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Where the rubber meets the road
On behalf of the City Council, City employees and myself, I would like to thank you, the citizens of Farmers Branch for the vote of confidence concerning the $23.5 million street bond issue.
I am overwhelmed with the support of the community on this matter and deeply gratified that more than 67% of voters approved of the issue. At City Hall, we see this vote as a positive step forward for our infrastructure and a huge responsibility for the staff to deliver quality at the best price possible.
With the leadership of the City Council, I promise you that we will do everything we can to use the funds to create the best possible street system in the Metroplex. Additionally, we hope to program other funds in our operational budget to enhance other aspects of our infrastructure throughout the City as we move through this process. The strategy of coordinating operational funds and bond funds will leverage the enhancements and allow our neighborhoods to flourish and thrive in a big way.
We intend to roll out the street enhancement program immediately. In fact, we have already taken bids for unit prices for operationally funded street repair and, as a result, many neighborhoods will see upgrades this year. Larger projects will be designed and bid as soon as possible and we will strategically commence such projects in a systematic and logical fashion.
We will try and keep everyone informed as we move forward on projects over the next several years. However, as always, if you have any questions about the program, which streets will be upgraded, or the timing of the projects, please give us a holler. We will also set up a section of our web site, www.farmersbranchtx.gov, use social media and other means to provide information.
Thanks again, Farmers Branch, your vote of confidence means so much.
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Election Day
RECAP 
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Unofficial results posted
FARMERS BRANCH ~ Unofficial results for the 2014 Farmers Branch City elections have been posted by the Dallas County Elections Department, who operates the election and is responsible for counting the votes.
In the race for Mayor, candidates (listed in ballot order) received the following votes: Bob Phelps - 1,283 (36.75%) Carol Dingman - 807 (23.12%) David Koch - 1,401 (40.13%)
 In the race for Councilmember, District 2, candidates (listed in ballot order) received the following votes: Luther Bernstein - 252 (25.48%) Harold Froehlich - 487 (49.24%) Garrett Smith - 250 (25.28%). If any candidate does not have 51 percent of the vote when the election is canvassed and made official, there will be a runoff between the two candidates receiving the higher number of votes. That runoff election date would be Saturday, June 21. For the local option election to permit the sale of beer and wine for off-premise consumption, the unofficial results were: For - 2,469 (71.65%) Against - 977 (28.35%). On the $23.5 million bond issue for street improvements, the unofficial results were: For - 2,302 (67.45%) Against - 1,111 (32.55%). Results remain unofficial until canvassed and made official by the Farmers Branch City Council at their meeting scheduled for Tuesday, May 20.
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Early voting schedule released for runoff election
FARMERS BRANCH ~ Early voting for the June 21 Runoff elections will be held according to the following schedule:
- Monday, June 9 thru Saturday, June 14, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Sunday, June 15, from 1 until 6 p.m.
- Monday and Tuesday, June 16 & 17, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Runoff Election Day is Saturday, June 21 with the polls open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
> ELECTIONS INFO WEB PAGE
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Wall of Honor
Patriotic Ceremony at Stars & Strings will honor WWII Navy nurse
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U.S. Navy Nurse Geneva Holland
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FARMERS BRANCH ~ In keeping with the Memorial Day weekend theme of honoring those who have served, 'Liberty Fest presents Stars & Strings' will feature not only a rousing concert by the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, and not only a spectacular fireworks show, but a poignant tribute to America's service members, both past and present.
The Dallas Symphony Orchestra will be featured in concert Saturday, May 24 at the Farmers Branch Historical Park as the next generation of the Farmers Branch summer kickoff event. May is National Military Appreciation month and the spirit of this event is to recognize and honor those who have served. As such, there will be a very special presentation to a special World War II Navy veteran.
Geneva Holland served as a Navy nurse during World War II. Sometime during that period, Geneva got married and was forced to retire from her service position with the Navy due to a rule, at the time, that didn't permit married women to serve.
That rule has long since been eliminated.
Last year, the office of Congressman Kenny Marchant began retrieving Ms. Holland's Honorable Discharge paperwork, confirming her status as a World War II veteran and making her eligible for earned medals. Now 92, Geneva will be on hand, along with Congressman Marchant, to formally receive her long overdue military decorations.
Additionally, the event will feature a 'Wall of Honor' where guests can pay tribute to a military service member past or present. Submissions for the Wall will also be taken via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and email. Online submissions can be taken through May 22.
The event is offered free to the public with no ticket required. Families are encouraged to bring blankets and lawn chairs for meadow seating. There will be food trucks, beer and wine, pre-purchased picnic baskets and much more.
For more information about 'Liberty Fest presents Stars & Strings,' visit www.fbspecialevents.com.
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Family Advisory Board presents 'Ambassador' program
FARMERS BRANCH ~ With the goal of engaging and informing residents, the Farmers Branch Family Advisory Board is sponsoring a "Farmers Branch Ambassador" program information event on Thursday, May 22 at 7 p.m. at the Community Recreation Center.
In prepared material, the Family Advisory Board says the goal of the Farmers Branch Ambassador program is to "provide Farmers Branch residents with a wide variety of information about the community so that every encounter they have with a visitor is a positive one that may lead to further interest in living here, working here or playing here."
Further, the group hopes to engage residents and provide them with information on volunteer opportunities.
The program for the May 22 event includes updates and information on development and neighborhood revitalization, local amenities, recreation and aquatics, special events, school district updates and more.
For more information, call 972.247.3131 or visit them on Facebook @branchambassadors.
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Shakespeare Under the Stars finishes up this weekend
FARMERS BRANCH ~ The Firehouse Theatre completes its run of "The Taming of the Shrew" as their annual Shakespeare Under the Stars offering at the Farmers Branch Manske Library Amphitheater.
The classic will finish May 15-18 at 8 p.m. at the venue, 13613 Webb Chapel Road.
Producing Artistic Director John Wilkerson said this would be FHT's second year to produce Shakespeare under the Texas sky and have added a second weekend to allow more patrons to attend.
Theatre-goers should bring a blanket or lawn chair for the grassy, tiered rows in the amphitheater.
For tickets, call 972.620.3747 or visit thefirehousetheatre.com.
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Mosquito dunks available to get jump on season
FARMERS BRANCH ~ With mosquito season again at hand, the City of Farmers Branch Environmental Health office is providing mosquito dunks to residents.
Dumping standing water is always the preferred method of eliminating potential mosquito-breeding areas, if dumping is not possible, treating with mosquito dunks is the next, best option.
Dunks are available at no cost to residents at Farmers Branch City Hall and at the Farmers Branch Senior Center, while supplies last.

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Registration now open for summer youth camps
FARMERS BRANCH ~ Whether teaching teens about law enforcement, fire & rescue or the merits of leadership, three tried and true Farmers Branch Youth Camps opened registration for the 2014 summer season on May 1.
The "Leader in Training" teen camp runs throughout the summer from June 9 through August 22. Designed for ages 13-15, the camp meets weekly and includes volunteer opportunities throughout the City. There is a $15 weekly fee.
Open to ages 13 to 18, the Teen Fire and Rescue Academy will be held June 23-27 and will include hands-on training, challenges and drills for the teens in attendance.
The Teen Police Academy is also open to ages 13 to 18 and will be held July 14-18. Cost for both the Teen Police Academy and Fire and Rescue Academy is $50 for members of the Farmers Branch Community Recreation Center and $65 for non-members.
Call 972.247.4607 for more information.

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Volume 4 | Edition 19 | Number 168 
Branch Bulletin
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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This Week
All events subject to change
MAY 15
PEACE OFFICER
MEMORIAL DAY
MAY 20
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
'DIRT: THE MOVIE'
7 pm @ Manske Library
972.247.2511
Coming Soon
All events subject to change
MAY 24
LIBERTY FEST presents STARS & STRINGS
Featuring the Dallas Symphony Orchestra in Concert
@ Historical Park
972.919.2620
Most City offices closed
NO GARBAGE COLLECTION
Historical Park open 8-5
Rec Center open 8-5
JUN 9-14 (Mon-Sat)
EARLY VOTING
For Runoff Election
8 am to 5 pm @ Dallas County Early Voting Locations
For Runoff Election
1 to 6 pm @ Dallas County Early Voting Locations
JUN 16-17 (Mon-Tue)
EARLY VOTING
For Runoff Election
7 am to 7pm @ Dallas County Early Voting Locations
JUN 21 (Sat) ELECTION DAY For Runoff Election
JUL 3
INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION
@ FB Historical Park
Gates open at 6:30 pm
Concert by Groove Knight
Fireworks finale
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youtube.com fbtv16
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Farmers Branch
"Above & Beyond"
A profile of Farmers Branch City employees who daily go "Above & Beyond" expectations to deliver service to citizens.
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"Pool's Closed!"
But, Farmers Branch residents have swimming options for the 2014 season.
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John F. Burke Nature Preserve: An Overview
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Local
NEWS 
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Kids can build stuff at Library workshop
FARMERS BRANCH ~ Teaching kids the ins and outs of building things, the Home Depot Build-It Workshop returns to the Farmers Branch Manske Library on Thursday, May 15 at 4 p.m.
Participation is free but space is limited. Kids should sign up at the Library's Youth Services desk. Additionally, all kids in attendance must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Call 972.247.2511.

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Watch "Dirt"
MANSKE LIBRARY ~ The Dallas County Master Gardeners, who are part of the Farmers Branch Community Garden, are sponsoring an educational screening of the film Dirt! The Movie on Tuesday, May 20 at 7 p.m. The 2009 documentary was inspired by the book Dirt: The Ecstatic Skin of the Earth by William Bryant Logan. The film examines humans' relationship with soil, particularly the importance of soil for human life and its impact. This film screening is free and open to the public. For more information call the Library at 972.247.2511.

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Hanna Kim to exhibit in Library art gallery in May
MANSKE LIBRARY ~ With unique works of oil on canvass, along with drawings, artist Hanna Kim will be featured in the Art Gallery at the Farmers Branch Manske Library through May 30.
The gallery is open during regular Library hours. Call 972.247.2511 for more info.

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The sounds of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra will fill the Historical Park meadow on Saturday, May 24 as Liberty Fest presents Stars & Strings. |
Check the latest weekly report on the five-year reconstruction of Interstate 635 that includes:
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Check the latest information on the 28-mile, $1.4 billion reconstruction of Interstate 35E from LBJ, through Farmers Branch, to U.S. Highway 380 in Denton County.
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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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