October 24, 2008

Academy addressing issues

SHEFFIELD – The new Texas ChalleNGe Academy has smoothed out some opening-day wrinkles and most residents appeared “satisfied” the startup problems are behind it. Officials of the academy, which took over the facilities abandoned earlier this year by the Texas Youth Commission, met with citizens Tuesday night at the Community Building. “It went well,” Deputy Sheriff and Constable Don Jackson said. “The large majority of citizenry here was satisfied now that they got more of staff in.” Jackson said it was “pretty wild around here for three or four days” after the academy opened Oct. 6. Academy Director Mike Weir said about 15 students were sent home because of violation of rules in the first week. “They were unable to re-assimilate to the new academy and failed to follow rules,” he said. “The model is for them to be volunteers and do things we require them to do. “They are welcome to stay but if they fall outside the rules, it is not a cause for immediate dismissal but could lead to dismissal,” he said. Weir said he needs help from the community to make the program a success. “These young men and women come to us because something is not working in their lives, be it school, self- esteem, kids picking on them or they may even be spoiled,” he said. “They come from all walks of life.” Weir said part of program model is getting students into community. They are required to perform community service such as fixing up the community building, picking up trash and “anything in between.” As a result, members of the community will thank the students and adults expressing appreciation “does more for their self esteem than a lot of things they do around here,” he said. “It’s and absolute wonderful thing because it is something they would have to pay for. The kids do it for nothing.” He said the students have helped at “a little park” in Iraan. “They are working on that, developing that,” Weir said. “They built a park in Galveston for elementary students, Shriver Park.” Weir said the academy still needs staff and would like to hire locally. “We have about 20 and we need 50,” he said. Needed are cooks, supervisors, team leaders, a program coordinator, purchasers and medical staff. Lions ‘clean up’ at annual sale SANDERSON – Sanderson Lion’s Club members were cleaning up their town this week, offering mops, brooms and other cleaning supplies made by the blind. Once a year, the truck comes loaded with brooms and such for sale. Steve Hegher, who brings the truck, reported that last year was a record-setting year for the sale, bringing in a little over $2,000. This is just one of the fundraisers the club holds. In March, the organization offers a rose sale, which they say is always a success. They offer a scholarship to a deserving senior, support a camp for children with diabetes in Kerrville and offer eyeglasses to the less fortunate. “Membership is up to 15 now”, said President Clint McDonald. He can remember back in the day when the club even had a board of directors. The Lion’s Club also sponsors an annual Meet & Greet to say welcome to newcomers in the community. The club lay dormant for a few years since early 2000 but has been going strong again for “about three years,” member Christine Hinkle said. They meet the first Wednesday of every month at Mi Tierra’s at noon and are “always looking for new and interested members,” member Katy Roberts said. Couples even get a discounted membership fee if joining together. “We have had some sort of program at all of the meetings,” Hinkle said. “From our high school youth to the Dawson crew, each meeting focuses on the different facets of the community.” Back McDonald getting ‘chemo’ By KIM RAPP News Leader Production Manager Tom McDonald, known to friends as “Buff,” is currently in San Angelo receiving chemotherapy and radiation treat-ments for cancer. A “stew supper” in McDonald’s behalf will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 27, at the Church of Christ Annex. There will be stew, corn bread, beans, salad, dessert, tea and coffee for $6 a plate. A money tree will also be provided for donations. “I feel pretty good today,” McDonald told the News Leader last week, despite his bout with pneumonia. His brother Gary, along with wife Denise, spotted an American Cancer Society bus in San Angelo where one can “sign” to support cancer research. When full, the “wrap” will be taken off of the bus and presented to the government in Washington. Gary signed for Tom while Denise signed for her father, W.T. Howard, and Gary and Tom’s father, James T. McDonald, “who were both lost to this terrible and non-discriminating disease” Gary said in an e-mail. Buff is a little “homesick” and hopes to make a trip home soon to visit. Visiting Lindy & Forest Stumberg is her mother Helen Jackson. Jackson comes up from Houston every year for about three weeks just to visit and get away from the big city. Down the road about 53 miles in Marathon, two new faces have emerged, if only for a short time. Paul Barrouk & his wife Shawn are “workampers” who found themselves at the Marathon Motel & RV Park. Workampers are those who travel from place to place in their RV, working at different locations, doing things like yard work, cleaning and even light construction, “whatever is needed by the RV Park,” Barrouk said. The Barrouks will be in town till March, when they head for Santa Cruz, CA. The Barrouks said they had a great time helping out at the water stop during the M2M last weekend. Shawn even proclaimed how they were off that day but “volunteered” for a little R & R. Back Freeman opposes McDonald SANDERSON – Patrick Freeman of Sanderson is running as a write-in candidate opposing the re-election of Sheriff Clint McDonald. Freeman, who was born in Palestine and grew up in Longview, has been in law enforcement since 2002 when he served in the Texas prison system in four units, two in Longview and one each in Henderson and Overton. He graduated as salutatorian from the East Texas Academy at Kilgore in 2005 and went to work as a police officer for the Gladewater Police Department where he served in patrol, was a warrant officer and school resource manager, working with school children. As such, he ran the Drug Abuse Resistance Education, or DARE, a police officer-led series of classroom lessons on drug awareness taught from Kindergarten though 12th grade.  He then went to work for the Gregg County Sheriff’s Office at Longview, where he served as assistant shift supervisor, shift supervisor and jailer at one of the three Gregg County Jails with a combined population of about 3,000 inmates. He also worked as a security guard, both moonlighting from his regular job and between jobs, and earned the rank of sergeant in security. He moved to Sanderson in September, 2007, to work in the Sheriff’s Department and resigned in August, 2008. In school, he graduated with honors from Longview High School, where he was in the top 25 percent in a class of 550. He attended Ouchita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, AR, on a football scholarship where he played as offensive and defensive lineman. He played football and participated in track and field in high school and made all region in power lifting. Freeman carried a double major in college in history and kinesiology. He also was a member in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the Brotherhood of Rho Sigma where he served as chaplain and assistant pledgemaster. If elected sheriff, Freeman said he would “greatly reduce turnover” by providing “easier shifts” and “more fair shift differential.” He said the office should be an enjoyable place to work and that would attract top people. “Sanderson is a nice place to live,” he said. “There is not a thing wrong with it. “I love it here,” he said. “If you treat people right, they will stay.” Back Red ribbons will mark awareness SANDERSON – Next week is “Red Ribbon Week” at Sanderson schools, a week dedicated to drug awareness. Monday, students will wear red and elementary students will launch red balloons. Tuesday, the kids wear their clothes inside-out. Wednesday, they dress the same as a friend. Thursday is be a hero day and students can wear “camo.” And Friday, they can say “BOO” to drugs by wearing a Halloween costume. Back New bakery now open for business SANDERSON – After a delayed ribbon cutting because of an emergency plumbing problem, Anna’s Bakery has opened and plans another ribbon cutting Tuesday. Anna LaFleur, with some help from husband Paul, opened the bakery in the shop that that was most recently the location of Sanderson Business Center. The ribbon cutting was to have been Tuesday, Oct. 14, but a sudden plumbing problem delayed the opening. She opened last weekend and has reported a brisk business in her first days. LaFleur offers fresh-baked donuts, muffins and the like. She also offers sandwiches for lunch and provides desserts for the new RoundHouse Café, which also opened this week. The restaurant had some serious “startup” problems Monday, exacerbated when a cook was out sick. Things smoothed out later in the week. Restaurant owner Sharon Wolfe said starting Monday, the business will begin winter hours. It will be open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. weekdays, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday they will be open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The bakery will be open from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 6 a.m. to noon on Saturday. Back Gym sought for grads SANDERSON -- The Terrell County School Board Wednesday night agreed to let Project Graduation use one or both gyms at Sanderson High School for the all-night, chemical-free party following high school graduation in May. Board President Ada Lee Robbins said the current capital improvement program, funded by $14 million in bonds approved by the voters last year, could affect the use of the gyms. “We don’t know where we are going to be on the construction,” Robbins said. A current project is underway on a high school addition to the junior high building and a vocational building to the east of the junior high. Work on both gyms, a new field house and improvements to the elementary school are expected to be bid in January and the gyms may well be unavailable in May because of construction. Project President Susan Brotherton said the group will have a backup plan in place in case construction precludes one or both gyms but she wanted a commitment by the board that she could use the gyms if they are available. There was a question of liability with a private group doing the program but Superintendent Gary Hamilton said the Project group would be covered if school personnel were involved. In other action, the board accepted the report of the Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas, which rated the school as passing with “standard achievement.” Business Manager Blain Chriesman told the board it scored a 64, one point below enough to qualify for an “above standard” rating. The board’s last rating was “substandard,” largely because of the lack of an adequate “fund balance,” a kind of savings account required by the Texas Education Agency. Chriesman said there were some items on the rating for which Terrell County could “probably never” meet. It is “one-size-fits-all” standard that small schools can’t meet. “They just want to bring us to our knees so they can take over,” Hamilton said. But Hamilton said the new state drug testing was done recently and all senior and junior high school students and staff tested “were all cleared.” And the school passed its Adequate Yearly Progress requirement under the federal “No Child Left Behind” program. Some schools in the area have reported failing parts or all of the rating but Sanderson schools did well on TAKS tests on which the AYP rating is based. Chriesman said the rapidly increasing cost of construction, which has affected some of the school bond work is abating someone because of problems in the US economy. In other action, the Board hired Arnuflo Serna of Odessa as maintenance/transportation director. His wife, Rebecca Villarreal, is from Sanderson. Back Book fair next week SANDERSON – The Scholastic Book Fair Safari will be at the Sanderson Elementary School Library from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, Oct. 27, through Friday, Oct. 31. “There will be many exciting books for everyone as well as learning products and games to share with readers,” Librarian Pam Deaton said. “Parents and teachers will find plenty of items, which will interest them, too. “Please come to the Scholastic Book Fair at Sanderson Elementary School Library Monday until Friday,” she said. Back

He said some former TYC personnel have been hired but they need to adjust to the different setting. The TYC “boot camp” was a detention facility whereas the new academy is all volunteer. “They have some good things they used with TYC kids and we see how we can use those,” he said. “It’s a good marriage” between the TYC and the academy. Jackson said it is a “good program. There are one or two soreheads in town but they are way in the minority. He said concerns about a lack of law enforcement are not realistic. There are two deputy sheriffs in Sheffield plus two more 18 miles away in Iraan. There also is backup by DPS troopers in Iraan and Ozona. “We’re pretty exited,” Jackson said of the community members. “They’ve [student] got same rights and privileges every other citizens’ kids have.” Academy Principal Candy Cade said there was a “good turnout” for the meeting this week. “It was very positive,” she said. She said Drug Task Force Commander Col. Tony West presented an “overview of the program” and Iraan-Sheffield ISD Superintendent Kevin Allen spoke about the academic program. “It was very positive,” she said. Run for breast cancer By ARLENE GRIFFIS MNL Editor MARATHON – October is Cancer Awareness Month and almost everyone has experienced cancer personally, either as a victim of the disease or having a loved one or friend who has experienced it firsthand.  Earlier this month, 11 “walkers” met at Marathon’s soon-to-open “Famous Burro Bar & Grill” on the corner of Hwy 90 and Avenue D to walk for Cancer Awareness. The walk began with Marathon resident Rosalinda Crase reading a moving memorial tribute to her sister, Esmeralda Werbeck, who died of breast cancer on Thanksgiving Day in 2005. Rosalinda shared with those gathered the story of Esmeralda’s diagnosis, treatments and courage as she fought this terrible disease. In her memory, family back in Austin set up an annual “Esmeralda's Run” the year she died, which includes a 10K run, a 5K run and a one-mile walk.  “My sister always had expressed that her greatest fear was not being remembered by anyone,” Crase said. “This caused her family a lot of emotional heartache as to what could be done to make sure that her fear was addressed. “Esmeralda’s Run provided the perfect answer,” she said. “By holding Esmeralda’s Run, my sister’s memory would live on. “Esmeralda’s Run would give those who knew her a chance to remember her for the beautiful person that she was,” Crase said. “Through Esmeralda’s Run, my sister could be remembered for her valiant fight against cancer. “People would remember how cancer never held my sister back and how it didn’t dampen her spirits, weaken her strength, cloud her mind or darken her heart. ‘Esmeralda’s Run’ would ensure that my sister’s greatest fear never came true. “It would provide an opportunity for everyone to gather in remembrance of my sister and to unite together to fight the battle against cancer,” Crase said. Rosalinda and her husband Tom moved to Marathon in September, 2006, and this year did not make the trek back to Austin so Rosalinda contacted some of her fellow walkers to walk not only in her sister’s memory but to support those presently fighting cancer, to honor the memory of those who lost their lives to cancer and to continue cheering those who are surviving cancer. Two of the new businesses soon to open in Marathon, Pitaya Verde owned by Ann Urban and Famous Burro Bar & Grill owned by Neil Chavigny supported the walk by pledging donations on behalf of this walk to the Lance Armstrong Foundation.  There were also some on- the-spot cash donations designated for the purpose of helping to find a cure for cancer.    Those who walked down Post Road included Ann Urban, Pat Hedrick, Patsy Cavness, Marilyn Shackelford, Dela Shackelford, Mindy Self, Wilma Schindeler, Beth Peterson and three-year-old Ella Peterson, Tom Crase, Diana Cook and Rosalinda Crase. Esmeralda’s walk in Marathon was somewhat unique in that it did not require that a set distance be covered. Anyone who wanted to walk was invited to do so in the interest of cancer awareness.  Some walked to the Marathon Health Clinic while others walked to a point beyond the cemetery. Since the Marathon version of the walk was planned on short notice with little publicity other than word of mouth, there was no entry fee.  Nevertheless, showing the true spirit of Marathoners, about a dozen participants showed up to walk, sparking an interest in others around town. Many who saw the group who walked this year have expressed an interest in walking or running next year to unite together to fight the battle against cancer. Those who walked this year reported having such a good time walking and talking that they all plan to return next year with friends and family. Back 4-H Club preparing for auction tomorrow By GRACE JAHN 4-H Reporter SANDERSON – Terrell County 4-H Club members met for their second meeting on Monday, Oct. 13, and discussed food and drink items to sell at the concession stand during the upcoming 4-H auction. The auction will be tomorrow, Oct. 25, at the Legion Park. Please come out and support us. Wayne Truesdell, the livestock project leader, talked about animal project entries for the Terrell County Fair coming up in January. There will be many goats, sheep, pigs, rabbits, poultry, and horses this year. The 4-H members also discussed how to vote by Robert’s Rules of Order. We practiced voting on items to put into a trail mix. We then enjoyed the trail mix as a snack. The 4-H cooking program has many participants. A Terrell County Food Show is planned for Saturday, Nov. 8. 4-H Arts and Crafts/Textiles have recently been working on ribbon pillows to exhibit in the County Fair in January. Shooting Sports just gained two new firearms instructors. Wayne Truesdell and Shane Jahn just returned from Kerrville, where they became certified to instruct on the use of shotguns. Back Cross Country boys place second MONAHANS – The Sanderson Eagles Cross Country boys placed second and the girls team was fifth overall at the Monahans Invitational Cross Country meet here last week. In boy’s action, Travis Roberts placed fourth and brother Taylor was sixth. Shawn Stegall finished in 17th place, Jimmy Rapp placed 29th and Andrew Woosley came in 41st place to round out the top five runners. Also running were Cordell Lawson and Kelly Lomas. “Jalen Chriesman and Ryan Arthur both ran personal bests” in the junior high meet, Coach Leighton Conway said. Heading up the girls was Noemi Nuñez, who placed seventh. Vicki Busch came in 30th place, Isabel Rivera was 32nd and Brianna Johnson ran her way into 44th place. Angelina Hopkins placed 56th and Ashley Hagelgans came in 60th place. In the junior varsity division, Miriam Nuñez placed fifth. Coach Trisha Nichols has high hopes for injured runners Juliana Castro and Jessica Garza competing in District next week. There is no meet tomorrow but the kids will travel to Balmorhea Wednesday, Oct. 29, for the district meet. Back Kerr boys ace shoot at State SAN ANTONIO – Two teenage sons of Hudson and Maggie Kerr of Mertzon, formerly of Sanderson, shot top scores at the Texas State Rifle Association State Championship at the Blackhawk Rifle Range here last week. Edward Hudson “Ward” Kerr, III, 16, shot a 98 percent and Banner Joe Kerr, 15, scored 95 percent. They went on to compete in State Championship 3 Position Matches. Both Ward and Banner are competitive shooters with the Irion County 4-H Shooting Sports Program as well as Texas State Rifle Association, National Rifle Association and USA Shooting. They have both been to the National NRA Matches at Camp Perry, OH, for the last two years. Ward was on the TSRA State Jr. Team that competed at the Nationals and Banner competed as an individual TSRA Member. Both boys have been shooting for more than seven years in the Smallbore Rifle Program and are coached by their mother Maggie, a certified 4- and NRA rifle coach. Ward was on the State Irion County 4-H Team that placed 11th last summer. Both boys have placed first with their County 4-H Team three years in a row at the District 7 Competition in Brownwood. Both Ward and Banner are vying for the 2009 TSRA State Jr. Team this year and hope for an invitation to the Junior Olympics at Colorado Springs, CO, in April and a place on the Texas 4-H National Smallbore Team that will compete in Nebraska in June. 2009. The Kerr brothers have been to multiple NRA training camps as well as the US Army Marksmanship Unit camp in Fort Benning, GA. Currently, they compete in three matches a month around the state while playing football, raising and showing their Registered Rambouillet Breeding Sheep and Club Lambs and Wool Judging on the 4-H and FFA Teams for Irion County. The off weekends and holidays are spent at the family ranch on the Pecos River in Northeastern Terrell County with their Grandparents Cy and Sandy Banner. Ward and Banner are the paternal grandsons of the late Edward and Rosella Kerr. Back 4-H Club prepares for County Food Show SANDERSON – The Monday 4-H and Clover Buds cooking class prepared a complete meal and served it Monday. Lea Hawn and Evans Foster presided and youngsters attending were Doodle Odgers, Eliza Odgers, Grace Jahn, Katy Jahn, Jessie Roberts, Gabby Aguilar, Isaiah Aguilar, Marcee Aguilar, Megan Seidel and Danae Fisher. “All worked hard and as fast as the single-burner hot plates would let them in getting a meal of pork hamburger steak with mushroom gravy, fresh garden salad, baked macaroni and nutritional fruit and nut bars,” Hawn said. “Megan and Grace did an excellent job in preparing five different types of smoothies, fruit of the day, orange, fruits, strawberry-kiwi and tropical smoothies.” Hawn said she enjoys seeing the 4-H and Clover Buds begin to grasp the meaning of eating properly.  “With the County Food Show coming up November 8, each participant should have no problem in telling why the food they choice from the various food groups is good for them,” she said. “The parents also were treated to the foods the members prepared.” Parents Stephanie Odgers and Marcee Aguilar helped with the class. County Extension Agent Mark Carroll visited the class and can be contacted for anyone interested in signing up for the food show. Next cooking class will be at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 3. Food preparation will be fall related, Hawn said. Back Kids learn about fire SANDERSON – To acknowledge Fire Prevention Week, the Sanderson Volunteer Fire Department visited the Elementary school this week, letting youngsters see fire equipment, including the newest truck up close and personal. There was a coloring contest, in which all the winners from grades kindergarten through four will get a free ride in one of the fire trucks in the Halloween parade. Kindergarten winner was Mikey Martinez. In first grade, the winner was Brooklyn Zuniga. Elijah Carrasco won for his second-grade class. In the third grade, Noah Aguilar showed off his creativity and fourth grade kudos go to Jaime Rosas. Volunteers Rush Carter, Richard Montalvo and Fire Chief Bobby Brotherton offered a short presentation and Carter spoke about fire prevention as well as fire safety. “If you see smoke in your house, get out,” He said. “Have a meeting place so everyone knows everyone is safe. If you see smoke in someone else’s house, call 911.” The kids followed the fireman outside where the firemen explained about the three different kinds of fire trucks. There is a rescue truck, which is mainly for car accidents and such. It is equipped with the Jaws of Life, as well as a special foam for distinguishing car fires. The truck, equipped with four-wheel drive for off-road access, was provided by Homeland Security. The house truck is best equipped for structural fires. It is able to connect to fire hydrants as needed and carries need tools for access into homes as well as oxygen tanks for the firefighters in case they have to enter a house full of smoke. The newest edition – “our new toy,” as Brotherton called it – is best for leading the way to a grass fire or wild fire. “It goes real fast,” he told the kids. Brotherton has 20 years on the fire department. Montalvo has been a volunteer for 18 years and Carter has been a volunteer fireman for two years. The department handed a red shirt to all students, declaring them “rookies.” Back Halloween next week SANDERSON – The Terrell County School District will coordinate this year’s Halloween festivities at the Terrell County Courthouse Saturday, Nov. 1. The annual costume contest, hosted by the Sanderson Junior High Student Council, will begin at 3 p.m., followed by a promenade to the Sanderson High School Band Hall. The ISD will host its first Fall Festival where “everyone is invited to join for the fun,” organizer Tami Carrasco said. “There will be something for everyone there including tons of booths like a duck pond and dart throw to bingo, a silent auction and pig kissing,” she said. The annual event sponsored by the Guadalupanas at St. James Hall was canceled this year because the hall had reportedly been booked. “Trick or Treat” will be Saturday night, Nov. 1. Back

Academy Principal Candy Cade said there was a “good turnout” for the meeting this week. “It was very positive,” she said. She said Drug Task Force Commander Col. Tony West presented an “overview of the program” and Iraan-Sheffield ISD Superintendent Kevin Allen spoke about the academic program. “It was very positive,” she said. Back Eagles struggle with Bears BALMORHEA – The Sanderson Eagles extended their record to 5-3 overall and 2-0 in district play Friday but it was anything but a sure thing against the Balmorhea Bears here last week. The ball changed hands with nothing on the scoreboard for half of the first quarter. Things started looking up for the Eagles when they recovered a fumble but they coughed it back up at their own two and, a couple of plays later, Marcos Beltran ran it in from the one. Ryan Mondragon booted the points after and it was 8-0 for the home team. But the Eagles came back and Jacob Benavidez threw to Phillip Lascano for a 50-yard bomb. Then, with 2:22 on the first-quarter clock, Phillip capped the drive, running the final 14. David Shoemaker booted the points after and it was knotted at eight per side. The Eagles moved ahead with a scant three seconds left in the first quarter when J.D. Brotherton galloped 34 yards for six more. Shoe again split the uprights and the Eagles led 16-8. The lead extended to 24-8 at 3:52 in half when Phillip ran in from the three and Shoe added two more. But Gabriel Jurado scored for the Bears from the three and Mondragon added his two and it was 24-16. That score remained on the board at halftime. After some halftime cheer by cheerleaders from both sides, the teams came back on the field. Three minutes later, Jacob again found Phillip for a 25-yard pass play, the PAT failed and it was 30-16 Eagles. At 3:42 in the third, Adam Roman fought his way for 35 hard-earned yards, breaking Eagle tackles left and right. About half the Eagle team was still draped on his shoulder as he struggled into the end zone. The points after failed and it was 30-22. The Eagles came back a little over a minute later when J.D. Brotherton ran for 30 yards. Shoe then used his shoe to make it 38-22. But less than a minute later, Roman threw a bomb for 60 yards to Mondragon. Ryan lined up to kick for two more but the holder bobbled the ball. Ryan tried to throw for a one-point conversion but failed. The Eagles had a ten-point lead at 38-28. As the third quarter came to a close, Jacob threw to Jimmy Rapp for 17 yards. With 8:38 in the final period, Phillip scored for the Eagles from one out, Shoe hit the PAT and it was 46-28. But the ten-point differential came back with 6:19 left in the final period when Adam threw to Marcos Beltran from the three. Ryan booted the PAT and it was 46-36. Both sides recovered fumbles and the Eagles found themselves on their own one. Not to worry, Jacob found Phillip for 68 yards, the PAT was blocked and it was 52-36. And there it all ended. “We came out a little flat but that’s expected after big game,” Head Coach Mark Dominguez told the News Leader. The Eagles beat Sierra Blanca in another close contest the week before in a game many said would determine the district championship. “That’s part of the learning process,” Dominguez said. “We are getting closer and closer and we can’t afford to come out flat.” But he said the team was ready to go. “The mindset was there,” he said. “But Balmorhea has always played us well. We just have to be ready.” He said in football any team can beat any other in its league. “Everybody plays us pretty dang good,” he said. “We all want the pride of getting that gold ball [award]. “We are in the driver’s seat,” Dominguez said. “We control our own destiny but we’ve got to come in ready to work and ready to improve.” He said there was a “little saying” that champions always feel they can do more. ”That’s why I’m always critical. I have to look at every little thing,” he said. “You’ve got to always look for ways to improve. You can’t be satisfied with a win over Sierra Blanca.” Dominguez said the bye this week will be helpful because some of the players “are a little beat up. This will give them time to recover.” He said there also was an issue of some of the players sick during the week. “They did what they had to do and I’m real proud of them for that,” Dominguez said. The Eagles draw their “bye” tonight, Oct. 24 and the final game of the regular season will be next Friday, Oct. 31, when they host Dell City at Eagle Stadium. The last game on the schedule was Nov. 7 at Marathon but the Mustangs were unable to field a team because of a couple of key injuries. In other action Friday, Borden County trounced Grandfalls-Royalty 60-8, Fort Davis beat Sterling City 58-8, Sierra Blanca outshot Dell City 96-49 and Midland Trinity bested El Paso Immanuel Christian by a similar 92-47 score. Back McDonald seeks re-election to sheriff SANDERSON – Sheriff Clint McDonald is running for his second complete term as Terrell County sheriff and tax assessor-collector against challenger Patrick Freeman. McDonald, a native of Junction, is a veteran of 23 years in law enforcement and a dozen of those years in Terrell County. He holds advanced Texas licenses as a peace officer and a “telecommunicator,” the latter from his years as a dispatcher. He started that way in 1985, working his way up to jail administrator. He worked first for the Kimble County Sheriff’s Office and then the Junction Police Department before coming to Terrell County in 1996. Sheriff Y.E. “Chel” Duarte appointed McDonald chief deputy in 1997. When Duarte resigned in January, 2004, Terrell County Commissioners Court appointed McDonald as sheriff. He ran for the job and was elected in November, 2004. McDonald cites his experience over his challenger, noting Freeman claims six years experience but, “in reality, it is only about two and a half years.” He said the job also entails the tax assessor-collector role as well as voter registration, something about which he said Freeman cannot claim experience. The department was increased in strength this year and there are now six deputy positions, only one of which was still vacant at press time. “What this does is it allows deputies to work a 40-hour week,” he said. “We have not ever had that in Terrell County.” McDonald said he has sought and received grants for a number of items, including vehicles. “Only one vehicle has been bought by the local taxpayers,” he said. And he said surplus vehicles are turned over to Terrell County for additional use after the sheriff’s office gets its use out of them. “Road and Bridge [Department] is driving a 2006 Ford pickup we bought with grant money,” he said. McDonald said he is building a “sound” department that will “be here tomorrow.” He said a lot of deputies have “come and gone” but that is true throughout the state. “I am very particular about who I let carry a gun in Terrell County,” he said. “When an officer becomes a liability, he is not going to be here.” He said some of the deputies that have not stayed around in Terrell County have been younger people. “A lot of young people today want it right now or they will revolt,” he said. He said promotions have to be earned and wearing the badge is a great responsibility. “A lot of men and women have died behind the badge,” he said. Back Dogs, owners get needle SANDERSON – The Rabies clinic here Saturday inoculated 70 dogs and 44 cats for rabies. About 30 animals got shots for distemper/carvo complex. Terrell County hosts the rabies clinic twice a year in the parking garage behind the Courthouse. Pet owners pay $3 for registration but the shots are provided at no additional cost. Dr. Paul Weyerts of Alpine volunteers his services to the county. Next door at the Community building, Cactus Health Services, Inc., provided a flu clinic so people could immunize themselves while they provided for their pets. Cactus gave 25 flu shots and four for pneumonia. Back Kincaid challenges Gallego By MARK GLOVER Marathon News Leader The race to represent Texas House District 74, the largest district in the state and the largest border region in the country will be determined by voters from 13 counties including Brewster and Terrell, on November 4. Republican challenger and Fort Stockton resident Thomas C. Kinkaid will attempt to dethrone 18-year reigning Democratic incumbent and Alpine resident Pete P. Gallego. And if he is successful, improving education in Texas will be high on Kinkaid’s list of priorities. “The TEC [Texas Education Commission] plans on letting students choose either more government classes or more economics. But they need to do both,” Kinkaid said. “They are also going to increase levels for science and English and that’s good.” On TAKs general testing, Kinkaid was less impressed. “A single test is not going to gauge the quality of our students, our administrators or our teachers,” Kinkaid said. “Teaching to a test as they are now does not gauge the amount of improvement being made. We need a quality curriculum.” Kincaid received a Bachelor of Science degree from Sul Ross State University in 1974. Gallego also earned a bachelor’s degree at Sul Ross State University. He received his law degree from the University of Texas. Gallego believes the TAKS general testing will be changed next year. “In the next session, I believe we will pass a new testing program that will eliminate the end-of-the-year test as it is now and change it to a diagnostic test in the beginning of the year,” Gallego said. “It will essentially establish a base line to determine where the students are scholastically. And then we can see where they need help. “We also need to pay teachers more and we need to do a better job of getting kids into college,” Gallego said. On border wall construction, Kinkaid is not convinced that cement fences will help. “Those walls work well in urban settings but in the rural areas you are restricting access to the river,” Kinkaid said. “A lot of ranchers depend on that water for livestock. It would also restrict access for wildlife. “I’ve talked to Border Patrol agents around Del Rio who work on horseback and they tell me patrolling the country on horse is the most effective method they’re using,” Kinkaid said. Gallego believes there are better ways to work with Mexico than building a wall at the border. “We need a comprehensive immigration policy more than we need a wall,” Gallego said. “But regardless of your position on the matter, we must strengthen the levies and that is a federal responsibility.” Regarding the recent spate of murder on the Mexican side of the border, Gallego suggested that “it’s an internal issue for Mexico to resolve” and that the present regime in power “is not very stable. “It’s the failure of recent administrations not to develop good relations with Mexico,” Gallego said. “We need to work with Mexico and help them all we can.” Gallego pointed out that trafficking in illegal substances is nothing new and that prohibition in the United States during the 1930s taught us that control of such substances is a hard thing to do. “We need to cut demand by telling our kids of the dangers in illegal drug use,” Gallego said. “When I was a prosecutor, I was constantly appalled at parents who said they couldn’t control their kids. “Well that was never a problem when I was a child,” he said. “We need to step up our efforts in parenting.” Kinkaid suggested that demand for the drug could be curtailed by other methods. “Drug cartels [in Mexico] are getting more bold,” Kincaid said. “We’ve put a lot of money down there to stop the supply but I think we should do more to curb the demand up here, which means a higher criminal penalty for the use of marijuana, cocaine and meth-amphetamines.” Texas leads the nation in prison population and Kinkaid believes there’s a reason for it. “We lead the nation because we put people in prison who need to be there,” Kinkaid said. “I believe we’re not tough enough. “We’ve gone too far out of our way to appease people who believe cruel and unusual punishment is happening,” he said. “We don’t need cable TV in prisons. Our prisons don’t need to be country clubs.” Gallego, who pushed the issue of DNA testing for criminals and authored the legislation to limit the appeals by death row inmates, suggested that the “lock-’em-up-and-throw-away-the-key” process will not work. “The way you keep them out of prison is to educate your kids and take care of your kids,’ he said. “Over half of the criminal justice population can’t read. “It’s pretty hard to find a job when you can’t read,” Gallego said. “We spend $4,000 a year for first graders and $40,000 a year for prisoners. Something’s wrong with that.” In light of the recent court rulings in Connecticut and elsewhere legalizing gay marriages, both candidates do not want to see that happen in Texas. “I’m an elder at the Presbyterian Church and a Christian,” Kinkaid said. “Marriage is a blessing from God between a man and a woman. I can’t support or condone that practice.” “I believe marriage is between a man and a woman,” Gallego said. “I don’t oppose the right of two individuals living in the same house but I wouldn’t call that marriage.” The Texas House of Representatives meets every other year. Back