JAN/FEB 2024
VOLUME 10
WHITE SETTLEMENT, TEXAS
An Inside Look THE NUMBERS ARE IN AND IT’S CLEAR THAT THE RESIDENTS OF WHITE SETTLEMENT MADE A BIG IMPACT IN 2023
IN THIS ISSUE... VOLUME 10 JAN/FEB 2024
What difference can a single person make? We’re glad you asked! In our feature story this volume we’ll be going INSIDE THE NUMBERS for 2023 and one of the main things we’ll focus on is all the good that was done by volunteers across the City. As we dug into the hard data from 2023, we found some numbers that will surprise you! If you visit the City website in 2024 you’ll find A NEW APPROACH TO WEB ACCESSIBILITY. In this article, we introduce you to Audio Eye, a powerful new tool that’s been implemented on the website that assists with navigation and reading so even those with visual impairments can find the info they need. It’s always a good time to be WATER WISE, and a new cistern is going to make that a reality here in the garden area at the Municipal Complex. Learn all about this rainwater harvesting system and how it’s going to be a powerful water conservation tool. Oh, and did we mention that it was paid for by a grant? You’ll find all of these stories as well as romantic movie suggestions and all the info about what’s happening around community services. We hope you enjoy some of the redesigned elements of this publication as we dive into 2024. We’re glad to have you here! And as always, we kick off this volume with City Manager Jeff James and his BIG THREE!
CITY COUNCIL Mayor: Faron Young Mayor Pro Tem/Place 3: Amber Munoz Place 1: Paul Moore Place 2: Alan Price Place 4: William Wright Place 5: Gregg Geesa CITY MANAGER JEFFREY J. JAMES
AROUND THE CITY TEAM Aaron C. Hall Communications Manager Maureen Barrett Community Services Coordinator With assistance from the departments and staff of the City of White Settlement
BIG THREE
THE CITY MANAGER’S
City Manager Jeff James
As 2024 gets underway I am especially excited to announce that this year marks the 75th anniversary of the White Settlement Fire Department. On May 5th, 1949, Mayor Curby Mirike called a meeting to organize a volunteer fire department. By the end of that meeting, the White Settlement Volunteer Fire Department had been created. As many of you know, our fire department was operated by volunteers for many decades before beginning the transition to a paid fire department in 2016. During this anniversary year, you’ll be hearing a lot about the Fire Department. We’ll be looking for ways to highlight and honor volunteers of the past while also holding an Open House event so everyone can learn more about the exciting future of this department. Many people important to the history of White Settlement were involved in the fire department over the years and I look forward to everyone learning more about that history as this anniversary year continues.
This year looks to be an important one for the Public Works Department. This department has secured a new 2-ton dump truck that will allow them to tackle more and bigger projects. Some of the things that will be impacted by this new equipment are pot hole repairs, an item I know that we all like to see get addressed, as well as preventative road maintenance such as crack sealing that will extend the life of our roads. This department is currently fully staffed, meaning that Public Works Director Larry Hoover has a good group of people and some important equipment that will help his department make a big difference in 2024. As always, Public Works will be a critical department should we get any severe winter weather. This is just another service they provide and another reason why Public Works is important. I hope you’ll join me in celebrating the good work they’ve been doing and will continue to do in this new year.
Later this month I will have the honor of speaking at the Volunteer Appreciation brunch event. We are incredibly blessed in White Settlement with the amount of people who are willing to sacrifice their time and dedicate themselves to volunteering. Many of the activities that volunteers assist with can be thankless and I look forward to having a moment to let these people know just how appreciated they are. When you have an opportunity, please be sure that you say thank you to all those who serve on boards, on council, who volunteer at City events or cleanup events and those who volunteer in City departments like the Library and Senior Center. Their volunteer spirit is part of what makes White Settlement a great place to live.
2023
BY THE NUMBERS When it comes to running a city, a lot can take place over the course of a year. The most impressive numbers come from the contributions of the residents. Regular people who give up their time and energy to volunteer and serve others. Those who say the spirit of volunteerism is waning obviously haven’t spent much time in White Settlement! As we begin this journey through the 2023 numbers for the City, there’s no place we’d rather start than with some truly impressive volunteer statistics.
1,132
Number of volunteer hours spent on cleanup and beautification projects
When you divide 1,132 hours by 24, you get the number 47 days. In 2023, volunteers spent the equivalent of 47 days participating in City organized events like the Great American Cleanup, the Fall Trash Bash, and Kids Kleen It. But what’s great is, this number also includes hours from Adopt-A-Street, which are self initiated cleanups done by residents across the City. Because of the hard work of these volunteers, White Settlement looks better and the natural environment in our City is healthier!
96
Number of agenda volunteer boards
items
handled
by
Any time you think about volunteers, the first thing that comes to mind is people in vests doing cleanup projects. While we are so thankful for those volunteers, we never want to overlook those who volunteer to serve on City boards. These boards are filled with White Settlement residents who give up their evenings once a month to help with the running of the City on matters such as zoning, economic development, the police department, parks and recreation and so much more. Over the course of 2023, these board members tackled 96 agenda items that required research, thought, discussion, and cooperation. We’re thankful for each and every one of these board members and their contribution to the City!
360
Pounds of mulch created by recycling Christmas trees
Instead of sending your Christmas trees to the landfill, many of you took advantage of the Christmas Tree Drop-off program. Trees were dropped off and turned to landscaping mulch that was then made available free to the community. Thanks to your participation, we created a healthy recycling program for these trees instead of sending them to the landfill!
2,055
Number of medical calls responded to by the White Settlement Fire Department
Fighting fires may be in the name, but a major part of how the White Settlement Fire Department serves the community is through responding to medical calls. The WSFD averaged 5.6 medical calls per day in 2023, meaning the firefighters spent a lot of time leaning upon their EMS training as they assisted the community.
655
Open gym visitors
If you’re a parent with school aged kids, your children might be a part of this number. During 2023, anytime that local schools were out for an extended period (spring break, summer break, winter break), the Rec Center opened up to host free and open basketball play. Many local youth made Open Gym a regular part of their time off of school and we loved hosting them here at the Rec!
296
Number of community events that members of the White Settlement Police Department attended
Any department can say that community engagement is important to them, but there’s a difference between words and actions. Being a part of the community is a major part of the approach of the WSPD. Chief of Police Christopher Cook shared his thoughts on this important item. “Community engagement is the hallmark to any professional law enforcement organization. As a leader, we are committed to attend a variety of community events, including large-scale events, smaller functions, and individual events organized by residents, businesses, schools, and churches,” Chief Cook said.
3,409,822 When a city with a population of less than 19,000 is seeing Facebook numbers over 3 million, you know that you’ve found a communications avenue that resonates with a lot of the community. There are many ways that the City puts out information each year, but Facebook remains the number one way that residents seem to like receiving information. “There are so many important pieces of information that residents need over the course of a year and we work as hard as possible to get it to them,” Communications Manager Aaron C. Hall said. “I’ve been amazed at the growth we’ve had on Facebook in recent years. We love having that tool to communicate directly with our residents and hopefully make their lives a little easier.”
Views that the City Facebook page received
9,300
Number of daily water samples taken for testing by Public Works Public Works Director Larry Hoover explains why the number of water samples is an important number for all of us here in White Settlement. “We have 9300 daily samples, 180 bacteria samples, and 67 nitrification samples for the year. With almost 10,000 samples system wide, staff is ensuring the quality of water the citizens are receiving is safe for consumption and meets or exceeds the standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Texas Commission of Environmental Quality (TCEQ). With these samples being submitted daily with no violations being noted, our citizens should feel confident our water is safe!“
1,958
Cases closed department
If you’ve ever wondered how busy the code compliance department stays, just look at this number. This breaks down to an average of 38 code cases closed per week, which is even more impressive when you consider there are only two code officers on staff. Planning & Development Director Robert Nunley is over the Code department and he shared about the purpose and importance of the code process. “Code isn’t about slapping people on the wrist. We really are just working to help everyone understand what the codes are, why they’re in place, and when needed, helping people come into compliance with them,” Nunley said. “It’s usually a painless process overall.”
by
the
Code
Compliance
1,208
Number of Library cards distributed (new and renewals)
Technology can advance all it wants, but there’s nothing in the world quite like the public library. Library Manager Sandra Rosas explains why she believes the library is as vital today as it has ever been. “The library remains a community hub where people of all walks of life can come for access to books, computers, programs, and materials like movies and games. Throughout my time here I’ve witnessed countless Patrons forge lifelong connections in the library. I have seen Patrons come to the library to get help on job applications and resumes. Some of them come back to tell us they got a job and thank the staff for helping them.”
9,508
Meals served to seniors Settlement Senior Center
at
the
White
Working at a Senior Center is as much a calling as it is a job. Senior Center Coordinator Sarah DeJong knows this firsthand as she shares about the importance of nutrition for senior citizens as well as the importance of the senior center itself. “Feeding America states that in 2021, 1 in 14 seniors was food insecure. We are proud to get the chance to serve our senior community and help relieve some of the stress of finding a daily meal with our meal program. We are excited to say since 2022 we have increased our meals served nearly twenty percent, and we are continuing to grow and reach new members in the community every month. But meals aren’t the only thing we get to do; we offer all kinds of activities for our seniors, helping keep them active and engaged with their peers, including exercise classes, sewing activities, bingo games, music groups, live-music dances, and much, much more.”
A new approach to WEB ACCESSIBILITY
If you’ve visited the City of White Settlement website recently at www.wstx.us, you may have noticed an interesting new logo in the bottom right hand corner of the page. This is the logo for Audio Eye, a new web accessibility partner that has allowed the City to implement a wide array of tools to help make the site as easy to read and understand as possible for those who may have visual impairments. This powerful new tool can help those who normally have trouble reading and navigating websites find exactly what they need from the City website. Here’s how it works. Click on the Audio Eye logo in the bottom right of the page, and you’ll find yourself looking at the menu you see here on the right. This menu has an array of options that can be personalized and customized to assist with many issues. Animations can be turned off so as to avoid triggering seizures. Text size and font can be customized for ease of reading. Dyslexia friendly fonts can be activated. These are just a few of the features available. The best part is, once you visit and set up your accessibility options, your browser will remember them so every time you visit they will be in place. We’re excited about this new tool and we hope it will help a lot of people get the most out of the City page.
Here is an example of the inverted colors option. For those with vision impairments, inverting the colors on a website can drastically improve contrast, making it easier to see the items on screen.
Another great option is the ability to increase the text size on the website. Compare this text size with the screenshot above. Being able to control the text size is another way this service makes it easier on those who may have vision impairments.
Romantic
MOVIES WORTH WATCHING Each volume, City staff members select a few themed movies that we think are worth watching. While all movies suggested are rated PG-13 or below, please be sure to research the movie's content for yourself to ensure it is appropriate for you and your family. With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, this time we’re focusing on Romantic movies.
PURE COUNTRY
1992 - Western/Romance - PG-13
Country legend George Strait got his acting debut starring in this film. He plays Dusty, a country music superstar who grows weary of glitz and glamour of fame and walks out on his career. He happens upon a struggling ranch where he takes a job as a ranch hand. There he meets Harley, the strong willed woman who runs the ranch alongside her father. It’s not long before Dusty falls for her, but can their burgeoning romance survive the reveal of Dusty’s true identity? Suggested by Andrew G
FOR LOVE OF THE GAME
1999 - SportsRomance - PG-13
One thing is for certain, Kevin Costner loves making sports movies. In this one, he stars as an aging Major League Baseball pitcher. In the midst of an unlikely bid for a perfect game, Costner relives his memories of a tumultuous relationship with Jane, the love of his life. On the cusp of baseball immortality, he grapples with regret and emotion as the viewer is taken on a journey through the ups and downs of his relationship with Jane. Suggested by Ron T
A WALK IN THE CLOUDS 1995 - ROMANCE/THRILLER - PG-13 A returning soldier grappling with the scars of war finds himself stranded at a bus stop with a beautiful woman who is pregnant by a departed lover. He agrees to pose as her new husband so she can face her family. The soldier finds solace in the warm embrace of family and tradition, but as romance blooms between he and his pretend wife, the threat of their secret being discovered hangs over them. Suggested by Maureen B
CASABLANCA
1942 - ROMANCE/WAR - PG
In this classic beloved film, a cynical American runs a bustling nightclub in war-torn Casablanca. His world is turned upside down when his former lover shows up alongside her husband, a man who is being hunted by the Nazis. The man is forced to grapple with his love for former flame and his duty to help her and her husband escape from the nazis. Full of unforgettable characters and dialog that is quoted 80 years later, this is one of the most enduring films ever made. Suggested by Tina H
HOW DO YOU KNOW
2010 - COMEDY/ROMANCE - PG-13
Even with an all-star cast, this romantic comedy hasn’t been seen by many. Reese Witherspoon stars as a professional athlete having to deal with life after sports. She finds solace in the arms of goofy baseball player Owen Wilson, but it also charmed by the odd businessman (Paul Rudd) who just so happens to be facing fraud charges from the federal government. It’s a light movie full of memorable characters and a heartfelt romance. Suggested by Aaron H
Water Wise Recently, thanks to the assistance of the Tarrant Regional Water District and the Native Plant Society, Keep White Settlement Beautiful has been awarded a grant for water conservation. The grant entails a 3200 Gallon Water Cistern similar to the one pictured here, which will be housed on the pad that was recently installed by the Streets Department next to the White Settlement Library. With the increasing challenges posed by droughts, extreme temperatures, and high water bills, TRWD helps explore alternative solutions to conserve water and decrease expenses. Particularly suitable for rural areas, regions prone to frequent droughts or water usage limitations, as well as helping homeowners seeking to reduce their water bills and environmental footprint, cisterns present a promising option. This cistern will provide the efficient and essential water supply for the upcoming edition of the Monarch Garden Waystation and Community Garden, located on the southside of the Library, facing White Settlement Road.
A cistern, which is also known as a rainwater harvesting system, is designed to intercept, divert, store, and release rainfall for future use. This system collects rainwater from a rooftop and directs it into an above or belowground storage tank. The collected water can then be utilized for non-potable purposes and on-site stormwater reuse. Using rainwater instead of tap water can be beneficial in several ways. Firstly, it helps in conserving water and reducing energy use and carbon emissions that are associated with treating and pumping potable water to the tap. Additionally, utilizing rainwater can also contribute to a reduction in water bills. Moreover, the proper use of cisterns for rainwater collection can assist in managing stormwater, thereby reducing localized flooding and protecting our local waterways.
The cistern will have the capability of supplying rainwater to both the community garden and the new native plant society expansion garden. The system will be equipped with a drip irrigation system, which is successful in limiting water contact with the plants' leaves, stems, and fruit, thus preventing disease. Moreover, this system ensures the areas between the plants remain dry, hence improving accessibility and reducing weed growth. The benefits of implementing this system include considerable time, money, and water savings due to its high efficiency. It also has the added advantage of reducing labor.
COMMUNITY SERVICES ONE STOP RECYCLE DROP
Its that time of year again! Clean out your garages and get ready for one of our biggest recycling events of the year! On Saturday, February 24th from 9 am to 11 am at the Municipal Complex Parking lot, we will have One Stop Recycle Drop. Which means you can bring household hazardous waste, electronics, tires and papers for shredding. We'll be accepting acid, aerosol cans, antifreeze, fertilizer, herbicides, brake fluid, oil, paint, chemicals, degreaser, batteries, electronics, computers, laptops, and private documents to shred. For tires: only 4 tires per resident, no rims, semi, tractor or trailer tires. This event is for White Settlement residents only. You must bring a copy of water bill or drivers license that shows a White Settlement address. If you have any questions please call (817) 246-4971 Ext. 859.
PET DONATION DRIVE Looking to make a difference for the PAWS Center? We have an amazing opportunity for you! Consider donating to the 2024 Pet Food and Supplies Donation Drive. You can drop off your donations at PAWS, City Hall, or the Recreation Center. By joining us, you'll be directly contributing to the well-being of animals in need. If you're curious about the most requested items, feel free to email kwsb@wstx.us or give the shelter a call at (817) 2461043.
COMMUNITY SERVICES FACEBOOK PAGE Scan the QR code and stay in the know about all the awesome things happening with Community Services. They have a bunch of departments like the White Settlement Library, Senior Center, Parks and Recreation, Keep White Settlement Beautiful, Communications, Utility Billing, and Court. It's the spot to get all the latest updates on what's happening in our city, scan that QR Code now!
FAMILY GAME NIGHT Are you and your family big fans of games? Well, do we have the perfect event for you! We invite you to join us for the highly anticipated 2024 Family Game Night, hosted by the Recreation Center. This exciting free event will take place on Friday, February 9th from 6pm to 9pm. Get ready to put your knowledge to the test with some trivia, have a blast playing classic board games, and even take part in a lively game of Win Lose or Draw. It's an amazing opportunity to connect with your loved ones, savor delicious snacks, and simply have an absolute blast!
COMMUNITY SERVICES
WRAP UP THIS WINTER
PIPES:
- Slowly drip water from indoor faucets - Open cabinets under indoor faucets - Disconnect garden hoses from outdoor faucets - Cover outdoor pipes and faucets - Turn off automatic sprinkler systems - Promptly call Public Works if pipes freeze or burst As winter arrives, we wanted to take a moment to share some valuable tips with you on how to stay cozy and secure. We love looking out for our community, so we made it a yearly tradition to provide you with some do's and don'ts for surviving this chilly season. Keep on reading to discover our helpful advice!
PETS: - Bring pets inside during cold weather - Do not leave pets alone in a car during cold weather - Provide a dry, draft-free enclosure for pets that cannot come indoors - Turn the enclosure away from the wind and cover the doorway with waterproof burlap or heavy plastic - Protect pets' paws from salt and other chemicals by wiping them and using petroleum jelly or booties - Take care of pets' coat and skin by keeping the home humidified, towel drying them, and removing snow from between foot pads - Store antifreeze out of reach as it is deadly to pets - Be aware of your pet's tolerance to cold weather and adjust as needed - Use space heaters with caution to avoid burning pets or starting a fire - Watch for signs of hypothermia in pets and take immediate action if detected - Prepare an emergency kit for your pet in case of blizzards or power outages - Avoid walking on frozen water
PEOPLE: - Wear layers of clothing and use blankets or sleeping bags to stay warm if you lose power. -Wear a hat, hood, or scarf, as most heat is lost through the head. -Keep fingertips, earlobes, and noses covered if you go outside. - Never turn on your car in the garage for warmth. - Do not use a stove or oven to heat your home. - Avoid using an outdoor grill indoors for heat. - Never operate a generator inside the home, including the basement or garage.
Numbers to know: • Report power outages to Oncor at 1-888-313-4747 • Report gas issues to Atmos at 1-866-322-8667 • For assistance during office hours , contact Public Works at 817-717-7762 • For after-hours assistance, please contact 817-246-4971 and select Option 8
Calendar of Events JAN 1: CITY OFFICES CLOSED (NEW YEAR’S DAY) JAN 2: CITY COUNCIL MEETING JAN 13: PJS AND PANCAKES JAN 15: CITY OFFICES CLOSED (MARTIN LUTHER KING JR DAY) JAN 27TH-28TH: COMMUNITY CLEANUP
FEB 3RD: CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION FEB 6TH: CITY COUNCIL MEETING FEB 9TH: FAMILY GAME NIGHT FEB 19TH: CITY OFFICES CLOSED ( PRESIDENT’S DAY) FEB 24TH-25TH : COMMUNITY CLEANUP
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City Numbers to Know City Hall
(817) 246-4971
Library
(817) 367-0166
Utility billing (payments)
1-855-715-1312
Senior Center
(817) 246-6619
SplashDayz Waterpark
(817) 246-2204
Police (non-emergency)
(817) 246-7070
Parks and Recreation
(817) 246-5012
Fire (non-emergency)
(817) 246-1761
Some material included in this publication is provided by other entities. The opinions expressed by those entities do not necessarily reflect the official views of the City. The City does not guarantee the accuracy of the information provided and is not responsible for errors or omissions. All Dates subject to change.