Mineola City Council Members and Department Heads

The city council held a special retreat Saturday with city department heads. Discussion of opportunities for the city topped the agenda. The overwhelming consensus seemed to be that development of the downtown area and the city’s parks would bring the most benefit to the city.

The discussion quickly turned to the apparent apathy from the community concerning city government. The public was invited to attend the retreat, but there were no members of the general public present. Questions as to the community’s understanding of what the city council actually does for them and how to disseminate information from the council were deliberated. Public access broadcast, newspaper columns, and information shared on water bills were some ideas bounced around to address the issue.

The key downtown development idea focused on increasing sales tax revenue by attracting more retail and professional businesses to the district, since they provide over forty percent of the city’s budget funds. There was also mention of expanding the business presence along Broad Street, in the area surrounding the coming Jalapeño Tree restaurant. Public transportation was considered as a way to link the downtown development to the parks development. Parks development concentrated heavily on the Nature Preserve and the draw it brings to the city. Events, activities, and public transportation between the Preserve and the downtown area were discussed.

Sound off and let us know what you think would increase the community’s understanding of and interest in the city council, and what opportunities and developments would best benefit our city.

Crystal Arcand – Staff Writer for Mineola Buzz

Crystal Arcand will be our staff writer/reporter. Look for Crystal at all Mineola events, activities and functions. She will be the eyes and ears and partial voice of Mineola Buzz from today forward.

Please join me in welcoming Crystal to the team at Mineola Buzz.

Watermelon is for summertime only. Although the fudge counter is full of our other flavors all year long

You can buy the fudge at the Between Friends fudge counter or you can order online at MineolaFudge.com.

Other flavors include:

• Triple Trouble
• Texas Mud
• Died and Gone to Heaven
• Maple Nut
• Peanut Butter
• Chocolate Peanut Butter
• Chocolate Pecan
• Original Chocolate

Come in for a taste. You will see why everyone is talking about our watermelon fudge. While you’re here, take a look around our store. We’ve made a lot of improvements since you were here last.

Between Friends
114 E. Broad St.
Mineola, TX 75773

(903) 569-0322

MineolaFudge.com

Between Friends – Mineola, Texas

If you are someone who has an idea about how things should work in your city, this is a great opportunity to contact your alderman and communicate your vision to them. These people are there to serve the people and they welcome your suggestions or ideas.

To contact your alderman, use this link.

The public is welcome to attend the retreat, but this is not an open forum. If you have something to say, you need to contact your alderman before the retreat.

It will be interesting to hear the ideas tossed around by the department heads and the council members themselves.

60+ vendors at Uniques & Antiques will be offering deals from 10-60% off for this day only.
Be sure to check out the fenced in outside area for the patio, lawn and other outdoor items. 

Owner, Melissa Walker, who is approaching her 7th year as owner of the 10,000 square foot Antiques mall in Mineola, says it’s just the right thing to do sometimes to offer customers a deal that they might not find anywhere else.

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Along with deals, there will be many other reasons to come out to Uniques & Antiques:

• Free Hot Dogs
• Free Drinks
• Free Snacks
• Live Music All Day Long

They really do have a wide array of collectibles in this store. You will find vintage record albums, clothing, furniture, jewelry, games, Star Wars collectibles and too many other items to list. Several of their vendors are artists or published authors who offer their own unique one-of-a-kind items for sale at Uniques & Antiques.

Come on out Saturday and see for yourself why Uniques & Antiques has established themselves as a leader in the antique/re-sell/re-purpose space in Mineola.

Uniques & Antiques. Mineola, Texas

Uniques & Antiques
124 S. Line St.
Mineola, TX 75773

(903) 569-1133

Police and clean-up crews deal with a small diesel spill in Mineola. Photo: Bill Brittain

Traffic management and clean-up are the order of the day after a barrel of diesel fuel spilled on to Hwy 69 right in front of the Mineola Historical Museum today.

Crews are using peat moss to soak up the fuel while MPD officers control the traffic in the area.

If you are planning to go downtown at lunch today, you might want to avoid the 80/69 area.

In a recent interview with Paul Bambrey, CEO of Jalapeno Tree, he said that they are excited to open in Mineola. Today’s conversation was very short as he was busy working with the contractors building the restaurant.

As for the opening date, it is not firm yet. It appears that the restaurant is about 30 days from opening. We will have more exact information on opening, as well as when they start taking job applications, as this information becomes available.

Workers prepare the outside of the new Mineola Jalapeno Tree restaurant.

The brick facade that customers will see when they enter Jalapeno Tree.

CEO Paul Bambrey reviews plumbing plans with a contractor.

Jalapeno Tree. Mineola, Texas.

Spirits were high in the room as the administration prepares to take office next week and get to work.

One thing that is apparent in the results shown on this graphic is that this was a close election in most ways. Your vote does count, especially in a small environment like a town this size. If only 10% or so of the electorate votes, your vote counts that much more. Four votes separated the mayoral race and five votes separated one of the council races.

The outgoing mayor was not present at the meeting. Mayor Pro Tem, Novada Bigham, presided over the session.

Also elected today were incumbent Pat Wood for City Council Ward 1 and Jack Jones for Ward 2. Mitchell Tuck ran unopposed this cycle for this seat on the council for Ward 3.

Congratulations to all who won. And also a thank you to Bo Whitus, our outgoing mayor, for his service to Mineola. Mr. Whitus has done some good things for this town and deserves credit for that.

It was a short show. Each contestant did one number. It was judged by a panel of musical and creative minds from the area. All contestants did a great job.

In the end, it was Mineola’s Jill Brandon who took the $150 first prize.

Jump Rope Team
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MLOTA line dancers.
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Mr. Yeager’s Martial Arts Academy
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Little Rhythm of Dance Dimensions
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Quitman Karate Academy
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Two Hearts +
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Mineola Charity Singers
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Shea Birdwell

Also performing, but not shown: Shaun Michaels, Chris Bevill and the Spur on Band.