Van Zandt Newspapers » Canton Herald

City Receives $179K ‘Trails’ Grant

Amanda — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 12:38:28 +0000

By Julie Vaughan
Editor
AUSTIN—The city of Canton’s Mill Creek Lake Park Trail is one of only 33 recreational trail projects proposed across the state that was approved by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission, for funding in their Recreational Trail Grant Program. Overall, the state approved $5.7 million in federal grants, which is the largest amount of grant funds awarded from the Recreational Trail Grant Program in the 20-year history of the program in Texas.
Seventy-two project proposals were submitted requesting almost $12 million in funding assistance.
The National Recreational Trails Fund (NRTF) comes from a portion of the federal gas tax generated by gasoline purchases to utilize off-road motorcycles and four-wheelers. The purpose of the NRTF is to create new, or improve existing, recreational trails.
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) administers the National Recreational Trails Fund in Texas under the approval of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).
This federally funded program receives its funding from a portion of federal gas taxes paid on fuel used in non-highway recreational vehicles. Funds can be spent on both motorized and non-motorized recreational trail projects.
This includes construction of new recreational trails, improving existing trails, developing trailheads or trailside facilities, and acquiring trail corridors.
A requirement of the NRTF is that 30 percent of the total funds must be spent on motorized recreational trails, 30 percent on non-motorized trail projects and the remaining 40 percent is discretionary.
Motorized trails project sponsors that were awarded funding include the city of Childress, the city of McAllen, Schertz Seguin Local Government Corp., Sam Houston National Forest and the White River Municipal Water District.
The non-motorized trail projects awarded funding in the immediate area included the city of Canton, Kilgore, Emory, and Lindale.
Canton was awarded $179,440 to fund improvements to the Mill Creek Lake Park Trail. The improvements will include a new 4.48 mile granite and dirt trail and signs.
The city is only required to match 20 percent or approximately $44,860.
Brent Luck, with Luck Design Team, explained that of the city’s match local in-kind contributions for equipment and labor may comprise $22,430 of the city’s match while the remaining $22,430 is Capital Improvements monies.
The total work of the project is $224,300.
“Most of the monies will go for trails. The trail will be non-motorized and service the recreational needs of runners, walkers, hikers, nature lovers and mountain bikers. All ages and mobile abilities will be able to access and use portions of the trail,” Luck explained. “One mile of this portion of the trail will be a loop trail that will service the core recreational area of the lake and serve as the trailhead to trail system.”
He noted that interpretive/way finding signage will be a core component of the trailhead amenities.
“The loop trail will be compliant with accessibility guidelines and provide connectivity to recreational elements, including fishing piers, picnic tables and shade pavilions,” Luck said. “The plan is for the trail to extend southeast along Arnold Paul Road before extending west and connecting to the Lake Meadows residential subdivision.”
Currently there is $22,500 in this year’s budget, council member Shawn Stewart said, for the parks project at Mill Creek.
Stewart, who has been the driving force behind getting this project off the ground, said it will now be up to the city council to sign off on the project in order to move forward.
Luck said the city should have the contract in place with the state by this summer and the project must be completed with in two to three years of receiving the grant.

Nace, Majid Named Canton’s Top Seniors

Amanda — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 21:25:33 +0000

By Julie Vaughan
Editor
The Canton High School class of 2013 will walk across the stage for the last time in the Larry Davis Auditorium on Friday, May 31 at 7:30 p.m. for commencement.
Lane Nace has been named valedictorian and Marjan Majid has been named salutatorian.
Lane is the 18-year-old son of Dale and Marty Nace.
While in high school, he has participated in varsity football, varsity track, junior varsity basketball, junior varsity baseball, Eagle Impact, Eagle Buddies, UIL (number sense, headline writing, computer applications) and Business Professionals of America (prepared speech and global marketing team), National Honor Society (Publicity Chairman), Student Council (Senior Class Representative), Leo Club, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, varsity choir,
Lane is also a member of the Lakeside Baptist Church youth group, Wednesday night worship leader, and a member of the Insight Youth Choir.
His awards include Valedictorian of the senior class, Most Likely to Succeed, Most Hardworking, Mr. CHS, Student of the Month, Leader of Tomorrow, Professional Communications Award, Trig Award, Dual Credit English IV Award, second team academic All State and second team All District.
Among the scholarships Lane has received, they include Highest Ranking Graduate, First Year Tuition Waiver – $9,300, Burke Warren Lewis Scholarship – $1,500, Trinity Valley Electric Coop – $500, Lions Club $1,000, Mallory’s Heart – $500, Canton Athletic Booster Club Scholarship – $400 and Eubank Honor Graduate Scholarship – $200.
Upon graduation, Lane plans on attending Texas A&M University-College Station.
“I will be dual majoring in Petroleum Engineering and mathematics,” Lane said. “I will then carry out a career as an international missionary.”
Marjan is the 17-year-old daughter of Abdulhai Majid and Nooria Majid.
While in high school, she has participated in UIL serving as spelling team captain and was spelling regional champion and state qualifier. Also, UIL math and number sense regional qualifier, Business Professionals of America district champion and state qualifier, National Honor Society, FCCLA secretary, Leo Club secretary, Interact Club, Spanish Club,
Also, Dual Credit College Algebra Award, Pre-AP Physics Award, Independent Study in Speech II Award, Junior Scholar Award, Dual Credit Calculus Award, Accounting I Award, Independent Student in Speech III Award, varsity tennis, Tennis Most Hustle Award junior and senior year, Most Hardworking Super Senior Award, Rotary Club September Student of the Month.
Marjan received a University of Texas at Austin scholarship for $4,750 per year, State Top 10 Percent Scholarship, National Honor Society Scholarship, Hurley Memorial Scholarship and a Eubank Honor Graduate Scholarship.
Upon graduation, Marjan plans to attend the Cockrell School of Engineering at the University of Texas at Austin
“I plan to study biomedical engineering so that I can learn to develop medical technology and to research cures so that I can better the lives of humanity,” she said.

Deryl Dodd To Headline Concert At Salt Festival

Amanda — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 06:12:39 +0000

By Terry Britt
Staff Writer
GRAND SALINE — Texas country music star Deryl Dodd will headline the downtown concert and street dance at this year’s Salt Festival, which begins Thursday.
Dodd will play the Saturday night concert that traditionally closes the three-day festival. Advance tickets for the concert are $15, with tickets at the gate for $20 each.
To date, Dodd has released seven studio albums and one live album. His most recent album is the 2011 release Random As I Am. The single “Somethin’ Ain’t Always Better Than Nothin’” took the top spot on the Texas Regional Radio Report chart last week.
The Salt Festival concerts will carry a good dose of local flavor as well. Matt Bradshaw, who is getting ready to release an album, will be the opening act for Dodd at Saturday night’s concert.
On Friday night beginning at 9 p.m., the Wesley Pruitt Band will play on the downtown stage. Tickets for that show are $15 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under.
A free gospel concert will take place Thursday evening at 7 p.m. featuring the John Randolph Ministry and Crossfire Gospel Band.
Those attending the concerts are encouraged to bring lawn chairs for seating.
Festival vice president Jane Calder said a health fair has been added to the schedule of events on Saturday.
“Carter BloodCare will have a mobile blood donation unit parked outside and will be accepting blood donations during the day,” Calder said.
The health fair, sponsored by Autumn Wood Hospice, will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday.
The festival begins Thursday with a 42 tournament at the Old City Pharmacy building starting at 10 a.m.
That day will also feature the traditional opening luncheon known as Virginia Milam’s Old South Dinner, consisting of chicken and dumplings, sides and dessert.
Lunches for each day of the festival will be $6 per person.
There is a baking contest scheduled from 4-6 p.m. on Thursday. Entries are to be delivered to Just Kidds in the former Moody’s building in downtown Grand Saline.
The big day on Saturday will include arts and crafts vendors through out the day, horseshoes, a classic and antique car show, and a talent competition starting at 7 p.m. on the downtown stage.
Festival president Tammy Chitty said that motorists should be aware that State Highway 110 (Main St.) will be closed to traffic from Pacific Street to U.S. Highway 80 from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday.
For more information, call the Salt Palace at (903) 962-5631 or Chitty at (903) 330-7815.

Salt Festival
Schedule Of Events

All meals served at the Salt Festival are $6 per person. The public is encouraged to bring lawn chairs for all events, including concerts.
Thursday
10 a.m.: 42 Tournament at the Old City Pharmacy.
11 a.m.-1 p.m.: “Virginia Milam’s Old South Dinner” Chicken and Dressing luncheon with all the trimmings and dessert. Sponsored by the friends of Virginia Milam. Live entertainment during lunch
2 p.m.: Bingo at the Chamber Pavilion.
4-6 p.m.: Baking Contest with entries to be turned in at Just Kidds (old Moody’s building).
7 p.m.: Free Gospel Concert featuring John Randolph Ministry and Crossfire Gospel band.
Friday
11 a.m.-1 p.m.: Luncheon: Chicken spaghetti, salad, garlic bread and dessert. Sponsored by Country Trails Nursing Center. Live entertainment during lunch.
9 p.m.-midnight: Concert and street dance featuring the Wesley Pruitt Band. Admission $15, children 12 and under $5.
Saturday
8 a.m.-5 p.m.: Arts and crafts vendors downtown.
9 a.m.: Pet show downtown at the stage.
9 a.m.-2 p.m.: Classic and Antique Car Show on the grass behind Citizen’s Bank, 300 W. Frank.
9 a.m.: Horseshoe games for adults (set up next to the car show)
10 a.m.: Kiddie Kapers downtown at the stage.
10 a.m.: Health Fair in the Main Street Program office inside the Darby Building.
11 a.m.-1 p.m.: Luncheon: Hamburgers and all the fixings and dessert. Sponsored by Azalea Trails Nursing Home
7-8:30 p.m.: Star Search Contest on downtown stage, cash prize for winner.
9 p.m.: Concert and street dance downtown with Matt Bradshaw opening up for Deryl Dodd. Admission tickets in advance $15, $20 at the gate, Children 12 and under $5.

Myers, Williams To Lead WPHS Class Of 2013

Amanda — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 06:10:22 +0000

By David Kapitan
Staff Writer
Gala Elaine Myers and Payton Rae Williams have been named the Wills Point High School Class of 2013 Valedictorian and Salutatorian respectively.
Gala Myers -
Valedictorian
Gala Elaine Myers is the 18-year-old daughter of Don and Karla Myers.
During her time at WPHS, Myers, who boasts a 4.550 grade point average, has participated in numerous activities and programs including: the band program, student council, the National Honor Society, piano, and buddy system, and her church’s youth group.
Myers was named Student of the Year for Advanced Health, Pre-AP English 2, Dual-Credit Eco., and Pre-AP Pre-Cal. She was also a state finalist for marching band, the recipient of the coveted Spade Award, and voted Most Likely To Succeed.
Myers, who plans on attending Texas Tech, has earned several scholarships, including: Terry Scholarship (an average of $65,000), the Texas Tech Presidential Scholarship ($14,000), the Texas Tech Honors Scholarship ($1,000), an NHS Scholarship ($300), a Ministerial Alliance Scholarship ($500), and the Justin Dugger Scholarship ($500).
Following graduation, Myers will attend “the Honors College at Texas Tech University and study biology on the pre-med track.”
After completing her Bachelor’s degree, Myers will attend medical school with an eye on fulfilling her “lifelong dream of becoming a physician.”
Payton Williams – Salutatorian
Payton Rae Williams is the 17-year-old daughter of Mark and Kortni Williams, and David and Jenifer Seago.
Williams, who graduates WPHS with a 4.5435 GPA, has participated in numerous academic and extra-curricular activities, including: earning second Team All-District honors in volleyball, serving as executive president for the student council, vice president for the NHS, president of the Spanish Club, and vice president of the WPHS Crimestoppers chapter.
Williams has also participated in UIL Academics, and earned Who’s Who Awards in recordkeeping, world history, Spanish 3, Pre-AP chemistry, and Pre-AP pathophysiology.
Last week, Williams was named the co-winner of the Kim Wright award at the Spring Athletic Banquet, as well as Most Changed and Best All-Around at last week’s Annual Preview.
Williams is the recipient of an Academic Achievement Scholarship from Harding University, and a Ministerial Alliance Scholarship.
After graduation, Williams will attend Harding University to begin her studies in the Physician’s Assistant Program and Honor’s Program. Williams plans on majoring in Biology, and minoring in Missions.

Gala Myers—Valedictorian
and
Payton Williams—Salutatorian

Wisdom And Cole Take Third Place At UIL

Amanda — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 06:04:21 +0000

By Terry Britt
Staff Writer
Van High School senior Susannah Wisdom won her third consecutive Class 3A state championship in Prose Interpretation last week at the University Interscholastic League (UIL) State Academic Meet in Austin.
Teammate Josh Cole took third place in the same event.
The two were also members of the cast of “Mrs. Packard,” Van High School’s One Act Play entry which captured the second runner-up award at the state finals on May 20.
Susannah Wisdom, whose parents Larry and Sue Wisdom are the theater teachers at Van High School, said preparing for the two competitions was challenging but that skill needed for one assists her in the other.
“Theater is about interpretation, so learning the ins and outs of vocal performance enhances characterization in a play,” she said.
“My performance of Mrs. Packard was definitely enhanced by having learned prose interpretation performance skills. Vocal inflection to capture mood and emotion alone is a learned skill which brings words to life so that an audience member can enter the world I am creating through performance, whether in a play or in a prose performance,” Susannah added.
No one sees her drive and determination as well as her father.
“Susannah is the consummate performer, driven beyond expectation,” Larry Wisdom said. “She puts demands on herself far greater than I would.”
He added that the dynamics of being father and daughter as well as teacher and student are complex, but that Susannah’s leadership and determination to succeed have benefited the entire program.
“I am usually blessed with a core group of about 20 incredibly driven students. Susannah headed that group this year. Honestly, I never have had to push her. It’s why, in part, she is a three-time state champion and a four-time state One Act Play performer.
“That’s not to say we don’t have friction from time to time,” Larry added. “She changed prose selections in her journey to state three times this year; and she understands that the journey is not complete until the search for the right vehicle is over, yet she gleaned something from each selection because the truth is each selection has different demands.”
Susannah has been accepted into the theater program at the University of Texas at Austin and will begin her college studies this fall.
“Truly the state title is the exclamation point to four wonderful years at Van High School. I have had the most amazing teachers who have totally invested in me, and I know I am ready for what awaits me at UT,” she said.
Susannah added that she plans to be a theater teacher, following in the footsteps of her highly successful parents.
“I’ve learned from them that teaching goes far beyond the classroom, but I have been blessed to call them teachers and my parents,” she said.

Courtesy Photo
Josh Cole, left, and Susannah Wisdom placed in the University Interscholastic League (UIL) State Academic Meet last week in Prose Interpretation. Cole finished third and Wisdom won the Class 3A title for the third year in a row. The two were also in the cast of Van High School’s One Act Play, “Mrs. Packard,” which took second runner-up in the state finals.

Voters Elect Turner As New Mayor

Amanda — Mon, 20 May 2013 06:46:19 +0000

By David Kapitan
Staff Writer
The political winds of change swept through Wills Point last Saturday, bringing a new mayor, two new council members, and a new school board member into leadership positions. Only two incumbents, one in the city and the other in the school election, where re-elected to an additional term.
Mayor
Mark Turner easily swept into office this week as the new mayor of Wills Point, outpacing incumbent Deby S. Frye, 460 to 60 in voting.
Frye, a former councilwoman, was elected the first female mayor of Wills Point in 2011. At that time, she defeated her next closest challenger in the mayor’s race by 25 votes (241 to 216).
Numbers released by the city show that Turner racked up 221 early votes in his election bid. In stark contrast, Frye only picked up 31 early votes.
Turner took his oath of office for the start of his two-year term at this week’s Wills Point City Council.
During the meeting, Turner took time out to acknowledge the hard work put in by Frye, as well as outgoing councilmen Paul Addison and John Pope (neither of which sought another term in office).
City Council
Six candidates, Kyle Anderson, Oscar Rogers, Sherry Bailey Walker, John Foster, Scott D. Stevens, and Guy A. Crosby, entered their names into the race for a spot on the Wills Point City Council.
Rogers, the lone incumbent in the field, and newcomers Kyle Anderson and Sherry Bailey Walker, finished as the top three vote getters in the at-large election.
Overall, Walker finished as the top vote getter in the race with 244 votes. Rogers finished second with 229 votes and Anderson finished in third with 218 votes.
Scott D. Stevens finished this week’s election cycle as the closest challenger to a city council seat, finishing with 214 total votes.
Guy A. Crosby received 183 votes and John Foster finished the election with 59 total votes.
Walker, Rogers, and Anderson where all administered their oath of office during Tuesday night’s Wills Point City Council meeting. Their two-year terms will officially begin this Friday, May 17.
School Board
Nowhere was the adage that every vote counts more apparent than in the race for Seat 5 on the Wills Point ISD Board of Trustees.
Challenger Chuck Allen defeated incumbent Paul Sharp by only two votes, 328 to 326, for a three-year term on the school board.
Due to the narrow margin of victory, Sharp requested and was granted a recount of the results. The second counting verified the 328 to 326 margin of victory in favor of Allen.
Following his election, Allen posted on his campaign website: “I appreciate all that voted for me and have supported me during the campaign. For those that voted in favor of my challenger, I hope to surprise you and earn your support as well. To my challenger, Paul Sharp, I wish to say thank you for a clean race and most importantly a “Big Thank You” for the nine years of service to the Wills Point ISD as Trustee for Place 5.”
In the other contested school board race, incumbent Bryan Southard easily held of a challenge from James Harris, retaining Seat 4 by a vote of 487 to 156.
Allen and Southard were sworn in at Tuesday night’s Wills Point ISD Board of Trustee meeting. School board members serve three-year terms in office.

Photo by David Kapitan
Judge Mary Bardin administered the oath of office to Kyle Anderson, Sherry Bailey Walker, Mark Turner, and Oscar Rogers at Tuesday night’s Wills Point City Council meeting.

Man Dies In Kaufman County Shootout

Amanda — Mon, 06 May 2013 07:07:57 +0000

By David Kapitan
Staff Writer
FROG–A shootout between a man and law enforcement officials in the small community of Frog, located in Kaufman County, on April 27, has left the suspect, a Wills Point High School graduate, dead and many unanswered questions.
According to reports, Kaufman County Sheriff’s Office deputies and Department of Public Safety Troopers were dispatched to Kaufman County Road 316 in response to a man, later identified as 25-year-old Gabriel Winzer, firing a weapon and threatening residents in the area.
Winzer reportedly opened fire on deputies that arrived at the scene to investigate. A foot chase ensued, with Winzer making his way back to his home in the area through a field.
Troopers and deputies returned fire when Winzer began shooting a second time, fatally wounding the suspect.
Winzer’s father, was reportedly tased while DPS troopers were attempting to take the younger Winzer into custody. Gabriel Winzer died at the scene.
Two officers suffered minor injuries in their attempt to subdue Winzer’s father.
An investigation into the incident is still ongoing.

Intoxicated Driver Slams Into Local Business

Amanda — Mon, 06 May 2013 07:07:10 +0000

By Julie Vaughan
Editor
A Grand Saline man is facing charges, including DWI with a child younger than 15, after he ran into a local business with his vehicle while attempting to leave.
Jonathan Ray Davis, 38, was parked in front of the Shell station, at the intersection of State Highway 64 and US Highway 80, last Thursday evening, in a 1997 Dodge Ram pickup.
Department of Public Safety Trooper Charles Turner, said Davis, “was intoxicated, and upon attempting to exit the parking lot, when (he) drove forward into the wall of the business.”
He then backed out of the wall, and in an attempt to flee the scene, Davis crashed into the fuel pumps in the parking lot of the business.
“Davis then fled the area, but was apprehended later by law enforcement after a vehicle pursuit,” Turner said.
Four children, ages 11, 10, 10, and 9, were in the vehicle during the incident.
Two children were in the bed of the pickup, and the other two were in the front seat with the driver.
“It is unknown which seating positions the two children in the front were occupying,” Turner said. “Debris from the wall struck two patrons in the establishment (when Davis drove into the business).”
According to Turner’s report, the Wills Point Police Department advised that both patrons had been transported prior to their arrival, and the extent of their injuries was unknown.
Davis, along with the children, were transported to Cozby Germany Hospital in Grand Saline by EMS.
The crash is still being investigated, and other charges may be pending.

Demolition Of Old Unused Facilities Approved

Amanda — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 13:11:01 +0000

By Julie Vaughan
Editor
After years of not being used, the Canton ISD Board of Trustees voted to move forward on the abatement and demolition process of unused facilities.
Three of the four old junior high wings, which have not been in use by the district since the construction of the new junior high, and the old special education buildings that front Buffalo Street, were the facilities discussed.
CISD Superintendent Jay Tullos said both facilities need asbestos abatement, and after speaking with one firm, the three junior high wings not used by the district need to be demolished.
“It is just a matter of time before someone gets in there and gets hurt,” Tullos said about the old junior high.
He noted that already, many of the windows have been boarded up due to the glass being shot out with BB guns, etc.
“I just can’t foresee us using these buildings in the future,” he added.
Tullos said the estimates for abatement and demo are approximately $93,000, not including abatement of the two old special education buildings.
He said those two buildings would just need abatement and he would like to keep them for future use by the district.
Tullos said the estimate includes removal of the slabs and if all three wings are taken down at the same time the district would receive a 10-25 percent discount.
“The cost for the three wings to use in the future would not be worth it to repair,” Tullos continued.
Tullos told the board he would like to see the district keep the slabs and install asphalt in the middle or over them and use that area as a parking lot for the old junior high gymnasium.
The abatement and demolition would be formally bid out, and Tullos said he hopes to have the work done over the summer.
Trustees voted to hire ERI Consulting Services, an environmental consulting firm, to represent the district and handle the selection and qualified abatement and demolition contractors.
In other business, the board:
-voted to leave the 2013-14 tuition for transfer students at a rate of $250 per eligible student.
-approved the Gifted/Talented Education Program Manual.
-heard from Tullos during his Superintendent’s Report who gave an update on the Education Foundation Grants given last week as well as the success of students at the Van Zandt County Fair Youth Expo last weekend.
He also informed the board that Canton ISD would be hosting the annual Bus Rodeo for the region in the high school parking lot.
Business manager Denise Stone then updated the board on the proposed insurance rates and the increases facing staff for 2013.
-heard from Canton Junior High Principal Amy Autry who introduced sixth grader Piper Beasley and eighth grader Mark Byrd.
Autry described Piper as “a wonderful asset to our campus,” and said that Mark was “very nice and polite.”
Piper gave the invocation and Mark led the Pledge of Allegiance.
-approved the consent agenda which included minutes from the March 18 meeting, the financial reports, audit service contract with Rutherford, Taylor & Company, P.C., contract for food service management and the May 20 school board meeting at the elementary cafeteria.

Decision Tabled On Trucks’ Use Of Road

Amanda — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 15:25:21 +0000

By Terry Britt
Staff Writer
Van Zandt County Commissioners have delayed a decision on whether to close a county road to tractor-trailers and rock trucks.
Van Zandt County Road 3805, northwest of Wills Point, is the road Trinity Materials wants open to trucks going between U.S. Highway 80 and a proposed rock crushing facility on Kaufman County Road 346.
At a public hearing during Tuesday’s commissioners’ court meeting, Matthew Hallmark, director of construction and environmental for Trinity Materials, asked the court for more time before it renders a decision on possibly closing the road to truck traffic.
“We would like the county to consider tabling a motion on this matter to give us the opportunity to fully assess the options we have and look at rebuilding that road to make it suitable for trucks,” Hallmark stated.
Precinct 3 Commissioner Bobby Chaney’s motion to do just that came about 45 minutes later after more public comments and questions, and the court unanimously approved a delay on the matter until its scheduled meeting on May 14.
As for rebuilding and improving VZCR 3805, Hallmark said it would require an engineering study to determine the exact work needed and the cost.
Hallmark indicated the company would at least be willing to work out a cost share agreement with the county, if not completely cover the cost of the road improvement.
However, Precinct 2 Commissioner Virgil Melton Jr. estimated the cost to widen and strengthen the road, and improve drainage, could run about $500,000. Precinct 1 Commissioner Brandon Brown said he thought it would go closer to $1 million.
Joe Rice, Jr. and Joe Rice III, both residents of the area in question, restated their opposition to truck traffic on the road.
The elder Mr. Rice said he was concerned for the estimated 60 families he said lived on VZCR 3805.
Rice III questioned the value to the county of spending any money to improve the road for truck use.
“There are only 17 acres of that rock quarry site that are in Van Zandt County, and they want to use a road 5 1/2 miles out (from U.S. 80),” he said.
“To use that road for rock trucks is going to cost more than $500,000…to involve Van Zandt County on this doesn’t make any sense to me,” Rice III added.
Andrew Hudanish with Union Pacific Railroad stated his company “had safety concerns” with large trucks using VZCR 3805 due to insufficient clearance space between the painted stop bar at the intersection with U.S. 80 and the Union Pacific railroad tracks.
Wayne Fleming, representing the Texas Department of Transportation, provided a written statement from his supervisor echoing the railroad company’s safety concerns.
In other matters on Tuesday’s agenda, the court took the following action:
Approved a resolution authorizing a three-party loan agreement among the Van Zandt County Cultural Education Facilities Finance Corporation, Pope John Paul XXIII High School and Comerica Bank, and authorizing a promissory note and other matters in connection with the agreement.
Approved a proclamation designating the month of April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month in Van Zandt County. Carla Ward with East Texas Crisis Center was present to receive the signed proclamation.
Approved a bond for Vania Riley, deputy district clerk.
Approved payment to Phone Billing Examiners for $627.52 representing one-half of their audit findings involving Verizon and Touchtone.
Awarded the sale of surplus office items to the highest bidder for each item.
Approved a set of budget amendments.
Approved the deputation, oath and bond for sheriff’s office reserves Bill Farley and Bruce Lehowicz, and entered those items into the minutes of the court.
Approved an emergency budget increase to the county jail revenue line for $3,247.60, from proceeds from the auction of a 2001 Ford pickup and miscellaneous items, and increased the expenditure line for uniform expense by the same amount.