Panola County Post (Carthage, Tex.), Vol. 10, No. 23, Ed. 1 Sunday, September 18, 1983 Page: 2 of 28
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Mi
Panole"ounty
Royalty Owners organize, plan suit on mineral
Appraisal Review Board in the
the
association, In addition to lewis
EFISD tax rate soars
I
/
/
J
I
proposed 85 cents fax rate is a miffing that he and a partner Bob
I
district last year
Dr. Browning said a date will be sentenced to death in the case and shotgun blasts.
J
McMahon and
84, which is up by $250,000 from and McCormick were moved to society, and to consider not only
The trial
and appeals
could have
r
cost Shelby
County
$250,000.
K
+-
‘4
d;m
1999
Regular 24 00
Haggar Belt
Loop Slacks
su
tn
homeowners and land owners.
Thus, as far as the "Truth in
Taxation law" is concerned, the
a iury
He then entered a plea ad
announced next week for the
school board's meeting date to for
mally set the new tax rate
testimony in the case.
Walker said the question of
I
Missy & Junior
Chic Jeans
Expandomatic
Haggar Slacks
1799
Regular 3000
Blazers By Beall Park
Regular 110.00
79"
someday be
released on parcle is "strictly up to
‘I
V
Attorneys for either side can
rule out any juror with prejudices
for or against the death penalty, or
for other reasons.
And at the rate things were
going if could have token more
than a month to seat the jury plus
trial recently entered a guilty plea does not quarrel with the judge's
and was sentenced to 50
Nylon
Garment Bags
2899
Regular 58 00
Mexican
Wedding Dresses
1999
Regular 38 00
Peggy Lewis, secretory: :Noble
Oholston. treasurer, and Everett
-thuge texas
Sunday September 1 e 1983
chances with the judge rather than consider the brutality of the views about capital punishment.
officers of
f.
pl
o
were Bob Hull, vice president:
"decrease" compared to the 95 by McCormick, had killed far' parenfly had played the lead role
cents "effective tax rate" which is Hammond in Center in T976 in in the slaying of Hammond and
calculated under the state formula return for payment from Tony fired the shot which apparently
based on total tax revenues of the Bohannon and Becky Hammond killed him before McCormick pum
case on to court," Lewis said.
He said he would expect most of
the royalty owners who filed the
appeal notice as well as Champlin,
to participate in a lawsuit "if there
is one."
"Now we have 45 days to file a
lawsuit," he said. "Right now that
Cenflnued trem Page 1 is what everybody is thinking we
cresiMOur tax rate to 89 cents" per school district all are looking up. Tuesday that the construction work want to do, but there might be
hundred dollars valuation com- Dr. Browning says. Is running three months ahead al some change their mind when it
pared to the present rate of 57 cen- Student enrollment in the schedule, and progressing well. gets down to figuring out what we
ts, he said. district has climbed by 30 per cent Trustees approved a payment of
But under the complicated lor- in 10 years, reaching 776 curren 9546 000 to the contractors for the
mules the state law requires tly, compared to 735 last year 619 work completed during the past
taxing----- " "ei “ ------- ‘ ‘ '
"Truth
N,
slaying and to assess a life sen
fence.
He said that McMahon op-
years by decision, however.
The board previously has adop- Judge Ryan. He said the judge has a respon
tad a 92.7 million budget for 1983 The re-trials of both McMahon sibilify to do what is right for
whether gr whe
McCormic-migh
i /
utmost one-half in prevailing prices victions:
for natural gas and oil. triggered "That means this case finally has -um.. becomes eligible, or. to require
the 964 million slosh in valuations come to an end after seven years " him to serve more of his sentence,
on mineral properties in the Walker said the public sentiments which in The board routinely asks for
district McMahon and McCormich hod 1976 favored the death penalty for opinions from the district attorney
Dr Browning noted that total escaped execution through a long McMahon, but also the fact that when an inmate is up for parole,
mineral valuations did not plum- series of appeals including one Shelby County taxpayers would and Walker indicated that he doub-
met so much elsewhere in Panola which went all the way to the U S face huge expenses for a ts any local prosecutor would
County because decreases on old Supreme Court which refused to prolonged trial and the new round recommend parole for the two,
wells were largely offset by new hear the case of appeals which automatically considering local public sentiments
wells. But new arguments raised in a follow any death sentence under about the case
He noted that there were 108 subsequent appeal finally per the low But the parole board does not
new wefts within the Carthage suaded the Texas Court of Criminal Walker said it is conceivable the hove to go along with local recom
school district lost year but only Appeals to grant them new trials. expenses could have reached mendotions.
eight within the Elysian Fields Walker said that while he and 9250 000 counting the cost of the The board twice has approved
district Warren again would have urged a trial and appeals with no guoron- parole for Mrs Hammond because
"This makes a very difficult year jury to order McMahon's execution tee that a jury would have con- of her good behavior as on inmate
for us financially Dr Browning if the cose hod again gone to a vic ted McMahon and assessed the but former Gov Bill Clements
says, "but I don't know how we can jury they had no legal basis to death penalty and no guarantee twice vetoed her parole "because
cut any more out of our budget prevent the judge from accepting that appeals courts would hove of the nature and seriousness of
than we already have and still of McMahon's guilty plea and upheld it even if the jury had the crime and she will not be
for a good program for our studen- assessing the 60 year sentence, assessed it, eligible for consideration again un
to" The prosecutors did agree to Jury selection had commenced til next summer
‘ The vdluation drop and tax rate lower the charge from capital mur on Sept 6 and only one juror hod Bohannon still has several years
icrease bad news comes as other (for which the only penalties been seated among the 30 who to go before he becomes eligible
factors about the Elysian Fields are life in prison or execution) to were questioned prior to Wed for parole consideration
More than 200 persons attended And Panola County Appraisal was orgonized after the Panola Panola County Appraisal District." can accomplish and what it will
a Tuesday night meeting to District chief appraiser Jewell Ellis County Appraisal District refused The appeal notices written by at- cost.
organize a Panola County Royalty said the Appraisal Review Board Io consider the requests of more torneys for the group contend that "We ll just wait and see, Lewis
Owners Association, ona several pions to take no action on the than 300 royalty owners, and the appeals should not be ruled out said.
In the group indicated they would royalty owners’ latest appeal at- several oil companies, for a 15 per because of the deadline question. He told the crowd Tuesday night
participate in a lawsuit challenging tempt cent reduction in mineral They also contend that state low that the group probably would
mineral valuations in the county. “Since the law says the board valuations after the board granted requires the Appraisal Review have only a 50-50 chance of win- -------- .
. . . _____ _2.2 cannot consider appeals which such a reduction to four major oil Board to act to correct inequities ning a lawsuit. Page. H.B Rocquemore, Voe
a.-eon.1eW .Wh0.."08 eleced were not filed prior to the companies, on the tax rolls even if taxpayers But several persons said they Marshall. John Neal, Dr. D.B.
presigenip.mheneuulssociution. deadline, out legal counsel also But the board ruled that tho do not formally request con- wanted to pursue the suit as a mat- Daniel and Wade Prior as direc-
si0i1in0 . Plus G hemplin has advised us that it would not be royalty owners’ requests had not sideration. ter of principle because they do not tors. ....... . .
netroleum SSunaited » formal proper for the board to consider been filed before the deadline un Attorneys for the Appraisal think it was fair for some mineral Those who filed notice of appeal
rem r wednesdey.nfor i their request for a reconsideration der the law and therefore could Review Board and the State interests to get the 15 per cent of the Appraisal Review Board ac
"8/" ....................ona 'Wtt nomeu
granAnercenreuuctionon ° "So it is not necessary for the filed Wednesday the royalty the board would be violating the need for long range efforts to Roquemore, Lewis P. conger
mineral interests in the county. board to take any further action," owners and Champlin contend the law to consider appeals not filed protect their interests, saying the Champlin Petroleum Co., Moy
He said the group could appeal in other words, the royalty valuation placed on their holdings before the deadline. Royalty Owners Association should Hopkins, Fred Whitaker, Lucille C.
to district court If the request again owners' latest move also is being in the county "is excessive when Lewis conceded all along that It monitor all local, state and Matthews, Robert A. Hull, Joan
Is denied. rejected by the board, with the compared to values indicated by was doubtful the Appraisal Review national legislation and tax mat- Van Sandt, Nobel Gholston and
"I’m pretty certain that is what decision not to act on the appeal the three approaches to value and Board would change Its mind. ters which affect mineral interest Suzan Schnitzus.
will happen if they turn us down notices. Is out of line with other properties "But we had to file the appeal owners. Also filing the notice were Neiva
again,” he said. The Royalty Owners Association located In and appraised by the notice to be in position to carry the A membership fee of 25 cents Boren Cole, Walter Parker, Otto
/per producing mineral acre was Duckworth, Elizabeth R. Duck
set, and plans were also discussed worth, Kathryn D Duckworth
for a monthly or quarterly newslet- Marilyn J. Harris, R.E. Jordan, Leon
ter to keep members informed on Lewis, Spurlin Powell, L.E. Page
topics of interest. Mary L. Martin, Peter J. McNee Jr.,
Members also discussed the S.E. Matthews Estate, Mr. and Mrs.
need to participate in Appraisal C.C. Pool, Stanley Van Sandt.
Review Board hearings next year Beverly K. Marie, Jamie V.
and expressed the opinion that it Brinkoeter. Margaret Boren
would be good to work for the op- Lashley. Tracy Parker, Howell
pointment of a member of the Rowland Duckworth and Donna D
Royalty Owners Association on the Anderson.
//
g M
“7
-5 i
Revaluation
agencies to use lor their five years ago and 553 a decade month. _set for property
"Truth In Taxation” public notices ago. In other business Tuesday, the c,ntindtromPagei
and hearings, the district will not "And from all indications we will board awarded a bid to Murdock things: (1) the valuation listed on
ba required to conduct a public continue to grow," Dr. Browning Distributing for gasoline for school the property tax rolls, as deter-
hearing on the rate Increase. says. buses, at 93.5 cents per gallon for mined by the appraisal district, and
The law is designed to force The growth, plus a desire to regular. (2) the tax rate set by the various
public agencies to conduct special upgrade the school system. promp- The board also adopted new taxing agencies, such as Panola
public hearings anytime taxes In- fed Elysian Fields to embark on a written personnel policies, putting County, the Panola Junior College
crease by more than three per cent 94 million school expansion and the district policies Incompliance District, the Carthage, Beckville
from one fiscal year to the next. modernization program which now with state recommendations on Gary and Elysian Fields school
The law also gives voters the is "about 75 to 80 per cent com- such things as due process for districts, and the cities of Carthage
right to petition for an election to plete," Dr. Browning notes. dismissals. and Beckville
cancel any increase of more than 8 This has included construction of The board also discussed Dr Any significant drop in
per cent in taxes. additional classrooms, new Brownina's recommendation that a valuations forces the taxing agen-
But such requirements will not cafeterias, a new library, and a group of school staff, student and ties to either reduce spending or
apply to the Elysian Fields situation new track and concession stand citizen representatives be formed increase the tax rate lor all tax-
this year because total property plus modernization of all existing to prepare a three-year master payers.
taxes to be collected will decrease, facilities with such things as new plan for the school district. Increased valuations, on the
even though the rate increases, ceilings lighting, carpeting and air The group would attempt to pin- other hand give the taxing agen
And the law actually requires conditioning. point any weaknesses in the school ties the opportunity to either in-
EFISD to publish notice that the ef Architects from the Scott Part- program and make recom- crease spending or reduce the tax
fective tax rate" of the district is nership reported to the board mendations for improvements. rates,
decreasing.
The state law fails to take into
account the fact that a major drop N A "JR A 7 m. 7 • 7 A
: mm“MCMahon pleas guilty
revenues, as in the case of the
current EFISD situation. Continued from Paqe I
ft also fails to take into account punishment he would set, but that murder (with a penally range from nesday’s surprise guilty plea in the
that a major drop in valuation on based on the discussion he could five to 99 years or life) in return lor case.
one type of property, such as see what his inclination would be the guilty plea to avoid the fax- Anytime the state seeks the
minerals in this case, results in an Alter conferring with his at- payers' expense of a jury trial. death penalty prospective jurors
increase in the tax burden on other torney. McMahon then agreed to After McMahon entered his must be questioned individually
property owners, such as enter an open plea and take his plea Warren urged Judge Ryan to and at length concerning their
whose appeal also led to a new Walker said the prosecution
McCormick, who also had been ped his body with additional several weeks to present
future.
Elected as
determining whether to grant
parole as soon as an inmate
QArT G OPEN DAILY
MU113 9:00 AM-5:30 PM
the State Board Pardons and
Paroles."
The board routinely considers in-
mates for parole after they receive
credit for serving one-third of their
sentences or after 20 years,
whichever is shorter.
As inmates on Death Row" for
six years before their new trials
were granted McMahon and Mc-
Cormick did not qualify for good
time" which con substantially
reduce the amount of time on in-
mate must serve before becoming
eligible for parole.
But they could qualify for such
credit if they behave properly as
they return to prison.
They possibly could become
eligible for parole consideration
within the next 10 years.
However, the parole board
generally takes into consideration
the circumstances of a crime in
the 1982-83 tofals. Dallas on change of venue from
"Most of the increase is to pay Panola County after the Texas
for the bonds for our construction Court of Criminal Appeals over-
program now under way, and the turned their original convictions,
remainder of the increase is for the The original trial, which lasted
state-mandated teacher pay seven weeks, was conducted in
raise," Dr. Browning said. Carthage on change of venue from
"Other than the requirements Shelby County where emotions
for bonds and teachers, we have against McMahon and McCormick
either held the line or decreased were high following the slaying of
spending in all other areas, he Hammond a supermarket
continued. manager who was president-elect
But the board could not set the of the Center Chamber of Corn
tax rate until getting valuation merce at the time of his death,
figures from the Panola County Bohannon and Mrs. Hammond
and Harrison County appraisal both entered pleas of guilty to mur
districts, der conspiracy charges shortly af-
He said the Panola County Ap- ter the slaying and are serving
praisol District reported that oil prison sentences of 50 and 25
and gas production dropped 65 per years, respectively,
cent within the Panola County por Both McMahon and McCormick
lion of the EFISD. in entering their guilty pleas, also
This, coupled with a reduction of agreed not to appeal their con-
Regular “DA
32 00 & 34 00 4•P
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Panola County Post (Carthage, Tex.), Vol. 10, No. 23, Ed. 1 Sunday, September 18, 1983, newspaper, September 18, 1983; Carthage, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1499571/m1/2/: accessed July 18, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting Sammy Brown Library.