The Seguin Gazette-Enterprise from Seguin, Texas • Page 2

4' that Afiyont who would like to bfmh up on thrif Gonun con- venation to invited to rave cup of coffee, sweets or sandwich each Monday at ndon at the Silver Unu For more Inror- matioiv call Maria at The Guadalupe County Evening Republicans will meet at 7p.m. Monday, April 21, at the Silver Eagle Tap Room in downtown McQueeney. Everyone interested is invited to attend. This month's program features State Rep. Edmund Kuempel and Boo Hurley, State Republican Executive Committee member for the 21st Senatorial District Promptly at 7 Rep.

Kuempel will provide an update on the legislative session. Hurley wilTcontinue the legislative update, specifically addressing proposed changes in the state property tax system. tOakwood Art League The Seguin Oakwood Art League has Joined the Seguin Area Chamber of Commerce and is looking forward to working with mat organization. The group will meet Monday, April 21, at 9 a jn. at the Church of Christ, 1351 Walnut St The demonstrator will be Elizabeth Swaney, painting roles in oil Everyone is welcome and refreshments will be served.

For more information, call Georgette Bush at 914-3139 (metro) or Elizabeth Kay at 37WJ018. sons Laubach Hermann Sons Lodge will meet Monday, April 21. A covered dish supper will precede a regular business meeting. Those attending are to bring a covered dish. Meat and drinks will be furnished: All members are urged to attend.

Amends of the library The Friends of me Library will meet Tuesday, April 22, at 730 jn. The evening will begin with a welcoming reception for new library director Kay Garsnett Garsnett will also be the speaker that evening. The Friends of the Library are also celebrating the 40th anniversary of the founding of the Friends of the Library. The Seguin Porcelain Art dub will meet April 23 in the Pecan Room at the Holiday Inn at 930 a on. Cherryl Meggs will give a demonstration on small roses.

Anyone interested in china painting is invited to attend. Ktounfr Democrats The Guadalupe County Democrats will meet Thursday, April 24, at the Democratic Party Office, 300 N. Austin St, Seguin. A covered dish supper will begin at 630 jn. followed by a regular meeting at 730 p.m.

Seguin ISO board of trustees president and local attorney Patricia Irvine will address the gathering regarding the current issues facing the school board and the importance of the upcoming elections. Members are reminded to bring a covered dish and the public is encouraged to attend. Guadalupe County Republican Women will meet Thursday, April 24, at 1130 am at the Holiday Inn, Gennie Hensz will be the guest speaker. Please call Gondyne Sheley, 303-7401, or Ethel WUlard, 379-5482, by April 22, for reservations. feHaiMAA iMftafii The Marion Volunteer Fire Department will host a rabies dink for dogs, cats and horses on Saturday, April 26, from 1-5 pan.

at me fire station. Otter shots for animals will also be available. City of Marion and Guadalupe County animal reg- iatratfon can be done at this tfamalta Motorola marks KATRIB fflNrlBNUrt MJtftMA MMtglng Hlltuf ago, the, Otguin infinity pulled together to bring. tttw Motorola plant to town. On Saturday, April 26, Motorola is invit- tag the community to help it celebrate the 23th anniversary of its move into Seguin.

On that day, in open house wlfl be held from 14 p.m. Open to all their families and the community, the afternoon will include a live band, downs, magic show, caricatures and moon walk in the plant parking lot. You can take a tour of the line and see displays of products. During a ceremony between 230 and 3 p.m., Motorola chairman of the board, Gary looker, will be on hand to accept a key to the dry from Seguin Mayor Mark Stautzenberger. Other state and local dignataries are also expected to attend.

It was August 1972, when the first production line of the Seguin Motorola plant became operational, but the story of Seguin for and much mom tiDtrarttinlionnafleKclunt NovMiiwiruui Bwtginn BUJ? aw urge Mltpv MMI TuifiMy coBtplitu aB Bit data, a taw when computun wtrtnt around, ty now, ft wat known mat Motorola was the company looking CD coma to town, Rep- resentattves went to Chicago to make their pitch for Seguin. CairfHo remembers tome of the major In getting Motorola to build the during a meeting at Chaparral Country Club, about building a plant here. During the initial conversations, the Motorola representatives didn't let on which company they were from, but just the idea of bringing a major employer to town was enough to get everyone from the Seguin ISD board of trustees, to the county commissioners, to the Seguin and Guadalupe County Chamber of Commerce busy compiling the data the company reps needed to help them make their decision. Nick Carrillo, a Motorola employee now and a member of the Seguin ISD board then, remembers how the community came together to collect the information. Questionnaires seeking information were sent out to communities within 50 miles as well as across Seguin.

The fact-finding mission went so far as to survey individual households. The company wanted to know how many people were living in the area, how old they were, what level of education they had achieved, would they be willing to be intendent of the Seguin ISD; McKenzie; Jeep Kiel; Ronnie Naumann; Benton Donegan; men Chamber president, Edmund Kuempel; Jack Taylor; Tom Crump, then a member of the Seguin ISD board of trustees, and many omen. After Motorola had made its decision to move here, a temporary home in an empty airplane hangar on Hwy. 46 was quickly found. the community pulled together, Working night and day, Carrillo remembers, to get the building ready for Occupancy and get mat first production line going.

That line went into production in August 1972, manufacturing car radios for Volkswagen. Members of the management group came to Seguin from Quincy, Illinois, to get the plant open, and local residents were hired to man the production line. In November 1974, the move was made to the present location on Hwy. 123. The building was only about half the size it is now.

Still with a workforce of about 300-350, things changed quickly once the move was made. By the late 1970s, the plant employed close to 2,000 people and had expanded into many other product lines, including tape decks, CB radios, control panels for microwaves, and tachometers for John Deere tractors. One of the reasons for the rapid growth was the employees people who accepted the opportunity to learn the technology necessary. Motorola Seguin employees take a lot of pride in producing quality products and they have a long list of quality awards to sttrti pnoio by 8ww BMMVI Motorola plant on Hwy. 123 It twice the size It was In 1974 when moved Into the building.

Motorola hat been a part of Stguln for 25 now, originally operating out of an airplane hangar on Hwy. 46. justify that pride. turn, employees, like Carrillo, Joe Patterson, the 38th local employee hired who is still there today, and Judy Bernhard, a 23-year employee who started on the line and is now a secretary, say Motorola is a good company to work for, offers employees great opportunities, and good benefits. Carrillo, especially, pointed to the family atmosphere in the company.

Carrillo's son works for Motorola and he says the nephews, cousins, sons and daughters of many employees also work for Motorola. Bill Deiker was the first plant manager. He was followed by Carlton Braun, Tom Troeller, Lee Craft and John Plungis. Tom Marecek is the current plant manager. Today, Motorola Seguin produces a variety of products for such diverse companies as Honda, ITT Automotive, Cummins, Chrysler, Ford, John Deere and Mack.

That list of products includes diesel engine controls, anti-lock braking systems, autobody electronics and meter reading modules, along with many others. Those products, numbering 100,000 units a week, are produced in a plant that employees about 1,300 people, all operating with the same vision: "We are a world leader in quality, technology, and responsiveness in the electronics industry. We are a multi-skilled and empowered team providing products, expertise and service in a broad range of markets. Our customers are confident in our unique ability to satisfy their'needs completely and to provide them maximum value. Each person's willingness to generate and accept change has created a 'culture of change' mat enables us to increase sales." The committee in charge of next weekend's open house includes Duane Wallace, Chris Garcia, Irene Carrillo, Brian McGlumthy, Marvin Miller, Diane Gallegos, Estella DeLaGarza, Dalia Tenayuque, Chris Bitts, Pat Shurtliff, Esther Campos, Joe Patterson, Barbara Futrell, Kathryn Schmitz and Nick Carrillo.

Navarro trustees meet Monday night The Navarro Independent School District (NISD) board of trustees will meeting at 7 pjrt Monday, April 21, in Room 1 of the Elementary Annex Building at 300 Link Road in Geronimo. Discussion items on the agenda include cumulative voting (progress, mailout, and early voting) and the 1997-98 school calendar. Action items include consideration of approving the teacher appraisal system document, resolutions for the commissioners court; a contract with Rural Connect, and a development waiver. Other action items include considering the approval of budget amendments, a renewal of an Aca- demics 2000 grant, a service agreement with the auditing firm of Leal and Carter, update 51, and approval of a meeting date to canvass the May 3 election results. After the regular session is completed, the board will conduct an executive session for the purpose of discussing litigation, personnel and resignations.

OBITUARIES Alcide Jean (Chap) Babin Alcide Jean (Chap) Babin, 84, of Seguin, died Friday, April 18, 1997, in New Braunfels. A rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. Monday, April 21,1997, at Goetz Memorial Chapel. Services will be held Tuesday, April 22, 1997, at 10 a.m. at St.

James Catholic Church with Father Gerald Hubertus officiating. Burial will follow in the St. James Catholic Cemetery under the direction of Goetz Funeral Home. Visitation will be 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.

Mr. Babin was retired from the Seguin Fire Department after 25 years of service. He was a volunteer member of Church Women's United Mobile Meals for 10 years and a volunteer driver for Road to Recovery of the Guadalupe County unit of the American Cancer Society for 15 years. He was a member of the Guadalupe County Sheriff's Mounted Posse for 10 years and co-founder of the Seguin Youth Center. He was an usher at St.

James Catholic Church, an avid fisherman, traveler and gardener. Survivors include two brothers, Andrew Babin and wife Belva of Baton Rouge, La. and Simon Babin and wile Alice of Gonzales, a sister, Angele Babin and husband Chester of Gonzales, daughter, Linda Klinger and husband Larry of San Antonio; son, Ed Babin and wife Connie of Prairieville, granddaughters, Brenda of California, Sandi of Louisiana, Kristi and husband Ricky of New Braunfels and Kelli of San Antonio; great-grandchildren, Joshua and Jacob Velasquez of New Braunfels; and beloved friend, Lottie Williamson of New Braunfels. He was preceded by hit parents, wife, five brothers and sisters. Walter W.

Harborth Walter W. Harborth, 70, died Wednesday, April 16,1997, in San Antonio. ww born Nov. 21,1926, in Geronimo, to Martha (Htine- meier) and Walter R. Harborth.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, C.R. Harborth. Survivors include two sisters and brothers-in-law, Irma and Arthur Randow and Viola and Stanley Kohlenberg; one brother and and sister-in-law, Norman Ben and Maxine Harborth; sister- in-law, Velma Harborth; and numerous nieces and nephews. Harborth was a life-long member of the Friedens Church in Geronimo. He was a veteran of the Korean War, a 45-year member of the Seguin American Legion Post 245 and a member of the Order of the Sons of Hermann.

Harborth worked in the accounting department at Nordhaus Foods and Sysco Food Services for many years. Funeral services will be held Sunday, April 20,1997, at 2 p.m. at Friedens Church in Geronimo. Burial will follow at Lone Oak Cemetery. Memorials may be given to Friedens Church or the charity of choice.

Mrs. Eulalia O. Jimenez Mrs. Eulalia O. Jimenez, 67, of McQueeney, died Friday, April 18,1997.

Survivors include her husband, Umberto Jimenez Sr. of McQueeney; five sons, Umberto Jimenez Jr. of Seguin, Raynol Jimenez of Lockney, Mario, Rojelio and Ricardo Jimenez, all of McQueeney; one sister, Cresen- dana Arredondo of San Antonio; 26 grandchildren and 31 great- grandchildren. Mrs. Jimenez was preceded in death by a son, Raul Jimenez; a daughter, Edelia Jimenez; two brothers, Macario Gutierrez and Andres Ontiveros; and two sisters, Catalina Muniz and Isabel Gallegoa.

Rosary services will be Monday, April 21, at 7:30 p.m, at Pawwr Mortuary Chapel. Funeral mast will be Tuesday, April 22, at 10 a.m Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church with the Rev. James Wuerth MSF celebrant. Burial will follow in Blumberg Cemetery in McQueeney. Pallbearers will be grandsons, Ruperto Jimenez, Raynol Jimenez Roy Jimenez Manuel Jimenez, Aurelio Jimenez and Rene Jimenez.

Mrs. Cecilia T. Pena Mrs. Cecilia T. Pena, 87, of Seguin, died Thursday, April 17, 1997.

A rosary will be recited Sunday, April 20,1997, at 7 p.m. at Palmer Mortuary Chapel. Funeral mass will be held Monday, April 21,1997, at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church with the Rev. James E.

Wuerth, M.S.F. as celebrant. Burial will follow in the Our Lady of Guadalupe Cemetery. Visitation will begin at 4 p.m. Sunday, April 20.

She is survived by a son, Juan T. Pena of Seguin; a sister, Mrs. Fabiana Galvan of Seguin; a brother, Natividad Tovar of Seguin; 11 grandchildren; and 52 great-grandchildren. Sarah Elizabeth Villarreal Sarah Elizabeth Villarreal, age 4, died Friday, April 11,1997, after being in an auto accident. She died of internal injuries at the scene of the accident in VUlarrtal Belen, New Mexico.

She was cremated Wednesday, April 16,1997. Survivors include her parents, James Villarreal, formerly of Seguin, and Elizabeth Herrera, formerly of Tyler; paternal grandparents, Viola Gaytan of, San Marcos and Adam (Smoky) Villarreal of Seguin; maternal grandparents, Pete Herrera and Mrs, Brminia Herrera of Tyler; great-grandpartntt, Mr. and Mrs. Ignacio VUlarrtal uncles and aunts, Joseph and Virginia Villarreal, Jason ana Maria Villarreal and David Gaytan; and numerous other aunts, uncles and cousins from Stguin and Tyler. Burglary of county facility subject for investigation The burglary of the Guadalupe County Road and Bridge Department's yard facility on FM 78 just east of Marion is the subject of this week's Crime Focus.

According to Guadalupe County Sheriff's Office (GCSO) Chief Criminal Investigator, Larry Mora wietz, thieves broke into the locked and fenced county facility sometime on April 13. Entry was apparently gained by cutting through a chain link fence and then by pulling back sheet metal from the bottom of a doorway into a shop building. Entry to other secured areas throughout the facility, was primarily by use of bolt cutters. GCSO reports indicate that the thieves made off with a county pickup truck (later recovered abandoned), and with a large assortment of automotive hand tools and equipment, hydraulic jacks, tires and wheels, electric heaters and fans, and an assortment of uniform clothing. The estimated value of the stolen items (not including the recovered vehicle) is $4,000 to $5,000.

CRIME Focus Anyone with information about this incident may call the Secret Witness Hotline at 3721000, or the Guadalupe County Sheriff's Department at 3791224. Crime Focus carries rewards of up to $500 and is sponsored by the Secret Witness Committee. Informants do not have to give their names. Informants may also contact the committee by writing to: Secret Witness Committee of Guadalupe County, P.O. Box 542, Seguin, Texas 78156-0542.

Those wishing to remain anonymous may use a six-digit identification number of their own choosing when contacting the Secret Witness Committee by mail. Rewards are paid only when the Secret Witness Committee, in conjunction with the district attorney's office, determines that a case has been solved on the basis of information provided by a Secret Witness informant. Don't forget San Jacinto Day Remember the Alamo but don't you dare forget San Jacinto. After all, Monday, April 21 is San Jacinto Day. Those might be the fighting words from those who struggle to keep the history of the battle of San Jacinto in its correct perspective.

Some believe that history does not shed enough of the spotlight of courage and significance on that battle or on those who fought at San effectively securing independence for the Republic of A glimpse back in history, to April 21,1836, recalls mat the broad green plains of San Jacinto rumbled with the sounds of battle drums, cannon and musket fire as General Sam Houston led his ragged but determined troops in a surprise attack against die encamped forces of arrogant Mexican General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna. In lew than 20 minutes of fighting, the outcome was mined; the Mexican general, army outnumbered the nearly two-to-one, was defeated, hit commandere bewildered and hit soldiers in complete disarray. On the following day, Santa president of Mexico, was captured nearby and brought before the wounded Houston, who was lying under a giant live oak near the edge of the battlefield. There, the conquered dictator, who had fled the battle disguised as an army private, agreed to the cessation of all hostilities. He ordered his remaining 3,000 to 4,000 troops, stationed a few miles away near the Brazos River, to withdraw from Texas and return to Mexico.

Victory was complete. Independence from Mexico nad been won! The above historic account of the battle is provided to visitors to the 1,000 acre San Jacinto Battleground State Historical Park located near Baytown, east of Houston. Tne park is operated by me Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and is the most heavily attended state park in Texas. In addition to the beautiful grounds, viators to the park may tour the San Jacinto Museum of History and may explore the impressive Battleship Texas located on the park's western border, near the Houston Ship channel The park it open to visitors itv- en days a week and admiiaion it.