Sulphur Springs Work Camp Completes House Projects
Project location on Texas ST
The Sulphur Springs Work Camp finished its tenth year tonight, June 8, with a total of 185 houses completed. The camp began Sunday with volunteers from school districts and church youth groups around Hopkins County. “Our goal is to paint houses in the community for people who have need,” Work Camp Leader Julie Burgin said. “Youth groups gather together each summer for a few days to go out into the community and show love for people and paint houses.”
The work camp started in 2007 with current work camp speaker Brian Cromer, who was a youth pastor at Shannon Oaks Church when he started the camp. “It was something that was put on his heart to create a mission opportunity for kids in the area so that they didn’t have to go far away and do missions that they could do in their back yard,” Burgin said. “It was three churches at first, Shannon Oaks Church, Wesley United Methodist Church, and First United Methodist Church that got together that first year and painted nine houses.”
This year, a total of 13 churches are involved in the work camp from around Hopkins County. The total number of volunteers involved in the work camp this year exceeds 40 children and young adults from sixth grade to college freshmen returning home for the work camp. “We have kids from all over the place that line up to come and paint houses and sleep on a gym floor, and they pay us to do it,” Burgin said. “It’s incredible to see their hearts and how they want to serve those in their community. They all connect with their homeowners and make new friends.These are kids from different churches, different denominations, different school districts, but they all have a common goal to help people and tell them about Jesus.”
The work camp receives projects from a number of methods, such as nomination from other homeowners, being contacted on Social Media and actively searching for projects around town. The work camp stays in Sulphur Springs due to transportation and supply costs, restricting their reach outside the city limits. Homeowners do not pay any fee for the work, but instead, the camp receives funding from a number of sponsors in Hopkins County. “Funding comes from donations in the community ,and fundraisers that the work camp does to offset the costs,” Burgin said. “We have fabulous sponsors, both financial and resources that come from all over Sulphur Springs. The corporate and individual sponsorships make a huge difference.”
Some of the Work Camps most influential sponsors include Grocery Supply, Lowe’s, Clayton Homes, and the majority of banks in Sulphur Springs. “It’s not just money, it’s actual resources as well,” Burgin said. “Lowe’s gives us discounts and gives us a percentage off on the stuff that we purchase. Clayton Homes did the same thing again this year by ordering our paint for us at a discounted rate. We also get water from the electric companies and paper goods from some of the churches. We even have one particular family that every year for the last five years has a cow slaughtered and donates the meat and hamburger patties so that we have hamburgers for Wednesday. It’s donations large and small that help make it happen.”
Violation of Probation Returns Arsonist to Local Jail
Walter Lee Robertson, 66, is back in Hopkins County Jail after several years away. Robertson is held for violation of probation for felony arson. Robertson was arrested in the Dallas County Jail and transported back to Hopkins County.
In 2006, Robertson received a differed probation for second degree felony arson. According to Hopkins County Sheriff’s records Robertson had written his half-sister a letter telling her she had been talking about him and that she had better watch out. The half-sister lived in the rented house on CR 2321, the house that was burned. The house was owned by a local dairyman.
Robertson was arrested in March of 2005 for the third time arson offense. He was sentence in 2006 but violated his parole in 2008 for the first time.
Glass Elected Mayor; Council Honors DI Team; Approves Concrete for Bill Bradford Road
Bill Bradford Road will be a concrete roadway following the vote of the Sulphur Springs City Council during their Tuesday night, June 7th meeting. The city accepted the low bid for the concrete and for the stabilizing of the roadway. The budget for the road reconstruction is now $1.7 million. When the street, that has become a major access in the city, is completed, it will include a total rework of water and sewer lines as well as new curb and gutter and roadway. According to City Manager Marc Maxwell in his Manager’s Report, the work on Bill Bradford Road is moving at a quicker pace now that a capital construction crew has completed a separate project and is now assigned to work on the street.
As the Sons of the American Revolution presented the colors for the opening of the City Council session, the four representatives of the SAR were dressed in reenactment uniform. Following the pledge to the U S and Texas flags, they presented a Flag Certificate to Mayor Kayla Price in one of her last acts as mayor.
As council opened their session, a proclamation was read by Mayor Price honoring the Sulphur Springs Middle School students and their coaches for their World Championship at Destination Imagination competition.
Councilman Freddie Taylor and Councilwoman Emily Glass received the oath of office from City Secretary Gail Roberts just before Glass was elected Mayor. Clay Walker was elected Mayor Pro-Tem.
Council voted to approve a request for rezoning of property located at 520 Davis Street from Multi Family to Light Commercial but denied a request for property at 610 S. Davis Street to be rezoned from Single Family to Two Family Dwelling after residents around the property protested the change. Even though the duplex would be a 4,000 square foot house with 2,000 sq. ft. for each living area on a zero lined lot, a former Sulphur Springs City Councilman, Mike Miesse stated that the change in the neighborhood was unwelcomed. He called the neighborhood an area of long-time residents who took pride in their homes and the neighborhood they had established.
In public form, Frankie Hawkins, a Carter Street resident, presented council with a drainage issue that affected homes along their street. City Manager Maxwell told Mr. Hawkins that city engineers would be dispatched to investigate the complaint and find a solution. At the conclusion of the meeting, City Development Director Shane Shepard had already texted an engineer assigning the task.
The council also made board appointments during the meeting.
City Manager’s Report for June
STREETS, WATER AND SEWER – Bill Bradford Road is picking up steam. Utilities work continues from west to east, only now we have two capital construction teams on the job. One continues to install water mains while the other installs sewer mains. This is made possible by the completion of the EZ Mart sewer project. Bill Bradford Road is closed to through traffic, but open to customers of the businesses located in the closed portion of the road, namely Village Pawn and Gun Shop, Sulphur Springs Floral Etc. and the V F Outlet Mall.
EZ MART SEWER PROJECT – This project is completed.
DAVIS/TOMLINSON PARKING LOT – The Tesla charging station portion of the project is almost complete. Work will continue from south to north.
JEFFERSON STREET PARKING LOT – The weather has held this project up. This is a County project at the northeast corner of Jefferson and Rosemont. The new lot will have 77 spaces. The County is constructing the lot in concrete and the City is installing lights and landscaping per our earlier agreement at the time the tax increment reinvestment zone was created. When the County opted into the zone, the City committed to beautification of the lot when it was built.
GSC PAVILION – We put the finishing touches on the pavilion this month with the installation of Bermuda sod and an irrigation system. Special thanks to GSC Enterprises, Bar H Construction, SS Commercial Services, McCormick Roofing, and the Adult Leadership Class of 2016 for their generous donations of cash, labor, and materials that made the project possible. A sign will be erected near the pavilion thanking those who contributed.
CLAIMS – We had one minor workers’ compensation claim and two liability claims in May.
WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT – Total suspended solids (TSS) came in at 2.74 mg/L, well within the limit of 15 mg/L. We also submitted two claims for lightning damage, one at the airport and the other at the wastewater treatment plant.
REVENUES AND EXPENDITURES – Finance Director Peter Karstens will present a year-to-date summary of revenues and expenditures.
Elsewhere around the city, employees:
- Patched 207 potholes.
- Made 5 street repairs following utility repairs.
- Aerated athletic fields.
- Fertilized soccer fields.
- Conducted 32 building inspections, 17 electrical inspections, 16 plumbing inspections, 3 mechanical inspections and issued 28 building permits.
- Responded to 140 fire/rescue calls including 1 structure fire.
- Performed preventative maintenance on 94 fire hydrants.
- Conducted 66 fire inspections.
- Made 1 arrest for arson.
- Repaired runway lights at the airport.
- Treated wastewater to a daily average effluent rating of 2.4 mg/L, well within limits.
- Repaired 2 water main breaks.
- Replaced 12 water meters.
- Unstopped 43 sewer mains.
- Repaired 8 sewer mains.
- Washed 78,000 feet of sewer mains.
- Inspected and repaired segments 1 and 2.
- Flushed 36 dead-end water mains.
- Opened flood gates at Lake Sulphur Springs 14 days during rain events.
- Treated 124 million gallons of potable water.
- Made 97 arrests. Responded to 38 accidents, (10 with injuries), wrote 572 citations and recorded 77 offences.
- Responded to 173 animal control calls, and achieved an adoption rate of 22%
- Made 7 felony arrests in the special crimes unit.
- Sold 1,195 gallons of AvGas and 3,450 gallons of JetA fuel.
- Checked out 2,515 materials from the library.
City Council 2016-2017 Board and Commission Appointments
During the June Sulphur Springs City Council meeting Tuesday, June 7th, council made 2016-2017 Board and Commission Appointments. Those appointed to various boards and commissions include:
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: Buck Booker, Craig Roberts, and Tory Humphries
ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT: Matt Johnson and Joel Sheffield with Alternates: Brad Burgin and Ben Spraggins
AIRPORT ADVISORY BOARD: Mark Meadows, Jerry Brewer, and Kurt Sehnert
SULPHUR RIVER MUNICIPAL WATER DISTRICT: Linda Galligher
LIBRARY BOARD: Sharon Burney and Kim Roberts
BOARD OF TOURISM AND PROMOTION: Lucy McCorkle, Harry Singh, and Sheryl Paden
CONSTRUCTION BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT AND APPEALS: Wayne Cooper and Gary Stribling with Alternates: Zack King and Charles Westbrook
PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION: Jake Caddell, Kelly Grimes, and Brandon Williams
ARK-TEX COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS: Emily Glass, John Sellers, and Clay Walker
DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION BOARD: Jennifer Massey, Phyllis Roundtree, and Mike Horne
REVOLVING LOAN FUND COMMITTEE: Jeff Fisher, Emily Glass, Craig Johnson, John Sellers, and Marc Maxwell
Pharmacy Technician and Other June Continuing Education Courses at PJC-Sulphur Springs Center
Several classes will be offered in June by the Paris Junior College – Sulphur Springs Center’s Continuing Education Department.
To sign up for a class or get more information, call 903-885-1232. The classes will be held on the campus located at1137 Loop 301 East in Sulphur Springs.
The Pharmacy Technician course will prepare students to enter the pharmacy field and take the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board PTCB exam. The class meets Mondays and Wednesdays, June 13-August 10, from 6 to 9 p.m.
Nurse Aide Skills Refresher is for any student wanting to refresh their Nurse Aide skills prior to their certification test. Students must register 48 hours in advance. The class is offered Thursday, June 16, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Medication Aide Update will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, June 17. The course fulfills Texas Department of Health specifications on annual renewal requirement. Med Aides should take this course one month before their certification card expires.
The Basic Life Support for Health Care Providers class on lifesaving skills for respiratory and cardiac emergencies will meet from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, June 24. The American Heart Association certifies the class.
Targeting third to sixth graders, Holiday Cookie Decorating will allow children to take home a dozen sugar cookies that they have creatively decorated. All supplies are included to allow children to learn decorating techniques while having lots of fun. Pre-registration one week in advance is required, with the class meeting from 1 to 3 p.m. on Friday, June 24.
North to Alaska! Last Minute Savings
Going on a Alaskan Cruise, through the Inside Passage, is pretty high on a lot of folk’s bucket list. For some, an Alaskan Cruise would be the Only cruise they would ever want to take. Fortunately, for those that can travel at the last minute, there are some super deals on Alaskan Cruises. The best one I found today, was a 7-night NCL cruise on the Norwegian Sun, starting $449 per person!! You can’t eat out 5 dinners for that, much less a week of food, lodging, and see the sights of Alaska!! Of course airfare is in addition to the cruise fare and there are some taxes involved, but I am finding great last minute deals on Alaskan Cruises. Start your search by using the following link:
$449 Cruise Deal Only a limited number of Cabins remain.
Winnsboro Police Department Activity May 30-June 5, 2016
Winnsboro Police Department made five arrests, responded to 150 calls for service, issued 50 citations and wrote 24 warnings during the seven day period May 30 through June 5, 2016.
Arrested were: Rebecca Sparks, 43, of Scroggins for Possession of controlled substance PG1 more than 1-gram but less than 4-grams; Stephen Pyron, 25, of Winnsboro on a Wood County warrant; Jennifer Blackford, 31, of Winnsboro on a Hopkins Count y warrant; James Kidd, 34, of Winnsboro for Public Intoxication; and Danny Sisco, 29 of Prescott Arkansas for Disorderly conduct and resisting arrest, search or transportation.
Construction, Traffic Jams Cause Problems For Broadway Businesses
by Steven Payne
Construction is nearing completion on Gilmer street for the Schlotzsky’s Deli and Cafe, as well as the Hometown Auto Sales lot. Both have finished exterior building and pavement, lacking only interior work to each business. On the south side of the I-30 bridge on Broadway ground has been broken for a Starbucks which will be located next to Chili’s. Chili’s, who has been using the parking lot behind the restaurant on lease, will be losing that parking space to Starbucks once construction is done. Then there’s the traffic.
This construction, paired with the city crews that are working on the stretch of Bill Bradford Road which has been closed, has caused an increase in traffic flow on Broadway resulting in more traffic jams during the daylight hours. For businesses along Broadway, traffic jams can create difficulties for the business and consumers. For Walgreen’s Pharmacy, such traffic jams can create problems for customers already at the establishment when these jams begin to form. “It actually makes it difficult for customers to leave the store ,” Walgreen’s Assistant Store Manager Corrin Craig said. “They end up having to take the back way out onto the service road.”
During these traffic jams, Walgreen’s often receives complaints about drivers who drive through Walgreen’s too fast, resulting in cases of minor damage to parked cars. “We’ve had a couple of people have vehicles hit, and others hit as they were backing up,” Craig said.
Other establishments, such as Brooks Hearing & Speech Clinic, have also faced difficulties from traffic jams. The clinic, which regularly sees patients, often resorts to using Broadway Plaza’s secondary entrance for appointments. “Folks who are familiar with the area have no trouble, they’ll take the back way around if they know how to get here ,” Office Staff Member Lauren Strobelt said. “If we have patients coming from out of town, it does create a delay, especially if they’re coming off of I-30 and turning left into the plaza. I think that with the construction that’s going on currently, especially with the Schlotzsky and the reconstruction on Bill Bradford Road, it’s hard enough to get here. A lot of the congestion that’s in this area has occurred since they started that construction and closed down that street. It has caused an increase in traffic on Broadway.”
Broadway Autozone has also had to adapt to traffic jams, but only in a minor sense. Its customers can still access the store by a side street, but deliveries have a more difficult time reaching the store, often having to take detours down nearby neighborhoods to reach the business. Employees at both Walgreen’s and Autozone worry that the presence of a Starbucks on South Broadway will only make traffic jams worse in the future.
Businesses on the south side of the overpass also face issues caused by traffic jams. AT&T Authorized Retailer on South Broadway, while having seen an improvement in sales since moving from its location from Mockingbird road, sees regular traffic build-up every day. According to the Sulphur Springs location’s Store Manager, Employees and customers leaving the store are often forced to turn right toward Walmart and use Wildcat Way in order to make the trip home.
