The Aransas Pass Progress (Aransas Pass, Tex.), Vol. 87, No. 15, Ed. 1 Wednesday, June 7, 1995 Page: 2 of 33
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THE
ARANSAS PASS PROGRESS
PAGE 2
WEDNESDAY
June 7, 1995
State treasury may be abolished
By Lyndell William,
ft Ed Sterling
Texas Press Association
AUSTIN - The days following
adjournment of the
Legislature belong to the gov-
ernor. who signs bills alone in
the spotlight because weary
lawmakers have gone home
after 140 days of lawmaking.
Last week. Gov. George W.
Bush took the microphone in
a news conference to declare
the 1995 legislative session a
success.
The first-term governor, who
focused on four goals -- edu-
cation reform, welfare reform.
Juvenile Justice reform and
tori reform -- said he is ready
to tackle another tough Issue.
"We must look carefully at
property tax relief, at reliev-
ing property owners of a high
burden." Bush said. But he
emphasized that property tax
relief does not have to mean
the onset of a state personal
income tax.
“I am personally against an
Income tax," Bush said. "I
believe -- and, hopefully wc’U
find a way tq have property
tax relief without an income
tax.” '
Under a constitutional
amendment adopted by vot-
ers in. 1993, Texas cannot
have a personal income tax
without it first being
approved In a statewide refer-
endum.
Four Bush Goals Succeed
In addition to a $79 billion
two-year budget without a tax
increase, the four goals Bush
stressed during his guberna-
torial campaign were at least
partially achieved.
Here’s a rundown of those
goals:
a Education. The center-
piece of Bush's education
reform plan curbs the regula-
tory authority of the Texas
Education Agency and gives
local school boards more con-
trol (home-rule concept) over
their curricula and programs.
■ Welfare. The governor
was unable to persuade the
Senate to give Texans but one
chance to be on the welfare
rolls. The final bill permits
people to reapply after one to
four years, depending on the
recipient's education and
work experience.
Diversity fuels economy
Juliet K. Wenger
Coastal Bend
Council of Governments
Diversity is a word heard
more frequently In discus-
sions. whether of the health
of the business community or
Individual Investments. The
Coastal Bend has already
experienced successes In
diversifying Its economy. The
COG's regional economic
development plan calls for
continuing efforts.
The COG amended that plan
Our opinion
recently to allow the City of
Corpus Chrlstl to apply for an
economic development grant
to build an Infrastructure for
a factory outlet center. The
COG supported this on
grounds it would diversify the
economy of the region and
create new Jobs.
Regional implications are
obvious when you look at the
site location on a map. The
site Is north of the Nueces
River near the Y where
Highways 37 and 77 go their
Amid allegations of wrong-doing, a Trl County Emergency
Medical Service official has given his side of the story.
A story some, no doubt, will argue, but all sides have now
voiced their opinions. In a letter to the editor published May
31. Aransas Pass citizen Doris Coulter expressed concern
that Trl County EMS may not be above board In Its opera-
tion.
While there may remain some question about an “Iron-
clad" policy prohibiting TCEMS personnel from using ambu-
lances for anything but business, city officials say the ser-
vice Is satisfactory. If there's ever been a breech of the pub-
lic trust, we believe It will not happen again.
Trl County EMS officials now know the public Is watching,
and that we will respond strongly to any such breech. No
such transgression Is immediately evident, and the Progress
extends the same fairness to TCEMS as we do to any other
public trust.
We thank Ms. Coulter, as a member of our community, for
her Involvement. She saw what she believed to be an Injus-
tice and acted in an Intelligent, responsible manner.
Although we do our best, your newspaper cannot be all
places at all times, making Individual input all the more
vital.
Likewise. TCEMS and Aransas Pass officials have
explained their positions. The facts are now published, and
If any abuses occur In the future, there Is a benchmark from
which we can work.
Whether on the 'inside' or the ‘outside* of any Issue, those
with the courage to stand by what they believe — peaceful-
ly — arc always correct. They should not be ridiculed, they
should be honored The worst thing we as a society can do
Is nothing. Wr applaud all — be they public or private enti-
tle* — who stand up to the bully that Is apathy.
separate ways. As such. It is
close to the cities of Odem
and Robstown with rapid
highway access from
Kingsville, Orange Grove,
Mathis, Slnton and neighbor-
ing communities.
One way to look at is that
residents of these towns may
shop in the center for some-
thing they might have bought
at home. From another point
of view, the center can bring
in large numbers of people
from outside the region to
shop. The neighboring com-
munities can take advantage
of this new influx of people to
market their tourist attrac-
tions.
It will be as convenient In
See Diversity. Page 10
■ Tort Reform. Bush
declared an emergency on
tort reform, and lawmakers
promptly passed several mea-
sures aimed at lowering liti-
gation and placed caps on
punitive damage awards. The
measure also limits the liabil-
ity of police officers and other
public employees when sued
for negligence.
■ Juvenile Justice. The
governor said it was time to
get tough with Juveniles, and
lawmakers did. They lowered
the age at which young crim-
inals can be tried as adults
from 15 to 14 in capital mur-
der cases: created a habitual
offender provision that could
put three-felony Juveniles in
prison for 40 years; and
Increased the number of Juve-
nile detention beds from
2.500 to 6.300.
Democratic Chair to Quit
While Texas' GOP governor
was Inking bills. Texas
Democratic Party Chairman
Bob Slagle announced he
would not seek another term.
Slagle. 60. who held the post*
longer than anyone else in
modern history (16 years)
said his “zest for fighting
Republicans to achieve the
real American dream of equal
opportunity for all Americans
Is unabated."
The Sherman lawyer cited a
desire to spend more Ume
with his family as the reason
he would not seek a ninth
two-year term. His successor
will be selected by delegates
to the Democratic Party
Convention In June 1996.
In the past two years, some
party faithfuls have com-
plained that Slagle should
step down and allow the
party to have fresh leader-
ship.
And the complaints
Increased following the
Republican victories In the
1994 elections.
Abolish State Treasury?
One of the 14 proposed con-
stitutional amendments on
the Nov. 7 ballot will allow
voters to decide whether to
abolish the State Treasury. If
they do. the comptroller’s
office would take over the
agency’s functions.
Other bills signed by Gov.
Bush would:
■ Allow licensed Individuals
to carry concealed handguns
beginning Jan. 1. 1996,
which Bush labeled another
"weapon to keep lawabldlng
citizens safe."
■ Begin deregulation of the
telephone business and open
local service to competition
and provide $1.5 billion over
10 years for high-tech equip-
ment for schools, libraries
and hospitals.
■ Limit campaign contribu-
tions to Judges. Basic limits
THE ARANSAS PASS PROGRESS
U S P S. 028-900
StiliM riptiflti R.rtes: Sail Pairiclo County. Cllles of Pori Aransas and Rcxkport - Year
$22.40 SK months $14 00 Outside the above area $2600 Six months $18 50 9
month student rale $19.50.
Publishers J G Richards and R.P. Richards
General Manager R.P. (Dtcfc) Richards; Managing Editor: Mary Cole; Associate Editor.
John Lou man. Features Editor Juliet K. Wenger. Lifestyle Editor Salty Richards; Staff
Writer David Platt; Advertising: Pats) Dfcfcen. Diana Murry. Undy McCoy.
Memlier Texas Press Association. South Texas Press Association. National Newspaper
Association.
Anv erroneous statement regarding corporations, firms or Individuals wW gladly be cor-
rected when called to the publisher's attention.
The Aransas Pass Progress (DSPS) 028-900 Is i
Enterprises. Inc. 340 South Houston Street. Arana
i Progress. P.0. Bolx 2100.1
Atlahed weekly by Richards
i Pass, Texas 78330. Second
jtawTwm*"***10
O Letters to the editor are
stale. Letters may fee i
Process, P.0. Boa 2100, J
(FAX) 758-5393.
i of the writer may
lfe9brtaf.taaw|Ntat,aitf lyptaHipM-
ta: The
> 78335. Magnetic 512-7588301
are $5,000 for a statewide
judicial office, less for lower
courts. The time period for
Judicial candidates to raise
funds would be 20 months.
■ Expand a clearinghouse
for background checks on sex
offenders, give some non-
profit groups greater access
to criminal history informa-
tion. and require that crime
victims be notified If an
offender Is placed on commu-
nity supervision.
■ Create an automatic life
sentence of 35 years without
possibility of parole for any-
one convicted of a first-degree
felony sex offense against a
child If that person has two
prior felony convictions.
■ Allow crime victims to per-
sonally present their views to
the Board of Pardon and
Paroles before a decision on
an offender is made.'
■ Allow law enforcement
agencies to share information
among themselves on paroled
sex offenders.
jHtrlptrfr’s |Rnunb
By Dick Richards, Publisher
You never know what you will happen when you stir the
pot. do you? I had several calls and comments this past
week about the column concerning the mis-use of the
ambulances and fire trucks by EMS personnel and by the
firemen.
Some agreed with the remarks and some disagreed. I
think most of those who called agreed to some extent.
Now let me set the record straight. The only thing we
said was that there was some alleged mis-use of this emer-
gency equipment.
No one ever said that we did not have good, caring arid
professional people serving in both areas. The Aransas
Pass fire department has proved itself many times and I
think we have one of the best fire departments for a city
our size as any place In Texas. I also think we have a very
good and professional EMS. Our key rate for homeowners
Insurance is probably the lowest In this area. This is
because we have good equipment and good personnel. But
even good personnel can make a mistake in Judgement.
No one ever implied that either organization was bad or
that they did not do an outstanding job when called on
professionally. Some people have Just merely questioned
the use (or perceived mis-use of some of the equipment).
Now since both entitles are supported in part by tax dol-
lars, the tax payers have a right to ask these questions.
They also have a right to answers and to accountability.
This is not asking for too much!
I expect there will be more on this subject In the future.
RPR
Congratulations are in order for Senator Ken Armbrlster
of Victoria. Senator Armbrlster was elected President Pro
Tern of the Texas Senate. Senator Armbrlster has been a
good friend to Aransas Pass although most of us are not In
his senate district. Maybe we need to contact him for some
help on our by-pass problem.
RPR
Don’t forget—next Wednesday. June 14 is Flag Day. Be
sure to honor the flag of The United States.
RPR
A word from Vickie Abregp to tell all her friends that she
Is now working in the NationsBank at Larmar Park in
Corpus Chrlstl. Vickie will be missed by her Aransas Pass
friends at the bank.
RPR
You know we live in an ever changing world. With that
In mind we will be installing a new computer system for
our accounting this week. I hope we can catch on to the
new system very quickly and not make too many people
upset over our billing. When we changed our classified and
circulation computer a few weeks ago it seems like it took
forever to get It lined out. I am not sure we are completely
lined out yet. but we are working on it. Hopefully this
change will go much smoother.
RPR
And speaking of changing times, let me tell you this
story. This Is taken from Jack Mathena’s column called
“Old Times” which appears In The Rockdale Reporter. Jack
is about 75 and grew up when times were really different.
Here's Jack's story:
(In 1956 I hauled 17 calves to Port City Stockyard in
Houston, came back through Dickerson and bought a new
pickup and had $412.00 left out of my calf money.
See the difference in 40 years ago and today? I paid
$1,662.00 for that pickup. Today it would cost about
$20,000.00. Seventeen calves today would average about
$400.00 each or a total of $6,800.00. The seventeen calves
I sold in 1956 averaged $123.00 for a total of $2,091.
What a difference! What happened? Back then there was
no way you could carry $20.00 worth of groceries out of
the store. Today you can carry $20.00 worth of groceries
under one arm. Sad but true!)
Well that's Jack's story. And I am sure It is a true one!
And car dealers and grocerymen think advertising Is too
expensive. We have to charge something so we can by a car
to drive to the grocery store so we can get some nourish-
ment to work hard enough to pay for the car. It seems like
the cycle never ends. 1 Just wish the car dealers would
advertise more so I can get a new truck. We sure need one.
RPR
Hopefully the winds will alow down some soon. We may
be in for a strange summer weather wise. Already we have
had the first hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico. The earliest
ever 1 think.
In a couple of weeks we will be publishing our annual
hurricane guide. You may want to get some extra copies so
you will have the Important Information around If and
when we get that big blow.
RPR
Taking about big blows. I guess I bad better get out of
here, but 1 do hope we can meet here ai The Round Table
next week. - -
3
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Cole, Mary. The Aransas Pass Progress (Aransas Pass, Tex.), Vol. 87, No. 15, Ed. 1 Wednesday, June 7, 1995, newspaper, June 7, 1995; Aransas Pass, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1145715/m1/2/: accessed July 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Ed & Hazel Richmond Public Library.