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Memo from the MANAGER |
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Life begins at 37
I was reading an article recently that theorized the changing nature of the 21st century workforce was going to result in college graduates that may have 10 to 12 jobs on their resume during their respective careers.
That contemporary reality is a far cry from the the days of our parents' careers where they likely spent 20 or 25 years working in one place or for one company.
That makes it even more rare when we celebrate a career like Cindee Peters'.
 Cindee retired from the City of Farmers Branch last month after spending 37 years at City Hall. She started at age 17 doing office work, and retired in December after spending her last 15 years as City Secretary (an admittedly outdated title for a position of great responsibility being in charge of our government records, elections and much more).
For those of us that had the pleasure of knowing Cindee personally, we will miss her presence around City Hall as she is a true Texas character, complete with panhandle drawl, infectious laugh and a veritable menagerie at home that, at one time or another, has included birds, snakes, squirrels and a dog the size of a small horse (to name a few).
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Everyone around City Hall has a Cindee story, but the one I will always remember was last year when she got to meet her idol, Rick Springfield, backstage at Liberty Fest. She was so excited and couldn't believe what was happening that her eyes are closed in every photo we have of Cindee and Rick.
Still, putting 37 years in with one employer is a feat that speaks volumes to the attributes of the individual, specifically loyalty, work ethic and an uncanny ability to talk to anyone on their level. Cindee modeled these, and more, every day. When she left, she was very emphatic that there was to be no fanfare, no party. In true Texas style, she simply wanted to ride off into the sunset.
Well, I wanted to be sure that credit was given where credit was due. So, to Cindee, Craig and their children, Rhett and Courtney, we offer a hearty "thank you" for your service and your friendship.
The City of Farmers Branch is a better place because Cindee Peters spent 37 years here.
  
Click Gary's picture for background and contact info |
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"Strategic Success" video shown at Council retreat now available on YouTube
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Strategic Success
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FARMERS BRANCH ~ Demonstrating that the City Council's strategic plan
works in terms of translating goals into successes, a video entitled "Strategic Success" was premiered at the Council's retreat session last week and is now available for general viewing on YouTube.
The 12-minute video features 18 Farmers Branch citizens and a summary of the 105 strategic plan goals that have been accomplished or are ongoing since the inception of the plan in 2008.
That, and other City videos, are available on the Farmers Branch YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/fbtv16.
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FARMERS BRANCH ~ As is customary, City officials mingled with Chamber of Commerce members and other business leaders before cutting a ribbon last week to welcome a 1-800-flowers retail store to Farmers Branch in the renewal of a ceremony that is becoming more and more frequent. Year-end numbers for 2011 show that a total of 145 companies moved into Farmers Branch last year, covering more than 1.1 million square-feet of space and adding 882 new jobs to the community. At the same time, 134 companies expanded their existing Farmers Branch operations, adding almost 338,000 square feet and 695 new jobs.
Those numbers, compiled by the Farmers Branch Economic Development Office also show overall office occupancy in Farmers Branch at 80 percent with warehouse occupancy at 87 percent.
The opening of 1-800-flowers into a 15,000-square-foot building on Beltline, between Webb Chapel Road and Marsh Lane, represents one of the first grand openings of the new year that promises to have many more to follow.
Farmers Branch Economic Development Director John Land said the conditions are right for 2012 to be a good year for business development.
"In addition to the flurry of relocations and expansions we saw last year, we're poised to welcome many new businesses in 2012," Mr. Land said. "One of the real turning points for one area of our City will be when the Walmart Market opens at Josey and Valley View in a few months. Already, Panda Express has decided to locate in that area and I believe there will be many more to come."
For more on Economic Development in Farmers Branch, call 972.919.2510.
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Upcoming class offers chance to become Certified Tourism Ambassador
FARMERS BRANCH ~ In an effort to increase the number of local residents and business people to act as representatives for the City, the Farmers Branch Tourism Office has announced a training class for the nationwide Tourism Ambassador certification program is set for Thursday, March 8 at the Farmers Branch Community Recreation Center.
Registration begins at 8 a.m. with the four-hour training session commencing at 8:30. Broken into four modules, students will learn about the "Power of Tourism," "North Texas History, Present and Future," "Knowing Your Resources," and "Exceeding Customer Service."
Successful completion of the program earns a Certified Tourism Ambassador certificate and lapel pin as well as login access to the ctanetwork.com website.
Farmers Branch Tourism Sales Manager Melissa Thomas said the course involves reading material to be provided to registered participants three weeks prior to class time with assignments to be completed.
Those interested should complete an online application at www.ctanetwork.com, selecting the Texas/Dallas/Fort Worth Area option. The regular application fee is $35 with $25 annual certification renewal. Ms. Thomas said Farmers Branch attendees can receive a $5 discount on the registration by using the promotion code ECO3081230007733.
For more information, call 817.328.2438.
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Next rose class to focus on pruning in advance of Saturday clinic
FARMERS BRANCH ~ How to properly prune roses will be elaborated upon Wednesday, February 7, 7 p.m., at the Farmers Branch Community Recreation Center as part of the "Landscaping with Roses in 2012" class series, concluding this month.
 Peter Schaar will be the week's instructor on pruning as preparation for a rose pruning clinic, set for Saturday, February 11 at 10 a.m. at Gussie Field Watterworth Park.
The City of Farmers Branch, along with the Dallas Area Historical Rose Society and the Dallas Rose Society, is co-sponsoring the class series.
The series concludes on February 28 as the class will again join the Dallas Area Historical Rose Society meeting where Mark Chamblee, owner of Chamblee's Roses in Tyler, will present "Roses Bred for Toughness - Buck Roses and Kordes Roses." This session will begin at 6:30 p.m.
Attendance is free but registration is requested at 972.247.4607. Additionally, rose plants will be available for $10 each. For more information, call 972.919.2625.
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Multiple events on the way in March
FARMERS BRANCH ~ Everything from camping to stargazing is on tap for Farmers Branch residents in March as the winds of spring begin to ease their way into the community.
Upcoming events include:
- March 3 - Grand Opening ceremonies for new Fire Station No. 1
- March 20 - Star Party @ Farmers Branch Historical Park
- March 23-24 & 30-31 - Encounters from the Past @ Keenan Cemetery
- March 24-25 - Camping Under the Stars @ Historical Park
Details on all upcoming events will be featured in weekly issues of Branch Bulletin and online at www.farmersbranch.info. Call 972.247.3131.
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Name: Frank Dunaway
Position: Fleet Technician
Years with the City: 3 yrs
Background: I enjoy sports, exercising, spending time with family and friends.
What Do You Like Most About Working for the City of Farmers Branch? What I like most about working for City is that all the departments work together and are always willing to help. I also enjoy all the activities and opportunities that are offered to employees to assist the community such as health screening and fundraisers.
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Book signing event to feature FBWO authors
FARMERS BRANCH ~ Local authors Mel Barney and Tom Nollette will be on hand with their recently published works for a book launch and signing event on Satuday, Februrary 11 from 2 until 3:30 p.m. in the art gallery at the Farmers Branch Manske Library.
 Other published members of the Farmers Branch Writers Organization will also be present, including Jeanne Ann Macejko and Binion Amerson.
For more information, call 972.247.2511.
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 New Fire Station No. 1 grand opening set
FARMERS BRANCH ~ As a celebration of the latest advancement in community public safety, the Farmers Branch Fire Department has scheduled grand opening ceremonies for new Fire Station No. 1 for Saturday, March 3 from 10 a.m. until 12 noon.
The new station is strategically located in the heart of the Farmers Branch residential community at 13601 Webb Chapel, near the Manske Library and just south of the intersection of Golfing Green and Webb Chapel.
For more information, call 972.919.2650.
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VIDEO  EXTRA
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Love the Branch: Rebuild
 | | Love the Branch: Renovate |
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Big D
Cindee Peters and her husband, Craig, brought their small horse (large Great Dane) "Dallas" to their neighborhood block party for National Night Out last Fall. Cindee recently retired from the City of Farmers Branch after 37 years of service. See this week's Memo from the Manager Staff Photo by Tom Bryson |
CITY
EDUCATION
COMMUNITY
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LBJ Express is the name given to the five-year project that will renovate and expand capacity for Interstate 635, the LBJ freeway, from Central Expressway to Stemmons Freeway through parts of Dallas and Farmers Branch. Begun in 2011, the project team updates its status, and lane closure information weekly, including weekend bridge construction that could have serious traffic impacts.
For More, Click Here
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www.lbjexpress.com
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Branch Bulletin is the 
recipient of the 2011
TAMI Award
for Best
E-Newsletter in Texas, bestowed by the Texas Association of Municipal Information Officers
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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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