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Glasscock County News
Voters Say ‘No’ to School Bond
By a convincing vote of 191 to 87, Glasscock County voters opposed a $12 million school bond. After approving a $4 million construction and renovation bond for the school in 2006 by a 113 - 25 majority, voters this time were of a different mind. Plans for the bond money included a $7 million gymnasium and $5 million in improvements to other parts of the school plant, including classrooms. In early voting, 46 were for the proposal; 88 were against. On Election Day May 9, by precinct the vote was: Precinct One, 12 for, 44 against; Precinct Two, 9 for, 33 against; Precinct Three, 8 for, 12 against and Precinct Four, 12 for, 14 against. Asked on May 11 to comment on the election, School Superintendent Steve Long said, “What’s to say? The people have spoken, and we’ll keep rolling.” He would not offer an opinion on what issues might have caused the bond to fail, nor on whether the school board may opt to try for another bond at a later date. The board will meet at 8 a.m. May 13, having rescheduled its regular May 11 meeting.
County Volunteers Describe Emergency Communications Problems
Several Glasscock County emergency volunteers attended the May 11 meeting of the county commissioners’ court to discuss continuing cell phone coverage problems and the lack of two-way communications. Sheriff Keith Burnett said he asked the volunteers to come to the meeting so they could voice their individual opinions and so they would know first-hand that the commissioners’ court is trying to address their concerns. There seem to be two main problems: 1) since the county’s cell phone service was changed from Wes-Tex Cellular when it was bought by AT&T, coverage here with AT&T has dramatically worsened, even though AT&T insists it has not reduced power. Cell phones used by county volunteers are often useless due to weak signals, making calls either not come through at all or with a garbled, broken signal that isn’t understandable and 2) even in situations when cell phones work, lack of two-way communication is a major problem. Regarding the cell phone situation, some say that changing to Alltel/Verizon might increase coverage and help the problem, at least short-term. That merged company has built a new tower on Highway 158 just a few miles west of Garden City, and company reps say when it is operative, it will provide the most power in the area. But there is no word of when it will be in service and there is some question whether phone numbers would remain the same if the county switched to that company, and Burnett says changing numbers is not acceptable. Better Cell Coverage Won’t Cure Problems But even if cell phone coverage was much better, volunteers say it wouldn’t answer their problem of communication with the sheriff’s office and with each other after the first page has gone out. They say the first page, sent by the sheriff’s office to either EMS personnel or the VFD, or both, over the county-wide telephone alerting system, goes to both land lines and to cell phones and works great. It’s after volunteers get the first call that communication problems begin, with no central person to talk to for instructions or general information. Volunteers say they need to call in to say they are responding, to learn how many are needed, where, etc. They can’t call the sheriff’s department because all the others are calling in as well and the lines are busy. So they often waste precious time waiting to get a call through. Also, those manning emergency vehicles say they need a central person to talk to for directions and overall information relative to the emergency situation. Without such information, they say they are working “in the dark.”
Volunteers: Central Dispatching Needed The volunteers at the meeting were vocal in expressing their opinions about cell phone problems, but regardless of cell phone coverage, they seemed united in the opinion that the county needs some means of central dispatching. In the days when the sheriff’s office and tax office were one, the two tax office people answered calls and handled dispatching during normal office hours, and others were hired to provide the service at night and on weekends. Now, the sheriff and two deputies have to do those things as well as handle their other emergency duties at the same time. Volunteer Darren Jost said this overload in emergency situations is actually dangerous for our law enforcement personnel. There has been discussion of hiring full-time dispatchers, but it would take four full-time people and one part-time person to provide complete coverage according to Burnett, and County Treasurer Alan Dierschke estimates the cost conservatively at $220,000 per year. Commissioner Jimmy Strube said the county has always tried to keep property taxes as low as anywhere in West Texas. He thinks with oil values dropping, the county will be in a bind and might have to raise taxes to pay for full-time dispatching. He said county residents will “be up here complaining about a tax increase.” A. Jansa: ‘It’s All About Patient Care’ Volunteer Alan Jansa said EMT’s are taught that everything is about patient care, and added, “Your decision will determine my patient care – remember that.” Darren Jost said, “If your wife is lying out there, you’d want us there.” He asked, “If dispatchers aren’t the answer, what is?” Volunteers Mitchell Jansa and Galen Schwartz said better cell phones won’t answer the problem – dispatchers are needed. Volunteer Carol Jost said, “It’s a horrible feeling to just sit and wait to get a call through, but even with stronger phones, we have no in-between person. We need a dispatcher.” Volunteer Russell Halfmann said it recently took him 20 minutes to determine the location of the emergency he was trying to respond to. He said Burnett is “doing a great job, but needs help with communications.” Later, R. Halfmann asked, “Can we get other government funding if the county can’t afford dispatchers?” Burnett said he would support “whatever works.” County & Volunteers Appreciate Each Other All the volunteers were grateful for the county’s traditional and continuing support of them and for the equipment and training the county provides. Alan Jansa said, “We know we’re spoiled.” Mitchell Jansa said he tells clients who want to pay for ambulance service that they have gotten a free ride courtesy of Glasscock County. He says he gives them a donor card if they want to contribute to the local EMS, but the service is free. The commissioners voiced their continued support of all the county’s volunteers and praised their work. They said they want to solve the current problems, but don’t know exactly how to do it, saying they also have to consider costs. After the volunteers had left the meeting, the court later discussed the topic further, with Commissioner Michael Hoch saying someone should be hired who knows more about the cell phone power problems and who might suggest some available options. He also suggested that after Burnett moves out of the county apartment where he now lives, maybe someone could live in the apartment who would answer the emergency phone as payment instead of rent. Both Commissioners Mark Halfmann and Gary Jones have mentioned the possibility of current county office employees answering emergency phones and handling dispatching, being paid extra if necessary. That system worked in the past and might be possible again. Jones asked what the cost of a transmission tower would be if the county partnered with a cell phone company. Hoch said the county shouldn’t have to go that far to get coverage. Strube said hiring dispatchers would make the county liable for comp time, but Treasurer Alan Dierschke said that wouldn’t apply if they were only dispatchers, who would be considered clerical. Strube said, “Whose department would they work for? What happens when two don’t show up on Christmas Day?” He suggested getting everyone on Alltel, at least as a short-term solution. No action was taken in the matter.
Briefly
• Glasscock Co. Senior Citizens will meet May 19 at 6 p.m. and this is snack food night. At the meeting June 2 at 6 p.m., pizza will be furnished, so bring a salad or dessert. Home care nurses from Accolade will attend the first meeting of the month to take blood pressures. Please join us.
• MC Summer Junior Tennis Program by Lance Armstrong will hold a camp at the Garden City courts June 22 – 25. Times: 9 – 11 a.m. for ages 4 - 8 and 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. for ages 9 – 18. Cost: $100 per week for ages 9 - 18; $80 per week for ages 4 – 8. Register by June 19 by filling out the form available at Halfmann's General Store and turning it into Lance Armstrong at Armstrong's Racquet Shop at Midland College.
• A surprise retirement reception honoring Kenneth Chandler for his twenty-eight years of service with Glasscock County ISD will be Thursday, May 14, at the school cafeteria from 4 – 5 p.m. Come and go.
• NOTICE: Texas Hooter Honeys event rescheduled to July 3 from May 23. At the fundraising dance and auction July 3 at the St. Lawrence Hall from 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., the Jake Hooker Band is teaming up with the Texas Hooter Honeys to raise money for the battle against breast cancer. Tickets are $15 per person with limited VIP tables available. The Texas Hooter Honeys is a team of local women walking 60 miles over 3 days for the Susan G. Komen cure of breast cancer. Net proceeds will support research, education, screening and treatment of breast cancer. Contact any team member for tickets and details: Kristin Schwartz, Charlene Belew, Lyndi Dieringer, Jennifer Driver, Melinda Gaines, Ashley Glass, Tana Halfmann, Carol Jost, Kimberly Jost, Shana Kirkland, Joli McCombs, Tibby Niehues, Christy Seidenberger, Shay Strube or Julie Whitaker.
• Garden City Elementary School and staff participated in an 8-week virtual trek across Texas. “Walk Across Texas” is a fun, flexible and free way to exercise offered by Texas AgriLife Extension Service. It promotes fitness, weight control, cardiovascular health, stress reduction and quality time with family and friends! As a reward for collectively walking over 9,000 miles, the elementary students and faculty were treated to Trauma Awareness Day with the Midland RockHounds. Special thanks to e-on Climate & Renewables, Glasscock County Volunteer EMS, Constable Mark Frysak & Linda, Glasscock County Bank, Texas “J” Rac, Academy Sports & Outdoor, Kristin Schwartz, Charlene Belew & the Texas AgriLife Extension.
• GCISD’s regular board meeting of May 11 was rescheduled for 8 a.m. May 13, which is after publication of the May issue of the Glasscock County News. We will report information from that meeting in the June 2009 issue.
• County Sheriff Keith Burnett is getting around in a wheel chair after recent surgery. Bone was taken from his right knee and used to repair damage to his right ankle, which was injured in 2006 when he was hit by a car while working a traffic accident on Highway 87 in eastern Glasscock County. Burnett expects full recovery from surgery to take four months. Presently, he is working from home. He expects to be back in the office in a month and should be walking with a hard boot in ten weeks. He underwent a surgery in 2006 to repair damage to his shoulder, which was injured in that same incident.
In the Spotlight
• Cade Halfmann, a 2007 graduate of GCISD, was a member of Texas Tech University’s Meat Animal Evaluation Team that won first place in the National Meat Animal Evaluation Contest in March. Teams from Texas Tech have won the contest for an unprecedented three years in a row. Halfmann, who is a junior at Texas Tech, is the son of Larry and Kim Halfmann.
• Cory Multer was the recipient of one of the 2009 Senior Merit Awards from the College of Agriculture and Life Science at Texas A&M University. These awards, based on leadership, scholarship and service, are the highest given to an undergraduate by the College of Agriculture and Life Science. Multer, the son of Warren and Tanya Multer, is a graduate of GCISD and plans to attend graduate school at Texas A&M.
• Jason Flores received the following awards at a ceremony at Howard College recently: Outstanding SGA member, Outstanding Diplomat, Who’s Who Among American College and Universities, American Legion Award. Flores, a 2007 graduate of GCISD, is the son of Tina Flores and the late Jesse Flores.
• A Bill Hughes Memorial Fund to benefit his daughters is available at the Glasscock County Bank. The account is #614386. The bank’s address is P.O. Box 90, Garden City, TX 79739. Call Susan Pryor, 354-2595, for more information.
Seat Belts Saved Their Lives
COLLEGE STATION - Buddies Ethan Mitchell, 17, and Trey Mohler, 14, left home at 6 a.m. one day last February headed to the Bell County Youth Fair and Livestock Show. Hours later, they were checking on their animals at the show barn - but only after a three-hour stint in the hospital for sprained ankles and wrists, CT scans, stapled lacerations across the head and a shoulder injury. Because of seat belts and air bags, the two escaped the crumbled remains of their wrecked pickup with minor injuries. Their families are grateful that they insisted their children use seat belts from an early age. "Let the kids complain -- it's hot, I can't move -- when you make them buckle up," said Ethan's mother, Biddy Mitchell. "I'm so thankful that the Lord made us such 'mean' parents that buckling the seat belt became a habit." Unlike Mitchell and Mohler, many young drivers and their passengers do not buckle up in vehicles. "Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for 15- to 20-year olds in America, and that's due in large part to low seat belt use," said Bev Kellner, Texas AgriLife Extension Service passenger safety specialist. "More than half of the young drivers killed in 2007 weren't wearing seat belts at the time of the crash."
Teens also should know: - More than 4,800 teens were killed in traffic accidents last year. That would be like having every student at a couple of large high schools suddenly die. - Almost 60 percent of the teen drivers were not wearing a seat belt when the wreck happened. - About half of the teen drivers who were killed were not wearing a seat belt during daytime wrecks; almost 65 percent of them were not wearing a seat belt during nighttime wrecks. So serious is the situation that this year's national "Click It or Ticket" campaign will focus on young drivers and passengers. From May 18-31, extra law enforcement officers will be looking statewide for drivers and occupants not wearing seat belts. "Anyone violating the seat belt laws will receive a ticket and a fine," Kellner noted. Rather than spending money on a ticket, experts suggest, motorists can save money and possibly their lives by wearing a seat belt. This year, teens who visit http://www.clickitorticketmusic.com/ to watch a short video about how seat belts can save lives can download one of 13 popular music files from the site. "The goal is to get more young drivers and their passengers to always buckle up, every trip, every time," Kellner said. "A seat belt is the best defense against motor vehicle injuries and deaths." More information about Click It or Ticket can be found at http://www.nhtsa.gov. Editor’s note: This information was provided by the Texas AgriLife Extension Service in Garden City.
Belew Receives State 4-H Award
Charlene Belew, Glasscock County FCS Agent, was among ten county agents In Texas to receive the “Top Ten” County Extension Agent Award for 2009. She will have a dorm named in her honor at the Texas 4-H Conference Center for the 2009 summer camp program and will receive a $100 gift certificate at the 4-H Conference Center T-Shirt Shoppe. Belew was nominated by the Glasscock County Volunteer Adult Leaders Association for her work in the field of 4-H and Youth Development. Applications were reviewed by members of the Texas 4-H Conference Center Advisory Committee. Other Texas county agents receiving this award in its inaugural year: Edward Schneider, Robertson County; Phyllis Griffin, Cooke County; Laurinda Boyd, Kerr County; Laura Petty, Guadalupe County; Joe Taylor, Atascosa County; Dwight Callis, Fort Bend County; Marilyn Hale, Llano County; Micah Holcombe, Bell County and Amber Parkinson, Hockley County.
Air Evac Membership May Be Provided for County Employees
A representative from Air Evac Lifeteam spoke to the county commissioners’ court May 11 about providing air ambulance coverage for county employees. A basic membership would cost $50 per individual per year, with coverage for a spouse an additional $5 and up to three kids for $10 more. The coverage includes kids in college. This “Corporate” plan would give coverage anywhere, on or off the job. Coverage for spouse and children would be paid for by the employee. There was mention of providing coverage for county volunteers, as well. The county’s cost would be $1450 annually for its current 29 employees with the “Corporate” plan. A $10 per individual “On-site” plan would cover employees only while they are working. The coverage is like insurance, and provides no-cost air ambulance service if needed in an emergency. The representative, Mary Frances Malone, said a recent transport between two hospitals performed by another company cost the patient $19,000 --- and would have been covered with an Air Evac membership. She said the coverage is specifically for rural areas, which usually do not have access to insurance plans for air ambulance service. The court took no action in the matter, but Commissioner Michael Hoch said they might consider it in the next budget. The service has a base in Big Spring, with four pilots stationed there. Malone said one of them flew President Bush’s helicopter when Bush was in office, and said all are highly qualified. She said when you get the Air Evac helicopter, you’re getting a mini-Intensive Care Unit, complete with sophisticated equipment, an EMT and a critical care nurse in addition to the pilot. Malone said the company has a great relationship with Glasscock County EMS personnel, and lots of members here already. The service is available to anyone in the county. For more information, or for membership materials, call Malone at 432/268-9906. Sheriff’s Department Car in Collision Sheriff Keith Burnett reported that the department’s Crown Victoria was wrecked in a collision with a deer the evening of May 10 on County Road 110. He said repair would consist of a fender, radiator, condenser, hood and lights. It is up for replacement in the normal rotation in October. There was some question as to whether to repair the vehicle – County Treasurer Alan Dierschke was to report the collision to the county’s insurance carrier and then someone would decide what to do about repair. County Judge Wilburn Bednar said he’s been fussing about the carpet in the county courtroom for a long time, and thinks it would be nice to have it replaced before the upcoming murder trial, which is now scheduled for the last week in June. He is to get bids on the work. County Agent Rebel Royall said the school has loaned him a Suburban to take several kids to the State 4-H Roundup, and he will rent a small trailer for luggage. The court accepted the bid from First National Bank of Sterling City, Garden City Branch, for its depository contract. Dierschke reported that the interest rate will be .10 percent. He said by state law, if there is a bank in the county, county government is required to use that bank as its depository.
From the Schoolhouse
Scheduled Events:
Check the school website at: http://www.gckats.net for a schedule of current events.
There are numerous sporting events taking place in May and June. For up-to-date schedules and locations, check the school’s website at: http://classroom.gckats.net/webs/athletics/home.htm
For results of state UIL academic and sports competitions go to: http://www.uil.utexas/edu/
Obituaries
• Christian Adam Espinoza, infant son of Jorge and Maria (Kristi) Espinoza of St. Lawrence died March 24, 2009, at Odessa Regional Medical Center. He is survived by his parents; a sister, Vallory Renae Espinoza; maternal grandparents, Genaro and Janie Martinez, all of Garden City; paternal grandparents, Gilbert and Olivia Espinoza of Del Rio and numerous aunts and uncles.
• Steve Donald Cox, 80, of Lamesa, died May 2, 2009, at Covenant Medical Center Lakeside in Lubbock and was buried in the Garden City Cemetery. He was born Dec. 29, 1928, in Glasscock County to Eva Calverley and John Henry Cox. He graduated from Garden City High School in 1946 and Texas Technological College in Lubbock in 1950. Don married Carolyn Graham in Lubbock on Jan. 10, 1962. He owned and operated Cox Implement in Lamesa along with farming and ranching interests. He was a member of the Massey Ferguson Dealer Council and served as the Dawson County Republican chairman. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Lamesa, serving as an elder. Don was an Eagle Scout and served as a committeeman for Boy Scout Troop 708. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Belton and Ray Cox. He is survived by his wife, Carolyn Cox of Lamesa; two daughters, Kim Vigil and husband, Dan of Woodland Park, CO. and Kerry Harris and husband Doug of Castle Rock, CO.; two sons, John W. Cox of Austin and Steve Cox and wife Carol of Dallas; seven grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren; two sisters, Francis Mills and husband John of Midland and Mary Cope and husband Alton of Garden City; sister-in-law, Helen Cox of Abilene. Donations may be made to the Dawson County Christian Food Pantry, P. O. Box 1126, Lamesa, TX 79331, the First Presbyterian Church of Lamesa, P. O. Box 1126, Lamesa, TX 79331, or a charity of your choice.
• Magdaline Hoelscher, 86, died May 8, 2009, at her home and was buried in the St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery in Rowena, Texas. She was born to Theo and Ida Wanoreck Matthiesen on June 21, 1922 in Rowena. She married Elo E. Hoelscher on June 30, 1924, in Rowena. They were married for 61 years prior to his death in 2004. They farmed in the Eola and Mereta area before retiring to San Angelo in 1984. Magdaline worked for Shannon Hospital for 16 years, retiring in 1982. She was a member of the Holy Angels Catholic Church, the HALO group, and the 50+ Club. Survivors include three daughters and their husbands, Janice and Stanley Lange of Miles, Linda and Larry Kujawski of San Angelo, and Ann and Harold Hoelscher of St. Lawrence; two sons and their wives, Larry and Pam Hoelscher of Odessa and Tommy and Karla Hoelscher of St. Lawrence; 16 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband; infant daughter Susan Kay; her parents; four sisters, Cil Zumbro, Katy Vineyard, Sister Rosanna Matthiesen and Elizabeth Matthiesen; and eight brothers Edward, Bill, Tony, Victor, Felix, Alous (Jack), August (Pete), and Alfons Matthiesen. Memorial donations may be made to the Matthiesen Family Heritage Association, Holy Angels Catholic Church Building Fund, or to a favorite charity.
Next Issue Date and Deadline
The next issue of the Glasscock County News will be June 10, 2009. The deadline for that issue is June 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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