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H20 my!
Here's a word about water - tremendous!
That's one of the superlatives that comes to mind when looking at a report that shows you have heeded the call for voluntary water conservation as overall consumption was down 44 percent in the sample period of April (from the same period last year). That's not just residential use but across the board in all sectors of our community.
 Late last year we received a request from the City's water provider, Dallas Water Utilities, to implement conservation measures under our drought contingency plan. It was back on January 1 when we asked the Farmers Branch community to voluntarily conserve water under Stage 1, Water Awareness, calling for a 5 percent drop in consumption. When other cities have resorted to mandatory restrictions, all we have asked, so far, has been "Use what you need, save the rest." And, so far you have. Thank you!  However, this good news comes with a large asterisk. Simply put, we don't know what the weather will bring us. Last summer was one of the worst scorchers on record. Are we in for another long, hot, dry summer? There are so many factors that will affect how much moisture comes to our region in the months and years to come and we just don't know if we're in for a prolonged drought.
We do have further stages prescribed in our drought contingency plan that call for progressively more restrictive water usage. We hope we don't get there but we have to keep our eyes wide open and react to water situations as they are presented to us.
In the meantime, the very best strategy is to preserve this most basic and precious resource all the time. The more voluntary compliance we can have, the better we can weather whatever storms may come (or not, as the case may be).
Basically, my first advice is still my best advice.
Use what you need, save the rest.
 
Click Gary's picture for background and contact info
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Groundbreaking planned for long awaited station area development
FARMERS BRANCH ~ Realizing the plans charted for years by many who envisioned great things for the area adjacent to the Farmers Branch DART station, a groundbreaking for the Mustang Crossing mixed use development is planned for 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 12.
The ceremony and reception will be held at the Jeff Fuller Rose Garden, just south of the DART station area.
Western Securities acquired the City-owned property in the station area earlier this year and will be constructing a four-story mixed-use building that will include 257 dwelling units on the upper floors. The ground floor will have up to 10,000 square feet for retail space of the 300,000 square foot total for the structure.
The community is invited to the groundbreaking. For more information, call 972.247.3131.
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FARMERS BRANCH ~ In response to the call for voluntary conservation, Farmers Branch water customers reduced use in April a total of 44 percent from the same period in 2011.
The implementation of the City's Drought Contingency Plan, Stage 1 - Water Awareness began on January 1 following a request from Dallas Water Utilities, the City's provider. Stage 1 asks for voluntary reductions in frequency of watering landscaping and foundation, washing of vehicles, excessive landscape runoff, filling of pools and fountains and other non-essential water use.
Farmers Branch Public Works officials said residents reduced use 22 percent in the sample period of April, compared to April 2011, while commercial and apartment customers reduced by 14 percent each. However, while pleased with the results, City Manager Gary D. Greer encouraged continued vigilance.
"As usual, Farmers Branch is rising to the challenge to conserve water when called upon to do so," Mr. Greer said. "It is always good practice to conserve our greatest natural resource, so I'll continue to say, 'Use what you need, save the rest.'"
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| Public Safety Town Hall Meeting to feature massive show & tell
FARMERS BRANCH ~ With presentations from the Farmers Branch Police and Fire Departments, along with a massive display of equipment and other resources, a Town Hall Meeting on Public Safety has been set for Thursday, June 14 at Farmers Branch City Hall.
 Police Chief Sidney Fuller and Fire Chief Steve Parker will have members of their departments represented in force to show off equipment and answer questions beginning at 6 p.m. A formal meeting presentation will begin at 7 p.m. in City Council Chambers inside City Hall.
For more information, call 972.247.3131.
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Employee: Melissa Murphey Position: Captain - Fire Station #2
Department: Fire Department
Years of Service: 15 years
Background: I was born and raised in Wichita Falls but presently live in Nocona. I have a 15 year old son and 10 year old daughter. My hobbies include softball, running, dancing, swimming and yard work. Over the past few years I have become very involved in community and church where I serve on boards and committees. I am currently working on my BS in Fire Science online through Columbia Southern University.
What I love most about working for the City: I appreciate the opportunity the City has given me to grow and be all that I can be. Not only in my career, but also as a person. There is always the opportunity to train as an operations firefighter, grow in leadership and personal development and to participate in programs to ensure I continue to be an integral part of my department.
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Remembering the War of 1812 Photo by Tom Bryson
Mayor Bill Glancy presents a proclamation to Beverly Johnston Holmes, representing the Daughters of the War of 1812, upon the occasion of the bicentennial of the start of the "second war for American independence" later this month.
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| Library art table notecards on sale
MANSKE LIBRARY ~ Depicting the six, serene landscapes from
the "Turning the Tables" art series, the Farmers Branch Manske Library now has notecards available in boxes of 12 for $10 each at the checkout desk.
The six tables came from an assortment of surplus furniture that were sanded down then handpainted by Library staff member, and accomplished artist, Caren Khan. The project took about six months from start to finish and the tables were officially unveiled at a community reception at the Library recently with more than 200 in attendance.
The tables are now on display in the Library's magazine area.
The Farmers Branch Manske Library is located at 13613 Webb Chapel, at the corner of Webb Chapel and Golfing Green, on the banks of Rawhide Creek. Call 972.247.2511 for more information or visit the Library online at
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Summer Reading Club encourages kids to "Get a Clue ... At the Library"
FARMERS BRANCH ~ Encouraging kids and families to explore and investigate books, the Manske Library has announced the 2012 Summer Reading Club, "Get a Clue ... At the Library" is now underway.
As part of the 2012 Summer Reading Club, regular activities are programmed throughout the months of June and July, including a Family Movie from 3 until 5 p.m. On Tuesdays, there is a teen movie from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. and a special activity on Wednesdays at 3 p.m. with "Critterman" on June 13, "Willy Welch" will be there on June 20 and "Reading with Ringling" on June 27 at a special time of 4 p.m.
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June 13Nature Walk @ John F. Burke Nature Preserve, 10 a.m.June 12
Egyptologist Rollin Phipps
@ Manske Library, 7 pmJune 14
Town Hall Meeting on Public Safety @ City Hall, 6 pmNow through July 26Summer Reading Club @ Manske Library
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 Fully Involved
Although this picture is more than a decade old, it illustrates the massive destructive force of fire raging behind this Farmers Branch engine. The Farmers Branch Fire and Police Departments will be profiled in a special Town Hall Meeting coming Thursday, June 14 at Farmers Branch City Hall.
Farmers Branch Fire Department Photo |
CITY
EDUCATION
COMMUNITY
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Branch Bulletin
is the recipient of the 2011 and a Finalist for the 2012
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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