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Glasscock County News
Commissioners
Nix Maintainer, Sewer After lengthy discussion, Commissioner
Mark Halfmann prevailed and the county court decided against buying a new
maintainer, opting instead to keep the current, five-year-old machine in
Halfmann’s precinct. The lone bid for a new machine was from West Texas CAT
for $159,900, less a guaranteed
repurchase of $117,500, for a total of $42,400. Although Commissioners Michael
Hoch and Jimmy Strube tried hard to convince Halfmann that it would be
better, and save money in the long run, to take the $88,500 buyback on the
Deere maintainer and buy a new Caterpillar, Halfmann disagreed. He said his
preference would be to take the buyback and begin now operating only three
maintainers, adding that the county only has three maintainer drivers now. Commissioner Michael Hoch said he
thought there might be problems with four bosses [commissioners] and only
three maintainers, but Halfmann said it could be managed, if everyone would
cooperate. He argued that there isn’t as much need for maintainers now, with
so many roads paved, and that the county needs to save money where it can. He
pointed out that there were also other pieces of road equipment needing
repair, which will add to the county’s expense. Halfmann said if the commissioners
couldn’t agree to use only three maintainers, he would like to keep the Deere
machine for at least two more years, and said surely by then, the county
would not need four maintainers. He said the Deere is a good machine, and
he’s had no problems with it. He said the Deere people would completely
overhaul the maintainer and extend the warranty for two more years. By
keeping the current maintainer, the county forfeits the $88,500 guaranteed
buyback and at some point will sell the machine on the open market. The other
commissioners ultimately agreed to go along with Halfmann, since the
maintainer in question is in his precinct. Halfmann made a motion to reject
the bid for a new maintainer and it passed unanimously. No to Sewer, Yes to Water Storage County commissioners voted not to apply
for a Colonia grant to fund a sewer system for Garden City. A survey
regarding a sewer treatment facility was recently sent out with water bills,
and of 98 surveys sent, 44 were returned. Of those, 57 percent said they
favored a sewer facility, while 43 percent said they did not. The county commissioners did
agree, however, to seek a Texas Community Development Program grant to build
an elevated water storage tank. The tank, which will probably be located on
land the county already owns northwest of Garden City on County Road 415,
will enable users to have water even when there is no electricity to run the
system’s pumps. The court awarded Municipal
Consulting Agency, operated by Valerie Cox, the management contract to apply
for the water storage tank grant. The contract for engineering services for
the project went to Steve Dennis and the firm of GSW. These two firms also
handled the management and engineering of the community water system. The grant application will ask for
$350,000, with the county committed to $17,500 (five percent) of in-kind
services. School Closes Campus The GCISD Board of Trustees
voted Aug. 14 to close its campus for 30 days and to reevaluate the policy at
the next board meeting. The change will mean that students in grades 7
through 12 will no longer be able to leave the campus during the school day
unless picked up by a parent. The vote was five for, one opposed (Tina
Flores), and one abstaining (Tibby Niehues). Most
board members in favor of closing the campus stressed that their concern was
for students’ safety, both for those who drive and for those who walk, during
the heavy construction on Highway 158 in Garden City. The board hired Johnny Willis as a
history teacher and coach. Willis,
who has a degree from Sul Ross University, comes to Garden City from
Rochester, where he was a coach and history teacher for the last three years. New Budget Discussed Superintendent Steve Long
presented a preliminary budget of $4.4 million, down from last year’s $5 million
budget. Expected revenues are $4.6 million. Long says the projected taxable
valuation is $328 million, up from $260 million the previous year. He
projects a tax rate of $1.19 per $100 valuation, the highest rate possible
without triggering a rollback election. The projected rate is down from last
year’s rate of $1.45. The effective rate, the amount necessary to raise the
same monies as last year, is $1.097. Long told the board that he hopes
to be able to put some money back into the school’s reserves, after several
years of having to dip into them. Long mentioned savings due to
reductions in faculty, but said he budgeted $7,000 for a school nurse to work
one day a week. He said the state
doesn’t mandate a nurse, but he feels more comfortable having one in on
occasion. He said he doesn’t plan to
buy a new bus this year, though a third van might be necessary. He said he is trying to lighten
the workloads of Kathy Wheat, Dinette Barton and Reeann McKinnon with some minor
adjustments. He cited the paperwork involved in the state PEAMS
accountability system as part of the workload problem. There will be a public hearing on
the budget at 6 p.m. Aug. 28 in the school administration building, and a
special board meeting to adopt the budget at 7 p.m. that same day. County
Pay Raise Possible The possibility of pay increases
for county employees was briefly discussed at the county court meeting Aug.
14. County Treasurer Alan Dierschke presented figures showing what monthly
raises of $25, $50, and $100 for each of the 32 employees would cost the
county. Dierschke said, “Some department heads have been suggesting a raise,”
so he put figures together for the commissioners’ consideration before the
next budget is worked out. Dierschke said the last across-the-board raise for
county employees was $50 per month in 1996. According to his figures, a $25
raise would cost the county $11,399 per month; a $50 increase would cost
$22,798, and a $100 raise would cost $45,596 per month. Commissioner Hugh
Schafer said he thinks employees getting new and better health insurance
qualifies as a raise. The court discussed additional
compensation to Martin County for answering Glasscock County’s 911 calls and
for doing computerized background checks on cars and drivers for the
Glasscock County Sheriff’s Department. A monthly 911 fee of 50 cents is
included in each telephone bill. County Judge Wilburn Bednar said that money
is channeled to the Permian Basin Regional Planning Commission, and is then
sent back to the various counties to help with 911 expenses. He said this fee
generates some $356 per month in Glasscock County, and that money will now go
to Martin County. Bednar said Martin County has not
asked Glasscock County to pay for these services. Bednar said he thinks there
are two or three 911 calls from Glasscock County each month. He said Martin County also answers some of
Borden County’s 911 calls, and is not compensated for that service. Commissioner Michael Hoch said he
thinks Glasscock County should pay some additional compensation to Martin
County, but doesn’t know how much. Action on the matter was postponed. There was also brief discussion,
but no action, regarding how much Jim and Diane Havlak should be paid for
answering the 911 calls while the system was in transition to Martin County. WATER
DISTRICT DISCUSSES ANNEXATION The Glasscock County
Underground Water Conservation District’s Board of Directors once again
discussed annexation of portions of Upton and Midland counties at their
meeting Aug. 15. District Manager
Rick Harston said that the Texas Natural Resources Conservation Commission
sees the annexation as the best way to bring that area into an underground
water district. No action was taken, and the topic will be discussed again at
the next meeting, which will probably be held Sept. 12. The board re-elected the
same officers as before: Kenneth Braden, president, Dennis Seidenberger,
vice-president and Zane Eoff, secretary.
Other board members are Larry Wheat and Mark Halfmann. The board voted to renew a
$100,000 certificate of deposit for six months at an interest rate of 6.56
percent at First Bank of West Texas in Big Spring, after taking $7,000 from
it for operating expenses to complete the fiscal year. The district also has
another CD worth $40,000. They also approved
renewing employees’ medical insurance with Blue Cross through the Texas
Association of Counties. The insurance costs the district $259 per month per
employee. The employee pays for any additional family coverage. County
Court Adopts New Insurance Plan The Glasscock County
Commissioners’ Court voted Aug. 14 to change its employee health insurance to
Blue Cross Blue Shield coverage provided through the Texas Association of
Counties, and decided to use the agency of Rose Pelzel and Shelby Hall. The court had wrestled with
insurance problems for several months before finally determining that they
could not legally separate retirees from active employees for insurance
purposes. This meant they were limited to the TAC coverage, since it was the
only plan which would accept the retirees, some of whom have serious
illnesses and high claims histories. Some of the changes from the
previous insurance coverage are: the county-paid monthly premium per employee
has risen from $224 to $510; each person’s deductible has gone from $250 to
$1,000; the co-pay has gone from 90/10 to 80/20; the stop/loss amount was
previously $1,000 and is now $3,000; disability insurance is no longer
included; and the PPO network (Blue Choice) is larger, and includes hospitals
in Midland and Big Spring. Another change will become
effective Oct. 1, when the county will no longer provide full major medical
coverage for retirees who are 65 years old, but will instead provide them
with a Medicare supplement. The current “cafeteria plan” is still available to
employees through pre-tax payroll deductions, allowing independent purchase
of supplemental policies for cancer, heart, disability, etc. Because of high
TAC rates for family coverage, employees may also choose to insure their
families independently. Glasscock County ‘s annual
insurance costs will now total $245,000 for employee health coverage, plus an
additional $75,000 for liability coverage. County 4-H Members Attend Texas 4-H Congress Ryan Batla, Darren Hillger, Jill
Hoelscher and Lori Hoelscher recently participated in the 2000 Texas 4-H
Congress at the state capitol. With
its focus of “Learning today, leading tomorrow,” the three-day mock legislative
session allowed 250 4-H members to participate in committee meetings, debate
on the floor of the Texas Senate and House of Representatives, and interact
with 4-H press corps members or with lobbyists. Highlighting the Congress were
addresses by Agricultural Commissioner Susan Combs, and Representatives
Robert Cook and Bob Tuner. Motivational
Speaker will be at GCISD Milton C. Creagh will speak at the Garden City
schools Aug. 24. Creagh, who is
described as a motivational speaker, will address students in the elementary,
junior high and high school as well as parents and teachers. He is also one of America’s most in-demand
speakers for motivating teens, and his message has been enthusiastically
received wherever he appears. His credentials include radio/television
personality, recording artist, actor, corporate trainer, entrepreneur,
producer, and author. Creagh will incorporate the Texas Agricultural
Extension Service’s “Texans Building Character” program in his presentations. Sheriff
Pruit Commended Note: The
following is a fax we received from Rachel S. Dobbs, Gardendale, Texas, and
is printed in its entirety. Late last Sunday night (8/6), I
received a call from Sheriff Royce Pruit.
My parents’ car had broken down south of Garden City and 911 had
routed their call to Sheriff Pruit. I
live in north Ector County and told him it would take me an hour to get
there. Sheriff Pruit got out of his
bed to go check on my parents. In the
meantime, a minister was nice enough to give them a ride to the Fina station
in Garden City. When the sheriff
could not find them on the roadside, he called me, then went to check on my
parents at the Fina station, and stayed with them until I arrived. Sheriff Pruit went above and beyond the
call of duty. I just wanted to make
sure the residents of Glasscock County knew what a great sheriff you
have. My parents are 71 and 75 and I
was very worried about them sitting on the side of the road so late at
night. I can’t thank the sheriff
enough for his caring. I hope all of
you remember his small acts of kindness when Sheriff Pruit has another
election. It is very rare to find a
person who truly cares about his fellow man anymore. Sincerely, Rachel S. Dobbs. County Applies for Restoration Funding The Glasscock County Commissioners’
Court on Aug. 14 passed a resolution to submit application to the Texas State
Historical Commission for funding to restore both the county courthouse and
the old jail (the original courthouse). The court also agreed to give the
historical commission a grant of easement if the project is funded. A necessary part of the grant application
process, the easement means that, in the future, the state historical
commission would have to agree to any major changes anywhere on the
courthouse square. In other action, the court agreed
to allow McMillan Insurance Agency to extend its building two feet into the
county’s right-of-way on West Chambers Ave. The building will still be
several feet off the street, but technically within the county’s easement. The
problem is due to an apparent survey error. Cecil Halfmann and Lester Jansa,
representing the county’s senior citizens group, asked the court to pave the
sloping areas on the north and east sides of the seniors’ building parking
lot to stop erosion when there is water runoff. They also asked that the
alley be paved or otherwise improved.
The commissioners agreed to see what could be done. Cattlemen’s
Round-Up for Rehab Launched Butch and Tammy Halfmann have
teamed up with West Texas Rehabilitation Center as local chairmen of the 41st
Annual Cattlemen’s Round-Up for Rehab – a program through which friends in
the agriculture industry step forward in support of WTRC. The Halfmanns are joined by 150
other volunteer chairmen throughout Texas and by regional chairmen Carter
Behrens of San Angelo and Mike Alexander of Abilene. The message all these volunteers
are delivering to livestock producers in their areas is: let’s help Rehab
help all who turn to them for assistance in overcoming disabling illnesses and
injuries. Ways this can be done include: donating livestock – cattle, sheep,
goats or horses – to be sold at one of Rehab’s special auctions during
September and October; sending a cash donation to Rehab; attending one of the
special sales and joining the bidding on livestock or novelty items or
notifying a local CRR chairman now of an intent to have your auction house
cut a check to Rehab for proceeds from one or more animals you sell later in
the year. Bluebonnet Feeds, Lone Star Beef
Processors, Federal Land Bank of Texas and First Ag Credit, Farm Credit
System have committed a total of $20,000 in up-front money to launch this
year’s Round-up. For more information and for sale
dates and locations, contact the Halfmanns at 354-2367 or 354-2366, or call
WTRC in San Angelo, 915/223-6300. In The Spotlight •
Paula Braden recently
competed in the American Agricultural Economics Association Quiz Bowl in
Tampa, Florida as a member of the team representing Texas A & M
University. The team placed fourth competing against 36 other teams from the
U.S. and Canada. The daughter of Janet and Charles Braden, Paula is a junior
agribusiness major at Texas A & M, and a 1998 graduate of GCHS. • Ryan Batla, who was selected first vice
president for the 2000-01 Texas 4-H Council, will represent 977,000 other 4-H
members from across the state. • Warren Multer received the Texas Agricultural
Extension Service Superior Service Award at a ceremony Aug. 16 at Texas
A&M University. The award, the
highest given to Texas Agricultural Extension Service employees by the
agency, recognizes individuals and teams who render outstanding performance
in extension education or in the organization. Homecoming Events Announced Homecoming events are scheduled for Sept. 15 –
16. On Friday, the junior class will
serve a hamburger supper in the cafeteria from 5 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. The
Bearkats will meet Water Valley on the gridiron at 8 p.m. On Saturday, the annual get-together will begin at
10 a.m. in the cafeteria. Chances for
a $50 gift certificate from Cattleman’s Steak House in Midland are being sold
to cover expenses. Chances are $1 each or six for $5. Al & Son’s Bar-B-Q will cater lunch at a cost
of $8 per plate. The homecoming
committee needs a head count as soon as possible of those planning to have
lunch. Please respond by mail or
phone no later than Sept. 13 to Barbara Ratliff, Box 149, Garden City, 79739,
915-354-2307, or Emma Schafer, Box 194, Garden City, 79739, 915-354-2227. All-Class
Reunion a Success Sandra
Wilde reports that approximately 200 people enjoyed a catered meal by Al
& Son Bar-B-Q at the all-class reunion July 22. Lyndia Smith Bartlett, Dale
Hillger, Bonnie Cox Bednar and Shirley Hanson won raffled prizes, and others
won door prizes throughout the day. The committee thanks all those who
helped any way and those who donated the raffle prizes. Visitors who stayed late and
helped with the clean up were treated to a music session by Marck Schafer on
electric guitar, Jimmy Davie on fiddle and Eugene Davie on standard guitar. Volunteers are needed for next
reunion to be held in 2005. Brenda
Staton is willing to help, but wants someone else to spearhead the event next
time. Briefly
• Glasscock County voters recently
approved the issuance of bonds to finance the construction of a community
center in Garden City. The vote was 145 for, 123 against. •
Linn Hughes will teach an adult
Spanish class on Wednesdays at 4 p.m. at the Senior Citizens’ Center.
There is no charge for the class. To
sign up, or for more information, call Bobbie McDaniel at 354-2392. • The Senior Citizens will now meet the first and third
Tuesday of each month. The meeting on
the first Tuesday will be at 6 p.m. with a meal, and the meeting on the third
Tuesday will be at 3 p.m. with a snack.
At the meeting on Sept. 5, fried chicken will be served, and members
are asked to bring dishes to go with it.
For the Sept. 19 meeting, bring snacks. • Leroy Moore will teach piano
lessons this
Church. He has openings for adults
and students. If you would like to
schedule lessons, or need more information, call Barbara Fuchs, 397-2215. • Glasscock County 4-H Achievement
Banquet will be 4
p.m. Sunday, Aug. 20 at the St. Lawrence Hall. All leaders, parents and members are invited. • Glasscock County Livestock
Association and the 4-H Club want to thank those who helped make sausage and all those
who purchased it at their recent fundraiser. According to Sammy Kellermeier,
the approximately 1800 pounds of sausage sold netted the group $2,800 for use
in future projects.year at the Methodist •
REMINDER: If you want to get the Glasscock County News online, please
register at http://wscope.com/glasscock/ We will notify you via e-mail when the newsletter is
posted each month. We now have 71 online subscribers, and send another 390
newsletters through the postal service. •
“Meet the Bearkats” night
is Aug. 18 at 7:30 in the school auditorium, followed by a Howdy Dance on the tennis courts. • L.H. (Bud) Hanson, who was born in Glasscock County
in October, 1905, died Aug. 7 at his home in Midland. He was preceded in
death by his wife of 67 years, Vivian Bigby Hanson. He is survived by two
sons, Leonard Hanson of Midland and Bruce Hanson of Big Spring, six
grandchildren, fifteen great-grandchildren and six great-great grandchildren.
Burial was in Garden City Cemetery. From
the Schoolhouse
Booster Club News By Nancy Hillger The Bearkat
Booster Club met Aug. 3 to plan for the upcoming year and had a great
turnout. Thanks to all who attended. The 2000-01 officers are President
–Nancy Hillger, Vice-President –Pam Hughes, Secretary – Melissa Hoch and
Treasurer Tibby Niehues. These Bearkat fans volunteered for the jobs. The Booster Club will be selling
T-shirts, caps, yard signs for high school students, and old football jerseys
at Meet the Bearkats Night. Just a reminder – membership dues are only $10
per family. Catch the Spirit! On Sept. 11 at 6 p.m. in the
school cafeteria, Coach Wesley will show highlights of the Forsan varsity
game. Afterwards, we will have our September Booster Club meeting.
Everyone is welcome! Meet the Bearkats Night Come meet the Garden City School
faculty, administrators, and coaching staff, along with the junior high and
high school football teams, managers, cheerleaders, mascots, twirlers, cross
country runners and the high school band and flag corps Aug. 18 at 7:30 p.m.
in the school auditorium. We’ll begin with a Kickoff Pep
Rally, introduction of the Bearkats and faculty and end with an ice cream and
cookie supper. Everyone is invited. Let’s start this year off right! ENTHUSIASM, UNITY AND FUN. Watch for Road Signs The
Bearkat Booster Club is providing road signs to be placed along Highway 158
and Highway 33 in support of GCISD and the Bearkats. In addition, new
championship signs for the gym are being made for the basketball programs. If you would like to help with
these projects, make checks payable to the Bearkat Booster Club and send them
to Tibby Niehues, Treasurer, 1550 CR 125, Garden City, Texas 79739. All
donations will be appreciated. Junior High
Cheerleaders Win Awards at Camp The Garden City Junior High
cheerleaders for 2000-20001 recently attended Universal Cheerleading
Association camp in San Angelo. The team, Rebecca Cmerek, Ashley Gonzalez,
Brandi Halfmann, Amanda Hirt and Megan Niehues, received two superior blue
ribbons, two red excellent ribbons, four gold superior ribbons and a superior
trophy for their work at the camp. They also received a spirit stick
each day for their spirit, cooperation, and positive can-do attitudes, and
Sponsor Linda DeWitt completed the UCA Advisor Program in cheerleading
safety. Student
Council News Officers are: president
Chasity Jansa, vice-president Lucy Gonzales, secretary M’Lynn Niehues,
treasurer Summer Eoff, parliamentarian Brady Kujawski, reporter Ryan Batla,
historian Chelsea Schwartz and sergeant at arms Justin Hillger. There will be a Howdy Dance Aug.18 on the tennis courts after “Meet the Bearkats.” Admission is 2 canned goods and one dollar
or three dollars. Homecoming mums go on sale Friday, Aug. 18, at the pep rally or at the dance. Prices
range from $11 to $40 plus any additional trinkets. Homecoming Program ads are being accepted. Send your written ad to P. O. Box 9, Garden City, Attn: Mrs. Hughes. Ads
must be received by Sept. 6, and pictures for the program are limited to seniors. For Sale: limited number of denim skirts, $25; seat cushions, $15; hand
towels, $7; Flashing Buttons, $5. If you shop Target, choose
Garden City ISD for your select school and the school will receive a
percentage of each purchase.
About This Publication The next issue will be Sept.13. The deadline for
that issue is Sept. 11. The Glasscock
County News is published by Joe Melanie Calverley, P. O. Box 98, Garden
City, TX, 79739. Phone or Fax:
915/354-2221; e-mail: gcnews201@aol.com. Website: http://wscope.com/glasscock/ |
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