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Glasscock County News
Increased Vandalism Concerns County Court
At a special budget meeting Sept. 29, the Glasscock County Commissioners’ Court (Michael Hoch absent) discussed what was characterized as increased vandalism and destruction in the county. Deputy Sheriff Keith Burnett, saying he was looking for direction from the court, said serious incidents of vandalism have increased lately, and on-site community service as punishment has not worked as a deterrent. He said more than the usual “slap on the wrist” will be necessary to deal with the problem. Burnett said the most recent incident involved vehicles being driven over a wet baseball field in St. Lawrence, causing “…knee-deep ruts” and several damaged sprinkler heads. The field is owned by the county. Burnett said the damage easily exceeded $1,500, the threshold for a felony charge. Burnett said he holds three young men responsible for the damage. He said two of the three are GCHS graduates, who are now college students, and another is a college student from Midland. (Editor’s Note: Even though the perpetrators are not minors, no names were available for publication because no complaints or charges have been filed.) The commissioners’ court apparently chose to handle the problem internally with no legal action. However, County Judge Wilburn Bednar said he was insistent that those guilty of damages face at least community service and restitution plus a hearing before him. St. Lawrence Ball Field Termed ‘Party Park’ Burnett, with agreement from the commissioners’ court, blamed parents for a large part of the vandalism problem, saying too many parents excuse such behavior as “kids just being kids.” Burnett said the St. Lawrence ballpark has become a weekend “party park,” and Commissioner Jimmy Strube agreed. They said kids and young adults often go there on weekends, not to play ball, but to drink and carouse. Strube, who lives nearby, said the “parties” often last until 4 or 5 a.m., and he cited excessive speed along county roads in the vicinity as part of the problem. Burnett said people from Big Lake and Big Spring now join local revelers, and both alcohol and drugs are available. Problem Due to ‘Handful’ of People; Not Widespread Burnett said the problem is with a particular “handful” of young people, and is not widespread among Glasscock County’s youth. Strube said,” Everyone involved (law enforcement, county court) wants to make responsible adults of these kids.” All agreed that restrictions regarding the ball field, if necessary, would unfairly impact kids who want to use it for legitimate, wholesome purposes, as most kids have done in the past. Several options were discussed to remedy the problem of increasing vandalism, including filing charges against repeat offenders, but none were put into place. Burnett said charges were filed against seven Forsan youth who recently damaged the Garden City football field. Burnett said the charges against these offenders were Class A Misdemeanors, with deferred adjudication. The five who were over 17 years will pay a probationary fee of $500 each; the two who were under 17 will pay $214 each in restitution and in addition, all seven will pay $30 per month for six months. Those under 17 must be at home seven days per week before 9 p.m. for six months, and all must do 50 hours each of community service. In other action, the court designated October as Czech Heritage Month in Glasscock County and with little discussion, approved several budget amendments before finalizing the current year’s budget.
USDA Plan Threatens Local Office
A recent Department of Agriculture plan for restructuring the Farm Service Agency, termed FSA Tomorrow, calls for potential consolidations of 713 FSA offices nationwide. Under this plan, all state officials, including those in Texas, are required to review all offices for possible consolidation. In addition, Texas officials must conduct an even closer review of 139 Texas Commodity Program Offices that did not meet the minimum workload and travel distance thresholds established in Washington, D.C. This includes the Glasscock County FSA office. By Nov. 15, Texas officials must submit a prioritized listing of 70 FSA offices that should be considered for consolidation. Texas is also to identify and recommend for consolidation four Farm Loan Program delivery points. Distance between offices and staffing were the two criteria given primary consideration in the weighted listing of offices to be considered for consolidation. Any office scoring less than 60 points was selected for review. Both national and state officials recommended Glasscock County’s office, which scored 53.52 total points, for review. Other area FSA offices’ scores were: Howard County 48.30 points, Martin County 47.91 points and Midland County 40.52 points, but only Washington recommended review of those three offices. Reagan County scored 76.58 points and was not recommended for review at all. Producers May Take Action Producers concerned about the possible consolidation of the local office may take action by contacting their representatives and senators in Washington. The most effective correspondence should probably deal with non-statistical data, which describe unique attributes of the local office, merits of the office’s location, and reasons it should not be consolidated. If Glasscock County’s FSA office were closed, its producers would be able to choose which neighboring office they want to handle their business. Midland, Martin, Howard, and Reagan counties would be options. The statewide weighted table, along with an explanation of the weighting, is available in the local FSA office. Sources for more information include the following web sites: www.nafec.org (National Association of Farmer Elected Committee Members); www.nascoe.org (official site of National Association of Farm Service Agency County Office Employees); www.nascoemembers.org (unofficial site of NASCOE members) and www.fsa.usda.gov/pas/tomorrow/fsatomorrow.htm (FSA’s site on FSA Tomorrow plan)
In The Spotlight
• Cory Multer won a $1000 scholarship from the Hext Family Foundation at the Permian Basin Fair for his participation in an FFA project last year in which a trailer was built for the Glasscock County CO-OP Gin.
• GCHS senior Katie Gully was named Football Sweetheart and senior Uriel Talamantes was named Mr. Bearkat during homecoming activities Sept. 30. Other nominees were Kayla Medrano, Emily Gully, Dusty Walker and Cade Doss. Katie is the daughter of Rodney Gully and Kelly Gully. Uriel’s parents are Jose and Gloria Talamantes.
• Cayla Schwartz, a freshman, was named Band Sweetheart and Luis Zuniga, a junior, was named Band Beau during halftime at the homecoming game Sept. 30. Cayla is the daughter of Al Schwartz and Brenda Schwartz, and Luis is the son of Gabriella and Juan Zuniga. Other nominee were: sophomore Elia Briseno and junior Maira Sarabia for sweetheart and sophomore Juan Zuniga and freshman Diego Mendoza for beau.
Water District Gives Raises; Adopts Budget
The Glasscock Groundwater Conservation District ‘s Board of Directors (Mike Hughes and John Phillips absent) on Sept. 17 gave its employees a three percent raise and adopted a $143,000 budget for 2005-2006. They also set a tax rate of .025473 per $100 valuation, three percent above the effective rate of .024734. Last year’s rate was .031107. The new budget goes into effect Jan. 1. GGCD Manager Rick Harston said the increased tax rate is important, since it will be harder in the future to raise rates after the state “…finally does its thing with school finance and property taxes.” He pointed out that even though the rate has increased, the tax paid on a $100,000 house next year will be $5.65 less than it was this year, due to the county’s increased valuations. The salary increases will mean $1,100 more for Harston, who will make $37,300 and $650 more for secretary Donnita Coats, who will be making $22,150. Other than salaries and retirement, which total $64,000, cloud seeding is GGCD’s largest expense ($27,000). Insurance takes $14,000 and various office expenses total $13,000. The board tabled planned discussion of an investment zone and a tax abatement agreement with Wind Plus, Inc. Harston said he has tried several times, but has not been able to contact the company to ask that a representative meet with the board.
State Continues to Fund Brush Control
Glasscock County’s Soil and Water Conservation District is accepting applications for state assistance with brush control. The program’s purpose is to enhance public water supplies through brush control practices. An announced application deadline of Nov. 1 has been extended, but approved applications submitted after that date will probably not be funded until 2006, according to Jaime Jones. To be eligible, land must lie within an area that has been designated for cost-share. The program will pay 65 percent of initial brush control costs, with a 5 percent bonus paid to landowners who defer grazing. Pear control is not part of the program. Interested landowners should contact Jones at 325/481-0335, 622 S. Oaks, Suite H-2, San Angelo.
Briefly
• Glasscock County Senior Citizens will meet Oct. 18 at 6 p.m.; bring snack foods. On Nov. 1, the fare will be turkey and dressing, so bring foods to compliment the main dish.
• A Weight Watchers group is meeting on Tuesdays at 6 p.m. in the community center. Weigh-in begins at 5:30 p.m. The registration fee is $15 and more members are needed to keep the group going. For more information, call Donna Eggemeyer at 354-2678.
• A hunter's safety course is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 22 (9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.), and Sunday, Oct. 23 (2pm - 6pm) at the Garden City High School Ag Building. The fee for the course is $15 per student. Texas law states that all hunters born on or after Sept. 2, 1971 must have successfully completed the course to hunt in Texas. The student must be at least 12 years old at the time the class is taken. For more information, call Rusty Hollingsworth 354-2244 or 354-2250, or Larry Bradford 354-2396.
• The homecoming luncheon, which has been an annual event, has been changed to an every-other-year event. The next one will be in the fall of 2007. Forty-four people attended the luncheon held Oct. 1.
• A constitutional amendment election will be held Nov. 8. Early voting begins Oct. 24 and continues through Nov. 4 in the county clerk’s office.
• Our heartfelt thanks to the entire community for your support after David’s death. Your prayers, along with the many calls, visits, cards and all the food were greatly appreciated. --- Ervin and Bertie Wooten and family
• The Garden City Lions Club held a food drive in conjunction with the Garden City High School football game on Sept. 23. All canned food or cash donations were donated to the West Texas Food Bank for use in providing relief to those affected by hurricanes Katrina or Rita. Four hundred pounds of canned goods and cash donations totaling $500 were given to the food bank. The Lions Club thanks the Garden City ISD, Superintendent Steve Long, and everyone who donated cash and/or canned goods for helping making this food drive a success.
• Glasscock County is taking sealed bids for a 1999 Ford Crown Victoria. Bids are due in the County Judge’s or County Clerk’s office no later than Nov. 11, and will be opened Nov. 14. Call Judge Wilburn Bednar at 354-2382 for more information.
• Metal trash (burn) barrels are available for $10 each from the Garden City Lions Club. These barrels have the top removed and are ready for use. They may be picked up in Garden City or a Lions Club member will deliver, if requested. To obtain barrels, contact John Kinnibrugh at 354-2512, Eric Seidenberger at 354-2314 or Warren Multer at 354-2466.
• I just wanted to thank those folks who were wondering about me when the hurricane came through. Other than many trees down and the power going out for a week, we made it fine in the east central part of Mississippi. Thanks to all for your concern for me and, if I can ever help any of my friends, parents or students, please feel free to contact me at rgray@eastms.edu. I’d love to hear from y’all! Thanks again! -- Robin Gray, Director of Bands, East Mississippi Community College
Tax Abatement Wording Tightened
At the suggestion of Commissioner Marck Schafer, the Glasscock County Commissioners’ Court on Sept. 9 decided to consider more specific guidelines for creating reinvestment zones and evaluating tax abatement agreements. At a subsequent meeting Oct. 10, (Michael Hoch absent) County Judge Wilburn Bednar read language that he and Schafer had drafted, and the court approved the revised abatement criteria. The guidelines now require that a reinvestment zone ‘…contribute to retention or expansion of employment or attract major investment in the zone that would significantly increase the county tax base (i.e.$1 million on or more)….” The court felt the $1 million stipulation would be sufficient to eliminate any frivolous requests for tax abatements. Commissioners agreed that the purpose of any abatement is to increase both employment and the county’s tax base. Second Wind Farm Planned in County The county is prepared to grant abatements to Renewable Energy of Austin for a wind farm project to be built on some 16,000 leased acres in the northeast part of the county. Bednar said the project is supposed to contain 33 wind turbines, use 125 temporary workers during construction and provide 4 to 6 permanent, high-tech jobs. Schafer said equipment backlogs and a shortage of concrete are slowing the construction process on wind farms. Commissioners voted to leave the county’s employee retirement plan unchanged from last year, Bednar again noted that two fire trucks are still not stored inside, and a fire department water truck still has no guardrails, and is therefore not usable. He said as soon as there is a freeze, the fire hazard in the county will be high. He also said unless the local fire departments have someone who is trained to use the Forest Service donated pumper truck, it should be sent somewhere else where it can be used, in spite of the several thousand dollars the county has put into it. Schafer reported that flooring at the Drumright voting house needs replacing due to water leaks, and that the trailer at the west dump is also leaking and needs repair.
Halloween Carnival Set for Oct. 29
Spooks and goblins will inhabit the community center Saturday, Oct. 29 at the annual Lion’s Club Halloween Carnival, which begins at 6:30 p.m. In addition to the audience-favorite costume contest, which begins at 7:15 p.m., the county 4-H group will host several other events. A Black Jack Tournament will be open to the first 60 participants. The Scout Hut will be transformed into a Haunted House. There will be a marshmallow-eating contest for kids in kindergarten through third grade and fourth through sixth grades, plus a wiener-eating contest for folks junior high age through adult. A dart throw will also be held. Fees apply to all events.
County Takes Cemetery Mowing Bids
The Glasscock County Commissioners’ Court on Sept. 9 (Michael Hoch absent) reviewed two bids for the job of mowing and cleaning the Garden City Cemetery. One was from Pete Talamantes, Jr. for $378 per job; the other was from Keith Burnett and Chase O’Brien for $350 per job. Burnett and O’Brien also submitted a bid of $250 per job for trimming at the courthouse and around highway trees, etc., as needed. [The court was to officially have accepted one of the bids at its meeting Oct. 10, but the item was not on the agenda, so action was postponed.] Burnett and O’Brien recently cleaned the Garden City Cemetery, and the court decided to pay them the advertised amount of two times the regular agreed-upon rate for a first cleaning, which amounted to $700, based on their’ bid. Burnett said it took them 48 working hours to mow and completely trim the cemetery that time, since it was in such bad shape. The court declined to support Midland’s Safe Place, a shelter for battered women and their children. County Judge Wilburn Bednar said he thought the county’s support of the Victim’s Rights group in Big Spring was a similar, better choice. Fire Truck Needs Guardrails Bednar again made clear his desire that a Garden City fire department water truck be fitted with guardrails so it is serviceable for fighting range fires. Commissioners decided to put one of two used county cars up for bids, and to keep the other until next year. A 1999 Ford Crown Victoria will be sold, and County FCS Agent Charlene Belew will drive a 2000 Crown Victoria until next October, when Sheriff Pruit’s pickup will be in line to be replaced in the county’s four-year vehicle rotation. Belew will then get Pruitt’s pickup. Bids for the car should be turned in to Bednar’s office or the clerk’s office no later than Nov. 11 and will be opened at the commissioners’ court meeting Nov.14. Commissioners were told that a particular person is highly interested in the county’s job as extension agent for agriculture. He has background in Ira, is married with three kids and apparently wants to settle here. State paperwork, which is necessary prior to hiring an agent, has not been completed.
GCISD Board Hears Bond Possibilities
Jeff Roberts of Southwest Securities gave a presentation to the GCISD Board Oct. 10, explaining how a bond election might benefit the school district. He said because of the way state recapture regulations are written, school districts can save part of their WADA money and reduce taxes by using bond issues to pay for capital expenditures. Roberts said if the state changes its regulations, he thinks GCISD would be grandfathered. Roberts used examples based on a hypothetical $2 million bond at 3.50 percent interest and a 3-year issue. He said by issuing bonds to pay for capital items, rather than paying for them out of the schools maintenance and operation budget, the school district could save taxpayers approximately $0.1986 per year in tax rate and the district would not have to send $2.5 million to the state in the form of recapture. Interest on such a bond issue would be slightly over $163,000. He said his company works with school districts across the state. He said Reagan County recently passed a $3 million bond issue and were able to lower their tax rate from $1.50 to $1.32. He said they would spend the money over three years. The board decided to form a committee with representatives from the board, faculty, PTO and the community to research what capital items are needed throughout the school system, and then decide where to go from there. Grounds Maintenance Bids Taken James Schwartz had the low bid ($960 per month) for 2005-06 school grounds maintenance. Other bids were: Oscar Trevino $1,200, Martha Traga $975 and Sam Clifton $1,016.66 per month. Superintendent Steve Long reported that the school did not get the bid on the house it recently tried to buy. He said a new clock in the boardroom was a gift from the Hico school district as a thank-you for WADA money from GCISD.
County Retirement Policy Explained
There is apparently some misunderstanding of the county’s retirement policy for full-time employees. The following is an explanation of how the system works. All 27 full-time employees are required to pay into a retirement plan. Currently, participating employees pay 7 percent of their salaries into the plan and the county matches that contribution at a rate of 125 percent. So, for every $1 employees contribute, the county puts $1.25 into their retirement plan. If employees quit, are fired, or withdraw money from their fund, they may have only the money they have contributed to the retirement plan. They may have the county’s contributions only when they are eligible for retirement. In order to be eligible for retirement, employees must meet both these criteria: 1) they must have worked for the county as full-time employees for a minimum of eight years and 2) they must meet the Rule of 75. In order to meet the Rule of 75, their service time plus their age must equal at least 75. For example, a person who has worked for the county12 years and is 55 years old does not qualify under the Rule of 75 (12 + 55 = 67). (The required years of service time had once been set at ten, but were lowered to eight by the commissioners’ court several years ago.) Persons who qualify for retirement have access to all the money they have contributed to the retirement plan, plus the matching funds the county has contributed over the years, plus whatever interest has been paid on the funds over time. They may choose to take their retirement money in a lump sum, or to choose from various payout options. If a person dies before collecting all their retirement money, it goes to the designated beneficiary.
From the Schoolhouse
Honor Rolls Announced (First Six Weeks 2005)
Elementary School • All A’s: Jackson Abney, Riley Eggemeyer, Brittany Flusche, Bryce Gartman, Ethan Goodwin, Quinton Hale, Kortney Halfmann, Austen Lowery, Bethany Matschek, Christy Montes, Lee Wheeler, Carlie Hollingsworth, Megan Hughes, Brazos Hirt, Kadden Kothmann, Antonio Ramirez, Ashley Halfmann, Cody Halfmann, Lexie Schaefer, Shawn Walker, Brody Halfmann, Austin Hoelscher, Sarah Hoelscher, Agatha Koethler, Izamar Ocon, Peyton Schaefer, Craig Wheeler, Reggie Halfmann, Michael Lopez, Katy Multer, Jessica Olveda, Shelby Schwartz.
• A Average: Nohemi Cardenas, Itzamara Carranza, Agatha Friessen, Hugo Almazan, Brooklyn Batla, Isaiah Enriquez, Hope Halfmann, Bailey Matschek, Joseph McLaren, Talia Mier, Christopher Murphy-Reed, Sixto Ocon, Colton Jost, Tristin Rodriquez, Holly Halfmann, Maddie Hoelscher, July Jost, Amie Lopez, Colton Blew, Franz Friessen, Amanda Grisham, Justin McMaster, Bianca Montes, Sarah Avery, Blayne Batla, Britni Cook, Jacob Dalton, Shanna Halfmann, Cassie Hirt, Taylor Hughes, Calleen Jansa, Jessi Jones.
• The Scholastic Book Fair hosted by the library was a huge success, providing books for children and teachers. The K-6th grade teachers thank all the families and the PTO who donated books to their classrooms. The hard work of volunteers like Tracy Hollingsworth, Jennifer Jansa, Elsa Ramirez, Karen Wheeler, Tana Halfmann, Pastor Steve Paris, and Kathy Hoelscher made this book fair a success. Watch for the next Scholastic Book Fair in the spring. – Shelly Chudej
FFA News:
The Glasscock County FFA students were Reserve Champions in the sweepstakes division of the ag mechanics show at the Permian Basin Fair recently. This is in addition to winning Reserve Champion with their trailer and first place in the division with their octagon picnic table. On Sept. 13, eighteen students attended the annual fall FFA district meeting and leadership training. A tie between Garden City and Coahoma for the ‘spirit stick,’ awarded to the school bringing the most students, was ultimately broken by a coin toss with Coahoma winning. However, the ‘spirit stick’ will be up for grabs at every district event this year. Students are working hard on their presentations in eight events for the district leadership contests in Odessa Nov. 7. In addition to the leadership contests, students are preparing their ag mechanics projects for a show in February. Presently, they are restoring two tractors, and building three trailers. Feel free to drop by the shop anytime and see what the students are doing.
• A big thanks to all the community who supported the FFA program by buying raffle tickets for the picnic table. Unfortunately, there can be only one winner, and this year, it was Kristen Schwartz. – Rusty Hollingsworth
Obituaries
• David Wooten, 44, of Bryan died Sept. 23 in Bryan and was buried Sept. 27 at Garden City Cemetery. He was born Jan. 21, 1961 in Big Lake to Ervin and Bertie Wooten. He lived in Garden City until 1980, when he moved to Bryan to attend Texas A & M. He was a mechanic, working for the city of Bryan until retiring three years ago due to ill health. He was a Baptist. He is survived by one son, Brit Wooten of Bryan, his parents, of Garden City, two brothers, Joe Wooten and wife Judy of Minooka, Ill., and Gerald Wooten and wife Donna of Sheffield, TX, several nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins. He was preceded in death by a brother, Stuart Wooten, in 1976.
• R.H. “Bob” Permenter, 79, of Big spring died Sept. 15 at Lamun-Lusk-Sanchez Veterans Home and was buried at Garden City Cemetery. He was born Mar. 13, 1926 in Jayton to Velma and Otis Vernon Permenter. He married Jimeree “Jimmie” Jones in 1966. She preceded him in death in 2003. He lived most of his life in Howard and Glasscock counties, where he had worked for oil companies and as a truck driver. He was a Baptist and a veteran of the U.S. Army. He is survived by two daughters, Jo Ann Permenter and Jack Harvell of Sand Springs and Vivian Kerr and Kenneth of Big Spring; five grandchildren, two brothers, one sister and a number of nieces and nephews. In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by nine brothers and sisters.
Next Issue Date and Deadline
The next issue of the Glasscock County News will be Nov.16. The deadline for that issue is Nov. 14, 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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