The Dublin Citizen (Dublin, Tex.), Vol. 8, No. 20, Ed. 1 Thursday, January 15, 1998 Page: 1 of 28
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The Dublin
SOUTHWEST MICRO PUBLISHING
Citizen
TA “=
TEXAS PRESS
ASSOCIATION
5<K
i.
Volume 8, No. 20
Dublin, Texas 76446
Thursday, January 15, 1998
State Capital
HIGHLIGHTS
By Lyndtll Williams ft Ed Starling
TEXAS PRESS ASSOCIATION
AUSTIN — Violent sex offenders
would be locked up indefinitely
and the death penalty could be as-
signed to repeat child molesters and
drug traffickers under a proposal
by Democrat John Sharp. ,
Speaking at a news conference
last week, Sharp, state comptroller
running for lieutenant governor,
said, “Making Texas safer must
be our top priority. My criminal
•justice reform plan will help
accomplish that.”
Sharp also proposed placing
more state prison inmates in
work programs and retroactively
eliminating mandatory early release
for prisoners by passing a law that
could be upheld in the courts.
He also recommended a crackdown
on juvenile gangs and shoring up
penalties against those who assault
teachers.
Republican Rick Perry, who is
also running for lieutenant gover-
nor, said, however, that Sharp’s
plan “echoes” his own plan for
criminal justice reform, The Dallas
Morning News reported. Regarding
Sharp’s news conference, Perry’s
campaign manager Jim Arnold,
said, “Many of the ideas an-
nounced today are so Eood, they
have already been proposed by state
leaders like (Agriculture Com-
missioner) Rick Perry and Gov.
(George W.) Bush.”
Fund-Raising Suit Settled
The Texas attorney general’s
office said last week that a
telemarketer for Dallas police and
sheriff’s union has settled a lawsuit
that accused it of fraudulent fund-
raising, The Dallas Morning News
reported.
Merritt Productions Inc. misrep-
resented where money would be
going and what contributions were
charitable tax deductions, the state
alleged.
The settlement prohibits Daniel
Merritt, owner of the company,
from exercising control over any
future firm that does not comply
with strict solicitation guidelines.
The attorney general’s office
filed the lawsuit as part of a multi-
state effort aimed at “police chari-
ties.” The state’s suit alleged that
Merritt employees misrepresented
that solicited funds were going to
the police and sheriff’s depart-
ments, when the money actually
was going to support unions.
Some company solicitors also
told consumers that decals provided
in return for contributions entitled
the person to break traffic laws
with impunity, according to the
suit.
The fund-raiser kept 85 percent
of money collected for the two
unions.
Teen Drug Use Rising
The Texas Commission on Al-
cohol and Drug Abuse has com-
piled figures showing that ille-
gal dnig use by Texas students in
grades seven through 12 increased
in 1996.
Released by the commission last
week, the survey showed an upward
trend in teen drug use beginning
in 1992. About 34 percent of all
secondary students in 1996 had
used some type ofrillegal substance
during their lifetime — up from 22
percent in 1992, but below the rate
of 39 percent recorded in 1988.
“Alcohol continues to be the
most widely used substance among
Texas secondary students, ” the
survey said.
“In many ways, curtailing alco-
hol consumption is more problem-
atic than reducing the use of il-
licit drugs because of the availabil-
ity of alcohol and the perception
among adolescents that drinking al-
cohol is not as dangerous as using
other drags. ”
See CAPITAL page 2
Ousted chief
files lawsuit
against city
A lawsuit has been filed against
the City of Dublin by former
police chief David-Johnson and
was served to Mayor Katherine
Prater Monday.
Johnson was fired on a split vote
of the Dublin City Council on Oct.
13 with council members citing
“lack of confidence.” Johnson had
worked for the city as a police
officer, police chief and/or city
manager more than 19 years and
would have been eligible for full
retirement benefits within six
months of his termination.
The suit alleges that the city
council's termination followed an
investigation by the chief of illegal
bidding procedures and other
wrongdoing on the part of some
council members. A criminal in-
vestigation into those allegations is
underway by the district attorney’s
office.
The suit seeks past wages, vaca-
tion pay and retirement benefits, as
well as “exemplary damages” as
determined by a jury. The suit also
seeks re-instatement of Johnson to
the police chief’s job.
Christmas in April
home applications
available now
Christmas will come on April
18, 1998 for several local residents
whose homes will be chosen for
rehabilitation during the communi-
ty-wide, one-day volunteer blitz
known as Christmas in April.
The local organization hopes to
renqvate five homes in 1998 and to
raise $14,000 to do so.
Since the local program began
two years ago, an estimated 200-
300 volunteers each year have
done major repairs or renovations
on 12 Dublin residences.
CIA rehabilitates the houses of
low income homeowners, particu-
larly the elderly and disabled, so
they may continue to live safely
and independently in their own
home.
Homeowners apply to the local
Christmas in April affiliate, a pro-
cess that involves a written form,
an interview and a house visit.
Applications are available at all
the three local banks, the chamber
of commerce, city hall, and the
Dublin Citizen office. Forms must
be returned by Jan. 31.
Help is needed from anyone
willing to pitch in to strengthen
their communities. Skilled trades-
people are particularly in demand
— carpenters, plumbers, and elec-
tricians.
To volunteer or to make a dona-
tion, contact any CIA officer or
director. Officers are David Rob-
erts, president; Bobbie Nichols,
vice president; Lois Henson, secre-
tary and David Johnson, treasurer.
Chamber introduces new city officials
The Chamber of Commerce hosted a reception for new police
chief Paul Johnson and his wife, Dru, and new city attorney
Barney Knight of Austin on Monday. Knight is shown with council
members Jack Thompson and James "Red" Seigars.
Council dumps drug dog;
approves police chief salary
Council to meet with "head hunter" Saturday
regarding city manager vacancy
School boards honored
Governor George W. Bush has
proclaimed January as School
Board Recognition Month to build
awareness and understanding of the
vital function an elected board of
education plays in our society.
The Dublin Independent School
District is joining with other dis-
tricts throughout the state to recog-
nize the important contributions
trustees make to their communi-
ties.
“Texans benefit every day from
the dedicated energies and count-
less hours devoted by a group of
more than 7,000 men and women
across the state. These public ser-
vants are elected to serve by local
citizens and receive no compensa-
tion for their tireless efforts. These
men and women are the local
school board members of Texas,”
said Roy Neff, DISD superinten-
dent.
““These people unselfishly con-
tribute their time and talents to-
ward the advancement of public
education," Superintendent Neff
said. “They represent a continuing
commitment to local citizen con-
trol and decision-making in educa-
tion.
“Even though we are making a
special effort during January to
show appreciation to our school
board members, we recognize their
contributions reflect year-round
commitment on their part," the
superintendent said. “They are
dedicated individuals who are
committed to the continuing suc-
cess of our schools and students.”
Members of the DISD school
board are Mike Jumey,, board
president who has served on the
board eight years; Steve High-
tower, four years; Guy Hall, five
years; Travis Barnes, 12 years; Joe
Mac Riley, six years; Bart Green-
way, three years, and John Vines,
one year.
By KAREN WRIGHT
Citizen Editor
The Dublin City Council, on the
recommendation of Police Chief
Paul Johnson, will “bite the bullet
and relinquish the drug dog” to the
Erath County Sheriffs Office.
Admitting he might be commit-
ting political suicide by making the
recommendation, Johnson told the
council that by getting rid of the
drug dog, “we can excise ourselves
from further grief.”
The dog was purchased in Octo-
ber, 1995 and former Dublin police
officer Jim Jackson was trained as
her handler. The dog has not been
used since Jackson resigned to
become a deputy with the Erath
County sheriffs office in Septem-
ber. No Dublin officer has been
assigned to or trained to handle the
dog since Jackson’s resignation.
“We have a small community.
The dog is a (law enforcement)
tool that I’m not sure we can
afford,” Johnson said, citing what
he called “minuscule convictions,
tremendous liability and expense.”
The sheriff’s office will make
tlie dog available as needed in
Dublin, Johnson said.
Councilwoman Melba Reed, who
supported the original purchase of
the dog, said she “still feels we
need it as a deterrent,” but Chief
Johnson responded that, “Given the
history, I can’t validate its use.”
In other police business, Johnson
told the council that the police
department will soon have a 9-1-1
post office box to which citizens
can send complaints or comments
- with or without their names. He
said anyone who wishes to visit
with him concerning a problem is
welconte to do so, adding that “I’ll
meet them anywhere anytime.”
The council also approved a
starting salary of $32,000 for
Johnson who was hired to the post
in mid-December. A decision con-
cerning moving expenses, how-
ever, was delayed.
In other business:
• When Councilwoman Pattie
Johnson urged the council to move
forward to hire a city manager, she
was told a council meeting has
been scheduled for Saturday after-
noon with the owner of an execu-
tive search firm who could be
appointed to head the search.
• The council declined to change
the status of acting city secretary
Tracy Mankin to city secretary.
Mrs. Mankin has served in the
position since March. She had been
sworn in by former city attorney
Jim Mulloy but minutes do not
reflect that the council voted to
name her to the permanent posi-
tion.
• The council heard a report
from David Marek of the Wallace
Group concerning changes in the
city’s sewer renovation project.
They approved three change orders
involving manholes on E. Black-
jack and West Sheridan at a cost of
about $6,000 but delayed a deci-
sion on renovation of a sewer line
on Post Oak behind the high
school which had a projected cost
of $78,796.
The Post Oak project has been a
prickly topic since the sewer line
broke and underwent emergency
repairs in October. Work done by
contractor Jerry Crawford has been
criticized as being faulty and there
has been discussion of litigation
with Crawford concerning pay-
ment. Dublin’s new city attorney,
Barney Knight of Austin, was
instructed to negotiate with Craw-
ford’s attorney.
The Monday night report from
the Wallace Group came after their
survey crews had inspected the
project at the request of the coun-
cil. Cost increases are expected to
be covered by the $1.9 million
loan from the Texas Water Devel-
opment Board which is funding the
sewer/water treatment plant reno-
vation and expansion project
• Mayor Katherine Prater de-
clined to respond to a letter from
Frank Gaitan concerning proce-
dures used in 'tiring a police chief.
She commented that since Gaitan
was not in the audience, "there’s
no use responding" Gaitan had
asked that his letter of complaint
be read in an open council meet-
ing.
• Robert Whiteley, a resident of
the city’s Ward 4, asked the status
of filling the council vacancy for
that ward which resulted from the
resignation of David Mulloy. The
mayor told him that “we are
working on that.”
• Councilman Mickey Belew
said his water/seWer committee has
asked Jed Walker of the Wallace
Group to make a recommendation
on renovation or replacement of
the city’s wafer tower.
• Chief Johnson introduced two
new members of his staff: Lynn
Ewers who serves as nighttime
dispatcher, and Benny Payne, an
8-year reserve officer who joined
the police department in a full-time
position in November.
Hunter announces for state rep
Gustine High School was totally destroyed by fire which was reported about 8:15 p.m. Thursday; Fire
departments from eight surrounding communities including Dublin battled to keep the fire from
spreading to adjacent buildings. The school's 95 students and 14 teachers returned to classes in other
buildings Monday. Several classrooms, administrative offices and the library were totally destroyed.
KCUB Radio is conducting a book drive to collect educational books, encyclopedias, dictionaries,
hardback fiction and periodicals (in good conidtion, please). Items will be collected at the Dublin High
School library through Jan. 22 and will be delivered to Gustine Jan. 23. Photo by russbii Huffman
Dan Hunter of Stephenville has
announced his candidacy for the
59th District Texas House of Rep-
resentatives seat on thexRepublican
ticket
He will face Clairette rancher-
businesswoman Becky Farrar on
the March 10 primary ballot.
The seat is currently held by
Allen Place, Jr. (D-Gatesville) who
is not seeking re-election.
Hunter, who has interests in real
estate and mortgage lending, is-the
owner of Southwest Insurance in
Stephenville. A fifth generation
Texan, he is a native of Roscoe.
In an announcement, he stressed
the importance of continued eco-
nomic growth in the area.
“One of my top priorities will be
to make sure that no part of the
economic make-up of the district is
unfairly victimized by the legisla-
ture,” he said.
Hunter listed as other important
issues regulatory reform, continued
lax relief, more local control of our
schools, and continued growth for
agriculture.
He said that continuing to work
on public safety for families and
children will be high on his list of
goals.
“I will work to push through
legislation that will not allow for
early release of child molesters.
Just because they have served their
time does not mean that they are
rehabilitated. Child molestation is
a zero-tolerance issue, and we need
DAN HUNTER
to take every step to make sure
that molesters can't prey on our
children.”
Hunter spent almost seven years
in Washington, D.C. working as a
staff member and industry repre-
sentative for Congressman Larry
Combest (R-Tex.) and Fred Grandy
(R-Iowa), dealing with legislative
issues such as agriculture, taxes,
health care, military, environment,
food safety, trade and employment.
He is a member of the Stephen-
ville Lions Club, Stephenville Air-
port Advisory Board and the S TAR
Council on Substance Abuse. He
holds a bachelor’s degree in agri-
culture education from Texas Tech
University.
He and his family are members
of First United Methodist Church
in Stephenville.
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Wright, Karen. The Dublin Citizen (Dublin, Tex.), Vol. 8, No. 20, Ed. 1 Thursday, January 15, 1998, newspaper, January 15, 1998; Dublin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth762565/m1/1/: accessed July 8, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting Dublin Public Library.