Cherokeean/Herald (Rusk, Tex.), Vol. 145, No. 49, Ed. 1 Thursday, January 6, 1994 Page: 1 of 16
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Alto:
Home of the
Caddoan Mounds
State Historic Site
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Rusk:
Home of th
Jim Hogg State Historical fark
— _ jun nugg jiiuc nisiuncui rum .
Ujerobeeaif/Merald
Texas' Oldest, Continuously Published Weekly Newspaper - Established Feb. 27,1850 as the Cherokee Sentinel
Rusk:
Home of the
Texas State Railroad
State Historical Park
Vol. 145. No. 49- 10 Pages
Thursday. January 6, i
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Rusk, Texas 75785 25 cents
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WHILE SCHOOL WAS CLOÍ3ED FOR THE HOLIDAY'S, work continued on the football
stadium project on the Alto ISD campus. -staff photo
U
RUSK VARSITY BASKETBALL TEAM MEMBERS AND COACHES are pictured front, left to
right, Coach Marks Lanham, Waymon Johnson, Chris Sturns, Berrick Foreman, Byron Johnson,
and Coach Tim Eden. Back, left to right, Daniel McCain, Collin Evans, Darwin Stuart, Soott
Ramey, and Jamaal Levis ton. Not pictured, Steven Overstreet. The first district home game
against Huntington is slated for Friday night at the high school gym. All RHS basketball fans are
encouraged to support these fine athletes in their bid for district champs. -staff photo
John Sharp is Rusk Chamber
of Commerce banquet speaker
Texas State Comptroller John
Sharp will be the keynote speaker
for the 1994 Annual Rusk Chamber
of Commerce Membership Banquet
Thursday, January 13. The ban-
quet will be held at the Rusk Junior
High School at 6:30 p.m.
In 1990, Sharp was elected to his
current job as State Comptroller.
He is recognized throughout the
country for his policies on the man-
agement of the state's fiscal re-
sources. Immediately after taking
office, Sharp mobilized the massive
Texas Performance Review, a his-
toric audit of state government that
found more than $4 billion in imme-
diate savings and some $12 billion
in savings for taxpayers through
1997. In early 1993, he presented
the legislature with an additional
$4.5 billion in proposed savings.
His office has received dozens of
awards for innovation and efficiency,
and is nationally recognized for its
efforts to reinvent government. He
recently served as special advisor to
the President of the United States
in an audit of the federal govern-
ment patterned after his own Texas
Performance Review.
Sharp is currently directing work
on the Forces of Change, a sweeping
study of the economic, demographic,
environmental, criminaljustice and
other msgor issues likely to shape
Texas over the coming generation.
Sharp's Texas School Perfor-
mance Review is an ongoing pro-
gram to use public education funds
as efficiently as possible in the class-
room, rather than on unnecessary
administrative costs. And Project
Fair Play, the most extensive tax
collection program ever undertaken
in Texas, netted more than $103
million in back taxes and interest
for the state.
It was a John Sharp report that
cited Cherokee County as one of the
top 15 rural counties in Texas in
economic growth for the period be-
tween 1985 and 1990. Sharp has
recently recommended the initia-
tion of entrepreneurial programs in
the management of Texas State
Parks. With four state parks in
Cherokee County, these recommen-
dations could have tremendous lo-
cal impact.
Rusk Chamber President, Wayne
Pianta, stated that, "In extending
the invitation to John Sharp to be
our banquet speaker, I asked that'
he share his projections for our
economic future and update us on
his plans for management of the
state's fiscal resources.
"I pointed out that we have four
Btate parks in Cherokee County
and benefit tremendously from the
economic impact of the Texas De-
partment of Criminal Justice and
Rusk State Hospital facilities lo-
cated here. As a potential candi-
date for governor in the coming
years, we in Cherokee County need
to get to know Mr. Sharp and learn
more about his visions for our eco-
nomic future.
" I would encourage everyone in-
terested in the future of Cherokee
County to feel welcome at our An-
nual Banquet whether they are a
member of the Rusk Chamber of
Commerce or not."
The Rusk Chamber of Commerce
Banquet will be held on Thursday,
January 13 at 6:30 p.m. at the
Rusk Junior High School and is
open to any interested party, re-
gardless of membership in the
Chamber. Tickets for the banquet
can be obtained by calling the Rusk
Chamber of Commerce at 903-683-
4242.
County Sheriff resigns
'...decision is the hardest I've made in my life...'
Sheriff Jimmy Dickson has noti-
fied the Cherokee County Commis-
sioners and the County Judge of his
intention to resign as Sheriff effec-
tive January 15. The officials re-
ceived the notification Monday, J an.
3.
His interim successor will be ap-
pointed by the Commissioners Court
in the days ahead. The court meets
Monday, Jan. 10. It is expected that
members will act on the Sheriffs
resignation at that meeting, ex-
plained F airy Upshaw, county clerk,
"The person appointed will serve
until the next General Election
which is November 8," she said.
Candidates on the ballot may in-
clude one from each party, any indi-
vidual who files as an independent
and is duly qualified and the ap-
pointed person," said the county
clerk.
Sheriff Dickson, who has been a
law enforcement officer for approxi-
mately 15 years and has served as
sheriff for five years, stated, "This
decision is the hardest I've made in
my life, but life is full of hard deci-
sions."
Sheriff Dickson Baid, "If I was
dissatisfied or disgruntled, the de-
cision would have been easier but
the fact is, the past five years have
been the most enjoyable of my life.
The citizens of Cherokee County are
the best people in the world. They
have stood behind me and supported
me my entire career. I hope that
they will continue to support me as
I take on my new role as field inspec-
tor for the Texas and Southwestern
Cattle Raisers' Association."
"I will still be a part of Cherokee
County Law Enforcement, commis-
sioned as a Special Texas Ranger. I
regret leaving before my term ex-
pires but this is a now or never
opportunity. If I had not accepted
the position for this district when it
became open, in all probability, I
would never have had another op-
portunity," he said.
The sheriff also stated that he will
be assigned investigative duties for
the association in nine counties, in-
cluding Cherokee, Anderson,
Henderson, Freestone, Navarro,
Ellis, Kaufman, Van Zandt and
Rockwall Counties.
Sheriff Dickson says, "It has been
an honor to have held the office of
sheriff of Cherokee County and it is
an equal honor to be accepted to
serve an organization with such a
rich heritage as the Texas and South-
western Cattle Raisers' Association.
The association is headquartered
in Fort Worth and has 33 field in-
spectors in Texas and Oklahoma.
Site preparation work begins
for new TDCJ Sky view unit
Site preparation for the Texas
Department of Criminal Justice new
$28.7 million 1,000 bed unit at
Skyview in Rusk began Monday
morning. Weather permitting the
unit will be completed in 395 days
with Feb. 2,1995, as the completion
(tate.
Bill Harbert construction Co. of
Alabama is the contractor for the
new facility. Their bid was for
$22,149,000.
During construction, between 200
and 400 persons will be employed
duringconstruction. TexasEmploy-
ment Commission is currently tak-
ing applications for the positions.
After completion 350-400 jobs will
be added to the local economy.
The Skyview Unit now has 528
beds for psychiatric inmates. The
new unit is expected to be open in 15
months.
With the new construction 13
buildingB and three guard houses
will be added to the Skyview com-
plex.
Subcontractor LaF arge Concrete
Co. of Tyler is setting up a plant on
the loop near the prison site to
provide cement construction, while
Affiliated Surveyors of Rusk is do-
ing the surveying.
Charles Schultz of Huntsville is
project managor for TDCJ.
líie City of Rusk began condem-
nation procedure for property in-
volved in laying water and sewer
lines to the new complex.
Bids will be opened at 10 a.m.
Jan. 11.
Judge Caldwell will
not seek re-election
John Sharp
Cherokee County Judge Craig
Caldwell announced late Monday
that he was not seeking re-election.
Previously filing for the position are
Harry Tilley and Nancy Hudson.
Jerry Rix, the lone Republican is
seeking election to the County
Judgeship.
Court at Law Judge LeRue Dixon
is unopposed in his bid for re-elec-
tion.
Filing for positions on the Demo-
cratic ballot are Incumbent Marlys
Sue Mason, Incumbent District
Clerk; Incumbent Fairy Upshaw,
County Clerk; Incumbent Diann
Norton, County Treasurer; Incum-
bent Judge Bascom Bentley, 369th
District Court; Incumbent Alton
Hicks and Royce (Freddy) Johnson,
Commissioner Precinct 2; Incum-
bent Billy McCutcheon, Terry R.
Yancey and Jim Canter, Commis-
sioner Precinct 4; Incumbent Archie
Cook and Roy Darby, Justice of the
Peace, Precinct 1; Incumbent Chris
Davis, Gerald Davis and Larry
Bailey, , Justice of the Peace Pre-
cinct 2; Incumbent Polly Kite and
Frank D. Lindsey. Precinct 3 JP
and Incumbent Bobby Caveness,
JP Precinct 4.
AREA News Brief
*
City employs Mike Murray
as Main Street Manager
-ALTO FISH FRY-The Alto Li-
ons Club yrill hold an all-you-can eat
fish fry fromtrioj p.m. January 7 at
the Lions Club build mg. Tickets are
$5.50 in advance and $&.TW>a£ the
door. Kids under 8 eat free, dine-in
only.
REGISTRATION IS SLATED-
•Little Dribblers registration has
been scheduled at the Rusk High
School Gym from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 8 and 5 to 8:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Jan. 11 during Rusk
Eagle-Crockett Bulldog basketball
game. Deadline for registration is
Jan. 11. There will be no late regis-
tration.
KIDS FISHING DAY-Rusk
State Park will host its Second An-
nual Kids Fishing Day from 9 a.m. to
3 p.m., Saturday January 8. To en-
courage participation there will be
drawings for prizes. Hot dogs and
drinks will be fiirnished for lunch.
The prizes and food will be spon-
sored by local merchants. The Texas
Parks and Wildlife Fishery Depart-
ment and Game Wardens will help.
A fee will not be charged to enter the
park that day and the kids who par-
ticipate will not be charged a fee.
SENIOR WOMEN'S BASKET-
BALL-Teams are being organized
for senior women, ages 55 and over,
for 3-on-3 Half Court. Local qualify-
ing will be held in East Texas in the
Spring. Call 903/683-4676 Rusk or
903/586-3939 Jacksonville for in-
formation. Arrangements are un-
der the direction of Mary Guinn.
Fund raiser slated
for State TVeasurer
Martha Whitehead
Area citizens will have the oppor-
tunity to meet State Treasurer
Martha Whitehead at noon Mon-
day, Jan. 10 at the Hot Biscuit res-
taurant, Best Western Motel, Hwy.
79 East in Jacksonville. The event is
a fund raiser on behalf of her candi-
dacy for reelection. Tickets are $10
per person.
Chairman of the MH/MR Board
Ann Utley will be a featured guest
also. Following the luncheon, Chair-
man Utley will come to Rusk for a
tour of the Rusk State Hospital. At
2:30 she is slated address an assem-
bly of staff members and interested
citizens in the Rec Hall.
Mike Murray of Rusk has been
named Rusk Main Street Project
Manager by the Rusk City Council.
Murray, currently a city employee,
will devote his part time duties to
the Main Street project. In his new
position, he will manage downtown
revitalization projects, coordinate
downtown organization, promotion,
design and economic development
activities for the city. He will work
in economic development in attract-
ing new businesses and industry to
the community.
The position will be financed
through a $10,000 grant from the
Make It Happen Committee. The
city will oversee the project, provide
office space and supplies for the
program. The appointment is for a
one year period only.
The city is a self-initiated Main
Street City. Plans are to be named
an official Main Street City next
year.
Murray is a Rusk native. He was
born at Rusk Memorial Hospital 26
years ago and has lived here all of
his life except the three years he
spent with the U.S. Army at Fort
Lewis, Washington.
He will receive a degree is Public
Administration in May from
Stephen F. Austin State Univer-
sity. Murray has been employed for
the City of Rusk on a part-time
basis since Sept. 1,1993.
"I want to see Rusk grow and
prosper and still keep the commu-
nity spirit," Murray said. He will
work with industrial growth, tour-
ism growth and continue to work
with Rusk State .pital, Texas
Department of l ..uinal Justice,
Parks and Wildlife and other state
agencies to provide employment for
the community's citizens. "Rusk
has a great potential and I want to
be a part of seeing it come to realiza-
tion," Murray said.
The program is not designed to
force anyone to do anything. "Main
Street is a program to help the com-
munity in economic growth. This is
not something for only the down-
town area, but is for the entire com-
munity," he said.
"This will put the community in a
network with other successful
towns. We have the community
spirit and will work for the better-
ment of the community."
Murray is the son of Lila Jean
and David Mun ay of Rusk. He and
his wife, Valerie, reside on Ellis
Street.
He has been active in student
government at Stephen F. Austin
State University, as well as Rusk
High School. He played football at
Rusk High School and has been
involved in other school and com-
munity endeavors.
He will work in finding grant
funds to finance the revitalization
of the community. His work time
will consist of some 20-30 hours per
week. Murray will attend a week
long Main Street managers school
beginning on Jan. 10. City Man-
ager James Campbell, and Make It
Happen Committee persons Mary
Buchanan and Stephanie Caveness
and Thomas Lee Parsons, city em-
ployee will attend a two-days ses-
sion during the school.
Mike Murray
Thank you, thank you!
The management and staff of the
Cherokeean/Herald wish to acknowledge
with gratitude the support of all advertisers
and news contributors in the past.
Happy New Year!
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Cherokeean/Herald (Rusk, Tex.), Vol. 145, No. 49, Ed. 1 Thursday, January 6, 1994, newspaper, January 6, 1994; Rusk, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth152145/m1/1/: accessed July 16, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Singletary Memorial Library.