The Waco Citizen from Waco, Texas • Page 1

Microfilm Center, Inc, P.O. Box 454-36 bailas, Tx. 75235 Observations By W. S. Foster CO T3 (0 0 3 Waco's Only Home-owned Newspaper "Slim Pickens" was misused by a dally 1 newspaper artist In a headline.

It should have been "Slim Pickings." That is not as bad, however, as the misuse of the word "Its." When intended as a conjunction only "It's" Is proper. Mart area county commissioner, Roy Nail, says he is not going to let his duties as President of the Texas County Judges and Commissioners Association Interfere with his duties as an elected official. Constituents get peeved, he explained, when they are unable to catch their elected official in performances of his home duties. Nail some time ago visited with the County Commissioners in Galveston. They have been considering reducing the taxes because the Industries are supplying plenty of money with which to operate most of their county's business.

Such is not the situation in McLennan and quiet a few other counties in Texas. They don't have the Industries to carry the load, and why should industries be heavily obligated since their payouts are shuffled back on the consumers after all is said and done. Nail is a valuable man for this county. "Mainstreet Texas" is the name of a sports magazine in its third year, with its home in Waco. Dr.

Tom L. Roberts is the founder of the magazine and It Is more or less a family affair. Roberts formerly was sports editor for the Waco Citizen. His official duties are one of the "head shrinkers" at the V.A. Hospital, now Medical Center, where he is employed as a psychiatrist.

His publication carries a reasonable of advertisements. "The Soaring Price of Tigers" is a feature article of his in the June-July edition. The article has to do with That, of course, in these days is a popular subject. He tells of the various tigers encountered in this period. When will somebody speak out against this painful condition, Dr.

Roberts asks. My wife can't see any benefits In being able to drive down Austin Avenue on the Mall, heading one way toward the Brazos River as a jumping off place. Cars can't stop and park, so how is this scenic driveway going to help save the Downtown business. Well, the only good feature is that It allows a passenger to get out to do some shopping. But where is the driver going to park The lack of free parking is what caused the downfall of the downtown area.

Customers abhorred having to pay for over-parking tickets of $2.50 or more each. Shoppers don't have this "cancerous" condition in the shopping areas. "The Dirty Four" is the name given to the four elected officials who protested the higher salary raises given to the preferred few. This was out of line with the seven per cent increase awarded by the commissioners court to the ordinary courthouse employees, including the elected officials. Anyway, the Dirty Four might be able to get the legally formed Grievance Committee to do something about It before the approved $14.1 million budget for the county goes Into effect.

The commissioners have yet to set the tax rate, based on property valuations in the county. Judge Bill Logue of the 19th district court said he did not participate in the Normandy Beach Landing but that his outfit was standing nearby. Logue saw some pictures over television of a companion outfit which was hit hard by the Germans as heavily as was his Army platoon during the World War 11 fighting. Anniversary of the Normandy Beach drew a large number of persons to the rugged coast walls scaling of American troops last week. Mostly the visitors were concerned with the memorial events and viewing of the tens of thousands of grave markers of the Americans killed in that skirmish.

The U.S. Navy did an excellent job of landing the troops for the successful invasion. A reputation of such a catastrophe Is not to be desired. Maybe the Salt II declaration will curtail any such slaughtering. The stories of the anniversary of the landing and later the Vienna visit of U.S.

President John Kennedy visited the great Austrian city as the last peace negotiations before Cater took over. When Bill C. Foster visited West Berlin with me during the Kaiser Lauten maneuvers some years ago, we stood In the guard tower overlooking the Berlin Wall where Kennedy also stood. We viewed the Soviet Guards with drawn rifles guarding the barbed wire walls from the East Berlin territory. We were permitted to ride a trammel car for a visit to East Berlin.

Prosecutors are trying to send Billie Sol Estes back to the federal penitentiary to finish serving the sentence imposed on him for defrauding in the grain storage fraud. He is out on parole now and the hearing Is underway. We told previously about our trip to Pecos to collect a newspaper debt Estes owed my late partner, Fred Shaver, about the time the federal Investigators were swarming into that Texas city to pin Estes down which they succeeded In doing. Our attachment for Shaver was unsuccessful. Fred helped me to take over several newspapers in Texas cities as an advertising executive as well as a promoter.

Our territory included Kilgore oil fields as well as the Hobbs, New Mexico, oil productions. The Texas ventures were in Corpus El Paso, Victoria, DeLeon, Stamford, Rogers, Waco, Overton, Donna, McAllen, Brady, Quanah, and others. Women outnumber men on juries these days. We noticed three male and nine females sitting in the jury box the other day. Some good prospective jurors squirm about having to pass on a verdict In court trials.

Considerable criticism was made of the recent jury which convicted an Elm Mott man for defending himself in his home when attacked surprisingly by narcotic officers. Spectators said the testimony of competent witnesses were ignored; that he was tried on the dope possession, instead of the violation on which he was indicted. Nevertheless, the jury did recommend a ten year probated sentence which let the defendant and his wife have time to relax and recover. Acceptance of the sentence was the path of least resistance, rather than an attempt to set the conviction aside in higher courts. Such is live In the courthouse.

Subscribe to The Waco Citizen Only $6 per year VOLUME 52 664100 WACO, TEXAS TUESDAY. JUNE 19. 1979 754 351 NUMBER 60 Prickette Asks Funds To Clear Ttu mt A CITY OF STEEL girders will shortly be transformed into something more like a shopping center if the dry weather holds. Richland Mall is expected to be completed by spring of 1980. (Gini Carlisle photo) Crime Up Slightly The McLennan County auto registration department is "bottle necked" with more car title changes than the clerks can handle, County Tax Assessor Collector Gene Prickette told the county commissioners court Monday morning.

He does not have enough help to catch up with the bottleneck in the auto department, Prickette said in asking the commissioners court to allow him to employ two more typists in that department and one more to handle the punching machines. The force allowed in the county budget is "snowed under" with on the average of one hundred title transfers of cars coming through the mail and in person at the auto department each day. Judge Bob Thomas told Prickette that they did not understand his request, thinking that he only wanted one ditional clerk. Prickette replied that the request for the three helpers was in black and white, clearly stated in his letter. If they couldn't understand that, then from him, was never read.

Commissioner Roy Nail brought up his reply that car license renewals formerly coming due on one period a year, are now scattered throughout the year. Nail questioned the elected tax collector about having to hire several additional clerks during the old once-a-year period, which they now have the entire year to catch up. Nail was under the impression that Prickette wanted to hire this extra force the entire year around. Not so. replied Prickette.

The girls at S2.95 per hour get little enough pay and are busy the entire eight hours per day. Often the clerks work on Saturdays and sometimes the heads of the department assemble the work on Sundays, without charge, so that the workers can function at the opening hour on week days. Prickette was backed up by an appearance of Sam Nay, Dodge Auto Agency, who had not expected to get in on the request, which is costing the auto agencies heavy losses in not being able to transfer titles to close tax department. The tax collector told the court that seven persons are employed regularly in the auto department. The Texas Legislature failed to act on the bill which would have increased fees in auto registrations.

Prickette says the bill got no support from elected commissioners and officials. Prickette thought that he could be called back concerning his request in writing before the budget was adopted last week. County Judge Bob Thomas said the court would take this request under advisement and let him know later. Thomas said he would go in person to office to smooth this request out present it to the court. Sales of autos is in an increase.

About ten thousand transfers are handled in the tax office each year now, it was stated. Prickette said he doesn't know any way that he could have made the request other than the letter he wrote, "Maybe we are not as Index crime in Waco continues to show slight increases month to month. The total index crime in May was up 1.1 percent compared to April and 5.9 when compared to May. 1978. There were seven rapes in May compared to three in April.

However, according to the statistics released by the Waco Police Department Friday, there has been a 50 percent decrease in rapes from January through May, 1979 when compared to the same period in 1978. For the second month in a row there were no murders reported. There was an 11.4 percent increase in business burglaries and a light decrease in residential burglaries when compared to May, 1978. Year-to-date figures for 1979 Court Decides Church Leader A civil case being heard in 19th District Court with Judge Bill Logue presiding between members of The Branch of the Seventh Day Adventist living near Elk was settled Friday morning. The case began Monday morning and testimony continued through Thursday afternoon.

The jury took only 15 minutes to determine who was the actual president of the association. Friction had developed between Lois Roden, widow of Ben Roden, former prophet of the Branch and their son George Roden, who said he was the president King of the Branch. The by-laws of the association revealed that a woman could not be chosen the leader. From the witness stand Thursday, Roden said he was the "president and the king of the same as Jesus, but 1 am not the son of George also testified he ran for president of the United States in 1975 and for the governor of California because he had knowledge to solve the energy crisis which is now facing the country. Roden was the only witness to appear in his behalf.

Other members of the Branch testified that Lois was the prophet and should be considered the president of the Branch. The president of the group will have the right to sell the 77 acres belonging to the association located near Elk and will also have control of all the other assets of the association. The jury found Mn. Lois Roden to be the prophet and the queen of the Branch of the Seventh Day Adventists. Lyndon Olson, represented Mrs.

Roden and John Cabiness represented George Roden. Scott Sentenced Curtis Lee Scott, 24, will have to serve 20 calendar yean in the Texas State Penitentiary after he was assessed a 99-year sentence by the same jury which found him guilty of the murder with a deadly weapon of Lula Mac Senn. After he served 20 years, Scott will be eligible for a parole review by the parole board of the TDC. The jury found Scott guilty late Thursday night of the murder of the elderly Kate Ross resident on September 10, 1978. The jurors reached their verdict at 7:30 p.m.

but dinner had been ordered for them and members of the prosecution, and defense teams along with the judge were out eating dinner. It was read at 8:45 p.m. after everyone had gathered back in the 54th district courtroom. Scott bowed his head on the table and sobbed silently after the verdict of guilty was read by Judge Carl Anderson. mother who has sat in the courtroom throughout the trial left the courtroom in tears.

The jury reported back to the courtroom at 9 a.m. Friday to hear arguments before setting the punishment. Doug Henager, attorney for the defense, asked the jury to have when setting the time to be served. During the final arguments. mother left the courtroom and fainted in the rotunda of the courthouse.

When she was revived she complained of chest pains. An ambulance was called and Mrs. Harvey Scott (Margaret Cooper, 48) was transferred to Providence Hospital where doctors later listed her in satisfacotry condition while attempting to determine the cause of the pains. The jury went out at 10:40 a.m. to render a verdict in the penalty portion of the trial and came back at 12:25 p.m.

The circumstances were almost identical to the one Thursday night, everyone was out to lunch. The verdict was read at 1 p.m. after all the principals had returned to the courtroom. During the penalty deliverations of the jury a note was sent to the judge asking for the difference between a 99-year sentence and a life sentence. Judge Anderson answered that he could tell the jury the ference between the two sentences but he Indicated to thoM in the courtroom that there is virtually no difference.

Prosecuting the case were Lynn Malone and Karen Matkin for the District Attorney. Henager and John Barnett, court appointed attorneys, defended Scott. indicate a 5.3 percent increase in index crome when compared to 1978. Six police officers were assaulted in May compared to three in April. Of the six officers assaulted five received personal injuries and one did not.

Four of the officers were assaulted with the hands, fists or feet of their assailants and one was threated with a gun and one with a knife. Four of the officers were assaulted when responding to such as family quarrels, man with gun, and etc. Two were answering calls relating to investigations of suspicious persons or circumstances. During the month of May the Waco Police Department handled 96 juveniles or persons under the age of 17. Fouty-four of these were handled within the department and released to the parents.

Fifty-two were referred to juvenile court or the probation department. Twenty-one of these young people were arrested for burglary, breaking or entering, and thirty-four were arrested for larceny-theft, except from a motor vehicle. Total value of property stolen during the month of May was $163,626. Of this total S46.969 was recovered by the police department. Jury Selection Begins Today A jury is to be selected this morning in the 54th district court to try Theo Thomas, charged with forgery and passing, enhance.

During the morning the case against William Robert Miller will be heard. He is represented by Charles McDonald. The new term grand jury will be followed by arraignment of several more criminal complaints. perhaps the letter they received sales, due to the bottleneck in the smart as you are," retorted Nail. School Board To Eye Five Changes in principals at five elementary schools will lead off a full agenda for the board meeting of the Trustees of the Waco Independent School District, Thursday, June 21 at 7:30 p.m.

The board meets at the administration building 3420 W. Waco Drive and the Meeting is open to the public. PUBLIC. Bill Gilbert, principal at Brook Ave. 6th Grade Center will become principal at Hillcrest Elementary School.

He is replacing Miss Eddie Forsgard who retired this year. Brook Ave. was closed at the end of the school year. Gillett. principal at Bell's Hill will assume the principalship at Kendrick Elementary School.

David Farris, principal at Kendrick Elementary will move to the principalship at Gurley Elementary. James Wheeler, principal at South Waco Elementary will assume the principalship at Hill. Miss Beulah Johnson will move from Gurley Elementary to South Waco Elementary as principal. The administration is recommending the changes for board approval. The administration will also recommend the district implement the semester system during the school year of 198081.

The legislature approved the quarter system plan versus the semester plan. David Foster, Deputy Superintendent, will present a first year progress report on five year plan of educational priorities which will be sent to the Texas Education Agency. Trustees are expected to participate with Region XII Education Service Center for Instructional Media Services. The cost for the service is SI.00 per child based on average daily attendance. Darrel McDaniels.

Director of Plant and Maintenance, will Vegetable Show Success The Fourth Annual McLennan County Vegetable Show held June 8 at Lake Air Mall was a great success, said county officials. There were 108 entries. J.L Brazzil of Chalk Bluff won the Grand Champion plaque in the Open Division with his Liberty Hybrid Cucumbers, and the Reserve Champion Plaque with his Idaho Red Potatoes. Open Division Blue Ribbon winners were Mrs. John W.

Post, Darwin Little, R.C. Barnes, H.M. Benkendorfer, Authur Flowers, Charlie Jackson, Inez Smith, J. Scott and F. Berab.

Open Division Red Ribbon winners were Geraldine Lester, Konnie Johnson and Haywood Henderson. In the 4-H Division Eddie Roessler of the Tours 4-H Club took the Grand Champion Plaque with his beets, while Charles Prause of the China Spring community 4-H club took Reserve Champion honors with his sweet pimientos. Blue Ribbon winners in the 4-H Division Included Kathy Brem, Nancy Menzies, George Menzies, Frances Roessler, Kathy Roessler and Rose Ann Roessler. present a discussion of plant maintenance to date and long range program plans for the district. Clint Capter, president of the Classroom Teachers Association will address the board on the implications of the recent passage of the Waco State Home bill.

The bank depository tor the next two years will be selected during the meeting. BH Lions Hear About Programs Bob Mills of the Parks and Recreation Department of the city of Waco will be telling members of the Beverly Hills Lions about what thev are providing for the youth this summer. The summer program is already underway. It includes a ping pong tournament, frisbee contest, volleyball tournament, hula hoop contest, play day. swimming, arts, and crafts and many other such activities.

The centers open from 9:30 a.m. to 12 noon and 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Brook Avenue Elementary, Cedar Ridge Elementary, Mountainview Elementary, South Terrace, R.L. Smith Elementary, Tennyson Junior High.

Lake Waco Elementary, North Junior, Kendrick Elementary, and Dean Highland Elementary. The South Waco Elementary Center will be open from 9 a.m. to 12 noon and Bells Hill Elementary will be opened from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. liie arts and crafts supervisor is Miss Peggy Brown and city playground director is Wayne McLean.

June Kitten Month For some, June is a delightful month: would-be poets and songwriters find it a word easy to work with. But for abandoned and unwanted cats and dogs, June is the crudest month. And June is adopt a kitten month. Since this time of year is peak one for kittens, there are many to choose from, Every day, numerous cats and kittens are destroyed at Worse, many are left to roam will until they meet a slow deatfc by disease or fall victims to can or other animals. Animal Aides Organization was formed in response to the over-population problem.

AAO offers financial assistance for spraying or neutering household pets. For more information, call 772-3491. This shell kitten was rescued from the Animal Control Center by Animal Aides Organization. She was destined for destruction. She has been checked by a veterinarian and needs a good home.

Chyrll Winter tries to convince the little feline that while life is not a bowl of cherries, not all the pits, either. For moit information on AAO, or adopting this kitten, call 772-3491. (Gini Carlisle photo).