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Glasscock County News
School Plans $335,000 Building
Construction of a large, metal vocational arts building was discussed at length at the GCISD board meeting Oct. 11. Tentatively, the building is planned for the space immediately southeast of the entrance to the high school at a cost of approximately $335,000, without including new equipment, according to Superintendent Steve Long. Long said funds beyond the $150,000 in the new budget allocated for construction will come from the school’s reserves. Equipment from the existing voc-ag building will be used, and will be augmented over a period of several years, according to Long. As planned, the building will be 125 feet by 110 feet and high enough to accommodate 14-foot doors. Board member Karla Hoelscher voiced concern regarding the planned location of the building, saying it will block any view of the high school, adding that years ago, she also opposed removing the columns in front of the high school. Alternate Site Said ‘Too Far Away’ Board member Andy Wheeler mentioned the open area behind the “Complex” building and just west of the school’s track as another possible site, which he said offers more room, but some board members and administrators felt that site is too far from the high school for students to make timely changes between classes. Secondary Principal John Petree, however, said it would be possible to alter those change times. Board member Carl Hoelscher said the lot southeast of the school would be convenient for 18-wheelers delivering materials to the building, perhaps as often as weekly. K. Hoelscher asked whether this building would be useful if the current vocational program ends up like the home economics program – set up and then abandoned. Vocational teacher Rusty Hollingsworth said 80 percent of his students come back each year. He said 42 percent of students in grades 9 – 12 (40 students) are taking at least one of his classes. He said the classes are different than in the past --- not just welding and woodworking. K. Hoelscher asked what would happen to the vocational program if Hollingsworth leaves. In response, C. Hoelscher said it would be easier to recruit someone else if there is a good facility. Input on Building, Site Welcome; Drawings Available Board president Jimmy Eggemeyer appointed a board committee of Doug Schaefer, C. Hoelscher and Wheeler to look at the proposed lot (southeast of the high school) to determine if a building of the proposed size can fit on it. The committee will report to the board at the next meeting, at which time the building will be discussed again. The board voted to take bids on the building at its November meeting. Anyone with input regarding the proposed building or its placement should contact school board members prior to the November meeting. Drawings for the proposed building are available to the public in the superintendent’s office. The board accepted a bid from James Schwartz in the amount of $10,920 (same as last year) for grounds maintenance. The other bid was from Frank Clifton, $11,258 GCISD will partner with Hico ISD for its WADA money this year; an estimated $2.7 million will be sent there. Pre-K – 6 enrollment is 163; grades 7 – 12 enrollment is 146.
In The Spotlight
• Tyler Coats, a junior and First Sergeant of Company L-l in the Corps of Cadets at Texas A&M University, was recently chosen as a member of the Ross Volunteer Company. The top 72 juniors in the Corps who have above-average grades, pass a review board of senior members in the Company, and represent Texas A&M University and the Corps of Cadets as a soldier, statesman, and knightly gentleman are selected to become Ross Volunteers. The oldest honor guard and drill team of its kind in the state, it is the honor guard for the Governor of the State of Texas. Coats, a 2002 graduate of GCHS, is the son of Doug and Donnita Coats.
• GCHS seniors Krystal Sullivan and Timothy Schniers were named Homecoming Queen and Mr. Bearkat Sept. 24. Other nominees were seniors Rebecca Cmerek, Amanda Hirt, Trey Hillger and Wade Machicek. Krystal is the granddaughter of Denis and Anita Calverley; Timothy is the son of Kathleen and Kenny Schniers.
• Krystal Sullivan was crowned Band Sweetheart at GCHS Homecoming 2004 festivities Sept. 24. Other nominees were senior Renee Alvarado and junior Angela Hoelscher.
• Brody Halfmann, son of Terry and Mark Halfmann, recently took home a 1st place ribbon with his goat at the State Fair of Texas.
• Cade Halfmann showed the Reserve Grand Champion Goat at the Permian Basin Fair & Exposition. Cade is the son of Larry and Kim Halfmann.
Annual Pecan Show Set
The Annual Glasscock County Pecan Show will be held Nov. 18 at the Community Center with divisions for both pecan quality and cooked dishes using pecans. Judging for pecan quality is set for 9 a.m. Forty-five pecans are required per entry, and are due at the county Extension office by noon Nov. 15. They are to be in plastic zip-type bags labeled with the pecan variety and owner’s name. Champion pecans will advance in competition. Recipes for entries in the cooking division must be in the Extension office by noon Nov. 4. Pecans must be in each recipe, there is no limit on the number of entries per person, and items requiring refrigeration will not be accepted. Age categories for entrants are: adult, youth (grades 3 – 12) and peewee (pre-K – grade 2). Food categories are: cakes, pies, cookies, candies, breads and miscellaneous. Food items are to be entered at the Community Center the day of the show between 8:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. The entire recipe must be entered for judging. Food must be on disposable dishes (which will not be returned), covered with clear plastic wrap. The entrant’s name, division and age category are to be written on the bottom of each container. Non-auction food items and recipe books will go on sale to the public at noon. An evening program will begin at 6 p.m. with Bill Baxter, an apiary inspector from College Station, giving a talk about the rising bee problem and the role we play in it. Snacks will be provided, and there will be an auction of champion foods and non-advancing pecans. Proceeds go toward financing a scholarship for which GCHS seniors may apply in the spring.
County Adds Dollars to Reserves
Glasscock County Treasurer Alan Dierschke reported to the commissioners’ court (Jimmy Strube absent) Oct. 12 that in the last two years, the county has doubled its reserve funds. He said at the end of the 2003-2004 fiscal year, he was able to add $207,000 to the general fund, giving a total of $673,000 (which translates to approx. 5 months of operating money). Also, he said $2,500 was added to the Garden City Water System’s reserves, making a total of $56,000. Dierschke reported that the fund for community center bond debt grew by $40,000 and now has a balance of $183,000, $50,000 more than the amount needed for the next payment. Sheriff Royce Pruit met with the court regarding two matters, which the court addressed last month: an invoice submitted by Nancy Hillger, and his department’s request for new vehicles. Hillger had invoiced the county for 105 hours of office cleaning dating from January through August, presumably to be paid at the county’s lowest part-time rate of $9.50 per hour. The county court took no action last month on payment of the invoice, saying they had no knowledge of any cleaning arrangement with Hillger. Courthouse custodian Diane Havlak is now cleaning those offices, Pruit said. Commissioner Mark Halfmann said paying Hillger for the work might open the door for other courthouse employees who also did their own office cleaning for several months when they were effectively without a custodian. The court tabled the matter until next month. Court Changes Decision on Sheriff’s Vehicles Regarding the vehicles, the sheriff’s department had requested a car and a pickup last month, but the court voted to buy two pickups instead. Pruit told the court Oct.12 that a pickup has been ordered, but Deputy Ken Zunker wants to drive a car, not a pickup, citing the need for trunk space. Pruit also said he personally favors a car for the extra speed it provides. With little discussion, the court agreed to purchase a car (Ford Crown Victoria Interceptor model). Eugene Jost spoke to the court regarding a need for caliche on an unnumbered county road east of Hwy. 33 in the southeast part of the county. He said the road was approved for improvement two or three years ago, and that should have been enough time to get more of it topped with caliche. Commissioner Mark Halfmann said the road has been kept in good shape except in times of heavy rains. He said he told Jost when the county built the road that it wouldn’t be finished all at once, but would be worked on as the county could get to it. He cited the long haul from available caliche pits to the road in question as one of the problems. Commissioner Michael Hoch agreed with Halfmann, and said there is also a road in his precinct that is in serious need of improvement, and said it, too, will be done as soon as possible. Warning Siren Discussed The court again discussed a warning siren for Garden City, with an estimated price tag from $12 – $13,000. The siren would have more than one tone (for different types of emergencies), broadcast in a circular pattern, and be radio-activated. Commissioners discussed the possibility of looking for a location that would be more central than the courthouse for better coverage of the town. They decided to ask a representative of the manufacturer to meet with them in order to get more information. County Judge Wilburn Bednar reported that an oil company is interested in leasing 14 acres where it plans to reopen an old oil well. He said the offer was for 3/16 royalty and a $75 per acre leasing bonus. No one was sure what the county’s mineral interest is, nor whether it owns the surface. No action was taken, since the item was not on the court’s agenda, but apparently, Bednar is to discuss the matter with an attorney. Community Center Sign Possible Extension Agent Charlene Belew asked whether the court would approve the idea of a limestone marker engraved with the community center’s name, similar to the one at the Veterans’ Memorial, for placement at the northwest corner of the center’s lawn. The court agreed with the idea, and said it would handle the installation and electrical work for lighting the sign. She said 4-H youth want to see if they can get the stone donated, and plan to pay for the engraving with funds they have raised. Belew also asked that something be done to improve drainage in the flowerbeds on the center’s west side, which she says have become eyesores. Halfmann said he and Andrea Hillger had been working on a plan to remedy that problem. Extension agent Randall Rakowitz asked for help in mounting a 10 ft. x 10 ft. projection screen in the large, middle room of the center. He said the screen has been setting in a box, apparently for a long while, and needs to be hung. The court approved a still unwritten resolution that would allow the county to apply for state money for voting machines.
Pneumonia Vaccine: What You Should Know
Pneumococcal disease (pneumonia) is a serious disease that kills more people in the U.S. each year than all other vaccine-preventable diseases combined. Anyone can get it, but those 65 and over, the very young and people with special health problems are at greater risk. These health problems include alcoholism, heart or lung disease, kidney failure, diabetes, HIV infection or certain types of cancer. Drugs such as penicillin were once effective in treating pneumococcal infections, but the disease has become more resistant to them, making treatment more difficult. This makes prevention of the disease through vaccination even more important. The pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV) protects against 23 types of pneumococcal bacteria. Most healthy adults who get the vaccine develop protection to most or all of these types within two to three weeks of getting the shot. The very old, children under two years, and people with some long-term illnesses might not respond as well or at all. Who Should Get the Vaccine? Those who should get PPV: all adults 65 years of age or older; anyone over 2 years of age who has a long-term health problem, anyone over 2 years of age who has a disease or condition that lowers the body’s resistance to infection or is taking a drug or treatment that lowers the body’s resistance to infection, plus Alaskan Natives and certain Native American populations. PPV may be less effective in some people, especially those with lower resistance to infection, but these people should still be vaccinated, because they are more likely to get seriously ill from pneumococcal disease. Usually, Only One Dose Needed Usually, only one dose of PPV is all that is needed. However, under some circumstances a second dose may be given. A second dose is recommended for those age 65 and older who got their first dose when they were under 65, if five or more years have passed since that dose. A second dose is also recommended for people who have certain serious medical conditions. For more information, ask your doctor, call your local or state health department, call the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1/800/232-7468 (English) or 1/800/232-0233 (Spanish), or visit the CDC’s National Immunization Program website at http://www.cdc.gov/nip.
County Passes Budget Amendments
Meeting in special session Sept. 29, the Glasscock County’s Commissioners’ Court, with Commissioner Mark Halfmann absent, passed fifty budget amendments to end the fiscal year. Most of the amendments were from within the same departments and involved moving funds from one line item to another. Some of the amendments which involved transferring money from one department or separate area to another were: $750 from the general government miscellaneous fund to the sheriff/tax assessor-collector’s equipment fund; $800 to the jail apartment’s electricity fund from the general government miscellaneous fund; $4,500 to jail repairs and upkeep from general government miscellaneous fund; $7,500 to Garden City fire department expenses from general government ambulance expense; $12,000 to Garden City fire department expenses from road crew equipment; $4,000 to St. Lawrence fire department expenses from general government miscellaneous fund; $7,200 to appraisal district valuation engineers from general government miscellaneous fund, and $3,500 to community center repairs and upkeep from general government miscellaneous fund. The commissioners also approved a resolution declaring October Czech Heritage Month in the county and approved another one declaring November Home Care and Hospice Month. In other action, the court reported to the Texas Department of Transportation that there are 218 miles of county roads in Glasscock County and went into executive (closed) session to discuss election personnel, but took no official action.
Local Youth Celebrate National 4-H Week
Locally and across the nation, youth celebrated National 4-H Week Oct. 3 – 9. The organization is one of the largest for youth in Texas, with over a million members statewide and more than 120 in Glasscock County. Local 4-H members ranging from kindergarten to high school seniors, observed the event by “Painting the Town.” Senior members, grades 9 – 12, repainted the poles that hold the 4-H welcome signs on each side of Garden City. Intermediate members, sixth grade through junior high, joined forces and decorated the town with green and white streamers. Junior 4-H members, grades 3 – 5, participated in a poster contest judged by county judge Wilburn Bednar, with the 14 entries displayed at the school. Contest winners were Brylie Schaefer 1st place, Jessi Jones 2nd place, and Lexie Schaefer 3rd place. A national 4-H web site is available at www.4husa.org. In addition, one can learn more about the Texas program by logging on to http://texas4-htamu.edu, and the local program at http://glasscock-tx.tamu.edu/.
Briefly
• Voting By Mail: Mail-in ballots for the Nov. 2 general election may be picked up at the county clerk’s office or by submitting a written request to that office for a ballot. Written requests for a ballot must be received in the clerk’s office by Oct. 26. To be counted, ballots must be received in the mail at the clerk’s office on or before election day.
• Early voting in person runs Oct. 18 – Oct. 29 in the clerk’s office.
• The Lion’s Club Halloween Carnival is scheduled for Oct. 30 at 6:30 p.m. in the Community Center. Activities include games, bingo, a raffle and refreshments. The ever-popular costume contest will be at 7:15 p.m. The Lion’s Club’s share of proceeds from the carnival, the Lion’s primary fund raiser, go back into the community to support local youth programs such as Boy Scouts and the Glasscock County Jr. Livestock Show. In other endeavors, the Lions presented $800 in scholarships to 2004 GCHS graduates; aided in eye testing and obtaining glasses for county youngsters; assisted in the county ‘Secret Santa’ program for needy youth; held fund raisers as needed for area residents. In addition, the local Lion’s Club contributes funds to the Texas Lion’s Camp for disabled kids and to the Lion’s International fund. If you are aware of anyone who can use some assistance, please contact a Lion’s Club member.
• “Touchdown for Todd” The GCHS Student Council will be selling paper footballs for $1 each until the end of October with proceeds going to the Todd Weishuhn scholarship fund. For more information, call Brandi Halfmann 535-2236 or Megan Niehues 354-2220.
• Glasscock County Senior Citizens will meet Oct. 19; bring snack foods. Due to the election, the only meeting in November will be the Thanksgiving dinner on Nov. 16 at 6 p.m. Turkey and dressing will be furnished, so bring a dish to go with those. All senior citizens are invited to the dinner.
• Ronnie Wegner, who has been in Iraq, will speak Oct. 20 about the war in Iraq and his experiences. A program designed for elementary students begins at 12 p.m. and the program for secondary students, to which the public is invited, begins at 1 p.m. in the auditorium.
• Joe Wooten, Jr., son of Joe and Judy Wooten, is currently attending Joliet Community College and will be entering the U.S. Marine Corps in March 2005. Joe Sr., a graduate of GCHS and the son of Bertie and Ervin Wooten, is an engineer for Westinghouse Nuclear in Monroeville, PA and sends his e-mail address if old friends want to contact him: circlebarw2000@yahoo.com or j.jwooten@sbcglobal.net.
• Glasscock County’s 4-H members and Extension agents thank the entire community for its continued support of the program. They also encourage both new members and volunteers to join. Enrollment forms are available at the Extension office in the Community Center or by calling 354-2381 or 354-2608.
• A Flu Clinic will be held Oct. 27 from 3 – 5 p.m. at the school cafeteria, depending on availability of flu vaccine. It is necessary to reserve vaccine by calling ReeAnn McKinnon (354-2243). Vaccine will be administered in the order of registration. Flu shots will be $15 and pneumococcal (pneumonia) vaccine injections are $27.50. Both are free for those 65 or over (must show Medicare card). (Please see separate piece regarding the pneumococcal vaccine on page 3).
• The Glasscock County 4-H members thank all those who participated in or volunteered for the 2nd Annual Livestock Association Dove Hunt. Proceeds will assist in funding the 2005 Livestock Association Scholarship.
From the Schoolhouse
Honor Rolls Announced (First Six Weeks 2004)
Elementary School • All A’s: Hugo Almazan, Brooklyn Batla, Isaac Enriquez, Mikaela Garza, Emily Glass, Carlie Hollingsworth, Hope Halfmann, Megan Hughes, Talia Mier, Christopher Murphy-Reed, Tristin Rodriguez, Elizabeth Zuniga, Marley Braswell, Holly Halfmann, Daeley Havlak, Brazos Hirt, Kadden Kothmann, Brandon Gartman, Ashley Halfmann, Cody Halfmann, Kellan Kirkland, Amie Lopez, Lexie Schaefer, Kaitlyn Braswell, Austin Hoelscher, Sarah Hoelscher, Agatha Koethler, Izamar Ocon, Reggie Halfmann, Jessi Jones, Katy Multer, Jessica Olveda, Shelby Schwartz, Brett Chudej, Hayden Halfmann, Katelyn Hoelscher, Samantha Kellermeier, Dylan Lowery, Ian Schaefer, Brittney Schniers.
• A Average: Isaiah Enriquez, Alicia Gutierrez, Karen Hernandez, Damian Leos, Bailey Matschek, Sixto Ocon, Araceli Bocanegra, Vanessa Barco, Ty Halfmann, Maddie Hoelscher, Rico Mier, Antonio Ramirez, Ismael Ramirez, Brylie Schaefer, Susana Suderman, Jessica Martinez, Shawn Walker, Colton Belew, Miguel Bocanegra, Brody Halfmann, Peyton Schaefer, Craig Wheeler, Sarah Avery, Blayne Batla, Britni Cook, Jacob Dalton, Shanna Halfmann, Cassie Hirt, Taylor Hughes, Calleen Jansa, Michael Lopez, Joshua Colunga, Heather Havlak, Brian Hirt, Rachel Hirt, M’Call Schaefer, Johnathon Young.
Secondary School* • All A’s: Noemi Gonzales, Amber Halfmann, Kate Halfmann, Lane Halfmann, Laura Halfmann, Kelsey Jones, Paige Niehues, Adriana Ramirez, Victoria Garza, Brooke Halfmann, Levi Schaefer, David Schwartz, Jake Schwartz, Lauren Wheeler, Lindsey Wolfe, Mikela Barton, Wade Jansa, Whitney Kellermeier, Lyza-Ann Lopez, Amy Multer, Nick Sanchez, Cade Halfmann, K’Lann Niehues, Taylor Niehues, Colton Schwartz, Marissa Schwartz, Tyler Bednar, Tracy Eggemeyer, Cory Multer.
*This Honor Roll does not include seniors taking Concurrent Classes because they are incomplete at this time.
Cross-Country: The district cross-country meet, hosted by Garden City, will be Oct. 18 in Big Spring.
FFA News: • On Sept. 14, the Glasscock County FFA Chapter went to the fall district leadership meeting in Andrews. At this meeting, the members went through sessions and different fun stuff that can help with leadership within our chapter. After the session, we got to eat and visit with other members in our district. While we were there, our chapter received a third place banner in the ExtempSpeaking. By Jared Bradford
• Thanks to the people who bought raffle tickets for the storage building we built last year. Sorry if you weren’t lucky enough to win, but congrats to Fermen Barron who won the storage building at the Homecoming Game. By Maryann Trevino & Jessica Dawes
Obituary
• Zackary Ray Alvarado, infant son of Pricilla Kay Franco and Roger Lee Alvarado of Big Spring, died Oct. 5 and was buried at Trinity Memorial Park. Zackary was born Oct. 5 in Big Spring. In addition to his mother and father, he is survived by his grandparents, Hector Castro and Linda Franco of Big Spring and Jaime and Cecilia Alvarado of Garden City; his great grandparents, Joe B. and Dominga DeHoyas of Artesia, N.M.; six aunts; one uncle; and a cousin.
Next Issue Date and Deadline
The next issue of the Glasscock County News will be Nov. 10. The deadline for that issue is Nov. 8, 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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