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October 20, 2009

A clear view for 5th year

Crew mulches Love’s Lookout as 10th anniversary nears





By Nathan Straus

nrstraus@jacksonvilleprogress.com



Mulching work began Monday morning at the Love’s Lookout rest stop north of Jacksonville to clear space in front of the overlook and make for a cleaner view with less unsightly shrubs and plants. The work comes just in time for the Nov. 10 fifth anniversary party.

“In that area, shrubs have been growing on the hill,” said Mo Raissi, Jacksonville city manager. “It was hard to maintain and you can’t see the view down there.”

According to Raissi, the city hired Hilton Services LP to mulch the hill portion beyond Love’s Lookout clear of the brush and tall shrubs. The Rusk-based company’s $4,050 bid was the lowest of three received. The next lowest was All Clear Brush Mulching at $4,200.

Raissi said there is a possibility of seeds being planted to fill the newly cleared soil with colorful flowers or other more comely vegetation, but care must be taken to not end up with the same problem a few years down the line.

The mulching project was not done specifically for the party, but the clearer view promises to be a nice bonus.

Peggy Renfro, Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce president, said it’s being called a birthday party. The event will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 10. It is a party for those who have helped to make Love’s Lookout a reality.

“A few dignitaries will speak briefly and there will be hot dogs, chips and a birthday cake,” she said.

Volunteers who have been with Love’s Lookout since the beginning will be there. These volunteers are Altha Haba and Clay Bevel.

State Rep. Chuck Hopson will attend, as well as Mayor Robert Haberle. Dick Stone and Becky Hays, former and current chamber chairs, respectively, will also visit the party.

Renfro said though the event is free, it is also limited only to those who have had a hand in the project.

Love’s Lookout has stood longer than the five years it’s been a rest stop, however. Renfro said a group of representatives from the chamber, the city and the Texas Department of Transportation partnered together to make Love’s Lookout the popular rest stop it is today.

Max McCaig, one of the maintenance workers at Love’s Lookout, said the rest stop has consistently scored highly on state inspections.

“We’re one of the top as far as state inspections go,” he said.

In addition, he said he has heard from travelers regarding the rest stop.

“Everyone who comes through says it’s the nicest, cleanest, prettiest rest stop they’ve been to,” he said.

The Texas Department of Transportation is in charge of maintenance for Love’s Lookout. The rest stop is just north of Jacksonville on U.S. Highway 69, and is easily identifiable due to the nearby lookout tower.

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