Ok some of you are probably freaking out right now.
Wiki? Blog? E-mail? www?! What is going on?
Well hopefully you’ve figured the last three out by now. But you may be unfamiliar with Wiki’s, such as www.wikipedia.org. Sure you may understand it’s an online encyclopedia, but do you really understand how it works?
Would you know what’s going on if I sent you info on a Wiki to plan a camping trip?
The guys at Common Craft have put together a great “Wiki in Plain English” video to let you know what all the fuss is about.
Watch the video
I haven’t used any Wiki’s other than Wikipedia, but I’m considering using one for some new manuals and policies we’re going to put into place in our precinct. We’ll see how it goes.
Oh and here’s a few sites you can go to to get your own wiki:
Category: misc
Re: Grapevine Rail
*EDIT*
From Waxahachie Council Member Joe Gallo:
Jonathan,
I would be all for it, but the light rail issue is bigger than any one councilmember.
In fact, it’s bigger than any one city.
As far as I know, there are no immediate plans to “make a push for it.
Paul Stevens can give you a better idea of what the probability of light rail ever coming to Waxahachie and what the important issues and problems are.-Joe Gallo
*END EDIT*
From the Waxahachie City Manager, Paul Stevens, regarding rail in Waxahachie:
Jonathan,
As you probably know, we did participate in the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) Regional Rail Study and we are shown as essentially the end of the line for the southernmost point of the Metroplex that would have passenger rail. State Representative Fred Hill did try and get legislation through this session that would allow cities to exceed their sales tax cap if it went toward a transit system. I don’t believe it passed.
We do keep up with any movement that works towards regional rail and will continue to do so. We will attend the Transportation Summit in August and I am sure regional rail and what steps to take next will be discussed.Thanks,
Paul
In addition, Paul informs me that Waxahachie has a ½ cent dedicated to the Sports Complex and the Civic Center and another ½ cent for property tax relief. Grapevine likely just had a ½ cent prior to the rail tax.
Should churches display the American Flag?
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Originally uploaded by bamakodaker.
The United Methodists are debating whether or not churches should display the American Flag in their sanctuaries.
Rev. Clayton Childers had this to say:
As a staff member at the United Methodist Board of Church and Society, I am frequently asked questions that require me to go where “angels fear to tread.” Questions about displaying national flags in the church’s sanctuary take us into that treacherous terrain.
Many United Methodist churches maintain a tradition of placing the United States flag in the sanctuary, by the altar, within the chancel, or at another prominent location on the church grounds. I heard of one case in which the U.S. flag actually covered the altar itself. So we must ask: Is this an appropriate use of the national flag from both a Christian and United Methodist perspective?
It is an emotional issue. There are probably four objects that people commonly worship as much, or perhaps more, than God: 1) their mothers; 2) their children; 3) the Bible; and 4) the flag. Without getting into my favorable feelings toward the first three, I will say that, as an American, I do have a special fondness for our national flag.
The flag represents the United States at her best – all the high and noble values that we profess and attempt to uphold as a people: human rights and liberty for all, the rule of law without fear or favor, democracy, equality, religious freedom, freedom to assemble, free speech, a free press, the right of privacy and other rights of individuals, and commitment to the common good. These are values I believe in, and I am proud to be a citizen of a country that proclaims its loyalty to these high principles.
On the other hand, I do not believe in blind loyalty. I cannot affirm the idea of “my country, right or wrong.” There are times when the United States has been very wrong in its actions, even outrageously wrong. Until we can own the hard truth of our failures – dare we say “sins” – we can never experience the full and abundant life God would have for us as a people and as one member in the world community of nations.
Read more of his commentary
I still have to go back to Derick Webb‘s words on this:
my first allegiance is not to a flag, a country, or a man
my first allegiance is not to democracy or blood
it’s to a king & a kingdom
What about you? Do YOU feel comfortable with an American flag on the stage next to you pastor or choir?
Re: Sally gives her testimony at encounter
We’ve posted Sally’s testimony from encounter Sunday. Amazing. Simply amazing.
Click here to listen
Something else I’d like to see
Something else I’d like to see in Waxahachie and other areas of Ellis County – free/cheap municipal wi-fi.
Cities like Dallas are putting free wi-fi in parks and libraries, Philadelphia is putting it everywhere.
The city of Waxahachie should be able to put free wi-fi in countless public areas, like parks, the downtown historic district and others.
Until then I guess we’ll have to keep paying for it at our house and using Chick-Fil-A’s wi-fi.
Growth, growth, growth
The numbers are in from NCTCOG and according to their estimates, Ellis County’s population has grown 4.37% over the last year. That’s 6,050 people in 12 months, or roughly 16 new people moving in to the county every day. That’s a little lower than other figures I’ve heard recently. Some have suggested there are 22 new people moving in to the county every day.
Either way, that’s some rapid growth. Red Oak tops the list with 16.13% growth, despite everyone hating on their police department for alleged traffic ticket quotas.
Folks in Ferris, Italy, Ovilla and Palmer can rest assured though. They’ve apparently brought in no additional folks to their quaint towns.