May 3 Issue - The Sealy News

SEALY NEWS THE

Pet of the week PAGE 16

Meet the Candidates City of Sealy Sealy ISD Pages 10-15

Serving Sealy and Austin County since 1887 • Home of Floyd Lamp

Volume 125 Number 17

NEWSBITS Habitat accepting applications Habitat for Humanity of Austin County is now accepting housing applications. Applications are available at the Bellville and Sealy libraries and the Habitat for Humanity office.

For more information, call (979) 865-2855 and leave a message.

Republicans to meet

THURSDAY, MAY 3, 2012

20 pages, $1

Early voting underway in city, SISD elections

By ASHLEY TOMPKINS Editor & Publisher

Residents living in the City of Sealy and Sealy school district may soon have new leadership on the city council and school board, respectively.

Early voting is underway in both elections – with a total of 12 candidates in the races.

Early voting in the election started Monday and will continue through May 8 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Sealy City Hall. Hours will be extended from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday, May 7,

and Tuesday, May 8.

Up for grabs are three positions on the Sealy City Council. Current Place 2 councilwoman Yvonne Johnson is running unopposed for re-election.

This will mark Johnson’s third term.

Johnson has lived in Sealy for more than 62 years and is a receptionist/ secretary for the Sealy ISD administrative offices.

Place 4 and Place 5 incumbents Harold Hradil and Rick Fogle, respectively, did not file for re-election.

■ ELECTION, page 20

Sealy ISD Board of Trustees

Sealy City Council

Candidates: Beverly Beckendorff, George Einkauf, Doc Easter, Mark Miller, Joe Pinteralli, Steve Reynolds and Joe Mike Young Two members at-large

Candidates: Place 2: Yvonne Johnson Place 4: Joe Bilski and Melanie Willingham Place 5: Everett Bubak and Jeri Thornton-Dulaney Elected by place

The monthly meeting of the Republican Party of Austin County will be held on Thursday, May 3, at 7 p.m. at Tony’s Restaurant in Sealy. All Candidates are invited to speak.

National Day of Prayer The 61st Annual National Day of Prayer “One nation Under God” will be held on Thursday, May 3, at St. Paul A.M.E. Church, 400 San Felipe St. in Sealy starting at noon. For more information, contact Brenda Newsome at (979) 627-3574. There will be prayer for the government, school, churches, families, businesses, the media and military.

Frank Vecera

Boy Scout garage sale Boy Scout Troop 548 will host a garage sale on Saturday, May 5, from 8 a.m. to noon in the Palais Royal parking lot.

The Sealy News/ASHLEY TOMPKINS and AMBER GONZALES

A cancer survivor takes a bow during the opening lap at last weekend's Relay for Life as other survivors walk behind her. The event raised more than $130,000, and funds are still coming in. Below at left, this year's Hero of Hope Amy Cryan and the 2012 Caregiver of the Year Stephen Cryan pose with their children Weston, 3, Emersyn, 6, and Carter, 10. At bottom right, Ian Bader waves to his fans after being crowned Miss Relay.

RAP starts scholarship in Frank Vecera's honor

By AMBER GONZALES Staff Writer

Sealy dance The Sealy Dance club will host a public dance on Saturday, May 5, at the American Legion Hall in Sealy. Dance time is 7:30 to 11:30 p.m. Music will be provided by The Krenek’s.

This is the derby dance, celebrating the Kentucky Derby running of the roses.

The dance is open to the public. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

Daughters of the American Revolution The Daughters of the ■ NEWSBITS, page 16

TODAY'SOBITUARY ■ Mildred Florence Kurtz

BIBLEQUOTE May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:13

Relay raises thousands to fight cancer

By ASHLEY TOMPKINS Editor & Publisher

Tiger Stadium was home to hundreds of walkers last Friday night as Relay for Life team members took to the track to celebrate survivors and fight cancer with fundraising.

The fun kicked off at 6 p.m. with cancer survivors and caregivers taking the first official lap of the night.

Following the opening lap, the 2012 Hero of Hope Amy Cryan, of

Sealy, took the stage to share her story.

Last September, Cryan and her family received news that she said “turned our lives upside down.”

“My whole life changed in the blink of an eye,” she said of learning the news that she had a brain tumor.

On Oct. 21 of last year, Cryan underwent a 13-hour surgery where the surgeon removed a six-centimeter by four-centimeter brain tumor.

“I remember waking up and just

SHS OAP students to perform Birdsong for public

Thank a

By AMBER GONZALES

Veteran and Serviceman

Now comes the chance for Sealy theater supporters to see the first-ever American performance of “Birdsong,” based on the novel by Sebastian Faulk.

The Sealy One Act Play Company will perform its district winning performance of “Birdsong” next Thursday, May 10, at 7 p.m. in the high school auditorium. Tickets are $3.

The One Act players’ competition is done,

everyday

being alive,” said Cryan, who added that her doctor said surgeons removed all of the tumor that could be seen.

Following surgery, Cryan faced radiation and chemotherapy, and through it all, was surrounded by family and friends, who this year formed the TUFF Angels.

At the center of her recovery was her husband, Stephen, who on Friday night was honored as the ■ RELAY, page 2

School is just harder for some kids. Some just don’t like to go or aren’t getting the kind of encouragement they need or don’t realize their potential.

But, great mentors are available here in Austin County.

In honor of one of its most dedicated mentors, Raising Academic Performance (RAP) has created the Frank Vecera Scholarship.

Students who have stuck with RAP will be able to apply for $1,000 to go toward his or her second, third or fourth year of continued education.

Vecera died last fall after a battle with cancer.

This new money is on top of the $1,000 scholarship the program gives to a graduate RAP student that applies for his or her second - fourth year of continuing education, according to Julie Browne, executive director of RAP. Jonathan Harris is an example of what can happen when a mentee and a mentor are paired together.

■ RAP, page 2

Staff Writer

so now the public can enjoy the play, which won judge admiration and several individual awards for students.

“The judge told us that the images of our production are incredible. He said that he will remember them forever,” said theater director Erin Moore. “That is very high praise from someone who has judged plays for over 20 years.”

Along with creating a set that moves the audience from homes to battlefields and warfare tunnels, the students had to mas■ BIRDSONG, page 2

The Sealy News • 193 Schmidt Road • P.O. Box 480 • Sealy, Texas 77474 • phone: (979) 885-3562 • fax: (979) 885-3564 • www.sealynews.com

Catch the Fever

Good Luck Sealy Little League

PAGE 2 ■ THURSDAY, MAY 3, 2012

THE SEALY NEWS

OBITUARY

WWW.SEALYNEWS.COM

RAP continued from Page 1

MILDRED FLORENCE KURTZ Mildred Florence Kurtz, 88, of Sealy, Texas passed away, Wednesday, April 25, 2012 in Bellville. Mildred was born on Feb. 24, 1924 to Fred Paul and Emma Kathryn (Slubar) Schindler in Schulenberg. She married Wilbert Richard Kurtz on Jan. 28, 1947 in Sealy.

Known for her art work around Sealy, at one time she was employed with the Houston Chronicle as a commercial artist. In the 50s Mildred and her lifelong friend Lucille Koym operated the Mud Hut, a ceramic shop in Sealy.

She is survived by her two daughters, Gwen Kurtz of Houston and Kathy Dittert and husband Mark of Sealy; and two grandsons Matthew

Dittert and Jonathan Dittert. She was predeceased by her husband Wilbert, her parents Fred and Emma Schindler and her brother Harold Schindler.

Visitation was held on Friday, April 27, 2012 from 5 until 7 p.m., followed by a Rosary being recited at 7 p.m. at the Knesek Bros Fourth Street Chapel in Sealy.

Funeral Mass was celebrated on Saturday, April 28, 2012 at 10 a.m. at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, with Rev. Eric Pitre, Celebrant.

Interment followed in the Immaculate Conception Cemetery in Sealy. Funeral arrangements under the direction of Knesek Bros.

Funeral Chapels in Sealy. see what

everyoneʼs been talkingabout!

Go to our website

www.sealynews.com and click on the icon

Here is Pepe!

This sweet little Chihuahua was found at I-10 and Bernardo Road. Pepe is approximately 2 years old and has been checked out by a vet. He is healthy and has been neutered.

If you know who he belongs to or if you can offer him a good home, contact us.

SPAY OR NEUTER YOUR PET TODAY!

“Mr. Vecera was a good guy. I cared about him a lot. He meant so much to me,” said Harris, a former mentee of Vecera.

RAP’s goal is to make sure as many students graduate from high school as possible, and its mentors end up making a larger impact on kids in need.

RAP operates in the Bellville, Brazos, Faith Academy and Sealy school systems and is always looking for new mentors.

“There’s just nothing for kids to do and they expect kids to say no to drugs. But when you don’t have anything to do and nobody to talk to or look up to, what else are you going to go to?” said Harris.

Harris, 25, was greatly impacted by his relationship with Vecera.

“I guess you would say I was pretty bad, you know, as a kid,” he said. “I was always in trouble, didn’t listen.”

Harris also said his family really didn’t have the

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All contributions are tax-deductible and can be sent to PUPS, 1884 Bostik Rd., Cat Spring, Tx. 78933

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An expanding community requires a new face with new ideas and strong leadership.

BUBAK

Sealy City Council Place 5 MAY 12, 2012

side of the household to open up to.

“I think that it’s kids that are not having a good time at school, or just see school as, ‘I don’t want to go and I don’t want to do this and I don’t want to listen.’ If they have a mentor or someone to talk to it makes a difference,” said Harris.

But Vecera went above and beyond. He’d make sure Harris got a birthday present and even bought him a nice suit to wear for graduation.

As a student in RAP, Harris dealt with being teased by others at school.

“People did make fun of me and stuff. Some people, they don’t think that’s cool or they’re cooler than you,” he said. “I was always kind of a loner I guess, and I was always trying to fit in.”

In the long run, he came out better than he expected, than most of the people he did graduate with, he said.

“You just got to brush what people say off because it’s not important. The main goal is to get an edu-

Farm & Ranch • Annuities • Health • Long-Term Care

The family of Al Gavranovic would like to express our thank you for the many acts of kindness and sympathy shown to our family. Thank you for all the prayers, visits, calls, cards and memorials and mass offerings. Our thanks to everyone who brought food to the family, to all of the ladies who brought desserts for the funeral meal and the beautiful flowers and plants for the service.

A special thank-you to Father Paul Chovanec for officiating the Czech and English mass along with Father Thuy and Deacon Losack for such a beautiful service.

Bachelor Science Business Administration Lean Six Sigma Greenbelt National Registry Paramedic Public service over 10 years (Austin County EMS) Greater Sealy Little League board member and coach Resident of Sealy community over 20 years

Our thanks to all of the Frydek Czech choir, Czech Heritage singers of Houston and Bill and Suzanne Sodolak for a great job done.

Thanks to Dr. DeLeon, Colonial Belle Nursing home, especially Rita Gomez, and to Amazing Grace Hospice.

The Family of Al Gavranovic

Political advertising paid for by Everett Bubak

RELAY 2012 Caregiver of the Year after being nominated by his mother-in-law Lyn Novicke.

Shocked by the honor, Stephen Cryan took the stage, where he was presented with a gift and surrounded by Amy and their three children, Weston, Emersyn and and Carter.

More than 30 teams turned out for the annual event, in its 12th year.

Armed with a banner, they set off with a crowd in the stands cheering them on.

The night was successful with more than $133,225 raised so far. Of that, $24,282 was earned at the Relay for Life event.

But, the figure isn’t official and more funds could come in. Leading the way in fundraising was the Cancer Angels, bringing in a staggering $15,575, followed by Bellville Junior High with

continued from Page 1 ter the speech of European characters.

“Birdsong” has a cast that

O BSTETRICS & G YNECOLOGY CHRISTUS St. Catherine Hospital welcomes Dr. Tania Lee Dr. Lee has joined the practice of Dr. Christiaan Webb at Women’s Health Center of Katy, located on the CHRISTUS St. Catherine Hospital Campus. A long-time Houston resident, Dr. Lee is a graduate of the University of Texas Houston Health Science Center; the University of Houston Downtown, where she earned her B.S. in microbiology; and the DeBakey High School for Health Professions. She is bilingual in English and Spanish and has a strong background in managing complicated pregnancies, long-term gynecological patient care, and helping patients choose appropriate treatment options.

MEDICAL DEGREE University of Texas Houston Health Science Center RESIDENCY University of Texas Houston Health Science Center, Lyndon B. Johnson Hospital Administrative Chief Resident; Outstanding Second-Year Resident

includes British, French, Irish, German and British Cockney.

Individual Star Awards were given to Pierce Arnold, who played the lead Stephen Wraysford, Tyler Ussery, who played Jack Firebrace, Anna Stribling, who played Isabelle Azaire, and Bailey Moehl for her work in the crew.

“I am always very proud of all of our UIL kids. I am especially proud of this young and energetic company,” said Moore.

“Birdsong” may not be that well known stateside, but some might know the British author’s other work, “Charlotte Grey,” which was turned into a movie staring Cate Blanchette.

The play stars Stephen Wraysford (Arnold), a British factory worker who goes to France to learn about the textile business.

While staying with a family there, he falls in love and has an affair with his host’s wife, Isabelle Azaire (Stribling). She ends it and he leaves broken hearted.

The story picks up again on the Western Front of World War I. “It is a new play and I feel like our production will set the standard for other productions – especially in UIL competition,” said Moore.

World-Class Care. Hometown Heart.

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$14,336, TUFF Angels with $13,905 and Banking for a Cure with $12,016.

Top individual earners were Novicke with $4,645, Donna Cash with $3,045, Flora Winn with $2,490 and Janice Wied with $2,165. Earning the title of Miss Relay this year was Ian Bader, who donned a multi-color halter dress, cowgirl boots and a long blonde wig for the occasion.

Bader, a member of the Cancer Angels, raised $1,315. Plans are already underway for next year’s Relay for Life and the second annual Bark for Life.

Bark For Life planning will begin as soon as the school year ends. Anyone interested in volunteering with Bark for Life should contact Katie Jones katiejoneskd@ gmail.com. To get involved in Relay for Life, contact event chair Becky Jones at beckysu76@msn.com.

BIRDSONG

Tania M. Lee, MD

JUNIOR FELLOW The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists

cation so that you can be successful,” he said.

Harris studied to be a music major for two years at Wharton Community College, but decided it was not for him. He has been working in pipeline construction for the past five years and serves as a labor foreman.

He travels to different states across the county, and will get a chance to travel to the Netherlands soon for work. It will be his first trip outside of the county.

He doesn’t think he would have gotten so far if it weren’t for the help of his mother, grandmother and Vecera. He stayed in touch with his mentor until his final days, visiting him at his home and at his work at Citizens State Bank.

“Whenever I’d come to the bank or something like that, we had like a secret handshake,” Harris said.

“And he would always tell everybody at the bank, ‘look, look what me and him do. We got this cool handshake. You know, we’re hip.’

continued from Page 1

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money to give him a lot of the stuff that other kids had that he wanted.

In the sixth grade at Selman Intermediate, Harris was put into RAP. In seventh grade he got to meet Vecera and stayed on with him until he graduated in 2005.

“He just gave me that father figure that I never had, because I never knew my father,” said Harris.

"And was just someone, a role model I could look up to and he would always make sure my grades were good and I was doing good at school.”

Mentors meet with students regularly at school and try to keep students on track.

“We would just talk,” said Harris. “Vecera was like a good friend.

Somebody to just talk about your week with."

Having someone to talk to can be a confidence booster for many kids. And it makes a difference for some to have a person out-

www.christusstcatherine.org 701 S. Fry Road, Katy, Texas 77450 | 281.599.5700 Physician Referral 281.599.4343

Click on to forwww.sealynews.com local news and sports for allclick your on localto www.sealynews.com news and sports!

WWW.SEALYNEWS.COM

THURSDAY, MAY 3, 2012 ■ PAGE 3

THE SEALY NEWS

The Sealy News/COURTESY PHOTO

The Sealy News/COURTESY PHOTO

New sergeant in town

Sealy hosts TML training

Chad Matura with the Sealy Police Department has been named a sergeant in the department. Above, Sealy Mayor Nick Tirey swears in Matura in his new position. Matura has been with the department for a number of years and was previously a patrol officer with the department.

The City of Sealy recently hosted a Texas Municipal League (TML) Small Cities Workshop. Local city officials as well as city leaders from across the state attended the training seminar at the city's Hill Community Center.

AC Retired teachers elect new officers

The Sealy News/AMBER GONZALES

Fighting fire and cancer The SealyVFD hosted a fundraiser last week at Sonic to raise money for its Relay for Life team. From left, Dexter Anderson, Kenny Willingham, Deysi Ramierez, J. Shepard, Alejandra Garcia and Monica Atherton.

Benefit planned for Joe Nowak of Wallis Members of the Wallis High School Class of 1966 and other friends are planning a benefit to assist fellow classmate Willie Joe Nowak of Wallis.

A dinner and dance will be held on May 5 at the Wallis Knights of Columbus Hall.

Proceeds of the benefit will assist in medical and miscellaneous expenses for Nowak resulting from triple bypass surgery he had in February.

A $10 ticket will get a barbeWillie Joe Nowak cue chicken dinner with all the trimmings and admission into the dance featuring Al Sulak and The Country Sounds.

Serving for the meal will be from 5 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. with dance music to follow. Admission to the dance only is a free will offering.

A live auction will also be featured.

Presale tickets are available at D&M One Stop in Wallis and Savon Drugs in East Bernard. Tickets may also be purchased from Glen (979) 270-1533, Lefty (281) 384-4546, Marie (979) 478-2670 or Barbara (979) 661-0480.

Anyone wishing to contribute auction items or desserts may contact any of the above numbers.

The Austin County Retired Teachers Association met April 13 at the Gordon Memorial Library in Sealy.

Refreshments were furnished by Jean Koym, Carole Tarwater, Grace Holtkamp and Billie Wright.

President Don Allphin welcomed members. He then led the pledges to the U. S. and Texas flags.

The special guest and speaker was Valerie Babin, owner of the Bellville Florist. She opened the shop in 1978. Her main interest is flower arrangements, but she is very knowledgeable concerning house plants and gave suggestions on caring for them.

Allphin gave a report on the TRTA State Convention held in Houston on March 26 and 27. Two important items were stressed during the convention. One dealt with the current retirement plan—defined benefits.

There is a move to change this plan to defined contributions. This plan would affect all active and retired personnel. TRS is current-

ly sound and well funded and changing to the other plan would not be acceptable. The other item discussed was TRSCare.

There has not been an increase in the premium for several years, and because of the number of retirees participating and increased medical cost, the premium may be increased. Also attending the convention as delegates were Janet Allphin and Holtkamp.

TRTA District 6 Spring Leadership Training Conference will be held in Huntsville May 9. Members were encouraged to attend.

The local unit will serve as hostesses.

Barbara Hubenak, coordinator of the children’s book program reminded the members to continue to hand in books for 2012. These will be distributed to the four elementary schools in Austin County. Heather Smith, chairman of the community volunteer services committee encouraged members to record volunteer hours.

A slate of officers for 2012-2014 was presented.

The officers nominated

A variety of homestead exemptions could lower your property taxes!

A homestead exemption lowers the property taxes on your home by lowering its value. If your home is valued at $50,000 and you receive a $15,000 homestead exemption, your home will be taxed as if it were worth $35,000.

Who qualifies for an exemption?

Anyone who owns a home on Jan. 1 and uses it as a primary residence on that date is entitled to a $15,000 homestead exemption to lower school taxes. It doesn’t matter if your home is a house, condominium or mobile home. Counties, cities and special taxing districts may also offer homestead exemptions.

Are other exemptions available?

If you’re disabled—or if you’re 65 years old or older—you are entitled to an additional $10,000 school tax exemption on your home. And if you qualify for the 65 or older or disabled exemption, you’re also entitled to a permanent, locked-in “ceiling” on the school property taxes on your home. The county, city or junior college may adopt a tax ceiling for 65 and older or disabled homeowners. The age 65 or older homeowners school tax ceiling transfers to the surviving spouse, if the spouse is 55 years of age or older at the time of death and lives in and owns the home. The age 65 or older homeowners (or their surviving spouses 55 years of age or older) also may transfer the percentage of school tax paid, based on their former home’s school tax ceiling to a new home.

If you're a disabled veteran who receives from the Veterans Affairs (VA)—(1) 100 percent disability compensation due to a service connected disability and (2) a rating of 100 percent disabled or a determination of individual unemployability, you are entitled to an exemption from taxation of the total appraised value of your resident homestead.

Do I have to apply each year?

No. If you had a homestead exemption on your home in 2011, you won’t need to reapply for 2012 unless your chief appraiser requires it. However, if you haven’t received an exemption on your present home—or if you’ve moved to a new home—you’ll need to file for an exemption for 2012. If you are 65 this year, you may file for the age 65 or older exemption up to one year after the date you turned 65. And if you became disabled, you need to file for the disabled person’s exemption.

When and where should I file?

Fabric • Yarn Notions Call about our classes!

Sewing • Quilting Knitting • Crochet

Beginner Quilting Class May 14th, 5:30 pm Pre Register at shop before May 12th Will be making a 44” x 38” Quilt Written instructions given after class

219 Fowlkes St • Sealy

File applications before May 1 at your appraisal district office. If you need more time, contact us at:

AUSTIN COUNTY APPRAISAL DISTRICT 906 E. AMELIA ST. BELLVILLE, TEXAS 77418 PHONE (979)865-9124 FAX (979)865-3296 Or contact: Texas Comptroller Susan Combs Property Tax Assistance Division P.O. Box 13528 Austin, Texas 78711-3528 or call: 1-800-252-9121 and press "2" to access the menu and then press "1" to contact the Information Service Team. or on the Web at: www.window.state.tx.us/taxinfo/proptax

979-398-1545 Hours: Mon., Wed. & Fri. • 10am-6pm Tues., Thurs. and Sat. • 1pm-6pm

A public service announcement courtesy of your county appraisal district.

were: Janet Allphin, president; Carole Fry, first vice president; Barbara Hubenak, second vice president; Peggy Ueckert, secretary; and Mary Ann Novosad, treasurer.

The slate was approved by the membership.

The next meeting will be May 10 at the Sens Center in Bellville. The meeting will begin at 10 a.m. This is a luncheon meeting so members were told to bring spouses and ask prospective members. Reservations

should be made to Fry. Door prizes donated by Carole Tarwater were given to end the meeting. These door prizes were very nice plants that she brought from home.

Click on to

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OPINIONS

PAGE 4 ■ THURSDAY, MAY 3, 2012

SEALY NEWS

POLITICALCARTOON

LETTERSTOTHEEDITOR

Your Two Cents The Sealy News is posing the following question to our readers this week:

May is National Book Month. What's your favorite type of book to read?

• Mystery • Romance • Non-fiction • Self-Improvement • How to • I don't like to read

Last week’s question was: Do you think Sealy ISD should weigh dual credit and Advanced Placement classes the same when determining student GPAs? • Yes 48% • No 52% Total votes - 92 Log on to www.sealynews.com to let your voice be heard.

We will bring you the results of this poll and a new question every Thursday.

WHERETOWRITE U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison 284 Russell Senate Office Washington, D.C. 20510 (202) 224-5922

State Representative Lois Kolkhorst, Dist. 13 P.O. Box 1867 Brenham, Texas 77834 (979) 251-7888

U.S. Senator John Cornyn 517 Hart Senate Office Bldg.

Washington, D.C. 20510 (202) 224-2934

Austin County Judge Carolyn Bilski 1 East Main Bellville, Texas 77418 (979) 865-5911

U.S. Representative Michael McCaul, Dist. 10 2000 S. Market St., Ste. 303 Brenham, Texas 77833 (979) 830-8497 Texas Governor Rick Perry P.O. Box 12428 Austin, Texas 78711-2428 (512) 463-2000 State Senator Glenn Hegar, Dist. 18 P.O. Box 1008 Katy, Texas 77492 (281) 391-8883

WWW.SEALYNEWS.COM

Sealy City Manager Christopher Coffman 415 Main Street Sealy, Texas 77474 (979) 885-3511 Sealy ISD Superintendent Scott Kana 939 Tiger Lane, Sealy, Texas 77474 (979) 885-3516 The Sealy News 193 Schmidt St. P.O. Box 480 Sealy, Texas 77474 (979) 885-3562

GET PREPARED Dear Editor, During a crisis, citizens must understand that they could be the first responders, and should be prepared for it. And you – as a first responder, emergency manager, government employee or citizen – can do something to achieve citizen preparedness.

Who becomes the first responder during a disaster, when 911 doesn’t work or the police or fire can’t respond immediately? The most likely answer is “whoever happens to be present.”

Two things fly off the shelves during a crisis: batteries and water. Both are easily acquired and we could help ourselves by keeping a supply on hand – but we don’t. It was emphasized in an article that 40 percent of injuries during natural disasters involve stepping on glass – cut feet. Simply keeping a sturdy pair of shoes under the bed would reduce that percentage.

Most of us aren’t prepared for a local disaster because we haven’t even thought about what we would do in an emergency.

You have an opportunity to prepare Monday, May 21 at 6 p.m. at Austin County

Fairgrounds Convention and Expo Center – Please join us.

Carolyn Bilski Austin County Judge BE PART OF THE SOLUTION, NOT THE PROBLEM Dear Editor, In the past two weeks I’ve read two letters to the editor criticizing the new clock tower, the decision to build it and the groups of people who have stepped up to help revitalize the downtown district.

Unfortunately, letters to the editor are often written out of overflowing emotion without doing some factchecking first. The Sealy Downtown Association was consulted by the city during the planning stages of the clock tower. The association gave their input as to the design and features that it would like to see in the new project. Some of these made it into the final design and some did not.

The commanding height was one of those items that did not make it into the project. So be it, it is done.

It will become the new centerpiece of downtown and we will all be glad we have one. I suggest that if you do not like the way the tower turned out or if you might be concerned about

“what could be done to make downtown Sealy special”, that you take one hour per month out of your schedule and attend a Sealy Downtown Association meeting. They are the first Tuesday of every month at 6:30 p.m. at the B&PW Park Pavilion, at the west end of Main St. Writing a letter to the newspaper complaining after the fact is not the way to make things happen. If only it were that easy. It gets attention, causes animosity and forces the readers to form an opinion of you and ask “What did you contribute to this large long-term project?”

It is great that we are seeing people who are passionate about the future of downtown speak out. Just think of the possibilities if this spirit were driven in a positive direction by joining with the movers and shakers in town who are willing to make things happen. A positive attitude brings strength, energy and initiative. Sealy needs more people who will claim this town as their own and take some responsibility for the way it looks, operates, and prospers – or fails. If you’re not part of the solution then you are the problem.

You can be the solution

by voting – there is an important city council election coming up. In this race there are the common names you will see posted all over the county and some new ones. But stop and think this time – because it’s the only name you “recognize” on the ballot is not a good reason.

Read about the “new names” on the ballot, and let’s make Sealy a place we are all proud of. These new uncommon names are there because they want to see positive growth and progress. Support them and give them a chance to make a difference, they’re stepping up and are willing to be part of the solution. We have to face the fact that we will have growth. Let’s put some fresh names on the city council that will push for positive growth and support our small businesses. Steve Wilson wrote an excellent fact-filled letter in this column last week explaining in simple terms the exceptional growth that Sealy has been experiencing. If you missed it, find a copy, it’s worth reading. By voting for the innovative new candidates you can say you were a part of the solution and stand proud of Sealy – your town.

Cheri Bumbera Sealy, Texas

STATECAPITALHIGHLIGHTS

Texas, Amazon.com come to terms Texas last week resolved a multi-year dispute over uncollected revenue with Seattle-based Internet sales giant Amazon.com, a company with a physical presence in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

Comptroller Susan Combs, in an April 27 announcement carrying an Austin and Seattle dateline, said Amazon.com Inc. will: - Begin collecting a state sales tax on July 1; - Begin creating at least 2,500 jobs in Texas over the next four years; and - Make at least $200 million in capital investments in Texas.

The three-pronged agreement, according to Combs’ statement, “resolves all sales tax issues between Texas and Amazon.”

Officially, Combs is “chief steward of the state’s finances, acting as tax collector, chief accountant, chief revenue estimator and chief treasurer for all of state government.”

In the announcement, Combs also suggested that “Congress should enact federal legislation that will give states access to revenues that are already due, which would resolve this issue fairly for all retailers and all states.”

Amazon.com presently collects state sales taxes in only a few states.

Drought declaration extended Continuing exceptional drought conditions in Texas

ED STERLING Texas Press Association prompted Gov. Perry on April 20 to once again extend the state emergency disaster declaration of July 2011. The three-month extension applies to 180 or more than 70 percent of Texas’ 254 counties.

Roads program funds OK’d The Texas Transportation Commission on April 26 approved $40 million “for repair and rehabilitation of roadways used frequently by the energy industry.”

According to the agency that oversees the Texas Department of Transportation, “The energy industry has helped Texas remain an economic strength among states, but subsequent impacts on roadways and bridges, traffic, safety, and the environment have brought about a need for collaboration to lessen the impacts.”

Work projects to are scheduled to begin this summer.

GEAR UP grant awarded The Texas Education Agency on April 27 reported it is one of seven states to be awarded a $33 million federal grant to improve the postsecondary awareness, readiness and success of middle and high school students.

A seven-year grant for Gaining Awareness and

Readiness for Undergraduate Programs, or GEAR UP, will support some 6,000 students in the Class of 2018, from seventh grade through graduation from high school. The new grant also includes a seventh year designed to help support students in their first year of college, the agency reported.

Take Mom to state park Mother’s Day 2012 is Sunday, May 13, and looking forward to it, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department floated this novel idea on April 23.

“Why not do something special this Mother’s Day by treating Mom to an outdoor adventure and a picnic lunch amid appetite-stimulating scenery at a one of more than 90 Texas State Parks? Not only will mom and the family enjoy a healthier and happier day, but they also will be helping state parks close a budget gap.”

Parks and Wildlife, which suffered along with other state agencies in budget cutbacks dealt by the Texas Legislature in 2011, is working toward recovery from a $4.6 million funding gap.

Veterans may borrow more The Texas Veterans Land Board on April 26 voted unanimously to increase home and land loan limits.

Texas veterans may now borrow up to $417,000 for a

home and up to $100,000 for a parcel of land as small as one acre, “making it easier for veterans to buy lots closer to urban areas,” according to information published by the Texas General Land Office.

A Texas military veteran can simultaneously have a land loan, a home loan and a home improvement loan through the Texas Veterans Land Board, the agency said.

Fleet vehicle grants available Texas Railroad Commissioners on April 27 announced the availability of about $700,000 in grants “to help public fleets, such as those operated by school districts, cities and counties, purchase new, ultralow-emission natural gas vehicles.”

Funding originally for propane-fueled vehicles is now also for natural gas vehicles “and can be used to offset some or all of the incremental costs of a natural gas fuel system on a new or retrofitted vehicle,” the agency reported, noting however that matching funds for the purchase of the vehicles must come from non-federal sources.

Agency enforces Payday Law The Texas Workforce Commission on April 26 reported it helped workers collect almost $7 million in unpaid wages in 2011, under the Texas Payday Law.

Serving Sealy and Austin County since 1887 (USPS 487260) ■ LETTERS POLICY The Sealy News publishes letters to the editor on almost any topic. Send your letters to: Letters to the Editor, P.O. Box 480, Sealy, TX 77474, e-mail to editor@sealynews.com or fax 8853564 by 4 p.m. Friday for the Thursday edition.

Letters should be hand signed and include the writer’s full address and daytime and evening phone numbers. Letters to the editor should be ■ DEADLINES as brief as possible. We reserve the right to edit The Sealy News is a weekly publication distributed on The Sealy News has several deadlines for its all letters. Anonymous letters will not be pubThursdays. weekly editions. The deadline for editorial sub- lished. missions is Friday at noon for the Thursday edition. Retail and Classified display deadlines are also Friday at noon for the Thursday edi- ■ EDITORIAL REQUIREMENTS Lifestyle announcements—weddings, annivertion. saries, engagements, newborns and birthdays—

Entered at the post office at Sealy, Texas, under the ■ STAFF DIRECTORY Act of Congress of June 2, 1897. Periodical Rate post- Ashley Tompkins Amber Gonzales age paid at Sealy, TX 77474.

Jason Guilbeau Lynda Dodd ■ READER SERVICES Main switchboard (979) 885-3562 Missy Theriot Fax (979) 885-3564 Patti Minter Mailing address: P.O. Box 480, Patti Minter Sealy, Texas 77474 Armando Benitez Known office of publication 193 Schmidt Rd., Larry Cline Sealy, Texas 77474

Editor & Publisher Staff Writer Sports Writer Retail Sales Retail Sales Classified Sales Office Manager Distribution Distribution

are run in the Thursday edition. Submitted photos may be picked up at The Sealy News after it appears in the newspaper. We are only responsible for photos for 30 days after it runs.

Submissions are run on a space available basis and must include a name and contact number.

All items are subject to editing for style and content.

Sealy News, P.O. Box 480, Sealy, TX 774740480.

■AFFILIATIONS The Sealy News is a member of the National Newspaper Association, the Texas Press Association, the South Texas Press Association, the Texas Gulf Coast Press Association.

■ CONTENTS © 2012 by Sealy Publications Inc. Written ■ SUBSCRIPTIONS consent is waived when permission is gained in The Sealy News is published weekly on advance and full credit is given to The Sealy Thursday. Subscriptions in Austin County, are News for material reprinted or reproduced, in $39 per year; outside Austin County in Texas, whole or in part, electronically or otherwise. $50; outside Texas, $70 per year. Notices of © 2012 Sealy Publications Inc. change of address should be mailed to The All Rights Reserved

EDUCATION

THURSDAY, MAY 3, 2012 ■ PAGE 5

SEALY NEWS

WWW.SEALYNEWS.COM

Blinn Student Spotlight

Hernandez gets on track at Blinn

The Sealy News/COURTESY PHOTO

Kimberly-Ann McCain, pictured below, advanced to the state UIL academic meet. She is pictured with her regional medal. Sealy High School’s journalism team placed at district. Above are team members Matthew Ballard, Frank Garcia, Isamar Guerrero, Irma Barajas, Zane Litzmann and Kimberly-Ann McCain.

McCain headed to state UIL Sealy High School’s Kimberly-Ann McCain advanced to the state UIL academics meet after her first place finish in editorial writing at the regional meet on April 21 at Blinn College in Brenham.

McCain’s success caps off a successful season for the entire journalism team.

The team took first place honors at the district meet back in March. In news writing, McCain was first and Isamar Guerrero was forth.

In feature writing, McCain was fifth and Zane Litzmann was eighth. In editorial writing McCain was second and Matthew Ballard came in fifth.

In the final event, headline writing, Irma Barajas was second and Frank Garcia was seventh. At the end of the day, McCain advanced to regionals in news writing and editorial writing and Barajas advanced in headline writing.

The team was coached by Valeria Goad.

McCain will travel to Austin on May 21 in hopes of adding another medal to her collection.

My name is Carlos Hernandez and I’m a 21-year-old 2009 graduate of Sealy High School. I’m currently attending Blinn College in Sealy due to the convenience it provides for me rather than Brenham.

I took a year off of school when I graduated because I really didn’t know what I actually wanted to do with myself career-wise.

My friends kept bugging me to go to college and not just quit. My intentions were to go back to school, but the time I took off seemed so amazing, almost a vacation of some sort. The following year I registered here at Blinn, and I’ve been here ever since.

This place might be small, but it packs a very hard punch when it comes to everyone’s academics. I’m shooting to become core complete by the end of 2012 and transfer to Sam Houston State University where I will further my education in business administration.

At first, when I graduated high school, I had this “idea” of college, but coming to Blinn College was exactly what I needed. The way everything is taught and how you actually have to put in the effort to get the grade, not just be an athlete and receive everything. This was a harsh, but very realistic view on what’s to come in the near future for me.

Things couldn’t be better for me right now; Blinn works around my work schedule ,also providing night classThe Sealy News/AMBER GONZALES

Hatching some fun

es which is always a convenience for everyone in the work force. The Sealy campus offers more than you would expect, but it is a whole lot cheaper this route. I’m glad there is some type of institution here for a small community and surrounding areas to further their education to make our society better as a whole.

Carlos Hernandez

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At left Juan Pina shows off three baby quails that hatched earlier that day at Selman Intermediate School. Pina got the eggs for his class to incubate from his aunt, who raises them. Below, Courtney Dziadek and COle Walters hold turkey and duck eggs that they've been warming in an homemade incubator.

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Brazos Lunch Menu

Sealy Lunch Menu

MAY7 - MAY 11, 2012 MONDAY: No menu available TUESDAY: No menu available WEDNESDAY: No menu available THURSDAY: No menu available FRIDAY: No menu available

BREAKFAST:

MONDAY: Pancake wrap TUESDAY: WG pop tart and fresh fruit WEDNESDAY: Scrambled eggs and wheat toast THURSDAY: French toast and ham FRIDAY: Cereal and wheat toast

LUNCH:

MONDAY: Chicken fajitas, lettuce/tomato/cheese, pinto beans and fruitTUESDAY: Chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes/gravy, broccoli/cheese and fruit WEDNESDAY: Whole grain pizza, cucumber slices/dip, corn and fruit THURSDAY: Sausage, mac & cheese, black-eye peas and fruit FRIDAY: Chicken patty on a bun, lettuce/tomato, baked chips and fresh fruit

Spring head first into your studies!

Want to keep up on what’s going on in your child’s school?

It’s easy. Subscribe to The Sealy News.

Call us at (979) 885-3562 or log on at www.sealynews.com.

SPORTS

PAGE 6 ■ THURSDAY, MAY 3, 2012

WWW.SEALYNEWS.COM

SEALY NEWS

Lady Tiger softball ready for playoffs Baseball slips into second place

By JASON GUILBEAU Sports Writer

Having won district in easy fashion with an 11-1 record (15-10 overall), the Lady Tiger softball team deservedly earned a bye.

Now that the bi-district round of playoffs is finished, the Tigers know their foe will be a familiar Liberty team. Liberty has a pitcher who doesn’t have much power but likes to force hitters into groundouts and work the backside of the plate, which keeps power hitters from pulling the ball.

Having faced this pitcher before, Coach Casey Anderson feels the girls are a little more ready this time.

“I think we’re ready.

District didn’t challenge us as much I would have liked it to have, but the ladies should be ready,” said Anderson. “We have been working a lot on hitting focusing on line drives, opposite field hits, and we have our three main hitters in Kay (Schroeder), Kelsie (Maxwell) and Shannon (Brown) with a different lady each week who comes in in the clutch, gets on base and produces runs.”

On the mound, Sealy is more than up for the challenge with Amanda Allard, who is like Sealy’s version of Greg Maddux in his prime with the Braves. She doesn’t have a lot of speed but she has an amazing repertoire, placing the ball exactly where she wants it and forcing hitters to ground or fly out. Mariah Holub is much like the old Billy Wagner or the en fuego Eric Gagne or, in late years, John Smoltz as a closer in their primes.

By JASON GUILBEAU Sports Writer

The Sealy News/JASON GUILBEAU

The Lady Tiger softball team will head to the playoffs this Friday at Dekaney High School in Houston. The time had not been set as of press time. Visit www.sealynews.com for more details.

Holub comes in, throws the heat and closes out ball games to clinch Lady Tiger wins.

(L)Sealy 2 – Sweeny 7 In a game that had no real implications because the playoffs had already been set, Sealy played a warm up game against Sweeny and could not get its bats going.

In addition to a lack of production at the plate, Sealy’s ace, Allard, pitched 5.1 innings, giving up seven runs (four earned) off of 10 hits and struck out one.

Holub came in relief and pitched two-thirds of an inning, allowing only one hit before retiring to the side.

In the first inning Sealy scored first by putting a run on the board that was not countered until Sweeny added two in the bottom of the second.

In the top of the third Sealy added one more that

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A Lady Tigers passes the home plate during a recent game. was countered by Sweeny in the bottom of the third. The fourth and fifth innings were scoreless, as was Sealy’s top of the sixth. However, Sweeny came to the plate with fury in the bottom of the sixth to add four runs, making the lead 7-2. In the top of the seventh Sealy could add no runs, which led to the Sealy loss.

Sealy scored two runs on three hits and reached on four errors.

Karleigh Newsome went 1-2 with one run; Mendi Nelson went 1-2 and Shandi Nelson went 1-2. Schroeder scored one run and Maxwell had one RBI. Reaching on errors for Sealy were Holub, Morgan Menke twice, and Maxwell three times.

Sweeny was able to score

seven runs off 11 hits and reach on six errors to steal away the win from the already district champion Lady Tigers.

(W)Sealy 13 – Tomball Memorial 2 It was all but academic as Sealy clenched the district title, but nonetheless Coach Anderson and his talented group of underclassmen wanted to close the season out on a winning note.

Sealy’s pitching machine, Allard, threw four innings, allowing only two runs (one earned) off of three hits and struck out four of the 16 batters she faced to pick up the win. Holub came in and pitched the final inning, allow only one hit, striking out one and closing out the side to end the game.

Offensively, Sealy struck first with one run in the top of the first, but Tomball answered back with two of its own in the bottom half of the first.

It wasn’t long before the Tiger bats answered and added two more runs to make the score 3-2 and no runs were scored until the top of the fourth when Sealy poured on a barrage of runs, crossing the plate six times.

In the fifth inning, after holding Tomball-Memorial scoreless in the bottom of the fourth, Sealy scored four more to make the game a 13-2 affair for the win.

Sealy scored 13 runs on 14 hits and reached on eight errors. Maxwell was 3-3 with two runs and one RBI; Holub was 3-3 with two doubles and scored two runs; Jenna Schroeder was 2-3 with a double, one run and one RBI; Newsome was 2-3 with a double and scored two runs; Mendi Nelson was 1-4 with two RBIs; Brown was 1-3, scored four runs and picked up one RBI; Allard was 1-4 with an RBI; Kay Schroeder was 1-3 with an RBI; and Menke scored two runs and had three RBIs. “Our ladies have played hard all year, especially in district, and with the playoffs comes a new season,” said Anderson. “If we take care of our business we should be able to move on through the playoffs.”

Sealy will face Liberty at Spring ISD Dekaney High School softball field or Aldine softball field on Friday May 4.

The Sealy Tiger baseball team was all but locked into the third place district spot, along with the playoff berth it carried, but Sealy’s diamond boys pulled from deep within and defeated Stafford in the district finale of the season.

That win, along with the second place district Columbus team losing to Bellville, forced a seeding game between the Tigers and the Cardinals.

“We knew we had to beat Stafford to get to the seeding game for the opportunity to play for second place in district,” said Head Coach Brett Montier. “Columbus was a tough opponent but we talked about finishing what we started all season and our young men did just that.”

It was an odd year between the Tigers and Cardinals. The Tigers beat the Cardinals on the road in the teams’ first meeting of the season only to have Columbus win at Stuessel Field in the teams’ second and final meeting. The Tigers had won in Columbus and the Cardinals had won in Sealy.

This made things interesting when a flip was called to determine who would have home field advantage for the seeding game.

The flip was made and the game was to be played in Columbus. Who knows, it could have been luck and this time home field advantage could have made the difference.

However, Sealy was able to pull out an amazing victory with outstanding pitching and tremendous performances at the plate along with smart base running.

In winning the seeding game against Columbus, Sealy locked down second place in district 24-3A behind Bellville. The Tigers will play the third place team out of district 23-3A, Lockhart, on Thursday, May 3, at 7:30 p.m. at A&M Consolidated.

The two teams will face off again on Friday night at 7:30 p.m. at A&M Consolidated baseball field, as it is a best twoout-of-three series. If a third game is necessary it will be played once again at A&M Consolidated in College Station at 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 5.

(W) Sealy 9 – Columbus 3 This was a game that had big playoff implications regarding who Sealy would play in a district 23-3A match up.

“When you get in the playoffs it’s a new season, we look forward to it and we’re excited to have the opportunity to beat Rockdale and take the bidistrict championship to move on to the next level,” said Montier.

Sealy drew blood in the second inning when Zach Terrell walked to reach first. Ryan Klepser sacrifice bunted Terrell to second base. Reed Hoffpauir hit a sacrifice fly to right field, scoring Terrell to put the Tigers up 1-0 before the inning ended with no more tags or runs.

Columbus came back with one run in the second inning and Sealy struck again in the third when Seth Hill singled.

Following Hill’s single, Carlton Fogle reached on an error by the short stop, advancing Hill to second. J. W. Moore hit an RBI single that scored Hill to make the score

2-0. Terrell followed with a two RBI single, scoring Fogle and Zach Pleasant – who is courtesy running for Moore. Klepser then singled and scored Terrell from second.

In the fifth inning Hill (Eckhardt’s courtesy runner) reached on an error to the short stop. On the next at-bat Fogle singled, moving Hill to second base. On the third at-bat in the inning Moore walked (Pleasant courtesy runner), juicing the bases. Coming up to the plate fourth in the inning was Terrell, who hit a two RBI single scoring Eckhardt and Fogle.

Klepser laid down a sacrifice bunt that moved Pleasant to third and Terrell to second. On the next atbat a pitch hit Hoffpauir, loading the bases. However, on the next at-bat Dylan McCallum struck out and Dustin Schultz grounded out to second base to end the inning.

In the top of the sixth it was a 1-2-3 inning for the Tigers. But, in the bottom of the sixth Columbus managed to score two runs, making the score 7-3.

In the top of the seventh, the Tigers answered with two more runs to lead off the inning. Moore singled in the first Sealy at-bat (courtesy run Pleasant). On the next at-bat Terrell singled to advanced Pleasant to second.

Klepser laid down a sacrifice bunt that was caught by the pitcher, but advanced Pleasant to third and Terrell to second. Next up for the Tigers Hoffpauir hit a hard error to the second baseman which scored Pleasant and moved Terrell to third.

For the last Tiger run of the game, McCallum grounded out to the short stop which scored Terrell, giving McCallum the RBI and putting the final nail in the coffin for the 9-3 Tiger win, ultimately clinching second place in district 24-3A. On the mound Hill pitched a complete game giving up only three runs, two of which were earned, off of three hits while striking out six and walking two – one of which was hit-by-pitch.

As Sealy’s southpaw ace, he came through to make sure the Tigers earned a higher berth for playoff seeding.

(W)Sealy 17-Stafford 0 Sealy traveled on the road for the final regular season district game of 2012 and it turned out to be a cakewalk. Hoffpauir pitched the complete five innings of the game before it was called, giving up only one hit, no runs, striking out six and walking only two. That made it easy for the Sealy bats, which had no intention of taking the night off.

In the first inning Sealy scored three runs. In the second they added another two.

In the third the Tigers poured on a barrage of eight runs.

The fourth inning showed the Tigers adding one and in the fifth inning the Tigers added three academic runs.

Wills went 3-4 with a walk, a single, a double and a triple; Hill went 3-3 with two doubles and that once in a blue moon inside the park homerun; Fogle was 2-3 with a single and went yard with a solo shot; Moore was 1-4 with a single; Terrell was 3-4 with two singles and a triple; Klepser was 1-3 with a double; Hoffpauir went 1-3 with a single to help out his cause on the mound; McCallum was 2-4 with a single and a triple; Schultz was 1-2 with a single to round out the Sealy bats against Stafford.

In winning the game against Stafford, along with the Columbus loss to Bellville, Sealy was able to play Columbus for second place in the district.

WWW.SEALYNEWS.COM

THURSDAY, MAY 3, 2012 ■ PAGE 7

THE SEALY NEWS

JV Tiger baseball finishes winning season

By JASON GUILBEAU Sports Writer

With the hectic season of spring sports, the sub-varsity sports sometimes get overlooked.

One such sport that has been overshadowed a bit has been JV baseball.

“These young men held their heads high and finished the season with a winning record which is more than any coach could really ask for,” said Head Coach Barry Wolf.

This year’s Sealy Tiger JV team had a winning 6-3-1 record.

Its wins came against teams that are traditionally tough, such as Lamar Consolidated, Columbus, Fort Bend Kempner, West Houston and Stafford. The three losses came at the hands of really strong programs: Sweeny, West Columbia and Coach David Cerny’s alwaystough Bellville JV baseball program. The only tie the Tigers had was against Columbus in the second meeting between the two teams.

Wolf did a great job in getting his pitching staff and his offense ready for the season. On the hill, Reed Hoffpauir went 2-0 and struck out

11 before being called up for varsity duty. Kameron Craft, Wolf’s ace, had a 4-1 record and struck out 25 while maintaining a 3.2 ERA. At the plate, Wolf’s JV team had some heavy hitters with Tyler Eckhardt hitting .579 with three doubles and three triples; Hoffpauir hit .571 with one triple. Holten Einkauf was amazing as a leadoff hitter with an on-base percentage of 1.091 and a batting average of .571, which are attributes any coach would want in a leadoff hitter.

David Strickland was another heavy hitter for the JV Tigers hitting .409, with one double and

catcher Miguel Hernandez hit .400 with one double.

“We started off hot, beat Lamar and Fort Bend, but we cooled down against Sweeny and West Columbia,” said Wolf. “I couldn’t be more proud of the way these boys finished out the season strong despite the hardships that any team faces.”

All in all the JV season was good but shortened by weather, cancellations and sometimes lack of opponents. However, these young men poured their hearts out and showed that Sealy Tiger baseball will be strong for years to come.

SealsJones racks up accolades Several runners may compete in state meet

C

olumn by Jason Guilbeau

Sealy 5 Star Blue-Chip football Athlete Ricky SealsJones, committed to the University of Texas, is not only touted as the number seven top junior prospect in the nation, according to ESPN.com, but he is also touted by the website to be the No. 1 top wide receiver in the 2013 recruiting class.

There aren’t many coaches happier about that than Sealy Athletic Director/Head Football Coach Jimmie Mitchell and UT Head Coach Mack Brown.

“When you’re a junior at our school (Sealy High School), you’re focused on graduating and what you need to do, so I am focused on getting that out of the way,” Seals-Jones said. “My senior year I just want to be able to relax and focus on (Sealy) football, so l have not paid any attention to any other schools. I’ve been in touch with the Texas coaches but that’s it.”

It is also astounding how down to earth and humble this highly regarded athlete from a small town is.

He always says “hi,” is always polite and I don’t know what price, if any, it would take for him to not say “yes ma’am,” “no ma’am” or “yes sir,” “no sir” to anyone older than himself. And he is the last person on earth to tout his exceptional abilities. Watching him at his various sporting events, he is the most selfless team player on the court. In talking to him you would never know he is one of the most prized athletes in the country. He is just as humble as his wonderful parents Buffy and Chester.

However, RSJ says it best: "Whatever I do, I like to do it hard. An AAU game, a pickup game, 7-on-7 football, it doesn’t matter. As long as my teammates are behind we’ll find a way to get it done.”

RSJ could not have said it better himself. I have been covering Sealy sports for a year now and as talented as he is, he is the friendliest, kindest superstar prep athlete I have ever encountered.

God speed in all your endeavors RSJ!

By JASON GUILBEAU Sports Writer

The top two finishers from each event from all four regions in each classification earn a spot at the state track and field meet in Austin each year.

That leaves one spot open for the athlete who finishes the best out of all the third place finishers in all four regions.

This year Sealy had no top two finishers, but several are on the bubble to make it to state if their third place finishes beat the third place finishes from the other three regions.

Alysia Lambros is on the bubble in girls pole vault, Ricky Seals-Jones could make it to state in the boys high jump and Shamycheal Chatman for boys discus.

In the girls 100-meter dash senior Kelsey Brown The Sealy News/FRANK GARCIA placed ninth in the pre- A Sealy track runner keeps on pace during the recent meet. liminary round by running a 12.80, and junior Marissa Bolden placed she jumped 5’2” in the high place.

In girls long jump junior 13th in the preliminary jump, which was good for fourth place.

Brianna Foley jumped the round with 12.06.

Lambros is in the bubble distance of 17’2.75,” which In the girls 200-meter dash sophomore Tomara for the girls pole vault with got her seventh place in the Jones qualified for the a vault of 10’6.” Another regional competition.

In girls triple jump Foley finals in the preliminar- Sealy competitor, Lucy ies by running a 25.63, Fogle, also competed in the jumped 34’8.25,” which was and freshman Tristyn pole vault and vaulted 9’0,” good for ninth place. Kierra Allen qualified for the which was good for seventh Harris jumped 33’0.75” for finals by running a 26.05.

In the finals for the girls 200-meter dash Allen ran into fourth place, 26.41, and Jones ran into seventh place with 26.78.

In the girls 800-meter run Sealy star distance runner freshman Charlette Janicek placed third by running a 2:26.57 to qualify for the finals.

There Janicek ran a 2:29.72, which put her in fifth place, just a few spots out of state for the phenom freshman.

The girls 4x100 meter relay team placed fourth in the preliminaries by running a 49.45, but in the finals it ran a 50.12, which put it in fifth place.

The girls 4x400 meter relay team finished in seventh place in the preliminary round with 4:12.92.

In girls high jump senior Kendall Wickens missed a chance at state The Sealy News/FRANK GARCIA by only two inches when A Sealy track runner keeps on pace during the recent meet.

Congratulations, Seniors!

Another reason to smile!

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www.ForrestOrtho.com

Law Office of

C. E. Clover, Jr.

16th place and Jones jumped 30’7.75” for 23rd place.

In girls discus senior Ashley Garza hurdled the disc 107’9,” which was good for seventh place in the competition.

In the boys 400-meter dash preliminary race senior RJ Cardell ran a 51.92, which was good for 11th place, and senior Chris Vital ran a 52.24, which was good for 12th place.

In the boys 800 meter run senior Moises Amador ran a 2:04.66 to qualify for the finals as eighth place preliminary finisher. In the finals Amador ran a 2:06.30 for fourth place, just missing out from medal contention.

In the boys 1600 meter run junior Giancarlo Santana ran a 5:03.48 for 17th place.

In the boys 3200 meter run sophomore Marcus Cortez ran an 11:09.80 for 18th place.

In the boys 4x200 meter relay Sealy ran a 1:31.07 for 13th place.

In the boys high jump junior Seals-Jones is on the bubble for a shot at the state if his height beats the height of the other third place contenders from around the state in their regional competitions.

Also in the boy’s pole vault

senior Zach Konieczny vaulted 11’6,” which was good for 12th place.

In boys triple jump junior Kris Brown jumped 45’01,” which was good for fourth place, and senior Conor Reding jumped 44’02” for sixth place.

In boys shot put junior Austin Pratt hurled a distance of 42’05” for 16th place.

In boys discus senior Chatman hurled the disc at a distance of 149’04,” which placed him in third to qualify for the state meet. Pratt hurled at a distance of 144’07,” which put him in fourth place.

For Rent

Millheim Hall For parties, reunions, dances, weddings, etc.

979-865-2734 979-877-4408

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CIVIL TRIAL LAW

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• On-Site Laundry Facilities • Friendly Staff • Great Residents

• On-Site & Emergency 24 Hour Maintenance • Pool & Playground • 1, 2 & 3 Bedroom Apts

229 Fowlkes St. P.O. Box 1765 ! Sealy

Civil & Criminal Trials General Practice including Wills & Probate Call 979-885-3533 E-mail: clover@sealylawyer.com

e-mail us at edgewood@bhmanagement.com or visit our website at www.edgewoodsealy.com

PAGE 8 ■ THURSDAY, MAY 3, 2012

THE SEALY NEWS

WWW.SEALYNEWS.COM

The Shepherd’s Way Church The old year is gone; let Jesus bring new things to you in this new year!

Frank Lucas Pastor

1225 Eagle Lake Road Phone 979-885-1225 Sunday Morning Worship 10:00 a.m.

Bible Study 7:00 p.m. Wednesday

Bill’s

HE WHO KEEPS INSTRUCTION IS IN THE WAY OF LIFE, BUT HE WHO REFUSES REPRO0F GOES ASTRAY. PROVERBS 10: 17

COUNTRY MARKET

SERVICE, SELECTION AND SAVINGS 333 Fowlkes, Downtown Sealy

885 - 3522 Sealy Commercial Contract Services Inc. Drywall, Acoustical & Millwork Installation Carolyn Rapsilver PresidentOffice: (979) 885-7406 P.O. Box 360

San Felipe, TX Mobile: (281) 220-9064 carolynrapsilver@yahoo.com Fax: (979) 885-7079

First United Methodist Church

Horseman’s Accident Insurance Program GHS Property & Casualty Insurance Company

200 Atchison St. • Sealy, Texas • (979) 885-2223

Covers you for On-The-Job Injuries Special Considera on for Associa ons Michael Stephens

Rev. Lani Rousseau, Pastor Service Times: Sunday School – 9am Worship Services 8am & 10am

713-540-3570 or 979-885-3150 Email: michael@mwsiservices.com MWSI Services, LLC

Sealy Country Markets

Sealy Country # 1 Sealy Country # 2 856 Hwy. 90 E 117 N. Meyer “Chester’s Chicken “Home Grown BBQ” & Seafood”

All Around Cowboy Church “Church Times” Sunday Bible Study 9 a.m.

Worship & Church 10 a.m.

Children’s Church 11 a.m.

Wednesday service & Posse youth service 7 p.m.

We are located halfway between Sealy & Bellville on Hwy 36.

5812 Crosstree Lane • 979-885-1155 • Paster, Sonny Rice

Bartlett Ventures

SHOPPING CENTER Retail Spaces 979-885-2526

SEIDEL, SCHROEDER & CO. Certified Public Accountants

Office Hours M-F 8-12 & 1-5 620 Highway 90 West • Sealy

979-885-6588 • 979-885-4602

ANDERSON’S Paint and Body 34 years – Sealy, Texas

Heritage Square Apartments 7626 Hwy. 60 S, Wallis, TX Affordable rent for qualified applicants Open Monday, Wednesday and Friday 1 to 5 p.m. and Tuesday and Thursday 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

(979) 478-7478 • Newly Renovated This institution is an equal opportunity provider & employer.

Knesek Family Funeral Chapels

"A Sincere and Helpful Service" Serving Austin and Surrounding Counties

Bellville • Sealy • Wallis

www.knesekfuneralhome.com

SEALY FAMILY PRACTICE CLINIC CLINICA FAMILIAR DE SEALY

Isidro G. de Leon, D.O., P.A.

Board Certified in Family Practice TOTAL FAMILY CARE • SE HABLA ESPAÑOL 826 S. Meyer St., Sealy, Texas • 979-627-0795 Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Donna Schmidt Fricke Donna Schmidt 12029 Hwy. 36 South 819 Waller Avenue Bellville, TX Brookshire, TX 979-865-2424 281-934-2424

This devotional and directory is made possible by these businesses and churches who encourage all of us to attend worship services.

BAPTIST BAPTIST BELIEVERS IN CHRIST Hwy. 6 N. Sage Lane A.W. Campbell, Min. S.S. 10 a.m.; W.S. 11 a.m.

Wed. 7 p.m.

BETHEL BAPTIST 513 San Felipe Rd., 885-6802 Charles Fraser, Min. S.S. 9:45 a.m.; W.S. 11 a.m.

CENTRAL BAPTIST 1140 Meyer St. 877-4433 W.S. 10:15 a.m.

Wed. 7 p.m. Call for details.

FIRST BAPTIST BELLVILLE 504 E. E. Strauss St. 865-3644 S.S. 9:20 a.m.: W.S. 10:45 a.m. & 6 p.m.

Wed. 6 p.m.

FIRST BAPTIST SEALY Pastor Kevin Everett 707 8th St., 885-3302 S.S. 9:45 a.m.: W.S. 11 a.m. & 6 p.m.

Wed. 7 p.m.

FIRST WALLIS BAPTIST Hwy. 60, Wallis, 478-6595 S.S. 9:30 a.m.; W.S. 10:30 a.m. & 6:30 p.m., Wed. 7 p.m.

MACEDONIA MISSIONARY BAPTIST 1807 Grubbs Rd.885-0056 Ernest Lampkin, Min. S.S. 9:30 a.m.; W.S. 11 a.m.

MISSION BAUTISTA HISPANA 1115 Maler Rd., Bellville Alex R.Garcia, Min. S.S. 11 a.m.; W.S. 12 noon Wed. 7:30 p.m.

MT. ZION BAPTIST FM 1489 at Mixville Rd., Frydek Edward Joiner, Min. S.S. 10 a.m.; W.S. 11 a.m.

Wed. 7 p.m.

NEW BEGINNING BAPTIST CHURCH 114 South Front St., Bellville Rev. Herbert M. Long II, Pastor Power Up 9:30 a.m.

Sunday School 10 a.m.

Worship Service 11 a.m.

Wednesday Bible Study 7:30 p.m.

NEW PRAIRIE VIEW BAPTIST 4303 Sealy Rd., San Felipe Louis Garcia, Min., 885-6830 S.S. 9:30 a.m.; W.S. 11 a.m.

Wed. 7 p.m.

WEST END BAPTIST Industry Dennis Keen, Min. S.S. 9:30 a.m.; W.S. 10:45 a.m. & 6 p.m.

Wed. 7:30 p.m.

CATHOLIC ST. MARY’S CATHOLIC Frydek Thuy Quang Nguyen, Min. Sat. Mass: 4:30 p.m.

Sun. Mass 7:30 a.m.

IMMACULATE CONCEPTION 608 5th St., 885-3868 Eric J. Pitre, Min. W.S. Sat 5 p.m., Sun. 9 a.m.

Noon – Bilingual GUARDIAN ANGEL Wallis Thuy Quang Nguyen, Min. W.S. Sat. 6:30 p.m., Sun. 9:30 & 11 a.m.

CHRISTIAN CHRISTIAN FAITH 620 S. Front St., Bellville, 865-5464 Lynn Burling, Min. S.S. 9:30 a.m.; W.S. 10:30 a.m.

Wed. 7 p.m.

CHRISTIAN SCIENCE 114 Hilburn at Bell, Bellville, 865-5605 S.S. 9:30 a.m.; W. S. 10:30 a.m.

1st & 3rd Wed. 7:30 p.m.

CHURCH OF CHRIST

ANDERSON STREET CHURCH OF CHRIST 803 Liveoak St. in Sealy S.S. 10 a.m.; W.S. 11:15 a.m., Wed. 7 p.m Bro. Ervin Wilson, (979) 885-1953 SEALY CHURCH OF CHRIST 201 Sixth at Fowlkes, 885-3277 David Massey, Min. S.S. 9:30 a.m.; W.S. 10:30 a.m. & 6 p.m.

Wed. 7 p.m.

CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS 600 West, 885-6023 Jose Robles, Min. S.S. 11:20 a.m.; W.S. 10 a.m.

EPISCOPAL ST. JOHN'S EPISCOPAL Meyer at Sixth Street, 885-2359 The Rev. Eric LeBrocq, Pastoral Leader Holy Eucharist 10 a.m.

LUTHERAN ST. JOHN AMERICAN (ELCA) LUTHERAN Corner of Rogers and Third, Wallis Rev. Bill Mosley W.S. 9 a.m. with communion the first Sunday of the month ST. JOHN LUTHERAN 520 North Holland St., Bellville Davis Henske, Min., 865-2081 S.S. 9:15 a.m.; W.S. 8 & 10:30 a.m.

Sat. 6 p.m.

ST. JOHN LUTHERAN (ELCA) Cat Spring Kevin Haug, Min. W.S. 8 a.m. and 10 a.m.

ST. PAUL LUTHERAN, MISSOURI SYNOD Wallis Ray Spitzenberger, Min. S.S. 10:15 a.m.; W.S. 9 a.m.

TRINITY LUTHERAN, MISSOURI SYNOD 4th & Atchison Sts., 885-2211 David Vandercook, Min. S.S. 9:05 a.m.; W.S. 10:15 a.m.

METHODIST COLE’S CHAPEL UNITED METHODIST 438 San Felipe Rd., Sealy Steffon Arrington, Min., 885-3182 Second and Fourth Sunday S.S. 9:45 a.m.; W.S. 11 a.m.

Wed. 7 p.m.

DOWNEY-WESLEY CHAPEL UNITED METHODIST 5158 Front St., San Felipe Steffon Arrington, Min., 995-0434 S.S. 9:45 a.m.; W.S. 1st & 3rd Sun. 11 a.m.

EVANS CHAPEL AME 7115 Marek Rd., Wallis Angela Powell, Min., 532-3752 S.S. 9:30 a.m.; W.S. 11 a.m. 2nd & 4th Sun. Wed. 6:30 p.m.

FIRST UNITED METHODIST 200 Atchison, Sealy Rev. Lani Rousseau, Min., 885-2223 S.S. 9 a.m.; W.S. 8 & 10 a.m.

ORCHARD UNITED METHODIST J.K. Bruegger, Min. W.S. 9 a.m.

PARKER CHAPEL AME 21107 Hwy. 36 S., Wallis Angela Powell, Min., 532-3752 W.S. 1st & 3rd Sun. 11 a.m.

PRAIRIE VIEW AME 4806 Fannin St., San Felipe, 885-2172 Alma Phillips, Min. S.S. 9 a.m.; 2nd & 4th Sun. 10 a.m.

Wed. 2nd & 4th 7:30 p.m.

SAN FELIPE UNITED METHODIST FM 1458 & 2nd Street Michael Peschke, Min. 832-594-8933 W.S. 10 a.m.

ST. PAUL AME 400 San Felipe Rd. Alma Phillips, Min. S.S. 9:45 a.m.; W.S. 1st & 3rd Sun. 11 a.m.

Wed. 6 p.m.

WALLIS UNITED METHODIST Corner of Guyler and Birch Wallis, Texas 234-2112 Ric Walters, Min., 281-384-8437 W.S. 10:30 a.m.

PENTECOSTAL BROOKSHIRE TABERNACLE UNITED PENTECOSTAL 5th and Otto Samuel T. Taylor, Min. W.S. 10 a.m. & 6 p.m.

Tues. 10 a.m.; Wed. 7:30 p.m.

GOSPEL LIGHTHOUSE PENTECOSTAL CHURCH OF GOD 929 Silliman at Hill St., 627-0048 Victor & Sandra Becerra, Mins.

W.S. 10 a.m. & 6 p.m.

Wed. 7 p.m.

NEW LIFE SANCTUARY UNITED PENTECOSTAL 129 2nd Street, Sealy (979) 627-7194 (832) 876-9011 Martin Villarreal, Min. S.S. 10:30 a.m.; W.S. 11:30 a.m.

End Time Ministries Irvin Baxter DVD's Wed. 7:30 p.m PRESBYTERIAN FIRST PRESBYTERIAN 172 Selman Drive.

S.S. 9 a.m.; W.S. 10 a.m. www.firstpresbyterian.org OTHER ALL AROUND COWBOY 5812 Crosstree Lane at Hwy. 36 North Sonny Rice, Min., 885-1155 S.S. 9 a.m.; W.S. 10 a.m. & 5 p.m.

Wed. 7 p.m.

CHRIST OUR REDEEMER Faith Christian Academy, 9 mi. south of Hwy. 36 Jerry C. & Debbie McKinney, Mins.

W.S. 10 a.m. & 6 p.m.

CHRISTIAN CITY FELLOWSHIP 5243 Hwy. 36 N. Rusty Griffin, Min. S.S. 9 a.m.; W.S. 10 a.m.

GRACE BIBLE 707 W. Main, Bellville Wayne Martin, Min. S.S. 9:15 a.m.; W.S. 10:30 a.m.

MILL CREEK Church Pastor Monte Byrd 631 S. Mechanic, Bellville 865-8064 www.millcreekchurch.org S.S. 9:30 a.m.; W.S. 10 a.m.

MORNING STAR COWBOY 398 Hall Rd. at Hwy. 36 N. Harry Brisco, Min. 865-0361/277-5988 W.S. 10 a.m.

Wed. 7 p.m.

MT. NEBO COMMUNITY 103 Main St., 885-6651 J. Swearington, Min. S.S. 9:45 a.m.; W.S. 11 a.m.

Wed. 7 p.m.

NELSONVILLE BRETHREN CHURCH 352 Nelsonville Church Road in Bellville Rev. Michael Groseclose (979) 865-3026 9 a.m. Sunday School 10:15 a.m. Worship Service THE SHEPHERD’S WAY 1225 Eagle Lake Rd., 885-1225 Frank Lucas, Min. W.S. 10 a.m.

Wed. 7 p.m.

WELLSPRING 1000 N. Main, 885-7832 Clyde & Joyce Drake, Mins.

W.S. 10 a.m.

979-885-6140 Surveying and Mapping for Residential, Acreage, Commercial, Construction, Well Location, and Route/ROW Jason Hunter, VP Field Operations 204 Meyers St. • Sealy • Ph: 979-382-7155 • Fax: 281-646-3571 Jhunter@explorergp.com • www.explorergp.com

5160 Franz Rd., Ste. G • Katy, Texas 77493 281.391.2006

POSTIVE FEED, LTD. “COOKED” Molasses

TUBS Man or Beast Health is Wealth PO Box 1049 • Sealy, TX 77474 979-885-2903 • ww.pf4feed.com

Keith Oliver 979-885-3116 COMMERCIAL • RESIDENTIAL “Voted Best for 2005-2011”

Central Baptist Church Where the Word of God is Central Sam Waltman, Senior Pastor MEETING AT KNESEK FUNERAL CHAPEL • Sunday 10:15 am 1140 Meyer St. • Sealy • 979-877-4433 Pastor Tony Ramos, (281) 702-5602

Sealy 228 228 E. Front St. 979-885-2967 979-885-2967 Brookshire Alvin Alvin Magnolia Magnolia Richmond Richmond Hempstead Brookshire 34350 WestWest 1331 Hwy 64011488 FM 359 6401 820 Bus 18821 FM 13316 West Hwy 618821 WestFM 1488 FMHwy 359290 N 34350I-10I-10 281-934-2479 281-356-2530281-356-2530 832-595-9500 832-595-9500 979-826-3273 281-388-0388 281-934-2479 281-388-0388

“A Great Place to Eat” “Since 1936” Open 7 Days Excellent Service Banquet Room • Catering

Loius A. Servos 1629 Meyer, Sealy, Texas

(979) 885-4140

www.tonysfamilyrestaurant.com

Fabric | Notions | Yarn Classes Knitting, Crochet, Fashion, Quilting

CREATIVE THREADS 219 Fowlkes St. • Sealy • 979-398-1545 HRS: M, W, F 10:00-5:00 • T, TH, SAT 1:00-5:00 PHONE: (979) 885-3388 • (979) 885-3391

Sealy Appliance & Butane Co. Inc GAS AND ELECTRIC APPLIANCES TACLB012215E LEON KOLLATSCHNY BOX 636 • SEALY, TX 77474

289 Gebhardt Rd. Sealy, TX

www.wctractor.com

Your Hometown Bank

WILLOW RIVER FARMS is a Residential Community serving persons with developmental disabilities in a rural setting.

For Tours, call Leona Marshall at 713-525-8300 or 979-885-2513 ext. 239 4073 FM 3318 • San Felipe, Tx. www.thecenterhouston.org

VIERECK

CONCRETE CONSTRUCTION, INC. House & Metallic Buildings (Barns) Foundations, Driveways, Patios

(979) 877-8106 S pecializing in: Galvanized Steel Frame Construction Residential • Commercial

1200 North Meyer Street • Sealy, TX 77474

Fax: (281) 817-5530 All Kinds Of Insurance

E-mail: rcmercier01@yahoo.com

979/865-3650 FAX 979/865-5123

JANICEK PLUMBING

P LUMBING, BACKHOE & BORING SERVICES Family Owned & Operated for 49 Years!

6409 Commerce St. | Wallis, TX 77485 | (979) 478-6444

Sue F. Knight

MERCIER INSURANCE AGENCY Ruth Mercier, AAI, LUTCF Agent/Owner Bus: (979) 987-3406

Heating • Air Conditioning

(979) 885-3571

Cody and Charlie Hughey

www.schmidtfunerals.com

Jackson Hewitt’s How You Do It

KO’s ELECTRIC

Based on Traditions, Focused on the Future Come Grow With Us!

800-388-2414 979-335-7913 (fax) 979-335-4096 www.traditionschevrolet.com 843 Main P.O. Box 60 East Bernard, Texas 77435

Insurance Agent KNIGHT INSURANCE AGENCY Auto • Home • Life Commercial • Health 413-B Meyer Street Sealy, Tx 77474 Bus: (979) 885-3430 Toll Free: (888) 885-0306 Fax: (979) 885-3431 sknight@farmersagent.com

2036 Hwy 90 West Sealy, Texas 77474 979-627-7746 (Office) 979-527-7748 (Fax)

Rely on us so you can rely on your vehicle!

WWW.SEALYNEWS.COM

THURSDAY, MAY 3, 2012 â– PAGE 9

THE SEALY NEWS

Gamma Omega meets, honors past presidents Paul cried The Gamma Omega Chapter of The Delta Kappa Gamma Society met at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 14 in the fellowship hall of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Phillipsburg with 50 members present.

Linda Pinkerton read the mission statement and Mackie Meyer read the collect. Mary Jean Brehm led the pledges and gave the meditation. Cheryl Pritchett, Mackie Meyer, Lori Jackson and Carole Fry gave the Founder’s Day program.

They also honored past presidents present including Grace Holtkamp, Linda Pinkerton, Mary Anne Wiesner, Fry, Dr. Barbara Webb, Peggy Eckert and Heather Smith. The program also included celebration of Delta Kappa Gamma’s 83rd Birthday and Gamma Omega’s 70th Birthday.

Mary Keienburg presided over the business meeting. The minutes of the last meeting were approved as printed.

Pinkerton gave the treasurer’s report and it was approved. Anna Breddin read thank notes from the Sealy Food Pantry and Fry. She also read letters of resignation from Patsy Novosad and Edna Chambers. These were accepted with regret.

Keienburg reported the results of the research on past grant in aid and scholarship winners and thanked members for their help. Smith conducted a

final reading of the revisions on the chapter rules.

Rules will be on the chapter website in final form.

Pritchett thanked everyone for helping with the duties of the ceremonies committee. Breddin read the membership report from Jennifer Mohr. Treva Bullard reported for the personal growth and services committee.

Marie Landry, achievement committee, gave out perfect attendance awards to Patsy Ashorn, Treva Bullard, Beverly Ekarius, Fry, Carolyn Golan, Keienburg, Jessie Kokemor, Smith, Eunice Sitton, Barbara Truitt, Evelyn Turlington, and Ueckert.

Turlington received the chapter acheivement award and Truitt received a pin for 25 years of membership.

Keienburg guessed the closest to the actual amount made by the silent auction. She also reminded every to register for the state convention and that the Unifying Project for the 2012 Convention will be United Through Reading Military Program.

Cheryl Pritchett installed the chapter officers for 2012-2014.

Carobeth Bockhorn won the door prize and Ueckert worn the perfect attendance prize donated by Lou Pruett.

The next meeting will be the planning meeting on July 11 at noon with the Burton members serving as hostesses. A light lunch will be served.

Burleson

when Gospel was hindered DAVID MASSEY Church of Christ Sealy

The Sealy News/COURTESY PHOTO

Earning perfect attendance honors were Peggy Ueckert, Evelyn Turlington, Barbara Truitt, Eunice, Sitton, Carole Fry, Heather Smith, Beverly Ekarius, Jessie Kokemor, Treva Bullard, Mary Keienburg, Carolyn Golan, Patsy Ashorn, pictured above at the group's latest meeting. Past Presidents recognized include Peggy Ueckert, Dr. Barbara Webb, Heather Smith, Mary Anne Wiesner, Grace Holtkamp, Linda Pinkerton and Mary Keienburg, pictured below.

County members were thanked for serving as hostesses. Sandra Strong gave the prayer before the meal.

The meeting adjourned with the singing of “The Delta Kappa Gamma Song.�

Members from Sealy

were Ashorn, Beverly Ekarius, Holtkamp, Kokemor, Landry, Kathy Noska, Smith and Jeanette Spenrath.

The Sealy News/COURTESY PHOTO

Habitat taking applications Habitat for Humanity of Austin County board members, at left, recently broke ground on new lots in Sealy. Habitat for Humanity of Austin County is now accepting housing applications. Applications are available at the Bellville and Sealy libraries and the Habitat for Humanity office. For more information, call (979) 865-2855 and leave a message.

The great preachers of the Bible had two things in common. They all loved God and His truth and when people refused to hear and obey, they were so depressed they cried.

Paul cried when he thought of his enemies. He was sad because those who did not hear were destroying their own souls. They were disappointing God and they were injuring the cause of Christ.

Paul cried when the Gospel was hindered. The opposition of the Jewish people caused him to weep because he knows they were impeding his progress in winning souls to Christ.

Paul cried when he thought of his friend’s trials. Jesus pronounced a blessing on the merciful.

Many are concerned with their own feelings and not those of other people. What kept Paul going? Being burdened with the concerns for others, he was not miserable because he had three goals as he cried.

He knew there was a crown of righteousness waiting for him (II Timothy 4:8). He also believed firmly there was eternal life waiting for him and thirdly he knew that acceptance of Jesus of obedience to the Gospel would take him home for eternal life.

Worship with the Church of Christ and learn of the love that God gave mankind through His son. We can also offer a home Bible lesson that stresses the truths of the Bible and not man’s opinion.

Salvation Army Sealy Unit needs donations The Salvation Army Sealy Unit is in need of monetary donations.

The Salvation Army is in need of monetary donations, which are used throughout the year to supply people with food, gas and to help pay rent, electric or utility bills. Monetary gifts are an excellent way to provide The Salvation Army with the immediate funds necessary to meet the physical and spiritual needs of the Austin County residents served. These donations

include checks, money orders, and credit card donations, which can be given through the mail, or by phone.

By making a cash donation to The Salvation Army, donors are able to claim a charitable deduction in the year you make the gift.

Please mail checks or money orders made payable to The Salvation Army to: The Salvation Army Sealy Unit, PO Box 1481, Sealy, Texas 77474. Please do not send cash via the mail.

Checks or money orders are a safer method to send a contribution by mail.

To make a donation by credit card, call (979) 8853222.

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Thank you to new subscribers Clyde Redetzke, Aaron Ward and Mary Hradil.

Thank you to renewing subscribers Jan Parson, Floyd Lamp, Sealy ISDStudent Council, Clyde Drake, Arthur Froebel, Cecil Froebel, Daniel Kulow, Sherry Walton, Joyce Coody, Roy Dierschke, Walter Mock, Rosalie Steck, Patty Bloom and James Duke.

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PAGE 10 ■ THURSDAY, MAY 3, 2012

THE SEALY NEWS

WWW.SEALYNEWS.COM

Editor's Note: In an effort to better educate the voters of Austin County, The Sealy News presents "Meet the Candidates", a special section highlighting City of Sealy city council and Sealy ISD board of trustees contested races. Below are questions posed to candidates who are involved in contested races in the May 12 election. Responses run as were submitted to The Sealy News.

CITY OF SEALY CITY COUNCIL

PLACE 2 Name: Yvonne Johnson City in which you reside: Sealy Time you have lived in Sealy: Family: What experience do you bring to the table that qualifies you to serve as a city council member?

Why did you decide to run for the city council? I decided to run for council because I have lived in Sealy for all of my life. I feel it is my civic duty to be a representative of my city. I am not a politician, but simply a citizen who wants to aide in the common sense decision making process for the welfare of Sealy.

What top three challenges does the City of Sealy face, and how do you plan to address those challenges? a. Drainage; b.

Continue to work on infrastructure improvements; c.

To continue working with the City Manager, Staff, Mayor, Council, Commissioners, County Judge, School District and others to take our city successfully into the future for our senior citizens, young people and those of us who choose Sealy as our home.

Do you think the city should have curfew for its youth? No, I do not think we should have a curfew for our youth. Until now, we have nothing of entertainment for our young people. We are very happy that the YMCA is here in Sealy and the opening of the 16-acre park is scheduled.

The young people of the YAC organization are instrumental in assisting with the desires of the youth of Sealy (Skate Park). What is needed for the problems that have been brought before council are parents who are aware of the situations that transpire and get a handle on their children and their actions. It is not fair to curfew all youth for the actions of a few.

Sealy, along with the rest of the nation, is facing a tough economy.

How do you feel the city can best be stewards of taxpayers' money while addressing projects and costs that arise? We have an awesome, experienced

city manager and staff, along with the SEDC, who have worked together to obtain millions of dollars in grants and private funds.

For this reason, we are looking forward to a city with a great park, completed with a much needed swimming pool, walking trails, capital improvements, a new police station, etc. I am not saying that you as citizens should not be concerned with the city and its spending but just look around, you can see the new and improved Sealy. Who is unhappy with these improvements?

The city issued bonds in 2010 and 2011 for various projects covering infrastructure improvements to building a new park and constructing a frontage road for I-10, along with other projects. Do you think citizens should be able to vote on funding projects not related to infrastructure improvements before the city issues bonds to cover those expenses? If the citizens of Sealy would like to vote on funding projects not related to infrastructure improvements before the city issues bonds, then let them say so.

Do you think the city should look at plans to annex more property within the city limits? If so, what areas should they concentrate on? If not, why? Annexation has its pros and cons. But I feel that if the city annexes property, it should be done in an area where there is potential for commercial growth, providing employment for the citizens of Austin County.

What sets you apart from your opponents? I am not set apart from any opponent. I am fortunate to be one of the leaders who, in the last 6 years have carved a path and pointed the way to build a successful SEALY. I am truly grateful to be a part of a council with vision and I fully support others who want to be a contributor to the creation of a better Sealy, TX, my Town!!!!!!

List accomplishments, employment or community organization affiliations relevant to serving as a city council member: Employed at the Sealy ISD for 22 years; Citizen of Sealy for 62 years; President of Sealy Eastside Foundation for 10 years; Member of Bethel Baptist Church; and Willingness and ability to serve my community.

My name is Yvonne M. Johnson. I have reside in Sealy, Texas for 62 years. I am married to John, mother of 1 son, 2 daughters, (one being deceased since 2007), grandmother to 9, Greatgrandmother to 13, aunt to many, cousin to multitudes, friend to quite a few and servant to City Council Position 2 and so proud to

be here. Come out on the second and fourth Tuesday at 6 p.m. for our city council meeting and get all of your information first hand.

PLACE 4

Name: Joe Bilski City in which you reside: Sealy Time you have lived in Sealy: 31 years Family: Married to Carolyn 38 years; Three married children Michael and wife Melanie, Lisa and husband Ryan Svoboda, Keith and wife Bridgette; Six grandchildren Katelyn and Nolan Bilski, Blake and Hailey Svoboda, Ellery and Elizabeth Bilski What experience do you bring to the table that qualifies you to serve as a city council member? As a retired manager for Center Point Energy where I worked for over 38 years I bring a business perspective to the city. My required oversight of a $15 million annual budget, as many as 50-75 employees and nearly $20 million in assets would be of tremendous value to the council.

Having been on council in the late 1990’s and early 2000’s I bring historical knowledge to the table.

Why did you decide to run for the city council? I recognize the time commitment needed to be a good council member and recently retired, I now have the time to commit to the city.

What top three challenges does the City of Sealy face, and how do you plan to address those challenges? The items listed below are concerns from the citizens of Sealy. I put them is this order.

Debt is the biggest challenge during the next decade. Per the 2012 audit the City of Sealy’s total bonded debt and capital lease obligations totaled $10,777,316 and of this $680,964 is due this year. Of the current $0.36 tax rate $0.17 is debt. Since most of this money is already spent, the only way to address the issue is to eliminate future spending on “fluff” projects and tightly manage any remaining capital projects still under consideration.

General decline of city services is another citizen concern. In a city where we pride ourselves on the natural beauty of our communi-

ty, leaf and limb removal now occurs once a month instead of weekly while trash pickup is weekly instead of twice a week.

Drainage/flooding issues continue to be a concern.

Due to the recent drought very little emphasis has been placed on this issue yet the city needs to pursue remedies to alleviate issues along Allens Creek and the Frydek/Old San Felipe areas of town. Recent rains have given citizens just a hint of what will happen when heavy downpours hit the area.

Do you think the city should have a night curfew for its youth? No. Less government intervention is always better. It is the responsibility of the individual and the parents/family to manage youth issues.

Penalizing all for the actions of a few is not a good course of action. There are existing laws which must be enforced to deal with those individuals and parents/family that do not live up to those responsibilities Sealy, along with the rest of the nation, is facing a tough economy.

How do you feel the city can best be stewards of taxpayers’ money while addressing projects and costs that arise? Elected officials and city management must understand that taxpayer money is not theirs to spend as they see fit.

Citizens must have input and any projects must have common good for the community. Projects that have individual benefit must be eliminated. I am a fiscal conservative and will be a taxpayer watchdog.

The city issued bonds in 2010 and 2011 for various projects covering infrastructure improvements to building a new park and constructing a frontage road for I-10, along with other projects. Do you think citizens should be able to vote on funding projects not related to infrastructure improvements before the city issues bonds to cover those expenses? The voice of the citizen should always be considered. Certificates of obligation, although legal, do not require citizen approval and they should never be used to fund large projects in a city this size.

Bonds requiring voter approval should always be used when borrowing money for any large project. Elected officials must remember that they represent the taxpayers.

Do you think the city should look at plans to annex more property within the city limits? If so, what areas should they concentrate on? If not, why? Since the city is so deeply in debt for the next decade and any annex-

ation would require more spending to extend services to those annexed areas I would only be willing to look at areas that petition for annexation and those areas would need minimal capital expense to be annexed. I would certainly have to consider the cost/benefit to the citizens not the developer before considering a petition. Presently we already have areas within the city limits that do not have water, sewer, and gas and the liability to provide these services is still pending.

What sets you apart from your opponents?

Long term commitment to the community is evident by the fact that Carolyn and I already own cemetery plots across from the BP&W Park! I am a property owner and taxpayer. Institutional knowledge of city issues and local government regulations and business experience while representing NO special interest is an additional advantage I have over my opponent.

List accomplishments, employment or community organization affiliations relevant to serving as a city council member: Retired from Center Point Energy, member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, KJT, Knights of Columbus, former member and chair of Sealy Economic Development Corporation, former city council member are some of my most recent affiliations. I am a taxpayer and have been a resident for over 30 years and during that time I have been involved in youth activities such as Little League, Flag Football and Sealy Booster Club for several decades.

The complex at the BP&W Park enjoyed by my grandchildren and other youth today come as a result of efforts by myself and many other volunteers to build these fields. Only by our efforts did the city begin to assist with field maintenance.

Name: Melanie (Coody) Willingham City in which you reside: Sealy Time you have lived in Sealy: I have lived here my whole life (31 years) with the exception of 4 years in which I attended Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, TX to receive my Bachelor’s Degree in

Agricultural Mechanization.

My children are the 5th generation that are living here in Sealy.

Family: I have been married to my high school sweetheart, Kenny, for 7 years.

Kenny is a Houston Firefighter with the rank of Engineer Operator. He is also the Assistant Chief for the Sealy Fire Department, and works at West I-10 Fire Department. We have a 6 year old named Kyle who is a Kindergartener at Selman Elementary, and we have a 2 year old named Travis.

What experience do you bring to the table that qualifies you to serve as a city council member? I am the mother of 2 small children that decided to stay at home while they were in preschool so that I could focus on them as well as my non profit work. I have 5 years experience as the Service Manager for an 8 person commercial retail company while attending SHSU. I also worked for 4 years as the office manager for a local firm that is heavily involved with bringing new businesses and homes to Sealy.

Why did you decide to run for the city council?

While raising my children I have been able to see first hand the opportunities that exist and are currently needed for young parents.

It saddens me that the town I grew up in no longer exists.

I am looking ahead to the future and excited by what I see. I want it to be a place where my children can come home and raise their family.

What top three challenges does the City of Sealy face, and how do you plan to address those challenges? First, I think that we should focus on creating a town that is attractive to children and to young parents. We need to make it a place where people want to come and live. We need to have activities, such as the YMCA, the pool, and parks. This brings me to my second challenge which is having businesses come into town that will give us job opportunities. The third challenge is opening up a line of communication to the citizens as to where the city is financially and to eliminate scare tactics.

Do you think the city should have a night curfew for its youth? I would like to look more into this topic. I am not committed either way. I would first need to understand fully the existing problem.

Sealy, along with the rest of the nation, is facing a tough economy.

How do you feel the city can best be stewards of taxpayers’ money while addressing projects and costs that arise? I have seen the numbers and I feel the city is financially in a

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good position and we are poised to be even better in the future.

Our income potential is high as well.

We must keep heading in the right direction.

The city issued bonds in 2010 and 2011 for various projects covering infrastructure improvements to building a new park and constructing a frontage road for I-10, along with other projects. Do you think citizens should be able to vote on funding projects not related to infrastructure improvements before the city issues bonds to cover those expenses? I feel that the citizens should have a right to vote, so I did some research and found out an interesting fact. If the city receives a petition signed by five percent of the city’s qualified voters, protesting the issuance of a bond then an election must be held.

This is with all bonds. The voters find out about these bonds because the city is required to publish notices in the newspaper of general circulation (The Sealy News) in the area that the city intends to issue these bonds.

So, if the voters do feel strongly enough about voting on a bond, as long as a petition is signed, then the voters will have the ability to vote on the bond issue.

Do you think the city should look at plans to annex more property within the city limits? If so, what areas should they concentrate on? If not, why? I feel there are undeveloped and under developed areas that could benefit from the city’s involvement. If areas are annexed the city in turn can help maintain property values. I feel it should be beneficial to the city, the property owner’s, and the surrounding properties.

What sets you apart from your opponents? As I run for this election, I am not focused on my opponent.

I am running FOR the citizens of Sealy.

List accomplishments, employment or community organization affiliations relevant to serving as a city council member: I have been a member of the Rotary Club of Sealy while I worked out of the house.

During my time as a Rotary member I delivered meals for HOA-Meals on Wheels. I also took over as Chairperson for the Sealy Fantasy of Lights. When I began my work from home, I continued my work for the Sealy Fantasy of Lights, which continues today under the wings of the Sealy Community Foundation, where I serve as President.

In 2009, I helped organize and spear-head the revival of the Sealy Community Foundation, which now serves as a voice for nonprofit organizations. Under my leadership along with the board of directors, the Sealybration made a debuted return and the Fantasy of Lights continues to be a success.

I, being a fire fighter’s wife, understand the importance of being the support system for the local fire department. I worked hard along with others to revamp the Sealy Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary, which uses their resources to engage in various philanthropy projects and other events to highlight the commitment of the fire fighters.

This year, the Sealy Fire Department added another organization to their list of support by becoming actively involved in the Austin County Relay for Life as the “Fighting the Flames of Cancer” team. I currently serve as the captain of the team. I am also an active member of the Immaculate Conception Church and aid with the Children’s Liturgy Program. I am also a member of PTA and Moms of Preschoolers (MOPS).

THURSDAY, MAY 3, 2012 ■ PAGE 11

THE SEALY NEWS

PLACE 5

Name: Everett James Bubak III City in which you reside: Sealy, Texas Time you have lived in Sealy: In city limits 5 years; In Sealy area for 21 years Family: My father is the late Everett James Bubak Jr. Commonly known to many as Jimmy Bubak, he operated the bowling alley in Sealy with his late wife LaQuita Bubak for many years. Mother is Ann Maxwell who lives and works in Houston. I have two younger brothers Jonathan Bubak and Justin Maxwell who live and work in Houston. I am married to Shannon Bubak. Our children include Aaron Bubak (16), Cody Manna (10), and Emerson Bubak (2).

What experience do you bring to the table that qualifies you to serve as a city council member? I have been in public service for over 10 years. Running for city council I feel is the next step I should take in serving my community. I feel that I bring a new perspective to the how the city should grow and develop. I have a college degree in business management plus a background in Six Sigma that can be applied to the city.

My experience at BAE and skill sets developed in planning, scheduling and supervision have given me the skill sets to be a leader in the community.

Why did you decide to run for the city council? I have lived in the Sealy area for over 20 years. I have seen the town expand, but lately the city growth has stagnated. This stagnation has lead to many in our community to seek services in other communities. This is revenue leaving our town that does not come back.

Because of this I decided to run for council to help create opportunities that would keep the revenue here in our community and also bring new revenue to our community.

What top three challenges does the City of Sealy face, and how do you plan to address those challenges? I think the first issue facing our community is economic. We are facing a growing population

that requires services from the city. With escalating costs to meet the new demands the city must explore other alternatives to meet the new demand.

A second issue the city faces is how to bring more people to our city. The solution to this dilemma is creating a reason or reasons for people to come visit. As a city council member I would propose the building of an outdoor theatre that could be used for concerts and shows. I would like this theatre to mimic the outdoor pavilion that is currently located in the Woodlands.

The city could use this theatre as revenue generator by creating a special entertainment tax on ticket and vendor sales. This new tax on dollars brought in from outside the community would help lighten the burden city resident taxpayers currently face. Furthermore this theatre would have a multiplying effect too.

Patrons visiting the theatre would also spend dollars in community before and after the shows through our local stores, restaurants, and hotels. This is more revenue for city in form of local sales tax and hotel tax already in place.

This leads me to the third issue for the city. This issue is jobs. By now everyone is aware of the lost contract at BAE and the impacts this loss has had on BAE, the city, and the county. Current economic times have also had its impacts on our community. The building of an outdoor theatre would help create jobs for many.

Especially our youth. We also need good long term jobs. I believe that manufacturing jobs are the answer.

Sealy is in a unique and very competitive position.

We are located 50 miles west of the 4th largest city in the nation on the most traveled interstate in the southern United States. We are intersected by a major north south state highway, 40 to 70 miles from the coast and have a major rail line that travels through are town. As your councilmember I would charge members of the city economic development to begin aggressively chasing companies looking to expand. The natural gas business is rapidly expanding just south of our area that holds many long term opportunities. I would limit our economic development to just manufacturing. I would also charge the economic development team to begin efforts to have a large attraction venue built in our community. A company that I would begin with is the owners of Great Wolf Lodge.

This family resort establishment has year round visitors and is not limited to seasonal activity.

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Do you think the city should have a night curfew for its youth? I do believe the city should implement a curfew on our youth. As a teenager my father told me that nothing good happens for a kid after 10 p.m. in small town. I know times have changed and some teenagers work. I think a curfew that is put in place should be enforced carefully. I say this because the last thing we as a community want to do is alienate our youth.

Sealy, along with the rest of the nation, is facing a tough economy.

How do you feel the city can best be stewards of taxpayers’ money while addressing projects and costs that arise?

Accountability, accountability, and accountability. This word cannot be expressed enough when it comes to the use of taxpayer money. The best way I believe the city can be stewards of taxpayer money is controlling costs and waste elimination. One method we use at BAE Systems is the use of Lean Six Sigma. Lean Six Sigma is a methodology that is focused on elimination of waste and cost control. The use of Six Sigma tools can provide value added steps to all levels of city operations.

For specific projects the city can conduct weekly or biweekly cost control meetings to see where projects stand in relation to budgeted amounts. As project contracts are issued out I think that measures should be placed in the contracts that contractors must meet deadlines as promised at the cost it was contracted for. Any delays or cost overruns should be at the cost of the contractor and not the city.

The city issued bonds in 2010 and 2011 for various projects covering infrastructure improvements to building a new park and constructing a frontage road for I-10, along with other projects. Do you think citizens should be able to vote on funding projects not related to infrastructure improvements before the city issues bonds to cover those expenses? Public involvement in all aspect of city operations is critical to growth in my opinion. I also believe that everything should be handled in an efficient manner to help reduce overall costs and help prevent waste. If the city were to place all bond issues as an election approval method only I think it would be inefficient. The best way I believe the city should handle bonds is to determine a set amount that would require voter approval. Any bonds that are issued below the determined amount

would only require elected official approval. However the citizens still have say in this method. All council meetings are open to the public and notices should be issued to citizens via common media routes allowing the citizens the opportunity to sit in on the meetings where bond matters are discussed.

Do you think the city should look at plans to annex more property within the city limits? If so, what areas should they concentrate on? If not, why? With the growing costs the city is experiencing with current operations I believe that the city should consider the annexation of more property. I say this because many residents who live outside the current city limits still require city resources. The population within the city is approximately 6,000 and there is an additional population just outside the city limits that use city services in their daily lives. These services mostly include road and community works. The city should review what resources are being used and consider annexation as needed.

I think that the city should not limit itself to one specific area should annexation be considered. In the future I feel that expansions should focus more to the north, south and west of the city. I believe the city needs to expand however the current makeup of the city should be left how it is keeping the small community feel we all enjoy today.

What sets you apart from your opponents?

As a production planner and operations supervisor at BAE Systems my job requires that I work with and coordinate with all other departments at the facility. These requirements also extend to working and communicating with all levels of management within the organization. My daily functions require that I develop and create weekly and daily plans to supply parts to our assembly line that keep operations running on schedule. The deci-

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sions I make daily help keep a multi-million dollar operation running and prevent cost overruns for the organization. I feel that my planning and communicating skills I use at work will help me and our community as a council member if elected.

Another quality that I believe sets me apart from my opponent is my critical thinking and management skills in an emergency setting. As a paramedic there are many quick decisions that must be made that, at times, can be life altering. I believe that my skill sets of planning, communication, and critical thinking make me a very effective candidate for city council. The use of these skill sets will help our community grow and bring more jobs for all our citizens.

List accomplishments, employment or community organization affiliations relevant to serving as a city council member: Bachelors of Science in Business Administration; Lean Six Sigma Green Belt; Production Planner and Operations Supervisor III at BAE Systems Sealy 16 years April 1996 to Present; National Registry Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic; Member Austin County EMS 11 years 2001 to Present.; Greater Sealy Little League Board of Directors member. League Safety Director; Greater Sealy Little League baseball coach.

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What Should You Do with a 401(k) When Leaving a Job? In the past, many people stayed at one job, or at least one company, for almost their entire working lives. When they retired, they could typically count on a pension, the value of which was based on their years of service and earnings. But today, workers can expect to hold several different jobs in their lifetime, and to a great extent, pensions have been replaced by 401(k) plans, which place much of the funding responsibility on employees.

So, assuming you will change jobs at some point, and you do have a 401(k), what should you do with it?

Here are your basic choices: • Cash out your plan. If you cash out your plan, your company will likely pay you 80% of your account value, withholding the rest for federal taxes. And if you’re younger than age 59½, you may well be slapped with a 10% IRS tax penalty. Even worse, you’ll have lost a key source of your retirement income. Still, if you are leaving your employer involuntarily, and you need the money, cashing out your 401(k) is an option you may need to consider.

• Keep the money in your company’s plan. When you leave a company, your employer may allow you to keep your money in your existing 401(k). You may want to choose this route if you like the investment choices available in your plan. However, you might be caught by surprise if the company decides to change investment options.

Furthermore, some employers may charge former employees fees to maintain their 401(k) plans.

• Move the money into your new employer’s plan. If your new employer has a 401(k) and allows transfers, you could roll the

money from your old plan into the new one.

This might be an attractive option if you like the investment options in your new employer’s plan.

• Roll the money over to an IRA. You may find several advantages to rolling your 401(k) over to an Individual Retirement Account (IRA). First, your money will still have the potential to grow on a tax-deferred basis.

Second, you can invest your funds in virtually any investment you choose — stocks, bonds, government securities, certificates of deposit (CDs), etc. Third, if you own more than one 401(k) account, you could find it advantageous to consolidate them into a single IRA, thereby making it easier to allocate and monitor your retirement assets.

And fourth, IRAs may give you greater flexibility if you plan to pass money to your children. In fact, if your child inherits your IRA, he or she has the option of stretching withdrawals over the child’s entire lifetime, rather than taking the money as a lump sum.

(If you do transfer funds from your old 401(k) to an IRA, be sure to use a “direct rollover” to avoid the possibility of triggering unwanted taxes.)

Before making any moves with your 401(k), consult with your tax and financial advisors. By looking closely at your options, and by getting professional guidance, you can make the choice that’s right for you.

This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor. Edward Jones, its employees and financial advisors can not provide tax or legal advice.

PAGE 12 ■ THURSDAY, MAY 3, 2012

Family: John Dulaney (husband); Charlotte Thornton (granddaughter) What experience do you bring to the table that qualifies you to serve as a city council member? My education includes the B.A., M.A. and all coursework on a Ph.D. I direct the Sealy campus of Blinn College, so I understand large budgets and planning for future growth.

I love Sealy, and this is my home. I do my homework and work very hard to make good decisions.

Why did you decide to run for the city council?

I was encouraged by my family initially. Basically I was complaining about the issues I was reading about in the paper to my husband, and he told me to quit complaining and do something about it. I then had lunch with Yvonne Johnson, and she sealed the deal for me by encouraging me. I have no special interest in being a councilwoman other than giving back to a city that has become home for me.

What top three challenges does the City of Sealy face, and how do you plan to address those challenges? I believe our taxes are too high here in Sealy. I don’t want to have inferior schools; I don’t want to have fewer police or fire fighters; I like our beautiful parks. So like many people, I want to have my cake and eat it too. I know that the only other way to decrease taxes is to bring in businesses. I want us to be smart about this too.

Baytown has businesses and so does The Woodlands.

Sealy may not be able to look like the Woodlands, but I sure don’t want us to look like Baytown.

We need smart growth.

We will grow; our proximity to Houston will insure that.

We need to be careful about how we grow, so we can maintain all the things we love about Sealy.

Do you think the city should have a night curfew for its youth? If the

THE SEALY NEWS

police in Sealy are having an unusual number of problems with youth late at night, then I think it could be considered.

I don’t believe in enforcing any policy that does not have a solid reason behind it.

Sealy, along with the rest of the nation, is facing a tough economy.

How do you feel the city can best be stewards of taxpayers’ money while addressing projects and costs that arise? When I have dealt with large budgets as a college administrator, I have always tried to treat the money as if it were my own. That would be how I would vote on issues regarding the city’s money, if I were on the City Council.

Sometimes spending money is necessary, but I would never vote to spend money on any project that I felt was frivolous or unnecessary. I would also always consider the future. I would vote to spend money on issues that would make the city better in the future without putting too much debt on future citizens.

The city issued bonds in 2010 and 2011 for various projects covering infrastructure improvements to building a new park and constructing a frontage road for I-10, along with other projects. Do you think citizens should be able to vote on funding projects not related to infrastructure improvements before the city issues bonds to cover those expenses? We must follow the law. Texas has very good laws about what cities may and may not do without taxpayer approval. We need to make sure that we chose our city leadership carefully, so when we don’t have the ability to vote on issues like this, that we can feel confident that the people on the City Council and elsewhere in city government have the knowledge and the ability to make the right decisions.

I have found that when I

attend City Council meetings that the Council is provided with huge amounts of background information regarding the issues they vote on. It would be very difficult for every citizen in Sealy to be responsible for that much information on every issue. If we chose people of integrity to represent us; if we chose people who have no special interest, except that of making Sealy a great place to raise a family; if we chose people who are thoughtful and intelligent, then I think we will be able to trust them to vote with the citizens of Sealy in mind.

Do you think the city should look at plans to annex more property within the city limits? If so, what areas should they concentrate on? If not, why? Most cities do annex as they grow.

I understand that people could have mixed feelings on this: one person may want their property annexed so that they could receive more services, where another person would not believe that the tradeoff for taxes would be worth it. In this issue, as with all issues, I would try to listen to both sides and make a thoughtful decision.

What sets you apart from your opponents?

The person running against me seems to be a very nice young man. He is very active in the community and seems to have his heart in the right place, but there are some very strong voices currently on City Council. I have a strong voice too. I am not easily intimidated and I often speak my mind.

I do not say “yes” to go along with the crowd, and I do not say “no” just to be contrary.

I believe we need a person on City Council who will speak for the citizens, someone who will do the homework necessary to make good decisions, and someone who has no special interest connections. I believe that person is me.

List accomplishments,

NOTICE TO MEMBERS OF BLUEBONNET ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE Regarding recent solicitations for candidates to the co-op’s board of directors Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative members have recently reported receiving mailings, door-to-door solicitations and automated calls urging them to vote for two candidates in the co-op’s upcoming board of directors election. Some of those solicitations have asked Bluebonnet members to hand their voting authority over to interest groups supporting those candidates.

The three organizations making these solicitations are A Better Bluebonnet, Independent Texans and Clean Water Action.

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employment or community organization affiliations relevant to serving as a city council member: As I said, I am the Director of Blinn College here in Sealy. I am a member of Rotary Club of Sealy and am currently its President; that will end in June. I am also on the Sealy Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.

I have always tried to do my part. When my children were young, I was active in Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and PTA. I taught Sunday School for many years. I was on a city-wide leadership team when I lived in Mt. Pleasant, Texas and was on a state-wide leadership team when I lived in New England and Oklahoma City. I am seeking the position of councilwoman to give back to my community and to try to make a difference.

SEALY ISD BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Name: My name is Beverly Beckendorff.

City in which you reside: We reside on our family farm, just outside of Sealy’s city limits.

Time you have lived in Sealy school district: I have lived in the Sealy school district for about 22 years.

Family: I grew up in Austin County, and married my high school sweetheart, Travis Beckendorff after college, making Sealy our home in 1990. I currently work as a Finance Reserve Analyst for the Upstream Americas division in Shell Exploration & Production Company. My husband, a native of Sealy, is a local cattle rancher. He is a 5th generation rancher, operating a successful cattle business himself, and working with his father, Milton Beckendorff, on their cattle ranch. Travis and I have been married for 21 years, and have two sons, Trenton and Brendon Beckendorff.

Trenton is a freshman in Sealy High School, and Brendon is in 4th grade at Selman Intermediate.

What experience do you bring to the table that qualifies you to serve as a school board member? My work experiences will provide a strong knowledge platform for performing my school board responsibilities.

I have worked in finance as an accountant for Shell Exploration & Production

Company for the past 15 years. During that time, I have developed a strong background in fundamental accounting principles, budgeting, project management, cash flow/balance sheet analysis, process standardization, control assurance and team management. I have worked with multiple levels of staff and management to streamline business objectives, minimize risks and reduce costs, which will be fundamental as we address the potential budget shortfalls looming on the horizon. I have managed both regional and international teams, providing direct exposure to address management of staffing, including performance evaluations and hiring practices. By working for an international company, I am also accustomed to working with people of diverse cultural and educational backgrounds, which is now common place in Texas, and present in every facet of our educational community.

Why did you decide to run for the school board?

I am running for school board for many reasons.

First, I have witnessed the issues that face our schools first-hand, and I am truly concerned for the future of students attending SISD schools.

Second, I feel strongly that it is time for change, and that we need new board members with a fresh perspective and a willingness to implement positive change.

Over the past ten years, I have watched the degradation of our schools due to the “No Child Left Behind” program, implementation of unclear or even undocumented policies, top down management of our schools and a general lapse of communication between the school board, school administrators, teachers, staff, students and parents. While I understand that some issues are a direct result of state constraints and mandates, the local school board can do more to address these areas of concern.

As a school board member, I want to work with principals, teachers, students and parents to make a difference. The district and the high school administrators need to build a stronger connection with parents and with the community, and do more to inform and engage parents directly on matters that impact their students.

Parents and teachers can provide innovative ideas on improvements to our school system, and I want to make sure that those ideas are brought forward and explored. I never want opinions to be considered insignificant or written off as just one voice. Great ideas come from those that care to make a difference, and those voices deserve to be heard.

What top challenge does Sealy ISD face, and how do you plan to address that challenge?

In response to numerous questions from our members, we ZDQW \RX WR NQRZ WKDW %OXHERQQHW LV LQ QR ZD\ DI¿OLDWHG ZLWK these efforts. The co-op does not send out mailings, organize door-to-door solicitations or make automated calls in support of candidates for seats on the board of directors.

Six candidates are vying for three seats in this year’s board election May 8 in Giddings. The candidates were nominated by the co-op’s nominating committee and also by nominating petition.

Bluebonnet members with questions, or who wish to learn more about the candidates, the election process (including voting by proxy) and the co-op’s annual meeting, should go to www.bluebonnetelectric.coop, call Bluebonnet’s member service representatives at 800-842-7708 or email us at memberservices@bluebonnet.coop.

If you want to make change to the current school board, the ball is now in your court.

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STEVE REYNOLDS for Sealy ISD Board of Trustees Pol. Ad. Paid paid for by Mary Anne Reynolds

The issues facing Sealy ISD are many, ranging from school funding, student population, retention of staff, maintenance of facilities and stability within this school’s administration.

SISD has been plagued with unduly complex school policies and huge communication gaps with students/parents on critical issues. The district and school administrators need to build a stronger connection with parents and with the community, and do more to inform and engage parents directly on matters that impact their students. As a school district, we must improve upon the accuracy of the information passed by and between SISD and students/parents.

Policies must be documented in a clear, concise and definitive manner to reduce confusion, and eliminate unintended impacts and/or consequences on students.

With all of the increasing demands and standards from state and federal mandates, Sealy will have to do more to increase its academic rigor. SISD must work harder to provide an atmosphere that allows teachers the ability to actually educate our children, and allow more creativity and critical thinking within the classrooms. We must seek out new ways to provide a sound foundation for all students in SISD, to ensure that our students have a chance to be competitive, regardless of the student’s path in life (i.e., college, vocational training or directly entry into the workforce). This can be accomplished through continued strengthening of our existing academic programs, and by expansion of the SISD’s partnership with Blinn College, in an effort to make more course selections and technical training available to SISD students.

If you could do it differently, realizing legal constraints, how would you have dealt with the public during the superintendent’s suspension? It is difficult to comment on an issue to which so little is known. Like the general public, I’ve only had access to a limited amount of information, most of which was released by The Sealy News.

If given the option, I would be more forthcoming with information to the public and insist on more transparency. To regain the educational support required from this community, communication efforts have got to improve. Communication is key to any successful organization, if not imperative to its fundamental operation.

Where I am aware that some issues must be addressed in closed session, more information must be provided to the public during open sessions.

State budget cuts continue to be an important issue. The district is looking at another cut from the state in its upcoming budget. How do you propose the district handles the issue? One of the biggest issues facing Sealy ISD relates to school funding and maintenance of our current facilities. Financially, board members must find a way to address these issues, yet maintain fiscal responsibility and prevent tax increases on overly-burdened property owners and taxpayers. It’s a difficult task, especially with the potential budget shortfalls and funding cuts looming at the state and federal levels, but SISD is up to the challenge. Line-by-line departmental reviews should be conducted to eliminate wasteful spending and to end ineffective programs.

What are you most concerned about regarding the district’s budget?

Why? I am most concerned about the potential implications of another state budget shortfall. Homeowners and local businesses absolutely cannot afford a tax increase in the existing economic environment. At the same time, more state budget constraints, coupled with more state testing requirements, come at a steep price. Budget con-

WWW.SEALYNEWS.COM

straints, if not addressed properly, can lead to the reduced ability to retain good teachers, and could lead to increased class sizes, reduced services provided and reduced supplies available to properly perform instruction in the classroom.

The board must work together with local leaders, administrators, principals and teachers to find equitable ways to reduce spending without sacrificing the quality of education provided to our students.

Do you think there should be term limits for board members? What should they be? I fully support term limits for all board members. I think that any sitting board member should serve no more than three (3) terms in office. From my viewpoint, I think that the board reaches a point of complacency over time, which can be detrimental to our school district. New members bring fresh perspectives and new ideas to the table, and provides assurance that the school district is operating effective and efficiently.

Do you think parents and voters see the district as being stable?

This has been an issue in the past with turnover and investigations. How can the district improve its stability?

Unfortunately, no! I feel that parents and voters see our school district as very unstable. I’ve had this conversation with parents, teachers, students and even families looking to relocate into our district. All are very concerned with the instability of our school district and administration. I think that we have a strong educational base, supported by great teachers that truly want to make a difference with each and every child in our district. However, it is difficult to educate our children when there is so much instability within our school district. Too many of the changes can be directly tied to policy changes as new principals and superintendents enter, and subsequently, leave our district.

The school board must address the immediate issue of instability in our school district. Instability is among the worst environments that a school can portray.

Instability leads to uncertainty, declining productivity and decreased performance by staff. SISD has got to provide a stable environment for administrators and teachers to perform their jobs effectively. It’s critical to ensuring our success as a school district, and as an educator to our future leaders. SISD needs to better understand why these issues have occurred, and learn from our mistakes.

Do you think AP and dual credit courses should be weighed the same when it comes to determining a student’s GPA? YES! AP and Dual Credit courses should definitely be weighted equally for GPA consideration, because they both serve the same purpose and were designed to have the same end goal in mind. Both provide a great opportunity to gain college credit while in high school, and both help to prepare students to pursue their future educational needs. I think that we owe

THURSDAY, MAY 3, 2012 ■ PAGE 13

THE SEALY NEWS

it to the students to remove the unintended consequences associated with this GPA differential. Our students should never have to choose between attaining the highest honors in high school, and attending classes that will elevate them into a stronger, more competitive position for their future college careers.

If a student chooses AP, the class is taken at Sealy High School, taught by an AP Certified teacher, provided at no charge to any student that registers for the class. However, like anything in life, AP courses are not truly free. This is still a very real cost to parents/taxpayers of this school district. In addition, less than half of all Texas students who take an AP course actually make a grade high enough to receive college credit. Major Texas universities will take no less than a 4 or 5 on this exam. That equates to only about 23% of all Texas students that sit for the AP exam. In this scenario, students may be better prepared for college, but based on statistics, most will not receive the benefit of college hours for their efforts.

If a student chooses Dual Credit, the class is taken at Blinn College on the Sealy campus, taught by a Blinn College professor, with a minimum of 18 graduate hours in the subject for which they teach. Students and/or parents do have an upfront expense to register for the course. The tuition cost of $285 for each registered course, approximately one-third of the cost of the same class during a regular university semester. Like AP, for each Dual Credit course passed, the student receives both high school and college credit for the course. Dual Credit hours go directly on their transcript, just like any other college course they take.

However, unlike AP courses, college credit is not dependent upon a single exam, but is reflective of the student’s hard work and dedication to their course work during the entire semester. I even recently learned that over the past three years, 92% of the Sealy students taking Dual Credit courses at Blinn College have received both high school and college credit. 92%!

I realize that some of our existing school board members and administrators have expressed concerns regarding the quality of education provided by Blinn College for the Dual Credit courses, and even questioned the “rigor” of the instruction provided by Blinn College. I completely disagree with this assessment. The classes at Blinn College are taught by well qualified teachers, and the coursework provides a strong foundation for students. Blinn College has long served this community, providing a quality education to students in our area for over 130 years. Every teacher in Blinn College is required to have a Masters degree, with a minimum of 18 graduate hours in the subject for which they teach any class at Blinn College, which includes Dual Credit.

This far exceeds the educational requirements to teach AP at any high school.

End of School Specials (Offer Ends 5/31/12)

I firmly believe that we need to support both Dual Credit and AP course selection. However, there are just too many similarities in structure, rigor and application to have a point differential on GPA. Again, our students should never have to make this choice.

What sets you apart from your opponents? I think that my strong financial background and corporate experience will be a real asset to the SISD school board. Working in a corporate environment, I feel that I better understand the educational requirements that our students face, and the need to provide students a competitive edge with a solid, quality education. I have the financial background to address budget management and funding concerns, and the management skills to address staffing and policy management.

List accomplishments, employment or community organization affiliations relevant to serving as school board member: I am an active member of the Shell WAVE Network (Women Adding Value Everywhere), the Shell Emerging Leaders in Finance (SELF) Network and the Shell Global Reserves network. I attend the Sealy United Methodist Church, where my family enjoys participating in the annual Fall Harvest Festival each year. My husband and I are members of the Texas Farm Bureau and the South Texas Cattle Raiser’s Association, and our entire family participates in the Salt Grass Trail Ride each year, which has been a Beckendorff family tradition since 1954.

Name: Dean Doc Easter City in which you reside: Sealy, Texas Time you have lived in Sealy school district: 7 Years Family: Wife, Sharon, of 13 years, who teaches in Brazos, and a daughter Mckenzie, 11 years old, a student at Selman Intermediate What experience do you bring to the table that qualifies you to serve as a school board member? I have worked for the past 3 years on the Sealy ISD School Board and 23 years total in education through the 2011-2012 school year. Being a current teacher, I can relate to today’s educational setting; years of pay freezes, budget cuts, and the “doing more with less” approach towards achieving goals. Having served on the board has given me an opportunity to help bring a renewed emphasis to transparency, professional behavior, and teamwork that previous boards lacked.

Why did you decide to run for the school board?

I am running for the Sealy

School Board in order to continue the never ending work on the improvement of academics and finances. We are seeing the results of those efforts by the way we dealt with the state education financial crisis in 2011.

We improved our fund balance, raised no taxes, gave teachers bonuses in December while other districts in the state were desperate and had to make severe cuts.

What top challenge does Sealy ISD face, and how do you plan to address that challenge?

Standard testing is killing our school system. This type of testing forces teacher to teach within the boundaries of the test and not what our students need to know in order to be successful in the real world, in whatever facet of life each individual chooses. Teaching “approaches”, or “strategies” of taking the standardized test are what our students, our future, are reduced to; they are confined to thinking inside the box rather than “outside the box”. Testing needs to be left up to each school by grade level and secondarily by their respective teachers as to when they need to be tested, whether it is daily, weekly, every six-weeks, quarterly, or at semesters end. Each school knows their student population and knows what is in their students' best interests in regard to testing. Texas has cut large amounts of money out of all public school budgets, yet at the same time are spending millions of new methods of testing for our students. In essence, use the money where it is neededback into the education budget and let the teachers teach! Let the educators determine how the money should be allocated within our educational system so our immediate problem can be solved.

If you could do it differently, realizing legal constraints, how would you have dealt with the public during the superintendent’s suspension?

First of all, I will always follow the law and board policy. In dealing with personnel issues, I must honor their privacy and due process. I would have liked to be able to inform our patrons more than we were able to, but there strict procedures we must follow in personnel matters.

State budget cuts continue to be an important issue. The district is looking at another cut from the state in its upcoming budget. How do you propose the district handles the issues? I see no major budget cuts for the SEALY I.S.D we are currently under budget at this time and I feel that we will be able to add to our 5 million dollar fund balance. I also would like to discuss pay raises for our teachers and staff.

What are you most concerned about regarding the district’s budget?

Why? My biggest concern is the state legislature and what they do to the education budget this year. There is a domino effect that occurs after their budget decisions

that will affect how we design our budget. I was part of a board that did plan for a “worst case scenario” to occur this year so I am confident we will be in a good position financially.

Do you think there should be term limits for board members? What should they be? I do not support term limits. The last thing our school district needs are “lame ducks” on the school board. Some will do nothing towards the end of their terms. Others will manipulate and micromanage the system because they cannot be held accountable by voters. I also think that this will lend more to the perception of instability.

Do you think parents and voters see the district as being stable?

This had been an issue in the past with turnover and investigations. How can the district improve its stability? Most parents and voters see Sealy ISD as stable. In the past there was a large issue with turnover.

From 2006-2010 we had three different superintendents, three different assistant superintendents, three different business directors, and four different HS Principals.

Over the last 2 years we have had: 1 Superintendent, 1 Assistant Superintendent, 1 Business Director, and 1 HS Principal, which is clearly much more stable.

Do you think AP and dual credit courses should be weighed the same when it comes to determining a student’s GPA? No I think AP courses should be weighed different than dual credit. We as a district can control the rigor of our AP courses.

With dual credit we have no control.

What sets you apart from your opponents? To be honest, I am not in to what sets me apart from my opponents. We are all community volunteers seeking to help. I have always tried to be a “team player”. What I am about are the students and staff. I want to do all I can, in my term as a Board member, to ensure we keep them in mind as we plan, develop, and initiate policy and consider how we can best provide them the environment for their success.

List accomplishments, employment or community organization affiliations relevant to serving as school board member: El Campo I.S.D Head Athletic Trainer; Texas High School Coaches Association; KJT; 4 th Degree Knight of Columbus; St. Mary’s Church Frydek

Name: My name is George Einkauf City in which you reside: Sealy Time you have lived in Sealy school district: I have lived in Sealy ISD for 60 years.

Family: What experience do you bring to the table that qualifies you to serve as a school board member?

Why did you decide to run for the school board?

I am running for school board for the best interest of the students and taxpayers.

In order to do this, Sealy ISD has to have a superintendent that is for the students and the best interest of the taxpayer.

What top challenge does Sealy ISD face, and how do you plan to address that challenge?

If you could do it differently, realizing legal constraints, how would you have dealt with the public during the superintendent’s suspension?

State budget cuts continue to be an important issue. The district is looking at another cut from the state in its upcoming budget. How do you propose the district handles the issue? About the state budget cuts, the state is too busy running a retirement and insurance business.

What are you most concerned about regarding the district’s budget?

Why? The budget for 20112012 to me has a lot of red flags, which an audit of all transaction dates, what for, by who. This would be a great help for the upcoming budget.

Do you think there should be term limits for

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PAGE 14 ■ THURSDAY, MAY 3, 2012

board members? What should they be?

Do you think parents and voters see the district as being stable?

This has been an issue in the past with turnover and investigations. How can the district improve its stability?

Do you think AP and dual credit courses should be weighed the same when it comes to determining a student’s GPA? What sets you apart from your opponents?

List accomplishments, employment or community organization affiliations relevant to serving as school board member:

Name: Mark Miller City in which you reside: Time you have lived in Sealy school district: Mark Miller and his wife Karla moved to San Felipe back in 1990 to start and raise their family in our historic community. Daughter, Sidney attends Sealy ISD as a special needs child, and youngest son, Jake, is a freshman at Sealy High School.

Middle child, Bradley is a student athlete at Texas State University in San Marcos. They relocated the family to Sealy back in 2001, and have been active in the Chamber of Commerce, Sealy Little League, Sealy Youth Sports Association, Little Dribblers as a volunteer, coach and sponsor for numerous other youth activities in our community.

What experience do you bring to the table that qualifies you to serve as a school board member? Having served two terms as Mayor of San Felipe, and lead a re-codification of the historic townships’ ordinances and bylaws while reducing the town expenses and returning four consecutive balanced budgets, prior to the town’s next administrations’ choosing to pass ad valorem taxes for their citizens.

Served three years on the

THE SEALY NEWS

Sealy ISD Board of Trustees, with my final year as its president. I fully understand and appreciate the trust placed in elected officials and the need to make efficient and effective use of taxpayer moneys and the need for openness, inclusion and being a good listener as a public servant.

Why did you decide to run for the school board?

As a parent and taxpayer, I was disappointed with the measurable results in the last two years. I did not see significant progress in our academic achievements to narrow the gap between our diverse student population, while I recognized an evergrowing need to produce more competitive graduates, and our innovation and approach to education appears stagnate. I did not see the focus on transparent initiatives that resulted in increased test scores for the children of our district, on any improvement in the state rating increased at any of our campuses. I am prepared to allow our administration to provide good governance with specific accountability measurements that will generate value from educating our children and that can provide a better standard of living and increased opportunities for each and every one in our charge. I am not happy with the administrative instability, investigations, loss of a moral compass or need for rogue trustees threatening or attempting to influence district employees from their seats at our board table. I do not see all of the trustees’ oars in our district boat paddling in the same direction, or with the same goals, or addressing the district’s need for progress. Our district’s communication efforts and the ability to connect and partner with parents to take our programs and initiatives to the next level needs immediate attention.

I do not see the inclusion and input from all of our communities in our goals, and if it were not for extracurricular activities, this board would not have exposure to much, if any citizen input, or ever meet most of our faculty. We need to listen, there is a reason our children are not excelling!

What top challenge does Sealy ISD face, and how do you plan to address that challenge? I feel there are four primary challenges that remain unaddressed!

1. Develop programs and

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support efforts that result in “EXCELLENCE” in our student achievement ratings for every campus, and for every child.

2. Define, communicate, and support rigorous district employee ACCOUNTABILITY measurements for our improved academic progress and success.

3. Secure adequate and equitable FUNDING to operate our district facilities and provide a safe and exceptional educational experience for every child, regardless of their next step in their educational or employment future.

4. Develop and implement BETTER COMMUNICATION techniques and establish a dialogue with parents to secure their partnership and participation in creating informed choices to optimize their child’s individualized opportunities to achieve post secondary readiness.

Immediate review and realignment of our district goals, and make certain every action is designed to accomplish these goals.

Narrow the focus to select innovative initiatives designed to improve student achievement.

Narrow the scope of our vision statement for quantifiable success through accountability for all district employees.

Develop, implement, and evaluate our progress through accountability evaluations for every district employee, service and district program from the superintendent to food services.

Attack the reading crisis.

Largest issue facing colleges today is remediation of students that were victims of social promotion and did not receive the benefit of a sound educational foundation from their district.

Find a way to include parents as partners in their children’s educational success, and increase our graduation rate.

Close the achievement gap between our students, and make certain that a diploma from Sealy High School certifies that every graduate is post secondary ready for any goal they choose to seek.

Hire and retain qualified educators and attempt by best efforts to create a teacher population that more closely mirrors our changing local demographic population with caring teachers that bring out the best in our youth.

Better use of counselors in scheduling sessions to develop individual four year plans for students that includes parental participation.

If you could do it differently, realizing legal constraints, how would you have dealt with the public during the superintendent’s suspension? It would not be beneficial to criticize this or any board decision with out the benefit of having all the facts.

Having been on this board, and having served as president during several employee situations and suspensions, I am confident that

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our board president was in regular consultation with our district’s lawyers to protect our district’s interests. I feel certain that the board’s action or perceived lack of action was a result of direction from our legal representation and was sound advice and to be followed to the letter of the law to protect our district and the employee involved.

I accept and understand the public’s right to know what is going on within their district, but the potential unnecessary public alarm generated by a partial release of information and the resulting speculation, does not lend itself to a fair and impartial investigation, that incidentally, eventually cleared our superintendent and returned him to work.

Perhaps a clearer initial communication detailing why there would be no public comment from the board might have produced a calmer period between suspension and reinstatement.

Our board of trustees operates under a series of policies and governances that appear much different from the perspective of those of us seated outside the closed sessions, and that is why it is crucial to elect candidates with only our students and teachers best interests at heart. These board elections and your individual vote are important to elect fair and impartial representatives to help guide and direct every decision that is made for our students and district State budget cuts continue to be an important issue. The district is looking at another cut from the state in its upcoming budget. How do you propose the district handles the issues? Our local district relies on the legislature’s public school finance funding every other year when they meet. The balance of our budget is working diligently with the tax rate and collections of our local district taxes. We can only take the necessary steps to regularly communicate with Lois Kolkhorst, our State Representative, and Senator Glen Hagar that our number one priority is the education of our youth within our public school system.

I have worked on two TASB committees, as well as served on the TASB Legislative Council to communicate and lobby the legislature of the significant importance to not cut funding to public education in Texas, as well as eliminate any new unfunded mandates that will result in local moneys dedicated to comply with new laws and TEA requirements. It is important to have input from our district to our elected officials if we expect them to know how we feel and what we need.

Here again the experience factor comes into play in value to our district to elect someone with knowledge of the process and experience to talk with our Austin law makers. I would support immediate ‘step’ increases ( pay raise ) for educators be

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included in state budget funding and not support an unfunded mandates placed on the district to pay for.

Another local issue that continues to be a difficult budget factor is the application of ‘stipends’ on our compensation packages for extra duty pay. Districts across the state handle this situation in a number of different methods.

This 82nd Legislature may address the inequities in this application of funds, and if not it will certainly fall back on our local board.

What are you most concerned about regarding the district’s budget?

Why? As you know the bulk of our district funding comes from our local tax base, and the legislative allocations provided under the state budget by the process we know as public school finance. Our stewardship under this administration and by our district’s director of finance is in good shape. I have worked with both and know that they fully understand and appreciate the restraints and responsibility that board members are charged with. I am concerned over the teachers not receiving a pay increase this past year, and am well suited to work on their behalf to make that a higher priority in our next budget. We are responsible to make choices and priorities, and operate our district in an efficient and business like manner.

Do you think there should be term limits for board members? What should they be? I am on record as supporting term limits. The voters own our seats and send us to represent their interests.

Recently, I have seen actions and votes that do not reflect my interests as a parent, tax payer and voter. One of the primary causes for the disjointed separation of accountability is that over time, some long tenured trustees loose sight or connection with their constituency and feel they know best what is good for us. Perhaps term limits would get either, the best out of our elected officials, or those unresponsive seat holders voted out, and make sure those elected to represent us know, we are actually watching.

Do you think parents and voters see the district as being stable?

This had been an issue in the past with turnover and investigations. How can the district improve its stability? Based on the number of calls and conversations I have received from our neighbors, I do not think there is any question, that the perception of our district is in flux. Factions, divisions on the board, and personal agendas have no place interfering in the business of our district, regardless of the ability of individuals to get re-elected. There is no doubt that the ‘noise’ in our district causes undue distractions, and that a simple board goal of open, honest and fair management for all of our children of our district, with increased academic achievement should be our only measurement of success, Do you think AP and dual credit courses should be weighed the same when it comes to determining a student’s GPA? Very interesting topic for discussion, and the viewer perspective will place folks in one camp or another. Our single mission as a public school system is to prepare our youth for post secondary readiness, and the measurements associated with the options to students to take on more ‘challenges’ through our dual credit and AP courses, increase their chances for success in a more competitive college and job market.

In my opinion, those willing to take on courses with more rigor should receive recognition rewards in a weighted GPA factoring calculation. I am not certain we have the fairness level to where it is recognized or accepted, or if we have done a good job of informing parents and students of their choices.

Having a higher GPA and not ready for the challenges

of college work does not seem to me to be a good competitive solution for any student.

What sets you apart from your opponents?

EXPERIENCE. I served for three years on this board, and was elected following our high school receiving an unacceptable rating. Elected after our children had four high school principals in four years.

The last year, I served as president. Our meetings were shorter, our goals and objectives were clearer, and the evaluation standards for all district employees were fair and understood.

Our board meetings were conducted primarily in open session, where teacher and citizen input was encouraged. We operated within budget, and our focus as a board placed emphasis on increased academic achievement and not micro-management, investigations, and influencing district operations behind the scenes to favor friends and favorites. After being presented a copy of the specific agendas for the last six months, and hearing the ‘noise’ in the district get away from positive progress, I know we are not on the right track for all.

Help me make a difference and get out to vote FOR ‘leadership’ for a change, and help me stop this board from worrying about election reform designed to benefit incumbents and changing district policy to guarantee trustees a plaque when they leave office.

Thank you for your time, consideration, and VOTE to make our educational offering, in our community, one that you can be proud of, and one that will serve as a solid foundation for our children to build a better future on.

If you have comment or question about these answers or any other issue facing our district, I welcome you input and vote……..markmiller207@ gmail.com We know how, and together, we can do better !

Name: Joe Pinteralli City in which you reside: I live in the county across from Brazos country Sealy mailing address.

Time you have lived in Sealy school district: I’ve lived in the district for 13 years Family: I have 3 boys Eric 8, JP 7, and Alex 6. My wife is Laura.

What experience do you bring to the table that qualifies you to serve as a school board member?

I was on the board of trustees of my church for years and had similar issues that I dealt with successfully.

Why did you decide to run for the school board?

The schools need to be fixed in many areas. I have three boys in the system. They and all the children should have the best education that we can provide. Its falling short. I’m not one to just complain and then do nothing to fix the problem . I feel I can offer ideas and common sense solutions to these problems.

What top challenge does Sealy ISD face, and how do you plan to address that challenge?

The district has 2 top issues the budget cuts and improving the education that our kids are getting. The budget will have to be cut with less state funds. Everything will have to be looked at that doesn’t effect learning. The board had a chance with the new buses purchase but dropped the ball by not buying cng buses. The fuel and maintenance cost savings

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would have gone a long way.

The best way to start improving education is to make the district stable.You do this by stopping the revolving superintendents and principals. The constant changing of leadership and moving teachers to different grades yearly is disruptive.

The district is a rudderless ship.

If you could do it differently, realizing legal constraints, how would you have dealt with the public during the superinteident's suspension? I would have gathered the facts first then acted when it comes to the superintendent's suspension.

State budget cuts continue to be an important issue. The district is looking at another cut from the state in its upcoming budget. how do you propose the district handle the issue? With the budget cuts, the district will have to tighten its belt but not at the cost of the children’s education. The first responsibility of the district is the quality of the children’s education. I also will not support any increase in taxes.

As shown with the current board's bus purchase failure there are ways to reduce costs without effecting service. It just takes some common sense.

What are you most concerned about regarding the district's budget?

Why? Do you there should be term limits for board members? What should they be? I think term limits are a double-edged sword.

They can be an effective way to get rid of those who get entrenched. Some people in the past have abused their power expecting special treatment for their kids or themselves at the cost of others. On the other hand you can loose good people to term limits.With the history of this district I would have to support term limits.

Do you think parents and voters see the district as being stable?

This has been an issue in the past with turnover and investigations. How can the district improve its stability? This district is not stable and it will take a lot of hard work across the board to fix it. The revolving door leadership has to end.

Education goals have to be made and kept to.

Success is not just passing the star tests. Just acceptable is not acceptable.

Do you think AP and dual credit courses should be weighed the same when it comes to determining a student's GPA? AP and dual credit courses should never be weighed the same. They are more difficult and should be given more weight than say a PE class. It can also give incentive to students who what to be prepared for college.

What sets you apart from your opponents?

The thing that separates myself from my opponents is that I don’t settle for less than the best for our kids.

There is always excuses for what has been going on in the district and nothing has been fixed or really improved. I have a stake in the schools with my three boys attending in the district. I will bring ideas that will fix things and improve our district so people can be proud of it.

List accomplishments, employment or community organization affiliations relevant to serving as school board member:

THURSDAY, MAY 3, 2012 ■ PAGE 15

THE SEALY NEWS

I was on the board of trustees at my church for many years and dealt with similar issues successfully.

Name: Steve Reynolds City in which you reside: Sealy, Texas 77474 Time you have lived in Sealy school district: Lived in Sealy 6 years Plus Family: Married 5 Grown kids 5 Grandchildren What experience do you bring to the table that qualifies you to serve as a school board member? Raising 5 kids and dealing with their problems during their school years the same problems there are bullies, teachers, sports other kids, homework, making plans for college, ect.

I started as a computer programmer in the 70s and worked my up to managing insulation before I became a fireman in Houston. The last three years of my career there I spent managing personnel for all of the stations in Houston, making sure each department was manned appropriately.

Why did you decide to run for the school board?

With all the people I’ve talked with they all say the same thing there needs to be a change with our school board, no communication with the public or its employees, morale is low people are just not happy a lot of the people I work with are afraid to say anything there afraid of repercussion.

I’m not.

What top challenge does Sealy ISD face, and how do you plan to address that challenge?

Budget - there’s a couple of things that would cut down on fuel cost. Bring back the one to two mile radius from school back. If a parent can sit in their car waiting on the bus to drop them off they could have been to school and back home by the time the bus gets there. It would also cut down on the overcrowding on the bus. Or to have a central location for picking up and dropping off.

If you could do it differently, realizing legal constraints, how would you have dealt with the public during the superintendent's suspension?

When it come to the protocol of the board I’m in left field.

But it seems the Board didn’t have all their ducks in a row, it shouldn’t have taken a month, the infraction must have been minor.

I wonder how they got all the egg off their face on that. It makes everyone look foolish. But again I don’t have all the details.

State budget cuts continue to be an important issue. The district is looking at another cut from the state in its upcoming budget. How do you propose the district handles the issue? I see a lot of waste. Top heavy in some spots. I’m sure the fuel cost is not going down cutting out some of the field trips or charging a field trip fee is one way.

What are you most concerned about regarding

the district's budget?

Why? The raising of TAXES, the raising of taxes Do you think there should be term limits for board members? What should they be? YES; six years Do you think parents and voters see the district as being stable? This has been an issue in the past with turnover and investigations. How can the district improve its stability? NO. I've talked with other school boards and how they run theirs and the number one reason for instability was COMMUNICATION. Do you think AP and dual credit courses should be weighed the same when it comes to determining a student's GPA? Not sure but if a dual credit course is taken it looks like some kind of credit would be given What sets you apart from your opponents?

I’ve talked to most of them and most of us have the same views. But I’m a redneck when there is a problem I try to get to the heart of the problem quickly and get it resolved quickly. Some problems don’t go away that's one problem with our board it takes too long to fix things it’s talked to death or they hope it goes away List accomplishments, employment or community organization affiliations relevant to serving as school board member: Raising my family and having grandkids and my biggest accomplishment when your kid comes back for advice own how to raise their kid. For all you parents out there, the mothers 'curse works-you know-I hope you have a kid just like you-most of them do. Are having one of your kids say YOU KNOW DAD I wish I HAVE LISTENED TO YOU.

with no personal agenda. My kids are in three of the district’s campuses which gives me some insight to those campuses.

Why did you decide to run for the school board?

I decided to run for the school board this year because the timing just felt right with 2 positions up for election, one being open I did not feel like I was running against one particular person. I have 3 kids currently in the district, my oldest son Chris graduated last year. I want the best possible education for my kids as well as every student in Sealy ISD. I believe that I can work with administrators, teachers, parents and staff to help make this happen.

What top challenge does Sealy ISD face, and how do you plan to address that challenge?

The top challenge facing the district is the same challenge they have always faced. This challenge is giving each student the best possible education we can to prepare them for their future. Whether their future is joining the workforce, going to college, or trade school. Preparing them from the 1st day they walk through the doors of Selman Elementary, until the day they walk across the field at tiger stadium to receive their high school diploma. This is an ongoing challenge the district will continue to face.

If you could do it differently, realizing legal constraints, how would you have dealt with the public during the superintendent's suspension? The only thing I would have done differently is I would have allowed time for the public comment on the agenda before going to executive session. Unfortunately it was a personnel issue and all personnel have a right to their privacy the same as you and I would want.

State budget cuts continue to be an important issue. The district is looking at another cut from the state in its upcoming budget. How do you pro-

pose the district handles the issue? I propose the district look at the entire budget and every department to see where the most significant cuts could be made. Cuts that would have the least impact on the education of our students. Cuts that would have the least economic impact on the teachers, staff and other personnel that work hands on every day with our kids. If elected I will request a copy of the budgets to see what we can do to insure that budget cuts will result in the best possible outcome for everyone in the district.

What are you most concerned about regarding the district's budget?

Why? Regarding the budget I am most concerned about what the state legislature will do with education this year. I am concerned with the effects it could have on the curriculum we offer our students.

Do you think there should be term limits for board members?

No I don’t believe we need term limits! I believe if a board member is not doing a good job for the district the election process should limit their term (Vote Them Out). If a board member is doing a good job for the district why would you want to limit their time on the board?

Remember these board members are volunteers, not paid employees of the district.

Do you think parents and voters see the district as being stable? Yes and no. The only places the district has had a major turnover would be the position of high school principal and superintendent. I believe with the hiring of the current high school principal has brought stability and peace to the high school campus. With the reinstatement of the superintendent I believe we will be stable at this position as well. I believe the district should try to promote from within if possible provided they meet the qualifications. We need to take care of the employees we

have so they will want to continue to work for the district. If hiring from outside the district, all of the above applies as well as seeing if they would want to make Sealy their home, and settle down here. I believe if we as a district do these things this will prevent Sealy form being a stepping stone to a so called better job!

Do you think AP and dual credit courses should be weighed the same when it comes to determining a student's GPA? Yes this is a choice for the students and their family to make. If you are concerned with GPA and you excel academically then take the AP classes and get your college credit by passing the final. If you want college experience to see what college class is like then take dual credit classes offered through Blinn College. Both of these are excellent programs.

What sets you apart from your opponents? I am not concerned with what sets me apart from the other candidates. I am concerned about what is best for Sealy ISD. If that is what your concerned about then I am the candidate for you.

List accomplishments, employment or community organization affiliations relevant to serving as school board member: Married for almost 24 years.

Former: little league Volunteer. Former cub master pack 443 former committee member pack 443 former parish council member St. Mary’s Catholic Church Frydek former Band Booster Member former Board of advisors (lead) leaders in education for agriculture development Frydek 4-H Current: Austin county fair swine committee member Frydek knights of Columbus member St. Mary’s Catholic Church religion teacher St. Mary’s Catholic church cemetery committee Sealy boy scout troop 548 assistant scout master/committee chairman Sealy tiger athletic booster club member and head of Sealy tunnel crew

Property Tax Protest and Appeal Procedures The law gives property owners the right to protest actions concerning their property tax appraisals. You may follow these appeal procedures if you have a concern about:

Name: Joe Mike Young City in which you reside: Reside in Frydek Time you have lived in Sealy school district: Lived in the district for 23 years Family: Theresa ; Sons Christopher, Austin, Matthew ; Daughter Kendall What experience do you bring to the table that qualifies you to serve as a school board member?

What I bring to the table is an open minded down to earth approach. Willing to work with others for what is best for the entire Sealy Independent School District

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the market or special appraised value placed on your property the unequal appraisal of your property the inclusion of your property on the appraisal roll any exemptions that may apply to you the qualification for an agricultural or timber appraisal the taxable status of your property the local governments which should be taxing your property the ownership of property the change of use of land receiving special appraisal any action taken by the chief appraiser, appraisal district or appraisal review board that applies to and adversely affects you.

Informal Review For information about informal review and obtaining property tax records, call Austin County Appraisal District at 979-8659124.

Review by the Appraisal Review Board If you can’t resolve your problem informally with the county appraisal district (CAD) staff, you may have your case heard by the appraisal review board (ARB).

The ARB is an independent board of citizens that reviews problems with appraisals or other concerns listed above. It has the power to order the CAD to make the necessary changes to solve problems. If you file a written request for an ARB hearing (called a notice of protest) before the deadline, the ARB will set your case for a hearing. You’ll receive written notice of the time, date and place of the hearing. If necessary, you may request a hearing in the evening or on a Saturday or Sunday. Prior to your hearing, you may ask to review the evidence the CAD plans to introduce at the hearing to establish any matter at issue. The CAD might ask you for a copy of the evidence you plan to present. The law provides that before a hearing on a protest or immediately after the hearing begins, you or your agent and the CAD shall each provide the other with a copy of any written material intended to be offered or submitted to the ARB at the hearing. To the greatest extent practicable, the hearing will be informal. You or a designated agent may appear in person to present evidence or you may send notarized evidence for the ARB to review at your hearing.

The CAD representative will present evidence about your case.

You may cross-examine the CAD representative. The ARB will make its decision based on the evidence presented. In most cases, the CAD has the burden of establishing the property’s value by a preponderance of the evidence presented. In certain protests where the owner has submitted an independent appraisal before the hearing, the chief appraiser has the burden of proving the property’s value by clear and convincing evidence. You can get a copy of a protest form from the appraisal district office at 906 E. Amelia Street, Bellville, Texas 77418.

Note: You shouldn’t try to contact ARB members outside of the hearing. The law requires ARB members to sign an affidavit saying that they haven’t talked about your case before the ARB hears it.

Review by the District Court or an Arbitrator or SOAH After it decides your case, the ARB must send you a copy of its order by certified mail. If you’re not satisfied with the decision, you have the right to appeal. If you choose to go to court, you must start the process by filing a petition within 60 days of the date you receive the ARB’s order. In certain cases, as an alternative to filing an appeal in district court, you may file, not th later than the 45 day after you receive notice of the ARB order, a request for binding arbitration with the county appraisal district. In certain cases originating in certain counties, as an alternative to filing an appeal in district court, you may appeal to the State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH). An appeal to SOAH is initiated by, not later than the th 30 day after you receive notice of the ARB’s order, filing with the chief appraiser of the county appraisal district a notice of appeal with the applicable filing fee.

Tax Payment You must pay either the amount of taxes due on the portion of the taxable value not in dispute or the amount of taxes due on the property under the order from which the appeal is taken.

More Information You can get more information by contacting your appraisal district at Austin County Appraisal District, 906 E. Amelia St., Bellville, Texas 77418-2843, or 979-865-9124. You can also get a pamphlet describing how to prepare a protest from the appraisal district or from the State Comptroller’s Property Tax Assistance Division at P.O. Box 13528, Austin, Texas 787113528.

Deadline for Filing Protests with the ARB* Usual Deadline On or before May 31 (or 30 days after a notice of appraised value was mailed to you, whichever is later).

Late protests are allowed if you miss the usual deadline for good cause. Good cause is some reason beyond your control, like a medical emergency. The ARB decides whether you have good cause.

Late protests are due the day before the ARB approves records for the year. Contact your appraisal district for more information.

Special Deadlines For change of use (the appraisal district informed you that you are losing agricultural appraisal because you changed the use of your land), the deadline is not later than the 30th day after the notice of determination was mailed to you.

For ARB changes (the ARB has informed you of a change that increases your tax liability and the change didn’t result from a protest you filed), the deadline is not later than the 30th day after the notice of the determination was mailed to you.

If you believe the appraisal district or ARB should have sent you a notice and did not, you may file a protest until the day before taxes become delinquent (usually February 1) or no later than the 125th day after the date you claim you received a tax bill from one or more of the taxing units that tax your property. The ARB decides whether it will hear your case based on evidence about whether a required notice was mailed to you. *The deadline is postponed to the next business day if it falls on a weekend or holiday.

PAGE 16 ■ THURSDAY, MAY 3, 2012

THE SEALY NEWS

WWW.SEALYNEWS.COM The Sealy News/COURTESY PHOTO

Wreath wrapping all year

Pet of the week

C

olumn by

Amber Gonzales

I’m trying to keep up with the trends of the fast paced, cutthroat crafting world.

The word on the street, or rather Martha Stewart website, is that yarn wreaths are the new, I guess, sort of wreath to make.

This is a good thing because it’s really simple and doesn’t require a vast knowledge of wire sculpting or flower arrangement.

Along with a wreath form (less than $4) you will need yarn in the colors that you desire. I’ve gotten warm green and custard colors.

Then you should mark on the wreath where you want each color to go. Some craft-

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The yarn and wreath form cost less than $10.

ers get pretty intense, making intricate designs with stripes and argyle patterns.

I just did simple color blocks.

Now you wrap. Attach the beginning of a string of yarn to what you have deemed the back of the wreath with some glue and start wrapping. This can take a while.

I did it off and on in the evening a few days while watching TV. To keep it neat, make sure you do one layer of yarn at a time, no crossing strings on the yarn wrapping. I have a few bumps on mine because I did two layers of yarn on each section and jumped a few times while watching

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episodes of “The X-Files.”

Agent Mulder should have known that since the twin 8-year-old girls were part of a genetic experiment for creating super soldiers during the Cold War that they were the ones who had murdered their fathers, and now were trying to poison him and Scully with nightlock in their Diet Cokes.

But he didn’t until I yelled at the screen to let him know.

Anyway, after wrapping away yarn your wreath is basically done. The next step seems, to me, to be attaching whatever random stuff fits the occasion.

Seasonal stuff could be bird figures or silk flowers for spring, snowflake cutouts and holly twigs for winter or tissue ghosts and fake fingers and eyes for Halloween.

I had some extra roses I made from book pages and just sort of looked for brooches or jewelry I don’t really use. I have a great monkey one that never fits my outfits.

Move things around how you like and attach. This is a really simple and pretty way to decorate. It could also be a fun project for kids to make to hang on their bedroom doors.

If you want to submit crafts for me to try or your own crafting stories and plans, please email reporter@sealynews.com or mail to 193 Schmidt Road, Sealy, Texas 77474.

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NEWSBITS continued from Page 1 American Revolution will meet on May 19 at Gordon Memorial Library from 10 a.m. to noon. Visitors are welcome.

Hermann Sons Lodge 239 to entertain at The Oaks Members of Hermann Sons Lodge 239 are asked to come to The Oaks Retirement Community in Sealy on May 5 at 10:30 a.m. Entertainment will be provided by Sealy native Jamie Wilson singing everyone’s favorite tunes. Cookies and refreshments will be served to the residents of The Oaks and visitors.

Hermann Sons members are asked to each bring two dozen delicious cookies, brownies, etc. For additional information, please call 979885-3623.

Meet the candidates The Austin County Bar Association will host a candidate forum on Thursday, May 10, beginning at 6 p.m. at the Faith Academy gym in Bellville. The public is invited to attend and ask questions.

Trinity Lutheran Ladies to host bake sale

Go to our website

www.sealynews.com

Trinity Lutheran Ladies Aid will host a bake sale on Saturday, May 12, at the corner of Hwy. 36 and Fourth Street.

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Seniors for Seniors! Paco is part of the Animal Friends Shelter Seniors for Seniors program. The adoption fee is reduced by half for anyone over 50 adopting a dog over 5. Paco is a precious Spaniel mix and is about 8 years old. He was returned to the shelter by owners who could no longer keep him. Paco was a little fearful at first, but seems to be adjusting quite well. He had some skin issues due to an infestation of fleas when he arrived, but a good bath and some medication has him on the road to recovery. He is scheduled for a grooming this week which will make him even more handsome. Paco has been fully vaccinated, neutered, and microchipped. An older companion and a fenced yard would make his senior years golden. Call Animal Friends Shelter at (979) 865-2525 to meet Paco! Visit Animal Friends Shelter Saturday at he rummage sale at the Austin County Fairgrounds from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Dog Days of Summer Dog Days of Summer will be held Saturday, May 19,

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• Coach Messenger Shoulder Bags & Coach Straw Totes • Red, White & Black Patent Leather Bags • Floppy Hats (Solids & Multi-Color Pastels) • Grazie, Yellow Box & Montana West Flip Flop (Sizes 7-11)

One day 10 hour course and range qualification Call TODAY and reserve a seat, space limited!

Or visit: www.alloutweapons.com for Q&A, firearms, ammo, accessories, FFL transfers, consignments, class III dealer; suppressors, short barrel rifles, & shotguns

ALSO ASK ABOUT Firearm instruction for beginner and seasoned shooters

UËWtééÄxw RESALE

BOUTIQUE

1128 Milam St. • Columbus, TX 78934 979-733-0017 • BdazzledResaleBoutique.com Houston Location • 1308 W. Gray • 713-387-2525 Remember...It's not how much you pay for it...It's How You Wear It!

from 5 to 7 p.m. at Mustang Alley Antiques, 10733 Track Road in Cat Spring.

Admission is $10 and will include appetizers, live music and a silent auction.

The event is being sponsored

by PUPS – Prevent Unwanted Pets. The raffle will include a Rockport vacation house two night stay, framed 8x10 custom pet portrait and a cool dog pool filled with tons of goodies. Raffle tickets are five for $10. To donate or volunteer, call (979) 7325591.

SISD credit by exam Sealy ISD credit by exam days for the 2012 spring semester are Tuesday, June 5, Wednesday, June 6, and Thursday, June 7. The district shall give a student in grades 6-12 credit for an academic subject in which the student has received no prior instruction if the student scores 90 percent or above on a criterion-referenced examination for acceleration for the applicable course. The district shall not charge for an examination taken during the scheduled test dates. Students in grades 6-12 desiring to participate should talk to their school counselor no later than Tuesday, May 1.

Story time The Virgil and Josephine Gordon Memorial Library is hosting story time every Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. at 917 N. Circle Drive in Sealy.

For more information, contact Joyce Williams at (979) 885-7469.

ESL Classes Sealy ISD will once again be offering ESL classes. The classes are held on Mondays and Tuesdays from 6 to 8 p.m. at 939 Tiger Lane behind the intermediate school in the old ag building.

Please call SISD Administration office at (979) 885-3516 if you have any questions.

Inkjet recycling

cartridges for recycling. The library receives up to $4 for each cartridge recycled.

Cartridges can be deposited in the collection bin located in the library. Simply place the old cartridge in a plastic sandwich bag and deposit it in the collection bin.

Recycling inkjet cartridges has a positive impact on the environment. For information on the brands accepted by the library, call (979) 8857469.

HOA volunteers needed Helping One Another (HOA) Meals on Wheels needs caring volunteers to assist with delivery of meals to its many senior citizens. Volunteers perform a very special role in meeting the needs of seniors. While volunteers receive no pay, they do receive a richer reward when they see the smiling faces of area seniors. It only takes one hour per week to accomplish a very special service.

Volunteers are special people. To volunteer, contact HOA Meals on Wheels at (979) 885-4188.

Sealy Playtime Sealy Playtime is being offered for Sealy and area senior adults every Monday and Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Hill Community Center in Sealy.

There are games including dominos, checkers, Scrabble, Clue and many board games. There’s also free coffee, iced tea, hot tea, hot chocolate or bottled water. There is no charge to Sealy residents ages 62 and older.

Sealy VFD Looking for a demanding, challenging and exciting experience? Join the Sealy Volunteer Fire Department and give back to fellow citizens in their greatest time of need. The department is currently recruiting volunteers.

Visit the department at sealyfire.com or call (979) 885-2222.

Gordon Memorial Library is now collecting empty inkjet

SURGICAL ALTERNATIVE What is Spinal Decompression?

• Treats those with herniated and degenerative disc disease, relieves back, leg, neck, and arm pain.

• FDA approved medical technology that gently stretches the spine and decompresses the discs creating a slight vacuum between the disk spaces. This vacuum helps the bulging disk to retract back into place taking pressure off of the nerves. The results are quite dramatic.

• Takes 20 minutes or less per visit and is done within our office. After 4-6 weeks of treatment, a large majority of patients experience relief of their debilitating neck and back conditions. In most cases after treatment, the bulging and/or herniated disk no longer causes that nagging sciatica, stenosis, and radiating pain.

WE’VE GOT YOUR BACK!

Call Dr. Michael Reid at Austin County Chiropractic TODAY for a FREE Spinal Decompression consultation to see if you are a candidate for this effective treatment! Mention this ad for special savings.

AUSTIN COUNTY CHIROPRACTIC

Dr. Michael Reid

(979) 865-5320

WWW.SEALYNEWS.COM

THURSDAY, MAY 3, 2012 ■ PAGE 17

THE SEALY NEWS

Waste Not Want Not

o

C cling Recy &

Chad Hugo, Agent 111-A N. Meyer Sealy, Texas 77474

Wish To Thank

Office: 979.885.1333 Fax: 979.885.1777 Mobile: 979.885.8592 E-mail: chugo@txfb-ins.com

For recycling their waste cooking oil in support of charity and our environment.

1629 Meyer (Hwy 36) • Sealy 979-885-4140 To learn more visit us at www.WasteNotWantNot-Co.com Phone: 979-627-0376 • Sealy, TX

Preserving Our Environment, Improving Our World

Farm & Ranch • Annuities • Health • Long-Term Care

Join us!

DESIGN - BUILD - MANAGEMENT

25th Anniversary Open House

Warren Severin

Sunday, May 6, 2012 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm Sealy Christian Pantry, Inc.

9639 Plum Creek Road • Sealy, TX 77474

979-865-4301

281-543-2827 M

We're pleased to introduce you to these choice area businesses. Keep their names and numbers on hand for easy access. Want to be included in the directory?

Call us at 979.885.3562

Air Conditioning/Heat

Attorney

Bookkeeping

Baker & Baker, PC

Bolten's Dozer Service

ATTORNEYS AT LAW

Michael Bolten

• Criminal Defense • Personal Injury • Family Law • Wills/Probate

Owner

979-877-4408 979-877-8557 3006 FM 949 • Sealy, Texas 77474

Bellville 979-865-0000 Brenham 979-830-1800

Irrigation

Flooring

Lakes • Land Clearing • Fences • Roads • Ponds Pads • Scraper/Excavator • Insured

Irrigation

Serving Austin & Surrounding Counties

Dead Trees, Pruning, Limbs Off Roofs -N- Power Lines, Land Clearing -N- Fence Lines, Brush and Tree Removal, Stump Work, Mowing, Grass Installation, Mulch, Dirt -N- Weed Control, Patios, Firewood for Sale.

FREE ESTIMATES

PSI Irrigation Bellville, Texas

Free Estimates Call Victor Avalos

979-865-5727 • 1-800-826-8155

979-251-0640

Serving Austin & Surrounding Counties Since 1990 David Herring TLI 4508 • Joey Winstead TLI0016819

Planet Landscape Think Green.

* Maintenance * Commercial * Residential * Flower Bed Detail E. Zapata cell - 979-525-1433 or 979-525-6159 3807 Stokes Rd., PO Box 832, Bellville, TX

Water Wells

Landscaping

resh Farm FGrass Lawn Grass & Installation Open Mon - Fri: 8am - 6pm, Sat: 8am - 5pm

Pick up at the farm or we deliver

5906 FM 109 (5 miles north of New Ulm)

877-220-9194

www.thomasturfgrass.com

Landscaping

VICTOR’S TREE SERVICE

• Sprinkler Systems, Installation, Service & Sales • Residential, Commercial, Farm, Ranch • Hunter Preferred Contractor • Servicing All Brands

Landscaping

Dozer Work

Landscaping

Transmission

H. BROWN & CREW LANDSCAPE SERVICE Lawn Care, Trimming, Shredding, Tractor Work, Dirt Work, Fencing, General Clean-up, Scrap Metal Hauling

“Fifth Cut Free”

Call 281-787-4257 • 281-924-5562

Reputation by Recommendation WARRANTY - 3 Yrs or 100,000 Miles

979-885-1199

PAGE 18 ■ THURSDAY, MAY 3, 2012

THE SEALY NEWS

WWW.SEALYNEWS.COM

once

Display Ads................Friday noon Word Ads....................Monday noon

LEGALS

LEGALS

LEGALS

LEGALS

LEGALS

RV'S/ TRAILERS

Public Notice – Public Notice NOTICE OF SISD TRUSTEE ELECTION (AVISO DE ELECCION S.I.S.D.) To the Registered Voters of Austin County, Texas: (A los votantes registrados del Condado de Austin, Tejas): Notice is hereby given that the polling places listed below will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., on May 12, 2012, for voting in a school trustee election, to elect members to fill two (2) at-large trustee positions. (Notifíquese, por las presente, que las casillas electorales situados abajo se abrirán desde las 7:00 a.m. hasta las 7:00 p.m., el 12 de mayo de 2012 para votar en la elección de fideicomisario del distrito escolar para elegir los miembros que llenaran 2

posiciones.) LOCATION OF POLLING PLACES (DIRECCION DE LAS CASILLAS ELECTORALES) PCTS.101, 104, 314, 313 & 416, W.E. Hill Community Center, 1000 Main St. Sealy, TX. PCTS. 211 & 312, St. John Lutheran Fellowship Hall, Cat Spring, TX. PCTS. 415 & 418, Frydek Catholic Catechist Education Center, Sealy, TX. PCT. 417, San Felipe Fire Station, San Felipe, TX. Early Voting by personal appearance will be conducted each weekday at City of Sealy Municipal Building (City Hall Lobby) 415 Main Street, Sealy, Texas, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., beginning on April 30, 2012, and ending on May 8, 2012.

In addition, said office

shall be open from seven o’clock (7:00) a.m. until seven o’clock (7:00) p.m. on May 7, 2012 and May 8, 2012. (La votación temprana en persona se llevará a cabo de lunes a viernes en la Ciudad de Sealy Edificio Municipal, 415 Main Street, Sealy, Texas, entre las 8:00 de la mañana y las 5:00 de la tarde, empezando el 30 de abril 2012 y terminando el 8 de mayo 2012. En adición, el 7 de mayo 2012 y el 8 de mayo 2012 la oficina estará abierta desde las siete 7:00 de la mañana hasta la siete 7:00 de la tarde.) Applications for ballot by mail shall be mailed to: (Las solicitudes para boletas que se votarán temprano por correo deberán enviarse al Secretario de la Votación Temprana): Krisha Langton, Early Voting Clerk, P.O. Box 517, Sealy, Texas 77474. Applications for ballots by mail must be received no later than the close of business on May 4, 2012. (Las solicitudes para boletas que se votarán temprano por correo deberán recibirse para el fin de las horas de negocio el 4 de mayo 2012.) Issued this the 15th day of February 2012 (Emitida este día 15 de febrero 2012) Dr. William J. Hermann, Jr. Signature of Presiding Officer (Firma del Oficial Que Preside) LEGAL NOTICE:This Texas Lottery Commission Scratch-Off game will close on May 13, 2012. You have until November 9, 2012, to redeem any tickets for this game: #1361 Triple 7’s ($5) overall odds are 1 in 4.00. This Texas Lottery Commission Scratch-Off game will close on May 21, 2012.

You have until November 17, 2012, to redeem any tickets for this game: #1388 3 Times Lucky ($3) overall odds are 1 in 4.68. This Texas Lottery Commission Scratch-Off game will close on May 25, 2012. You have until November 21, 2012, to redeem any tickets for this game: #1380 Groovy Cash ($5) overall odds are 1 in 3.25. This Texas Lottery Commission Scratch-Off game will close on June 2, 2012. You have until November 29, 2012, to redeem any tickets for this game: #1396

Emerald 7’s ($5) overall odds are 1 in 3.38.

These Texas Lottery Commission Scratch-Off games will close on July 4, 2012. You have until December 31, 2012, to redeem any tickets for these games: #1379 Gold Class ($1) overall odds are 1 in 4.34, #1310 Triple Your Money ($2) overall odds are 1 in 4.66, #1333 Break the Bank ($2) overall odds are 1 in 4.80, #1382 Happy Hearts Cash ($2) overall odds are 4.73, #1322 Funky 5’s ($5) overall odds are 1 in 3.87, #1363 Dallas Cowboys ($5) overall odds are 1 in 3.67, #1364 Houston Texans ($5) overall odds are 1 in 3.66, #1197 Set for Life ($10) overall odds are 1 in 3.96. The odds listed here are the overall odds of winning any prize in a game, including breakeven prizes. Lottery retailers are authorized to redeem prizes of up to and including $599.

Prizes of $600 or more must be claimed in person at a Lottery Claim Center or by mail with a completed Texas Lottery claim form; however, annuity prizes or prizes over $1,000,000 must be claimed in person at the Commission Headquarters in Austin.

Call Customer Service at 1-800-37LOTTO or visit the Lottery Web site at www.txlottery. org for more information and location of nearest Claim Center.

The Texas Lottery is not responsible for lost or stolen tickets, or for tickets lost in the mail.

Tickets, transactions, players, and winners are subject to, and players and winners agree to abide by, all applicable laws, Commission rules, regulations, policies, directives, instructions, conditions, procedures, and final decisions of the Executive Director.

A Scratch-Off game may continue to be sold even when all the top prizes have been claimed.

Must be 18 years of age or older to purchase a Texas Lottery ticket.

PLAY RESPONSIBLY. The Texas Lottery supports Texas education.

NOTICE STATE OF TEXAS COUNTY OF AUSTIN NOTICE is given in accordance with the terms and provisions of the Texas Alcoholic

Beverage Code that a hearing is to be held in County Judge Carolyn Bilski's office on May 14, 2012 at 8:15 a.m. at the Austin County Courthouse, in Bellville, Texas, regarding the below application: 1. License/ Permit: Wine and Beer Retailer's Off-Premise Permit 2. Location of Business: 218 Fowlkes St., Sealy, Texas 77474.

3. Name of Owner(s: Inatar, LLC. 4. Assumed/ Trade Name: Big 99 Cents & Gift Store. 5.

Corporation Name: Inatar, LLC. 6. Name and Title of Officers: Sabah Ratani, Manager.

Anyone may contest the facts stated in this Application and the applicant's right to secure a license or permit upon giving security for costs as provided by law.

WITNESS MY HAND ON April 26, 2012 CARRIE GREGOR, AUSTIN COUNTY CLERK BY: CYNDI MUNIZ GOMEZ, DEPUTY NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE Of property to satisfy landlord's lien.

Sale is 5:30 pm May 11th 2012 at ALL Mini Storage at 1811 Eagle Lake Rd., Sealy, TX 77474. Property will be sold to the highest bidder for cash. Cleanup and removal deposit may be required. Seller reserves the right to withdraw property from sale. Property includes contents of spaces of the following tenants: Christopher Carlile: Industrial fan, steel racking, mobile air compressor, pvc pipe and fittings. Nekesha Hall: Washer & dryer, curio cabinets, household items. Michelle McDorman: Clothes dryer, TV's, floor lamps, fan, household items.

Petronilla Fournier: glass & metal drafting table, office chair, clothing. Angela Putt: Wood tables, bed handicap walker w/hand brakes, baby & children's clothes, household items. Crystal Ross: box, clothing.

Terrance Smith: Bicycle, night stand, baby bed, household items.

Marcolla Zumoff: Hand tools, tool chest, bread machine, BBQ grill, rods & reels, household items. Contact ALL Mini Storage, 403 Columbus Rd., Sealy, TX 77474 979-877-0530

2006 28ft Bpull RV Queen Bed Room Financing www.txtraveltrailers.com Sleeps 4-6. 979-743-1514, 888-284-6868 2008 Travel Trailer 26ft.

Bumper pull. Mint condition. Sleeps 6. $12,500 OBO 979-627-3899 37 ft. Dove Tail Gooseneck, electric brakes, good tires. Call if interested. 979-232-1518

MILLWORK

Drivers needed

Must have Class A or B GREAT BENEFITS! (Drug test and background check required) Apply at 1319 Spur 529 Rosenberg, TX 77471

Texas AgriLife Research is seeking qualified applicants to provide program support Requires: Bachelor’s degree in a related field or any equivalent combination of training and experience.

Starting salaries may be negotiable based on qualifications and experience.

Refer to NOV #06062 and apply at http://greatjobs.tamu.edu on any computer with WEB access. Computers and staff can assist you at: Wintermann - Rice Research Station 2963 FM 102N • Eagle Lake, TX 77434 979-234-3578 Equal Opportunity Employer

NOTICE OF POSITION OPENING San Bernard Electric Cooperative POSITION: Materials Specialist - Bellville Office

Applications will be accepted until 5 p.m. on Friday, May 18, 2012. For application call (979) 865-3171, pick one up at Bellville office or print one at www.sbec.org

S & H Mini Warehouses Size 10 x 20 $50/month

979-885-0555

1997 Dodge Pickup 72,000 miles. $5,000.

979-885-4933 1997 Dodge Ram 1500 4x4 Automatic, 211K. Can be viewed at the corner of Rexville Rd. and Terri Ave. $4,500 713-775-8408

Request for Bids The Education Service Center, Region VI Interlocal Purchasing Cooperative is soliciting competitive sealed bids for the following categories: BID# 06.12 BID# 07.12 BID# 08.12 BID# 09.12 BID# 10.12 BID# 11.12 BID# 12.12 BID# 13.12 BID# 14.12 BID# 15.12

ATHLETIC SUPPLIES AWARDS & TROPHIES CUSTOM CLOTHING INSTRUCTIONAL SUPPLIES LIBRARY BOOKS OFFICE SUPPLIES & FURNITURE MEDICAL & FIRST AID SUPPLIES MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS & SUPPLIES SPECIAL EDUCATION SUPPLIES TECHNOLOGY SUPPLIES

BID OPENING BID OPENING BID OPENING BID OPENING BID OPENING BID OPENING BID OPENING BID OPENING BID OPENING BID OPENING

10:00AM 10:30AM 11:00AM 11:30AM 1:00PM 1:30PM 2:00PM 2:30PM 3:00PM 3:30PM

6/11/2012 6/11/2012 6/11/2012 6/11/2012 6/11/2012 6/11/2012 6/11/2012 6/11/2012 6/11/2012 6/11/2012

Specifications and bid packets are available on-line at www.esc6.net or from the Purchasing Agent’s Office at 3332 Montgomery Road, Huntsville, TX 77340. Each bid must be received in a separate sealed envelope and the envelope must be clearly marked with the bid number and bid name in the lower left-hand corner. Bid(s) must be sent to ESCVI, Attn: Nancy M. Mowry, Purchasing Agent, 3332 Montgomery Road, Huntsville, TX 77340 and received prior to the above-noted time designated for the particular category. Bids for each category will be opened at the designated time and location. ESCVI reserves the right to accept or reject any or all bids.

MOBILE HOMES FOR SALE

Wanted: Trade-ins, any shape or condition! We need trades and will offer you top dollar! Use your trade as your down payment on a new, well built, energy efficient home! Call today - (979) 251-9044 or visit Clayton Homes of Brenham 1602 Hwy 290 West RBI36347 New Home Clearance Sale! Single wides and double wides must go!

Come in and make an offer! WE WILL NOT BE UNDERSOLD! Call or visit Clayton Homes of Brenham 1602 Hwy 290 West (979) 251-9044 RBI36347

MOBILE HOMES FOR RENT For Rent 2bd/1ba Mobile Home. Very clean & nice. New carpet. Large rooms. Wallis 979-4786145 Mobile Home Space for Rent in Sealy at Beckendorff Exit $225/ mo. 832-576-1471 3 bedroom / 2 bath mobile home for rent in a quite little neighborhood off of Old Columbus Rd @ Beckendorff. Rent is $800 plus the same for a deposit. Cute fenced in yard. Call Kerry for an appointment at 832576-1471. Must pass background check.

COMMERCIAL PROPERTY Commercial/Industrial property for sale in Round Mountain, TX. (Hwy 281@FM 962).

Approximately 13,750 square feet of warehouse/industrial space.

5,000 square feet air conditioned. Four loading docks, located on approximately 4 acres. $310,000. Owner financing is available for qualified buyer.

Contact Bob Stratmann, 512-451-0144 or email: bob@appraiseaustin. com <mailto:bob@appraiseaustin.com> HISTORIC DOWNTOWN Building at 118 N. 5th Street in Alpine.

Good location with two downstairs offices with a potential for a third, lovely upstairs apartment & studio. Excellent investment opportunity with 2 or 3 separate rental spaces/living quarters! Approx. 9,438 sq. ft. $495,000. Contact John Carpenter at jw3@ jwcarpenter.com or 432837-3325

HOMES FOR SALE 51 acres, Old 2-Story Farm House. Off FM1458 in Frydek. $475,000. Owner Financing available 832641-3409 3 bedroom, 1 1/2 bath, recently remodeled, hardwood floors throughout, fresh paint, new concrete driveway and sidewalks, new roof, nice yard with big trees, 935 Atchison, 281-924-1083 CONDO FOR SALE: Beach front 3/3 in Grand Caribbean at Dune Crest in Port Aransas. Top floor with full view of the Gulf. Access to beach and in-ground pool. $369,900. Contact Betty Turner at bettyturner@ centurytel.net, 361-8871111 or 361-749-5712 For Sale by Lender, an assumable note. 3/2/2 on 1 acre, Sealy ISD, w/ payments @ $1450/mo.

Call 281-924-1085. !!!$129,000!!! 1332 Terri Ave. Sealy, 3/2/2 w/ Formal Dining, Upgrades in '07, Quiet Neighborhood, Huge Oak Trees, Spacious Privacy Fenced Backyard. Casey 979885-9334 Old Farm House in Sealy to be moved. 2 bedrooms, 1100 square ft. $4500 OBO; Movers can move within 5 miles for $12,000. Call Russell 713-868-5800

FOR RENT OR LEASE SEALY: Nicely remodeled apts. 2 bd, 1 ba, w/spacious Kitchen, dishwasher, refrigerator & washer/dryer hook up.

All credit considered. $575/mo + $299 security deposit. Ph: 832-2168524 or 832-437-0471 3 bedroom, 2 bath, 2 car garage, central a.c./heat, tool shed, large fenced yard. 1506 Meyer $825 plus deposit. Call David 832-725-6133 30x50 Warehouse, Beckendorff exit. 8946 NW I-10 Frontage Rd., Sealy. $350/mo. 832576-1471 For Rent - Nice one bedroom apartment, one person only. 979-8854759.

Reserve your beach vacation NOW!! Privately owned condo overlooking the gulf in Galveston, TX. Rents by the weekend or week. Sleeps 4-6. Call for reservations 936-488-1314.

Efficiency Apartment for Rent. $675/mo. And $400/deposit. All Bills paid, includes Cable.

281-413-7516 OR 979885-3809 Move-in Special; Remodeled Townhomes - new owner& new mgrs: 2&3 bedroom, covered parking; Agent 281-5782888 2 Bedroom 1 Bath Country Home, attached garage, large yard. $800 a month; $500 deposit.

979-885-3133

Gate Keeper Sales & Service. Visit our working showroom 7405 Hwy 36 N. Brenham. Free Estimates 979-836-6000 Fresh Farm Eggs. $1.50/ dozen. Sealy Area. 713376-1390 FOR SALE: 55 gallon ink drums $10, wood pallets $2, and end rolls $5. Call Granite Printing, 512352-3687, or come by, 2675 CR 374, Circleville, TX. Second Blessing Closet - Resale/Recycle Consultant. New and Used items. Clothes for everyone. Name brand: American Eagle, Abercrombie, Ralph Lauren.

Household items, knick knacks. -Large inventory of women's business attire. Jeans $5.00 and up. Cut Costs and school shop with us. By Appointment only 979627-3292

GARAGE SALES Garage Sale Saturday May 5th 7:30-2:30, 3810 Quail Circle, off 1094, 2.5 miles from 36.

Furniture, good clothes, household items, much more 2nd Annual Rummage Sale! Benefiting Animal Friends Shelter. Saturday, May 5, 8 A.M.-5 P.M. Austin County Fairgrounds (new location) Furniture, collectibles, household items, and more! Donations welcome-------979-865-9292 Outdoor Sale Friday and Saturday,4th and 5th, 8-4. Peter's San Felipe Rd. and Hwy 36 N. Tomato and Pepper Plants, Lots of furniture - child size stacking chairs, display cases, china cabinets, a lot of Great Stuff! 805-234-6909 Garage Sale - Briarwood Estates 2300 Ward Bend Rd. #596. Thursday and Friday, May 3 and 4th, 8-5. Lots of Good Things!

GARAGE SALE Sat, May 5, 8a-2p. 12402 FM 2187, Cat Spring.

Exercise equipment, furniture, TV's and more.

Warehouse Sale - May 5th behind Little B's.

Antiques, glassware, furniture, keyboard, old records, bedding, Native American knick-knacks.

HELP WANTED HELP WANTED: In accordance with the employment policies of Austin County, notice is hereby given that the Austin County Sheriff’s Office is accepting applications for a FullTime Jailer. TCLEOSE Certification is preferred, but not necessary. Must be available for varied shifts. Austin County is an Equal Opportunity Employer and will not discriminate against any person for reason of socioeconomic level, race, sex, religion, age, handicap or national origin. Applications are available at Austin County Sheriff’s Office, 417 N. Chesley, Bellville, TX 77418 and at http:// www.austincountyso.org/ Employment.htm.

JOIN A WINNING TEAM! Granite Publications, a family of community newspapers across Texas, is looking for entry-level reporters and ad sales representatives. Experience in newspaper preferred.

Excellent benefits package. Great opportunity to begin a rewarding career in newspapers and for advancement with a solid company dedicated to publishing quality community newspapers.

Send your resume to Granite Publications, PO Box 1010, Taylor, TX 76574, or email brandi@granitepub.com No phone calls please.

EOE.

HELP WANTED Local trucking company looking for OTR Class A CDL Drivers. Out 5-6 days, home every weekend. Must have 2 years flatbed experience and pass DOT requirements. $500 Sign On Bonus.

Call Larry 979-836-6060 Experienced wait staff needed for fine dining restaurant in Austin County. Call 713-3013235 Experienced full time gardener needed for bed & breakfast/ranch in Austin County. Call 713-301-3235 Wanted Experienced Class A Drivers. Great Pay/Benefits. Bengal Transportation. Call Jake 225-677-8890 Warehouse/Production Position- Minimum of 2 years exp. Duties consist of shipping> receiving> UPSWorldship exp.> Requires physical Ability> computer skills> maintain a clean, organized work environment at all times>Attention to detail> forklift experience helpful > pulling orders for assemblers> stocking. Employer will provide some of this Training to certify the associate. Please send resume to i38.b.a.j@ live.com Part-time Nursery Worker needed. Background check required. Apply in person at First Baptist Church of Sealy.

Full and part-time assembly workers for both mechanical and electronic applications.

Please send resume to JASealy@yahoo.com

SERVICES OFFERED House Cleaning - 10 Years experience, very thorough. Also, windows and wash-dry-iron. Call for estimates 979-6273292.

23,971

24,000

People get got their People online local news online each month... last month...

• • • • •

News Classifieds Subscribe Sports Local Merchants

ynews.com

Knowledge/Skills: High school diploma or equivalent required. Must have a valid Texas driver’s license, Class A preferred. General knowledge of warehousing, materials, accounting principles and record keeping preferred. Must be able to repeatedly lift up to 70 pounds from the floor to the chest. Works outdoors 50% of the time in all weather conditions.

TRUCKS

MOBILE GROOMING Call Mandi at (832) 253-5369 Have (4) registered male chihuahau puppies, first shots, dewormed, and puppy care kit. Ready April 30, 2012. $250.00 firm (979) 992-3631

Cat Springs Beautiful rolling 268 acres. Soft, sandy soil. Scattered oak trees. Paved frontage, Ag exempt.

Sealy schools, fantastic opportunity. Coldwell Banker Travis Winfree (979) 799-6602

MISC.

seal

Duties: Issues, receives, stocks and transfers materials for jobs; enters data onto computer system, and ensures those transactions are correct. Load and unload freight and equipment with forklift, pallet jack, hand trucks and other devices. Maintain warehouse and storage yard for cleanliness and keep areas free from hazards.

PETS

LAND FOR SALE

Become one of them!

Don’t miss out!

Your number one source for local news and online classifieds is just a click away!

WWW.SEALYNEWS.COM

THURSDAY, MAY 3, 2012 ■ PAGE 19

THE SEALY NEWS

once

Display Ads................Friday noon Word Ads....................Monday noon

Wo r d a d s c a n b e p l a c e d o n o u r We b s i t e . G o t o w w w. s e a l y n e w s . c o m .

Small ads accomplish big things Sell it Buy it Find it Sealy News Classifieds (979) 885-3562

FOR RENT Mini Warehouses Size 10x20

Contact Bill’s Supermarket

885-3522

OWNER FINANCING 10+ Acres El Campo Secluded Country Living Near Town.

MUST SEE. Best land buy anywhere, GUARANTEED Asking $5300/acre Must Sell Now MAKE ANY OFFER

Lifeguards Wanted Sealy YMCA • Flexible hours • Ages 16+ • Lifeguard certified (preferred) Interested? Send resume to Matthew Salazar at matthew.salazar@ymcahouston.org Or Call 979-256-9991

Fogle, Hinze & Associates 313 Main St. * Sealy TX * 979-885-2926 Amy Fogle, Broker 979-332-3193

Wendy Machala, Associate 979-877-5439

Shawna Sullivan, Associate 281-960-5606

George Fogle, Associate 979-472-0033

Roxanne Walker, Associate 832-723-2497

Angela Maxwell, Associate 832-651-5521

* RESIDENTIAL * ACREAGE * FARM/RANCH * COMMERCIAL * FOR LEASE

VIEW OUR LISTINGS ONLINEwww.FogleHinzeRealEstate.com

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193 Schmidt Rd., Sealy

Builder Offering 3% Towards Closing Cost and $ 2,000 Gift Card or Stainless Steel Refrigerator & Mini Blinds

252 West Lantana Circle $159,900

(832) 878-0374

www.sealyhomestead.com

Energy Star 3/2/2 Great open floor plan, huge kitchen with granite and stainless steel appliances! Spacious master bedroom with jetted garden tub, separate shower and huge closet!

Covered front and back porches!

Directions: From 110 West, take 36 North and turn left on FM 2187

www.AngieSoldIt.com 16 N. HOLLAND ST., BELLVILLE, TX 77418

6282 Hwy 36 N. 5/3/3 Executive Style Home with enclosed pool, 5,000 sf shop w/living quarters or office space. $895,000 3&5 E Main, Commercial Retail & office space, high visibility. Hwy frontage....................................................................................... REDUCED! $329,000 108 Lassiter Ln. 3/2/2 Briarwood-Great neighborhood, ready for move in................................................................................................................ $209,900 25W Anderson 2/2 1100sf cottage, great investment or starter home, quiet street, covered parking........................................................ SOLD! $70,000 2679 FM 331, 26+ acres camphouse on Mill Creek...................................................................................................................................................... $180,000 Hwy 359 - 25 acres nice tract, Hwy frontage.....................................................................................................................................................

SOLD! $225,000 Off Pyka Rd. - 51+ acre tract, pasture with deeded easement..................................................................................................................................... $369,000 82 ac. ranch. - Horse property, 2 barns, equip., ponds ................................................................................................................................................ $2,800,000 Raccoon Bend Rd. - 55 ac. cross fenced, imprvd grasses ............................................................................................................................................... $434,000 Woodway, Magnolia 33.87 ac total,Timber exemption, DSL avail............................................................................................................................... $378,000 Magnolia 13.84 acres......................................................................................................................................................................................................... $159,000 2832 Centerhill, Bellville- 3/2/2 custom home with granite, art studio, pool, pond on 2 acres. ............................................................................... $325,000 2180 FM 1094, Sealy-3/4/3 4145 sf custom home, granite, amazing mstr ste, office, gameroom, on 2 acres. .................................................. $445,000 587 Cardinal Lane, 3/2/1. Small country hoe on 3.4 acresl private country setting in Hickory Creek Ranch............................................................ $144,000

979-877-5822 • AngieSoldit@gmail.com All real estate advertised herein is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act, which makes it illegal to advertise ʻany preference, limitation, or discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin, or intention to make any such preference, limitation, or discrimination.ʼ

Travis Abel & Associates Real Estate

Residential • Farms • Ranches • Commercial

Hwy. 36 @ FM 1094 • Sealy, Texas 77474

979-885-3524 See ALL our Listings

on www.abelrealty.net

Color Pictures • Surveys • Sellers' Disclosures CALL FOR INFORMATION:

Travis Abel 281-352-4119 • Ed Chalupa 979-885-8224 Dale Lechler 979-227-1412 • Codi Harkness 979-472-0928 Diane Abel 281-352-4983

We will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal opportunity basis.

THE REAL ESTATE CO. 413 MEYER, SEALY 979-885-1200 • 713-982-0325 therealestateco@hotmail.com Visit our website: www.therealestateco.net

SEE PICTURES IN THE REAL ESTATE BOOK! CALL FOR YOUR FREE COPY Open 7 days a week. Call us anytime, we’re always on call!

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SE HABLA ESPAÑOL

HOMES FOR LEASE ★ #2711 – New Listing - Wallis - Nice 2/1 Approx 891 sq. ft. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $600 mo.

HOMES FOR SALE

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MACHINISTS Must have 2 years CNC lathe or mill machining experience.

High school education or equivalent is required.

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Apply in Person at 1951 Hwy 290 West, Brenham, TX 77833 or Email resume to pic.resumes@emerson.com PIC is an Equal Opportunity Employer

★ #2702 - Sealy - 2/2 Manufactured home, approx. 1,088 sq ft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $35,000 ★ #2691 - Eagle Lake - 2/1 Great starter home or rental property . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $45,000 ★ #2661 - Sealy - Townhome, 2/1.5 approx. 1260 sq. ft., fenced backyard, S/P . . . . .$57,000 ★ #2624 - Eagle Lake - 3/2, approx 1,869 sq. ft. on approx. .20 acres . . . . . . . . . . . . . $79,900 ★ #2712 - New Listing - Sealy - Manufactured Home 4/2 on 1.20 acres . . . . . . . . . . . $89,900 ★ #2705 - Sealy - Nice 3/1.5/1 car garage Brick home, S/P . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $94,500 ★ #2655 - Sealy - 3 homes, one piece of land with some nice mature trees . . . . . . . $99,000 ★ #2704 - Eagle Lake - 3/2 Brick Home on Approx .763 ac . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $100,000 ★ #2632 - Sealy - 3/3/2 Wonderful home with loads of charm, S/P . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $125,000 ★ #2651 - Eagle Lake, Sealy - 3/2, approx. 2,796 sq. ft., high ceiling & wood floors . . .$128,900 ★ #2616 - Sealy - 3/2/2, almost new home, energy efficient . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$129,000 ★ #2695 - New Listing - Sealy - 3/2/2 carport, approx 1696 sq. ft. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$130,000 ★ #2714 - New Listing - Houston - NIce 2 story condo 3/3, great location . . . . . . . .$138,000 ★ #2689 - Fayetteville - 2/1 appro .89 ac. Nice Country home. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$139,000 ★ #2529 - Wharton - 3/2, Beautiful hardwood and tile floors. Huge Oak trees. . . . . .$140,000 ★ #2690 - Sealy - 4/2.5/2, attached garage, lrg backyard, in-ground pool . . . . . . . . .$149,900 ★ #2673 - San Felipe - 3/2 Lots of walk-in closets, approx 2130 sq. ft. on 1 ac . . . .$160,000 ★ #2713 - New Listing - Sealy - 3/2/2 Beautiful landscaping, granite countertops . .$172,525 ★ #2708 - New Listing - Sealy - 3/2/2 with 2 acres . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $179,000 ★ #2697 - Butter Cup/Edna, TX - Custom home build to suit. Approx. 1700 sq. ft. . . . . . .$179,900 ★ #2698 - Mission Bell/Victoria, TX - Build to suit. Approx. 1800 sq. ft. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$189,900 ★ #2706 - New Ulm - 3/1/1 Brick Home 2 shops, great home business opp. . . . . . . .$189,900 ★ #2659 - Sealy - 2.41 ac. Immaculate home with acreage 3/2/2. Approx. 1,759 sq. ft . .$209,000 ★ #2699 - Sealy - Wonderful 3/3/2 approx. 2,392 sq. ft. Fireplace, master suite, has 3 large closets, swimming pool. Mature trees on approx. .25 ac. Reduced! . . . . . . . .$230,000 ★ #2709 - New Listing - Sealy - 3/2 country home, plus 1/1 guest home on 9.70 ac $270,000 ★ #2675 - Sealy - 4/2.5 on 2.53 ac. Great location . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$299,000 ★ #2667 - Sealy - 4/4.5/3, guest quarters has 1 bedrom, 2 bathrooms, small pond . . . . .$375,000 ★ #2453 - Sealy - 2/1 on 3 acres. Right by Wal-Mart Super Center. . . . . . . . . . . . . .$455,900 ★ #2631 - Sealy - 4/3/2 attached carport, cattle ranch, unrestricted approx. 102.148 acres, wonderful 40x60 barn on slab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$1,000,000

OFFICE SPACE FOR LEASE ★ Private office spaces - With own bathroom - Utilities furnished, 300 sq. ft. . . . . .$300/mo. ★★MINI-WAREHOUSE AND CLIMATE CONTROL STORAGE UNITS FOR LEASE★★

ACREAGE AND LOTS ★ #2670 - Sealy - 4 lots within walking distance of Brazos River . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$16,000 ★ #2620 - Sealy - Mobile home lot approx .987 acres . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$22,900 ★ #2557 - Sealy - 1 great lot for building, deed restricted, approx. 1,033 ac. . . . . . . . . . .$35,000 ★ #2708 - New Listing - Sealy - 1.5 acres, nice lot, L-shaped property . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$45,000 ★ #2680 - Sealy - Nice lot within city limits to build your own home, city services available. . .$55,000 ★ #2703 - New Listing - Sealy - Nice tract of land + 30x45 shop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$75,000 ★ #2664 - Sealy - 9 acres, nice farm land . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$81,000 ★ #2631 - Sealy - 4/3/2 attached carport, cattle ranch. Unrestricted approx. 102.148 acres, wonderful 40x60 barn on slab, complete bathroom and kitchen . . . . . . . . . .$1,000,000

COMMERCIAL ★ #2658 – Fantastic commercial space available. Restaurant, retail and many others $4,900/mo. ★ #2453 – Sealy - 2/1 approx. 1504 sq. ft. on 3 acres. Great area to build townhouse, duplexes, or small office bldg. right by Wal-Mart Super Center. . . . . . . . . . . .$455,900

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PAGE 20 ■ THURSDAY, MAY 3, 2012

THE SEALY NEWS

WWW.SEALYNEWS.COM

The Sealy News/AMBER GONZALES

The Sealy News/AMBER GONZALES

Ice cream social

Fast as a comet

The Austin County Historical Society hosted an ice cream parts at the county Jail Museum May 27. Several dozen visitors turned in tickets and got to snack on ice cream and cookies. They also got a look around the jail with some knowledgeable docents.

The Austin County Comets were sent off in style to their competition in Brenham last weekend. Students and administrators from lines the halls of Sealy Junior High, shown here, and Sealy High School to applaud the athletes before they left by bus.

Annual RAP golf tourney set for June 29 Pittsburg Steeler Emmanuel Sanders will attend

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Austin County football fans will be glad to know they can meet and get autographs from Pittsburg Steelers wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders this June as he returns home to Austin County to take part in the Raising Academic Performance (RAP) annual golf tournament.

This is the first time Sanders, a native of Bellville, will serve as host for the RAP fundraiser.

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The tournament is scheduled for Friday, June 29, at the Stephen F. Austin Country Club in San Felipe.

“Emmanuel recognizes this support and has a heart to give back to his home town and community,” said Julie Browne, executive director at RAP. RAP is a program that matches up mentors to students at risk of dropping out of school. Parts of the program’s costs are for mentor training, but much of it goes toward students.

Some RAP students in homes without computers are awarded laptops and printers, and those that stick with the program are applicable for scholarships.

The Emmanuel Sanders Invitational is a four person scramble and prizes will be awarded for closest to the hole on all par 3’s, longest drive on holes 4 and 16, and low net and gross scores.

Contenders will pay $100 per person or $400 per team; the fee covers the golf, prizes, cart, tees, lunch and dinner. Holes can also be sponsored for $250 and underwriters can also lend support at different levels.

In the past East Bernard High School graduate Shane Lechler, a punter for the Oakland Raiders,

ELECTION continued from Page 1 Place 4 candidates include Melanie Willingham, who has lived in Sealy more than seven years. Willingham is a stay-at-home mother who works on the Sealy Community Foundation to help put together Sealybration and Fantasy of Lights each year.

Also filing for Place 4 is Joe Bilski, who has lived in Sealy

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has hosted the tournament. He was unable to make it this year, but Sanders, who has family in Austin County, was happy to come in.

“We’re very thankful and grateful for him,” said Browne about Lechler’s support.

RAP is excited to have Sanders host. Board member Bill Moehl said he didn’t realize how popular he was, but said Sanders seems like a local hero.

The Steelers player was a third round draft for Pittsburg in 2010 after playing at Southern Methodist University.

There he was ranked as the school’s all-time leader in career catches and touchdown catches.

But Sanders started at Bellville High School where the Brahma was named All-District, MVP and TriCounty Offensive Player of the Year. Sanders graduated from Bellville in 2006 and earned his sociology degree from SMU in 2010.

Kids are invited to come to the club in the evening after the tournament to get an autograph from the local star.

For more information about signing up for the tournament and RAP, please call Browne at (979) 885-8480 or Bobby Browne at (979) 885-2811.

701 S. Fry Road, Katy, Texas 77450 | 281.599.5700 Physician Referral 281.599.4343

for more than 30 years and previously served on city boards. Bilski is retired from CenterPoint Energy.

Place 5 candidates include Jeri Dulaney and Everett J. Bubak. Dulaney, director of Blinn College Sealy campus, has lived in Sealy just shy of four years. Bubak, who works at BAE Systems, has lived in Sealy for five years.

Filing in the Sealy ISD board of trustees race are incumbent Dean “Doc” Easter, Joe Mike Young, Anthony Steven Reynolds, Joseph Pinteralli, George Einkauf, Mark Miller and Beverly Beckendorff.

David Youngblood did not file for re-election.

Easter has lived in the district for seven years and is a sports trainer while Young has lived in the district 26 years and is a quality control inspector. Reynolds, who is retired, has lived in the district six years; Pinteralli, a maintenance technician, has lived in the district 13 years; Einkauf, who is retired, has lived in the district more than 61 years; Miller, an investment consultant, has lived in the district 12 years; and Beckendorff, a reserve financial analyst, has lived in the district for 21 years.

City council representatives will be elected by place while the school district trustees are elected at large.

There are two positions open on the school board.

Voting on Election Day will be held from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the W.E. Hill Community Center. Voters living in precincts 314, 319, 413, 416 and 418 may vote in the city election.