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HomeMy WebLinkAboutreporter.feb05© City of Georgetown, 2005 Employees, Top Performers Recognized Each December, the City recognizes all of its employees and presents awards to those who exemplify the highest levels of customer service, innovation, and hard work. Pictured are those who won City-wide awards at the Recognition Lunch on Dec. 10. Those receiving Division Employee of the Year awards include Aaron Sweeten, Jery Hink, Mike Maldanado, Ashlee Carmichael, David Scurlock, John Torrez, Jeanie Connally, Paula Dessler, Jeremy Chapman, Darrel Warren, Karrie Pursley, Nestor Rubalcava and Sally Bernier. In addition, awards were presented to employees with five, 10, 15, and 20 years of service. As a way to memorialize a family pet and raise money, Georgetown Animal Services is selling engraved Memory Bricks that will be used for the entry patio at the new shelter currently under construction. Each brick can be engraved with the name of a beloved pet and could also include names of pet owners. Animal Shelter Manager Jackie Carey hopes to sell hundreds of engraved red bricks that will be used in the 400 square foot entry patio for the new shelter. Her goal for the Memory Brick sales is $10,000, which will provide funds to finish out a second dog kennel at the Shelter. Though two dog Memory Bricks Animal Shelter for new kennel buildings are currently being constructed at the new shelter, only one will be completely finished out with interior and exterior walls. Funds from the Memory Brick sales will help pay for the second kennel structure to be completely finished. “This is a nice way to create a lasting tribute to your pet,” said Animal Shelter Manager Jackie Carey. “And the sales from the Memory Bricks will enable us to complete the final phase of con- struction on the new shelter and help us to make the lives of the animals here more comfortable.” Two sizes of Memory Bricks are available. The 4 by 8 inch size is $40, and the 8 by 8 inch size is $80. To purchase a Memory Brick, contact the Georgetown Animal Shelter at (512) 930-3592. The Animal Shelter is located on Walden Drive just north of the McMaster Athletic Complex on N. College Street. GEORGETOWN READS! Discussion groups planned for “The Tortilla Curtain” The library’s “one book, one com- munity” program called GEORGE- TOWN READS! is gearing up. Groups are forming to discuss this acclaimed story of immigration and the wealth-poverty divide. Go to the library’s web site at www.georgetowntex.org to read, print, and download a packet of information that includes biographi- cal information about the author, discussion questions, and discussion guidelines for facilitators. The following discussion groups have been confirmed and are open to the public: Saturday, Jan. 29, 2-4 p.m.at Hill Country Bookstore, led by author Jean Brashear Thursday, Feb. 17, 2:00 p.m.at the Georgetown Public Library. Thursday, March 3, 7 p.m.at Main Street Baptist Church, led by author Joan Hall Wednesday, March 9, 6:30-8:00 p.m., St. John’s Lutheran Church Friday, March 11, 10:00 a.m., Duke’s Smokehouse, Newcomers Book Discussion (anyone may attend, not just newcomers!) VOL.3 • NO.2 A Publication of the City of Georgetown February 2005 Financial Report Wins Award For the 17th year in a row, the City has won an award for its end- of-the-year financial report. The national award by the Government Finance Officers Association was for the report covering the fiscal year ending September 30, 2003. “This award is especially notable since it recognizes the financial statements issued under a new reporting model with a whole set of new requirements,” says Finance Division Director Micki Rundell. “Controller Laurie Brewer and the entire Accounting Department team are to be congratulated on their achievement.” Kathy Ragsdale, Manager of the Year presented by Paul Brandenburg, City Manager Charlotte Parker, Safety Employee of the Year presented by Paul Brandenburg Walter Koopmann, Supervisor of the Year presented by Jim Briggs, Assistant City Manager for Utilities Cindy Pospisil, City-Wide Employee of the Year Discover the latest news about the city at www.georgetown.org The Georgetown City Reporter is a publication of the City of Georgetown Public Information Office located in City Hall, 113 E. 8th Street, Georgetown, Texas, 78626. If you have questions or comments, contact Keith Hutchinson, Public Information Officer for the City of Georgetown at (512) 930-3690, or by email at khutchinson@georgetowntx.org. Georgetown Mayor Gary Nelon and other City leaders introduced a new logo for Georgetown in a communi- ty event at The Palace Theater on January 4. “The new logo or ‘brand’ wonderfully captures Georgetown’s spirit,” says Mayor Nelon. “Those of us who were involved in creating the new brand are excited about it, and we hope the whole community shares in that excitement.” The primary reason for developing the new logo and accompanying “tagline” was to create an image that represents Georgetown’s essential identity in order to create a consistent message for the City’s tourism and economic development efforts. GX Creative Communications, an advertising and design firm in Georgetown, designed the new logo after gathering input through a multi-step process last year. “Previously, the City seal and a variety of different logos or icons could be found on the City’s web site and publications,” says Shelly Hargrove, Tourism Director and Main Street Program manager for the City. “The Main Street Advisory Board recognized the need to develop a single brand that can be used by businesses, nonprofits, and the City.” After the Main Street board secured funding from the City Council in 2003 for the cre- ation of a new brand, GX Creative was selected as the design firm. Christopher Damon, who is a part- ner with GX Creative, says that distilling the essential element or emotion an entire community was a challenge. Three community vision- ing sessions in October involving more than 85 community members provided the basis of the new brand. “People got very passionate when asked to describe what they loved most about Georgetown,” Damon says. Those in the visioning sessions used words like ‘caring community,’ ‘warm neighborhoods,’ ‘friendships,’ ‘nurturing,’ ‘welcoming,’ ‘home- town,’ and ‘unique’ to describe living in Georgetown. The visioning sessions were synthesized by a Task Force of community leaders who worked with GX Creative to develop the new brand. The Task Force includes Mayor Nelon, Cox Communication’s Cesar Gutierrez, local builder Jack Hunnicutt, Sun City General Manager Gary Newman, Georgetown Chamber of Commerce President Mel Pendland, Georgetown Healthcare System Board Chair Dr. Stephen Schaefer, Southwestern University President Jake Schrum, Williamson County Sun Editor Linda Scarbrough, Downtown Georgetown Association President Ellie Skross, and Simon Property Group’s Diane Sweeney. In the process of working with the Task Force to develop the logo and tagline, it became clear that, “The personal touch—the intimate quality of life Georgetown offers—was the emotion around which our brand should be focused,” Damon says. The primary elements of the design are the “Sincerely Yours” tagline and the cursive, handwritten ‘G,’ both of which honor the past while conveying feelings of warmth and sincerity. The new logo will be incorporated into the City’s websites and intro- duced on City business cards, signs, vehicles, and other items in the coming months with existing budgets. Use of the new brand by other organizations and businesses in Georgetown is also encouraged and detailed in a co-branding licensing agreement. Contact the Convention and Visitors Bureau at (512) 930-3545 or cvb@georgetowntx.org for details. New logo for Georgetown Drive Collects 100 Blankets for Needy Georgetown Utility Systems and Wal-Mart co-sponsored a blanket drive over the holidays to help those in need in the Georgetown area. More than 100 blankets were collected in donation bins and distributed by the Caring Place to people who sought help. Wal-Mart donated 23 blankets for the drive. Pictured are Doug Smith, Chair of the Georgetown Utility Systems Advisory Board; Holly Doggett, Executive Director for The Caring Place, and Rachel Osgood with Georgetown Utility Systems. Lace up your running shoes and get ready for the 10th annual Cupid’s Chase, a 5K run/walk sponsored by Georgetown Parks and Recreation. The race begins at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 5. Whether you’re a serious, competi- tive winner or just want to get out and have some fun, all are welcome to join this annual tradition. The course is USA Track & Field- certified and begins at the intersec- tion of San Gabriel Village Blvd. and the I-35 access road. The scenic race course follows the hike and bike trail through San Gabriel Park and ends at Blue Hole Park. Overall male and female winners will receive a trophy and a free pair of shoes from Foot Dynamics. Each age division will receive a trophy for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place. 10th Annual Cupid’s Chase 5K Run/Walk Race on Feb. 5 Registration Fee: Before Jan. 31—$15 for those 13 & up; $10 for seniors (55+); $10 for children 12 & under January 31 to February 4—$20 Race Day, February 5—$25 For details on race information and registration, contact the Georgetown Parks and Recreation Department at (512) 930-3595.