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Glasscock County News
Committee Equips Center’s
Kitchen
The Community Development Committee (a
committee of the Glasscock County Lions Community Center and Historical
Foundation) voted Oct. 22 to buy $30,000 worth of kitchen equipment for the
community center, and on Nov. 6 voted to use $6,500 to purchase 25 tables and
320 chairs. These items were to be ordered immediately. The kitchen equipment
includes two ranges $4,000 total, convection oven $3,000, refrigerator
$2,600, freezer $2,800, walk-in cooler $9,000, three stainless steel work
tables $500 each, pot rack $500, three-compartment sink $1,900 and ice
machine $2,500. The foundation has funds totaling approximately $39,000,
raised primarily from the five Glasscock County Gala events, which were
sponsored by the Glasscock County Livestock Association. Candy Jones was appointed to chair
a kitchen committee, which has compiled a list of needed utensils so that
community members who wish to can donate items to help make the center ‘s
kitchen operational before possible grant money is available. County Extension Agent Steve
Sturtz said the livestock association has purchased new show ring panels at a
cost of $7,500. He said the association plans to buy new holding pens for
approximately $22,000 next year. Sturtz said for stock shows, the
livestock holding area would be covered with coarse sawdust and alleyways
with a rollout shingle material. The show ring will be covered with
removable, washable Astro-turf donated by a sports turf company. Grant Application Submitted According
to Sturtz, a grant application for $86,000 was submitted to the M.S.Doss
Foundation Nov. 12. The application requests funds for a sign with a
scrolling marquee, a sound system, computer lab equipment, projection
screens, a radio bridge to tie into the school’s T-1 internet service line,
tables, chairs, carts, kitchen utensils and small appliances. Whether all or any part of the grant is
funded should be known by early December, Sturtz said. Community
Development Committee members are: Eugene Hirt (chairman), Maritha Blalock
(secretary-treasurer), Steve Sturtz, Warren Multer, Sammy Kellermeier, Larry
Halfmann, Candy Jones, Delia Pierson, George Schwartz, Tommy Hoelscher, James Schwartz, Paul Schwartz, Michael Hoch, and Wilburn Bednar. Lawsuit Expensive for County County
Treasurer Alan Dierschke reported at the Nov. 12 meeting of the Glasscock
County Commissioners’ Court that the lawsuit brought against the county by
Veronica Schroyer had cost the county $23,000 from April, 2000 to September,
2001 and said that may not be the final figure. Commissioners
voted to prohibit wild animals being kept in the county. Such animals would
include lions, tigers, lynx, bobcats, coyotes, etc. State law now requires
that counties either prohibit wild animals or register them. Commissioners
said registration would also involve monitoring where, how and under what
conditions the animals were kept. The
court canvassed the results of the Nov. 3 election. Ninety-one people in the
county voted, and all the proposed amendments to the state constitution
passed in the county, as well as statewide. Commissioners
went into a closed session to discuss personnel, but took no action as a
result of that session. The
county’s current retirement plan was approved. The employee deposit rate is 7
percent; the employer’s contribution is 11.29 percent, up from 11.09 percent
now; the rate for supplemental death benefit is .86 percent, up from .57
percent now, and the death benefit itself has gone up from $2,500 to $5,000. In
other action, the court designated a road south of Garden City and east of
Highway 33 as County Road 290 and again named Commissioner Hugh Schafer the
Appraisal District Director. Briefly
•
Anyone who would like to help
get the community center’s kitchen up and running can donate various utensils
and/or small appliances selected from a list in the extension office in the
courthouse. Call 354-2608 for more
information or come by the office. •
Leroy Moore is teaching
piano lessons at the First Methodist Church in Garden City and has openings
for adults and students. If you would like to schedule lessons, or need more
information, call Susan Hirt at 397-2436. • The First Baptist Church will host a women’s party Dec. 2 from 3 to 5 p.m.
at the church and everyone is invited. Bring a $10–$20 gift to exchange. •
A community choir will
present “Bless That Wonderful Name” Dec. 9 at 6 p.m. at the First Baptist
Church. Fellowship will follow, and the entire community is invited. •
Wendell Halfmann was
recently elected to the Glasscock County Soil and Water Conservation
District’s Board of Directors, replacing Mike Batla, who did not run for
reelection. Thirteen people voted in the election, according to Shirley
Braden. Other board members are: Jerline Frysak (chairman), Lawrence Jost (vice
chairman), Allen Jansa (secretary), and Hubert Frerich. The board meets on
the third Tuesday of the month at 10 a.m. in the courthouse, and meetings are
open to the public. • Glasscock County should know in early January
if the state historical
commission has approved its latest
request for courthouse restoration
funding, according to Alan Dierschke, county historical committee member. •
The local Boy Scout troop
will hold a flag burning ceremony for retired flags Nov. 27 at 5:30 p.m. at
the Scout hut. If anyone has a flag to retire, give it to Jim Havlak or a
Lion’s Club member. Anyone interested
is invited to the ceremony. •
Pepper Sullivan will be in
concert on piano at the First Baptist Church at 3 p.m. Nov. 18. Everyone
is welcome. •
On Nov. 11, approximately 185 people attended the community Thanksgiving dinner, which featured brisket and ham.
Community
Center Rules Discussed The
Glasscock County Commissioners’ Court, meeting in regular session Nov. 12
with Hugh Schafer absent, discussed rules, deposits and fees for use of the
Glasscock County Community Center, which is expected to be complete in early
December. With minor changes and few additions, the rules agreed upon were
those proposed by the Community Development Committee. County Extension Agent
Steve Sturtz is to present a final draft of the rules for the court’s
approval at a later date. Some of the proposed rules are: •
Reservations for use of the center are to be on a first-come, first-served
basis, and it may not be booked more than one year in advance. •
The center may be used without charge by local, recognized nonprofit
organizations, civic clubs, school or corporate groups for educational,
training or business meetings. •
Deposits and fees vary, depending on the size of the room used, and whether
kitchen use is added. There will be a $50 deposit and $25 fee for use of the
Vocational Room (20 people maximum), plus an added $50 deposit and $10 fee
for kitchen use; a $75 deposit and
$50 fee, plus a $100 deposit and $50 fee for kitchen use for renting the
Conference/Exhibit Room (110 people maximum); a $100 deposit and $100 fee for
the Community Room/Show Ring (325 people maximum), plus an additional $100
deposit and $75 fee for kitchen use. No deposits or fees have been set for use
of the center’s large rear area, which is heated, but not air-conditioned and
will be used, among other things, for holding livestock during stock shows. •
Deposits are due at the time of booking and are refundable if the building is
left cleaned to specifications and in good order. The county’s Building
Maintenance Person (Douglas Plagens) will compile the cleaning specs list and
decide whether deposits are to be refunded. Fees are due upon receipt of the
key, no earlier than one day prior to the rental date. •
If alcohol is available, deposits double for room use and two security guards
must be hired by the renter. •
Teen activities must be chaperoned by no fewer than 16 adults per 100 teens. •
No tobacco products are to be used in the building. •
Specific rules regarding how decorations may be attached are designed to
protect walls and equipment in the center. •
Multiple sections of the building complex may be rented by different groups
simultaneously. The
court agreed that the street between the courthouse and the community center
would be closed on the north end during large events at the center. They also
decided to provide two 30-yard dumpsters for the center’s use.
Master Gardener Program
Update
Mary
Barfield reports that she has had some positive responses from individuals
interested in participating in a Master Gardeners Training Program. However, a minimum enrollment of 20 is
necessary to justify the program and the enrollment deadline is mid-December. The prime requisite for
consideration in enrolling in the program is the time, dedication and
commitment required of those who complete the program. To become a certified
Master Gardener, one must complete 50 hours of training and 50 hours of
volunteer time by mid-fall, 2002. Classes
would begin after the middle of January 2002, and run through April. The days
and times can be flexible, and sessions would be either in Garden City or St.
Lawrence. There is a maximum fee of $90 that
covers the cost of textbooks and supplies needed for the course. The fee may
be made in two payments. There is also a possibility of partial scholarships.
This opportunity will be coordinated by extension agents Steve Sturtz and
Debbie Benge Frost, agent for Midland and Odessa. If you are interested in this training,
contact Sturtz at 354-2381 or Barfield at 354-2438. Weather
Association Buys Plane Glasscock
Groundwater Conservation District Manager Rick Harston reported to the
district’s board of directors Oct. 16 that West Texas Weather Modification
Association, of which GGCD is a part, has purchased another plane (1962
model) at a cost of $70,000. He said it would cost another $25,000 to rig the
plane for weather modification work. The WTWMA now has 5 planes, one of which
is to be stationed in Midland by Jan. 1. Harston said the association
should not need much more equipment, with the possible exception of a type of
radar extender, which would lengthen the reach of existing radar. Director
Larry Wheat said he thinks WTWMA’s radar has never adequately reached the
western part of Glasscock County. Director Dennis Seidenberger said clouds
tend to form on our west side, and often don’t become appropriate for seeding
until they are in the middle of the county, moving east. The board discussed proposed
revisions to WTWMA’s by-laws, including the process by which members would be
compensated for a percentage of their equity should any one of them decide to
pull out of the association.
Seidenberger said Glasscock County has no intention of pulling out,
but the association needed to clarify the process. GGCD has paid assessments of
$29,000 into WTWMA annually since 1996. The district’s board has recently
renewed two certificates of deposit, one for $42,000 and one for $106,000
with First National Bank of West Texas in Big Spring for three months at an
interest rate of 2.78 percent. School Board Hears Parental Complaint At
its regular meeting Oct. 15, the GCISD School Board heard a complaint from
Paul and Tara Schwartz regarding injuries their seventh grade child received
in an accident on school grounds in September. T. Schwartz said her
daughter’s leg was broken in three places when a playground swing chain
broke, throwing her to the ground. She said of six swings, four had new
chains and two did not. “There is no excuse for this worn-out chain,” she
said, laying the swing on the school board table. “If it were sports
equipment, it would have been replaced long ago.” She said the accident could have been even worse, and was the
result of “... school negligence and was totally preventable.” P. Schwartz said the school should
pay for all expenses related to the accident, since it was totally the
school’s fault. T. Schwartz said, “Why the chain
was not replaced, who is responsible, and what action should be taken are all
questions for the school board to decide.” Long: School Can’t Prevent Every
Accident According to Superintendent Steve
Long, the school’s accident insurance (optional to parents) does not pay up
front for such injuries, but is supplemental to the family’s own insurance.
The school does not carry liability insurance to cover such incidents, and
due to state law, can’t be
sued for them, Long said. He added that it is not possible
for a school to prevent, nor to insure against, every accident which is
possible on a school campus which houses hundreds of children. Board member Brad Avery said the
head maintenance man needs to have a schedule of equipment inspection, and
that the worn swing chain should have been found. He said all equipment should
be brought up to specs or taken out of service. Long said the agency which handles
the school’s workman’s compensation insurance could provide free safety
inspections of the entire campus and alert the school to any areas of
concern. The board agreed to begin utilizing this service, and Long said he
would have a report by the next board meeting. Playground Equipment May Be Reorganized The board discussed the use of
playground equipment during the lunch break, and agreed that it would be best
if older students and younger ones were separated on the playground. Long
suggested moving the playground equipment from its current location to a
grassy area between the high school and tennis courts. He said six basketball
goals could be put where the old tennis courts once were, and used by older
kids at lunch. Giving
the secondary school report in Principal Faith Scott’s absence, Jones said
the high school vocational shop is being upgraded. Two new exhaust fans, a
dust collector, an eye washer, and two new wire welders have recently been
installed. He said shop students are
learning AutoCAD, a computer automated drafting program used in design and
construction. In other matters, Elementary
Principal Brad Jones reported that the accelerated reading fundraiser raised
$2000, and that Head Start had raised $600. Board President Jimmy
Eggemeyer asked Jones whether the accelerated reading fundraiser was an
annual event, and Jones replied that he wasn’t sure. In
The Spotlight •
Glasscock County ISD schools
recently received five-stars, the highest rating given, from Texas Monthly magazine. •
The school’s CEI Lab,
managed by Kristi Long, was named
as an “Exemplary Lab” by the Creative Education Institute. She was presented
with a CEI wall clock and a certificate. Long has 72 students from grades
K–12 in the program. •
Allison Jansa advanced to
the state cross-county competition, placing 26th out of 101
participants. Earlier in the season,
she placed 2nd at district and 6th at regional events. Allison, a sophomore, is the daughter of
Allen and Lisa Jansa. • Thomas Dalton, son of
Stewart and Martha Dalton, recently received his Bachelor of Arts in
sociology from the University of North Texas, where he is currently attending
graduate school. •
TSgt Brian Dalton will be
transferring to Vandenberg AFB in Lompoc, California in early 2002 as a
ground service operator instructor. He has been with the Air Force Space
Command at Buckley AFB in Colorado for the past three years. He is the son of
Stewart and Martha Dalton. •
Sam Long, the seventh-grade
son of Steve and Kristi Long, was named the junior high Student of the Month
for October. Alicia Frysak was chosen the high school
honoree. She is a junior and the daughter of Linda and Mark Frysak. The K–2
Student of the Month was Austin
Hoelscher, a first grader and the son of Carl and Kara Hoelscher. Third
grader Joshua Colunga, the son of
Arthuro and Irene Colunga, was chosen from grades 3–6. • Jessi Jones, the second-grade daughter of Gary and
Candy Jones, was named K–3 Student of the Month for November. Kate
Halfmann, a fourth grader who is
the daughter of Gary and Sharon Halfmann, was selected from grades 4–6. The junior high honoree was Katie Schmitz, seventh grade daughter
of Randy and Melissa Schmitz.
Sophomore Anna Flores,
daughter of Jesse and Tina Flores, was chosen from the high school. •
Kamie Schwartz was recently
named as a candidate for homecoming queen at West Texas A & M University
in Canyon where she is a senior management major. She is a 1998 graduate of
GCHS and the daughter of Floyd and Martha Schwartz. • Chelsea Schwartz competed at the Mike Beatty Talent and
Modeling Expo in Dallas recently, getting a second alternate in both swimsuit
and TV commercial. Also, a troupe dance, which she choreographed, won in its
category. The daughter of Floyd and
Martha Schwartz, Chelsea is a junior at GCHS. School
May Purchase Activity Bus The GCISD School Board voted Nov.
12 to take bids on a new activity bus to replace the Bearkat Bus, which has
been plagued with problems. Superintendent Steve Long said he estimated the
cost for a Bluebird snub-nose bus with two-tone paint, travel seats,
underneath storage, upper racks and an 8.3-liter Cummings diesel engine at
approximately $107,000. The school’s 2001 audit shows
$806,000 having been added to the school’s reserves. Long said that some $900,000 had been
taken from the reserves in recent years. Funds raised as a result of the tax
rollback election in 2000 enabled the school to replenish its reserves,
according to Long. Long said that Claims
Administrative Service will come 3 times annually to check the entire campus
for safety, from closets to playground equipment. Long said they have made
their first visit and found only minor problems, such as a vacuum cleaner
with a cord that’s too small and storage closets that need to be cleaned and
reorganized. They will return Dec. 19 to be sure that recommended
improvements are complete. The board heard a presentation by
a representative of Johnson Controls, who discussed alternative funding
sources for modernizing the school’s heating and cooling equipment to save
funds over the years. He outlined a 15-year service plan that he said would
save the school about $30,000 annually by reducing energy costs. Long will
talk with other schools who have used this service before the board makes a
decision on it. The board had a 25-minute closed
session with AD Wade Wesley regarding coaching assignments. No action was
taken. Establishment of an employee sick
leave pool was approved. This pool will allow voluntary donations of leave by
individual district employees to assist a fellow employee suffering from
personal illness or disability, or an employee absent because of the illness
or disability of an immediate family member. Regarding other matters, Long said
the school’s best route for its WADA payment will be to adopt Alpine and
Valentine schools, and suggested the school donate excess playground
equipment to the county after playground improvements are made. GCISD currently has an enrollment
of 334 students: 12 in Head Start, 168 in grades K–6 and 154 in grades 7–12. From the Schoolhouse
Cross County Results: At the district meet, the junior
high girls received third as a team, with Julie Hirt placing 3rd overall and Erin Hirt 11th. The junior high boys were District Champs with Jason Flores 3 rd, Taylor Niehues 5th, Shaun Maxie 6th, J.R. Medrano 7th, Jared
Bradford 8th and Sam Long
20th. In the JV division, Amanda
Henson placed 5th and Morgan Kight
10th. The varsity girls advanced to
Regionals by winning District with Allison
Jansa finishing 2nd, Megan Niehues
6th, and Noemi Guerrero 9th. Although the Lady Kats finished 9th as a
team in Regional competition, Allison
Jansa advanced to State with a sixth place finish. Coach Shana Kirkland said, “Allison ran a
great race at State, finishing 26th out of the top 101 runners in the state.” About This Publication The next issue will be Dec 12. The deadline for
that issue is Dec.10.
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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