The following is a guest post by Erik Rejino, Director of Administration Services for the City of Levelland. Twitter: www.twitter.com/LevellandCD
The U.S. Census Bureau is one week away from mailing out Census questionnaires to every household in the U.S.
There may be some Levelland and Hockley County residents that for one reason or another that may need help filling out the 10 question form. I am happy to say that the U.S. Census Bureau has a Questionnaire Assistance Center conveniently located in Levelland.
Census workers will have a booth set up every day from the hours of 3:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. at United Supermarkets in Levelland (511 College Ave) on 
the west side entrance except on Fridays where they will be there from the hours of 5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.
The purpose of this center is not to distribute the Census. Most of you will receive your Census questionnaire via mail shortly after March 15th. The purpose of this center is to give you the opportunity to ask any questions you may have on the form.
Also, if you need help filling out your form, they will be there to assist you. If you or someone you know will need assistance with the Census questionnaire, next time you go grocery shopping at United Supermarkets in Levelland, bring your Census questionnaire with you.
Please pass this information on to anyone that you feel may need help filling out the 2010 Census questionnaire.
The following is a news release provided by Dianah Ascencio, Public Information Officer, Texas Department of Transportation.
The Texas Transportation Commission approved approximately $500,000 to make improvements to the Levelland Municipal Airport. The funds will be used for planned airport enhancements which include hangar construction. A contract for the project is expected to be awarded this spring.
The project is being funded through the Texas Department of Transportation's (TxDOT) Aviation Facilities Grant Program, which preserves and improves the state's general aviation system, including the Levelland Municipal Airport.
This year, TxDOT expects to provide approximately $60 million in funding for planning, constructing and maintaining community airports. Approximately 275 community airports in Texas are eligible for funding.
Arrivals and departures from community airports account for more than three million flight hours per year and provide aircraft facilities for agricultural, medical, business and commuter use.
For more information call TxDOT's Aviation Division, (512) 416 - 4520.
Texas Department of Transportation
The Texas Department of Transportation is responsible for maintaining nearly 80,000 miles of road and for supporting aviation, rail and public transportation across the state. TxDOT and its 15,000 employees strive to empower local leaders to solve local transportation problems, and to use new financial tools, including tolling and public-private partnerships, to reduce congestion and pave the way for future economic growth while enhancing safety, improving air quality and preserving the value of the state's transportation assets. Find out more at http://www.txdot.gov/.
Guest Blog post by Erik Rejino, Director fo Administration services - http://Twitter.com/LevellandCD
By now you have probably heard about the 2010 Census whether it was through the national media campaign or local media sources. The City of Levelland along with several other organizations in Hockley County have been working with the U.S. Census Bureau on creating an awareness campaign for the upcoming 2010 Census in order to obtain a better response rate on the Census questionnaire. Despite these efforts many people may not know the true purpose and importance of the upcoming Census.
The Census is simply a count of everyone residing in the United States which is required by the U.S. Constitution. This has been done every ten years since the year 1790. All children, babies, and adults who live in a household should be counted, regardless of nationality, citizenship status, race, age, or gender. $400 billion per year in federal funding is expected to take place over the next 10 years, some of which is tied directly to Census data. Over the last ten years, Hockley County has received over $1 billion dollars in federal funds, some of which was tied directly to Census data. These funds include things such as food stamps, title one and head start grants, USDA direct payments, road and community improvements, public health services and hospitals, and senior services. Despite the various benefits that come from filling out the Census Questionnaire, only 60 percent of Hockley County residents and 63 percent of Levelland residents filled out the Census questionnaire in 2000 and returned it.
There are several theories as to why there was such a low response rate, not only in our community, but nationwide:
-Length: The questionnaire in 2000 was too long (30 questions).
-Privacy: People are reluctant to give the government personal information.
-Confidentiality: Some people worry that the information they provide could be used against them.
-Immigration and citizenship concerns: People may not want to draw attention to themselves.
Even though these are logical concerns, all of the above issues have been addressed by the U.S. Census Bureau. The 2010 Census questionnaire has been shortened to 10 questions which will only take 10 minutes to fill out. Households will simply be asked to provide demographic information, including: whether a housing unit is rented or owned; the address of the residence; and the names, genders, ages and races of others living in the household. This is the shortest questionnaire in decades. Also, Census information is completely confidential. Census information is never shared with other governmental agencies such as the IRS, FBI, or any immigration office. Sharing Census data is a federal offense punishable by up to 5 years in prison and up to a $250,000 fine.
Another issue to consider is an issue that we face here in West Texas. For several years now, there have been talks about West Texas losing State and Federal representation if Census numbers do not come in strong. There are several other issues that West Texas faces and we need to have the loudest voice possible when it comes to State and Federal governments. We cannot afford not to count anyone in West Texas if we are to keep the representation we have now.
The Census questionnaire will be mailed out beginning March 15 and is due back early April. If the questionnaire is not mailed back by early April Census workers will go to your door and take the survey by hand. They will go back as many as 4-6 times to each household to attempt to fill out the survey face to face. For every one percent that the U.S. Census Bureau wants to increase the response rate nation-wide, it costs approximately $80-$90 million. Assume that only 65 percent of households respond to the 2010 Census and the Census Bureau wanted at least a 70 percent response rate. It would cost $400-$450 million to accomplish that. Due to the high cost, it is very important that every household respond the first time so that this expense is limited.
I understand that with many of you I am preaching to the choir. Some of you have always filled out your Census and will continue to do so. I encourage those of you that are in this situation to step up in our community. Find someone you know who is concerned about the Census and let them know it is safe, confidential, and important. Help them fill the form out if necessary. Only by holding each other accountable can we be successful in this effort. The 2010 Census will determine how loud of a voice we will have at the state and federal government levels, and it will determine the amount of money our community will receive over the next ten years. Let's make sure everyone gets counted in Levelland, Hockley County, and West Texas. We can't afford not to!
The High Ground of Texas Education Foundation, in partnership with area Economic Development
organizations, is hosting the REDI© 2009-2010 Program.
Developed in 1990 and offered numerous times since, this twenty-five hour comprehensive program is designed to give volunteers, board members, city staff, chambers, practitioners, elected officials and other interested individuals, a basic, nuts-and-bolts understanding of the economic development process.
We work particularly hard to help people understand the questions of "what do we do next" and we are dedicated to giving the information at a "how to do it" level. A training manual, collateral materials, and case studies are used in the instructional formats.
A very successful Session I was held in November 2009 in Odessa. Session II will be held in Levelland on March 4th, Session III will be held in Amarillo on May 12th, and the final Session will be held on Midland in August 2010.
"We would like to express our appreciation to our Session I presenters which included Gary Vest (Odessa), Sheryl Hardy (Perryton), Ken Becker (Sweetwater), Edwin Knight (Slaton), Chris Alexander (Friona), and David Rushing (Shamrock). We thank the Northwest Texas Small Business Development Center for sponsoring the Luncheon and we appreciate Xcel Energy for serving as a major sponsor for the REDI 2009-2010 Course." said Lorie Vincent, Executive Director, High Ground of Texas
"This week we welcome Hunter Hilburn (EDsuite), Mitzu Yamazaki (TIP Strategies, Inc.) and David Quinn (Levelland Economic Development Corporation) as our special guest presenters for the REDI Session II course whose topics will focus on aggressive marketing strategies." explained Mrs. Vincent.
If you know of someone who would benefit from attending, please share this information with them. The course is open to all interested parties. You can register for sessions individually or receive a discount for registering for all four sessions together.
The Registration Deadline for the next session, to be held in Levelland on March 4th, is Monday, March 1, 2010. Please register at https://www.regonline.com/REDICourse.
The High Ground of Texas is excited about presenting the REDI© 2009-2010 program and we hope that you will have someone from your area interested in attending one or all of the dynamic REDI© sessions.
For questions, please contact the High Ground office at 806.366.7510 or higround@xit.net.
The following video is an interview of best selling author and top marketers of all time Seth Godin by David Siteman Garland for his TV and online show "The RISE to the Top".
Over the last five years I have read every single book by Seth Godin and believe that his books have done more to inspire my creative visions for marketing Levelland and building a community around the city I love than any other author. It is with great pleasure I share this interview to the followers of this blog. Enjoy.
The following is a guest post by Erik Rejino Director of Aministration Services (He gets the Grants!)
The Levelland Recycling Center has now been in operation approximately eight months. As of the end of December of 2009 the program had collected 21.7 tons of recyclable material including aluminum cans, cardboard, office paper, newspaper, and plastic bottles. The initial goal of the Levelland Recycling Center was to recycle 10 tons the first year of operation. Levelland residents have by far exceeded the initial goal of the program and for that I would like to thank all who have helped get this program off to a great start.
This program was initially started with a solid waste grant this past year. It gave the City an opportunity to leverage local resources. The more outside funds that come into the City of Levelland, the less local funds that are needed for our projects. The City of Levelland once again has taken advantage of a solid waste grant this year and has purchased a forklift for the recycling center. 
The forklift will be used to transport the bales of recyclable material as well as load the recyclable material into the baler. Prior to getting the forklift, this was all done by hand and a pallet jack. The forklift will help in making the program less labor intensive and more efficient as the program continues to grow.
While we have made some remarkable progress by shattering our first year's goal, we are still a long way from accomplishing our long run goal of 200 tons per year. This goal is absolutely achievable for a community our size and more so with the dedication of Levelland residents. For those of you that are looking to go "green" and want to learn more about the Levelland Recycling Program please go to our website.
For those of you that have already joined the Levelland Recycling Program, Thank You and lets finish out the year strong!
Guest Post by Levelland City Manager Rick Osburn
A Townhall Public Meeting for the City of Levelland Park's Plan Development is set for Monday, January 25, 2010 from 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers.
City of Levelland planners are asking for your input regarding current and future use and development of the City of Levelland parks and recreation system. Interested persons are encouraged to attend this public meeting and provide input regarding the future of your park system.
Interested persons may also submit written comments to City Hall, 1709 Avenue H, or may complete an online survey available at www.levellandtexas.org/parksurvey. The online survey will be available through February 10.
The City of Levelland is an equal opportunity organization and provides access to all of its facilities and programs equally to all citizens regardless of race, color, religion, sex, handicap/disability, familial status or national origin. Persons needing additional assistance or interpretation services must contact Janie Flores at (806) 894-0113 at least 48 hours before the meeting.
Levelland would like to congratulate
Amarillo on their announcement of landing
Alstom, a wind turbine manufacturer. Amarillo is offering financial support to the company for development of the wind component manufacturing facility in the
CenterPort Business Park. The new project will create attractive green manufacturing jobs in Amarillo and will help meet growing demand for clean, renewable wind energy in Texas and across North America.
This development is just the beginning of what will be a cluster of wind energy manufacturing development created by the development of wind farms throughout not only the High Ground of Texas but throughout North America.
Our location in the heart of the High Ground of Texas and its recent $8.6 million investment in rail transportation infrastructure make Levelland an ideal site for future wind energy manufacturing. We can leverage development taking place across the region to position the Levelland Industrial Rail Park as a major player as this alternative energy industry matures.
Congratulations once again to our neighbors to the north. Keep up the good work.
A guest post by Public Works Director Pat Riley
City of Levelland water department crews worked on New Year's Eve to fix a 6" cast iron water 
main that broke on Houston St. during the fluctuation of extreme temperatures the City experienced recently.
This particular line was installed in the 1950 range if not older.
As the cast iron lines become older, they tend to become more brittle and do not hold up to changing temperatures and the forces of water and it will break at the 
weakest point. Levelland Water Crews isolated the water line with valves as best they can to slow the water down. They have to call DIG TESS to locate any lines in the area. They then dig and expose the line to evaluate the damage.
Once it is determined the extent of the damage, the repair can begin. In this case, the cast iron line had to be cut with cast iron cutters to cut a section of the pipe out. The section cut out is then replaced with plastic C900 pipe and two repair clamps to hold the repaired section in place. This is done while the water is flowing, so the crew uses pumps to pump the water out of the hole, and yes they do get wet. Once the repair is made, the hole is filled and compacted and water valves that were turned off are opened. 
The line is then flushed to ensure any mud that may have entered the line is flushed out of the system. Chlorine residual is taken to ensure proper disinfection of the main. Customers are notified when practical that the leak has been repaired and if they have any concerns to contact the City.
The greatest historical event in transportation on the continent occurred at Promontory, Utah, on May 10, 1869, as the Union Pacific tracks joined those of the Central Pacific Railroad.
On Wednesday, December 30, 2009 Levelland participated in another historic event involving transportation of goods via rail.
Along with mayors from Brownfield, Seagraves and Lubbock the mayor of Levelland helped drive golden spikes into to the Permian Basin Railways' West Texas & Lubbock line to mark the start of a $9.4 million dollar renovation project.
The project will upgrade some 70 miles of track by replacing deteriorated ties and rails and installing new concrete panels at 20 grade crossings from Levelland to Lubbock and down to Seagraves.
Permian Basin Railways General Manager, Bruce Carswell, gave attendees a brief overview of the project as coffee and refreshments were served aboard a passenger car that shuttled the group along the tracks to the ceremony site.
This investment in the rail upgrade allows Levelland to further leverage our investment in the Levelland Industrial Rail Park. As the line is upgraded into town customers located in the rail park will be better served by Permian Basin and rail time to the BNSF interchange will be lowered. This will provide more efficient shipping of products into and out of the region.