City of Burleson, TexasSeptember 24, 2010
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Greetings!

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Welcome to the City of Burleson, Texas, E-Newsletter! You are one of 1,045 subscribers who want to be in the loop and stay informed about what's happening in city government in Burleson!  If you've missed an issue of the E-Newsletter, click on the E-Newsletter button on the new City website, www.burlesontx.com.  If you have questions or suggestions about City programs, services and events, call the public information office at 817-426-9622.

Burleson earns honor of 100 Best Communities For Young People

Burleson takes care of its youth! That was recognized Sept. 21 when America's Promise Alliance, the nation's largest partnership organization dedicated to youth and children, announced that Burleson was named a winner of the Alliance's "100 Best Communities for Young People."  Burleson and the other winners spanning 37 states were recognized at a ceremony in front of the Washington Monument on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. The 100 Best honors communities that make youth a priority with programs that help keep children in school and prepare them for college and the workforce. Go to http://tinyurl.com/2cmffee on the City website.

Candy, costumes, and storytelling . . . that's the Burleson Old Town Boo Bash

Don't miss the third annual Burleson Old Town Boo Bash on Saturday, Oct. 30! Free games, candy, entertainment, Boo Bash Moms and little trick or treatersa costume parade and a Halloween story are all on tap for the celebration. The event  - 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. - is hosted by the City, the Burleson Area Chamber of Commerce, and the community. Children, birth to 12 years old, dress up and enjoy free trick-or-treating. Local businesses, churches and civic groups set up booths and decorate their vehicles for trunk-or-treat fun. This year the fun returns to Ellison Street and stretches from Johnson Avenue to Main Street. Go to http://tinyurl.com/28pwgwb.

Council approves budget and tax rate 

The City's $64,489,068 annual budget for fiscal year 2010-2011 passed by a vote of 6-1 Monday. The proposed tax rate of $0.7100 also passed by a vote of 6-1. Council approved, by a 7-0 vote, the City fee scheduleand the water and wastewater rates. The $24,865,784 expenditure General Fund budget that was passed included one enhancement - $100,000 for an employee health clinic. For more about the budget and tax rate, go to http://tinyurl.com/34gcqje. To see streaming video of the Sept. 20 council meeting, go to http://burlesontx.swagit.com/, click on the Sept. 20 council meeting, then go to Items 4B-4E (it's in three parts). To look at all budget planning materials, go to http://tinyurl.com/2dsayhn on the City website.

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Don't use the shoulder as a traffic lane

You have heard of crime prevention tips . . . now how about crash prevention tips from the Burleson Police Department's traffic section? Don't use the shoulder of the road as a traffic lane. You can only drive on an improved shoulder to the right of the main lanes of traffic if it can be done safely. The shoulders can be only be used to stop, stand or park; speed up before entering the main traveled lane of traffic; slow down before making a right turn; pass another vehicle that is slowing or stopped on the main road, disabled, or preparing to make a left turn; to allow another vehicle traveling faster to pass; as permitted or required by a traffic control device; or to avoid a collision. Don't become part of a collision!

Learn more about the community through the City's redesigned website

Do you want to learn more about the community? The City's new website has all you need. Go to www.burlesontx.com and click on the dropdown menu for "Community." You'll find links to Be Burleson SWH logothe parks and recreation department, About Us (demographics, history, and videos), the Be Healthy Initiative, Burleson Opportunity Fund, Burleson Area Chamber of Commerce, City News (Community Guide, Burleson Progress Report, E-Newsletter and news releases), events and festivals, frequently asked questions, Living In (the BRiCk, Chisenhall Fields, city council, education, elections, emergency management, Connect-CTY, Hidden Creek Golf Course, library, property taxes and the senior activity center) as well as New Resident Resources. Check it out!

Check out BRiCk's Stroller Walking Time

Parents and babies, hit the track at the Burleson Recreation Center (the BRiCk)! The center started a new program, Stroller Walking Time, for BRiCk members. Parents and guardians, 16 and older, can stay in shape while entertaining their babies and networking with other parents. Stroller Walking Time is 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m., Monday-Friday. There is a designated stroller lane on the suspended track at 550 N.W. Summercrest Blvd. For more information, call the BRiCk at 817-426-9104.

Follow the vote on streaming video

Do you want to know how a vote went at a city council meeting? View the video at http://burlesontx.swagit.com/City_Council/ on the City website. Click on the meeting date, then click on the item you are interested in. There is also a tab for videos of the Planning and Zoning Commission. Official minutes of council and commission meetings are not posted on the City website, www.burlesontx.com, until the council/commission members have approved those minutes at their next scheduled meeting.

 
Insanity and POWER C are on the free fitness schedule for BRiCk members 

Insanity - morning and night classes - are back on Monday and Wednesday as well as once each on Saturday and Sunday. And, check out a free instructor-based class demonstration of POWER C! The BRiCk offers free DVD-based fitness classes seven days a week for its members. The center provides the workout room, DVD, and projector screen. You provide the motivation! Even if you are not a member, you can participate in free classes by buying a daily pass. For current and upcoming fitness schedules - DVD and instructor-based - go to the fitness page at http://tinyurl.com/2v923c3 on the City website. For more, call the BRICk at 817-426-9104.

September 2010 Burleson Progress ReportThe September Burleson Progress Report is here!

The September 2010 Burleson Progress Report is in your mailbox! Everyone who has a utility account with the City receives the 16-page quarterly newsletter. This issue has the dates for Founders Day, Boo Bash, the Military Veteran Tribute and Christmas in Burleson. Check out the pictures from the Fourth of July celebration, Operation Remember, Citizens Police Academy, Junior Fire Academy, the grand opening of the BRiCk, Storytime at the library, and even a calendar of events. Go to http://tinyurl.com/34rd86y.

Check out the Fall Community Fall 2010 Burleson Community GuideGuide from parks and recreation!

Check out the Fall 2010 Burleson Community Guide, http://tinyurl.com/2bsu698, compiled by the City's parks and recreation department. The 16-page guide includes information about events, youth camps and classes, kid and adult fitness classes, parties and events, special interest classes, wellness classes, massage therapy, adult athletics, field rentals, and aquatics.

Burleson City HallThank you for your interest in what the City of Burleson has to offer you! You can post the City of Burleson E-Newsletter on your Facebook profile, Twitter, or a number of other social networking sites by clicking on "Share," above "Forward E-mail" at the bottom of this newsletter. Please forward this by clicking on the "Forward e-mail" or "Share" it with your friends, neighbors, family and co-workers.
 
Enjoy your weekend!
 
 
Sally Ellertson
City of Burleson
Public Information Officer 

Approximately 175 volunteers bagged 1,400 pounds of trash Sept. 18 at the annual Burleson Trash Bash. Volunteers cleaned up the city's retail corridors and residential drainage channels. For more pictures, go to http://tinyurl.com/2w7z6bz on the City's Facebook page.  

 Burleson Trash Bash
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The City  has a Facebook page! After 15 months, the City of Burleson, Texas, Facebook page has more than 2,980 fans! We want to know what you think! Comment on the wall posts and the photo albums and start your own discussion thread. Click on the Facebook icon on the City web site at www.burlesontx.com.
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If the city hall parking lot is full Saturday, you aren't missing a meeting. Volunteers for the United Way of Johnson County's sixth annual Day of Caring are meeting in the city hall parking lot at 8 a.m. on Sept. 25 for a rally. They will then report to their community project site and work until noon.  Day of Caring is a mobilization of volunteers who then get a firsthand look at services provided by local organizations.

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SAVE THE DATE! The  Military Veteran Tribute is at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 6, at Veterans Park, 298 E. Renfro St.
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There are dogs and cats ready for a new home at the Burleson Animal Shelter! The slideshow on the City website at http://tinyurl.com/287egbk  shows pictures of the Adoptable Pets of the Week. Call  the shelter at 817-426-9283.
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Banned Books Week poster

 
Are you looking for something new to read or are you interested in learning more about Banned Books Week, Sept. 25-Oct. 2? Go to
http://tinyurl.com/3397al9 on the new City website. Find out about Banned Books Week, check out the bestseller lists, and see what books and videos the Burleson Public Library staff is recommending.
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SAVE THE DATE!  Santa's Breakfast, the Christmas parade, tree lighting and fireworks are slated for Saturday, Dec. 4.
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PhoneDo  you have a question about City services or programs or a suggestion about what you would like to see happen? The directory for City staff and city council is on the City website at http://tinyurl.com/34lfyyy. To find the addresses of all City facilities and parks, go to http://tinyurl.com/24blkr9 on the new City website.

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Do you subscribe to the City of Burleson's weekly E-Newsletter - the one you are reading right now? It's easy, and it's free! Scroll down this column and click on "Join Our Mailing List." All we need is your e-mail address!
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Do you want maps? Go to http://tinyurl.com/36zzbhl on the City website, www.burlesontx.com, and you'll find an aerial map, future land use map, HighPoint Business Park map, future transportation improvements, and even demographics, charts and graphs, and special reports/presentations.

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Burleson City Council

First and Third Mondays
5:30 p.m. worksession
7 p.m. council meeting
To view council agendas and minutes go to  http://tinyurl.com/376tpcc.
Agendas are posted by 5 p.m.
 on the Friday before a city
 council meeting.
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City website 
 
Links on the City web site
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