Polk County Enterprise (Livingston, Tex.), Vol. 121, No. 86, Ed. 1 Sunday, October 26, 2003 Page: 4 of 60
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:
'Tn»«r»
PAGE 4A • POLK COUNTY ENTERPRISE. SI NDAY. OCTOBER 2ft. 2003
EDITORIAL
THE POLK COUNTY ENTERPRISE
Nation's economy is gaining momentum
Bv ll.S. SEN KA1 BAILE\
HITCH ISON
The good economic news keeps
^coming. read a recem headline m
the II all Street Journal That posi-
ti\c statement is a welcome shiit
amidsi challenging economic limes
But our efTons 10 strengthen the
cconotm are far from over and the
jobs picture hits not set brightened
enough
In Mav. Congress passed a S''50
billion |obs and economic growth
package to put Americans back to
work and stimulate our cconoim
The legislation provided ta\ relief
to hard working families and con-
tained a number of provisions to
help individuals and businesses
Our strategy was simple - when
Americans keep more of their hard-
earned dollars, they II put that
monev back into the cconotm.
boosting commerce and jobs crea-
tion By reducing taxes, we did the
nght thing at lust the right time for
the American economy
Throughout the summer and now
into the fall, reports from Wall
Street to Mam Street have reflected
an unproved economv On Wall
Street, stock market values have
increased bv $2 trillion m the last
vear Disposable personal income
is up b\ ' s percent and families
are spending it on Main Street Re-
tail sales showed a I? I percent
annuali/cd increase over the sum-
mer meaning Americans are
spending the extra monev in their
pavchecks from the tax relief we
passed earlier this vear
Another important economic in-
dicator signaling a strengthening
economv is the rise in new housing
stans This summer we experienced
a 1'-vear-high of 1 S’ million
units and homcownership is at
record levels with a <>K percent
ownership rate
Orders of manufactured goods
continue to increase and shipments
of durable goods increased this
summer More manufacturing out-
put means more tobs for Ameri-
cans The Labor Department re-
centlv reponed that cmplovcrs cre-
ated 57.000 |obs m September - the
first increase m eight months And
jobless claims tire at their lowest
point tins >ear
All of this has led to stronger
economic growth In the second
quarter, the gross domestic product
grew bv 3.3 percent and third quar-
ter numbers are expected to top
four percent
C reating jobs
But we need to do more Die
economic growth lias not vet trans-
lated into the broad |ob creation we
would like to see Fomuutelv there
arc a number of items on Congress
agenda that will help pul more
Americans back to work Flic Sen-
ate is working to enact additional
legislation to create and retain tobs
and further accelerate economic
growth
Two other items of critical im-
portance are class action litigation
reform and a bill to rein in ninauav
asbestos lawsuits Class action re-
form will help victims receive then
lust financial due while ending
abuses and helping businesses fo-
cus on growth an |obs rather than
figliung expensive lawsuits Addi-
tional. it will help reduce the
hidden litigation tax on V S con-
sumers that inflates the cost ol
goods and services and sidles job
creation Asbestos lawsuits have
already accounted for the loss of an
estimated HX.OOO |obs Asbestos
litigation reform will create new
jobs bv allowing companies to di-
vert dollars from legal battles costs
toward new investment Both of
these reforms help protect jobs and
ensure fairness for Americans
f nergv polio
But one ol ihe most immediate
actions ( oneress c.m lake on the
lot c troni is ini.lining ihc eneigv
bill Suicv I same to the Senate In
vc.ii' ago we ve med to pass a
comprehensive energv polio Mils
vear we lin.illv passed a bill in
both the House and Senate which
is currentlv m a conference com-
mittee where differences between
the bills will be resolved The final
legislation is expected to create
upwaid ('I Aim.out) new gibs and
save even mote Construction of
new pipelines, and investment in
new technologies such as clean
coal icchnologv. will create new
jobs m math engineering, phvsics.
science and 'elated fields An af-
fordable uni stable eneigv supplv
toi Americans will fuel our ecou-
ouiv and even more important,
lelease out nation lioin the grip of
Middle l ast dependence
As we move into the holidav sea-
son. when \iikiicans spend more
monev on gilts and traveling to
visit loved ones ( ongress is keep-
ing an eve mi iIk fragile recovers,
and will continue to make efforts to
create stabilitv in the economv
Letters to the editor
It's the little things
Way to go, TxDOT
To the editor:
It's not the great things in this
world
That make our lives worthwhile
It’s the little things, like a tins
flower
Or perltaps a baby's smile
A little word sincerely spoken
Can lift our spirits high.
Like a tiny bird perched on a
limb
Sends his message to the sky
A.little devVdfop on a rose.
And a tiny blade of grass
All sparkle in the sunlight.
To cheer us as we pass
The lovely Johnny Jumpups
The smallest flower that grows
Truths about cancer
Delight the hearts cr youngsters,
peeping up between their toes.
A friendly gesture or a smile
Mean more to me titan gold
Thev help us feel that someone
cares
when we are growing old
Money cannot buy the things
That mean so much to me
They are part of God s creation
And all of them arc free
lust found this.paom and thought
others would cnjojnL Author un-
known
Marie Lartigue
Livingston
To the editor:
Just want to take a minute to
thank the highway department for
their work on Highway 24'7 In
onlv 10 months they have taken a
fairly good paved road and turned it
into a dirt road with lots of gravel
for chipping windshields and thev
keep it wet so as to create mud that
real lv clings to our cars
Congratulations, highway de-
partment
Oil. and ill.mks lor the retoppmg
job on the southbound frontage
road at ills McDonald's ' It is a
really nice smooth tob also.
Bnh Dale
Livingston
Thank you, Escapees
To the editor:
Having recently lost a loved one
to breast cancer. I feel compelled to
write this article
In spite of all the publicity about
breast cancer, there arc still many
misconceptions about the disease
Yes. they tell us to do regular self-
examinations and to get regular
checkups, which include mammo-
grams Sadly, these arc not always
enough Thankfully, though, there
is help in early detection Compe-
tent oncologists, radiation and
chemotherapy, in many cases can
bring about a cure If not a cure,
certainly a good chance of remis-
sion.
Many women think that if they
are under 35 years of age. they do
not have to worry about breast can-
cer. It is true that only a small per-
centage get breast cance . but since
there is no foolproof way to know
for sure, every women should con-
sider herself at risk
Other women believe that, unless
there is a family history of the dis-
ease. they are not likely to develop
it. The real truth is that only one in
five women who develop breast
cancer has a known family history
(My loved one had no family his-
tory of it.)
There is also the myth tliat fibro-
cystic disease hurts, but cancer
does not. This. too. is untrue. Can-
cer can hurt, even in the early
stages
Many have the misconception
that if they have a mammogram
with a negative result, they have
nothing to worry about. Do not be
misled! In fact, false-neptive re-
sults can range from 10 to 30 per-
oent. Any palpable mass or a suspi-
cious mammogram should be biop-
sied. A woman should take this
situation into her own hands and
demand a biopsy if she is not com-
pletely satisfied with the results,
and she feels that her condition
warrants it.
I would like to share the follow-
ing whimsical poem which I found
in my loved one’s momentos
Dear Breast
Thank God I've still got the heart
of me.
so if I had to lose a part of me.
a breast was a good thing to lose
It did not help me to walk,
nor help me to talk,
nor did it help me to think or
choose
I need my feet and legs to take
me places.
and my eyes to view my loved
ones' faces
My hands arc nice so I can type
and write.
And my arms let me hug with all
my might
If I lost my voice. I couldn't talk
or sing.
Expressing myself means every-
thing!
Three cheers for my ears -
it sure means a lot to hear my
dears.
Kissing needs a good pair of lips,
and for cooling bouillon and tak-
ing sips
And how bad off would I be
without a tongue? (no telling)
1 need my skin to hold me in.
it even houses my double chin.
And it accommodates a lot of fat.
if I'd bad my druthers. I’d’ve got
rid of that!
But I can try extra liard and still
be cute.
I just won't wear a double-
breasted suit!
Many, many years 1 had that
breast.
so excuse me if I feel undressed!
Dear breast so long with me
abided.
no wonder I feel lopsided!
But about your loss I will not
ponder.
Your absence will make my heart
grow fonder!
Dear readers, don’t let this hap-
pen to you! There is help out there
- go for it!
Flossie Keels
_ Livingston
To the editor:
I had a dream! I really did
I dreamt that I went to a dinner at
the Escapees campground to honor
the VIPs I sat down at the VIP
table, as it was the only table not
filled, and a few others followed
me and sat down, too Someone
came and said. "You can't sit there1
Tins is the VIP table ' I became
very upset Then Kay and Joe Pe-
terson (the ones who started the RV
park many y ears ago and still oper-
ate it) said. "You can stay seating
light where you are as even one
here is important, especially people
at the Dav Care Center "
3 011 see. I'm just a pai.'dpant
and sometimes volunteer It .<= a
wondeiful caring day care center
where evcivonc is a VIP It is
probably the only day care center in
the USA or mav be the world,
where you can park your rig and
get most of the benefits of assisted
living You don't even have to be
an Escapee. Some come for the day
from Liv mgston or other places
God bless the Escapees Day Care
Center and the Petersons
Jan Perrin
Livingston
Review a success
To the editor:
Brunch & a Book held its second
book review on Oct. 21. with atten-
dance approaching 200. Proceeds
from this charitable endeavor bene-
fit SAAFE House, the Empty
Stocking Fund. Child Protective
Services Rainbow Room and the
Polk County Emergency Health
Board.
Not onlv is this endeavor sup-
ported by those attending the re-
views. but bv the many individuals
and merchants who donate time,
sen ices and goods. The Brunch &
a Book wishes to thank all that con-
tribute
Audrey Eckelman, chairman
Livingston
POLK COUNTY
ENTERPRISE
ALVIN HOLLEY, PUBLISHER
rrisi,
*»“
Lvl".
muTTi
Aw ard Winm h
Telephone Number 936-327-4357
(USPS 437-340)
WEBSITE: www.EastTexasNews.Corn
E-MAIL: polknews@livingston.net
Texas 77351 under the Act.of Congress of March 3, 1987. Entered as Periodical
Matter at the Post Office at Livingston, TX.
EDITOR 1 At ItF.PARTMFNT
Barbara While..............................
Editor...................
................Ext 102
Emily Banks...............................
News Editor
Ext 103
VanThomas.................................
Sports Editor...................
Ext 107
Greg Peak...................................
Area News Editor.........
Ext 106
Vicki Coker.................................
Living Section Editor
.........................Ext. 104
Vanesa Brashier..........................
Special Feature Editor....
........................Ext. Ill
Gordon LeBarron........................
Photographer
$22.00 per year out of
Thursday at 100
day and
Any erroneous reflection upon the character, standing or reputation of any person, firm or
corporation which jnay appear in this newspaper will be gladly corrected upon being brought
Opinions expressed in columns are those of the writer and not neccessarily those of this
newspaper.
Opinions expressed in editorial are those of the Enterprise. »
POSTMAC i cnouical postagepaid At Livingston, TX. Please Send Address Changes To
PO. Box 1276, Livingston. Texas7715l,
Tax breaks offered
AUSTIN Polk Countv is
among 21^ Texas counties where
businesses can applv for hundreds
of millions of dollars in state tax
bieaks next vear according to Stale
( tvnipiroller Carole Keeton Strav-
|(oui Polk County as it has been
lor the past several vears. is desig-
ii,ucd as a full-purpose Strategic
Invcsiiiiciit Area
I ach vear 1 review the eco-
nomic health of each countv and I
uni pleased to announce this impor-
tant new list of counties eligible
tor these tax breaks." Strayhom
said
I hc franchise tax credits for eco-
nomic development were enacted
m low bv the "<>th Legislature and
include a research credit, a |ob
creation credit and an investment
credit
All ihrcc tax credits arc real
and businesses large and small will
benefit. Stravhom said "These tax
credits saved taxpayers more than
S4 > million on their 2001 and 2002
franchise tax reports Dial's monev
that Texas businesses can use to
continue growing
Research C redit
The research credit is available
lo firms that perform qualified re-
search activities in Texas It is
based on the firm's increase in re-
search activities during the year
compared to a base amount
Fiv e percent of qualified research
expenses will be credited for tax
reports due in 2002 and after The
amount of the company's credit
may be as large as 50 percent of its
franchise tax liability Unused cred-
its may be earned over for a maxi-
mum of 20 years
Additional credit is available for
qualified research activities con-
ducted in selected counties.
Job Creation Credit
Companies that create jobs in se-
lected counties may qualify for a
job creation credit equal to five
percent of the wages paid to work-
ers holding those jobs. The credit is
five percent a year for five years
beginning with the year the jobs are
created
To qualify, a corporation must
create at least 10 new full-time
jobs, pay at least 110 percent of the
county 's average weekly wage, pay
health benefits and be engaged in
manufacturing, warehousing,
wholesale distribution, computer
services or research.
The credit is limited to 50 per-
cent of the firm's tax liability in the
year that credits are claimed Un-
claimed credits may be carried
forward for a maximum of five
years.
Investment Credit
Corporations that invest at least
$500,000 in machinery and equip-
ment can qualify for a franchise tax
credit equal to 7.5 percent of that
investment. The credit is available
in fiv e equal installments over five
scars Die iiivesinieiu niu'i Ik U
cated in selected coniine' and m iIk
industries lisied lot ihe |ob «. re.itivmi
c red i i
Dus credit ux> i' limited to
percent of the firin'' i iv lubihi'
and anv unelanued ^udii' mas i
earned forward lot a ni.ivmiim < ■>
fisc vears
Strategic Investment Area
Die Strategie Invc'imeiii Are.i
(SIA) is a collection ol vountic'
and sub-count' areas where ioL
creation investment uni tv'o.uJi
activities bv hii'iinv.' . in c.uu
franchise lav credit' Dn M v i
determined each Sepiemh • I" th
Comptroller’s Office and the dt
termination is effective lot bii'inc'-
activ itv m the foil wuim ..ilcnil
vear
Str.is hot it detenmiis'1 ilia < i it
states 7 '4 connin
whollv or paiiiallv m 1
for calendar seat 2i><H
Of those counties nSqnulil. li>
full-purpose SI A dc'ipn iln u o i'..
on their relative uiiemph \ iiient i .ik
and per-capita uicoitn
This designation will pot mu
firms engaged m inamilmiuiim
warehousing, wholesale distribu-
tion. computer services or research
to apply for job creation and in-
vestment credits, as well as the
research credit bonus
Another group of 14<> eotmin
qualifies onlv for the hum.a
purpose SIA designation based on
their population Corporations ei.
gaged in agricultural processing m
these counties can applv for the tob
creation and investment credits
Five sub-county /ones-Dallas
Harris. Bexar. McLennan and I I
Paso-meet the critcna lo qualifv for
the full-purpose SIA designatin'
based on their selections as taka •
urban enterprise communities
Based on F.1 Paso County's m
employment and per-capita mc< ik
the entire county is included in Ik
SIA Dallas. Harris Bexar . \l
McLennan counties are includes u
the SIA only lo the extent ot i
sub-county /one boundaries
As of Jan I. 2002. areas d< m
nated as Defense Economic f ad
juslment Zones qualify fir .till
purpose SIA treatment ' . lorn
Defense Economic Rcadj stmem
Zones in the state are lot led m
Bee. Bexar. Lubbock and lcl.cn-
nan counties
Dtcse four counties are included
in the full-purpose SI A onlv to th,
extent of the sub-county /oik
boundaries All of Bee County ,iIm
qualifies for limited-purpose SI
designation making credits avail
able county wide for corporation,
engaged in agricultural processing
"Businesses should be eager m
take advantage of this generous la
credit plan wliich will create goev
paying jobs for hardworking Tev
ans." Stravhom said
Halloween tips given
AUSTIN - Darkness settles and
Jack-o-lantem's ghoulish smile
beckons little ghosts and hobgob-
lins to come out to play. In hopes
that all the night's partakers return
home safe and sound, the Texas
Department of Safety is reminding
Texans to be safe and responsible
this Halloween.
"Halloween is a fun time for both
children and adults, but oftentimes
people act or drive carelessly or are
not aware of their surroundings."
said Col. Thomas A. Davis Jr., di-
rector of the DPS. "Many pedestri-
ans will be on the streets, and driv-
ers need to watch for them.”
To prevent tragedy befalling
children, motorists are urged to
drive slowly in neighborhoods and
to be on the lookout for trick-or-
treaters
Safety tips for trick-or-treaters
include:
-Look both ways before cross-
ing roadways. Always walk, don't
run.
-Cross the roadway at intersec-
tions and crosswalks when possi-
ble.
-Avoid toy guns and knives-
they could be mistaken for the real
thing.
-Wear costumes that are light in
color, and short enough to avoid
tripping.
-Wear shoes that fit
-Reflective material of some
kind on the costume is strongly
encouraged
-Avoid masks-use face paint in-
stead for better visibility and pe-
ripheral vision
-Travel in groups with adult su
pervision.
-Do not enter the cars and
homes of strangers Avoid home
without visible perch lights
—Carry a flashlight and make
sure an adult accompanies small
children.
-Exercise catitica when crossing
streets.
-Never trick-or-trcal in unfamil-
iar areas.
-Take all treats home for an
adult to inspect before eating any-
thing. Never eat unwrapped candv
-Make sure children know their
home phone number and how to
call 9-1-1 (or their local emergency
number) if they have an emergency
or become lost
Aimrliiin lie,lit C-j
Association^!
* g ' ■ | Mr ill Dim i c .mil Ijlnyko
HEART ATTACK & STROKE
9-1-1
Read the signs: Raise a flag.
4
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. 121, No. 86, Ed. 1 Sunday, October 26, 2003, newspaper, October 26, 2003; Livingston, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth789231/m1/4/: accessed April 19, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Livingston Municipal Library.