Volume 63, Number 22
Azle News
Wednesday, November 12, 2014
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Celebrate The Season 2014
Azle Christian advances in playoffs
SPECIAL SECTION
Page 13A
‘Bay considers abolishing VFD Following a brief review of the contract, the city attorney identified some changes he felt needed to be made and the decision was made to cancel the meeting, work out some changes with Briar VFD’s attorney, and bring the matter back up at a special meeting to be called Nov. 24. Morley noted that both the termination of PBVFD’s contract and execution of a contract with Briar VFD are decisions that will be voted on by the entire city council. If it comes to pass, Morley explained it would mean closing down the PBVFD – although the building would remain in operation and be available for Briar VFD to use. Current volunteers for PBVFD would be allowed to apply to volunteer with the Briar VFD, Morley explained. Morley said he believes the move would help ensure better fire coverage for residents of Pelican Bay, and it would also provide them with emergency first responders through the Briar VFD. Morley also spoke about efforts currently underway to combine the Reno Volunteer Fire Department with the Briar VFD, saying that becoming part of that combined department is something that makes sense for the residents of Pelican Bay.
The S
ounds of the Se Christmas ason tun es to spread holi spirit day
Staff Favorites
Fun-filled reci pes from your news gath ering locals
GoingGreen How to mak your holi e day season mor eco-friendlye
Colors Christmof as
Coloring Con Children age test for s 2-11
by carla noah stutsman Polly Huffman was practically giddy Monday afternoon describing the first-ever Movie in the Park. Presented by the city of Azle’s Special Events Advisory Board (SEAB), on which Huffman serves, the event held Saturday evening, Nov. 8 in the amphitheater of Central Park, capitalized on the success of the SEAB’s wildly popular Music in the Park Summer Concert Series. Huffman estimated the crowd in attendance to see the Disney film Maleficent to be between 500 and 600 people – including many, many children. “People brought their blankets and quilts, pillows and lawn chairs – it was just like a family would do at home to watch a movie,” Huffman said. “It was such a success – we’re so very proud it turned out so well.” Huffman admits it was a lot of work for members of the SEAB, but says it was worth it. She credited the event’s sponsors – Red’s Hamburger House, Pinnacle Bank Azle, Ace of Azle and Brookshire’s – with making it all possible. “All who attended were very pleased with the movie, the free popcorn and the free water,” Huffman said. “We (board members) were just poppin’ and sackin’ popcorn most of the night.” Huffman said the SEAB is anxious to bring another Movie in the Park to Azle, hopefully in the spring of 2015. “We feel like we gave the citizens of Azle and the entire community a real treat, and can’t wait to do it again,” she said. Other SEAB members – all volunteers – include Martin Feminella, Marsha Hardin, Cindy Willeford, Debra Jenkins, Pat Russell, and Terressa Nordstrom.
Annual Christmas Parade slated Dec. 6 Parade entries due Nov. 24 for ‘A Cowboy Christmas’ theme by carla noah stutsman Azle’s annual Christmas Parade and Celebration will follow the theme “A Cowboy Christmas” when it kicks off at 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, with the traditional tree-lighting ceremony at the Azle Historical Museum, 124 W. Main Street. The parade and celebration are hosted this year by the Azle Historical Museum, Azle Area Chamber of Commerce, Optimist Club of Azle, The Main Place, and the Azle News. As soon as the tree is lit, the parade will make its way from the stag-
Talk
First Movie in the Park a big hit
Happy Hornets
Vote slated Nov. 24 on contract with Briar VFD by carla noah stutsman The regular monthly meeting of the Pelican Bay city council didn’t take place Monday, Nov. 10, as scheduled. The consent agenda for the meeting included the approval of minutes from the Oct. 27 meeting, approval of the monthly police report and approval of the ordinance and animal control monthly report. Items for deliberation included the review, discussion and possible action to terminate the contract between the city and the Pelican Bay Volunteer Fire Department, as well as the review, discussion and possible action to enter into a contract between the city and the Briar Volunteer Fire Department. However, immediately after calling the meeting to order, Mayor Bill Morley said, “This meeting is over before it even starts.” Morley explained that a proposed contract from the Briar VFD had only been received 30 minutes earlier, and that he wanted the city’s legal counsel to review it before proceeding. He stated the matter would be taken up at a meeting Monday, Nov. 24, and then adjourned the meeting. Reached by phone Tuesday, Nov. 11, Morley said the Briar contract actually arrived at city hall about 6 p.m. Monday evening. The city’s attorney arrived at 6:20 p.m.
Tree
Celebrate safety aro with und your tree holiday seathis son
ing area in front of Azle Elementary (the historic “Rock School”), past the Museum with a turn right onto Main Street. The route will continue down Main, turn right onto Industrial Avenue, and then right again on Central, finishing back at Azle Elementary. After the parade, the fun really begins at 404 Main, where Santa will hear children’s Christmas wishes and pose for photos while Mrs. Claus delights kids with yuletide stories from her rocking chair. PLEASE SEE PARADE, PAGE 7A.
Noise! Louder!
Seniors Jamie King (left) and Johnny Crow leap for joy after King scored a touchdown in overtime at Wichita Falls Rider, giving the Hornet squad its first district championship in 20 years. Azle faces Fort Worth Dunbar in bi-district Friday, Nov. 14 at 7:30 p.m. at Saginaw Chisholm Trail High School. SEE PAGES 12-13, 15A! Photo by Mark K. Campbell
Mia Gordy, a drama student at AHS. floated around Central Park costumed as the main character from Maleficent during the first-ever Movie in the Park. Photo by Carla Noah Stutsman
Area election results finalized
Marching Green Pride Band Director Shawn Murphy commands the students behind him to make some noise. It worked; unable to hear the count at the line of scrimmage, Wichita Falls Rider false started and was penalized five yards, an event that has happened often this season thanks to the MGP. Photo by Mark K. Campbell
by carla noah stutsman Voters in the cities of both Azle and Reno approved measures providing for maintenance and repairs of existing city streets during the general election held Tuesday, Nov. 4. In Azle, voters overwhelmingly approved the extension of a one-fourth of one percent sales and use tax to fund continued maintenance and repairs to the city’s existing streets. By a vote of 1,984 for (86.8 percent) to 302 against (13.2 percent), voters indicated their desire to continue that tax for another four years. In Reno, voters approved an identical measure for the first time by a vote of 237 for (56.97 percent) to 179 against (43.03 percent). The beauty of the tax, in both cases, is that all purchases made inside the city pay the sales and use tax, even if the purchaser lives outside the city
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This Week in Azle History
40 Years Ago
limits. That means city residents get at least some help from those living outside their town who also drive city streets in paying for the maintenance and repairs. The local concern with street conditions was echoed at the state level, where 76.6 percent of all Texas voters carried state Proposition 1. The measure diverts half of the general revenue derived from oil and gas taxes from the Economic Stabilization Fund, also known as the Rainy Day Fund, to the State Highway Fund for the purpose of providing transportation funding for repairs and maintenance of public roads. It is anticipated this will result in approximately $1.2 billion per year going toward transportation funding instead of the Rainy Day Fund. The measure will take effect as soon as
votes are certified and will apply to transfers the comptroller made after Sept. 1. Also locally, Parker County Justice of the Peace Precinct 1 Wayne Hayes, who ran unopposed, was re-elected. In Tarrant County, longtime Commissioner in Precinct 4 J.D. Johnson (R) defeated Democratic challenger Steve Lerma, 65.07 percent to 34.93 percent. Jacquelyn Wright (R), the incumbent Justice of the Peace in Precinct 4, was unopposed in her bid for reelection. Republican Tom Wilder was reelected to the office of District Clerk, defeating a bid from Democrat Cynthia Toodle 57.92 percent to 38.95 percent. Mary Louise Garcia, also a Republican incumbent, was unopposed in her bid to retain her office as County Clerk.
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In early November 1974, 11.5 inches of rain put six new houses off Power Squadron Road underwater and destroyed four boathouses at Ash Creek Marina.
42 pages plus supplements
$1 Azle, Texas 76020