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Glasscock County News
Seidenberger Resigns Water Board
On Dec. 18, the Glasscock Groundwater Conservation District’s Board of Directors (Kent McMillan and Manager Rick Harston absent) accepted the resignation of Dennis Seidenberger, who is the last charter member of the board, after 26 years of service. The resignation was effective immediately, even though Seidenberger’s term doesn’t end until May 20, 2008. Seidenberger didn’t attend the meeting, but Board President Kenneth Braden said he gave no specific reason for the resignation, other than he had wanted to resign for awhile, and had told Braden, “It’s just time.” The board appointed Allan Fuchs to fill Seidenberger’s unexpired term as the at-large member of the board. Other board members are John Phillips, Larry Wheat, Braden and McMillan. At its Sept. 13 meeting, the GGCD board adopted a balanced 2008 budget of $152,318 and set its tax rate at .018460. Major budget items are: salaries $27,000; weather modification (cloud seeding) $27,000; insurance $15,000; conventions, travel and seminars $7,000; legal and professional $7,000. The board’s November meeting was cancelled due to lack of a quorum.
Long Gets Raise, Contract Renewal
After approving School Superintendent Steve Long’s evaluation, the GCISD school board gave him a $1,500 raise, a $1,000 bonus and renewed his contract for one year at its meeting Jan. 14. The $1,500 raise will put his salary at $79,500. The board voted unanimously to approve the evaluation and to renew the contract, but was split 6 – 1 on the raise and bonus, with Diane Havlak voting against. The board spent almost two hours in closed session while discussing the matters. Some of Rusty Hollingsworth’s students gave audio-visual presentations to the board regarding computerized equipment that can be used to perform specific tasks. Eric Hirt showed the use of a $2,500 computerized architectural program, which can be used to create blueprints or used in landscape design. Kevin Hillger reviewed the use of a $7,000 cold cut saw and Spencer Plagens discussed a $15,000 Plasma Cam, a computerized torch that can cut scanned or programmed designs in metal.
Water District Accepts Annual Reports
At its Jan. 15 meeting, the Glasscock Groundwater Conservation District’s Board of Directors (Kent McMillan absent) approved annual reports of both management plans and action plans for fiscal 2007. According to the reports, the district performed 78 water analyses at an average cost of $26; did 25 water mineral analyses and 53 water coliform tests. Sixteen water wells were permitted and two were registered. There are 73 water wells in the water level monitoring network. The district reported seven producers used the laser plane leveling equipment during the year, and no one used the Topcon equipment. The board elected John Phillips its vice-president, replacing Dennis Seidenberger in that position. GGCD Secretary Tisha Burnett was given authority to negotiate rates for the district’s certificates of deposit at Big Spring Banking Center after the board discussed the options. Interest on a twelve-month CD of $103,000 is at 5.09 percent and will mature in April. A three-month $57,000 CD, which matures at the end of January, is now drawing only 3.09 percent, but Burnett has been offered 3.60 percent for 18 months with no penalty for withdrawals or deposits so long as there is a minimum of $5,000 in the CD. The district moves money into and out of the smaller CD as necessary to take care of its business. 2007 Weather Modification Efforts GGCD Manager Rick Harston summarized comments from Arquimedes Ruiz-Columbie of the West Texas Weather Modification Association after Ruiz presented the association’s annual report recently. Ruiz said the group as been in operation for ten years, and according to his data, one year of rainfall has been added to the participating area during that time because of weather modification. He said WTWMA seeded 43 percent of all the clouds that were seeded in the state during 2007, and seeded on 41 percent of its working days. Seeding operations for 2007 began March 26 and ended Oct. 3, with 46 operational days. Ninety-five clouds were seeded with 1263 flares during 82 flights. Fourteen reconnaissance flights were flown while making attempts to find seedable clouds on marginal days. Pilots flew 188 flight hours. Harston said Ruiz is excited about research from a tower in Webb County where experimental work is being done to remove pollutants from clouds. GGCD’s data from its network of rain gauges is complete for 2007 and available from the district office or online at www.angelfire.com/tx/gcuwd. With 27 stations reporting most of the year, the data shows countywide 2007 average rainfall of 24.44 inches. The wettest month was August, with an average of 5.58 inches; February and October tied for the driest months with only 0.13 inches reported.
Local Students Assist Rehab Telethon
Garden City Beta Club, National Honor Society and 4-H volunteers, under the leadership of Jill Tubb, Randy Gartman and Charlene Belew, will be among friends of West Texas Rehabilitation Center manning telephones for the Rehab phone bank during the Center’s annual telethon Saturday, Jan. 19. Originating live from the Abilene Civic Center, the five-hour show will be carried by 10 television stations covering Texas and portions of New Mexico and Oklahoma. Station KLST-TV in San Angelo is among host stations. Also, the event may be viewed on satellite at Galaxy 24/14C. Popular musical group Restless Heart will be the featured entertainment, and will be joined by hosts Red Steagall and Charlie Chase. Other performers will include Bill and Susan Hayes, Anacani, Brad Maule, Twyla Foreman and the Rehab 2008 Orchestra. In addition to entertainment, the telethon includes an auction of more than 400 items donated by businesses and individuals. Items can be seen – and bids placed – on the web site from mid December to midnight Jan. 19 at www.westtexasrehab.org. An auction tabloid and toll-free bidding numbers will be published in the San Angelo Standard-Times Jan. 19. Traditionally, the benefit telecast raises more than $1 million for the Center’s operating expenses at facilities in Abilene, San Angelo and Ozona where more than 23,000 individuals are served each year. Since 1953, WTRC has provided comprehensive rehabilitation services for children and adults with disabling illnesses and injuries, regardless of their financial circumstances.
Land Heritage Program Seeks Families
The Texas Department of Agriculture’s Family Land Heritage Program is seeking families who have kept their family farm or ranch in continuous agricultural production for 100 years or more. This is a free recognition program; there is no charge to apply and no obligation to purchase anything to qualify. Applications are accepted each year. The annual deadline is Sept. 15. Currently, the program is looking for properties established in 1908 and earlier. The application is available on TDA’s web site at www.tda.state.tx.us. A list of recognized farms and ranches in your county is available on request. Since 1974, TDA has honored more than 4,200 farms and ranches from 232 Texas counties. In 2000, TDA started recognizing farms and ranches for reaching their 150 and 200 year milestones. As of 2006, five ranches have been honored for 200 years and 80 properties for 150 years. For more information, contact Alan Dierschke of the Glasscock County Historical Commission.
Local Candidates Slated for Primary
Two Glasscock County offices will be contested in the March primary election. Both the local deputies, Keith Burnett and Ken Zunker, are vying for the county sheriff’s job. Sheriff Royce “Booger” Pruit will retire at year’s end after 46 years in the job plus 3 years as the deputy sheriff. Galen Schwartz and Gary Jones are running for commissioner in Precinct 3. Incumbent Commissioner Marck Schafer chose not to run again after one term. Unopposed candidates are Nancy Hillger for the newly created tax assessor’s position, and incumbents Precinct 1 Commissioner Jimmy Strube and Constable Mark Frysak. Early voting in person will be Feb. 19 – Feb. 29 in the courthouse from 8:30 a.m. until 4 p.m., with the election on March 4 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the usual polling places.
Air Evac Memberships Available
Editor’s Note: The following information is largely from Air Evac Lifeteam literature.
Memberships in Air Evac Lifeteam are available for Glasscock County residents. The company, located in Big Spring (formerly in Sweetwater), is an independently owned and operated membership-supported air medical service with operations offered through 60 air medical bases across 13 Midwestern states, with 19 bases in Texas. Air Evac makes flights directly to the scenes of medical emergencies, decreasing the amount of time it takes for residents of rural communities to receive critical care. Professionally trained teams operate the medically equipped helicopters. First responders on the scene, such as Glasscock County’s EMS personnel, determine whether or not air transportation is needed, and if it is, Air Evac medics determine where the patient will be taken, depending on the nature and extent of the injury or illness. Generally, patients would be taken to San Angelo, Odessa or Midland, possibly to Lubbock. The Big Spring air ambulance crew has been to Garden City and held a helicopter safety and landing zone class for Glasscock County’s EMS group. They provided instruction on interacting safely with helicopters, selecting landing zone sites, guiding the helicopter to the ground and patient loading. You do not have to be a member to use the helicopter service, but membership offers some benefits. 1) Members who use the service for critical emergencies will not be billed for the flight, no matter how many times a year they use it. If you are not a member, you could pay up to $12,000 for a flight. 2) Memberships are valid in all Air Evac Lifeteam service areas, so even if you are away from home, an Air Evac helicopter may still be nearby. 3) You will receive membership identification cards for your house, car and wallet. Annual memberships are $60 per year for a family of three or more all in the same house; $55 for a household of two, and $50 for a household of one. Slight savings are available with multi-year memberships. Even if you never have to use the service, your membership helps to keep the service available in the area. To register by phone, call 800/793-0010, or mail a completed registration form to Air Evac Lifeteam, PO Box 948, West Plains, MO 65775. Brochures, which include registration forms, are available in County Judge Wilburn Bednar’s office in the courthouse. Air Evac’s website is www.lifeteam.net, For more information, call the Big Spring office at 264-7068.
County Creates Third Reinvestment Zone
After a public hearing Jan. 14, the Glasscock County Commissioners’ Court designated certain real property in the northeast portion of the county as Reinvestment Zone #3. The action is in conjunction with a proposed agreement with Airtricity’s Panther Creek Wind Farm, LLC. Airtricity paid the county a $1,000 application fee Jan. 14. Airtricity was represented at the hearing by Bobby Blount, and Glasscock County by attorney H. Alan Carmichael of Wetsel & Carmichael in Sweetwater. Prior to the reinvestment zone designation, and in accordance with state law, the court found that the zone would contribute to primary employment, and would attract major investment in the zone, which would contribute to the economic development of the county. Blount said the 258-megawatt project would be located largely in Glasscock County, with 36-megawatts in Howard County, and a small portion in Sterling County. He said six to ten permanent workers would be hired, along with 100 – 125 temporary construction workers. He said road construction would begin in late February or early March 2008. According to Blount, local subcontractors and services will be used when possible. He said the company is working with Howard College to provide local training for the project. Carmichael said it is important that some of the abated taxes be spent locally. Commissioner Mark Halfmann asked how locals would know who to contact about job possibilities, and Blount said he would provide that information to Bednar and to the Glasscock County News when it is available. At a meeting scheduled for Jan. 22, the commissioners’ court will likely grant a tax abatement to Airtricity for the project. A map and legal description of the wind farm project are available in the county clerk’s office.
Donate Electronics for Kids
You can help the Glasscock 4-H Club make a difference in the lives of seriously ill children and their families by donating and bringing the following recyclable items to GCISD or to the Extension office anytime from now through Friday, April 25. • VIDEO GAME CONSOLES (Please include all accessories) • VIDEO GAMES (Please include case) • EMPTY LASER CARTRIDGES • EMPTY INKJET CARTRIDGES • USED CELL PHONES • DIGITAL CAMERAS • LAPTOPS (Please include power cords) • PDAs/PALM PILOTS (Please include all accessories) • iPODS (Please include all accessories) The items gathered will be donated to a Starlight Starbright Children’s Foundation representative during the District Six 4-H Roundup event to be held in Garden City May 3. The Foundation will recycle the items at Cartridges for Kids to earn cash to fulfill the Foundation’s goal of helping seriously ill children and their families cope with their pain, fear and isolation through entertainment, education and family activities. For more information about the Foundation, visit their website at www.starlight.org. Contact Charlene Belew, County Extension Agent for Family & Consumer Sciences, for more information.
Livestock Show Winners Announced
Top winners in the 71st Annual Glasscock County Junior Livestock show were: Travis Pate, Jr. Memorial Top Hand Award, which is a rotating trophy given to the exhibitor who accumulates the most points based on placings during the Livestock Show, went to Cassie Hirt. Kamie Halfmann, Grand Champion rabbit; Jaquelyn Hale, Reserve Grand Champion rabbit; showmanship for rabbits Laura Halfmann, senior, Taylor Hughes, intermediate, Megan Hughes, junior. Whitney Kellermeier, Grand Champion steer; Cassie Hirt, Reserve Grand Champion steer; showmanship for steers Samantha Kellermeier, senior, Cassie Hirt, intermediate. Hope Halfmann, Grand Champion swine; Rafe Royall, reserve Grand Champion swine; showmanship for swine Sydney Halfmann, senior, Brody Halfmann, intermediate, Brylie Schaefer, junior. Paige Sturtz, Grand Champion lamb; Halie Schaefer, Reserve Grand Champion lamb; showmanship for lambs Halie Schaefer, senior, Cassie Hirt, intermediate, Brazos Hirt, junior. Cassie Hirt, Grand Champion goat; Kadden Kothmann, Reserve Grand Champion goat; showmanship for goats Amber Halfmann, senior, Reggie Halfmann, intermediate, Kadden Kothmann, junior. The Glasscock 4-H Club photography contest was held in conjunction with the livestock show and winners of that event were: Junior Division (3-5 grade) – Grand Champion Carlie Hollingsworth, Reserve Grand Champion Megan Hughes; Intermediate Division (6-8 grade) Grand Champion Colton Belew, Reserve Grand Champion Taylor Hughes; Senior Division (9-12 grade) Grand Champion Amber Halfmann, Reserve Grand Champion Amy Multer.
Briefly
• Glasscock County Senior Citizens will meet MONDAY Feb. 4 at 6 p.m. Stew will be provided, so bring a dessert or other dish to go with it. We will meet once only in February. All are invited to attend.
• The Glasscock County Junior Livestock Association Board would like to thank all the volunteers and the many donors who go above and beyond every year to make our show a great success. We appreciate the generosity of all your hard work, time, and contributions to the premium sale.
• THANKS FROM JESSIE FLORES -- My family and I thank the whole community and a special thanks to the Lions Club for the benefit supper that they held for me. The generosity and support of the community has reminded me of how lucky I am to live here. Many thanks for the gifts, thoughts, visits, phone calls, and all your prayers. I am very grateful to have such wonderful friends. Thank you and God bless all of you. --- Jessie
• A 16-family garage sale will be held Jan. 26 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Glasscock County Community Center with proceeds to benefit the Glasscock County 4-H Leadership Tour.
• A barbequed chicken dinner on Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 3, will be held by the Glasscock County 4-H Senior Leadership Tour Group. Chickens will be $7 each, a pint of sauce $3, a quart of beans $2, and pint of slaw $2. Desserts will be available for purchase at pickup. Orders will be taken until Jan. 25 and will be available for pickup on Feb. 3 in Midkiff at 10 a.m., St. Lawrence at 11:30 a.m. and Garden City at 12 noon. To place an order, contact the county extension office at 354-2381 or Karen Schaefer at 354-2564.
• The name of Texas Cooperative Extension has been changed to Texas AgriLife Extension Service, and the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station is now Texas AgriLife Research. The changes were effective Jan. 1, 2008.
In The Spotlight
• Whitney Kellermeier and Kevin Hillger, senior Glasscock 4-H Club members, were each named recipients of $1,000 academic scholarships, the SALE Rural Youth Honor Award.
From the Schoolhouse
Scheduled Events: Jan. 16 – 18 Mid-term Exams; Jan. 25 – FFA Area Tractor Contest, Canyon; Jan. 26 – District BPA, Odessa; Jan. 29 – FFA Area Tractor Contest, Lubbock; Feb. 1 – District Realignment Football/Basketball; Feb. 2 – UIL Meet, Midland; Feb. 9 – UIL Meet, Garden City. See the school’s website at http://www.gcisd.esc18.net/ for sports schedules.
Football: Six-Man All-District team – Division 1 District 1: Garden City players named were Newcomer of the Year – Josh Colunga; First team offense – tight end Wade Jansa, utility back Jake Schwartz; First team defense – noseguard Ryan Alvarado, defense lineman Wade Jansa, safety Jake Schwartz, utility player Cole Schwartz, punter Adrian Arzola. Second team offense – tight end Eric Hirt, wide receiver Brett Chudej, quarterback Nick Sanchez, running back Josh Colunga, fullback Adrian Arzola; second team defense – cornerback Troy Barnes, utility player Pancho Zuniga.
Academic UIL Results: GCHS students competed with twenty schools (5-A – 1-A) at the Andrews UIL tournament Jan. 12. Math and science events were broken down into grade classifications where students competed with other students in the same grade level. Results were: Number Sense – Team 3rd, Wade Jansa 1st, Brittany Schniers 2nd, Ian Schaefer 4th, Levi Schaefer 4th, Michael Clarke 5th; Calculator – Team 2nd, Wade Jansa 1st, Michael Clarke 1st, Brittany Schniers 6th, Levi Schaefer 8th, Paige Niehues 9th; Math – Team 3rd, Wade Jansa 1st, Michael Clarke 2nd, Brittany Schniers 5th, Ian Schaefer 7th, Paige Niehues 9th, Noemi Gonzalez 10th; Science – Team 3rd, Ian Schaefer 2nd, Brittany Schniers 3rd, Noemi Gonzalez 6th, Wade Jansa 6th, Paige Niehues 8th, Michael Clarke 9th. Competing against all classifications, Mikela Barton placed 5th in Literary Criticism and 2nd in Editorial Writing overall, and Wade Jansa placed 4th overall in Computer Science competition.
Next Issue Date and Deadline
The next issue of the Glasscock County News will be Feb. 13. The deadline for that issue is Feb. 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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