The Cherokeean. (Rusk, Tex.), Vol. 125, No. 17, Ed. 1 Thursday, September 28, 1972 Page: 11 of 16
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THE CHEROKEEAN OF RUSK, TEXAS, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 2^ 1972-PAGE ELEVEN
$
I
Council Tables Action To Loop Rusk With Proposed Extension Of FM 343
A plan to loop Rusk on the
west side was tabled on a
8 to 2 vote by the city coun-
cil in a special meeting Fri-
day. The proposal would ex-
tend Parm-to-Market Road
343 to Crockett, Street, U. S,
Highway M and FM Road 3872
at U.S. 69.
Asking for time to secure
more information about finan-
cing the project. Councilman
Raymond Cooper moved that
the motion made by Council-
man Maurice Higglns calling
for a vote be tabled. Coun-
cilman Gene Kelley gave the
motion a second and tabling
action passed with Council-
man Cooper, Kelley and Ja-
mie Weaver voting in favor.
Councilman Higgins and J.
C. Williams against.
"Loops are good and I a-
gree that if people are going
to stop here to shop, they'll
stop. But I want to know
where the city's share of
130,000 Is corning from. Are
the people ready to Increase
.taxes by 50 percent to do
this?" Cooper asked. He cited
«her planned expenditures
such as the city park, de-
velopment of two water wells
•nd extended sewerage serv.
lee as causes for his finan-
cial concern.
Mayor E. H. Whitehead re-
ported that for the past sev-
eral years the City has been
•ble to operate well within
its budget, ending the fiscal
period with $10 to $30 thou-
sand surplus. He also point-
ed out that an election to is.
sue warrants for ^ewer ex-
pansion has been calle>i.
"I see no reason to need a
tax increase," said Mayor
Whitehead. "The budget is
merely a proposed estimate
There are items that have
been over-budgeted which
could help, here and there
are other s«ices of revenue
not included, such as prop-
arty owner - cost sharing in
the curb and gutter work on
Highway 84 east. I think the
•stlmated $3(\000 can be se
Cured over a two-period at
no increased co^t to taxpay-
er •>.'
Co^-t to the state i*- estimj-
<l at $700,000.
The city governing body's
decision followed a one hour
meeting at City Hall where
the Councilman hejrd rep-
resentatives of varlou*- *-eg-
ments of the community speak
road.
"We have called this meet-
ing to determine if we need
the loop," said Mayor White-
head In opening remarks.
Visitor's views were invited.
Former Councilman Frank
Howell, manager of the Rusk
Chamber of Commerce, said
that he felt the road was nee-
•ssary to handle the expect-
ed increase in traffic when
the park on Highway 84 west
is completed.
Robert Mo-.es added, "I can't
«•e that this will hurt the town
at all. The people who trade
here will continue to come
here. '
Dan Heard, retired member
of the Texas Highway Depart,
ment staff in Rtt=k with 41
years service, ^rwninemed,
"Most people in that irea
(which the road will serve)
are for it. The road will cer-
tainly give better service to
the high school and I've never
seen a town grow without
loops."
Diverting heavy commercial
traffic such as log and pulp,
wood truck and mobile homes
was cited by Ed Dickey as
his support for the loop. "Our
city streets are not design-
ed to accomodate trucks the
length of some of those,' he
pointed out.
Mayor Whitehead said that
work would be developed In
three stages; FM 343 to
Crockett Street; from Crock-
ett Street to U. S. 84 and from
Highway 84 to FM 3872 at the
Intersection of Highway 69
north of the Rusk State Hos-
pital.
Former Mayor Morris W.
Hassell said, "If we don't
grow, we're going to die on
the vine. We need additional
areas opened with roads to
allow for residential and com-
mercial expansion. We also
need to divert the flow of
commercial traffic through
downtown Rusk to prevent the
possibility of accidents. I
think the road is a must."
Hassell is also chairman
of the Rusk Chamber's High-
way Committee.
Rusk's mayor told those
present that in a recent con.
versation with Highway De-
partment Kngineer. Ed Cam-
pbell, he learned that "We
have had as many as 21 peop-
le working .out of the Rusk
Highway Department office.
We're down to 13 because
we have so few roads pro-
jects going."
Whitehead said that Camp-
bell sees no more projects
pending and that when pres-
ent programs are completed,
"that's it."
The mayor explained that
a number of Rusk Highway
employees have already been
transferred to jobs out of
Tyler and Jacksonville. "We
need to plan for future con-
struction for several rea-
sons," said the city official.
"The project will keep peop-
le employed In Rusk, it will
open new areas for growth
and offer a more practical
passage through Rusk to op-
erators of commercial ve-
hicles."
Henry Westbrook indicated
the proposal has good and
bad aspects, "I can't see
that this will help our mer-
chants if we divert traffic.
How are we going to get
their dollars spent here if
we don't come through town?"
Walter H. Meyers concur-
red with Westbrook s think-
in*.
a
"I'm glad that I'm not on
the city council, " was Hen-
ry Cuenzel's response. "But
I do feel that the town that
gets ahead, plans ahead."
"Suppose Highway 69 had
not been planned to by-pass
the square,' said Guenzel.
"It would be impossible to
get through Rusk or find a
place 'o park," he said.
'Towns that build loops ben-
efit overall. The loop of-
fers areas to build more
homes, more business and
this puts more money Into
circulation for all to share."
He cited other I'ast Texas
towns such as Crockett, Luf-
king. Nacogdoches, Hender-
son and Palestine. 'They have
continued to grow."
"If we sit still, we event-
ually get by-passed anyway
by growth in other towns,"
_sald Guenzel. He pointed out
that approximately six years
is necessary to Implement
such a project. The first two
years are estimated time for
planning and approval. Ac-
tual construction adds to that
time factor. "So we're look-
ing at a project that wouldn't
likely be finished before
1978," he added.
Chamber president James
RlcharJs commented, "I
think that in the long run the
town will benefit more to have
a loop than not to have it."
As discussion continued.
Hassell pointed out that the
state will spend approximat-
ely $700,000 and the city's
expense is estimated at $30,
000.
"It has been a long time
since Rusk has had the good
fortune to send one of its
own people to the legislature.
With our mayor as the new
State Representative we are
In a position to secure more
assistance than ever before.
We are fast reaching a point
to see some real growth in
Rusk."
Frank Summers, personnel
director at Rusk State Hospi-
tal, ind a former member
of the City Council, express-
ed his complete support. "We
need to relieve the commer-
cial congestion and also con-
sider the increase in value to
property owners who will be
served on the loop," he said.
"Eventually the loop will be
built anyway."
After vlsitorscomments, the
councllmen expressed vari-
our opinions.
Councilman Higgins said
"Without regard for my busi-
ness, as a representative of
the people (who elected me)
I have talked to and surveyed
hundreds of people about this
and the majority is against It.
I have talked to people both in
town and out of town."
Councilman Weaver said that
only eight or 10 persons had
talked to him about the loop
and that when they asked if a
tax increase would be nece-
ssary he told them, "I don't
know enough about it to ad-
vise you." Weaver suggest-
ed that the decision be car-
ried to a vote of the people
In the form of a referen-
dum. "I personally do not
feel that the loop will hurt
my business," he said.
Councilman Cooper said his
conacts had been about 50-
5 a "My concern is over rats.
taxes. If the majority want
the road. It Is fine with me,"
he said.
Councilman Kelley stated,
"Like the rest of you, I rep
resent the people who electeo
me. I have talked to about
10 people and only two were
totally opposed,' He pointed
out that 90 per cent of the
traffic In Rusk flow«; on High-
way 69, a by-pass, anyway.
"I feel that eventually a loop
will be built. Rusk Is a bottle-
nect for traffic. The Highway
Department has done all it
can but we still have a prob-^
lem."
He said that he hoped some
of the projects for which mon-
ey has been budgeted would
soon be self-sustaining. "I
am really for the loop," said
Kelley.
Councilman Williams, the
last to voice his opinion, was
adamantly opposed to the loop.
"If you can locate it outside
the city limits, then I could
agree. But I am against build-
ing it inside the city limita
The mayor pointed out that
only about one -half of the loop
will be inside the city. The
remaining half will be out-
side city boundaries,
Williams countered, "But I
want the entire loop outside
the city. And besides, all the
towns you have brought up
here are bigger than Rusk."
CC manager Howell inter-
jected, "But loops helped
those towns to grow big."
Chamber president Richards
forcefully suggested that the
council make its own decision
because, "You're elected by
the people to make these de-
cisions. You should do it and
whatever your decision is, I'm
behind you."
"Whether or not the council
can act at its next meeting
will depend in part on the
comments from the citizens
of the community whom we
represent and in part on what
we can agree on for antici-
pated revenues to purchase
right-of-wa
Whitehead.
¡aid Mayor
"This is niqt fetactly new to
those of u$ ■who have long
labored for the growth of
. Rusk. Our first meeting with
the Commission in Austin a-
bout this loop was years ago.
Then Councilman C.L. Man-
ning, M, H. Norton and Frank
Howell were among the dele-
gation which made the ori-
ginal request. We realise that
when the state spends $700,
000 we can expect to pay
somcrhing. Most of u«realize
that our town is 'root bound,'
that is to say we have little ad-
ditional area for future
growth. And we need to anti-
cipate the needs of the next
decades, not just the im-
mediate present. I personally
hope that every citizen will
express his personal opinion
to one of our councllmen so
that we may better imple-
ment the wishes of the citi-
zenship," said Mayor White-
head,
f-
W&.-.-mmm
I
3
I
V
V
5
y
TRAFFIC GETS CONGESTED...AT TIMES! A mobile home and
Coca-Cola delivery truck manage to miss collision as they ne-
gotiate the downtown business district. The question of com-
mercial traffic through Rusk is one of he issues under con-
sideration by City Councllmen as they seek to determine the
need for looping Rusk on the west with an extension of FM
Road 343. -staff photo
Dairt|
Queen
THURSDAY
THE 73 FORDS ARE HERE.
The airborne glider. 82 decibels at 60 mph
At 60 mph a '73 Ford LTD rode quieter
than an airborne glider.
On July 27,1972, General Radio Co. tested a '73 LTD against an airborne
glider. Both at 60 mph and with identical sound level meters. The
result: the Ford was quieter. But the new LTD is more than just quiet.
It is well made from its power front disc brakes, power steering and
automatic transmission, standard equipment, to its luxurious,
comfortable, roomy interior. There are 16 new Ford models to choose
from and each will convince you that quiet is the sound of a well-made car.
The '73 Ford LTD. 65 decibels at 60 mph.
Quiet is the sound of a well-made car.
t <
s
THE QUIET 19/3 FORD LTD BROUGHAM
(shown with optional Deluxe Bumper Group,
Convenience Group, deluxe wheel covers,
front cornering lamps and whitewall tires).
High wire artist Bill Couch balancing on a '73 Torino riding over a road of 2x4's.
• < - «j [if®
A 73 Torino rode so smooth, a high wire
artist kept balance on a road of 2x4's.
Chances are you won't try to balance yourself on top of your new Torino. But,
when you're riding inside, you'll still appreciate Torino's refined suspension—
because it helps to cushion bumps, absorb road vibrations and reduce body
sway. You feel solidly in control while you ride in comfort and luxury.
The solid mid-size Torino. Smooth riding, strong and quiet.
'73 Pinto: When you get back to basics,
you get back to Ford.
Ford, the company that built the first basic, solid, reliable car seventy years ago—
has built today's basic, solid reliable car: Pinto. It's become America's top selling
economy car for more reasons than economy. Here are some of those reasons:
A 1600 cc. engine developed and perfected in over 10 years of actual driving. Rack
and-pinion steering. Solid welded body, electrocoated to fight corrosion. 4-speed
transmission—lubed for life. Everything we've learned in seventy years of car
making—all the basics—we build into every Pinto Wagon, Runabout and Sedan.
When you get back to basics, you get back to Pinto.
THE SOLID 1973 FORD TORINO BROUGHAM
(shown with optional front bumper guards,
deluxe wheel covers and whitewall tires).
Biz
r. «-r -i-***
A 1973 Pinto on the Michigan Testing Facility. The cable
connecting the Pinto to the Van enable us to monitor
Pinto's performance.
THE 1973 PINTO WAGON
(shown with Squire Option, luggage rack,
Deluxe Bumper Group and whitewall tires).
There are 39 new models to choose from.
And every 1973 Ford, Thunderbird, Torillo, Mustang, Maverick and Pinto—comes equipped with new
energy-absorbing bumpers and steel guard rails in all side doors. Steel-belted radial ply tires and AM/FM
stereo radios are options on all models. Test-drive these new Fords at your Ford Dealer's now.
FORD
FORD DIVISION
All 1973 cart must meet Federal Emissions Standards before sale. See your Ford Dealer for detalla.
RUSK MOTOR SALES,INC.
AT THE "Y" IN RUSK
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The Cherokeean. (Rusk, Tex.), Vol. 125, No. 17, Ed. 1 Thursday, September 28, 1972, newspaper, September 28, 1972; Rusk, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth150985/m1/11/?q=%22%22~1: accessed July 16, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Singletary Memorial Library.