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Glasscock County News
Elected Officials May Get Raises
The Glasscock County Commissioners Court spent time on both June 30 and July 14 doing preliminary work on the 2008-2009 budget. On June 30, raises ranging from 13 to 43 percent for seven the county’s eleven elected officials were discussed. Raises for county commissioners have not been mentioned, but presumably their salaries will be discussed at a later meeting. If the raises asked for by the seven officials are implemented as presented, the sheriff’s salary would be $43,000 and the newly separate tax assessor/collector’s job would also pay $43,000. Previously, the combined sheriff/tax assessor-collector’s job paid $37,100. The county-district clerk’s salary would move from $32,000 to $43,000; the county judge would get a jump from $26,520 to $31,000 (plus the $15,000 supplement paid by the state); the justice of the peace would go from $19,500 to $22,000; the county treasurer would move from $31,400 to $43,000 and the constable would go from $10,500 to $15,000. The officials arrived at the proposed salary figures after comparing salaries paid in some area counties of similar size. The commissioners’ court on July 14 discussed raising part-time Extension Service secretary Gena Halfmann’s salary from $12,000 per year to $15,000 per year. County Judge Wilburn Bednar was insistent that the salary be raised, citing the excellent job which she does. No raises for other county employees were proposed. The court will meet in special session for budget work July 28 and have its regular meeting Aug. 11. Other Noteworthy Items In addition to the proposed salary increases and sheriff’s department increases discussed elsewhere, some tentative budget items include: $225,000 for road equipment, $140,000 for road crew fuels (up from $110,000), $100,000 for road crew repairs, supplies and upkeep, $20,000 for tires and tubes, $75,000 for road building materials; $300,000 for seal coating and paving; $25,000 for a fire truck (a grant will hopefully pay the rest of the cost); $25,000 for legal expense (up from $5,000 due to a possible murder trial), and $230,000 for indigent health care (percentage required by state law). Extension Agent Charlene Belew explained why the department is asking for $30,000 to buy an SUV, such as a Suburban. She said they frequently haul kids and materials to 4-H events around the state and have to borrow vehicles from the school or ask for volunteers to take theirs. She said such an SUV would be used by both extension agents as well as other county employees, and could pull a trailer, which is often needed for luggage, costumes, props, etc. She said 4-H has 85 members, but reaches virtually all the school kids through life skills and leadership programs. Valuations from the tax office are not yet available, and budget figures are still tentative.
Sheriff’s Department Will Require $’s
Sheriff-elect Keith Burnett told the Glasscock County Commissioner’s Court June 30 that it will take extra dollars to get the sheriff’s department into better working order after several years of coasting. For the new budget, discussed in preliminary terms at this meeting, Burnett said he needs $36,000 for equipment, which includes $10,000 for computer software. He said the software is badly needed, since the department is still using what Fred Schroyer installed years ago, and it is totally outdated. He said a car computer will cost $6,000, an in-car camera (required by the state) will cost $3,500, and lights for two cars will add another $7,000. He reminded the court that the department will soon have three fully equipped patrol vehicles rather than the one fully equipped vehicle it has had for several years. Burnett asked the court to hire a full-time person to write grants and to handle the job of Homeland Security Coordinator. County Judge Wilburn Bednar now serves as the coordinator, but Burnett and Bednar both say it is too much for him to handle. Burnett also suggested that the county provide a vehicle for Constable Mark Frysak, who is using his own car for his county job. No action was taken on either request. Burnett said he now expects a trial will take place in the murder of a man found on State Highway 137 in Glasscock County earlier this spring. He said it is costing the county $37 per day to house the suspect in Reagan County. Burnett said he favors using Glasscock County’s jail as a holding facility, rather than a full jail. He said we don’t have the personnel to adequately staff a full jail. On July 14, Burnett reported 80 traffic citations were issued in June and 76 have been issued from July 1 – 14. Citations are the work of both DPS and local law enforcement personnel.
Local Teachers Get Raises
After lengthy deliberations, the Glasscock County Independent School District School Board on July 14 increased the base stipend for local teachers from $6,400 to $8,000. It also raised pay for certified substitute teachers from $60 to $80 per day, and pay for non-certified substitutes was raised from $50 to $70 per day. At-will employees (cafeteria staff, maintenance staff, bus drivers, instructional aides, secretaries and business manager) received a five percent salary increase. The board is considering buying a laptop computer for every student in grades K–12. Students in lower grades would use the computers only at school, but those in grades 6 – 12 could take them home. Elementary school Principal Randy Gartman said instruction books are all available on CD now. He listed about 16 small schools in this area and in the Panhandle who have provided the computers and are very happy with the results. He visited Floydada, and was impressed with the program they have. He said schools report few problems with neglect and/or abuse of the machines. An Apple Computer representative presented a video and discussed the merits of his company’s equipment along with a bid of $500,000 for the equipment. The bid includes professional development for teachers. He said Apple machines now run Windows software, as well as Apple’s, so are compatible with existing materials. Superintendent Steve Long is to get bids from other computer companies before the August board meeting. He is also to get bids for making the school a wireless campus. No Business Teacher Hired So far, no business teacher has been hired. Long said one person interviewed for the position, but decided to go elsewhere. Bids were accepted for several services. Diesel fuel (Park’s Fuel) increased from $2.33 per gallon last year to $4.2550 per gallon, each is .075 above cost; unleaded gasoline went from $2,55 to $3.58, also .075 above cost. Propane (Cypert) went from $1.34 to $2.12 per gallon, .12 above cost. Duncan Disposal’s charges went from $13,641 to $15,218; pest control (Texas Pest Control) rose from $8,170 to $10,720 and property/casualty insurance (Rogers & Belding) went from $33,589 to $36,397 for the next year.
County Increases Private Work Charges
With Commissioner Marck Schafer presenting most of the argument for changes, county commissioners voted July 14 to raise its charges for private work. Essentially, all rates were doubled, with the exception of the use of bulldozers, which was raised more. Schafer said the county’s current rates are less than one-half what private contractors were charging a year ago. He said with the cost of diesel, plus salary for an operator and the expense of buying and maintaining equipment, the county needs to recoup more of its cost for doing private work for county residents. The other commissioners agreed, and the following rates were set, effective immediately. The cost for a bulldozer is $125 per hour; maintainers and loaders are $90 per hour. Hauling rates for any type material are $36 per load in a six-yard truck, $72 per load in a twelve-yard truck, and $108 per load in an eighteen-yard truck. Water hauled in a tandem truck will cost $72 per load, and in a transport truck, $108 per load. Caliche, dirt or sand will be sold for $2 per yard. Refined materials are sold at the county’s cost, which is currently $5 per ton for screened base and $6 per ton for state base (a 6.25 percent sales tax is charged on all refined materials). New Contract with TXU Energy A representative from TXU Energy met with commissioners to discuss a multi-year contract to replace the one that expires later in July. After discussion, the court appointed County Judge Wilburn Bednar, Commissioner Michael Hoch and County Treasurer Alan Dierschke to a committee that decided the next day to stay with TXU in a new, 34-month contract. After much discussion regarding the expense of electricity at the Garden City ballpark, the court decided to remove that field from the contract, and to turn the meters on from March – August and off from September – February.
Communications Service Available
The Glasscock County Commissioners Court on July 14 voted to subscribe to Connect-CTY, an integrated communications service that will allow local officials to reach the entire community or selected parts of it in minutes via telephone, text message or email. The county will pay a $250 initial set-up fee that includes on-site training and refresher training sessions. After set-up, the service will cost the county $1,883 the first year, then $1,633 in subsequent years. There is no cost to individual recipients or “stakeholders.” The service can be used by any authorized county entity to send messages to stakeholders regarding an unlimited variety of matters such as storm warnings, volunteer call-ups, fire advisories or health warnings. The messages can be delivered to up to three phones and two email addresses per contact. Messages can go to home phones, work phones, cell phones, to email addresses, voice mail or PDA’s/Pagers.
Individuals Have to Furnish Contact Information Each stakeholder will be contacted regarding whether he/she wants to participate in the service, and if so, that person will have to furnish the numbers at which he/she wants to be contacted. One may also choose not to participate, and thereby will not be contacted at all. The service will be managed locally by the sheriff’s office, with Deputy Sheriff Keith Burnett saying he is 100 percent behind it. The service is seen primarily as an emergency system, though it is not limited to emergency use, and could be used anytime a message needs to go to a group of people, or to all participants in the county. In the case of a weather alert, for example, people in a particular part of the county can be notified; in a call-up of volunteers, a specific pre-determined group would be contacted. Burnett said this would eliminate the need for pagers ($700 each) carried by emergency volunteers.
County Joins Public Defender Task Force
At its July 14 meeting, the Glasscock County Commissioners Court agreed to join an 85-county public defender task force. At a cost to the county of $1,000 per year, the task force is seen as an insurance policy against the cost of possible capital murder trials in the future, the cost of which can easily go from $500,000 to upwards of $1 million. Glasscock County’s last capital murder trial was in the early 1970’s, after the murder of Steve Currie at his home in the county. [Note: capital murder cases allow the death penalty.] According to County Judge Wilburn Bednar, the cost of participating in the task force is based on the population of the county, with a $1,000 minimum. The organization allows counties to pool their resources to help pay for the rising costs of providing defense counsel for capital cases. Court Wants Specifics on Proposed Power Line Bednar reported that Mike Hollister had contacted him wanting an easement along CR 110 where the county-owned west dump ground is located. His company plans to build an electrical transmission line there. Bednar said Hollister initially wanted to lease the entire 160 acres the county owns in that location for $4 per acre, but when Bednar told him that wasn’t likely, he changed his offer to an easement along the county road. The county commissioners asked Bednar to have Hollister come to a court meeting and present specifics of his project. Paving Costs Approved Commissioners approved the bid from Brannan Paving Co. for $172,998 for the 2008 paving/seal coating project. The other bids were from Reece Albert ($230,535) and Ronald R. Wagner ($187,487). Bednar asked for and got, authority to hire summer help (2 kids) to do some minor repair and repainting to the scout house on the courthouse square. He said materials have been purchased and are available at Harris Lumber. The youth who will be hired were not named.
Local 4-H’ers Compete at State Roundup
At the recent Texas State 4-H Roundup, Whitney Kellermeier was awarded a $16,000 Texas 4-H Foundation scholarship from the San Antonio Livestock Exposition; Amy Multer received a Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo scholarship for $15,000, and Kevin Hillger won the Texas Extension Education Association scholarship of $1,000. First place in the Share-the-Fun Poetry/Prose Division went to “How the Grinch Stole 4-H,” performed by Brittney Chudej, Kevin Hillger, Amber Halfmann, Sydney Halfmann, Kelsey Jones and Halie Schaefer. In the Share-the-Fun Celebrate 4-H Division, fourth place was won by the cast of Brett Chudej, Aaron Long, Shanna Halfmann, Kate Halfmann, Laura Halfmann, M’Call Schaefer, Samantha Kellermeier, Ian Schaefer and Paige Sturtz with “Scooby Doo and the Internet Predator Monster.” Marcus Cook won second place in Educational Presentation, Agronomy Division with “Delivering the Power in a Drop of Water,” while the team of Lane Halfmann, Ian Schaefer, Levi Schaefer and Cole Schwartz placed fifth in Livestock Judging. In photography competition, blue awards were won by Amber Halfmann in the Natural Landscape Division, Amy Multer in the People Division, and Ian Schaefer in the Animal Division. Red awards were won by Halie Schaefer in the People Division and Ian Schaefer in Still Life. Amber Halfmann has been elected the District 6 Second Vice President and Marcus Cook will serve as Public Relations Chair.
Protecting the Elderly from Physical Abuse, Neglect
Many people who are elderly or have disabilities live alone or are dependent on others for their care. Isolation is a factor that places vulnerable adults at risk for abuse, neglect, or exploitation. Make it your mission to remember the elderly and adults with disabilities in your community. Report abuse, neglect or exploitation by calling Adult Protective Services at 1-800-252-5400.· There are indicators of abuse, neglect, or exploitation. The presence of these signs does not always mean something is wrong, but they may be clues that a problem exists, and that a report needs to be made to law enforcement or APS. Physical signs may include an injury that has not been cared for properly, or that is inconsistent with explanation for its cause, pain from touching, or cuts and bruises. Other signs might be dehydration or malnutrition without illness-related cause, inappropriate administration of medication, and lack of necessities such as food, water, or utilities.Some behaviors may indicate maltreatment----such as fear, anxiety, contradictory statements, implausible stories or confusion.Sometimes the caregiver may demonstrate signs that something is wrong, such as preventing the elder from speaking to or seeing visitors, or anger, indifference, or aggressive behavior toward the elder.Signs of financial abuse may include the elder's personal belongings, papers, credit cards missing, numerous unpaid bills, or frequent checks made out to "cash.”APS investigates allegations that occur in a person’s home or in state schools, hospitals and community MHMR centers. APS will investigate exploitation allegations involving nursing home residents if the alleged perpetrator is not an employee of the facility and is someone who has an ongoing relationship with the resident."You don't have to be certain that a situation is abusive or neglectful. We'll look into it and find out," states APS local supervisor Debbie Robinson. “Good faith reports are exempt from personal liability and are kept confidential."Emergency Farm Loan Applications
Applications for emergency farm loans for damages and losses caused by drought that occurred on Jan. 1, 2008 and continuing, are being accepted at the Farm Service Agency office located in Stanton, according to Randall Milloy. Glasscock, Martin, Midland, and Howard Counties are eligible for loans to cover part of actual production and physical losses resulting from the drought. In addition, Glasscock and Howard counties are eligible for loans to cover part of actual production and physical losses resulting from fires and high winds, Milloy said. Milloy said farmers may be eligible for loans of up to 100 percent of their actual losses or the operating loan needed to continue the agriculture business, whichever is less. For farmers unable to obtain credit from private commercial lenders, the interest rate is 3.75 percent. Generally, a farmer must have suffered at least 30 percent loss of the production to be eligible. Farmers participating in the Federal Crop Insurance program will have to consider proceeds from those programs in determining their loss. Applications for loans under this emergency designation will be accepted until Jan. 15, 2009 for fire and high wind damage and until Feb. 27, 2009 for drought damage, but farmers should apply as soon as possible, Milloy said. The Stanton FSA office is open from 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Briefly
• Glasscock County Senior Citizens will meet July 15, and this is snack and finger food night. On Aug. 5, bring sandwiches or homemade ice cream. All Glasscock County senior residents are invited to come and enjoy.
• Volunteers are badly needed for Emergency Medical Technician training!! Constable Mark Frysak says new, younger volunteers need to replace those who have been providing the service for many years. Deputy Sheriff Keith Burnett says with more people in the county due to wind turbine activity, and more motorcycles on the road due to gas prices, more accidents are occurring. As many emergency calls have been answered already this year than in all of last year. It takes a minimum of 10 people to have a class taught in Garden City, and the county pays all the expenses. If you can help with this important work, contact Christy Seidenberger, 354-2314, within the next 4 weeks so she can schedule a training class.
• The First United Methodist Church would like to say “THANK YOU” to all the volunteers who helped out after the big storm. We would have been out enormous expense moving the trees and debris from our church parsonage and church yard. Also “thanks” to those who fed the volunteers. It’s great to live in such a giving community! -- Melissa Hoch, Chairman, Administrative Board, First United Methodist Church
• We would like to thank everyone for the many cards, calls, visits, Masses, food, memorials and acts and words of kindness during the illness and passing of our husband, father, and grandfather, Andy Schaefer. All of your love and support has helped immensely during these difficult two years. We realize that the support of the best community imaginable made such a great difference. May God bless each and every one of you! -- Loretta Schaefer, Douglas & Karen Schaefer family, Gena & Nathan Halfmann family, Doyle & Jacque Schaefer family.
• The USDA is accepting nominations for eligible candidates to serve on the local FSA County Committee. The nomination period runs until Aug.1. The seat up for election represents Local Administrative Area (LAA) Number 1, which is all area of the county located north of County Road 110 and north of Hwy 158 (the LAA boundary map is posted at the FSA office). For more information or nomination forms, call the local FSA office, or visit http://www.fsa.usda.gov/pas/publications/elections.
• A Sheriff Appreciation Celebration is being planned to honor Sheriff Royce “Booger” Pruit. Tentative plans call for a Saturday noon meal early in November, but a firm date has not been set.
From the Schoolhouse Scheduled Events:
Check the school website at: http://www.gckats.net for a schedule of current events.
Aug. 4: GCHS football two-a-days begin; Aug. 16 Football – Scrimmage Grady @ Lenorah, 9:30 a.m.; Aug. 22 - Scrimmage O’Donnell @ Garden City, 6 p.m.; Homecoming date - Sept. 26.
Obituary
• Andrew "Andy" Schaefer, 66, of St. Lawrence, died Friday, June 13, 2008 at his home. Funeral Mass was held at the St. Lawrence Catholic Church with interment following at St. Lawrence Cemetery. He was born January 7, 1942, in San Angelo, Texas, to Clarence, Sr. and Regina Schaefer. He was raised in the Rowena community and graduated from Miles High School. He married Loretta Ann Halfmann on January 9, 1965, in Olfen, Texas. They moved to St. Lawrence in 1981 where Andy farmed until he retired in 2008. He was a member of the St. Lawrence Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus, the Parish Council, and the Men's Society at the church. Andy belonged to the Polka Dance Club and the St. Lawrence Dance Club. He coached little league baseball and was a member of the Garden City Bearkat Booster Club. He was a big supporter of his grandkids in all their sporting events and activities and attended polka festivals with many special friends. He also served in the National Guard from 1959-1963. Survivors include his wife, Loretta Schaefer of St. Lawrence; two sons and daughters-in-law, Douglas and Karen Schaefer and Doyle and Jacque Schaefer of St. Lawrence; one daughter and son-in-law, Gena and Nathan Halfmann of St. Lawrence; grandchildren, Halie, Levi, Ian, Lexie Schaefer, Amber, Reggie, Hannah, Allison Halfmann, M'Call, Peyton, Brylie and Kenzie Schaefer; two brothers, Clarence and wife Barbara Schaefer and Earl Schaefer of Rowena; one sister, Joyce and husband, Jimmy Fine of Midland, four sisters-in-law, Joan and Melvin Halfmann, Janet and Richard Wilde, Annelle Wheeler and Donna and Gary Howard, several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and many special friends. The family suggests that memorials be made to the American Cancer Society, % Carolyn Brooks, P. O. Box 2121, Big Spring, Texas, 79721.
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: glasscockcountynews.com
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