News and Tidbits
July 2014
Dear Carol,
In This Issue
President's Message:
Nominating Committee
Scholarship Fundraiser
Greeting and salutations, dear friends. I hope each of
you has a great vacation planned, to help cope with
summer. The dog days aren't here yet but are already
barking.
TMCA News
Upcoming Meetings
FY 13-14 Board Officers
Future Newsletters
The North Texas Municipal Clerk's Association is a phenomenal group.
That fact was apparent at our annual awards luncheon on June 11th
This Month in History
, held at the MCL Grand Theatre in Lewisville; thank you, Julie Heinze,
for hosting the meeting. We were welcomed and entertained by
Alyce Deering Scholarship
Lewisville Mayor Pro Tem, T.J. Gilmore.
Congratulations
to Theresa Scott,
City Secretary of
Flower Mound,
for receiving the
Alyce Deering
Scholarship
Award.
Congratulations to Theresa Scott (Flower Mound) who was awarded
the Alyce Deering scholarship. In addition, as part of the program,
those that serve on committees were also recognized. These
committees are the backbone of NTMCA. Our members have a world
of responsibility as they serve their individual cities and families.
Those that serve on committees
stretched their limits and shared
their skills as they accomplished
their NTMCA responsibilities this
year. Those recognized were:
2013 Holiday Committee: Aimee
Nemer, Chair (Richardson); Laura
Bell (Carrollton); Martha Garcia
(Arlington); Monica Solko (North
Richland Hills).
Alyce Deering Scholarship Committee: Mary Kayser, Chair (Fort
Worth); Norma Zenk (Azle); Linda Cantu (Richland Hills); Laura Bell
(Carrollton). Audit Committee: Diane Callahan, Chair (Highland
Village); Julie Heinze (Lewisville). Membership Committee: Alicia
Richardson, Chair (Southlake); Michael Wells (Bedford). Municipal
Clerk of the Year: Norma Zenk, Chair (Azle); Mary Kayser (Fort Worth);
Sheila Morales (Copper Canyon); Ex Officio-Alicia Richardson
(Southlake). Nominating Committee: Diane Callahan, Chair (Highland
Village); Jesica McEachern (Bridgeport); Jean Dwinnell (Fate).
Professional Seminar: Amy Shelley, Chair (Colleyville); Stephanie
Dimas (Arlington); Julie Heinze (Lewisville). Technology
/Communications Committee: Martha Garcia, Chair (Arlington);
Theresa Scott (Flower Mound); Amanda Jacobs (Bedford). Thank you
for supporting our association. The TMCA Clerk of the Year Nominee
will be recognized at our July meeting in Roanoke.
I was truly honored when named
the NTMCA Municipal Clerk of the
Year. Thank you. Our association
is composed of so many amazing
city secretaries and I am grateful
for each of you.
Submitted by Committee Chair
Mary Kayser (Ft Worth)
Scholarship Fundraiser
The "Keep Calm and Clerk On"
insulated tumblers are available for
$15 each.
The proceeds
benefit our
Chapter's Alyce
Deering
Scholarship
Fund. The
scholarship fund
is one of the
reasons that set
us apart from
other chapters.
We know the importance of
continuing our education and we
support our members by providing
annual scholarships to offset travel
and seminar registration costs.
Don't miss your chance to support
our Chapter and sport a cool
insulated tumbler that markets our
profession. The tumblers will be
available for purchase at each
Chapter meeting or by contacting
Alicia Richardson at
arichardson@nrhtx.com
The 2014-2015 Slate of Officers was presented and will be voted into
office at the August meeting. The proposed officers are: Mary Supino,
Submitted by Alicia Richardson
President; Shannon DePrater, Vice-President; Carol Borges,
(North Richalnd Hills)
Treasurer; Sheila Morales, Secretary; and Amy Shelley, Historian. This
board will need your help and I would appreciate your service in our
TMCA News
next fiscal year; please take a few moments and pledge your support
by volunteering for a committee NOW by completing an application and
As President of the TMCA, I've
forward it to mary.supino@arlingtontx.gov.
received several positive reports from
around the state with regard to the
In closing, remember that as the
"Adopt a Neighboring Clerk"
NTMCA continues to educate and program. Clerks who have never
promote our members, we need
been able to participate in chapter
your involvement, ideas and
meetings or attend seminars are
influence to push our association
being encouraged and even assisted
to be the best it can be.
in this activity. I would like to carry
this a little further with a promotional
prize for the chapter clerks who are
participating in this.
Diane Cockrell, President (Decatur)
Through October 10th, whenever you
Nominating Committee presents 2014-2015 Slate of Officers (or more than one clerk, working
together) bring a new clerk to a
chapter meeting, assist with a ride to
Introducing the FY 2014-2015 Slate of Officers, as announced at
a seminar or chapter meeting, or
the June 11th meeting in Lewisville:
even have lunch or visit with a new
clerk, submit your name(s) to your
Mary Supino - President
Chapter President for each individual
Mary served as both Treasurer and Vice President during the 2013effort. Your Chapter President will
2014 year. She is the City Secretary for the City of Arlington. Mary
forward your information to the TMCA
received her TRMC in January 2014 and is currently working on her
Membership Chair, Kathy Wingo.
first recertification. She has also served NTMCA on the Professional
She will keep a log of the clerk's
Seminar, Technology, and Legislative Committees.
name, chapter, and number of
participation activities. Each activity
Shannon DePrater - Vice President
puts that clerk's name into a drawing.
Shannon served as both Secretary and Treasurer during the 20132014 year. She is the Town Secretary for the Town of Cross Roads.
At the Graduate Institute Banquet on
Shannon received her TRMC in January 2013 and is currently working October 23rd in Kerrville, a winner
on her first recertification. She has also served NTMCA on the
will be drawn to receive two tickets to
Professional Seminar, Membership, and Technology Committees.
the Dallas Cowboys vs. Philadelphia
Carol Ann Borges - Treasurer
Carol served as both Historian and Secretary during the 2013-2014
year. She is the City Secretary for the City of Westworth Village. Carol
is currently working on her certification and will receive her TRMC in
January 2015. She has also served NTMCA on the Technology and
Clerk of the Year Committees.
Sheila Morales - Secretary
Sheila served as Historian during the 2013-2014 year. She is the Town
Secretary for the Town of Copper Canyon. Sheila is currently working
on her certification and will receive her TRMC in January 2015. She
has also served NTMCA on the Clerk of the Year Committee.
Amy Shelley - Historian
Amy will serve as Historian. She is the City Secretary for the City of
Colleyville. Amy received her TRMC in January 2014 and is currently
working on her first recertification. She has also served NTMCA as
Chair of the Professional Seminar Committee.
Submitted by Nominating Committee
Chair Diane Callahan, Jean Dwinnell, and Jesica McEachern
Clerk of the Year
Eagles game on Thanksgiving Day,
November 27th, at ATT Stadium in
Arlington, with an additional $50 cash
spending money. The winner does
not have to be present to win.
Please consider participating in this
endeavor. Thank you and good luck!
Art Camacho, TMCA President
Upcoming Meetings
July 16 - Roanoke
August 20 - Azle
September 17 - Grapevine
FY 2013-2014 Board Officers
President:
Diane Cockrell, Decatur
dcockrell@decaturtx.org
940-393-0204
Vice-President:
Mary Supino, Arlington
mary.supino@atlingtontx.gov
Drum Roll Please.....
Congratulations to Diane Cockrell (Decatur) for winning our most
prestigious award of City Secretary of the Year; and Art Camacho
(Haltom City) for once again being our Chapter's nominee for the
Texas Municipal Clerks Association Municipal Clerk of the Year.
The awards meeting in June is always fun and exciting, when our
colleagues are recognized for their efforts and accomplishments.
Diane stood out amongst us with her dedication and extraordinary
service to our Chapter. She was described by her peers as "a
phenomenal leader who has led by example, expecting high standards
and maintaining order and focus. Diane is compassionate and a
strong team leader, mentor, and a friend who has earned the love and
respect of her fellow city secretaries. Her passion and genuine interest
in our profession is apparent by her commitment to the members
through her active participation and contributions." It was a true honor
to present Diane Cockrell this year's NTMCA's Municipal Clerk of the
Year award for her commitment to our profession and her outstanding
leadership.
817-459-6188
Treasurer:
Shannon DePrater, Cross Roads
s.deprater@crossroadstx.gov
940-365-9693
Secretary:
Carol Borges, Westworth Village
cborges@cityofwestworth.com
817-710-2526
Historian:
Sheila Morales, Copper Canyon
townsecretary@coppercanyon-tx.org
940-241-2677
Future Newsletters
We are always looking for topics of
interest for newsletters. If there is a
subject you would like to see
addressed or if you would like to
contribute an article, please let any of
the Board members know, or submit
it by e-mail to Carol Borges.
It is with great pleasure that we submitted our nominee, Art Camacho,
for this year's Texas Municipal Clerks Association's Municipal Clerk of
the Year Award (TMCA MCOTY). Art Camacho has never sat back
and enjoyed the ride during a seminar, conference, committee, or
project. On the contrary, every year Art has been in the forefront of the Quick Links
TMCA and NTMCA. If he's not participating on boards and
commissions, he's presenting at seminars, or speaking to groups about NTMCA Website
the municipal clerk's role in government and the community. He has
FY 2014 Membership Application
never met a stranger . . . and let us not forget how municipal clerks
throughout the state look forward to Art's 'Thank God its Monday''
articles and are ready with witty responses to this communication. Art
Camacho is a "giver" who is always seeking ways to promote our
profession, raising money for scholarships and finding ways to offer
assistance to anyone in any way he can. He recently developed and
implemented the "Adopt a Neighboring Clerk" program where tenured
city secretaries are encouraged to call and stay in touch with new
and/or neighboring clerks, as well as encouraging them to attend
monthly chapter meetings. This program has gained notoriety
statewide and will become successful by the concept of the program.
Please join me in congratulating these two very deserving city
secretaries.
Special thanks and gratitude to the members of the City Secretary of
the Year Committee for all their help and input in making this year's
awards memorable: Mary Kayser (Fort Worth), Sheila Morales (Copper
Canyon), Alicia Richardson (NRH) Ex-Officio.
Submitted by Committee Chair Norma Zenk (Azle)
This Month in History - July
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July 5, 1775 - The Continental Congress adopted the Olive Branch Petition expressing hope for
reconciliation with Britain. King George III refused to even look at the petition and instead issued a
proclamation declaring the colonists to be in a state of open rebellion. I wonder if we'd still be under
British rule today if he had signed it. Hmmm...
July 2, 1776 - And so it was a year later, the Continental Congress in Philadelphia adopted the
following resolution by Richard Henry Lee of Virginia: "Resolved, That these United Colonies are, and
of right ought to be, free and independent States, that they are absolved from all allegiance to the
British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and
ought to be, totally dissolved. That it is expedient forthwith to take the most effectual measures for
forming foreign Alliances. That a plan of confederation be prepared and transmitted to the respective
Colonies for their consideration and approbation."
July 4, 1776 - The Declaration of Independence was approved by the Continental Congress.
July 13, 1787 - Eleven years after the original colonies declared independence, Congress enacted the
Northwest Ordinance establishing formal procedures for transforming territories into states. It provided
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for the eventual establishment of three to five states in the area north of the Ohio River, to be
considered equal with the original thirteen. The Ordinance included a Bill of Rights that guaranteed
freedom of religion, the right to trial by jury, public education and a ban on slavery in the Northwest.
July 2, 1788 - Congress announced the United States Constitution had been ratified by the required
nine states and that a committee had been appointed to make preparations for the new American
government.
July 31, 1790 - The U.S. Patent Office first opened its doors. The first patent, signed by George
Washington and Thomas Jefferson, was issued to Samuel Hopkins of Vermont for a new method of
making pearl ash (salt of tartar) and potash (salt) [i.e. forms of potassium carbonate].
July 19-20, 1848 - A women's rights convention was held in Seneca Falls, New York. Topics
discussed included voting rights, property rights, and divorce. The convention marked the beginning
of an organized women's rights movement in the U.S. ... I say, "Amen Sistas!" ; )
July 1, 1862 - The Bureau of Internal Revenue was established by an Act of Congress and President
Abraham Lincoln signed the first income tax bill, levying a 3% tax on annual incomes of $600-$10K
and a 5% tax on incomes over $10K. ... Currently the average American pays 15-28% federal income
tax. : /
July 9, 1868 - The 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified, defining U.S. citizenship and
prohibiting individual States from abridging the rights of any American citizen without due process and
equal protection under the law. The Amendment also barred individuals involved in rebellion against
the U.S. from holding public office. ... Hmm... Seems to me with current 'political battles and fingerpointing', only the rebellious are running for office.
July 4, 1882 - The "Last Great Buffalo Hunt" began on Indian reservation lands near Hettinger, N.D.,
as 2,000 Teton Sioux Indians in full hunting regalia killed about 5,000 buffalo. By this time, most of the
estimated 60-75 million buffalo in America had been killed by white hunters who usually took the hides
and left the meat to rot. By 1883, the last of the free-ranging buffalo were gone.
July 7, 1898 - President William McKinley signed a resolution annexing Hawaii. In 1900, Congress
made Hawaii an incorporated territory of the U.S., which it remained until becoming a state in 1959.
July 21, 1898 - Guam, located in the western Pacific Ocean, was ceded to the United States by Spain.
It remains an 'unincorporated territory of the U.S.' to this day.
July 25, 1898 - During the Spanish-American War, the U.S. invaded Puerto Rico, which was then a
Spanish colony. In 1917, nationals became American citizens and Puerto Rico became an
unincorporated territory of the U.S. In October 2008, the U.S. District Court for the District of Puerto
Rico declared that Puerto Rico no longer remains an unincorporated territory. The court said that,
although Congress has never enacted any affirmative language such as "Puerto Rico is hereby an
incorporated territory," its sequence of legislative actions from 1900 to present has in fact incorporated
the territory.
July 2, 1917 - A race riot in St. Louis, MO, resulted in an estimated 75 African Americans killed and
hundreds injured. To protest the violence against blacks, W.E.B. DuBois and James Weldon Johnson
later led a silent march down Fifth Avenue in New York.
July 28, 1932 - The Bonus March eviction in Washington, D.C., occurred as U.S. Army troops
attacked and burned the encampments of unemployed World War I veterans. About 15,000 veterans
had marched on Washington, demanding payment of the war bonus they had been promised. After
two months encampment in Washington's Anacostia Flats, forced eviction was ordered by President
Herbert Hoover. ... Amazing, right? A burning/eviction would never be tolerated today - regardless of
the controlling party affiliation!
July 22, 1934 - Bank robber John Dillinger was shot and killed by FBI agents as he left Chicago's
Biograph Movie Theater. Dillinger was the first criminal labeled by the FBI as "Public Enemy No. 1."
After spending nine years in prison, Dillinger went on a deadly crime spree across six Midwestern
states. He was reportedly betrayed by the "Lady in Red."
July 26, 1944 - The U.S. Army began desegregating its training camp facilities. Black platoons were
assigned to white companies in a first step toward battlefield integration. It took four more years for
the official order integrating the armed forces to be signed by President Harry Truman.
July 16, 1945 - The experimental Atomic bomb "Fat Boy" was set off at 5:30 a.m. in the New Mexico
desert creating a mushroom cloud rising 41K feet. The bomb emitted heat three times the
temperature of the interior of the sun and wiped out all plant and animal life within a mile. ... You'd
think the world would learn and stop making these things!
July 24, 1945 - At the conclusion of the Potsdam Conference in Germany, Winston Churchill, Harry
Truman and China's representatives issued a demand for unconditional Japanese surrender.
Unaware the demand was backed by an Atomic bomb, the Japanese rejected the Potsdam
Declaration on July 26. That same day, U.S. Cruiser Indianapolis arrived in the Mariana Islands with
an unassembled Atomic bomb. Scientists met the ship ready to complete the assembly. The Atomic
bomb was dropped on Hiroshima on August 9th. [BTW, I repeat my sentiment from the previous item!]
July 18, 1947 - President Harry Truman signed an Executive Order determining the line of succession
if the President becomes incapacitated or dies in office. Following the Vice President, the Speaker of
the House and President of the Senate are next in succession. This Order became the 25th
Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, ratified on February 10, 1967.
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July 27, 1953 - The Korean War ended with the signing of an armistice by U.S. and North Korean
delegates at Panmunjom, Korea. The war had lasted just over three years.
July 25, 1956 - The Italian luxury liner Andrea Doria sank after colliding with the Swedish liner
Stockholm on its way to New York. Nearby ships came to the rescue, saving 1,634 people, including
the captain and the crew, before the ship went down. [A much better result than the Titanic disaster
which killed over 1,500 people in 1912.]
July 2, 1964 - President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964, prohibiting
discrimination on the basis of race in public accommodations, publicly owned or operated facilities,
employment and union membership and in voter registration. The Act allowed for cutoff of Federal
funds in places where discrimination remained.
July 16, 1969 - The Apollo 11 Lunar landing mission began with liftoff from Kennedy Space Center at
9:37 a.m. Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became the first humans to land on the moon on July 20th.
Who doesn't know Armstrong's statement: "one small step for [a] man, one giant leap for mankind"?
July 30, 1975 - Former Teamsters Union leader James Hoffa was last seen outside a restaurant near
Detroit, MI, at age 62. Seven years after his disappearance, an Oakland County (MI) judge declared
Hoffa officially dead.
July 17,1996 - TWA Flight 800 departed Kennedy International Airport in New York bound for Paris
but exploded in mid-air 12 minutes after takeoff, apparently the result of a mechanical failure. The
Boeing 747 jet crashed into the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Long Island, NY, about 8:45 p.m. All
212 passengers and 17 crew members on board were killed.
Thank you for spending a few moments with me.
Carol Borges (Westworth Village)
We are an awesome Chapter! Let's lead and be a model for our sister Chapters.