City to recognize 15th anniversary of 9/11 with opening of Freedom Park

On September 11, the City will host a public dedication ceremony at 3 p.m. for the new Freedom Park. The event will be held on the North Lawn of the Mesquite Arts Center, 1527 N. Galloway Avenue. Attendees may bring picnic blankets and lawn chairs for the program. After the formal presentation, attendees are encouraged to visit the park. The centerpiece of Freedom Park is a 15-foot, 575-pound twisted beam recovered from the Twin Towers and a 9/11 timeline.
The ceremony will feature:

• Genelle Guzman-McMillan, the last survivor rescued from the Twin Towers
• Presentations by Senator Bob Hall, Representative Cindy Burkett and Texas Representative Kenneth Sheets
• Complimentary refreshments by the Mesquite Fire Corps
• Free ice cream donated by Blue Bell Creameries located in Mesquite

For more information, visit www.mesquitefreedompark.com.

Monthly sales tax report

The State Comptroller’s Office reported a 6.9 percent increase in the City’s sales tax collections for the month of September, which marks the ninth consecutive month of positive sales tax collections for the City. In terms of the City budget, the City collected $161,000 more this month than the same period last year. Overall, sales tax collections are up 4.1 percent for the year and is an indicator of a stable and healthy local economy. For more detailed information on how the City uses its sales tax revenue, visit the City’s website at www.cityofmesquite.com/transparency. 

City Council approves second list of streets

At the September 6 City Council meeting, the City Council finalized the second list of residential streets repairs to be funded by the $125 million bond election. These repairs will be made in the next fiscal year and will be part of the Real. Texas. Roads. program. For more information and a complete list of the streets selected, visit www.cityofmesquite.com/RealTexasRoads.

Passport Day

The Dallas Passport Agency will open its doors on September 17, from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m., for a special Passport Day. This event allows residents to obtain a passport without scheduling an appointment with the agency. The Dallas Passport Agency is located in the Earle Cabell Federal Building,1100 Commerce Street, Suite 1120, Dallas, TX 75242.

City and MISD partner in "Friday Night Lights" campaign

Great football will not be the only thing seen on the football field this season. Mesquite Independent School District (MISD) football players will be wearing first responder stickers on their helmets in support of police officers and firefighters. The "Friday Night Lights" campaign is a partnership between the City and MISD. City Councilmember Dan Aleman served as a mentor with Poteet High School’s football team for the past few years and helped foster the sticker program started by the school. The City wishes all players a great season and encourages our community to show their support by enjoying a game.

City honors employees as Real. Texas. Service. Champions

The City honored nine employees with Real. Texas. Service. Champion awards during the City Council meeting on September 6. The Real. Texas. Service. Champions program celebrates employees who provide exemplary customer service and exceptional accomplishments that merit special recognition. Visit www.cityofmesquite.com/ServiceChampions for information on the employees recognized for service to our community.

City Secretary receives 2016 Yellow Rose Clerk of the Year award

The Yellow Rose Chapter of the Texas Municipal Clerks Association (TMCA) presented City Secretary Sonja Land with the 2016 Yellow Rose Clerk of the Year award during the City Council meeting on September 6. The award recognizes Texas city clerks and secretaries who are leaders in their fields and meet the highest standards of professionalism. Ms. Land was presented with an engraved crystal vase and a dozen yellow roses by Yellow Rose Chapter of the TMCA representatives.

All-Day RASP

An all-day Recreation After School Program (RASP) is planned for September 26 from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. at both Dunford and Rutherford Recreation Centers. RASP is for elementary aged children from kindergarten to sixth grade. Residents may register at any of the recreation centers or at the Parks and Recreation Administration office, 1515 N. Galloway Avenue. The registration deadline is September 22 and the fee is $16 per child. For more information about RASP, visit www.cityofmesquite.com/RASP. 

National senior center month

September is National Senior Center Month. The City and the National Institute of Senior Centers will celebrate the many ways to "Find Balance at Your Center.” Every day, adults 50+ find balance and whole person wellness at one of the City’s three senior centers. Participants are encouraged to get involved in physical, mental and emotional activities throughout the month. Those who track their activities with a punch card are eligible to win a prize. Punch cards are available at Evans, Goodbar and Rutherford Senior centers. A list of daily activities can be found at www.CityofMesquite.com/SeniorCenterMonth. 

Decorative pole painting complete

Work has finished on repainting the decorative street lights along Rodeo Drive, Neal Gay Drive, Peachtree Road, Rodeo Center Boulevard. and Town East Boulevard. A total of 98 decorative street light poles were repainted by Oncor as part of this project.