Allen Fire Chief Bill Hawley finds job exciting/challenging

By Minnie Payne

Hawley said the city of Allen has everything he's looking for.

Friday, Sept. 5, 2008

Longtime mayor of Allen pleased with city’s economic growth

By Minnie Payne

With developments such as Watters Creek, Allen is currently one of the hottest cities in the Dallas area.

Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2008

Allen City Manager Peter Vargas wants to make a difference

By Minnie Payne

Vargas tries to convey to 650 staff members that they are there to serve the citizens of Allen.

Sunday, Aug. 17, 2008

Denton Mayor Mark Burroughs feels many years of volunteering led him to leadership role

By Minnie Payne

One of Burroughs' goals was to implement the 20-year plan [Denton Plan] that was created in 1999 with years of community input.

Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2008

Frisco Parks & Recreation Director Rick Wieland quick to credit staff

By Minnie Payne

They've ushered in popular new senior adult center and indoor recreation center.

Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2008

Frisco Police Chief Todd Renshaw and officers make a difference in citizens’ lives

By Minnie Payne

"Hiring the right folks and making sure that they're provided with the right tools and training to do a good job is paramount."

Monday, Aug. 4, 2008

Frisco Fire Chief Mack Borchardt places high value on character, integrity and work ethic

By Minnie Payne

"Not too long after becoming a volunteer firefighter, I fell in love with it in 1973."

Saturday, Aug. 2, 2008

People you s“hood” know: North Dallas’ Patricia Porter

By Amy Seslowsky

CEO of North Texas Business for Culture and the Arts, she works to establish relationships between corporations and arts organizations.

Monday, July 28, 2008

Irving City Manager Tommy Gonzalez says city offers many opportunities

By Minnie Payne

Gonzalez loves coming to work every day because of the interaction with employees and the opportunity of recognizing them for exceptional services.

Saturday, July 26, 2008

Frisco Mayor Maher Maso’s goals for city are quality of life oriented

By Minnie Payne

Frisco's population as of July 1 was 101,393, and it's the seventh fastest growing city in the United States.

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Frisco City Manager George Purefoy’s goal is finding right mix of government for city as it grows

By Minnie Payne

Frisco's present general fund budget for police, fire, streets, parks and library is $70 million, but if you add in water, sewer and sanitation, it's closer to $140 million total.

Friday, July 18, 2008

People you s“hood” know: Irving Heritage District’s Lorraine Taylor

By Catherine Cuellar

She doesn't just serve as president of the Heritage District Neighborhood Association and chair of the arts board. She also lives in the "mayor's house."

Monday, July 7, 2008

People you s“hood” know: Richardson’s Clara Borja Hinojosa

By Catherine Cuellar

The Mexico Institute's founding director expresses her creativity by connecting people.

Sunday, June 29, 2008

Flower Mound Fire Chief Eric Metzger achieves lifelong dream of being firefighter

By Minnie Payne

Eric Metzger has watched the town grow to over 62,500 people, creating the need for five fire stations.

Monday, June 23, 2008

People you s“hood” know: Bishop Arts District’s Rob Shearer

By Scott Guthrie

Just as Big Bird is an ambassador for Sesame Street, Rob Shearer is north Oak Cliff's go-to guy.

Sunday, June 22, 2008

Two-time Superbowl winner Ray Crockett wheels around Dallas for FX series 30 Days

By Mike Orren

Crockett takes on role of paraplegic -- He's genuinely moved and moving.

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Audio from the Herb Kelleher and Colleen Barrett gala tribute at Frontiers of Flight Museum

"The people of Southwest Airlines have always done well for themselves by doing well for others."

By John P. Meyer

In which Mayor Leppert, Senator Hutchison, Governor Perry and Southwest Airlines CEO Gary Kelly get to stand up and talk. And so does Herb.

Monday, June 2, 2008

People you s“hood” know: Elmwood’s Stuart Sikes

As seen in Tape Op Magazine

By Frank Pittenger

Grammy-winning Plano East alumnus has recorded the Happy Bullets, Pleasant Grove, and Chan Marshall in his Oak Cliff digs.

Sunday, June 1, 2008

Outgoing Southwest Airlines execs honored - in grand style - at Dallas’ Frontiers of Flight Museum

Oh, yeah: Gov. Perry, Sen. Hutchison and Mayor Leppert were there, too.

By John P. Meyer

Former Chairman and President Herb Kelleher and soon-to-be ex-President Colleen Barrett headlined the gala museum fundraiser.

Saturday, May 31, 2008

McKinney Parks and Recreation Director Lemuel Randolph tries to instill commitment of service and integrity to 75 staff members

By Minnie Payne

The city of McKinney's Parks and Recreation Department has 75 staff member and currently operates on a $7.9 million annual budget.

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

People you s“hood” know: Oak Lawn’s Pam Gerber

By Catherine Cuellar

In the eight years since she moved to Dallas, Pam Gerber has become a godmother-like figure in her 'hood.

Monday, May 26, 2008

New McKinney City Manager Frank Ragan looks forward to helping city grow, while maintaining charming atmosphere

By Minnie Payne

"I love to lead in a way that helps a community grow and become a better place for people to live."

Monday, May 19, 2008

Irving Mayoral Candidate Roland Jeter wants to improve quality of life in neighborhoods and city

By Minnie Payne

Irving native says immigration enforcement is key to public safety.

Monday, April 28, 2008

McKinney Mayor Bill Whitfield hopes to get air service to city

By Minnie Payne

And the way to get that ball rolling is to get construction started on the main runway of the McKinney Airport.

Monday, April 21, 2008

McKinney Fire Chief Mark Wallace stresses fire education

By Minnie Payne

"If people aren't careful in their fire prevention, we're going to have a fire."

Monday, March 31, 2008

Irving Parks and Recreation Director Chris Michalski stresses good service to Irving residents

By Minnie Payne

Chris Michalski chose the field of Parks and Recreation because he felt he would enjoy it for an extended period of time.

Friday, March 21, 2008

The Catholic Foundation bestows annual award to Dallas investor Oliver McGonigle

By Pegasus News wire

Award to be presented during the 2008 Catholic Foundation Award Dinner.

Monday, March 10, 2008

Irving Fire Chief Mario Molina is thankful for mentors

By Minnie Payne

Molina attributes his position as Irving Fire Chief to many mentors, particularly Carrollton Fire Chief John Murphy.

Thursday, March 6, 2008

Vintage WWII bombers set their (Norden) sights on Dallas

Frontiers of Flight Museum to host Collings Foundation aircraft for ten days in March.

Rick Brown and John P. Meyer

Warbirds on Lemmon? Not quite, but they will be on the tarmac at Love Field and flying in the skies overhead. (Wanna hitch a ride? You can... for a price.)

Thursday, March 6, 2008

Under Irving Police Chief Larry Boyd’s directon, Irving has lowest crime rate on record

By Minnie Payne

Boyd's dream when he was growing up was to become a police officer.

Monday, March 3, 2008

Farmers Branch businessman Gene Bledsoe announces candidacy for mayor

By Minnie Payne

Gene Bledsoe hopes to heal a divided city by getting all Farmers Branch citizens involved.

Monday, Feb. 25, 2008

Developer gives homes in Richardson Heights a thoughtful rebirth

By Andrew Laska

What caught my eye about Peter Livingston is that he treats the houses as elements that have a life of their own within the greater life of a neighborhood and city.

Saturday, Jan. 19, 2008

Denton Fire Chief Ross Chadwick and his firefighters are dedicated to community

By Minnie Payne

"Because many of the firefighters have lived in the Denton area most of their lives, they're really dedicated to the community."

Monday, Jan. 14, 2008

Roy W. Minter, Jr., Denton’s first black police chief, stresses high level of service to his police officers

By Minnie Payne

"Our customers are the public, and we have to keep that in mind and make sure that we deliver the highest level of service to our customer base."

Thursday, Jan. 10, 2008

Fort Worth family goes entrepreneurial in cancer fight

By Gloria Pickett

Family turns to e-commerce to raise money for operations.

Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2008

North Texan profile: Marvin Krieger - man of many parts

Rick Brown

In which one veteran WWII pilot expresses his appreciation for a fellow airman, and forwards along a letter of thanks from Buckingham Palace.

Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2008

Denton Parks & Recreation Director Emerson Vorel responds to citizens’ requests

By Minnie Payne

"In the Parks & Recreation Department, we try to stay in tune with our citizens to make sure that the projects, programs and classes citizens are interested in are carried out."

Saturday, Dec. 29, 2007

Denton Mayor Perry McNeill welcomes growth, but strives to maintain city’s ambience

By Minnie Payne

Compared to sister cities in the metroplex, McNeill said that Denton is complete in that it has higher education, retail, and manufacturing.

Thursday, Dec. 13, 2007

Addison City Manager Ron Whitehead comfortable in “people management”

By Minnie Payne

Whitehead's dad understood service and instilled that in him.

Saturday, Dec. 1, 2007

Dallas Peace Center’s 2007 Peacemaker of the Year Award goes to Farmers Branch immigration activist Elizabeth Villafranca

By Minnie Payne

Activist/volunteer Elizabeth Villafranca fought tirelessly to preserve the civil rights of immigrants.

Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2007