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Glasscock County News
NRCS Holds Educational Meeting
Under the sponsorship of the
Glasscock County Soil and Water Conservation District, Natural Resources
Conservation Service Assistant State Conservationist Elisha Kuehn made good
on her earlier promise to bring an NRCS educational meeting to Glasscock
County. On Feb. 12, with more than 30 people in attendance, Kuehn presented
an overview of the agency’s work and along with Gary Grogin and Gary Askins,
explained the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and the
Continuous Conservation Reserve Program (CCRP). Ben Wilde, from the state
soil and water conservation office, also contributed information. Information presented at the
meeting was too lengthy and detailed to be fully covered in this newsletter.
The following is a brief summary of highlights. EQIP Program Explained EQIP is a program that addresses soil and water
conservation concerns by providing technical, financial and educational
assistance to participants who install environmentally prescribed practices.
Both pastureland and cropland are eligible for the program and practices can
include brush control, and irrigation systems. There is a $50,000 maximum
cost-share per individual, $10,000 annually for five years. There are currently three priority
areas for EQIP in Glasscock County, the North Concho, Middle Concho and Sandy
Land Resource areas. It is easier to have a project funded in a priority area
than in a statewide area. Selected areas usually have a priority designation
for 3 to 5 years. Signup for EQIP is year-round, with one selection period
per year. CCRP Targets Small Acreages CCRP is similar to CRP in that it
involves 10 to 15-year contracts, but it is limited to certain practices in
cropland and is intended for small acreages, not entire fields. Eligible
cropland must have been planted two of the last five years; the land must be
physically and legally capable of being planted in a normal manner, or may be
land in the last year of a CRP contract. The CCRP practices likely to be
the most common here are waterways, filter strips, windbreaks and other
buffers. Grassed waterways are strips
of grass seeded within cropland where water tends to concentrate or flow off
a field, and are used primarily to prevent erosion. Filter strips are strips of grass and riparian buffers are
plantings of trees, shrubs and grasses; both are used to trap sediment,
fertilizers, pesticides, and other pollutants before they reach streams and
lakes. Both EQIP and CCRP are
administered by the Farm Services Agency, with NRCS providing the
technical work. For more information, contact the FSA
(354-2391) or NRCS (1-800-962-9369). For signup, call the FSA office for an
appointment, and expect delays due to
both agencies’ current load with other programs. Hughes Resigns from High School After teaching at GCHS for several
years, Lynn Hughes has resigned, effective at the end of the school year.
Superintendent Steve Long announced the resignation at the GCISD School Board
meeting Feb. 12. After a closed session, the board
voted unanimously to offer Elementary School Principal Brad Jones and
Athletic Director Wade Wesley two-year contracts, and to give one-year
contract extensions to Secondary School Principal Faith Scott and Counselor
Doug Conners. Long told the board he has a
long-term goal of a computer lab for the elementary school. He said students
need better keyboard and word processing skills before entering high school. Asked about the state’s new rules
regarding school dates, Long said he understands that in the future, no
school in Texas will begin the school year before Aug. 21. Long reported that all repairs to
school housing should be paid for by rent increases before too long. He said
so far, the school has spent $10,000 on repairs and has collected $8,800 in
rent. Jones gave the board a copy of the
first elementary school newsletter, which he said will be sent to parents
around the first of each month along with the lunch menu. Court
Again Discusses Emergency Coordinator At the Feb. 12 meeting of the
Glasscock County Commissioners’ Court, County Judge Wilburn Bednar recommended
that the court consider hiring Kenny Batla as the county’s Emergency
Management Coordinator. Bednar said Batla is the only person who has
evidenced interest in the job. Paying a salary of $500 per month, the job is
to be on a contract basis, with no benefits. Commissioner Hugh Schafer said
he would like Batla to meet with the court next month to discuss the job.
Commissioner Jimmy Strube said he supports Batla, but wants him to sign a job
description, so there will be no misunderstandings later. Although a preliminary job
description was drawn up by Emergency Medical Service personnel months ago,
the court had wanted other input, and to date, no final job description has
been agreed upon nor adopted. Sheriff’s Department Wants Pay Increase Bednar told the court that the
Sheriff’s Department wants the $100 per month raise that all other county
employees (except law enforcement personnel and commissioners) received with
the new budget in October. No action was taken. County Treasurer Alan Dierschke
cautioned that the Texas Local Government Code specifies that salaries of
elected county officials are to be set each year at a regular court meeting
during the regular budget hearing and adoption proceedings. Jansa Reports Ambulance Problem Mitchell Jansa informed the court
of a problem with the Garden City ambulance, a 1994 Ford diesel with 13,000
miles. He said on warm days, or when driving into even a mild wind, it will
only reach a speed of 60 to 65 mph, and 75 mph is its maximum speed in near
perfect conditions. He said in several situations, such as transporting a
heart attack victim, when time is vital, the ambulance needs more speed.
Jansa also said when traffic pulls over to let the ambulance pass, it hasn’t
the power to do it. He said several remedies have been tried, to no avail,
and it is time for the county to have
a turbo put on the engine, to give it more power. The court asked
Jansa to gather more information regarding available options and their costs by
the March court meeting. With no public discussion, the
commissioners court voted unanimously to give County Agriculture Extension
Agent Steve Sturtz a $2,500 raise, and to prorate it monthly through the rest
of the budget year. Jail Roof to be Rebid Two companies submitted bids on
re-roofing the jail: Clifton Roofing of Odessa bid $31,000 with a seven-year
warranty and Coffman Roofing of Big Spring $18,310 with a ten-year warranty.
Darrell Johnson, representing Clifton Roofing, made a presentation to the
court, and afterward, Bednar handed Coffman’s bid to Johnson and asked him to
explain why his bid was so much higher than Coffman’s. Johnson responded,
“Well, he’s sure not making much money.”
He went on to say that his own bid included insulation board and 2-ply
modified rolled fiberglass roofing rather than 1-ply, and that Coffman’s bid
did not mention reworking the skylights. Johnson told the court he would be
willing to lower his price several thousand dollars by modifying some items,
and by eliminating a $500 truck charge. Commissioner Mark Halfmann said he
thought in order to be fair to everyone, the county should first set
specifications for the job, then allow both companies to submit new bids, “so
that apples are compared to apples, oranges to oranges,” Halfmann said. Bednar asked Johnson to write the
specs, send them to him, and he would get them to Coffman Roofing. Johnson said he would fax his new bid by
Feb. 15. The commissioners approved payment
of a $1,700 bill for prisoners held in Reagan County at a rate of $30 per
prisoner per day. Two of the original four prisoners are still being held
there awaiting transfer to state facilities. Schafer said he thought they
should be held in Glasscock County’s jail.
The county currently has only one jailer, Leroy Hoelscher. Warning Siren Possible for Garden City Although there was almost no
discussion, commissioners seemed to be in favor of putting an emergency
warning siren in Garden City.
Halfmann is to get more information, including costs, and the matter
was tabled. The court also tabled the matter
of whether to support more state funding for the state’s Mental Health and Mental Retardation
programs as requested by the regional MHMR office in Big Spring. Texas ranks
forty-third among the states in MHMR funding. Dierschke reported that there are
still problems with West Texas Rural Counties, the county’s former health
insurer. He said WTRC declared insolvency last week. He said after all the county’s medical
claims are paid, Glasscock County should recover some of money it paid WTRC’s
reinsurer. Justice of the Peace Marilee Jost
is now using an online computer service that tracks people who don’t pay
traffic fines and sends the information to the Texas Department of Public
Safety. Those with outstanding fines will show up on DPS computers if they
are stopped for traffic violations, and when they attempt to renew their
driver’s licenses. Bednar read a letter from the St.
Lawrence Volunteer Fire Department, thanking the county for the recent
purchase of a $6,400 power unit for its Jaws of Life equipment. Water Board Hears Annual Report The Glasscock County Underground
Water Conservation District’s Board of Directors approved the Action Plan
Annual Report as presented by General Manager Ricky Harston Jan. 16. The
following information is from that report. One hundred thirty-five water
analyses were performed during the year at an average cost of $11.37.
Forty-two mineral analyses were performed, and 93 coliform analyses. Sixty of
the 65 wells in the District’s water level monitoring network were measured. Seven irrigation wells were
permitted, with several more pending, for a probable total of 20. One new
house well was registered. All new
wells complied with spacing and drilling regulations and were constructed to District
standards. Twenty-seven producers used the
District’s topcon mapping equipment and mapped 6,000 acres. The laser plane
leveling equipment was used five times. There were no wasteful water
practices identified, no abandoned unplugged or uncapped water wells reported,
no water wells reported plugged or capped. There was one investigation
regarding complaints concerning contamination from oil and gas production and
one complaint was filed with the Texas Railroad Commission. In other action, the Board renewed
a $41,000 certificate of deposit for six months at a rate of 6.25 percent at
First Bank of West Texas. The District also
has a $102,000 CD at the same bank. In The Spotlight • M’Lynn Niehues has been named GCISD’s Outstanding Gifted and Talented Student. She is a senior and the
daughter of Carey and Renee Niehues. •
January Students of the Month
in the GCISD were: from grades K-3, Shelby
Schwartz, a first grader and the daughter of Jody and Gail Schwartz;
grades 4-6, Cole Schwartz, a
fourth grader who is the son of Jody and Gail Schwartz. In junior high, Shaun Maxie, a seventh grader and the
son of Cheryl and Bobby Maxie, and from the high school, junior Boyd Batla, the son of Darla and Gary
Batla. These students have demonstrated excellence in leadership, citizenship,
academics, and school spirit. • February Students of the
Month were Kellan Kirkland, a
kindergartner, who is the son of Brent and Shana Kirkland, and Mikela
Barton, a fifth-grader who is the daughter of Dinette Barton. From the secondary school, eighth grader Viviana Gamboa, who is the daughter
of Yolanda and Jesus Gamboa, and junior Leslie
Batla, the daughter of Vicki and Kenny Batla. •
Michelle Fuchs, M’Lynn Niehues, Curtis Eggemeyer, Kristina
Scott and Collene Cox are
BPA state qualifiers. Alternates are Summer
Eoff and Daniel Martinez. • Craig Hoelscher, a junior Agricultural Systems
Management major at Texas A & M University, has been named to the Dean’s
List for the Fall 2000 semester. Craig, a 1998 graduate of Garden City High
School, is the son of Tommy and Karla Hoelscher. • Jill Hoelscher, a freshman Ag Development major,
has been honored as a Distinguished Student at Texas A & M University for
the Fall 2000 semester. She is a 2000
graduate of Garden City High School and the daughter of Tommy and Karla
Hoelscher. • Paula Braden has been named to the Dean’s List
at Texas A & M University for the Fall 2000 semester. Paula, a junior Agri-Business major, is a
1998 graduate of Garden City High School and the daughter of Charles and
Janet Braden. • Chelsea Schwartz, a sophomore at Garden City High
School, was crowned Miss Teen Cypress 2001 recently, and was named winner of
the interview and swimsuit competitions.
Earlier in the year, she was named first alternate at the Miss Teen Brownfield
pageant, won the talent competition, and was named Miss Congeniality. Chelsea, who is the daughter of Floyd and
Martha Schwartz, will compete in the Miss Teen Texas Pageant in Fort Worth in
July. •
Having won Bi-district
(against Wink in triple overtime Feb. 13), the Lady Kats will play Roby at 11:30 a.m. in Levelland Feb. 16. Art Show
Scheduled at Fort Concho Ninety-six artists and artisans
will display more than 260 works in various media at the Second Annual Art
Extravaganza Feb. 23-25 at Fort Concho in San Angelo. The event benefits West
Texas Rehabilitation Center. Beverly and Ben Stribling are
underwriting the show and sale, which showcases the artistic talent of
current and former residents of San Angelo and the Concho Valley. PaineWebber
is also assisting with a portion of the event’s cost. The event’s hours are 1– 7 p.m.
Feb. 23; 10 – 6 p.m. Feb. 24 and 1– 4
p.m. Feb. 25. Admission is free. Briefly
• School board election sign-up begins Feb. 9 and ends March 21.
Election Day is May 5. Mike Hillger and Tibby Niehues’ terms are expiring.
Call the school administration office, 354- 2230, for more information. • Keith Burnett has been hired as a Glasscock
County deputy sheriff. Burnett has
worked as a deputy sheriff in Howard County and is currently a policeman in
Stanton. He and his wife, Tisha, have a one-year-old child and are expecting
a second. •
Laser plane leveling equipment
is available for rent from the water district for $25 per day. Rick Harston
says the equipment can be used for any type of leveling job. Call 354-2430
for more information or to reserve the equipment. •
The Natural Resources
Conservation Service now has a toll-free telephone number to the Sterling
City office. The number is 1-800-962-9369. • The 4-H Club thanks everyone for making the
Stew Dinner on Jan. 21 a big success. • The 2001 Project Graduation class wants to thank the
community for their support of the chicken dinner project, which was very
successful. Thanks also goes to
Superintendent Steve Long and Coach Wade Wesley for participating in the
“kiss the pig” contest. Raffle
tickets may be purchased from any senior until May 24 for the following
items: first drawing, barbecue pit; second drawing, zebra comforter; third
drawing, stain glass swirl. • The Senior Citizens will meet Tuesday, Feb. 20 at 3 p.m., and you are
asked to bring “finger foods.” For
the meeting on Tuesday, March 6 at 6 p.m., you are asked to bring dishes to
compliment stew. • Spring break for the school will be March 12 – 16. •
Don’t forget to check out
the Glasscock County web site at www.glasscockcountytx.com. Farmers Forge Seismic Agreement On Jan. 29, a group of Glasscock
County farmers and their attorneys met with attorneys representing Enron Oil
and Gas, Western Geophysical and
representatives of Eco-Drip Irrigation Systems, at the Howard County
Courthouse in Big Spring. The purpose of the meeting was to settle a dispute
regarding potential damage to irrigation systems caused by seismic activity.
Wayne Halfmann, Leon Halfmann, Joe D. Schwartz, Doug Schaefer, and Robert
Peiper had been subpoenaed to appear at a hearing before District Judge
Robert Moore after they refused to allow Western Geophysical, working for
EOG, to cross their land. Approximately 75 people, showing
support for the five, waited in the district courtroom while negotiations
were conducted elsewhere in the courthouse. Ultimately, an agreement was
reached, which was later refined and a formal document prepared. Other
farmers in the path of Enron’s seismic sweep were expected to sign the same
agreement. Key to the agreement is that
beyond the usual damages covered by monies paid the landowners
previously, EOG will pay for any
damages to irrigation systems that are caused by its seismic activities. At a meeting in St. Lawrence Feb.
6, attorney Rick Davis said the final agreement is not perfect, will not
answer every problem, and will require cooperation from all concerned. But he
said it provides considerable protection for
the landowner’s irrigation systems, which had not been available
previously. School Board Gives Long a Raise The GCISD School Board voted
unanimously Jan. 11 to give School Superintendent Steve Long a raise to
$68,000. Long began a two-year contract June 1, 2000 at an annual salary of
$67,000. Board member Karla Hoelscher told Long, “We think you’re doing a
great job.” The board decided to keep the
Junior-Senior Prom in the county, but will allow the prom to be held at sites
off school property, subject to the superintendent’s approval. Some students
had asked that they be allowed to hold the prom in Midland. Campus Opens for Grades 9-12 After several months of a closed campus due to
construction on State Highway 158 through Garden City, the board voted 5-2 to
open the campus, but only for grades 9-12. Board members Tibby Niehues and
Cecilia Schwartz voted against the motion, but for different reasons.
Niehues, who has consistently opposed a closed campus, said she voted against
the motion because she thinks the campus should once again be open for all
secondary students, grades 7-12. Schwartz said she voted against the motion because she thinks the campus should remain closed for all
students. Tardiness Biggest Student Problem The board spent considerable time
discussing tardiness, which has apparently replaced gum-chewing as the
secondary school’s number one problem with students. Finally, they decided to
approve after-school detention as punishment for tardiness, hoping it will
cure the problem as it apparently cured the gum-chewing one. A textbook committee recommended
by Elementary School Principal Brad Jones was approved. The committee will
consist of Jones, Faith Scott, Teresa Eoff, Phyllis Bryne, Dana Cook, Jean
Kujawski, Kenneth Chandler, Linda DeWitt, and Rebecca Moore. Long reported problems with power
surges at the school that “fried” the power supplies of 15 computers. He was
conferring with TU Electric about the problem. About This Publication The next issue will be March 14. The deadline for that issue is March 12. The Glasscock County News is published by
Joe Melanie Calverley, P. O. Box 98, Garden City, TX, 79739. Phone or Fax: 915/354-2221; e-mail: gcnews201@aol.com. Website: http://wscope.com/glasscock/ |
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