Karnes Co. TX - NEWS - March 2006 This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Kimm Antell Copyright. All rights reserved. http://files.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm Copyright 2006 Victoria Advocate Online (http://victoriaadvocate.com) ************************************************ March 1, 2006 Karnes City wants to hear from its citizens KARNES CITY - The Karnes City City Council wants to hear from its citizens. A town meeting is being scheduled for either Wednesday, March 15, or Tuesday, March 21, for an open exchange of information and ideas, said City Manager Larry Pippin. The exact date is yet to be finalized, but the council gave the go- ahead to the town meeting idea during Monday's regular session. "It's a good way to get input from the people," Pippin said. "We want to let everyone know the financial condition of the city, about our infrastructure, about the sewer plant. We want to discuss our problems and get ideas on how to resolve them. It's a lot easier when you put all your cards on the table and be frank and truthful." The town meeting will most likely be at the high school auditorium if available once the date is set, Pippin added. Also Monday, the council: Approved the 2004-05 audit by Beyer & Co. Approved changes to a Texas Parks and Wildlife Park grant application for the new city park. Accepted a historic iron bridge from the county historical society to be placed in proximity of the new city park. Appointed Dewayne Blietz as Karnes City Volunteer Fire Department fire marshal. Adopted a resolution concerning leasing of electronic voting machines from Karnes County. Sonny Long is a reporter for the Advocate. Contact him at 361-275- 6319 or cueroadv@vicad.com, or comment on this story at www.VictoriaAdvocate.com. March 2, 2006 Kenedy considers new water well KENEDY - Water was the main topic during Tuesday's special session of the Kenedy City Council. The council hired Southwest Engineers of Gonzales to prepare a proposal for water well construction options near the city's industrial park. The city is also considering closing some of its existing water wells. The council also approved the purchase of an arsenic adsorber to reduce arsenic levels in the water before it goes through the reverse osmosis treatment unit. In other action, the council approved a resolution to lease electronic voting machines from Karnes County, and awarded the bid for the air conditioning project in the municipal building and library to Beyer Boys of San Antonio for $139,865. *********************************** March 18, 2006 Kenedy church presents Lenten drama 'Walk Through Jerusalem' Advocate Staff Report KENEDY - Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Kenedy will present the Lenten drama "Walk Through Jerusalem" beginning at 6:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, April 7 and 8. The guide-led Lenten drama takes visitors through dramatic scenes depicting events from the night before the crucifixion of Christ. Guests should dress casually and wear walking shoes. Tours will depart from the sanctuary every 20 minutes and each walk lasts about 30 minutes. The last walk will leave at 8:30 pm. There is no charge. The cast includes more than 30 men, women and children in nine scenes. A fried-fish plate dinner will be available in the Fellowship Hall beginning at 6 p.m. The cost is $5 for adults and $3 for children. Plates to go will also be available. Good Shepherd Lutheran Church is located on state Highway 72 West, about a half mile from U.S. Highway 181. For tickets and more information, contact Pastor Wally Schievelbein at 830-583-2285. *********************************** Edna company awarded Kenedy improvement work contract Advocate Staff Report KENEDY - Edna's Mercer Construction was awarded the bid for infrastructure improvements in Kenedy during Tuesday's city council session. Mercer's bid of $511,052 was awarded for water distribution and wastewater collection in Kenedy. The work is part of a Texas Community Development Program grant awarded to the city. The council also approved a contract with the San Antonio River Authority to administer the Texas Water Development Board desalination grant. The council also approved an interlocal agreement with the Kenedy school district regarding the scoreboard at Red Holchak Field. The school district is purchasing the scoreboard with the city responsible for maintenance, upkeep, and updates. In other action, the council: • Approved the chamber of commerce budget. • Hired Belinda Crenshaw as municipal court clerk. • Approved $2,500 in expenditures from the 4B sales tax fund for maintenance and improvements at the park. • Approved, from the same fund, an additional $200 per month to the Karnes County Economic Development Corporation. *********************************** Karnes County Advocate Staff Report Karnes City City Council - Mayor, Don Tymrac, postal worker, incumbent. District 1, Lillian Lyssy, retired, incumbent. District 2, Raymond Robinson, Floresville school district, incumbent. District 3, Mary F. Kruciak, banking, incumbent. District 4, Leroy T. Skloss, Karnes Electric Co-op, incumbent. District 5, Jimmy D. Loya, Sr., postmaster, incumbent. Karnes City school board - Place 3, James Adams; Edward Griffin. Place 5, Russell Swize; Michael Mohr. Place 7, Sharon Purser, incumbent. Kenedy City Council - Mayor, Randy Garza, 42, correctional officer, incumbent. District 2, Felipe Leal, 54, maintenance mechanic, incumbent. District 4, Norma Atkinson, 59, retired, incumbent; Mary Ann Sanchez, 38, medication aide. Kenedy school board - District 4, Adelaido (Lee) Leal; Carl R. Lundquist. District 5, Edward Monson, incumbent; Celeste Rodriguez. District 5, Michael Smart; Leo Valerio, incumbent. Falls City City Council - At-large, three to be elected, Brent Houdmann, 40, probation officer, incumbent; Jeff Johnson, 41, sales, incumbent; Steven Swierc, 44, management, incumbent. Falls City school board - At-large, two to be elected, Raymond Dziuk, incumbent; Mindy Jendrusch, incumbent. Runge City Council - No election this year. Runge school district - District 5, Christine Ramirez, incumbent. District 6, Shirley Janssen, incumbent; Glenn Villanueva. *********************************** Early voting for Karnes elections is May 1-9 Advocate Staff Report This is the last in the list of candidates who have filed for office in the May 13 city, school board, hospital districts and water districts elections. Early voting for these elections will be May 1-9. Early voting for the Republican and Democratic runoff elections, which is different from the city and school elections, will be April 3-7 with the runoff election set for April 11. Today's list is for Karnes County elections. Candidates for DeWitt County was published Friday, while candidates in Calhoun, Jackson, Refugio and Gonzales counties and the water districts in Victoria County were printed Thursday. Candidates for Bee, Goliad, Fayette, Lavaca, Colorado, Wharton, Matagorda counties were printed Wednesday. Candidates in Victoria County elections were printed on Tuesday. ***********************************