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Glasscock County News
TXDOT
Discusses Widening Highway 158 At
a public meeting Sept. 18 in the Ruth Cook Auditorium, officials from the
Texas Department of Transportation explained their $69 million plan for
widening State Highway 158 some 53 miles from the Midland County line to U.S.
Highway 87 near Sterling City. The work will upgrade Highway 158 to be part
of the Texas Trunk System, a network of 4-lane, divided highways which
complements the Interstate Highway system and enhances mobility, according to
TXDOT officials. The upgrade is
necessary for safety and to allow for future growth, according to TXDOT. [TXDOT first discussed this project
locally in December, 1998.] Highway
158 will be widened to a divided four-lane with a 76-foot median. Work will
be done in seven projects consisting of six to ten miles each, starting at
Highway 87 and coming west, though the projects may be hop-scotched, rather
than done contiguously. Each project will require approximately 18 months to
complete, with the first expected to begin in September 2002. There
will be three right-of-way acquisition projects, two in Glasscock County and
one in Sterling County. The ROW now is 120 feet wide and an average of
another 120 to 130 feet will be taken. Right-of-way maps are still being
developed, and will not be available until late 2001 or early 2002. No ROW dollar
values are available now. Since the work is on the highway trunk system,
there will be no ROW acquisition cost to Glasscock County, according to
County Commissioner Michael Hoch. TXDOT
is paying special attention to conflicts with utilities such as electric
lines and fiber optic cable.
Officials said the cost of utility relocation dictated most of their
decisions on whether to go north or south of the existing highway. They will
go north in some areas and south in others. They said they have done everything
possible to minimize the works’ environmental impact, including trying to
avoid commercial installations, prime farmland and water resources. There are
approximately 12 miles of gas lines, 21 miles of fiber optic cable, and 21
miles of overhead electrical wires in the anticipated project areas. Local
FSA Office Seeks Stand-alone Status On
Sept. 18, the Texas Food and Agriculture Council (FAC) joined the Glasscock
County FAC in asking that the National FAC allow the Glasscock County Farm
Service Agency (FSA) to remain open as a stand-alone service center. The
county FAC, in its recommendation, noted that the workload of the local FSA
office is such that the office was recently upgraded to a size 12, having met
all five requirements for the upgrade. In calendar year 2000, the office paid
$9 million to eligible producers at an administrative cost of $.02 per dollar
issued. In 1999, the office paid producers $12 million with an administrative
cost of $.016 per dollar issued. So far in 2001, more than $5 million in
payments have been made, plus $134,000 in EQIP funding, $196,000 in ECP
allocations and $210,000 in CRP rental payments to be made. The local FSA
office administers some eleven programs. The
county FAC stated that transferring this workload to another county office
would result in hiring additional personnel to do the work of the local
office. In addition, the county FAC said closing the office would create a
hardship for producers, who would have to travel long distances for office
visits, as well as adversely affecting the local economy. To
date, there has been no word as to when the agency might issue its ruling. County
Court Meets in Regular Session Meeting
in regular session Oct. 9, the Glasscock County Commissioners’ Court discussed
buying a used car for use by courthouse employees. County Treasurer Alan
Dierschke had located three cars: a 1999 Ford Crown Victoria with 13,500
miles for $15,850 and two 2000 Mercury Grand Marquis LS’s with 24,000 and
24,500 miles, each priced at $14,850. No decision was made, pending
additional information from another car dealer. A
request from Deputy Sheriff Keith Barnett for new carpeting in the deputy’s
apartment and a deputy’s request for a $300 per month fee which would be paid
to an Intoxilizer technician were both tabled. Commissioners, in agreeing to
table the requests for unbudgeted items, indicated that any requests
requiring budget amendments should come from a department head. Glasscock
County does not have an Intoxilizer machine, which is used in providing
evidence of drunk driving. Drivers suspected of DWI must be taken to a
neighboring county for breath analysis. A machine for this work costs between
$5,000 and $7,000, according to Commissioner Hugh Schafer. A prerequisite for
an Intoxilizer is a technician (who would work for more than one county) to
calibrate the machine and monitor its working condition. At
the suggestion of Commissioner Jimmy Strube, the court decided check into
providing cell phones for each of the four maintainer drivers. Strube said
the phones are needed to better coordinate road crew activities. The cost of
the service was said to be $20 per phone per month, plus the cost of the
phones. In
The Spotlight • Lindsey Chudej was named Band Sweetheart and Daniel Martinez was named Escort on
Sept. 21at pre-game events during Homecoming weekend. During half-time activities, Collene Cox was crowned Homecoming
Queen, and Boyd Batla was named
Mr. Bearkat. •
Both Dean Brown and former
Glasscock County resident Terry
Lankford were selected to show their work at the Texas Mesquite
Association’s Ninth Annual Mesquite Art Festival Oct. 12—14 in
Fredericksburg. The festival features the world’s largest selection of
original mesquite art, sculpture, furniture, jewelry, turnings, architectural
accents, gift items, ornaments and musical instruments. For more information,
call 1/866/839-3378 or visit www.texasmesquiteassn.org. Lawsuit
Outcome Favors County A
jury in federal court in San Angelo Sept. 24 deliberated 45 minutes before
finding that Veronica Schroyer was an exempt employee while she worked for
Glasscock County and therefore was not eligible for compensation for overtime
hours. According to County Judge Wilburn Bednar, Schroyer was found
responsible for court costs. Schroyer and her husband Fred testified for the
plaintiff; Bednar, Glasscock County Treasurer Alan Dierschke and former
Glasscock County 911 dispatcher Robin Saverance testified for the defense. Schroyer was terminated as Glasscock
County’s emergency management coordinator and 911 dispatcher in April 2000,
after holding those jobs since 1993. In April 2000, she billed the county for
$78,000 for unpaid overtime, which the county refused to pay. Schroyer filed
suit against the county in July 2000. Local Master Gardener
Training Possible
By Mary Barfield WHAT IS THE TEXAS
MASTER GARDENER PROGRAM? The TMGP is a volunteer educational
program conducted by the Texas Agricultural Extension Service and is open to
people of all ages, regardless of socioeconomic level, race, color, sex,
handicap, national origin or veteran status. CAN
ANYONE BECOME A MASTER GARDENER? 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, you must complete 50 hours of training
and fifty hours of volunteer time by mid-fall, 2002. WHEN
WOULD TRAINING BEGIN? Classes would begin after the middle of
January 2002, and run through April. The days and times can be flexible. WHERE
WOULD THE CLASSES BE HELD? This is also to be arranged, but would
be either in Garden City or St. Lawrence. WHAT
ELSE IS INVOLVED? 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.
In order for the program to be justified, there must be a minimum enrollment
of 20, and commitments must be made by mid-December. This opportunity will be
coordinated by extension agents Steve Sturtz and Debbie Benge Frost, agent
for Midland and Odessa. If you think you might be interested in
this training, contact Sturtz at 354-2381 or Mary Barfield at 354-2438. Briefly
• Baby-sitter
needed.
Robin Moore needs a sitter on Mondays and Wednesdays from 3:50 p.m.
until 10 p.m. for two children, ages 3 and 5. You can reach her at work, 264-5083 or at home, 354-2429. • The Lions Club
Halloween Carnival will be Saturday, Oct. 27 at 6:30 p.m.
in the school bus barn. It will include bingo, a cakewalk, coke ring, raffle,
auction and a concession stand, plus the ever-popular kids’ costume contest. • The Glasscock
County Food Show is scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 28 at 4
p.m. at the St. Lawrence Hall. • The community
calendar, at
www.glasscockcountytx.com is
a comprehensive listing of events, meetings, etc., in the county. Contact the
extension office at 354-2608, or at P.O. Box 299, or e-mail Glasscock-TX@tamu.edu to add items to
the calendar. • Holiday poinsettias can be ordered from the
local 4-H club through Oct. 29, at a cost of $10 each. The plants are coming
from a new supplier and are supposed to be bigger and better than ever. If a
4-H member does not contact you, call the extension office, 354-2381 or
354-2608 to place your order. Delivery will be during the first two weeks in
December. •
The American Association of
Poison Control Centers has established a single telephone number for
people to use to reach their local poison control center. The number is 1/800/222-1222. When
people call this number, a computer checks their area codes and first three
digits of their phone numbers, then automatically connects the callers to
their nearest poison control center. •
The community Thanksgiving
dinner, hosted by the First Baptist Church, will be Nov. 11 at 12:30 p.m.
in the school cafeteria. •
The Lions Club will hold a benefit pancake supper Nov. 9 from 5
to 7 p.m. in the school cafeteria before the Roscoe football game. Proceeds
from the supper will benefit Ronnie Henrichs, whose house was recently
destroyed by fire. •
This month’s GCISD School Board
meeting was changed from Oct. 8 to Oct. 15, and will be covered in the
November GC News. •
Practices for a community
Christmas program are being held each Sunday at 5 p.m. at the Baptist
Church. Anyone in the community who
wishes to participate is welcome. The program, entitled “Bless This Wonderful
Name,” will be presented Dec. 9. For
additional information, call Donna Donica 354-2626 or 354-2340 (work). County Sells Used Cars Meeting
in special session Sept. 28, the Glasscock County Commissioners’ Court
accepted the high bids for three cars originally used by the local sheriff’s
department. Charles Chandler purchased both the 1996 and 1997 cars for $3,250
each, and Joe Padilla bought the 1998 vehicle for $4,450. Nine individuals
and three used car companies submitted bids for one or more of the cars. Wayne
Halfmann wanted the court’s permission to take tire pieces which TXDOT picks
up along state highways in the county to the county barn. Commissioners decided instead to ask that
such tires be taken to the north landfill if it is open, and if not, to store
them in the TXDOT yard until they have a load, and then take them to the
landfill. In
a meeting Sept. 21, the county commissioners officially set the county’s
2001-2002 tax rate at 41 cents per $100 valuation. Used
Cell Phones for Violence Victims Victim
Services in Big Spring is sponsoring a used cell phone drive during October
and November to assist victims of domestic violence. Old cell phones are
modified and given to victims to be used for 911 emergency calls. Drop-off
locations for used cell phones include the Big Spring Police Department at
400 E. Fourth; Howard Count Sheriff’s Office, 300 S. Main; KBST, 608 Johnson
and Wes-Tex Telecom, 711 Scurry.
Also, on Oct. 27 there will be celebrity carhop fundraisers at both
Sonic Drive-ins in Big Spring. October
is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Victim Services points out
that domestic violence affects all ages, races and economic backgrounds. They
explain that battering is the number one crime against and cause of injury to
women in the U.S. today and is no longer limited to adult relationships and
marriages, since dating violence now affects many youth. For
more information, call Victim Services, 263-3312. About This Publication The next issue will be Nov.14. The deadline for
that issue is Nov.12. 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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