Cooper Review (Cooper, Tex.), Vol. 134, No. 34, Ed. 1 Thursday, August 26, 2010 Page: 1 of 10
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Issue 136 Volume 34
Delta County's Hometown Newspaper
50 cents
Budget debate draws crowd at commissioners court
Roger Palmer
Editor/Publisher
Delta county Commissioners Court had a packed crowd during
their regular meeting August 23, 2010. The crowd was there to
hear about budget cuts that will impact the Sheriff’s Department
and the Justice of the Peace’s office. During the last budget work-
shop, Delta County Judge Ted Carrington had proposed cutting
two deputies and two jailer’s positions from the proposed budget.
Judge Carrington also proposed during the workshop held on Au-
gust 9, 2010 that the court could cut the Justice of the Peace clerk
position to a part time position. According to Judge Carrington,
the clerk’s position was paid part time from the county and paid
part time from a county fund set up for a secretary that was to
work for the Department of Public Safety at that time Judge Car-
rington said that he had contacted the DPS office and they did not
have a need for the secretary.
Justice of the Peace Bud Skinner appeared before the court to
plead his case for continuing the position citing the amount of
work his office does. He also invited Sergeant Kain from the DPS
to speak before the court. Sergeant Kain expressed his concern
that he had been misunderstood and that he felt there was a con-
flict for the JP’s clerk to also handle the DPS secretarial duties.
He also said he asked that the monies be moved to the JP’s office
not to be discontinued. Judge Carrington interrupted Sergeant
Kain and said “that is not what you said to me.” Tempers flared
and then both parties erupted into a name calling session. Ser-
geant Kain asked Judge Carrington to stop interrupting him. To
which Judge Carrington responded with “I’m in control of Com-
missioners Court and you’re through.” Sergeant Kain was still al-
lowed to continue and once again tried to clarify his position.
Justice of the Peace Bud Skinner also asked his current clerk
Teresa Hoffman to elaborate on her duties. Hoffman ended her
presentation saying “If you would observe my office, you would
see the need.” No action was taken by the court.
Delta County Sheriff Gerald Teague also appeared before the
court to plead his case before the commissioners. Sheriff Teague
said, “This is a public safety issue.” Teague said that the Sheriff’s
office had responded to 4,088 calls in the last year with an ad-
ditional 457 livestock calls. The sheriff also pointed out that his
department had submitted 83 cases to prosecutors. Teague said,
“We are making a dent in crime in Delta County.” Sheriff Teague
also said that by eliminating two jailers that the jail would not be
in compliance with the Texas Commission on Jail Standards.
Sheriff Teague also suggested that other departments were
not hit with budget cuts and that cuts should be made across the
board. Sheriff Teague went on to highlight several other depart-
ments where he felt cuts could be made. According to Judge
Carrington, the Sheriff’s office has 22 people in it. He went on to
point out that other departments only have three or four employ-
ees. Judge Carrington said, “In my defense, I’m not trying to pick
on you.” The Commissioners took no action and were not offered
the opportunity to vote on the issue.
In other business, the court tabled a proposal to relocated Meal-
a-day to the old elementary cafeteria. The school board and coun-
ty are still negotiating rental of the building and who would pay
for utilities.
Commissioners also agreed to approve tax collection contracts
with the City of Cooper and the Cooper Independent School Dis-
trict.
The court also tabled any action on a proposal by an elevator
company to repair what the company considered violations re-
lated to the courthouse elevator. The court felt that state inspec-
tions would let them know what repairs, if any, would need to be
done.
The Court also approved enrolling into a statewide automated
victim notification system. The system would require no money
from the county to install.
During the County Attorneys’ report, County Attorney Jay Gar-
rett pointed out that he has been in public service for thirty five
years and said, “There is never enough money.” He also said that
budget cuts are going on all over. The County Attorney point-
ed out his record since entering office and also pointed out that
several grants had pursued by the county, and won, including a
grant to repair the heating and cooling system at the courthouse.
Garrett also said the sheriff has put together a good program. He
added, “If you’re going to live here, I want you to be a law abid-
ing citizen.”
After a twenty minute break, the commissioners returned to
meet again on the budget. After reviewing several changes in the
budget, County Judge Carrington turned the budget over to the
commissioners. Judge Carrington said, “I’ve given it to you, I
don’t have anything else to say.” Commissioner Rip Temple-
ton asked to address the crowd who had remained. Templeton
said that he wanted the people of Delta County to know that each
commissioner had taken a cut of $17,000 in each of their pre-
cincts and that the problem was the over 55 tax freeze that was
implemented. He added that he was open for suggestions. The
commissioners will review the proposed budget and make any
suggestions during the next workshop meeting.
Students head back to school
Students arrive on buses Monday morning, greeted by staff members and excited about
starting a new year at a new elementary school.
Students wait in the new cafetorium for the day to begin
By Kimberly Palmer
Staff Writer
Delta County students hit the
books again on Monday, Au-
gust 23rd, which was the first
day of school for students. Fac-
ulty and staff had their first day
back last week for staff de-
velopment week. Faculty, stu-
dents and parents were well
prepared at the Cooper Inde-
pendent School District and the
day began very smoothly. Coo-
per Elementary School Princi-
pal, Doug Wicks said, “We had
a good first day and everything
worked out well.” He said that
everyone is enjoying the new
school and learning their way
around the campus.
The new Cooper Elementa-
ry school comes with new pro-
cedures for dropping off and
picking up students and there
were plenty of faculty and staff
on hand to direct traffic and
students.
Superintendent Jason Mar-
shall said that the district had
a good opening day and that
there were a few minor traffic
jams at the new school but with
the turn lane progress on-going
and being the first day of school
it was to be expected. Marshall
said, “We will watch the traffic
for two or three days and hope
that it will work itself out.” Af-
ter that he said they there may
be changes made to help the
traffic flow. He said that there
were lots of smiling faces on
Monday and they were glad to
be in the new building.
Marshall also said that en-
rollment is less than enrollment
was on the last day of school,
last year but he expects the en-
rollment numbers to return.
Delta County Library
struggles to remain open
By Amber Rylant
Staff Wrier
The Delta County Library is working hard to
keep its doors open. The Library Board predicts
that unless they receive serious help, they only
have enough funds to keep the library’s doors
open until November.
The library spends about $2000 a month on
expenses depending on utilities. They have one
full time librarian and one part time librarian.
The library also has a $3000 debt for a refur-
bished copier purchased to create the new cem-
etery book that will be ready this fall, since in-
house printing is cheaper that sending the book
out.
The Delta County Library only receives $5000
per year from Delta County and $4000 a year
from the City of Cooper to operate.
“We are not like other libraries, as we are not
funded completely by the city or county,” states
library board member, Judy Falls. The Library
Board’s mission is: To leave not one stone un-
turned to keep the library open. Members of the
library board do everything they can think of to
raise money to keep the library up and running.
Citizens of Cooper give an average of $543.00
per month in voluntary donations, as marked on
their city water bills. The library does not col-
lect voluntary contributions from the people out-
side the city limits of Cooper. They are work-
ing hard to change that law so that others may
make voluntary contributions without living in
the city limits. A monthly fundraiser, Lunch at
the Library, brings in approximately $350.00 per
month and there has been approximately $1,700
in private donations this year. In the past, the
Chamber of Commerce, Junior Heritage Club
and Lion’s Club have made donations to help
the library operate. “We are very appreciative
of their interest,” states Judy Falls, “The Coo-
per High School Student Council has also made
efforts to help us by repairing and painting the
building.”
According to the 2008 Texas Public Library
Annual Report, the Delta County Library should
have an expenditure average of $42,139, accord-
ing to their formula and guidelines, or a per capi-
tal average of $7.60 coming from city or county
and/or local library fund raising sources. The li-
brary had to drop out of the Texas Public Library
system because they could not get nor raise that
amount of money.
The Delta County Library does not make a
profit. All of the monies taken in by the library
go to directly help the citizens of Delta Coun-
ty. They are creating a Pictorial History of Del-
ta County that will be available November of
2010. The proceeds of this book will be split be-
tween the Patterson Museum, Historical Com-
mission and the Delta County Public Library.
The library also offers internet services for those
who do not have access at home. They have the
equipment to apply online for jobs, produce re-
sumes, write letters for multiple purposes, and
search for jobs. The librarians are available to
help those who are not familiar with the inter-
net or need help with searching for jobs or sub-
mitting job applications online. The library also
has a fax machine available for citizens to use,
whether sending or receiving a fax. Of course,
the library has a range of books for all ages, from
children’s books to adult books, from the clas-
sics to the modem. The books are also available
in large print and audio for those who may need
it. The library also a wide selection of DVD and
VHS tapes for check out free of charge. The Del-
ta County Library has a large research facility.
They have past, and soon a brand new updated,
cemetery books for Delta County, a microfilm
of the Cooper Review for years and years past.
The historical and genealogy information held in
Delta County library brings people from across
the United States into town and the library for
their research.
Anyone wishing to help save the Delta County
Library is free to stop by the library and make a
donation or call the library at (903) 395-4575 to
see what they can do to help. The library board
is asking all the citizens of Delta County to help
with their efforts to keep the library open.
“We need people to contact their elected of-
ficials to get up some financial help. If you be-
lieve that it is important to keep this library open,
please contact your elected county and city offi-
cials,” asks Judy Falls.
Weather
A mainly sunny sky. High 93F.
Winds NE at 10 to 15 mph
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Cooper Lake Dam Report
August 24, 2010
Tt
Normal Elevation 440.00
Current Elevation 436.15
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Palmer, Roger. Cooper Review (Cooper, Tex.), Vol. 134, No. 34, Ed. 1 Thursday, August 26, 2010, newspaper, August 26, 2010; Cooper, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth804971/m1/1/: accessed July 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting Delta County Public Library.