Your Village in 3 Minutes, 29 Nov 15

Friends,

     This is what has been happening over Thanksgiving.

1.  Town Hall meeting 14 December, 6:30 P.M. Municipal Building.

Present to the Village the terms of the contract with Sanctuary.  Our special guest will be Dr. Billy Hanks, who will share with you his plans for Sanctuary.  Our City Administrator, Lawyer, and Engineer will be present to answer questions and give legal detail.

2.  This is the official weekend for the beginning of Christmas in the Village and what a weekend has been planned.

     Thursday, 3 April,  5 P.M., the Christmas Parade down Main Street.  Please make plans to watch and participate.

     Thursday, 3 April, 7 P. M. the Robertson Plantation Gala.  Tickets are on sale now.  Please call  947-5232 for more information.  All proceeds go to the Salado Historical Society.  A win-win performance for everyone -- see the beautiful Robertson Plantation, help the Salado Historical Society, and get a tax write-off.

Friday, 4 December, the Christmas Stroll begins.  The town is looking festive and beautiful.  It will continue to be so.  Bring your family and friends.  Enjoy the sights, sounds, and shopping.  It is a memory-maker!

3.  Friday, 4 December, the 23rd performance of Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol.  What a joy it is to work with Jackie Mills, Kelly Parker, and Shannon Ashe. Concession Stand opens at 6:30 P.M.  Performance begins at 7 P.M.

4.  Saturday, 5 December, All Day, the Stroll continues.

5.  Monday is the last day to sign the letter to Federal, State, and County Officials concerning construction.  If you want a voice, here is your chance.  Letter is in the Information Center.

VR/Skip

Three notes on Construction

Friends,

1.  A note from TxDoT

"I just wanted to let you know that the remaining portion of the old Main St overpass that JCG has been working on will be demolished tomorrow morning (Saturday 11/20), beginning at about 8 AM. It will not require any lane closures or traffic control, as it will happen completely within the work zone behind the barrier.

I know it’s short notice, but the engineering plan just got done and was approved today, and they had the opportunity to get it done quickly, so they can forge ahead with the work in that area, rather than having to wait until after the holiday. They expect it to take only about an hour or less to complete, but in case anyone saw the process and was concerned, I wanted you to know about it so you can respond to any questions you may get.

If you have any questions or need more information, please let me know -

Jodi Wheatley

I-35 Information Officer

TxDOT/Waco District

2.  "Next week, you can expect a complete closure on both sides of I-35 between Belton and Salado on two nights. Check your daily closure reports for details.

Sunday, Nov. 22, the closures will start at 10 PM and end at 7 AM the next morning.

Monday, Nov. 23, the closures will start at 7 PM and end by 7 AM Tuesday morning.

And then – NO mainlane closures allowed (unless it’s an emergency!) until Sunday night midnight after Thanksgiving! Have a great weekend and drive safely!

Jodi Wheatley

I-35 Information Officer

TxDOT/Waco District"

3.  A note from James Construction:

"Just keeping you in the loop.   The 2484 Milestone #2 was completed today on schedule.'

Thanks,

Mike Killgore

Michael D. Killgore, P.E.

President

James Construction Group

VR/Skip

Your signature is powerful; now is the time

Friends,

    The letter is ready for your signature.  Worked on by various citizens, presented at the last Town Hall on Construction, and available at the Information Center; it will be sent to Federal, State, and County Officials, 1 December.

    The purpose is to solicit help in ending Construction that has crippled and harmed Salado.  For three years, Salado has endured 3.1 miles of I-35 Construction.  In the last 6 months, there has been improvement by TxDoT and James Construction, however, it is not enough.  We are now in the Christmas season, the major source of income for our businesses.  This income will help then through the winter months until Spring.  Surviving another 6 months is going to be difficult for those who have held on and kept going often without receiving a personal pay check.  It is more than "the cost of business;" it is personal self-sacrifice for the good of the Village.

    Your help is needed.  Please stop by the Information Center and sign the letter.  Nothing carries the weight of your signature.  It will only take a few minutes but it will make a difference.

    Another special request, this Christmas do your Christmas shopping in Salado.  It will help ease the financial loss to our businesses.  There are times when we can depend on no one else but ourselves.  Such a time as this is now.

    Thank you for your support in both of these endeavors.

    VR/Skip

Your Village in 3 minutes, 17 November 15

Friends,

1.  Many thanks to You for your work Saturday with Fall Clean-up sponsored by Keep Salado Beautiful.

The town looks nice and the lighted Christmas trees are spectacular.  Especially thanks to the Salado High School students who worked on the Municipal Building's flower beds and yards.

As one drives around the neighborhoods, the yard art and the fall decorations make our community look special.  With Christmas coming, it will be even more beautiful and festive.

"Thank you" to each and everyone.

Michael McDougal and Frank Coachman putting up Christmas Trees Saturday.

Wonder if they are for hire?  Thanks Aldermen for helping Keep Salado Beautiful.

2.  The low water bridges.

The re-building of the low water bridge on east Amity is scheduled to begin in December.  Anyone who travels that bridge knows how dangerous it can be especially for those who do not see well.  One slip of a turn and the cold water of the creek greets the driver and passengers.

Like many who work in our west and north communities, please start planning an alternate route.

The low water bridge by Sherrill Park will need attention soon.  The gravel from up/down stream is less than a foot below the surface of the bridge.  Another six months in a rainy season and the gravel will be even or over it.

A permit has been granted to clean about 25 yards from the bridge.  An estimate of $18,000 has been given to do the entire job.  The estimate is reasonable because of the equipment and care that has to be given.  For instance, nothing can be placed on the ground around the creek.  Every tractor scoop has to be placed immediately in a waiting dump truck and carried to another location.  It is labor intensive and time consuming.  Lone Star Construction has both the equipment and experience

To cover the expense, a golf tournament is being planned for spring.  However, the work may have to be completed sooner due to the gravel, weeds, and flood debris.  Susan Terry, Keep Salado Beautiful, has agreed to accept donations to have the work done as soon as possible.  So that your donation is tax deductible, please make it payable to Salado Community Foundation which is a 501-C-3 Foundation.  You will receive a receipt for your donation.  Your donation may be mailed to Keep Salado Beautiful, P.O. Box 895, Salado, Texas 76571 or given to Susan Terry.

Your gift will be a win - win for everyone -- for you, an end-of-the-year tax write-off; for the community, a great gift for keeping the creek healthy and clean.  It is promised that every penny given will be used to clean the creek and keep it cleaned.

Thank you for your consideration and generosity.

3.  James Construction and TXDoT have placed special lighted signs assisting people through the construction and downtown.  James Construction is also paying for an I-35 Billboard announcing Salado's Christmas activities.  Our Chamber Executive Director, Mary Posche is designing the Billboard.  Look for it soon.

4.  The Scottish Games brought many, many people to Salado.  From all reports, it went well and our businesses had customers.

VR/Skip

Your Village in 3 minutes, Saturday, 7 November

Friends,

1.  Last evening was the reception for Mary Posche, the Village's new Chamber of Commerce Executive Director.  In meeting with her, she is very experienced, well balanced in thinking and planning, an economic developer, creative, detailed, personable, and committed to Salado.

She has visited many businesses in Salado and a number of shop owners have visited her.  The doors of communication are open and she welcomes the dialogue.  From these conversations, she understands how critical the situation is and what is at stake.  Her job is not going to be easy.

Mary has said repeatedly that she need to talk and hear from you.  It is important that you take the opportunity to do so.  You will find her to be a good listener, a note taker, and one who will talk frankly about your concerns.  The time will not be wasted.  Her office is in the log cabin Information Center.

Finally, it is important the you take every opportunity to support her.  She will not only make a difference, she will have a plan forward.  And, it will be on the cutting edge of economic development.

2.  Tuesday evening, 10 November, 6:30 P.M. is the Town Hall meeting with TxDoT and James Construction.  The meeting, held in the Intermediate School Cafeteria on Thomas Arnold, will consist of presentations from Greg Malatek, TxDoT, Mike Killgore, President James Construction, and questions and answers.  There will be no time limit on this meeting; however, if it drags or ceases to be productive, it will be ended.

There is no doubt that all of us are tired of Construction, tired of being told one thing and hearing another, frustrated, angry, and disappointed.  Salado has suffered enough.  However, TxDoT and James Construction asked for this Town Hall.  Listen to their presentations.  When it comes to questions and answers, be prepared.   Ask the hard questions; be factual; be direct; and be to the point.  You may even want to write down your questions before coming.  If you want to get the point across, keep emotions in check.

The letter to every Federal, State, and County elected official is ready for your signature.  It will be at the entrance to the Cafeteria.  The more signatures; the better.  At least 4 people have worked on this letter and it is to the point.

3.  Thursday evening, 12 November, 6:30 P.M., Municipal Building, is the BOA workshop.  If you want to hear the latest on Sanctuary, this is the Workshop to attend.  The proposed agreement will be discussed by the Aldermen/Lady.  You will not have the opportunity to enter into the discussion but you will hear first-hand what is happening.  It is an open meeting.

4.  Our Police Chief was involved in a car accident Thursday evening.  Fortunately, he was not seriously hurt and no broken bones.  Released from Scott and White, Chief Hensley is home recovering from cuts and bruises.

VR/Skip

Halloween, 2015

Friends,

It was a great Halloween evening.  Wonderful children, many smiles, lots of fun, and no mishaps made this year's Halloween special.  Many thanks to the parents who escorted their children, and to the churches and organizations that gave candy and fun in a safe place at Wildfire Arena.

Here are some pictures of some very interesting Halloween characters:

Pretty, Pretty, Pretty!

Cool young ladies!

Not much candy, here!

Your guess is as good as mine!

And you find the mask?

On the move . . . so many houses, so little time!

This is Salado!

VR/Skip