Stop the Silence Tuesday

Dublin City Council signed a proclamation in support of Stop the Silence at the Council meeting Monday, April 8 in preparation of the free event set for the Erath County Courthouse at 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 16.

Cross Timbers Family Services Laura Gambino was on hand to explain the purpose of the event, which recognizes April as National Child Abuse Awareness Month and National Sexual Assault Awareness Month as well as April 21-27 as National Crime Victim’s Rights Week.

“Over the years, it was consolidated into an event called Stop the Silence which honors the victims of those three [types of crimes],” Gambino said, stating that the event includes a march, booths from organizations who represent the community and the reading of statistics to make people aware of the problems in Erath County.

Bikers Against Child Abuse will read statistics at the event while Erath District Attorney Alan Nash will deliver the welcome and explain how Erath combats violent crimes. The Erath County Ministerial Alliance will also deliver the invocation while Erath County Sheriff’s Office will lead a flag ceremony before a wreath is presented recognizing local victims. That wreath will be on display inside the Courthouse during National Crime Victim’s Rights week.

The proclamation signed by the Council (which was also presented to Erath County Commissioners and Stephenville City Council) will be read by Erath County Judge Brandon Huckabee, elected County Attorney Bethany Espinoza (taking office Jan. 1) and Assistant District Attorney Jett Smith.

Stephenville Police Chief Dan Harris will lead a flag presentation and pledge and then all in attendance will march around the courthouse before being invited for fun and information at booths from organizations like CTFS, Paluxy River Child Advocacy Center, CASA, Tarleton Counseling Center and ECSO with its roping booth.

Local first responders will also bring vehicles including the SWAT vehicle for the public to see and the Stephenville Police Association will also be serving hot dogs for donations going towards helping local victims.

Council members also accepted a bid of $161,499 from Housley Communications for relocating three waterlines under the right-of-way near downtown. This project is expected to help stop flooding like in the area of the 100 block of Blackjack. The vote was carried unanimously with councilmember Orion Gallagher absent.

Councilmembers also unanimously approved raising the party rates for the City Park swimming pool from $120 for 2 hours to $150 and $240 for 4 hours to $300. The cost will cover new regulations which state that two lifeguards must actively be on duty at all times while people are in the pool.

The Council also unanimous approved Higginbotham as the broker for Health and Benefits for city employees. Carey Fraser and Katelyn Sparger from Stephenville’s Fraser Agency were on hand to state their appreciation in representing the city for several years. City Secretary Melissa Minor stated Fraser served the city well well but Higginbotham offers some benefits that the employees could use and came recommended by local clients who also use them.

A second public hearing was also conducted to approve the reimbursement of $20,000 to the city by Dublin EDC for the sidewalk improvement on East Blackjack. There were no comments in this reading.