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Glasscock County News
Court Hears
CR 290 Concerns
A group of approximately ten Glasscock County citizens brought their
desires to have caliche on all of County Road 290 to the county commissioners’
court at its regular meeting Aug. 9 (Jimmy Strube absent).
Acting as the group’s spokesman, Eugene Jost said the road, which runs
east from State Highway 33 in Precinct 2, has been in existence since 2000,
and only one mile of it has been caliched. The group wants the county to
caliche the remaining 1.5 miles. Jost said several people have farms down it,
and now oil companies are heavy users. He said when it rains, farmers can’t
get to their property, and oil companies can’t get trucks to their locations
without using a caterpillar to pull them through the mud on the road.
Precinct 2 Commissioner Mark Halfmann estimated that it would cost
$40,000 for the county to do the work. He added that the county is shorthanded
on road workmen and CR 290 hasn’t been a priority, since no one has lived
along the road, and no school busses use it. He said oil company activity,
which has worsened the problem, is recent. Also, he said there is no good
source of caliche nearby, and it will take several weeks of hauling with
current county workers to get enough material in.
Jost said CR 195 in Precinct 1 has only one farm and no busses use it, but it
has been not only caliched, but paved for years. He said ten years is long
enough to get a road caliched.
There was mention of hiring Price Construction to do the work if the county
can’t do it, or of the two oil companies that use the road possibly helping
with the work. Jost said it shouldn’t be up to the oil companies. He said, “We
pay county taxes and the county should take care of county roads.”
To recap the discussion, County Judge Kim Halfmann said Commissioner Halfmann
will talk to the oil companies and to Price Construction to get something
done, or the county will do it.
[Editor’s
Note: Interested readers can check the
Glasscock County News archives of
October 2000 and October 2004 for prior coverage of CR 290. Go to
www.glasscockcountynews.com]
GCHS Gets ‘Exemplary’ Rating
Of the total number of students who took the tests, 93 percent met the state
standard in reading/English language arts, 94 percent did so in writing, 98
percent in social studies, 95 percent in math and 91 percent in science.
Testing Coordinator Tracye Spencer said both campuses will receive a blue
ribbon from TEA. Full testing results are available from Spencer.
New Tax Rate Proposed
The GCISD school board is proposing a tax rate of 1.1176 per $100 taxable
value, up slightly from 1.0671 last year. 1.0401 is for maintenance and
operations; .0775 is for bonded indebtedness. Both revenues and expenses are
projected to be approximately $13 million. Expenses include more than $8
million expected to be sent out-of-district in WADA (“Robin Hood”) payments.
There will be a public hearing on the tax rate Aug. 30 at 6 p.m. in the school
administration building. The school board will set the tax rate and adopt the
2010-2011 budget at 7 p.m. following the hearing.
At its meeting Aug. 9, the board had a closed session dealing with real
property, but no action was taken.
The board gave the administration the green light to hire another elementary
school teacher if enrollment warrants it.
Emergency Repairs Set for ‘Old Jail’
In regular session Aug. 9, the Glasscock County Commissioners’ Court
approved a total of $83,110 as the county’s part of emergency repairs totaling
$206,756 to the Historic Old Glasscock County Courthouse/Jail (known locally
as “The Old Jail”). The balance will be paid by the Texas Historical
Commission, which considers the building to be at high risk.
County Historic Commission member Alan Dierschke said nothing except a new
roof has been done to maintain the building in 60 years and it has
deteriorated badly, especially inside. The work will make the building
watertight, preventing further damage.
The project will include a French drain system including a collection dry-hole
and below-grade drainage for roof downspouts. Architect Stan Klein said the
drain system will take water from the base of the building by gravity flow
into the 7 x 7-foot tanks (somewhat like septic tank)s with gravel in the
bottom.
In addition, non-historic windows will be removed and wooden windows
installed; iron bars will be restored; steel doors will be restored or
replicated and exterior masonry will be repointed.
The emergency project is not a restoration, although some parts of it
(windows, doors and bars) will be done in such a manner that they will not
need to be redone in a historic restoration.
There were four bidders on the project, but Klein recommended Greenstreet
Contractors of Lubbock (whose bid was also lowest) because of their experience
in historic restoration work and the positive experience that THC has had with
them.
County Agrees to More Discussion of Overweight Truck Permits
At a regular meeting Aug. 9,
After doing some research into the county’s options, including legal aspects
of the matter, with Consulting Road Engineer Don Bonifay, County Judge Kim
Halfmann had asked the commissioners whether they wanted to pursue the
permitting idea before she did more work on it.
Commissioners and County Sheriff Keith Burnett view permitting as a means of
having some control as to what travels over the county’s roadways.
As they are now being considered, permits would be issued annually out of
Judge Halfmann’s office, with new companies being issued a prorated permit.
They would be “envelope permits,” not vehicle-specific. What weights to
be specified and what the permits will cost have not yet been determined, but
would probably mirror permits issued for state roads. Weights on state permits
start at 80,000 pounds and go up from there, depending on the type of permit,
number of axels on the truck, etc.
The permits might cost $4,000, like the state’s.
Overweight Permits Require Bonds
The permits would also require a bond for payment of road damages ---
Bonifay and Halfmann think this is the key to making the permitting work,
since companies don’t want anyone to file on their bonds.
Bonifay said state permits name counties where overweight trucks are allowed
to use state highways; local county permits do not supersede state permits,
and apply only to county road use. Apparently, most companies operating in
Halfmann said if the county begins requiring permits, letters would be sent to
companies working in the county, advising them of coming changes, so they can
have time to get in compliance.
Halfmann and Bonifay will prepare an
outline of permitting specifics for commissioners’ consideration and further
discussion.
They will also prepare for commissioners’ consideration a document for county
use in allowing companies to bore under county roads. Halfmann said now, each
company presents its own form, nothing is standardized and some companies
don’t even ask the county’s permission before boring under a county road. The
new document will also clarify that county rights-of-way are not to be used
privately without specific permission of the commissioners’ court.
USDA Conservation Reserve Program Sign–up Underway
USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) will hold a Conservation Reserve Program
(CRP) general sign-up from Aug. 2 - 27.
CRP is a voluntary program that helps agricultural producers use
environmentally sensitive land for conservation benefits. Producers enrolled
in CRP plant long-term, resource-conserving covers to control soil erosion,
improve water and air quality, and develop wildlife habitat. In return, FSA
provides participants with rental payments and cost-share assistance.
Contract duration is between 10 to 15 years.
To be eligible for CRP enrollment, a producer must have owned or operated the
land for at least 12 months prior to the end of the CRP sign-up period; with
exceptions for inherited land, or land not acquired solely for the purpose of
enrolling into the CRP program.
To be eligible for placement in CRP, land must be cropland (including field
margins) that is planted or considered planted to an agricultural commodity
four of the six crop years from 2002 to 2007, and which is physically and
legally capable of being planted (no planting restrictions due to an easement
or other legally binding instrument) in a normal manner to an agricultural
commodity.
For more
information on CRP, contact the Glasscock County FSA office at (432) 354-2391,
or visit FSA’s website at
http://www.fsa.usda.gov/crp
The Glasscock County Commissioners’ Court (Jimmy Strube absent), meeting in
regular session Aug. 9, set its proposed tax rate for 2010-2011 at .308 per
$100 valuation, which is just below the rollback figure. With that rate,
expected revenues would be $3.8 million, up $169,000 from the previous year.
Projected expenses are $117,000 less than revenues. Raises of $2,400 for
full-time county employees are included in the proposed budget.
The court will meet for a final budget workshop Aug. 19 at 9 a.m. in the
courtroom of the courthouse in Garden City.
August 31 and Sept. 7 were set as dates for 9 a.m. public hearings on the
proposed tax rate, and Sept. 13 was set for a 9 a.m. budget hearing, at which
time the proposed budget will be accepted and the tax rate set. These hearings
will also be in the courtroom of the courthouse.
The court voted 3-1 (Mark Halfmann opposed) to begin assessing a $10 road and
bridge fee. The money raised is to be used only for roads and bridges. The
fee, three percent of which goes to the state, is added to vehicle licensing
costs and will be effective Jan. 1. It will not apply to farm trailers, and
there are other exemptions. Statewide, there were only 11 other counties,
which did not impose the fee. In other action, the court approved agreements with both Atlas and Onda-Lay for boring under county roads, left sheriff’s and constable’s fees unchanged, approved the tax collector’s annual report, and passed a resolution supporting mental health organizations in Texas.
Briefly
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School Board Election Nov. 2:
Three positions on the school board are up for election on the Nov. 2
ballot. The last day to file an application for a place on the ballot is 5
p.m. Aug. 24 at the school administration office. Andy Wheeler, Doug Schaefer
and Carl Hoelscher are the incumbents. For additional information, contact
Steve Long, 354-2230.
•
Glasscock County Senior Citizens
will meet Aug. 17 at 6 p.m. and finger foods will be the fare.
The following meeting is set for Sept. 7. Bring a dish of your choice
to go with the barbeque, which will be provided.
•
The 54th annual St.
•
Everyone is encouraged to view the county’s new website.
The proposed county budget for
2010-2011 is posted, along with agendas for commissioners’ court meetings.
A link detailing duties and responsibilities of the various county offices is
also available. Go to
http://www.co.glasscock.tx.us/ips/cms
•
Landowners who are putting an
entrance onto their property from a
county road should check with their county commissioner prior to
construction. If the entrance is to
be used by trucks, it must be a minimum of 60 feet back from the fence line.
That distance is necessary so that trucks can complete their turn into the
property and make any necessary stop, without any of the truck stopping on or
extending into the county road. The county can also specify safe locations for
entrances. If there is a question of whether there is safe sight distance from
an entrance both directions down a county road, check with your commissioner.
•
“Come and Get It!” is the slogan
for the official State of
•
The county still has a fire
truck for sale ($12,500 asking price). Call 354-2639 for more information.
•
Raffle tickets for a customized 2010
Polaris Ranger 800 CREW
are
available from Veteran Outdoors. The Polaris is outfitted by Critter Gitters
with a custom color extreme liner, a heavy-duty roof and has a hand made high
seat with adjustable shooting bar by Danek Iron Works. Tickets go for one for
$10, five for $35 or ten for $50. To buy tickets, go to
www.veteranoutdoors.com. For
more information call Millie Hirt, 664-2826.
• Our
mother, Eva Doyle, is having her 90th birthday on Aug. 26. We would like to have a “shower” of
birthday cards for her. Her address is 4080 FM 1054, O’Donnell, TX, 79351.
Please, at her request, a card with a note if you wish, but no gifts!
---------
Lonnie & Kay Doyle, Judy Kingston, Larry
Doyle
•
Congressman Mike Conaway
will be
at the Glasscock County Coop Gin in St. Lawrence Aug. 16 from 9 to 9:30 a.m.
to visit with county constituents. His visit is part of the Republican Party’s
America Speaking Out initiative which allows citizens to voice their ideas on
the issues they believe are the most important facing the country. According
to the Republican press release, these ideas will be useful in crafting the
party’s overall agenda. The meeting is open to the public.
•
The following election judges and alternates for 2010
were
appointed at the commissioner’s’ court meeting Aug. 9:
Pct. 1 Joyce Halfmann, Barbara Fuchs; Pct. 2 Rita Sparks, Cecelia
Alvarado; Pct. 3 Helen Glass, Sandi Allen; Pct. 4 Diane Havlak, Betty Pate;
Early Voting judge Suzie Hillger, Valerie Hoelscher.
•
Glasscock County Sheriff’s Office Monthly Report July 1 - 31:
Wrecks – 3, Loose Livestock Calls – 1, Medical Calls – 2,
Fires – 0, Other – 16, Arrests – 1,
Total Citations – 38.
In the Spotlight
•
Ken Hoskins,
GCISD secondary school principal and former coach, was
inducted into the
Sheriff Attends Annual Training Conference
Glasscock County Sheriff Keith Burnett recently attended the Sheriffs’
Association of
The annual conference, which is held in various cities across the state,
allows sheriffs, deputies, federal, state and city law enforcement officers to
network and discuss different issues that affect law enforcement across the
state and nation. This year, participants received training on a variety of
topics including: bail bonds, communications interoperability, prisoner
transportation safety, mental health/medical clearance protocols, records
management, forensic DNA analysis, and pardons/parole among other topics.
Participants also had the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the
latest crime fighting tools and technology.
The Sheriffs’ Association of Texas (SAT) is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit
organization dedicated to increasing the effectiveness of local law
enforcement in
From the Schoolhouse
Scheduled
Events:
•
Seventh grade orientation,
Monday, Aug. 16 at 9 a.m. in the high school rotunda.
•
Registration, grades 7 – 12, Monday, Aug. 16 from 9:30 a.m. – 3
p.m. in Coach Hoskins office (come and go) to finalize class schedules and to
get locker assignments.
•
School Starts! First
day of classes for students is Aug. 23.
Dates to Note:
Aug. 14 – JV/V football scrimmage,
GC, Grady, Mid-Trinity @ GC, 9:30 a.m.;
Aug. 16 –orientation 7th grade, 9 a.m., student schedules, (Gr. 7 – 12)
9:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.; Aug. 20 – JV/V
football scrimmage, GC, WV, Abilene Christian @ Water Valley, 6 p.m.;
Aug. 23 – first day of classes for
students; Aug. 24 – Meet the
Bearkats, auditorium, 7 p.m.; Aug. 28
– varsity football, GC vs. Calvert @ Hico, 10 a.m.;
Sept. 3 – varsity football, GC @ Sterling City, 7:30 p.m.;
Sept. 6 – Labor Day Holiday;
Sept. 10 – JH/JV/V football @
Paducah, 4 p.m. start.
Check the school website at:
http://www.gckats.net for a schedule of
current events.
NOTE: Football schedules for 2010
for Varsity, JV, and Jr. High are available on the school website.
Obituary
•
Don L. Brashears,
75, of
He was born April 12, 1935, in
Don grew up in
Survivors include his wife, Shirley Brashears of Big Spring; three daughters,
Donna McCloskey and husband Mike of Austin, Cathy New and partner Ronnie
Broadrick of Big Spring and Susan Hirt and husband Wayne of Garden City; four
sons, Mike Brashears and partner Patricia Lucey of Louisville, Colo., Johnny
Moore and wife Debbie of Big Spring, Greg Moore and wife Kara of Midland and
Don Moore and wife Robin of Lubbock; one sister, Ruth Jackson and husband Jack
of Temple, Okla.; 17 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. He was also
preceded in death by his parents, three brothers and one sister.
The family suggests memorials be made to a favorite charity.
Next Issue Date and Deadline
The next issue of the Glasscock County News will be Sept. 15. The deadline for that issue is Sept.13, 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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