Double Oak - Friday Updates (09/01/2023)
Citizens, be safe and enjoy this long holiday weekend. We were discussing what and why of Labor Day last week, so we decided to do some research about Labor Day. The following is a reprint from an article in the Conversation. Please enjoy a bit of learning about Labor Day.
But more importantly be safe and have a GREAT LABOR DAY WEEKEND!!!
Have We Forgotten the True Meaning of Labor Day?
The first Labor Day was hardly a national holiday. Workers had to strike to celebrate it.
By The Conversation
The first United States Labor Day parade occurred in New York City on Sept. 5, 1882. (FRANK LESLIE'S ILLUSTRATED NEWSPAPER'S SEPT. 16, 1882)
By Jay L. Zagorsky
Labor Day is a U.S. national holiday held on the first Monday of every September. Unlike most U.S. holidays, it is a strange celebration without rituals, except for shopping and barbecuing. For most people, it simply marks the last weekend of summer and the start of the school year.
History of Labor Day
The first Labor Day occurred in 1882 in New York City under the direction of that city’s Central Labor Union.
In the 1800s, unions covered only a small fraction of workers, were balkanized, and were relatively weak. Organizations like the Central Labor Union and more modern-day counterparts like the AFL-CIO aimed to bring many small unions together to achieve critical mass and power. The organizers of the first Labor Day were interested in creating an event that brought different types of workers together to meet each other and recognize their common interests.
However, the organizers had a large problem: No government or company recognized the first Monday in September as a day off work. The issue was solved temporarily by declaring a one-day strike in the city. All striking workers were expected to march in a parade and eat and drink at a giant picnic afterward.
The New York Tribune’s reporter covering the event felt the entire day was like one long political barbecue, with “rather dull speeches.”
Why was Labor Day invented?
Labor Day occurred because workers felt they spent too many hours and days on the job.
In the 1830s, manufacturing workers were putting in 70-hour weeks on average. Sixty years later, in 1890, work hours had dropped, although the average manufacturing worker still toiled in a factory 60 hours a week.
These long working hours caused many union organizers to focus on winning a shorter eight-hour workday. They also
These early organizers clearly won since the most recent data show that the average person working in manufacturing is employed for over 40 hours a week, and most people work only five days a week.
Surprisingly, many politicians and business owners favored giving workers more time off. Workers without free time could not spend their wages on traveling, entertainment, or dining out.
As the U.S. economy expanded beyond farming and basic manufacturing in the late 1800s and early 1900s, it became important for businesses to find consumers interested in buying the products and services produced in ever greater amounts. Shortening the work week was one way of turning the working class into the consuming class.
Common misconceptions
The common misconception is that since Labor Day is a national holiday, everyone gets the day off. Nothing could be further from the truth.
While the first Labor Day was created by striking, the idea of a special holiday for workers was easy for politicians to support. It was easy because proclaiming a holiday, like Mother’s Day, costs legislators nothing and benefits them by currying favor with voters. In 1887, Oregon, Colorado, Massachusetts, New York, and New Jersey all declared a special legal holiday in September to celebrate workers.
Within 12 years, half the states in the country recognized Labor Day as a holiday. It became a national holiday in June 1894 when President Grover Cleveland signed the Labor Day bill into law. While most people interpreted this as recognizing the day as a national vacation, Congress’ proclamation covers only federal employees. It is up to each state to declare its own legal holidays.
Moreover, proclaiming any day an official holiday means little, as an official holiday does not require private employers and even some government agencies to give their workers the day off. Many stores are open on Labor Day. Essential government services in protection and transportation continue to function, and even less essential programs like national parks are available. Because not everyone was given time off on Labor Day, union workers in the 1930s were urged to stage one-day strikes if their employer refused to give them the day off.
In the president’s annual Labor Day declaration last year, the President encouraged Americans “to observe this day with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities that honor the contributions and resilience of working Americans.”
The proclamation, however, does not officially declare that anyone gets time off.
Controversy: Militants and founders
Today, most people in the U.S. think of Labor Day as a noncontroversial holiday.
There is no family drama like at Thanksgiving or religious issues like Christmas. However, 100 years ago, there was controversy.
The first controversy people fought over was how militant workers should act on a day designed to honor workers. Communist, Marxist, and socialist members of the trade union movement supported May 1 as an International Day of Demonstrations, street protests, and even violence, which continues today.
However, more moderate trade union members advocated for a September Labor Day of parades and picnics. In the U.S., picnics, instead of street protests, won the day.
There is also a dispute over who suggested the idea. The earliest history from the mid-1930s credits Peter J. McGuire, who founded the New York City Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners in 1881, with suggesting a date that would fall “nearly midway between the Fourth of July and Thanksgiving” that “would publicly show the strength and esprit de corps of the trade and labor organizations.”
Later scholarship from the early 1970s makes an excellent case that Matthew Maguire, a Machinists Union representative, founded Labor Day. However, because Matthew Maguire was seen as too radical, the more moderate Peter McGuire was given the credit.
Who came up with the idea will likely never be known, but you can vote online here to express your view.
Have we lost the spirit of Labor Day?
Today, Labor Day is no longer about trade unionists marching down the street with banners and their tools of trade. Instead, it is a confused holiday with no associated rituals.
The original holiday was meant to handle the problem of long working hours and no time off. Although the battle over these issues would have been won long ago, this issue is starting to come back with a vengeance, not for manufacturing workers but for highly skilled white-collar workers, many of whom are constantly connected to work.
If you work all the time and never really take a vacation, start a new ritual that honors the original spirit of Labor Day. Give yourself the day off. Don’t go in to work. Shut off your phone, computer, and other electronic devices connecting you to your daily grind. Then go to a barbecue, as the original participants did over a century ago, and celebrate having at least one day off from work during the year!
This article is republished from The Conversation.
2023-2024 Budget Process – In Process - UPDATE
Thursday evening, 8/31/2023, at 5:30 pm, a Budget workshop was held at the Town Hall, and a balanced budget was formed during the meeting. This is the budget in the agenda packet for Tuesday, September 5th, Town Council meeting.
- At the 8/21/2023 council meeting, the town council certified the appraisal roll received from the Denton County Appraisal District.
- At the 8/21/2023 council meeting, the town council approved the proposed Ad Valorem Tax rate.
- At the 8/21/2023 council meeting, the town council approved setting the public hearings on the Budget and Tax Rate. - Please add these dates to your calendars regarding the Double Oak budgeting process.
- 8/27/2023 – Publish the tax rate and budget – POSTED on the town website.
- 8/31/2023 – A Budget Workshop was held, and the Town Council formed a balanced budget
- 9/5/2023 - Town council meeting public hearing on the proposed budget and tax increase
- 9/15/2023 – Post agenda for 9/18 town council meeting
- 9/18/2023 – Public hearing on the proposed budget and tax increase
- 9/22/2023 – Post agenda for a special session on Monday, 9/25/2023 to
- 9/25/2023 - Approve the budget and tax rate.
The Mayor and Town Council look forward to sharing the budget with the citizens on Tuesday, September 5th, at 7 p.m. at the Town Hall.
Message from the Double Oak Volunteer Fire Department -REPRINT from Last Week due to Extremely Dry Conditions.
The DOVFD would like to help educate the citizens of Double Oak on the high fire danger level we are under. Here are some things you can do to avoid starting a wildland fire in your backyard.
- Be careful of cigarette butts and ash (even while actively smoking)
- Avoid parking and running a vehicle on the grass; the exhaust heat can start a fire.
- Avoid grilling with charcoal if possible.
- DO NOT attempt to start a firepit (even for the fun of s’mores!)
- Watch for anything left behind that could magnify the sun (e.g., glass bottles or broken glass parts)
Wildfires have started from as little as broken glass reflecting/magnifying the sun or sparks from minor automotive activity.
Thank you, Double Oak, for helping us all stay safe.
DOVFD
Double Oak Crack Seal Project – UPDATE
The Crack Seal project will get underway in the next ten days. Please be aware of the crews doing the work and be safe while traversing our roads.
At the town council meeting on 8/21/2023, the town council approved the annual Crack Seal Project. Once the heat subsides, the project should begin. Sixteen total roads will have crack seal work done on them. The bid will be awarded to Midway Seal Coating and Striping Co. This contractor has been doing our crack seal work for the past few years and does a great job.
The following streets are in the project:
Meadow Knoll Drive, Cross Timbers Drive, Oak Grove Circle, S. Woodland Trail, N. Woodland Trail, Shady Hill, Trailing Oaks Drive, Green Ridge Drive, Twin Lakes Court, Park Lane, Twin Lakes Drive, Green Briar, Tanglewood, Meadow Lake Court, S. Chinn Chapel, and Highview.
We appreciate your patience as we do the work on your street.
Jellybeans for Kids Donations – UPDATE & THANK YOU DOUBLE OAK CITIZENS
Another big week for the collections for Jellybeans for Kids donations. They filled another vehicle and took it to PediPlace for distribution.
Thank you to all the citizens who contributed. Another collection day is on September 6th.
For more information, check out their website:
https://jellybeansfoodforkids.com
Reminders:
Cross Timbers Water Regarding Stage 2 Water Restrictions
CTWS is in Stage 2-Yellow.
STAGE 2: YELLOW ODD/EVEN DAYS
- Odd/Even Outside Watering by Last Digit of Address
- Odd-numbered last digits of the address will water on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
- Even numbered last digits of the address will water on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.
- Permitted Activities
- Trees, gardens, and shrubs can be watered daily if a hand-held hose, drip irrigation, or soaker hose is used.
- Filling of new pools must be scheduled, and three (3) days’ written notice must be given to Cross Timbers Water Supply Corporation’s office date. A time will be determined and assigned.
- Lawns that have just been seeded, sodded, or mulched can be mechanically watered daily for a maximum of two (2) weeks after application
- Avoid watering during the following hours 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
https://www.crosstimberswater.com
DENTON COUNTY ISSUES BURN BAN – REMINDER FROM DOVFD
As the excessive heat continues through the weekend and into next week, the DOVFD just wanted to remind everyone to please stay safe; along with the heat comes Ozone pollution and unhealthy air, more reasons to take it easy indoors.
Also, we would like to remind residents that we are in a burn ban for all of Denton County; there is an increasing threat of rapid ignition and spread of wildfires throughout the region due to persistent hot and dry conditions.
Stay safe, and don’t hesitate to call 911 if you need help; the DOVFD is here for you.
Double Oak Hazardous Waste Day Saturday, September 16th, 2023
Double Oak town administration has confirmed the date with Republic Services for our Hazardous Waste Day. It will be Saturday, September 16th.
Save these 2024 dates for the 50th Birthday celebration of Double Oak!
- May 4, 2024, Auto Show and Movie Night
- May 18, 2024, 50th Birthday celebration with historical museum displays, birthday cake, food trucks, band, dancing, photo booths, contests, a ceremony to honor prior town officials, and many more fun events!
Do you have photos or memorabilia from the past 50 years that you can share with our 50th birthday committee? We plan to create a mini museum to display the progress of Double Oak over the past 50 years, so please get in touch with us to arrange to collect or scan your documents/photos, etc.
Learn more about these details via the link on the town website Town's 50th Birthday Committee | Double Oak, TX (texas.gov)
We wish everyone a safe and wonderful weekend.
Double Oak Town Administration