Volume 63, Number 41
Azle News
Wednesday, March 25, 2015
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Shattered Dreams A “mock wreck” presented to Azle High School juniors and seniors March 19 depicted what can happen when teens – or anyone – make poor choices. The Grim Reaper arrives (below) moments before Azle police and firefighters to claim the lives of five AHS teens in a fictitious drunken driving incident. The Shattered Dreams program is funded by the Azle Crime Control and Prevention District every two years. The event was filmed (left) for future use.
Lawsuit settlement begets election BY CARLA NOAH STUTSMAN Azle voters will go to the polls in the May 9 General Election to decide whether Laurel Mosier or Alan Brundrett will serve as mayor of the city for the next two years. A lawsuit filed by Mosier against the city of Azle and its City Secretary Norma Zenk resulted in a March 16 compromise and settlement which was reduced to an Agreed Judgment and Final Order. Mosier filed suit against the city and Zenk after her application for a place on the ballot was rejected as incomplete. Mosier claimed her application was rejected because it was not notarized, and states there is no provision requiring such an application be notarized in Texas Election Code, Section 141.031. A spokesperson with the Texas Secretary of State’s office referenced the same section 141.031 of the Texas Election Code when she explained that the Code does require that an application be sworn to by the applicant. “That has traditionally meant being notarized or some other kind of recognition,” the spokesperson added. In fact, a footnote contained in the instructions for the application form states: “²All oaths, affidavits, or affirmations made within this State may be administered and a certificate of the fact given by a judge, clerk, or commissioner of any court of record, a notary public, a justice of the peace, city secretary, and the Secretary of State of Texas.” Mosier filed her application in the final hour of the filing period on Feb. 27 – hours after City Hall closed on account of a snow event that left roads icy and dangerous. Zenk, like most city employees, was gone when Mosier arrived, but a note on her door instructed anyone filing an application for a place on the ballot to turn it in at the police dispatch center. On Monday, March 2, after rejecting the applications of Mosier and an-
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Photos by Carla Noah Stutsman
World Class:
The AHS Junior Varsity Winterguard brought home the bronze medal when it competed at the North Texas Colorguard Association’s Championships in San Marcos March 21. Photo by Carla Noah Stutsman PLEASE SEE LAWSUIT, PAGE 4A.
Winterguard, Indoor Drumline add to already record-breaking year at AHS
BY CARLA NOAH STUTSMAN The 2014-15 school year has already proven to be one of the greatest at Azle High School in terms of accomplishments. The football team won more games than ever in its history and tied its record for advancement into the playoffs. The Hornet wrestling team produced not just one but two state gold medalists. Automotive Technology – one of the most winning programs at AHS historically – is on track for yet another record year. The list goes on, and Saturday, March 21, two subprograms within the AHS band program – Indoor Drumline and Winterguard – accomplished memorable feats of their own. Winterguard director Debra Oldroyd calls the arts “the great leveler of the playing field.” Studies have shown that musical training may improve the function and connectivity of different brain regions, increase brain volume and strengthen
communication between brain areas, and that playing an instrument may change how the brain interprets and integrates a wide range of sensory information. Oldroyd explained that the AHS band program – while it certainly focuses on music education – also addresses the arts in a broader sense, including dance, percussion and performance. The program is getting spectacular results. Friends and Family show Both the AHS Indoor Drumline and its Winterguard will perform a Friends and Family show at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 2 in the main gym as AHS. A nominal admission fee will help both groups with expenses for upcoming World Championship competition in Dayton, Ohio. Winterguard The Junior Varsity Winterguard was named the North Texas Colorguard Association’s (NTCA) Regional A
Class bronze medalists following its Championship competition at San Marcos High School March 21. “Competing in a field of 66 primarily varsity teams, the JV received its best score of the season, as well as a Division 1 rating at the competition,” Oldroyd said. The JV Winterguard’s show “What Goes Around Comes Around” utilized a carousel concept to depict the nature of love. The general effect judge actually placed the JV in first place, Oldroyd said, adding that the point spread among the top three groups was extremely close. Additional judges’ comments included “great individual characters, thank you for connecting with your audience,” and “strong understanding of technique and the skills required.” The JV Winterguard scored 77.15 in the championship competition – something Oldroyd called “a significant achievement and the Guard’s perPLEASE SEE ELITE, PAGE 2A.
Garden of Hope taking applications for spring BY NATALIE GENTRY The Garden of Hope community garden is accepting gardener registration for the 2015 growing season. In addition to the 4x8-foot raised beds offered last year, 10x15 garden plots are a new option for gardeners. The decision to add the plots was made after several gardeners found the raised beds too small for all the different plants they want to try. All plots and beds are irrigated. The garden is equipped with a centrally located community tool shed, wide paths with wheel chair access, water fountain, washout tub, and free parking. Information about organic gardening tips and health education is also available to gardeners. Registration kits are available at Hope Lutheran Church, Reno City Hall, Azle Chamber of Commerce, Azle Caring Community, Springtown Chamber of Commerce, Neighbor to Neighbors, and many local builder, feed, and garden supply stores. There is a fee of $25 for the raised beds and $30 for the garden plots. This fee covers the entire growing season and all The Garden of Hope, located at Hope Lutheran Church at 4795 East Highway gardeners must provide their own seeds, plants, drip 199, offers gardeners several options to try their hands at gardening. Applicahoses, and tools. tions are being accepted for the 2015 season. Photo by Natalie Gentry
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In addition, Hope Lutheran church has received donations to provide “gardening scholarships” for residents who may want to try their hand at gardening, but cannot afford the fee. The Garden of Hope Association and its area partners were also able to add a 70-tree orchard to the rear of the garden, and they have five honey bee hives located in a remote area of the garden – away from gardeners. The bees will be a tremendous benefit by pollinating the trees in the orchard and providing local honey. Ten percent of the produce grown by each gardener will go to local food pantries and shelters including the Azle Community Caring Center, Springtown’s Neighbor to Neighbors, and The Refuge, a men’s shelter. Last year, the Garden of Hope was able to donate 1,700 pounds of produce to the charities. This year’s goal is 2,000 pounds – that’s one ton of locally grown food to help feed the hungry. For more information about the garden or to register for a raised bed or garden plot contact Frank Swehosky, president of the garden’s executive board, at gardenofhopetexas@gmail.com.
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5 Years Ago In March 2010, sophomore Lady Hornet Shelbi Vaughan upped her AHS discus and shot put records to 134 feet, 5.5 inches and 41 feet, 6.5 inches, respectively.
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