Polk County Enterprise (Livingston, Tex.), Vol. 120, No. 36, Ed. 1 Sunday, May 5, 2002 Page: 4 of 56
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PAGE 4A POLK COUNTY ENTERPRISE, SUNDAY. MAY 5. 2082
EDITORIAL
THE POLK COUNTY ENTERPRISE
Tax deals small business double blow
B> JACK FARIS, president
National Federation of Inde-
pendent Business
When in comes to obfuscation
and confusion, leave it to our na-
tion’s capital to lead the way Al-
beit with good intentions, the Dis-
trict of Columbia recently under-
took an effort that was supposedly
designed to make quick evacua-
tions calm and steady But when
the sign painters had finished, the
result was more confusing than
instructive.
Now evacuating a city in the face
of imminent disaster isn’t some-
thing to take lightly, especially in
light of recent terrorist activities.
But those in charge of Washing-
ton’s civil defense undershot the
mark by a mile Apparently not
trusting the unmistakable “Evacua-
tion Route" signs, similar to those
you see in hurricane areas, to do the
trick, they installed non-alerting
green and white “event route” no-
tices pointing the way to neighbor-
ing states It seems they didn’t wish
to scare the tourists.
One hopes the need to test this
new system never arrives, but it
points to the mindset that exists in
this federal city. The Federal Un-
employment Tax Act (FUTA) is a
good example. Small-business
owners, seeking to find their way
through the morass of tax law
twists and turns, more often than
not wind up in a blind alley. After
all, they’re entrepreneurs, not tax
experts, and only an 'expert can
navigate those I ess-than-clear regu-
lations
It’s important to remember that
these entrepreneurs aren’t folks just
out tooling around the countryside
on a joy ride. They’re the millions
of Main Street business-builders
who start out with an idea, crank it
up with some ingenuity, fuel it with
inspiration and roar off m search of
the American Dream. Along the
way, they create jobs, generate
wealth for our nation, invent things,
improve our way of life and give
back a huge portion of the revenue
in the form of taxes.
But unemployment taxes deal
small firms a double blow because
levies are collected at both state
and federal levels. The federal tax
pays for the program’s administra-
tive costs, while the state tax pays
for the actual unemployment bene-
fits that laid-off workers receive.
But that’s not all. In addition to
this double taxation, more than
two-fifths, or 43 percent of the tax
money lifted from small business
cash registers through the FUTA
program in 1998 was spent on un-
related federal government pro-
grams.
The Bush administration has
mapped a plan to route some of
these tax dollars back to Main
Street: the proposal would cut the
federal unemployment tax by 75
percent through January 2005. It
would also make the federal forms
simpler. While they’re at it, Con-
Letter to the editor
Red Cross remains vital
To the editor: How wc ra'se and sPcnd moncy.
particularly for disasters, has be-
As chairman of the board of di- come a hu8e issae- » really is vcr>
rectors of the Greater Houston Area slmP'e encourage donors to
Red Cross, I can no longer sit by as 8've t0 a National Disaster Fund,
ill-informed people take aim at the fund can be used to support
American Red Cross. disastcr rclicf operations anywhere
Much of what is being “reported” ^nds “To needed. The National
on certain television and radio talk Disaster Relief Fund contributed
shows focuses on mistakes in million of the $27 million
judgment, errors in procedure and sPen* by the Houston Area Chapter
over-zealous actions by a very few. *n providing relief to victims of
These errors and mistakes have Tropical Storm Allison. However,
been acknowledged and corrected a donor specifies that his or her
by the Red Cross. Unfortunately, donation sPent on a certa’n d‘s*
these reports ignore the wonderful ■*?. that 18 exactly what haPPens-
work of thousands of caring, com- ^>er'od'
mitted Red Cross volunteers and Money to support the Greater
staff, many of whom live in the Houston Area Red Cross is raised
Greater Houston area. These re- l°cady- Our chapter is truly fortu-
ports ignore the 67,000 disasters nate diat ,5ie gener°sity of the
that the Red Cross responds to an- Houston community exceeds that
nually around the U.S. They ignore Vlrtually anY other city in the
the tens of thousands of military country- We sincerely thank our
families helped yearly. They ignore donors and supporters and invite
the thousands of lives saved annu- ^em )° v'sit our offices, ask ques-
ally because someone took a Red dons ar)d see themselves what
Cross CPR class or swim lessons. 5oca5 ^cd Cross is doing for
They ignore the heart of the tens of our neighbors and friends in need. I
thousands of Red Cross volunteers remind you that our chapter covers
who every day make a real differ- ^ counties [including Polk
ence in their communities. County], so a lot of manpower,
1 cannot speak for every Red compassion and money is required.
Cross chapter, but I can speak for 5n closing, the history of the
the Greater Houston Area Red American Red Cross is a part of
Cross. Our chapter is a chapter that C.S. history. In 1905 when Con-
is accountable for its actions and 8fess 8ave American Red Cross
evaluated on every aspect of its 311 unfunded mandate to provide
business. Our chapter, in conjunc- disaster relief services to the
tion with our colleagues from the American people and to provide
National Red Cross, conducts a serv*ccs to veterans and active
performance and financial audit members of Uie armed forces, it did
following every major disaster. We so bemuse it trusts the American
have an annual audit of our finan- ^ed Cross to do the right thing,
cial records conducted by an out- That trust has been and continues to
side auditor. Since Tropical Storm be unwavering. The flag of the
Allison and the events of Sept. 11, United States of America flies
the Greater Houston Chapter has proudly above the Red Cross flag at
undergone four audits, including an every Red Cross office. Our annual
audit of our auditors. The results of mccting opens with the Pledge of
our independent audits are avail- Allegiance. Our board meetings
able to anyone who requests it. begin with an invocation to God
The board of directors, com- diat we be Pven the wisdom to
prised of people from the local govern wisely to the benefit of all
community, holds the chapter’s those *n need-
CEO and its staff to the highest The American Red Cross has
standards of performance. The beea’ rcmains ** wil1 co?t“»>e to
CEO is hired by the local board and be a vda5 P81* dlc ^bric of our
given a complete evaluation on an nation- 1 8,11 Proud t0 *
annual basis. Our CEO does not “Red Crosser,” as are the thousands
receive a bonus.
The National Red Cross requires
every Red Cross chapter to deliver Cr°*.
services to exacting national per-
formance standards. In fact, our
chapter cannot exist unless it meets
these standards. If we fail to meet
these stringent standards, our char-
ter may be revoked.
of volunteers, donors and staff of
the Greater Houston Area Red
R. Brace LaBoon
Greater Houston Area Chapter
American Rad Cron
27M Southwest Frwy.
Houston
gress could work with the state to
coordinate state and federal filings
in one form, making the filing
process easier to follow and giving
entrepreneurs more time to spend
kicking their operations into high
gear
As the economy revs up, the
small-business engine that drives
America is raring to go. The reform
plan could pave the way to lower
taxes, simplified tax regulations
and more integrity in the system
itself. Congress has an opportunity
to point this recovery in the right
direction.
CAPITOL
COMMENT
U.S. SENATOR
KAY BAILEY HUTCHISON
Promoting Trade
America has the most productive, creative work force in the world. Our
industries are diverse and our products are second to none. Now it is time we
expand our reach to bring more of these goods and services to the global
marketplace
Ninety-six percent of the world’s consumers live outside the United
States, representing a vast market for American exports. Unfortunately, other
countries are moving forward and promoting trade while we are standing on
the sidelines.
For America to increase trade opportunities around the world, Congress
needs to pass the Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) bill. TPA gives the
president the ability to negotiate trade agreements with the knowledge that
while Congress retains its right to approve or reject a treaty, it will not try to
amend or delay it. Without TPA, foreign governments have not been willing
to sit at the negotiation table with the United States - they do not want to waste
time crafting a complex agreement, only to see it changed.
While we delay, other countries are entering into agreements that
exclude us. Our competitors in Europe, Asia and Latin America have sealed
more than 130 free-trade compacts, yet we are party to only three - with
Jordan, Israel, and with Canada and Mexico through the North American Free
Trade Agreement (NAFTA).
Lack of free-trade agreements puts American exporters at a disadvan-
tage. For example, a $187,000 tractor made in America and shipped to Chile
incurs $ 13,090 in tariffs and duties upon arrival. The same tractor would face
$3,740 in tariffs if it were made in Brazil - and none if it were made in Canada.
American businesses, farmers and ranchers cannot compete effectively with
this kind of disparity.
Our inability to negotiate agreements with foreign countries is hurting
U.S. industry and limiting economic growth and prosperity. TPA offers the
United States the chance to reclaim momentum in the global economy by
opening additional foreign markets and expanding opportunities for Ameri-
can producers and workers. For some 60 years, presidents and members of
both parties in Congress have worked together to open markets around the
world. Now, as we work to launch a new round of global trade negotiations,
close cooperation is more critical than ever.
In Texas, we have experienced the benefits of NAFTA. Since the
agreement was implemented in January 1994, Texas exports have grown
much faster than the overall U.S. export of goods. Texas merchandise exports
in 2000 totaled $69 billion, up more than 22 percent from 1997 and nearly
double the 1993 total of $36 billion.
On the agricultural front, Texas ranks third among all 50 states in
exports, with an estimated $3.3 billion in sales to foreign markets in 2000. We
are leading exporters of beef, poultry, feed grains and wheats. NAFTA has
helped secure Texas’ position as the No. 1 cotton exporting state. Since the
agreement took effect, we have increased cotton exports to Mexico from
558,00 bales in 1995 to 1.5 million bales in 2000. But for farmers and ranchers
in our state to continue to expand their exports, the United States must enter
into trade agreements that will create opportunities for that growth.
TPA has been used since President Ford’s Administration to implement
trade agreements, but unfortunately that authority lapsed in 1994 and it has not
been renewed.
At a time of increased tension in many parts of the world, American
leadership on trade is more important than ever. Giving the president a strong
hand to negotiate will ensure the continued growth of our economy and allow
us to keep exporting three of our greatest ideals - freedom, free enterprise, and
democracy.
POLK COUNTY
ENTERPRISE
ALVIN HOLLEY, PUBLISHER
Telephone Number 936-327-4357
(USPS 437-340)
WEBSITE: www.EastTexasNews.Com
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.
EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT
BarbaraWhite.
Editor...............................................................Ext. 102
Emily Banks................................
News Editor..................................
...................Ext. 103
..................Ext. 107
Greg Peak
....................Ext. Ill
Vicki Coker ..........................
Living Section Editor...................
................Ext. 104
Gordon LeBarron........................
Photographer
I
PRODUCTION DEPARTMEN
....................Ext. 119
Paul Holley......”...................
....................Ext. 119
....................Ext. 119
Pressroom Personnel ...................
..................Ext. 120
Adrian Dunn................................
...................Ext. 120
Mailroom/Circulation..................
...................Ext. 120
Lee Torres....................................
...................Ext. 120
Tayder Cruz.................................
...................Ext. 120
Maria Martinez..........................
...................Ext. 120
COMPOSITION DEPARTMENT
Jennifer Kingsbury......................Supervisor.....................................
....................Ext. 118
Jennifer David....................................................................................
Adam West..........................................................................................
Linda Nylec.........................................................................................
ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT
Linda Hollev .............................Ad. Minever.................................
....................Ext. 118
....................Ext. 118
.....................Ext 118
....................Ext. 117
Sandra Jackson............................
Ad. Rep.........................................
....................Ext. 113
Kay Loy Cuevas..........................
Ad. Rep.........................................
....................Ext. 112
J.R. Shoe make.............................
Ad. Rep.........................................
....................Ext. 110
Linda Jacob*................................
Manager........................................
...................Ext. 109
Patty Hankerd..............................
Ad. Rep.......................................
...................Ext. 108
PRINTING DEPARTMENT
Willi* Wood*...............................
Jennifer Birdwell.........................
Pressman
Supervisor.....................................
....................Ext. 114
Kevin Wooten..................................................................................................Ext. 121
Amanda Meihell.................................................................................................Ext. 114
M 1«8IN»TA«1 DEPARTMENT
Georgia Bailey..........................
Barbara Wilson....................
Rici Burgee*....
Dana Wiggins.
Dee Sisson.
.Manager.....................j......................................Ext. 115
. Accounts Receivable ........................................Ext. 116
. CircuiationISubscriptions................................Ext. 105
. Circulation Subacriptitmt................................Ext. 105
ili . '•.....’ 1.^ , '
■
jjjuffiffiCn'ffs^/ffif A< Livillg,*<’"' TX- Please Send Address Changes Tb
-4*
VFW HELPING SCHOOLS - Angie Hermes, Livingston PTG
president, received a check from Relius Certain for $1,482 do-
nated by VFW Post 8568 for their recent Parent Bingo Nighfc
The money will help purchase items for the students and teach-
ers at both Pine Ridge and Timber Creek Elementary schools.
Incident accounts vary
from page 1
“Doug Marlin snatched open the
driver’s door on the car and
reached in putting his hand on the
seat,” Bilnosld said. “He looked me
in the eye and said, ‘You can get
out of the car and I will take care of
you.’
“Doug Martin then told us that he
was the constable,” Bilnoski said.
“He made the statement several
times, ‘I am the constable and I am
going to take care of y’all.’
“He then slammed the car door
hitting my lefi arm, causing me to
drop the phone,” Bilnosld said.
“I got back in my vehicle and
pulled out toward Hwy. 146. The
black VW turned around in the
neighbor’s driveway and followed
me to the road,” Mrs. Martin said.
“I have a heart condition and was
upset that this idiot was harassing
me. Doug saw the man follow me
out and he got in his vehicle to see
why the driver of the black VW
was continuing to harass me.
“As I turned on Hwy. 146 and
was driving toward 1988, I passed
the sheriff’s deputies going to my
house. I turned around and met
them, my husband in his vehicle
and the driver of the black VW at
the comer of Hwy. 146 and Provi-
dence Road East,” Mrs. Martin
said.
According to Bilnoski, he then
proceeded to Hwy. 146 and Doug
Martin got in his vehicle and fol-
lowed him. The deputies then ar-
rived. h
”1 told the deputies that during
our encounter with Doug Martin, lit
was in fear for my life, as well as
the lives of my family,” Bilnoski It
said.
ft
“I want to say a special thanks to
Sheriff (Billy Ray) Nelson and his;,
deputies,” Bilnoski said. *7 have
seen things in my military career^
that would scare the hide off an
elephant and I have never been so-
relieved and felt so safe as when
Deputy Dunn arrived in his patrol;,
car.
‘To the people of Polk County, I11
say as I told my children, one or ,
two bad apples don't spoil the1'
bunch. Trust law enforcement and
if you are in doubt, call the 911'5
dispatcher and they will send a
uniformed officer to protect you,"5'
Bilnoski said.
.'Ill . " V.J
It was only later that evening at
the Polk County Sheriff’s Departed
ment that Bilnoski learned that
Doug Martin is not the constable ofl'
Precinct 1, but a reserve constable.
As of last week, Doug Martin is*
no longer a reserve deputy consta-
ble.
Brian Martin is currently on pro- a
bation out of Liberty County for an
unrelated charge of impersonating as)
police officer and has a felony sex-
ual assault charge pending in Polk"
County.
J
Big Sandy honors listed1
DALLARDSVILLE - Big Sandy
Elementary and Junior High School
students named to die AH A and A-
B honor rolls for the fifth six weeks
of the 2001-2002 school year are:
A HONOR ROLL
Big Sandy Elementary School
First grade - DJ. Balekta, Zach-
ary Barnard, Chantell Battise, Kris-
tin Battise, Stephen Carroll, Au-
tumn Celestine, Ashton Creel, Paul
Duff, Shelby Lenox, Charlie Sut-
ton, Brittny Thompson, Noah
Wilkerson and MyKiah Williams.
Second grade - Lareina Battise,
Jodi Cates, Brittini Dean, Adam
Duff, Lana Holbrook, Hope Lenox,
Joshua Maze, Shanee Moore, Chi
Ann Puckett, Skyler Rue and Allen
Treadway.
Third grade - Andrew Cain,
Kristie Copley, Catherine Garza,
Morgan Graze, Christina Perry and
Michael Pixley.
Fourth grade - Haley Causey,
Stephanie Clay, Kailec Hart,
Makenzie McLaurin and Caley
Tolar.
Fifth grade - Kaleb McLaurin.
Big Sandy Junior High School
Sixth grade - Ricky Cain, Dan
Crawford, Savannah Crutcher, Lau-
rel Goodwin, Eddie Knight, Casey
Murphy, Jeremy Shotwell and Mi-
chael Smith.
Seventh grade - Reid Fairbanks,
Evan Holbrook, Cory Maze nod
Courtney Murphy.
Eighth grade - Jay Buka, Oren
Jacobs, Holly Lenox, Lisa McEn-
tyre, Katie Moseley and Christina
Murphy.
A-B HONOR ROLL >d
Big Sandy Elementary School
First grade - Jason Ashen, Jer-D
emy Ashen, Hannah Cain, Ryan
Hendrix, Sarah Matthews, Cayley^
Thompson and Laura Tucker.
Second grade - Micayla Alec?’
Tiffany Burnett, Brittny Eaton, Erin
Ellendar, Nicholas Funderburk,’
Shelby Gibson, Jeremy Gray, Han-
nah Kowena and Jacob Moore.
Third grade - Sunshine Alec,
Becky Bailey, Kaytlinn Battisepi
Courtney Barrett, Dylan Butler,
Tyler Crutcher, Laikin David.
Joshua Dillon, Jimmy Duke, De-1
brina Sylestine and Santana Syles- .
tine.
Fourth grade - Trey Bullock,
Steven Butler, Samantha Dean,™
Preston Dent, Jason Hamilton,
Kayla Heart, Tori Humble, Michael
Kowena,' Stefani Marsh, Justin
Moore, 9«leste Overstreet, Michael
Perry, Katie Rinehart, Kayla Wil-
liams and Chesson Williams.
Fifth grade - Hannah Ashen,
Kayla McKinney, Victoria
Thigpen, Corey Tolar and Andy
Treadway.
Blg jSandy Junior High
Sixth grade - James Dean, Katie
Dickens, Bryans Heart, Geoffrey
McKinney, Russell McMillan,
Colbey Russo, Lorens Smith and
Taylor Sutton.
Seventh grade - Chelsea Bar-
nard, Chris Dorman, Kenneth
Fischer and Jonah Landrum.
Eighth grade - Wrachel Byrd,
Samantha Dickens, Justin B«nk,
Deborah Fountain, Anthony
Kahler, Stacey Langley, Kali Jo*
Myers and Zachary Thigpen.
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White, Barbara. Polk County Enterprise (Livingston, Tex.), Vol. 120, No. 36, Ed. 1 Sunday, May 5, 2002, newspaper, May 5, 2002; Livingston, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth790547/m1/4/: accessed July 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Livingston Municipal Library.