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Glasscock County News
GCISD Sets $4 Million Bond Election
At its regular meeting March 8, the Glasscock County Independent School
District Board of Trustees voted to call a $4 million bond election to be held
May 8. The BGR Architects-Engineers of
Editor’s note: Most, but not all, of the projects under consideration were
listed in the February 10, 2010 issue of the
The board selected FirstSouthwest of Dallas to handle financial details of the
bond election.
The board discussed, but took no action on a proposed oil & gas lease with
Laredo Energy. The document’s wording is “not workable” as it is. Board
President Andy Wheeler asked Superintendent Steve Long to discuss with the
school’s attorney how possible future royalties would be handled if the school
doesn’t sign the lease.
All teacher contracts were approved for the 2010–2011 school year.
Tracy Tarter, the school’s auditor, reported everything is “clean” and all
financial reports are good. He said with $5 million in reserves, the school is
in good financial shape. He said
many school districts in the state are not so fortunate.
The board voted to nominate Long for consideration as the Texas Association of
School Boards’ Superintendent of the Year for 2010.
The school district’s Vision Statement, Mission Statement & Goals plus the
District Campus Plans were approved. These are available on the school’s
website at http://www.gckats.net. County Agrees to Emergency
Work on ‘Old
Jail’
At its regular meeting March 8, the Glasscock County Commissioners’ Court
(Gary Jones absent) agreed to partner with the Texas Historical Commission
(THC) in an emergency preservation project of the Old Glasscock County
Courthouse/Jail (locally known as the Old Jail).
The county accepted a Funding Agreement and a Grant of Easement with THC, a
Resolution supporting the repairs, and an Architectural Services contract with
Wagner & Klein Inc. By virtue of these agreements, the county will accept
$73,000 (67 percent) in state funding and will pay $36,000 (33 percent) of the
total cost of $109,000. This work is for critical preservation only, not
actual historical restoration, which may come in the future, if grant money is
obtained.
Stan Klein, historical architect from
According to Klein, plans for work on the old jail should be released by June
25, with bids awarded in mid-July. Actual work should begin in late July and
be completed by year’s end.
County commissioners say they are viewing this project as a trial run, to see
whether the project can be completed to THC standards without significant cost
overruns. If that is true, they say they will be more likely to favor complete
restoration of both the current courthouse and Old Jail.
Generally, the state pays 85 percent of THC restoration projects, but in
emergency work, counties bear more responsibility due to the time and neglect
that got the structure to its present condition, according to THC Architect
Sharon Flemming, who, along with Klein, met with county commissioners (Mark
Halfmann and Gary Jones absent) in a special session Feb. 18.
Flemming said the current Old Jail project received state funding now because
of the building’s “endangered” status. Klein said it helped that the building
was once a courthouse. If it had only been a jail, it might not qualify for
the state’s Historic Courthouse Preservation funding.
Emergency Work to Prevent Further Deterioration
The emergency work on the 1894 structure is intended to prevent further
deterioration of the masonry walls and interior plaster wall surfaces. The
project will include grading modifications as necessary to provide for
positive drainage and to prohibit water entry into the building’s foundation,
thus diminishing dampness in the masonry walls. All of the missing,
non-historic and deteriorated exterior masonry joints will be removed and
replaced with mortar as nearly like the original as possible. (Newer types of
mortar are too hard, and can cause damage to the stones.)
All non-historic aluminum windows in the structure will be replaced with new
wood frame double-hung sash windows consistent with the 1894 era. The existing
steel bars on the windows will be cleaned, primed and painted. Existing steel
window shutters will also be repaired and painted. Existing steel entry doors
and steel door frames will be repaired or replicated to their original
function and appearance. No work will be done on the roof, which was replaced
in 2006.
THC Rep Urges Continued Efforts for Full Project
Funding
Flemming urged the county to continue with grant applications to THC for full
historic restoration of both the main courthouse and old jail, regardless of
past failures to obtain funding.
She said one of the problems has been that the county structures were not on
the Federal Register of Historic Places, but an application for that
designation is now in the works. Flemming said the county is “moving up” in
THC’s restoration list, and the county’s agreeing to the work on the Old Jail
will help in the other grant applications.
She told commissioners if they go ahead now with preliminary architectural
planning work on the full project, it probably would move
The county began applications for state historical courthouse
restoration grants in 2001, but missed two subsequent rotations.
Applications, which must be resubmitted every two years, were again
submitted in 2007 and 2009.
County Discusses O & G Lease
At its March 8 meeting, County Judge Wilburn Bednar told the
Bednar said he will sign an authorization for seismic work that would include
county land on and around the north landfill. Payment to the county will be
$568. Bednar said Exploration Geophysics will do the work for Trilogy
Operating Co.
The court discussed Arturo Colunga’s request for an opinion regarding where to
place a stone marker that he commissioned commemorating the GC Bearkats 2010
state football championship. Commissioners Jimmy Strube and Michael Hoch said
the school football field would be the appropriate place for the marker. Alan
Dierschke said due to Texas Historical Commission regulations, the courthouse
square would not be a feasible location. No action was taken.
Bednar mentioned possible danger on County Road 110. He said the road is
narrow, hilly and possibly unsafe for moving “wide-bar” equipment.
Commissioner Mark Halfmann said the farmers who routinely use that road
are generally “very safe” when
moving equipment. In other action, the county commissioners voted to spend $1,000 to repair a freezer in the community center rather than $2,800 for a new one. In closed session, they also discussed performance of two employees and terminated one of them. Lack of Enforcement Teeth Bothers
GGCD
Directors
Glasscock Groundwater Conservation District Director Kent McMillan
prompted a wide-ranging discussion at the district’s meeting Feb. 16. He said
few local folks care about the district or its board. He said because the
district doesn’t regulate oil companies’ water well activity, people wonder
how it helps them and why the district is even necessary. He said the district
has no teeth, and wondered aloud, “Why are we even here?”
Board president Kenneth Braden responded by saying the district serves
to “police ourselves.” Director Larry Wheat said the district was started
mostly to protect local water from being exported to
Director John Phillips said oil companies in
In a memo sent to GGCD Manager Rick Harston Jan. 26, Texas Association
of Groundwater Districts Executive Director Gregory Ellis said, “I believe
water wells drilled to supply water for oil and gas operations are exempt from
the drilling permit requirement, and that makes enforcement of a spacing
limitation difficult. Most districts use the drilling permit to ensure the
wells are adequately spaced. Without that permit requirement, they [oil
companies] get to go drill the well, once it is registered, without having to
wait on the district.
“I still think the district can set spacing limitations that apply to
all wells – with or without permits; exempt or nonexempt – but will have to
find a way to enforce it if the person drilling the well doesn’t have to get a
permit.”
Wells Should be Registered Prior to Drilling
Harston said everyone, including oil companies, is supposed to register
water wells with the district before drilling, and to show the proposed
location. But he said almost no one complies. Even locals almost always wait
until after completion, when they or the driller file a driller’s report. He
said the district could file an injunction against the entity for not
registering the well, but said it would have to file against everyone who
doesn’t register a well, not just oil companies.
Harston said some districts, with proper rules in place, levy fines
that can go up to $10,000 per day until an entity is in compliance.
Phillips wondered if it would be possible to go after drillers for drilling
water wells that are out of compliance with district regulations?
Harston also said it’s up to the landowner to bring suit if he thinks
an oil company has harmed his groundwater. He said in a lawsuit, landowners
should ask for remediation, not damages. He also said landowners should ask
him to measure and take samples from their water wells before oil wells are
drilled, so there is a baseline record.
USDA-FARM SERVICE AGENCY EMPLOYMENT
The Glasscock County USDA Farm Service Agency is taking applications for a
full time temporary Program Technician.
This position has the potential to become a permanent appointment at a
later date, according to CED John Kinnibrugh.
All candidates must be
Applications, and an overview of this position, may be obtained from the FSA,
For questions regarding this announcement, or to request an application,
contact Kinnibrugh at 432-354-2391, or by e-mail at
john.kinnibrugh@tx.usda.gov.
FSA is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.
Machicek Takes Local J-P Post
In the March 2 primary election, Kay Donna Machicek got 61 percent of the vote
to win
For District Judge, Timothy Yeats carried
County results in selected other elections: for Governor, Kay Bailey Hutchison
171, Debra Medina 107, Rick Perry 111; for U.S. Representative, Dist. 11, Mike
Conaway 310, Al Cowan 21, Chris Younts 36; for State Representative, Dist. 85,
David Andrews 96, Jim Landtroop 202.
Uncontested local candidates: for County Judge, Kimberly Trotter Halfmann; for
District and County Clerk, Rebecca (Becky) Batla; for County Treasurer, Alan
J. Dierschke; for County Commissioner, Pct.2, Mark L. Halfmann; for County
Commissioner, Pct. 4, Michael Hoch.
Land and
Mineral Owners Assoc. Educational Meeting
The Texas Land & Mineral Owners Association will meet March 25 at 6:30 p.m. at
the
Dr. Kitty-Sue Quinn, Executive Director of TLMA, will briefly highlight the
mission and history of TLMA, review the association's legislative initiatives
on behalf of all land and royalty owners across the state, talk about how you
can become involved, and will be on hand, along with Rick Harston of the
Glasscock Groundwater Conservation District, to answer questions.
The TLMA is a grassroots organization working to educate Texans across the
state on oil and gas issues as they pertain to both surface and mineral
owners. TLMA's primary goals are oilfield cleanup, protection of surface and
groundwater, accurate royalty payments and to encourage new drilling of the
state's oil and gas resources.
For more information, contact the TLMA office at (512) 479-5000 or email:
info@tlma.org
‘
Groundwater Management Area 7 will conduct a conference, “Texas Groundwater --
Your Future,” from 8:45 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. April 17 in the Texas AgriLife
Research and
The center is located north of
According to conference organizers, one issue to be addressed will have an
effect on all people within the area beginning Sept. 1: the legislative
mandate requiring every state groundwater management area to establish goals
for the pumping of groundwater.
By law, groundwater conservation districts are required to establish “Desired
Future Conditions of all aquifers within their management area by Sept. 1.
That means the districts must set goals for the condition of each
aquifer at the end of a 50-year period.
Once the recommended conditions are approved, they will be submitted to the
Texas Water Development Board. The board will then notify each district
concerning the amount of groundwater that can be permitted for pumping in
order to meet the 50-year goal. The implemented plans must then be reviewed
and updated every five years.
Conference topics are to include water issues, policy, law, legislation,
geology, water quality, weather, riparian areas and brush control. Speakers
will represent organizations such as the Texas Water Development Board, Texas
Alliance of Groundwater Districts, West Texas Weather Modification Assoc.,
National Resource Conservation Service, U.S. Geographic Service, Texas Soil &
Water Assn, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Texas AgriLife Extension
Service
Groundwater Management Area 7 covers 32
For more information, contact Rick Harston at 432-354-2430 or e-mail him at:
ggcd@crcom.net.
In the Spotlight
• The Bearkats and the Lady Kats
finished their basketball seasons in the area rounds of the UIL 1A Division 2
playoffs. The Bearkats (13-7), who
were District 10A champions, lost to Turkey-Valley 64 – 48.
The Lady Kats (27-2), who were also District 10A champs, lost to
Guthrie 31– 29.
Briefly
•
A
come and go retirement reception honoring County Judge W. E. Bednar will
be Sunday, March 28 at the Glasscock County Community Center from 3 – 5 p.m.
Judge Bednar is retiring March 31, 2010 after 24 years of dedicated
service to the county.
•
Glasscock Co. Senior Citizens next meeting scheduled for April 6 at
the Senior Citizens Center at 6 p.m. will be potluck.
April 20 is the date for the second monthly meeting.
Reminder: there is
no second meeting date in March.
• Garden City school is hosting its
spring book fair March 8 through March 10 in the
library. The book fair will be
open during regular school hours. In addition to children's books, there are
also cookbooks, adult books, and Spanish books available.
•
GCISD thanks all of you who donated
to the American Cancer Society’s “Coaches vs. Cancer.” It was a very
successful fundraiser that will enable multiple youths to participate in Relay
for Life on May 14 – 15.
•
The Glasscock Groundwater
Conservation District has director positions in Precincts 3 and 4 open. As
of the deadline on March 8, only Russell Halfmann had applied for the position
in Precinct 4. The deadline to file as a write-in candidate is March 15 at 4
p.m. at the District office. Directors Larry Wheat (#3) and John Phillips (#4)
are not running for another term.
•
2010
•
Garden City Alumni Football Game announcement:
Ok ... ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, fans of all ages! Are
you ready! The Alumni game between Garden City and Forsan will be on Sunday,
April 25 at high noon in
4-H News
2010
Stock Show Results:
Ft.
Worth Stock Show
- Swine: Hope Halfmann-5th Class 2
Chester, Lexie Schaefer-9th Class 2 Yorkshire, Holly Halfmann-3rd Class 3
Yorkshire, Rafe Royall-4th Class 1 Cross, Ian Schaefer-3rd Class 8 Cross;
Market Goats: Paige Sturtz-2nd,
Kadden Kothmann-8th.
San Angelo Stock Show -
Lambs: Ian Schaefer- 3rd Class 3 Finewool Cross Lamb;
Swine: Morgan Schwartz- 3rd Class 2 Hampshire Barrow, Ian Schaefer- 1st-
Class 3 Hampshire and Reserve Breed Champion Hampshire, Ian Schaefer- 6th
Class 2 Crossbred, Bryson Batla- 7th Class 3 Crossbred, Alley Burnett- 2nd
Class 2 Duroc, Peyton Schaefer- 8th Class 2 Duroc, Shelby Schwartz- 6th Class
4 Duroc, Lauren Schwartz- 2nd Class 2 White OPB, Hagan Halfmann- 2nd Class 2
Black OPB, Hope Halfmann- 3rd Class 2 Black OPB, Kenzie Schaefer- 2nd Class 3
Black OPB, McCall Schaefer- 1st
Class 2 York, Brylie Schaefer- 5th
Class 3 York, Peyton Schaefer- 2nd
Class 3 York and Reserve Breed Champion Yorkshire;
Market Goats: Hannah Halfmann-18th Class 2, Cassie Hirt-20th Class 3,
Colton Belew-19th Class 7, Matthew
Halfmann-10th Class 8, Cassie Hirt-5th Class 8, Paige Sturtz-21st Class 8,
Matthew Halfmann-8th Class 8; Calf
Scramble: Ian Schaefer-2nd, Cassie Hirt-4th, Chapman Royall-8th.
San Antonio Stock Show - Swine: Brooklyn Batla-8th Light
Duroc, Lexie Schaefer-7th Class 2 Duroc, Lauren Schwartz-1st Class 2 Duroc,
Light Weight Division Champion, and Reserve Grand Duroc, M’Call Schaefer-2nd
Class 3 Duroc, Kenzie Schaefer-7th Class 1 Poland, Hagan Halfmann-8th Class 1
Poland, Chapman Royall-6th Light Landrace, Holly Halfmann-2nd Light Landrace;
Goats:
Kadden
Kothmann- 3rd Market Meat Goat; Lambs:
Reggie Halfmann-8th Fine wool Cross, Lexie Schaefer-9th Fine Wool Cross
From the Schoolhouse
San Angelo Ag Mechanics competition results:
1st place in “14’ and under
trailers” class: 12’ utility
trailer – Katelyn Hoelscher, Samantha Kellermeier, Taylor Hughes, Sarah Avery
– Blue Ribbon for quality,
2nd place in “other
trailers” class: Diesel trailer –
Lane Halfmann, Marcus Cook, Britni Cook – Blue Ribbon for quality
2nd place in “electrical
livestock equipment” class: Stock
show Buddy (Portable Electricity Box) – Shanna Halfmann, Cassie Hirt, Katy
Multer – Blue ribbon for quality
3rd place in “Tractor
Restoration 1959 and older” class: 1927 Fordson Tractor – Jacob Dalton, Marcus
Dalton, Quinton Havlak – Blue Ribbon for quality
3rd place in “small indoor
furnishings” class: Pool Table light – Rachel Hirt – Blue Ribbon for quality,
Blue Ribbons for quality
were also awarded for: Show Pig Trailer Dividers – Chapman Royal; Fire Place
Screen (with awesome display) – Morgan Schwartz; Picture frame – Kelsey Jones;
1964 Farmall 656 – Dylan Jansa, Calleen Jansa; Enclosed Cargo Trailer – Sarah
Hoelscher, Brody Halfmann, Austin Hoelscher, Jessi Jones
Thanks to the parents and community members for their support.
BPA News
Kate Halfmann and Paige Niehues
qualified for Business Professionals of America’s national competition at the
state competition in
UIL Academic Meet
Jr. High TMSCA Results:
GC jr. high students won 2nd place sweepstakes award at the
Power Lifting
Amanda Trevino qualified for
state power lifting competition in
Scheduled
Events:
Check the school website at: http://www.gckats.net for a
schedule of current events.
Dates to Note:
No School: Spring Break - March 15
– 19; Easter
Academic UIL:
Mar. 29 District UIL @
Tennis: Mar. 12-13
V@GC; Mar. 19 -20 V @ Big Lake;
Mar. 23 JV Tourney @Big
Golf: Mar. 22
GC Six-man Shootout @Big Spring
Country Club; Mar. 31 Coahoma
Invitational @Comanche Trails, Big Spring;
Apr. 5 Dist. Tournament, Rd. 1
@Shady Oaks Country Club, Baird; Apr. 12 Dist. Tourney, Rd. 2 @Big Spring Country Club;
Apr. 19 – 20 Region II Tournament @
Shady Oaks Country Club, Baird.
Track and Field:
Mar. 11 JH Relays @Grady;
Mar. 12 HS Relays @ Grady;
Mar. 25 JH Relays @Grand Falls;
Mar. 26 HS Relays @Wink;
Mar. 30 JH Dist. Zone Relays @Water
Valley; Apr. 1 HS Relays @Water
Valley; Apr. 6 District Meet @
Trent; Apr. 15 Area Meet @Roby;
Apr 23 Reg. Qualifiers Meet
(TBA); May 3 -4 Regionals
@Abilene.
Reminder – dates and times for events are subject to change!
Obituaries
•
Edward Brunson Weyman,
77, died Feb. 17, 2010 in
He graduated from Garden City High School and attended
After the Navy, Ed moved back to
He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Diana David Weyman; son David
Scott Weyman and wife Jamie; daughter Laura Weyman Myers and husband Paul
Myers and his greatest new joy in life, granddaughter Anna Lynn Myers. •
Billy Don Fisher, 67, of
Billy was born July 1, 1942 in
Survivors include his wife, Garna Fisher of Sweetwater; son, James Britt
Fisher and wife Cinnamon of Prosper, Texas; daughter, Saben Morgan of
Pensacola, Florida; mother, Leola Clark of Sweetwater; sister, Joetta Daniel
of Sweetwater; brothers, Bob Fisher and wife Marian of Haslet, Texas, Keith
Hills and wife Jackie of Sweetwater; step-children, Kelly Draper and husband
Rusty of Pearland, Texas, Jeffery Perry and wife Staci of New Braunfels,
Texas, and Lawrence Perry and wife Sherry of Rogers, Arkansas; 6
grandchildren, 1 great grandchild, and 11 step-grandchildren.
Next Issue Date and Deadline
The next issue of the Glasscock County News will be April 14, 2010. The deadline for that issue is April 12, 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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