Not so easy 'A'
 

   We got our report card this month in the form of the bi-annual Citizen Satisfaction Survey - your opportunity to tell us how we're doing.

  First and foremost, a huge thank you goes to each and every one of the 1,050 residents that took the time to express their opinion as part of the survey.

   While I'm happy to report that it looks like we made an overall "A," you should know that was accomplished with a lot of effort on the part of a lot of people.

   You can see the numbers in the full report, but of all respondents, 94 percent of you rated Farmers Branch as a great place to live (rating 'Overall Quality of Life' as excellent or good). While we never take that level of rating for granted, we are deeply humbled by that response. It speaks volumes and makes our job worthwhile.

   Still, we also look for the areas of challenge, where we should place additional emphasis or greater effort. These ratings are, to a certain extent, more important than any other as they helps us determine where we need to try harder. And, we will.

   Make no mistake, it is all a work in progress. The attitude we try to instill in every City employee is to take pride in their work, but always look for ways to make it better.

   That said, please know that you need not wait until the next survey to give us your feedback. You can contact any member of the City staff by visiting our website, by calling us or emailing us or just by coming by City Hall.

   We always want to hear from you.

Reuniting of Old Church with Original Bell to be celebrated

HISTORICAL PARK ~ To help celebrate the 30th anniversary of the relocation of the Old Church from Renner, Texas to the Historical Park and installation of its original bell, there will be a special "Homecoming of the Bell" presentation on Thursday, February 19 at 4 p.m. at the park.

   The Old Church at the Farmers Branch Historical Park has been the site for lectures, demonstrations, recitals and many, many weddings since being moved there from Renner, Texas in 1985. But, it came without a bell.

The Historical Park's Danielle Brissette (left) and Jamie Rigsby inspect the installation of the new "old" bell.

   Historical Park Superintendent Derrick Birdsall said the original bell had been given to the Renner Baptist Church where it had been displayed outside their building for many years, enduring the Texas weather and earning years of rust and decay.

   "The good folks at the Renner Baptist Church reached out to the Historical Park with their desire to donate the bell to us," Mr. Birdsall said, "thereby, reuniting the bell with the church."

   The Friends of the Farmers Branch Historical Park took on the task of funding the restoration of the bell by Siebler Inc. who also removed the railroad bell and placed the original, 600-pound bell back inside the bell tower at the park in January. 

 FARMERS BRANCH ~ Growing a City of roses requires commitment, skill and sometimes information, in order to promote healthy plants that showcase our streets and neighborhoods.

>> More

FARMERS BRANCH ~ Citing community partnerships and advances in technology, Farmers Branch Police Chief Sid Fuller announced this week that overall crime in Farmers Branch dropped to its lowest level in the past 15 years with 997 incidents reported.

>> More