I can’t think of any one item that makes me more proud of the accomplishments on Main Street than seeing a swarm of Monarchs trading places on Greg’s Blue Mist Flowers during migration. The migration of the monarch is one of the most remarkable phenomena in the natural world, and interstate 35 falls within the central flyway.
The monarch population has declined by approximately 90 percent since the 1990s. National awareness of this decline is one of the reasons that we hold a Monarch Festival in the Spring during migration and have named our largest park after this beautiful species.
Please join us in the park to dawn on your wings, participate in our color run, and plant nectar plants in the scent garden.
If you are interested in planting suitable habitat to help conservation efforts, you can you the guide from the National Wildlife Federation at the following link:
https://www.nwf.org/Garden-for-Wildlife/About/Native-Plants/Monarch-Nectar-Guides
The Texas weather has remained consistently inconsistent, but there is still no place we would rather be!
The winter weather came and went. Fortunately, we are well-practiced in the art of remote operations during dangerous driving conditions. With this being our third ice-related weather event in as many years, we already have techniques and procedures for preparing the community for this type of weather. We sent out early tips regarding weatherizing exposed pipes and irrigation at home. We began sanding bridges in advance and have post-cleanup procedures in place for fallen limbs and lines. City Staff knew their role and performed it well. That goes for our other essential services providers Central Bell County Fire & Rescue, Acadian Ambulance, and of course, WCID #3. The entire Nolanville Community can agree that we are very fortunate to have these critical working relationships during times of distress. Thank you for doing the routine tasks well so that when inclement weather returns, we are always ready.
Nolanville Blue Christmas activities were a great time this year, and I hope you were able to join us for the fun.
This year, stability in the housing market came to the forefront. We saw median average home prices skyrocket, and available inventory became practically non-existent. It made us assess where we stand on ensuring that our community members don't become homeless because of unforeseen circumstances. That is why the stable home advisory committee was formed, and we consult with the council on various objectives to prevent homelessness. We will keep a pulse on actions taken within the region on this topic and intend to collaborate on these efforts.
We have heard testimonies during Council meetings over rental conditions in one of our neighborhoods. Council and Staff were able to formulate a plan quickly to prevent the future abuse of rent-to-own properties through required inspections during all future transactions. Thank you to the brave residents that were willing to express the hardships that they were experiencing so we could better understand.
We should all be thankful for warm houses and the ability to take care of family. Additionally, when we are blessed in this way, it is appropriate to check on our neighbors and ensure that we have each other's back during hard times. Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year!
November in Texas is truly one of the best months of the year and is also my Birthday month. The cooler weather signals the beginning of many holiday festivities and makes it perfect for enjoying the outdoors.
While we gear up for the season, let’s keep in mind those that are less fortunate and may be constrained during these times. The City is working on initiatives toward stable, affordable, and healthy housing. Our community members can do their part by looking out for their neighbors. Simple acts of kindness such as donating to the food pantry, contributing to a utility bill for someone going through a crisis, or helping someone with an essential home repair will make an impact locally and truly demonstrate that we are a community that cares. Learn more about the City’s Stable Housing Committee (Resolution drafted, available soon!).
On that same note, Make a Difference Day is November 5th. We’ll have a jam-packed day of community service projects to include tree planting, litter clean up, and assisting with bulk drop off.
The cooler temperatures are on their way, and we look forward to enjoying the great outdoors with the Community. On October 4th, make sure you take a moment to get to know your neighbors, meet your Police Officers and give your Political Representatives feedback on the City.
National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer and more caring places to live. You can meet us at Monarch Park that night or set up your grill at the house; invite the neighbors.
The best way to prevent crime and keep Nolanville "A Great Place to Live" is to know your neighbors and surroundings.
As I talk about our upcoming event, I can't help but send a huge thank you to those that made our last events, the Fox Trot 5K & Train Whistle Jamboree, a huge success. Thank you to all the City Staff, dedicated volunteers, and community sponsors who put their hearts and souls into that day. Without you, all these wonderful community events could never occur.
Finally, there are many ways to provide your feedback to enhance the Community. One of the most direct ways is to come to a City Council meeting; I promise that you will be greeted by serval Councilmembers and Staff eager to get to know more citizens of our great City that strives to maintain our small-town charm.
It is an honor to serve as the Mayor for Nolanville and to live in a City that is home to so many of our active duty and retired military, similar to myself. The Council and I strive to continuously improve the quality of life in Nolanville in order maintain our small-town atmosphere.
We have made some great strides in pride and place identification. Our pedestrian mobility improved and increased the safety in one of our more established areas. Avenue H and Mesquite Street increased capacity through the addition of bike lanes and sidewalks. Neighborhood identification was added, as well as bus shelter areas. You’ll notice some traffic island along Mesquite that are meant to slow down drivers that are traveling to the City’s largest park. The combination of these elements are considered “Complete Streets” and is how we intend to approach every project. We will move construction to Northwest side of the City in September, adding sidewalks to connect to Main Street, directing walkers off of the Spur and onto a safer route.
The Staff is gearing up to host the Annual Fox Trot and Jamboree on September 24th. Please save the date and spend time getting to know your neighbors.
If you are looking to make a difference in the community, November 5th is our designated “Make a Difference Day.” There will be planned activities to enhance pocket parks on St. John Street and Ryan Circle. If you would like to take part or host an event in your area, let us know by calling 254 698 6335. Lastly, if you would like to see someone in your community recognized, send me their information to cityhall@nolanvilletx.gov
Straight from the Mayors desk, right to your fingertips! Stay tuned for the Mayors corner, a monthly note from the Mayor of Nolanville, Andy Williams.