Refugio County Press (Refugio, Tex.), Vol. 52, No. 46, Ed. 1 Thursday, June 21, 2012 Page: 4 of 16
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Page 4A
Thursday, June 21, 2012
Hefugto (Emm to fflve&s
Farewell to Refugio’s own ‘freedom fighter’
■ V ill Rayburn was born
with freedom fight-
I ^ ing in his blood —
1 J probably inherited
from his notorious uncle
— Sam Rayburn, longtime
speaker of the U.S. House of
Representatives. Last week,
Bill slipped out this life fol-
lowing emergency surgery in
Corpus Christi.
The problem with freedom
fighters is they’re often misun-
derstood and frequently inspire
outrage — even from those who
benefit from their battles.
Take the tax referendum that
Bill single-handedly got on the
ballot by collecting enough sig-
natures from citizens to bring
the issue to a vote.
The Refugio City Council
turned Bill away when he
requested they consider a tax
break for elderly and disabled
citizens at a time when simi-
lar referendums were sweeping
the state. Their refusal simply
fueled his fire.
Refugio voters overwhelm-
ingly voted for the break on
property taxes. Many people
benefited from the fight.
The day he delivered the peti-
tion for the referendum to city
hall, Bill brought a copy of it
to my office. He came straight
from city hall, which is no more
than a
five-min-
ute drive.
The
m - - 4
moment
\
he walked
V - " I
inside,
? I
Bill’s cell
phone
County Lines
By Kenda Nelson
Bill Rayburn
rang. An
irate sign-
er of his
petition had already received a
threatening call from the pow-
ers that be... and the signer
wanted off the petition.
“And people complain about
how slow government works,”
Bill chuckled. Bill enjoyed a
good fight.
When Bill took the helm at
the Williamson Senior Citizens
Center, he set up free lunches
by appealing to the food bank
in Victoria. Bill was driven to
do so by what he claimed was
an illegal use of the Meals on
Wheels program by the county.
The same lunches that were
being served to home-bound
citizens were being served to
ambulatory Senior Citizen
members. Bill won that fight.
He also created a job at the
center using a state work pro-
gram that cost the county
nothing but provided continu-
ity to the center.
us
Bill also tried his hand at
launching other programs for
seniors that he discovered visit-
ing other centers and by search-
ing the Internet. A Second-
Wind Band, a scrap-booking
group, a quilting group and
several other fields of interest
were areas he explored. But
even that led to a fight.
A bitter battle ensued over
using the center after hours
and manning the key to the
building. The disagreement
ended up in the commissioners
court.
At best, the issue became a
draw and the after-hours ini-
tiative died from lack of inter-
est.
Being a muckraker has its
price. Before his health began
to decline, he ran for city office
twice... losing both times.
Running his stream of letters
to the editor was always a dou-
ble-edged sword. His detrac-
tors hated his ideas
and his sometimes-
harsh language.
His fellow free-
dom fighters loved
them... even when
they didn’t agree.
Bill always
laughed about his
“poison pen.”
I like to think
that Bill provoked
into thinking outside the
box.
Several weeks before Bill fell
ill, a respected member of the
community commented that he
missed Bill’s letters.
“What he writes is more often
right than wrong,” he said. Bill
would have liked that.
One of the disabled members
of our community said he regu-
larly sought out Bill’s exper-
tise on surfing the Internet for
information. Another said Bill
was “the smartest man I ever
knew.”
Some people actually “got”
him. Unfortunately, others did
not.
Bill was a career Navy man
who ran Memorial Hospital’s
maintenance department after
he retired from the service. He
also owned a number of small
businesses, including a genera-
tor store, several restaurants,
and an antique shop in Corpus
Christi. He was an expert in
antiques, especially glassware
— and even taught classes.
When he and his lovely wife,
Salvadora, moved to town, they
immediately began refurbish-
ing one of the old mansions
in Refugio. They converted the
home into a bed and breakfast
and later into long-term room
and apartment rentals.
Bill crammed a lot of living
into his years on this earth.
Along the way, he never turned
his back on anyone in need and
never took his eye off anyone he
perceived as villainous.
His doctors told him to slow
down a long time ago... even
called him a walking time
bomb. But the freedom fighter
that lived inside Bill compelled
him to dive head-first into
whatever battle engaged him.
Through the years, he suf-
fered with a number of seri-
ous health issues that he never
talked about. Only Sal knew
how tenuous was his health.
Yet, he never slowed down.
Bill’s passion for life and
enthusiasm for freedom fight-
ing never diminished. His
defeats only made his victories
sweeter.
Letters to the editor
Disregarding all
things in our way
Editor:
She was a smallish,
blue eyed young Siamese
cat that would walk with
me for a few yards along
O’Brien Road during my
morning health walk.
She was not aware that
IlrfuguT Cmmtg Press
USPS 564-200
Published Every Thursday
Offices:
412 N. Alamo P.O. Box 10
Refugio Beeville
(361) 526-2397 (361) 358-2550
(361) 526-239|58 5^X) (361)
Mail correspondence to:
P.O. Drawer 200
Refugio, Texas 78377
Jeff Latcham &
Chip Latcham,
Co-Publishers
Kenda Nelson,
Editor
Subscription Rates
(Mail/Yearly)
In Refugio County $ 26.00
In Texas $32.00
Elsewhere in US $ 40.00
Entered as periodical postage at
the Post office in Refugio, Texas
78377 and additional entry office.
The Refugio County Press will not
be held responsible for any omis-
sions, deletions, or typographical
errors other than to correct the
same in the next issue of the news-
paper. All advertising is accepted
on this basis. Advertising rates
available upon request.
Postmaster:
Send address changes to The
Refugio County Press, P.O. Box
10, Beeville, Texas 78104._
her owner had passed
away and would not be
back to care for her. My
wife and I tried to adopt
her but the differences
between her and our resi-
dent that could not be
resolved.
She would return to her
vigil near the concrete
culverts across the street
where she had formerly
lived.
She regularly hunted
and killed gophers near
the culverts. She will no
longer greet me and walk
a while as she is another
casualty of the speeding
vehicles along O’Brien
Road between Commons
and Crockett streets.
This stretch of road is
seldom patrolled by local
Police “that is a county
road,” Sheriffs Officers
“that is a city street,” or
State Troopers “it is not
a state maintained thor-
oughfare.”
As a result, the posted
35 mph speed limits are
regularly ignored by trav-
elers using O’Brien Road
as a shortcut from Hwy.
202 to U.S.77 and avoid
the traffic and traffic
lights through town.
A result of this traffic is
the careless throwing of
fast food trash and cans
discarded by the “beer for
breakfast” crowd.
I can only assume that
the cans, bottles and sacks
would prove to any officer
who stopped them that
they are in violation of the
“open container”statute
at the least or DWI at
the worst. I can offer no
reason for the rest of the
trash except laziness and
irresponsibility.
To conclude this letter,
I would like to add that
I buried the little stray
near where she would
wait for me each morn-
ing. Another sad footnote
to our rushed way of liv-
ing, with disregard for all
things in our way and the
trash that we generate.
O. G. Randle
Refugio
Vacation Bible
School starts
Editor:
An interesting event for
the children of Refugio is
coming next week.
First Baptist Church
of Refugio is having
Vacation Bible School
2012. Children ages 4-12
are invited. The dates are
June 25-29 from 9 a.m. to
12 noon.
The theme is “Amazing
Wonders - Aviation.”
So, boys and girls
should put on their trav-
eling clothes and come on
over to discover some of
the wonders of our amaz-
ing world.
They will have a good
time with music, games,
snacks, crafts and Bible
stories.
If a ride is needed, call
526-5306.
Martha Wallace
Refugio
THE
SNAPKA
LAW FIRM
DID YOU KNOW?
How dangerous is a tired trucker?
Last week we discussed that a leading cause of death for oilfield workers is
traffic accidents. But did you know that these exhausted workers are not only a
danger to themselves, but to others traveling on those same roads?
The Federal government has regulations in place that prevent truck drivers
from driving more than 11 hours daily. Further, these drivers are not supposed
to work more than 8 hours without first taking a 30 minute break. Finally, drivers are limited to working 70
hours a week. These regulations were put in place to deal with the very real issue of trucker fatigue and
trucking accidents. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, nearly 40% of fatalities
involving trucks were a result of driver fatigue. Unfortunately, there are some hours of service exemptions
for oilfield workers to these very minimal safety requirements. The significance of this is that oilfield workers
do not get the benefit of these rules. Unscrupulous employers can over work their employees, endangering
their lives and anyone else on the roads when these oilfield workers are driving. In the Eagle Ford Shale, we
have seen firsthand the deadly results when companies place profits over safety.
The attorneys at The Snapka Law Firm believe that your driving safety should not be compromised in the
quest for profits.
If you have a legal problem, and you need the assistance of an attorney, contact The Snapka Law Firm at
866-888-7676, or email us at help@snapkalaw.com. Visit our website at Snapkalaw.com to learn more
about our Firm, and what we can do for you.
If you have any topics you would like to see discussed in this space, please feel free to contact us.
Pp BOARD
606 N. Carancahua Ste. 1511 L.l K T 1 I I I I 107 S. Seguin
Corpus Christi, Texas 78401 aaa , San Diego, Texas 78384
Thumbs up for
fireworks
Editor:
Thank you to the city
council for approving the
fireworks for Refugio’s
July 4th celebration and
to Mayor Ray Jaso for his
continued support.
I look forward to this
event every year. These
small town activities are
a great way for all Refugio
residents and folks from
out-of-town to enjoy the
festivities and contribute
to the local economy by
visiting stores, restau-
rants and motels.
This, in turn, benefits
all the citizens of Refugio.
Thank you again for
your support for this com-
munity and display of
patriotism for our coun-
try.
Rebecca Folds
San Antonio
Death trap near
Bayside
Editor:
Concerning TxDOT’s
brilliant engineering of
the death trap on the
slough south of Bayside
on Hwy 136, a dangerous
curve sign should have
been installed and speed
limit lowered to 35 MPH.
Fishing should be
banned.
In hindsight, why not
widen the roadway on
each side and put a bar-
rier down the middle.
If you or yours travel
this road, a complaint
should be directed to
TxDOT.
Ted Chambers
Refugio
Juneteenth was a
great success
Editor:
The Refugio Community
Cemetery Association
would like to take this
opportunity to thank
everyone who attended
and participated in our
Juneteenth Celebration.
It was a huge success
and it wouldn’t have been
without all our friends
and families.
Special thanks to
Mayor Ray Jaso, The
Angelic Gospel Choir,
Jeffrey Dickerson, Larry
Griggs, Linda Ellison,
Rev. Roy Oliver and Tana
Franklin for sering on our
program.
To Majorie Shaw,
Calvin Robinson and
Willie Brown for your
interesting storytelling to
the children, thank you.
To the Town of Refugio
and the Refugio County
Press, thank you for your
support. To Eddie Joe
Bland for barbecuing for
us and to all the work-
ers and volunteers, thank
you for your endless hours
of hard work putting this
together.
If anyone’s name was
overlooked, please know
that your service was
greatly appreciated. We
look forward to planning
for net year’s celebration
and making it bigger and
better each year.
Thanks again and may
god bless each and every-
one.
Patty Lewis,
Community Cemetery
Board and members
June 25th-27th
Monday - Wednesday
5:30 pm - 7:45 pm
First Baptist Church
In Woodsboro
Tejas
201 S. Alamo
526-2008
Friday & Saturday Night Out
njoy Ribeyes, BBQ Plates and Shrimp Boil
6 pm to 10 pm
^ Fajita Night - Wednesday
Fajitas and Mollejas (Sweet Bread)]
guacamole and beans
6 pm to 9 pm
f 3 Nights of ^
Entertainment
will be
Karaoke with
Jeff & Kerri J
What a
Deal!!!
Hurry in during the week for our regular menu
items like: Chicken Fried Ribeye, Chicken Fried
Ribs, Chicken Fried Sweetbread, Chicken Salad
Sandwich and our amazing Po Boys Sandwiches!
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Nelson, Kenda. Refugio County Press (Refugio, Tex.), Vol. 52, No. 46, Ed. 1 Thursday, June 21, 2012, newspaper, June 21, 2012; Refugio, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth740428/m1/4/?q=b-58: accessed July 18, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Dennis M. O’Connor Public Library.