2006 News Releases

12/18/06

12/10/06

E-CYCLING EVENT POSTPONED DUE TO WEATHER

The E-cycling event we had previously notified you about is being postponed because of the inclement winter weather anticipated for this weekend.  The event has been rescheduled for Saturday, February 3, 2007.  It will still be held at First National Bank of Burleson from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and all other information contained in the original news release (see below) remains accurate.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

December 21, 2006

City Hosts E-cycling Event January 20, 2007

BURLESON, TX – On Saturday, January 20, 2007 the City will host the Burleson community’s second E-Waste Recycling event at the First National Bank of Burleson (899 NE Alsbury, at the corner of Alsbury and the I-35W service road) from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Every holiday season, millions of people receive new home electronics.  But as quickly as the latest television, computer, digital camera, mobile phone, video game console, or mp3 player is unwrapped, the older model is quickly discarded – usually in a closet or attic.  This year, the City of Burleson and Keep Burleson Beautiful encourage people in the Burleson area to donate their used electronic items, instead of throwing them away.  Many of these products are still in perfectly good working condition and someone else might find them useful.  Those that are not still operational can be recycled for reuse, or disassembled and sold for parts. 

The City is partnering with ARC International Corporation for a special post-holiday collection.  Burleson residency is not required to participate and material from both residences and businesses will be accepted.
 
ARC will be accepting PCs, laptops, docking stations, terminals, monitors, keyboards, 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, cameras, and more.  They will also accept car and small truck tires and window air conditioning units.  For a complete list of the materials that will be accepted, visit www.burlesontx.com.  A list will be provided on the environmental services web page beginning December 27.

Most of these 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:

And to have ARC erase hard drives in computers will cost $3 per drive.

So if new electronics are part of holiday celebrations in Burleson, there will be a way to properly dispose of old materials just after the New Year!

For additional information about ARC International Corporation, visit www.arcic.com.

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

Release distributed by:
Sheri Campbell-Husband
Director of Communication & Environmental Services
City of Burleson
P: 817-447-5400 ext 286
F: 817-426-1906

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

December 19, 2006

City Makes Online Registration Available to Vendors

BURLESON, TX – For vendors interested in bidding for City contracts, doing business with the City of Burleson is about to get a lot easier.  Beginning January 15, 2007, vendors will have the ability to register with the City online, at no charge. 

Once vendors are registered, they can manage their own profiles and update commodity codes, insurance information or any other critical profile data.  When bids are posted, vendors matching that commodity code profile will automatically be notified of the bid so they can download it from the City’s website.

Purchasing Agent Sandy Bradley hopes this will increase the number of vendors bidding for City contracts.  “We are hopeful that making it quick and easy to register as a vendor will encourage more business owners to participate in the bidding process,” said Bradley, “Especially vendors from the local area.” 

Beginning in January, business owners who want to register with the City of Burleson may visit the web page for the purchasing division on the City’s website at www.burlesontx.com.  Then, they’ll just click on the vendor registration link to complete the process. 

For more information about the City’s purchasing policies and procedures, vendors may visit the web page referred to above or call 817-447-5400 ext 279.

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

Release distributed by:
Sheri Campbell-Husband
Director of Communication & Environmental Services
City of Burleson
P: 817-447-5400 ext 286
F: 817-426-1906

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

December 18, 2006

Progress on I-35W Ramps to Affect Driving in Burleson

BURLESON, TX – Signs of progress are visible along the I-35W corridor through Burleson in both the ramp relocation project and the widening of Renfro Street.

Ramp Relocation Project
The two new permanent ramps south of Hidden Creek Parkway (the southbound entrance ramp and the northbound exit ramp) are now open to traffic.  The next phase of construction in the ramp relocation project begins this week.

Renfro Street Project
The next phase of the project will begin in January 2007 and will widen E. Renfro Street and improve traffic flow at the intersection with I-35W.  This project will add a dedicated right turn lane to westbound E. Renfro Street where it intersects the I-35W service road.  This project is expected to be completed by late February. 

Questions about these road construction projects should be directed to the engineering staff listed below.

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

Sheri Campbell-Husband
Director of Communication & Environmental Services
City of Burleson
P: 817-447-5400 ext 286
F: 817-426-1906

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

December 15, 2006

Gift Certificates Now Available at Animal Shelter

BURLESON, TX – The City of Burleson Animal Services division is proud to announce a new program designed to help shelter animals and potential adopters alike.  Effective immediately, the Burleson Animal Shelter is offering holiday gift-givers the opportunity to purchase gift certificates that are good for the adoption of shelter animals.

Every holiday season, well-meaning parents, grandparents, and spouses venture into animal shelters across the country to adopt new pets for loved ones.  While animal care professionals applaud the decision to seek new pets from shelters, the decision to become a pet owner is a very personal one; requiring a tremendous commitment and a direct connection between human and animal.  So when the child who receives the pet is not really ready for the responsibility, or when the spouse who received the cat really wanted a dog, many animals end up being returned to shelters in the weeks after Christmas.  Or worse yet, simply abandoned out in the cold because people were too embarrassed to return them to the shelter. 

This year, well-meaning friends and family can avoid these kinds of problems by opting to purchase a gift certificate at the Burleson Animal Shelter.  According to Animal Services Supervisor Shelly Meeks, “This allows parents, grandparents, and spouses to give someone the opportunity to become a pet owner, but doesn’t force an unwanted animal on them.  We encourage people to buy these certificates and wrap them up in packages with a collar, leash, pet food bowl, or even a stuffed animal for the big day.”

Burleson animal services staff members hope that this new gift-giving option will increase the number of animals that will leave the shelter in the weeks after Christmas.  As importantly, they also hope this will increase the likelihood that those animals will be going into homes where they are wanted and where their new owners are fully prepared for the responsibilities of pet ownership.  Says supervisor Meeks, “If we accomplish that goal, it will be a great holiday gift for both the citizens and the animals of this community.” 

Burleson Animal Shelter Gift Certificates

The Burleson Animal Shelter is located at 1695 John Jones Drive, which is one mile south of the intersection of SH 174 (Wilshire Boulevard) and FM 731 (John Jones Drive) in Burleson.  The shelter is open Tuesday-Friday, 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. and Saturday, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.  For more information about Burleson Animal Services or the gift certificate program, call 817-447-5426.  Additional information about Burleson Animal Services is available online at www.burlesontx.com and recorded information may be heard by calling 817-447-5410 and choosing option 5. 

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

Distributed by:
Sheri Campbell-Husband
Director of Communication & Environmental Services
City of Burleson
P: 817-447-5400 ext 286
F: 817-426-1906

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

December 14, 2006

I-35W Closed to Traffic for Hidden Creek Bridge Construction

BURLESON, TX – This Sunday, December 17, from midnight until 8:00 a.m., the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) will be hanging bridge beams over the main lanes of I-35W for the Hidden Creek Parkway Bridge.

The main lanes of I-35W will be closed and all traffic on I-35W will be detoured to the service roads during the time the beams are being placed. The contractor has coordinated with the Burleson police department to assist with traffic control. Southbound traffic will exit at the Renfro exit and re-enter the freeway at the new entry ramp south of Hidden Creek Parkway. Northbound traffic will exit at the new exit ramp south of Hidden Creek Parkway and re-enter the freeway at the entry ramp north of Renfro.

Renfro will also be closed to eastbound and westbound traffic at I-35W. The contractor has been instructed to open the Renfro/I-35 intersection to emergency vehicles in the case of extreme emergency.

The public should prepare to detour around the I-35W/Renfro intersection whenever possible during this construction period.

Questions about this construction project should be directed to the City’s project engineer 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.

For Immediate Release

December 10, 2006

Contacts: S.A. Tom Crowley                                                             
(214) 435-5226                                                                                 
Sheri Campbell-Husband
Burleson, Director of Communications
(817) 447-5400 ext 286                                                     

ATF, BURLESON FIRE MARSHAL COMPLETE ON-SCENE
 INVESTIGATION INTO FIRE AT PALM HARBOR HOMES PLANT
           
BURLESON, Texas -- Jeffrey Fulton, Special Agent in Charge of the National Response Team, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and Stacy Singleton, Fire Marshal for the City of Burleson, announced today the completion of the on-scene investigation of the December 2 fire that destroyed the Palm Harbor Homes manufacturing plant in Burleson.

The ATF National Response Team members and the Burleson Fire Marshal’s Office completed their scene work late Thursday. “The investigators conducted in excess of 80 interviews and fully processed and documented the scene,” Singleton said. “The information developed was reviewed and analyzed to assist in determining the cause of the fire.” 

Based on the fire scene examination and witness statements known to the investigators at the time of the report, the investigators believe the fire began in the maintenance room.  Based on the extensive damage to the room and its contents, all possible accidental ignition sources could not be eliminated as a cause of the fire, which caused an estimated $7.5 million in damage.  The investigators uncovered no indication of criminal activity during either the scene examination or investigation. The official cause of the fire is classified as undetermined.

Fulton said he was “impressed with the cooperation exhibited by all agencies involved in this case. State, local and federal investigators worked together as a team to investigate the circumstances surrounding this fire.  

ATF is the federal agency with jurisdiction for investigating major fires and crimes of arson. More information on ATF and its programs is at www.atf.gov.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

December 4, 2006

ATF National Response Team to Aid Fire Investigation

BURLESON, TX – Burleson Fire Marshal Stacy Singleton announced this afternoon that he has requested assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) National Response team in determining the cause of the fire that destroyed the production plant at Palm Harbor Homes on Saturday.

The National Response Team is an ATF resource available to smaller communities when circumstances, such as a fire of this magnitude, require resources beyond what the community can provide on its own.  The fire marshal was careful to point out that the ATF’s involvement does not indicate any belief that the cause of this fire was anything other than accidental.  The city has simply sought out these additional resources to ensure that the investigation happens as quickly and efficiently as possible, given the scope of the damage.

The National Response Team is expected to be on site at the Palm Harbor Homes property sometime Tuesday morning.  Burleson fire crews expect to have the last of the fire extinguished by that time, so that the investigative phase of the process may begin. 

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

December 3, 2006

Fire Destroys Palm Harbor Homes Manufacturing Plant

BURLESON, TEXAS – This morning, the Burleson Fire Department is still on the scene of a multiple-alarm fire that broke out yesterday afternoon (December 2) around 3 p.m.  Fire crews are continuing to address hot spots in what remains of this facility where Palm Harbor Homes constructs manufactured homes.

During the night, representatives from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality arrived at the scene to assess any air and water-related hazards resulting from the fire and the efforts to put it out.  City public works crews worked with TCEQ officials to take steps to prevent water from the fire scene from draining into nearby Village Creek, as a precaution.  Air quality monitors determined that the smoke coming from the fire scene was not hazardous to the public, so fire crews have continued to battle the blaze with water over night.  

The call about the fire came in to Burleson fire dispatch at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday afternoon.  When the Burleson Fire Department arrived on scene, the approximately 80,000 square foot manufacturing facility at Palm Harbor Homes on South Burleson Boulevard (service road to northbound I-35 W) was already fully engulfed in flames.  No one was working in the plant facility on Saturday, as only the company's sales office is staffed on weekends, so there were no injuries associated with the fire.  Crews initially attacked the fire from the interior, but quickly had to pull out of the building because the roof was collapsing.  From that point, until well into the evening hours, crews fought the fire defensively from the exterior.    The facility contained significant quantities of construction materials including plywood, carpet, insulation, chemicals, et cetera, which fueled the fire throughout the night.  Firefighters from as many as nine agencies in the surrounding areas responded to the call for mutual aid while the fire was at its peak. 

The exact cause of the fire is still not known.  Once the fire is out, Burleson fire officials will be able to begin the task of determining what caused this fire and precise assessments of the damage can begin.  The Burleson Fire Department’s on-scene commander anticipates fire crews will be on this fire scene throughout the day today, continuing to address hot spots and assist Palm Harbor Homes and fire investigators as operations move into the investigation phase. 

Questions regarding any issues related to Palm Harbor Homes, in terms of numbers of employees, future business plans, et cetera should be directed to Palm Harbor Homes.

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

November 28, 2006

How to Know If Weather Closes City Facilities

BURLESON, TX – Texas weather is hard to predict. So how do you know when winter weather has forced City offices to close? Watch and listen to your local television and radio stations.

The City of Burleson notifies all of the following media outlets when winter weather conditions force the closure of City offices.

Questions about this news release should be directed to the public information officer at 817-447-5400 ext 286. (This information is also available via the City’s website at www.burlesontx.com.)

Sheri Campbell-Husband
Director of Communication & Environmental Services
City of Burleson
P: 817-447-5400 ext 286
F: 817-426-1906

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:      

November 27, 2006

Burleson Christmas Holiday Activities are Taking Shape

The Burleson Community always celebrates the Christmas season with flair and 2006 will be no exception.  On Saturday, December 9, the annual Parade of Lights will begin at 6:00 p.m., followed by the lighting of the community tree and a fireworks display. 

These activities will all take place in Burleson’s Old Town area.  The parade will take its traditional route from Kerr Middle School up Johnson Avenue to Ellison Street; then through Old Town to Main Street, and circling back through the adjacent neighborhoods to the school.  The community Christmas tree will be on the police department lawn at the corner of Johnson Avenue and Ellison Street and the fireworks will be visible along the parade route and throughout Old Town.

These activities will require that a number of streets in the Old Town area are blocked off beginning at 3:30 p.m. on December 9.  Drivers should be aware of the following street closures.

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 (attached) and copies of this news release and the PDF 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, please visit the website listed above or call 817-295-8168. 

FOR IMMEDIATE PUBLIC RELEASE:

November 9, 2006

Holiday Closures of City Facilities

City Holiday Closures and Trash Collection Schedules
With the holidays approaching, the City of Burleson would like to remind you that all Burleson municipal facilities will be closed on the following dates to allow City employees to celebrate the holidays with their families:

* Hidden Creek Golf Course is closed on Christmas Day and will close at 3 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day.  The course is open on all other city holidays.

*The Municipal Court will be open on December 22 but closed on December 26.

Solid waste (trash) collection schedules during these holidays are as follows:

Temporary Closures for Year-End Luncheon
Additionally, the City of Burleson’s annual Employee Awards Luncheon will be held on Wednesday, December 13.  To allow all City employees to attend this annual event, the public hours of operation at several City facilities will be affected.  Those facilities and hours are:

The City of Burleson apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciates the public’s patience in allowing all City employees to participate in this special and important event each year. 

The Employee Awards Luncheon is the City’s annual opportunity to recognize employees with service and attendance awards, various forms of departmental recognition and a special award for the Employee of the Year. 

Emergency response of public safety departments will not be affected by any holiday-related closures.

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

November 8, 2006

Unofficial Burleson Municipal Election Results

BURLESON, TX – On Tuesday, November 7, Burleson residents cast votes regarding one municipal proposition:

For/Against                   The Legal Sale of Beer and Wine for Off-Premise
Consumption Only.
A Favor/En Contra      La venta legal de cerveza y vino para consumo solamente fuera del establecimiento.

The Burleson City Council will canvass the votes from this election on Thursday, November 16 at 7 p.m., during the regular City Council meeting. 

The City of Burleson worked to conduct this election jointly with both Tarrant and Johnson County so voters would be able to cast their votes for national, state, county, and municipal elections on one ballot.  The unofficial results above are those being reported by election officials in Tarrant County and Johnson County. 

Questions regarding the conduct of the municipal election should be directed the city secretary at 817-447-5400 ext 277. 

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

October 31, 2006

Burleson’s City Secretary Headed to Garland

BURLESON, TX – Mary Kayser has tendered her resignation as Burleson’s city secretary to take that same position with the City of Garland, Texas.  The announcement came following the executive session of the October 26 City Council meeting.  

After serving the Burleson community for fifteen years, Kayser will leave on November 17 and will report to work for the City of Garland later that month.  Garland’s current city secretary is retiring at the end of the year after fourteen years of service to that city. Burleson is a community that spans the Tarrant-Johnson County line and has an estimated population of 30,300 people.  Garland is a community of 222,600, located northeast of Dallas. 

Kayser began her tenure in Burleson as a city records coordinator in 1991 and became city secretary in 1999.  A graduate of Texas Wesleyan College (now Texas Wesleyan University), she holds numerous certifications, including designations as a Texas Registered Municipal Clerk and a Certified Municipal Clerk. In 2005, she was also accepted into the second level of membership in the Master Municipal Clerk Academy of the International Institute of Municipal Clerks.   Kayser is an active member of the Texas Municipal Clerks Association, currently serving as a trustee on the association’s executive board.  She is also active in the North Texas Municipal Clerks Association, which she served as president in 2003 and which recognized her as its Municipal Clerk of the Year in 2001. 

Upon receiving word about Kayser’s appointment in Garland, City Manager Curtis Hawk expressed the sentiments of the City staff, saying, “Mary has given the citizens of Burleson and numerous City Councils fifteen years of dedicated and professional public service.  While we congratulate her on this new opportunity in Garland, there is certainly a feeling that Garland's gain is Burleson's loss.”

Speaking on behalf of the City Council, Mayor Ken Shetter said, “Mary Kayser has served the city very well for fifteen years and we are deeply appreciative of her service to both the City Council and the citizens.  This new opportunity is an indication of her abilities and of the respect that her peers have for her.  We are proud of the time that she has spent here and are very happy for her.”

The Burleson City Council is expected to name an interim city secretary at its November 16 meeting.  A timetable for hiring a permanent replacement has not yet been set.

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

October 23, 2006

Pancakes, Lights, Santa, and Fireworks Saturday, December 9

BURLESON, TX – The holiday season in Burleson will officially kick off on Saturday, December 9 with a series of events for the whole family.

It all begins on Saturday morning with Santa’s Breakfast at the Burleson Community Center, 7:30-11:30 a.m.  Everyone is invited to come have pancakes and sausage with Santa.  Children will have a chance to have their faces painted by Santa’s helpers and to make their own keepsakes in Santa’s workshop.  Parents should be sure to bring their cameras so they can capture the moments when their children get to sit on Santa’s lap.  Tickets are available now at the Burleson Community Center.  Admission for children is $2.75 in advance and $3.75 at the door; for adults it is $3.75 in advance and $5.75 at the door.  

On Saturday evening the Burleson Rotary Club hosts the annual Parade of Lights.  Cars, horses, and floats of every kind will feature lights and music depicting this year’s theme: Tots in Toyland.  The parade begins at 6 p.m. at Kerr Middle School and will wind up Johnson Avenue to Ellison Street and through Burleson’s Old Town.  Parade entry forms are available at City Hall, Burleson Public Library, Burleson Community Center, Service First Mortgage, or by visiting www.burlesontx.com.  For information about the parade, call Lisa Keese at 817-447-7300. 

Immediately following the Parade of Lights will be the official community tree lighting ceremony.  This special event is put on each year by the parks and recreation department.  Santa will flip the switch to light the holiday tree and then listen to children’s holiday wishes.  Then the evening will be capped off by a choreographed, low-aerial fireworks show.  The tree lighting, visits with Santa, and the fireworks will all take place on the lawn at the police department, at the corner of Johnson Avenue and Ellison.  For information about the tree lighting and fireworks show, contact 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:

October 16, 2006

Community to Host Workshop on Youth Violence

BURLESON, TX – On Wednesday, November 1 at 7 p.m., the Burleson Community will welcome Dr. James Garbarino for a special presentation about youth violence and keeping children safe.    The workshop is open to the public.  There is no admission charge.  The workshop is being held at Hill College@Burleson (130 E. Renfro) and is presented by Hill College and Texas Wesleyan University.  Garbarino’s presentation is titled “New Perspectives on Aggression in Boys and Girls.”

Dr. James Garbarino is co-director of the Family Life Development Center and Professor of Human Development at Cornell University.  He previously served as President of the Erikson Institute for Advanced Study in Child Development.  He is recognized as a leading authority on child development and youth violence and has appeared frequently on nationally broadcast news and information programs including ABC-TV’s “Nightline,” PBS-TV’s “NewsHour,” CNN’s “Larry King Live,” NBC-TV’s “Meet the Press,” and “The Today Show,” National Public Radio’s “All Things Considered,” and more.

Garbarino is the author of numerous books and publications about child development and youth violence including “Parents under siege: Why you are the solution, not the problem, in your child’s life,” and “Lost Boys: Why Our Sons Turn Violent and How We Can Save Them.”  He has been invited to make this presentation to the Burleson Community to help students, parents, leaders, friends and neighbors understand what each can do to help the community’s youth succeed in an increasingly violent and frightening society.  His is a message of hope about how communities can come together to create a more positive future for their children.

Numerous businesses, civic organizations, and individuals are co-sponsoring this workshop to make it available to the community at no charge.  Those already committed include the Burleson Rotary Club, Community Bank, The Star Group and Burleson Public Library

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

October 9, 2006

Burleson Taps Maria Reed as New Human Resources Director

BURLESON, TX – The City of Burleson has hired Maria Reed as the new director of human resources.  Reed, who has been the director of human resources and civil service for the City of Cleburne since 2001, first reported for work in Burleson today. 

Reed has extensive experience in human resources, in both the public and private sectors.  She began her career at the Southland Corporation, worked for six years at the Osteopathic Health System of Texas, and then moved into the public sector, serving both Tarrant County and the City of Cleburne over the past ten years. 

When asked about her move to the City of Burleson, Reed said, “I feel like this opportunity has been coming together for a very long time, and I am looking forward to getting to know everyone.  There are many things I’m hopeful for as the future comes our way, but, most of all, I’m hopeful that I can make a positive and helpful contribution for employees, management, and the City Council.”

City Manager Curtis Hawk is very pleased Reed is bringing her experience and expertise to Burleson.  Said Hawk, “Maria’s knowledge and experience related to staff development and employee training will be invaluable to this organization.  We are very fortunate to have someone of her caliber coming to lead our human resources department.” 

The department under Reed’s direction is responsible for employee recruitment and applicant testing, benefit management and employee compensation, workers compensation, risk management, and the City’s support services division. 
 
Questions about this news release should be directed to the public information officer at         817-447-5400 ext 286.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

October 2, 2006

Household Hazardous Waste Collection November 4

BURLESON , TX – On Saturday, November 4, 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 (FM 731).

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 November 4, call the City’s communications office 817-447-5400 ext 286.

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

September 19, 2006

City of Burleson Lifts Burn Ban for Areas Outside City Limits

BURLESON , TX – Effective immediately, the City of Burleson is lifting the ban on outdoor burning within its extra-territorial jurisdiction (ETJ); a ban that has been in effect since February.

Executive Order 2006-03 banned outdoor burning within 5,000 feet beyond the city limits in February, due to the hazardous conditions created by an extended drought. However, recent rains have brought enough moisture to allow county residents to burn the materials they have accumulated since that time. The fire code still prohibits outdoor burning within the corporate city limits of Burleson.

Fire Marshal Stacy Singleton plans to carefully monitor the drought situation and says that the ban in the ETJ could be reinstated, if conditions become hazardous again.

Johnson County lifted its burn ban on September 11. Tarrant County’s burn ban is still in effect, but the Commissioners Court will consider the issue at their next regular meeting.

Questions about the lifted ban about the rules for outdoor burning should be directed to the office of the fire marshal at 817-447-5400 ext 220.

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

September 7, 2006

City Recycling Challenge to Benefit Outdoor Learning Center

The Burleson Community is home to a wonderful resource. The Outdoor Learning Center on the Bransom Elementary School campus is a specially-created green space that serves as a hands-on classroom for environmental education. For the third year, Keep Burleson Beautiful is challenging Burleson residents to help the community win the national Cans for Cash City Recycling Challenge. If Burleson wins the 2006 competition, the prize money will go toward the facility and programs at the Outdoor Learning Center to benefit the entire community.

WHAT: This project is part of the City Recycling Challenge, which is a national contest that rewards cities for recycling aluminum beverage cans. Created by The U.S. Conference of Mayors and Alcan, the Challenge will award a total of $40,000 to participating municipalities for furthering recycling efforts.  As many as eight cities could win across four population-based divisions. That means that Burleson will be competing with other cities of comparable size across the country, and the cities that collect the most cans will win the cash prizes. 

WHEN: Cans will be collected September 15-26, 2006.

HOW: Cans will be collected at all Burleson I.S.D. campuses, so all residents can take their cans to the school nearest them.

WHY: 1) To raise awareness of the importance of recycling to preserve the Earth’s natural resources and reduce the amount of waste put into area landfills. 2) To encourage community spirit by bringing all of Burleson together in competition with other cities around the nation. 3) To benefit the tremendous environmental education programs being offered to the entire community at the Outdoor Learning Center.

FOR MORE INFORMATION about the City Recycling Challenge, call the 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:

August 29, 2006

Burleson Trash Bash Goes On the Road September 16

Burleson has it all…attractive parks and landscapes, vital and peaceful waterways…and litter. The City of Burleson and Keep Burleson Beautiful hope to change that as they invite area residents to join in removing from the community the litter and debris that ends up in area creeks, and ultimately in Texas rivers and lakes.

The Burleson Trash Bash is Saturday, September 16. This year, Keep Burleson Beautiful is taking the Trash Bash on the road, targeting multiple areas in the community where litter and debris tend to collect. Some areas being targeted for cleanup are in/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 flow in the community.

This is a way for individuals, families, church and civic groups, scout troops, etc. to have a direct and important impact on the community and on the statewide efforts to protect Texas waterways. The Trash Bash begins at 9 a.m. on Saturday, September 16. The cleanup activities will last until 11 a.m. Then all participants are invited back to Warren Park on Johnson Avenue for a pizza party, complete with door prizes for Trash Bash volunteers.

To make the most out of the Trash Bash, groups are encouraged to call in advance of the event to register and 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. There will be no central check in point on the day of the Trash Bash. 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 by Thursday, September 14.

The Burleson Trash Bash is supported by the Trinity River Environmental Education Society, Keep Texas Beautiful and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. Local sponsors of the event are the City of Burleson, Keep Burleson Beautiful, and the Burleson Rotary Club. Food and prizes for the event have been donated by Wal-Mart and Papa John’s Pizza.

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

August 4, 2006  

Two Construction Projects Impact NW Renfro

Questions regarding these construction projects should be directed to the department of engineering services at 817-447-5400 ext 303.  

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

June 15, 2006

McNairn Street Closure to Last Into Next Week

NcNairn Street in Burleson has been closed from SH 174 ( Wilshire Boulevard) to Sunnybrook for a water line construction project. The closure is expected to last until the middle of next week.

Detour signs have been posted on both SH 174 and Sunnybrook Road. From SH 174, the detour will take drivers along the access road to NW Wanda Way, allowing access to Sunnybrook. A map showing the road closure is attached.

Affected homeowners and businesses along McNairn Street have been notified of the closure.

Questions about the construction project or the road closures should be directed to engineering services 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.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

June 13, 2006

Next Phase of Hidden Creek Parkway Construction Begins Friday

BURLESON , TEXAS - On Friday, June 16, 2006, Hidden Creek Parkway east of Irene Street will be closed to traffic as the next phase of the Hidden Creek Parkway expansion project begins.

Residents who live east of Irene Street on streets connecting to Hidden Creek Parkway will need to access their homes via S.E. Gardens Boulevard.  During this phase of construction, Chisenhall Park, the Burleson Community Center and municipal pool will be accessible via Pleasant Manor.

Questions regarding this newest construction-related street closure should call Lance Barton, project manager, 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.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

May 30, 2006

Dispose of Household Hazardous Wastes Safely Year-Round

The Household Hazardous Waste Collection event sponsored by the City of Burleson on May 27 was quite a hit. In fact, so many people showed up for the event that the Crud Cruiser, provided by the City of Fort Worth Environmental Management Department, got completely full in less than two hours! According to Sheri Campbell-Husband, director of communication and environmental services for the City of Burleson, “The City of Burleson regrets that any of our residents might have been inconvenienced when we had to begin turning people away from the collection site. Unfortunately, the Crud Cruiser can only hold so much material, and the early birds to the event filled up that available space.”

The City of Burleson hosts two household hazardous waste collection events each year; typically one in the fall and one in the spring. These on-site events are made possible through the City’s contract with the City of Fort Worth Environmental Management Department, which owns and operates the Crud Cruiser and the Environmental Collection Center in Fort Worth.

It is important for Burleson residents to remember that, if they do not want to wait until the next collection event in Burleson, through Burleson’s contract with Fort Worth, they can take their household hazardous wastes to the Environmental Collection Center (ECC) year-round. The ECC is open Thursdays and Fridays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. It is located at 6400 Bridge Street in Fort Worth. (That’s less than a 30 minute drive from Burleson to properly dispose of materials that cannot go out with the regular trash!) Burleson residents may take their materials to the ECC for free. However, they must take a City of Burleson water or solid waste bill to the center as proof of residency to be able to drop off their household chemicals.

The City of Burleson recognizes that there is a tremendous demand for a way to dispose of household chemicals on a regular basis, and residents often ask why the City doesn’t host collection events more often. The answer is that there simply are not enough weeks in the year. The City of Fort Worth Environmental Management Department only conducts those on-site events on Saturdays from 9 – 11 a.m. The department staff then spends several days of the following week separating out the hazardous materials collected and arranging for their proper disposal. They have contracts with 29 metroplex entities to provide them collection and disposal services, including on-site collection events; and that’s in addition to serving and collecting from the citizens of Fort Worth. Some of the cities Fort Worth serves don’t even get to have two events in a year. Burleson is very lucky in this regard. Burleson’s next on-site collection event will be on November 4.

The City of Burleson appreciates those who support these semi-annual household hazardous waste collections and hopes that citizens will continue to properly dispose of this material either at the collection center in Fort Worth or at Burleson’s on-site events.

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

May 22, 2006

  Summer Concert Series Begins June 2

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Beginning Wednesday, May 24, Hidden Creek Parkway will be closed to all traffic between the I-35W service road and Hidden Oaks Trail.  This section of road will remain closed until Hidden Creek Parkway west of I-35W is completed; approximately 6-8 months.   

During this closure, Dobson Road and the portion of Hidden Creek Parkway between Dobson Road and Hidden Oaks Trail will be open to all traffic.   

• Hidden Creek Estates will be accessible from Dobson Road .
• Hidden Creek Golf Course will be accessible from the I-35W service road.
• Hidden Creek Sports Complex will be accessible from Dobson Road .

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

April 27, 2006

City Hosts Hazardous and Electronic Waste Collection Events

The City of Burleson will host two special waste collection events in May and June, each targeting items that need to be kept out of our regular waste stream to protect both the environment and the public health.

On Saturday, May 27, the City will host a Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Collection event at the Municipal Service Center at 1675 John Jones Drive (FM 731). From 9 to 11 a.m. household chemicals will be collected by the visiting Crud Cruiser from the City of Fort Worth’s Environmental Collection Center. Only material from Burleson residents may be accepted, so participants are asked to bring their City water or solid waste bill as proof of residency.

The Cruiser will accept residential waste, including: paint, antifreeze, batteries, acid, motor oil, fluorescent bulbs, pool chemicals, pesticides, transmission or brake fluid, degreasers, craft chemicals and aerosol cans. The Cruiser cannot accept ammunition, asbestos, building materials, PCBs, radioactive material, smoke detectors, or tires.

Anyone with large quantities of HHW is encouraged to take their items to the Environmental Collection Center (ECC) located at 6400 Bridge Street in Fort Worth. Burleson residents may drop off material there at no charge. Just like at the mobile collection site, only material from Burleson residents may be accepted, so participants are asked to bring their City water or solid waste bill as proof of residency. For information about the ECC’s hours of operation or materials accepted, please call 817-871-5257.

Then on Saturday, June 10, the City will host the Burleson community’s first-ever E-Waste Recycling event. As technology advances, there is a growing concern about the environmental impact of old computers, computer parts, and other electronic equipment when it is discarded. Many people who are concerned about the potential for doing environmental harm have been saving up their old electronics just waiting for a place to dispose of it properly. Now it is here.

On June 10, everyone in the greater Burleson community is invited to come to the First National Bank of Burleson at 899 NE Alsbury (corner of I-35W service road and Alsbury) to recycle their old electronics. The City is partnering with ARCInternational Corporation for the collection and their mobile collection unit will be on hand from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Burleson residency is not required to participate and material from both residences and businesses will be accepted.

ARC will be accepting PCs, laptops, docking stations, terminals, monitors, keyboards, 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, cameras, and more. For a complete list of the materials that will be accepted, visit www.burlesontx.com. A list will be provided on the environmental services web page.

The only item for which ARC will have to charge a recycling fee is televisions. There will be a $10 fee charged for each television dropped off at the event. All other items will be accepted at no charge.

For additional information about ARC International Corporation, visit www.arcic.com.

For additional information about either the HHW collection event on May 27 or the E-Waste Recycling event on June 10, call environmental services 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:

April 17, 2006

  Testing of Outdoor Emergency Warning System

On Saturday, April 22 at noon (12:00 p.m.), and then periodically during the week of April 24, the City of Burleson Office of Emergency Operations will be conducting maintenance tests on the City’s outdoor emergency warning system. 

Residents may hear test sirens sounding from the outdoor emergency warning system towers around noon on Saturday and then throughout the following week as maintenance tests are run to ensure that the system is fully functional heading into the heart of storm season in North Texas .

Director of Emergency Operations Stacy Singleton says that, while no stormy weather is currently forecast for this testing period, if the weather turns foul, the tests will be cancelled.  Says Singleton, “If the weather starts to look bad and people hear the sirens sounding, they need to assume the threat is real and take cover.  But we’re hoping the weather stays clear long enough to allow us to test without unnecessarily alarming residents.” 

Questions about the maintenance testing or the warning system itself should be directed to the director of emergency operations at 817-447-5400 ext 220.

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

April 10, 2006

Regional Warrant Roundup is Set for Week of April 24-30

Police officers and city marshals throughout the North Texas area will be conducting a region-wide warrant round-up beginning April 24, 2006 and ending on April 30, 2006. During this period of time, law enforcement officers from the North Texas Region will fan out throughout the area to arrest individuals with outstanding warrants pending before their respective municipal courts. Officers from several municipalities in Collin, Dallas, Denton, Tarrant, Johnson and Ellis Counties will participate in the roundup. Some of the cities that will participate in the roundup are: Dallas, Fort Worth, Burleson, Mansfield, Addison, Arlington, Carrolton, Coppell, Dalworthington Gardens, Denton, DeSoto, Euless, Fairview, Farmers Branch, Flower Mound, Forest Hill, Frisco, Garland, Grand Prairie, Haltom City, Hurst, Irving, Kennedale, Lake Worth, McKinney, Mesquite, Pantego, Richardson, Richland Hills, Rockwall, Rowlett, Sachse, Seagoville, Southlake, and Watauga.

People with outstanding warrants in the City of Burleson can avoid being arrested during the roundup period by contacting the Burleson Municipal Court of Record at 817-447-5360 or by appearing in person at 247 Elk Dr. Room #114.

The City of Burleson Municipal Court of Record will be extending their office hours to give people an opportunity to come in and take care of their outstanding warrants. During the month of April (only), the Burleson Municipal Court will be open the following extended hours:

• Every Saturday 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
• Every Tuesday and Friday 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
• April 14th the court will be open 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Please note that April 14 is Good Friday and a holiday for most people. The Court will open for 12 hours to give people with outstanding warrants an opportunity to come in. The City of Burleson will accept payments in cash, money order or Visa/Master Card (in person only).

Several cities conduct roundups at different times throughout the year, focusing on violators with outstanding Class C misdemeanor warrants, most of which are traffic related. However, this is the first warrant roundup that has been this widespread, involving such a large number of jurisdictions from several different counties.

Violators who are arrested will be taken before municipal court judges for arraignment and disposition of their cases. Therefore, every person with outstanding warrants is urged to avoid arrest by complying voluntarily during the month of April.

Questions about the warrant roundup or the special hours for the Burleson Municipal Court should call 817-447-5360.

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

March 27, 2006

  City Contracts to Build Wi-Fi Mesh Network

Citizens, businesses, and the City will soon have a new high tech tool at their disposal in Burleson.  The Burleson City Council has approved a contract with RedMoon Broadband and Chevron Energy Solutions for construction of a Wi-Fi Mesh Network in the city. 

T he new Wi-Fi Mesh network will support mobile applications for public safety, public works, community development, and other municipal service functions.  This will allow city staff to access information such as public safety reports, construction plans, digital video, water & sewer maps, and inspection reports more quickly while in the field, enhancing the speed and quality of service to residents and businesses in Burleson.  The network allows connections via consumer-grade wireless service, making accessibility to the network very broad, secure, and stable.  This means the network will reach areas that would otherwise be inaccessible. 

People who live and work in the Burleson community will see another benefit to construction of the Wi-Fi Mesh network as well.  Public spaces within the coverage area will provide wireless internet access for laptops and other digital devices.  Home users within the coverage area will also be able to access the network by subscribing to hourly, daily, or monthly services from RedMoon. 

The availability of this kind of wireless internet access is expected to benefit local tourism as well, because a reliable network will be a great convenience to business travelers and other visitors to Burleson.

The contract provides for RedMoon Broadband to install, operate and maintain the network.  The City will finance the majority of the costs to construct the network over a 7 year period with approximately 90% of these costs reimbursed by RedMoon.

Now that the contract has been approved by City Council, plans will begin for establishment of the network’s initial ten (10) square mile boundary, determining exactly what portions of the city the network will cover. 

Questions about the Wi-Fi Mesh network should be directed to Information Technology Director Mark Eder at 817-447-5400 ext 301.

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

March 21, 2006

Burleson’s Burn Ban Lifted

Following a weekend in which Burleson received 7.2 inches of rain, Burleson’s fire marshal is lifting the burn bans enacted by the City over the past several months.

Effective immediately, the ban on open flame fires at Burleson city parks, and the prohibition against burning that affected properties up to 5000 feet outside of Burleson’s city limits have been lifted.

According to Fire Marshal Stacy Singleton, officials at the Texas Forest Service are in agreement that the recent rains have provided enough moisture to reduce the fire risk. Johnson County officials chose not to reinstate the burn ban at the commission meeting held today and Tarrant County officials have plans to lift the ban during next week’s commission meeting.

Those who plan to engage in controlled burns need to be certain they comply will all relevant local ordinances. Anyone planning to cook outdoors using open flames is encouraged to be mindful of the condition of the vegetation in the specific area where they plan to burn and take the appropriate precautions.

Questions about the regulations on burning should be directed to the office of the fire marshal at 817-447-5400 ext 220.

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

February 24, 2006

Hidden Creek Parkway-Dobson Street Intersection Closing March 20

Beginning March 20, 2006 , the intersection of Hidden Creek Parkway and Dobson Street will be closed for construction. The intersection will be closed for approximately three weeks, depending upon the weather.

Detours (see map)

• Southbound traffic should use Renfro Street to detour to either Wilshire Boulevard (SH 174) or I-35W.
• Northbound traffic should use either County Road 714 or County Road 715 to detour to either Wilshire Boulevard (SH 174) or I-35W.

Owners of property along Dobson Street, near the intersection with Hidden Creek Parkway, will need to use the detour routes during this closure, but will be able to access their properties at all times during this phase of construction.

All City service departments, including fire and police, the Burleson Post Office, and the Burleson Independent School district have been notified of this impending closure and the alternative traffic routing requirements.

Parkway Construction Project

This project is part of the construction of Hidden Creek Parkway from SH 174 east across the city to East Renfro. To date, construction is ahead of schedule due to the dry weather. The parkway east of I35-W is scheduled to be completed in May 2006, while the parkway west of I35-W is expected to be complete in May of 2007. Construction of Hidden Creek Parkway is funded by the half-cent 4A Sales Tax which was approved by the citizens of Burleson in 2000.

The parkway bridge over I35-W is being paid for and constructed by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). Construction is expected to begin in the summer of 2006. For information about the Hidden Creek Parkway project, please contact the project engineer Lance Barton at 817-447-5410 ext 253. Information about the Hidden Creek Parkway construction project is available on the City of Burleson website at www.burlesontx.com. Just click on the Hidden Creek Parkway Project News icon on the home page.

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

February 2, 2006

Emergency Burn Ban Extends 5,000 Feet Beyond City Limits

The City of Burleson has enacted emergency regulations prohibiting the use of combustible materials in an outdoor environment, both inside the corporate city limits AND for 5,000 feet beyond the city limits.  The prohibition is effective immediately and lasts for seven (7) days. 

According to the executive order signed by Mayor Ken Shetter this morning:

Combustible materials include, but are not limited to, the use of all fireworks, discarding of cigarettes or other flammable materials, materials used in activities such as welding and any other activity that could result in a fire.  Where welding must be performed in the field, the following mitigating efforts will be in force until the fire emergency declaration has expired:

• All areas where welding, cutting or grinding operations are being performed will be free of vegetation for at least twenty-five feet (25’) in all directions;
• Surface around welding area will be wetted down;
• Winds speeds must be no more than fifteen (15) miles per hour while performing welding, cutting or grinding operations outside of barriers or enclosures;
• A dedicated fire watch person will attend each welder, cutter, grinder and any activity that causes a spark;
• A minimum of one (1) water pressure fire extinguisher per fire watch person is required;
• Each site will have cellular telephone communications for emergency response;
• All welding, cutting and grinding operations may be performed in a total welding enclosure, or "welding box," that is sufficently high to control sparks and includes a fire retardant cover over the top. Wind speeds must not exceed thirty (30) miles per hour while utilizing an enclosure;

Where welding (above ground and sub-surface) is required in an area where there is a potential for a hazardous atmosphere, barriers will be substitured for total enclosure (e.g."wind walls") to prevent sparks from coming in contact with any combustible material; The barriers will be installed to allow ventilation of the work area and ingress and egress to the work area for personnel safety; Sub-surface, or "bell hole," welding and grinding operations within approved excavations are allowed if all other mitigation efforts are included;

• In accordance with the Local Government code, a person who knowingly or intentionally violates this order commits a Class C Misdemeanor, punishable by a fine up to $2,000.00.

The Mayor has signed this order on advice from the fire marshal in the hope that curtailing the use of all combustible materials will mitigate the public safety hazard posed by wildfires during the current drought and severe weather condition.

This executive order follows adoption of Ordinance B-742 on January 26.  This ordinance amended Chapter 38 of Burleson’s Code of Ordinances, allowing Burleson to regulate open burning within 5,000 feet of the corporate city limits during drought conditions.  Chapter 418 of the Texas Government Code (also known as the “Texas Disaster Act of 1975) grants the Mayor authority to issue an emergency order prohibiting or restricting outdoor burning upon certain determinations of the fire marshal; those determinations including the existence of drought conditions.  The resulting executive order may not be continued for more than seven (7) days unless renewed by a vote of the City Council.  Burleson’s City Council will consider such an extension of this order at their February 9 regular meeting. 

Questions about the burn ban should be directed to Fire Marshal Stacy Singleton at 817-447-5400 ext 220.

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

February 1, 2006

Burleson Home and Garden Show

February 11, 2006

On Saturday, February 11, the City of Burleson and Keep Burleson Beautiful will host the Burleson Home and Garden Show at Kerr Middle School ( 517 SW Johnson Avenue in Burleson).  From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., vendors, master gardeners, and other featured speakers will demonstrate the latest technology in home and garden supplies as well as tried and true gardening and decorating techniques.  The Burleson Rotary Club will have a concession stand open, with the proceeds benefiting Keep Burleson Beautiful. 

Admission to the event is:

Parking will be free. 

 

There is still limited vendor space available for the show.  So anyone who would like to have their business featured at the Burleson Home and Garden Show should contact the Burleson Parks and Recreation Department at 817-295-8168 for more information. The vendor registration deadline is February 8.

This is the second time Burleson has hosted this special event, and more than 600 people attended last year.  So everyone in the Metroplex is invited to come for some fun and fabulous information about making their homes and gardens beautiful this spring, and vendors are encouraged to seize this opportunity to grow their business. 

For more information about the Burleson Home and Garden Show, call 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:

January 6, 2006

Open Flames Banned at City Parks

Effective immediately, the City of Burleson is imposing a temporary fire ban on all open flame fires at all City park facilities.  This fire ban includes all types of fires including cooking fires using propane gas, wood or charcoal.  This ban is in line with the burn bans that have been declared by both Johnson and Tarrant counties.  This ban shall last as long as Johnson County has their burn ban in place.

Signs will be posted at selected parks to make the public aware of the current ban on open flame fires.  These selected parks are those where there are permanent grills installed, picnic tables and/or evidence of past open flame campfires.  Periodic patrols will be made by fire prevention personnel on a daily basis to enforce the burn ban.

Section 101.4 of the 1997 Uniform Fire Code gives the fire marshal the authority to impose such a ban and this code was adopted by the City with ordinance B-649.  This step is being taken because the current drought has created dangerous conditions that will allow a fire to gain in strength and size quickly if given a chance.  Citizens need to be aware of the current fire danger and know that they should immediately report to the Fire Prevention Department any unsafe fire conditions that they may see.  It is important that we all be attentive to help prevent fires during these drought conditions.

Questions about this open flame ban should be directed to Fire Marshal Stacy Singleton at 817-447-5400 ext 220.

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

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