Polk County Enterprise (Livingston, Tex.), Vol. 111, No. 99, Ed. 1 Sunday, December 12, 1993 Page: 4 of 48
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PAGE 4A-THE POLK COUNTY ENTERPRISE, SUNDAY DECEMBER 12, 1993
EDITORIAL
THE POLK COUNTY ENTERPRISE
Weekly Special
Disability plan needs an overhaul
By JACK ANDERSON
and MICHAEL BINSTEIN
WASHINGTON - Leon Panctta
has a problem.
The director of the Office of
Management and Budget is trying
to balance the need for deficit
reduction with the government’s
obligation to provide for the needy.
His latest concern? An avalanche
of disability claims that is flooding
the Social Security Administration.
"How do you try to correct that
system without looking like you’re
kicking the crutches out from under
people who deserve to be on dis-
ability?" Panctta said recently.
The disability dilemma is partly
the result of the government’s own
doing. To qualify for disability, a
person must have a medical
problem that will prevent them
from working for at least a year or
is expected to result in death. The
number of claims was fairly stead
until 1989, when Congress begai
appropriating up to $6 million per
year to the Social Security Ad-
ministration for advertising its
benefits. Since then, disability ap-
thc moment, 700,000 applicants,
some severely disabled, arc waiting
to hear from the government. The
average waiting time for an initial
response from the agency is 100
days. Appealing an SSA decision
can take another year to 18 months.
But while thousands of disabled
people wait for their checks, others
are seeking to game the system.
"You have a double problem
here,’ Panetta said. "People who
legitimately quality for disability
are being held up in some instances
for a long period of time.
Meanwhile, there are other people
who may have been put in the dis-
ability programs for no good reason
and you can’t get to those people
because you don’t have the
capacity to review."
Correcting the problem could
prove politically perilous. There is
no money in the budget to expand
the agency’s manpower, and Con-
gress is never eager to tamper with
the system. "This is one of those
issues that I saw so often when I
(served in Congress), and now I see
it here," Panetta warned. "The dan-
plications have climbed 40 percent, ger is that the only way that you
from 2.S million to 3.3 million per can ultimately deal with it is if
year. some scandal breaks out.. But at
The surge of applications is that point you’ve already gone off
creating a bureaucratic backlog. At ^ edge."
Letters to the editor
Subdivision residents left hanging
"corporation” or to properly
maintain these roads and a coun-
ty that has, since the inception of
this subdivision, demanded and
received taxes which are, I
presume, to be deemed to the
upkeep and maintenance of the
total county. If we are not a
county responsibility, then why
do we have to pay taxes? It has
been stateu that the roads have
to be "up to certain specifica-
tions" before the county will
maintain them. Well, why did
the county, at the time of
development, not require that
the developers build these roads
to specifications? I am fairly
sure that the county had to give
the developers a permit with
some requirements for them to
subdivide this land and set it up
as a residential area. I don’t
know, but one thing I do know
and that is - since that time
everyone has denied respon-
sibility for the upkeep.
So, once again, some
developer and county
bureaucrats have managed to
receive large sums of money
without giving them proper
service for those funds. 1, for
one, am tired of hearing that the
county can’t take care of these
side roads when the county can
and does insist that we all pay
our taxes. So, tell me how many
years does it take to become
county responsibility? Are we
like mineral rights retained only
by those who think we might be
of some financial gain to them
someday with no thought or
responsibility for us in the
meantime?
Has anyone noticed that al-
most every property owners’ as-
sociation in and around has
problems? But you can bet your
bottom dollar that the
developers and the county (i.e.
politicians) are behind them 100
percent
To the editor:
How long does it take a sub-
division to become a complete
part of this county and not just a
paying part? I live in Wiggins
Village No. 1 and this subdivi-
sion was developed by Wiggins
Land Co. some 25 or more years
ago. Wiggins did not (according
to older residents) upkeep the
roads so a "few people" decided
they could do better and decided
to incorporate and become a
Property Owners’ Association
instead of taking action to force
the developers to do what they
should have been doing.
This happened about 10 years
ago and the roads here for the
most part are still bad, but now,
in addition to riding rough
roads, they are fighting with
their neighbors (many of whom
they have slapped liens on) and
to top it off, Wiggins Empire,
according to papers filed in the
courthouse, reasserted on Jan. 3,
1988 the fact that they retained
the right to, at any time, make
such reasonable changes in or
waivers of any or aU of the
resti IcllOTTS,'
conditions'
covenants and assessments as
they, the original developer, in
its sole discretion might deem
reasonably necessary or
desirable without the approval
of the lot owners in the subdivi-
sion, etc. [O.R.] Vol. 705 pages
781 and 782 at the Polk County
Courthouse.
So, in essence, the incor-
porators did no more than take
the responsibility for the collec-
tion of assessments and main-
tenance off of Wiggins Em-
pire’s shoulders. I don’t know,
but I’d bet company officials
were smiling when they signed
ova- the "conditional authority"
to this group of people.
So in the end this subdivision
has been left in the lurch with
either not enough funds to main-
tain proper maintenance and/or a
group of persons without proper
knowledge of how to manage a
Alice GofT
1858 Wiggins Village No. 1
Livingston
Drive shows community's warmth
To the editor:
I would like to thank the
people of Polk County and our
local cleaners who participated
in the Coats for Kids Drive,
sponsored by the Polk County
schools and Polk County com-
missioners.
More than 300 items were
donated by community mem-
bers, churches and organiza-
tions, which were cleaned free
of charge by local dry cleaners
before distribution. Because of
these generous acts by all in-
volved, many needy children
and adults will be able to stay
warm this winter.
The community spirit shown
in this program proves that this
area indeed contains some of the
warmest, most compassionate
people in the world _
Most of the garments (coats,
sweaters and vests) were in good
condition and students will be
able to wear them to school or
for play with pride.
Our local cleaners participate
in this program each year,
receiving only our thanks for
their good will - and the
knowledge that they have made
a very unselfish contribution to
the community in which they do
business.
Thanks again!
Dianna LeBarron
LISD communications coor-
dinator
P.O. Box 1297
Livingston
Commissioners’ Court
Polk County Courthouse
Livingston
DEMOCRAT OR DICTATOR -
- Yasir Arafat may be longing for
the good old days when he could
sow unrest without worry. The in-
tifada was a cost of war for Israel,
but is now the price of peace for
Arafat.
As the leader of the Palestine
Liberation Organization officially
switches from soldier to statesman
- seeking to suppress uprisings he
once stoked - he is confronted by a
harsh new fact of life: the intifada
is a roadblock, not a route to self-
rule. Life as a guerrilla may prove
much simpler than life as a gover-
nor, as Israel prepares to withdraw
from the Gaza strip and Jericho.
Ruling newly liberated people
poses problems for someone who
has ruled the PLO by decree, fiat
and an iron-fist. Arafat controls the
purse strings, makes most major
decisions by himself and often acts
without advising even close allies.
Whether Arafat makes the transi-
tion from dictator to democrat in
the soon-to-be liberated Gaza Strip
and Jericho area is a question on
which the peace process might turn.
Last week marked the bloodiest
day of street battles since the sign-
ing of the Israeli-PLO agreement.
A quarter century of Israeli occupa-
tion has politicized Palestinians to
me point where Arafat’s agenda
may go unheeded. Add to that the
desperate mischief-making of the
militant Palestinian group Hamas,
and what Arafat confronts is a chal-
lenge that could engender some-
thing like Gaza gridlock.
LEGAL WRANGLING - This
fall, Albert Hale nearly decided to
make what he regarded as the ul-
timate sacrifice for his beloved
wife of five years: divorce her.
"I don’t want my wife to go to
jail,” says Hale. "If I can save her
from going to jail by divorcing her
then that’s a real option."
A 160-year-old federal law of-
fered little latitude. The Trading
with Indians Act of 1834 - which
prohibits all "commercial" trading
with Indians by employees of the
Indian Health Service or the
Bureau of Indian Affairs "in the
name of a family member or spouse
- carries a six-month jail sentence
and/or up to $5,000 fine. The
"case" against Hale appeared to be
open and shut.
Regina Hale is a Native
American who works for the IHS
as a staffing assistant. Her husband
practices law on the reservation
meaning they are in technical viola
tion of the law. Everything was
fine, however, until the couple
received a letter from the govern
ment warning her of the violation
and threatening her with "severe
disciplinary action, as well
criminal penalties."
The Hales have promised to fight
the government’s threats, and they
have two members of Congress on
their side; Rep. Jon Kyi, R-Ariz.
and Sen. John McClain, R-Ariz,
Win or lose, the lesson here is that
old and obsolete laws often die
hard.
Copyright 1993, United Fkture Syndicate, Inc
Candidate announcement policy
LIVINGSTON - The En-
terprise hopes to run announce-
ments from all candidates seek-
ing Democratic or Republican
nominations in the March
primary elections.
No announcements will be
published prior to actual filing
of candidacy.
Announcements may be
prepared by the candidate in ad-
vance and submitted to the
newspaper or a candidate may
contact the Enterprise for an in-
terview.
These one-time political an-
nouncements are considered
news stories. There is no charge
and the announcements will be
subject to editing.
Announcements must be
received within 21 days (three
weeks) alter the candidate has
filed with the party chairman
and will be published as soon as
possible, as space allows.
We prefer to run a picture of
the candidate with their an-
nouncement. For editorial pur-
poses, we will picture only the
candidate, although pictures
which include the candidate’s
family may be used in paid
political advertisements.
Those who already have a
suitable photograph may submit
it for publication with the an-
nouncement. For those who do
not have a photo, the Enterprise
staff will be available to take
pictures of candidates for use in
announcements and advertise-
ments which are to run in any
Polk County Publishing Co.
publication.
POLK COUNTY
ENTERPRISE
ALVIN HOLLEY, PUBLISHER
V Telephone Number 327-4357
(USPS 437-340)
Entered as Second-Class Matter at the Post Ofllce at Livingston,
Texas 77351 under the Act of Congress of March 3, 1987.
EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT
Barbara White, Editor
Van Thomas, Sports Editor
Greg Peak. Area News Editor
Don Hendrix. Special Sections Editor
Debbie Brown, Living Section Editor
Dan Eakln, Reporter
Gordon LeBarron, Photographer
PRODUCTION DEPARTMENT
Cameras / Platemaking
Don Holeman, Paul Holley
Pressroom Personnel
Adrian Dunn, Beamon Goodwin, Willis Woods
Mailroom / Circulation
Lee Torres. Phyllis Watson, Bonnie Skelton
Joseflna Celedon, Rosie Celedon
Composition Personnel
Dorothy Wilson, Composition Supervisor
Jennifer Cushman. Kathy Spencer, Lisa Singleton
ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT
Linda Holley, Ad Manager
Mary Jo Watson. Sandra Jackson,
Kay Loy Cuevas. Jennifer Birdwell
Linda Jacobs. Classified Manager
Linda Thompson
BOOKKEEPING DEPARTMENT
Georgia Bailey, Manager
Barbara Wilson. Laura Munson. Julia Hollis
SUBSCRIPTION RATES - $15.00 per year tax included, in county,
$16.00 per year, out of county. $17.00 per year out of state.
Published semi-weekly. Sunday and Thursday at 100 Calhoun In
Livingston. Texas by the Polk County Publishing Co.
Any erroneous reflection upon the character, sfading or reputa-
tion of any person, firm or corporation which may appear in this
newspaper will be gladly corrected upon being brought to the
attention of the publisher.
Opinions expressed in columns are those of the writer and not
necessarily those of this newspaper.
Opinions expressed in editorial are those of the Enterprise.
POSTMASTER: Postage Paid At Livingston. TX. Please Send Address
Changes To P.O. Box 1276, Livingston, Texas 77351.
Grandchild deserves support
Dear Ann Landers: Our son, who
is in his early 20s, has fathered a
child with a young lady who lives
in another slate.
Prior to knowledge of "Dec’s"
pregnancy, "Boyd" had intended to
break up with her, so apparently,
true love was not pan of their
relationship.
At this point, Dee hasn’t
demanded any financial assistance,
probably because she realizes that
Boyd doesn’t have much to offer.
She would, however, like for Boyd
to be a pan of their child’s life, if
only to show up a couple of times a
year, like Christmas and the child’s
birthday.
The baby will soon be a year old,
and Boyd has expressed no interest
in seeing him. We offered to buy
him a plane ticket, which he
refused to accept. Even though Dee
chased our son shamelessly, Ann,
we believe he is being unfair by ig-
noring her and their child.
Apparently, Boyd is trying to
forget his mistake, but we are
afraid he won’t be able to live with
himself years from now if he con-
tinues to behave as if Dee and his
child don’t exist.
We don’t know if we should
send a birthday gift to the
youngster or not. We are uncom-
fortable about establishing any kind
of bond or relationship under the
circumstances. We’ve encouraged
Boyd to get counseling, but he
refuses. Please advise us. --Con-
cerned Parents in Milwaukee
Dear Concerned Parents: I
hope you will send a gift and be a
part of your grandson’s life. Just
because Boyd is behaving in an im-
mature and irresponsible manner
does not mean that you must cut
yourself off from your grandson
and his mother.
Does Boyd realize that he is
obligated by law to support his
child? If not, someone should tell
him. He also needs to understand
how important it is for him to ac-
cept his son -- both for the child’s
sake as well as his own. Boyd has a
bit of growing up to do. Let’s hope
it happens soon.
Dear Ann Landers: This is the
first time I’ve disagreed with you in
all the years I’ve read you Column.
Dear heart, your response to
Ann
Landers
S> nriiratrd Columnist
"Oklahoma" was completely off the
wall. The writer was absolutely
correct that the way Americans
dress is a disgrace. Millions of us
are sick and tired of seeing people
in malls wearing lank tops, short
shorts, cutoffs and sandals, with
matted hair and dirty feet. They are
in airports and supermarkets and,
yes, theaters and churches as well.
Where is their pride?
The bride is barefoot. Even the
so-called movie stars are a dis-
grace. Nothing is glamorous
anymore. Celebrities appear in see-
through tops and get-ups they
would have been arrested for 10
years ago. This country is begin-
ning to look like an X-rated movie
and an unmade bed.
"Oklahoma" was right on, but
you disagreed with him. He called
it the way many millions of us see
it. Take another look, Ann. there
are too many slobs out there, and
they are an embarrassment to
decent people. -- West Milford,
NJ.
Dear N.J.: You win. Thousands
of readers can’t be wrong. I thought
the writer was being super-critical,
but I was stunned by the number of
people who mean it isn’t gold.
Is life passing you by? Want to
imporve your social skills? Write
for Ann Landers’ new booklet,
"How to Make Friends and Stop
Being Lonely." Send a self-
addressed, long, business-size en-
velope and a check or money order
for $4.15 (this includes postage and
handling) to: Friends, c/o Ann Lan-
ders, P.O. Box 11562, Chicago, III.
60611-0562. (In Canada, send
$5.05).
Open house this Tuesday
WOODVILLE - Concepts of
Care will be celebrating its 25th
anniversary with an Open House
celebration at the Woodville office
at 101 N. Pecan Street, on Tuesday,
Dec. 14, 2-4:00p.m.
Concepts of Care, Inc. is a name
familiar to many Texans needing
health care in the comfort of a
patient's own home. For twenty-
five years, thousands of physicians
and tens of thousands of their
patients have depended upon this
company's over 8,000 carefully
screened employees to serve over
10,000 clients each month in
dozens of cities and communities
offers are: home health care by
skilled nurses; home health aide to
assist patients in adjusting to caring
for themsel»es; physical and speech
therapy; personal care, from bathing
to shopping; and IV infusions and
therapy.
Concepts of Care, Inc. was
established in Texas in 1968 with
the philosophy that "integrity,
commitment to quality and
compassion" were ideals worth
upholding, according to company
spokesman, Jody Lowe.
The mission of this company
was, and still is, to provide quality
health care, support services and
products to individuals, with a
balanced emphasis on growth,
financial integrity, and personal
enrichment.
The company is licensed by the
a member of the Texas Association
for Home Care and the National
Association for Home Care. It is
Medicare-certified and Medicaid-
approved.
OFFICIAL RECORDS
■
JUSTICE COURT
Precinct 1
Judge Mary Placker presiding.
Criminal Docket
Robert West, burglary of a
habitation.
Vernon Lee Davis, Leggett, dis-
orderly conduct.
Sam Boyd Barnett, Livingston,
public intoxication.
Robert William Grah,
Livingston, public intoxication.
Mark Anthony Fernandes, for-
gery by passing.
Paul L. Dewalt Sr., DWI.
Paula Peacock, bond surrender.
Milton Peacock, bond surrender.
James Arnold Nunn, burglary of
a habitation.
George Duane Rains, burglary of
a habitation.
James Henderson, reckless con-
duct.
Bonds set
Shirlanda Connar, theft of serv-
ice, $1,000.
Mark Anthony Fernandes, for-
gery by passing, $10,000.
Betty Cedars, theft by check,
$1,000.
Lewis Oliver, felony theft (bond
forfeiture), bond not determined.
Gary Thomas, motion to revoke
probation (reckless conduct), bond
not determined.
Buster Rains, felony theft (bond
forfeiture), bond not determined.
J.C. Fleming, felony theft,
$10,000.
J.C. Fleming, felony theft,
$10,000.
James Henderson, criminal mis-
chief, $1,000.
Buster Rains, failure to appear
(felony theft), bond not determined.
Steven A. White, motion to
revoke probation (unlawfully carry-
ing a weapon), bond not deter-
mined.
Sam Junedo Jr., DWI (motion to
revoke probatio), bond not deter-
mined.
COUNTY COURT AT LAW
Judge Stephen Phillips presid-
ing.
Criminal Docket
Robert Earl Collins, Livingston,
DWI-2nd.
Ray Anthony McGowen,
Livingston, DWI-2nd.
DWI>n ^V3nS McVay- Livingston,
Michael Ray Prigmore, Coldspr-
ing, DWI.
James Wesley Williams, Hous-
ton, DWI.
Gary Nelson, Livingston, driving
while license suspended Class B.
Elzie Lee Ward, Houston, driv-
ing while license suspended Class
Sharon Lynn York, Huntsville,
criminal mischief Class A.
William McKinley Butler Jr.,
Corrigan, unlawfully carrying a
weapon Class A.
MARRIAGE LICENSES
Timothy Worden Harkness, 46,
Livingston and Debra Regina
Qualls, 35, Livingston.
John Wesley Neal, 21,
Livingston and Melissa Dawm Rut-
land, 19, Livingston.
Gary Don Taylor, 33, Livingston
and Tina Ramay Dunsmore. 25,
Livingston.
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White, Barbara. Polk County Enterprise (Livingston, Tex.), Vol. 111, No. 99, Ed. 1 Sunday, December 12, 1993, newspaper, December 12, 1993; Livingston, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth798025/m1/4/?q=music: accessed July 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Livingston Municipal Library.