YEAR IN REVIEW
Whitehouse struggles with growing pains

The year began with citizens of Whitehouse petitioning the city to put a park development plan to a vote and ends with the city council searching for the solution to its water needs.

It's been a year of checks and balances for the city, with water wells a succes in terms of money saved, but production still below expected demand; and the tax rate dropped, but funds for water and another thoroughfare will have to be addressed.

All in all, the city's bout of "growing pains" and the continuing struggle to meets its citizens needs tops the list of events in 2007, as briefly reviewed below:

JANUARY

Troup Police Department welcomed Peggy Scott, a new reserve officer specializing in sex-related crimes; Bill McGinnis became county commissioner for Pct. 2, pledging to go out in the field and bring his wide variety of experience to bear on his new position; the Whitehouse City Council held the first of two public meetings concerning parks development, water and transportation; the Whitehouse Chamber of Commerce topped membership of 100; the Troup school board extended the contract of Supt. Marvin Beaty; Ambassador Baptist Church announced plans for a Battle of the Bands contest; Texas Department of Transportation began the initial phase of its project to widen FM 346; a petition was presented to the Whitehouse City Council calling for a citywide election to decide the fate of a proposed park/thoroughfare plan that would cost $3 million; Roy Lawrence - bus operation manager at WISD, co-owner of the Medicine Shoppe and active community member - passed away.

FEBRUARY

The cities of Whitehouse and Troup joined in an interlocal agreement and approved details for a water option contract with Lake Striker; area libraries announce the formation of Smith County Area Libraries Together (SALT), a cooperative effort to draw attention to libraries and their need for greater funding; the Cameron-J. Jarvis Troup Municipal Library holds Souper Sunday; Whitehouse ISD approved preliminary plans for a new campus and approved a contract extension for Supt. Dennis Miller; Troup's United Methodist Church opened a food pantry serving local and area families; Troup City Council approved water and wastewater rate increases; Troup ISD approves a middle school weight room; Ambassador Baptist Church's Battle of the Bands draws more than 600; the Whitehouse City Council hears a conflict of interest complaint involving Planning and Zoning Committee member Jan Bellefeuille; the Bayou Grill opened in Whitehouse; senior Abbi Wright of Whitehouse won Miss Tyler Teen USA; Whitehouse swimmers Natalie Holcomb and Brittany Wilkens qualified for state swim meet, with Holcomb winning two bronze medals.

MARCH

Whitehouse senior Brian Crawford is named a National Merit Finalist; Rep. Louis Gohmert is the featured speaker at the Troup Chamber of Commerce Banquet, where Wiley Davis is named Citizen of the Year and the late Eugene McElroy received the first lifetime achievement award; Whitehouse Chamber of Commerce announced plans for a first-ever Business Expo; Hank Gilbert filed to run against incumbent Johnny Johnson in the Troup ISD board race; longtime area band director Stanley Walker died and a memorial was held at Whitehouse High School auditorium; the women's auxiliary of Troup's American Legion sponsored a benefit for paralyzed veteran Sgt. Tommy Guinn; the Community Church of God in Whitehouse organized a parade to recognize all area veterans and current militar y personnel, with Sgt. Waymon Stewart as grand marshal; Whitehouse City Council extended the contract of City Manager Ronny Fite.

APRIL

More than 30 businesses attend the Whitehouse Chamber of Commerce's first Business Expo; a female track athlete was revived by Whitehouse High School trainers using the school's automated external defibrillator equipment; Clarence and Girthal Miller were chosen as Mr. and Mrs. YesterYear; Whitehouse sixthgrader Jared Raabe placed first at the state science fair; Whitehouse First Assembly of God and Giving Hope Ministries team up to provide an extreme room makeover for a local single mom; citizens attend a second town hall meeting concerning parks, transportation and water at the Whitehouse City Council chambers; more than 170 people battle cold, rainy weather to lend a helping hand for Keep Whitehouse Beautiful's Don't Mess With Texas Trash-Off; a grand opening is held for Sonic in Troup; Whitehouse student Jon Harvell placed second in a congressional art contest and later repeated that feat in December; Bullard and Troup city reps attend a water workshop in Whitehouse; the academic team at Whitehouse High School captured first place in district UIL competition; Whitehouse Volunteer Fire Department turned 50 and celebrated with a gathering of current and former firefighters.

MAY

Troup lost a prominent and active citizen with the death of Julietta Jarvis; more than $4,400 was raised for the Troup Scholarship Fund, thanks to an art auction and trivia night fund-raisers; the Troup school board race heated up as Johnny Johnson questioned Hank Gilbert's financial history; a prison escapee was arrested in Whitehouse; WHS senior Caitlin Bar tle placed first in the state UIL editorial writing competition; the Troup PD welcomed veteran officer Frank Blake to its ranks; a ribbon cutting was held for Troup Colors and new owner Carole Wilson; fire destroyed the home of Whitehouse resident Bobby Whisenhunt; just days after the death of WHS student Alex Fleming in a car accident, the community suffered more losses with the deaths of Holloway Middle School student Kezia Ross and graduate Trey Bernholtz; incumbent Johnny Johnson retains his seat and voters reject the park project as Troup and Whitehouse held city elections; Rep. Louis Gohmert attends a flag disposal ceremony by Boy Scout Troop 359 at the Troup American Legion grounds; Troup City Council welcomed new member Jeff Hale and the newest member of the Troup PD, drug dog Luke; Troup ISD recognized teacher of the year Kimberly Knighton; Whitehouse PD recovered drug paraphernalia; Troup Church Christ welcomed new pastor Kasime Davenport.

JUNE

Troup's First United Methodist Church began a summer concert series; YesterYear celebrated its 25th annual year in Whitehouse with a Sterling Silver Celebration; the first of two shootings involving Whitehouse PD occurred, with Officer Trent Richardson fatally shooting Lynn Smith; Troup City Council recognized library director Bonnie Hinkle; Tom Nance became the new administrator of Westwood Convalescent Home in Troup; former Brown Elementary student Laci Kay co-starred in a Christina Aguilera video; Troup's Lighthouse of Prayer Church sponsored a Fathers and Sons Community Event; WISD broke ground on its new elementary school.

JULY

World War II veteran J.L. Beam made a return visit to the battlegrounds of Europe; Aunt Lillie's drew large crowds to annual quilt show; a memorial was held for Philadelphia Blessings founder Frances Green; record rainfall left its mark on East Texas, including several local washouts; Troup ISD raised salaries for bus drivers; Joe Martinez presented a program on World War II code talkers, culminating the Troup library's summer reading program; Stanley Walker was posthumously inducted into the Band Directors Hall of Fame; Gussied Open held a grand opening in Troup; Whitehouse City Council approved plans for water well number five; Whitehouse police assisted in a federal drug bust and arrest of Craig Kee.

AUGUST

A fire in Flint claimed the lives of Noonday firefighters Capt. Kevin Williams and Austin Cheek who was a graduate of WHS; The Market celebrated a decade in business; Edward Jones rep Thomas Stewart welcomed in Troup; Mr. Mac's Cook Shack dedicated at First United Methodist Church in Troup; Lighthouse of Prayer Church sponsored Back to School Bash at Troup library; Bascom United Methodist Church celebrated 150th anniversary; Troup faculty and staff earn TAKS bonus bucks; Dews Drive residents ask Whitehouse City Council for help with flooding; Officer Trent Richardson no-billed in shooting; Friends of the Library and Troup Genealogical/Historical Society collaborate on history book.

SEPTEMBER

Area church members step up for Friday night serve at football concessions; First Baptist Church Whitehouse added second morning service; Whitehouse First Assembly of God held Family Fest; Troup trustees approved preliminary plans for new softball field; Rough and Ready relocated to bigger facilities; Whitehouse city utilities building damaged in fire; Rep. Leo Berman visited Troup Middle School for TAKS recognition; Gone Bananas opened in Whitehouse; Whitehouse city court employee Amanda Barfield died in car crash; public hearing on Smith County Jail held in Whitehouse; quarterback Brady Attaway honored as Built Ford Tough/Dallas Cowboys Texas High School Player of the Week; retiring Troup Elementary School teacher Barbara Barton feted with reception; area businesses lend a hand in the United Way Day of Caring.

OCTOBER

TAKS scores show increased at WISD; Whitehouse elementary students rewarded with a chance to run through football tunnel; Troup resident Mona Shaw went the distance for Apache Belle reunion; Thacher Riddle and Amanda Margraves were crowned as homecoming king and queen at Troup High School; Whitehouse police involved in second fatal shooting; Courtney McFarlin chosen as 2008 YesterYear princess; Troup City Council OKs water rate increase; White Horse film company of Whitehouse cast Troup man in upcoming film; Rachel Lunsford selected as Whitehouse High School homecoming queen; Whitehouse athletic director and head football coach designated as Person of Impact at annual Chamber of Commerce banquet; First Baptist Church Troup held dedication services for new Family Life Center; Ambassador Baptist Church victim of arson, award offered for information; Troup trustees approve funds for new softball field after plans are scaled back; Prince of Peace Catholic Church held groundbreaking for new site; public got first look at proposed attendance zones for new Whitehouse elementary campus; Smith County Humane Society proposed nearly double charges for Whitehouse contract.

NOVEMBER

The City of Tyler cut off water service to Whitehouse after many months of failed negotiations, and said contract must be in place for service to resume; Smith County voters rejected the $125 million jail bond project; Whitehouse ISD trustees approved new attendance zone plans for district's elementar y schools; Whitehouse Mayor Jake Jacobson's residential status is questioned by council, city sent Jacobson zoning letter; Whitehouse council hosted special meeting on water issues; storm siren installation began in Whitehouse; Troup City Council approved annexation plans for a subdivision in development; Troup trustees OK'd plans for an employee fitness center; Whitehouse Police Department acquired new vehicles and radar equipment; Troup High School listed on Texas Monthly's "Best of Public Schools" list.

DECEMBER

Whitehouse council approved use of eminent domain for property acquisition and then reversed its decision at the following month's regular meeting; Whitehouse ISD was selected "Best Public School District" by BScene Magazine; Whitehouse council approved humane society contract with 30-day out clause and more well funding; justice of the peace and constable offices in Troup underwent major renovations, expansion; Troup's Willie Lacy led effort to get cemetery markers, signs in city; students participated in holiday food drives and local campaigns Project Joy and Troup Cares; Sgt. Sam Kelsey, a 2001 graduate of Troup, died in Iraq; Westwood Convalescent Home, Troup's longtime nursing home, closed and residents were relocated; Whitehouse PD held its annual banquet, recognizing Jeff Fite as Officer of the Year and honoring officers Trent Richardson, Mark Stone and Jacob Trest with medal of valor commendation.