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eWYLIE March 16, 2007 |
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Welcome to eWYLIE, the City of Wylie’s e-newsletter. Our goal is to provide you with the
timeliest information about city programs, events and services. |
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Candidates Announced for May 12
General Election |
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The
Wylie City Council General Election will be held Saturday, May 12, for the
purpose of electing two (2) members to the Wylie City Council. For
Place 1, the candidates, listed alphabetically, are David Goss and John
Onufreiczuk. For Place 3, Kathy Spillyards is unopposed. On
March 21, candidates will draw for their place on the ballot. The
deadline for write-in candidates is March 19. All Council positions are
for three year terms and elected at-large. This election will be held
jointly with the Wylie Independent School District and administered by the
Collin County Elections Administration. |
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Wylie Crime Rate Drops in 2006 |
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The
Wylie Police Department (WPD) announced that the City’s crime rate dropped
17% to 1,794 in 2006 from 2,107 in 2005. The
crime rate is based on Part I crimes (crime index) per 100,000 population,
which is the industry standard selected by the Federal Bureau of
Investigations (FBI). Not only did
the City experience a decrease in its crime rate in 2006, but it saw a
reduction in the overall crime index despite an 11% population increase from
2005 to 2006. |
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Road and Street Construction Updates |
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Over
the next year, there will be a number of ongoing road and street construction
projects in Wylie. Listed below are
projects that are in progress or scheduled to start in 2007. Stone
Road – The project to expand
Stone Road from Ballard to Akin is currently underway. As part of the project, the contractor
will periodically close Stone through the end of March to install the water
line and storm sewer crossing. For this work, the road will be closed from 9
am – 3 pm and reopened every evening. Martinez
Lane - This construction project
is to rebuild Martinez Lane to a two-lane concrete street with curb and
gutters. It is being funded by the
Wylie Economic Development Corporation with assistance from the City of
Wylie. The improved infrastructure
benefits existing businesses along this roadway as well as encourages future
development. Alanis
– This project is to create a
new four-lane street from Twin Lakes to FM 544. It is scheduled to start this spring with completion in July or
August. Ballard
– The expansion of Ballard to
four lanes from Stone to Alanis is scheduled to start this spring with
completion in October. FM
1378 (Brown to Parker) – At this
time, the project to widen FM 1378 from Brown to Parker Road has been
expanded to go from two lanes to six lanes.
This project is expected to begin in the summer with completion in
spring 2008. FM
1378 (FM 544 to Brown) – This
portion to widen FM 1378 has also been expanded to go from two lanes to six
lanes. At this time, this project is
scheduled to start this fall with completion in summer 2008. We
plan to continue to update residents and businesses on the status of road and
street projects in future issues of eWYLIE. |
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Wylie Wave Registration Begins April
14 |
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The
City of Wylie is proud to announce that it will begin accepting registrations
for Wylie Wave, the City’s summer day camp program, on Saturday, April 14,
2007. Registration
will be conducted at the Bart Peddicord Community Center, 100 W. Oak Street,
on April 14 from 9 am until noon. The
registration form is available on-line (www.wylietexas.gov/programs/wave.htm)
or can be picked up at the Community Center.
After
April 14, registration will be available on Mondays and Tuesdays from 9 am to
8 pm and on Wednesdays through Fridays from 9 am to 3 pm throughout April and
May. A drop-box is also available at
the Community Center to drop off registration packets and payments after
business hours. Registrations
will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis and are accepted only
with payment of one week tuition fee and the activity fee for all weeks for
each camper. Now
entering its 8th year, Wylie Wave is for youth who will be
entering 1st through 8th grades during the 2007-08
school year. This summer, the program
offers a unique camp experience for four distinct age groups: Puddle Jumpers – 1st and 2nd graders Waveriders –
3rd and 4th graders Wavesurfers –
5th and 6th graders Waverunners – 7th and 8th graders The
camp is a ten-week program running from June 4-29 and July 9-August 17; and
held each Monday through Friday from 7 am to 6 pm. There is no camp during the week of July 2-6. The
weekly camp fee is $70 per camper. In
addition, there is an activity fee of $10 per week per camper, which must be
paid during initial registration. A
limited number of scholarships for those who qualify will be available on a
first-come, first-serve basis. To
better serve the needs of campers, staff develops each camp to match the
distinctive characteristics of the age groups, while maintaining the level of
fun that has been a tradition of the Wave program. Each group will follow their own daily schedule with activities
that are age-appropriate and of interest to that group. The schedule of themes, field trips and
sports/interest camps can be viewed on the City website. Phone: 972.429.5161 e-mail: center@wylietexas.gov |
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Temporary Fire Station Makes Positive Impact on Response Times |
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In
July 2006, Wylie Fire-Rescue (WFR) opened temporary Station No. 3 to help
reduce response times in District 3 until the new third fire station could be
built. In the six months following
its opening, response times within five (5) minutes increased from 11% to 87%
in District 3. With
approximately 70% of calls in District 3 being EMS-related, the temporary
station houses two firefighters/paramedics on a 24 hour-7 days a week basis
and a light-air truck. Staff
and equipment from Fire Stations No. 1 and No. 2 continue to respond to calls
within District 3. However, staff at
the temporary station provides quicker assistance, which reduces response
times and allows staff with equipment from other stations to return earlier
to their fire district. WFR
continues to work with architects on the design and construction of Fire
Station No. 3, approved by voters in November 2005. Currently, the 12,000 sq. ft. facility is scheduled to start
construction in April 2008. |
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State of the City Presentation Available On-Line |
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On February 27, Mayor John Mondy presented the
“State of the City” at the Wylie Chamber of Commerce monthly luncheon. The presentation is available on the City
website for viewing. Mayor Mondy began his presentation by recalling
Kansas City Southern removing railroad tracks in 2001 and how this event has
impacted Wylie’s growth. As part of the presentation, the Mayor supplied
statistical information relating to population, assessed values, housing and
development. In addition, Mayor Mondy provided updates on city
accomplishments as well as the 2005 bond program (new facilities and
road/street projects). |
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Police Department Initiates Special Needs Registration Program |
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The
Wylie Police Department has developed a registration program for people with
special needs. The program is
designed to help officers return lost or wandering special needs residents to
their home quickly and safely. At
times, Wylie Police officers come into contact with people, of all ages, who
are lost. On most occasions, officers
can get them home without much difficulty.
However,
on other occasions, officers have a more difficult task due to the lost
person being disorientated, which may be caused by Alzheimer’s or a wide
variety of medical or mental conditions.
As a result, the person may not be able to remember their name, address,
personal information, names of relatives or other information helpful in
returning them home. These situations
not only make it difficult for officers to get them home quickly; but more
importantly, it creates an additional burden on the lost person’s family or
caregivers who may be trying to locate them. Through
the new registration program, the Wylie Police Department collects and stores
data including emergency contact information, photographs and other personal
information about the special needs resident. This information is made readily available to WPD
officers. In addition, it is stored
and accessed in such a manner that first responders may make faster identifications
and ultimately reunite family members quicker. Participation
in this program is purely voluntary.
The information collected is kept secure and is only used by Wylie
Police Department employees to help return loved ones to their homes. The information collected under this
program is confidential (Texas Government Code 552.101) and will only be used
in compliance with Texas Government Code, Chapter 552. If
you would like to participate in or sign up a family member for the Special
Needs Registration program, the registration form can be accessed on the City
website or picked up at the Wylie Police Department, Wylie Municipal Complex,
2000 Hwy 78 N. |
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Boots ‘n Barbecue Gala Scheduled for March 31 |
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On
March 31, the Wylie ISD Education Foundation will be hosting its fourth
annual Boots ‘n Barbecue Gala at Southfork Ranch at 6:30 pm. The
Gala has quickly become a not-to-be-missed event in the area. It
features dinner, dancing and live entertainment by the Derailers as well as
live and silent auctions. The emcee for the evening will be Jody Dean
of KLUV 98.7. An individual ticket is
$45 with proceeds benefiting the Foundation. The
purpose of the Education Foundation is "to promote quality education by
supporting enhancements through innovative programs and initiatives in the
Wylie Independent School District." Through the generosity of
donors, the Foundation has awarded approximately $200,000 in grants to Wylie
ISD educators and campuses since its beginning in 2003. In addition,
the Foundation will award its first college scholarships to Wylie ISD seniors
in 2007. For
ticket information, contact the Foundation at 972.429.3025 or Jenna.Lawson@wylieisd.net. |
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Clean Up – Green Up Spring Event Set for April 9-14 |
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Clean Up – Green Up, the City’s
bi-annual beautification and recycling event, will be held April 9 – 14, 2007
at the Wylie Service Center, 949 Hensley. Days and Hours Monday – Friday 2 pm to 7 pm Saturday 8 am to 7 pm Personal document shredding service will be available only on Saturday
from 9 am – 12 pm. * All collections are weather and site conditions
permitting. Services/Recycling Trash Dumpsters Tire Recycling Appliances Electronics (Computers, TVs, etc.) Scrap Metal Brush Used Eyeglasses Personal document shredding – Saturday only Trash Dumpster/Recycling Guidelines 1.
Program is for Wylie citizens only and identification is required for
use. 2.
Items must be placed inside the dumpster. Dumping of items outside
fenced area is subject to city prosecution. 3.
Residential debris only. No
commercial construction debris. 4.
Please load your vehicle/trailer accordingly to ease unloading into
recycling bins. 5.
No commercial tires. Passenger
vehicle tires only (without rims).
Only four tires per trip. 6.
No paint cans, oil, batteries or other household hazardous waste
materials. There will be a free pick-up service for seniors
and physically-challenged residents courtesy of the Wylie Fire
Department. To schedule a pick-up,
call 972.442.7588 by April 9.
Pick-ups will take place April 11 – 13 and will be limited to one
pick-up truck load per resident. A second Clean Up – Green Up event is scheduled
for fall 2007. In 2006, the City expanded the recycling services
provided through Clean Up – Green Up. Previously, all materials
collected were taken to the area landfill. By increasing the recycling
services, the City reduced the loads taken to the landfill by more than 30%
in the spring. Combining both the spring and fall 2006 events, the City
collected approximately 71.5 tons of scrap metal and appliances, 10.5 tons of
electronics and 600 cubic yards of brush, which was converted to mulch and
spread throughout our parkland. Phone: 972.442.7588 e-mail: parks@wylietexas.gov |
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Police Warn of Distraction Theft |
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With
neighboring communities experiencing a number of recent distraction thefts at
grocery stores and retail businesses, the Wylie Police Department would like
warn residents to be on the lookout for distraction thieves. Distraction
thieves work in tandem and target people while they are shopping. Traditionally, an individual will distract
a shopper; and then the accomplice will remove cash, credit cards, checkbook,
wallet or other valuable items left unprotected in the top tray of a shopping
cart. Here
are a few tips to prevent becoming a victim of distraction crime. ·
Be alert and aware of
your surroundings. Know who and what
is around you. ·
Trust your
instincts. Your body will tell you
when someone or something is suspicious.
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Display
confidence. Criminals choose the
victim who looks like the easiest target.
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Carry only what you
need. If you carry a purse, keep it
in front and close to your body. ·
Avoid placing your
purse in a shopping cart. ·
Shop with others. The chance of being victimized drops when
you are with a companion. ·
Do not be overburdened
with packages. The
Plano Police Department has identified two suspects in a series of
distraction thefts and issued warrants for Melgenia Resha Canedy, 39, and
Michael Easter, 50, for credit card abuse.
If anyone has information on the whereabouts of either of these
individuals, please contact the Plano Police Department Tip Line at
972.941.2148. |
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International Soccer Returns to Wylie |
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Panda
Cup USA, organized by the Zen Sports Group, has selected Wylie as one of its
game venues for 2007. In addition to
serving as a game site, Wylie will host the Opening Ceremonies for the
two-week event. The Panda Cup event
in Wylie will take place on Saturday, April 21. Panda
Cup features top women’s national, professional, college and club teams from
across the world, U.S. and State of Texas who will play at various venues
throughout Texas and Oklahoma. This
event is on the leading edge of sports competitions promoting the platforms
of education, arts and cultural openness through soccer. The
feature match will have the Jamaican National Team take on Notre Dame
University, the 2005 NCAA Champions. Tickets
will be $5. Tickets will be sold in advance and at the event. At this time,
pre-sale locations are being finalized. In
addition to the world-class games, Panda Cup officials will host soccer
clinics for the Texas Special Olympics and Wylie Youth Soccer Association,
which will feature instruction from the visiting coaches and players. Prior
to the feature match, there will be an opening ceremony with a team
procession and entertainment. Immediately following the game, spectators and
participants will be entertained by fireworks show. This
event is a true “community” enterprise as the City of Wylie, Wylie
Independent School District, Wylie Youth Soccer Association, Wylie Chamber of
Commerce and Wylie Economic Development Corporation working together to make
the games and opening ceremony festivities a success. |
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Wylie Fire-Rescue Receives “Safe Baby Site” Signs |
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Wylie
Fire-Rescue (WFR) recently received signs declaring each WFR fire station as
a “Safe Baby Site” as designated by the “Baby Moses” law. The
State’s “Baby Moses” law, also known as the “Baby Safe Haven” law, provides
an alternative to any mother who might otherwise abandon, neglect or harm a
newborn child. As outlined in the
law, the parent may leave an unharmed infant, up to two (2) months old, at
any hospital or fire station with no questions asked and avoiding any criminal
charges. Each
Wylie fire station now has a sign posted on the front of the building showing
that it is a designated emergency infant care location provider and that it
will accept possession of a child.
The signs were provided for free by Baby Moses Dallas. According
to Baby Moses Dallas representatives, more than 100 babies are abandoned each
year in Texas with about 16 of those infants found dead. Since the “Baby Moses” law went into
effect in September 2001, approximately 45 infants have been turned over to a
“safe haven” site. Baby
Moses Dallas is a privately funded non-profit organization whose goals are to
provide state mandated signs to all designated “safe haven” sites in Dallas
County and to make the public aware of the law. |
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Medical Reserve Corps Hosts Training Exercise in Wylie |
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The
Collin County Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) will join in a mock exercise on
April 14 at Wylie High School, 2550 W. FM 544. The mock exercise is to
test the MRC’s response in the event of a public health emergency. As
part of the exercise, the MRC will set up and operate a Point-of-Dispensing
(POD) site to simulate dispensing vaccines or antibiotics to citizens. The
MRC is a volunteer group of practicing and retired physicians, nurses, health
professionals and everyday citizens who sign up to help their community's
ongoing public health needs, including large-scale emergency situations.
MRC members train to supplement emergency teams in a medical or public
health crisis. If
you are interested in volunteering as a “mock client” for the exercise,
please arrive at Wylie High School by 10 am. The exercise is expected
to end at approximately 12 pm. |
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Stage 3
Water Restrictions Remain in Effect |
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The City of Wylie remains under Stage 3 (Severe)
of its Drought Contingency Plan. The
goal for water use reduction under Stage 3 is a reduction of five percent in
the amount of water used within the City. The main water restrictions limit landscape
watering with sprinklers or irrigation system to one day a week on
residential trash pick-up day and prohibit landscape watering from 10 am
until 6 pm. City of Wylie water
customers should follow the City’s Drought Contingency Plan. Wylie residents who are served by East Fork or
Wylie Northeast should follow the watering restrictions and watering days as
defined in their Drought Contingency Plan. |
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Feel free to forward eWYLIE to a neighbor, colleague or friend. If you wish to unsubscribe to eWYLIE, please e-mail ewylie@wylietexas.gov with “unsubscribe” in the subject heading. Please send any comments or feedback to Mark Witter, Public Information Officer, at publicinfo@wylietexas.gov. |
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