You Village in 3 Minutes, 29 May 16

Friends,

The election is over and now is the time to go forward.  The Salado Mayor Blog is back on the Village Website,  It was taken off during the election for fairness.

So let's get started.

1.  Are you enjoying Southbound traffic on I-35, across the new Salado Bridge?  Get ready for the Northbound traffic to be moved on the bridge in about 2 weeks.  And, the connection of the Salado Plaza roads (east and west) in three weeks. (As one mother said, 'I can't wait!  I don't have to drive three miles to get to the Sonic for my children!") This allows for the east frontage road to be completed.  As you know, the east frontage road is the present I-35 Northbound traffic, therefore when Northbound traffic is moved to the new I-35 Salado Plaza Bridge, the east frontage road will be completed.

Getting North and Southbound traffic on the new I-35 has been the Key to when the Salado Construction will be completed.  If the traffic switch occurred on or before 01 June, 16, the completion date would be September, 16.  The switch was made a week early therefore, September is the date.

Here are a few other things you may want to know:

c.  The Gateway signs' bases and electricity are planned and will be one of the last things done during the final phases of construction.  It is going to be done.  These electric signs are spectacular!

b.  The planters for trees, shrubs, flowers on the north and south side I-35 entrance are being made now.  Irrigation will be provided.  The planters are on the north side of 2484 and the south side of the Holland Road Bridge.  They can be seen traveling on I-35 southbound -- look to your right as you approach 2484.

c.  It appears there is much to be done and that the construction completion date of September 16 is not achievable.  In reality, there is much to be done, but it is not as complicated as the Salado Plaza Bride, 2484 Bridge, and the west frontage road crossing over Salado Creek; therefore, the completion date is holding fast with both TXDoT and James Construction agreeing both individually and collectively.

2.  What happens when the completion is done?  Much, much, much celebrating!  The Chamber of Commerce and the Village are in the planning stages of a "Saturday Celebration" for the entire community.  It will not compete with Christmas in October, a major event for our Village.  Christmas in October has priority.

2.  What about the sewer?

The final two permits, Corps of Engineers and the Environment, are being processed.

Once that is done and the final right-aways are obtained, bidding will begin followed by the awarding of the contract.  THERE IS NO IMMINENT DOMAIN! Timeframe according to our sewer engineer: October or sooner will be "pipe in the ground."  At the same time, the building of the Wastewater Plant will commence.  The 6-acres of land and the Water Treatment Plant Permit belong to the Village at no cost.  Estimated value -- $500,000 to a Million dollars.

All has to be completed and operational no later than November 2017.

Please know, Sanctuary will pay for all their sewer infrastructure to include hooking-up and sewer services.  The Village was never going to pay for it and will never pay for it.

3.  The Chamber of Commerce is hosting a "State of Salado Address," Tuesday, 14 June 16, Civic Center, 6:30 P.M.  This is a great opportunity, whether one is a new or old resident, to learn what is happening.  The Village will post this meeting so that Aldermen/lady can be present and address any issues.  The Mayor will preside and make the formal presentation.  

This is enough for now.  There is more.  Please read and share the Salado Mayor Blog with others.  Also read all editions of the Village Voice.  Their information is well researched and reliable.  Call and talk to the Aldermen/lady when you have question or need an answer.  You will get the right answers based on facts not rumors.

May you have a safe and meaningful Memorial Day.  VR/Skip

A moment of destiny -- Election time

Friends,

Election time has come and Salado will speak with conviction, insight, and love for their village. This evening, when the final vote is counted, the right decision will be made. Personally, I thank you for being who you are -- independent, balanced in thinking, fearless with steadfast tenacity, and self-confident that struggles and challenges are nothing more than speed bumps. You prove this daily. It is an honor to live here, to walk among you, and greet you when we meet.

Living and serving in this Village is a very special moment in life. "Yet, one cannot sit down and let it wrap around you . . . you have to plunge into it; you have to dive through it! And you can't save it; you can't store it up; you can't horde it in a vault. You've got to taste it; you've got to use it. The more you use, the more you have . . . that's the miracle of it." (Kyle Samuel Crichton)

Do I want your vote for Mayor? Sure.

Do I ask you to keep the same team that has given every spare ounce of strength these last 2 years -- Frank Coachman, Amber Preston, Michael McDougal, Dave Williams, and Fred Brown? Yes, more than ever.

The decision is yours. As Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote: Trust thyself. Every heart vibrates to that iron string . . . Difficulties exist to be surmounted. The great heart will no more complain of the obstructions that make success hard, than of iron walls . . . The great are not tender at being obscure, despised, insulted. Strong men {and women} greet war, tempest, hard times, which search till they find resistance and bottom. They wish, as Pindar said, 'to tread the floors of hell, with necessities as hard as iron.'"

Be the Village you are destined to be -- Vote and "accept in the highest mind the same transcendent destiny; and not people in a protected corner, not cowards fleeing in the face of difficulties, but guides, redeemers, and benefactors, obeying the Almighty." (written in 1833)

You are Salado, the best of the best in Texas.

Most respectfully, Skip Blancett

A Visit with the Mayor, Tuesday, 3 May, 6:30 P.M.

Friends,

Where:  The Deck at Range

When:  Tuesday 3 May, 6:30 P.M.

Why:  To give citizens the opportunity to discuss the issues with the Mayor.

Who:  This is a meeting strictly discussion between the Citizens and the Mayor.  Please, no candidates for any Public Office.  

Cost:  Your time.  This is for you and financially, it cost you nothing.

I look forward to answering your questions and hearing your concerns.

VR/Skip

The latest from TXDoT and I-35

Friends,

Our latest trip to Austin have produced the following results:

Report from Randy Hopman,  TXDoT 

1.        Gateway Signs – A letter agreement was executed between the Village and TxDOT to include construction of two Gateway signs in the IH 35 construction contract on December 31, 2012.  This work will be performed in the fall of 2016 by James Construction Group.

2.       TxDOT Waco District has had multiple discussions with your engineer, KPA on the sewer line permit.   It will be immediately.

3.       Both Terry and I have visited with James Construction Group about routine housekeeping within the IH 35 project limits.    JCG reported they have been cleaning the area of debris and it was looking better already.    Additionally, TxDOT authorized JCG to mow areas of weeds and tall grasses.    They have agreed.  

4.       Terry has requested a traffic control review team to ensure all proper signage, striping and markings are in place.   This review is being scheduled.  

5.       We met with Mike Killgore. President of JCG this week about the continued unacceptable slipping of the schedule.    TxDOT requested JCG to develop alternatives to regain time on the schedule.   Mike is in the process of submitting alternatives to TxDOT for consideration. 

     

6.     I am continuing to investigate options for Main St. and will report progress to the group.  

The meeting with Randy Hopman and Terry McCoy was 3 hours long with much straight talk.  James Bass, Executive Director of TXDoT came in for part of the meeting. 

This meeting was not in Vain.  TxDoT executives desire to come to Salado in the near future.  We are looking forward to their visit.

VR/Skip

A Great Day for Earth Day (Photos)

Friends,

      Many, many thanks for the people who made the best Earth Day ever.  Here are some vendors and newcomers.

Amanda makes the best cookies!

Visitors, citizens, and good friends!

They are not only glamorous, they are great artists.  

Never been to Salado before.  Chose our Village for their Anniversary.  

Real Honey -- bees are making real honey in the container behind his arm.  

A beehive on the move.

The Jazz band from the Army.  No one does it better!

Theses workers are Salado workers and they represent "Keep Salado Beautiful."

Spouses -- their husbands are playing in the Jazz Band.

They sell the best pepper and Watkins products!

One can learn much from these ladies!  They know Texas plants!

The Master Gardeners!  What great work they do and are so supportive of Salado.

The compliments of the Park and Creek were many. "Salado is a great place to come" was the most often comment given.

You are a super awesome community.

VR/Skip