In a regular meeting held Monday, June 11, Bonham City Council named a street after Charlie Christian, approved the use of the Civic Center/Armory as a Halloween haunted house by Creative Arts Center, and offered an undisclosed settlement to a former Bonham Fire Chief regarding possible litigation.

Bonham City Council unanimously approved a resolution re-naming the 100 and 200 blocks of South First Street as Charlie Christian Street. Christian was born in Bonham and went on to become a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame jazz guitarist who played with the Benny Goodman Sextet in the early 1940s. 

Charlie Christian Street will run just south of Christian's headstone and Texas Historical Marker in Gates Hill Cemetery.

Evidently the city will also be doing some work to make the area more inviting to tourists visiting the gravesite of the famous musician.

"Let's make it look nice, too," suggested council member Wayne Moore.

A formal dedication of Charlie Christian Street is tentatively scheduled for the morning of July 20, 2012.  

Bonham Civic Center/Armory will be made into a regional attraction as a haunted house this autumn, thanks to the vision and hard work of the Creative Arts Center staff and members. Lisa Avila, Executive Director of Creative Arts Center described the project as an entertaining fundraiser with the potential to attract a demographic -- that is often overlooked locally.

"If any of you have been around teenagers, you know haunted houses are very popular," Avila told city council members.

Bonham City Council approved the fundraiser by the non-profit Creative Arts Center. Avila expects the haunted house to be operational October 12-13, October 19-20, and October 26-31.

Although no action was taken, Bonham City Council held a public hearing on an ordinance published for hearing authorizing the issuance and sale of Combination Tax and Revenue Certificates of Obligation, Series 2012.  Certificates of obligation totaling $700,000 will be issued and the City of Bonham will use the money to upgrade the Lake Bonham Recreation Area ($150,000), make improvements at the fire station ($200,000), and renovate the Civic Center/Armory ($350,000).

In an executive session deliberation with the city attorney, Bonham City Council voted to offer an undisclosed settlement to former Bonham Fire Chief Bill Palya regarding possible litigation.

Palya was placed on leave with pay by the City of Bonham for an extended period during an investigation and eventually terminated.

It is important to note that the City of Bonham carries errors and omission insurance with the Texas Municipal League (TML).  TML has funded all of the legal costs associated with this case and will fund the majority of the settlement.  TML also took a lead roll in negotiating the settlement.

Bonham City Council also approved the list of streets to be paved this summer, with 5th, 6th and 7th streets at the top of the list.

Bonham Fire Chief Brad Nichols reminded council members that a local dispatcher, Megan Robinson of Bonham Police Department, was honored as Supervisor of the Year at the 2012 Texoma Regional 9-1-1 Telecommunicator Awards Banquet hosted by Texoma Council of Governments.

"Our staff does a great job," remarked Chief Nichols.

(L-R) Bonham Fire Chief Brad Nichols, Bonham Police Department dispatcher Megan Robinson and Bonham Police Chief Mike Bankston.

Scott Lipsett, a representative of Citizens Organizing for Resources and Environment (CORE), advised Bonham City Council that the grand opening of Community Garden in Catron Park will be Monday, June 18.

An open house at the recently remodeled Bonham Police Station will be held Monday, June 18 at 4:00 p.m.