Cherokeean/Herald (Rusk, Tex.), Vol. 142, No. 51, Ed. 1 Thursday, January 24, 1991 Page: 1 of 14
fourteen pages : illus. ; page 23 x 14 in. Digitized from 35 mm. microfilm.View a full description of this newspaper.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
Rusk:
1 ItMIU* 4 f tlu*
Texas State Railroad
Siaic Historical Park
"""m,Llei„
SOVTtJtS$,
Si*7 E I1C.
Ct? ero keeai?/Herald
Kstnblishcil I'Vb. 27. 1850 as the Cherokee Sentinel - Texas' Oldest, Continuously Published Weekly Newspa|>er
Alio;
I lome ol the
('.«Moan Mounds
Slate Historic Site
Vol. 142. No. 51 - 8 Pages
Thursday, January 24, 1991
Rusk, Icxas 757X5 25 calls
Commissioners delay public defender action
I'licrokw County Commissioner*
Court ilrlnynl action Kriilny on a
mpiest to State Elton llomrr
for bin assistance with legislation
needed to secure the services of a
Public Defender.
Meeting with commissioners were
a number of county lawyer*.
The court w a« told that the Chero-
kee County Bar Association ha*
appointed a committee composed of
lawyer and lay people to study the
matter.
The Commissioners Court passed
a resolution in mid-November ask-
ing the state legislature to give
Cherokee County the right to em-
ploy a Public Defender.
The court. if given the right, would
study the matter and make n deci-
sion when the next budget is pre-
pared.
Lawyers named to the committee
are: Eldridge Moak of Jacksonville.
Gary Minton of Jacksonville and
Elmer Beckworth of Rusk, who was
named chairman.
Hubert Robinson. Larry Minton
and Sissy Austin, all of Jacksonville
and Bobby Tosh of Rusk are the lay
people named.
District Judges Morris Hassell,
2nd Judicial District and Bascom
Bentley III. 369th Judicial District,
and Court-at-law Judge LeRue
Dixon will be asked to meet with the
committee.
Moak. who served as spokesman
for the bar association told the court,
"We have already found more than
one way to do this. We are trying to
get information for the committee.
We are accumulating information
and the committee will make a
report to the Commissioners and
the Cherokee County liar Annota-
tion. and anyone else who want* it."
Liability suit* again*! the pro-
mised Public Defender wa* one of
the primary concern* of the law-
yer*.
**l have t alked with publicdefend
era in other HtaU'H. Thoy have to try
more ram *, have more apix'al* and
generally have more liability hiiíIh,"
naid District Attorney ('liarles
llolcomh.
"If it ain't broke, don't try to fix it.
No other comity in our area lias
employed a public defender," tile
district attorney HtuUtd.
County Judge Craig Caldwell
commented that the county lian two
RUSK ROTAR LANS, named Bill Powell a Paul Harris Fellow at a special meeting
Friday noon. Among those attending are Joann Powell, daughter-in-law of the
honoree; Powell; Gay Powell, his wife. Rotarlans attending the event are from left
Bob MeNatt, Bill Poore, George Nielsen, the Rev. Dr. Hal McNeill, Chris Hoover, Dr.
Jim Hunter, Ken Smith, Jack White, Don Vandever, Houston White and Jerry
Murphy. MeNatt, Nielsen, Hunter, Smith, Jack White and Houston White are all
Paul Harris Fellows. Jim Cromwell, speaker at the Wednesday meeting, presented
information on the Cherokee County Bar Association's service to persons serving
in the military. Visitors included Dwight Parsley, Rotarían from Jacksonville;
Stanley Allen of Crockett, RSH chaplain program; Kevin Bowden, Boy Scouts of
America and McNatt's son, Blaine. -staff photo
Chili + chilly day = spicy event!
By BETTY RARDIN
A jovial crowd estimated at about
200 enjoyed the Chili Cook-off last
Saturday, sponsored by Alto Schools'
D-FY-IT leaders. D-FY-IT, which
stands for Drug Free Youth in Texas,
has had enormous success in both
the elementary and high school
levels, with 90 percent of the stu-
dents testing drug free. Then they
are eligible to be a member of the D-
FY-IT organization, according to
Randall Birdsong, Adult Council
Director. The Student Directors are
Marcus Moore and Eric Penn.
On Saturday, Jan. 19, there were
If participants that entered their
special chili concoctions in hopes of
being selected by the panel of judges
to be the best chili cookers in Alto.
The unbiased judges tasted bowls of
chili by number and cast their bal-
lots. The public, who paid $4 for the
chance to sample each of the chili
dishes, also cast ballots for the
"People's Choice" award.
While the judges ballots were
being counted, pies and cakes were
auctioned off as partofthis, the only
major fund raising event of the
school year. One of the cakes, big
enough to serve a crowd of 50 per-
sons, was bought by Leo Hicks for
$105 and he turned around a gave it
back to be auctioned again. When
the desserts were gone, $533 bad
been added to the D-FY-IT treas-
ury. All totaled, volunteer treas-
urer, David Danheim reported that
$1,200 would be the profit from the
Chili Cook-off.
Finally the moment arrived when
Birdsong announced the Judge's
Choice for the best chili. All the
judges agreed that it was ft hard call
to make. They included County
Commissioners Alton Hicks, Bob
Oregg, Billy McCutcheon, F.E. Has-
sell and Sheriff Jimmy Dixon.
Their choice for best chili in t he
student category was the Atomic
chili made by the B. and B. Boys,
Arthur Bruto and Derek Blakem-
ore. The winner in he adult division
was the "Mean Sting" chili made by
Alto school cafeteria cooks, Mary
Ann Selman and Ann Morgan (I
heard someone comment?... no one
had better complain about cafeteria
food after that!).
The People's Choice Award was
■till to come, as more folks arrived
to sample the super good chili selec-
tions. The Cook-Off began at 11 a.m.
and people were still coming into
the Lions Club building at 12:30
p.m.
The other participante eagerly
awaiting the results of the People's
Choice included: Jerry Rix's Diablo
chili; AHS Senior Class; The Brook-
shire Boys and their T&T chili;
Spencer Smith; Kelly Webb; AVFD;
the Jr. High and JV Cheerleaders;
CVAE-FHA-HERO Clubs; the
United Methodist Women's chili; the
AHS Student Council; Danny Kessel
and Robert Holcomb; Charlie
Holcomb's Yellow Rose of Texas;
Fire From Heaven by Leo Hicks and
Pastor William Snidow; the Alto
Band Drumstick chili • "A role in
every bowl"; and the D-FY-IT
Official's chili.
Then the long-awaited moment
arrived and Birdson, asked this
reporter to help'him count the tick-
ets in the bowls in front of the chili
pots. It looked for awhile like the Jr.
High and JV Cheerleaders were the
run-away winners as 98 tickets were
counted and the cheerleaders
watched in anticipation.
But wait...what happened to the
tickets in other bowls? As Birdsong
and Rardin continued to count tick-
eta, the Alto Band's Drumstick chili
had a big pile of tickets. The tension
increased as Birdsong counted,
96,97,98 ... 103 and the Alto Band
was declared the winner of the
People's Choice award!
Everyone agreed that a good, fun
time was had by all. "It was the best
participant turnout yet," com-
mented AHS teacher, Loretta Rix,
who has worked with D-FY-IT since
its start Jerry Rix expressed his
appreciation to all the judges for
coming to help.
The Adult Leader wanted to ac-
knowledge the help, during the
school year, of Steven Bowen from
Nan Travis Hospital, who admini-
sters the drug testing. He said that
the sixth grade would be tested
shortly.
Reward
is raised
In a recent action by the Alto City
Council, it was agreed to raise the
amount of the reward form $250 to
$1,000 for information leading to
the arrest and conviction of persons
found guilty of arson. Alto Police
ChiefLarry Olidden commended the
council for taking this needed ac-
tion.
Alto Mayor and Fire Chief Oar-
win Baugh says that persons with
such information should call him at
868-4356. All information will be
kept confidential.
EMILY JOHNSON IS PICTURED HERE, receiving the
"People's Choice" award from Randall Birdsong, for the
Alto Band's Drumstick chili, at the D-FY-IT sponsored
Chili Cook-off last Saturday, staff photo
Chamber banquet
is slated Jan. 31
Suzy Humphreys, radio and tele-
vision personality will speak at the
annual Rusk Chamber ofCommerce
banquet Thursday, Jan. 31. Tickets
for the event are $10 and can be
purchased from any chamber direc-
tor or at either Rusk bank.
Mrs. Humphreys has spanned the
boundaries from administrative
secretary to talk show host. Dallas
radio listeners know her as the un-
predictable suburban career
woman, wifeand mother, who lends
humor and a slice of life on the Ron
Chapman's morning radio show on
KVIL-FM.
As the driver of the station's yel-
low van, she travels to small towns
outside the Dallas-Fort Worth
metroplex to visit with town char-
acters or take herturn in the neigh-
borhood carpool—driving her son
and his friends to school.
Her homespun wit and humorous
chats with Chapman have helped
her become part of one of the m^st
successful radio shows in the coun-
ty-
For five years, she was seen each
morning on the Dallas ABC affili-
ate program "News 8 Etc." She has
talked with everyone from Billy
Oraham to Clint Eastwood. She
brought Lillian Oish, John Wayne,
Warren Beatty, Carol Burnett (to
name a few) to North Texas living
rooms. She has co-starred in "Cri-
sis at Central High" with Joanne
Woodward and debuted in her first
movie role at the Corsicana "Drive
In." She has acted with Donald
O'Conner and Sid Caesar and has
done musical comedy.
Mrs. Humphreys is responsible
for hundreds of commercials and
industrial shows for Southwestern
Bell Telephone, Honeywell, Old-
smobile and 7-11 Stores.
Robert Gonzalez, outgoing Cham-
ber President, says banquet goers
will meet her as an endearing in-
spiring and motivating speaker.
She will lead her audience from
laughing until their sides hurt to a
serious side of life that will leave
them grateful for what they have
and what they can do for othera.
During the evening, last year's
Citizens of the Year's events,
Jerry and Anita Ocker, will name
the current honoree.
Nell MeNatt, executive vice-
president, will assume duties as
the new chamber president.
attorrieyH for prosecuting felony
cases and one attorney for miado-
monitor ranea.
"Ono attorney would have to
work against all three," ho Maid.
Few defeiiae lawyers are UHod in
misdemeanor catata, according to
information proHontod by those in
tho delegation. However, the law-
yorH Ha id they feared after tho hir-
ing of n Public Defondor more per-
sons charged with misdemeanors
would request the services of the
public defender.
Precinct 3 Commissioner F. K.
Hassell commented,"All wo want is
the right to hire one. We aren't
trying to get one hired now. 1 thought
we were here to make changes in
the bill and get it back to Rep.
Bomer."
Judge Caldwell stated that men-
tal health fees are paid by other
counties.
County lawyers were paid $68,857
mental health fees last year, which
ended on Sept. 30, 1990.
"The money would still come in.
Couldn't it go to pay the salary of
the public defender?" asked Pre-
cinct 1 Commissioner E. R. (Bob)
Oregg.
Caldwell replied that he would
check with other counties and find
out if they had any objections to
paying a public defender ¡fintead 'if
an ap|M)inted county lawyer
In another matter, the commiH-
sioners discussed raises grunted by
district, judges for their employees.
Salaritts of the county auditor,
assistant auditors, court reporter,
court cftordinntor and secretaries
wore raised l*o between 1) a fid 10
percent by Judges Hassell and
Dentley.
Increases for the auditor, assis-
tant auditors and district court,
reporters wore budgeted by the
commissioners court.. The increases
for the court coordinator and secre-
taries were not budgeted and have
not been paid, Caldwell reported to
the commissioners.
"The order says the county has
until the end of January to comply
with the raises," Caldwell said.
County Attorney Robert MeNatt,
presented his opinion to the court,
stating he "thought the judges had
stretched their authority. I could
find nothing that stated the com-
missioners court has to automati-
cally grant raises for the court coor-
dinator a'nd secretaries."
Commissioners voted unani-
mously to seek a n attorney general's
ruling on the matter. The court had
secured an oral ruling in October.
No written ruling was obtained at
that time.
Legislative committee
assignments are told
Senator llaley
Appointment of Senator Bill
Haley as Chairman of the Senate
Administration Committee and as
vice chairman of the prestigious
Senate Education committee is good
news for residents of his Senate
District Three.
Senator Haley's appointments
were announced Jan. 16 by new
Lieutenant Governor Bob Bullock.
In addition to serving on the Ad-
ministration and Education Com-
mittees, the Center Democrat will
also serve as a member of the Eco-
nomic Development Committee, the
Finance Committee and on the
Subcommittee on Legislative Re-
districting.
State Rep. Bomer
Representative Elton Bomer has
been appointed to three influential
House committees; the Appropria-
tions, Calendars, and State Affairs
committees. Bomer will also chair
the BudgetandOversightSub-com-
mittee of the State Affairs Commit-
tee.
House committee appointments
were announced Thursday morning
in a fiill session of the Texas House
of Representatives. Representative
Bomer was pleased with his dual
appointment to both key fiscal posi-
tions and to the powerful Calendars
Committee, which sets the agenda
for House floor debate.
"I couldn't have drawn it up bet-
ter, frankly," Bomer said.
The Appropriations Committee is
the budget-writing panel of the
Texas House.
"You can help direct business our
district's way on this committee,"
Bomer said. "Thin is an excellent
forum to U8e to fight against waste
in state government."
The Calendars Committee sets
the agenda of what bills will be de-
bated on the House floor. Bomer
served on this committee during his
second term in 1982-1984.
"For maximum effectiveness in
the House, to get things done for my
district, Calendars is the place to
be," Bomer said.
As chairman of the Budget and
Oversight Sub-committee of State
Affairs, Bomer will review the
budget requests of several key state
agencies including the Public Util-
ity Commission, State Purchasing
and the Governor's Office. The sub-
committee then makes budget rec-
ommendations to the full Appro-
priations Committee.
"We'll take the initial look at
several major state agencies, and
make a first recommendation on
their budgets before they go to
Appropriations," Bomer said.
Bomer served two terms in the
Texas Houpe in the early 1980's,
from 1980 to 1984, when he did not
seek re-election for a third term.
Bomer represents the Eleventh
House District, which is Cherokee,
Anderson and Freestone counties.
COMING NEXT WEEK
* AISD & WISD
school board reports
/
FIREMAN OF THE YEAR David Parsons is
congratulated by Matter of Ceremonies James
Campbell. Parsons was named to the honor at the
annual Rusk Volunteer Firemen's Banquet Jan.
14 at the the Rusk High School cafetería.
• inatMiiii
mmtm.
*
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.
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.
Cherokeean/Herald (Rusk, Tex.), Vol. 142, No. 51, Ed. 1 Thursday, January 24, 1991, newspaper, January 24, 1991; Rusk, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth151991/m1/1/: accessed July 18, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Singletary Memorial Library.