Polk County Enterprise (Livingston, Tex.), Vol. 118, No. 49, Ed. 1 Sunday, June 18, 2000 Page: 1 of 29
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Polk County
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Sunday
June 18,2000
Volume 118 Number 49
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The Dominant News and Advertising Source in Polk County
UPS 437-340 Price: 50 cents
USD campus
near completion
> LIVINGSTON - Bleachers m
scheduled to be delivered Monday,
appliances were to be shipped on
$tidqy, school desks should arrive
by the end of this month and the
gymnasium floor will be ready by
the first day of school. In short,
everything is on track for the open-
ing of the Livingston Independent
School District's new junior high
school in August, Construction
Manager Bob Kingham told the
LISD Board of Trustees Thursday
night.
Continuing an update on the new
school project, Steve Santos with
the architectural firm of Pfluger and
Associates said the gymnasium
floor is nearly complete and half of
the subflooring for the practice gym
is in place. Ceramic tile is being
installed on second floor walls and
the floor tiling is complete in the
“black box" theater and cafeteria.
Having previously expressed con-
cern over the possibility of rain
damaging the practice gymnasium
floor, trustees reviewed two canopy
options for the gym door: a long
canopy with wide sidewalk to keep
rain away from the door or an
"eyebrow" canopy with a narrower
sidewalk. The board opted for the
larger canopy and sidewalk for an
estimated cost of $17,137.
Also reviewed were irrigation
system options. The board chose to
install a complete system which
will water grass in front of the jun-
ior high as well as the playing
fields behind the school building.
Engineer Gerald Harris presented
preliminary plans for construction
of an all-weather track and related
fencing on the new campus and was
given the go-ahead to proceed with
the project.
Prior to addressing regular busi-
ness items on the agenda for Thurs-
day's regular monthly board meet-
. ing, former trustee Elgin Davis was
' recognized for his service on the
-board. Davis served on the LISD
Board of Trustees for a total of 19
years before being defeated in the
May election.
Bids on carpet for the Commu-
nity Education building were re-
viewed, with the board accepting
the lowest of four bids received, a
$6,654 offer from Nation Rooting
In Humble. The carpet will be in-
stalled this summer
Bids received on the sale of delin-
quent tax properties in Commodore
Cape, Oak Terrace and Foresters
Retreat were rejected by the board.
- Contracts with the Region VI
Education Service Center were ap-
proved for the 2000-2001 school
year. Contracts cover the following
programs: Safe and Drug Free
Schools, Migrant Shared Services,
Distance Learning Program,
CommNet, Data Disaggregation
Service, Career and Technology As-
sessment, bilingual and English as
a Second Language contracted serv-
ices, media services, NovaNET,
Eisenhower Professional Develop-
ment and a school effectiveness
audit for primary, elementary and
intermediate campuses
Trustees also agreed to continued
participation in the Region VI co-
operative purchasing program
No action was taken on resolu-
tions to be presented to the Texas
Association of School Boards Dele-
gate Assembly in Houston this fall.
Administrative Assistant Judson
Pritchard presented an athletic report
for which he had asked each coach
to evaluate their programs He
noted that participation in sports
and cheerieading programs increase
by more than 100 students last
year
Overnight trips were approved for
FFA students to attend Area IX
Leadership Camp in Jasper and for
the Cub's Pride Drill Team to at-
tend a drill team summer camp at
Sam Houston State University July
12-15.
The board received notice of three
registered sex offenders residing in
the district.
District Police Officer Robert Al-
ston presented Mav and year-end ac-
tivity reports. In May. he responded
to 21 calls at the high school, 13 at
the junior high, five at the interme-
diate school, three at the elementary
and one at the primary. Through the
school year. August 1999 through
May 2000, there were 163 calls at
the high school. 96 at the junior
high, 24 at the intermediate. 17 at
the elementary and 10 at the pri-
mary.
He noted that none of the calls
involved firearms and that the num-
ber of narcotics-related cases were
down from the previous year, ex-
cept on the intermediate campus
which had three such incidents.
Following discussion in closed
session, the board accepted resigna-
tions from Mike Taylor, high
school coach/teacher; Karen Taylor,
junior high English teacher;
Stephanie Fritz, intermediate spe-
cial education teacher; and Kim
Stanley, second grade teacher
The following professional per-
sonnel were hired: Tonya Flink,
high school science; Lynn Harris,
junior high special education; Reba
Marrs, junior high assistant bond
director, David Powell, junior high
band director; Stuart Dunn, junior
high athletic director, which is a
new position; Pamela Maloney,
third grade; Peggy Schrick, elemen-
tary; Colleen McDonald, who is
transferring from special education
to fourth grade; Pat Pritchard, who
is transferring from the primary
school to fourth grade; and Tracy
Whittenburg, kindergarten.
Superintendent Janet Morris noti-
fied the board that the following
auxiliary personnel have been hired:
Judy Powell, junior high reception-
ist and Connie Miller, junior high
special education aide, both newly-
created positions; Dione McGuire,
See LISD pg. 8A
m, /-vi-t- r- EKTEMUK PHOTO IV COUON UgAKPtON
CUOLIN OFF — South Polk County VFD firefighter James Higginbotham uses a fire hose to
cool off some of the 46 youngsters attending the Big Thicket Cub Scout Day Camp Thursday at
Ace Community Park. The day camp lasted all week, culminating in a Fun in the Great Outdoors
Carnival on Friday. Thirty adult leaders led the Cub Scouts through BD gun firing, archery,
Frisbee golf and other outdoor games, in addition to songs, skits and story-telling. Coordination
skills (obstacle course) and various crafts were also taught. Program director is Jonathon Webb,
camp director is Tim Morkisch and the district executive for the Boys Scouts of America (BSA)
is Johnny Sprott. This is the third year for the day camp and the first it has been given BSA ac-
creditation.
For courthouse rehabilitation
Master plan complete
(Editor’s noto: This is the
ninth story in a series that
will examine Polk County’s
administrative and judicial
facilities and the need for a
present and future building
plan that will serve the best
interest of county govern-
ment and the taxpayer.)
By EMILY BANKS
Enterprise reporter
LIVINGSTON - Overcrowding
at the Polk County Courthouse and
concern for the future prompted the
Polk. County Commissioners'
Court in December to hire
Brooks/Coronado Associates of
Houston, an architectural and plan-
ning firm, to develop a master plan
for preservation of the historic
courthouse and annex building and a
master plan for the remodeling aid
expansion of the county’s adminis-
trative and judicial facilities.
As part of a state plan to renovate
and preserve historic courthouses, a
pool of $50 million has been estab-
lished and Polk County could feasi-
bly apply for a competitive grant of
up to $4 million.
If successful in its grant applica-
tion, the county would only have to
fund 15 percent of the project as the
grant would fund 85 percent of the
costs. Additionally, any funds ex-
pended on interior or exterior reno-
vations to the courthouse in the
past 30 months would also contrib-
ute toward die county’s 15 percent.
The first step is submitting the
master plan to the Texas Historical
Commission and die next step is
submitting die grant application.
Representing Brooks/Coronado
Associates. Bob Brooks recently
gave a progress report and presented
his recommendations during a joint
meeting of die “citizens advisory"
and “county ekcted/departmcnl
head" courdiouse facilities commit-
tees
The historic courdiouse master
plan is complete and the deadline
for submission is nearing.
According to Brooks, the overall
goal is to return die Polk County
Courthouse and courthouse annex
“to a state of utility, through repair
or alteration, which makes possible
an efficient contemporary use while
preserving diose portions and fea-
tures which are significant to its
historical, architectural and cultural
values
The rehabilitated and remodeled
courdiouse will continue to house
the office of the county judge and
the commissioners' court and future
centralized offices for the four
county commissioners.
Several county departments, ex-
panded lo meet their needs to 2015,
will be located within the court-
-house.
The remainder of the county de-
partments, primarily those involved
in the judicial process, are proposed
to be located across a plaza in a new
Polk County Judicial Center
The county has sought to expand
the courthouse site to encompass an
additional block that could become
contiguous with the closure of the
intervening street and this is only
possible to the south Property
owners across Mill Street, to the
south of the courthouse square,
have expressed a willingness to sell
to the county and preliminary dis-
cussions with the City of Living-
ston about the closure of Mill
Street between Washington Avenue
and Jackson Avenue have been
positive.
See COURTHOUSE pg. 2A
Big Sandy hoping
to boost offerings
WAREHOUSE COMING DOWN - Demolition work began in earnest Friday on the old City
of Livingston electric warehouse at 110 N. Washington Ave. The city council last month
awarded a bid for demolition of the structure, which had been unusable for years even before
the Easter weekend 1999 flood that sent the waters of Choates Creek through the building. The
entire demolition project is Expected to take about seven days.
D ALL ARDS VILLE - The oath
of office was administered to newly-
elected members of the Board of
Trustees of the Big Sandy Independ-
ent School District diving its regu-
lar meeting Monday and the board
called for an election on August 12
for trustee Position 5.
The board discussed its search for
business and computer teachers,
wanting to supplement the current
computer and business course offer-
ings with additional ones.
Bo Treadway was selected as
delegate, with John Davis serving
as alternate, for the 2000 Texas
Association of School Boards Con-
vention.
The board approved participation
in a cooperative with Goodrich aid
Leggett ISDs to share an officer
through the federally funded Tops
in Schools" program.
The board also approved a request
frpm the cheerleaders to turn an
older dressing room in the old gym
into a practice room.
A bid was awarded to Forefront
Communications for approximately
$32,000 for computer hardware aid
software under the Telecommunica-
tions Infrastructure Fund GIF)
grant PS7. The board also approved
participating in TIF grant LB5.
Following an executive session,
the board accepted the resignation of
John Roberts and approved the em-
ployment of Jayne Best as an ele-
mentary teacher.
During administrative reports.
Superintendent Darrell Myers up-
dated the board on summer mainte-
nance projects.
High School Principal Murry
Polk informed die board that he is
looking for an English teacher, a
baseball coach, a business and
computer teacher and a social sci-
ence teacher
Elementary Principal Kenneth
Graham informed the board that the
district has fulfilled its federal obti-
gahons with regard to participation
in the Tide I and Tide VI pro-
grams.
Other business included approval
of the minutes of the May 8 aid
May 9 meetings and the May ex-
penditures.
Sewer grant
being sought
ON ALASKA - During its regu-
lar meeting Tuesday, the Onalaska
City Council approved a request
from the Polk County Fresh Waser
Supply District No 2 to submit a
grant application to the 2001 Texas
Community Development Pro-
gram
Fred Alderman, president of the
fresh water district's Board of Dnc-
tors. and Sue Noms, district man
ager. were present at the meeting
and explained that the grant funding
is sought to furnish Canyon Park
with sewer service. The grant will
allow service to 51 homes in the
subdivision and the deadbne far
application is June 30.
Noms said response from resi-
dents in the subdivision has been
favorable
Council approved submission of
an applicauon for a Temple-Inland
Foundation grant for the purchase
of three new cars for the police de-
partment
Council accepted the resignation
of Robert Atkins and approved the
employment of Wanda Ryan as a
patrol officer.
Mayor Jeanne Ann Bvrd intro-
duced City Inspector Tom Edwards
who will be responsible for city
building permits.
During the mayor’s report, Byrd
reported that the March sales tax in
the amount of $30,713.21 was re-
ceived on May 12 and the April
sales tax in the amount of
$18,396.41 was received on June 9,
up nearly $4,000 from last year.
Byrd informed council that an in-
surance adjuster from Conroe came
and evaluated the roof and all of the
inside offices She said the air con-
ditioner leaks and is causing prob-
lems in the police chief s office and
in the secretary's office and that the
dram pans had rust which would
not allow the water to flow prop-
erly She said the air conditioner
needs to be repaired and the city is
acquiring several estimates Byrd
reported that the roof is in “good
shape" except for one place which
has rust and that the skylights are
leaking around the edges and need to
be sealed, but that “the main prob-
lem" is the air condi Doner Byid
reported that the adjuster estimated
$2,627.37 in damages with a
$1,000 deductible.
Byrd said she attended the Polk
County Chamber of Commerce
meeting and that the main topic of
discussion was a name change -
perhaps Lake Livingston Area
Chamber of Commerce or Greater
Livingston & Lake Area Chamber
of Commerce
Byrd reported that the city is con-
tinuing to work on commitments
of matching funds for a dty bro-
chure and is also still accumulating
photographs. The cost for 10,000
brochures from Anaqua Publishing
is $2,190.
The mayor reported that roadwork
on Gantry Road is “still a prob-
lem." as well as Old Trinity Road,
and that “hopefully, both roads will
be fixed properly in the future due
to the increase of traffic."
Byid reported that the annual
Fourth of July fireworks display
over Lake Livingston is “still a go”
for July 4 and that in the event of
See AREA pg. 2A
Student, employee
handbooks approved
LEGGETT - Employee and stu-
dent handbooks for the 2000-2001
school year were approved by the
Board of Trustees of the Leggett
Independent School District during
its regular meeting Thursday.
The board approved a request
from die county's delinquent tax
collection firm to bold an absolute
sale for lots or tracts conveyed to
Polk County by sheriff's deeth
from 1992-1997.
Although the board discussed par-
ticipation in a cooperative with Big
Sandy aid Goodrich ISDs to share a
full-time officer through the Tops
in Schools" program, the board
opted not to participate at this lime
However, the bored did approve
applicauon for a Telecommunica-
tions Infrastructure Fund (TIF)
grant for $50,000 for distant learn-
ing.
Although the bored entered into
an executive session to discuss per-
sonnel matters, no action was taken
upon return to open session.
Superintendent Wayne GeesUn
presented the monthly financial
statement and reported on the Lone
Star Investment Pod.
The bored discussed the adminis-
trative cost index report
Other business included approval
of the minutes and payment of out-
standing bills.
I
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White, Barbara. Polk County Enterprise (Livingston, Tex.), Vol. 118, No. 49, Ed. 1 Sunday, June 18, 2000, newspaper, June 18, 2000; Livingston, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth798628/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.