Jennifer Alexander City Council Candidate

Jennifer Alexander, Candidate for City Council has posted an introductory letter. Click Here to View Letter in a new Tab

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Easter Egg Hunt 2012

Nearly a hundred children turned out to participate in the 2012 Wilmer Easter Egg Hunt in Cottonwood Park. Hundreds of hot dogs were eaten and a general good time was had by all. Check out the photos!

If you would like a CD of all the 2012 Easter Egg Hunt photos taken by this reporter, just send an email to reporter@wilmercitizen.info or call 214.244.7689!

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Wilmer Elections 2012

The applications are in, the candidates chosen and the ballot places established. FIVE citizens vie for TWO seats on the city council.
Two citizens go toe-to-toe & head-to-head for the hot seat Mayor's job.


The Candidates are in order on the ballots:

COUNCIL MEMBERS - TWO POSITIONS TWO YEAR TERMS:
1 Robert Turner (incumbent)
2 Jennifer Alexander
3 Vicky Vandygriff (incumbent)
4 Phyllis Slough
5 Dean Rolison

MAYOR - ONE POSITION TWO YEAR TERM:
1 "A.H." Hector Casarez (incumbent)
2 Joe Aldrich

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City Kicks Children to the Curb

Recent comments at the March 1st City Council meeting regarding the City employees limiting access to the public open spaces - kicking the kids off the City property playing in the Gazebo - was reported to John Phinney (as head of the Library Board) who brought the comment to the council meeting. This reporter was involved in a similar incident last year on October 18 - here's my first person account.


Original Title: "Citizens Banned from Public Property"

Wilmer City Administration has evidently decided citizens and taxpayers are no longer to be allowed on city property.

The City operates a "dump" on a piece of property on Millers Ferry Road that was deeded to the City by the Lions Club for the sole purpose of erecting a community center. The property is owned by the City, which operates "dump" (aka attractive nuisance, hazardous waste disposal site) there without statutory or other authority by ordinance to do so and has no permits for such activities from regulatory authorities. There are no signs on the property nor is the property fenced although there is a vehicle gate which was open at 2:20 in the afternoon Tuesday October 18.

Evidently, the City Water department was compelled to stop their southbound journey down Millers Ferry and expel this reporter from the "Lions Club" premises while sitting in the car eating lunch. While the passenger demanded I vacate the property immediately, the driver had positioned the truck so as to make entering the roadway impossible. Following the City truck and proceeding to City Hall, my Calls to City Hall and AdminSec Birdwell have been left unanswered as we go to press. Wilmer PD confirmed there was no ordinance or restrictive signage on the property shortly before press time.
[ED NOTE: This was written October 18, 2011 and never published. The fact remains City Hall has never addressed this complaint.]

Let us settle for a reasonable amount of compensatory and punitive damages over this denial of use of public assets, this abuse of official capacity, this continuing denial of due process to many Wilmer taxpayers. Or let's just go to USC Title 18 Section 245 for relief, save the taxpayer's money and put the offending officials in the federal prison for a year or so.

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Mayor Steele's New Blog

Former Mayor Jeff Steele has a new blog at itrustbutverify.blogspot.com (Click Here)


Apparently former Mayor Steele believes the budget posted on the City's website isn't true and complete as passed and or filed with Dallas County. Read more!

MAYOR STEELE RESIGNS

Last night, Thursday, September 15, 2011 at 9:21pm Jeffery Steele resigned as Mayor of the City of Wilmer. The City Council scheduled action on the Mayor's resignation at the next City Council Meeting on September 19.


Apparently, the move was not a complete surprise to everyone. Vicky Vandygriff had a motion to accept Steele's resignation and appoint Hector Pena to the position. Lacking adequate notice for City Council action, the matter of the mayor's resignation and potential appointment of an interim mayor must wait for the September 19 meeting.

More News to come.... Read more!

Aug 18 City Council Meeting - NO BUDGET!

Here it is the middle of August only 45 days before the end of the fiscal year and the Mayor hasn't submitted a budget workshop agenda. We are running out of time and this week's meeting is packed with rehash topics and single source contracts.
Click Here to View the Agenda Online



The proposed budget that comes out of the budget workshop for public inspection is required to be available (sit on the clerk's desk) for 30 continuous days before it can be acted upon. During that time, the budget is made available for public review and public hearings are scheduled so that there is plenty of time to review the budget and make appropriate public comments. Any revisions as a result of the public hearings should be made before the revised proposed budget is acted upon by the city council for approval or rejection or revision. The entire process has to be completed before the City makes its' annual tax levy as the tax revenues should be reflected in the budget's ad valorum tax income. Our current fiscal year ends September 30, when all of these tasks must be completed.

Other local governments have completed or scheduled budget workshops this week. The City of Seagoville completed their workshop on August 6 and have published the proposed budget for review online.
Combine's budget workshop was completed on August 12.
Ferris holds their budget workshop today August 15.
Lancaster concludes their budget workshop tomorrow August 16.
Greenville Texas is waiting until the 19th to hold their budget workshop.
The City of Hutchins scheduled budget meetings could not be determined online at press time.

We'll be looking for a Called Meeting before the first of September. Read more!

Crossroads 2011 The Flyer

We've all been wondering what "Crossroads 2011" on the purple candidate signs was all about and now we know!

Click Here To View the Crossroads 2011 Campaign Flyer

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Introducing the Candidates - In Their Own Words

Here are the Candidates Statements for the 2011 City Elections.
Click Name to View Candidate Statement.


Matina Abney no statement available
Jeff Dyess click to view
Candy Madrigal click to view
Hector Pena click to view
Mary Phinney click to view
Vicky Vandygriff no statement available
Robert Wells click to view

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Easter Egg Hunt

Wilmer Parks & Recreation will sponsor an Easter Egg Hunt in Cottonwood Valley Preserve at 1:00PM April 23 on SATURDAY.
Click Here to View the Flyer
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Voter Registration Drive

It's that time of year for City Elections. "Take Action For Your City" is sponsoring a voter registration drive today through April 13, the last day you can register and vote in the upcoming May 14 election.
Click Here to view the Take Action For Your City Voter Registration Flyer. Read more!

City Plans Backdoor Tax Hike! MONDAY DEC 27 7:30PM MEETING

The City Council meets Monday night at 7:30PM to discuss issuing certificates of obligation to BORROW the money WE THE VOTERS DENIED them in the November Bond Election. Wilmer Citizen Activist predicted this in our article (click here) on November 3 - No joke folks the City is going to double or triple your taxes and you don't have anything to say about it UNLESS you will sign the petition to force an election BY THE PEOPLE to authorize or deny these debt payment obligations.

One of the things about these types of notes, once issued, constitute existing debt which must be satisfied prior to considering the city's budget and computing the effective tax rate. In fact, these debt obligations "come off the top" before figuring the maximum property tax rate (called the rollback rate). So for the purpose of taxation, existing debt obligations are included before figuring the "tax rate". What this means is that the City can cause your taxes to double or triple, all the while conforming to state mandated maximum increases on a year-to-year basis.

CLICK HERE to print a copy of the petition to circulate for signatures in your area - become a Block Captain and sign up your fellow citizens who resent unfair taxation and the City Administration's complete disregard for the will of the voters. Read more!

Weekend Holiday Festivities: Lite the Tree - Toy Drive

Lite the New Christmas Tree Saturday, December 4, 5:30PM
Please click "Read More" for information about singing Christmas carols.
Click Here to View the Full Color Flyer!

Toy Drive Sponsored by the Ladies of the Wilmer City Council at 2:00PM on Sunday, December 5, at the Wilmer Community Center with free music concert provided by the Conjunto Outlaws.
Please Bring an Unwrapped Gift for Wilmer's less fortunate Children.


Letter From the Wilmer Parks & Recreation Board

Dear Pastor:

The Wilmer Parks & Recreation Board invites your congregation to the Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration
December 4, 2010 at 6:00PM
If your choir, trio or quartet could sing one Christmas Carol at the event, it would be a wonderful chance for someone there to be introduced to your Congregation.

Please Contact Alice Holloway Wilmer City Secretary at 972-441-6373

If it is true that "the family that prays together, stays together"; then a Town that comes together to celebrate this very special Holiday should benefit from our mutual concern for the City"

Sincerely,
The Wilmer Parks & Recreation Board Read more!

WRESTLING National Night Out

Thanks to John Eggen for making these flyers post-able.

Full Color National Night Out - En Espanol - Click Here!


Full Color National Night Out (English) - Click Here!


This year's National Night Out is sure to be a fun filled night for the entire family which will center around a Pro Wrestling Event that will include 4 exciting matches. FREE Nachos, Hot Dogs, Popcorn and drinks will be available for all to enjoy.

The event is FREE to the public and everyone is invited and encouraged to come out for a night of community fellowship and an opportunity to meet the members of your Wilmer Police Department.

The Wrestling Rink and festivities will be located at 101 Davidson Plaza which is the lot next to the Police Department in front of the Community Center.

For additional information call 972-441-6565. Read more!

Stuffing the Ballot Box?

Allegedly unrequested mail-in ballots for the November election started appearing in Wilmer mail boxes today.

This story arrived too late in the day to get any comment from Dallas County Election Department Chief Bruce Sherbet. But this isn't the first time there have been irregularities surrounding mail-in ballots in Dallas County.

Click Here to Read the WFAA "Voter Fraud" Article from March

Click Here to View More WFAA "Voter Fraudd" Reporting
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It Could Happen

Los Angeles, California (CNN) -- Eight current and former Bell, California, city officials arrested and charged Tuesday with misappropriation of funds and making or receiving illegal loans demonstrated "corruption on steroids," the Los Angeles County district attorney said.


Click Here to Read the Full Story at CNN.COM Read more!

More Issues for Dallas County

3 dozen Dallas County deputy constables hired despite troubling job histories | The Dallas Morning News

Click Here to View the DMN Article in full.


If you have trouble using the link provided, paste this link into your browser window:

"http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/yahoolatestnews/stories/091910dnmetconstablesdayone.2935c95.html"
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The Chinese Connection

Thanks to a reader who pointed out these articles of interest regarding The Allen Group.

Two interesting quotes from the January 2010 article in the Dallas Morning News (click here):

"The bankruptcy filing also said Allen had held talks with Dallas city leaders and a Chinese company about the Asian firm's potential purchase of more than 1,000 acres in the logistics park. Court documents identify the company as China Supply and Logistics."

"At a recent Dallas Morning News roundtable, Mayor Tom Leppert alluded to a possible deal involving Chinese investors that he did not identify. "An investor from China may soon make a direct investment in real estate here," he said."


A later story published in May 2010 in the Dallas Business Journal (click here) indicated that:

"In addition to about 750,000 square feet in potential lease deals, The Allen Group is working on five land sales that range from 2 acres to 200 acres, Allen said. The buyers’ uses for the property include retail, a truck stop, distribution and an importer, he said."
[ED NOTE: Anybody notice the new QT going in at I45 @ Wintergreen]
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Wilmer Parks BBQ Cookoff Saturday June 26

Saturday, June 26th, The Wilmer Parks Board will host a “Chicken
& Rib Cook-Off in the parking area behind City Hall. Prizes for best BBQ will be awarded.
Click Here to View the Full Color Announcement!

Thanks to John Eggen for this contribution.

On Saturday, June 26th, The Parks Board will host our first “Chicken & Rib Cook-Off. The event will take place behind City Hall. Up to 20 teams will compete for bragging rights, trophies and a new grill as the “grand prize”. To compete for the grand prize, contestants must enter both categories, with total combined points determining the winner.

First, second and third place trophies will be awarded in each category.

The cook-off is open to the public beginning at 10:00am. Festivities include two bands; Conjunto Outlaws beginning at 11:30—1:30 and Double Ott Buck playing from 3:00—6:00pm. Activities for the kids include a 24 ft inflatable slide. Your favorite police officer, Chief of Police and Mayor, to name a few, will be sitting in the dunk tank giving you a rare opportunity to take your shot! Come on down and sample all of the barbecue and root for your favorite cooking team. Awards will be presented about 5:00p.m. If you would like to enter a team, (1 cook, and up to 4 team members) applications are available from City Hall, the Library, and both Clayton Crossing and River Oaks Mobile Home Parks Office. If you would like to volunteer to help with the cook-off, please call City Hall at 972.441.6177 Read more!

Wilmer Hosts Second Summer Chautauqua

The City of Wilmer will be hosting the second annual Chautauqua event at the Wilmer Community Center Tuesday nights in July from 7:00p.m. until 8:00p.m.

Thanks to John Eggen for this contribution.

THE GOAL OF THE CHAUTAUQUA IS TO INFORM, ENLIGHTEN AND EDUCATE!

During the Month of July, the Wilmer Public Library Advisory Board will sponsor this years Summer Chautauqua Series.

Before Radio, Television and the Internet, this is what your grandparents and great-grandparents did. The Chautauqua was an annual SUMMER EVENT. An Educational and Recreational Event for everyone.

These events were usually weekly programs and lasted four to six weeks. They were held during the mid-summer season…after the crops were planted and before the harvest. In the spirit of the 1880’s through the 1950’s, the City of Wilmer presents, for your enjoyment our second Chautauqua Series.

This year’s Chautauqua will involve four presentations on aspects of religion and world views.

The Chautauqua will be held in the Wilmer Community Center on the four Tuesday nights in July from 7:00p.m. Until 8:00p.m. All presentations are free and open to the public.

TOPICS:

July 6, 2010: Traditional Shamanism. Many see this as the oldest religion and it has been practiced by most of the societies that have ever existed in the world. It still exists today and is often found in association with modern world religions among many societies today. Come and find out the many jobs of the shaman.

Presentation by John F. S. Phinney, Anthropology Faculty, Southern Methodist University.

July 13, 2010: New Age (Modern) Shamanism. It is among the fastest growing religions in North America and Europe. It involves aspects of tradition shamanism, respect and preservation of the environment, and ideas borrowed from many world religions.

Presentation by Mary L. B. Phinney, Anthropologist and Dallas County Trail and Preserve Program Administer, Commissioners Court. She has had the Michael Harner classes in Modern Shamanism.


July 20, 2010: The Role of the Church in Small Communities. This lecture will present information showing the value of the church in communities and the role it plays in the lives of the church members of varied ages.

Presentation by Dr. Julie Adkins, Reverend Adkins has been most recently a minister in Oak Cliff and holds a doctorate in theology and is near completion of her Ph.D. degree in Anthropology at SMU.

July 27, 2010: Wicca (Modern Witchcraft). This is not your mother’s witchcraft. Wicca is the fastest growing religion in North America. It is a religion that involves a reverence/respect for nature and the environment. Come and learn and perhaps with the new information you will better understand why non-traditional religions are growing and traditional church attendance is in decline.

Presentation by Dr. Susan Harper-Bisso, she is a practicing Wicca (Witch) and holds a Ph.D. degree in Anthropology from SMU with a dissertation on Witchcraft.

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