Butler named Employee of the Year

Tackling a huge project on top of doing his regular duties as a fire investigator/inspector for the City of Burleson's Fire Marshal's Office earned David Butler the 2014 Employee of the Year honors. He shared that award with Lisa Kay Edwards, utility customer service supervisor, who was recognized for her exemplary customer service. Butler earned Employee of the Quarter honors for the first quarter of 2014 for coordinating the City's new state-of-the-art radio system. "David played a critical role in helping evaluate and implement our new communication system and coordinating with multiple city departments," City Manager Dale Cheatham said.  "This was a complex undertaking and David's work on this project is worthy of the recognition he has received." More 

We're closing Dec. 25-26 and Jan. 1

Most City facilities, with the exception of public safety, will be closed Thursday and Friday, Dec. 25-26, and Thursday, Jan. 1, in observance of Christmas and New Year's Day. Hidden Creek Golf Course will be closed on Christmas, but will be open at its regular hours - 7 a.m.-5:30 p.m. - Dec. 26 and Jan. 1. There will be no trash or curbside recycling collection on two Thursdays - Dec. 25 and Jan. 1. If you are on the Monday/Thursday schedule, your next collection date after the two holidays is Monday, Dec. 29, and Monday, Jan. 5. If you are on the Tuesday/Friday schedule, your trash/recycling will be collected on your normal days. The City's Compost/Mulch/Recycling Center will be closed on Friday, Dec. 26, but if you want to drop off the curbside recycling that was not collected on Christmas Day or New Year's Day, please stop by the center on the Saturdays following the holidays - Dec. 27 and Jan. 3. The center is also open on Friday, Jan. 2. The center is located behind Fire Station #2 at 620 Memorial Plaza. The BRiCk will be open Dec. 31, but the hours are shortened to 5 a.m.-5 p.m. The library will be closed Dec. 24-26 for Christmas (as well as New Year's Day). The Burleson Animal Shelter and the Senior Activity Center will be open for business on Saturday - Dec. 27 and Jan. 3. More

Customer service earns Edwards City's Employee of the Year honors

The smiling face that greets many of the utility customers who come in to Burleson City Hall was honored with the 2014 Employee of the Year. Lisa Kay Edwards, utility customer service supervisor, shares the 2014 honor with David Butler, fire investigator/inspector for the Fire Marshal's office. "Providing good customer service is an area of emphasis for all City employees in their performance evaluations," Deputy City Manager Paul Cain said.  "While performance measures can motivate employees to provide good customer service, the best motivation for good customer service is the employee's genuine care for their customer's satisfaction.  Lisa Kay genuinely cares about the people she serves and she wants their experience in Utility Customer Service to be a good one. She greets everyone with a smile and works hard to resolve their concerns. I'm very proud of the job she does and grateful that she represents the City so well in her interactions with our citizen-customers.  There's no doubt, Lisa Kay is a bright and shining star at the City." More

Have fun at BRiCk's Winter Fun Camp

Do you need a few days before Christmas to wrap up your gift buying, meal preparation, and travel plans? Then sign your preteens up for the BRiCk's Winter Fun Camp. The dates are Dec. 22-23, Dec. 29-Dec. 31, and Jan. 2. The camp is 7 a.m.-6 p.m. and is for children between 6 and 12 years old. The fun includes group games,arts and crafts, rock climbing and team building. Fees range from $115-$130 for the week or $25-$35 for a day. Call the BRiCk at 817-426-9104 for more information. 

Hang out at Russell Farm & meet

the Rein Donkey 

Get your picture taken with Joey, the "Rein-Donkey," during the Christmas at Russell Farm festivities. The City's 30-acre historic farm at 405 W. County Road 714 is the site for fun Dec. 19-20. The hours today are 5 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Saturday's hours are 2 p.m.-8:30 p.m. The festivities are free. The fun includes pictures (bring your own camera) with a donkey wearing antlers; checking out the Christmas trees decorated by community clubs and organizations; hay rides; handmade crafts for sale; tours of the historic Russell-Boren house as well as the Russell Farm Art Center gallery; and hot chocolate, cookies and coffee. More

Start the new year off by saving lives!

Sign up now and start the new year off by saving lives! Carter BloodCare and the City of Burleson will be hosting a blood drive on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., in the city hall parking lot at 141 W. Renfro St. Carter BloodCare is a provider of blood components and transfusion services for north, central and east Texas. Approximately 1,100 blood donors a day are critical to meeting the community's need. Are you eligible to donate? You must be at least 16 years of age (must have written parental consent); bring a valid photo ID; weigh at least 110 pounds; and you must be feeling well and healthy on the day of donating. Check out the blood donation FAQs on the Carter BloodCare website, then sign up for the City's Jan. 13 blood drive. For more information call Deidre Hall in the City's Human Resources department at 817-426-9642 or call Carter BloodCare at 1-888-480-8200 or Metro 817-412-5603. 

Seven employees honored for more than 20 years of service

Seven City employees were honored Dec. 11 at the City's annual awards luncheon for serving the City for 20 or more years. Deputy Chief Doug Sandifer was recognized for his 30 years of service to the Burleson Police Department. Also from the police department was Sgt. Melvin McGuire, who has served for 25 years. Five employees started with the City 20 years ago. They include Brenda Chrusciaki from finance, Deputy Chief Chris Havens from the police department, Peter Krause from parks and recreation, Sgt. Darin Pool from the police department, and Johnny West from the parks maintenance department. More 

Pick up candidate packets in January

If you want to represent your neighbors on the Burleson City Council, candidate packets for the May 2015 City election will be available in January at Burleson City Hall. The three seats on the ballot include Place 1 held by Councilmember Stuart Gillaspie, Place 3 held by Councilmember Jerry Allen, and Place 5 held by Mayor Pro Tem Dan McClendon. Council profiles are available on the City website.The 2015 election is for three-year terms. Burleson City Hall is located at 141 W. Renfro St. For more information, contact the city secretary's office at 817-426-9662 or email them.

Traffic signal work slated for Alsbury/Renfro intersection

Stay on the alert Monday, Dec. 29, when City workers power down the traffic signal at Alsbury Boulevard and Renfro Street to replace the power panel. Weather permitting, this will happen in the morning, after 8:30 a.m. Power to the signal is expected to be off for two-four hours. City workers will post temporary stop signs at the intersection to control the traffic. Burleson Police will also be on scene to assist with any potential traffic issues. If the weather turns bad on Dec. 29, the work will be delayed. 

Library's Story Time hours change in January

Things are switching around soon at the Burleson Public Library. Beginning in January 2015, Story Times will have new times and age groups. Wednesdays, 11 a.m.-11:30 a.m., is Toddler Time, 18 months to 3 years old. Staff and families will read stories, sing songs, and participate in other fun activities. Thursdays, 10:15 a.m.-10:45 a.m., is Baby Time for newborns up to 18 months old. Staff will read stories and have music movement for the babies. Also on Thursdays, 11 a.m.-11:30 a.m., will now be Preschool Time for children ages 3 to 6 years old. Staff and preschoolers will read stories, sing songs, and more. The library is located at 248 S.W. Johnson Ave. 

Replace old CWD curbside recycling bin!

If your old recycling bin is damaged and needs to be replaced, please contact the City's Public Works department at 817-426-9835 and get your address on the bin replacement list. There is no charge for this replacement. Progressive Waste will pick up your old bin when they deliver your new one. The old broken bin needs to be placed at the curb on the Wednesday scheduled for your replacement. The list is provided to Progressive by noon on Tuesdays for Wednesday deliveries. Depending on when you call in, the following Wednesday will most likely be your replacement day. If your old CWD bin is still in good shape please continue to use it for your recycling needs. As always, if you wish to have additional bins, they are available at a cost of $10 per extra bin and remember, the lids are free and available for pick up at the City's Service Center located at 725 S.E. John Jones Dr. or at City Hall in Utility Customer Service (141 W. Renfro St.) If you have any questions concerning your recycling or solid waste collections, give us a call or drop us an email.

Say no, no no to holiday thieves

The Texas Auto Burglary and Theft Prevention Authority, of which the Burleson Police Department is a member, reminds drivers that a vehicle is burglarized every two minutes and stolen every eight minutes in the state. These crimes can escalate during the holiday season. A thief won't necessarily stop with taking your vehicle and the things inside. A thief may also look for personal documents and items that can help them steal your identity or gain access to your home. Auto burglars are more likely to scout malls, shopping centers, entertainment venues, hotels, and other business parking lots looking for opportunities to break into vehicles and take gifts, purses, wallets, packages, electronics, suitcases, garage door openers, keys and personal information. When vehicles are left unlocked and unattended, drivers are inviting thieves to walk away with everything they see inside. More