Bonham ISD Board Of Trustee Meeting

The Bonham ISD Board of Trustees met April 19, at 6:00 pm for a regular meeting. The board recognized the Bonham High School Power Lifting Team, for a good season, with a plaque. The board also recognized the Bonham High School One Act Play on a great year with a plaque.

The board then received the superintendent’s report.

• Early voting for the School Board Elections places 3, 4, & 5- April 28 to May 11, 2004, between the hours of 8:00 am and 4:00 pm. The election will be held at the BISD Administration Building located at 1717 North Center Street.

The BISD Trustee Election for places 3,4, & 5 will take place Saturday, May 15, 2004 at the entrance to the Bonham High School Gym.

• Meeting to Canvas the votes - May 24, 2004, 6:00 pm

• Update on the Bailey Inglish Facility - The board will meet next month to discuss the renewal of Pastor Morgan Malones lease on the Bailey Inglish Facility.

• Quarterly Investment Report

• School Board Workshop- May 6, 2004 at TAMU- Commerce Tier II - 9:00 am to 12:00 pm/ Workshop- 12:00 pm- 8:00 pm

• Average Daily Attendance Update - 1870.07

• 1 transfer student

• Resignation of Mandy Barker

The board approved the tax credits, supplements and delinquent tax collection for March 2004 along with the financial statements and bills payable for March of 2004.

The budget for the Bonham ISD for 2004-2005 and issuing letters of reasonable assurance for employment for at-will non-professional staff were also approved.

Joe Smith was appointed coach/teacher for Bonham High School and three substitutes were approved.

The Bonham Economic Development Corporation (BEDCO) and Bonham City Commission had a joint meeting on Monday, April 19 to discuss a priority list of projects for the Heritage District.

It was decided by the two boards that Star St. should be a top priority along with South Center St. Star St. is to be repaired from Sam Rayburn Dr. to 3rd St.. This will include the sidewalk, gutters, and street.

Powder Creek was also put on the list of top priorities. Tom Johnson will design plan for Powder Creek, with a park and a hiking/ bicycle trail.

The three issues will be discussed and finalized at a future meeting.

Public Service Announcement

THE FANNIN COUNTY REPUBLIC PARTY is hosting the 7th ANNUAL ARMED FORCES DAY DINNER on May 15, 2004 at the Family Life Center, 200 W. 8th Street in Bonham, TX. The dinner will start at 6:30 pm. The keynote speaker is CONGRESSMAN RALPH HALL. Everyone is welcome, so come hear Congressman Hall as he talks about the important issues that effect our country. Senator Bob Deuell and Representative Larry Phillips as well as many other dignitaries will be available for you to talk with.

There will be a special tribute to honor our veterans who have served our country so well. Bob Old, Jr. will present a special tribute to our senior citizens who have done so much for our community and county.

ATTENTION VETERANS AND SENIOR CITIZENS: Come as our guest! VPG, Inc. is honored to pay for your dinner and wants you to be a part of this special event.

The dinner will consist of fried catfish, bar-b-que and all the trimmings. Tickets will be available at the door and are $10.00 for adults and $5.00 for children.

There will be a limited number of seats so please call Joe or Sandra Ward at (903) 664-3022 to reserve your spot. FAITH, FAMILY AND COUNTRY!!!

Seven Oaks Nursing Home Hosts Wheelchair Races

Seven Oaks Nursing Home in Bonham held a fun day for residents of their nursing home and Fairview Nursing home. There was a wheelchair/walk race to kick off the day. Components gave their all in the races. The staff and administrators of the two nursing homes also gave 110% in the races!

After the races, the residents enjoyed a cook out and other fun games.

Snack Bar Temptations Derail Middle School Diets

HOUSTON--(April 15, 2004)--For many middle school students, having daily access to snack bars that offer little more than pizza and fries is a temptation too great to resist, say Baylor College of Medicine researchers.

"It’s unrealistic to expect middle-school children to exercise that kind of will power," said Dr. Karen Cullen, an assistant professor of pediatrics at BCM and a behavioral nutrition researcher at the USDA/ARS Children’s Nutrition Research Center at Baylor and Texas Children’s Hospital. "Kids, just like adults, prefer the taste of sweets and fat. Knowing how to balance highly desirable but low-nutrition foods with more healthy ones is learned and takes maturity."

Cullen followed 594 fourth and fifth graders over a two-year period for a study designed to learn how gaining access to snack bars affects children’s diets. She found that after transitioning to middle school, students’ lunch-time consumption of healthy foods like fruits, vegetables, and milk dropped by one-third or more. At the same time, she found they were eating 68 percent more fatty vegetables like French fries and chips and 62 percent more sweetened beverages like soda and sweetened teas.

The results were reported in the American Journal of Public Health.

"If we’d found the students eating just an occasional snack-bar meal of chips and a sweetened beverage we wouldn’t be so concerned," she said. "But in fact, more than one-third of our middle-schoolers reported eating exclusively at the snack bar during the two-year study, where the top-selling foods were pizza, chips, soda, French fries, candy and ice cream; the only vegetable in sight was a pickle and the closest thing to fruit was fruit-flavored candy."

Although the study results are a wake-up call, Cullen encourages schools, and parents, to resist the temptation to ban snack bars altogether.

"There are ways to make healthy choices not only available, but offered in ways that are appealing and easy for children to eat," she said.

For example, colorful cut-up fruit could be offered in see-through plastic cups with a lid or made into fruit and yogurt parfaits, or carrot sticks could come with a low-fat dip.

"The problems we found with snack bars simply reinforces the need to make quick, good-tasting, easy-to-eat healthy choices available, both in school and at home," Cullen said. "And although retooling snack bars will take effort, doing so offers a golden opportunity to improve the school eating environment in ways that encourage kids to make healthy eating decisions."

Powers and Duties of the Secretary of State

Recently, I have reviewed the powers and duties of several prominent positions in Texas state government. This week I will continue the series with a discussion of the office of Secretary of State. The Secretary of State is an executive office appointed by the Governor with confirmation from the Senate. The Secretary of State serves a four year term and is not limited to a particular number of reappointments. An interesting historical fact is that Stephen F. Austin served as the first Secretary of State for the Republic of Texas.

The Secretary of State has a number of responsibilities. This officer serves as the Chief Election Officer in Texas. Along with county officials, the Secretary of State administers state election laws. This office is also responsible for tallying election returns for state and district offices.

In addition to the offices’ election duties, the Secretary of State has other responsibilities relating to business and industry. The Secretary grants charters to corporations in Texas as well as authorizes permits to corporations outside of the state. Businesses and commercial records, which must be filed with the state, are held in the office of the Secretary of State.

The office also processes requests for the extradition of criminals to or from other states for the purpose of trials and punishment. The Secretary of State compiles new laws enacted by each legislative session and publishes them in the General and Special Laws of the State of Texas. As the one that commissions notaries public, the Secretary serves as an attestor to the Governor’s signature on official documents and acts as "Keeper of the State Seal." Finally, the Secretary is also the Chief International Protocol Officer for Texas and serves as senior advisor and liaison to the Governor for Texas Border and Mexican Affairs.

The current Secretary of State is Geoffrey Connor, who was appointed by Governor Rick Perry in August, 2003. Prior to this appointment, Connor served as Assistant Secretary of State for nearly three years. He is an attorney who was born and raised in Runnels County. Secretary Connor has previously served as general counsel for Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, assistant commissioner and general counsel for the Texas Department of Agriculture and as deputy general counsel to former Governor William Clements.

To learn more about the Secretary of State and this office, please visit their website at www.sos.state.tx.us

Public School Food Examined By Interim Committee

Recently, I was honored to be named by Lt. Governor David Dewhurst to serve on the Joint Interim Committee on Health and Public Schools. This committee, which was created by Senate Bill 474 during the 78th Legislative Regular Session, will study the nutritional content and quality of foods served to public school children and will evaluate their short-term and long-term effects on obesity.

On Wednesday, April 15 the Committee held an open meeting at the Texas Capitol. This article, taken from Senate Media Services, focuses on that meeting.

The foods that our children buy and eat at school are being scrutinized by an interim committee of the Texas Legislature. The Joint Interim Committee on Nutrition and Health in Public Schools will examine the nutritional content of what our children are eating, evaluate the impact on their overall health, and look at how school districts contract with vendors for certain products.

Senator Eddie Lucio Jr., the chair of the committee, told the members "This crisis is a national problem, and I want Texas to lead the way in developing solutions that promote better health by teaching children to make wiser food and beverage choices."

Committee member Agriculture Commissioner Susan Combs said that not enough Texas children are participating in school lunch programs and that is causing the state to lose millions of dollars in federal funds that could be used to provide nutritious food to students.

Another committee member, Representative Jaime Capelo, said the state needed to regulate what children are eating in school because their poor food choices are causing health problems. In coming years this will be a health issue that will result in increased medical expenses for the state.

Dr. Eduardo Sanchez, a committee member representing the Texas Department of Health, said that concerns about school nutrition are only a symptom of the health issue faced by state government. He reported that over the past 20 years, health and human services have surpassed education as the biggest expenditure for state government. Dr. Sanchez also said that the gap will continue to increase as the population changes and "The burden of obesity will be borne by everyone in our state unless we do something about it...the number of obese Texans will triple by the year 2040, if recent costs continue, our (health) costs could quadruple to as much as 40 billion dollars."

Robert Scott of the Texas Department of Education was the first witness. He told the committee that while education about good eating habits starts at home, the schools have a large part to play. He also said that school boards that he has met with from across Texas are supportive of the committee’s efforts.

Jose Montemayor, Commissioner of the Texas Department of Insurance, testified that insurance costs are rising in part due to the rising rates of obesity in Texas.

Barbara Keir from the Texas Department of Health, said that obesity is becoming widespread because "society has engineered all physical activity out of our daily routine. Today if most people want to exercise, they have to make time for it and as a result, they’re not going to get any." She testified that today’s fast food is calorie-rich, nutrient-poor, and easy to get.

John Perkins, from the Texas Department of Agriculture, described his agency’s policy regarding which foods should be sold in schools, including limitations on sugar and fat in processed foods. It also requires that whole milk be available and limits students access to candy and foods of minimal nutritional value during school hours. By the 2005-2006 school year, no more than 30 percent of beverages in vending machines are to be sugared and carbonated.

Dr. John Menchaca, a member of the Health Professionals Advisory Committee said that children were becoming more and more overweight and that mothers need better education about how to properly feed their children.

Also scheduled to testify today were Celia Hagert, Senior Policy Analyst from the Center for Public Policy Priorities and Mike Hill, Vice President for Prevention. Mr. Hill is with the American Cancer Society.

The Joint Interim Committee on Nutrition and Health in Public Schools is chaired by Senator Eddie Lucio. Vice Chair is Representative Jodie Laubenberg. Members include Senator Jane Nelson, Representatives Jaime Capelo and Vicki Truitt along with Commissioners Susan Combs, Shirley Neeley and Eduardo Sanchez. Public members include Nancy M. DiMarco, PhD., Adrian B. Johnson, Ed.D., William John Klish, M.D., Dora Rivas, R.D., Michael J. Sullivan and Melissa Ann Wilson, M.D. The committee recessed subject to call of the chair.

To contact Sen. Deuell about the legislative process, contact the Capitol Office at (512) 463-0556 or mail to Sen. Bob Deuell, Texas Senate, P.O. Box 12068, Austin, TX 78711. The website for the Texas Senate is www.Senate.state.tx.us. The e-mail address for Sen. Deuell is: bob.deuell@senate.state.tx.us.

Highway Warriors Hit The Road

April 4th was the big trash-off day for Texas. Satruday morning, 18 New Zion Baptist kids and adults showed up to beautify the 2 miles of designated road on North 898. Roll Call: Great First Timers: Delbert Addington, Asia, Jasmin, and Austin Goodson, Dustin Stewart & Wes Willie. Regulars (just as great): Samuel, Nathanael, & Joe Baca, Callie & Jake Caylor, Pete Dizmond, Raynell & Jim Glaser, Taylor Harris, Shannon & Cole Owens and Rex Ray.

Three Cheers went up for the good, hearty pancake breakfast served by Rennie Addington, Tammy Baca, Alice Caylor and Belle Ray.

Like all the Volunteer Highway Warriors, they beg you "Don’t Mess With Texas".

Austin- Five-time Tour de France bicycling champion and native Texan Lance Armstrong has pedaled his way onto a Texas license plate- a new specialty tag featuring the image of the bicycle hero. The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and county tax assessor-collector’s offices are offering the Share the Road specialty plate for Texas motorists to display on their vehicles and promote cycling throughout Texas.

"As the author of the bill which provided for this license plate, I think it’s great that we honor Lance Armstrong," said State Senator Jon Lindsay. "I have participated in the MS 150 from Houston to Austin nine times by riding those grueling miles on my bicycle. It makes me appreciate his tremendous athleticism and accomplishments which should be an inspiration to all Texans," Lindsay said. "The Share the Road license plate reminds drivers that cyclists also use the roads to train and exercise, and that we must use caution and allow them room on the road," Lindsay concluded.

The Share the Road specialty plate will raise funds to support bicyclist safety, education, and access through education and awareness programs. This specialty plate features an image of Lance Armstrong in his tour-winning yellow jersey riding a bicycle in front of the Texas flag. The phrase "Share the Road Y’all " runs along the bottom.

The Share the Road specialty license plates are now available for passenger vehicles and light trucks and costs $30 annually, plus $40 if personalized, in addition to regular registration fees. Of the $30 annual fee for each plate, $22 will be used by the Texas Education Agency to support the activities of a designated nonprofit organization whose primary purpose is to promote bicyclist safety, education, and access through education and awareness programs.

Applications for the Share the Raod specialty plate are available at county tax offices, on TxDOT’s web site (www.dot.state.tx.us), by calling the TxDOT Help Desk at (512) 465-7611, or TxDOT’s Fax-On-Demand forms line at (888) 232- 7033. Customers requesting orders for specialty license plates through the fax service should enter the code 0999 to receive the form for the license plate they are ordering.

TxDOT started its specialty license plate program in 1965. Today, there is a wide variety of different plate designs, many of them benefiting a particular group, organization, college or university. Since 1994, more than $10 million has been raised for sponsoring organizations, colleges or universities.

Dust off the insect repellent. It’s mosquito time in Texas.

And with the mosquitoes West Nile virus once again will be circulating in the state, according to the Texas Department of Health (TDH). One of the first lines of defense against getting the illness, health officials say, is using repellent containing DEFT.

"DEFT is an effective repellent that lasts much longer than other repellents," said Joe Garrett, a veterinarian with zoonosis control at TDH. "It’s safe for children if used according to directions."

According to TDH, 77 percent of the people who got the more serious forms of West Nile infection in 2003 did not use repellent.

Anyone can become infected with West Nile virus, but people over 50 are at greatest risk. "Older people, especially those who have medical problems, are more likely to develop the more serious forms of the illness including encephalitis and meningitis," Garrett said. "Many of the fatal cases in Texas occurred in the elderly population."

While not every mosquito carries the virus, avoiding any mosquito bite is key to preventing West Nile illness. Health officials advise wearing long sleeves and long pants and using insect repellent with DEET. Avoid going out from dusk to dawn when mosquitoes are most active, and drain standing water from around your home so mosquitoes cannot hatch.

Symptoms of West Nile illness appear from three to 14 days after a person is bitten by an infected mosquito.

West Nile virus infections usually are mild with flu-like symptoms including fever, headache, sore throat, body aches and fatigue. Symptoms of more severe West Nile infections are headache, high fever, stiff neck, disorientation, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, coma

and paralysis. If you have these symptoms, contact your health care provider right away.

"In 2003, we had a lot more human cases of West Nile illness than we had in 2002," Garrett said. "The increase was probably not due to any change in the disease itself, but because the disease had finally covered the entire state. There were more people exposed to the virus and therefore, more people infected with it."

So far this year, West Nile virus has been detected in three horses in Fort Bend, La Salle and Montgomery counties and in five birds in Harris County.

In 2003 TDH recorded 434 human cases of West Nile in 86 Texas counties, including 36 deaths. In comparison in 2002, the state listed less than half that many cases - 202 - in 37 counties with 13 deaths.

The 36 deaths last year were in residents of Angelina, Burnet, Cameron, Castro, Cherokee, Crosby, Dallas (4), Denton, Ellis, El Paso (3), Hale, Harris (3), Hidalgo (2), Floyd, Lubbock (2), Montgomery, Parmer, Potter, Randall (2), San Patricio, Smith, Taylor, Travis, Wharton and Wichita (2) counties.

West Nile virus has spread steadily westward across the United States since 1999 when New York first reported 62 human cases. Human cases of West Nile illness have now been reported in all states except Oregon and Washington. Crows, jays, sparrows and cardinals are among the birds most likely to carry the West Nile virus. The disease is transmitted when a mosquito bites a bird that is carrying the virus and later bites a human, horse or other animal.

This year, state health officials are working to improve tracking West Nile virus. One technique is to test birds in the field, a method that provides results in 15 minutes rather than waiting several days for laboratory findings. With this method, communities can respond quicker.

By Greg Abbott Attorney General of Texas

Ruth Mahl’s life was violently changed on Feb. 21, 1995. That day, she was beaten and choked while cleaning her car in a Southwest San Antonio car wash. An apparent victim of gang violence, Ruth was left with a disfigured face. Her assailant literally took away her ability to smile.

She had plastic surgery in 1997 to repair the damage, but it didn’t help much. "I was depressed and crying," Ruth recalls. "I had a scar on my face from a gun, and I got so angry at that bad man." Her suffering continued for five years, until Ruth discovered she could receive money from the Crime Victims’ Compensation Fund for additional plastic surgery.

The Fund –-administered by the Texas Attorney General’s office-– provided almost $20,000 for the two operations she needed. Today, Ruth can smile again. She can’t see the scar anymore, and she can face the world with her head held high.

Last year, my office helped almost 16,000 people like Ruth. They are adults and children, male and female. They are victims of assault, sexual abuse, robbery, kidnapping, and arson, among other offenses. Through the Crime Victims’ Compensation Program, we help them shoulder the burden of expenses they bear because of their injuries. More than $71 million was paid out to victims in 2003 –the most ever– to cover medical, child care, travel, relocation and other expenses that directly result from the crimes committed against them.

Even better, Texas taxpayers aren’t footing the bill. Most of the Fund’s money comes from court fees paid by convicted lawbreakers. This is consistent with the program’s premise, which states criminals should bear the financial responsibility for their actions and crime victims should be the beneficiaries.

Gratifying as it is to help so many, our ability to do so is in jeopardy. A few years ago, as the Texas and national economy began to worsen, the Crime Victims’ Compensation Fund was targeted as a source of revenue to replace losses in other agency programs, many not directly related to crime victims. In 2001, the Legislature appropriated $70 million from the Fund. Last year, that number swelled to $114 million. These diversions have put the Fund, and our ability to help victims, at great peril.

Simply put, unless something is done, the Fund will be insolvent in two years. Diverting additional dollars from the fund in future legislative sessions will only take dollars and services from victims and lead the fund to extinction. I have joined an array of victims’ rights groups to formulate aggressive strategies for protecting the Fund in the next legislative session. In this time of tight budgets, our task will be a challenging one. However, we will work with the Legislature to make sure this source of hope is available for future crime victims.

The Crime Victims’ Compensation Fund celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. We must carry on its legacy so more people like Ruth can smile again.

Information on this and other topics is available on the Attorney General’s Web site at www.oag.state.tx.us.

Dodd City ISD Honor Roll 5th Six Weeks

1st Grade: Cailee Fry, Kaleb Hammett, Riley Hartnet, JoeDavid Huff, Makagan Mitchell, Hannah Monroe, Shelby Moore, Madison Phillips, Tiffany Prock, Keeshia Thompson, Jenna Wallace

2nd Grade: Lane Anderson

3rd Grade: Hunter Brent, Joanna Gilbreath, Rainy Goodin, Tyler Knight, Jayson McGehee, Jaiden Pelton, Christie Petty, Hayley Smith

4th Grade: Kaitlyn Massie, Connor Reed, Jaylen Wallace

5th Grade: Patrick Moore, Seth Stephens, Dillon Stewart

6th Grade: Blaze Blain, Kasey Gatlin, Barbara Kemp, Dylan Porter

7th Grade: Callie Maxwell, Will Reed, Cassidi Rogers, Ethan Stephens

8th Grade: Kamey Herpeche, Holly Hill, Ethan Porter

9th Grade: Justin Spindle, Jeffry Sullivan

10th Grade: Jennifer Burpo, Kim Gibson, Whitney Parker, Bethany Stephens

11th Grade: Jessica Hoffman, Crystal Hough, Chris Jones, Cody Maxwell, Justin Weeks

12th Grade: Kindra Kavanaugh, Mandy Milner

1st Grade: Korbyn Ballard, Dakota Brown, Blake Deweese, Jared Huff, Jacqueline McGehee, Daulton Pilliod, Summer Pittman, Madison Porter, Taylor Spindle, Daulton Underwood, Hunter Vaught

2nd Grade: Rodney Coble, Jessica Glatt, James Hellwarth, Mary Hellwarth, Jacob Kemp, Meghann Maggret, Lucas Wright

3rd Grade: Tyler Curfman, Misty Goodin, Casey Hall, Briann Hilliard, Sean Skipworth, Steven Standlee, Clayton Williams

4th Grade: Charles Gibson, Julie Hellwarth, D’artagnan Porter, William Wild

5th Grade: Tara Carlisle, Morgan Hartnett, Sarah Smeltzer

6th Grade: Ethen Bowman, Steven Cockrill, Carl Fisher, Colton Gilbreath, Brittany Lasater, Joseph McGehee, Kayla Thompson

7th Grade: Kaylee Booth, Kaci Cumpston, Rebekah Gustine, Dalton Herndon, Sydnee Horton, Dustin Ingold, Bryer Lappin, Katy Pickering, Megan Thompson

8th Grade: Lorran Anderson, Chelsea Bell, Stacy Graves, Jordan Parker

9th Grade: Kelli Horton, Leslie Jones, Angel Milner, Shayna Monroe,

10th Grade: James Baxley

11th Grade: Tim Lavergne, Tabatha Ottmo, Casey Rogers, Heathe White

12th Grade: Misty Akers, Jennifer Angell, Tina Blevins, Kasie Dawson, Rena’ Isbell, Michael Matthews, Lauren Renfro, Lauren Taylor

ORCA, TDHCA Celebrate National Fair Housing Month

Governor Perry Proclaims April Fair Housing Month in Texas, Recognizes Fair Housing Act Anniversary

"Our nation is a blend of cultures and communities, all deserving equal opportunity to fully participate in the American Dream," wrote Governor Perry in his proclamation. "A strong Texas is one in which its citizens are committed to fairness and opportunity for all. As we stand in the early years of a new century, I encourage all Texans to do their part in furthering fair housing opportunities."

The Fair Housing Act, established by Congress in 1968, prohibits discrimination in the financing, rent, or sale of any dwelling based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the bill into law on April 11, 1968, paving the way for the month of April to be recognized as National Fair Housing Month.

Amendments to the Act in 1988 extended protection against housing discrimination based on disability or familial status. The following year, the Texas Legislature solidified its commitment to fair housing with the Texas Fair Housing Act of 1989, which offered protection for apartment renters and homeowners.

TDHCA and ORCA share in Texas’ state housing program administration responsibilities. TDHCA administers programs that support the construction, rehabilitation, and preservation of housing affordable to low-income Texans. ORCA administers programs that provide for infrastructure such as water and sewer lines that support housing developments in rural areas.

"Fair Housing Month provides all Texans an opportunity to do their part, small or large, to ensure that each citizen has equal access to safe, decent, and affordable housing," said Edwina Carrington, TDHCA Executive Director. "Let us use this occasion to rededicate ourselves to expanding housing opportunities for all Texans, regardless of their income or where in our great state they choose to call home."

"Every Texan is entitled to fair housing opportunities, whether they live in urban areas or rural communities," noted ORCA Executive Director Robert J. "Sam" Tessen, MS. "We’re fortunate to have two state agencies working together and dedicated to supporting fair housing activities throughout Texas. Both agencies are committed to providing the best housing resources possible for all Texans."

The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs is Texas’ lead agency responsible for affordable housing, public and energy assistance programs, and colonia activities. The Department annually administers funds in excess of $400 million, the majority of which is derived from mortgage revenue bondfinancing and refinancing, federal grants, and federal tax credits. ORCA was created by the 77th Legislature to facilitate and focus the State’s health, economic development, and community development programs targeting rural communities in Texas. ORCA’s programs and services support health care delivery in rural Texas, and address rural community planning activities, and housing and public facility needs such as sewer, water system, road, drainage improvements, and disaster relief funds. ORCA is the door to Texas government for rural citizens.

800 Cans Of Food Donated To Local Food Bank

The power of one determined young lady brought 800 cans of food to Bonham Community Ministries on Tuesday, April 13th. Aleha Michaud of Bonham collected the cans from Northside Church of Christ, Wal-Mart, neighbors, and "anyone who was willing to give."

"Bonham Community Ministries, Inc. would like to thank Aleha for her wonderful donation," stated BCM President Vicki Hutchins. "The much needed supplies will benefit many families in the Fannin County area. She has proven very effectively what just one person can accomplish."

"Fannin County continues to support our efforts to help the needy through food and monetary donations to BCM, stated Hutchins. "The need continues to grow in our communities for the services that BCM is able to provide. We can always use more people like Aleha."

Donations to Bonham Community Ministries, Inc. may be mailed to Bonham Community Ministries, Inc., P.O. Box 69, Bonham, TX 75418, or delivered to the Ministries office during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. For more information, please contact us at 903-583-6535.

Bonham Nursing and Rehabilitation Center celebrated the 100th birthday of Ms. Allie Hopper on April 14, 2004.

Ms. Allie married Elbert Hopper in 1938 and taught school in Elwood, Texas for 42 years. Students attending the party traveled from Dallas,Garland, and Witchita Falls.

Also attending were Allie’s great niece Cindy Tyson, and great great nieces Courtney Robbins, and Christy Mullins. Christy who was a five time all star Dallas Cowboy cheerleader, visited with the residents. Macy Mullins the four year old daughter of Christy, performed cheers for Ms. Allie.

Allie had many friends that attended the party such as Bruce Caylor and Brother Adams, pastor of the Calvery Baptist Church.

Allie stated that she did not feel like a hundred years old but felt like she just had a birthday and enjoyed every minute of it!

Ms. Allie and family would like to thank all of the merchants that sent cards and flowers and gift certificates: AE’s Flowers, Betty Lou’s, Bonham Floral, Brookshires, The Green Onion, The Hickory Bar-B-Que, Kountry Kraft Mall, Lane’s Flowers, Los Amigos, Rolando’s, Shamardii’s Restaurant, and Sunset Grill.

Attorney General Gets Refunds For Customers Who Overpaid Two Auto Insurance Companies For Repairs

Refunds of $700,000 to to 2,100 Texas Policyholders

AUSTIN - Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott’s final settlement with two auto insurers will result in estimated refunds of more than $700,000 to Texas policyholders who paid more on their claims for auto repairs than their policies required.

Home State County Mutual Insurance Co. agreed to return about $680,000 to almost 2,000 eligible policyholders who made claims for vehicle repairs dating back to January 1996. In addition, Consumers County Mutual Insurance Co. wi ll pay refunds of about $19,000 to 142 policyholders.

"Consumers deserve to be refunded money that was taken from them when they made legitimate vehicle insurance claims. This appears to have been a routine practice across the industry for too long," said Attorney General Abbott. "That’s not the way the standard auto policies in Texas work, and I’m seeing to it that these companies return the money to consumers."

The companies engaged in the unlawful practice known as "betterment," in which they claimed that the use of better or newer parts in the repair increased the value of the vehicle. Companies then charged the amount of this "increased value" of the vehicle to the policyholders, thus reducing the amount the company paid for the repairs. Policyholders were then forced to pay the difference to the repair shop.

The Attorney General has successfully settled more than a dozen of these cases since 2000, alleging that by engaging in betterment, insurance companies have merely increased the value of the replaced part, and not the entire vehicle, as the companies have claimed. Texas law does not permit such a charge or deduction, and auto insurance policies require that the companies fully pay for the repair, less the deductible, even if the parts used were better than the ones they replaced.

Under the terms of the agreement announced today, Home State and Consumers agreed to no longer engage in this practice and will refund the total amount of overcharges, plus interest, to customers who had auto repair claims dating to January 1996.

Since 2000, the Texas Attorney General’s office has obtained betterment settlements with Farmers, Texas Farm Bureau, Trinity, State Farm, Nationwide, USAA, Geico, Travelers, Safeco, Sentry, Liberty Mutual, Allstate and CNA insurance companies for an estimated $12.4 million in total refunds. Several similar lawsuits against other insurers are pending.

The Children’s Chorus of Greater North Texas is having spring auditions on Sunday April 24^th and May 16^th. Boys and girls with unchanged voices who are presently in grades 3 through 7 are encouraged to audition. Tuition assistance is available based on need. Qualifications are a good voice, a good sense of pitch, and a commitment to regular attendance at rehearsals and performances. Rehearsals are held at Trinity Lutheran Church, 1515 N. Travis in Sherman on Mondays at 5:30 p.m. during the school year.

The Children’s Chorus was incorporated in August of 2003 and received its 501(c)(3) non profit status in February 2004. In March they received their first grants from the Oliver Dewey Mayor Foundation and the Denison Service League. They have had 20 singers their first year from 13 schools in 9 communities in the Texoma area and have given three performances with one more scheduled on Sunday May 2nd at 3:00 p.m. at Waples Memorial United Methodist Church in Denison.

Next year the Chorus Board will begin a Training Choir for children who will be in grades l, 2, and 3 the fall of 2004. No audition is necessary to be a member of this choir, however, a commitment to regular attendance at rehearsals and performances is most important to develop the musical potential of each child. Qualifications are a love for music and singing, good behavior, and the ability to follow directions. A maximum of 20 children will be enrolled in this choir.

For more information about either choir or to set up an audition appointment call Susan Matthews at 903-893-0607

Cornyn Statement On Grayson County College Grant For Workplace Learning

$1,000,000 Grant Will Create Over 750 New Jobs In Three North Texas Counties

WASHINGTON—U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, a member of the Senate Budget Committee, made the following statement Monday regarding the $1,000,000 grant Grayson County College will receive for its Center for Workplace Learning (CWL):

"This is great news for the entire North Texas area that Grayson County College serves. It’s very encouraging to see that this center will soon be creating so many new jobs.

"Texans need to continue to be innovators to remain competitive. We need to continue to fill the good, high-paying jobs by educating our workforce to make sure they are prepared to earn good salaries. The Center for Workplace Learning will help achieve that goal. Texas and America has competed and will always compete when it comes to the free market, and education is key in growing jobs."

Grayson County College will receive the grant through the Economic Development Administration, which is under the U.S. Dept. of Commerce. The funding will be used for infrastructure improvements to the college’s Center for Workplace Learning.

CWL provides advanced technical training for a rapidly developing area of North Texas, which includes Grayson, Fannin and Cooke Counties. The center will train workers in the electronics, telecommunications, semiconductor, manufacturing industries, and business. The college estimates that this Economic Development funding will create at least 750 new jobs.

The workforce in the United States added 308,000 jobs in March, the largest increase in four years. To continue moving the economy forward, President Bush promoted a new initiative recently that will help grow jobs by doubling the number of Americans who participate in workforce training partnerships.

Sen. Cornyn recently traveled to Amarillo, Austin, Bryan, Harlingen, Houston and Victoria to support job training initiatives at community colleges in those cities. These colleges and many others in the state are providers of increasingly critical job training, both for degree-seekers and for workers seeking to retool, refine, and broaden their skills.

Kay Bailey Hutchinson

On December 16, 1836, the First Congress of the Republic of Texas chartered the Texas Rail-Road, Navigation, and Banking Company. Just 10 years after the first public railroad was chartered in the United States and a mere nine months after the Texas Declaration of Independence was penned, our founders knew that a comprehensive rail system was critical to the future growth and stability of our state. Railroads ultimately made the development of Texas possible and for years, economic growth paralleled railroad expansion.

Ensuing decades brought new modes of transportation to the American people, but trains remain important to our nation. They also present a security challenge as America faces the new enemy of terrorism in the 21st century.

Congress addressed the most glaring transportation security issues identified by the September 11 attacks. But most of the improvements have logically focused on aviation. Rail security remains vulnerable. Passengers are rarely required to show identification to buy tickets or board trains. Their baggage is hardly ever scrutinized. Worse than that, thousands of tons of cargo are transported by rail every day and the containers in which it is moved from ship to train or airplane are not secured.

Our economy relies heavily on rail and our country cannot afford a dev­astating loss of mobility, or worse -American lives -like the recent attack in Madrid, Spain. A statewide or national rail shutdown would be catastrophic. Communities depend on railroads to carry a huge quantity of cargo, nearly 42 percent of all intercity freight, including 65 percent of coal shipments, 30 percent of grain and important public safety supplies. For example, service disruptions following the 2001 terrorist attacks caused emergencies for several cities awaiting rail deliveries of chlorine for water purification.

The U.S. must develop an aggressive, proactive approach to security requirements that ensure safety without crippling the industry. Standards to address passengers and their baggage are a good start. In addition, param eters must be developed between the Department of Homeland Security and affected cargo carriers. It may not be realistic to expect we can physically screen every container on the move in our nation’s vast economy. But instead of leaving immense amounts of cargo completely unchecked, we should lay out a systematic plan to coordinate and expand on existing technologies.

Safeguarding rail infrastructure is an important goal. In the last month an explosive device was found buried in the bed of a French passenger line, and a partially assembled bomb was discovered under a high-speed rail line south of Madrid. In our country, Amtrak serves more than 500 train stations and owns just 135 of them. The remainder and overwhelming majority are owned by cities and states. All of the system’s trains travel in close proxim­ity to homes and schools across the country, and a train traveling through a major metropolitan area, such as Dallas, is just as vulnerable as one traveling in the Northeast Corridor from Boston to Washington, D.C.

I recently introduced a comprehensive cargo container security bill to better safeguard shipments in the four major modes of our interconnected transportation network: aviation, highways, maritime and rail. Intermodal tracking systems that connect the dots from packaging to delivery are criti­cal to securing our overall transportation infrastructure. Commercial ship­pers should be held responsible for the contents of packages they choose to transmit, value established relationships and use available technology to determine whether items are safe.

Sealed, so-called, "smart" boxes can play a key role in limiting the costs of widespread screening. My legislation would coordinate information collected by "smart" containers, so those which have been deemed safe need not be re-inspected without a specific reason, saving millions of dollars. 1 want to ensure that trains traveling Texas railways are loaded with goods and products to keep America’s economy moving - not weapons that would bring it to a grinding halt.

I will continue to work toward increasing transportation security across the network. It is my hope Congress will develop bolder, more effective standards to address 21st century rail, air cargo, and maritime container security needs.

The College Of The State Bar Of Texas

Local Pharmacist Wins New Car

McKinney, TX (April 2004)- As Joe Roper stopped by El Dorado Motors to puck up his license plates for his new car, he decided to try his luck with the GM Hot Button. After filling out his information, he pressed the OnStar button and waited. After a few minutes, an OnStar representative came back on and announced that he was a winner!

"I couldn’t believe that I won", said Joe Roper, a local McKinney Pharmacist. "The OnStar representative called my wife and had her on speaker- she was in disbelief!"

Jo Roper will pick up his new Chevrolet Malibu on Wednesday, April 21 at 2:00 pm.

The GM Hot Button promotion started at El Dorado Motors in early January. Everyday 15 to 20 visitors at Eldorado try to win a new car by participating in the Hot Button promotion. Only one in 5,500 will win one of 1,000 vehicles being given away at GM dealerships across the country through the end of February.

First Annual Awana Grand Prix

The 1st Annual Awana Grand Prix was held at Sam Rayburn Gym on April 3rd. Boyd, Ector, Lamasco, & Telephone Baptist Churches participated. 85 cars were entered and the following trophies were awarded.

1st: Alayna Speck, 2nd: Caleb Brent, 3rd: Colby Meek

Design- 1st: Caleb Brent, 2nd: Carson Clark, 3rd: Colby Meek

1st: Destiny Ray, 2nd: Carly Park, 3rd: Chase Bardwell

Design- 1st: Destiny Ray, 2nd: Chase Bardwell, 3rd: Garrett Meek

1st: Tanner Long, 2nd: Isaac Hicks, 3rd: Oliver Peters

Design- 1st: Issac Hicks, 2nd: Miranda Mayo, 3rd: Tanner Long

1st: Steven Cockrill, 2nd: Maddison Foreman, 3rd: Willie Berg

Design- 1st: Maddison Foreman, 2nd: Kandice Kissinger, 3rd: Kameron Dollgener

1st: Joe Nichols, 2nd: Mary Mannis, 3rd: Susan Hicks

Design- 1st: Susan Hicks, 2nd: Kristina Nelson, 3rd: Brian Eaves

Grand Champion Speed- Destiny Ray

Grand Champion Design- Gary Hicks

Bonham SNAP Center Menu

Pepper Steak, Black Eyed Peas, Hot Spiced Beets, Cornbread, Pudding, Milk

Pinto Beans & Ham, Oven Fried Okra, Savory Tomatoes, Cornbread, Lime Jello w/ Pineapple, Milk

Turkey Spaghetti, English Peas, Tossed Salad/ Dressing, Toast, Pear Crisp, Milk

Meatloaf/ Creole Sauce, Whipped Potatoes, Cabbage & Carrots, Bread, Peaches & Cookies, Milk

BBQ Chicken, Lima Beans, Broccoli, Cornbread, Plums, Milk

Deuell Named To Senate Finance Committee

AUSTIN -- On Monday, April 19, State Senator Bob Deuell (R-Greenville) received a coveted appointment to the prestigious Senate Finance Committee from Lt. Governor David Dewhurst. Deuell said he is honored to be selected by Lt. Governor Dewhurst, and looks forward to getting to work immediately.

"Serving on the Senate Finance Committee is a tremendous honor," Deuell said. "I look forward to working with the Lt. Governor and the other members of the committee as we move forward into the special session and toward the regular session in January."

"With the legislature focused on public school finance, the Senate Finance Committee will be at the center of the debate on this and other fiscal matters," Deuell said. "This is a huge responsibility, and I think it will prove to be very beneficial for my constituents in District Two."

The Senate Finance Committee has oversight of all state budget and revenue matters. The committee monitors state agency implementation of the budget by reviewing key strategies, programs, and rider provisions. They also monitor and track Texas’ key revenue sources, and develop recommendations to keep the Legislature apprised of key revenue source activity throughout the duration of this and future fiscal biennia.

In addition to Finance, Senator Deuell serves on the Health and Human Services Committee, the Intergovernmental Relations Committee, the select committee on Water Policy and is Vice-Chair of the Nominations Committee.

The Bonham Red River Theatre Company Performs

Next weekend’s three performances of the musical comedy, NUNSENSE, may be the last production staged at the V.A. auditorium in Bonham by the Red River Theatre Company. The Windom High School Memorial Foundation has invited the Red River Theatre Company to permanently locate performances of its productions at the historic old Windom school building. The presidents and boards of both nonprofit organizations have met on several occasions to work out details of the negotiations.

Red River Theatre Company, in its third year of providing performing arts events as a community service for the Fannin County community, has held all but one of its performances at the Bonham V.A. auditorium. Efforts to enlist the assistance of local agencies, individuals and businesses to locate a building in Bonham which could be converted to a theatre configuration through grants and contributions have failed.

Every effort has been made by the all-volunteer RRTC administrative Board of Directors to keep the price of tickets at the bare minimum needed to pay royalties and production expenses in order to make live stage theatre affordable for the people of the community. The low profit level realized from ticket sales renders the rental of the Bonham Auditorium on Main Street in Bonham beyond the financial reach of RRTC.

With no available public use community center in Bonham and restrictions on access recently placed on the availability of the V.A. auditorium for rehearsals and backstage facilities needed for full scale live stage performances has forced RRTC to consider closing its doors.

The Windom group has offered the full and unrestricted exclusive use and control of the second floor 300-seat auditorium, stage and two large backstage rooms to the Red River Theatre Company. The two organizations will work together to co-sponsor applications for grants and to stage fund-raising events to expand the stage and upgrade the facility with air conditioning and handicap access. Other nonprofit organizations will be invited to apply to RRTC to stage their musical, cultural exhibitions and performance events in the Windom facility as well.

Located a short 10 minute drive east of Bonham on Highwy 56, the historic 1924 vintage Windom school building was granted to former students of the old school upon completion of its new public school facility in 1987. The Windom High School Memorial Foundation membership consists of former WHS students who contributed to the effort to revitalize the facility as a Fannin County Community Cultural Center.

RRTC will, at least for an undetermined period of time, maintain its offices and box office at 204 East 5th Street behind The Eye Center on the Bonham courthouse square which were donated for its use by its owner, Dr. Rudolf Churner. For more information, contact RRTC President Pat Ward at 903-664-2233.

(Paris, Texas, 4/20/04)—The NeTseO Trails Council, Boy Scouts of America, was recognized by the National Council of the Boy Scouts of America and the Southern Region of the National Council for outstanding achievements in 2003.

At its annual charter review meeting, National Council representatives recognized NeTseO Trails for being 6^th in the nation in their classification in the number of National Quality Unit awards earned and 2^nd in the Southern Region for their growth in the number of Cub Scout Packs, Boy Scout Troops, and Venturing Crews as compared to 2002.

Other recognitions were made for being above the quality standards set by the National Council in the areas of Cub Scout camping programs, Venturing (co-ed high school age) membership growth, the percentage of leaders that are fully trained, Boy Scout age advancement, and the marked increase in the number of Boy Scouts attaining the rank of Eagle Scout.

  2004 marks the 75^th anniversary of the NeTseO Trails Council in the Texas counties of Fannin, Lamar, Red River, Delta, Hopkins, Franklin, Titus, Morris, Camp, the city of Commerce, and the Oklahoma counties of McCurtain, Choctaw, and Pushmataha.

NeTseO Trails Council, Boy Scouts of America—Connecting youth with communities and families.

BONHAM (April 19, 2004) - Oncor, a TXU company, cautions Texans to remember some special electrical safety rules when spring storms blow in.

"Electrical equipment that is open to the elements can get some pretty rough treatment during Texas storms," said Troy Sellers, Bonham Area Manager. "Trees being blown into power lines are a major cause of service interruptions, and spring winds bring some safety concerns, too. Safety is a priority at Oncor through good weather and bad, and we have some timely reminders for the spring storm season."

• Don’t touch objects that are in contact with a power line. That includes tree limbs. Instead, report the situation to the emergency number provided by your competitive retailer.

• Stay away from downed power lines. Lines may fall to the ground or even across a roof, fence or vehicle. Keep everyone away and call the emergency number of your competitive retailer.

• If a power line falls across your vehicle, stay put until help arrives. Your tires provide important insulation from the ground, so sit tight.

• You’re not a tree-trimming professional; don’t try this at home. For limbs in lines that run across your yard, call your competitive retailer or a professional tree-trimming firm.

• Protect electronic equipment and appliances by installing surge protectors.

Verizon Supports Workforce Development For People With Disabilities

Irving, TX Verizon has awarded a $4,000 grant to the Volunteer Services Council of Mental Health Mental Retardation Services of Texoma (MHMRST) to support its employment skills development program for people with mental and developmental disorders.

The grant from Verizon Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Verizon, will enable MHMRST to purchase computer technology and training materials for use in developing employment skills and opportunities.

The mission of MHMRST’s Supported Employment Program is to provide individualized support for clients to gain skills, locate, obtain, maintain, and retain regular integrated employment that will improve quality of life and support self-determination. Services range from developing job skills and work ethic; interviewing principle, completing applications, and attaining employment; and continuing on the job support up to a year.

"Verizon encourages nonprofit partners to us technology as a tool to connect our communities and work force through education and training," said Steve Banta, Verizon Southwest Region President. "MHMRST’s use of computers in helping people with disabilities gain job skills is an example of the universal benefit of technology."

Nationwide, Verizon Foundation last year awarded 22,000 grants totaling more than $70 million to charitable and nonprofit agencies that focus on improving basic and computer literacy, enriching communities through technology, and creating a skilled work force. The Foundation uses its resources in the United States and abroad to develop partnerships in technology and connect them with organizations serving the needs of diverse communities, people with disabilities, victims of domestic violence and economically and socially disadvantaged.

The foundation also supports Verizon Volunteers, an incentive program that last year encouraged Verizon employees to volunteer more than 500,000 hours in their communities and provided $27.8 million in combined contributions to charitable and nonprofit organizations. For more information on the foundation, visit www.verizon.com/foundation.

Caring For Trees

BONHAM (April 19, 2004) -Oncor, a TXU company, was recently recognized by the National Arbor Day Foundation as a Tree Line USA Utility for the fourth consecutive year. This award recognizes Oncor for its leadership in caring for trees, quality trained employees and public education programs for 2003.

The Tree Line USA program is sponsored by The National Arbor Day Foundation, a nonprofit education organization dedicated to tree planting and environmental stewardship. Oncor was recognized during the Arbor Day Foundation’s 11th Annual Trees and Utilities National Conference in Omaha, Nebraska for its leaders in tree planting, conservation and environmental stewardship.

"One of the primary reasons for power outages are trees," said Troy Sellers, Bonham Area Manager. "Oncor is dedicated to delivering the most safe, reliable and efficient electrical service available through our professional tree-trimming program in our daily operations."

As a friend to the environment, Oncor takes necessary steps to properly prune trees while allowing for the safe and reliable delivery of energy. Creating this balance between trees and power lines, along with ongoing efforts to educate the public about safety, earned Oncor the honor of being named Tree Line USA Utility for the fourth consecutive year.

The Tree Line USA award, sponsored by the National Arbor Day Foundation in cooperation with the National Association of State Foresters, recognizes public and private utilities across the nation that demonstrate practices which protect and enhance America’s urban forests. Requirements for becoming a Tree Line USA Utility fall into three categories: Quality Tree Care, Annual Worker Training, Tree Planting and Public Education programs. National Arbor Day 2004 will be celebrated in Texas April 30.

Ask The City Planner

As a service to the community, the Bonham City Planner will be writing a series of articles to answer questions from citizens to better inform the public of what’s going on in the City. This week’s article will address questions about Lake Bonham.

1. What is the status of the Lake Bonham Redevelopment Plan Recommendation received from the consulting firm last year?

Based on the results of the Lake Bonham Redevelopment Plan study, the Consultants listed at least fourteen milestones that should be implemented. Presently, the City is implementing a few of the milestones, and the remaining recommendations are in the planning stages.

First, we are working with a volunteer group representing the leaseholders at the Lake and the real estate and banking industries to update the Rules, Regulations, and Subdivision Restrictions at Lake Bonham. These rules will cover the leases held by homeowners and rules for users of the Lake and the recreation areas. The revisions will be completed this summer.

Second, we will only approve lease transfers following (a) the receipt of an approved septic inspection by a Texas licensed septic inspector, (b) an approved exterior property inspection by city staff, and (c) the payment of a $200 transfer fee to the City.

2. What’s going on with the leases at the Hidden Cove campsite area?

The Lake Bonham Redevelopment Plan study indicated that the Hidden Cove Campsite area, which includes Campsites 1, 2, and 3, has a history of illegal activities and creates the greatest potential hazard to the public drinking water supply for the Lake leaseholders and the Citizens of Bonham. As a result, the Consultants recommended that the City terminate all leases in the Hidden Cove Campsite area.

Based on this recommendation and subsequent reviews, the City Commission directed action to terminate those leases as per paragraph 10 of their leases. In November 2003, lease termination notices were issued to all leaseholders in the Hidden Cove campsite area, to be effective May 2004. These notices provided each leaseholder with the required six-month notification period. After the properties are vacated, it is anticipated the area will be integrated into the public recreation area of the Lake.

If you have questions about what’s going on in the City, please submit your questions in writing to the Mike Walthall, Development Services Coordinator, Bonham Planning Department, 301 E. Fifth, Bonham, Texas 75418.

Savoy Police Department MAKES FELONY ARRESTS

At approximately 9:45 p.m., Wednesday, April 14, 2004, officers from the Savoy Police Department arrested two individuals on felony charges in the 600 block of W. Hayes Street in Savoy. The arrests were made during the service of an arrest warrant for Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child and the service of a search and arrest warrant in a case of Credit Card Abuse/ Identity Theft. The sexual assault arrest capped a five-month investigation involving CPS, Fannin County Children’s Advocacy Center, and the Savoy PD. The credit card abuse arrest was the result of a seven-month investigation conducted by the Savoy Police Department.

Chief Milton C. Hill, Savoy PD, expressed his appreciation to Suzy Meehan and Ron Hamilton, CPS, Michelle Griffith and Bethany Arie, FCCAC, Officer Jeff Jones, Savoy PD, and to Detectives David Perkins and Wayne Walker, Fannin County SO, for their assistance with these investigations and arrests.

Chief Hill said, "It gives us a great amount of satisfaction when we can successfully conclude investigations of this nature and magnitude. The sexual assault charge is a first degree felony with possible punishment of 5-99 years in prison and a possible 10-thousand dollar fine; the credit card abuse is a state jail felony, with a maximum penalty of 24 months in prison and a possible 10- thousand dollar fine."

Chief Hill also wanted to remind everyone to be very careful with their credit card and other personal information. He said that the victim of this particular identity theft case lives in Maryland, and that she has never been to Texas or even heard of Savoy! Chief Hill said that we should never give credit card or personal information over the phone unless we initiate the call AND we know what we are dealing with a reputable entity. He also stressed to be very careful when shopping online for the same reason. He said that we should investigate ANY request for our personal information-- even if it comes from a seemingly legitimate source.

For further information regarding Identity Theft and how to better protect yourself, contact your local law enforcement agency.

Red River Theatre Company Performs

Sister Mary Leo (Jamie Smith), Sister Mary Amnesia (Lisa Avila) and Sister Robert Anne (Rachel Barnes) take the convent station wagon for a spin in Red River Theatre’s production of NUNSENSE at the V.A. auditorium in Bonham on Friday and Saturday, Apr. 30 and May 1 at 7 PM and on Sunday, May 2 at 2 PM.

Local actresses with the Red River Theatre Company will Order of the Little Sisters of Hoboken will welcome patrons and supporters of Red River Theater Company’s production of NUNSENSE on Friday and Saturday, April 30 and May 1 at 7PM and on Sunday, May 2 at 2PM at the V.A. auditorium in Bonham for three performances only. From the moment patrons enter the theatre, audience interaction begins as the nuns usher them to their seats with convent humor.

Local artist Donna Henard with her husband, John, designed, constructed the set for the production. Pat Ward and Virginia McDowell crafted the nuns’ habits. James Nathan Igo, a student at Bonham High School will serve as the Production Director with Susan Polland and members of the BonHi jazz ensemble providing the musical enhancements. Local actresses starring in the production are Jamie Smith, Karena Ellis, Rachel Barnes, Lisa Avila, Donna West and Huetta Bickel. Donna Henard as Sister Julia Child-of-God will prepare and serve complimentary intermission refreshments.

The sometimes rowdy ‘convent humor’ throughout Dan Goggin’s musical comedy based on his youthful experiences at Mount Sainte Claire Catholic School has captivated theatre patrons around the world in this, the first, in his series of the NUNSENSE chronicles.

Advance sale tickets are available by credit card online through a link to TicketLeap.com from the RRTC website, www.redrivertheatre.com. Other box office locations are Bonham State Bank, Bonham Chamber of Commerce and the Bonham Creative Arts Center.

By Paula Cawthon

"Leilani Holloway of Gunter is a wife, a full-time employee, a mother of ten children, and a grandmother of seven, but she manages to volunteer for causes she believes changes the lives of children and adults. She is truly a volunteer’s volunteer. I can always count on her to come through with volunteers when I am in a tight situation, says Paula Cawthon, Community Relations Director for Mental Health Mental Retardation Services of Texoma.

Holloway began volunteering for MHMRST in 1984 as one of the first volunteers in the WE HELP OURSELVES (WHO) program. She has continued to be a strong supporter of the program for twenty years. In 1984 she was a young mother with just six children, but she still found time to help children learn how to protect themselves against dangerous situations and abuse of all kinds.

"Leilani is like the Ever Ready Bunny; she never runs down. She is one of the most enthusiastic people I have ever known. I am amazed by her abilities. I do not know where she gets all of her energy. Through the past thirteen years, I have called her many, many times with a project that needed volunteers. She is always willing to work, and in a short time, she will have people there to help," continues Cawthon.

She is involved with her children in school activities, active in her church, Toastmasters, Channel 8 Mom Squad, member of the Gunter City Council and the secretary for the Economic Development Board, president of the Friends of the Gunter Library/Museum Board, and president of the Relief Society at the Sherman Church of Latter Day Saints.

"Several years ago, she contacted me and needed a project for a girls’ youth group at her church. I had a major project of redecorating one of facilities used by mental health clients. Leilani and others went to work and gathered donated pictures and other decorating items to spruce the place up. She then talked some of the men in her church into painting a couple of the rooms. The girls came and cleaned, decorated, and helped hang wallpaper. The place looked great after they finished. It was a transformation from a dull dreary place to a light, airy, inviting place. Another time, she and some of her church members painted the interior of the Early Childhood Intervention building," said Cawthon.

Holloway has volunteered giving parties, at fundraising activities, planting flowers at an MHMRST facility, prepared food, helped with recreational activities, and much more. Her church was nominated for the Frank M. Adams Volunteer Award a few years ago. They won, and she attended the meeting in San Antonio to accept the award from the Texas Council of MHMR Centers. The Frank M. Adams award is the most prestigious award given to only one group per year in the state of Texas.

Holloway says, "When I was a little girl, I told my mom I wanted to ‘save the world!’ She told me to ‘just start with where I live, and help those you can.’ I believe that there is SOMETHING everyone can do to help others. It is just a matter of finding out what that is. Volunteering for the WHO program has helped me in so many ways. I am able to teach a principle I am passionate about, and it has given me the opportunity to meet adults and children I would have never been able to meet."

"So many organizations and people need volunteers. Everyone needs to be willing to ‘give’ of himself to help others. With each of us giving even a little, we can achieve something great. Every person DOES make a difference," she continues.

"Mom2Mom is a dream of mine that would let moms give helpful suggestions and tips to other moms. Successful tips that have helped them as they raise children and family. Topics would include potty training, traveling tips, homework, bedtime, etc. I have been going to the media with this idea, but so far, nothing has happened. I enjoyed being one of the moms on the Mom Squad on Channel 8 three or four years ago. I think Mom2Mom is needed," concludes Holloway.

"We are proud to have Leilani as a volunteer. We have several volunteers who are just like her and give of themselves to help others," says Cawthon.

MHMRST wants to honor each of its volunteers during National Volunteer April 18-24. Volunteers donated almost 6,000 to MHMRST during fiscal year 2002-2003. Volunteers serve in many capacities, such as board and committee members, clerical, student internships, working one on one with clients, fund-raising activities, parties and events, and the WHO program. For more information on volunteering, contact Paula Cawthon at 903-337-4865.

Celebrity Auction To Benefit Abused Kids In Texas

Children’s Advocacy Centers™ of Texas will host its first annual Celebrity Auction, "Deep In the Heart of Texans", this spring in recognition of Child Abuse Prevention Month, April 2004. This exciting event will present live, unique experiences with well-known Texans who support our mission to restore the lives of abused children. Funds raised by the auction will provide services to 52 local Children’s Advocacy Centers across the state that provided caring and compassionate services to almost 39,000 children last year and 6 new centers opening in the Fall of 2003. (This includes the Children’s Advocacy Centers in Fannin, Grayson and Collin Counties.)

Participating celebrities donate a personal experience of their own choosing: lunch, a round of golf, or some other appropriate experience at their own expense that they agree to schedule and complete with the winning bidder sometime during the year following the auction’s close (May 2004 through May 2005). CACTX will design and maintain the auction site on well-known auction provider eBay. Celebrities agree to submit to CACTX a photo and signed donor agreement describing the auction experience to be donated. Reserve prices will then be placed on all donated experiences. The auction site will become active in April and bidding will continue for 6 weeks closing in early May. Following the close of bidding, all winning bidders will be required to submit information for a criminal background check. The results of this check are then provided to the participating celebrity who has the option of declining or accepting the bidder. If the bidder is rejected for whatever reason, the next highest bidder becomes the winner and the process is completed for him or her. Upon acceptance by the celebrity the winning bidder’s contact information is forwarded to the celebrity for follow up and scheduling. CACTX will be in touch periodically throughout the year to monitor the process and ensure the event is successfully scheduled and completed. We will also follow up with donating celebrities to ensure that the process and experience was satisfactory.

Benton Danner Promoted To Lieutenant Colonel

Benton A. Danner was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, U. S. Army, Armor in ceremonies at Fort Richardson, Alaska on 2 April 2004. LTC Danner is a 1982 graduate of Bonham High School and a 1987 graduate of the U. S. Military Academy, West Point, NY. Ben has a masters degree in philosophy from Texas A&M University at College Station.

Ben is presently assigned as the Army Public Affairs Officer for the State of Alaska. LTC Danner served in Operation Desert Storm, where he earned a Bronze Star for valor as the executive officer of a tank company that engaged the Iraqi Republican Guard. Other tours of duty include Germany; Fort Riley, Kansas; Egypt (as the Public Affairs Officer for the Multinational Force and Observers, an 11-nation force that monitors the Camp David peace accord between Israel and Egypt); and the Military Academy at West Point (as a philosophy professor in the English Department).

Ben resides in Fort Richardson, Alaska with his wife Susan and daughters Annie and Molly. He is the son of Richard and Mary Danner of Ivanhoe and the nephew of Oscar and Patsy Vandeventer of Ivanhoe.

Robbins Receive Service Awards

At 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 14 Claude Robbins received his 25 years service award.

Robbins moved to Bonham when he was nine years of age and has been there off and on through the years. He and his wife Lea live there today where she manages an apartment complex.

In 1979 Robbins was working as a fireman in Bonham and decided to make a career change when he saw an ad in the newspaper for a pressman at Tag. Back then, Robbins said, a fireman was either on-call or on-duty and it was almost impossible to leave town. That accompanied with driving an open hose-truck and spraying water in almost freezing weather were factors in the decision to make a change.

He started out on press number seven and says he’s run every tag press and even ran the express label press before it was moved into the pressroom.

Unlike Reynolds, Robbins started on the graveyard shift and has gone back and forth, about equal amounts of time, on first and third shifts. He says the only time he’s gotten to work days has been when someone has taken a vacation and he’s run their press.

Lead-type presses were still being used when he became a Tag employee. Robbins states, "The method of printing is a tremendous improvement. Technology has really made my job a lot easier."

Every Sunday morning, Robbins drives 65 miles (one way) to preach at Liberty Congregational Methodist Church in Aubrey, Texas. He began preaching 35 years ago and in that time has pastored in Commerce, Van Alstyne, Denton, and Elkart. This is the third time in about four years that he’s had the church in Aubrey.

He says he has no spare time between working at Tag, pastoring in Aubrey, and assisting his wife when he can at the complex. He plans to work another eight years before he retires to pastoring and doing a lot of traveling while Lea sings.

Claude and Lea have been married thirty-eight years and have two children; Debbie Rudzinski, member of Dodd City Fire Dept. and Matt Robbins of Gober who serves as a deputy with the Fannin County Sheriff’s Department. Grandchildren include Kyle Caldwell and Kacey Caldwell, both of Wolfe City; Justin Robbins of Gober; Shelley Robbins of Sherman; Tuff and Auttie both of Gober.

A dream-come-true for Robbins would be to get enough money (won’t say "Win the lottery," because he doesn’t play) to pay off all the bills and get to do more church work.

I.W. Evans Schedule Of Events

May 5- Group Pictures

May 7- Band Contest @ Arbuckle Wilderness

May 7- 4^th Grade Field Trip & Play Day

May 14- All Star Choir Sandy Lake Contest

May 21- 6^th Grade Play Day

May 26- Awards assemblies

4^th Grade - 8:00 in I.W. Evans Cafeteria

5^th Grade - 9:30 in I. W. Evans Cafeteria

6^th Grade- 1:00 in the Auditorium

Katelyn Bardwell, Samantha Cawyer, Stefanie Hutchings, Chelsea Tucker,

Haley Walker.

Giselle Aranday, Katy Kennedy, Jonathon Miller, John Reeder, Stephanie Spencer, Chase Williams.

Leah Eaton, Ethan Fox, Mariel Galicia, Kelsey Hines, Michael Hubbard, Kayla Irwin, Kasidy Kinkade, John McCraw, Paige Riza, Huston Smith, Jacob Wheeler, Haley Wilkerson.

Jordan Ballard, Jessica Barber, Collin Bennett, Haley Brown, Joshua Bullard, Hanah Clark, Austin Colley, Chase Craig, Meagan Crutcher, Olga De La Cruz, Tyler Edwards, Katherine Flores, Christain Foate, Crystal Haggard, Levi Haggard, John Hall, Chelsea Hasten, Suwey Hernandez, Brianna Hodge, Lacy Holly, Courteny Jones, Leslie Kasparek, Kaitlynn Keller, Taylor Kirkpatrick, Abby Lackey, Haley Lancaster, Gabrielle Lessley, Chelsea Love, Levi Malone, Margo McCutcheon, Colby McKelva, Robert Milburn, Chelsea Murphy, Lindsey

Murphey, Nathaniel Ohngren, Clay Parsons, Rachael Pearson, Rachel Penna, Jodie Ray, Rex Richardson, Mason Riza, Savannah Shockley, Kristina Sorenson, Eric Soto, Dakota Tredway, Robert Wells, Ryan Woodruff.

Cody Alexander, Dylan Allen, Ariel Andrews, Kelsey Barnes, Chelsea Bobbitt, Celsey Bond, Alyshia Burns, Nicholas Burns, Cady Carbajal, Rosario Chavarria, Joshua Curry, Emily Feagan, Hunter Herriage, Nolan Hughes, Brittany Joy, Rachel Kearney, Corwin Louis, Devin Norwood, Daniel Perdue, Joshua Prater, Ashley Rimbert, Jeremy Smith, Matthew StClair, Katherine Stephenson, Charnece Taylor, Monica Torres, Austin Towler, Sharla Vaughan, Bobby Voorheis, Shelby Williams, Michael Wood, Cariann Young.

Kaleb Baker, Fannin Bell, Shelly Benton, Mandee Betts, Tasha Brown, April Burk, Daniel Cabrera Kassidy Carr, Hope Clark, Eric Delapaz, Blaine Dunlap, Breelan Dunlap, Stephanie Ferguson, Cammie Fiasco, Mariel Galicia, Mercedes Garza, Breanna Goodman, Chase Gregory, Kelsie Kelton, Melanie Long, Manuel Longoria, Andrew Malone, Justin Massey, Veronica Mendoza, Sydney Millhollon, Ricky Mueller, Megan Murphy, John Nelms, Justin Nelms, Chris Orr, Caitlin Owens, Kassie Phillips, Lauren Reeves, Austin Smartt, Cesaley Sparks, Blake Stine, James Talley, Monica Tanner, Kelsee Tedder, Travis Thompson, Kyle Washington, Jessica Weaver, Jeffrey Williamson.

Soil And Water Stewardship Week Proclamation

Judge Derrell Hall signs a Proclamation declaring the week of April 25 – May 2, 2004 as Soil Stewardship Week. The Board of Directors of the Fannin Soil and Water Conservation District along with Lee Munz, the Atrazine Remediation Project Manager from the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board, met with Judge Hall on April 20th for the signing of this proclamation.

While most of us seldom come in daily contact with soil, we all depend on soil for our daily survival. In generation after generation, it is important to bring attention back to the central theme- the living soil sustains all life on earth. Without the soil, nothing lives. Our conservation district works to protect healthy soils that in turn support a healthy environment, and healthy environments support healthy life.

Modern farmers and ranchers who practice soil conservation are doing their part to keep the living soil alive. Lessons from the past, such as the catastrophic "Dust Bowl" of the 1930s have shown what can happen when the topsoil is not protected from wind and water erosion. Today, private land managers employ a host of conservation practices, such as minimum tillage, to protect the topsoil that feed the nation.

The Fannin County Soil and Water Conservation District invites you to join us in the nationwide observance of Soil and Water Conservation Week.

Trey Wheeler, 8th grade student at L. H. Rather Junior High School, returned to the Bonham Rotary Club last Wednesday and presented his trip to Washington, D.C. as a student ambassador to the 2004 People to People World Leadership Forum. The local service club donated to his trip, as well as individuals in the club.

Also, at the same meeting, a special guest was recognized. Cindy Oliphant of the Rockwall Noon Rotary Club attended the Bonham Rotary Club meeting. She is the great neice of the late J. O. Tate, who was secretary of the local Rotary Club for many years, was president of the club in 1962-63, and was also District Governor of the district.

The Bonham Rotary Club meets every Wednesday at 12 Noon at the Family Life Center.

We all have heard how a few have kept Bonham and Fannin County from improving and going forward, but it has always been elusive as to who they are. Well, this time we do have a name: Robert M. (Bob) Nunnelee. This individual has recently sent a letter to BEDCO, Inc. with threats that further action will be taken, and I thought you, the readers, should know exactly what his objections are. He apparently does not think the following items should have been done.

1. Rebuilding of courthouse parking lot (thirty three (33) parking spaces for cars), sidewalks, curves, gutters, streetlights, electric outlets, water sprinkler and landscaping;

2. Five Hundred (500) block of North Main Street;

3. Land acquisition and parking lot on Main Street, and moving of the Visitor Center to downtown Bonham;

4. Expending two hundred-fifty thousand ($250,000.00) dollars on an "Expo Center" on the west edge of the City of Bonham.

I might point out that Mr. Nunnelee owns property that directly benefits from the above (number 1 and 2) listed projects. At the joint meeting of the Bonham City Council and BEDCO, the sidewalk on the west side of Center St., across the street from the Post Office (which is not in the Heritage District Plan) was discussed. The City of Bonham and BEDCO tabled that part until the letter could be cleared up. What was interesting was that City Councilman John Burnett asked Mr. Nunnelee if he would object to the sidewalk being fixed, and Mr. Nunnelee stated that he would not object to that because he owned property on the other side of the street. But Mr. Nunnelee does object to the children of Fannin County having a place where the fair and many other events can be held safely. So, if you are as disappointed with Mr. Nunnelee as I am, let him know how you feel.

Also, to clear up any question that you may have about the original proposition that was voted on and passed by the citizens of Bonham, a copy is printed below.

Tom Turner

The adoption of a sales and use tax within the City of Bonham at the rate of one-half of one percent (1/2 of 1%) for the benefit of a development corporation operating on behalf of the City to be used directly for costs of projects authorized by Article 5190.6, Section 4B, Texas Revised Civil Statutes, as amended from time to time, or for securing bonds and other obligations which finance such authorized projects, including, but not limited to, facilities suitable for the promotion of development and expansion of manufacturing and industrial facilities, facilities suitable for entertainment, tourist and convention purposes, parks and park facilities, open space improvements, municipal buildings, and related roads, streets and water and sewer facilities, and other facilities that enhance any of the foregoing, and with respect to publicly owned projects, the maintenance and operating costs of the projects; provided that any bonds issued by the corporation and secured by the proceeds of such tax to finance projects in the City’s Heritage District Master Plan shall not exceed $3,000,000 in principal amount.

A FAVOR

El apruebo de un impuesto de uso y de ventas dentro de la Ciudad de Bonham a la tasa de medio de un porciento (1/2 de 1%) para el bien de una corporacion de desarollo activo a favor de la Ciudad usado directamente para gastos de proyectos autorizados pro el Articulo 5190.6, Seccion 4B, Estatutos Civiles Revisados de Texas, como enmendado de tiempo a tiempo, o para aseguar bonos y otras obligaciones que financian dichos proyectos autorizados, incluyendo, pero no limitandose a, facilidades apropiadas para promover el desarrollo y la expansion de facilidades de manufactura e industria, facilidades adecuadas para proposito de diversion turismo y convencion, parques y facilidades de parques, mejoras de areas al aire libre, edificios municipales, y facilidades de caminos en conexion con esto, de calles de agua corriente y de cloacas, y otras facilidades que mejoren cualquiera de estos, y con respeto a proyectos publicamente poseidos, los gastos de mantenimiento y de operacion de los proyectos; con tal que cualquier bono emitido por la corporacion y asegurado por los ingresos de dicho impuesto para financiar proyectos en el Plan Maestro del Distrito de Patrimonio de la Ciudad no exceda $3,000,000 en cantidad principal.