What’s Happening in Copper Canyon - October 2009
By Sue Tejml,
Mayor of Copper Canyon
My Error in the last issue – Bartonville has the next to lowest Tax Rate of Area Towns
The property Tax rate consists of: the 2nd column for general government (Maintenance & Operations); the 3rd column for debt service (Interest & Sinking Fund); and the 4thcolumn for the Emergency Services District (for towns that do not have their own fire and emergency medical department.) Bartonville has the lowest tax rate after Double Oak. (Double Oak has its own volunteer fire department, therefore Double Oak residents do not pay the ESD tax). In the September issue I mistakenly included the .071280 debt service for Bartonville twice – once as the stand alone I & S tax rate and again in their M&O category.
My sincere apologies for my goof to the Double Oak Council, Mayor Ron Robertson, and Town Administrator Debbie Millican. They have all worked diligently to keep the Town of Bartonville’s tax rate remarkably low for the quality level of services the Town provides to its tax payers.
Area Cities / M&O / I&S / ESD / TotalCopper Canyon / 0.201713 / 0 / 0.0936 / 0.295313
Bartonville / 0.121660 / 0.071280 / 0.0936 / 0.286540
Double Oak / 0.224810 / 0 / 0.224810
Council Directs Engineers to Install Round-About at Intersection of Chinn Chapel Road and Orchid Hill Lane
When FM 2499 is completed in the near future, additional traffic will exit from FM 2499 onto Orchid Hill. Homeowners on Orchid Hill would like to slow the speed of this cross through traffic and especially discourage heavy truck traffic. One of the engineering suggestions for the “T” intersection of Chinn Chapel into Orchid Hill was a “round-about”. Statistically round-abouts are far safer than “T” intersections and are increasingly being used in area towns such as Southlake and Grapevine. They also are considered “calming devices” for traffic. Eighteen wheelers find them a nuisance to navigate, so they discourage heavy truck traffic. Residents appreciate them, because when traffic is light the residents do not have to stop at a stop sign, but can just continue around the round-about.
This option would require some minor right-of-way acquisition from the vacant acreage to the north of the intersection. However, Town resident David Paris, who lives at that intersection and is also a Captain in the Irving Police Department, was in favor of the round-about for its safety record as a traffic device.
Council directs Engineers to keep the current alignment of the “S” curve on Orchid Hill Lane
The engineers presented four possible future alignments for the “S” curve. The two alignments that most straightened the curve would take significant land from two landowners. The affected landowners and the Council did not appear in favor of these two options, because of the amount of ROW required and because straightening the “S” curve too drastically would simply encourage vehicles crossing through to increase their speed. One of the four options was simply to leave the “S” curve as it is, but widen the pavement of the northern portion to allow more visibility around that curve and more room to avoid an oncoming vehicle or bicycle. Some trees might need to be removed on the south side of the north curve to increase visibility of oncoming traffic. That corner is heavily wooded and totally blocks the view around the curve.
Landowner Evelyna Harberson very graciously said she would consider the removal of at least 10 trees (or pruning branches to 10 feet from the ground) in lieu of having almost 50 trees removed if the “S” curve was straightened. The Town would compensate the Harbersons for any mitigation of their trees to increase visibility around the curve for southeast bound traffic.
Leaving the “S” curve as is would mean retaining the current 20 MPH speed around the curve.
AVFD’s Jon Donahue recognized as Denton County “Firefighter of the Year”
The Heroes of Denton County Dinner at the Speedway Club September 24th was a huge success! Jon Donahue, four year President of our own Argyle Volunteer Fire District, was honored as Denton County “Firefighter of the Year”. Jon is beginning his 10th year as a“volunteer” firefighter and emergency medical technician. He has achieved EMT (b), the base level as a state certified paramedic. He had to complete 56 hours of EMT training and pass the State board examinations. To be a state certified firefighter, Jon had to complete 124 hours of training at the fire academy and pass a written state examination. Among the 10 firefighting skills that he had to show competency for were pumping water from a fire engine, properly putting on his fire fighting gear, different firefighting techniques for different types of fires (i.e. chemical, gas, brush, etc.), using ladders properly, venting buildings by cutting a hole in the roof to allow hot gasses to escape, etc.
Jon was nominated by fellow firefighter-EMT AVFD Fire Chief Mac Hohenberger. Jon’s wife Valerie Donahue, said her husband just “mumbled” that he’d been “nominated for something”. (This is typical of Jon’s modest manner. A “grandstander”, he is not!) Valerie didn’t have a clue Jon had been nominated for “Firefighter of the Year” until she saw the program at the Dinner
As a fellow AVFD Board Member, I have had a chance to witness firsthand Jon’s dedication to our fire district – and the way he handles the Board Presidency with diligence but a willingness to let all parties express their opinions. When I asked Jon what he most enjoyed about being a volunteer with the Fire District, he said: “First, working with the AVFD guys; and second, helping out fellow citizens when they need us.”
P.S. In his “day job”, John has been an investment advisor for employee pension funds and a commercial realtor for 30 years. He and wife Valerie have lived in Argyle the past 15 years.
P.S. Two: One of the other special treats of the Dinner was seeing the firefighters on our AVFD and Board in their “dress blue” uniforms – navy blue double breasted suits with brass buttons and full fire fighting-paramedic insignia. They were a very distinguished and handsome crew! Hopefully, there is a photo enclosed here of Pedro Chapa, Mike Harrel, Dave Howell, Mon Nguyen, Patrick Nuoci, James Price, and Copper Canyon’s own Mayor Pro Tem Jeff Mangum and gas well inspector Mike Lugo.
Highland Village’s April Roppolo name “Law Enforcement Officer of the Year”
Police Chief Ed O’Bara nominated Corporal April Roppolo for her many years of work with “at risk” youth in the community. Corporal Roppolo, in her touching acceptance speech, said she hoped to spare children the “sadness” she had experienced in her youth – having been moved repeatedly from foster home to foster home. This officer’s very respected work with our most vulnerable children inspired a most unique gift recently. An anonymous donor gave $20,000 dollars to the Children’s Advocacy Center of Denton County to host a room in Corporal Roppolo’s honor!
Town of Copper Canyon
LONG RANGE PLANNING TASK FORCE
September 28, 2009
Group One: Justin Road (FM 407), Copper Canyon Road
(Ranch Road*, Post Oak, Crepe Myrtle*, Copper Hill, Bridle Path*)
Council Liaison: Jeff Mangum …. Bridle Path Road
Andy Chacon, Chair …………….. Ranch Road
Janet Aune……………………….... Copper Canyon Road
Kaki Lybbert ……………………... Copper Canyon Road
Tom Reed ………………………… Post Oak Road
Dan Ruehs ………………………... Twin Canyon Trail
Marjorie Vickery ………………….. Justin Road (FM 407)
Group Two: Orchid Hill Lane, North Chinn Chapel Road
(Canyon Bluff, Landseer, Abbott, Lake Trail*, Meadowlake*, Bishop;
Mobile, Blackjack, Estates, Pilot, Knoll, High Meadow*)
Council Liaison: Sue Tejml …… Orchid Hill Lane
Mark Schmitz .. High Meadow Place
Dave Svatik, Chair ……………… Estates Drive
Dale Andrews ……………………... Landseer Drive
Bruce Mallam ……………………... Estates Drive
Mark Pape …………………………. Meadowlake
David Paris ………………………… Orchid Hill Lane
Ken Seale ………………………….. Chinn Chapel Road
Joe Tinker …………………………. Blackjack Lane
Deb Valencia …………………….... High Meadow Place
Travis Watson …………………….. .Mobile Drive
Group Three: Woodlands, Copper Woods, Hidden Creek Subdivisions
Council Liaison: John Brothers .. East Woodglen Drive
Dan Christy …. Ferris Lane
Bob Day, Chair …………………… West Woodglen Drive
Valerie Pearson Agamennone …….. Hidden Creek Subdivision
Brad Jones ………………………… Copper Woods Lane
Charlie Nicholas …………………... Copper Woods Lane
Bob Stegmaier …………………….. East Woodglen Drive
Marshall Warren …………………... Oakridge Trail
Group Four: Mahogany*, Jernigan, Lonesome Dove*,East Jernigan, Waite,
Rolling Acres Drive and Chinn Chapel North Subdivision
Council Liaison: Steve Hill ……… Copper Woods Lane
Donna Welsh …. Town Administrator
Anthony Lauchner. Chair ……….. N. Berry Trail Court
Paul Bosco ………………………… Mahogany Lane
Bill Burks …………………………... Waite Drive
Roy Bradford ………………………. Jernigan Road
Jim Coleman ……………………….. N. Meadow Court
Scott Doores ……………………….. East Jernigan Road
Bob Peffer ………………………..... Mahogany Lane
Scott Skidmore …………………..… Jernigan Road
David Wood ……………………….. Shady Meadow Court
* Starred roads are private roads, but must intersect safely and smoothly
with the public roads.
Council confirms Members to Town’s new Long Range Planning Task Force
The turnout at the first Workshop of the Town’s new Long Range Planning Task Force was incredible! TWENTY Task Force members attended! Our goal is for the Task Force to recommend to the Council by no later than the end of January 2010, a priority of Town roads to be rebuilt, what surface to use for each road (asphalt or concrete), and how to fund the rebuilding of these roads. This is no easy task and one or two alternate minority opinions are expected.
The Task Force was chosen from all geographic areas of Town, from homeowners living on acre lots in subdivisions and on multi-acre tracts. Some are long time Copper Canyon residents, such as Bob Stegmaier who chaired Planning and Zoning in the past; Jim Coleman who currently chairs the Town’s Election Committee; and Roy Bradford, who has been maintaining Town Hall grounds for decades. Some are newcomers to Copper Canyon, such as Dale Andrews who is already serving on the Road Advisory Committee; Anthony Lauchner who already chairs P and Z; and Tom Reed. Some Task Force members live on private concrete streets, which were paid for in the initial price of their home (i.e. Ranch Road and Mahogany Lane). Some Task Force members live on private roads surfaced in asphalt or gravel, which they personally maintain.
Two homeowners are also developers. Charlie Nicholas lives on Copper Woods Lane and has purchased the 40 acre Esunas tract to the north to develop into multi-acre lots in 2-3 years. Valerie Pearson Agamennone lives on Post Oak Road and represents her developer father David Pearson and his new Hidden Creek Subdivision. Marjory Vickeryand husband Paul Vickery were here when the Town was incorporated in 1973. Their 90 acres will be part of the future Copper Canyon retail development on the north and south side of FM 407.
The Task Force members are all independent thinkers with a wealth of practical knowledge and expertise in a variety of fields. Several have served on the Road Advisory Committee for years. David Wood and Joe Tinker are the former and current Chairs of the Road Advisory. Bob Day and Marshall Warren are members of several years. Paul Bosco, of the Estates of Copper Canyon, has expertise in concrete and just finished a job with our Town Engineer Brian Haynes on the new AVFD fire station on Copper Canyon Road.
Several Task Force members have past experience as elected officials of a town. Brad Jones was Mayor of Highland Village. Bob Peffer served 8 years as a Council Member for Flower Mound. Our own Butch Mallam served 20 years on Copper Canyon’s Town Council. Several have financial experience, such as Mark Pape and Scott Skidmore. Several have long range planning experience, such as Andy Chacon and Kaki Lybbert, who have both served on the Board of Selwyn School in Denton and Kaki has served on bank and hospital boards too. Some have corporate executive experience. Dave Svatik is responsible for all of the Western Hemisphere (Canada, North and South America) for the German corporation that makes the well known SAP business software. Scott Doores just recently sold his own software company and happened to mention to me that he “needed a new project”. (Music to my Mayor’s ears – I immediately recruited him for the Task Force.)
Road Tours of every road in Town
Each Task Force Member is currently going on a Road Tour of EVERY road in Copper Canyon. The groups are small – 4 to 5 persons – so the members can visit, ask questions, and get to know each other. The Members are also asked to make notes on each road in Town.
The Task Force is divided into four geographic groups. At the October 12th Workshop, the Members will meet with their Group and discuss priority for road rebuilding in their general area. This is the only time a member will be asked to narrow his focus to just his own geographic area, but we probably know our own immediate neighborhood roads and arterial access roads the best. However, the long term focus of the Task Force is the maintenance of ALL the roads in Copper Canyon.
The Council will meet in regular Session after the Workshop and consider hard bids for a few roads NOW. We are “guestimating” at costs and need some factual data on the actual bid cost to rebuild some short roads now. Council will welcome the Task Force’s input at the regular Council Meeting that night BEFORE any action is taken.
“Herding Cats…”
One long time Town resident remarked to me that a Task Force of this size was akin to “herding cats.” Probably an apt comparison. But I am always amazed at the number of Copper Canyon people who will help when asked. Our Council and Staff have the ability to analyze the data, discard the chaff, and reach a decision. So can these Task Force Members. They are all independent thinkers and - to my knowledge - have no underlying motives other than the “best interest” of the Town. But I believe with our collective efforts we can work together and find a way to fund our road needs that doesn’t financially stress any of our homeowners. Wish us luck – and feel free to call me, a Council Member, or any Task Force Member and offer your suggestions.
New Highland Village Rotary Club hosts first annual “Formal but Tacky Ball” to benefit local Breast Cancer support groups
Barb Ross, president of the Highland Village Rotary Club, explained that the Club is only a year old and wanted its first charity event to benefit local breast cancer support groups. The Rotary members chose “Cleaning for a Reason”, a charitable foundation begun 2-3 years ago by Debbie Sardone who owns “Buckets and Bows” in Lewisville. Sardone’s goal was to get 500 cleaning companies in the United States to donate home cleaning services for free to women undergoing breast cancer treatments. The foundation screens the applicants and requires each one to have a current physician’s prescription for breast cancer treatment, Sardone has achieved her goal in the States and the foundation is now expanding into Canada. The “Cleaning for a Reason” Foundation just received a $10,000 grant from “Women Helping Others’ of Carrollton. (
The second charity chosen was the “Bridge Breast Network”, which is based in Dallas but covers several counties in North Texas. Dr. Scott McDearmont is a surgeon, Highland Village Council Member, and new member of the Highland Village Rotary Club. He alerted the club to the “Bridge Breast Network”, which helps women who are uninsured or underinsured and in need of breast cancer treatments. The Dallas based “Network” agreed that all funds raised at the “Formal but Tacky Ball” could stay in the towns of Lewisville, Highland Village, and Flower Mound. Because of the Network’s connections with the medical profession, each dollar donated can be leveraged into $10 of medical services! (
Copper Canyon resident Ann Burks named Honorary Chair of the “Formal but Tacky Ball”
Ann Burksand husband Bill Burks have lived in Copper Canyon the past 17 years with their children Ellyse, William, and Christian. Ann and Bill celebrated their 25th Wedding Anniversary last month in September. Bill is the President and Founder of the Burks Financial Group and a current volunteer on the Town’s Long Range Planning Task Force.
Ann knows firsthand the battles women face when diagnosed with breast cancer, as do several of our women in Copper Canyon and their families. Ann said she was very pleased that the funds raised by this Ball would help women in our immediate area, and she was honored to be asked to Chair the Ball.