The Waco Citizen from Waco, Texas • Page 1

25c Per Copy his Month In Wac The Waco CiTIZEN Your home-owned community Newspaper VOLUME 56 WACO, TEXAS, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1983 PHONE 664100 NUMBER 84 BEARS IN 'HOG HEAVEN' Brazos Trails Voters Zoo By BILL FOSTER Publisher, The Waco Citizen Texas In The Cotton Bowl Clyde Ferrell has already decided that Texas will be in the Cotton Bowl this New Years day, so he has written a song about it. Wacos own singing and recording artist. It will be available on a cassette and will sell for around $5.00, and will be available through, you guessed it, Bill Texas Exes club in Waco and through out Longhorn country. STOCKHOLDERS AT MEET SUNDAY At the Waco Convention Center Sunday a large group of stockholders met to learn more about the future of and how it would effect them. Connie Norris, regional manager of the Waco office of Southwestern Bell, said there were 1300 stockholders in the Waco area.

AN INSIDE LOOK AT OUR COMPANIES I have the rare privelege from time to time of getting an inside look at some of the successful companies operating in Waco. For example, not a stockholder of but I was invited to that meeting. The other day we were a guest at the new Sheraton Inn. We got a pre-press tour of the new, beautiful facilities. Waco will be proud of these.

Pam Mitchael, the account executive, treated us to lunch and 1 helped her with names and addresses of people to invite to the special Grand Opening party which was held last night. She was wanting to send out a 1 invitations. At that time she only had about 300 names and addresses. Right away I could think of a thousand of you out there who would like to be on the list. But I tried to be selective.

1 gave your name if I thought you could help bring more conventions and meetings to Waco. Of course, that opens the door for almost all of us. You probably thought about it, but if you did you would figure out that you are a member of at least one or two organizations that you could influence into coming to Waco for their annual meeting, convention or seminar. For instance, since a member of the great Lions organization, there is a potential for at least three or four district meetings a year and each one of the 12 or so Lions clubs in the greater Waco area look for a place from time to time to have an anniversary, a special ladies night, or at least a Christmas party. I suggested she contact the new Baylor Lions club to get their charter night meeting, which Ls coming up.

But back to my inside look. Don Dwyer invited me over to his office the other day to give me a picture of himself and General Alexander Haig to run in the paper. Don has built a tremendous business across the United States since coming here from New York, where he used to deliver newspapers. He has close to 300 franchisers across the United States for his Rainbow Carpet and Dye Geaning business. He told me he had urged each of his franchisers to write President Reagan to support him on the rescue mission at Grenada.

I think that's a good idea and maybe more of us should do that. I think its time the U.S. took a stand and quit letting the Communists push us around. Just last month he held a sales meeting at the Camino Real in Puerto Vallarta. His secretary told me approximately 300 attended.

And a further inside look revealed that about half of them got sick. I have often dreamed about going down there and with prices lower than ever. I may go someday, so I can bring you a first hand report on the country. So 1 kept digging further trying to find out where not to go when I got there. It seems if you stay with eating at the hotels you stand a better chance of not getting sick.

And above drink the water." Well, at least one tourist attraction that we do drinking doesn't make you sick. Bet you never thought about that. And another attraction we have is all the many nice places to eat now. and it appears there is a new one opening up every day. It seems we lose some, but on the whole we keep gaining more than we are losing.

And seldom do we hear of people getting sick from eating out in Waco. by (Amelia Foster Twenty-five percent of the registered voters in Waco went to the polls Tuesday and by a narrow margin of 55 percent to 45 percent defeated a referendum to move the Cen-Tex Zoo from Airport Park to Cameron Park. Ballots cast totaled 11,755 with 5,286 for and 6,362 against. The proposed move would have cost $7.2 million and the referendum proposed a payout in five years based on a nine cent tax per $100 valuation. If the referendum had passed then the Waco City Council would have had the opportunity to vote the tax increase.

The referendum was trailing from the first votes counted, the absentee ballots, and never did lead. However, the margin was generally around 500 votes all evening until the last total came in around 9 p.m. Gene Firmin, member of the Central Texas Zoological Board, was watching the returns and was counting on the Richfield and Tennyson boxes to swing the totals in favor of the referendum. But when the boxes came in voters had voted down the zoo move. citizens see the bottom Firmin said, if we had a zoo, would stay overnight and increase the bed tax and it would expand the Brazos Corridor horizons and the tax can sympathize with a lot of people voting against, but they just see the value of the he commented.

Asked if not talking about the second phase could have had any effect on the vote, Firmin said. probably did, but the first phase was a stand alone zoo and the second phase was like accessories on a new car. There seemed to be a great deal of mistrust that we were not giving of the details." the council was not the object of distrust, they have all along put forth the image of letting the voter make the Firmin added. "This was a hard fought issue and the last boxes made the Steve Corwin, chairman of the Central Texas Zoo Relocation Committee said. am disappointed this was a referendum only and where do we go from Jjere.

I really gone beyond tonight," Corwin added, is a zoo and I am hesitant to move at this David Bntt, President of the Central Texas Zoological Association, added his thoughts saying, was no organized opposition, the only objection 1 heard voiced was the cost factor at this particular time," an do It All Worked by amella Foster After waiting for the justice department to approve a joint election, which seemed a long time in coming, the first effort to combine a city and county election went very smoothly. Election judges began dropping off their boxes at the courthouse shortly after 7 p.m. when the polls closed. They did not have to count them at the polling sites, because the machines purchased by the county last year were handling the job. The last boxes were counted by 9 p.m.

and the media had the final counts by 9:45 p.m. The cooperation between the City of Waco and McLennan County was exceptional. Jerry Meadows, Elections Administrator for the county and Nana Cornwell, Waco City Secretary worked side by side to see that all went as it should. Meadows had promised to have the last boxes out by 10 p.m. and he met that deadline.

The only thing slowing up the process was voters who did not mark their ballots correctly and the machine would reject them and counting would have to be done by hand. Also a few were not counted because the intent of the voter could not be determined. Future joint elections by the two taxing entities should be given serious consideration. It was well handled and managed by all concerned. Maybe the Waco School District and McLennan Community College will also join the effort.

was not emotional issue and I not believe the voter cast his ballot on an emotional Britt added. we rest a while, we have been working on this over two years, then maybe we will regroup and see what can be done in the future," Bntt said. only way we could give this another shot," Corwin said, be as a response to the request of the Fifteen boxes in the city supported the non-binding referendum with 29 boxes voting against along with absentee votes. For the zoo move were residents voting in boxes at Second Baptist. Sul Ross Center, Fire Station, Edgefield.

Waco ISD Administration Building. Parkdale. Viking Hills. Mountainview, Lake Air Junior High School, Hillcrest, North Junior, Cedar Ridge. Lake Waco Elementary and Waco High School.

East Waco along with Brook Ave. voted heavily against the measure. Dripping Springs. Carver Park, L. Smith.

Doris Miller, Fire Station and Pleasant Olive Baptist Church all defeated the referendum. Boxes in northwest Waco voting against the referendum included Tennyson Junior High School. Richfield High School and Dean-Highland. South Waco residents also voted against the move Alta Vista, University Junior, Kendrick Elementary, Gurley. South Terrace.

South 3rd St. Baptist, Primrose Baptist and Kendall Emmanuel registered the majority against. Other boxes voting against the measure were; Central Fire Station, Sul Ross School, Timbercrest, University High School. Hill School, Provident Heights. North Waco Elementary, Methodist Home.

Madison Cooper Airport and Fire Station Absentee vote was 120 for and 147 against. MISS WACO time to make plans for Miss Waco pageant and festivities for next year. If you would like to get in on the exciting things happening call now Plenty of opportunities to express your ideas We must have a winner by April I. Call Bill Foster, 754-3511 Texas To Promote Tourism, Industry Over The Globe A hard hitting seminar TRTA Director Wants State Control Bruce Hineman, Executive Director of the Teacher Retirement System of Texas, told members of the district XII Retired Teachers Association their system is the eighth largest system in the United States. assets are $8.5 billion and our system is sound," Hineman said Monday during a luncheon meeting at Stil well Residence.

The state organization has over 73,000 members and is continuing to grow. The system has grown from 184 employeees in 1974 to 220 employees in 1983, are a strong organization but we have a challenge, to protect our retirement fund and let the state not the federal government protect our purchasing powers." or Cost of Living Adjustments, should be for TRTA members and Washington should not regulate public pensions," Hineman told the teachers. He also touched on health insurance and House Bill 1995 submitted by State Representative Betty Denton. E. B.

Jones, Chairman of District Xll presided and Reo Habern opened the meeting with prayer. McLennan County Judge Stanley Rentz presented the association proclamation declaring November 7 as TRTA District XII Day in the county. Mrs. Nadine Baldwin, program chairman for the day, introduced Rod Coleman assistant principal of LaVega High School who played the marmba and audio harp for entertainment. about the future of Texas was held at the Convention Center Wednesday.

It was hosted by TST1. Governor Mark representative. Harden Wiedemann, from the Office for Economic Development, said the governor wants to combine the efforts of the Texas Tourist Development Agency and the Texas Economic Development Agency in their advertising and push for both all over the globe, especially in Europe. The governor was excited about getting new industry for Texas after he helped land a center for Austin. This is a tank" for the com- Day Parade is Thanks to our is the theme of the 1983 Veterans Days observance in the United States and will be the theme of the Friday Veterans Day Parade in Waco.

The parade will begin promptly at 11 a.m. Friday morning at 12th and Washington. It will proceed east on Washington Ave. Silver taps will be played by two members of the Fort Htxxl band to begin the parade. A Marine color guard followed by the Fort Hood Band and the parade Marshall will lead the parade.

Following will be the Gold Star Mothers car followed by the Amvets float. AM VET department officers. AMVET Auxiliary officers and AMVET Local Posts 9. 35. 41.62, 72, 80 and 90.

Veterans Administration Medical Center officials and the Connally Club will follow Mrs. Nadine Baldwin and a group that will dedicate the flags and flagpole at the Freedom of the Fountain will complete the 12th St. unit parade Connally High School Band, Baylor ROTC, the Air Force, Salvation Army, Shnners Organization and Disabled American Veterans, the American Red Cross and the Army group will gather at 13th St. They will be joined by the Waco High Band, Post 3. Post 52 and Post 215 of the DAV.

Gathering at 14th St. will be the Paul Quinn Drill Team, GI Forum, Pearl Harbor Veterans, Prisoners of War. Veterans Affairs Commission, Ser-( vice Officers of all organizations, Vietnam Veterans, and all VFW Posts from Waco. West, Mart and Clifton. They will be followed by the ROTC from Midway High School and the Club Drill Team.

Gathering for the parade at 15th will be the West High School Band. They will be playing taps. Representatives of the Navy and the Daughters of the Confederacy will follow the band. The American Voters Didn't Approve Two Amendments by Camelia Foster McLennan County voters turned down two of the eleven proposed constitutional amendments Tuesday. They defeated Amendment No.

2 and Amendment No. 3. Amendment No. 2 would have allowed the replacing of the limitation on the value of an urban homestead with a limitation based on size. The vote was 5,585 for and 8.630 against.

Amendment No. 3 would have made legal assessments on agricultural products to pay for research, marketing and education programs relating to the product. The vote was 6,824 for and 7,583 against. Probably the most emotional issue in the amendment election was No. 6 which would allow garnishment of one-third of a man's or salary for the payment of court-ordered child-support.

County voters approved the measure by a vote of 11.983 for to 3.027 against. Also carrying big in the county was Amendment No. i dealing with the number of justice of the peace and constable precincts; Amendment No. 7 which would allow for financial assistance to veterans for housing and land; and Amendment No. 11 dealing with changes in the Board of Pardons and Paroles.

All the other amendments carried. Slightly over of the 83.787 registered voters in the county turned out Tuesday to cast their ballots. Statewide Amendments 8 and 10 were failing. Eight would authorize property tax exemption for veteran and fraternal organizations. Ten would allow property owners to make installment payments to cities for sewer connections on their property Legion Color Guard, Sons of Legion Color Guard, VOTURE 1037-408 Color Guard, American Legion District 11 Color Guard, American Legion Float and American Legion Posts and Auxiliary Units from Post 121.

Post 440, Post 954. Post 478 West. Post 322 Clifton, the Moose Lodge, Waco Gun Fighters Club and the Texas Safan will conclude the parde. A reviewing stand will be located at the court house. At 4th and Washington the parade will turn and proceed to Post 121.

From 11:45 to 12:05 the Freedom Fountain group will dedicate the flags and flagpole. All participants in the parade are invited to a chili lunch at Post 121. 3rd and Indiana immediately following the parade Vic Feazell. McLennan County District Attorney, will speak at the luncheon. To complete the activities for the day, a dance featunng BiU Mounce will be held at American Legion Post 121 beginning at 7:30 p.m There will be no cover charge Two Hired For Office David Deacon, 1983 graduate of Baylor Law School, has accepted the position of assistant district attorney of McLennan County.

According to John Ben Sutter. Administrative Aide, to District Attorney Vic Feazell, Deacon will replace Robert Pandak. Deacon will begin in the department as a prosecutor of misdemeanor offenses. Willie Tompkins, former Chief of Police at McLennan Community College, has been hired as an investigator with the district office. He is replacing the position left vacant with the resignation of A1 Lew is, according to Sutter.

Tompkins was a member of the Waco Police Department for nine and one-half years and has his degree from I arleton State University and attended Paul Quinn on an athlectic scholar ship. Voting Sites Approved puter industry. Five general computer companies have gone together to help develop fifth generation computers. These are the ones that will do the thinking for your. word is out, now, that Texas is starting to drain out the senior talent from Silicon in California, and over the world.

A computer expert, a Danish man, was just hired as senior vice president of the organization. Wiedemann said robots are coming into being in the U.S. and helping to increase productivity. He said some work that was being done on the Mexican Continued on page 2 by Camelia Foster Declaring an emergency the Waco City Council Tuesday held three hearings on designation of polling places within the city limits to be used under Plan H-l for redistricting. Council member Marilyn Jones questioned the emergency saying thought after last week we would not be moving this fast and my concerns are with looking at the combination of boxes in the city, McLennan Community College and Waco ISD elections." "1 feel we should seriously look at the voting boxes in each precinct." Ms.

Jones stated. was my understanding we would get with the county after submission of our polling sites to combine boxes." City Attorney Flarl Bracken answered. "In 1984 all of these districts will be voting in a joint election and we will see how it goes. Voters will be going to the same place to vote for all three elections, we are trying to get away from the confusion," Mayor Jim Mathis said. Bracken said he hoped to the plan and polling sites filed with the justice department by the end of this week.

He also said the council could go on record to look at the polling sites after the April 7, 1984 election. Approval was given by the council to hire the firm of Touche Ross to investigate the Lone Star Gas Co. rate increase request. There was no discussion. Mayor Mathis commented on a change in the ordinance controlling submissions for the Community Development Commission.

"The federal guidelines have been changed and we will have only one public hearing on requests for the funds," Mathis said, "and the council will make the decisions on where the funds will be spent." "At this time we are asking for applications for the funds," Mathis said. In the past a commission of local citizens accepted requests and held public hearings on the fund requests. Civil Worker Constructors, Inc. were approved as the low bidder to construction the expansion to the Mt. Carmel Water Treatment plant.

Their bid was tor about $2 million below estimates according to City Manager David Smith. Work ls expected to start on the project after the first of the year Purchase of two stainless steel cages for the Animal Control Center were approved. Funds were donated by Waco Foundation Animal Aids, Lawrence Lacy, Veterinarian Group and Jim Stewart to buy the cages for $9,500. Reprogramming of Community Development Block Grant Funds derived mainly frinn sale of urban renewal land will benefit the neighborhood park system by $15.131, Community Center Improvement by and street reconstruction by $145.421, Dr, Ntwman Handy was presented a proclamation declaring official homecoming activities at Paul Quinn College for the remainder of this week. The college is observing its 109th homecoming All zone changes and special permits presented to the council for public hearing by the Waco Plan Commission were approved as recommended.