THE WAY
Snapshots of our City Staff
Important Dates 4 COMMUNITY CONNECT
Community Events l Volunteer Opportunites
5 PEOPLE OPERATIONS
Benefits Breakdown I Resources
See what’s going on in the city!
& TIPS Safety Talk l Pet of The Month
C O N T E N T S T A B L E O F
InternationalWomen’sDayisa globaldaycelebratingthesocial, economic,cultural,andpolitical achievementsofwomen.Wewould liketorecognizetheamazing womenwithinourorganizationon Saturday,March8th!
Showyoursupportbystrikingthe poseorbywearingpurpleon Friday,March7th,sowecanall #AccelerateAction!Submitphotos toempcomm@templetx.govby noononFriday,March7th!
AVIATIONDAY CELEBRATION
Celebratethe contributionsofwomen inaviation! ✈ This specialeventhonors trailblazingwomenwhile inspiringfuture generationstotakeflight.
�� March1,2025
�� 11AM-2PM
�� 7720AirportRd, Temple,TX
�� FoodTruck:Lupita’s
Enjoyaviationhistory, inspiringstories,and hands-onactivities. Opentoall bringfamily andfriends!
SaturdayIMarch1
WomeninAviationCelebration
Draughon-MillerCentralTexasRegionalAirport•11AM-2PM
FridayIMarch7
FirstFriday DowntownTemple
Wednesday-Friday IMarch12-14
SpringBreakattheMuseum
Railroad&HeritageMuseum
Saturday IMarch22 Petals&Pints
SantaFePlaza•2-8PM
SaturdayIApril5
Touch-a-Truck Railroad&HeritageMuseum•11AM-2PM
SaturdayIApril5
ShredEvent 2611EAvenueH•9-11AM
LearnmoreaboutthishelpfulbenefitthroughyourBCBSplan!
Omadaisanonlineprogramthathelpsat-risk individualsadopthealthierhabitstocombatobesityrelateddiseases.Participantslearntoimproveeating, stayactive,overcomechallenges,andmaintainhealthy choices.
Theprogramstartswitha16-weekFoundationsphase, followedbytheFocusphasetoreinforcelong-term habits.
CheckyoureligibilitybyloggingintoyourBlueAccess forMembers(BAM)account,clickingtheWellnesstab, andselectingLearnMoreunderOmada.
Clickbelowtosignupforasessiontoday! P E O P L E O P E R A T I O N S
JoinusonMarch22from2-8PMforPetals& Pints,wherecraftbrews,Texaswildflowers,and communityfuncometogether! ���� Enjoy localbreweries,gourmetbites,livemusic, interactiveactivities,andaclassic&custom carshow.Don’tmissout!
AsthecitybeginsworkonPhase1oftheNorth PeaRidgeproject,constructioncrewswillbe closingaportionofNorthPeaRidgeRoadfrom PrairieViewRoadtoAlabamaAvenue beginningMonday,February24.Thisclosureis anticipatedtolastapproximately10months.
Residentswithinquiriesabouttheprojectcan contacttheCityofTempleEngineering Department!
Let’sTalkTemple!Wefirsthighlightedthe PublicSafetyTrainingCenterinJulyof2024, andnowweareexcitedtosharethatthis projectisnearlycomplete! Featuringaskillspad,draftingpit,trailer storage,andsimunitionshoothouse,this trainingcenterprovidesstate-of-the-art resourcesandrealistictrainingenvironments toensureourfirstrespondersarereadyfora varietyofsituations Thecenter’samenitiescan alsobeusedbyotherdepartmentslikePublic WorksandParks&Recreationmakingita valuableresourceforourentirecity
TempleFire&RescueishostingClaysforClaus onSaturday,April5,2025,atWeber’sShooting SportsinTroy Thisclayshootingtournament helpssupporttheRescueElvesprogram,which providesChristmasgiftstofamiliesinneed
Where:Weber’sShootingSports,Troy,TX ⏰ When:April5,2025,at8:00AM What:Clayshootingcompetitionwithprizes fortopshooters Breakfastandlunchprovided
Whetheryou'reexperiencedorjustwanttotry somethingnew,thisisagreatchancetohave somefunwhilesupportingagoodcause If you’reinterested,signupandjoinus!
S A F E T Y T A L K
February is American Heart Month take care of your heart! ❤
�� Stay active: Move for 30 minutes a day.
�� Eat well: Choose fruits, veggies, and whole grains.
�� Manage stress: Breathe, stretch, and take breaks
�� Know your numbers: Check blood pressure & cholesterol
�� Quit smoking: Your heart will thank you!
�� Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water
Know the Signs of a Heart Attack:
⚠ Chest pain, shortness of breath, pain in arms/neck/jaw, dizziness, or nausea seek help immediately!
ReachouttoKellyRawls,Safety Coordinator,atkrawls@templetx.gov or254-298-5278. Tips for a Healthy Heart:
MeetAddy&Dixie,abondedsisterduolookingfortheirforeverhome! These2½-year-oldPitbullTerrier/GreatPyreneesmixesaregentlegiants calm,loving,andalwayssidebyside. ❤ Theyhavesweet,socialpersonalities,warmupquicklytonewpeople,and dogreatoncarrides.Withtheirwell-manneredtemperament,they’d makewonderfulcompanionsinalovinghome. Morethanjustsisters,Addy&Dixiearebestfriendswhothrivetogether.If you’relookingfordoubletheloveandloyalty,thesetwoarereadytobe partofyourfamily! ����
BY: LEAH ANDERSON, PARKS & RECREATION
Congratulationstoouramazingaquaticsteamforbringinghomesomenewhardware! LionsJunctionFamilyWaterParktookhometheTexasPublicPoolCouncil'sWaterParkof theYearawardatthisyear'sCentralTexasAquaticAssociationconferenceinWaxahachie.
Thisawardisgiventoawaterparkthatfeatureswaterplayareassuchasswimmingpools, waterslides,splashpads,waterplaygrounds,andlazyrivers,aswellasareasforbathing, swimming,andotherbarefootenvironments. Awaterparkconsistsofmorethan75%play areasand/ormorethanadozenwaterfeatures.
GreatjobtoClaryceFree,ProgramManager,MattWaszkiewiczandJohnGomez-Simmons, ProgramCoordinators,andallofouramazingaquaticsstaffmembers!
Since2016,AmandaWeckbacher,SpecialEventsCoordinatorfortheCityofTemple,has organizedavarietyofsuccessfulevents.SheisthedrivingforcebehindthenewPetalsand Pintsevent,takingplaceinMarch,andherleadershiphasmadeheravaluableassetto thecommunity.
BY: ALEXIS VALENCIA, COMMUNICATIONS & MARKETING
After21yearswithTempleFire&Rescue,JJMartinisretiring Sincestartingin2003,hisdedicationto servingthecommunityhasmadealastingimpact.Thankyou,JJ,foryouryearsofservice enjoy yourretirement!
MeetAlisonCouch,ournewDeputyBuildingOfficial!Sincejoining theCityinNovember,she’sbeenworkingwithpermitsandplan reviewstohelpkeepTemple’shomesandbusinessessafe With over20yearsinpublicservice,shebringsexperiencefromretail andEMSbeforemakingthejumptolocalgovernment andnever lookingback!
Outsideofwork,AlisonisexploringTexas,startinganewgarden, andhittingthetrailsatCameronPark Funfact?Sheandher husbandusedtogoldmineonweekendsbeforemovingtoTexas!
Herworkensuresthatbuildingsaresafeandaccessible,making Templeabetterplacetolive.
MeetJohnMcGowan,theCityofTemple’sChiefBuilding Official!Withover30yearsofexperienceinbuildingand development,hejoinedtheCityinDecembertohelpensure safe,functional,andsustainableinfrastructureforthe community.
John’spassionforpublicservicecomesfromhisloveof helpingpeopleandworkingonprojectsthatdirectlyimprove qualityoflife.OriginallyfromtheUK,hissoccercareerbrought himtotheUS intheearly’90s Outsideofwork,heenjoys collectingvinylrecords,biking,andspendingtimewithhiskids. Hismission?Tohelpbuildabetter,saferTemple oneproject atatime!
ONE TEAM, ONE TEMPLE
ThePeopleOperationsDepartmentisexcitedtosharethat AwardCo,ourrecognitionandrewardstool,isLIVE! ��
Logintodaytostartrecognizingyourteammatesand celebratingexcellenceacrossourorganization.Getstartedand learnmoreabouthowyoucanmakeadifferencethrough recognition.
Let’smake2025ayearfullofappreciationandconnection! ��
Don’tforgettologintoDayforceandacknowledge theAwardCotaxdocumentsoyoucanspendyour points.
YoucanfindtheforminDayforceundertheforms section.Readit,check"Iaccept"inthecorner,and hitsubmit!
AConventionCenterOperationsManageroverseesdailyoperations,event logistics,staff,contracts,andbudgeting Theyensuresmoothevents, compliancewithsafetyregulations,andeffectiveclientcoordination.Strong communication,problem-solving,andorganizationalskillsarekey.
TheTalentRecruitmentCoordinatorenthusiasticallypromotestheCityof Templeasanemployerofchoice,buildsourtalentpipeline,analyzes recruitmentstrategyoutcomes,andproactivelyforeseesthestaffingneedsof theorganization.Thispositionwillserveasthefirstpointofcontactfor potentialnewemployeesandensureasmoothrecruitmentandonboarding processforallvacantpositions
ProvideslegalcounseltoPublicWorks,PropertyManagement,andotherCity departments Draftsandreviewsordinances,contracts,andpolicies Specializesinmunicipallaw,realestate,eminentdomain,andutility franchisesundertheCityAttorney’ssupervision.
Assistsinoperationandcleaningofanimalshelter.Performsclericaland customerservicedutiesrelatedtotheintakeandprocessingofanimalsfor impoundment,adoption,andredemption.Thisisafull-timepositionwhich includesweekendshiftsuponcompletionoftraining.
TaniciaWydermyre(5)
Planner
TammyFennell(5)
AssistantDirectorofPeopleOperations
TremekaCary(10)
SchoolResourceOfficer
MartinaMalone(10)
PoliceOfficer
MonicaVega-Broadstret(10)
PoliceOfficer
JordanCarter(5)
Firefighter
KollinMullins(5)
Firefighter
TeresaAnderson(5)
DestinationMarketingDivisionDirector
JamesHarris(5)
Firefighter
NolanKunkel(10)
FireDriver
JoshuaLight(15)
AssistantGolfCourseSuperintendent
GregorySimpson(15)
PoliceOfficer
JosephDimento(15)
DeputyPoliceChief
JosephDimento(15)
DeputyPoliceChief
AnthonyArnold
EquipmentOperatorApprentice
DavidRoope
SolidWasteDriver
TaylorHooten
Accountantl
MichaelRay
SolidWasteDriver
ChelseaSumbry
Accountantl
BrookseyHumes
Buyer
KelvinSears(10)
LeadHeavyDutyTruckTechnician
SergioLechuga
MaintenanceWorker
DerekLopez
BuildingInspector
AntwaneGibson
WaterOperatorApprentice
GreggoryAbney
UtilityTechnicianApprentice
DannyMoore
UtilityTechnicianApprentice
JohnMcGowan
ChiefBuildingOffical
GabrielEstrella(15)
PoliceOfficer
JonathanTalafuse(20)
EquipmentOperatorl-Recycling
JohnHillman(20)
FireCaptain
MaryUnderwood(20)
PoliceRecordsSupervisor
BobbieTaylor(30)
EquipmentOperatorll-Drainage
JudyMartinez
EmergencyManagementSpecialist
DebraHollingsworth(11)
SeniorBuyer
