Baby Boomers, the Z Generation, and Salado today -- Read, Please

Friends, 

     Who lives in Salado today and who is moving daily to Salado.

     To understand Salado today and tomorrow, let me introduce you to two generations:

The Baby Boomers and older are valued citizens who bring experience, intellect, and wisdom to our Village.

However, it is the Z-Generation that is moving to our village and bringing with them a new experience, intellect, and wisdom.

You know the Baby Boomers and older.

Please meet the Z-Generation and their characteristics as described by Mrs. Crystal Deleon and Mr. James Cox, Army Marketing and Research Group:

Entering the world in the mid-1900's or later, they were born with their eyes open from the beginning, coming along in the aftermath of those cataclysms in the era of the war on terror and the Great Recession.  As a result they are:

Realists

Digital natives that can view and work on five computer screens simultaneously 

Multicultural -- 25% fly to meet with their friends around the world

Want to Work for success

Resourceful

Focused on the Future and driven

Savers

Entrepreneurial -- 72% want their own business someday

Mature -- Drug use, alcohol consumption, smoking, teen pregnancy at lowest levels in decades

Gender Neutral

Hyper Connected -- They are connected 10+ hours a day.

Multi-Tasters that can take in information instantaneously with an attention span of 8 seconds

Online is a tool for getting things done rather a place to be discovered.

50% spend their free time building new skills

85% use YouTube and other Social Media

25% left Facebook in 2014.  They prefer Snapchat, Instagram, and Whisper.

They watch 2 times as many videos on cell phones than TV.  

YouTube, Vine, Periscope and Meerkat are platforms of choice.

They receive over 3000 text messages per month.

Z Gen are influenced by influencers, not celebrities.

They prefer "real" people in advertisements and doing business.

They want to make a difference and believe they can.  They are researchers not surfers; activists not slacktivists.

Their main concerns:  economy, social causes, and environment.

More than 1/4 of America's population belongs to Gen Z; by 2020 it will increase to 1/3

They contribute $44 billion to the US economy; by 2018 will increase to 200 Billion

77% will work harder than previous generations; Beginning salary after college:  $46,799

50% want to retire before 60; 54% expect to work until age 61-70

74% prefer to communicate Face-To-Face with Colleagues

Gen Z is the first generation to be raised in the era of smartphones.  Most do not remember a time before social media

81% of children have a digital footprint by the time they are 2.

25% of toddlers have used a smartphone.

College Professors have learned they had better be accurate in their lectures; because Students are checking facts on the Internet as the the Professors teach.

Welcome the Z Generation. 

You see them every morning a 5:30 running, walking, and exercising

Every afternoon walking with their babies and children.

They are buying the houses and building new houses.

This is Salado today -- Baby Boomers and the Z Generation.

It is election time.  Vote for those who can relate to both.  The Z-Gen want real people --creative, smart, technically tuned.  

They want someone who can understand them; relate to them; and journey with them.

Who would those candidates be?

VR/Skip

You spell my name SKIP Blancett and you color in the bubble.

Your Village in 3 Minutes, Wednesday, 20 April

Friends,

The following is in the making:

1.  Tomorrow, 21 April, the Chamber leadership, Congressman Carter's representative, Cheryl Hassmann, and the Mayor are going to Austin for a meeting with TXDoT Executives selected by the Governor.  Our presentation is ready and solid.  We believe it will be a productive meeting with straightforward dialogue.

2.  Billy Helm will begin cleaning the low water crossing in the near future.  He is scheduling the work and will soon give a date.  The permit is in his very capable hands.  Thank you, Billy.  What a difference you have made with the Golf Course and our Village!

3.  Thank you to the many generous Salado citizens who gave to the the Cleaning of the Creek.  You are what makes Salado great.  For every dollar given, a very generous citizen matched your contribution.

4.  Plans for the Mayor to meet with the Developers and Engineers building around Salado city limits are in the planning stages.  The purpose is to listen to the concerns of the Developers and Engineers.  Being good neighbors depends on communication and dialogue.   In the past, any communication was done on a one-on-one basis.  This is the first time a joint meeting with all the Developers and Engineers is being scheduled.

5.  Many, many thanks for the Chamber sponsoring the Election Forum for Candidates running for office.  And, to those who attended.  It was an insightful evening.  Early voting begins Monday, 25 April and the election is 7 May.

6.  The Sewer Line Plans are at TXDoT for final review and approval.  Once approved, a permit will be issued and the plans will go forward leading for construction bidding. We are in the last phases before actual construction begins on the East and West side of I-35.  While the lines are being laid, the Waste Water Plant will be constructed on the six acres given to the Village.  Sanctuary will pay for all their sewer lines at no cost to the Citizens of Salado.  The Village of Salado will own the Waste Water plant and Sanctuary will pay the same fees for using it as Salado citizens.

Much is happening.  Read the Village Voice Newspaper and this blog for information.

VR/Skip

Salado: Academics, Scouts, and Making Salado Beautiful

Friends,

1.  "Could Reagan Win in 2016?" sponsored by Institute for the Humanities at Salado

     One of the best lectures.  Dr. Brands shared a side of Ronald Reagan that is not known unless one has studied Ronald Reagan in detail.  It was fascinating, entertaining, and thought-provoking.  In the end, there was not real answer.  The question can be debated from "Yes" or "No."  What is clear is the question of "Was Divine Guidance involved?"  Based on Dr. Brands research, in my opinion, it is nothing short of a miracle that Ronald Reagan became President.

Dr. Brands preparing to address the audience that filled the Civic Center.

Ian Deacons, Project for EAGLE SCOUT approved, working at the Salado High School with his Boy Scout Troop 122.

Boy Scout Troop 122, working at the Salado High School planting trees.

Cody Scolc (orange shirt) Salado High School will be the next Eagle Scout after Ian.  Scout Troop 122 has had 17 Eagle Scouts.   Three of them are Salado Students.

Saturday on Construction.  Working on 2484 Bridge.  

Hard working men and women of Keep Salado Beautiful working on the Sculpture Park.

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Your Village in 3 minutes, Saturday, 9 April

Friends,

Happenings in your Village

1.  Sewer Lines:  Our engineers have sent to TxDoT the Sewer Line Plans.  Once approved, a permit will be issued.  This is a major step that leads to the bidding process.

2.  The Permit for the Sewer Plant and the Deed to the six acres have been received.  That, too, will soon go through the bidding process.  While the lines are being placed in the ground, the plant will be built.  All must be completed by mid-fall next year.

3.  Stagecoach will begin renovation of their restaurant in June or early July.  According to the owner, it will take approximately 5-months to complete.  Their architects have contacted the Village Office for permits.

4.  TxDoT is pushing James Construction to have the Salado portion of I-35 completed by July, 2016.
This date is holding firm.

5.  A visit to the Governor's Office will be either 15, 17, or 18 April.  The completion date and the 3 million damage request will be at the top of the discussion list.

6.  The Mayor will be meeting with 6 Developers who are planning subdivisions in and around Salado in the near future.   The subject:  How can we work together for the good of Salado?

7.  Many, many compliments to the Chamber and the triple event of last week.  One of the reasons for success was the planning up and down Main Street.  It started with the Episcopal Church and went to College Hill.  Businesses up and down Main had equal opportunity to experience the crowds of people.  The rave reviews are still being heard like "there were more people in Salado for this event than the Christmas Stroll."

Great events this weekend.  Please take advantage.

VR/Skip

Your Village in 3 minutes

Friends:

    Here is the latest  news:

1.  Conversation with Bobby Littlefield, Regional TXDoT engineer, Waco

Key Points:

(a)  As long as James Construction is making progress there is little TXDoT can do to hurry the end of construction.  James Construction is making progress and there is one goal:  GET OUT OF SALADO AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.

(b) The visit to the Governor's Office has caused considerable conversation in the Capitol.  A second meeting is being arranged with the top leaders of TXDoT.

(c)  Littlefield has received our final drawings of the sewer lines.  They look good.  His engineers are studying them.  If all goes well, the TXDoT Permit will be received.

(d)  He asked if the Village was interested in taking over Main Street.  The answer was no.

(e)  James Construction continues to pay daily fines for not completing the project on time.

(f)  When asked for more State Troopers to patrol the construction, he said he talked this over with DPS and was told:

        (1)  State Troopers cannot write tickets when there is no space to pull a car over.

        (2) If the speed limit is lower, there is a chain reaction -- delays, road rage, and more accidents.

        (3) State Troopers are being pulled from this area and being sent to Border Patrol and Dallas.  Not sure why Dallas.

        (4) TXDoT is seeking permission to keep trucks in the right lanes on I-35.  Permission has not been received as of this date.

       (5)  When asked if trucks could be re-routed down 95.  The answer was "No."

2.  The second trip  to the Governor's office is planned for Friday, 8 April, 4 PM.  This meeting will be with the Major leaders of TXDoT.

3.  The Lion's Club raised $1150 for cleaning the Low Water Crossing.  One lady from Houston stopped her car and got out asking, "What is the purpose of this money?"
Dave Swarthout answered:  "To clean the Low Water Crossing."
The Lady:  " Oh, I love this town."  reached into her purse and placed 3 twenty dollar bills in the bucket.

By the way, thanks to the Lion's Club and an anonymous person that $1150 has been matched and is now $2300.  We are close to our goal of $18,000.  Thank you, everyone, for being so generous.

4.  During the triple event, a couple stopped and said, "Mayor, we are from College Station and our friends that live in town told us that Salado was dying.  They are wrong!  This town is not only doing well, it will continue to do well.  We are going to tell our friends they are hurting Salado with their negative words."

5.  Recently, an email came that said, "Please tell the Aldermen not to vote for tearing down Stagecoach."
     The response given:  "Their architect called this week asking for a permit to begin refurbishing Stagecoach in June.  No one is tearing it down."
     This information about June has been verified by two other reliable sources.  

6.  Want a success story?  One of our newest businesses in town has grossed $100,000 in sales in 6 months.

7.  Talking to Mike Cooper,  "The bridge really looks nice.  When I-35 is completed, Salado is going to be better than ever."

    "You are right, Mike.  Rick Lewis, insight engineer for James Constructions, says that every road he has ever built has benefited the town significantly.  People will want to stop and see this beautiful Village."



VR/Skip

Under Mayor:

Write-in: Skip Blancett
Color the circle or bubble.

The $1150 that grew to $2300 in two hours

Friends,

Thanks to the awesome Lion's Club, we are $1150 closer to our goal of cleaning out the gravel around the lower water crossing.  

With a matching grant, their $1150 grew to $2300.

We lack $1200 reaching our $18,000 goal.

And, who made this happen:  Every day citizens who gave and worked out of the love for their Village.

A huge, massive thanks to those who gave their Saturday to help with the low water crossing cause:

George Dentry

Gerry Reihsen 

         Lawson Grant          

   Dave Swarthout    

                         Joe Keyes                 

                         Ray Don

The Lion's Club -- A service organization that spells service in your name -- S-A-L-A-D-O.

Thank you from all of us.

VR/Skip

                      

                   

The triple event that has the state talking

Friends, 

      This years triple event -- Wine Tasting, Wildflower Art, and Edgy Art -- was the best ever thanks to much hard work from shops, merchants, the Chamber and Tourism, and the Village.  Here are a few pictures that spell S-u-c-c-e-s-s:

The Glass Works was working glass while the owner slept, undisturbed.

And in the Potter's House; people watched -- amazed, and remembered a similar story in another book.

There were those who just enjoyed the moment, the sunshine, and Salado experience.

Crutches stopped no one.  This was Salado  and the inconvenience was worth the experience.

They stood in lines, long lines -- children, youth, parents, and grand parents.

They asked to have their picture taken with the Mayor

.

And the Mayor asked to have his picture taken with the children.

The pets enjoyed the day experiencing new "sniffs" and strange people.

The bands played and played and the people clapped and danced.

Mike painted at Edgy Art.  The trees giving a welcomed shade.

Artists working with glass and answering questions.  

The 1st CAV Band played while the artist painted to the beat.

Hannah said, "Hi."  A wonderful work of art herself.  Her grandmother beaming with pride.

Barrow's Brewery opened for their first day and what a day it was.  No room to stand or sit inside.  Didn't matter there was room in the yard.

And for those who just wanted to play, have fun, and enjoy the weather.

This is Salado at it's best!

VR/Skip

Write in:  Skip Blancett

and 

Color the bubble or circle

for Mayor.