January City Update & Important Information
Dear Neighbors,
I hope that everyone had a Merry Christmas with friends and family and now, as we look to start a new year, take a moment to take note of all of the many blessings we have to be thankful for.
Our city staff, with new leadership in place, is poised to do great things to make Farmers Branch an even better place to live, work and play. I am excited about the future of our city and where we are going.
This year, we have two elections that you need to be aware of… Special Election for a new District 3 Representative in January, and in May, we will be electing a new mayor.
As you know, I am running for mayor and will be sending out information on a kick-off event, which will be open to all residents, very shortly. If you have questions of me or would like me to visit with you or your neighbors, I would be delighted. Just send me a note and I’ll make it happen. Please support my campaign at www.ElectTerryLynne.com With your help we will make a difference and provide better local government to our residents!
For the seven years that I have been providing you with news and events in Farmers Branch, there have only been 3 times that I editorialized on things happening in the city.
While I typically do not endorse candidates and had wanted to stay neutral in the January Special Election, I feel the need to speak up due to comments made by one candidate. You can read more about that below.
Feel free to stay in touch with me if you have a question, comment or concern about things happening in our city. My full contact info is at the bottom.
Again, allow me to wish you and yours a very Happy, Safe and Prosperous New Year.
JANUARY CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS
The City Council meetings for January will take place on Tuesday, January 17th and 31st, at 6pm, in the City Council Chambers. The meetings are open to the public. The Study Session will take place at 3:00pm prior in the upstairs meeting room.
Mayor Bill Glancy will be presiding.
SPECIAL NOTE: Mayor Glancy has said that the public may now speak at City Council meetings during Citizen Comment and on agenda items without having to pre-register online. You will need to fill-out a comment form when you come to the meeting and turn it in to the council dais.
Citizens are given 3 minutes to speak to any topic 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 January 2023.
Call 972.919.2503 for more information about speaking.
GREEN GRABBER PICK-UP SCHEDULE FOR BRUSH AND BULK
The week of January 2nd 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 bulk pick-up” by The Green Grabber. Special Pick-ups are done on Wednesdays. Call 972-919-2597.
FREEBIE FOR ACTIVE ADULTS AT THE BRANCH CONNECTION
The First Monday Breakfast for January takes place Monday, January 2nd, 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 all is happening at TBC!
Join The Branch Connection today and take advantage of these and so many more fun activities! Click NEWSLETTER for The Branch Connection Newsletter and see all the great things happening there!
CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 3 SPECIAL ELECTION… DON’T FORGET TO VOTE
Early Voting Dates and Times @ Farmers Branch Manske Library
Wednesday, January 4 – Friday, January 6 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.
Saturday, January 7 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, January 8 12:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m.
Monday, January 9 – Friday, January 13 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.
Saturday, January 14 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, January 15 12:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m.
Monday, January 16 Polls closed for MLK Holiday
Tuesday, January 17 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.
Saturday, January 21 – Election Day 7:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m
Two candidates have filed to run for the District 3 City Council seat…Dr. Tina Bennet-Burton and James Bagby.
I have only received information from one candidate so far…
TINA BENNETT-BURTON:
THE HONEST LEADER WE NEED
https://www.tinabennettburton.com/
The Farmers Branch Police Officers Association is Supporting Tina Bennett-Burton for City Council.
Tina Bennett-Burton is a successful small businessowner and mother running for city council
to ensure Farmers Branch remains the best place in North Texas to work and raise a family for
generations to come.
A practical and fearless voice for citizens, Tina got her start in local politics when a creek in her
neighborhood was eroding properties and creating a hazard for the neighborhood kids. After
months of delays, Tina took her neighbors concerns to the council and helped secure vital
repairs to keep the neighborhood safe.
As our next city council member, Tina will use her business knowledge to combat inflation, cut
wasteful spending and reduce our property taxes rates. Tina is also determined to improve
our quality of life by cleaning up “shale mountain” and supporting first responders to keep our families safe.
TINA’S PRIORITIES:
- Reduce Taxes
- Support First Responders
- Clean Up “Shale Mountain”
- Improve Communication with Residents
James Bagby
https://www.jamesbagbyforfarmersbranch.com/
No goals or priorities were listed on the Bagby campaign site.
EDITORIAL COMMENT
I have resisted getting involved with or endorsing candidates for Council as I am a candidate for mayor and will have to work with whoever is elected.
However, I have been contacted by several residents of District 3 who told me that Mr. Bagby told them that Tina Bennett-Burton would not be eligible to serve them and that she plans on moving out of the district. After hearing this from at least 3 individuals, I contacted Mr. Bagby and told him that spreading false information about his opponent is irresponsible and that I expected better of him, whether I support him or not. I recommended he talk about what he can do for the city and not about where his opponent may or may not live in the future.
Candidates should run on their own merits and what they will do for our city. Implying or trying to imply that someone does not meet the criteria to serve is disgusting behavior and should not be tolerated. Farmers Branch residents deserve better.
Each month, I have been telling you about my campaign. It’s really pretty simple…the 4 pillars of my campaign are:
- Accountability
- Integrity
- Respect
- Customer Service
I will work with our City Council to Make Our City Better and deliver these attributes to residents just as I did when I served on our City Council. You deserve nothing less.
“Listen First” has been a constant theme of mine. You cannot represent people if you do not listen to their concerns. To do that, you have to be involved.
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.
DOGS ON THE LOOSE!
The City has experienced a rash of dog attacks recently. Having been a victim of one myself, dog owners need to know that Farmers Branch ordinances require dogs to be kept in secured areas (backyards) or on leashes when outside of their secured area.
Sec. 18-131. – Dogs and cats not to run at large
- No owner of any dog or cat shall allow any dog or cat to run at large or be outside of or off the owner’s premises, whether vaccinated or not. All dogs or cats on the owner’s premises shall be securely kept behind an adequate fence or shall be kept on a chain adequate to restrain such dog or cat from leaving the owner’s premises in violation of the terms of this article.
- A person commits an offense if the person causes a dog or cat not owned by him to be at large by intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly releasing a confined dog or cat.
- A person commits an offense if the person is the owner of a dog and the dog makes an unprovoked attack on a human, domestic animal or domestic fowl while said dog is at large, and the attack causes bodily injury or death to the human, domestic animal or domestic fowl.
Owners are found guilty are subject to misdemeanor fine and possible civil action.
There are a number of other ordinances that apply to pet ownership. Residents should check with Animal Control, 972-919-8770, for further information.
If you are in business in Farmers Branch or would like to do more business in Farmers Branch, check-out the Farmers Branch Chamber of Commerce.
Also, the Farmers Branch Chamber of Commerce has a new fundraiser for the Chamber for 2023!
Do you like fishing, hunting, grilling, or firearms?
Support the Farmers Branch Chamber of Commerce and our local business community by purchasing a Chamber Gun Raffle Calendar!
It’s 52 weeks, 52 firearms, and 52 winners – so 52 chances to win for only $100!
Plus, a portion of the proceeds with be donated to our Farmers Branch Fire & Police Departments.
For more information or to order visit FarmersBranchChamber.org
PARK & RECREATION PROJECTS
Farmers Branch is known as “City in a Park”. There are a number of new projects coming to our city. Click Park Projects to see what is planned and what is in the works!
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:
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.
Have a Happy Thanksgiving and a very Merry Christmas!
Terry
Terry Lynne
Candidate for Mayor of Farmers Branch
214-244-1615 cell