Dallas Morning News
English-only approach won't apply to safety matters, officials say
Farmers Branch, Texas -- Since elected leaders declared English the city's official language last month, Spanish no longer plays on the wall of televisions overlooking the stationary bikes, treadmills and elliptical trainers at the Farmers Branch Community Recreation Center.
In public works, new trash bags being ordered for residents will have the holiday schedule for trash pickup printed only in English. But instructions on how to load the 50-gallon paper bags will be printed in both English and Spanish, because it's a safety issue.
Some temporary signs in Spanish have been removed at the public library. Fliers for park and recreation activities and library events and other nonessential information will be printed only in English.
These are among the ways that Farmers Branch has put into practice the language policy it adopted Nov. 13. City leaders stress that it applies only to city government, not to schools, churches or other organizations. It does not mean that city employees will not be allowed to speak in languages other than English.
Posted by tyne at December 9, 2006