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At the recent Town Hall meetings, Johnson City residents expressed concern about the community’s appearance and listed a number of ways that citizens and government officials can work together to beautify the city.

“The mayor and city manager attended the July 25 TownScape Task Force meeting,” said Norma Honeycutt, co-chair of the Catch the Spirit Campaign. “Task Force members were happy to hear that residents are catching the spirit to improve public and private property. There are so many improvements that have been or are being made throughout the community.”

Several local businesses have received Hometown Hero awards for their efforts to improve Johnson City. According to Suzanne Milner, also a co-chair of the Catch the Spirit Campaign, several more awards will be presented over the next several weeks.

“We are so proud of how the old Super S store looks now,” she said. “Many businesses as well as individuals have contributed to the improved, overall appearance of our town. Individuals, such as Julia McCullough, have come forward with ideas to improve areas of town. Julia recently rallied some volunteers to clean up the planters located at the old Chevron station. Every idea to improve it, fix it, and paint it helps make Johnson City more attractive to visitors and potential new businesses and residents.”

The Catch the Spirit Campaign was launched in May and will continue through August 27, in honor of the 100th birthday of Lyndon Baines Johnson and in celebration of Blanco County’s 150th anniversary.

After receiving positive input at the Town Hall meetings, Johnson City officials intend to continue the spirit of the campaign. Committees are being formed to assess the need for greater code enforcement, improved landscaping at the gateways into the city, and maintenance of building facades of local businesses. Several members of the TownScape Task Force will be included on the community development committees. Citizen participation is welcome. For more information, contact City Hall at 868-7111. For more information on the TownScape Task Force, contact the Johnson City Chamber of Commerce at 868-7684.