November City Update & Important Information
Dear Neighbors,
This week, the City and Council will have to deal with two very serious issues that have occurred. In addition to Tuesday’s Council meeting to discuss Councilwoman Williams, there will be a Special Called Meeting on Thursday to discuss ethics violations against Mayor Dye.
Our elected officials should be held to a higher standard and should set an example for the people and communities they represent. Most citizens believe that to be a reasonable expectation. Therefore, when an elected representative violates the public trust or does not abide by the requirements set forth in the City Charter, City Ordinances or State Laws, matters become very serious. Read below for more information.
I am encouraging residents to show at Tuesday’s meeting to witness the proceedings and speak to the way the city does business.
It is important that residents continue to come to City Council meetings and watch your government in action. The City Council and Staff work for you. Speaking directly to them is the only way to make sure your voice is heard. Your comments are always welcome. (Just remember to complete a comment form in advance)
The Council is scheduled to vote on a final version of the new District lines on Tuesday. If you have any comments about the new lines this will be your last opportunity to speak to that. Read more below.
Feel free to stay in touch with me if you have a question, comment or concern about things happening in our city.
As a reminder, I am running for Mayor of Farmers Branch next May. If you have questions of me or would like me to come and visit with you and your neighbors, I would be delighted. Just send me a note back and I’ll make it happen. Please support my campaign at www.ElectTerryLynne.com. With your help we will make a difference!
TUESDAY EXECUIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS COUNCILWOMAN TRACI WILLIAMS RESIDENCY VIOLATION
This Tuesday afternoon, October 25th, during the Study Session, the Council will meet in closed Executive Session pursuant to Section 551.071 (2) Consultation with City Attorney, and Section 551.074 Personnel Matters, of the Texas Government Code, to discuss and hear a citizen charge under City Charter Sections 2.02 and 2.19 for removal of Council Member Traci Williams for failure to continuously reside in her Council District.
Councilwoman Williams has moved to The Brickyard Apartments which are not in District 3, thus she is not legally qualified to represent District 3 residents.
SPECIAL CALLED CITY COUNCIL MEETING REGARDING ETHICS VIOLATIONS
Please be aware that there will be a Special Called Meeting on October 27th, at 8:30am. The City Council will meet in closed Executive Session pursuant to Section 551.074 Personnel Deliberation and Section 551.071(2) of the Texas Government Code, to discuss and review Code of Ethics complaints against Mayor Robert Dye and receive a report from the City Attorney regarding the complaints.
The City Attorney and City Council are responsible for investigating ethics complaints against council members and the mayor and taking appropriate action.
DON’T FORGET…
The City of Farmers Branch will hold another FREE document shredding event for residents on Saturday, October 29, from 9a-Noon, at City Hall.
Document shredding is limited to household documents only. Please, no commercial or bulk business documents. Documents will be securely shredded by a professional shredding company on-site.
COUNTY AND STATE ELECTIONS…DON’T FORGET TO VOTE
Important dates
• 10/24 – 11/04 – Early Voting
• 11/08 – Mail-in ballot deadline
• 11/08 – Election day
• Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Residents can vote anywhere in Dallas County.
For more information, go to www.DallasCountyVotes.Org
Veterans Day Celebration 2022, Friday, November 11, 4- 7pm at Liberty Plaza
This year’s event will include a patriotic celebration to remember, including keynote speakers, a patriotic ceremony, recognition of the Veterans Day Art Challenge winners and a laser light show that will illuminate the night sky. Remember to bring lawn chairs and blankets for seating! For more information, please visit www.fbspecialevents.com
MARK YOUR CALENDAR…HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE COLLECTION EVENT, NOVEMBER 12TH
Saturday, November 12th, from 9am till 3pm, at the Farmers Branch Service Center, 13333 Senlac Drive
Free Household Hazardous Waste Disposal of the following items:
Chemical products for home use
Paint and home repair products
Lawn & garden chemicals
Aerosol sprays
Pool chemicals
Craft & hobby supplies
Cleaners & polishes
Batteries of all kinds
Automotive fluids & oil filters
Fluorescent light tubes
Computers and cell phones
Please help us save our landfill and dispose of these items properly at this event… Never in your garbage. Thank you!
NOVEMBER CITY COUNCIL MEETING
At present, only one City Council meeting is scheduled for November for Tuesday, November 15th, at 6pm, in the City Council Chambers. The meeting is open to the public. The Study Sessions will take place at 3:00pm prior to each meeting in the upstairs meeting room.
Citizens are always welcome to address the City Council on any topic during the Citizen Comment portion of Council meetings or on agenda items at the proper time during a Council meeting provided they have signed-up in advance per the mayor’s order. Citizen Comment Forms must be submitted no later than 5:30pm on Council meeting days. 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.
Call 972.919.2503 for more information about speaking.
COUNCILMAN RICHARD JACKSON TO HOLD TOWN HALL MEETING
Councilman Richard Jackson will host a District 4 Town Hall on Thursday, November 17th at 6:30pm at The Branch Connection. In addition to answering your questions and hearing your thoughts, I will update you on the many happenings around our city. Residents from other parts of the city are welcome to attend.
GREEN GRABBER PICK-UP SCHEDULE FOR BRUSH AND BULK
The week of November 7th 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 November takes place Monday, November 7th, 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!
Farmers Branch deserves elected officials who know and understand the meaning of PUBLIC SERVICE. Our elected officials should be willing to take time to and meet with residents, return phone calls and/or emails, and be responsive to concerns of residents. Elected officials should be held ACCOUNTABLE to you.
Residents should ALWAYS be treated with COURTESY and RESPECT, no matter what their political views. We all live here and share the same ideal of making our city a better place to live, work and play.
I am asking for the help of each Farmers Branch resident to support my campaign. With your support, I will work with the City Council to take care of needed infrastructure and public safety needs first and ensure that the business of the City is conducted in an open and transparent manner.
Please consider supporting my campaign by going to www.ElectTerryLynne.com
PRAYERS TO THE FAMILY OF FALLEN CARROLLTON POLICE OFFICER STEVE NOTHEM
Steve Nothem
Fallen Carrollton Police Officer
End of watch: 10/18/2022
He is survived by his wife, 13-year-old son, twin 6-year-old sons and a 1-year-old daughter.
Eagle Gun Range is holding a raffle to raise funds for Officer Nothem’s family. To donate, click DONATE.
CONTINUED PRAYERS TO FARMERS BRANCH FIREFIGHTER JOHNATHON DALLALIO
As many residents may know, one of our dedicated City firefighters fell and sustained serious injuries while battling a fire last month.
On September 27, Firefighter Johnathon Dallalio and his crew from Engine 131 were responding to a house fire. Jonathon fell from the second floor in his full fire gear. Fellow Firefighters dragged him from the structure and he was transported to Medical City Plano. While his injuries were severe and he has a long road to recovery, Johnathon has already made substantial progress. We look forward to having him back on duty again as soon as he is able.
He is currently at home with his family and has been actively supported by the Fire Department family and City staff.
Many residents have asked how they can help the Dallalio family beyond thoughts and prayers. If you would like to know more, please reach out to Farmers Branch Fire Association President Kyle Green at Kyle_N_SanAngelo@Yahoo.com.
REDISTRICTING
Redistricting will again be discussed at Tuesday’s City Council meeting with the focus being on Maps 7, 8 and 9.
Yes, the maps being considered are very different from the way the city is presently divided. The Redistricting Committee is favoring Map 7.
With issues revolving around the residency of Councilwoman Williams and the fact that she moved out of her District, it will be interesting to see what the council does to resolve her situation since she has not resigned.
Tuesday will probably be your last opportunity to comment on this item before Council takes action. Please attend the Council meeting and be heard.
Be sure to sign-up to speak to this topic by completing a COMMENT FORM.
CURRENT DISTRICT MAP
Click here for the full report on REDISTRICTING. Click on 2022 Final Report to see entire report.
Celebrate the 100th anniversary of the discovery of King Tut’s tomb with an exhibit of museum replicas on display at the Manske Library from now through November 30th! Learn more by attending one of our upcoming programs:
The Boy Who Became King, Wednesday, November 9, 4pm. Children will have a chance to wear a pharaoh’s crown, sit on his throne, and learn about the boy who became king.
Egyptian Jewelry in the Times of King Tut, Tuesday, November 15, 6:30pm. In 1922, experts discovered 5,300 funeral objects in King Tut’s tomb, among which was a variety of jewelry. Come see replicas of these treasures during this special program.
As you can see, there’s lots 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.
Terry
Terry Lynne
Candidate for Mayor of Farmers Branch
214-244-1615 cell