Practice Makes Perfect

Friends,

Salado Middle School Talent Show is 20 February 7 P.M.  Whether you have children or not this is an event to support.  Why?  Well, here are glimpses of today's talent, leaders, and the pride of Salado:

twirling -- one more time before the stage practice

Fabulous, fabulous, fabulous -- Hollywood in the wings

She flew through the air with the greatest of ease . . .

Fingers that glide across the keys

You are going to be just great!

Practicing in the midst of friends

Boys will be boys!

This is how you do it!

DO NOT MISS THIS EVENT!!!!

VR/Skip

Working on the Village and Police Buildings

Friends,

The last Saturday in January a group of volunteers worked from 8 A.M. to 4 P.M. painting and refurbishing the Police Building and the Municipal Building.

Many, many thanks to the following:

Larry Roberson

Mike McDougal
Kim Foust
Paul Foust

Hans Fields

Skip Blancett

Dave & Sue Hahn

Eric Stewart from Window Genie

Doug & Sara Hansen

Food donations:

Bill and Jane Horton brought donuts for breakfast

Darlene Walsh brought pizza for lunch

Here are some pictures of hardworking volunteers:

Dave Hahn and trusted caulking gun

Kim and Sue discussing the right color of paint for the Police Building -- neon orange or chartreuse.

Where did everybody go?  Did they think this was going to clean itself?

Another Work Day is in the planning.  With enough volunteers we can finish both buildings.

VR/Skip

Park Ordinance, Naming the Municipal Building, and Environmental Concerns

Friends,

Several issues being worked by the Board of Aldermen (BOA) in the 19 February workshop are:

1.  An ordinance for Parks.  In the last BOA, the Aldermen/Lady began discussing Parks:  use, fees, clean-up, put-up and take down, and alcohol.  The Village Secretary, Douglas, and Kim were tasked with writing a new Park Ordinance.  Working through these issues are not as easy as one would think since outside state and county agencies are involved.  If there are individual issues concerning any of the above, please contact your Aldermen/Lady.  They make the policy and have the vote.

2.  Naming the Municipal Building, The Douglas Municipal Building.  It has been suggested that the Village Municipal Building be named after the Village's first Mayor, Charlotte Douglas.  Mayor Douglas worked hours upon hours organizing and implementing the first city government.  This suggestion came for Mayor Rick Ashe.

3. Environmental issues concerning two County areas and one ETJ area.  This is becoming a serious matter that may effect Salado quality of life.

As a reminder,

Please remember that there is a Town Hall meeting 17 February at 6:30 P.M., Middle School Cafeteria.  TXDOT and PCS (the construction company that bought James Construction will be our guests.

VR/Skip

News on the fly

Friends,

The following is some news you may or may not know:

1.  The Village Police Cars now have cameras paid from their annual budget.  Over the past several months, we have been inundated with national accounts of civil violence.  The cameras in our cars will protect our Policemen as well as our citizens.  They will also help eliminate "He said, They said" with proof of what actually happened.

2.  Riding in the Village Trolly with driver, Fred Brown, during the "Salado on the Rocks," was interesting and informative.  Here are some observations and comments from the participants:

     a.  not many Salado citizens participated.
     b.  not many stores stayed open, however, the ones that did had good sales in the late evening
     c.  the participants were between 21 and 40 -- lots of energy and fun
     d.  the majority had participated in "Salado on the Rock" or had visited Salado in the past.  99% of those offering comments seemed to enjoy the evening and spoke highly of the event.  When asked how it might be improved, they gave the following suggestions:
          -- If a free goodie bag is promised through advertisement, please give it.  At least 6 visitors mentioned that they were not offered or received one.
          -- Advertise better so that more people will come.  8 said they called the Village to find out about it; if they had not called they would not have known when it was.
          -- Approximately 11 participants said the price increase was fine, but they expected more from the price increase.
          -- 99% of those making comments thought a live outside band would be great.
          -- Many complimented the food and wine however some wanted more food.

100% gave an overall ("thumbs-up) for the event.

3.  Please do not forget the TXDOT Town Hall meeting is 17 Feb, 6:30 P.M., Intermediate School Cafeteria.  We need a good mixture of neighborhood people and shop owners expressing their concerns and experiences.  The more the better.

4.  Negotiations with Sanctuary will continue 24 February.  Subject is "Water Treatment Plant."  The meeting will be held in the City Lawyer's office.  It will not be an open meeting and by law, only two Aldermen/Lady may attend if they desire.  It was thought that other Aldermen/lady could attend if they only "listened."  However, according to our City Attorney, that is not true.  More than two Aldermen/Lady present constitutes an Open Meeting regardless of what they do or say.  However, the middle of April, there will be a Town Hall meeting to inform the community of all the on-going negotiations.  Please know that no negotiations will be enacted without the permission of the Aldermen/Lady.

5.  No new positions have been created in the Village Office.  There is no money to do so.  An Assistant to the City Manager position has not been created nor will it be created.  The Aldermen/Lady did fill the vacant part time position of Ordinance Code Enforcer with a Code Enforcer Clerk.  This is not a new position but filling a vacant position.

More information and reports will be forthcoming in the near future.  Keep reading the Village Voice and this BLOG.  Tell your friend, neighbors, and acquaintances.

VR/Skip

What do Vultures and Hotel Tax have in common?

Friends,

What do Vultures and Hotel Tax have in common?

They will both be discussed in Workshop, 19 Feb, after the Board of Aldermen (BOA) meeting.

In the last BOA, comments were made far and against both issues.  As always, it is important to listen to the citizens of our Village.

The Aldermen/Lady want to know your opinion.  These are issues that carry unintended consequences.  They will require wisdom from the community.

Another issue that has come to the forefront of our community is two settlements outside our ETJ and one inside our ETJ.  All three settlements appear to be violating county ordinances.  Kim will be discussing these issues with Mr. Eubanks of Bell County this week.  It will be on the agenda in our next workshop.

We are not trying to "police" or "enforce" the county nor are we trying to interfere with the County's business.  We ARE trying to make sure that the health and welfare of Salado and those who live near us are intact.  As elected officials, that has to be our number 1 duty.  This will not be sacrificed nor will it be ignored for fear that it is not politically correct.

VR/Skip

Thank you

Thank you for remembering Gayle in the loss of her mother, Claudia Stubblefield, Wednesday of last week.  Your cards and words meant much.

Thank you to Broecker Funeral Home for making an unexpected trip to Brownwood.

No funeral is planned as Gayle, her brother, and sister desire a private time to say good-bye to their parents.  Their father, Lester, died 5 months ago.

As Gayle says, "Death is very final."

Thank you for caring.

VR/Skip

P.S. The BLOG has not received its normal attention due to the unforeseen circumstances.  Beginning  today, information will begin flowing, again.  My apologies.

Holland Road Bridge -- 10 February

Friends,

    February 17, 6:30 P.M., Intermediate School Cafeteria, is the date and place.  Please put it on your calendar and be present.

    Please come prepared with your questions and comments.  It will very important to remain calm and focused.

    Here are the facts learned:

    James Construction sold to PCS.  When asked if James Construction went bankrupt, the answer was "no" and no reason was given.  TXDOT did not seem to be aware of the sell.

    The Holland Bridge will not be open until "1 March, hopefully."  At first it was 15 January, then 31 January, then 10 February, then 20 February, then 28 February, now it is "1 March, hopefully."

    There is not one inch of I-35 from our South City Limits to our North City limits completed.

    Beginning with the 2484 Bridge and ending with the Holland Bridge, not one Bridge has been completed.

    The "Main Street Intersection" also know as the Salado Plaza intersection (Cowboys, Library, Brookshires Gas Station) is a most dangerous intersection.  Coming from the South or the North, it is impossible to determine where the Chisholm Trail and Salado Plaza turns are located.

    The evening will begin with a Power Point from the Village, comments from TXDOT and PCS Construction, and questions and answers.

     Salado has suffered enough.  There needs to be a good showing to let them know that Salado has had enough.  If possible, we will record the evening.

     Thank you.

     VR/Skip