The City of Arlington received the 2016 Audrey Nelson Award for its work with the Development Corporation of Tarrant County to develop housing for first-time homebuyers. The construction of new, affordable, single-family housing is part of the initiative to transform the Central Arlington Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy Area. The new, energy-efficient homes have improved quality and cost of living within the community.
The International Association of Chiefs of Police recognized Deputy Police Chief LaTesha Watson with its’ 40 Under 40 Award.’ The award was developed to recognize 40 law enforcement professionals under the age of 40 from around the world who demonstrate leadership in their profession. Watson, who oversees the East Police Division, was hired by APD in 2002 and quickly rose through the ranks, serving in a variety of capacities.
The Arlington Police Department’ s‘ RAISE’ program received the 2016 TML Municipal Excellence Award. RAISE consists of team agencies partnering together to address the issues repeat victims of family violence face by offering a support system that develops a safe and healthy climate for them.
Assistant City Attorney David Barber was recognized by the Texas City Attorney’ s Association with the Galen Sparks Award for Outstanding Public Service. The award, granted each year to an assistant city attorney, recognizes distinguished career achievements in municipal law. Barber, who has been with the City for 28 years, was singled out for drafting Arlington’ s first Code of Ethics and his work on city ordinances.
The City’ s Stormwater division received statewide recognition for its Royce Drive / Chimney Court Drainage Project. The Texas Public Works Association named it‘ Project of the Year’ at its annual conference. The project included drainage improvements, reconstruction of drainage walls, sanitary sewer improvements and rebuilt streets, curbs and gutters.
City Accreditations
For the fourth year in a row, Arlington’ s traffic safety program was recognized by the Texas Municipal Courts Education Center. The program educates people on distracted driving and works to reduce impaired driving.
Arlington was one of five cities with populations of 100,000 or more to receive the U. S. Conference of Mayor’ s 2016 Outstanding Achievement Award. The City’ s Fire Department was recognized for its Community Health Program, a no-cost in-home preventative care service. Specially selected physician-trained paramedics make proactive, preventative“ house calls” to patients. The program dropped ER visits by 60 % and hospitalizations by 85 %, while also lowering 911 calls.
The Midwest Section of the Texas Chapter of the American Planning Association recently awarded the City of Arlington a Planning Project Award for the City’ s Comprehensive Plan, 99 Square Miles. The Strategic Planning Team completed the comprehensive plan in-house, and it was adopted by City Council in 2015. In addition, Senior Planner Christina Sebastian won from the Midwest Section.
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