2003 All-District 10-3A

Football Team Selected

The Bonham Purple Warriors placed two players on the first team All-District football squad as the 2003 selections were announced as voted on by district coaches.

Bonham Senior Will Moss was selected as the 10-3A Defensive Player of the Year and was a first team pick on offense at tight end. Moss had another outstanding year for the Purple Warriors and district opponents and coaches recognized his talents, abilities and domination on the defensive side of the ball with his Player of the Year selection.

Jameison Patterson, a junior, was another Purple Warrior selected on the first team All-District defense. Patterson was dominant at his inside linebacker position and will be an important part of the team next year as they try to rebound from a 1-9 season in 2003.

Bonham’s T.J. Washington, a junior, was selected as a running back on the second team offense and free safety on defense. Other Purple Warrior selected to the second team All-District squad included: sophomore D.J. Stewart as a wide receiver and senior offensive tackle Robert McCormack.

Finding Health Care In The Neighborhood

Worst case of flu you can remember having? See your doctor.

A history of breast cancer in your family? Get a mammogram regularly. Your 2-year-old hasn’t had all his or her shots? Make an appointment now.

Sound advice that will now be easier for Texans to follow since the announcement by Gov. Rick Perry in October that $3.6 million in state funds is targeted to help communities expand health care services.

The Texas Department of Health will use these funds, made available by recently enacted Senate Bill 610, to help communities develop or expand Federally Qualified Health Centers.

A Federally Qualified Health Center, or FQHC, is a community-developed and consumer-directed clinic providing comprehensive primary and preventive health care services to patients regardless of their ability to pay. These centers can cover costs through a variety of sources - private insurance, Medicaid, Medicare, Children’s Health Insurance Program, sliding-­fee scale based on patients’ family income and size, or grants and other federal funds.

Key words here are "community developed" and "consumer directed." For while these centers receive federal dollars and state assistance, they are run by neither the U.S. nor the Texas government. FQHCs are operated by nonprofit organizations, local health departments, health and hospital districts and other local government entities.

The centers are located across the state - in rural areas and urban settings. They offer primary medical and dental care, mental health and substance abuse help, diagnostic laboratory and X-ray services, cancer and other disease screenings, well-child services, medications, child and adult immunizations, outreach and education. And the list goes on, covering key needs suited to the individual community.

An FQHC clinic must be governed by a community board with at least 51 percent of that board made up of those who use the clinic services. And that does not mean a person who comes by once a year to get a flu shot. It means someone who actually accesses health care through the clinic, knows what the community needs and what the community can afford to pay.

I have worked as a family physician in a community health center. I know first hand that these centers provide high-quality care that some people otherwise would not receive. I always took great satisfaction from and had great pride in providing services through such a center.

Currently 40 groups operate more than 180 sites across the state. Gov. Perry would like to double the number of sites, a laudable goal. These centers are important as we look to expanding access to health care, especially for the uninsured and underinsured. And they are a growing asset. In August, Texas was awarded almost $3.9 million in federal grants to establish FQHCs in Beeville, Alice, Conroe, Houston, Lubbock and Sanderson and to expand services at existing sites.

We as a state need to expand access to health care. In Texas, 62 counties don’t have hospitals, 26 counties have no primary care physician and 13 counties have only one health care provider.

This month (November), TDH is seeking proposals to award another $1.3 million in state funds in December through the FQHC Incubator Program; and next year, $5 million will be available. These grants help communities assess needs, develop a health care delivery model or acquire additional equipment to establish an FQHC. In addition, TDH provides assistance to groups in navigating the nationally competitive federal grant application process.

I urge community groups to consider establishing or expanding a Federally Qualified Health Center, opening the way for more people to have access to health care in their own back yards.

In May, President Bush signed into law the 2003 Jobs and Growth package to return $350 billion in tax cuts to the American people, building on the 2001 tax relief. The legislation accelerated many of the reductions that were being phased in over several years including my marriage penalty relief bill, an increase in the child tax credit and lower marginal rates. It also provided important relief for businesses and $20 billion to states where many are facing difficult budgetary shortfalls. I fought to adjust the alloca­tion formula so that Texas ultimately received $1.3 billion to help balance the state budget, a full $100 million more than they were on track to get.

The good news is that our policies to boost the economy are working. In October, employment rose by 126,000 for a total of 286,000 new jobs over a three-month period. Additionally, the real gross domestic product, or output of goods and services produced in the U.S., increased at an annual rate of 8.2 percent in the third quarter of 2003, building on a 3.3 percent increase in the second quarter. We experienced the fastest growth in nearly two decades. Other important indicators, such as new housing starts, which hit a 17-year high in 2003, and increased produc­tivity, greater disposable income and a stock market that experienced gains of more than $2 trillion, all point toward a recovering economy. Putting people back to work is our highest priority.

We kicked off the year by confirming our nation’s first Secretary of Homeland Security, Tom Ridge, pass­ing national AMBER Alert legislation to more quickly recover kidnapped children and enacting a budget to

provide a spending blueprint for Congress. Our "Healthy Forests" bill was adopted to help protect America’s public forests from catastrophic fires, diseases and infestations. We approved a record $2.4 billion in funding to combat the global HIV/AIDS epidemic devastating Africa and the Caribbean, and passed the "do-not-call" registry bill to protect consumers from unwanted phone solicitations (which is now held up in Federal Court). We also enacted free and fair trade bills with Chile and Singapore to open new markets to U.S. exports.

In the final days of the session we were finally able to fulfill a promise made to America’s seniors by bringing Medicare up-to-date and offering a prescription drug benefit for the first time. We passed sweeping reforms that will provide choice, offer greater assistance for low-income Americans and create Health Savings Accounts that will benefit millions of Americans.

Perhaps the issue that most dominated 2003 was Op­eration Iraqi Freedom. In March we descended on Baghdad to remove the threat of Saddam Hussein. A democratic Iraq will stand as an example to all the Middle East and help ensure a safer world for future generations.

We have stood firm in support of our troops, provid­ing the necessary funds to fight the war and help the Iraqi people more quickly gain control of their own destiny. We also passed the Armed Forces Tax Fairness Act and the Fallen Patriots Tax Relief Act to help military families. Our efforts to eliminate terrorism continue in Afghanistan and points around the globe, and the passage of the Syria Accountability and Lebanese Sovereignty Act will help further our national security.

As with every year there are some important issues that were not resolved. We were unable to pass a compre­hensive energy bill, something I have advocated during my decade of service in the Senate. Though we didn’t get a bill this year, it is a top priority heading into 2004. The bill is long overdue and we will not give up the fight. It means increased energy independence, conservation and new jobs in our country when we need it most, and we won’t rest until we have an energy bill for the president to sign.

We’ll also act to reauthorize highway legislation to create better highways and transportation systems, and hope to make progress on legislation I introduced to make Amtrak

a viable, national alternative. In 2004 we’ll continue to fight for the fair treatment of judicial nominees and encourage up-or-down votes in the Senate to fill critical vacancies in our nation’s courts. We’ll also work to pass class action and asbestos litigation reform and continue working to create jobs. As we move forward, we’ll undoubtedly face new challenges and we’ll tackle them for the good of the American people.

County Tax Assessor-Collectors Take Part In Seminar At College Station

Pam Sweet-Richardson, Tax Assessor-Collector, and Tina Mckenzie, Chief Deputy joined over 200 Tax Assessor Collectors and tax office personnel for the 21 st Annual County Tax Assessor Collectors’ Continuing Education Seminar at the Hilton College Station and Conference Center, Nov. 10-12, 2003,

The annual continuing education seminar at College Station is sponsored by the V.G. Young Institute of County Government, which is part of Texas Cooperative Extension. The institute provides elected county officials with information and technical assistance and helps officials complete their state-mandated, minumum continuing education requirements,

Included in this years program were workshops on new tax legislation,e-county, personnel issues, the Texas voter registration system and an update on motor vehicle titling and registration, along with new updates for boat title and registration from Texas Parks and Wildlife.

Pam Sweet- Richardson states " Its important to me, as a county official , being responsible to you the people of Fannin County, to stay on top of new legislature which brings both relief and protection to the citizens. Maintaining a 21st service availability of the most current technology.

"Texas is one of a small number of states that requires all elected county officials to earn continuing education credits, " explained Richard 0. Avery Director of the Institute. "The institute provides education to county commissioners, judges, treasurers, tax assessor- collectors

and county and district clerks through programs conducted here in College Station and across the State."

Tax assessors who attended all of the sessions during the seminar received 13 hrs of continuing education credits.

Ector Lady Eagles

The Lady Eagles played Detroit Lady Eagles and won by the score of 43 to 16.

Scores by the quarter’s where 1st-14, 2nd-7, 3rd-16 and 4th-6.

Scoring for the Lady Eagles were Kayla Redden with 15 points, Lindsey Reynolds with 8 points, and Courtney Jeffery with 5 points.

For the Detroit Lady Eagles, they had 6 in the 1st quarter, 4 in the 2nd quarter, and 6 in the 4th quarter.

Scoring for the Lady Eagles were Misty Patt with 6 points, Tiffany Nancl with 4 points, and Kristi Smith with 4 points.

Hot Check Roundup A Huge Success

In early November, Fannin County Attorney Myles Porter and Justices of the Peace Joe Dale and Sue Hale initiated a "hot check roundup" in Fannin County. The goal was to draw attention to the problem of bad check writers in the community and to seek out and arrest those who have been unwilling to come in and take care of their checks. By the end of November the roundup had netted more than $45,000.00 in fines, fees and restitution and is by far the most successful program of its kind in the history of Fannin County. The cooperation of local law enforcement and media along with the determination of constables Craig Nichols and Bob Clemons combined to make the roundup a huge success.

Officers will continue to serve the remaining outstanding warrants in an attempt to curb this ever-growing problem. With the holiday season upon us, merchants should make sure they have a policy in place for taking checks. For more information on how to protect your business against hot check writers visit www.fannincountyattomey com.

Ector vs. Sam Rayburn at Ector

Ector:6-9-4-6 25

Opponent:7-4-10-9 30

Scoring for Ector: Leanne Lemley:3, Brittany Bush:4, Shannon Hamby:4, Audra Rhudy:14

7^th Grade

Ector vs. Sam Rayburn at Ector

Ector: 8-6-6-4 24

Opponent:3-2-2-5 12

Scoring for Ector: Taylor Grambort:12, Brittany Leatherwood:6, Morgan Mayo:4, Summer Mercer:2

Ector Lady Eagles Basketball Summary

The Lady Eagles played Cumby and won by the score of 53 to 40. Scores by the quarter’s were: 1st quarter-8pts, 2nd quarter-19pts, 3rd quarter-4pts, and 4th quarter-22pts

Scoring for the Lady Eagles were Kayle Redden with 20pts. Kayla Hopkins with 15pts. Lindsey Reynolds with 8pts. and Britnee Easley with 8pts.

For the Cumby Trojans, they had 6 in the 1st quarter, 9 in the 2nd, 11 in the 3rd, and 14 in the 4th.

Scoring for the Cumby Trojans were Katy Huddleston with 18pts. Mary Ugalde with 10 pts., and Kasidy Huddleston with 8 pts.

RING IN THE HOLIDAYS AT THE CULTURAL HERITAGE SITES OF BONHAM

The Sam Rayburn Library, the Sam Rayburn House Museum, the Fannin County Museum of History and Fort Inglish Village invite you to join us for Christmas Open House on Thursday, December 11 from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Enjoy traditional holiday music sung by the Red River Theater Company appearing in Victorian, dress at the Sam Rayburn House Museum and tour the house decorated for the holidays. Visit Fort Inglish Village and listen to the youth bell choir from the First United Methodist Church and storytelling of the founding of Bonham and early pioneer life in Fannin in County, View the holiday decorations and exhibits at the Fannin County Museum of History and at the Sam Rayburn Library. All the sites will be serving refreshments so please join us for plenty of camaraderie and good cheer and celebrate the holiday season at the Cultural Heritage Sites of Bonham

For more information call Carole Stanton at the Sam Rayburn House Museum at 903/583-5558.

Finley- Oates Elementary Updates

• Students enrolled in the Save for America program make their deposits at school on Wednesday mornings between 7:20 am and 8:15 am. Kindergarten and First Grade bank in the library, Second and Third Grade bank in the computer lab. Any student not enrolled, but interested, may obtain an

application packet from Mrs. Kirkpatrick in the computer lab.

• The Finley-Oates PTO will hold its next meeting on Monday, January 5, 2004 at 5:30 pm in the cafeteria. All parents are encouraged to attend. Many decisions and plans need to be made for the upcoming Spring semester.

• Second and Third Grade students from Finley-Oates attended the UIL Competition at Commerce Elementary School on Saturday, November 22, 2003. Several students placed in the various events:

Creative Writing - Tiffani Abbott, 3^rd; Kenzie Rattan, 4^th; Chase Bardwell, 6th

Storytelling - Taylor Tedder, 4th

Ready Writing - Taylor Gantt, 2nd; Kelsey Duncan, 5^th; Colton Hamilton, 6th Spelling - Jenna Toland, 2nd; TeQwan Jones, 3^d; P. J. Quirk, 5th

Music Memory- Robert Wells, 6th

Oral Reading - Taylor Gantt, 1st; Jenna Toland, 2nd; P. J. Quirk, 3d

• The Third Grade students of Finley-Oates will be presenting their Christmas program to the student body on Monday, December 8th, 2003 and Tuesday, December 9^th, 2003 at 1:30 pm. Mrs. Clark’s, Mrs. Christopher’s, Mrs. Myracle’s and Mrs. McCommas’ classes, along with the All-Star Choir, will be performing on Monday. Mrs. Kincade’s, Mrs. Fox’s, Mrs. Barker’s and Mrs. Holman’s classes will be performing on Tuesday. All parents and friends are invited to attend this event at 6:30 pm the same evenings.

• The All-Star Choir will be caroling on the Finley-Oates campus Tuesday, December 2, 2003.

• Finley-Oates will be celebrating Christmas on Thursday, December 18, 2003 with classroom parties. Kindergarten and First Grade will begin at 2:00 pm and Second and Third Grade will begin at 2:15 pm. Parents will be contacted by each room mother for donations and/or help.

• Say, "Cheese!" Pictures with Santa will be made on Friday, December 12, 2003. More information will be sent home at a later date.

• The Finley-Oates students will be collecting canned food through the month of December. These items will be placed under a Christmas tree during the annual Food Walk on Friday, December 19^th and then collected and distributed to needy families by the Bonham Pastors’ Association. Students will also enjoy a time of singing around the Christmas tree.

• There will be an early release on Friday, December 19, 2003 at 1:00 pm. Students will be dismissed from classes through Monday, January, 5^th. Classes will resume at 7:45 am on Tuesday, January 6th_. Happy Holidays!

Pictured above are Disadvantaged Children having fun on smaller bikes to be given away on December 13, 2003 at the parking lot of the Congregational Methodist Church on Hwy. 121 and 12th St. in Bonham, Texas from 8:00 am till noon.

Bonham Kiwanis Club Welcomes Lorrenzo Smith and Mel St. Clair

The Bonham Kiwanis Club welcomed Lorrenzo Smith and Mel St. Clair, Project Rio Specialists, at their meeting on Tuesday, November 25, 2003.

Project Rio is a program designed to help ex-offenders with employment issues. RIO is an acronym for Re-Integration for Offenders into society. The program offers hiring incentives for employers.

I.W. Evans U.I.L. Results

I. W. Evans 4th and 5th grade students traveled to Commerce for their U.I.L. meet on November 22, 2003. We are very proud of all the students who participated in this event. The following students placed in their event.

Spelling- Savannah Shockley; 5th

Oral Reading- Kori Simpson; 2nd Levi Malone; 3’ Number Sense- Ryan Woodruff, 1St

Ready Writing- Abby Smartt; 2nd Taylor Alexander; 6th Music Memory- Robert Wells; 6th

Bonham’s 3^rd and 4^th grade placed 3^rd as a team

Spelling- Monica Torres; 4th

Listening- Chasen Williams; 2n^d Brittany Joy; 5th Makaliegh Leeks; 6th Ready Writing- Daley Biggers; 5th Stephanie Spencer; 6th Oral Reading- Chelsea Bobbitt; 3rd Sharla Vaughan; 5th Maps, Graphs and Charts- Kelsey Barnes; 5^th Dictionary Skills; Bobby Voorheis; 1St

Haley Ballard; 3rd Hunter Herriage; 5th Number Sense- John Reeder; 2nd

Music Memory- Team won 1^St. Team members are: Dakota Jackson, Cady Carbajal, Megan Clark, Katy Kennedy, Kelsa Williams and Cariann Young

Staying Fixed On A Vision With So Many Uncertainties

"You have funding sources that cut your funds," said Mental Health Mental Retardation Services of Texoma, Executive Director, Tony Maddox, "and then one of the authorities partially responsible for the cuts calls, and, wants to know why a person in their office is complaining that they’re not getting their services. This is the reality of the world we in which we now serve," he sighed.

Maddox started his career at MHMR as the Mental Retardation Program Director at Lubbock’s Regional MHMR Center in 1975, after a short internship at Goodwill Industries, following his college education. Well educated, he holds dual Bachelor degrees in Psychology (UT Arlington) and Rehabilitation Science (UT Health Science Center in Dallas) and a Master of Arts in Psychology and Rehabilitation from Texas Tech, rated nationally as the number one Rehab Program at the time. He is also a Professional Counselor (LPC), licensed by the state of Texas.

Maddox enjoyed working for MHMR and stayed in Lubbock until 1988 when he accepted the Executive Director position at the Hunt County Family Services Center (MHMR) in Greenville. A long way from Lubbock, the city he calls home, he had his first experience in dealing with a deficit budget. His wife stayed in West Texas, so their daughter could finish her school year. The family home was put up for sale, and after nine months the house still was on the market. Missing his family, Maddox made the decision to return to Lubbock as Director of In-Patient Rehabilitation at 800-plus bed Methodist Hospital.

"After three years, I left Methodist Hospital and went to San Angelo to start a new in­patient rehab program at another hospital," he continued. "It was enjoyable work, fairly routine and predictable. I’d been so accustomed to working for MHMR centers that I felt like I was missing something. I wanted to be back in the MHMR system, so when a MHMR Director’s position opened in San Angelo, I applied and got the job. Eight years ago when the Executive Director’s position opened in Texoma, I applied for the job, was hired, and have been here ever since."

A challenging position it is very time consuming. "I used to play golf but my focus on work doesn’t allow me to get out," said Maddox. "I have catch-up work on the weekends. The job can’t be a straight 40-hour week," he added.

For the past two years, he has spent a lot of time working on committees in Austin. "Two years ago the decision was made that we were to become an "Authority". I was asked to be vice-chairman of the committee that would define the process. There was a tremendous amount of required preparation. The authority process includes being certified, managing the money, and assuring compliance from multiple providers. MHMRST was to be the manager over a network of providers. We would be a provider only in certain areas where we had gone through a process where we reviewed our capability and efficiency as a working provider. If our services were better than the other providers were, we would in essence be contracting with ourselves. If not, we would contract with other providers to provide services. It was supposed to start this year, but due to budget cuts by the 78^th Legislature, it will not happen.

"I also serve on the Medicare Committee, which was my choice, so I could understand what was happening with all the Medicaid rates and calculations, and the way we receive Medicaid at MHMR. This committee was devoted to keeping abreast of all the Medicaid changes," he added. Other state committees he served on last year were the Local Plan Committee (refines the local planning process for Community Centers) and the Local Authority Technical Advisory Committee, which was at the request of the TDMHMR Commissioner and served to advise the commissioner and the State Board. "We were meeting monthly for the purpose of reviewing all kinds of issues that were supposed to be relevant to the authority certification process," he said.

When asked if he enjoyed working on all these committees he replied, "I like committees that are able to accomplish something, but often the process is grueling. It’s so much easier to make decisions than it is to sit in a group and try to process decisions towards a specific outcome. Everyone must have his or her say. Some people are on target and some aren’t. That part is frustrating."

One of the most challenging parts of his job is maintaining effective and timely communications with many stakeholders who have an interest in the center. "At this time, our first line of regulatory responsibility is to the Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation because they provide a large part of our funding and hold the center accountable for a multitude of laws, regulations and expectations under a performance contract. There are also a number of other agencies, including departments of the federal government, that provide funding or oversight to certain aspects of center services. Then, we have a local board of trustees appointed by the counties and larger cities in our service area. While being accountable to the Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation, the board members also represent their respective local governments and the citizens (including those to whom we provide services) under the jurisdiction of each. We also have important required committees comprised of citizens and consumers, and we recognize that it is in the best interest of all concerned for us to work closely with organized advocacy groups that are in touch with the needs of the people we serve and their families. The center must also be as responsive as it can to legislators, law enforcement officials, hospitals, and the courts. Most importantly, the center must do everything it can to provide effective services to persons with severe mental illness and mental retardation. Given the current environment of diminishing financial resources, it is especially challenging to have everyone understand what the center can and cannot do. With Texas being close to last in terms of per capita funding for our services, managing an extremely complex yet limited system is a constant balancing act."

Maddox also expresses concern for staff of the center. "As the Legislature has had to respond to budget problems by cutting funding for human service organizations, it has meant that more is required of fewer people. Reductions in our workforce, increased workloads for everyone and reduced benefits has created an environment that is very stressful on everyone." What is it that keeps Maddox going, given the challenges and uncertainties in today’s human service arena? "The people," he says. "For all of the stressors, it is the many committed people that provide the needed emotional balance. No one employed in public community mental health and mental retardation services is here to get rich. And, our trustees and many other volunteers don’t work for us because it is a fun or prestigious thing to do. They do it out of deep commitment to the people we serve, and they recognize that the help they provide in assisting people to be more independent is a win-win situation for everyone." Maddox says the thing that gives him the greatest pleasure in his job is hearing a consumer say he or she appreciates the center and that its staff have helped them gain a stability they otherwise would not have had. "Most persons with mental retardation and mental illness have the capacity to take care of many of their own needs. All they need is some cost-effective self-sustaining assistance. Hopefully, we will soon realize that there are some things we cannot afford not to do.

Married to his wife Barbara for 32 years, the couple has one daughter who recently married her high school sweetheart. A Presbyterian all of his life, his family started Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Albuquerque, NM. in their home. "It started as a missionary church, and my father was an elder," he recalled. "It’s now one of the largest Presbyterian Churches in Albuquerque." Maddox serves as an elder at First Presbyterian Church in Denison.

When he isn’t working, he enjoys reading a variety of authors, including John Grisham and Tom Clancey. He also enjoys reading historical non-fiction, business related, self-help and psychology books.

"If I have a real hobby, it’s stripping and refinishing furniture," he said. "It’s very labor intensive, but I really enjoy seeing the finished product. I also consider home improvement to be a hobby. I just enjoy painting the house or fixing things."

No story on Anthony Strauss Maddox would be complete without mentioning his famous ancestors. He is a direct descendant of the musical Strauss family of Austria. "Our family is proud of it," he said. The relationship, an uncle on his maternal side, is somewhere in the greats. His grandfather’s middle name was also Strauss. When asked if he had inherited any musical talent he laughed and said no. That it all ran out before it got to him!

For additional information on Mental Health Mental Retardation Services of Texoma and programs available to the public call Paula Cawthon, Director of Community Relations at 903/337-4865.

Bonham Martial Arts Students Win At Tourney

By Paul Berryhill

I.W. Evans Veterans Day Remembrance

Students, teachers and staff remembered those who have served, or are currently serving, in the Armed Services by placing their family member’s picture or name on the "Wall of Honor". Pictures were of men and women in uniform or as they are today. For those who did not have a picture, their family member’s name was placed on a star. The students and staff brought in a collection of items from beef jerky to footballs to be sent to the troops. Students increased their understanding of how important people in the Armed Services are to our freedom and how many people they may know who have family in the Armed Services.

Mary-k Ashley Wilson, Vice-President of the Bonham Business and Professional Women’s Club, presents Miranda Warlick of the Four Corners 4-H Club with a check form BPW to be used for the Christmas Dinner at the Family Life Center. The Four Corners 4-H Club will be in charge of the dinner that will be held on Christmas Day from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Kiwanis Club Presents Check

Holly Shelley, President of the Bonham Kiwanis Club presents Carol Ellis, Fannin Community Foundation with a check to help with ongoing and future projects. Contact the Fannin Community Foundation to see if you can help with projects at the Family Life Center or the Creative arts Center. (903) 583-1918.

Bonham Snap Center

CHICKEN SALAD, TATER TOTS, VEGETABLE SOUP, WHEAT BREAD, SCALLOPED APPLES, BREAD

PEPPER STEAK, SCALLOPED POTATOES CARROT RAISIN SALAD, BREAD, JELLO, w/OJ & COOKIES MILK

LIMA-BEANS & HAM OVEN FRIED OKRA, SAVORY TOMATOES, CORNBREAD, SPICED PEACHES, MILK

OVEN FRIED CHICKEN, BLACK EYED PEAS, GREENS, CORNBREAD, PUDDING MILK

ROAST, BEEF/GRAVY, WHIPPED POTATOES, GREEN BEANS, BREAD,

PLUM COBBLER, MILK

ATTORNEY GENERAL ABBOTT GETS REFUNDS

Settlement requires company to make $3.44 million in refunds to 23,000 Texans

AUSTIN - Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott has secured a settlement with Allstate and its affiliated insurance companies that will result in refunds of $3.44 million to more than 23,000 Texas auto policyholders who paid more on claims for vehicle repairs than was required under their policies.

The agreement made public today marks the twelfth such settlement obtained since 2000 with major auto insurers. The Attorney General said it emphasizes that companies such as Allstate may not deceive motorists who pay deductibles and make proper claims for vehicle repair work.

The companies engaged in a practice known as "betterment," supposedly increasing the value of a policyholder’s vehicle by using better or newer parts. Companies such as Allstate then routinely reduced the amount paid for repairs by an amount believed to equal the improved value of the vehicle because upgraded parts were installed, such as new rather than rebuilt transmissions.

The Attorney General has argued insurance companies have merely increased the value of the replaced part, and not the entire vehicle, as they claim.

"This practice is an end-run around the standard Texas auto policy, and it hits consumers hard in the pocketbook," said Attorney General Abbott. "The companies decided putting newer parts on the policyholders’ damaged vehicles should entitle them to deduct an amount for supposedly improving the value of the vehicles. Auto policies in Texas do not allow for this deception."

Under the settlement, Allstate and its affiliated auto insurance companies will refrain from deducting for betterment on policyholders’ claims. The company agrees to refund the full amount charged for betterment, plus interest, to policyholders who had auto repair claims paid from Jan. 1, 1997, to the present. Allstate will mail checks directly to policyholders who are eligible for payment under the settlement.

Allstate agrees that this settlement will not affect its current insurance rates. The company will also pay $175,000 in attorneys’ fees and other expenses to the Attorney General’s office. The settlement does not require Allstate to admit liability or wrongdoing.

The companies named in the settlement are Allstate County Mutual Insurance Co., Allstate Indemnity Co., Allstate Life Insurance Co., Allstate National Insurance Co., Allstate Property and Casualty Insurance Co. Allstate Texas Lloyds Inc. and Allstate Insurance Co.

Since 2000, the Texas Attorney General’s office has also obtained betterment settlements with Farmers, Texas Farm Bureau, Trinity, State Farm, Nationwide, USAA, Geico, Travelers, Safeco, Sentry and Liberty Mutual insurance companies for an estimated $12.3 million in total refunds. Several similar lawsuits against other insurers are pending.

Farm N’ Home Casualty of Bonham, TX announces Lisa Stanglin has completed the Independent Insurance Agents A Brokers of America (IIABA) Accredited Customer Service Representative (ACSR) designation program.

"We’re proud of the personal commitment Lisa has made in order to better serve our customers." Lisa attended a minimum of eight days of intensive insurance training and passed four comprehensive examinations.

ACSR is an international designation program developed and administered by IIAT to promote and recognize the professionalism of customer service personnel in the Insurance industry. Over 13,000 customer service representatives have achieved their Designations, and over 3,000 of these are working in Texas agencies. In order to maintain their designation, each ACSR must attend a minimum of six hours of approved continuing education each year.

A mysterious scourge has Texas physicians and other public health officials concerned, Texas Medicine magazine reports in its December issue. People are developing skin eruptions that cannot be treated by ordinary antibiotics, and while theories have been presented, researchers are not certain why outbreaks are occurring.

The skin eruptions are the result of a Staphylococcus bacteria called methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA.

Texas Medicine is a publication of the Texas Medical Association, a 38,000-member statewide association of physicians and medical students.

People in jails, day care centers, schools, and other facilities in Texas and elsewhere have suffered outbreaks of the infection over the past 19 months, the magazine reports. A San Antonio hospital reports more than 100 MRSA cases among children in recent months, and even one case in which the young patient died as a result of MRSA. Scores of inmates at the Bexar County jail also have contracted the malady since last December.

"What we have noticed since 1997 is that an organism that is usually seen only in the hospital is now becoming very common in the community," Jaime E. Fergie, MD, chair of the Texas Medical Association’s (TMA’s) Committee on Infectious Diseases, tells the magazine. "That bacteria, that germ that in the past was just associated with infections acquired in the hospital, is now being seen in children who are otherwise perfectly healthy," adds the pediatric infectious disease specialist.

Dr. Fergie and Kevin Purcell, MD, PharmD, RPH, have published an article on the subject in a medical journal. Their work notes a significant jump in MRSA cases in Corpus Christi’s Driscoll Children’s Hospital as early as 1997, Texas Medicine reports. Their study examines 147 cases of MRSA at the hospital from October 1990 through December 2000. Of those 147 cases, 60 cases are deemed to have been community-acquired MRSA; 53 occurring since 1997, and 35 in the year 2000 alone.

Where else is MRSA showing up? On our kids’ school sports fields. Some student-athletes on middle school and high school teams are contracting the skin eruptions. One health official tells Texas Medicine that 20 high school football teams across Texas have players suffering from the infection. "We have one football team with 25 members with soft tissue infections," Neil Pascoe, RN, an epidemiologist with the Infectious Disease Division of the Texas Department of Health (TDH) says in the magazine. Of those, nine are confirmed cases of MRSA, he says. Person-to person contact with wounds often suffered in athletics apparently increases the spread.

The MRSA infection is resistant to penicillin and other similar antibiotics, but it can be treated effectively with other drugs, including non penicillin-related antibiotics. Public health officials are warning physicians that Staph infections not responding to antibiotics may be MRSA. Proper detection and diagnosis is key, Texas Medicine reports, which is easier when the infection afflicts the skin, the most common target. However, infection showing up in less-obvious places in the body, such as internally, is more difficult to detect, diagnose, and treat.

MRSA is spread primarily through person-to-person contact, so Texas Medicine says TDH’s top prevention tip is thorough hand washing. But cases in which a person has no direct contact with an infected patient may be caused by the over-prescribing of antibiotics, and patients not completing their dosages of antibiotics when prescribed them.

TMA is the largest state medical society in the nation. It is located in Austin and has 120 component county medical societies around the state. TMA’s key objective is to improve the health of all Texans.

Red River Theatre Company Tickets Online

Patrons can purchase tickets online minutes before they leave for the theatre and simply print their receipt from their home computer to present at the ticket desk. Advance sale tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for seniors and students. Tickets purchased at the performance are $10 adults and $7 seniors and students. The purchase of tickets by credit card is not available except through the online agency.

Simple Steps Can Help Taxpayers with Charitable Donations

WASHINGTON - As the end of the year approaches, the Internal Revenue Service reminds taxpayers that they may be able to use their gifts to tax-exempt charitable and religious groups to reduce their taxes.

Taxpayers also need to keep in mind some simple steps to make sure they get appropriate benefit for their generous donations. In particular, there are some important guidelines for donating used cars and other property, such as stocks and bonds.

The tax benefit for charitable contributions is only available for taxpayers who itemize deductions - about one-third of all filers. Those who take a standard deduction receive no additional tax benefit for their contributions.

In 2000, the last year for which complete data is available, about 37.5 million taxpayers made deductible charitable contributions totaling nearly $140.7 billion. Of these gifts, nearly $98.2 billion were cash donations.

Only contributions actually made during the tax year are deductible. For example, if you pledged $500 in September but paid the charity only $200 by Dec. 31, your 2003 deduction would be $200. You include credit card charges and payments by check in the year they are given to the charity, even though you may not pay the credit card bill or have your bank account debited until the next year.

Those itemizing deductions reduce their taxable income by the total contributed to qualified tax-exempt organizations, with some limits. The tax saving usually equals the deduction times the marginal tax rate - the top rate for the person’s income level.

For example, an individual with a taxable income of $50,000 donates $2,000 to his or her church. The tax savings from this generosity will be $500 - $2,000 times the taxpayer’s marginal tax rate of 25 percent.

Donations of stock or other property are usually valued at the fair market value of the property. For stocks and bonds with an active market, the fair market value is the average price between highest and lowest selling price on the valuation date. Figuring the value of other personal property can be more complicated.

For example, determining the value of a donated used car requires weighing several factors. Some car donation program operators have mistakenly suggested that donors can take as a deduction the full value listed in an established used car pricing guide. For additional information, see IRS News release 2001-112, "IRS and State Charity Officials Urge Care When Making a Car Donation."

The tax law, however, allows a deduction for only the fair market value of the car. Fair market value takes into account not only the year, the model and the mileage of the car, but also the local market and the vehicle’s condition. As a result, the fair market value of the taxpayer’s car may be substantially different than the average price listed in an established used car guide.

The IRS also reminds taxpayers to keep appropriate records to substantiate the value of their gifts. For example, for any single gift of $250 or more, a taxpayer must have a written acknowledgement from the charity by the earlier of the date the person files the tax return or the filing deadline, including extensions. A person donating property valued at more than $5,000 must obtain a qualified written appraisal.

Taxpayers can find help regarding the donations they make in IRS Publication 526, "Charitable Contributions." A second reference, IRS Publication 561, "Determining the Value of Donated Property," answers many of the questions that donors have when they make noncash contributions. Both publications are available at the IRS Web site, www.irs.gov, or by calling 1-800­TAX-FORM (1-800-829-3676).

Bonham ISD Splits Head Football Coach and Athletic Director Positions

On December 2, 2003, at a special meeting, the Bonham ISD Board of Trustees named Larry McFarlin as head football coach for Bonham High School. At an earlier meeting the Board had separated the football coach position from the athletic director position. McFarlin returned to Bonham this school year and served as defensive coordinator for the Purple Warriors after coaching and teaching in other districts. With much enthusiasm Coach McFarlin is looking forward to working with the BHS athletes, coaching staff, and Athletic Director (AD) Ronnie Hill as preparations are in progress for the 2004 - 2005 football season.

The growth of student participation and athletic activities under the leadership of AD/Head Football Coach Ronnie Hill spurred the need for a fully dedicated athletic director. Now, as a fully dedicated athletic director, Ronnie Hill will focus on the coordination of the district athletic program which includes 23 different sports with approximately 818 student participants in grades 7 - 12. Additional activities include summer events, such as baseball camp, basketball camp, volleyball camp, 7-on-7 football tournaments, five-week weight training and speed camps, basketball leagues, volleyball leagues, out-of-town volleyball and basketball camps, availability of gym three days a week and weight room access five days a week.

Athletic director duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Maintaining UIL forms and records for each sport in which the school participates

• Supervising and coordinating the duties and responsibilities of head coaches • Supervising all coaches to insure that they conduct themselves appropriately both in practice and at sporting events--no profanity, no physical contact (in anger) of students, no extreme sarcasm, no threats

• Evaluating head coaches in terms of their job responsibilities, performance, and duties

• Making recommendations as to the hiring or releasing of coaches

• Developing a code of ethics and general rules for athletes

• Monitoring player academic and behavioral progress weekly and planning for success of all players academically and socially

• Supervising, coordinating, and revising the scheduling of all athletic contests

• Supervising and coordinating the ordering, buying, issuing, and returning of all athletic equipment

• Supervising and coordinating the selection of officials for all athletic contests

• Supervising and coordinating the usage and care of athletic equipment, buildings, and fields

• Supervising and coordinating, with the assistance of the transportation director, all methods of transportation to and from athletic contests

• Supervising and coordinating the athletic program for the annual athletic awards banquets

• Preparing an athletic budget for each school year

• Maintaining proper correspondence with staff members, parents, students, individuals, and organizations to produce a good professional working relationship and promote good public relations between the school and community

• Supervising all junior high athletic programs to insure that all students who participate get to actually participate in games and are prepared to participate in high school athletics

• Encouraging more students to participate in athletics by providing as much experience in sporting events as possible for all students participating in sub­varsity levels

• Positively promoting the athletic department to the community through the media. • Producing a positive athletic program at BISD for all student athletes so that their athletic experiences make a positive difference in their lives and prepare them for achieving future success

• Encouraging student athletes to serve as positive role models by finding ways for the athletes to be in contact with younger students and by showing the athletes that being anything less than positive role model will not be tolerated.

Finley-Oates National Fire Prevention Month

October was National Fire Prevention Month and the students of Finley-Oates Elementary celebrated the month by making fire posters concerning fire prevention and safety. This year’s theme was "’Get out! Stay out!" Students in every grade (K-3rd) participated in the poster campaign. Local firemen judged the posters at the end of the month and chose three winners from each grade level. They are as follows:

Laurie Richardson-2nd Place, Haley Felmet-3rd Place, Abbie Dow-1st Place

Caitlin Steele-1st Place, Angelica Smith-2nd Place, Jennifer Koch-3rd Place

Destynie Clemons-3rd Place, Brianna Torres-2nd Place, Bibi Sanderson-1st Place

Tristin Partridge-1st Place, Love Seiber-3rd Place, Sarah Hernandez-2nd Place

DPS Spotlights Missing Person

The Department of Public Safety has released a new Top 10 poster for its Project FINDME, which highlights 10 missing persons whose cases indicate the possibility of foul play. Project FINDME is spearheaded by the DPS Special Crimes Service and its Missing Persons Clearinghouse.

"The faces on this poster are crying out for justice. We believe that someone, somewhere, has information that could help investigators with information that could solve these disappearances," said Col. Thomas A. Davis Jr., director of the DPS. "The families of these missing people want and deserve closure, and if someone is responsible for their disappearance, they need to be punished."

Anyone with information is asked to call the nearest DPS Special Crimes office or the Missing Persons Clearinghouse at 1-800-346-3243. A $1,000 reward is offered for the arrest and indictment of anyone criminally involved in the disappearance of one of the missing persons featured in the bulletin.

The Project FINDME list can be found on the DPS website at http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/mpch/. Media representatives who want to find out more about individual cases should contact the local investigating agency for more details on the case.

DPS believes that Project FINDME may be the first project of its kind in the country to target missing persons in this format.

The Missing Persons Clearinghouse was established by the Texas Legislature in 1985. It serves as a database for law enforcement and the public on missing persons, including disability, endangered, involuntary, juvenile and catastrophe-related disappearances. The Clearinghouse also serves as a central repository for unidentified deceased and living persons.

Stevenson School Schedule of Events

December 9 - Holiday Decoration, Workshop for parents 8:30am Meeting Room

December 9 - Breakfast With Mom - 7:45am Shepherd, Fox, Lane and Runyon

December 10 - Breakfast With Mom - 7:45am

M. Taylor, Owens, Lancaster, and S.Taylor

December 11 - Children’s Holiday Program

6:00pm - M. Taylor, Runyon, S. Taylor, Lane 7:00pm - Lancaster, Fox, Owens, Shepherd

December 18 - Classroom Holiday Parties - 1:30pm -

December 19 - Christmas Caroling and Food Walk - 9:30am Play Area December 19 - Early Release - 12:00pm

December 22, 2003 - January 5, 2004 - School Holidays MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR Future Events:

January - Pennies for Patients Campaign

Couch Time Will Further Zap The Energy Of Tired Students

"Physical activity makes people feel more energetic, not less," said Dr. Cheryl Braselton Anderson, assistant professor of pediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. "But the exercise can be a fun activity centered on the holidays - like taking family walks to look at decorations."

Anderson, also a researcher at the Baylor’s Children’s Nutrition Research Center, offers these suggestions to promote fitness during the holiday season:

* Don’t try to start a diet during the holidays - it’s almost impossible. Instead, be aware of what you’re eating and try to control the high- calorie foods. Also, pay attention to portion sizes.

* Be sure to continue with some kind of physical activity over the holidays to keep weight gain in check and fitness gains from slipping.

* Doing moderate intensity activity is a good goal. Walking after meals is a great way to get in some easy and relaxing exercise.

* Parents should not totally ban television and video games, but kids could use some reminders to get up and do something active.

Anderson said families participating in activities together is one of the best ways to encourage fitness without a "boot camp" mentality.

"Take your kids and their friends to a skating rink or golf course, or organize a basketball game in the driveway or at a neighborhood court," she said. "Parents give their children the best kind of support when they do things with them."

Family activities will make positive holiday memories, Anderson said "The family walks around the neighborhood all bundled up and returns home for ht chocolate," Anderson Said. "Or, everyone gets a great laugh to see Mom or Dad fall on their rears at the ice skating rink. This is what the kids will remember for years to come."

Ector Celebrates New 25 Point Reading Club Members

The faculty and staff at Ector Elementary is proud to recognize the newest members to its 25 Point Reading Club. These students, who are all in Mrs. Morris second grade class, are (L-R) Ethan Garcia, Ricardo Huerta, Kendall Owen, Ashland Merworth, Darcy Holder, Juan Grijalva, and Mason Ryan. Congratulations.

Post 4852 and the VFW Ladies Auxiliary sponsored a fishing tournament and dinner for Patients Day Out on November 18, 2003. Bill Griffes and Bea Hipp cooked the hamburgers and fries for the patients. Hospital chairman Judy Griffes organized the event and everyone had a great time.

BEDCO Allocates Up To $250,000 For Expo Center

At Multi-Purpose Complex

By Paul Berryhill

The Board of Directors of the Bonham Economic Development Corporation voted to locate the proposed Expo Center at the Fannin County Multi-Purpose Complex property on Hwy. 56 West and allocate up to $250,000 toward the construction and development of the building.

The board’s vote was 3-2 with David Henderson, Ray Clark and Glenn Taylor voting for and Emily Porter and Mike Vaught voting against. Jack Lipscomb and Bill Buck were not present for the meeting.

The original Heritage District master plan called for the Expo Center to be built at W. Sam Rayburn Dr. and the Old Ector Rd. on some 13 acres of land, some of which was in a flood plain, with limited parking and expansion possibilities. The FCMPC-owned property consists of some 176 acres and is ready for development. Members of the FCMPC board and other interested citizens have a long term vision and plan for an impressive recreational and civic complex.

BEDCO Executive Director Tom Johnson overviewed the arguments for and against moving the planned Expo Center to the FCMPC property as the meeting began.

"Arguments against moving it out there was that the FCMPC location of the Expo Center was not in compliance with the Heritage District Plan recommendation. And also, if we build it out there BEDCO loses management control of the Expo Center and BEDCO would have minimal control of the design," Johnson said.

"Arguments for putting it out there was that BEDCO would not have to provide the continuous maintenance of the Expo Center and the management and details that go along with it. It would avoid duplication of facilities as opposed to putting it in the original location. I believe the entire FCMPC has greater potential for attracting people to Bonham for various functions than the Expo Center would have in the original proposed location in the Heritage District master plan," Johnson explained.

Johnson recommended to the Board that the Expo Center be built at the FCMPC property. The proposed building, a 110x200 sq. ft. facility, would still be in the city limits. Johnson further explained that the proposed building and site would allow for future expansion with ample parking, etc.

Soapbox

By Paul Berryhill

Bonham Chamber of Commerce President Mike Simpson presents Bonham Floral & Greenhouse owner Laura Lackey with a placque designating the business as the "Best Decorated Christmas Window" for 2003. It is the second time Lackey has won the award in the last three years.

Patriot’s Pen Contest Winner

VFW Post 4852 of Bonham, Texas proudly announces the winner of its 2003 Patriot’s Pen Contest. Patrioit’s Pen Chairman, Stevie D. Russell, presented Naomi C. Heredia, an eighth grader at L.H. Rather Junior High School, with her first place certificate and a check for $100.00 at the Post’s annual Thanksgiving dinner on November 23, 2003. Naomi was accompanied by family and friends. The Post wishes to thank all the contestants and everyone who helped with the contest and dinner.

2003 Voice of Democracy Winners Announced

New Ector Elementary 25 Point Club Members

The faculty and staff of Ector Elementary are proud to announce the newest members in the First Grade 25 Point Accelerated Reading Program. They are (L-R) Zayde Viola, Rachel Conway, Trent Jones, Jessica Cirkles, and Cloudi Burnett. Congratulations.

The Children’s Chorus of Greater North Texas and Sherman Musical Arts Singers will be presenting a concert on Sunday December 14^th at 3 p.m. at Grand Avenue Presbyterian Church in Sherman.

Grayson County has long experienced a cultural history rich in tradition and diversity. For many years the performing arts have played a major role in the cultural events of our community. Community leaders who recognized the need for formalizing the area’s commitment to the arts, formed a Civic Chorus in 1965, a Civic Orchestra in 1966, and in 1978, Sherman Musical Arts Singers was founded. Sherman Musical Arts has grown to include a wide variety of community services. Sherman Musical Arts Singers is a volunteer organization, a women’s chorus, and has performed for 25 years at area civic groups, for senior citizen organizations, and for elementary school educational programs.

The Children’s Chorus of Greater North Texas was incorporated on August 7^th, 2003. The mission of the chorus is to provide children with the experience of artistic excellence and artistry through choral singing. The Children’s Chorus creates a spirit of community, reflects the diversity of greater north Texas/southern Oklahoma, and enriches audiences with the best in children’s choral literature.

The Chorus includes boys and girls with unchanged voices in the fourth through eighth grades. Members are selected through an audition with the Artistic Director. The qualifications are a good voice, a good sense of pitch and a commitment to regular attendance at rehearsals and performances. This important arts endeavor will provide lasting value to our community and our youth.

For more information about either choir or for tickets to the concert, call the Director, Susan Matthews at 903-893-0607. Accompanist for the choirs is Claire Dering.