Lorrie Semler, Addison Real Estate Specialist

It's time once again for the annual Addison Holiday Open House Brunch! If you are an Addison, Texas resident, our Mayor, Joe Chow, and the city council are inviting you and your family to the Addison Conference & Theatre Centre, 15650 Addison Road on Sunday, December 7th from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.

In addition to bruch (catered in the past years by Blue Mesa and they'll most likely be catering this year, too), there will be complimentary photos with Santa, holiday music & entertainment, and children's arts & crafts.

The dress is casual or holiday attire. If you are an Addison resident and plan to attend, don't forget to RSVP by Wednesday, December 3rd!

If you are not an Addison resident and would like information about moving here, let me know! There are all kinds of housing options, from apartment rentals to condos, townhouses, duplexes and single family residences.

Lorrie Semler, e-PRO, GRI
Addison Resident/Addison Specialist
Keller Williams - Dallas North
972-416-3417
www.LorrieSemler.com

Only nine homes came on the market in Addison, TX in October, 2008 (down from 14 last month). In addition to the homes below, there are another 48 that have been on the market for more than a month. Now is the time to buy! If you are looking for an Addison home, call me! Now is also the time to sell, since inventory is so low!

New Addison Listings: October 2008

Lorrie Semler, e-PRO, GRI
Addison Resident/Addison Specialist
Keller Williams - Dallas North
972-416-3417
www.LorrieSemler.com

The Addison Fire Department will be hosting an interactive open house at Fire Station #2 on Sunday, November 9th, 2008, from 1:00 pm until 4:00 pm. This open house is is for all residents and businesses in Addison, Texas.

• Visit with the fire fighters
• Tour the fire station
• View displays of the latest tools and equipment

Members of the Fire Prevention Division will discuss:

• Fire Safety
• Home evacuation plans
• Residential sprinkler systems

Bring the whole family, meet your Addison Fire Department members, enjoy the cotton candy, popcorn and beverages!

Fire Station #2 is located at 3950 Beltway Drive, next to the Addison Athletic Club.

Addison is well-known for KaboomTown, the annual Independence Day celebration with spectacular fireworks. There are bound to be more fireworks at Mayor Chow's next Town Meeting on Monday evening, October 27th, 2008 at the Addison Conference & Theatre Centre, 15650 Addison Rd. On the agenda: the proposed bond program for the Addison Arts and Events District.

This bond program includes funds to:

• create a world-class aviation museum by providing a permanent home for the aircraft in the Cavanaugh Flight Museum's collection
• expand the Addison Theatre Centre to include a 500-seat venue for the WaterTower Theatre
• build a parking garage

These components should position Addison as a choice destination by creating an Arts District to complement the Dallas Arts District.

Councilmember Todd Meier held a pre-emptive meeting a few weeks ago and the hot topic then was the bond issue. He told the audience there was a 5-2 vote to include the bond program on the ballot and that he and Councilmember Dennis Kraft were the "no" votes. Todd told us he did not have a problem with the "merit" of the Theatre Centre portion of the bond proposal, only with the timing, the rushed fashion it was brought to the Council. He hinted that the Mayor was the driving force behind the bond initiative. Many in the crowd sensed that Todd may challenge Joe Chow for the Mayor's seat in the spring election.

If the bond proposal passes, there will be an increase in taxes. If it does not, after 12 months, the proposal can be put before the voters again.

As evidenced by the number of yard signs throughout the city, this is a highly contested issue with conflicting information being spread. Opponents say the citizens of Addison will be taking on $58 million in debt at $4,027 per citizen. Supporters say this isn't true. The bond program includes $22 million in bonds which will be repaid out of the hotel/motel taxes and those taxes are paid by visitors to the city rather than by Addison residents. The remaining $36 million will be paid through property taxes, but since Addison residents pay only 13% of the the property taxes collected (the rest are paid by the many businesses here), each citizen would be responsible for $325 over the life of the 20 year term of the bond, or $16.25 per year per citizen.

An interesting note: the "for" yard signs in the Midway Meadows subdivision were mysteriously removed Saturday night/Sunday morning. Replacements have been installed.

Come to the Town Meeting and get your questions answered.

For more information:

• The Town of Addison Web Site (facts only)
• Supporters: http://www.addisonproud.com/
• Opponents: http://www.addisontx.org/

When you cast your vote on Novemember 4th, or during early voting, don't forget to go to the end of the ballot and make your choice on the bond proposal.

Addison Town Councilmember Todd Meier will be holding an Open House (no, not in the real estate sense) on Wednesday October 15th, 2008 frpm 6:30-8:00 pm at the Addison Conference Center - 15650 Addison Road. Topics on the agenda include:

• 2008-2009 budget
• property taxes
• the proposed $58 million bond package
• police activity
• sustainabiltiy efforts

There will be snacks, beer, wine and cold drinks. If you are an Addison resident and plan to attend, RSVP to 972-400-7299 or nell.garcia@hotmail.com.

The bond package topic should generate some conversation. There are signs all over town opposing this.

There is another Town Hall meeting scheduled for Monday, October 27th at 7:00 pm at the Addison Conference center.