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HomeMy WebLinkAboutReporter February 2013©City of Georgetown,2013 VOL.10 •NO.2 A Publication of the City of Georgetown February 2013 John Sullivan,an assis- tant fire chief from a fire department in southern Arizona,is to take the oath in January as Georgetown’s new fire chief. Sullivan has nearly 20 years of experience with the Golder Ranch Fire District north of Tucson, Arizona.The district has eight fire stations,154 employees,an annual budget of $18 million,and serves a 210-square-mile area including the city of Oro Valley,Sun City Oro Valley,and the SaddleBrooke retirement community. After a nationwide search including 90 applicants,City Manager Paul Brandenburg selected Sullivan as the top can- didate.“We were look- ing for someone who is aggressive,innovative, a leader,a good com- municator,with budget experience,and someone who had been there already in dealing with a larger organization.” Sullivan is a certified paramedic and holds several other certifications for incident command,fire inspections, and public information.His experi- ence also includes budgeting,ISO rating audits,fire investigations, grant administration,IT services, media relations,and community outreach. Sullivan has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from University of Phoenix and a mas- ter’s degree in fire administration from Arizona State University.He graduated with honors for both degrees. As Georgetown’s fire chief,Sullivan will lead a department with five fire stations,88 employees,and a budg- et of $9.4 million.The Georgetown Fire Department serves an emer- gency service district encompassing 138 square miles. Sullivan was hired following the retirement of Robert Fite in November.Fite served as fire chief for four years and recently accepted a position as fire chief in Grand Prairie.Assistant Fire Chief Clay Shell served as interim chief. The new station was built on property the City acquired next to the old sta- tion,which allows fire trucks to exit directly onto Williams Drive,improv- ing visibility for cross traffic.Fire Station 2 houses an engine company as well a haz-mat unit.It provides coverage for much of the central part of the city and downtown. The new station includes individual dorm rooms for five firefighters and space for one more in the future,plus a private dorm and an office for both a battalion chief and a lieutenant.The station includes a larger kitchen,day- room,and dining room,as well as a fitness room.Fire Station 2 was designed by KAHickman Architecture and built by Chasco Constructors. The new and improved version of Fire Station 2 on Williams Drive at Central Drive is scheduled to open in February.The 8,300 square-foot facil- ity was constructed next to the old 1,600 square foot-station,which will be torn down. The old Fire Station 2,with 900 square feet of living quarters,was built in 1975 to be staffed by one firefight- er who lived at the station with his family.It had one bathroom,a shared open dorm area,two truck bays,and a history of maintenance problems.A 2011 study determined it would be more cost effective to tear down the old station and build new instead of expanding. New chief from Arizona Register now for the 18th annual Cupid’s Chase 5k and Fun Run on Saturday,February 2.The chip- timed 5k run/walk begins at 8:30 a.m.in downtown Georgetown at Seventh and Main streets and ends at the Bark Park on Holly Street.(A shuttle will take you back to the starting line.)New this year,a 0.25- mile Kids Fun Run for children age 8 or younger starts at 8 a.m.The Kids Fun Run is a loop around the Courthouse. For the 5k,registration received on or before January 11 is $17 for those 13 or older and $15 for sen- iors (55+)and children 12 and under.January 12 through 30,the registration cost is $22 for all age groups.Registration at packet pick- up and race day is $25 per person for all age groups. For the Kids Fun Run,registration on or before January 30 is $10 per person.On packet pickup and race day,the cost is $15 per person. Participants in the 5k and the Kids Fun Run receive a Cupid’s Chase Love ‘Em or Leave ‘Em T-shirt, while supplies last.Dogs on a leash are always welcome on the Cupid’s Chase course. Cupid’s Chase is sponsored by Georgetown Parks and Recreation. For details about the event,includ- ing a race map,or to register online, go to cupid.georgetown.org.For details,contact Erin Ruyle at Erin.Ruyle@georgetown.org or (512)930-8459. Love ‘Em or Leave ‘Em Cupid’s Chase 5k Fire Chief John Sullivan Fire Station 2.0 Discover the latest news about the city at www.georgetown.org February Events The Palace Theater Dearly Beloved,Jan.11 -Feb.3 South Pacific,Feb.22 –Mar.24 Details at GeorgetownPalace.com,or call (512)869-7469. First Friday,February 1 Downtown live music,shops,and restaurants are open late.See the Downtown Georgetown Association website at TheGeorgetownSquare.com. Fat Tuesday Games Day,February 12 Sponsored by the San Gabriel Woman’s Club,this 6th annual fundraiser starts with a 9:30 a.m. breakfast and games from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.with a lunch break. The Games Day event is at the Community Center,445 E. Morrow Street in San Gabriel Park. Games include party bridge,sanc- tioned duplicate bridge,dominoes, canasta,Mexican train,and mahjongg,or bring your own games and players.Cost is $20 for breakfast,lunch,and games or $10 for lunch only.Cash prizes,door prizes,raffle,and a country store. Proceeds benefit high school schol- arships and other local charities. The Georgetown City Reporter isa publicationoftheCityofGeorgetownPublicCommunicationsDepartment,P.O.Box 409,Georgetown,Texas,78627.For questions or comments,contact KeithHutchinson,public communicationsmanager,at(512)930-3690 or by emailatkeith.hutchinson@georgetown.org. The annual Art for Animals benefit for the City of Georgetown Animal Shelter will be on Saturday, February 9—just before Valentine’s Day.The fundraiser,sponsored by the Friends of the Georgetown Animal Shelter,will be from 4 to 7 p.m.at the Community Center at 445 E.Morrow Street in San Gabriel Park. Held previously in October,Art for Animals:Wine,Chocolate,and Amore,moves this year to February and a Valentine’s Day theme.At the event enjoy art,wine or other bever- ages,and chocolate desserts—the perfect combination for animal lovers.A silent auction of artwork includes chairs turned into works-of- (512)930-3527,or by email at Jackie.Carey@georgetown.org. Tickets can be purchased at the Visitor Center,103 W.Seventh Street;Georgetown Animal Shelter, 110 W.L.Walden Drive;or Framers Gallery,610 S.Main Street.The City of Georgetown Animal Shelter is located at 110 W.L.Walden Drive next to the McMaster Athletic Complex.The shelter website is pets.georgetown.org. art in a special “chair-ity”section of the auction. Tickets are $7 per person (or $10 at the door),which includes light appetizers,chocolate desserts,and beverages.Wine tickets will be sold at the door. This year there will be a silent auc- tion and raffle,but no live auction. Themed gift baskets (e.g.,golf out- ing,spa weekend)will be raffled at the event.For $10,each attendee will receive 25 tickets that can be apportioned to the available gift bas- kets as desired. To donate a gift basket or artwork, contact Jackie Carey,manager at the Georgetown Animal Shelter,at With love for our furry friends Art forAnimals Saturday,February 9 John Zamarripa Energy Services Supervisor Georgetown Utility Systems Supervisor of the Year Paul Elkins Energy Services Manager Georgetown Utility Systems Manager of the Year Cari Miller Tourism CVB Manager Convention and Visitors Bureau Manager of the Year Chris Foster Utilities Financial Analyst Finance and Administration Employee of the Year Anthony Rector Victim Services Coordinator Georgetown Police Department Employee of the Year Robert Barber Library Assistant Georgetown Public Library Employee of the Year Chris Pousson Water Services Technical Specialist Georgetown Utility Systems Customer Service Employee of the Year City of Georgetown 2012 Employee Awards