Catholic Charities of Dallas, Inc. Enrollment Solutions Program provides free application assistance and eligibility information regarding available state services such as Food Stamps, TANF (Temporary Assistance to Needy Families), Medicaid, and CHIP (Children’s Health Insurance Program) to Collin County residents. For more information, please contact Lisa Roach at 214-553-9909 extension 134 or lisa@mrs.catholiccharitiesdallas.org.
As we all feel the pinch from rising gas and food prices, we are about to be squeezed a little bit more. I’m sure most of you remember passing the bonds a few years ago to pay for road improvements, a new library, a recreation center, a new fire station, park improvements and a new city hall.
Well, now it’s time to pay up.
According to current fiscal year 2008-2009 budget proposal, city taxes are going to increase 16 cents. Wylie is already burdened with one of the highest city tax rates in Collin County at a rate of 73 cents per $100 home valuation. Next year that rate will be 89 cents. The rate is going to max out at 93 or 94 cents by the 2010-2011 fiscal year.
Also keep in mind that the WISD wants to increase taxes by 12 cents next year and will also be asking voters to pass a bond package that could approach 185 million dollars.
But don’t worry, according to the long range plan, the city tax rate will hit sub 80 cent rates again in 2015.
Buckle up and start saving.
“As an elected county official, I have tried to stay out of municipal races. But when a man of Eric Hogue’s talent and character offers his service, I just can not stay on the sideline. Wylie has a wonderful opportunity to elect a great leader in Eric Hogue!” Joe Barton, Collin County Constable, Precinct 2
I want to thank Mr. Barton for his kind words and his support. I am very excited about the opportunity to serve the citizens of Wylie as your next Mayor. I believe we have so many good things ahead of us; but in order for us to be successful, we must have the support from our county, state and federal officials. As I have said many times before, Wylie is the forgotten city of Collin county, and we need to be in front of these officials to promote our plans for the future of our community. We must have a good, positive relationship with these officials for the betterment of Wylie. They need to know what is happening in Wylie and we need to use our “political muscle” of being the eighth fastest growing city in the nation to get the services and resources needed to enhance our city.
As mayor, I believe my primary focus should be on building a strong network with each and every group and organization that interacts with our city. The Mayor needs to be a positive force in moving Wylie forward.
Thanks again to Constable Barton for his kind words.
For The Promise of Wylie,
Eric Hogue
Early voting begins April 28 - May 6, 2008 at Wylie City Hall and Election Day is May 10, 2008
Billy Meeks is a candidate for Collin County Precinct 2 Constable in the primary election March 4th. Mr. Meeks has been very active in his campaign, but was gracious enough to take some time to answer a few questions for Wylie Today. More information about Billy Meeks can be found on his website, http://www.billymeeks.com.
1) What motivated you to run for Constable this year?
A couple of years ago several people in the area had asked me to look into the possibility of running for Constables. After looking at the situation in the Constable’s office, talking to Constables in other Precincts, officers of the court, and a lot of citizens, I decided this is where I’m needed the most. I have been a public servant for 28 years and I take this job very seriously.
In researching I found areas in the Constable’s office that would benefit from procedures of accountability, up to date methods to improve efficiency and the need to hold the office to a higher standard of professionalism.The skills and experience I’ve gained from over 26 years with the Plano Police Department with 20 years as a detective where I investigated major crimes and death cases, served on the FBI Terrorist Task Force, was the lead investigator assigned to the FBI and DEA Drug Overdose Task Force, gives me all the tools needed to bring the Constable’s office into the 21st century.
2) Why did you choose Precinct 2 over Precinct 3, which is an area you have that you have major support and have worked since 1980?
I have received a lot of support and encouragement from people living in Precinct 3 and am endorsed and supported by the Texas Municipal Police Association, the Plano Police Association and the Collin County Deputies Association, but the need is here in my own backyard. My friends, neighbors and the people I know from Wylie all the way up to Blue Ridge have asked for my help and I can do nothing but respond to that request for help.
In the 20 years that I have lived in Wylie it has changed a great deal. In those 20 years the population has exploded and technology has advanced at an astounding rate. The Constable’s office is just too outdated to be effective. The citizens in Precinct 2 deserve better than that.
3) I have received a lot of feedback regarding the last line of your letter where you state, “With your assistance we can restore integrity to the Constables Office.” How has the current team failed to demonstrate integrity and what are your plans to change that?
Part of integrity is the fair treatment of all citizens whether they are from the family that has lived here a hundred years in the big house on the hill or the young couple that just moved here.
The widow that called and asked for help and was brushed aside, the young woman being violently threatened by her estranged husband was left to fend for herself, these citizens were in dire need of immediate help and their pleas were ignored. The Constable is a Texas Peace Officer and as such it is his duty to preserve the peace by all lawful means and not show favoritism and definitely not just walk away.
In your question you ask how I plan to change that. The answer is simple…by fulfilling ALL the duties of the office, not picking and choosing the easy, safe ones, but ALL the duties.
It has been my honor to serve the citizens of eastern Collin County as Constable since 1989. As this precinct has grown, we have worked hard to keep pace. In 1995, Earl Newsom joined the office as my deputy and this year, we added Gary Edwards as the second deputy. Both of these men brought many years of law enforcement experience with them. Our office has well over 100 years of law enforcement experience.
I, personally, have over thirty-five years of law enforcement experience with twenty-seven years of budget management. While serving with the McKinney police department I was in the number two position as a Lieutenant. I hold a Master Peace Officer Certification and a Civil Proficiency Certificate. I have taught in police academies and Constable schools throughout the state. Both of my deputies also hold Master Peace Officer Certifications and Instructor Licenses, and Deputy Newsom holds a Civil Proficiency Certificate. Deputy Edwards has over twenty-five years as a supervisor with a large Constable’s Office in Dallas County. Deputy Newsom, who has over fifteen years as a supervisor before joining my office, has taught with the Dallas Police Academy, Texas Justice Court Training Center, Collin County Law Enforcement Academy, and with various police departments in Collin County.
I have been very involved in my community serving as the President of Chaparral Rails to Trails, Inc. I am a Past President of Rotary and have perfect attendance for over fifteen years. I have also served on the Planning and Zoning Board of Farmersville, been a member of the Collin County Rape Crisis Center Board of Directors, and served four years on the board of the McKinney Municipal Credit Union, two years as Board Chairman.
I am a strong believer in family values and have been married for thirty-six years to Eva Hartsell Barton. We were blessed with one daughter, Autumn Barton, who is now a graduate of Baylor University and employed by Presbyterian Hospital of Greenville.
With your support, I and my team hope to continue to serving the citizens of Precinct Two in a professional manner for years to come.
Friends and Neighbors,
I am asking for your support in my campaign for Collin County Constable PCT 2 which covers Wylie, St Paul, Lavon, Nevada, Josephine, Copeville, Farmersville, Blue Ridge and the communities east of Lake Lavon.
The Primary Election on March 4th is just around the corner with early voting starting February 19, 2008. It is my goal to meet each of the citizens within the district which is an impossible task without your assistance. I am asking each of you to contact your family, friends and neighbors and share with them my vision and goals as their Constable of Precinct 2.
My message is straightforward……….I will restore professional law enforcement and accountability to this elected position with over 28 years experience to draw from. I served over 26 years with the Plano Police Department with 20 years as a detective where I investigated major crimes and death cases. I also served on the FBI Terrorist Task Force and was the lead investigator assigned to the FBI and DEA Drug Overdose Task Force. I was honored to receive the US Attorney Director Award for serving on the Plano Heroin Task Force and gained valuable experience which will make the Constables Office the leading edge in law enforcement. As a 10 year member of the Texas Municipal Police Association Board of Directors and President of the Plano Police Association, I have the experience and knowledge to forecast, prepare and operate within a balanced budget.
Please visit my Web Site, www.billymeeks.com, to better understand the duties and responsibilities of a Constable, my goals and experience. Personal references include John Mondy, Red Byboth, Jeran Akers, Bill & Ronnie Fetzer, Merrill or Toni Young, Jim Griffin, Gary & Charlotte Bowland, Cliff & Pat Martin, Charles McKay, J. I. Page, Don & Paulette Smith, Keith Stephens, Harold Myers, and Jim Bunger.
With your assistance we can restore integrity to the Constables Office.
Thank You in advance for your continued support,
Billy J Meeks
114 Fairmount Dr,
Wylie, Texas 75098
972- 670- 6758