Dr. Luke Chachere called the Dayton Rotary Club meeting this week to order with an opening prayer. Rotarian Ken DeFoor led the Pledge of Allegiance.
During the meeting, members discussed plans for the club’s upcoming 100th anniversary, scheduled for a major celebration in 2026.
Following the business portion of the meeting, Chachere turned the program over to Rotarian Jennifer Perkins. She introduced guest speaker Tammy Alexander, human resources director for the City of Dayton. Alexander has served the city for more than 21 years in various roles.
Alexander distributed informational packets and shared details about the Dayton Enhancement Committee, including its history and completed and ongoing projects throughout the community. The committee was established in 2016 and currently includes 11 members, all of whom live or work in Dayton.
Major projects include the development of The Crossroads area, which features a pergola, bleachers, landscaping, and sidewalks.
“The Crossroads has served as hosts to many events such as Food Truck Fridays, 535 Markets, and this summer’s Friday Night Bites. These Friday evening events will run throughout the first of August and the event includes food trucks, vendors, and various musical entertainment. I invite everyone to come out and enjoy this family-fun event weekly. We love The Crossroads Park and are proud that the Enhancement Committee raised the money to make these improvements and provide various events for our citizens,” said Alexander.
Other committee initiatives include the “Running Broncos” mural on the underpass, the Memorial Mile lined with crepe myrtle trees along Highway 90, several public murals, and the Love Lock Sculpture. The committee also worked with the Texas Department of Transportation to designate a portion of State Highway 146 as the John Otto Expressway.
Additional contributions include the installation of a Texas flag and flagpole, along with longhorn statues at Dayton Hill. The group also secured funding for enhanced Christmas decorations and city banners, a flag disposal box, and the conversion of the Parker Park tennis court into a pickleball court for expanded community use.
A current project, the Art in Nature Trail, is located at Daniel Park on FM 1008. The committee is currently accepting applications for additional art installations. Applications can be found at www.cityofdaytontx.com or by contacting Alexander at talexander@daytontx.org.
Alexander concluded, “The Dayton Enhancement Committee is currently seeking volunteers to join our organization. Our purpose is to enhance, beautify, and create areas of interest within our city limits. If you are interested, then apply on the City of Dayton’s website (above). If one wants to join in to help beautify of city but does not have the time to commit to the Enhancement Committee, then I encourage you to come out to one of our two community clean-up events held semi-annually. Together, we can make Dayton a better place to live in!”
How about road and traffic control enhancement!