The Cherokeean. (Rusk, Tex.), Vol. 134, No. 51, Ed. 1 Thursday, February 2, 1984 Page: 2 of 20
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PAGE TWO-THE CHEROKEEAN OF RUSK. TEXAS. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2.1M4
Taxing Situation
j It's really a confusing world. Information
released recently to employers concerning
Social Security Taxes explained that as
previously announced, Employer's and
Employee's Social Security Taxes would be
.increased to 7 percent.
This was well and good as far as most
were concerned. Many employers had
already made the proper deductions on the
first payday in January. All to comply with
the law.
Then, the story of government goes on.
Employers were told in the same bulletin
that employees are given a .3 percent tax
credit at the time wages are paid.
Therefore, employers will continue to use
the 6.7 percent Social Security Employees
Tax Tables. Payrolls were refigurad and re-
imbursements made.
Then to add to the misery of employers
plagued with stacks of end of year tax work,
they are notified that any overpayment due
them can be applied to other Federal taxes
owed.
A quote from the Texas State Network is
only fitting. "So it is with Life in these
United States."
—Gloria Jennings
91
V,
From
ThB
Lions Den
by E, B. Musick, Jr.
(Editor's Note: The following is
contributed by Lion George Dodd in
the absence of Lion Elma Musick,
who is recovering from recent
surgery.)
A worried farmer consulted a
veterinarian. "One day my horse lim-
Kermit The Frog Chairs Wildlife Week
Kermit the Frog, one oí Jim Hen-
son's internationally acclaimed Mup-
pets and the host of TV's award-
winning "The Muppet Show," is
honorary chairman of the 1984
National Wildlife Week
The 46th annual Wildlife Week,
sponsored by the National Wildlife
Federation, will be observed March IS
to 24. Its conservation theme, "Water
— We Can't Live Without It," will be
promoted throughout the year.
More than 20 million students,
teachers and conservationists will
participate in the Wildlife Week ob-
servance, helping promote the impor-
tance of clean, life-giving water and
the necessity of conserving critical
water resources.
"Kermit is the perfect chairman for
the 1964 water conservation theme,"
said NWF Executive Vice President
Jay D. Hair. "Kermit is immensely
popular with millions of people of all
ages - and besides, who knows more
about the importance of clean water
than a frog?"
Kermit will speak on behalf of the
National Wildlife Federation in the
NWF's 1964 broadcast public service
announcements that promote the con-
servation of the nation's dwindling
supplies of useable water.
Appeañng in the public service an-
nouncements with fellow Muppet Foz-
zie Bear, Kermit says, "Water is
something we have to conserve and
keep clean." The broadcast announ-
cements are being distributed
nationally to 600 television and 1,900
radio stations.
As part of his duties as chairman,
Kermit will also be the featured
speaker at the NWF's annual Conser-
vation Awards banquet on March 17 in
Atlanta, Georgia, in conjunction with
the Federation's annual meeting.
NWF is the nation's largest conser-
vation organization with 4.1 million
members and supporters, including
members in 49 state affiliates.
The water conservation theme for
1964 was chosen, according to Hair, to
make Americans aware of the critical
importance of life-sustaining water.
"More than any other resource,
water is basic to survival," Hair said.
"Water sustains all life forms and is
the key ingredient to healthy
ecosystems. Moreover, water is
essential in every industrial process -
in cooling machinery, in assimilating
wastes, in transporting products and
in materials composition.
"Unfortunately," Hair continued,
"useable water supplies are dwin-
dling because of contamination,
mismanagement and waste. We hope
that during the course of the year we
can impress Americans that water
protection and conservation are
priority issues "
Kermit was created in 1955 by Jim
Henson, then an art student at the
University of Maryland who was of-
fered a late-night show on WRC-TV in
Washington, D C. The show, "Sam
and Friends," featured a troupe of
puppets dubbed "The Muppets" by
Henson and Jane Nebel, now his wife.
"The Muppet Show" premiered on
television in 1976 and was named
"Special Attraction of the Year" by
the American Guild of Variety Ar-
tists. Kermit and the Muppets have
also starred in two movies, "The
Muppet Movie," and "The Great
Muppet Caper," and will star in
another to be released this summer,
"The Muppets Take Manhattan."
ps, the next day he doesn't. What
should I do?" "That's easy," replied
the vet. "On the day he doesn't limp,
sell him."
The Lions were in good singing
voices last Thursday. Most of the time
they were together, at least on the
same song. The honorable Tail
Twister was in his good form, fining
everyone that did not go up and in-
troduce themselves to our guest
speaker.
Lion President Richard Johnson
asked for a vote of the Lions as to
selling light bulbs again this year. All
the Lions voted yes, so if you know a
Lion and need some light bulbs, get in
contact with him. By so doing you will
be helping the Lions help our young
people in Rusk. Commercial over!
Lion Elmer Beckworth was
program chairman and introduced
the president of the Cherokee Bar
Association, Attorney Eldridge Moak
as our speaker. His talk was on the
different types of courts. He said there
were approximately 30 attorneys in
Cherokee County. The following are
some of the different types of court
systems in Texas.
There are 300 District Courts in our
state with the 2nd Judicial District
Court being in Cherokee County. The
Honorable Morris Hassell is the judge
of this court. The district court han-
dles divorce cases, land disputes,
property damages over $500, criminal
and lelony cases. District judges are
elected by the people and must be an
attorney. Moak spoke on the county
court next. The county judge is also
elected by the people but does not
have to be an attorney but the present
county judge is an attorney. He is the
Honorable Robert McNatt. The coun-
ty judge is also the chief officer over
the county commissioner court. The
county court hears all probate of
wills, cases where property damages
are (500 or less, and the people caught
stealing property valued at $750 or
less. One of the heaviest case loads of
the Cherokee County Court is dealing
with patients at the Rusk State
Hospital.
The other court that Moak talked
about was the justice of the peace
court. Each county has to have at
least four J.P. courts Cherokee Coun-
ty does have four. The courts hear
civil cases, speeding violations,
property damage cases under $200,
etc.
This was a very informative
program and we invite Mr. Moak to
visit with us again in the future.
Since we have been talking about
courts and attorneys I just couldn't
pass this joke up.
Jury Foreman: "We find the defen-
dant not guilty." Judge: "What
possible reason can this jury have for
such an astonishing verdict?" Jury
Foreman: "Insanity, your honor."
Judge: "What! All twelve of vou'"
Senator Roy Blake Reports Work Between Sessions
Kermit The Frog
Wildlife Week Chairman
fíKMJÍP:
"...unly the shadow knows
The Texs Legislature meets in
Regular Session in odd-numbered
calendar years and can meet in
Special Session at any time the
Govern r calls one. We had one
Regula Session and one Special
Session 11983. Although I had expec-
ted him to call us back into Special
Session in 1983 to consider public
education and other possible issues,
he did not. The Select Committee on
Public Education has not completed
its study, and it looks like it will be
some time this year before it does.
Interim
1 am often asked what I do during
the interim period between legislative
sessions. During that time, I try to
visit with as many people as I can to
discuss legislation we have passed
and issues that remain to be resolved.
In these meetings, I find that I am the
beneficiary because I learn what is on
people's minds. These things are im-
portant for me to know before, rather
than after, the fact.
In addition to sending out a newslet-
ter to inform those whom I represent
of legislation which did or did not
pass, I sent out a questionnaire to
determine* feelings on topics that are
almost certain to be brought up in the
next Special Session. I am now
tabulating and will be sending out the
results soon.
Singletary
Memorial Library
By PEGGY McARTHUR
Would you like to know more
about the social and economic
characteristics of Texas and
Cherokee County? You can do that
by looking through the two volum-
nes on "Characteristics of The
Population" based on the 1980 Cen-
sus of Population compiled by the
U.S. Department of Commerce,
Bureau of the Census. Data
presented in the report includes
age, race, marital status,
household relationship, ancestry,
education, labor force, occupation,
industry and income and poverty.
These reports can be found in the
reference section of the library.
With elections coming up in 1984.
you may find it of interest to
review Texas Government. "The
Texas State Directory" is the most
comprehensive guide to Texas
Government and its decision
makers. The 26th edition contains
five principal sections (with sub-
divisions ): (1) the State Section, in
eluding the Executive Branch, the
Legislative Branch, the Judicial
Branch and brief summaries of
agencies, boards and com-
missions; (2) the County Section
with data on the 254 counties and
public officials; (3) the City Sec-
tion with data and public officials:
(4) the Federal Section with
listings of Texas' U.S. Senators.
Members of Congress, etc and
(5) the Reference Section with in-
formation of general interest. This
book is also found in the reference
section.
After a little of the serious
business above you might be ready
to go outside and do something
physical. Why not go gardening
with Neil Sperry. Texans have
relied on Mr. Sperry to answer the
hundreds of questions specifically
on Texas gardens. His "Complete
Guide to Texas Gardening" is a
most unique gardener's guide to
landscape, lawns and vegetables
You still have time before spring to
find out iow to gain a "green
thumb" i nd this book will cer-
tainly help you do that!
Month of August
Since the end of the Special Session,
I have traveled extensively in the
District and have attended committee
hearings in Austin as well as ap-
pearing before state commissions
with local delegations.
On August 25th, I appeared before
the Highway Commission with a
delegation from Shelby County
seeking an extension of Loop 500
around Center and with a Sabine
County delegation which received ap-
proval of the hard surfacing of a spur
in Sabine County^"
On the afternoon of the same day, I
chaired an Administration Committee
meeting which , considered budget
requests for all ihe Senate Commit-
tees, Subcommittees and Interim
Study Committees.
On Sunday, August 28th, I attended
the opening of the new Education
Building of the Palestine Southern
Baptist Church. I attended a luncheon
and reception in Center on August
30th honoring Congressman Sam Hall
and spoke to the Palestine Rotary
Club on August 31st.
Month of September
I spoke to the Noon Lions Club in
Jasper on September 2nd and ad-
dressed the Noon Lions Club in Wood-
ville on September 8th.
On September 21st, I spoke to mem-
bers of the Angelina County Retired
Teachers Association and was the
guest speaker at the Deep East Texas
Development Association in Wood-
ville on September 23rd.
I participated in the Rusk County
140th Birthday Celebration in Hender-
son on September 24th, and I spoke to
members of the Northeast Texas
. Library System in Jacksonville on
September 27th. On September 28th, I
addressed members of the Silsbee
Noon Kiwanis Club and was honored
at two receptions, one in Kountze and
the other in Silsbee, on the same day
Month of October
I participated in Corrigah/Camden
Day on October 1st. On October 6th, I
spoke to members of the Jacksonville
Kiwanis Club and addressed mem-
bers of the East Texas Firemen and
Fire Marshals Association in Jasper
on October 8th.
On October 10th and Uth. I attended
meetings with several groups of con-
stituents in Conroe. I participated in
the Nursing Home Olympics on Oc-
tober 13th in Nacogdoches and ad-
dressed the Nacogdoches Jaycees
that evening
I attended the Newton Homecoming
Celebration on October 15th and par-
ticipated in their parade On October
18th. I spoke to members of the
Greater East Texas Right to Life
organization in Lufkin and attended
the 4-H Gold Star Awards Banquet in
Nacogdoches that evening
On October 19th. I spoke to mem-
bers of the Henderson Lions Club and.
on October 20th. to members of the
Rusk Lions Club I participated in the
Stephen F Austin State University
Homecoming activities on October
21st and 22nd in Nacogdoches.
Month of November
I was in New London on November
1st and spoke to those who attended
the Lions Club Ladies' Night. On
November 3rd, I explained proposed
constitutional amendments to a group
at Stephen F Austin State University.
On November 8th, I spoke to members
of the District 19 Veterans of Foreign
Wars and Ladies Auxiliaries at their
convention in Jacksonville.
I spoke to Electrical Co-op mem-
bers in Henderson on November 8th
and went from there to Austin to at-
tend a Committee meeting the next
day. We will all be affected by the
divestitive of AT&T, and this Com-
mittee is evaluating the impact as
well as our options for providing
telephone service to state government
and its agencies.
It was a real pleasure to be allowed
to participate in the dedication
ceremony of a memorial to Rusk
County veterans at the VFW post in
Henderson on Veterans Day.
On November 13th, I was honored to
attend the grand opening and open
house of the new Palestine
Educational Complex of which the
citizens of the Palestine ISD are
justifiably proud.
I attended a meeting on November
15th of Polk County school board
members and school superintenden-
ts at the Livingston High School
Cafeteria and heard Rep Bill Haley
give a progress report on the Select
Committee on Public Education.
On November 16th I spoke to mem-
bers of the District 5 Retired Teachers
Association.
Constituent Problems
In addition to my other activities
during the interim, my staff and I
have handled problems of hundreds of
my constituents. These problems
range in nature from just providing
information on new laws to cutting
through red tape in a number of
emergency situations, also.
Staff
My staff is the best I have ever had
since becoming a member of the
Senate. Charles Wright has been with
me since 1978 and is knowledgeable
about most aspects of state gover-
nment. He is in the District Office in
Nacogdoches dicing the interim and
in Austin when we are in session.
Elizabeth Blount also works in the
District Office and serves as Ad-
ministration Committee Clerk during
the Session They may be reached in
my Nacogdoches office at any time
you have a problem and will be happy
to assist you in securing information
or in solving your problems
Ivy Mays, formerly of Jasper, has
recently come aboard as an Ad-
ministrative Assistant in Austin. She
has considerable experience in
working with State and Federal
agencies and will be a definite asset to
me and those whom I represent. Jane
Fisher is my secretary and word
processor operator in the Capitol of-
fice.
My Nacogdoches telephone number
is (409 ) 569-6575, and my Austin num-
ber is (512) 475-2671.
I hope you will always feel free to
call on me anytime I may be of
assistance and further hope you will
drop by for a visit when you are in the
area
The Cherokeean
(ISPS 102-520)
Text ' Oldest Weejdy Newspaper, Established ai the Cherokee Sentinel. Feb. 27. 1850
Claw Postage PaM Al Rusk. Texas 757*5. Published Weekly on Thur>da> b> E.H. Whitehead Enterprise .
•IIN. Main .street, Kusk. Texas. Ph. AC 2M4a3-!tt?
Subscription Rales Pa> able In anee
Cherokee County. la Per Annum
MEMBER 1983
From Host To Host...
Airwaves Flooded With Easy Banter
By BEVERLY FLETCHER
COI-l'MMST
KTLU-KWRW's morning Talk
Time Show is really paving new
roads when it comes to small talk.
The 8 to 9:30 a m program,
originally formatted to provide air
space for the audiences' "wants"
and "don't wants," has developed
into a broader scope of commen-
taries on any subject that touches
upon the fancy of the two hosts,
Merv Dawson and John
Robinhawk
Merv is not exactly a "small"
talker He is more what you would
call a robust man The dictionary
affixes several meanings to the
term "robust"—(a strongly for-
med or constructed: STURDY,
and ib* rough, rude (stories laden
with down-home imagery).
His store of jokes is endless and
sc what colorful His wit is ever-
re-ay—a constant BATTERY of
off-the-shoulder quips that finds no
subject too sacred for buffoonery
His humor is fresh—maybe not so
much new as just fresh
But Merv maintains an open
rapport with the audience—he
recognizes most of the callers by
the mere sound of their "Hello ."
He :s self-assured and calmly at
ease on the air and can converse
with interest on anything from
what he ate for breakfast to the pit-
falls of w orld politics
On a typical day Merv, a reserve
deputy sheriff, punctuates the
sometime lengthy Interval bet
ween call* with
remark* on the i
Young un , (I
ngmy inter va uev
with his seasoned
«saya
•h
* go and I gotta go back there and
^et me some coffee "
As of late, the program has
become a sounding board for
opinion concerning upcoming elec-
tions—more specifically over
Emmett H. Whitehead, owner of
the station, who is in the running
for State Representative. And
where did Whitehead make his
timely first announcement of can-
didacy for the office? Why, on Talk
Time, of course.
And since that announcement,
Merv has been a staunch supporter
of his boss and fields the many
calls that come over the
lines—most of them with his honest
candor: "Vote for whoever you
want—if you don't believe in
Whitehead, don't vote for him but
he's got my vote."
Less in the limelight is John
Robinhawk < he doesn't get camera
coverage on Channel 8 as does
Merv i but he's a real anchor man's
anchor man. While lesser radio
personalities might wind up a
straight man to Merv's sometimes
caustic wit, John adds pep to
Merv's platitudes and wit to
Merv's witticisms The two com-
plement each other in a Mutt and
Jeff sort of way.
John, in his early 30 , is not of
Indian descent as his name might
suggest—his kinky-curly locks
clearly deny Indian heritage.
Formerly John Hawkin , he had
his name changed during his first
marriage to include hia wife' laat
name. Robinson.
The progressive movement of
creating a
to reflect the
"SSTcS Z
(tor
embellishment of humor.
Teamed together, Merv and
John are hellions at the
microphone and employees here at
Whitehead Enterprises have lear-
ned to steer clear of the radio room
during the Talk Time hours under
threat of dire embarrassment. Ask
Sherry Blankinship who had her
"spiffed up" dress clothes likened
to prison garb on the air because of
the striped design.
But the dynamic duo go a long
way in entertaining their die-hard
fans. I say die-hard because the
fans really hang in there-whether
to hear of the culmination of John's
search for his missing wallet or to
catch Merv's fables and foibles
from the Farmer's Almanac
And providing their own brand of
humor are those fans who call in
just to jaw a little and battle with
wits, or to set the hosts straight on
a fact or two, or to give their
opinion on the issues at hand.
Everyone's a star on Talk Time,
down to the repairman who enters
the studio to fix, machinery and
winds up holding his own against
the two hosts.
Merv hosts the show Saturday
with his wife, Mary, but I cannot
comment on their performance
together as I do not get up that
early unless I'm getting paid for
my trouble.
The Talk Time theme is not new,
nor Is it indigenous only to the
KTLU-KWRW stations. But the
«how has developed into a rather
refined (not that it was ever fined
in the ftrat place) and entertaining
focal point of the early morning
hour . It'a not Just free advertising
anymore, it'a the voice of Ruak ami
And. while talk la
on Talk
—
I a
•
PV^IHPWMP
• t
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The Cherokeean. (Rusk, Tex.), Vol. 134, No. 51, Ed. 1 Thursday, February 2, 1984, newspaper, February 2, 1984; Rusk, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth151629/m1/2/: accessed July 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Singletary Memorial Library.