Some History
The Brenham City Council has considered establishing a quiet zone at least once in the past.
Early in 2008, the city planned for a quiet zone--and got as far as holding a test of wayside horns. On March 7, The Banner-Press's front page headline stated, "Horn test passes with flying colors." Mayor Milton Tate was quoted as saying, "It's taking us some time to get going, but we are going to get something done."
Later in 2008, Doug Baker, Brenham's Director of Public Works, informed me in a telephone conversation that the city had decided the project needed to be placed on the ballot as a referendum, to justify funding.
But when the city's 2009/2010 budget was set in July of 2009, the plans for a quiet zone were quietly dropped. It has not appeared on the ballot, before or since.
Mid-December - early March 2010
Signatures were collected on a petition asking for the establishment of a quiet zone within city limits. Brenham residents and business people were contacted through door-to-door canvasing and by the placement of petition sheets in several business locations.
Mid-Feb 2010
Brenham resident Stephen Stuckert arranged a conference call between the Mayor Tate and city manager Terry Roberts and city officials in Flatonia. Flatonia recently implemented a quiet zone of their own, and their officials were able to reassure Tate and Roberts that the process was not difficult.
March 4, 2010
The Quiet Zone Petition was presented to the city council during the public comments part of their regularly scheduled March 4th meeting. One thousand and eighty-nine people had signed the petition since the drive started in mid-December.
Several citizens attended the meeting in support of the establishment of a quiet zone. Carol Doersom and Stephen Stuckert spoke in support of establishing a quiet zone. A few people spoke in opposition to it.
After the petition was turned over to the city, the Mayor said that the council would take up the issue again.
March 18, 2010
At the end of the 3/18 council meeting, Mayor Tate stated that the council is planning to make a field trip to Flatonia but a date for it still has to be arranged with Flatonia officials.