Friends,
1. Salado Plaza is about to be re-surfaced. Mill Road will also receive a re-surfacing in the near future. This is part of FY15 Road Plan. While this is being done, cracks in other roads are being sealed with hot tar. Crack sealing is necessary to keep the roads in good repair while waiting to be resurfaced. Thanks to Mike McDougal's committee, the 5-year plan is underway. More roads will be re-surfaced in FY16.
2. Thomas Arnold Project is underway with curbs. Soon it will be surfaced, too. The re-surfaceing will go from Main Street on the East side to West Village Road on the West Side.
3. James Construction is reviewing the contract to add pay for our Policemen to work overtime during the day while I-35 traffic is being re-routed. There may be a need to pay for other off duty Policemen from local communities to help with the traffic when school starts. If the contract allows it, James Construction will pay the same rate as they do at night. There will be no charge to the Village.
4. Instead of shops closing, buildings are selling for new shops. The yellow house and cottage (formerly known as Essengees) on the road going into Pace Park has sold. The building on 110 Main Street has sold also. Charlottes of Salado has sold also. There are rumors that other buildings have sold also but this has not been confirmed. Old Town Salado has no empty stores as they are full.
5. The next Evening with the Mayor will be for service organizations and religious institutions.
Held in the Municipal Building, 11 August, 6 P.M. An Evening With the Mayor has no agenda. Its format is questions and answers with suggestions and recommendations.
6. BLUE MOON SHOPPING IS TONIGHT, 31 JULY. GREAT TIME TO START THINKING ABOUT THAT GIFT FOR A SPECIAL SOMEONE OR BIRTHDAY OR CHRISTMAS. SUPPORT OUR STORES, PLEASE. IT IS IMPORTANT FOR ALL OF US.
6. Snow Cones with the Mayor for children (age, that depends on you) will be 22 August from 10 A.M. until Noon. Made especially by the Mayor's Family, they are free.
VR/Skip
Friday, July 31, 2015
Wednesday, July 29, 2015
Summary of meeting with PSC CEO and James Construction President
Friends,
Yesterday, in a Killeen meeting with David King, CEO of PSC Construction and Mike Kilgore, President of James Construction, this was discussed:
1. The traffic problem that will be experienced when I-35 is detoured down the frontage roads. Even for a short distance, it is going to present a problem. "Traffic down the heart of Salado, is not a solution to this problem. The two frontage roads will not support the traffic. There will be accidents, injuries and deaths from the accidents, and people who are angry and frustrated. Our citizens and customers will catch the blunt of this anger and frustration."
They agreed that immediately after this meeting in Killeen, they would travel to Salado to personally look at the problem. They had a meeting with TEXDoT officials at 5:30 P.M. in Austin.
2. Both officials said they were going to do all they could to get as much construction completed as possible before Thanksgiving, the beginning of serious Christmas shopping. In response, "The bridge needs to be completed in three months not four. Four months is too long for the Village. We are especially concerned about I-35 traffic when school starts. There is not money to pay our policemen overtime. Daily, we need money to have more than one policeman on duty. Protecting the safety and health of the Village is of great importance and straightforwardly, it cannot be done without our policemen working additional hours."
The officials agreed that the amount of traffic will cause disruption to parents trying to get their children to school. They will look into the police contract that pays for policemen to work overtime on the construction site. Response, "Our Policemen need additional hours during the day as well as night."
They agreed and will look into it immediately.
3. The street between Wells Gallery and the Pizza Restaurant and runs between the Church of Christ and Municipal Building will be examined for repair and complete re-paving by James Construction at no cost to the village.
The officials will look at the street when they make their afternoon tour of Salado.
4. Both officials repeated that "Salado has suffered enough from the construction and they will do all they can to complete the construction before Thanksgiving. We realize that the Christmas season is especially critical to the Salado's business. We are glad that Salado sent the letters to the Federal and State elected officials. It helped to get us, the Village, and TEXDot on the same sheet."
Response: "Good. In the next few weeks, there will be a second letter with a construction update going to the same elected officials. Salado appreciates the work that has been done on the construction the last months, but it cannot end. We are serious about December and now before Thanksgiving. Your work is your bond and keeping your schedule is of utmost importance. Do this and we will be more than appreciative of your efforts."
Yesterday, in a Killeen meeting with David King, CEO of PSC Construction and Mike Kilgore, President of James Construction, this was discussed:
1. The traffic problem that will be experienced when I-35 is detoured down the frontage roads. Even for a short distance, it is going to present a problem. "Traffic down the heart of Salado, is not a solution to this problem. The two frontage roads will not support the traffic. There will be accidents, injuries and deaths from the accidents, and people who are angry and frustrated. Our citizens and customers will catch the blunt of this anger and frustration."
They agreed that immediately after this meeting in Killeen, they would travel to Salado to personally look at the problem. They had a meeting with TEXDoT officials at 5:30 P.M. in Austin.
2. Both officials said they were going to do all they could to get as much construction completed as possible before Thanksgiving, the beginning of serious Christmas shopping. In response, "The bridge needs to be completed in three months not four. Four months is too long for the Village. We are especially concerned about I-35 traffic when school starts. There is not money to pay our policemen overtime. Daily, we need money to have more than one policeman on duty. Protecting the safety and health of the Village is of great importance and straightforwardly, it cannot be done without our policemen working additional hours."
The officials agreed that the amount of traffic will cause disruption to parents trying to get their children to school. They will look into the police contract that pays for policemen to work overtime on the construction site. Response, "Our Policemen need additional hours during the day as well as night."
They agreed and will look into it immediately.
3. The street between Wells Gallery and the Pizza Restaurant and runs between the Church of Christ and Municipal Building will be examined for repair and complete re-paving by James Construction at no cost to the village.
The officials will look at the street when they make their afternoon tour of Salado.
4. Both officials repeated that "Salado has suffered enough from the construction and they will do all they can to complete the construction before Thanksgiving. We realize that the Christmas season is especially critical to the Salado's business. We are glad that Salado sent the letters to the Federal and State elected officials. It helped to get us, the Village, and TEXDot on the same sheet."
Response: "Good. In the next few weeks, there will be a second letter with a construction update going to the same elected officials. Salado appreciates the work that has been done on the construction the last months, but it cannot end. We are serious about December and now before Thanksgiving. Your work is your bond and keeping your schedule is of utmost importance. Do this and we will be more than appreciative of your efforts."
Monday, July 27, 2015
Brief Summary of Shop Owners' Evening with the Mayor
Friends,
Last evening was the Shop Owners' Evening With Mayor.
The questions were excellent and the suggestions even better.
The new owner of the two creek-side yellow buildings going into Pace Park (former Essengees) as well as 110 Main Street announced the purchase and wants to help refurbish Main Street.(Refurbishing Committee -- here is a potential member.)
Main Street safety -- cross walks, lights, signage, and sidewalks were among the suggestions
Unity in the closing and opening of shops -- time and days -- staying open one-evening a week or month.
Advertising -- Billboards, social media, signage, etc.
During special events like the Stroll, have one designated parking spot and trolley people into down.
Have containers with plastic bags to pick-up and discard pet feces.
Work closely with the Chamber.
The questions were primarily around construction. TEXDoT is being asked to give a simple, easy to understand description of open and closed exits, flow of traffic, and protecting Main Street during the construction of Salado Plaza Bridge.
Sewer and Sanctuary were briefly discussed.
The meeting lasted about an hour and twenty minutes.
VR/Skip
Last evening was the Shop Owners' Evening With Mayor.
The questions were excellent and the suggestions even better.
The new owner of the two creek-side yellow buildings going into Pace Park (former Essengees) as well as 110 Main Street announced the purchase and wants to help refurbish Main Street.(Refurbishing Committee -- here is a potential member.)
Main Street safety -- cross walks, lights, signage, and sidewalks were among the suggestions
Unity in the closing and opening of shops -- time and days -- staying open one-evening a week or month.
Advertising -- Billboards, social media, signage, etc.
During special events like the Stroll, have one designated parking spot and trolley people into down.
Have containers with plastic bags to pick-up and discard pet feces.
Work closely with the Chamber.
The questions were primarily around construction. TEXDoT is being asked to give a simple, easy to understand description of open and closed exits, flow of traffic, and protecting Main Street during the construction of Salado Plaza Bridge.
Sewer and Sanctuary were briefly discussed.
The meeting lasted about an hour and twenty minutes.
VR/Skip
Sunday, July 26, 2015
Bridge Closer: Excellent article from Village Voice
Friends,
Please read this excellent article on the Salado Plaza Bridge Project written by Tim Flincher, Village Voice:
Please read this excellent article on the Salado Plaza Bridge Project written by Tim Flincher, Village Voice:
James
Construction crews will begin work this week on connecting Salado Plaza to
Williams Drive on the west side of I-35, which will require the closure of the
N. Main St./FM 2268 cross-under of the I-35 mainlanes.
This major
change in traffic patterns, as well as the new contract end date of March 2016
were the major disclosures stemming from the Texas Department of Transportation
community meeting July 23 at Salado High School.
When work
begins on the new Salado Plaza Drive/Williams Road connection, drivers
traveling south on the access road will not be able to turn east at Cowboy’s
Barbecue in order to cross under the interstate.
Drivers
traveling north on either the northbound access road or N. Main Street will not
be able to proceed west underneath the interstate during the construction of
the new overpass of I-35 over Salado Plaza Dr./Williams Rd.
Drivers
traveling south from Belton can connect to North Main Street at the entrance to
Salado Plaza by taking the FM 2484 exit, crossing over the highway and
traveling south on the eastside access road and then turning on Main..
Drivers
traveling east on Salado Plaza Dr. or Mill Creek Dr. can turn either south or
north on Main St. Those who turn north can then travel north on the access road
until they can enter I-35 northbound north of the FM 2484 overpass. Those who
turn south on Main Street can reach the southbound I-35 main lanes by crossing
over the interstate at the FM 2268 bridge and then turning south.
I-35 Schematic showing Thomas
Arnold Bridge to Salado Plaza Dr. overpass
Construction
on the Salado Plaza Dr./Williams Rd. section of the 3.4 mile project is
expected to finish by December 2015, according to Mark Jones, area engineer for
TXDOT out of the Georgetown area office, which is overseeing the Salado
expansion project on behalf of the Waco District of TXDOT.
Jones told
the audience that the design for this section moves the overpass south to line
up with a direct connection of Salado Plaza to Williams Rd. The
intersection will have turn-around lanes as well as four traffic lanes at the
Main Street connection so that drivers can turn south or north on Main St.
Jones
reported to the audience that TXDOT has refocused its efforts on the Salado
expansion project and expects that it will be “substantially complete” by
December 2015 with total completion of the project by March 2016.
This
expedited timeline has resulted in traffic flow changes that have made it more
difficult for locals and travelers to maneuver through and to Salado. It should
bring the construction project to an end almost six months earlier than
projected at the last community meeting in February. At that meeting, Jones
said that the anticipated end date was August 2016.
“I think
that shocked everyone,” Jones said.
Following
that meeting, a petition with more than 150 signatures and endorsement from the
Village of Salado Board of Aldermen and Salado Chamber of Commerce was sent to
Gov. Greg Abbott, Senator John Cornyn, Congressman John Carter and other
elected state officials.
The
executive director of TXDOT met last month with village, business and Chamber
representatives as well as James Construction representatives to address the
delays and to expedite the completion of the project.
Since that
meeting, TXDOT officials have been meeting weekly with James Construction and
Village of Salado representatives to open communication between the entities in
an effort “to get the job done,” Jone said.
The initial
contract for the Salado expansion was $70.4 million with an end date of June
2015. As of the end of June, James Construction had completed just over 50
percent of the total project, according to the TXDOT website.
The FM 2484
bridge is halfway complete. The Thomas Arnold bridge is completed but sidewalks
are not accessible yet due to handrail issues. The FM 2268 bridge is completed
with the exception of striping the traffic lanes.
Jones said
that crews are working diligently south of the Thomas Arnold overpass to build
the southbound access road bridge over Salado Creek as well as the southbound
mainlanes bridge over the Creek.
TXDOT closed
the southbound access road south of Thomas Arnold after the pavement of those
lanes were damaged by the May flood. By closing those lanes, James
Construction crews can concentrate on the construction of the structures there
to complete them in a timely fashion. How long the southbound access road south
of Thomas Arnold will remain closed was not answered during the July 23
meeting.
During a
question and answer session that followed Jones’ remarks, a resident asked
whether Salado Creek Road will become a cul-de-sac or will have connectivity to
the southbound access road. Jones could not answer the question due to
unfamiliarity with the specific area. However, the schematic from the TXDOT
website shows that Salado Creek Road will connect to the southbound access.
The
schematic also shows that when the project is completed, the southbound access
road south of Thomas Arnold bridge will not have an entrance ramp to I-35 south
until south of FM 2843 (Florence Road).
When the project is completed,
entrance back onto Northbound I-35 mainlanes will be just after the FM 2268
bridge. The next entrance ramp will be more than three miles north just before
the Amity Road bridge, which is part of the Belton project.
Saturday, July 25, 2015
Your help, please
Friends,
A special request.
Lately, the Village Office has received several telephone calls from people who do not identify themselves and talk extremely rude to the Village employees. Their language usually includes cuss words and verbal abuse.
The Village employees do not deserve this treatment. They work very hard and do their very best to answer questions and give accurate information.
Guidance has been given to remain friendly, polite, and helpful if possible. However, if vulgar language, abuse, or threats are given, they will say good-bye to the caller. Verbal abuse and threats will be given to our Police Department and telephone provider.
In this climate of national violence, no chances will be taken.
VR/Skip
A special request.
Lately, the Village Office has received several telephone calls from people who do not identify themselves and talk extremely rude to the Village employees. Their language usually includes cuss words and verbal abuse.
The Village employees do not deserve this treatment. They work very hard and do their very best to answer questions and give accurate information.
Guidance has been given to remain friendly, polite, and helpful if possible. However, if vulgar language, abuse, or threats are given, they will say good-bye to the caller. Verbal abuse and threats will be given to our Police Department and telephone provider.
In this climate of national violence, no chances will be taken.
VR/Skip
Shop Owners' Evening with the Mayor
Friends,
Monday, 27 July, 6 P.M., is the Shop Owners evening to meet with the Mayor. Please help tell other Shop Owners. The latest information will be given.
It is realized that most of you are exhausted at the end of the day. The beginning of the day would be much better, but that is work time also. It is promised that an hour will be the limit.
The Citizen's Evening with the Mayor went very well. The questions were excellent and the comments well received. The open and straightforward communication were beneficial.
The agenda is your agenda. Therefore, none is posted. This session is not like the one the Chamber did a couple of weeks ago. It is just conversational talk -- nothing more, more less. The Aldermen/lady may attend and comment if desired.
This session is for shop and business owners.
Hope to see you, look forward to listening to you, and will try to give you the best answers possible.
VR/Skip
Read carefully If you missed the Construction Town Hall meeting.
Friends,
The Cafeteria was approximately 3/4 full for the Town Hall Meeting. Your interest and participation were appreciated. The questions and answers were clear and beneficial.
The take-away is the following:
1. On 27 July, Monday, serious construction will begin as the Salado Plaza/Old Mill bridge is taken down, moved, and re-constructed.
2. The project will take approximately 4 months.
3. Get ready for I-35 to be closed for a short distance. The traffic will be routed down the frontage roads -- East frontage road will have North bound traffic. West Frontage Road will be used for South bound traffic. The intersection of Salado Plaza and Old Mill Road will be difficult. 2484 bridge will be open and used extensively; the same with Thomas Arnold. Traffic down Main Street, the heart of our Village, will be controlled as much as possible. We want it to be safe and convenient for shoppers and visitors; we do not want a steady stream of trucks and cars traveling through making it unsafe and frustrating.
4. Of concern, is school traffic. Our Superintendent is working with the Village to make it as safe and easy as possible. Our Police will be involved. HOWEVER, THERE IS ONLY SO MUCH THAT CAN BE DONE. It is going to take careful planning by all of us to keep our children safe.
5. The good news is that this is the last major phase of the project and while this is being done; the other road work will be completed.
6. Both James Construction and TXDoT are in agreement -- December is the month set for all major construction to be over. There may be some last minute clean-up in early January, but construction will be open and all exits and lanes done.
7. Some have started planning their alternate route to work. For people working North, Royal to Blackberry/Amity is a good alternative. For people working South, Banes to Holland Road is a good alternative.
The bottom line is the next 4 months will try all of us. Please be patient and considerate. There is going to be inconvenience that cannot be helped. For the construction to be over, we have to go through this final phase. We will keep you updated through the Village Voice and this Blog.
VR/Skip
The Cafeteria was approximately 3/4 full for the Town Hall Meeting. Your interest and participation were appreciated. The questions and answers were clear and beneficial.
The take-away is the following:
1. On 27 July, Monday, serious construction will begin as the Salado Plaza/Old Mill bridge is taken down, moved, and re-constructed.
2. The project will take approximately 4 months.
3. Get ready for I-35 to be closed for a short distance. The traffic will be routed down the frontage roads -- East frontage road will have North bound traffic. West Frontage Road will be used for South bound traffic. The intersection of Salado Plaza and Old Mill Road will be difficult. 2484 bridge will be open and used extensively; the same with Thomas Arnold. Traffic down Main Street, the heart of our Village, will be controlled as much as possible. We want it to be safe and convenient for shoppers and visitors; we do not want a steady stream of trucks and cars traveling through making it unsafe and frustrating.
4. Of concern, is school traffic. Our Superintendent is working with the Village to make it as safe and easy as possible. Our Police will be involved. HOWEVER, THERE IS ONLY SO MUCH THAT CAN BE DONE. It is going to take careful planning by all of us to keep our children safe.
5. The good news is that this is the last major phase of the project and while this is being done; the other road work will be completed.
6. Both James Construction and TXDoT are in agreement -- December is the month set for all major construction to be over. There may be some last minute clean-up in early January, but construction will be open and all exits and lanes done.
7. Some have started planning their alternate route to work. For people working North, Royal to Blackberry/Amity is a good alternative. For people working South, Banes to Holland Road is a good alternative.
The bottom line is the next 4 months will try all of us. Please be patient and considerate. There is going to be inconvenience that cannot be helped. For the construction to be over, we have to go through this final phase. We will keep you updated through the Village Voice and this Blog.
VR/Skip
Wednesday, July 22, 2015
Town Hall Meeting
Purpose: Prepare the Village for the last major Construction phase -- Salado Plaza Bridge movement beginning 27 July and going through November -- Major
Where: High School Cafeteria
Time: 6:30 P.M.
When: Thursday, 23 July
Who: TEXDoT and James Construction
This is information concerning Salado Plaza Bridge. There will be a time for questions and answers concerning this last phase.
Tuesday, July 21, 2015
Just looking for answers
Friends,
As a Village, we have gone through some "bumpy times" that have left us asking,"Where are we going?" "When are we going to get there?" "What are we going to do?"
These are three true stories that will not answer these questions, but an answer might be hidden in between the lines.
1. Baseball Hall of Famer Yogi Berra declared, "The future isn't what it used to be." Although that may be true, it's the only place we have to go. Your potential lies ahead of you -- whether you're eight, eighteen, forty-eight, or eighty. You still have room to improve yourself. As a Spanish proverbs says, "He who does not look ahead remains behind.
2. Composer-cellist Pablo Casals was in the final years of his life. When asked, "Mr. Casals, you are 95-years-old and the greatest cellist that ever lived. Why do you still practice 6-hours a day?"
Mr. Casals' answer: "Because I think I'm making progress. That is the only way to continual growth."
General George Patton told his troops, "There is one thing I want you to remember. I don't want to get any messages saying we are holding our position. We are advancing constantly."
If you think you can "hold your ground" and still make the journey, "you are mistaken."
3. Horace Walpole said, "In science, mistakes always precede the truth."
Kellogg's Corn flakes resulted when boiled wheat was left in a baking pan overnight.
Ivory soap floats because a batch was left in the mixer too long and had a large volume of air whipped into it.
Scott Towels were launched when a toilet paper machine put too many layers of tissue together.
As Gail Sheehy asserted: "If we don't change, we don't grow. If we don't grow, we are not really living. Growth demands a temporary surrender of security. It may mean a giving up of familiar but limiting patterns, safe but unrewarding work, values no longer believed in, relationships that have lost their meaning. As Dostoevsky put it, "taking a new step, uttering a new word, is what most people fear most." The real fear should be just the opposite.
So what is the answer to the above questions? Simply, our journey is evolving and we must grow with it. As Dr. William Osler once told a group of medical students in 1892, "Think not of the amount to be accomplished, the difficulties to be overcome, or the end to be attained, but set earnestly at the little task at your elbow, letting that be sufficient for the day."
VR/Skip
As a Village, we have gone through some "bumpy times" that have left us asking,"Where are we going?" "When are we going to get there?" "What are we going to do?"
These are three true stories that will not answer these questions, but an answer might be hidden in between the lines.
1. Baseball Hall of Famer Yogi Berra declared, "The future isn't what it used to be." Although that may be true, it's the only place we have to go. Your potential lies ahead of you -- whether you're eight, eighteen, forty-eight, or eighty. You still have room to improve yourself. As a Spanish proverbs says, "He who does not look ahead remains behind.
2. Composer-cellist Pablo Casals was in the final years of his life. When asked, "Mr. Casals, you are 95-years-old and the greatest cellist that ever lived. Why do you still practice 6-hours a day?"
Mr. Casals' answer: "Because I think I'm making progress. That is the only way to continual growth."
General George Patton told his troops, "There is one thing I want you to remember. I don't want to get any messages saying we are holding our position. We are advancing constantly."
If you think you can "hold your ground" and still make the journey, "you are mistaken."
3. Horace Walpole said, "In science, mistakes always precede the truth."
Kellogg's Corn flakes resulted when boiled wheat was left in a baking pan overnight.
Ivory soap floats because a batch was left in the mixer too long and had a large volume of air whipped into it.
Scott Towels were launched when a toilet paper machine put too many layers of tissue together.
As Gail Sheehy asserted: "If we don't change, we don't grow. If we don't grow, we are not really living. Growth demands a temporary surrender of security. It may mean a giving up of familiar but limiting patterns, safe but unrewarding work, values no longer believed in, relationships that have lost their meaning. As Dostoevsky put it, "taking a new step, uttering a new word, is what most people fear most." The real fear should be just the opposite.
So what is the answer to the above questions? Simply, our journey is evolving and we must grow with it. As Dr. William Osler once told a group of medical students in 1892, "Think not of the amount to be accomplished, the difficulties to be overcome, or the end to be attained, but set earnestly at the little task at your elbow, letting that be sufficient for the day."
VR/Skip
Sunday, July 19, 2015
Who reads the Mayor's Blog
Friends.
It is always interesting to learn who is reading this blog and why.
Since it began in June of last year, these are the countries who have read it and the number of times:
Last Week these are the countries that read it and the number of times:
It is always interesting to learn who is reading this blog and why.
Since it began in June of last year, these are the countries who have read it and the number of times:
Last Week these are the countries that read it and the number of times:
The number who have read it in the United States, hopefully most of this number is Salado and Bell County:
15,629
Last Week: 441 VR/Skip |
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