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Glasscock County News
News About Receiving Newsletter
Mailing costs are forcing us to review our United States Postal Service (USPS) mailing list. Each month, we pay postage to mail several copies of the newsletter to invalid addresses. We also get some “Cannot Deliver” notices because we don’t have accurate e-mail addresses. Soooooo ---- if you want to continue to receive the Glasscock County News, send the information below to the newsletter’s e-mail address or post office box. Without this information, the August, 2003 issue of this newsletter will be the last sent to you. Please respond immediately. Send this information: your name, USPS address, telephone number and e-mail address Send to: e-mail – gcnews201@aol.com USPS mail – P.O. box 98, Garden City, TX 79739 Note: if you have an e-mail address, we will drop your USPS mailing and assume that you will read the newsletter online and print a hard copy if you choose. We notify online subscribers monthly when the newsletter is available, always many hours before the USPS copy gets into the mailing system. And please take the time to notify us of any future address changes! Thanks in advance for your cooperation.
County Approves Fix for Ambulance
Glasscock County commissioners on July 14 took steps to remedy problems with an anemic ambulance engine that has plagued Emergency Medical Service volunteers for several years. The existing patient compartment will be remounted onto a new Ford F350 Power Stroke diesel chassis and cab. Neil Carroll of Comanche will do the work at a cost of $44,530, approximately $15,000 less than the cost of an all-new ambulance. The old chassis and cab, with 20,000 miles, will be kept and used for other purposes. The county will also purchase Opticon Activation Systems for both the Garden City and St. Lawrence ambulances for $658 each. These systems change red traffic lights to green when within a half block distance, so that ambulances don’t have to stop at lights. EMS volunteers Allen Jansa, Mitchell Jansa, Linda Avery and Galen Schwartz were present at the commissioners’ meeting. Commissioners again discussed a new courthouse roof and were shown two samples of metal roofing material from roofer Kirby Hartmann. However, no bid from Hartmann was available, and there was no indication of whether the state historical commission would approve either of these materials for a possible future restoration. No action was taken regarding the roof. County Judge Wilburn Bednar complimented the Glasscock County Historical Committee on the veterans’ memorial and flagpole, which have now been installed on the northwest corner of the courthouse square. Local SWCD Asks County for Donation Allen Jansa and Hubert Frerich met with the court as representatives of the Glasscock County Soil and Water Conservation District to ask that the county make a donation to that organization. The SWCD is a non-profit agency that facilitates and assists Natural Resource Conservation Service programs and sets local priorities. Jansa said the district gets no state funding other than that necessary for technical planning and assistance. He said the district hopes to raise enough money through county and business donations so it can avoid sponsoring a fund-raising event. Donations are matched by the state, dollar for dollar, up to $4,400. Jansa said the SWCD doesn’t charge for its services, and asks for no donations from agricultural producers. He said he is well aware that the program has had difficulties in the past, and folks may not have been happy with it, but said, “We are trying to turn things around, and we’re getting it done.” Frerich said producers should not hesitate to ask for NRCS help, in spite of past experiences. The court asked for more information regarding the SWCD’ s operating expenses before deciding whether to donate. Precinct Four Polling Place Changes The county court officially changed Precinct Four’s polling place from the Methodist Church to the Senior Citizens’ Center. In other action, the court approved a letter to be sent to state legislators opposing redistricting, voted to donate $250 to the Howard-Glasscock Old Settlers Reunion and left vehicle registration fees unchanged. Election judges were appointed as follows: Precinct One, Ann Hoelscher, Precinct Two, Doris Schwartz, Precinct Three, Kim Hillman and Precinct Four Maritha Blalock. The commissioners discussed building a shade cover for the shooting sports area located on county-owned property near the west dump site. They discussed used county sheet metal which is now stored, and donated pipe. No action was taken. The county court’s next regular meeting is Aug. 11 at 9 a.m. upstairs in the courthouse. All meetings are open to the public.
Briefly
• Thank all of you who sent get-well cards while I was recuperating from surgery. Also, thank you for the phone calls and prayers. God bless all of you. Ella Seidenberger
• Glasscock’s Senior Citizens will meet July 15 -- bring snack foods. For the Aug. 5 meeting, the meal will be potluck. Meetings are at 6 p.m. at the Senior Citizens’ Building, and everyone 50 or older is invited to attend and enjoy the fellowship and dominoes.
• House for Sale: 640 Pecan St. in Garden City. Three BR, 2 BA, 1300 sq. ft. C/HA with deck, carport, two storage buildings and nice yard. Call 432/354-2665 for more information.
New Faculty Comes On Board
The recent resignations of Wade Wesley, Micki Wesley, Brad Jones, Stacy Jones and Linda DeWitt puts the total number of GCISD professional staff resignations this year at nine. Among the new faculty members is Koby Abney, who will teach on the secondary level and will also coach. He has a B.A. from Wayland Baptist University with majors in mathematics and history and a minor in English. He is certified to teach composite social studies, secondary English, and secondary mathematics. From 2000 to the present, he was at Whitharral High School, where, in addition to teaching, he was the head basketball, head golf and assistant football coach. From 1999 – 2000, he taught and was the assistant varsity basketball and freshman coach at Alamo Heights High School in San Antonio. Shea Gartman will teach in the secondary school. She has a degree from Angelo State University (1993) with a major in accounting. After staying at home to raise kids for several years, Gartman has most recently worked as accountant/bookkeeper for Halfmann’s General Store. Charles “Rusty” Hollingsworth will be the vocational shop teacher. He has a B.S. from Angelo State University (1994) with a double major in wildlife management and animal production, with minors in chemistry and biology. He will complete a Masters of Agricultural Education at Tarleton State University this summer. He has been at Paint Rock ISD from 2000 to the present, teaching several subjects. He operated his own welding company for six years, specializing in custom trailers, trailer repair, structural welding and repair. He works part-time as a hunting guide for Ketchum Mountain Lodge. Janet Holland will be the new school counselor. She has a B.S. in multidisciplinary studies with an emphasis in biology from Texas Tech University (2001). She taught fourth grade science in Shallowater (2002-2003). She will complete graduate work in counseling this summer at Texas Tech. As of July 15, Superintendent Steve Long was still interviewing applicants for the Spanish teaching position. On July 14, the school board gave Long the authority to offer a contract with board approval to follow in August.
Water District May Boost Tax Rate
Glasscock Underground Water Conservation District Manager Rick Harston reported to the district’s board June 17 that, barring a Governor Perry veto, the weather modification effort across the state should have enough carryover money to operate for another year. However, there are no state funds appropriated after that, meaning that water districts will need to find ways to cut expenses and will probably have to raise taxes in order to continue their cloud seeding programs. He said GUWCD will probably have to go up from 4.4 cents to 5 cents per $100 valuation in its next budget. The district will probably have a budget workshop in August, and set the tax rate in September. Because of financial concerns, Harston said the West Texas Weather Modification Association, to which GUWCD belongs, may take over Abilene’s cloud seeding program since it would bring additional revenues to the association. He said the group would charge Abilene by the acre, and that Abilene’s inclusion could net WTWMA approximately $80,000 per year on a three-year contract. After three years as GUWCD’s secretary/bookkeeper, Donna Donica resigned effective July 11 to take a job in New Braunfels. Selecting from a field of several applicants, the water district board on June 30 hired Donnita Coats to fill the job. Her salary will be $19,000 plus insurance and benefits, and there is a one-year probationary period. The water district board approved payment of $13,291 as the second half of its annual payment to WTWMA. In other financial matters, the board approved a three-month renewal of a $101,000 certificate of deposit when it matures Aug. 11. They also will renew a second CD after withdrawing $20,000 from it to cover operating expenses until new tax dollars starts coming in later in the year. That CD ($31,000) will also be renewed for three months.
School Begins Work on $6 Million Budget
Although property valuations are not yet available, so revenues are uncertain, the GCISD School Board began work on the 2003-2004 budget July 14. It will probably total $6 million, with expenditures of approximately $5.9 million. The school’s largest single expense, the WADA payment that is sent to other schools, will again be approximately $2.7 million, according to Long. Salaries at the school will top $2 million before including employee benefits and taxes. Some of those salaries are: superintendent, $72,000; secondary school principal, $41,250; elementary school principal, head football coach and athletic director combined, $55,000; counselor, $33,928; bookkeeper, $37,800; high school secretary, $26,083; elementary school secretary, $32,586; bus drivers collectively, $45,000; maintenance employees collectively, $160,000. Above regular salaries, collective stipends for athletic coaches are $38,000; collective stipends for UIL coaches are $10,000 and the stipend for band is $4,000. Aides’ salaries range from $13,000 to $22,000. Secondary School Principal John Petree told the board there are no changes to the elementary and high school student handbooks for the coming year, but there are some state-mandated changes to the student code of conduct. Petree said state code now requires that schools be more specific on rules of conduct and punishment than in the past. He reviewed some new requirements, including a daily recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States flag, and a period of reflective or meditative silence (parents may excuse their children from both). The board passed the state required changes to the code of conduct. The board gave Superintendent Steve Long the authority to accept the most advantageous bid for numerous items ranging from property insurance, cafeteria supplies, fuels and maintenance supplies to trash disposal. It also approved several budget amendments, including one which will pay for new carpet in the high school.
In The Spotlight
• The GCHS Varsity Cheerleaders received a Superior rating in the cheer and dance divisions while earning an overall Superior rating at the UCA cheerleading camp. In addition, Brecklyn Hughes, Amanda Hirt and Megan Niehues were named to the UCA Varsity All-Star squad.
• Lacricia Bruton was recently named a United States National Award Winner in foreign language by the US Achievement Academy. Lacricia, who attends St. Philip School in El Campo, TX, is the daughter of Paul and Patricia Bruton of El Campo, and the granddaughter of Bert and Shirley Bruton of St. Lawrence.
• Leslie Jansa was among 350 high school juniors and seniors from around the state who attended a five-day Texas Farm Bureau Citizenship Seminar at Angelo State University. The seminar’s purpose is to increase students’ understanding of the American heritage and capitalistic free enterprise system. Leslie, a senior at GCHS, is the daughter of Mitchell and Lynette Jansa.
Work Begins on New County Budget
The Glasscock County Commissioners’ Court began preliminary work July 14 on its 2003-2004 budget. County Treasurer Alan Dierschke presented figures showing revenue and expenditures for the past three years along with projections for the coming year. New property valuations are not yet available, so there are no firm figures for anticipated tax revenues. The budget will be discussed further at the next commissioners’ court meeting Aug. 11. Since salaries and benefits are the county’s largest expenditures, possible salary changes are outlined below. These figures do not include employee benefits, nor taxes such as FICA and Medicare, which the county pays. Sheriff Royce “Booger” Pruit is requesting raises of $1,200 each for himself, two deputies, and two office personnel. Pruit now makes $33,200 as sheriff and $13,700 as chief appraiser. His last raise as sheriff was $1,500 in 2002, and as appraiser, $300 in 2001. The two deputies each make $28,800 and their last raise was in 2001. The two sheriff’s office personnel make $23,300 and $21,800, and their last raise was $1,200 in 2000. County & District Clerk Rebecca Batla is also asking for a $1,200 raise for herself and her deputy clerk. Batla now makes $27,500 and last had a raise of $1,200 in 2000. The deputy clerk makes $23,300 and that job last had a raise of $1,942 in 2001. County Judge Wilburn Bednar is not asking for a raise for himself or his secretary. They make, respectively, $22,620 (plus a $10,000 state stipend), and $6,600. The judge’s last raise was $1,200 in 2000. Justice of the Peace Marilee Jost is not requesting a raise from her $15,600. Her last one was $1,200 in 2000.
Commissioners: Several Years Since Pay Increase Commissioners Jimmy Strube, Mark Halfmann, Hugh Schafer and Michael Hoch, who make $19,200 each, have not indicated whether they will increase their own salaries. According to Dierschke, the commissioners have not had a raise in at least six years. Dierschke is not asking for a salary increase from his $22,200. His last raise was $1,200 in 2000. He is also the Garden City Water Supply administrator at a salary of $6,000. Constable LeRoy Hoelscher is asking for a $2,400 raise to $10,200. Dierschke says Hoelscher probably has not had a raise in at least six years. No raise has been requested for Douglas Plagens, courthouse custodian, who makes $24,000. Commissioners have not discussed salaries for the road crew, the total of which now is $320,000. Nor have projections been made for other road expenses such as equipment, supplies, road building materials, or seal coating and paving.
New Pickup for Ag Agent County Agent Steve Sturtz is not asking for a raise from his current county-paid salary of $20,000. His last increase was $5,800 in 2001. Commissioners are planning on $25,000 for Sturtz a new pickup. Charlene Belew, FCS agent, is asking for a $3,000 raise to a county-paid salary of $14,500. (Extension agents’ salaries are largely paid by the state.) No change is being asked for the extension office secretary, who makes $12,000 for part-time work. Strube suggested, as “food for thought,” that the commissioners consider putting the Ag agent’s pickup into the replacement rotation with the sheriff’s department’s three vehicles. That would mean each unit would be driven four years, and then replaced. No salary changes are planned for Kenny Batla, emergency management coordinator, who makes $6,000, nor for the payment to Martin County ($6,000) for handling 911 calls. Tentatively, $20,600 has been earmarked for operating the community center, most of which is in electricity and propane costs. Dierschke said electricity is costing approximately $1,100 monthly for the center.
Hoskins to Wear Several Hats
Ken Hoskins, the newly hired elementary school principal, will also be the head football coach and athletic director. His salary will be $55,000 on an 11-month contract. Hoskins graduated from C.E. King High School in Houston (1972) and has a B.S. degree in physical education and health from Howard Payne University, where he had a golf scholarship. He earned a Master’s in education – administration and also mid-management certification from West Texas A & M University in 1986 and completed superintendent’s course work at Sul Ross State University in 1993. He has teaching fields in biology-life science – sixth grade science, English (grades 8-12), health, PE (grades 6-12) and driver’s education. Educational Experience Varied Hoskins has 25 years teaching experience. Most recently, he was at Whitharral, where he was K – 12 principal (1989-94; 1996-98), superintendent of schools (1994-96) and registrar (2002). Also at Whitharral, he was head boys’ basketball coach (1990-91), head girls’ and boys’ golf coach (1993-2000) and head football (six-man), assistant basketball and head boys’ track coach (1998-02). From 1986 to 1989, he was elementary school principal at Olton ISD, where he was also an assistant football and assistant girls’ basketball coach. At Hart ISD from 1980 to ’85, he was assistant high school principal for two years, and coached, at various times, football, girls’ and boys’ basketball and track.
Melanie Hoskins, who will teach in the local elementary school, has a B.S. in elementary education with a minor in physical education form Baylor University (1979), an M.S. in library science from West Texas A & M (1985), and 24 years teaching experience. The Hoskins have two children, Jamie Diane (19) and Brandon Keith (18).
From the Schoolhouse
Apply for School Lunch Program in Early August
GCISD Food Service Director Kay Chandler reports that applications for the school lunch program need to be completed during the week of Aug. 11 – 15. She will be in her office from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. during that time. To complete the applications, one will need a paycheck stub for both parents, address, work and home phone numbers, and social security numbers. After Aug. 22, children whose applications are not turned in will have to pay in advance for their meals.
Advance Payment for Lunches Required
Kay Chandler says this year, parents are asked to pay in advance for their children’s school lunches. The first semester (85 days), prices are $106.25 per elementary student and $127.50 per high school student. Second semester (92 days) prices are $115 per elementary student and $138 per high school student. These prices do not include the 75 cents per student breakfast meal. Chandler will be in her office from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. during the week of Aug. 11 – 15, or payments may be mailed to her attention at Garden City Schools, P.O. Box 9, Garden City, TX 79739.
Next Issue Date and Deadline
The next issue of the Glasscock County News will be Aug. 13. The deadline for that issue is Aug. 11, but earlier material is helpful. Send information to: P.O. Box 98, Garden City, TX 79739; phone or fax: 432/354-2221; e-mail: gcnews201@aol.com. The Glasscock County News is published by Joe Melanie Calverley, P. O. Box 98, Garden City, TX, 79739. Phone or fax: 432/354-2221; e-mail: gcnews201@aol.com; web site: http://glasscockcountynews.com/
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