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Glasscock County News
Notice: The Glasscock County News will NOT be published in June. Publication date for the July issue is July 13.
School Hires Counselor, Coach
The GCISD school board (Tibby Niehues absent) hired Alonzo Garcia as a coach/teacher and Krista Hughes as the school counselor at its meeting May 9. The board also accepted the resignations of Shana Gartman and Addie Nauman. Koby Abney was named the head boys’ basketball coach, replacing Cory Richardson. The board decided to ask Melanie Hoskins, a certified librarian, if she would be interested in a contract position, which is now filled by a certified librarian sent by the educational co-op at a cost to the school of $5,100 per year. The school has not employed a full-time certified librarian in 2 years, but is required to have one make monthly visits to monitor the library’s operation. Grant for Summer School; Work Program School Superintendent Steve Long reported that he has applied for a $13,000 Project Smart grant to fund summer school and a summer work program. He said kids will be hired to work most of June and July from 7 a.m. – 4 p.m. doing things like waxing floors, cleaning carpets, painting and doing minor repairs around the school. Ken Hoskins said five teachers will staff summer school, which will be held Monday – Thursday, June 1 – 28. Karla Hoelscher and Kevin Hirt, board members beginning new terms, were sworn in, and the board reorganized itself. Karla Hoelscher was elected president, Tibby Niehues was re-elected vice-president and Andy Wheeler was chosen secretary. Long presented outgoing board president Jimmy Eggemeyer a certificate of appreciation for his five ears of service to the school. Eggemeyer did not run for reelection when his term expired this year. Long announced that there will be a board and staff dinner at La Posada in Big Spring May 16 at 6 p.m. He also said the recent band trip to San Antonio went very well and that 60 people were along. Enrollment figures: 155 in PK – 6; 144 in grades 7 – 12.
In The Spotlight
• Lyza-Ann Lopez, a GCHS freshman and the daughter of Olga Trevino, has been nominated to “Who’s Who Among American High School Students.”
• Ryan Batla received the Senior Merit Award from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Texas A & M University. The award is given to the most outstanding students in recognition of their academic achievement, distinguished leadership and service to the college. Ryan, a 2001 graduate of GCHS, is the son of Becky and Larry Batla.
• Congratulations to GCHS students who competed in both academic and athletic events at the state level. Results of several earlier events are also included (see From the Schoolhouse).
Meet GCISD’s New Teachers
Alonzo Garcia, who has been hired to teach and coach, received a Bachelor of Physical Science in kinesiology from Angelo State University in May 2004 with concentrations in kinesiology and secondary mathematics. He will soon begin certification testing in kinesiology, P.E., mathematics and professional development. Garcia’s prior work experiences includes being a forklift operator and steel loader for Hirschfeld Steel and warehouse inventory and delivery person for Bratton’s Furniture in San Angelo. Most recently, he has been working at Wyn-Lor in Garden City. Krista Hughes, the newly hired school counselor, received a Bachelor of Art in sociology, physical education and recreation with a minor in psychology from Southeastern Oklahoma State University in 1989. She earned a Masters of Education in Counseling from Sul Ross State University in 1997. She is certified as both a school counselor K – 12 and a special education teacher K – 12. She is also qualified to test for the Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) designation. Since July 2004, Hughes has been a school counselor at Big Spring Junior High. Prior to that, she was an elementary special education teacher in the Midland ISD for four years. She also worked for nine years for the Permian Basin Centers for MHMR Children’s Clinic in Midland in several positions, including hospital liaison, case coordinator, assertive outreach therapist and clinician.
Briefly
• Ervin and Bertie Wooten’s children invite you to join an anniversary celebration May 21 from 5 to 9 p.m. (come and go or just stay) at the Glasscock County Senior Citizen’s Center in Garden City. No gifts, please.
• Glasscock County Senior Citizens will meet May 17, bring snacks or finger foods. On June 7, bring either a salad or dessert; meat will be furnished. The group meets at 6 p.m. on the first and third Tuesdays of the month and everyone 50 years or older is invited.
• Olga DeHoyos Trevino thanks everyone for the prayers, calls and visits following her recent surgery.
• The Glasscock County Bank thanks everyone for making the Appreciation Luncheon such a big success.
• School Events to Remember: Baccalaureate, May 15, 3 p.m. Ruth Cook Auditorium (Rev. Steve Paris of the First Baptist Church in Garden City is the speaker); Graduation, May 20, 7:30 p.m., auditorium.
• The date for Rent-A-Kat has been changed to May 17 at the football stadium. There will be hot dogs at 6 p.m. and the auction at 7. Bearkat and Lady Kat athletes may be “bought” at auction for doing miscellaneous jobs. Proceeds go to athletic activity fund.
• Installation of the Garden City Cemetery’s new fence and arch has begun. The G.C. Cemetery Committee is hopeful that this project will be completed in the not-too-distant future.
• House for Sale: 1500 sq. ft., 3 bedrooms/2 baths, brick exterior with open floor plan, central heat and air, metal roof, attached carport, city water and fenced yard. For information, call Troy or Jennifer Calverley 325-223-8636.
• Reminder: Only bagged or burned trash is taken at the west dump. Empty barrels, appliances, etc. should go to the north landfill. Tires, batteries and oil filters are not legal at either site.
• Lance Armstrong’s tennis camp will be here May 31 – June 3. For information, call Armstrong, 687-4046 or Tammy Halfmann, 354-2367.
Tax Abatement for Wind Farm Possible
Glasscock County’s Commissioners’ Court met in special session April 28 with representatives of Wind Plus, a renewable energy company. In six to eight weeks, the company is likely to ask the county for a tax abatement for a wind farm it is planning to construct in the county. At a later date, the company may also ask for easements along some county roads for construction of transmission lines. The company has leased four sections of land in the northeast part of the county. The leased sections are: Sec. 4 (Ray Walker), 6 (Marck Schafer), 10 and 12 (Emma Schafer and Rosie Roberts), Blk. 32, T-3-S, T. & P. RR. Co. Survey. The company intends to build a wind farm of 42 turbines, which is to be called the Schafer Ranch Project at an estimated cost of $105 million. The turbines are expected to generate 75 mega watts of electrical power, which will be transmitted over about eight miles of TXU lines to a Forsan substation and sold to retail electric providers. The construction will take 9 to 12 months, with an expected completion date of January 2007. The life of the project is expected to be more than 20 years. Company May Employ Locals During Construction The company representatives said construction of the wind farm will require 50 to 100 contract employees, and that they have asked contractors to use local people wherever possible. Test towers will soon be installed in order to compile data for several months. A maintenance crew is to remain after the project is completed. The Wind Plus representatives explained to the county court what steps would be necessary to set up the legal structure necessary prior to actually voting for a tax abatement at a later date. There was no definite percentage of abatement discussed, nor was there an estimate as to the taxable value of the installation. The representatives told the court that Howard County has granted them a 70 percent abatement on 10.5 sections for 10 years and that Sterling County has given 70 percent for 10 years on 12,000 acres. State law allows counties to abate up to 100 percent of a property’s assessed tax value. School districts are not allowed to give tax abatements; so here, Glasscock County and the Glasscock Groundwater Conservation District are the only taxing entities which could do so. County to Create Reinvestment Zone According to materials the Wind Plus representatives provided, tax abatements are available only in “reinvestment zones.” An area may be designated as a reinvestment zone if, as a result of the designation, it is reasonably likely that it would attract major investment and be a benefit to the property and would contribute to the economic development of the taxing unit. The county commissioners’ court may designate any qualifying area of the county as a reinvestment zone. To do so, it must describe and designate zone boundaries and must hold a public hearing with seven days notice by publishing in a circulated county newspaper and delivering it in writing to the presiding officer of the governing body of each taxing unit. A designation is granted for five years and may be renewed for periods not exceeding five years. Guidelines and Criteria to be Established The governing body of each taxing entity must establish guidelines and criteria for tax abatements; adopt a resolution stating the taxing unit elects to participate in tax abatements; finalize the abatement agreement (governing body may exempt all or part of the increase in property value for a period of up to 10 years); ensure that the abatement agreement and property itself meet the established guidelines and criteria, and finally, approve the abatement agreement in a formal resolution. In answer to questions, the Wind Plus representatives said they chose Glasscock County because they were able to get land in a place where people are not the “not in my back yard” types; the wind data and terrain of land were right; they were able to get right of way for interconnection to the Howard County project, and transmission lines are accessible for getting generated power out. They also said they would be able to condemn land if necessary to get right of way necessary to access the lease, but they would do that only as a last resort and do not expect to do so.
Seal Coating Cut Due to Paving Costs
At its May 10 meeting, the Glasscock County Commissioners’ Court accepted Jones Brothers $212,000 bid for paving slightly more than 6 miles of roads but dropped 3 miles of seal coating which would have cost another $46,000. The bids were: Reese Albert, $260,067 for the paving and $54,000 for seal coating; Jones Bros., $211,858 for paving and $46,426 for seal coating. Commissioners had budgeted $200,000 for paving and seal coating combined for this fiscal year, Paving will be on 3.67 miles of County Road 270 from RM Highway 33 east to road’s end; one-half mile of Sherrod Road and 1.96 miles of CR495 from CR 490 north to the Martin County line. County Judge Wilburn Bednar reported he has been notified that the county has received a grant award agreement from the state of Texas to help implement the Help America Vote Act (HAVA). The grant is in addition to one received in September 2004, and the two total $67,000. According to County Clerk Becky Batla, the county will be required to have five approved electronic voting machines by January 2006. The machines must be of a type than a blind or otherwise handicapped person can use. She said the machines will cost approximately $67,000 plus $1,500 per election for programming and $1,500 per year for maintenance. Accepting the grant requires that Bednar sign some paper work. Batla said if the county doesn’t accept the grant monies now, it will have to pay for the machines by itself later. Commissioners voted to accept the state grants. Constable Remains Animal and Rabies Control Person The commissioners reaffirmed that animal control and rabies control authority (both required by the state) would remain part of the county constable’s job, as they have been in the past. There had been some question about whether Leroy Hoelscher would be paid to continue in that capacity. Commissioners said Constable Mark Frysak might have to take courses and be certified for these duties. The county will pay for such training and for cages or other equipment as needed. After much discussion of the need for improved mowing equipment for use along county roads, commissioners decided to try getting by with just one mowing rig before buying two tractors for that purpose. They decided to lease one tractor ($2,000 per month) now with an option to buy and to check on trading an old mowing tractor in on a second new one. There was discussion of hiring college kids to mow until the county road crew can complete preparations for paving, but no action was taken. First National Bank of Sterling City, Glasscock County Branch was again selected as the county’s depository for two years. There were no other bids. County Treasurer Alan Dierschke said an attorney has reviewed changes to the county’s personnel manual. He said the main changes were in doing away with family medical leave, adding overtime for hourly employees and doing away with compensatory time, and changing the road crew’s lunch break from an hour to 30 minutes, to be taken at the job site. In an earlier meeting, County Judge Wilburn Bednar noted that two fire trucks are still not in a shelter. Commissioner Michael Hoch said the school needs their bus barn space in the summer, so it will not be available for fire truck shelter. Commissioner Marck Schafer said one truck could be put under the shed at the county barn. Hoch said the county’s ambulance barn was built so it can be added on to at the west end and could accommodate two or three more bays.
Man, Three Horses and a Dog Stop in G.C.
U.S. Army Retired SFC Stan Perdue, who is traveling from Georgia to Arizona on horseback to honor U.S. troops, recently made a stop in Garden City. He left Maysville, GA Aug 14, 2004 and is headed for Sierra Vista, AZ. Perdue and his horses, Apache, Banjo and Suzy-Q, plus his Blue Heeler, Bandit, travel about 3.5 miles an hour. He largely relies on locals for helping him find food and water for himself and his animals. As of May 12, he was near Andrews. After the Hubert Frerich family fed and watered his horses on May 2, Perdue spent three nights with Jim and Diane Havlak, where he was able to shower and wash clothes. Since it was unexpectedly cold when he was here, Tex Halfmann gave Perdue his jacket. He played dominoes with local men at the Havlak’s Wyn-Lor garage, hunted rattlesnakes and rabbits with Travis Coats and K.C. Smith, and photographed baby owls they found in a deer blind. He also met folks in the courthouse where he used Becky Batla’s computer to access his web site. Perdue is periodically posting photos of his trip on his web site, and there are several of people and places in Garden City. His web site is http://home.alltel.net/perduew/ His email address is stanley_perdue@alltel.net and his cell phone is 706/654-7585.
From the Schoolhouse
Honor Rolls Announced (Fifth Six Weeks 2005)
Elementary School • All A’s: Hugo Almazan, Mikaela Garza, Hope Halfmann, Carlie Hollingsworth, Megan Hughes, Christopher Murphy-Reed, Araceli Bocanegra, Holly Halfmann, Brazos Hirt, Kadden Kothmann, Antonio Ramirez, Ashley Halfmann, Cody Halfmann, Kellan Kirkland, Amie Lopez, Lexie Schaefer, Agatha Koethler, Izamar Ocon, Reggie Halfmann, Katy Multer, Shelby Schwartz, Hayden Halfmann, Heather Havlak, Katelyn Hoelscher, Dylan Lowery, Brittney Schniers.
• A Average: Brooklyn Batla, Emily Glass, Bailey Matschek, Tristin Rodriguez, Hope Allen, Ty Halfmann, Daeley Havlak, Maddie Hoelscher, Rico Mier, Ismael Ramirez, Brylie Schaefer, Brandon Gartman, Shawn Walker, Miguel Bocanegra, Austin Hoelscher, Sarah Hoelscher, Peyton Schaefer, Craig Wheeler, Sarah Avery, Cassie Hirt, Taylor Hughes, Calleen Jansa, Jessi Jones, Michael Lopez, Jessica Olveda, Brian Hirt, Samantha Kellermeier, M’Call Schaefer.
UIL Academic Meet Results
At the state UIL academic meet in Austin, Garden City students and teams placed as follows: Accounting: Amanda Hirt-3rd, Megan Niehues-9th, David Neufeld-10th, Timothy Schniers-14, team placed 2nd; Calculator Applications; Taylor Niehues-5th, Wade Jansa-9th, Megan Niehues-14th, Tyler Bednar-17th, team placed 2nd; Informative Speaking: Tracy Eggemeyer-5th; Mathematics: Taylor Niehues-5th, Wade Jansa-9th, Colton Schwartz-16th, Megan Niehues-23rd, team placed 2nd; Number Sense: Taylor Niehues – 5th, Wade Jansa-12th, Colton Schwartz-19th, Katie Gully-20th, team placed 2nd; Science: Taylor Niehues-11th, Colton Schwartz-19th, Cory Multer-19th, Wade Jansa-24th, team placed 4th. Students who placed in the top 6 in each event were awarded a medal, and the top 3 teams also received medals. Garden City High School placed 5th overall in the state competition. From the regional UIL academic meet, those students who placed in the top 3 in each event advanced to the state meet. The top team in each team event advanced to state. In addition, a wild card team, which is the highest scoring second place team in the conference (1-A), advanced to state. Regional results were: Accounting: Amanda Hirt-1st, Megan Niehues-2nd, David Neufeld-4th, Timothy Schniers-13th, team placed 1st and advanced to state; Calculator Applications; Taylor Niehues-1st, Wade Jansa-6th, Tyler Bednar-10th, Megan Niehues-13th, team placed 1st and advanced to state; Computer Applications: Taylor Niehues -4th, Viviana Gamboa-5th; Computer Science: Taylor Niehues-8th, David Neufeld-10th, Colton Schwartz-21st, Angel Rodriquez-26th, team placed 4th; Mathematics: Taylor Niehues-1st, Wade Jansa-6th, Colton Schwartz-18th, Megan Niehues-20th, team placed 2nd and advanced (wild card); Number Sense: Taylor Niehues – 2nd, Wade Jansa-7th, Colton Schwartz-15th, Katie Gully-16th, team placed 2nd and advanced (wild card); Science: Taylor Niehues-3rd, Colton Schwartz-4th, Wade Jansa-14th, Cory Multer-19th, Top Biology-Taylor Niehues, team placed 2nd and advanced (wild card); Spelling: Emily Gully-16th; Informative Speaking: Tracy Eggemeyer-3rd, advanced to state.
NOTE: In addition to those students named in the April newsletter as placing in the District UIL Academic Meet, in Cross Examination Debate, Blaine Walker and Jason Flores, 3rd place team; Evan Jansa and Cade Halfmann, 4th place team.
BPA News
At the Business Professionals Association’s national competition recently in Anaheim, California, Megan Niehues and Taylor Niehues were national winners each finishing in the top 10 in their event, Megan in advanced accounting and Taylor in spreadsheet applications. Timothy Schniers also participated in advanced accounting.
Varsity Tennis Tourney Results
Alex Halfmann and Taylor Niehues advanced to the Class 1-A boy’ doubles semi-final round of the state tournament in Austin May 9 – 10, finishing in third place after falling to the eventual 1-A championship team from Miami. At the regional meet in Abilene April 27-28, Niehues and Halfmann placed second overall in boy’s doubles and advanced to the state tournament in Austin. Evan Jansa and Nick Sanchez were defeated in first round play by the third-seeded team from Lohn. Garden City students placing in District 9-1A tennis meet played in Garden City April 11-12 were: boys’ doubles – 1. Niehues -Halfmann; 2. Jansa –Sanchez; girls’ doubles – 3. Amanda Hirt-Brandi Halfmann. girls’ singles – 3. Megan Niehues. First and second places advanced to regionals.
Junior High District Tennis Results
Junior High students placing in District 9-1A tennis meet in Garden City May 7 were: eighth grade, girls’ singles – 1. Lauren Wheeler, 2. Melissa Hirt; boys’ singles – 3. Michael Clark; girls’ doubles – 2. Macy Schwartz-Sydney Halfmann; boys’ doubles – 3. Travis Gully-Marcus Cook; seventh grade, girls’ singles – 3. Paige Niehues; girls’ doubles – 2. Morgan Schwartz-Kelsey Jones; boys’ doubles – 2. Jonathan Gutierrez, Ever Martinez.
Junior High State TMSCA Results
Garden City students placed second in the State Junior High Texas Math and Science Coaches Association Sweepstakes in San Antonio recently. Brooke Halfmann placed second as Top Gun and Michael Clarke was third. Team members and their places in competition were: Math Team – Jake Schwartz, Brooke Halfmann, Michael Clarke and Hayden Halfmann, 2nd; Science Team – Laura Halfmann, Schwartz, B. Halfmann and Noemi Gonzales, 2nd; Number Sense Team – B. Halfmann, Schwartz, Clarke and H. Halfmann; Calculator Team – H. Halfmann, Clarke, Adriana Ramirez and Brian Hirt. Individual placements were: H. Halfmann – Math 1st, Number Sense 3rd, Calculator 2nd; Brittany Schniers – Math 14th, Science 3rd; Hirt – Number Sense 4th, Calculator 5th; Kate Halfmann – Math 13th, Number Sense 15th; Gonzales – Math 14th, Science 6th; Ramirez – Math 16th, Number Sense 13th, Calculator 6th; L. Halfmann – Science 3rd, Paige Niehues – Science 20th; Schwartz – Math 3rd, Science 9th, Number Sense 8th; B. Halfmann – Math 5th, Science 10th, Number Sense 2nd, Calculator 8th; Clark – Math 6th, Science 13th, , Number Sense 14th, Calculator 5th.
Golf Teams’ Regional Results
The Garden City boy’s and girl’s golf teams competed in the Region II - 1A tournament in Abilene April 25 - 26. The girl’s team, whose members are Kayla Medrano, Amanda Hirt, Erin Hirt, Brandi Halfmann and Rebecca Cmerek, finished fifth. The boy’s team of Chase O’Brien, Taylor Niehues, Cory Multer, Sam Long and Eric Hirt placed eleventh.
Obituaries
• Dale Hillger, 66, died May 6 at his home in Garden City and was buried in Garden City Cemetery. He was born Aug. 9, 1938 in Big Spring, and was a fifth generation Hillger to live continuously in Glasscock County. His family settled here in 1893. He married JoAnn Deiterman in 1958 and they lived in San Diego until he was discharged in 1960 from the U.S. Navy and he came home to farm and ranch with his father. He and his family worked on various farms and ranches until they bought a farm in St. Lawrence, where they lived for 24 years until 1999 when he sold the farm and built a home in Garden City, where they retired in 2000. Dale never met anyone he didn’t like or anyone who didn’t like him. His attitude was always upbeat and he fought a courageous battle with cancer for more than five ears, always in good spirits. He was a member of St. Lawrence Catholic Church. Survivors include his wife, JoAnn Hillger; two sons and daughters-in-law, Mike and Nancy Hillger and Scott and Andrea Hillger; one daughter and son-in-law, Dana and Brian Cook; six grandsons, Justin Hillger, Brian Hillger, Darren Hillger, Trey Hillger, Kevin Hillger and Marcus Cook: one granddaughter, Britni Cook, all of Garden City, and numerous other family and friends. The family suggests memorials to the American Cancer Society Memorial Program, P.O. Box 2121, Big Spring 79720, Home Hospice, 111 E. Seventh St, Suite A, Big Spring 79720 or West Texas Boys Ranch, 10223 Boys Ranch Road, San Angelo 76904.
• Cleaborn Monroe Schmitz, 70, of Odessa, died Saturday, May 7 at Odessa Medical Center Hospital and was buried at Sunset Memorial Gardens. He was born to Curt and Onnie Schmitz on Nov. 18, 1934 in Friona. He is survived by his wife, Sandra Schmitz of Odessa; one son, Randy Schmitz and wife, Melissa of Midkiff; two daughters, Cathy Fields of Wolf City, and Lynn Mullins and husband Jeff of Austin; 14 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. His mother and father, sister, Geneva Schmitz, and a stepson, Edy Whitmore, Jr., preceded him in death. Next Issue Date and Deadline
The next issue of the Glasscock County News will be July 13. The deadline for that issue is July 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: glasscockcountynews.com
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