The Cherokeean. (Rusk, Tex.), Vol. 138, No. 27, Ed. 1 Thursday, August 14, 1986 Page: 1 of 34
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MICROPLEXí, INC
P. 0. BOX 45436
DALLAS, TX. 7§245
\ /
Rotary Governor Visits
See Story, Page 11
Quarterback Club
Recruits Members
See Story, Photos, Page 12
"\ t
25e
Per Issue
The Cherokeean
See Story, Page 12
Home of the
Texas State
Railroad
Texas' Oldest Weekly Newspaper—Established As The Cherokee Sentinel, February 27, 1850
Vol. 138, No. 27
Thursday, August 14,1986 — Rusk, Texas 75785
12 Pages
TDC Takeover Called 'Doubtful'
It is doubtful that Texas Depar-
tment of Corrections will take over
Rusk State Hospital, according to
Dr. Frankie Williams, deputy
commissioner of Mental Health for
TDMHMR RSH budget for next
year has been approved by MHMR
Board and the House Ap
propriations Committee
Dr Williams. Carolee Moore,
assistant commissioner for Region
IV, and others from Central Office
were in Rusk Monday for meetings
with Rusk State Hospital staff
members and a press conference
"The rumors that we have been
hearing are similar to the old gossip
game that we used to play What the
last person hears is nothing like the
way the story bega n," she sa id
Months ago. TDC was faced with
a need for additional facilities
Otherwise, they would be in con-
tempt of court. Dr Williams said
Because of the lawsuit, they came
up with plans to provide psychiatric-
services on a sliding scale setting
Since MHMR is an expert in that
field, the department was brought
into the discussions. Dr Williams
■aid There were plans at that time
to construct a 300 bed prison
taaximum security hospital at a
projected cost of some $22 million
"In the midst of the money crunch,
that seems like a lot of money," she
•aid
Gov Mark White. Lt Gov Bill
Hobby and Speaker of the House
Gib Lewis began looking around for
alternatives MHMR was asked to
help out in the situation.
MHMR said they had no
facilities However, the decline in
patient load was known at this time
The Governor s staff asked about
Rusk and if TDC could look over the
facility
"Rusk has been considered as a
possible psychiatric unit for TDC.
Dr Williams said
About three months ago. the
governor, chairman of MHMR and
chairman of TDC met together The
governor appointed a committee
consisting of experts 111 the field of
psychiatry to evaluate the needs
They have met twice The final
reports are due the last of August
Dr Williams said the group
thinks the best solution to TDC's
problem is to construct a new
facility at Sugarland Their second
best solution is to construct a new
facility at Ellis II at Huntsville; the
third !>est solution is to purchase or
lease a private facility, and the
■v
GOING OVER QUESTIONS for the Monday afternoon meeting at Rusk State Hospital ar« from left Dr. John
White. RSH superintendent; Dr. Frankie Williams, deputy commissioner Mil services for Texas MHMR and
Carolee Moore of MHMR Central Office.
staff photo
fourth solution is to take over Rusk
State Hospital.
The chances that Rusk State
Hospital will exist another year are
100 percent In answer to a question
from Emmett Whitehead during the
press conference. Dr Williams said
the hospital's 1986-87 budget has
been tentatively funded for this
year That budget has gone
through the MHMR board and the
House Appropriations Committee
Projected estimates of patient load
shows 600 patients in 1987 and
slightly less in 1988 and 1989 Ser-
RHS Band
Of '80-'81
Sets Reunion
The 1980-81 Rusk High School
Sweepstakes band will be having a
five-year reunion at 6 p.m Aug 29
at the high sch(x<l band hall An
organizational meeting for the
reunion is planned for this Sunday.
Aug. 17 at 2 p m. at the First State
Bank community room
All members of the 1980-81 band
are encouraged to attend both even-
ts There's no fee to participate in
the reunion. Questions can be direc-
ted to Robert Grimes at 683-2677
vice districts will be reorganized
and Valley View at Rusk State
Hospital will experience an in-
crease in patients during the next
two years, she said
During the staff question period.
Dr Williams told Carl Thompson
that it is not practical to place in-
mates in non TDC areas
Dr Williams discussed 10 typed
pages ol questions from staff mem-
bers ranging from raises, employee
benefits to TDC
She said that in the event the
hospital was turned over to TDC. it
would be three or four years before
that became a reality However,
this is very unlikely, she said. "TDC
personnel were very complimen-
tary of the Skyview unit of (In-
hospital
"There is no plan at this time or
m the foreseeable future that Rusk
State Hospital will not continue as
Rusk State Hospital. TDC is not
taking over." the doctor said
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I Texas State
s
I Railroad
I S
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1 Reservations: ¡
¡ 1-800-442-8951 |
SllllllllllllllllilllliiliiiiiiiiiiMllillllllllllllllllllllJ
'Round Town
With Mrs. Roundabout
Once upon a time, back in the
olden days of TV. Art Linkletter
hosted a show which focused on
children "Kids say the darndest
things," or something close to that
As September rapidly draws near,
it is easy, and quite natural, to think
of children
The young and youthful ones
can't possibly know the importance
ol their roles in the total scheme of
things. It is in them that adult hope
resides...(or the ongoing of life.
Some youngsters learn early on
that they have a natural gift for
humor Others are funny, at times,
without realizing it Perhaps the
following comments will illustrate
how special kids really are
For instance, a child is a per-
son...who can't understand why
anyone would want to give awa> a
perfectly good kitten...or puppy.
Credit Doug I.arson with t'nited
Feature Syndicate for the
foregoing.
And this flashlight guarantee has
something to say about the position
kids hold: "The above guarantee
does not cover shark bite, bear at-
tack or children under five." From
my own experience, a flashlight
that find* itself in the hands of a
five year-old is rt rely seen again
Yearbooks
Distributed
For RHS '86
The 1966 Rusk High School
Yearbooks are here. Students
can pick up their copy at the
high school Aug. 18 and 19 from
9 a.m. to 1 p.m
Judy Wallace, teacher, will
distribute the yearbooks in
Room 8 during the appointed
times.
Mrs. Wallace says students
who did not order an annual
can buy one for $30 as long as
the supply lasts.
Jerry Marcus of King Features
cites th«- political savvy of a
teenager with this report of a son
speaking to this mother: "Dad gave
me my allowance...now I'm asking
you for matching funds." They do
learn early. don't they ?
The innocent honesty of a small
one is captured in a get well w ish he
wrote to an ailing, classmember
"Dear Jeff. 1 hope you will get bet
ter soon, and if you don't I will
always remember you Love. Al "
And my wonderful, little next
door Neighbor-friend addresses me
simply as Whitehead. Recently in
the statement of my name. Nathan
Winship wanted to share some con-
versation and information. He'll be
four Thursday and is feeling rather
happy about it. Anyway, he wanted
to tell me that he had a guest in the
house. Her name was Jennifer and
she lived with t'ncle Ronnie and 1
asked. "How old is she?" And he
said. "Oh. she's just a kid lady ."
When Cncle Ronnie's 11-year-old,
pre-teen daughter walked out. his
definition seemed to be a reflection
of perception-unusual at age four!
Children They represent our
hope, while bringing us happiness.
They even have the possibility to
expose the child in us at times
Marie Frazer penned a few
thoughts last week which illustrate
this
"1 am sad today. No children here
to say 'come out and play.' Chris all
boy, his pretty eyes just sparkling
with joy. His little sister, Sandy,
with her pretty little artistic hands
made mud pies that were just Jim
Dandy. Baby Lauren was just too
young to come out and play. As
Sandy says, 'she got no words yet.'
But oh, soon I bet.
"I will always remember seeing
their little noses pressed against
my door screen Searching for me,
their eyes sparkling with glee. They
moved away But, I will always
hear them say, 'Mrs. Frazer, come
out and play "
Walk gently with children. They
have so much to learn...and so
much to leach.
Until next weak; mw
General Fund Budget Depleted
Commissioners Authorize Emergency Transfer of $ 1 10,000
Cherokee County Commissioners
transferred some $110.000 from
Road and Bridge Undivided to the
County General Fund Monday to
cover county expenditures for the
remainder of the budget year
Commissioners anticipate that the
$110.000 with the addition of in-
coming revenue will carry the
county for the remainder of the
year After payment of bills Mon-
day. some $103.000 was left 111 the
General Fund
Copies of a letter written to
Commissioner Robert Underwood.
Precinct 1. from M S Croft. Route
3. Box 186. Jacksonville were
distributed No discussion followed
concerning Croft's issues
The letter was dated Aug 9 Croft
stated in the letter he was writing 111
response to a request for citizen
imput to the proposed 1987 county
budget
He sees 110 reason for an increase
in the county tax rate He says the
fact that ail departments of the
county government are overstaffed
is well know n and documented "
Croft listed as an example "Ms
(Linda) Beard (county lax
assessor-collector) has publicly
stated two workers could collect
county taxes Why nine workers 111
the office? Why no proper super-
vision of this office by tax assessor-
collector and resulting unrealistic
money loss for which Ms Beard
assumes no responsibility-
Lack of efficiency of the shenff's
department has resulted 111
delegation of responsibility of this
department to county Crime Stop-
pers organizations In our area
calls to sheriff's department mostly
go unanswered, it requires at least
two vehicles to investigate any
crime or suspicious person report,
nine or ten vehicles to investigate
any major crime. Any criminal
charges result in taxpayers paying
a defense lawyer. When trial date
arrives, the case is settled by
agreement between the district at
torney and attorney for defendant
"When funds, which are by law
collected for road and bridge ac-
count' are used to cover illegal ex
penses of the general fund, what is
the value of (A) a budget. (B) a
county auditor; 1C1 a county Com-
missioners Court?"
In other matters coming before
the commissioners, the court ap-
proved requests from (¡TE and Gulf
States-United Telephone Co to lay
underground cable along county
roads
The commissioners approved
payment of $2.750 for liability in-
surance for the Cherokee County
Airport County Judge Robert Mc-
Natt reported the county would
receive a $6.214 refund from an 111
surance company This amount will
be deposited in the general fund
Merchants Plan Shoppers' Extravaganza
For Labor Day Weekend In Rusk
"Thanks for shopping Rusk first" is calendared for Labor Day
weekend, according to Jerry Thompson, chairman of the Rusk
Chamber's Retail Trade Committee
Following a meeting Tuesday morning 111 Chamber offices,
representatives of the Rusk business community agreed to
cooperate 111 another shopping promotion
"Some firms will focus on Saturday, one day only, while others
will offer specials for more than the one day." Thompson said
"Several have indicated they would like to see the majority of the
local businesses stay open Monday. Sept 1 which is Labor Day
"This group needs and appreciates the support being given by all
members of the business establishment Working together, we can
more clearly express our gratitude to our customers," said Thorn
pson
Tom Barrow and Preston Meador
discussed with commissioners
upkeep of the Pierce's Chapel to
Pine Grove Road They said they
had sought before some relief for
residents living along the road.
Barrow said the road experiences
"terrific traffic and the dust is
terrible I live in one voting precinct
and the road is located in another
He noted the road is 2 .j miles long
and there are 1T> houses and 18 land
owners affected He asked that the
road be changed to another precinct
and the commissioners delegate
another commission to take the
road over
Commissioner Joe Henderson,
Precinct 3. said he would be glad to
give the road to Robert Underwood.
Precinct 1. if he wanted it
Meador said he had been trying
for the past 16 years to get
something done Many have used
Barrow s hay meadow to get over a
hill 111 bad weather. "The mail
carrier turns around and the school
bus doesn't go ail the way "
Henderson said he would consider
the matter, "but I'm not promising
anything."
Council Employs Auditors
Members of the Rusk City Coun-
cil approved the employment of
Smith and Purtell Co of Tyler as
city auditors The Tyler firm said it
would keep the city financial books
and do the city audit work for
$4,800
Other proposals received by the
city included one from Richard L
Stone Jr of Jacksonville that in-
cluded a $10,000 proposal to
examine the city's financial
statement for the year Also sub-
mitting a proposal to do the city
auditor's work was Lynn and
Gorham of Jacksonville Their fee
for the first year will be $10,000 The
fee will drop to (5,925 for next year
and then be $6,375 for the following
year
Resignation of City Judge Karl
Ross was accepted al the meeting
Ross was submitting his
resignation because of health
reasons Mayor James Long is
currently acting as city judge
Jack Epps, owner and manager
of Action Container Company , met
with the council to discuss his con-
tract with the city. A letter had been
written by his staff at the
suggestion of the city manager to be
sent to all Rusk city residents using
the service However, the council
decided that the letter would not be
mailed out
Epps will continue to collect gar-
bage placed at curbside by 7 a m
on collection days Garbage bags
are preferred However, loase gar-
bage in garbage cans or other con-
tainers will be collected
Epps said charges will be made
(or collection of large items and
persons interested in having these
items collected can call his local of-
fice or 1-800-441-9288 Limbs are to
be cut in three foot lengths and tied
in bundles of not more than 35
pounds, he said
Epps asked to meet with the
council at the next meeting to
discuss a new system
In another matter. James Houser
of Jacksonville, forester for the
city, reported that the Texas Forest
Service will remove trash timber
on 141 acres of city property for
$6.428 19 Mayor James Long said
the city was short on funds at this
time and he didn't think anything
could be done about this now
Houser said this work should be
completed in Ihe next two years to
allow the existing pines ample room
He* 'CITY, Page It
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The Cherokeean. (Rusk, Tex.), Vol. 138, No. 27, Ed. 1 Thursday, August 14, 1986, newspaper, August 14, 1986; Rusk, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth151761/m1/1/?rotate=270: accessed July 16, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Singletary Memorial Library.