Polk County Enterprise (Livingston, Tex.), Vol. 112, No. 92, Ed. 1 Thursday, November 17, 1994 Page: 1 of 26
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VohuM 112 Number 92
The Dominant News and Advertising Source in Pok County
USPS 437-340 Price. 25 cent*
County ranks
75th
in sales
See page 9A
r>~n
Southwest Micropublishing Inc55
nty
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EhiuritlSI
Waters recede, but flood still draining road budgets
LIVINGSTON - The flood-
waters have long since receded, but
the drain on county road and bridge
coffers continues.
The outlook for federal relief for
repairs was among several flood-
related topics discussed during
Monday’s regular meeting of the
Polk County Commissioners’
Court.
Polk County has been declared
eligible for public assistance fund-
ing through the Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA).
FEMA representatives should be
here this week to begin writing Dis-
aster Survey Reports (DSRs)
which, when complete, will be sent
to the state for approval and then
returned to the county for verifica-
tion, John McDowell, Polk County
Emergency Management coor-
dinator, told the court. Conceivab-
ly, funds could be available in 30
days, he speculated*
Precinct 2 Commissioner Bobby
Smith said he has over 60 possible
DSR sites in his precinct alone and
feels the 30-day time line may be
too optimistic. If it takes 60 days to
get the federal aid, it would put the
county into its next budget year.
"We’ve already overspent our
budgets just trying to get people
back in." Smitlysaid.
Polk County was granted public
assistance funding following the
1990 flood. In that instance, the
county borrowed money for im-
mediate repairs and repaid it when
the federal dollars came in, Smith
said, adding that borrowing may
once again need to be considered in
order to make necessary repairs.
County Auditor Karen Remmert
said there is a possibility the county
could obtain Revenue Anticipation
Notes to help take care of im-
mediate needs. County Judge John
Thompson asked Remmert and
McDowell to determine the amount
which might be needed and indi-
cated the Revenue Anticipation
Notes and other options would be
examined by the court at its next
meeting.
Certain non-profit organizations,
such as property owners’ associa-
tions, are also eligible to apply for
the public assistance funding and
those projects can be worked into
the overall repair plan for the coun-
ty, Thompson said. He added that,
while the county cannot apply for
ftmds on behalf oT those organiza-
tions, it can help coordinate the ef-
forts through McDowell's office.
Federal assistance may also be
available to help the county offset
the many hours of overtime ac-
cumulated during the flooding
emergency by employees in various
departments, according to
McDowell.
The county can receive 75 per-
cent reimbursement for overtime
hours worked by employees in
categories such as emergen-
cy/rescue work, including law en-
forcement personnel, or debris
removal. Seventy-five percent
reimbursement is available for
regular and overtime hours worked
by county employees in certain
other categories, including those
building roads, and for contract
personnel hired by the county.
County personnel in the road and
bridge, sheriffs and other depart-
ments accrued numerous hours of
overtime, which the county con-
siders compensatory time. If
FEMA funds are available, the
county may consider paying the
employees overtime, rather than
giving them the compensatory time
off, which could leave departments
short-handed, Smith explained.
No action concerning the com-
pensatory time was taken during
Monday’s meeting.
Some mitigation assistance is al-
so available through FEMA to
make long-term repairs designed to
help avoid flood damage in the fu-
ture, McDowell said.
As another method of gaining as-
sistance to repair roads and correct
erosion problems, commissioners
agreed to participate in an emer-
gency watershed program, which is
administered locally by John
Davidson through the Soil Conser-
vation Service.
Last month’s flooding was also
the focal point of most of the com-
ments made during the public
forum portion of Monday’s meet-
ing.
R.C. "Bob" Henderson of Indian
Springs thanked the court, especial-
ly Precinct 4 Commissioner Dick
Hubert, the Texas Forest Service
See DUMPING pg. 12A
Argument leads
to violent death
LIVINGSTON - An argument
late Monday night between two
Livingston men ended in the death
of one and filing of a murder
charge against the other.
Being held under a $50,000 bond
for the murder of Bobby Lynn
Defee, 41, is 44-year-old Johnny
Duward Rawls.
Rawls was living in a rented
guest house in Indian Hills behind
the residence of Defee’s estranged
wife, Helen Marie Defee, according
to Polk County Sheriff Billy Ray
Nelson. Bobby Defee had gone to
his wife’s house to repair a light in
the kitchen and Rawls had earlier
left for his job as a prison guard at
the Tcirell Unit
As Defee was leaving, Rawls ar-
rived home and the two men got in-
to an argument in the yard, the
sheriff said. Helen Defee told
authorities she got between the two
men to try to break up the argu-
ment, which continued for about an
hour, according to Nelson.
He said that Rawls had a gun
and, at one point, Bobby Defee
started to run, but tripped and fell.
Rawls is accused of striking Defee
several times in the head and then
shooting him multiple times with a
.38-caliber snub-nosed revolver,
the sheriff said.
Authorities were notified at
12:20 a.m. Tuesday. Deputy Joe
Clifton was first to arrive on the
scene and took Rawls into custody.
Deputy Reggie Davis, Nelson and
Chief Deputy Lewis Milner as-
sisted at the scene, along with
Detective Joe Rhodes, who is con-
ducting the follow-up investigation.
Bobby Defee was pronounced
dead at the scene by Precinct 1 Jus-
tice of the Peace Mary Placker,
who ordered that the body be sent
to Houston for an autopsy.
Rawls has been released on bond
from the Polk County Jail.
Funeral services for Defee are
pending from Cochran Funeral
Home.
CHRISTMAS WISH - These two sad-faced
puppies, and several more at the Polk Coun-
ty Animal Shelter, are hoping Santa will
bring them a new home for Christmas.
U*Mtk>>N
Puppies, larger dogs, cats and kittens ,uv
available free of charge, althov i he ik >\
owners are encouraged to visit
to get the required snots for then pets.
CiCn.i'.ifutn
Commissioners agree to pay share of legal fees
LIVINGSTON - Fallout from
the timber company lawsuit settled
last spring continues, with that and
several other tax-related matters
among the topics discussed by Polk
County commissioners during their
regular meeting Monday.
Polk County, like the 10 other
taxing entities in the county which
fund the Central Appraisal District
budget, is being asked to pay its
proportionate share of court and at-
torneys’ fees owed as part of the
lawsuit won last May by timber
companies which had protested
their appraised timber values.
Commissioners agreed to pay
$37,080 as the county’s share of
the $124,000 owed by Jan. 5,
which is the last day for getting it
paid without having to go further
into the appeals process, which
would cost more money, Clyde Ar-
rendell, chief appraiser for the ap-
praisal district, told the court
In the district court settlement,
the timber companies were initially
awarded court arid attorney’s fees
totaling $156,000, which Arrendell
felt was above the amount allowed
by the tax code. The appraisal dis-
trict filed an appeal and timber
company representatives agreed to
lower the total to $124,000 to avoid
going through the appellate
process.
As a stipulation to the settlement,
the timber companies indicated
they wanted the payment made by
Dec. 9. Arrendell said the appraisal
district has offered to pay $90,000
now and the remainder prior to Jan.
5. That $90,000 will be paid out of
the appraisal district’s 90-day
reserve for paying bills and will
"completely drain" the district's
budget, Arrendell said.
The entities which comprise the
appraisal district are also being
asked to waive the 30-day noli flea-
See COURT pg. 12A
Onalaska council awards bid on fire station
Citizens support local police
SHERRI BURRIS
Enterprise Reporter
ONALASKA - Onalaska City
Council made it clear Tuesday
night at its meeting that any com-
plaints concerning city personnel
were to be submitted in writing.
Over 30 people crowded the
Onalaska City Hall to voice their
concerns over the turnover rate of
Onalaska police officers. The com-
ments stem from the termination of
officer Bobby Key. The council ter-
minated Key Nov. 1 on the recom-
mendation of Chief of Police MJ.
"Putt" Black. The council gave no
reason for Key’s dismissal, stating
it could not discuss executive ses-
sion business.
Black was not present at Tues-
day night’s meeting, but submitted
a letter explaining the reasons for
his recommendation of termination.
Citing page seven of the police
department manual, the letter stated
an officer on probation may be
fired without cause. Key’s proba-
tionary status was still in effect
when he was fired.
Key, his wife and six children
filled the front row of city hall. Key
stated he requested a meeting with
the chief to find out the reasons be-
hind his dismissal. Key said he
looked as his personnel file and he
had one complaint in the seven
months he worked as a police of-
ficer. Key requested a closed ses-
sion meeting between himself, the
council and Black.
Several fellow police officers
and citizens stood and gave their
support to Key, noting the fine job
he did while working for the police
department. Questions were asked
of the council as to the reasons for
the high turnover rate of police of-
ficers. Some citizens also voiced
their opinions concerning, what
they believe to be the unprofes-
sional conduct of Black.
Councilman Lew Vail stated the
council was not in the business of
micro-managing the police depart-
ment and only hired or fired of-
ficers on the recommendation of
Black.
Mayor Jeanne Ann Byrd and
Vail told the citizens if they had
legitimate complaints concerning
any city employees, to submit the
complaints in writing. "If you think
we don't care about these officers
you are wrong," Vail said.
One of the police officers said he
was reluctant to submit written
complaints about Black and the
operations of the police department
because he was scared of being
fired. The mayor assured everyone
at the meeting, that any legitimate
complaints would be looked into
and no one would be harassed as a
result of voicing concerns.
In other council business. Fire
Chief Bobby Smith reported the
department received three bids for
fire station No..2. Lake Area Con-
struction submitted the lowest bid
of $69,795. The cost will cover the
concrete and metal building. The
council voted to give the bid to
See CHRISTMAS pg. 12A
Big Sandy trustee resigns;
board hears staff concerns
ji§Pl
1 m!
ALMOST OVER -- Highway crews are put-
ting the last layer on the massive resurfacing
projects on Church and Washington streets
l PHOTO ST OOftDOK I
in Livingston, bringing to a close weeks of
dodging and slow-downs along the two
busiest thoroughfares in the city.
SHERRI BURRIS
Enterprise Reporter
D.ALLARDS VILLE - Ap-
proximately 20 people attended the
Big Sandy school board meeting
Monday night. Most people in at-
tendance were concerned with the
teaching practices of kindergarten
teacher Becky Hendrix. Several
parents of school aged children re-
quested a closed session meeting
with the board. No action was
taken during the approximate hour
and half executive session.
In other business, Trustee Luther
Myers submitted his formal letter
of resignation, stating state
nepotism laws as the reason for his
resignation.
Myers’ wife recently accepted a
position as school nurse. She will
work for the district approximately
two days week.
The district’s financial auditor
reported the district had a very
good year. "All expenditures were
under budget and the district had
the highest valuation you've had in
10 years. It was a year for you to be
proud of,” he said The auditor’s
report reflected the financial deal-
ings for the 1993-94 school year.
Superintendent Vemis Rogers
reported he received a grant from
the Texas Education Agency in the
amount of $13,400 for a satellite
dish. The satellite will be used for
Spanish classes and other educa-
tional programs.
The board approved the appoint-
ments of County Agents Bob Ar-
men trout and Sandy Ashworth as
adjunct staff members of the dis-
trict. Rogers said it was a book-
keeping item ensuring students
would not be counted absent when
taking 4-H field trips.
Bill Billeadeau presented a
preventative maintenance program
for the district. The board tabled
the item until it had time to look at
preventative maintenance programs
in other school districts.
The board voted to pay its por-
tion of the legal coat connected
with a lawsuit the Polk County Ap-
praisal District lost to area timber
companies. The district’s share of
the legal cost is $4,290, or 3.4 per-
cent of the $124,000 legal fees.
Trustee Emery Cain abstained from
voting since he works for one of
the timber companies involved in
the suiL
(
i
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White, Barbara. Polk County Enterprise (Livingston, Tex.), Vol. 112, No. 92, Ed. 1 Thursday, November 17, 1994, newspaper, November 17, 1994; Livingston, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth782025/m1/1/?q=music: accessed July 18, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Livingston Municipal Library.