Marchant Warns Taxpayers to Beware of Scams During Filing Season
April 3, 2008
IRVING, TX – U.S. Congressman Kenny Marchant (TX-24) has advised residents of District 24 to beware of e-mail and telephone scams currently targeting individuals anticipating standard refunds or one-time rebates.
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has issued a warning to consumers to be on the look-out for scams that use the IRS name and claim to provide advanced payments. Those who commit scams often do so electronically in order to cover their tracks before the victim becomes aware of the theft.
The most recent scams the IRS is warning taxpayers to be aware of are described below:
Rebate Phone Call
At least one scheme using the word “rebate” as part of the lure has been identified. In that scam, consumers receive a phone call from someone identifying himself as an IRS employee. The caller tells the targeted victim that he is eligible for a sizable rebate for filing his taxes early. The caller then states that he needs the target’s bank account information for the direct deposit of the rebate. If the target refuses, he is told that he cannot receive the rebate.
This phone call is a scam. No legislation has yet been enacted that would allow the IRS to provide advance payments to taxpayers or that determines the details of those payments. Moreover, the IRS does not force taxpayers to use direct deposit. Those who opt for direct deposit do so by completing the appropriate section of their tax return, with bank routing and account information, when they file; the IRS does not gather the information by telephone. Read more
Fire Fighters Battle Grass Fire Near Cedar Hill
January 31, 2008
Firefighters from three different agencies battled a grass fire Thursday just outside Cedar Hill on the Dallas-Ellis County line, NBC 5 reported.
Firefighters from Ovilla and Desoto helped crews from Cedar Hill put out the hot spots.
There were no reports of injuries, nor were there any homes or buildings reported in danger.
Smoking Ban ???
January 25, 2008
There has been some discussion in the City of Dallas about expanding the smoking ban in Dallas. Currently, the Dallas smoking ban prevents smokers from smoking in restaurants, except in the bar area. Numerous other cities in the Metroplex, including Fort Worth, have also implemented a similar ban.
Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert is an advocate for expanding the smoking ban to prohibit smoking even in bar areas. He’s calling for a regional approach, and many of the area Mayors have expressed a willingness to listen.
Lately, I have had a few citizens ask me if we would consider a smoking ban in Cedar Hill. I think this is an interesting question and I am curious what you think.
Would you support a smoking ordinance prohibiting smoking in restaurants?
City’s New Website
December 15, 2007
The City of Cedar Hill has a new website! The new site is more visually appealing and highlights the natural beauty of Cedar Hill.
It also is organized in a way to make it easier for you to find what you are looking for.
In fact, you don’t even have to look. Just click on the Notify Me link and you can sign up to receive emails on important events in the city.
New Tri-City Animal Shelter Could Be The Cat’s Meow
December 7, 2007
Steve Snyder / Cedar Hill TODAY
It’s official - Cedar Hill will have a new Tri-City Animal Shelter.
Nov. 27, the Cedar Hill City Council approved a contract with Quorum Architects for architectural services for a new animal shelter.
The shelter is jointly funded by Cedar Hill, DeSoto and Duncanville. Cedar Hill, where the shelter is located, is the official controlling city for the shelter, so it is responsible for overseeing and organizing development, construction, financing and other shelter issues.
Quorum’s David Duman said his company should have a schematic drawing in about a month, then be finished with its work and be ready to advertise for bids by the end of January.
This facility would house 83 dogs and 70 cats, plus no cats would have to be housed in a mechanical room. It will also have cat play and display areas, and quarantine areas for both dogs and cats. That gets the shelter almost to its target for the year 2017 of 84 dog and 72 cat spaces. It would have 7,500 square feet of floor space. Read more
Changes to Animal Control Ordinances
September 27, 2007
This past Tuesday, the City Council was briefed on proposed changes to our animal control ordinance. Over the past few months, citizens have made it clear that they want changes.
It’s time to get strict with loose animals that wander our neighborhoods.
Currently, the city has relied on animal shelter fees as the primary deterrent. When a loose animal is picked up by animal control and taken to our animal shelter, the owner must pay a fee to redeem the animal. These fees, while not very high, increase each time the animal is picked up.
This doesn’t seem to be much of a deterrent and the Council is looking to change that.
Read more
Coffee with the Chiefs
September 14, 2007
All CHISD and community citizens are invited to meet the Chief of Police for the City of Cedar Hill and the Chief of Police for Cedar Hill ISD.
The 1st scheduled monthly meeting will take place on Saturday, October 6, 2007 at the Cedar Hill Recreation Center located at 310 E. Parkerville Road from 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Read more
Hail to Texas’ Fire Chief of the Year
July 19, 2007
By HERB BOOTH / Special Contributor to The Dallas Morning NewsHerb Booth is a Grand Prairie-based freelance writer.When Cedar Hill Fire Chief Steve Pollock was named statewide fire chief of the year this year, he was overwhelmed at the accolade.But what really got his attention was learning who signed the recommendation letter: everyone.
Every person, from the department’s newest recruit to the assistant fire chief, signed the recommendation in support of Chief Pollock. The honor is handed out annually by the Texas Fire Chiefs Association.”It’s tough to get that many people to agree on one thing,” said Chief Pollock, Cedar Hill’s top fire official for about three years. ”
I was really surprised they could keep a secret that long, too.”Assistant Fire Chief John Ballard said Chief Pollock is passionate about fire service. He’s also gotten everyone on staff to “buy in” to everything the department does, he said.”
If we see someone on the side of the road out of gas, he encourages us to help them,” Mr. Ballard said. ”
If it means using our gallon of gas to get them on the road again, we can do that.”If it means waiting until a husband or wife gets there, then we do that. He’s real customer-service oriented.”
City Manager Alan Sims said Chief Pollock, who was Odessa’s fire chief for 25 years before coming to Cedar Hill, has made a big difference in a short period of time.”
He really has empowered people,” Mr. Sims said. “We had a good department when the chief got here, but now we have a great one. He’s taken it to another level.”
Mr. Sims said the Fire Department recently got a new fire truck, but instead of making a decision on his own, the chief appointed a committee to see what kind of apparatus was needed.”
Now, they feel ownership in that truck, in that decision,” Mr. Sims said. “Those guys are engaged now.”
Chief Pollock’s work isn’t just at the local level, either.
Jim Gaston, executive director of the 700-member-strong Texas Fire Chiefs Association, said Chief Pollock has worked hard to help develop a statewide mutual aid program that recently went into law.
The new law resolves liability and reimbursement issues, allowing departments across the state to provide aid as needed during state or nationally declared emergencies, Mr. Gaston said.
Red-Light Cameras Going Up
June 7, 2007
By LOYD BRUMFIELD / Today Newspapers
The Cedar Hill Police Department has recorded an estimated 200 violations since May 14 at its one red-light camera at Belt Line and Clark roads.
Four more red-light camera intersections went online June 5, and a fifth is scheduled to be operational by June 20.
Like the first camera at Clark and Belt Line, the others will operate under a 30-day warning period for drivers before violations will be recorded for real.
FM 1382 is the focal point for most of the cameras. One is going up to observe the westbound service road at FM 1382 and the Highway 67 overpass and another is going up at the eastbound service road. Read more
Crime Rate Drops Again in Cedar Hill
May 18, 2007
By LOYD BRUMFIELD / Today Newspapers
The overall crime rate in Cedar Hill dropped 3.6 percent in 2006 and violent crimes dropped 10.6 percent, according to an annual report filed by the Cedar Hill Police Department.
Police Chief Steve Rhodes delivered the report to the city council at a May 8 meeting and said while the news is good, his department is monitoring several concerns and trends.
The number of Part 1 crimes (murders, assaults, rapes and violent robberies, for example) remained unchanged from one year to the next in an amazing statistical quirk, Rhodes said.
In 2005, 1,551 Part 1 crimes were reported, and that figure was duplicated exactly in 2006.
“So you found that, despite our population increase, the number of those types of crimes remained exactly the same?” Council member Wade Emmert asked.
Rhodes said yes, and that explains why the crime rate dropped as the population grew. Read more
Firefighters Get Grant to Help Clear the Air Around Them
February 22, 2007
By LOYD BRUMFIELD / Today Newspapers
Firefighters are exposed on a daily basis to some of the most dangerous substances on earth, not just during calls, but in their own stations.
But an $87,092 grant will alleviate some of those problems for the Cedar Hill Fire Department, which was given the money to install comprehensive exhaust removal systems in each of its fire stations.
“Now when you get a call and you crank everything up, that exhaust immediately fills the whole room up,” Cedar Hill Fire Chief Steve Pollock said. “It gets in your clothes, it gets on your body and fouls up computer equipment. It’s just a real mess.”
The Assistance To Firefighters grant is dispensed through the Department of Homeland Security and was given to the department earlier in the month, U.S. Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) announced.
“This funding will help ensure that Texas firefighters remain well trained and equipped for their important work of protecting our homes, families and communities,” a statement from Cornyn read. “The men and women on the front lines of emergency response need more support than ever, and I applaud the local first responders and area leaders for their work to obtain this important assistance.”
Grant money can be used on fire services, health and safety and wellness issues.
“Based on that, we knew we stood a good chance of getting a grant,” Pollock said.
The money will allow the department to install the MagneGrip exhaust removal system at its three existing stations and a fourth one in the planning stages.
A hose attached by a heavy magnet to a running track removes 100 percent of pollutants and other impurities generated by fire engines and other equipment, Pollock said.
The hose automatically disconnects and captures the exhaust once an engine leaves the station.
“This kind of equipment has been around since about the mid-1980s, and all of our stations are that old or older,” Pollock said.
Total cost to retrofit the existing stations is about $96,000, which includes a 10 percent match from the city.
The MagneGrip system is developed by Clean Air Concepts of Cincinnati and is also used by the DeSoto Fire Department.
“Once we get this going, we can use their equipment and they can hook up to ours,” Pollock said.
According to Clean Air Concepts, the MagneGrip system uses a friction-free, universal nozzle that connects with fire equipment.
With the nozzle attached, each time the vehicle’s engine is started, an exhaust fan starts automatically and vents the exhaust emissions outdoors, according to the company website.
As the vehicle leaves, the nozzle remains connected, traveling to the doorway along with the truck and then releases automatically as the vehicle exits.
Pollock is looking forward to a cleaner environment at each station.
“This type of health issue isn’t something that’s going to impact you in one day or one week, but when you’re looking at chronic exposure over something like 10 years, we’re talking about a severe impact on someone’s career and life,” he said. “That’s why this is such a high priority for us.”
A True Servant Retiring
July 15, 2006
Assistant Fire Chief Bobby Grashel is retiring after 33 years of service.
Bobby started his career in the early 70s when Cedar Hill had a volunteer Fire Departement. He spent some time with the DeSoto Fire Department, and came back to Cedar Hill becoming the first Instructor and Captain. Bobby became the first Assistant Fire Chief in the mid-90s, where he has served to this day.
Bobby’s career and life exemplify the servant spirit. His love for people and his dedication to public service have left a permanent mark on Cedar Hill and the men and women who serve in the CHFD.
Thank you Chief 212 for who you are, and what you have given to this City!
A Letter of Thanks from Rob Franke
March 6, 2006
I came to my office this morning to get a little bit of normalcy. Everything is so different and I can’t get the smell of fire out of my mind and nose. Other than that, life is great.
I wish I knew the right words, the right way to express the feelings, emotions and pure love we have for the people of Cedar Hill. We are blessed by each of you so much that I cannot begin to list the people, the acts of kindness, the power of prayer, and sincere love we have experienced. Please know that I praise God for each of you, I pray that God will bless you and return to you what you have given us.
When we talk about the distinctive character of Cedar Hill I think the most wonderful part is that people choose to care for each other. My prayer for Cedar Hill is that we will continue to be a family that cares for each other.
Thank you and God Bless each of you.
Rob Franke
Blaze Sparks Neighbor’s Aid
March 5, 2006
By KAREN AYRES / Staff Writer, Dallas Morning News
Mayor Rob Franke peeled the soot-stained cover off his living room sofa Sunday and discovered a gift.
Nestled among the mud and ash were several family photos in perfect condition, pulled aside by the firefighters who had tamed the raging blaze that practically destroyed the Franke home on Friday night.
“They saved a bunch of our pictures,” Mr. Franke said as he turned to Mayor Pro Tem Cory Spillman. “That is wonderful. That is just so wonderful.”
Few other items were spared after a fire of unknown causes started in the garage and quickly consumed most of the Frankes’ one-story home. But the mayor and his wife, Jenaie, say the dozens of people who came out to help them from across the area this weekend mean more than any material items.
“When you get into politics, you’re used to giving and not getting a lot in return because you’re just dealing with problems,” said Mr. Franke, mayor for the past nine years. “For people to come back and help us was pretty amazing.”
By Sunday, thick soot, mud and pieces of the fallen roof covered everything from the kitchen stove to Mr. Franke’s comic book collection.
The fire apparently started shortly after the Frankes and several friends left to celebrate their daughter Farren’s 16th birthday at Humperdink’s restaurant in Arlington.
They had just ordered drinks when a neighbor called to say he had spotted smoke and flames coming out of the house and called 911.
Mr. Franke told his wife to keep the news from his daughter and raced back to the house with Mr. Spillman, who was also at the party.
“There was no question that I was going,” Mr. Spillman said. “He’s like family, and you know their whole world is about to be turned upside down.”
The attic above the garage, filled with treasured Christmas ornaments and yearbooks, had been one of the fire’s first stops. The roof was next.
By the time they got to the house around 8:30 p.m., the flames pouring from it were so intense that the heat had melted the lights and bumpers on nearby cars.
Phone calls had already gone around town. About 50 neighbors, council members, friends and fellow members of the Cedar Hill Church of Christ lined up outside.
City Manager Alan Sims pulled the mayor aside to tell him that two of their dogs, Lacey and Lennie, and their cat, Roxie, hadn’t made it out.
As firefighters from Cedar Hill and DeSoto tried to stop the blaze from consuming the rest of the mayor’s home, council member Wade Emmert conducted a prayer.
“There were just open mouths and dropped jaws,” Mr. Emmert said. “We were in shock.”
The mayor watched the fire burn for an hour and decided to drive back to his daughter’s party. His only daughter would never have another 16th birthday; he would have another house.
Before Mr. Franke left, Ken Lybrand, an elder at his church, prayed with him privately.
“I prayed that God would give Rob the strength to get through the situation and the wisdom to deal with it,” Mr. Lybrand said.
The fire was out by the time the Frankes returned home at 10:30 p.m. with teenagers in tow.
They soon got a look at what was left: Two bedrooms had water damage. The remainder of the house – living room, game room, kitchen, Mr. Franke’s office and a third bedroom – was pretty much destroyed.
But they were not.
“It’s pretty sad,” Mr. Franke said, “but it’s just stuff. Life will go on.”
One family quickly took them in for the night. Within hours, the Frankes had toothpaste, deodorant, underwear and other necessities.
Fire investigators spent the night combing the garage for clues. Mr. Franke said electrical causes and arson have been ruled out. Mr. and Mrs. Franke don’t smoke, but it’s possible that someone else’s cigarette sparked the fire.
Another crowd started to gather at the house around 6:45 a.m. Saturday. Nearly 60 city employees, council members, neighbors and friends divided into groups. Many worked until 9 p.m.
Some people washed clothes that could be pulled from closets; others tried to salvage melted photos. Several people helped haul furniture to the back yard. After a friend offered to let the family stay in a nearby vacant house, others gathered beds and furniture.
“[The mayor] is always the first one there when other people are experiencing tragedies, and people felt compelled to be there when he was going through a tragedy,” Mr. Emmert said.
On Sunday morning, the family went to church as they always do. They were again the focus of a prayer by Mr. Lybrand.
“Rob and I looked at each other and cried,” Mrs. Franke said. “It wasn’t because of the fire. It was because of the people.”
Mr. Lybrand said he told the congregation that the Frankes’ love for God would continue to carry them through the tragedy.
“Too often we spend too much time asking ‘Why?’ instead of taking the time to deal with it and move on with life,” Mr. Lybrand said. “That’s what Rob and Jenaie are doing now. They’re dealing with it.”
The church is now organizing a committee to help the Frankes.
The family expects an insurance adjustor today, but they already know their plans: They want to rebuild in town, preferably on the same spot.
“I will stay in Cedar Hill,” Mr. Franke said, “no doubt in my mind.”
E-mail kayres@dallasnews.com
Please Pray for Our Mayor and His Family
March 4, 2006
This is a strange post to write. As I sit here, I still can’t believe it’s true.
Last night, around 9:00pm or so, Mayor Rob Franke’s house burned down.
The fire appears to have started in the garage. The roof over the garage is gone. All that remains is the brick and chared remains of wood. The other side of the house is not quite as bad. The roof is sagging and I’m sure there is damage inside, but at least it wasn’t completely destroyed.
Fortunately, no one was injured.
It is times like this that we realize how blessed we are to live in a community like Cedar Hill. In times of trial, our community unites.
Even when the flames were still burning, the Mayor had a smile on his face. “Even though my house is gone,” he said, “I know I will want for nothing.”
He’s right. We will come together and help him any way we can. What a wonderful faith in God, and a belief in community.
Right now, please say a prayer for Rob and his family. It is difficult to imagine how devastating this can be. But with his faith in God, and the support of this community, I know they will make it through this difficult time.
Welcome!
My name is Wade Emmert and I am a Council Member for the City of Cedar Hill. This web site is a way for me to share with you some of my thoughts about issues important to the City.
It is my sincerest goal to be a good steward of the citizens’ trust. Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to serve you.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me at Wade.Emmert@cedarhilltx.com or (214) 740-3164.