NE Community Leader Spotlight - Mayor Laura Wheat 2 Tarrant County Domestic Relations Office 2 NE Transportation Summit- Save the Date! 3 NW Metroport Chamber of Commerce 4 United Way Fundraiser Follow-up 4 An Historic Moment In Time - Birdville Historical Society 5 Tarrant County Heroes Recognized 5 1895 Courthouse Bell Tower Rededication 5 Holiday Photo Contest Winner Announced 5 Mid-Cities Care Corps 6 Holy Trinity Catholic School 6 Haslet Public Library 7 Honoring our Veterans 7 Transportation Updates on Northeast Tarrant County Road Projects 8 Calendar of Events 9 Contact Information 9 Christmas is here along with some County. He will be enjoying time at his cold weather, and it is time to cele- home in the country and not having to drive brate. The Precinct 3 staff started the one hour or more one way to work. Thank Friday, Dec. 14th 7:30 to 9:00am celebration in late October with our an- you, Delton, for your service. Enjoy the nual United Way Fundraising BBQ time…you will be missed. Please join me for coffee and donut s! Luncheon. We served over 200 people – Happenings in Tarrant County in the barbecue brisket and sausage, potato last few months: salad, beans, bread, desserts, ice tea or water - while raising funds for United The 1895 Courthouse Clock Tower Way of Tarrant County. (see page 4) Rededication in late October (see photo page 5). Northeast Sub-Courthouse Our staff Christmas photo is at our Precinct 3 will be moving into a new 645 Grapevine Hwy., Hurst TX 76054 Maintenance Center on Precinct Line Courthouse in late 2014 or early 2015. We Road where we are standing on the newly have been working with GSBS Architects arrived Gradall. Because of budget and the Tarrant County Facilities architects restraints, we have not been able to on workspace requirements, design eleva- replace large road equipment as often as tions, site plan and utility locations, parking needed in the Maintenance Department, requirements and many other element of so this is a welcomed arrival! Tommy facility planning. NE Transportation Summit Feb. 15 Knowles, Equipment Maintenance Super- visor, is retiring at the end of the year The 4th Annual Northeast Tarrant LifeGift Run May 18 after 24 years of service to Tarrant Transportation Summit will be on Febru- County. He is a great person and will be ary 15 at the Hurst Conference Center. This missed. We wish him many days of golf- year we will have community updates on ing and time with his fantastic family. the DFW Connector and the North Tarrant Express. These will be provided by the Question: Can you locate Niles City, Delton Thrasher, Chief Deputy Con- main contractors: NorthGate Constructors Texas? stable in Precinct 3, will retire at the end and NTE NorthTarrant Express. of the year after 36 years with Tarrant Answer on page 7 As Mayor, Laura also serves as the Wheat Difference Maker Award from the President of the Board of Trustees for Cancer Support Community Board Westlake Academy; the only municipally (formerly known as Gilda’s Club). Most owned public charter school in Texas. recently in 2012, Mayor Wheat was a Mayor Wheat was born in Sewickely, recipient, along with the rest of the Pennsylvania and graduated Summa Cum Westlake Town Council, of the Texas Laude from Ohio University. She then City Manager’s Association City entered the University of Maryland’s Council of the Year award in 2012. School of Law, earning her JD with honors. Mayor Wheat practiced securities What do you do for fun? I love to attend my law for 10 years before branching out in kids’ sporting events. Is there anything better Rarely a day passes that Mayor Laura the world of community service. Since than watching a close game? I think I surprise Wheat doesn’t thank her lucky stars for leaving the practice, she has served on people with just how loudly I can cheer! I also guiding her family to the Town of West- numerous not for profit boards in various love to exercise on a daily basis, although I lake. After having lived in Dallas for 23 leadership capacities. She is the past board now no longer know if that is for fun or for my chair of the Ronald McDonald House of sanity or for the continued ability to eat years, Laura and her husband, Doug, began dessert. I’m guessing it’s probably a mix of all to hear about this little slice of heaven Dallas, St. Philip’s School and Community three. called Westlake, a small town just west of Center, Gilda’s Club North Texas, Gilda’s Favorite Restaurant? “Café Pacific” in High- the DFW Airport. In August of 2005, they Club Worldwide and Cancer Support land Park Village. decided to check it out for themselves, and Community National. Current board Favorite Movie? It’s hard for me to pick be- by November of that same year, they had activity includes Baylor Regional tween Beaches and Terms of Endearment. moved. They enrolled their two school Medical Center in Grapevine, Baylor Both have such personal meaning for me. aged children in Westlake Academy and Healthcare System Foundation, Cancer Last book read? “Same Kind of Different as quickly became involved in school and Support Community North Texas and Me” community affairs. Laura was elected John Peter Smith Hospital Foundation. Favorite vacation spot? “Lake Tahoe”. It Mayor of the Town in 2008. Her vision for Mrs. Wheat was named one of Fort amazes me that more Texans haven’t discov- ered it! the Town is simply stated, but lofty in its Worth Business Press’ Great Women of ideals: to be the best small town in Texas – Texas in 2010 for making a difference in People would be surprised to know... that I’ve one that is a standard bearer and is the community, achieving professional had my share of interesting health experiences. As an adolescent I spent two years in a body emulated throughout Texas and elsewhere success and serving as a role model for her cast following spinal fusions to correct scolio- for its commitment to community, educa- tireless efforts in helping others. In 2011, sis. And as a grown up, I’m a three time breast tion, lifelong learning and sustainability. Mayor Wheat received the first Laura L. cancer survivor. The Tarrant County Domestic Relations parents to court so that the judge can deter- Office consists of four distinct, yet inter- mine what combination of possibilities dependent divisions: Family Court would be best for getting the child support Services, Child Support, Legal Enforce- paid, like sending the parent to jail, ment and Community Supervision, ordering the parent to participate in a with a mission to ensure that: program to help him or her find a job, or Every child within their purview is placing the parent on probation. afforded quality time, in a safe environ- Child Support ment, with both available parents; Every child within their purview to a child without relying on the court receives adequate child support and system to make those decisions for them. medical support in a timely manner; The Child Support Office tracks new Every parent within their purview divorce and paternity orders for payment understands the alternatives to litigation, of child support and, if payments are the importance of keeping children out of missed, they work with the non-paying parental conflict and the consequences of parent to see what can be accomplished to failing to follow court orders. get them paying again. If all their efforts to collect payment are unsuccessful, the case is referred to Legal Enforcement. Community Supervision Legal Enforcement takes non-paying If the judge finds the parent in contempt and places the parent on probation, the parent is referred to Community Supervi- sion, which works with parents to help Family Court Services them get the training or treatment needed to become gainfully employed so they can Family Court Services gathers informa- start paying their child support again and tion needed by the six Family District stay out of jail. Courts when litigation over a child is pending. They also try to help parents Legal Enforcement www.tarrantcounty.com/edro/site/default.asp reach their own agreements about access Hurst Conference Center • 1600 Campus Dr • Hurst, TX Workshops will include: TEX Rail/Cotton Belt Rail Line, a 67 mile regional rail line connecting Tarrant, Dallas, Collin and Rockwall counties. Fort Worth Councilman, Jungus Jordan presenting. Transit Oriented Development - A discussion concerning development opportunities and issues effecting development at or near major transportation hubs. The ABC's of the RTC (Regional Transportation Council). The process of Regional Transportation Planning for the North Central Texas Area. Michael Morris presenting. Colleyville - (817) 488-7148 Grapevine - (817) 481-1522 Northeast Tarrant - (817) 281-9376 Fort Worth Hispanic - (817) 625-5411 Hurst-Euless-Bedford - (817) 283-1521 Northwest Metroport - (817) 837-1000 FW Metropolitan Black - (817) 871-6538 Keller - (817) 431-2169 Southlake - (817) 481-8200 For sponsorship or additional information, visit our website or call: 817-581-3600 www.NETRANSPORTATIONSUMMIT.com executive suites before its current location on Byron Nelson Blvd. back in Roanoke. Each and every move allowed the chamber to grow its programs and services for the membership, businesses and The Northwest Metroport Chamber is communities. about to begin a very LARGE year! In As the chamber that serves the largest 2013 the chamber will celebrate twenty number of communities in the Dallas Fort five years of service to this region that Worth area, the influx of new businesses represents six communities; Haslet, Justin, and residents has provided a strong focus Northlake, Roanoke, Trophy Club, West- to the superior underlying characteristics.