The Albany News (Albany, Tex.), Vol. 122, No. 47, Ed. 1 Thursday, April 23, 1998 Page: 4 of 16
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Opinion Pa
TKXAS PRESS
ASSOCIATION j
1997
Page 4-A
The Albany News
Thursday/April 23,1998
The Albany News
Since 1875
Oldest journalistic venture west of the Brazos
Editor / Publisher Donnie A. Lucas
Managing Editor
Melinda L. Lucas
Advertising/Business Manager
Betty Viertel
Moran Correspondent
Audrey Brooks
Office Assistants Tinker Cauble, Jessica Lucas
editorial
. Action Coming
The big news this week in Albany
has been that a new business is com-
ing to town
Action Systems, Inc. has commit-
ted to set up shop in Albany, which
will mean about 20 high tech and
support jobs brought into the local
economy.
The firm will operate a computer
information and processing company
that will employ several computer
analysts, support technicians and of-
fice staff.
A group of local residents and the
Chamber's economic development
committee have worked hard to at-
tract the company to Albany.
There may be those who wonder,
why a large company would come to
such a small town.
The answer is quality of life. Corpo-
rate America is finding out what many
of us have known for a long time —
there are a lot of advantages to small
town life, especially in Albany.
We realize that there are a lot of
things that a company is seeking to
get away from in the cities that makes
us attractive, but we also have a lot of
offer.
Albany residents have worked hard
in many ways to strive to stay a cut
above the average small town, and it
appears that we have been successful.
But it is an effort that must continue.
Now is certainly not the time sit back
and relax.
The future for our town looks a
little brighter because we will have
new families moving into town, some
possibly who will be hometown prod-
ucts who have had to migrate to the
city to make a living.
We commend those who worked
tirelessly to present and still Albany
to our newest industry. Thank you for
your hard work.
To Action Systems, we thank you
for choosing Albany as your new home.
We truly think you will be glad you
did.
Welcome home! —
THE ALBANY NJiWS
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AFFILIATIONS
1998 MEMBER; Texas Press Association,
West Texas Press Assoc iation.
iponderings by Pat
By Pat Lidia Jones
This was the first Monday I've for-
gotten, completely forgotten, about
writing this column since I began, a
good many years ago.
I have no good explanation for it
either. "COLUMN" is written on my
ca lendar for every Monday. Like clock-
work, I write them on Monday morn-
ing, sometimes while I'm still in bed,
sometimes when I'm up and in my
robe, sometimes when I've had my
bath and am dressed.
Today started like any Monday
except that I dressed for a luncheon at
Susan Montgomery's home. It was
small, just four of us: Pati Jones, her
friend and houseguest Chris Powell
from Houston, Susan, our hostess,
and me, pi s three-year-old Rob Mont-
gomery, and two-year-olds, Madison
Jones and Kennedy Powell.
I could hardly believe Susnn when
she called to invite me to join them for
lunch.
Monday morning? I repeated it to
be certain that's what she said. I re-
viewed my social life, dating back to
1963, and I don't ret 11 ever giving
anything on a Monday. My house is
always a pit by .Sunday evening, with
stacks of books, newspapers, and
■magazines everywhere, and dishes
and glasses on every surface; I used to
blame it on my kids and their friends,
but it's still like that, and our young-
est hasn't lived at home for almost
twenty years.
So I went to Susan's on a Monday
morning. I went to the back door and
was welcomed. Susan Montgomery is
one of my favorite people. I have served
on committees with her, gone'to
church with her, and been friends
with her. She is so bright, so loving,
and so genuinely nice, that I purely
|ove to be around her.
She haB made her new home
uniquely her own, and yet, as I was
given the tour, I see Robert and Rob
and Wade everywhere too. It is a
wonderful home, so light and spa-
cious. The children had pizza, and
afterward, we four women had sand-
wiches and dessert. Susan made al-
mond iced tea that was so good I think
I could have drunk all of it by myself.
She's going to tell me how to make it.
It was fun to sit and chat with
these three lovely young women. Al-
though I'm old enough to be their
mother, they never made me feel it.
They treated me as if I were in their
age group.
We had been out, riding around the
evening before, and happened on the
four Montgomery's, playing sandlot
soflball on the vacant lot across from
their house. My partner was very
impressed by big brother Wade's hit
and how fast he could run the "bases."
1 was impressed with Susan's pitch-
ing. Rob was working on tee ball, and
Robert was combination hindcatcher,
umpire, and coach. Quite a team ...
I came home, feeling great, with
lunch and friendship under my belt.
My partner Wus at home, having a
late lunch, and we chatted briefly.
Then 1 sat down to read for a lei-
surely hour while my partner rested.
I was mid-aflernoon, and In bad fin-
ished my grocery list, when the phone
rang. It was Charlotte Taggart, ask-
ing about my column.
"I completely forgot about it!" I
admitted in shocked-at-myself tones.
Charlotte was equally surprised.
"You never forget it,," she said.
But I had. So putting my book, my
grocery list, and grocery store shop-
ping trip aside, I picked up my yellow
legal pad and pen.
And this is the reason that this
week you get a column that has no
"pondering" in advance.
By Lyndell Williams
& Ed Sterling
University of Texas System offi-
cials see the decline in minority en-
rollment and they want to reverse the
trend.
Last week, the Austin American-
Statesman reported that IJT officials
and legal experts said they want to
take steps to revive the case that
made if illegal for the university to
have a race-based admissions policy.
The Hopwood case was brought by
four white students who claimed they
were denied admission to the IJT
School of Law in 1B92 because of race.
IJT officials recognize if likely will
require another hearing m the U.S.
Supreme Court, even though in 1996
the high Court let stand a 5th Circuit
Court of Appeals ruling that banned
affirmative action. They also recog-
nize that reviving the case may be a
catalyst that results in a positive
change for the nation.
"This is, no doubt, not just a major
Texas issue it's a major national
issue," UT System Vice Chancellor
and General Counsel Ray Karabee
was quoted in the American-States-
man. "Sooner or later, it will need to
be determined not just for Texas but
for the rest of the states."
IJT urged Attorney General Dan
Morales to appeal. Morales, who rep-
resentsthe state ofTexas in lawsuits,
is expected to decide whether to go
forward with an appeal Litis week. In
deciding, he must consider the cost to
the state for attorneys' fees and po-
tential damages if Texas loses.
Proceeding is worth the risk, UT
Systems Regent Patrick Oxford, a
Houston lawyer, said. "I don't think
it's risky at all to appeal. Under no
circumstances can we be worse off
than we are now."
Larry Faulkner, UTs new presi
dent, said that if the appeal goes for-
ward, it could benefit the university.
InNurerH' Data Still Clotted
Auto insurers in Texas don't have
to release information that could iden
tify the practice known as "redlining."
In a case heard in Austin last week,
State District J udge,Paul Davis sided
with auto insurers, deciding that the
number of vehicles they cover and the
rajtes they charge in each of the state's
ZIP codes are not open to the public.
The case was brought by Birny
Birnbaum, an advocate for low-in
come consumers.
Birnbaum contended the informa-
tion which is filed quarterly with
the Texas D< merit. of Insurance
could show that insurance compa-
nies are illegally denying policies in
areas where large numbers of minori-
ties and low income Texans reside.
Attorneys for State Farm success-
fully argued that the information is
confidential under state law, and that
releasing it would aid competitors.
Low Turnout Explained
Secretary of State A! Gonzales had
this to say about the 3 percent turn-
out in Texas' runoff elections last
week: "We have too many election
dates."
For instance, Gonzales told The
Dallas Morning News, 103 elections
have been conducted in Dallas County
in the past decade an average of
more than 10 elections per year.
lie said that spreading out those
voting opportunities over too many
dates is costly to taxpayers and causes
voter fatigue and confusion
In the runoff, only 342,960 Texans
a mere 3 percent ofTexas 11 mil
lion registered voters went to the
polls.
Ex-Prison Chief Enters Plea
James A "Andy" Collins, former
executive director of the Texas De-
partment of Criminal Justice, pleaded
not guilty, to charges that he accepted
$20,000 in kickback money to ap-
prove a $33 million contract for a soy-
based meat substitute fed to prison-
ers.
Collins entered his plea last week
in Houston to federal .bribery, money ,
laundering, fraud and conspiracy
charges.
Collins and Yank Barry, president
of Montreal-based VitaPro Foods Inc.
were indicted March 30.
Collins resigned Dec. 31,1995 from
his $ 120,000-a-year job as chief of the
Texas pristm system.
Ifconvicted of all six counts against
him, he could be sentenced to 70 years
in prison and fined $2 million
HA Planning GOP Bid I
San Antonio i» moving ahead with
efforts to attract the Republican Na-
tional Convention in 2000 by prepar-
ing a $17.4 million bid to persuade
GOP officials to select the Alamo city.
More than half the money—a total
of $10.4 million would be raised
privately by a host committee headed
by former U.S. Rep, Tom Loeffler and
financier B.J. "Red" McCombs.
To bid on the < (invention, the city
must agree to reserve'»oth the Alamo-
dome and the San Antonio Conven-
tion Center for 68 days. No other
ey« nts could be held at either site
during that period.
The convention will be held July 29
to Aug. 4,2000
Imagine killing someone with your car.'
Imagine explaining it.
If you drink, don't drive!
Siionsttri'd h\ \lb,in\ /.isA I on t< on Dm^ A Ah olml Abuse
TO SEE that
remains untainti t>
WITH THE FILTH O-
CEN50RSHIP!"
rotund and about
By Emalyn (Sam) Gillispie
A great many things were happen-
ing in and around Albany this past
weekend.
Polo on the Prairie was a huge
success, according to Henry
MusBelman. It was one of the largest
turnouts they have had out there and
the weather could not have been any
more beautiful than Saturday. People
were seen taking advantage of the
weather and they were out hiking
and looking at the flowers before at-
tending the event.
Discover Albany was considered a
success. One of the most popular
places in town was the petting zoo.
The strolling players and the indi-
vidual singers were enjoyed by a great
many people.
The petfple who were visiting Al-
bany were having a lot of fun. One
out-of-town lady aeked me what the
celebration was all about and I told
her it was a day of shopping aiid
visiting with friends and neighbors.
We wanted to present Albany to any-
one who happened to be going through
our town. She said that they were on
their way to Wichita Falls, but every-
one seemed to be having such a great
time, they just had to stop anil see
What was going on.
The window that got a lot of atten-
tion and offered the crowd a lot of
laughswasatBlanton Caldwell.Holly
had enlarged the heads of some local
people and put them over some flail-
ing t-shirts. It was a crowd pleaser.
John said it could have been a big
money maker if he had accepted all
the money just to have certain faces
t aken out of the window. But it was
all in fun. LaDonna Whitt's picture
was up over my favorite shirt. It said,
"Shut urrand fish."
The Rehab in Abilene sponsored a
trail ride on Lambshead Ranch and
about 300 people took advantage of it.
They camped out for two nights at
1 layford and from my understanding,
it was wall to wall people. They set up
a stage and had entertainment at
night. They rode over to the Stone
Ranch and the Dugout.
The Fandangle crew moved out to
the theater Thursday night and it
was cold. The practice is coming along
and We hope it doesn't rain on the
second of May when the Sampler is to
be held.
Margie Davis of Stephenville, Doy-
leen Terrell's mother, was in town
visiting ami was enjoying the Dis-
cover Al bany Day. She graduated from
Avoea and loves this area. Her father
helped build the old road that goes
from Alnany to Avoca.
Some of the Sanders boys got to-
gether for a few days of fishing. James
Sanders from, here,"Wade Sanders of
Abilene, Bobby Bradford from
Bay town and Kenneth Newcomb of
Seminole, all gathered out at James'
place on the Clear Fork and stayed
three or four days. Sam NewcoiflJ?
and his father, Doyle, came from Min-
eral Wells for a visit and a fish supper
one night. Several fish were caught
and the group enjoyed fishing
playing dominoes Bobby Bradford
took a ten-pound catfish back to
Baytown with him.
Sally Stapp was on her way hortie
to Texas when she got caught up at
Boston and could not get out. It h&d
something to do with the marath'6h
that was taking place there. The bad
thing about that was she was meetipg
a friend, Nancy Whisenand from Afi-
gel Fire, Neyv Mexico, fierp i^,^lba(i^.
Well, Holly and John quine.to me.
rescue and Nancy was their gue^t
until Sally could get home.
It was good to see Polly Stockton
downtown She is doing well after her
knee surgery.
Jerry Woods had surgery on his
shoulder and wrist this past week at
Sheppard Air Force Base in Wichita
Falls. He is home and doing ok.
No, I did not get to go fishing this
past weekend. Just too many irons in
the lire. But have it planned to go this
coming weekend. The wind would hot
have the nerve to mess up this trip
like it did the last time. I hope.
This is Sam
and 1 will see you Round and About
Community Resource Calendar
lliurtday, April 23 lexdi Department of Health, ') <i/ii 4 pm
Ml IMK
Friday,'April 24 Resourie t enter (lined tar employee workday
Monday, April 27 ., Wl< ,') am 4 pm
Tuoilay, April 2B Support < iioup, I pm
IhiKiday, April 30 Ml IMK
Massage Ihetdpy & Ptiy>W dl lh«iia|>y, by dftyMjinllnent
on lufstUy, Wednesday, Ihtitsday
I'royjiled hy I he Albtny Newt for the
Shackelford (uuiiiy (imununity HetoUrt c t enter
w
%i
Community Calendar
APRIL 23 Lions Club - Lone Star Eatery, 12 noon
Fandangle practice Prairie Theater, 8 pm
12-step group - First Baptist Church, 8 pm
APRIL 24 Chamber luncheon - Icehouse, 12 noon
AA meeting • Call 762-2447 for location, 8 pm
APRIL 25 Ull re ginnal academic meet - Abilene
APRIL 25-26 Historical re-enactment - Fort Griffin State
Park, 8 am
APRIl 27 12-step group- First Baptist Church, 8 pm
APRIL 27 Commissioners court - Courthouse, 7 pm
APRIL 28 ( ity < ouncil & public hearing - City Hall, 5 pm
12*step group - First Baptist Church, 8 pm
Fandangle prac tice - Prairie I heater, 8 pm
APRIL 30 Fandartgle practice - Prairie Theater, 8 pm
MAY 1 fandangle- practice Prairie I heater, 8 pm
MAY 2 Fandangle membership sampler - Prairie Theater
"A P» 'tples's Heritage Center" American Legion Hall
Please visit when Open I lag" is (lying, tor everyone is welcome you, your
/ family, your friends and your organization. Your interest appreciated
American Legion Meetings Third Tuesday of each month — 5 ;0Q pm
first'
NATIONAL
BANK
Albany/Breckenridge
MiMBI R lb|i
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Lucas, Donnie A. The Albany News (Albany, Tex.), Vol. 122, No. 47, Ed. 1 Thursday, April 23, 1998, newspaper, April 23, 1998; Albany, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth414087/m1/4/?q=%22%22~1: accessed July 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting The Old Jail Art Center.