Farmers Branch News and Info

Check Crime Statistics Online!

2008-08-22T07:59:00.000-07:00

The Farmers Branch Police Department has joined several other Texas cities, along with communities across the nation, in subscribing to a web-based service that plots crime occurrences in their jurisdictions. Crimereports.com retrieves data on a daily basis from a police database and plots crime occurrences onto a Google map. The public can access the site at www.crimereports.com or click on the link from the Farmers Branch Police Department page on the City of Farmers Branch web site at www.farmersbranch.info .

Citizen Police Academy

2008-08-07T16:45:00.000-07:00

We have an outstanding program here in Farmers Branch where citizens can learn about police work and law enforcement, called the Citizen's Police Academy. There are several slots available for the next academy, which will begin in early September. You can find more information about the program here. If you're interested, contact Lieutenant Mike Blum for all details. His email is mike.blum@farmersbranch.info

Tim

Good News: The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals Gets It Right

2008-08-04T17:17:00.000-07:00

This story was just posted on the Dallas Morning News web site. The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals dropped CFBISD from a lawsuit filed by Shannon and David Croft challenging the daily moment of silence in schools.

The 5th Circuit said the law is “clearly secular — to promote patriotism, thoughtful contemplation and nondiscrimination.” The state also said that allowing students to pray during the moment of silence protects religious freedom, which is a constitutional right.

Way to go, 5th Circuit.

Tim

Jobs Elimintated

2008-08-01T20:02:00.001-07:00

I appreciate the hard work of Gary Greer and the other leaders on the FB City staff. They had some very tough decisions to make, decisions that had an impact on individuals who have worked for the city and served its citizens. I appreciate the dedication and service of those individuals who were affected by these budget decisions.

The city - first and foremost - exists to serve it's citizens. We have the lowest municipal cost and tax burden than any other in the metroplex. Energy costs and state mandates have increased our expenses exponentially. The other options available to the city are to cut services or raise taxes. I don't want to see us do either of those.

I thank Gary Greer for being proactive in developing a budget for 2008-2009 that maintains the level of services our citizens expect and deserve.

And regarding legal fees...we're paying double our total legal fees this year to paint a water tower. These decisions are not being driven by our upholding the law and carrying out the will of the people.

TIm

I'm Back Online!

2008-08-01T20:01:00.003-07:00

Google thought my blog was spam. They temporarily shut it down, but it's back.

Tim

Report: Illegal Immigrant Numbers Decreasing

2008-07-30T13:08:00.000-07:00

Stumbled across this article today. Interesting.

Tim

Farmers Branch Lowest City Charges in Metroplex

2008-07-25T06:51:00.000-07:00

Here's the link to a story in today's Dallas Morning News. I've blogged about this before, Farmers Branch has the lowest City charges to residents than any other city in the metroplex. One of the biggest reasons is that our residents pay nothing for garabage pickup. We're the only city in the metroplex that does not charge for garbage services, while also offering more garbage services than the others, including home delivery of brown paper garbage bags, and weekly curbside pickup by the 'green grabber' of just about anything you can drag to the street.

Farmers Branch is the best, and cheapest, place to live in the Metroplex.

Tim

2008-07-14T14:13:00.000-07:00

Here's the link. It's a nice article about the incentives availale to homeowners and prospective homeowners in Farmers Branch.

Tim

Happy Fourth of July!

2008-07-03T06:39:00.000-07:00

Get out and celebrate our freedom and liberty!

See you at the Historical Park tonight.

Tim

D-Day Anniversary

2008-06-06T09:12:00.000-07:00

June 6, 1944, the day US and Allied forces threw themselves against the German Army in the invasion of Normandy. We should all be grateful to all the men and women who sacrificed so much, so that we can live in freedom and liberty.

Here's a great speech, don't miss it.

Tim Scott

Redevelopment: Full Speed Ahead!

2008-06-06T06:50:00.000-07:00

I'm excited about the work that is being done around redevelopment in Farmers Branch. The need for increased grocery, retail, and restaurant options, and for affordable Senior Housing, is a common theme I hear from all residents. We've been listening, and we're moving full speed ahead.

You can read two articles about the exciting efforts underway here and here.

The Dallas Orchestra in the Park was Fantastic!

2008-06-02T09:01:00.000-07:00

I hope you were able to be at this event. Wow. The Dallas Symphony Orchestra was great, and the fireworks were fabulous. What a great event in Farmers Branch!

More pictures here.

Tim Scott

Mayor's Day in Farmers Branch

2008-06-02T08:57:00.000-07:00

In conjunction with the dedication of the Dodson House Historical designation, May 31 was proclaimed "Mayor's Day" in Farmers Branch. All living past (and present) Mayor's were in attendance. They are, left to right, Dave Blair, Lawson Lewis, George Grimmer, Bob Phelps, and Tim O'Hare.

Tim Scott

Dodson House Historical Marker Dedication

2008-06-02T08:47:00.000-07:00

We value our heritage and our history in Farmers Branch.

Saturday night was the unveiling of a new Historical Marker at the Dodson House in our Historical Park. This house was the residence of William Dodson, the first Mayor of Farmers Branch. The house was built in 1937.

In January of 1946, William Dodson learned that the City of Dallas planned to annex the Farmers Branch community, and he and his neighbors circulated a petition for a local incorporation election. Citizens voted their approval, and the City of Farmers Branch was born, and Mr. Dodson was elected the first Mayor. Three of the very first City Council meetings were held in the Dodson House.

Maude Dodson, William's wife, lived in the home until 1983, before donating it to the City to become the core of what is now the Historical Park.

Great work by our Historical Preservation and Restoration Board to secure the Historical Marker, and in putting on a great event.

More pictures of the event can be found here.

Dallas Symphony Returns to FB!

2008-05-31T07:36:00.000-07:00

Music will be in the air Saturday, May 31 as the Dallas Symphony Orchestra returns to the Farmers Branch Historical Park for a free concert under the stars.

Gates will open at 6:30 with the show beginning at 8. Families are encouraged to bring blankets and lawn chairs. Concessions will be available.

The show will conclude with a fireworks display over the park. Parking will be available at the MetroSquare Business Park, two blocks south of the Historical Park on Ford Road with a free shuttle to the gate. Handicapped parking will be at the DART Park & Ride facility on Denton Drive just south of Valley View. Call 972-919-2620.

Hope to see you there!

A Ruling We All Expected

2008-05-29T06:29:00.000-07:00

If you read any of Judge Linday's previous opinions on our ordinances, yesterday's ruling would've been no surprise. Don't worry, we are undetered in our fight to carry out the will of the people!

From the DMN:

"Then we would have two ordinances with which we can appeal to the 5th Circuit," Mr. O'Hare said. "We're confident in the end that we're going to prevail."

"The people's will, and people's decisions, and people's wishes once again get ignored and overturned," City Council member David Koch said.

You can watch news coverage here, or read about it here.

Tim Scott

MIssouri Approves Illegal Alien Enforcement Bill

2008-05-19T07:00:00.000-07:00

From azcentral.com:

Missouri lawmakers gave final approval Friday to a bill that adds new restrictions and requirements for illegal immigrants, the cities in which they live and the businesses that employ them.

The bill would require people to prove they are U.S. citizens or are legally in the country when applying for food stamps, housing and other public benefits; penalize businesses that knowingly hire illegal immigrants; order the Missouri State Highway Patrol to seek special federal immigration training; and bar Missouri cities from refusing to cooperate with federal immigration authorities.

More here. And here. And here.

Tim

Farmers Branch and ICE's 287(g) Program

2008-05-12T15:07:00.000-07:00

Great news on the Public Safety front. Our detective has gone through the 4 week training with ICE and is back to work at the police station this week. We now have a trained detective that is certified with ICE and will work with them on cases involving criminal aliens.

We believe that this the first municipal officer in Texas to complete this training.

Tim Scott

Addison Development Will Impact FB

2008-05-12T12:13:00.000-07:00

This is exciting. You may have seen the demolition that has begun on multiple apartment complexes in Addison on Brookhaven Club Drive. The existing structures are being torn down to make way for the new Vitruvian Park development. You can find out more about this development here and here.

While this isn't a Farmers Branch development, it will have a significant and positive impact on the dining and retail options available to our residents, and will only increase the likelihood of additional development in our town.

The next few years will be very exciting in Farmers Branch, as we watch our entire city, from the North Dallas Tollway to the George Bush Tollway, experience new development and revitalization.

Let's go!

Tim Scott

Congratulations Tim and Harold!

2008-05-12T08:28:00.000-07:00

This is going to be a great year for Farmers Branch!

Tim Scott

Results Watching Party! You're Invited!

2008-05-09T17:23:00.000-07:00

Hello Friends and Neighbors of Farmers Branch!

Election Day is TOMORROW! Please, if you haven't already voted, make sure you make time to come vote for Tim O'Hare and Harold Froehlich, and tell all your friends to do the same!

Also, you and your neighbors are invited to a Results Watching Party tomorrow night at 7:30pm at the Holiday Inn Select, 2645 Lyndon B Johnson Fwy, Farmers Branch. We'd love to have you come share this experience with us!

LET'S CLOSE THIS THING OUT TOMORROW FOR TIM AND HAROLD!

Tim Scott

I'll Do What Gene Bledsoe Won't

2008-05-07T15:16:00.000-07:00

I was wrong.

I said that Gene was in violation of the Campaign Ethics Laws. Turns out he's not. I was wrong. He didn't violate Campaign Ethics Laws.

He did, however take money from the very attorney's suing the city.

He also did not play a regular season game for the New York Jets. And he's never backed away from his outlandish comments about the state of the city's finances.

When confronted with a mistake, I correct it. That's how I was raised, that's what I believe in.

I got the Campaign Ethics thing wrong. I admit it, and correct it.

Gene, why don't you join me and correct all the mis-statements of fact you've made?

Everybody into the honesty pool. The water's warm.

Tim Scott

FB Most Cost-Effective Place to Live!

2008-05-07T14:57:00.000-07:00

Here's the text of an exciting press release from FB:

Taking into account factors involved in residential living, Farmers Branch was found to be the most cost-effective place to live in a 2008 survey of 19 Metroplex cities, conducted by the City of Carrollton.

The “Municipal Cost of Service” comparison takes into account population, median home value, property tax rate, homestead exemption, City sales tax rate and annual charges for property taxes, sewer, drainage and sanitation. Behind Farmers Branch in the top five were Addison, Plano, Frisco and Irving.

Farmers Branch City Manager Gary D. Greer appreciated the survey, saying it affirms that the Farmers Branch community is not only beautiful and safe, but an affordable place to raise a family.

“We pride ourselves on the delivery of the highest quality of service to our citizens,” he said. “That is a long-standing tradition in Farmers Branch that we are committed to continuing into the future.”

The Cities of Carrollton, Lewisville, Arlington, Allen and Richardson rounded out the top 10. Coppell, McKinney, Grand Prairie, Mesquite, Dallas, Garland, Denton, Fort Worth and The Colony completed the list. Full survey results are available at www.farmersbranch.info.

Go Read Tim O'Hare's Blog Today

2008-05-06T07:06:00.000-07:00

Mayor Pro Tem Tim O'Hare has a good blog entry today about the very important election on Saturday. Take some time to read it.

Tim

Bickel & Brewer & Bledsoe

2008-05-03T05:34:00.000-07:00

Gene Bledsoe wants to be your next Mayor. So much so, that he’ll say anything to frighten and scare our citizens and disparage Mayor Pro Tem Tim O’Hare. He’s been confronted with the facts, and yet continues to spread his untruths, all while raising the mantle of “integrity.” I guess he and I have different definitions of “integrity.”

But I have another definition that I don’t think Mr. Bledsoe quite understands.

Conflict of Interest: –noun; The circumstance of a public officeholder, business executive, or the like, whose personal interests might benefit from his or her official actions or influence,

Today on his campaign finance disclosure form, Mr. Bledsoe indicated that he had received $1,000 donations each from John Bickel and William Brewer. You know John Bickel and William Brewer, the attorneys from the firm Bickel and Brewer who have multiple lawsuits currently pending against the city. Bickel and Brewer essentially financed the entirety of the campaign against Ordinance 2903 last May, and have not hesitated to speak out against the 68% of the citizens of Farmers Branch or bring lawsuit after lawsuit to reverse their defeat at the ballot box. That’s right, you read that correctly. Mr. Bledsoe is accepting donations from the law firm that is seeking monetary damages from our city.

Last May, while campaigning vociferously against Ordinance 2903 and our efforts to stem the tide of illegal immigration in our city, Mr. Bledsoe was quoted in the Dallas Morning News as saying the ordinance and your city’s efforts were bad ideas, and would only end up “buying swimming pools for lawyers.” The lawyers he was referring to are John Bickel and William Brewer. Looks like Mr. Bledsoe would like to be in a position to expedite the construction of those swimming pools.

Ask yourself: when tough decisions have to be made about the city’s legal defense, carrying out the will of 68% of the people, and protecting our city’s finances, where will Mr. Bledsoe’s allegiance lie? Do you think he’ll be influenced by his very public statements about his opposition to Ordinance 2903, and his reliance on cash donations from the very attorneys seeking to take as much money as possible from the city? It’s a legitimate - and troubling - question.

Ak yourself: Who do you want going toe-to-toe with the tough attorneys trying to use our hard-earned tax dollars to finance their backyard landscaping: the candidate who’s stood up and held strong on the behalf of our citizens against frivolous lawsuits and opportunistic attorneys, or the candidate who’s relying on contributions from those very attorneys to finance his campaign?

I think you know the answer. Vote Tim O’Hare for Mayor of Farmers Branch.

Tim Scott
City Council, Place One