The Cherokeean. (Rusk, Tex.), Vol. 138, No. 24, Ed. 1 Thursday, July 24, 1986 Page: 1 of 30
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MICnOPLEX , INC
p. 0. BOX 45436
DALLAS, TX. 75245
\ /"
100th Birthday!
See Story, Photo, Page 7
GTE Changeover
Saturday
See Story, P. 7
"\ r
QB Club Gets Set
See Page 14
25
Per Issue
The Cherokeean
Home of the
Texas State
Railroad
Texas' Oldest Weekly Newspaper—Established As The Cherokee Sentinel, February 27, 1850
Vol. 13 , No. 24
Thursday, July 24,1986 — Rusk, Texas 75785
14 Pages
At The Crossroads:
Let's Go Forward with Confidence!
Rusk and Cherokee County stand at the crossroads of change. This area
has faced economic adjustments manv times in the past; therefore, the present
situation is not entirely new.
Change in the Winds
Studies show that, on the whoie, people lend to resist/resent change. Ob-
viously. this is for good reason when one s understood/accepted security is
threatened.
Hence, the mafontv of our cituens are feeling, and expressing, deep con-
cern for the direction and future of Rusk State Hospital as consideration for
its use and operation with the I exas Department of Corrections continues.
Shortage of F unds
In reviewing this present problem, one must remember that all Texans are
aifected b\ the oil crisis. For oil-dependent areas, theirs is a verv acute,
economic problem
.And vet. as the o«l industry and its related industries are affected, so are
tax structures from local to state levels. I"he decline in these tax dollars is
making it mo*i difficult in this budget preparation season. Less revenue for
spending in our state is the number I item on the agenda for a special session
of the Texas legislature next month.
Because Rusk State Huapiul is funded through tax dollars, it is obvious
that this institution of service is alreadv feeling the impact of fewer available
dollars to spend, just as are ail other tax funded services in the state.
New Methods of Treatment
Adding to this local problem is the direction of the past vears in the treat-
ment of the mentally ill throughout the U.S. As new methods have been
established, new medications created, new therapv techniques evolved, this
has reduced the length of time clients spend in an institution.
ITv goal to deinstitutionalize has been with us for quite a few vears. We
are now . this dav. seeing its atfect in a dramatically reduced patient load at
the Rusk facility. If rDMHMR-sponsored legislation passes, legal
requirements will demand a person be treated at everv available local resour-
ce before admission to an institution such as RSH. It will no longer be easv
to ask tor. and receive, commitment to a mental hospital.
The gradual reduction in numbers of clients served over the past few
years, coupled with the present reduction in tax dollars to fund RSH. have
brought us to this current predicament.
While it is normal to fear change, is it not true that all we have to fear is
fear? Asked manv vears ago bv then ['resident Franklin D. Roosevelt, his
question is equally appropnate todav.
Economic Considerations
looking at the positive side of the possible use of existing facilities at
RSH by Tlx", there are several points tor consideration. As operated.
RSH is definitely declining. ^ et. there are buildings, bed space for potential
service. And TDC is suffering from the verv lack of what we have in sur-
plus!
Should I DC find this location practical tor a psychiatric hospital, it
would assure the area of continued employment, the payment of taxes and
economy statewide through the usage of structures which tax dollars have
already been spent to build.
Leaders Seek Solutions
Gov. Mark White, Lieutenant Governor Bill Hobby and House Speaker
Gib Lewis are to be commended for their sincere efforts, working with coun-
ty and community leaders, to seek a solution for the two problems: a decline
in numbers served by RSH and an increase in inmates at TDC.
We are fortunate to have Senator Roy Blake and State Rep. Cliff John-
son in our comer, working with state officials and department heads to seek a
continuation of service bv RSH.
As stated editorially two weeks ago, we sincerely hope that we will be
able to retain MHMR service here and support for this could come from the
addition of Harris County to the catchment area now served by RSH. The
addition of this populous county would mean a higher number of potential
clients to be served.
Change is not easy. But it is inevitable. And at such times as this, it is
vital that we remember "When the going gets tough, the tough get going."
Tax Discussion Slated
Assessor To Meet with Commissioners
Cherokee County Commissioners
will invite Linda Beard, county tax
assessor-collector to meet with
them Monday morning
The commissioners made plans at
their weekly meeting Monday to
discuss tax collections with Mrs
Beard They will ask for her opinion
concerning the Cherokee County
Appraisal District taking over tax
collections
Commissioners Toby Sartain.
Precinct 2, said "if the county
allows the CCAD to do collections,
we will not only save the county
money, but the cities and school
districts." Currently there are
seven women who are employed at
the tax office It would cut the work
force by four if CCAD contracted
for this service Sartain said some
of the other women could get jobs
across the street and the county
court at law will need a secretary.
Commissioner Frank Ross,
Precinct 4, said he thinks the county
judge's secretary could also serve
as secretary for the court at law.
"Linda won't have to have that
girl in Jacksonville." Sartain said
"We don't have to have that office
up there-I think we ought to treat
everyone equal "
In the event the county contracts
with CCAD for collections, the tax
office will continue to take voter
11 ¡
i\ • 1
and
vehicle
registrations
registrations.
In another matter Monday mor-
ning commissioners approved the
right-of-way for the East Bullard
Pipe Line to cross a county road.
County Judge Robert McNatt
discussed with commissioners
methods of providing indigent
health care services. He said he had
received another letter from Texas
Department of Human Resources
asking for an opportunity to handle
appeals The TDHR had submitted
a proposal earlier to handle the en-
tire program.
A proposal from the Methodist
Hospital corporation for $4.500
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TRAINING SESSIONS for Crisis Center of Cherokee Coanty Inc.' voianleer hotline counselors began with an
all day workshop Saturday at Grace Fellowship Church. Leading the training were Dawn Franks and David
Cox, staff members of the East Texas Crisis Center. From left are Mrs. Franks. Tommy Meador. president of
the Crisis Center Corporation; Cox; the Rev. Mike O'Bannion, host pastor: and Lee Everman, director of the
crisis center. Volunteers came from throughout the county for the event. -staff photo
monthly to coordinate the program
has been submitted
McNatt suggested that the com-
missioners decide if they want to
contract with someone, hire in-
house personnel to do the work, or
hire someone from the outside to
coordinate the program He said if
an outside person is hired, notice
must be posted and applications
taken
"I think we need to get the
Methodist people here and see what
the $4.500 covers." Ross said.
McNatt told commissioners that
he has been getting a lot of infor-
mation from concerned citizens
concerning the state hospital
status.
One letter says there are 556
patients at the kospital, who must
be relocated Many of these people
have been at the hospital for years
and that is the only home they
know
The letter said some 1,402 persons
are employed at the hospital Many
of these have worked at the hospital
for many years If TDC comes in.
he said a number of these long time
employees might lose their jobs
Ross said he thought if the
hospital took in minimum security
prisoners that would mean more-
jobs
Commissioner Robert Under-
wood said he also had understood
there would be more jobs and Rusk
State Hospital would still be there.
The TDC would just use the vacant
buildings, he said
Judge McNatt explained the
various entries in a proposed
budget that he had filed with Fairy
Upshaw, county clerk. He said the
budget didn't include vehicles for
the sheriff's department, although
he wants to see police cars funded.
"The sheriff has four cars with
100,000 miles," he said
Crisis Center Training Underway
Experts Brief Volunteers on Hotline Operation
Dawn Franks and David Cox.
staff members of the East Texas
Crisis Center at Tyler conducted a
training workshop Saturday in
Rusk Some 21 persons par-
ticipated Trainees from Rusk.
Jacksonville. Maydelle and Alto at
tended the all day training session
to equip them as hotline telephone
counselors for the Crisis Center of
Cherokee County Another session
with Mrs Franks and Cox will be
scheduled, as well as training
sessions with TDC personnel, an
alcoholic-drug counselor, and a
Rusk psychologist prior to Aug 15.
when the hotline operation begins
The Saturday training included
information on drugs, alcohol,
suicide intervention, domestic
violence, sexual assault and bat-
tered spouses The two from Tyler
will center the next training session
around sexual assault and abuse of
children
The crisis center will provide
assistance to rape victims, victims
of sexual assault, victims of
domestic violence, and potential
suicides The center will also
provide the community with infor
mation and education on these
related problems
Information concerning the
crimes of rape and other sexual or
physical assaults, including what to
do if raped; medical law enfor-
cement and legal information, in-
formation of shelters available to
battered women and information
regarding the suicidal person will
be available from the center
The center will make referrals on
request, for professional services
needed by clients beyond the scope
RHS Classes To Reunite
Meeting site for a joint class
reunion of Rusk High School classes
of 1956, 1957. 1958 and 1959 has been
planned for the Show Barn. Loop
456 West, Jacksonville, at 8 p m
Saturday. July 26
A dance is planned for the
evening's entertainment. Cost is $5
per person Those attending are
asked to take their own ice chest,
equipped with whatever they want
to drink
Additional information can be
directed to the various class coor-
dinators including Emadean Fren-
ch. class of 1956 . 683-2202 < work) or
683-4825 (home); Jim Cromwell,
class of 1957, 683-2226 (work) and
683-5998 (home); Robert Watson,
class of 1958. 683-4718; and Linda
Starkey. class of 1959,683-5584.
The general assembly will be at
First Baptist inurcn at 2:30 p m
Saturday for all classes from 1956
through 1959
Combined reunion activities for
the Rusk High School Classes of
1960-65 are planned for Aug 2.
Class members will meet from 6
to 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug 2 at the
Thomas J Rusk Hotel for a recep-
tion A dance and get together will
follow from 8 p.m to midnight at
the home of Nancy (Guinn) and
Bobby Mims. corner of Wightman
Lane and Highway 69. which is the
old Wightman home
Cost for the reception and party is
$7 per couple or $5 for singles
Persons who have not been
notified or made reservations can
do so with either Glenda
Merriwether Long. Lynda Matlock
Tosh or Pat Echols Haddock at
Citizens Bank. 1-214-683-2277
of the Crisis Center There will be
in-person or telephone counseling
for cients This regards any
problem arising as a result of rape,
sexual or physical assault Coun-
seling is provided by supportive and
skilled professional or
paraprofessionals who have
received special training from the
Crisis Center in handling problems
related to those issues. When long-
term therapy is required for the
clients, the professional counselor
at the center will refer the client to
other resources available in the
community.
Education to the public will be
provided through the various
programs to interested groups and
citizens There will be programs
designed specially for children and
teenagers Education of counselors
for hotline and advocacy services is
achieved through training
seminars Continuing education is
provided by in-service training.
The Crisis Center of Cherokee
County will use the facilities of the
East Texas Crisis Center for shelter
for victims of domestic violence.
Tommy Meador is president of
the Crisis Center of Cherokee Coun-
ty. Lee Everman serves as co-
director of the program with
•See CRISIS HOTLINE. Page 14
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The Cherokeean. (Rusk, Tex.), Vol. 138, No. 24, Ed. 1 Thursday, July 24, 1986, newspaper, July 24, 1986; Rusk, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth151758/m1/1/: accessed July 6, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting Singletary Memorial Library.