Citizens for Whitehouse Texas Advisory Group

11/03/2019

Welcome Leslie!! We are so happy to have you join our Great City of Whitehouse!! Can’t wait to meet you!

City of Whitehouse is proud to announce the appointment of Leslie Black as City Manager. Please help us welcome her to Whitehouse.

WHITEHOUSE, TX (Nov. 1, 2019) – Mayor Charles Parker has announced that Leslie Black will become Whitehouse’s next City Manager.

“I am truly excited for the future of our city to welcome Leslie Black to our community as our new city manager. She will bring a ton of energy, drive, and initiative, and will push Whitehouse forward toward our vision. We believe that her professionalism and knowledge are key ingredients to our future success”, said Mayor Parker

A highly experienced City Management professional, Black comes to Whitehouse from the Town of Sunnyvale, Texas, where she has served for eight years as the Interim Town Manager, Assistant Town Manager, and Town Secretary. Prior to Sunnyvale, Black served in the cities of Kaufman and Belton.

Black obtained her master’s degree in public administration from Columbus State University, and a bachelor’s degree in public administration from Stephen F. Austin State University.

Black said, “I am honored to have been chosen as the City Manager for the City of Whitehouse from such a competitive group of candidates. My family and I are excited to return to the East Texas area and continue the great work in the community.”

Black added, “I want to thank the City Council, the City staff, and community leaders who had a hand in this important decision. I look forward to getting started very soon.”

“We are very happy for the City of Whitehouse as they have made an excellent choice in their selection of a City Manager,” said Sunnyvale Town Manager Susan Guthrie. “Leslie will be truly missed. She has made significant contributions to the Town during her years of service.”

The City selected a panel of local executives to assist in conducting the extensive search that resulted in an impressive candidate pool. Mayor Parker said, “I want to especially thank our distinguished panel of professional volunteers who took time from their professions to help our city. The committee screened and interviewed a large pool of candidates to assure that the City Council made the best choice in our selection.” The panel of distinguished representatives consisted of Jim Nipp President of The Genesis Group, County Judge Nathanial Moran, Ernie LaFlure former Vice President of EOG Resources, Billy Moss owner of Moss Concrete, and Melissa Hines Human Resources Manager of Jasper Ventures.

Additionally, Interim City Manager Jennifer Lusk was key in coordinating and scheduling candidates, and helping the council and the committee throughout this process. “Jennifer has filled the vacancy incredibly well during our vacancy. I am very thankful for how she stepped up to help us in so many ways. She is a tremendous asset for our city”, said Mayor Parker

Black will begin her duties on Dec. 2nd. An opportunity to meet the new City Manager and Chief will be held on Dec. 4th from 4pm – 6pm, at Montez Creekside Kitchen, 1010 Hwy 110 North, Whitehouse.

11/03/2019

Welcome Leslie!! We are excited to have you join the City if Whitehouse!!!

City of Whitehouse is proud to announce the appointment of Leslie Black as City Manager. Please help us welcome her to Whitehouse.

WHITEHOUSE, TX (Nov. 1, 2019) – Mayor Charles Parker has announced that Leslie Black will become Whitehouse’s next City Manager.

“I am truly excited for the future of our city to welcome Leslie Black to our community as our new city manager. She will bring a ton of energy, drive, and initiative, and will push Whitehouse forward toward our vision. We believe that her professionalism and knowledge are key ingredients to our future success”, said Mayor Parker

A highly experienced City Management professional, Black comes to Whitehouse from the Town of Sunnyvale, Texas, where she has served for eight years as the Interim Town Manager, Assistant Town Manager, and Town Secretary. Prior to Sunnyvale, Black served in the cities of Kaufman and Belton.

Black obtained her master’s degree in public administration from Columbus State University, and a bachelor’s degree in public administration from Stephen F. Austin State University.

Black said, “I am honored to have been chosen as the City Manager for the City of Whitehouse from such a competitive group of candidates. My family and I are excited to return to the East Texas area and continue the great work in the community.”

Black added, “I want to thank the City Council, the City staff, and community leaders who had a hand in this important decision. I look forward to getting started very soon.”

“We are very happy for the City of Whitehouse as they have made an excellent choice in their selection of a City Manager,” said Sunnyvale Town Manager Susan Guthrie. “Leslie will be truly missed. She has made significant contributions to the Town during her years of service.”

The City selected a panel of local executives to assist in conducting the extensive search that resulted in an impressive candidate pool. Mayor Parker said, “I want to especially thank our distinguished panel of professional volunteers who took time from their professions to help our city. The committee screened and interviewed a large pool of candidates to assure that the City Council made the best choice in our selection.” The panel of distinguished representatives consisted of Jim Nipp President of The Genesis Group, County Judge Nathanial Moran, Ernie LaFlure former Vice President of EOG Resources, Billy Moss owner of Moss Concrete, and Melissa Hines Human Resources Manager of Jasper Ventures.

Additionally, Interim City Manager Jennifer Lusk was key in coordinating and scheduling candidates, and helping the council and the committee throughout this process. “Jennifer has filled the vacancy incredibly well during our vacancy. I am very thankful for how she stepped up to help us in so many ways. She is a tremendous asset for our city”, said Mayor Parker

Black will begin her duties on Dec. 2nd. An opportunity to meet the new City Manager and Chief will be held on Dec. 4th from 4pm – 6pm, at Montez Creekside Kitchen, 1010 Hwy 110 North, Whitehouse.

10/19/2019

https://www.facebook.com/184011725434226/posts/692625271239533?sfns=mo

Thank you for joining us! This year's event is at the CITY PARK located at 309 E Main St. Whitehouse TX 75791. Based on last year's attendance you can expect to see several thousand trick-or-treaters! Often, families arrive early so we ask that you be ready to go before 5pm. We will have a site plan...

10/01/2019

Come to Mr Tacos house!!! On 346 In front of Whitehouse church of Christ!!

09/29/2019

Update 1: CIty of Whitehouse Council Meeting September 24th, 2019

***Sorry guys...trying to find time to write and get you all an update in between! There are SO many updates to give, but here’s part 1!
-Dawn Melton

Highlights:
Halloween in the Park is set for Thursday, October 31st. It will be in collaboration between The City of Whitehouse and The REC. Monsters Inc being shown on a screen in the grassy area used for soccer a soccer field. 40+ local vendors will have booths and will be passing out candy in the Park. The REC will also be hosting activities and passing out candy inside. Park Booth Trick or Treating will begin at 6pm and the movie will begin around 7pm with a finishing time estimated for 8:45pm so it should allow the kiddos to get to bed in time on a school night! 😊

Mike Lowe on Memory Lane reported that the radar stationary unit seemed to be helping with speeding and thanked the council. He also presented to the council his services to pressure wash the city building for free to help out.

Bid on Hwy 110N Water Main upgrade project awarded:
A sealed bid by Duplichain Contractors was considered ($184,935), but Capps-Capco Construction’s bid ($176,531) was awarded the project. It was brought up by Mayor Parker that he had received phone calls by other Contractors after the bidding period closed regarding their concerns that the bidding process had put them at an “unfair advantage”, but the council discussed that all processes had been followed and the bids were sealed per the requirements. The council felt that Capps-Capco had performed well in the past and the the lower bid was a more cost effective choice as well.

The proposal of doubling traffic fines to control speeding in the high traffic residential areas was brought up at Sept 10ths meeting. Per Susan Hargis (City Secretary) the city attorney was contacted and it is illegal to double traffic fines in residential areas. Per Interim Police Chief Frank Brewer, the stationary unit currently on Memory Lane was proving effective. Traffic issues will continue to be monitored. Hiring someone for code enforcement is pending due to candidate scheduling conflict.

POLICE CHIEF POSITION:
-21 Candidates applied
-Unfortunately the Chamber meeting was scheduled in conflict with known scheduled council meetings so moved to Executive Session to be discussed
-Approx 4 special meetings needed to be done by the council as to not impede progress to start selecting candidates that applied

CITY MANAGER POSITION:
-22 candidates applied
-Selection process committee met on Sept 11th and has narrowed the Candidates to 6
-Culture Index testing was given to the 6 candidates. They will be brought back for a second interview or the 6 will be narrowed down again after the testing
-Approx 4 or more special meetings aside from regular meetings needed to be done by the council as well
**** REMEMBER....our city council was elected by US and they have full time jobs as well!!!!

Stay tuned for update 2!
Also check out the NEW Strategic Management plan that our City Council worked on so diligently that maps out the process that is in progress to select our next CITY MANAGER, POLICE CHIEF, etc!

http://whitehousetx.org/DocumentCenter/View/389/Whitehouse-Management-Plan-2019

Council meeting recording:
http://media.avcaptureall.com/session.html?sessionid=2772ea21-6945-4f9c-92f1-d7e0ab3c7e34&prefilter=842,5951

09/22/2019

Hey guys! There were a few open forum items from the City Council meeting on Sept 10th:

1. Request for radar and patrols on memory lane due to unsafe speeding* and a request to have citizens remove garbage cans from roads after trash day.

2. Property Variance concerns from citizen regarding a property next door for purchase.
3. Request for ordinance control on multiple vehicles parked on the street in the Watertown area. **

*update patrol unit has been monitoring speed in the morning I’ve observed as well as a radar monitor stationed near the stop sign of memory by Hwy 346.

**the only ordinance currently is if the vehicle is disabled and sitting for thirty days. A disable vehicle can be covered from view if past 30 days. There is no limit as to the number of vehicles currently as long as they are not blocking neighbors or in the roadway.

4. I presented on behalf of the Citizens for Whitehouse to ask the council for consideration to be included in the hiring process for the new positions that are currently open for the city. While a selection committee has already been appointed for the City Manager, the Mayor and the Council were all receptive to our group and encouraged us to help keep the Citizens in the loop and foster engagement. The selection committee is comprised of Billy Moss, Earnie Lafleur, Jim Nipp, Nathanial Moran, and Melissa Hines.

5. A motion was made and carried to cancel the November City Council election due to no one filing to run against any of the members up for re-election.

Here is the recording from the Sept 10th meeting:
http://media.avcaptureall.com/session.html?sessionid=85be5211-413b-4737-a407-f892f83c832b&prefilter=842,5951

The next City Council meeting is Tuesday, September 24th @ 6pm. Hope to see you all there. If you have a topic for open forum please arrive 10 minutes early to fill out a form and give it to the City Secretary Susan.

Citizens for Whitehouse meet up will be determined. Stay tune for the invite for the date and time.

-Dawn Melton

09/08/2019

A little light Sunday reading this morning to see if there’s been any public announcements about Whitehouse. Anyone got Sept 7ths?

09/07/2019

https://www.facebook.com/130188383984/posts/10156740108933985?sfns=mo

CITYWIDE ANNUAL GARAGE SALE DATE: Saturday, 10/12 !
Email your address, hours open, and short, one-line of your sales items for our annual Citywide Garage to: [email protected]

09/05/2019

Thank you all for coming out to the first meet up of Citizens for Whitehouse! We look forward to growing our group and gaining support within the community so we can help address the concerns of our town. Our hope is to work collectively with our City Council so we can make Whitehouse the BEST it’s ever been and the BEST city to live in! I am personally excited to help lead this initiative so that we all can be aware of the current circumstances that affect us in our day to day lives. STAY TUNED!!! And a personal shout out to Montez Creekside Kitchen for being so gracious to allow our group to hang out tonight!!! 💜💜💜💜💜

09/02/2019

Did you know that we as citizens could attended the meeting about the proposed tax rate? The city had a meeting on August 27th and most citizens were unaware because we need someone to let us know!!! That’s where Citizens for Whitehouse comes in! Listen. Be aware. Have an opinion. I ENCOURAGE you all to listen to these recordings, look at the minutes, attend meetings!!!! And cut emergency services?!? What emergency services?!? And the REC?????

09/01/2019