|
Community Center Bid Accepted; Building Costs Reduced The
Glasscock County Commissioners’ Court, at a special meeting May 7, accepted
N.C. Sturgeon’s bid of $796,168 for construction of a community center. This
figure is lower than the original bid, after removing the cost of all kitchen
equipment and a public address system. These items are to be purchased
independently by the Glasscock County Community Center Foundation. However, the bid was still over the
construction budget. The court then met with representatives of the
Foundation, the architect and contractor to further reduce the project’s
cost. The
architect and the contractor suggested numerous cost-cutting measures, and of
these, the commissioners’ court accepted changes that have reduced the
construction budget by more than $80,000 so far. Two
modifications will be most visible. One is a reduction in eave height from 16
ft. to 14 ft., which saved $1400 plus reducing overall volume for heating and
cooling. The other is a reduction in the height of the exterior masonry trim
(with a limestone-look to blend with the courthouse), which will be reduced
from the planned 8 ft. to 2 ft., leaving mostly metal siding as the visible
exterior. However, the masonry change was also one of the single biggest
dollar-savers ($22,000). Local Foundation Kicks in Funds The
Foundation has committed to spend at least $35,000 of its $39,000 on the
center, keeping only “seed money” to keep the Foundation alive for possible
future projects. The Foundation’s money was gained from several years of
fundraising for the community center, with projects like the Glasscock County
Gala, plus donations from the Lion’s Club and individuals. Proposed
cost-saving changes to the interior walls of the community room/show ring
raised concerns among some present at this meeting as to how the room is
going to look and function. Becky Batla said she was concerned about whether
the community room/show ring was going to be appropriate for various
activities like proms and receptions, or only for stock shows. Betty Pate asked, “Is this an extension
service building or a community center?” Commissioner Michael Hoch replied,
“It’s an all-purpose building.” At
a later meeting, the court decided to cover the walls of that room with a
perforated metal acoustical-type material. No
furniture or livestock holding pens are included in the building’s
construction budget. School Board Discusses Vacancies In
closed session May 15, the GCISD School Board (Tina Flores absent) discussed
hiring a band director, a technology director and a Spanish teacher, but took
no action. According to School Superintendent Steve Long, the technology
position was created when Duane Cox did not return the contract offered
him. Long is continuing to interview
applicants for the jobs, and the board gave him the authority to offer
contracts, subject to the board’s approval. The
board formalized a list of stipends paid to teachers who coach University
Interscholastic League academic events.
Elementary and junior high stipends are $100 per coach; high school
coaches receive $100 per event, including practice meets and decathlon, with
no money for events beyond the district level. The UIL coordinator ‘s stipend
of $500 may be split among two or more people. The Cross X debate coach gets $250, one-act play coach $400,
band director $4,000, high school cheerleading sponsor $800 and junior high
cheerleading sponsor $400. Under this plan, the school will pay a total of
$6,000 in academic coaching stipends, spread among 36 people, Long said. He said the school spends $25,000 among 6
people for athletic coaching stipends. Cafeteria Losses Discussed Cafeteria
losses of $97,000 prompted Board Member Karla Hoelscher to ask whether and
how money might be saved in that operation.
In the discussion that followed, Long said school cafeterias always
lose money. According to school
secretary Kathy Wheat, 43 percent of the student population participate in
the free lunch program. The board
seemed enthusiastic about both the quality and quantity of food served there
now, as compared to a few years ago. Hoelscher said, “I think it’s great –- I
eat there every day and love it! I
just wonder if some cost savings are possible.” She said, for example, she
would rather the school lose only $50,000 on the cafeteria and use the
$47,000 savings to hire another teacher. Morning
summer school will be held June 4-29, using grants and federal programs to
pay for it. Long said 4 or 5 teachers would be working, and two busses
running. A field trip to Long
said the government now requires that school districts be accountable for
every item on campus which has a value of $500 or more. In order to take an
inventory of such items, the school will engage RCI, a company which bar
codes all eligible school property, then the inventory will be updated as
items are bought or sold. Long said RCI will charge $2,000 for the job and
school personnel will inventory items less than $500 in value. Summer Work Programs Employ Students Five students will be employed part-time in
summer work programs at the school, doing various jobs, including helping
with summer school. Other students will work on Bill Murphy’s summer staff
through the Job Training and Placement Act. Long
said the school will be getting some paving done this summer. The school will
pay for its paving, but will have the work bid and done along with the
county’s annual road paving project. Jimmy
Eggemeyer was re-elected as school board president, Tibby Niehues
vice-president and Karla Hoelscher secretary. The
board passed a resolution placing the
Glasscock County News and its staff (Mary Jo Cope, Carmen Johnson, Scott
Cope, Laura Huitt and Joe Melanie Calverley) on the Texas Association of
School Board’s Media Honor Roll 2001.
The recognition is for “. . . fair and balanced reporting and
providing valuable information in the community about public schools.” The
board accepted a bid from Bluebird Bus Company for a 54-passenger bus
($44,000) and a 19-passenger one ($34,000). A
budget amendment was passed moving $325,000 from the school’s reserves to its
WADA account. Long said the money was necessary to settle up the WADA
accounts from the last two years. Batla
Hired as Emergency Director The
Batla
will update the county’s Emergency Management Plan, which everyone at the
meeting seemed to agree is a disaster in itself. Bednar
said that he would handle the county’s 911 addressing. The
court agreed to Mitchell Jansa’s suggestion that one $525 pager be purchased
and tried to see if it provides better range than the current $325 pagers. If
it is appreciably better, the GC Bank Again County’s Depository Glasscock
County Bank, a branch of First National Bank of New Subdivision May Connect to Water
Supply Steve
Sturtz told the court both he and Dale Hillger are interested in connecting
their houses to the community water supply. In addition, he said Hillger is
considering developing a subdivision of approximately 10 houses with acreage
on property east of Garden City and Hillger would want it connected also.
Commissioner Michael Hoch said the men would need to build a connecting water
line and install meters, all to the county’s specifications, then give it all
to the Garden City Water System, which would maintain it. Hoch was to get the
specifications from an engineer. According
to the 2000 census, County
commissioners have voted not to redistrict voting precincts, since the 2000
census shows slightly less than 10 percent population difference in the
largest and smallest precincts, and therefore redistricting is not legally
required. The “ideal population” of a precinct is defined as 25 percent of
the total county population, or 352 locally. The
census shows Precinct One with a population of 351. Of those, 228 are Anglos
and 123 are Hispanics; 143 Anglos and 68 Hispanics are of voting age. Precinct
Two totals 352, with 227 Anglos, 1 Black and 111 Hispanics; 154 Anglos, 1
Black and 78 Hispanics are of voting age. Precinct
Three has 368, with 282 Anglos, 83 Hispanics and 3 Multi-Racials. Of those,
218 Anglos, 45 Hispanics and 1 Multi-Racial are of voting age. Precinct Four
totals 335, with 218 Anglos, 5 Blacks, 1 American Indian, 103 Hispanics and 8
Multi-Racials. Of those, 153 Anglos, 1 Black, 1 American Indian, 64 Hispanics
and 2 Multi-Racials are of voting age. In The Spotlight • Michelle
Fuchs won a gold medal in the Class A girls' 3200-meter race and a silver
medal in the 1600-meter race at the UIL State Track Championships. M’Lynn
Niehues placed fifth in the Class A girls’ 400-meter race, and Kendall Goodwin placed fifth in Class
A boys’ triple jump. •
M’Lynn Niehues won first
place in the National Business Professionals of America desktop publishing
competition in •
Paula Braden was recently recognized
as a member of the 2001-02 Aggie REPS at the Agricultural Economics Spring
Banquet at •
Jill Hoelscher has received
the Outstanding Freshman award for academic achievement and distinguished
leadership from •
Chris Braden has received a
Master of Science degree in plant breeding from • The
GCHS science team of Ryan Batla,
M’Lynn Niehues, and Boyd Batla
won second place at the State UIL Academic competition. • The District 6 Pack, a 4-H team which included Unplugged Wells Concern Landowner Landowner Mike Hughes voiced his concerns
regarding abandoned but unplugged water wells at the April 17 meeting of the
Glasscock County Underground Water Conservation District Board of Directors Hughes
said his experience indicates there must be hundreds of old water wells in
the county, which were abandoned and left open. He said landowners should do
what’s right and seal old holes properly, regardless of liability concerns.
Hughes said, “We keep hearing how precious water is -- we are blessed with
good water here and we need to respect it.
Also, good housekeeping is a good way to keep Executive
Manager Rick Harston said GCUWCD has no funds designated for plugging wells,
and there is no state fund for plugging fresh water wells. Harston said costs
for plugging a water well can run from $250 to $400. Three Directors
Terms Expire Terms
are expiring for Kenneth Braden in Precinct 1, Mark Halfmann in Precinct 2
and At-large Director Dennis Seidenberger in August. Signup for board
candidates is June 1 – 30 at the water district office. District
Manager Rick Harston reported May 15 that the bill which amends the
district’s enabling legislation was sent to the governor May 14, and he
expects it to take effect immediately. With that bill, director’s terms will
gradually change to four years, and elections to every other year. Harston
said he is pleased with Senate Bill 2 as it is now, but before the
legislative session ends May 28, anything can happen. He said statewide, 35
new groundwater districts have been added during in this session. Harston
reported that three cloud-seeding planes are up and going, and one is being
repaired. He hopes the weather modification association will have a plane
stationed in Harston
reminded the directors that the GCUWCD, along with Briefly
• A garage sale will be held Saturday, June 2, at a
location to be determined, to benefit the GCHS Cheerleading Team. To donate items for the sale, and to
arrange for pickup, call Brecklyn, 354-2694 or Melissa, 535-9005. •
Jamie Walker will be giving
swimming lessons at Dennis and Barbara Fuchs’ pool May 29 – June 1 and
June 4 – June 7. Lessons are one hour daily and cost $45 per child. Call
398-5430 to register and to schedule a time. • Baccalaureate will
be held May 20 at •
Project Graduation is May 24 from If you would like to
donate a prize for the night, call Nancy Hillger, 354-2350; to send food or
drinks, call Karen Halfmann, 535-2236. If you will deal blackjack or
roulette, call Karen. Any help will be greatly appreciated. • Both incumbents were returned to the GCISD School Board in the recent
election. The voting results were
Mike Hillger 130, Tibby Niehues 125, and Rose Pelzel 54. •
Senior Citizens, meeting
June 5 at •
• Don’t forget to log on to the county’s web page at www.glasscockcountytx.com. Also,
we ask again that those with online access opt to receive the Glasscock Co News online. Go to http://wscope.com/glasscock/ to register. • Correction: Judy
Stiefer was incorrectly identified in our last
newsletter. Her husband Al, the local
Baptist minister, was surprised to read that his wife’s name was Ruth! Sorry ‘bout that. • Do not, do not,
for any reason, interrupt Ms. Moore’s class. County
Approves New Paving Bids
are to be let June 11, and the work should start in late July. Commissioners
on May 14 approved payment of a disputed $18,000 bill from West Texas CAT.
Commissioner Hugh Schafer said, “They did the work, so we have to pay the
bill.” He said the size of the bill
was apparently due to machine work on the job. He said, “Next time, they
won’t do unauthorized work.” From
the Schoolhouse
•
Graduating seniors will be
guests of the Baptist, • The GCHS cheerleaders and mascot thank all those who supported the car wash on May 10. Over 40 vehicles
were washed, and the money made will help defray expenses for summer camp at
Texas A&M. We really appreciate the community support! In addition, we will be sponsoring a garage sale on Saturday, June 2, location to be determined. If you have done
some spring-cleaning and have items you want to donate, please contact any
one of us. For pickup, call Brecklyn,
354-2694 or Melissa, 535-9005. Look for flyers with further details, and
thanks again for your help!
------ Lori, Bonnie, Linda,
Brecklyn, Morgan, Allison and Marianne BEARKAT
TENNIS In District competition, the Bearkat’s varsity squad earned three
third places: Roger Alverado, boys
singles; Max Batla and Brandon Bednar, boys doubles; Summer Eoff and Collene Cox, girls doubles.
Other members of the squad were Curtis
Eggemeyer, Tyler Coats, Nato Gonzales, Natalie Henson, Leslie
Batla, Linda Branham, Becky Chavira, and Chasity Jansa. Junior
High and JV tennis players captured four
division titles at the district tournament.
Individual results for the junior high were: 7th grade boys singles, Tyler Bednar, first place, Shaun Maxie, third place, Cade Doss, consolation winner; 8th
grade boys singles, Travis Coats,
first place; 8th grade girls singles, Meagan
Niehues, second place, Teri
Branham, third place; 8th grade girls doubles, Amanda Hirt/Brandi Halfmann, first place, Krystal Sullivan/Krystal Rodriguez, second place; 8th grade
boys doubles, Chase Burks/Trey Hillger,
second place, Chais Goodwin/Todd
Wieshuhn, third place. Also
competing in the jr. high division were Raquel
Lopez and James Branham. Individual results for the JV division
were: girls singles, Stephanie Scott,
first place, Lisa Eggemeyer, fourth
place; girls doubles, Allison
Jansa/Brecklyn Hughes, first place, Lindsey
Chudej/Ashley Hirt, second place,
Carolyn Sullivan/Kaycee Schniers, third place, Anna Flores/Morgan Kight, fourth place; boys singles, Matthew Cmerek, first place, Pat Randel, second place. Rounding out a successful season, where
they finished third in regional team
tennis, the varsity squad finished 11th in the 16 team state tournament. Coach Fine thanks all the tennis
players for their hard work this year.
Thanks also to Coach Gartman and Brad Jones for their assistance, and
a special thanks to Tibby Niehues, who gave hours of her time to help all the
Bearkat tennis players. About This Publication The next issue will be June 13. The deadline for
that issue is June 11. The Glasscock
County News is published by Joe Melanie Calverley, |
|
|
