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Matt
Lafata’s Weekly Community News
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February 14, 2008 – Volume 7, Issue 7 |
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On Monday, February 11, I filed to run for
Mayor of Frisco with Erika by my side. The election is May 10
and please see the press release related to the filing in this
newsletter. You can also visit my
mayoral web site for
more information on our campaign. By the way, I’m always looking for more
ways to communicate and reach out to citizens and an idea that I
have had for a long time is to pick a day each week where I hang
out at a local coffee house and just have an open forum with
anybody who wants to come by. I have decided to start doing this
each Wednesday morning from 7:30-8:30 at It’s A Grind located at
the Shops at Starwood (SW corner of Lebanon and Legacy). The
owner, Marchand, is a Frisco resident and dear friend and I hope
you will support her business any chance you get and stop by on
Wednesdays to talk about issues facing our great city, or really
anything for that matter. It will be called “Mornings with
Matt”. The Frisco Family Services Center Presents
Your Chance to Win a Car. Their upcoming Gala, which is their
biggest fundraiser of the year, takes place on March 8. The
evening will conclude when one lucky person will be the winner
of a 200 Audi TT courtesy of Frisco Family Services Center in
partnership with Boardwalk Audi. Tickets are $100 and only
750 tickets will be sold. You do not need to be present to win
and you can purchase your ticket at
www.friscocenter.org This newsletter and information source is
designed to bring us all a little closer together each week by
providing coverage of so many things going on in our community.
There are so many amazing things in this newsletter, as there
are every week. Please forward this newsletter to all your
friends and neighbors and encourage them to sign up to receive
it themselves. They will greatly appreciate you for it as no
citizen should be without this important information at their
fingertips. Let’s work to get all Frisco citizens on this
list as a more informed society is a more functional society. If you have questions or have any community
events, people or groups you want to recognize, fundraising
events, or any newsworthy items you would like to see added and
shared with more than forty thousand residents and businesses in
Frisco and the surrounding areas, please send me an
email so I may
include them. The newsletter goes out each Thursday and I need
materials by the end of the day on the preceding Wednesday if
you want something to be included. If you received this from somebody else and
would like to be added to the list, just send me an
email. Your
email address will never be sold, rented, or given to anybody
else for any reason as your privacy is of the utmost importance
to me. All newsletters can also be found on our web site at
www.mattlafatamarketing.com. Inspirational Quote of the Week: "In order to be happy, human beings must
feel they are continuing to grow. Clearly, we must adopt the
concept of continuous improvement as a daily principle.” – Tony
Robbins For advertising opportunities, please
contact
sales@mattlafatamarketing.com As always, this newsletter is absolutely
packed with information – something for everyone. There is
always something going on in our great city and I try to include
everything I can. In this jam packed issue you will find lots of
great information. There is something for everyone including the
following…
Matt
Lafata’s Weekly Community News
1
Newsletter Sponsor – National League of Junior Cotillions –
Frisco Chapter:
2
Matt
Lafata Files to Run for Mayor of Frisco:
3
Part-Time Marketing Coordinator Position Here in Frisco at
HRchitect:
4
Please
support the Frisco High School Class of 2008:
5
Twice As
Nice MOPS Consignment Sale:
5
Last
Chance to Purchase FRISCOPOLY:
5
Tornado
Talk…by Junior Reporter, Kaleigh Lafata:
5
The
Thunder is Back! Get Your Tickets Now:
6
DFW
Family Hope Seeking Host Families for Spring 2008 Orphan
Camp:
6
National
Anthem Auditions for the Frisco RoughRiders:
7
Upcoming
Meeting of the Texas Democratic Women of Collin County:
7
Garage
Sale Donations Needed:
7
Frisco
Residents of Color Presents its 2nd Annual Garage Sale
“Spring Shopping Fling”:
8
Bright
Elementary School Hosts 4th Annual Sock Hop:
8
Sparks
Elementary Book Fair:
8
Frisco
Women’s League Hosting 3rd Annual Mother-Daughter Tea:
8
Family
Symphony Sundays! - A Fun, Interactive 5 Concert Series for
Families!
9
DBU-North Information Session / Open House: Monday,
March 17, at 5:45 p.m.:
9
Frisco
Flyers Fourth Annual Golf Tournament:
10
Frisco
Family Services Center Gala 2008 Deep In the Heart of Frisco
Just Weeks Away:
10
The
Collin County Black Chamber of Commerce:
11
Women's
Heart Healthy Day at Centennial Medical Center:
11
Frisco
Community Theatre is proud to present the regional premiere
of George Orwell's 1984:
11
Frisco
High School Choir Booster Club Presents...A Spring Shopping
Fair:
12
2008
Kurt Thomas Invitational Women’s National Gymnastics
Competition:
12
Plano
Symphony Orchestra Presents “Multi-Media World Salute to
Young Artists”:
13
St.
Philip’s Episcopal Church Hosts Annual Wedding Vow Renewals:
14
CCBT
Gala "Unmask The Night" April 5, 2008:
14
Hippity
Hoppity, Frisco’s Easter Eggstravaganza is on its way!:
15
FISD:
2008 Teen Court Summer Internship Program:
15
Relay
For Life Frisco Survivor Open House:
15
Frisco
Aquatics Needs Your Help:
16
Capital
One Bank Network Night:
16
GattiTown & Abrakadoodle - Guinness Book of World Records
Attempt!:
16
Einstein
Kidz Feb/March Events - Webkinz Workshops:
17
WOVI –
Women of Visionary Influence Upcoming Meeting:
17
Frisco-OnLine.com’s
February Mix & Mingle at Loft 610!:
17
Fifth
Annual Teachers on Ice:
18
Sign-up
Underway for Citizen Police and Fire Programs:
19
Frisco
Neighborhood Watch General Meeting Notice:
20
Next
Town Hall Meeting Set for Monday, February 25:
21
Financial Peace University:
21
St.
Philip’s Episcopal Preschool to Host Kindergarten Open
House:
22
“Kids in
the Kitchen” Fighting Childhood Obesity:
22
Congratulations to a Frisco Eagle Scout:
22
Landscape Design/Detail (Mid February to Late February):
24
Microsoft is Offering a Technology Workshop for Girls in
Grades 9-12:
25
February
and March Events and Programs at Stonebriar Centre:
27
Visual
Arts Guild of Frisco 2008:
28
Frisco
A&M Club Feb Events:
28
RoughRiders to Honor Local Student Athletes:
31
Texas
Sex Offender Registration Program:
31
Bowl
with The Thunder February 15 at Strikz:
32
Thunder
to Celebrate EDS Credit Union Grand Opening February 23:
32
Win a
Wii at Thunder Home Opener Thanks to EDS Credit Union:
32
Section
of Wade Blvd. Traffic “Shifts” to Northside of Median;
Drainage Construction Continues:
33
Candidate Filing Began February 11 for Three Council Seats,
Including Mayoral Position:
33
Kenny
Chesney Returns to Pizza Hut Park:
34
Lightning Sparks House Fire, Damages Estimated at $500,000;
No Injuries:
35
There’s
Summer Camp, Then There’s Sky Ranch Camp! Fun … For Life!:
35
25 Heart-Smart Moves to Make Right Now:
37 Newsletter Staff Members and
Contributors Matt
Lafata – Editor and Publisher – 214-336-3355
Kaleigh Lafata – Tornado Talk Sarah
Ianace – Happenings in the Frisco ISD Glenn
Kopanski – Landscape Design Pedro
Checo – Advice from Dr. Checo Joe
Hockaday, CPA – Today’s Tax Talk From Joe Citizen of the Month and Neighborhood of
the Month Details If you have a citizen or neighborhood
you would like to nominate, please send it to me. The Citizen of the Month will focus
on a person or group in Frisco who has been nominated by another
individual. He, she or they could be a person or a group who has
recently done something special that contributes to the
well-being of our city and/or its citizens, or it could be
somebody who has had (or currently has) an interesting career or
experiences that could be shared with our readers. The Neighborhood of the Month will
highlight a particular neighborhood in our city. I am looking to
hear from you as to why your Neighborhood is so special. City of Frisco Related Question of the
Week: Q. Who is responsible for
repairing neighborhood street signs that have blown down from
the poles? A. Street sign replacement
for Frisco streets is taken care of by Public Works. You may
contact Public Work at 972-292-5800. This Day in History – February 14, 1929:
St. Valentine’s Day Massacre From the History Channel… In Chicago, gunmen in the suspected
employment of organized-crime boss February is American Heart Month: Last week we covered Congenital Heart
Defect Awareness…
Heart
disease is the leading cause of death in the United States
and is a major cause of disability. The most common heart
disease in the United States is coronary heart disease, which
often appears as a heart attack. In 2008, an estimated 770,000
Americans will have a new coronary attack, and about 430,000
will have a recurrent attack. About every 26 seconds, an
American will have a coronary event, and about one every minute
will die from one. The chance of developing coronary heart
disease can be reduced by taking steps to prevent and control
factors that put people at greater risk. Additionally, knowing
the signs and symptoms of heart attack are crucial to the most
positive outcomes after having a heart attack. People who have
survived a heart attack can also work to reduce their risk of
another heart attack or a stroke in the future. For more
information on heart disease and stroke, visit
CDC's Division for Heart
Disease and Stroke Prevention. Other conditions that affect your heart or
increase your risk of death or disability include arrhythmia,
heart failure, and peripheral artery disease (PAD). High
cholesterol, high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, tobacco,
and secondhand smoke are also risk factors associated with heart
disease. For more information on how to reduce these risk
factors for heart disease, visit
Heart
Disease Prevention. For a full list of diseases and
conditions along with risk factors and other health information
associated with heart disease, visit the
American Heart Association. Some heart attacks are sudden and intense;
however, most heart attacks start slowly, with mild pain or
discomfort. Often people affected aren't sure what's wrong and
wait too long before getting help. Here are signs that can mean
a heart attack is happening:
·
Chest discomfort. Most heart attacks
involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more
than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back. It can
feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain.
·
Discomfort in other areas of the upper
body. Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both
arms, the back, neck, jaw, or stomach.
·
Shortness of breath. May occur with or
without chest discomfort.
·
Other signs: These may include breaking out
in a cold sweat, nausea, or lightheadedness.
The American Heart Association and the
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute have launched a new
"Act in Time" campaign to increase people's awareness of heart
attack and the importance of calling 9-1-1 immediately at the
onset of heart attack symptoms.
Find the
links here. A healthy diet and lifestyle are the best
weapons you have to fight heart disease. Many people make it
harder than it is. It is important to remember that it is the
overall pattern of the choices you make that counts. As you make
daily food choices, base your eating pattern on these
American Heart Association recommendations:
·
Choose lean meats and poultry without skin
and prepare them without added saturated and trans fat.
·
Select fat-free, 1% fat, and low-fat dairy
products.
·
Cut back on foods containing partially
hydrogenated vegetable oils to reduce trans fat in your diet.
·
Cut back on foods high in dietary
cholesterol. Aim to eat less than 300 mg of cholesterol each
day.
·
Cut back on beverages and foods with added
sugars.
·
Choose and prepare foods with little or no
salt. Aim to eat less than 2,300 mg of sodium per day (or less
than 1,500 mg if you are in a higher risk group for high blood
pressure).
·
If you drink alcohol, drink in moderation.
That means no more than one drink per day if you’re a woman and
two drinks per day if you’re a man.
·
Follow the American Heart Association
recommendations when you eat out, and keep an eye on your
portion sizes. Physical activity in your daily life is an
important step to preventing heart disease. You can take a few
simple steps at home, at work, and at play to increase the
amount of physical activity in your life.
Get tips and ideas here. For advertising opportunities, please
contact
sales@mattlafatamarketing.com Homeowner Association Meetings and Other
Group Meetings: If you have an upcoming meeting that you
would like a city official at, just to be available to answer
any questions, please let us know. If Matt’s schedule permits,
he would love to attend. Answering Questions for Kids and Young
Adults: As you know, communication and sharing
information is something that I spend a lot of time doing. I
frequently get asked to answer questions for kids and young
adults for school projects or leadership programs. Usually the
project involves getting these questions answered from somebody
in a leadership position, and as a City Council member, I’m
always happy to take the time to do this. If your son or
daughter ever needs questions answered from a leadership figure
for projects of any kind, please feel free to contact me or have
them contact me directly. Alternatively, if your child is interested
in learning more about city government and has questions, feel
free to contact me. Finally, if you are looking for a speaker
to talk to a group of kids or young adults about city government
or Frisco in general, I’m happy to try and schedule something. All the opinions, endorsements or
recommendations in this newsletter are mine alone and they do
not necessarily reflect the opinions or views of any
organization or group with whom I am affiliated or the
individuals who are a part of such organizations and
groups. You should not rely on any statement made in this
newsletter as evidenced of how I may act as a member of any
organization or group. Inclusion of news, events and
other information in this newsletter does not imply
an endorsement; it merely serves as my effort to be of service
to the readers. All About Frisco: In our continuing efforts to bring
information to our great community, we have updated our web site
with listings of:
·
Frisco Neighborhoods and Homeowner
Associations
·
Churches and other places of Worship
·
Clubs and Organizations
·
The Frisco Independent School District and
other Schools Visit
www.friscocommunity.com to access this information and I
look forward to your feedback. This site will continue to grow
and evolve over time. Clubs, Groups and Organizations in and
around Frisco: Frisco is
home to a very diverse and numerous set of clubs, groups and
organizations. If your group or organization is missing, and you
would like to get it listed, please send me an
email so we
can list it and continue to maintain the most comprehensive list
available.
Alcoholics Anonymous
Frisco – 972-708-5086
Allen-Frisco-Plano
Autism Spectrum Parent Group
American Cancer Society of Collin County – 214-819-1221
American Red Cross of North
Texas – 972-542-5642
Angel Food Ministries
– 214-282-5576
Association of Frisco Retired School Personnel – 972-335-3040
Boy Scouts of
America – 214-902-6754
CASA of Collin County – 972-529-2272
Celebrate Recovery
– 214-282-5576
Christian Community Action
– 972-436-4357
City of Frisco –
972-292-5000
Collin County –
972-424-1460
Collin County Association of Realtors – 214-618-3800
Collin County Community College
Collin County
Community College Education Foundation
Collin County Connection – 214-544-0666
Collin County Early Childhood
PTA – 972-712-3634
Collin County Gay and Lesbian
Alliance – 214-521-5342
Collin County Genealogy Association – 972-231-4190
Collin County
Republican Party
Daughters of the American Revolution – 972-307-5906
Democratic Party of Collin
County
Downtown Advisory Board – 972-292-5108
Downtown Merchants
Association – 972-292-5108
Frisco A&M Club –
972-897-7765
Frisco American Business
Women’s Association (ABWA)
Frisco Al-Anon Family Group – 972-978-8757
Frisco-Allen Texas Area Alumnae
Panhellenic
Frisco Area Children’s
Theater – 972-377-2675
Frisco Association For the
Arts
Frisco Baseball/Softball
Organization – 972-712-2288
Frisco Business and
Professional Women – 972-377-0335
Frisco Community
Band – 972-668-5315
Frisco
Community Theatre – 972-377-3868
Frisco Convention and
Visitors Bureau
Frisco Ducks Unlimited –
972-712-5049
Frisco Economic Development
Corporation – 972-668-5550
Frisco Education Foundation – 469-633-6066
Frisco Family Services
Center – 972-335-9495
Frisco Family YMCA –
972-335-3222
Frisco Fire Department
– 972-335-5525
Frisco Football
League – 972-712-0558
Frisco
Garden Club – 972-335-3812
Frisco Gymnastics Center
– 972-377-0888
Frisco Humane
Society – 972-498-8980
Frisco Independent School
District – 469-633-6000
Frisco Noon Lion’s Club
– 972-335-2487
Frisco Music
Teachers Association
Frisco Police Department
– 972-292-6000
Frisco Post Office –
972-335-7453
Frisco
Republicans – 972-335-9176
Frisco Rotary Club –
972-701-2801
Frisco Soccer Association
– 972-712-4625
Frisco Thunder
Professional Football
Frisco Veterans of Foreign
Wars Post #8273 – 972-712-5611
Frisco Women’s
League – 972-712-8890
Frisco/Plano Christian Women’s Club – 972-668-4464
Frisco Youth Volleyball
Leagues
Heritage Association of
Frisco – 972-335-6684
Heroes for Children
– 214-256-5824
KittiCo Cat Rescue –
214-826-6903
Labrador Retriever
Rescue of North Texas
Lewisville Independent School
District
Meals on Wheels – 972-562-6996
MOMS Club of
Frisco – East Central Chapter - 972-712-1789
MOMS Club of Frisco – South Chapter – 214-336-8001
MOMS Club of Frisco –
SE Chapter – 214-2272418
MOMS Club of Frisco – SW Chapter – 469-384-8002
MOMS Club of Frisco
– West Central Chapter
MOMS Club of
Frisco – West Chapter – 214-504-9223
Mothers of Preschoolers
(MOPS) – 972-668-7458
North Texas Tollway Authority
– 214-461-2000
OU Club of Collin County –
972-797-9708
Overeaters Anonymous –
972-832-5263
Play Pals –
972-839-0312
Senior Center at Frisco
Square – 972-292-6550
SPCA of Texas – 972-562-7387
Speak Up – Frisco Toastmasters Group – 972-881-9989
Stonewall
Democrats of Collin County
Texas Democratic Women of Collin
County
Toastmasters Club of
Frisco – 972-712-4611
Volunteer Center
of North Texas
Voter Registration Information – Collin County
Voter Registration Information – Denton County
Women Encouraging
Business – 972-335-9522
WOVI-Frisco: Women of
Visionary Influence – 469-252-4528
Young Life Frisco
– 972-424-6339 Churches and other Places of Worship in
and around Frisco One of the wonderful things about Frisco
is the many diverse religions you can find. If your Church is
not listed, please contact me at
matt@mattlafata.com so
we can list it and continue to maintain the most comprehensive
list available.
Apostolic Temple – 972-712-5673
Assembly of God Cornerstone Community Church – 972-335-4704
Celebration
Covenant – 214-387-9833
Central Christian Church – 972-377-2608
Church of God in Christ – 972-377-3649
Church of Living Stones – 972-335-3499
Compass Christian Church – 972-335-7546
Cornerstone Christian
Reformed Church - 469-362-7844
Cornerstone Community Church
– 972-335-4704
Crossroads Community Church – 972-712-0582
Faithbridge
Presbyterian – 972-377-9560
Fellowship of Frisco
– 972-335-1700
First Baptist Church of
Frisco – 972-335-9830
First Pentecostal Church – 972-292-3174
First United Methodist
– 972-335-4380
Frisco Bible Church –
972-335-8150
Frisco Church of
Christ – 972-335-2118
Frisco Masjid –
972-898-8691
Frisco Trails Fellowship
Bible Church – 972-731-5999
Genesis Metro –
469-450-6277
Grace Avenue United
Methodist – 972-335-2882
Grace Church -
469-633-9104
Grace Pointe –
972-292-3174
Hamilton Chapel Baptist Church – 972-377-3348
Hope Fellowship –
972-377-8855
Kingdom Life
Christian Center – 214-618-1500
Lebanon Baptist Church
– 972-377-3348
Liberty Baptist Church – 972-625-3546
Living Waters Family Worship
Center – 214-387-9602
Lone Star Baptist
Church – 469-358-7089
Newstart Church of the
Nazarene – 214-282-5576
Northstar Church –
972-712-8282
Praise Fellowship
Worship Center – 214-387-9397
Preston Ridge Baptist
Church – 972-712-7007
Preston Trail Community
Church – 972-668-1244
Rejoice Lutheran Church – 972-335-6411
Revolution
Ministries – 214-649-0623
Rock Hill Church of Christ –
972-346-2710
Shawnee Trail Church of Christ – 972-377-9106
St. Francis of Assisi
Catholic Church – 972-712-2645
St. Philips Episcopal
Church – 214-387-4700
Stonebriar
Church of Christ – 972-712-9264
Stonebriar Community Church
– 469-252-5000
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints – 972-377-4724
The Journey – 214-529-8873
Turning Point CMA Church – 469-733-3196
Water’s Edge Lutheran
Church – 972-712-7377 About Matt Lafata: Matt Lafata and his wife Erika share six
children between the two of them. In January 1999, Mr. Lafata
moved to Frisco from Gloucester, MA. Mr. Lafata has helped build
several highly successful businesses for more than 20 years. A
long-time business consultant, entrepreneur and human resources
professional, he is the Director of Business Development with
the Frisco-based HR strategy and technology consulting firm
HRchitect (www.HRchitect.com).
He is also the founder of several marketing and public relations
agencies including The Matt Lafata Marketing Group (www.mattlafatamarketing.com).
Previously, Mr. Lafata was an Executive Vice President of a
computer software company where he was responsible for corporate
development, marketing, sales, product development and more. Mr.
Lafata studied finance and business management at Salem State
College in Salem, Massachusetts. Mr. Lafata is involved in numerous
organizations throughout Frisco. He is in his 2nd
term as a Frisco City Council member and has been involved in
the following…
·
Former Deputy Mayor Pro Tem on the Frisco
City Council
·
Former Planning & Zoning Commissioner
·
Graduate of Leadership Frisco
·
2005 recipient of the “21 Leaders of the 21st
Century” by Inside Collin County Business
·
Graduate of the Citizen’s Police Academy
and a member of the Alumni group
·
Youth sports coach
·
Past board member for the Frisco Family
Services Center
·
St. Francis of Assisi Knights of Columbus
Member
·
Member of the Frisco Heritage Association
·
Member of the Frisco Association for the
Arts
·
Member of the Frisco Community Theatre
·
Community Advisory Board member for the
Frisco Women’s League
·
Friends of the Frisco Public Library Member
·
Board member for the Frisco Square
Municipal Management District
·
City of Frisco Technology Committee member
·
City of Frisco Budget and Audit
subcommittee member
·
Tax Increment Finance board member
·
Wakeland High School PTA
Technology/Publicity Committee Chairperson
·
Co-Director of the Mrs. Texas United States
Pageant
·
Honorary Chair for World AIDS Day 2007 in
Collin County Since 2001, Matt and his marketing company
have produced this very popular e-newsletter that goes out every
week to over 40,000 people and businesses which keeps the Frisco
community in touch with local events and businesses. In July 2007, Matt announced his bid for
Mayor of Frisco in the May 2008 election. Visit
www.matt4mayor.com for
more information about his candidacy. How to “Whitelist” this Frisco Community
Newsletter in Your Spam Filter: With the advent of outrageous volumes of
unwanted email these days, of which I get a ton, it's
unfortunate that legitimate email publications like this are not
being seen by some of the readers who enjoy those publications.
There is much fear today that the email publishing/marketing
industry is in serious trouble, due to mistakes in filtering
when legitimate email is erroneously tagged as unwanted email. While we applaud the anti-spam industry for
removing the plethora of unwanted email from many of our
mailboxes, from time to time, some legitimate email publications
are mistaken as unwanted. Sometimes, this results in our mailings
bouncing back, with requests for us to respond to
challenge/response messages to prevent future filtering.
However, due to the size of our list, it's nearly impossible for
us handle the volume of such requests. To that end, please realize that we want
our readers to always anticipate and enjoy the valuable
information that this community newsletter delivers. If you currently use an anti-spam program
or service, we ask that you take just a minute or two to add
this newsletter to your "safe" or permitted email sender list.
This usually involves simply adding our sending address (From:)
to your whitelist, safelist, or list of privileged senders. This
is commonly known as whitelisting a publication. Simply add the
email addresses of
matt@mattlafata.com and
matt@mattlafatamarketing.com.
If you wish to
be removed from this list, please send an email to
matt@mattlafatamarketing.com and simply put the words REMOVE
in the subject line.
Any Political
Advertising contained in this newsletter is Paid for by Matt
Lafata for Mayor -
Sarah Ianace,
Treasurer, 6061 Pintail Lane, Frisco TX 75034 |
Dear Friends, Happy Valentine’s Day to everybody! This week’s newsletter is Proudly Sponsored
by the National League of Junior
Cotillions – Frisco Chapter. A lot of work goes into
putting this newsletter together and I greatly appreciate the
support of our sponsors so please patronize them wherever
possible. My
blog is now
being updated regularly and will contain information on our
campaign for Mayor and the many activities that will take place
leading up to the May 10 election. I am going to largely keep
political information out of this newsletter over the next few
months but I did want to include a press release that was issued
earlier this week when I officially filed to run for Mayor. You
can see the press release below in the newsletter. This is a community newsletter, YOUR commun |