NE_Newsletter_August2008
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Northeast News Tarrant County - Precinct 3
“Working together for a better tomorrow”
August 2008 Volume No. 1 ~ Issue No. 2
Welcome back to the second and time spent away from family and
edition of our Northeast News! Our friends. According to the North Cen-
first edition was very well received tral Texas Council of Governments,
and our thanks to all of you who this congestion costs our region over
emailed comments back to us. We $6 billion dollars a year. That’s about
enjoy putting this together because we $1,000.00 for each man, woman and
feel we are creating a vehicle that pro- child in the Metroplex per year. Traf-
vides useful information to the citizens fic congestion is also the number one
of Precinct 3. cause of poor air quality. For these
This edition will focus on trans- reasons alone, we must look at every
portation. As your Commissioner, I feasible mode of transportation for
feel we need to look at all types of moving people and goods. Our health,
alternatives available to reduce con- economy, and sanity demand that we
gestion, improve mobility, and im- pursue this.
prove the quality of the air we breathe. Also in this edition, we’ll discuss
I believe that to ignore this issue and Regional Rail for Tarrant County and
not look at all possibilities is a great the DFW area, and High Speed Rail,
disservice to you, the taxpayer. We to connect major metropolitan areas in
must see what other communities have Texas. These two modes of rail trans-
done and what works and what doesn’t portation represent two very different
work. No shoe fits every foot and no types of mobility.
Commissioner Gary Fickes
system will work for every commu- Our Economic Development and Rex
nity. article will focus on the City of Keller,
What I do know for sure is that and our Historical Moment is written
the average commuter in the DFW by Joyce Gibson Roach, editor of The Inside this issue:
area spends 57 hours a year stopped in Pathfinder, the historical preservation Employee Spotlight on Mary Ann Rike 2
congested traffic. That’s almost one journal of the Town of Westlake. Trent Petty - JPS Board Appointee 2
and a half weeks away from your job 14th Annual Texas Rangers Organ 2
Donor Game
Question of the Month: Name the three elected Presidents of The Republic of
Texas (1836 - 1845). Email your answers to: ggfickes@tarrantcounty.com Scott Bradley Retirement 2
National Association of Student 2
Councils Annual Conference
Age: 5 years old
Where I Came From: Rescued from the Animal Shelter in Springtown, TX. Economic Development - Keller 3
Gender: Male (neutered, but he doesn’t know it)
Breed: Lab, Catahoula, Blue Heeler —some other stuff… who cares? Dedication of Gertrude Tarpley 3
Favorite Snack: Puppy tenders from Chicken Express. Community Health Clinic in Watauga
Least Favorite food: Broccoli
Favorite Person: The person who fed me last! Rex A Story: The Value of the JPS Clinics 3
Favorite Non-Person: My pet frog that lets me carry him around and lays in the shade
with me, watching birds. He hops off when he gets bored. Facts Regional Rail 4
Favorite Toy: My stuffed bear, Muffy. Texas High Speed Rail 4
An Historical Moment in Time 5
Precinct 3 Fundraiser for United Way of Tarrant County Precinct 3 Maintenance News 5
Friday, October 10th, 11:30 - 1:30 at the Economic Stimulus Money 5
NE Sub-Courthouse 645 Grapevine Highway in Hurst Tarrant County Veterans Services 5
>>> $5.00 for a Brat or Hot Dog, Chips, Soda and Cookie <<< Answer to Question of the Month 5
Opportunity to win one of our gift baskets. Tickets 3 for $5 or 7 for $10 available between Bulletin Board 6
Tuesday, September 30th and Friday, October 10th at the Commissioner’s offices in the NE
Sub-Courthouse and Southlake Town Hall. Drawing is Friday, October 10 at 1:30 P.M.
Transportation - Helpful Websites 6
Need not be present to win Northeast County Contacts 6
I was born and raised in a On a more personal note ~
sport-fishing community What do you like most about your job? “Interacting with people,
called Sheepshead Bay in both within Tarrant County and with the public.”
Brooklyn, New York. Gradu- What do you do for fun? “Travel with my grandson, ride recumbent
ated from James Madison trikes with my husband, crochet baby blankets.”
High School and hold an As- Favorite movie? “Lots, but probably ‘Gone With The Wind’ and
sociates Degree in Political ‘The Never-Ending Story’”
Science from Tarrant County Favorite Restaurant? “Steak and Ale (I love a good prime rib!)”
College.
Vacation Spot? “Anywhere along the ocean”
My first job was with Pan
American World Airways in Last Book Read? “Flashback” by Penny Coleman”
New York City followed by Mary Ann Rike, Executive Secretary for People would be surprised to know… “I was an avid skydiver in my
twelve years with British Air- Commissioner Precinct 3. youth with over 77 freefall parachute jumps to my credit.”
ways where I met and married
my husband, Ted, in Los An- After leaving the aviation Meals On Wheels once a week, If you had the ability to save
geles, California. Prior to industry when our daughter, and donating platelets at Carter someone’s life... would you?
marriage, I was never home— Karen, was born, I owned and BloodCare Center a couple of
wanted to see the world and I operated a donut shop in Bel- times a month, I volunteer as an Donate
did—from Australia and the ton, Texas, for nine years prior usher at the Bass Performance Life!
Fiji Islands to Viet Nam, to moving to the Fort Worth Hall where I get to see many
Bangladesh, South Africa and area. wonderful performances for
For organ donation information,
many places in between. In addition to delivering free! please visit: www.donatelifetexas.org
on this important board,” says
Fickes.
Precinct Three County Com- He has served on the Baylor
missioner Gary Fickes has ap- Regional Medical Center-
pointed Trent Petty, President Grapevine Board of Trustees
of Petty & Associates, Inc. - a since 1999, where he chaired the
consulting firm for economic Economic Development Task
and municipal development - to Force and Finance Committee
the Tarrant County Hospital before being selected as Chair-
District Board which oversees man of the Board in 2006. He
the JPS Health Network. also chaired the Northeast It was another big win for the Transplant Recipient
Petty previously served as Leadership Forum, the Metro- Team, marking the 14th annual Texas Rangers
Westlake’s Town Manager and port Cities Partnership and the Organ Donor Game, held at the Dr Pepper Youth
Grapevine’s City Manager. He Faith Christian School Board. Ballpark. Liver transplant recipient and Tarrant
was co-founder of the Westlake He has been a member of the County Commissioner Gary Fickes coached the
Academy, serving as its Chief GRACE Board of Trustees, the
Recipient Team to its big win over the Media
Executive Officer from 2002- Metroport Rotary Club, the
2006. Grapevine Rotary Club and the Team, and he also helped the Southwest Trans-
“Trent is well-qualified and International City Management plant Alliance thank the Texas Rangers for their
Trent Petty well-credentialed to serve Association. continued support of organ donation.
occasion of his retirement after serv- Tarrant County Veterans Services Administration
ing the Town for over 29 years, first Benefit Outreach
as Chairman of the Town Planning Assistance free of charge.
and Zoning Commission, and then as
Mayor.
Every Tuesday
Mayor Bradley was instrumental
in bringing the Fidelity Investments 12p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Corporate Campus to the Town of
Westlake and in establishing the Call for an appointment:
Mayor Scott Bradley receives state’s first and only municipally 817-531-5645
a plaq u e from Commi ssion ers operated school, Westlake Academy.
Court on Ju ne 21st. Scott will continue residing at NE Sub-Courthouse
Paigebrooke Farm in the Town of 645 Grapevine Hwy.
Tribute was paid to Mayor Scott Westlake with his wife, Kelly, and
Bradley of the Town of Westlake by Hurst TX 76054
enjoying the pleasures of his family
his friends and colleagues on the and the antics of his grandchildren. www.tarrantcounty.com
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT - KELLER
Keller Town Center & Old Town Keller
tention of D Magazine, which ranked U.S. 377 and Keller Parkway, Old Town
Keller as one of the Top Ten best Dallas- offers a convenient respite from everyday
area suburbs in its July 2008 issue, and life. A public park will soon be added to
CNN’s Money Magazine, which rated the mix, which will enhance the regular
Keller as one of the 50 best places to live events coordinated by the members of the
in the U.S. Old Town Merchants Association.
Anchored by Keller Town Hall, Town Both districts are vital to Keller and
Center boasts more than 70 businesses, demonstrate the diversity, vibrancy and
medical offices, town homes, single- excitement of the city’s business commu-
family homes, senior housing and apart- nity. They help make Keller a tremendous
ments. Recreation facilities include The place to live, work, play and shop.
Keller Town Center Keller Pointe, the city’s recreation center,
Keller ISD Natatorium and hike-and-bike
K eller boasts two distinct business
districts that help make the city a vital
trails. The growing residential component
is boosting the viability of all businesses
in Town Center.
part of northeast Tarrant County. The city’s other distinct business dis-
The pieces of the 330-acre Keller trict is Old Town Keller, fitting within the
Town Center are coming together: mu- footprint of the original town site. Old
nicipal services, recreational amenities, Town features historic storefront build-
established retail stores and offices min- ings along Main Street and charming cot-
gle with new retail/residential develop- tages along side streets. Antique and spe-
ments under construction. The denser cialty boutiques, restaurants and other
construction similar to metropolitan areas businesses call the district home. Old Town Keller
mixes with open space more in line with Newly constructed structures are de-
suburban planning. signed to blend with the classic architec- For information on the City of Keller:
The dynamic atmosphere got the at- ture. Positioned near the intersection of www.cityofkeller.com
exemplary service and dedication to the citi-
zens of northeast Tarrant County.
The health center houses 2 family practice
physicians, 1 internal medicine physician, 1
Watauga Clinic Dedication obstetrics/gyn nurse practitioner, and support The afternoon of July 22, a young lady came
staff. Some of the services offered are lab, full into our Hurst office in the NE Sub-Courthouse
pharmacy, radiology, social work, and finan- asking where she could get her baby immu-
cial screening. Tarrant County Public Health nized. While our secretary fed her baby, we
WIC Clinic provides services as well. drew a map on how to get to the Gertrude
Tarpley Community Health Center in Watauga
The clinic hours are 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and then showed her the street that would take
Monday - Friday. her straight there. The Commissioner gave her
his card and asked her to have the Clinic call
and let him know she had made it safely. She
was concerned about gas and getting lost in the
heat of the afternoon with her small child. We
CLINIC DEDICATION Pictured above at are happy to report she made it safely and she
the Ribbon Cutting are Jessie Barrow, 101 was extremely relieved to know there was a
year old sister of Gertrude Tarpley, Mayor clinic close by.
Harry Jeffries, Commissioner Fickes, Steve The JPS Community and School-based Clin-
Montgomery, Judge Glen Whitley, and other ics make it possible for families to get the care
distinguished guests. they need without the worry and expense of
going downtown.
A vision becomes a reality a year and a half
later with the dedication of the new Gertrude
Tarpley JPS Community Health Center located
at the corner of Rufe Snow and Watauga Road, Family members of Gertrude Tarpley pictured For more information on JPS Health Centers
(6601 Watauga Road) in Watauga. left to right: son-in-law W.L. Pete Peterson, and Tarrant County Public Health, please visit
The Commissioners Court of Tarrant County M.D.; son, Jack Tarpley; daughter, Linda Kay the following websites:
and the JPS Board of Managers named the new Peterson; and sister, Jessie Barrow along with www.jpshealthnet.org
center the “Gertrude Tarpley JPS Community Commissioner Gary Fickes. www.tarrantcounty.com
Health Center” in honor of Mrs. Tarpley’s
Regional Rail. . .What is it? Where does it go? Where does it stop? When will it start?
The Fort Worth Transportation Authority (also known as “The T”) has been developing a regional rail plan for the Tarrant County area since 2006.
The planned Southwest-to-Northeast Rail Corridor is part of The T’s 2005 Strategic Plan to develop a new rapid regional rail service to provide addi-
tional transportation options for people living, working, and visiting in Tarrant
County.
The proposed system will transport passengers along a rail line from south-
west Fort Worth to northeast Tarrant County into D/FW International Airport.
This system would include numerous stations along this route. Proposed sta-
tions could include: D/FW International Airport, D/FW Airport North, Grape-
vine, Colleyville, North Richland Hills (2), Richland Hills (existing), Haltom
City, Beach Street, North Side Station, North Main, Seventh Street, Medical
Center, TCU/Berry, I-20 Granbury, and Sycamore School Road.
The DFW Regional Rail plan would include The T Plan, the DART Plan,
along with the Denton County Transportation Authority Plan. The T’s type of
equipment would be on existing rail lines and would not be like the DART light
rail system. Proposed plans call for the Southwest-to-Northeast route to be in
service to D/FW International Airport as early as 2012, with a DART route to
D/FW in 2013.
There are still a lot of options and questions, including “quiet zones”, addi-
tional stations, and overall cost.
For more information concerning The T project, go to
www.sw2neRAIL.com
High Speed Rail for Texans
The Texas High Speed Rail and Transportation Corporation (THSRTC) is a not-for-profit
corporation consisting of local transportation and elected officials from across the State in a
grassroots, collaborative effort to realize the first-ever high-speed rail passenger system in
Texas.
What is High Speed Rail? A transportation system that travels 180-200 mph with Steel-
Wheel technology and up to 300 mph with Mag-Levitation technology. Both systems are in
place and being used by millions of riders a day in Germany, France, Spain, Great Britain,
Japan, Korea, Taiwan and China. This mode of transportation has a 40 year track record of
safety and on time travel.
The THSRTC concept is to provide service from airport to airport along a system that
would connect DFW Airport to Temple, Austin and San Antonio, with a line from Temple to
College Station/Bryan and on to Houston’s Bush International Airport. This configuration
creates a “T”, which is the shortest distance between three points,
(DFW/Houston/San Antonio). This proposed route will serve 75-80%
of all Texans when built.
This project is proposed to be operational by 2020. The plan would
call for a 70’ - 80’ right-of-way on or near I-35. This plan is not part
of the Trans Texas Corridor which needs over 1,200’ of ROW.
After September 11, 2001, airline transportation changed for all of
us. The demand for short air trips of one hour or less has been greatly
reduced. Many people would rather drive than go through the time
required to pre-board an airplane. Because of this dramatic change in
flying habits, the time for High Speed Rail is right. For this reason two
of Texas largest airlines: American Airlines and Continental Airlines
are part of our ever-growing organization. They are joined with cities
and counties along the route. Also included as Resource Partners are
the Texas Southern University Barbara Jordan/Mickey Leland School
of Public Affairs, Texas A&M’s Texas Transportation Institute and
The George Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas
A&M.
For further information concerning High Speed Rail:
www.thsrtc.com
County History Corner
Northeast Tarrant County along Denton and northeast Tarrant County line and south Denton Springs (Coppell) in what was known as the
Bear Creeks may rightly lay claim to being an line on and between Denton and Bear creeks. Halford Settlement. He and his mother, Rachel,
area of earliest settlement. Bird’s Fort (1841), According to Pearl Foster O’Donnell writing in and his sisters’ families: James and Nancy Gib-
Watson and Johnson Stations (possibly around her book, “Trek To Texas: 1786-1886”, which son, Ambrose and Susanah Foster, Andrew and
1843), were in evidence but several growing is now out of print and considered rare primary Sally Hallford, were charter members of the
communities developed in the northeast portion source material; “These were not frontier drift- Lonesome Dove Baptist church founded in
of the county with now-forgotten names such as wood as tax lists reveal. They were not wealthy 1846 and which is still viable today.
Medlin Mound, Elizabeth, Bugtown (all of nor did they crave wealth and power. They were Hall was apparently living near Grapevine
which evolved into Roanoke), Halford Prairie, church oriented people, and active in establish- Springs (Coppell) in 1856. E.F. Bates in his
Dove, Double Springs, Zion (Smithfield), Jel- ing law and order on the frontier as the first lists book, “A History of Denton County” (date
lico, Athol (Keller), Dunnville (Grapevine), of elected officials.” She adds; “Most of these unknown, quoted in “Trek to Texas”) stated
White’s Chapel and others. All of these early early settlers were either farmers of a kind or that “the last buffalo was killed by Hall Medlin
settlements, some of which later became small combination rancher and farmer.” in 1856 near Grapevine Springs. The buffalo
towns, were infused with immigrants from Mis- One group of Medlins who settled near Roa- almost killed Hall, however. It gored him to the
souri known as the Missouri Colony, some of noke almost on the Denton/Tarrant county lines extent that he was practically disemboweled
the pathfinders arriving as early as 1841. These was Charles and Lewis Medlin along with Mary and he had to crawl several miles for help hold-
settlements were in existence before 1849 when Medlin, their mother. A cemetery was estab- ing his intestines in with one hand.” Hall re-
Tarrant County came into existence and there- lished on the land of Charles Medlin which still covered and lived for nearly another thirty
fore were in places that became other counties is known as Medlin cemetery. Thirty-eight years.
such as Denton and Dallas. Medlins are identified with markers, although The name of Freeman was among those
No single surname name is better known in others are buried in early cemeteries such as related by blood or marriage to the Medlin clan.
the area than Medlin. Almost immediately after Mount Gilead and Lonesome Dove. The Medlin Because of research conducted by Jack Wies-
the Medlin families related by blood and mar- Cemetery also contains the graves of many of man, associate editor of “The Pathfinder”, his-
riage—names such as Foster, Gibson, Halford, the Bob and Almeda Jones family, Negroes torical journal of Westlake, something of the
Hood, Brown, Smith, Durham, Roberts, who were people of substance and land owners cabin and the techniques of early building is
Throop, Freeman, and others—arrived in earn- important in the area. known.
est around 1846, they began to settle along the Hall Medlin settled close to Grapevine
Article submitted by Joyce Gibson Roach, editor of “The Pathfinder”, historical preservation journal for Town of Westlake.
Question from previous issue was:
There are 18 cities in Precinct 3. How
many can you name? Some are partial
Did you get yours? Have your elderly neighbors, disabled family members, or oth- portions of a city denoted by *.
ers received theirs? Many retirees and veterans, people who have not needed to file
an IRS tax return for several years, remain unaware that they need only file a brief Answer: Arlington*, Bedford, Colley-
form in order to claim their economic stimulus monies. ville, Euless, Flower Mound*, Fort
Worth*, Grand Prairie*, Grapevine,
For additional information call: CALL 2-1-1 Haltom City*, Haslet, Hurst, Keller, N.
Richland Hills, Richland Hills, South-
The form and instructions are also available on the IRS website: lake, Trophy Club, Watauga, West-
www.irs.gov lake.
Precinct 3 temperatures make the asphalt easier to work dirt. Since most of our roads carry a lot of
Maintenance News with. The temperature of the asphalt when we truck traffic, we add several inches of rock to
817-514-5000 place it on the roadbed is between 310 and 325 the road base for stability, followed by cement
degrees. Add the ambient temperatures in the for a solid base under the new asphalt layer to
high nineties and low 100’s and you have a provide a smooth riding surface.
pretty hot environment. We do the same road
work during the other seasons but the environ-
ment is not as conducive to road construction
as the summer months.
In addition to maintenance and reconstruc-
tion work on eleven roads in our area of unin-
corporated Tarrant County, we have com-
pleted an additional eleven projects performed
Precinct 3 crew placing asphalt on Planta- through Interlocal Agreements with various
tion Road in Colleyville with the aid of the cities in Precinct Three. These projects in-
Texas heat. cluded major road base repairs, asphalt over-
lays, and complete rehabilitation of roads.
To rehabilitate a road, we grind up the Placing flex base on Wagley Robertson
The summer months are the best time of original asphalt surface and mix it in with the Road in Fort Worth
the year for constructing roads as high
Veteran’s Benefit Fair
Where: Resource Connection
Conference Center
BULLETIN BOARD Tarrant County
Commissioners
2300 Circle Dr. #2300 Court
Fort Worth, TX 76119
Every Tuesday at
Time: Saturday, Aug. 23rd
10 am to 2 pm 10:00 a.m.
Questions? 817-531-5645 100 E Weatherford
$$$$$ LABOR DAY Fort Worth, TX
Tax Free Weekend Sept. 1st Last day to
Unless otherwise stated
*** ATTENTION *** County Holiday Register to Vote!
Tarrant County Prescription Get your school supplies October 6th
Discount Card Aug. 15, 16 & 17th
Grandparents Day!
Save an average of 20% on your Sept. 7th National August
pharmacy drugs. There is no 5, 12, 19 & 26th
enrollment form and no mem- It’s Back to School Roundup Boss’ Day
bership fee. One card per fam- Aug. 23rd 8am-4pm
ily is all you need. You and your Amon G. Carter Exhibit Hall Patriot Day October 16th
family members may use your Sept. 11
discount card any time your September
prescription is not covered by www.backtoschoolroundup.org 9, 16, 23, 30th
insurance. First day October 31st
Call toll free 1-877-321-2652 of Autumn
or visit Sept. 22nd
https://naco.advancerx.com
October
7, 14, 21 & 28th
If you received a copy of the newsletter through a source
Transportation other than our office (i.e. Chamber of Commerce) and
would like to receive a copy of the newsletter direct, please
send your email address to:
tcparsons@tarrantcounty.com
If you do not want to receive a copy of our newsletter,
please let us know and we’ll take you off our list.
Tarrant County Transportation Department ………... www.tarrantcounty.com
Tarrant Regional Transportation Coalition …………. www.trtcmobility.org Please feel free to email any comments, questions or con-
cerns you may have.
Fort Worth Transportation Authority ………………. www.the-t.com
North Central Texas Council of Governments ……... www.nctcog.org Thank you and have a great day!
North Texas Tollway Authority ……………………. www.ntta.org
Texas Department of Transportation ………………. www.txdot.gov
Texas High Speed Rail Transportation Corporation .. www.thsrtc.com
817-884-1470
www.tarrantcu.org
Helpful links to what’s going on with transportation in and around Precinct 3.
Pct. 3 ~ Commissioner’s Office
Gary Fickes, Commissioner
ggfickes@tarrantcounty.com
Staff NE Sub-Courthouse Southlake Town Hall
Carolyn Sims, Precinct Administrator Constable 817-581-3610 817-481-8059
cssims@tarrantcounty.com County Clerk 817-581-3604 817-481-8179
Mary Ann Rike, Exec. Secretary Passport Office —————– 817-481-8190
mrike@tarrantcounty.com Justice of the Peace 817-581-3625 817-481-8132
Theresa Parsons, Exec. Secretary Juvenile Services 817-581-3645 —————–
tcparsons@tarrantcounty.com Travel - Public Health —————– 817-321-4707
Tax Office 817-581-3636 817-481-8141
Northeast Sub-Courthouse
645 Grapevine Highway #6
Hurst TX 76054 Precinct 3 Maintenance Center 817-514-5000
817-581-3600
Public Health Centers
Southlake Town Hall NE Public Health Ctr. 813 Brown Trail #6, Bedford, TX 76022 817-285-4155
1400 Main St #410 Watauga Public Health Ctr. 6601 Watauga Rd, Watauga, TX 76148 817-702-6600
Southlake TX 76092
817-481-8234 Tarrant County Website: www.tarrantcounty.com
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