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Current Weekly News for Leakey, Camp Wood, Sabinal, Utopia and Surrounding Areas Vol. 5 No. 51
INSIDE
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A Hunt of Generosity ............................ Page 4
www.hillcountryherald.net
Tri-Canyon’s Only Weekly Newspaper!
December 16, 2015
editor@hillcountryherald.net
GUESS WHO IS COMING TO TOWN, IT’S NOT SANTA by Julie Becker
In the quiet calm of the morning on Monday, with only elected officials and myself in the courtroom, the Real County Commissioner’s voted to allow Jade Helm to once again return to Real County for training. With a bit of a giggle and grins the vote was 4-0 (Commissioner Joe Connell was not present) to allow Jade Helm to return to Real County during the set time period of March 20th to May 20th, 2016. Real County Judge Garry Merritt noted a request would be made that he and the Real County Sheriff be kept informed. No mention of letting the public know prior to the December 13, 2015 Commissioner’s Court meeting was made. In a letter posted on Tuesday, December 14, 2015, the Real County Sheriff stated he was made aware of the Jade Helm request on November 6, 2015. Merritt said he was made aware on November 9th, 2015. The November Commissioner’s Court meeting was held on November 9, 2015. Merritt noted he was not aware of any reports of any kind from the last visit
from Jade Helm. Since there was no advance warning of the training request except the posted agenda, 72 hours in advance of the Commissioner’s Court, you can contact your County Judge Garry Merritt at 830232-5304, Precinct 1 Commissioner, Manuel Rubio, Phone: 830-232-6623, Precinct 2 Commissioner, Bryan Shackelford Phone: 830-232-5756 or 591-4734 (cell) Precinct 3 Commissioner, Gene Buckner Phone: 210-241-5241, Precinct 4 Commissioner Joe W. Connell, Phone: 830-597-5159. While there were no reports of incidences during the last training session and the citizens of Real County have voiced their support of our military, citizens have also voiced their concerns regarding these training activities. As has been done in the past, the Herald would have made the public aware of the agenda item had we known. “A Government big enough to give you everything you want is big enough to take everything you have. ~ Thomas Jefferson”
LEAKEY ISD NEARING COMPLETION OF NEW BUILDING Somewhere in the West “Christmas
Soiree on the Nueces”
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The a Leakey ISD Maintenance and Custodial staff: Jim Couvillon, Poncho Mendez, Jeff Bobo, Magdalena Sosa, and Maribel Hernandez (not pictured) recently worked Saturday and Sunday cleaning the second
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I am formally announcing my candidacy for the position of Real County Sheriff. I would appreciate your vote to keep me as your Sheriff. I began my law enforcement career in
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Legals/Jail Register ...... Page 3 Community News ......... Page 4-6 Feature Story ................. Page 7 Obituaries ...................... Page 8 Classifieds ..................... Page 12
Today’s Weather
High:63° Low: 33°
gym seating and gym lockers to quickly follow. The next phase will be renovating the current cafeteria into a new band hall for the Leakey state-ranked Band. Renovation of the classrooms in that building has already started with the installation of new energy-efficient windows...all part of the bond issue. Plans to upgrade the HVAC are in progress. The promised covered area for the elementary building has already been completed. Dr. Skipper wants to thank the community and board for making this happen through the much needed bond issue. The science labs, technology-centered classrooms, and new core facilities will make a profound difference in student performance. It also provides additional space, by freeing up current classrooms, for programs like the recently added pre-kindergarten. The district will set a date in the near future for dedicating the new building as soon as the entire building is completed and available for tours. Board members recently commented that they wanted the community to be able to see the entire facility...top to bottom! (see more pictures page 2) Last, if anyone would like any wood pallets, they are free for the taking, first come first serve.
BRUCE CARR ANNOUNCES CANDIDACY FOR REAL COUNTY SHERIFF
Abbott Takes Action To Combat Illegal Border Crossings
INDEX
floor of the new building. They went through training with staff from Hillyard Inc, a cleaning company out of San Antonio. Then with supervision of the Hillyard staff, they went to work cleaning and waxing classrooms and halls. The floors look amazing! Teachers will move into the facility later this week with students first day scheduled January 4. Many of the teachers already plan to work in their rooms over the Christmas break. Portable buildings are scheduled to be picked up in early January. Over the holidays you will find Dr. Skipper and Mrs. Antes also present at various times as the subcontractors work to complete the downstairs science labs, cafeteria, and offices. Freezers, refrigerators, and vents will be moved. Last to be completed will be the gymnasium...although the structure itself is completed. HVAC needed to be in place before the flooring could be started. The flooring will begin soon with
the United States Army where I served as a Military Police Officer. After my honorable discharge from the military In 1978 I began my career with the Harris County Sheriff’s Office in Houston, Texas. During my 33 year career with Harris County, I achieved my Master Peace Officer and Master Jailers licenses while serving in various positions including: Patrol, Detectives, and group supervisor assigned to the FBI Task Force on Human Trafficking. In 2012, I began the next chapter in my law enforcement career as a deputy with the Real County Sheriff’s Office. Since that time, I have dedicated myself to the citizens of Real County. I have worked diligently to ensure the safety and sense of security our citizens and visitors rely on.
In Late 2014, the Real County Commissioners solicited applicants for the unexpired Sheriff’s position. Based on my qualifications and experience I was selected for the position. I was appointed Sheriff of Real County, Texas and sworn in on January 1, 2015. Since assuming the office of Sheriff, I have assembled a great staff of deputies and dispatcher/jailers who work together to ensure the highest quality of law enforcement support for the community. I have managed to cut costs within the Sheriffs Office and obtain State Grant funding for a new vehicle and part-time deputy at No Cost to Real County. Working together with Commissioners Court, I obtained an additional deputy which allowed me to assign two deputies to protect and serve both Camp Wood and Leakey. On a personal note, my wife, Lana and I moved to Real County to be closer
to her family, who have lived in the canyon for 4 generations. We have two daughters, Ashley and Michelle and a grand-daughter Amelia. I am a member of American Legion Post #489, Leakey Masonic Lodge #622, Leakey United Methodist Church, Frio Canyon Chamber of Commerce and the Friends of the Library. We are grateful for our family and the friends we have made in the community. The Sheriff serves The People. I feel that I have the experience to strike a balance between upholding the law and the voters’ interests. I would welcome your questions, input and suggestions. Please feel free to contact me anytime. I will be running on the Republican ballot. Early voting begins on February 16, 2016 and the Primary Election will be decided on March 1, 2016. I would sincerely appreciate your vote to keep me as Sheriff of Real County.
City of Leakey Votes 4 to 1 to Contract Garbage Pickup In the monthly meeting of the City Council, the City of Leakey leaders voted 4 to 1 to pass an Ordinance Contracting the Collection and Disposal of Household Garbage Inside the City Limits of Leakey, Texas to Rio Brewster Waste Management, LLC. All members of the council were present. Council member Bob Bower made the motion, seconded by Council member Ken Auld, voting in favor were Bower, Auld, Council members, John Buchanan and Carl Jensen. Voting against the motion was Council member Frankie DeLeon. DeLeon, earlier in the meeting, expressed a desire to “trim the fat” from the garbage collection process in order to maintain it under City control. When
expenses relating to the garbage collection were questioned, Leakey City Mayor Harry Schneemann said “You can have this thing if you make a man pickup garbage in their own clothes.” The comment related to the cost of uniforms. “The volume of trash is what’s killing us.” he said. He went on to say “We can pass this ordinance or call in the Health Department and start turning people in.” He named a specific business he believes allows all their “friends and employees” to bring trash to the business location for
disposal, relating to the excessive volume. City Secretary DeeDee Wally told the council in the past 27 years she knows of no profit made by the city on the collection of garbage. The Mayor went on to say “If we do not pass this ordinance we will have to build a concrete slab and fence to secure the trucks.” He said “Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is going to nail our butts for having trucks in front of City Hall.” He said other companies that supply trash collection had been
by Julie Becker
contacted but were only interested in dumpster collection, not trash cans. The 96 gallon cans will be supplied by Rio Brewster for a monthly cost of $30 for weekly pickup or $15 for every other week pickup. The City of Leakey will no longer bill for the garbage collection and all inquiries will be directed to Rio Brewster. Schneemann said this will go into effect March 1, 2016. DeLeon asked if this would be going out for bid, Schneemann said the City is not required to put it out for bid. The Mayor also said “It will no longer be mandatory for customers to have trash service, “They can burn it in a barrel, It don’t make a damn.” With no further business the meeting was adjourned.