By J.J. Smith. Our City of Rockwall has just been named as one of the “Family Circle 10 Best Towns” in America for families to live in by Family Circle magazine.

In the July edition, which will hit newstands this Tuesday, Rockwall joined nine other “family-friendly” towns with populations between 15,000 and 150,000 residents: Evans, GA, Sherwood OR, Indian Trail NC, Edina MN, Noblesville IN, Perrysburg OH, Hendersonville TN, Kenmore WA and Sun Prairie WI.

They were selected from over 1,700 communities, according to the popular national publication with 21 million readers.

All of the communities named in the Family Circle 10 Best Towns were judged on their affordable housing, neighborhood friendliness, parks access and public schooling. They also had to have an average household income of at least $75,000.

City of Rockwall Mayor Bill Cecil said he thinks “the designation is absolutely wonderful.” 

“It’s the citizens who make Rockwall what it is,” he said. “The community as a whole needs to be recognized.”

“Our sense of purpose, our sense of community, the way our people provide so much. All of us are working together to make Rockwall what it is.” 

He added that there are many excellent organizations which play into making Rockwall what it is about, and cited the Rockwall ISD as a leading example.  

Family Circle senior editor Paula Chin said the survey, in its third year, is one of the magazine’s most popular features. She said the focus was on schools this year and only the highest-rated were considered. 

Each community is described by the magazine as “the perfect place to call home.”

“Each of the towns honored is made up of forward thinking leaders, parents, teachers and students who are passionate about their hometown … and involved in advancing their local school systems,” according to Family Circle spokesperson Jim Patterson.

All the communities also do a good job of providing health care to the uninsured and of providing dual-language classrooms, he added.

The survey was conducted by a New York City real estate marketing firm, and compiled by magazine staffers.

By J.J. Smith. U.S. Rep. Ralph Hall (R-Rockwall) revealed to a crowd of about 200 persons gathered Monday for the Memorial Day program at Chandler’s Landing Yacht Club in Rockwall why he voted “No” eight times against the Obama administration’s federal bailout of the nation’s financial institutions.

Hall explained that shortly after Pres. Obama was elected, he sent a letter to the nation’s new leader congratulating him for his election. 

Hall said that he wrote to the President that even though he didn’t vote for Obama, his hometown didn’t vote for him, his district didn’t vote for him and his state didn’t vote for him, that he would nevertheless pledge to do everything he could to help him in his new office.

Soon after the administration’s federal bailout plan passed and was instituted, Hall said he was invited to the White House to meet personally with the President.

It was then that Pres. Obama asked Rep. Hall why he had voted “No” eight times against the federal bailout, especially after Hall had pledged to help him.

Hall said he told the President, ”I marked ”No” eight times because there wasn’t anywhere I could mark ‘Hell No!’”

Other speakers at the ceremony – marked by U.S. Navy jets flying overhead, a rifle salute and the laying of a memorial wreath encircling the U.S. flag on Lake Ray Hubbard - included Rockwall Mayor Bill Cecil, a retired U.S. Air Force veteran and “The Military View” columnist and retired U.S. Army Colonel Jerry Hogan of Heath.

Mayor Cecil told the crowd in a very short speech that he believes we all need to pray for America.

Col. Hogan briefly reviewed the history of the wars during which U.S. servicemen and women have sacrificed their lives for the nation. He told the crowd now that the U.S. is engaged in two wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, he fears our nation’s “warriors” may be in jeopardy of losing U.S. citizens’ support. He asked that citizens continue to express and show their support at events and activities like the Memorial Day program.

Special Memorial Day services will be held today at two locations in Rockwall for the community to attend.

Beginning at 10 am, Rest Haven Memorial Park and Funeral Home will host its 35th annual Memorial Day program, featuring a traditional presentation of the colors, a guest speaker and music by a 32-voice community choir.

Guest speaker will be retired Chaplain and Colonel Lyle R. Metzler, who received numerous awards during his 33-year U.S. Army career, including  the Bronze Star and Purple Heart medals for his heroic actions.

Special music will be provided by the 32-voice “55+ Community Chorus,” organized specifically for Rest Haven’s program by Russ Porter and the Rockwall School of Music.

Leading the presentation of the flag will be the Civil Air Patrol – Lakeshore Composite Squadron, composed of local high school students with interest in serving the nation. American Legion Post #11 and the Tri-County Veterans Honor Guard will also participate. 

 

Flags will be available for families of veterans to place in the cemetery in honor of their loved ones.  Refreshments will be served following the ceremony. 

 

Rest Haven is located at 2500 State Hwy. 66 East, Rockwall, TX. For more information, call 972-771-8641.

 

The 34th annual Chandler’s Landing Yacht and Tennis Club program begins at Noon, featuring a traditional presentation of the colors, a fly-over by U.S. Navy jets, 21-gun salute, singing of the National Anthem, a laying of the colors on a wreath on Lake Ray Hubbard and taps.

 

U.S. Congressman Ralph Hall and Rockwall Mayor Bill Cecil, a retired U.S. Air Force pilot, are scheduled to speak.

 

Call 972-771-2051 for information.