The Bastrop Advertiser (Bastrop, Tex.), Vol. 141, No. 21, Ed. 1 Thursday, May 12, 1994 Page: 4 of 36
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Page 4
THE BASTROP ADVERTISER
s
Thursday, May 12, 1994
Issues & Opinions
Missing cats are haunting owner
Dear Editor:
In 1989, my housemate and
long-time friend started an or-
ganization known as Pet Pro-
tection Network in Austin,
Texas. I, being an animal lover
and enthusiast, supported the
endeavor and was glad to help
with it all I could. We placed
over 100 dogs and over 125 cats
(all animals who were lost or
unwanted. We were happily
able to reunite many of these
with their owners) in the year or
so we ran the Network. We did
this out of our own home, com-
pletely without the financial
support of anyone but ourselves
and what donations we could
solicit, which were few.
Finally, in May 1990, we
handed the operation over to
another animal enthusiast who, I
believe, still runs the Network
to date. We would have contin-
ued to be involved with it, ex-
cept that my daughter broke her
back that May and we suddenly
found ourselves with totally
new concerns and unable to de-
vote the time to the animals. In
the process of placing all these
animals, however, we found
ourselves with an extra dog and
eight extra cats (we already had
two cats and a dog). Most of
these cats were special cases-
one with a kind of nerve disor-
der that produced motor move-
ment problems; another with a
prolapsed rectum which re-
quired surgery and follow-up
care; several were bottle babies
that we simply became too at-
tached to.
To those animals we kept
with us, we have been not only
friends, but parents as well.
They never knew anything from
the time they came to be with us
but kindness and care. But let
me get to the point of my writ-
ing you. We were evicted from
the house we were living in out
by Lake Travis last July and
found we could no longer find a
place to rent where they would
allow our animals to be with us.
One generous place did say we
could have the animals-for a
mere $300 per pet deposit. The
problem with that-aside from
the sheer ridiculousness of it-
was that we simply did not have
that kind of money.
As a matter of fact, we were
fiat broke. But we did feel a re-
sponsibility to the animals we
had raised from babies, so we
set out to find a place where we
could live with our animals and,
to make a long story shorter, we
wound up at last in September
out of Bastrop on a horse farm.
Our benefactress was generous
enough to allow us to live in the
house, and we gradually man-
aged to accustom our cats to
living at the barn. We fed them
twice a day and made sure all
their needs were taken care of;
from September until Decem-
ber, everything was fine. Then,
one by one, they started to dis-
appear.
A lot of people have given
me a lot of maybes about what
could have happened to them,
but the fact is that these were
home-body cats; not prone to
wander. All except two of them
were neutered or spayed. We
could go out to the barn at 10 in
the morning-or at 3 in the mid-
dle of the night-or at any other
time of day and find them-all
ten of them-either there or
within ten seconds of being
there when we called them. The
first to go missing, in fact, were
the ones who waited for us on
the path. Three cats disappeared
in December, one every other
Friday night. So we doubled our
visits to the barn; we turned on
lights, played the radio. No
more disappearances until
February, when suddenly three
more cats disappeared.
We combed the area-the barn
is located on 45 acres, but found
no signs there had been a strug-
gle. There were never any little
mangled bodies, either on the
property or on highway 21,
which runs past there. Until last
September, all these cats lived
inside; only one of them was an
outdoor cat at any time during
her life, and she is still with us.
It is possible-vaguely-that they
wandered off the property and
were caught in traps, but the
likelihood of six cats wandering
unsuspectingly into someone's
traps and getting caught there is
questionable.
There is another possibility,
however slight, that they all
went out and found new homes
where people loved them and
®I|C Paatrop .Ab&ertiser
TEXAS' OLDEST WEEKLY NEWSPAPER
Published 104 times a year (including Christmas Day and New Year's Day),
Saturday and Thursday at The Bastrop Advertiser office, 908 Water Street,
P.O. Box 459, Bastrop, TX 78602. Non-sectarian, non-partisan, devoted to
the welfare of the people of Bastrop County. Subscription rates: $25-50 per
year delivered In county, $27JO per year delivered out of county, (All are
payabh In advance). Second class postage paid at Bastrop, Texas 78602.
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Bastrop Advertiser, P.O. Box
459, Bastrop, TX 78602.321-2557 - 321-6444 :
Dave Smith - Publisher
Sieve Taylor - General Manager
Davis McAuley - Editor
Ellen Moore - Events
Chris Stockton - Sports
Janice Butler - Reporter
ADVERTISING
Erlene Goertz - Sharon Roper
CIRCULATION
Brenda Sharirii . , a
CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING
Carolyn Wright
PRODUCTION
Linda Byrne
MEMBER TEXAS PRESS ASSOCIATION
1994 "
MEMBER 1994
TEXAS PRESS ASSOCIATION
took care of them. But then
again, I have never seen any but
a couple of those cats go up to a
strangers and mostly they
avoided stranger completely. It
wasn't like they were hungry
and would go looking for some-
one else to feed them. It is true
coyotes and foxes could haul an
entire cat off and possibly leave
no trace and there are coyotes
and foxes around here-but we
also have dogs who live here
and patrol the farm at night.
And we have guineas, peacocks
and chickens who have been
undisturbed by any such preda-
tors in this same time.
That led me to the conclusion
maybe someone was catching
(though how is a mystery) and
eating my cats, as some ethnic
groups are known to do. That
horrified me, but at least if that
were the case, I would know
they were dead, and I can stand
it if they are dead or if they have
taken up with someone else.
What I can't stand is the possi-
bility that was next suggested to
me. I put up all sorts of fliers,
posters and the like to abso-
lutely no avail. I spoke to the
forming humane society and
they had no knowledge of any
of my cats. What they did know
about was that in the past, rings
of people had trapped cats and
sold them to research facilities. I
cannot rest knowing they might
be being used for research. It's
simply not a viable idea. These
animals wouldn't know how to
act or how to understand what
was being done to them, or why.
I am writing this letter to as
many people as I can think of,
in an effort to learn any infor-
mation I can about what may
have become of my cats. If you
can furnish me with the names
and addresses of any research
facilities in or near the Bastrop
area which may be using cats in
(heir research, it would be most
appreciated. I assure you, I wish
in no way to cause trouble for
anyone; all I want is to have my
animals returned safely to their
home to live out their days in
freedom and peace. Thank you
for your time and assistance.
Sincerely,
Charlotte M. Holley
Paige
Butler offers
congrats to
councilmen
Dear Editor:
I want to thank everyone who
supported me and helped me in
my recent race for city council.
Although I did not win a place
on the council, I still care about
Bastrop and plan to stay in-
volved in the community.
I wish Mr. Mathison and Dr.
Gurwitz the best as they embark
on their new terms as coun-
cilmembers. I would also urge
the citizens of Bastrop to be-
come even more involved in
their local government and to
stay aware of the issues that are
facing us now and in the future.
Sincerely,
Kathy Butler
NOT
■
Prom night
BHS seniors enjoy special night in Bastrop
Dear Editor:
After eight years away from
Bastrop, the prom came home
Saturday night, May 7. With a
theme of "Lights! Camera! Ac-
tion!," about 400 juniors and
seniors danced the evening
away at Bastrop High School.
The Commons was abso-
lutely unrecognizable as being
part of a school Extensive
lighting, props and hours of
work by a dedicated crew trans-
formed the room into a movie
gala.
This activity would not have
been the roaring success that it
was without the help of numer-
ous volunteers and businesses
who donated time, money and
merchandise to the prom.
Thanks to Kim Conner, Judy
Grubert, Katty Albers, Boyd
Henry and Mike Norman for
their time spent decorating and
cleaning up. Chester Eitze gave
us his talent and imagination
and considerable resources at
the Opera House to help the
concept become reality. June
and Allan Pape of Bastrop Sta-
tioners donated wonderful signs
and handbills for advertising the
prom. Terry Williams, Wilfred
Navarro, Carroll Tucker, Boyd
Henry, Gary Workman and
Ricky Cox were incomparable
in providing valet parking to
prom goers. Door prizes ranging
from free food coupons from
Jay Hill at Sonic, Denise Halle
at KFC, Kathy Kinney at Mc-
Donalds, Stan Wellso at Little
Caesar's, Tom and Robin Hud-
son at Subway, Tom Neer at
Whataburger, Bobby
Humphreys at Taco Bell, Roger
Aquilar at Pizza Hut, and Shane
Gigout at Texas Burger to a
savings bond from Wanda
Rucker at Victoria Bank, cash
from Sue Williams at Pine Cot-
tage, cash from Ed Travis at
Travis Chiropractic, a telephone
from Rick Alvarado at Wal-
Mart, a jacket and hats from
Richard Williams at Covert,
fanny packs from Bank One,
and a pair of concert tickets
from Wilfred Navarro at
Longhorn Ford were generously
donated. Other props and sup-
plies were donated, loaned and
created by Mary Beth Kepper
and the Bowie High School Sil-
ver Stars, Ron Haas at HEB,
Les Hudson and Bob Choiniere
of BHS, Beverly Rhoades of
Bastrop Florist, Denise Penick
at Tower Theater, Missy
Schuelke of BHS Art Depart-
ment, Jay McCarty of BISD
Athletics, Msgt Rick Snell and
the NJROTC honor guard,
Retha Tucker, Vicky Henry and
James Estes. Delicious food in a
beautiful arrangement was done
by Henry Gideon and BISD
food service. Cleanup help was
provided by Billy Goldsmith of
Marriott and BISD housekeep-
ing. The community support in
special meal prices for prom go-
ers from La Cabana, Tahitian
Village Inn, The Plantation,
China Chef, Texas Grill and La
Fuente's Uptown Grill helped
make the evening memorable
for many prom goers. We can-
not thank these generous people
enough for their contributions!
Finally, a special thank you
to the parent coordinators for
the event, Robin and Gary
Workman. Both of them spent
hours on the phone asking for
donations and help, building and
picking up props, making ar-
rangements, decorating, clean-
ing and chaperoning. The prom
would not have happened in
such a grand style without them.
Thanks to both of you, Robin
and Gary, for making the prom's
return to Bastrop a triumphant
one!
Sincerely,
Cathy Felder
Bastrop High School
Assistant Principal
Prom Coordinator
Tax collector accused of wasting time
Dear Editor:
Thought you might be inter-
ested in this letter:
Dear Ms. Brinkmeyer,
Congratulations on creating a
new level of bureaucracy. I re-
newed my vehicle registration
by mail and you returned my
application because my drivers
license number was not on my
check.
How absurd! My mortgage'
company doesn't require it,
Bluebonnet doesn't require it,
Aqua Water doesn't require it,
Texaco doesn't require it, L.L.
Bean doesn't
What makes you so superior
that you require it? Are you
trying to make more work for
yourself and raise the cost of
government?
Don't forget you work for
me, the taxpayer, not the other
way around, and you're wasting
my money.
And while we're at it, why do
you charge $1 to register by
mail, where by analysis, it can
be shown that it's cheaper than
doing it in person?
Congratulations again for
creating more two-bit, or better
yet, four-bit, bureaucracy.
Regards,
Clyde Paulk
Smithville
P.S. By the way - no place in
your instructions for registering
by mail does it say to include
my D/L # on my check. Keep
making up the rules as you go
along.
Health care and economics are part of the issue
'I
\ CUT. IS \ MAJOR LI.EMENT IN SOLVING A CRIME.
CALL IT IN!
BASTROP COUNTY CRIME STOPPERS
321 5599 OR 1 800 160 8 477
As ttie national debate over
the reform of America's health
care system continues, the
American Association of Re-
tired Persons (AARP) is re-
minding members of Congress
and state officials that it is the
health and economic security of
the American family that is at
risk.
"For the almost 4 million
Texans who don't have health
care, the debate over health care
reform is not about concepts, it's
about living with the constant
fear of financial ruin," said Roy
Ray, Jr., LL.B., Chairman,
AARP Texas State Legislative
Committee.
"For them and their families,
health care is found through the
door of their local hospital
emergency room, the most ex-
pensive care available," he said.
'Texas cannot wait any
longer for health care reform,"
said Ray. The cost of health care
for an average family in Texas
has increased from $1,794 in
1980 to $4,095 in 1991. If we
do nothing at all the cost is ex-
pected to rise to $8,789 in 2000
or a 390% increase.
"At some point in their life,
nearly everyone in Texas is at
risk of losing their health cover-
age under our current system if
their job is lost of if they are
looking for a new job or career,"
said Ray. "For example, Texas
state residents who work for
small businesses may have to
pay more in out-of-pocket ex-
penses or higher premiums,
their choice of plans may be
limited, or, worst of all, their
coverage canceled."
"AARP's Board of Directors
urges all Texans to call and
write their Representatives and
Senators to enact meaningful
health care reform that includes
long term care and prescription
drug coverage. To date, AARP
has not endorsed any specific
health care reform proposal.
AARP will critically review all
proposals as they proceed
through the congressional com-
mittee process and will continue
to advocate a national health
care plan that includes universal
coverage, equitable financing,
cost-containment, and long term
care and prescription drug cov-
erage for Texans of all ages.
A
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McAuley, Davis. The Bastrop Advertiser (Bastrop, Tex.), Vol. 141, No. 21, Ed. 1 Thursday, May 12, 1994, newspaper, May 12, 1994; Bastrop, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth409832/m1/4/?q=Lamar+University: accessed June 9, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Bastrop Public Library.