The Albany News (Albany, Tex.), Vol. 113, No. 36, Ed. 1 Thursday, February 16, 1989 Page: 1 of 20
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The
Albany N&ws
"Oldest Journalistic Venture West of the Brazos"
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1989, ALBANY, TEXAS 76430
12 PAGES IN 1 SECTION
VOLUME NUMBER 113 NUMBER 36 PRICE 35« PER COPY
Board leaves seat vacant, hears reports
By Dannie A. Lucas
The Albany I.S.D. Board of
Trustees met twice during the
past week, including a special
meeting to discuss filling an unex-
pired term on the board.
The board met on Thursday,
February 9 to discuss appointing
someone to the vacancy on the
board, and again on Monday,
February 13 for their regular
monthly meeting.
Vacancy Not Filled
Meeting in special session prior
to a board training program, the
trustees voted to defer any action
concerning the vacancy "until fur-
ther notice."
The Place 4 seat on the board
was left vacant after board
member Paul Cooper resigned
during the January meeting.
Cooper, who had served on the
board for four years, still has two
years remaining on his unexpired
term.
If the board appoints someone
to fill the vacancy, that person
will only serve until the trustee
election set for May 6.
The board opened the meeting
and then went into executive ses-
sion for approximately 30 min-
utes. Upon opening the meeting
again to the public, Fitzgibbons
made the motion to defer action
and the board adjourned to their
training session.
No mention of appointing a
replacement for Cooper was made
at the regular monthly meeting
on February 13.
The board has the option of
leaving the post vacant until the
May elections.
21st Century Plan Reviewed
At the regular meeting on Mon-
day night, the board heard the
first report on "Albany Schools —
The 21st Century."
Three committees were estab-
lished recently by the board to
Recommendations to be rated
evaluate the facility needs of the
district, including the Nancy
Smith Elementary campus, the
high school/junior high campus
and all other school facilities.
Superintendent Terry Harlow
gave a brief overview of the com-
mittees' findings and a special
meeting was set for Thursday,
March 9 to further discuss and
prioritize the facility needs of the
district in order to carry it into
the next century
Harlow "hit the highlights" of
the recommended improvements
made by the three groups.
The Other Facilities Commit-
tee, which was responsible for in-
specting the track, football
stadium, bus barn, and field house
made the following general
recommendations:
•Routine maintenance needed
at the field house, including
replacement of the hot water
system, new carpeting, replacing
the ice machine;
•Repairing damage to the track
caused by settling of the ground,
and consider resurfacing of the
facility;
•Moving and repairing the
fence at the football stadium that
encloses the field, expand parking
by moving current chain link fenc-
ing and providing entrance to old
tennis court for parking. Also,
renovating the dressing rooms to
provide a shower for the visiting
team, and adding new restrooms
and a concession stand to the east
end of the building; and
•A new roof was reported as
necessary for the bus barn and
some general maintenance.
Harlow noted that all of the
projects suggested by the com-
mittee could not be considered at
one time, and' some may require
long-term financing. The board
will make a priority list at the
special meeting.
Listed as needed improve-
ments at the elementary campus
were the following;
•A new bus loading and
unloading area;
•Irrigation for the playing field
for more effective use by the com-
munity;
•The electrical system at the
campus was judged as "grossly"
inadequate by the committee.
New wiring, panel boxes, wiring
for computers and additional
lighting were named as priorities;
•Replacement of the windows
on the south side of each wing and
repairs to plumbing in each room;
•Replacement or repairs to t he
canopy, or covered walkways, in-
cluding lighting and new roof;
•Replacement of restroom fix
tures and heating units;
Fitzgibbons, chairman of the
elementary committee, added
that the need to make the campus
more adaptable to high tech
equipment was one of the commit-
tee's highest recommendations.
"We couldn't put more than one
or two computers in a classroom
because we don't have adequate
wiring."
Each committee was made up
of administrators, teachers and
members of the community.
The high school/junior high
campus was deemed to be "in
pretty good shape, but there are
(See School, pg. 12)
k
Chamber banquet set Feb. 24
Medal of honor...
Ann Humber (top photo, left), and
Grace Leech of the local chapter of
the Daughters of the American
Revolution, pin a medal on Sam
Webb and present him with a cer-
tificate bestowing upon him the
prestigious DAR Medal of Honor.
The national award, which is the
highest honor given by the DAR,
was presented during a special
reception last Sunday at the Old jail
Art Center. One other Texan receiv-
ed the medal this year, and only
two other Texas citizens, Roger
Staubach and Ross Perot, have
been given the award since 1986. A
large number of family and friends
attended the reception.
The annual Chamber of Com-
merce Banquet has been set for
Friday, February 24, and tickets
are now available from any
Chamber director.
Chamber Manager Louie
Moore stated that banquet tickets
are also available at the Chamber
office. The tickets sell for $10
each.
Highlights of the" evening will
include the presentation of the
prestigious Cornerstone Award,
as well as a keynote speech by
Phil Pirkle.
The banquet will be held in the
Nancy Smith Elementary
Cafeteria, with a meal served by
school lunchroom staff. The menu
for the evening will include roast
beef, scalloped potatoes, green
beans, lettuce and tomato salad,
hot rolls, apple crisp, iced tea and
coffee.
Entertainment for the evening
will be provided by "Eight on
Broadway," a musical group from
the Albany High School Choir,
directed by Sandy Mayes.
The Cornerstone Award was
last presented in 1986, when it
was awarded to Betty Law. The
award is given "in acknowledge-
ment of exemplary leadership and
personal service toward the
economic and cultural growth of
Albany."
Other past recipients of the
award include Thomas L. Blanton
Jr., A.V. Jones, Jr., Elizabeth
Green, John H. McGaughey,
Marge Bray, Merle Joyce, Jon
Rex Jonea, Clifton Caldwell, Watt
Matthewa, John H. Sedwick, Sam
Webb, Edward J. Tackett,
Richard and Sandra Fox and Bet
ty Law.
The addreas will be presented
by Pirkle, who is currently senior
vice president with Lubbock Na-
tional Bank in Lubbock, in charge
of business development and
marketing.
Prior to joining Lubbock Na
tional Bank, he was a member of
the corporate management staff
of two Fortune 500 compan-
ies—Cabot Corporation, the
world'a largest producer of car-
bon black, and Ingersoll-Rand, the
world's largest manufacturer of
mobile oilfield drilling rigs.
Pirkle has a Bachelor of Arts in
economics from Baylor Universi-
ty, a Masters of Education in
counseling and psychology from
Central Oklahoma State Universi-
ty and a Masters of Business Ad-
ministration from Texas Tech
University.
While on Cabot's staff in Atlan-
ta, Georgia, Pirkle attended
Woodrow Wilson College of Law.
From 1969-1977, he served as a
counselor, teacher and coach in
the public school systems of Por-
tales, New Mexico, Shawnee,
Oklahoma and Pampa, Texas.
Pirkle's civic activities include
serving as chairman of Leader-
ship Lubbock. He has also been a
member of the board of directors
of the March of Dimes, West Side
YMCA and Lubbock County Ap-
praisal District. He is a member
of the Lubbock Lions Club and
the public relations committee of
the United Way.
Pirkle was selected Teacher of
the Year in 1970, and led a team
to the Class AAA State Football
Championship in 1973.
'Neighborhood Watch' proposed
Town hall meeting slated
A "town hall" meeting to dis-
cuss the possibility of starting a
Neighborhood Watch program
will be held at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday,
February 21, at the Albany High
School Auditorium.
The Albany Chamber of Com-
merce is sponsoring the meeting.
Two officers from the Abilene
Police Department will show a
film presentation and discuss how
to set up a Neighborhood Watch
program in the community.
"We are only in the planning
stages at this point, and we would
like for the citizens of Albany to
attend and see what the Neigh
borhood Watch program is all
about," said K.C. Jones.
The officers attended a recent
Chamber luncheon meeting,
which prompted the "town hall"
meeting to be set.
"I feel that Neighborhood
Watch signs that might be posted
around town show people that we
care about our community."
Jones said.
"This meeting will be a very
good opportunity for everyone to
learn more about the program, as
well as to ask questions," he add-
ed. "They will also give tips again
on preventing crime in your
home.
For more information, contact
Jones at 762-3353.
County misdemeanor files to be moved to Albany
By Carol Lackey
Two county banks were chosen
as co-depositories for Shackelford
County during the regular meet-
ing of the Commissioners Court
Monday, February 13. The com-
missioners also voted to move the
county's misdemeanor court
records to the Shackelford Coun-
ty Courthouse from District At-
torney Jack Willingham's private
Hamlin office where they are cur-
rently kept.
Depository Agreement
The commissioners accepted
bids for the county's depository
contract, and received only one
bid from the First National Bank
of Albany.
Steve Waller, vice-president of
Peoples State Bank in Moran, told
the commissioners that he re-
gretted that "Peoplea State Bank
could not bid on the specifications
offered. We cannot bid under this
contract."
John Huffman, president of the
First National Bank, told the
court that the local bank "almost
didn't bid either because of the
way the letter read."
Huffman asked the commis-
sioners to consider "leaving
things the way they are —with
both banks serving the county as
depositories."
Judge Marie Smith initially
suggested refusing any bids this
month and calling for bids again
next month. However, Huffman
explained that the First National
Bank would probably not submit
another bid.
"We want to work together
with the Peoples State Bank, and
we feel that this would be the
beat arrangement," Huffman said.
Precinct 4 Commissioner W.O.
McKeever made a motion to name
the two county banks as co-
depositories.
Misdemeanor Records
Shackelford County Sheriff
Ben Riley asked the commis-
sioners to consider hiring some-
one to serve as county attorney
for Shackelford County.
DA Jack Willingham currently
serves as Shackelford County's
attorney, and receives $1,100 per
month to handle the misdemeanor
cases for Shackelford County.
Shackelford County also pays a
secretary, Carolyn Clawson, $850
per month, plus benefits, to help
take care of the county's caseload.
Clawson has been working out of
Willingham's private Hamlin of-
fice.
"I am asking the commissioners
to consider hiring someone as
county attorney," Riley said. "We
\
really need a county attorney to
be able to work these cases."
"I am asking you to set up an of-
fice here to keep the misde-
meanor cases in Shackelford
County," he continued. "I just
want to help Shackelford County
get rid of some of these misde-
meanor cases. If the office is here,
the misdemeanor files would be
here when the DA is here."
The commissioners have in-
vestigated the possibility of hir-
ing a county attorney before, but
have run into problems. Ap
parently, the county may not hire
someone as county attorney un-
less they live within Shackelford
County. Willingham is qualified to
serve as county attorney since he
is already a prosecutor in Judge
Quay Parker's 259th District
Court. Many of Shackelford Coun-
ty's misdemeanor cases go to dis-
trict court because there is no
county court-at-law here.
"The way I understand it, we
can contract with any attorney,
but we can't hire someone unless
they live in our county," Riley
said.
On a motion by McKeever, the
commissioners unanimously
voted to move the misdemeanor
records back to Shackelford
County and set up files in Judge
Smith's office by April 1. Included
in the motion was the stipulation
that a secretary be hired to work
part-time only after the office is
set up for $5.50 per hour.
After Monday's meeting, Judge
Smith contacted Clawson about
the changes. Clawson stated that
she wanted some time to think
about whether she wishes to com-
mute to Albany to work in the of-
fice. Judge Smith asked her to let
the county know by March 15.
DA Jack Willingham was
unavailable for comment.
Surprise Bill
The commissioners were aston-
ished to learn that County Trea
surer Joy Grun had received a bill
for more than $40,000 from Jones
County.
Grun explained that the
$40,756.18 bill was for Shackel-
ford County's 17 percent of the
costs for the 259th Judicial
District. Jones County pays 83
percent.
The reason the bill is so large is
because it is for 1986, 1987 and
1988. Shackelford County has not
been billed for their 17 percent of
the costs in over three years.
A breakdown of the costs in
eludes $35,783.08 for the District
(See County, pg. 12)
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Lucas, Donnie A. The Albany News (Albany, Tex.), Vol. 113, No. 36, Ed. 1 Thursday, February 16, 1989, newspaper, February 16, 1989; Albany, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth393498/m1/1/: accessed April 25, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting The Old Jail Art Center.