Sulphur Springs Turns Page On New Chapter With Downtown West Planning
The City of Sulphur springs turned the page Monday on a new chapter in downtown development, with the start of planning for Downtown West, which Ian Lockwood of Toole Design Group calls “the next step in the evolution of downtown.” Downtown West is the area loosely bounded by Mulberry, Rogers/Magnolia and Van Sickle streets and the Kansas City Southern railroad tracks.
Lockwood and his team of urban design professionals crafted, based on community input, the design for downtown, specifically Celebration Plaza. The Toole Design Group team returned to Sulphur Springs Monday to kickoff the Downtown West design process with a presentation, then, sharing of ideas from a room filled almost to capacity with community members eager hear and share their concerns and visions for the space.
The idea is create a new compelling project that fits the communities wants and needs, while tying into Celebration Plaza and the improvements on Connally and Main Street, that offers additional housing and attractions to bring community residents and visitors to the area for a break, activities or a quiet stroll by the water.
Taken into consideration when planning the renovation of the downtown square were views, far and near, keeping it in sight. The team will take into consideration the bones of the area, the block size and structure; street designs such as on-street parking, lighting and sidewalks, bridge designs; lot dimensions; and of the space available for redesign.
Lockwood presented a couple of sketch of a few possible ideas, but noted that the official plan will be developed using ideas pitched by the community the July 19 meeting as well as during two charrettes, hosted throughout the day by appointment Tuesday and Wednesday, with two times designated for open comments. That is a two hour block set aside July 20 and 21 that is open for anyone to drop by and talk with the design team, to relay ideas about what they’d like or not like to see, and what community members feel are important to see in the area to be renovated in the future.
Anyone can stop by the new HW Grays Building between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 20, or 10 a.m. to 12 noon Wednesday, July 21, 2021, for the “open studio,” to discuss ideas and needs for the Downtown West project. The team will then come up with based on top ideas relayed during the three days a possible design for Downtown West. That preliminary data will be part of a final planning presentation from Toole Design Group from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday, July 22, at the Grays Building in Pacific Park.
Some of the potential opportunities include housing options, such as town houses with little or no yard to tend, passive open spaces designed for all ages and abilities, water experiences such as a stream, canal, lake and accessibility for utilizing natural structures such as Town Branch.
The area could incorporate open spaces such using park and water features to define the area, include active and passive spaces, regular and routine activities, event potential and flexibility of space.
Alignment, widgth, edge designs, water access, bridge and viewing opportunities, seating, paths and lighting and town history are aspects of the Town Branch to consider. One thing proposed is a lake close to downtown. Things to work out for that would be the shape of it, embankment design, public access, a boardwalk, incorporating it as a key factor in development of Downtown West, views, plants and fluctuating water levels due to the natural flow of drainage in the area and potential drought./
Art and themes could be educational, interpretive, comfortable and enjoyable and be reflected in buildings, landscape, bridges and spaces but each be unique.
Shade from the heat, possible edible landscape such as a community garden, materials and best use of native plants should be considered when developing the landscape.
After Lockwood’s presentation Monday evening, those present were asked to work with others at their table using markers, a poster board and map provided to respond to two prompts:
- List key values that should shape the area.
- What is missing that you would like to see created?
After about 25-30 minutes of table discussions, some including Toole Design team members, Lockwood then asked one spokesperson for each of the 12 tables to share what they came up with.
The community did not disappoint, each with several similar priorities but varied ideas of how to achieve them.
The first table reported that while downtown has various weekend events, it’s missing permanent fun activities, something exciting for all, play areas with safe spaces for kids and water features other than the spray fountain on the square shaded and varied seating options, maybe porch swings, food trucks, patios with fun environments in any structures in the area, a hotel or other lodging where people who come to Sulphur Springs can stay in or near downtown instead of having to drive from the interstate, maybe a carousel, train rides or something similar that kids can jump on and ride for fun.
Another table noted Downtown West should remain a quiet area, neat area where people can stop and hear the water running through it as they walk it sit reflecting. Also suggested was the incorporation of elements from the city’s history, maybe finding ways to reflect that and play it up on structures, something to remind people of the horses that people rode to town and the dairy industry. The suggested using the area behind city hall to park food trucks, where people could get a snack or meal, then walk the area to the bottom of the “canal.”
Table three also expressed a desire for Downtown West to be family friendly, with a walkable and bike trail, something to draw retail traffic downtown to it. If a bridge were installed across Main Street, it’s need to be pedestrian friendly, with a safe walkway over it. Suggested was concrete platform near the Brewery where bands could play, a splash pad for people to enjoy since the city no longer has a public pool. The area, the community members said, should be Wi-Fi accessible, had a drought plan to address potential times of drought which would impact water levels of any water attractions or bodies, including perhaps a lake behind the police station, and additional parking.
Group four asked for benches and kid attractions, art pieces, a walking path and casual seating along a walking path and perhaps a waterfall. They also suggested housing that is more like cottages than condo, to better reflect small town life with a quiet, quaint community feel. Food options different from those currently available at downtown restaurants without ruining the ambiance of the space, which they’d like to include some type of “funky draw” like the glass toilets on the square but different, as well as a reflection area where one can go to sit and calm the mind or perhaps even a prayer garden. Table four would like to see an amphitheater by a lake.
Table five suggested multifamily structures, quiet tranquil patios and something for younger people who are living downtown to do on a regular basis, and retail for the housed population, underground utilities so they don’t obstruct the planned landscape. A dog park was suggested as so many have pets these days. They’d like to see more parking incorporated, electric charging stations for cars that seems to be the direction things are going. The members of that table noted the need in any street for roads wide enough to accommodate public safety vehicles, such as fire trucks and ambulances. A large permanent water source like a river walk for people to enjoy visiting as well as options for things such as boat rides were also suggested. The group recommended marketing to make it clear where the money is coming from: that it is a city project, not a county-funded project. They liked the idea of edible landscape such as a community garden and would like to see some type of public transportation, maybe even bike or scooter rentals to help those enjoying the area to get from point A to point B.
Table six also would like to see a livable, walkable neighborhood with attractions for family interactions, while incorporating the town’s history, such as the natural springs behind the police department. Those community members suggested a change in topography.
One resident asked for an urban grocery incorporated into the design to serve those living in the area, so they wouldn’t have to drive south for food and basic home supplies.
Community members at another table suggested adjusting lighting so that there’s plenty of lighting to make Downtown West a safe space where people want to be, to drawn them to the area after dark as well as during the day, but that isn’t so bright you can see the lights from space or the interstate. The area, they noted, should interconnect with downtown, which should be visible, but have it’s own feel while complementing the feel established downtown. A drought and storm water reduction plan should be devised to best maximize without exhausting the water supply to the area. A board walk wouldn’t be too appealing without water. They group would also like to see historic ties to the area, perhaps kiosks with information.
Another table focused on water features that would appeal to the masses, as well as visible, accessible gathering spaces, while incorporating history and being a calming destination. Parking and a biking/walking trail also were important to that group of individuals. They took would like there to be a place for visitors to stay a few nights while enjoying the culture of the beautiful downtown area
Table 10 said while many of the previously mentioned visions were discussed, having shade trees and focusing on the architecture of the area were important to them. They’d like each area to be a photo destination, from walks to bridges. They too would like it to tie into the downtown while having it’s own unique features as well. They suggested perhaps an entrance on Main Street welcoming people to the area, making it seem more like a destination. Suggested was a white canvas cover in the shape of boat sails to provide additional shade. being sure to include the people and animals that are part of Sulphur Springs’ history too was suggested.
Table 11 suggested after addressing parking, making the area more of a promenade than a city street, putting parking elsewhere. It should be water accessible, perhaps with fountains. With all that walking, however, people should have the ability to rehydrate nearby, maybe with food trucks, kiosks or small stands where people can grab a lemonade and corndog for the kids. Dark Sky lighting which illuminates down, not up similar to the solar lighting at Coleman Park that is motion activated. They’d like to see more homes and a hotel or overnight lodging space as well.
Another individual said she’d like to see Downtown West connect to downtown, yet be so visible inviting that people won’t want to get in their cars to leave, but to stroll the area and enjoy it. It shouldn’t feel separate from downtown, she said.
One group suggested providing for everyday needs downtown, so that individuals who live downtown won’t have to drive to the store. Pocket parks and structures with open seating looking out over the area were recommended. Capturing the historic past, the sulfur springs that earned the city its name and the values of the forefathers too should be incorporated into other design, the community members recommended. Outdoor structures and murals were also noted.
Another community member suggested a windmill feature to draw more water to an area that’d be more intimate, quieter than downtown.
Finally, dog parks, unusual structures, restaurant patios that blend into the design, water features such as paddle boats or kayaking, were among the suggestions offered by the community members present at Monday’s Downtown West planning meeting.
Travel Tuesday: Atlas World Navigator Set To Sail August 4th
Atlas Ocean Voyages’ new ship will take it’s inaugural voyage on August 4th from Athens, Greece. The World Navigator will spend nine days at sea and wind up in Alexandria, Egypt with stops in several ports throughout Greece and a special opportunity for it’s passengers to view the pyramids in Cairo at night. The smaller Atlas ships are designed to visit smaller ports that larger ships cannot. The 196 passengers on the inaugural cruise will have six different dining options spread across the six passenger decks. This new ship is packed with the latest technologically advanced systems including a hybrid propulsion system that uses one-fifth the fuel of conventional cruise ships.
Atlas Ocean Voyages is a new cruise line with smaller luxury ships that specializes in bucket-list worthy adventures. Their first ship, World Navigator, is the first of what will be a fleet of five similar sized ships to be released by the end of 2023. From the Black Sea to South America and even voyages to Antarctica, Atlas offers destinations for spirited travelers that larger cruise ships cannot reach. Atlas’ signature “All Inclusive All The Way” program provides all guests a complete and seamless experience by including complimentary round-trip air travel, choice of a shore excursion at every port, prepaid gratuities, polar parkas, emergency medical evacuation insurance, premium wine and spirits, international beers and coffees, Wi-Fi, L’OCCITANE bath amenities, and regionally inspired gourmet dining. In every stateroom, guests enjoy binoculars to use on board, en suite coffee, tea and personalized bar service, and butler service in suites.
Atlas welcomes travelers to ‘come back to something brand new’ in the brand’s ongoing marketing campaign “At Last… Atlas” (www.AtlasOceanVoyages.com/itstime.) To learn more, please visit www.AtlasOceanVoyages.com.
9-Night Athens to Cairo: Immersive Egypt:
For more information or to request pricing contact us at: [email protected]
Sulphur Springs Hosts Final Round Of Texas WaterX Championship
It’s finally here! Make plans to attend the professional Jet Ski race event in Sulphur Springs THIS weekend: July 24th to 25th. Saturday 8-5 pm and Sunday 8-3 pm.
Admission is free to the public and features food venders, local business booths, jet ski performances, and action-packed racing!
Jettribe is proud to be the Title Sponsor of the final round of the Texas WaterX Championship watercraft race series, sanctioned by the IJSBA, in our hometown of Sulphur Springs. Winners of the Sulphur Spring’s Championship will be crowned Texas State Champions.
Watercraft racers from all over Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Kansas, and guest Jettribe Team Riders from California will be battling it out for the championship. This inaugural event at Lake Coleman is the final battleground for the Jettribe Texas WaterX Series, and only the best riders with fine-tuned race machines will find themselves on top of the podium.
Jettribe wishes many thanks to the City of Sulphur Springs, EDC, Hopkins Chamber of Commerce, and our sponsors’ for hosting this historic event! A huge shoutout to race organizers Terry and Justin from Nauti Water Racing, along with their staff and the race competitors for making this event happen.
Details for vendors, hotel information, and racer registration can be found on our website www.jettribe.com/events/.
Cumby Man Jailed On 2 DWI With Child Passenger Warrants
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Scott Davis and Deputy Justin Wilkerson stopped a GM Safari at 8:42 p.m. Saturday on State Highway 11 at FM 3134 for a traffic violation. A records check showed driver Victor Miranda-Cervantes to be wanted on two warrants for driving while intoxicated with a child passenger 15 years of age.
Miranda-Cervantes was accused March 20, 2021, of driving drunk with 3 children under 10 years of age in the SUV with him. He was stopped around 10 p.m. that Saturday for a traffic violation and had red eyes, and alcohol was smelled on his breath. Beer cans were visible in his SUV, including one can between a child’s feet in the center of the back seat. He was arrested and booked into Hopkins County jail early March 21, on one DWI with child passenger charge; the children were released to Miranda-Cervantes’ son.
The 60-year-old Cumby man, who is also known by Victor M. Miranda-Sirvantes, was released from the county jail March 21, 2021, on a $5,000 bond on the driving while intoxicated with children under 15 years of age charge.. He was indicted in May 2021 on one DWI with child passenger charge.
He was arrested following the traffic stop July 17, 2021, on two additional DWI with child passenger charges, and released from Hopkins County jail Monday, July 19, 2021, on $15,000 per felony charge.
If you have an emergency, dial 9-1-1
The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office is located at 298 Rosemont Sulphur Springs, TX 75482. You can reach them for non-emergency matters at (903) 438-4040.
Judge Considering Cynthia Martin’s Petition For Restraining Order For Planned Dike Solar Project
Those hoping for a quick decision Monday to Cynthia Martin’s request for a restraining order to temporarily halt construction of the planned Dike solar project were disappointed. Will Biard, 62nd Judicial District Judge, told the parties involved that he would take the matter under advisement so that he gets it right, but expects to make a decision by the end of the week.
The hearing for the temporary restraining order came following a petition filed June 29, 2021, in the 62nd Judicial District against Hopkins County and Hopkins Energy LLC, the solar project planned for construction in Dike. In the 96-page document, Martin asked for “equitable relief and application for temporary restraining order, temporary and permanent injunctive relief” from Hopkins County Energy LLC and Hopkins County.
Representing Cynthia Martin were Chris Bell and Joanne Hatton of Braun & Gresham Attorneys At Law of Dripping Springs. Representing the defendant Hopkins Energy LLC and Hopkins County were John Ginn of Smith McDowell & Ginn Attorneys of Sulphur Springs; Lee Correa-Sheppard of Flowers Davis of Tyler; and Bill Kroger, of Baker Botts.
Points of contention debated Monday morning included whether or not the county had the authority to grant a 381 agreement for a tax incentive to Hopkins Energy LLC, if the 381 economic agreement approved by the county is a Section G or H tax abatement, if proper statutory guidelines were followed and, if not, whether that would that would make the agreement between Hopkins Energy LLC and Hopkins County valid.
Whether the petition fully establishes that the solar project would be a public and private nuisance was debate too. Also discussed were the actual size of the planned solar project, when and if certain permits should have been filed, and surveys regarding flooding and potential damage to Martin’s property from the planned solar project.
Attorneys for the defendants argued that Martin was not accurately represented in the petition because does not live in a permanent residence on the property that allegedly faces up to a 43 percent chance of flooding from storm water runoff and erosion in the flood plain if the Dike solar project is constructed. Martin’s attorneys argued she does reside quite a bit of the time in Dike on family held property, which she has an interest in, and the potential flooding could not only impact that property, but roads as well.
The defendants’ attorneys argued the house is not on the property listed in the petition, that there is no house on Martins’ property and, thus, no potential personal injury, also no probable and irreparable injury for the claim.
The hydrological study Martin commissioned, which evaluates the flood probability of the proposed Dike solar project and is included in the petition, was listed as preliminary when filed, and wasn’t accurate as it encompassed more property than the solar panels are actually expected to be placed on, the attorneys argued for Hopkins Energy LLC. An injunction isn’t appropriate at this point as construction of the project isn’t slated to begin until September; it is “still under development,” thus, certain permits have yet to be obtained, the county and solar project attorneys contended.
Martin’s legal team, however, argued that if Hopkin Energy LLC has a start date (September), the business should have designs and apply for a permit. The information in the report was based on all available information that could be glean as requests for information regarding the specific area of the planned solar project, as well as any engineering reports, were met with claims of proprietary information from the company backing the solar project and were not provided.
Martin, her attorneys argued, should have the right to live not in constant fear of flooding nuisance; thus, a restraining order is appropriate to stop the solar company from further work at the site until the legal issues have been decided.
The defendants’ attorneys argued that alleged violations of local and tax codes were not at issue for the hearing regarding Martin’s request for a temporary 14-day restraining order; local and tax ordinance issues would need to be handled in a separate hearing.
The attorneys debated whether the project falls under subsection g or h of Texas Government Code 381.004. The defendants’ attorney argued that Hopkins Energy LLC would be required to pay their taxes every year, then would receive a program grant payment. Thus, the economic development project determination should be (h) instead of subsection (g). However, Martin’s legal team argued that the Chapter 381 agreement between Hopkins County and Hopkins Energy LLC doesn’t qualify as the county will simply be refunding the exact amount from the tax payment to the business, which doesn’t quality as a grant.
Martin’s lawyers too disputed prior claims made by county officials that the project would create 400 jobs. That, the attorneys claimed, is inaccurate: there could be up to 400 employed during the construction of the solar project, but there would be only two fulltime employees once the project is complete and in operation.
The plaintiff’s attorneys too claimed the officials’ signatures on the agreements between the county and solar group were never notarized, thus, not legal. The reinvestment zone too was created 11 days after the agreement was signed, and should have been established first. No criteria or guidelines were established for improvements, access provisions and property use. Notices regarding planned court action were not properly noted on Commissioners Court agendas to properly let community members know about the intended action.
The court hearing was heard by Judge Will Biard in the second floor courtroom inside Hopkins County Courthouse Monday morning, July 19, 2021.
Judge Biard said he would take the issues under advisement and notify the parties involved by email his decision regarding Cynthia Martin’s petition by the end of the week.
Summer Sports Activities Winding Down as July Progresses
It has been a busy few weeks here in Sulphur Springs for Wildcats and Lady Cats sports.
Several teams have already had their youth camps; volleyball, girls basketball, softball, baseball, tennis and boys basketball, which took place last week at the SSHS Main Gym.
Not only that, but several programs finished the Edge last week.
Football, cross country, and both boys and girls soccer concluded their final week of the summer strength and conditioning program on Thursday.
With the Edge drawing to a close, it means summer is quickly approaching its end, with season schedules soon to be released.
The first team to release their schedule was Coach Bailey Dorner’s Lady Cats, who released the volleyball schedule to KSST early last week.
Coach Dorner’s squad finished their six week run of the Edge last Thursday, July 8. Women’s basketball also concluded their summer strength and conditioning program last week after beginning on June 7.
That leaves just basketball and team tennis, coached by Tony Martinez, who wrap up their summer strength and conditioning programs on July 22 and 25, respectively.
New Wildcats Basketball coach Brandon Shaver has kept busy the last two months since he was introduced as head coach in mid-May.
Not only has he ran the Edge Monday-Thursday from June 22 until now, he also had his first opportunity to coach a youth basketball camp here in Sulphur Springs.
Coach Shaver said things like SSISD’s youth camps can be huge for the community, and several coaches have seen the benefits of winning and what it can bring to younger generations.
The youth basketball camp concluded Thursday, July 15.
With so many teams having wrapped up the Edge, and their corresponding youth camps, those same squads can now take a bit of a breather before shifting their focus to gearing up for the season.
Cross country and volleyball both hit the ground running in August, with football in the same camp. The three teams are set for their first events as early as the first week of August.
For more updates on Wildcats and Lady Cats teams and their schedules, be sure to stay tuned and plugged in to KSST Radio.
KSST is proud to be the official Wildcat and Lady Cat Station. We broadcast Sulphur Springs ISD games year round live on radio. When allowed, we also broadcast games via our YouTube channel.
Winnsboro Police Department Media Report – July 12-18, 2021
The Winnnsboro Police Department’s weekly media report for July 12-18, 2021, included the following:
Arrests
Kerry Joe Bell 
Bryan Couch 
Amanda Knutson
- Ashley Hale, 35 years of age, of Winnsboro, was arrested on July 12, 2021 for driving while intoxicated.
- Michael Truett, 30 years of age, of Winnsboro, was arrested on July 13, 2021, on a Titus County warrant for theft of property, $100-$750.
- Kerry J. Bell, 45 years of age, of Sulphur Springs was arrested on July 16, 2021 on a District Court warrant for unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.
- Bryan Couch, 29 years of age, of Grand Prairie, was arrested on July 16, 2021 for hinder apprehension or prosecution known felon.
- Amanda Knutson, 41 years of age, of Sulphur Springs, was arrested on July 16, 2021 for hinder apprehension or prosecution known felon.
Calls for Service
- The Winnsboro Police Department responded to a total of 145 calls for service during this reporting period.
Citations
- The Winnsboro Police Department issued 44 citations and 39 warnings during this reporting period.
Congratulations to the Winners of Annual Summer ’42’ Tournament!
Karon Weatherman had done it again…put on a successful event which brought lots of smiles and a whole year of bragging rights! The Summer 2021 ’42’ Tournament was held on Saturday July 17 at the Seniors Center at 150 MLK Drive.
Congratulations to all the 42 winners!
Here are some of the many other events taking place at the Sulphur Springs Senior Citizens Center at 150 MLK Drive in Sulphur Springs!
Don’t forget BUNCO on the 4th Thursday of the Month at 1:00 PM Everyone brings $ 5.00 and a Snack to Share. All the money is paid out in Prizes at the end of the Game. If you don’t know how to play, it is easy. You can learn in just a minute or two.
The Parkinson’s Support Group started back in May 2021 and is held monthly on the third Tuesday at 11:30.
Balloon Chair Volleyball at 1:00 on the 2nd Thursday of each month.
We play LCR at 10:45 on the 2nd Thursday of Each Month. Come and try to win a $20.00 Gift Card
Line Dancing Class is held each Tuesday at 1:30. It is free.
The monthly Birthday Party is the last Friday of each month at 10:45 am.
An Affiliated Driving Course is scheduled for Thursday, July 29th at 10:00 AM. Sign up if you would like to get 10% off of your Liability Insurance or a ticket dismissal. Cost is $15 or $25m respectively. It is also a good refresher course on driving situations and new driving laws. Contact Karon Weathermen to sign up in advance to make sure there are enough participants to hold the class.
They hope to see you soon at the Senior Citizens Center! Find out more by calling 903-885-1661.
Some Homeschool Students Eligible to Participate In UIL With Sulphur Springs ISD
Some homeschool students who meet eligibility requirements may now apply to participate in UIL activities. This would allow them to complete along side equal grade level Sulphur Springs ISD students.
“The legislation passed that makes this an allowable thing – it’s never been before – if the school board says it is,” SSISD Superintendent Mike Lamb said, referring to the passage of House Bill 547. “We were kind of waiting on rules and some of them came out, the toughest one being if you’re going to do this, you have to do it by August first. I still kind of contend that there are a lot of questions that could be asked that aren’t answered yet by the state.”
Homeschool students do have to meet specific criteria. They must live in Sulphur Springs ISD and able to enroll in SSISD. The families, if homeowners, are paying SSISD taxes. Allowing their homeschool children to participate in UIL activities would allow their students to benefit from that required payment. The homeschool student also must be passing all classes, with students’ parents or guardians permission and vouching for the child’s grades.
Students would have to successfully pass from among a list of tests, to show that they have achieved grade level competency. Ex: A freshman who homeschools, but wants to play sports at SSISD, must prove their grade level. They would have had to pass the grade level appropriate test, passing them from eighth to ninth grade. A sophomore would need to have five high school credits and prove through a test. Once they are eligible and start, the student would be required to maintain their grades for a specified grading period. Their parents, who would be considered their teacher or educator, would have to affirm to the coach or activity sponsor on a signed form that their students are passing all classes and meet all other requirements.
SSISD Trustee Robbin Vaughn, when presented with the proposal to allow homeschool students to participate in SSISD UIL activities, said the one concern she has is that someone could at or toward the end of a season question a homeschool student’s eligibility, whether the student is actually passing their courses or not. For instance, Vaughn said, What if someone who has access tried tracking a homeschool student through an online program, which showed the student had not satisfactorily completed their class assignments as had been reported, questioned a student’s eligibility. Lamb said those issues would have to be addressed in policy.
“If you follow the way the law is written, we have a responsibility to pursue every kid,” Lamb said. “When they take homeschool, there can be times when we say to ourselves, ‘that kid, we know everyday he’s not doing everything or he’s still developing, go check it out.’ The homeschool lobby has said, ‘Leave him alone. You don’t touch him.’ If they say they’re homeschooled, their homeschooled. … Once they are homeschooled, we don’t have any say whatsoever [about their grades and program course work].”
Students would only be eligible to apply to participate in UIL activities not offered by their homeschool program. For instance, if Christian Home Educators of Sulphur Springs program offers competitive basketball, homeschool students who are part of CHESS would not be eligible to be part of the SSISD basketball program for their grade level.
“These UIL rules say if something like that exists, then, you can’t. In our case, a homeschool kid could come here to play football, but they couldn’t play basketball because of the CHESS organization,” Lamb said.
Homeschool students would still have to follow SSISD’s rules for the UIL program, which could mean trying out and being selected to play on a varsity team.
“The problem we’ve got is some of the rules will come later, but we’ve got to make this decision by August first if we want it,” SSISD Board of Trustees President Robert Cody said.
“I can see this as an opportunity for these children to be integrated into our campuses and do some of these things, and they are taxpayers,” Trustee Leesa Toliver said. “I just see that it could be a challenge for us in some ways.”
Lamb said while discussion regarding homeschool students being allowed to participate in SSISD UIL activities may start out sounding very similar to discussions about students and the voucher system, allowing these students to participate in UIL is a different scenario.
“Where a kid who wants to use a voucher to go to a private school is basically wanting to take tax dollars away from the school using the voucher, that’s not the case here. When you get to that part of the conversation, you get down to how can you really look at somebody and say this why we don’t do it. They’ve essentially paid for that ability, just like anybody else,” Lamb said.
While homeschool students who live within SSISD are eligible to participate in SSISD’s UIL activities, that doesn’t mean that they will. Students and their families who opted out of having the students on campus, may choose not to have the students participate in UIL activities alongside students enrolled at SSISD.
“I suggest we do this, move forward with it and learn as we go. If we need to close that door one day, we have that opportunity,” Lamb told SSISD Board of Trustees during the regular meeting on July 12, 2021. “It’s our recommendation that we vote and allow homeschool students to play our UIL sports.”
SSISD Board of Trustees after the discussion voted on a motion by Toliver and seconded by Vaughn to provide UIL participation opportunities for homeschool students who meet the established criteria for participation in UIL activities.
For the FAQ UIL has released so far regarding homeschool participation in UIL activities, click here.
Work On Dike Solar Plant Accelerates Ahead Of Lawsuit
There has been a flurry of activity in the Dike community since a lawsuit was filed against Hopkins Energy, LLC and Hopkins County over the proposed solar plant that has been planned for the Dike community. Contractors for the project have stepped up their efforts and seem to be working at a faster pace to get the project further along before a hearing planned for 9am on Monday, July 19th which could put a stop to all work. Judge Will Biard will consider a Temporary Restraining Order against the project which was asked for in the pending lawsuit, to give all parties time to consider the allegations made in the 96-page lawsuit. When one contractor was questioned about their work, the contractor was unaware that there was a pending lawsuit, and said, “the company that hired them told them to work as quickly as possible”. The French Solar company, Engie, has also stepped up their efforts by sending out flyers to the surrounding community which some residents refer to as “propaganda”.
This “David versus Goliath” battle has the Dike community pitted against a billion dollar foreign company with an American subsidiary that has unlimited resources. The battle will ensue in a Hopkins County courtroom with Hopkins County itself as one of the defendants as the huge solar plant has only been made possible by a contract between the solar company and Hopkins County Commissioners Court. That contract and how it was negotiated and excuted is a major topic of the lawsuit.
The following information was previously published on June 30, 2021:
After months of questions, meetings, and disagreements a lawsuit has been filed against Hopkins Energy LLC and Hopkins County which will bring all of the back and forth between Dike residents, county officials and Engie Energy Company into the courtroom.
Cynthia Martin, who has lead “Save Dike From Solar” efforts to prevent a solar facility from being constructed in Dike, has filed a petition in the 62nd Judicial District Court against Hopkins Energy LLC and Hopkins County. The legal document, filed June 29, 2021, asks for “equitable relief,” a temporary restraining order, as well as temporary and permanent injunctive relief. The lawsuit names Cynthia Martin as the sole Plaintiff. Defendants were notified via certified mail.
The 96-page petition is filled with very specific points of contention that have been argued by Dike residents and the lawsuit also tracks the timeline of the project all the way back to 2017. The original LLC was filed in March of 2017 and the project changed hands several times before winding up in the hands of a Houston based subsidiary (Engie North America) of a French company (Engie SA). The lawsuit details each of the documents approved by the commissioner’s court and alleges that some documents were either not posted for public notification properly, not approved properly, or even may have been altered after being approved. In many instances the lawsuit alleges that it appeared that the solar company (Engie) was manipulating the contract process as that process progressed. The lawsuit further states that the way that the negotiations were handled invalidates the contract itself, even alleging that documents that should have been notarized were filed as public record without being notarized.
Many Dike residents have spoken at length to county commissioners about their concerns for “environmental impacts” to the land occupied by the solar plant as well as adjoining properties. The Dike resident filing the lawsuit, Ms. Martin, was concerned of flooding on her adjoining property. Ms. Martin commissioned a study of possible flooding due to the project and the lawsuit claims that the company “Aqua Strategies found the project could have significant impact on the size of the floodplain, increase water levels in the creek and in the floodplain, increase runoff and sediment discharge to downstream water bodies, and increase runoff to the Martin property by as much as 43%.” The lawsuit also alleges that the solar company was supposed to acquire a permit from Hopkins County as stipulated by Hopkins County’s own “flood ordinance” but that Engie “did not seek or acquire a permit.”
The lawsuit alleges that this flooding could cause irreparable damage to the Martin property and asks the court to issue a temporary restraing order (TRO) immediately. A TRO would in effect be “ordering Defendant Hopkins Energy, LLC to desist and refrain from building the proposed solar power plant until such time as the Court issues final judgment in this lawsuit.”
Martin, according to the petition, is seeking “monetary relief of $250,000 or more, attorney’s fees of an amount to be determined, and non-monetary relief of declaratory judgment and injunctive relief.” The Plaintiff also is asking for a jury trial in this action.
The other stakeholders in this project are two local school districts, Sulphur Springs ISD and Sulphur Bluff ISD. Neither school district has been named in this lawsuit, as their agreements are separate from the Hopkins County agreement.
Now it appears this project, which has taken several years to get to this point, could be delayed. Certainly, it appears that there a lot of questions still to be answered.
