Rowlett interviews 13 applicants for 75th-anniversary task force; council to vote tomorrow

The Rowlett City Council on Monday interviewed applicants for a volunteer task force to plan the city's 75th-anniversary activities, hearing from longtime residents, former reporters and volunteers who said they want to preserve and publicize local history.

Michael Gallups, who said he has lived in Rowlett for more than two decades and once led the local chamber, told council, "I absolutely love this city," and described efforts to restart the Rowlett Historical Society. Steven Pruitt Jr., who identified himself as a history teacher, said he wants to bring youth engagement to the planning and publicize the city's diverse stories. Becky Sebastian, a former local editor, and several other applicants described community ties and previous event experience.

Council members praised the applicant pool and outlined the task force's proposed structure, which staff said will include subcommittees for history and heritage; events and programming; sponsorship and fundraising; marketing and communications; logistics and operations; and community and youth engagement. Mayor and staff recommended the council appoint between 10 and 13 members; staff said that if all applicants were approved there would be enough seats to include everyone who applied.

The mayor and council cautioned volunteers that the task force will involve substantial work, and a council liaison said members should expect regular meetings and planning duties. The council will consider formal appointments at its next regular meeting; the mayor asked applicants to be available for that session.

Next steps: the council will vote on appointments at the next meeting and finalize the task force's chair, vice chair and subcommittee assignments.