Polk County Enterprise (Livingston, Tex.), Vol. 108, No. 22, Ed. 1 Sunday, March 18, 1990 Page: 4 of 24
This newspaper is part of the collection entitled: Polk County Newspapers and was provided to The Portal to Texas History by the Livingston Municipal Library.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
t-'*- *;■
PAGE 4A-THE POLK COUNTY ENTERPRISE, SUNDAY MARCH 11. IMP
EDITORIAL
Letters to the editor
Give Eastex a chance
To the editor:
Now that you have printed
several letters from people that
are angry because the county’s
leaders are trying to save their
tax dollars, let’s see if you’re
equally as fair and print the
views and feelings of an
employee that’s been with Eastex
EMS since its birth.
I^t me start by saying most of
us understand the anger felt by
some is not directly aimed at us,
the employees or the company,
but it’s there due to the loss of
friends and cohorts that have
been around awhile. Let me also
say SOMEONE was going to take
over this ambulance service, so
it’s just as well to have been us
since we did almost all of Liv-
ingston’s transfers. Also,
everyone was given a chance to
work for us, but along with
vicious lies and rumors being
spread by people that don’t even
know us, some chose to leave.
Some even thought they were
hurting us by leaving, but they’re
only hurting the people of Polk
County they say they love. How?
Because our response time will
probably be one to two minutes
longer, for we are new to the
area, but we always prevail
because we also are concerned
and caring people or we wouldn’t
be in this business. Some are
looking at us as the enemy when,
in fact, we came to continue good
work with personnel equally as
caring and competent as our
forerunners.
As for Lisa Hernandez’s state-
ment about us not knowing where
to put our oxygen mask, much
less what to do, it’s obvious she
knows nothing about us but has
chosen to listen to the lies cir-
culating instead of being open-
minded and fair and not prejudg-
ing us, but meeting us and obser-
ving our personnel at work.
Anyone in Polk County can call
any hospital or nursing home we
service and ask about our person-
nel. Our crews have also shed
many tears over that patient we
worked frantically to save, but
because every man’s days are
numbered we were unsuccessful
as well as the doctors working in
the E.R., but I don’t hear you
criticizing him.
I’ve seen our people run to the
privacy of the backs of our units
to cry over the infant we tried so
frantically to revive, but was not
meant to be, or crying over that
favorite nursing home patient, or
even that 18-year-old that just
had to see how fast his car would
go and didn’t think about the
drunks that were on their way
home. And we’ve all spent
endless hours working those
codes with our E.R. staff because
they were shorthanded. We’ve
assisted in CPR, paperwork,
EKCs, pushing meds and
anything else that was asked of
us or that we knew needed doing.
Since we started out three
years ago with one ambulance
and five employees, we’ve grown
to eight offices in eight cities (in-
cluding Polk County) with about
30 to 35 employees and 10 to 12
units, so you can see we have
steadily grown to better serve our
people. So instead of being happy
to be in two counties and use
funds to pay outrageous salaries,
our bosses chose to expand and
give you, the people, the advanc-
ed life support that it takes for
you to have the best chance to
survive any life-threatening
emergency.
Our bosses take care of us and
none of our employees lack for
anything. So we continue to grow
as one unit and work together to
better serve you, the lives we con-
sider dear and try to preserve.
You should really investigate us
before you believe the rumors
you hear.
JudyStandifer
P.O.Box 547
Kirbyvllle
Dam Run volunteers thanked
To the editor:
Last Saturday the Livingston
Road Runners and Fitness Club
hosted the 1990 Gulf Association
Athletics Congress (GAAC) 15K
Championship, a very prestigious
honor. The race was a huge suc-
cess and ali the runners were im-
pressed with the quality of the
volunteers.
The Royal Brigade (LHS Band)
and STAND worked the three
water tables on the course, called
some mile splits and recorded
race numbers at the turnaround
point. Many runners commented
to me and to other club members
how nice the kids were and how
much they appreciated their ef-
forts. I felt that it should be men-
tioned that we do have some
outstanding young people in our
community.
Many thanks to Robert Fife
and Sandra Coker for their ef-
forts. Not only did they produce
the volunteers, they rolled up
their sleeves and worked with ’
them.
Others deserving mention for
their contributions were Andrea
and Joe Kirkpatrick, Kenny and
Genetter Harrelson, Jerry
Brame, Joe McWhorter, Joe and
Carolyn (and sister Ginny)
O’Donnell, Joe Roeder, Scott
Simpson, Tony, Marilyn, Megan
and Michael Taylor, Jim and
Carol Bailey, Brent Alexander,
Danny and Bea Ellis, Coach
Keith Mikeska and Bobby
Brame.
There are not enough words to
express my thanks to my wife,
Sharon, who manages to keep her
sanity while I am going crazy.
Thanks to Lake Livingston
State Recreation Area, Southland
Park, Gene and Lupe Hanson,
Polk County Sheriff’s Depart-
ment, Livingston VFD, Scenic
Loop VFD, Eastex Ambulance
Service and Boy Scout Troop 97
and Scoutmaster Jackie
Williams.
Also, thanks to those who
donated door prizes.
This was a special event for the
Road Runners Club, that provid-
ed an opportunity to show others
what an outstanding community
we have in Livingston. To all
those who made it happen, con-
gratulations!
Lloyd Cain,
' Race director
825 W. Jones
Livingston
Faith can win drug war
To the editor:
This refers to the sheriff’s let-
ter of March 8, under the title
’’Obligation.” The drug problem
is a serious problem and is
spreading like a brush fire with
each passing day. Youngsters in
general and school-going
children in particular are becom-
ing more inclined toward drugs.
It is not a problem of a particular
area; it is now an international
problem. Unfortunately, the peo-
ple who are supposed to control
it, sometimes, are found
cooperating with the drug dealers
for monetary gains, which makes
this problem real serious.
The government is doing its
best to control the drug problem,
but apparently there does not
seem any sign of success on the
horizon. It is very difficult to per-
suade somebody not to use the
drugs when these are readily in
the market. Once someone uses
it, it is almost impossible to stop
him from further use. The only
thing which helps is the religion.
The strong faith, love and fear of
God saves you from so many
evils and problems that one can’t
imagine. The love for God can be
developed, with his blessings, by
remembering him day and night
in your heart with all sincerity.
The taste of this love is so sweet
and is only enjoyed by those who
remember him. The religion is
the only protection between you
and the evils.
Mohammed David
1025 W. Church No. 711
Livingston
POLK COUNTY
NTERPRISE
HOLLEY, PUBLISHER
Telephone Number 327-4357
USPS 437-340
as Second-Class Matter at the Post Office at Livingston,
the Act of Congress of March 3,1987.
Leggett ISD board adopts textbooks, policy
LEGGETT ~ The Board of
Trustees of the Leggett Independent
School District adopted the tex-
tbooks recommended by the tex-
tbook committee at its regular
meeting Thursday.
The board also adopted the Leg-
gett ISD library policy and cast
ballots for the Region VI Education
Service Center Board of Directors.
Last year when the board
developed an alternate health care
package for the district, one
employee chose the option. At pre-
sent, seven persons are on the plan
and the increase in number has
necessitated some changes.
Following some discussion, the
board approved the employee alter-
nate insurance plan.
Superintendent Edwin Walker in-
formed the board that current tax
collections reflect 91 percent col-
lected and 9 percent uncollected.
Delinquent tax collections relfect 17
percent collected and 83 percent un-
collected.
Walker reported to the board the
report from the inspector with the
State Health Department who in-
spected the school on Jan. 26.
The report reflected several minor
changes that the district has to
make. Concerning the food service
facilities, a weather strip is needed
on one of the doors. In the science
lab, the chemicals are required to be
locked when not in use and
chemicals that are explosives are
not to be used.
“Other than that, we had nothing
adverse at all from the health
department,” Walker said.
Walker also reported on the status
of the EGHT lawsuit. The lawsuit in-
volves Educators Group Health
Trust, an insurance company that
OBITUARIES
Horace Doss
LIVINGSTON - Memorial ser-
vices for Horace William Doss, 89, of
Onalaska will be held at 2 p.m. Sun-
day, March 18,1990 from the First
United Methodist Church in
Onalaska, with the Rev. Bill Raines
officiating.
Mr. Doss died March 16 at his
residence in Onalaska.
He was born Oct. 8, 1900 in Ozark
County, Mo., the son of Roe Doss and
Laura Maloney Doss. He served in
the U.S. Navy. Mr. Doss was
employed as a painter for Beech Air-
craftfor 21 years. He was a member
of the Masonic Lodge in Missouri.
On Dec. 25,1922 in Wichita, Kan. he
married Georgia Rose. She preced-
ed him in death on April 29,1989.
Survivors include a son and
daughter-in-law, Harry GT'and Dolly
Doss of Onalaska; four grandsons,
Mike Doss of Katy, David Doss of
Anthony, Jim Doss of O’Fallon, Mo.
and Steve Doss of Austin; nine
great-grandchildren; five
grandchildren-in-law; sister, Ruth
Lawrence of Wickenburg, Ariz.;
sister-in-law, Helen Doss of Wichita,
Kan. and six nieces.
Cochran Funeral Home was in
charge of arrangements.
Elmer Bailey
LIVINGSTON - Funeral services
for Elmer Braxton Bailey, 85, were
held Thursday, March 15,1990 from
the chapel of Pace Funeral Home,
with the Rev. Bill Skaar of Central
Baptist Church of Livingston of-
ficiating. Interment followed in
Forest Hill Cemetery in Livingston.
Mr. Bailey died March 13 in
Timberwood Nursing Home.
He was born Nov. 8, 1904 in
Camden, Ark. to W.L. Bailey and
Mary Allie Lunsford Bailey. At a
young age, Mr. Bailey and his fami-
ly moved to Texas and made
Onalaska their home for a short time
before moving to Livingston. Mr.
Bailey started school in the
Onalaska area and later graduated
from Livingston High School. He had
made Livingston his home for the
oast 80 vears.
On Aug. 23,1932 in Lake Charles,
La., he married the former Edna
Edmonds. To this marriage one
daughter was born, who survives.
Mrs. Bailey preceded him in death
on July 31,1974. Mr. Bailey owned
and operated his own service station
in Livingston for many yean. He
was also a self-employed carpenter
and worked on many construction
jobs in and around Polk County.
Survivors Include one daughter,
Judith Blackstock of Livingston;
son-in-law, Robert Blackstock of
Livingston; two granddaughters,
Vicky Sue and her husband Randy
Cox of Livingston, and Julye and her
husband Mark Taylor of Livingston;
one great-granddaughter, Magen
Ashley Davis of Livingston; and a
host of other relatives and dear
friends.
Pallbearers were John Alston,
John Blackstock, James Me-
Clamney, John Holt, June Marsh
and Billy Peebles. Honorary
pallbearers were Sandy Moore and
Victor Galloway.
Pace Funeral Home was in charge
of arrangements.
went bankrupt in September of 1908,
affecting 209 school districts and
leaving a number of unpaid claims
statewide.
‘‘A lot of the districts are
settling,” Walker said. ”1 think ap-
proximately 149 of the original 200
have settled.”
Walker gave an attendance
report, stating that attendance is
“great, much better than in the
fall.” In his athletic report, Walker
noted that expenses are "up a little”
in the athletics program.
Principal Wayne Geeslin reviewed
the caledar of upcoming eventa.
which includes U.I.L. contests, a
school dance and school board train-
ing sessions, among other Pings.
Following an executive session,
the board voted to employ ail
teachers for another year.
Other business included approval
of the minutes and payment of bills.
Maintenance matters dominate
from page 1
school. Spies expressed concern that
the two-inch galvanized pipe, which
at times handles up to 70 pound of
water pressure, is deteriorating.
The pipe is located in the boiler
room, next to where the electrical
panels for the building are located.
If one of the pipes gives way, it could
cause major problems, he said.
Marsh said he was not aware of
the problem but will look into it.
Water lines at the high school are
scheduled to be replaced during Spr-
ing Break.
A few “bugs” remain in the high
school air-conditioning system
which was installed last summer,
but no major problems have been
reported, according to maintenance
personnel. Waco Systems, which in-
stalled the air-conditioning has been
called to correct a freon leak in one
of the units and there have been pro-
blems with resets burning out. Waco
Sytems is negotiating with the fac-
tory which supplied the faulty resets
and has advised the district to
rewire around the resets when they
burn out until the situation can be
resolved. The board suggested they
get the advise to rewire in writing to
decrease the district’s liability if
there are problems later on.
Trustees also instructed
maintenance personnel to keep a
record of what repairs Waco
Systems has made, when those
repairs were made and to see that
all problems are taken care of while
the system is still under its one-year
warranty.
Two new air-conditioning units
have been ordered for the elemen-
tary school, where repairs to the
units would reportedly cost almost
as much as the 01,750-per-unit cost
for new ones.
While discussion of maintenance
needs dominated Thursday’s
meeting, some personnel additions
were also discussed and will be
among the 1990-91 budget considera-
tions.
The addition of fourth and fifth
grade classrooms at the elementary
school will necessitate the hiring of
two new teachers for those classes,
Spies said. An additional resource
teacher is also needed, he said.
Resource classes are designed to
help students who are having a dif-
ficult time keeping up with regular
class work. The present resource
teacher is now logging about 100 stu-
dent contact hours and at times has
up to 30 students in the classroom,
according to the elementary prin-
cipal. Although the teacher is
assisted by two “terrific”
paraprofessionals, "they do not take
the place of certified personnel,” he
said.
Choir Director Tom Myers has re-
quested an additional choir instruc-
tor for next year. Major said there
are almost 400 students in the junior
high and high school choirs and that
it has come to the point where the
district will either have to add per-
sonnel or discourage children from
joining the choir program.
Trustee Martha Watson asked the
superintendent to prioritize those
and other personnel requests for
discussion during upcoming budget
workshops.
Another budget workshop topic
will be purchase of a new ad-
ministrative computer system. The
state's Public Information Educa-
tion Management System (PIEMA)
is demanding more and more
statistical Information from school
districts, placing an increasing
burden on the USD’s nine-year-old
computer system. The burden could
be lessened by contracting with the
Education Service Center for about
03,000 a year. "The problem is, we
can’t run their programs on our
computer,” Cogbill said. While
PIEMA has recommended the pur-
chase of a 0150,000 computer system
for the USD, Cogbill said the situa-
tion could be relieved by setting up a
personal computer (PC) system
around the district. Buying four
PCs, one for each campus, and pur-
chasing a larger computer to link
the system in the adminstration of-
fice would cost about 030,000, he
said. The district has 028,637 left In
state Capital Aqulsitlon Program
monies which could be used to help
offset the cost, he added.
Several board members balked at
the 0150,000 estimated cost of the
state-recommended computer
system, suggesting that the district
might be being "taken” on the price.
Cogbill said he will continue to in-
vestigate alternatives.
Telephone system options are also
being studied by administrators.
The district is now operating under
four different telephone systems and
is looking into consolidating those
in order to save on monthly
systems I
phone Ml
In other business, the board ap-
proved an amendment to the 1989-90
budget, reflecting receipt of a
$12,089 Drug Free School Act grant.
Grant funds will be used for teacher
training, speakers, referral
counselors, instructional supplies,
travel to an Education Service
Center drug workshop and state con-
ference and drug testing for the
junior high’s anti-drug program.
Also approved was the use of
02,800 in bond funds remaining from
the primary school and high school
vocational building construction
projects for repairs to the ad-
minstration building roof. After the
roof repair bill is paid, approximate-
ly 0900 will remain in the bond fund.
By law, the bond funds can be used
only for capital improvement pro-
jects.
The board also accepted the
recommendations of a 15-member
textbook selection committee con-
cerning the adoption of textbooks for
the 1990-91 school year. Curriculum
Director Janet Morris said teachers
also had input in the textbook selec-
tion process.
In other business, the board ap-
proved a trip by special education
students to the Special Olympics in
College Station, March 30-31, and
cast ballots for two positions on the
Education Service Center Board of
Directors.
Forgery charge
dismissed
from page 1
store and closing it tor about an
hour, the fire fighters were unable to
locate an explosive device.
In other recent court action, David
Wayne Holt of Rye was sentenced to
12 years in prison after pleading
guilty to possession with intent to
manufacture a controlled substance.
In entering the plea before 258th
District Judge Joe Ned Dean, Holt
was given credit for the 65 days he
already has served in the Polk Coun-
ty Jail.
Holt was arrested March 18 after
Polk County sheriff’s deputies, ac-
companied by DPS Narcotics agents
and Liberty County deputies, raided
a residence in Big Thicket Lake
Estates Subdivision off U.S. 146 in
southern Polk County.
During the raid, officers con-
fiscated a quantity of the chemical
Phenylacetone - commonly known
as PZP - which is used in the
manufacture of methamphetamine.
In related action, charges filed
against Mary Holt in connection
with the same March 16 raid were
dismissed.
Other cases dismissed
During other court hearings last
week, a forgery charge filed Oct. 19
against Karen Carter of Goodrich
was dismissed. Carter had original-
ly been indicated in connection with
a July 1, 1989 incident involving a
forged signature placed on a U.S.
Treasury Check for 0360.
On Thursday, Ninth District Judge
Lynn Coker dismissed theft charges
filed against John Randolph
McMackin of Snyder and Ronald
Raymond Fuller.
Both men were originally indicted
June 24,1988 in connection with the
April 2,1984 theft of a wheel loader
and money owned by David
Baldobiro.
Other action
In other court action last week,
Thorvald Ernest Drappeaux of Liv-
ingston was placed on probati n for
10 years and fined 01,000 after
pleading guilty to aggravated sexual
assault of a child.
Drappeaux was charged in con-
nection with a June 8, 1088 incident
involving a child under 14 years of
age.
Gary Lee Brown was sentenced to
serve 180 days In the county jail
Thursday after pleading no contest
to a Class A misdemeanor theft
charge before visiting judge Erwin
Ernst of Huntsville.
Charles Ray Bennett of Goodrich
entered a guilty plea Tuesday to a
forgery charge filed in connection
with a U.S. Treasury check passed
on July 1, 1988.
In sentencing Bennett, Judge Mar-
tin placed him on probation for four
years and ordered him to pay a 0000
fine and 050 to the Pott County
Crime Stoppers program.
. Karen Carter was placed on pro-
bation for five yearn, fined 0000 and
ordered to pay 050 to the Polk County
Crime Stoppers program after
pleading guilty Tuesday to a
burglary of a building charge.
According to court records, Carter
was charged in connection with the
July 1, 1980 break-in of a building
owned by Mike Allen.
Summer school was among the
topics of an instructional report
presented by Assistant Superinten-
dent for Instruction Curtis Kimbro.
As oart of a district move to en-
courage students to complete their
required work during the regular
school year, both summer school tui-
tion and the length of summer school
sessions wiU be increased.
Students in grades six through
eight may take one or two courses of
70 hours each, including breaks.
Courses will be offered in reading
improvement, English, math,
science and social studies. The first
summer session will be held June
11-29 and the second summer session
will be held July 5-25. Gasses will be
held from 7:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.
at a cost of 0111 per course.
On the high school level, the first
semester will be held June U-July 3,
with the second semester to run July
5-27. Each one-half unit course will
cost 0125.
Major said it is the district’s intent
that the summer school program
generate enough money to be self-
sufficient.
Spies suggested that a reading
enrichment program, similar to a
“reading camp,” be offered to
elementary students this summer.
Tuition for the course, which would
be held two hours daily for six
weeks, would be 975-084.
In other instructional matters,
Kimbro announced that Livingston
has been approved as a student
teaching center, meaning the
district will be hosting at least six
student teachers next year. Major
said he plans to ask for some addi-
tional funds in next year’s budget to
help compensate the teachers who
will be taking on the additional
responsibility of helping to train a
student teacher.
Trustees were also given a copy of
a letter from Dr. W.N. Kirby, the
state’s commissioner of education,
regarding possible changes in the
Career Ladder program as a result
of a recent Supreme Court opinion.
Kirby advised districts to refrain
from making sudden changes in
Career Ladder policies until the full
impact of the opinion can be review-
ed.
A financial report presented by
Cogbill indicated the district had ex-
pended 55.8 percent of its 198940
budget through February. As of Feb.
28, 80.33 percent of the USD’s cur-
rent taxes had been collected, com-
pared to 80.56 percent at this time
last year and 79.25 percent the prior
year.
The board will meet in special-
called session at 7:15 a.m. March 28
in order to review bids on the
lease/purchase of buses. Trustees
are also expected to discuss ad-
ministration of its health insurance
program and consider granting per-
mission to sell several tracts in
Nugents Cove subdivision which fail-
ed to be auctioned during the recent
sale of property for back taxes.
SCHOOL
MENUS
LIVINGSTON SCHOOLS
March IMS
Spring Break.
LEOGRTT SCHOOL
Spring ltarel ***
ON ALASKA SCHOOLS
Spring Break.
GOODRICH SCHOOL
S
Spring Brink.
CORMOAN-CAMDCN SCHOOLS
Unlay, Msnfe II
Corny log, pork and baans, tator Ms with cat-
tup, apploaauco oaks and milk.
'Itoaday, Marti M
Pinto btoni with tround betf. macaroni and
tomatooo, button! spinach, fruit bar, cornbnad
and milk.
Staakflngtr )aritst, urtioMumal corn, sliced
‘ i broad and mflk.
Tpataday, Nana ■
Enchilada! with chili and chtaaa, Spanish riot,
rtfriad bsana, lea craam, crackara and mik.
Friday, March M
Tuna salad, vsgatabla sticks, mistd fruit,
brands, ersekan and mik.
BUIANDY SCHOOLS
Not available.
■'"-’’SSSLia
dad, role and mik.
Friday, Mania
JSSrJSM
•V
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.
White, Barbara. Polk County Enterprise (Livingston, Tex.), Vol. 108, No. 22, Ed. 1 Sunday, March 18, 1990, newspaper, March 18, 1990; Livingston, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth781351/m1/4/: accessed April 25, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Livingston Municipal Library.