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Christmas
parades through Gun Barrel City
By Kerry Yancey
Monitor Staff Writer
GUN BARREL CITY– It was probably the largest turnout so far for the Greater
Cedar Creek Lake Area Christmas parade and the temperatures bounced back up
to the 50s after hovering around freezing earlier in the week.
Clear skies made for a marvelously painted sunset sky for the start of the
evening parade down West Main Street in Gun Barrel City.
A total of 86 entries in seven categories competed for trophies.
“It was the biggest parade we’ve had,” parade organizer Merritt Harpole told
The Monitor.
“These were the best quality floats with lots of creative decorating going
into them.
“There were some great entries,” he said.
Yes, judges had a tough job this year picking the top three in each
category, but somehow they did it.
The results are listed by category, and first, second and third place.
City/Community
• Seven Points
• Tool
• Tamarack POA
Business
• Hochheim Prairie/Moseley -Groom Insurance
• The Dance Connection
• Janna B’s Sweet Shop
Church
• Pathway Community, for the second year in a row
• Cedar Creek Lake United Methodist Church in Tool
• Church of the Nazarene
Civic
• Library at Cedar Creek Lake
• Parrot Head Club
• Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors
Auto
• Classic Rod Runners
• CC Model A Ford Club
• Tri-County Ford
Equestrian
• Party Ponies
• Bud Underwood Family
• Henry and Sleigh
Marching/drill team
• Mabank High School Band
• MHS Pantherettes
• Mesquite High School Color Guard
Monitor Photo/Kerry Yancey
Santa Claus rang festive bells in response to the warm welcome
parade watchers gave as he rode by, high atop his sleigh in the air.
No 8-liners allowed
By Barbara Gartman
Monitor Staff Writer
TOOL–A public hearing on 8-liners was unattended
by those either for or against the gaming machines.
“This matter has been on our table for about four months,” Mayor Scott
Confer said, adding it was time to take care of business.
An auditorium full of empty chairs greeted the mayor and city council at the
special meeting Thursday.
Confer called the meeting at 7:10 p.m.
He waited approximately 15 minutes, in case someone showed up, before
closing the hearing.
A vote to change the zoning ordinance to eliminate 8-liners within the city
limits was taken with no opposition.
In other business, council members:
• replaced the old Dangerous Building Ordinance with a new version.
The new regulations will give the city more power to condemn and remove
unsafe, old and abandoned buildings.
The city attorney reviewed the new rules, and except for an administration
fee of $400, (which the attorney struck) was approved, Confer said.
The procedures give ample opportunity for property owners to respond, he
added.
Funds have already been appropriated in the budget to pay for the removel of
unsafe structures, he pointed out.
“This is something we have needed for a long time,” Councilman A. J. “Red”
Phillips said. City fills seat
on EDC board
By Pearl Cantrell
Monitor Staff Writer
GUN BARREL CITY–The Gun Barrel City council appointed three people to fill
spots on the city’s Economic Development Corporation and its Planning &
Zoning Commission Tuesday.
Attempts were also made to fill the council seat vacated by James Jacobs.
However, as it was pointed out in November, the council had only 30 days to
fill it by appointment. That deadline came the day before Thanksgiving.
Afterwards, it would have to be filled by special election on the next
uniform election date – the first Saturday in May.
The city council appointed John Delay, a 31-year veteran as an insurance
agent with 15 years experience in real estate investments, and Chris
Anderson, a real estate agent with Excite Realty, who holds a college degree
in engineering.
Their appointments were almost deferred, due to their absence from the
meeting. However, councilwoman Kathy Cochran argued their presence was not
required and perhaps they were not informed of the agenda.
Cochran added that at least one P&Z member planned to resign, and was only
holding on to maintain a quorum, so business could be conducted.
The council also filled one of two vacant seats on the EDC.
Two applicants were present for consideration, however, the council was
split over seating Sandy Janow.
Councilman Marty Goss took issue with Janow’s assessment of the city’s major
problem – the city manager.
The other candidate, G. Dean Wright Jr. of Evergreen Dr., won quick
approval.
Wright describes himself as a mortgage banker/real estate investor, who
holds a degree in business. He’s the owner of United American Mortgage.
In other business, the council:
• approved a replat of Lots 966 and 967 in Tamarack at 132 Bayview Street to
build a carport on Lot 966. Two citizens testified in favor of the move
during the public hearing.
• authorized the city manager to research/draft an ordinance to establish a
one-mile distance between the residence of any sexual predator and any
school, church and/or known gathering place of children
• authorized the city manager to research/draft an ordinance regarding an
excessive animal permit to provide foster care, adoption and rescue services
for dogs and cats.
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