Commander hosts Town Hall meeting Published Sept. 24, 2015 By George Woodward 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- A new splash park and a drive-through coffee shop targeted for next year were among the projects discussed at a Community Town Hall Meeting Sept. 22 at the Sheppard Club. About 100 people attended the meeting, which was the first held under the command of Brig. Gen. Patrick J. Doherty, commander of the 82nd Training Wing. Doherty kicked off the meeting by introducing himself and discussing his leadership vision, which centers around the principle, "People First, Mission Always." "Events like this are important," Doherty said. "Our families are a huge part of the team, and it's essential that we communicate with them, both so they know what's happening at Sheppard and so we can get their input and ideas." Following the general's remarks, 82nd Force Support Squadron Commander Maj. Kyle A. Moe talked about some of the initiatives happening in the community support realm. In addition to the splash park and coffee shop, Moe discussed other efforts being made to support families at Sheppard. "The Sheppard Commons was a major effort to make our base library sustainable. After funding for libraries was reduced, we felt it was important to keep the facility open, so we reconfigured it to bring some of the other Services functions under the same roof. It's a great facility that brings a lot of value to the community," he said. Around-the-clock fitness center access was another big effort Moe touted. "Just bring us your ID card and in a few minutes, we can get you 24-hour access to the Levitow fitness center," he said. Improvements expected this year include the Paintball Field grand opening, the addition of a Cross Fit room at the Levitow Fitness Center and renovations to the South Bowling Lanes. Other ongoing efforts include an expanded Key Spouse Program, renovations to the Sheppard Club and post-flood repairs to the Sheppard Annex at Lake Texoma. After Moe's presentation, Doherty took questions and comments from the crowd. The first commenter expressed appreciation for the feedback opportunities the 82nd Medical Group has provided to beneficiaries, especially the "Coffee and Conversation" events held monthly with group leadership (go to http://www.sheppard.af.mil/library/medicalcare/index.asp for more details). Mock billing, speed bumps and speeding were some of the housing-related questions asked. Roylene Quintero, the Balfour Beatty Community Manager, said that no date has been set for "live" utility billing, and that there were no plans in the near future to remove or change the speed bumps in Freedom Estates - which were put in place after concerns about speeding were raised in a 2014 Town Hall Meeting. Doherty addressed a related question regarding speeding along Nehls Boulevard. He said efforts were already underway to improve crosswalk markings and signage, and that Security Forces would be increasing enforcement efforts in the area. The audience also had several suggestions for improvements, including adding soccer golf holes to the Frisbee golf course, relocating the archery range so it could be used concurrently with the skeet range and marking the walking trails in Wind Creek for distances. Doherty closed the evening by thanking the crowd for coming out, and the event planners and Club staff for their efforts to encourage participation and make it a fun event. The Club provided low-cost spaghetti meals and prize drawings, including four-pack bowling passes, 2016 Sheppard pool passes and the grand prize, a one-night hotel stay in Dallas with tickets to the air races at Texas Motor Speedway. Community Town Hall Meetings are typically held quarterly.