Friday's Internet Edition, July 04, 2008.
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| Clinic holds Open House.... Culberson Hospital’s Rural Health Clinic formally held an Open House last Sunday to give the public an opportunity to see and tour their new facilities. Over 100 folks came out to view the new clinic and meet the staff. The Clinic is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Pictured are (L to R) Mike Easley of Preferred Management Corporation, LaDelle Bates, Hospital Administrator, Kristen Fink, Physicians Assistant, Dr. Paul Jackson, Chief of Staff, and Dr. John Thomas. |
- Culberson County-Allamoore Independent School District trustees met Monday evening and spent a lot of time talking about soliciting proposals and then they went behind closed doors and spent nearly two hours.
When trustees reconvened in open session, Superintendent Anne Pemberton recommended that High School principal Merle Dunn be terminated at the end of the school year in the best interest of the district. Trustees Lupe Alvarado and Kyle Brookshier voted in favor of the recommendation while trustees Lisa Cottrell, Joe Morales, Omar Ortega and Ruben Robledo voted against the motion.
Dunn has another year remaining on his contract.
The board than approved Elementary principal Mike Barrenday for a 2 year renewal and read a letter from Junior High principal Charles Mohler asking that he not be considered for renewal.
Trustees did renew the contract with Business Manager Angelica Robledo.
These actions, even to the untrained eye, point out that there are problems brewing within the school district.
Trustees almost seemed like they were going on a spending spree because of all the things they agreed to solicit proposals for. They agreed to seek proposals or bids on the following:
* A school bus
* Two pickups
* A canopy for the new baseball field
* An entry way gate for the road leading to the new baseball field.
* Resurfacing all the track and field facilities.
* Campus wide lock and key systems.
* Pre-mix asphalt for the bus parking area.
One would assume that once they have bids in hand, then trustees will look at the budget and their fund balance in order to determine which of these things they’ll proceed with.
Trustees also looked at a recommendation from High School principal Merle Dunn to change the way the Class Ranking and GPA Calculations are made. The matter was tabled upon the recommendation of Superintendent Anne Pemberton.
Trustees also were presented with a recommendation for some Computer Lab changes at the high school as well as a form for administrative access to the Internet.
This presentation seemed to rile trustees as it seems that they were a direct result of parties failing to talk to each other. After okaying the administrative access form, trustee Robledo told the technology folks that they should talk to each other to work things out rather than bring them before the board. And, he added, “I don’t want to have administrative access to the internet come before us again!”
With regard to other items considered by trustees, the following actions were taken:
* They called an election for school trustees for Saturday, May 12th.
* They received a letter from State Senator Carlos Uresti thanking them for their service.
* They approved a resolution showing their appreciation to district alumni for the School Song sign in the gymnasium.
* They approved bills and salaries amounting to $503,686.84. Of that sum, $372,026.52 was for salaries and related expense, while $131,660.32 was for monthly bills.
* And, they noted that district enrollment stood at 577 students on February 16th. That breaks down as follows: Van Horn High School - 192; Van Horn Junior High - 130; and Eagle Elementary - 255.
Council approves funds to finish council chambers
The Van Horn City Council met Tuesday evening and approved allocating funds to finish getting the refurbished council chambers up to snuff.
Council members heard from Jeff McCoy, Van Horn Economic Development Corporation’s executive director, relating his projected costs to complete the chamber upgrade.
McCoy presented council members with a cost projection of some $15,506 to install a projection system, to install a sound and public address system, purchase 17 new chairs, and hook up the new desk arrangement so that every council member would have internet access and a microphone.
McCoy further told council that if they approved of the improvements and the funding, he would do the work, thus saving the city about $10,000 to $15,000.
Following discussion, council members approved the improvements to be completed as soon as possible.
Moises Badillo, a local contractor, appeared before council to ask that they consider selling a block of land to him. He said the block is in close proximity to where he is now building homes and he needs the lots in order to construct more homes.
Council seemed to like the idea since Badillo was filling a need for local housing, he would be improving the local tax base, and he was employing locals which also helps the local economy.
City Attorney Steve Mitchell told council members that they could either sell the land at auction to the highest bidder or they could hold a sealed bid sale where they could control the lands development better.
After discussion, council voted to proceed with a sealed bid sale with City Administrator Becky Brewster and Attorney Steve Mitchell drawing up the specifications for the sale.
Council also took other actions on various agenda items and they actions taken are shown below:
* They accepted a bid from Acosta Drilling in the amount of $54,404 to put in three cathodic protection wells for the gas company.
* They voted to enter into a 60 month lease agreement with Xerox for a new copy machine for city offices. The cost will be around $285 per month.
* Heard from Utilities Department manager Raquel Mendez and water department supervisor Refugio Corrales about some problem areas they are experiencing.
* Learned that the Texas One Call system is changing and these changes will impact anyone digging in the vicinity of pipelines.
* Approved bills amounting to $156,373.
* Went behind closed doors for discussion of personnel and legal matters.