Hondo Anvil Herald (Hondo, Tex.), Vol. 109, No. 13, Ed. 1 Thursday, March 30, 1995 Page: 1 of 20
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V
A Texas Press Association Sweepstakes Award-Winning Newspaper
HONDO ANVIL I
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Volume 109, Number 13
Thursday, March 30,1995
Published In Hondo, Texas
Water news
keeps flowing
from Austin
> 6
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Our 109th Ye
Medina County’s Leading Newspaper
Two Sections, 20 Pages
50 Cents
New developments regarding the
Edwards Aquifer have been coming
out of Austin lately. Luana Buckner,
general manager of the Medina
County Underground Water Con-
servation District, reports that Sen-
‘ate Bill 418 recently passed in the
Senate 27-3.
SB 418 will leave the Edwards
Underground Water District in place
and give the EUWD additional au-
thority to make loans and grants for
water conservation equipment and
technology for agriculture and
ranching.
The bill is now in the Calendars
Committee waiting to be scheduled
for the House of Representatives.
House Bill 3042, Hied by Rep.
Robert Puente on March 10, is de-
signed to fix flaws in SB 1477. SB
1477 was hastily put together while
the threat of federal control of the
Edwards Aquifer loomed over the
state. SB 1477 places few restric-
tions on San Antonio, the biggest
user of the aquifer, while it puts
limits on Uvalde and Medina coun-
ties that could hurt ranchers and
farmers.
HB 3042 was heard by committee
and assigned to a subcommittee
whose members include Reps. Jerry
Yost, Gary Walker and Tracy King,
but no San Antonio representatives,
including Puente.
"This is good news, and could
provide opportunity to make
changes to SB 1477 that would offer
more protection to agriculture,'*
Buckner said.
HB 3042 includes a Well Permit-
ting and Metering Exemption for
wells that produce 25,000 gallons of
water per day or less for domestic or
livestock use, making them exempt
from permitting and metering re-
quirements. Exempt wells must reg-
ister with the authority or with an
underground water conservation
district in which the well is located.
HB 3042 also stipulates that a well
within or serving a subdivision re-
quiring platting does not qualify for
an exempt use.
HB 3042 includes a section for the
Evaluation of Augmentation Meth-
ods, where numerous methods for
enhancing the recharge for the aqui-
fer are listed. These include percola-
tion or injection of water from vari-
ous streams, lakes and rivers, dam
construction, recirculation and even
tapping other aquifers.
The bill also provides for exemp-
tions for nondiscretionary use for the
United States Department of
Defense missions and other uses for
which the authority finds
exemptions appropriate.
tfB 3042 even provides protection
for endangered species by requiring
See WATER NEWS, Page 2
“Hondo Night” planned
at Spurs-Blazers game
As the San Antonio Spurs take on and game ball presentation just prior
the Portland Trail Blazers, Tues., to the start of the contest
April 11, in the Alamodome, Hondo "We're honored that the Spurs have
residents will be ......... ■—- set aside a nigtu
just for Hondo,"
Shuler said. "We
hope everyone
heads to San Anto-
nio on April 11, to
show support for
honored with a
special pre-game
presentation dur-
ing the Spurs'
"Hondo Commu-
nity Night," an- ,______
nounced Jack Cochran, regional mar- our community."
keting manager for the Spurs, and Tickets for the game have been
Nan Shuler, president of the Hondo selling briskly, according to Chamber
Area Chamber of Commerce. Manager Elmo Pope. As of Wednes-
"Hondo has shown a great deal of day afternoon, 170 tickets had been
support for the Spurs and we felt that sold, and three charter buses had been
it was time Hondo residents were filled. Tickets may still be purchased,
recognized for their commitment to through Fri., April 7, at the Chamber
the team," said Cochran. "In honor of office, 1600 Ave. M in Hondo, For
Hondo, we'll have a special plaque more information, call 426-3037.
Little League opening day
begins early Saturday a.m.
If it doesn't seem like a year has
passed since the last Little League
season opened, don’t worry, it hasn't.
Opening ceremonies for the Hondo
Little League's 1995 are this Satur-
day, April 1, a full month earlier than
last year's start date in early May.
After the opening ceremonies Sat-
urday morning, the league will hold a
barbecue from 11 to 1 p.m.
A full slate of games will take place
all day at the Little League fields,
Ave. U at 28th Street in Hondo.
Opening ceremonies begin at 9
a.m., although all teams need to be
present at the fields by 8:30. Pictures
will be taken after the introduction of
players and formalities.
Garbage pickup
is behind schedule
Garbage Gobbler had scheduled
the week of Mar. 20-25 as Hondo's
residential area clean-up of bulky
waste and brush.
"Because of the thunderstorms and
high winds that blew through the area
in recent weeks, our brush collection
crews have fallen about 10 days be-
hind schedule," said a spokesman for
Garbage Gobbler. "We apologize for
any inconvenience this delay may
have caused and ask for your pa-
tience while we work diligently to
catch up."
Two 30-cubic yard dumpsters have
been placed on the northeast comer
of Harper Avenue and 7th Street (on
the airbase).
Residents who do not want to wait
for Garbage Gobbler crews may take
brush and large items there and place
them in the containers at no charge.
The containers will be at this loca-
tion until the clean-up is complete.
Thank you for your patience and
understanding," he said.
V
i
Jesse Watson, Texas JTS division head; John Wentz, recipient; Larry Oefinger, MEC general manager.
John Wentz gets Texas' top
cooperative safety award
The first day schedule begins at 10
a.m., and runs through early evening.
10 a.m.: Tee-Ball, Mets vs. Cardi-
nals, north field; Yankees vs. Braves,
south field.
11:30 a.m.: Tee-Ball, Astros vs.
Sluggers, north; Cardinals vs. Rang-
ers, south.
1 p.m.: Minor, Braves vs. Hondo
Cowboys, north; Hondo Astros vs.
Mets, south.
2:30 p.m. Minor, Hondo Rangers
vs. D’Hanis Rangers, north; Giants
vs. Yankees, south.
4 p.m.: Major, Rangers vs. Orioles,
north; Indians vs. Athletics, south.
6 p.m.: Major, Angels vs. Dodgers,
north; Major Softball, Blue Angles vs.
Rangers, south.
By Cheryl Zinsmeyer
Special ro the Anvil Herald
When John Wentz began
working at Medina Electric Coop-
erative, he had no idea what an im-
portant part the cooperative would
play in his life-and what an impor-
tant role he would have in the
history of the cooperative.
In 1949, fresh out of Hondo High
School, John went to work as a la-
borer (today's equivalent of a
groundman) at the electric coopera-
live-"the REA." He worked his
way through the ranks to line
foreman and finally to safely
coordinator in 1982.
Throughout his career he has
been instrumental in formulating,
revising and maintaining MEC’s
job training and safety program,
and last week at the Texas Job
Training and Safety Conference he
was presented with the professional
organization's highest honor, the
Ray Paniel Meritorious Service
Award.
Only one such award is given
annually by the Electric Power
Training and Safety Division of the
Texas Engineering Extension Serv-
ice, Texas A&M University
System.
In his comments, Jesse Watson,
division head, stated, "Not only
does John Wentz meet all the quali-
fications necessary for this award,
his dedication to the cooperative
and his outstanding work in the
safety program makes him very
deserving of the Ray Pantel Award.
"He has been an advisor, instruc-
tor, couselor, and more importantly,
an example of what a dedicated
employee ought to be, and a very
positive role model for his fellow
employees."
At 46 years of service, Wentz is
the most tenured Medina Electric
Cooperative employee. He has
served under every MEC general
manager, and has seen many
changes since he started out as a
laborer at 50 cents an hour. "Back
thtg\. thaj was good .money for a kid
to make,” he said.
He was offered truck-driving
du|y when he started out, and he
said he jumped at the chance. "As
the new guy, I wanted to make a
good impression, and driving the
only truck the crew used sounded
pretty important to me," Wentz
recalls. "That was in August. By
November, when the first norther
hit, 1 found out why the experi-
enced guys didn't want the job."
"The truck" was an old used
World War II vintage Army truck,
with no windshield, no doors, and
not much cab to speak of. "The
driver was completely unprotected
from the elements; he whs the only
one who didn't get to ride in the
back under a tarp. Boy, that wind
was cold!" he laughs. "I was stuck
with truck driving until a new man
came along."
He remembers, "There was no
such thing as an aerial basket truck,
so all the work had to be done off
the pole. Holes were dug by hand,
and we dug lots of them! And
trouble-shooting meant lots of
walking because roads and vehicles
weren't as good then. Especially
when creeks were impassable, we
walked many miles."
He says that besides the obvious
changes in modem equipment,
some of the biggest changes he has
seen on the job have been in the
areas of communications and
safety. "There used to be days
when we'd be out of radio contact
range all day. Now our communi-
cations system is so sophisticated,
we can stay in contact with almost
anyone at anytime. It makes our job
safer and more productive."
In his capacity as safety coordi-
nator, Wentz has been instrumental
in the writing and revision of
MEC's safety handbook, and has
overseen the job and safety training
of more than a hundred Medina
Electric Cooperative employees
over the years. He has worked all
of his 46 years at MEC without a
lost-time accident-a remarkable
safety accomplishment for a man
who has spent much of his time out
in the field.
"I'm very proud and touched by
this award," he says, adding, "but it
would have been impossible
without the cooperation of all the
employees of Medina Electric Co-
op. We've all done this together."
MEC general manager Larry Oe-
finger said, "This man typifies the
meaning of the term 'valued em-
ployee.' His dedication to his job
and his fellow employees is truly
an example for us all. In my
opinion, he's simply the best there
is."
John and Laura, his wife of
nearly 40 years, have two children,
Kay Bell and James Wentz, and
four grandchildren, David and
Daniel Bell and Emma and Frankie
Wentz. They are active members of
New Fountain Methodist Church,
and John is a Medina County
Museum director and member of
the Hondo Masonic Lodge.
Pruneda Post
Pruneda American Legifn Post
#524 will hold it monthly meeting
tonight, Thursday, Mar. 30, at the
post home.
Voter registration
deadline Thursday
Thursday, Apr. 6, at 5 p.m. is the
deadline for registering to vote in the
May 6 school and city elections, ac-
cording to Medina County Tax As-
sessor Collector Loraine Neuman.
Registration cards are available at
the tax office in Hondo, at county
substations in Devine and Castroville
and at the Hondo Public Library.
The Tax Office is open 8 a.m. to 5
p.m. weekdays. Registrations post-
marked Apr. 6 will also be accepted.
School happenings
Kindergarten registration will be
held Tuesday, Apr. 4,9-12 and 1-3.
See story on page one, section two.
McDowell School will host Career
Day Wednesday afternoon, Apr. 4.
Nominations will be accepted Apr.
3-7 for the gifted and talented pro-
gram at all three HISD campuses.
See story in section two for contact
names and phone numbers.
Time to
%
spring
forward
Daylight Savings Time goes into
effect for another year this weekend.
Saturday night, when you go to
bed, be sure to set all clocks ahead
one hour. DST becomes official at 2
a.m. Sunday, and will last through
Sun.,Oct. 29.
the weather...!
Anvil Herald weather observer Gerry
Bridges reports the following infotmirion
for the pest week:
Date
High
Low
Rain
Wed., Mar. 22
92
60
.00
Thu., Mar. 23
98
57
.00
Fri., Mar. 24
82
64
.00
Sat., Mar. 25
84
68
.00
Sun., Mar. 26
79
68
.00
Mon., Mar. 27
69
60
00
Tue., Mar. 28
67
57
.00
Total rain for past week: 0.00 in.
Total rain for March: 0.00 in.
Total rain for 1995: 4.00 inches
Rainy days in 1995: 6
Avg. high temp, for the week: 81.6°
Avg. low temp, for the week: 62”
High temp, for 1995: 98°. on March 23
Low temp, for 1995: 30”, on Jan. 31
Rain in 1994. thru Mar. 28: 6.81 in.
Rain in 1993, thru Mar. 28: 3.42 in.
This newspaper Is produced
w with 25% recycled content
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«. PHOTO BY FRANCES GUINN
ONCE IN A LIFETIME? IT HAPPENED AGAIN!... Arthur Lutz of D'Hanis was amazed and pleased last year when three of Ns cows delivered
twins in less than a month (Jan. 5,20 and 25). The timing wasnl quite as precise this year - it took two months -- but three more sets of twins
were bom (Jan. 3, Feb. 18, Mar. 2). Two of the cows delivered twins both years. Of the dozen calves, only one was rejected by the mother and
is being bottle-fed. Lutz said only twice before in his more than 40 years Of rancNng did any of Ns cattle deliver a set of twins. His herd
currently consists of 25 head, including one bull.
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Hondo Anvil Herald (Hondo, Tex.), Vol. 109, No. 13, Ed. 1 Thursday, March 30, 1995, newspaper, March 30, 1995; Hondo, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth818553/m1/1/?rotate=90: accessed April 25, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Hondo Public Library.