Wednesday's Internet Edition, September 08, 2010.
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| Remodeled Clubhouse a positive.... The Town of Van Horn has spent a lot of money, recently, to remodel the Clubhouse at the Mountain View Golf Course. The remodeled facility will certaiinly have a positive impact on the course and those who play there. Pictured above is the remodeled “Members Only” room. |
- The Van Horn City Council met Tuesday evening and formally awarded the administrative contract for the city’s Community Development Block Grant # 728439 to GrantWorks, of Austin. The Alpine office of GrantWorks will perform the administrative work on tha grant.
That is the grant to provide a new SCADA system to control the flow of water into the city’s water system.
Council then heard a recommendation from the Van Horn Economic Development Corporation that new directors be appointed to the board of directors of the Van Horn Foundation.
In fact, names of the recommended directors were put forth. Larry Simpson, a current director of the Van Horn Foundation, reported that under the Foundation by-laws, directors are elected within by other directors and not appointed by the city council. He did acknowledge that the Foundation could use some additional directors and would take the names offered to be considered.
Mayor Ben Flanagan asked Simpson if the 501c3 Foundation had been formed using EDC funds, to which Simpson replied, yes. Flanagan then directed City Administrator Fran Malafronte to contact the Attorney General’s office to see if the town can appoint directors since the organization was paid for out of EDC monies.
Simpson told council that the Van Horn Foundation by-laws were created as they are specifically to keep city politics out of perhaps the most positive, beneficial organization to grow and develop our community.
Council tabled the appointemnt of directors pending receipt of information from the Attorney General.
After approving a Qunto Sol pool party on August 30th, with fees waived, council heard Councilwoman Gilda Morales report that she will be meeting with representatives of El Paso Electric on Monday to discuss the donation of a electrical generator for use at the Convention Center during periods of prolonged electrical outages here. The city plans to move seniors and folks who need electricty for medical devices to the Convention Center durinig these outages.
And, before concluding the session, Mayor Ben Flanagan reported that he had spoken with Beth Nobles, executive director of the Texas Mountain Trail region, about her concerns and what the city might do to further assist her efforts.
Column One
By Dawn Simpson
The Texas Department of State Health Services is looking at the possibility of 'community gardening', not only for the healthy food that can be produced but for the added benefit of physical exercise that it requires. If this sounds like something that you, or someone you know, would be interested in please call Phyllis Taylor at 283-2948. They are just 'testing the waters' right now to see if there would be enough interest to pursue the idea.
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Another Class Reunion is being planned for the weekend of Homecoming, which is September 18-19. Remember how much fun that was last year when the classes around 1958 held their Reunion? Well, this is the Class of 1993. I spoke with both Kyla Brookshier and Liza Zimmerly and they said this is the first time they have held a reunion since graduating and it seemed a good time. There is a website with information, which is www.vanhorntxclassof93.com. An email address is eaglesupport@vanhorntxclassof93.com. Contact phone numbers are: Liza Zimmerly, 512-468-7569 or Kyla Brookshier, 512-749-8815. They're anxious to get the word out to all their classmates so help them spread the news.
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Wish there could have been more to come visit with Congressman Rodriguez when he was in town last Thursday. His 'spin' and 'talking points' on the health reform issue left me with an uncomfortable feeling that he may be going to vote along his party line, and not with what he is hearing from his constituents. He said he had read a 'synopsis' of the bill. Well, I'm sorry, but that could mean a lot of stuff that he didn't read. And it's all that 'stuff' that scares me. Why on earth would a bill need to be 1,000 pages?
I don't understand why they can't just fix the things about out system that are broken, without putting our health care under a huge government program. How about just fixing Medicare/Medicaid fraud, and tort reform, and incentives for insurance companies to accept pre-existing conditions. Could it be that what they really want is to thrust us a little more toward socialism? The steps toward that which this administration has taken in their short time of control is alarming.
When I pointed out to our Congressman that the polls are really showing that the American people are not for this his comment was "I don't pay any attention to polls". Well, maybe you should Mr. Rodriguez, because I believe they are trying to tell you all in Washington something loud and clear. And if you refuse to listen then the election next year may send you another message loud and clear and that one you won't be able to ignore.
So, communicate your feelings to your Representative. After all, that is the American way - not the un-American way. (Sorry Nancy Pelosi. You were very wrong on that one.)
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GO EAGLES! Good Luck against Coahoma this Saturday. This is your year to shine! We're excited for you!
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
August 27th - Trustees of the Culberson County ISD will meet in special session tonight at 6 p.m. in the District Administration Building.
August 28th - The Van Horn Lady Eagle volleyball teams are slated to play in the Pecos Volleyball Tournament today and tomorrow in Pecos.
August 29th - The Van Horn Eagles will open their 2009 football season today when they take on Coahoma in Odessa’s Ratliff Stadium this evening at 6 p.m.
August 30th - Attend the church of your choice today.
August 31st - Nothing scheduled at press time.
September 1st - The Van Horn Rotary Club will meet today at noon at Chuy’s Restaurant. The Van Horn Lady Eagle volleyball teams are scheduled to play a dual match here beginning a 4 p.m. The Van Horn City Council is slated to meet this evening at 7 p.m. at City Hall.
September 2nd -Nothing scheduled at press time.