My name is Henry Harris. I am married to Susan Wolaver Harris and we have one daughter, Hannah, who will be two years old in July. I am an Italy native and attended Italy schools.

I am writing this letter to announce my decision to run for a seat on the Italy School Board. I am asking you for your support during my candidacy. I would like to take this opportunity to tell you a few things about myself.

The next regular meeting of the Italy Economic Development Committee is scheduled for Monday, April 27. Agenda items include David Miracle to address the board regarding Professional Economic Development Services, discussion and possible action on a sub-committee review of Italy EDC By-laws, setting policies for federal per diem and mileage rates and management of EDC administration. There will also be discussion and consideration of funding a park project at Upchurch Fields.

I am Elmerine Allen Bell, a retired Texas public school teacher. My formative years were spent in Italy where I attended school and gained my first outlook on mankind, values and life. My parents, the late Elmer and Fredna Allen, were my motivators, and they required me to perform to the best of my ability.

The Italy Park Board will meet on Tuesday, April 21, 2009. Agenda items include drawing for terms of office and discussion of plans for “May Day in the Park” scheduled for May 2, 2009.

The Italy City Council will have a called meeting on Monday, April 20, 2009 at 6:30 p.m. Some of the agenda items include city sanitation contracts, a Substandard Building Ordinance and painting the old train trestle concrete.

The City Council will be meeting Monday, April 13th at 6:30 p.m. with a full agenda. They will be covering building permits, bids for sanitation services, updating the building codes, leasing the water tower to Skybeam, action on the pet ordinance, application for the Cops Grant for the police department, review the audit report, review of the Substandard Building Ordinance, evaluation of the city secretary, and the Mayor’s salary.

The seven member City of Italy Park Board will meet on Tuesday, April 7, 2009. Agenda items include drawing for terms of office, discuss and consider action regarding planning for the Easter Egg Hunt and discussion of plans for new park equipment. The meeting will be held in the Council Chambers at Italy City Hall. This meeting is scheduled to begin at 6:30 and is open to the public.

Terri Murdock loves her job as city administrator for the City of Italy, “I love the city, I love the old downtown area, there are some beautiful old houses here. All of the people that I have met have been extremely nice, warm and welcoming and that is great, really great.”

The next regular meeting of the Italy Economic Development Committee meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 23. Agenda items include swearing in of newly appointed member, Tom Little, report from Elmerine Bell regarding the 2009 Legislation in Austin, and dicuss the hiring of an EDC professional.

This months regular city council meeting will be held, Monday, March 9th at 6:30 p.m. Here are some of the items on the agenda:

The next regular meeting of the Italy Economic Development Committee meeting is scheduled for Monday, February 23. Agenda items include a sub-committee review of the EDC bylaws and hiring of an EDC professional. The Italy EDC will meet in the city council chambers behind the police station, next to city hall. It begins at 6:30 p.m. Everyone is welcome to attend.

At their last meeting, the Italy City Council scheduled a work session for Monday, February 16, 2009. The work session will begin at 6:30 and be held in the council chambers at City Hall.

During this month’s regular City Council meeting, tonight at 6:30 p.m., the council will begin the meeting with an alternative energy solutions presentation. The upcoming general election (election of Mayor and three Council Seats) details will be discussed as well as requests for traffic signs and street repairs, some of which had been tabled from previous meetings.

The City Council will discuss and consider the re-zoning of the old nursing home. As previously reported the Italy City Council tabled the final approval of this proposed zoning request during its January monthly meeting.

The Italy City Council tabled the final approval of a proposed zoning request at 101 Dunlap Street at its monthly meeting Monday.

A zoning hearing regarding the old nursing home on Highway 77 is scheduled before the Italy City Council’s regular meeting Monday night. Then following the hearing the council will consider ratifying the decision of the planning and zoning commission.

In response to an August inspection conducted by the I.S.O. (Insurance Service Office, Inc.), the City of Italy has managed to lower it’s insurance classification down to a 5 thanks to area renovations. Property owners may be eligible for lower insurance rates.

In a recent discussion, Italy Mayor Frank Jackson is asked if he could set the record straight on the Chris Metz firing.

Thursday, January 8th 2009 at 6:30 PM a public hearing will be held by the Planning and Zoning Commission. This will be held in the Council Chambers of the Italy Municipal Building, located at 105 W. Main St, Italy, Texas.

It has always been told that Santa Claus rides into town on a sleigh. Well, I am here to tell you that is not his only mode of transportation. I have pictures to prove it!

Family and friends gathered at the Uptown Cafe as the ESD #3, Italy Fire Chief, Don Chambers and Captain Jackie Cate honored the local firemen at an appreciation dinner Monday night. Each volunteer was given an award for years of service.

The Italy City Council will consider action on the city water rates and deposits during tonight’s regular city council meeting. The agenda is light on what they are considering doing to the rates, just that they plan to discuss it. Other agenda items include:

The Italy Economic Development Corporation plans to meet Monday night. On the agenda for consideration: EDC charter, EDC website, resignation of Kinze, seven member limit, by-laws, administration, delinquent franchise tax notice, future joint meetings. It sounds like a busy meeting. The Italy EDC will meet in the city council chambers behind the police station, next to city hall. It begins at 6:30 p.m. Everyone is welcome to attend.

A straightforward Italy City Council meeting is expected for tonight. The city council’s regular meeting will include a presentation by Albert Garcia and Josh Trees, a request by Javier Gonzalez to abandon a street going through his property, action on water line grant project, action regarding the economic development board, purchase orders, and an ordinance workshop.

Tuesday, November 4 is election day. Unless you’ve mailed it in or voted early, this is your chance to cast a ballot for the candidates and issues. The polls for Italy are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the Wayne Boze Chapel at 161 W. Main Street. For more information read "Early voting starts today" from October 20 on the Italy Neotribune.

I am Susan Welch-Rodriguez and I’m running for Sheriff of Ellis County.

The enthusiasm for our nation is strong. So is early voting, which is a good sign. Would you like to vote early? You still have Friday, Oct. 31.

Tonight Italy’s city council will hold a called meeting to review résumés, interview candidates and possibly take “necessary action” regarding the position of city administrator/secretary. The council also plans to act on employee pay raises. The meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the council chambers of the Italy Municipal building at 105 Main Street. All are welcome to attend.