[1. CALL TO ORDER] [00:00:02] >> GOOD EVENING, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE. IT'S A SPECIAL NIGHT. WE HAVE A VETERAN THAT WE'RE HONORING TONIGHT AND WE ALSO HAVE LEADERSHIP ROWLETT CLASS VISITING US. IT IS CLASS NUMBER 29, AND IF YOU ARE PART OF LEADERSHIP ROWLETT CLASS 29, IF YOU'D PLEASE STAND RIGHT NOW. WE'RE SO GLAD TO HAVE YOU. [APPLAUSE] AND I WAS TELLING THIS CLASS EARLIER TODAY THAT TWO WEEKS AGO, WE WERE HERE UNTIL 1:30 IN THE MORNING, BUT WE WON'T REPEAT THAT TONIGHT. SO THIS IS A GREAT MEETING FOR YOU ALL TO BE HERE AND WE'RE REALLY, REALLY GLAD YOU'RE HERE. SO WE'RE GOING TO START THE MEETING WITH INVOCATION, AND I THINK WE HAVE PASTOR BRIAN HITET TO GIVE THE INVOCATION, SO PLEASE STAND AT THIS TIME. >> FATHER, OUR PRIOR TONIGHT FOR OUR CITY, WE THANK YOU FOR OUR CITY OFFICIALS, EACH AND EVERY ONE OF THEM, WE PRAY TONIGHT, GOD, THAT, LORD, I KNOW ALL OF THEM HAVE PLANS AND STEPS THAT THEY WANT TO ACCOMPLISH, BUT, GOD, YOU KNOW THE COURSE, SO WE ASK THAT THEY WOULD BE SUBMITTED TO YOU. WE PRAY FOR OUR FIRST RESPONDERS, WE THANK YOU FOR THEM, GOD, AND EVEN OUR VETERANS WHO ARE HERE TONIGHT, WE THANK YOU FOR THEM, GOD, AND THOSE WHO ARE HERE AND THOSE THAT ARE ON FOREIGN LAND TONIGHT, WE PRAY THAT YOU WOULD WATCH OVER THEM. WE THANK YOU FOR OUR SCHOOLS, OUR CHURCHES, OUR BUSINESSES, LORD, IN ROWLETT. WE PRAY, GOD, THAT YOU JUST CONTINUE TO MINISTER AND BLESS OUR GREAT CITY, LORD. AND FATHER, WE PRAY, GOD, THAT YOU WOULD JUST GUIDE US TONIGHT. WE ASK FOR WISDOM FROM ABOVE FROM HEAVEN, AND I KNOW YOU SAID THAT YOU WOULD GIVE IF WE WOULD ASK, SO WE ASK AND SO, FATHER, WE KNOW THAT YOU'LL GIVE, PROTECT US, WATCH OVER US AGAIN AND BLESS OUR CITY AND OUR LEADERS TONIGHT AS THEY MEET IN JESUS' NAME, AMEN. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH, PASTOR. CORNERSTONE CHURCH. SO HAPPY TO HAVE YOU. PLEASE NOW JOIN US IN THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. >> I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL. >> AND NOW FOR THE TEXAS PLEDGE. HONOR THE TEXAS FLAG; I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THEE, TEXAS, ONE STATE UNDER GOD, ONE AND INDIVISIBLE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. PLEASE BE SEATED. [5A. Presentation announcing the promotion of Corporal Reid Smith to Sergeant in the Rowlett Police Department.] SO WE HAVE TWO VERY, VERY SPECIAL THINGS TO START OUR MEETING OFF. ONE IS A PROMOTION OF A POLICE OFFICER, AND OUR NEXT ONE IS WHY HONOR FOR A LOCAL VETERAN, SO WE'RE VERY, VERY EXCITING. ITEM 5A, PRESENTATION ANNOUNCING THE PROMOTION OF CORPORAL REID SMITH TO SERGEANT IN THE ROWLETT POLICE DEPARTMENT. SO WHILE I'M READING A LITTLE BIT OF BACKGROUND, IF THE CHIEF OR CHIEFS AND WHOEVER ELSE SHOULD BE COMING FORWARD WOULD COME FORWARD, I'D APPRECIATE THAT. SO WITH THE RETIREMENT IN DECEMBER 2019 OF 1 OF OUR PATROL SERGEANTS, A VACANCY WAS CREATED WHICH WOULD NEED TO BE FILLED BY A CORPORAL, AND THE VACANCY WAS ANNOUNCED, INTERVIEWS AND ASSESSMENTS WERE CONDUCTED AND ON JANUARY 9TH, 2020, CORPORAL REID SMITH WAS PROMOTED TO SERGEANT. SO REID SMITH IS ORIGINALLY BEGAN HIS LAW ENFORCEMENT CAREER AS A DISPATCHER WHILE ALSO WORKING AS A RESERVE SHERIFF'S DEPUTY WITH THE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE. IN 2007, REED RELOCATED TO THE ROWLETT AREA, BECAME A POLICE OFFICER WITH THE ROWLETT POLICE DEPARTMENT. HE HAS RECEIVED SEVEN LETTERS OF APPRECIATION, ONE LETTER OF COMMENDATION AND ONE LIFE SAVING AWARD FOR PERFORMING CPR. HE IS ASSIGNED TO THE PATROL DIVISION AND HAS BEEN AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FIELD TRAINING PROGRAM AS A FIELD TRAINING OFFICER. REID WAS ASSIGNED TO THE RANK OF CORPORAL IN 2015. HE IS MARRIED TO HIS IF WU JENNIFER, AND WHERE IS SHE? AN THEY HAVE ONE NEW BRAND NEW BABY BOY, MASON. HI, MASON. SO WE WANT TO HONOR AND RECOGNIZE THIS PROMOTION. SO CHIEF? [00:05:01] >> THANK YOU, MAYOR. BEFORE ANY OFFICER TAKES A LAW ENFORCEMENT OATH, IT'S IMPORTANT THAT HE/SHE UNDERSTANDS WHAT IT MEANS. AN OATH IS A SOLEMN PLEDGE SOMEONE MAKES WHEN HE/SHE SINCERELY INTENDS TO DO WHAT HE/SHE SAYS. BETRAY IS DEFINED AS BREAKING FAITH WITH THE PUBLIC TRUST. BADGE IS A SYMBOL OF YOUR OFFICE. INTEGRITY IS BEING THE SAME PERSON IN BOTH PRIVATE AND PUBLIC LIFE. CHARACTER MEANS THE QUALITIES THAT DISTINGUISH AN INDIVIDUAL. PUBLIC TRUST IS A CHARGE OF DUTY IMPOSED IN FAITH TOWARDS STHOAS YOU SERVE. THOSE YOU SERVE. COURAGE IS HAVING STRENGTH TO WITHSTAND UNETH KELLEY PRESSURING, FEAR OR DANGER. ACCOUNTABILITY MEANS YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE TO YOUR OATH OF OFFICE. COMMUNITY IS A JURISDICTION OF CITIZENS SERVE. ED. SO TAKE THIS OATH, REPEAT AFTER ME. ON MY HONOR, I WILL NEVER BETRAY MY BADGE, MY INTEGRITY, MY CHARACTER, OR PUBLIC TRUST. I WILL ALWAYS HAVE THE COURAGE TO HOLD MYSELF AND OTHERS ACCOUNTABLE FOR WHAT OUR ACTIONS. I WILL ALWAYS UPHOLD THE CONSTITUTION, MY COMMUNITY, AND THE AGENCY I SERVE. CONGRATULATIONS. [APPLAUSE] HIS WIFE JENNIFER WILL DO THE PINNING. [APPLAUSE] >> THANK YOU, MAYOR. >> I WAS GOING TO SHAKE YOUR HAND BUT I HAVE A COLD. CONGRATULATIONS. >> THANK YOU. >> WE'VE GOT SOME GOOD THINGS GOING ON IN OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT SO WE'RE VERY, VERY HAPPY TO ANNOUNCE THAT [5B. Presentation of Proclamation to Billy Furgerson as part of the Rowlett Veterans Recognition Program.] PROMOTION. THE NEXT ITEM IS 5B, PRESENTATION OF PROCLAMATION TO BILLY FURGERSON AS PART OF THE ROWLETT VETERANS RECOGNITION PROGRAM, AND I KNOW A LOT OF YOU ARE HERE TO PAY HONOR. TO MR. FURGERSON. SO YOU HAVE SOME FAMILY MEMBERS HERE WITH YOU TODAY. OKAY. I KNOW, MR. FURGERSON, THAT YOU PROBABLY DON'T WANT TO STAND UP HERE FOR VERY LONG, IS THAT RIGHT? IS THAT A FAIR STATEMENT? SO I'M GOING TO DO A LITTLE BIT OF SOME BACKGROUND INFORMATION AND THEN I'M GOING TO ASK ONE OF YOU IN THE FAMILY TO COME UP AND INTRODUCE THE FAMILY MEMBERS IF YOU WOULD AND THEN WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT YOU, MR. FURGERSON, OKAY? SO LET'S JUST DO IT KIND OF LIKE THAT. SO I DON'T THINK IT'S A GOOD IDEA FOR YOU TO STAND UP HERE. WE'RE SO HONORED TO HAVE WITH US TONIGHT ROWLETT RESIDENT AND VETERAN MR. BILLY FURGERSON. AND IN COLLABORATION RAITION WITH THEVETERANS OUTREACH CENTED THIRD WATCH LAW ENFORCEMENT MOTORCYCLE CLUB, WE ARE PLEASED TO HONOR A ROWLETT VETERAN BIMONTHLY TO SHOW APPRECIATION TO THOSE IN OUR COMMUNITY WHO HAVE DEDICATED THEIR TIME AND SERVICE TO OUR NATION. TO DATE, WE HAVE HONORED VETERANS DONALD PIERSON, AND IF YOU'RE IN THE AUDIENCE, JUST RAIDRAISE YOUR HAND. DONALD PIERSON, WILLIAM TURNER, RENE STEPHENS, JOHN CHILLSON, CHRIS KILLGORE, GUNNER KLEINBEL, RICK KAZAR, ROBERT BLATNICK, JOHN BARKER, WHO IS DECEASED AND A GOOD FRIEND, JEFFREY GRAY, JAMES RANDOLPH, JR., BILLY RICE, JIMMY GRAVES, TIM HARD PLAN, JIM B.A. ADAMS AND DAN KLEISS. AND THERE'S BEEN MORE THAN A FEW MEMORABLE MOMENTS. SINCE THE INCEPTION, IT'S GROWN TO INCLUDE PARTICIPATION BY LAURIE ALBERTS QUOTES, DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANS, THE DETACHMENT OF THE MARINE CORPS LEAGUE, JOHN SOLERNO AND THE MAD RADIO SHOW AND THE 99% RADIO NETWORK. I WANT TO THANK ALL OF YOU WHO SUPPORT THIS PROGRAM AND TO THE CITIZENS OF THE CITY OF ROWLETT WHO SUPPORT OUR VETERANS. I DO WANT TO MENTION THAT OUR VETERAN THAT IS BEING RECOGNIZED TONIGHT WAS BROUGHT TO OUR ATTENTION THROUGH HIS FRIENDSHIP WITH A PREVIOUS VETERAN THAT WE [00:10:01] RECOGNIZED THAT WE LOST, AND THAT WAS JOHN BARKER. AND WE'RE SO PRIVILEGED TO KNOW YOU AND WE'RE SO HAPPY TO RECOGNIZE YOU TONIGHT. THERE'S BEEN SEVERAL PEOPLE THAT HAVE HELPED BRING YOU TO US, SO WE SO APPRECIATE THAT THEM. THEM. SO I'M NOW GOING TO INTRODUCE BRIAN WILLBURN, PRESIDENT OF THIRD WATCH, AND IS ALSO A VROC EMPLOYEE WHO'S GOING TO GIVE US SOME COLOR COMMENTARY ON YOUR HISTORY. SO IF YOU COULD, BRIAN? >> SO MR. FURGERSON, IT REALLY IS MY HONOR TO BE HERE TONIGHT AND GET TO HONOR YOU IN FRONT OF ALL THESE FOLKS. I GOT TO SPEND SOME TIME A COUPLE WEEKS AGO OVER AT MR. FURGERSON'S HOME ALONG WITH JIM K ATZENBERGER, LITION ENING TO HIS STORIES IN MY POSITION AS THE VETERANS DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR FOR THE VROC, I GET TO MEET ALL KINDS OF INTERESTING VETERANS FROM ACROSS THE AREA AND THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR SPENDING SOME TIME WITH ME. I LOVE LISTENING TO YOUR STORIES AND IT WAS MY HONOR TO HEAR THEM AND MY HONOR TO HAVE YOU HERE TONIGHT. SO WE HAVE WORLD WAR II VETERAN BILLY FURGERSON. AND BILLY WAS -- HE TOLD ME WHEN WE WERE TALKING, HE SAID, I DON'T DESERVE THIS AWARD, I DIDN'T DO ANYTHING SPECIAL, AND I MADE THE COMMENT TO HIM THAT NIGHT, I SAID, BUT YOU DID DO YOUR DUTY. HE WENT TO SCHOOL THE FIRST YEAR AND A HALF OF WORLD WAR II AND HE ENLISTED IN 1 1943. AND HE WAS IN THE EIGHTH AIR FORCE, THE ARMY AIR CORPS AT THAT TIME, AND YOU WENT TO -- IF I RECALL, YOU WENT TO SICILY, RIGHT? YOU WENT TO SICILY, THEN ITALY -- NAPLES, NAPLES. I KNEW IT WAS ITALY. I COULD REMEMBER ITALY. AND THEN HE WENT UP THE BOOT IN ITALY, WENT TO GERMANY, AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT PROBABLY CAUGHT MY ATTENTION THE MOST AS HE WAS TELLING THE STORY, HE SAID IT VERY SHEEPISHLY BUT I SAID, YOU KNOW, YOU WENT AND YOU DID YOUR DUTY. AND HE SAID, WHEN I WAS -- HE TOOK CARE OF INVENTORY OF AIRPLANES AND STUFF, THAT'S JUST WHAT HE DID. BUT HE WENT TO AUSCHWITZ, AND HE SAW THE HORRORS OF AUSCHWITZ. AND HE WENT THROUGH SEVERAL GERMAN AIR RAIDS AND I'VE NEVER BEEN IN AN AIR RAID SO I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THAT'S LIKE, AND I CAN'T EVEN IMAGINE WHAT A WORLD WAR II AIR RAID IS LIKE WITH, YOU KNOW, THE INACCURATE BOMBING SYSTEMS OF THE TIME, AND HE WAS TELLING ME THESE STORIES JUST VERY HUMBLELY, AND HE WENT AND HE DID HIS DUTY AND HE SAW THINGS THAT MOST PEOPLE WOULD NEVER SEE. THEN I FOUND OUT TODAY THAT HE HAD A DIARY, AND DON'T LAUGH, I'VE GOT TO PUT MY WIFE'S GLASSES ON BECAUSE I CAN'T SEE TO READ IT. BUT SHE WAS READING SOME OF THESE STORIES TO ME THAT HE -- I DON'T KNOW IF YOU CAN SEE THIS OR NOT, BUT THIS IS AN ANTIQUE, AND IT'S FROM 1943 AND '44. EVERY SINGLE SPOT IN HERE ON EVERY PAGE IS FULL, AND I DON'T KNOW HOW HE DID IT, BUT ONE OF THEM WAS KIND OF INTERESTING AND SHE POINTED IT OUT TO ME SO I WANT TO JUST TRIED TO READ IT REAL QUICK. THIS WAS -- IT SAYS, "TODAY WAS THE FIRST PAYDAY I'VE HAD IN THREE MONTHS. I GOT $63.63. GOT OFF AT 4:00 P.M. AND MARCHED DOWN TO A SECTION OF NAPLES WHERE WE DELIVERED -- OH, AND PRACTICED FOR A PARADE, RESTRICTED AGAIN TONIGHT. YOU GO THREE MONTHS AND THEN YOU GET $63.63. SO THAT'S SERVICE RIGHT THERE, MR. FURGERSON. HE TALKS ALSO ABOUT HIS CREWS. COMING OVER WHEN HE LEFT THE STATES TO GO OVERSEAS ABOUT FEEDING THE FISH, GETTING SEASICK, AND HOW HE WAS GLAD THAT HE DIDN'T JOIN THE NAVY. [LAUGHTER] ANYWAY, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE DO, THOUGH, WITH VETERANS RECOGNITION PROGRAM IS TRY TO FIND PEOPLE THAT NOT ONLY HAVE SERVED THEIR COUNTRY BUT SERVED THEIR COMMUNITY. WHEN I WENT OVER TO HIS HOUSE, I WAS DRAWN TO SOME THINGS ON HIS WALL THAT I WANTED JUST TO SHARE WITH YOU REAL QUICK. [00:15:04] I CAN'T REALLY SHOW THEM TO YOU BUT I'LL READ THEM TO YOU. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT CAUGHT MY ATTENTION WAS THAT HE HAD HIS BIBLE RIGHT THERE NEXT TO HIM. AND WHEN WE GOT THERE, HE HAD BEEN READING HIS BIBLE. HE IS DEFINITELY A MAN OF FAITH AND HE WAS AWARDED FOR THE OKLAHOMA JAIL AND PRISON MINISTRIES IN 2014, THE CHAPLAIN OF THE YEAR FOR OKLAHOMA COUNTY, OKLAHOMA. AND THEN ALSO IN 2014, HE WAS THE VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR FOR THE OKLAHOMA JAIL AND PRISON MINISTRIES SYSTEM. SO THAT TELLS ME THAT NOT ONLY DID YOU SERVE YOUR COUNTRY, BUT YOU'RE GIVING BACK AND SERVING YOUR COMMUNITY, AND FROM THE VETERANS RESOURCE AND OUTREACH CENTER AND ROWLETT VETS, WE THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR SERVICE. [APPLAUSE] >> SO I HAVE A PROCLAMATION I'M GOING TO READ, BUT WHY DON'T YOU INTRODUCE THE FAMILY MEMBERS FIRST. START WITH YOURSELF. >> I'M THE PROUD DAUGHTER, I'M THE ONE THAT BROUGHT HIM FROM OKLAHOMA TO TEXAS BECAUSE HE LOST HIS WIFE A YEAR AGO, AND STILL TALKS ABOUT HOW MUCH HE LOVES HER EVERY SINGLE DAY, AND HOW ALL THE WORK THAT HER HANDS HAVE DONE FOR HIM, SO HE WAS CRIES ABOUT IT JUST BEFORE WE CAME BUT ANYWAY, HE'S SUCH AN INCREDIBLE CHRISTIAN, A GREAT COULDN'T BE PROUDER OF HIM. I'M A ROCK WALL PERSON BUT YOU ALL HAVE THE BEST ASSISTED LIVING THERE IS, SO HE BECAME A ROWLETT CITIZEN BECAUSE YOU JUST BEAT US THERE. SO ANYWAY, THAT'S WHAT BROUGHT HIM HERE. AND MY DAUGHTER IS FROM MCKINNEY, AND THEIR DAUGHTERS, AND A COUPLE OF FRIENDS THAT HAVE HELPED ME TAKE CARE OF MY DAD. SO THEY'RE HERE AS WELL. AND THEN MIKE MCCLENDON IS HERE TOO. SO APPRECIATE IT. ANYWAY, HE'S A GREAT MAN IN MANY WAYS. >> THANK YOU. SO DO YOU WANT TO STAND UP HERE TO ACCEPT THIS PROCLAMATION OR -- >> I CAN P HIM UP HERE. >> YOU WANT TO STAND UP? BRIAN CAN HELP TOO. WE HAVE SOME MUSCLE IN THE ROOM. >> THIS IS SUCH A NICE THING OF YOU ALL, WELCOMING VETERANS HERE IN TEXAS. I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT -- [INAUDIBLE] ONE OF THE BEST THINGS ON TV YEAR AFTER YEAR [INAUDIBLE] >> I HOPE Y'ALL CAN HEAR THIS IN THE MICROPHONE. IT'S GREAT. >> TO ME, THAT'S ONE OF THE GREATEST THINGS ON TV, TO SEE MAY ALMA MATER PLAY TEXAS. YOU GUYS ARE HARD TO BEAT SOMETIMES. >> SO MR. FURGERSON, HOW LONG DID YOU DO YOUR PRISON MINISTRY? >> I WANT TO THANK YOU ALL, IT'S JUST GOOD TO BE HERE AND NEAR MY DAUGHTER. I DON'T FEEL OLD. >> DADDY, HOW LONG DID YOU DO YOUR PRISON MINISTRY? >> A ABOUT 13 MONTHS. NO, NO, 13 YEARS. >> 13 YEARS. >> I HAD TO MAKE HIM STOP DOING THAT BECAUSE I HAD TO TAKE HIS DRIVER'S LICENSE AND HIS CAR KEYS. >> BUT I'VE HAD A GOOD LIFE, AND 96 YEARS THIS LAST OCTOBER 25TH. BUT I'VE LEARNED JUST ONE DAY AT A TIME, TRUST THE LORD FOR TOMORROW. BUT I'VE BEEN BLESSED. [00:20:02] I REALLY HAVE. I'VE BEEN BLESSED BY THE LORD. I JUST AM THANKFUL TO BE HERE IN TEXAS NEAR MY DAUGHTER, AND MY GRANDDAUGHTER UP IN MCKINNEY AND HER FAMILY. YOU KNOW, EVERY NOW AND THEN, YOU HEAR SOMEONE, A PARTICULAR COLLEGE STUDENT, THAT DON'T BELIEVE THE HOLOCAUST HAPPENED. WELL, LET ME TELL YOU, IT DID HAPPEN. I HAPPENED TO GO AND SEE, I GUESS THE SECOND WORST OF THEM ALL, NEXT TO AUSCHWITZ. WHILE I WAS IN GERMANY, I WAS IN GERMANY ABOUT -- LET'S SEE, I WAS THERE FROM ABOUT AUGUST UNTIL MARCH OF THE FOLLOWING YEAR OF 1946. BUT ANYWAY, I HAD TO GO ONE WEEKEND, AND LET ME TELL YOU, IT HAPPENED THE WAY THEY PRESENTED IT. THERE WAS A RAILROAD LINE THROUGH THERE WHERE THEY BROUGHT THESE JEWISH PEOPLE LIKE CATTLE. THEY BROUGHT THEM IN, AND THEY WOULD GIVE THEM TOWELS TO MAKE THEM THINK THEY WERE GOING TO TAKE A SHOWER, AND WHEN THEY'D GET IN, THEY WOULD TURN THE GAS ON AND JUST EXECUTE THEM IN MASS. THEN ACROSS THE STREET WAS THE OVENS WHERE THEY CREMATED THEIR BODIES. AND I REMEMBER GOING DOWN IN THE BASEMENT THERE AND THEY HAD HUMAN ASHES BY THE BARRELSFUL. AND FOR SOME REASON, THEY HAD INDIVIDUALS AROUND THE BASE BOARDS OF THE ROOM WITH NAMES ON THEM. I NEVER DID UNDERSTAND WHY SOME OF THEM WERE IDENTIFIED. THEIR ASHES WERE IDENTIFIED. BUT IT HAPPENED. IT HAPPENED. AND THAT WAS ONE OF THE WORST. IT WAS ONE OF THE WORST. BUT MY HEART REALLY WENT OUT TO THE GERMAN PEOPLE. FOR SOME 12-PLUS YEARS -- IT WAS A TERRIBLE REGIME AS YOU KNOW. IF YOU'VE NOT EVER READ -- I'D RECOMMEND THAT BOOK, HOW THE GERMAN PEOPLE LIVED UNDER ADOLF HITLER. HE WAS TRULY A -- [INAUDIBLE] BUT ANYWAY, I HAD SOME WONDERFUL EXPERIENCES, AND EVEN IN NAPLES THERE, I WAS STATIONED THERE FOR A LITTLE BIT OVER A YEAR, AND I HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO GO TO ROME A COUPLE OF TIMES. THAT WAS VERY INTERESTING. AND AS YOU PROBABLY KNOW, THERE WAS THREE REALLY, REALLY TERRIBLE BATTLES IN ITALY. THERE WAS ONE WHERE WE LOST AN AWFUL LOT OF OUR MEN. AND THEN -- WE LOST A LOT OF MEN THERE. BUT RIGHT AFTER THE BATTLE, I WAS AMAZED AT HOW MANY TANKS WE LOST, THE AMERICAN TANKS THAT HAD BEEN KNOCKED OUT. IN FACT, I DON'T KNOW HOW THEY EVER TOOK IT. WE WERE COMING ON THE PLANE AND THE GERMANS -- [INAUDIBLE] BUT THE THING THAT REALLY SHOCKED AND SURPRISED ME WAS THE AMERICAN CEMETERY, TO SEE SO MANY WHITE CROSSES. SO MANY. THOSE ONES THAT GAVE THEIR LIVES, I MEAN, IT JUST -- IT'S JUST HEARTBREAKING TO SEE THE LOSS THERE THAT WE HAD IN CASINO. AND THEN OF COURSE WE LOST A LOT OF MEN -- BUT WE LOST A LOT OF OUR MEN IN ITALY. >> AND WE ARE HERE TO HONOR [00:25:06] EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THOSE LOST SOULS. AND YOU ARE A FACE -- >> CAN YOU BELIEVE -- >> HE'LL BE 97 THIS YEAR AND HE CAN TELL YOU -- >> I WAS IN NAPLES ABOUT 15 MONTHS OR SO, THEN TRANSFERRED UP TO PISA. REMEMBER THE LEANING TOWER OF PISA. SE WERE THERE FOR A NUMBER OF MONTHS. THEN WE WENT IN A CONVOY LATER WHEN WE WERE GOING UP, VERY SCENIC COUNTRY, AND PROBABLY CLOSE TO WHERE THE SOUND OF MUSIC WAS PLAYING. BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY. BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY. BUT ANYWAY, I JUST ABOUT TWO YEARS TO THE DAY OVERSEAS, AND SEVEN MONTHS IN THE STATES, BUT I WAS GLAD TO GIVE THAT TWO YEARS AND SEVEN MONTHS TO MY COUNTRY. BUT AGAIN, I DON'T DESERVE THIS RECOGNITION. >> THANK YOU. I'M GOING TO READ A PROCLAMATION. AND YOU DO DESERVE THIS RECOGNITION. >> WHEREAS, THE FREEDOM AND SECURITY THAT CITIZENS OF THE UNITED STATES ENJOY TODAY ARE DIRECT RESULTS OF THE BLOODSHED AND CONTINUES VIGILANCE GIVEN BY THE UNITED STATES ARMED FORCINGS OVER THE H HISTORY OF OUR GREAT NATION. AND WHEREAS, IT IS CALLED MILITARY SERVICE BECAUSE IT IS PUTTING OTHERS FIRST WHILE PUTTING THEMSELVES IN HARM'S WAY, DEFENDING THE CONSTITUTION, PROTECTING THE BLESSINGS OF LIBERTY AND PAYING THE PRICE OF FREEDOM FOR US ALL, AND WHEREAS THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO DON THE UNIFORMS OF OUR ARMY, NAVY, AIR FORCE, MARINES AND COAST GUARD SK NICSACRIFICED TIME WITH THEIN FAMILIES SO WE MIGHT BE SAFE WITH OUR OWN, AND WHEREAS BILLY FURGERSON SERVED IN WORLD WAR II I THE EUROPEAN THEATER, AND WHEREAS WE ARE ETERNALLY GRATEFUL FOR THOSE WHO HAVE SEEN THE HORRORS OF WAR AND THE WORST IN HUMANITY, YET CONTINUE TO SERVE AND SHOW THE BEST OF WHAT EU HUMANITY CAN BE. NOW THEREFORE IT IS MY GREAT HONOR, ON BEHALF OF THE ROWLETT CITY COUNCIL, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM BILLY FURGERSON ONE OF ROWLETT'S VETS AND ENCOURAGE ALL OUR CITIZENS TO SHOW THEIR APPRECIATION TO MR. FURGERSON AND HIS FAMILY FOR THEIR SERVICE TO OUR COUNTRY AND COMMUNITY. [APPLAUSE] AND I THINK WE HAVE ONE MORE. WHERE'S LAURIE? YOU ALWAYS HIDE ON ME. SO WE HAVE ONE MORE HONOR. THIS IS -- I WANT TO INTRODUCE TO YOU LAURIE ALBERS, SHE HAS SOMETING TO PRESENT TO YOU. >> THANK YOU, MAYOR. I HAVE GOOSE BUMPS. I REALLY DO. I USUALLY GET GOOSE BUMPS BUT REALLY HARD THIS TIME. THIS IS AMAZING. AS TAMMY SAID, MY NAME IS LAURIE AL BERS COATS, I'M A VOLUNTEER WITH THE INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION CALLED QUILTS OF VALOR. THIS IS AN ORGANIZATION THAT'S BEEN AROUND FOR ABOUT 14 OR 15 YEARS NOW, AND THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION IS TO PROVIDE QUILTS OF COMFORT AND HEALING TO THOSE THAT HAVE BEEN TOUCHED BY WAR. AND IT'S SO AMAZING TO HEAR YOUR COMMENT TO SAY THAT YOU DON'T FEEL LIKE YOU SHOULD BE THE ONE BEING RECOGNIZED, BUT THOSE THAT HAVE PASSED AND PERISHED, WE KNOW THAT YOU CARRY THE COMMITMENT THAT THEY HAD MADE AS WELL, AND WHEN WE HONOR SOMEONE LIKE YOU WHO HAD SEEN SUCH TRAGEDIES AND HAVE THE HUMILITY AND FEEL LIKE YOU'RE NOT WORTHY, WE WISH THAT WE COULD REACH OUT TO SO MANY MORE AND GIVE HONOR AND RECOGNITION TO THOSE THAT PERISHED IN THE WARS IN THE PAST. SO I'M GOING TO READ THE CERTIFICATE AND WANT TO SHOW OFF THE QUILT THAT WAS MADE BY SEVERAL DIFFERENT HANDS. IT IS A VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATION AND A LOT OF TIMES THE QUILTS THAT GET MADE ARE DONE THROUGH DIFFERENT STEPS ALONG THE WAY, AND THIS ONE IS A GOOD EXAMPLE OF THAT. [00:30:03] THE QUILT TOP WAS MADE BY VOLUNTEERS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO A FACEBOOK GROUP ACTUALLY. AND PRETTY NICE COLORS IN THERE, DON'T YOU THINK? YEAH. >> VERY FLIES. THANK YOU. NICE.>> YOU'RE VERY WELCOME. A FACEBOOK GROUP, QUILTS OF VALOR, WORKING STARS, WE'VE GOT SOME STARS QUILTED INTO IT, AND THEN IT WAS PROVIDED TO ME AND THEN I PUT IT TOGETHER. AND THERE'S A LABEL ON IT, IT SAYS "QUILT OF VALOR AWARDED TO SERGEANT BILLY FURGERSON ON TUESDAY, JANUARY 21ST, 2020." I'M STILL GETTING USED TO WRITING 2020. HOW ABOUT THE REST OF Y'ALL? AT ROWLETT, TEXAS CITY HALL VETERAN RECOGNITION. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. PEACE BY QUILT OF VALOR WORKING STARS, A FACEBOOK GROUP, AND QUILTED BY LAURIE COATS, STARS AND STRIPES HERE IN THE AREA. THANK YOU. I'VE GOT A CERTIFICATE I'LL READ AS WELL. IT SAYS, AWARDED TO SERGEANT BILLY FURGERSON, WORLD WAR II AND EIGHTH AIR FORCE, ON BEHALF OF THE QUILTS OF VALOR FOUNDATION IN RECOGNITION OF YOUR SERVICE AND SACRIFICE FOR THIS NATION, IT IS A PRIVILEGE TO SERVE, HONOR AND COMFORT TO YOU THROUGH THE AWARD OF THIS QUILT OF VALOR. THOUGH WE MAY NEVER KNOW THE DEPTH OF YOUR SACRIFICE TO PROTECT AND DEFEND THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AS A GESTURE OF GRATITUDE FROM A GRATEFUL NATION, WE AWARD YOU THIS QUILT OF VALOR AND CLEARLY WITH THE STORIES THAT YOU HAVE OOO SHARED YOU'VESHARED WITH US THIS EVENIU HAVE SEEN A LOT AND YOU HAVE SACRIFICED AND YOU ARE DEFINITELY WORTHY TO RECEIVE THIS. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. [APPLAUSE] >> SO THAT'S OUR PRESENTATION. YOU'RE MORE THAN WELCOME TO STAY FOR THE REST OF THE MEETING, ALTHOUGH IT'S VERY UNEVENTFUL, AND WE'RE SO HAPPY THAT YOU WERE TABLE TO JOIN US, MR. FURGERSON, AND YOUR FAMILY MEMBERS. WE HOPE YOU ARE A ROWLETT RESDENT FOR MANY YEARS TO COME. >> I THINK THIS IS SO NICE OF Y'ALL AND SO KIND TO RECOGNIZE ME. >> THANK YOU, MR. FURGERSON. WE REALLY REESHT THAT. APPRECIATE THAT. WE VALUE OUR VETERANS. BYE-BYE. THANK YOU. >> HE WASN'T IN THE MICROPHONE, BUT THAT WAS QUITE A STORY. [5C. Update from the City Council and Management: Financial Position, Major Projects, Operational Issues, Upcoming Dates of Interest and Items of Community Interest.] THE NEXT ITEM ON OUR AGENDA IS ITEM 5C, WHICH IS UPDATE FROM CITY COUNCIL AND MANAGEMENT, FINANCIAL POSITION, MAJOR PROJECTS, OPERATIONAL ISSUES, UPCOMING DATES OF INTEREST AND ITEMS OF COMMUNITY INTEREST. AND COUNCILMEMBER GRUBISICH WILL BE READING TONIGHT. >> REGISTRATION IS CURRENTLY OPEN FOR ADULT COED VOLLEYBALL. FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THIS AND OTHER PARKS AND RECREATION'S PROGRAM, VISIT THE DEPARTMENT'S PAGE ON THE CITY'S WEBSITE. ANIMAL SERVICES DIVISION. ANIMAL SHELTER IS OPEN MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY FROM 10:00 A.M. TO 5:00 P.M., AND IS LOCATED AT 4402 INDUSTRIAL STREET. THE NEXT LOW COST VACCINATION CLINIC WILL BE HELD ON SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 2ND, 2:00 TO 5:00 P.M., LOCATED AT 8502 LIBERTY GROVE ROAD AT THE LIBERTY GROVE ANIMAL HOSPITAL. THESE CLINICS ARE HELD THE FIRST SUNDAY OF EVERY MONTH, EXCLUDING HOLIDAYS. TONIGHT WE ARE FEATURING SEVERAL OF THE DOGS AND CATS WHO ARE AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION. FROM THE LIBRARY, EXCITING PROGRAMMING FOR EVERYONE AT YOUR ROWLETT PUBLIC LIBRARY. ENJOY AN AFTERNOON MOVIE EVERY FRIDAY IN JANUARY. FRIDAY FLICKS BEGIN AT 3:30 P.M. BRING YOUR FAMILY, FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS TO THE LIBRARY ON SATURDAY AT 2:00 P.M. FOR FAMILY FRIENDLY ACTIVITIES. FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE PROGRAMS AVAILABLE, VISIT THE LIBRARY AT 3900 MAIN STREET OR CALL 972-412-6161. AND LIKE US ON FACEBOOK. THE ROWLETT CITY COUNCIL IS HOSTING A TOWN HALL MEETING. JOIN US AND FIND OUT WHAT'S GOING ON IN YOUR CITY. THE MEETING TAKES PLACE IN A RELAXED SETTING, ALLOWING EVERYONE TO SPEAK FREELY AND INFORMALLY. TUESDAY, JANUARY 28TH, A WEEK FROM TONIGHT, FROM 6:30 TO 8:00 P.M. AT THE ROWLETT COMMUNITY CENTER. UPCOMING PUBLIC MEETING INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND ON THE PUBLIC BULLETIN BOARD OF THE CITY'S WEBSITE. TO FIND OUT WHAT'S HAPPENING IN ROWLETT, CHECK OUT THE FRIDAY AT FIVE. [00:35:01] A WEEKLY NEWSLETTER FROM CITY HALL. IT'S FULL OF INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR CITY. IT IS AVAILABLE ON THE CITY'S WEBSITE AND FACEBOOK PAGE EVERY FRIDAY AFTER 5:00 P.M. OR YOU CAN CHOOSE TO HAVE IT SENT DIRECTLY TO YOUR EMAIL. STAY UP TO DATE AND KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON. REMINDER, EMAIL YOUR QUESTIONS ON ANY CITY-RELATED TOPICS TO ASK THE MAYOR@ROWLETT.COM AND IT COULD BE ANSWERED ON THE FOLLOWING MONTHLY PROGRAM SPOTLIGHT ON ROWLETT. FOR MORE INFORMATION ON ANY CITY PROGRAMS OR SERVICES, VISIT ROWLETT.COM OR CALL THE ACTION CENTER. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. COUNCIL, ANY OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS YOU'D LIKE TO MAKE? ALL RIGHT. AT THIS TIME, WE WILL MOVE TO ITEM 6, WHICH IS CITIZENS' INPUT. THIS IS A SECTION IN OUR MEETING WHERE ANYONE CAN SPEAK ON ANY TOPIC UP TO 3 MINUTES IN LENGTH. IF YOU'D WISH TO SPEAK DURING CITIZENS INPUT, WOULD YOU PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND? SEEING NONE, WE WILL MOVE TO ATEM 7, WHICH IS OUR CONSENT [7. CONSENT AGENDA] AGENDA. OUR CONSENT AGENDA IS A SERIES OF ITEMS CONSIDERED IN ONE MOTION AND ONE VOTE. COUNCIL HAS REVIEWED THE CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS AND HAS CHOSEN TO NOT REMOVE ANY OF THOSE ITEMS FOR INDIVIDUAL CONSIDERATION. IF ANYONE IN THE AUDIENCE WOULD LIKE TO REMOVE ANY OF THOSE ITEMS FOR INDIVIDUAL CONSIDERATION, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND. SEEING NONE, WOULD YOU READ THOSE ITEMS INTO THE RECORD, PLEASE? >> 7A, APPROVING MINUTES. 7B, CONSIDER ADOPTING THE REVISED ROWLETT PUBLIC LIBRARY'S POLICY MANUAL. 7C, CONSIDER APPROVING A RENEWAL FOR ANNUAL CRACK SEAL CONTRACT TO AMERICAN PAVEMENT SOLUTIONS, INCORPORATED. 7D, CONSIDER APPROVING A RENEWAL FOR CONCRETE REPAIRS TO CAM-CRETE CONTRACTING, INCORPORATED. 7E, CONSIDER APPROVING CONTRACTS TO FORTLINE WATERWORKS FOR INVENTORY AND LINE REPLACEMENT PARTS AND MATERIALS. 7F, CONSIDER APPROVING A RENEWAL PAVEMENT LEVELING SERVICES TO NORTEX CONCRETE LIFT AND STABILIZATION INCORPORATED. 7G, CONSIDER APPROVING THE PURCHASE OF ROAD AND HIGHWAY MATERIALS WITH DALLAS COUNTY. 7H, CONSIDER APPROVING A RENEWAL FOR COMPREHENSIVE DISASTER RECOVERY MANAGEMENT SERVICES. 7I, CONSIDER APPROVING A RENEWAL FOR THE CONTINUATION OF DISASTER DEBRIS REMOVAL, REDUCTION, DISPOSAL AND OTHER EMERGENCY DEBRIS-RELATED SERVICES. 7J, CONSIDER APPROVING A RENEWAL FOR THE CONTINUATION OF DISASTER DEBRIS MONITORING AND CONSULTING SERVICES. 7K, CONSIDER APPROVING RESOLUTION TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION FOR GRANT FUNDING FOR THE PURCHASE OF A SOLID WASTE AND RECYCLING EDUCATION VEHICLE AND EQUIPMENT. 7L, CONSIDER APPROVING A RESOLUTION TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION FOR GRANT FUNDING FOR THE PURCHASE OF A COMMUNITY CLEAN-UP TRAILER AND EQUIPMENT. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, LAURA. I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION FROM COUNCILMEMBER MANGO LIST. >> I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS AS READ. >> SECOND FROM COUNCILMEMBER SHERRILL. >> YES, I'LL SECOND. >> MOTION AND SECOND. COUNCIL, PLEASE CALL THE VOTE. MY BOARD IS NOT WORKING. AND THO THOSE ITEMS PASS, 7-0. THAT CONCLUDES OUR MEETING FOR THIS EVENING. * This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.