The Tulia Herald (Tulia, Tex.), Vol. 86, No. 52, Ed. 1 Thursday, December 29, 1994 Page: 2 of 14
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PAGE TWO
THE TULJA (Swisher County) HERALD
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 2V, 1994
Keeter Plans To Save County Taxpayers* Money
By Casey Westenrieder
Assistant Editor
County Judge-elect Harold Keeter
hasn't made any definite plans for his
new olTice, but he has made a commit-
ment to saving money.
"1 don't have anything in concrete,"
Keeter said, "But I'm going to evaluate
all the operations in the county to see if
there are any ways to make things more
efficient and save the taxpayers' dol-
lars."
Kec ter was c lec ted county judge, beat-
ing the incumbent Jay Johnson.
Before leaving office, Johnson ap-
pointed A.G. House to the position of
county commissioner in Precinct 2 after
the death of J.R. Latham, who was
elected to the position before his name
could be pulled from the ballot.
Keeter said he did not have a problem
working with House, but he said he
thinks the people in the precinct were
misrepresented.
"I don't have a problem working with
the man put into office, but the people
in Precinct 2 should have been asked,"
Museum Seeks
The Swisher County Museum is get-
ting ready for its annual membership
drive. Members are needed to create
financial stability for the museum.
According to Billie Sue Gaylcr, mu-
seum director, it is necessary to show
potential grantors that the community is
supporting the museum.
"The grantors aren't going to give
$10,000 for a new carpet if they think
we may not be able to keep the doors
open," Gaylcr says.
At this lime the museum has about
400 members. With a population as
large as Swisher County’s, there is a lot
of room for increased membership.
If the membership was 1,000 people
Gaylcr says there wouldn't be much
trouble getting larger grants.
During 1994 the museum didn't go
over budgcL "The reason is that we
haven’t spent for new exhibits. All of
Keeter said. "A.G. was defeated in the
primary so the people were ready for
change. They just should have been
asked."
One goal Keeter has put some thought
into is attraction of small business to
T ulia through a joint government effort.
"I'd like to sec the county and the city
work together to attract smaller busi-
nesses," Keeter said.
Keeler's plan for attracting small com-
panies is through a cooperative effort
with the city to see what businesses are
interested in coming to Tulia.
He explained that because of the small
size ofTulia it is difficult to try to attract
large businesses, and would like to con-
centrate on businesses employing be-
tween 10 and 20 people.
One advantage Keeter said he has in
working with small businesses is the
fact that he works for a small business
himself.
Keeter is owner of Swisher Meat
Company. He said during his term of
office as county judge, his two brothers,
Jerry and Bobby, will run the company.
New Members
our time and effort has gone into com-
munity programs. The schools from
Happy, Kress and Tulia have all partici-
pated in our programs this year," Gayler
says.
Gaylcr speaks wistfully of increasing
the number of museum members. She
notes that" 1,000 members would mean
$ 10,000 of dues paid in. That would be
a big chunk of our budget. And with that
much support the foundation grants
would be more attainable and larger.
"If we could get the grams we could
have more exhibits pertaining to the
pioneers and the early history of Swisher
County. We have the artifacts for the
exhibits but not the means for building
the displays," Gayler says.
The energy level emanating from
Gaylcr increases visibly as she talks
about money. "If I have the money," she
says, "I turn into four people."
Extension Service Four-Year Plan ...
Continued from page 1
Gibson explained that the center pivot system is a method of irrigation where
small amounts of water are used to a greater advantage.
The Extension service also plans to continue the use of alternate crops in the
county Gibson said. Some alternate crops he mentioned were commercial tomatos,
potatos and carrots.
Federal government programs mandate what farmers must do with their crop
land in order to receive funding, but Gibson said that farmers stay with the program
for another reason.
"Most producers have to remain with the programs to retain some kind of surety
on prices."
High cotton prices in 1994 enticed many farmers to plant more cotton, rather than
the alternate pinto bean, but Gibson said he hopes to continue with work done on
alternate crops.
Another item falling into the category of water and land use is the capping of
abandoned water wells.
The Extension service plans to cap 100 wells in Swisher County within the next
four years.
"We want to get with producers and land owners to cap wells for safely, but also
for the prevention of contamination," Gibson said.
The third goal of theextension service is to increase "economic competitiveness,
community viability and family stability."
Harold Keeter
"I would never have taken on the
responsibility (of county judge) if I
thought they couldn’t handle it," Keeter
said. "I'll help out as much as possible
with the business, but first I’m going to
take care of county business."
Some other plans Keeter said he has
outlined for his future tenure as county
judge arc to increase economic devel-
opment, work with the people in the city
government and improve lines of com-
munication so the people in Swisher
County are more informed about what’s
going on.
"I want to make sure the local media
is more aware of items on the agenda
before they come so people know what's
going on county government."
Keeter said he would also like to
implement more programs working with
juveniles to "assist kids at an early age."
Keeter admitted that the responsibili-
ties before him appear overwhelming,
but he promised to work hard for the
people who put him in office.
"I want to thank the voters for their
confidence," he said. "I’m going to do
the very best of my ability to live up to
their expectations. I'm looking forward
to the challenges of the office."
National 'Who's Who' Includes 83
From Swisher Co. High Schools
A total of 83 students from Swisher
County are included in the 28lh annual
edition of Who's Who Among American
High School Students, 1993-94. Tulia
Students arc:
Jason E. Basaldua, Amic Carlisle,
Robert A. Boatright, Cody Culwell,
Jeremy Earl, Kristin E. Eastwood, David
G. Garcia, Robert K. Grubcn, Brent
Gunnels, Chris B. Hict, Jill Hosch,
Jennifer K. Johnson, Cheryl D.
Kirkpatrick, Laura A. Mala, Lesha D.
Miller, Lacl Milner, Karmen J.
Pohlmcicr, Heather L. Powers, Juan R.
Rodriguez Jr., Marlin Rodriguez, Tcri
L. Sharp, Jennifer Thompson, Katherine
Tucker, Craig L. Wilfong, Carmen A.
Williams, Tynisha S. Winkficld.
Happy students arc:
Leigh Bowen, Kari A. Bryan, Jennifer
L. Collins, ChcrrcL. Cruz, JulicCumby,
Jeremiah Davis, Mcndy Dempsey, Jamie
E. Flowers, John Fulkerson, Krec Kelley,
Leah Lair, Jana McManigal, Amber
McNeill, Denise Spiscr, Steven Stevens,
Traci D. Stout, Jennifer Tirey, Brandon
Vick.
Kress students arc:
Monica Benavidez, Randall Campbcl 1.
Brandic L. Dorsey, Manda Hays, Mara
Hinojosa, Billymax Hurcta, Jason
Lindcman, Chantal D. Marshall, Jaime
Moya, Ebhcr Palomino, Jay R. Reed,
Reagan Reed, Klynn Reese, Tonya
Tayslor, Toby Tomsu, Nancy Torres,
Sally Torres.
Nazareth students arc:
Sabrina Acker, Misti A. Ball, Jaimyc
Bingham, Joyce L. Birkcnfeld, Scott L.
Braddock, Kristin M Brockman, Scott
Brockman, Angela Fortenberry, Allyn
D. G arza, N i c ho las J. G c rbrer, Courtney
G. Hocking, Adam L. Johnson, Sarah J.
Olvera, John Pohlmcicr, Karmen
Pohlmcicr, Jill M. Ramackcrs, Mary
^llcn Ramackcrs, Jarct Schulte, Caric
A. Wcthinglon.
GOOD SHEPHERD VOLUNTEERS with the smiles of good cheer, who
worked on the food drive at Royal Theatre from left are: Darrin
McCaslin, Brandon McCaslin, Stella Vena, Jan McCaslin, Danny Vena,
Leta Walker, Linda Milner, Larry Milner, Dora Herrera, Joaquin Herrera.
—Staff Photo
Food Drive Is A Big Hit
• ••
Three problems facing Swisher County, as outl ined by the report, arc: "dcclin ing
agricultural profits, increased regulations on agricultural producers and decreased
economic stability."
The report states that to overcome declining profits and increased regulations,
area farmers need to be able to understand and use "financial management and
record keeping systems, marketing skills, proper hiring skills, diversifying ol
economic base and general commodity management."
Gibson said the extension service offers workshops on these items to help
producers better understand the proper skills and techniques of self-management.
The fourth goal outlined in the report deals with the "development of life skills
and leadership qualities."
This fourth goal deals with problems facing children in today’s society, including
"ineffective parenting skills, reduced self-responsibility and decision making
skills in youth and lack of volunteer involvement to enhance community resources.
According to the report, child abuse cases in Texas have "quadrupled in the past
10 years" and that "80 percent of the perpetrators of child abuse arc parents."
Ways of combating child abuse that the extension service plans to continue arc
through parental education.
Some objectives set for the next four years include providing opportunities for
high-risk families for education through schools, community groups and human
services.
The extension service also hopes to help "parents improve relationships with
their children through effective communication, appropriate affection, encourage-
ment and acceptance," according to the report.
Other problems facing the youth in Swisher County arc the increase in teen
pregnancy and juvenile crime.
"Twenty percent of 18- to 19-ycar-olds arc already having their first child,
Gibson said. "It is a real challenge to get information to them. A lot of them came
from families that weren't traditional families in the first place.
"We will try to address youth in the areas of juvenile crime, substance abuse and
teen pregnancy with the help of the courts and counselors," Gibson said.
One way theextension service plans to help juveniles is through a buddy system.
Many senior citizens in the area have agreed to be paired up with kids to give the
youths someone to interact with, Gibson said.Billie Sue Gaylor
With the goals for the next four years mapped out, Gibson said he is really
looking forward to working with farmers and children.
"I was raised on a farm and anything I can do to improve our farms is important
to me," Gibson said. "I like to watch kids grow and develop. I'm kind of amazed
at how well some of them turn out. It is really rewarding when you see one do so
well."
Some 500 people attended the showing
of Pranccr, held at the Royal Theater on
Saturday, Dec. 17. Admission to the
show was one can of food per person.
"Thanks to everyone who came out to
support the food drive for Good
Shepherd." Theater operator Joaquin
Herrera said. "Special thanks to all
volunteers."
Popcorn was provided by the First
National Bank and Hale County State
Bank. Coca Cola from Plainvicw
provided soft drinks.
Other donations were made by First
Christian Church, First United Methodist
1 ulia Hanking CVnti’r
Otters You
Competitive CD Rates
CD APY Rate!
30day... .5.15........5.03|
60 day.....5.20........5.15B
90 day..... 5.39.......5.281
180 day.....5.86.......5.781
1 yr........ 6.04.......5.95 [
The minimum balance to
open an account and ob-
tain the Annual Percent-
age Yield is $50,000. APYs
are offered on accounts
opened from 12-27^4
through I 2-31-94. A pen-
alty may oe imposed for
early withdrawals.
HALE COUNTY STATE BANK
\\ h« tv V>ur ( ommumh ( i'inr-1 i t
m. •. - t I 1 i ■
Church, First Baptist Church, Catholic
Church of the Holy spirit, First
Presbyterian Church, Tulia Police
Department and Plainvicw Janitorial
Supply.
Herrera says the churches made the
event possible.
Social Security
In
Swisher County
From the Plainvicw Office
More and more grandparents find
themselves assuming the role of parents
in the absence of their own children
because of death or disability. When this
happens. Social Security may recognize
the grandparent as the "parent" for benefit
purposes.
When the grandparent retires, becomes
disabled, or dies, the grandchild may be
able to qualify for benefits if certain
conditions arc met. Generally, the
biological parents of the child must be
deceased or disabled, or the grandchild
must be legally adopted by the
grandparent.
In addition, the grandchild must have
begun living with the grandparent before
age 18 and received at least one half
support from the grandparent for the
year before the month the grandparent
became entitled to rctircmcntor disability
insurance benefits or died. Also, the
natural parents of the child must not be
making regular contributions to his or
her support.
If the grandchild was bom oaring the
onc-ycar period, the grandparent must
have lived with and provided at least
one-half of the grandchild's support for
substantially all of the period from the
date of the grandchild's birth to the month
the grandparent became entitled to
disability or retirement benefits.
The grandchild may qualify for
benefits under these circumstances even
if he or she is a stcpgrandchild. However,
if the grandparents arc already receiving
benefits, they would need to adopt the
child for it to qualify for benefits.
Marriage licenses issued by Swisher
county clerk since last week: Houston
Ray Lemons, Tulia and Diane Hall
Gardner, Silvcrton.
•
Patients in Swisher Memorial Hospi-
tal Tuesday morning: Agnes Allard, R.L.
Briggs, Eural Vaughn, Leo Koger, Fred
Brannon, Karen Laureles, August Galitz,
1 nclma Singer.
•
The following friends have expressed
their appreciation for the Tulia Herald
by having their names placed on its
mailing list: Peggy Trice Mcclure, HCR
2 Box 94, Kress, 79052; Michael
Metcalf, 6422 Mooregate, Amarillo,
Texas 79109.
TULIA MARKETS
CORN
4.58
MILO
4.13
WHEAT
3.96
SOYBEANS
4.98
(Courtesy Auebury Grain)
Temperature extremes for the week
were 64 and 22. No precipitation fell
during the week. Total rainfall for the
month to date has been 12. Total rainfall
for the year to date has been 19.84.
THE TUUA HERALD
(USPS 643-740)
Chris Russetl, Publisher. Published each
Thursday by The Tulia Herald News
Company, Inc. at 115 South Austin, Tu-
lia, Swisher County, Texas 79088. Paid
as second class matter at the Post Office
atTulia, Texas, under the Actof March 1.
1979. POSTMASTER: Send address
changes to The Tulia Herald, P. O.
Drawer 87, Tulia, TX 79088. Swisher
and adjoining counties—1 year, SI6.00;
all otherTexas and U. S. addresses $19.00.
Each year, 230,000 claims for
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
benefits are received from people age 65
or older. Their first payment is ready in
about 17 days, with a 96-percent record
of accuracy.
Every year, SSA receives more than
60 million reports of changes of address,
marriage, divorce, death, and other
events that affect a person's eligibility
for Social Security benefits.
Social Security representatives with
"on-line" access to beneficiary files
record the new information and update
the files instantaneously.
Hopefully, these facts will help you
feel better the next time you sec a head
line criticizing some aspect of Social
Security. They should help you recog-
nize that such criticism is not the whole
story.
News Briefs
THE SWISHER COUNTY Mu-
seum will hold its annual meeting
Jan.l4at 10:00 a.m. New members of
the Board of Directors will be elected
and installed. There will be a review
of 1994 and a preview of projects
proposed for 1995.A light brunch will
be served. Memberships will be of-
fered at $10 per person.
MEN OR THEIR FAMILIES who
served in World War n are being
asked to submit letters or copies of
letters written by Mrs. Rex Rodgers
to them during that time. The Swisher
County Museum plans to erect a me-
morial honoring Mrs. Rodgers and
these items are needed. Those who
have such letters should contact the
museum at Box 445, Tulia 79088, or
call 806-995-2819.
THE CONGREGATION of First
Assembly of God invites the public to
the PENTECOST NOW! prayer re-
vival, beginning 6 p.m. Sunday, Jan.
1, running through Jan. 6 at the
church. The services from Tuesday
through Friday will begin at 7 p.m.
LIGHTS AT THE Williams' house
will continue to shine through Dec.
31. Donations for Tulia Volunteer
Fire Department will also be accepted
at the home during this time.
RONNY BRADLEY
Retirement
No matter what your age you need
to prepare for retirement. Social Se-
curity will not be able to meet all the
needs of your lifestyle, so it's up to you
to make plans to bring in the extra
money. You can start a retirement ac-
count with a small initial investment
and a few dollars a month. Slop by
today to get started preparing for the
future.
Spectrum Securities
200 North Maxwell Tulia, Texas
1-800-551-6898 or 806-995^778
PLAINVIEW
ANNUAL
CLEARANCE
SALE
Starts Tuesday,
January 3
9:30 A.M.
A Whole Store Full Of
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The Tulia Herald (Tulia, Tex.), Vol. 86, No. 52, Ed. 1 Thursday, December 29, 1994, newspaper, December 29, 1994; Tulia, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth507160/m1/2/: accessed June 28, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting Swisher County Library.