Saturday's Internet Edition, July 31, 2010.
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| In the photo above, Tammie Fulton of the Texas Department of Rural Affairs is shown presenting the symbolic check to County Judge Manuel Molinar last week. (TDRA photo) |
- Culberson County commissioners met Monday morning and took some immediate action with connection to grant projects currently ongoing.
Right off the bat, they agreed, with grants administrator Becky Brewster, to remove anything to do with construction of a food bank facility from the Youth Activities Center III grant. Under the terms of the grant, there just was not enough money to fund the food bank facility. They will lokk at doing the food bank with a later grant.
Then Becky Brewster reported that with the added grant monies which the county received, the Fire Station grant can proceed as a turn-key job. The new contractor will begin work on the project soon.
Judge Molinar reported that he had received the symbolic check, last week, for the fire station in the amount of $234,869.
At the request of Brewster, commissioners also approved a resolution to authorize the submission of a Solid Waste grant application. The county will seek the grant to hold a hazardous waste disposal collection day.
And, before leaving the subject, Mayor Okey Lucas asked commissioners to place their stamp of approval on the Texas Department of Transportations Highway 54 project which includes curbs, gutters, and sidewalks.
Van Horn High School Athletic Director Domingo Vento appeared before commissioners to ask them to support the school district’s efforts to improve the Veterans Park softball field.
Vento reported that the district intends to install a new scoreboard at the field as well as perform several other cosmetic things.
Commissioners gave their blessing to the project.
With regard to other items on the meeting agenda, the following actions were taken:
* Heard Kit Bramblett appeal to have commissioners adopt a resolution to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department that says the commissioners request that no Doe permits be issued in Culberson County. Commissioners approved the resolution and authorized Judge Molinar to sign it.
* They heard and accepted the monthly report from AgriLife Extension Agent Lainie Koch.
* They heard the monthly report on the Nutrition Center as submitted by County Auditor Mark Cabezuela. They also learned that the staff is working to get more names added to the approved list from the Area Agency on the Aging. Cabezuela also noted that expenses are down considerably, as well as the number of meals being served.
Commissioners reiterated their position to enforce policies set out in the September ‘09 meeting as pertains to the Center.
And, they appointed a committee to look at applicants for the Nutrition Center director post and to bring the top 3 to the court. Cabezuela said that he has 11 applications at this time.
* Commissioners approved an amendment to the iDocket Service which puts all the Clerk’s records online on the internet.
* They also approved acquisition of additional voting equipment as mandated by the state. This time, the state provided funds to buy the equipment in the amount of $10,771.
* Commissioners nominated Lyndon McDonald to replace Don Collins on the Culberson County Appraisal Board. The district will take nominations from all contributing taxing entities before deciding who will replace Collins.
* Judge Manuel Molinar reported that the Sheriff’s office and the fire department had received needed equipment courtesy of Homeland Security grants.
* After approving the recommended budget amendments, commissioners approved the received monthly reports from county offices and approved payment of monthly bills and salaries amounting to $308,022.47.
Fire costs a local family 'everything'
A local family of five lost most of their precious belongings and their home last Friday night, according to Sheriff Oscar Carrillo.
Emergency responders arrived at a structure fire at the home of Miguel Rodarte on 608 W. Fourth Street and found the structure engulfed in heavy smoke.
They cut off electricity and natural gas service to the home before entering to determine the source of the fire.
Fire and sheriff’s personnel battled the blaze for two hours. Unfortunately, the home sustained significant fire, smoke and water damage.
According to Sheriff Carrillo, “the blaze initially started in a utility closet and quickly spread throughout the kitchen and living areas.” The fire,” according to Sheriff Carrillo, “did not appear to have been intentionally set but investigators agree that it was probably an electrical failure.”
The home was not insured and the family is currently displaced, residing with extended family members in Van Horn.
The Sheriff’s office and fire department are asking for donations from the community. Sheriff Carrillo said, “The family is in dire need of any used furnishings or household goods. If anyone has anything laying around in a closet, garage or storage unit and is willing to donate to the family, please contact the sheriff’s office at 283-2060 and we will arrange to have these donations picked up and delivered to the Rodarte family.”