vol. xvi no. 2 june 2005 tmca news · world. how fortunate we are to have these caring angels in...

JUNE 2005JUNE 2005JUNE 2005JUNE 2005JUNE 2005

TMCA NEWSTMCA NEWSTMCA NEWSTMCA NEWSTMCA NEWSTEXAS MUNICIPAL CLERKS ASSOCIATION, INCORPORATED

VVVVVol. XVI No. 2ol. XVI No. 2ol. XVI No. 2ol. XVI No. 2ol. XVI No. 2

CONTENTS

President’s Message(p. 1)

2006 TMCACommittees (p. 4)

TMCCP CourseCertificates (p. 4)

TMCCP LegislativeUpdate Seminar (p. 5)

TMCCP GraduateInstitute Seminar

(p. 5)

Profile: AdvisoryManagementCommittee (p. 6)

Recognition of 2005Retirees (p. 6)

Franklin LegalPublishing Scholarship

(p. 7)

Rodriguez ReceivesQuill Award (p. 8)

Quinn Invited to OxfordRound Table (p. 9)

IIMC News (p. 11)

Chapter News (p. 12)

TMCA Chapter ContactInformation (p. 21)

Mary Lynne Stratta, TRMC,President, TMCA, Inc.

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGEContinued on page 2

President’s MessageTELLING OUR STORY—————CHAPTER THREE

Education—————With PASSION!I want to take this opportunity to inform TMCA, Inc.,members of various activities and events of interest to theassociation and our profession.

First, we have been very busy addressing concerns related toelection legislation. Although TMCA, Inc., is a non-profit,educational organization and we may not lobby legislators, wehave had the unique opportunity of being invited to partici-pate, along with county elections administrators, in thedevelopment of legislation that affects city elections.1 Thecounty elections administrators asked Representative MaryDenny, Chair of the House Elections Committee, to sponsorlegislation to again move the May election from the firstSaturday in May to a later date in order to allow themadditional time to prepare for city elections following theApril primary runoff. In stark contrast to the May election date confusion in 2003, this time,TMCA was invited to participate in the discussion. A consensus was reached and HB 57 (substitute)is the product of that meeting. In summary, the proposed legislation would move our election datefrom the first Saturday in May to the second Saturday in May, but shorten the early voting period.Instead of beginning early voting 17 days before the May election, early voting would begin 12 daysbefore the May election. The proposed legislation also allows for earlier canvassing than the current8-11 days after election date requirement. Although municipal elections would be one week laterunder the proposed legislation, the process can be completed about the same time in May. This wasa good compromise for all parties. Many thanks to Mary Kayser, TRMC, TMCA Board Member;Scott Houston, TML; Shanna Igo, TML; and Dr. Joyce Snay, TRMC, TMCA Executive Director,for their assistance in presenting the municipal concerns on these issues.

Previously, I had communicatedover the list serve about a meetingwith the Secretary of State toexpress concerns about costs forimplementation of DRE voting,especially for small cities. Thatconversation was continued andproposed legislation has beenformulated that I have been toldwill be filed as a substitute bill atthe appropriate time. The pro-posed legislation significantlylowers the amount that countiescan charge other entities for use

TMCA NEWS JUNE 2005

of DRE equipment. It also requirescounties to make the equipmentavailable to other entities unless it is inuse. If this legislation is actually filedand passed, it will be great news forTexas cities!

Legislation (HJR 44) was also filed thatwould require a complete recodifica-tion and rewrite of the Texas ElectionCode by a selected committee. Oneplace on that committee is reserved forthe President of TMCA, Inc., shouldthat legislation pass. Now, that’sprogress!

Our certification program was featuredin an article in the March Texas Townand City published by the TexasMunicipal League. Executive DirectorFrank Sturzl and Legal ServicesDirector Scott Houston were generous

with their time and praise in writingthis article to promote the TexasRegistered Municipal Clerks Certifica-tion (TRMC), TMCCP and TMCA,Inc.

We now use an electronic agendapacket for TMCA Executive Boardmeetings, saving copy and postagecosts. Prior to the TMCA, Inc., AnnualMembership Business meeting inSeptember, the entire business meetingagenda packet will be available on ourwebsite for your review. I want you,our members, to come to the TMCAAnnual Membership Business meetingwell informed and prepared to activelyparticipate in business issues of yourassociation.

TMCA committees are hard at work.Thanks to all our volunteer committeemembers for your time and dedication.If you know of members who are

retiring this year, please let the Retire-ment Committee know. The Chair isCarole Ehrlich in Wylie. If you want tonominate someone for Texas MunicipalClerk of the Year, contact MelissaBruner in Flatonia for information onthe nomination process. If you have asuggestion for a resolution for themembership to consider at the AnnualMembership Business meeting, theResolutions Committee would love tohear from you. The Chair is CherylGibson-Salgado in Spearman. Don’tforget there are various scholarshipsavailable to our members pursuingtheir certification and recertification.

I have started my “presidential” chaptervisits. I hope to visit all TMCAchapters this year. I participated in theSalt Grass Chapter’s Open GovernmentConference. It was well attended andvery well organized. The extra touchwas holding it in Sugar Land’s

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Continued

beautiful new city hall. If you haven’t seen it, you should. It is simplygorgeous! I also had the honor of installing the Salt Grass Chapter’s2005-2006 officers at a lovely banquet held on April 9 in Houston. OnApril 21, I visited the Panhandle and South Plains Chapters in Amarillo.It was a wonderful day for me—very relaxing enjoying their wonderfulhospitality.

The TMCA Executive Board met on March 18 and took action on a longagenda. I can’t help but brag on this outstanding group of volunteers. Youcan rest assured that TMCA and TMCCP are in good hands. All of theBoard members are dedicated to our members, our association, ourcertification program and our profession.

Last, but certainly not least, retired San Antonio City Clerk NormaRodriguez dropped in at the TMCCP seminar held in Irving April 7-8. At

that time, it was my honor to announce that Norma would be receivingthe IIMC Quill Award at the IIMC annual conference in St. Paul. Iknow all of our members join me in extending congratulations to Normafor this well deserved recognition.

Now, on to some thoughts about education—with passion!

“Education is for improving the lives of others and for leaving yourcommunity and world better than you found it.” This quote comes fromthe first African American female admitted to the Mississippi State Bar,Marian Wright Edelman. Let’s think about that quote for a minute. Allof our towns and cities have wonderful school teachers, volunteers,ministers and countless others who work to better their community andworld. How fortunate we are to have these caring angels in our midst!

“Texas municipal clerks are like sponges—we soak up every bit of knowledge,

information, ideas, etc., that we come across. We aren’t afraid to learn and try new

things. We know and recognize that the more we learn and know,the better public servant we can be. We are Texas municipal clerks—we learn

like we do everything else—with PASSION!”

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Continued on p. 3

2

TMCA News is published by: Texas Municipal Clerks Association, Inc.University of North Texas, PO Box 305067, Denton, TX 76203; Phone 940-565-3488; Fax 940-565-2012; www.unt.edu/municlerksVol. XVI, No. 2, June 2005Co-Editors: Joyce Snay, TRMC; Alexandra Burke; and Peggy Burnside

http://www.unt.edu/municlerks

TMCA NEWS JUNE 2005

CONTENTS






(p. 5)




(p. 7)



IIMC News (p. 11)



However, when I read Ms.Edelman’s quote, I could not helpbut think how well it fits us asTexas municipal clerk. We haveour own certification program thateducates us to better perform ourduties. Our work directly impactsthe local democratic and legislativeprocesses in our communities. Weall hope to leave our communitiesin better shape when the timecomes to retire from our belovedprofession (and we will).

Our third U.S. President, ThomasJefferson, said, “Whenever thepeople are well informed, they canbe trusted with their owngovernment.” By educatingourselves through TMCCP, we areable to translate that knowledgeinto actions that directly impactour citizens. City secretaries play akey role in educating the people intheir community. It could bethrough a voter educationcampaign designed to train votershow to use a new DRE votingsystem. It could be throughteaching government classes oneday per semester at the local high

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGEContinued from p. 2

school. You might hold mockstudent elections in your localschools. You prepare and publishthe Council’s agendas. Youprobably have a website designedto keep your citizens wellinformed about life in yourcommunity and municipal services.

I have tried the last few years totake up golf. I say “take up golf”because I will play once, then itwill be months before I play again.Golf is one game you can’t getbetter at if you don’t play often. Itell everyone that golf is the bestgame I will never learn. That’s howI feel about being a Texasmunicipal clerk. I will never learnall there is to know aboutmunicipal government and my job.Just when I feel I’m getting close,laws and procedures change andhere we go again! Technologychanges in the blink of an eye. Ihave a can of coffee in my officethat is older than my computer!Long ago I realized that doing thisjob well requires that I be in acontinuous learning mode.

I was recently asked if we ever tireof this continuous learning cycleand application of new rules, laws,procedures and so on. My answer

was, “No. Texas municipal clerksare like sponges—we soak up everybit of knowledge, information,ideas, etc., that we come across.We aren’t afraid to learn and trynew things. We know andrecognize that the more we learnand know, the better publicservant we can be. We are Texasmunicipal clerks—we learn like wedo everything else—withPASSION!”

If you are not currently a TexasRegistered Municipal Clerk orenrolled in our certificationprogram, get PASSIONATE aboutwhat you do and enroll now! Youand your community will neverregret the investment. As LouisL’Amour said, “The best of allthings is to learn. Money can belost or stolen, health and strengthmay fail, but what you havecommitted to your mind is yoursforever.”

Mary Lynne Stratta, TRMC2005 TMCA, Inc., President

1(At print time for this newsletter, the legislation

referred to in the article above was pending before

the State Legislature. The final outcome will be

known by publication time, but too late to include

in this article.)

3

HAVE YOU CHANGED YOUR NAME, MAILING ADDRESS, EMAIL,

PHONE OR FAX NUMBER SINCE SEPTEMBER 2004? MAKE SURE

WE HAVE YOUR LATEST INFORMATION FOR THE UPCOMING

TMCA DIRECTORY!

email

[email protected] your latest contact information

we’re editing the2005/2006TMCA MembershipDirectory!

TMCA NEWS JUNE 2005

2006 Committees –Volunteers, We Need You!By President-Elect Patrice Fogarty, TRMC

TMCA, Inc., members agree that a good organization requiresleaders who have the ability not only to formulate a vision, but tocommunicate and share it. The challenge, of course, is cultivatingand empowering members who understand the overall direction

and goals of TMCA, Inc., and who take responsibility for carrying on these goals.Excellence in leadership is one of our standards.

This is where you come in. In the past many of you have volunteered your service onone or more of the ten TMCA committees. It is time to make plans for 2006. Pleasetake a few minutes to review the Committee Criteria Policy and decide where yourinterests lie and where your talents may best be utilized. You may volunteer to serveon more than one committee if you wish. I ask that you submit the CommitteeInterest Questionnaire to me prior to September 1, 2005: Patrice Fogarty, TRMC,City Secretary, City of Missouri City, 1522 Texas Parkway, Missouri City, TX 77489;or email: [email protected].

One of my goals is to promote the education and professional development of you as apublic administrator. Serving on a TMCA, Inc., committee is one avenue – and hasthe added bonus of shared fellowship with one another.

2006 COMMITTEES

AUDIT COMMITTEE

CERTIFICATION PROGRAM COMMITTEE

HISTORIAN

MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE

MUNICIPAL CLERK OF THE YEAR COMMITTEE

NOMINATING COMMITTEE

RESOLUTIONS COMMITTEE

RETIREMENT COMMITTEE

SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE

TML BOOTH COMMITTEE

Patrice Fogarty, TRMC

Volunteer now: go to the TMCA Committee Criteria Policy andCommittee Interests Questionnaire:http://www.unt.edu/municlerks/tmcacommittees.pdf

COURSE 1Vicki L. Collins, MANSFIELD

Wanda Davis, ARGYLE

Carrie Edwards, COLMESNEIL

TMCCPCourse Certificates Awarded

The following enrollees earned course certificates inthe Texas Municipal Clerks Certification Program aftercompleting the homework, attending the requiredseminars, and passing the examination for thedesignated course.

COURSE 2

Shannon Coovert, WEBSTERLinda Taylor, VENUS

Annette Villarreal, McALLENMelinda K. Welsh,

FRIENDSWOODKathleen Wingo, FRISCO

Perla Zamora, McALLEN

You can keep in touch with thelatest news and receive instantsupport from your colleaguesacross Texas by joining theTexasMunicipalClerks Yahoo!Group. Join this email list-servenow, and begin receiving emailstoday!

Are you in the loop?http://groups.yahoo.com/subscribe/TexasMunicipalClerks

click here

4

http://www.unt.edu/municlerks/tmcacommittees.pdf

http://groups.yahoo.com/subscribe/TexasMunicipalClerks

http://groups.yahoo.com/subscribe/TexasMunicipalClerks

TMCA NEWS JUNE 2005

CONTENTS






(p. 5)




(p. 7)



IIMC News (p. 11)



Alan Bojorquez, attorney, Akers, Bovey & Bojorquez, LLP, serves asthe expert consultant and speaker for the 79th Texas LegislativeUpdate sponsored by the Texas Municipal Clerks CertificationProgram. Mr. Bojorquez is the co-founder of the firm of Akers, Bovey& Bojorquez, LLP, which primarily represents municipalities(www.texasmunicipallawyers.com). Alan has served as a TMCCPspeaker for previous legislative updates and for the TMCCP ElectionLaw Seminars. He is also the author for the new fifth edition of theTexas Municipal Law and Procedure Manual.

Alan will select additional expert speakers to present the newlegislative bills that pertain specifically to municipalities and to explainthe impact of the new laws.

The North Texas Municipal Clerks Association Chapter members areplanning special events for this seminar. Also, following the seminarclasses, attendees may shop at the Grapevine Mills Outlet Mall or theBass Pro Shop located near the hotel. The Sheraton Grand providesshuttle transportation for a small fee.

TMCCP enrollees who attend will receive Course 2 seminar creditfor this seminar. Anyone is welcome to attend this seminar.

SEMINAR BEGINS 8:00 A.M. THURSDAY, ENDS NOON FRIDAY

TMCCP Seminar

LegislativeUpdateAugust 18-19, 2005Irving, TexasSheraton Grand Hotelat DFW Airport,972-929-8400

Bojorquez

www.texasmunicipallawyers.com www.unt.edu/municlerks

5

Mr. Cary Gniffke and Mr. John Burnett are the instructors for the TMCCPGraduate Institute in Galveston. (More biographical information:www.unt.edu/municlerks/tmccp_seminar_gi1.htm) The Character First!program was developed in 1996 and has caught the attention of leaders inbusiness, government, education, and social organizations who are searchingfor a way to increase productivity and satisfaction among the workforce.Through hands-on activities and exercises that demonstrate how to recog-nize, develop, and promote the 49 identified character-based traits, theinstructors will illustrate how putting character first will enhance morale,increase productivity, reduce turnover rate, improve service quality, andstrengthen work relationships and teams. For more information, visit theCharacter First! website: www.characterfirst.com. This is a worthwhileseminar for all municipal officials and anyone may attend the session.

A grant obtained from the Municipal Clerks Education Fund (MCEF),chaired by Mr. Dale Barstow, was obtained to help finance the fee for thespeakers.

Registration information may be downloaded from the TMCCPwebsite and brochures will be mailed to every Texas municipal clerkin August. THE SEMINAR BEGINS ON THURSDAY AT 8:00 A.M.AND ENDS ON FRIDAY AT 3:30 P.M.

Texas Municipal Clerks Association will hold the Annual Member-ship Meeting at 11:30 a.m., Thursday, in the classroom at theHilton to make it easy for all members to attend this importantmeeting. TMCA President Mary Lynne Stratta, TRMC, citysecretary, Bryan will preside. This is a grand opportunity for allmembers to participate in the business matters of TMCA, Inc.

Thursday night at 6:00 p.m. at the Hilton, TMCA will hold the Annual Awards Event to install 2006 officers,honor the municipal clerk of the year and present scholarship awards. Attire is business or “after five.”TMCA, Inc., belongs to the membership and everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend.

TMCCP Seminar

GraduateInstituteCHARACTER FIRST!with Cary Gniffkeand John Burnett

September 29-30, 2005Hilton Galveston IslandResort, 409-744-5000

www.characterfirst.com www.unt.edu/municlerks

Burnett Gniffke

http://www.texasmunicipallawyers.com

http://www.unt.edu/municlerks/tmccp_seminar_gi1.htm

http://www.characterfirst.com

TMCA NEWS JUNE 2005

The generalmembership of theTexas MunicipalClerks Association,Inc., consideredproposed changesto the Administra-tive ManagementCommittee at theTMCA AnnualMeeting held in

October 7, 2004, in Austin. The changeswere proposed by a group of past TMCApresidents who felt that budgetaryrestraints, both in the organization and incommittee members’ cities, called forstreamlining this committee. Since 1993,the AMC Committee met three or fourtimes each year and basically the membersof the AMC Committee discussed thesame information and agenda items at theTMCA executive board meetings. In

PROFILE

Advisory Management CommitteeBy Chair Terri Johnson, TRMC

Johnson

order to save time and money foreveryone involved, the proposed changeswere presented to the members.

The membership voted to make thefollowing revisions to the guidelines forthe committee:

1) Change name of committee to:Advisory Management Committee

2) Committee to consist of followingmembers: TMCA president, president-elect, immediate past president,another past president to be appointedby the incoming TMCA president, andthe current chair of the TexasMunicipal Clerks Certification Program

3) The offices of chair and secretary ofthe AMC will be elected by themembership of the committee.

4) The executive director of TMCA shallsit on the committee as a non-votingmember.

5) The committee shall meet two timesa year, or more often upon call ofcommittee chair.

6) The committee will be charged withlong-range planning of TMCA andshall conduct the annual performanceevaluation of the executive director.

The 2005 Advisory Management Com-mittee has not yet met this year, so thereare no actions to report to the member-ship.

The members of the 2005 Advisory Manage-ment Committee are:Chair and Past President Terri Johnson,

TRMC, city secretary/city manager, Friona

President Elect Patrice Fogarty, TRMC, city

secretary, Missouri City

Past President Jo Moore, TRMC, city

secretary, Abilene

President Mary Lynne Stratta, TRMC, city

secretary, Bryan

Certification Committee Chair Linda Knight,

TRMC, city secretary, Breckenridge

Joyce Snay, TRMC, executive director,

TMCCP/TMCA

6

Members,

Just a reminder that it is time to submitnames of city secretaries, city clerks, ordeputy city clerks who have retired orwho will retire during the 2005 year tobe recognized and honored during theTMCA, Inc., Annual Awards Banquet tobe held in conjunction with the TMCCPGraduate Institute, September 29-30,2005, in Galveston.

Chapter presidents have been contacted and providedinformation and forms required to submit names for retireerecognition. You may contact the Retirement Committeechair at any time for additional information. 2005 membersserving on the Retirement Committee are as follows:

Chair Carole Ehrlich, TRMCCity Secretary, City of Wylie, 2000 Hwy 78 N, Wylie, Texas 75098972-442-8103; [email protected]

Norma Aguilar, TRMC: 432-335-3276; [email protected] Ann Jones, TRMC: 409-880-3745; [email protected] Wade, TRMC: 806-894-0113; [email protected]

Recognition of 2005 RetireesBy Chair Carole Ehrlich, TRMC

Guidelines for Recognition of Retirees

1. A retiree shall be employed as a municipal clerk/citysecretary at the time of retirement.

2. A retiree shall be a member of the Texas MunicipalClerks Association, Inc.

3. A retiree with at least ten years of service as municipalclerk/city secretary shall receive an award of recognition.

4. Retirees with fewer than ten years as municipal clerk/citysecretary shall receive a certificate of recognition.Deputy or assistant municipal clerks/city secretarieswho achieve the required ten years of service inmunicipal government shall receive a certificate ofrecogintion.

5. Names of retirees meeting the criteria set out by TMCA,Inc., shall be submitted by July 1, to the RetirementCommittee by chapter presidents along with a notation asto whether the retiree is expected to attend the AnnualAwards event. In the event a retiree will be unable toattend the Annual Awards event, the appropriate awardwill be sent, by the TMCA Executive Director, to theretiree’s chapter president for presentation by thechapter president or a TMCA, Inc., representative at achapter meeting or a the retiree’s reception given by theretiree’s city.

6. Names of all eligible retirees shall be read at the annualTMCA, Inc., awards event and those attending the eventwill receive their awards at that time.

DOWNLOAD THE TMCA MEMBER RETIREMENT INFO FORM HERE: http://www.unt.edu/municlerks/tmca_retirees.htm

Ehrlich

http://www.unt.edu/municlerks/tmca_retirees.htm

TMCA NEWS

CONTENTS






(p. 5)




(p. 7)



IIMC News (p. 11)



7

JUNE 2005

The Franklin Legal Publishing, Inc., Scholarship wasestablished in 2002 in recognition of the mission ofTMCA, Inc., and TMCCP, which states:

“The Texas Municipal Clerks Association, Inc., andthe Texas Municipal Clerks Certification Program arededicated to providing an educational and profes-sional development program for novice and experi-enced municipal clerks.”

This $500 scholarship may be used by eligiblemembers who are pursuing the Texas Registered Municipal ClerkCertification or Recertification.

Follow this link for further information, and an application form:http://www.unt.edu/municlerks/tmccp_scholarshipfl.htm

PURPOSE

The purpose of the scholarship isto advance the education,professional development, and jobperformance of Texas MunicipalClerks by providing financialassistance to the members who areenrolled in the Texas MunicipalClerks Certification Program.

SCHOLARSHIPCOMMITTEE

The Certification Committee willdeliberate and award the FranklinLegal Publishing, Inc., Scholarship.A Certification Committeemember applying for the FranklinLegal Publishing, Inc., Scholarshipmust abstain from the deliberationand award process.

The committee notifies themembership of the date, amountof the scholarship, and theselection criteria by announce-ment.

The executive director receivesand verifies the qualifications ofall the applications. The delibera-tions of the committee and theexecutive director are confidential.The selection(s) by the committeeis final.

The 2005 Certification Commit-tee members are: Chair LindaKnight, TRMC, city secretary,Breckenridge; Art Camacho, Jr.,TRMC, city secretary, Azle;LaDonna Floyd, TRMC, citysecretary, Nederland; Susie Quinn,TRMC, city secretary, Rowlett;and Toni Wilson, TRMC, citysecretary, Sundown.

The committee notifies theTMCA, Inc., president of thenamed recipient(s) and theamount of the award(s). Thepresident notifies the recipient(s)and confirms his, her, or theirattendance of the Annual TMCAAwards Event held in conjunctionwith the TMCCP GraduateInstitute. The applications andcommittee papers will beforwarded to the corporate officeby the committee chair.

SCHOLARSHIPADMINISTRATION

The Chair of the CertificationCommittee must receive thescholarship application by August15. Applications postmarked orfaxed dated after August 15 of thespecified year will be returned.The scholarship recipient(s) will be

Franklin Legal Publishing, Inc.,ScholarshipBy Certification Committee ChairLinda Knight, TRMC

announced to the membership atthe Annual TMCCP GraduateInstitute during TMCA’s AnnualAwards Event.

The TMCA, Inc., treasurerdisburses scholarship funds to therecipient(s) on a cost-reimburse-ment basis not to exceed theamount(s) awarded. Therecipient(s) shall be reimbursed forqualifying expenses incurredbetween January 1 and December31 of the year following the award

Knight

SCHOLARSHIP Cont. on p. 8

$500.00

SCHOLARSHIP AMOUNT

AUGUST 15, 2005

DEADLINE

http://www.unt.edu/municlerks/tmccp_scholarshipfl.htm

TMCA NEWS JUNE 2005

of the scholarship. Cost-reimburs-able expenses are exclusive to costof enrollment, textbooks, andseminar registration fees.

The recipient must submitoriginal, official receipt(s) issuedby TMCCP to receive payment forreimbursable expenses.

ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS

Eligible applicants shall be currentpaid members of TMCA, Inc., andshall have been paid members ofTMCA, Inc., for two consecutiveyears previous to application forthe scholarship. Applicants mustbe actively pursuing certificationor recertification in the TexasMunicipal Clerks CertificationProgram.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Applicants must meet all of theeligibility requirements.

Scholarships will be awarded onthe basis of an applicant'sacademic qualifications.

Preference will be given toapplicants who have not received aprevious award.

SCHOLARSHIP Cont. from p. 7

DOWNLOAD APPLICATIONDeadline: August 15, 2005

Preference will be given to 1)municipal clerks/city secretaries;2) assistant or deputy municipal /deputy city secretaries; and 3)other TMCA, Inc., members.

Recipient of the Franklin LegalPublishing Inc., Scholarship isautomatically ineligible to receivethe Lila Fern Martin Scholarship,the Municipal Code CorporationScholarship, or the Dorothy F.Byrd Scholarship within the sameyear.

POST AWARDREQUIREMENTS

The scholarship recipient mustcomplete the same TMCCP coursefor which the Franklin LegalPublishing Inc., Scholarship fundswere reimbursed. Failure to fulfillthese requirements will obligatethe recipient to repay TMCA, Inc.,the amount awarded. Failure torepay the awarded funds shallresult in appropriate legal actionby the Texas Municipal ClerksAssociation, Inc.

The scholarship recipient pursuingTRMC certification shall maintaina C+ grade point average, receivepassing examination grades, andattend the total 24 hours of thetwo required seminars.

8

In 2004, TMCA awarded

$5,062.50 in scholarships to 21 recipients!

RodriguezReceives2005 IIMCQuill AwardAfter 23 years inoffice, San AntonioCity Clerk and formerIIMC president (1994)Norma Rodriguezretired in September2002. Norma was thecity’s longest servingclerk and also was thefirst Hispanic and thefirst woman to holdthe job.

Rodriguez was widely regarded as one of San Antonio’s mostfaithful public servants, well known for treating all residentswith equal respect. She was active in her state association,serving as president of the Texas Municipal Clerks Associa-tion in 1989. In 1992, she received the Texas MunicipalClerk of the Year Award.

“She was a wonderful city clerk, always careful and meticu-lous,” said former Mayor Lila Cockrell. “She was the bestchoice we could have made for that position.”

Norma has been praised as an individual who brought thecity clerk’s office up to a newer and higher standard and hasbeen called a role model for Hispanic women and for manyother people in the community.

Norma served as IIMC President from 1993 to 1994. Thisyear marks Norma’s 30th anniversary as an IIMC member.

The decision to retire came after Norma achieved somenotable goals, including playing host to 1,200 colleaguesfrom around the world when IIMC’s Annual Conference in2002 convened in San Antonio. In September 2002,Rodriguez was honored in Washington, D.C., as one of fourLas Primeras honorees of MANA, a National Latina Organi-zation. Norma received the Leadership Award for herachievements and national recognition in the field of munici-pal government. Last year, Norma received the Emblema deOuro from ATAM (Portugal).

Rodriguez will continue her relationship with IIMC, work-ing on special projects and serving on the MCEF Board.

From the IIMC 2005 Ceremony Program.

Norma Rodriguez receivedher Quill Award at the IIMCAwards Ceremony inMay 2005.

http://www.unt.edu/municlerks/franklinlegalscholarship.pdf

9

TMCA NEWS JUNE 2005

The Round Table began withregistration on the afternoonof Sunday, March 20, 2005,followed by a reception andan eloquent banquet,complete with a five coursemeal. In the group were fourcity officials: CouncilmemberDogan of South Carolina;Chief of Staff (same as a citymanager) Aldard of Oregon;Assistant City Manager Roseof Texas; and yours truly,City Secretary Quinn,TRMC, of Texas. We hadfive attorneys, and theremaining sixteen people allheld PhD’s and representeduniversities and collegesfrom across the UnitedStates. We were introducedto the President of HarrisManchester College, Rev.Dr. Ralph Waller; then toour high steward, Mr. DavidWoodfine; and our facilitatorAileen Rogers.

On Monday morning,March 21, we met for abuffet of a traditionalEnglish breakfast at 7:30a.m.; this included mush-rooms, grilled tomatoes,baked beans, fried eggs,sausage and a choice of toastor croissant rolls. Then wemoved to a large roomwhere we had assignedseating and began themorning with the presenta-tion of the first paper, “FromWomen’s Rights to Women’sLiberation: Social Move-ments and the Quest forEquality in the UnitedStates,” prepared by one ofthe attendees. After thatpresentation the assignedpanelists provided feedbackas to what the paper repre-sented, or similarities withtoday’s issues, or solutionsto problems presented. Itwas very unstructured as tohow the two pre-selected

panelists could respond, butthey had the same amount oftime as the speaker to maketheir thoughts known, thenthe group would offer theiropinions. We moved on toconsider the next paper, “AGlobal Perspective onGender and OccupationalSafety and Health: Implica-tions for Future Research,”followed by two morepanelists. We then had a teaand coffee break. After thebreak, the paper, “A Com-prehensive Approach for theEmpowerment of Women”was presented and discussed.Then the paper, “Que Pasa?The Status of WomenHispaniscs in the UnitedStates.” The two panelistsselected for this paper wereAttorney Sutton-Robiniusand City Secretary Quinn.The attorney discussed themerits of the Spanish

OXFORD ROUND TABLE 2005–WOMEN’S ISSUESHarris Manchester College in the University of Oxford, March 20-25, 2005By Susie Quinn, TRMC

This article was prepared by City Secretary Susie Quinn, TRMC, Rowlett, whowas invited to participate at the Oxford Round Table. Twenty-five people(twenty-three women and two men) embarked on a week-long discussionconcerning women’s issues.

QU

INN

RECEIV

ES C

ERTIF

ICATE

KELL

OG

G C

OLL

EG

EW

AD

HAM

CO

LLEG

EQ

UIN

N A

ND

DELG

ATES

OXFO

RD

UN

IVERSIT

YM

USEU

M O

F H

ISTO

RY

ST. PETER’S COLLEGE

OXFORD Cont. on p. 10

TMCA NEWS
JUNE 2005
teachers using their unions to obtainbetter salaries for themselves and Icompared the issues of the Spanishteacher’s salaries as being similar to thesame salary issues department headsand directors face in government. Thisopened a very lively discussion amongthe other officials and the otherprofessors who teach subjects that donot rank as high as some of the othersubjects but still require the sameamount of education but are not paidthe same. Differences in men’s andwomen’s salaries were also discussedbriefly and then it was lunchtime. Afterlunch, we departed for a walking tourof the 39 colleges which make upOxford University. Another receptionwas held prior to a three course dinnerbeing served.

The next day began with breakfast andSession II of the talks. The paperspresented that morning were: “Genderand Judging,” “Women’s Rights inAfrica,” “Effective Implementation:The Barriers Between Title VII andEquality,” and “Wanted: Equal Oppor-tunity in Higher Education,” whichwas followed by the same type of paneldiscussions. It ended at lunch and thenwe went on a walking tour to the“Natural History Museum.” Thatevening we once again had a receptionfollowed by dinner. At the dinners wegenerally continued to discuss thehottest topic that would arise from theearlier discussions.

On Wednesday, it was the same type ofschedule. The papers presented were:“Women’s Rights Time Line,” “Under-standing Abuse of Women in Prison: ATextual Reading of Neema Barnett’s‘Civil Brand,’” and “President JimmyCarter and Women’s Rights: A Reap-praisal.” The discussions regardingthese papers were extremely lively.After lunch we were free to do as wepleased and a group of eleven of uschose to take a guided bus tour of theCotswolds. It was a very fascinatingadventure with beautiful scenery,rolling landscapes, interesting historyand a good ghost story.

On Thursday, we were gently remindedby our facilitator that we needed to doour best to stay within the time limitsset out in the program in order tofinish our work. Our papers were: “ACourse on Gender, Women andScience: Helping Students Understandthe Interaction of Science, Culture andGender,” “Sexual Harassment in theClassroom: Exploring the Limits ofAcademic Freedom,” “NotoriousMassachusetts Women: Marriage andCivil Rights,” and “The Media Myth ofSuperwoman: An Impossible IdealizedImage.” The final paper, in which I wasone of two pre-selected panelists, wasdiscussed as to how much the mediauses sex to sell any and every productand how that is affecting our children,especially girls, as a woman is sup-posed to be a size 6 and be able tobring home the bacon, fry it up in apan and now defend her family ifanyone tries to take it. This discussionwas based on movies like G.I. Jane,The Long Kiss Goodnight, ResidentEvil and others. After our talks, theweek was summed up with thisfinding: as long as women do not agreeon specific issues, their plights willnever be resolved. Some of the issueswhich remained unresolved were “gayrights as a civil rights issue,” “same sexmarriages,” and “tenure should bemandatory not earned.”

That afternoon we took a tour ofBlenheim Palace, at Woodstock, homeof John Churchill, 1st Duke ofMarlborough and the birthplace of SirWinston Churchill. That evening wehad our final reception and anotherelegant banquet. We were presentedour certificates of completion. OnFriday morning, we met for brunch andsaid our good-byes to one another.

All in all, the trip was an outstandingexperience I will not soon forget and Ido hope if any of you receive aninvitation to attend the Oxford RoundTable, do take advantage, as you won’tregret it.

OXFORD Continued from p. 9

Susie Quinn, TRMC (second from right), with several of thedelegates outside of the Natural History Museum, Oxford.

EDITOR’S NOTEMORE INFORMATION ON THEOXFORD ROUND TABLE

The Oxford Round Table has beenconvening since 1989 to provide “aforum for the study and considerationof current issues facing state andnational systems of education. Pastmembership has included ministers ofeducation, state governors from theUnited States, members ofParliament, executive officers ofinternational corporations,educational administrators, pastors,attorneys and academicians frommajor universities.”

www.oxfordroundtable.com

10

http://www.oxfordroundtable.com

TMCA NEWS JUNE 2005

CONTENTS






(p. 5)




(p. 7)



IIMC News (p. 11)



IIMC NewsCox and Simpson AwardedCertified Municipal ClerkDesignation

Patty Cox, TRMC, city secretary,Live Oak, and Lisa ElaineSimpson, TRMC, city secretary,Seymour, have been awarded theCertified Municipal Clerk (CMC)designation by the InternationalInstitute of Municipal Clerks(IIMC). They join 80 activemunicipal clerks from the State ofTexas who currently hold the CMCdesignation.

Patty Cox, TRMC, has been employedwith the City of Live Oak since 1988,serving as planning and zoning secre-tary and assistant city secretary beforeappointment to her current position ofcity secretary in March 1999. Pattyearned her Texas Registered MunicipalClerk Certification (TRMC) (No. 415)in 2003. She is active in professionalaffiliations, maintaining membership inIIMC, TMCA, the Alamo Chapter ofTMCA (where she served as treasurer),and the Society of Human ResourcesManagement.

Lisa Elaine Simpson, TRMC, hasbeen employed as city secretary of theCity of Seymour since July 2000. Sheholds a Master of Public Administra-tion degree from the University ofNorth Texas in Denton, and a Bachelorof Arts Degree in Political Science fromthe University of Texas of the PermianBasin. Elaine earned her TRMC (No.383) in 2001. She is active in profes-sional affiliations, maintaining mem-bership in IIMC, TMCA, and the RedRiver Chapter of TMCA (where shehas served as president and vicepresident).

Delcambre and Moore Acceptedinto Master Municipal ClerkAcademy

Codi Delcambre, TRMC, citysecretary, Argyle, and Jo Moore,TRMC, city secretary, Abilene,have been accepted as membersof the Master Municipal ClerkAcademy Program of IIMC.

Codi Delcambre, TRMC, has beenemployed with the City of Argyle sinceApril 2000, serving as assistant citysecretary before appointment to hercurrent position of city secretary inSeptember 2001. Previous municipalservice includes serving two years withthe City of Ponder. Codi earned herTRMC in 2002 (No. 392). She isactive in professional affiliations,maintaining membership in IIMC,TMCA, and the North Texas Munici-pal Clerks Association Chapter ofTMCA.

Jo Moore, TRMC, has been employedwith the City of Abilene since October1988, where she serves in the positionof city secretary. Previous municipalservice includes serving 13 years withthe City of Tye as city secretary. Joearned her TRMC in 1986 (No. 114)and recertified in 1991, 1996 and2001. She is active in professionalaffiliations, maintaining membership inIIMC, TMCA, and the BluebonnetChapter of TMCA. She has served aspresident, president elect, vice presi-dent, secretary, treasurer and trustee ofTMCA, and has served as vice presi-dent, secretary, treasurer, historian andadvisor of the TMCA BluebonnetChapter.

11

Legislative Update SeminarSPEAKER: Alan BojorquezIrving, Texas, August 18-19, 2005

Graduate Institute Seminar: “Character First”SPEAKERS: Cary Gniffke & John BurnettGalveston, Texas, September 29-30, 2005

view ouronline seminar schedulefor more informationand more seminars!

2005 TMCCP Seminars

http://www.unt.edu/municlerks/tmccp_seminar_schedule.htm

TMCA NEWS

CONTENTS






(p. 5)




(p. 7)



IIMC News (p. 11)



JUNE 2005

12

BLUEBONNET CHAPTERBLUEBONNET CHAPTERBLUEBONNET CHAPTERBLUEBONNET CHAPTERBLUEBONNET CHAPTERBy Nancy Turnbow

The Bluebonnet Chapter’s March 9 meeting was held at K&J Bar-B-Que in Hamlin. Maria Franco, city secretary, Hamlin, welcomed allin attendance and a wonderful meal was served. President Kathy

Keane, TRMC, city clerk, San Angelo, called the business meeting to order. Adiscussion was held concerning elections and employee benefits. The next meetingwill be held in Abilene in June and hosted by Jo Moore, TRMC, city secretary,Abilene.

Members present were as follows: Louetta Davis, city secretary, Haskell; VirginiaDill, city secretary, Cisco; Maria Franco, city secretary, Hamlin; Karen Lou Graham,

city secretary, Anson; KathyKeane, TRMC, city clerk,San Angelo; Linda Knight,TRMC, city secretary,Breckenridge; JaimeMcCright, city secretary,Stamford; Jo Moore,TRMC, city secretary,Abilene; Billie Pearce, citysecretary, Tuscola; ReneeScott, assistant to citysecretary, Abilene; ShirleyStuart, city secretary,Eastland; Nancy Turnbow,city secretary, Baird; andRhonda Williams, citysecretary, Dublin.

The Bluebonnet Chapter willhold its 10th AnniversaryCelebration on June 25hosted by TMCA PastPresident Jo Moore inAbilene! Interested membersare invited to contactChapter President KathyKeane for more information.

CHAPTER NEWS

The Bluebonnet Chapter had thirteen members inattendance at the TMCCP Election Law Seminar in January2005. Back row: Rhonda Williams, city secretary, Dublin; JoMoore, TMRC, city secretary, Abilene; Renee Scott, assistant citysecretary, Abilene; Virginia Dill, city secretary, Cisco; and NancyTurnbow, city secretary, Baird. Second row: Art Camacho, TMRC,city secretary, Azle; Kathy Keane, TRMC, city clerk, San Angelo;Louetta Davis, city secretary, Haskell; and Jean Gilmore, citysecretary, Clyde. Front row: Maria Franco, city secretary, Hamlin;Linda Knight, TMRC, city secretary, Breckenridge; Shirley Stuart,city secretary, Eastland; and Karen Lou Graham, city secretary,Anson.

CAPITAL CHAPTERCAPITAL CHAPTERCAPITAL CHAPTERCAPITAL CHAPTERCAPITAL CHAPTERBy Melissa Brunner, TRMC

The Capital Chapter held a meeting on March 17 which was hostedby the City of Thorndale. President Shirley Garvel called themeeting to order.

The following members were in attendance: Susan Brock, city clerk, Taylor; BettyBrown, TRMC, local government election specialist, Bickerstaff Heath; ShirleyBrown, city clerk, Austin; Melissa Brunner, TRMC, city secretary, Flatonia; LaurenDavis, deputy city secretary, Bee Cave; Shirley Garvel, city secretary, Elgin; ShawnHedrick, city secretary, Troy; Linda Hambrick, city secretary, Jonestown; AmyCAPITAL CHAPTER Continued on p. 13

TMCA NEWS JUNE 2005

CHAPTER NEWS

Kopriva, city secretary, Cameron; Sherry Mashburn, TRMC,city secretary, Bee Cave; Toni Milam, city secretary, Buda;Connie Ortiz, TRMC, city secretary, Lockhart; MelissaPerry, city secretary, Hutto; Rose Sickel, TRMC, deputy citysecretary, Liberty Hill; Yvonne Spence, deputy city clerk,Austin; Joyce Stapleton, city secretary, Lago Vista; ShelliTurner, city secretary, Rockdale; Teresa Valdez, TRMC, citysecretary, Bastrop; and Violet Zbranek, city secretary (ret.),La Grange. The guests present were: Lisa Oltmann, citysecretary, La Grange; Meichihko Proctor, associate,Bickerstaff Heath; and Jennifer Zufelt, city secretary,Volente.

CAPITAL CHAPTER Continued from p. 12

CENTRAL TEXAS Continued on p. 14

Below: At the Central Texas Chapter’s April meeting, Kathy VanWolfe, McLennan County elections administrator, presented optionsfor compliance of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (HAVA) anddemonstrated two DRE machines that McLennan County wasconsidering purchasing.

At bottom: The Central Texas Chapter at their April meeting.

The minutes of the January 20 meeting held in Austin wereapproved. Treasurer Teresa Valdez presented the financialreport, which was also approved. President Garvel appointedSherry Mashburn, TRMC; Betty Brown, TRMC; and ToniMilam to serve as committee members of the CapitalChapter Municipal Clerk of the Year Committee; SherryMashburn is to serve as chair.

President Garvel went over the program for the seminar tobe held in Salado in July. Teresa Valdez, chair of the SilentAuction at the Salado meeting, reminded members to be onthe lookout for items to bring for the Silent Auction.President Garvel reported that the Capital Chapter member-

ship is now at 55, up from 50 last year. PresidentGarvel presented Violet Zbranek with a plaquecelebrating her retirement after 34 years with theCity of La Grange, 27 of which she served as citysecretary. Betty Brown shared information aboutnew bills that were being introduced in the statelegislature that are of interest to cities.

CENTRAL TEXAS CHAPTERCENTRAL TEXAS CHAPTERCENTRAL TEXAS CHAPTERCENTRAL TEXAS CHAPTERCENTRAL TEXAS CHAPTERBy Lydia Lopez, TRMC

The Central Texas Chapter heldtheir quarterly meeting at City ofBeverly Hills’ city hall onApril 13.

Chapter members present were: Christa Albert,TRMC, deputy city secretary, Corsicana; JenniferCanady, TRMC, city secretary, Woodway; SherylChristian, city secretary/court clerk, Crawford;Glynnis Coalter, Groesbeck; Shelly Doty, TRMC,city secretary, Cleburne; Sherry Dowd, Corsicana;Patricia Ervin, TRMC, city secretary, Waco;President Connie Foreman, city secretary, LacyLakeview; Becky Frels, TRMC, city secretary,Hewitt; Lee Garcia, finance director, Hewitt;Debbie Gauthier, city secretary, Mart; Benevo-lence Officer Audie Good, TRMC, assistant citysecretary, Bellmead; Betty Harrell, city secretary,Hillsboro; Treasurer Donna Hawkins, citysecretary, Beverly Hills; Brenda Jackson, citysecretary, Groesbeck; Secretary Lydia Lopez,TRMC, assistant city secretary, Waco; HistorianYrene Morgan, TRMC, deputy city secretary,Mexia; Patty Paschal, city secretary, McGregor;Ivy Peterson, TRMC, deputy city secretary,Cleburne; Sherrill Prevost, customer servicerepresentative, Waco; Kendra Pursche, Robinson;Christi Shivers, payroll clerk, Mexia; Linda

13

TMCA NEWS

CONTENTS






(p. 5)




(p. 7)



IIMC News (p. 11)



JUNE 2005

CHAPTER NEWS

Vranich, city secretary,Robinson; and Diane C.Williams, Corsicana.

Kathy Van Wolfe, McLennanCounty elections administra-tor, presented options forcompliance of the HelpAmerica Vote Act of 2002(HAVA) and demonstratedtwo DRE machines thatMcLennan County wasconsidering purchasing. Sheadvised members that the

county would be purchasing enough to service those cities within McLennan Countyand responded to questions. Members were allowed to test both voting machines andvote for their preference.

Ms. Ervin informed the group on following issues being reviewed by the TMCAExecutive Board:

• She encouraged members to serve on TMCA committees.• She asked members to complete seminar evaluations so that the board could make

effective decisions regarding training needs.• The board is also currently working on revisions to the policy manual.

The next chapter meeting will be June 8 in the City of Hillsboro.

COASTAL BEND CHAPTERCOASTAL BEND CHAPTERCOASTAL BEND CHAPTERCOASTAL BEND CHAPTERCOASTAL BEND CHAPTERBy Irma Parker

Edna City Secretary Becky Miska hosted our meeting at the LariatRestaurant on February 17. Attendees enjoyed lunch and an informa-tive program on “Salvaging Books & Papers After a Fire” as presented

by Billie Jo Tennill, city secretary/administrator, Odem. Chapter members weregiven first hand stories of how the Town of Odem dealt with recovering from losingtheir city hall and records to a fire in the 1970’s and of the city secretary’s role inrecovery after a disaster. This is an ongoing program to assist in development of anemergency management resource book for use by both coastal and inland communi-ties.

The meeting was attended by: Sylvia Aparicio, city secretary, Taft; Pat Brown,administrative assistant, Rockport; Cynthia Contreras, city secretary, Bishop; Kim-berly Drysdale, city secretary/human resources director, Ingleside; ElizabethGonzalez, city secretary, Woodsboro; Edna Lopez, city secretary, Kingsville; NeldaMartinez, city secretary, Mathis; Karen Mayer, city secretary, Aransas Pass; BeckyMiska, city secretary, Edna; Ada Owens, TRMC, assistant city secretary, AransasPass; Irma Parker, city secretary, Rockport; Scarlet Swoboda, TRMC, city secretary,Victoria; Bonnie Taylor, city secretary, Lakeside; Billie Jo Tennill, city secretary/

CENTRAL TX CHAPTERCont. from p. 13

The Central Texas Chapter at their April 2005 meeting.

COASTAL BEND CHAPTER Continued on p. 15

14

TMCA NEWS
JUNE 2005
CHAPTER NEWS

administrator, Odem; Betty Wood, TRMC, city secretary,Sinton; and the special guest was City of Edna financedirector Olga Solomon.

Cynthia Contreras, city secretary, Bishop, will be hosting thenext chapter meeting on May 25 in Bishop at the TaqueriaJalisco, 535 S. Hwy 77-Bypass, Bishop. The speaker for thismeeting will be Clarissa Martinez, community servicesspecialist, Office of Rural Community Affairs.

Upcoming meetings and workshops will include a May 4meeting at Rockport Beach Park with Nan Pfiester of theTexas State Library presenting a workshop program on

COASTAL BEND CHAPTER Continued from p. 14

LOWER RIO GRANDE VALLEYCHAPTER Continued on p. 16

Teresa Navarro, elections administrator, Hidalgo County, was the guest speaker at the March meeting of theLower Rio Grande Valley Chapter.

“Improving Your Filing Systems.” The August chaptermeeting will be held on August 25. Coastal Bend Councilof Governments Instructor Danielle Gibson will present aprogram on “Weapons of Mass Destruction.” TMCAPresident Mary Lynne Stratta, TRMC, city secretary, Bryan,will be the chapter’s special guest at the August meeting.

Chapter newsletters are distributed to members withspecific details of any upcoming meeting. For furtherinformation concerning our chapter or meeting dates,contact any members of the chapter or President KimberlyDrysdale, 361-776-2517 or [email protected], or chapter Secretary/TreasurerIrma Parker at 361-729-2213 ext. 138 or [email protected].

LOWER RIO GRANDELOWER RIO GRANDELOWER RIO GRANDELOWER RIO GRANDELOWER RIO GRANDEVALLEY CHAPTERVALLEY CHAPTERVALLEY CHAPTERVALLEY CHAPTERVALLEY CHAPTERBy Perla Zamora

The LRGV Chapter meton March 16 at the

McAllen International Airport. Theguest speaker was Teresa Navarro,Hidalgo County elections administra-tor. She addressed the status of thepurchases of the Direct RecordingElectronic (DRE) Voting System. Afterconcluding her presentation, Ms.Navarro allowed some time for a

question-and-answer session as itrelated to the DREs and the process.The order of business also provided forthe oath of office for the office of vicepresident to Mary Munoz, city clerk,Pharr; and secretary/treasurer to AidaRivas, city clerk, Palm View. The oathwas administered by Annette Villarreal.

The following members were inattendance: Anna Carrillo, acting citysecretary, Pharr; Sara Castillo,Progresso; Immediate Past PresidentAmanda Elizondo, TRMC, citysecretary, Weslaco; Vice President

Mary Munoz, city secretary, Pharr; RoyCantu, media director, McAllen; MyraGarza, city secretary, Edinburg; LindaGonzalez, Weslaco; Danny A. Guzman,Elsa; Cindy Hernandez, city secretary,Penitas; Clarece Y. Martinez, Edinburg;Teresa Navarro, Hidalgo County; OlgaOberwetter, city secretary, La Feria;Vickie Ramirez, city secretary, SanJuan; Yanet Reyna, Alton; Secretary/Treasurer Aida Rivas, city secretary,Palmview; Julianita Sabala, city

15

TMCA NEWS

CONTENTS






(p. 5)




(p. 7)



IIMC News (p. 11)



JUNE 2005

16

CHAPTER NEWS

secretary, La Joya; Albesa Solis,assistant city secretary, Mission;Aida Vega, assistant city secretary,Pharr; Annette Villarreal, citysecretary, McAllen; and HistorianPerla Zamora, city secretary,McAllen.

NORTH TEXAS MUNICIPAL CLERKS ASSOCIATION CHAPTERNORTH TEXAS MUNICIPAL CLERKS ASSOCIATION CHAPTERNORTH TEXAS MUNICIPAL CLERKS ASSOCIATION CHAPTERNORTH TEXAS MUNICIPAL CLERKS ASSOCIATION CHAPTERNORTH TEXAS MUNICIPAL CLERKS ASSOCIATION CHAPTERBy Nancy Meadows, TRMC

The current North Texas Municipal Clerks Association Officers are:President Nancy Meadows, TRMC, city secretary, Watauga; Vice-President Jeanne Fralicks, TRMC, city secretary/director of adminis-

trative Services, Duncanville; TreasurerSusie Quinn, TRMC, city secretary,Rowlett; Secretary Ashley Mitchell,TRMC, city secretary, Carrollton; andHistorian Sandy Hart, TRMC, citysecretary, McKinney.

The chapter held its annual all dayProfessional Seminar on February 9.Our topics were “Lead Where YouLive! How to Encourage Through RoleModeling”; “Legal Notices: When andHow to Publish Them”; “Tools of theTrade” show and tell; and a NotaryWorkshop. There were 27 persons inattendance for the seminar and 10additional members attended theluncheon and business meeting portion.The seminar was very informative andenjoyable.

The March meeting was hosted by theCity of Frisco and was held at theRough Riders Founders Club in Frisco.We had a very enjoyable meeting withFrisco Mayor Mike Simpson as ourspeaker. Frisco City Secretary NanParker, TRMC, and Deputy CitySecretary Kathy Wingo planned awonderful meal and a great time for allwho attended.

NTMCA Continued on p. 17

LOWER RIO GRANDE VALLEYCHAPTER Cont. from p. 15

Above photos: The NTMCA Chapter at theirProfessional Seminar in February.

Lower Rio Grande Valley Chapter Secretary/Treasurer Aida Rivas, citysecretary, Palmview, and Vice President Mary Munoz, city secretary,Pharr, are sworn into office.

17

TMCA NEWS JUNE 2005

CHAPTER NEWS

The NTMCA Chapter hadthe honor of hosting theTMCCP Personnel Manage-ment Seminar on April 7and 8 in Irving.

We were fortunate that VicePresident Jeanne Fralicks,TRMC, could scheduleDallas County ElectionsAdministrator Bruce Sherbetas our speaker for the April13 NTMCA monthlymeeting. Mr. Sherbet gave usan update on proposedlegislative election lawchanges. We always enjoyand learn from Mr. Sherbet’ssessions on elections.

We do not hold a meeting inMay, due to the electionsand the IIMC Conference.

All of our different commit-tee members are busyaccomplishing the goals ofeach committee.

Currently there are 140NTMCA members. TheMembership/Communica-tions Committee, whichincludes Chair KathleenWedell, TRMC, assistantcity secretary, Watauga; andmembers Diane Cockrell,TRMC, city secretary,Decatur; Alicia Richardson,

NTMCA Cont. from p. 20 TRMC, assistant citysecretary, North RichlandHills; and Kim Sutter,TRMC, city secretary,Richland Hills; is workingon enrolling more members.The NTMCA Chaptercovers a very large area,which includes all of TMLRegions 8 and 13.

The June 8 NTMCA regularmeeting at Harvey Hotel at12:00 noon, will include ourannual recognition ofaccomplishments of mem-bers. The City Secretary ofthe Year Committee, whichincludes Chair CodiDelcambre, TRMC, citysecretary, Argyle, andmembers Pam Schmidt,TRMC, city secretary,Richardson, and JeanDwinnell, TRMC, citysecretary, Westlake, willannounce and recognize theNTMCA City Secretary ofthe Year.

In July our NominatingCommittee, which includesChair Paula Lawrence,TRMC, town secretary,Flower Mound, and mem-bers Shelly Doty, TRMC,city secretary, Cleburne, andIvy Peterson, TRMC, deputycity secretary, Cleburne, willpresent the slate of proposed

officers for the 2005-2006fiscal year to the member-ship and the slate will bevoted on in August.

The TMCCP ReceptionCommittee, which includesChair Cathy DiMaggio,TRMC, city secretary, GrandPrairie, and members LindaRhodes, TRMC, citysecretary, Lake Worth; MaryKayser, TRMC, city secre-tary, Burleson; and KathyWingo, administrativeassistant, Frisco, is planningfor a special event for theTMCCP Legislative UpdateSeminar on August 18 and19, in Irving.

Legislative Committee ChairShelley George, TRMC, citysecretary, Allen, is workingon informing the membersof legislative and currentevents impacting the variousduties of the municipalclerks’ profession.

The Holiday CelebrationCommittee, which includesChair Carole Ehrlich,TRMC, city secretary,Wylie, and members RosaStovall, city secretary,Lavon, and Aimee Nemer,TRMC, city secretary,Murphy, is busy makingplans for the holiday celebration.

NTMCA MEETING CALENDAR 2005:

July 13, regular meeting at Harvey Hotel at 12:00 noonAugust 18-19, NTMCA will host the TMCCP LegislativeUpdate Seminar in Irving.We will not have a regular meeting in August.September 7, regular meeting at Harvey Hotel at 12:00 noonOctober 12, regular meetingOctober 25-29, NTMCA members will be the TMCA BoothCommittee for the TML Conference in GrapevineNovember 9, regular meetingDecember 14, holiday luncheon

Top: At the NTMCA2005 ProfessionalSeminar, MartiMiller spoke about“Lead Where YouLive! How toEncourage ThroughRole Modeling.”

Above: At theFebruary 2005ProfessionalSeminar, AttorneyDebra Drayovitchspoke to the NTMCAChapter about“Legal Notices:When and How toPublish Them.”

Left: At the NTMCA 2005 Professional Seminar.

TMCA NEWS

CONTENTS






(p. 5)




(p. 7)



IIMC News (p. 11)



18

JUNE 2005

CHAPTER NEWS

PANHANDLE CHAPTERPANHANDLE CHAPTERPANHANDLE CHAPTERPANHANDLE CHAPTERPANHANDLE CHAPTERBy Connie McKiernan

The Panhandle Chapter met on October 21, 2004; December 16, 2004; andFebruary 17, 2005. Attendees at the meetings included: Secretary/TreasurerCrystal Black, city clerk/court clerk, Fritch; LaRita Butler, city secretary,

Stratford; Frances Childers, city secretary, Dalhart; Suzanne Finch, city secretary, Hereford;Cheryl Gibson-Salgado, TRMC, city secretary, Spearman; President Janice Henson, TRMC,city secretary, Perryton; Frances Hibbs, assistant city secretary, Amarillo; Phyllis Jeffers, citysecretary, Pampa; Terri Johnson, TRMC, city manager/city secretary, Friona; Historian MarySue Lyles, city secretary, Groom; Connie McKiernan, city secretary, Panhandle; CaroleeNance, city secretary, Fritch; Kim Rehkopf, city secretary, Dumas; Vice President TerrySouth, city secretary, Canadian;Nelwyn Ward, city secretary, Memphis; and Mark Washburn,city secretary, Gruver.

Jim Parish, personnel director, Amarillo, gave a presentation entitled “What to Do AboutRaising Health Care Costs” at the February 17 meeting. The health care cost crisis andinsurance alternatives were presented in detail.

The TMCCP Election Law Seminar in Austin on January 19-21 was well-attended bymembers of the Panhandle Chapter.

Suzanne Finch and Connie McKiernan attended the April 7-8 TMCCP Personnel Manage-ment Seminar in Irving. This program was a wealth of information and so worth the time toattend.

Terri Johnson, acting on behalf of the scholarship committee, developed and presented aPanhandle Chapter TMCA scholarship policy for review by the membership. The applica-tion format was reviewed and accepted by the members.

President Henson read correspondence from Sherry Mashburn, TRMC, city secretary, BeeCave, soliciting comments and concerns regarding the Open Records Act and its implemen-tation by records retention officers. Discussion on the need for training opportunities waspresented by several of the membership. President Henson reminded the membership thatTMCA annual dues were now payable to the association.

PINEYWOODS CHAPTERPINEYWOODS CHAPTERPINEYWOODS CHAPTERPINEYWOODS CHAPTERPINEYWOODS CHAPTERBy Terre Noble, TRMC

The Pineywoods Chapter held their quarterly meeting on April 14 at Woodvillecity hall. Members present were: President Betsy Gregson, city secretary,Huntington; Terri Bible, city secretary, Woodville; Lila Fuller, TRMC, city

secretary, Nacogdoches; Carrie Edwards, city secretary, Colmesneil; Tina Cavazos, citysecretary, Diboll; and Tommy Boykins, city secretary, Jasper.

On the agenda was election of new officers for 2005-2007. Terre Noble, TRMC, citysecretary, Center, was elected as president. Carrie Edwards, city secretary, Colmesneil, waselected vice president, and Tina Cavazos, city secretary, Diboll, was elected secretary/treasurer.

The group also had a session on the upcoming city elections to be held on May 7.

TMCA NEWS JUNE 2005

CHAPTER NEWS

RED RIVERRED RIVERRED RIVERRED RIVERRED RIVERCHAPTERCHAPTERCHAPTERCHAPTERCHAPTERBy TrishHolley, TRMC

The Red River Chapter metMarch 16 for their quarterlymeeting at the Oxford StreetRestaurant in Wichita Falls.Members attending were:Stacy Clark, TRMC, citysecretary, Throckmorton;Trish Holley, TRMC, citysecretary, Burkburnett; CarolLoucks, TRMC, citysecretary, Henrietta; PatQuisenberry, TRMC, city

Above: TMCA President Mary LynneStratta, TRMC, city secretary,Bryan, installs 2005/06 Salt GrassChapter Officers.

Left: Deloris McKenzie, TRMC, citysecretary, Friendswood, presentsthe 2005 Deloris McKenziescholarship to Brazoria AssistantCity Secretary Sheila Williams.

SALT GRASS Continued on p. 20

Clark, TRMC, for complet-ing her recertification.

The members had aroundtable discussion on theupcoming election.

Newly elected officers are:President Trish Holley,TRMC, city secretary,Burkburnett; Vice PresidentPat Quisenberry, TRMC,city secretary, Vernon; andSecretary/Treasurer StacyClark, TRMC, city secretary,Throckmorton. The nextmeeting will be held June 15in Wichita Falls.

secretary, Vernon; ElaineSimpson, TRMC, citysecretary, Seymour; LydiaTorres-Ozuna, TRMC, citysecretary, Wichita Falls;Conchita Torrez; assistantcity secretary, Seymour;Mitzi Wallace, TRMC, citysecretary, Bowie; and visitorSandy Page, deputy citysecretary, Bowie.

Congratulations to MitziWallace, TRMC, and MarieBalthrop, TRMC, forearning their Texas Regis-tered Municipal ClerkCertification and to Stacy

SALT GRASS CHAPTERSALT GRASS CHAPTERSALT GRASS CHAPTERSALT GRASS CHAPTERSALT GRASS CHAPTERBy Michele L. Glaser, TRMC

The Salt Grass Chapter conducted its annualpublic information seminar on February 3-4 atthe beautiful new Sugar Land city hall. This is

a popular event, attended not only by city secretaries, but byemployees from many other city departments and from othergovernmental agencies. Speakers were:Baytown City Clerk Gary Smith, TRMC;Missouri City Secretary Patrice Fogarty,TRMC; and Assistant Attorney GeneralKaren Rabon. A new feature this yearwas a half-day parliamentary proceduremodule conducted by TMCA PresidentMary Lynne Stratta, TRMC, city secre-tary, Bryan.

The Salt Grass Chapter held its Marchmeeting at the Baytown CommunityCenter. Court Administrator Lynda Kilgore presented a veryinformative talk about Baytown’s innovative juvenile com-munity service program.

The chapter held its annual banquet on April 9 at thebeautiful Inn at the Ballpark. The guest speaker was OliverLuck, CEO of the Harris County–Houston Sports Authority.Sheila Williams, assistant city secretary, Brazoria, receivedthe Deloris McKenzie Scholarship Award for 2005/06.Patrice Fogarty, city secretary, Missouri City, was named SaltGrass Chapter Clerk of the Year. Special guests were TMCAPresident Mary Lynne Stratta and her husband, J.J. Mary

Lynne conducted the initiation for the 2005/06 officers:President Jenny Key, TRMC, city secretary, Morgan’s Point;Vice President, Michele Glaser, TRMC, city secretary,Seabrook; Secretary Yolanda Benitez, TRMC, city secretary,Bunker Hill Village; Treasurer Kaylynn Holloway, TRMC,city secretary, West University Place; and Historian GarySmith, TRMC, city secretary, Baytown. Outgoing PresidentMarla Porter, TRMC, city secretary, Conroe, was given anaward and thanked for her service to the chapter. RetiringAssistant City Secretary Linda Thornton, Friendswood, waspresented with a gift from the chapter.

19

TMCA NEWS JUNE 2005

Several members attended a retirementparty held for League City’s retiringcity secretary, Barbara Nugent, onApril 12. Congratulations to Barbaraand Linda on your successful careers!We wish you a happy retirement.

Members are looking forward to a busy2005/06 year with meetings startingagain in August. On September 14,Deer Park will host an all day seminaron the “Duties of Notaries.” Thelocation of the meeting will be theBattleground Golf Course. This is afantastic facility with delicious food.The law firm of Olson & Olson willconduct the seminar.

CHAPTER NEWSSALT GRASS Continued from p. 19

Above left: La Porte City Secretary Martha Gillett, TRMC (right), presents theSalt Grass Chapter Clerk of the Year Award to Missouri City Secretary PatriceFogarty, TRMC.

Above right: Outgoing President Marla Porter, TRMC (left), city secretary,Conroe, presents a gift to retiring Friendswood Assistant City Secretary, LindaThornton.

SOUTH PLAINSSOUTH PLAINSSOUTH PLAINSSOUTH PLAINSSOUTH PLAINSCHAPTER NEWSCHAPTER NEWSCHAPTER NEWSCHAPTER NEWSCHAPTER NEWSBy Toni Chrestman, TRMC

The South Plains Chapter met on March 16 inLubbock at the Lubbock Club. The meeting

was hosted by Lubbock City Secretary Becky Garza, TRMC,and City of Lubbock staff.

Becky Garza introduced Dorothy Kennedy, Lubbock CountyElections Administrator, as our speaker. Ms. Kennedy gavean informative presentation on the process she has beengoing through to obtain DREs for Lubbock County.

Gayla Cowan, city secretary, Amherst, presented a crystalbowl to Pam Rowe, TRMC, city secretary, Plains, inappreciation for serving as the South Plains Chapter’s pastpresident.

New chapter directories were available for members. Athank-you note was sent to Kirk Franklin and staff for theirhelp updating and printing the directories. Karen Lawson,TRMC, city secretary, Floydada, was commended for herwork in compiling the data and binding them.

A committee was appointed for our local chapter trainingconsisting of Chairman Toni Chrestman, TRMC, citysecretary, Slaton; Karen Lawson, TRMC, city secretary,Floydada; Pam Rowe, TRMC, city secretary, Plains; BrendaShaw, TRMC, city secretary/manager, Morton; Chris Wade,TRMC, city secretary, Levelland; and Tommy Combs,

deputy city secretary, Lubbock. The committee has tenta-tively set the one day seminar for October 14, with TMCAPresident Mary Lynne Stratta, TRMC, city secretary, Bryan,presenting a program on parliamentary procedure. Mark thedate on your calendars—this should be a very informativesession, and one that is important to all of us.

The Municipal Clerk of the Year Committee for our chapterwas appointed as follows: Chairman Becky Garza, TRMC,city secretary, Lubbock; Mary Jo Collins, TRMC, citysecretary/assistant city manager, Brownfield; and ToniWilson, TRMC, city secretary, Sundown.

The next meeting will be June 15, to be hosted by LeAnnGallman, TRMC, city secretary, Muleshoe.

Members attending were: Jane Bell, Lubbock; HildaCannon, city secretary, Abernathy; Toni Chrestman, TRMC,city secretary, Slaton; Mary Jo Collins, TRMC, city secre-tary/assistant city manager, Brownfield; Tommy Combs,deputy city secretary, Lubbock; Gayla Cowan, city secretary,Amherst; LeAnn Gallman, TRMC, city secretary, Muleshoe;Becky Garza, TRMC, city secretary, Lubbock; DebbieGressett, city secretary, Seminole; Maria Hatchett, TRMC,city secretary/treasurer, Lamesa; Dorothy Kennedy, LubbockCounty; Sharon Kerby, Slaton; Pat Kidd, Lubbock; SylviaMartinez, TRMC, billing clerk, Plains; Pam Rowe, TRMC,city secretary, Plains; Brenda Shaw, TRMC, city secretary/city manager, Morton; Chris Wade, TRMC, city secretary,Levelland; Carlo Wade and Cedric Wade of Brownfield; andLynette Whitten, deputy city secretary, Morton.

20

TMCA NEWS JUNE 2005

THANK YOU

to the

ALAMO CHAPTER

for their generous donation

to the

Dorothy F. ByrdScholarship Fund

WEST TEXAS CHAPTERWEST TEXAS CHAPTERWEST TEXAS CHAPTERWEST TEXAS CHAPTERWEST TEXAS CHAPTERBy Tami Matthews

The West Texas Chapter met on January 20 inAustin at the TMCCP Election Law Seminar.President Laura Barragan, TRMC, deputy city

secretary, Van Horn, called the meeting to order and themembers discussed the following items: the constitution andbylaws; the Open Records Steering Committee plans; achapter donation to the Dorothy F. Byrd Scholarship Fund;and the Education Committee.

The following members were present; Laura Barragan,TRMC, deputy city secretary, Van Horn; Lou Ann Watson,city secretary, McCamey; Maria E.V. Rodriguez, city secre-tary, Balmorhea; Tonya Thomas, city secretary, Wink; JerriCurfew, city secretary, Crane; Karen Gryder, deputy citysecretary, Crane; and Evelyn Ammons, city secretary, BigLake.

CHAPTER NEWS

TMCA, INC., CHAPTERS

ALAMO CHAPTERALAMO CHAPTERALAMO CHAPTERALAMO CHAPTERALAMO CHAPTERNorma Althouse, PresidentPO Drawer I, Schertz, TX 78154-0890210-658-7477, ext. 1131; 210-659-3204 [email protected]

BLUEBONNET CHAPTERBLUEBONNET CHAPTERBLUEBONNET CHAPTERBLUEBONNET CHAPTERBLUEBONNET CHAPTERKathy Keane, TRMC, PresidentPO Box 1751, San Angelo, TX 76902-1751325-657-4405; 325-481-2695 [email protected]

CAPITCAPITCAPITCAPITCAPITAL CHAPTERAL CHAPTERAL CHAPTERAL CHAPTERAL CHAPTERShirley Garvel, PresidentPO Box 591, Elgin, TX 78621-0591512-281-5724; 512-285-5962 [email protected]

CENTRCENTRCENTRCENTRCENTRAL TEXAS CHAPTERAL TEXAS CHAPTERAL TEXAS CHAPTERAL TEXAS CHAPTERAL TEXAS CHAPTERConnie Foreman, PresidentPO Box 154549, Waco, TX 76715254-799-2458; 254-799-3640 [email protected]

COCOCOCOCOASTASTASTASTASTAL BEND CHAPTERAL BEND CHAPTERAL BEND CHAPTERAL BEND CHAPTERAL BEND CHAPTERKimberly Drysdale, PresidentPO Drawer 400, Ingleside, TX 78362-0400361-776-2517; 361-775-0109 [email protected]

HILL COUNTRY CHAPTERHILL COUNTRY CHAPTERHILL COUNTRY CHAPTERHILL COUNTRY CHAPTERHILL COUNTRY CHAPTERK. Vivian Saiz, President730 Main St, Junction, TX 76849915-446-2622; 915-446-3003 [email protected]

LLLLLOWER RIO GROWER RIO GROWER RIO GROWER RIO GROWER RIO GRANDE VANDE VANDE VANDE VANDE VALLEYALLEYALLEYALLEYALLEYCHAPTERCHAPTERCHAPTERCHAPTERCHAPTERInelda Garcia, PresidentPO Box 911, Brownsville, TX 78522-0911956-548-6001; 956-546-2130 [email protected]

NORTH TEXAS MUNICIPNORTH TEXAS MUNICIPNORTH TEXAS MUNICIPNORTH TEXAS MUNICIPNORTH TEXAS MUNICIPALALALALALCLERKS ASSOCIACLERKS ASSOCIACLERKS ASSOCIACLERKS ASSOCIACLERKS ASSOCIATION CHAPTERTION CHAPTERTION CHAPTERTION CHAPTERTION CHAPTERNancy Meadows, TRMC, President7101 Whitley Rd, Watauga, TX 76148817-514-5811; 817-281-1991 [email protected]

NORTHEAST TEXAS CHAPTERNORTHEAST TEXAS CHAPTERNORTHEAST TEXAS CHAPTERNORTHEAST TEXAS CHAPTERNORTHEAST TEXAS CHAPTERAnn Pesce, TRMC, President504 N Queen St, Palestine, TX 75801903-731-8414; 903-731-8486 [email protected]

PPPPPANHANDLE CHAPTERANHANDLE CHAPTERANHANDLE CHAPTERANHANDLE CHAPTERANHANDLE CHAPTERJanice Henson, TRMC, PresidentPO Box 849, Perryton, TX 79070-0849806-435-4014; 806-435-2490 [email protected]

PINEYWOODS CHAPTERPINEYWOODS CHAPTERPINEYWOODS CHAPTERPINEYWOODS CHAPTERPINEYWOODS CHAPTERTerre Noble, TRMC, PresidentPO Box 1744, Center, TX 75935-1744936-598-2941; 936-598-2615 [email protected]

RED RIVER CHAPTERRED RIVER CHAPTERRED RIVER CHAPTERRED RIVER CHAPTERRED RIVER CHAPTERElaine Simpson, TRMC, PresidentPO Box 31, Seymour, TX 76380-0031940-889-3148; 940-889-8882 [email protected]

SSSSSALALALALALT GRT GRT GRT GRT GRASS CHAPTERASS CHAPTERASS CHAPTERASS CHAPTERASS CHAPTERJenny Key, TRMC, PresidentPO Box 839, Morgan’s Point, TX 77572281-471-2171; 281-471-7473 [email protected]

SOUTH PLAINS CHAPTERSOUTH PLAINS CHAPTERSOUTH PLAINS CHAPTERSOUTH PLAINS CHAPTERSOUTH PLAINS CHAPTERGayla Cowan, PresidentPO Box 560, Amherst, TX 79312-0560806-246-3421; 806-246-3575 Fax

WEST TEXAS CHAPTERWEST TEXAS CHAPTERWEST TEXAS CHAPTERWEST TEXAS CHAPTERWEST TEXAS CHAPTERLaura Barragan, TRMC, PresidentPO Box 517, Van Horn, TX 79855-0517432-283-2050; 432-283-2839 [email protected]

21

DEADLINE FOR PUBLICADEADLINE FOR PUBLICADEADLINE FOR PUBLICADEADLINE FOR PUBLICADEADLINE FOR PUBLICATION: TION: TION: TION: TION: JULY15 FOR THE SEPTEMBER NEWSLETTERSend articles to: TMCA, Inc., PO Box 305067, Denton, TX 76203; 940-565-3488; FAX 940-565-2012; [email protected]

vol. xvi no. 2 june 2005 tmca news · world. how fortunate we are to have these caring angels in...

Documents