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Saturday is Election Day
As of Monday afternoon, 227 voters had cast ballots in Gladewater’s
city council election. Tuesday at 7 p.m. marked the end of early voting.
Election Day is Saturday, May 10, with voting hours from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
A total of five candidates are vying for three seats on the council: Walter
Derrick and Mark Carpenter are running for Place 1, the mayor’s seat;
John Ussery is uncontested for Place 2; and incumbent Jimmy Williams and
challenger Judy Burlison are running for Place 3.
The Gladewater ISD trustee election was cancelled as there was no opposition
for the two seats on the ballot. David Floyd will retain his seat and Jon
Keller will assume Judy Crow’s seat on the board as she did not seek
re-election.
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Two Gilmer attorneys indicted
By Phillip Williams
Mirror Correspondent
GILMER—The Upshur County Grand Jury last Wednesday indicted two longtime
Gilmer attorneys on unrelated allegations that they didn't return trust fund
monies to clients, said District Attorney Billy Byrd.
Robert D. Bennett, 45, of Gilmer, and Wayne Toliver, 70, of Crystal Beach,
were indicted on felony charges of "misappropriation of client trust
fund accounts" and felony theft, said Byrd.
Both turned themselves in Friday and were released on bond, said a spokeswoman
for the sheriff's office. In a news release issued that day, Byrd said warrants
had been issued for their arrests.
Although the charges against Toliver carry a greater penalty since his
client was elderly, he was released on bonds totaling only $70,000 while
Bennett was released on bail totaling $150,000, authorities said. Toliver's
bond was $35,000 per charge, while Bennett's was $75,000 per charge, said
the sheriff's office.
In the news release, Byrd said the complaint against Bennett was brought
to his office earlier this year.
"The complainants alleged a large sum of money was turned over to
Robert Bennett after he agreed to represent them," Byrd wrote. On Jan.
9, 2003, "Over $75,000 was deposited into his clients' trust fund account
after his fee was deducted."
"As the civil suit was finally disposed in December 2007 in Smith
County, the complainant went to...Bennett to retrieve their money and it
was never returned to the complainant..." Byrd wrote. "Bennett
was advised of the allegations" and testified to the special session
of the grand jury, while the state "presented evidence and witness testimony."
The investigation of Toliver began in March...
...Continued in this week's edition of The Gladewater Mirror.
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Adopt-a-band
The Gladewater High School Sweepstakes Band has been invited to perform
in Hawaii next year, but first members must raise about $160,000 to get there
and they are asking for the community’s help.
Local musicians will represent the State of Texas in the celebration commemorating
the 50th year of Hawaii’s statehood. The Bear Band will join performing
groups from all 50 states to commemorate the past and celebrate the future
of Hawaii, said Band Director Nathan Templeton.
The band will make the trip during Spring Break, March 16-20, 2009, and
spend five days in Honolulu performing “Texas-style” concerts
at Pearl Harbor and the state capitol. Weather permitting, the band may also
march in the Polynesian Cultural Parade.
GHS Band Boosters are raising money in their traditional venues (rodeo
and football concessions, golf tournament, etc.) and band students will continue
to sponsor two fundraisers each year, the director said.
“Specifically, the band boosters are asking businesses, civic clubs,
alumni/alumnae, and civic-minded individuals to raise approximately half
of the total cost, or $80,000. The band students will raise or pay about
$30,000, with the band boosters accounting for the remaining balance of $50,000,” he
said.
“These are huge numbers but can certainly be attained,” Templeton
said.
The cost for each student is $1,600. Community members, businesses or civic
groups may elect to help in a number of ways, Templeton said. First, a business
or individual may “adopt” a student to help pay her/his cost.
Secondly, money may be donated to the full group, allowing the band director
to divide money as necessary.
“Either way, community contributions will impact the bottom line,
and that’s the goal,” Templeton said.
For more information, please contact the band office at 844-3828. |
Council accepts bids
By Brenda Brown
Mirror Editor
In a special meeting called last Tuesday night, Gladewater city councilmen
accepted a $288,055 bid to replace the storm drainage pipe system along a
portion of Gay Avenue. Councilman also accepted a bid to pave the library
parking lot and improve handicapped accessibility to the library and the
museum.
Dual Construction of Texarkana had the low bid and was awarded the contract,
said City Manager Jay Stokes. Three of the low bids were within $2,000 of
the winning bid.
Stokes said the council had seven bids to choose from, with a high bid
$499,000.
The city’s engineering firm for the project, Stokes & Associates
of Henderson (no relation to the city manager), had advised the council the
project cost was in the $300,000 range. Jay Stokes said there are two contingent
bids within the bid worth about $30,000 that may or may not be spent, depending
on what the contractor finds buried underneath the roadway.
“There are two components that were bid that may not need to be done,” Stokes
said. “Obviously, we’re hoping they won’t have to be done
and that will save us $30,000, but we won’t know until we start digging.”
The work will encompass an area from Chevy Chase east to Glade Creek, where
the storm water empties.
The work is contracted to take 60 days...
...Continued in this week's edition of The Gladewater Mirror.
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GHS seniors receive “Built Ford Tough” scholarships
DALLAS—Ford and FFA have announced two Gladewater seniors are among
the more than 600 FFA students from around the country who will receive “Built
Ford Tough” scholarships.
Kaleigh Todd and Jordan Black, who will graduate from GHS in May, will
each receive $1,000 scholarships.
“Built Ford Tough scholarships are an investment in the future of
Texas,” said David Mondragon, general manager of Ford’s Southwest
Region. “After 60 years, Ford remains committed to supporting FFA because
of our common interest in developing the next generation of agricultural,
business and community leaders.”
Ford has supported the National FFA Foundation since the first F-Series
truck was introduced in 1948, and has sponsored the Built Ford Tough collegiate
scholarship program since 1997. The program, equally funded by Ford Motor
Company and Ford dealers, has awarded more than $3 million in scholarships
to more than 3,000 FFA members. Ford has increased the Built Ford Tough Trucks/FFA
Scholarship Fund each year since its inception.
“Ford Motor Company knows the value of hard work..."
...Continued in this week's edition of The Gladewater Mirror.
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Museum banquet is Thursday; quilt show this weekend
"On My Way," a Southern Gospel Bluegrass group, will entertain
guests during the East Texas Museum at Gladewater’s banquet this
Thursday night, beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the Gladewater Former Students
Building.
Everyone is invited to dress casual and enjoy a complete brisket dinner
with all the trimmings, said Elaine Roddy, president of the museum association.
Tickets are $15 per person and available at the Chamber of Commerce office
or Rockett Realty. “Every penny will be used to keep the museum open
and maintained,” Ms. Roddy said.
Friday marks the beginning of this year’s Jesca Jones Quilt Show
at the museum. Hours for the two-day event, May 9-10, are 10 a.m. to 4
p.m. Admission is free.
Country Patches Quilt Guild is the quilt show sponsor and the quilts
created by the members of this guild are amazing, Ms. Roddy said.
“It is not a judged show and none of the quilts will be for sale, but
you will be amazed at the quality of workmanship and the number of hours
involved to complete a quilt,” she added...
...Continued in this week's edition of The Gladewater Mirror.
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GISD plans ‘Star Spangled’ band concert
The GHS Symphonic Band and GMS Cub bands will present a “Star-Spangled” patriotic
celebration concert honoring peace officers, veterans and those currently
serving an active tour of duty in the Armed Forces at 7 p.m. Tuesday, May
13, in the GHS auditorium.
Band Director Nathan Templeton said the program will be in the tradition
of the old Sousa concerts, including John Phillip Sousa’s most famous
march “The Stars and Stripes Forever.”
Everyone is invited and admission is free.
“This is going to be a very exciting program, with big brassy sounds,
lots of percussion accents, and the playing of marches from our nation’s
heritage,” Templeton said.
The GMS Cub Bands, directed by Michelle Brown, Scott Smith and Don Kitchell,
will open the concert with a selection of popular favorites.
The high school band’s program will include “Armed Forces On
Parade,” a salute to those who have served or are serving our country
in the military; The World Premiere of “Deep River” a selection
commissioned by the GHS Band Boosters in memory of Templeton’s mother,
Dessy; “Someone To Watch Over Me,” a Gershwin original dedicated
to fallen peace officers and military personnel who have given their lives
in the line of duty; and “Fantasia on the Doxology” based on
the “Old One Hundreth” and dedicated to local peace officers,
who risk their lives daily to “protect and to serve.”
Scott Smith, a former GHS All-State trombone player, will guest conduct
the band in a special rendition by the trombone section playing “Lassus
Trombone.”
“It’s a pleasure to share the podium with this very talented
young man. He’s a talented teacher and a welcome addition to our staff,” Templeton
said.
The band will round out the program with several favorite march selections
and “The Stars & Stripes Forever,” the National March of
the United States.
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