The Bastrop County Times (Bastrop, Tex.), Vol. 87, No. 48, Ed. 1 Thursday, November 23, 1978 Page: 2 of 36
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SEC. I, PAGE 2
THE BASTROP COUNTY TIMES. SMITHVILLE. TEXAS 78957
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 23. 1978
Our*' *
awns
It's Not A Game
Friday's accident on Texas 71 near Bastrop which resulted in the deaths
of three persons brought to mind several important points.
First, while those first on the scene performed a function by freeing the
injured from the burning truck, the other persons who insisted on milling
about were getting in the way of emergency crews.
Just as bad were the drivers who just had to get one more look and al-
most ran over the men who were trying to direct traffic around the scene.
A traffic accident is not a spectator sport. Victims' lives and those of the
men who respond to help could be jeopardized by those who do not follow
directions and move away from the scene as quickly and orderly as pos-
sible.
If you come upon an accident and can help the victims, don't hesitate to
offer aid. But if things are obviously under control, don't "rubberneck"
and get in the way. You would appreciate the same consideration if you
were the victim.
Secondly, the need for a four-lane, divided highway all the way from
Austin to Columbus is evident from the traffic which clogs the highway on
weekends.
Combine this traffic with the normal local traffic and we have a danger-
ous situation which too often results in tragedies like Friday's.
We can only hope that the program to upgrade Texas 71 will proceed at
quickest possible rate and that drivers on this highway will take special
care in the meantime. -JDS
Sniffen Around
By John Sniffen
About this time every year I get a yearning to start an awards program
and call it "The Turkeys, a salute to the inept in our midst."
Obviously such an idea would be used by myself to deliver barbs at those
who are in my disfavor. While appealing to this writer, I realize its negative
nature and have acted to correct the situation.
Okay, folks, here they are, "The Turkey and Dressing Awards, a salute
to the inept and the commercial in our midst
The first award of the evening is a Turkey to the guy who developed the
pop top. Single-handedly, this invention has contributed to more litter and
cut feet than the paper cup and roofing nail.
Our second Turkey goes to the high school football fan who pays $2.50
to sit in the stands like a zombie. Or better yet, saves his voice for com-
ments like "You numbskulls couldn't hold a bail if it were glued to your
hands."
A special "Road to Ruin" Turkey goes to the fellows doing the street
work over in Bastrop. Not the ones repainting the stripes, mind you, but
the ones who put all that gravel down.
The "Ignorance is Bliss" Turkey goes to the governing bodies in the
county which continue to ignore the lessons learned by their neighbors and
believe that cooperation is a form of insanity.
A Turkey award with dressing goes to the designer of the mobile home.
As Jimmy Buffett once said, "They'd look a lot better as beer cans."
The "Happiness is a Cheap Councilman" Turkey goes to Smithville's
own Robert Smith, Jr. When approached by the SISD about sharing costs
for appraising property within the city, Smith suggested letting the school
bear the cost, then having the city look at the district's books since they
are open to the public.
And finally, the Golden Gobbler Award goes to John .Hill, former atjt^r-
ney general and now unemployed. Hill is being honored as the first Demo-
crat in Texas in more than a hundred years to lose the gubernatorial elec-
tion.
Up The Creek
By Kay Webb
900 Hwy. 95
Lost Pines Plaza
Suite 5
Bastro
-321-5721
JP
21
Bastrop County
Times
VOL. 87. NO. 47
205 E. Third St.
Smithville
237-2461
The Bastrop County Times is published every Thursday in Smith-
ville, Texas, by Tex-Print Corporation, 205 East Third Street, owned
by Todd Publications. Inc., William K. Todd, president. Second class
postage paid at Smithville, Texas 78957.
William K. Todd
Don Catherman
John Sniffen
Kay Webb, Steve Vasey, 4c Erlene Goertx
Mary Ella Wither
lisaBu ni<- iJoris Haidik and Debbie Holme*
Jim Rockwell and Jane Hum
Gertrude PsvUca. Mr*. W R Urnerand
Mr* J amen Iphraim
PUBLISHER
GENERAL MANAGER
MANAGING EDITOR
REPORTERS
ADVERTISING SALES
PRODUCTION STAFF
PHOTOGRAPHY
CORRI SPONUI Nh
IIJHV !• irl ION RA IK - •?
ViiiilivilU otfkr open Monday
Jsy.f and I4p.iv
''Round The County
Rolling The Hay
By Jane Hunt
Old Nuggets
I have just completed the reading
of a study that focused on the
relationship between grandparents
and their grandchildren. Since I
have become a grandpa several
times over these matters tend to
catch my attention more. Basically,
the study tried to ascertain whether
a close tie between grandparents
and grandchildren produced great-
er life satisfactions and a more pos-
itive attitude toward the future than
those with loose or no ties were
able to achieve. From purely a non-
scientific viewpoint, I could
have told them ahead of time what
the results would be. Any of us
with grandchildren can (and often
do) describe the rapture that comes
to us because of them. And. any of
us that can remember back a few
years also can identify the joy which
our grandparents brought us. Most
of the time.
Most grandchildren are a balm to
our ego. They make us feel invul-
nerable to ordinary human weak-
nesses and stress. They treat us
like we can do anything. Leap tall
buildings, mend unmendables.
tell stories hours upon hours, and
be indefatiguable. And when wc
get sluggish with our responses, a
hug around the neck regenerates
our sagging pace and puts a bounce
in our gait. If you haven't had a
grandchild's arms around your neck
in a while, you haven't lived.
Not that they arc all sugar and
spice. A kick in the shins some-
times turns the angels into some-
thing less than that, at least for the
duration of the pain. Or getting into
what they have been told to stay-
out of for the humpteenth time. Oir
helping you paint where you had
not planned to paint. All of this is
soon forgotten when the tyke turns
up his or her impish head and with
glistening eyes and a big smile
says, "Papa (or bigpa. or opa, or
granny, or mama or whatever you
are called), do you love me?"
And you melt. And you forget what-
ever it was that you said you never
would. That they did. To your
shin, or wall, or whatever. And you
experience what life satisfactions
arc all about. And you look forward
to their continuation.
So. it doesn't take a study to
prove what most of us have already
experienced. And. if you are in-
terested. that is what the study
proved. That older citizens who
have a closer contact with their
grandchildren are experiencing
greater life satisfactions than
those who did not. And. that ain't
all. Grandchildren also indicated
a better adjustment when that rela-
tionship existed. Anyway, it is al-
ways grand to have science prove
what we already know as well as
to enable us to know what we don't
already know.
Hope your turkey day was bliss-
ful. God Bless and have a good
week.
Guv E Shuttles* orth
SISD Receives 1978 Audit, Hears Lawyer
After studying on the matter for awhile. I don't know whether I should
feel complimented or insulted. Several weeks ago, I, along with about 30
other people was informed that I am a "spoiled child of the upper middle
class."
Never mind that the man who made this wise judgment didn't know any
of the rest of us personally. Never mind that the people in the group were
of all ages, ethnic backgrounds and assorted other persuasions. This man,
obviously, knew us all better than we knew ourselves.
For my part, I kind of wish that he had told me a long time ago about my
true identity. As it is, I sure have wasted a lot of time thinking I was just
po' folks.
Maybe he had something, though. Maybe he saw beyond that kid sit-
ting there with holes in her-socks (me) and recognized the aura of worldly
sophistication which I, as a "spoiled child of the upper middle class,''
must surely carry with me.
Why, just this spring I visited Palestine and Athens, with a brief stop in
Carthage. And let me tell you, East Texas is lovely in the springtime.
I frequently wear clothing from those famed French designers. Sears et
Roebuque and Jean-Claude Penney.
I know how to say "your mother is a chicken" in three different languag-
es.
I went to Reynosa once.
I even wear precious gems; my class ring has a diamond. Bring over your
magnifying glass and I'll show it to you sometime.
So the guy could have a point. If he did, I guess I'd better re - direct my
thinking and realize that I'm out of the closet now and obligated to live up
to my new calling.
But I'll have to check back with him. Since he knows so much about ev-
erything else, maybe he can explain a way for me to afford to start living
in the style to which I'd like to become accustomed.
It sure would beat always having beans for supper.
SMITHVILLE — Certified Public
accountant Ed Moody told the
Smithville school trustees Monday
that while the district's books were
in good order, there was room for
improvement.
Moody, representing W. M. Par-
rish and Co. of Marlin, presented
the board with copies of the official
audit of the district and made some
suggestions about bookkeeping
in the future.
"You've got a good set of books,
with no outstanding errors," said
Moody, adding that they could be
made better "with a little work."
Noting that the district had a total
of $43,458 in delinquent property
taxes when the audit was made on
Aug. 31. Moody said he could find
"no effort on the part of the tax
assessor-collector to run the del-
inquent tax receipts.
"It's good business to have con-
trol over delinquent taxes," said
Moody.
In addition to Moody, the board
also heard a presentation by tax
attorney Jack McCreary of Austin.
McCreary compared running a
tax office without good records, to
"running a grocery store without an
inventoty."
He told the board that the board
of equalization had final say in set-
ting a property^alue. but that the
tax assessor-collector could correct
clerical errors.
"Your strongest control is a good
tax assessor-collector." said Mc-
Creary. He also recommended a
. "fair and impartial" board of equal-
ization and an adequate supply of
working tools, like maps, assess-
ment cards and building and land
rate schedules for the area.
Although McCreary said that the
state School Tax Assessment Polic-
ies Board and the recently passed
tax relief bill would cause problems
for the district, he said the results
would probably be favorable.
"When the smoke clears, it's
going to be good for the state.
Economic needs have forced profes-
sionalism on us," said McCreary.
"The day of a lick and a promise is
over."
He recommended sharing assess-
ment costs and figures with the city
for the area covered by both and
using ilir regional service center
computer to keep record* TN lat-
ter imx e he Mid w§§ "vtfy •con-
omit and vary effluent mm pet
*oi.iiH learned to use the aystem
M-< i«ary added thai (ha i#«
mmmr 'shouldn't iff tto sun mm
on him until he gets a full set of
appraisal cards for the district."
In other business, the board,
-approved payment of bills for
November;
-accepted five bids on the junior
high school roof. Those submitting
bids were Capital Roof and Gutter
($5,214), BCD Roofing of Austin
($4,344.50), Capital City Roofing
($4,416) and Lutton Roofing
($8,200). The bids were tabled
pending further study;
-heard that $1200 had been re-
ceived from delinquent tax suits
settled out of court;
-appointed Superintendent Dr.
Donald Hestand to the Education
Service Center, Region XIII Joint
Committee, replacing Verla Shut-
tlesworth;
-set policy where principal and
sponsor or superintendent must
sign for money from activity and
cafeteria funds;
-set dress code tor junior high
£iduation. Boys will wear solid
rk trousers, a solid light shirt,
a subdued tie and dark shoes. Girls
will wear a white dress (neither
midi nor mini in length), dress type
shoes and no excessive jewelry.
-approved policy whereby sen-
iors needing one more credit than
full class load may take another
course for credit in order to grad-
uate;
-approved exception where one
particular student will attend only
half a day of school and attend only
auto mechanics course. Student is
a senior, but docs not intend to
graduate and will sign letter, along
with parents, stating that purpose;
--approved a policy whereby a
parent may fill out a complaint on a
nook he or she finds objectionable
in the school library. Dr. Hestand
will appoint a five-person commit-
tee to study the complaint and re-
port back to him. If parent is still
dissatisfied, then he or she can ap-
peal to the school board;
--approved special credit (five
extra points after teacher completes
grade sheets) for enrichment cours-
es (chemistry, algebra II. physics,
trigonometry and'or elementary
analysis;)
•appointed a textbook committee
of Ervin Adamcik, Mary Kay Serr-
ill. Tom Taylor. Joe DuPas, Helen
Fleck. Mary Mahler, Margaret
Klaerner, Beth McDowell. Robert
Haley. Quinn Schlorti, Gene Samp-
son, Jimmy Stacy and Dr. Hestand
to consider selection of textbooks:
-approved Dr. Hestand's recom-
mendation to buv a 90-dav certifi-
cate of deposit for $100,000 at 10
fercent interest from Smithville
ederal Savings and Loan;
-gave Dr. Hestand authority to
negotiate for lease-purchase of a
new copy machine;
-heard comments on differences
in Beta Club and National Honor
Society. Will study further at next
regular meeting;
-heard that Principal Stacv and
committee of students is working
on design for official class ring ana
graduation invitations.
Smithville ^^^TwninwJ 'from' page TV
ended after Robert Smith. Jr.. sug-
gested that Mayor Davison appoint
a committee to study the code and
suggest changes.
When tax assessments came up
on the agenda. Councilman Vacek
said that he had been contacted by
Dr. Don Hestand. superintendent of
the Smithville independent School
District, who had informed him
that a new property assessment was
planned for the area, one that might
entail the hiring of another secre-
tary, or even the possibility of the
use of a computer service.
Vacek said that the SISD was
interested in having the council
share the costs of such a reapprais-
al. It was generally agreed among
the council members that such a
sharing of the costs within the
Smithville city limits would be mu-
tually beneficial.
The meeting ended with discus-
sion of arrangements to be made
at the airport for a proposed new
hangar for Floyd Hyson.
Bastrop Historical District Sought
BASTROP — Downtown business
owners and operators are working
toward creating a Main Street
historical district.
Led by Dr. Curtis McDonald, the
downtown owners met Nov. 16 "to
see if they were interested in having
this area zoned historical," McDon-
ald said.
McDonald, a member of the city's
Planning and Zoning Board, said
Sunday that he hopes to create a
"Main Street Historical Commit
tee" which would give advice and
isw permits far improvement*,
alteration* and new buildings down
tow*
The committee'# structure, •*
wall ** if> downtown area's His
torual status tvould tor ail flu# to
«ii nwlfcaww to t drawn p and
presented to Mt tmmti
The ordinance would call for
property owners planning to restore
their buildings to "restore it in
keeping with what the downtown
area already looks like." McDonald
explained.
McDonald said that zoning the
downtown area as a historical dis>
trict might make it possible to get
government grants for improving
public conveyances, such as side-
walks.
Besides seeking grants, McDon>
aid said, owners In the district
would have a way to work together
to solve downtown problems and to
maintain the area as an active bus
iness district despite the building of
outlying shopping c#f toir .
C ompliance with the ordinance
would fee "simply voluntary " Mv
"We don't have any legal author-
ity at all to ask anyone to do this."
he said.
"It is a historical zone, but it does
not carry with it any of the state
regulations on historical plaques."
McDonald distributed an outline
of the proposal for a downtown his-
torical district to business owners
and operators in the area and asked
whether they favored creating the
district.
By Monday, he said he had re-
ceived about JO favorable responses
and none opposed to the district
Another meeting of downtown
business and property owners is
set for Nov W at p it) in the First
National Hani 0VU H> m, to &
cuss dieting up«to oidwetof,
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Sniffen, John. The Bastrop County Times (Bastrop, Tex.), Vol. 87, No. 48, Ed. 1 Thursday, November 23, 1978, newspaper, November 23, 1978; Bastrop, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth335085/m1/2/: accessed July 16, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting Bastrop Public Library.