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COVID-19 THE SILVER LINING
by Precinct 4 Commissioner Dianne Edmondson photo courtesy by Commissioner Dianne Edmondson
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We have all had it with COVID-19, right? We hate wearing masks, keeping social distances between friends and family, possible hospitalization and ventilators, and worst of all, the loss of life within our circle of acquaintances, family members, or fellow Americans.
But it occurred to me this week that --- believe it or not --- there actually is a silver lining to this horrible pandemic.
Here in Denton County, the federal government provided us with a $147M grant to be used for COVID-related relief efforts. Very quickly, your County Commissioners determined that we wanted to first address the businesses – particularly small business – who were being closed by the Governor’s Disaster Declaration. With a true team effort, guidelines were established (i.e. Denton County owned/operated since at least 2019, able to actually show a revenue loss due to COVID, etc.) and an application form developed. The Commissioners were hands-off as far as selecting which applicants would be awarded grants, with the decision being objectively determined within the County Auditor’s office. The County Treasurer assisted in getting the checks out to the businesses as quickly as possible. The grants ranged from $2500 to $25,000 in the first phase and up to $50,000 in the second phase depending upon the size of the business and its payroll. In total, $35,762,640.55 has been given to try and help Denton County businesses to maintain as many local jobs as possible and to make it through this difficult time.
Next, our attention turned to our residents, many of whom had lost their jobs and were having difficulty with their rent/ mortgage payments, complicated by personal food shortages and issues. Rather than direct payments to individuals, the Commissioners opted to partner with United Way to assist our county’s nonprofits who deal with these issues already. Our County Communications Director acted as our liaison to the United Way and kept us appraised of the grants’ progress as well as additional needs as they became apparent, resulting in partnering with local fresh food producers to aid area food banks and providing funding for needed additional refrigeration equipment.
In total, your County Commissioners granted $9.5 million to help our fellow residents with food, shelter, and other needs. Here is a breakdown of how those funds were spent: *$1.6+ million in non-profit grants
*$2.6+ million for food
*$5.3+ million to prevent 3,500 households from eviction
*$35.5+ million to towns and cities
*10,100+ free COVID-19 tests
*1.27 million+ masks, hand sanitizer, gloves, gowns, face shields, etc.
*20,000+ boxes of fruits and vegetables
*30,500+ COVID-19 call center calls
*12,000 turkeys and hams for Thanksgiving for families in need
The federal funds had “strings” attached regarding how they could be spent, and also had very thorough transparency and accounting requirements. The deadline for these funds to be expended is December 30. So, we are proud that we got into this process quickly (more quickly than most of our neighboring counties) and have produced a really “best practices” template of utilizing these federal monies.
So, while we certainly do not view it as a silver lining that so many of our fellow residents have been put out of work, are ill or are having trouble with food and shelter issues, this pandemic has provided us the opportunity to demonstrate our love and care for our neighbors, and giving hope to both ourselves and to others, which became that silver lining!
So, stay strong, stay safe and stay on guard against this invisible enemy …. an enemy which I firmly believe soon will be defeated!
Commissioner Dianne Edmondson may be reached at her Southwest County Courthouse office at 6200 Canyon Falls Drive in Argyle or by phone at 972/4343960. To receive her periodic e-newsletter, please request it at Dianne.Edmondson@
dentoncounty.com
GREATEST THE Baker
C O M P E T I T I O N
by Jade Kensington | photos courtesy of Cara Vasquez
Local baker and owner of The Flour Shop Bakery, Cara Vasquez, recently participated in “The Greatest Baker” competition. This is the world’s largest online competition for bakers across the globe to compete for a featured spread in Bake from Scratch Magazine and a $10,000 cash prize. It was hosted by Food Network’s twotime Baking Champion, Jen Barney, who also shared her baking expertise and coached participants with tips and advice throughout their Greatest Baker journey.
The competition was unique in that the winner was chosen through a public voting system. Supporters were allotted one free vote per day, using their Facebook account. They had the option to pay for additional votes, at a dollar per vote, with the proceeds benefiting the No Kid Hungry foundation, a 501(c)(3) charity working to end child hunger in America.
Cara chose to enter this competition because it focused on her specialty, which is baking. Other baking competitions are geared more towards decorating. While that can be fun, Cara’s passion lies in the baking and creation process ofher desserts.
She started out in the initial public voting round, which determined who would continue on to the top 10 in their respective groups. After making it to the Top 10, Cara went on to secure her spot in the Top 5 in her group, where she placed third. “It’s voted on by the people in our community, by my family, my friends, and of course, our Flour Shop Addicts. That makes even getting to this point, winning,” says Cara. Like many professional bakers, Cara grew up baking. With her mom as her role model who cooked and baked everything from scratch, Cara’s growing interest led her to enroll in culinary school upon graduating high school. “It was the best decision I ever made,” she says.
Cara has been baking professionally for nearly two decades—nine of those years have been in her own bakery. The Flour Shop was first created in Highland Village, but after seven years, they had outgrown the space. Cara moved her bakery to Flower Mound, where it still remains at 6100 Long Prairie Road. “We have now been serving our community and the DFW metroplex for almost 10 years,” Cara says. “The kitchen is my happy place — the bakery kitchen. I never bake at home!”
The Flour Shop is a full-service bakery with a wide array of desserts to satisfy any sweet tooth. During normal business operations, they are able to offer summer camps, birthday parties, cookie decorating classes, ladies’ nights, and many more fun events. Their menu is made from scratch and is baked fresh daily. The community has spoken, year after year. Cara is one of the more popular and successful bakers in North Texas, seeing that The Flour Shop has won “Best of Denton County” for nine straight years.
She’s a winner in our book.
Cindi Chamber Spotlight: Howard
by Caylie Howard | photos courtesy of Flower Mound Chamber
Twenty years ago, Cindi Howard got a phone call that would begin her two-decade long journey of being a part of the Flower Mound Chamber of Commerce family. Her long-time friend, Kathy Beahm, worked at the Chamber and expressed that they were in need of someone to answer the phones for them.
“I had just put my three-year-old in Before she knew it, her two days at the mother’s day out twice a week. I told them, Chamber expanded to even more days, ‘I’ll give you those which then led to a fulldays, but that’s it.’ I hadn’t planned on “When all of the parts time position. “I have done every job that there going back to work. is to do at the Chamber.” I was a full-time mommy.” She said. work, and all of the She says. She started out as the receptionist doing Her family and her faith have always been the center of her world. She says that her husband of 35 years, parts are great and strong, it makes for a administrative work, then became the membership director, which led to her becoming the vice president of the Chamber. Clifford, has always Not only did she fill been her rock. “He has supported great organization.” all of those shoes, she also acted as interim me in every step president two separate and new endeavor in my career at the times when she was the sole remaining Chamber. I couldn’t have done any of staff member. “I did the best and as much this without him.” as I could to keep us afloat.” She said. During one of those times, Cindi enlisted the help of Kelly Heslep to assist in the day-to-day stuff that Cindi wasn’t able to do alone. Their big event of the year, Fiesta Flower Mound, which just celebrated it’s 23rd year in 2020, was coming up. Kelly excelled in party planning, and there was no one more perfect for the job. Cindi and Kelly had a wonderful relationship as long-time friends, which quickly grew to become an amazing work relationship as well when Kelly was brought on to the Flower Mound Chamber family by the Board of Directors.
Seven years ago, the board made the decision to hire Lori Walker as acting president of the Chamber. Before her role as president, she had been a loyal member of the Board of Directors for 10 years. Her strong attention to detail and her drive for perfection make her the ideal leader for the Chamber Team.
Mary Ailor has proven to be an essential member of the Chamber family. Her friendly and bubbly personality make her the perfect person to greet each person that walks into the Chamber doors. “She
is the first to greet you with a smile and great organization.” she says. “Our team is When asked what her main reason is open arms.” Cindi says. made up of different ages and all different for staying at the Chamber for 20 years, Ginger Eads is an essential part of qualities that make up a great team. We Cindi’s response was, “It’s all I know. the Chamber’s extended staff. She stand together.” It’s what I know how to do. It’s all of the works as the Flower Mound things that I love to do. It’s comfortable. Chamber’s CPA and operates out of the Chamber “I love the people and the members. I love the people and the members. I’ve gained great office. “We were together relationships with the people when there was no one else. She is and always will be I’ve gained great relationships with the of the community. I’ve stayed because of the people that very special to me.” Cindi says. people of the community.” I work with. The board is wonderful. I don’t want to do anything else. I love what I’m Cindi says that all of these women are key components to the success of the Flower Mound Chamber of Cindi attended the Institute of Organizational Management when doing. I love getting up and going to work.” Commerce. Every member is essential to becoming a full-time member of the Cindi Howard has proven that the journey keep the Chamber functioning at its best. Chamber. It’s a four-year long program isn’t about the end goal but about the “When all of the parts work, and all of the that she attended for one week every people and relationships that you build parts are great and strong, it makes for a summer at the University of Notre Dame. along the way.
