Levelland and Hockley County News-Press (Levelland, Tex.), Vol. 21, No. 33, Ed. 1 Sunday, July 25, 1999 Page: 2 of 25
This newspaper is part of the collection entitled: Hockley County Area Newspaper Collection and was provided to The Portal to Texas History by the South Plains College.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
2-LEVELLANO * HOCKLEY COUNTY NEWS-PRESS, Sunday, July 25, 1999
Just Rambling
with Stephen Henry
Letters to the Editor
A gossip will never tdl a He
when the truth will do more
1 grew up with a clothes line in
the back yard and periodically was
assigned to gather the clothes off the
line. While performing one such
chore, I discovered I still had a
clothes pin attached to a sheet. As I
headed into the house, fide, or
orneriness, dictated that I attach that
clothes pintothetipofthetailof
our old cat who was curled up asleep
in front of die door.
I wasn’t ready for the reaction.
That cat went off like a stick of
dynamite. She let out a yowl, went
up mv leg and under die car.
She was bawling and squalling
and throwing a fit trying to get that
clothes pin off her tail. She was
going round and round in circles and
I was having a good laugh until my
mom, who didn’t see the humor in
the situation, sent me under the car
to get that clothes pin off that cat’s
tail. None of the scratches required
stitches but I’ve never forgotten that
experience.
That memory leads me to the
following story, which came off the
Internet. Anyone who has ever tried
to doctor a cat will relate to this
story which is tided, “Instructions
for giving your cat a pill.”
T. Pick cat up and cradle it in the
crook of you left arm as if holding a
baby. Position right forefinger and
thumb on either side of cat’s mouth
and gently apply pressure to cheeks
while holding pill in right hand. As
cat opens mouth, pop pill into
mouth. Allow cat to close mouth and
swallow.
2. Retrieve pill from floor and cat
from behind sofa. Cradle cat in lefi
arm and repeat process.
3. Retrieve cat from bedroom,
and throw soggy pill away.
4. Take new pill from foil wrap,
cradle cat in left arm holding rear
paws tighdy with left hand. Force
jaws open and push pill to back of
mouth with right forefinger. Hold
mouth shut for a count of 10.
5.1 Retrieve pill from goldfish
bowl and cat from top of wardrobe.
Call spouse from garden.
6. Kneel on floor with cat
wedged firmly between knees,
holding front and rear paws. Ignore
low growls emitted by cat. Get
spouse to hold cat’s head firmly with
one hand while forcing wooden ruler
into mouth. Drop pill down ruler and
rub cat’s throat vigorously.
7. Retrieve cat from curtain rail,
get another pill from foil wrap. Make
note to buy new ruler and repair
curtains. Carefully sweep shattered
figurines from hearth and set to one
side for gluing later.
8 Wrap cat in large towel and
get spouse to lie on cat with its head
just visible from below spouse’s
armpit Put pill in end of drinking
straw, force cat’s mouth open with
pencil and blow down drinking
straw
9. Check label to make sure pill
not harmful to humans, drink glass
of water to take taste away. Apply
band-aid to spouses’s forearm and
remove blood from carpet with cold
water and soap
10. Retrieve cat from neighbor's
shed Get another pill. Place cat in
cupboard and close door onto neck
to leave head showing. Force mouth
open with dessert spoon Flick pill
down throat with elastic band.
11. Fetch screwdriver from
garage and put door back on hinges.
Apply cold compress to cheek and
check records for date of last tetanus
shot. Throw t-shirt away and fetch
new one from bedroom.
12. Ring fire department to
Whitharral gets
interim supt.
Retired school superintendent
Howard Pollard is now working as
interim superintendent for the
Whitharral school district.
Pollard, who retired as school
superintendent of Denver City in
1996, is temporarily filling the post
left vacant by Mike Smith.
Smith left earlier this month to
become the assistant superintendent
in the Forney school district. He had
been at Whitharral for three years.
The school board apparently
agreed to hire Pollard until a
replacement can be found.
retrieve cat from tree across the road
Apologize to neighbor who crashed
into fence while swerving to avoid
cat Take last pill from foil wrap.
13. Tie cat’s front paws to rear
paws with garden twine and bind
tightly to leg of dining table. Find
heavy duty pruning gloves from
shed. Force cat’s mouth open with
small spanner Push pill into mouth
followed by large piece of fillet
steak. Hold head vertically and pour
Vi pint of water down throat to wash
pill down.
14. Get spouse to drive you to
emergency room; sit quietly while
doctor stitches fingers and forearm
and removes pill remnants from right
eye. Stop by furniture store on way
home to order new table.
VALUES
continued from page 1
$39,911,345, ($54,722,618),
-$14,811,273, -27.066 percent.
Sundown ISD
$390,834,134, ($573,938,320),
-$183,104,186, -31.903 percent.
Whitharral ISD
$23,708,082 ($25,928,470),
-$2,20,388, -8.564 percent.
City of Anton
$13,038,930, ($13,026,955),
+$11,975, +0.092 percent.
City of Levelland
$281,561,270, ($287,916,997),
-$6,355,727, -2.207 percent.
City of Ropesville
$6,042,700, ($6,945,110),
-$902,410, -12.993 percent.
City of Smyer
$7,448,680, ($7,605,661),
-$156,981, -2.064 percent.
City of Sundown
$27,447,212, ($33,224,131),
-$5,776,919, -17.388 percent.
Township of Opdyke West
$2,168,940, ($2,024,530),
+$144,410, +7.133 percent.
Hockley County
$1,205,458,765, ($1,592,664,-
161), -$387,205,396, -24.312 percent
South Plains College
$1,351,340,307, ($1,802,281,-
441), -$450,941,134, -25.021 percent
Hi Plains Water District
$1,023,164,073, ($1,311,304,-
558), -$288,140,485, -21.974 percent
South Plains Water District
$1,083,630, ($1,798,430),
-$714,800, -39.746 percent.
COTTON
continued from page 1
rough," Davis said. "I guess they’re
being conservative because of the
economics - the price of cotton and
the price of everything."
Some producers were hit espe-
cially hard when they had to replant
their cotton crop a second time
before replanting a third time in milo,
he said.
"A lot of cotton was replanted,"
Davis said.
Randy Kennedy, manager of
Citizens Co-op Gin north of Smyer,
said his company has easily sold more
than $100,000 worth of cottonseed
to growers in Hockley and Lubbock
counties.
The cotton ginner estimated that
22,000 acres of cotton was destroyed
by bad weather in his area in May
and June.
Most of that land was ultimately
replanted in milo, with some going
into soybeans, he said.
"The ones that have cotton, it’s
beginning to come around," Kennedy
said, "but the prices and the way
things look ... there’s certainly not
very much optimism as far as cotton
goes."
Kennedy said many growers have
probably reached the limit of spending
$ 150 per acre on inputs for irrigated
land.
Still, producers will have to
undertake some activities such as
irrigating their fields. But not for very
long, he predicted.
"I think most people will not water
but two or three weeks," Kennedy
said. "Hunker down might be a good
title for this year."
Police
Report
^ LerelUnd ft Hockley County v
NEWS-PRESS
Serving All Of Hockley County"
Drawer 1628 Levelland. Tz
79338-1628
711 Austin St. (806)894-3121
Publication No. 146-380
Published Every Wednesday
& Sunday at 711 Austin.
Levelland. TX. 79336
Second Class Posts* PMd
At Levelland TV 79330
NlflllS (Sad efaaafa of uUrau to tbs
LsveOaad S Hsefcl*? Csast? Uses Pisss.
Drawer ISM. lirrltsl. TV 79*36
6 Pat Bmnry, Publishers^
Miguel Rocha, 36, was found
dead early Wednesday morning at
his business, the victim of an
apparent suicide.
Police went to Circle Glass &
Mirror after 1:30 a.m. They found
the victim dead inside the building,
according to a report.
Justice of the Peace Dee Turner
pronounced Rocha dead at the scene
at 2:05 a.m.
Dear Editor,
I would like to express my
concern and my opinion against the
proposed Levelland ordinance
against large (18 wheel) trucks
parking on city streets This is for
myself and all my fellow truck
drivers who are out on the road
trying to make a living for
themselves and their families and
who do not have the time to write
out their opinions
First off, if the citizens of
Levelland let this happen, then the
owners of motor homes will be
next. In case you haven’t noticed,
there arc a good number of motor
homes who not only park their
trailers or vehicles on the street in
front of their homes but who park
up on the sidewalk as well. Are you
willing to give this up? Next will
come an ordinance about parking
up on the sidewalk as well. Are you
willing to give this up? Next will
come an ordinance about parking
your private vehicle in front of your
house. Don’t have enough room for
all of your vehicles in your
driveway! That’s O.K., you can
park them outside of the city in a
vacant field and hope that they are
not vandalized. Let big brother take
away one person’s rights and it will
eventually take away the rights of
others.
A truck is like any other vehicle
only larger. We pay taxes and
should have the use of our city
streets like anyone else.
The truckers that you see sitting
up there in those “Large Cars” on
the interstate are like you and me.
But they are unique in that their job
keeps them out on the road and
away from their families for weeks
at a time, AND they keep the world
supplied with EVERYTHING that
you or I use. Go into any store and
pick up any item. At some point,
that item was on a truck of some
type. Without trucks, this country
would STOP! We are just hard
working people trying to make a
living I, like many other truckers
out there make my living behind the
wheel and on the blacktop’ On the
average I work eighteen hours a day
for two weeks at a time, seven days
a week. 1 don’t have the benefit of
paid overtime, breaks, personal
days, or paid holidays. During the
course of my day I have to handle
heavy traffic, construction delays,
crazy drivers, snow, ice, fog, and
roadside safety inspections In
between the pickup and delivery
points I have to endure the
countless State Weigh Stations that
are simply a means to harass truck
drivers; for example, with a
$120.00 fine for having a burned-
out light bulb When is the last time
you were fined such an amount for
having a headlight burned out on
your car. And when I’m not loaded,
1 don’t make a dime
Not only does my vehicle cost
$100,000.00 plus but my load can
run into the hundreds of thousands
of dollars Tires are $300.00 plus, 1
bum $2000.00 plus per month in
fuel, I get my repairs down locally
where an oil change can run
$250.00 I only get home every
couple of weeks and now you want
me to park my vehicle out of site,
subject to theft or vandalism
We, the truck drivers of this
country, are not asking for special
privileges, but we would like the
same privileges that everyone else
gets. We do pay our road taxes (in
every state we drive in or through),
fuel taxes, state and federal taxes
and vehicle taxes, unlike most car
owners who only pay for vehicle
registration In our home state of
Texas, try on a license plate for you
vehicle at $1000.00 plus and
highway use tax at $550.00 per
year.
I do believe that we pay for
OUR right to park in front of our
homes just like anyone else. Take
away my right to park in my home
town and soon, the town will dry up
as you legislate everyone else out of
business. Sure, you will have a
beautiful town but with no one in it
to enjoy it.
I would like to encourage each
and every truck driver to stand up
and voice their opinion in this
matter whether they drive long haul
or local. If we don’t express our
opinion and be heard, then surely
someone else will make the
decision for us, good or bad
By the way, the next time you
pass a truck on the roadway, look
up at the driver; smile, wave, or
simply nod your head. Let that
driver know that you appreciate him
or her and you’ll probably be
surprised to see them wave back
with a big 'ol smile on their face
Sincerely,
Don Johnson, Jr.
An American Trucker
Dear Editor:
What is Alexander’s problem
with 18-wheelers? Are they a life or
death situation? 1 cannot imagine
that they are.
I would like to know why we
are so concerned about 18-wheelers
when Levelland has so many more
serious problems to be addressed.
At one time Levelland used to be a
lively town but with our economy
going down, we should be more
concerned with that. The oil field
the way it is and so many more
businesses hurting, why are we
trying to run people out?
We have already lost people
because of the oil field and now we
want to run the truckers out.
Levelland is a small town where
everyone more or less knows each
other. I thought we were a
community not a democracy. You
know our education programs are
important and need help and we are
fretting over 18-wheelers being
parked? in the residential
neighborhoods. Where are out
priorities? I am not saying that the
education programs are failing but
with the budget being cut every
time we turn around, I just feel that
we have other things to worry
about.
Everyone has a way of life. I
don’t know what Alexander’s is,
but those 18-wheelers are those
people’s way of living and why are
you trying to stop that. My home is
important to me. It is valuable and
I car what happens to it just like
everyone else. The people who own
their businesses try to take care of
them and the people who drive the
trucks feel they need to take care of
them. Why do you want to make
them park in a place that they
cannot tent to them properly. If you
own something, you want to take
care of it as best you can.
I think Levelland is a good
place and so are a lot of the people
but when you have someone who is
causing problems just because he is
the councilman, that is not right.
We all live here and we have the
right to survive just like everyone
else. Let’s deal with bigger issues
and try to solve a lot of Levelland’s
big problems and not cause our
neighbors misery.
We need to stand together, not a
part!
Sincerely,
Walter Black
Rodriguez Construction Services
Full service concrete work
Free estimates
894-6477
Reminder...
The News-Press deadline on weddings and
anniversaries is two weeks. They must be in our
office before the deadline.
Please advise photographers qf the deadline.
Dear Editor:
v What is Alexander’s problem
with 18-wheelers? Are they a life or
death situation? I cannot imagine
that they are.
I would like to know why we
are so concerned about 18-wheelers
when Levelland has so many more
serious problems to be addressed.
At one time Levelland used to be a
lively town but with our economy
going down, we should be more
concerned with that. The oil field
the way it is and so many more
businesses hurting, why are we
trying to run people out?
We have already lost people
because of the oil field and now we
want to run the truckers out.
Levelland is a small town where
everyone more or less knows each
other. I thought we were a
community not a democracy. You
know our education programs are
important and need help and we are
fretting over 18-wheelers being
parked in the residential
neighborhoods. Where are out
priorities? I am not saying that the
education programs are failing but
with the budget being cut every
time we turn around, I just feel that
we have other things to worry
about.
Everyone has a way of life. I
don’t know what Alexander’s is,
but those 18-wheelers are those
people’s way of living and why are
you trying to stop that. My home is
important to me. It is valuable and
I car what happens to it just like
everyone else. The people who own
their businesses try to take care of
them and the people who drive the
trucks feel they need to take care of
them. Why do you want to make
them park in a place that they
cannot tent to them properly. If you
own something, you want to take
care of it as best you can.
I think Levelland is a good
place and so are a lot of the people
but when you have someone who is
causing problems just because he is
the councilman, that is not right.
We all live here and we have the
right to survive just like everyone
else. Let’s deal with bigger issues
and try to solve a lot of Levelland’s
big problems and not cause our
neighbors misery.
We need to stand together, not a
part!
Sincerely,
Walter Black
Dear Editor:
I am a Levelland native having
lived here all my life. 1 have
defended some of the less
reasonable things that some of the
people of this city have done. But I
just cannot defend the people who
want to ban trucks from parking in
residential areas. I know most of
the people who live in Levelland
who drive trucks and I don’t know
of a single one who is inconsiderate
about where he or she parks. These
guys and gals work so hard so that
everyone can eat, clothe
themselves, etc.
My husband has already told me
that we will move if this ordinance
passes and I just would like to let
all the truckers in Levelland know
that my brother is building 500
brand new brick 3-2-2 and 2-1-1
homes outside the city limits of
Lubbock and we will purchase one
for ourselves if this passes. They
are $500 down and the note will be
carried for you. If this ordinance
passes and you are interested in
going with us, I will be happy to
give you the information on them.
Being outside the city limits, there
is plenty of property to park our
tractor-trailer rigs and we plan on
purchasing plenty of it for this
purpose. We have already
investigated the issue in Lubbock
and since it will be outside the city
limits, the commissioners in
Lubbock tell us that they would
love to have our county tax dollars
Ynove over there.
I just hope Mr. Alexander and
Mr. Thoms are able to find some
people to take the place of the
truckers they run out of Levelland
if this ordinance passes. Someone is
going to have to pay the tab for the
city to continue.
Thank you,
Carolyn Settles
Settles Trucking
Grant OK'd
for Sundown
Sundown has signed a contract
with the state in which the city will
receive a $208,000 grant, money
that will be used to assist low-
income homeowners.
City Manager Brad Stafford
advised aldermen of the status of
the program in a regular meeting
Tuesday night.
The agreement, known as the
home program contract, is through
the Texas Department of Housing
& Community Affairs.
Sundown must pay $24,000 to
Gary Traylor & Associates for the
firm’s help in obtaining the grant
and identifying housing needs in the
city.
The money will be used to help
"very low income homeowners" in
improving their homes, Stafford
said.
The city should begin taking
applications for the funds in Sept-
ember, he said.
In other business, the city
accepted a $3,000 bid from Kevin
Elmore of K & M Services for the
purchase of a lot of commercial
property.
The 80-by-80 lot is next to the
Village Market.
Aldermenalsoreneweda cellular
phone contract with Cellular One.
However, no action was taken on
a proposal for the city to rent three
generators at the end of the year.
The city has mulled renting the
equipment in case problems develop
due to the Y2K bug.
But the only contract available
was in the form of one for three
months, Stafford noted.
Budget talks
on tap for
• •
commissioners
County commissioners will hold
a budget workshop Monday and
meet with a Levelland Chamber of
Commerce official to discuss Early
Settlers’ Days.
In the special meeting, the Court
will also consider a resolution con-
cerning the Heritage Tourism Trail.
Commissioners will mull any
public assistance or road crossing
requests, and will vote to advertise
for a new motorgrader.
The meeting will start at 9 a.m.
Minding Your
Own Business
—--------------V ------- - _______________________________
By Don Taylor, Director
West Texas State University
Small Business Development Center
At the Front of the Pack: The Art of Leadership
If you think you’re a bom leader, but have no followers, you
may just be taking a walk
- a paraphrased proverb
Many people talk about leadership; few really know what it is. Many
set out to become great leaders, but few accomplish the task.
For those of you who would like to develop your leadership skills,
I offer these words of wisdom. I gleaned them from some resources, which
I list at the end of this column.
Leadership Characteristics
* Leaders are Laborers Worthy of Their Hire. A leader is one who
"shows the way," "marks the course for others" and "guides by example."
Leaders can expect no more effort from their followers than they put forth
personally. Leaders love to labor and they love their labor.
* Leaders are Earnest. The word earnest means to he "serious and intense,"
"zealous and sincere" and "focused on the most important matters." One
of the great characteristicsof leadership may be the ability to discern what
is important that needs attention, and what is trivial that can be ignored.
* Leaders Maintain Positive Attitudes. As I grow older, I become more
convinced that maintaining a positive attitude is critical to personal success.
I am also convinced that it is easy to maintain a good attitude simply
by following the advice found in Philippians 4:8.
* Leaders Are Diligent. The word diligent describes those who are "hard-
working," those who work with "careful, steady effort" and those who
are "dependable and steadfast." Great leaders from history have demanded
diligence from those around them. They got it because they set the example
with their own diligence.
* Leaders Are Filled With Enthusiasm. W. Clement Stone described
enthusiasm as "inspiration to action." Leaders are inspired to act. And
they inspire action in others. When people are filled with excitement they
talk. When they are filled with enthusiasm they act. Actions have always
spoken louder than words and produced more results.
* Leaders are Responsible. I’ve noticed that difficult tasks tend to move
toward those who are willing to do them. Personal growth comes from
exercising your will to accomplish, and accepting the responsibility for
getting it done. Harry Truman had a sign on his desk that read, "The buck
stops here."
* Leaders are Self-confident. I believe there is a direct link between
confidence and capacity. As you grow in the assurance of your abilities
you acquire the capacity to achieve more. More than 2,000 years ago,
Pubius Vergilius Maro - the Roman poet better known as Virgil - wrote:
"They can do all because they think they can."
* Leaders are Humble. All great leaders give credit to others. Alexander
Pope wrote "Who builds a church to God and not to fame, will never
mark the marble with his name." I might add that the more you blow
your own whistle the more likely you are to run out of steam.
* Leaders have Integrity: To me integrity is "the quality of sound moral
principles," "dealing with honesty and sincerity" and "avoiding spin, lies
and strategic omissions." Remember this: Truth is eternal, lies are temporary.
A friend in the insurance business says that honesty is the only policy,
but there aren’t nearly enough policyholders.
* Leaders Prioritize Their Lives. Leaders work on the most important
tasks first. Their lives are structured around their most important priorities.
Matthew 6:33 offers great advice in the area. When your priorities are
right, living is great.
The following books provide many great leadership examples and further
direction: "The Bible," Developing the Leader Within You" by John C.
Maxwell and "The Book of Leadership Wisdom," by various business
leaders.
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This issue can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Matching Search Results
View two places within this issue that match your search.Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Newspaper.
Rigg, John. Levelland and Hockley County News-Press (Levelland, Tex.), Vol. 21, No. 33, Ed. 1 Sunday, July 25, 1999, newspaper, July 25, 1999; Levelland, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1168979/m1/2/?q=mission+rosario: accessed July 18, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting South Plains College.