Saturday's Internet Edition, July 31, 2010.
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| Gathering a success.... This past weekend Van Horn hosted it’s 2nd Annual Crossroads Cowboy Gathering for more good times in Van Horn. Pictured on stage at the CVB are; volunteer Ralph Gilmore with Bob Kinford, Cowboy Gathering organizer, and just a few of the great entertainers, Dave P. Fisher (NV), Tony Argento (NV), Evelyn Roper (CO), Darrell Staedtler (NV), and Eddy Harrison (NM). (Photo by Patricia Golden) |
- The Van Horn City Council met in special session Tuesday evening and learned more about the excitng future of Darlene Elder’s planned electrical generation facility.
In fact, Van Horn came one step closer to becoming completely eneryg independent through alternative energy sources. City council members formally agreed to sign a power purchasing agreement with Aero Alternative Energies Industries, LLC at their meeting scheduled for February 23rd.
According to Darlene Elder, president of Aero Alternative Energies, Van Horn will serve as a model for other communities to incorporate their natural resources of wind, sun and waster water into alternative sources of energy, at no cost to these communities.
The agreement, to be inked, culminates months of negotiations between Mayor Ben Flanagan, Judge Manuel Molinar and council members, with Darlene Elder and her company to insure that Van Horn was selected from several other potential locations.
Besides the obvious benefits of becoming energy independent, Elder presented council with a very optimistic report on job creation, including some 100 to 200 temporary harvesting jobs annually in the Bio-fuel field, and some 300 jobs during the construction of the wind power phase, and 150 to 300 jobs for the potential solar power phase.
Elder also reported that Aero’s plans provide for Van Horn to be on the cutting edge of rapidly emerging “Green” technology within the next two years. At that point, Elder said, “Aero will not only be providing jobs and alternative energy, but we’ll be giving back to Van Horn in the form of a 5% return to the town, as well as generously donating 10% to qualifying non-profit organizations.”
After hearing this exciting report, council members formally approved the order for the city officer election to be held in May.
Hopefuls already signaling runs for office
The official filing date for the upcoming May City Officer, School Board Trustee, and Hospital District Director elections began on February 6th. Filings for candidates will continue through March 8th.
As of Wednesday afternoon, three candidates had formally filed to run for office. They are:
City Officer, Mayor: Incumbant Mayor Ben Flanagan and former mayor Okey D. Lucas.
School District Trustee: Incumbant Omar Ortega.
TPWD to hold a hearing here on proposal to expand deer season
Expansion of mule deer hunting opportunities tops a short list of proposed changes to the state’s hunting and fishing regulations the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is considering for 2010-2011.
TPWD is recommending an open general season for mule deer in Dawson and Wheeler counties, and adding a day to the season across the Trans Pecos region. Department staff presented the proposals to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission Regulations Committee. The proposals address a priority goal in TPWD’s Land and Water Resource Conservation and Recreation Plan to increase access to and participation in the outdoors.
The public is invited to provide comment during an upcoming open meeting in Van Horn on March 4. The meeting is set for 7 p.m. at the Van Horn Convention Center & Visitors Bureau.
Currently there is no open season for mule deer in Dawson or Wheeler counties. Implementing a nine-day, buck-only season in Dawson County and a 16-day, buck-only season in Wheeler County would offer increased hunter opportunity without adversely impacting mule deer reproduction or distribution.
According to TPWD wildlife biologists, mule deer populations in these counties are limited, but are present in some areas having suitable habitat and implementation of a buck-only season will not have any measurable impact on herd productivity or expansion.
Traditionally, big game hunting seasons in Texas open on Saturday to give hunters a full weekend of opportunity. Because the mule deer season in the Trans Pecos starts on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, the TPW Commission asked the Wildlife Division to explore an option to open a day earlier to take advantage of the long holiday weekend. This proposal would add a day to the current 16-day season and create an opening day on the Friday following Thanksgiving each year.
Wildlife biologists suggest adding a day to the season in the Trans Pecos will not negatively impact the mule deer resource.
In addition to hunting regulation proposals, TPWD staff presented an abbreviated slate of potential changes to fishing regulations and, based on input during recent public scoping meetings, removed from consideration a proposal to lower the length limit on snook from 24 to 22 inches.
The department had considered the drop in length limit on snook to allow additional harvest of fat snook. Opinions expressed during scoping meetings reflected concern about potential impacts to common snook resources under reduced length limits and TPWD coastal fisheries officials opted to table the recommendation.
Fisheries staff will be seeking public comment on proposals strengthening commercial reporting requirements and separating commercial and recreational regulations, as well as a clarification of rules regarding catching and possessing fish within protected length limits or in excess of bag limits.
Official proposals will be available for review and comment during a series of public meetings in February, as well as online. The TPW Commission will make final determination on proposed changes at its April 1 public hearing.
Schedule of Public Meetings 2010-2011 Statewide Hunting and Fishing Proclamation
All meetings state
at 7 p.m.
March 2
Fort Stockton, Pecos County Civic Center, North Hwy 285 next to Airport.
March 3
Alpine, Turner Range Animal Science Bldg, Room 130, East Hwy 90.
March 4
Van Horn, Van Horn Convention Center & Visitors Bureau, 1801 W. Broadway.