Memo from the Manager 

Hometown heroes  

   We originally wanted to save this story for Veterans Day, but the honor bestowed on our own Farmers Branch Firefighter Mike Bilharz, by the U.S. Air Force, along with the recent September 11 anniversary, reminds us how much we are indebted to so many for securing our freedom.

   And, that gratitude begins here at home.

   Better known to his Air Force Reserve buddies as Staff Sergeant Bilharz, Mike left Farmers Branch to serve in Iraq in 2009 and 2010 doing what he does best - putting out fires. Now, his deployment at an end, Mike is back at Station No. 2, on Spring Valley and has been recently notified that he has been named the Air Force Reserve Military Firefighter of the Year. Now promoted to Technical Sergeant, Mike deserves our congratulations for this honor but, more than that, he deserves our thanks.

   He's not the only one.

   Many City employees have taken military leave to serve our country during the past 10 years since 9/11. Although some choose to serve quietly, without acknowledgement,  we are equally in all of their debt.

   Here are some other members of the Farmers Branch staff that have served with honor. From the Fire Department, Air Force Technical Sergeant First Class Jerry Cromer was activated to Shepard Air Force Base to complete the surgical technician program. Marine Corps Sergeant John Perkins was deployed to Iraq where he received two purple hearts and other awards for service, then was in command of a team of artillery battery that provided fire support in a contended area of northern Afghanistan. Army Sergeant Brandon Laird was an infantry platoon sergeant that was deployed and participated in combat operations in Iraq. Navy Ensign Reginald Alexander was activated as a Naval Intelligence Officer for a tour of Afghanistan with the Joint Special Operations Command (the command that dispatched Bin Laden). Army Captain Jerry Duffield was activated to Fort Hood where he served as the executive officer to the headquarters unit of the 807th Medical Command. 

   In the Police Department, Jason Griego served in the U.S. Marines from 2000 to 2008 including a deployment to Kuwait from 2002 to 2003 and involvement in both Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. He now serves in the Air Force Reserves as a Senior Airman. Timothy Drakes is an Army Staff Sergeant, serving from 2003 to 2005 at Ford Hood and in Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. Marine Gunnery Sergeant Michael Dunn is attached to the 14th Marine regiment in Fort Worth having served overseas in Iraq, Afghanistan, in U.S. embassies in China and Germany and as a member of the presidential helicopter squadron for George W. Bush. 

   Finally, there are those whose military service came before their employment here. To them, we offer not only our thanks but our appreciation for the jobs that the military prepared them to do here. You can bet that hiring a veteran can not only be the right thing to do, it can be the practical thing as well.   

   One of the greatest reactions to American military involvement in the past 10 years has been the spontaneous applause that breaks out in airports when our service members come through. The same principle applies when you come across one of our veteran City employees. You may not want to clap, but I do recommend a handshake.

   Or, clap anyway. 

FARMERS BRANCH ~ For safely directing fire crews, with no mishaps, and for his demonstrated leadership during deployment in Iraq in 2009 and 2010, Farmers Branch Firefighter Michael Bilharz has been named the United States Air Force Reserve Firefighter of the Year.

Air Force Reserve Firefighter of the Year Michael Bilharz

   Technical Sergeant Bilharz served as station captain with his company at Kirkuk Air Base, Iraq, out of Tinker Air Force Base

in Oklahoma. In a 10 year military career, he has served six years on active duty at Dyess Air Force Base, one year in the New York Air National Guard and the past three in the Air Force Reserves at Tinker. He has been with the Farmers Branch Fire Department for three years.

   "We are certainly proud of Mike's service to this country where he has exemplified the courage and determination that he brings to serve the citizens of Farmers Branch every day," said Farmers Branch Fire Chief Steve Parker. "This award only validates what we already knew, that Mike is an exceptional leader and we're proud to have him with us."  

The toys are back     

Disney-Pixar fave combines with charity drive for memorable Movie in the Park, Sep 24  

BARNEY WOOD ATHLETIC COMPLEX ~ Expanding on the theme of the evening, the City of Farmers Branch will be accepting donations of new, unwrapped toys at the Movie in the Park presentation of the Disney-Pixar hit, "Toy Story 3" on Saturday, September 24.
   All donated toys will be passed on to Metrocrest Social Services for the upcoming holiday season. Toy donations will continue to be accepted at the Community Recreation Center through September 30.
   The event will begin at 7 p.m. at the Barney Wood Athletic Complex, adjacent to the Farmers Branch Community Recreation Center, near the corner of Heartside Place and Valwood Parkway. The feature presentation will begin at dark. The public is invited and admission is free.
   Families should bring blankets and lawn chairs for the event. Concessions will be available for purchase, benefiting the Farmers Branch Youth Football and Cheerleading Association.
   Call 972.247.4607 for more information. The weather hotline that day will be 972.919.1455.   

Making cents   

Finance Director named to list of top 21 CFOs 

DALLAS ~ In recognition of his advanced ability in financial planning and management, Farmers Branch Finance Director Charles Cox has been named to the Dallas Business Journal's list of the 21 best Chief Financial Officers in the Metroplex.

Finance Director Charles S. Cox

   Additionally, Mr. Cox is the only municipal finance officer to make the list. He was recognized for deft handling of the City's finances during the economic downturn, along with his history of leadership in his profession, serving as past president of the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada. Mr. Cox was also instrumental in the development of the Farmers Branch Tax Dividend Program, recognized by the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University as one of the most innovative finance programs in the country.

   The DBJ will announce the top CFO and other awards in a luncheon ceremony October 20.

BRANCHbriefs

Star Party  .  Sep 20   

Fire Station cornerstone ceremony  .  Sep 24    

Senior Holiday Trip  .  Registration deadline Sep 30    

Crimes Against Seniors Seminar  .  Oct 1   

   Seminar organizers Renee Junkin-Luck and Dru Swanson said speakers are scheduled to include Officer Sue Sharp and Detective James MacPhail of the Farmers Branch Police Department, Wendi Kimpton from the Farmers Branch Fire Department, health insurance specialist Carmen Irwin and a representative from Senior Adult Services.

   Topics will include crime prevention, medicare fraud, safety plans for the elderly and mobility-impaired, services available to seniors and much more. For more information, call the Senior Center at 972.919.8740.

National Night Out  .  Oct 4    

   Sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch, National Night Out encourages neighbors to spend evenings out of doors with outside lights on to present a united front against crime in neighborhoods.

   The regular meeting of the Farmers Branch City Council, originally scheduled for that night, has been reset for Monday, October 3 in order to avoid conflict with National Night Out. The meeting begins at 6 p.m. at Farmers Branch City Hall.

   For more information on National Night Out or to register a NNO neighborhood party, call the Farmers Branch Police Department at 972.919.9304.

Photo by Amy Cooper

Furry friends 

In addition to the hundreds that ventured out for the 2011 Farmers Branch Health & Wellness Expo, furry friends were also to be found as the Farmers Branch Animal Adoption Center conducted pet microchipping and adoptions on scene at the event.   

In the Banner

Salute! 

Members of the 506th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron pose for a group photo at Kirkuk Regional Air Base in Iraq. Among the men and women of the 506th was Farmers Branch Firefighter Michael Bilharz, serving on active duty in 2009 & 2010 as a member of the U.S. Air Force Reserve Fire Emergency Services. Staff Sergeant Bilharz was recently recognized as Air Force Reserve Command Military Firefighter of the Year. See story below.  

Photo provided by

Michael Bilharz 

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City Staff

Mini-Profile

Steve Bock  

 Position:

EMS Division Chief 

Department:

Fire Department 

Years with City:

31 yrs 

Background:

Bachelors in Business Administration from the University of Texas. Licensed Paramedic for 30 years with Critical Care certification. I am also an advanced certified firefighter. My proudest achievements include being the first EMS system in Dallas County to implement a variety of high tech treatments and protocols for the sickest of our patients.

Personal: 

Married to my wife Stacy for 25 years and have two children. I enjoy cycling and racket sports.

What Do You Like Most About Working for the City of Farmers Branch?

 "I love the challenge of ensuring that the City receives the highest level of EMS care in the Metroplex, and the exceptional quality of the people I get to work with on a daily basis."   

Weekly Report

 LANE CLOSURES

LBJ Express is the name given to the five-year project that will renovate and expand capacity for Interstate 635, the LBJ freeway. Begun in 2011, the project updates its status, and lane closure information weekly. Click the "LANE CLOSURES" link to be taken directly to the most recent report.  

www.lbjexpress.com