Athens —
The deadline to file to run for an office in Gun Barrel City passed without anyone challenging the incumbents. Mayor Pro-tem Curtis Webster, Councilman Ronnie Johnson and Councilman Melvin Hayes will retain their seats on the city council.
That does not mean there won't be an election on May 10. The City Council is asking the voters to revise the City Charter. In a Feb. 15 workshop, the council comprised seven changes to the current city charter. The biggest issue discussed during the workshop was term limits for city council, and all board members associated with the city.
The council is asking voters to include in the charter that individuals can serve three terms on all boards, including the Economic Development Corporation.
The new wording in the charter would say a person will need to sit out one year before serving again on any board. As for the City Council, the charter would state a person can serve three terms as city council, and one term as Mayor before sitting out for one year. According to the new wording, the six years will start after the city charter has been voted on by the Gun Barrel City voters.
The current charter has no term limits for board members, such as the EDC. The City Council currently has a three-term limit, and the charter currently states a person must sit out one term. That wording would be changed to the stipulation that a person must sit out one year. City Manager Gerry Boren admits it's just a matter of wording.
The council also would like to change the charter to say that if a council person misses every meeting within a 100-day period, they automatically relinquish their seat on the city council. The current charter states that if a councilperson misses three consecutive meetings, they are removed from the council.
Other amendments to the charter include wording of ordinances, filling vacancies on boards or city council, wording and interpretation of the charter, appointing a charter review commission every two years, but not to exceed every four years, and handling the voting records for Gun Barrel City.
Boren, said “The city will provide the Gun Barrel City residents with a voters’ guide to explain the changes the council is asking for in the charter.”
He said the council is trying to just clean up some of the charter and the ordinance codes.
“In order to follow state law in some of the questionable items, the charter's wording will need to be changed,” said Boren.
In other city news, a City Council meeting was held on Feb. 26. The GBC Council voted for the city once again to host JulyFest. The council authorized $60,000 to be spent on the event. According to Boren, JulyFest will be a 3-day event.
“We have some plans we are working on, and we are negotiating the entertainment for Saturday night,” he said.
The council also approved a vehicle impoundment and inventory policy, along with approving a reserve police officer for the city.
With the council approval, the EDC added term limits to its by-laws. The council also agreed to transfer city property to the EDC. The property being transferred will be the old city hall building, along with what is known as Brawner Hall, located on State Highway 334.
Boren asked the council to join the Texas Downtown Association.
“If we designate the Heritage Cove Parkway as downtown, the city will be able to apply for grants from the state,” Boren said.
Heritage Cove is located on State Highway 334.
The next Gun Barrel City council meeting will be held on March 28 at Gun Barrel City Hall.
Local News
GBC ready for elections
No challengers for current council, mayor pro-tem
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Breaking new ground
The ceremonial groundbreaking was held on Wednesday morning for the newest resident at Athens Industrial Park.
Med-Logics is relocating from California to a 4-acre tract on Enterprise Drive. The company, which specializes in manufacturing opthamology laser blades used in eye surgery and related technology, is bringing its entire operation to Athens. -
City’s budgets in works
The various City of Athens Departments are working on their preliminary budgets in preparation for the coming crunch of the numbers.
In 2012-2013, the city budgeted $15,462,939 for expenditures, which included more than $1.26 million for street upkeep and repairs. -
Open casting call to be held in Kemp
An open casting call for the upcoming feature film, “Hellion,” by award winning Texas director Kat Candler and Executive Producer Jeff Nichols will be held from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, June 21 and from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 22 at Underground MX Park, located at 7353 Farm-to-Market 3396 in Kemp.
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Mayor gives update
Athens Mayor Jerry Don Vaught updated the Athens Kiwanis Club on several city projects at the Country Club on Tuesday.
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A personal story to tell
When Donna Johnson took to the podium last week at Trinity Valley Community College, it wasn’t to tell her own story.
Johnson was the featured speaker at the college’s annual GED graduation ceremony last week. The ceremony gives students who have completed the high school equivalency exam during the past year the chance to attend commencement. -
Athens house burned
A Monday afternoon fire inflicted severe damage to a house at 911 W. Cayuga Dr. in Athens.
No one was injured in the blaze that started in the back bedroom of the residence. Athens Fire Chief John McQueary said the resident had been staying with her sister and was not at home at the time of the blaze. The cause of the fire is under investigation. -
Radio Club plays the field
CQ ... CQ ... CQ ... This is what you will hear this coming Saturday and Sunday, June 22 and 23, when the Athens Amateur Radio Club once again participates in the annual Amateur Radio Relay League’s (ARRL) National Field Day event.
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Retired teachers get raise, fund solvency
During the final days of the 83rd Legislative Session, the Texas House approved the Teacher Retirement Actuarial Soundness Bill, or SB 1458, which will put the Teachers Retirement System on solid ground for years to come.
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Time to have a blast
The annual Fourth of July fireworks show at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center (TFFC) is coming up on Thursday, July 4. The show will last about one-half hour and is one of the biggest in East Texas.
The fireworks show is directed and produced by Alpha-Lee Enterprises, Inc. of Liverpool, Texas. The show is a Keep Athens Beautiful event. -
Easy there, big fella
Athens bullrider Kody Ingham hangs on during the opening round of the 2nd Annual Juneteenth Black Rodeo held at the Henderson County Fairpark Complex Friday night.
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