearly 13,000 people were killed in highway crashes involving a driver or motorcycle operator with an illegal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher. Driving with a BAC of .08 or higher is illegal in every state.

The number of DWI arrests police officers make each week in Burleson ranges from five to 15.

Alcohol, drugs, and driving don’t mix. Those who drive impaired face not only arrest but jail time, loss of driving privileges, higher insurance rates, attorney fees, fines and court costs, a towing bill, repairs, medical expenses, and time lost at work.

In Texas, drivers can make a difference by calling *DPS on a cell phone and give their name, location, and phone number to report a problem, including impaired drivers, road hazards, and aggressive drivers. Or, just call 911.

Officers at agencies participating in the Labor Day initiative must report the number of enforcement hours and the number of citations issued to the State. Texas agencies that participate in the Impaired Driving Mobilization are eligible for incentives up to $4,000 that will be awarded through a random drawing. Not all agencies will receive incentives.

Other area participating agencies include Benbrook, Grapevine, Haltom City, and Richland Hills.

For more information about the program, call the Burleson Police Department at 817-447-5300, ext. 317. For more information about this release, call the public information officer at 817-447-5400, ext. 286.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 3, 2007

Library rewards summer reading club members

Six children and four adults were the lucky recipients of $50 gift certificates in the Burleson Public Library’s Summer Reading Program.

The winners are Megan Bracht (birth to 4 years old), Caden Wells (5-7 years old),

Pictured are three of the six youth Summer Reading Program winners. They include Jordan Hockemeyer, Caden Wells, and Keegan Alley.

Sarah Shaw (8-10 years old), Keegan Alley (11-12 years old), Jordan Hockemeyer (13-14 years old), and Maria Heimbigner (15-17 years old). Each winning child received a $50 gift card to Borders.

The adult winners include Eliza Miller ($50 Target gift certificate), Rayleen Sullivan ($50 Cotton Patch gift certificate), Rae McGowan ($50 Wal Mart gift certificate), and Sue Lusk ($50 Babe’s Dinner House gift certificate).

Local merchants donated coupons to give to each child as they finished reading the required number . . . five hours or 25 titles, depending on the age of the child). Each child was also entered into a drawing for the $50 Border’s gift certificate.

Raffle tickets with the child’s name on it were turned in after the child read the required numbers. The raffle tickets went into a drawing, then one name was drawn for each age group for the winner of the Borders gift certificates. Each summer reading program participant had 10 chances to enter the raffle.

More than 900 children participated in the summer reading program.

Merchants who donated to the summer reading program include Dairy Queen, Burleson Community Pool, Putt-Putt Golf and Games, Burleson Pizza Company, Wendy’s, Arby’s, Fastaco, Sonic, Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus, Noble Planetarium, Chick-Fil-A, Old West Miniature Golf and Arcade, Domino’s Pizza, Whataburger, CiCi’s Pizza, Cracker Barrel, and Cotton Patch.

For more information about this release, call the public information officer at 817-447-5400, ext. 286.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 3, 2007

City Hires Natural Gas Lease Inspector

In late May, Burleson City Council members approved adding a natural gas lease inspector to the City’s public works department staff.

By June, Collin Gregory, who will celebrate his 30th birthday this year, was on board. But he didn’t have to go far. He had been working for the City as an inventory coordinator for two years.

The 1996 graduate of Burleson High School and former United States Marine, first started as a utility worker in the water/wastewater division. Then, he became the inventory coordinator for the water department.

In June, he made the move to inspections.

“Management felt that this position would be fairly high profile and would require a very trusting and disciplined individual who had the ability to deal with gas well operators, citizens, property owners, regulatory agencies, and elected officials in what was potentially a very demanding job,” David Smyth, assistant director of public works for the City, said.

As of July 27, there were 25 well pads and 41 well heads within the city limits of Burleson.

“I take time each day to visit each well pad,” Gregory said. “Some are active and some are in the production phase. I spend about an hour or two taking pictures and taking notes of areas which are not up to code with our ordinance. The site has to meet city ordinance requirements as well as federal and state laws. A single inspection, with all the onsite and offsite work, takes about a day or two to complete. From noise complaints to roadway hazards, I am constantly on the phone with gas company representatives insuring that all complaints are recognized and remedied.”

In his four years in the Marines, Gregory served as supply chief for 1st Battalion 2nd Marine Division, based in Jacksonville, N.C. He was honored with the Navy/Marine Corps Achievement medal for saving approximately $1.3 million in asset loss.

Gregory served as a team leader for Air Tech Environmental Inc. in Arlington from 2001 to 2003.  From 2003 to 2005, Gregory worked for Handex Environmental in Fort Worth as an environmental technician.

The new inspector has earned an associates degree at Hill College, where he was the first recipient of the Mayor Ken Shetter Leadership Scholarship for outstanding merit and leadership abilities for 2006-2007. Gregory is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in business management.

Collin and his wife Tiffanie (Smithee) have a 4-year-old son, Isaac. The inspector’s mother, Kaye, is the production manager for DFWpeople, the airport newspaper. His father, Jack, is a counselor at Mary Orr Intermediate in the Mansfield school district.

His brother Ky is a United States Marine Corp sergeant who lives in Okinawa, Japan, with his wife Tina and children Ky Jr., Keira, and a third baby on the way. Brother Cody is a United States Air Force Senior Airman who lives in Biloxi, Miss.

“Collin has assumed this new position with the same motivation and professionalism exhibited in his previous positions,” Smyth said. “His understanding of the industry and its impact on quality of life matters and public safety are constantly being assessed for improvements.  Since he took on this job, improvements to gas well operations are noticeably improved in regards to required fencing, gates, spill containment, and overall general safety.”

That’s important to Gregory, who wants his son to follow in Mom and Dad’s footsteps and graduate from BHS.

“This is our home and I want to do what I can to keep the citizens and infrastructure of Burleson safe,” Gregory said.

For more information about this release, call the public information officer at 817-447-5400, ext. 286.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 27, 2007

Gayla Tennison is appointed library director

The Burleson City Council made it official Thursday night by appointing Gayla D. Tennison as library director for the Burleson Public Library.

Tennison, 31, has served as interim library director since January 2007.

Tennison joined the City staff in April 2004 as the youth services librarian. She said she chose Burleson because she saw the “opportunity for the library to grow with the community and for me to make a difference in the lives of the children.”

Since Tennison joined the staff, two book discussion clubs, including a mystery book club that will meet for the first time on Aug. 16, have been added to the programming for adults. In April 2008, the new Mayor’s Book Club will feature “To Kill A Mockingbird.”

The new director is also working on creating a lounge area, complete with computers, specifically for teens 12 to 15 years old.

“They need a place to go to hang out, supervised, and separate from the younger children,” Tennison said.

Tennison said she is also working on extending the library hours.

The new director has always been an avid reader. Her favorite authors are novelist Margaret Atwood, fiction writer/children’s book author Alice Monroe, and mystery writer Dennis Lehane.

Tennison grew up in DeSoto, where she graduated from DeSoto High School in 1994. She earned a bachelor’s degree in history in August 1998 and a master’s degree in history in December 2003, both from the University of Texas at Arlington. She earned a master’s degree in library science at the University of North Texas in December 2003.

Tennison worked as a library/administrative assistant at Bridwell Library on the campus of Southern Methodist University from 2002 to 2004.

The new library director is a member of the American Library Association and the Texas Library Association.

Tennison has been married to her husband, Reggie, for 13 years. He is employed as the office manager for Curtis Mechanical Contractors in DeSoto. They share two children, 12-year-old Ashley and 8-year-old Dalton.

“I am excited to pursue all of the changes and improvements,” Tennison said. “I want to move forward and make this library a dynamic part of the community.”

For more information about this release, contact the public information officer at 817-447-5400, ext. 286.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 26, 2007

Two career Burleson firefighters earned their badges July 23

In the first ever badge ceremony by the Burleson Fire Department, firefighters Matt Moseley and Jake Hopps were pinned.

Firefighter Moseley’s wife, Amanda, and Hopps’ father, Frank Hopps, a 26-year veteran/retiree of the Cleburne Fire Department, did the honors in the ceremony at Fire Station #1. Firefighter Bobby Clarkin was also slated to be pinned, but he was on military leave. He will take part in a badge ceremony in December.

Firefighters Jake Hopps (left) and Matt Moseley were sworn in by Sr. Administrative Secretary Kristie Menchaca.

The badge ceremony confirms that the new firefighter is about to become part of a very special family and that it’s a privilege and an honor to wear the badge. The badge is earned, not given. In Burleson, career firefighters were first hired in 1998. Monday’s ceremony was to kick off the tradition of the badge ceremony.

Getting past the six months of probation is not easy for a Burleson firefighter. Each firefighter must learn extensive new medical protocols and standard operating procedures (SOPs), learn and identify all of the streets in the Burleson Fire District,  read the city’s policy manual, know the ins and outs of every piece of firefighting equipment, master the self contained breathing apparatus, and go through Mayday training.

In November 2006, 130 applied for the three available firefighter positions. Hopps, Moseley, and Clarkin made the top three, following a written exam. The three then had to pass a physical agility exam, polygraph, psychological exam, a physical exam, and an extensive background check.

BFD secretary Kristie Menchaca issued the oath of office to the two firefighters. Fire Chief Gary Wisdom left Hopps, Moseley, and the rest of his firefighting staff with these words.

“Never forget these three things. Do what is right, do your best, and treat others as you would like to be treated,” the chief said.

Burleson’s career firefighters include Chief Wisdom; battalion chiefs Tom Foster and Brent Batla; lieutenants Justin Crites, Mike  Jones, Jeremiah Lozier, Greg Mason, Claude Scally, and Duane Wines; and, firefighters Bill Buchanan, Steve Burchette, Casey Davis, Dallas Fowler, Josh Jacobs, Scott Johns, Eddie Limon, Chuck Martinez, Shane Mobley, James Pribble,  Robert Schoonover, Chuck Sharp, Shelby Stone, Hank Walker, and Don Wooten.

The next badge ceremony should take place in December when the newest recruit finishes probation. The chief has requested six new career firefighters in the 2007-2008 budget.

For more information about this press release, contact the public information officer at 817-447-5400, ext. 286.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 26, 2007

Alsbury Boulevard will be closed August 3

Construction of storm drain pipelines associated with the extension of Hemphill Road in north Burleson will force the closure of Alsbury Boulevard for more than 12 hours, starting on Friday, Aug. 3.

Alsbury Boulevard will be closed between Vicksburg Lane and Heberle Drive starting at 9 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 3, and wrapping up by noon on Saturday, Aug. 4. The closure is needed to construct those storm drain pipelines that are included in the construction of the leg of Hemphill which will connect Alsbury and McAlister.

Detour routes will be marked for local traffic.

Traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction on Alsbury Boulevard starting Friday morning, then all lanes on Alsbury will be closed at 9 p.m. When Alsbury re-opens at noon on Saturday, traffic will still be reduced to one lane of travel in both directions for a few days until permanent repairs can be made on Alsbury. Trucks will be detoured to Hwy. 174 while Alsbury is closed.

For more information about this press release, call the public information officer at 817-447-5400, ext. 286.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 24, 2007

Hwy. 174 may be closed Wednesday night

Rain and lightning postponed the closure of the northbound lanes of Hwy. 174 Monday night. Tentative plans, which hinge again on the weather, are to close the northbound lanes on Wednesday.

Contractors will shut down the northbound lanes of Hwy. 174 going to I-35W at 9 p.m. on Wednesday, July 25, until 5 a.m. on Thursday, July 26. 

Traffic heading north on Hwy. 174 will be detoured south on I-35W. Drivers who need to go north on I-35W will have to take the Renfro Street exit from I-35W south, then make a U-turn under I-35W to head north.

Southbound traffic on Hwy. 174 into Burleson will not be affected.

This is not the first time that Hwy. 174 has been closed. The highway was shut down overnight in May for construction work.

The closures are necessary due to a Texas Department of Transportation (TXDoT) project on the stretch of highway between Alsbury Boulevard and Renfro Street. AUI is the contractor.

Wednesday, AUI will be closing Hwy. 174 to hang the signs that will direct motorists to the new Hwy. 174 ramp to the east I-35W frontage road.

The project has included relocating the northbound I-35W Alsbury Boulevard exit ramp and the Renfro Street on-ramp. It also include an exit ramp from Hwy. 174 on to the I-35W east frontage road, adding a right turn lane on westbound Renfro, and adding a Texas U-turn at the  Renfro Street intersection.

For more information about this release, call the public information officer at 817-447-5400, ext. 286.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 19, 2007

Burleson Public Library hosts mystery book club

The Burleson Public Library will begin hosting a new monthly book club for mystery readers. On Thursday, Aug. 16, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., the first discussion will be reader's choice, so bring a title or two to share with the group. In addition, those first attendees and staff will decide which titles will be read at the following monthly meetings.

The library will provide sandwiches and refreshments. For more information, call Library Director Gayla Tennison at 817-295-6131, ext. 265, or e-mail gtennison@burlesonlibrary.com.

Questions about this news release should be directed to the public information officer at 817-447-5400, ext. 286.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 19, 2007

Hwy. 174 North will be closed Monday night

You can’t get there from here Monday night.

Contractors will be shutting down the northbound lanes of Hwy. 174 going to I-35W at 9 p.m. on Monday, July 23, until 5 a.m. on Tuesday, July 24.  

Traffic heading north on Hwy. 174 will be detoured south on I-35W to the Renfro Street intersection. Drivers who need to go north on I-35W will have to make a U-turn at the Renfro intersection to get back onto north I-35W.

Southbound traffic on Hwy. 174 into Burleson will not be affected.

This is not the first time that Hwy. 174 has been closed. The highway was shut down overnight in May for construction work.

The closures are necessary due to a Texas Department of Transportation (TXDoT) project on the stretch of highway between Alsbury Boulevard and Renfro Street. AUI is the contractor.

Monday, AUI will be closing Hwy. 174 to hang the signs that will direct motorists to the new Hwy. 174 ramp to the east I-35W frontage road.

The project has included relocating the northbound I-35W Alsbury Boulevard exit ramp and the Renfro Street on-ramp. It also includes an exit ramp from Hwy. 174 on to the I-35W east frontage road, adding a right turn lane on westbound Renfro, and adding a Texas U-turn at the  Renfro Street intersection.

For  more information about this release, call the public information officer at 817-447-5400, ext. 286.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 13, 2007

Help Plan For City Parks August 2

If you want to shape the future of the City of Burleson’s park and trail system, don’t miss the meeting on Thursday, Aug. 2, at Burleson City Hall. The meeting starts at 6 p.m. in the council chambers at 141 W. Renfro St.

The City is seeking public input on the development of the parks, recreation, and trails master plan. Parks Director Peter Krause said he wants to know what people think about the stationary parks such as Bartlett and Chisenhall, but also about the hike and bike trails that will eventually encircle the entire city. Krause said City staff wants to know how residents will use the trails, what amenities they want with those trails, and what is high priority, such as more restrooms, urban lakes, and more hiking trails.

For more information about the meeting, call Peter Krause at 817-295-8168.

For more information about this release, call the public information officer at 817-447-5400, ext. 286.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 12, 2007

City Breaks Ground on Senior Activity Center

City of Burleson staff, council members, and senior citizens will be shoveling some dirt on Friday, Aug. 3, to celebrate the expansion of the Burleson Senior Activity Center at 216 S.W. Johnson Ave.

The festivities, complete with hard hats and light refreshments, are scheduled for 10 a.m. Dignitaries will include senior citizens who actively use and support the center, Burleson City Council members, and other city staff members.

The expansion includes 5,400 square feet of new construction as well as additional parking.

For more information about the expansion, contact David McDowell at 817-295-8168.

For more information about this press release contact the public information officer at 817-447-5400, ext. 286.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 12, 2007

Burleson's ISO Rating Improves

The City of Burleson climbed two rungs on the ladder on the ISO (Insurance Services Office) rating.

When the Burleson Fire Department was rated in 2000, it earned a five out of 10 on the ISO scale. In July, the BFD received a three out of 10. The change will go into effect Jan. 1, 2008.

The ISO rating can affect the insurance premiums that residents pay for their homes, but even more so, it affects the insurance premiums on commercial buildings. Commercial property owners may see a 10 percent decrease in insurance premiums. Residential savings will depend on the homeowner’s insurance carrier.

One is the top score on the scale of one to 10. The ISO rating judges the department’s ability to receive and handle alarm calls, the available equipment, and the water supply/hydrants. Also figured into the score are fire prevention code enforcement, fire investigations, public fire safety education, construction code enforcement, and Compressed Air Foam System (CAFS).

The rating of three is based on a score of 71.88 out of a possible 90-plus points. The report includes suggestions that will be included in the fire department’s five-year plan.

In the list of cities that Burleson routinely compares to, only Cleburne, DeSoto, Flower Mound, and Grapevine earned better ratings (a two) than Burleson. Cities earning ratings of three include Arlington, Cedar Hill, Grand Prairie, and Weatherford. Metroplex cities that earned ratings of four include Hurst, Keller, Mansfield, and North Richland Hills.

“An ISO rating of a three, up from a five, is a very good indication that the City of Burleson, and its fire department, is progressing in a positive way,” Fire Chief Gary Wisdom said. “The progress we have made since 1999 has been made possible by the support of past and present city councils as well as the past and present city management. I have to thank our firefighters for their work in preplanning and hydrant testing which had a direct impact on our improvement. We hope to continue this progress and someday get this rating even lower because our citizens deserve the best we can deliver.”

In 1995, Fire Station #2 opened at 650 Memorial Plaza, on the east side of I-35W. The BFD started adding career firefighters in 1998. In 2001, career firefighters began manning the station, which was then at the corner of Bransom and Eldred streets in Old Town, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Fire Station #2 was manned by career firefighters 24/7 by 2003.

The new Fire Station #1 at 828 S.W. Alsbury Blvd. opened in 2003. That same year, Fire Station #2 was remodeled.

The City hopes to open Fire Station #3 on Lakewood Drive, in south Burleson, in the late summer/early fall of 2008.

For more information about this rating, contact Burleson Fire Chief Gary Wisdom at 817-295-5498.

For more information about this release, contact the public information officer at 817-447-5400, ext. 286 or 682-225-7385.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 12, 2007

Rainfall/KnoWhat2Do

With rain in the forecast through Tuesday and greater than normal amounts of rain falling in the past few months, the ground is saturated, even with temperatures trying to hit the triple digits.

According to the City of Burleson 's water records, rainfall amounts ranged from 6.74 inches in March to 2.91 inches in April, 6.71 inches of rain in May, and 8.69 inches in June. In just the first 11 days of July, 2.050 inches of rain have been recorded.

Know what to do. That's the message that emergency management coordinators in the North Central Texas area are pushing. The KnoWhat2Do website was developed through the collaboration of the North Central Texas Council of Governments. A KnoWhat2Do guide and DVD, both free of charge, are available by logging on to the City of Burleson website at www.burlesontx.com and clicking on “Emergency preparedness tips, KnoWhat2Do” located on the right hand side of the page. Residents may choose to download the guide or request a copy of the DVD and guide.

The slogan is “Think, Prepare, and Act.” According to KnoWhat2Do, in North Central Texas, between 1996 and 2005, there has been an average of 53 flash flood events each year. More people die from flooding than any other severe weather-related hazard.

It only takes six inches of fast-moving floodwater to knock over an adult and two feet to carry away most vehicles, including pickups and sport utility vehicles.

The areas prone to flooding or high water in Burleson include Tarrant Street at the low water crossing with Miller Street, Irene Street at the low water crossing between Gregory Street and Hidden Creek Parkway, Shaffstall Road under the railroad bridge, Summercrest Boulevard at Thomas Street, Suzanne Terrace at Hwy. 174, Lorna Street at Hwy. 174, King Street at Hwy. 174, Johnson Avenue at Warren Park, Thomas Street at Market Street, Dobson Street from the soccer fields to Hidden Creek Parkway, CR 714 at the bridge, and Fox Lane at the bridge.

The National Weather Service slogan is “Turn Around Don't Drown.” More than half of all flood-related drownings occur when a vehicle is driven into hazardous flood waters. The next highest percentage of flood-related deaths is due to walking into or near floodwaters.

A flash flood occurs during heavy rain events. It happens very quickly and ends quickly. Normal flooding is more gradual, predictable, and lasts longer.

Safety tips:

• If flooding occurs, get to higher ground.
• Avoid areas already flooding and do not attempt to cross flowing streams.
• Never drive through flooded roads because the road beds may be washed out under floodwaters.
• If your vehicle stalls, leave immediately and seek higher ground.
• Be more cautious at night when it is harder to recognize flood dangers.
• Don't camp or park your vehicle along streams and washes (a low area that collects runoff), particularly during threatening conditions.

For more information about flooding and flash floods, call City of Burleson Emergency Management Coordinator Stacy Singleton at 817-447-5400, ext. 220.

For more information about this release, call Public Information Officer Sally Ellertson at 817-447-5400, ext. 286.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

July 5, 2007

Alsbury Boulevard Repairs Require Road Closure

The City of Burleson’s public works department has restricted travel on Alsbury Boulevard at the Union Pacific Railroad.  The lane closures are just west of I-35W, near Burleson Town Center shopping center in north Burleson.

Alsbury Boulevard was closed at the railroad tracks at 9 a.m. on Thursday, July 5, to enable crews to repair deterioration of the street.

On Monday, crews had removed two inches of material from the road surface in order to pour an asphalt overlay. When traffic drove on the thinner road surface, problems cropped up in the driving lanes.

By Thursday, the decision was made to close access from the east and west on the boulevard in hopes of getting the repairs done in one day. However, rain began falling between 11 a.m. and 11:30 a.m., causing the contractors to call a halt to the repairs.

City crews went to work to open one westbound lane by 3 p.m. on Thursday. Thursday night, one westbound lane will be open. Traffic heading east will be detoured off Alsbury at Vicksburg.

If there is no rain on Friday, July 6, the necessary repairs should be completed and one lane in each direction on Alsbury should be open through the weekend.

Once the rain clears for an extended period of time, Alsbury Boulevard will be closed for more than one day in order to complete the base failure repairs and perform the overlay on the approaches to the railroad tracks.

For more information, call Rey Gonzales, street and solid waste manager, at 817-447-5410, ext. 271.

For more information about this press release, call the public information officer at 817-447-5400, ext. 286.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

June 29, 2007

Fireworks Show Traffic Routing

With a large turnout expected for the City of Burleson’s free concert and fireworks show on July 4th, the Burleson Police Department is coordinating efforts to make the celebration proceed smoothly.

More than half a dozen officers will be working traffic and crowd control around the Hidden Creek Sports Complex during the event, slated for 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Wednesday, July 4. That number is in addition to the officers who will be handling patrol calls throughout the rest of the city.

Also assisting officers will be members of the Citizens on Patrol Program (COPs) and Community Emergency Response Team (CERT).

Employees of the City’s parks and street department will be barricading and manning road closures on Dobson Street. Dobson Street will be closed at the intersection with Miller Street and at the intersection with Hidden Creek Parkway effective at 3 p.m. on July 4th. These closures are necessary because the staging of the fireworks show has been moved from Hidden Creek Sports Complex to Dobson Street, south of the soccer fields. The fireworks show will start shortly after 9 p.m.

Visitors to the Hidden Creek Estates subdivision next to the sports complex will not be allowed in after 5 p.m. Subdivision residents will be allowed in at all times, but the entrances to the subdivision will be barricaded to prevent non-residents from entering the neighborhood after 5 p.m. to park. Residents will be asked to show identification. Residents of that neighborhood are being notified, by handbill, of the closure.

Police expect the most Fourth of July traffic congestion to be on the I-35W service roads, both the north and south side, from Renfro Street to the Briaroaks overpass. Congestion is also expected on South Dobson Street, Hidden Creek Parkway, and East Renfro Street.

Parking will be allowed in the medians between the I-35W service roads and I-35W as long as the traffic exits on to the median from the service roads, not from the interstate. Police say there is a safety issue with I-35W traffic slowing down to a speed that is safe enough to pull on to the median. Parking in the median will be permitted as long as it does not affect the traffic flow on the service roads. All traffic that parks on the median between I-35W and the service road must enter and exit the median from the service road.

Fireworks enthusiasts will be able to park at the soccer fields on Dobson Street, but they will not be allowed to walk to the Hidden Creek Sports Complex since Dobson Street will be closed. They will have to view the fireworks from the soccer fields.  Parking will be allowed at the Burleson Community Center on Hidden Creek Parkway. Those who park at the community center will be allowed to walk to Hidden Creek Sports Complex because the parkway will be open.

There will be additional parking in the Old Town area for those who want to watch the fireworks.

To avoid a bottleneck at the Briaroaks overpass after the celebration, police will route traffic that wants to go north to Fort Worth, south from the park, to the FM 917 overpass. Motorists whose destination is Oak Valley or Renfro Street will use the Briaroaks overpass.

For more information, call Sgt. Bolton of the Burleson Police Department at 817-447-5300, ext. 337.

Questions about this news release should be directed to the public information officer at 817-447-5400, ext. 286.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

June 29, 2007

Harry Potter Films and Party at the Library

Beginning on July 6, the Burleson Public Library will be hosting Harry Potter films at 2 p.m. every Friday (July 6, July 13, and July 20) up to the release of much-anticipated last book. The movies are for ages 10 and up. The library will provide popcorn and soft drinks.

At each movie, participants will put their name in a drawing for a chance to win a copy of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. This is the last in a series of seven Harry Potter books. The library has 10 copies to give away, so the more movies attended the greater chances of winning the new book.

In addition, the library will transform into the "Leaky Cauldron," on Saturday, July 21, at noon when "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" is shown. Papa Johns Pizza is donating pizza for the party. There will also be refreshments and popcorn.

Following the movie on July 21, library staff will pick the names of 10 lucky recipients of the new Harry Potter book. Costumes are encouraged at the final party, which is geared for children 10 years of age and older.

For more information, call Teen Services Coordinator Terra Johnson at 817-295-6131, ext. 264, or e-mail tjohnson@burlesonlibrary.com.

Questions about this news release should be directed to the public information officer at 817-447-5400, ext. 286.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

June 26, 2007

Fireworks Are Not Allowed in the City of Burleson.

The storage, use, possession, or sale of fireworks is prohibited within 5,000 feet of the corporate limits of the City of Burleson. The exception to the rule is the City’s annual fireworks show, which is free to the public. The City show is coordinated by Atlas Enterprise, a licensed pyrotechnic.

Violations of the fire code are subject to a fine of up to $2,000. Each day that a violation is permitted to exist is a separate offense.

The 5,000-foot rule was added as an amendment to the City’s fire ordinance in August 2006. Fireworks stands must be more than 5,000 feet outside the city limits.

The fire marshal, fire inspector/investigator, and public safety officers will be monitoring the storage, use, possession, and sale of fireworks during the July 4th holiday. Fireworks will be confiscated.

For more information about the fire code, call Burleson Fire Marshal Stacy Singleton at 817-447-5400, ext. 220. For more information about this press release, contact the public information officer at 817-447-5400, ext. 286.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

June 26, 2007

Alcohol Prohibited at the July 4 Concert and Fireworks Show

Leave the alcohol and glass bottles at home if you want to celebrate the Fourth of July at the City of Burleson’s Hidden Creek Sports Complex and golf course.

The City has a mixed beverage permit for the restaurant/grill at the golf course. It is illegal to take any alcoholic beverage on the premises of a permit holder.

Celebrants can bring coolers with food and soft drinks, but the coolers will be checked for violations. The concession stand and the grill will not be open, but restroom facilities will be available.

Smoking is permitted in designated areas. Chairs are allowed, but shade structures are not. Pets on leashes are also allowed at the concert and fireworks celebration.

The sports complex and golf course are located at I-35W and Hidden Creek Parkway in south Burleson.

Read the June 18 news release for more information about the event, or call the City of Burleson Parks and Recreation department at 817-295-8168. For more information about the prohibition of alcohol, call Dave White at Hidden Creek Golf Course at 817-447-4444.

For questions concerning this press release, call the public information office at 817-447-5400, ext. 286.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

June 25, 2007

Holiday Notice

You can play golf, swim, and celebrate Independence Day on Wednesday, July 4th, but all other City of Burleson departments, with the exception of the police department and fire department, will be closed for the holiday.

The first tee-time at Hidden Creek Golf Course is at 6:30 a.m. All golfers must be off the course by 5 p.m. The last tee-time for 18-holes is at 1 p.m. The last tee-time for 9-holes of play is at 3 p.m.

The municipal pool at Chisenhall Park on Hidden Creek Parkway will be open from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. on July 4th.

The Burleson Public Library, city hall, community center, senior activity center, service center and animal shelter will be closed. There will be no special trash pickups on Wednesday.

Gates to the Hidden Creek Sports Complex will open at 5 p.m. for the annual Independence Day concert and fireworks celebration.

For questions about this press release, contact the public information officer at 817-447-5400, ext. 286.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

June 22, 2007

Summer Reading Club

There’s no reason for a child in Burleson to be bored when the Burleson Public Library is open.

As of June 22, 745 children had signed up for Summer Reading Club 2007. On June 1, the day of the kickoff, 650 people showed up to start the summer off right. Registration continues through July 6.

As children complete reading the required number of hours and titles for the club, they receive coupons from local merchants. They are also entered in a drawing for $50 Borders Books gift certificates that will be awarded to each age group at the end of the program.

The last day to turn in raffle tickets is July 26. The wrap-up party is Saturday, July 28, at 10:30 a.m.

Special programs are on the calendar for Thursdays at 2 p.m. and 3 p.m.  Those programs include Brett Roberts and “Pirate Magic” on June 28; Funny Business and “Sail Into Books” on July 5; Fire Inspector/Investigator David Butler and the fire safety house on Thursday, July 12; and Creature Teacher on July 19.

If the children prefer movies, the library has that too, on Tuesdays at 2 p.m. The schedule includes “Charlotte’s Web” on June 26, “Night At The Museum” on July 3, “Peter Pan” on July 10, “Eragon” on July 17, “Flushed Away” on July 24, “Flicka” on July 31, “TMNT” on Aug. 7, and “Bridge to Terabithia” on Aug. 14.

Crafty children will enjoy craft parties, which are slated for 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 7, and  on Saturday, Aug. 18.

The library’s popular Storytime now has three times. Toddlers (up to age four) are encouraged to attend at 10:30 a.m. on Thursdays. Children four years old and older are welcome on Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m., and babies are the focus of the programming on Fridays at 10:30 a.m. Children of all ages are welcome at any Storytime.

For more information about the library’s programs, call 817-295-6131.

For questions regarding this press release, contact the public information officer at 817-447-5400, ext. 286.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

June 19, 2007

The City of Burleson Wants to Know What You Think About Trash

Three public meetings have been scheduled to solicit input from residents about potential changes in the trash collection system. Those meetings will be Monday, July 9, at 6 p.m. at the Burleson High School cafeteria on Elk Drive; Tuesday, July 10, at 6 p.m. at First United Methodist Church on McAlister Road; and Monday, July 16, at 6 p.m. at the Bransom Elementary School cafeteria on Hurst Road.

Survey cards will be included in the June water bills. Those cards contain several options, including:

• (Option A) maintaining the same collection method (twice a week, manual collection) as currently provided by city forces;
• (Option A2) adding curbside recycling in bins by a private contractor to Option A;
• (Option B) providing twice weekly collection in bags by a private contractor;
• (Option B2) adding curbside recycling in bins by a private contractor to Option B;
• (Option C) changing the collection method to once-per-week service in carts by a private contractor and include once per week curbside recycling in carts by a private contractor.

All cards need to be submitted as soon as possible to Burleson City Hall at 141 W. Renfro St. The deadline is Friday, July 13.

The current monthly rate is $12.71 plus tax for manual twice-per-week collection in bags. The options range in price from $13.85 plus tax to $18.13 plus tax per month for collection.

Those who utilize the City of Burleson solid waste collection services will receive a comment card in the mail. Questions may also be directed to Director of Public Works Dave Stringer at 817-447-5410, ext. 250, or Street and Solid Waste Manager Rey Gonzales at 817-447-5410, ext. 271.

Information about this press release should be directed to the public information officer at 817-447-5400, ext. 286.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

June 19, 2007

Junior Fire Academy

Ten Burleson youngsters are getting an up-close look at the world of firefighting.

The Burleson Fire Department is hosting a Junior Fire Academy this week, June 18-21, at Fire Station #1 and at Fire Station #2/ training tower. Boys and girls, nine and 10 years of age, are participating in the four-day camp, which starts at 8 a.m. sharp and wraps up by noon each day.

On Monday, the students met Fire Chief Gary Wisdom and received their own bunker gear. They also toured Fire Station #1, met the firefighters, and learned the function of each piece of apparatus. Then, a representative from the American Red Cross taught the students about disaster safety.

Today, the students will learn about extrication, the foam/brush truck, hydrants, and fire safety with Patches and Pumper.

On Wednesday, June 20, the students will do hands-on activities including working with fire hydrants and fire hoses, conducting hose drags, doing their own search and rescue, and participating in a smoke drill in the training tower.

On Thursday, the final day, the pre-teens will check out the Crowley Fire Department ambulance as well as the air ambulance from PHI Air, then they will celebrate with a pizza party.

Fire Station #1 is located at 828 S.W. Alsbury Blvd.  Fire Station #2 is located at 620 Memorial Plaza, off of East Renfro Street.

For more information about the Junior Fire Academy, contact Firefighter Scott Johns at Fire Station #1 at 817-295-5498 or secretary Kristie Menchaca at 817-295-5498, ext. 221.

Questions about this release should be directed to the public information officer at 817-447-5400, ext. 286.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

June 18, 2007

Independence Day Fireworks and Concert

The City of Burleson’s annual Independence Day fireworks show will be lighting up the sky from Dobson Street this year.

The fireworks staging area is moving from a fireworks trailer positioned between fields three and four of the sports complex to the low water crossing on Dobson Street, which is approximately 1,000 feet from the soccer fields. Police officers and other city personnel will be closing the intersections of Dobson at Miller and Dobson at Hidden Creek Parkway at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, July 4.

Visitors to the Hidden Creek Estates subdivision next to the sports complex will not be allowed in after 5 p.m. Subdivision residents will be allowed in at all times, but the entrances to the subdivision will be barricaded to prevent non-residents from entering the neighborhood after 5 p.m. to park. Parks Director Peter Krause said residents of that neighborhood will be notified, by handbill, of the closure.

The 20-minute fireworks extravaganza choreographed to patriotic music will start at dusk, approximately 9:20 p.m.

The gates to the park will open at 5 p.m. with entertainment by the band Hwy. 281 South beginning at 5:30 p.m. Justin Brown will sing the Star Spangled Banner at 7:20 p.m. and Cavalcade of Stars, a musical entertainment group that recreates famous theatrical personalities such as Elvis Presley, Elton John, Roy Orbison, Dolly Parton, Tina Turner, Diana Ross, Marilyn Monroe, Gloria Estefan, and more, will hit the stage at 7:30 p.m. The schedule also includes an address from Burleson Mayor Ken Shetter.

Fireworks enthusiasts will be able to park at the soccer fields on Dobson Street, but they will not be allowed to walk to the Hidden Creek Sports Complex since that Dobson Street will be closed. They will have to view the fireworks from the soccer fields.  Parking will be allowed at the Burleson Community Center on Hidden Creek Parkway. Those who park at the community center will be allowed to walk to Hidden Creek Sports Complex because the parkway will be open.

Chairs are allowed, but shade structures are not. Pets on leashes are also allowed at the concert and fireworks celebration, but alcohol, bottles, and cigarettes are not permitted.

Burleson Police are coordinating routing traffic in and out of the fireworks show.

For more information about the celebration, call the City of Burleson Parks and Recreation Department at 817-295-8168.

Questions about this news release should be directed to the public information officer at 817-447-5400 ext 286.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

June 18 , 2007

Hot Sounds of Summer

Relaxed atmosphere, plenty of people, good restaurants nearby, and great music . . . what more could you ask for?

The City of Burleson’s Hot Sounds of the Summer concert series in Old Town has just two more dates. On Friday, June 22, the Mighty Marvelous Four will entertain with a Motown/Temptations tribute and on Friday, June 29, Max Stalling will woo the crowd with his country and folk songs.

The free concerts begin at 7:30 p.m. in Old Town. Bring your lawn chair or blanket.

For more information, call the parks and recreation department at 817-295-8168.

Questions about this news release should be directed to the public information officer at 817-447-5400 ext 286

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

June 14, 2007

Live Grenade Turned In

A man cleaning out a shed behind a house in the 100 block of Clark Street in Burleson found a World War II relic, which he turned into the Burleson Police Department Thursday morning.

The relic was a live pineapple-style hand grenade.

Officer M. Owen was on duty when the man came into the front lobby of the police department at approximately 7:20 a.m. on Thursday, June 14, 2007, to turn in the grenade and some 30-caliber carbine rounds. The officer took the grenade out to the parking lot of the police department on the Johnson Avenue side of the building and called for assistance from fellow officer P. Lancaster. Lancaster confirmed that the grenade was a World War II relic, and that it was real. The grenade was put into the police department’s armored truck to control potential damage.

Police officers called in Burleson Fire Marshal Stacy Singleton and the Burleson Fire Department. A perimeter was set up around the police department at the corner of Renfro and Johnson Avenue and Singleton called the Fort Worth Fire Department Bomb Squad. Two members of the bomb squad responded, secured the grenade, and left the scene, with the grenade, shortly before 9 a.m.

Questions about this news release should be directed to the public information officer at 817-447-5400 ext 286

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

June 14, 2007

Click It Or Ticket Campaign Results

Ninety-three percent of drivers and passengers “clicked it” during a recent seatbelt enforcement campaign in Burleson.

Burleson Police officers issued 191 citations and made two arrests during the Click It Or Ticket campaign, which is a national program. Thirty-two of those citations were for adults not wearing seatbelts, three were child safety seat violations, 71 tickets were for speeding, 36 were for no insurance, 21 were tickets written at intersections, and 28 were miscellaneous tickets.

For two weeks­, May 21 through June 3, seven Burleson Police officers worked an average of seven hours a day, during the day and at night, for a total of 100 hours to make sure drivers and passengers were wearing seatbelts. Drivers got the message with a 4.5 percent increase in compliance between May 9 and June 6."

The increase in seatbelt usage in Burleson showed that our community took the Click It or Ticket program seriously,” Burleson Police Sgt. Robert Sherman said.  “I don't think it was the fear of getting a ticket that caused the increase in seatbelt usage.  I believe it was our citizens hearing and reading about the program and making a conscious effort to buckle up for safety.  The program was a success because the community pulled together."

On May 9, officers did a survey of drivers and passengers at FM 731 at Hwy. 174, Hillery Street at Hwy. 174, Summercrest at Thomas Street, and Irene at Gregory Street. Of the 714 front seat occupants observed during that pre-campaign survey, 635 were in compliance with seatbelt laws. That’s a rate of 88.94 percent.

Officers did a post-campaign survey on June 6 and found that of the 760 front seat occupants observed, 710 were in compliance, for a rate of 93.42 percent.

Compliance at FM 731 and Hwy 174 increased from 83.82 percent compliance in May to 94.02 percent in June. At the intersection of Hillery and Hwy. 174, compliance increased from 87.78 percent in May to 90.72 percent in June.

At Summercrest and Thomas Street, compliance rose from an already high percentage of 93.37 in May to 94.27 percent in June. And, at Irene Street and Gregory, compliance climbed up from 90.56 percent in May to 94.74 percent in June.

Burleson received a grant for $5,000 to participate in the Click It Or Ticket campaign. Burleson used $4,993 of that grant.

Click It Or Ticket is a nationwide campaign to crack down on low seatbelt usage and to reduce highway fatalities. The goal of the campaign is to convince drivers and passengers to buckle up.

In Texas, anyone who is 15 years of age or older who is riding in the front seat of a passenger vehicle must wear a seatbelt. A child who is less than five years old or shorter than 36 inches tall must be secured in a federally-approved child passenger safety system or by a safety belt.

For more information about the Click It Or Ticket campaign, log on to www.nhtsa.gov/link/ciot.htm.

Questions about this news release should be directed to the public information officer at 817-447-5400 ext 286

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

May 30, 2007

Mandatory Water Conservation Effective June 1

BURLESON, TX – Effective June 1, new mandatory, year-round water conservation measures will apply to all City of Burleson water customers, both residential and commercial.  The Burleson City Council adopted Ordinance B-768-07 as a requirement of the City’s contract to purchase water from the City of Fort Worth.

The new ordinance prohibits any landscape irrigation (watering with sprinklers) between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.  The only lawn and landscape watering allowed during these hours will be that done by hand or with soaker hoses.  These mandatory conservation measures now apply year-round and apply to both residential and commercial water customers. 

As part of the conservation effort, irrigation systems will also be required to have rain and freeze sensors.  The effective dates for this requirement depend upon the installation date and type of system.

• Any commercial or industrial irrigation system installed on or after June 1, 2007 is required to have rain and freeze sensors.
• Any commercial or industrial irrigation system installed before June 1, 2007 is required to have rain and freeze sensors by January 1, 2008.
• Any residential irrigation system installed on or after September 1, 2007 is required to have rain and freeze sensors.

 
Any person, firm, or corporation who does not comply with the water conservation requirements laid out in Ordinance B-768-07 is subject to fines up to $500 per violation. 

Wholesale water providers, such as the City of Fort Worth, are being required to implement water conservation measures such as these by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.  Those providers then require their customer cities, such as the City of Burleson, to implement the same restrictions.

There are a number of things residents and business owners can do to help conserve water and reduce their overall water bills.  For a list of suggestions or to view a copy of Ordinance B-768-07, visit the City of Burleson website at www.burlesontx.com. 

Questions about the conservation requirements should be directed to the assistant director of public works at 817-447-5410 ext 272.  Questions about this news release should be directed to the public information officer at 817-447-5410 ext 226.

Please note: following distribution of this release yesterday afternoon, TxDOT has re-scheduled this closure for THURSDAY night, May 24, 2007 instead.  The same detour information applies.  If you have questions, please contact the engineering services department referenced at the bottom of the release.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

May 21, 2007

Road Construction Alert:
Northbound SH 174 at I-35W to be Closed May 22 at 9 p.m.

BURLESON, TX – On Tuesday evening, May 22, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) will be closing northbound SH 174 (Wilshire Boulevard) at the intersection with I-35W in Burleson at 9:00 p.m.  The intersection will remain closed to northbound traffic until 5 a.m. on Wednesday, May 23.

Drivers traveling from Burleson, Cleburne, and other parts of Johnson County north toward Fort Worth should be aware of the closure and make plans to take alternate routes, if possible.  Those driving northbound on SH 174 (Wilshire Boulevard) toward the I-35W interchange will be detoured to the ramp to southbound I-35W.  If drivers wish to get onto northbound I-35W, they will then have to U-turn under I-35W off of the Renfro Street exit. 

The SH 174/I-35W interchange has been re-designed and has been under construction for several months.  This closure is necessary for the next phase of the construction project.  Again the closure will last from 9 p.m. on May 22 to 5 a.m. on May 23. 

For additional information about the closure or the construction project, please contact the office of engineering services at 817-447-5400 ext 303. 

Questions about this news release should be directed to the public information officer at 817-447-5410 ext 226.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

May 12, 2007; 8:48 p.m.

BURLESON CITY AND SCHOOL DISTRICT ELECTION RESULTS

The unofficial results of the May 12, 2007 municipal and school board elections in Burleson are listed below.  (The winners are indicated with an asterisk.) 

City of Burleson City Council Election
The official canvassing of the municipal election vote will take place at a special City Council meeting on May 21, 2007 at 6 p.m.  Elected council members will be sworn in at the Council meeting on May 24, 2007.  Three Council seats were up for election.  The incumbent for place 1, Stuart Gillaspie, did not draw an opponent. 
                    
PLACE 3 Race:
     Terry Kilcrease                 442
    *Matt Powell (I)                 858
             

PLACE 5:
  *Dan McClendon                860
    Aly Engstrom                     459

City of Burleson Parks Capital Improvements Bond Election
The issuance of public securities for parks and recreation improvements in the aggregate sum of $18.7 million.

*FOR:                                    902
AGAINST:                            734
           
Burleson Independent School District Board of Trustees Election
The official canvassing of the BISD election vote will take place at 7:00 a.m. on Monday, May 21 at the BISD Administration Building (Boardroom). 

PLACE 1:
Kay Vaughn                                    846
*Tim Cline (I)                                  879

PLACE 2:
*Michael Ancy                               907
Steve Rebrovich                            798

PLACE 6:
*Beverly Volkman Powell (I)      882
Carol Choate Carter                     862
                
For additional information regarding these election results or this news release, please contact Public Information Officer Sheri Campbell-Husband.  She may be reached during business hours at 817-447-5410 ext 226 or at scampbell@burlesontx.com.  After business hours, she may be reached at 817-907-1932. 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

May 7, 2007

Tire Recycling Available Through May 16

BURLESON, TX – The Johnson County Commissioners Court and Bluebonnet Resource Conservation and Development are jointly hosting a tire recycling project for residents of Johnson County, including those who live inside the Burleson city limits.  Until May 16, tires will be accepted at each of the county precinct barns, during their regular hours and on Saturdays (see times listed below). 

Johnson County residents may recycle their old tires through this program at no charge.  Since commercial tire enterprises already collect a fee to recycle the tires they sell, they are not eligible to participate in this program. 

Keep Burleson Beautiful encourages all members of the Burleson community who reside within the Johnson County portion of town to participate in this program and get their old tires disposed of properly.  According to Burleson Neighborhood Services Director Sheri Campbell-Husband, “Tires are among the things most frequently illegally dumped in communities throughout Texas, so events like this one provide us with a great opportunity to do the right thing and keep old tires out of our creeks, rivers, and lakes.”  

The locations and hours of operation for the Johnson County precinct barns are as follows:

Burleson residents should take their tires to the barn for the precinct in which they reside.

The funding for the project comes through fines levied by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) through its Supplemental Environmental Project Fund (SEP).  No Johnson County funds will be used for the recycling event.

For more information about the tire recycling program, contact Dennis Reger
RC&D, coordinator of Bluebonnet RC&D, at 817-645-2883.

Questions about this news release should be directed to the public information officer at 817-447-5410 ext 226.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

May 7, 2007

Household Hazardous Waste Collection May 19

BURLESON, TX – On May 19, the City of Burleson will host a household hazardous waste (HHW) collection event.  Burleson residents needing to safely dispose of HHW items can do so from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Municipal Service Center at 1675 John Jones Drive. 

The material is collected by the City of Fort Worth’s Crud Cruiser, which will accept items such as paint, antifreeze, batteries, acid, motor oil, fluorescent bulbs, pool chemicals, pesticides, transmission or brake fluid, degreasers, craft chemicals and aerosol cans.  Only material from residences can be accepted.  Material from commercial enterprises will not be accepted.

The cruiser cannot accept any ammunition, asbestos, building materials, butane or propane cylinders, explosives, medical waste, PCB’s, radioactive material, smoke detectors, or tires. 

Only Burleson residents may participate in the collection because the event is funded through the solid waste fees they already pay to the City.  Participants should bring their City of Burleson water/solid waste bill as proof of residency.  Trying to verify residency off of driver licenses is difficult and delays the drop-off process. 

As the Crud Cruiser has limited space available, those with large quantities of HHW are encouraged to take their items to the Environmental Collection Center (EEC) located at 6400 Bridge Street in Fort Worth.  That is especially true for those who have large quantities of paint, because the paint trailer is what fills up the fastest at these events.  Burleson residents may take HHW material to this facility throughout the year, regardless of their participation in the local collection event. 

Participants at the mobile collection event will be allowed to drop off their HHW on a first-come, first-served basis.  Once the collection vehicles are full, the event will have to be closed down.  For information about the ECC hours of operation or what material is accepted there, call the ECC Information Line at 817-871-5257.  For information about the local collection event on May 19, call the City’s environmental services office at 817-447-5410 ext 269.

Questions about this news release should be directed to the public information officer at 817-447-5410 ext 226.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

April 30, 2007

Mayor to Walk a Mile in City Workers’ Shoes

BURLESON, TX – Burleson Mayor Ken Shetter wants to better understand what it takes to provide municipal services to the residents he represents.  So he plans to ‘walk a mile’ in the shoes of the City employees who provide those services every day.

On Friday, May 4, Mayor Shetter will be working with Burleson’s solid waste division, finding out the hard way what it is like to collect trash on a residential route and deliver that trash to the landfill.  He will meet the solid waste crew at the City Service Center at 7:30 a.m. and get assigned to a truck so he can learn first-hand what it takes to pick up the trash.

On Friday, May 11, Mayor Shetter will be working with Burleson’s street and wastewater divisions.  At 7:30 a.m. he will begin the day with the crews that inspect, videotape, and clean out sewer lines.  At 1 p.m., he will report for the afternoon shift with the street repair crews doing asphalt patching work. 

Mayor Shetter has chosen to begin this series of on-the-job experiences with City staff at this time to highlight Burleson’s participation in the Texas Cities Work program and Public Service Recognition Week, which is May 7-13.  

The City of Burleson recently announced its involvement with the Texas Cities Work public awareness campaign, which was designed to remind the residents of Texas cities about all of the services their local governments provide to them. Information on this program is available by visiting www.burlesontx.com. Public Service Recognition Week is intended to highlight the many ways in which the public at large benefits from the hard work of public sector employees at the federal, state, and local levels.    

Questions about this news release should be directed to the public information officer at 817-447-5400 ext 286.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

March 23, 2007

Warrant Roundup a Success for Burleson

BURLESON, TX – Over the last month, the City of Burleson has taken part in a statewide effort to clear outstanding warrants.  Between February 20 and March 10, the City of Burleson Municipal Court cleared 405 warrants, generating $106,302 in previously outstanding fines and fees. 

On March 3, the Burleson Police Department and city marshal conducted a roundup of violators who had not appeared before the court to pay their fines. They arrested 38 people on 46 warrants on the day of the roundup.

Police officers and city marshals from 152 agencies all over the State of Texas have worked together throughout February and March to get the word out to people with outstanding warrants, encouraging them to pay their fines and avoid arrest.  This is the fourth time in recent years that the City of Burleson has participated in a warrant roundup involving multiple agencies from around the state.

Participation on these warrant roundups gives the agencies involved a unique opportunity to work together, sharing information and resources in order to identify and locate those offenders who have not met their responsibilities to the courts and the communities involved and hold them accountable.  The programs also offer the agencies a chance to clear outstanding cases and make sure case files are updated and purged appropriately, freeing up resources to be applied to current, active cases.

Questions about this news release should be directed to the public information officer at 817-447-5400 ext 286.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

March 22, 2007

Burleson’s Great American Cleanup™
Don’t Mess with Texas Trash-Off event on April 21, 2007

BURLESON, TX – When looking in and around our local waterways, residents notice beautiful landscapes, lively creatures, and, unfortunately, litter.  The City of Burleson and Keep Burleson Beautiful hope to change that as they invite area residents to join its members in eradicating litter and debris out of Texas waters as part of Burleson’s Great American Cleanup™ Don’t Mess with Texas Trash-Off event on April 21, 2007.

This event provides area residents the opportunity to help cleanup the community by removing litter and debris from targeted areas.  Some areas being targeted for the cleanup are in or near retail corridors where plastic bags, fast-food drink cups and the like accumulate.  Another focal point will be residential drainage channels where litter and other illegally dumped materials are already directly impacting water quality in the community. 

The City of Burleson and Keep Burleson Beautiful expect close to 150 volunteers to help improve local water quality, restore natural beauty, and reduce potential threats to human health and wildlife. Litter blocks storm drains, reduces property values and aesthetic appeal, and injures thousands of animals through ingestion or entanglement each year. With the help of cleanups and great public participation to prevent litter, that can change in our community.  The cleanup begins at 9 a.m. on Saturday, April 21, 2007 and will last until 11 a.m.

After the cleanup, all participants are invited to an environmental fair, complete with door prizes, at Warren Park on Johnson Avenue.  The environmental fair will include presentations from area youth about local environmental issues.  There will also be an ongoing presentation about the impact of storm water runoff on our waterways through the use of the Enviroscape model.  Lunch will be provided for cleanup volunteers.

Groups are encouraged to call in advance of the event to register and to get your cleanup location assignment.  That way, all volunteers can report directly to the site they will be helping to clean up on the morning of the event.  Volunteers of all ages are welcome, but youth participants will be required to have adult supervision.  To register for the event, call 817-447-5410 ext 269 between April 9 and April 19, 2007.       

The cleanup is sponsored by the Lake and River Cleanup Program and the Don’t Mess with Texas Trash-Off.  The Lake and River Cleanup Program is a partnership between Keep Texas Beautiful (KTB) and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.  The program assists community organizations, scout and youth groups, schools, local governments, businesses, and concerned citizens across the state as they host waterway cleanups and environmental education activities.  The program supports cleanups of all inland freshwater areas, including streams, creeks, ponds, and wetlands, as well as water education activities.  The Don't Mess with Texas Trash-Off is part of the partnership between Keep Texas Beautiful and the Texas Department of Transportation. It is the single largest one day cleanup event in the state, where nearly 200,000 volunteers offer their time to keep our state beautiful. Trash-Off is also the signature litter prevention event of the Great American Cleanup™, which is sponsored by Keep America Beautiful and takes place throughout the United States March through May.
 
If you would like more information about organizing a cleanup in your area, visit www.ktb.org or call Keep Texas Beautiful at 1-800-CLEAN-TX.  No event is too small or too large!

Questions about this news release should be directed to the public information officer at 817-447-5400 ext 286.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

March 20, 2007

Burleson Joins ‘Texas Cities Work’ Campaign

BURLESON, TX – They provide a lot of services that add value to daily life and they are proud of it.  ‘They’ are Texas cities…municipal organizations staffed by public servants doing jobs that touch people’s lives in real and meaningful ways every day. 

The Texas Municipal League (TML) has developed the Texas Cities Work public education campaign, aimed at enhancing citizens’ awareness of the scope and value of city services.  The City of Burleson has recently adopted the Texas Cities Work campaign.  The City hopes to use this motto to remind citizens that many of the services we all tend to take for granted are provided by local governments; by public servants who are proud of what they do to help improve the quality of life in their communities.  Police and fire protection, street construction and maintenance, animal services, parks and recreation programs, water service, solid waste collection, and many other City services directly touch citizens’ lives every day, and City of Burleson employees are proud to provide those services. 

“Public service is a truly noble calling,” said City Manager Curtis Hawk.  “We would like for the greater Burleson community to be aware of the wide variety of services the City offers and of the pride our employees and elected officials take in providing them.  We also like knowing that participation in this public information campaign makes us a partner with other cities from around the state of Texas.”

TML makes several educational tools available to cities as part of the campaign.  The City of Burleson will be introducing the Texas Cities Work concept into the community in a variety of ways over the coming months.  The first place many citizens will notice the program’s distinctive three-gear logo will be on the City’s fleet of vehicles.  Two different styles of bumper stickers sporting the campaign’s logo and theme will be placed on vehicles in the City’s fleet over time.  Additionally, posters designed as part of the Texas Cities Work program will be hung in City facilities throughout the community and the program logo will appear on a variety of City publications.

The City of Burleson is part of a proud tradition of public service in Texas cities, so its representatives are proud to remind the community that Texas Cities Work!

Questions about this news release should be directed to the public information officer at 817-447-5400 ext 286.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

March 14, 2007

Storm Drain Marking Project Aims to Reduce Water Pollution

BURLESON, TX – They have recently been seen out marking storm drains in Burleson neighborhoods.  They are volunteers participating in a project to alert residents that dumping in storm drains pollutes area creeks, rivers, and lakes.  The City of Burleson sponsored this project as part of its effort to reduce nonpoint source pollution.   Keep Burleson Beautiful co-sponsored the project.

Much of the pollution in area creeks, rivers and lakes comes from common, everyday materials like fertilizers, pesticides, gasoline, used motor oil, antifreeze, litter and household chemicals.  These substances are washed by rainwater from our streets, yards, driveways and parking lots into storm drain inlets.  Contrary to what many people think, these storm drains do not lead to wastewater treatment plants.  They carry untreated storm water directly into area creeks, rivers and lakes.

Deliberate dumping of hazardous materials into storm sewers makes the pollution problem worse.  Motor oil is often dumped down storm drains, yet just one quart can ruin the quality of 250,000 gallons of water.  Dumping oil and other hazardous substances is illegal in Texas.  Residents are encouraged to recycle or properly dispose of these materials instead.

The marked message, “No Dumping, Drains to Creek” (photo attached) is there to remind citizens not to dump waste into storm sewers or contribute more pollutants to ordinary storm water runoff by littering, over-fertilizing or sweeping yard debris into the street.

Sheri Campbell-Husband, director of communication and environmental services for the City of Burleson, pointed out that storm drain marking has been used successfully in other cities to reduce nonpoint source pollution.  “Every citizen has a role in preventing pollution,” she said.  “These kinds of projects work because they get government, volunteer groups and businesses working together to solve a common problem.”

Matthew Williams and his fellow scout troop members kicked-off the storm drain marking project in February by marking inlets in neighborhoods near Bartlett Park and Fire Station #1. 

To volunteer for a storm drain marking project in your area or for more information, call the City of Burleson Environmental Services Division at 817-447-5410 ext 269.  

Questions about this news release should be directed to the public information officer at 817-447-5400 ext 286.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

March 12, 2007

Library to Host Presentation on Alzheimer’s

BURLESON, TX – If you or someone you care for has memory problems, increasing knowledge and developing communication skills can result in less stress and better care for those who suffer from memory loss.

The Alzheimer’s Association of North Central Texas Chapter is offering a program, “Understanding Memory Loss” on Thursday, March 22, 2007 at 1:30 p.m. at the Burleson Public Library, 248 SW Johnson Ave., Burleson, Texas.

Alzheimer’s disease affects people from every nationality.  Education is very important to help families understand what is happening to their loved one and to plan for the future.  Gerontologist Judy Budlong will give a basic overview of memory loss; what it is and how it progresses, as well as addressing care giving concerns. 

This program is free and open to the public. For more information about the program, call Judy Budlong at 817-460-7001 or Sandy Babb at 817-295-6131.

Questions about this news release should be directed to the public information officer at 817-447-5400 ext 286.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

February 8, 2007

Library to Host Texas Historian

BURLESON, TX – On Tuesday, March 6 from 6:30-8:00 p.m., the Burleson Public Library will welcome former Fort Worth Star-Telegram writer Jon McConal. This author event is offered free of charge and is open to the public.  McConal will discuss his book, Bridges Over the Brazos, and talk about recent adventures in his soon to be published book, Walking Across Texas.

Jon McConal is a retired columnist and contributing editor for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, and the author of three books. For his book Bridges Over the Brazos, McConal and his friend Eddie Lane drove more than 4,000 miles to visit 62 of the bridges that span the winding Brazos River as it makes its 923-mile trek across Texas. Along the way, they interviewed dozens of people who live in the shadows of these bridges, and stopped to enjoy down-home cooking in the local cafes.

Although retired, McConal shows no signs of slowing down. At age 69, he and pal Eddie Lane completed the 450-mile trek from Perryton in the Texas Panhandle to his hometown of Granbury. TCU Press has already agreed to publish the chronicles of this adventure in McConal’s upcoming Walk Across Texas.

The public is invited to the library for a relaxing evening and a retelling of many humorous Texas tales. Sandwiches and refreshments will be provided by the Friends of the Burleson Public Library. The Burleson Public Library is located at 248 S.W. Johnson Avenue, next to the Burleson Post Office. For more information about this event, contact library staff at 817-295-6131, ext 264.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

January 25, 2007

New Hidden Creek Parkway Open East of I-35W

BURLESON, TX – As of this week, a portion of the newly extended Hidden Creek Parkway is open to traffic.  On the east side of I-35W, drivers may now travel Hidden Creek Parkway between I-35W and East Renfro.

The construction of Hidden Creek Parkway from SH 174 east across the city to East Renfro is funded by the half-cent 4A Sales Tax, which was approved by the citizens of Burleson in 2000.

Construction of the parkway west of I-35W continues, as does work on the parkway bridge over I-35W.  This bridge is being paid for and constructed by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). 

For information about the Hidden Creek Parkway project, please contact the project engineer Lance Barton at 817-447-5400 ext 278. 

Questions about this news release should be directed to the public information officer at 817-447-5400 ext 286.

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