Hondo Anvil Herald (Hondo, Tex.), Vol. 116, No. 4, Ed. 1 Thursday, January 24, 2002 Page: 1 of 44
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HONDO ANVIL HERALD
Volume 116, Number 4
Thursday, January 24, 2002
Published in Hondo, Texas
Wchstir HondoAnvilHeriild.com
Our 1L_. .car
Medina County's Leading Newspaper
Two Sections, 28 Pages
50 Cents
Welcome
to the
2002
Medina
County
Junior
Livestock
Show
Medina Co. Fair Grounds
FM 462 North of Hondo
Chamber hosts
livestock show pool
Individuals or small business per-
sons who would like to support the
young people who participate in the
Medina County Jr. Livestock Show,
may want to contribute to the pool
being collected at the Hondo Area
Chamber of Commerce.
By joining together those who are
unable to purchase animals individu-
ally are able to give greater support
to the county’s youth.
Drop your donation off at the
chamber office, 1802 Ave. M, by
2:00 p.m. Friday .
Ad valorem tax
deadline is Jan. 31
January 31, 2002, is the last day to
pay the 2001 ad valorem tax to the
Hondo Independent School District
and other taxing entities without pen-
alty and interest. An additional 7%
will be charged on payments post-
marked or brought in on Feb. 1.
If anyone has questions about their
HISD values or exemptions, please
call 830-426-3904 as soon as pos-
sible. Office hours are from 8 a.m. to
4 p.m. at 802 27th Street, Hondo.
Payments mailed should be sent to
Hondo ISD Tax Office, PO. Box 308,
Hondo 78861.
Medina County Tax Assessor/Col-
lector Loraine Neuman said the same
deadlines hold true for taxes collected
by her office at 1102 15th Street..
March primary
dates approach
Early voting by mail for the March
12, 2002, General Primary Election
will run from Jan. 26 through Mar. 5.
Early voting by personal appear-
ance will be Feb. 25 through Mar. 8.
All political statements are consid-
ered paid advertising. There is a $5
charge to run a photo.
Blood drive to benefit
Coach Ron Garvick
Hondo football and track Coach
Ron Garvick will be held Tuesday, 10
a.m. to 6:30 p.m., at D'Hanis State
Bank - Hondo branch,
Anvil Herald weather information recorded by
Gerry Bridges; reported by Alex Bravo
Date
High
Low
Rain
Wed., Jan. 16
70
46
.00
Thurs.,Jan. 17
77
53
.00
Fri., Jan 18
52
50
.00
Sat., Jan. 19
65
53
.00
Sun., Jan. 20
65
40
.00
Mon., Jan. 21
68
40
.00
Tues., Jan. 22
78
41
.00
Total rain for the past week: 0.00 in.
Total rain for January: 0.30 in.
Total rain for 2002: 0.30 in.
Avg. high temp, for the week: 67.8°
Avg. low temp, for the week: 46 I °
High temp, for 2002: 78° on Jan. 23
Low temp, for 2002: 25° on Jan. 3
PHOTO BY DIANE COSGROVE
STOCK SHOW READY... Megan Wehrheim, a junior at Natalia High School, was hard at work Wednes-
day afternoon at the fairgrounds, preparing pens for the Medina County Junior Livestock Show. The show,
which gets underway today, will culminate with an auction beginning at noon Saturday. Come on out to the
Medina County Fairgrounds, FM 462 north of Hondo, and see the results of the work these young people
have done.
Disposal contract
changes operators
Hondo Disposal sells assets to South Texas Refuse
By William Hoover
Anvil Herald Correspondent
Hondo City Council voted unani-
mously Tuesday night to reassign the
city’s solid waste disposal contract
with Jerry Weisinger’s Hondo Dis-
posal t,o a Hondo resident James
(J.T.) Hooten. The new owner is mak-
ing his first venture into the solid
waste disposal business. Hooten will
buy the assets of Hondo Disposal and
rename the business South Texas
Refuse, to more accurately reflect the
area in which he plans to provide
solid waste disposal services.
Mayor Jim Barden prefaced the
discussion by informing council that
city staff had engaged in long discus-
sions with lawyers regarding the
city’s contract with Hondo Disposal.
City Attorney Rhonda Jolley told the
mayor changes to the contract in-
cluded clarification of definitions
Requirements for the city wide
cleanup campaigns were also rewrit-
ten. The original contract with Hondo
Disposal was for five years. Their
current contract is not due to expire
until Sept. 30, 2005.
Barden then told council the city
had been given notice that Weisinger.
had agreed to convey the remaining
three and a half years of his contract
to Hooten. Weisinger also agreed to
pay the city $15,911 for fall 2000
cleanup expenses incurred by the
city, if council agreed to the convey-
ance of the contract.
Weisinger addressed council first
to explain the transition. “J .T Hooten
will (change the company's name).
Eventually, it will all be his. however,
not at first I will stay on to help him
learn the business at least the lirst
couple of months,” said Weisinger.
The new solid waste entrepreneur
said he intended to improve the city’s
garbage eollcetion services and ex-
plained his intentions to council. “Mr
Weisinger will have a vested inter-
est," said Hooten. "This move will
make the company locally financed,
owned, and operated."
Hooten said the name South Texas
Refuse more accurately described his
business' scope, as he intended to
eventually provide garbage collec-
tion services throughout the region
Hooten hopes to add other cities and
counties to the disposal business he
hopes to build
“I’ll take Hondo Disposal’s assets
to grow my business and. after I learn
the ropes. Jerry can move back to his
hometown of Kerrville," Hooten said
Councilwoman Carmen Hernandez
told Hooten that there had been poor
service in the past, and she cautioned
him to provide better customer service.
She said some of the current employ-
ees were rude. “(The citizens) have a
right to complain." said Hernandez.
"They have had lousy service."
Councilman Todd Hargrove asked
Hooten what his philosophy was re-
garding service and employee ac-
countability.
"My people will be accountable to
me and, if they don't do their job right,
they will be released," said Hooten
He assured the council he would be
sensitive to the needs of customers and
would develop guidelines for employ-
ees to follow with regard to customer
relations and service.
Hooten assured Councilman Arturo
Barrientes lie intended to continue to
live m Hondo to closely manage the
new business. "Besides, my wife
wouldn’t let me move." he added.
In response to a question from
Barden, Hooten said he planned to
have South Texas Refuse in business
by Feb. I. However, he would require
Weisinger's experience to help him
make the transition and to learn the
fundamentals of the automated gar-
bage disposal business.
Hernandez continued to air previ-
ous complaints about Hondo Dis-
posal claiming they did not perform
a fall cleanup as required by contract.
Mayor Barden explained Hondo Dis-
posal was not at fault for the lack of
a cleanup campaign.
"We made the decision to cancel the
cleanup because of the tornado,” said
Barden. "It seemed silly to have a city
cleanup when we needed to clean up
from the tornado. If we had called for
another cleanup after the tornado, who
knows what would have happened?”
"Staff was working on the fall
cleanup, but then the tornado hit," ex-
plained City Manager John Vidaurri.
"It has not gone to the wayside,"
said Barden.
Before the city's solid waste dis-
posal contract could be transferred,
council needed to approve the newly
negotiated contract worked out by the
city attorney. Councilman Bob Heyen
made a motion to approve the
changes to the contract. Councilman
Doug Rivers seconded the motion,
which passed by a 4-1 vote over the
opposition of Hernandez.
After council approved changes
which clarify the contract, Heyen
made the motion to authorize the city
manager or the mayor to assign the
remainder of city’s five-year fran-
chise contract from Hondo Disposal
to Hooten’s South Texas Refuse. Af-
ter being seconded by Barrientes, the
motion to convey the contract passed
by a unanimous vote.
Zion Lutheran Church, Castroville,
to celebrate 150 years of ministry
The congregation of Zion Lutheran
Church in Castroville cordially invites
the community to join them this Sun-
day, Jan. 27, in the celebration of their
150th anniversary as a congregation.
On Jan. 29. 1852, the congregation
of Zion was officially organized with
twelve charter members under the lead-
ership of Pastor Christian Oefinger,
who had come to Castroville from Ger-
many. In 1854 the first church build-
ing was completed on the same site
now occupied by the present church
building, which was built in 1939.
Twenty three pastors have served
Zion through the years. Descendenls
of several of them will be present for
the anniversary festivities. Several of
the former pastors will be participat-
ing in the worship service, as will one
of the sons of the congregation who
is now an ordained minister. Joining
them in the celebration will be Bishop
Ray Tieman of the ELCA’s South-
western Texas Synod, and Rev. Anne
Kolmeier, the church’s current pastor.
There is a day full of activities
planned. Festival worship begins at
10:00 a.m. at the church. At 2:00 p.m.
there w ill be a program of memories
and celebration at Koenig Park Hall.
For those arriving in town early, there
will he a homecoming reception on
Saturday, Jan. 26, 2-4 p.m. in the
church's youth building.
The community is invited to any
and all of these activities, joining the
congregation of Zion in thanksgiving
and celebration.
Another possible site
proposed for library
City now looking at land east of Square
By William Hoover
Anvil Herald Correspondent
Hondo City Council has authorized
the addition of a new site to the list
of possible homes for the Hondo Pub-
lic Library. Council members eagerly
accepted a location east of Memorial
Park Square. Mayor Jim Barden said
the new site was his favorite of all
the proposed locations.
The newest property in question is
located at the intersection of Ave. K and
20th St., across from Memorial Park.
The library board initiated a search
for a location to construct an enlarged
and modernized library in 1998 In
2000, the library search committee
identified four possible sites: the
Hondo Furniture Center; the French
property at Ave. K and 15th St.; prop-
erty next to the community center;
and the present library location.
Library board member Melissa
Gonzales addressed council in hopes
of having the new location added to
the list of recommended library sites.
“City Manager John Vidaurri made
the library board aware that property
owned by Clyde Haak on the east
side of Memorial Park was avail-
able," explained Gonzales. "We ask
it be added to the list of potential sites
for the new library.’’
"It would be a wonderful place for
a library with the park across the
street," said Barden.
Vidaurri informed council that St.
John’s Catholic Church has plans to
build a parking lot and he believed the
city could negotiate an arrangement
for patrons of the public library and
the church to share the parking spaces.
"It would help solve parking prob-
lems,’’ said Councilman Arturo
Barrientes.
"It is an excellent location for a li-
brary," agreed Councilman Doug
Rivers
Gonzales asked Barden il council
had any timetable for selecting a site
and beginning construction of a new
public library for Hondo
Barden said council had been wait-
ing to make sure they picked the best
option for the library 's iocation. The
library board had earlier suggested the
city try to obtain the property at Ave.
K and 15th St. However, council was
less than enthusiastic about the pro-
posed location, even though members
of the library board were anxious to
move forward If the new location is
agreeable to council and the library
board, the process will no doubt ac-
celerate, according to the mayor
“We have enough library funds
budgeted to purchase the land,” said
Councilman Bob Heyen.
The mayor said he could support
the new site and suggested council
could act soon if the price of the
property was within budget. The li-
brary has $172,890 budgeted for
purchase of land on which the new
library will be built.
"That site strikes my fancy,” said
Barden. "I like the idea of being
across from the park. We need to fig-
ure out how to proceed. We will have
to contact Mr. Haak and find out his
asking price. If it is within reason,
we could vote on the location in one
or two months. Constructing a new
library building would take longer.”
Heyen made the motion to accept
the new location as a possible site
for a new Hondo Public Library The
motion passed by unanimous vote,
after being seconded by Barrientes
Superintendent’s
contract extended
Rushing remains football coach;
Carroll named interim athletic director
After a lengthy executive session
Monday night, the Hondo ISD Board
of Trustees voted to extend the con-
tract of Superintendent Doug
Coleman by one year.
Board members voted 4-3 to ex-
tend the contract of the superinten-
dent through the 2004-05 school year
Voting in favor of the extension
were board members Wavne Stein.
David Folin. Rick Gonzales and
Bubba Laughinghouse. Voting
against were James Gonzales. Alan
Bohlen and Mike McWilliams.
Earlier in the meeting, the board
reached a decision regarding the
employment of head football coach
Jack Rushing.
A prepared statement from the dis-
trict read. "After careful consider-
ation, Mr. Jack Rushing has decided
to relinquish his position and obliga-
tions as athletic director for the
Hondo Independent School District.
Mr. Rushing's decision will allow him
to devote his energy and attention to
teaching and the further development
of the Hondo ISD football and track
programs The board of trustees has
agreed to Mr. Rushing's request, as
well as the restructuring ol Mi
Rushing's contract and job duties."
Terms of Coach Rushing's con-
tract were not disclosed.
The district also appointed Hondo
High School Principal Larrv Carroll
as interim athletic director for the re-
mainder of the 2001-02 school vear.
Council sets May 4
for city elections
By William Hoover
Anvil Herald Correspondent
At their regular meeting on Tues-
day night, Hondo City Council mem-
bers called for the May 4 city elec-
tions to proceed as scheduled
The Place #3 council seat, cur-
rently held by Carmen Hernandez,
the Place #4 seat, held by Arturo
Barrientes, and the Place #5 seat, held
by Bob Heyen, will be on the ballot
this election cycle.
Council members elected in May
will serve a two-year term expiring
in May 2004.
Filing for candidates who wish to
run for one of the council seats will
begin on Tuesday, Feb. 19 The fil-
ing deadline to run for one of the
three at-large council seats is 5 p.m.
on Wednesday, March 20.
Mayor Barden recommended Henry
Sticgler serve anothef two-year term as
election judge. He also recommended
Carol Calkins to serve another two-
yearterm as alternate judge. Council-
man Doug Rivers made the motion to
accept the election order and the ap-
pointments of election judges. I he
motion passed by unanimous consent
after being seconded by Barrientes.
The city has budgeted $2,000 for
election costs such as judges’ and
clerks’ pay, election supplies, and
printing expenses.
Anyone wishing to vote in the city
elections must register to vote no later
than Thursday, April 4. Early voting
will begin Wednesday, April 17 and
will run through Tuesday, April 30.
Voting in city hall will run from 7
a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday. May 4.
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Hondo Anvil Herald (Hondo, Tex.), Vol. 116, No. 4, Ed. 1 Thursday, January 24, 2002, newspaper, January 24, 2002; Hondo, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth819095/m1/1/: accessed April 24, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Hondo Public Library.