Hondo Anvil Herald (Hondo, Tex.), Vol. 99, No. 37, Ed. 1 Thursday, September 12, 1985 Page: 4 of 24
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Page 4, September 12, 1985, Hondo Anvil Herald
Anvil Herald
Viewpoint
A page of comment and opinion
Editorial ★ C
Council paid price
for closed sessions
We said the following things at the Tuesday night meeting of
the Hondo City Council, but we feel justified in repeating them
so that the people of Hondo may make up their own minds
about certain events which have transpired recently.
In theory, certain elements of the state’s Open Meetings Law
are viable and necessary. In practice, that is seldom the case.
Executive, or closed, sessions of public bodies are rife with
abuses and actual transgressions of the law, and that point
was made clear at the council meeting Tuesday night.
Several weeks ago, the council met in closed session to dis-
cuss personnel matters. As is usually the case, the council
apparently wandered all over the spectrum in its discussions,
including some comments about City Treasurer Vickie Smith
and the matter of merit raises.
From remarks made at the meeting this week, it is obvious
that Mrs. Smith was much discussed at that gathering. It is
just as obvious that the council violated the law. That particu-
lar law provides that a person under discussion has the right to
be present, or to request that the meeting be made public if he or
she so desires. Mrs. Smith was not at that meeting of which she
was a topic, and she probably could make a fair case if she
chose to pursue the matter through the courts.
Tuesday night's meeting is a fine illustration of how public
bodies can delude themselves into thinking they are doing the
right thing by going behind closed doors. When the topic came
up, there was much disagreement about what was said at those
two closed meetings. The result was disagreement, some of it
heated, and a generally unpleasant atmosphere as the council
members tried to recall just what went on.
How much simpler and more pleasant if the council had not
closed the door on the discussion of an employee whose salary,
after all, is paid by the public That is something council
members and others should keep in mind when going about
their business. It’s the public’s business, and they have the
right to know -Vic Parker
Sparks
noted “I don't think you had any
authority.”
Rhea responded that he was
instructed by the mayor to grant the
increase, adding, “I usually do what
the mayor tells me to do.”
Hackebeil agreed that there was
some discussion that the council
would consider the merit increase for
Mrs. Smith if the money was paid
back He then said the money had
been paid by check by Mrs. Smiths
father, Charles McDonald. “I don't
know what business Mr. McDonald
has in any of that,” Hackebeil added.
‘1 personally am getting fed up
with all that itsy, bitsy details,and
now we’re muddying the waters some
more." Decker added that he was
"sick of the whole mess" and ready to
eliminate the office.
Hardt then entered the conversa-
tion, saying that it was ‘the mayor's
feeling and I recall that the discussion
was that if Vickie repaid the money it
would all be water under the bridge.
He felt that since the debt was paid, it
was all right to give her the merit
raise.”
“What good is it going to do?” Rhea
asked, noting that the council wants
him to restructure Mrs Smith's
duties. ‘She reports to me and that's
who she should report to. It's my neck
if she messes up, and then you (the
council) will come after me. All it’s
going to do is ball it up.”
McDonald told the council that he
qualified the check he gave the dty.
“I qualified it because otherwise it
could have been credited to my utility
bill,” he said. ‘She needed the money
and I helped her."
The motion passed by the council
included realignment of Mrs. Smith’s
duties and a rollback of her salary to
the amount before the merit raise
Hackebeil said, however, that he
didn't see any changes in Mrs.
Smith’s responsibilities.
The council is expected to deal
again with the situation when it
meets in a special session Tuesday.
Earlier, the council terminated the
services of consulting engineer Ed
Harvey. Again, the topic was on the
agenda at the request of Hackebeil,
who said he was concerned about
several incidents surrounding the
dty'k *16 million water project.
The council last month rejected all
bids on the project designed to
upgrade the tmnidpal water system.
“I felt like the way it was handled and
put out for bids was a far cry from
what was necessary,” Hackebeil said.
His objections, he said, included the
fact that the project was advertised
only in the Anvil Herald and not in
any trade publications; that the low
bidder left as a deposit a company
check rather than a certified check;
and that a partner in the bid with the
low bidder had filed for bankruptcy.
He added that one contractor
interested in bidding told him that he
did not receive a set of plans until the
week of the bid opening.
The councilman went on to
question the amount of money
Harvey has been paid since February.
Noting that the engineer has been
paid some *201,000 through August,
Hackebeil said it appeared Harvey’s
fees would exceed 15 percent of the
project total.
Pointing out that such fees usually
amount to six or seven percent,
Hackebeil wondered aloud if Harvey
planned to refund the dty approxi-
mately *130,000, the difference be-
tween a seven percent fee and a 15
percent fee.
Rhea explained that such fees
generally are paid 75 percent
"upfront,” and five percent at the
time bids are accepted. If the fee
figure is too high, Rhea said, “you
back off of the remaining 20 percent .”
Hackebeil said he wasn’t interested
in percentages, but in the bottom line.
“It looks to me like we've been on a
pretty good ride,” he added, “and I’m
ready to get off the train. I think itfc
been handled poorly from the start,
and I don’t think Ed did us a very
good job.”
Rhea said he was familiar with
three licensed engineers in San
Antonio, but added that he didn’t
think the dty will be able “to get one
engineer to critique another's work.”
Rhea added that It was his opinion
that the plans for the water project
belong to the dty.
—Letters Policy—
Readers are reminded that the Anvil Herald solicits letters to
the editor, and we urge the reading public to participate in this
public forum.
Letters should be on a single subject and should be reasona-
bly brief and to-the-point. Letters must be signed in order to be
published, but the name of the writer will be withheld if
requested.
The Anvil Herald reserves the right to edit letters for news-
paper style and good taste. Potentially libelous material will be
edited.
Letters to the editor should mailed in care of the editor to the
Anvil Herald, Box 400, Hondo, 78861.
m
Letters to the Editor
Gratitude
Dear Editor,
I would like to take this
opportunity to express my
gratitude to the fair associa-
tion and all of those who make
Revaluation hitting property owners hard
By Bill Berger
Long range effects of the
recent order by the Texas
legislature to evaluate all real
property at actual market
value are hitting hard all over
the state these days.
The theory is that if all
property bears the actual
market value in evaluation,
the tax rates can be lowered,
and property will be more
fairly taxed.
In actual practice, it ap-
pears that appraisers search
for the highest priced real
estate transactions they can
Find, and then assume that
others will receive as much
money if they try to sell.
It ignores the fact that
sometimes suckers pay way
too much for property -and
ignores the fact that some
times real estate is used by
F
R
people with vast income to
write off federal income tax
credits. It often bears no rela-
tion to actual value.
The difficulty comes when
the notices hit all at once, and
the individual property owner
is expected to dig up his
neighbor's valuation for com-
parison, check other sales to
see if the property might bring
that much, and then set up an
appointment to argue with
the appraiser, and if that
fails, wait his turn to appeal to
the appraisal board.
The date for all this activity
means that about 10 days
elapse from the time notices
go out until the individual
needs to make his complaint
known, if he has any . Then he
must write a protest to the
appraisal board by Sept. 16,
and hearings are to be all
done between Sept. 16 and 20.
Anticipated date for approval
of the appraisals is Sept. 20.
Shown here is one example
of the way things are going,
and the Anvil Herald has
been informed of many oth
ers. This particular piece of
property is six acres which
surrounds the KRME radio
tower just east of the Hondo
cemetery. It is basically bare
land, plus weeds and one tree,
with an 8x10 hollow tile build
ing housing the transmitter
equipment, with a 185 foot
tower nearby. The equipment
is old and fairly valued, being
listed at about what it might
be sold for, if a buyer could be
found, and if it were for sale. It
is sort of like an old tractor, in
working order, but that’s all.
The real estate, however,
was almost tripled in valua-
tion from the last time, and
that was already high. It
seems that the appraiser now
thinks that 6 acres are worth
$30,000
We wonder if there are any
taxpayers who feel as we do,
that there seems to be a patt-
ern of picking the highest
price ever recorded, and then
setting all property at that
rate. If there is no objection,
that is final, and once approv-
ed, any change is a long, tor-
tuous legal process designed
to make the ordinary tax-
payer give up before he starts.
The danger is that even if
rates are lowered this year,
the temptation can be over-
powering to elected officials
when they realize how much
more money can be raised by
simply upping the rate a few
points, and if commissioners
and judges in San Antonio or
Houston are worth $50,000
per year , certainly others are
just as competent, and de-
serve a fair salary. It will be
real easy, folks; all it takes is a
little boost in the rate once the
valuation is over the moon.
We would welcome letters to
the editor. Perhaps there are
better examples of which we
are not aware. In some states,
all property values are pub-
lished in the local papers once
every four years, so that
neighbors can easily make
comparisons. In Texas, how-
ever, it is a practical impossi-
bility for anyone to devote the
time and effort to making a
real comparison.
the fair and fair queen contest
possible, especially Gill Sav-
ings, for their sponsorship of
the pageant.
This past weekend, I had
the privilege to represent the
Medina County Horse Club in
the pageant, which was for
me a real learning experience.
The fair can also be very
educational as well as fun for
everyone throughout our county.
We are able to enjoy the rich
heritage which is ours in the
agricultural area.
Such traditions and skills
are displayed throughout the
fair at the various contests
and booths.
I hope everyone will take
advantage of the multitude of
events and come to the fair
this weekend.
Sincerely,
Britta Boubel
l.U-lfO V..H- it iKI. - MU
O MEDINA CO APPHL UI ST
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HONDO TFXAS 788bl
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rwf TEXAS LeOISLA WAS DOCS NOT StT 1HC AMOUNT or YOUR LOCAL TAXiS. YOUR PROPCRTY TAX BUROBN IS OEOJOEDBY YOUR
locally eLecreo ornctALS and all mouiRies coNceRNiNp your taxes should be directed to wose officials *
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tho *oh*o of pvoporif It 0 tOBbiyor ObjoctB loIhcrooothf toaoB ohd tovBmmorit OEpBodhocoa ,ho t tho __________________
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RADIO MEDINA INC
BOX *00
HONDO TX 78861
10270000000
PLEASE REAO: If you ImI Ifid the currant proposed value lor the above deecrlbed property la Incorrect, pleaee contact the appralaal dlatrict office Immediately at
^12 26“'30 35 It the Chief Appraiser ta unable to reaolye the aituallon. you will be given an opportunity to echedule a hearing with the
Appralaal Review Board In order to be entitled to a hearing, you muat file a written proteat with the Appralaal Review Board by SEP 16 1985
Anticipated date for approval of the appralaal recorda by the Appralaal Review Board la SEPT 20 1985 . A coqV of a
notice of proteat form can be obtained from the appralaal dlatrict office, the Appralaal Raview Board, or the State Property Tax Board. The Appralaal Board will begin
otMtson SEPT 16-20 1985 9 TO 5 IN THE APPRL 0IST OFFICE
SCHEDULED ALPHABETICALLY AS FOLLOWS A-E SEPT 16sF-J SEPT 17
K—0 SEPT 18.P-T SEPT 19.II-Z SEPT 20 1
AP^Vs*
Hondo Anvil
Herald
Publlehed et 1601 Avenue K, Hondo
Medine County, Tex. 78861
Entered et the Hondo Poat Office
aa Second Claea Mall
U.S.P.S. Number 24S280
Publlehed every Thuraday In Hondo, Tex.
by Aeeodeted Texaa Newapepera. Inc.
William E. Berger, Preeldent
Vic Parker, Publlaher
Ann Parker, Advertlelng Director
France* Proctor, Newe Editor
Jeff Berger, Sport! Editor
EHxabeth O'Neal, Stan Reporter
Anna Corona, Advertlelng Sale*
Batty Halle, Ad Compoeltor
Billie Ann Burrell, Ad Compoeltor
Beatrice Koch, Claaelfled Ad Manager
Sue Lee, Bualneee Manager
Cathy Walton, Bookkaapar
Roaa Domlnguai, Compoaltlon
Johnny Silva, Photography
Tony Mendoza, Production SupL
Nora Sanchax, Production Aaalatant
DEADLINES
Advertlelng Copy-5 p.m. Monday
Editorial Copy-Noon Tueeday
Claaelfled Ad Copy-10 a.m. Tueeday
The Caafrovfffe Anvil, Eel. 1SSS
The Hondo HonU EeL 1891
Coneolldated-Oct. 17,1903
The LaCoate Lodgor Eat. 1S1S
Consolidated—June t, 1051
Any *rmnem B redectlon upon the character,
standing or reputation of any person, llrm
or corporation which may appear In The
AnvU HoroU will be corrected upon being
brought to the attention of the publisher.
No charge le made lor publication of
notices of church or other public gather-
ings where no admission le charged. When
admission Is charged or when goods or
wares of any kind are ottered lor sMe, The
Anvil Hereto * special advertising rates wNI
■ddIv
In the event ol an error In an ad. the
refundable amount shall be no greeter
then the amount of space occupied by the
error when figured on ■ coiumrvtnch bests.
SUBSCRIPTION RATES
In Medina County-S10.S1 per year
In Teiae~t12.ll per year
(Tax Included)
Out-of-Btale-ttt per year
POSTMASTER: Sand address changes to
Tho Hondo Anvff HonU, P.O. Box 400,
Honda Tex. 78881.
512-526-S673
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Proctor, Frances Reitzer. Hondo Anvil Herald (Hondo, Tex.), Vol. 99, No. 37, Ed. 1 Thursday, September 12, 1985, newspaper, September 12, 1985; Hondo, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth818395/m1/4/: accessed April 24, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Hondo Public Library.