“Caring for Aging Parents” Seminar on May 2 at SSCC to Offer Info and Resources
The public is invited to a free educational symposium themed “The Process of Care – A Guide to Caring For Your Aging Parents”, set for Thursday May 2, 2019 at SS Country Club. The evening will consist of a sit-down dinner and program and is free to attend, however you must register to attend. Visit HowToCareForAgingParents.Eventbrite.com. CHRISTUS health and social professionals Michelle Jackson and Dana Adams and CHRISTUS physician Dr. I.L. Balkcom will speak during the panel discussions. Additionally, there will be numerous healthcare, estate management and insurance vendors which you can visit and network with for valuable information. Also, the Ark-Tex Council of Governments will make available a ‘Dementia Experience’ hands-on simulator to better acquaint attendees in what a day in the life of a dementia sufferer is like. This information and more will better equip persons currently facing a time in their life of caring for aging loved ones. The event is offered through a partnership between CHRISTUS Mother-Francis Hospital Sulphur Springs and the Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce.
13 Charter Propositions On Sulphur Springs May 4 Special Election Ballot Explained
Sulphur Springs voters will be asked, when casting ballots, to consider granting approval to 13 propositions for changes to the Sulphur Springs Home Rule Charter.
Essentially, the propositions allow for the language to be updated to reflect changes to state law, which the city follows, clarify a few points, designate a time by which a committee must review the charter for updates and plan for the future, City Attorney Jim McLeroy explained.
McLeroy explained the city charter hasn’t been updated since the early 1980s and not substantially for even longer.
“State laws have changed. We can no longer do as in the charter. We have to follow state law. This updates language with state law, mandates. We will continue to comply with state law,” McLeroy said.
In most cases,the propositions will mean no change to the way the city and council runs; it it will just update the charter to reflect current practices according to state laws, according to the city attorney.
McLeroy recommends any voter who is unfamiliar with the propositions or doesn’t understand the proposal to read the “effect” section on the ballot, which explains the impact of the charter change, before casting a ballot.
The propositions are at the recommendation of a Charter Review Committee, chaired by McLeroy, a couple of other city council members, and nominations made and approved by the city council. McLeroy described the approximately 12 member group as diverse, representing all walks of life, ages and areas of the city.
The group met several times, going through two to three sections of the charter per meeting, then proposed the recommended changes based on a consensus from the committee, according to McLeroy.
The city attorney took time to go over the propositions, to help voters better understand them.
Proposition A — Meetings of Council would allow the city council to continue meeting as usual on the first Tuesday of each month, unless the meeting falls on a holiday such as New Year’s Day or Independence Day. The meeting would then be scheduled to a different date to avoid the conflict. The change clarifies in the charter the procedure for rescheduling council meetings or calling special meetings in simpler language so the charter complies with state law.
Proposition B — Passage of Ordinances and Resolutions would change where notices of proposed ordinances are published. Instead of being published once weekly for three weeks in the newspaper, the full text of a proposed ordinance would be posted continuously on the city’s website. This would make it accessible continuously to more people online, according to the city attorney.
“The way ordinances are adopted would be the same. What would change is publishing in the newspaper,” McLeroy said.
Proposed ordinances or resolutions would still be read twice at the council meetings, and the emergency procedures would be updated to reflect current practices based on state law.
Proposition C — Municipal Election Dates and Procedures would not change current practices, but update outdated language in the charter, to note that all municipal elections are held according to state law, according to McLeroy.
Proposition D — City Manager would allow the city manager to be paid on the same schedule as other city employees. Currently, all city employees are paid twice a month except the city manager, who is paid once a month because of the charter. This would be an efficiency and cost saving measure for the city and would put the city manger on the same pay schedule as other employees, eliminating the need for two sets of books, the city attorney explained.
The city has not had to seek a new manager for about 25 years. However, Proposition D would also put the city in a better position to attract top talent at a competitive rate if at some point in the future a new manager is sought, McLeroy explained.
Proposition E — Finance Department would update the charter to the current structure, in which the city manger is not the finance director. The city manager appoints the finance director, provided the council approves the appointment. The duties of the finance director in collecting taxes according to state law will be more simply defined in the charge, if the proposition is approved.
Proposition F — City Budget wouldn‘t change the current practice of setting the budget, just where it is published on first reading. As is the case with notices, the proposed budget would be posted on the city website, and adopted in September, according to state law.
Proposition G — Emergency Appropriations would repeal a section of the charter so that the city is in compliance with state law limits regarding emergency appropriations, if needed.
Proposition H — Depository would not change any current practices, just update the charter to reflect changes in the Public Funds Investment Act, the city attorney explained.
Proposition I — Taxation also would not change current practices of the city, but update the language to reflect state law. It does not mean a change in taxes, just clarifies and removes outdated provisions, according to the city attorney.
Proposition J — Annual Audit again would amend the charter to reflect how the annual city audit is published. It would continue to be published on the city website, and would no longer be published in the newspaper.
Proposition K — Franchises would still make all franchise agreements available as public records on request at the city. Agreements would just no longer be published in the newspaper. While franchise agreements are reached about once every quarter century, McLeroy explained, the change could allow the city to enter into franchise agreements to provide necessary services for residents.
Proposition L — Non-substantive Revisions would allow the city to update the charter to reflect any legislative decisions impacting city operations moving forward as well as correct any grammatical errors or update language to modern terms, and things of that nature, as needed, if any are identified.
Proposition M — Charter Review would require the city council to appoint a Charter Review Committee to revise the charter at least as often as every 10 years, with any significant proposed charter changes submitted to voters, as are the 13 propositions on the May 4 ballot. In the past, numerous decades passed without substantive reviews or updating of the charter; this measure would help keep it current, according to the city attorney.
Tira News for April 24, 2019
BY JAN VAUGHN
Robert and Yvonne Weir were blessed with a new granddaughter on Saturday, April 20. Her name is Everly Rose Weir and she is the child of Dustin and Natalie Weir.
Yvonne reports, “We are so happy to welcome her into our family.”
Yvonne adds, “Shanna Parkinson and her sons, Aaron and Caleb, visited and we all attended Oasis wrestling. It was a hoot. The boys won a really nice Easter basket with t-shirts and caps in it.”
The Tira Volunteer Fire Department is having an Open House on Sunday
afternoon, April 28, from 1 to 3 p.m. Please make plans to come let the firefighters show you around.
Joyce Dodd shared, “Food angels blessed our little pantry again.” Donations are always greatly appreciated.
William and Joyce Dodd had 17 at their home for Easter lunch on Sunday. Guests included Michael McNiel; Jerry and Tonja Lucas; Alyssa and Ethan Shelton; and Junior, Brad, Tanya and Matthew Dodd; Stuart, Tiffany, Tristen, Emery, Ellianna and Eadon McPherson. After lunch, they had an Easter egg hunt for the kids.
Tiffany’s fiancé, Perry Gilbert, came in from Malvern, Arkansas on Thursday, April 18. Tiffany, Perry, Jaidyn, Chip and I went to Big Smith’s that evening, to celebrate Perry’s birthday. On Friday, we moved some of Tiffany and Jaidyn’s furniture to Malvern. Chip and I visited William McCauley, while there, and the three of us went out for lunch.
Joining us for Easter lunch on Sunday were Grace and Linda Ellen Vaughn and Tiffany, Perry and Jaidyn. Landon, Laiken, Rylan, Brailon, and Slaiden Joslin celebrated with Laiken’s family. They came to our house later that evening and Jaidyn and the boys hunted Easter eggs and played in the yard. The weather was nice for sitting outside and watching them play.
I always need and appreciate input from my friends to help keep me informed of news in our community. If you have any news pertaining to Tira residents, past or present, please contact me, Jan Vaughn, at 903-945-2190 or 903-438-6688 or [email protected]
Lady Cat Mariam Tran Plays At Regional Golf Tournament Monday and Tuesday
Lady Cats’ sophomore golfer Marian Tran finished in 17th place in the Class 5A Region II Girls Golf Tournament played Monday and Tuesday, April 22-23, at the Rockwall Golf and Athletic Club.
Tran shot an 81 on Monday and a 91 Tuesday for a two-day score of 172, 28 strokes over par, and not quite strong enough to qualify her for the State Golf Tournament.
Voting Hours Extended Thursday in Sulphur Springs General, Special Elections
The hours of early voting in the Sulphur Springs General and Special Elections are extended Thursday, April 25, starting at 7 a.m. and ending at 7 p.m.
Early voting by personal appearance will then resume from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 26, 29 and 30. Election Day voting will be conducted from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, May 4. All voting in the Sulphur Springs City Council and proposition elections will be conducted in the conference room on the second floor of City Hall.
On the first day of early voting 32 votes had been cast. There were 37 on Tuesday, when extended hours were also offered.
Voters in Sulphur Springs will have six choices, two per seat, for three places on the City Council. Candidates are incumbent Freddie Taylor and challenger Reiko Alexander for Place 4, incumbent Emily Glass and challenger Jeff Sanderson for Place 5, and incumbent (appointed) Doug Moore and Landon Thornton for Place 6. The latter seat on the council if for the remaining year of an unexpired term.
Also on the ballot are Propositions A-M, which ask voters to consider amending the Sulphur Springs Home Rule Charter.
Proposition topics include City Council meetings, passage of ordinances and resolutions, municipal election dates and procedures, the city manager, finance department, city budget, depository, emergency appropriations, taxation, annual audit, franchises, non-substantive revisions and charter review.
Wildcats Baseball Coach Enjoys Comeback Win At Texas High Tuesday Night
Wildcats Baseball Coach Jerrod Hammack said his team’s come from behind 4-2 win at Texas High Tuesday night, April 23, was a must win. One that they had to have.
Coach Hammack also said it came against as good of a team as there is in their district. He said Texas High is always a tough place to win a game. Coach Hammack figures he’s won just four or five games over there in 14 years.
He said despite the bad things that have happened to his team this season, the players have been super and show up everyday at practice ready to go.
Coach Hammack said the team is starting to play better. They have won four straight district ballgames.
He said they really battled Tuesday night. The score was 1-0 early as Jaxon Chaney homered over the right center field wall in the top of the fourth inning.
Coach Hammack said the contest was well played from a defensive standout. The Wildcats had only one error but it was costly. After the error, the next Tigers’ hitter singled to drive in their two runs and give them a 2-1 lead after six innings.
Coach Hammack noted his team bounced right back with four hits that scored three runs in the top of the seventh. With a 4-2 lead, Wildcats starter Will Sims put the Tigers out three up and three down to nail down the win. Coach Hammack said it was as good as any inning Sims has pitched this season.
He said when the Wildcats play like they did Tuesday night they are hard to beat.
Coach Hammack said the situation Friday for the Wildcats is very simple. If they can defeat Texas High Friday at Wildcat Park on Senior Night, they will be in the playoffs. He added if the Wildcats lose, they won’t be in the playoffs.
Lady Cats Bi-District Playoff Opener Wednesday Is Rained Out And Is Rescheduled For Thursday
The Lady Cats’ softball bi-district playoff game scheduled for Wednesday evening, April 24, has been postponed. The game has been rescheduled for Thursday at 6 p.m. in Whitehouse.
Game two will still be at Lady Cat Park Friday at 6:30 p.m. Game three, if necessary, is still scheduled for Saturday in Whitehouse. The start time Saturday has been changed to 11:30 a.m.
The Lady Cats were district champions and their district’s number one seed. The Lady Cats season record is 22-6. Whitehouse finished in fourth place in their District 16-5A. The two teams last faced each other in the playoffs back in 2015. Whitehouse won that series, two games to one.
Sulphur Springs Native Provides Endowment to A&M-Commerce
Nathan and June Finke Gift Nursing School Students with Endowed Scholarship
COMMERCE, TX—Mr. and Mrs. Nathan and June Kirkpatrick Finke visited campus on April 11 to sign an endowment agreement that will benefit nursing school students at A&M-Commerce. The Dr. Omer F. and Nell Kirkpatrick Endowed Scholarship is the third endowment that the couple has established at A&M-Commerce.
During their visit, the Finkes met with nursing student Lilia Ruiz, the 2019-2020 recipient of the LaNelle Ellison Kirkpatrick Scholarship, named after June’s mother. They also toured the new Nursing and Health Sciences Building, set to open later this year.
Dr. Barbara Tucker, professor and director of the nursing program stated, “The generosity shown by the Finke’s to the nursing department has been overwhelming. Their scholarship endowments have enabled students to devote more time to studying and being successful in the program. The first two recipients of their scholarships will be graduating this summer, adding to the cadre of BSN-prepared nurses caring for the Northeast Texas population.
The Finkes have established a rich history with A&M-Commerce and the A&M System. June graduated from East Texas State University in 1969 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and history/secondary education. Her father and four of her siblings also attended ETSU. Nathan graduated from the A&M system, too, earning a BBA in finance from A&M in 1970.
The Finkes have named each of the three endowments after their late parents who valued education so highly they were willing to sacrifice for it. Nathan recounted that his father wanted to attend high school, but there was no bus system in Brenham, Texas, and it was too far to walk. So, he enrolled in the nearby Methodist boarding school and paid his tuition by cleaning the building.
June recalled that her father’s college boarding house provided weekday meals, but he went without food on the weekends because he could not afford groceries.
“He told us that by Sunday afternoon he felt kind of lightheaded and really looked forward to breakfast on Monday morning,” she said.
The Finkes are strong proponents of a debt-free education. They want to help students realize their dreams of a college education without amassing large student loan debts.
They created the Dr. Omer F. and Nell Kirkpatrick Endowed Scholarship because it is a gift that continues to give.
“Since it’s endowed, long after we’re gone, there will still be students coming to school and getting financial help,” June said. “Our purpose is to help students today as well as in the future.”
Are You Ready For A Campout Party?
Local franchise owner and Operator Bryson Bullington is inviting residents to join in the opening festivities at his new restaurant at 130 Shannon Road East by participating in a community celebration that has been a 15-year Chick-fil-A tradition.
Chick-fil-A’s First 100 celebration has given away almost $39 million through yearend 2018.
Up to 100 guests to earn free year of Chick-fil-A meals by participating in 12-hour First 100 Campout
First 100 Campout 12-hour event
The overnight First 100 Campout party includes fun, engaging activities for participants ages five and older who will enjoy Chick-fil-A treats throughout the countdown to the opening. Registration begins in the restaurant parking lot at 6 p.m., May 1, with prizes being awarded shortly before 6 a.m., May 2.
Details include:
· Up to 100 adults will win a digital offer card with a year of free Chick-fil-A meals (52 meals with each consisting of a Chick-fil-A Chicken Sandwich, medium Waffle Potato Fries and a medium beverage).
· The community event is open to guests surrounding the restaurant with a list of eligible zip codes and complete rules found at https://thechickenwire.chick-fil-a.com/News/Future-Openings.
