The Ellis County Press: Northern Ellis County Coalition of Cities meet for 1st time

Northern Ellis County Coalition of Cities meet for 1st time
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Editor on 11/27/2009 19:02:00


MEGAN GRAY
The Ellis County Press
RED OAK - Seven Ellis County cities met last Thursday, Nov. 19 at the Red Oak
Municipality Building over a BBQ dinner to discuss how they can possibly expand
their strengths and weaknesses by helping one another as a neighboring city.
"This has been in works as a vision of this town [Red Oak] for at least the last
four years," said Mayor Alan Hughley.
The meeting was more of an overall basic getting to know you while approving the
mission statement and date of the next and first "active" meeting tentatively
scheduled for Feb. 4, 2010.
The approved statement reads as follows: "_We are a coalition of North Ellis
County cities, including Ferris, Glenn Heights, Oak Leaf, Ovilla, Palmer, Pecan
Hill, and Red Oak, endeavoring to speak with one voice and one vision, who
identify common areas of endeavor, and desire to implement local and regional
programs and projects to accomplish long-range local and regional goals and
objectives. _
"This coalition also desires to work collectively to politically influence
county, regional, state and national bureaus, agencies and elected officials to
positively support and financially aid our mutual projects and goals.
"We will work together, sharing knowledge, experience and resources securing
successful projects and cooperative initiatives."
City of Glenn Heights and Ferris just approved membership into the Best
Southwest Association during their regular council meetings Monday, Nov.16 for
networking and expansion ideas as well.
Ferris paid $1,000 for their membership which was approved unanimously by the
council.
So far, no membership dues have been requested or set for the new Northern Ellis
County Coalition of Cities.
Interim Chair Alan Hughley just requests the cities take turns hosting the
quarterly meetings.
The steering committee will be decided upon by each city and brought back with
their votes during the February meeting.
"This is a good start and I am looking forward to seeing everyone here next year
so we can work together and bring forth the best in our cities,"said Hughley.