Tira News For June 5, 2019
By Jan Vaughn
We want to express our sympathy to the family of John Hadley. He passed away on Monday, June 3. The funeral service will be at West Oaks Funeral Home on Saturday, June 8, at 2 p.m. No formal visitation is planned. Please be in prayer for the family.
Janie Lewis informed me that John Weatheread’s brother, Keith Weatheread, passed away. I don’t have details on services. Please remember the family in prayer.
The Tira City Council met on Monday, June 3, at the Tira Community Center. Several of the Tira Volunteer Firefighters were there, too. The council discussed upkeep and repairs on the Center. Shawn Martin, Tira Assistant Fire Chief, shared about recent equipment upgrades and recommended Tony Macy, former San Diego firefighter, for Captain, and Scot Norman, former Dallas firefighter, as Lieutenant, for the department. The council was unanimous in approving the recommendation. The group discussed the passing of former Mayor, John Hadley, and voted to purchase a memorial plaque to be displayed in memory of him.
The reunion of families Lewis, Joslin, Speaks, Braden, Parker, Hobgood, and King was held on Saturday, June 1, 2019. I don’t have details about their gathering, but they made a donation of $500 to the Tira Community Center and $500 to the Tira Volunteer Fire Department. The Tira City Council and volunteer firefighters want to express their appreciation to the family for their generous contribution.
Joyce Dodd reported that she received a $100 donation for the Tira Food Pantry.
The annual Tira Homecoming will be coming up on Sunday, July 7. The program will begin at 11 a.m. inside the Tira Methodist Church. We appreciate Danna Lewis volunteering to be in charge of the program and look forward to what she has lined out for the event. After the program, there will be a pot-luck lunch at the picnic tables on the grounds. Please plan on coming to share food, fellowship, and memories. Donations for the upkeep of the cemetery are always welcome and needed. Contributions may be given that day or mailed to the Tira Cemetery Association, c/o Jan Vaughn, 776 FM 1536, Sulphur Springs, TX 75482. I want to express my appreciation to Regina Payton and her mother, Martha Payton, for preparing and mailing letters about the homecoming to the people in their database, on behalf of the Tira Cemetery Board. If you would like to be on the mailing list, please let me know and I will be sure they have your information.
There was a good group at the North Hopkins School Cafeteria on Sunday, June 2, for the Aiguier Cemetery Association meeting. Everyone enjoyed a delicious covered dish luncheon and visiting, and then there was a brief business meeting.
Perry and Tiffany (Vaughn) Gilbert returned to Tira after spending a few days in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. They arrived in time to see Brailon Joslin play in his T-ball games on Saturday. They loaded up some things that afternoon for their move and spent the night with us. Jaidyn had been with us for the week. They all went to church and the Aiguier Cemetery lunch on Sunday, and then headed back to Malvern, Arkansas. Jaidyn left on Monday for church camp with Perry’s niece.
Grace and Linda Ellen Vaughn visited with us on Sunday afternoon.
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 903-438-6688 or [email protected].
City Council Approves Tire Ordinance, Revokes Ocean Spray Tax Abatement
City officials gave approval on first reading Tuesday night an ordinance to provide regulation of tire businesses, and decided to revoke an existing Ocean Spray tax abatement.
Ordinance No. 2746 would amend Chapter 15 of Sulphur Springs Municipal Code, by adding Article VII, Sections 15-301 and 15-308, requiring tire businesses to cover used and scrap tires on the property, make sure they remain within a fence and will limit the number of scrap or old tires a business can have on its property.
The ordinance will be brought before the council again for second reading and final approval at a future meeting, with noted changes regarding number of tires allowable and the length of time the business has to remove scrap or old tires if found to be in violation of the ordinance.
Council members also opted to follow city staff’s recommendations that the tax abatement granted to Ocean Spray Cranberries for $5 million in improvements. The company failed to meet the terms of the abatement, which were to maintain its labor force of 143 and a minimum payroll of $1.8 million. Since that time, 13 jobs have been lost, reportedly due to efficiency of operations. The company had requested a reduction in the abatement proportionate to the reduction in labor.
The matter was first proposed at the May council meeting but was tabled pending consultation with the Economic Development Corporation officials for a recommendation. EDC Director Roger Feagley told city officials since they were not party to the contract it would not be appropriate for him to weigh in, city officials said.
Feagley did say all three options being considered were viable: canceling the abatement, modifying it to the number of regular employees, lowering the abatement to correspond with the number of employees. He cautioned them to consider that when companies update technology, it may mean jobs lost on the lower end, but five jobs added at a higher pay scale because they are for more skilled positions.
The city council voted to revoke the abatement altogether.
The council also during the meeting approved Resolution 1169 designating the finance director and city manager as signatories for the city, authorized to request funds under Tx CDBG 7218942 grant contract; and Resolution 1170 reaffirming policies previously adopted by the city to ensure compliance with federal rule and regulations regarding citizens participation and civil rights protections.
Mayor Norman Sanders also proclaimed June Fair Housing Month. The Civil Rights Act 1968 prohibits discrimination in housing. Designating June as Fair Housing Month provides an “opportunity for all American to recognize that the complete success of the goal of equal housing opportunities can only be accomplished with the help and cooperation of all Americans,” Sanders read from the proclamation. He then urged “all citizens of this locality to become aware of and support the fair housing law.”
Sanders too invited community members to Celebration Plaza Saturday June 29, to the annual Independence Day Celebration.
“I’d like to see everyone up there. It’s always a lot of fun,” he said.
Mayor, City Boards, Other Appointments Announced
After Freddie Taylor, Doug Moore and Jeff Sanderson took the oath of office, the Sulphur Springs City Council elected Erica Armstrong mayor pro tem and Norman Sanders mayor.
John Sellers expressed appreciation to the many city staff, officials and citizens for their help during the last two years while he served as mayor, and offered a rose to his wife. Incoming mayor Norman Sanders too offered flowers and appreciation to his wife.
Sanders presented a symbolic gavel to Sellers as a token of appreciation to commemorate his service as mayor.
The council too approved appointments of individuals to 11 different city board and regional groups. Those include:
Economic Development
- Buck Booker
- Craig Roberts
Zoning Board Of Adjustment
- Jay Julian
- Kevin Mohl
- Kyle Robinson
- Alternates: Janet Martin
- James Litzler
Airport Advisory Board
- Dr. Charles Jones
- David Baucom
Sulphur River Municipal Water District
- Bob Russell
Library Board
- Carol Gee
- Michelle McGill Ivery
Board Of Tourism And Promotion
- Don Fausett
- Meredith Caddell
Construction Board Of Adjustment And Appeals
- Bobby Harris
- John Cooper
- Jeff Redding
Planning And Zoning Commission
- Chuck Sickles
- Tommy Harrison
Ark-Tex Council Of Governments
- John Sellers
- Erica Armstrong
- Jeff Sanderson
Downtown Revitalization Board
- Mike Elliott
- Tyler Law
Revolving Loan Fund Committee
- Jeff Fisher
- Erica Armstrong
- Jimmy D. Lucas
- John Sellers
- Marc Maxwell
Central Baptist Church – 2019 VBS Sports Camp
Central Baptist Church’s 2019 VBS Sports Camp will begin June 17th and run through June 20th, 6-8pm each night. Registration begins at 5:30pm each night. They will have FREE SHIRTS for the 1st 100 kids that attend.
Section Of Jackson Street Will Be Renamed In Honor Of J.D. Franklin
June 5, 2019 – Sulphur Springs City Council Monday night approved a request to rename a section of Jackson Street after a community leader.
J.D. Franklin Drive will stretch from Martin Luther King Jr. Drive to College Street.
This section of Jackson Street, from Martin Luther King Jr. Drive to College Street will be renamed J.D. Franklin Drive.
The designation is the vision of the Rev. Jason Lindley, to honor Franklin while he’s still living, according to Councilman Freddie Taylor. A petition was presented to residents, businesses and churches in the area, asking for their support for the renaming of Jackson Street in honor of J.D. Franklin. That was presented to city officials.
It honors 82-year-old resident J.D. Franklin, who served as the first African American City Commissioner of Sulphur Springs in 1975, and served on the city council until 1979. In 1978, elected as the first African American mayor of Sulphur Springs, notes Taylor
Franklin was a businessman, having his own lawn care service. He more recently came out of retirement and is employed with the Sulphur Springs Independent School District Maintenance Department.
Franklin is a 1956 graduate of Douglass High School. He married Gloria Nash in 1959. They have been married for 60 years and raised five children, who all attended college and received a bachelor’s degree and some master’s degrees as well.
He has been an active member of the Masonic Columbia Lodge #81 for more than 60 years. He too has been an active member of Morning Chapel Missionary Baptist Church for more than 55 years, and became a deacon in 1972.
“This man is worth his weight in gold,” said Taylor.
The resolution passed unanimously, to a standing clap of approval from the packed audience in City Hall Tuesday night.
Beverley, Bill Owens To Co-Chair Hopkins County United Way 2019-20 Campaign
Lifelong Hopkins County residents Beverley and Bill Owens were announced Wednesday as the co-chairs for Hopkins County United Way’s 2019-2020 fundraising campaign.
“I am very excited for Bill and Beverley this year. We are here to be your support group. If you need help reach out and lean on us. You are going to do a great job,” said Mike Jumper, HCUW president. ” You’re going to be successful. It’s going to be a fun and great experience for you. I hope you get as much out of it as I did when I went through it. It’s a great opportunity for us to help our community.”
Beverley has been involved with HCUW for more than 20 years as a campaign worker and volunteers. She has also served on several HCUW committees through the years. She also volunteers with several community organizations that benefit from United Way funds, so she knows first hand a lot of the needs.
Each has also been involved with the community through Trinity Harvest Church of God and their work.
Bill Owens says he’s known about HCUW for a long time and has always considered it to be a good thing, but has not been involved aside from contributing. He says he knows there are many needs in the community that HCUW helps serve, and is learning a lot more about HCUW.
Bill Owens announced the proposed theme for the 2019-20 campaign is to “Be a HERO, Give to the United Way.” “By being a HERO, H-E-R-O-, give hope, empowerment, renewing and opportunities,” he explained.
For example, HCUW gives hope for 1,250 families, 36 percent of those who are unemployed and 28 percent disabled, through CANHelp where they receive food, clothing, help with rent and other basic necessities, Bill Owens said
HCUW helps give empowerment by helping Boy Scouts prepare for adult life.
United Way offers renewing for those trapped in substance abuse through recovery, education and prevention through East Texas Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse.
HCUW helps provide opportunities for kids to learn sewing skills, do livestock shows food nutrition workshops, public speaking by being part of a Hopkins County 4-H Club.
“So HERO, I’m reminded today’s the 75th anniversary of D-Day, where thousands of heroes gave everything they had by storming Omaha Beach to give hope, empowerment, renewing and opportunity to the world. Our challenge this year is to storm Hopkins County for those that need in our own little community, by giving them hope, empowerment, renewing and opportunity by volunteering and giving in any way we can through the United Way,” Bill Owens said. “We ask for your prayers, for Beverley and I to be the HEROs we need to be. Thank you all for being a hero.”
Also recognized were new HCUW board members Larry Crowson, Markeda Fisher, Mike Horne, Sherry McGraw and Bill Owens. They join Mike Jumper, Charlotte Henderson, Adam Teer, Beverly Owens, Larry Willis, Debra Evans and Chuck Askins.
Serving on the Budget and Allocations Committee are Mike Jumper, Beverley Owens, Bill Owens, Charlotte Henderson, Bob Weaver, Tim Kelty and Joey Baker. This group spends two days interviewing representatives from the various non-profit agencies requesting assistance, then allocations funds accordingly.
“I always feel there is a lot of responsibility serving on it because we’ve only got so many dollars. It seems like the need is always greater every year, but the budget is not always relative to the need. We’ve got to be good stewards with our funds. I appreciate everybody for stepping up and being on that allocations committee,” Jumper said.
The Owens also announced the dates for 2019-2020 campaign. The campaign workers luncheon will be held at noon Wednesday, Sept. 18, at Southwest Dairy Museum. The lead donor luncheon will be one week later, starting at noon Wednesday, Sept. 26, at Sulphur Springs Country Club. The first campaign workers report meeting will be held at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 1.
Anyone who would like to serve as a HCUW campaign volunteer is asked to contact HCUW Executive Secretary Susan Berning at [email protected] or 903-243-4066, Bill Owens at [email protected] or 903-348-5122 or Beverley Owens at [email protected] or 903-348-5121.
Dairy Festival is a Favorite Stop for Hot Air Balloonists!
High noon, Friday June 7, 2019, downtown. Be there. Because that’s when you’ll meet the Parade Marshall, Queen’s contestants, hot air balloonists and other celebrities as the ribbon is cut and the Hopkins County Dairy Festival is officially kicked off!
Almost 20 years ago, David Black and his family got involved with the then ‘newest’ addition to Dairy Festival, the Dairy Aires Hot Air Balloon Rally. He liked it, and has continued to chair that committee, even attending other rallies and conventions across the country to see how we can improve our balloon event. He feels we are doing something right because, according to numerous balloon pilots he has spoken to, our event is ranked “right up there with Albuquerque as one of the best and most enjoyable”. Black also shared that “a respect for safety is a huge factor for these pilots to frequent your event. Ours is ‘safety first’. Some contests in other places may try to urge pilots to get in the air when there’s a question on the weather. We don’t. If it’s not safe to fly, we don’t go up. And besides the presence of seasoned pilots, we also have some of the best weather professionals watching and reporting to us during balloon weekend. Conditions which seem nearly calm on the ground can be very different above our heads!”
The warm hospitality shown to visitors is another reason balloon pilots, families and crews like to come to Hopkins County. And while here, pilots also get to enter the cow milking contest and be featured in the parade. Where else can you get to do that? And don’t forget, also appearing in the Parade will be the Budweiser Clydesdales and the 1st Calvary Division Marching Band.
So, set aside Friday June 7 and Saturday June 8 for these events! FRIDAY: The Kick-off on Celebration Plaza at 12 noon, and the Balloon Rally and Glow at Shannon Oaks Church at 6pm with free live entertainment
SATURDAY: The 6am Rally and Competition Flight from Shannon Oaks, the Dairy Festival Parade from Buford Park at 10 am, the Dairy Classic Cattle Show at 10am in the Civic Center, the Milking Contest at 3 pm in the Civic Center arena, the Homemade Ice Cream Freeze-off at 5:30 pm at Shannon Oaks Church, followed by the Hot Air Balloon Rally and Glow at 6pm.
City Council Appoints Police Chief, Fire Chief/Marshal, Utilities Director
Sulphur Springs City Council Tuesday night voted to eliminate the public safety director position, with one council member voting against the measure.
The city will go back to the prior tradition of having a separate fire chief and separate police chief.
For the fire department, the top officer will be the fire chief/fire marshal. David James was appointed to fill that role.
Jason Ricketson, a longtime officer at Sulphur Springs Police Department who has been serving as interim police chief since March, was officially appointed as the city police chief.
Woodside Lane resident Jay Julian prior to their vote, asked the council to consider the financial impact of having two chiefs, and if the decision was made for a separate chief for each department to at least consider conducting a regional search to find the best candidate for each position.
Councilman Doug Moore pointed out that by having a fire chief/marshal that will make a fire marshal available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. to conduct inspections on request for occupancy and other construction needs. Currently, businesses have to wait until a certified person is on duty every third day to conduct the inspections
“I feel like that’s more of a scheduling issue, not a personnel. You need to attempt to work on the scheduling issue,” Julian replied.
The motion to split the top job, with one for each department instead of a public safety director over both, was discussed along with the position of director of utilities by the city council during an executive session held 30 minutes prior to the start of the regular June council meeting.
The motion for two separate chiefs was approved, with Councilman Freddie Taylor casting the lone vote against the proposal.
The council also followed the recommendation of city staff that James Jordan be employed as the city’s utilities director.
