See FFA Show and Sale in Section D
Murphy Monitor Volume 11 Issue 12
Murphy, Texas
Sidewalk repairs one step closer By Julie Taylor Staff Writer
news@murphymonitor.com After surveying the city’s sidewalks to determine repairs needed, Murphy’s public works department realized the $50,000 allocated for sidewalk repairs would only just begin to address the problem. The survey found that The Timbers subdivision had 7,000 linear feet of sidewalks that needed repairs. This was the most by far of any subdivision in Murphy, and it was determined this was where the repairs would begin. Repairs were graded on a number scale, low numbers meaning a better grade and high numbers meaning a lower grade. It was estimated that it would cost $85 per square foot to repair the sidewalks. However, that number could decrease or increase, depend- i n g on the contractor, said Bernie Park-
The official newspaper of the city of Murphy
•
er, parks and public works director. “This is a conservative number,” Parker said. “This is the best guess we have right now without going out for bids.” The city is currently preparing to go out for bids on this project, he said. In two weeks, he said he would know more about the project and have a better number on estimated cost. At the estimated rate, it would cost an estimated $275,000 to make all the repairs in The Timbers, he said. “Allocating $50,000 a year definitely is not enough,” Mayor Eric Barna said. “We’ll be in the sidewalk business forever at this rate. We’ll never catch up.” As the city council and city staff begin to discuss the next fiscal year budget, this item will definitely be on the table for discussion, council members indicated in a recent work session. In order to meet the city’s sidewalk repair needs in a timely manner, more funding is needed, City Manager James Fisher said. “We will be looking into how we can accomplish that, if that is the council’s desire,” he said. The city also plans on updating its comprehensive plan, which was last updated three years ago, and conducting a city-wide survey. For more information, go to the city’s website at murphytx.org.
Thursday, April 9, 2015
•
© Copyright 2015. All Rights Reserved.
C&S Media Publications
•
4 Sections, 24 Pages
75 cents
Julie Taylor/Murphy Monitor
Wayne Masters, a resident of Orchard Park, shows off his system for printing hundreds of daily thoughts for his fellow residents. He began handing out daily thoughts along with a scripture passage eight years ago when he read an inspiring quotation on a calendar and wanted to share it with someone else.
Brighter day one thought at a time By Julie Taylor
Staff Writer news@murphymonitor.com Wayne Masters may be nearing the end of his race in life, but he makes every day count. The 88-year-old Orchard Park resident strives to make others’ lives a little brighter every day by giving out daily thoughts with a
scripture. Eight years ago Masters was dealing with the slow deterioration of his wife to kidney disease when he realized he wasn’t doing as much for his Gideon faith as he had in the past. “As she got worse it required more and more of my presence to help her,” he recalled. “I used to do jail ministry and I realized I wasn’t
doing much for God anymore, so I was praying, ‘It seems like I’m not doing much for You anymore’ when I saw a quotation and a scripture on my perpetual calendar on my desk.” He recalled that the quotation was particularly good that day. He had a daily ritual of eating breakfast at Denny’s before his wife woke up for the day and was getting ready
to leave when he saw the quotation. “I thought the guys down at Denny’s would like this, so I got out my typewriter and typed it five times. Then I went down to Denny’s and handed it out. They liked it so much, I typed 10 the next day, and that is how it started.” Today, Masters always See DAILY page 6A
Get Organized founder to speak on time management By Julie Taylor Staff Writer
news@murphymonitor.com Chamber members should come ready to receive some practical advice at the monthly luncheon on April 21, said Lorraine Brock, founder of Get Organized. Brock will speak specifically on time management, she said. Brock said her goal is for chamber members to leave the luncheon with the steps they need to implement the tasks she suggests for better time management in their businesses.
“I want to help the chamber members realize they can work on things they never thought they had time for,” she said. “There is a difference between planning and scheduling. Many times we say we plan on doing something, but unless we schedule time to do it, it seldom gets done. It’s important to make an appointment with ourselves to accomplish these tasks.” She said she would discuss using a paper calendar versus an electronic one and the advantages of utilizing technology in
business to stay organized. “Our minds can get just as cluttered as our physical desk,” she said. “We can only hold 10 items in our short-term memory, so requiring ourselves to remember to do something instead of writing it down or scheduling it in a calendar can be difficult.” She said everyone has the same “time” to get things done – that will never change. How we use that time can change though. “We need to remember when we say ‘yes’ to something and make that commitment, we are always saying ‘no’ to something
else,” she said. “Before we say ‘yes’ we need to think about what has to go in order to keep our commitment.” She said business people make these choices every day on how they are going to spend their time to accomplish the tasks needed to keep their business running. “I never want to put anyone up against the wall and make them choose between their business and their family,” she said. “It all goes together. Organization in business affects the home and vice versa. If you’re
not organized at home, it will affect your business.” Get Organized began in 2007 and employs 12 professional organizers who work with corporations, home businesses and families to organize their homes and businesses. For more information, visit getorganized.wp. The next monthly luncheon for the Murphy Chamber of Commerce will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, April 21, at the Murphy Activity Center, 205 N. Murphy Road. Go to murphychamber. org to make a reservation.
Exchange Club hosts second annual chili cook-off From Staff Reports
news@murphymonitor.com
Lake Lavon Levels Normal 492
487.70 ft. as of 04/06/15
Source: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
972-442-5515 972-442-4318 fax news@murphymonitor.com
Lorraine Brock
The Exchange Club of Murphy is hosting its second annual Chili Cook-off on Saturday at Murphy City Hall, 206 N. Murphy Road. Set-up begins at 7:30 a.m. with judging at 1 p.m. The event also includes bean judging at noon. The chili will not be for sale; however judges are needed to taste the chili. In addition there will be a silent auction, said Rosie Neely, Exchange Club president. “We are hoping through this event to get recognition and exposure in the community,” she said. “We want the community to know we are here, and we welcome new members.” She said the national project of Exchange Club is the prevention of child abuse. April is child abuse prevention month,
she said. The chili cook-off is a CASIsanctioned event. CASI, Chili Appreciation Society International, holds chili cook-offs across the U.S. Cost for entry is $5 for bean cookers and $20 for chili cookers. The event is still in need of judges for those interested, she said. Last year, 20 cookers participated in the chili cook-off and the Exchange Club was able to raise $300 for its various projects. “We are hoping for the same success this year, but we realize it is a busy time of year,” she said. For more information about participating as a cooker or a judge, contact Neely at 972276-6180 or rosieneely@verizon.net. Visit casichili.net for official rules for the chili cookoff.