Teresa Savage named city of Sachse director of finance

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The
© Copyright 2013. All Rights Reserved.
Volume 9 Issue 15
Sachse News
Shining on the community, events and people of Sachse
Wylie, Texas
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Thursday, May 2, 2013
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C&S Media Publications
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Why I
Relay
3 Sections, 16 Pages
75 cents
Three stories of survival
By Lynne Napton
Staff Writer
news@csmediatexas.com
The American Cancer Society’s Relay for
Life Wylie/Sachse/Murphy event will be held
from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. on May 10-11, at Shaffer Stadium, 516 Hilltop Ln. in Wylie. Relay for
Life is held to raise funds for cancer research,
celebrate cancer survivors and remember those
who have lost the battle with cancer.
According to the American Cancer Society, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary,
6,430 cancer survivors and 30,994 participants
participated in Relay for Life in North Texas
and raised nearly $5 million.
This year’s event will have the opening ceremony beginning at 7 p.m., with Blaine Mitchell’s band Treeside performing at 7:45 p.m. The
Luminaries Ceremony begins at 9 p.m. with the
Fight Back Ceremony at midnight. Throughout
the event there will be performances, themed
laps and activities. The closing ceremony will
begin at 5 a.m. on May 11.
In this week’s issue, two participants actively
involved with Relay for Life share their stories
about how cancer has touched their lives.
Photo by Patty Montagno
Dreamsdocome true
Surprising Kayla Dukes, left, with a fairy tale, glam prom makeover are Jennifer Allen and Shonta Moore.
Staff Writer
See THREE page 8A
Early voting
underway
pmontagno@sachsenews.com
The caravan parked in front of the house. The occupants sprang from the vehicles and gathered boxes
of supplies before tiptoeing up to the front door. Members of the community service group the Allen Project
led by Garland resident Jennifer Allen were about to
surprise Sachse High School student Kayla Dukes with
a very special prom makeover.
The group stopped, arranged their gear and knocked
on the front door.
Everyone shouted, “Surprise!” as the door opened.
Kayla said her heart stopped beating as she saw her
friends with their baskets of makeup, combs, brushes
and hair extensions. She appeared to be laughing and
crying at the same time.
Allen explained how Kayla was chosen for the
makeover.
“Kayla’s mom, Tonya Crawford-Epps, was di-
agnosed with breast cancer about a year ago, and
throughout that battle Kayla
maintained good grades and
took charge of a lot of the
house keeping responsibilities. She is on the track team
and is the boys’ basketball
manager. We were so happy
to hear that Tonya has won
her battle.”
Allen said Kayla is in her junior year and when asked to go to prom
found that it was very expensive.
By Patty Montagno
Staff Writer
pmontagno@sachsenews.com
Courtesy photo
By Patty Montagno
Emily Stephenson
Emily Stephenson is a graduate of Wylie
High School class of 2008 and is surrounded by
her loving family of parents Eddie and Melodi
and her brother Thomas.
She currently works at Groves Elementary
School in the Wylie ISD as a paraprofessional.
She attends The Refuge Church in Wylie where
See TEEN page 8A
Early voting has started for the May 11 local
election. On the ballot this year will be the office of
the mayor (incumbent Mike Felix), Place 5 (incumbent Patsy “Pat” McMillan) and Place 6 (incumbent
Mark Timm). All places are for three-year terms.
McMillan and Timm did not file for re-election.
See GISD page 4A
Teresa Savage named city of Sachse director of finance
By Patty Montagno
Staff Writer
pmontagno@sachsenews.com
Photo by Patty Montagno
City Manager Billy George and newly appointed Director of Finance Teresa Savage.
It’s official. Teresa Savage was named
director of finance April 22. The position became available several months
ago when longtime Finance Director Jeri
Rainey resigned the position after announcing her engagement to prominent
San Antonio businessman Alejandro Hinojosa. She is earning a base salary of
$90,000.
Savage joined the city in 2010 as a finance manager.
News wins awards at conference
From Staff Reports
news@sachsenews.com
At the North and East Texas Press Association conference held recently in Durant, Okla.,
The Sachse News received several awards in the
NETPA Better Newspaper Contest.
The paper won second place in Advertising for
ads designed by Debra Engstrom and Amanda
Capehart.
Joe Diehl and Roosevelt Joubert won second
place for their sports photos.
Sports Editor Greg Ford won second-place
Sports coverage for his stories about Sachse High
School’s Mustangs and Lady Mustangs.
The News won second place in Special Sections for the Mustang Round Up Fall Sports Preview and second in General Excellence for the
May 17, 2012, and June 7, 2012, editions. These
editions can be viewed via sachsenews.com or
the paper’s e-editions.
Staff Writer Patty Montagno won fourth place
for coverage about the arrest of a fugitive after a
daylong manhunt and the embezzlement of funds
associated with the Sachse Sports Association.
The paper won third-place Sweepstakes, or
overall, for all categories combined.
Members of the South Texas Press Association
judged the contest.
City Manager Billy George said the
finance director is responsible for planning, directing, managing and overseeing
the activities and operations of the finance
department, which include accounting,
budget, financial planning, revenue collection, accounts payable, payroll, treasury, purchasing and debt management.
The position also oversees the municipal court, utility billing, and information
technology functions. “The finance director directs, coordinates and participates in the preparation
of budget and financial forecasts such as
developing and maintaining planning and
forecasting procedures,” he said.
The finance director manages the development and implementation of departmental goals, objectives and priorities for
each assigned service area while developing, recommending and administering
policies and procedures.
“I would like to continue to improve
financial reporting for elected officials
and citizens,” Savage said. “The finance
department was recently awarded its
first-ever Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance
See FINANCE page 3A
How to reach us:
972-442-5515 phone 972-442-4318 fax
news@sachsenews.com
National Day of Prayer scheduled
The community is invited to attend a National Day of Prayer
event at 6 p.m. May 2 in Heritage Park in Sachse.
Sachse resident Patti Jones is organizing the event.
Jones said the event is intended to bring people together to
share information and who want to pray for our city, county,
state and nation. Several local pastors and city and community
leaders are scheduled to lead prayers. For information e-mail
Jones at Patti_Jones@verizon.net.
Lake Lavon Levels
Normal 492
484.29 ft.
as of 04/30/13
Lake Jim Chapman
Normal 440
432.92 ft.
Source: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers