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Memo from the Manager
Service with a sense of purpose
Anyone who has ever worked for another municipal government organization, like me, knows what a very special situation we have with the  staff in Farmers Branch. The powers-that-be throughout the past 20 years have hired people that truly have a calling for a career in the service of others.
In a hallway at City Hall that is frequented primarily by employees, we have a "Wow Factor" bulletin board that remains full, at all times, of thank-you notes, kudos and general praise for members of the Farmers Branch staff that have excelled at their job, above and beyond the call - hundreds of letters, e-mails and notes in just the past year. That's primarily because everyone that works here knows their job extends beyond the boundaries of their specific job description - when they see someone in need of assistance. I've witnessed department directors escort customers to the window to pay their water bill and a meter reader help someone lift a heavy object out of a citizen pickup truck. I can say that I've received more comments, e-mails and correspondence complimenting our Farmers Branch employees than the other four communities in which I have served, combined!
They do it because that's how they're wired. They get very specific satisfaction out of trying to be sure we leave our 12.5-square-mile corner of the world a better place than when we got here. And, beyond that, these folks genuinely like each other and working with each other. Watch for this next month at Liberty Fest and you'll see this dynamic in action. |
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Big Concert Tickets
Liberty Fest concerts VIP packages will get lucky fans up close and personal with headliners
For a donation to the Farmers Branch Historical Park, fans can get a chance at a VIP package for one of the two concerts during Liberty Fest, coming up Memorial Day weekend.
 | | Rick Springfield |
On Friday night, May 27, 38 Special will take the stage at the Farmers Branch Historical Park, after special guests, Whiskey Myers. Then, on Saturday night, 80s pop icon, Rick Springfield will close the 2011 edition of Liberty Fest with a concert, along with special guests, Spin Doctors.
The VIP packages for each night will include one VIP parking pass at the Farmers Branch Historical Park (good for day of concert only), upgrade to preferred
 | | 38 Special |
concert seating for four individuals, backstage passes for up to four individuals to meet the headliner band, $50 in food and beverage coupons and one signed poster from the headliner band. Tickets for each night's drawing are $10 each and must be purchased online only at www.fblibertyfest.com. The donation will benefit the fundraising drive to build a 1920s-era General Store in the park to augment the other historic buildings in the
outdoor museum.
Drawings will be held Friday, May 20 and winners must have purchased separate concert tickets. General admission tickets for each night are $10 in advance and $15 at the gate. A $5 off coupon may be found at participating sponsor locations. Go to www.fblibertyfest.com for a list of sponsors or to purchase tickets. Preferred seating close to the stage is $50 for Friday and $75 for Saturday night. Preferred seating tickets must be purchased online and discounts do not apply. For more information, call 972.919.2620. |
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 Tim O'Hare
Mayor reflects on politics, parenthood and love of hometown as he prepares to leave office
After six memorable years as a City Councilman and as Mayor, Farmers Branch native Tim O'Hare shocked the community this spring by announcing he would not seek re-election to the office that brought him acclaim as well as controversy. Before leaving office, he sat down with Branch Bulletin E-News editor, Tom Bryson, for a candid conversation.
Part 3 of 4: Leadership Years
BRANCH BULLETIN: Then, you were elected to Council in 2005. At that time , what did you have in mind that you wanted to accomplish?
TIM O'HARE: First I needed to learn how the system worked. I didn't do that in 1999, so I wanted to sit back and watch what went on. So I was relatively quiet for the first 3 to 6 months. I did vote and made points, but I mostly watched to see how the system worked. After I understood the way things worked then I started to assert things that I wanted to do, things I wanted to see happen and one of those things was revitalizing the residential section of our town. I spent a lot of time and energy on that back then in 2005 and continued to address that today. It's unfortunate that we have had the economic downturn that we have had here in the last two to three years because there are a lot of things we could have done if the economy was better. But we still did well in light of the economy. So residential revitalization was huge, that is something we worked on. There were some real simple things we needed to do. We had a logo that was archaic. It looked like a 1950s-60s municipal government logo. We changed that to make it a warmer, inviting look to signify that there was a change going on here. We realized things were not going in the right direction. Another thing is we put in the new decorative street signs. They just add a touch of class to the city. We added the backlit intersection street signs, which dress up the City a little bit. We got tough on code enforcement. We were letting far too many homes become dilapidated without addressing it. As a result the homes around it would become dilapidated and so on until all of a sudden you have a whole street where it is half filled up with rental homes. Neighborhoods with a large population of rental homes are not the way to grow a city or prosper a city. So we've done all sorts of things over the last six years.
READ Parts 1 through 3 at www.farmersbranch.info |
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Teams from international destinations converge on the Ross Stewart Soccer Complex in Farmers Branch this week as the Dallas Texans Soccer Club host the first Dallas International Girls Cup. Included in the competition will be teams from the USA, Spain, Canada, Denmark, Norway and England. The tournament continues through this weekend. |
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Bark in the Park coming May 1
FARMERS BRANCH ~ The annual festival of all things canine returns as Bark in the Park makes its annual appearance at Gussie Field Watterworth Park, 2610 Valley View Lane near City Hall, on Sunday, May 1 from 12 noon until 5 p.m.
Activities will include a silent auction, working dogs, therapy dogs, cat and dog adoptions, $10 microchipping, clowns and facepainting, children's games, concessions and more.
Additionally, there will be a performance by the human and dog dance troupe, Top Dog and there will be an artist on hand to compose drawings of pets. Proceeds benefit the Farmers Branch Animal Adoption Center and its volunteer organizations. 972.919.8770. |
Economic Development UPDATE
Common Grounds to bring coffee experience to Shops at Branch Crossing
FARMERS BRANCH ~ Working towards a May opening date, Common Grounds is being planned as a new coffee  destination for the southwest corner of the Shops at Branch Crossing (formerly known as the Four Corners at Josey Lane and Valley View).
"The new coffee shop is designed with the community in mind," said owner Telea Stafford. "Common Grounds is where business owners can meet and residents can relax." She said the shop is hoping for their Farmers Branch store to be open in mid-May with a grand opening celebration set to coincide with Liberty Fest in and around the Farmers Branch Historical Park during Memorial Day weekend. Mrs. Stafford said the establishment will feature coffee from around the world and from local suppliers including Addison Coffee, Oak Cliff Coffee Roasters and Day Break Coffee from Lubbock. |
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Snap Poll:
Liberty Fest Concerts
Last Week's Results:
Longevity
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In the Banner |
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Local Government | |
Farmers Branch City Hall is the centerpiece of local government housing administrative offices as well as City Council Chambers where the elected body meets in regular session twice a month. City Hall is open 8 a.m. til 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday and until 5 p.m. on Friday.
Staff Photo by Tom Bryson |
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WORLD PREMIERE
With Liberty Fest about six weeks away, FBTV is world premiering the latest promotional spot for the Saturday night headline concert with Rick Springfield.
VideoExtra 
Rick Springfield Concert Promotional Video |
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Staff Mini-Profile
Name: Wendi Kimpton
Position: Fire Inspector & Fire Prevention Training Coordinator
Dept: Fire Department
Years with the City: 17
Personal: Proud graduate of R.L. Turner High School and the University of North Texas. Proud Mom of two. Loves family outings at baseball and hockey games. Was once Fire Chief for a day.
What Do You Like Most About Working for Farmers Branch:
"I've met a lot of fine, outstanding people and I'm proud to serve the citizens in this community." |
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May 27 & 28
Concert tickets now on sale at City Hall, Rec Center and online at
www.fblibertyfest.com | |
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Early Voting for May 14 City Election | |
Mon thru Sat, May 2-7
8 am to 5 pm
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Sun, May 8
1 to 6 pm
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Mon & Tue, May 9-10
7 am to 7 pm
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Early voting at
Farmers Branch City Hall 13000 Wm Dodson Pkwy
www.dalcoelections.org | |
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Weekly Report
LANE CLOSURES
MAIN LANE CLOSURES
Right lane in both directions from Josey Lane to Hillcrest
Thru April 29 / 8 pm to 6 am
WESTBOUND FRONTAGE ROADS
Right lane from west of Monfort to Noel Road
April 21-22 / 9 am to 3 pm
Right lane from Hillcrest to Northcreek
April 20-21 / 9 am to 3 pm
Right lane from East of Noel to Preston
Thru May 16 / 24 hrs
Right lane from East of Meandering Way to Park Central
Thru May 16 / 24 hrs
Right lane from Hughes to Preston
Thru May 16 / 24 hrs
LBJ Express will hold an
OPEN HOUSE
@ Sheraton Dallas North Hotel, April 21 from 1-8 pm
For More Project Information
www.lbjexpress.com
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Branch Bulletin
  
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About the City of Farmers Branch
Located on the northwest border of the City of Dallas, Farmers Branch is a vibrant and vital community with a residential population of 28,800 but a daytime population of 66,000. The City's 28 parks and lush greenbelts feature nationally-acclaimed, award-winning soccer fields, football facilities as well as baseball and softball complexes. The Farmers Branch Historical Park allows residents to step back in time and the John F. Burke Nature Preserve offers the opportunity to experience a real, 104-acre wilderness in the middle of one of the busiest metro areas of the world. The City's location in the geographical center of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, only 15 minutes away from both DFW International Airport and Dallas Love Field, make Farmers Branch an ideal location for residents and for business. For more information about Farmers Branch, visit www.farmersbranch.info or call 972.919.2515. |
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