COLLIN COUNTY – Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum will appear at several campaign events in Collin County today, including one in the evening open to the public.

A morning event with area pastors will be at the Bella Donna Chapel in McKinney, 401 Adriatic Parkway, from 9:30 – 11 a.m. The chapel is reserved for private invitation only. The general public is invited to attend the event under the tent outside, equipped with TVs.

From 7 – 8:30 pm, the public is invited to hear him speak at Fairview Farms in Plano, 3314 N. Central Expy. The event will be emceed by WBAP Radio talk show host Mark Davis. No tickets are required.

He will also be attending a sold-out fundraising luncheon at Noon, plus a TEA Party leader reception at 6 pm.

By J.J. Smith, Publisher

HEATH – Heath Mayor John Ratcliffe announced today that he will not seek re-election after his fourth term ends in May.

Mayor Ratcliffe was first elected Mayor of Heath in May 2004, winning nearly 70 percent of the vote in a three-way contested race. Ratcliffe was re-elected without opposition in 2006, 2008 and 2010. The City of Heath does not place term limits on elected officials.

Mayor Ratcliffe expressed that one factor in his decision not to seek re-election was the increased time and travel demands for the strategic legal and consulting services provided by the company he founded in 2009 with former U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft. Mayor Ratcliffe, who served as the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Texas under President George W. Bush, cited his expanding role in support of former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney’s presidential campaign as another factor.

Under Mayor Ratcliffe’s leadership, the City of Heath tax rate never changed from .3433 cents per $100 valuation during eight consecutive budgets. Heath is the only municipality in Rockwall County without at least one or more tax rate increases over that eight-year span. Over the same period, the City’s financial ratings rose significantly to “AA” (“Very Strong”) status through multiple upgrades from all three of the nation’s leading bond rating agencies—Standard & Poor’s, Moody’s Investors and Fitch Ratings.

“Not raising taxes during my tenure as Mayor was something that we’ve worked hard to achieve, and I am pleased for our citizens that we were able to accomplish this goal despite challenging economic times in our country,” said Mayor Ratcliffe.

“Heath’s future has never looked brighter, and after almost eight years, I am ready to look forward to new challenges. But, I will always remain incredibly grateful and forever indebted to the citizens of Heath for allowing me to serve as their mayor.”

The filing period for municipal elections begins on February 4, 2012, and ends on March 5, 2012. Election day is May 12, 2012.

No word yet about who may be running to replace him.

By J.J. Smith, Publisher

ROCKWALL – US Senate candidates Ted Cruz and Craig James, plus Republican Party of Texas Chairman Steve Munisteri, will be the featured speakers at the Rockwall Co. Republican Party’s annual Reagan Day Dinner, Feb. 18, at 6 pm, at the Hilton Bella Harbor Hotel.

Syndicated radio talk show host and conservative political commentator Mike Gallagher will be be the Master of Ceremonies.

A special VIP reception will be held at 5 pm for event sponsors and special guests. A silent auction and door prizes will also be available.

Tickets cost $80 per person and can be obtained by calling 214-793-2923.

Sponsorships from $10,000 to $1,000 are available for purchase from Ken Sterling at 469-698-6565. To see the sponsorship packages, visit:  http://www.rockwallgop.com/reagan-day/reagan-day-2012.

From 2003-08, Cruz (top row center) served as the Solicitor General of Texas, the chief lawyer for the State before the U.S. Supreme Court plus all the state and federal appellate courts. Cruz was the youngest Solicitor General in the nation, the longest serving Solicitor General in Texas, and the first Hispanic Solicitor General in Texas.

He currently serves as a Partner at Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP in Houston, where he leads the firm’s U.S. Supreme Court and national Appellate Litigation practice. In addition, from 2004-09, he taught U.S. Supreme Court Litigation as an Adjunct Professor of Law at the University of Texas School of Law.

Ted has authored over 80 U.S. Supreme Court briefs and personally argued 40 oral arguments, including nine before the U.S. Supreme Court.

James (top row right) is a former All-American running back at SMU, played pro football for the New England Patriots – including participating in the Super Bowl and Pro Bowl. He later worked as a college football analyst for more than two decades, with time spent at CBS, ABC and ESPN.

James founded Emerging Land Markets in 2003, an extension of his personal real estate holdings with a focus on ranch acquisitions and development. These holdings extended to nearly 50,000 acres with value in excess of $150 million. The sale of assets from 2006-2008 was approximately $100 million.

In January 2010, he joined the board of the Texas Public Policy Foundation, a leading research institution that shares Craig’s strong belief in personal responsibility, limited government, free markets and liberty. Later than year, he founded Texans for a Better America, a 501(c)4 corporation, committed to celebrating the essential Texas values and policies that could transform America for the better.

Munisteri (bottom row left) is a retired attorney from Houston who was elected State Party chairman at the state convention June 13, 2010. He unseated incumbent Cathie L. Adams, who had held the position for eight months. Early in his political career, Munisteri served as State Chairman of the Texas Chapter of Young Americans for Freedom (YAF), and founded the Young Conservatives of Texas (YCT) in 1980.

Munisteri was also involved in numerous other businesses in his professional career. He founded Munisteri Properties, with interests in commercial properties, Munisteri Exploration and has participated as a partner in the drilling of several dozen oil and natural gas wells.

As a side business, Munisteri managed dozens of professional boxers from 1989 to 2009, when he fully retired from the business. Many of his fighters obtained boxing titles and two fought for world championships. He freelanced as a play-by-play announcer and color commentator for independently produced televised boxing matches from 1995 to 2009. He was also a Court TV legal contributor and on-air personality from 1995 to 2001.

Conservative talk show host Gallagher (bottom row center) can be heard weekday mornings, from 8-11 am, at KSKY-AM 660. His show is simulcast nationwide on hundreds of stations over the Salem Broadcasting Network.

After beginning his radio career in Dayton OH  right out of high school, Gallagher worked his way up to a two-year stint as morning drive host on WABC-AM, the nation’s most listened-to talk radio station in New York City.

In 1998, The Mike Gallagher Show was launched nationally with twelve radio stations. As of the Spring 2011, Talkers Magazine reports that Gallagher is the sixth most listened-to talk radio host in America with over four million weekly listeners. He’s heard daily in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Detroit, Atlanta, and Philadelphia as well as in small, medium and major markets all over the country.

According to the Benchmark Company, he is the 8th most-recognized talk radio personality in America. Gallagher has also been featured in numerous magazines and newspapers including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Time, and Forbes. He is also a regular Fox News Channel contributor.

For information, contact Reagan Day Committee Members Mark Russo, Patti Muggeo, Andrew Leonie or Laverne & Dalton Kennimer at 972-636-4034.

By J.J. Smith, Publisher

GARLAND- Republican US Senate candidate Tom Leppert, former Mayor of Dallas, will be the guest speaker at the Lake Ray Hubbard Pachyderm Club luncheon meeting Jan. 25, 11:30 am – 1 pm, at Texas Land & Cattle Steakhouse, I-30 & Bass Pro Dr.

The public is invited to attend and ask questions.

The cost is $20 per person for a complete lunch, including drink, tax & tip.

Rather than giving a speech, Leppert prefers to answer questions from the audience, according to Pachyderm Club founder J.J. Smith.

Leppert served as Mayor of Dallas from June, 2007 until 2011. He surprised many by announcing last February his campaign to replace retiring US Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison, in competition with Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst. Solicitor General Ted Cruz and others.

Prior to serving as Mayor of Dallas from 2007 to 2011, Leppert led major national and international companies in the areas of construction, financial services and real estate, including serving as CEO of The Turner Corporation, the nation’s largest general building company.

As Mayor, was credited with revitalizing downtown Dallas by persuading more companies to relocate there, bringing more jobs to the city, a new convention center hotel, reducing the crime rate, an improved ethics system and improving Dallas’ education system.

The conservative Republican, who employed tens of thousands as CEO of Turner Construction before entering politics, says a business leader and job creator is what Texas needs as its next US Senator.

Some key points of his jobs plan, listed on his website, are:

• Institute Fundamental Tax Reform
• Allow America’s Small Businesses To Grow
• Give All Americans The Right To Work
• Put American Energy First
• Reduce The Role Of Government In Our Lives
• Save Our Entitlement Programs

“The common practice for Republican politicians today is to rail against President Obama’s economy and call for rolling back his disastrous policies,” said Leppert. “The truth is that Obama has made our situation far worse, but our problems did not start with Obama and they won’t stop by simply rolling back his policies.”

“We are in a crisis that has been created by Washington and can only be fixed by outsiders, not more lawyers and career politicians.”

“This plan is about creating new opportunities that aren’t out there today. Make no mistake; these proposals will change the way our government works. And for those like me who have felt the pull of government holding our country back from its place in history as the “shining city upon a hill,” this plan will restore the greatness that we know our country can achieve.”

For more info about Tom Leppert, visit:  www.tomleppert.com.

For details about the luncheon, call J.J. Smith, 214-317-1718.

A huge number of major Internet websites are expected to go offline tomorrow to stage a blackout to protest the SOPA and PIPA web censorship bills now in Congress.

According to a non-profit group leading the blackout, Fight For The Future, the Senate will vote next week on forever altering the free and open internet by instituting a new regime of extra-judicial, corporate-led website takedowns.

“This is a fundamental fight about who has power in society – the people with the means to communicate freely or the governments and corporations that feel threatened,” said spokesman Donny Shaw.

“The clock is ticking, and we’re still 35 senators short of the number we need to kill the bill.”

The non-profit is encouraging others to join the blackout.

“Join us on the historic day by blacking out your site,” the non-profit leader explained. “Copy the code below and paste it into the header of your theme (WordPress users: use the SOPA Strike plugin) to black your site out in protest of SOPA/PIPA. It will activate automatically on Jan. 18th, displaying this page and directing visitors to contact Congress, and will deactivate at the end of the day.”

For the full state of play on the censorship bills , visit this infographic.

TheRockwallNews.com will remain online as most news websites will do.

By J.J. Smith, Publisher

By Rockwall County Judge Jerry Hogan. He can be reached at jerryhogan@sbcglobal.net or 214-394-4033.

Rockwall County at year end 2011:

I think I can say without much opposition that people are generally fed up with how our government operates and how our politicians are mired in self-serving ways of inattention to the needs of our country. Witness the continuing trend of “appointing a special committee” to solve the major problems facing our country that continue to be debated and then locked into “no decision” results. What a waste of time, talent, money, and failure to fulfill the desires and needs of the voters.

That’s at the National Level of our country. Let me talk about a part of our government that doesn’t operate like that and does have positive results; our Rockwall County government.

First, Citizen Involvement. This last year, over 120 volunteers joined together to develop the first stages of a 5 year Strategic Plan for the County. The guidance given to them was simple: “Develop a Strategic Plan that lays out specific objectives of what you, the citizen, want our County to look like in 5 years.” Pretty simple instructions, you might say, but just the simple logistics of getting that many people focused on a cohesive plan was challenging. And it was accomplished; organized, directed, published, and briefed to the Commissioners Court by volunteers, where it was then accepted as the start of the Rockwall County Strategic Plan going forward.

Because of the Census every ten years, the County must go through redistricting of our political boundaries just like the State does. Again a 15 person volunteer Citizens Redistricting committee was formed to assist and advise the Commissioners Court on new Precinct divisions in the County. The realignment was reached with little disagreement and the recommended divisions of the County were forwarded to the Department of Justice for approval.

We dedicated our Rockwall County Veterans Memorial on 11-11-11. Over a thousand citizens attended this one hour event that included airplanes, firing squads, bands, choir, speeches, presentations, honoring of veterans, and the memorial itself. All of this was organized and conducted by a volunteer citizens committee from our County.

Second, Visibility Into Government. The policy-making organization within the County and the group directly responsible for the finances of the County is the Commissioners Court. This Court meets every week on Tuesdays at the Historic Courthouse at 9:00am. But that’s the time when many of our citizens are working and don’t have the opportunity to actually observe and hear what is being discussed and what decisions are being made.

Several things have been done to improve on this. Now all of the Commissioner Court meetings are audio streamed so any citizen, simply by going to the County website (www.rockwallcountytexas.com), can key on the icon and be immediately connected to the audio from the meeting. Also, the Court now has night Court meetings at least once each quarter so again the citizens have the opportunity to actually sit in the meetings and observe all of the activities. The County Judge also holds Town Hall meetings at least once each quarter so citizens have the opportunity to address any issue of their choosing directly with a member of the Commissioners Court.

At least once each month an article addressing County activities is written by the County Judge and published in the local newspapers. These articles are not “sales pitches;” they detail what is happening in County government: the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly!

Third, and very important, is Finances. No one wants taxes raised…and no one wants their entitlements reduced or taken away. And that’s the major problem facing all governments today. The County is no different, but intense focus has resulted in good results.

The County budget this year (Fiscal Year 2012) is a balanced budget with no tax increases. It was not easy to accomplish. For the first time, the County had a RIF (involuntary reduction in workforce); leases on buildings were terminated; several buildings owned by the County were vacated and put up for sale; capital expenditures for vehicles, office equipment, etc, were significantly reduced; a small COLA of 1.5% was allowed for non-elected officials, but no other raises for employees; most departments took a 5% reduction in their operating expenses; and several additions needed within the County structure were not added. That was on the Operating side of the budget.

On the Capital side, we pulled about $5 million from our Reserve fund to complete our obligation for the new courthouse. This payment was authorized back in December of 2009 and completes the $7.2 million that was added to the $30 million tax note action to fully fund the completion of the new courthouse. The courthouse was completed on time and in the budget approved in 2009 of $37.2 million. Our unaudited Reserve fund now has a balance of about $14.5 million. Our stated financial policy on this fund, and the one communicated to all Bond agencies, is to have 4-6 months of operating cash in the Reserve fund. We currently have significantly more in the fund than required by our rating agency policy.

As you have probably observed, we are also moving forward on building the roads our citizens approved in the 2004 and the 2008 bond elections. The John King overpass and FM 740 North in Heath are both in the middle of construction. Approval has been obtained from the State, and they are obligating the money to go along with County money, for the construction of the Irby-Campbell overpass in Royse City, the FM 551 overpass in Fate, the FM 3549 overpass between Fate and Rockwall, and the FM 740 South road completion in Heath. These road construction projects, while annoying when you have to wait for traffic while they are working on the roads, are the key to the continued expansion of our County and they have the highest priority of the Commissioners Court.

Finally, Attitude of the Court. As mandated by the Texas Constitution, each county in Texas has a Commissioner Court made up of four Commissioners and one County Judge. This group is the policy-making organization for each county and the developer of the annual budget. The group is very limited by State statute in terms of what they can do. (My personal frustration with the county system of government as dictated by the State is that it is inefficient, no one is in charge measured, and held accountable, and everyone is always telling you what you can’t do rather than how to make something work.)

Some Courts are effective; others are dysfunctional and accomplish little other than making the newspapers in a non-flattering way. Our Court in Rockwall County has several advantages over many: all the members are conservative, all are from the same political party, and all have the best interests of the County. That is not to say the Court is always in agreement; in fact quite often members of the Court are at opposite ends of an issue when it is first raised. Civil debate and discussion, however, focuses the issue and acceptable solutions are most often reached. It takes three votes on the court for an issue to be passed; it takes five votes for something to really be implemented well.

Do the citizens always agree with the decisions of the Court? Absolutely not. Do a majority agree? In most cases, Yes. Has the Court made errors? Yes. Has the Court made major errors this last year? No! This Court is an effective Court; it is working to become an excellent Court.

Your help is needed as we go forward. Our County government is not mired in the mess of endless political battles that reach no conclusion, does nothing for our citizens, or continues to drive us deeper and deeper into debt without addressing and fixing the problems facing its citizens. Tell us what you want; get involved; become a volunteer; let us know your expertise and where you would like to volunteer; talk to your elected officials and grade them on how well they meet the citizen’s needs; and finally, don’t give up on us or America. Concerned and involved citizens can help lead the way going forward.

ROCKWALL – The public is invited to a chili dinner to meet the new officers of the Rockwall Co. Republican Women Jan. 9 at 6:30 pm at the Harry Myers Community Center. Officers are from left:

Ann Easterwood – VP of Finance

Ann Hettinger – VP of Legislation

Judy Dickson – VP of Programs

Vicki Jolley – Secretary

Jerry Fisher – President

Marcia Gilbert – Treasurer

Jane Buie – VP of Membership

Sheila Kirkley – VP of Campaign Activities 

Not pictured is Brenda Zielke – Past President.

ROCKWALL – Former NASA astronaut and US Air Force pilot Col. Tom Henricks told an overflow crowd of 100 men, women and teens at the Rockwall Co. Men’s Club breakfast Saturday that not enough people are applying to become NASA’s next generation of astronauts and now is the time to apply to go to Mars.

Henricks, a veteran of four space-shuttle missions, who became the first person to log over 1,000 hours as a space shuttle pilot/commander, said he is envious of those who will someday go to Mars.

He explained that NASA is recruiting again and initial applications are as simple as standard civil service applications which one would complete to work at the post office.

Raised on a farm in Ohio, he added that he almost sold himself short and didn’t apply. He encourages anyone who might want to fly in space someday to apply now.

“Dream big and don’t sell yourself short.”

Henricks received a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from the USAF Academy and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Golden Gate University. He has earned numerous accolades, including the Distinguished Flying Cross, an honorary doctorate from Defiance College and a space in the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame.

Although the Constellation space program was cancelled by Pres. Obama, he expects the program will someday be revived but in a different format.

“NASA is currently spending $400 million to drive innovative solutions from private companies,” he explained, such as Rockwall-based Armadillo Aerospace, which recently won several grants for their work.

“The new Constellation will be the system to take people to the Moon and other planets such as Mars.”

He said he doubted any one nation will ever be able to get to Mars on its own and a joint mission between at least two or more nations will be needed.

Henricks was accepted into NASA’s astronaut training program in 1985 and was the only astronaut assigned to the Shuttle Program Office during the return-to-flight phase following the Challenger accident. In addition to his time in space, he held many key technical and management positions at both the Johnson Space Center and Kennedy Space Center.

He explained that astronauts do much more than just fly in space. There are a variety of specialists needed, including officers in science, medicine and many other fields.

He qualified to command the shuttle flights because of his previous experience as an Air Force Top Gun and test pilot, flying over 30 different types of aircraft with over 6,000 hours of flying time, including the F-4 Phantom and f-16 Fighting Falcon.

Asked if he was ever frightened about flying the shuttle in space, he said he definitely was ‘very apprehensive” about it – especially the first time.

After all the training is finished for a mission and launch, he said astronauts spend the three days before lift-off “hanging out,” having nightmares and thinking about whether their will is in order.

“Wait a minute, you’re gonna’ make me get on that thing?” he explained he thought, looking at the huge rocket and space ship.

But then they put their game face on and get to work preparing for lift-off. Other astronauts not flying are often those who help the astronauts who are to prepare and get into their seats properly.

Henricks explained that, once in space, dealing with no gravity is somewhat difficult.

“Sleeping is the most difficult part of flying in space. You can’t lie down because you’re seated in a chair. You have to tie yourself down and, when you’re sleeping, you have to tie your elbows down with Velcro so they won’t pop up.”

“Backaches are common,” he added. “You have to pull your legs up to your chest to help ease the pain.” He said he even grew an extra inch and a half from his flights in space.

The space shuttle was the fastest vehicle he ever flew, flying at about17,500 mph and covered five miles per second. When flying from one US coast to the other on July 4^th, they played patriotic songs on board and beamed them back to Houston.

“We only played three songs by the time we reached the other coast,” he said. “It’s one heck of a ride!”

He added that flying in space has taught him how fragile our solar system really is.

Throughout his presentation he showed videos and slides of his experiences in space, including a lift-off.

His four missions included:

STS-44 Atlantis – launched the night of November 24, 1991. The primary mission objective was the deployment of a Defense Support Program (DSP) satellite with an Inertial Upper Stage (IUS) rocket booster. The mission was concluded after 110 orbits of the Earth returning to a landing on the lakebed at Edwards Air Force Base, California, on December 1, 1991.

STS-55 – the German D-2 Spacelab mission, was launched on April 26, 1993, aboard Columbia, and landed 10-days later on May 6, 1993, at Edwards AFB California. During the ambitious mission 89 experiments were performed in many disciplines such as materials processing, life sciences, robotics, technology, astronomy, and Earth mapping.

STS-70 – launched from the Kennedy Space Center, Florida, on July 13, 1995, and returned there July 22, 1995. During 142 orbits of the Earth, the crew performed a variety of experiments in addition to deploying the sixth and final NASA Tracking and Data Relay Satellite. STS-70, with an “all-Ohio” crew, was the first mission controlled from the new combined control center.

STS-78 – launched June 20, 1996 and landed July 7, 1996 becoming the longest Space Shuttle mission to date. The 16-day mission included studies sponsored by ten nations and five space agencies, and was the first mission to combine both a full microgravity studies agenda and a comprehensive life science investigation. The Life and Microgravity Spacelab mission served as a model for future studies on board the International Space Station.

Henricks left government service in 1997 to pursue a career in business. He now resides in Texas.

By J.J. Smith, Publisher

ROCKWALL – Twenty-three candidates have thus far filed at the County Elections Office to run for political offices in the March 6, 2012, primary elections.

More are expected to file and announce their campaigns shortly.

The first day to file was Nov. 16 and the filing deadline is Dec. 15.

Most were on hand Saturday to introduce themselves at the Rockwall County Republican Men’s Club breakfast held at Harry Myers Park community center.

Three Republican candidates will oppose each other to replace retiring County Commissioner Jerry Wimpee: former three-term Rockwall Mayor Bill Cecil, current three-term Rockwall Council member Cliff Sevier and newcomer Dick Demien.

First-term County Commissioner Dennis Bailey filed for re-election in Precinct 3.

In law enforcement, Rockwall County Sheriff Harold Eavenson has filed for re-election.

Two of four constable races currently have competition. Vince Zubras and John Benedetto will vie for Precinct 1. Paul Britt and Trey Chaney are running for Precinct 2. John Collins for Precinct 3 and incumbent Randy Parks for Precinct 4 are running unopposed.

In local courts, current 382 District Judge Brett Hall, 439 District Judge David Rakow and County Court-At-Law Judge Brian Williams filed. Hall has been on the bench for many years. Former Court-At-Law Judge Rakow was appointed to the new District Court earlier this year by Gov. Rick Perry and then former Assistant District Attorney Williams was appointed by the County Commissioners to replace Judge Rakow.

Former one-term County Judge Chris Florance filed to run for Precinct 3 Justice of the Peace against Joe Florey. Former Precinct 1 & 4 Justice of the Peace David Karr and James Branch are running for the Precinct 4 position.

Current County Republican Party Chairman Tony Fisk, who was appointed soon after previously-elected Chairman Paul Wilson resigned, filed for the first time.

Precinct chairman who also filed for re-election were former Rockwall City Council member Ken Dickson in Precinct 2; GOP Senatorial District Debra Harper in 2B; Patty Griffin in 4; Cindy Bianucci in 4A; and former County Judge and current Royse City Council member Bill Bell in 4B.

Other positions which will be up for election next year but that no one has yet filed for are County Tax Assessor-Collections, County Democrat Party Chair – currently held by Terri St.Clair – plus additional Precinct Chairs.

In addition, other local candidates who have filed for state or federal positions are Rockwall attorney Jim Pruitt, running for the new Texas House District 33 seat, since Jodie Laubenberg’s district boundaries have been changed.

Sixteen-term Rockwall Congressman Ralph Hall has also filed to return to Washington D.C.

By J.J. Smith, Publisher

ROCKWALL – After limited discussion, the Rockwall City Council voted 5-2 last night in front of a packed City Hall crowd of about 100 people to approve the resolution prepared by City Attorney Pete Eckert to terminate the open-ended contract of former City Manager Julie Couch.

The Council voted 5-2 at its last meeting Nov. 7 to direct Eckert to prepare the resolution. In both votes, third-term Council member Margo Nielsen and first-term member Bennie Daniels were opposed.

Couch had been employed by the City for 32 years, the past 18 as City Manager. Friday, Nov. 4, was her last day.

No reason has been given by Council members for terminating her contract because Eckert advised them not to since it is a private personnel matter and they would be subjecting themselves to lawsuits by commenting further.

“The Council just decided to go in a different direction,” said Eckert after the meeting. “This kind of thing happens all the time.”

Mayor David Sweet and Council members Mark Russo and Michelle Smith echoed Eckert’s comments after the meeting, when asked by TheRockwallNews.com for specific reasons for her termination.

“According to our City Attorney, we cannot speak to personnel matters in this contract,” said Smith.

As was done at the previous meeting, Mayor Pro Tem and second-term member Russo made the motion to approve the resolution. Third-term Council member Cliff Sevier seconded the motion. The wording of the resolution is listed at the bottom of this article.

The Council’s vote did anger some members of the crowd. Former two-term City Council member and defeated mayoral candidate Glen Farris publicly called Council members “Chickensh_ts” for their decision.

Before the vote, Nielsen read prepared remarks for the record, praising Couch for what she has helped to accomplish as City Manager. They are as follows:

“Thank you Mr. Mayor, I have provided the City Secretary a copy of my remarks and request that my comments be read into the official minutes of this meeting.”

“Julie Couch has worked for the City of Rockwall for 33 years, almost her whole adult life.  For the past 18 years she has served as City Manager.  While many Council groups have come and gone, Ms. Couch has been a constant, providing stability and leadership within the function of municipal government. She has assembled and led one of the finest management teams in the State and is recognized as being one of the best City Managers in Texas.”

“Despite a bitter economy, Rockwall has added new businesses like Toyota and Costco, and popular restaurants like Free Birds, In and Out Burger, and Campisis. And, Downtown, has prospered and grown, becoming a vibrant and strong economic base in the historic section of the City.”

“There’s a long record of successes that occurred under Julie’s management because she has the vision, knowledge and experience to get projects like the Harbor and the Medical Corridor completed.  Since there is no immediate increase in revenues, you have to be able to look out 10 or 20 years to see the benefit to the City. Some Council’s caught Julie’s vision of how the projects would benefit Rockwall in the long run and some didn’t.”

“The hospital district, a prime example of a public/private partnership, has been developed in the last six years. A project of that size didn’t just happen… Coordination among the owner, developer, hospital development team, City Council and REDC Board and 6 City departments was vital for the success of the design, development and creation of the medical corridor.  Julie Couch, always poised and positive, was the central figure in the success we are enjoying today.”

“Another project that has her signature all over it is the Harbor District.  The Harbor has a certified assessed value of $76 million dollars. But, just a few years ago that property was valued at $3,000,000. It is now a thriving entertainment district with a fabulous hotel that is doing well. The fountains, the docks, the lighthouse – all the elements that combined, make the Harbor a great point of public access to Lake Ray Hubbard – are because of Julie.”

“She’s kept property taxes low in spite of large bond issues that were passed by the voters.  New fire stations, a new animal service center, a new city hall, road projects, drainage projects and new neighborhood parks are but some of the major projects completed during her tenure. Some voters clamber for an all paid Fire Department, others want no higher taxes – you can’t have both, but under Ms. Couch’s leadership, we have had the best of both worlds and taxes remained low.”

“Our Police Department has one of the lowest crime rates in the state.  Julie was responsible for bringing Mark Moeller to Rockwall and with his background and experience Rockwall has a reliable and well trained department that attracts recruits from out of state. Last year 211 applications were received for only 4 positions.  Rockwall is a good place to work.”

“Just a few short years ago, the City was in gridlock from rapid growth and few additional resources to manage it.  The new mayor, Bill Cecil, along with the approval of the new Council, proposed a bond issue to build John King.  Julie and her team constructed a seven mile road that met standards of regional TXDOT staff in four short years and the project came in under budget. The road will soon be open all the way from 205 on the north to 205 on the south because Julie successfully negotiated with the railroad commission and department of transportation to keep the at ground railroad crossing and have TxDOT build the overpass on I-30. Again, the vision for John King has changed from a state corridor between the north and south part of the City to a commercial corridor, ripe for economic development.”

“Statewide, she is well-known and respected.  This coming year she is slated to be the president of the Texas City Managers Association, a division of the Texas Municipal League. She is completely at ease testifying in front of state legislative committees and, her opinion is well respected by legislators. She navigates the legal complexities of municipal government, picking and choosing her battles, which she seldom loses. Her institutional knowledge is unparalleled.  Fortunately, she developed a team of department heads that are already doubling down on their on-going responsibilities while they are picking up other duties to fill the void her departure has left.”

“Julie’s vision of Rockwall 20 or 50 years out will be so difficult to replace.  Whatever the decision tonight, here are some facts that are indisputable:

• Since 2009 the tax rate has remained 50.31 cents and, unlike other communities, assessed value of property within the City has increased every year, now exceeding 3 billion, 100 million dollars.
• Sales tax collections have risen each year since 1998.
• Our reserves are comfortable at 3.5 months.
• The City’s annual audits are unqualified.
• We been one of the fastest growing cities in the state and country for several years.
• We were recently rated one of the top 10 places to live in the nation.
• We were recently ranked the top place for new job growth.

“It seems to me the City, under Julie’s management, is going in the right direction and has been for some time.  So, I won’t be supporting this resolution tonight because I cannot fathom the new direction we should take.”

Following is the wording of the Resolution:

A resolution of the City Council of the City of Rockwall, Texas, removing the City Manager; terminating the City Manager agreement and providing an effective date.

Whereas, the City Manager may be removed at the discretion of the City Council; and

Whereas, the City Council has determined that it is in the best interest of the City to exercise its option to terminate the CITY MANAGER AGREEMENT.

Now, therefore be it resolved, the City Council of the City of Rockwall, Texas:

Section 1. That the City Council hereby removes the City Manager, exercises the option to terminate the City Manager, and confirms the terms of the separation with the City Manager as contained within the City Manager’s agreement.

The Mayor and the City Staff are hereby authorized to complete the terms of the separation.

Section2. That this resolution shall take effect immediately from and after its adoption, and it is so resolved.

Passed and approved by the City Council of the City of Rockwall, Texas, this 21st day of November, 2011.

Approved by David Sweet and attested by Kristy Ashberry (City Secretary).

By J.J. Smith, Publisher