Corsicana Weekly Light from Corsicana, Texas • Page 1

Action line Is it legal for a city police officer to park a squad car on private property without the permission to set up a speeding or radar check point? Officers are supposed to get permission from property owners whenever they park on private property to monitor speed, according to Police Chief Don Massey. However, officers are doing less radar work while sitting still these days, Massey said, because the department now owns sophisticated radar equipment which will operate while the police car is moving. 75 per cent of our radar work is now done while Massey explained. The new units, called MR-7 Moving Radar, clock the speed of cars coming toward a moving squad car, but can also be used when police are parked. Massey said the department purchased the units, at a cost of about $2,000 each because of problems such as citizen misunderstanding in operating stationary radar checks.

The units have been in use in Corsicana less than a year, Massey said. They provide a digital read out of the speed clocked, and lock that reading in to the machine so that citizens can be shown the exact speed they were traveling. Is it true that if a person tells someone else that he is going to run for a public office that he has to designate his campaign manager and file it with the County Clerk? Yes, according to House Bill 4 passed by the last session of the State legislature. County Clerk Clyve Riddels had the same question when the surge of early filings began this summer and he received the following information from Leroy Beck Jr. of the Election Division of the Secretary of Office: candidate for nomination for or election to a county office and every political committee in any such election or in an election involving a county measure shall designate a campaign manager by written appointment to be filed with the county clerk of such as defined in Article 14.01(b) Election Code) is any person who has taken affirmative action for the purpose of seeking election to any public office.

example of is a statement of definite intent and solicitation of support, through letters or other modes of communication, prior to a public modes of would include newspapers. candidate who has taken affirmative action for the purpose of seeking election to any public office without having first designated a campaign manager is subject to both civil and criminal Can you tell me why the proposed evaluation of a piece of property for school tax should be $1,900 more than the evaluation of the same piece of property for tax by the city of Corsicana? Should the recipient of such a notice make an effort to have the evaluation reduced to the level of the city evaluation? The last on-site evaluation of property for city taxes was done 11 years ago, in 1964. The board of equalization has recommended to city commissioners in fact, that a new evaluation be made. The latest school valuation was done last year and should, therefore, reflect a more accurate fair market value. One way of determining whether your valuation is fair is by comparing it to those of the other comparable homes in the same neighborhood, according to school board president Maco Stewart.

Stewart told Rotary club members last week that anyone who felt their taxes were unfair should go to the Board of Equalization and ask for an adjustment. the people next door to you have a house valued at $30,000 and yours is valued the same, then he said, if yours is valued lower, at $20,000, then the other got a right to ask for an I read that Commissioner Stroube assigned his water company over to John Taylor. Mr. Taylor is an engineer for Mr. water company.

Has Mr. Stroube actually rid himself of his conflict? course I City Commissioner H. R. Stroube Jr. says, what been trying to Stroube says that he has not assigned, but sold the r'urdon part of his Community Water Corp.

to Taylor, effective Sept. 1. Stroube says the sale was made effective that date in order to make the bookkeeping transfer easier. The water purchase transfer from Stroube to Taylor was approved at the Aug. 5 meeting of the city commission.

City Attorney Glenn Stewart says the fact TayTor is employed by Stroube necessarily mean Mr. Stroube necessarily retained any interest in the company. If he has actually removed himself from operating the company, it would be a sale in the same sense he had sold it to a Stewart said any conflict of interest would hinge on the relationship between Stroube and the new company and not on the fact Taylor is an employe in one operation. Action Line has received three inquiries regarding problems with dusty streets: W. 15th between 29th and 31st, W.

1st at 29th and W. 1st at 16th. City Manager Dick Ballenger says that these streets have been turned over to Director of Public Works Larry DeMoss and that city crews will take care of the problem, probably with oil, as soon as possible. Ballenger added that presently most city crews working are improving the drainage situation while it is dry enough to work in the creek beds around town. Action Line answers questions of general interest in the Golden Circle.

Questions may be addressed to the Editor, Corsicana Dally Sun, P.O. Box Corsicana, Texas 75110 Questions should include the name, address and telephone number of the writer, but neither the name address of the writer will be published. VOL. 80 NO. 8 THURSDAY, AUGUST 21, 1975 Back-to-school traffic It's back-to-school time again in Corsicana.

That was clearly in evidence by the traffic on N. 24th St. and West 2nd Ave. just after afternoon classes dismissed Tuesday on the first day of school. (Staff Photo by Monte Smith) rapped Phone rate hike tabled BY GARY EDMONDSON Sun Staff Writer Southwestern proposed rate increases were shelved Tuesday night following charges by Commissioner H.

R. Stroube Jr. that some commission members are And Stroube, whose adamant stand on the issue resulted in a unanimous vote to table the rate request, may not be voting when the telephone rate increase question is finally answered. Stroube declared that he will not vote on the 18.4 per cent average phone rate hike any votes are His statement drew the response from Mayor Sue Youngblood: I would say probably not going to vote Mr. FOLLOWING A CALL by Mayor Youngblood for a motion of some kind regarding the increase, Stroube asked for the floor, prefacing his remarks by saying was hoping I have to say He commented: seen several requests for utility rates since been on the commission, and none of them have ever been turned down by the city.

I for one, am tired of being one of the fall guys in these matters. easy to sit up here and be politically motivated and let someone else do the dirty work on these things for jobs that have to be done. Especially when you know going to get done anyway. So, this is my position: not going to vote on this matter if any no vote Mrs. Youngblood and Commissioner R.

A. Armistead both voted against anil per cent rate increase by Texas Power and Light last month. The increase passed. Mrs. Youngblood, figuring on the average rate of increase for businesses, said the increase would cost taxpayers an extra $240 monthly to pay the phone bill for the new city hall.

As he had when requested its increase, Armistead questioned the figures used by Bell manager Jim Acker in requesting the rate increase. ARMISTEAD SAID THAT it seems that the utility companies two different one to city commissions when they ask for rate increases and another to shareholders. heard for Armistead said, about a month ago that another utility was in dire straits the last two or three months. But in Dallas News there is a story that that company declared again its very high, highest ever, dividend and the rate increase gone into effect CORSICANA WEEKLY LIGHT 405 Collin Corsicana, Texas 75110 Phone Area Code 214 872 2551 ARTHUR KEENEY President Publisher ASSOCIATED PRESS LEASE WIRES Subscription Rates per year or (or six months Second Class Postage Paid at Corsicana, Texas, 75110 Notice to the Public Any erroneous reflection upon the character, standing or reputation ot any person, firm or corporation which may appear in the columns of this paper will be gladly corrected upon the notice of same being given to the editor personally at the Office of Daily Sun Building, Corsicana Texas, Specifically, Armistead challenged the Bell figure of 1.59 per cent as its rate of return on its Corsicana investment. Armistead pointed out that this figure does not include the money the local office receives as its share of the long distance calls going into and out of Corsicana, as well as revenue received through other channels not included among the categories used in figuring the rate of return.

ACKER, WHO AGREED with this, had earlier credited an unsteady money market and continuing inflation as reasons the increases are needed. Acker also linked profits to the American lifestyle, and said that continued profitability shows the company is continuing to provide more service from a fewer number of employes. Armistead said he have a hard time facing the bill payers and vote for these after presenting the commission with information showing parent company, American Telephone And Telegraph, had increased its dividends as of its last report to the highest rate in its history. Armistead, whom Acker credited with some good noted that in the last 10 years earnings per share had increased from $3.39 to its dividends from $2 to $3.24 per share; and its book value from $37.06 to $61.21 per share. Continuing to cite the yearly report for the past fiscal year, Armistead read that the Bell system was able to offer better earnings, dividends, customer service and jobs for its ployes than at any other time in its history.

THE COMMISSIONER also remarked that dividends for the first two quarters of 1975 stand at 85 cents per quarter and that if this figure remains constant, yearly dividends per share will stand at $3.40, another new high for the company. Armistead said, just see voting an increase in rates to a company when it is making good money and paying the highest dividends it has ever When Mrs. Youngblood called for a motion of some sort a second time, Commissioner Wayne Norris moved to table the matter after a silence of about 30 seconds. Prior to his tabling motion Norris observed it appeared everyone waiting for someone else to do and stay here all Calling the question something Norris offered a for the phone company prior to his motion by noting that Beaton Street has had a long history of chain stores who came to town only to leave later when they could no longer make sufficient profit, but that the phone company could not pick up and go. Acker, who provided Armistead with the information which the commissioner used to raise his objections, had earlier cited skyrocketing costs, increased service demands and the low rate of return as reasons for seeking the increases.

ACKER SAID THAT since the 1971 review of the local Bell office which resulted in new rates for 1972, the overall taxes have been increased 10 per cent; key supplies have risen about 70 per cent and the local equipment investment has increased from $4,333,000 to $5,255,000. Acker said that statewide the company's per phone investment has increased from $506 per phone in 1971 to $615 in 1974. Saying that service and earnings are tied together, Acker said that adequate earnings provide cornerstone of quality The only speaker during the public hearing which preceded the discussion was August Wendorf, who during the course of asking several questions recalled a time in 1958 when he was and with several Bell accountants who the curtain by telling him that the company keeps four sets of books. Recalling a far earlier time when telephones were first being introduced, Wendorf lamented the demise of personal service. He pointed out that since the last rate request was granted from part of that investment being outside the city limits; and the depreciation rates used by the company are set by the Federal Communications Commission.

Acker did not respond to allegation of four sets of books, nor did he answer question about whether the rate increase includes coverage for illegal political contributions. City to receive $136,000 for street improvements Corsicana will receive $136,000 to help in the widening of W. 2nd Ave. according to Traffic Safety Coordinator Guy Rushin. The project calls for widening the street from 38th to 45th, and Rushin says the funds will help cut the cost to the city in implementing one of the phases of its bond program.

Rushin was notified that Corsicana had been approved for the project during a Wednesday meeting in Dallas where preliminary plans for other city projects were discussed. He said that additionally the Office of Traffic Safety had approved the city for traffic light improvements of channelization of the intersection of 20th St. and W. 2nd. Rushin explained that the $136,000 comes from funds made available under the 1973 National Highway Safety Act.

Rushin said that he and City Engineer Steve Gilbreath met with Highway Dept. Resident Engineer Jack London and Highway Dept, district officials to discuss preliminary plans for a traffic light at E. 1st and N. 75; protected left turn signals and channelization at Highways 31 and 75 and channelization and traffic light improvement at N. 24th and W.

2nd. Thick Honey The famed heather honey of Europe is so thick it will not flow out of a jar turned upside down. If the jar is shaken however, the honey will pour easily. The phenomenon has a name thixotrophv and is common to certain jellylike substances. Rushin said that within the next two weeks he will submit projects calling for a traffic- light at S.

15th and W. 13th, light improvement and removal of traffic islands at W. 7th and 15th and at W. 7th and 24th. Oil City Iron Works get Texas marker An Official Texas Historical Marker for the Oil City Iron Works will be erected on Sept.

3, Nelson Ross, chairman of the Navarro County Historical Survey Committee, announced today. The marker will be placed at 819 S. 12th St. in Corsicana. Made of cast aluminum with Swedish steel effect, the marker measures 27 inches by 42 inches and is sponsored by the Navarro County Historical Society.

ROSS SAID THE inscription on the marker will read: modern plant grew from the small machine shop and foundry started on this site in 1866 by John Winship (1826-86) to make parts for his cotton gin. He sold the operation in 1886 to businessmen Joseph Huey 1827-1904), James Garitty (18421925), and J. E. Whitselle (1851-1915), who named it the Corsicana Manufacturing Company. In 1898, the factory was leased to William Clarkson (1858-1941), a South Carolina native who came to Texas after the Civil War.

He renamed it the Oil City Iron Works, because this area was then in the midst of an oil boom. He bought the company in 1908 and became president after it was incorporated in 1921. ADDITION TO parts for cotton gins, the plant began making castings for the oil and building industries. It was converted to defense production during World War II (1941-45). When the importance of cotton declined here after the war, Oil City Iron Works diversified its operation to provide castings for the oil field, road building, farm machinery, and other industries.

In 1960 it pioneered in certain uses of ductile iron and today supplies major companies around the United States. With a workforce of 325, the plant now ranks among the three largest employers in Navarro Courty and in the top ten per cent of the foundries. Ross said the name and location of the marker will appear in the next edition of the to Official Texas Historical in order to stimulate tourist travel in this area, to arouse interest in historical tours, and to acquaint the people of this locale with their unique heritage. Corsicana woman to direct library A 23-year-old Corsicana woman has been selected as the new Library Director by the Corsicana Library Board. Miss Jerre Roe, a graduate of Corsicana High School and currently completing work on her degree in Library Science at the University of Texas, was elected on a 4-3 vote by Library Board members yesterday.

She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Roe, 1512 N.

22nd St. here. Miss Roe, who will receive $700 a month as director, has worked several summers at the library. She was one of two applicants asked by the board to appear before final selection was made. She was not interviewed by the screening committee, as were all other applicants, because her application was made late, board members were told.

Voting in favor of Miss Roe were Liza Ruth, Carolyn Brown, Mayor Sue Youngbiood, and Richard Parker. Casting negative votes were Herb Silverberg, Irene Boozer and McAftee Daniel. Not present for the meeting were Mary Love JERRE ROE new Library Director Saunders and Julius Jacobs. After members elected Miss Roe, the board took a second vote going on record in unanimous support of the new director. The board met for nearly an hour in executive session interviewing both applications before re-convening in open session to take the vote.

job extended Need Money for Home Form Ranch Personal PUT OUR HANDY LOAN SERVIC PLAN TO THE TEST! FIRST NATIONAL BANK Guy feeling now that he knows he will be working for the city for at least one more year. Rushin expressed his elation after the Corsicana City Commission voted 3-0-1 Tuesday night to provide city funds to operate Traffic Safety Office once matching state funds run out April 15. Following a more than dramatic pause prior to Commissioner Wayne motion to continue the program, Mayor Sue Youngblood joined Norris and Comm. R. A.

Armistead to vote in favor of the extension. Comm. H. R. Stroube Jr.

abstained from voting, while Comm. Jim Lightfoot was not present at the meeting. STROUBE HAD EARLIER expressed a desire to delay action on the matter to allow to City Manager Dick Ballenger had recommended the abolition of job during last commission workshop meeting on the budget. Ballenger said that the city could take the $9,467 necessary to continue the program and apply it toward erasing the $9,994 budget deficit currently in the proposed budget. Ballenger made no allegations, presented no charges against Rushin during public hearing though the commission met in a one hour executive session discussing personnel and the pending collective bargaining suits just prior to hearing.

Rushin said he was when he read the Daily Sun account of proposed abolition of his department, adding that the paper was hitting the he was meeting with state officials and receiving notification of approval for $139,000 in funds, all but $3,000 of which will be used to widen W. 2nd Ave. to 45th St. RUSHIN PRESENTED the commission and the 3040 people in the audience with a four-page report on the accomplishments of his office during its year history and challenged assessment last week that the program had been largely unproductive during its first two years of existence. Rushin did not challenge avowal of a however, and Mrs.

Youngblood had to warn the traffic director at one point to personalities out of Rushin, with an ever-raising voice, had just pointed out that two of the projects he had gained grant money for would $161,000 for the bond program, Mr. Rushin, answering an inquiry by Norris, said that Police chief Don Massey had been most helpful to him in trying to get the program underway, adding that were a number of times I stepped on his because of the newness of the program. Saying that Massey had been big about at those times, Rushin added that, as far as the city manager was concerned, he had received much cooperation from that Mrs. Youngblood noted during the discussion that in the initial years of the program, Rushin had operated much cooperation from the SHE SAID THAT Rushin had done an in traffic safety as well as in civil service and administration of the manpower program. report showed $232,000 in approved project funding secured by his department during its year history.

In answer to statement of a week ago that his position as head of civil service and traffic safety (at a combined salary of $1,250 monthly) created dissension among department heads, Rushin replied that he not ask for the job. It was offered to me at a set He also offered to give the civil service position (at $200 a month) to any of the department heads who wanted the job and who, according to Ballenger, were upset because of two sources of income. In addition to the history and immediate future of his office presented in his report, Rushin said that he felt such traffic safety accomplishments as a 19 per cent reduction in city traffic accidents should be given some weight in figuring the city budget. The hearing on job future, open to the public at his request, followed a one hour executive session of the commission to discuss personnel and the pending collective bargaining lawsuits..