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By JERRY MORGAN, Reporter

The new high school gymnasium was a crowded and joyous place on Saturday afternoon, May 31, as the ranks of DeLeon High School graduates added 43 new members. Family and friends, teachers, administrators and the school board all joined to honor the occasion.

As High School Prinicipal Jimmy Cearley began his welcoming remarks, a school board member almost made an untimely exit when he scooted his chair too far back and it fell off of the rear of the elevated graduation stage. Only a quick grab by a fellow trustee prevented the board member from following the chair and perhaps taking down the maroon curtain backdrop. The chair was soon reset, decorum reestablished and the ceremonies began.

The first order of business was the presentation of scholarships and awards to various class members. Scholarships totalling $30,150 were awarded to 14 students. Plaques and medallions were awarded to the valedictorian and salutatorian, and medallions were awarded to the other 17 honor graduates with grade point averages higher than 3.0.

Senior awards were presented to Kristen Powell for leadership, Mitch Barefoot for achievement, Brody Hammonds for scholarship and to Josh Beaty for citizenship.

In addition to the scholarships presented at the commencement, additional scholarships were awarded to various graduates, many from colleges, totalling $69,200. A listing of the various awards follows at the conclusion of this article.

Mitch Barefoot, the class Salutatorian, gave his address to his fellow graduates and the assembled crowd, followed immediately by the class Valedictorian, Brody Hammonds. Both speeches, printed elsewhere in the newspaper, were light-hearted and focused on attaining happiness in life.

Both before and during the graduation ceremony a multimedia slide and video show featuring the graduates was projected onto the gymnasium walls. Throughout the ceremony a live camera focused on the action as it occurred and its video feed was also projected on the gynasium walls.

Principal Cearley certified the class to the Board of Trustees and Superintendent Dr. Mohundro as having met the requirements of DeLeon High School and the State of Texas. Dr. Mohundro made a few brief remarks before the new graduates were individually called onto the stage to receive his or her diploma.

At the conclusion of the diploma presentations, Kim Arnold and Josh Beaty led the class in the symbolic turning of the tassels from the right to the left side of their mortar board graduation caps.

The new graduates then were presented white roses and receded from the ceremony in groups of two and three to a spot between the stage and the gymnasium home seating. They counted down and simultaneously tossed their graduation caps into the air.

Friends and family then crowded around the new graduates and many congratulations and kisses were issued and photographs taken.

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By JERRY MORGAN, Reporter

VAN DYKE -- Changes to the organization chart, the acquisition of a new clinical chemistry analyzer and continuing operating losses were some of the topics considered at the latest hospital board meeting.

On Tuesday, May 27, the Board of Directors of the Comanche County Consolidated Hospital District, the governing body of Comanche County Medical Center and Doctors Medical Clinic, met in regular session with all members present. Board president Gale Easley conducted the meeting with members Charles Mazurek, Joe Locke, Karen Petty, Janna Morris and Billy Ray Evans attending.

Other hospital staff present for the meeting included Chief Executive Officer Kevin Storey, Chief Financial Officer Tom Letz, Human Resources Manager Peggy Jordan, Materials Manager Rick Sanchez, Lab Manager Sarah Anderson and Administrative Assistant Kathy Johnston.

The first order of new business involved the election of Board officers. When Gale Easley opened the agenda item for consideration, Charles Mazurek immediately offered a motion to re-elect the current slate of Board officers by acclamation. Joe Locke seconded and the vote of approval was unanimous. Other officers besides Easley include vice president Joe Locke and secretary Karen Petty.

There was no one from the medical staff present to make a report to the Board. Kevin Storey noted that the medical staff had also had an officers election and that Dr. Miller had been elected chief of staff, Dr. Davis as vice chief and Dr. Donham as secretary.

The Board then adjourned into executive session to consider personnel matters and organizational chart changes, to deliberate the lease of property in Comanche, for the medical peer review and to appoint Dr. Delbe Meelhuysen to the emergency department staff, and to consider additional privileges for Drs. Hubbard and Davis.

At the resumption of open session Charles Mazurek offered a motion to adopt the revised organizational chart as presented in executive session. Joe Locke seconded and the vote of approval was unanimous.

The changes were described after the meeting by Kevin Storey as transferring various managerial responsibilities from his own sole management to that of Rick Sanchez in a position described on the chart as Ancillary Director. Functions transferred included radiology, lab, infection control, respiratory therapy, dietary, environmental services, laundry, maintenance and safety. Material management, which had previously been under Tom Letz, was also transferred to Sanchez.

No Board action was taken on the property lease in Comanche.

Joe Locke offered a motion to appoint Dr. Meelhuysen to the Emergency Department medical staff and to grant the additional medical privileges as requested by Drs. Hubbard and Davis. Charles Mazurek seconded the motion and the vote of approval was unanimous.

Tom Letz gave the financial report. He reported various difficulties the hospital had encountered with the state and federal governmental units that reimburse hospitals for services performed for medicare and medicaid patients.

Letz also noted that work had already begun on the budget for the new fiscal year that begins in July and that requests for bank depository bids had been sent out to area financial institutions.

Letz reported a net loss of $157,146 for the month of April, which brought the total net loss for the ten months in the current fiscal year to $1,002,868. He noted that April patient revenues were approximately $100,000 below the budgeted figure and $1.1 million for the year.

Both Letz and Kevin Storey made sure that the Board realized that although there were losses being reported, that the cash reserves of almost one million remained on hand. Non-cash expense provisions for depreciation and amortization of earlier cash expenditures accounts of more than $917,000 of the $1.1 million 10 month loss. Both men also expressed optimism that the hospital will report better results in the near future and that the factors causing losses to be reported in the current year will reverse or mitigate.
Billy Ray Evans commented that the next fiscal year needed to get here soon because the losses are accumulating in the current year. He then asked about what was expected in May.

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By LAURA KESTNER, Editor

The DeLeon City Council hired a new police officer during their most recent session, a called meeting, on Thursday, May 29, 2008.

Council members Gayle Stroud, Roy Dale Freeman, Pauline Villarreal, Lee Childers and Mayor Danny Owen were present, with Avery Carlisle absent. Also present were City Secretary Karen Wilkerson, Police Chief Ralph Dickey and Sgt. Dustin Paulsen.

After an approximately 30 minute executive session, council members voted, without further discussion, to hire Bryan Butler as a DeLeon police officer. Butler is currently working as a deputy with the Comanche County Sheriff’s Office, but city officials hope to have him on the job quickly in order to prepare for the upcoming Peach and Melon festival week.

During the open discussion between city officials and city staff Mayor Owen updated the council on the “drug dog program.”

Owen reminded them that the two previous dogs had been “put down” due to lead poisoning and that when they decided to purchase a third dog, from the same kennel, they did it with the stipulation that it would pass a health screening at the veterinarian of the council’s choice. Owen noted that the city did receive insurance reimbursements for the other dogs.

“The newest dog passed the health screening,” Owen said, “but there were credibility issues.”

Owen went on to explain that, in demeanor and appearance, the dog more closely resembled a family pet.

“And our vet couldn’t determine the age or breed,” Owen said. “This set off all kinds of alarms.”
Owen said that ultimately a decision was made to return that dog, and purchase the next drug dog from a different kennel.

Chief Dickey addressed the council regarding truck parking within the city limits.

“A few days ago somebody brought to my attention something that I thought we had cured -- truck parking,” Dickey said, going on to add that drivers of big rigs have begun to park on city streets again. He then discussed the state laws and city ordinances related to the issue.

“I’ve prepared information based on state law, and local city ordinances,” Dickey said, “so that everyone will know what they are.”

Calling his presentation, “Park Them Where We Should” Chief Dickey highlighted some of the parking rules and regulations for the Free Press:

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On May 23, 2008 Comanche Central Appraisal District mailed property owners notices showing their 2008 proposed appraised values.

Rhonda Woods, chief appraiser of the district, says values have increased county-wide this year, some significantly. Appraisals are based in part by analysis of sales information from Comanche county. Even with the value increases implemented over the last several years, the annual Property Value Study (PVS) conducted by the Comptroller’s office shows that appraisal district values are still under-appraised. This study adds pressure on the district to increase values.

Property owners have 30 days from the date the appraisal notice was mailed to meet informally with appraisal district staff to discuss the 2008 information about their property. Appraisers are available to discuss property values and the office staff to assist with routine questions. Many issues may be resolved with a phone call or visit to the appraisal district office, without scheduling an appointment with the Appraisal Review Board. The office is located at #8 Huett Circle or you may call 325-356-5253.

The deadline for filing a Notice of Protest with the Appraisal Review Board is June 23, 2008. Woods asks property owners to pay particular attention to this deadline date. If a protest is mailed, it must be postmarked on June 23, 2008.

By LAURA KESTNER, Editor

The new Community Park, Hwy 6 east, will be jumping this Saturday, as people converge on the site from across the area for a grand opening celebration.

GRAND OPENING. Mayor Danny Owen at the stage area of the new Community Park.

Mayor Danny Owen emphasized that he wanted something for every age group at the celebration, and that certainly seems to be the case. There will be a marker dedication and unveiling at 10 a.m.

One of the biggest draws of the day will be the Tractor Pull -- certainly fun for all ages -- with the Antique Tractor Pull starting bright and early at 10 a.m. and the TTTPA sanctioned tractor pull beginning at 7 p.m. “The tractor pull will be a charged event,” Mayor Owen said, “with an entry fee, and there might be others that will require a fee, such as the pony rides, if they’re here.”

There will also be a barbecue cook-off, sanctioned by LSBS, and a Classic Car Show, courtesy of Comanche County Car Club.

Live gospel and bluegrass music, featuring local groups Billy Miller, Harmony Hearts and Bluegrass Band with Jack Boen, will entertain the crowds throughout the day.

“The music is free,” Owen said. “The bands are donating their time.”

Although the city will provide some chairs for the event, Owen said attendees might be interested in bringing lawn chairs and umbrellas.

Other activities and exhibits include a motorcycle show, art displays, quilt displays, a book-signing by Charles Chupp, spinning and weaving demonstrations, Sons of Confederate Veterans re-enactment, pony rides, “choo-choo” rides, bubble gum blowing contest and Bunco games.

Several businesses and civic groups will operate food or information booths.

Owen noted that there would be no fee to actually enter the park that day, but that donations would be welcomed.

“The Theatre Troupe will be carrying around donation jugs,” Owen said.

Several former and current officials have been invited to participate in the day’s events. “Former Mayor John Adcock, they (his administration) initiated this park project,” Owen said, “and got community involvement with pledges and donations. And Jim Adams did his part in trying to get this going, and for the past two years it’s been myself and the council struggling to complete it by the deadline.”

Owen noted that this park had long been a dream of many DeLeon citizens.

“Also, this will attract visitors to this community,” Owen said, “and maybe they’ll eventually move here, or start a business here.” Owen said that the park project, due to dormant times and the spiraling cost of materials, was truly a “blood, sweat and tears project.”

“The city workers have been the strongest asset in getting this park completed,” Owen said. “There were other contractors used, but the city has had to deal with the financial aspects including borrowing more money to get it where it is right now.”

Owen went on to list the current and former city employees who had invested so much in the project, including Karen Wilkerson, Marilyn Harbour, Dora Rangel, Jamie Welch, Rob Duncan, Jerry Logan, Larry Solomon, Joe Martinez, Chuck Crawford, Brad Gray, Renae Garza and Tracy Gortt.

Owen noted that volunteers were very important to the park development, including the Boy Scouts and Armstrong Masonic Lodge members. Owen also said the Peach and Melon Festival committee is planning to build a food pavilion for the park.

“And the Tractor Pull people have already done fundraisers to buy fencing and to make improvements to the park up there,” Owen said.

Fundraisers, spearheaded by the Women’s Division Chamber of Commerce, resulted in two food booths being delivered to the park ground recently. “And La Joyce Johnson donated a building for the tractor pull area,” Owen said.

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