Cherokeean Herald (Rusk, Tex.), Vol. 154, No. 47, Ed. 1 Wednesday, January 14, 2004 Page: 7 of 16
sixteen pages : ill.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:
-É-
COMMUNITY
Wednesday, January 14, 2004
Cherokeean Herald
Page 7
CONTACT US
Do you ha ve a news brief or story idea?
Send it a week in advance to:
Cherokeean Herald, P.O. Box475, Rt&k,
Tx. 75785
FAX AND E-MAIL
Send news briefs,letters to the editor,
wedding announcements and news ideas by
FAX or E-MAIL (our favorite method).
FAX (903) 683-5104
herald@mediactr.com
Legislature kept vital services intact with passage of budget
o
By Todd Staples
Special to Cherokeean Herald
As your State Senator, it is a
privilege to work on your behalf
in what is already considered
the toughest
legislative
session in
decades. This
year has seen
so much — the
effects of a
slowed econ-
omy, a war,
three special
sessions and
a total of 226 days in Austin
rather than back here with my
family andmyconstituents. All
said and done, the accomplish-
ments we made in spite of I ho
innumerable challenges in the
legislative process will benefit
our children and our children's
children.
Texans demand limited, and
accountable government, a
system that respects hard
Todd Staples
working families and a pro-
cess which protects those most
needy among us.
Texas faced significant bud-
getary challenges due to a
troubled economy. As a result
of the extreme shortfall in state
revenues, many state agencies
were askedto do more with less,
just like families and taxpayers
do in lean times. This measure
was a beginning step in a long
process to help determine pri-
orities.
Public education, health and
human services, pubhc safety
and the essential services of the
state maintained the highest
priority throughout the pro-
cess. A vote for this year's
budget was one of the hardest
votes ever, but it was essential
to keep vital services intact.
Most of you know, the closure
of one state hospital and two
state schools, as well as pulhng
up the tracks at the Texas State
Railroad, were being seriously
considered at the beginning of
the session.
Thanks to local citizen
involvement and a great deal
of hard work in the legislative
process, both the Rusk State
Hospital and Texas State
Railroad continue operations to
meet Texans' needs andprovide
jobs to our region today.
Bypassing Senate Bill 1362,
Lake Eastex was renamed Lake
Columbia in honor and memory
of the brave crew of the Space
Shuttle Columbia. This tragic
loss was devastating to their
families and our entire nation,
but East Texans responded to
her call in true Texas fashion.
Your work helped secure futur e
space operations and this con-
tribution should never be over-
looked or forgotten.
As vice-chair of the Senate
State Affairs Committee, I
listened to hours of testimony
regarding the crisis in our
health care system. Rural
Texans faced the prospect of
hundreds of doctor s leaving and
Skyview and Hodge Units experienced
change, reduction in force during 2003
Work squad
continues to adopt
projects that beautify
the community
The year 2003 at the Skyview
and Hodge Units saw change in
the direction of a reduction in
staffing due to the state budget
shortfall. The reduction came
through vari-
ous measures.
Employees
who were
eligible for
retirement but
had continued
to work were
given a one-
time incentive
to retire.
While other departments
saw staffing numbers go down
through a reduction in force,
security positions were main-
tained.
The Department of Criminal
Justice was not the only state
agency affected by the short-
fall, all state agencies were
Warden Todd
Foxworth
affected.
On a hghter note the Skyview/
Hodge Unit saw Warden Joseph
Wilson promoted from major to
assistant warden at the Telford
Unit in New Boston.
We welcome Major Tim Lester
via the Polunsky Unit in Liv-
ingston.
Major Lester is a 22 year
veteran of the Texas Depart-
ment of Criminal Justice and
is looking forward to setthng
in to our community. Welcome
to Rusk Major Lester.
Once again our Community
Work Squad continued their
efforts to enhance the beauty
of our town.
The projects this year
included new Welcome to Rusk
signs on the north and south
ends of Highway 69, new curbs
around town, a Courthouse ren-
ovation in three courtrooms, a
lot of work accomplished at the
Texas State Railroad and just
plain old landscape work.
The Cherokee County
Courthouse renovation
included: sanding and stain-
ing of benches; rebuilding of
jury boxes; painting; instal-
lation of new technology and
innovative systems to bring
courtroom operations into the
cyber/computer age.
The railroad received a
facehft when the work squad
restored some of the older
railcars and laid down some
new track as well as cleaned
up existing track.
Also the Community Work
Squad shaped, trimmed and
mulched crepe myrtle trees
along U.S. Highway 69between
Jacksonville and Alto approxi-
mately 20 miles.
The Skyview/Hodge Employ-
ees raised $ 1,000 for the State
E mployee Charitable Camp aign
(SECC) during the months of
September and October.
The proceeds this year ben-
efited the American Cancer
Society and St. Judes Child-
ren w Research Hospital. The
unit was also involved in Coats
for Kids and a Cellular Phone
Roundup fundraiser to benefit
Special Olympics.
As we welcome the New Year,
the Skyview/Hodge Unit will
continue to embrace change
and opportunity to grow with
our community.
hospitals closing due to high
liability claims and insurance
rates. House Bill 4 was passed
and ratified by Texas voters
with the intent to create a fairer
and more balanced system by
limiting non-economic damages
in health care liabihty claims,
which in turn should enable
lower liability insurance rates
for doctors and hospitals.
Most importantly, a complete
overhaul of the school finance
system will be addressed when
Governor Perry calls a new spe -
cial session, expected in spring
of 2004. I am working hard to
make sure our part of Texas has
a strong voice in the reform of
our public school system, that
the tax burden on our property
owners is decreased and a reli-
able and stable income stream
is provided to adequately and
equitably educate Texas chil-
dren. We must also ensure par-
ents are directly involved in the
education of their children.
Knowing our school di si riel s
are already facing financial
crises, I authored several bills
aiming to help until a new school
finance system is implemented.
Senate Bill 671, implemented
a "grace period'' for school
districts facing penalties due
to the Property Value Study
inchoating a higher property
value than what was appraised
locally. Schools, timberland
owners and county government
officials all worked together to
solve the timber valuation
crisis. Senate Bill 1646 was
passed to provide Stability for
our region's timberlands. And
SB 340 provides tax fairness
and tax equity by ensuring busi-
ness owners all operate under
the same guideliness when
reporting property used in the
production of income.
Just last month, Lt. Gover-
nor Dewhurst appointed me
to the Senate Committee on
Water Policy, charged with
analyzing the management
and pohcy concerning ground
and surface water.
Thankfully, visionaries years
ago built Lake Palestine,
Cedar Creek Lake and Lake
Jacksonville so we can enjoy
the fruits of their labor today.
As our region's water supply is
eyed eagerly by urban and other
areas in need, I will continue to
fight to ensure ample water is
available for our region, and at
the same time, be working on
a water pohcy that benefits all
Texans. There cannot be a game
of winners and losers when
deahng with a basic necessity
of life such as water.
Now more than ever, I need
to hear from you. Our future
depends on the work we do now.
You Can Do Something
About the Portion of Your
Doctor Bills Not Covered
by Medicare!
Preferred Plan F* Medicare Supplement insurance from
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas features coverage
for doctor charges in excess of Medicare-approved
amounts.** Plus you get:
• Guaranteed acceptance for Texas residents
age 65 or over with Medicare Parts A and B
• Freedom to choose the licensed doctors and
hospitals you want
Call me — an independent health insurance agent —
for the solid protection, reliable service and affordability
you deserve!
* Basic option Plan A and Plan D are also available.
** By law, no physcian may charge more than 115% of the Medicare-approved amounts.
Wade Emerson & Associates
Insurance Agency
1828 ESE Loop 323 #306
Tyler, Texas 75701
(903) 592-8100
JBg_ frS) BlueCross BlueShield
■fl^ of Texas
A Oivissn of Hestfi Caie Smvfce Qxporatoa a Mujal Lajal Reserve Company.
an Irdspencfent Lteensee of the Slue Cross and Blue StieW Asstcawn
Not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. Government or the
Federal Medicare Program
MS-Pr-Slk-As2-9-01 Rev 1/02
I aim to serve you to the best of
my God-given abilities. I know
the choices we make today will
have great bearing on the next
generation of Texans. Please
continue to let me and my
staff know how we may best
serve you.
State Senator Todd Staples
may be reached at 512-463-
0103, P.O. Box 12068, Austin,
TX 78711, or in Palestine at
903-729-7717.
Political
CALENDAR
2nd Judicial District
Judge
Dwight Phifer (D)*
District Attorney
Elmer Beckworth (D)*
County Attorney
Craig Caldwell (D)*
Cherokee County
Commissioner, Pct. 1
Mary Gregg (R)
R.L. Johnson (D)*
Cherokee County
Constable , Pct. 1
John Banks (D)
* denotes incumbent
pd. political advertising by the candi-
dates listed above
The Democraticand Republican
primaries will be held March 9.
Early voting is Feb. 23-March 5
at the following locations:
■ RUSK: Cherokee County
Court House, County Clerk's
office
■ JACKSONVILLE: Senior
Citizen Center, 300 S. Bolton
■ ALTO: A. Frank Smith Meth-
odist Church, 103 Cooper St.
If you are a political candidate
seeking office and would like to
have your name added to the
Cherokeean Herald's political
calendar, please stop by our office
at 618 N. Main St. in Rusk.
Ask for information about the
Oldies Radio - 97.7 FM political
calendar as well. Call (903) 683-
2257 for more information.
Level 1
Trauma
Center
Emergency
Entrance
K
J
us
tA
www.etmc.org
Major or minor, emergencies are
never planned. That's why ETMC created a
carefully planned system of 80 ambulancesi, two
helicopters, and 11 emergency rooms designated as
trauma centers, including the only level I trauma
center in East Texas. In a minor emergency that
could mean a lot to you. In a major emergency
it could mean everything.
Not every emergency requires the advanced
training and expertise of a trauma team; but
it's reassuring to know that even your "minor"
injury is being treated by people who are true
experts. The planning, training and coordi-
nation required to maintain the most highly
accredited emergency care system in East
Texas assure you of the highest possible level
of care, in the shortest possible time.
Whether that means your daughter's broken
arm is expertly set at ETMC's 24-hour emer-
gency center in South Tyler or your boiling
water burn is treated at the level III trauma center at ETMC
Jacksonville or your husband's broken back is treated by the
24-hour on-site trauma team at the level I center at ETMC
Tyler, the result is the same: Wherever you are, whenever
you need us, you receive emergency care that is truly second
to none at ETMC. You deserve nothing less.
In an emergency, count on
one that saves more lives.
0
BDQia
A not-for-profit organization committed to improving the quality of life in East Texas communities.
East Texas Medical Center
Regional Healthcare System
First in East Tfexas. Second to none.
CMYK
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.
Whitehead, Marie. Cherokeean Herald (Rusk, Tex.), Vol. 154, No. 47, Ed. 1 Wednesday, January 14, 2004, newspaper, January 14, 2004; Rusk, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth152605/m1/7/: accessed July 16, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Singletary Memorial Library.