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Simple Truth
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."
Although Jefferson's words have been analyzed, appraised and applauded in a hundred different ways through the years, I was reading a book recently that described the simple truth of this statement in a method the 21st century can relate to. The author described this momentous turn of phrase as "America's Mission Statement."
I like that.
 By itself, it doesn't do justice to the gravity of this thesis statement of the Declaration of Independence. But, in terms of summing up the brilliant simplicity of the document for our limited attention span society, it works.
When we think about it, in the grand scheme of the cosmos, the total number of people on the earth is about 7 billion, and change. Although the U.S. is the third most populous country in the world, our 361 million folks make up only about 5 percent of the total. So, when you consider the math, how amazing is it that we were born into this culture in this country at this point in time?
There's a simple truth.
So, what made Thomas Jefferson such a brilliant thinker, writer and statesman? Theories will range from level of education to divine providence. I'd like to suggest that the stuff that made Jefferson, well, Jefferson, is the same stuff that can inspire greatness in all of us.
The formula is simple: passion + time.
Unfortunately, our insertion into history at the point of the greatest information revolution in the past thousand years is what equally handicaps us. Technology has made more information available to us that at any time in history and has simultaneously made it possible for us to produce more, more, more.
The result of this breakneck pace is the lack of time for ourselves and for our passions.
So, if pausing to ponder anything this Fourth of July, while considering the passage of prose that set the stage for independence, consider your own passion and why you aren't engaging it. Whether it is writing, reading, running, painting, bowling or whatever-ing, find time for it and you might rediscover the life others tell you to get.
That may not be easy. But, it is simple.
And true.
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OPEN LETTER from the MAYOR and COUNCIL
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Honesty, Respect and Accountability
We are seeing, on a more frequent basis, blog comments, fliers and recent posted letters to the community that are anonymous which make serious claims that are harmful to individual citizens, council members and/or city board members. The most recent anonymous letter accused one of the council members of a conflict of interest. We believe that the practice of disseminating such anonymous information lacks the accountability and credibility needed for an honest public discussion. Therefore, we cannot recognize or respond to anonymous information or allegations.
As a Council, we believe we need to promote civil, honest and open interaction on all community issues. In order to move the city forward we cannot recognize or respond to anonymous information. Therefore, we encourage those who choose to make anonymous assertions to identify themselves in the arena of public discourse. We encourage the exchange of ideas in an environment of respect and consideration.
As a Council we plan to move forward together with honesty, respect and accountability. Let's all adhere to a decorum that promotes this environment for the advancement of the City we all love.
Mayor Bill Glancy
Mayor Pro Tempore Jeff Fuller
Deputy Mayor Pro Tempore Kirk Connally
Council Member Ben Robinson
Council Member Ana Reyes
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Celebrate
Community comes together for a red, white and blue party tonight at FBHP
FARMERS BRANCH ~ Celebrating the red, white and blue, the City of Farmers Branch will host the annual Independence Day festivities on Wednesday, July 3 at the Farmers Branch Historical Park.
Gates open at 6:30 p.m. and admission is free. Families are encouraged to bring blankets and lawn chairs for the concert by the classic party band 'Groove Knight' at 7 p.m.
The traditional Fourth of July fireworks finale will conclude the evening, after dark.
The Farmers Branch Historical Park is located at 2540 Farmers Branch Lane, between Denton Drive and Ford Road, and a short walk south from the DART Green Line station in Farmers Branch.
Free parking will be available at the Metrosquare Business Park, two blocks south of the Historical Park on Ford Road, with a free shuttle to the gate. Call 972.919.2620 for more information.   
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New City website up and running at www.farmersbranchtx.gov
FARMERS BRANCH ~ The Farmers Branch website just got an extreme makeover. 
The online presence for the City organization has a new look, a new feel and a new address, at www.farmersbranchtx.gov. Launched earlier this week, the new site is organized by function with "mega menus" offering a capsulized site map under each major heading on top of the home page, "Departments," "Government," "Community," "Business" and "Visitors."
Directly below that, six graphic buttons offer users the opportunity to report a concern, make an online payment of a utility bill or court citation, check out the latest City news, browse a gallery of City photos or send feedback to City Hall.
City-related news stories will always occupy a spot on the home page, as will links to specific functions on the left side of the page. Find out more at www.farmersbranchtx.gov.
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Volume 3 | Edition 27 | Number 123 
is published weekly by the Communications Office
of the City of Farmers Branch, TX.
Two-time TAMI Award Winner for Best eNewsletter in Texas
Given by the Texas Association of Municipal Information Officers
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City Council meeting time change takes effect July 16
FARMERS BRANCH ~ Responding to citizen requests for a slight adjustment in the start time, the Farmers Branch City Council has voted to reset regular Council meetings to a start time of 6:30 p.m., beginning in July.
Officials said there had been some requests for the change so that more citizens would be able to return from work and attend the meetings if desired.
There is only one regular City Council meeting scheduled in July, on Tuesday, July 16. The new start time will take effect as of that meeting.
Regular meetings of the Farmers Branch City Council are held at Farmers Branch City Hall, 13000 William Dodson Parkway. Live coverage on meeting nights begins at 6:30 p.m. on FBTV, with replays of the most recent meeting at 7 p.m., seven days a week. FBTV can be found on cable channel 16 in Farmers Branch (15.1 digital), on AT&T Uverse channel 99 throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex and online at www.farmersbranchtx.gov with video on demand available, beginning with meetings in June.
For more information, call 972.247.3131.
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Fire Department still accepting public input
FARMERS BRANCH ~ The City of Farmers Branch, in partnership with the Dallas County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, is requesting public input on the 2013 Dallas County/Farmers Branch Hazard Mitigation Action Plan, according to Farmers Branch Fire Chief Steve Parker.
An online survey is available for residents to provide input on how to reduce future impacts of hazards affecting our community.
Mitigation plans are required to be updated every five years to help reduce the vulnerability of people and property in our city. The City's current plan was adopted in 2008.
For more information on the update, visit the Dallas County Homeland Security & Emergency Management Hazard Mitigation Action Plan website or call the Farmers Branch Fire Department at 972.919.2640.
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VIDEO EXTRA
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Home repair scams tend to prey on elderly
FARMERS BRANCH ~ Although there has not been a substantial increase in reported scams, Farmers Branch Police want to be sure citizens are educated on the work done by con artists, in hopes of avoiding victimization.
Farmers Branch Police Lieutenant Jay Siegel said scams come in a variety of guises but usually have some common patterns. Every week, in this space, a different type of scam will be profiled in hopes of raising awareness.
Home Repair Scams:
Scammers go door to door and present themselves as roofers, contractors, etc. They charge for unnecessary repairs, overcharge for work done, and ask for payment upfront and then never do the work. Be cautious of unsolicited door-to-door home improvement offers. If home repairs are needed, seek out reputable home repair businesses and check their references.
More >>
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The rockets' red glare lights up the sky over the Farmers Branch Historical Park during Independence Day celebrations.
Photo by Derrick Birdsall
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  | | LBJ Express Finished Project Animation |
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About the City of Farmers Branch
 An historic community in the geographic center of the DFW Metroplex, Farmers Branch boasts a residential population of 28,800 and a daytime employment population of 66,000. Located on the northwest border of the City of Dallas, the City's 27 parks and lush greenbelts feature nationally-acclaimed, award-winning soccer fields, football facilities as well as baseball and softball complexes. The city's location in the center of the Metroplex and only 15 minutes away from both DFW Airport and Love Field, along with the 2,200 hotel rooms within the city, make Farmers Branch an ideal location for residents and for business. For more information on the City of Farmers Branch, visit farmersbranchtx.gov, visitfarmersbranch.com, lovethebranch.com
or call 972.247.3131. |
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