The Colony Courier (The Colony, Tex.), Vol. 1, No. 28, Ed. 1 Wednesday, May 20, 1998 Page: 4 of 16

                                
EDITORIAL
A time to honor
our past, future
Many people will use this well-deserved three-day holiday weekend to
kick back, go to the beach and fire up the grill. But at some point during the
period, we all should give a thought or two to how this weekend is signifi-
cant to our past and our future.
The past, of course, is signified by Memorial Day, when we honor
Americans who died serving the United States in war. These were the people
who sacrificed so we, today, could have the freedom to enjoy the benefits
of the country. Without them, would we have the ability to char-broil those
burgers, sun-bathe at the beach and play some catch with our children?
Sadly, many people don't know the meaning of our holidays. Oh, they
know that July 4 is the country's birthday, that Thanksgiving celebrates the
pilgrims' landing, etc. But many don't realize that Memorial Day is a sol-
emn occasion meant to remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice to
their country. They don't understand that Labor Day honors all the working
people of the nation. They don't understand the significance of Veteran's
Day-especially 11:11 a.m. on 11/11.
But while remembering the past this weekend, perhaps we should also
give thought to our future - the youngsters who will graduate from The
Colony High School on Saturday.
Many of the seniors who will throw their caps into the air will continue
their education at various colleges. Many will enter the work force. There's
a reason such ceremonies are often called "commencement." Graduation is
a beginning, not an end.
Sure, many people become teary-eyed at the prospect of leaving a group
of peers, some of whom have been in school together since kindergarten.
Yes, high school is a time when many people find their wings and begin to
fly that obstacle-laden path from childhood to adulthood. But graduation
really is the time when youngsters begin their independent lives; it is the
commencement of that part of life in which one is no longer simply an
extension of mom and dad, but a unique, responsible person in his own
right.
Some of these graduates may even serve in the military. Let's hope that
we will never have to include them in our memories on future Memorial
Days.
Enjoy the weekend, but let's not forget the significance of it. Those who
don't remember the past are doomed to re-live it.
Congratulations are
in order for several
There's been a lot of success stories in The Colony the past few weeks,
and The Courier would like to congratulate the people who accomplished
them for a job well done.
To the TCHS Class of'98 for completing their high school work and
enriching themselves and the community with their skills in academics,
athletics, drama, music, forensics, journalism, dance, cheerleading, mili-
tary science and a host of FFA, VICA, DECA and other activities.
To LISD school trustee Mark Shaw of The Colony for being elected
school board secretary. And to fellow trustee Anne Lakustaon her election
as the first female LISD board president ever.
To Councilmen A1 Garcia, David Stanwick, John Dillard and Dave
Kovatch on their elections on May 2. And to former Councilman Wilma
Avey on her two years of dedicated service to the city. Whether one agrees
or disagrees with a councilman's political viewpoints, it is simply nasty not
to admire the willingness to serve.
To Phillip Marks, Brian Broom, Rick Manser, John Gordon and Ray
Reyes, the unsuccessful local candidates in the last election. By running,
they added to the dialogue in the city's political structure.
To Kovatch, for stepping up to the plate and offering innovative ideas,
such as his tax-cut plan, road-bond proposal and bringing a Texas-Louisi-
ana League baseball team around. This isn't an endorsement of those ideas,
but at least Kovatch's moves have moved the discussion of the issues for-
ward. Now opponents should do the same and offer alternatives of their
own.
To the local Lady of America Fitness Center on its ranking as one of the
chain's top outlets in terms of membership. Now, if there was only a health
club in the city at which men were welcome...
To the folks developing Austin Ranch on the large turnout at the ground-
breaking last Tuesday. It would be hard to imagine another event that would
attract Dallas development icon Trammel Crow to The Colony. Crow is the
father of Austin Ranch development honcho Lucy Billingsley.
To city resident Mary Hundt, whose first two grandchildren were born
within a month of each other recently.
And to the Griffin Middle School Band for receiving the Sudler Cup on
Sunday. The musicians have been congratulated before in this space, but an
honor of this magnitude can never merit enough recognition.
One dart as we're handing out the laurels: To El Nino, farmers in Mexico
and the fire departments in that country for causing the fires that have sent
that monstrous haze over much of the United States, including The Colony.
If we wanted to live amid smog, we'd be living in Houston's eastern sub-
urbs, where all the oil refineries are located.
I
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Vol. 1, No.28
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Austin Ranchers laid it on the line
"That past which is so presumptu-
ously brought forward as a precedent
for the present, was itself founded on
some past that went before it. "
—Mad. de Stael
Last week, I took advantage of the
opportunity to attend the
groundbreaking ceremony for the
Austin Ranch development, just
south of 121. The soiree was held at
Summit Ranch, Don Blackwood's
ranch hacienda, which has an abso-
lutely astounding view of the rolling
hills, trees and ponds that once were
standard fare for much of this area.
Ray Wylie Hubbard and his band
provided the music, chef Andrew
Ormsby provided the regional cui-
sine and Lucy and Henry Billingsley
were the attentive hosts for this ap-
propriately Texas-correct event.
And, of course, there were all of the
folks in attendance who would be
expected. Elected and/or appointed
officials. Business and civic leaders.
Law enforcement and media repre-
sentatives.
As I sampled the cuisine and
watched the various machinations of
the people in attendance, I gazed out
upon the land that is awaiting devel-
opment. There are just so many
things to be considered. My mind
was clicking off the benchmarks of
where we were as a community in
the past, the present vision of Austin
Ranch, and the legacy it would leave
to future generations of citizens right
here in The Colony.
The benchmarks are staggering.
Austin Ranch holds the promise of
doubling the commercial property-
tax base for Denton County. And the
impact of Austin Ranch on our com-
Senior
Columnist
Mike
Catt
munity holds the promise of provid-
ing vibrant, high quality residential/
commercial options that are sorely
needed and presently lacking. Most
importantly, besides being the anchor
for future quality economic develop-
ment within our community, this is
precisely one of those deals that holds
the promise of moderating the prop-
erty tax burden that is shouldered
primarily by our residents.
We're talking about amultibillion
dollar development. Big bucks. Mas-
sive impact. More and better options
for our future.
So how did we go from sticksville
cluelessness to a community plum
chance of a lifetime? Was this
brought about by copious quantities
of grubby money under the table?
Was this a deal where the develop-
ers win and the community has to pay
all of the bills? Will the future clearly
show a particularly nasty downside?
Anything is possible where hu-
man beings are involved. However,
as I wandered through the crowd in
attendance, it became immediately
apparent that this is a classic risk ver-
sus reward exercise in economic de-
velopment. Sure, there is good news
and bad news involved. That is only
standard operating procedure when
it comes to any project of multibillion
dollar scope.
I was more interested in explor-
ing and understanding the early dis-
cussions and exercises that took place
years ago that brought us to where
we are today. After all, a project the
size of Austin Ranch is a long, te-
dious exercise in making sure the
wheels stay on the cart. What was the
earliest key factor in making the
project a reality from a dream?
Experience tells me that the key
had to do with infrastructure devel-
opment. You see, massive develop-
ments like Austin Ranch have to have
water, sewer and utility infrastruc-
ture. Since development south of 121
is a relatively new concept for our
community, it goes without saying
that such infrastructure simply does
not exist at this time. Without such
infrastructure, future development
runs at a glacial pace.
My point is that several years ago,
decisions were made by key indi-
viduals in our community to address
the infrastructure developments that
were necessary to bring about a de-
velopment of the size and scope of
Austin Ranch (and other develop-
ment as well). And I find it interest-
ing that these decisions were made
based upon best-case guesstimate
scenarios and sealed with hand-
shakes. It's like someone approach-
ing you or me and saying this is what
could happen three or four years
down the road if you or I would help.
Would you invest three or four
years, based upon a handshake and
understanding, to have an opportu-
nity for a brighter future? It's one of
those "iffy" propositions. It could go
either way. Nothing is guaranteed.
Some might even call the whole deal
a really shaky proposition.
It's very much like the old IBM
property on Paige Road. The propo-
sition at that time was if the city
would do this, that and the other,
IBM would build on the property.
However, as you are probably al-
ready aware, IBM never built on the
property, and the deal died. Some-
times, it just works (or doesn't work)
out that way. Of course, when it
works out right, everyone is happy
and everyone takes credit.
And after a development project
is online, under way and substantially
completed, the key people who made
the early key decisions are usually
forgotten. And a whole new set of
concepts forge a different reality.
I often think about what Austin
Ranch, Wynnewood Peninsula and
other raw land areas of our commu-
nity will look like 10 years from now.
Obviously, our community will look
substantially different than today. If
that pending development has a posi-
tive impact on our community, lots
of folks will take credit. If the im-
pact is negative, a select handful of
folks will receive the blame.
To balance the historical interpre-
tations of what really happened, I
tend to remind myself of the key
folks who laid it on the line early on
in the process to make it happen.
That's where the rubber meets the
road; the exercises that make quality
economic development a reality right
here in The Colony.
Mike Catt is a resident of The
Colony, president of The Colony
Digital Magic Factory and director
of economic development/president-
elect of The Colony Chamber of
Commerce.
BOMBS away for coffee and conversation
There are many things that one
can learn at the polling places (but
only when one votes).
While pursuing the course of de-
mocracy by exercising early vot-
ing rights at City Hall, this writer
was fortunate to be introduced
to Bob Poynter, another senior
extraordinaire resident of The
Colony.
The talk turned from politics to
some of the people and what they
were doing in The Colony that no one
else, or just a very few, knew any-
thing about.
The conversation led to a num-
ber of varied items until Bob men-
tioned that an invitation to his coffee
klatch would be an interesting way
to get a free cup of coffee and un-
limited conversation about the whole
world and The Colony.
Since Bob is a story in himself,
his uniqueness will be reserved for
another time. He was impressive as
open-channeled, humorous, capable
of long-windedness and still wearing
a reasonable crop of hair at 74 years.
He stated that the klatch was a
group of older guys who met six days
a week from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Jim
Barnes
From The
Back Porch
Coffee was free and speech was, too.
Come if you'd like to hear what's
going on - or not - in The Colony.
After meeting the crowd, one
William J. "Bill" Trimble, a city resi-
dent of some 15 years, made the two
of us a crowd until it became three
when Poynter walked in from the
back, where he was putting some-
thing together.
Conversation eventually turned to
a sign on the wall above a hat rack.
Bob pointed it out as heraldry. At its
top was the word "BOMBS." A cof-
fee cup on a blue field over a red
background was presented with two
bomb figures situated on each side.
(The significance of these figures can
only be related in the confines of the
meeting place.)
It was learned that this item was
developed, after much thought and
research, by an original group that
met in the old Brookshires coffee
nook (which was there prior to the
installation of the present cake-case
arrangement). They met together
while their wives shopped for the
groceries.
The BOMBS signified The
Brookshires Old Man's Benevolent
Society. Beneath the coffee cup
(white) was the script "El Toro Kha
Kha." On the right were the words:
"Strikes Sinister" (again a closed rev-
elation only revealed in the walls of
the meeting place). It was admitted
that a military experience would pro-
vide greater understanding of all the
symbolism presented.
The purpose of the group that
meets every morning except Sunday
(undoubtedly some must go to con-
fession), is to be unpurposeful. Since
spittoons, store-front benches, and
smoking or chewing in public has
become anathema to the younger,
and some older generations, the
group required a relocation after
Brookshires' renovation. It is now
located in the Venture Groups retail
center in Suite 320 on South Colony
Boulevard.
All are welcome to come join
Eating out could be hazardous
to health - if you're not careful
First in an occasional series of
articles on health risks and problems.
By WILLY D. ACUNA
City Health Official
The Inspections Department of
the City of The Colony, consisting
of two major divisions/departments
(health and building) is in the busi-
ness of enforcement.
Reminded by our dear Abraham
Lincoln that "government is the
people, of the people, and for the
people," we realized that the govern-
ment exists to "serve." It is in the
spirit of humility and servanthood
that The Colony Health Department
is committed to serve. Serving is
"proactive" more than "reactive."
Education is our proactive approach
to serving this community. Our goal
is compliance, and public health is
our ultimate objective.
Enforcement of the law requires
education as its very core. Education
is an ongoing process, as we all
know, and one of the most effective
ways to carry on this process is to
attempt to always answer the ques-
tion "why," regardless.
This series of articles seeks to
educate The Colony citizens about
public-health issues that confront all
of us daily, ranging from food safety,
environmental sanitation and per-
sonal hygiene. Speaking of educa-
tion, let us begin with an overview
of food poisoning. But before I get
started, let me ask this question, how
many of us out there eat out?' Please
raise your hand! I thought so. Every
resident in the United States eats out
an average of four times a week. Next
question is, how many of you out
there got sick at one time or another
within 72 hours after eating in a res-
taurant? (Hopefully, none.)
Approximately every second of
every day in the year, someone in the
United States is stricken with food
poisoning, according to the Council
for Agricultural Science and Tech-
nology. As trade between nations
increases, food poisoning will likely
rise. The United States, being the
most open economy, welcomes all
kinds of food products from all over
the world. But what about food safety
standards the government is impos-
ing on these imports? Well, to some
extent, it works. However, to be re-
alistic, the federal government,
through the Food and Drug Admin-
istration, cannot possibly monitor all
the details.
It is therefore essential that food
safety regulations be strictly enforced
at the local level to ensure that the
environmental conditions are moni-
tored to protect public health.
It has been estimated that as many
as 33 million Americans suffer from
food poisoning each year, with an
annual death of 9,000. The General
Accounting Office, in a study of
food-borne diseases, estimates that
such illnesses cost the U.S. economy
up to $22 billion annually. I hope I
got your attention. Furthermore, it
should be noted that, although illness
often results from improper food
handling, many of the pathogens al-
ready were present at the processing
stage. Food is the major source of ex-
posure to disease-causing agents -
biological and chemical - from
which no one is spared.
Also popularly known as food-
borne illness, food poisoning can be
described as any kind of illness which
has been caused by eating contami-
nated food. In its broad definition
includes the following examples:
■ Sickness caused by bacteria or
viruses in food.
■ Sickness caused by mold or fungi
■ Sickness caused by eating some
plants
■ Sickness caused by eating some
animals or seafood
■ Sickness caused by chemicals in
food- including the toxins produced
by some bacteria and fungi
■ Allergic Reactions
In our next article, we shall be-
gin with the ever popular Salmonella
- Its nature, foods associated with
these bacteria and methods of pre-
vention. Till then, if you have any
feed back, please write to me in care
of the Health Department, City of
The Colony, P.O. Box 560008, The
Colony, TX. 75056.
other fellows of like nature for cof-
fee and conversation which at times
can get ridiculous, since many claim
they are too young to attend the Se-
nior Center (nothing against those
who do, however). You will have to
bring your own egg and sausage bis-
cuits.
There is smoking allowed, so
those that don't, or can't, can bring
their own oxygen bottles and join the
fun that even today can't match.
For those who have disabilities,
have no fear. Feel welcome. If you are
not a veteran, have no fear. More than
likely, half the guys here have BCDs.
If you're of age to smoke and eager to
learn the history of every war since
Gengis Khan, feel free to participate.
The coffee is free, but supported
by donations if you are a regular. The
group does provide other services to
those in need or assistance through
personal help and referral. These
have a sense of "taking care of our
own" wherever it is necessary and
within our means and abilities.
No one need feel lonely or for-
gotten in this group except maybe
after our legal Saturday night poker
party!
Letters to
the editor
Pack 133 thanks
On behalf of the boys and fami-
lies of Pack 133, we would like to
extend a sincere thank you to the fol-
lowing businesses and individuals
who made our family graduation pic-
nic a success:
Albertsons, Brookshire's, Wal-
Mart and Winn-Dixie for helping to
supply the food and paper products.
The Holly Corporation of Dallas for
sponsoring handbooks, neckerchiefs
and slides to each boy who was pro-
moted in rank.
Bryce Skeen for his help in se-
curing donations.
The den leaders and co-leaders
who planned each group's ceremony.
Pam Nelson of the city Parks and
Recreation department for allowing
us to use Bill Allen Memorial Park
as the site of the picnic.
Last but certainly not least, Ron
and Elizabeth Machamer who were
asked to lead the event at the last
minute.
We appreciate all your efforts to
ensure the boys had a meaningful and
memorable graduation.
Kevin and Lesa Haney
The Colony
The Colony Courier gladly accepts letters from readers expressing any view-
point. Letters must be limited to 500 words and be free of libelous or slan-
derous statements. Deadline for submission is 5 p.m. Friday for inclusion
in the following Wednesday's paper. Only one letter per person in any 30-
day period; people submitting a second letter within that period will find
that second letter published in the first issue after the 30-day period has
elapsed. The Courier reserves the right to reject or edit any letter.