The Albany News (Albany, Tex.), Vol. 121, No. 24, Ed. 1 Thursday, November 14, 1996 Page: 4 of 24
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rjj Thursday, November 14, 1996
The Albany News
Since 1875
Oldest journalistic venture west of the Brazos
Tax Time?
The county treasurer reported that she
would have to borrow money to pay bills
and make payroll for November since tax
money is coming in slower than usual.
Treasurer Sherry Enloe stated Mon-
day at a Commissioners Court that she
feels the pending rollback election for the
Shackelford Hospital District is keeping
people from paying their taxes early.
That certainly makes sense. Many
people probably will wait longer to pay
their taxes until the hospital situation is
resolved.
However, Bruce Bailey of the Central
Appraisal District stated that collections
for the county were actually right on tar-
get as of October 31. Figures for the half
month since the petition for a rollback
election was filed are not available yet.
Bailey reported that the county has
received 4.8 percent of their tax money,
compared to 4.7 percent last year and
3.88 percent in 1994. Tax statements just
went out October 1 and are not past due
until February 1, 1997.
So the hospital situation has,not af-
fected the paying of tax money to county
- at least not so far.
< But it does raise an interesting ques
tion. Will taxpayers wait until after the
January rollback election to pay their
taxes?
Local jurisdictions certainly Hope they
don't.
What would be best for all is to pay
your taxes when you normally would.
Most people pay their taxes before the
end of the year so it can be deducted off
; income taxes,
' You can also pay a portion of your taxes
rather than the full amount. However,
payments are prorated among each juris-
diction when partial payments are re-
ceived.
If the hospital rollback effort is suc-
cessful , the tax wi 11 be reduced by some 40
cents per $100, which must be immedi- .
ately refunded.
We need to be careful as taxpayers not
to put other jurisdictions in a financial
bind because of the rollback.
. And don't let yourself get into a delin-
quent tax situation by attempting to de-
duct the hospital taxes on your own.'
policy
THE ALBANY NEWS
(USPS 012400) is published weekly for $20 per year for
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Main, Albany, Texas 76430. Perodical purchase paid ads
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Albany, Texas 76430-0278.
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AFFILIATIONS
1996 MEMBER: Texas Press Association,
West Texas Press Association.
ponderitigs by Fat
Managing Editor
Melinda L. Lucas
Advertising/Business Manager
Betty Viertel
Composition
Betty Balliew
Moran Correspondent
Audrey Brooks
Staff Reporter
Bobby Horecka
Office Assistant
Laura Hise
editorial
By Pat Lidia Jones
i did it again.
I walked off and left my puree.
Having said many times that i
could go around the world with two
Excedrin and an extra hearing aid
battery, I have to backtrack a bit, and
mention my purse.
I own a lot of handbags, no two
alike. Most of them are black, a few
are red, two are beige, and then a
mishmash of other colors.
Several are enormous. They are
the ones I carry when we are travel-
ing great distances. They have many
zippered compartments. The farther
I am away from home, the more orga-
nized I am.
This one is for makeup. This one is
for sunglasses and extra glasses. This
is for my passport, airline tickets,
itinerary, and foreign currency. It
also contains an itemized list and
receipts for any purchases we have
made. This compartment is for our
pills along with any written notices
from doctors. Our health cards are
here, too. Th^re is a small travel
diary, and a bunch of pens, and my
current book.
The most spectacular loss so far
was several years ago when I got out
of a New York City taxi at LaGuardia
Airport, and left my purse in the cab.
I had my plane ticket in my hand for
curb-side check-in. I had paid the
taxi driver, tipped the baggage han-
dler, grabbed my coat and tote, before
I realized that something was miss-
ing —► and the cab was gone.
I wanted to just sit down and cry.
I wanted my mother. I wanted my
purse back. But I "sucked 'em up" and
reported my loss to the airport au-
thorities. New York City is not a very
sympathetic place, and they have
little patience with women who walk
offand leave their handbags.
They told me I was lucky I had my
ticket, and it would be a ipiracle if I
ever saw my purse again. They gave
me a quarter to call home and get all
my credit cards nullified.
But then, here came my miracle! I
heard a commotion, looked toward
the door, and there was my cab driver
holding my purse above his head.
The man to whom I'd reported the
loss was dancing beside him. He said,
"This never happens!"
The three of us joined hands and
did a few dips and whirls. I think I
kissed them. I opened my recovered
billfold and gave the two of them
every cent I had Hie cabbie gave
back one dollar so I could make a call
in Dallas. To paraphrase the opening
of "A Tale of Two Cities," it was the
worst of times; it was the best of
times.
Light years later, when I was fi-
nally at home, I called my partner in
Washington to report the most re-
cent of my dumb stunts. He listened
and made sympathetic noises. I was
amazed at how patient and under-
standing he was, and I said so.
Then in a pained voice, he con-
fessed that he had just laid his bill-
fold down on the shelf of a phone
booth, and walked off without it. It
was gone with he retraced his steps.
His sad story had a happy ending
as mine did though. About a week
later, his wallet came home to us via
the US Mail. It had an accompanying
note from the fellow who found it,
saying it was lying in an alley, and
there seemed to be nothing missing
except the cash.
I wrote about that, and again a few
years back when I went to the city
with my partner for the day, and left
my purse at home. It was awful. I had
no ID; if I'd* been run over, my body
would still be floating around the
morgue, marked "Unknown."
I've left my purse at Ali's, at Vickie
Halbert's, at the home of friends, at
church, you name it.
So it was that the other evening,
after watching my seventh-grade
grandson, Jake, play a football game
in Stamford (We won!!), my partner
and I grabbed our two stadium seats,
two blankets, two pillows and headed
for the car. It wasn't until we were at
the Cliff House for supper that I real-
ized I'd left my purse at the game.
How dumb
We went back to look for it. I waited
in the car, and in no time, here came
my partner, swinging my handbag.
Trumi Wiloth had found it, and knew
it was mine. Thank you, Trumi.
How will I know if I have
Alzheimer's Disease? I've been for-
getful since I was a kid. I've told my
buddies to tell me if they think I'm
getting "dotty." They said they will, if
they can remember.
Meanwhile, if you should see an
twiclaimed purse that holds two
Excedrin, a hearing aid battery, a
sheaf of crossword puzzles, a bottle of
wa^er, breath mints, pens and lip-
stick, it's probably mine.
round and about
By Emalyn "Sam" Gillispie
Walter Merriman of Throckmor-
ton has been able to return home
from Marble Falls. He had been down
to attend the wedding of his grand-
daughter and fell. Walter suffered
some broken ribs which delayed his
return home for several weeks.
A reception was held at the Old
Jail Art Center Sunday afternoon for
Glenn and Grace Leech. It was a
beautiful day and many friends at-
tended.
The Fort Griffin Fandangle was
featured on The Texas Country Re-
porter Saturday and Sunday. John
Matthews did a good job represent-
ing our town and the segment on TV
brought awareness to our summer
program!
During my stroll up and down the
street Monday I spotted two gentle-
men sitting on one of the benches.
Since I did not recognize either I
approached them and started a con-
versation . It seemed that Rodger Giba
and G.H. Childress and their fami-
lies were passing through town. One
of the party had seen the TV program
and they decided to stop and see the
stores. They asked questions about
the Fandangle, which they were hot
familiar with. We had a very nice talk
and hopefully they will return in the
summer to see more of our fair city.
June Hughes, the sister of Billie
Patterson, was in town for a visit.
Billie said she arrived in time for her
to put her to work decorating the
store. June seemed to be having fun
so maybe it wasn't all work, •
I have discovered that you can come
up with all kinds of tidbits just being
in town strolling around and taking
the time to talk to people. You can't
imagine how the downtown benches
are used by people visiting Albany.
Two groups of ladies were in town
Monday and both groups were really
disappointed that the Old Jail was
not open. One group had come over
from Weatherford and the other from
Abilene. They were invited back and
the OJAC schedule was given to them.
Sally Stapp is back home from her
summer spent at her lodge in Colo-
rado. It is nice to see her home.
The weather has been beautiful,
cool at night and the days bright
sunshine and warm. A drive through
the country shows the.trees are turn-
ing all colors and the grass is still
good and green in the pastures. The
rain has been coming at the right
times arid the land seems to be ready
to go into winter.
The deer hunters are enjoying good
kills this year. Lots of eight and 10
point bucks are being taken and the
body size is above average. The Ce-
lebrity Hunt is going well and every-
one is having a good time. Bill Cauble
set up his chuck wagon at the Nail
Ranch and fed the hunters Wednes-
day evening.
All the stores in town are busy
getting ready for this weekend when
the Christmas season is officially
started here with all kinds of activi-
ties. There will be drawings, new
merchandise to see and the beautiful
Christmas decorations lend a festive
adventure to the days to come. Don't
forget the Presbyterian Bazaar. They
will be serving turkey and dressing.
Um good!
This is Sam and I will see you
Round and About.
We want you to
stay alive!
Please don't
drink and drive!
Sponsored by Albany Task Force on Drug and Alcohol Abuse
Compliments of The Albany News
UK
state ca f>jtot .highlights
By Lyndell Williams
and Ed Sterling
A committee that studied over the
last six months how Texans feel about
school property taxes made its final
report to Gov. George W. Bush last
week.
And there were no surprises; Tex-
ans want relief from high property
taxes.
According to the Austin American-
Statesman, which published an ar-
ticle on the findings before they were
officially released, the report said,
"From the public testimony received,
it is clear that high property taxes in
Texas are having an effect on the
economy and are placing a substan-
tial burden on homeownership."
Rep. Tom Craddick, R-Midland,
chairman of the tax-writing House
Ways and Means Committee, said,
"The report gives credence to the
governor's belief that property taxes
are too high and are hampering
growth and job creation."
Still unsolved is the riddle of how
to replace the $11 billion in property
taxes that Texas' public schools col-
lect each year. A mix of new sales and
business taxes has been discussed.
The issue will take top priority when
the state Legislature convenes in
January.
Poll Studies Gun Law Effects
Some Texans aren't behaving the
same since the state's concealed hand-
gun law went into effect on January
One out of four surveyed in the
latest Harte-Hanks Texas Poll said
they now approach others differently,
whether on foot or in a car. But 71
percent said they are not concerned
about those who lawfully carry a
handgun.
State Sen. Jerry Pattersoh, an
author of the right-to-carry law, said
the fact that 71 percent of the respon-
dents are not concerned is a "fairly
substantial endorsement of the law."
"They haven't swallowed the anti-
gun contention that there will be a
bloodbath, which there hasn't been,"
he told the Dallas Morning News.
Nina Butts, president of the Aus-
tin-based Texans Against Gun Vio-
lence, said, "It doesn't surprise me a
quarter of the people out there would
feel different in public now because of
the law."
Robert Montserrat, general coun-
sel of the Texas State Rifle Associa-
tion, said, "Those who have changed
their behavior are probably more po-
lite and there's nothing wrong with
that. There's a saying that an armed
society is a polite society."
Conducted October 7-13 by the of-
fice of Survey Research of the Uni-
versity ofTexas, the poll, which has a
margin of error of plus or minus 3
percent, was answered by 1,001 Tex-
ans.
Phone Protections Sought
Consumer advocates want the
Texas Public Utility Commission to
amend its rules so Texans with oat-
standing long-distance telephone bills
cannot be cut off from local and emer-
gency calling services.
State Public Utility Counsel Suzi
Ray McClellan said, "The practice of
disconnecting local service for non-
payment of long distance is outdated.
The PUC should stand up for con-
sumers and stop this practice."
McClellan, the Center for Eco-
nomic Justice, and the Consumers
Union asked the PUC to separate
local and long distance bills.
Under current PUC rules, bills for
long distance and local services are
linked so nonpayment on either can
result in disconnection. » n
Smart Johs Fund Grant
The Texas Department of Conv
merce has awarded a Smart Jobs
Fund grant to General Cable Corpo-
ration of Bonham. The company will
receive $199,458 in worker training
funds to train 107 new employees.
The grant will help General Cable
train now machine operators, ship-
ping clerks, a quality control techni-
cian, a process improvement coordi-
nator and a production supervisor.
General Cable manufactures com-
munications cable for telephone com-
panies. The firm's major customers
include U.S. West and Ameritec as
well as many independent compa-
nies. The firm also exports its prod-
ucts to foreign countries.
In the first year of the 1996-97
biennium, 88 grants were approved
to train more than 22,000 workers.
Community Calendar
NOV. 14 Lions Club - Lone Star Eatery, 12 noon
AHS musical * AHS auditorium, 7:30 pm
NOV. If Chamber luncheon - Icehouse Restaurant, 12 noon
Pep rally - AHS gym, 3 pm
Albany vs. RosCoe - Shotwell Stadium, 7:30 pm
NOV. 16 District 4-H food show - Wall
Holiday Preview - Downtown stores, 9 am
Bazaar - Presbyterian Church, 10 am
Community praise service - Youth Center, 7 pm
AHS musical«AHS auditorium, 7:30 pm
NOV. 18 Athletic Booster Club - AHS, 7 pm
Hospital board - Clinic board room, 7 pm
School board - Supt.'s office, 7:30 pm
Visions of Hope AA meeting - Call 762*2447
for location, 8 pm
NOV. 19 Band Boosters - Band Hall, 8:30 pm
NOV, 20 Kiwanis Club meeting - Ft. Griffin, 12 noon
"A People's Heritage Center" - American Legion Hall.
Please call for an appointment and visit, for everyone is welcome —
you, your (amity, your friends, your organization.
Your interest will be appreciated. Thank you.
.
FIRST
NATIONAL
BANK
Albany/Breckenridge
MtMBf* FDK.
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Lucas, Donnie A. The Albany News (Albany, Tex.), Vol. 121, No. 24, Ed. 1 Thursday, November 14, 1996, newspaper, November 14, 1996; Albany, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth413242/m1/4/: accessed April 26, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting The Old Jail Art Center.