Proclaiming October 4, 2016 as National Night Out, Teague Aldermen declared their support for the City’s celebration of the annual event, organized by the Teague Police Department, during the September 19th meeting of the Teague City Council.
This year marks the 33rd annual National Night Out crime and drug prevention event, and the first for the City of Teague.
The event is sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch and co-sponsored locally by the Teague Police Department, Neighborhood Watch and the Teague Police Department Citizens Police Academy Alumni.
From 6 to 9 p.m. on October 4th, residents in neighborhoods throughout the City of Teague and across the nation are asked to lock their doors, turn on outside lights and spend the evening outside with neighbors and police.
Many neighborhoods throughout Teague will come together at the City Park, on North 8th Avenue, where there will be many special events including static displays of Police, Fire Department and Emergency Medical Service vehicles, along with hot dogs, hamburgers, popcorn and snow cones.
There will be karaoke at the pavilion and many other events, as well as a moment of prayer for the city and all emergency personnel.
Teague Police Department personnel will be there to visit and provide insight on keeping our city safe. There will be youth activities and anti-crime rallies. The Teague Neighborhood Watch group will also be on location to provide information on how to become involved and start a group on your block.
Designed to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness; generate support for, and participation in, local anti-crime efforts; strengthen neighborhood and law enforcement partnerships; and send a message to criminals letting them know neighborhoods are organized and vigilant, the event is expected to encompass 38.3 million people in participating communities.
Beating out the Economic Development Corporation’s (EDC) bid, Brent Howard was awarded the purchase of the Farmers Market Building in the amount of $16,000.
EDC Board Members Stephanie Burns and Tiffany Maggard addressed the Council regarding the EDC’s request to purchase the property.
Burns and Maggard shared that following the first bidding period, during which time no bids were received, the Board expressed interest in obtaining the property to build a new Director’s office, as well as an office for the Chamber of Commerce.
In addition, the Board proposed to lease retail space to new businesses at a discounted price.
Aldermen declined the EDC’s request, opting instead to award the bid to Mr. Howard, who is currently working on restoring the Satterwhite Building next door.
Mr. Howard told the Council that he would like to use the property for a resale shop, with hopes to open next year.
The 2016-2017 fiscal year budget was approved by unanimous vote, along with an ordinance setting the tax rate at .771846 per $100 valuation.
Aldermen also approved a request from the Kickapoo Indians of El Paso, Texas to cut the cattails at the Teague Lake, pending a signed release of liability as required by the City, for the use of building materials and other uses.
Megan Hempel reporting