Monitor Photo/Ashlee Sawyer
Joseph Lindaman (left) accepts a firemans axe from Gun Barrel City Mayor Brian Crull during the March 25 city council meeting where he was recognized for his 22 years of service with the fire department.  

Monitor Photo/Ashlee Sawyer
Joseph Lindman displays the fireman’s axe presented to him during the March 25 city council meeting. Lindaman was also presented with an American flag flown over the Texas Capitol and a certificate from State Representative Keith Bell.

GUN BARREL CITY—A retirement recognition was held for Joseph Lindaman, who served with the Gun Barrel Fire Department for 22 years, during the March 25 city council meeting. City Manager Dr. Angie Smith and Mayor Brian Crull shared heartwarming and comical stories from encounters with Chief Lindaman and also presented him with a flag that was flown over the state capitol provided by State Representative Keith Bell, and a fireman’s axe presented by Crull. Lindaman will be greatly missed by the city and all those that worked with him. 
The council also approved a proclamation proclaiming April as Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention month. The proclamation reads in part, “Child abuse and neglect not only directly harms children, but also increases the likelihood of long-term physical and mental health problems, alcohol and substance abuse, criminal behavior and poverty. Child maltreatment is a community problem and finding solutions depends on involvement among people throughout the community. It is a time to focus on ways not only to protect children but to prevent abuse from ever occurring and this is our opportunity to make a difference in young lives.” Executive Director of the Henderson County HELP Center and Maggie’s House Leslie Saunders shared with the council that in fiscal year 2024 the State of Texas completed 232,176 investigations of child abuse or neglect, with 702 investigations with Child Protective Services/Investigations in Henderson County, 347 children served with a Court Appointed Special Advocated (CASA) and 413 children receiving services at Maggie’s House A Child Advocacy Center. 
In other business, the council:
• Heard presentations of quarterly department reports including fire, streets and park maintenance.
• Heard an annual report as required by Senate Bill 1074 regarding racial profiling by Police Chief Keith Stephens. Stephens reported zero racial complaints filed.   
• Approved the adoption of Ordinance No. O-2025-004 purchasing policies by and through a purchasing manual. 
• Approved the 2024 Gun Barrel City Investment Policy. 
• Approved the 2024 Gun Barrel City Financial Policy. 
• Approved a request to replat eight lots, Lots 73, 74, 77, 78, 81, 82, 85, and 86 in the Siesta Shores Subdivision, Section 1, Block F in the B. Medro survey, A-483, owned by Francisco Gutierrez & Lorena Cardenas Garcia, into a single lot: Lot 73-R. 
• Approved a service agreement with B-Weiss Entertainment Group, LLC., in an amount not to exceed $151,102.75 for JulyFest 2025.