Levelland and Hockley County News-Press (Levelland, Tex.), Vol. 11, No. 9, Ed. 1 Sunday, April 30, 1989 Page: 2 of 54
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2-LEVELLAND & HOCKLEY COUNTY NEWS-PRESS, Sunday, April.30,1989
Just
Rambling
With
Stephen Henry
Shouting to make kids behave
is like steering a car with the
horn.
Things have been hopping in
Levelland what with the Little
Dribblers tournament underway.
Rarely do you see a traffic jam in
Levelland but there were several
temporary jams on College Ave.
during the lunch hour Thursday
and Friday.
Restaurant operators and ser-
vice stations reported brisk busi-
ness as a result of the tournament.
Our compliments to the folks who
made it happen.
Sports writer Mitch Word, who
has worked overtime to report on
the tournament said he’s seen
enough basketball for a while. I
know the tournament organizers,
volunteers and officials have seen
enough too.
Next weekend will be almost as
busy as Methodist Hospital will
hold it’s annual health fair. It’s an
event that is tailored for the whole
family. Details arc contained in an
ad inside today’s paper. Additional
details will be reported in Wednes-
day’s paper.
The same day Morris and Kay
Armes will be holding an open
house at their jewelry store. They
have remodeled and the store looks
sharp. Make plans now to drop in
next Saturday.
Next Sunday the Matrons Study
Club will be celebrating their 50th
anniversary with a reception. Not
many organizations survive long
enough to celebrate such an event.
The reception will be open to the
public.
A few issues past, we carried a
feature story about former district
judge M.C. Ledbetter. This week
we received a note from his wife in
which she said he forgot to tell one
of his favorite stories about Hock-
leyCounty.
“Once a juror failed to appear
, when called and the Sheriff was
sent to check on him, only to be
told by his family that he had left
home early that morning to serve
on the jury. A short time later the
prospective juror breathlessly
entered the courtroom," wrote Mrs.
Ledbetter.
"The judge began his reprimand
with, ‘Did you not receive a card
saying you were to appear at 9 a.m.
for service on the Petit Jury?’
"The man replied, ‘Yes, sir.
Judge, and I went out theie-but
there’s not even a courthouse at
Pettit’."
I like that story!
Potpourri
by don watkins
. wm&m i
DISTRESSED SPC DAMSEL-Something was wrong with Rajcan Moseley’s car Friday afternoon at the South
Plains College campus, but Billy Bob Anderson of Plains, Chris Jones of Ohio and Michael Bartley of Sudan weren’t
sure what the problem was. Moseley, a resident of Smallwood Hall, is from Lubbock. (Staff Photo)
Crime Watch
894-5500
Rewards are offered through
Crime Watch for information leading
to the arrest and conviction of persons
responsible for the following crimes.
An unknown driver is sought in
connection with the hit and run
accident which occurred at Phil
Martin’s Autoplex in the 1100 block
of Avenue H on Saturday, April 22 at
2:30 a.m. The person driving a 1978
yellow Ford two-door Granada hit
four 1989Pontiac Lemanscars which
were parked in the car lot The subject
then left the Granada on foot.
A burglar broke into a 1987
Volkswagen in the City Park on
Saturday. April 22, between 6:45 and
8:10a.m. The car was parked behind
the VFW Club while the owner was
jogging in the park. Taken was a
brown ladies purse containing rings,
credit cards and other personal items.
The identity of persons providing
information to Crime Watch remains
confidential. The Crime Watch
number is 894-5500.
I knew when I mentioned "Ears"
Harmon in last week’s column
someone would take me to task.
Perhaps 1 should have put "Ears" in
quotation marks but I took it for
granted that everyone would
know"Ears" was only a nickname.
But my worthy critics did not stop at
that small grievance; some went so far
as to insinuate "Ears" was a fictitious
person. Well, I’m here to tell you -
absolutely not.
"Ears" is indeed a real flesh and
blood human being and one of the
best ole cronies a man could ever
have. Once you got acquainted with
"Ears," he was hard to forget.
"Ears" played basketball on the
high school varsity team, but it was
not for his basketball prowess that he
is remembered. No sir! Because
"Ears” was no great shakes as a
roundballcr. In today’s game he would
not be noticed. In fact, in HIS day and
time he would have gone unnoticed
were it not for his trademark, which
should need no explanation.
And although he sometimes bad-
mouths trackstcrs, it was in track
where "Ears" really stood out and won
him a following wherever the track
meets were held. He participated in
only one event - no spectacular relays
or dashes and by no means no
throwing events. "Ears," you see, was
what one might call a pipsqueak and
it would be stretching matters to say
he tipped the scales at 120 pounds.
But in his one event, "Ears" reigned
supreme as the crowds would attest,
and it mattered not whether he won
the event, but in all truth he usually
won.
there were some who said "Ears"
was no bigger than the pole he used,
and some even marveled that he could
run and carry the pole at the same
time, not due to balance but due to
size. The pole seemed such a gigantic
over-match.
But "Ears" never faltered. He
would grasp the pole in both hands,
begin his forward movement and
with each passing yard increase his
speed. At just the right moment, the
lower end of the pole would strike the
vaulter’sboxand "Ears” would begin
his ascent. And it was at the apex of
his ascent that "Ears" gained his
notoriety.
There arc people that would swear
to this, although I have never laid
claim to any such feat. But to those
who swear by it, nothing or no one
can change their mind.
It would seem, according to "Ears"
disciples, that at the precise instant he
reached the apex of his rise, he
wiggled his "trademarks" and literally
gave himself an additional boost,
thereby clearing the bar by a good
margin.
As I said, I am not really sure this
is gospel, but whether or no, some
people believed it and what the heck
who am I to try and detract from
"Ears" notoriety.
Did you hear about the young
mother who told her husband, "I’ve
had a terrible day. The baby cut his
first tooth; then he took his first
step; then he fell down and cut his
lip on the tooth.
"What happened next?" inqui-
red the husband.
"Then he said his first word,"
replied the distraught mother.
The difference between grade
school and congress is that grade
school has supervision.
Horse sense is the ability of
knowing when to say neigh.
Extension program
to address benefits
of cooperatives
"Cooperatives as a Tool for
Economic Development" will be the
topic of a program to be presented
Thursday at 11 a.m. in the Texas
American Bank Community Room.
Edward G. Smith, Extension
Economistfor Marketing and Policy
at Texas A&M University, will
present the program. He will address
topics ranging from "What is a
Cooperative?" to "How a Cooperative
Can Work For You."
the recent sale of the denim plant
in Littlefield has shown how
profitable a cooperative can be.
Persons interested in learning more
about cooperatives, especially
producers, are invited to attend.
The program is sponsored by the
Hockley County Extension Office,
Levelland Area Chamber of
Commerce, Levelland Development
Foundation and City of Levelland.
Levelland 6l Hockley County
News-Press
711 Austin - 894-3121
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PUBLICATION NUMBER 146-MO
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LeveNand Daily Sun-News, the Levelland Surveryor, and the Free-
PubNahed each Wednesday and Sunday at 711 Austin, Drawer 1628,
LeveNand, Hockley County, Texas 793M. Second Class Postage paid
at LeveNand, Texas 76326.
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Hockley County PubttaMng Co. Inc. AN rights reserved. No part of this
1 or reproduosd In any form, by any
any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in
: 711 Austin, 8L, LeveNand. Texas 76336.
: Drawer 1626, Levefend, Texas 76336-1626.
Isa: Hockley County: $16.66 par yaar or $11.20 for
In Texas la $26Jf par year er $17.60 lor six
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all
Any erroneous rsSscNon upon Nte
Dear Editor:
April 25lh has come and gone and
the Hockley Child Welfare Board has
finished llie Brisket Dinner that we
asked you to help us with.
We think we have made enough
money so that with the help of the
commissioners court we can pay the
bills we need to pay each month for
the next year. Sometimes it is hair
spray or deodorant for a teenager in
detention. It could be a little baby,
removed during the night without
formula or diapers. It could even be
a baseball suit, so that child doesn’t
have to feel different from the others.
And often enough, it is a doctor bill.
So we thank you; perhaps in a
community effort Hockley County
can shake its distinction of having a
large number of child abuse cases.
It is truly heart warming to sec the
response that you and others gave to
the needs when called upon by the
Hockley County Child Welfare
Board.
Those who donated arc Furr’s,
Wal-Mart, Phil Martin, Billy Price,
W. L. Goble, Don Avery, Betty
Bryant, R&B, United Turks Meat
Market, Stanley Superette, Buddy’s
Fine Foods, Jerry Caddell, Andrews
Savings and Loan, Robco Well
Service, NTS Telephone, Dr. Paul
Dunn, Don Hill (Fifth Street
Cleaners), Mrs. Polly Dunn,
Levelland Compress, Homer Johnson
Oil Co.; Brock’s Carpet, Texas
American Bank, First National Bank,
Burnett Roberts, Sam and Flo
ELECTION
continued from page 1
dace 3, incumbent Cammie Jackson,
:onnie Warton and Geraldine
Crockett; in place 4, incumbent Ruth
Pierce and Richard Gomez; and in
place 5, incumbent Wanda Thompson
and John Taylor. The race for the
school board finds three incumbents
unchallenged. They are G. W. Lyon,
Mickey Hoyl and Wendel Mason.
The school board race in Bledsoe
is drawing some interest, according
to Mary Sutton, who reported 20
votes have been cast. 'We expect a
good turnout for the election. We’ve
got some parents who want their
children to go to a larger school.
We’re small but well-staffed,” she
said of the 34-student school.
School officials are considering a
contract with Whiteface Schools to
educate the Bledsoe junior and high
school students in the future.
However, some parents are concerned
about sending elementary-age
children on the 60-mile trip to
Whiteface and warn to keep the school
open for die younger children. "It would
be by contract, not consolidation. If
you consolidate, you never get it back.
When you lose your school in a little
town, the town dies," Sutton said. "Us
old timers that are stable here hate to
see the school go.”
Three scats are open for election
on the Bledsoe School Board.
Incumbent Raymond Lewis is running
with Stacy Dunn. Robert Langrill and
Harley Adams.
Nopositions areopenforelection
this year on the Whiteface and Smycr
city councils.
Absentee ballots may be cast until
the close of office how* Tuesday.
P1
R
Langford, W inn’s V arid y Store, Bill
and Eddie’s Radio Shack, Unique
Impressions, Lou Dec’s Floral, Rene’s
Beauty Salon, International Tours,
Bob’s Shoe Store, Mary’s Antiques,
Perkins Music, Billy Price Furniture
Mall, Ann’s Furniture, Atchison
Jewelry, Thomman’s Gift Shop,
Grant’s Framing, Tipps Men’s Store,
Gals and Dolls, South Plains National
Bank, Li’I Raskals Kid’s Shoppe,
Malouf’s Department Store, Armes
Jewelry, Quality Boot and Shoe
Repair, Joy’s Windows and Walls,
Burleigh’s, Eddie’s Cowboy Store,
Whitley’s Automotive, Neal Ellis
Pharmacy, Baggett Pharmacy, J&J
Ceramics, Burger Kitchen, McDon-
ald’s, Mr. Burger, VCR Showcase,
Jack Sikes One-Stop 66, DK’s
Produce, College Avenue Floral, Dick
Brown Tire Co., Levelland Car Care
Center, Cottage Dress Shop,
Bcnaglio’s, Glazncr’s Gallery, Your
Shop, Joyce’s Cafe, Procter and
Gamble, Mrs. Lonnie Stem, James
Harder, Ronnie Harrison, Kappa Psi,
Rho Lambda, Progressive Women’s
Club, Evening Lions, Xi Theta,
Lionesses, Beta Sigma Phi, Paxton
Real Estate and the many people who
supported the banquet through the
purchase of tickets.
Bill Thomman
Dear Editor:
On April the 18lh, the Sundown
City Council and city manager met to
hear a grievance filed by Officer
Larry Bradley regarding a recent
reprimand.
Those present at the meeting
listened to Tommy Phillips for 11
minutes while he read a ridiculous list
of inconsistencies from Officer
Bradley’s personal daily log sheets.
To put it briefly, a "mountain was
made out of a mole hill."
Approximately 30 concerned
citizens came to the city council
meeting. A few present at the meeting
were close fri.cnds and family
members. Most of those present were
"supporters." Those who spoke were
allowed four minutes to talk.
Throughout the city council meeting,
the mayor and aldermen acted
uninterested. Many sat with their
heads bowed while the mayor timed
each speaker. Not one person who
spoke except Mr. Phillips had
anything negative to say against
Officer Bradley.
Due to the fact that the city council
members or Tommy Phillips
answered no questions and due to the
fact that Larry Bradley had ample
proof to defend himself against every
accusation leads me to the following
conclusions:
1. That our present city council
doesn’t know the truth when they hear
it.
2. They had made up their minds
before the cotmcil meeting not to change
their original decision. After all, it takes
a big person to admit their mistakes.
3. It appeared to be a Kangaroo
Court.
The paper said that everyone "sat
in silence and looked at each other"
when the city council decision was read
that "Larry Bradley’s grievance be
dcnied."The reason we sat in silence
was simple - Shock! I am still in shock
and angry with piyself that I didn’t;
demand to know the reason why the
decision was made. I had expected to
witness justice from our local
government and saw no evidence of
a wrong being made right.
I want Sundown to be a community
that we can all be proud of. I appreciate
all those present at the city council
meeting and all the Hockley County
deputies that offered to attend as
character witnesses.
Larry Bradley is a dedicated police
officer. He’s professional, yet
compassionate. He puts in extremely
long hours without overtime and usually
without praise:„
As a citizen of Sundown, it concerns
me that our city officials arc playing
a game with the tax payingeilizens and
there arc no rules. I am concerned that
I hear so much idle gossip and rumors
that have been flowing throughout our
community and yet everyone in our
community had the opportunity to hear
the truth at the last city council meeting.
I encourage everyone to be involved
in our city government in the future.
In the past few weeks, I have 1 istened
tomany outstanding membersof our
community say, "I don’t get involved
in politics” or "It doesn’t effect me"
or "We’re behind Larry 100 percent
but because of my job, I can’t voice my
opinion."
You ’re wrong; you can voice your
opinion in future city council meetings
and in our election on Saturday, May
6. As a registered voter, you have an
opportunity to choose a candidate or
write in one.
In the 1940s, a man wrote:
"They persecuted the pollacks, but
I am not polish.
"They persecuted the Jews, but I
am not Jewish.
’Then they persecuted me and I cried
out for help and there was no one to
answer."
I pray the people in our community
wake up, listen to the truth, demand
answers and more importantly, listen
to their hearts.
The cop’s wife,
Laura Bradley
Dear Editor and People of Hockley
County:
We appeal for your input to our
legislators and governor in addressing
and seeking a solution to the serious
problem of workers compensation
insurance premiums in the state of
Texas!
In recent years, rates have
escalated to a point of seriously
jeopardizing the ability to stay in
business by cotton gins, industrial
firms, oil dealers, farmers, oilfield
service companies and - in general -
business firms of Texas.
The cost of doing business in
Texas is seriously hampered by the
cost of Workers Compensation
premium rates.
Texas stands to lose business and
will fail to attract new industry with
its current Workers Compensation
system so flawed and premium costs
sooutlamtish.
PLEASE SPEAK OUT AND
SPEAK UP!
If you are a businessman and have
a problem with ever-increasing
Workers Compensation costs, please
express your thoughts to your
representatives in Austin. You can
rest assured that there are special
interest groups in our statewho do not
want any changes in the Workers
Compensation law and that they are
lobbying your representatives every
day to keep things just as they are.
Working together with our
legislators and representatives, and
giving them input of our concern, we
may ATTHE LEAST hold premium
costs at the current levels rather than
face ANOTHER LARGE IN-
CREASE from the insurance
companies or the Workers Comp,
pool.
IT IS A VERY SERIOUS
PROBLEM!
Write or visit Sen. Teel Bivins, *
(512)463-0131, P. O. Box 15305, ’
Austin, Texas 78711; Gov. Bill
Clements, P. O. Box 12428, Austin,
Texas 787111; or Rep. Jim Rudd,
(512)463-0678, P. O. Box 2910,
Austin, Texas 78769.
Dean Ivey
Manager of Long S Gin
Dear Editor:
I want to thank all my friends,
neighbors and acquaintances on my
walking route, the deliver and grocery
boys, all whohavc been so concerned
and caring about the loss of my
companion of ova-15 years, my Poodle,
Honey. A town with so many
sympathetic to the death of a pet just
has to be a nice place to live. I appreciate
all of you.
Nctha A. Greene
Dear Editor:
We would like to thank all the
groups and individuals responsible
for die reception held recently. This
past basketball season was another
success and you need to know that
without community involvement
behind a local athletic team, state
championships rarely occur.
The Hockley County Commission-
ers, Mayor Pro-Tern, Larry Sprawls,
the local Chamber of Commerce, and
manager Pat Reed, Superintendent
Max Newman, and the Lobo Booster
Club and Bruce Lair-We thank you
with all our hearts. We are also
especially appreciative for the crowd
of well-wishers who once again
supported us, both at the reception
and during the playoffs. A very
special thanks to Jo Beth Hittson for
undertaking the task of putting the
reception together, the job was
certainly well done.
The evening was definitely a
success, and we want to thank you all
for adding a special highlight to a
pretty spectacular season.
Thanks again.
Dean and Jo Ann Weese
Beverly Barker and
Your State Champions -
' The Levelland Loboettes
Dear Editor
I would like to answer the April 23
article on the new trash dumpsters in
Smyer. Myself and many others feel
the dumpsters are needed and
necessary. I feel the city council is on
the right track to improving the
community. The city also has a good
sewer system and water system.
We need to look to the future.
Smyer is going to grow. The
groundwork needs to be begun now
to provide the services required by a
growing population. The Smyer
community should encourage and
support the city council In their efforts
to improve the community.
Preston Ve#t
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Lucas, Marlene. Levelland and Hockley County News-Press (Levelland, Tex.), Vol. 11, No. 9, Ed. 1 Sunday, April 30, 1989, newspaper, April 30, 1989; Levelland, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1147826/m1/2/?q=%221964~%22: accessed August 15, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting South Plains College.