Sulphur Springs ISD Fine Arts Department Gearing Up For Busy Month
The Sulphur Springs Independent School District Fine Arts students kicked off their annual “Sights and Sounds of the Season” schedule this week with seven performances.
The Jazz Band Jump Started the holidays with performances Tuesday at Alliance Bank and Wednesday at Sulphur Springs Health and Rehab; they have three more performances scheduled this week in the community. The high school band, drill team and Lamar second graders also have performances scheduled this week.
Later this month the middle and high school bands, and choirs, advanced theatre students, elementary choir, Bowie and Travis second graders, Bowie choir, Strings Orchestra and Barbara Bush students all have outings and event scheduled as well.
To help the community keep track of all of the activities, the Fine Arts Department has provided the following schedule denoting upcoming seasonal events.
City Takes First Steps To Begin Process To Annex Former Luminant Property
The first steps were taken Tuesday night by Sulphur Springs City Council to being the process of annexing the former Luminant property into the city.
“Now that the city now owns the former Luminant property, one of the first steps that needs to happen before it’s incorporated into the city limits is to annex the property. Before we do that, we need to establish what process we’re going to file on as far as annexation is concerned as well as indicate whether we need to offer any development agreements to any property owners that would be affected as part of the annexation,” .Sulphur Springs Community Development Director Tory Niewiadomski.
Because the property is city-owned, it could be filed under an exempt annexation procedure, which wouldn’t require an annexation plan or development agreement. Resolution No. 1184, would establish that process, the community development director explained, and recommended the council approve it.
Councilman Doug Moore asked whether the 15-19 acres of railroad and farm market road would be included in that property and if not, would they be considered in the city limits.
Niewiadomski said they would be “accepted,” that they dedicated right-of-ways of the state.
Moore asked if the railroad that comes through town is considered part of the city. Niewiadomski said they are still part of the city, but are are railroad right-of-ways.
City Manager Marc Maxwell said to annex city property into the city would be a relatively easy process, started with the two resolutions. Adding any railroad right-of-ways or a home would complicate the matter considerably.
Notices still have to be given to the railroad, state and Department of Transportation of the proposed annexation. Annexing their properties would “completely change the procedure,” City Attorney Jim McLeroy said.
Resolution No. 1184 was unanimously approved by the council.
Niewiadomski said the next step in the annexation process is to set dates, times and a place to hold public hearings before the proposed annexation for the Luminant property can be considered.
He recommended Tuesday, Jan. 7, at 6:30 p.m. and Thursday, Jan. 9, at 6 p.m., which would give officials time to give and post notices as required by law.
McLeroy recommended starting at 5:30 p.m. Jan. 7, to be held prior to the regularly scheduled City Council meeting. Since it is a regular council night.
The council unanimously approved Resolution No. 1185 as recommended by city staff regarding the schedule for two public hearings for the proposed annexation of the former Luminant property into the city.
Wildcats Basketball Hands Paris Their First Loss
Wildcats Basketball Team Outscores Paris in 4th Quarter to Take Home Win, 67-61
After trailing for more than two quarters, the #5 ranked Class 5A Wildcats Basketball Team was able to pull into a tie after three quarters and then outscored Paris, ranked #17 in Class 4A, in the 4th quarter to take a 67-61 win at home Tuesday night. A defensive change in the third quarter paid dividends for the Wildcats as they went into a half court trap. The Wildcats got big 9 point third quarters from Cameron Kahn and Boo Wilkerson. The score was tied 51-51 after three quarters. The Wildcats outscored Paris, 16-10 in the fourth quarter. Justin Brock hit a big three pointer and Grayson McClure canned two threes. Day Day Hall had a basket and three free throws and Kahn added a basket. Paris led after the first quarter, 16-12 and at the half, 34-31. Kahn led the Wildcats with 20 points including a three-pointer. Hall added 16 points. McClure had 12 points on four three-point baskets. Wilkerson had 9 points and battled ferociously for rebounds against taller players. Brock had 6 points on a pair of treys. Point guard Lamodrick Johnson had 4 points. Trevon Dennis of Paris led all scorers with 24 points. Dennis also hit four shots from behind the arc and was a force on the offensive boards. The Wildcats improved their season record to 4-1. Next the Wildcats play in the Spring Creek Tournament in Mansfield Thursday through Saturday.
No Action Taken By Council Following Executive Session
Community Members Pack City Hall, Several Address Council Regarding Closed Session, City Manager
Despite an extended executive session, Sulphur Springs City Council did not act on “personnel matters specifically relating to the city manager.”
“There’s not going to be any action taken tonight, but you’ll still get a chance to speak in the public forum,” Sulphur Springs Mayor Norman Sanders said after the regular City Council meeting convened, about 20 minutes after 7 p.m. Tuesday.
“Just for clarification, there will be no action taken tonight, is that correct? This will be scheduled for a later meeting, correct?” asked City Attorney Jim McLeroy.
Sanders affirmed that to be correct, which was met with applause from many who filled the Council Room at City Hall Dec. 3.
McLeroy noted that people who’d signed up to speak regarding an action item would still have the opportunity to speak when it came to that agenda item.
One member of the audience asked if that meant those who’d signed up to speak during public forum regarding the executive session item wouldn’t be able to speak about it Tuesday night.
“Everyone by law has a chance to speak tonight if they want to, but if there’s not going to be an action item tonight you might want to come back and speak at another meeting, when there is an action item,” McLeroy clarified.
About half of the meeting was spent in public forum. The majority of comments — from at least five business professionals, community residents and leaders — regarded personnel matters concerning the city manager.
Most spoke positively on City Manager Marc Maxwell’s behalf or asked the City Council to give more consideration in decision making as well as more transparency as to why the council is considering the personnel matters related to the city manager.
Jay Julian during public forum expressed disappointed in the lack of guidance shown for the city’s “vision” during a September meeting, but offered appreciation to Maxwell for the “great vision” he showed when talking about urban sprawl during the November council meeting.
“That is very, very forward thinking for a town this size to be thinking that far head. That is a vision. That is way, way vision. That is great vision and I appreciate that,” Julian said.
He also expressed appreciation and thanks to Maxwell for the vision and forward thinking in the decision to use mechanical concrete, utilizing parts of old tires to help stabilize road.
“The other thing I want to say tonight, since we’ve tabled the number one agenda item — the results of the executive session, if you’ll go to Goggle and type in ‘How to have a city recall election in Texas’ the very first thing that comes up is the city council recall by the Texas Municipal League and it’s a .pdf document. It’s pretty easy to do. We can all go home tonight, in case we need this next month or the next month, and maybe we can refresh ourselves,” Julian concluded.
Brad Johnson, speaking on his behalf as well as his wife and Northeast Texas Farmers Co-operative, “would like to thank the city council’s full consideration of not only giving Marc Maxwell a significant pay raise” but also extending his contract by years.
Clay Walker, who has served on the City Council and Planning and Zoning commission, cited a number of city accomplishments achieved during Maxwell’s time as city manager, including a 30-inch water line, parks and a city that looks so pleasing people want to not only visit but move to Sulphur Springs.
Walker said the city was able to do those things due to the city’s leadership: the City Council, staff and Marc Maxwell. While the leadership has at time not been happy with everything, they have been able to attain incredible opportunities for the city and people of the city, including jobs good enough to keep young people from having to move elsewhere, Walker added. He cited the city taking ownership of the Luminant property as another “great opportunity” the city wouldn’t have without Maxwell.
He concluded by issuing a hope that the council puts away any animosity or personal agendas in order to get along and make the right decisions for the city city, particularly regarding Maxwell.
Lifelong city resident Tyler Law during public forum said while he was originally skeptical of the downtown revitalization effort, now, 10 years in, he thinks it to be a very amazing thing that’s driving business, growing the town. That, he said, is what drives tax revenue, generates money for street repairs. Maxwell, Law said, “is a huge part of that.”
Law suggested, if the council is considering firing Maxwell as has been rumored and speculated in the community, that they take any issues they may have to the city manager to see if he can address them first. He also asked that the specific reason for the executive session be given, especially if firing is being considered.
“To go and try to fire someone, where are the reasons? Where’s the transparency in that? If you are going to fire someone, bring some reasons to the table so we can see it. I don’t want to just go and fire him. That makes no sense,” Law said.
Ending the city manager’s employment with the city after 24 years would would have repercussions, including the need and process of hiring someone to fill the position. There’s no guaranty any one would provide long-term continuity in leadership nor be fiscally responsible, Law told the council during public forum.
“So, I just think we need to think about that. I would really like some transparency and have some additional conversations of ‘If we’re going to fire someone, why are we firing him?’ And, I’m not seeing any of that,” Law said.
“There’s supposed to be transparency. I would love to see it, and I really don’t want people to act on emotion,” Law continued. “What it really feels like we’re pushing here is emotional. We’re reacting to what the keyboard warriors on Facebook are saying and it’s pretty inaccurate a lot of the times. I haven’t really seen a valid answer, a valid reason on why we should fire the city manager. So, I would really, really like to see some transparency and a decision made that’s not emotionally driven,” Law continued.
Gary Spraggins also spoke on Maxwell’s behalf during public forum. He noted that Maxwell has remained in Sulphur Springs for 24 years, despite having lucrative offers of employment elsewhere during that time. He cited serious construction at the airport, Coleman Park, a “phenomenal” revitalized downtown and new industry along US 67 among the city’s achievements attained during Maxwell’s tenure.
Maxwell did not achieve those alone, Spraggins pointed out. Maxwell did hire Peter Karstens, “a brilliant person who found ways for us to pay for the improvements in our city,” Spraggins noted. The EDC played a large role in the new industrial growth, as did the business-friendly environment, which he said is thanks in large part to Maxwell and the City Council leadership in past years,” Spraggins told the council.
Spraggins urged the council to “be wise about it, look at all the good he’s done,” when considering the “personnel matter” regarding the city manager.
“A man told me today that if this council fires Marc Maxwell, they’ll go down in history as being the worst city council we’ve ever had. If you want to have that legacy attached to your names for the rest of your days, then you would fire Marc Maxwell, tonight or any other time. But you don’t need to do that,” Spraggins said. “Let me encourage you to consider your actions very carefully. Make sure you’re being wise in what you do. And I think what you’ve got is a good thing here; you ought to hang on to it,” Spraggins concluded.
When Tom Sellers addressed the council during public forum, he noted there’d been a lot of discussion and a lot of good points made during the meeting. He said he’s seen a lot of changse, a lot of them good, in Sulphur Springs over the years. He said he hasn’t always agreed with Maxwell, but that people are nor perfect, including city managers.
“Leadership is tough. Tough decisions have to be made. It’s not always popular,” Tom Sellers said.
He noted that Sulphur Springs is blessed with a thriving downtown area people from out-of-town visit, take pictures, do business and spend their money. A lot of other towns in East Texas aren’t as vibrant, are losing businesses and boarded up as their downtowns are declining. According to Tom Sellers, Sulphur Springs has things that are important to people and businesses: good schools, a good hospital system, and “have had and hopefully we will continue to have strong city government, stable with good continuity,” and an assertive economic development corporation. People also consider what’s going on in the town and government, when considering moving businesses and families to Sulphur Springs.
Tom Sellers asked the council to consider the big picture, choose wisely and make good decisions for all in the community and to overcome any personality issues that might arise while in discussions, working toward a solution.
“If there are personality issues, please sit down in the same room and talk through them and be adults. Get your problems out on the table. Discuss it and work for solutions. There has to be solutions other than dismissing a leader at a critical time. I believe our city and our area is destined to continue to grow and expand, and be a bright place in the future,” Tom Sellers said.
John Cooper, stated he’d affirm Tom Sellers remarks, then directly addressed Councilman Jimmy Lucas.
“My forefront for Councilman Lucas, I’m asking you tonight to resign your commission as councilman and to leave this building anytime you get ready. Sir, I feel you are a detriment to the community, I feel you are a detriment to the city council, and I’m asking you right now to resign sir,” Cooper said.
The meeting was then adjourned by the mayor without further comment or action from the city council. After the meeting, Lucas declined to comment on Cooper’s request or any of the statements made by the community during the meeting.
In fact, nearly all of the city council members declined to comment regarding either the executive session and any comments made during the meeting.
After the meeting, Councilman John Seller said only, “I’m glad that we’re taking more time.”
“I’m very appreciative for all the people who came out tonight for their support,” Maxwell said following the meeting.
Blue Santa Drive Wraps Up and Toys, Bikes Still Needed!
Members of local law enforcement experienced the joy of Christmas giving as citizens brought toys, bicycles and money for Blue Santa on Tuesday December 3 as the 2019 toy drive wrapped up. Many families brought their children, who personally handed over dolls, games and even bicycles with big smiles on their faces. More than one local business donated up to a dozen boxed bicycles. Employees of local industry pooled their donations and turned in sizable amounts for Blue Santa. During the final hour, a steady stream of drivers were pulling up to hand cash or checks to SSPD Sgt. Josh Schufeldt and his team of volunteers. The money will be used to purchase additional toys for the more than 800 Hopkins County children on the 2019 list. Joy in giving was felt by those giving as well as those taking the donations!
Through the final afternoon and evening, the donation trailer gradually filled up with boxed and bagged toys and the row of parked bicycles grew to over 50! As of 7 pm Tuesday, monetary donations had grown to over $13,000.00. Last year, Blue Santa money donations amounted to over $18,000 with bicycle donations of almost 100. Now, donations of all kinds will still be accepted at the Hopkins County Sheriff’s Department for the next few days. Blue Santa Distribution Day is Sunday December 15.
Sulphur Springs Educators On 5 Campuses Benefit From Grants Awarded By SSISD Education Foundation
Christmas came a little early for 21 local educators, in the form of grants for their campuses.
Sulphur Springs Independent School District Education Foundation officials, accompanied by administrators, traveled to five different campuses, where they presented a total of $16,561.93 in grants to help facilitate interactive learning experiences for students as they continue to develop problem solving skill sets.
SSISD teachers and staff are encouraged annually to submit application asking for grant funding to help provide enriching, hands-on education experiences. Applications from nine education teams were selected to receive grants this year.
Education Foundation members first thing Tuesday morning, Dec. 3, surprised recipients in their classes and on their campuses with checks.
Lamar Primary School staff received grants for two projects.
Kimberlea Gillem, Kim Slaughter, Kim Moore and Rene Johnson received $1,045 for “Infinity and Beyond,” which will provide a portable planetarium system.
“What a great way to start the day,” said Judy Gillem, upon learning her team would be receiving grant funding.
Melinda Page and Kaci Smith received a $2,785 grant for “Math Alive!” animation on the Promethean board.
Page and Smith echoed the sentiment of most of the educators upon notification, thankful and excited.
Sulphur Springs High School educators Amanda Clark, Hannah Garrett, Kaytlin Meadows and Kaley Williams were awarded $2,000 for their proposed “Decreasing Our Carbon Footprint” project.
While the students “don’t know what’s in store for them yet,” they cheered excitedly for their teachers, who plan to utilize the funding to help provide filtered bottle filling stations at high school.
Two grants were also awarded at Travis Primary School.
Alma Ramirez and Lisa Lantz received $4,070 for their “Inchy Bookworm Vending Machine.” The educators said they’d seen the book program on social media and are excited to try it. This will help provide token for students to “purchase” books from the vending machine.
Christi Emmert was awarded $943.43 for pBuzz musical instruments, novice-friendly wind instruments that play like a straight trombone and are used to introduce kids to brass wind instruments.
Emmert and her students couldn’t contain their excitement to learn they will be getting new instruments; the entire class clapped, cheered and jumped for joy at the announcement. Emmert anticipated students will be even more abuzz when they actually get to use the instruments.
Sulphur Springs Elementary benefits from two Education Foundation grants.
Chandra Arvie and Whitney Vaughn were grateful to receive $705 for “Retro iPad Telephones,” which will allow students to speak clearly into an iPad.
Shelley Burton was awarded $2,254.89 for the “Let My Voice Be Heard!”project, which will purchase Qballs with wireless microphone, so the ball can be thrown around class and kids can be heard by speaking into the with microphone.
“I’m so excited, I can’t wait to order it!” Burton said.
Two Education Foundation grants were also awarded at Bowie Primary School Tuesday morning.
Misty Teer, Brittany Hicks and Tiffany Kral were excited to be awarded a $2,469.54 grant for their “Rock Our School — Transforming Classrooms” project.
Emily Simpson and Tammy Burnside were thankful to received $289.07 for their Tadpole Project.
Lady Cats Basketball Team Seeks Win on the Road Tuesday Night at Terrell
The Lady Cats Basketball Team will be looking to get back into the win column on the road on this game day Tuesday (December 3). The Lady Cats travel to Terrell to play the Lady Tigers. According to Max Preps, the Lady Tigers are 3-4 for the season. They lost their last game at Saltillo, 76-21 last Tuesday. The Lady Cats are also hoping to bounce back from a loss in their last game, a 55-49 overtime loss at home to Liberty-Eylau back on November 25. The Lady Cats season record is 3-5. They have won two of their last three games. There will be a JV game at 5 p.m. in Terrell with the varsity game to follow at about 6:15 p.m. Lady Cats Basketball Coach Brittney Tisdell says Terrell is another athletic team that is fast. She expects them to press the Lady Cats. Coach Tisdell says that’s okay with her. She says she likes that because it will help the Lady Cats get ready for district play. She says the Lady Cats need to face the pressure so they can learn to stay calm during it.
Wildcats Basketball Hosts Unbeaten Paris Tuesday Night
The #5 ranked Wildcats Basketball Team is back on the home court on this game day Tuesday (December 3) facing an unbeaten and ranked Paris team. Paris has opened the season 4-0 and they are ranked #17 in Class 4A according to the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches Poll. The Wildcats are 3-1. There will be a freshman game at 5 p.m., a JV contest at 6:15 p.m. with the varsity game to follow at around 7:30 p.m. Wildcats Basketball Coach Clark Cipoletta says Paris is really good and their veteran head coach Billy Mack Steed is one of the best coaches in the area, who has had a winning program for a long time. Coach Cipoletta says games between Sulphur Springs and Paris are usually close ones even when one school is down and the other is up. He adds both teams appear to be pretty good this year. Coach Cipoletta says Paris is an athletic as they come and is one of the most athletic Paris teams he’s seen in a long time. He says the Wildcats will have their hands full with a Paris team that plays hard. As usual Coach Cipoletta says the Wildcats have a big target on their back, which makes teams give them their best game. He says if the Wildcats don’t respond, they will get down quickly. He says the Wildcats have to come out focused, dictate the tempo and play our style of basketball. KSST Radio will have the Wildcats and Paris game Tuesday night with live video streaming and live audio streaming. The game will also be videotaped for replay later on Channel 18 on Suddenlink Cable. The game will also be posted to YouTube.
Regional Final Game Takes Place at Prim Stadium Friday Night
Another high school football playoff weekend and another playoff game at Gerald Prim Stadium in Sulphur Springs. This one is a regional final in Region 2, Class 3A, Division 1 as the Pottsboro Cardinals take on the Gladewater Bears. The game takes place Friday night (December 6) at 7:30 p.m. at The Prim. Pottsboro comes in with a perfect 13-0 record while Gladewater is 10-3. Pottsboro represents District 5-3A and Gladewater District 8-3A. The winner will move on into the Class 3A, Division 1 State Semifinal game next weekend against the winner of a Brock and Pilot Point game.
