Saturday's Internet Edition, May 17, 2008.
|
| These are some of the local veterans who were honored at Tuesday’s Veteran’s Day program held at the High School Auditorium. The program was put on by students of Culerson County-Allamoore ISD. Thanks for your service veterans! |
- A representative of an El Paso based organization appeared before Culberson County Commissioners during their meeting Monday to ask them to endorse their effort to obtain a $650,000 grant to operate a federally designated health clinic here.
The representative was from Planned Parenthood of El Paso and she reported that they already were operating a federally designated health clinic in Hudspeth County reaching low to moderate income personnel and indigent clients.
She told commissioners that the opportunity has arisen to get a federally designated health clinic in Van Horn, under a proposed $650,000 grant. The rush is because the grant submission deadline is December 18th.
The representative told commissioners that the state is getting out of direct services to clients and now is a good time to get this designation. She further reported that the grant would mean additional income for the local hospital.
However, former county judge John Conoly appeared before the court to request that they not move hastily on this grant request pointing out that once the grant money is used up then what?
Following further discussion with Ladelle Bates, hospital administrator, commissioners opted to table any action on endorsement of the effort pending receipt of more information.
Commissioners also, during their Monday session, held a first public hearing on a proposed Texas Capital Fund Infrastructure Grant application. Under the application, the county is applying for a $100,000 grant to help put in new electrical lines in the Wildhorse farming area for Royal Farms.
Vance Cottrell, owner of Royal Farms, was present at the hearing to present a letter of credit from his bank which basically indemnifies the county from any obligation under the grant which is for a three year period.
The grant is funded by the Texas Department of Agriculture and Royal Farms, as the recipient, will make significant improvements to his farming operation here as a result.
Commissioners, following a second public hearing on the grant next Monday, are expected to formally approve of the project and adopt a resolution of support to the Texas Department of Agriculture.
And, during the meeting, commissioners approved of the distribution of carry-over funds from the fiscal year ending on September 30, 2007. The carry-over funds amounted to $214,370.
From the carry-over, commissioners opted to provide county employees with a 3% pay hike amounting to $49,000; they set aside $45,000 for Nutrition Center operations; they put $10,000 in the county airport fund; they set aside $30,000 for capital projects; they put $30,370 in the contingency fund; and set aside $50,000 into a Certificate of Deposit.
With regard to other items considered by commissioners during their Monday meeting, they took the following actions:
* Approved a budget amendment for the Border Colonias grant project as recommended by grant administrator Becky Brewster. They also accepted funds from the city which will be paid to the contractor on the project.
* Approved renewal of the counties continuation in the Texas Association of Counties Employee Health & Benefit Pool and the renewal of health insurance coverage provided.
* Learned that the county’s insurance provider, Rogers & Belding Insurance of El Paso, had been sold and the new company name will be Wells Fargo Insurance Services, Inc. The personnel remain the same.
* Accepted the resignation of Russell Wyatt as the County Emergency Management Coordinator effective November 15th.
* Agreed to have County Clerk Linda McDonald meet with County Judge Molinar and County Attorney Steve Mitchell to iron out some criteria for cemetery lots owners. And, they approved payment of a bill from Hart Graphics for election educational services provided.
* They approved of a new mileage rate, to be effective immediately, of .485 cents per mile, up from .445 cents per mile.
* Heard Sheriff Oscar Carrillo report that he had qualified for $42,000 for Operation Border Star, a statewide initiative addressing drug seizures and illegal immigrants. Sheriff Carrillo told commissioners that the effort would be planned, controlled and supervised.
* While visiting with Sheriff Carrillo, commissioners asked him to maximize his efforts in coverage of the town, to which he replied, “I have 1 deputy in town at all times, 24/7.”
* Commissioners opted to press Applied Chemical Magnesia for back rental owed, $20,800, rather than accept their offer of $6,950 plus interest from October of 2005. They asked Attorney Mitchell to pursue collection efforts or eviction.
* They approved the sale of some landlocked property in Valley View Estates with the proviso that the purchaser also pay accrued court costs. The action was recommended by the Culberson County Appraisal District.
* Set Monday, November 19th as the date to canvas the general election results.
* They cast their 1650 Appraisal District director ballots evenly among the 5 proposed candidates. The five are: John Jones, Manuel Molinar, Edwin Easley, Don Collins, and Matthew Molinar.
* They approved resolutions to participate in Predator Control and Hazard Mitigation efforts. They also adopted a “No Burning” and “No Fireworks” orders for areas within the county.
* After talking county projects, they approved monthly submitted reports and payment of bills and salaries amounting to $295,255.56. Of that sum, $161,998.07 was for salaries and $143,257.49 was for monthly bills.
Column One
By Dawn Simpson
I think this story about The El Capitan Hotel is wonderful news for our town. Of course the impatient person that I am, I can’t wait to see the finished product here in the center of our historic district. I say WELCOME to the Duncans and I sincerely hope their association with Van Horn through this new business venture will be a great one. I hope we can live up their expectations as a town and together make this vision of their’s a very positive experience for all. I do so much appreciate folks who have a desire to preserve history through the renewal and preservation of wonderful old buildings such as the El Captitan Hotel. A huge ‘thank you’ to them for seeing the potential and having the desire to invest in Van Horn.
Of course this will also mean that businesses and offices now housed in this building will relocate. It is my hope that they will move into other buildings that may now be vacant and need renewal, which will in turn give our town a more prosperous appearance. With this week’s news of the sale of this building, we had hoped to hear something from the bank as to their plans but there was no word from Lubbock. Everyone is anxious to know their plans.
* * * * * *
I saw Buck Nix this week for the first time in awhile. And what a joy to see how well he looked and to hear the good news from his last trip to Houston. The tumor is shrinking! Praise God! Buck has been fighting cancer for a couple of years now and at times things looked pretty bleak. He’s not only a survivor-type man, but has a strong faith and believes that the many people praying for him is what has pulled him through thus far. Buck, we’re still pulling and praying for you and it’s great to see you looking so good.
* * * * * *
The funny thing about Grandparents is that they will drive all the way to Midland to attend an Open House at a grandson’s school. But I love that about Grandparents, and I love the fact that Grandchildren expect no less. Last week Don and Robbye Collins visited their grandson’s (Conner) school for Grandparents Day. While there they enjoyed seeing Ruth and Harold Coulter, who’s daughter Dana has children at the school. They looked absolutely great according to Robbye. Harold is a cancer survivor, so that’s good news. There are lots of ‘Van Horn folks’ who now live in the Midland/Odessa area. In fact I think they all get together occasionally and relive those ‘good ole days’. I’ll be glad when Van Horn quits loosing good people!
Unfortunately, one of those passed away just a few days ago. Hugh Eudy was an active member of our community for many years, raising three boys who all graduated from here. He was a County Commissioner and farmed in the county.
Our condolences to Juanita and family.
* * * * * *
With Thanksgiving right around the corner you know Christmas is coming all too soon. The Child Protective Services will welcome Santa to town on November 26th for the kick-off of their annual Giving Tree campaign. He will arrive at Welsh’s Pueblo Market at 5:30 on the firetruck and children will have the opportunity to have their picture taken with Santa. Everyone is encouraged to check out the Christmas tree decorated with paper ornaments containing the names of boys and girls with their special wishes for Christmas. Please help out and make a needy child happy on Christmas.
* * * * * *
Thought for the Week......Life may not always be the party we hoped for but while we are here we might as well dance.
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
November 15th - Members of the Van Horn Volunteer Fire Department are slated to meet this evening at 7 p.m. at the firehouse.
November 16th - The Van Horn Eagle and Lady Eagle basketball teams are slated to play the Balmorhea Bears tonight in Balmorhea beginning at 5 p.m.
November 17th - Nothing scheduled at press time.
November 18th - Attend the church of your choice.
November 19th - Culberson County Commissioners are slated to hold a special meeting this morning at 10 a.m. at the County Courthouse. Trustees of Culberson County-Allamoore ISD are slated to meet tonight at 6 p.m. in the District Administration Building.
November 20th - Members of the Van Horn Rotary Club are scheduled to meet today at noon at Chuy’s. The Van Horn City Council is scheduled to meet tonight at 7 p.m. at City Hall. The Van Horn Eagle varsity and JV are slated to play the Presidio Blue Devils here this evening beginning at 5 p.m.
November 21st - Nothing scheduled at press time.