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Memo from the Manager
Leadership at a Glance
Part of the job of a City Manager, in order to accomplish the goals and objectives of the city, is to adjust to the personalities and leadership styles of Mayors and Council Members from election to election.
As this can be a fluid situation, there is no one way to work with elected officials.
During my 25, or so, years in the government business I have worked for 11 different Mayors and more than 70 Council Members. To be successful it has been critical to listen to elected officials and develop strategies to help them achieve their goals for the community.
In studying elected officials I have found that there are a few characteristics that make some more successful than others. Successful city leaders 1) know their community, 2) care deeply about the overall good for the community, 3) listen to all sides of issues, 4) support and encourage the staff and fellow elected officials 5) rise above politics, 6) work openly and honestly, 7) always consider the big picture, and 8) understand they are elected to enhance the lives of their citizens.
The people who exhibit these characteristics are the ones that accomplish the most for their communities. Since I have been in Farmers Branch I have noticed that the people who have run for Mayor have exhibited these qualities, which accounts for the city moving forward. Our recently-elected Mayor, Bill Glancy, has already shown all of these traits. In the short time he has been Mayor, I have been impressed with his leadership and ability to include people in his vision for the future. He is doing all the things a great Mayor should do to move a community forward and he daily shows how much he loves Farmers Branch with his actions, words and demeanor.
In short, he leads by example.
Mayor Glancy will continue to take Farmers Branch forward during the next three years and he will accomplish great things. Everyone should be excited about our future. Great things are coming and everyone is going to have a part in the success.
   
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FARMERS BRANCH ~ With dogs and cats of all shapes and sizes on display for potential families, the Farmers Branch Animal Adoption Center has followed its dramatic increase in traffic since opening in 2009 with a dramatic milestone, unheard of in many municipal facilities.
For the past 12 months, the Farmers Branch facility has found homes for all adoptable dogs and cats, effectively achieving a 100 percent adoption
VIDEO  EXTRA
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rate for one year. This includes 559 dogs and 447cats that were adopted, rescued or returned to their owners.
Farmers Branch Environmental Health Services Director Stacy Wright said the only animals that have been euthanized in the past year have been those deemed unadoptable due to illness, severe injury or behavioral issues.
"The combination of city leadership, facility location, building design, local veterinarians, animal rescuers, and animal services staff is to thank for this level of achievement," Mr. Wright explained. "We especially appreciate all of the support that our animals get from the volunteers and the community."
He added that the annual Bark in the Park event has been a great boost to adoption and responsible pet ownership and credited the non-profit animal care organization, Cause for Paws, founded by local animal advocate Judi Hacker, and Arfriend with director, Louise Henning for their constant support.
Since its opening in 2009, the Farmers Branch Animal Adoption Center has seen an explosion of walk-in traffic, spurred in part by its highly visible location on Valley View Lane between Brookhaven College and the Farmers Branch Justice Center.
Farmers Branch Animal Services Manager Ethel Strother said the involvement of volunteers is imperative in helping animals to feel comfortable with people. "Many animals come into the facility scared, full of anxiety and might be put to sleep at many public shelters," she said. "However, through the socialization efforts of many wonderful volunteers, the animals frequently come out of their shells, become adoptable and make great pets."
The state-of-the-art facility has capacity for up to 37 dogs and 31 cats. An interior "Get to Know" room and an outdoor courtyard enable prospective pet owners to become acquainted with their future pets on site, prior to completing the adoption process.
For more information on adopting animals or on volunteering, call the center at 972.919.8770. The Farmers Branch Animal Adoption Center is located at 3727 Valley View Lane and is open Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
PHOTO: Farmers Branch Animal Services Manager Ethel Strother socializes with two friends from the Animal Adoption Center (Staff Photo by Tom Bryson).
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Benefit bike race to mark
10 years since 9/11
WESTSIDE ~ Ten years after police, paramedics and firefighters exemplified the traits of courage and bravery on 9/11, the City of Farmers Branch is planning to honor the efforts of all first responders with a charity Bike Tour and Race on Saturday, September 10.
Proceeds from the event will benefit the Texas Association of First Responders who seek to aid firefighters, law enforcement officers and emergency medical personnel injured in the line of duty.
The event will feature a mile-long bike tour for individuals and families beginning at 8 a.m., until 9:30. Also starting at 8 a.m., serious riders take to a 3.5-mile circuit on the westside of Farmers Branch in search of prize money to be handed out in different categories. Those races will last til 3 p.m. Throughout the event, there will be ongoing activities around Farmers Branch Fire Station No. 3 at 13303 Hutton Drive. These include a first responder vehicle display, children's activities, information booths, t-shirt sales benefiting charity and more.
At 10 a.m., there will be a special ceremony unveiling a 9/11 commemorative plaque that will be placed at Liberty Plaza.
A free lunch of burgers and hot dogs will conclude the event after all races at about 12 noon.
For registration and other information, log on at www.starsandspokes.com. |
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Public invited to August 17 Library info meeting
 MANSKE LIBRARY ~ An informational meeting for anyone interested in participating in a new Friends of the Library non-profit support group has been planned for Wednesday, August 17 at 7 p.m. at the Library meeting room. The Library is located at 13613 Webb Chapel, at the corner of Webb Chapel and Golfing Green. For more information, call 972.247.2511.
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Bea's Kids school supply drive ends Friday
FARMERS BRANCH ~ There is still time to get in on the 3rd Annual School Supply Drive to benefit Bea's Kids, sponsored by the Farmers Branch City Council and City staff.
Through August 5, any school supplies may be dropped off at Farmers  Branch City Hall at 13000 William Dodson Parkway, Community Recreation Center at 14050 Heartside Place, Senior Center at 14055 Dennis Lane, Manske Library at 13613 Webb Chapel, Fire Administration at 13333 Hutton and the Justice Center at 3723 Valley View Lane.
All school supplies will be accepted but specific needs are folders with brads in all colors, wide-ruled notebook paper and no. 2 yellow pencils.
Bea's Kids is a Farmers Branch-based organization that provides educational and personal development programs to children from low-income families so they will stay in school and break the cycle of poverty.
For more information, call 972.919.2515.
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Rose Contest Garden Party actually set for Oct. 27
ROSE GARDENS OF FARMERS BRANCH ~ City Manager Gary D. Greer is on a mission to further the planting of roses all over Farmers Branch. As  such, he created the City Manager's Rose Contest in 2011 that will gather local amateur rosarian participants together in celebration at a Garden Party on October 27 (not October 21 as previously reported). Any Farmers Branch resident, whether they've grown a rose or not, is eligible to register for the City Manager's Rose Contest before the deadline of October 1. All participants will receive an collectible, engraved vase to exhibit their blossoms as well as a free rose plant to add to their garden. In addition, they will be given a crest to proudly display in support of the Farmers Branch rose program. Call 972.919.2625 or visit www.fbroses.com.
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FBPD Citizen Police Academy enrolling now
JUSTICE CENTER ~ Designed to give citizens insight into the policies,  positions and personnel of local law enforcement, the 22nd session of the Farmers Branch Citizen Police Academy is now accepting applications for classes, set to begin in September.
Established in 1998, the Academy has given hundreds of participants a combination of classroom instruction and "hands on" experience to demonstrate the hows and whys of law enforcement. The Academy meets for three hours on Thursday nights for 11 weeks. For more information, call 972.484.3620 or e-mail Lt. Mike Blum at mike.blum@farmersbranch.info.
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LBJ Update meeting to be come-and-go
COMMUNITY RECREATION CENTER ~ An informational open house,  designed to update interested members of the community on the LBJ expansion, will be hosted by project representatives between 5 and 8 p.m. on Thursday, September 8 at the Farmers Branch Community Recreation Center. Officials said there will be information available along with representatives on hand for questions and conversation. More information on the project is available at www.lbjexpress.com.
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Snap Poll
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In the Banner
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Animals Aplenty
Since opening in 2009, the state-of-the-art Farmers Branch Animal Adoption Center has done a booming business, helping wayward and homeless pets to find their way to wonderful families. Now, the facility has achieved an effective 100 percent adoption rate for 12 consecutive months. See the story below.
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Staff Photo by Tom Bryson
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This Week
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August 8
Planning & Zoning
- 7 pm @ City Hall
- 972.247.3131
Senior Center Dance
- Dave Brewer - 7 pm @ Senior Center - 972.241.8636
August 11 Library Board - 7:15 pm @ Library - 972.247.2511 ___________________ All meetings & events subject to change. Call 972.247.3131 ___________________ Mark Your Calendars September 10 Stars & Spokes Pickups -n- Panels September 17 Community Health Fair September 24 Movie in the Park October 1 Crimes Against Seniors Seminar October 14-15 Bloomin' Bluegrass October 15 Holiday Craft Fair RoseDango October 22 Annual Rose Show October 29 Halloween in the Park November 3 Town Hall Meeting November 11 Veterans Day | |
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Look for information on these and other events in the coming weeks in BRANCH BULLETIN
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City Staff
Mini-Profile
Leslie Smith
Position:
Customer Service Supervisor
Department:
Finance
Years with the City:
7 years
Background:
Received my Bachelor of Business Administration from Mississippi State University. I have worked in City government for much of my career in customer service including the City of Carrollton, and a municipality in Mississippi. I feel my strongest skill in customer service is my ability to love and interact with people of all ethnic backgrounds and nationalities.
Personal:
My hobby is reading (even a cereal box can be interesting). I am also interested in all sports, including football, track, basketball and volleyball. But football is my favorite!
What Does She Like Most About Working for Farmers Branch:
I love the people I work with and enjoy meeting the residents of Farmers Branch. I like encountering all the different personalities. It teaches me something new daily, whether it's about the City or myself.
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Weekly Report
LANE CLOSURES
MAIN LANES, FRONTAGE ROADS and CROSS STREETS
Eastbound
Right frontage lane of EB I-635 from east
of Josey to
Webb Chapel
Until August 13 / 24 hrs
Right frontage lane of EB I-635 from west of Welch to west of Inwood
Until August 30 / 24 hrs
Westbound
Right frontage turn lane of WB I-635 from west of Marsh to
Webb Chapel
Until August 13 / 24 hrs
Northbound
Left lane of NB I35E/Stemmons between Royal Lane
and Crown Road
Right shoulder of NB
I-635 cross-street
at Rosser
Til Aug 21 / 7 am - 7 pm
Southbound
HOV LANE CLOSURES
Effective Jun 17
Eastbound
Beginning east of Luna Road and extending to just east of Hillcrest
Westbound
Beginning east of Hillcrest Rd and extending just east of Josey Lane
www.lbjexpress.com
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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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