Famous Quotes
It wasn't
raining when Noah built the ark. -- Howard Ruff
Frisco Population
Aug 1, 2007: 96,258 + 423
Jul 1, 2007: 95,835 + 569
Jun 1, 2007: 95,266 + 614
May 1, 2007: 94,652 - 757 *
Apr 1, 2007: 95,409 + 719
Mar 1, 2007: 94,690 + 702
Feb 1, 2007: 93,988 + 642
Jan 1, 2007: 93,346 + 1,148
Dec 1, 2006: 92,198 + 769
Nov 1, 2006: 91,429 + 831
Oct 1, 2006: 90,598 + 782
Sep 1, 2006: 89,816 + 745
Aug 1, 2006: 89,071 + 602
Jul 1, 2006: 88,469 + 729
Jun 1, 2006: 87,740 + 769
May 1, 2006: 86,971 +10,211
May 1, 2005: 76,760 +11,281
May 1, 2004: 65,479
2006 Average
852 people per month moved to Frisco
2005 Average
768 people per month moved to Frisco *
*Adjusted with NCTCOG numbers
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Frisco Government Access Channel (FGAC)
Time Warner Cable: Channel 16
Grande Cable: Channel 12
Council Broadcasts
Tuesday - 9:00 am
Thursday - 7:00 pm
Saturday - 2:00 pm
P&Z Broadcasts:
Monday - 7:00 pm
Wednesday - 7:00 pm
Thursday - 9:00 am
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Warrant List
The Collin County Sheriff's Office is now posting a searchable list of
more than 35,000 active warrants on the county's web page. The list covers
active arrest warrants from Class-C misdemeanors to First-degree felonies, and
includes fine amounts, bond amounts and the name, physical description and the
last known address of an offender.
The Active Warrants List includes
offenses from fishing without a license to unpaid traffic tickets to burglary
and other felony crimes that have been committed in Collin County.
Late last year, the Collin County Sheriff's Office began posting the county jail's Current
Inmate List online as well. Both can
be reached from the Sheriff's Office section of the website.
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Blocked E-mails?
Do
you have a problem receiving my newsletters and e-mails? Ever wonder
why you don't always receive the emails you want? Odds are some of your
emails are being wrongly blocked by your email filtering system. While
some ISP's block these newsletters (kw.com for example, will not
receive my e-mails), some are being blocked by your computer.
Since
email filters aren't an exact science and to help ensure our emails make it to
your inbox, simply select your email client from the list below and follow three
easy steps:
Instructions for Outlook Users:
1. Open 'Outlook'; Click on "Tools".
2. Select "Address Book", then click on "File", followed by "New Entry" or "New
Contact".
3. Type in mmaso@ncc.com and "Save".
(For Outlook 2000/2002/XP Users)
1. Go to your "Tools" menu.
2. Click on "Rules Wizard", and then click "Exception List".
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PLEASE NOTE: For some reason, Keller Williams does not allow my e-mail list through. In fact, any e-mail sent by anyone using this type of e-mail list will not be received by you. I recommend you use an alternate e-mail address. You are welcome to contact your KW.COM administrator to let them know of this issue. I have had no luck in getting them to unblock the e-mails.
Please feel free to forward this newsletter to anyone you wish. To subscribe directly to my e-mail list, simply visit http://www.friscofirst.com and enter your e-mail address in the subscription box. You can also e- mail me directly and I would be more than happy to add you. If you are receiving duplicate messages, please e-mail me and I will be happy to correct the problem or simply unsubscribe the e-mail that you do not want to receive these messages.
This is not an official publication of the City of Frisco. Using e-mail and web sites to communicate with the Citizens of Frisco is something I started in Late 1999. All opinions stated in this newsletter are not official positions or opinions of the City Staff, Mayor or Council. |
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Greatings,
It has been a while since the last official newsletter. As you know, I do not put this newsletter out on a regular basis. I believe we average about every 10 days. Sometimes it is more often, sometimes not! One of the reasons for that is I usually put out a lot of "emergency" and "time-critical" notices along with the Agenda for the City Council meetings and I do not want to overwhelm your inbox.
I have had a fairly full schedule the last few weeks along with having to spend some extra time with the kids, which I always enjoy. My wife, Val, went on a mission trip to Nicaragua. I will ask her if she wants to write an article about the trip. Just remember, I said "enjoyable" time with the kids. Under no circumstances, for any of you that happened to see me and the kids while she was gone, are you to say that I was pulling my hair out. I will deny it!
Please remember, school starts on Monday! Pay extra attention as you are driving around Frisco. All Frisco school zones will be active on Monday morning and I know that the Frisco PD takes our children's safety very seriously. I can't stress enough the importance of just being aware of what is around you. Please concentrate on your driving and save checking your blackberry until you are out of the car!
If you have children, please get started a little earlier for the first few days. I have three kids, so I know the atmosphere around the parking lot of your school on the first day. Give yourself a little extra time and keep in mind, safety first. Don't rush! The Frisco ISD is great about communicating all the details of attending school safely. Every teacher I have ever met at FISD is easily accessible and the FISD Web Site is a great resource. Take a few minutes to catch up on all the policies and procedures as they are designed for your families safety.
I recently wrote about the National Police Motorcycle Championships in a previous newsletter and it can be found on my calendar. So, if you are wondering why we suddenly have numerous police motorcycles cruising around town, now you know! It is great seeing our PD along with many others in honing their skills at Pizza Hut Park. The competition runs through Saturday.
For you motorcycle riders, simply look at the picture on the far left for something that is critical when you are marking slow, sharp turns. Look a the officers face and, more importantly, his eyes and where he is looking. Just remember, your bike follows your eyes. A good rider (as this officer obviously is) looks to where they want to go, not down at the ground. Today's motorcycle lesson brought to you by :-)
Congratulations to the Frisco Chamber of Commerce for their recent honors in the Texas Chamber of Commerce Executives Media Contest. During this annual competition, The Frisco Chamber of Commerce received 2nd place both in Maps and the Referral and Relocation Guide. Way to go!
It's time to turn the tables on our local reporter, Penny Rathbun. During the very successful Health and Safety Fair that was held recently, I had the  opportunity to try a Segway. Penny was standing nearby and I noticed the "look" in her eyes. After a little "convincing" (not hard to do to a reporter, you just dangle that story in front of them), she decided to give it a try. I, being the gentleman that I am, of course offered to hold her stuff, which happened to also include the camera. While checking out the camera, I accidently pushed one of the buttons and ended up with this digital picture. Since Penny refuses to print it in the enterprise, I thought I would take the liberty and share it with all of you ;-) If you read anything bad about me in the newspaper next week, just remember, it is just revenge on Penny's part.
The 21st Annual John Weinberg Golf Tournament is fast approaching. This event is very popular and will sell out quickly. Currently, there are over 134 players registered.
 There will be something for everyone at this tournament, even if you do not play golf. Try the "ball drop" raffle and bid on some very exciting merchandise. Terri Green, event Chair, is seen holding an autographed ball with Jason Terry. Yes, that ball is one of the items at the silent auction.
Become a major sponsor ($2,500 or more) and attend an exclusive VIP party at Stonebriar Country Club and see a special guest appearance by Dean Lewis, comedian.
The Golf Tournament will include two flight's, morning and afternoon.
Have a safe and happy weekend!
Maher Maso
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NNO A huge success
For the 14th consecutive year the citizens of
Frisco went all out and improved this years National Night Out over the year
before. This was accomplished by the growing involvement at the neighborhood
level through parties featuring cookouts, potluck dinners, desserts, snowcones,
water slides, bounce houses, water balloons, and many other actives which
bring neighbors together.
Attendance for National Night Out and related
events has exceeded 9000 persons. The Green Home, Health & Safety Fair on
August 4th had the largest amount of vendors and visitors than ever before. The
weather was warm but the lovely outside venue at Frisco Commons was perfect.
That night at Frisco High School the Police and Fire went head to head in their
first Basketball Game. The Police won 79 to 68 but there were several times the
score was even or on the side of the Fire Department. Halftime entertainment
was provided by the Desperado Dance Troupe. All proceeds benefited the Special
Olympics,
For National Night Out over 20 Police
Officers, numerous dignitaries from the City and Target and many, many Fire
Fighters made visits to all of the registered neighborhood parties. Target is
the national sponsor of NNO and they had many volunteers who went into the
neighborhoods distributing water and pinwheels.
The Frisco Police Department thanks
each person who made this crime prevention incentive a huge success!
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Best Kept Secret
A new feature, at least for this version of the newsletter, is Frisco's " Best Kept Secret", where I will introduce a program or department that you may not be aware of. What better way to start then with our very own "Senior Center at Frisco Square". Our Senior center is located at 66709 Moore Street, which is in the Southeast portion of Frisco Square near the new Heritage Village. The Senior Center can be found by visiting our Parks & Rec Department on the web. The senior Center offers too many programs to list in this short newsletter. To get an idea of what is taking place this month, take a look at the Senior Happenings at the Square newsletter for the month of August (this newsletter is in PDF format). Transportation to and from the center is provided Monday-Friday for those that do not drive. The Van is free (but donations are accepted) and operates anywhere in the City of Frisco and/or Frisco Independent School District limits. The Senior Center is open to all adults who meet the minimum age requirement of 50 (yes, I'm getting pretty close!). You must become a member to use the facility, but there is no membership fee. It is free to residents of Frisco and those within the Frisco Independent School District. It is also open to those that reside outside of Frisco, but there is a $2 per month membership fee. This new, State of the Art 10,000 square foot facility contains everything you may ever need. If it doesn't, be patient as phase II is getting close to completion. I encourage you to take advantage of the many programs available at the Senior Center at Frisco Square! one of those noteworthy programs getting ready to start is the Senior Citizen Police Academy. This eight-week course will give you hands-on experience, as well as classroom discussions on the various departments and responsibilities of the Frisco Police Department. Classes are held on Tuesdays from 9/25/07 - 11/13/07 from 10am - Noon.
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Police & Fire Citizen Academy's
[Many of our residents have asked when the next Police and Fire Academy's will be held. Now is your chance to see how our men in uniform serve our city. See the note below from our PD & FD -- Maher ]
The Frisco Citizen Police Academy (CPA) is an
interesting and informative program that educates citizens who live or work in
Frisco about our police department, its divisions and practices. Instructors
are officers and employees of the Frisco Police Department.
The Frisco CPA meets one night a week (on a
Thursday) for ten weeks and includes an optional two day training session for
the Citizens' On Patrol program (COPs).
The CPA is offered twice yearly (one session in the fall and another in
the spring). The program has recently been restructured to involve more
"hands-on" activities, such as: actual crime scene processing, hand to hand
defensive tactics, pistol shooting, high-risk traffic stops and much more.
Although each member is encouraged to take part in the scenarios, participation
is optional and any member may choose to be a spectator in any portion of the
CPA. The purpose of the CPA is to give
our citizens an idea of just a few of the many day-to-day functions in the
Frisco Police Department. In order to graduate from the program, participants
may not miss more than two classes (not counting the optional firearms class or
COPs training).
The next CPA is scheduled to begin on September 13,
2007, 7:00 PM. Classes are held at the Frisco Police Department (training room),
7200 Stonebrook Pkwy. Once you have completed the CPA curriculum, we hope
you will want to become part of the Frisco Citizen Police Academy Alumni
Association and/or Frisco Citizens on Patrol. Both are active police/community
support and educational organizations (go to www.fcpaaa.org
for more information).
In order to attend you will need to fill out an
application for the CPA along with the waiver of liability. If you have any
questions, please feel free to contact me at (972) 972-292-6134 or by e-mail at
gcovington@friscotexas.gov. After your
application has been reviewed and processed, your name will be placed on a list
(applications are processed on a first come basis). In February applicants will receive a letter containing
specific information about the status of their application along with
additional class information.
Since the class size is limited to twenty-five (25)
participants we encourage you to enroll as early as possible. Once again, thank
you for your interest.
Frisco
Fire Department Now
Accepting Applications for Upcoming
Classes!
Citizen's
Fire
Academy - Class
#20
The
Frisco Fire Department will be hosting the
Frisco Citizen's Fire Academy (CFA) class starting Thursday, September 13th at
Frisco Central Fire Station. Designed to provide the community
with information about the organization and operations of the Frisco Fire
Department, the academy is open to persons over the age of 18 who either work or
live within the City of Frisco. In addition to
classroom education taught by Frisco Fire personnel, CFA participants will also
have the opportunity to spend time at Fire Stations and ride along with
emergency personnel. Other hands-on activities include going inside a burning
building while dressed in bunker gear as well as using powerful rescue tools
during an extrication demonstration.
Community
Emergency Response
Team (CERT) - Class #12
The
Frisco Fire Department is currently taking applications for the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) class starting  Monday, September 10th
at Fire Station #4. CERT classes instruct citizens about disaster preparedness
and how to respond to a disaster or large-scale emergency situation within their
communities. The program is open to persons over the age of 18 who either work
or live within the City of Frisco. During classes, citizens study an
all-risk, all hazards training program including
CPR and Basic First Aid training. Once trained, CERT volunteers will be able to
provide immediate assistance to victims, organize spontaneous volunteers at a
disaster site, and provide critical support including collecting disaster
intelligence to professional first responders.
Applications for both
classes are available for download at www.friscofire.com
or can be picked up at any Frisco Fire Station. Each nine-week program meets
one night per week from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. If interested or for more information,
contact the Frisco Fire Department at (972) 292.6300 during normal business
hours.
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Home Invasion Suspect Composite
HOME INVASION SUSPECT COMPOSITE RELEASED; TIP LINE ESTABLISHED
August 23, 2007 (Frisco Texas)Metroplex Law Enforcement Agencies are asking for media and citizens assistance in identifying and apprehending a violent home invasion suspect.
Since May 2005, the Dallas metroplex area has been experiencing violent home invasions that appear to have been committed by the same individual.
A Home Invasion Task Force was formed by area law enforcement agencies to investigate these offenses. These offenses include Robbery, Sexual Assault, and Homicide.
In April 2007, Frisco Police responded to a home invasion in our city. The investigation of this violent offense leads us to believe it was perpetrated by the same individual the Task Force has been trying to identify. Detectives from the Frisco Police Department then joined the Task Force. The Task Force is made up of Detectives from Dallas, Richardson, Irving, Garland, Plano, Coppell, and Frisco Police Departments, as well as state and federal agencies. There have been nineteen criminal offenses, with 20 victims, that we believe have been perpetrated by the same individual.
The suspect is described as a black male, 20 - 30 years old, 6', and very muscular.
A Home Invasion Tip Line has been established and is being staffed starting at 3:00pm today. The Tip Line is being staffed by personnel from agencies involved in the Task Force. The Tip Line will be staffed by police personnel during anticipated peak hours and has message capabilities. Schepps Dairy has offered a $10,000.00 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of this violent individual.
To view the suspect composite, go to www.friscotexas.gov. Click on the Communications tab, then click on Press Releases.
THE TIP LINE NUMBER IS 972-941-2148
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Miracle League of Frisco Registration
The Miracle League of Frisco
Fall 2007 Baseball registration is now open! Registration is open through
September 4 for boys and girls with mental and/or physical disabilities ages 5 -
19. League play will be from Saturday September 29th to November 3rd.
The Miracle League is a sports league which gives special-needs children the
opportunity to play team sports in a non-competitive environment. Scholarships
are available.
Registration is also underway for volunteer "buddies" who accompany athletes on
the baseball field and help ensure they have a successful experience.
Buddies must be at least 12 years old - adult. Most games this season are
on Saturday mornings, one game will be on a Thursday evening. Try being a
buddy once - you'll be hooked! Register to be a player or buddy at
www.friscomiracleleague.com
For additional information, contact Susan Bland
Be part of the miracle...
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Infrastructure Updates
In this section, you will find the most up-to-date information available on roadways and infrastructure in and around Frisco. To keep this information as up-to-date as possible, I maintain links directly to the reports sections of the different entities. NTTA:
I know many of you are wondering when the Tollway extension is going to open. AS of now, the current plan is to open on Friday afternoon, September 28. The Lebanon Bridge is set to be open before school starts on august 27th.
- NTTA Board Approved a transition to all-electronic Toll Collections. The implementation will be completed by May 2010. All future NTTA turnpike projects will be all electronic.
- South part of DNT will be closed part of the August 25th weekend. Starting at 11:59pm on Saturday until Monday, August 27th at 5:00a.m., the south end of the Tollway northbound from IH-35E to Mockingbird Ave and southbound from Northwest Highway to the Southern end of the Tollway will be closed. The Cedar Springs Road Bridge will also be closed.
TxDOT:
I can't keep up with the changes on 121 and cross streets, such as Preston. As I wrote about in the last newsletter, traffic alignments are changing on a regular basis and temporary closures seem to be common. Preston and S.H. 121 seems to be an especially challenging intersection. If you find lanes are being closed, my recommendation is to find an alternate. Legacy, Parkwood, Coit, Custer and the Tollway all seem to work better at times.
The Ohio/121 overpass has slipped a bit due to the recent rains. The overpass is now scheduled to open January of 2008.
City of Frisco
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Rally for the Cure Golf Tournament
EBONY LADIES GOLF LEAGUE TO HOST GOLF TOURNAMENT TO BENEFIT THE SUSAN G. KOMEN FOUNDATION
The Texas Chapter of the Ebony Ladies Golf League will host their 4th annual Rally For The Cure golf tournament benefiting the Susan G. Komen Foundation on Saturday, September 8, 2007.
The venue is Lake Park Golf Club in Lewisville, Texas and the event starts at 8:00am. There is a $100 entry fee which includes the green fee, cart, continental breakfast and lunch. Reservations made before August 25th will qualify for the early bird discount. Raffle tickets for two round-trip American Airlines tickets, along with additional contests and door prizes will also take place at this event. Contact Kusana Turner at (214) 570-9743 or kusana.turner@ebonyladiesgolf.org for additional information.
FOR INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Kusana Turner
Ebony Ladies Golf League - Texas Chapter
T - 214-570-9743
E - kusana.turner@ebonyladiesgolf.org
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BIG CATCH Bass Tournament
Have some fun and enjoy some great fishing! The Geriatric Wellness Center
of Collin County (GWCCC - www.gwccc.org) will be hosting its 10th Annual
Big Catch Bass Tournament on Saturday,
October 20, 2007, 7:00 AM - 3:00
PM. The tournament will be
held at Chandler's Landing Marina on
Lake Ray Hubbard, Rockwall,
Texas
75032. Cash prizes!!! Food will be provided at the
weigh-in station.
All proceeds benefit
Geriatric Wellness Center of Collin County. For more information about the Big
Catch Tournament go to the tournament website at www.bigcatchbass.com or
contact Rosemarie Odom at rmjean911@yahoo.com for more information about GWCCC. |
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Boys and Girls Club Garage Sale
The Boys and Girls club is looking for your stuff! Clean out your closets, attics and garages. As your friends, family and neighbors to do the same. Items are being accepted now at the McKinney Branch located at 701 S. Church Street. Receipts will be provided for donations. For additional information, contact Angie Toles at 214-544-8924 ext. 113 or E-mail. All proceeds from the garage sale benefit the Children served by the BGCCC. |
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Upcoming Political Events
The Collin County GOP is looking for volunteers to man a booth at the Plano Balloon Festival, which is held on the weekend of September 21st. If you have any questions, contact this year's balloon festival chair, danny Morris at 214-878-1156 or E-mail.
The next meeting of
the Texas Democratic Women of Collin County will be held on Monday August 27,
2007, 6:45pm at Lone Star Crossing 5800 Coit Rd South of Spring Creek Parkway Plano.
We welcome special guest Jo-Hannah
Whitsett, Political Director of Texas Freedom Network, a nonpartisan, grassroots
organization that acts as the state's watchdog, monitoring far-right issues,
organizations, money and leaders.
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Save the Date
In this new section, I will try and keep up with some of the major upcoming events. While I usually place the entire event in this Newsletter, sometimes I get information before it is released or the event is too far into the future to write about. We will see how this works.
Event: 2007 Chrysalis Ball Benefiting the
Boys and
Girls Clubs of Collin County. Where: E mbassy Suites Hotel in
Frisco
When: Saturday, November 3, 2007 from 6:30pm - midnight>
What:
Black Tie Fundraiser
General: Special dinner, open bar, dancing to
The Pointer
Sisters, casino games, live and silent auctions and much more.
Master of ceremonies is
Newy Scruggs, NBC 5's witty sportscaster.
Event: 2007 Frisco Arts Black Tie Gala
benefiting the Arts
in Frisco
Where: Stonebriar Country Club in Frisco
When: Saturday, September 29, 2007 from 6:30pm -
What: Black Tie Fundraiser
General: Special performance, live and silent auctions and
much more.
The Frisco Storytelling Festival will be held October 12 and 13 at Frisco City Hall Plaza. |
Upcoming City Meetings
City Council: Wednesday, September 4, at 5:30PM (change for National Night Out)
P&Z: Tuesday, August 28 at 6:30PM.
For these & additional meetings, see the Community & Meeting Calendar
New Frisco City Hall Address
6101 Frisco Square Blvd. Frisco, TX 75034 |
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