Saturday's Internet Edition, May 17, 2008.
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| Don't look down.... Workers on this new Union Pacific communications tower in Van Horn were up tower this week installing the cabling for the new communications facility. The new tower is located just east of Van Horn Propane. Sure hope they don’t look down from where they are. |
- The candidate slate is set for the coming May 10, 2008 local elections with the passing of the filing deadline at 5 p.m. on Monday, March 10th.
In two of the local elections, only the incumbents filed for reelection, making the necessity of holding those elections unnecessary.
In the Culberson County Hospital District elections for two director spots, incumbents Cheryl Owen and Don Collins were the only candidates to file. That makes voting on Hospital District directors unnecessary. However, voters will be called on to vote in the Hospital District on a proposed $7.5 million bond issue.
In the Culberson County Groundwater Conservation District election, again, only the two incumbents filed for the two spots open on the board of directors. Kyle C. Brookshier and Edwin Easley filed for reelection. As a result, this election will not be held in May.
However, in the race for City Officers and School District Trustees, that is not the case.
In the City contest for mayor, incumbent Okey D. Lucas is being challenged by Ben Flanagan and Nancy A. Martinez.
In the City Officer contest for two city aldermen, the race really heated up since our last report. The field contains seven candidates and they include: incumbents Emilio Yglecias and Rudolfo “Rudy” Hinojos; and challengers Mingo C. Corralez, Rene G. Mendez, Rosa “Rosie” Espudo, Gilda Morales, and Refugio “Tata” Corrales.
And, in the School District election for tow seats on the board of trustees, the candidate lineup attracted nine candidates. They include: incumbent Lupe Alvarado, Jr., John Clark, Robert L. Segura, Joe Carrasco, David J. Onate, Juana M. Grado, Olivia Mendez Legarreta, Alex Navarrette, and Nancy A. Borrego.
The election race cards are now set and the campaigning begins for the May 10th election races.
Column One
By Dawn Simpson
It’s always a pleasure to see one of our young men home on leave from the military. And one of those who always impresses me for the fine young man he has made of himself is Patrick Rodriguez. From the first time he returned home for a visit after joining the Marines after graduating in 2000 it was so obvious that he had matured into not only a fine soldier, but someone Van Horn can be very proud of.
Patrick has just returned from Okinawa, Japan for a 30-day leave before reporting for duty to Camp Pendleton, California. Although this is where he still considers ‘home’, his mother, Sylvia Rodriguez, has moved to Presidio so he is spending time in both places.
Our deepest thanks to Patrick for his service to our country, and for making Van Horn proud. When I see young men like him, I can’t help but wonder why more of our young guys don’t go the military route after graduation. Maybe families and school faculty don’t encourage it enough.
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Spring Break time is here! How I wish I was a teacher. Not really, but it would be nice to have that break at this time each year. I could get a lot of yard work done! Whatever your plans are, staying in Van Horn or getting our of town for a short time, I hope you all, teachers and students alike, have a fun and restful time. And when you get back it’ll certainly be on the downhill side of this school year. Can you believe it?
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Looking Back Through the Pages of The Advocate
MARCH 1948
The El Paso Times reported that there were 69,548 registered voters in the 16th Congressional District, with 30,370 in El Paso County and 39,178 in other counties in the District.
Dr. Cox, State Health Officer is encouraging all communities to participate in the Texas Clean-Up Week with the objective of bettering health conditions. Good community sanitary and ordinary housekeeping measures require the prompt removal of all waste matter in and around yards and homes, and the removal of rubbish off vacant lots.
MARCH 1958
Van Horn has a taxidermist that is one of the best. He is Rosendo Hernandez. He is employed at the Oilwell Gulf Station and does the taxidermy work on the side.
High School Principal, A.G. Skousen, announced that Charles McClure has been awarded a Certificate of Merit from the National Merit Scholarship Program.
Three propositions carried in a City Revenue Bond Election. Prop. #1 was for $98,000 to retire indebtedness, Prop. #2 was $80,000 for waterworks improvements, and Prop. #3 was $30,000 for sanitary sewer improvements.
Troy Greaves has sold the Van Horn Ford-Mercury dealership to M.J. Mitchell and H.M. Whittington.
MARCH 1968
Five new homes under construction in Van Horn for James Mathis, Troy Greaves, Otis Hill , James Wallis and Travis Branamon. Also curbing is going in for five new F.H.A. homes.
Fourteen new signs marking the Texas Mountain Trail are being erected in Culberson County. Plans are being made by the Chamber of Commerce to receive the Mountain Trails Caravan passing through Van Horn March 27th.
The School Board, after discussing various federal aid to education programs available, defeated by a vote of 3-4 a motion to accept federal aid programs.
School Superintendent H.D. Smith resigned after serving here 12 years to accept a position as Superintendent in Forsan.
Jimmy Wilson, Coll Bramblett, Hortensia Barrera and Lupe Valdez received special recognition at the All Sports Banquet.
MARCH 1978
Ellen Lipsey has been chosen to represent Van Horn as a Duchess in the Southwestern Sun Carnival.
Two men died as a result of a shooting incident and a third seriously injured. Officials believe the incident stemmed from a drinking party and friendly bet.
The Van Horn Eagles Basketball team fell to Snook at State competition by a score of 53-49.
The Texas Department of Highways officially opened the new comfort stations at Wild Horse Draw east of town.
MARCH 1988
The buzz on the Eagle band scene is centering around a special group of five young ladies who make up the Tuba section. They are Sharilyn Friesen, Pam McCutcheon, Becky McCutcheon, Jennifer Owen and Tricia Trant. They received a Division I rating at regional and will compete at state solo and ensemble competition as they perform Largetto & Allegro and capture the much deserved recognition that a 5-member, all-girl Tuba section can draw.
Appraisal District Directors have named Sally Carrasco as the new Chief Appraiser. She has been serving as Deputy Chief Appraiser.
Culberson County I.S.D. board of trustees has hired Mario Sotelo as the new Superintendent of Schools.
MARCH 1998
Because of concerns over future use and control of our underground water resources by outside interests (i.e. City of El Paso) County Commissioners ordered an election to be held to vote for or against the creation of a water district.
John Conoly won the Primary election for another term as County Judge. Runoffs will be held in the election of Commissioners for Precinct 2 and 4.
Steve Mitchell, County Attorney, has received certification in real estate law, both commercial and residential.
Director of Culberson Hospital District extended a contract to Dr. Rahat Sheikh to be a new doctor here.
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Thought for the Week...... It’s never too late to live happily ever after.
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
March 13th - The Van Horn Junior High track teams run in the Alpine Meet today. The Van Horn Eagle JV baseball team plays in the Big Lake Tournament today. The Culberson County Historical Museum Association board of directors is set to meet tonight at 6 p.m. at the Clark Hotel Historical Museum.
March 14th -The Van Horn Eagle track teams run in the Iraan Meet today at Iraan. The Van Horn Eagle JV baseball team plays in the Big Lake Tournament today. The Van Horn Lady Eagle softball team plays Crane today in Crane beginning at 5 p.m.
March 15th - The Van Horn Eagle JV baseball team plays in the Big Lake Tournament today.
March 16th - Attend the church of your choice.
March 17th - St Patrick’s Day. The Van Horn Eagle varsity and JV baseball teams plays a district game against Kermit here today beginning at 4 p.m.
March 18th - Members of the Van Horn Rotary Club are slated to meet today at noon at Chuy’s Restaurant. The Van Horn Lady Eagle softball team plays Ozona here today beginning at 5 p.m. Van Horn City Council is slated to meet this evening at 7 p.m. at City Hall.
March 19th - Nothing scheduled at press time.