August 30, 2019 - Stamford American

August 30, 2019 16 PAGES FULL OF NEWS, SPORTS, AND OPINION

STAMFORD

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Local Cowboy Wins Top Hand and Top Horse Awards Mark Voss of Stamford, Texas captured both the top hand and top horse awards at the Texas Ranch Roundup on August 16 & 17, in Wichita Falls, Texas.

Voss represented Swenson Land & Cattle Co. out of Stamford, Texas. The Texas Ranch Roundup was made up of ten historic Texas ranches competing for top team, top hand, top horse, event awards and a punched ticket to compete at the 24th World Championship Ranch Rodeo on November 7-10 in Amarillo, Texas.

“I’m actually at a loss for words,” says Voss. “To even win one is so tough but to get top hand and top horse at the same rodeo is truly humbling. Everyone is capable - I guess it was just my turn. I rode one of my personal horses which is kinda cool. The Thompsons raised him and I picked him up from Ron Redford about three years ago.” Mr TLC Rockstar is an eight year old gelding by Purple to Midnight that goes back to Smart Little Lena on the topside and is out of an RA Brown mare, RAB Miss N Bay. Mark added, “He really wants to help a guy. Stays between the bridle reins and helps me get my job done.”

Photo credit: Payton Fleming

Sergio Molina and Dan Joslin from MTC (Management Training Corp.) answered questions concerning the Bluebonnet Facility to house immigrant detainees at Commissioners Court Monday, August 26, 2019.

Bluebonnet Facility is a GO! SEE COMMISSIONERS, PAGE 6

TTHE NEW STAMFORD AMERICAN VOL. 11, ISSUE 15 STAMFORD AMERICAN VOLUME 98, ISSUE 21 STAMFORD LEADER VOLUME 114, ISSUE 22

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Pre-Game Meal - Friday, Aug. 30th - High School Cafeteria

5:30 - 7:00 - Stuffed Potato, Salad, Dessert and a Drink $6.00 - Hosted By Oliver Elementary

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THIS WEEK’S WEATHER FORECAST

MARK THE DATE...

MEDICAL FUND: There has been a medical fund account set up for Beth Lawson Green at First Bank Texas in Stamford. Please help out with a donation if you desire. God bless you!

DONATE: Denise Dennis is still collecting aluminum cans for recycling to raise money to donate to West Texas Rehab Center. You can drop them off at her house on the corner of Reynolds & Vassar. You can also drop off cans or monetary donations for her here at the Stamford American or mail to Stamford American, P O BOX 870, Stamford, TX and note on the check it is for Denise Dennis.

SEPT 7

BIRTHDAY: Frances (Susie) Goodman will be celebrating her 95th Birthday on Saturday, September 7 in the Fellowship Hall from 2:00-4:00. Come and celebrate with her.

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SEPT 10 FUNDRAISER: Taste of Country sponsored by Noah Project, Haskell Civic Center, Tuesday, September 10 from 5:00 – 7:00. Silent Auction from 4:30-6:30.

Tickets are $15, call 940864-2551 or at the office on the 3rd floor of the Haskell County Courthouse. Noah Project serves Haskell, Jones, Knox, Stonewall and Throckmorton counties. If you need more information, call Tommye Jo Clark, chairman, at 940996-6084.

Friday 96 | 73

Saturday 93 | 71

Sunday 91 | 69

Monday 94 | 68

Tuesday 96 | 70

Wednesday 96 | 71

Thursday 96 | 73

The weather is provided for you

by Country Drug Store. We’re here for you Rain or Shine.

SEPT 16

ANNUAL MEETING: The annual Stockholders Meeting of Farmers Cooperative Society of Stamford/ Radium will be held at the SHS cafeteria on Monday, Sept. 16 at 6:00pm. Come and bring the family and take an active part in your cooperative. A meal will be provided.

BIRTHDAYS Sept 2 - Sharon Bolin, Michael Huggins Know someone who is having a birthday? Please remember to call us at 325-773-5550 and let us know!

Callie Metler-Smith | Publisher callie@americannewspapers.net Kay Spears | Editor kay@americannewspapers.net Gayle Lovvorn | Office Manager office@americannewspapers.net

WHERE Are They Talking About? Back in the day, the Bounds Service Station was on the corner of W. McHarg & S. Webb before the Union Bus Station, Baldy’s Café and the City Cab Company used the property in 1946. The building remodeled by the bus station has since been demolished and Danny Duggan is using the location for a Self-Storage business next to his Duggan’s Auto Supply.

SUBSCRIPTION RATES Within Haskell, Jones, and Stonewall Counties: $30 Within Texas: $32 Within the United States: $35 DEADLINE

The deadline to submit news and advertising is 5 p.m. on Fridays. Exceptions may be granted only by permission from the publisher.

SUBMISSIONS POLICY

The New Stamford American reserves the right to reject unsolicited submissions for any reason. Articles and news items submitted are subject to editing by staff.

NOTICE

Any erroneous reflection upon the character, reputation or standing of any individual, firm or corporation will be gladly corrected upon being brought to the attention of the publisher.

The New Stamford American (USPS 025-332) is published weekly at 102 South Swenson, Stamford, Jones County, Texas by Clear Fork Media Group LLC. Periodicals Postage Paid at Stamford, Texas 79553. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The New Stamford American, P O BOX 870, Stamford, Texas 79553 MEMBER 2019 TEXAS PRESS ASSOCIATION

102 S. Swenson, P.O. Box 870, Stamford TX 79553 * 325-773-5550 * FAX: 325-773-5551

Town Hall with Stan Lambert

BY KAY SPEARS Stan Lambert has been a member of the Texas House of Representatives, representing District 71 since 2017 and is a Republican. He was born in Abilene, Texas and attended Abilene Christian University and Southern Methodist University.

District 71 encompasses Taylor, Nolan and Jones Counties and he has an office in Abilene, Texas.

On Monday, August 26, 2019 Lambert held a Town Hall Meeting at the Anson Public Library in Anson, Texas. He began by commending Jones County Judge Dale Spurgin as someone well informed and very interested in Jones County and the state of Texas. Lambert began with school finance reform by stating that the supreme court usually pushes for change.

He stated that working together the legislature was able to make a school finance reform bill without an edict from the supreme court. Full funding for low income Pre-K, school safety and teacher training for identifying mental health issues in children.

He stated a large part of the school finance reform bill included property tax relief. There are people living on fixed incomes who are “literally being taxed out of their homes.”

He feels there will be much more transparency and communication about how tax rates are finalized. He stated money was found

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to give a thirteenth check to retired educators for up to $2,000, a one time offering.

Speaking of the challenges of getting a Bill passed he said, “It’s not just the House, you have to get the folks on the other side of the capital, the Senate, to make sure they agree with you and if they want to put a couple of amendments on there then you have to come back and talk about it in the House again and work through all that process. Then, of course, at the very end of the process, the Governor can still say, ‘Neh, I don’t like that or ok, we’re going to go with that.’ He still has veto power and he can still sign.” He stated that 7,000 Bills and House Resolutions were filed, but only 1,000 made it to the Governor’s desk.

The Texas Legislature meets every two years.

Lambert stated they meet for 140 days. By rule and by law they cannot do anything for the first 60 days.

They are getting committees set up, working on local bills and legislation, talking to constituents and other House members.

Deadlines and cutoff dates sit in the last three weeks.

He stated 60 days is left in the session to get 2 years of work completed. The real work happens in the interim, where the citizens let their representatives know what they are concerned about.

Other issues Lambert touched on included rural healthcare, broadband

Jones County Grand Jury Indictments August 19, 2019 Shay Lyn Hardy - Abandon/Endanger Child Tina A Goforth - Tampering/Fabricating Physical Evidence Tina A Goforth - Possession of Controlled Substance (Methamphetamine) in a Drug Free Zone Lisa Darlene Collins - Tampering/Fabricating Physical Evidence Lisa Darlene Collins - Possession of Controlled Substance (Methamphetamine) in a Drug Free Zone Joshua Pierce Gordy - Possession of Controlled Substance (Methamphetamine) Heidi Dawn Hall - Possession of Controlled Substance (Methamphetamine) Manuel Aleman, Sr. - Aggravated Assault with Deadly Weapon Manuel Aleman, Jr. -Aggravated Assault, Deadly Weapon (Knife) Ricky Rodriguez, Jr. -Evading Arrest/Detention with Prior Conviction James David Newman - Evading Arrest/Detention with Vehicle Robert Edward Taylor - Evading Arrest/Detention with Vehicle

Stan Lambert, Texas House Representative for District 71, held a Town Hall meeting Monday, August 26, 2019 at the Anson Public Library in Anson, Texas. access for rural areas, DPS funding, retired teachers and property tax reform.

Concerns from the audience included the rainyday fund, the hemp bill, gun violence, gun control, redistricting, water, school funding.

Lambert stated Governor Abbot wants to have round table discussions about “what is happening in our society regarding hate, some of the things being said on social media, some of the things that are turning into people willing to drive 600 miles from Allen, Texas to El Paso and target a minority demographic in our population.”

He brought up, “There will be an amendment on your November ballot that says if you want to ban the state from ever imposing a state income tax, then you need to vote yes.” “You are voting yes to ban the state from ever imposing a state income tax.” He stated West Texas has to have jobs, healthcare and education to bring people back or keep them.

Lambert welcomes feedback and ideas from his constituents. He may be reached at his Abilene office: 547 Chestnut, Abilene, TX 79602, Phone: (325) 670-9310, Email: stan.lambert@house.texas.gov.

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Local Chit-Chat

BY KAY SPEARS

Missing the mural on the side of the Buffalo Gals building on the NE corner of the downtown Stamford square?

A new one is being planned according to Sue Nicholson, the owner of the building and her Buffalo Gals shop. It was necessary to completely repair the surface due to the chunks falling off, damage from one of the last storms.

Sue and her son, Seth, are being careful with the restoration. They want to make sure the new mural is properly preserved. She is in preliminary discussions with two different local mural artists, looking forward to seeing their ideas of what to put up next.

Grand Movie Lineup 8/30 Angry Birds 9/6 47 Meters Down 9/13 DORA 9/20 Angel Has Fallen (The 3rd movie in a series which includes White House Down and Olympus is Down) 9/27 IT, Chapter 2 10/4 Downton Abbey 10/11 Abominable 10/18 Ad Astra or Rambo 10/25 Joker

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SoLee DuBowik on her first day of 3rd grade at LuedersAvoca.

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Stamford Hospital Board Meeting Frequently

BY KAY SPEARS The Stamford Hospital District (SHD) Board of Directors met on Tuesday, August 13, 2019, Tuesday, August 20, 2019 and Tuesday, August 27, 2019 at the Stamford Hospital in Stamford, TX. Board Members Kevin Corzine, Gary Decker, Kevin McCright, Chuck Muehlstein, Wyatt Oakley, Sutton Page and Erick Richards were at the August 13 & 20 meetings with Chuck Muehlstein absent at the August 27 meeting. CEO Sandy Taber, CFO Elizabeth Miller, Accounting Assistant Debbie Walters and Nurse Practitioners Jamie Benham and Jennie Rhymes were in attendance at the first two meetings. Dr. Jessica Johnson, Lab Director Bill Lee and former Revenue Cycle Manager for SHD, Brigitta Toni, were at the August 13, 2019 meeting. Nurse Practitioner Jennie Rhymes, Lab Director Bill Lee and Cheyenne Bereuter, Marketing, attended the August 27, 2019 meeting.

The meetings of the SHD Board are open to the public, with the exceptions of Closed Sessions.

Sutton Page gave the invocation at the August 13th & August 27th meetings and Kevin Corzine gave the August 20th invocation. At each meeting, the minutes of the previous meeting were approved.

The Board Members continue to discuss options to keep the SHD services open and viable. Discussions include areas surrounding insurance companies, and the many road blocks experienced over the past year.

Each insurance company has their own set of rules and Stamford Hospital District needs to fit each of those criteria, even when the insurance companies change their rules from time to time. Concerning the insurance companies, Gary Decker stated, “They are driving the boat, not us.”

Another problem the

Kevin McCright, new administrator Dee Haddock and Kevin Corzine look over the current Stamford Hospital District financial report before the Tuesday, August 27, 2019 Board Meeting.

Board is dealing with is it appears that there are no other entities quite like SHD. The way the clinic and diagnostic are set up, the government is having a hard time finding a category to put SHD under other than rural healthcare and most rural healthcare locations do not have their own diagnostic facility.

CFO Miller gave brief financial overviews at both the August 13th and the August 20th meetings. At both meetings the Financial Report, the 2020 Budget and the 2019 Property Tax Rate were voted to be tabled to a future meeting.

At the August 20th meeting CEO Taber listed approximately eighteen jobs Patti Daniel was handling before she left SHD’s employ. Taber gave the Board an overview of the current employees they were asking to cover these responsibilities. The Board discussed hiring a temporary Physical Therapist while Lacy Viertel is on maternity leave and hiring a Referral Coordina-

tor when Jennifer Macias leaves the employ of SHD. The air conditioning is in the process of being repaired. It was decided not to sell the ultra-sound machine to Stonewall Memorial Hospital in Aspermont, Texas. The topic to use their ultra-sound services continues to be under discussion.

The Board went into Closed Session at the first two meetings and then adjourned.

A Called Meeting was held on Monday, August 26, 2019 to replace CEO Sandy Taber with a new administrator, William “Dee” Haddock, Hospital Operations/Physician Practice Consulting from Marble Falls, Texas. Haddock was in attendance at the August 27th meeting. CFO Miller gave the Financial Report giving the Board an up to date account of the SHD’s current financial status. She stated the Stamford Hospital District did not have operations until August 2018, making it difficult to com-

pare this year’s numbers with last year. Lee opened a discussion by suggesting they reevaluate programs they are no longer using.

The Financial Report was approved as presented.

The SHD Banking Resolution, to remove Taber and add Haddock, was approved. It was approved to table the 2020 Budget and 2019 Tax Rates until a later meeting. It was stated there are 31 employees, some of those are part time. The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, September 10, 2019, 7:45am, at the Stamford Hospital, 1601 Columbia St., Stamford, Texas.

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New Texas Safety Commission Meets For First Time

Gov. Greg Abbott on Aug. 22 hosted the first meeting of the Texas Safety Commission, pulling together a group of lawmakers, educators, advocates, community leaders and public safety experts.

Created Aug. 19 by the governor, the commission is tasked with developing “an immediate action plan to provide community healing, combat the rise of extremist groups and hateful ideologies, keep guns out of the hands of deranged individuals, and combat domestic terrorism in Texas.”

“It is imperative that Texas develop solutions that not only make our state a better place, but most importantly a safer place. Our starting point began today, with the process of exploring all avenues and reviewing all facts to determine how we can prevent another tragedy like the shooting in El Paso from occurring again,” Abbott said.

“I am grateful for the insight and expertise of those who participated in the Texas Safety Commission meeting today, and I look forward to our continued work as we pursue ideas that will keep Texas safe,” he added.

Present for the first meeting were: Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, House Speaker Dennis Bonnen; El Pasoarea lawmakers Sen. Jose Rodriguez and Reps. Mary Gonzales, Cesar Blanco, Joe Moody and Art Fierro. Also, Senate State Affairs Committee Chair and Senate President Pro Tem Joan Huffman of Houston; Rep. Phil King of Weatherford; Department of Public Safety Director Steve McCraw, and many other key state employees and private citizens.

CYBER ATTACK HITS CITIES The Texas Department of Information Resources (DIR) on Aug. 20 announced that 22 local governmental entities across Texas were

CAPITAL HIGHLIGHTS

Ed Sterling

victims of an Aug. 16 “ransomware attack.” The department said evidence points to a “single threat actor.”

A host of state and federal agencies are investigating the attack. State of Texas systems and networks were not impacted, according to the DIR. To enhance cybersecurity, the DIR is recommending that public and private organizations: —Keep software patches and antivirus tools up to date; —Create strong unique passwords that are changed regularly; —Enable multi-factor authentication, especially for remote logins; —Modernize legacy systems and ensure software is as current as possible; —Limit the granting of administrative access; and —Perform regular, automated backups and keep the backups segregated.

HUGHS IS SECRETARY OF STATE Ruth Ruggero Hughs, chair of the Texas Workforce Commission for the past year, is Texas’s new secretary of state, Gov. Abbott announced Aug. 19.

The appointment took effect immediately. The office became vacant when the Texas Senate did not confirm the appointment of David Whitley, who served as secretary of state from Dec. 17, 2018, to May 27, 2019.

In her new post, Hughs serves as chief election officer for Texas, assisting county election officials and

ensuring the uniform application and interpretation of election laws throughout Texas. The secretary of state’s office is the repository for certain business and commercial records and publishes government rules and regulations and commissions notaries public. The secretary also serves as keeper of the state seal and attestor to the governor’s signature on official documents.

In her new role, Hughs also will serve as senior advisor and liaison to the Governor for Texas Border and Mexican Affairs and as chief international protocol officer for Texas.

TEXAS NOTES SOLD QUICKLY Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar on Aug. 21 announced that the sale of $8 billion in Texas Tax and Revenue Anticipation Notes received a net interest rate of 1.34 percent.

The Comptroller’s office received 67 bids worth $22.77 billion, 2.85 times the amount offered for sale.

Notes sold on Aug. 21 will be repaid on Aug. 27, 2020, Hegar said.

Money from the sale of the notes is used to help fund expenditures such as publicschool payments made early in the fiscal year, before the arrival of tax revenues later in the year.

ANTI-LITTER EFFORT BEGINS The Texas Department of Transportation on Aug. 20 announced that its “Don’t mess with Texas®” campaign and Buc-ee’s, a convenience store chain, are teaming up to fight litter in the Lone Star State.

Billboards along major travel routes are already reminding drivers to keep trash inside their cars until it can be properly disposed of at Buc-ee’s stores across Texas.

Those who litter can face a fine starting at $500 and up to $2,000, TxDOT said.

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COMMISSIONERS: Continued From Page 1

BY KAY SPEARS

The Jones County Commissioners met on Monday, August 26, 2019, 9:00am, at the Courthouse in Anson, TX for the second of two regular meetings for the month of August. In attendance were Judge Dale Spurgin, County Commissioners James Clawson, Lonnie Vivian, Ross Davis, Joel Spraberry, County Clerk LeeAnn Jennings, County Treasurer Amber Thompson, County Auditor Gwen Bailey, County Tax Assessor Collector Gloria Little and County Sheriff Danny Jimenez.

The meeting was called to order by Judge Spurgin before a presentation took place by the Electric Transmission Texas to Anson Volunteer Fire Department. Barry Smith from ETT presented a check for $2,000 stating ETT is a joint venture of the subsidiaries of American Electric Power (AEP) and Berkshire Hathaway. Smith stated they “like to support the communities we serve in” and that “first responders are very, very important to us. In the event of accidents or something like that, we turn to the volunteer fire departments.” Smith introduced Perry Thomson, Anson Fire Chief, and Greg Blair representing AEP. The Commissioners approved the minutes of the regular meeting on August 12, 2019 and the called meeting on August 19, 2019.

Judge Spurgin next introduced Jay Hardaway from H2O Partners, consulting with the West Central Texas Council of Governments (COG) “putting the Hazard Mitigation Plan together for the 19 counties in the COG.” Hardaway stated that every five years the cities and counties in the COG are required to redo their Hazard Mitigation Action Plan. This is a list of recommended actions that a city or county take to mitigate any potential weather hazards. One such

recommendation would be to clean out culverts that could flood or might help to spread a fire.

He commended Judge Spurgin and the Commissioners for the hard work and the many meetings and trainings attended during the past three years to complete the current plan. Judge Spurgin read the Jones County resolution and acknowledged the work of Buddy Pope, Jones County Emergency Management Coordinator. “He does the bulk of this and the efforts he does on behalf of Jones County are greatly appreciated.” Judge Spurgin sited H2O and stated Hardaway’s “contribution was invaluable as well.”

Hardaway recognized Pope for helping surrounding counties with emergency management issues. The Commissioners approved to adopt the resolution.

Next, Judge Spurgin introduced Jon Cook, Director 259th CSCO (Community Service & Correction Dept.) and Juvenile Probation Dept., related to several contracts for the detention of juvenile offenders. The following agenda items were taken as one action item and the Commissioners approved the contracts.

Placement of Juvenile Offenders, space available, between the County of Garza and the 259th Judicial District; Detention of Juvenile Offenders between the County of Tom Green and the County of Jones County; Taylor County Juvenile Justice Center Contract and Agreement between the County of Taylor, Texas and Jones County; Residential Services Grayson County Department of Juvenile Services between Grayson County and the 259th Judicial District.

Cook stated the CSCO and the Juvenile Probation Dept. have contracted with the above counties for the past sixteen years. They normally use Taylor County and Tom Green County when Taylor County is not

available. Garza County is the last on the list due to the higher cost and they use Grayson County for long term placement. The agreements were approved.

The Commissioners then approved the bid submitted

by Skyline Real Estate Services, LLC for the Purchase of (R13993), Lot in Block 54 of the Hamlin Townsite Addition to the City of Hamlin, Jones County, Texas. The Bid Amount is $35.00.

Court cost has been waived.

Judge Spurgin gave an update on the Disaster Declaration and All Items Related Regarding FEMA, TDA and TDEM Forms and Requirements. No action was taken. An update with no action was then given on Bids on Material and Material Hauling and Equipment Purchase and/or Trade.

The Commissioners were updated on an amendment to the Retention Agreement for Legal Services Related to Opioid Litigation and they approved including this amendment to the Commissioners Court minutes.

An update on the Anson Solar Center Road Use Agreement was given by Judge Spurgin. The contractor indicated to him that work will begin in October 2019. The Texas Workforce Commission will have a link on their website (twc.texas. gov) “along with the Project Manager for employment of people to work on that project.”

He stated regarding Solar projects, he has two new applications and there will be an action item at the next Commissioners Court on September 9, 2019 to designate a reinvestment zone for that project. The location of the project is South of Radium, South of Hwy 83, and “I believe it is all contained with the Anson Independent School District and the Anson Hospital District.” It is in Precinct 1 and is called the Jones City Project.

The Commissioners approved the following people being deputized: Amber Lozano, Jones County

Clerk and Teddy Beasley as Deputy of Jones County Sheriff’s Office. It was then approved for the 2020 Sheriffs’ and Constables’ Fees to remain as they are.

County Treasurer Thompson presented the Treasurer’s Report and it was approved. Amend Budget and Line Item Transfers were presented by County Auditor Bailey and approved. It was approved to Pay Bills.

Judge Spurgin stated the Budget Workshop and the items related to it, including 2019 Proposed Tax Rate, Proposed 2020 Budget and Proposed 2019 Tax Rate Notices would be taken up later today, August 26, 2019. “If we adopt a tax rate above the effective tax rate, we will be publishing a tax rate notice. We will have two Public Hearings related to any tax rate increase above the effective rate.” Those dates for Public Hearings will be September 9, 2019 at the regular meeting and a called meeting will be on September 16, 2019. On Monday, September 23, 2019 they will be adopting a tax rate and budget.

Judge Spurgin convened the Board of Directors of the Texas Midwest Public Facility Corporation and the Jones County Public Facility Corporation. “The Boards of those PFC’s are made up of myself, Joel Spraberry is the other member of the Commissioners Court, Sheriff Jimenez, County Auditor Gwen Bailey and the public member, Bill Carman.” The Commissioners Court and the PFC’s went into Executive Session to discuss matters relating to the detention facility located in Jones County with Attorney Herb Bristow of the law firm of Haley & Olson.

Upon reconvening the Open Session, Judge Spurgin introduced Sergio Molina and Dan Joslin from Management Training Corp. (MTC). Bristow gave a summary of the contracts in need of approval by the Commissioners Court and the PFC Board Members.

The base agreement is

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an interlocal cooperation agreement between the US Dept. of Immigration or ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) and Jones County, Texas. “That agreement calls for the utilization of this facility and some significant modifications to it in order to make it meet the mission that ICE sees this facility fulfilling.”

This includes updating the heating/cooling systems and the plumbing, moving walls and furniture to repurpose some of the facility. There will be a new double fence and outside this fence will be a new warehouse and armory.

Bonds need to be restructured and reissued.

Molina gave a brief history of MTC stating it was started in 1981 and merged with the Job Corp Center, which operated training centers for at-risk youths, funded by the US Dept. of Labor. MTC operates 23 of those centers around the country, impacting 11,000 students between the ages of 16 and 24 per year. “We value the partnerships we have in the communities we operate.” They began managing one detention center in California for parole violators and that aspect of the business grew from there. They now operate 25 correctional facilities and detention centers across the country and ICE is one of their clients along with the US Marshal Service, the Federal Bureau of Prisons and state prison contracts.

He stated the facilities they operate are nothing like the places seen on TV. They wear “BIONIC” lapel pins which stands for Believe It Or Not I Care.

This is an operational philosophy they incorporate at all of their facilities and means they expect people to treat people with respect.

“Give people opportunity and that is what we do.

We believe in the humane treatment of those in our custody.” At this time, they are looking at employing 275 people at the Bluebonnet Facility.

Joslin gave an overview of what they do for people in

an immigration detention facility. They are not in the business to detain families or children. ICE has delegated only adult males to be in this facility. They will have access to “high quality, high standard medical care,” all the legal help/ representation to process through their immigration cases, and all basics they need. The basics include good food, comfortable place to sleep, programs/ opportunities to keep them occupied during their stay in the facility. “The folks we are housing are not necessarily accused of crimes, they’re being processed for immigration violations or they have claimed asylum.”

He stated there are high standards they have to abide by. The time frame for these individuals are as little as 14-15 days to 60-70 days. This is usually time for the detainees to have their cases heard or processed. “Or either released on bond for a pending or other hearing.”

When they are released or bonded out, someone will either come and pick them up to take them back to where they were living or MTC will transport them to a location where they will either catch a bus or plane to be transferred to wherever they are going to stay, “which is typically with another family member that’s going to sponsor them while they are awaiting the rest of their case to be processed.”

Joslin stated they have years of experience dealing with people from other countries and have translation devices in order to effectively communicate with them. Molina stated they encourage local volunteer groups to come into the facility to provide services to the detainees. Joslin stated they are not required to have programs for the detainees due to the short stays, but they are committed to having the programs to give opportunities and hope.

Judge Spurgin gave time for public comments.

One of the concerns was

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separating families. Molina stated ICE determines who comes to the facilities they operate. MTC helps detainees make and keep contact with family in the US. Another concern was allowing religious groups into the facility. Joslin stated there is a Chaplain on staff and volunteers will be able to help the detainees. There was a question about how long the facility will be open. Bristow stated the base arrangement is five years with ICE and the restructuring of bonds is ten years. Receiving detainees should begin in ninety days. ICE dictates whether or not there will be an open house for the public to see what improvements have been made.

Regarding the Texas Midwest/Jones County “Bluebonnet” Detention Facility the following agreements were approved by the Commissioners Court, the Texas Midwest PFC and the Jones County PFC: Intergovernmental Services Agreement with ICE/Detention Compliance and Removals/Office

of Acquisition Managed; Operation and Management Services Agreement with MTD; Agreement for Capital Improvement under the Operation and Management Services Agreement; Agreement to Restructure Payment Terms of Bonds and Amendment to Bond Documents; Agreement of Lease Property from Jones County Public Facility Corporation.

The Bluebonnet Facility will house 750 inmates.

Eleven million dollars of federal funding will be for the intake, medical, warehouse and armory areas. No tax dollars from Jones County will be used.

The Commissioners Court and the PFC’s approved the resolution required to be read into the Court minutes. Judge Spurgin recessed the meeting to be reconvened after lunch for the Budget Workshop.

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Judge Spurgin and members of the Commissioners Court are pictured with Barry Smith from ETT (Electric Transmission Texas) and Gary Blair of AEP when Fire Chief Perry Thompson received a $2,000 check from ETT to the Anson Volunteer Fire Department on August 26, 2019.

Jay Hardaway from H2O Partners reported to the Jones County Commissioners Court on the Hazard Mitigation Plan, August 26, 2019. This plan is reviewed and renewed every 5 years to help the County and its residents be safe in emergencies.

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Meet the Bulldogs

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10 AUGUST 30, 2019 It was good to see so many clouds around for a change, and I am so glad that some folks got a rain.

Of course I did not get a sprinkle but I sure did hear a lot of thunder. Well, maybe next time.

If we don’t burn up tomorrow as the weatherman said it would be 111 degree tomorrow. God Bless Us. I was so proud to have Mike and Maxelle Baldree spend Monday with me.

They really put in a lot of time working around here.

Thanks son and daughter-inlaw, appreciate you.

The Hobby Club had their night out on Tuesday evening and we all enjoyed the meal at the Rustic Restaurant in Haskell. We were glad they had a special room for just us, as we love to talk and laugh. Enjoying the evening together were Joyce Lefevre, Jack and Peggy Tabor, Vanesa Griffith, Dean and Pat Quade, Anita Dozier, Mittie Dunham, Sybil Kendrick, Mike and Cheryl Hertel,

news@americannewspapers.net Karleigh Hertel, Nan Sublett, Michael and Tomzie Steele, Skylar Steele, JoAnn Doss, James and Vickie Wilhite, J B and Dorothy Toney, Michelle Toney, David and Nancy Griffin, and Clayton and Paula Stegemoeller.

Old Glory was really booming on Saturday evening with the musical at the Community Center and the Jake Hooker Band playing for a dance at the Sons of Hermann Lodge. Many, many folks around here.

We had a great musical at the Center on Saturday evening. Approximately 65 folks enjoyed a lot of great music and plenty of good food.

Thanks to everyone that enjoyed the food at our concession stand as we sold out.

The musicians always enjoy playing at OG with their friends, so much talent. Winning the door prizes were Donna Hrmcuck of Abilene and Ben Holt of Vera. See you all at the next musical in September. Oh, Thanks to Jan Harris for helping us at

Charles Perry’s the concession talk. The stand, she was High School a great help. students were Mike and there and parMaxelle ticipated in the Baldree of Tuscola and their question and grandson, answer session Duke Baldree which made it of Abilene let OLD GLORY NEWS very interesting. me go with Mittie stated them to AlBy Anita Dozier bany on Thursthat she was day evening. very thankful for the four tenths of Duke (my great grandson) rain she got on Thursday is four years old and he entertained us on our journey. evening.

You know youngsters are so Matthew Pierce hosted smart now, not like when we a big birthday celebration were children. for his dad, Glen PIerce, at Mittie Dunham and Sybil his beautiful place at the Kendrick drove to Stamford Stamford Lake on Sunday. on Tuesday to do some Helping Glen celebrate his shopping and then ate and big 89 birthday were Helen visited with J C Riddle and (his bride), Wes and Tracy Oscar Armstrong at the VIP Pierce of Nocona, Kelsey Center. and Corby Covalt of Norman, Oklahoma, Dax Covalt Thursday, Mittie had coffee in Aspermont with Steve from Woodward, Oklahoma, Duncan and Lynn and Stella Kambryn Pierce and her Davis. She and Sybil had friend, Carson Rowlett from lunch at the Senior Citizens Texas Tech, Wayne Briggs Center and heard Senator and Crete from Haskell,

THE NEW STAMFORD AMERICAN

Kade and Sarah Lowack from Aspermont, Jami and Craig Weilde of Knox City, and Kim and Bobby Lowack and Kelly from OG. The group enjoyed lot of good food and a big birthday cake. Glen received several phone calls including his sister, Pat, who lives in Roger, Texas. Happy Birthday, Glen.

Dale and Carm Letz, Doug and Debbie Vahlenkamp and Gary and Carolyn Teichelman were in charge of the fellowship luncheon at the First United Methodist Church in Stamford on Sunday. Everyone enjoyed the lunch.

Danny and Phyllis Letz met their family for lunch at a restaurant in Stamford on Sunday after church. Enjoying the lunch together were Jana and Albert Hinkle and Remington of Abilene and Casey and Emery Letz, Rylan and Cale of Stamford.

Following church services in Aspermont on Sunday, Mittie met Bob and Juandell Giles of Spur, Charles

and Mary Grisham, Mattie Weaver, Johnny Nell Pittcock of Aspermont for lunch and a nice visit. J C Riddle joined them for dessert.

Verlene Corzine, Meta Kupatt, Odene Dudensing and I enjoyed having lunch in Stamford following church service in Sagerton on Sunday.

Thought for the week: “When it is obvious that the goals cannot be reached, don’t adjust the goals, adjust the action steps.”

Happy Birthday wishes go to Darin Epley, Jake Teichelman, Bobby Lowack, Marla Hawkins, Angela Teichelman, Cherri Stegemoeller, Joann Ford, Joseph Melton, Silvia Alvarez, Roni Blair, Kyler Rhoads, Kaye Teichelman, Ross Teichelman, Cynthia Kirby, Calee Phemister, and Barbara DeBusk. We wish you many more.

Anniversary greetings go to Wesley and Jackie Martin, and Daryl and Kim Schuchart. Have a wonderful day.

St Ann’s Catholic Church 1001 S Swenson 325-773-2659 AM Mass: 11:00

Temple Baptist Church Jesse Morton 309 E Campbell 325-773-2550 AM Service: 11:00

LOCAL CHURCHES Avoca Baptist Church Rev. Les Mims 773-3531 AM Worship: 11:00 Avoca United Methodist Church Dennis Huffaker 773-3909 AM Worship: 9:45 Bethel Church of God in Christ Pastor Session 407 W Handlan 325-773-5730 Bethel (Christ) Lutheran Church Rev. Richard Strait 1024 E. Vanderbilt 325-773-5949 AM Worship: 9:00 Bethel Lutheran Church Rev. Richard Strait 10707 N. FM 600 325-773-5949 AM Worship: 11:00

Central Presbyterian Rev. Dr. Kelly Pigott 601 Rowland 325-773-3381 AM Worship: 11:00 Common Ground Youth Ministry Paul Wright 219 S Swenson 325-773-3604 Faith Lutheran Church Sagerton, Texas 940-200-0723 AM Worship: 10:30 Family Church of Christ 1505 E. Wells St 325-773-5250 Worship: 9:45 a.m.

1st Assembly 1214 Compton Pastor John Shepard Worship: Saturday @ 6:00PM (325)267-0955

First Baptist Church John Ward 214 N Swenson 325-773-2781 AM Worship: 11:00 House of God Pastor Bobby Acosta 802 Ferguson St Sundays 11:00 am Lueders First Baptist Church Roscoe McCoy 228-4622 AM Worship: 11:00 MacKenzie Trail Cowboy Church AM worship 11:00 Heart of God Church 114 E Campbell Joanne Ochoa AM Worship 10:30 Nugent Baptist Church Craig Thames 228-4457 Worship: 11:00

Nugent Church of Christ Nugent, Texas Wayne Kitchens, Preacher Sun. 10 Bible Classes 11 Morning Assembly Orient Street Church of Christ Wes Horn 510 S Orient 773-3419 Worship: 10:30 Paint Creek Baptist Church Pastor Tony Grand 940-864-3358 AM Worship: 11:00

WANT TO SPONSOR THE CHURCH PAGE? Call 325-773-5550

St. John’s United Methodist Church Pastor John Erwin 201 S Ferguson 325-773-2561 AM Worship: 10:50 Solomon Temple Baptist Church Rev. Donnie Massey 315 N. Haskell St. 325-773-2213 AM Worship 11:00

Trinity Church Dr. Robert Wingrove 220 E. McHarg

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Have you ever looked at a tree with a crooked trunk and wondered what keeps that trunk from breaking?

After all, that bent piece of wood is supporting a complete tree. I know that I wouldn’t be able to build something capable of holding up a leaning tree without using some pretty heavy engineering, yet the trees seem to be capable of doing this without growing exceptionally larger trunks.

We have some very good examples of these gravity defying trees in our local fields and pastures. The live oak groves (technically called motts) that grow untended on open property, will almost always have lots of trees that are leaning and bending to get out from under the shade of the pioneer trees in the center of these clusters.

The natural environment is an extremely competitive place. I think we are all familiar with the kill or be killed competition between animals, but what we sometimes don’t think of is the same struggle for food and resources exists among plants. The largest part of this plant versus plant contest is for the available light. The bent and leaning trunks that I’m referring to here are nothing more than trees trying to get out from under the shade of the larger trees that are winning or have won the struggle for light.

By the way, trees don’t actually grow away from shade, what they really do is grow into light. If a tree is evenly shaded all the way around, it won’t grow in any particular direction away from the shade, it will just grow very slowly where it is, or die from lack of sunlight. This happens to lots of young trees. But if there is a little bit of sun on one part of our shaded plant, it will devote what few resources it has to growing into this lit area.

The larger trees that have managed to bend themselves into some sunlight are the few survivors of this quiet but intense struggle for light.

So if the only trees that

get to grow straight trunks and evenly balanced canopies are the few that are growing by themselves, in totally unshaded areas, how do all of the other trees that are growing in an unbalanced shape support themselves?

What they do is grow something called reaction wood. If you cut into a tree branch or trunk, assuming that there is no decay or other large flaws, wherever you cut it will all look like, well, wood. It will also all look about the same. The differences in the reaction wood and just clear wood that could be turned into lumber aren’t really visible to the naked eye.

Since this bending and turning towards light happens over a long period of time, as the canopy grows and burdens the bowed trunk, the plant is able to develop this reaction wood right along with the growth of the whole tree so that as the tree gets larger and heavier, the supporting parts strengthen at the same time. The faster growing a tree is, the less success it is going to have at developing a trunk strong enough to support a severely lopsided shape.

Of course, if it is a fast enough growing tree, it may get above the surrounding plants and not need a bent trunk.

There are two kinds of reaction wood, compression wood develops in softwoods (conifers), and tension wood develops in hardwoods (basically, trees with leaves instead of needles). Compression wood forms on the bottom of branches and on the side of trunks that the tree leans

into. Compression wood can be brittle and really isn’t any good for lumber.

Since most conifers don’t normally develop as bent of a trunk as hardwoods, and their branches tend to be smaller, compression wood doesn’t have to be able to stand as much stress as tension wood.

Although tension wood in hardwoods performs the same function as compression wood does in softwoods, the stresses that it has to handle are more severe and it performs this function by strengthening the tops of branches and the sides of trunks that the tree leans away from.

Hardwoods do habitually develop one sided canopies, leaning or bent trunks, and very large heavy side limbs that need to be supported.

By the way, I know that sequoias and redwoods are absolute monsters, and they are also conifers, but if you compare the branches to the trunk by percentage, I think you will find that even these huge branching structures will still be in the same scale as the other softwoods.

While these two different types of reaction wood can and do strengthen tree trunks and branches, they both have a serious drawback for our uses. That little flaw is that they don’t make even decent lumber.

While some branches can be large enough, particularly on hardwoods, to cut into lumber, if someone were to try that, the result would be a lot of heavily warped and twisted boards.

While that large branch biologically is little different from a tree trunk of the same type of wood, the

WEST TEXAS TREES AND LANDSCAPES

By Bruce Kreitler and the KWKC Green Team problem is, it is just like a tree trunk that has been growing sideways, not one that was growing straight up.

There is a little aside to this warping and bending of reaction wood and the curved shape of some trunks. These types of trees were sought out for ship building in the age of sail. There were important parts of ships that couldn’t be correctly made out of straight lumber, and the twisted, curving trunks and branches were actually a strategic material at one time.

If you have any landscaping, landscape maintenance, or tree questions you would like answered in this column, submit them care of cmetler@ stamfordamerican.net or info@BrokenWillow.com.

AUGUST 30, 2019 11

VACANCY AT THE TOP OF USDA AS PERDUE GAINS A FULL-TIME DEPUTY FOR NUTRITION After two years with a title that suggested he was a placeholder, Brandon Lipps formally became deputy undersecretary for nutrition at the Agriculture Department on Monday.

KASN AG REPORT The Trump administration With Richard Kemp has not filled the top nutrition post at USDA. CONGRESSIONAL FARM SUPPORT COULD DRY UP IN DELUGE OF TRUMP AID Lawmakers are complaining about “all this welfare going to farmers” during the trade war and they might balk at providing more aid if there is a farm crisis, said House Agriculture chairman Collin Peterson in a broadcast interview. “It undermines us,” said Peterson. “If we need to do something, it is going to make it very much more difficult to get political support to respond.”

PROFITABILITY OF MANY MIDWESTERN CORN, SOY FARMS ‘WILL ALMOST SURELY FALL’ Farmland values are falling for the fifth year in the Midwest, and one factor in the decline is “muted expectations for farm income” this year, said the Chicago Federal Reserve Bank on Thursday. “The profitability of many corn and soybean farms will almost surely fall from their 2018 levels — possibly by a lot for some.”

‘CITY SLICKERS’ GET TRUMP TARIFF PAYMENTS More than 9,000 people living in the largest U.S. cities received thousands of dollars in Trump tariff payments intended to mitigate the impact of the trade war on U.S. agriculture, said the Environmental Working Group on Thursday.

CHINA BUYS U.S. PORK AS TRADE WAR DEEPENS Exporters reported the sale of 10,200 tonnes of U.S. pork to China during the week ending Aug. 8, the same period that China said it was shutting off purchases of American ag exports.

‘DIGITAL DIVIDE’ PERSISTS, THOUGH 53 PERCENT OF FARMS CONDUCT BUSINESS ON INTERNET More than half of U.S. farm operators say they do business over the internet, a 13-point increase in six years, as ownership of computers and access to the internet blossomed, according to USDA. Nonetheless, the Pew Research Center says rural Americans are much less likely than their city counterparts to have a smartphone or broadband service at home.

AG SECTOR ‘UNCERTAINTY’ PULLS DOWN SALES FOR WORLD’S LARGEST FARM EQUIPMENT MAKER Farmers are sitting on their checkbooks instead of buying new equipment because of the Sino-U.S. trade war and planting delays in the United States, said the chief executive of Deere and Co., the world’s largest farm equipment manufacturer. Deere, which also makes construction and logging equipment, said overall sales fell 3 percent during May, June and July, led by a 6-percent drop in agriculture and turf, its largest division.

12 AUGUST 30, 2019

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Don’t Lose Touch In just about a week or two I will be coming up on my fifth year of writing “Thoughts from Under the Cap” and before I go any further I want to thank each and every one of you that have stopped to read my thoughts and ramblings throughout this time and also those that have even seen me to compliment me on the THOUGHTS FROM column. Your reactions really mean a lot and they really help UNDER THE CAP me keep going. While it is difficult to remember each and Will McClure every column, I still remember my very first one, which I also say that while I am glad to be continuing this column, I am not really proud of what inspired me to start it. My very first column concerned myself discovering that a friend of mine had taken his own life, finding out via Facebook, and thinking that if I or anyone else had reached out to him he may still be here today. My first column talked about how we should put the social back into social media and use it to make those connections because you never know when someone may need a kind word to brighten their day. Now nearly five years later, the idea of keeping these connections and not losing touch is truer now than ever before.

With the rush of life hitting us every day and seeming like there are not enough hours in a single day, we tend to forget about the connections we make. Whether it be friends or even family, we tend to forgot about making that phone call we’ve been needing to make or sending a simple text or posting to social media. Sometimes we realize it as we are going to bed at night and think “well, it is too late now, I’ll do it in the morning.” But do we remember to make that connection in the morning? More often than not we tend to forget again and more time starts to slip by. With family, the connection is a bit easier to reestablish if some time has passed, but friendships can drift away to the point where it may seem a bit awkward to send that message or make that phone call. I believe the mindset for many would be if that one was truly a friend, they would make sure that so much time would never pass. Time and worry ends more friendships now than ever before and this never has to be the case.

So, my main mission for all of you this week is quite simple: make sure that you keep your connections strong and don’t lose touch with your friends and family. I have written here many times over that friends and family are the biggest support system you have and it would be a shame to waste whatever you have. Even if it has been a while since you have spoken to that particular friend or family member, keep it in your mind that time should not destroy the connections you have built up. Try not to worry about mentioning the time that has passed and just focus on the here and now. If it does come up, a simple apology can make all the difference in the world. Some relationships need a bit more than this, but it is a step in the right direction. Don’t get involved in the rush of daily life and instead build the connections that will last a lifetime. We only have one life to live, and it is better to make the days, hours and minutes count with connections than be swept up in the hustle and bustle of the daily grind. In fact, if you are able to build those relationships and even do a bit of reconnecting, the daily grind will no longer even be a factor in who you are.

Until next time, dear reader, my cap’s off to you!

Tourists Have Discovered Iceland I asked my wife where she wanted to go this summer. She said, “Someplace cool.” So we went to Iceland, the westernmost part of Europe. The capital city of Reykjavik is the most northern capital city in the world. In preparing for the trip we watched several videos but none were as beautiful as the sights we saw.

Dallas has a direct 7-hour flight to Reykjavik, a city full of young people, interesting narrow and curving downtown streets with shops, bars, hotels and much construction.

The feeling is very similar to what we’ve found in Montreal or Quebec or other cities that have street performers, strolling musicians and lots of activity.

Iceland is a small country about the size of Colorado. Half the population of 330,000 live in or near Reykjavik. Fishing is a major industry and fish is the number one export item. There are small fishing villages all along the coastline. Some have less than a hundred residents.

We heard about one that had 240 people living there and 60 of them are

in the same family.

Iceland had a major financial crisis in 2008 but rebounded quickly. One of the 300 volcanoes erupted causing major air traffic problems all over the western hemisphere.

But it put Iceland on the map and the traveling public became curious about the country. Tourism soared and is now a big part of the country’s economy. There is a volcano eruption every 3 years, up from every 6 years a while back.

We saw spectacular waterfalls, clouds of steam, lakes, glaciers, whales and green mountains.

The temperature in early August was around 60 degrees and we had sunshine every day. We were expecting rain, wind and cold and brought plenty of winter clothes. Didn’t need them, thank goodness. We took long hikes and had delicious food.

Lots of fish. We cruised around the entire island

TUMBLEWEED SMITH

VIP MENU September 2-6 Tuesday Salmon Patty, Mac & Cheese, Coleslaw, Mixed Fruit Wednesday Frito Pie, Refried Beans,

stopping at Seydisfjordur, Akurevri, Isafjordur and Grundarfjordur. Our cruise ship, the Star Breeze, part of the Windstar fleet, presented us with certificates indicating we had crossed the Arctic Circle.

A lot of people drive the ring road around the entire island (the last part of it was paved while we were there). Gas is 8 dollars a gallon. Another popular activity is to take a hot soak in the Blue Lagoon thermal baths.

Salad, Ice Cream Thursday Goulash, Fried Okra, Cornbread, Banana Friday Chicken Pot Pie, Salad, Cherry Dump Cake

Some of the spots we visited were in remote areas with dirt roads. Suddenly we would see dozens of tour buses at the site, letting passengers view the waterfalls, glaciers or steam clouds. Our captain stopped the ship so passengers could see 18 whales playing around the ship. He was as excited as the passengers. He had never seen anything like this before even though he had been at the spot many times.

Iceland is a surprising place. It is an emerging country just now becoming an important destination. It dates back to the late 800’s when settlers came from Norway and Denmark. The country got its independence from Denmark in 1944.

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Time “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” —Psalm 90:12 I’m taking a one-week detour from my series on vacant buildings. This topic has been on my mind and I felt compelled to share.

It’s funny how the Good Lord’s timing works. As I was preparing a Sunday School lesson on Sunday morning, I stumbled into this verse from Psalms and some great wisdom on using our time wisely. Then, this week hit. It’s been just one of those weeks with too many things to do and not enough time to do them well. The to-do list has had too many tasks that were either unpleasant or necessary drudgery. Sometimes the schedule just lines up that way. Sometimes it’s our own fault for procrastinating those tasks. Sometimes it’s a little of both.

When the Bible speaks about managing our time, it does so from a holistic perspective on living our entire life well. It doesn’t tell us how to manage our time.

Instead, it gives us some very simple principles. Put God first. Keep God at the forefront of all you do. Remember that we’re here on Earth for only a short time, so use that time well. In 1 Corinthians 10:31, Paul’s very familiar instruction to us is an excellent time management reminder: “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all

for the glory of God.” This is not a magical secret to success like you hear from motivational speakers and authors trying to sell you their books and seminars, but it’s much more powerful.

We spend a lot of time in our life being “busy.”

We are busy, we tell others we’re busy, we ask them how busy they are. Americans glorify being busy as if it’s a good thing, because we see “busy” as a sign of success and prosperity.

People ask how we’re doing, how work is, how the kids are. We say we are busy as if it is a badge of honor. But is it?

Let’s have some real talk.

Have we asked ourselves *why* we’re busy? Are we busy (or boasting about being busy) to impress others? Are we busy because we are glorifying material success? Or maybe, do we sometimes use being busy as a disguise for laziness?

We can be like the kid in school who is doodling on his paper, but when the teacher looks at him, he stares at the paper very intensely to fool the teacher into thinking he’s concentrating on his work.

If I sit in the recliner and stare blankly ahead, that feels like I’m doing nothing. That seems lazy. But if I’m scrolling through social media or filling my time in some other “busy” way, then I’m totally doing something, right? I keep myself busy doing nothing, while

ESSAYS FROM WEST OF 98 James M. Decker pretending it’s actually something.

We make ourselves busy because our society encourages it. Glorifying being busy is a plague on American society. It wears us down and it is draining to our own mental health and self-worth. It is good to work and to work hard, particularly when you are pursuing your passions or improving the lives of people around you. It is not good to be busy for the wrong reasons or to be busy just for the sake of it.

Earlier in Psalms 90, the author (Moses) writes “A thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by.” In the grand scheme of God’s creation, our individual days are but a speck of time. Our lives are short and pass by quickly. Let us make sure we use them, every day, for the right reasons, to glorify the right things.

James Decker is a lawyer, farmer, and mayor in Stamford, and the creator of the forthcoming “West of 98” podcast and website. He may be contacted through Facebook at facebook.com/james.decker.

ROTARY CLUB NEWS The Mayor of Stamford, James Decker, was asked to bring an updated report to the Club on what is happening in our community.

The City Council is just completing the budget process and has spent much time is evaluating the priorities for Stamford.

The proposed budget is for $4.3 million-of this, $850,000 is derived from property taxes, approxi-

mately $579.000 from Sales Tax and most of the balance from water sales and other services. Stamford was originally laid out for a projected population of 10,000 and with only about 3,000 people, there is a lot of excess land and many structures that need to be torn down. This year’s budget will include $36,000 for Reclaiming Stamford, another $25,000 for im-

provement to our parks.

Once the water tower and new water filtering system is completed, the remaining funds will be used for replacing water lines and street improvement.

AUGUST 30, 2019

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AUGUST 30, 2019

THE NEW STAMFORD AMERICAN

Now Hiring for all positions including: Detention Officers — $20.49 per hour Cooks, Maintenance Techs, and CDL -B Drivers Registered Nurses, Dentist, Mental Health Professionals

Full benefits packages available Apply online at

www.mtcjobs.com

Or Call (801) 693-2600 for more information Management & Training Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer: Minority/Female/Disability/Veteran

AUGUST 30, 2019 15

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THE NEW STAMFORD AMERICAN

PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

Classifieds HELP WANTED Hanson Paint & Body Shop in Haskell, Texas is taking applications for the position of auto body paint and repairman. Please apply at 207 S. 1st Street, Haskell, Texas.

Sagebrush Living Center is accepting applications for a weekend janitor, Direct Support Staff, laundry worker (4 on and 2 off ), and cook’s helper (1 pm to 6:15 pm, 4 on and 2 off ). Please contact Kathy Phillips, Mario Cedillo or Doug Stanley Facility Director.

Phone # 325-773-2791.

Throckmorton County Memorial Hospital is now accepting applications for a full time night shift RN and PRN LVNs. Please call Kinsi Voss at 940-849-2151/940-256-0430 for more details. Resumes may also be emailed to vossk@ windstream.net

PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR FLUID INJECTION WELL PERMIT Wilcox Petroleum Operating, LLC, P O BOX 580, Rule, TX 79547, is applying to Railroad Commission of Texas for a permit to inject fluid into a formation which is productive of oil and/or gas.

The applicant proposes to inject fluid into the Sojourner Sand Formation, Adams Farmer, Lease, Well Number 1.

The proposed injection well is located 4 miles southwest of Haskell in the Sojourner Field, in Haskell County. Fluid will be injected into strata in the subsurface depth interval from 5237 to 5259 feet.

LEGAL AUTHORITY: Chapter

27 of the Texas Water Code, as amended, Title 3 of the Texas Natural Resources Code, as amended, and the Statewide Rules of the Oil and Gas Division of the Railroad Commission of Texas.

Requests for a public hearing from persons who can show they are adversely affected, or requests for further information concerning any aspect of the application should be submitted in writing, within fifteen days of publication, to the Environmental Services Section, Oil and Gas Division, Railroad Commission of Texas, P.O. Box 12967, Austin, Texas 78711 (Telephone 512-4636792).

NOTICE TO CREDITORS Notice is hereby given that original Letters Testamentary for the Estate of BRENDA BRYANT MAY, Deceased, were issued on August 26, 2019, in Cause No. 19-7391, pending in the County Court of Jones County, Texas, to: LINDA DENNIS MCMEEKAN. All persons having claims against this Estate which is currently being administered are required to present them to the undersigned within the time and in the manner prescribed by law. c/o: Linda Dennis McMeekan 19 Lamar Circle; Abilene, Taylor County, Texas 79601 DATED the 26th day of AUGUST, 2019.

CHAD COWAN State Bar No.: 00793556 P.O. Box 68 Anson, Texas 79501 Telephone: (325) 823-3771 Facsimile: (325) 823-4223

THE COMMISSIONERS COURT OF JONES COUNTY, TEXAS WILL HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING ON MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2019, AT 10:00 A.M. IN THE JONES COUNTY COURTHOUSE AT 1100 12TH STREET, ANSON, TEXAS, AT WHICH TIME ALL INTERESTED PERSONS ARE ENTITLED TO SPEAK AND PRESENT EVIDENCE FOR OR AGAINST THE PROPOSED DESIGNATION OF THE JONES CITY SOLAR REINVESTMENT ZONE, UNDER CHAPTER 312 OF THE TEXAS TAX CODE. THE PROPOSED ZONE IS LOCATED IN JONES COUNTY,

TEXAS, AND IS DESCRIBED AS BEING APPROXIMATLEY 3,805 ACRES OF LAND OUT OF SUBDIVISIONS 16, 17, 19, 20 AND 26 THROUGH 30, W.L. CHITTENDEN SUBDIVISION OF THE LOUIS KRATZ LEAGUE NOS. 334, 335 AND 336, JONES COUNTY, TEXAS. A MAP AND LEGAL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE AREA ARE AVAILABLE FOR VIEWING AT THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY JUDGE. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS REGARDING THE PROPOSED DESIGNATION OF THE REINVESTMENT ZONE, PLEASE CALL JONES COUNTY JUDGE DALE SPURGIN AT 325823-3741.

1105 New Hope Road 2/2 brick Great Location!...........Reduced!.....$97,000 1215 Wesleyan Nice 3/2 w fireplace and hot tub room!..................$92,500 716 E Oliver 4 bedroom/ 2 baths quiet area!...........................................$69,900 512 Dodson Drive, Great Buy 3/2.........................................................$49,900 712 E Vanderbilt 1910 2 story Victorian family home.......Reduced $129,900 1502 Compton Great 3/2/2 Ranch Home on 1.6± AC!............IN CONTRACT 7725 US Hwy 277 Hawley A-frame on almost half an acre!................$68,000 2325 Ave Q Anson 4/3 Brick home w/ Metal Shop on 6± Acres.......$330,000 1222 Ave L Anson Farmhouse style, 2/2, fenced bk yard...........................SOLD 715 Ave. J Anson UPDATED 3/2 Brick, Sprinkler System......................SOLD 1502 Ave K Anson 1885 sq. ft. separate apartment & metal shop......$184,900 1222 23rd St ANSON 4/2, 2400 sq ft, manufactured home on 1 acre..$167,000 1720 Ave I Anson. Charming 2/1 cottage style home .............IN CONTRACT 519 Commercial Ave, Anson 3/1 Rock home w shop..... Reduced! $51,000 COMMERCIAL 1611 N Swenson Historic Cliff House Restaurant...................IN CONTRACT 1631 17th St, Anson 4,000 sq. ft, restaurant equip. included....IN CONTRACT 901 Commercial ANSON- 12,600 Sq. Ft. parking lot, HWY Front...$175,000

FARM & RANCH

DICKENS COUNTY

1,450± AC Fantastic Hunting, Shinnery, Large Stock Tank

FISHER COUNTY

480 ± AC SE of Roby Tank, Well & Rural Water!

170± AC SE of Rotan Pasture w/ Shinnery, Paved rd frontage, well & rural water.

953± AC IN CONTRACT 130± Ac South of Sylvester on FM 1085 Nice small tract in good area!

CALLAHAN COUNTY

1,015± AC Great Sock Farm or Hay farm IN CONTRACT

HASKELL COUNTY

271± AC dryland farm w/ Pasture NE of Haskell NEW 227± ac N of Rule Cultivated w.

Pasture NEW 627 ± AC - Mule Creek ranch- live water, cabin, great hunting 202± AC - Box Springs Ranch - Improved Grass, Stock Tank SOLD 160± AC – The Kittley Irrigated Farm Northwest of Rule!

JONES COUNTY

20± AC OAK TREES w/ Electric and Rural Water near Ft. Phantom 220± AC California Creek Cultivation w/ HWY 6 frontage & good fence!

230± AC Premier River Property w/ cabin N of Ft. Phantom 1,170± AC Cattle place Pasture, pens, good fence HWY 180 & FM 600 frontage 663± AC Great combo w/ fence, pens, water well and tank N of Anson 389± AC Cultivation, Rural water & Electric N of Merkle 80± AC Nice Horse Place w/ 4 Bed home near Hamlin lots of Improvements!

2 Tracts of 62.14 acres each, CR 440, tanks, well, fencing, hunting.

NEW 782± AC - Mostly cultivated farm.

Outside of Neinda 512± AC - on Top of Flat Top - CRP, 2 Water Wells and Beautiful Views!

202± AC – 202 Ranch- great hunting West of Stamford 247± AC Stock Farm, Culti and pasture!

160± AC Cultivation south of Avoca 139± AC- Farrington Cotton Farm Prime Cultivation 50± AC Cultivated farm great hunting!

230± AC Ft. Phantom River Ranch, Excellent Hunting!

KENT COUNTY

922± AC-Panther Canyon Ranch-Native pasture w/ food plots, springs on Panther Canyon and Croton Creek on Boundary!

521± AC – The Grove- Shinnery & Mesquite Combination, SOLD

SCURRY COUNTY

1,421± AC - Impossible Canyon Ranch Deep Canyons & Fantastic Hunting!

SHACKELFORD COUNTY

440± AC Cultivation & Pasture w/ Spring, Rural water & 3 tanks!

STEPHENS COUNTY

155± AC Great Hunting, Cabin with 2 Earth Tanks!

85± AC w/ house

STONEWALL COUNTY

5,950± AC- Seven Diamond L Canyon Ranch two creeks and river 2,082± -AC- Double View Ranch- Spectacular views, River & Cabin!

1,322± AC - Maddie Ola Ranch - Big Water, Extremely Diverse, & Great Hunting!

800± AC - White Ghost River Ranch - Salt Fork of the Brazos! Views of the River Canyon!

668± AC - MZ East Pasture Ranch - Ready to Hunt, Spectacular Views!

320± AC – River Frontage w/ Beautiful 2 story home and additional acreage for lease!

387± AC - Great Hunting w/ Cabin Set Up and Ready to Hunt!

249± AC River Bluff Ranch mile of SFB River, gorgeous bluffs, shinnery, elevations, very diverse!

130± AC- Youngers 130 Good Cultivation and great Hunting!

332± AC – Canyon West Ranch Great Views!

Water, Electric & Secluded!

TAYLOR COUNTY

50± AC White Mines Road-Wylie ISD-No Restrictions! SOLD 5± Acres Off of HWY 351 No Restrictions List Price $40,000 Taylor Ridge Estates- 20-80 Acre rural tracts Call for info.

707 Ranch 10-12± acre rural tracts Call for Info. SOLD 20± Acres White Mines Road Creek, Hunting, No Restrictions List Price $140,000

THROCKMORTON COUNTY

460± AC High fenced, turn-key hunting ranch 160± AC Cultivation & Pasture w/ 3 BD Home W of Woodson

16 AUGUST 30, 2019

news@americannewspapers.net

THE NEW STAMFORD AMERICAN

Lueders-Avoca Students Receive the Lone Star FFA Degree Alyssa Wyatt, Mattie Barnes, Lexi Williams, Gloria Moorefield, and Riley Moore of the Lueders-Avoca FFA Chapter were awarded the Lone Star FFA Degree in at the 91th annual Texas FFA State Convention held July 15-19 in Fort Worth. The Lone Star FFA Degree is the highest degree bestowed by the Texas FFA. The Lone Star FFA Degree recognizes FFA members who have received the Chapter degree, been active FFA members for at least two years, completed at least four semesters of agricultural science at or above the ninth grade level, maintained a supervised agricultural experience (SAE) program, demonstrated their leadership skills, and have shown a commitment to the FFA through involvement at the chapter level and above. The LA students were among more than 2,400 FFA members to receive this esteemed degree. The 91th annual Texas FFA Convention recorded approximately 12,000 members and guests. Members of the state’s largest agricultural youth leadership organization spent the week attending leadership workshops, participating in events and activities, being recognized for their achievements, and serving as the legislative body for the Texas FFA Association.

The Texas FFA is the nation’s largest state FFA association with a membership of more than 130,000. FFA gives students the opportunity to apply practical classroom knowledge to real world experiences through local, state and national competitions. For more information about the Texas FFA, visit www. mytexasffa.org.