April City Update & Important Election Information

Dear Neighbors, 

Happy Easter to all. 

As I said last month, with grass and trees starting to grow, please make sure that you attend to alley’s and utility easements if they need mowing. Critters are actively breeding and tall grass and weeds make perfect nesting places for many unwanted varmints. 

The elections for Mayor and a new District 2 representative are right around the corner. If you are not sure what council district you are in click on the following link to find out:  DISTRICT LOOKUP. Early voting dates and times are below along with the three closest poling places. Please don’t forget to vote. 

This Thursday at 6pm, the Farmers Branch Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring a Candidate Forum. It’s your chance to meet candidates and I believe the audience will have the opportunity to ask questions after a moderated portion of the program. 6pm at The Branch Connection. More information below. 

I am honored and humbled to have the support of the Farmers Branch Police Officers Association as I run for Mayor. Truly an honor!

Don’t forget, Denton Drive Live kicks-off again April 15th. Come out and enjoy free live music and entertainment at The Grove, across from the Dallas Star Center.

If you ever have a question about me, my campaign or things the city is doing/planning, feel free to message me or call me. I am happy to answer any questions you might have. 

I encourage everyone to vote. At the end of the day, we are still a small town so each vote speaks louder than you think.  

UPCOMING CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS 

APRIL CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS

The City Council meetings for April will take place on Tuesday, April 4th and 18th, at 6pm, in the City Council Chambers. Meetings are open to the public. The Study Sessions will take place at 3:00pm prior in the upstairs meeting room.

The public may now speak at City Council meetings during Citizen Comment and on agenda items without having to pre-register online. Just sign up when you get to City Hall and turn your form into the mayor.  

Citizens are given 3 minutes to speak to any topic during Citizen Comment as long as they are cordial and don’t make disparaging remarks to Council or staff. This is your time to bring issues to the attention of Council and the City.

The agenda for the Council Meetings and Study Sessions may be found by clicking on AGENDA. Be sure to search for April 2023.

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GREEN GRABBER PICK-UP SCHEDULE FOR BRUSH AND BULK

The week of April 3rd will be Bulk Item Pick-Up Week. The Green Grabber will pick up BULK items on the same day as your recycling bin pick-up. Bulk consists of furniture, mattresses, appliances, etc. 

The other weeks of the month the Green Grabber will only pick-up BRUSH. 

Please do your part to help us save our landfill by separating your brush and green items from bulk items and put brush out the remaining three weeks of the month.

Residents may call for a “special pick-up” by The Green Grabber if needed. Special Pick-ups are done on Wednesdays as available.  Call 972-919-2597.

Need more information about Trash and Recycling? Click T&R INFO

FREEBIES FOR ACTIVE ADULTS AT THE BRANCH CONNECTION

ImageThe First Monday Breakfast for April takes place Monday, April 3rd, at 8:15am at The Branch Connection and will be limited to the first 100 active adults. Free for TBC members and $5 for non-members. Come join us for some good food, meet new neighbors and see what’s happening at TBC!

Join The Branch Connection today and take advantage of a myriad of fun activities! Click NEWSLETTER for The Branch Connection Newsletter and see all the great things happening there!

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FREE HOT DOG LUNCH FOR ACTIVE ADULTS AT THE BRANCH CONNECTION

Friday Franks is back, Friday, April 21st, from 11:30 to 12:30 at The Branch Connection. Come and enjoy delicious grilled hot dogs with all the fixins’ courtesy of the Senior Advisory Board. Non-members, $5.                   

ELECTIONS UPDATE

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Closest Locations to Farmers Branch to Vote

Brookhaven College, 3939 Valley View Lane, Farmers Branch

Farmers Branch Manske Library, 13613 Webb Chapel Road, Farmers Branch

Marsh Lane Baptist Church, 10716 Marsh Lane, Dallas

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Each month, I have been telling you about my campaign. The 4 pillars of my campaign are: 

  • Accountability
  • Integrity
  • Respect 
  • Customer Service

As I have stated since I first ran for Council, I will work to serve ALL residents of our city. That includes our business residents also. 

We have a diverse population in many ways. Everyone deserves their voice heard at City Hall.

I believe we are ONE PEOPLE in Farmers Branch. If you live in our city, you deserve to be represented.  

I will work with our City Council to Make Our City Better and Provide Better Local Government to our residents. You deserve nothing less. 

Listen First” has been a constant theme of mine. I cannot represent you if I don’t listen to your concerns. 

EXPERIENCE MATTERS. My service on City Council for 6 years and having served on 3 city boards prior to that to learn about the city, along with my vast business experience has prepared and qualified me to serve as your Mayor.  

Please consider supporting my campaign by going to www.ElectTerryLynne.com   Let’s bring back responsible local government!

See interview with Terry on OBBM Network Weekly News

While the Mayor does not run the city, the mayor does provide guidance and direction to the Council in their decision making. With 3 council members all with less than a year of service and a new council member coming on in May, Farmers Branch needs Experienced Leadership. The business of the city runs too fast to allow for on-the-job training of someone who has never served the city.

PRIORITY ITEMS FOR TERRY LYNNE

As mayor, I hope to work with the Council on: 

  • Filling Open Positions at the Police Department
  • Slowing Traffic Down throughout the city. 
  • True & Transparent Tax Relief 
  • Improved Code Enforcement 
  • Neighborhood Improvement 
  • Assessment of All Current City Assets 
  • Homeless Initiative to address a growing problem 
  • “Shale Mountain” Removal
  • One Community / One People 
  • Your Voice Will Be Heard

See attached .pdf for more detail of each item. 

All said, Farmers Branch is a growing little suburb of 38,000 people. We are one community and one people sharing the same needs and wants as other cities around us. We are fortunate that we have emergency services with unmatched response times. Our city services for sanitation, brush pick-up, streets and neighborhood repairs rank among the highest in The Metroplex. 

As your Mayor, I will work to make sure our city continues to grow without losing the small town community feel that makes Farmers Branch a special place to live, work and enjoy life.  

DISTRICT 2 CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATES

The following individuals have filed to run for the District 2 City Council seat which will be open in May: 

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  • Matin Baird

FREE TAX RETURN PREPARATION FOR QUALIFYING TAXPAYERS

The IRS’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs offer free basic tax return preparation to qualified individuals.

The VITA program has operated for over 50 years. VITA sites offer free tax help to people who need assistance in preparing their own tax returns, including:

  • People who generally make $60,000 or less
  • Persons with disabilities; and
  • Limited English-speaking taxpayers

In addition to VITA, the TCE program offers free tax help, particularly for those who are 60 years of age and older, specializing in questions about pensions and retirement-related issues unique to seniors.

While the IRS manages the VITA and TCE programs, the VITA/TCE sites are operated by IRS partners and staffed by volunteers who want to make a difference in their communities. The IRS-certified volunteers who provide tax counseling are often retired individuals associated with non-profit organizations that receive grants from the IRS.

VITA/TCE services are not only free, they are also a reliable and trusted source for preparing tax returns.

The closest location for this service is: 

North Dallas Shared Ministries

2875 Merrell Rd

Dallas, TX 75229

Volunteer Prepared Taxes

24 JAN 2023 – 14 OCT 2023         

TUE    2:00PM          –           7:30PM

WED   2:00PM          –           7:30PM

THU    2:00PM          –           7:30PM

FRI      2:00PM          –           7:30PM

SAT    9:00AM          –           2:00PM

English & Spanish 

AARP also provides tax assistance. Click AARP Foundation Tax-Aide for a list of locations for free tax preparation services. 

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HOUSING SURVEY NOW UNDERWAY

ImageIn case you see a car driving down your street taking notes, don’t worry. 

The City has hired contractors from a company called Masterplan to conduct a regular inspection of our single-family housing. 

These Inspectors will be driving every street to assess the condition of all 8000+ single-family homes in Farmers Branch. The inspectors examine the home from the road and look for an array of property maintenance issues. Inspectors will not come onto anyone’s property, though they may leave their car on occasion to get a better view. 

The purpose of a property condition survey is to determine the health of the City’s housing stock.

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Denton Drive Live!, the award-winning, free outdoor concert series produced by the City of Farmers Branch, returns April 15th!  Each month from April to July, some of Texas’ premier bands perform to bring you the best in rock, zydeco, Texas swing/rockabilly, blues, pop, disco and funk! Plus, lots of great food options.

April 15      6:15 ZZ Tex                  8:30 Seger System

On Point Wings, Hand Crafted Wings and Things

Twin Stacks BBQ Great Texas BBQ On-the-Go

May 13      6:15 The Elton Johns    8:30 Hard Nights Day

Groovy Chicken & Waffles

Famous O’s Catfish & Shrimp

June 10     6:15 Jean Pierre and the Zydeco Angels    8:30 Chubby Carrier & the Bayou Swamp Band

Roots Southern Table, Crawfish Boil and Burgers

July 15      6:15 Run to You            8:30 Texan Fool

Crown Catering, Yummy Burgers

Luiege Pizza Truck, Authentic Italian Food

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English classes are offered twice a week to anyone who wants to enhance their English language skills. Lessons are week-to-week, so continual attendance is not required. All skill levels are welcome.

Las clases de inglés se ofrecen dos veces por semana para cualquier persona que desee mejorar sus habilidades en el idioma inglés. Las lecciones son semanal, por lo que no se requiere asistencia continua. Todos los niveles de habilidad son bienvenidos.

Monday & Thursday, 7 pm, Free at The Library

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For the past 23 years, the City of Farmers Branch has hosted Fishin’ Fun as an intergenerational fishing tournament in April, mainly for our youngest anglers!

Organized by The Branch Connection staff, volunteers, and our Senior Advisory Board members, we provide fishing poles, bait, measuring stations, kid zone activities, and an awards ceremony for different age groups for kids. 

Plus, we ship in more than a ton of farm-raised catfish and bluegill with many of them tagged for prizes. By the way, this event is such a success, it received the 2021 North Region TRAPS award for Excellence in programming! So come join us in April!

THERAPY POOL CLOSED FOR MAINTENANCE

The Therapy Pool at the Natatorium is cooler than usual due to needed boiler repairs. As an alternative, the Lap Pool temperature has been increased to 85 degrees. For more information, call 972-919-8720.

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Ground was broken March 13th for the new Events Center in the Farmers Branch Historical Park.

The event center will be an 8,147 square foot structure for educational sessions, classes and special events, including weddings and temporary exhibits. 

It will provide a new revenue stream for the Historical Park, create an indoor exhibit space, host local organizations and provide another up-scale venue for residents, visitors and businesses to host activities.

As you can see, there’s a ton of things happening in our city… Click on the following links to see what else is going on: 

The Branch Connection

Farmers Branch Rec Center

City Hall

Animal Adoption Center

Farmers Branch Manske Library

Farmers Branch Historical Park

Farmers Branch Chamber of Commerce

Please let me hear from you regarding any questions, comments or concerns you have about our great city. Thank you again for allowing me to be of service to you.

Terry

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