Cherokeean/Herald (Rusk, Tex.), Vol. 149, No. 20, Ed. 1 Thursday, June 12, 1997 Page: 3 of 24
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Texas State Railroad hosts dignitaries
continued from pagel
the Parks and Wildlife delegation.
During the strategy meeting, Sen.
Nixon suggested the TSR staff pre-
pare a slide presentation and visit
area schools to educate children
about the railroad.
Rep. Staples quizzed TSR Super-
intendent Curtis Purett, who said,
"We have been given the funding to
hire four new positions. Last year
we had 40,000 riders on the train
and 200,000 visitors to the parks."
Mr. Pruett explained riders on the
train have fallen off somewhat cred-
iting this to the opening of trains in
Fort Worth and Austin. "However,
we offer a better ride because of the
location and our equipment."
"What about volunteers," the two
state officials asked?
Mr. Pruett replied "Volunteers
have contributed 12,000 hours of
work for the railroad. Most of these
are volunteers assisting with school
runs. They come from area cham-
bers, Rusk Main Street, Texas Olde
Guns and other groups. We just com-
pleted 16,000 hours of inmate labor
and I have completed a request for
nine months next year," Mr. Pruett
said. Inmates painted the train used
on Friday's run from Rusk.
Between 15,000 and 20,000 bro-
chures were sent to various cham-
bers of commerce, others were sent
to motels, parks, etc. Railroad staff
members attended travel shows in
Dallas and Fort Worth and two in
the Texas Valley. "We have had a
stream of tourists, who come from
the Valley, and stay in the park,"
Mr. Pruett said.
The Rusk park has 94 campsites
and there are 14 at Palestine.
Mr. Womack, president of the Pal-
estine Chamber, reported they send
brochures featuring the train to all
economic development prospects.
"We get calls daily concerning the
train."
Just prior to the arrival of the
Parks and Wildlife delegation Sen.
Nixon began a report of the recent
legislature. "The tax bill will give
property owners $1 billion back in
tax relief. Voters will decide Aug. 9 if
they want homestead exemptions
Rotary Report
Several club
members or their
family members
are ill. One is
hospitalized be-
cause flf multiple
recluse spider
bites.
The speaker
was Hugh Soape,
a community de-
velopment agent
for Prairie View
A&M College.
He is promoting
large scale chicken
Dr. Jack Boston
increased from $5,000 to $15,000.
"$ 1 billion will be dedicated to edu-
cation. About 40,000 entry level
teachers will receive a 4 percent
salary increase. Property taxes are
paying for half of the schools. This is
spmething we are going to have to
address--what kind of taxes would
you rather have?"
Rep. Staples said, "I think the
governor's plan to use $1 billion in
uncommitted state funds for prop-
erty tax relief was wise. I think it
was a great leadership move at the
beginning of the session."
The property tax issue will come
back next session, Mr. Staples said.
He added, "The 74th Legislature fo-
cused debate on education, juvenile
justice and tort and welfare reforms.
Legislators had to predict future
needs rather than react to current
problems."
CHEROKEEAN/HERALP of Rusk, Texas—Thursday, June 12, 1997—Page 3
Main
Street
Welcome
■
i
Rusk Main Street Director
Martha Neely adjusts a
bandana around Parks and
Wildlife Commissioner
Carol Dlnkins' neck. From
left in front are Mrs. Neely,
Ms. Dlnkins, P&W
Commissioner Mickey R.
Burleson; in back, Rep.
Todd Staples, P&W
Commissioner Ernest
Angelo Jr. and Sen. Drew
Nixon.
raising, the
"broiler" industry, in southern
Cherokee County.
Temperature and humidity within
large chicken houses must be care-
fully controlled to prevent die off.
"Poultry litter," a by-product, lasts
longer and is more productive than
chemical fertilizers.
Area Briefs
David Berry
David Beny, formerly of Rusk,
recently opened the Berry Survey-
ing Company located near Cushing
on FM 343. Mr. Berry is the owner
and registered professional land sur-
veyor.
He served in the United States
Army as an artillery surveyor and
worked for the city of Austin as the
assistant survey manager for Public
Works. Mr. Berry recently retired
from TxDOT where he surveyed
and inspected utility adjustments.
Mr. Berry is a 1972 graduate of
Rusk High School and the son of the
late Horace and Thelma Berry.
Alto Stingettes
Alto High School's Stingette Danz
team will have a car wash Saturday,
June 14 in the Alto B&B parkinglot.
The carwash will start at 9 a.m. and
end at 3 p.m..
Pledges are being accepted by
Stingette members, but donations
the day of the car wash will be ac-
cepted.
Money raised goes toward the pur-
chase of new uniforms.
Information about the car wash or
the Stingettes is available by con-
tacting Teresa Ragland at 409/858-
4840.
Killough reunion
The annual Killough reunion is
planned for June 14-15 at the Best
Western in Jacksonville. The din-
ner program Saturday evening will
feature stories told by descendants
of the experiences of their ancestors.
Plant trials
The 1997 bedding plant trials will
be held Thursday, June 19 from 10
a m. until noon at the Texas A&M
Extension and Research Center at
Overton. TAMU-Overton is located
on FM 3053, a few miles north of
Overton. For more information con-
tact Greg Grant at 903/683-5416 or
Dr. Brent Pemberton at 903/834-
6191
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Whitehead, Marie. Cherokeean/Herald (Rusk, Tex.), Vol. 149, No. 20, Ed. 1 Thursday, June 12, 1997, newspaper, June 12, 1997; Rusk, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth152324/m1/3/?q=%22%22~1: accessed July 16, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting Singletary Memorial Library.