Council votes for more lights during Christmas season

Christmas may look a little different in Willow Park this year. At Tuesday’s meeting the city council approved a budget of up to $17,000 for each of the next three years to contract someone to install more lights and decorations in places such as the public safety building and city hall.

“Willow Park is the second largest city in Parker County. To me, the children, residents and businesses deserve Christmas,” Willow Park Mayor Doyle Moss said.

At a previous meeting on June 14 the council voted to spend up to $20,000 to establish electricity in Memorial Park and Cross Timbers Park. At that same meeting a company was mentioned that was asking for up to $30,000 to do the work, prompting city leaders to balk at such a commitment.

City Manager Bryan Grimes said he likes the decision the council made Tuesday.

“I think every city wants to put its best foot forward in the holiday season, but at the same time be cognizant of the cost,” Grimes said. “I think this is a good compromise.”

City staff are beginning the search for a contractor who will supply the lights and decorations.

New municipal judge appointed

Also at Tuesday’s meeting, the council appointed Weatherford attorney Josh Norrell as the city’s new municipal judge. He replaces longtime judge Carol Gauntt.

Norrell is a graduate of TCU as a dean’s scholar. Following that, he graduated magna cum laude from Texas A&M School of Law and served as editor of the law review.

Norrell has clerked for two Texas appellate judges, has extensive business in business law, civil law and contracts, criminal defense, school law, military law and family law.

“We did a thorough search and we all focused on judge Norrell,” Grimes said. “I visited with Josh, the mayor said ‘We have our guy,’ and with 25 years of law practice I think he’s a great choice.”