City Administrator UPDATE

Linden is still cleaning up from the April 24 storm, but slowly getting squared away. We have cleaned up and burned hundreds of loads of limbs and leaves. We have pretty much had our Street crew working limb burn at the dump for the last three weeks. We are going to stop burning this week and get back focused on the streets and the park. The walking trail in Crow Heath park is covered with trees and we are going to have to remove them and fix the trail. The winds were so strong we had some chain link fences blowdown. We have had a lot of water/sewer lines damaged by roots of trees being blown over breaking pipes. We are still repairing them and as the ground dries it contracts and we get our usual Spring dry out leaks. If you see water bubbling up please call City Hall at 903 756-7502.

Remember our restaurants are open and we appreciate you patronizing them. It is a difficult time for them and their employees, please be generous with them. All our local businesses have been just superb during this tough time and I think there has never been a better time to show them we care with our loyalty. Social media has played a larger role in our lives with these restrictions and I would surely encourage you to not participate in rumors that could damage local business. We have had unfounded rumors hurt small businesses here in town, it is something every small business has to deal with but it hurts there bottom line and motivation.

The City Council voted to engage a grant writer to start work on a Down Town Revitalization Grant which would primarily address the Streets and sidewalks within the Main Street district. We are looking forward to lots of construction this summer and fall and then we will start addressing the streets. This is an up to $500,000 grant with a $50,000 match, if we get this grant it would not be ready for construction until late 2021. We are eligible as a Main Street town, Allie Anderson as Community Development and Main Street Director has been assessing streets and access and will be the point person on this grant as it roles forward.

The Library remains closed and we are now in the hunt for a full-time Librarian to reopen it in late June. You can check lindentexas.org for info on how to apply. We are trying a different system where we are going to salary a Librarian and entrust them with getting our patronage and programs up. We will see how it goes.

We are lucky to live in a small community and to have the bonds we have. Sometimes that gets lost in the hustle and bustle of life. I personally am glad that Brenda and I moved here to Linden, the great people with great values and open hearts outweigh the problem people by a long shot. Proud to be a Lindenite! Let’s all count our blessings.