City of Burleson, Texas

February 22, 2013

Header for City of Burleson E-Newsletter 102010
Greetings! 
Welcome to the free City of Burleson weekly E-Newsletter! There are more than 1,180 subscribers!  Click here for archived issues.  If you have questions or suggestions about City programs, services and events, call the public information office at 817-426-9622.

Two skunks test positive for rabiesSkunk  

Two skunks inside the city limits of Burleson have tested positive for rabies in the last three weeks. The first positive was Jan. 29 on Lynnwood Ave. In that case, two dogs killed a skunk. Those dogs are in a 45-day home isolation. On Feb. 13, a Burleson animal control officer captured a skunk that was running loose on Wilshire Boulevard/Hwy. 174. There was no known contact with another animal or person, but the skunk was sent for testing because it was captured during daylight hours. The Wilshire Boulevard skunk tested positive for rabies. In 2012, the Texas Department of Health reported seven skunks in Johnson County that had reported positive for rabies. Read More 

Collard earns police department's Outstanding Community Policing honor

The Burleson Police Department's 2012 Most Outstanding Community Policing award went to Officer Robert Collard, a Collard, Community Policing Award seven year veteran of the department. According to the nomination, "Officer Collard does an outstanding job on a daily basis by going into each call with a positive attitude and remaining open minded while seeking solutions to the public's problems. He is dedicated to duty. His display of the highest degree of ethical behavior to the department, the City, and the overall police profession makes him stand out." Since 2005, Collard has earned a spot on the department's SWAT team, is a field training officer, mental health peace officer, is a TCLEOSE (Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education) instructor and has his advanced peace officer certification. Read More 

Pay municipal court fines by this week- Warrant Roundup starts March 2

If you have fines that you have not paid to the City of Burleson's Municipal Court, your time is running out. Arrests will be made and unpaid fines will be collected during a warrant roundup. Notices have been mailed statewide by participating agencies for the 2013 Great Texas Warrant Roundup that starts Saturday, March 2. Burleson currently has approximately 3,100 outstanding warrants valued at more than $700,000. The City's marshals, Burleson Municipal Court and the Burleson Police Department will join forces with more than 120 law enforcement agencies across the state for the 2013 Great Texas Warrant Roundup. Regular business hours for the court are 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday-Tuesday and Thursday-Friday as well as 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. on Wednesday. Hours have been extended for today, Feb. 22, 8 a.m.-7 p.m. The court is located inside the Burleson sub courthouse at 247 Elk Dr., Room 114 (across from Burleson High School). If you don't know if you have an outstanding warrant, call the Burleson Municipal Court, 817-426-9220, or the court in which you received a citation. Read More

Fire department honors its members 

The Burleson Fire Department's highest honors went to Lt. Casey Davis - 2012 Fire Officer of the Year - and Firefighter Matt Moseley - 2012 Firefighter of the Year - at theBurleson Fire Department, 02092013  department's Feb. 9 awards banquet. The firefighters on C shift at Station 1 (Lt. Davis and firefighters Shelby Stone, Jon Wheat and Robert Clarkin) earned the Busiest Shift award with 633 calls out of the department's 3,268 calls in 2012. Firefighter Rob Moore was recognized for the most career training with 1,020.5 hours in 2012. Four firefighters - Clarkin, Eddie Limon, Jake Hopps, and Moseley - were honored for their five years of service. And, more than 20 firefighters were recognized for earning certifications in 2012. Read More

Serve on the Mayor's Youth Council!

Do you want to be a link between the youth of Burleson and the Burleson City Council? If you are between 13 and 19 years old as of June 1, 2013, you can be nominated to serve on the Burleson Mayor's Youth Council (MYC). There is a three-step process to earn a seat on the MYC. A student must be nominated by an adult; the student must fill out a youth questionnaire; then the student must complete an in-person interview with a panel. The panel's selections will be submitted to the Burleson City Council for approval. To be eligible for the council, you must be 13-19 years old, live in Burleson or in Burleson's extraterritorial jurisdiction, have a passion to be the voice of Burleson youth, and show leadership qualities within the community. Read More 

Shop Wilshire, Peggy  Harkin winnerPeggy Harkins is first Shop Wilshire Loyalty program winner

Peggy Harkins (pictured with Justin Bond, economic development manager for the City of Burleson) was the first winner in the City's Shop Wilshire loyalty program! She won a Seiko mantle clock donated by Woolard's Customer Jewelers. Harkins was one of many who participated in the program by turning in five receipts (from the month of January) from businesses located in the Hwy. 174 median improvement project area. That area is State Hwy. 174, between I-35W and Elk Drive. Improvements include replacement of the center turn lane with a raised curb center median with turn lanes, an overlay of the existing pavement, and landscaping. The project is expected to be completed in April 2014. The next drawing will take place at the March 18 Burleson City Council meeting, so don't forget to collect your February receipts from the project area. For more, go to the Shop on Wilshire Loyalty Program page on the City website.

Character award goes to Page for her devotion to local victims of crime

She is considered a part-time employee but Wanda Page is on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and she never Page, Ofelia Blair Character Award refuses to respond. Page is the Burleson Police Department's Victim Assistance Coordinator, and the 2012 Ofelia Blair Character Award winner. The Ofelia Blair Outstanding Character Award is named in honor of the former clerk for the department's criminal investigations section who lost her battle to cancer in 2003. "Wanda never refuses to respond," according to the nomination. "While most of us deal with the initial offense and some are involved in the prosecution, Wanda continues to work with victims for years. She addresses the financial, emotional and medical needs of those affected by crimes in our jurisdiction. This can entail a lifetime of treatment. Wanda's strong faith, determination and devotion make her the type of person the Ofelia Blair Character Award was established for." Read More 

What's coming in, being built, or being remodeled in Burleson in 2013?

Do you want to know where new homes are being built in Burleson and who the builders are? How about what businesses are coming in (Braum's, Seattle's Best Coffee and AT&T Mobility), remodeling, or moving? Did you know that fence and lawn sprinkler permits as well as new residential permits and sign permits were popular in January? To see all of the January 2013 building permit activity reports, go to the January 2013 report.

Be your own best deterrent to crime

What can you do to prevent being a victim of a vehicle burglary? The Burleson Police Department's community resource officers stress that the majority of burglaries happen when people leave valuable items in view and leave their vehicles unlocked. What can you do to make your vehicle less enticing to thieves and burglars? Keep your valuables out of sight. CD players, car stereos, GPS navigation systems, purses, wallets, cellular telephones, loose change and tools are popular items. Other prime targets are IPods, CDs, radar detectors, briefcases/work bags, computers, jewelry, guns and garage door openers. Read More

ballot box

Filing deadline for Burleson City Council is March 1

If you want to represent your neighbors on the Burleson City Council, the filing deadline is 5 p.m. on Friday, March 1. Candidate packets for the May 11 City election are available at Burleson City Hall, 141 W. Renfro St., 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday. The three seats on the ballot include Place 1, held by Mayor Pro Tem Stuart Gillaspie; Place 3, held by Councilmember Jerry Allen; and Place 5, held by Councilmember Dan McClendon. All three incumbents have filed for re-election. Shannon Sutter has filed against Allen for the Place 3 seat. Read More
Bring the family to Family Field Day

Registration for the City's Family Field Day at Bartlett Park starts at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 23, and closes at 1 p.m. All events will wrap up before the Bunny Daze Easter Egg Hunt in Bartlett Park at 1:30 p.m. There are six field day events for all ages - children and parents. They include Rapid Radar (how fast and accurately can you throw), Crime Catcher (how fast can you run without dropping the egg off the spoon), Great Getaway (can you and a partner get away quickly when your legs are tied together for the three-legged race), Fireman's Drill (how quickly can you get ready to put out a fire), House Fire (how quickly can you extinguish the fire in a "burning house") and Fire Hose Tug-of-War. Contestants who compete in all six events will be eligible for a prize. Awards for the Family Field Day events will be presented following the Bunny Daze Easter Egg Hunt. Family Field Day is a Be Healthy Initiative event. Read More

Join Joey the donkey at Russell Farm's first Easter Egg Hunt, March 23

Join Joey the Easter donkey at 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 23, for this year's first ever Easter Egg Hunt at the City's Russell Farm. Joey will be ready to pose for pictures (bring your own camera) and lead in a petting zoo. This event is for children from birth to 4 years old. Russell Farm is located at 405 W. CR 714. The 30-acre historic farm on the south side of Burleson was donated to the City of Burleson in October 2011 by the Boren family for historical, art and  agricultural/natural uses. Charlie and Louise Boren transformed the farm into the Russell Farm Art Center. The property was renamed Russell Farm when the farm was donated to the City. The City envisions Russell Farm to be a center for life, history and art.

As clocks spring forward March 10, sprucing up of cemetery will begin

Daylight saving time means the City's cemetery, Burleson Memorial Park, will get spruced up. The clocks spring forward one hour at 2 a.m. on Sunday, March 10. All items that are not permanently attached to the memorial or marker will be removed after the time changes. Items will be removed from gravesites the week of March 10-16. The removal includes fresh or artificial flowers and other items that are hanging, sitting or lying on the gravesite. This cleanup occurs twice a year, always as daylight saving time begins (March) and ends (November). For a copy of the flower rules and regulations, contact Lucas Blessing Funeral Home, 518 S.W. Johnson Ave., or call 817-295-9000.

Almost 10 citizen responses earned City rankings in Top 15 of jurisdictions

Survey says . . . you like what we are doing! In October 2012, a National Citizen Survey tailored to the City of Burleson by the National Research Center, Inc., was sent randomly to 1,200 Burleson households. In comparing Burleson's results with results from other communities nationwide, almost 10 of the survey responses put Burleson in the Top 15. Those included: "availability of affordable quality food" with a ranking of five; "positive impact of the economy on household income" with a ranking of five; "Visited the City of Burleson website" with a ranking of six; "Courts," with a ranking of seven; "Recreation center or facilities" with a ranking of eight; "Availability of affordable quality housing" with a ranking of 13; "Power/electric and or gas/utility" with a ranking of 12; "Read the Burleson Newsletter" with a ranking of 14; and "Opportunities to participate in religious or spiritual events and activities" with a ranking of 15. To see the news release, presentation to council, video of the presentation to council, the final report and all supporting documents (including this Benchmark Report), go to the 2012 National Citizen Survey page on the city website.

Watch city council and Planning and Zoning Commission meetings on video

 Do you want to know how a vote or discussion went at a Burleson City Council meeting or budget workshop? View the video, live or at your leisure, on the City website. Click on the meeting date, then click on the item you are interested in. There is also a tab for streaming video of the Planning and Video camera with white border   Zoning Commission. Official minutes of council and commission meetings and workshops and work sessions are not posted on the City website until the city council and/or commission members have approved those minutes at their next scheduled meeting.

Contact your councilmember, City staff
Do you need to contact councilmembers, city manager's office, municipal court, environmental services, or utility customer service? The name, title, phone number and email for every councilmember and City staff member is on the City website. Simply click on Contact Us at the bottom of the home page.

Be informed about City government

Do you know what's going on in your City? Choose the form of communication that best suits your style by going to the Communications page on the City website. We have City news releases, the City of Burleson Texas Government Facebook page, the City of Burleson Twitter page, weekly City E-Newsletter, monthly City Focus newsletter, and Connect-CTY emergency phone notifications. Find out the results of the 2012 Communications Survey and see what honors the City's Communications division has earned.

Thank you for your interest in the City of Burleson's programs, services and events. Post this E-Newsletter on your Facebook profile and Twitter by clicking on the icons at the top of this E-Newsletter.  Tell your friends about this E-Newsletter so they can stay in the loop too! 
  
Sally Ellertson
City of Burleson
Public Information Officer 

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UP & COMING EVENTS  

  

 Aqua Egg Hunt

Saturday, March 23

10 a.m.-noon

The BRiCk

550 N.W. Summercrest Blvd.

817-426-9104

 

Bunny Daze Extravaganza

Saturday, March 23

Noon-2 p.m.

Easter Egg Hunt is at 1:30 p.m.

Bartlett Park

550 N.W. Summercrest Blvd.

817-426-9104

 

Family Field Day

Saturday, March 23

11 a.m.-2 p.m.

Bartlett Park

550 N.W. Summercrest Blvd.

817-426-9104

 

Easter Egg Hunt at Russell Farm

Saturday, March 23

3 p.m.

405 W. CR 714

Children, birth to 4 years old

817-426-9104

 

Far Out  Family Fun Camp Out

 April 12 at 5 p.m.

to  April 13, 8 a.m.

Chisenhall Fields Sports Complex (behind baseball fields)

500 W. Hidden Creek Pkwy.

817-426-9104

 

Friends of the Library Book Sale

Friday, April 19

10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Saturday, April 20

10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Burleson Public Library

248 S.W. Johnson Ave.

817-426-9210

 

Arbor Day Ceremony

Friday, April 26

10 a.m.

Clinkscale Elementary

600 Blayke St.

 

Senior Health Fair

Friday, April 26

1 p.m.-4 p.m.

Burleson Senior Activity  Center

216 S.W. Johnson Ave.

817-295-6611

 

Burleson's Great American Cleanup

Saturday, April 27

9 a.m.-11 a.m.

Citywide

817-426-9842

 

Household Hazardous Waste Collection

Saturday, May 4

9 a.m.-11 a.m.

Old City Service Center

133 N. Main St. 

 

 

PICTURES, PICTURES, PICTURES!

 

Father/Daughter and Mother/Son Valentine Dance 2013

 

Burial of the Centennial Time Capsule

 

Christmas at Russell Farm

 

Red vs. Blue benefit softball game for Heart for the Kids

 

 

Breakfast with Santa

 

Christmas Parade, tree lighting and fireworks show

 

Senior Activity Center Craft Fair

 

Military Veteran Tribute 2012

 

Military Veteran Grove Dedication

 

Burleson Old Town Boo Bash

  

20th annual Founders Day Celebration

  

Burleson is the Feature City on WFAA Daybreak 

 

 

 ADOPTABLE PETS

OF THE WEEK

Burleson Animal Shelter

 PETS OF THE WEEK

ADOPTIONS

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817-426-9283

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FITNESS CLASS SCHEDULE

 The BRiCk 

CALL:
817-426-9104

BURLESON CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS

First and third Mondays
6  p.m. work session
7 p.m. meeting
Burleson City Hall
 

 

Burleson City Hall

141 W. Renfro St.

817-426-9600

 

Animal Shelter

775 S.E. John Jones

817-426-9283

 

The BRiCk

550 N.W. Summercrest

817-426-9104

 

Compost, Mulch, Recycling Center

620 Memorial Plaza

817-426-9830

 

Fire Department

828 S.W. Alsbury

817-426-9170

 

Burleson Visitors Center

124 W. Ellison St.

817-447-1575

 

Hidden Creek Golf Course 

555 E. Hidden Creek

817-447-4444

 

Public Library

248 S.W. Johnson

817-426-9210

 

Municipal Court

247 Elk Drive

817-426-9220

 

Service Center

725 S.E. John Jones

 817-426-9830

 

Police Department

225 W. Renfro

817-426-9910

 

Senior Activity Center

216  S.W. Johnson

817-295-6611

 

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