Euless leaders honored on landmarks

City leaders want to ensure that City Council members who distinguish themselves through service to fellow residents are remembered.

Naming the Parks at Texas Star’s southern entryway after former Councilman Charlie Miller last week was the latest council action in that campaign, Mayor Linda Martin said.

Another opportunity will be in March, when the 18th-hole bridge at Texas Star Golf Course becomes the Glenn Walker Bridge.

Other recent honors include the Glenn Porterfield practice area at Texas Star Golf Course, the Mayor Mary Lib Saleh Library, the Leon Hogg Amphitheater at Bear Creek and the Mayor Harold Samuels Finance Building at the City Hall complex.

The honors recognize people “who, for no remuneration, dedicated so much time, energy and passion to Euless and its citizens,” said Martin, 69. “People who went beyond the call to make Euless not only wonderful but ‘FabEuless.’ ”

It was very flattering to be singled out in a city of more than 50,000 residents, said Miller, 68.

“I’m just one person,” Miller said. “I have to say, ‘Wow! Why me?’ ”

The most significant facet of his council service was being part of the successful 1993 campaign to pass a half-penny sales tax, Miller said.

“That was probably my start, really, in Euless, of working hard for the city,” Miller said. “That created funding for the library, the ballparks at Texas Star and economic development.”

The namesake walkway is right next to the ballfield where Miller installed a billboard that says, “From a half-penny to a diamond,” Miller said.

Walker said he’ll be happy with a bridge.

“I’m thrilled to death to be recognized by the city in any shape form or fashion,” said Walker, 78. “I love Euless and it will be my home as long as I’m alive. Anything they do for me is a gift from God and I’m grateful.”

Porterfield became a councilman in 1999 and served until his death in 2014. He was 75.

Hogg served on the council from 1996 to 2014.

Samuels was a councilman in 1965-69 and 1972-75, and was mayor in 1975-93.

Saleh was a councilwoman in 1989-93, and was mayor in 1993-2014.

Walker was on the council in 1975-90 and 1993-99.

Miller’s council service was from 1993 to 2008.

The recent spate of place names are not the first such honors in Euless, merely a resurgence, city spokeswoman Betsy Deck said. Around the city are such places as Bob Eden Park, renamed for a developer who was on the council from 1981 until his death in 1991.

Fuller-Wiser Road and Byers Street are named for families who played important roles in Euless’ history.

And the McCormick Barn in Heritage Park was donated by Willie Mae McCormick, Deck said.

This story was originally published October 14, 2015 at 12:26 PM with the headline "Euless leaders honored on landmarks."