The Little Lending Library that is bigger than big

Friends,

If you go for a short walk on the south side of St Joseph's Episcopal Church,  near the bell tower, you will find the Little Lending Free Library.  Look closely and you will find nice books to check-out and read -- children and adult books.  Operating on the "Honor system,"  find the book you desire and check-it out.  When finished, bring it back and check out another.

Sunday, was the dedication of this Nationally registered library.  In the service, Vicar Robert Bliss said, "We want to be a church that gives to the community and one that helps the people of our community.  We want to be a place where people can rest, peace, and know they are loved and cared for."

Here is a picture of the library:

Sometimes small packages carry huge contents.  This beautiful Little Lending Free Library is a gigantic gift to the community.  St Joseph's Episcopal Church, another organization that sets the standards high.  Thank you.

VR/Skip

Thank you, Rotary. What a gift!

        The Rotary gave the children and parents of our town a tremendous, much-needed gift -- the covering over the children's playground.  Words cannot express what that means to this community.
No more hot sand and lots of protection from a Texas sun equals a great place for children to play and parents to visit.  From all of us, with and without children, a most sincere and heart-felt thank you.

The Rotary, a dedicated organization of citizens that sets the standards very high.  Thank you!

VR/Skip

21 September, the Town Hall on Issues

Friends,

     The Town Hall on Issues is MONDAY 21 SEPTEMBER not 22 September.  It is 6:30 P.M. in the Municipal Building.

    The purpose of the Town Hall is to discuss issues such as Sanctuary, Construction, Roads, Annexation, Stagecoach, and business as well as other issues you deem important.

    It is your time to visit with the Mayor and ask any question you desire.  You will get the straightest answers possible.  No tap dancing; no hidden agenda.  Many of the answers you will know; others may be new information.

    Not only will you have this opportunity, but you will get an opportunity every quarter.  Communication is critical and no matter how one feels about Donald Trump, he has hit a nerve.  America is hungry for straight talk.

    In late November, there will be a Town Hall for the first quarter of the fiscal year.

    Of course the Aldermen/lady are invited; therefore the Town Hall will be posted.

    If not before, see you next MONDAY, 21 SEPTEMBER.

    VR/Skip

   



   

Your Village in 3 Minutes, 11 Sept 15

Friends,

1.  I-35 Construction --  Alderman McDougal chaired the Tuesday afternoon meeting.  The following is his report:

" Our 2:00 TXDoT meeting went ver well. We had 15 in attendance.  Grass cutting crews are in place to dress up the construction site, Salado plaza bridge preparation is on schedule, access roads have been cleaned up and no completion date changes.  We will go back to an every Tuesday meeting beginning next week. These are prime examples of what can occur when the decision makers begin to talk turkey .  Meeting on site has always been a good stationing plan !"

Monday, 6 P.M., Rick Lewis will take us on a tour of the work site.  We will see the new asphalt being laid for the detour road.  There is not doubt, James and TXDoT are getting ready for the Salado Plaza Bridge to come down the end of September.  Much work is going on at the intersection in front of the library.

Mike Kilgore, President of James Construction, will be down next week to tour the area and examine the work being done.  General Weber, Executive Director, TXDoT, was down recently.  Both are very interested in the progress.  

2.  New "Welcome to Salado Signs" on the Highway

This message was receive at 12:08 P.M. today:

"Steve from TXDoT called today and informed us that the "Welcome to Salado" signs are being installed this afternoon. These signs will be on skis so that they can be repositioned as progress is completed.  Locations:

(1)  Northbound side of IH35 before the Main Street exit

(2)  One coming into Salado on Main Street.  This one will be moved to the new exit by the Municipal Building when it is completed.

(3)  Southbound IH35 one at the 2484 exit

(4)  One at the Thomas Arnold exit"

3.  The VIP Volunteers did an excellent job repairing the green bridge downtown.  As you know, it was hit by a car with significant damage.  The Volunteers straightened and replaced the damage metal and picked-up the parts of a Buick car that hit it.  A HUGE THANK YOU TO THE VOLUNTEERS.

3.  Salado Volunteer Fire Department Annual Fish Fry is this Saturday, 12 September, 5 P.M.-8 P.M., Salado Intermediate Cafeteria.  $12 for Adults and $6.00 for children 11 and under.  

4. 21 September, Monday, a Town Hall with the Mayor.  Put it on you schedule.  6:30 P.M. in the Municipal Building.  Subject:  Salado Issues.

5.  Dees Antique Mall opened today.  10 Vendors.  Open Thursday thru Monday.  Thurs-Fri 10 A.M.-5 P.M.; Sat - 10 A.M. - 6 P.M.; Sun - Noon - 5; Mon - 10 A.M. - 5 P.M. Closed Tuesday and Wednesday.

6.  Chocolate and Wine Weekend, Sept 18-20.  

VR/Skip

Town Hall Just for You

Friends,

Please help get the word out:

This weekend, visiting the shops, came questions and suggestions such as:

(1)  Main street plans from Monday and Tuesday evening

(2)  Advertising – need for Highway Bill Boards

(3)  Construction

(4)  Stagecoach

(5)   Sanctuary

Regardless of location, people stop and ask “How are things going?  What is the latest on certain issues? “  It is difficult to answer questions in the grocery store,  church, restaurant, or wherever?  Emails are easier.  Write one answer; send to all.  However, many of the issues evolve in a matter of hours.  The 9 A.M. answer may change by 1 P.M.  Also, there are 5 Aldermen/Lady who may change their positions, and nothing happens without their approval.  

The best way to answer questions is frequently, in person.  Beginning 22 September, 6:30 P.M., a quarterly Town Hall will be held. It will not be scripted and you will learn the background of every decision made.  As former President Truman said, “the Buck stops here.”  Likewise, It stops with me.  You will get “Up-to-the-minute” answers to such issues as:

            Water Treatment Plant

            Sanctuary

            Construction

            Roads

            Annexation

            Deer and environment

            Naming buildings and bridges

            and any other topics.

            Where:  The Municipal Building. 

When:  Monday, 21 September, beginning at 6:30 P.M.

            Who:  Salado citizens and the Mayor.  The Aldermen/Lady are welcome.  It will be posted.

            Purpose:  Information.   Straight talk.– no tap dancing, no excuses.

             Let’s talk, let’s communicate, and let’s go forward.  The only thing to fear is fear itself.  (Churchill)  So, let’s talk, communicate, and go forward.

A Journey in the I-35 Construction Zone

Friends,

     Mondays, 6 P.M. James Construction gives me a tour of the I-35 Construction Project.  This is probably confusing but maybe the vision can be captured.  My apology for not making it clearer.

We are starting on the frontage road by Stagecoach and going north.  We will circle back over 2484 Bridge and go south.

This is the completed bridge on the east side of I-35.  Right behind me is Stagecoach.  At the other end of the Bridge is the Baptist Church.  Notice how the bridge looks.  Now look at the next picture.

This is on the west side of the bridge exactly opposite the above picture.  It is the bridge and road that washed out in the last rain.  Behind me is Thomas Arnold and in front of me is Holland Road Bridge.

When this bridge is completed in October it will look like the above bridge.

Just to the left of the above picture is the new I-35 bridge being completed.  Just to right of this bridge, about 20 yards is the bridge and road that washed out.  Again, see picture above.

The long beams were laid this week.  See the planks by the blue tractor.  They go on the long bridge beams and concrete is poured on top of them.  This process is fast according to James Construction.  

This is another picture of the bridge planks/pads/blocks.  See the beams above?

We are back on the east side looking at the service road.  Thomas Arnold Bridge is front of you.  To the left of the picture is the Church of Christ and to the immediate left is the Municipal Building (can't see it, but it is there.  Do you see the white pole behind the orange cones?  That is the new exit being built off of I-35.  See the picture below

The buildings on the far right are the Sewing Basket and Old Town Salado.  That is approximately where the exit will end.  Notice the dirt on the left.  The exit is being built now.

You are familiar with this bridge -- Salado Plaza Bridge.  Compass Bank is on the right; Cowboys on the left.  This road going north will be the detour road while constructing the new Salado Plaza Bridge.

This road will be 4 lanes going north and south.  Look at the next picture.

 Just behind me and the orange striped barricade is the old Salado Plaza Bridge.  About where the white truck is will be the detour off I-35.  Horizon bank is on the left.  No traffic will be detoured on our service/frontage roads.  It will all be in the footprint of the I-35 Construction.

This is another picture of the Detour Road.  Dave's Barbershop is on the right.  The Holiday Inn Express is north.  The 2484 Bridge can barely be seen.  Notice the white truck traveling down the service road.  

This is the detour road from the Thomas Arnold Bridge.  The old Salado Plaza Bridge is south.  Please know the Detour Road begins about 200 yards south of Salado Plaza Bridge and reconnects with I-35 just north of the 2484 Bridge.  Distance about a mile.

This is another picture of the Detour Road to the far left of the traffic.  By the way, the Detour Road will be part of the new I-35.

Have you seen this blacktop road from the 2484 bridge.  It runs South.  Robertson's is straight ahead.

This is the new frontage road.  I-35 is to the left.

Finally, see the stakes behind the orange striped barricade?

Look closely.  That is where the caves are.  CEFCO is to the right.

      I hope this is not confusing.  However a picture is worth a 1000 words.  Yes, James Construction is still saying this will be done before Thanksgiving.

VR/Skip

Salado Residents reaching out to help those in need

Friends,

      A very large number of Salado citizens attended Building Smiles, a fundraising campaign by the Body of Christ Community Clinic, last evening a TENROC Ranch.  The Body of Christ Community Clinic is a team of community volunteers who provide personalized, quality health services to those who need it and cannot afford it in the Belton and Salado area.

     The purpose of this event was to refurbish a building that was given to the Community Clinic.  The building will become a Dental Clinic for people who need dental work but have no money or insurance to pay for it.  Dentist and Dental Assistants donate their time and skill to meet the dental needs of the people.  This building will give them the space needed to provide such a service.

    This was the second year for the Banquet.  Last year, the event raised $65,000 which is being used to refurbish the building.  The sponsors of this year's event were Mike and Linda Cornett and Precious Memories Florist and Gift Shop.

     There were many donors who gave generous gifts for the Silent Auction as well as Table, Platinum, and Gold Sponsors.

     The live music by Joey Agee and friends was outstanding.

     The Community Clinic accepts no Federal funds; it is a non-profit organization that is solely supported by the general public and organizations.  Their goal is to give the best, most caring medical attention to those who are in need.  And, they do it as Oscar Martinez testified.

     This is the Spirit of Salado that reaches out and helps others in time of need.  Be proud of that spirit; celebrate it; and give thanks.

      "In as much as you have done it unto the least of these . . . ."

VR/Skip