PJC Health Occupations Students Attend Orientation
Health occupations students from Paris Junior College gathered in the Ray Karrer Theater for orientation. Hospital representatives from the area, including Hopkins County Memorial Hospital, Paris Regional Medical Center, and Hunt Regional Medical Center, reviewed facility rules and regulations for the students. As part of their programs, students will rotate through the facilities during their clinical studies.
–Photo courtesy of PJC Information Services
1st Annual SSISD Education Foundation Golf Tournament at the Sulphur Springs Country Club
On this wonderful summer day at Sulphur Springs Country Club, 18 teams are playing at the 1st Annual SSISD Education Foundation Golf Tournament.
The purpose of the SSISD Education Foundation is to provide funds to increase student achievement, promote skill development of all students, support and recognize professional excellence endeavors, and to expand community and alumni involvement from individuals, businesses, and civic organizations. This is the Foundation’s main fund raiser this Summer. Donation to the foundation can be made online, at SSISD Education Foundation.
This years Hole sponsors for the SSISD Education Foundation are:
Grocery Supply
Alliance Bank
Sulphur Springs Dodge
City National Bank
Net Data
Texas Heritage Bank
Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson, LLP
Life Touch
School Comp
Field House Sports
A & M Commerce Alumni Association
Financial Benefit Services
Pettyjohn Financial Group
Texas Schools Cooperative
Texas Interlocal Purchasing System
M&F Western Products
Guaranty Bond Bank
Toliver Ford
Carriage House Mannor
Advantage Copy Systems
Clayton Home
Story and Photos by Molly Clegg, HS Intern
Lights of Life Events Highlight Fall Schedule
Most people are familiar with the Health Care Foundations’ Lights of Life tree lighting and Gala that raise funds for Hopkins County Memorial Hospital. The past year or so, mini-events have been added to bring in even more funds and add to the fun. The Director of the Foundation Jackie Thornton was joined by this year’s three co-chairs for the Lights of Life and Gala campaign who discussed some mini-events coming up on KSST’s Good Morning Show with Enola Gay Monday morning.
Monday, July 20, 2015, On KSST’s Morning Show, (left to right in picture) Gloria Mitchell, Donna Rudzik, and Polly Swatsell, the 2015-2016 Lights of Life Campaign chairs, along with Jackie Thornton, Director of the Hopkins County Memorial Hospital Foundation, updated the community on the campaign. “It has been an exciting and fast few months since we took over chairmanship of the campaign” stated chair Donna Rudzik. She added, “Because this is the 10th anniversary of the Lights of Life gala and the 20th anniversary of the Lights of Life tree lighting campaign, we felt “A Decade of Diamonds” would be the perfect theme for our campaign this year. We are excited because we will be recognizing and honoring all the past chairs that have gotten us to where we are today”. We want to pay tribute to each one of them for all their hard work and acknowledge the accomplishments and difference they’ve made for our hospital and community.”
“ We were a little nervous when the Foundation board set another aggressive goal of $250,000 for the 2015-2016 campaign. While it scares us to death, we promise to work hard to achieve this lofty goal and with the continued support of this caring community we believe we will reach it”, said chair Polly Swatsell. “We are honored and humbled to have the opportunity to continue the traditions set by the great chairs before us” continued Swatsell.
Chair, Gloria Mitchell added “that with the generous continued support of the community our goal is to donate the entire amount requested that will be used to purchase;
- Six LUCAS CPR devices for EMS which will provide the EMS Department the tools and abilities they need to improve survival rates during cardiac arrest. The LUCAS CPR provides consistent and quality chest compressions without the need to stop compressions to perform other clinical procedures.
- And it is our desire to contribute all additional funds to the Foundation “Leaving a Legacy” Endowment Fund.
“Sponsor solicitation letters went out June 1st and the gala is already almost sold out! We are thrilled to announce that this year; in honor of the 20th and 10th anniversary we have two DIAMOND Sponsors. Carriage House Manor and The Cottages and CHRISTUS Health both committed to be our DIAMOND Sponsors. We were so excited to have one much less two”, stated Swatsell. Because we are getting close to being sold out again, we are encouraging anyone who hasn’t confirmed your sponsorship to do so quickly. While the sponsorship money is not due until December 15th, a commitment is encouraged and appreciated”, stated Swatsell.
To continue with previous traditions, local vendors will be used as much as possible. Danna’s Florist will provide the decorations and Joe’s Exxon and Joe Bob’s Convenience Store will provide the beer, wine and Champaign. Eddie Deen will cater the black-tie event, Idsy Bitsy Bakers will prepare a yummy dessert and Texas Unlimited Band will entertain the guests for a third year.
“The community has truly embraced the campaign and gala. They like dressing up for the gala and have a fun night while giving back to their hospital. It’s a WIN-WIN and a blessing for us all”, stated Thornton. She said the foundations is truly blessed, overwhelmed and humbled by the success of the campaign.
“The Hopkins County community continues to amaze me with their generosity that obviously comes from their heart. They show their appreciation of having a local hospital that takes care of their medical needs and they are proud to support the hospital through the Health Care Foundation. It’s privilege for me to work for this committed Foundation board and serve in this giving community”, Thornton continued.
If you cannot attend the gala but still wish to support your local hospital you can contribute to the 20th anniversary of the campaign with your donation to the Lights of Life Christmas tree lighting event that will be held December 3th in The Gardens at Memorial. A $25 donation given in memory or honor of someone special is represented by a light on the Lights of Life Christmas tree. Also, there will be other opportunities, like the Half Marathon, the Fashion Show hosted by Lou Nell’s, and the Fall Sassy Classy Tea.
Join us as we work hard to make a difference for the hospital and the community through your support of the 20th and 10th Anniversary of 2015-2016 Lights of Life Campaign and Gala. Sponsorships are available so call the Health Care Foundation office at 903-439-4799 for more information.
Winnsboro Police Department Report for July 13-19
Winnsboro Police arrested four (4), answered 149 calls for service, and issued 32 citations and 27 warnings during the seven day period of July 13-July 19. There were no accidents reported to police in Winnsboro during that time.
On Tuesday, July 14, Louise Torres, 46, of Winnsboro was arrested for theft of service over $1,500 and under $20,000.
Wednesday, July 17, Milton Wetzel, 23, of Winnsboro was arrested for theft of a firearm.
Thursday found Katelynn Robertson, 21, of Winnsboro and Joseph Dodson, 21, of Winnsboro arrested on Upshur County warrants.
Friday Night Movie!
The weekly Friday Night movie for this week, July 24, is Walt Disney’s ‘Sleeping Beauty’!
This movie is filled with jealousy, the evil witch Maleficent curses Princess Aurora to die on her 16th birthday. Thanks to Aurora’s guardian fairies, she only falls into a deep sleep that can be ended with a kiss from her beloved, Prince Phillip. To prevent Phillip from rescuing Aurora, Maleficent kidnaps and locks him up. The guardian fairies are the last hope to free Phillip so that he can awaken Aurora.
This movie is a great selection for everyone especially for children. Movie will start at darkness on the Square. Bring your blankets, lawn chairs, coolers, children and settle in for the wonderful tale of ‘Sleeping Beauty’. The fountain will also be on for anyone who wants to get refreshed. Enjoy!
Story and Photos by Molly Clegg, HS Intern
Avian Influenza Not in Texas Yet
Facts about Avian Influenza (AI) in Texas.
- AI has not been discovered in Texas.
- Since December 2014, the USDA has confirmed several cases of HPAI H5N2 and H5N8 in other states located in the Pacific, Central, and Mississippi flyways (or migratory bird paths). The disease has been found in wild birds, as well as in a few backyard and commercial poultry flocks.
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention considers the risk to people from these HPAI H5 infections to be low. No human cases of these HPAI H5 viruses have been detected in the United States, Canada, or internationally.
- The TAHC advises poultry owners to practice strong bio-security and remain vigilant in examining the health of their birds. If your birds exhibit unusual death loss or signs of illness, or you observe large scale sickness and mortality of wild birds, call your private veterinarian or the TAHC immediately at 1-800-550-8242.
Abbott Lets National Guard Carry Arms on Base
by Sophia Bollag, The Texas Tribune – July 18, 2015
![SSGLieselMarelli_jpg_800x1000_q100[1]](https://www.ksstradio.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/SSGLieselMarelli_jpg_800x1000_q1001.jpg)
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Saturday authorized the Texas National Guard to be armed while on base following shootings at military facilities in Chattanooga, Tenn., that killed four U.S. Marines and a U.S. Naval officer. The gunman, Mohammad Youssef Abdulazeez, 24, was reportedly shot and killed by police.
Abdulazeez first opened fire at a military recruiting center in a Chattanooga strip mall.
“After the recent shooting in Chattanooga, it has become clear that our military personnel must have the ability to defend themselves against these type of attacks on our own soil,” Abbott said in a statement. “Arming the National Guard at these bases will not only serve as a deterrent to anyone wishing to do harm to our service men and women, but will enable them to protect those living and working on the base.”
Abbott called for National Guard personnel to be armed at military facilities across the state.
This article originally appeared in The Texas Tribune at Texas Tribune
Flynn Questions Legality of Same Sex-Marriage Under Texas Law; Ask What Federal Government Could Do if State Legislature Does Not Change Law
States rights questions remain even though the Civil War was thought to settle most. District 2 Texas State Representative Dan Flynn has requested an Attorney General’s opinion regarding the status of law pertaining to marriage in Texas. Among the questions regarding marriage, Flynn asked if current state law allows the issuance of marriage license without the Texas legislature changing the laws of the state. Specifically, he asked, “Without revision to Texas statute, are marriage licenses issued to same-sex individuals since June 26, 2015, valid?” His letter was sent to the AG last Thursday, according to Representative Flynn’s Austin office.
In a newletter to constituents, Representative Flynn stated that he was unsure if the U S Supreme Court had the right to override state law. Flynn questions, “In the event that the Texas legislature does not amend current law, what action could the federal government take to implement same-sex marriage?”
Below is the letter Representative Flynn sent to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton as well as the arguments he presents that fostered the questions.
July 16, 2015
The Honorable Ken Paxton
Texas Attorney General
P.O. Box 12548
Austin, TX 78711
RE: Request for attorney general opinion regarding status of law pertaining to marriage in Texas
Dear Attorney General Paxton:
I respectfully request that you provide this office with a formal written opinion regarding the following questions:
- What is the current law pertaining to marriage in Texas?
- Is action by the Texas legislature required to implement same-sex marriage in Texas?
- Without revision to Texas statute, are marriage licenses issued to same-sex individuals since June 26, 2015, valid?
- Absent further action by the Texas Legislature, do state agencies have authority to adopt policies and procedures to grant other benefits, specifically including employment benefit programs and adoption, arising under Texas law to same-sex couples?
- In the event that the Texas legislature does not amend current law, what action could the federal government take to implement same-sex marriage?
Please see the attached brief addressing the above referenced issues. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
State Representative Dan Flynn, HD-2
- STATEMENT OF FACTS:
On June 26, 2015, the United States Supreme Court held in Obergefell v. Hodges that there is now a constitutional right to same-sex marriage. No. 14-556 (2015). Despite neither Texas nor any Texas official being a party to Obergefell, certain state agencies and local governmental officials raced to implement same-sex marriage, while Texas law remains unchanged. For example on the same date, the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) unilaterally changed the state promulgated marriage license application to delete the blanks for “man” and “woman” in place of “applicant one” and “applicant two.” Compare http://www.kltv.com/story/29420782/texas-revises-marriage-license-applications-effective-immediately with https://docs.google.com/viewer?url=http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/vs/field/docs/vs180-(2)-fillable.pdf. The Travis County Clerk issued 250 marriage licenses. http://www.texastribune.org/2015/06/26/texas-same-sex-couples-begin-marry/
Although Texas was not a party to Obergefell, United States District Judge Orlando Garcia applied the Supreme Court’s opinion and entered a Final Judgment on July 7, 2015, that enjoins the Texas Governor, Texas Department of State Health Services, and Bexar County Clerk “from enforcing Texas laws prohibiting same-sex marriage.” DeLeon v. Perry, Cause No. SA-13-CA-00982-OLG (W.D. Tex., July 7, 2015). Specifically, Judge Garcia entered judgment that “any law denying same-sex couples the right to marry, including Article I, §32 of the Texas Constitution … violate … the United States Constitution.” Id.
- ARGUMENT AND AUTHORITIES
Does Any Interpretation of Texas Law Provide for Same-Sex Marriage?
No interpretation of existing Texas law results in allowance of same-sex marriage. Rather than Texas law prohibiting same-sex marriage, Texas law solely defines marriage “only as a union of one man and one woman.” Tex. Const. Art. I, §32. In terms of a formal marriage, the Texas Family Code provides the following:
- Fam. Code §2.001 – “MARRIAGE LICENSE. (a) A man and a woman desiring to enter into a ceremonial marriage must obtain a marriage license from
the county clerk of any county of this state. (b) A license may not be issued for the marriage of persons of the same sex.” (emphasis added).
- Fam. Code §2.401 – “PROOF OF INFORMAL MARRIAGE. (a) In a judicial, administrative, or other proceeding, the marriage of a man and woman may be proved by evidence that…” (emphasis added).
Judge Garcia ruled unconstitutional “any Texas law denying same-sex couples the right to marry.” Yet, even with the federal courts striking as unconstitutional Tex. Const. Art. I, §32, Tex. Fam. Code §§2.001(b), 2.401, what remains?
With the removal of Texas laws prohibiting same-sex marriage, no Texas law exists that provides for same-sex marriage. After the federal court’s striking of Texas law that prohibits same-sex marriage, the remaining Texas statutes still only define marriage as between “a man and a woman.” See Tex. Fam. Code §§2.001(b), 2.401.
Judge Garcia’s Final Judgment is purposeful more for what it does not order than what it does. While Judge Garcia enjoins enforcement of Texas law “prohibiting same-sex marriage,” he does not strike Texas state law providing marriage as between one man and one woman. To do so would effectively strike as unconstitutional all Texas law regarding marriage, with the effect of halting all marriage in Texas – a step that the federal court purposefully avoided. Nor has the federal court written new Texas law. No Texas law provides for same-sex marriage. If anything, Texas law now remains silent upon the issue.
- How may Texas Provide for Same-Sex Marriage?
As stated in the dissent, the United States Supreme Court “is not a legislature.” Obergefell, No. 14-556 (2015) (Roberts, C.J. dissenting). As with both the United States and Texas Constitutions, legislative powers are vested with the legislature only. Pursuant to Tex. Const. Art. II, §1:
DIVISION OF POWERS; THREE SEPARATE DEPARTMENTS; EXERCISE OF POWER PROPERLY ATTACHED TO OTHER DEPARTMENTS. The powers of the Government of the State of Texas shall be divided into three distinct departments, each of which shall be confided to a separate body of magistracy, to wit: Those which are Legislative to one; those which are Executive to another, and those which are Judicial to another; and no person, or collection of persons, being of one of these departments, shall exercise any power properly attached to either of the others, except in the instances herein expressly permitted. (emphasis added).
Furthermore, the Tenth Amendment to the United States Constitution provides that:
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.
Should the Texas legislature so act, Tex. Fam. Code §§2.001(b), 2.401 could be easily rewritten to provide for same-sex marriages. Instead of “a man and a woman,” the legislature could change the definition of marriage to be between “two (or more) persons.” But, the Texas legislature has not met, nor has it acted in response to Obergefell. Although the Texas Constitution vests legislative powers solely with the Texas Legislature, no action has been taken that would create same-sex marriage under
Texas law. Absent legislative action, no Texas law defines or otherwise establishes marriage between homosexual couples.
- Can the State Award What Does Not Exist?
The county clerk shall furnish the [marriage] application form as prescribed by the bureau of vital statistics. Tex. Fam. Code §2.004(a). Implicit in this requirement is that the form prescribed by the bureau of vital statistics conform with state law, as it is only from state law by which the Texas Department of State Health Services’ Bureau of Vital Statistics derives its executive branch authority. Tex. Const. Art. II, §1; see also, Brown v. Humble Oil & Ref. Co., 126 Tex. 296, 306 (1935) (“The power to pass laws rests with the Legislature, and that power cannot be delegated to some commission or other tribunal”). In this instance, prior to June 26, that state’s application for marriage license provide blanks for a man and a woman; on June 26, DSHS unilaterally revised the state form to only require information about two individuals. See, e.g., http://www.kltv.com/story/29420782/texas-revises-marriage-license-applications-effective-immediately with https://docs.google.com/viewer?url=http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/vs/field/docs/vs180-(2)-fillable.pdf; https://docs.google.com/viewer?url=http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/vs/field/docs/vs180-(2)-
fillable.pdf.
What law granted DSHS authority to revise this state form that previously complied with still existing Texas state law?[1]
The county clerk may not issue a [marriage] license if either applicant fails to provide the information required by this subchapter. Id. at §2.009(a)(1). Chapter 2 of the Texas Family Code only provides for marriage as between one man and one woman. It does not, for example, provide for a marriage between two persons, whereas the federal court could have struck any specificity defining two person as those of opposite sex. Yet, Texas county clerks have proceeded to issue marriage licenses despite the Texas state law provisions that remain even after the federal district court’s declaration as to the unconstitutionality of “law denying same-sex couples the right to marry.” See DeLeon. As all legislative powers are vested with the Texas legislature, state agencies and local government officials cannot issue same-sex marriage licenses without revision to Texas statutes by the Texas Legislature providing for the same.
- May State Agencies Unilaterally Extend Other Benefits to Same-Sex Couples?
In 2013, the Attorney General determined that Tex. Const. Art. I, §32(b) prohibited a political subdivision from providing domestic partnership benefits to its employees. Op. Tex. Att’y Gen. No. GA-1003 (2013). The rationale was that doing so would create a legal status of domestic partnership that it not otherwise recognized by
Texas law. Id. As discussed, infra, Texas law has not been changed by the Legislature to provide for marriage between same-sex couples, i.e. recognize legal status of domestic partnership not otherwise recognized by Texas law. Furthermore, Judge Garcia’s Final Judgment in DeLeon enjoins only Texas law prohibiting same-sex marriage. Texas law still does not recognize domestic partnerships and the prohibition recognized in GA-1003 remains.
Despite no change in Texas law, state agencies, including Teacher Retirement System of Texas, the University of Texas System, the Texas A&M University System and the Employees Retirement System have already implemented policies to award state benefits to same-sex couples beyond the limits of Obergefell and DeLeon. See https://www.utsystem.edu/offices/employee-benefits/same-sex-spouse-eligibility; http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/01/spouses-gay-public-employees-eligible-benefits/. Do state agencies have current authority to be adopting such policies?
Also, DSHS has already unilaterally revised the state marriage license application form. See, infra. Does DSHS have authority to further revise its policies and procedures to provide other benefits arising from Texas law to same-sex couples, such as revising the state promulgated birth certificate form to allow for same-sex adoptions?
- What if the Texas Legislature Fails to Act?
The undersigned asserts that Texas may only comply with the federal Obergefell and DeLeon opinions through action taken by the Texas Legislature, which has yet to occur. Absent the Texas Legislature affirmatively providing for same-sex marriage in order to comply with Obergefell and DeLeon, Texas law remains silent as to marriage
other than between one man and one woman. Therefore pursuant to the non-delegation doctrine, Texas state agencies, including DSHS, cannot act without authorization from the legislature. Without state agency action to implement same-sex marriage, local county clerks lack authority to award same-sex marriage licenses. Therefore, any marriage licenses issued in contradiction to Texas law to date are void.
The solution, of course, is for the Texas Governor to call a special session of the Legislature in order to address the recent United States Supreme Court and federal District Court rulings. During such a special session, the Legislature would have authority pursuant to Tex. Const. Art. II, §1 to enact laws to modify existing state law. But, what if either the Legislature was not called into special session or if, once called, the Legislature failed to act in conformance with federal judicial mandates?
The end result would be a situation of constitutional crisis. Whereas, the federal judiciary might declare Texas’ system of marriage unconstitutional in totality, thus prohibiting future marriage, no authority exists for the federal government to rewrite existing Texas state law or to step into the state’s place by issuing its own federal “marriage licenses.” The lack of precedent is only surpassed by the unprecedented overreach by the federal judiciary in stepping into the place of the legislative branch, despite the dissent by Chief Justice Roberts. However, our state must not ignore Texas law or our own respect for the rule of law simply out of fear of an overreaching federal government.
III. SUMMARY
Even after the DeLeon Final Judgment enjoining enforcement of “Texas laws prohibiting same-sex marriage,” the remaining Texas statutes do not provide for marriage other than between one man and one woman. Pursuant to the Texas Constitution, legislative powers are granted only to the Texas Legislature; therefore, only the legislature has authority to revise state law in conformance with the Obergefell and DeLeon decisions. Absent action by the Texas Legislature, execute branch agencies, such as DSHS, have not been delegated authority to promulgate policies or procedures to implement same-sex marriage in Texas or other benefits. Therefore, any marriage license issued in contradiction with Texas state law or other policy unilaterally awarding benefits to same-sex couples are invalid.
We urge that you issue an opinion in conformance with this analysis. Specifically, we request that you agree that, due to the language of current Texas law, only the Legislature’s revision of existing statutes may implement the Obergefell and DeLeon mandates. Absent action by the Legislature, any state agency or local political subdivision action to award marriage or any other benefit arising under Texas law to same-sex couples is invalid.
Sincerely,
State Representative Dan Flynn, HD-2
[1] Assume, arguendo, that DSHS revised the state marriage form to allow for more than two individuals to marry. What authority would prevent this definition under Texas law as opposed to DSHS’s unilateral change to provide for same-sex unions?
SSISD Education Foundation; Rededicating and Expanding
The Sulphur Springs Independent School District Education Foundation is thinking big this year. Top priorities this year are more fund raising events, and a new way to stimulate education ideas in the classroom.
“We don’t want to exclude anything from our new Classroom Grant Program”, says Gena Prickette. The grant program will be looking for unique and innovative ideas that fall outside the usual lines. “Maybe a teacher wants to explore a subject, but doesn’t have the money for resources, that’s were we could help out.”
Additional information is available on the website SSISD Education Foundation
Meal A Day Menu July 20th – July 24th
Meal-A-Day Driver
