The Alvin Sun (Alvin, Tex.), Vol. 79, No. 22, Ed. 1 Thursday, January 1, 1970 Page: 7 of 14
This newspaper is part of the collection entitled: Brazoria County Area Newspapers and was provided to The Portal to Texas History by the Alvin Community College.
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in build-
FFAN WETZ
It’s A Woman's W< rid, Too
Enthusiasm For Many
Face Of Fran Wetz.
MARCHING fl
[INCLUDING WHITE GOODS]
-t
1 y
<99
12"
UM
Cox was
Brazoria
for Octo-
of the man or woman who stu-
dies individual planning and
gropes toward the peace and
plenty that all of us seek, no
t>ST! Stock up
Eye-Catcher’s
iNTY HOSE
I Pair
igularly
.00 a pair
by SHIRLEY HOOPER
F ran Wetz is a volunteer.
Site works on a theory she
believes, "people will criti-
cize or build up as they see
you.”
pair
[ularly 99c a pair
n?r-
,col
orb
AAAA competition and the
Yellowjackets will brace up
to bigger schools next year...
So many times the city has
fun and Alvin backs it as su-
perbly as they back a win-
ning football team. . .or scold
a loser, forgetting that his-
tory is merely a record of
one day’s gains and another's
losses. . .
Change occurs in a city each
day — each week — some-
times. each hour. A new own-
er had purchased Alvin's Gulf-
coast Hospital. . .the change
was scarcely noted as wheels
turned as smoothly as ever
for the visiting — or staying —
patients. . .
Less than change but rather
an old, old story made wor-
sened by a sprouting popula-
tion ready to burst out of the
bud of everything that doesn’t
fit. . .and what does with such
spectacular growth? . . .The
fact that many — too many—
could not, or would net. find
their way the city's garbage
dump and tossed garbage into
Chocolate and Mustang Ba-
yous. creating health hazards
for their ne.ghbors and caus-
ing the urgent concern of
drainage officials. . .
Progress brings more cars
. . .more people as we have
reiterated more than once. . .
more activity of every sort.
And in its wake it engulfs
old traditions and sweeps out
in the sea of tomorrow some
of the things that have come
up from the past. There may
never be another American
Legion Fourth of July rodeo
in Alvin. . .true, the need
and demand for such recrea-
tion may have been in a form-
er day but it’s a terse epi-
taph for a 45-year-old-tra-
dition to simply declare "no
more." At any rate, the Le-
gion’s rodeo arena is up for
sale. . .
And progress sometimes
brings. . well, call it trash
. . .for there can never be
complete andconclusive
wholesomeness where the
rush is to grow. . .Postmas-
ter Edmond Croix requested
the aid of Alvinites to stop
the flood of pornograpliic ma-
terial which is coming into the
city by mail.
Local school board mem-
bers began to turn tieir
thoughts to the area of free
kindergarten in the Aivm Pub-
lic Schools. . .
And then, progress b-ings
challenge! Alvin’s "big mo-
ment” — one perhaps not so
eagerly sought as others —
arrived this fall when the
University In ter scholastic
League moved the high school
and throw news-
a daily 90-mile
school -- a favor
tie bird
us you were
ling for a
iking value
this.
; think—famous
kshire quality
styling
base low.
prices.
LADIES’
COATS
LADIES’
SWEATERS
MEN’S
SPORTCOATS
MEN’S
SLACKS
MEN’S
SUITS
MEN’S AND BOYS
SWEATERS
LADIES
READY TO WEAR
. . AND INTO 1970
A year is over. Few will
truly lament its loss, though
many will say and think they
mean it: "Time passes too
swiftly.” For there is always
tomorrow . . . another day.
anotlier week, another month
to live, and another year with
its own parcel of history.
This is the week that the
new year’s resolutions will be
written. Some (by the very
ting who demand a cut-and-
1 : d approach of putting on
papt r their words and feel-
ings. ambitions and desires.)
will be written out in black
and white. . .
Others (perhaps most of the
resolves for a better-than-
ever future) will be silent,
CHILDREN'S
SWEATERS-COATS
DRESSES
i edistricting
'ned Citizens" »
' ; whole thiig to
"A 14-year-cldS
rs st ruck Wickes
ompany". . .
ear-old AJvin area
JI hospitalized with a
rely cut right arm”. . .
The City Council of Al-
^■ad opted a retirement
Jifor its employees, ex-
Sing ithe option of having
employees of all depart-
nts par'icipate”. . .
Progress? Yes, sometimes.
Sometimes, no. But these brief
anecdotal items reflected life
as it was lived in Alvin, Tex-
as. . .history as it was made
in September. . .and whether
we are headed for a future of
glorious achievement or one of
lesser stuff, this still is how
we did it as 1969 rolled into
the shadows of its closing days.
And other shadows draped
the beauty of living — brief-
ly. perhaps, but poignantly as
Alvin stepped back to grieve
with one of the city’s oldest
families. Homer Jean Moore,
well-known to the community
where he was born, was buried
here also. . .
The goodness and the bad-
ness live here, as in any
town. . .whether it be grow-
ing or static. A car swerv-
ing to miss a dog crashed
through the railing of the Cho-
colate Bayou bridge, injuring
two occupants. . .but the dog
was unscathed.
The money trend continued—
which means upward. Alvin’s
city councilmen, desperate for
bond funds which were voted
several years ago and which
have not been sold because of
high interest rates and lack
of interest on the part of
bond buyers, managed a sale
of $250,000 at 7 1/4 per cent
interest.
Two Alvin area burglaries-
both on the outskirts of the
city— a daylight burglary net-
ting some $3,000 in property
from an Alvin residence, and
another where the "take
amounted to an estimated $1,-
510 in guns and accessories—
also followed the trend wtiich
sometimes seems more evil
than it could be. . .
Alvin’s street-buildingpro-
gram got another shot in the
arm with the arrival of sales
tax funds in the amount of
$31,998.14 . .
Members of the Roads and
Highways Committee of the Al-
vin Chambe r of Commerce,
Agriculture and Industry
"pushed” for a Beauregard
Street overpass.. .buttosome.
the tale was "same song, se-
cond verse” for this contro-
versy has arisen in past years
and fallen, only to rise again.
To ease the path of progress
where new subdivisions are
concerned, city officialsa-
greed to a "check list” which
developers may follow. . .
The month was October
and Nolan Ryan, Alvin’s own
product of sports, had hauled
his Mets to the pinnacle of
oaseball esteem as they won
the National League crown and
went or. to the World Series.
Progress9 Who cares? When
it comes to baseball, that’s
paused proudly and spoken of
the achievements-sometimes
great, sometimes not-so-
grand (but still, not to be
passed by In haste)- of her
citizens. Paul F. Ferguson
was appeinted as the coun-
ty’s newest district judge and
he will serve the 149th Dis-
trict Court In dignity and
strength . . .
But smaller honors to
younger men are worthy of
applause as well - the Alvin
Future Farmers won first
place in the Brazoria Coun-
ty rice judging contest. . .
And gratitude to those who
serve us is a trait more of-
ten fnibsing than ever before,
ytet some must agree to meet
the chores of good govern-
ment. . . J. C, ~
chairman of the
County Grand Jury
ber-March. . .
Another $241,711
ing permits were issued. , .
Texas Highway Department
officials came out of Houston
to tell City of Alvin officials
exactly what they plan for
the Highway 35 Express Loop
program. . . and this gigan-
tic project must march ahead
or bottleneck whatever pro-
gress is directed here. . .
November 1969
November eased itself into
tlie ending of a year, almost
without notice, for confidence
in the future kept eyes and
ears and ambitions geared
forefront and not behind. . .
razoria County’s money
institutions during the quart-
er just ended showed the ef-
fects of a state-wine trend
blamed on "tight money”. . .
an increase, but a modest
one. . .
Fires harassed the city's
volunteers who diligently
work to anwer every call . . .
the John Kettler home burn-
ed. grass fires blazed almost
daily, and a fire in a con-
troversial compost heap north
of Alvin caused a special brand
of flame as irate citizens
demanded that the law be en-
forced and that the owners
"cease and desist”. . .
Alvin officials aimed at put-
ting in writing their policies,
their plans, many of their
hopes for the future. . . re-
cognizing by many problems
arising daily that hindsight
thinking is scarcely good e-
nough when a city races into
a developed future. Perpetual
care was planned for the city-
owned Oak Park Cemetery. ..
And tenners flared — yet
Wa. 4., H><ed — ove r whethe r
if was properly the action of
City Council to release the
reversionary interest of the
citv in land deeded two dec-
freshman year
helped Mr. and
Mrs. Bob Wallis and daughter
Sheila roll
papers
route
for f
ades ago to the American Le-
gion for a memorial com-
munity center.
We honored some-- like
Gregory Alan Bird, 9, who
won the area Punt, Pass and
Kick competition for young
gridiron hopefuls... and Paul-
line Ruskey, the ever-pleasant
and efficient secretary at Al-
vin Chamber of Commerce,
Agriculture and Industry who
was named secretary of a
72-county organization. . .
and Stapp Maxwell, qualified
as a registered school bus-
iness administrator. . .
And in solemnity, we
mourned the passing of Myr-
tle Ma rburge r , beloved by
many, and the personable Mike
DuShane who died in a tragic
accident.
There was good news, care-
fully weighed against the dis-
tress of modern problems —
Alvin’s drop-out rate from
public schools was lower than
the national norm. . . but as
officials said, "one drop out
is one too many” . . .
The chamber of commerce
explored the need for a rail-
way express facility in Al-
vin’s expansion. , . and elect-
ed Tom Blakeney, the Rev.
Fred S. Burford, Dr. J. C.
DeWitt, John Hagood and Mrs.
Helen Lewis as new directors
of that group, dedicated to tlie
city's growth and develop-
ment.
But greed and ugliness si
often defaced the picture f
peace. . . the safe at AJvin
Junior College was "pecleu”
... a double murder oc-
curred and an Alvin business-
man lay dead beside his wife;
a grandson charged in their
demise. . .
DECEMBER 1969
As the final month of tlie
bustling year rolled past the
deadline date. Alvinites were
already unraveling plans for
the coming yearandtheevents
of 1970. The traditional mem-
bership banquet for the Alvin
Chamber of Commerce, Agr.-
culture and Industry was plan-
ned . a new financial pro-
gram (Master Charge) was
announced by First National
Bank. . . Planni.ig Commis-
sion members were promising
a wind-up of zoning study. . .
City Council members were
listening to a rc hi tec ts and
planning to employ one to de-
sign a City Hall for Alvin. . .
Brazoria County Commis-
sioners Court granted a few
salary increases. . .Paul Fer-
guson was elected as presi-
dent of tlie chamber -4 fwa—--glimpses into the ’mil
merce for 1970. . . vice pres-
idents are Tom Blankeney,
Nilo Esquivel, Dr. Cornell
DeWitt and Don Lee. . . and
Fran has been interested j.
drama since the eighth gr-t '
at Alvin High School (she’s a
196? AHS grad,. Her part in
a high school production f
"The Ugly Ducklin” including
fill-ins, roll call, and making
sure the heat and lights were
on. Fran was production stage
manager of Alvin Community
Theatre’s first effort, "c.ar-
rousel,” and also played the
character "Tessie."
A.C.T.’s first year was hec-
tic, to say the least. "We had
no where to hold practices,”
says Frac.
lhe group started reheai-
_^alf in the Marion King Dance
Studio on Hood Street, then
moved to the "CYncmistbuild-
ing” next to the Post Office.
"We hauled sets back and
forth, caravan fashion," she
quipped.
The Police Department had
the only telephone the children
cot ld use to call their parents
to pick them up. “I commend
them (the APD) for their pa-
tience."
Right before the March
1969 production of "Little Ma -
ry Sunshine,” the A.C.T.cre'.
moved into their present.. -r
ters it the Gordon Street
"barn" behind the - edkine
Man and Pilgrim’s Cleaners.
Fran was agaLi production
stage managerfor "LittleMa-
ry. . .” and the play was pre-
sented in the American Legion
Hall, "the only stage in town.”
yin A.C.T.’s recent comedy
"Ask Any C-irl,” Fran turned
to full-time acting, playing the
role of "Jeanie,’’
Fran is also quite active at
AJC. Aside from ter extra-
curricular involvements —
vice president of Bares (col-
lege drama club) and Pan A-
merican student Forum, and
a member of Phi Theta Kappa
honor society -- she works
part time in the ccllege's
clerical department. Fran is
also in charge of Phi Theta
Kappa “fresh” coffee sales to
>ol students ev-
Tuesday, Wed-
Thursday eve-
The daughter of Mr. and
Mrs. Frank Kowis of Alvin,
and a sophomore student ..t
ore of -hose people with en-
ergy and r ore to spare. And
she’s willing to pit in ove.-
time.
JANUARY
on
after
iends.
At Alvin High School, Fran
was a member of tlie National
Honor Society, Ihespians,
Jackettes. and the Creative
Writing Club. She remembers
well the shaky existence of
"Confetti,” .AHS creative
writing publication. Fran ask-
ed Miss Bessie Mae Kee once
if they (the club) were going
to be able to put out an issue.
"If you have time, okav, if
not okay,” was Miss Kee’s
reply. Fran was up until 2
a.m.
Next fall, Fran will enroll
at Southwest Texas State Uni-
versity in San Marcos to con-
tinue her studies Ln English
and drama.
When questioned on student
unrest in American colleges,
Fran replied, “At AJC, we’re
too busy commuting to demon-
strate!"
PSSST!
AJC night sch<
ery Monday,
n e s d a y and
nings.
Di ring her
at AJC, Fran
fell curriculum of
M department in
School, the .Alvin
fSchoool District
I new program In
Mice Education—
Ve is to prepare
i to enter gainful
■ or income-pro-
oyrnent uponcom-
fce program". . .
'A new concept for
replacement of small
fees and culverts within
Bmoria County Conser-
on and Reclamation Dis-
t Three This is done by
C salvaged railroad tank
I Which make excellent
ibulverts". . .
U builders were ap-
ing high interest
stinate hurdle to
in selling houses
ys building permits
ifllfe lowest point of the
Hjrea public junior
L including Alvin, have
lie Gulf Coast Junior
H||tercollegiate Con-
■J the first time in the
rory of Alvin Independent
liool District, enrollment
cepted ore tO ***’' the 5,000mark”
man of the L-J™
sion for the Bra
United Fund
Alvin’s offi —
eye seriously tfei
for a new <ir
finances were
County Commit
adopted the 5'
ty budget withit
of opposition frs
or county officii
law took effect: i
islature's new",
law” which reqiud
i oticc three aj
' '-ting is held.Mfl
'odies are still tfl
ire out what the fl
ans. exactly. fl
" Afti - a lenrfl
number of 11fl
rve finally "r -fl
■iria County r.~
' ourt to abatdot i
.i nd to publicly te
THE ALVIN SUN-Thursdoy, January 1, 1970-Sec. 1-Page 7
Mrs. Helen Lewis is treas-
urer. . . There was a prom-
ise that 1970 license plates
would be availble soon and in
a new color. . . City of-
ficials were looking ahead to
street needs In 1970 • and
'71- and ’72. . .and there
was new hope for the coun-
ty’s needy as Commissioners
court voted to adopt the food
stamp program.
But there was unrest and
fierceness . . . there was
sadness and heartbreak. . .
there weredlsappointments
also, as 1969 wound up its
trail of events.
School officials split in a-
greement over whether or not
a dress code was proper for
Avlm Public Schools and Al-
vin Junior College. . . there
was a robust editorial about
the "strong, silent majority”
which allowed a compost plant
to pollute Brazoria County air
with fumes from smouldering
Houston garbage.. .there were
accidents. .. construction lag-
ged . and tragedy bit deep
into the community’s soul as
young Joe Hardy was buried
and hearts mourned for
older citizens who passed, H.
C. Bowman. George Baxter,
Christine Leech Brown, J.
Emmett Crainer . . .
Firemen battled for hours
to douse a warehouse fire in
which an Alvin business firm
sustained a staggering loss
. . . the schools were plagued
with more break-ins, burgla-
ries. vandalism . . . and the
community will wish him well,
but icnetheless miss his abil-
ities, as Alvin bids farewell
next month to Police Chief
I. eon C. Levy who has resign-
ed after filling that post for
seven years.
matter what we d> lac a) -nd
The leaders wh. ii'.ad--
. . . the volunteers w r-.ssis
us . . the "hiTping lands"
and the "g.-aspe, :
all wondering, with ■ fai
selfish twing. that . of .
sometimes feels, v ; •
will write far MF.
And this one tiling will never
change ... in a torpid com-
munity nr a thriving, rushing-
to-greatness center . . . eacl
of us knows with certainty that
its going to be better t ■ '<>r-
row . . . and, fleetingly, we
also recognize (if we’re frunl
enough to adti.it it) that wher
the chips are down, our future
Is our own to be guided in
wtsttnTrrrrwrtmlTh fritfSllfy ~
We write our own chart anc
as Alvlt beams In on its im-
minent cry path, most of us
want to tag along!
rching
■ in a shooting ac-
• residence near
1 result if legislative ac-
il”. ,.
’Members of the .Alvin
mmission met to
he location of two
_______ e parks”. . .
iDt ire c tors of t h e Alvin
Ml' Commerce, Ag-
J and Industry asked
Road be improved
xi, thus necessitat-
; an Improvement and wi-
ling cf the railroad cross-
inthat area". . .
^^^^ernational firm of
[public accountants
Ithe financial records
■la County a clean
11th”. . .
Burglary and theft of
■sorted items from a
were reported to the
County Sheriff's of-
Cr.e”,3lf^ I
valuation ■
fiances wer, I
'«•! for ft.
year, 11 ■
amt . ie”
march with* ■
footprints of k M
Pathway tr)d ■
the c‘ty lost a ■
RiX H
Richter sr ■
and one ■
a five year
by an autonwM
SEFTON I011
h was bar).r
in Septembe-^
whether the - J
stau nchlyt,j
,hey’ve labels
whether they J
mark time. 1
the value to th. J
the city -amjjJ
educational fJaj
teachers art w
teach, and .'|
intelligent as
And honors
People, as we’
preston
Elmo G. Mar
Junior College
the college at
nual Governor's
of College LeadJ
Other hone-
loads - whe'
uted. Gordon.
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Storrs, A. W. The Alvin Sun (Alvin, Tex.), Vol. 79, No. 22, Ed. 1 Thursday, January 1, 1970, newspaper, January 1, 1970; Alvin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1215207/m1/7/?q=%22%22~1: accessed July 16, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting Alvin Community College.