The Big Lake Wildcat (Big Lake, Tex.), Vol. 68, No. 43, Ed. 1 Thursday, October 28, 1993 Page: 2 of 23
twenty three pages : ill. ; page 22 x 14 in. Digitized from 35 mm. microfilm.View a full description of this newspaper.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
Page 2
October 28,1993
®hr Bifl dkt Wilkid
Letters to the editor
Write him and express your opinion
P.0. Box 946
Big Lake, TX 76932_
Teamwork defined by reader
To the Editor,
I looked up the word teamwork
in my dictionary, and I wanted to let
everyone know what the meaning
was.
(team-work) n. Joint action by
a number of people to make the
work of a group successful and
effective: Football requires
teamwork even more than indi-
vidual skill.
The reason I am writing this let-
ter is to say that 1 think the 8th grade
football coaches need to remember
this definition.
My son and many other boys on
the 8th grade team don't seem to get
the chance to be pan of this (team-
work). Thursday, my son rode the
bus to Kermit to play a (teamwork)
game. He didn't get home until
11:30 p.m. When I asked him about
the results of the game, he stated that
they (the 8th graders) had lost.
When I questioned him funher, 1
discovered that he never got the
Dear David,
For the past ten years 1 have
decorated my front porch and yard
for Halloween with a "family" of
ceramic Jack-O-Lanterns. Two
weeks ago I again took them from
the attic and put them in my yard for
the entertainment of passersby.
You can imagine my unhappi-
ness to discover early Saturday
morning that Baby Pumpkin had
chance to make a single play in the
whole game. He goes to all of the
practices after school and he has
always been enthusiastic about it.
I know my son is not the STAR
PLAYER, but I have always taught
him to never be a quitter! This is one
mother that is learning how to eat
her own words. I cannot blame my
son for being discouraged now
about football practice! Why go
through all of the hard work if you
don't even get the chance to play!!
I was brought up being taught
that it doesn't matter if you win or
lose, it's how you play the game and
give your 100% of what you do. I
feel that my son has done this. I
think the coaches have only one
thing on their minds. WIN! WIN!
WIN!
Maybe the coaches need to go
back to school and learn the true
meaning of TEAMWORK!!
Thanks David
been kidnapped while I was in
Crane at the ball game on Friday
night. If anyone has any idea of his
whereabouts, I would appreciate
that information. If he should hap-
pen to wander back into my yard, I
would be delighted. Baby Pumpkin
belongs with his mom and dad in my
front yard!
Thanks,
Sharon McRcavy
State ik Capital
HIGHLIGHTS
By Lyndell Williams
and Ed Sterling
TEXAS PRESS ASSOCIATION
AUSTIN — Three former Texas
Agriculture Department officials
were found guilty last week by a
federal grand jury on charges of
conspiracy and bribery in a
scheme to trade public funds for
the solicitation of campaign funds.
The defendants were aides of
former agriculture commissioner
Jim Hightower, who was defeated
in his 1990 re-election bid. Ac-
cording to testimony, former
deputy agriculture commissioner
Mike Moeller, his assistant Peter
Thomas McRae and division chief
Billie Quicksall hired consultants
with public money to travel the
state soliciting political contribu-
tions for Hightower’s campaign.
Moeller was found guilty on a
charge of conspiracy and six other
counts of misappropriating or
theft of public funds. McRae was
found guilty on five counts and
Quicksall was found guilty on four
counts. The three face 36 to 48
months in prison and fines under
federal sentencing guidelines. A
sentencing date of Nov. 19 has
been set.
Jurors heard how $173,000 in
public funds was misspent. The
bulk of the money was said to go
to consultants Bob Boyd and
Russell Koontz, both retired long-
time agriculture department em-
ployees.
Agribusiness owners whose
livelihoods are regulated by the
agriculture department testified
that Boyd and Koontz pressured
them for campaign contributions
during business trips. Boyd and
Koontz were excused from the
trial because they suffer from ill
health.
Hightower said he returned all
of the improperly raised campaign
donations after reading a 1990 re-
port in The Dallas Morning News
concerning the actions of the con-
sultants.
Hightower was not accused of
any wrongdoing, but Assistant
U.S. Attorney Dan Mills said
charges against the former com-
missioner could emerge as a result
of the verdict. Mills suggested the
defendants might come forward
with more information because
they are facing a prison sentence.
Moeller's attorney, William
Allison, said his client would ap-
peal the verdict.
Grand Juror Subpoenaed
A subpoena was filed last week
for Melvin G. Wrenr. of Austin
who served on the grand jury that
indicted U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey
Hutchison last month on five
criminal charges.
Hutchison’s attorney, Dick
DeGuerin of Houston, filed the
subpoena instructing Wrenn to ap-
pear for questioning at the Travis
County Courthouse on Oct. 28.
DeGuerin could not be reached
for comment on why the subpoena
was filed. He earlier accused
Travis County District Attorney
Ronnie Earle of discouraging wit-
nesses in the case from talking to
defense attorneys.
Schools and Income Tax
A state personal income tax is
part of the solution to Texas’ pub-
lic school funding troubles, a
Texas Association of School
Boards official testified last week
in an education finance trial.
Billy Walker, TASB executive
director, testified that equity in
school funding will occur only
when the state comes up with a
better tax system.
“A personal income lax is part
of that solution," Walker told state
District Judge Scott McCown, pre-
siding judge in the nine-year-old
school finance case.
“You must solve the state rev-
enue problems before you can
solve your school finance prob-
lem,” Walker said. “If the state
docs not solve the revenue prob-
lem, then the school finance prob-
lem may well be insoluble."
Walker’s comments came in re-
sponse to a question by McCown,
who asked the school finance ex-
pert how he would improve the
education funding system. Walker
Return baby pumpkin
*
said he and the association have
no position on whether the school
finance law is constitutional. But
whatever system is used, he said,
there must be more money for edu-
cation.
Professor Calls Plan Fair
In later testimony, a New York
University professor said Texas
would have one of the most equi-
table school funding systems in
the nation under its news educa-
tion finance law.
Robert Berne, associate dean
and professor of public adminis-
tration at the university, was
called to testify by state attorneys
defending the law against chal-
lenges by property-rich and prop-
erty-poor school districts.
“! think if it plays out th* wav
we've anticipated, it wilj produce
a system that is the most equitable
in the country," Berne said.
Texas Short on Grants
Texas ranks near the bottom —
46th in the 1992 fiscal year — in
seeking and getting federal grants.
The U.S. Census Bureau gave
Texas that low per-capita ranking
because the state received only 3.3
percent of the federal grants avail-
able when it had 6.8 percent of the
country’s population.
The state's failure to capitalize
on federal dollars makes Texas a
“donor" state, one where more
federal dollars are leaving than re-
turning.
Comptroller John Sharp esti-
mated the cost of being a donor
state in 1990 was $2.4 billion.
Other Highlights
a U.S. Rep. Marlin Frost, D-
Dallas, announced he will run for
re-election next year rather than
seek the Senate seat held by Re-
publican Kay Bailey Hutchison. “I
intend to spend all my energies
with the future of the Super
Collider," he said.
a U.S. Housing and Urban De-
velopment Secretary Henry
Cisneros has squelched rumors
that he will run for the U.S. Sen-
ate next year. “I can't imagine any
scenario under which I would be
a candidate next year," said the
former San Antonio mayor.
a Early voting for the Nov. 2
statewide election started last
week and runs through Oct. 29.
The ballot includes 16 proposed
constitutional amendments on
subjects ranging from an income
restriction to prison construction.
f "N
Comment
Call 884-5771
24 hours a day lo
make your Comment
V_
4
I was so thrilled when I was told
Dr. Nunnally had reapplied to the
hospital, then so dissapointed when
I was told he had withdrawn the
application due to some error in
records. It makes me sick to think
how badly he is needed here and that
the board would let him go because
of an error in paperwork. Paper-
work can be corrected. I wonder
how very many people care about )
paperwork in the emergecy room
when there is a life and death situa-
tion. You can bet the board will
have some explanation. The bot-
tom line is, the people lose again.
Thank you
David.
Do you ever do any investigative
reporting? I dare you to find out
who Gary Smally is? You'll find
him on nationwide info-mercials on
nationwide TV selling his lech- ,
niques. And, I'm very angry be- *
cause I just found out who Gary
Smally is.
Your Fellow Servant
David
I'm just curious but what is the
meeting with the commissioners
and the firemen all about? Did the
commissioners replace the old
truck or what. Your story did not
say. According lo the letter to the
editor, the commissioners arc not
providing needed equipment to the f
volunteer firemen. Is that true?
Curious George
884-3753
ThcASCS office has a new phone
number. Call them at 884-3753 if
you need lo talk with ’em.
Editor's Choice
Constitutional amendments detailed
Continued from page 1
cal political entities. Puleceze,
Austin. Don't mess with local
lexans. What’s the problemo?
If I had a pension, I would rather
matters of my pension be under lo-
cal control than have nearly any-
body in elected Austin do it for me.
Maybe it's just me, but I like for
local folks to be involved in deci-
sions that affect them. I'm votin'not
again.
To recap, the editor’s choice this
year is no on amendments 1, 5, 6,
and 11 and yes on all the others.
Amendment 2 is a good one. The
EPA has mandated that small busi-
nesses such as most of us have
around here spend millions of dol-
lars to comply with pollution con-
trol regulations. These heavy in-
vestments will not help local
economies and may well force some
closings of businesses costing jobs.
Amendment 2 will allow equipment
used to control pollution to be ex-
empt from ad valorum taxes. That
means local taxes too. 33 other
states exempt pollution control de-
vices and equipment from taxation.
This ought to be a unanimous yes
vote, although it always amazes me
when someone votes against one
like this.
Proposition 3 is housekeeping.
A yes vote here gets property back
where it should be and gets the state
out of people's business.
Proposition 4 is a definite yes,
although voters should naturally be
cautious of propositions like this.
Approval of 4 would require voter
approval of any future law imposing
a state income tax. And, if that state
income tax is passed by the people,
it would be required that two thirds
of the money go to reducing your
ever escalating local school prop-
erty taxes. The rest of the money
would be dedicated to education.
Proposition 4 is a yes vote. It is not
a vote for a ban on a personal income
tax. Don't think that it is. Will we
have a state income tax? Only us
voters will be able to decide that if
prop 4 passes and we will decide to
do so when local taxes exceed the
pain level of the majority of voters.
I'm almost to the top rung of that
pain ladder right now.
je Big Jitter IDilitcal
Established in 1925
USPS Publication Number 055-860
Published every Thursday by tha Big Lake Wildcat. Inc. in Big
Lake, The County Seat o< Reagan County, Texas at 309 2nd Street,
Big Lake, Texas 76932.
David Werst..................................Editor
J.L Werst, Jr...............................Publisher
Alicia Werst Laurie Weatherby
Leticia Leija Marla Daugherty
tkc an lake wxdcat. po bo.m
nddmnam >'7 SO pry* Out of state
Lift*. 1mm Tteae Emnend at *ac
ondctaaa>aa> January2. ’931 an
Pam OMea a Big tea, Tana /da tbn
Aa of Cororaaa of Ware* 3.1979.
arm oarttM r m&emrca
915/884-2215
Publisher is not responstole for copy omissions, typographical
errors or any other unintentional errors that may occur further than to
make correction in next issue after it is brought to his attention.
Pubfcsher reserves the right to cancel any advertisement at any time.
Member of the Texas Press Association
and the West Texas Press Association
!= =j A Voter's Guide to the Constitutional Amendments
to he Considered on November 2,1993
—__I'repnred hy I rrr Marktt l oundalum • I'D Ihix 741777 - Dallas, Texas 7t.\7-l-l777
i
Authori/c* state It* issue $50 million in general obligation bonds to
finance costs for the si art-up ol historically umleriihli/cd businesses
ami establish the Texas Historically Underutilized business (HUH)
Capital (irowih and Start (Ip 1 tind HUM is .• minontv owned
business corporation, which is owned by one or more persons who are
socially disadvantaged because ol ihcir idcnlilicalioti as members of
certain groups.
Would proviee an o|tportuniis to compete with other long
established businesses and lusters economic diversification
ihioughoiit ihc slaii
Would foster business growth lor only one segment of the
business community at the expense ol all taxpayers and could
increase debt service by 54 S milium from the general revenue
lllltd
2
Authorizes the legislature lo exempt certain real and personal
properly acquired after January 1. 1994. from lax on goods if the
properly is used in reducing pollution
Would comply that environmental law is one of the leading costs
of doing business and this .nnendmeni will aid business in
complying with ihc law . Controlling business costs and pollu-
tion output would preserve jobs in Texas Because 32 stales offer
similar tax incentives. Icxas would compete for new and ex-
panding businesses with this lax incentive This in turn would
increase revenues lo the (icncral Revenue Tund
Would enforce the principle that laws are created lo protect the
public interest 1 he ( lean Air Act is a federal law and should be
lullv enforced lax incentives should not be offered lo
businesses in order to bring about compliance with the law
3
Would clear land titles lo the Shelby, 1 ri/icr A McCormick league
in Ft. liend A Austin Counties The stale would relinquish both
mineral A surface rights to this land
Would protect over 14ft Infinite* who* nnctvlor* purchased the Would com Ni paver- IftO.UKIcaetl lime an ckclKKl i- needed tu
land in NHltjilh decade-ago Irom having to repurchase the land -cltle one loud title di-pulc ll i- believed .niece mean- -hould he
in order lo gain clear rule I hc amendment could prevent coMly lu-ed to -ciilc ilic-c di-pute-
i lawsuit
4
Would rcuuire voter approval of anv law enacted by the legislature
that would impose a personal income lax Voters must approve the
tax rale, (tcrsonal exemptions A standard deductions Revenue from
the income tax would he dedicated to public education A lo properly
tax relief
Would maintain Icxas is an attractive stale in which lo do
business and would encourage Texas business A personal
i economic growth The dedicated revenues could help solve the
inequities in the school linancc system.
Would tve the personal income tax lo public education A reduced
, profuriv taxes which would make the legislator's more likely lo
pass a personal income lax Although the measure implys a ban
on income tax. it may actually hasten it's implementation
5
Would allow the l egislature to prescribe the qualifications for
sheriffs.
Would require sheriffs lo meet ihc same licensing A
qualification standards that deputies A constables must currently
meet I bis could ensure better competency
Would retain voter's right to decide the qualifications necessary
lor their county sheriff, thereby lessening stale intervention in
local affairs
6
Would abolish the office of the Jackson County surveyor, whose
duties yvmild be transferred lo an official designated by the County
Commissioners Court.
Would abolish an office that has become expensive and unnec-
essary Although county surveyors once were an important
' office, large tracts of land arc no longer sold by government
Would retain voter's right to elect county officials County
'surveyors act as an impartial judge to resolve disputes among
other surveyors »h boundary disputes between counties
7
Would repeal certain restrictions for corporations to raise capital with
respect lo the issuance of slock
Would allow Icxas corporations to raise capital through new
methods, thus creating a more favorable growth climate
Would maintain a safeguard protecting consumers from fraud
Early voting ends October 29
8
Would iIh»uvh iIr p•situhi ol the Mel cun.in County surveyoi.
whose duties would Ik iiaitslcrred to an ollicial designated hv Ihc
( minty t ofttmissHmcrs Court
Ihi- position iM spritviit A no longer necessary
W«Hikl retain voter \ right lor kef county oIIhmIs
9
Would (educe from 2 veers to r» months the lime in which all real
property seized through tax foreclosure could be eligible for
redemption I bis would not apply tu residence homesteads or land
designated for agricultural use
Inn ermm nivcould sell lorcckvscd property within a shinier time
frame Buyer' arc hesitant to foreclose property because Ihc
cur lent law goes ihc former owner 2 years lo redeem lo property
Holding ihc properly for 2 years causes loss of tax revenues
Would maintain current policv which gives wide latitude and
protcctHNi to ihc property owner to redeem their proprny
10
Authorizes state to issue $7^0 million in general obligation bonds
Proceeds would be used by Veterans' Land Board to purchase land
for resale A make home mortgage loans lo veterans Would also
allow the hoard to issue revenue bonds payable from Veterans 1 and
Fund A Veterans Housing Assistance Fund
Would continue one of a limited number of slate benefits
available lo veterans by offering them low-interest rates to
purchase land and homes
Would obligate the slate to use general revenues lo pax the debt
icrv ice if Ihc program fails regardless of its claim and past history
of being self-supporting
11
Would require the trustees of local public retirement systems to
establish operational procedures for the pension system which
benefit the system's members and beneficiaries
Would protect local public pension systems by defining the
responsibilities of the trustees
Would inappcupnjiclv invot-e ike cuw in opciatioo* of tocil
pen-ton -v-tetm when theft » inadequate evidence of • need foe
well involvement
12
Would create a fourth instance in which a judge could deny bail lo
someone accused of committing certain offenses while under
supervision of a criminal justice agency for a prior felony
Would allow courts and judges to keep dangerous criminals ta
jail while waiting tnal.
Would violate the principle of "innocent until proven guilty “
C ould further escalate prison overcrowding problem
13
Would add Texas State Technical College (TSTC) to a list of
institutions which receive funds from the Higher Fducation
Assistance Fund
Would give fund- to TSTC a- the only public invtuutKHi of highei
education Hut doc- not receive anntancc from dedicated land*
The fund- would nut m TSTC* capital tipenae-
TSTC is not a 4-year institution A does not have same needs as
ihonc receiving assistance
14
Would authorize issuance up to $1 billion in general obligation
bonds for construction and renovation of prisons
Would give non-violent offenders a greater chance for
rehabilitation A keep vtotem offenders in state penal mstitwtionx
longer State jails are leu expensive to build St run, so more beds
could be built with the money, the measure would assist » the
court-ordered fmes paid to counties for housing state inmates
Would create added slate debt and would com the state $90 8
million in debt service Building more beds n not the answer
Officials should get at the root cause of muse
15
Would permit voters of a county lo decide, at an election called by
ihc commissioners conn, whether to abolish the office of county
surveyor rn a county Surveyor's duties would be transferred to an
official designated by County Commissioners Court.
Would keep a position that is expensive and no longer necessary
in many counties This proportion would a how counties to vote
to eliminate the county surveyor job without having to pnss a
( (institutional Amendment each time
Would retain voter's right to elect county officials
16
Would authorize Texas Agricultural Fund to issue general
obligation notes A bonds and would tndkasc the amount of bonds
issued from $25 million lo $100 million.
Would increase availability of loam to farmers A ranchers,
thereby allowing the agricultural industry to continue to grow
Would obligate the state to use general revenues to pov the debt
service if the program fads
The Frre Market Fommdatirm prsnides this mtm-partisam rater’s guide m an attempt to kelp etttzens cast a more mfarmed rate ha met am attempt to pan ae defeat amy of Ike prepared
FMF expresses appreciation to the Teams Cemaenmtvre Ceektiem far kockgrmmmd im format ton
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This issue can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Newspaper.
Werst, David. The Big Lake Wildcat (Big Lake, Tex.), Vol. 68, No. 43, Ed. 1 Thursday, October 28, 1993, newspaper, October 28, 1993; Big Lake, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth656281/m1/2/: accessed June 29, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting Reagan County Library.