The Hopkins County Echo (Sulphur Springs, Tex.), Vol. 111, No. 9, Ed. 1 Friday, February 28, 1986 Page: 1 of 4
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*•*. I
(ABSORBED THE GAZETTE CIRCULATION BY PURCHASE MAY 12, 1928)
NO. 9.
SULPHUR SPRINGS, TEXAS, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1986.
4 PAGES - 25 CENTS PUBLISHED EVERY FRIDAY
Two East Texas
firms cut back
—-Rockwell-
By MARY GRANT
Top award recipients
A large crowd of parents, teachers and other
interested friends attended the annual FFA
Awards Banquet Thursday night in the Civic
Center. Among those receiving awards wpre,
from the left, Ray Ragan, a S750 Young
Farmer Scholarship; Dan Froneberger, the
Cecil Tucker Memorial Scholar-ship; Jason
Frazier, the Farrrters Electric Coop Award,
FFA Member of the Year and Outstanding
Pre Lab Student in Ag Mechanics; Kirk
Brown, Officer of the Year; Chuck Vititow,
Outstanding Greenhand; and Mike Wyly, the
Ken Pogue Memorial Beef Cattle Program
Award
- SUM Photo by Ann McAcUmi
The worldwide slump in the oil and
gas industry reverberated to Sulphur
Springs Thursday with an an-
nouncment that 30-40 jobs at Rock-
well International's Flow Control
Division will be: ended,-eliminating an
estimated $750,000 in annual payroll.
The company’s major production
centers around valves used in the
oilpatch.
James I. Murray Jr., general plant
manager, in releasing the payroll
figure, emphasized that it is not
reflective of Rockyvell employee
individual salary, but constitutes an
overall, estimated average of both
layoff numbers and salaries.
The payroll loss, multiplied by a
"multiplier affect” used by
economists, produces the-estimated
economic impact of an annual $1.5
million loss to the community.
According to Dale Funderburk,
professor of economics at East Texas
State University, the number
multiplied by the payroll ranges from
2-3- nationwide, according to how
much payroll is spent locally. The'
estimate assumes that a majority of
the Rockwell payroll is circulated in
the local area.
However, two local bankers said
this week, while discussing the local
economy’s prospects, that Hopkins
County benefits from a diversified
economy, a diversification that
allows the setbacks of one industry to
be offset by the uptrend of others. Lee
Teetes, City National Bank president,
and John English, BANtTexas
president, cited the current ex-
pansions of Ocean Spray Cran-
berries, Inc:, and introduction of a
new company, HON Industries, as
examples of the community’s
potential for growth.
Murray said the Rockwell job
reduction is slated for March 14, but
close monitoring of business con-
ditions during the next three weeks
will determine the exact number of
job losses.
Although plant reductions will drop
the employment level at the local
plant to approximately 400 people,
Rockwell continues as a major local
employer.
Rockwell suffered an economic
setback soon after the oil and gas
decline began in 1980. At that time,
the company reduced its force from
about 600 employees to almost 400.
Later, oil and gas activity on Alaska’s
North Slope acted as a catalyst for
increased production of valves used
in the oil and gas industry, causing
the company to increase its work-
force.
The current reduction is in addition
to the salaried work force reduction
Jan. 13, when 18 salaried employees
were laid off, and reflects the
depressed market conditions which
have prevailed over the plant for
several months, Murray said.
Five making bid
for council seats
Lone Star Steel
By MICHAEL PELRlNE
Five is the magic number in the
1986 City Council election
The filing deadline for the April 5
election was 5 p m Wednesday. and a
total of five people have signed to run
for places 4 and 5.
The three contestants for Place 4
are incumbent Robert Ardts, a local
attorney ; Bill McCool, owner of the
Bill McCool Co on Industrial Drive:
arid Billy T Burney, president of
Burney Valve Co. on Main Street •
The two running for Place 5 are
Malcolm Kirkland, general manager
of Ocean Spray Cranberries Inc. in
Sulphur Springs, and Ronald I.um-
mus, a local pharmacist and
businessman - i
Asked why he decided to run for re-
election, Ardis said. The experience
I've had during the last term puts me
ahead of anyone else, and we’re
coming up on a critical time with
issues such as Heritage Square and
zoning, as w ell as the improvement of
our water distribution system and our
streets.
”1 feel that bn each,of these issues I
have more knowledge and ability
than either one of my opponents ami
that m each issue I can make a
decision that is not blast'd. I have no
preconceived idea as to how I will
vote on the. issues and I’m always
willing to listen to all- of the citizens'
input."
Ardis forsoes growth in Sulphur
Springs T think the quality of life in
Sulphur Springs is directly related to
business and industry success, I
believe we should be working toward
seeing that the business and in-
dustrial community is afforded the
opportunity for growth and success,"
he said
Ardis, 56. is a native of Sulphur
Springs. He and his wife have one
daughter,.
He is a 1947 graduate of Sulphur-
Springs High School. He attended
Southern Methodist University and
East Texas State University and
received a bachelor of science degree
from the latter in 1951. He served in
the military from 1952 to 1954.
In 1961 he received his law degree
from the University of Tulsa.
To date, McCool has-not discussed
his candidacy with The News-
Telegram, Htfwever, he has regularly
attended meetings of the City Council
and the Planning and Zoning Com-
mission over the past several months
and has been an outspoken opponent
of efforts by the city to put in place a
new zoping plan that would alter the
existing pyramid zoning system.
Billy Burney, 48, is a native of
Sulphur Springs, and he thinks he
could contribute to the work the City
Council has already done
“The city lias had good
management in the past," Burned
said. “I think we need more business
people on the council who are
familiar with the budge! process."
Prior to owning his valve business
on Main Street, Burney had serv ed as
general manager of the Rockwell
International Flow Control Division
in Sulphur Springs
More than anything I think being
on the council > is a way to contribute
to a community that has given me
quite a bit." he said.
T think it's a mistake to speak out
on any particular issue ■^without
having been on the council and not
knowing exactly what's going on."
Burney continued ' It would be a
learning process until 1 could
familiarize myself- with all of the
facts on any issue, and see just how
tlie money is being managed.”
11 Burney is a.,.1956 graduate of
Sulphur Springs High School. He
received a bachelor of science degree
from East Texas State University in
. 1980
He is married to the former Jackie
Porter of Sulphur Springs They have
three children, Bryan, 29. Terri, 24.
and Suzy, 22.
Kirkland, 42, w as born in Wetumka,
Okla 1 spent most of my life in
Texas and most of my growing up
years in the Panhandle," he said He
moved to Sulphur SprTrigs in 1981.
I think the next three years are
going to be difficult, and there are
npiany issues that Should be dqalt with
*oy professionals." he said T don’t
mean times will be difficult because
they'll be hard. I think they'll be good
Tw© enter
guilty pleas
District Attorney Frank Long has
released recent information from 8th
Judicial District Court action.
Paul Victor Smith of 701 -West In-
dustrial, Sulphur Springs, pleaded
guilty to a charge of unauthorized use
of a motor vehicle. He .was assessed a
five-year probation, ordered to pay a
fine of,$1,500, to pay restitution of
$795.73 and. to serve 300 hours of
community service:
times. It's just that things are star-
ting to move at a pretty fast clip and
we need good planning.”
Kirkland said he thinks growth is
essential, but it should not occur at
the expense of tradition.
."If you don't have a good, strong
base, you'll crumble." he said T
think you need to maintain a strong
traditional base and balance that
w ith growth.
I think the present locations "of
industry show that we have a lot to
offer .industry industrial and
resident.^ growth go hand-in-hand."
Askduabout the issue of zoning in
the city, Kirkland said, I generally
feel the less government you have,
the better But if I were to ust one
thing of government, it's Protect
me.'
"I think it’s ifiajjijibent upon
government to protect the people it
represents. On a local level, I think
it's the health and well being of the'’
citizens that need to be maintained
"In my mind. I think there should
be enough continuity that the
government should already have
planned w hat building is going to be
built, rather than make it necessary
for citizens to appeal before the city
against certain types of building.
"You need to balance the rights of
the individual with the needs of the
many."
"Therefore, I would favor a
modified form of zoning that balances
the restrictive and the pyramid," he
concluded.
Kirkland received a bachelor of
business administration degree from
Texas Tech in 1966 and a master of
business administration d.egree from
St. Mary 's University in San Antonio
ml971.
His wife's name is Mary Ellen.
They have two children, Jana, 12, arjd
Paul, 10.
Lummus was profiled in the Jan. 31
edition -of The News-Telegram At
that time he said his decision to run
for City Council was based on a
copcern that the city has not been
managed as well; as it could be
managed. Also, that efforts by the
city on zoning and the Heritage
Square Projecrdisplay misdirected
priorities.
He stressed that he favors a
LONE STAR, Texas - API -
Reduced oil drilling and foreign
competition have led to layoffs of 400
to 600 employees in the oil pipe
production operations of Lone Star
Steel Company, officials said.
The layoffs, which constitute 10 to
15 percent of the company's work-
force of 4.000. include salaried and
production workers and are effective
March 15. Judith A. Murrell, a
company spokeswoman, said
Thursday.
In addition to the layoffs, a blast
furnace and open-hearth furnaces
will be idled, as well as support
operations, Ms Murrell said. Most of
those laid off work at the company's
manufacturing plant in Lone Star, a
small town about 100 miles east of
Dallas.
The company posted a $117 million
loss last year, Ms. Murrell said, in-
cluding an $89 million reserve that
was established in the form, of p
special charge against earnings in
the fourth quarter.
The company lost $10 million in
1984, she said.
Ms. Murrell said most of the
company’s oil field business is
domestic. Domestic oil companies
have responded to the drop in oil
prices by ceasing drilling, cutting
Lone Star's oilfield-related bpsirtess,
she said.
She said the company will remain
ready to start making pipe again as
soon as domestic drilling resumes.
"I think drilling will come back and
we've got to be responsive to market
conditions," she said.
Ms. Murrell said part of the blame
lies on subsidized foreign steel
producers, who she said, dump steel
on world markets at prices below
co^t.
"In this environment, we believe it
is prudent to utilize our operational
flexibility in managing our business
most effectively,” said William H.
Beasley III, board chairman and
chief executive officer.
"While we regret having to reduce
operating levels, we believe the
decision is in the best interests of the
company and its 4.000 employees,” he
said.
Lone Star will continue making
precision and specialty tubing for
automotive and other industrial
markets, Ms. Murrell said. An
example of the company’s
automotive products is the stabilizer
bars in cars, she said.
Crime Stoppers name directors
The -local Crime Stoppers
organization elected nine new
members to the board of directors at
its regular monthly-meeting in the
Municipal Building Tuesday, j
New directors are Darla Bennett.
Lee Teetes, Rick Palmer, Robert
Ardis, Diane Newport. Pete Long,
Brenda Bell, Cynthia Goff and Bill
Williams. Their terms of mem-
bership were not set at the meeting .
The financial report, delivered by
G V. Hughes, showed an account
balance of $8.125.72.
Sulphur Springs Police Sgt. Rex
Morgan prepared January's Crime
Stoppers statistics. >
Five cases taken on by the l.ocal
Crime Stoppers in January were
cleared. The organization assigned
case numbers to one of each of the
following: residential burglary,
business burglary, felony warrant,
motor vehicle theft and robbery.
As a result of Crime Stoppers tips,
four suspects were arrested, three
rewards amounting to $350 were paid
out, $21,661 in stolen property was
recovered and one stolen vehicle was
located. -
Sgt. Morgan said Hopkins County
Crime Stoppers will pay for' in-
formation leading to the arrest and
indictment of anyone who has
committed a felony crime in this
county. Rewards also are offered for
persons living in Hopkins County who
are wanted on felony warrants in
other areas.
Tips may be called in to Crime
Stoppers at 885-2020. Callers
providing information are given a
number to be used in collecting a
reward after one has been authorized
by the Crime Stoppers board. This
allows the informant to remain
anonymous.
James Timothy Baxter of Route L downtown revitalization project, but
Cumbv, pleaded guilty to a charge of
aggravated assault with serious
bodily injury. He was assessed a 10-
year probation, ordered to pay a fine
of $2,500 in cash, pay $57 in restitution
and serte 240 hours of community
service Baxter also pleaded not true
-on a motion to reyok'e ffn earlier
probation
State District Judge Canny
money for the project is not being
handled properly.
"I'm not saying I have all the an-
swers," Lummus said, "but I’m
experienced in business and that's,
the approach I’in going to take. I
think city government needs to be run
like a business. "
Lummus, 41. has lived in Sulphur
Springs for 15 years He grew up and
Ramsay found the allegations con- attended high school in Lubbock,
tamed in the motion to revoke Baxr After three wars at Texas Tech, he
tor's probation true and Baxter was transferred to Southwestern Phar
assessed a two^ear term in Texas macy School in WeatheSsford, Okla
Ileparti.iefjj, ot ( orreetions in that He is married and the eouple has
two daughters,and a son
• *
Appreciation award.
J
Bill Watts of Custom Shutters in Sulphur
Springs received an award of appreciation
for his company's contribution $1,000 two
years in a row to the local Crime Stoppers
organization The award was presented at,
the regular meeting of the Crime Stoppers
Board ot Directors in the Municipal Building
Tuesday
Sl«H Niofoby RtcfMiNlHiii
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Keys, Clarke & Hillsamer, Dave. The Hopkins County Echo (Sulphur Springs, Tex.), Vol. 111, No. 9, Ed. 1 Friday, February 28, 1986, newspaper, February 28, 1986; Sulphur Springs, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth776975/m1/1/: accessed July 12, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Hopkins County Genealogical Society.