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Happy feet

City council backtracks

By JON AWBREY, Publisher

The DeLeon City Council met in a regular meeting Thursday and managed to undo many of the decisions they had made during the previous meeting on January 28.

Motivating the backtracking was the realization that city ordinances prohibited the council’s previous decisions.

Among those decisions that were revisited by council was the approval of cooler fees at the Community Park.

The council was informed by the city attorney that alcohol was unlawful by city ordinance in public places in DeLeon.

Without amending the ordinance, the city police would be required to cite or arrest violators of the ordinance, even if the council approved the cooler fees.

“That would make my guys the bad guys,” said DeLeon Police Chief Jeff Green, “and put them between a rock and a hard place.”

The council then decided to table the cooler fee issue until a decision could be made about amending the current city alcohol ordinance.

The council also reversed their decision on exempting Prado’s Mexican Food Cafe from dual commercial/residential city service fees, also on advice of counsel.

“I’d like to really figure out a way to do this that is fair to the City of DeLeon, that is pretty much fair to everybody,” said council member Lee Childers. “That’s what I’m concerned about.”

The council admitted its concern that exempting Prado’s dual fees would be unfair to other city business owners and residents who are currently paying the fees or have taken efforts to align themselves with the current city ordinance that mandates the fees.

However, the council’s reversal did not sit well with Prado’s owner Eddie Prado.

“We need to be fair to everybody,” Prado said. “The council voted last meeting that we were not going to be charged. It’s just a storage building, you can go and look at it. Whatever water is being used there, you all are getting paid for it.”

City administrator Karen Wilkerson also reported that the city attorney had rejected any basis for a refund for the Prados, as the city had been compliant with the ordinance all along. Any such refund might open the city up to claims from other residents in similar situations.

Jonathan Prado then questioned why the residential sewer fee was being applied at the same rate as the restaurant since no one was using it.

“It’s in the ordinance,” said Wilkerson, “so we have to do that.”

“We have not overstepped our bounds,” said council member Gail Stroud. “Maybe in your minds we have, but we are in compliance with our ordinance.”

“But we paid for sewer that we don’t even use,” continued Jonathan Prado. “How is it we got charged more than zero?”

“This is what it boils down to,” said Eddie Prado, “are we still getting charged for that?”

“I don’t know what the ordinance is,” council member Bobby Schuman said. “I didn’t know it the last meeting.”

…

For full article, subscribe to the DeLeon Free Press. E-mail edition is only $20/year.

Cearley quits, Ferguson renewed for another year

DR. RANDY MOHUNDRO
Special to the Free Press

While the agenda of the DeLeon ISD Board of Trustees appeared to be short, the issue of personnel was a central issue of the meeting. The Board was in closed session for that specific purpose for approximately three hours as they met for their regular monthly meeting on February 8, 2010.

Upon returning from closed session, the Board heard the recommendation of the superintendent to renew the contracts of the following individuals for the 2010-11 school year: Jason Ferguson, Boy’s Athletic Director/Coach; Heath Gibson, Girl’s Athletic Director/Coach; Judd Gibson, Elementary Principal; Mark Lewis, Int./Middle School Principal; Chuck Miller, Band Director; LiesaNowlin, Director of Instruction; Kaye Quinn and Kelli Shelton, Counselors. Following the recommendation, the Board approved the recommendation as presented.

The Board was also apprised of the resignation that had been received from Jimmie Cearley, High School Principal. As authorized under Board policy, the resignation was accepted by the Superintendent.

In other matters of business, the Board was briefed on the district being awarded a state Rural Technology Grant in excess of $130,000.   …

For full article, subscribe to the DeLeon Free Press. E-mail edition is only $20/year.

CX Debate is headed to State

Special to the Free Press

DeLeon High School’s Cross Examination debate team, Senior Jennifer Lewis and Sophomore Hallie Million, qualified for the state tournament after placing 2nd in their district tournament in Tolar on February 9.

STATE BOUND. Hallie Million, left, and Jennifer Lewis, center, pose with DeLeon High School debate sponsor Crystal Rose after advancing to the state debate meet.

According to UIL, “The purpose of this contest is to train the student to analyze a problem, conduct thorough and relevant research, and utilize principles of argumentation and advocacy in orally presenting the most effective case for or against a given proposition. Debate provides invaluable training in critical thinking, quick responses, defending worthy ideas and attacking invalid ideas. It teaches the student to tolerate other points of view. Debate exists only in democratic societies, and no democratic society can exist without debate.”

The coach, Crystal Rose, is a first year teacher and coach. “This year’s topic was a challenge,” Rose said. “The resolution, ‘The United States federal government should substantially increase social services for persons living in poverty in the United States'  …

For full article, subscribe to the DeLeon Free Press. E-mail edition is only $20/year.

Nabors shines in state ATSSB band Competition

By LAURA KESTNER, Editor

Margaret Nabors, a 16-year-old junior at DeLeon High School, placed 3rd overall and 1st in concert at the ATSSB (Association of Texas Small School Bands) All State competition in San Antonio last week.

Margaret, who plays the alto clarinet, is the daughter of John and Ingrid Nabors.

According to Chuck Miller, DeLeon Band Director, the state competition was between Class 1A, 2A and 3A bands, which included schools the size of Stephenville.

“This competition began with district try-outs in November in which Margaret placed first,” Miller said. Margaret also placed first in the regional competition in December, and in January she placed first at area which led to the state competition last week.

“I’m extremely proud of Margaret,” Miller said. “I’ve been in DeLeon for 15 years and I’ve only had three people make it this far. The first was Ashley Weaver, then Tanner Jordan last year, and now Margaret. It’s been an exciting year.”

Coming Events

Call 254-893-6868 if you have an event to list

“Books Are Fun” Book Fair

CCMC Healthcare Volunteers are sponsoring a "Books Are Fun" Book Fair, Thursday, February 18 from 1 to 6 p.m. and Friday, February 19, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Comanche County Medical Center Lobby. Proceeds go for equipment for CCMC. Lots of great gift ideas as well as books.

Ricky Boen and Texas Mud

Ricky Boen and Texas Mud, a well-known Texas Swing Band, will perform at the DeLeon City Hall auditorium Thursday, February 18, 2010 beginning at 7 p.m.

Chili Cooks Wanted

Local Chili Cooks are wanted for the DeLeon Rodeo Association Chili Cookoff (CASI sanctioned) on February 20-21 at the DeLeon City Hall auditorium. Sign up is at 9 a.m., beans need to be turned in at 12, and chili at 2 p.m. There will be a silent auction from 9 a.m. til 4 p.m. For entry fees and rules, contact Jamie Ballenger at 254-485-2877.

Danny Owen, the Mayor of De Leon, has a personal website.

Open Danny's website by Clicking Here

Scott Hall has creating an Internet website with history & photos of our town.

Click Here to visit his website

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