Sunday's Internet Edition, July 20, 2008.
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- Voters across Culberson County went to the polls Tuesday to cast their deciding ballots in the school district tax rollback election, as well as the groundwater districts election and on 16 proposed constitutional amendments.
The key vote, however, in Tuesdays election was the vote on whether to approve the school districts tax rollback or not.
Voters in the district voted against the tax rollback question by an overwhelming margin of 161 to 82. That is nearly 2 to 1 against the proposal.
What that means for the district is that the proposed tax rate of $1.21771 failed and the district will now send out tax statements with a tax rate of $1.08771.
As a result the district will have nearly $425,000 less money to fund their current fiscal year operating budget. That should not be a major problem for the district as it has over $2 million in undesignated fund balance and the likelihood is that they will put even more money in their fund balance as a result of the last fiscal year’s operations.
But, what the vote really did was to tell school district trustees that the voters are not happy with the decisions made in recent months thereby causing a lack of trust in them.
Voters in the eastern portions of the county turned thumbs down to being included in the boundaries of the Culberson County Groundwater Conservation District.
The district had sought the eastern portion of the county to be included in the boundaries of the district so that the district’s boundary would be contiguous with the county’s boundary.
Voters said no to the inclusion proposal by a vote of 16 to 6.
With regard to the 16 proposed constitutional amendments on the ballot, local voters cast their ballots as follows:
Proposition 1: 127 For and 83 Against.
Proposition 2: 149 For and 68 Against.
Proposition 3: 132 For and 84 Against.
Proposition 4: 105 For and 108 Against.
Proposition 5: 123 For and 85 Against.
Proposition 6: 151 For and 64 Against.
Proposition 7: 166 For and 54 Against.
Proposition 8: 152 For and 63 Against.
Proposition 9: 165 For and 49 Against.
Proposition 10: 133 For and 80 Against.
Proposition 11: 147 For and 69 Against.
Proposition 12: 139 For and 97 Against.
Proposition 13: 181 For and 46 Against.
Proposition 14: 158 For and 70 Against.
Proposition 15: 163 For and 64 Against.
Proposition 16: 126 For and 90 Against.
Lomax Shell robbed by masked gunman
Van Horn’s Lomax Shell station was robbed last Wednesday night by a masked gunman. The robbery took place at approximately 8:3- p.m.
Reports say that the gunman, dressed in a Halloween mask, appeared in the station and asked for money. The lone gunman took about $250 according to Charles Lomax. He escaped on foot.
Sheriff Oscar Carrillo quickly had his deputies looking throughout the community for the masked gunman but did not find him.
Carrillo asked anyone in the community that may have information about this armed robbery to please let his office know.
'Toys for Tots' drive to be held in Van Horn
The Pack-West Texas, Van Horn’s local motorcycle club, will sponsor a ‘Toys For Tots’ drive on December 15th.
The club is seeking donations of either toys or funds to buy the toys by December 12th. The “Toys For Tots” campaign will focus on children ages Pre-K through 5th grade.
To make a donation, contact any club officer as follows: Russ Wyatt @ 432-284-0616, Mike Barrandey @ 432-448-1187, or Angie Wyatt @ 432-284-0150.
You may also drop off your donation at the Roadhouse Customs M/C or Bowlero Archery. Additional information may also be obtained at www.thepackwesttexas.org.
Salvation Army to kick off Red Kettles here
The Salvation Army is most known for the festive Red Kettles that pop-up around the country during the holidays, beckoning those shopping for loved ones to bring a little cheer to families less fortunate. People are often unaware that 100 percent of the donations dropped into Army Kettles under the twinkling eyes of the bell ringer, remain in the community to fund social service programs that reach far beyond the Christmas season.
Currently in our community, The Salvation Army is ringing bells to make change happen throughout Van Horn. The Salvation Army will begin its Christmas Kettle campaign soon.
On Thanksgiving Day, The Salvation Army celebrates the National Kettle Kickoff during the half-time show of the Dallas Cowboys game. Kelly Clarkson will perform in honor of the event.
To learn more about The Salvation Army of Van Horn or to donate, please call 432-283-2861.