Tuesday's Internet Edition, 06:37 PM, March 09, 2010.
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| Another 3" of snow! Van Horn woke up to another 3” of the white stuff Tuesday morning. Ole’ Man Winter has been particularly harsh on us this season, with 5 recorded snowfalls already (normally we only have one). But we can look at the bright side of this picture....surely when the spring winds start to blow, they won’t carry much dust! And with this much early moisture, things will almost certainly be prettier into the spring and summer. |
- There are a couple of news flashes to report.
First: Van Horn Eagle basketball team will play Farwell this Friday evening, February 26th, at 7 p.m. at Midland Lee High School Gym in an Area playoff game. See You There As We Support Our Eagles!
Second: TAKS Tests will be administered on Wednesday, March 3rd. 4th and 7th graders will be taking the Writing TAKS; 9th graders will be taking the Reading TAKS; and 10th and 11th graders will be taking the ELA (English/Language Arts) TAKS. Parents are encouraged to please make sure your students are well rested and attend school on this date!
Council accepts bid to repair leaky roof at city hall
Van Horn City Council members met Tuesday evening and received bids for roofing repairs to city hall.
The city hall roof has needed repair to fix leaks for some time and council finally accepted bids to perform the work.
The bid that was accepted was from Daniel Construction of El Paso. They submitted a bid in the amount of $42,000 to perform the work.
Repair work is expected to commence within a week or two.
Council members heard Alderwoman Gilda Morales report that the Economic Development Corporation (EDC) had meet last week and decided that they wanted to demolish the former Quinto Sol building located on West Broadway, next door to Blue Quail Oil & Gas.
Morales told council that the EDC has decided to clear the building to make room for a ‘Farmer’s Market’ at that site. She noted that the EDC has received requests to provide that type service there.
Morales asked council to assist the EDC with the demolition since they had an excessive bid of $12,000 to demolish it. After some discussion, council members voted unanimously to assist with the demolition and hauling of the debris.
Councilwoman Gilda Morales also addressed council concerning the city’s support of a GED program being started here by the Upper Rio Grande Workforce Solutions.
Morales asked council for a strong show of support for the program so that kids without a high school diploma can get one and get better jobs.
Following the discussion, council members gave their resounding support to the program.
And, council addressed the following agenda matters and took the actions noted:
* Council members had planned to approve the Power Purchase Agreement with Aero Alternative Energy Industries. The agreement has been approved by City Attorney Steve Mitchell. However, no one was present from Aero Alternative Energy and therefore, the matter was tabled.
* Council members heard a report from Bob Kinford on the recent Crossroads Cowboy Poetry Gathering held here.
Kinford reported that it was well received and that they had even more performers than last year. He noted that plans are already in the works to make next year’s event even bigger and better.
And, the event raised $140 each for the 4-H organization and the Community Christian Shelter.
* Mayor Ben Flanagan asked council to consider going out for bids to sell the EDC property located across from the Post Office. Councilman Mingo Corrales reported that the county might want the property for a new fire station being designed with stimulus grant money.
As a result, council tabled any action on this item for the present.
* Council members approved payment of current bills amounting to $210,545 and heard Public Works Director Israel Borrego report that he had placed the concrete barriers at Pilot. He will monitor their effectiveness.
* After discussing grants for a moment, council went into a behind-closed-doors executive session. Upon reconvening, council noted that they had talked personnel matters and that no action would be taken.
Column One
By Dawn Simpson
When I opened the door to let my cats out Tuesday morning, I think I heard one of them say, “Oh no, not this white stuff again!” Hasn’t this been an interesting winter for us? Snow for the 5th time, 6 if you count the first light one in November. The positive side is that we might have a nice, less dusty Spring – if it ever gets here! I actually have three little yellow daffodils blooming. I’m not sure how they got the idea that it was time to bloom. I always thought that they needed a little warming of the soil, but maybe they just go by the calendar. Anyway seeing them gave me that hope that Spring surely isn’t too far away.
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Don’t forget that Tuesday is the Primary election day. Of course we will only have a Democratic Primary since we do not have a Republican party established here in the county. However, if you feel you do not want to cast a vote for some of those on the ballot for state or federal offices, just leave them blank. You’ll have a chance in November to vote for either Democrat or Republican on the same ballot. I’ll certainly be voting for some ‘change’ in the General Election!
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The ‘Classified Page’ is one of the most popular pages in the Advocate. No really! It is. Well, here’s an ad I came across on the Classified Page of a 1945 edition of the Advocate. How times have changed!
“Empty Cans – Flour Sacks
We have an ample supply of empty 100 lb lard cans and flour sacks for sale at reasonable price at Rodgers Bakery in Van Horn.
You know what? I think I had some dresses made out of those flour sacks when I was a little girl! They made the flour sacks out of print material with flowers, etc. I guess recycling is not that new of an idea after all.
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The Lighter Side of Theology
How many Christians does it take to change a light bulb?
Charismatic – Only 1. Hands are already in the air.
Pentecostal – 10. One to change the bulb, and 9 to pray against the spirit of darkness.
Presbyterians – None. Lights will go on and off at predestined times.
Roman Catholic – None. Candles only.
Baptists – at least 15. One to change the light bulb, and 3 committees to approve the change and decide who brings the potato salad and fried chicken.
Episcopalians – 3. One to call the electrician, one to mix the drinks and one to talk about how much better the old one was.
Mormons – 5. One man to change the bulb, and four wives to tell him how to do it.
Unitarians – We choose not to make a statement either in favor of or against the need for a light bulb. However, if in your own journey you have found that light bulbs work for you, you are invited to write a poem or compose a modern dance about your light bulb for the next Sunday service, in which we will explore a number of light bulb traditions, including incandescent, fluorescent, 3-way, long life and tinted, all of which are equally valid paths to luminescence.
Methodists – Undetermined. Whether your light is bright, dull, or completely out, you are loved. You can be a light bulb, turnip bulb, or tulip bulb. Bring a bulb of your choice to the Sunday lighting service and a covered dish to pass.
Nazarene – 6. One woman to replace the bulb while five men review church lighting policy.
Lutherans – None. Lutherans don’t believe in change.
Amish – What’s a light bulb?
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Good Luck Eagles at the Area playoff game tomorrow night in Midland. And also all the best to the students who will be taking TAKS testing on Wednesday. I’ll say a prayer about both these things and I know that you’ll all do well. God Bless!
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
February 25th - The Van Horn Lady Eagle softball team is slated to play in an El Paso Tournament today through tomorrow.
February 26th - The Van Horn Eagle track teams are slated to compete in the Comanche Relays in Ft. Stockton today. The Van Horn Eagle JV baseball team is slated to play the Pecos Freshmen in Pecos today beginning at 5 p.m. The Van Horn Junior High track team will be running in the McCamey Track Meet today in McCamey. The Van Horn Eagle basketball team plays Farwell in an Area game at Midland Lee Gym at 7 p.m. this evening.
February 27th - Nothing scheduled at press time.
February 28th - Attend the church of your choice today.
March 1st - The Van Horn Eagle vvarsity baseball team will play Crane here this evening at 6 p.m.
March 2nd - The Van Horn Rotary Club will meet today at noon at Chuy’s Restaurant. The Van Horn City Council is scheduled to meet this eveninig at 7 p.m. at City Hall.
March 3rd - Nothing scheduled at press time.