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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublicity Vol. 53 (Jan. 4, 1995 - Dec. 31, 1995)$11 million ' for roads Money for Brazos Valley streets includes $170,000 for Bryan - College Station By JIM HINEY Eagle staff writer The Texas Transportation Commission has approved spending more than $11 million throughout the Brazos Valley for road improvement projects, including about $170,000 for street improvements in Bryan and College Station. No one has decided which streets in the two cities will be improved, said Denise Fischer, public information officer for 0 the Texas Dep ment of Transportation's Bryan District office. The local Metropolit Planning Organization, which in 1 des both may- ors, the county judge and epresentatives from Texas A &M and the local TxDOT office, will choose the r s and TxDOT must agree with the =ices, Fischer said. Improvements must by ' ited to "col lector" streets, she said., C ollector streets are streets that move a fic: to or from the state's highway syst The $170,280 to be spEn in Bryan and College Station was part of $18 million the TxDOt earmarked statewide to recon- struct or rehabilitate urban streets, Fischer said. Transportation I ommissioners approved another $50 million state ide to maintain farm to market roads and $11 million of that will be spent on aboj'u 188 miles of road in the Bryan District s 10 counties. Tentative plans for Brazos County call for maintenance projects on parts Old San Antonio Road, FM 159, FM 16117 and FM 2223. Many of the roads are handling d Idgh- er volume of traffic and heavier v 'cles that they were designed to carry, FUcher said. "These improvement projects are asi- cally pavement reconstruction s� they can stand up to the current demand," she said. The state is also taking some of the financial burden off of the counties for widening existing farm to market roads. Beginning immediately, the state will pay for up to 90 percent of the cost of gain- ing right of way and moving utilities before widening farm to market roads, Fischer said. In the past, each county has been responsible for paying 100 percent of the right of way and utility adjustment costs. Brazos County spent $53,680 last year to buy right of way, according to the county auditor's office. That figure includes all right of way, not just the right of way for state farm to market widening projects. The counties will still have to pay for right of way and utility adjustments on new farm to market road construction, Fischer said. State ap proves Y Eagle staff writer "It was not a good year for College Station concerning College Station had an mcrease m 9 9 maj crimes committed in 1994, high- crime - li b mici es, a Most ever on file. College Station police said in its year -end total, released Monday, that it had 2,664 major crimes in 1994, compared to 2,557 in the previous year — a four per- 18 arrest of Lonnie Edward Hugh Cox for cent increase. The number of homicides was the most the murder of a 2 year old, College Station startling increase from 1993, when Col- had five homicides in 11 weeks. lege Station had none. It was the highest "It was not a good year for College Sta- total in College Station since before 1966, tion concerning crime," Lt. Scott the earliest city police records on file. McCollum said. The city had no murder cases between McCollum said even though the homi- lgRq and 1993. Yet starting with the July cides occurred in a short span of time, Crime From Al Then, in six weeks time, three capital murder cases occurred. On Aug. 19, Carl Henry Blue was arrested in the burning of his former girlfriend, Carmen Richards, who died two week later. * Stanley Allison Baker wa a P in the murder of an adul t video store clerk on Sept. 28, he mold police he entered the store t steal money and to kill anyone who was inside. Two days later, A &M student Ron Shamburger was arrested in connection with the shooting death of fellow stu- dent Lori Ann Baker. "We definitely don't want to see murders occur in College Station, period," McCollum said. "It was an unfortunate occurrence, more than anything." s McCollum was pleased, though, that suspects in all five murder s cases were arrested quickly, wit four arrested on the same day . M Police lieutenant none were related to the other. "They had their own identity," he said. One week after Cox's arrest, Sylvester Mable was arrested for murder in con- nection with the stabbing death of his brother, Jarvis. the crime. In other categories, the number of robberies rose in 19N by 12 percent. Aggravated assault cases increased 30 percent. College Station did, however, see decreases in sexual assaults [40 percent], thefts [less than one percent], burglaries df habita- tions [28 percent], and burglaries of buildings [20 percent]. McCollum said this represented a change in emphasis from the previous year. While the number of habitation and building bur- P ries went down considerably, ere was a rise in bld of Please see CRIME, page A10 Tou&q I U� vehicles [by 40 percent]. " it seems that we ve had some- what of a crime shift," he said. "Burglaries of habitations are down as well as burglaries of buildings, including businesses. Yet burglaries of vehicles are up." Preventing high numbers of vehicle burglaries can be as simple as taking valuables away from the car when getting out, McCollum said. "If people will take a few min- utes to remove these items, t' can save themselves a lc headaches in the future," he s. Five homicides bring dim crime record to College Station for '94 [A A 9Y± F to hunt for The city manager search soon will be on for College Station. The City Council picked Ralph Andersen & Associates of Dallas to find the perfect fit for the city's top staff posi- tion. The con- suiting firm is no stranger to helping College Station find a city manager. It conducted the search that COLE ended with W. King Cole's selection in 1 85. The staff is now pre Paring a contract to put before the City Council at Thursday's meeting, ..and if the council approves it, `Andersen will start the search. The firm then will have 90 days to present the council with five or six finalists. Human Resources Director Karen Pavlinski said a city man - ager should be named by early summer. Cole died of cancer in 1988 and was replaced by Ron Ragland, who resigned Oct. 31. Assistant city manager Tom Brymer is serving as interim city manager. ■■■ City leaders say goodbye to the '-holidays and hello to their first t :meetings of the year this week. F' Bryan City Council meets at 6 , Tuesday, with its workshop ,.beginning at 5. r The College Station City ,Council holds a workshop 4 p.m. Tuesday instead of a usual Wednesday. The count will hold a public hearing on a proposed •$22 million bond election at its regular Thursday meeting, held at 7 p.m. ■■■ Changes and improvements to East Tarrow and Tarrow Street are about 30 percent corlplete and should be finished by the end of March, said College Station m ity l eader division managers have agreed to work two -month interims until the city replaces Ilschner. The City Beat Brent Zwerneman transportation planner Eli ard. City workers now are b lilding an island at the streets' i b tersec- tion that will be' streetsea ed." Streetscape is an a arance enhancement project t11 at com- bines things like street lighting, signs, landscaping a d brick paths. After the island is finished — Hard hopes within two ' eeks — the next step is to re -paste the two streets. "That's going to be EL major undertaking," he said. ONE The city of Bryan s now looking to fill both its assistant to the city manager and d,' rector of public works positions. John James, former as stant to the city manager, resigned in mid - December to become vice president and general managers of Tomcat Inc., a Mid d com- pany specializing n stage lighting and constru t on for large -scale entertainme t acts. Ed Ilschner, former director of public works, resigned in late December to become tilic city of Tyler's assistant city m iger. The city stopped taki applica- tions for the assistant' osition Dec. 30 and now Wi 1 start screening the applic� s. City spokesman Joe Brown aid the city should hire someone by or on Feb. 27. The city also is searching locally, state and nationwide for someone to fill the director's spot, but they have plenty of time. Four ■■■ It's been more than a a month since the City of College Station opened Fire Station No. 3 and assistant chief of operations Dave Giordano said there has been a noticeable decrease in response times since, not only in the rapid- ly- developing southern end of town but its northeast side as well. Giordano said ambulances based at the station made 72 runs and fire engines made 28 runs between Nov. 27 and Dec. 31. The half-million dollar station is 4,300 square feet and houses six employees. It was built in part to drop response times on the city's south side by about half. Fire Station No. 3 is at the entrance of the Shenandoah sub- division, just south of Barron Road on Texas Avenue. ■■■ Paintings donated by Bryan and College Station to the George Bush Presidential Library Center are on display in their respective city halls and will be indefinitely. College Station's "Humble Beginnings" by Ann Hollis Rife sits in City Hall's lobby and Bryan's "Pump Jack" by Emma Stark rests outside the mayor's office on City Hall's third floor. College Station made 1,000 prints and Bryan made 250. About 400 copies of "Humble Beginnings" were signed and dated by Rife and are available at City Hall for $50. The rest are $25 apiece. The City Council office said about 50 of the prints had been sold. All of Bryan's "Pump Jack" prints were signed and numbered and City Manager Mike Conduff will discuss with the council what to do with them at an upcoming meeting. of rehab program Several years ago, College Station City Council and staff recognized that residential streets in College Station were aging and deteriorating. As a rPSult of the appearance of the roads, the residential reha- bilitation (° b) program empha- mainte - nance in the res- idential areas of the community was developed. The purpose of the program was to bring aging Kathryn Anthony and deteriorated residential streets up to a "like new" condition. In order to have a significant visual and economic impact, efforts are con- centrated in one neighborhood or sec- tion of the City. This program is a part of the city's ongoing maintenance and operation and should not be confused with street capital improvement pro- jects. Street capital improvement projects generally reconstruct, expand or extend thoroughfares. Capital projects are a significant cost and an improve- ment to the city's transportation sys- tem. Since the implementation of the residential rehab program in 1991, it has been a success in Carter's Grove (FY1991 - 92), Redmond Terrace (FY1 993) and Foxfire (FY1994). C tly, the program is being imple- r I in the Oakwood /College Park arm" Each year the City completes a com- prehensive inventory of all its streets through a pavement management sys- tem. The pavement management sys- tem evaluates the condition of the roads In order to have a ignifi- cantvisual and economic impact, efforts are oncen- trated in one neigh orhood or section of the ci areas most in need of ttention are identified. Since this inveintory is main -. tained on an annual bas' , weather and other conditions that may affect the condition of a street afr taken into account each year. After 1 he pavement management system has een updated, the area identified as bein in the most need of attention is selected for the res- idential rehab program. The residential rehab program cor- rects all the problems in the selected area. Some of the problems that have occurred in the Oakwood /College Park area include misaligned curbs, raveling shoulders, utility cuts and standing water. The rehab program will address all of these problems throt gh methods such as replacing the cuft and gutter. The program also prdv ides for an asphalt overlay of the s lected area, The process was star ed in the Oakwood /College Park ar during last fall and will be completed during the: summer. The Oakwood/College Park: area is bordered by Gegr e Bush Dr. Park Place, Anderson $t. and Dexter Dr. The streets included in the program, within those borders are Park Place, Holik St., Glade St, Anna St., Timber • St., Lee Ave., Shetland St., Pershing. Ave, Burt St., Suffock Ave, Newton, and-` Aberbeen Pl. The city is committed to maintaining its inventory of streets. Other methods: of maintaining the quality of the streets - include seal coating, crack sealing arid pot hole patching. Each one of these . methods increases the life span of a street so that it will stay in a drivable. condition longer. The seal coat program is implement ed during the summer based upon the' analysis of the pavement management system. Crack sealing and pot hole patching are ongoing maintenance pro- grams. Utilizing all these methods to maintain the street inventory increases the quality of streets in College Station. 'a ■ Kathryn Anthony is assistant director of publiaq' services for College Station. %V biffi V i ing cracking, raveling shoulders and potholes. The inventory is a comparative Streets' upkeep part analysis of all the streets in College Station. Based upon that inventory, the 0 oon+- �Ja-1 0 ?- 19q 5' ay in the Life Ralph Lindsley before it was a plant — 23 years. "They were building the plant when I came here," he says. Lindsley's job on this day is ordering charts and graphs for the new year, but his job duties are much more than at. Upon his arrival he checks the log- book to see what has happened ir his absence, checks the plant visually and keeps track of charts, to name just 9 few of his duties in maintaining overall Aer- ations of the plant. "[I do] whatever is necessary to r- ate the plant," Lindsley says. But Lindsley, 59, soon will be one with his work in Bryan. He's retiring to Corpus Christi with his wife Judy on April 30. "It's one of our dreams," he says of the retirement move. "We've always wanted to go back to the coast." The two met in Corpus Christi. rhey -, led up in Bryan- College Station nore a 20 years ago after visiting here for eral weeks and deciding it would be a good place to raise their children. Twenty -three years later, y're headed back to Corpus. "I'm looking forward to retire ent," he says, "But I'm going to miss th peo- ple and the opportunities around here." For now, there is work to be done. Three chief operators rotate 12 -hour shifts at the plant, and Lindsley works from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. He sums up the plant's equipment and their purpose briefly: Water goes into the boiler, it produces ste , the steam enters a turbine and it turts the generator. "And we get electricity," he says. As the elevator slowly rises seven floors at the power plant, Lindsl jok- ingly apologizes for no elevator music. But then he says there is a music of sorts from the sometimes deafening sound of the boilers, turbines and gener- ators. "That's our music," he says. When that thing goes quiet we're in trou The plant supplies part of the (power to Bryan- College Station and Lindsley says it generates the largest portion in v and August because of the s er t. The plant has gone so many hours without a work -loss injury, Lindsley says, because of a weekly safety program and the character of its workers. "We have professional people work- Top, Ralph Lindsley stands out- side near the top of the multi- story Dansby Power Plant and talks about the intake pumps shown just above his right hand (background) and the Bryan cooling lake (also in back- ground). Bottom, Lindsley explains the Dansby Power Plant control room that moni- tors every system on the plant's network. g.W s ing here who know what th re doing, and they're conscientious, " he says. "Safety is something we are very con- scious of." Lindsley spends a lot of his spare time doing volunteer work and has been active in the Jerry Lewis Te ethon for more than 20 years. He is the current president of the vol- unteer executive committle for the Brazos Valley Comm1m#y Action Agency and also is on the Brazos Transit Authority board. Lindsley teaches Sunday School and is involved in the Caring Ministry of First United Methodist Church in Bryan. He also spent 20 years in the Navy as a flight engineer, where he flew patrols out of Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, during the Cuban Missile Crisis. He and Judy, married 29 years, have five children. with R ALPH LiNDSLEY Age 59 Place of birth Portland, Mich. Education Portland High School Years lived in B -CS 23 Job duties Overall supervision checking logbook, c visually, keeping tr, ordering supplies, wl to keep plant running Hobbies, interests Magazines Read photography, bird watching, saltwa- U.S. News and World Report ter fishing Hero Grandfather Lloyd Lindsley Favorite musician Willie Nelson Favorite actor Jimmy Stewart Favorite book The Bible 1 includes Favorite movie :ing plant Fiddler on the Roof of charts, er it takes Last book read Clear and Present Danger Hobbies, interests Magazines Read photography, bird watching, saltwa- U.S. News and World Report ens to Power plant hu along to its m thanks to super By BRENT ZWERNE Eagle staff writer Tucked away * the SE2 a long, desolate road and acailroad tracks, city of Bryan Ralph Lindsley quietly goes about his work of helping supply the electricity, which lights the lamp by which you may be reading this. At the entrance to the Roland C. Dansby Power Plant far north of Bryan a sign announces, "Electrical Production has worked 78,995 hours with no lost - time accidents." "It's more than that," Lindsley says. "It's pretty close to 100,000 hours." Lindsley, senior chief operator of the power plant, has worked at the plant Top, Ralph Lindsley stands 0 t- side near the top of the MU i- story Dansby Power Plant a d talks about the intake pum s shown just above his right ha d (background) and the pry n cooling lake (also in ba k- ground). Bottom, Lind sI y explains the Dansby Power Plant control room that moni- tors every system on the plant's network. J V A �13 From Al Ragland wanted an automobile; allowance included in the lump sum, but the council refused him that request. He also wanted 371 hours of sick leave at $50 per hour for a total of about $18,700, but that was reduced after a comer - mise to about $10,400. "He wanted more money, including car travel allowance,' Councilman Hub Kennady said. "I had a real problem with that." He added the city had done what it could for Ragland and said it was time to move on. "I think this is a chapter in Col- lege Station we need to get behind us," he said. Councilman Bill Fox said .though the council paid - ,tagland benefits like vacation time, compensatory time and sic leave to the tune of more than $43,000, it was best to reach a set- tlement. t o It was better for both parties o get this settled," he said. "Ron needs to get on with his life and o does the council. "I'm glad it's over with." The dispute arose wh n Ragland contended that his con- tract called for inclusion of the above- mentioned benefits plus retirement and disability, health and life insurance, which were converted into a dollar value as part of the settlement. Because of the holidays d the lack of meetings dt ring November and December, the council wasn't able to discus the terms of the settlement unt' now, Mayor Larry Ringer said. "The council is acting in good faith in line with the con tr ct we had with Ron," Ringer said. "[It's] fairly typical of a city manager's contract. Under the cir cum- stances we wanted the parting to be as amicable as possible." Ringer said the "Circum- stances" were Ragland'S depar- ture from the city stall'. "It's never easy to have someone leave a job," he sad . Councilwoman Nancy Crouch said the council resolveJ the issue the best way possible. "What we did was an accurate and fair representation based on the contract," she said." ' not a bad use of the city's money.' Councilman Larry Mario :t said he didn't want to comment n the agreement until he had h own copy to look over. Court ilman David Hickson couldn't be Break reached. The city has paid $104,579 less federal tax. � 1 1 19F5 Terms of the settlement include: ■ Base salary — Seven months at $8,760 per month for a total of $61,320. ■ Vacation — 122.6 hours at $50.40 per hour for a total of $6,179.04. ■Sick leave — 371.5 hours at $50.40 per hour for a total of $18,723.60, but compromised to a total of $10,423. ■ Compensatory time — 346 hours at $50.40 per hour for a total of $17,438.40. ■Disability, health and life insurance — About $441 per month for - seven months for a total of $3,087. ■Retirement — Ten percent of base salary for seven months for a total of $6,132. Ragland said he was comfort- able with asking the city for the benefits because it usually takes a minimum of six months to find another city manager's post and he said he wanted to be "100 per- cent dedicated to looking for a job." "I'm out of work for a minimum of six months," he said. "How do I pay my bills ?" Ragland also said he was avail- able for expert advice if the city staff or council needed him, which he called a professional courtesy. "I'm available both to the staff and council at any time," he said. Ragland said he groomed assis- tant city manager Tom Brymer for the city manager's post and left the city in good hands when he abruptly left. The council named Brymer interim city man- ager while •they now search nationwide for a replacement. "It wasn't like I was leaving the city in some kind of lurch," Ragland said. L'J CS makes cl W_ ex -city By BRENT ZWERNEMAN Eagle staff writer n break' Hager contract was very clear," he said. the compromise and settlement gent says disputes and controver- to the• Ron Ragland asked for, questioned and sies a ist between the parties as finally received his severance pay from nature of the severance "� the city, but he'll have to spring for his of emp oyment. "The argument was own gas money. Ragland, the former College Station more between them - ' city manager who resigned Oct. 31, agreed to a $104,000 settlement from the selve Ragland than me, t`}, said of the . city this eek after he and the City c o u c i f finally dollar Council d sagreed on the benefits included ir his seven -month severance decidiig amou on a t to offer him pay, includ g whether he was due a car TUeS ay, which he RAGLAND allowance. Even though Ragland officially accep Ma ed Wednesday. or ProTem Lynn Mcllhaney said resigned, the city awarded him the sev- there was a misunderstanding as to the erance pay because the City Council bene. flts included in the severance pay. t the council didn't give Raglank requested he resign on Oct. 24, a com- promise and settlement agreement says. and as money he wanted. t "When the council and I decided to She he Ragl then referred questions abo fe d's specific requests to City: separate paths, they said they would honor my contract," Ragland said Attorney Cathy Locke, who couldn't be',, Thursday from his home, and he added reached Thursday. he`juA eoilecfin9 on wA4+4ke city oures �`�^+ licoll F L' MEME9 DA ' JG n u.dj Council must control con racts Eagle Editorial B l ard o questior about it, $104,500 is a lot to I ay a city employee who is asked to resign. But that's what College Station paid Ron Ragland, Who served as assis- tant city manager and city manag- er from July 1, 1988, until his forced resignation last October 31. Many peop may wonder why ,the amount is good question so high and that's a but that's basically what Raglan s contract with the city called fo . If he were to be fired, he ould receive six months' salary plus benefits. In asking for R gland's resignation, the council in effect was firing him, thus invoking the termina- tion clause of his contract. Ragland asked for seven months' severance, one month for each year he worked for the city, 'and the cou cil readily agreed. Here's where the confusion comes in: The council thought it would have to pay only his base salary of $8,760 per month for seven months, a total of $61,320. They were unaw that Ragland's ben- efits had to a paid until the for - mer city manager pointed it out to them. 13; 11995 Those benefits come to more than $40,000, including $6,000 of vacation time, $10,000 for sick days not taken, $17,000 for com- pensatory time, $3,000 for health and life insurance payments and $6,000 to his retirement plan. Ragland was well within his rights to claim the benefits under the terms of his contract. He had a financial responsibility to himself and to his family to do so. The question is why the council didn't know the city was responsi- ble for the additional $40,000 when it asked Ragland to step down. The city attorney knew the payment was required. Why didn't the council ask her? It would seem a prudent thing to do when trying to terminate an employee. If the council is shocked at this turn of events — as surely as the entire community is shocked — now is the time to do something to prevent a similar situation from happening again. As the city goes about hiring a permanent replace- ment for Ragland, the council should be sure that any employ- ment contract provides better pro- tection for our taxes in the event of a similar situation occurring in the future. Power From Al I � option." But the threat of closure for vasota Mining and its 220 ployees is very real, some offi- cials now privately concede. The mine, which is owned by multinational engineering firm Morrison - Knudsen, has had a contract with TMPA since the agency started producing power in 1982. The quality of the lignite being dug out of the mine is poor and it has a high sulfur ratio and ash content, which makes it more costly to process and use, Wag- oner said. TMPA will continue to use coal from the nearby mine until late 1995 at the earliest, and it is not a foregone conclusion that the agency will decide to use another source of power, he said. "This is not a criticism of the work done at Navasota Mining," Wagoner said. "This is bottom - line dollars and cents. The real issue is to find ways of producing electricity at the lowest possible cost, while meeting environ- mental and regulatory stan- ' - rds." .eve Swaldi, Navasota .ing's general manager, said it is "not a done deal" that the mine will close. "We're just playing a waiting game right now," he said. "We don't know what TMPA is plan- ning to do; everyone's anxious with the uncertainty." TMPA conducted burnings and other tests on coal from the Powder River Basin last month, the results of which are due later this month, Wagoner said. "If there is an advantage in a fuel conversion we would be obli- gated to look at it," he said. Should the alternative prove financially beneficial, TMPA may completely switch from using the local lignite, or decide to blend it with the Western coal, Wagoner said. Wagoner said the TMPA is looking for the best and cheapest energy it can buy, a fact not lost on .Navasota Mining manage- ment. "They're an independent con- tractor and they obviously have:to ' out for their bottom line," li said. yid it's the bottom line that TMPA and the four cities always have to observe, said Bryan Mayor Marvin Tate, who's on the eight- member board. "[If Navasota Mining were to clnsel_ it nmild affect some of our people, and that bothers me greatly," Tate said. "But if our goal is to produce power at the lowest possible cost for con- sumers, then the tough decisions have to be made." Tate said, as far as he knew, the Cher three cities still support the MPA joint venture, adding they ave a collective debt on the plant f about $1.2 billion. John Woody, College Station's ssistant city manager, said the ity's contract with the TMPA - wning cities is up in about one ear. College Station is considering 2 viable power options and will ake a decision in the next two or ree months, Woody said. The economic impact on rimes County would be consid- erable should the mine close, local officials said. "Navasota Mining is one of the largest taxpayers in the county; we would clearly have to look for ther tax sources," said Jane M iller, executive vice president of e Grimes County Chamber of C ommerce. Miller said the county, its s chool districts and its jobs base w ould be hit, but so too would B razos County, which is home to some Navasota Mining employees. However, Grimes County's largest city, Navasota, does have a considerable manufacturing base for a town of just 7,500 residents, she said. Other big local employers, notably Interstate Southwest Forge and Shult Home Corp have expanded or intend to soon, Miller said. Therefore, if the mine were to close, its impact on the county would not be as great as when Grant TFW reduced its employee ro ll from about 700 to 18 during e oil bust of the early 1980s, N. iller said. The oil pipeline company has s rice recovered and is now part of a healthy local industrial sector, s e added. Miller said she hopes TMPA ill consider the workers, r sources and tax base the county is provided the company in nak ing its decision, and that n ine employees will stay and ork in the area. Bill Sullivan, chief appraiser for the Grimes County Appraisal istrict, said new oil and gas e cploration in the county, which i in early stages, might help o set the mine closing. The wider issue of power pur- chasing freedom of choice also factors into the debate. A number of TMPA workers s iid they were afraid that if the exas Legislature passed a sim- ar law to California, where con- s amers can purchase power from meeting companies, it would can doom for TMPA. Large concerns, such as ouston Power & Light, Gulf tate Utilities, Texas Power & Light and Texas -New Mexico ower Co., would monopolize the power provider market and force TMPA and others out of business, the workers said. State Rep. Steve Ogden said he expects state lawmakers to address the power purchase issue, ometimes called "retail heeling," during the new leg - slative session, which started Ogden also said he wished the Legislature and TMPA would consider natural gas as an alter- native to coal and other forms of non - renewable power. "If it can be justified, I'd sure wish [TMPA] would use Texas natural resources, as opposed to Wyoming," he said. "And there's a lot of natural gas around here." "The economics are going to be what drives the decision, and it's too early to say if natural gas is viable," he said. iesday. He said the Public Utility immission of Texas sunset bill up for review again this year, ter the parties could not reach reement at the end of the last ;islative session. "I would expect it'll be on the )nt burner this session," said e Bryan Republican. Ogden said there is a lot of talk garding giving large power ;ers purchasing control, in uch the same way consumers goose long - distance telephone He added that he couldn't ere- ct whether changing the law Auld result in a monopoly for ,e large power producers. "Government can postpone :onomic forces through regula- )n, but ultimately the economic �alities will occur in the mar - )tplace," Ogden said. kyej E =§ I DA G� I� �'� &i L What will P o we the futur of ■ 19 our c ties. 0 By DAVID HOWELL Eagle staff writer The future of electricity supply to Bryan and College Station could be under review this Thursday by directors of the Texas Municipal Power Agency. The directors are meeting to consider a range of options dealing with how and where the agency's Gibbons Creek Steam Electric Station vvill get its future power. The 2,500 -acre Grimes County power plant near Carlos provides 60 percent of Bryan's electrici y. College Station has a contract with the four cities that own the TMPA and buys 100 percent of its elec- tricity from their grids. "What we will do is give a review of these options. They will not be L p for a vote. It's really too ec rly for me to speculate what we're going to t do." ED WAGONER Power agency chief executive officer I I'l')gr-1 The agency is owned by Bryan and the north Texas cities of Denton, Garland and Greenville. Ed Wagoner, chief executive officer of the power agency, said directors will dis- cuss options including dropping Nava- sota Mining Co. as the contracted power provider in favor of importing coal from the Powder River Basin, which runs through Wyoming, Colorado and Mon- tana. The plant currently produces power by processing a type of coal called lignite mined by the Navasota Mining Co. Other options to be discussed include using natural gas as an alternative power and continuing with current operations, Wagoner said. In addition, a power supply study last November looked into the closing down of the TMPA plant itself, supplying the cities through purchased power, or through repowering the cities gas -fired generation. "What we will do is give a review of these options," Wagoner said. "They will not be up for a vote. He said a final decision will be taken later this month or early February at a board meeting open to the public. "It's really too early for me to speculate what we're going to do," Wagoner added. But speculate is exactly what some people, including employees at both workplaces, have been doing for months. Rumors abound, from the "guaranteed closure" of Navasota Mining, as one anonymous worker put it, to the demise of TMPA's plant or the loss of jobs should a change to less labor- intensive coal power be made. Wagoner insists that nothing is cer- tain, but said closing TMPA and laying off its 309 workers is not a "likely ni�.,... _ r)niAI[n nnnn Al Cities extend suspension of legal action By BRENT ZWERNEMAN Eagle staff writer The way Bob Pohl sees it, Bryan and College Station are making the right move by extending the suspension of legal action in the hopes of settling the cities' utility conflict. Pohl, College Station's electrical divi- sion manager, is like most of the two cities' staffers and leaders who don't want this disagreement argued in court. "It's better to see if we can find a favorable settlement- for both- Pohl said, "instead of us duking it out in court." Bryan sued College Station about six months ago because Bryan lost actual and potential customers to College Station's annexation, and Bryan offi- cials believe the 16 -year contract between the cities allowing it is not valid. In early October, Bryan and College Station suspended legal action for three months so they could try and reach an out-of-court settlement. The original agreement expired Tuesday, but both city councils approved a March 10 extension Tuesday night. "We've been negotiating in good faith," said Tom Brymer, College Station interim city manager, who added both city staffs decided in late December it would be impossible to get all of ffie necessary work one beWre Tuesday in reaching an agreement. Bryan City Manager Mike Conduff agreed. "We really have had substantial progress [in coming to an agreement]," he said, and added the issue is a compli- cated one that has many, fine details. "We need more time to do that," he said. The two cities have more of an under- standing of what is at stake for the other in reaching a compromise, Conduff said. "We've tried to truly understand each other's points of views," he said. The cities have operated under an agreement since March 13, 1980, that calls for Bryan to sell its utility lines and hand over its customers to College Station when College Station annexes land. In return for the utility lines, Bryan receives market value for them. The agreement expires July 1, 1996. But Bryan officials believe the con- tract violates the city's charter. Until recently, the Bryan's charter limited the authority of the city to enter into con- tracts that exceeded 10 years for the sale of electric power. The charter said voters have to decide whether to approve contracts that run longer than 10 years, said Dan Wilkerson, Bryan's operations manager of electrical utilities. Under the contested agreement, about 500 customers have been trans- ferred from Bryan to College Station utilities and 3,000 -4,000 potential cus- tomers have been lost because of proper- ty development. In mid - November, Bryan proposed supplying electricity to College Station starting in 1996 in an attempt to settle the utilit-V conflict. It was an effort to combine to some extent the cities' electrical systems to settle the territorial disputes, Wilkerson said. The bid was one of 17 College Station received and Pohl said Tuesday the city is still evaluating all of the proposals. • S t re C+ 7 4 aste of a Sort G t rbside Recycling AO orts the Soul, But Benefits Are Scant Myths Help Fuel Pro; That Turn Out to More Than They F Legacy of the Garbage Bar By JEFF BAILEY Staff Reporter of THE WALL STREET J OURNAL Remember the garbage barge? Plying coastal waters in 1987 without any place tc dump its unsightly cargo, it startled the nation into getting serious about recycling household trash. Tens of millions of Americans now make a daily ritual of sorting their garbagE for collection by curbside - recycling pra grams, which cover one -third of U.S. households. Environmental groups, gov. ernment and industry alike lend their s t. And why not? Residential recy up tenfold since 1987 - is widely with conserving dwindling gar ba ump space, saving money and pro tecting the environment. Besides, it makes people feel good. Fo( many, a little trash sorting has become Garbage Market Emerges It might not have happened, though, not for a barge named Mobro that owed i existence, it turns out, not to a shortage dump space but to a dramatic change 1 the trash - disposal market -and a mo inspired effort to make the most of it. Through most of history, of cours there was no garbage market at all: Peop merely heaved their trash outside for pil and goats to feed on. About 200 years ag people began burying trash near the homes and then bringing it to town dumr But the development of the so- called sat tary landfill in the 1970s and 1980s alter the basic economics of garbage disposal The modern landfill featured a clay plastic liner, plumbing to collect run( liquids and to control methane and a dal layer of fresh dirt to keep rats and bir from . scavenging. Engineering studi were used to help pick dump locations le likely to foul groundwater. With construction costs of up to $500,( an acre, a landfill piled 300 feet high turn out to be many times more economica and no more environmentally troub some - than one piled to 50 feet. So ent preneurs built larger dumps. By the m 1980s, it actually began to pay to ship trE long distances to bigger, cheaper dump: less - populated regions. Financing a Voyage One of the local haulers seeking profit from the regional price disparit was Salvatore Avellino. A reputed capt in the Lucchese organized -crime fam Mr. Avellino was allegedly mob oversee all trash hauling on Long Island, N.Y. i went to prison last year after plead guilty to conspiracy charges in the rr ders of two rebel haulers.) In 1987, Mr. Avellino met with Lov Harrelson, a Bay Minette, Ala., man i envisioned a fleet of barges connect New York to S5- and $10-a-ton South dumps. The boss was interested, rec Michael J. Cahill, attorney for the L Island town of Islip, and haulers from of communities in the New York City a joined in to finance the first trip of Mobro. In March 1987 it shoved off i Please Turn to Page A6, Column I A Barge Named Mobro form of penance to acknowledge that the values of our high- consumption society don't always nurture the soul. "People are worried about the planet," says enviro - mentalist Paul Connett of Canton, N. N. "They ask: 'What can we do ?' They can d something about trash." There's just one problem. At least by any practical, short -term measure, cur side recycling doesn't pay. It costs re - dents and local governments hundreds i f U"Q ns f dollars more than can be r by selling the sorted trash. t W s huge new fleets of collects s that add to traffic congestion a d pollution. And it does so at a time wh n landfill space turns out to be both plentif I and extremely cheap. What's more, some critics say, hou hold recycling gives people such an e environmental fix that they have start paying less attention to such serious, co plex problems as air and water pollutio . Trash sorting, contends environmen l fund - raiser Roger Craver, has "done m e to hurt the environmental movement th n anything I can think of." How consumers came to embr e � ehold recycling after decades of in if- �e is a bizarre tale of misperceptions istaken assumptions that sn - dinto anational myth. The movem nt was helped along by faulty analogies be- tween commercial and industrial re��y- cling - which are often cost - effective and environmentally friendly - and the mc.ch dicier proposition of house -to -house collec- tion. And it benefited from the fact that a lot of people firmly believe recycling is he right thing to do, regardless of cost or provable environmental benefits. Continued From First Pub 3,186 tons of trash on board. But Mr. Harrelson, an admitted " waste business," didn't sufficiently agreement with a dump. Though planned to unload in Louisiana, N tried to line up something closer once sail, and he contacted Larry Mea manager in rural Jones County, N room," Mr. Meadows says of the du certainly were looking for something the decreasing tax base." But before Mr. Meadows and othi vials could consult with state regulat( steamed into Morehead City, N.C., load. "It was already en route whet us," Mr. Meadows says. "That had i the deal." What was the rush? W ardous waste mixed in? Who were tt The questions were never pursued . took over and ordered the Mobro bE The news media got word. And every bro went - Louisiana, Mexico, the Ba rejected. The U.S. Southeast had (ar abundance of dump capacity and thousands of tons a week of waste ar from the Northeast. But nobody wan famous load of trash. After two mor Mobro returned to New York, and later burned in a Brooklyn incinerate HERE WERE VARIO1 Mobrci s mission failed; and dump owners sha ows's worry that the ur concealed toxic waste. came to see the barge as bad news the publicity that came with accept unwanted garbage. The availabilit; was never an issue. Tan. 1 P RO But that is not how it played in newspapers and on television, where it quickly became an ominous symbol of a nation buried in garbage. "This barge really dramatizes the nationwide crisis we face with garbage disposal," New York environmental- ist Walter Hang told Phil Donahue, in a declara- tion typical of many broadcast from the Mobro. Mr. Hang and other environmentalists who had previously met with little success in selling recycling to the public now could offer an alternative to a fu- ture full of Mobros: household recycling. "An adver- tising firm couldn't have designed a better vehicle than a garbage barge," says John Ruston, a recy- cling official at the Environmental Defense Fund. Advocacy groups such as the EDF helped con- vince the public and government officials that door - to -door collection of recyclables was needed. They also linked up with hundreds of local Nimby ( "not in my back yard ") groups opposing dumps and incin- erators in their areas. "Recycle. It's the everyday way to save the world" was the message in a series of EDF television and print ads supported by $125 million in free air time from the Ad Council. Perhaps because garbage is local and visible, it receives more attention from news outlets than any other environmental topic. And coverage of household recycling was laudatory right from the beginning. But plenty of people could have chal- lenged the premises of the movement. Big trash - handling companies certainly knew there was no landfill crisis but helped spread the word of one anyway, even as they increased their dump and in- cineration capacity. The perception of a shortage helped them raise dump fees and fatten profits. Dean L. Buntrock, chairman and chief execu- tive officer of WMX Technologies Inc., had loaded up on dump space in the 1970s and 1980s. He had also started a trade group and lobbying arm, the National Solid Waste Management Association. Af- ter the Mobro voyage, the group was widely quoted ' asserting that dump capacity was shrinking, and some federal and state officials relied on its data. The public's belief in a garbage crisis helped WMX (formerly Waste Management Inc.) and its 1 competitors pass along huge price increases to mu- nicipalities and other customers. And it helped push up profits at WMX, based in Oak Brook, Ill., to $684.8 million in 1990, a rapid leap that more s than doubled the 1987 level of $327.1 million. Talk of a crisis was misleading, WMX now ac- r knowledges. Though the company observed some i temporary local shortages, "we never believed there e was a disposal crisis," says Jane Witheridge, a vice h president. "Did we go out and do a public - policy ed- ucation program on that? No." Given the public mood, she adds, it is unlikely the company would have been believed. Instead, WMX was still telling customers as recently as 1993: "This nation is vice in the nitirkiv ninnine opt of nlaces to dispose of trash." it down an e initially After the Mobro's voyage, the Environmental Harrelson Protection Agency also publicly backed the view e barge set that . there was a crisis. Warning in September 1988 Ns, county of a "deluge of garbage," J. Winston Porter, then We had assistant administrator for solid waste,, called for �. "And we each state and municipality to devise a voluntary - D help with recycling plan that would cut disposal needs na- tionally by 25 ^ /,.. "We're running out of space to county offi- bury it," he wrote in a report titled "The Solid , the Mobro Waste Dilemma." lady to un- But a look at that report, and other EPA re- ie talked to search compiled about the same time, suggests questioning there wasn't so much to worry about. One study, there haz- done in connection with new environmental rules e people? for dumps, found that dumps in the U.S. had an av- :ate officials erage of 21.3 years of remaining capacity. And out to sea. even this figure was deceptively low because ca- (ere the Mo- pacity could be multiplied just by increasing the mas -it was size of existing facilities. still has) an "I've always wondered where that crap about a s accepting landfill- capacity crisis came from," says Allen ing by truck Geswein, an EPA solid -waste official and one of to take this the authors of the study. The EPA, when asked, s at sea, the now agrees that there isn't any capacity shortage. e trash was Yet materials the agency continues to distribute warn of a shortage and cite it as one of the reasons for recycling. reasons the Following the voyage of the Mobro and the , me officials EPA's call to arms, more than 40 states set their Mr. Mead- own recycling goals, ranging from 25% to 70% of (ected barge trash, often with little effort to gauge the cost. Mu- hers merely nicipalities rallied residents, at times exaggerat- 1 didn't want ing the benefits. San Jose, Calif., rolled out its New York's curbside - recycling program in 1993, warning: "All dump space over the country we're running out of landfill space." Within its own borders, San .Jose actually has between 30 and 50 years of dump capacity, ac- cording to city environmental officials. Los Angeles also embarked on an ambi ious re- cycling program, at enormous expense. City offi- cials predicted dump fees would soar a nd thus make curbside recycling more viable conomi- cally. Instead, dump prices plunged, i cycling chief Joan Edwards reports. the market hasn't cooperate , some ve enacted taxes and fees to pr up the r g effort. Iowa now imposes a $ 25 -a -ton tax on disposal at dumps and gives the oney to recycling businesses and municipal p ograms. Pennsylvania's $2 -a -tun disposal tax ha yielded $160 million since 1988 to distribute to to al recy- cling programs and businesses. All togeth r, states budgeted more than $250 million to subsi 'ze recy- cling in 1994, according to Waste Age ma zine. The result of all this: a public that n edlessly fears a garbage crisis and holds unrealisti expecta- tions about recycling. Polls increasingly ow that U.S. consumers rate trash the No. 1 envir nmental problem, and 77% think household recycl g is the solution. About half believe curbside pro gams pay for themselves. Parents and children most often de- fine a good environmentalist as "someone ho recy- cles and encourages others to recycle." To a small but growing number of cr ics, this last impression shows how curbside recy 1ing has become a dangerous placebo. Mr. Craver, the envi- ronmental fund - raiser, fears some peo le have stopped contributing to environmental oups in part because they feel they have fulfilled their re- sponsibility by faithfully sorting their tr sh. "It's like attending church on Easter," he sa s. "Hav- ing recycled, people think they've done t ieir part. IButl consumer waste is insignificant cot ipared to other environmental problems." s an upper -class thing," maintai s Susan sanitation chief in Minneapolis. ""his is all I t." ycling has nevertheless become tt e center- piece of many schools' ecology lessons turning children into forceful advocates. In a pol by Peter D. Hart, 63% of children said they had lob led their parents to recycle. No wonder. The EPA popular Garbage Gremlin comic book for lower el mentary grades has this plot: Garbage dump al ost full. Girl proposes recycling. Gremlin thw s recy- cling. Boy thwarts gremlin. Boy gets girl HE EPA'S RECOMMENDE upper - grade curriculum appeals d rectly to teachers' pocketbooks, war ling that the trash crisis "diverts put lit funds from other important needE such as education." At Jeanne Meadows El mentary School in San Jose, "recycling is the th ead that pulls everything together" in envi nmental lessons, says project specialist Steve C relis. He teaches about "dwindling landfills," th ugh they aren't dwindling locally, and has stu ents sort paper, aluminum, glass and milk cartons. "We end up trashing the milk cartons" because there are no local buyers, he confides. "Bul the kids don't know that." Kathy Berghoff, a Chicago mother of hree who concluded as a result of her husband's ft al work for a waste company that "there isn't a landfill cri- sis," tried telling that to fellow parents at Park ' Cooperative Nursery School. The school �s recycling "and people were shocked I believe such a thing," Ms. Berghoff says. was like I was going to burn the American flag." Her daughter Emily, a second-grader, didn't buy the argument either: "I was a vil in in my daughter's eyes," Ms. Berghoff says. To be sure, reuse of old paper, me als, glass and even some plastics makes great sense. It al- most always lowers raw - material costs in manu- facturing, usually reduces energy co sumption and in some cases cuts air and water po lotion. In- creased recycling thus helps the U.S. paper indus- try remain globally competitive and reduces re- liance on foreign steel. Commercial recycling is a springboard for hundreds of entrepreneurs who find ways to turn industrial discards into mar- le products. And, unlike in past y ars, mar- t nearly all recyclable items no exist and IF are strong. problem is that collecting from onsumers is far less efficient than salvaging comrr e rcial and industrial scraps, and — despite all the effort — curbside programs account for only one eventh of U.S. recycling. Surprisingly, old-fashioned paper drives, drop -off bins and buyback cent still ac- count for more tonnage than curbside ai id cost far less to operate, according to a study by Franklin Associates Ltd., a consulting firm whose clients in- clude packaging companies and the EPA. Even with strong resale markets, curbside'- collection costs aren't covered. Such considerations aside, still argue that curbside progr step toward a less wasteful s( takes a long time, will ultimate] One reason, they say, is tha sumers will push manufacturer cient and creative in the use of Proponents also say collect as sanitation trucks are reci trash and recyclable items widespread use of such vehi years away. Even then, collei probably mean more trucks i compared with trash heade( clables can't be compacted as For now, recycling is raising cities face cutbacks in other b AN JOSE, CUTTI parks spending bee losing $5 million a recycling program. $7 -a -month rebate that sorts its trash, even thou . up with additional recycling. paring police and other basic huge budget gap for 1995, fac( in added costs under a court with its own law mandating tt recycled. The city currently time to pull back and be i Mayor Peter Powers says. "In virtually every commi side - recycling program increE bara J. Stevens, president of port, Conn., consulting firm. shocked to find this out. But once -a -week garbage collecti Adding curbside recycling household sanitation bills b) Other studies indicate adde $1.50 to $3 per month or, at th vice, $400 million to $800 milli In New York, where tral make trash collection difficu two separate weekly routes recyclable items. In Fairfa) won a National Recycling year for best regional progr cling and yard -waste collect weekly trash pickup —mean houses every week. "That's through the neighborhood," AAA Disposal Service, a bi thev wonder why it costs s bills run $25 a month, he sa! find enough truck drivers. Los Angeles, which colle Items and yard waste separat 800 trucks, says Drew Sones, the trash was all collected tog( suffice, he says. The added I many cities are going to great cle emissions to comply with tt Some municipal programs ing expensive public-educati phia, which cut back to recl every two weeks to save m citywide drive to remind res set out the recyclables. Witt tiop, participation fell to 35% Philadelphia still claims to curbside recycling. "I'm on says recycling chief Alfred D cost of recycling below the c( calculation doesn't take into a dies or recycling's fair share other costs. "If we added all Mr. Dezzi concedes, "it would He might be right. Mr. Pi waste chief who set the 25 gc lash as the higher- than -expel become apparent. Now a priv, try and the government, he & tifying a garbage crisis w; counted dumps rather than du derestimated the prospects f dump sites. "We now know ei he says. "States aren't going The country, recycling s and 24% of trash currently significantly higher even w he says. And he doubts the curbside programs would b( the people who have a desg; you can always have a drop ;ycling advocates ; remain a useful :y and, even if it ove cost- effective. essure from con - become more effi- icled materials. costs will decline gured to pick up ultaneously. But >, if practical, is g recyclables will he road because, , r a dump, recy- npletely en route. , nitation costs as services. LIBRARY and ;e of budget ills, is it on its curbside - inneapolis gives a every household the city's costs go d New York City, rvices to close its 100 million a year ier that it comply 25'1, of all trash be !cycles 15 %. "It's sonable," Deputy ty, adding a curb- s costs," says Bar - )data Inc., a West - ity councilmen are like moving from to twice a week." acreases monthly bout $2, she says. household costs of .urrent level of ser- a year nationally. and parked cars the city has added different kinds of ounty, Va., which alition award this , mandatory recy- s —added to twice - 3ur stops at most ,3 times per month Lys John Elliott, of ocal hauler. "And much." Household and haulers can't trash, recyclable now has a fleet of anitation official. If or, 400 trucks would -k traffic comes as gths to reduce vehi- :lean Air Act. -e complex, requir- efforts. Philadel- [ng collection once �y, is launching a ;nts which week to ;ss frequent collec- homes from 70%. saving money with nission from God," ;i. "We brought the of trash." But that )unt big state subsi- city overhead and use in to recycling," stand a chance." or, the former EPA fears a public back - 1 costs of recycling consultant to indus- his 1988 study iden- flawed because it p capacity —and un- creating additional gh to get reasonable," reach their goals." iewhere between 19% ion't push the figure a lot more spending, brt to greatly expand orth the money: "For ite need to feel good, f bin." <$> Pay z 1 f- 1 - as h Ta lk: Here are some common miscon- Fag ceptions —anal the facts. in tl ris I Without curbside pickup, consumers wouldn't recycle. Actually, a healthy and eco- nomically self- I�T1 s g recycling nt had quietly developed be the garbage crisis gave rise to curbside programs. And expen- sive curbside plans have cannibal- ized some less - costly approaches, such as paper drives, buybacks and drop -off centers. Reynolds Metals Co_ based in Richmond, Va., says the growth of door -to -door collections contributed to its decision to eliminate 200 of its nearly 800 buyback centers since 1989. "Communities [with curbside collection] were jealous," says Stephen Thompson, Reynolds's market director for aluminum recy- c ? - tme "asked us to leave." g ✓cling programs are mas- si erdesigned," says Lisa A. Skumatz, a waste consultant in Seattle. Costs of running a "Cadil- lac" drop -off program are one -third those of curbside, she estimates. In the early 1980s, before curb- side collection was widespread, Cal- ifornia was already recycling 46% to 50%, of its newspapers, says Jim 60% %e 3 Debunking �the Mythology Ison, a longtime paper broker e state now with Browning -Fer- lldustries Inc. Curbside has ed newspaper recycling only to n California. Southeast Paper afacturing Co., an Atlanta re- ,r, got half its newsprint before from paper drives and other (profit collection programs. Curbside isn't the whole game," says George Elder, a Southeast Paper official, contending that nonprofits could have kept up with ris- ing demand. "We ex- panded before curbside." Nationally, according to Franklin Associates, curb- side collections still provide only one -third of newspa- pers that get recycled; t drop -off programs ac- count for the rest. Of all paper recycling, which includes office and com- mercial waste, less than 10 comes from curb- side programs. We$ naming out of dump space. e U.S. Conference of Mayors says ities on average have 16.5 yea of capacity remaining. A ban ul of major waste companies have a total of more than two bil- lion to #s I of space available, or about 2 years' worth. OK, we may have enough ca- pacity for now, but we will 1' run out later because it is ;✓ virtually impossible to win approval to build a new dun P. NeVr I apacity, it%° turns c u , hasn't been �? hard to me by be- �c cause ex old Q) dumps i 't terribly dif- ficult. r instance, Mid- k. Ameri a i Waste Sys- tems Ii ic , based in Canal IV nchester, Ohio, t oi isted space at its damps to 200 mil- lion tons from 20 million tons in about six years. And n w dumps can be built. In 1990, W MX Technologies Inc. opened a 60 million -ton dump, with plenty f oom for even more garbag , In Arlington, Ore., just three y a after proposing the idea to resi ts. Opposition is typically overco with small per -ton fees paid to oal government and by let- ting residents observe activities at the dunp and speak with its design- ers and its operators. Consum ar trash is overwhelming us. Cons er trash is really a tiny sliver of t e big waste pie, though it gets more than its share of regulatory and pub ic attention: Solid wa to produced annually, in million f tons: IndustriJ" n nhazardous waste 7,600 Oil and s waste 2,850 Mining e 1,4 00 Hazardo aste 750 Utility w t 85 Other we to 50 Commer a trash 87 Consume ash 116 Source: EPA, 1988 figures for all but commercial and consumer trash, which are for 1992 r tE�U 4% � 1 Illustrations by Richard Bennett Strategic use of imagery, such as the EPA's contention that one year of municipal solid waste is "enough to fill a convoy of garbage trucks stretching halfway to the moon," makes trash sound over- whelming. But "rather than figura- tively elongate our trash," says Clark Wiseman, an economics pro- fessor at Gonzaga University in Spokane, Wash., "let us place it in a single place." He calculates that 1,000 years of U.S. trash would fit in an area 30 miles square, piled 300 feet deep. Recycling keeps trash from going to dumps and causing groundwater pollution. Dumps became awful Superfund cleanup messes not because of trash but because of the improper disposal of industrial hazardous waste, a practice that has mostly stopped. The consumer trash we are diverting from dumps by recy- cling is the most benign stuff. "If you look at the relative risk of mu- nicipal solid waste vs. other envi- ronmental problems, solid waste doesn't rise to those levels," says Bruce Weddle, the EPA's waste chief. The best way to limit pollu- tion from landfills is to keep toxic waste out, he adds. Wolf Pen Creek bond uns dry By BRENT ZWERNEMAN Eagle staff writer The College Station City Council yanked almost $1 million tabbed for Wolf Pen Creek drainage projects from an upcoming bond election package and put the funds toward general drainage pro- jects. The council felt the realistic chances of [the Wolf Pen Creek proposal] passing were not real good and there were other drainage needs," said Mayor Larry Ringer. Councilman Hub Kennady agreed. "The citizens are not committed to spending any more money in Wolf Pen Creek," he said. The action came before the council officially set the $22.5 million bond elec- tion for March 25 at this week's meeting. "The citizens are not com- mitted to spending any more money in Wolf Pen Creek." HUB KENNADY College Sta councilman Wolf Pen Creek development was part of a bond election in 1990, but voters defeated the proposal. The city has since developed parts of the recreation- commercial area, including an amphi eater and a small lake, but con- troversX about past project costs, delays and land acquisition has clouded the pro- ject. Other changes to the bond election package include separating several parks projects worth about $3 million first packaged in one proposal. A separate proposal of $1.5 million now exists for land purchase for extra youth and adult recreation fields somewhere in the city. Steve Beachy, parks and recreation director, said the city currently has no specific sites in mind. College Station will bO 100 -150 acres for the park. The council added an extra $500,000 for From Al the park project to the bond package. he original parks and recre- at' n projects proposal now is w orth about $1.6 million, and it in udes continuing the develop - m nt of the Lincoln /Wayne Smith Park Corridor, and park upgrades at Bee Creek and Cen- tr il parks. The council also put $200,000 of the $1.5 million from the now dead proposed Welsh Street extension [The Eagle, Thursday] toward the development of a Pebble Creek city park near the future Pebble Creek Elementary School. The council also combined the proposed Central Fire Station relocation [$935,000] and land purchase for future Municipal Court and Public Services use [$430,000] in one proposal [$1,365,00 The fire station proposal involves relocating the Texas Avenue station to a site in the Holleman, Dartmouth and Southwest Parkway area. The city would use the extra Municipal Court and Public Ser- vices land for parking and storage. The recommendations for the original bond package came from the Capital Improvements Advi- sory Committee, a 19- member group headed by Councilman David Hickson. More than $10 million of the $22.5 million is tabbed for street projects, including improvements planned for Southwest Parkway, Tarrow Street, Anderson Street and University Oaks Boulevard. Street extension projects are rec- ommended for North Forest Parkway and Rock Prairie Road. The council put the rest of the Welsh money toward the pro- posed development of a north - south corridor either west of Wellborn Road or between Texas Avenue and Texas 6. Other proposals include: ■ A new library: $2.5 million. The city will list on a bond brochure and ballot a location for the library, for example, as west of Texas Avenue or south of Southwest Parkway, to give the public a general idea of where the library will be built. ■Traffic improvements: $1.9 million. Includes the addition of traffic signals to intersections the city staff listed as needed now or in the future. RECEIVED JAN 2 7 19%i There a e solutions for College Station traffic In regard to the Welsh Avenue expan- sion, I can comment from my experience of 14 years living here and from renting at least 14 different apartments in Bryan- College Station. To improve ffi ac flow without tear- ing up neighb rhoods in College Station, we should: ■ Put a traffic light at the Holleman Drive and And rson Street intersection. ■ Put a full affic light at FM 2818 and Wellborn oad, not just a blinking red light. ■ Put a traffic light at the Welsh Avenue and Holleman Drive intersec- - tion and at the Holleman Drive and - Fairview Avenue intersection. There already is a rou to from Welsh Avenue to George Bush Drive. It is called Fairview Avenue. I h MURRAY E. MOORE College Station l , yN ■ 711! DATE: '. qp,bV j ,� 5 1995 Lincoln Center is an embarrassment to CS Recently I hac the opportunity to attend my daughter's basketball game at the Lincoln Ceni er in College Station. I was surprised ai id dismayed to see that there was very inadequate seating avail- able for fans and those who were sched- uled to play later games. In addition, what passed for a scoreboard/clock was in such a state of disrepair that one could only laugh at the pretense of both- ering to illuminate it. The city of College Station ought to take a good, har Iook at Lincoln Center. Rather than pas ing resolutions in honor of the mer iory of Lillian Robinson, the city needs to honor her memory by speni ling a little cash on the center that she g ive so much of her life and time to. Flowery words are fine. Actions are more meaningful. LYNN McCARL College Station 0 9 1 to K .1 College Station is i a recycling success College Station's residents are doing a great job recycling. In 1994, our citizens diverted 9.49 percent of our residential solid waste away from the landfill - through curb- side recycling. That diver- sion rate is one of the best in the state of Texas. And that doesn't include the 25 tons of phone books recycled or the 30 tons of household haz- ardous waste col- lected at commu nity -wide events. Ka tie Gibson Many thanks go to all our citi- zens who participate in these programs that conserve our resources, protect our environment and save our landfill space. It is no wonder why College Station is a Clean Cities 2000 member; our citizens care about our environment and value ' the high quality of life we have here. That is why College Station has several" - new programs planned to expand recy cling opportunities for this year. With the success of our curbside recy- cling programs, the city has plans to study expanding recycling services of some kind to fourplexes, apartment and other multi - family housing units. This spring the city will conduct a multi - fame; Our citizens care about our environment and value the high quality of life we have Our citizens care about our -' environment and value the high quality of life we have here. ily /apartment recycling pilot program. The pilot will run for 16 weeks and ser- vice about 1,300 units. The pilot will look at methods of collection,) participation and diversion of recycl le materials. " Results will be used to determine the fea -' sibility of offering apartment recycling service throughout the city. Another program starting this year is the Clean Green Yard Waste collection. With this program, clean, stacked and separated brush and tree trimmings will be collected on your regularly scheduled yard waste /bulky item pick up day and taken to the city of Bryan co- compost facility to be chipped and composted. Previously this brush had been going to the landfill — now it won't! In addition, we are romoting the Don't Bag It! lawn care program and Backyard Composting P ogram for the management of your leades and grass. The Don't Bag It! lawn care program encourages you to leave brass clippings on your lawn. It reduces garbage and makes your yard healthier by providing needed nutrients and moisture. Backyard composting can save you time and money by providing a source of free fertilizer and soil conditioner for. your yard. Compost helps your plants grow by loosening the soil, improving moisture retention in your soil, and pro- viding some needed nutrients. By com- bining the Clean Green' program with these yard waste management methods, the city plans to divert another 10 per- cent or more of the residential solid waste from the landfill. ■ Katie Gibson is recycling coordinator for College`.' Station. EV Z CS City Council to hear about powerful issues By BRENT ZWERNEMAN Williams Eagle staff writer the workshop. ■ Wh tion in should address at will more competi- he electric utility \J Ready to hear a little posi- indust y exist and what ti speaking on power, or kind should people expect? at least a projection of ■ Why wholesale and retail po er's future in the Brazos competit on? V lley? ■ What does "retail wheel - ike Williams, director of ing" me and what are its th Texas Public Power effects?, A ociation in Austin, will ■ Who wants the competi- Mike ke a utility pitch to the tion, how likely is it to College Station City Council come, and what will it look 4 li.m. today. like? 'The electrical utility ■ What should policy industry is going through makers o? some very fundamental In other council business, changes and we thought it Terry B ike, chairman of would help if the council got the Brazos Valley Balloon a general overview of the Classic, will ask the city situation," Tom Brymer, council or $15,000 to help in erim city manager, said fund summer event at of Williams' presentation. its regular meeting 7 p.m. illiams will talk about Thurs a in the council t changes taking place chamb s. s te- and nationwide in the Theryan City Council u ity industry during the recently approved an extra co incil's regular workshop $10,000 f or the Lake Bryan in the City Hall council festival. cl. ambers. It already had put $5,000 in "[Utility industry change] its bu g t for the event, and is a nationwide situation in if the College Station City to ms of all of its impacts," Council approves the full B ymer said. $15,000 a two cities' funds Following are questions will mh h. DATE: Council must remember neighborhood integrity Since I was one of the first to harangue the city council for consider- ing a proposal to widen and elongate Welsh Avenue, I ma it a point to be one of the first to the council at the Jan. 25 meeting f r removing the street from the bond roposal and declaring the idea dead. All of the city council seemed to concur that gutting established neighborhoods is not some- thing the city ought to do. However, Councilman Hub Kennady then made it a point f telling us that the Welsh Avenue is ue is "(dead) for now." He still doesn't get t. We decide where to live based on two sues: economics and quality of life. M y of us in the College Park and O wood subdivisions have chose to revi this area. We do this with the expects ion of watching our children, homes d trees grow — not our roads. Does at sound unrea- sonable? For years, College Station has concen- trated tax revenue or. developments south of town, withoi Lt proper planning. To even consider retroactively planning College Station traffic at the expense of the older neighborhoods is not only wrong, it is foolish. Older neighborhoods, properly revital- ized, add charm to a dity. But who will invest time and money in refurbishing an older home in a city that does not respect its neighborhoods' covenants and street plans? The only germane solution I see to stop this retroactive homing is to develop a neighborhood protection ordi- nance. Such an ordinance would require a majority approvaJ he subdivision's property owners bethe city can change existing cov traffic ts. This still leaves uth a trac prob- lem. We are an edu d community. Let's think of creatiolutions to our traffic problems. Tr to campus can be cut immediately by initiating two simple changes: night classes and main- tenance shift work. I ,un sure others can provide more ideas. lyi The longterm solution to the north - south corridor is to widen Wellborn Road. This will not happen until the uni- versity, railroad a decisioil and city jointly come to concerning the railroad tracks —I. r iise them, lower them into a tunnel or ove them. Why shoild the city be interested in solving t4E railroad problem? Because it will mak money. When the railroad issue is r lved we will then be able to encourage otel development on the west side is in turn will encourage restaura and other tourist related industry invest in the surrounding areas. The cit.7 ouncil doesn't need to stop going so . It does need to remember that diversity adds flavor to a city, and sometimes we mistakenly neglect to work the rrine in favor of bagging every- thing that, glitters. - Perhaps our council members didn't all live in r ewer sections of town, Coll ege S ion wouldn't need a neigh- borhood 1r tection ordinance. Then again, if a f 3w of them were from the older parts of town, they wouldn't have to be told about the growth potential that exists in these areas and the impor- tance of respecting the integrity of estab- lished neighborhoods. DENNIS MALONEY College Station A) 2 '" - P gA A , DATE: BE X J� Approx tely $210,000 is proposed to build hborhood park adjacent to the new elem ntary school in the Pebble Creek su 'vision. COLLEGE STATION for The regaining cons is proposed con of additional l little league fields in tI eincoln Center/Wayne Smith' Park Corridor. These fields will be similar Why more park d pl complex comm t ze h the existing four -field t Southwood Athletic Park. for College Station? Also, � the fourth h fie be designed to allow a,: d to be added should future ; funds become available. These new fields will help t meet the existing demand for During the past several years there little league that has increased from 511' have been many requests to College participan 1 do Station for additional recreation facilities. Theo lated d t to o parks a proposition sitt ion n related At the same time we have heard others focuses o th the present and future state that we cur- recreation needs of the community. rentiy have Proposition eight includes $1,500,000 for ample park fhave r the acquisition and initial development of ties and they a large community athletic park. If suc- question the need . ,, for additional cessful, these acquire an funds will be utilized to open tract of land between 100 development. and 150 a r" and begin initial develop - This is one of the ment of tIr e site. issues that will be This p k will provide a location for a placed before the large socc r complex of up to 24 fields, an voters in the adult so all complex, youth baseball March 25 bond fields, tennis courts and other similar election. facilities. This concept will provide an C o l l e g e economy i f operations through joint use Station has his- Steve BeaChY of parking, Concessions, rest rooms, and torically had a ----- intenar ce facilities. Also, in addition good system of to meeting existing and future local recre- neighborhood and community parks ational needs, a facility of this type can along with a variety of leisure program& provide excellent return on our invest - The City Council has included Parks and ment by as a central site for state, Recreation as one of eight "ends state regional a id national tournaments. ments that reflect the values of our city by The la, t major athletic park in College stating, "Citizens benefit from parks ; Station wis completed in 1985. No addi- space and recreational activities which, tional tennis courts, baseball fields, soft - are geographically and demographically ; ball field r fields, or sports com- accessible and serve a diversity of inter- plexes ha e n added to the city's inven- ests." The March 25 bond election includes : tory sin t time. During that period two propositions related to future park' the city' pulation has grown from �JfFF facilities. These propositions were includ- 51,438 to in 1995 and the enrollment ed after months of public hearings, meet- figures the College Station ings, and discussions by the Parks and Independent School District have grown Recreation Advisory Board, the Citizen's from 4,889 student to 6,347 today. The Capital Improvement Committee and the question ` y do we need more parks in City Council. College St at on ?" is comparable to why do Proposition Seven includes $1,690,000 we need in io streets, sidewalks, drainage for improvements in Central Park, Bee or other E er vices proposed in the upcom- Creek Park, the Lincoln Center/Wayne th bond on. The city continues to Smith Park corridor and development of prosper ai id population has grown accord - one new neighborhood park. Approximately $100,000 will be utilized to ingly. Par of the reason for this pattern is renovate the existing concession building the fact tour community has tradition - at the Central Park Softball Complex and ally been wed as one with a "quality of ' provide shade structures for the spectator. . Vie" that desirable. To maintain the areas. This site has accommodated over basic wo our neighborhoods and city 700 softball teams annually for the past is the un erI ing purpose of the election three years as well as numerous state, on Marche, 25. regional and national tournaments. Approximately $100,000 is included to ren- ■Steve I3eachy is College Station's parks and recre- ovate the fences, dugouts and backstops at . ation director., Bee Creek Park softball fields to bring them into compliance with current stan- dards. Also, a portion of this money will . be utilized for pond improvements in the arboretum to improve their appearance from Texas Avenue. X J� Variety is spice of 'inner's life By BRENT ZWERNEMAN Eagle staff writer Afsaneh Yazdani became quiet for a moment when asked if she thought she's lived a tough life. "I've had a very exciting life," she finally says. "It's been lots of ups -and- downs. Day in the Life Afsaneh Yazdani "If it weren't for my mother's and family's support, I don't know how I would have made it. It's been pretty tough sometimes." Afsaneh suffered religious persecu- tion as a child and young adult in her native Iran. She is a member of the Baha'i faith, and fortunately, she left Iran before a revolution in the late 1970s she says resulted in the death of about 350 members of her religion. fsaneh is the city of College Station's park planner, and recently a mother for the third time. Her youngest daughter, Nedda, is only seven weeks old, and Afsaneh returned to her job about a month after Nedda 's birth. neh sometimes makes up hours in the evening because she are for her other daughter, MMM, who is 8 and attends South Knoll Elementary in College Station. Naseem has cerebral palsy and needs extra attention. "She needs a lot of care," Afsaneh says. Afsaneh has spent nearly 12 years with the city as its park planner, and her job duties are many. She assists the city's senior planner, Pete Vanecek, on any project necessary, and does most of the graphics for the parks and recre- ation department. Other duties include designing logos, books, brochures, calendars and promotional materials. "I also do a lot of photography," she adds, including keeping a photo library of College Station's special events. Afsaneh says no one in the parks and recreation department has a set job description. It's more like teamwork. "Sometimes a project isn't in the job description, but we do it anyway," she ate. ,r r ".. photos/Dave McDermand Afsaneh Yazdani looks jh this year's calendar the College Station and recreation depart- She is responsible for g together the calendar year. Right, Afsaneh s in front of the newly - )ished lake at Central in College Station. says, laughing. "It's more like a fami- ly- On this day, she is documenting pic- tures and events on Richard Carter's grave excavation and the body's rebur- ial ' in Richard Carter Park that took place couple of years ago. C -ter was College Station's first set- tler. "I get all sorts of stuff," Afsaneh grins about this unique assignment. with AFSANEH YAZDANI Age raph 39 Hero Place of birth mother, Nayereh Haghiou Shiraz, Iran Favorite musician Education NficlAel Bolton n ^har High School in Isfahan, Iran; date's architectural degree from Favo 1te actors itral College in Dallas. I was Robii Williams and Shirley 'ing to come to Texas A&M and MacLaWe men we started having babies [laugh] Years lived in B-CS Favo die movie 15 Dead Poets Society K } I Last k read spending time with family, photog- Tris photos/Dave McDermand Afsaneh Yazdani looks jh this year's calendar the College Station and recreation depart- She is responsible for g together the calendar year. Right, Afsaneh s in front of the newly - )ished lake at Central in College Station. says, laughing. "It's more like a fami- ly- On this day, she is documenting pic- tures and events on Richard Carter's grave excavation and the body's rebur- ial ' in Richard Carter Park that took place couple of years ago. C -ter was College Station's first set- tler. "I get all sorts of stuff," Afsaneh grins about this unique assignment. with AFSANEH YAZDANI Age raph 39 Hero Place of birth mother, Nayereh Haghiou Shiraz, Iran Favorite musician Education NficlAel Bolton n ^har High School in Isfahan, Iran; date's architectural degree from Favo 1te actors itral College in Dallas. I was Robii Williams and Shirley 'ing to come to Texas A&M and MacLaWe men we started having babies [laugh] Years lived in B-CS Favo die movie 15 Dead Poets Society Hobbies and interests Last k read spending time with family, photog- Tris Another j4 b this day is calling con- tractors to mck up plans for the Pro posed widen' ig of the concrete drive to the back o the Wolf Pen Creek Amphitheatr and adding parking and sidewalks at N DIf Pen Creek Park. The job will cost. less than $15,000, so city council approval isn't needed for the project. fsaneh rked for Texas A &M as a illustrator for a couple Of y a be fore starting with the city in Octo r 1983. She has usband, Bahman, who works for th ity of Bryan [ "We tease each other a to ' ] as an energy adviser, and three C d dren, Aneece, 13, who attends Co Station Junior High, and Naseem ir d Nedda. Afsaneh her husband in Iran and joined I in in the United States in 1976 to escal e ner minority faith's per- secution. "We had a hard time growing up," she says of I er Iran days. Her mott er and brother "escaped" Iran in 1983 aid now her mother lives next door a id helps care for the chil- dren. Afsaneh toll ays intended to attend Texas A&M,Jbi t says her family comes fast. I "I would hal a for my children to suf- fer for my lac of time to spend with them," she say;. "A family's so important," she adds, "especially rai ing children." SZ �� I Y± DAT 9-M. 1 0 / )995 31 d To the editor interests which appears, unfortunately, regarding the upcoming bond issues for based on ingrained ignorance ar d a the city of College Station. Little did I dilettante commitment to his du ies as a realize that our efforts to work for the responsible citizen. As one who worked growth and progress of our fine city on the Capital Improvement Plarining would be unappreciated and labeled a group, I would challenge anyone to pro- "elitist and special interest mentality." duce a more balanced reco a dation Our efforts to present to the city coun- to the city council. cil a bond package that would be unbi- Starting with $56 million in rc quests ased and proactive seem to have created from city staff, this group of ci t' Tns, extremely negative responses from indi- who certainly had no ax to grim, com- viduals who, I am sure, are only think - mitted itself to cutting the $56 it illion to ing of the'best interest of our city. C ommittee worked $22 million and thus avoiding l However, our group spent a consider - increase. Since these were the d alibera- able amount of time studying the issues. hard on bond p a c ka g tions of mortals, perfection, al , was It was very difficult to choose which not achieved. But the iterative rocess items we felt were needed most without Several weeks ago I encountered a of bringing the issue to a vote w doubt result in a sound, prude M no and raising the city tax rate for those pro - jects and keeping to a minimum the young man from Michigan at the me t display at Sam's Club. He said hew unquestionably needed packal a Duke operational costs. Perhaps if Duke had attending graduate school at Texas may choose lighting a candle cursing the darkness by takin sus active attended some of our sessions he may have realized that we were not a "rub- A &M. When I queried him about his selection of A &M, he explained that 1. a part in the next planning grot p s delib- ber stamp" committee, appointed by the came here primarily because he had erations. My business and financial ange- council in its own image. We were asked to serve because we live here and pay investigated the school and its envir ns and determined that College Station vas ments are such that I may live y- taxes just as he does. The council want - a most desirable place to live and r ' a where I choose. Here is when reasons, my wife and I have s. or many our ed input from as many of us as possible before making the decision on which family. As a former resident of the Pacific Northwest (Oregon), Northent roots. College Station is a sed ive and issues to present to our citizens. By the California, the Carolina low country, agreeable jewel. Let us keep i s vote for a prudent commitment and to mak- way, the council did not use all of our recommendations, nor has it lumped Pittsburgh, Pa., Southern Illinois, Washington, D.C. and here for the la t 20 ing it a place where visionary, ndustri- projects in a take- it -or- leave -it package. years, I saluted his sound judgment. ous people will come to live die. A concerted effort has been made to sep- So, when I saw Michael Duke's cri '- JOE GA ERGSTAO arate and clarify many of the issues on individual basis so the voters will cism of the College Station bond issue in Col ege Station an understand the importance of these pro - The Eagle, I was reminded of the rail Bond package pro u ct jects. Our city government is one of the ings of earlier perennial malcontent,, - people, for the people and by the people. who derisively dubbed the purchase f of diverse vlewpol Perhaps Duke would like to take part in Alaska from the Russians for $7.2 m' - cents an acre) in 1867. It wa s that process instead of throwing rocks � two I "Seward's Folly" for Secretar3 of I want to respond to the letber from from afar. WINNIE GARNER W e ' Wjlham Henry Seward. Like tl em, Michael Duke that appeared in the edi- College Statior Duke has a grasp of his community'O torial section of The Eagle on Jan. 27 A , 1• IF± /0 /'19 -,Y2Z One powerfully big challenge Expert: Private power supply could be costly By BRENT ZWERNEMAN Eagle staff writer n is wholesale competition better etail? en it comes to distributing or "wheeling" electricity, says the director of the Texas Public Power Association. The Texas Legislature will deal with the wholesale or retail question at some point, says Mike Williams, and he added changes nationwide in the electric utility industry will be unlike any before. "(Change in the electrical utility indus- try) will be the most fundamental change that has or will occur in our lifetime," Williams told the College Station City Council this week. While the airline, telephone and gas industries have been deregulated to offer customers a choice, electrical utilities have kept their monopoly status, he says. But in the near future, people may have a choice of distributors through retail competition, which Williams says is a bad thing for ordinary residents. The reason? Williams says private electricity sup- pliers won't be interested in the little peo- ple. They'll go after the large electricity users, and residents will have to deal with higher costs from their utility sup- plier due to revenue loss from the bigger industries switching suppliers, he says. "As a concept, retail (competition) makes much sense," Williams says. "But the marketplace will not result in us hav- ing a choice. The big customers will get all of the benefits." The answer? Wholesale competition, Williams says, is where a utility market keeps its bor- 4 ^-s intact but takes electricity from its e of suppliers. iay be just one supplier or it may be 9, but the market would have a oice of supplying its customers with the best rates possible, Williams says. "With wholesale deregulation, every- one will benefit," he says. There is a new breed of suppliers, _nom CA ' *A* .w "� k , W r ;)"qr lv Yf1 � DISI Eagle photos /Drive McOermand Lawson, above, of the College Station utilities department watches wc rk on power lines at Southwest Parkway. r right, Brian Legg (left) and Chris Gonzales perform the repair to the 3ower lines from a utility "bucket' truck. .iams says, called non -utility genera- of Gulf Etates Utilities and Houston that want to compete with the likes Lighting arid Power to supply markets With power. The new suppliers would use existing lines and pay their owners a comparable fee if the state deregulates the utility industry. But these fees would be nominal com- pared to what the entity now makes from its larger customers, and the smaller users would see their rates increase, Williams says. one of the new breed, Houston -based Destec, said its interest right now lies in making existing lines available and their rates comparable for private industry. "The issue is not so much in pursuing retail wheeling," said Marvin Brown, Destec's spokesman. "We're trying to get our power to wholesale markets." The federal Energy Power Act of 1992 gave states the power to allow access for comparable rates, Brown says, but so far Texas hasn't implemented the law. "But we think it will be and we hope for the sake of the state it will be sooner than later," he says. "The less expensive energy is, the better off the state is." Brown wouldn't discuss retail wheel- ing because he said it isn't the company's focus right now. He did say changes in the electric utility industry indicate a move toward retail wheeling. "The industry is moving toward retail wheeling so that users can select their supplier — just like the telephone indus- try," he said. By BRENT ZWERNEMAN Eagle staff writer Miss the chance at the last hazardous waste collection to get rid of that old extra paint for th '57 Chevy you sold in '61? What about the tug spray designed to kill crea- tures now xtinct? Here's the opportunity to dispose f those and other more recent hazardous wastes collected around the house, rat or shine, Saturday at the Brazos Center from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Katie Gibson, College Station's recycling coordinator, said the last collection in October was the biggest in the state. That collection took place at Post Oak Mall in College Station, and both cities thought this collection should be in Bryan, she said, though it's open to all Bryan- College Station residents. The Brazos Center is at 3232 Briarcrest Drive. Hazardous wastes are corrosive, flam- mable, reactive or poisonous. The house- hold wastes collected will be pesticides, motor oil, paint, thinners, drain cleaners, herbicides, motor oil filters, furniture strip- pers, pool chemicals, insecticides, brake fluid, ant ifrp 7p wan rlPanars_ kitchen cleaners, bar cleaners. Used tires also will be collected at the site. Items that won't be collected include trash, ammunition, industrial waste, explo- sives, medica. waste, fireworks, business waste, flares, smoke detectors, radioactive materials and gas cylinders. Gibson offEred guidelines for the waste transportation. ■ Carry the wastes in their original con- tainers. ■ Never mix the products, even if you know what they are. ■ Never carry the wastes in the same part of your car as children or pets. The collection has been setup so people can stay in their cars while Laidlaw Environmental Services collects the wastes. Laidlaw has held more than 1,000 house- hold waste collections across America and will collect, package, transport and dispose of the wastes according to Environmental Protection Agency guidelines, said Roger Drews, Bryan's Waste Services Division manager and Collection coordinator. Car batteries, used motor oil and filters and tires will Oe recycled locally. The two cities and the Brazos Valley Solid Waste Management Agency are spon- soring the collection. 4ei N =0 BY! DATI�: 9 tbq 1_taqjj_ /V /995 ' COLLEGE STATION Plan would help ease flow of people, College Station is an active and grow- ing community, and the need for city ser- vices is growing as well. In our continuing ; series of articles which focus on the upcoming bond election, we take a closer look at Proposition #2, Sidewalks, Bikeways &1.' Northgate. Many things are already being to improve ind pedestri- ,)utes in the Where appropriate, cur- rent ordinances Jim Callaway ' require side- walks and bike facilities in new developments. Also, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is working with the city to address transportation needs that will arise from the upcoming Texas Avenue widening project. Cars, bikes, pedestrians and transit system buses will be affected by this construction. TxDOT and the city are also working together on a $1.35 million bikeway loop system. This project will establish the core for a future bikeway system through- out the city. These efforts will help the sit- uation, but a lot of work still remains to be done. The Texas Avenue project is limited to a particular section of the road only, and even though it will establish a bike and pedestrian loop linking residential areas, the A &M campus, commercial areas and parks, gaps will still remain. The Planning and Zoning Commission, the City Council and the CIP Advisory Committee have heard citizen opinion on these very important issues. Citizens have pointed out the need for more facilities, as well as the need to accommodate those with disabilities. Footpaths worn along- side streets, but stops with poor access, new commercial developments with side - walks on the commercial property only, and signs along Texas Avenue prohibiting bikes all attest to the need for more facili- ties. For example, an estimated 2,700 peo-. nle live north of Harvey Road within a few! Mks of Post Oak Mall, yet there are no ities for bikes or pedestrians to travel e. Proposition #2, if passed, would — 4wiflcally address these kinds of prob- lems. The other portion of Proposition #2 deals with some of the same needs dis- cussed above, though it focuses attention on the oldest and most deteriorated busi- ness district in College Station —: Northgate. This was once the downtown; for a city that is now considered to have no downtown. Age has caught up with', Northgate, though How does Northgate revitalization fit into this proposition? Northgate has the; greatest "off-campus" concentration of cyclists and pedestrians in College: Station. This bike and foot traffic is occur -; reing in a congested area with streets ! crowded by traffic and parking. Many of; the pedestrians and cyclists cross heavy traffic on University Drive. It is a place; that could benefit from improvements? that create well- planned, attractive resi -y dential and commercial areas. Despite all of the problems in, Northgate, it still has a lot of "vitality."', Even though it is not the commercial cen ter or "downtown" that it once was, it is still a busy commercial area. Northgate is � also home to several churches and is a! dense residential area. We have been for- tunate to have Gall Dolev, a visiting archi- tect and town planner h7om Israel, as a part -time member of our staff. Gali brought a new perspective and a lot of; experience from other areas that we applied to our Northgate planning work. She observed that most downtown revital- ization projects are intended to get people to come back to the area, but people are already coming to and through Northgate.; In the past, revitalization efforts ; focused on areas that were worse off and needed the attention. Since the mid -70s: College Station worked to improve four low income areas that had dirt streets, inadequate water lines, few fire hydrants, no street lights and, in some cases, no sewer lines. Now Northgate is one of the areas that needs focused revitalization efforts. We've all seen the oil filter commercial — "you can pay me now or you can pay me later." Continued decline in Northgate will increase the cost of city services with- in the area. We all pay for that. Street and utility projects are already slated for Northgate. Continued decline will mean foregoing any benefits of revitalization and improvement. These benefits include reduced cost of service, improved ad val- orem values and possible increased sales tax revenues. Appearance, environment, safety and quality of life. These are the values that form the basis for Proposition #2. ■ Jim Callaway is assistant director for College Station's economic development services. `�x A m. ly� aq, �VV A variety of residents file for open city council positions Dennis Maloney, the College Station Welsh Street resident who led the charge against the proposed exten- sion of his neighborhood street, has filed for the city council position of David Hickson, Place 5. Hickson headed a 19- Capital Improvements Advisory Committee that made the Welsh Street extension proposal the city council eventually killed. Also filing were current city coun- cilmen Lynn McIlhaney and Bill Fox for their current Places 3 and . No one has filed at Bryan Ci y Hall since Monday when Annette Stephney, a 52- year -old part -time teller at Victoria Bank and Trust, became the first candidate to file under the new single- member dis- trict voting system, when she applied for the District 2 position. Councilwoman Kandy Rose also filed Monday for Bryan's mayoral seat. Rose announced Feb. 13 her run for the seat now held by five-term Mayor Marvin Tate. March 22 is the last day to file for the May 6 election. D] 1 §T± DATA: atb . QJ 995 have lost 1 1 '', depend 1 1 a_ College Station sexton By BRENT ZWERNEMAN Eagle staff writer As a cool wind blows and leaves fall from the trees, Delmer Charanza slow- ly walks a path in the College Station City Cemetery. The path is lined with live � trees and crepe myrtles dot the gro ds. In the distance, an elderl3 woman and a young woman stand at a grave. The young woman listens in ently as the other points at the tombs one and Day in the Life Delmer Charan a explains her family's own bit of histo- ry "There's never a whole bunch of people here, but on pretty da3 s there's always someone visiting," says Delmer, the cemetery sexton. T hough the city cemetery'pn Texas Avenue South opened in 1948, some of its graves are da ed as far back as 1872 because the land iolds the old Shiloh community, settled in the 1860s. Former Texas A &M press lent and war hero Earl Rudder is b in the cemetery, along with man N notable locals. Delmer became sexton in L983, and before that he worked fo Bailey Oxygen & Tool Co. in Bryan. What work experience at Bailey pre- pared him for the cemetery job? "Dealing with customers," he says. Webster's Dictionary says a sexton is adchurch official ... in charge of burying. the dead. 'But Delmer works for the city and he doesn't really bury the dead. That's contracted to some local companies, due to burial rules and regulations. Delmer's Job is to sell plots at $260 each and mark them off for b trials and monuments, in addition to maintaining the grounds. Delmer h6 a crew of two at the ceme- tery, James Schroeder and Joe Ochoa Jr. When someone dies, the funeral home calls Delmer. He works with the family to find a plot if they don't own one already. This is both the most satisfying and toughest part of Delmer's job, he says. ,,...,.. It's satisfying because he s able to help someone in need, but tough because of the emotions involved in a death, especially a sudden one. "There's no getting prepared fora sudden death," Delmer says. T he 18.5 -acre property has about 2,000 of the 5 -by -10 -foot plots left, mostly in the back where the cemetery meets Bee Creek Park. Delmer says people usually buy plots in pairs and occasionally families will buy many plots together. There aren't any big monuments in the cemetery due to city ordinances regulating their size. A couple of mausoleums rest on the property. Delmer was born in Burleson County 50 years ago but moved to Bryan- College Station in 1958. He grad- uated from A &M Consolidated High School in 1963. Delmer and his wife, Virginia, have four children, Peggy, Jimmy, Debra and Michael. _ W with u „„ D CMWZA Age 50 Place of birth Burleson County Education A&M Consolidated High School Class of 1963 Years lived In BCS 37 Hobbies and interests bowling and fishing Favorite music country & western "Favorite actor Clint Eastwood Favorite movies Clint Eastwood movies Favorite magazines Game and fishing magazines Pets A border collie, Rascal; and anotbcr dog, Moose -61 1 A' Y� ❑'R I Above, Delmer unaranza umu" —1 -- ° - — looks at the marker describing the Shiloh settlement that lies within the cemetery boundaries. C L1 DAT .bona issi drainage Proposition #4 f in the amount o: included in the Boi 25. For most resi- dents of this area, heavy rain- fall is not some- thing that caus- es a great deal of concern. Normally, it is only an inconve- nience that makes us change our plans for the day or alter our travel routes until the high water subsides. However, on occasion we exp storms such as the October and Decea ally see damage amounts of rainf these large rainfa times when we p the problems ca drainage systems munity. ly� : J�c_b. � 5 - oiters Drainage Projects $1,805,000 will be: Election on March ; Laza -fence very heavy a which occurred in ; ber, where we actu. caused by large; l runoff. Typically, events are the only much attention to' >ed by inadequate. irouehout our com- What we often on't see are the prob -; lems experienced by our friends and neighbors who liv,1 or work in parts of; the city that are affected by moderate' sized storms. These problems include. rising water en ering their homes, street flooding th it causes their auto- mobiles to stall, or channel erosion adjacent to their 1 roperty that is slowly working its way ito their yard. These types of problem sometimes necessi- tate expensive r airs by the affected property owners, nd solving them typi- cally involves c nstruction of storm sewers, inlets, or hannel modifications which are outsid the scope of normal maintenance operations. Those of us in city and county governments responsi- ble for addressing drainage issues some- times feel helpless because we cannot work with property owners due to fund- ing constraints that hinder us. In its proposed bo Wed for March 25 Station has included viate some of the dr citizens are endurin g $1.44 million is desi known areas of flo problems scattered and to provide a f unexpected problem with future rainfall e ing $360,000 is to be u with developers to e tems in areas whet e anticipated. The city's staff his 20 areas where fl exist, and, in certii made plans for ad e; once a ftmding so in addition, they are w neers to develop drainage plan that ere and how Cu tX appropriately spe t benefits for our co will not only look al that are already d vi undeveloped areas iu to see what proble as College Station qoi Drainage will al *a this and any oth r However, with funds in the bond election are currently under City Council and s reduce the problem heavy rainfall in our Ver - H LrAzA - C 7 nd election sched- e City of College 1.8 million to alle- age problems its Of that amount, ated to address ding or erosion oughout the city, ding source for that will arise ents. The remain- ed in conjunction rge drainage sys- future growth is identified at least - related problems i instances, have sing the problems is identified. In )rking with engi � comprehensive 11 help determine ds can be most to maximize the aunty. This plan parts of the city, loped, but also at Tounding the city, Van be anticipated tinues to grow. rs be a concern hA urbanized area, (tom the proposal and the plans that development, the aff can work to associated with e . j i � neE'( - Fii 0+ toile - ge Sflt�ui 1 u n Y homason 5- grown into attracted a 00 partici- ian $23,000 ,er Society ,0 Greg Huchingson Thomason alk will be h 4, begin - in will start t Club & >n Friday, .. and from rday. The ad includes t. in a variety fist overall first and ), male and ;rs (run) in sions; first inners; first host senior L )rizes will g from gift food and rand door .ckets any - lines flies I United ion, call )r contact 68 or Bill R'TS wG �i j i Huch's:: +i-- -- As both a College Station resident and advocate of recreational sports, I 1. know how important March 25 is to the city. just hope others who fit the same escription do too. In just over three weeks — Satur- day, March 25, to be exact — the citizens of ollege Station will go to the polls to vote on a $22.5 million bond proposal. Of the eight propositions on the ballot, two of them (totalling $3,276,000) will directly benefit recreational athletes. Proposi ion Seven calls for $1,776,000 to be spent on the con- struction and maintenance of Parks & Recreation projects. The big ticket item on this Proposition is a new three -field Little League com- plex to be built in Wayne Smith Park near the Lincoln Center. It is about the same site where the youths of College Station played Little League before the current facility in Southwood Valley was built. Since 1985, the enrollment figures of the College Station Inde- pendent S hool District have grown from 4,8 9 students to 6,347. Where are these extra kids playing ball? The 're all cramming into the Southwood Valley Complex. If Propositi Seven passes, the new facility would ease some of the burden o SWV as well as make travel to ames and practices more convenient for players who live north of FM 2818. Also included on Proposition Seven are the construction of a neighborhood park adjacent to the new elementary school n the Pebble Creek subdivision and renovations at Central ark, Bee Creek Park and the Linc In Center/Wayne Smith Park corr. dor. Proposition Eight is the item I am real passionate about. As a manager of a local men's softball team that travels extensively throughout Texas, one of the ;,ed for. hens. X19 -2900 '694 -2222 questions I am asked most often is, Why doesn't College Station build some new and bigger fields ?" The answer, obviously, is if the city is to build new fields, the funding must first be approved by voters. Funding for a new softball complex was on the ballot a couple of years ago and, in an election ,with low voter turnout, was narrowly defeated by around 200 votes. With around 200 teams pl ying at Central Park every season nd 15 -20 players on each team, softball players alone could have made the difference in that election. Yet many of the same players who sit in the parking lot at antiquated Central Park and com- plain about not having a more modern facility get a puzzled look on their fac when I ask them if they voted in that election. Inevitably, hey say they didn't know a new complex was up for approval, or Ise they would have. ATTENTION: I am hereby giving all softball payers In College Station tree weeks notice that you can have a brand spanking new, state- of -the- art, $1.5 million softball complex i you can just find your way to the polls some- time on Saturday, March 25. If you are going to be out -of -town that day (or just want to get your vote tabulated early), absentee voting begins next Monday, March 6, and continues through Tuesday, March 21, at College Station City Hall. If you 3,000 to 4,000 ballplayers sit at home and don't go to the polls this election and Proposition Eight fails by 200 or so votes again, you have no one to blame but yourselves. Every season, 30 -50 team man- agers walk into the the office at Central Park with a check in their hands expecting to sign up for a city league and get turned away because the leagues are already full. Once registration begins, its takes College Station Parks officials about four or five days to register the maximum number of teams that the four -field Central Park can hold during a given season. The rest are out of luck. I bet if you play on one of those teams who won't get to play in this year's Spring Season that begins, ironically enough, the same day absentee voting begins because your coach didn't pay the entry fee in time, you'll be at the polls. You don't have anything else to do, except practice up for the Summer. See you at the polls! Basketball signup being hel at Bo y s & Girls Club The B03 s & Girls Clubs of the Brazos Va ley are registering boys and girls for the 1995 basketball program. The last day to sign up is March 4. Team a signments will be made on the bass of the school the child attends. Girls will be chosen from sixth throu eiehth erade and boys cost for both is $18, which is due before participation. The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Brazos Valley will be responsible for assigning coaches to the teams. The clubs are dependent upon vol- unteers to handle these assign- ments. Parents are urged to help in paid city taxes for 25 years — and they're Robert Toler and his wife, Barbara, stand in front of their College Station home, still waiting for city water services to be hooked up. The City of Col- CS thirsts By BRENT ZWERNEMAN Eagle staff writer Robert Toler, Ph.D., is an easygoing, distinguished man who carefully con - iders any action he takes. But if Toler eems a bit impatient with the city of College Station these days, its with good reason. Twenty-five years ago t e city annexed his home and his property at water hookup the corner of FM 2818 and &B Road, but he's still without city ewer and water. And he's ready for act on. College Station annexed Toler's house plus his 10 acres in February 1970 and he first went to the city in 1971 about his lack of sewer and water. "They just laughed at me and said I was too far out," he says. "I kind of gave up after that." Toler, 66, didn't pay much attention annexed the land in 1970, and never extended full city services ty, which is at the corner of FM 2818 and F &B Road. to the lack of city services through the years because he was busy teaching plant pathology at Texas A &M and, along with his wife, Barbara, raising four children. Though he says he gave up, Toler still approached the city occasionally. Nothing was done. "They had the same old excuses," he Please see THIRSTS, page A4 1) i5 L LIA says, "No money. It's too far out. "But they should have thought of that when they annexed." Interim city manager Tom Brymer says College Station doesn't have to extend its water and sewer services to certain annexed areas if it appears too costly, but adds city staff was going to see what could be done for Toler. "The issue really is what we can do in a coordinating manner that is cost - effective for all of the taxpayers," Brymer says. Brymer means coordinating with Texas A&M, which has sewer and water services near Toler's house. "It doesn't make aay sense to duplicate all of that infrastruc- ture," he says, and adds the city staff has started discussion with university officials but no com- mitments have been made. Toler does have his own septic tank along with a 1 -inch water line extended from the university dairy barn, for which the city charges him. When the city annexed the property, it worked out a deal with the university to pay for the 1 -inch water line, where before there had been an agreement between Toler and Texas A &M. In December 1989 the city rezoned the property to general commercial from single - family residential at Toler's request because of the number of cars traveling FM 2818. "Since then I've gone back to the city several times to see about building on my property, "Toler says, and adds 16,000 cars a day now pass his property, "We'll be paying commercial taxes so if they do give us sewer and water they'll eventually get their money back," he adds. The city tells him he can't build commercially because of the lack of water pressure in cake of fire, he said, but it charges him monthly water fees. Since Toler's retirement in December 1993 he's ad more time to try and deal wi the lack of sewer and water an says he's still wants to develop r sell the property, but no one wants to buy it. "As soon as they find out I don't have sewer and water they aren't interested," he says. No one in the city has waited as long as he has for these city ser- vices, Toler says. "I've paid city taxes for 25 years — and they're not cheap," he adds. "I've never missed a year and I've never been late." Toler says in October of last year he went to the city to request a listing of his city taxes paid IJM t a "i Pill (f, z 1 1c�q5 since 1970 and then sent a certi- fied letter asking the same, but still hasn't gotten a response. Glenn Schroeder, executive director of finance, admits his department has been "negligent" in tracking down the records for Toler, saying that means digging through boxes from up to 25 years ago. He said he told his staff to start the search last week. Schroeder did point out sewer and water fees enter a separate fund and the taxes Toler seeks enter a general fund that covers things like fire and police protec- tion, of which Toler has received since the annexation. The city doesn't charge Toler for sewer services — although he says it did until he raised a fuss about it — but does for the 1 -inch water line that supplies his home and about 10 others just outside the city limits. Toler told the City Council at its last meeting he wanted a three - year timetable on getting city sewer and water, a generous request considering his quarter - of a- century wait. The council directed Brymer to contact the university about working out an extension from its services to Toler's house, and the issue should be back on the council agenda soon. Toler seems a bit jaded by the whole issue. He doesn't expect the city to honor his request. "I expect the same thing will happen," he says. Big Thre The Big Three in local govern- ment, the Bryan and College Sta- tion city councils and the Brazos County Commissioners Court, all will meet in the Brazos Center r p.m. March 21 to discuss area health and social services. There's been concern these ser- vices are sometimes duplicated, and local health and social offi- cials will meet with the entities to talk about the best means of mon- itoring them. Parking in the Summit Street, and Hilltop and Southwood drives area is a mess, says College Sta- tion Mayor Pro Tern Lynn McIl- haney. She and Councilwoman Nancy Crouch voted against a measure to change less than two acres between the streets from general commercial property to apart- ment buildings or four- plexes. Local building contractor Tony Jones requested the change. Summit Street Apartments owner Jim Griffin also spoke against the proposal. He said the site needs more parking spots and that city ordi- nances allow too many cars for the dwellings. Griffin asked the city council to hold off voting until the Planning and Zoning Commission took a second look at the area. Despite their protests, the council voted 4 -2 Feb. 23 in favor of the change, with Councilman David Hickson absent. He attended a Phil Gramm fund raiser in Dallas the night of the meeting. Brent Zwerneman The zoning commission already had approved the change and the city staff also approved. The change "would not be in conflict with the surrounding land uses which include public uses to the east and west and mul- ti- family uses to the south and north," said Senior Planner Sabine Kuenzel in a staff report to council. The report continued: "In addi- tion, under the current zoning and lot configuration, the site would only lend itself well to development of a strip- shopping center, which is discouraged by development policies." The quick and the read Really, it isn't always this boring. The Bryan City Council held their last meeting at Bonham Elementary to reach voters in District 2 of the new single - member district system, and after a presentation on the new voting rules by City Secretary Mary Lynne Galloway, the council zoomed through the agenda with little, if any, discussion of agenda items. Councilwoman Kandy Rose said she owed the scattered atten. dants an explanation. "This meeting wasn't typical," she said. "Normally items on the agenda bring about much more debate on a council. I would invite you to come back to another mee ing." The highl' ght of the night came when Mayor Fro 'rem u) Stabler recounted a tale growing up in the Bonham mentary are . "I used tc chase Mary L (Galloway) because she w come out ind bother us when we ere waiting foi bus," he described. "Her m, would come out and scold us. "So I feel i ight at home." The Walt Peen Inn? The Wolf ater lake dredgin; lege Stat approved tl condition c 1 back in th during the cess. The cow geted $40, the exces caused to than usual, Kent Laza. Laza did lake is o 'en Creek amphithe- ot $50,000 in extra monies from funds after the Col- on City Council e measure, with the putting the money hotel/motel balance next budgeting pro. it already had bud - for the dredging, but .ve October rains e silt downstream said City Engineer say the amphitheater one of what was a i of seven lakes to be master built in "One dealing area. t of the master plan is h all of the problems," Laza told the council. The council recently removed a $950,000 Wolf Pen Creek proposal from the March 25 bond election calling for more drainage and detention areas along the creek. The council figured residents wouldn't pass the proposal and instead put the money toward general drainage projects. Councilman Hub Kennady made the motion to approve the $50,000 with the budget condition, and Councilman Larry Mariott seconded. Laza told the council of both short-term and long -term solu- tions for the Wolf Pen Creek area, including possibly buying a dredge for about $115,000 at some point. Others included building a pond away from the recreation area for about $250,000, or building additional dams and cut- ting the slopes of the creek back so they don't wash away as much, for about $1.5 million. This would include adding rocks and rubble to the slopes. "We have a problem that exists and we have to address it one way or another," Laza said. Wolf Pen Crack On the'same subject, the staff pointed out concerts are starting at the amphitheater and that the dredging will take place during the concert season. Mayor Larry Ringer said it may be an event in itself. "A lot of people may come from all around to watch the dredging," he said. Aveim=ENTi DATI : Mor-c h I qq Su.ndo- L Road system vital to sustained growth Proposition #1 for Street Projects in the amount of $10,065,000 will be includ- ed in the bond election on March 25. Most people don't realize that the single largest capital invest- ment that most communities have is their existing street System. Large sums of money are included each year in most municipal budgets to han- dle the mainte- nance of this infrastructure. Frequently cities find them- selves in a situation where large sums of money are needed to reconstruct existing roadways or provide the neces- sary capital to build new roadways. These sums are large enough that the only way to finance them is to include them as a part of a bond program. This is the decision point we face today in' College Station. As we continue to see growth in our area, we will continue to see the trans portation system as one of our most; pressing and expensive issues. The proposition before the voters on March 25 includes street rehabilitation, recon- struction, new street construction and extension, as well as participation in' larger streets in newly developing-, areas. Currently being considered for` reconstruction in this bond program- are: Southwest Parkway from Texas Avenue east to State Highway 6; Tarrow Street from University Drive to Lincoln; Anderson Street from George. Bush to its termination at Bee Creek, Park; University Oaks from Stallings to State High ay 6; and sections of some: thoroughf es such as Brentwood,. Deacon, Holleman, , Southwood, Stallings, ton and Welsh. As streets get older, s me get to a point where it becomes more feasible to reconstruct than to maintain them. This part of the'• proposition will cost $3,842,000. Several new roadways are being con = sidered with this proposal. These" include: construction of North Forest Parkway from State Highway 6 to the west side Emerald Forest subdivi- sion; Rock airie Road from Victoria west to W 1litborn Road; purghase of right of wa o widen Kyle Street from Texas Avenue to Dominik; upgrade Graham Road to a curbed and guttered roadway from Texas Avenue to Wellborn Road; and a north - south arte- rial either east of Texas Avenue between Southwest Parkway and F.M. 2818 or west of Wellborn Road and south of George Bush. The costs for these new roadways and rights -of -way acquisition will be $5,624,000. When the city requires a developer to build a larger street than is required by the development, the city pays for the difference to get the larger street thereby ensuring that the needs of the entire city are being met with respect to our transportation system. The funds needed to keep this program funded will be $599,000. To meet 'the needs for the next few years the street proposition totals $10,065,000. This is a small investment in upgrade and construction to a trans- portation system whose capital replace- ment value exceeds $200,000,000. ■ Etrey B. Ash is College Station's director of eeo-: nomic and development services. More parks are needed for College Station kids The city of College Station has sched- uled a bond election for March 25. Early voting began on Monday. I would like to encourage citizens to vote early, and in particular I would like to ask them to 'te for Proposition 7 and for position 8. Both deal with develop ent of parks in College Station and have been included in the bond issue at the request of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board (a panel of concerned citizens appointed by the city council to advise the council and Parks an Recreation staff). The recommen ation followed a two -year development of a master plan during which hearings were conducted to determine the desires and needs of citizens. The most impressive needs were determined to be additional athletic facilities to serve the children and adults of the community. Currently the College Station Soccer Club plays games at three different parks, none of which adequately meet demand. This c eates a problem of child supervision for parents who may spend their Saturday i orning driving from one park to anothe to drop off children for games, then repeat- ing the route to retrieve the children. During the time they are dropping off at one park, a child may have finished a game at another park and may be wait- ing, unsupervised until the parent returns. There is a real and dramatic -eed to have a single park at which all :e games may be played so children an be properly supervised by their own parents. Six years ago the existing parks were adequate, but at that time Anderson To me eanor Park had available land belonging to Grace Bible Church which as provided to the city for soccer fields, I Vhen the church built its new buildin 7, that park was effectively cut in half. For the past several years the College Station Soccer Club has bee growing at 25 percent per year. This pat fall the increase was more than 35 percent. A new soccer facility will not only address the immediate and future needs of our youth, but it can have a significant eco- nomic impact on the city. Currently the Brazos Magic Soccer Club as a tourna- ment each February: The gieland Classic. The recent 1995 tounament had 120 teams from around Texas and the surrounding states competing over two weekends. Conservatively that repre- sents 20 adults and 25 children (15 play- ers) per team for a total of 24,400 adults and 3,000 children. If they s nt the expected average of $72.80 1 er person per day, that translates into $393,120 of direct economic impact for a single day. Usually approximately one quarter of the teams stay an extra day for the quar- ter finals, semifinals and finals, so the final direct economic is on the order of $500,000. Proposition 8 provides for the pur- chase of approximately 150 acres to be developed into a major community ath- letic park which will even ually become the game site for youth ph ying soccer in College Station and a host site for major soccer tournaments. Thep ark will be a multiple use facility and is expected to have additional softball fields and other park amenities as well. Collegd Station Little League current- ly uses the youth baseball fields at Southwood Athletic Park; however, it has outgrown the facility and is near the point of having to limit enrollment. Proposition 7 provides for fund to develop the Lincoln Center -Wayne Smith corridor with a community park which will include a youth baseball complex, an adult softball practice field, a couple of football/soccer practice fields and other amenities. The addition- . al baseball field will relieve the over crowding at Southwood Athletic Complex and provide other opportuni -- ties for the youth of the community as well. Passage of Proposition 7 and 8 is desir- able if we want to continue to provide organized youth activities for the chil- dren of College Station. Involvement in youth sports is vital for the development of many of our children. From properly directed activities they learn sportsman- ship, leadership, teamwork and a proper self esteem. Addition and improvement of our athletic parks provides opportuni- ties for our youth and for our business community; we win on two fronts. Please vote for both propositions, and, vote early. Thank you. BOB DEOTTE Jr. College Station L J 1 7% AVEJ N = § M1• M h C- I, I �t In Town &Texa s CS offers Sanderson Farms $100,000 deal The City of College Station gave its thumbs up to an incentive pact age Wednesday to lure Sanderson Farms i of Mississippi to Bryan-College Station. The firm plans to build a new $68 million chicken processing complex by spring 1997 somewhere in Texas. Officials throughout Brazos County have been piecing together economic incentive packages to lure the Laurel, Miss. company. College Station's incentive pack- age includes a $50,000 tax abatement now and an additional $50,000 when the business opens here. If Sanderson Farms decided to build a new plant here, the pr ject would include a processing plant, a feed mill and a hatchery. Sanderson Farms said about 1,400 plant job and 280 contracted chicken growing jobs ' will be created wherever the plant is built. Emergency Operations center open to the public Friday r ' The City of College Station will hold an opening ceremony for the recently completed , EmerE ency 'Operations Center noon Frid y at . the Central Fire Station, 1101 Texas Ave. S.. To enhance the city's emergency management and response capabili- ty during tornadoes, floods and other disasters, the old EOC has under- gone renovation including new telecommunications, computer and audio /visuals, said city spok man Bob Yancy. Two CS engineers honored at banquet The Brazos Chapter of the Texas Society bf Professional Engineers hon- ored Elrey B. Ash and Veronica J.B. Morgan at the society's annual banquet, held on Feb. 21 during National Engineer's Week. Ash was named 1994 chapter Engineer of the Year, and Morgan was recognized as Young Engineer of the year. Both are past presidents of the chapter. Since 1993, Ash has been College Station's director of economic and devel- opment services, overseeing more than on in capital improvement pro- is both a registered engineer gi tered surveyor. 1 civil engineering graduate of Texas A &M University, Ash was College Station city engineer from 197582. He became director of capital improvements over engineering and planning in 1980, and director of development services in 1982. Morgan, College Station's assistant city engineer, received a bachelor of sci- ence in civil engineering in 1985 and a Like This caret Ann Zi ma Ter of science in 1988, both from Texas A&M. She is responsible for over - si and coordination of the city's resi- ASH den ial and commercial development. She began her career with the city in 198 . ..... ....... the Texas A &M dairy barn, for which the and at its last meeting staff members pre - of their findings. Eagle staff writer city charges him. When the city annexed the property, it worked out a deal with r College Station resident Robert Toler, the university to pay for the 2 -inch water Gadbois said it has never been the city's Ph.D., will probably have to spend the r-111, d Tol I k im k n ! ! 1 1 M'►' M 1 ■ 1 1 1 1 M a 1 ■ I& It seems location, location, location will cost CS resident money, money, money water for commercial development, Gadbois said. But the staff recommended against this because it would mean the. city's dependence on the university, and at times during the year the university's water supply is "taxed," Gadbois said. If the city decided to extend water and sewer to the property, staff said it would rather extend its own than the universi- ty's to avoid that dependence, even if it mean a much higher cost. The city will continue to study possi- ble solutions, council and staff said. At the end of the meeting, Toler stood and thanked the city for its help with and study of the matter. By BRENT ZWERNEMAN the Texas A &M dairy barn, for which the and at its last meeting staff members pre - of their findings. Eagle staff writer city charges him. When the city annexed the property, it worked out a deal with sented some Assistant City Engineer Robert College Station resident Robert Toler, the university to pay for the 2 -inch water Gadbois said it has never been the city's Ph.D., will probably have to spend the line, where before there had been an practice to extend these services to of the city, because it costs money himself if he wants city sewer agreement between Toler and Texas remote parts and water anytime soon. The city annexed Toler's house and A &M. Toler had the property rezoned for too much. Current city policy says the subdi- property at the corner of FM 2818 and commercial use because of the growth vider "shall pay all costs of materials F&B Road 25 years ago -Ian_. 19 EagJel, potential in the area — the George Bush and installation of streets, alle side- but he's still without city sewer and Presidential Library will be just down walks, drainage and utilities . . ." to water. the road —but he can't build commer serve development of remote parts of the At the time, the city annexed about 185 acres near the intersection and it is still cially because of the lack of water pres ' city. An option would be for the city to largely undeveloped. sure to battle a fire. The council agreed at a January meet- enter into an agreement with Texas Toler has his own septic tank along ing to see what could be done for Toler, A &M to provide enough city sewer and with a 2 -inch water line extended from 0 1 Avei M = BE DATFJ: ffi" C-1 I 1 editor lence. I urge you to vote "yes" on Propositions 7 and 8. Proposition 7. cates $1.63 million for park and rest ation facilities' improvements. Proposition 8 allows the city to use million to purchase land for a new athletic complex. In Proposition 7 there is $1.23 mil earmarked for Wayne Smith Park c dor. Specifically, the bonds will be 1 to add anew youth baseball comple adult softball fields, youth soccer fi and additional improvements to lig ing, walkways and drainage. Proposition 7 also allocates $200,00( the purchase of land for a new part be built next to the proposed eleme school in Pebble Creek. The_: is ar tional $200,000 for the upgrade of ff ties at Bee Creek Park and Central These funds will be used to replace fences, backstops, dugouts and she at Bee Creek Park and renovate th cession stand at Central Park. These needs are immediate. The Support our children by voting for more parks On Saturday, voters in College Station can say yes to kids. We will have the opportunity to vote for youth sports pro- grams, the facilities needed to nun those programs and against gangs and vio- Letters encouraged The Eagle encourages letters to the editor. Please keep them as short as possible. They may be edited for clarity, style or length. Letters must be . signed and include a telephone number for verification. Send your letters to The Editor, The Eagle, P.O. Box 3000, Bryan 77805-3000. 95 letic facility upgrades and the develop- ment of the Lincoln Center -Wayne Smith Park are necessary to provide sports an d playing opportunities for children in all parts of our city. We have been overtaxing our existing facilities, and a favorable vote for Proposition 7 will allow the city to meet the existing needs as well as provide for immediate growth in youth sports. Proposition 8 allows the city of College Station to purchase land to be used for a new athletic complex, along the lines of Central Park. The Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee envisions a 150- acre park site suitable for youth base- ball and soccer as well as adult softball- There will also be playgrounds, picnic sites and jogging trails associated with this athletic complex. Youth soccer is growing at 25 percent per year. Last year the city turned away more than 100 adult softball teams. A park complex of this size will allow the city to accommo- date those teams as well as larger soft- ball tournaments. In 1993, adult softball tournaments generated more than $1.9 million in revenues to College Station. Propositions 7 and 8 are the only propositions on the ballot which will return income to the city. I urge You to vote yea on both propositions so that our citizens and youth will have the oppor- tunity to be involved in organized ath- letic activities. on Saturday, vote for kids. Vote yes for Propositions 7 and 8. RON GAY, vice chairman, Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee College Station A 9Y± nAT�: rnftf (,h IG,) is E College Station Peggy Calliham Preservation group trying to save h ' for College Station's Historic Pre Committee, in cooperation College Station Conference Advisory Committee, is prese active in trying to research ant this young city 's history. They menting much of the history % of the original residents and th members are still around to tel ries. One of the many projects undertaken is an oral history Station called "Memory Lane: will eventually be turned into This project began last fall I residents were invited to come their memories and recollecti Northgate area during Colleg earliest years. Fascinating stories came such recognizable family Zubik, Holick, Boyett, Ivy, at all who had business intere time in the Northgate area. The committee has plans 1 several other "memory lay) future. Some of those sugi Campus Kids, Eastgate, earl. ulty, churches, city officials portation. The nex la researched will be the Memory Lane." Southside, or College Par] officially named, was actuall; by Floyd B. Clark, and four c sors, who formed the Development Company in 19, He had been given the & the Texas A&M president tl residences were developed, could be extended from the pus. Professors were hired their off -time to aid the dev the subdivision. According to records, the to hire a salesman because 14 ly sold themselves. In 1932, Hershel Burgess man and former student at purchased 80 acres of la College Park and formed t Realty Company. He subdivided his proper it th Oakwood addition. H take advantage of assistai Federal Housing Administr made it easier for people homes. According to Burg( was the first FHA appri between Dallas and Houstoi ith the , enter's ay very ?reserve re docu- Ue some x family heir sto- rey have r College which book. aen local nd tell of as of the Station's rth from ames as l Garner, s at one research s" in the sted are:: A&M fac -' nd trans a to be; as it was developed ier profes- Southside: urance by. t when 10 fflity lines: k&M cam-; o work in topment of- never had: s essential -'. a business-• exas A &M,; d next to; Oakwood• and called was able to: e from the tion, whicli i buy their: s, Oakwood: red project After the residen begun to develop, Station finally was when it became ap ernmental organiz They set up a sy which the citizens : is evident in a 1 Battalion. When the reside themselves togethe - theirs a better co live, and accept th the movements to progress is being board of aldermen here in College Sta By working tog with each other, th model for others. The Southside h enjoyable stories among locals for y My favorite tale Billy Goats' Gruff were perpetuated tions of youngste generation. Many of us as ch easily impressed ing, remained terr ing noise when w lest the trolls woul 'In fact, I am not ago it was that I q bridge. The Historic Pr would like to doc stories with future College Station's Invitations ha than 70 local res information, but and did not recei simply our lack oversight. If you have som and stories to s extend an invitati reception and ore Friday at the Coll Center, 1300 Geer 9:30 a.m. and noo Interviewers wi Lisa and Scott B Jane Hirsch, E Shannon, Mary Patricia Burke, ai Please call Gr for more informa you will be attendi We look forward a Peggy Calliham is the P Manager for the clty of Colle area had almadY. city of College( )rporated in 1938 it that a n was essential: five gov- , of self- taxation; lily approved, al article from the of a locality band d resolve to make nity in which to rden of financing ke it such, then s. It is felt by the such is the case and cooperating can become the s many warm and have been passed that area were the Age stories, which r couple of genera duc ating" the next en, who were wort a we were discern d for years of males rossed that bridgd, ame out and get uit e how many y�earg tiptoeing over that rvation Committeb ant and share such negations as part of )ry. been sent to mort its who may' have iu are one otthose n invitation, it was information or ah teresting memories we would love to to you to attend the istory gathering oh Station Conferencp lush Drive, betweep e Mary Beth Hayei, s, Lea Ferris, Mary a Horner, Naomi ,nd John Henr , ne, Peggy CaWhar . Calbert at 764 -37 r or to let her kno hearing from'you} ublic Relations & Markeflig ge Station. EDITOR'S NOTjE: The Northgate area adjacent to Texas A &M University is the h b rom which the community of College Station sprang forth. he following article is the first of a three part series. hnnie Holick's father opened t making store near the north the Texas A &M campus in ies looking for love roamed the ►f the fledgling commercial dis- not changed, Holick has a known as Northgate grow to )r Texas A &M students and a come true for many area mer- ;an in the early 1920s with lit - post office and a general store. tending the all-male school d the college's north gate to rometown sweethearts and ars at Boyett's Store. ager at the time, Holick iron fence that surrounded the was still the Agriculture and lege of Texas. 10 -foot gate at the entrance - call it Northgate," says the 87- "The Aggies had a curfew - I c)'clock - but they didn't always .etimes they climbed the gate .e fence." ryan was called, was only four - ampus. But the commute merville Trolley" — an electric ik nearly 30 minutes. That is, d not jump the track or sputter ty up a hill. did travel to Bryan to visit :o honky tonks, the growing ulty population was evolving .ty of its own. What passed for ant scene was a silent -movie . &M chapel and a nearby uning hole. sters stacked on telephone Please see NORTHGATE, page D3 IC9 ated a o1nd the college." N rt h a t e Thr gh the years, Texas A &M g has c tinued to fuel economic success in the buildings which, from 1 ironically, were built during the height of the Great Depression. Dur ng World War II, the com- ;polls very week that there was a merci district increasingly catere I to a military, rather than .dance somewhere," Holick says. student, population. :"There were five to seven dif- "Th s got to be quite a military , ferent bands that played mostly installation during the war :dance music." Before 1930, busi- becau 3e we had units from the :nesseE like Holick's shoe - repair Marine! the Air Force, the Navy -shop and the photography studio, and the Army all training here," :were - decided n campus. Then the college to move all everyone off Holic says. "The area was buzzing with military activity." camps "except for the campus But he university, and the ;dean rs," Holick said. Northgate commercial district, • "T hay built this building in began o see the greatest growth 1931 d Dad moved his business after xas A &M began admitting :here and we began to make boots femal in 1963, Holick says. More :for t . Wit e Ag w y Holick says. in a few years most of the stude s were also attracted to the :buildings within a block or two univ r ity after 1965, when Aggi s were no longer require to :were : Fro ere." his father's boot company participate in the ROTC program. ® on C llege Main Street, Holick The decision to allow alcohol -wattled the college, and the sales within the city has also gate commercial district, thane the face of Northgate. 'begin begs to bustle. While till the daytime downtown "T ere was a photo studio and a for e as A &M students, after dry c eaning establishment, some 1974, the area increasingly semi cafes or restaurants on a becamE the scene for college night • limited scale, and two barber life a ell. Th Dixie Chicken and shops," :clothing Holick says. "There were stores where they sold Dudley s Draw, the first bars to - unifo ms and a general store acke d in open t Northgate, packed whey you could buy supplies and crowds of more than stu- ca bars." dent sometimes blocking Uni- • By By 1938, two pharmacies -Lip- versi y Avenue in the 1970s. he When the Aggies won the scom 's and Aggieland Pharmacy Southwest Conference after a . had busir opened in the Northgate ess district. Several grocery Year ought in 1985, the night store and general stores made clubs of Northgate again over- stays ig in town (Northgate) a "town" flowed onto the streets. For ld timers like Holick, the bette idea than going to "beer joints" that have come to (Bry Aft n). r residents of the college Nortligate in the last two decades community voted to incorporate have changed the scenery, but not in 1938, citizens met for council the chAracter of College Station's meet ngs in a room above North- origi z 1 commercial district. gate's photography studio until "C 1 ege Station really never the c ty purchased land for a city had n official downtown," hall in 1940. Holick says. This is still down - "T is was downtown College town " le Stati plat n," Holick says. "It was a of great importance because ■ T MORROW: Northgate survives hard even then the economy was situ- times. t1iSlUnG PI " IUUN GUUnCSy /icnas narvi unIVU13Ry ni Uiuvw Northgate, circa 1920, College Station's first shopping center, boasted a post office, tailor and lunch counter. The photograph was taken through A &M College's north gate, from which the area took its name. ' yDI yam/ IP Is F r w::vat en'xv6n•�6l'!A4.. .w. Fn .. r '..::. :...yY +:.: �v, .. �.;.. -r,Y ... �}:. ....,:. '.Mwmi .0 :iq ,w �.�r ace.. ?u� >. .....ri:N:e..r .: AW t1iSlUnG PI " IUUN GUUnCSy /icnas narvi unIVU13Ry ni Uiuvw Northgate, circa 1920, College Station's first shopping center, boasted a post office, tailor and lunch counter. The photograph was taken through A &M College's north gate, from which the area took its name. ! {N ■ 711! DATF : M(y ?' Anrsrs reneermglcourresy or ury or Lou V orauon ; Anariist's rendering gives an idea of what the future might hold for Northgate. A Saturday bond election is the first step in determining the near - future for the College Station business district adjacent to Texas A &M University. Editor's note: No to revitalization, said, "I think College Station This is the final part of a three -part series on a► has a significant opportunity to have it pay back more B p ✓ +! than we put into it." torthgate. City officials are constructing a master plan for By CHRIS WHITLEY Northgate they hope will change the; area's divectign Eagle staff writer c from a deteriorating, inaccessible group of.busfiesses I to a designated dowmtown, pedestrian - friendly ntet. Northgate's future begins Saturday. Nearly $80,000 will be spent on a study;, now# being 'College Station residents go to the polls that day to + done by the Houston -based HOK design firm, that wl vote for eight bond proposals, one calling for ;5500,000 r. - look into the practical approaches of revitalizing the for Northgate area revitalization. area, its infrastructure and its parking. Texas A &lid will "Merchants say changes will increase the local econ- contribute $25,000 to the study. omywhile public officials say they will make the area another viable part of town," said Northgate business Jim Callaway, the city's assistant director of eco- safer and more attractive, and both believe the revital- owner Richard Benning. "If it does n't ,pass, well, we'll n omic and development services, said the study should i7� +inn will work. just wring our hands to try to get more parking." 'link if this bond issue passes, this would he City Councilman Hub Kennady, 1 a proponent of Please see NORTHGATE'S, page A10 Is p edestrian'friendly in Norfligafe's future? � L • Northgate's From Al be done in five to six months. Callaway said certain factors must be included in any North - gate revitalization plan. "Improved parking, renovation of public infrastructure, or addi- tion if needed, and attention to appearance (are vital)," Callaway said. There have been several pre- vious plans that would include parking areas, which Northgate merchants say they badly need. But Callaway said parking lots are not guaranteed fixtures in Saturday's bond package. The city council will not decide on official plans until they receive HOK's report. Benning has said as many as 300400 parking spaces are needed in the area. Kennady said centralized parking would alleviate some of the traffic flow problems he said could be dangerous. "From a safety concern, you've got students that move over this main arterial fl- � J ersity Drive) with __.te attention to W- i;:,_ - -lkways," he said. '_..e infrastructure repair will be more of a temporary burden to Northgate merchants than the city, Callaway said. The replacement of the 50- year-old water main underneath 31z1 X95 Pace Z- College Main Street should happen soon and should be done without using any of the bond monies, roposed in Saturday's electioq, �e added. It wOl cause nearby store owners Some temporary grief when parts of the street and side- walks close, but Callaway said the city agreed that construction won't take place during peak business months. Callaway said other civic needs will be met by the bond funds, if it passes Saturday. "We have to build on that and fix the things that can't be fixed by the private sector: sidewalks, drainage facilities, street lights, garbage dtimpsters, bike facilities and possibly a municipal parking lot," he said. Finally, city officials are banking on Northgate to become a shining symbol of College Sta- tion's local flavor. Therefore, it must shine. "Appearance is an important part of revitalization," he said. City officials say they only have general ideas, but grand visions of what they envision Northgate to become. Skeptics say they've been talking about doing some- thing with the area for decades and will continue to just talk. Ahmad Moaty, manager of Northgate Cafe, said he hopes the bond issue passes. Regardless, he thinks the land that once served as downtown to a fledgling city dwarfed by a major university could once again find itself prominent. L Northg to From Al "When I started there wasn't any other places to go. You can't make as much profit as you used to. You have to have more competitive prices than you used to have." But Benning said the transient nature of Northgate businesses has been in place since he opened Duddley's Draw in 1977. Competi- tion has come and gone over the years, he said, with very few r- manent fixtures. "I think it's a piece of p that's been in transition for the past 18 years," he said. "People have gone in an d out. It of goes up and down with economy." Inevitably though, Bean said people come back to North - gate for its laid -back approach and its unique qualities that can't be found in a chain establish- ment "We're not the cleanest - looking buildings in the world, which goes against the chain types with the very neat places and the straight -line approach to busi- ness," he said. "But that's not Northgate." 4 F ; • CAMPO P HOTO C w� l L Perhaps the'most notorious parking pu Dlems on Northgate are oti University Drive across from the Texas A &M campus, above. Northgate stretches several biocks4t4AUnv versity Drive and is home to numerous hops, below, businesses and churches. All of the establishments have a common problem; a lack of adequate parking space` Editor's note: This is the second part of a three - part. series on Northgate. The series will conclude tomorrow with a look at a pending bond election for area improvements. By CHRIS WHITLEY Eagle staff writer ` Northgate has seen a lot of threats to its existence. It's gone through a great depression, an oil bust and a shift in businesses away from College Station's old section. Yet the small congregation of church- es,, r nightclubs and retail stores has survived. Today, Northgate storeowners face a less `1frip6sing, yet just as menacing problem: parking. Or a lack of it. "Parking is pretty much the No, 1 issue," said Richard Benning, who owns Northgate fixtures Duddley's Draw and Fitzwillie's. Northgate never evolved with parking in mind. In the old days, it was designed to accommodate the centralized traffic between the city - located mostly north of Northgate — and Texas I A &M, just across University Drive. I The area thrived from waling traffic. People could eat, drink a shop on their way to campus or home. "If you look at the history of North- gate, it was built as a walking communi- ty," Benning said. "We didn't locate here 10 years ago. We located here 40 years ago. There are churches that were here 60 years ago." As A &M and the city have expanded, so has the need for cars to get t0 places like Northgate. And so has the bead for parking. Unfortunately for store managers like FitzwWie's Shelby Willett, the designat- ed parking spaces can't keep up with the traffic level. He said it's not uncommon during the school year for a Northgate patron on a Friday or Saturday night to park five or, six blocks away. "We have more people and the same amount of parking," Willett said. "The people that I've talked to before said they won't,go to Northgate because they can't park. I "We have more people nd the same amount of parking." SHELBY WILLETT "They like going there, but they can't park." Benning said Northgate needs about 300400 more parking spaces. As a result, Northgate store managers have put a premium on their limited parking spaces. Nearly every lot or space has a sign designating parking for each estab- lishment. "Violators will be towed," is a common phrase. Lack of parking spaces has not deterred businesses from trying to get a piece of the Northgate market. Two clubs have opened within the last six months, and two more are expected soon. Ahmad Moaty, who, manages the Northgate Cafe, said the increased busi- ness is a double -edged sword. It brings more people, but -4t forces storeowners like•Moaty to offer more attractions at lower prices. It's harder," Moaty said. "There's too •>tiany pl W. Competitionjis highe •: "It has helped because we have local bands -play here. This Is guaranteed busine94 if somebody's playing. There's sometimes 100 people and sometimes 50 people if somebody's playing. Other- wise, it tough to get the Crowd." Willett agrees that it's tougher now to survive in Northgate because of the increase in competition. Willett has had years of experience with Northgate, having managed the Dry Bean Saloon and worked at the Dixie Chicken. "It's more difficult now with other competition in the area," Willett said. Northgate business manager Please see N RTHGATE, page AS Parking perplexes Northgate pubs ( I .� >. . . COLLEGE STATION mum response times. Currently, emergency vehicles leav- ing central fire station must cross four lanes of traffic on Texas Avenue, the Fire depa tment busiest street in situation C liege Station. This wants to ade p� places personnel and every time units '.ei a ergency response it tens in jeopardy ve the station. The chances of observi ig an accident, or being involved in ne are fairly high. Proposition number 6 for relocation To further comph a the situation the of Central Fire Station in the amount of Texas Departme t of Transportation $935,000 will be included in the bond has plans to wide Texas Avenue. This election March 25. will force emer I cy units to cross For most residents emergency ser- seven lanes of tr thus compounding vices is not on their list of daily con- an already bad si 'on. cerns. Only after a fire, injury, or ill- While reduc' esponse times to ness do they begin to think about emer- emergencies and ucing the potential gency services. Suddenly a couple of for injury to res m personnel and minutes delay for ergency becomes citizens are obvi u i, there is a third very personal. benefit to reloca I . The current cen- Primary conceri s of the College tral fire station be a valuable and Station Fire Deparl nent are response available asset to i i city since there is time, adequacy of re ponse, and fire sta- a need for more off ce space. The cur - tion location. The f re department has rent central fire s ton building can be taken great strides hrough the use of used to relieve th stress of an already computer technolo to ensure a rapid crowded city hallo be used for other and efficient respo a to requests for city offices and fa ties. assistance. Relocation of ce al fire station is Although an e been selected, the location has not n w central fire sta- phase two of a lor4 range fire station location master pla i. Fire department tion will be loca In the E. Holleman, personnel, city lea ers, and citizens Dartmouth, Southwost This location will Parkway area. ow for access to have expressed con ern with the cur- major thoroughfares such as Southwest rent location of cen al fire station. The Parkway, East Iftass, and Texas reason for the suggested station reloca- Avenue. tion is the response tune to areas east of The structure vril be a state- of -the- the East Bypass (R intree, Windwood, art facility equipped to house 12 to 14 and the Emerald Fo est areas). Current firefighters and pE edits with eight response times to these areas range from of 6 1\2 to 8 1 minutes. Through emergency responi a vehicles and train - criteria set by thi American Heart ing facilities. The address areas of a w facility will also th Association, the Te s Commission on vices profession e emergency ser- tl at have evolved Fire Protection, and other emergency beyond the capab' of the current sta- response agencies, the optimum response time is 4 to 5 1\2 minutes. tion. Areas such biological hazards, is decontamination, d separate show - Passage of this pro sition will bring er and restroom facilities for males and the fire department in line with opti- females. As the city grow o will the number of emergency responses. The fire department experienDed a 24 percent increase in response from 1993 to 1994. The opening of fire tion three (Nov. T h i s situatior 94), the relocation tion, o central fire sta- places and respons agreements with neighboring deparltri ents will enable emergency r p o n se the College Station F re Department to personnel an citizens in achieve their goa. response to approx' f 4 1 \2 minute tely 90 percent of its citizens while c n inuing to provide jeopardy every time units the most rapid, efficient, and safest pos- sible response to requests for assis- leave the station. tan ce. ■ Mike Ruesink is a lieutenant with the College Station fire Department mare iz, ��s Stu/ technician, and has been records supervisor since 1984. Her biggest recent accomplishment? "My mixed- doubles bowling team won first place in February,'j she says. STEPHANIE GEORGE Age 36 Birthplace Bryan Education Bryan High School lass of 1977, his- tory degree from Te A &M University Years lived in B- Life Hobbies and interests Bowling, reading and crossword puz- zles Influences Parents, Sam and Marge George 17� Favorite band The Beatles Favorite actors Mel Gibson (I don't know that I think he's a good actor) and Kevin Costner Favorite author John Grisham Favorite movie The Godfather Last book read Family Blessings Pet A dog, Gizmo. He's half- Pomeranian, half-poodle and all human mafch ► Q , q9 s Making light work of a paper jungle Day in the Life Stephanie G orge inals and do the complete 4ata entry for a police report . "We prepare the compl ed report in a computer so it's accessible by other divisions in the department," she says. The records office also scans individ- ual's records because of passage of the Brady Bill, which requires a back- ground check for prospective gun own- ers. The department deals with a variety of public requests, especially people asking for the crime reports of a partic- ular area "We have four or five tquests a day for that kind of t ormation," Stephanie says. And since the police department is in a major- university city, students often call records for help with projects. Records also prepares a uniform crime report for DPS that is then sent to the Federal Bureau of he FB I rel "When you read about the FBI releas - ing information, that's where they get it from," she says. The records staff includes records technicians Taffie Pruett, DeeDee Williams, Irene Runyon and Rose Hunter. Stephanie started with the city 14 years ago. She began as a municipal court clerk and then became a records Stephanie George looks over the tiles of a murder case, above, at her desk at the College Station Police Department records office. Below, George looks through criminal case records. Paperwork is her business.. Eagle photos/8renl[werrneman By BRENT ZWERNE AN Eagle staff writer Maverick hung out in ihe College Station Police Department records office until he wore out his welcome. "Everybody got sick of looking at him," says records supervisor Stephanie George of he 6 -foot Mel Gibson poster posted next to her desk • for several months. The Lethal Weapon star would have had to deal with Stephani if his char- acter were real, but her duties are behind the scenes and thei interaction would have never made the big screen. These duties can be narrowed to one word, something that would make Mel and his tough Lethal Weapon character Ic cringe. Paperwork. "The patrail starts fth the offi- cers and Z r we handle whet ver it goes after that," Stephanie say Stephanie and her s of four do things like let the Department of Public Safety know of wrecks, file fingerprint cards with crime record, handle all police reports by main g the orig- Day in the Life Stephanie G orge inals and do the complete 4ata entry for a police report . "We prepare the compl ed report in a computer so it's accessible by other divisions in the department," she says. The records office also scans individ- ual's records because of passage of the Brady Bill, which requires a back- ground check for prospective gun own- ers. The department deals with a variety of public requests, especially people asking for the crime reports of a partic- ular area "We have four or five tquests a day for that kind of t ormation," Stephanie says. And since the police department is in a major- university city, students often call records for help with projects. Records also prepares a uniform crime report for DPS that is then sent to the Federal Bureau of he FB I rel "When you read about the FBI releas - ing information, that's where they get it from," she says. The records staff includes records technicians Taffie Pruett, DeeDee Williams, Irene Runyon and Rose Hunter. Stephanie started with the city 14 years ago. She began as a municipal court clerk and then became a records Stephanie George looks over the tiles of a murder case, above, at her desk at the College Station Police Department records office. Below, George looks through criminal case records. Paperwork is her business.. Eagle photos/8renl[werrneman I I I qq5 ✓AG cg C 0 0 Eagle photo/Brent Zwememan Steve Beachy, College Station parks and recreation director, discusses the revamped emergency operations center at the College Station Fire Department. By BRENT ZWERNEMAN Eagle staff writer Operations Center C Ped Emergency "It's one of those things hope you never have to College Station Mayor Larry Ringer said the city would be better off it never uses its latest technological addition. But it's nice to have, just in case. "It's one of those things you hope you never have to use," Ringer said during a ceremony Friday for the new Emergency Operations Center at the Central Fire Station, before praising the city for its proactive approach to possible emergen- cies like flooding or tornadoes. City emergency management coordi- nator Steve Beachy said the city added 16 telephone lines, 16 networked computer stations, a ba p emergency electrical supply, four ti- channel FM radios, a single - channel Civil Defense radio, two televisions wi cable and seating for 24 personnel, among other items making emergency operations run smoothly as possible. It's a far cry from the old days, Beachy said, when the emergency team worried about things like tripping over electrical cords when h#stling to make decisions during a crisisdd s Now, he said, "You can concentrate on key decisions that have to be made with- out worrying about the nuts and bolts." use." you LARRY RINGER College Station mayor The ) was revamped to help the coordina on of emergency response, key decisio aking, operations manage- ment aik the gathering and dissemina- tion of in ormation, Beachy said. Interift City Manager Tom Brymer said the dea for the new center sprang from the October floods, and that the additions were made without a budget increase. The ceremony was in conjunction with Severe Weather Awareness Week, creat- ed by Gov. George W. Bush to highlight the need for resident awareness as the state enters its "severe weather" season. Ringer read a city proclamation urging residents to "become aware of the nef to plan and prepare for severe weather.' 4JL C The Pres s Kxra q, 1, 995 College Station looks at options for imarovi a eyesore Northgate area - C0 By Mark Beal way tb'accommodate the dense flow • of people already passing through. Managing.—Editor �... _ � uUnless some ` poSi "It's not a case of empty build- 3 ftbgate —its near -and, dear to. • ings," said' College Station Mayor - = arts of generatiotns of Aggies.,�'z l a �i tio ns #� a re Larry Ringer. "We hake a�thriving • business district at Northgate, but landmark which to many d is on -- tc'i lCell, th e area will , �- its getting: old an needs some vvith�C 1 Field�rtd Ruc�det ( -1 4 . . . I ow . y e 1. . - �con tinue to deteno- improvements." But getting - past the of nos - -� -rate more and r110 The first improvement people will see there is a street rehabilita- talgia, Northgate has developed into something of an eyesore. Auto,- • p • �/. ra /dl ° tion project on Old College Main. foot and bike. traffic ' have far ex= `` . �'y/`� - HUIJ K` Costing an estimated $600,000 ($120,000 of which will go to si- .. seeded anything imagined when the narrow streets around Northgate .. Ci ty Cou nc ilm an multaneously replace a water . line), were built Parkin or rather the ik the stiget will be t�esurfaced from lade obit --- is a problem ''` University Drive to Cherry Street. Between Cherry Street and Church t�'at limits the viability of buss- ! : messes in the area. ,d the back Street, bike" lanes will also be side of Northgate look; downright Hub Kennady. "'Unless some posi- added. The project is slated to get ju tive actions are taken, th area will underway i May... The City of College Station has ^'continue to deteriorate •more and "The timing`of.the project is very critical, ". said Jim. Callaway, assis- set its sights on changing . things at Northgate. iaore rapidly." 3 . lic- situation at .Northgate is a tant economic and development "I 'think the City C)uncil is Hof not - a typical downtown ehabilita- services.' director for the City of one belief that the are.t is in more tion. Unlike the main to k of most College Station. ". We don't want to need of revitalization than any other rehabilitation projects,' hich is to ; disrupt business during the first two area in our community at this time," said City Council member lure people back into the area, the problem at Northgate is finding a See City, p. 7A z�x • T AY .._ -. JUS � - "I _SAW IT, Ci 46nAfts to clean u North ter ate area g from p. iA weeks of the semester b cause that ; , period is so critical to heir bnsi- ness for the year." r. On March 25, Colle a Station citizens .will have, thp, c ortunit P. Y 'to decide if the City. hould' go ,, • �, r i i .._ , zc ..a ahead with the second•', ' e of the Northgate. FeviiallzatiQ Proposi - , tion Number Two of the . 995 Bond - ; Election includes $500.100 desig- nated for the Northgate "• ea..Possi- ble uses for the funds.: ould "be , landscaping, sidewalk improve- i ments, safety improvements and h ; new lighting. Looking to the futur , Station is in the process f formu- lating long -term goals fo the area. The City, with the coo ration of Texas A &M, leas con cted : the planning end architectu firm of Hellmuth, Obata & °K ssabaum, Ilac: to .develop, a revit on plan. ,► clThe three most cnti issues are ��parking, parking _ and arking, ": = 11W- awaysaid. ".Beyond t, there's the physical appearance d historic character. We're not conmplating designating it as a histor c district, but _ there are some buildings of historic significance and we'd like to maintain that historic c aracter." Some of the ideas be' g consid- ered include the possibili of con - YOGA FIT K<_ One of the proposals ng considered would have Patdcla Street (pictured above), whlc ns behind the Dixie Ch/cken other Northgate businesses frontage on -University Drive, blocked off to motor vehicles and tL I ed Into a pedestrian -only area. strutting a parking praj a as well Northgate. Other hoped -for im- as closing off Patricia S reet to provements include installing brick . through traffic and creatin pedes- sidewalks and period lights similar trian - only area on the back side of to those found in downtown Bryan. rt 0 It DAT�: �'► �Ci I Voters should approve � bonds Eagle Editorial Board ollege Sta ion residents have enjoyed a high quality of life for many ears and they will have an opp ity to improve on that lifesty.e when they go to the polls on March 25 to vote on a $22.5 million bond package. They will face eight proposals, ranging from new parks, a new library and a facelift for Northgate to street repairs and extensions, a new fire station and new sidewalks and bikeways. Its a bond package that would be hard for the voters to reject. Perhaps the most appealing aspect is that taxes won't have to be raised to pay for the capital pro- jects. The city is retiring some ear- lier bond de t and the money saved there caLn be applied to the new bonds, if approved. Down the road, once the new parks and library are built, there will be increases in operation exp maintenance and uses — an estimat- = ; ed $454,400 a year — but city offi- cials have saii they expect to cut enough in other areas to keep any necessary tax increases to a mini mum. 0 lr� I I The bulk of the bond money — more than $10 million — would go to street improvements and exten- sions. Another $2.6 million would be used to buy land and build a permanent library for College Station somewhere south of Southwest Parkway. Some $1.6 million is designated for parks and recreation projects and $1.5 million is allocated to pur- chase land and develop new parks. • Included would be a new park to be built in conjunction with the College Station school district at its new elementary school in Pebble Creek. Another new 150 acre park would feature soccer, baseball and softball fields and would allow the city to bring in major regional and state tourna- ments. No question that $22.5 million is a lot of money. There are concerns that the city is not specific enough in how the money would be spent if approved by voters. Such vague- ness in part led to the defeat of the last bond election in 1991. But the needs of a growing city overshad- ow those concerns. College Station voters should overwhelmingly approve all eight propositions. Early an. a week By BRENT ZWERNEMAN than $10 million tabbed fob I street pro- ways, landscaping of major thorough- Eagle staff writer in this proposition drain and channel A new library for jects, including improveme planned fares and Northgate area improvements brary would be built Parkway area for $935,000. for Southwest Parkway, Tarrow Street, for $1.6 million. Sidewalks and bikeways liege Station residents have one Anderson Street and University Oaks take $1.1 million while Northgate gets week left to vote early for the $22. mil- Boulevard. and storage. $500,000. lion bond election. I Street extension projects r mmend- ■ Proposition 3: Traffic improvements The last day of absentee voting n the ed are for North Forest Parkway and for $1.9 million. city hall council chambers is M ch 21 Rock Prairie Road. Also included is a It includes the addition of traffic sig- and election day is March 25. Kyle Street right -of -way p chase and nals to intersections the city staff listed The city mailed .bond broc ures Graham Road upgrade, and there is a as needing now or in the future. Other Monday to all registered voters det iling proposed development of a north-south improvements include adding medians each proposal, and city spokesmax Bob corridor either west of Well rn Road or and continuous right turn lanes at inter - Yancy said they should be in ma' xes between Texas Avenue and Texas 6. sections. by Friday. I Other proposals include: ■ Proposition 4: Drainage projects for The first proposition includes I more ■ Proposition 2: Sidewalk-s and bike- $1.8 million. The projects include storm improvements. ■ Proposition $2.635 million. in this proposition drain and channel A new library for Voting From Al The proposed I brary would be built Parkway area for $935,000. somewhere south f Southwest Parkway. The city would use the extra ■ Proposition & Relocation/construc - Municipal Court and Public Ser- tion of the Central Fire Station and land vices land ($430,000) for parking purchase for fu Municipal Court and and storage. Public Services for $1.365 million. ■Proposition 7: Parks and The fire station proposal means mov- recreation projects for $1.63 mil - ing the Texas Ave iue station to a site in lion. the Holleman, Dar tmouth and Southwest I ase see VOTING, page A3 I This includes continuing the &velopment of the Lin - P 'coln/Wayne Smith Park Corridor , for $1.23 million, and park upgrades at Bee Creek and Cen- tral parks for $200,000. The proposition also includes the development of a Pebble &From Page One ,a re d o . ' Q BELL SLIM STYLE « T Is whole thing was eA, doe in the darkest of Lighted Keypad, Last Number e ° al, Dual Tone nci DI RCA GITAL SATELLITE -� nig it. That's the - one HifLowl i tf, Wall Mountable. "Some of them have called it a " Thompson thing I don t unde ioly war,' said. CLEARER SOUNA $999 He criticized what he said was "railroaded" Stan why do ye way the bill was N OW yo u `irough the Senate, without a co duct state business hance for public debate. RECHARGEABLE "No one was consulted from the i n tie dark? tudents, the faculty, the adminis- ration, or from the alumni," he "It gar Thompson Barry p aid. was a behind -the -scenes aaneuver to affect something Texas A &M University chancellor hat didn't represent the state of 'exas. "This whole thing was done in the statement read. he darkest of night. That's the The bill swept through the 1ne thing I don't understand. Why Senate Finance Committee on to you conduct state business in Friday by a 10-1 margin, with he dark ?" local Sen. Jim Turner casting the Cunningham, in a prepared lone opposing vote. >tatem?nt, claimed no responsi Rep. Henry Cuellar, D- Laredo, Alit the bill yet said he wou to bring in the will ponsor the bill in the House, pleased 3choor if it is the will of the Leg- w h will be taken up by the Hou Higher Education Com- 'sla ' -V. hale the University of Texas mittee, where local Rep. Steve Ogden serves as vice chairman - System did not initiate the pro- posal to transfer the Texas A &M 'A M International officials [ritet'national University to the sal that Cuellar would be UT System, we do believe that hol ing a public hearing in TAMIU has a great deal of poten- Laredo to gauge reaction to the tial to become an outstanding bill, but a date has not yet. been institution of higher education," set. Vot Creek city park for $200,000 to go with the future Pebble Cre ek , O Elementary School. ' ■Proposition 8: Park land From Al : acquisition and initial develop- ment of about 150 acres for $1.5 million. This land would be for ; the uture construction of a major Parkway area for $935,000. Y co unity park used for soccer, The city would use the extra b ball, softball and other out -' Municipal Court and Public Ser- d recreational activities. vices land ($430,000) for parking and storage. SProposition 7: Parks and recreation projects for $1.63 mil- lion. Thic includes continuing the de )ment of the Lin - Col Ine Smith Park Corridor for x ..23 million, and park upgrades at Bee Creek and Cen- tral parks for $200,000. , The proposition also includes the development of a Pebble '� ■1AN'� �AII' � SM- NOWpresioeVIL of Mormons says challenge is rapid growth SAL LAKE CITY (AP) — chief challenge facing e Mormon Church is its e p osive growth, especially ab d, the denomination's ne ly ordained 15th presi- ders said Monday. "But what a remarkable and wonderful challenge that is," Gordon B. Hinckley told reporters. He succeeds HA d W. Hunter, who d led March 3, as head of The Ch rch of Jesus Christ of La r-day Saints. The 9 million- member chu rch is doubling in mem- bership every 15 years, and soon will have a majority of its members outside the U ted States. "` t l ckley, 84, was A ` ed Sunday . He said he I ppointed Thomas S. n and James E. Faust a first and second coun- selors in the governing First sidency. Monson, 67, the for apostle, is next in 1 to be president: inckley said scholars a dissidents who had been excommunicated for th it writings would be wel- coined back. It was the first time that a Mormon president has held a news conference since Snencer W. Kimball did so NORTHWESTERN . ' Q BELL SLIM STYLE TELEPHONE Cfl Lighted Keypad, Last Number e ° al, Dual Tone nci DI RCA GITAL SATELLITE Ringer With Desk & — 0mrN'w'6 SYSTEM HifLowl i tf, Wall Mountable. SHARPER PICTURE #100 CLEARER SOUNA $999 GREATER CHOICE. • Laser Disc Quah Picture N OW Capability Sound I N KOSS CD Quality RECHARGEABLE Great Programming Choices STOCK r ci IPFR cl IM rn For The Whole Family v a J ( ARR?c�c 6 Vote yes on all CS propositions Eagle Editorial Board 0 n Saturday, voters in College Station will have a chance to make a positive statement about the future of their city when they go to the polls in a $22.5 mil- lion bond issue. The bond issue includes a permanent library for College Station, new parks and improvements, street repairs and extensions, a facelift for the Northgate area, relocation of Central Fire Station and drainage and traffic projects. Please take a few minutes to go to the polls between 7 am. and 7 pm The Eagle recommends a vote of yes on all the propositions. X City wasting money by `fixing' Sebesta Road Without const owners, the city needlessly "imp which serves the Sandstone and I southeast part o nearby property )liege Station is g" Sebesta Road, _rald Forest, e areas in the city. Improvements to this three-fourt have been in p 0 estimated cost of ; ers are not close t This road used to access road, whit] area it serves. By feet wide, have sa both sides, and he high- intensity vaI intervals.. I contacted the i tude of this projec — for example, if could be reduced "orange. glow" nes was told that no r lighting (or any of jest) could be con: Bob Pohl, manage cal division, road. should be lit, "in standards ... on U Equating Sebesta Drive is the kind could only come o bureaucracy. Indeed, correspi interim city mana "standard" for ra improvements the by the city counci uation where the quite comfortable ment interests, de roads will be imp for the concerns e and without adegi city council s e stretch of road since Oct. 1 at an million, and work- ing half completed. e a narrow, rural was suitable for the er, it will be 39 D wide sidewalks on e "type III Cobra" r ps at 235 -foot to see if the magni- uld be scaled down level of lighting dnimize the iy home — and :tion in the level of aspect of the pro- red. According to the city's electri- :h as Sebesta �rdance with our �rsity Drive." d to University )mparison that f a very sick mce from the refers to a vague rid lighting Ls never voted on ms, we have a sit - staff, which is i local develop - ag how and where d without regard arby homeowners oversight by the Although I am disturbed by the inap- propriate widening and over lighting of Sebesta Road, the main point of this let- ter is to encourage voters to reject the city's bond package on Saturday. If the city has sufficient funds to put $12 mil- lion into a road project that no one ever asked for and the majority of nearby homeowners almost certainly find unnecessary and perhaps offensive, then it should not be trusted with more of the citizens' money. At present, city planning in College Station is largely nonexistent, and until council can develop a coherent, cost - effective master plan and put a leash on development-oriented city staff, it will be up to the citizens to control over- spending and ill- advised, expensive pro- jects with their votes. RICHARD M. CROOKS College Station Letters encouraged The Eagle encourages letters to the editor. Please keep them as short as possible. They may be edited for clarity, style or length. Letters must be signed and include a telephone number for verification. Send your letters to The Editor, The Eagle, P.O. Box 3000, Bryan 77805 -3000. Objections raised over potential landfill site By BRENT ZWERNEMAN Eagle staf writer . Val e� thwest Brazos County resident Barrett ftred the first objections about the poten- location of a new square -mile landfill, although a committee has yet to make a site recommendation. Lyne claims to have information Citizens Advisory Committee members say they don't — that specific search sites have been tabbed and one is near the Edge community, near where he lives. Lyne told the Bryan and College Station city councils at a joint meeting this week that two "sources" close to the committee told him so. But committee members and Bill Angelo, Brazos Valley Solid Waste Management Agency executive director, said this wasn't true. "We have not looked at any individual areas, but that is the next step," Angelo told Lyne. The community needs a new landfill within five years, the estimated life of the current landfill on Rock Prairie Road. Angelo said the committee has set its crite- ria for the landfill and should make a specific site recommendation in about two months The com mittee said it has identified general Please see LANDFILL, page A5 C Landfill From Al areas based on site-selection cri. teria. These include size, different kinds of buffer zones, environ- mental conditions and financial concerns like current property ownership and how much to spend acquiring it. Bryan Mayor Pro Tem Lonnie Stabler asked Angelo if the WE selection was limited to Brazo: County. Angelo said the com mittee will first search sites in the county. If they find none aocept• able, will look in other BrazoE Valley areas. County Commissioner Sandie Walker, who sat in the audience, said she ho s the committee will recommend a site outside the county because her precinct Is in the northwest part of the county and it is a possible landfill loca Lion. In a report given to the city councils, the committee said the area needs to be more than a dis posal site. Recycling, compostinj and other means to reduce waste are necessary, the committee said, and added that space shoulc be set aside for a future waste -to energy plant should it become affordable. The site should be about 640 acres, and the actual amount will depend on groundwater, soil and geologic conditions at the site, the committee said. The committee now will hold closed meetings because it will look at specific sites in the Brazos Valley. The meetings are closed to keep property prices down in the areas considered, Angelo said. Once the committee chooses a site, public hearings will take place and then research and con- struction will start, Angelo said. The process to completion should take from three to five years. The agency projects the landfill to cost L10-$W million and needs $7110 million to start. The agency probably will raise the money by selling revenue bonds, Angelo said. Ideally, the new landfill would be heavily wooded and have a hilly terrain, he said. Two hun- dred ninety of the 640 acres would be used for the actual landfill, with a 500 -foot buffer zone of hills and trees. me ianauu must meet several requirements, including being at least 10,000 feet from a jet airport and 5,000 feet from a piston air- craft airport. The Federal Avia- tion Agency will review any potential landfill site within five miles of an airport, and may rec- ommend against the site if it does not meet the agency's criteria. Other areas where the landfill can't be built include wetlands, floodpliins, fault line areas or "unstable areas" — for example, where land has been mined. BVSWMA was created in 1990 by the cities of Bryan and College Station to consolidate solid waste disposal in the Brazos Valley. Its current landfill is off Rock Prairie Road, but that site's Intake may jump from 650 tons a day to more than 1,000 tons a day when the Conroe landfill closes in two years, Angelo said. ue to state regulations enacted than a year ago, the number landfills in Texas has dropped 279 to 62, he said, making the Prairie landfill a regional The additional fill has has - the need for a new site. nce the Rock Prairie Road landfill reaches capacity the closest places for hauling garbage W in Houston, Austin or Temple, h would significantly people's bills, Angelo The agency figures Bryan - College Station residents' solid waste bills would be $77 a year higher and local businesses would be charged much more if BVSWMA had to take Bryan- College Station's trash to another city. Plus, truck emissions from the long -distance hauling would be an environmental concern, Angelo said. Committee member Roy Hartman said the new landfill could be a model for the rest of the nation. "This is a rare opportunity to turn this into a model waste man- agement facility at which the whole country can look" he said. L BE DATE: m om, z31 iaq Two cities ;team up y BRENT ZWERNEMAN Eagle staff writer The ryan and College Station city councils and county commissioners plan to appoint a task force of two members from each entity to study and address health and social services in the Brazos Valley. County Judge Al Jones, who served as moderator at a joint meeting of the three entities, said now is the time to take a good look at the area services and their funding. "In a time of diminishing resources, we have to do things smarter," he said. "If there is a duplication of efforts, we need to address that" Dale Marsico, administrator of the Brazos Valley Community Action Agency, Cities From Al ■Current resources are insq ficient in meeting client need ixi about 50 percent of the agencies. ■The primary need of all agen- cies is more revenue and alter- nate revenue sources. ■Seventy-eight percent of the agencies expect to expand ser- vices over the next few years, but only 60 percent expect to increase enue streams. ■Staff training in fund raising is the highest rated training need of agencies. Concerning coordination of agencies and services, human service needs in Bryan, College Station and Brazos County do not stop at jurisdictional lines, the report said. If cooperation among more agencies is stressed, the ability of the system to meet crit- ical needs is enhanced, it added. tion lished open t But for m� tion help residents focused on five major sec - iology, current allocation sys- service environment, county vey, and -recommendations , ntation. ings were given in four sec - funding, agency and service i, and the human service meaning one -stop shopping rvices. A said gaps exist between ice need and service provi- ings were: I of human service providers ent demand emoseds service ration counseling , safe and affordable housing, and crime and violence preven- tion were the top three needs. ■ Residents say the top three needs are crime and violence prevention, education and training, and substance abuse coun- seling. ■ Service providers say lack of money, client knowledge of services, public apa- thy and lack of education are the four pri- mary barriers to addressing human ser- vice needs in the community. The report said a needs -based system is necessary since current and future resources are and will be insufficient to meet all human service needs. Study findings were: providers say family deterio- Please see CITIES, page AS than 50 percent of the claim to be sole of a service. percent of the cases, two genies provide similar :tion and communica- Brazos County human rstem primarily are are no regular, estab- nmunication avenues agencies. e is widespread support C hanges in the alloca ess if improvements favor regular provider meetings and most -say they would send a representative, the report said. Study findings were: ■A near consensus among funding sources, providers and clients for one -stop shopping. ■About 50 percent of the agen- cies responding to a survey said they would be willing to relocate to a one -stop center. ■About 50 percent of the clients responded they would be more likely to apply for services if they could make one telephone call for application information. result, and almost all agencies L and otper health and social service leaders out of De attended Tuesday's meeting to help find The re the most efficient means of distributing lions: mE huma i services to Brazos Valley resi- tem, hut dents. resident Max ico said recent attempts of county and imp] and aky leaders to bring economic devel- Study opinei t to the area is a needed boost for the lions: ga area's human services because it creates coordum jobs. "incubat "An ything you do to continue doing that for healt will ssen duplication and lessen the The. r mone spent on social services, because human we're not going to need to be here," Sion. Mars' m told the city councils and the com- Study missii iners court. ■ 63 pe The city of College Station called the say that meeting based on a recent study done for capacity the city by Glass, DeSantis and Associates ■ Sen revenues. ■ Le ■As agencies seek more rev agenc enues, more pressure will be p placed on already stressed rev- ■In ■Current resources are insq ficient in meeting client need ixi about 50 percent of the agencies. ■The primary need of all agen- cies is more revenue and alter- nate revenue sources. ■Seventy-eight percent of the agencies expect to expand ser- vices over the next few years, but only 60 percent expect to increase enue streams. ■Staff training in fund raising is the highest rated training need of agencies. Concerning coordination of agencies and services, human service needs in Bryan, College Station and Brazos County do not stop at jurisdictional lines, the report said. If cooperation among more agencies is stressed, the ability of the system to meet crit- ical needs is enhanced, it added. tion lished open t But for m� tion help residents focused on five major sec - iology, current allocation sys- service environment, county vey, and -recommendations , ntation. ings were given in four sec - funding, agency and service i, and the human service meaning one -stop shopping rvices. A said gaps exist between ice need and service provi- ings were: I of human service providers ent demand emoseds service ration counseling , safe and affordable housing, and crime and violence preven- tion were the top three needs. ■ Residents say the top three needs are crime and violence prevention, education and training, and substance abuse coun- seling. ■ Service providers say lack of money, client knowledge of services, public apa- thy and lack of education are the four pri- mary barriers to addressing human ser- vice needs in the community. The report said a needs -based system is necessary since current and future resources are and will be insufficient to meet all human service needs. Study findings were: providers say family deterio- Please see CITIES, page AS than 50 percent of the claim to be sole of a service. percent of the cases, two genies provide similar :tion and communica- Brazos County human rstem primarily are are no regular, estab- nmunication avenues agencies. e is widespread support C hanges in the alloca ess if improvements favor regular provider meetings and most -say they would send a representative, the report said. Study findings were: ■A near consensus among funding sources, providers and clients for one -stop shopping. ■About 50 percent of the agen- cies responding to a survey said they would be willing to relocate to a one -stop center. ■About 50 percent of the clients responded they would be more likely to apply for services if they could make one telephone call for application information. result, and almost all agencies L L A DATE CS votes `yes' on all props By BRENT ZWERNEMAN Eagle staff wri College Station will soon get a new library and some foundational facelifts after residents overwhelmingly passed eight propositions, worth $22.5 million, in Saturday's bond election. Of the 2,796 people who voted in the election, 532 cast ballots during the early voting period that ended on March 21. City Secretary Connie Hooks said fewer people voted than city officials had expected. But Mayor Larry Ringer said he and his staff are eager to get started right away on the priority projects: renovating the Northgate area, drafting a develop -. ment plan to improve drainage in several areas of town and building a new library for the city. Ringer said the city already has an option on some land for the library site. "We'll get started on that right away, working on getting the land and taking qualifications for architects to sit down with staff and figure out exactly what we want," he said. Ringer said the projection is to com- plete all the projects in three to five years. "One thing that does is spread out the debt and also, realistically, we just don't have the staff to do all of them at once," Ringer said. Here are the results: ■ The first proposition, which included more than $10 million for street projects, passed 2,012.691. The projects include planned for South- west Parkway, Tarrow Street, Anderson Street and University Oaks Boulevard. Street extension projects recommended are for North Forest Parkway and Rock Prairie Road. Also included is a Kyle Street right -of -way purchase and Gra- ham Road upgrade, and there is a pro- posed development of a north -south cor- ridor either west of Wellborn Road or between Texas Avenue and Texas 6. ■ Proposition 2, which included $1.6 million for sidewalks and bikeways, land- scaping of major thoroughfares and Northgate area improvements, passed 1,811 -907. Sidewalks and bikeways take $1.1 million while Northgate gets $500,000. ■ Proposition 3, which included $1. Please see VOTES, page A8 NIF� march ZL, 1995 Dotes From Al °miffion for traffic improvements, •passed 2,008.750. The plans include'the addition of traffic signals tD intersections the city staff listed as needing now or in the Ature. Other improvements i0cl de adding medians and continuous right turn lanes at intersections. ■Proposition 4, which included $1.8 million for drain ige projects, passed 1,987 -776. 1 The projects in proposition include storm dra4mand channel improvements. ■Proposition 5, which included 12.636 million for a w library, passed 1,907 -517. The library will built some- where south o Southwest Parkway. ■Proposition 6 passed 1,728- 1,038. It included $1.365 mil- lion for relocation/construction of the Central Fire Station and land purchase for future Munic- ipal Court and Public Services use. The fire station proposal involved relocating the Texas Avenue station to a site in the Holleman, Dartmouth and Southwest Parkway area for $935,000. The city will use the extra Municipal Court and Public Ser. vices land ($430,000) fnr parking and storage. ■ Proposition ,, which included $1.63 %-: "-on parks and recre. ativa projects, passed 1,736 -987. This includes continuing the development of the Lin. coln/Wayne Smith Park Corridor for $1.23 million, and park upgrades at Bee Creek and Cen- tral parks for $200,000. The proposition also includes the development of a Pebble Creek city park for $200,000 to go with the future Pebble Creek Elementary School. ■Proposition 8 received the narrowest vote, passing 1,608 - 1,111. It includes $1.5 million for park land acquisition and ini- tial development of about 15o acres. This land will be used for the future construction of a major community park used for soccer, baseball , softball and other out. door recreational activities. ■Eagle staff writer Kelli Levey contributed to this story. College Station planner keeps cool under sometimes- By BRE ZWERNEMAN Eagle staff writer When the curtains rise n a College Station City Council meeting, senior planner bane Kuenzel often has a leading role. Part of Sabine's job req ices giving presentations on city planning and development, and she's unflappable under often intense questioning from the council, developers or 146. Day in the Life Sabine Kuenzel residents. Sabine may as well wear black sunglasses as cool as she appears in front of the microphone, but she says this isn't the case before the show goes on. "I get nervous before meetings," she says. "I can't eat." She compares giving council presentations to her ballet days at Memorial High School in Houston. "Right before the curt* went up, I'd be ready to scream [ I - 1 4 A SABINE KUENZEL Age Hero 31 College Station City Planner Jane Kee. Birthplace Iserlohn, Germany Favorite musicians Mozart and Meat Loaf. Education Class of 1982 Memorial. hat a combination. l High School in Houston, Favorite author French degree and mas- Edgar Allen Poe ter's in community and regional planning from the Favorite movie University of Texas. Amadeus nt and run of says, la; "But as soot curtain v, and I starte ing, I was O Part of h ness come, subject knc — Sabine has a quicl! mative ans every ques mixed with sense of hu; The sei humor he Aggieland discussing alma mater University Texas. "Elrey director of( ment se says, W; prove we're Sabine,' " s Sabine h UT and an "I didn't fun," she sa Her othe ine and adr although st term variet "It's bar you've got building pe Getting Sabine say! "You cat she says. Sabine's question st council ph4 in the city se pressure " she ing. the rt up c- ool- rom v] s ally or- e for o — ood o. ;e of is in hen her — The of can equal opportunity employer because we hired ;ays, grinning. Norked for the city five years, straight out of reship with the city of Midland, Mich. A I was going to be here this long, but it's so "And there's always a lot to learn." ;b duties include responsibility for maintain - [stering zoning ordinances, code enforcement, , eview, and short- and long -term planning, ays she'd like to do a little more of the long- be thinking about long -term planning when creaming developer at the door wanting a :," she says, smiling. of the office is important to good planning, at your desk, but we don't want to do that, ntations include many pictures of areas in ts. For instance, she recently showed the phs of desirable and undesirable duplexes t of an extensive multi- family development Sabine as born in Iserlohn, Germany, and her parents, Rainer and Monika Kuenzel of Houston, moved to America when she was about 1✓i years old. She still ias strong ties to Germany, staying in touch with cousins an other relatives. "My pho a bill tends to be high," she says. And her ents have never forgotten the family's roots. "A lot o rmans come over here and try to forget their heritage," she says. "My parents always kept it up and took us back to Germany. "You know the saying, 'I heart New York?"' she asks. "Well, I have one that says, 'I heart Iserlohn." " Years lived in B -CS Favorite magazine 5 National Geographic Hobbies and interests Last book read VIN.. Traveling, although that The Red Carnelian gets expensive. Sitting out- pet side and reading. Ballet A 4-year-old dog, Mischka. and dance. Even shooting She's y< boxer and ✓< pit the breeze is a hobby. bull nt and run of says, la; "But as soot curtain v, and I starte ing, I was O Part of h ness come, subject knc — Sabine has a quicl! mative ans every ques mixed with sense of hu; The sei humor he Aggieland discussing alma mater University Texas. "Elrey director of( ment se says, W; prove we're Sabine,' " s Sabine h UT and an "I didn't fun," she sa Her othe ine and adr although st term variet "It's bar you've got building pe Getting Sabine say! "You cat she says. Sabine's question st council ph4 in the city se pressure " she ing. the rt up c- ool- rom v] s ally or- e for o — ood o. ;e of is in hen her — The of can equal opportunity employer because we hired ;ays, grinning. Norked for the city five years, straight out of reship with the city of Midland, Mich. A I was going to be here this long, but it's so "And there's always a lot to learn." ;b duties include responsibility for maintain - [stering zoning ordinances, code enforcement, , eview, and short- and long -term planning, ays she'd like to do a little more of the long- be thinking about long -term planning when creaming developer at the door wanting a :," she says, smiling. of the office is important to good planning, at your desk, but we don't want to do that, ntations include many pictures of areas in ts. For instance, she recently showed the phs of desirable and undesirable duplexes t of an extensive multi- family development Sabine as born in Iserlohn, Germany, and her parents, Rainer and Monika Kuenzel of Houston, moved to America when she was about 1✓i years old. She still ias strong ties to Germany, staying in touch with cousins an other relatives. "My pho a bill tends to be high," she says. And her ents have never forgotten the family's roots. "A lot o rmans come over here and try to forget their heritage," she says. "My parents always kept it up and took us back to Germany. "You know the saying, 'I heart New York?"' she asks. "Well, I have one that says, 'I heart Iserlohn." " Ebo 2 Above, Sabine Kuentel discusses the layout of the current scene in private development inside College Station. Below, Sabine takes a break from duties in her office. c COLLEGE STATION Need for emergency preparedness is real Stop for one minute and consider the unthinkable ... a tornado rips through Bryan and College Station, leaving dev- astation in its path. Cars are over- turned, trees uprooted, and roads completely blocked off. Water and elec- tricity service fall all over town... So far every aspect of this hypothetical scenario is com- pletely unavoid- able. We could- n't change it regardless of Bob YanCy how hard we tried. But the most important aspect of a disaster like this, the number of injuries or deaths, is something we do have some measure of control over. Ensuring that number is kept to an absolute minimum is what the Local Emergency Planning Co ittee, or LEPC, is all about. The LEPC is a group of ordir HT citi- zens from dozens of agencies ill over Brazos county. We have Bryan College Station, and Brazos County law enforce- ment and fire personnel. There are also public works employees, emergency medical technicians, hospital represen- tatives, and public information officers. Local business people, university offr- cials and even a meteorologist all come together on a regular basis to iron out plans and procedures for dealing with the most likely hazards we might face- both natural and man-made. Many of these folks also receive ongoing training in order to stay up to speed on emer- gency management issues, and for many members, emergency management is outside the scope of their regular job responsibilities. Right now your LEPC is ahead of the curve. Thanks to the cooperation and flee exchange of ideas that takes place in LEPC meetings, the institutionalized barriers that sometimes exist between organizations have given way to some- thing much more important — the safe- ty of the citizens in this community. But don't get me wrong, the news isn't all good. A lot of work remains, hom final- izing emergency response and recovery plans, conducting exercises to sharpen the skills of participants, to getting heav- ily involved in family preparedness_ L - That's where you come in. Remember our hypothetical tornado? The single - most important element in keeping the number of injuries and deaths down is you. You need to know the steps to take in the event of that tornado, fire, flood or other emergency situation. You and your family need to practice fire escape routes from your home, identify a good interior spot in your house that would best protect you from a tornado, and learn that even two feet of rushing flood water could carry you or your vehicle away. Your family members need to know where you are and what to do if you're separated when an emergency sit- uation arises, such as during school and business hours. These and countless other life- saving tips become criti4al when the unthinkable occurs. These issues should take on an add d The single most important element in keeping the numL ber of injuries and deaths i down is you. emphasis now that we've entered the stormy weather season in Texas. In the coming weeks and months, you can expect to hear more about emergency management and family preparedness. The LEPC has a subcommittee entitled Public Education & Information, and you can bet that those of us on that sub- committee are going to find ways to give you a healthy dose of both. For a copy of "Are You Ready ?" the Fede# Emergency Management Age.,: (FEMA) disaster preparedness gui e call 769 -3445 and leave your name a01 address. This book contains a wealth information about emergency situati and what you can do to prepare you ski your family starting right now. We've been lucky so far. Many 1 dents remember the tornado that touched down west of town in early 19190 only to dissipate before reaching our community. Lives were lost to flooding in many Texas communities all around us last year — but not here. At some point, that luck might just run out. Let's be prepared if it does. ■ Bob Yancy is College Station's public informmtio assistant and LEPC member. i c College Station vote today, deciding the fate c worth of propositions in Polling places will be 1 p.m. Early numbers for v t promising, said City Hooks, as 537 residents a the most in recent mein Residents will vote on tions. The first proposition $10 million tabbed fo including improvement Southwest Parkway, 7 Anderson Street and Boulevard. Street exte i ommended are for No and Rock Prairie Road. Kyle Street right-of-w! y Graham Road upgrade, posed development of a dor either west of e: between Texas Avenue other proposals incl c ■ Proposition 2: Sides ways, landscaping of and Northgate area im million. Sidewalks and i million while Northgat I ■ Proposition 3: for $1.9 million. Includes the addition I intersections the city now or in the future. Otb include adding medians right turn lanes at inters traffic signals to listed as needed T improvements and continuous Listed below are polling places for today's College Station bond election. The polling place number is the same as the county voting precinct. ■ Polling Place No. 8. Parkway Baptist Church, 1501 Southwest Parkway. • Polling Place No. 9. College Station Conference Center, 1300 George Bush Dr. • Polling Place No. 10. College Station Municipal Ct. Complex, 2611 -B Texas Ave. S. • Polling Place No. 24 and 75. College Hills Elementary, 1101 Williams Ave. • Polling Place No. 31. A &M Church of Christ, 1001 FM 2818. • Polling Place No. 32. Southwood Valley Elementary, 2700 Brothers Blvd. • Polling Place No. 33 and 35. Lincoln Center, 1000 Eleanor St.. • Polling Place No. 34. College Station City Hall Lobby, 1101 Texas Ave. • Polling Place No. 20, 21 and 61. A &M Un. Methodist Fellowship Hall, 417 Unv. Dr • Polling Place No. 39. Rock Prairie Elementary School, 3400 Welsh Ave. • Polling Place No. 40. St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 8101 East Texas 6. • Polling Place No. 28, 58, 59, 71 and 73. Holy Cross Lutheran, 1200 Foxfire Dr. • Polling Place No. 2. Wellborn Community Center. ■ Proposition 4: Dramag $1.8 million. The projects in this props storm drain and channel im ■ Proposition 5: A new lib million. . The proposed library will where south of Southwest P ■ Proposition 6: Reloca tion of the Central Fire Sts purchase for future Munici Public Services use for $1.3( The fire station proposal cating the Texas Avenue sta the Holleman, Dartmouth Parkway area for $935,000. The city would use the e Court and Public Services for parking and storage. ■ Proposition 7: Parks and recreation projects for $1.63 million. This includes continuing the develop- ment of the Lincohi/Wayne Smith Park Corridor for $1.23 million, and park upgrades at Bee Greek and Central parks for $200,000. The proposition also includes the devel- opment of a Pebble (reek city park for $200,001) to go with the future Pebble Creek Elementary School. .4 n Proposition 8: Park land acquisition and initial development of about 150 acres for $1.5 million. This land would be for the future construction of a major community park used for soccer, baseball, softball and other outdoor recreational activities. 0 • in Town &Texa s CS City Council has new .public hearing dates The College Station City Council set public hearing dates for annexation `considerations postponed from last fall. The dates are Wednesday, May I1 at 3 J).m.; Thursday, May 25 at 7 p.M.; and , N1dnesday, June 21 at 5:30 p.m. The council will consider the ahnexa- tion ordinances at the June 21 meeting. All the areas being considered) are generally south of College Station. They include 2,100 acres not t of Greens Prairie Road and west o exas Avenue, 960 acres east of Texas Av anue and south of Rock Prairie Road, an 1745 acres where FM 60 and the future Texas 47 will intersect. ALIti E = §Yj DATE:1 0 1ylA P 5 1 I Qq findfmill site will bed `r By JIM HINEY Eagle staff wri The citizens' advisory committee charged with recommending a site for a new landfill is scheduled to meet in pub- lic and then in an executive session tonight. The meeting will begin at 6 P.M. in the College Station Conference Center, 1300 George Bush Dr. Bill Angelo, executive director of the Brazos Valley Solid Waste Management Agency (BVSWMA), said the committee members will discuss land acquisition during the executive session that is closed to the public. "I wouldn't anticipate there will be a decision," he said. "Of course, I could be wrong. "W haven't looked at any specific grope at this time, contrary to the rumo that are floating around." to said he believes the advisory co ttee will have to meet several more times before committee members make a site recommendation. The committee will only recommend a site, j Lngelo said. Th ( meetings are closed to keep prop- erty nr ices down in the areas consid- ered, Angelo said last month. Aft .,r the committee recommends a site, he recommendation still must be app ed by the agency's board of direc- tors d both the Bryan and College Sta- tion 4ity councils, Angelo said. An ong the other items on tonight's agenda are reviewing communication regarding the new landfill site and dis- cussing a meeting dates. BVS is the agency created by the two i 'es to manage a joint landfill. The ittee has set its criteria for the Ian and should make a specific site r o mendation in about two The c Pied get tion cril These buffer z and fir spend a Ideal] heavily rain, he Two I would ttee members have identi- areas based on site- selec- ;lude size, different kinds of s, environmental conditions vial concerns like current wnership and how much to iring it. the new landfill would be )oded and "have a hilly ter- tdred ninety of the 690 acres used for the actual landfill d tonight with a 500 -foot buffer zone of hills and trees. In a report given to the city councils, the committee said the area needs to be more than a disposal site. Recycling, composting and other means to reduce waste are -necessary, the committee said, and added that space should be set aside for a future waste-to-energy plant should it become affordable. The site should be about 690 acres, and the actual amount will depend on groundwater, soil and geologic condi- tions at the site, the committee said. Once the committee chooses a site, public hearings will take place and then research and construction will start, Angelo said. The process to completion should take from three to five years. L DATE Lo NE CGS Sat After the bond election, the work begins By JIM HINEY Eag staff wr Now comes the hard part concerning the bond election package College Station voters overwhelmingly passed. "How can we do $22.5 million worth of projects in the first year ?" joked execu- tive finance director Glenn Schroeder to his colleagues about the bond pro- jects' importance order. But the projects can only be done over about a five -year period, because the city will issue the bonds at about $4.5 million a year throughout that time. The bond issuances are spread apart so debt services taxes probably won't be raised, although the operations and maintenance parts of taxes could even- tually be raised to take care of the fin- ished products from the bond election, f r instance, the new library's opera - ons and maintenance. Schroeder is in the process of devel- ing a "game plan" for ordering the ejects that will pass before the city uncil. He did say he thought the top priori- ties would probably be a new park to go with the soon -to -be-built Pebble Creek Elementary School and the new library, tentatively to be built on about four acres Ai oss FM 2818 from A &M 2 High School. The council has put an option on the land and should make a decision in the next few months on whether to build the libr there, Schroeder said. Schroe ler hopes to issue the fast set of bonds late this summer so the first projec be started in the fall. Thee 'on a week ago drew 2,796 voters o approved the eight proposi- tions. They include more than $10 million for street projects; $2.635 million for the new library; $1.6 million for sidewalks and bikeways, landscaping of major I I - thoroughfares and Northgate area improvements; $1.9 million for traffic improvements; $1.8 million for drainage projects; $1.365 million for relocation /construction of the Central Fire Station and land purchase for future Municipal Court and Public Services use; $1.63 million for parks and recreation projects; and $1.5 million for park land acquisition and initial devel- opment of about 150 acres. Items like . drainage projects and street improvements may get some money to begin individual projects, Schroeder said, but probably won't get their full allotment in the fast year. u Ae1M=9Y± nATE1 Ct.au.e. 9 J qC? Particioate in order to improve, group says By BRENT ZWERNEMAN Eagle staff writer Providing . better service in the com- munity ,means getting everyone Involved, says a Bi azoa 2020 Vision member. "Individuals In the community need to get involved within their own neigh- borhoods," says Eric Barton of the ser vice theme group on the service of Pro viding protection. "'!'he police cannot cover every inch of the city every day." The service group's presentation last week to about 40 people was one of three that day and three more are set for mid. April. The six theme groups are service, arts and entertainment, education, infrastructure, economic enterprise and environment Brazos 2020 Visicn was formed In 1993 to encourage the public to take part In the governance process and to help form the community's future, the agency's mission statement says. The agency focuses on the year 2020 as the time when its goals have come together to form a belfter community. The agency says It represents both Bryan and College Station, Brazos County and outlying areas making up the Brazos Valley. 2020's executive director, Florist Bell Griffin, says the groups' updates are a progress report" to the community. "We want people by be aware of what we've done," she said. "We're moving forward." She added that these reports are not etched in stone as Uo 2020's goals and objectives. The service group has four subcom- mittees, family and social human ser- vices, housing, health and integration and coordination. Below are the goals of the fatally and social human services. ■ Provide access to all services for all cit- Izens. Strategies include providing nutrition education through all means possible like on the job, in the class- room, or through the newspaper, televi- sion or radio. Another strategy Is to provide child and adult care as needed through public and private means. ■ Emphasize the extended family and the support of families at dsk as well as youth at risk. Strategies include providing coordi- nation of all service organizations to support the extended family, and involv- ing spiritual organizations in support- ing other parts of the service element ■ Incorporate senior citizens Into the com- munity to provide accesc to all services and use their Willies to support other portions of the service element. Strategies Include ensuring all senior citizens have access to all ser- vices available, using senior citizens' experience and abilities to support the extended family to ensure access for others to services, and coordinating senior citizens needu with infrastruc- ture changes. Below are the goejs of the housing subcommittee: ■ By 2020 all residential donsWcllon will be handicap o:cesslble. Strategies include creating a forum from new and remodeling construction representatives, meeting with the local homebullder's association, and private for - profit, public and non -profit entities to help acquire funding. ■ All of Brazos County will have a building - condemnation process. Strategies include pollee departments being more aggressive in the demon- tion or rehabilitation of drug - active houses, focus- ing more on unsightly structures and drug- activi- ty shelters, and setting a standard code for electrical systems, Indoor plumbing and hot and cold running water. ■ Achieve a greeter level of safety within neighborhoods. . I The strategy involves developing bet. " ter neighborhdod systems to reduce crime in residential areas. ■ Create housing now for future persons on fixed Incomes. The strategy involves building hoes. Ing in the =40,00050,000 range. ■ Provide outreach shelter: for problem sectors of the community. "We want people to be aware of what we've done. We're moving forward." i - FLORITA BELL GRIFFIN Brazos 2020 Vision executive director Strategies Include creating homeless shelters containing counseling pro- grams to help persons with their self - esteem, search for employment, long. term housing needs, and allowing them to contribute to society instead of tak. ing from it Another strategy is provid. ing emergency shelters for people suf- fering from domestic violence or other traumatic experience. ■ The Brazos Volley will become a flourish- Ing retirement community. Strategies include marketing the community for former Texas A&M stu- dents, and encouraging young families to contribute in the care taking of retired people. - Below are the goals of the health sub - committee: ■ All residents will have access to a prime. ry care provider, health promotion and proven - tative care services for dental, medical, social and mental health issues. Strategies include identifying basic primary care and health promotion package consistent with the values and service expectations identlfled by the community and the appropriate fund- ing sources. Other strategies Include allocating resources to assure that all people get basic primary care and health promotion services specifled by the package. Other strategies include the commu- nity developing a Family Practice Residency Program, a health internship prograrn for Texas A&M community health students, and having the A&M University Health Sciences Center develop a B.S.N. program and a mid- level practitioners (physician nests. tants /nurse practitioners) program. ■ An Integrated communication center will provide a directory of all services. Strategies Include developing a health and resources data center for employers, consumers and providers; developing a oon- suster advocacy center for services that are not avail- . able and services that do not ,.meet expectations; using a z , physical locatiou with meet- IM .ing area and s a "esourctf e..;rroom; and providing an on- - - „line service, with, uniyorsal _ .. PANd records can be saomed from I” �. f l e include using the Intent In ologlcal developments, and oonfl- dentfahty protocols must be developed. " 0 Core will be provided In in environment that encourages access by all community mem- bers regardless of ethniclty, ape,.pender, Income and religious preference. Strategies include providing expand- ed access, including neighborhood out- reach and other population subgroups. ■ There will be a monitoring mechanism to assess this region's preventable health condl- Ilon:, needed services and available funding sources. Below are the goals of the service integration and coordination subcom- mitt ee. ■ Brazos Volley cities will be a prototype community by Integrating, coordinating and providing access to human, social and commw nity services.' Strategies include building or leas. ing a Brazos Valley Service Center in Bryan- College Station and equipping it with computers and software that inte- grates all known Brazos Valley ser- vices, and staffing the service center with information personnel, informa- counselore and a service director. Oilier atrateglee Include establishing a Brazos Valley Service Commission th representatives from churches, c c and community organizations; health providers; government services; Texas A&M; and each city service department. Other strategies include establishing funding and budget procedures, sect, ing financial funding commitments I)= each Brazos Valley city, and reli- glous, civic and community organiza- tions, health providers and AMYL ■ Brazos Valley Services will be premier providers by using a holistic approach and tos- tedng a synergistic relationship with religious, civic and community organintfons; heattle providers, government services and A&M. Strategies include making the holis- tic approach clearly communicated through counselors, brochures, an information data base and publicity. ■ Service Information delivery will be ma:- Imlzed through cooperative action among Brazos Valley cities, A&M and Blinn College. Strategies include installing network fiber optics at the service information center and and at each service provider's location, and updating on a dally basis the information data base. Other strategies include analyzing, evaluating and adjusting service infor- mation delivery on a monthly basis. all Using distance technologies and plow ning to Improve the quality of life for all Brazos Valley citizens. Strategies include establishing a fiber optic, or other appropriate tech- nologies to all Brazos Valley citizens; and providing high - quality health, nutrition, safety and other needed edu- cational information to all Brazos Valley residents through electronic means. City plans to live up to expectations The College Station City Council and the city staff were filled with pride two weeks ago when the citizens of College Station exhibited a vote of confidence by voting "YES" to all eight propositions of the bond election. Nationwide it has become increasingly more di8ictdt t8 get that sort of support and trust from citizens and it's nice to live in a community that has vision and can rise above the norm I know I can speak both for the City Council and the city staff in saying we plan to live up to your expectations and trust and if you perceive that we are not doing so, we want to hear from you. Both the city council and the staff would like to take credit for the success of the bond election, but the reality is that this bond election was a grassroots effort from beginning to end. The citizens who got involved are to be given the lion's share of the credit They spent many weeks of their personal time, at the end of already -long work days, to review and cri- tique the information they received from the staff. They researched on their own and talked to friends and neighbors to get their opinions and perspective. Some of the hardest work was done by these citi- zens who cared enough about their com- munity and its ftrture to roll up their sleeves, study the issues, take a stand pub• licly, and support those issues 'through to the last day of the election. They even gave their opinions on the kind of literature and campaign information the citizens would understand and the things to which they would be mo9t receptive. Their opin- ions were invaluable and made the differ- ence in a successful campaign and a mis- understood one. The local news media is also to be com- mended for its help. All of the major media with whom we work closely.took this election quite seriously. They did We pl I to live up to your• `, expeje tions and trust. . their Ow I research and analysis and' exhibited a show of their support on thel issues as. Well. Their coverage was com-` Plete, tim fly, and accurate and they area certainly. another factor in the over whehnft success. We would like to pub - licly than c all of these entities for their, excellent coverage of the issues. , We try very hard to keep our citizens; informed along the way as Planning and i decisions are made on all city issues, but with so much information available, it Is; often difficult to focus people's attent l(mi on technical issues. i However, when neighbors take thel time to study those issues and then dig•, cuss it with one another, it becomes morbj relevant and understandable. This com- munitY is fortunate to have that level of concern and responsibility in its citizens. It is what makes this city the kind of place People are proud to call home.. . , ■ Peggy Calliham is ft public relations and marketing manager for ffre,city of College Station. l By BRENT ZWERNEMAN Eagle staff writer Bryan resident Gene Stevens was ready to - roll up his sleeves and go to work at this week's meeting of the land. fill Citizen's Advisory Committee, argu- ing the Navasota Mining plant in Carlos would be the perfect place for a new land- fil got an opportunity for a region - al " it area over there," Stevens said of its already excavated areas. "I can design it myself right now." Earlier in Wednesday's meeting at the College Station Conference Center, con- sultant Michael Carleton of HDR Engineering in Dallas said the mining area wasn't practical because it was near Carlos' water supply. Bill Angelo, execu- tive director of the Brazos Valley Solid Waste Management Agency, later agreed. "You'd have to strip mine property to -_fill get that kind of cover for material," Angelo said of Stevens' contention that a 30 foot clay layer would remedy the near- ness of the water supply problem. "It can done, but it's not economi- cally feasi e." A group northeast county residents from near the Edge community, led by county commissioner Sandie Walker, also told the committee they don't want the proposed square -mile landfill built near them - "elo told the group no spe- cific sites had been looked at yet But that changed about an hour later as the committee met behind closed doors to start narrowing down areas for recommendation. The meetings are closed to keep property prices down in the areas considered, Angelo said. The committee still must decide on whether it will recommend just one site or several to the Bryan and College Please see LANDF , page Aa Landfill From Al Station city councils. That $ec- ommendation should come in the next two to four meetings, said. The committee's next mee is tentatively set for April 19. The committee said it has i n- tified general areas based on site - selection criteria. These include size, different kinds of buffer zones, environmental conditions, and financial concerns like cur- rent property ownership and how much to spend acquiring it. In a report recently given to the city councils, the committee said the area needs to be more than a disposal site. Recycling, oom- r� L. posting and other means to reduce waste are necessary, the committee said, and added that space should be set aside for a future waste -to- energy plant should it become affordable. The site should be about 640 acres, and the actual amount will depend on groundwater, soil and geologic conditions at the site, the committee said. Once the committee recom- mends a site or sites, public hear- ings will take place and then research and construction will start, Angelo said. The process to completion should take three to five years. The agency projects the landfill will cost $40$50 million and needs $7410 million to start. The agency will probably raise the money through selling revenue bonds, Angelo said. Ideally, the new landfill would be heavily wooded and have a hilf rain, he said. About 290 of the acres would be used for the al landfill with a 500 -foot bufne of hills and trees. BMA was created in 1990 by ties of Bryan and College Sta o consolidate solid waste dispo al in the Brazos Valley. Its urrent landfill is off Rock Pralr e Road, but that site's intaki may jump from 650 tons a day tc more than 1,000 tons a day when the Conroe landfill closes in two years, Angelo said. Due to state regulations enacted more than a year ago, the number of landfills in Texas has dropped from 274 to 82, he said, making the Rock Prairie landfill a regional site. The additional fill has has- tened the need for a new site. The community needs a new landfill within five years, the life of the Rock Prairie Road landfill, because once it fills the closest places for hauling garbage are in Houston, Austin . or Temple, which would significantly increase people's bills, Angelo said. essential G By BRENT ZWERNEMAN Eagle staff writer A member of Brazos 2020 Vision's education theme group says an impor- tant step in education is keeping with the latest, technology, ,especially regarding computers. Some of this [technology] may be available in the world right now, but, not in the Brazos Valley," Henry Hill told about 40 people at a recent 2029 meeting. Staying astride the latest technology is essential to the vision, "Every educa- tional institution in Braz Coun will teaching and learning," environment ike group says - The education theme group's pre . sentation was one of three that day, including service, and arts jind eihter- tainment , • : ;> 2020 is comprised of six theme groups, the others being ir&astruc- ture, economic enterprise and the envi- ronment. This is the third of a six-part series on each theme group focusing on flnd- ings from months of me(tings• Brazos 2020 Vision was formed in 1993 to encourage the public to take part in the governance process and to ;,help form the community's future, the agency's mission statement says. - The agency focuses an the year 2020 as the time when its gels have come together to form a better community. The agency says it represents both Bryan and College Station, Brazos County and outlying areas making up tha Rrazos Valley. - ,,A Brazos 2on Vision hopes to make the educational experience better for children such as these. The group is working to see these children are in an 'opti- mum learning environment'. location is another facet of the opti- mum learning environment, the up says. _ Strategies include: ■ Encouraging the sharing of hoof and public buildings to reduce new building construction costs. ■ opening schools and co*unity buildings for night instruction nities. The final part of the optimum learn- ing environment includes making available to all residents supplemental education programs geared toward alleviating social problems. Strategies include: M Providing buildings and resources so people can research social problems such as abusive relationships and alco- hol abuse as well as obtain solutions for dealing with such problems. ■ Providing the buildings and resources with which an individual can improve his or her parenting skills. ■ Involving parents and senior citi- zens in the education of young students to encourage kindness and respect In schools by bridging generation gaps and acting as mentors. Besides the optimum learning envi- ronment, the education theme group believes it's vital to hone business and workplace skills as part of an educa- tion. The group believes students should make a smooth transition from educa- tion to employment and vice versa. Strategies include: ■ Providing learners access to instructional programs necessary for them to get and hold a good job. ■ Not distinguishing between employment and learning. This Includes acknowledging that education continues into employment, and work may begin before one's education is complete. ■ Allowing for hands -on experience to be gained through taking part in pro- .....,... in rn hlin whools as well as A DATE: Candid ByBRENTZWEflAEMAN Eagle staff r VAFA� .hose looking for K rourth of July fireworks show in tha Co llege Station City Council election race may have to settle for sparklers. Four cordial candidates took part in a forum sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Brazos County, and discussed issues like north -south traffic flow and their vision for the city in five years. There was little disagreement Thursday on many of the issues between the candidates, Place 1's Bill Fox and George Wier, and Place 5's David Hickson and Dennis Maloney, though Wier said the main concern of the resi- dents he talked to was that the "city council isn't listening." 711 be here," Wier said, "Ill be avail- able ... rll go to your house. Wier's number is not listed in the phone book. The incumbent Fox said the current council listens to residents as attested by the occasional large number of people NIF� 25,) q'9,f share *isi ons for city that show up at council meetings to air their opinions on an issue. lie added that the current council is a "good group" of which he would like to stay a part, and that he's taken his coi.mcil)ob "very seriously." "If I didn't. I wouldn't be running again," he said. The incumbent Hickson said he deserved to stay on the council because he will continue to fight against raising taxes, "even though the city of College Station has one of the lowest tax rates in the state," he said. He also said he successfully headed the citizens' committee that made SM million in recommendations that residents recently passed in a bond election. But one of those original recommenda- tiorrs, the proposed Welsh Street exten- sion that would have made it a thorough- fare, brought Hickson his opponent, Mal- oney. Though the council decided not to include the proposal as part of the bond pa(Imp because of public outcry ftnm the neighborhood that the extension would have affected, Welsh Street resi- "I'll bell re. I'll be available .. I'll Igo to your house." GEORGE WEIR Pl 5 candidate dent Maloney decided to oppose Hickson In the May election. Maloney said at the forum no one is going tthey re opposed to neighbor ho Fe�& & nei that more police aren't the answers to'speeding Problems in neigh borhoods, but speed bumps are. All of the candidates were asked the same questions. One asked the candi- dates' vision for College Station in five y Wier said the city should be careful not to place too much of a tax burden on the city's residents in that time, and that current zoning and rezoning issues will have influenced the city, good or bad, In five years. Fox said he hopes to am Notthgats revitalization finished within five yam the development of a Wellborn Road cor- ridor, and the business park "taking oft" Maloney said the city should focus on bringing high -tech businesses into the community within the next five years and not industries like the chicken firm Sanderson Farms, which may move to Bryan soon. "You don't want chickens in your community," he said. Maloney added the city's west side should be developed, including dropping the railroad tracks into a subway and turning Wellborn Road into a major link to downtown Bryan. Hickson said the council will continue working with the Texas Department of Transportation to solve traffic problems, especially with the forthcoming George Bush Library on the west side, and he added the council should consider more attractions for en terta ining library visl• tors. KBTX -TV's Jeff Braun moderated the forum. ;Japans million The Japanese government on Monday made a $1.5 million contribu- tion to help build the George Bush Presidential Library Center on Texas A &M's campus. Japanese Consul - General Shintaro Sasaki of Houston presented the gift on behalf of the government of Japan to Jeb Bush, president of the Bush Library Foundation and son of the for- mer President of the United States. "The decision by the government of Japan to make this contribution was arrived at in view of the outstanding leadership role played by President George Bush during his tenure in office to cement the relationship between our two countries," Sasaki said, pointing out the relationship has become known as the "U.S. -Japan Global Partnership." He said the gift is also made in recog- nition of the "outstanding contribu- tions President Bush has made to pro- mote peace, security and freedom throughout the world during a period .of unprecedented global transforma- tion. "I believe that the George Bush Presidential Library Center will serve the noble purpose of honoring Mr. `Bush's great presidency, while at the same time preserving historical docu- ments to be studied and learned from .by both present and future ;generations ;and enhancing education and research, the Japanese diplomat Jadded. "There is -no doubt that Texas A &M University and College Station, as well as the entire nation, will benefit greatly from this beautiful and worth- while library center." In accepting the gift, Bush said he thought it appropriate to use the words that his father wrote to the Japanese government when he was informed of to Bus Eagle photoslButch Ireland Above, Jeb Bush, President of the Bush Library Foundation and son of the former president, accepts a $1.5 mil- lion donation Monday to the Bush Presidential Library Center from the Japanese govemment. Bottom, Don Wilson (third from left), executive director of the Bush Presidential Library Center, shows Japanese Counsel - General Shintaro Sasaki (far left) and other delegates a model of the library prior to the donation ceremony. the gift- "More than just the gift itself, I am grateful to the Japanese goverrin eiritt for the sentiment of friendship that gift represents'," Bush quoted father as saying, adding, "those w certainly convey the feeling of m and the foundation here today." He noted that earlier in the mo the Texas A &M representatives ducted a meeting pertaining to d for the beginning of construction. "In going over the detailed construc tion plans, I am even more impressed with both the quality and dimension of this great facility," he said. "It will stand as a permanent tribute to the life of George Herbert Walker Bush." ■ University News Service 11V1 : VU -, council positions 0114 Editorial Board Eagle continues its recom- mendations in the May 6 local city and school elections with a look at contested races in College Station. Candidates were invited to meet with The Eagle's Editorial Board. The paper's recommendations should be but one source of informa- tion voters consider when going to the Polls. Other sources might include voter guides, candidate forums, advertisements, campaign literature news stories and Srlend+p and neighbors.. Here are The - Eagle's recommenda- tions for ..College Station City Council: , Position 1 Councilman Bill Fox vs. George Wier — Fox is completing a one -year unexpired term on the council. Wier did not meet with the Editorial Board. Fox notes that it takes new mem- bers "three, four, five months to get up to speed" on the council, a period Of time voters invested in him Iasi: year. "I won't have to go through. that learning ex ience' Fox says quality of life is impor.. tant in College Station, but that has: to be balanced by being as pro-busi- ness as possible. He would like to see the city's annual budget developed in a more user -fi iendly manner with simple language and easy- to-under- stand charts. Fox is right. The people have invested time in him and he has proven to be a good investment He understands the issues before, the city and is prepared to get to work when the council meets. The Eagle recommends a vote for Bill Fox. Position 5 ' Councilman David Hickson vs. Dennis Maloney — Hickson is com- P He chaired the Citizen council. Advisory Committee that did so much to help Plan the successttd city bond election. The work of that ccalmittee led to Maloney's decision tq A resi- dent of Welsh Avenue` oney was angered when the co ttee consid- ered making that s' t a major north- south thoro , which he and others said wo ruin the neighborhood. Maio would like to see a neighborh protection ordinance to prevent considera- tion in the thture wi consent of the residents in the ne borhood. "Strong neighborhoods make strong cities," Maloney said. Maloney says much of College Station's traffic problem could be solved by lowering only the railroad tracks along Wellborn Road into a subway -like tunnel and widening the road to eight lanes, possibly extend- ing it all the way to downtown Bryan. look the ramifications Ys the council has to ramifications of its actions on the city 10 or 15 years down the road. He says the city must work with Bryan, the Chamber of Commerce transportation commit- tee and the Texas Department of Public Safety to develop north -south routes through the two communities. Maloney says the council should include ' regular people like Plumbers, roofers and carpenters." He's right, but we contend that busi- nessmen and women are regular peo. ple, too. No question Council meetings would be much livelier if Maloney were elected- They'd probably also be a lot less productive. The Eagle recommends a vote for David Hickson. COLLEGE STATION Arbor Day a time 'io help arivironment April brings two events that remind . us of natural resource conservation and the role that trees play in our surf roundings. Earth Day was celebrated: j April 22, and is a yearly reminder of the need f r conservation n a t u r e resources and it mankind's responsibility towards the con- dition of the J earth. The see - and event, Arbor Day, reminds us of the importance ROSS Albrec of tree in our daily lives. The official state designation is the last' , Friday of April, and College Station's . celebration will be held at Oakwood Intermediate School at 8:30 a.m. on Friday, April 28. The benefit of trees, guidelines on where to plant them, planting methods, and a suggested species list for our area are detailed in "The Tree Growing Guide for College Station" available at the Parks and Recreation Department office in Central Park. This guide out -,: lines eight benefits of urban trees.,' Properly placed deciduous shade trees. can reduce home energy consumption by up to 30 percent, by providing shade for roofs and walls. These same trees will allow the winter sunlight to help heat the house after their leaves drop. Trees also help reduce air pollution' through photosynthesis. This process. helps to reduce atmospheric levels of carbon dioxide, a major contributor towards the "greenhouse effect ". A seo These same trees will allow. the winter sunlight to help heat the house after their leaves drop. ondary air pollution reduction benefit is gained from the energy conservatictf' benefits mentioned, as less fossil fheli.' are required to produce electricity fob. cooling or heating our homes. Trees and landscape plants also help in watxt conservation by slowing water runoff which allows the water to penetrate th! soil. Secondly, -the root systems hellf . aerate the soil which allows both air and water to penetrate into the soil. - hi! addition, with overall temperatures reduced by shade trees, plants and turf in the shaded area require less water, Trees and plants are also an excellent way to block or absorb noise f rvm the' urban environment and also reduce glare firom glass buildings, cars, and pavement Trees provide food and shel•, ter for a wide variety of insects, binds;. and animals. Well landscaped proper,, ties are more desirable than bart'ett' properties. Studies indicate that t L* can add 15 percent to residential pro)Y erty values, while office and commev cial sites are in more demand if well'' landscaped and shaded. Finally, treW and plants increase the aesthetic appeal' of the site and of the city as a whole. '. In selecting where to place a tree, aff the above goals must be kept in mind'. and a suitable site selected that also; works with other items present on thir pmpe Enough space for the root• system d crown of the tree must bd' availaW for the mature size of the tree: This 0 especially important around overhesidutility lines. If these lines are.' presen a smaller tree species should be utilized so the need for constant pruning is eliminated. Other things to.. avoid are blocking chimneys, traffid signals. signs, or any view you wish to' preserr it. Once a site has been selected;. careful preparation should be done: when panting. It is important not to',' save money on this step as it will affect- the future health and growth of the tree. This process is outlined in "The Tres Growing Guide ". Arbo Day is Just around the corns,;, and al ough this one day is set asidl' for planting recognition, rememe' ber the the planning for and plantin& of trees to help yourself and the corn- munity a year -round process. So, It you don't plant on Arbor Day, start; your planning now and do everyone a favor and plant a tree. ■ Ross Albrecht is the forestry superintendent for the; city of College Statlon. :Fowl Play: A b ird in the hand? anderson Farms Inc. will soon decide if it wants Brazos County to be the site of its sixth chicken ptto- cessing plant. Stories and photographs by DAVID HOWELL have given their blessing to the large employer. Financial incentives and tax breaks have been devised and offered. The Laurel, Miss.-based company says it expects to bring in more than 1,400 assembly -line jobs to Brazos County. EDC officials also estimate more than 1,000 spinoff construction and trucking jobs if Sanderson Farms moves in. In its home state, Sanderson Farms has, by and large, been an exemplary employer with a good track record, says Tom Russo, managing editor of WDAM -TV in Hattiesburg, Miss., about 24 miles north of Laurel. "Overall, in this area, the company is highly regarded for creating thousands of jobs and establishing a tax base," Russo said. The Enterprise - Journal, the newspaper in the firm's newest plant site, McComb, Miss., also gave it glowing revie in recent stories. But, spurred by reports elsewhere of bad experiences with the poultry industry, some Brazos County residents have expressed concerns about pressures that might be caused by such a huge industry moving in. Bill Birdwell, vice president of Bryan board of educa- tion, said a meeting with Sanderson Farms erased con- cerns about a potenti: 1 influx of new children over- whelming the schools. He said the company impressed the board with its frankness and honesty. They answered our questions and made us feel com- fortable," said Birdwell, who also contacted school dis- tricts where poultry plants already exist. "We're confi- dent the company's a good one. At the same time, it's a case of who do you believe and what do you believe. You have.to take people at face value." Bill Sanderson, the company's marketing director, said most workers at a local Sanderson Farms plant would probably come from outlying areas and would commute to work. Therefore, they would not be relocating their families dis- tricts, and would be unlikely to use local emergency ser- vices, he said. Please see CHICKENS, page A7 M,M J Page z 4n I 2� The Ea91e Chickens County residents attended meet- ings with Sanderson Farms offi- cials to discuss terms and details of a contract - producer relation. ship. . They were given pamphlets in which the company calls the rela- tionship "vertically integrated," meaning the company provides the chicks and their feed and pro- ducers raise them. Sanderson Farms would then process the birds, market and distribute them. Company contract information said the producer would spend $95,5110 per pullet house or build four houses per farm at a cost of :362,000, plus nearly $13,000 in annual operating costs. A four - house broiler farm costs (432,000, plus almost $24,000 in operating costs each year. The company is also seeking hen producers. Sanderson Farms said pullet producers can expect annual rev- enues of about $70,250 per farm, while broiler producers would make about $81,700 per farm per year. John Morrison, president of the National Contract Poultry Growers Association, says that relationship is "one- sided," He said big chicken farms expect producers to put up hun- dreds of thousands of dollars in capital to build the company. specified pullet, hen and broiler farms, but receive only renewable short-term contracts, instead of long -term growing commitments. Although no reference to length of contracts was made in the Pamphlets the company gave to potential producers, Sanderson Farms officials said it's very rare they don't renew a grower's con- tract less and the grower can't service his debts, he said. Bill Sanderson said the contract is "an ongoing vehicle" and the company makes reviews after every batch of birds. He conceded that it would be a grower's imminent desire" to have a long- term contract, but added the existing short-term arrangement is well-established and works. "The people who grow for us start making money from the fast batch,­ Sanderson said. "We don't have werl loans in default and t scheduled to be paid oftbefo years." News r stories in several states focused on the prob- lems ofth poultry industry and legislatures in Louisiana. Okla- homa and North Carolina have been pushed to pass bills that would give growers greater con- tract security. Sanderson Farms officials say It would take about four- and -a- half-years for producers to move out of th fW d into the black. "That long time before you staing money;' Mon rison And you'll have loans, d mortgages and an uncert ontract future hanging our head the whole time." Bill ariderson disagreed, saying derson Farms' con- tracted growers "are making a good living while retiring their debt" He said responses from potential Brazos Valley growers have been "very positive." But one of the company's Collins, Miss. growers, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said new wers will find the going to Joe Kovach, a Robertson County rancher interested in becoming a chicken producer for the company, attended a March 27 meeting with Sanderson Farms and didn't like what he heard. "The way I look at it, you're actually paying them to work for them," said Kovach. But Joe Sanderson Jr. dis. agrees. This is the surest bet in agri- culture," he said. 'There's nothing that'll compete with growing chickens." In other communities, odors and pollution by chicken. Processing plants have caused concern, but Bill Sanderson said his company adheres to strict fed- eral regulations, unlike some competitors. "What separates us Is we dot our f's and cross out is and do our homework ;" he said. "Our envi- ronmental record Is spotless: we don't scrimp and cut corners." But he said, the industry has been tagged with a bad image in recent times. "It's taken a lot of hits in the last five to 10 years." Sanderson Farms said the com- pany's existing workforce and contracted growers are happy with current pay and conditions. "Our wages and benefits are as good as any poultry firm in Mis- sissippl," Bill Sanderson said. The firm also said it has a "long line" of Mississippians eager to become plant workers and growers. But some of the company's workers aren't happy: employees at the Hammond, La. plant have long been unionized, and Collins and Hazelhurst, both in Missis- sippi, workers also voted to have unions. Bill Sanderson said the com- pany doesn't know why those workers want organized repre- sentation, but WDAM -TV said they're unhappy with pay and benefits. Sixteen Brazos County officials visited the company's McComb Operation in February, giving it high marks. And, as an example of its commitment to employees, which it said includes many single mothers, Sanderson Farms Points to the day care center It built at its Collins plant It hasn't decided if it will build another center if Brazos County is chosen to be plant No. 6. From Al "The schools have nothing to worry about," he said. Poultry companies have ear- marked the Lone Star State as a Place suitable for long term multi - site while Brazos County is putting out the welcome mat, not all places in Texas are se eager. The communities of Sulphur Springs and Tyler recently turned down bids by Pilgrims Pride Corp., fearing social and em nomic burdens because of a large influx of relatively low -paid workers. Even so, the city of Longview is now reported to be interested in the plant and also in Tyson Foods Inc. of Springdale, Ark., the nation's largest poultry producer. Other Texas cities also are keen to attract such large employers or expand existing operations. "There's fairly high turnover in processing plants. and you have to ask how a project will actually benefit the economy," said Eric Davis, executive vice president of the Tyler Economic Development CourwA in explaining why Tyler turned thumbs down on the Pil- grims Pride plant "We didn't think it would help our economy to have an influx of real low -wage, transient -type workers working at a big pro oessing plant," he said. Last year, Sanderson Farms generated $372 million in net sales, the highest in its 34 -year history, and earned $15.5 million in prof - its. If the company does Locate in Brazos County, it anticipates an initial need for 16 pullet houses, 32 hen houses and 200 broiler houses. It expects to pay growers $7 million per year, doubling when the number of birds pro oessed weekly also doubles to 1,250,000. "No processing operation like ours can be successful without contract producers," said Bob Billingsley, Sanderson Farms' director of development In March, more than 500 Brazos Nevertheless, Morrison said the „ As far as integrators are con - grower- company arrangement corned, Sanderson's probably the places too much risk on pro best," said the owner of four ducers, many of whom are new to broiler houses. "But all growers the poultry Industry. for these big companies have the Sanderson Farms is due o a short-term contracts problem and hidden expenses —like having to invest $68 mil and said It tractors and spreaders and expects growers to spend $56 mil- Ron. the the death of thousands of chicks in summer months — and none of Morrison said a grower is us have any say in managing our "locked -in" once he signs a con- farms." tract with a chicken firm, espe- President Joe Sanderson Jr. cially if he's the only one in the disputed the alleged extra area. Without the company pro- viding a steady supply of healthy expenses and said the company's birds and feed, the farms are use - chicks have a 97 percent survival rate. 1 Y Y � . y e a i J - r On the production line at Sanderson Farms plant in McComb, Miss. Workers turn out thousands of chickens each week. The company hopes to build such a plant here, with more than 1,400 people on the payroll. Where they really know their chickens McCOMB, Miss. — Long, imposing fortresses defend the densely - wooded Southern Mississippi countryside. But the custom-designed cement d $ steel structures aren't castles they're chicken farms. Dotted around the land tµ hundreds of farms have been built in this Part of the nation as it has become syn- -IrIN onymous with the poultry industry,3 Many of the chicken farmers are con- tracted to grow pullets, broilers and hens for Sanderson Farms, which is headquar- tered in Laurel, Miss. and has four other Processing plants in the state, including McComb. The company is nearing a decision on e whether Brazos County will be home for r plant No. 6. If so, a large feedmill, a hatch- ery, a waste water system and dozens of O chicken farms also would be built in Brazos and surrounding counties. Sanderson Farms officials say they tar- geted Bryan - College Station, in part, � - because of its central location and the big « Texas market. "There's 14 million people within a 200 - said Bill Sanderson, the firm's marketing liens at Sanderson Farms McComb, Miss. plant await their turn to become food for people. director. "We want to be the leader in the makes $6.90 per hour. ble." Texas market, and this is the fast step." If Sanderson decides Bryan - College Ex-oil man Jack Hankins, a Sanderson Plant workers and contract growers Station is a go, the company said it Farms broiler farmer for two years, said say Sanderson Farms has been good expects to create up to 1,400 jobs at the he now makes three times as much from news to McComb. These are the best paying jobs in new plant at hourly pay of $5.30, rising by chickens as he did from black gold. $1.40 after one year. "It's a very good experience and a very McComb," said Juanita Tobias, one of In McComb, Sanderson's plant work- good living," he said. "The only thing I'd many young black women employed at force has high yearly turnover, some- say is that it's confining. You have to live the plant. "And if you have a problem, they're approachable." tiries as much as 80 percent. on your farm and there's not much time The 24- year -old mother has worked in Management blames the introduction of off." second shifts working evenings. Hankins said he knows about a dozen the plant for two years, and is currently in the packing department. Her starting "It's not unlike any other labor - inten- other growers and they're "tickled to pay was $4.80 per hour. She said she now sive industry," said marketing director Bill Sanderson. "[Turnover] is not terri- Please see WCOMB, page A4 pri I Z7 1995 z - rye McComb From Al company relationship is stacked Eagle phoWDavid Howell against growers. Sanderson Farms disagrees Some of the hundreds of chick ing hatched in an incubator at the Sanderson farms a plant in Mississippi. The chicks destined to end up baked, fried or grilled. company is dependent on growers and does everything it can to ended only one grower contract in questionnaires expressing their foster understanding. the last three years. In addition, interest "It doesn't do us any good to Billingsley said there's a long Billingsley did acknowledge the bring people into the business waiting list of Miss iss ippians industry has been criticized in who don't know what it is they'll keen to be contract gm recent years, but said you'll find be doing for us," said Bob More than 500 BrazcO company relationship is stacked Eagle phoWDavid Howell against growers. Sanderson Farms disagrees Some of the hundreds of chick ing hatched in an incubator at the Sanderson farms with the allegations, saying the plant in Mississippi. The chicks destined to end up baked, fried or grilled. company is dependent on growers and does everything it can to ended only one grower contract in questionnaires expressing their foster understanding. the last three years. In addition, interest "It doesn't do us any good to Billingsley said there's a long Billingsley did acknowledge the bring people into the business waiting list of Miss iss ippians industry has been criticized in who don't know what it is they'll keen to be contract gm recent years, but said you'll find be doing for us," said Bob More than 500 BrazcO IValley bad apples in any kind of busi- Billingsley, the company's devel- residents attended lato Marrh ness. opment director. "This is not a grower meetings in B with "Go compare us with other $10,000 investment People don't officials of Sanderson , a poultry plants in Texas," he said. get into this on a whim." NASDAQ - quoted compan y, I've seen some of them, and Sanderson Farms said it had About 100 answered company they're not the same as us." death" about the industry. Another former veteran oil field worker, 'Wilton Hightower, said he's pleased he switched jobs. "If everybody liked the busi- ness as much as me, there wouldn't be one complaint," he said. But three of the firm's plants — Hammond, La., Collins and Hazelhurst, both in Mississippi — have chosen to unionize. And a contract grower for the Collins plant said he's worked for three years without a pay increase, despite equipment costs rising 28 percent over the period. The man, who spoke on condi- tion of ano ty, said the com- pany is "overall but added that he bet ves the grower- r91 u Acimmen DATE: lqf)'j I 2(p I n Town &Texas Public hearing on CS ' '96 budget Thursday ollege Station residents get the C ce Thursday night to air their vi ws on budget issues prior to the ci starting budget deliberations for th 1995 -96 fiscal year. The hearing is set for 7' p.m. at liege Station Junior High, 900 Rock Prairie Rd. a resident can't attend, they can suimit written comments to the city SL ddress them to: Charles Cryan, In erim Director of Budget and Research, 1101 Texas Ave., College Station 77840. David Hickson says doing something right takes time, and the College Station Place 5 incumbent adds his time on city council has been well spent. "I've put in a lot of hours," he says, usual- ly 20-30 a week toward council business. 'If you're going to do jus- tice to the city, you have to be willing to A" put in the time. HICKSON . I'm lucky I can exist on four hours of sleep a night." Hickson, 39, spent part of those nights chairing the Citizen's Advisory Committee that made the original $22 million worth of recommendations for the recent bond election in which all propositions passed. He says the residents' recommenda- tion were their own, and that the group represented the city well. One of the group's recommendations that was eventually killed by the council because of public outcry, a proposed Welsh Street extension through an old neighborhood south of Texas A &M, brought Hickson his opponent, Dennis Maloney. Hickson says one of the members of the advisory committee was from near the Welsh Street area, and he adds that he grew up in one of the old neighbor- hoods near Foster and Gilchrist avenues. "I know exactly whaf it's like to be there," he says. . Hickson says he will probably self - impose a term limit if he's reelected May 6, so the community can get input on council from other residents. He's just completing his fast two -year term, and Hickson says it wasn't until his second year that he believed he start- ed making a big contribution to the council. CS council candidate advises against Northgate project Fourth in a series By BRENT ZWERNEMAN Eagle staff writer T'- - pis Maloney believes Northgate r ation will only be good for col- a ents. ge Station thinks it's going to hates an entertainment district," Maloney says. "What you're going to have is a great place for kids to get drunk." Maloney, a paint contractor, opposes incumbent David Hickson, CIC Agency owner, in the Place 5 council race. Maloney, 44, has strong opinions on just about every city issue, including what to do with the railroad on the town's west sid . "Just put the choo- choo in the ground," he says adding the r city co d then make '`- Wellborn Road an eight -late thorough- fare and help solve MALONEY the city's need for anotherinorth -south route. The city could then develop the city's west side without worrying about the tracks, he says. "It's like having a Rolls Royce with- out an engine in it," he said of west -side growth that has been hindered by the tracks. Maloney also says he has a simple means to stop speeding in neighbor- hoods. Adding speed bumps "the size of sea turtles" to neighborhood streets would solve speeding problems and lessen the need for police targeting speeders, he says. A proposed Welsh Street extension as part of a bond package that the council eventually pulled made Maloney, a Welsh Street resident, run for council. He says the new thoroughfare would have ruined his neighborhood and that the city needs a neighborhood protec- Incumbent 5 po i nts to past service Third in a series By BRENT ZWERNEMAN Eagle staff writer tion ordinance to guard against such actions. He adds that the councilmen, all of whom live in newer neighborhoods, were polite but not sympathetic to the Welsh Street area residents' concerns. And Maloney says Bryan - College Station courting chicken firm Sanderson Farms, which may move to Bryan from Mississippi and will offer most jobs on the pay scale's lower end, is a mistake. "We should be selling [high -tech] jobs; instead we're bringing in chick- ens," he says. "We have 3 -4 percent unemployment, and we're bringing in chickens ?" Search for a suitable park.. continue By BRENT ZWERNEMAN Eagle staff writer A proposition in this week's College Station city and school district election gives the city council the option to sell about four acres of park land west of Wellborn Road and south of George Bush Drive, in case it can't be made suitable for a neighborhood park. City officials have been working to put together a sufficiently sized and shaped '—"' Parcel to build a neighborhood park in Part Zone 7, which covers the western Part of the city from Wellborn Road to the city limits, said assistant parks and recreation director Ric Ploeger. The city has bought small lots in that area, Ploeger said, and has acquired land Parcels through the Park Land Dedication Ordinance. This ordinance says when new residential developments move in, that developers dedicate one acre of land per 133 dwelling units for Park development. So far. the city has been „ amble to acquire an adequate lot to build a park in that zone, Ploeger said. He added that the Proposition would give.the city the added option of selling this land to purchase 2 another, more this lot, in Park Zone '"Me money that the city receives from ,[the possible sale] will be spent in that zone,' he said. "Essentially, it will go to buy another neighborhood park," Ploeger said the city's goal is to build a neighborhood park in Park Zone 7. The issue was made into a voter propo. sition in accordance with legal require- ments and was placed on the ballot at the direction of city council, Ploeger said,. Dennis Maloney would all day on Saturday. BILL McGUIRE represent citizens well College Station The College Station City Council elec- tion is in progress with early voting. Those voting may find it interesting to know that e Station are represented by a council that for the most part lives in the suburbs. We have three in Pebble Creek, one in Foxfire, one in Raintree, one in Emerald Forest and one in Southwood Forest. There is nothing wrong with anyone who lives there and I'm happy that each of those areas is represented, but what the council lacks is representation of the College Station that was here long before any of those areas existed. There is only one candidate who is willing to come forth and represent us and he is Dennis Maloney. Dennis does- n't fit the mold. He speaks out when needed -die is the common mar ire our- - community, which puts him in great company. It's easier to keep quiet — to let the ones who adorn the council set the mandates that will change our com- munity forever, because most of us don't have or make the time to get involved. Maloney represents the best in all of us and is making a statement that those of us who still live in the older neighbor- hoods of College Station do count. Hopefully, they still -vote, too. Get out the vote and join me in casting yours for Dennis Maloney for City Council, Place 5. It's not too late. Early voting ends Tuesday. Polls will be open COLLEGE STATION Amphitheater offers Meet me at the park and enjoy the show. That's part of our new jingle for the Wolf Pen Creek Amphitheater. This season will offer something for everyone. Both the schedule of events and the variety of free versus ticketed shows should offer entertain- ment that appeals to the young and the young at heart. Fun Family Fri- days is the high- light of the sum- mer schedule. Almost every Sheila Walke Friday, beg ning May 5 and ending August 19, you can load up the kids and head out to the Amphitheater for a night of good entertainment that is free. You can expect to purchase concessions at a rea- sonable price. At many of the events you can pack a picnic dinner or go by your favorite drive - through restaurant and bring it along to the park. The kids can play on the playground while waiting for the show. In addition to the family atmosphere, the Amphitheater offers a romantic ambiance for many couples. The facility is large enough to offer some privacy; combine that with the good music, soft lush green grass and a sky fall of glisten- ing stars ....... wt - -Ise could you need. Regular visitors to the Amphitheater will also be eligible for a bonus at the end of the season. Different vacation pack- ages along with various other prizes will be offered in a drawing for those specta- tors attending at least 9 of the 13 events scheduled. This grand prize drawing will be held at the final family fan event on August 19. Several local radio stations are sponsoring - the. family fun summer series and will hold special prize give- contributing to the grand prize drawing. "Punch" cards will be handed out at the first four events. Participants will then get their cards validated as they leave each event this summer. On August 19, all of the punch cards having 9 or more validations will be eligible to go into the hopper for a chance at some spectacular vacation packages and other prizes . Our first event which will be held on Friday, May 5 will feature The Brotherhood Band. Henry Gongora of the Brotherhood and his band have played for several events at Central Park in the past and have always energized the crowd with their jazzy Tejano music, col- orful outfits and movement to the music. We will be celebrating Cinco De Mayo and focusing on community unity. If you absolutely must miss the first event, you certainly won't want to miss the second family fun Friday. On Friday, May 19 we will have a Safe Summer Kick- off Party for community residents. This event will feature the College Station Police Band "Blue Heat." The band fea- tures contemporary country music and old rock favorites and focuses on Drug Abuse Resistance Education and passes their message along to the crowd through their music. In addition to the Blue Heat concert, the movie "The Pagemaster 'will be featured on the big screen. Family Fun Fridays will go into full gear beginning June 2. The comedy of Ron Crick and Jimi Mac. Both are regu- lars on Showtime and have performed at many of the well known comedy shops around the country. The comedians have been asked to keep their comedy at a PG rating. The schedule continues with a country show featuring Against the Grain on June 9 Breaking the Friday pattern, our next show had to be scheduled on Saturday, June 17. Jeff Fenholt will be the featured performer at our first Christian music concert Jeff is very well known around the country for his contemporary style and inspiring music. Also appearing will be the Living Proof Gospel Quartet and Albert Vasquez. Church youth groups are encouraged to participate in a homemade ice cream contest for prizes. June's schedule clos- es-out with a movie, "The Swan Princess- on June 23. July promises to be just as entertaining with two movies and two concerts. August will offer the movie "Monkey Trouble ", and on the 19th, a Saturday, the Grand Finale show, featuring Johnny Dee. It will also feature a car show that will bring back some memories for the teenagers of the Ws. We have planned this summer hoping everyone in the community will have ample opportunity to come out and exile; rience the hospitality of the staff, the beauty of the facility, and the quality of the entertainment that has been sched- uled. ■ Sheila Walker is one of the venue managers at the Wolf Pen Creek Amphitheater mbent wants to make CS f government more' `us r- _ _ e fr�en�� t � Seventh in a series government more "user- friendly." By BRENT ZWERNEMAN One of these ways is to make the budget Eagle staff writer easier to read, ,worded "in a fashion so peo- ple can understand how their tax dollars are Bill Fox wants the chance to continue spent." - what ,he's built on since coming on the Another of his projects is Northgate revi- College Station City Council last year. talization, because right now people don't I ' Fox, Place 1 candidate opposed by George have an"entertain ent district in the city, Wier, says when he came on ,the council he he says. had a "commitment to " I feel Northgate could provide that," Fox maintain a positive- says. He adds the area isn't well- developed growth environment" and could use a facelift. while tempering that with Fox, 47, says he also has worked with peo- a exncern for like s ple on the south side of town — where the existing neighborhoods. city started - to establish a historical area Fox, the director of en gi- „� '* with period signs, lighting and possibly a neering and operations at "` gateway. the Texas Municipal * He says one of the city's current needs is Power Agency plant, also FOY, an additional north -south access to help alle- says when he first arrived viate traffic, or possibly working with Texas on the council he had a hard time under- A&M on things like staggering' university standing the city's budgeting process, so one employee starting times or restricting fresh- ; of his projects is to make College Station's men from driving on campus. Power agency not to vote on • � The Texas Municipal Power. Agency's board of directors decided Thursday not to vote on a power rate reduction for its member citie . .Board members from Bryan, Opton, Garland and Greenville tabled the matter until the next meet- ing around June 21, said TMPA's ve Branham. The members met before ursday's meeting at the TMPA punt near Carlos, but couldn't agree op a rate study consultant, Branham s8id. .The TMPA board wants the city managers to have more discussion, to fmd agreement, and to make a rate Aduction recommendation to the 4ard, he said. +In other news, TMPA Chief &ecutive Officer Ed Wagoner ounced his retirement from . the ency effective Sept. 8. W agoner has held the position ce 4§82. t City Council agrees to Ny 67 -unit apartment complex The College Station City Council Thursday night appropriated $906,000 to pay for a 67 -unit `apart- ment complex. The $840,000 for capital and $66,000 Or operations and mainteinance 'Comes from the city's electric d. The city anticipates repay g 'the ;capital expense through an ed /'future debt instrument." ! City officials said electrical cus- xomers will not see any effect on their rates .from the purchase of Cedar Creek Condominiums, 1000 .University Dr. E. The city bought the apartments to keep the same level of low-to- moder- ;lite income residents in the complex, 0 9w at 35 percent. The former property, owners, the federal government's Reso on ;Trust Corporation, want( 1 to i increase the number of low -to- ic Or- ate income residents to 50 P r0dht, !Something the city was agains . I_ ,The city says it will try and the !property as quickly as possibl , Twenty-four of the 67 unit ow !fall in the low -to- moderate- income !range, and have a preset rental rate. CS will choose p o w er comp (� B HUGH SIMONICH chase power because of the reduced Eagle staff writer costs. The Col ege Station City Council Pre Agen tly the Texas Municipal Power y sup plies College Station's tonight will finalize its annual budget tric p elec- er. and decide which power company will supply the ci y its electricity. The council will start its meeting with Those are e top two decisions on the a publ hearing on the 1995 -96 annual agenda of th council's regular meeting, budget. which starts at 7 p.m. in the council The o Proposed budget anticipates main - chambers of the municipal building, 1101 tainin e tax rate at 44.5 cents per $100 Texas Ave. S. valual ic n. City Manager Skip Noe said the choice As in the past, the effective tax rate of for power is down to two companies: 422.9 dents per $100 valuation is 5.2 per - Texas Utilities or the city of Bryan. cent below the current tax rate due to The proposed Bryan contract is for a grope revaluations. term of 10 years with an option to termi- In or er to maintain the existing tax nate services if the agreed -to prices are rate, th city council is required to vote not met. to announce "intent to increase the tax The Texas Utilities proposed contract rate." is for a term of four years with options The council is then required to hold a for College ation to extend this con- tract for one to five years. public acing on the tax increase before Both contrOts are said to save the city voting The t approve it. council voted 5 -2 to hold a public significant amounts of money in pur- hearin 7 to maintain the existing tax rate. Aelmmlyi DATE: �G S ■ CS s�wi c of ower ■ ■ compani sav cust mi n By DAVID HOWELL ence and the most diverse nd of gener- Eagle staff w ri te r ating fuel — nuclear, coal an as — cur- rently available, which helps ensure sta- 'he city of College Station has chosen ble future rates, Noe said. state's largest utility company to be The length of contract lso gives I%.snew electric power provider. College Station the flexibility to change And the decision will result i its power suppliers if the market decrease 20,000 customers saving an avera $76 or extend the contract should prices rise on electric bills per year and $32 million he added. in reduced power costs over the nex four That's important becaUSE e Publi years, city officials said. Utility Commission of T as want Texas Utilities Electric Corp.'s four - greater competition and is 1 ing at fur year proposal with extension optio is for ther "unbundling" the cost f power di. College Station was selected on a 5 vote tribution, often termed "wh e ing." at the city's council meeting Th sday Texas Utilities currentl istribute night. Councilman Bill Fox, who works power for TMPA and, ther re, is in for the Texas Municipal Power Ag ency, good position should the C Chang abstained. wheeling rules and charge next yea College Station currently buys all its Please see PO ER, page A power from TMPA, which Bryan and three northern Texas cities own. "All 17 proposals we received are lower than what we're paying for power iow," said city manager George Noe. WHO: The city of College S ation Dallas -based Texas Utilities will begin providing wholesale power to the city WHAT The city has deci to switcl effective Jan. 1, 1996. power providers, saving t e� average Forty percent of the savings will go utility customer $76 per y ar on elec- toward lower customer bills and 60 per- tric bills. cent will be used to reduce future debt on WHEN The state's largest utility com the city's electrical plant and equipment, thus offsetting power rate hikes, said parry, Texas Utilities, will begin provic Linda Piwonka of College Station's man- ing power Jan. 1, 1996. aeement services group. W HY: City manager George Noe sai `oe and his city staff recommended the new company has reliable ser- council choose Texas Utilities vice, 70 years experience and, cause it provides reliable servic ' sta- because Texas Utilities uses a ble pricing and the ability to d liver diverse mix of nuclear power, coal, power in a timely and cost - effective man- and gas, the company will a able tc ner, he said. The company also has 70 years experi- keep future rates stable. Power From Al 9 11 Noe said. "If that's the environment we're going to be in," Noe said, "we have to be positioned to be competitive. And that's based on price." The PUC also may issue the city a certificate of convenience and necessity. Bryan has a cer- tificate for all Brazos County and a 16 -year compromise and settle- ment agreement with College Station that expires next July. Among the 16 rejected power proposals were those from the city of Bryan and Destec Energy of Houston, both of whom made it to the final stage. Bryon was rejected because of higher projected power costs — $85 million over five years — less flexible terms and the assump- tion of cost reductions at debt -rid- den TMPA, officials said. Had Bryan been chosen, it would have ended the two cities' long dispute over service territo- ry and settled the lawsuit Bryan filed in July 1994. "The issue isn't inter- govern- mental relations, it's cost of power," Noe said. Bryan Mayor Lonnie Stabler said he thought the two cities would be able to work out a uni- form rate agreement, but College Station councilmen said they had to vote for a proposal that saved money and was the best value for residents. "We just haven't been able to get the numbers as close as we want" with Bryan, said Councilman Hub Kennady. "We just want the best value for the dollar." Although Destec's five -year cost projection was $72 million, some $7 million lower than Texas Utilities', it was rejected because the company currently has no electric power customers and could be sensitive to price changes, officials said. AL m CS sw compani resident By DAVID HOWELL Eagle staff writer eyi `fit 15, Pq of powe swill say $76 per he city of College Station has hosen %ftwre state's largest utility company to be its new electric power provider. And the decision will result in its 20,000 customers saving an average $76 on electric bills per year and $32 Million in reduced power costs over the nE xt four years, city officials said. Texas Utilities Electric Corp.' four - year proposal with extension opti ns for College Station was selected on a -0 vote at the city's council meeting Thursday night. Councilman Bill Fox, who works for the Texas Municipal Power Agency, abstained. College Station currently buys all its power from TMPA, which Bryan and three northern Texas cities own. "All 17 proposals we received are lower than what we're paying for power now," said city manager George Noe. Dallas -based Texas Utilities will begin providing wholesale power to t e city effective Jan. 1, 1996. Forty percent of the savings will go toward lower customer bills and 60 per- cent will be used to reduce future debt on the city's electrical plant and equipment, thus offsetting power rate hikes, said T,inda Piwonka of College Station' s man - ement services group. Noe and his city staff recommended "The council choose Texas Utilities because it provides reliable service, sta- ble pricing and the ability to deliver power in a timely and cost - effective man- ner, he said. The company also has 70 years experi- ence and the most diverse ating fuel — nuclear, coal a rently available, which hel ble future rates, Noe said. The length of contrac College Station the flexibi] power suppliers if the mat or extend the contract shot; he added. That's important becau Utility Commission of greater competition and is ther "unbundling" the cost tribution, often termed "w Texas Utilities current power for TMPA and, the good position should the wheeling rules and char 0 0 r x of gener- gas — cur - ensure sta- also gives to change t decreases prices rise, the Public Kas wants king at fur- ' power dis- 4ing „ distributes )re, is in a UC change next year, see PLOWER, page As WHO: The city of College Station WHAT' The city has decided to switch power providers, saving the average utility customer $76 per ,year on elec- tric bills. WHEN: The state's largest utility com- pany, Texas Utilities, will begin provid- ing power Jan. 1, 1996. i WHY: City manager George Noe said the new company has reliable ser- vice, 70 years experience and, because Texas Utilities uses a diverse mix of nuclear Bower, coal, and gas, the company will be able to keep future rates stablel ower From Al Noe said. "If that's the environment we're going to be in," Noe said, "we have to be positioned to be competitive. And that's based on price." The PUC also may issue the city a certificate of convenience and necessity. Bryan has a cer- tificate for all Brazos County and a 16 -year compromise and settle- ment agreement with College Station that expires next July. Among the 16 rejected power proposals were those from the city of Bryan and Destec Energy of Houston, both of whom made it to the final stage. Bryan was rejected because of higher projected power costs — $85 million over five years — less flexible terms and the assump- tion of cost reductions at debt -rid- den TMPA, officials said. Had Bryan been chosen, it would have ended the two cities' long dispute over service territ04 ry and settled the lawsuit Bryan filed in July 1994. "The issue isn't intergovern- mental relations, it's cost of power," Noe said. Bryan Mayor Lonnie Stabler said he thought the two cities would be able to work out a uni- form rate agreement, but College Station councilmen said they had to vote for a proposal that saved money and was the best value for residents. "We just haven't been able to get the numbers as close as we want" with Bryan, said Councilman Hub Kennady. "We just want the best value for the dollar." Although Destec's five -year cost projection was $72 million, some $ million lower than Texas Utilities', it was rejected because the company currently has no electric power customers and could be sensitive to price changes, officials said. A memo to staff by city of Bryan util- ities director Dan Wilkerson sugge$ts It was politics, not just price, t Influenced College Station's decision o choose Texas Utilities over Bryan provide its power: !The truth is that the argument �. service territory was the real dill - ence," be wrote Sept ;15 , to B _ ► Utilities employees. �. "As late as 6:30 pm. (Sept 19) we wc re r pold if we. would give .,College ! Station x,000 acres of service territory; basic - ty =contract., west, they would give � Ithe contract•• , • Two weeks ago, Bryan Mayor Iu e '",Stabler told a packed College Stati n' : T;dty council meeting - he was disappo t. ; .ed the city had chosen•T'exas Utiliti , l: `amot: Bryan Utilities, as its new: pov er tprovider' But Stabler said there were no hard feelings, adding goodwill and joint von- "•: I tares with Bryan's neighbor would continue.. College Station councilmen said the -, TU, proposal was -a better deal and offered more attractive renewal . options to the city. The memo went on to say service I er- ritory was 'Just too valuable" to gve up and, besides, 'most of the customers want to stay with us." Wilkerson also said the power vey College Station commissioned ve inaccurate flndings..,._ 'The true numbers were -t$at. power would cost College Station .55 million over four years and TU s was $82.47 million," the memo • said,' "I think it is important for ' you U employees) to know that you work f a highly competitive utility that compete with the largest utility in e ' state, and that the only thing that t us is local politics"' Mike Conduff, Bryan's city said Wilkerson's internal memo posted on a city hall bulletin from which someone probably a,. copy and sent it out to media, Station city staffers and others. . "( Wilkerson's) intent was tha it would remain an internal memo ng to boost the morale of local employ h "' Conduff said. "It's not reflective of e' stance of the city of Bryan." Wilkerson said the memo's were "guesstimates" that cannot be verified or rejected until Bryan TU's contract with College Station. He said College Station never as ed for dtitribution costs, known as "whee�. Bryan or Texas Municipal wer Agency and, therefore, It guarantee its cost rate. projections accu m anything I wanted them (BU 7 ployees) to know their efArts .weren t in vain Wilk „” ilkOn laid. the s intent • adea how it got Coll tation - city manager Nog said ','''was ; PO In the -tenor 44 034 memo, but added that the Bryan; proposal was.evaluated using th e ,t same criteria as the TU and Destec ? Energy bids. '.. '.''. Noe said he had no idea where the figures .Quoted in the memo - came 8om•and pointed out the a proposals were evaluated by two outsidOiponsuitants:: Burns & .t Mc�D,onn� ell ¢ and McCord En 1 °— {rtainly 'understand their disappointment that they didn't gef,the contract," he said. `But there have to be better ways of building up staff morale than at the expend of the College Station City Coui} Noe sa}� the service temtory issue long a thorn between the two cities and the subject of a law- suit, was just one factor in making a power decision. He said the i leaked memo doesn't alter that decision:,. Noe, Conduff and Stabler all { said the incident is unfortunate and they all pledged the cities would continue to work closely together." ndf ill's finaI's it e remains .' undecided By BRENT ZWERNEMAN Eagle staff writ All's quiet on the landfill front. The Citizens' Advisory Committee; making a recommendation on a new regional landfill site met Wednesday at, the College Station Conference Center and no residents spoke during the public' comments and questions session befor6 the group went into closed quarters to, Landfill discuss possible sites. The meeting was unlike the commit- tee's last in early April, when a group of northeast county residents from near From A9 the Edge community, led by County Commissioner Sandie Walker, told the. committee they didn't want the proposed `: Angelo added he and several square -mile landfill built near them. others met with Bryan resident Bill Angelo, executive director of the Gene Stevens to further discuss Brazos Valley Solid Waste Management the use of the Navasota Mining Agency, did say at Wednesday's meeting: plant in Carlos for the landfill. that the committee added a new member: Stevens had said at the last -- County Commissioner Randy Sims. meeting: "We've got an opportu- Sims said he came on board to be a liar nity for a regional disposal area son with the county's rural areas, gnci over there. I can design it myself that he had served on the Bryat 1`ltse_ -- . a ti ..,o Council the last time the ,commtn dity Angelo said the group Bay needed to find a Ian= site. Stevens a more - detailed explana- He said part of his role will be to play tion on why the area wasn't eoo- "devil's advocate" to some of the sugges- nomically feasible for landfill use tions made during the closed -door meet- and that Stevens suggested the ings. I committee put its explanation in The meetings are closed to•keep prop- writing, which Flo said he erty prices down in the areas considered, planned to do. Angelo said. The committee `must decide on One given by whether it will recommend just one site Angelo for not considering the Carlos site included the fact that the f or several' to the Bryan and College 'recom- the mine is neat r water Station city councils, and that mendation should come within the next supply, which said would couple of meetings, Angelo said:' ' require a 30-foot clay layer to pro- tect the water. Please see LAN FILL, page A The committee said it has iden- C COLLEGE STATION City Council /Position 1, Councilman Bill Fox vs. George Wier — Fox is com- ple9g a one -year term on the council and his on -the -job training has been extensive. He has worked toward making the city budget easily understandable by the citizens of College Station. He has done a fine job and there is no reason to change. The Eagle recommends a vote for Bill Fox for city council. Position 5, Councilman David Hickson vs. Dennis Maloney - Hickson is finishing up his first two -year term, durin D. which he chaired the Citizens Advisory Committee that developed the uccessful March bond package. He has served the citizens well. The Raele rec- ommends a vote for David Hickson for city council. School Board Place 3, Brian Barrett vs. Larry Johnson vs. Patricia Neely — This is one of those races when you wish you could vote for all of the candidates. But Larry Johnson has worked closely with the schools on various law enforcement issues and would bring a badly needed per- spective to the board. The Eagle recommends a vote for I ark Johnson for school board. U Place 4, Trustee Kent Moore vs. Mark H. Weichold Moore is finishing up his first three -year term. Many people are unhappy with his vote against health textbooks, but they shouldn't let that one vote decide the race for them. Moore has been a conscientious, dedicated trustee and deserves another term. The Eagle recommends a vote for Kent Moore forhool trustee. Place 5, W.J. ' Bill" Batchelor vs. Trustee Jim Hughes —Hughes also is completing his first term. He has been faithful in attendance at board meetings, arriving prepared and ready to discuss the issues. He points with pride to the many accomplishments of the past three years, including a smooth change in superintendents, implementation of a year -round school pilot program, acceleration of site -based manage- ment and a seven - period day at the high school. The Eagle recommends a vote for Jim Hughes for school board. School Bonds The district held what had to be the most complete and open forum leading up to the call for a $49.5 million bond issue. Each school campus had a committee of parents, teachers, administrators and community members who studied the various needs of that particular school. The recommendations from each campus went to separate elementary and secondary committees which combined them into district -wide propos- als. From there, they went to a district -wide committee which made recommendations to the school board. Because of this process, there is a sense of ownership, a sense that the bond issue is what is best for the children and for the community as a whole. There has been come criticism of the decision to renovate and expand A &M Consolidated High School to accommodate 2,500 s nts. The time for such criticism was during the committee process lier this year. We are convinced the expansion of the high school s the best, most cost - effective option available to the district for the ne3i t c ecade or t so. No question the bond issue is expensive, but trustees hav worked to keep the required 'tax increases as low as possible. i The Eagle recommends a vote for the bond issue and for the accom- panying change in the tax cap necessary to ensure the sale of the bonds. Hickson retains Place 5 on council By BRENT ZWERNEMAN Eagle staff writer Dgvid Hickson said vo on turned him to College Station City Council Place 5 because he doesn't have any pet projects and he wants what's good for the entire city. Growing up here didn't hurt, he added. "I've seen the city grow and I have an idea of where we need to be going,' he said. Hickson defeated Dennis Mal- oney 1,661 votes to 1,128, or 60 per- cent to 40 percent. Hickson said during the cam- HICKSON paign that doing something right takes time, and the College Station Place 5 incum- bent added his time on city council has been well spent. "I've put in a lot of hours," he said, adding that he usually spends 20 -30 a week on council business. "If you're going to do justice to the city, you have to be willing 'o put in the time. - __ - Hickson, 39, spent part of those nights chairing the Citizen's Advisory Committee that made the .,: iginal $22 million worth of recommendations for the recent bond election in which all propositions passed. He said his big emphasis on council now will be to make sure the bond projects are carried through. He said he will continue to push the city's economic development to "help fill up the business park." One of the bond group's recommendations that was eventually killed by the council because of public outcry — a proposed Welsh Street extension through an old neighborhood south of Texas A &M— brought Hickson his opponent. Maloney - fsa Welsh Street resident who- said -old neighborhoods aren't well- represented by the council. Maloney said Saturday his mission in the council race has been achieved. "Our mission was to raise the conscious of the city council concerning the importance of pro- tecting our neighborhoods," he said. Of his race he said, "It's been fun, it's been inter- esting, and I've learned a lot." Hickson just completed his first two -year term, and he said it wasn't until his second year that he believed he started making a big contribution to the council. "You really feel like you start having input," he said. Hickson said his business experience — he owns CIC Agency and two other area businesses — helps in understanding city business. Hickson said he doesn't "mind putting his two cents in" on issues. He added that he has fought for any programs but is willing to cut budgets when necessary. For example, Hickson said the council will try to cut the city's budget by 3 percent for Uhe next fiscal year. Hickson said it's important for the council to pro- ject the results of its actions 10 or 15 y ars d:;wn the road, and that the city should work with the city of Bryan, the Chamber of Commerce transportation committee and the Texas Department of Transporta- tion to build north -south routes to help alleviate traffic. It's going tc take a coordinated effort," he said. C� pro tem re- elected r: College Station Mayor Pro Tom Lynn McIIhaney returns to f4ty council after receiving 2,350 votes in Saturday's election. McUhaney was unopposett to the Places race McDhaney says she has three main council projects for her next term: helping to implement the Carver Governance Policy, to finalize the city's strategic issues and to implement an easier-to- read mrf6rm —,rim— b m-A bu- ',^^ -,t. McIlhaney, 46, is a homemaker. -- - - iirins Uq..Uity '',Voters on Saturday reaffirmed Bill f ' r Pox's belief that he has unfinished busi- ness on the College Station City Council. "Certainly this is a vote of confi- dence," he said of his Place 1 victory over George Wier. "We've got a lot of unfin- ished business and returning to office is something I look forward to." Fox had 2,012 votes to Wiea''s 535, or 79, percent to 21 percent. Wier said the results didn't surprise him. "I m not as well known as he is," he said of Fox, and then added: "I think I coancit election had a real good opponent — topnotch. He ran a good campaign and I've always . been behind him." Fox said during the campaign that when he came on the council he had a "commitment to maintain a positive - growth environment" while tempering that with a concern for things like exist- ing neighborhoods. Fox, the director of engineering and operations at the Texas Municipal Power Agency plant, also said when he first arrived on the council he had a hard time understanding the city's budgeting. 1 J ■. I narrow c n< ByBRENT ZWERNEMAN ing more about Eagle staff writer , grouq0s and ti Consulting f c it College Station's nationwide search for Associates of l'1 a ci ' cot a city manager has been narrowed to six cil in its search, an narrowed to Six t candidates, including three now holding original 80 applicants. jobs in Texas. The council is , now interviewing i College Station's interim city manager, candidates and shdifld ,la , done toga Tom Brymer, is one of the finalists. said city spokesman �Gallil$xn. "The city council and 1 feel that we Finalists are: Brymer. He's served have a strong group of candidates from assistant city manager in Co11egQ.$tati which to select our next city manager," since 1989 and previously seed said Mayor Larry Ringer. "I: look for - Lockhart's and Gilmer' s manag ward to meeting each of them and learn- He also was Bryan's assist to the c l 1M -SIX.. ns: rym� a tgr tion , $oifihe it of igi{i th' deltas and ei bachelor kS frbmNorthern l]lirnois University. }. 9 VV. Jackson, city administrator ldslL ety. �Mo., since 1990. He bas. been Coon Rapf Minn .end of positions with the of DWJas.. He 'received a master of lie. ...administration;y: from the tsity of Kan4znd:a bachelor of ire from Miami Unive see MANAUR, page Manager From Al ■Charles McNeely, most recently assistant general man- ager for finance and human resources with the East Bay Municipal Utility District in Oak- land. His experience includes 10 years as city manager of Seaside, Ca., and several positions, including assistant to the city manager, with Palo Alto, Ca. McNeely received both his master and bachelor degrees from the University of Kansas. ■Susan R- Thorpe, assistant city manager in Tracy, Ca., since 1993. Thorpe's experience includes assistant city manager in Midland, budget and research director for the city of Lubbock, and many administrative posi- tions with the city of Odessa. She received both a masher of public administration and a - bachelor of arts in political •science from the' University of North Texas. ■C. Robert Stripling, city man- ager of Colleyville since 19%. Stripling has been Town Manager. in Blacksburg, Va., assistant city manager in Charlottesville, Va., and town manager in Colonial Beach, Va. He has a master of business administration from the University of Virginia and a bachelor of business administm- tion from Texas Tech University.. ■George K. Noe, director of management services for the city of San Antonio since 1989. Noe previously served as deputy city manager in Fort Collins, Colo., and as city manager In Kingsville. Noe has a bachelor of arts In polit- ical science and English from St.., Mary's University. O R r i ng center_to__open By BRENT ZWERNEMAN A (get rid of their oiL' 'Eagle staff writer v The gew center, enclosed by a con- I Crete berm and covered by a shed, is What event offers free oil drain con- open to Brazos County residents, tainers to its fast 500 visitors? c; though: Gibson said about 10 area busi- It could only be the grand opening of ^i nesses 41so take oil and filters. the city of College Station Public Used The recycling center is for residents Motor oil and Filter Recycling Center with five gallons of oil or less, Gibson at 10 a-m�. Wednesday. said, and not for business use. The event takes place at the Public A log must be signed by all users, she Services Center, 2613 Texas Ave. S., � ; added. -, behind the College Station Police? A Motor oil and filters are banned from Department. landfills under recent state law and it is The free containers are courtesy oL _illegal. to dump used motor oil on the the Brazos Valley Solid Waste ground, down the drain, or anywhere Management Agency, and refresh- else, Gibson said, and she added recy- ments Will follow the ceremony in con- ,cling is the only proper method of dis- junctioq with National Drinking Water ' posal. Week, end recycling coordinator Katie . Through this new center the city of Gibson.. _—College Station hopes to help inform the "The center is. for do-it- yourselfers to -public on the importance of protecting drop o$' their oil," Gibson said. She '!; resources and recycling motor oil added the current barrels fill each and filters, she said. weekend but a new 450 -gallon tank Mayor Larry Ringer will attend the should give more people the chance to ceremony at the new center. 1 C k- %W166999 a NAM WIM Lincoln Center i9ders hope for area youth The Lincoln Recreation Center is com- mitted to providing quality educational experiences for youth, deterring gang vio- lence, promoting cultur- ally enriched programs, and recreational oppor- tunities. Cheletia Johnson, a recreation assistant, developed a theme which provides the foundation for most pro- grams at the center. KIMMIE HABTEMICHEAL The theme, "Children Today, Our Hope for Tomorrow," inspires and challenges staff to explore avenues which will instill self confidence, self esteem, self discipline, resourcefulness, and a sense of belonging among the members of the center and the overall community. The staff is seeking innovative pro- grams which foster participation from adults, young adults, Texas A &M University Students, Lincoln former stu- dents, and senior citizens. A Homecoming Week that is being planned will focus on the Old Lincoln High School. Former students with histor- ical information are encouraged to con- tact Cheletia Johnson. Upcoming activities include an adult fit- ness program, Opportunities Job Fair, and workshops which address job search and interview techniques. The Lincoln Center works closely with. the College Station Boys & Girls Club and supports their mission of assuring and enhancing the quality of life for youth. The club offers diversified program activ- ities in six areas: personal and education- al development. citizenship and leader= . ship development, social recreation, cul- tural enrichment, health and physical education, and outdoor and environmen- tal education. A SMART Moves program, which, emphasizes the importance of sayingi "NO" to alcohol, drugs, and premature sexual activity, is currently being present- ed to the youth, staff, and volunteers by Paula Madison, the recreation assistant for the club. The Boys & Girls Club will be open a.m. - 5 p.m. during the summer and metnft- bership is $8.00 for youth ages 6 - 1$.y Activities are provided free to members.r:,t, Tutorials will continue thro out t1w) summer, and anyone who n assist,, tance should contact Karen Mitc ell. y.; i The community is invited to a end the Lincoln Center's Juneteenth bration 1 on Saturday, June 17. The gu st speaker, for the evening program Hugh l MCElroy, Associate Director Human, Resources, Texas A &M Univeri Entertainment will be pr) ded by "Eugene- Eugene." This years J eteenth Celebration will be dedicated in 'memory of the late Lillian Jean Clark Robinson, a very devoted, admired, and beloved super- visor of the Lincoln Center. Lillian served as a true model f dedica- tion and commitment. She work toward improving the community an ressed a deep concept for the well -be' of those whose lives she came in contact With. The community is asked to wear gold in honor of all the golden years Lillian dedi- cated to the center, her church, the com- munity, and especially to the yo th. A basketball tournament wil precede the celebration, and anyone W.9hing to enter a team should conga Lance Jackson, the evening supervisor between 6pm -9pm. To date, the Lincoln Recrea Center serves six local organizatioita College Station Boys & Girls Club, B s County Health Department, BVCAA ears for , Profit, IRS VIPS, Lincoln Former Students, and Juvenile and Adult Probation. The center holds three special events Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration; Black History Program, and Juneteenth . Each program brings attendance of more than 200 people. The Lincoln Center is available for rentals for social gatherings, meetings, and parties. The BVCAA Years for Profit (Senior Citizens) meet Monday - Friday�'8rom 8:30 tiyr p a.m. 12:30 p.m., and they acarticl- pate in games, arts and craft, d exert cases. A healthy meal is provided far all IT) attendance over the lunch hour. For more 4 information contact Emily S tl r` 764 -3750. The Lincoln Center currently offers the following programs: Monday - Tuesday Night Half Court Volleyball 7 - 9 p.m. Wednesday Night Full Court, Basketball 7 -9 p.m. Thursday Night Movie Matinee "12 under" 7 p.m. The Center is in need of softball equi ment for the summer softball league Please contact the center at 7643779 if your can assist us in obtaining this equip ment >, HOURS OF OPERATION: r MONDAY - FRIDAY 8 A.M. - 9 P.M. SATURDAY 9 A.M. - 5 P.M. * , SUNDAY 3 P.M. -6 P.M. Kimmie Habtemicheal is the supervisor of the Lincof Center. ii<: ByBRENT ZWERNEMAN Eagle staff writer anne `loge Station residents get the chance to air their views on annexation when city council holds the first in a series of public hearings 3 p.m. Wednesday in the council chambers. City Planner Jane Kee said she will reftwh the council about the proposed annexation areas at the hearing, tell of possible land uses in those areas, and discuss their fiscal impact on the city. She also will present College Station's plan of how the city will provide some services to the areas within 60 days of their potential annexation. The staff had named the areas last fall but the council postponed the annexa- tion because of a lawsuit filed by Bryan against College Station, until the coun- cil in March directed the staff to contin- ue the proceedings. Negotiations with the city of Bryan regarding the 1980 Compromise and Settlement Agreement lawsuit filed by Bryan last summer haven't been suc- cessful to date, said Interim City Manager Tom Brymer. ' 'Because we couldn't come to any res- ol lion, we decided to continue with our annexation plans," Brymer said. cyan sued- College Station because Bryan lost actual and potential cus- tomers to College Station's annexa- tions. Additionally, Bryan officials believe the 16 -year contract between the cities allowing it is not valid. While the annexation process moves forward, that doesn't mean an out-of court settlement still can't be reached, Brymer added. Other College Station annexation public hearings are set for 7 p.m. Thursday, May 25, and 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 21. The annexation ordinances will be considered at the June 21 meeting. The areas considered are all general- ly south of College. Station. They include about 2,100 acres north of n� Prairie Road and west of Texas ue, 960 acres east of Texas Avenue south of Rock Prairie Road, 745 here FNI 60 and the future Texas intersect, and 110 acres east of :1 near the Koppe Bridge Bar & to September, an overflow crowd the Nantucket and Woodlake neighborhoods opposed the con- s ion of their areas for annexation, the council decided not to add ubdivisions to the list. e residents were concerned their lifestyle would be altered if ere added to the city, and Kee he expects other residents to k at the upcoming public hearings. ge Station studies the need for i le annexation every year, said k"man Peggy Calliham, and a ded the city has several reasons it considered these areas for ble agreement, College Station takes over the electrical service of annexed areas after paying a fair market value for the services. The agreement expires in 1996 and so the city will look at areas with a high development potential and the need for land use control so College Station can, as much as possible, avoid growing into areas where the city cannot provide full city services. ELand use control. Growth manage ment in road systems, utility infra structure and zoning are needed it areas around the city. EClear boundaries are needed Pockets of unannexed land within the city limits do not allow for ease of ser vice delivery and lower service costs. MExtra- territorial jurisdiction cus tomers receive city services outside the city limits. A drain on revenues occur, when some residents outside the cit! limits receive an equal portion of cit, services while paying a disproportion ate low fee. I R annexation. iExpiration of the Compromise and Settlement Agreement. Under the � I 0_114 weeks of the semester because that period is so critical to their basi- ness for the year." r r" On March 25, College Station , , citizens . :`.. .will h ahead with the second. ;step of the Northgate revitalization. Proposi -. - JUST .SAY "I SAW,[r, Northgate 6 7 considered would have Patricia` Street ns behind the Dixie Chicken and other frontage on -University Drive, blocked off d Into a pedestrian -only area. - well Northgate. Other hoped -for im- :et to provements include installing brick cedes- sidewalks and period lights similar Ae of to those found in downtown Bryan. By BRENT ZWERNEMAN Eagle staff writer It's time for another compre LL v exam in College Station. "College Station has gone to the lin of its current comprehensive plan," City Planner Jane Kee. The city of College Station will hol public meeting 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the College Station Conference Center to get resident input about the new com re- hensive plan. The city hired the consulting Hellmuth, Obata and Kassabaum Inside • For related editorial /All • Fo'r'a related story /C3 assist and make recommendations the plan. The city also placed a resident sw in The Eagle to find out what the pu consider Tsome of the city's strenr and weaknesses and, particularly, to for the top issues that should be cor eyed. Some of the categories to be considi include transportation, quality of planning and zoning, neighborho commercial/retail, Texas A&K ps utilities apd city services. The consultant will at the meeting ■ Introduce the consulting team the scope of the project. • Go over the survey results. • Present a survey of existing cc tions. ■ Present issue areas that 1 become apparent thus far. ■ Present opportunities and straints discovered thus far. ■ Begin to develop a series of goals objectives to serve as the philosop] basis for the comprehensive plan. The meeting is an excellent chano residents to beoorne involved in ] ning College Station's future, Kee as I * io L E DATE: Mol.,Q Z1 College Sta�ion folks can. help in planning city Eagle Editorial Board I n many ways, a city is like a house. Its public buildings perhaps are like a living room, where people can are to exchange ideas and news of the day. Its neighborhoods are like the bedrooms, quiet places where we can retreat from the hustle and bustle of the day. Its parks and green spaces are like our back yards. And, of course, there are some areas that are like our overfull garages, places we keep meaning to clean up some day but never quite get around to. We all want our houses to be comfortable, to be safe, to be up-to-date, to meet the needs of growing families. Meeting those requirements doesn't just happen, though. It takes planning and effort if we are to end up with the house we desire. The same is true of a city. Cities can and will grow without any guidance, but we may not be happy with the end results. Proper planning is needed if the city we call home is to develop the way we desire. To that end, College Station is beginning the process to develop its first new comprehensive plan since 1980. The consulting firm of Hellmuth, Obata, and Kassabaum has been hired and has done some preliminary studies of the city and its surroundings. i oil fm er ished, the comprehensive plan will sv a blueprint for city development in the comi if years. Like all blueprints, it is subject to ch ir ge as conditions change or as the public desir m It still serves as a goal for people to meet & i they continue to build College Station. t ovember, College Station ran a survey in The Eagle to determine what residents felt are city's strengths and weaknesses and the o t pressing issues facing the city in the com g years. Among the areas identified are trans ortation, quality of life, planning and zonir g, neighborhoods, commercial /retail, Te , parks, utilities and city services. If Y X want to be a part of shaping your city, your h me, you have an opportunity to be heard. The city will hold a public meeting at 6:30 p. . Tuesday at the College Station Conference Center at 1300 George Bush Drive. The consulting firm and city officials need to know what is important to you as they plan for the future. You can have a voice in shaping the direction College Station takes in the next 10-15 years, ut only if you take the time to make your vo ce heard. For further information, call city planner Jane Xee at 764,4570. Better yet, plan on attend- ing Tuesday night's meeting. You won't be sorry lu did N-1 DA'C'E: M_ (t CS narrows the list or''city manage S By BRENT ZWERNEMAN Eagle staff writer The College Station City Council has narrowed its number of city manager candidates to two, and Interim City Manager Tom Brymer isn't on the list. "I fully support the council's preroga- tive in choosing the candidate they feel is best for the community at this time," Brymer said Thursday, and he added he plans to return to his assistant city man- ager position and "looks forward to.. working with the new city manager." Brymer was one of six finalists the city named earlier this month. Gary W. Jackson, city administrator in Liberty, Mo., and George K. Noe, management services director for the city of San Antonio, are the two finalists. The coun- cil has asked that they return with their spouses for a second interview. "I'm very excited about the possibility , of working in College Station," Jackson, said Thursday, and he added the city council's professionalism impressed him when he interviewed for the job. Please see LIST, page A8 Noe couldn't be reached Thursday. The new city manager replaces Ron Ragland, who left office last October. Jackson has been Liberty city administrator since 1990. He has been city manager in Coon Rapids, Minn., and has had sev- eral positions with the city of Dallas. He received a master of ) 1995 public administration degree from the Univ rsity of Kansas and a bachelor of science degree from Miami UnIversity. Noe has been San Antonio's management rvices director since 1989. H previously served as deputy city manager in Fort Collins, Colo.; ind as city man- ager in Kings ille. Noe has a bachelor of in political sci- ence and Engl degree from St. Mary's Univers ty. Brymer hasi, n assistant city manager in Co ege Station since 1989 and previously served as Lockhart's and Gilmer's city manager. He also was Bryan's assistant to the city manager and was administrative assistant in Richardson. Other finalists were Charles McNeely, most recently assistant general manager for finance and human resources with the East Bay Municipal Utility District in Oakland; Susan K. Thorpe, assis- tant city manager in Tracy, Ca., since 1993; and C. Robert Stripling, city manager of Col - leyville since 1990. The council hopes to make a decision by May and have the position filled by July. Consulting firm Ralph Anderson. & Associates of Dallas helped the council in its search DAVE: Ron Schmidt, left, and Jane Kee were honored by the Leadership Brazos group Wednesday in Bryan. Mau 18.I9-0S eading the B -C$ community into the future By BRENT ZWERNEMAN Eagle staff writer Red Cashion says it's important to laugh at yourself. The Bryan resident and NFL referee Mid once at a game in Cleveland he tripped on a chain and fell in the mud. His yellow flag flew out of his pocket, and then a dog took off with it across the fi Id. He said one of his favorite moments is "(basing that dog and realizing all 78,000 ple were cheering for me." Two others were cheered Wednesday at the Leadership Day Luncheon, where Cashion was guest speaker, not for a comical moment but for years of giving to Leadership Brazos and the Co lege Station City Planner Jane Kee and Texas Commercial Waste owner Ron Schmidt were given Leadership B Alumni Association awards. Ke a earned the Alumni Association Aw and Schmidt received the Td ity Service Award from ip Brazos. ship Brazos is an annual pro- train the community's future The Alumni Association Award is given to an alumni for outstanding leadership and service in support of the Leadership Brazos Alumni Association. The Community Service Award is green to an alumni member for out- standing service, distinguished leader- ship, and significant contributions to the community, city; state and/or nation. ' Kee is a past president of the Leadership Brazos Alumni Association and is a 1985 Leadership Brazos gradu- ate. She's been employed by the city of College Station since 1979 and has two sons, Alex and Chris. Schmidt, ' also a past Leadership Brazos president, has served two terms as president of both Brazos BeautiM and the Boys and Girls Club of Brazos Valley. He's a former Baylor University football player and a Marine who served in Vietnam. Eagle photo/Went Zwerneman e crow f1i By BRENT ZWERNEMAN Eagle staff writer O.J. Beard Jr. doesn't want his property annexed by he city of College Station. But if it is, he has a question: "Am I going to be able to shoot the crows if they come teal my pecans?". Beard, 13813 Renee Lane, was one of 14 people who poke against their property's potential annexation at a Nedn -sday public hearing held by the city council and tions, and an overflow crowd filled bers. Most of the residents spoke of feir lifestyle coming to an end if the cit land. Robert Weir, 5650 Raymond Sol helped take a poll in their area an answers, "we finally got one for [tho , Weir added: "We're going to be p11t don't want ... with services we don't Annex From Al i City Planner Jane Kee said the city's newest residents, if annexed, would have to pay prop- erty taxes and a garbage fee, but that it was too soon for the city to extend utilities like water and sewer to the area, so they would not yet have to pay for those ser- vices. The areas considered are all generally south of College Station. They include about 2,100 acres north of Greens Prairie Road and est of Texas Avenue, 960 acres east of Texas Avenue and south of Rock Prairie Road, 745 acres where FM 60 and the future Texas 7 will intersect, and 110 acres t of FM 2154 near the Koppe ridge Bar & Grill. Other College Station annexa- public hearings are set for 7 .m. May 25 and 5:30 p.m. June 21. The city has called a special ublic hearing for 6 p.m. May 30 Hope Evangelical Free Church use of a petition in opposition to the potential annexations cir- culated in the Texas 47 and FM 60 area. ping dol r� "We all moved to the country to getout of the city." Mary Oprisko, 2475 Barron Rd., said when the fire ants get bad, her dog Fuzzy likes to sleep in the middle of the road, and area residents know about Fuzzy's habit. But when the city annexes the property, she said, the dog catcher will snatch up Fuzzy. Others said they simply did not want to pay taxes on services they don't need, like water and sewer. Please see ANNEX, page A8 The council will consider the annexation ordinances at the June 21 meeting. City officials said the main rea- sons they considered these areas for annexation are: ■Expiration of the Compro- mise and Settlement Agreement with the city of Bryan. Under the agreement, College Station takes over the electrical service of annexed areas after paying a1air- market value for the services. The Bement expires in 1996 and so city will look at areas with a development poten- tial and need need for land use con- trol so ge Station can, as much as ssible, avoid growing into areas where the city cannot provide full city services. ■ ndl use control. Growth manag nt in road systems, utility rastructure and zoning are need in areas around the city. MCI boundaries are needed. Pocket$ unannexed land within the city limits do not allow for ease of service delivery and lower service costs. ■Extra - territorial jurisdiction customers receive city services outside the city limits. A drain on revenues occurs when some resi- dents outside the city limits receive an equal portion of city services while paying a dispro- portionately low fee. nuwuy w Sanders6 e in the welcome and extend a big howdy to our new friends and neighbors. Farms Eagle Editorial Board ® W W hile hardly a surprise, Wed - nesday's announcement that Sanderson Farms has chosen the Brazos Valley for its new chicken operation is good news, indeed. The 1,400 jobs the company says it eventually will have at its Bryan and Franklin locations offer hope for people who want to work but can't d employment for their skills. Sanderson Farms will build a $50 million plant next to he Brazos County Industrial Park and a $6.5 million hatchery in the Bryan Industrial Park. A $ il- :; l lion feed mill will be built near Franklin. The company expects to begin operations with one shift ii t the spring of 1997, expanding to i s sec- ond shift a few months later. A chicken plant may not I e t the most glamorous industry i i t the country, but it is a solid b ' ir e ess that can only grow stronger t the demand for low -fat chicken meat continues to build. That 400 people showed at the Brazos Center for Wees- day's announcement is an hid ca- tion of how welcome Sanderson Farms is to Bryan- College Station and to the Brazos Valley. We join in the welcome and extend a big howdy to our new friends and neighbors. v ad buI From Al its full processing capacity of 1.2 million birds per week. "I think we'll ily have that much [grower] interest, plus some more," ell said. Cockrell said the company hasn't decided if it will build an employee day care center at the new plant like the one at its "it aepenas on the nmu, nu said "If there's a need, we'll put one in." I Outgoing B -CS Economic Development Corp. president John Anderson said Sanderson Farms' decision to locate here was the result of work by lit - ical, local and civic officials here and in Austin. "From the beginning, this was a cooperative effort," he said. "We're going to have a lop la- tionship with this comp ar> 71hey have a reputation of being Established in 1955, Sanderson Farms now has 5,000 employees at five plants in Mississippi and Louisiana and an annual payroll of $73 million. It has about 580 contract chicken growers. The company produces a range of, chicken products and other probessed foods. The firm has been traded on the NASDAQ over - the - counter stock exchange since 1987. Annual sales in 1994 totaled $372 million and net progts were $15.5 million. Sales are, projected to top $400 mil- lion tho year. 4+ w waaau.uc. Texas Agriculture Commis- sioner Rick Perry was among dignitaries at the Brazos Center for the announcement. As he and Sanderson shook hands, the commissioner grasped the Sanderson Farms president in a bear hug. Incoming B -CS EDC president Mervin Peters also spoke at the announcement, paying tribute also to the hard work involved in bringing Sanderson Farms to the community. Bryan- College Station's central location and its access to 14 mll- lion Texans ithin a 200-mile, radius wei$ ey factors in the firm'sloca ' decision. "We be ' Texas offers a unique op nity for the next phase of for Sanderson Farms," S d son said. "We are excited abo t locating this com- plex in th is a and growing market." Wake Up a r I filled and_`p / roudto be in Tex The huge chicken - processing company Sanderson Farms is mov- ing into Bryan with the promise of more than 1,400 jobs and a $68 mil- " lion boost to the Brazos County economy. The official announcement was made Wednesday before more than 400 people crowded into the Brazos Center in Bryan.' "This is a very special day for all of us and it's a very impressive gathering here in Texas," Joe Sanderson Jr., president of the Laurel, Miss. -based company, told; the crowd. "We are thrilled and proud to be in Texas, and we'll be prouder yet when we're considered Texans." The Sanderson announcement was likely one of the worst -kept secrets in town. Cryptic notices were sent out two weeks ago invit- , ing people to "an announcement that is of special economic signifi- fall and its is planned to open for left, Joe SAnderson Jr., president aril cance to The Brazos Valley." business March i, 1997. utive; officer of Sanderson` Farms, But it . was not until Wednesday A first plant line shift of 350 peo- Wednesday from Texas De02rtment of Agr that the company's top executives ple will start in spring 1997, with a Commissioner Rick Perry after Sant and Brazos County economic devel- second shift to be added a couple of announcement of the chicken- processing opment officials would confirm the months later. Sanderson Farms ny's plan to build 3 plants in Brazos details. Sanderson Farms had been look. said employment will eventually rise to 1,400. -: Above, i Commissioner Gary ing at the region for more than one The company has not yet signed ak eeinct (left) shes.5anderson's hand is Bryar Lonnie Stabler looks on at the news conf year before deciding Bryan- College contracts with independent chick- Station was the best site for its en producers, who it expects will Texas expansion. spend about $55 million on building Sanderson said B -CS has "a con - pullet, broiler and hen farms. r µ fluence of all vital factors, which Sanderson Farms officials have '. made our decision easier." spent the last three weeks inter. The company will build a $50 mil- viewing 100 or more interested i lion plant on 350 acres next to the farmers, and they will take many of Brazos County Industrial Park, them to view its McComb, Miss. P hotographs including a $3 million waste water operations, said the company's plant. A $6 million to $6.5 million treasurer Mike Cockrell. hl V hatchery will be built in the Bryan He said the new plant needs 70 Business Park. A $7 million feed- contract growers to begin its Bryan Butch Ireland mill is due for construction on operations, and that number will Texas 79, about six miles east of double once the plant is running at Franklin. Plant rnnetnirtinn hapim in the Please see SANDERSON. page A8 ' A DATE: r I Help design your, aty atlY�sday lyi 2-II lqq You would never embark upon building a new home aid leave the design and N y ut to someone else i out your input. 0 A Have you everI somewhere and thought, "How nice it would be to live here ?" What was it about that place that was so appealing, so attractive? Whatever it was, do you think It was coincidence, that things had been left to chance, or do you think it was because someone cared, someone bothered to plan? Was it because the people who live there real- ized that quality of life is up to them and can be achieved? Quality is achieved when r people take time to become involved and to share ideas about how and Jane K ee what they want their communi- ty to become. You would never embark upon build- ing a new home and leave the design and layout to someone else without your input You know the importance of voting so that your ideas and values can be rep- resented by those ou elect to govern The same goes for planning. You should never let your city government determine the fubire of your community without your input Residents of College Station have a very important opportuni- ty to become involved and work- toward quality this next week and over the next several months. Mark Tuesday evening on your caleh- dar and then read on. The city of College Station entered into a contract with a worldwide consult- ing firm last August to develop a new Plan for College Station. %e city staff and appointed and elect ftcials will use this plan to make deci- i about where things go, from new s to shopping centers to neighbor- s to churches. The months since last ist have been spent doing an invento- ' everything that is in College Station everything that is within a four -mile outside the city. the consultants also began gathering oration from the public, and elected appointed officials, in the form of views and through a newspaper sur hat ran in the Eagle on Nov. 6,1994. (I Id like to thank everyone who Dnded to the newspaper.survey. Your is greatly appreciated.) It is now time for the Consultants to e with all of us the results of what found and to begin discussions about re we want to go with our communi- master plan. Dn Tuesday evening there will be a anunity Meeting at the College Ion Conference Center on George i Drive at 6:30 p.m. Everyone is invit- participate. At this meeting the consultants will A= the scope of work they were d to do, they will go over the results of Interviews and survey, they will pre- what they have found from their ntory, and they will present issues have become apparent thus far. Goal statements will be developed and i input from you we can develop a first es of objectives for our future. There be two other community meetings re a final plan is developed this fall, this first one is the most important Remember it is our collective use of planning process that is the only way can achieve quality, correct past mis- s. and hold future errors to a mini- This is your community. This is my imunity. I will be involved. I hope to you there. to Kee is College Station's city planner. DATE: m zit-, ►Gq5 College Station: No one loved it more than did Jim Gardner t Eagle Editorial Board obody loved College Station more than Jim Gardner and probably no one worked harder at helping the city live up to its reputation as a great place to live. When Gardner died on Sunday, the city lost more than a former city councilman,) more than another professor emeritus at Texas A &M It lost somebody with a clear vision of where the city should be heading. Granted, it wasn't a vision that everybody shared, but it was a vision that Jim Gardner could — and would at the drop of a hat — explain and defend at length. Some of his detractors said Gardner was anti - business, but he never saw himself that way. Rather, he didn't think spending city tax dollars on attracting business was a wise investment. Instead, he said, build a thriving, clean, pleasant community and business will flock here on its own. A native of Michigan, Gardner attended the Dearborn School, created by Henry Ford, who was Gardner's sec- ond cousin. That relationship didn't make life easier for young Gardner, but it did teach him a work ethic that served him well over the decades. Gardner served as director of city planning for Stockton, Calif., before joining the staff at Texas A &M University, where he helped create the urban planning department, the fast accredited one in Texas and one of the first in the country. He quickly adapted to life in College Station and became an early advocate for planned and directed growth. He served two terms on the Planning and Zoning Commission before being elected to the fast of two terms on the city council in 1973. He was re- elected in 1987 and served until 1993, when he was $efeated by current Councilman David Hickson. During his tenure, Gardner championed the common- weal. He was a strong supporter of the Wolf Pen Creek development project. He encouraged the city to donate funds to the anti -drug program operated by the Brazos Valley Council on Alcohol and Substance Abuse. He drew up plans for lowering Wellborn road and the rail- road tracks into a trench along the A &M campus. Gardner could be difficult on the council. He wasn't afraid to ask questions and demand answers. He often was the lone dissenting vote on an issue. Although people could disagree with that vote, Chey could never challenge the sincerity of it. Gardner also had a sly sense of humor that belied his sometimes gruff demeanor. Last year, when he was run- ning for the council again at the age of 73, Gardner said his age shouldn't be a consideration. As a councilman, he said, "I don't think there's any heavy equipment I have to operate." Through it all, Gardner remained the most likable of people. His close friend Claude Davis said, "He never had a bad word to say about anyone." Davis said, "He was a grand person, a quality person." We couldn't agree more. College Station feels loss. By BRENT ZWERNEMAN Eagle staff writer The city of College Station lost "the greatest friend the stab' could have" when Jim Gardner died Sunday, a fr iend and associate said. He had his own ideas, and many peo- pie didn't always agree z with those ideas, but you always need peo- ple like that so you can look at all views of a problem," said Elrey GARDNER Ash, the city's director of development services. "Those of us who had the privilege of working with him gained a great deal of respect for him and his other points of view." Gardner, 74, died of natural causes at his home. Inside ■For a related editorial /All He was a former College Station city councilman and a retired Texas A &M professor emeritus, where he taught urban and regional planning. A graveside memorial will be at 10 a.m. Friday in College Station Cemetery. From 1974 to 1977, Gardner served two council terms, then he was elected for three more terms 1987.1993. Gardner also served twice on the city's Planning and Zoning Commission. He influenced many key city ordi- nances, associates said, including one calling for land in new subdivisions to be dedicated for park use. Gardner was one of the founding facul- ty members of the urban and regional planning department at Texas A &Iih, where he served until 1985. . Robert Cornish, a fellow professor emeritus, recently wrote: "He invariably served as a moral compass for the department of urban and regional plan- ning during some very trying times. His unselfish work for decades for toe municipality of College Station, both,on the planning commission and city coup - cil ... tended to mitigate the vested infer - ests which constantly ask for special con- sideration. Survivors include a son, John Gardner; and a daughter, Paula Gardner. C7 N In Town &T Memorial fun of councilmantro f At the request Of ? . Station Councilman .Jinx.; family, - the city has establish Gardner memorial Fund. use e donations f6r a plaque Gardner for hijinore than vice to the Q#Y, as well as . projects in which he was inv Friends of the Library, I -revitalization and Wolf Pean C 1v specified. Please make Es pa ch : Jim. Gardner Memorial either drop off the 0]3a on or send It to: The j' Memorial . Fund, The -City, Station, 1101 S. TexAs . . 1 , , .., L Station, 77842."' 3s 66 or led the Jim. or. Ulay to the . '. Ld and Ity.hall college C: C A nnex site still undec By BRENT ZWERNEMAN about Z, 00 acres north' reens raiz Eagle Staff writer Road east o west of Texas Avenge , p6P;acres exas Avenue : ax�i sq>�t�}�� Rock It's best to delay getting rid of some - Prairi : load, 745 acres ,,here- _FIvI%6 d aui TI0 thing if you might want it later. So the College Station City the fit acres to Texas 47 w antersect, east of FM 21541 peFi q, M goes Council's philosophy on properties rec- Bridg & Grill. ommended for annexation by city staff. ' The f nal College Statigi ;,, exat The council at this week's meeting p earing will be 5;30 p,M, Jamie 21, decided to delay choosing among certain the & Xr a day the council will „cOX*CIW areas proposed for annexation, and the p rties for am*;c4Iq%, Aq(I instead will consider all of the properties city Ia. called a special publieu jl at its June 21 meeting, with the stipula- for 6 p.m. Tuesday at Hope* Evangeliggpi tion that certain areas may be removed F C urch because , of(aopetiWi ri .ki at that time from consideration if the opposition to the potentidl ahimxatioas council so desires. circulated in the Texas 47 'arid `FM 60 People again packed the council chain- area. v ur -' bers in protest to the potential annexa- Th taff at this week's meeting had lions, most from the Texas 47 and FM 60 ack o nly available for the public - 'cAlled, area, much like they did at the first pub- p Co Asked Qtiesti6hs `- About li hearing two weeks ago. Most said they feared a change in the Ann Theptaff tion. attempted t(YAn9werJ-98 queS- country lifestyle if the city annexes their ton s a ut annexation; tribst gathetd at property because the land would then be the ting two weeks agb'. " "`= U subject to city ordinances and possible S taff said the packetsQ' 2lVilat#Ie at rezoning.- The areas considered are all generally - city in the planning de � south of College Station. They include anyo interested. „}.. �11 COLLEGE STATION Recycling is now the only pr oper and legal method'.of Recycling dis sal for motor oil and fiIt r These items are 4 program . bar n d from the landfill _. g& Off fil tem also encourages businesses to recy- cle what they can to avoid payingt,for 7 , -N �] collection and disposal of the recyclable grO un d� materials. 1h Clean Green Yard Waste collec- tion begin for all single -faroy The multi - family, apartment recy- IL horn duplexes in July. d cling pilot program has been operating 0 I Program, clean, stacked i for 10 weeks now wl good participa- sepaCa brush and yard trimmings tion. I will be picked pp on your regularly - In April, several public education scheduled yard waste, bulky item ;rol- events were held and flyers were dis- tributed to the designated units to ecti 1 on day. ?� snake sure that the yard Aste increase awareness and participation. is pfl separately and free ffom The pilot will garb furniture, appliances ;'find continue for six other items, because the clean weeks and y will be taken to the city of yard the amount of Bryan facility to be chipped materials col- or shredded. lected will be . These materials will then be com- totaled Posted into a rich soil amendment, or The results fertilizer called Brazos Valley Biosoils. will be ed to us The best part is that the clean green make r'eq re yar�1 waste will not go to the landfill to man for take space and be wasted. future multi- for the special green trucks family and Katie GIbSO Gibson that' collect your clean green com- that apartment recy- ing your house in July. The green Cling programs. trucks symbolize the recycling of the The pilot included eight complexes green b rush and yard trimmings. with about 1300 units. Citizens can now use the Used Businesses will begin receiving Motor Oil, Filter Recycling Centet_ at their new front -end load Dumpsters' for the Public Services Center, 2613 TOM garbage in June as the city implements Aveh South (on King Cole Drive lust the new automated system fdr our com- beyQ the police department). mercial customers. �2 cling is now the only proper At the same time that the new and l method of disposal for mdtor Dumpsters and trucks go into opera - oil and filters. These items are banned tion, so will the variable or "pay as you from the landfill so you can't put Om throw" rates. in the trash. c Variable rates are a much more fair There are also many local business - and equitable way to charge for garbage that will accept used motor oil and service because business customers a - rn citizens. For more to from te will now only be charged for : the dorma- Lion the nearest recycling garbage they actually generate, not just please a call Public Services at 764 4 -rM. a standard service level. Rates are based on size of Dumpster ■Katie Gibson is College Stations recycling coordinator. and frequency of collection This'sys- College \� By BRENT ZWERNEMAN \ \ Eagle staff writ Grass isn't the only thing growing this summer. The city of College Station sprouted by more than five square miles when the city council annexed about 3,600 acres Wednesday, the fast day of summer. The council did remove about 365 acres in the FM 6o area from the annexation, including about 25 residences. Councilman David Hickson first made the motion to remove all of the proposed FM 6o area property, about 790 acres, but the council included an amendment by Councilman Hub Kennady that put back 425 - -s in the area. nexed area is generally along . side of FM 60, including the feet of Turkey_Creek Road, and Annex From Al "We don't really have anything right now to define how these areas will be treated in the future," Fox said. Ringer said the reason he voted for the annexation with the motion and amendment mainly dealt with controlling the land use of the growing area, where the city would eventually expand anyway. The council included an amendment saying fireworks could be sold on the newly - annexed property for 90 days, in anticipation of July 4. Residents who own $100,000 lots will now have to pay annual prop - erty taxes of $445, and the city said the annexation will not affect property value. The annexed property is zoned Agricultural Open and will remain so, the city said, until a property owner requests rezon- ing. 5 square miles bigger Station the i Bridge Bar & Grill. The riaining acreage includes three scattered single-family residences. Resider is can see maps of the annexed areas in ity hall. The tie ly-annexed area includes five miles of roads, 125 residences, three fra- ternity! h uses and 28 acres of commer- cial de Ve opment. The Ic will provide road mainte- nance Bin police and fire department ser- vices ediately. Onl a few residents spoke at the final public 'h ing before the consideration, but mbr than 50 packed the council chamba in anticipation of the vote. "I'm ing to be on (your) back like ugly oh ape," an upset resident, Bill Patteri3o told the council members before eir final vote. "I want street lights ou there in 60 days, and all kinds Of good stuff." The council voted 4 -3 in favor of the annexation with the motion and amend- ment included, with Mayor Larry Ringer, Kennady, Councilwoman Nancy Crouch and Councilman Larry Mariott voting in favor and Mayor Pro Tem Lynn Mcllhaney, Hickson and Councilman Bill Fox voting against. Resident Robert Weir's land in the FM 60 area wasn't included in the annexa- tion. Weir had spoken out at previous public hearings against the annexations. "Now let's see if they do what they're supposed to for the people they annexed," he said of the city after the final vote. McIlhaney said her main concern was not having a "good rural subdivision" ordinance in place before annexing all of Please see ANNEX, page A5 The rezoning process takes abou two months and the appli- cat o fee is $250. city may initiate property rezoning, but not without notify- ing tie property owner and then holding two public hearings: one bef o r the Planning and Zoning Co fission and one before the city ouncil. city said it will provide sew ?t as new development occurs in the area and developers com- ply with the city's extension poli- cies. Houses will continue to be built with septic systems until a gravity sewer system is provided within 250 feet of the building. Existing systems will be inspected by the county health department on their five -year renewal date. Copies of a city annexation report are available in the plan- ning department_ at city hall. extends about 1,000 feet west of the fliture Texas 47 intersection. The council also annexed 2,100 acres north of Greens Prairie Road and west of Texas Avenue, 960 acres east of Texas Avenue and south of Rock Prairie Road, and 110 acres east of FM 2154, including Dyi HATE: 7u. ne 3 CS council offers answers By BRENT ZWERNEMAN Eagle staff writer Residents who own $100,000 lots in the areas the city of College Station may annex on June 21 will have to pay annual property taxes of $445. This is just one bit of information in a city report called "Commonly Asked Questions About Annexation," the city gave residents attending council meet- ings about the potential annexations. The areas considered are all generally south of College Station. They include about 2,100 acres north of Greens Prairie Road and west of Texas Avenue, 960 acres east of Texas Avenue and south of Rock Prairie Road, 745 acres where FM 60 and the future Texas 47 will intersect, and 110 acres east of FM 2154 near, the Koppe Bridge Bar & Grill. The council may remove certain areas at the time of the 5:30 p.m. June 21 annex- ation consideration, also the day of the last public hearing, in the council cham- bers. The report answered some questions residents posed at past annexation public hearings. Most oppose the potential action. The majority of those in opposition are from the FM 60 area and say they don't want their country lifestyle coming to an kaw 'Annexation From Al t*f �• may initiate property r but not without noti- fyjng the property owner and then holding two public hearings, one before the Planning and Zoning Commission and one before the city council. Nis there a legal time limit within which a city Is required to provide ser- vices to annexed areas? State law requires that a city provide full municipal services — those funded in whole or part by munio . ipal taxation — within 4.5 years. The city must provide certain services such as police, fire, solid waste collection and maintenance of streets, street lighting, and public complexes within 60 days. ■When would sewer service be pro. vided? Sewer will be provided a: new development occurs in the area and developers comply with the city's extension policies. Houses will continue to be built with septic systems until a gravity sewer system is provided within 250 feet of the building. Existing systems will be inspected by the county health department on their five-year renewal date. If that inspection shows the system to have prob- lems it will need upgrading at that time unless there is sewer available within 250 feet. Then a requirement to tie onto the system will be enforced. end, ject to c rezonin . Besid $100 val in the ■ Are able? Sl availabl The ci ■ Wil. value? praised! AJ erty value. ann .. , i the land would then be sub- property occurring immediately before ordinances and possible annexation may continue= afterward, but this does not apply to uses as nui- city tax rate of 44.5 cent per sances, like fireworks sales: n, other questions answered _ . Grandfathered uses riiag, - iiot expand include: without the city's consertx and change of ies of city ordinances avail- ownership' does not affe the grandfa- c codes and ordinances are then status. d ' ■What zoning is placed d. does Property the city secretary's office. s only for copying- upon annexation? How does the city rge rezone. The annexed property is zoned ng in the city affect property Agricultural Open, and, for the most properties have to be reap- Part remains until the property owner iexation does not affect prop - requests rezoning. The rezoning Process takes about two months and the applica- ■ Will property be grandfathered [legally non - conforming?] Any use of a Please see ANNEXATION, page AS Elf one person requests city sewer how will this affect his neighbor:? A line most likely will not be built at the request of one person. There would have to be other rea- sons to extend a large line to area. ■How long before resident$ e Improvements In roads that n annexed? Maintenance priorities will be determined on a citywide basis considering factors like street width, traffic volume, street conditions and public safety haz- ards. ■Does the city have ordinances applying to rural residents unlike regu- lations that apply to urban residents? The city's codes and ordinances apply equally to all reside�is within the city limits. The s is working on recommendati0 t tt��b a rr rural subdivision standards 1 would differ from the current urban subdivision standards. The staff will look at things like street section, lot sizes, drainage, fire hydrant placement and setbacks, and wants resident input for these recommendations. ■Does annexation affect deed restrictions? City codes always apply. If deed restrictions are less stringent than city codes, then the city will enforce its more strin- gent codes. If city codes are less strict, it is up to the homeowners to enforce their deed restrictions by hiring their own legal counsel. ■How will annexation affect firearm use? It is unlawful to shoot firearms within the city limits, but there are exceptions depending on the property size and the use and type of firearm. ■Will animals and livestock now on the property be able to stay? Agricul- tural zoning allows for barns and stables. Section 2 of the city's Code of Ordinances addresses animal control. A copy of this sec- tion is available through the city secretary's office for the cost of copying. ■How will the city's leash laws affect pets? City codes require that an animal may not be allowed to go at large upon others' land or upon streets. ■Will ponds be able to stay? Any ponds can stay unless they are considered a nuisance or safety hazard. ■Does the city have a comprehen- slve plan for these areas? The city's current comprehensive plan covers most of these areas and where it does not, the staff has prepared future land use plans endorsed by council over the last two years. Copies of the entire report are available in the planning depart- ment at city hall. Cities must find location for new landfill How can the Bryan and College Station city councils pick a spot not within their city limits to dump their garbage? A new square -mile landfill probably will end up somewhere in the county but not within the city limits of either or College Station, a decision ity councils must agree upon, .msidering a recommendation by a zens' committee. "Being a public agency, we're just more open about it than, say, a private entity would be," said Bill Angelo, the Brazos Valley Solid Waste Management Agency's director. The agency, formed by the cities in 1990 to consolidate solid waste disposal in the Brazos Valley, will manage the new site as it now does the Rock Prairie Road landfill. "It's [the councils'] decision where they ultimately purchase the property," Angelo said. "They have the same right as any business or individual would. "You've got to look at it from the view- point that the cities are going to expand into those areas," he continued, and added that people should not expect a RENT Z WERNEMAN The City Beat /f site picked "way out in the country. ". ' The regional landfill won't be exclu- sively used by the city, but by people from many miles around, Angelo added. County Judge Al Jones said the land- fill's coming is inevitable, and neces- sary. Nobody wants a solid waste facility close to them," he said. "...[But] some- where, we've got to have a landfill." Jones reiterated there's no law that can stop an entity, public or private, from buying property for a landfill, as long as it meets federal guidelines. "If the cities buy the land, they have no restrictions by law," he said. "I don't see any way to counter that." The councils named a Citizens' Advisory Committee last fall to make a recommendation on the new regional landfill Site, and the fast part of its meetirl are reserved for public com- ment questions. In e y April, a group of northeast coun : D't esidents from near the Edge con m ty, led by county commission- er e Walker, told the committee they want the landfill built near them. So of the Edge residents said they had hard the committee was consider- ing th dr area, but the committee at that time s fid it had not considered any spe- cifiJ S a Edge outbreak, the public por f the meetings have been quiet, as take a wait -and -see attitude toward a recommendation, expected some time this month. At its last two meetings, the committee has moved direct ' to executive session, where it contimid to narrow its list of potential sites. The nDxt meeting date has not been set. Therneetings are closed to keep prop- erty prices down in the areas consid- ered, Angelo said. He added he expects a public response to any site, or sites, recommended. The committee has said it has identi- fied general areas based on site- selec- tion criteria. These include size, differ- ent kinds of buffer zones, environmen- tal conditions and financial concerns like current property ownership and how much to spend acquiring it. Once the committee recommends a site or sites, public hearings will take place and then research and construc- tion will start, Angelo said. The process to completion should take from three to five years. The agency projects the landfill to cost $40-50 million and needs $7 -10 mil- lion to start. The agency probably will raise the money through selling rev- enue bonds, Angelo said. The community needs a new landfill within five years, the life of the current landfill, because once it fills the closest places for hauling garbage are in Houston, Austin or Temple, which would significantly increase people's bills, Angelo said. �11 k.— By BRENT ZWERNEMAN Eagle staff writer Cedar Creek apartment residents shouldn't see any changes when the city of College Station buys the 67 -unit prop- erty, pending city council approval at Thursday's meeting. "It's our intent to maintain the proper- ty as best we can," said Charles Cryan, interim director of budget and research. Added community development administrator Jo Carroll: "We want to make sure the apartments are main- tained at their status quo," which she described as nice and quaint. The council will hold a public hearing and then take action on an ordinance to buy the property 7 p.m. Thursday in the city hall council chambers. 1101 S..,Texas Ave. The city wants to buy the complex, 1000 University Drive East, to keep the same level of low - to-moderate income resi- dents in the complex, now at 35 percent The current property owners, the fed - oral government's Resolution Trust c orporation, wants to increase the num- r of low - to-moderate income residents to 5o percent, something the city is 4gainst. "Our feeling is we want to maintain a high quality of property within the city," Cryan said. "As you increase the low -to- moderate level housing, it makes it more difficult for private industry to invest in It. ,, Low - to-moderate income numbers are set by the federal government's Housing and Urban Development department and are based on about 80 percent of an area's median income. Twenty-four of the 67 units now fall in the low- to-moderate- income range, and have a preset rental rate. The property is part of a 40 -year land use agre, ment through the RTC's afford- able housing program. The RTC has owned tl e property since 1989. The 'lei y wants to gain local control of the prb rty, Carroll said. W came involved to try and increase local input as much as possible as to wh t happens to this property," she said. if the city does buy the property, it intends to sell the units as quickly as pos- sible. "We're shooting not to have a loss on this," Cryan said. If the council approves the move, the city will appropriate $906,000 [$840,000 for capital and $66,000 for operations and maintenance] from the electric fund with the anticipation of repaying the capital expense through an unnamed "future debt instrument." Cryan said electrical customers will not see any effect on their rates from the purchase. The operating and maintenance expen- ditures will come from rents charged to the complex's residents, the city said, estimated to be revenues of about $98,000 a year. The city doesn't own any apartment complexes at present ts may buy apartment complex appoin By JIM WYSS Eagle staff writer The city of College Station named San Antonio city official George K. "Skip" Noe as its new city manager Wednesday night, ending its nationwide search to fill the post. .Noe, 44, beat some 80 candidates and six semi- finalists for the position, which nager From Al prospects of living in a univer- sity . oommunity. "They are very exciting to work in and they provide a broad range of opportunities in terms of eco- nomic and cultural well- being," he said. He also cited the city's "tradi- has been held by caretaker Acting City Manager Tom Brymer since Ron Ragland left in October. He ; comes to College Station with 19 years' experience in city management, College Station city officials said. "We. look forward to having Skip on board," Mayor Larry Ringer said. "He brings fresh ideas and proven abil- ities that will continue the forward tion" of successful and effective city managers as a reason for wanting to make the move. The city manager position has been vacant since Ragland, who had held the post since 1988, resigned abruptly on Oct. 31. Ragland's resignation was sur- rounded by controversy as he and the City Council tried to agree on the size and scope of his sever- ance package. His contract called for a seven - month severance pay if he was fired. Although he resigned, the City Council finally agreed to give him $104,000 as part of a settle- progress of the city. I know that with his leadership and the city employees' capa- bilities, College Station will continue in its role as 1 der among the cities of Texas." Noe (prono ced Noce) is expected to assume his new position in the middle of July. In doing so, he leaves behind his job as director of ement services for the menf deal. At the time of his resignation. Ringer said that since the council and Ragland had a "mutual feeling that Ron consider resigna- tion, the council decided we would honor that contract "We felt in fairness that was appropriate." Brymer, who was assistant city manager under Ragland and has been the acting city manager during the interim, was also one of the candidates for the position. Ringer thanked Brymer for his cooperation, leadership, and accomplishments during the 1, er city of San Antonio, a post he has held since 1989. "I'm excited about the opportunity and I'm pleased that I was offered the job," Noe told The Eagle from San Antonio. " I think College Station has a great future ... and it's something I want to be a part of." Noe said he was excited about the Please see MANAGER, page Iff seven months in which he held the post. Noe's background includes a two-year stint as deputy city manager in Fort Collins, Colo., and before that he was city man- ager in Kingsville for three years. He also served in several assis- tant and administrative positions in San Antonio during his early city career. Noe said he wants to make the transition to College Station with his wife Deborah and three chil- dren, Jennifer, 19, Zachary, 11, and Megan, 9, as quickly as pos- sible. "Hopefully well be there before the end of the summer," he said," so the kids can start school in Col- lege Station." Noe graduated from St. Mary's University in 1974 with majors in political science and English He also served an internship in Cali- fornia for the Labor- Management Relations Service in Washington. Information at the Touch of Your Finger 776 -5463 ril welcome to new -�- manager Eagle Edltorlal Board ollege Station Council mem- bers appear to have picked a winner when they named George K. "Skip" Noe as city man- ager. The 44- year -old Noe has 19 years experience in city manage- ment, including the past six years as director of budget management for the city of San Antonio. Noe will replace City Manager Ron Ragland, who resigned under pressure from the council last October. Noe is expected to begin his new duties in July and hopes to have his family — wife Deborah and — chlldrerr Jennifer, - - 19; Zachary, 11, and Megan, 9 — to College Station before the start of school. We welcome Skip Noe to the community and look forward to working with him in the coming years. Change can be and most often is good, but it can be a ner- vous time for city staff members and residents as they wonder how well they will interact with the new boss. Much of this natural tension will disappear when Noe learns how friendly and open the people of this community are. It would be appropriate here to say a special thanks to Assistant City Manager Tom Brymer who has filled in so ably in the interim since Ragland left office. Brymer has turned in a solid performance as acting city manager over the past seven months, but having worked with him over the years, we would have expected nothing less. His steady hand kept things going smoothly at city hall during what could have been a turbulent time. Noe was selected over 80 candi. dates for the position, including six semifinalists. He is a 1974 English and political science grad- uate from St. Mary's University in San Antonio. He did an internship with the Labor - Management Relations Service u1 alifornia before serving as city ger in Kinsville for three and as deputy city manager, in Fort Collins, Colo., for two years. He also served in a number of city Posts before assuming his current position in 1989. - — - -- He hit the nail on the head when he said, "I think College Station has a great future." Previous city managers have built a fine city staff and have provided tremen- dous leadership for the people of College Station. We know Noe will cant' on that winning tr dition as the city faces a future with potentially explosive and development. We're pleased to have Noe join us here in the heart of the Brazos Valley. • College Station doesn't need land to be annexed The City of College Station on Wednesday will consider annexing parts of Wellborn and Millican and other areas east of FM 60. My family and I moved here 15 years ago. Now we are forced to give up a lifestyle we have grown accustomed to. This will mean tying our up dogs or build a fence to conform to "city" stan- dards. We e been told our horses and cows t I not be affected. If we sell our place the next person will not be able to use the Property in the same manner without a permit from the city. The city is doing this without the con - sent of a residents affected by it. I did not, n�r did any of the people affected, vote f r this council; being outside the city liftits we have no representation. I feel i he city does not need to take on more th m it can budget for. The city has already informed us there is no plan for city services within the four -year com- mitted a period, which leaves us pay - E ob ices that we don't have or �1 ng with niceties that city life o, er. Is ' freedom? e want is to be left alone. B.J. MINOR Wellborn A computerized vision to save haves Computer technology and information systems have changed the face of law enforce ment Not since the auto- mobile, has a single technology had such an impact on the police profession Just as law enforcement adapted to the automobile, continues to adapt and incorporate new technology .h as the computer. The benefits have been tremen- is, with savings realized not only in manpower and ]lass, but in lives. Technocar 2000 is a significant step toward this tran- sition Technocar 2000's primary goal is to evaluate the technology available today and determine its impact on improving traffic safety. The main area of concentration has been in the development of an improved method of collecting and retrieving traffic data from such reports as traffic accidents. Each year, billions of dollars are spent to improve the safety of roadway travel. Decisions as to the disper- sal of these funds are based primarily on traffic -a:Mnt data collected by local and state police officers. Despite the extreme importance of data collection. it is becoming increasingly expensive to do so by traditional means. "Traditional means" consist of an officer gathering information in his field notes, transferring the informa- tion to a final report, and submitting it to a clerk for data entry. Studies have shown this method of collecting data lends itself to mistakes and misinformation because of the number of times the information is handled. There are also delays which cause the retrieval and use of this information to be slowed for months and sometimes years. Without the accurate and timely collec- tion of this important information, little progress toward traffic safety can be made. law enforcement must look for innovative ways to become more effective and effi- cient Marlin Crouse, formerly with the Texas Transportation Institute CM, recognized the potential of the computer and other emerging technologies in improving the data collection necessary for accurate analysis as well as improving the safety and efficiency of the officer in the field. He envisioned cooperation between the private and public sectors in the development and application of these technologies within law enforcement, The Technocar 2000 project was the result. In Phase I of the Technocar 2000 project, College Station Police Department was the sole law enforcement participant in the ` development of a pen -based computer system and associat- ed software. The system can be used inside or outside of a patrol car. The officer writes Scott McCo llum on the screen in longhand but the computer converts the longhand text into typeface. This information is then stored on a removable card for transfer to a main database at a later time. Because the data is directly entered and handl by fewer people, the probability of mistakes and the a for using this information is dramatically red The system is capable of generating Texas accident report and a traffic citation form. In the future, the sys- tem can be developed to include incident reports and other forms unique to an agency's needs. During Phase I, College Station Traffic Division offi- cers used this system and conducted more than 900 actu- al traffic contacts. The College Station Police Department is continuing as an active participant in this project, preparing to begin Phase lI of the Technocar 2000 project. Whereas Phase I was conducted with minimal fund- ing and consisted mostly of equipment donated by the private sector, Phase II is being funded by a grant from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). This grant is administered by the Texas Department of Transportation and the project continues under the direction of TTI and the supervision of Sandra Parsons, Just as law enforcement adapted to the automobile, it continues to adapt and incorporate new technology such as the computer. principle investigator on the project The College Station Police Department and The Texas Department of Public Safety are the two law enforcement agencies involved in the project Phase II will concentrate on enhancing those devel- opments made in Phase I as well as evaluation of new emerging technologies. Technology is here to stay. Although complex and sometimes frightening, it is a tool that can significantly improve the manner in which we conduct business today, so that we can save lives tomorrow. Technocar 2000 is an example of just that ■Scott McCollum is pollege Station's police spokesman. erostions / By SHELLEY SMITHSON Eagle staff writer It was to have been the largest con- struction project in the history of Texas A&M University. on a vacant lot between Wellborn Road and Agronomy Drive, A &M officials hoped to build a massive power plant, using the process called cogeneration, that would meet the energy needs of the university into the next century. Building a second cogeneration plant on A&M's West Campus was supposed to accommodate future growth and ulti- mately save taxpayers millions of dol- lars. But nearly a year after A&M Regents led the $120 million project, question ,arks hang over it Tenneco Power Generation Co., the ,university's sometime partner in the •stillborn project, is seeking the return of $58 million it claims to have spent. The company won legislative approval fast month to sue A&M for breach of con- I* . I hang over power plant deal cessArl suit means A &M must pay, lnen taxpayers will foot the bill. And for much of the past year, a crimi- nal investigation by the Texas Rangers, the FBI and the Brazos County District Attorney's office has tried to answer one question: Did a small group of people, including senior A&M officials, benefit by spear- heading a vast and expensive project that was never needed? plant, which was designed by on A &M professor for 225, was rated in 1933. 1911 - First phase of Texas A &Ms current power plant was completed la a total cost of 576,000. Over IM red 75 years, he central plat expanded to induce lour natural gas -fired boilers, one gas7turbire geo- erator and seven chillers. Four satellite Plants that produce chilled aid heated water for IN west and south cam4us and the Texas A&M System Headquarters Building were also buiR 1990 - Teas A&M hires two consultants over the red two years to assess A&MS power reeds into the r& century Consultants mcom mend the university either add to its existing Power plant or continue drying additional power. haear11982 - Robert Smith, Omer vke President for finance and operations at Texas A &M, urges tte beard of regents to build another cogeneration unit that would be financed by private industry . Jeiw 1992 - A&M hires Brown & Root 10 help daft Its requests for project proposals. A&M woos requests or bids to 33 potential devel- opers. Aapet,1992 -16 bidders respond to A &Ms request for project pro- posals, including Tenneco Power Gelcraton Co. and its subcontractor Brown & Rod. October 1992 - A &M contracts with Dallas thin, Rockwood Companies L.C. The wreultirg firm, hired initially for 225,000, was supposed to review requests la proposals, recortxreM a shod list to A&M, and assist he univeaiy in negotiating a development canted. Jenaarl 1992 - Bidders pared to three finalists: Tenneco Parer Generation Co. teamed with subcontractor Brown & Rod: the City of College Station leaned with the Tens Municipal Power Agency: ate CSW Energy. Inc. of Dallas. May 1892 - A &M System Chancellor Herb Richardson, in a letter to A &M Presided William Mobley, questions Re need Id an additional power plant saying 91S hard to believe that demand will grow at the projected rate given the1 enrolkhent is capped.' July 1982 - Bond of agents auhontes udversfy to begin regotia- lions with TennemyBown & Rod at the urging of the A&M project roan, which included Margfm. Smith, and the Rockwood consul- tants Amgnat 2, 1941 - A&M System officials announce that Richardson will step dawn as chancellor and thnt Mobley will M 1 M the post . pending regents approval. Arymt 27, 190 - Board of regents voted to accept Richardsons res- ignation ad appoird Mobley, as chancellor and E. Dean Gage as inler- kn presidert of A &M. SOL 7,1917 - Tedhdo submfts revised proposal o A &M. sail- 27, Inds - Re" announce hat he unisersiy has hoodoo a tentative Wwdxgt wit Tenneco to provide the electrical. sham and hot and chilled water di fy needs for the university campus. Turning on the lights Texas A&M is one of the few universi- ties in a country that owns a power plant to duce and distribute electrici- ty. The &M power plant, which also housed a laundry and an ice plant, was built in 1899 for less than $10,000. In 1917, the first phase of Texas A &M's current power plant was completed for a total cost of $76,000. Until 1935, the uni- versity relied primarily on coal, instead of natural to fuel boilers that gener- ated step and electricity. A gas bane generator installed in 1970 all power to be generated in two way;. The process, called cogeneration, involves capturing and recycling hot gas used by the gas- turbine generator. The hot gas essentially becomes a second Orel source that drives the turbine and makes electricity. The A &M central plant, along with four satellite plants, produces between 60 Janrer - Board augrorited Interim President Gage to sign doc- o rents that finalized the proposed cogeneration project. Feb nsy 1991 - Beg" appoint David Hickson of College Station, Weldon Kroger of Bryan and Melissa Ciga tea of Laredo to a non -prol- R corporation board. The wrporaion would pay for cons"Wion Of the plant by issuing tax -mmpt bonds. Deb( service on those bonds would be paid by the university through its payments for purchased energy. lislaw y 1994 - Gage meets with College Station officials in an at" to clear he air of r mats abaft IN project. College Station, a losing bidder, contended that TerwccoiBram & Rod had an inside track on the job. III c,r 1941 - Richard Lindsey, newt' appointed vice chancellor td finance and operations at the A&M System, requests a review of IN project M Emst & Young, an independent auditing firm. Aft 14,1991- Ray Bowen named new president of Tercet A&M. April 27, 1991 - Margaves ensigns his position as daimon of the board of regents in the midst of a Terns Rangers investigation into his business dealings. May 12, 1991- Mary Nan West named chair onran of IN board of Jew 12,1991- Mobley mssigns as chancellor of A&M System, say- ing he wants to return to leaching. Jew 11, 1991 - Rowen reassigns Smith bond his position as vice president for finance and operations at Texas A&M. All 17,12%- A&M announces it will discontinue ne"iaions with Tenneco for to secMd phase of the cogeneration pmjed. Alex wBLt6 later, the board ratified that administrative decision. Ji 1491 - Ba ry Thompson named chancellor d the A&M December 1994 - Tenneco completts Phase I of the power plant pro- lad. Pha se I included building a hot and chilled water plat on the Vest Cartain; am msalling a steam line tram the central plant to the West Carprie a Jan 1 1485 - Tenneco asks permission from he Legislature to sue Terns A&M or breach of contract The wrparry clams to have sped 258 million m A&Ms behalf. A&M darn it is liable for only 21602 million of Tenrecos coats March 1915 - Senate Appropriations Committee orders Tenneco and A&M to participate in non - binding arbiration. Ali 1945 - InOeq+ronn arbitrator says Tenneco would III prevail R It sued A&M fix breach of Contract. Mq 11111115 - Tenneco wins legislative approval to sue the univernsiy. but damages are limited to 237 million. The two sides are attempting to nagdiae a settlement and avoid litigation. and 70 percent of the electricity needed by the campus. The rest of the electricity needed to provide hot and cold water and air condition buildings is bought from Brazos Electric Cooperative in Waco. The annual electric bill paid by A&M to the Brazos cooperative is approximately $5.7 million. In addition, the university pays an estimated $10.6 million to natur- al gas suppliers for the fuel that powers the A&M plants. Costs related to providing utilities to the campus will total $27 million this year. Why build another cogeneration plant? The high cost of utilities was one factor that two consultants looked at in sepa- rate energy studies for the university in 1990 and 1992. University officials, concerned with growth on the West Campus, set 1994 as Please see POWER, page A8 1 r I � u u Power From Al the deadline to develop and implement an energy plan that would accommo- date growth on campus until the year 2012. In evaluating the best long term - power option, a consultant in 1990 rec- ommended the university install an additional gas turbine generator to increase the amount of power produced at the central plant. A 1992 study recommended that the university either contract with an out- side gas supplier for 20 years or consid- er constructing another power plant. While the 1992 study did recommend analyzing the feasibility of having a third party build the plant, the consul- tant also noted that building a new plant was a riskier option for the uni- versity. Despite the consultants' cautions, Robert Smith, former vice president for finance and operations, urged the board to build a new cogeneration plant financed by private industry in January 1992. Even though neither study recom- mended . immediately pursuing a new plant; documents obtained by The Eagle show that former physical plant direc- tor �o Suggs told regents and A &M admiVis't6tors that the consultants favnped bLWding a new plant. "A de mbre from bushmss as usual ". JXte " the findings of both consul- tants' studies, universitty�'' officials moved forward in 1992 with plans to build a cogeneration plant v, out ever gaining board approval. In June, the .university fired con- struction and engineering gia it Brown & Root to help write an in request for project proposals. From that point on, said a state audit completed in January of this year, the office of facilities planning d con- struction at the A &M Syste , which usually oversees big - ticket oo truction contracts, was shut out of a power plant project. That state audit was orde to look into allegations of mismanagement at the university. It focused heavily on the power -plant project. Decisions about who would build, finance and operate the power plant were not made by trained staff at the facilities and planning office, t found. Instead, auditors said a i b#ndfal of A &M officials, employees and consul- tants working from an office at the old university airport made almost all deci- sions relating to the project's develop- ment. "The team reportedly acted in this manner to protect the confidentiality of ongoing negotiations," the state audit said. "However, by operating in such a manner, they also avoided' potential oversight and accountability and ulti- mately failed to capitalize on available System resources which `might have helped to ensure the projecPs success." It said <A &M officials managing the project used the term departure from business as usual" justify,.their secre- cy. 3 I X, i (q IT The audit said that term "appears to have been a euphemism for the circum- vention of the normal channels, policies and procedures in the name of expedi- ency." Instead of following the normal chain of command which included the System planning and facilities office, the chancellor and the board of regents — the project was handled from the beginning by a small group including Smith, Sugg and the former board of regents chairman Ross Margraves, the audit said. Shut out Efforts by regents and A &M adminis- trators to learn more about the project were met with vague and often inaccu- rate answers by team members, the audit said. Until board members were briefed in closed session by members of the pro- ject team in March 1993, they had received no information and made no decisions about the proposed power plant, the audit said. , .. By that time, requests for project pro- posals had been written, distributed and responded to by 33 potential bid- ders. A short list of six bidders had been pared to three, and consultants' fees of more than $600,000 had already been billed to the university. A &M employees who worked on the project team said they believed they were acting at the direction of the board. They believed that any fees billed to the university would by paid by the chosen developer, 'a condition that was included in the rriginal bid proposal: * �* While the auditors said the board's oversight appeared to be minimal, they ered all other areas including built said the chairman of the board was per- the new plant. sonally involved in conversations and When the first phase of construe activities involving the project. began on campus in January 199 When negotiations between bidders was still unknown how much the p reached an impasse, Margraves was would cost, (estimates ranged from called upon to intercede, and meetings million t $120 million); how the pm_ were often postponed to accommodate would be� financed; what the unive his schedule, the audit said. ty's ergy needs were; or how A meeting on the project was held in univer$i would sell any excess po February 1993 at Margraves' Dallas genera at the plant. office in which Smith and Sugg said Unive ity officials described the < they believed they were given autho- tract Wi Tenneco as an "umbr rization to proceed further on the pro- agreeme t" that could lead to fi ject. However, auditors said, this was more specific action. The contract not a meeting of the board. Phase I limited the university's cos In May, 1993, board members heard $15 million. for the fast time in a public meeting the But by the time the board of reg< details of A &M's request for project pro- discontinued Phase II negotiations v posals. A &M's project team had inter- Tenneco in July 1994, the comp viewed potential bidders who could claimed to have accrued costs in ex( finance, design, construct, operate and of $58 million on behalf of the Unive maintain the plant and assume the ty. financial risks for construction, Sugg Wheth r university officials imir said. erly authorized Tenneco to proceed, a According to the project team's plan, whether other contracts were sig A &M would Provide a space on the cam- between &M and Tenneco is the s pus, and the developer would build a jest of negotiations. plant that would provide the electricity Tenneco won legislative approval and steam. A &M could then purchase month to sue the university for bre- the amount of electricity needed from ` of contract if negotiations fail.' Priv the developer to meet the energy needs organza ons with claim s against s of the campus. agencie need legislative apprc In September 1993, the board followed ' before th can proceed to lawsuits the recommendation of the project team In the eantime, the Federal Bur - en and announced that it would hire of investigation, the Texas Rangers Tenneco to build the plant. Tenneco, a the Brazos County district attorm gas pipeline company with annual sales office lane continuing their crimi in excess of,7$= billion; teamed with. probe in the affair. Brown & Root:on the project: Tonw ow: The Eagle will exam. Construction was supposed to be in some of allegations raised in the s two phases: Phase i of the project was to . audit i how they contributed to provide chilled and hot water to the ' demise o the largest construction pz west side of the campus; Phase. 11 cov- ac in A &M istory. By SHELLEY SMITHSON Eagle staff writer Too much power may have corrupted the deal to build a $120 million power plant od'the Texas A&M campus. A&M's board of regents cancelled the ject last July after an independent auditor questioned whether the university actually needed the amount of power the plant would have produced. A state audit in January also concluded { that some A&M officials involved in the project had too much power and ques- 'rnaed whether those officials abused their wer while negotiating the largest capital nstruction deal in Aggie history. The state audit criticized university otli- " ''j& forging into the project without board approval and without first deter- mining how much it would cost, how it would be financed or what the university's true energy needs were. ..Auditors said the failed project exempli• fled what it said was poor management of A&M under former board Chairman Ross Pr IA —t William Eagle photo / Dare Md)umr4 Texas A &M Universittls central power plant generates 60 -70 percent of the campus' electricity needs. University officials established a deadline of 2012 to build a new plant. t Margraves, former es en Mobley and Robert Smith, former vice planning and implementation of the pro- services, but only $25,000 of those charges president for finance and administration. ' But the state report did more than chas- ject The board of regents and former A&M were approved by the legal office of the A &M System, as required by law. tise A&M for poor planning. It also raised questions about whether key decision System Chancellor Herb Richardson were given vague and often inaccurate data At least $1 million of the charges were billed without a contract in place between makers acted unethically, if not criminal- when they asked about the project In contrast, Margraves and Smith were the university and the consulting firm. - State law and System policy requires that d federal authorities investigat- directly involved in negotiations, and they all consulting contracts in excess of $10,000 .are scrutinizing several key even postponed project deadlines so that be awarded through a bid process, and that the state auditor's report: they could meet with potential developers .. all legal contracts be approved by the r° NO.OvenAght and the project team. The audit not only questioned if the attorney general. Neither of those rules appears to have - group was qualified to put together the been followed when university officials M' jiower plant project team rever used the A&M System's office of deal, it also questioned if consultants and other. teard members used information hired Rockwood Companies, L.C., of Dallas, as the primary consultant for the . .acilitfes planning and construction, about the Baal tatheir fth advantage. "` f3 �', ° " project in October 1992, the audit said. Members of the A&M Project team said which is usually involved in high-dollar building projects. ry' {� 'f. COSt tohL UltantS A &M offibidlst tL they believed they were acting at the instruction of the board in continuing to Instead, a handful of including Hargraves and Smith ':and �(, A, constilrm billed for more ':.retain the firm. crew of costly consultants handled the. $2 million ,prig ce g and legal < •The audit said former A&M Physical Plant Director Joe Sugg believed he had been given authorization to proceed on the project when he met in February 1993 with Margraves and Smith. Rockwood was hired at the recommen- dation of Gaylord Hughey, a Tyler lawyer involved in helping the university buy nat- ural gas. Shortly after the .firm was retained, Hughey joined it as a Rill part- ner, with 50 percent ownership: Although the firm was hired to provide engineering-related consulting- - services; less than 8 percent of Rockwood's billings were for engineering services, and it sub- contracted for those. It also subcontracted at least $600,000 of legal work to the law firms of Chadbourne & Parke and Kutak Rock of New York. In addition, the audit said, at least one law Pleas�NNECO , page A8 J UXe 19, 195 Tenneco n Al firm was hired by Rockwood at the recom- mendation of former board chairman Maigraves, who is a shareholder in a large Texas law firm. in addition, Hughey directly billed the uni- versity through Rockwood for legal services he performed Hughey declined to be inter- viewed, citing a confidentiality agreement with the university. Fair play? The team of Tenneco Power Generation Co. and Brown & Root, a construction and engineering giant, beat out 15 other bidders who responded to the university's request for project proposals. But auditors said the winning bidder may have received preferen- tial treatment from the A&M project team. Auditors echoed questions raised by the City ; : of College Station when Tenneco /Brown & Root were awarded the contract in September 1993. In particular, College Station, a losing bid- der, questioned whether it was appropriate for Brown & Root to bid on the project since the firm had helped design the initial request for proposals. Rather than commission and approve a design for the power plant, then solicit bids and award a contract based on the best bid, the cogeneration project team in June 1992 hired Brown & Root to assist them in writing the initial request for project proposals. Brown & Root stepped out of its consulting role after the requests for proposals were sent to 33 potential bidders. But it stepped back into the picture as a subcontractor to Tenneco, the firm that ultimately got the job. A spokeswoman for Tenneco said the arrangement was not a conflict of interest and A &M officials were reluctant to label Brown & Root's dual role as a conflict. "Until we know for sure factually what happened and in what sequence and who is responsible, it's hard to say that with any degree of reliability," said Chancellor Barry Thompson. Tenneco /Brown & Root was chosen as a finalist by the project team in May 1993, and negotiations began in June. When negotia- tions with Tenneco began to unravel, the university departed from its stated rules by continuing negotiations with Tenneco and the second runner -up, CSW Energy of Dallas. Auditors pointed to a letter found during their investigation as further evidence of possible preferential treatment toward Tenneco/Brown & Root. The memo, which was written to Sugg by Al Baxter, the head of the A&M technical review team, said, "I want Tenneco to get the job because I know and trust and have confi- dence in Brown & Root, and that's why I worked hard to get them into the project to start with. "We need to start playing hard ball with (Temieco), get down and dirty, and keep CSW (the number two bidder) in the run- ning as a lever if nothing else," Baxter wrote in 1993. "It may not be pristinely fair, but it's in the best interest of TAMU." Ernst; Young, an outside auditor hired by the System to evaluate the feasibility of the project in March 1994, also cited the advantage the Tenneco /Brown & Root team had from knowledge gained in the first 45 days of negotiations with the project team Because time spent with the six finalists differed considerably, so did their knowl- edge of the university's needs, the report said. Ernst & Young also raised questions about why the project team changed the bid speci- fications only 25 days before the board voted to pursu negotiations with Tenneco in September 1993. instead of buying natural gas at fixed rates, the bidders were asked to change their proposal to one that allowed dual purchas- ing of gas both at fixed rates and on the so- called spot market, where bidders vie for deals and rates climb and decline according- ly. The university spends about $10.6 million each year on natural gas to fuel its power - plant operations. In 1991, Hughey was retained by the university to assist power. plant pe nnel in buying natural gas on the spot max et. But 71iompson said that since Hughey joined Rockwood as a power -plant consul- tant, his (dual role as a spot - market consul- tant is questionable, especially since the pro- posal was changed to accommodate spot- . I I market purchases. The university has already paid $600,000 to Rockwood, and has offered to reimburse the project's developer, Tenneco, for an additional $1 million in consulting charges paid by Tenneco to Rockwood on behalf of A &M. Since the project was to have been solely financed through private industry, Tenneco's development agreement included a provision that the company would pay for all consulting services related to the project. Rockwood's role was to evaluate propos- als, recommend finalists, select a developer and work with the developer in implement- ing the project, the audit said. . So auditors found it questionable where Rockwood's alliance lay, especially since project team correspondence indicates that the winning bidder may have been treated differently from the beginning. : However, A &M officials said that although much of Rockwood's services were performed without proper authorization, the services were in fact rendered, and the System feels obligated to pay the bill Other concerns In May 1993, former A &M Chancellor Herb Richardson raised concerns about the project's feasibility at a board of regents meeting and in a letter to then President Mobley. Richardson, who is an engineer, said, "It's hard to believe that demand will grow at the projected rate given that enrollment (at A&M) is capped." lCr `Everybody kno By SHELLEY SMITHSON Eagle staff writer Nearly one year after Texas A &M regents cancelled a proposed $120 million power plant project, those accused of making a mess of the largest capital con- struction project in A&M history have never been required to testify under oath. State Rep. Steve Ogden, R -Bryan, said he asked lawmakers to require legisla- tive hearings into the failed project before they allowed the developer, -nneco Power Generation Co., to sue as A&M. lthough that bill failed and Tenneco approval to sue the university for up to $37 million, Ogden says he still believes legislative bearings are a possi- bility. "Everybody knows this stinks," Ogden said. "But only a few people know what happened behind closed doors." The FBI, the Texas Rangers and the Brazos County district attorney are investigating allegations of wrongdoing against A&M officials involved in the proposed cogeneration project. But District Attorney Bill Turner said he did not know when or if the case Page A10 Bryan - College Station Eagle Tuesday, June 20, 1995 would come before a grand jury. Meanwhile, the university is trying to negotiate a settlement with Tenneco, the developer chosen to finance, build, own and operate a massive power plant on the A&M campus. Tenneco says it incurred $58 million in costs on behalf of A&M before regents discontinued negotiations last July. But A&M says a contract between the univer- sity and Tenneco limits the university's liability to $15 million for costs associat- ed with the first phase of the project. Whether A &M officials improperly authorized Tenneco to proceed and whether other contracts exist is current- ly being investigated by both sides. If Tenneco opts to sue A&M, Ogden says he fears the court case would be lim- ited to the breach of contract dispute, and would not clarify whether A&M officials involved in the project acted unethically 01 or illegally. A state audit last January questioned relationships between some members of the project team and the developer. Tenneco and its bidding partner, Brown & Root, may have received prefer- ential treatment in the bidding process, the audit said. Many of those who held powerful posi- tions in negotiating the $120 million deal resigned their posts shortly before the project was cancelled. Former board of regents Chairman Ross Margraves, who auditors said was directly involved in negotiations with the developer, resigned in April 1994 amid a Texas Rangers investigation into his business dealings. An anonymous letter accused Margraves of influencing business deals at A&M for his benefit or for the benefit Please see TENNECO, page 1 From page one& Tenneco From Al of his associates. Margraves has denied wrong- doing. He did not return phone calls from The Eagle seeking his comments about the power -plant saga and his part in it. Margraves, who is a share- holder in the Houston law firm of Winstead, Sechrest and Minick,is mot currently involved with any business dealings at the univer- sity, said Jerry Gaston, interim vice president for finance and administration at Texas A&M. Another high- ranking A &M official involved in the cogenera- tion project also resigned, but is still employed at the university. Auditors said Robert Smith, former vice president for finance and administration at Texas A&M, was a key liaison between Margraves and the A&M project team. Smith resigned a year ago, around the same time he was indicted for soliciting gifts from a company that won a $23 million contract to operate the univer- sity's bookstore. Smith, who denied wrongdoing but was later convicted, now works as a special assistant to the interim vice president for finance and administration. "Mr. Smith is working on an airport study about the feasibility and procedures to create an air- port authority," Gaston said. "His retirement will become effective in December." Smith said he believes he acted appropriately and never circum- vented ainj rules. He said mem- bers of the board were briefed about the project teams' actions through memos and letters. Joe Sugg, former A&M physical plant director, also resigned his position'shortly after the project was canceled, as did the project's technical team leader, Al Baxter. Sugg no longer lives in the area and attempts to contact him were not successful. Baxter, who now lives in Houston, did not return phone calls from The Eagle. Anoth r employee who was part of &M power plant pro- ject was fired after he refused sign. Don Thompson said he Is appealing his termfna- tion because he believed the team's actions had been sanc- tioned by the board of regents. Thompson says he only fol- lowed orders given to him by his supervisors. Gaylord Hughey, a Tyler lawyer who was criticized by state auditors for his role in the project, is completing a con- tract for the university. After- ward, his services will no longer be used, Gaston said. Hughey, who was paid $12,000 annually to help the university buy natural gas, recommended that A&M retain Rockwood Com- panies, L.C., of Dallas as the pri- mary consultant for the power plant project. Shortly after, Hughey joined the firm as a 50 percent partner. Hughey is no longer involved in buying gas for the university, but his services were retained last September to assist the university in renegotiating a gas pipeline contract with Lone Star Gas Co. Hughey declined to be inter- viewed, citing a confidentiality agreement with the university. * THE EAGLE DAILY NEWS iCq 41 , IL IPA 4 944pai; �g [w, r 1112.1, By BRENT ZWERNEMAN Eagle staff writer college Station dug into its pockets to fund the dredging of the city's closest thing to a water attraction The Wolf Pen Creek Lake. Now the lake's dredging has started and should continue for 40 working days, at a cost of about $96,000. The dredging funds came from $40,000 the city budgeted last year, $50,000 the council took from hotel/motel funds in February with the stipulation the city replace the money during the upcoming budgeting process, and another $13,000 from a parks seasonal labor account. Parks Director Steve Beachy said the department uses the account to hire part- time help to do things like pick up trash at the park, but regular crews have taken up the slack this year. The rental of a hydraulic dredge and its operator costs $63,000 alone. The dredging costs increased after the hard October rains brought more silt than usual, city Engineer Kent Laza told the city council in February. Engineering assistant Samantha Smith said on Tuesday the dredge is sucking both water and silt to a couple of ponds up the hiZ where the silt settles to the bottom. The water then floats back into the creek >s Y "Based on the results 4f the work we're doing right now, the City council will decide the direction we will go from here" regarding both short- and long -term solu- tions to the silt problems, Smith said. At a February meeting, Interim City Manager Tom Brymer told the council of the need for more dredging. "If we don't remove the silta it will return the area back to its o condi- tion," Brymer said. He also said in a year with a normal amount of rainfall, $40,000 - $50,000 should be enough to fund the dredging. Lazes also said in February the amphithe- ater lake is only one of what was a master plan of seven lakes to be built in the area. "One part of the lake is dealing with all of the problems," he said. Laza told the council of short- and long- term solutions for the Wolf Pen Creek area, including possibly b ying a hydraulic dredge for about $1.5,000 at some point. Others include buil ding a d away from the recreation area for about $250,000, or building additional dams and cutting the slopes of the creek back so they don't wash away as much, for about $1.5 million. This would include adding rocks and rubble to the slopes. redged Mark Burns of C.D R. Environmental from Russellville, Ark, works on preparing to dredge the Wolf Pen Creek Amphitheatar pond Tuesday morning. iffolf Pen Creek Lake d -- c l e an ,, Smith said. Eagle photo/Butch Ireland CS council to decide on annexation By BRENT ZWERNEMAN Eagle statl writer College Station probably will grow by leaps an d bounds today, but not everyone's doing flip-flops about the potential annexa- tion of almost 4,000 acres. The city council will consider adding the acreage and its approximately 150 resi- dences at a 5:30 p.m. annexation public hearing and then council consideration at city hall. Robert Weir, an FM 60 resident and crit- ic of the proposed annexations, said if the city annexes his property it will leave him rim i no choice on his next move. "In a reasonably short amount of time, I'm going to have to sell the property," he said. "I'm going to get crossed with the city. It's foolish to think that I can live here and continue to do what I do." Weir said that includes having large ani- mals like horses on his property. He added that without city sewer and water services, but with all of its ordi- nances, the property will be a tough sell. "if I was a developer, I wouldn't touch the property with a to -foot pole," he said. While the city is required to provide ser- vices like police, fire and garbage collec- tion within 60 days, the same doesn't apply for city sewer and water. The addition of those depends on the area's growth and if a developer extends lines, with possible city participation, said City Planner Jane Kee. Weir's contention is the land around hire is already developed and therefore no one will want to provide the sewer and water services. Kee said while Weir's area does have some development, "a lot of the acreage out there is still vacant." Please see ANNEXATION, page A8 Annexation From Al In the meantime, the potentially annexed areas will keep their wells and septic systems and not pay for city water and sewer. The areas considered are all gen- erally south of College Station. They include about 2,100 acres north of Greens Prairie Road and west of Texas Avenue, 960 acres east of Texas Avenue and south of Rock Prairie Road, 745 acres where FM 60 and the future Texas 47 will intersect, and 110 acres east of FM 2154 near the Koppe Bridge Bar & Grill. The area has 3,972 acres, 7.2 miles of roads, 154 residences, three fraternity houses and 32.5 acres of commercial development. The council may still remove certain areas at today's meeting. The city has tried to answer some of the residents' questions in an annexation report that says: ■ Residents who own $100,000 lots will have to pay annual prop- erty taxes of $445. ■ Annexation will not affect property value. ■ The annexed property is zoned Agricultural Open, and, for the most part, remains so until the property owner requests rezoning. The rezoning process takes about two months and the application fee is W. The city may initiate property rezoning but not without notifying the property owner and then hold- ing two public hearings, one before the Planning and Zoning Commission and one before the city council. ■ State law requires that a city provide Rill municipal services — those funded in whole or part by muilic pal taxation — within 4.5 years. The city must provide certain services such as police, fire, solid waste collection and maintenance of streets, street lighting, and pub- li c co plexes within 60 days. ■, city will provide sewer as new evelopment occurs in the are } d developers comply with the ity's extension policies. Ho will continue to be built with septic systems until a gravity sewer system is provided within 250 feet of the building. Existing systems will be inspect- ed by the county health depart- ment on their five -year renewal date. V that inspection shows the systeI to have problems it will need ding at th at time unless wer available within 250 a requirement to tie onto the system will be enforced. ■Maintenance priorities will be determined on a citywide basis considering factors like: street width, traffic volume, street condi- tions and public safety hazards. Copies of the entire report are available in the planning depart- ment at city hall. Thel majority of those in opposi- tion, e Weir, are from the FM 60 aieh rd say they don't want their country lifestyle coming to an end, because the land would be subject to city ordinances and possible rezoning. They've protested at several pre- vious annexation public hearings. WHO: The College Station City Council. 6 WHAT: College Station public hear- ing and council consideration of ,annexing nearly 4,000 acres mostly 4outh of the city, including about , 150 residents. WHEN: 5:30 p.m. today. 1 WHERE: City Hall council charn- j bens, 1101 S. Texas Ave IW u The public is invited to see, sit in and walk through Bryan-based North American Transit Inc.'s first production model of its innovative new bus. The Unique Design Transit Vehicle will be on display noon to 2 p.m. today at College Station City Hall. Free soft drinks and hot dogs will be available. Officials from NATI and Brazos Transit System, who are buying the first 100 buses for $18 million, will be on hand to discuss the gas- powered Pus, its design and other features. For information, call 260 -1755. To the - City has no business electr ower, but kee e wayfrom the saving the consumer buyin ap art m ents They h Y g also encumbered us with M four or fn e assistant city managers, I've wanted to write this letter for a in the na more than of efficiency, all making 0,000 a year and a couple long time. It took the June 6 issue of making e than $100,000. The gov- The Eagle to break my back. I'm ernor of D 1, ssachusetts barely makes referring to the article stating that $100,000. the city manager's posi- the city of College Station was going tion and yoi have half a million dol- to buy an apartment complex to "keep lars ins ies for just six people. I the same level of low to moderate just don't see where get our income residents in the complex." money's v� h. I'll be t that any time Did I miss something? Don't the vot- there is a reason or time for a raise, ers have some say on this? these few a tomatically get one. Oh yeah, that's right. We live in I guess it doesn't surprise me that College Station, where the city can the city wa its to buy these apart- make the unauthorized purchase of ments given its past performance. I land in the Wolf Lick Creek Pen Run just hope some other people will take Let's Just Keep Pouring in More note of what's going on and, by vot- Money and Maybe it Will Go Away ing, get a saner, more responsible Mud Pond Park area, even after the group governing us. voters turned down a similar plan. JAMES DAVES - PETERSON The seemingly underlying reason College Station for the apartment purchase smacks of repression or discrimination, to keep fewer low cost units available. If there are enough people to fill low to moderate income apartments, even though not filled now, where do they go? To even lower standard housing? Not to all those new apartments going in; they can barely afford what they have now. Do they move to Bryan? Possibly, but this is putting off on Bryan what College Station seemingly wants to ignore. We are not all college profes- sors, millionaires, college educated or business owners. We cannot call our- selves a progressive city if we say, "Yes, you can work in out city at a low wage, but you can't live here." But then, this type of thinking is from the people who have given us an array of follies for years. They gave 0 us a city manager who thought the term "saving money" equaled spend- ing more money per kilowatt on elec- tricity than previous contracts, then passing on higher rates to us. Oh, and then we reward him when he leaves. And we'll negotiate a new, cheaper It DATE: lyi (-r,l124Iq5 Reports. CS (Vfz� needs low Housing From Al large families and the elderly. The community development program thus is developing a five -year comprehensive plan. Housing priorities include: ■ Providing an affordable sup- ply of rental residential property through the rehabilitation of existing residential property and tenant rental assistance. ■ Expanding the supply of decent, safe and affordable hous- ing through the development of new and existing residential property. ■ Expanding homeownership opportunities for low- income per- sons. Implementing these strategies includes using existing projects and programs and developing new ones to meet the communi- ty's needs, the report says. The community development program should present the plan and its proposed budget at the July 13 council meeting. hcost By BRENT ZWERNEMAN Eagle staff writer The need for affordable housing with- in College Station is great, a report from the city's community development pro- gram says. In the report the program plans to pre- sent to city council at a future council meeting, administrator Jo Carroll says though about 700 new multi - family units have been built or are under construc- tion in the past 18 months — after a nine- year period of little multi - family devel- opment (1984 -93) — it isn't enough. "Although this is a substantial increase in housing production over pre- vious years, it is still not enough to meet current local demand," the report says. "Based on local projections, the general population of the city will increase by about 5,700 persons in the next five years." The demand for rental housing contin- ues to be high, the report says. As of this spring, College Station rental properties have a 96 percent occupancy rate. Thirty percent of College Station households, or more than 6,000, have incomes below 50 percent of the area's median family income, the report adds. Of these, 71 percent now rent and 79 percent of those spend more than half of their income on housing expenses. And during the next five years, low- income families will have to spend more of their money on housing, the report says, and it adds most of these will be Please see HOUSING, page A8 Housing From Al large families and the elderly. The community development program thus is developing a five -year comprehensive plan. Housing priorities include: ■ Providing an affordable sup- ply of rental residential property through the rehabilitation of existing residential property and tenant rental assistance. ■ Expanding the supply of decent, safe and affordable hous- ing through the development of new and existing residential property. ■ Expanding homeownership opportunities for low- income per- sons. Implementing these strategies includes using existing projects and programs and developing new ones to meet the communi- ty's needs, the report says. The community development program should present the plan and its proposed budget at the July 13 council meeting. wall Streef J LC� S � 1 995 Lean —and Frail �! Some Companies Cut Costs Too Far, Suffer `Corporate Anorexia' Neglecting Future Growth, They Shun Risks, Slight New Products and Selling Needed: `More Wild Ducks' By BER.YARD WYSOCKI JR. Staff Reporter of THE WALL STREET JOURNAL In corporate America, diet metaphors abound. Companies have trimmed the fat and become lean, fit and ready to compete. Now comes a more disturbing phrase about weight loss: corporate anorexia. A shrinking corporation becomes an- orexic when it gets so hooked on control- ling expenses, closing plants, slashing inventories and eliminating jobs that it neglects the fact that a company should seep Prow, not fade away. 't know who first coined the term anorexia,' but it is a danger," itanford, president of Petro -Can- adNdCaigary-based oil and gas giant that has gone through numerous downsizings and restructurings over the past decade. Mr. Stanford doesn't believe that Petro- Canada has cut too deeply, but he recently announced that it would begin putting far more emphasis on revenue growth. "You can't shrink to greatness," Mr. Stanford says. Many Signs of Trouble Indeed. After nearly a decade of frantic cost - cutting, the downside of downsizing is beginning to take its toll: Decimated sales staffs turn in lousy numbers. "Survivor syndrome" takes hold, and overburdened staffers just go through the motions of working. New - product ideas languish. Risk - taking dwindles because the culture of cost - cutting emphasizes the certainties of cutting costs over the uncertainties - and expense -of trying something new. "There's a vicious cycle of downsiz- ing," says Craig Schneier, a Princeton, N.J., management consultant. And in that cycle, a company can gradually lose its ability to grow. On a more subtle level, excessive cost - cutting tends to strengthen the authority of financial and accounting departments, which see it as their mandate to control expenses rather than monitor and evaluate opportunities and investments. Top man- agement can face a struggle to restore balance within the company and convince people that saving isn't everything. Such a struggle is going on at Bell & Howell Holdings Co., a Skokie, III., imag- Cost - Cutting Effects Th ffects on big companies that 9etween 1989 and 1994 REMAINED `.,®. INCREASED CONSTANT DECLINED Operating 50 -6% 29.1% 20.4% Profits Worker 344 355 30.1 Productivity Employee 19 12.1 86.0 Morale Soule: Amelcen Management Ao"tation ing and information- services concern that went private and took on a mountain of debt in a 1988 leveraged buyout. "In 1988, we were cash -flow driven. Cash was king, and we had a lot of short -term orientation," recalls Nils Jo- hansson, executive vice president and chief financial officer. Management bo- nuses were geared to reward cash flow- net income plus depreciation -and profit. Inventories were slashed. An entire layer of "group" management vanished. Research spending continued to increase, but risk - taking wasn't a priority. Operat- ing profit was growing 15% a year, but revenue was Increasing only 3% a year. A Change in Tactics By 1993, senior management realized that Bell & Howell couldn't keep saving Its way into future prosperity. It had to ignite revenue growth. But the mentality of ob- sessive cost - cutting was habit - forming, and a tough habit to break. "We're very serious that the culture has to change," Mr. Johansson says. "Our cultural bent is still not to spend. We almost have to encourage people to spend" - to invest in products and person- nel that can speed growth. One change has been an infusion of growth- oriented executives. Of the five operating divisions, four have new top managers. "We needed more wild ducks, like me," says James Roemer, who ran one division that tripled in size during his watch. Mr. Roemer was recently promoted to president and chief operating officer. In 1994, Bell & Howell changed execu- tive -bonus formula by tying 30 % of bonuses to sales growth and leaving 60% linked to operating profit and 10% to cash flow. Already, the results are evident. Last year, revenue rose 7% to $720 million, and operating income surged 23% to $70.3 mil- lion. After restructuring and other charges, the company posted a net loss of $10 million, compared with a 1993 loss of $182.2 million. The company sold shares to the public early this year, partly to reduce its debt burden, which exceeded $450 mil- lion at the end of 1994. At Bell & Howell, at least, the painful restructuring bolstered reported results. In many ax- wielding companies, however, even these basic goals haven't been achieved. Worker productivity didn't im- prove, and earnings didd't go up. A recent American Management Asso- Please nirn to Page Aa, Column 1 r Lean—and Frail: Some Firms Cut Too Far, Become `Anorexic' Continued From First Page efation survey underscores the surpris- ingly mixed results of the decade of corpo- rate budget - slashing. The study conclude that profits rose at only 51 % of the comps Hies that downsized between 1989 and 1994 Ny 34 % showed an increase in productiv i But employee morale slumped at 86 %. " What went wrong? In the late 1980s and arly 1990s, many companies trimmed "�yrolls with generous buyouts. And at any, some of the brightest stars - pre - ely the people the companies wanted to p -took the money and ran. Among those people were some with C cial knowledge. For instance, a South - tern chemical company lost an engi• er, the only employee who understood ' ea design specifications of a certain com- ,pressor. The company scoured the Gulf Coast, by telephone, but never found him. Flee had been "downsized" and disap- Forces at Risk Another fat target for downsizing is :gales forces. But as companies focus on :f owth again, the often - decimated sales orce comes under pressure. And with : ,Ostomer- service departments also whit - ,a d down, salespeople are doubling as s omer- service reps. So, they have less in the field, less time to sell new ucts or services. This is a death spiral," says Jerome U tti, president of Alexander Group c. a Stamford, Conn., consulting con- rr "The infrastructure is no longer 2 er , and it's breaking the back of the ' sales force, which is sometimes only a :4eleton of its former self." �} Nr. Colletti's straightforward prescrip- . invest in people and buy companies •Iliat can expand your range of expertise. • "'This road takes guts, and it's the finance :,"'This who have to get gutsy," he says. This •lactic could rejuvenate sales departments :overworked and still shellshocked from : of enduring on austere budgets. "We have downsized considerably," :�s s John Heffernan, director of sales �dto stration at Westwood- Squibb Pharr. :�mic uticals, a Buffalo, N.Y., division of �Ml st 1 -Myers "u bb Co. "At one point, we ;:1 5 sales districts; today, we have 11. d t e sales force has dropped from 145 t • -12 " The dermatological - products divi- ;s2 as also slashed support staff. hen you take away whole levels of : tUan ement, the survivors have to take _ ]Ith s lack, "Mr. Heffernan says. He adds at t e staff reductions made him sensi- :�]ve to signs of corporate anorexia. The most obvious: The work wasn't getting done. He also saw staff members doing a °barely adequate job because they felt too - overburdened to strive for excellence. 0 challenge was to make people ` wagt come to work," says Mr. Hefter- The rehiring of fired workers is perhaps e clearest sign that companies have cut too sharply. These "ghost workers" mate. rialize as consultants, often at much higher pay, to handle engineering or other technical projects. When "companies cut too precipitously, either they hire again or they suffer from corporate anorexia," says John Challenger, executive vice president of Challenger, Gray & Christmas Inc., a Chicago outplacement concern. . Top executives tend to dismiss such terns as excessively "touchy- feely," but evidence that staff cutbacks can be pe ny-wise and pound - foolish is growing. "Downsizing is like a heat - seeking mis- sil . It goes for where the biggest costs 'In says Francis Gouillart, a senior vice president of Gemini Consulting in Cam- bridge, Mass. He says that at some insur. 3bce companies, management slashed payrolls in large benefit - claims depart - ients, only to find out that when disasters IDch as hurricanes struck, the depart - nents settled damage claims too quickly IN paid out too much. Dan, who took a brief consulting -firm course on "mental toughness" and was so impressed that he persuaded the entire s Buffalo facility to take it, too. The cracial insight: People need rest periods between periods of working flat out. Training Often Slighted One common symptom of corporate anorexia is the notion, within a company, that salespeople can just go out and sell and don't need much training. "Compa- nies are willing to put people in sales, but they won't put the support behind them to make them successful," says Michael F. Iafolla, vice president for customer opera. tions at Bristol -Myers Squibb's U.S. phar- maceuticals unit. "This is a struggle within my own company," Mr. Iaf0ha recently told a conference of sales executives in Chicago. Today, a sales force, focusing on team selling and highly specialized segmenta- tion of the market, requires heavy train- ing. He says Bristol -Myers isn't "doing a good job there." Ultimately at stake is the growth of the U.S. economy, as thousands of individual companies devise plans to increase their sales. Strip away big U.S. companies' growth through acquisitions, Gemini's Mr. Gouillart says, and you find that the internal annual growth rate, over the past decade, has ranged from 2% to zero. But a sea change may be hitting big corporations. More of their executives are concluding that slashing costs can take a company only so far and that growth must be the paramount goal. Financial analysts and stock markets may still cheer when companies shrink costs, and stock prices may quickly surge, but over the longer haul, some studies find, shareholders don't hanker j ust for profit. "The biggest driver of shareholder value is profitable growth," says Dwight Gertz of Mercer Management Consulting, of Boston. He adds that a study of 1,00o large U.S. companies' stocks shows that the key to a rising stock price is obvious: "The best way is to grow the business." PHmark Corp Primark Corp., Waltham, Mass., said it completed its 8200 million acquisition of financial -data provider Disclosure Group from Dutch publisher Verenigde Neder- landsche Uitgeversbedrijven BV. Disclosure Group includes I /B /E /S Inc. of New York, which provides earnings estimates for investors, financial institu- tions and portfolio managers. It also in- cludes Disclosure Inc. of Bethesda, Md., which provides information to investment banks and money managers. Disclosure Group also holds a 50% stake in World. scope, a joint venture with Wright Inves- tors' Service that distributes financial data on international companies. Lilco's Board Rejects Offer By Long Island Authority By a WALL STREET JOURNAL Staff Reporter HICKSVILLE, N.Y. - Long Island Lighting Co. said its board rejected a state agency's takeover offer of $17.50 a share, or about $2.07 billion. William J. Catacosinos,Lilco's chair- man and chief executive officer, said in a letter that the acquisition proposal by the Long Island Power Authority "has too any. contingencies and uncertainties assocated with it to merit further review at this time." The power authority said in a state- ment that it intends to continue pursuing the takeover and would address some of Lilco 's concerns within the next few weeks. The bid has met with skepticism by some Wall Street analysts and New York State officials since being announced last month. lsen under fire Waco raid INGTON — Under harsh ttion from Republicans, for - LsurY Secretary Lloyd Bentsen Jay he did w about a a religious d near xas, until it y and had no he govern- lecision to gas to end off• BENTSEN id other , ilities to attend to," Bentsen NO congressional subcommit- ped up the first week of Waco For the full story, please see page A4. idorrna5on on this story throughout the day, tdo Line Wwfty" at 775 -944 pi 1009 rnia ends UC lased admissions LEY, Calif. — The decision htforward: remove race as a hiring, contracting and s e University of hasize the grades ig s. icyroved Thursday by )ard of Regents, eliminates ;ender as a factor in hiring, g and admissions and rais- percent to 50 percent the percentage of students 3 the system's nine campus- es alone. For the full story, please see page A8 ass completes ;pending cuts 'GTON — Congress granted layed final approval Friday hopping $16.3 billion from obs and other programs, .1se panel voted to limit fed - )n aid to the poor. :hat shone a spotlight on the of the conservative agenda ton, the Senate voted 90-7 to �es of already enacted social or the full story, please see page A10 . grows in Russian in culture' — Women who come to No. 193 for an abortion may be offered something bortion lectures and graph - 1 as Silent Scream." rk - )se who want to C Director Irina ays r decision to let Life, the Russian affiliate �rnational Right to Life counsel in the clinic. h -all approach increasingly Russia, where officials Lch money or up-to -date trying to curb the highest ')ortions in the world. or the full story, please see page A8. s bey iu n4 v , y kind of Pitman Bry an LOW 75 ly ...# ,2 /B2 Movies /B2 v ur a iltv.' ns a er a u By LILY M. AGUILAR and JIM WYSS Eagle staff writers After an hour and 20 minutes of deliber- ation, the jury of six men and six women found Stanley Allison Baker Jr. guilty of capital murder in the shooting death of Wayne John Walters. Now the district attorney's office is Preparing to ask for the death penalty when the sentencing phase begins Monday morning. Baker is convicted of robbing the Dolar Video store *t. 28 before shooting 44- year-old Walters three times with a 12- gauge Winchestet hotgun. Walters was fo14m dead at the scene and state troopers arre Baker less than two hours later on U. 3. 290 near Elgin in Bastrop County, Hi was driving Walters' pickup truck and h tol the murder weapon in the vehicle, poii said. Baker admitted much in a police affi- davit, saying he en erect the Dolar Video store on Texas Avenue on that day with the intent to rob and kill anyone in the store. Baker pleaded T Ot guilty throughout the trial, which was in the 85th District Court, During Friday's closing arguments, one of Baker's court- appointed lawyers, Bruce Erratt, conceded there was evidence that linked his client to the scene of the murder and to the murder weapon. But Erratt said the prosecutors lacked any proof that showed that Baker had actually pulled the trigger. Erratt also introd two "scenarios" of what transpired that morning. The fast involved Walters, who was alone manning the counter, pulling out a gun in the midst of the robbery and being Bee Creek in of a clean-u Aj� 311 R V. Rn € Y't CS residents circulatin By COURTNEY WALKER Eagle staff writer While the city of College Station con. centrates on the beautification and restoration of Wolf Pen Creek, resi. dents in Bee Creek feel neglected and will soon demand assistance. "They don't pay attention to the fact they're dumping drainage into Bee Creek and not keeping it up," said Barbara Greathouse, who lives in Bee Creek. Greathouse and other Bee Creek res- idents began circulating a petition on July 14, in which they are demanding "Bee Creek be placed highest priority for cleaning immediately." Residents plan to present the petition to the city of College Station, the mayor, the city engineer and anyone who is involved in the maintenance of Bee Creek. Signatures will be gathered this weekend and presented to city officials Monday. Mark Smith, College Station's public services director, said although none of the residents have called him personal- ly, he sympathizes with them. He said there is already one project under con- struction and several more planned for Bee Creek residents. "I'm sure it is frustrating because they drive by Wolf Pen Creek and see maintenance and construction, then go home and there is no one in their back etition for assistance Yard cleaning the cr Smith said. debris along the banks between Rio Some of the long sited construc- Grande Street and Brothers Boulevard. tion began Monday to repair damaged sewer lines beneath the creek and clear ease see page shot by i involved said soul, Assista Lalk balk that any with the I But th is real del overwhel During motioned the blood- 81i gre em wa One hun to open a I cleared thi: come until Despite group, th( WHO: Cit College. WHAT: Tc Coordinat College a out- of -dis WHEN: It Friday. HOW: The orego the camber of ;lasses at Where were o Y u ring the ROOT met By BRENT ZWERNEMAN Center. road and the road's traffic "had been two months – Eagle staff writer But County Judge Al Jones opened the studied to death," but that the depart- input on Welll A floor to residents, prompting the few ment had hired consultant Rust, No dates hay presentation on lone- ranf•P Tnrae „)1 ,t;,1 ,,,„" . ,,- - lop, Patty Young, Bee Creek resident, points out some of the vegetation problems she and fellow residents have experienced in recent years. Above, garbage and debris dumped into the creek cause drainage and flooding prob- lems for residents. Several Bee Creek residents are circulating a petition requesting assistance from the city of College Station. They will be gathering signatures through Monday when they will present the petition to the city. • l 'r ollege Station Eagle Saturday, July 22, h095 Assistance From Al "Erosion has started along the banks and there is a lot of brush and growth coming up," said Kent Laza, College Station engi- neer. Although College Station is making an effort, Bee Creek resi- dent Isabel Schneider said the city's efforts are geared in the wrong direction. "The area they are cleaning now is above where the problem is, so all it does is open the creek in that area, then (it) flows down to us and backs up into our hous- es," Schneider said. Bee Creek serves as a majbr natural water drain for part of Texas A &M University and all of the Southw000d Valley subdivi- sion. Bee Creek rtjns into Carter Creek, which then) flows into the Navasota River. But overgrown brush and ero- sion worries Bee Creek residents. "Its effectiveness as a major storm drain has been hindered by natural growth," Schneider said. Along with the immediate con- struction, Smith said plans are under way for a drainage utility plan in October 19%. Some residents don't want to wait until 1996 — they feel they have already waited too long. From Page One &World Verdict From Al morning of his murder. "I can say that the man who once wore that shirt ... demands jus- tice," she said. The prosecution bolstered its already strong case with its final witness, Stephen Erickson, an associate medical examiner from Arkansas. Erikson's testim0 y focused on the gunshot woun that Walters received. He said the fast shotgun blast to the chin and right shoulder failed to sever any major vessels and he could have survived with immedi- ate medical attention. "The second wound to the left back ... caused massive bleeding. As a result, the bleeding would type found on Walters' face. Erickson said the material seemed to be consistent with the particles found on the victim. ir It was during the third �t, when Baker would have aimed e gun at chin level over the cour top, that the prosecution contends the gun kicked back and knocked out one of Baker's teeth . A tooth fragment was foun the sidewalk outside. Defense attorney Bruno Sh k asked the witness if gun powder was found on Walters' hands, which would indicate that Walters had handled a gun. Erickson said tests of that nature had been done, but he was not aware of the results. Baker Sat through the trial look- ing around the room, reading his lawyers' notes and listening to Erickson's testimony. Before the jury entered the courtroom, the judge heard and denied defense objections to the state's use of photographs taken by the medical examiner's office. Throughout that motion, Baker scribbled on his legal pad and read a book on the defense table. Many residents of the town of Plymouth, MonstE from a volcano aboove the town. Volcanic activi) PLYMOUTH, Montserrat (AP) — that brought a long- dormant mo life this week is also rumbling i other islands, a Caribbean disas Friday. "We know the same type of actii Montserrat is happening elsewhe St. Vincent to name two," Audre Caribbean Disaster Emergency told reporters. Scientists were reviewing datr whether a series of earthquakes it presage a major eruption, or whet lava that sent sulfur, gas and ash s 1,000 feet into the air had quieted. A new eruption of sulfur, gas roomed over mountains in sight Friday, turning a lush forested slo had previously reported that vol( lessened considerably. Four minor quakes were recorc volcanologist Lloyd Lynch. Montserrat's experience was a son for the islands to focus on h hurricanes, Mullings said. Lloyd said most activity has co Eagle phololButch Ireland Patty Young, Bee Creek resident, walks around a dried creek bed. Increasing debris and garbage have caused flooding and other problems for her and fellow residents living along Bee Creek. "We've been waiting for 10 said, which is why it is taking years and they still haven't done longer. anything," Schneider said. "It is a large amount of money "They say they'll do something to prevent erosion, so we have to in 1996, but that's another year wait until funds are available," for my house to flood." Laza said. Once funds are acquired, t e City officials plan to pace plan will enable the city to rk o, themselves at $2 million a year, clean, widen and place a n- Smith said. Crete wall along the creek. I c B it For Bee Creek residents that the improvements will al o pace may be just a little too slow. cause an increase in drat�ta a "We are fed up and tired of utility fees, which would a waiting," Schneider said. "When based on an area's rum- off I went to get signatures Sunday, amount, people nearly jumped through The plans for Bee Creek w the doors, they were so eager to cost the city $16 million, 4m sign the petition." Verdict From Al morning of his murder. "I can say that the man who once wore that shirt ... demands jus- tice," she said. The prosecution bolstered its already strong case with its final witness, Stephen Erickson, an associate medical examiner from Arkansas. Erikson's testim0 y focused on the gunshot woun that Walters received. He said the fast shotgun blast to the chin and right shoulder failed to sever any major vessels and he could have survived with immedi- ate medical attention. "The second wound to the left back ... caused massive bleeding. As a result, the bleeding would type found on Walters' face. Erickson said the material seemed to be consistent with the particles found on the victim. ir It was during the third �t, when Baker would have aimed e gun at chin level over the cour top, that the prosecution contends the gun kicked back and knocked out one of Baker's teeth . A tooth fragment was foun the sidewalk outside. Defense attorney Bruno Sh k asked the witness if gun powder was found on Walters' hands, which would indicate that Walters had handled a gun. Erickson said tests of that nature had been done, but he was not aware of the results. Baker Sat through the trial look- ing around the room, reading his lawyers' notes and listening to Erickson's testimony. Before the jury entered the courtroom, the judge heard and denied defense objections to the state's use of photographs taken by the medical examiner's office. Throughout that motion, Baker scribbled on his legal pad and read a book on the defense table. Many residents of the town of Plymouth, MonstE from a volcano aboove the town. Volcanic activi) PLYMOUTH, Montserrat (AP) — that brought a long- dormant mo life this week is also rumbling i other islands, a Caribbean disas Friday. "We know the same type of actii Montserrat is happening elsewhe St. Vincent to name two," Audre Caribbean Disaster Emergency told reporters. Scientists were reviewing datr whether a series of earthquakes it presage a major eruption, or whet lava that sent sulfur, gas and ash s 1,000 feet into the air had quieted. A new eruption of sulfur, gas roomed over mountains in sight Friday, turning a lush forested slo had previously reported that vol( lessened considerably. Four minor quakes were recorc volcanologist Lloyd Lynch. Montserrat's experience was a son for the islands to focus on h hurricanes, Mullings said. Lloyd said most activity has co Eagle staff writer , He - tion teachers might get a ra a district can balance new A .cents with a drastic loss o re% id local taxpayers will feel that loss Leir pocketbooks. eliminary budget figures indicate tax dollars will account for 90.44 mt of the district's revenues for the 96 school year as the result of used property values. e increase will mean a loss to the ict of about $1.39 million in state hues. ien school board members held first budget workshop of the year ry, they primarily received infor- :n on how the increased property �s and the new Texas Education (Senate Bill 1) will affect the dis- financially. e board is scheduled to conduct two workshops and a public hearing Inside ■ Fora related education story /A9 f before adopting a budget on Aug. 21. David Neal, the district's assistant superintendent for finance, presented the board with a budget proposal that included an increase of 3 percent to the mid -point of the teacher salary schedule. If approved, that increase would result in a raise of $881 per teacher per year. But that increase won't be enough to meet state requirements for some teach- ers — primarily those with nine to 18 years of experience. Those teachers will be given a larger increase as mandated by Senate Bill 1, which raised minimum salary requirements. The new code also eliminated the teacher compensation allotment, or the career ladder allotment. Those teachers who were on the career ladder program, Please see RAISE, page A8 State says eight oil companies cheated schoolchildren by underpaying royalties By PAULINE ARRILLAGA Associated Press Writer AUSTIN — The state General Land Office sued eight major oil companies Friday, charging that they have cheat- ed Texas sc$oolchildren out of millions of dollars by underpaying royalties that help d public education. The law8 t names Amoco, Chevron, Exxon, Marathon, Mobil, Phillips, Shell and Texaco. Filed in a Travis County state district court, the lawsuit seeks class-action status and an unde- termined amount of damages. It accuses the companies of short- changing the state and private landowners by incorrectly computing their royalty payments. "I believe the companies should pay royalties based on what the oil is worth, not on an artificial price they set themselves," Land Commissioner Garry Mauro said. "That is uncon- scionable at a time when Texas is struggling to adequately finance a decent education for its schoolchild- ren." Officials with most of the oil compa- nies either denied any wrongdoing or declined to comment, saying they had not yet reviewed the lawsuit. "It's strictly about money, nothing else, and it's strictly about the interpre- Please see ROYALTIES, page A8 TMPA decides 5 � against giving extra savings funds to Bryan By BRENT ZWERNEMAN Eagle staff writer The city of Bryan is "very disappoint- ed" the Texas Municipal Power Agency Board has decided not to give its four member cities — Bryan, Denton, Garland and Greenville — back more of $6 million in savings from the past year, said City Manager Mike Conduff. Utilities Director Dan Wilkerson said the actual numbers of the deal have not been determined. But, he said Bryan rate payers should not see any difference in their utility bills from the agency action. "It was too temporary and small for us to have any rate change," he said. Nevertheless, Conduff was upset the cities had not received all of the money back. "Bryan is very disappointed in the action." MIKE CONDUFF Bryan City Manager and they must be at least 18 years old or accompanied by a parent or guardian. Flight suits, goggles helmets, ear plugs and knee and elbow ads are musts. Above, David Jahn on of Bryan floats "into the wide blu y nder" in the wind tunnel at Blue Skis merica. Left, Cindy Flinn of Cole a Station prepares to enter the wind tun el Friday. "The board voted 5 -3 (Thursday) to pass along a portion of the ... savings to the cities in the way of lowered rates, but to keep a portion of the savings within TMPA," he said. Conduff said Bryan's position is any rate savings that occur are the four cities' savings. "Bryan is very disappointed in the action," he said. Wilkerson said the agency intends to keep the funds to "pay long -term debt." The savings are from agency cut- backs, Wilkerson said, and he added that the city had not budgeted for the additional funds. Conduff added that board members Marvin Tate, former Bryan mayor, and Hank McQuaide, former Bryan council- man, cast two of the three votes for the full return. Conduff said the city hasn't yet planned any action with regard to the vote. "We're exploring alternatives at this point as to what action the city might take with regard to the TMPA board on this issue," he said. The TMPA board must again address the issue next April, Wilkerson said. caller bedrooms mean fewer parking aces at CS apartments By MEN T ZWERNEMAN p Eagle staff writer matters when it comes to apart - edrooms. :ays the College Station City 1, which adopted a new ordinance king based not only on the num - bedrooms in an apartment unit it size, also. n +t,., •n ♦., ,.,n units with smaller bedrooms be required street parking a 1.25 spaces per bedroom (down from The new ordir 1.5)." ber of parking Kuenzel said it was a general consen. three - bedroom sus among both the city and private per unit, up fror interests that current apartment park- In addition,th ing requirements were a bit too high, and that there were vacant spots bility in parkin parking in some lots. make some rei green space in 1 The other apartment parking and site building rear p. e- design standards. than first proposed. increases the num- The staff recommended having a mini - :es required on a mum requirement of 500 landscaping x co three spaces points per duplex building, but the coun- cil changed that to 400. finance allows flexi- Points are determined by things like t design but does size of new trees or shrubs, or existing ments, like more and incentives for trees. For example, an existing tree at least four inches in diameter can be ;, like allowing a worth up to 300 points, Kuenzel said, and FK'1f!< l�e BLG1Es�ies �J Ties /Ad is /A5 B1 .. Nft Texas s need foster hive parents ege Station children are m a shortage of foster - oration meeting on how oster or adoptive parent 6:30 Thursday at the ment of Protective and , rvices at 402 Oak Street. rrell of the local office mes are needed for chil- iborn to 17, and adoptive ceded for older children •cups. ire are currently only 16 in the Bryan area, but at at number is needed. erested in becoming fos- ve parents receive free ancial assistance and es. There is no fee. e information, call otective Services at 821- '84- ,5315. consider awarding lr Events Center ction contractor for the Special Events Center at I °'a be chosen he rd of re gents to meeting sq t events cen- more 10,000 specta- cetball games, concerts :ement ceremonies. t, which is expected to $32 million, should be, Qay 1997. at Fort Hood for igs damage control )D — Defense Secretary touted the future of one Lary bases Monday before scussing the recommend - mother. d Fort Hood, the largest nation in the free world, opti-istic about digital cf 9 at the base to 1 :) themext cen- an MM11pendent commis - tary base closings went antagon and recommend - Ily Air Force Base in San y said the Pentagon has or ways to privatize some t would be lost chool districts can s from students - Texas school districts to paging devices leased ithout violating the state Attorney General. Dan prohibits students ftin in class and at school - school- related activities ThP law algn gays nearw There's a Noe kid in - town By BRENT 2WERNEMAN Eagle staff writer Skip Noe's fast day on the job might well have reminded him of the first day of school. Noe, College Station's new city manager, says the hardest part of his first day Monday was trying to remember everyone's name. ' That and "getting up to speed on the bud- geting process," he said. The best part of the day? "There's a lot going on," he said, excited by the day's fast pace. "[And) the folks have been very friendly." Noe said he spent the day getting familiar with the agenda items for this week's work- shop and council meetings. He said he want- ed, but hadn't yet got the chance, to get out of the office and meet city employees at some of the other offices. "In the final analysis, the employees are where the rubber meel�ts the road," Noe said, adding that employeeea are the ones who are in the field doing the work. The city hired Noe on June 7 to replace Ron Ragland, whom the council forced to resign in late October of last year. Meanwhile, former Interim City Manager Tom Brymer has returned to his assistant Smiling faces and warm handsh as Skip Noe met City of College city manager post. Th early May had named B of six finalists for the Job, but then narrowe two, including Noe and Mo., City Administrat Jackson. Noe, 44, beat about £ nationwide for the job. He had been the Antonio's manageme, director since 1989, wl day was Friday. . Noe's background in( year stint as deputy citl Fort Collins, Colo. Bef Racing agency tries to ho AUSTIN (AP) — In a bid to help the troubled pari- mutuel side of 1 betting industry, the nxas Racing Commission on Monday The n proposed allowing small horse tracks to simulcast races from comes a other venues for an unlimited number of days each year. arty City, The proposal could be finalized at the next commission He and his wife, Deborah, have meeting Sept. 12. Current rules allow simulcast wagering only mdidates on days when races are bein run at the tracks. Thi The commission also Voted to open a new application peri- services od for Class 3 and 4 horse track licenses. Licenses could be steps awarded as early as Sepjt. 12, although the application period mer." He said the confusiot that begins Aug. 1 extends to March 15. survN tally came to the conclus tate X" � ''l�'')... +� i E Entreprer draws bc book feat CS schoi By STEPHANIE CF Eagle staff wrib College Station school young salesman hope to r understanding regarding tion material he has bee to-door. Peggy Crittenden, the for of public informat administration received phone tails Monday mor, ents who said a solicitor sell them handbooks or o supposed to help theh school. But the young salesms a college student, said it 1 understanding. "Calls that we have r, that the salesperson, a Indiana University rep Hudson Company, is iml material will help imprc education at a specific H.R. Burnett, administrt to the superintendent. Scott Tonsoni, 20, Indiana University in Ind., has spent two wec "I am a college sh I am here for com legitimate purpos( SU While he said he expects this to Eagle photo/Dave McDermand like the one from Senior Secretary Debra Charanta, were plentiful on employees on his first day as city manager. )until in was Kingsville city manager for ier as one three years. He also served in sever - manager al assistant and administrative posi- te list to tions in San Antonio during his arty City, early career with the city. Gary W. He and his wife, Deborah, have work at the school. three children: Jennifer, 19; Zach, 11; mdidates and Megan, 9. imply that he was affil district or any particula, Noe said he has moved into "tem- of San porary quarters" in College Station services and his family will stay in San his last Antonio until their house sells. Entreprer draws bc book feat CS schoi By STEPHANIE CF Eagle staff wrib College Station school young salesman hope to r understanding regarding tion material he has bee to-door. Peggy Crittenden, the for of public informat administration received phone tails Monday mor, ents who said a solicitor sell them handbooks or o supposed to help theh school. But the young salesms a college student, said it 1 understanding. "Calls that we have r, that the salesperson, a Indiana University rep Hudson Company, is iml material will help imprc education at a specific H.R. Burnett, administrt to the superintendent. Scott Tonsoni, 20, Indiana University in Ind., has spent two wec "I am a college sh I am here for com legitimate purpos( SU While he said he expects this to Station selling the Stude es a two- happen fairly quickly, Noe added, "I which he said is designe anger in can't control the real estate market to help kids and the kide that, he in San Antonio, either." selves." Tonsoni said that as hr — door he was familiar wi ble neighborhood children a parents that the Stud( t trouble S could help their students work at the school. But he said he neve ,urrent areas where they're licensed." imply that he was affil district or any particula, to ex pand simulcasting at Class 3 and 4 tracks . I am a college student the Texas Legislature in its regular session this for completely legitimr said Tonsoni, who said t the confusion would ", mmission wants to take whatever mer." He said the confusiot necessary ... so that this industry result of the book's name " I think (the parents) n tally came to the conclus to do with the curric eyi Carrying unque the chable torch A \ By DAVID HOWELL Games t sheet said. Eagle staff writer "If you could put a price on this kind of publicity, it would.cost hundreds of thousands of dollars," When the unquenchable Olympic flame comes to Brown said. "So we feel we're getting a really good Bryan- College Station next May "community deal." heroes" will carry it through the streets. Brow said the cost to the cities will be nominal The torch is expected to arrive May 21 by airplane becaus the torch will have its own 12- vehicle motor - from Waco, before making its way to Houston, cade aii d security personnel. Money will be spent on Beaumont and Orange. It'll arrive in Atlanta for policin nd side events, he said. opening ceremonies on July 19. Browi said an evening ceremony May 21 at Wolf About 10 to 15 local residents will be selected by Pen Creek Amphitheater will include food, enter - the two cities and the B -CS Chamber of Commerce to tainme t and a cauldron - lighting by the last local carry the torch, said city of Bryan spokesman Joe torchb a er. Brown. "It's ally an honor to have the Olympic torch The Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games come through Bryan- College Station," said Bryan and The United Way will provide guidelines in the Mayor nnie Stabler. "This a real chance to show a fall on choosing Olympic Torch Relay participants. celebr i n of friendship, diversity and peace." Each torchbearer will ftin about one -sixth of one Peggy Calliham, the city of College Station's mar - mile. keting manager, said the tentative route will be "This is a once- in -a -lif time thing," Brown said. Texas to College Avenue to the Texas A &M "The chances are well ever see the torch pass campus. through here again." State Department of Transportation road- widen- The Olympic torch will be carried by 10,000 people ing wo on Texas Avenue between University Drive — including 1,000 athletes and 2,500 Coca -Cola con- and Dominik Drive next summer will be taken into sumers — in 44 states over 84 days, an Olympic account planning the torch's route, she said. 44b., C • Why can't CS leave rural people alone? This letter Is to the members of the College Station City Council, but taxpayers, heed their actions; they may try to change your life next. "When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bonds " begins our Declaration of Independence. Sadly, it seems, the College Station City Council has no familiari with this document or with the very foundations of our system of government. You know, the one that's "of the peo- ple, by the people, for the people ?" Four members of the council evi- dently place "tax base," "land use control" and "growth" ahead of things like "personal freedom," "the pursuit of happiness" and "the will of the people." These four member are more concerned with the bottom line on the ledger than they are with the people they supposedly represent Oh, wait, I forgot ... they don't represent us, because we couldn't vote in the last election since we lived outside the city limits. Wait till the next election, folks. On June 21, against the will of almost all of the residents of five square miles of land. houses, farm W and ranch acreage and woods, annexation was approved by a 4 -3 vote. Hey, council members, did you even hear a word we said? Do you not understand "stay out" and "leave us alone ?" To Council members Lynn Mcnhaney, Bill Fox and David Hickson, I say thank you for try- ing. It seems as though you actual- ly listened as we voiced our con- cerns. You evidently realized that people's lives were being affected and you reacted to our concerns. You all seem to understand that the city has not adequately addressed several issues which are unique to many of these areas. Maybe you also heard our pleas to be left alone. To Hub Kennady: You said all I needed to hear when the fast words out of your mouth during the discussion were "tax base." Oh sure, you tried to cover your tracks later, but Mr. Kennady, the term "Freudian slip" and "ffist impression" come to mind. After that, it became apparent to me that all our statements about lifestyle, agriculture and right to be able to control our own des- tinies fell on deaf ears from the very beginning. How could those issues possibly compete with money? To Larry Ringer: What can I say? You're the mayor, this is poli- tics. This sort of stuff wins votes and you want to be mayor. Just a note — don't ask to put a cam- paign sign in my yard, To Nancy Crouch: Not much to say here. You looked down at all of us, politely attentive, as if we were incapable of deciding what was best for ourselves. We never had a chance with you. You could not have cared less about what we wanted. What are your political ambitions out of all of this? Finally, to Larry Mariott How can you sleep at night? You should have abstained from the voting, or even the entire decision- making process. You, more than anyone on that council, stand to gain financially from this annexation. You are a home builder, and as such, your personal business interferes with your ability to be unbiased on the issue of land acquisiti on for development. Mark my o , Mr. Mariott, I don't kilo hat legal standing we have on ue, but ethics, or a lack th carry a lot of weight n you want to be re- elected. I need is a crack of daylight h pe and I will pursue this issue nflict of interest. To s all of this, it seems that rights of the people hold no weight against desires of the council for revenue. Please do not attempt to placate or pacify us; we aren't that gullible. I will wait for the phone call that will never come to ask for my help with the rural subdivision regulation com- mittee. I won't hold my breath, though. Of course, I doubt any of you Council members will read this. If you do, I doubt you will respond. But for those of you who do, I have this to say: This is not a done deal by any stretch of the imagina- tion. I intend to fight you every step of the way. You wanted the land; you got the people, too. I intend to exercise my legal rights of protest and passive resis- tance in every way. I intend to become a familiar face in the council chambers and in City Hall. And, finally, I intend to make sure that four of you — Hub Kennady, Nancy Crouch, Larry Ringer, and Larry Mariott — have served your last terms on the College Station City Council. You have heard my name in council chambers and you will continue to hear it until you listen to us and leave us alone. NANCY I HARVEY College Station To the editor w Eagle start rrtdet We might be down. but we]e not but 1 message Amtrak oJ$ciaLs unity leaders and cotrcertod citizens at the Bryan-College Station Convention and Visitors Bureau R - iday. Although County Judge Al Janes said earlier that Amtrak already appeared to have made a final decision to end rail ser. vice to CaUege Station SepL to, 12 speakers at the meeting presented arguments to t to change that decisiom naTE: (�,uclu�t i a, � q�s 4 w arch� f r. o ne Tbe?esult was a promise from efficfent's�rvlce to the mettvpolltan lldera�6d' economically feasible pity leaders and Amtrak offidals to review 8rea8 as Well as'lo College Station -. Amtrak's ever-tightening budget h new options and work toward ('}�y;betieve, the potential here is # Mark Willis, manager of omic rail service in the near future. f ' : • enorarotrs " Smith said. "1 cannot } ro mise develo econ pment programs for the Brjati- The September cutoff date remained. that we will not efAg service Sept lo. I can, College station Chamber bf :Comnrerci °" Joy Smith, product -line manager for?' . premise yon the. will not close," f!:d next fall a group of Texas' A&M ec¢' Amtrak's Texas Eagle, said one option that :r ;Smith said thelCopege Station stop did nomics graduate students will evaluatf might be considered is a rail line that runs not have any passarger rail service from the Hgystont Dallas route and study ways Only liven Houston to Dallas. N60 to 1987, but service was renewed In to make'H'viable. " Unlike the Texas Eagle, which continues M. She said ff the community shows it is "We're ;tsking that you give us a seine¢ travelling from Dallas to Chicago and goes dedicated to rag service, it could return. ter," Willis said. "We will do the resromh further west once it leaves Houston, the She added She pommunity and Amtrak and show you tow this will be profitable.. Proposed rail line would remain on one must work together to develop a future train corridor. This would provide faster, Plan for st {yip at KW be convenient for w ' Please see OPTIONS, Pape lls 'Options �a From Al "If we can't make a route between the two largest cities in Texas — two of the largest cities in the nation — I don't know if we Can do it anywhere." John McBeth, an administrator for Brazos Transit, said as people move away from Houston and into its burgeoning suburbs, the need for alternate means of transports - lion will g row. McBeth h not been s ccessfull i Amtrak as n Bryan- College Station because of ineon• venient scheduling. He said ser- vice should be increased for pas- sengers. Rick Floyd, associate vice presi- dent at A&M, agreed that service increases are the only way to increase ridership. Now is not the time to abandon us; Floyd said. "Now is the time to increase efforts, not decrease." I Frank Vandiver, a former presi- dent at A&M, noted the communi- ty is losing some airline service as Delta Airlines phases out passen- ger service,to Dallas because of competition- He said Amtrak should take advantage of its monopoly in the commuter rail market "Well, Amtrak, you ain't got any competition. You're it," Vandiver said. '4 think this community needs you, and I think you need us." DATE: Annexed silo king o re all some CS officials.. BY HUGH SIMONICH ,' Y�7�pR. area, Thursday's meeting . was to niWM this "n -win situation." Avenue and south of Rock Pre Rood; Eagle staff water ;:aglled to set up a citizens group and to "I think the problem is that they don t 425 ate; where FM 60 and the future dBClde on the action of recalling Ringer feel heard and that we were not taking Texas 47 will intersect, and llo arses east Are the College Station city council mem- and Camdlmembers, Nancy Crouch, Hub their concerns legitimately," says Crouch. - of FM 2154 near the Koppe Bridge Bar & bers really representing the will of the peo- Kennady and Larry Mariott ` :_ council is interested in working with GrUL ple? To do that would require petitions con- their concerns." Councilman David Hickson said he .According to several residents of an area taining 1,074 signatures from College - Marriot said he voted for the annexation voted against the annexation because the newly annexed by College Station, the • Station residents. because he believed it to be the best deci- city "did not have the design for the infra - answer is an emphatic "no." A second meeting on the recall is set for sion for the un3 Aug. at 7:30 .m. at the city. structure for this annexation, particularly On June 21, council members voted 4 tug. p College Station However, Nancy Harvey, a resident of for the sewage." for approval of the annexation of about Conference Center, 1300 George Bush Dr. the annexed area, wrote in a letter to the Hickson said the annexation was pro- 3,600 acres, or 5 square miles, of rural farm Crouch, who had voted for the annexa- editor of the We that Manot stands to posed to help protect the gateway leading land in southern Brazos County. tion, attended Thursday's meeting to hear pin from the annexation because he is a into College Station and to safeguard About 14 residents of the annexed area the residents concerns. home builder and the land acquisition against certain unwanted businesses. met Thursday to discuss how to recall the 'Tm disappointed that the residents felt could mean bigger profits. Councilwoman Lynn Mcnhaney, who council members who voted for the annex- like j he recall) was the next step," Crouch 'T don't see how I can stand to gain from voted against the annexation, has said her ation and Mayor Larry Ringer. said "I think there is a lot of misinforma- the annexa tion,' Mariott said Friday. 'T main concern was not having a "good "It was foolish of College Station to lion and misunderstanding among the res. don't own any land out there. I work for rural subdivision" ordinance in place annex the land out hem," says Bill idents. None of them sat down with me and the citizens of College Station and the best before the annexation. Patterson, who lives in the annexed area asked why I voted the way I did." I interest of the city." Councilman Bill Fox agreed, saying—They can't even take rare of their own Crouch said City Manager Skip Noe is The annexed area includes 2,100 acres "We don't really have anything right now business. It's communism -" willing to meet with the residents in the north of Greens Prairie Road and west of to define how these areas will be treated in According to one resident of the , near future to hear their concerns and try Texas Avenue, 960 acres east of Texas the future." 0 f - J A couple of months ago we were able to provide with some information about the budget development ces Proms this year. This current article is to help our citizens understand what they can expect from next year's budget, recently presented to the City Council. Of great importance to most citizens and customers, there ire no tax rata or utility rate increases proposed for next year.. Even more important is that after all negotiations are com. ,llete for a new purchase power contract, we expect that elec- Tic customers may get an electric rate decrease, probably in January 1886. The City Council gave explicit instructions for staff to "find 3movative and creative ways to provide services for Was or to improve services within current resources." Staff is committed to find- ing ways to accomplish that goal. The proposed budget provides some new initiatives: EA program to set aside $200,600 annually to be used for thoroughfare and major collector street rehabilita- ton and reconstruction. EA program to provide $25,000 — annually to begin to retrofit street signs, bringing them up to streetscape standards; KA $100,000 for planning and incen- Charles Cryan tives to create new spec industrial space in College Station; tirrhe purchase of land for industrial development within College Station, $225,000; N[And a plan to work with the !school district to provide access to the junior high natatorium for all of the com- munity. City staff has identified ways of providing new services and ,ffsetting the coats of several services such as placing score- �oards at the softball fields through advertising fees. The Fire Department is working with the Brazos County ifficials to attain some funding for emergency medical calls ride to areas outside of the Cities of College Station or Wyan. The total of the operating, maintenance and capital budgets s proposed for next year is $103,538,154. That is approximate- s 1.7% less than the 1994 -95 budget. The city's General Fund, where most of the traditional "city ervices" are paid for is increasing by approximately 4.6 per - ent over the current fiscal year. Much of the General Fund increase is related to city council trategic issue items. Among those strategic issues items addressed in this proposed budget are Northgate revitaliza- ion, street replacement set aside from current resources, eco- tomic development, and additional youth programming at .incoln Center. Resources are also directed toward maintenance of existing icilities such as parking lots at city facilities including arks, internal roadway maintenance within parks and the emetery and park building maintenance. The recent bond election authorized a number of projects. Construction will begin on the first phase of those projects in 39596. A large portion of the initial funding will be used to pur- hase land for the proposed new library, and a multipurpose -act next near the Police Department and Public Services ) epartment University Oaks Boulevard is scheduled for reconstruction. The park located next to the new elementary school in outheast College Station is scheduled for construction dur- ig 1996. it is anticipated that several new traffic signals will be istalW in FY 96. The electric utility is continuing to move a ignidcant portion of its distribution system from poles to nderground service, while the water utility if planning to )nstruct a well to provide additional capacity for next sum - ter's peak usage. The wastewater utility is completing construction of plant pgrades at the Carter Greek Wastewater Treatment plant as .quired in order to meet more stringent affluent standards. The annual budget is the city's primary means of addressing is need for services and the desires of its citizens and focus - ig on the goals of the city council. the desired outcome for the 1995 -96 budget is that it tontin- es to meet the basic expectations of citizens and moves the xpmu111ty in the direction you would have us go r M Cryars it interim director of budget and research of Codes¢ Station. • c S • Entertainment /C4 • Lifestyle /01 • Ann Landers /D2 COLLEGE STATION `Run- ar nd' tapes a hike wh h program P,,, (0 1 199 5 Our Promofini By CHIP LAMBERT might be lost Eagle staff writer "Word got to tear dowr Don't know much about history? she said. "E If Brazos Heritage Society has any- house needec thing to say about it, Bryan- College Money wi Station residents soon be in line to pro- adjoinng pro mote the past. young res It's a very exciting time for people moved it and wanting to preserve the heritage of the Later, the Brazos Valley," said Pat Hiler, presi- Heritage Pai dent of the society. and detail.A "With the work going on at the park and au Carnegie Library and even the newest Bear, Texas,' project — the Laramie Tire building (at park a reali the corner of 29th and Texas Avenue in gathering pl, Bryan), preservation interest have Two year never been so popular as it is now." the park to Originally called the Citizens for enjoy. Historic Preservation, the group decid- "That wa< ed on the name change to include all of things we've Brazos County and reflect the other said. "Now i activities they are involved in. This generations year is the 20th anniversary of its for- nection with mation. The Braze The group started in a activist role closely with when the "oldest large home in Bryan" groups suc As a customer of the City of College Station, have you ever wondered whether someone is really listening when you contact City Hall? A new sys- tem implement ut a year ago in the City Manager's office not only ensures city staff members are notified about a partic- ular concern, \ but it tracks a concern until a citizen has received a response. In January 1999, the Gretchen Beasley College Station City Manager's office pur- chased a software program called Constituency Cb tact and Response (CCAR). By April 1994 entry of citizens' contacts was be" done by the City Manager's and City Secretary's offices. To date, 282 contacts have been entered onto the CCAR system. Essentially, the process works like this. When a customer calls in with a concern, their name, address, telephone number and a brief description of the concern are entered on to the system. Next, a "responsibility assignment form" is printed out and routed to the appropriate department head. For example, a call about code enforce- ment will be forwarded to the Director of Development Services. The director will review the assignment form and may pos- sibly assign follow -up of the concern to one of his staff members. Once the conce rr has been addressed and the customer ias received a final response, the staff member will send a written response l a k to the CCAR "oper- ator" to be closed ot t4n the system. - The goal of the Ci y Manager's office is that 95% of cjt ens' concerns are responded to and solved within seven working days. Use of the CCAR software has allowed for greater accuracy in mon- itoring the achievement of this goal. Often, citizens' con *ms are responded to within a couple days. Others may take longer for v$ri us reasons but staff members strive top ovide the best possi- ble response to a it en's concern. Weekly reports tre run by the City Manager's office thit can detect which contacts have not b4 en closed out. When this occurs, a remain ler is sent out to the department until th contact is closed. A CCAR respo sibility assignment receives priority reatment when it arrives at a department. A strong empha- sis is placed on customer service at the City of College Sti tion and a prompt, courteous respon$e should be expected whenever a citize i i ails. At the present tipn , the CCAR software is being used in ity Manager's office, the City Secretary's office and in the Public Services Dep irtment. In the near future, ustomers can expect to receive a follow -up survey that will be used by the City to determine the effec- tiveness of this program. The plan is that a entually, CCAR will be used in every de artment of the City. Until that time, c stomers who don't know what number r department to call are encouraged contact the City Manager's office at 764-3510. The Constituency Contact and Response system is ready to work for you! ■ Gretchen Beasley is executive assistant to the city manager of College Station. I-CS drops in mag's Best Places By STEPHANIE CHERRY Eagle staff writer Aryan and College Station city leaders say they know some - tg that Money magazine does not. not they said they are not worried that Bry College ton e" �6 spots in the magazine's annual Best Places to 3 . ^a survey. :ertain things that we realize are happening rill mmunity that are positive that Money maga- zine may not realize, through no Mayor Lonnie Stabler. The Twin Cities came in at No. 300 largest metropolitan areas, do' year, and from 1991's third -place best places to live. Among the 24 Texas cities c Station was fifth, behind Austin, I Poll From Al L ,e!Wft�2 are, anyway." The magazine used a statisti cally representative sample o 25^ subscribers to rate 41 factor — such as low crime, a sho and Tyler. ' To be fifth in Texas, we're happy,' said Peggy Calliham, College Station's public rela- tions and marketing manager. "We would like to be number one, and frankly we think we commute to work and the loc unemployment rate — on a li ability scale of 1 -10. The maga tine also used new measures tc gauge state fiscal health, clear air, local school quality and pro jected job growth through 1998. The criteria were grouped into nine broad categories from econ. omy to weather. Finally, using data from Century 21, the national real estate brokerage, Plus information from dozens of other sources, the metro areas were ranked based on how well they fared in each category. Bryan - College Station received the following ratings in the nine categories, with the scores being a percentage of 100. A score of 100 is best and 0 is worst. Figures in parent4eses are last year's ratings: Economy, 89 (91); health, 31 (6); housing, 49 (49); weather, 46 (46); crime, 24 (24); education, 40 (55); transportation, 67 (Y0) leisure, 11 (10); and arts, 6 (8). In rankings among 300 places, Bryan- College Station rated first in air pollution; seventh in aver- age commute time (15.1 min- utes); 77 in medical costs; 122 in four- or five -star restaurants; 205 in professional sports teams; 208 in high school graduation rate; 249 in medical doctors per capi- ta; and 270 in the state's fiscal health. Among the characteristics the subscribers determined most important were lack of earth- quakes, tornados and hurri- o canes, clean water, clean air, recession insulation and good r schools. The area scored better than c a the national average in housing appreciation, price of a three- h bedroom house, unemployment s rate, job growth, forecast job ti growth, violent crime, cost -of living index and commute time. The Twin Cities fared worse than the national average in property crime per 100,000, library books per capita and hos. Pitals with low mortality rates. Stabler said that while he doesn't want to discredit the sur. vey, there are areas that have grown significantly since the 1991 ratings, many of which do not show up in information gath. ered for the survey. For example, he points to the � - arts and f Wolf Pen Creek development s and the completion of the Palace r� Theatre. He also speaks of the a1 growth of both local hospitals. "In fact, I think we are a better place to live and have made many strides in areas since 1991 Stabler said. "Living here from that period to now, I would say that both cities have cleaned UP more. I think the community is healthier economically. 1 think we're in a growth mode." Stabler compared the rank- ings to being rated in a presea. son sports poll. "You're rated high at the top and have to live up to those expectations," Stabler said, and It the same time those who are ranked lower are "trying to clamber up." "We've been up there and we continue to strive for improve. ments," he said. "There are other cities that are watching us and are making those strides and improvements along with u 11 s. Ronnie Morrison, of the Bryan- College Station Chamber Of Commerce, said he doesn't understand how the community could have fallen so far in the rankings. "To me, the changes in our community since 1991 have been growth and changes for the posi- tive. I can't imagine how we have changed enough in the neg- ative sense to drop from three in 1991 to 63 in 1995 based on the criteria they list." But despite the rating, he said ' he believes being ranked 63 out f 300 is still good. "We don't believe that these ankings, whether your ranked three or 63, will make a signifi. nt difference in a company that might or might not locate ere.::. We don't believe it is mo ething that impacts us nega- Live poll at of theirs," said Bryan n the poll of the nation's from the No. 27 spot last Ling among the nation's the list, Bryan - College : Worth - Arlington, Waco see POLL, page RECEIVED AUG 3 a '6` ( Y r i �l� CS wads Post 06 By HUGH SIMONICH Eagle staff writer Any shopper who's ever tried to get from Post Oak Square to next -door Post Oak Mall by car will know what the fuss is all about., Without a great deal of stopping and - tarting and maneuvering and running the risk of an accident, you can't get from one to another. Post Oak Mall divorced Post Oak Square 0 10 years ago, closing off access from one to another. Now the College Station City Council wants to reunite the two major shopping centers. The council last week recommended the city buy .019 acres from the mall to build an access road, which they say will aid in reducing accidents and ease traffic along Harvey Road. In the past four years, 45 accidents involving mall patrons leaving the park- - Access From Al This roadway will now be altered causing more traffic acci. dents within the mall parking lot, he said. "We have a very well designed contiguous road here," said Silvis. "What staff is proposing is going to cause a lot of traffic accidents." Due to a mutual protection agreement among Sears, : J.C. Penney,. Foley's, and Dillard's, the mall's main anchor tenants, he said he could not agree to changes in any mall development without the express consent of each... "Dillard's, Foley's, Penny s and Sears are not going to welcome you with welcome arms," Silvis said. The owner of Post Oak Square, Andy Bernstein, said he is for the access, saying it is what the citi- zens want. A sampling of shoppers visiting the area Monday backed his view. "I think it would be really.. good. It would help me as a shopper," said Johnnie Allen, 67, of Bryan. Ken Schultz, a Bryan teacher, agreed. It'd be great, it'd be easier to get from here to the other parking lot without going back out on to Harvey," he said. k lots ing lot have oauried. Forty -two involved drivers turning left onto Harvey Road intending to turn into the Post Oak Square. , "We loom at the entire stretch of road," City Manager Skip Noe said, "from the by- pass all the. way down, to Munson and Dartmouth for traffic safety. We found an access to be very important," But representativ of Post Oak Mall beg to differ.. Mall manager Bill Silvis told f`te council at its last meeting that Post Oak But A &M student . Maxwell Voler opposed any change. "I don't know too much about it, but if the mall wants to keep it the way it is, then what right does the city have to interfere?" he asked. The City Council voted 4-2 to allow the city to spend $50,000 .019 to build the access. If the mall rduseg to sell to the city, the city can force the mall to sell for traffic safety reasons. Councilmen Bill Fox, David Hickson, Lynn Mcllhaney and Mayor Larry Ringer all voted for the acquisition. Councilmen Larry Mariott and Hub Kennady voted against it.4 "What's important is the safety of our citizens above the econom- ics of a mall," said Hickson. "And in terms of economics, the differ- ence (for the mall is going to be minimal." In addition to the access between the two parking lots, Council is proposing to build another traffic light at one of the entrances and a median on Harvey Road in f ont'of the mall `ill' Mall opposes any road link. There are plenty of alternatives (to reducing the amount of traffic accidents along Harvey) without practicing your onerous right of seizing private property," he said . ..... It's a safety issue, too." Silvis argued that the road leading around the mall was carefully engineered to allow sensible flow of the 10,160 cars that travel to the mall on an average day. lease see ACCESS, page A8 connected To the editor ) G q i � )95 baseball in Brazos County, the Eas trees that interfered with the view of boys did you proud. the businesses located in the plaza WARREN A. DIXON and is replacing them with lower College Station shrub Ghat improve the view of the • 0 Trees on private land are not city's business The city of College Station is indeed a wonderful place to live. Few cities are so endowed with the remarkable citizens found here. I refer specifically to those outstand- ing persons who are so well orga- nized that they have time to devote to taking care of other peoples' busi- ness. In the kug. 17 issue of The Eagle, complaints were made to the city offices concerning the efforts of John Sleeper to make the property at Park Place Plaza a profitable venture. In his attempt to do this, he cut down The city representative, Sabine Kuenzel, is quoted as saying that Sleeper had violated the intent of the ordin ce. Apparently the ordi- nance is intended to have the city control the total utilization of private prope I re ' e that when a group of peo- ple live together in close proximity, as in i ity, that some personal liber- ties ma r be lost. Perhaps, in the case of conmiercial enterprises, the city may i �x rcise more restrictions than on th rivate citizen. In the present case: eemsthat the inmates are runnirig the asylum. JACK ROSE College Station From page one &Nation Deatn From Al The man's address is listed as Hardwood Lane in the Carter's Grove neighborhood, which is only about half a mile from Francis Drive in College Hills — where infected mosquitos were captured in late August by a Texas A&M group of entomolo- gists. Peters' widow told The Eagle that hospital authorities told her at fast that the cause of death was meningitis. But she said was still unsure of the true cause and was awaiting the results of an autop- sy. From Al He also said the virus was fast characterized in the late 1930s or early 1940s in St Louis, after which the virus was named. He said about 15 percent of the cases of human transmission result in death. The immune systems in many people are strong enough to sup- press the virus, but he said people who develop symptoms generally do so within five or six days. "Resistance may be so high that the virus never gets the chance," Olson said. Experts estimate only one infect ed bite in 250 will cause encephali- tis. Fest From Al Keeping in tune TradeFest's sporting motif, A&M coaches will attend, i ing baseball coach Mark " men's basketball coa Barone, swim coach N. men's tennis coach Davi" Hospital and county health offi- cials refused to confirm or deny the identity of the victim and date of death, citing confidentiality laws. Re'Donna Christian, health educator at the Brazos County Health Department, said Thursday that the Texas Department of Health told the agency Aug. 17 that an individual case of the virus had been con - firmed. On Wednesday, the health department was told that a sam- ple of Culex mosquitoes captured by Jim Olson, a Texas A&M ento- mology professor who collects and studies the insects, also test- ed positive for the virus. Culex mosquites are the most common variety found in this area. Olson said the situation should not be considered an epidemic, but he said residents need to take Precautions against being bitten and against creating mosquito breeding grounds in their own yards. "The fast concern we have, to break the cycle of this disease, is to stop the breeding," Olson said. "Don't panic, but the public should protect itself by eliminat- ing breeding and feeding areas." Dr. William Conkling of the county health department, told a news conference Thursday that the exact reason the victim suc- cumbed to the virus may never be known. The man was otherwise healthy, he said. "Perhaps the mosquito carried a great 'charge,' or the individ- ual's immune system was down due to other health problems," Conkling said. Iti happens; it's unusual but not unheard of. "The victim had also been in Harris and Galveston counties. So we have no way of knowing whether he was infected here or elsewhere." Conkling said the disease, spread by mosquitoes feeding on a variety of birds, is fatal in approximately 15 percent of those who become infected. But the dan- ger increases for people over 65 and infants, both of whom have weaker immune systems. There is no treatment for the virus, only the symptoms. Antibiotics are commonly used to help fight the infection. Only 1 in 250 infected bites result in the dis- ease, Olson said. "This is a lightweight thing, compared to other diseases," Olson said. "I found out I've had it and I probably called it a bad day at the office." Preventive measures include eliminating breeding sites of standing water, eliminating early morning and late evening outdoor activities, avoiding heavily wood- ed areas, using repellants, avoid- ing the use of "bug zappers," and emptying bird baths and feeders. "It's (a matter of) self-protec- tion," said Olson. "People should avoid their resting areas in this area, which include creek bot- toms, culverts, moist and cool locations and storm sewer sys- tems or it could be something as simple as a flower pot." Insecticide spraying is an option, but its effectiveness is open to debate, Olson said. Larvacides, which are sold com- mercially, are often used to kill the developing insects. There's a mixed reaction to spraying," Olson said. "It may reduce the adult mosquito popula- tion, but leave the larvae intact The problem with spraying is that it tends to create a false sense of security and causes people to not take precautions." Telephone hotlines have been set up by both cities and the coun- ty health department to answer any questions about the disease and preventative measures. The hotline numbers are 361.3844 (Bryan), 764 -3508 (College Station), and 361 -4440 (Brazos County). From Al ■ Keep gutters free from debris and standing water. ■ Avoid over - watering your lawns. ■ Seal openings around doors and windows. ■ W ear nmtecirmtlotbingafire„ ° + ° ^da, -I - will either be —ofthe people who become - iii going outside especially at night drained or treated with lar- Conkling said those most at and early morning when the vacide tablets that will kill most risk are the aged and the very mosquitoes usually come out mosquito larvae. young. This is due to their ■ Do not encourage birds to "The majority of people who decreased immunity to sickness. nest in your yard. are infected with the virus never However, it is not known why ■ Use insect repellents with develop symptoms," said the 33- year -old male died. care; however, do not use elec- Re'Donna Christian of the "It's not going to sweep the tric bug zappers as these attract Brazos County Health city like influenza," Conkling more mosquitoes than they kill. Department. "Experts say that said. "The virus needs a living Creeks in College Station and only one infected bite in 250 will host in order to survive." areas on the Texas A &M cause encephalitis. But the ill- Jim Olson, A &M entomolo- University campus that have ness is fatal for about 15 percent gist, said the fall's first flushing We'll Keep the Lines of Communication Open 24 hrs a day. take care of the problem. So far, there have been no known cases of infection with this virus in Bryan. However, Bryan spokesman Joe Brown said the city is going to stay on its toes. "We aren't going to be naive and assume that just because (Bryan wasn't) affected that no precautions need to be taken," said Brown. 776 -5463 0 in the Brazos Valley's Hottest Business publication . To advertise -call 77 wwew ��t'` Briefly Packwood resigns under committee fire WASHINGTON — Before a somber Senate, Oregon Sen. Bob Packwood announced his resignation today in the wake of an ethics committee call "It is my duty to resign," Packwood told a hushed chamber, filled to capac- ity with his colleagues and aides. "It is the honorable thing to do." Chairman of the tax- writing Senate Finance Committee, Packwood did not specify an effective date for his resignation. Majority Leader Bob Dole said he was entitled to a few days to wrap up the official duties of a quar. ter century. This is a moment for grieving," said Sen. John McCain of Arizona, one of several lawmakers who lavished Praise on their disgraced colleague. For the full story, please see page A4. Runaway kills parents after they bring him home LEITCHFIELD, Ky. (AP) — The Youngster wanted out of 11th grade, wanted away from his parents in the small Kentucky farming town where his family had lived for generations. So Derek McStoots — who, at 16, was on that thin line between adoles- cence and adulthood — took his father's pickup and ran away from home. He made it as far as Daytona Beach, Fla., before his parents brought him back. Hours later, Derek ran away again. This time, though, there was no Chance his parents would come after ;him. He killed lice say. For th, try, please see page A5. Plintnn aflnliniel. atinn r h' IE M M 4 11M .virus- Is raFE rus that r M ed S re s�dent �s not c la� a common k By CHIP LAMBERT Eagl&Stali 'Health authorities have�' the death of a College Station man from a mosquito-borne virus called St. Louis Encephalitis — the first such case here in nearly 20 years - . but they say they aren't expecting the disease to become an Mosquito By HUGH SIMONICH Eagle staff writer epidemic; ' .. All the same, - sample of mosquitoes ` Health authorities refused to name'the collected in the Gol2ege Hills area tested : victim; .but they said he was 33 from positive for the virus and county health ; College Station and died in August. officials and Texas A&M authorities T'', A .33- year -old man named Gregory vi rus st i n I � have issued tips on avoiding contact with Stuart Peters died Aug. 10 at St..Joseph. the insects. Regional Medical Center. The last confirmed death here from the The St. Louis Encephalitis that taus virus was in 1976 in the Groesbeck area Please see DEATH, page A8 the death of a College Station man is tray miffed by the Culex mosquito, but poses minimal threat to coun be gins with small birds. Jim Olson, professor of entomology . Texas A&M University, said that whi there are 83 different species of mosgi system causing severe headaches, fever, toes in Texas, the Culex mosquito is tl t'S not going to nausea, sleepiness, confusion and, in some "primary vector" because of their clo A "I sweep the ° cases, delusion and even death. association with Passerine birds, whi( type of mosquito that carries a virus „ All Brazos County residents are encour- include sparrows, swallows and pidgeov that caused a College Station man's death City like Influenza. aged to prevent infection by taking the fol- "(When the mosquitoes) feed on tl Poses very little danger to Brazos County h of tl they get infected with enough Towing measures: birds, residents, said Dr. William Conkling, a DR. WILLIAM CONKLING ■ Eliminate scan g health authority for Brazos County ding water. virus N get infected themselves," Olsr k '33yro1d College' }Station : n= - died ■Remove containers that hold water said "Normally they go feed on anoth Au g. Brazos Coun I authority including flowerpots titcs and bald baths,` bird... Occasionally a human gets in U ug 10 of St Loins Encephahtis but city , Elhese sliogld be > drained covered 'pr, way. "We're an accident" county and Texas A&M officials said transmitted tiro " reed < "' 'r` ,: 4 Thursday very few people even get sick from buds p ia mosquito mov Olson said the Culex mosquito is prey. ■ Re } y hen they get the virus and swift 0 �npw, swallow Repair any Piles that leak lent throughout the South. e $t r u>s Encephahti, a virus lease seeTIPS, a `z' .,This v#W'infects the,central nervous y p ge A8 Please see BIRDS, page f ..... _... �1�413fi. Bryan library peals out its return L 50 tents l - i a ffHE BATTAE1 VoL 102, No. 10 (10 pages) &wbUrbed in 1893 Friday " September S, 1 h carrier fq�nd in Colle a Station "If t drain them the, 05taying indoors during early evenings, using insect repellent and changing water , in lowe pots are ways B -CS and campus residents can end off mosquitoes that may carry the disease. BY lames Bemsen THE $ATTAuoN There is no treatment for the virus said: , we can itself to date, Olson said, but antibi. will use larvacide.' otics can be given to help the body's Sippial said the Physical Plant immune system. . also look at areas where grass is b Olson said mosquitoes breed any - watered to determine whether it sh where where there is standing water be stopped, and often can be found in flowerpots 'We will evaluate areas wher, and pools. I fieve run , and if we have Stan "The' „first. g wgter, then we will cut back. he sa concern we Conklin'said the main things have, theretwe, l- raddents can do to protect themse in - order . to pre to stay indoors during the moc break the ey prime feeding hours, which'ar is to stop the the early - evening, and change any breeding,' he- -ter in flowerpots or other areas e said. 'And that three days. falls on the :'Don't panic, but the public sh [home] owners' protect itself by stopping mosquito Charles Sip - ing and mosquito breeding; he said pial, assistant Olson also cautioned residents t vice president careful with 'bug zappers.' for A &M's Phys , ''Based on the research we have, ical Plant, said attract far more insects than they i the Univeraity is taking quick action to he said. 'If [people am] going to miniroi,P the danger. [bug zapperal, they should put the' We started today looking for areas where we have standing water; Sippial See MOSQ UITOES, P. The Texas A &M campus is being searched for possible breeding grounds of-mosquitoes that may carry a fatal alrain of the disease encephalitis, which recently killed a 33- year -old College Station man. The search is in response to Thurs- dayes announcement from Brazos Coun- ty Health Department officials that a Culex mosquito that was infected with St. Louis encephalitis was found in Col- lege Station. RT Dr. William Conkling, with the Bra- zos County Health Department, said the man who died from the disease had traveled in several other counties, but was most likely infected in town. Conkling said traps were act in the area around Francis Drive, and a mos- quito with the virus was identified. 'We had known we had a case of St. Louis encephalitis, which precipitated the search,' Conkling said. 'That (the presence of infected mosquitoes) has now been confirmed.' Dr. Jim Olson, a Texas A&M profes- sor of entomology, said the virus is car- ried by birds and can be transported to humans when mosquitoes bite the birds and then bite humans. '[The mosquitoes] preference for feeding is, first and foremost, birds; Olson said. 'But on occasions when birds and humans get in close proximi- ty, the mosquito spins off and goes for an opportunity.' The Culex mosquito, otherwise known as the southern house mosqui- to, is the only carrier suspected, but Continued from Page 1 far back on their property as possible — away from areas in which there are people." Steve Beachy, College Station emergency management coordi- nator, said the pity, is taking some steps to solve the problem, but the citizens are the ones who can do the most. "Their cooperation will be es- eential to control these prob- lems," Beachy said. College Station is planning a two -phase approach to the mos- quito dilemma. The first phase is a public ed the uca word out which will get the wod .out to the people that there is a danger by using the other moequitoee may transmit the disease as well. Once -a person is infected, they can- not infect others by direct contact, and the disease is fatal in 16 percent of the people who are infected. The primary symptoms of St. Louis encephalitis are fever, nausea and/or vomiting, sleepiness, con- fusion and dis- orientation, delirium and very strong headaches. The people most at risk are infants and the elderly, but only 1 percent of mosquitoes are likely to be in- fected, and only one in 250 people bitten actually get the disease. The majority of those infected survive with no permanent health problems. target t b city's community access channel Beachy said the second thing the city will do is place insecti- cide tablets in some of the ar- eas where mosquitoes. are thought to breed. 1, . . . "This will help alleviate the breed]rlg sites, and if residents will 'do the same sort of things, that will help to," he said. Similar insecticides can be found at local stores, Beachy said.. Joe Brown, city of Bryan spokesman, said the case in College Station is also a con- cern for Bryan. . We're certainly not naive enough to think that if this sort of thing "happened in College Station, that it cant happen in Bryan, Brown said. ,",We're go= reeding sites ing to be very progressive in our approach to this and warn our citizens. "It's unfortunate that it takes a death to bring this sort of thing to light." Brown said the large egret rookery in Bryan is not a con-,, cern, because the birds which " commonly carry the disease are sparrows, swallows, swifts and other small birds. Olson said the last death from St. Louis encephalitis occurred in 1976 and was an isolated incident. The number of mosquitoes this summer has been lower than normal, he said, .and a large rain or cooler weather would drastically reduce the population further. �I MOSQUITOES: City Amtrak ❑ The train service in College Station will end Sunday, despite mar - keting ideas to intro- duce "Aggie Special" revenue. By Courtney Walker THE BATTALION _ C Amtrak will end Texas Eagle train service to Bryan - College Station Sunday as a result of the company's national effort to re- duce service and cost. Since 1988, the train has pro- vided southbound service to Houston and northbound service to Dallas from College Station. The train service will be re- placed by two Thruway bus ser- vices beginning Monday. Buses will run to Longview and Houston, where passengers can board Amtrak trains. The station on Marion Pugh Drive in College Station will op- erate the bus service for a few weeks, but in October will move to the new Brazos Transit Ter- minal in Bryan. Cathy Locke, College Station city attorney, said the service will change locations because Amtrak leases the land the sta- tion is on, and the City of Col- lege Station chose not to renew its land -lease for the station site. "City council decided not to renew the lease because Amtrak is terminating their services, Locke said. "The decision was made after Amtrak announced it was terminating service." Sherman Frost, chairman of Passenger Rail Initiative, a citi. zens group of Bryan - College Sta- tion residents, said Amtrak has been in serious financial trouble since January and would go bank- rupt if they did not cut services. Mark Willis of the Bryan. College Station Chamber of Commerce said Amtrak was losing $1.6 million a year be- cause they did not have a con- stant flow of passengers. "They didn't market well and did not run at the right times to meet clientele," Willis said. Amtrak publicly announced the nationwide reduction of train service in April and has already cut 25 percent of its service throughout the United States. Despite community efforts over the last six months, Willis said there was no way to save the station. They have to cut some. where, and they (Amtrak) are looking for the smallest opera- AMTRAK . n S that are losing the most Ley," he said. i Fall 1993, Amtrak reduced daily train service to three s a week after the passenger It dropped from more than D in 1989 to 4,000 in 1994. Ithough there was a signifi- decrease in passengers the last five years, Tex ns, local volunteer coordi- r for Amtrak, said there plenty of Texas A &M stu- B who rode the train home alias on Fridays and came 1here Sunday. were at least 50 to 60 ent[passengers on week- ends] because their parents did- n't want the young ladies to dri- ve late at night on the highway," Rengers were needed to keep the train running and how to attract them. However, Willis said the train service had al- ready reached a decision. "They didn't want to look at restru he said. "They alread had their priorities and plans set up when they dame down here." Frost said he also Ruggeeted the "Aggie Special" where people could ride the train Houston and Dail a to A &M home foot all games for a group Even though a- jority of the people at the Continued from Page 1 to — "Survive in '95 ." Amtrak officials came to College Station in August to reach an agreement between concerned citizens and Amtrak officials. "The bus service is t ust a compromise," illis Raid. They weren't going to have Amtrak anymore." One suggestion was to have the Texas A &M marketing department conduct a survey to de. termine how many pas- games are Students and local residents, there are a lot of alumni and resi- dents from Houston and Dallas who have to drive down here and fight traf. fic for home games," he said. "The Aggie Special would make it easier on people traveling and bring in more revenue for Amtrak," Frost said that al. though the community made an effort to save the train service, it would have taken more than a few con• cerned citizens. "This is a regional or state problem, and we Owens said. "Then the guys found Rut about it, so they would park their gas guzzling trucks and ride the train." Shutting down the train ser- vice takes away . 1000 seats available for traveling, Owens said, since a bus does not have as many seats as.a train. Because of the discontinued service, more travelers will hit the roads, he said. `This will turn a lot of people on the highway that were satis- fied traveling [by train], other- wise," he said. Willis said offers were made by B -CS residents to try and help the train live up to its mot- See AMTRAK, Page 6 need the regional eight or nine counties to stand UP and say, 'Hey, wait a minute,'" he said. Even though the deri -I Sion was not the city's . Furst choice, Frost said it is important to maintain some sort of connection with Amtrak. Another problem may be the fact that not or care abPeople ut trains, which were once a primary travel source, he said. Most people don't care because they do not know what train travel is and have never been on one," Frost said. rassengers board one of the last Amtrak trains to come through College Station. Amtrak Nick Rodnicki, THE discontinuing ATT service to and from College Station effective Sunday. Valley high: school footb end stories, see page C1 1 �r 995 _ 50 cent Tablets to kill mosquitoes have Brazos bumming By HUGH SIMO NICH Eagle staff writer Residents from all over the county turned out in droves Friday to buy mosquito-killing tablets from .lawn and garden stores after news of the mosquito borne.virus, St. Louis Encephalitis, reached the pub- lic. A sample of a common house mosquito, or Culex, captured by Texas A &M entomology professor Jim Olson tested positive for the virus that killed a 33- year -old College Station man last month. Officials would not confirm the name of the man who died. . The dime -sized over -the- counter tablets known as 'mosquito dunks" kill the larvae of the insects that carry the virus that caused the death of the College Station man — the first death from this virus in Brazos County in nearly 20 years. Prices for six tablets of these "mosquitd dunks" run $8 -$10. To help people know how to protect themselves against the virus and what to do if they are bitten, College Station officials are distributing fliers to all Please see MOSQUITOES, page A8 'f dw tr .a as �, r e needed the rain ; been infected with the virus. ■ Mos u�toes To help curb the spead of the disease, 'Beachy said city employees have dropped about From Al _ 1 ,200 lai wacidal tab al ong the creeks, drainage ways and cul- verts — basically any public place where there was standing I homes in the College Hills area water. and to most convenience and grocery stores. However, since the city is not As of Friday, Bryan allowed to go onto private prop - spokesman Joe Brown said the erty to distribute the tablets, j city had not be property owners with standing � ty gun to place any g larvacidal tablets in their Water are encouraged to go buy waters. However, a meeting is some of the tablets. set up for Monday to discuss dis- Beachy said the tablets have tribution of tablets. been placed within a 2 -mile Many calls to hotline numbers radius of the College Hills area set up by the cities and Brazos in College Station, the neighbor - County have kept city officials' hood of the man who died from on their toes. the virus - - e,,,,,.,..a....,tely 1 , 200 more will e ve receive ab or be distributed Monday in the calls from residents, mainly ask- y ing questions about the virus," outlying areas near Rock said Steve Beachy, the emer- Prairie. gency management coordinator (These tablets) will not kill for College Station. the adult mosquitoes," Beachy Some calls have been from peo said "They will only kill the lar ple who said they were experi- vae." encing some of the symptoms Beachy said the city is count - I associated with the illness. ing on the adult mosquitoes College Station health officials dying on their own since the said when this happens, you average life span of this mosqui- i should contact your doctor as . to is only six days. soon as possible. The larvacidal tablet the city Doctors will give you a blood used, called Altosid, is not avail- test to determine if you have able over - the - counter and may a From page one &Nation only be distributed by licensed O n e pest controllers. p ro d uct Olson said if someone has con- tracted the virus, it can easily be stopped.- - - Why Simpso For most people in good phys- ical health, they have very little to worry about," said Olson. LOS ANGELES (AP) — Jurors saw hi Many have probably had the ing autopsy testimony, bristle at Marc virus, he said, but they were arguments, smile along with Brian "Kai probably diagnosed with a com- whisper to attorneys and nearly drift off mon flu virus. boredom. People with lowered immune In the rare moments he was allowed systems like the aged and the from his seat, O.J. Simpson showed juror very young are more susceptible his scarred knee, his gnarled knuckles a to the illness. lion -dollar smile. However, Olson did not have He even talked to them, explaining th, an answer to why a healthy 33- der gloves didn't fit. year -old man succumbed to the But they never heard him speak frog virus. chair. - "Sometimes- (the disease) has- Simbson, who has extolled die vil LU, worse - effects – an h althy people things as rental cars and vitamins, for reasons we don't under- decided there's one thing he can't affor stand," Olson said. "We have a himself. lot of 'I don't knows' in the med- The, stated reason for the decision w, ical field and 4s is one of those prosecution's case was in such shamble 'I don't knows.'" worth subjecting the cabin -crazy jury tl week, or more, of 'Simpson testimony. Certainly, legal analysts said, that re: factor in reaching what is often the me strategic defense decision of a trial. But c also likely were at play, including Sim sonality and defense fears of distractir. from the sins of Mark Fuhrman. In the end, observers say, the defensf right decision. Although many defendan tified and walked, conventional wisdom putting the accused in the hot seat spells Court upholds handg records checks iSmart move,"summedupTomHoopE criminal defense lawyer. Yet_ thA dpPnkinn is franohf xxrifA SAN FRANCISCO ( ( ) — A fed- lems that would make the sale ille- officers to report missing children defense relied on poking holes in the 1 tiles .. he eral appeals court on Friday gal. ... or traffic fatalities," said the and casting blame elsewhere, not pr upheld the Brady gun law's In response to National Rifle opinion by Judge William Canby. , coherent theory of why Simpson had ne requirement that local law enforce- Association - backed lawsuits by Canby said the Brady law with the murders of his ex -wife Nic ment agencies check the back- local law enforcement officers, fed- appeared to require the sheriffs to Simpson and her friend Ronald Goldn grounds of prospective handgun eral judges in five states — do nothing more than check co m may have been eager to hear the football Wntann Arizcnn. Louisiana, outer records and explain why a of the story. _Lf12U n: is Oct. 7, 1995, the College C 7� tation Fire Department will celebrating its fast 25 years. be fire equipment, demon- strations. and vamps for the entire fami- ly at College Station Central Park from '- W; ' I i 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. 1970, the first paid fire chief was if anyone has information about per- sonnel from the university Fire vetsity began to reconsider Department, or the College Station Fire fire protection provider. Department, please contact me at 764 In January 1966, the univ department responded to a 3702. I am historian for the department. Lincoln School, and found i We hope these firefighters and their middle of College Station's families and friends will join in this cele -ys lems. bration. 1i v`..The Lincoln School was It will also be an excellent opportunit}V i atbended by local Afri for the citizens of Brazos County to meet � the period of segregatio some of this community's real old -fash. diaf4 this school burned, ioned heroes. efforts were slowed by local The City of College Station was incur- ' -- th i ntegration took place porated in 1938. During this early'peri. p lanned istrict. in the Coll Stati od, the city depended upon Texas A&M for certain services. After this turn of events, Among the last servi ce to be assumed ty let the City of College Sta that they were prepared to by College Station was fire protection. The College Station Fire Department did fire department when the C not exist until March 21, 1970, when the Station was ready to assume tection duties. dedication ceremony opened the new police and fire station. . The city began to prepare The city knew it would need eventually awarding a $229,000 contra million gallon water tower to provide fire protection for the citizens. 17,1967. In 1960 the State 1�ire Insurance Committee re"comme Med that College The city presented a bond Station employ full-time Arefrghters and the fire station, which pas On Nov. 25, 1968, the city o build a water tower. When Texas A&M Fire Chief Gilbert ' two American LaFrance p Eimann asked the College Station City ` $70,000. After a year of study, Coll Council for funds to replace old equip - ment, and the council refused, the uni. was the first city in Texas t o 911 emergency call system. �8, Sunday, September 10, 1995 By Bobby Rhodm_ fi , its role as l lion officially opened on March 21, 1970, the first paid fire chief was '2'OnE,d &I - TOF U This article explained the plans for growth of the College Station Fire Department, but this report was contest- ed by some of the volunteers. The coun- cil had hired a consultant to help plan the fire department's future needs. Charles Pinnell of Pinnell, Anderson, Wilshire and Associates offered a reason- able approach for expansion considering the city's budget. ,. 0 ; :,, . Three volunteer firemen, Re. Larry Grubbs, Gene Allen, and James Humphries went to The Eagle and expressed the need for a ladder truck, more manpower, and higher morale. This public outcry is considered to be the catalyst for Sevison leaving the College Station Fire Department in September 1973.; 1+t . N In October 1973, fhg matt w�o was to become the father of the College Station Fire Department was hirecL.: - , The Sunday, Oct.7, 1973 Eagle ran the article, "Veteran FlreJighter takes Command in C. S. This article announced that Doug Landua had been appointed the new fire chief. He served for 17 years with the department as his baby and the firefight- ers his family. During Chief Landua's tenure, the department grew to over %fall -time fighters, two stations, and 1 kdepart. s of apparatus. ! And during this time the ment assumed EMS duties: llege ,Station and South Brazos County. ■ Bobby Rhodes is a College'Siation,hre fighter and the historian for the College Station Fire Department 4SW 3 r a LM George K. "Skip" Noe is no longer the new kid on the block. He's been the College Station city manager for two months and says he is making headways in building College SLIM n the r 'op' es g p Station as "the best place it can Noe, 44, says his first cou 1 of months on the job have been d' icult, especially getting to know everyone's name, but has been having a good time. Among the things he has been doing is teaching people how to pronounce his own name — it's pronounced 'iNo- And Noe proposes to do this by get- ting the departments in better commu- nication with each other. In this way, he says, the city can be more efficient in its decision making. "I believe in an open -door polio,, Noe says. "A lot of folks come by, every'. one from John 'Q' Citizen to business owners in the community all of whom come to say 'hi' and some of them who n I want to discuss policies. But, that's ve what I'm here for." to Even after 20 years of experience with m city administration, Noe says no two' ed days for him are ever the same. But, for nd him, that's ok. ns. He describes himself as having a real ty high energy level and committed to giv- S, ing 110 percent level of service. as However, its his family that takes or first priority. 4 He and his wife, Deborah, have thrVt g children: Jennifer, 19; Zach, 11; and in Megan, 9. "You can get real lost in this job and lose sight of the importance of your fam. r, ily," said Noe. "There's a lot of expects.. ms tions on my kids because their dad is t g the city manager. I try to treat them as S good kids because they are good kids." Noe said all are making good transi- to tions to College Station. Deborah, his wife, is very active in the community to as a volunteer, Zach and Megan are b- starting school and Jennifer is a sophomore at Texas A &M University. Dry by Hugh Simonich C�7 ee. r " different (from v rh Y s started)," says Noe. ' grown some." Noe mo ved' C College Station in Jul San Antonio where he Eer in several assistant administrative pos' i r , Prior to that, he was e city manager in Fort Coll Colo. for two years an e K Kingsville city manager f eta three years. He and his family are in "temporary quarte " College Station until th find a permanent home. As the new city manage x A Noe believes city probl can better be solved by go more of the city's va .1 Qu departments involved. The world doesn't fit in neat little silos like it used to says Noe. " can impact a particular pro lem." Photos and as a volunteer, Zach and Megan are b- starting school and Jennifer is a sophomore at Texas A &M University. Dry by Hugh Simonich C�7 q 1 18,5 It budget t� e in B Yan and C The College Station City Council fmalized its $103.5 HUGH mill ion budget for fiscal year 1996 at their last SIMONIC from last nir co cil meeting, a ® las of $1.8 million om t year. City Beat (. The final budget ,, includes reductions totaling more than 1380,000 which City Manager George "Skip" Noe believes can be achieved without low- ering the quality of services to residents. Overall, the budget includes $447,000 service level adjust ments specifically aimed at council strate c issues. These issues address street infrastructure improvement; and economic devel- opment. The budget provides room for the tax ratE to stay where it is, at 44.5 cents per $100 valuation. ■ A citizen's group from College Station 1 x king to recall Mayor Ringer and council members Nancy Clouch, Hub Kennady and Larry Mariott needs to have their petitiDits in by Wednesday afterroon. Marianne Oprisko, an organizer 5 6r the recall, said she could not yet give an estimate of how man ignatures the group has. is what the group needs to hold a rec al election: Mayor Larry Ringer: 997 signatures; Hu ennady: 930 signa- tures; Larry Mariott: 984 signatures; Nan (y Crouch: 738 signa- tures. Op ko said each person in the organization has their own rea- sons why they want the recall. She said t1le petitions will be burned if the group does not get all of the necessary signatures. ■ The city of Bryan will vote to approve is $139 million budget for f1s6l year 1996 at the next council meeting Dn Sept. 26 at 6 p.m. in the council chambers of the municipal b ' ding 1101 Texas S. Ave. Wis budget is an increase of more than $14 million from last fiscal ,year. Almost half of the $14 million is due to a r' in cost of the city's electric production. Funding for current or additional progranis will be done with- out raising property taxes. The tax rate will rer aain constant at .61 cents per $100 valuation. . ........ r: __�_: �!>> iky. % 71, 2 scctions Thursday,, Septeirber 28, 101 Memo 7 cast doubt on cities' p . ower. . 000i By DAVID HOWELL Eagle staff writer A memo to staff by city Of Bryan util ities director Dan ' Wilkerson suggests. it was politics, not just price, that influenced College Station's decision to choose Texas Utilities over Bryan to provide its power. Me truth is that the argument service territory was the real enoe,".he wrote Sept J5 to 1 employees... -"As late as 630 PnL (Sept , 14)w.e ; if we would give Station ,College 4,000 acres of service territory; bas bascal- south and west, they Would' :0. "1 us ."C'the : contract . ' . i ctr .. - Mayor . -Two weeks ago, Bryan Mayor Stabler told a packed College.. tion " council meeting he was int- -,;.., the city had chosen•Texas U t1eZ not . Utilities, as its;new! p provider. `4 ' , B &bler said there wez no ilard feelings, adding goodwill and joint ven- tures with Bryan's neighbor would continue. College Station coun8111iidsild the TU proposa was a better deal and . offered more attractive renewal options to the city. . - ' - -- The memo went on to say ter- ritory was ­Just too valuable" to give up and, besides, "most of the customers want to stay with Wilkerson also % sur. d the po� vey College Stati4 5 gave inaccurate findings. ­Me true numbers were gist -Bryan power would cost College Station $78.55 million over four years and TVs cost was $82.47 million, the memo "said. "I think it is important for you (BU employees) to know that YOU work for a highly competitive utility that can compete with the largest utility the eat state, and that the only thing beat us is local politics"' Mike Conduff, Bryans City m w s said Wilkerson's internal m was —Posted on a city hall bulletin from which someone probably made a. copy and sent it out to media; College., St city staffers and others. 1 .4j. "(Wilkerson's) intent was that it would remain an internal memo trying to boost the morale of local employees," Conduff said. "Ifs not reflective Of the stance of the city of Bryan. Wilkerson said the memo's figures , were , guess ti ma tes" that cannot be ver ifi e d o r rejected until Bryan - sees TU's contract with College Sta ti n. H sa id College Station neve asked Please see 'POWER, page Al2: n R A I— From for distribution costs, known as , ,h ee ling,- , from Bryan or Texas M Power Agency and, ther4ore, can't guarantee its cost pro am accurate. 'As as anything I wanted ithern a(Bl�nPIOYees) to know their weren't in vain," Lp& mem z� W . con . tttation ' - manager Noe said 4141!was..0 # isi �Anpoff the-tenor .ou . me but added that the BrWli,� proposal was.evaluated using-thel :1 same criteria as the TU and Energy bids. Noe said he Q had no i dea where - the figure$-,uoted in the memo cam ft-b a nd �Pointed out • -the 1. proposals-were e valuated by two ou t s ide�kwnsultants::, BUMS & McDonnell and McCord Engineering... u nderstan ' d "I can certainly t h e i r disappointment that they didn't get; the c ontract," he sail ., there h ave to be better ways of b u p staff morale Om at the expense o f th C Station city �CQ . Un CIL,. th N pdd. e service territory — - th between the issue, I two - an d th subject of a law- sui was cone factor in making a power decision. He said the leaked memo d alter that decisio'L- Noe 6;nduff and Stabler all said the incident is unfortunate and they all Pledged the cities would continue to work closely togetliffl- Akyel M = I F± • • DAT�: SeDi, 30 1 199 5 Tax rate remains the same for Colle Station homeowners 9 Coll g Station property mvners will face the same tax rate for 1995 as last year. The city council adorted a rate of 44.50 cents per $100 valuation Thursday. The vote was 4-2 in fav r of the tax rate, which will support ffie 1995 -96 budget approved by coun fl Sept. 24. Councilmen Hub Kennady md Larry Marriot objected to the tax r ite, saying they wanted to lower e . Council also increased the annaal animal licensing fee — required for Ell animals within the city limits — from $7 to $10. The City of Bryan recently r ' ed thier animal fee as well. Council also amended city ordi- nance so that pet owners n have the option of using an implanted microchip rather than the traditional metal collar tag. The implants ensure against the identification being lost or stolen. 1 N = IYA A DATE: 0c_ COLLEGE STATION Fire department a I �� gearing up -for \0 big c legation The past and present members of the College Station Fire Department invite you to help us celebrate our Silver Anniversary and muster at Central Park on Oct 7 ftm 10 am. until 5 p.m If you have ever had a secret urge to fol- low that fire truck with the lights and sirens blaring, just to see where it was going, then do not miss this event. Our family invites your family to help kick off the events with an Open House of the three College Station Fire Stations from 3 p.m. until 7 p.m. Wednesday. Station One, 1207 Texas Ave.; Station Two, 2100 Rio Grande; and Station Three, 4180 Texas 6 S. will be open for tours, so please stop by and meet the members of our family. College Station's Central Park is the place to be on Saturday. There are activities designed for all ages. Events sched- uled for Saturday are: opening cere- monies at 10 a.m. with a spe- cial presenta- tion by Aggies Over Texas, and the College Station Police Jon Mies Department's Honor Guard will present the colors. Puppet Shows fea- turing Firefighter Frank and Friends wilt`. entertain you children with songs about ,. fire safety. An Antique Fire Truck display and competition is taking place featuring apparatus from all over the state. 5 Children's Games that are fun and let your children practice life saving proce. dures are planned. There will also be a Chili Cook-off with teams from the entire Brazos Valley and everyone knows fire- fighters make the best chili. There will be demonstrations on the proper techniques for selecting and using portable fire extinguishers and CPR (car - dio pulmonary resuscitation.) The demon- strations are provided by local emergency services workers. A vehicle will be dismantled using vari- ous hydraulic (Jaws of Life) and pneumat- ic extrication tools. The College Station Fire Department's Hazardous Materials Technicians will demonstrate procedures for controlling and mitigating a mock chemical spill. The Fire Safety House, a child -size two-story house filled with a theatrical smoke and used to teach children how to exit under smoky conditions, will be on hand. There are 30-minute classes scheduled to run throughout the day. The event will close with a free concert sponsored by the College Station Parks & Recreation Department at Wolf Pen Creek Amphitheater at 7 p.m., featuring the band "Full Circle" whos country, rock & roll mix should keep the night jumping. During intermission there will be a draw- ing for a trip for two to a tropical location, courtesy of Mix 104.7 FM. Entry forms will be available at Central Park and Wolf Pen Creek Amphitheater during the events. So plan to come early and stay late to enjoy a full day of activities with the fami- ly that protects your family. Help us cele- brate 25 proud years of community ser- vice; and remember Fire Prevention Week is Oct. 8-14. ■ Jon Mies is a battalion chief with the College Station Fire nenarfinent CSPR receives awards at Denver conference C College Station Public Relations & Marketing Manager, Peggy Calliham, and Public Relations Assistant, Bob Yancy, recently returned from the 7th annual City- County Communications & Marketing Association Conference held in Denver, CO on Sept. 14 -10 where they returned with honors. Yancy received an Award of Excellence in the Savvy competition with a video presentation entitled "Northgate at the Crossroads." There were 183 entries in the Savvy competition nationwide and video presentations were one category. Calliham served as guest speaker at the conference with three other pub- lic sector marketers on the topic entitled, "Measuring the Effectiveness of Your Public Relations Programs." City- County Communications and Marketing is a nationwide network of more than 300 public sector mar. keting professionals. Calliham has served as charter member of the board of 3CMA for the past seven years and will be going off the board. this year. � 4(�I F f: DATE Oc+ober been installed in my neit Blue Skies America, I le,- noise study had been cor the building permit had ation Perhaps the city thought had engines, especially older To the ed No noise study held for aircraft engine When I called the City of College S about the DC -3 aircraft engine that THEN PAR44Y THE 'ON FM7NATIN- <ORAMOV15 CK V5 OR I MIGHT WA54ZIAE Y' K,W? Ze'KE, YOU'Y6 BEE11t AWHW-Ya10 7H4 M!FrFf vl"111E5. /5 IV MF-7f 1N6 /1Ji?6W r ) CI C', - *hood for that no ad before granted. airplane sls without It noise abatement engineering, were a nice addition to residential areas. I don't know who thought we would enjoy listening to the constant droning seven days a week for up to 12 hours a day; but certainly not anyone who lives near the Wolf Pen Creek Amphitheater. I hear it in my house when the air con. ditioner is off, and sometimes over the air conditioner when the weather is right. The city's Parks and Recreation Department did an outstanding job of redirecting the sounds from the amphitheater, so that proves they know how to reduce noise pollution. But the easiest solution they ignored — don't permit invasive noise pollution in the first place. I know I live in a mostly rental neigh- borhood, but my rights as a citizen werE ignored in favor of the tax base this nui- sance produces. SANDRA L. PARSON; College Statio BY GARRY TRUDEAU AM0=1YA Maga ISNOB y DAVID HOWELL Eagle staff writer OF 'tation has been chosen as the ` t -run city among the state's '1 dl sized cities in the October edi- tion of Texas Business magazine. College Station trailed the larger cities of Lubbock, Irving, Beaumont, Garland and Plano in the 50,000 to 250,000 - population category. "Not only does College Station offer good services on its own, it has Texas A &M University to fill in the gaps with DATE: October 2 j) Col le � �e g ives g S cultural events, museums and athlej- ics," the magazine said. "As the dominant employer, the un - versity also serves as a stabilizing force in the economy. Although Texas A &M is tax-exempt, its work force and stu- dent body form the base of property val- ues and ever - increasing sales -tax rev- enues. Low turnover among elected off 1- cials indicates citizen satisfaction with management." The criteria the Dallas -based maga- zine used included analysis of financial reports provided by Moody's In side ■ F r 6 related editorial /A5 hig*fflamb Investm Services of New York, sur- veys of i management experts and magazin4ent, committee evaluations. Mana financial responsibili- ty, deliof services, vision and the diversity and turnover of staff and elected officials were Texas Business's five main scoring categories. 95 Peggy Calliham, College Station's public relations and marketing manag- er, said the high ranking will help boost the city's recognition statewide. "It's an extreme compliment to our city council and city government," she said. "We've felt for a long time we were a well- managed city." As for the future growth of the city, Calliham said "diversifying the eco- nomic base through new industry and business, rather than counting on A &M" is a long -term goal. Aelm=by� DATt: October 41 Ic1195 �e a n Left, Jim Conner, driver for College Station Fire O f Station No. 3, tries out the new Cardio Glide fit ness machine donated to the station by Academy Sports and Outdoors Tuesday. Donated in honor of National Fire Safety Week, the machine should help firefighters stay in top shape by providing a total body workout to _ improve flexibility and cardoivascular strength. Photos by Dave McDermand k�tA • C7 RECEIVED OCT 0 5 1995 October 2, 1995 Dear Mayor / City Manager: CONGRATULATIONS! Your city has been named to the "Best Managed Pities" list in the October issue of "Texas Business" magazine. In acknowledgeme and appreciation of your city's achievements, I am enclosing a complimentary copy of the magazine. If you are interested in obtaining more copies to Jistribute among colleagues, council members, or other city leaders, we do have extras available for purchase at a special discount for listed cities. These extras are limited a first -come, first - served basis. If you are interested in number, and will be distributed on in obtaining extra magazines, please call me at 214 - 855 -1400. Again, congratulations. We commend you and 1( future successes on the pages of "Texas Busine: Best regards, :4 Heidi Schultz Circulation Director 2200 N. Lamar Street., Suite 250 • Dallas, Texas k forward to chronicling your city's is (214) 855 -1400 • Fax (214) 855 -0106 T I r; s _ a � ;• i i Dallas City Manager John Ware (left) and Mayor Ron Kirk- They head a city govern- ment long praised for its expertise at manag- ing money. Now the city has reorganized to be more citizen - friendly. "While we do want °' run our city like a business, we want to make sure the citizens are safe, well- protected, and taken care of," Kirk says. Meeting — —M z f A ;• i i Dallas City Manager John Ware (left) and Mayor Ron Kirk- They head a city govern- ment long praised for its expertise at manag- ing money. Now the city has reorganized to be more citizen - friendly. "While we do want °' run our city like a business, we want to make sure the citizens are safe, well- protected, and taken care of," Kirk says. Meeting — —M (,Mind By Beth Snyder • • eir Well- managed cities are as efficient as top - performing companies, with customer service that passes the citizen test. Texas Business ranks the state's best. un a city like a business. Woodrow Wilson's Progressive idea lingers today. But what exactly does it mean? Even people who espouse the theory don't agree. Suppose cities were run like 1980s savings and loans. Or First City Ban- corp. Or Texas Air. Hello, Cleveland. If what Wilson meant is that a city should run eco- ally and efficiently, sure, that's what most people (W c t from government. But if he meant cities should run exactly like businesses, they would have to start making decisions based purely on economics. Before long, they would be charging admission to libraries and sending bills to people unfortunate enough, to have to call the fire department. Three -alarm fire? That will be $1,500, please. Of course, that's not what efficiency advocates want at all. People expect a city to respond to their needs, even if that means being inefficient sometimes. Texas A &M University political science professor Gary Halter calls it Poor Old Widows Syndrome. A city sometimes has to work in an unbusinesslike way because people are old or poor or incapacitated or just needy —they might call themselves "special exceptions." When Texas Business set out to find the best -run cities in the state, we kept in mind that a well-run usiness is one thing, but a well-run city is more. Our ra ing categories reflect that— financial responsibility is important, but so delivery of services, vision, voter satisf; I tion, and the icity and sex of staff and elected officials. ecause standards fluctuate greatly with city size, we created three categories: large cities with a population of 250,000 or more; mediw of 50,000 - 250,000; and s 50,000 or fewer. Texas is known for example, in Financial V of 30 cities nationwide, cities were in Texas. Ar bottom five. Analysts experts usually attribul managed cities to the pi council governments. O ton an century, in retaliation i machines. It was designe ernment like a business. all the gusto of a state lonl The city manager- counci ans' pride in their Comm government's interference Simply put, Texans an ment employees sitting ai In the end, the cities v best of the business worl other cities their size, take manage their finances wit What follows is a brea each of our three cateor ,ed cities with a population cities with a population of od city management. For d magazine's 1995 analysis ee of the 10 best - managed to Texas cities were in the A public administration texas' reputation for well - )minance of city manager - xas' large cities, only Hous- J Paso have mayor- council ments, often found in large in the Northeast and Mid- .;ity manager government ms to take the politics out of the everyday, out of who cleans which streets or fills in which potholes. This "new" style of govern- ment grew from the Progressive movement in the early part of this the old, corrupt political o, as Wilson said, run gov- Texas cities adopted it with strusthd of big government. t -up worked well with Tex - ities and their resistance to their lives. ss likely to tolerate govern - .nd doing nothing. ;hose knew how to take the add in services superior to long view in planning, and aution and intelligence. own of the leading cities in 72 TEXAS BUSINESS OCTOBER 1 F)95 Well - engineered on management e since 1931. t was more than just a tangled mass of unsightly weeds and twisted, mis- shapen trees behind the Ronald McDonald House and St. Paul Med- ical Center. The stagnant drainage ditch was home to snakes, rats, and mosquitoes. It was an escape route for juvenile delinquents, who ducked in to elude police, and a multipur- pose dump for unwanted trash. Citizens in the north- west Dallas neighborhood of Arlington Park called the for years to complain ;it the mess. Somehow Wir requests fell through and discarding the mini -messe n their yards and parking lots. "We are constantly look- And that is how re-engineering worked in Dallas. self - evaluations, and we bor- Re- engineering was part of the plan to keep Dallas' national media reputation as "The Big City That Works" In 1 4, City Manager John Ware and his staff sought to overhaul Dallas city management, 10 iich had been running on the same system n e 1931. 18, and 66 jobs were eliminated. in But the biggest step Dallas I` Ware considered hiring an outside consul- tant, but when he discovered the price tag was $500,000 to $1.2 million, he decided to keep the study in- house. For six months, every city service and every support function was scrutinized. Managers examined several pairs of large corporations: General Motors Corp. and Ford Motor Co.; Sears, Roebuck & Co. and Wal -Mart Corp.; and IBM Corp. and Motorola Inc. Ware asked city employees which com- panies they wanted to imi- tate. Of course, city staffers chose the second, and more successful, of each pairing. The chosen companies were studied for their approaches to service, and ideas they generated were integrated the cracks. Until December 8, 1994, when a new city system went into effect and service teams fanned out across the city to meet with residents. At an Arlington Park meeting, the pastor of nearby Arlington Park First Baptist Church, a few St. Paul's officials, several Dallas police officers who worked the area, and other citizens pointed out their problem. The service team immediate- ly gathered the appropriate play- ers from Texas Utilities Electric Co. and two city depart- ments--- streets and sanitation, and parks and recreation — and went to work They mowed the weeds, drained the putrid water, and uprooted trees as big as inches in diameter. As crews worked, neigh - rfs and business people who witnessed the trans- formation began gathering into the plan. "We are constantly look- ing at other programs. We do self - evaluations, and we bor- row other ideas that work," Ware says. In the end, the number of departments reporting to f Ware was trimmed from 26 to 18, and 66 jobs were eliminated. But the biggest step Dallas took was breaking the city into six operating districts, - each staffed by a team that would coordinate services to that area. An assistant city manager heads each district, and the teams meet regularly with area citizens to discuss f re- engineering: Before Dallas manage nt divided the city into their problems. This is how each with its own assistant city manager arid "service team," citizens the mess in Arlington Park :on Park area were frustrated in their atte n is to have a vacant lot finally was recognized. ditch cleaned up (top). Soon after the s ry ce team's first meeting The re- engineering was irhood residents, city and utility staffers we 'e put to work. completed just as Dallas climbed into a bet- ter financial position than it had reached in years. The city expects to save $1.5 million from its re- engineering and to collect more property -tax revenue this fiscal year. After several years of shrinking property values and operating deficits, the city's tax base has grown —by .4% last year and 4.4% this year. Typical of Dallas' conservative finan- cial practices, Chief Financial Officer Jenif- fer Varley was reluctant to predi t a trend and says it's too soon to start spe�iding the extra money. Some probably will be used for deferred infrastructure and mainte- nance, and to replace old equipff ent. The lean years were tumultuo is in Dal- las. The city has had four mayor and four city managers since 1985. Its city council was overhauled to a single-di stri system, and since then, council mem ers have been criticized for infighting. Wa #e himself has come under fire for keeping tight con- trol over the flow of informati n at city hall. But despite its high turn ver and council criticism, the city has ke t its rep- utation for good management — perhaps because it is able to attract qualified man- agers with its higher-than-average salaries. The latest manager's push for customer service fits well with Dallas' return to financial growth. It now has the - esources to look forward. "While we do wa nt to run our city like a business, we nevej want to lose sight of making sure all the c tizens of Dallas are safe, well- protected, a d taken care of," Mayor Ron Kirk says. San Antonio Pop.: 972,400 2 Mayor: William E Thornton, $3,000 plus $20 per meeting City Manager: Alexander S. Briseno, $125,000, $3,000 Car allowance. Financially, the Alamo City i ell managed. It has a diverse tax base and, a healthy, $58 million surplus in its genera l'fund. It also has one of the most diverse Ir ups of city employees in the state. The city's biggest challenge remains its inadequate water supply. An i itiative to create a reservoir has failed wice at the polls, and the city has turned to recycling ( waste water for non - drinking use. Arlington Pop.: 275,680 Mayor: Richard G ne, $3,000 4 City Manager: George Campbell, $118, 692, car Arlington's strengths —a diverse economy and substantial tax base—are tie product of its location between Dallas and Fort Worth. Management shows a willingness to tighten its belt when necessary. The city has little fear of public reprisal when cut- backs are needed during economic slowdowns. City services lag a bit compared to other cities its size, reflecting Arlington's reliance on its big neighbors for museums, more libraries, parks, and other amenities. Houston Pop.: 1,630,553 Mayor: Bob Lanier, $133,516 ran City Manager: No cjtyr manager The Bayou City seems head of belt- tightening. Minimal 1 and a( tric frai 1996 buc Houston gin bene property city also heavily c METRO which f, of its o% On the plus side, the city mayor and one of the most e diverse councils around. r a round se growth ise in elec- fees are strain the and little mar - a cap on rates. The m the system — problems a strong cally Fort Worth Pop.: 451,650 3 Mayor: Kay Granger, $75 per meeting City Manager: Bob Ter- rell, $108,000 Fort Worth prides itself on its reputation as a well- managed city. Declines in its proper- ty-tax base in the early '90s didn't affect the city significantly because tight budgetary controls were implemented to defuse problems. The city does have above - average debt, but that's because of its dedication to upgrading city services. Infrastructure plans are aggressive, and with its strong mayor and council and its get -it -done reputation, are likely to be completed. Austin Pop.: 465,622 5 Mayor: Bruce Todd, $35,000 City Manager: Jesus Garza, $125,000, $5,000 deferred com- pensation, $4,200 executive allowance Austin's property- and sales -tax revenues are growing at an incredible rate. But the city is growing so fast, the demand for infrastruc- ture and new city ser- vices outpaces its ability to provide them. Turn- over rates are also high, indicating citizen discon- tent'. four mayors and three city managers in the last 10 years. Austin also is hindered by the Texas Legislature's penchant for enacting city laws —just ask Washington, D.C., where that can lead. Corpus Christi Pop.: 257,453 7 Mayor: Mary Rhodes, $9,000, $1,800 car allowance City Manager: Juan Garza, $103,200 Strict bud- get control has kept this city out of ..s trouble in the past and probably will in the future. Unfortunately, Corpus has had little growth in property values and a self - imposed limit on tax rate, hampering ser- vice and infrastructure growth. The city has the beginnings of growth in property assessment and sales tax revenue. A port city with a diverse work force and industrial base, Corpus has stabilized and may be ready to grow. OCTOBER 1995 TEXAS BUSINESS 75 ground Surprisingly, manager wannabes flock to leg up on their careers. ubbock is the Harvard of Texas city- management training. Long known for its good management, Lubbock churns out city officials ready to whip other cities into shape. Just to name a few, Grapevine, DeSo- to, Mesquite, Garland, and Arlington all have top city management offi- cials trained in Lubbock. These "Lubbock - exes," as City Manager Bob Cass calls them, reflect the tradition of excellence in Texas Business' choice for best- managed medium - sized city. Like students who pick their business schools based on where graduates work, up- and - coming city- management st bock exes in influential positior that same leg up on the competi, ideas and vitality come regularly via plane, train, and automob across town from Texas Tech school of public administration. At the head of this training grc a 19 -year veteran of Lubbock c ment, who is "a very smart m� Dennis Porcaro Jr., who analy, management for bond - rating grc Investors Service. "He is very tuned into the And he has a staff, he would say, to none.' That smart management, along with Lubbock's business diversity— including Texas Tech University, a growing medical industry, cotton farming, mining, and ser- vice companies —helps the city weather Texas booms and busts with little roller - coastering. It's not sexy or exciting, like Dal- las' reemergence onto the real estate scene or Midland's dramatic bottom -out and recov- ery, but it works. All that stability doesn't mean the West Texas city lets the tumbleweeds fall where they may. Competitiveness is the rule in Lub- bock —even for Lubbock Power & Light, which duels door -to -door with a private util- ity. "People always say run government like a business; we're doing that," Cass says. "You can't ever forget that you're selling" Finance director Mark Hindman says the council's approach is actually more "busi- ness -like" than an autocratic, businessman - run group. But as in a business, debt levels, cash flow, and overall effectiveness are stud- ied as indicators of success or failure. The checklist: Lubbock's debt burden is about average. It has two months' worth of expens- es in reserve, and extra money is dedicated for major capital- improvement projects. Turnover among city officials is practically nil, indicating that citizens are satisfied. "By running conservatively and keeping public confidence high, you have the ability to set rates where you need without the backlash of taxpayer protest, Hindman says. Comfortable finances also have allowed Lubbock to sometimes try the not -so -typi- cal. For instance, the city embarked on a somewhat controversial approach when financing an OmniMax theater — selling cer- tificates of obligation to pay for construc- tion. The theater is a successful tourist draw. And because Lubbock is the home of Buddy Holly, the city used $175,000 of hotel -motel tax money to purchase a collection of the rocker's memorabilia. Now the city is work- ing in conjunction with MCA Records on a future release: Holly songs sung by contem- porary artists. Who says dependable and steady has to be boring? Irving Pop.: 155,037 2 Mayor: Morris H. Parrish, $1,800, $1,200 car allowance City Manager: Stephen W. McCul- lough, $116,700, $6,000 car allowance Like the many successful businesses in this Dallas _ suburb, the 1 city govern- ment has a ha�, highly skilled and conservative team in its front office. Employment rates and sales -tax revenues are growing, but management keeps financial estimates low to yield year -end surpluses. A sizable balance in the general fund allows for flexibility. But city departments are exceptionally homogeneous, with one woman on the council and only 10% minori- ty police officers. Garland Pop.: 182,861 Mayor: James B. Ratliff, $4,800 City Manager: Jeffrey B. Muzzy, $114,000, car Garland is another Dallas suburb heavily dependent on property -tax revenues. Growth is on the horizon; the number and value of building permits filed has been on the rise. Meanwhile, sales -tax revenue is growing as well. The city also has a one - cent property tax earmarked for street improvements. Garland has a clear vision for its future; it is investing in infrastruc- ture and is one of a few L. large Texas cities with mandatory recycling. Beaumont Pop.: 113,352 Mayor: David W. M re, $6,000 City Manager: Ray A. Riley, $105,300, $6,000 car allowance Unique contracts with businesses in industrial districts account for 11% of Bea ont's oper- ating revenue. The contracts require busi- nesses to make set payments to the city, in exchange for limited services, exemption from taxes, and a promise not to annex the districts. The petrochemical industry still d minates, but some new residential and c mercial growth is evident. An investme t ndal sev- eral years ago rocked the city, b new man- a ement has services salaries above rage, sup - :ed by a irse staff. College Station Pop.: 55,605 Mayor: Larry J. Ringer, unpaid • City Manager: Georg Skip" Noe, $97,500, 56,000 car iallowance N t only d es College S ation offer good ser- vices on its t- o n, it has Ti xas A &M U iiversity to fill in the gaps with cultural evierr s, muse- ums, and athletics. As the dom n int employer, the university also serves as a stabilizing force in the economy. Ithough A &M is tax exempt, its work fore i and stu- dent body form the base of prdp rty values and ever - increasing sales -tax rev inues. Low turnover among elected officia ndicates citizen satisfaction with manaq ent. Plano Pop.: 157,406 Mayor: 4 James Muns, $3,600 City Manager: Thomas Muelenbeck, $119,840, $10,500 car allowance, $7,500 deferred compensation Property taxes account for half of total operating revenues in this highly desir- able, high- income city, and still they con- tinue to grow. Several large company headquarters, such as EDS Corp. and J.C. Penney Co. Inc., add diversity to the most- ly residential tax base. Plano's rapid growth puts extra demand on services, leading to vigorous borrowing and an above - average debt level —debt service accounts for up to 30% of operating expenses. San Angelo Pop.: 84,462 7 Mayor: Dick Funk, unpaid City Manager: Tom Adams, $75,000, $5,000 car allowance San Angelo's lower- than - average debt bur- den —about 2% of operating expenses — comes from a conservative practice of paying up front for capital improvements. The city's penchant for planning ahead is illustrated by its well -con- structed water plan, comprehen- sive city ser- vices, and a continued lobby for a half -cent sales tax for economic development and property -tax relief. But management still must deal with some economic strain from recent draws on the general fund. Abilene Denton Midland Pop.: 106,707 Pop.: 66,270 Pop.: 91,436 8 Mayor: Gary D. McCaleb, $1 Mayor: Bob Castleberry, unpaid Mayor: Robert E. Burns, $900 City Manager: Lanny S. Lambert, • City Manager: Lloyd V. Harrell, O City Manager: Mike McGregor, $85,000 $103,313 $87,948 This central West Texas hub has a clear vision for the future. _ An aggres- sive econom- ic develop- ment office, coupled with funded infrastruc- ture improvements, have begun to attract industry—and enlarge the property-tax base Annexation of a new $12 million residential suburb this year will boost property values as well. Abilene also maintains a healthy reserve in its general fund. But city services lag for a stand -alone town, and salaries fall behind other comparably sized cities. Losing Texas Instruments, then h city's top taxpayer, forced Denton to attra A other busi- nesses to make up the differenc e. Two major state universities help stabilize Me economy and add services and amenities Such as sporting and cultural events an ^ facilities. The city's vision is clear; it long -term goals and funded infrastructure pans. Lowball sales -tax revenue estimates cou- pled with sales -tax growth allowed a F_ 25% decrease in the proper - r ty -tax rate this year. - Long depen- dent on oil, Midland was stung by the '80s bust. AI- though it still relies on energy, the city has recovered and is beginning to stabi- lize. Its tax base is still large, sales -tax rev- enue is growing, and its debt burden remains below average. Midland had the fewest police officers and firefighters per capita among cities its size —but both ranked first in response time, and its emergency medical service was the second - fastest to respond. OCTOBER 1995 TEXAS BUSINESS 77 hen Sam Huey applied in 1990 for a job as the city of Temple's director of finance, one of his friends was incredulous. "Why do you want that job ?" his friend asked. "They have all kinds of problems down there! "That's exactly why I want it," Huey replied. His friend was right Temple had a $250,000 deficit in its general fund and had been running in the red for half a decade. Its bond rating had been downgraded by Moody's Investors Ser- vice. The city's finances were further complicat- Tur Tempi mar ed by its use of 34 separate operating funds (state law regi funds). Temple had just fired I ager and finance director; tc unhappy and felt betrayed. Today, Temple's general fi ating surplus of $12 mill months' worth of expenses 4 year, the city totals a surplus c lion, and that calculation is only 12 operating funds remi moved Temple back up to an and the city is shooting for ar evaluation. But most importi the local government again. The drama began foul I around city e as struggling in 1990, but new ment put it on the right track. I convoluted just six basic its city man- people were I has an oper- }, with four reserve. Each t least $1 mil- asier because Moody's has bond rating, i after its next citizens trust ago in R ga r 'f a :ry November, when Huey and City Manager David Taylor stepped into their Temple posi- tions. An internal audit showed that although the general fund was deficient, the city actual- ly had money on hand —it was just hidden by the tangle of operating funds. So the two men cut back to the six basic funds required to run a city. Then, they could see clearly enough to determine that the city was in the black by $224,000, with help from a $1.2 million sur- plus in the sanitation fund. Still, a quarter million dollars in total reserves was nothing to write home about. So Huey and Taylor shuffled some more —and cut some more —and in four months the total surplus was up to $1.6 million. There was a joke in town about the response when asking city management for money: "The answer is `No. Now what was the question ?" But the turnaround had begun. Huey and Taylor instituted a practice of over - budgeting expenses and under- budget- ing revenues to make sure they finished each year on budget. So in 1991, for the first time in six years, the city came in under budget — by $159,000. To cut expenses, the manage- ment team privatized some city services, such as lawn care at parks and recreation facilities, waste -water treatment, and the city landfill. Then several years of economic recovery nudged property values upward and boosted sales -tax revenue. Now it's 1995, the city has a $12 million surplus —and citizens are beginning to won- der whether that's too much money in the bank. Huey doesn't mind at all. "Until you've been on the bad side of things, the good side never looked so good," he says. Besides the emergency fund of four months' expenses, the extra money is earmarked to replace worn-out city vehicles, finance capital projects, and fund library improvements. All along, Taylor, Temple's own cheer- leader, had been making the rounds, letting people know how the turnaround was pro- gressing. The public relations effort helped draw new business and rebuild citizen trust. "When you come here now, you see a dif- ferent city," Taylor says. * R Temple Pop.: 46,109. a i; Mayor: J.W. Perry, $180 City Manager: David R. Taylor, $111,110 (pictured above right with director of t finance Sam Huey) 8.TEXitS BUSINeS.$' OCTOf3CR 1 �9 November, when Huey and City Manager David Taylor stepped into their Temple posi- tions. An internal audit showed that although the general fund was deficient, the city actual- ly had money on hand —it was just hidden by the tangle of operating funds. So the two men cut back to the six basic funds required to run a city. Then, they could see clearly enough to determine that the city was in the black by $224,000, with help from a $1.2 million sur- plus in the sanitation fund. Still, a quarter million dollars in total reserves was nothing to write home about. So Huey and Taylor shuffled some more —and cut some more —and in four months the total surplus was up to $1.6 million. There was a joke in town about the response when asking city management for money: "The answer is `No. Now what was the question ?" But the turnaround had begun. Huey and Taylor instituted a practice of over - budgeting expenses and under- budget- ing revenues to make sure they finished each year on budget. So in 1991, for the first time in six years, the city came in under budget — by $159,000. To cut expenses, the manage- ment team privatized some city services, such as lawn care at parks and recreation facilities, waste -water treatment, and the city landfill. Then several years of economic recovery nudged property values upward and boosted sales -tax revenue. Now it's 1995, the city has a $12 million surplus —and citizens are beginning to won- der whether that's too much money in the bank. Huey doesn't mind at all. "Until you've been on the bad side of things, the good side never looked so good," he says. Besides the emergency fund of four months' expenses, the extra money is earmarked to replace worn-out city vehicles, finance capital projects, and fund library improvements. All along, Taylor, Temple's own cheer- leader, had been making the rounds, letting people know how the turnaround was pro- gressing. The public relations effort helped draw new business and rebuild citizen trust. "When you come here now, you see a dif- ferent city," Taylor says. * 4t w k. .ger )si- .tgh aal- 1 by nen run 1 to by .ur- otal .So and the the for was get - "ach ime a— ige- uch ties, Ifill. ,t d 11011 on- the u've side 1thS 1 to AU eer- I ttng .)to- ped [St. dif- i Euless Pop.: 38,149 Mayor: Mary Lib Saleh, unpaid City Manager: Tom Hart, $88,056 Comprehensive city services for a small town, including extras such as mandatory recycling and a new 40,000- square -foot library, elevated this Dallas -Fort Worth sub- urb in the rankings. Economically, the city benefits from its location southwest of Dallas -Fort Worth International Airport. Although 50% of the city's housing is multifamily, the property-tax base is stable, and more than 97% of assessed taxes is col- lected. Management has proven itself t_ ' J responsible; the city has cut expenses and raised taxes when prompted by a soft economy. Hurst Pop.: 33,574 Mayor: Bill Souder, unpaid City Manager: Jim Starr, $83,000, 53,600 car allowance Strong management has balanced the bud- get, despite slight losses in the tax base, and maintained re- serves covering more than 60 days' expenses. Surplus money is trans- ferred to a capital - improvement fund used to buy equipment. Infrastructure de- mands are low for this ._ mature community be- tween Dallas and Fort t Worth, so the city's sec- ond- largest expense is culture and recreation. Citizens seem content: Hurst has had just one mayor and one city manager in the past 10 years. San Ma Pop.: 28,743 3 Mayor: Kathy City Manager: Ills Sugar Land Pop.: 36,324 arris, unpaid Mayor: Lee Duggan, $9,600, car Gilley, S72,300 4 , City Manager: David E. Neeley, $90,000, car allowance Sales -tax rev- enues have y grown an av- erage of 20% `- since 1991, and although a slowdown I n growth is expected this year, manag ent has been planning for the change. A i expanding tax base and healthy reserves pr )vide ample financial flexibility. Southwest Texas State niversity, the city's largest employer (2,200), provides added stability and complements the city's already plentiful services. San Marcos' debt burden is above average, but still manage - able especially in the absence of new bor- rowing plans. Lufkin Pop.: 31,295 Mayor: Louis y 6 Bronaugh, unpaid City Manager: C.G. Maclin, $84,094 r In 1989, this East Texas city adopted a half -cent sales -tax increase and since as raised property-tax rates as nece$sry to get back on strong financial footing_ The conservative management has worked; Lufkin has ended the past several years with a surplus. The i also main- tains below- average debt. A relatively diverse council has estab- lished aggressive goals foi r flnority employment and contracts , which are rare among cities its size. h 9 city also employs a minority business coordinator. Once mostly residential, Sugar Land has paid most of its bills with property -tax rev- enue. But the recent arrival of commercial and retail businesses is spurring a sales -tax revenue boom. Since 1989, sales - tax collec- tions have - i grown by an average of 32% annually. Fast growth means infrastructure trails demand, but the city has an extensive capital improvement plan. Sugar Land also has mandatory recycling; citizens pay for the ser- vice through a fee added to their utility bills. McKinney A Pop.: 25,700 7 Mayor: John E. Gay, $10 per meeting City Manager: Donald E. Paschal Jr., $95,000, 59,000, car allowance. A real estate renewal and r aggressive economic de- velopment are paying divi- dends for this city north of Dallas. Residential and commercial property values are on the rise, bringing in more rev- enue. And although conservative manage- ment has budgeted a small operating deficit in 1995, actual results are expected to produce a surplus. Competitors, take note: Tiny Mc- Kinney's economic development office has a $1.6 million -plus budget, and continued growth is expected. DeSoto Lake Jac son Rosenberg Pop.: 34,200 Pop.: 25,000 Pop.: 20,183 Mayor: Richard Rozier, unpaid Mayor: Doris W Ili ms, $900 Mayor: Dorothy Ryan, $3,600 City Manager: Ron Holifield, - City Manager: II am P. Yenne, © City Manager: Jeff Braun, $102,500 9 568,500 562,000, 54,800 car allowance The city's 'Strategy 2000" outlines 27 com- munity goals, which shows vision. But the city already carries above - average debt, and its second- largest expense is debt ser- vice, so new projects must be financed up front, at least for now. Meanwhile, sales- tax growth is bolster- ing slightly sagging property -tax revenues. A solid economic development board funded by a half -cent sales tax (producing $850,000 annually) should propel the tax base upward. I i I Lake Jackson's steady tax -base growth and its population's above - average socioeconom- ic status provide a sta- ble foundation. The I. Gulf -side city is a planned community, so a structured vision has been in place since 1943. Its development Ian is being updated to preserve the community's resi- dential tone while maintaining its status as a regional retail center. Lake Jackson plans to use a recent half - cent increase in sales tax to uild a new outdoor pool, recreation center, and com- munity center. Rosenberg officials recognize the city's potential for growth as a southern suburb of revitalized Houston. They have embarked on an aggressive economic - development campaign, along with a capital-improve- ment plan to handle the influx of new com- panies. A , recently r adopted I "i I � 1 half -cent economic- development tax will fun - nel $1.2 mil- lion into cap- turing and retaining business. Planned im- provements include a new police facility, extensive road work, and a 164 -acre park. OCTOBER 1995 TEXAS BUSINESS 79 integrity and inc re a P. coy By MARY OVERMAN or ADA, improvements a also eligible E 15J(75 for funds. Texas A &M architectural students Northgate businesses can start the and local professiond architects application process for funds to update through the Community Development and improve the facades of their busi- Office will help prepare standard nesses. facade designs and const tion draw - And the College Station City Council ings, if necessary, to illustrate the approved the guidelines for the process approved eligible facade improve - Thursday. ments, McDaniel said. College Station officials said the goal Because federal funds are involved, for Northgate is to restore and improve George "Skip" Noe, city In ager, said its historical integrity while increasing that the federal governmEnt requires economic vitality. The vehicle for documentation when its r ioney is used. accomplishing that is the city's "Eligible businesses can get up to Northgate Revitalization Project. $10,000 of these funds" said Hub Through the project, the public sec- Kennady, city council member. for is working with the private sector Business owners can start the appli- to help renovate, restore and preserve cation process now, McDaniel said. certain declining commercial areas, Businesses put in 30 p e cent of the said project coordinator Todd funds they request from this grant, McDaniel. Kennady said. This cooperation involves the In other words, the city contributes Community Development Office as it $10,000 if the business owner con - decides what businesses are eligible for tributes $3,000. funds, McDaniel said. The planning process has taken Additionally, an improvement advi- about a year and a half, but Kennady sory committee will help implement said he's glad the adm' i ation has the plan. taken its time in developing the plan. McDaniel said businesses can use the "City rules have to comply with fed - money to make improvements such as eral rules," he said. exterior painting of the main building Because there are so e 25 -35 busi- facade, repair or replacement of exist- nesses in the Northga the com ing outside doors, windows, tile or mittee will have to prior' ' requests, brick. Americans with Disabilities Act, McDaniel said. comic vitality And other conditions have to be met. "Businesses have to maintain these improvements and make no changes for five years," Noe said. "It's impor- tant that the value of the improvements remain." Kennady believes there is a benefit these funds bring. "This should make a significant improvement to a long - blighted area," Kennady said. City officials hope these objectives will define and revitalize declining commercial areas. Therefore, city council put forth the following objec- tives: ■ Create public and private partner- ships between College Station and mer- chants and property owners in targeted areas through offering economic incen- tives for the renovation, restoration and preservation of commercial build- ing exterior facades and the corrcti of code violations. ■ To stimulate economic develo)ment and redevelopment, thereby increasing sales tax revenues and property alues. ■ To ensure the survival of the areas' architectural and cultural history. ■ To eliminate slum and blighting con- ditions in the eligible areas through the correction of building code and anti - neglect violations, called Property Maintenance Regulations. Northgate seeks to improve historical secretary close out terms �J • Two College Station city officials closed out their terms at a recent Texas Municipal League Region 10 meeting in Round Rock. Mayor Pro Tem Lynn McIlhaney served the past year as pre i ent of the region and City Secretary Connie Hooks was secretary. They were among several 1 elected and appointed officials who a ended the Sept. 29 meeting: College S ion Mayor Larry Ringer and Councilw Nancy Crouch and Bryan City S r 'tart' Mary Lynne Galloway. The organization's 1994 -95 mission was to educate, inform and co unicate to members the significance f their roles and responsibilities in the state and local political process. This year meetings were held in various cities the region. Region 10 encompasses most of the cities in the.-Brazos- Valley- and—some cities west of A stin. COLLEGE STATION B -CS community 10)15 1q5 offers wide variety The Bryan- College Station community is an interesting mix of jurisdictions, including the cities of Bryan and College Station, Brazos County, two school districts, Texas A &M University and various other agen- cies. Each has its own distinct mission, but often the activities of these organizations are similar in nature, offering greater opportunities to work together to provide more benefits with shared resources. rA The city of College Station is involved in a number of cooperative efforts with the city of Bryan that are underway and successful. The Brazos Valley Solid Waste Management Agency is the organization cre- ated in 1990 by the two cities through an agreement to operate joint landfill faclities. The cities recognized there `were economies to be realized in combining land- fill operations and creating a regional land- fill. A second area of joint city cooperation has been the implementation of an automatic aid system to respond to fire and emergency medical service calls. With this system city limit lines are ignored when a fire or EMS call is received and the city with the closest unit to the address responds to the emergency. College Station residents may receive aid from a Bryan emergency unit and vice versa This system ensures faster emergency response in a more cost efficient manner. Essentially, each city has the resources of two fire depart- ments while only paying for one. The Brazos Valley Narcotics Task Force is made up-of Bryan, College Station and sher- iffs department officers who investigate nar- cotics activities throughout the Brazos County area. Another successful venture funded by the three agencies is the Brazos Valley Animal Shelter. This cooperative effort has avoided the duplication of facilities and services. The city of College Station has also developed a positive relationship with the College Station school district. The two orga- nizations have worked together to place a number of police officers in teaching posi- tio College Station schools. T ie e include the School Resource Offirk at the high school and junior high and Drug Abuse Resistance Education offic These programs provide school chi]- dren ' College Station an opportunity for a posi p experience with the police and allo the police to gain insight into the acti ' s of College Station kids. Kids Mub is an award - winning jointly operated program that provides quality after - school recreational and enrichment activities for elementary and junior high students. Activities are held on school grounds, but are staffed by employees through the College Station Parks and Recreation Department. The location of parks adjacent to new schools is another shared resource that allows dupli- cate use as a neighborhood park and play- ground for the school. Texas A &M University is also a player in the cooperative efforts with College Station. Problem areas such as traffic and how it is handled after football games has, been improved through discussions with tale uni- versity police, the athletic department and the College Station Police Department. The city and Texas A&M are working more closely on planning projects such as the No to Redevelopment Study. The univer- sity coritributed financially to this study that 1 has �n Iuded an examination of university- own0d property in the Northgate area. Ti city and university impact each I other greatly and both have agreed to share more information on new capital projects that are being planned. The city and university are also working to find ways to address the issue of providing utilities such as water and waste water ser- vices to the west side of College Station and Texas A &M University. College Station also works closely with the Texas Department of Transportation on transportation issues, and the planning of major construction along state highways, which make up a majority of major streets in College Station. e Texas Avenue project scheduled to beg' i won is the result of much discussion be the city and TxDOT. The result of this w.11 be a roadway that is not only wider, but also is landscaped and developed to the city's more visually pleasing streetscape standards. The overhead utilities will also be mov derground. e are just a few of the ex<nnples of irate I�V'rnmental cooperation throughout the Bryan and College Station area. There are many others and as resources become more scarce the opportunities for sharing will make the community a better place for every- one. f CS assists the nearly in home improvement City Assists The Needy In Home Improvement College Station residents are tunate that the city is able to improve living conditions of its needy citi. zens through the use of state and federal grant fimds. The city uses its Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Program funds for a vari- for - the ety of housing Program to Jo Carroll assist families living in substan- dard housing, including those families located in areas that were recently annexed. We receive an annual - 'entitle- ment' from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to be used for programs that either benefit low income citizens or remove slum and blight. The total amount available for 1995 -96 is $2,269,173. Of this total, $1,290,842 was budgeted by the City Council for housing or housing - related activities. These funds are used for a vari- ety of programs that benefit low- income residents. The remaining funds are used to fund social services, as well as street and park improvements in low- income areas. In order to qualify for the city's housing programs, a family's income must be less than 8o% of the local median income adjusted for family size, i.e., a fam- V of four could earn up to $28,700. fhe Citys Housing Programs include 1) The Owner- Occupied Rehabilitation Program provides up to $18,500 for reha- bilitation costs to bring homes into com- pliance with city housing and building codes. 2) The Optional Relocation Program, with a project budget of $35,000, this provides homeowners living in housing beyond repair the opportunity to demolish their existing home and then relocate into a newly constructed home built to city stan- dards. Most of the homeowners partici- pating in these Programs are elderly and have not been financially or physically able to make repairs over a long period of time. In addition, many houses were of Poor original construction or design. Other homeowners are low- income fami- lies who purchased older and lower -priced houses that did not meet city codes. The assistance that the city provides to these families offers major improvements to their dally living conditions. The pro- grams have assisted families living i homes that have been without heat for a number of years, families living in homes with 23 foot holes in the flooring or in the roofs, families living without water and toilet facilities, and families living in housing that is unsafe and not secure. Many were living in houses with very inadequate security and door locks, and had expressed fear and concern for their 'ety. addition, the city can provide assis- . to eligible handicapped families in -.aer to meet their accessibility and spe- cial housing needs by either modifying their existing homes, or providing fully accessible floor plans for new construc. tion. This past year, the city completed three fully accessible houses. One wheel- chair bound family member was able to have the first shower she'd had in to fund social services, as well as street and park improvements in low- income areas. In order to qualify for the city's housing programs, a family's income must be less than 80% of the local median income adjusted for family size, i.e., a fam- ily of four could earn up to $28,700. The City's Housing Programs include: i The Owner- Occupied Rehabilitation Program provides up to $18,500 for reha- bilitation costs to bring homes into com- pliance with city housing and building codes. 2) The Optional Relocation Program, with a project budget of $35,000, this provides homeowners living in housing beyond repair the opportunity to demolish their existing home and then relocate into a newly constructed home built to city stan- dards. Most of the homeowners partici- pating in these programs are elderly and have not been financially or physically able to make repairs over a long period of time. In addition, many houses were of poor original construction or design. Other homeowners are low- income fami- lies who purchased older and lower - priced houses that did not meet city codes. The assistance that the city provides to these families offers major improvements to their daily living conditions. The pro- grams have assisted families living in homes that have been without heat for a number of years, families living in homes with 2.3 foot holes in the flooring or in the roofs, families living without water and toilet facilities, and families living in housing that is unsafe and not secure. Many were living in houses with very inadequate security and door locks, and had expressed fear and concern for their safety. In addition, the city can provide assis- tance to eligible handicapped families in order to meet then- accessibility and spe- cial housing needs by either modifying heir existing homes, or providing fully rccessible floor plans for new construc- tion. This past year, the city completed three fully accessible houses. One wheel- chair bound family member was able to have the first shower she'd had in years,.and as her elderly husband stated, 3) Emergency Assistance is also available to make immediate and urgent repairs that threaten the occupants' health and safety. This past week, the city repaired numerous gas leaks in an elderly lady's house and will soon, with the aid of Elder - Aid volunteers, replace a badly leaking roof for another. These funds have also been used for emergency electrical and plumbing repairs, replacing weak, haz- ardous porches and flooring, and wheel- chair ramps. 4) The Down payment Assistance Program provides down payment and closing costs assistance to low- income home buyers wishing to purchase a house located in College Station. This year, the city assisted six low- income families in purchasing their fast home. 5) The Rental Rehabilitation Program offers deferred, forgivable matching loans to landlords to be used to renovate and correct code violations in rental proper- ties. The landlords must then make the rental units available to low- income ten- ants. An application for these programs can be obtained from the Community Development Office at 903 Texas Avenue, 3r call 764 -3778. — is simple. only one was prepared the oldest. BART BRADEN ' n fry College Station It's a matter of trusting a city councilman work. And he's missing the Point. He may win a legal battle, but he will have lost the trust of a lot of People process. This is not some land developer that's attempting to circumvent deed restric- tions; it's a city councilman. How can anyone trust him after this? If he won't even listen to his own neigh- bors, how can anyone else in the city believe that he will listen to them? Hub, An open letter to College Station before its l e late, money for trust. Councilman Hub Kennady: Maybe that's not a good trade for you. H ub: Don't do it. But it's very impoant for the rest of us. Councilman Kennady has an applica ill notice tion pending before the College Station More than Your re City Council to replat his existing resi- this. GERALD MILLER dential lot into two pieces. He wants to College Station sell the other half so that someone can build another house there. And that's not all. He'll then sell his existing house on the other half lot and then move out after he's made a lot of money. The only drawback is the neighborhood (Sandstone subdivision) deed restrict tions which prohibit reducing lot sizes without the permission of the local archi- "! tectural controV committee. They don't agree to his request. They didn't agree to a similar requgst by his predecessor in �= that house and lot beforehand. This isn't stopping Hub. He's looking for 6e OA2,; ± any loophole to make his application Letters encouraged The Eagle encourages letters to the editor. Please keep them as short as possible. There is a limit of two let- ters per writer per month. They may be edited for clarity, style or length. Letters must be signed and include a daytime telephone number for verifica- tion. Send your letters to The Editor, The Eagle, P.O. Box 3000, Bryan 77805 -3000. 04 (1-ow, Assistant CS ci manager a finalist for Virg inia j ob By MARY OVERMAN Eagle staff writer College Station's assistant city manag- er finds himself in an ironic situation. Tom Brymer is one of four finalists for city manager of Charlottesville, Va., where one of the other candidates is Charlottesville's interim city- manager. Brymer had been interim city manag- er in College Station from November in J1 July 1995. until George "Skip" Noe was hired Now the shoe is on the other foot for Charlottesville's acting city manager, Gary O'Connell. "I have empathy with him," said Brymer, who will travel to Charlottesville Tuesday for an inter- view. "Charlottesville is a fine community with a good reputation among city man- agers," Brymer said. Ate, City leaders are replacing Cole Hendrix, who took another position with the University of Virginia after 24 years as city manager. BRYMER Brymer believes that Charlottesville has had two or three city managers in the last 50 years. "I'm honored to be a finalist for this P osition," Brymer said. Brymer, 42, has been assistant city manager for College Station since 1989 and was a finalist for the position Noe filled. Brymer has worked on a number of joint ventures between College Station and Bryan, including multi-jurisdiction- al development. He is also oversees Police, fire, rescue and public works here. "He has experience in negotiation," Calliham said. Brymer worked with the county on improving rural roads in the College Station city limits in 191. He also worked with Bryan and College Station when the College Station landfill was converted to a joint landfill with Bryan under a new waste - management agency in 1990. Peggy Calliham, College Station's pub- lic relations and marketing director, said she isn't surprised that Brymer applied for the Charlottesville job. "I think he would be a fine city mana er," she said. Brymer said he looks forward to visit - ea Charlottesville and meeting its city leaders. "You have to find a chemistry between the city council and city manager in the community," Brymer said. Par {s C C C superintendent keeps play places safe and beautilul \0 Eagle Todd Bergmann Eagle staff writer As people head to College Station's 29 parks today, they will use the bene- fits of the work of Parks Superintendent Curtis Bingham and six crews of employees in the city's Parks Operations Department. And thanks to Bingham and his staff, the people who go there will have safer facilities and grounds and are less likely to be attacked by a duck, a goose, a mosquito or a fire ant. As superintendent, Bingham regu- larly talks to park employees to find out what has been done and what needs to be done to make college station parks usable and beautiful. With a bachelor's degree in parks and recreation from Texas A &M, Bingham started working in College Station's Parks Operations Department in 1983 by picking up trash and cutting lawns. Six months later, Bingham received a promotion to crew leader. A few years later he became a district supervisor. Bingham has worked in his present position since 1989. "I like to work outside," he said. "But when the weather is bad, I have a lot of work to do inside. "A lot of people think all we do is cut the grass and pick up trash and cut the grass. They don't know that we do more than mow the lawns and pick up trash." The Parks Operations Department sets up picnic tables, bleachers and stages for special events and takes them down afterward. Also, the depart- ment maintains playground equip- ment, baseball fields, soccer fields and its own equipment. "We'll make sure that the play- grounds and all our park facilities are safe for public to use," he said. Routinely, Bingham and three park operations supervisors receive calls from people about problems in the parks. The Parks Operations Department will fix the problem as soon as possible, he said. In rare instances, the department will close a piece of playground equip- ment until it safely repairs it. Curtis Bingl Playground equipment and signs Southwood get there share of normal wear and tear and vandalism. The parks have a vandalism problem, but it is not as bad as it was, Bingham said. The 25 Rill -time and 12 to 16 part-time sea- sonal workers in the Parks Operations Department have responsibility for 885 acres with 14 ball fields, 20 soccer fields, 18 basketball courts, 12 tennis courts, six volleyball courts, 34 playground units, five pavilions and five ponds. The department's 1995 -1996 budget is $908,985. For major construction and renovations projects, the Parks Operations Department may use the services of other city departments or pri- vate contractors. Regardless of who does the work, Bingham inspects it. Sometimes, this involves making sure con- tractors put yellow "keep out" tape around con- struction equipment so children do not play on it at night. In addition to getting help from other city departments, Bingham and the Parks Operations Department helps other departments. "I serve on a number of committees work- ing with other departments," he said. "I enjoy working with the people. I am chairman of the Safety Committee." In emergencies such as floods the Parks Operations Department lends equipment and people to other departments. The department has lawnmowers of all types, tractors and front -end loaders. Also, the Parks Operatiors Department helps the city improve its health. Employees in the department put pellets in wet park areas to awhile, the geese would and fly to the next ponc we got the boat over the II Eagle photo/Dave McDermand parks superintendent for College Station, watches as Pete Fitzgerald dumps a load of manure and straw for the new T -ball fields at Inspection of construction of park facilities is part of Bingham's many duties. mosquitoes and put out bait for fire ants. "People call us and complain about fire r," Bingham said. "What they don't realize is it takes a couple of weeks for the bait to kill fire ants. "Also, we have a problem with geese attack - people." Therefore, the Parks Operations artment has to remove geese and ducks from ponds. When Bingham started with the ks Operations Department, it only had one boat to chase the geese and ducks. "We would chase them with the boat and with Age lace of birth or. N ucation chelor's of science degree in parks and recreation from Texas A &M have somebody on the shore waiting to catch them," he said. "After awhile, the geese would outsmart us and fly to the next pond. By the time we got the boat over there, they would be gone." One employee, David Hudspeth, use to dive Into the ponds and catch the creatures from underneath. Now, the Parks Operations 'Department uses motor boats and more sophisticated meth- ods to catch ducks and geese. Bingham has a list of farmers and pond own- ers who will accept ducks and geese. CURTIs BINGHAM Years lived in Brazos Valley Hobbies, interests 19 Fishing, hunting and home Favorite author Dean Koontz Favorite actor Harrison Ford Favorite actress Sigourney Weaver *rite television show: v Improvement. "I can iden- Favorite movie with that." Anything by Ste Spielberg repairs Family: Wife, Susan; stepdaughter, Layla Hodges, 19; stepson, Derek Hodges, 17. Pet: Skipper, a Chihuahua. "Skipper doesn't come, to the parks mu ch." Bryan -Coll ration Vol. 121, No. 300, 4 sections Friday, October 27, 1995 le 50 cents wins round one inn fight against CS Briefly Selena's killer will HOUSTON — A jury Thursday sen- tenced Yolanda Saldivar, convicted of killing Tejano singing star Selena, to life in prison. The jury deliber- ated nine hours over two days. House passes a bill to balance U.S. budget WASHINGTON — In a momentous break with the past, the House passed a Republican balanced- budget bill Thursday that would shrink the fed- eral government, cut taxes and return power to the states. Democrats battled The City of Bryan won the fast round in its legal fight against the City of College Station over an 1980 agreement giving College Station the utility customers in newly - annexed areas. Judge J.D. Langley, presiding over the contract was valid only for a 10 -year peri- od because of a contract-city charter con- flict. Since March 1980, the two cities operat- ed under an contract for Bryan to sell its utility lines and relinquish customers to College Station when College Station annexes land previously served by Bryan utilities. The contract was set to expire on July 1, 1996. In 1994, Bryan city officials discovered the contract violated a section of the city charter that barred it from entering into any contracts with a term of more than 10 years. This stipulation, however, could be overridden by voters. "The contract violated the terms of the city charter," Langley said, after hearing about three hours of arguments from ' There are fact issues remaining as to whether the contract was renewed by the parties," he said, just before delivering another blow to College Station's position. "What bothers me here is both cities have operated as if this was a valid agreement ... although a lawsuit has been filed. "I'll further find the amendment to the city charter in 1999 did not ratify the agreement," Langley said. According to the contract, if a portion is found to conflict with a city charter then the agreement is only good for the approved period — 10 years. In May 1994, Bryan voters amended the city's charter to allow for contracts of up 1025-years. Bryan officials and their attor- nM- Contend that the -vote didn't renew the contract. In July of that year, the City of Bryan filed a declaratory judgment lawsuit after the two cities failed to reach an agreement following negotiations. "The fact that we're exchanging money and dealing under the same arrangements of the agreement doesn't mean a renewal of that contract," said Billy Payne, an attorney representing the City of Bryan. Yet, College Station officials and their attorneys disagreed with Bryan's posi- e rig P$ tion, saying the amendment and other side agreements — signed by both cities' mayors with attorneys present — over the past five years both ratified and validated the contract. "I wish he would have ruled in our ; favor," said Robert Heath, College Station's representative, after Langley's j rules "But now, an work on pre- sen ing the facts that in net -Jess thatr 12 documented instances, the City of Bryan upheld the validity of the contract. The i facts are on our side." The fear, Bryan city officials said, is that a continual erosion of its customer base would put the city in a squeeze to meet its debt obligations and lead to high- er electricity rates to recover the loss in revenue. Both sides agreed that they would pre- fer to settle the matter outside of the courtroom. — Bryan banker takes a new challenge By KEELY COGHLAN Eagle staff writer Bryan banker William Atkinson is expanding his commitment to higher education with his recent appointment to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Atkinson, appointed last week to the state agency that over- sees state universities and colleges in Texas , joined in approving $60 million in research grants, including $15 Consultants" have differing visions, for CS Continued growth and more ho"usinQ are •common themes \\, J By TODD BERGMANN Eagle staff writer The future College Station could be a city with high-density housing around Texas A&M and outlying villages surrounding neighborhood retail centers, connected by bikepaths, roads and the Internet After consultants from the Dallas firm of Hellmuth, Obata and Kassabaum Inc. pre- sented three visions of the futurere_ - College Station, members of the audience com- bined two of them to get this vision. All visions account for population growth. In the year 2015, the population of College Station will be 85,000 to 130,000, said Donal Simpson, senior vice president and director of planning for the firm. Also, all visions plan for growth to the south This will enable the city's current gravity-flow sewer system to serve new development without the construction of additional lift stations, Simpson said. But each of the three visions call for con- struction of an industrial park near Easterwood Airport, outside the area of easy service for the sewer system. Businesses there might be able to con- nect to the Texas A&M sewer system, Simpson said. The site would be ideal for a research park because of its closeness to the airport and the university, he said. Also, the consultants proposed no devel- opment in areas along flood plains near waterways. Simpson said he based the first vision on the concept that the highest demand for housing is near the university. "This would minimize travel on the road system and the need for expanding roads into freeways," he said. "This follows the traditional growth pattern where you have a higher density surrounded by a medium density and then lower density." In this plan, the major retail develop- ment would be along Texas 6 and at major intersections near residential areas. Also, the plan would call for redevelopment near the univer during . the next t wo decades. - Dennis Maloney of the College Station Historic Preservation Committee said any plan should not destroy historic houses south of the campus. The consultants agreed. Although the first vision would mini- mize need for new highway infrastructure, it would require new sewer and water lines near the campus, Simpson said. The second vision would put most high - density development near Texas 6. "If you continue to keep growing the way you have been growing, that development will keep growing along highway 6," Simpson said. "This takes advantage of the new water and wastewater infrastructure thars been built on the south side of town." The area around the campus would remain the way it is, with the exception of redevelopmen a Northgale area, Fie said. But Jennifer Evans, a graduate student in urban planning, said building apart- ments east of Texas 6 would be impractical. Students do not want to live on the other side of Texas 6. The area would not have enough demand for apartments by non -stu- Please see VISION, page AB Page A8 Br yan - College Station Eagle Friday, November 3, 1995 Fro pa ge one Visions From Al dents to build many apartment west of Texas 6, she said. "The third scenario takes a little different look," Simpson said. The third vision would not have strip development like the fast two. It would have high density near the university, medium densi- ty west of Texas Six and low densi- ty east of highway six. "Instead of traditional subdivi- sion development, it would look to extend the flood -plain greenbelts," he said. "The greenbelts would pro- vide buffers so that development occurs more in the form of villages with separate developments." This is new - urbanism or neo-tra- ditional development Houses in the villages would be within walking distances of neigh- borhood stores. The stores would be in the center of the villages rather than along the highway. This way, people would have to drive less often, Simpson said. Buildings in village center-, would contain apartments, offices, retail space and parks. It would create a traditional sense of town development," he said. "It's a more exciting sense of town development. It would avoid continued sprawl until you get to Navasota." After the presentation, Marianne Oprisko, who is working on her doctoral degree, asked what would happen if enrollment drops at Texas A&M? Simpson said, "It might" Oprisko said courses by Internet may replace courses in person. "There are 8,000 graduate students and it's going downhill each year," she said. Rod Kelly, an engineer for Barton- Aschman Associates Inc. of Dallas, said the university may put additional emphasis on research and serving the needs of retirees. Prof. John Crompton, who teach- es recreation, parks and tourism science, asked why the plans do not focus on the city's new business park near Texas 6. Simpson said all three visions take account of the business park, but the university is larger than the business park. Then, Crompton asked, "Does your transportation plan include a bicycle transportation plan ?" Simpson said the consultants are only working on the big picture and have not started on details like bicycle paths. Crompton said, "We've got 50,000 young people liv- ing within two miles of campus. We're encouraging use of cars." Simpson said, "We can deter- mine basic distribution of mobile use. In other words, we can make an assumption that 90 percent of the travel will be made by automo- biles and 2 percent by bicycles." Paths would encourage people to use bikes rather than cars, Crompton said. Simpson said he will consider these suggestions in future plans. These will be 7 pm. meetings on Nov. 15 and Dec. 6 at the College Station Community Center and planning and zoning and city coun- cil meetings in early 1996 at city hall. v o D A &M traveling back in t Black antique - looking stylized signs with white letters hanging from black lampposts may soon be decorating the historic area south of the Texas A &M campus that con- tains homes from the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s. The signs and lampposts will signify the area is an his- toric district, says Dennis Maloney, a member of the ollege Station Historic Preservation Committee. The proposed historic district, bounded by George Bush ive, Wellborn Road, Timber Street and Park Place, aeveloped when faculty members had to find off campus housing. The center of the area is park sitting atop a filled - in lake. Members of the ccmmittee discussed plans for signify- ing the area Wednesday, but took no ac tion beca use the William . .er, vice chairman of the committ mbol said, "Our sy is not going to be the goofy thing we on the water towers.' . . i lamp Ili' m e with antiq mat Instead , when the signs are approved and go up in t1 to Ir e11�, area, they will be long rectangles withe decorative motiftr, of half footballs made of copper. The upper half football,<., will contain the city's railroad station logo. % C Staff liaison David Gerling said, "For a maintenance standpoint as well as a price standpoint, it looks like we'll be forced into doing something with decorative copper." Maloney, a painter, said black paint would be easier to maintain than other colors and would provide an old and antique look. Committee member Deborah Jasek said the city could consider erecting lamps and posts that look like those in front of the old Cushing Library on the campus. The city could erect a few quality -built signs and lamp- posts each year until the whole district has them, Maloney said. "People would say, `boy, would I like to have that in front of my house, "' he said. 11 ILE% 1 7 1 A By TODD BERGMANN *4 Eagle staff writer Proposed smoking and gun ordinances will highlight the agenda for today's College Station City Council workshop meeting at 4 p.m. at city hall. Currently, the city has an ordinance that requires restaurants to have non- smoking areas. But the ordinance does not require a wall of separation or a ventila- tion device. The proposed ordinance would require that restaurants have a wall separating the smoking and non - smoking sections, a 10- foot separation in a room or a system to circulate the air every 15 minutes, or ban CS Council to focus on new Pronositions smoking entirely. City Manager George K "Skip" Noe said he developed the ordinance in consulta- tion with restaurant owners and after looking at ordinances in other cities. Also, the proposed ordinance would allow cigarette machines only in bars and places of employment. During the meeting this afternoon, the council will discuss the ordinance and will likely modify it All council members are non - smokers. - "The council's got all the options in front of it," Noe said. "It can say, 'We don't want to do anything,' it can say, 'We want to deal with the vending machines and not the restaurants. The city would primarily enforce a new ordinance similar to the way it enforces an existing ordinance, he said — by following up on citizen complaints, Noe said. In another smoking issue, the council will discuss whether it should prohibit guns in public buildings. A recently enact- ed state law allows certain individuals to carry concealed weapons. However, the law prohibits people from carrying weapons into a council meeting or municipal court and prohibits cities from banning weapons in public parks. Cities have much latitude on gun bans in other circumstances on city property. Currently, the city of College Station bans non -police employees from carrying weapons on the job. The council will dis- cuss whether it will allow people to carry weapons into government buildings, Noe said. Two development issues may con-A before the council at 4 p.m. today or 7 p m. Thursday. These options for Wellborn Road development and issues involving Northgate development The agenda for Thursday includes most- ly routine matters. It includes increasing the city manager's moving allowance from $6,000 to $10,000, several issues involving platting and a time for public comment Noe said he expects a short meeting because the Aggies are on television Thursday night. The public is invited to attend both meetings. ..�§.nlN`�t,+'Y4"�"��. .: .. `tea. .�� r4� .y... • � _ `, ■ r��� i p reduces expansm" By TODD BERGMANN roadway corridor. It lists cons as focus on Wellborn Dallas, the area will along Wellborn Road will 'neder 2 Eagle staff writer FM2818 and Wellborn intersection, conflicts with the develop Clarke said r ihroad Planners will look at three alternatives for expansion of Wellborn Road and FM2818. The College Station City Council, Thursday, passed a resolution, reducing the number of alternatives from seven to three. One approved alternative would lower the railroad tracks in the area, build a freeway along FM 2818, and an improved Wellborn Road. A fact sheet lists pros of this alternative as removing conflict with railroad, an acceptable roadway system and desirable uses of exist- ing roadway corridor. The sheet lists cons as the cost of lowering the rail- way, the focus on the intersection on Wellborn Road and FM 2818, the situation where the railroad must be built fusYand- a €reeway on Wellborn R The next approved alte atfVe Would be bulld Wellborn Road as an urban arterial or freeway. This would involve a grade separation and a pedestrian underpass along Wellborn Road. The information sheet lists other pros as an accept- able roadway system and desirable uses of the existing a freeway. remam and Wellborn Road would become The third approved alternative is similar to the sec ond. The only difference is a section of proposed road way at the intersection of Wellborn Road and FM2818, Elrey Ash, director of economic and development ser- vices for the city, said. The council based its resolution on comments made at a public, meeting last month. The Wellborn corridor committee will study the three alternatives and recom- mend one to the council and the state at a later date. "None of the costs have been put together yet," Ash said. "We don't know what the total costs are. The one that involves the railroad, the cost is large enough that it would involve-several years of a Paul Clarke, an -yea developer, co recoup the cost of lowering and burying the railroad, through additional development. If the railroad remains on the surface, the area west of the tracks will see little if any development, he said. If the city adopts any of the three land -use proposals developed by Hellmuth, Obata and Kassabaum, Inc. of If the city lowers the tracks and allows for cgmnler- cial development in the area, it could get $1 million ter $2 million in additional properly taxes, he said. The area is ripe for development because of the prox- imity to the George Bush Memorial Library and the Texas A &M campus, Clarke said. In another planning matter, the council voted to spend up to $10,000 to fund the implementation stage of the Brazos 2020 Vision plan. Councilwoman Nancy Crouch, a member of the Brazos 2020 Vision advisory council, said the work on the $200,000 plan should not end up on a shelf, but area governments should implement ideas in the report. Therefore the c ouncil should fund the -wing - agency or another year she said others governments fund it, Brazos 2020 Vision, may cost as little as $6,000, Crouch said. Mayor ProTem Lynn McIlhaney said, "I don't want this to be another ongoing agency that we have to fund every year." Mayor Larry Ringer said the city and other local gov- ernments may be able to get grant funds through the agency during the next year. l Despite complaints, CS City Council approves oil well permit By TODD BERGMANN Eagle staff writer Neighbors of an oil and gas well between Raintree and Emerald Forest subdivisions argued unsuccessfully before College Station City Council against a renewed permit for it on grounds that it would be too dangerous. "It's physically very dangerous to us, the operation and the trucks that are out there," said Carroll J. Messer, who said he lives near the well. "It's very scary when they flare that stuff off and nobody knows what's going to hap- pen," Messer said. He complained of noise and safety prob- lems from repeated attempts to find oil in the well. Resident Dennis Germenis saia d — s'ee a potential risk to the families that are right in that area, of an explosion or whatever. On the good side, one individual is making money off this. I don't think it is worth the risk." They were speaking at a public hearing at this week's council meeting. Neighbors voiced concerns about the well, about 900 feet north of the intersection of Appomattox Drive and North Forest Parkway. Despite the concerns, the city council voted unanimously to grant a permit to BEXCO Operating Inc. to make a third attempt to get oil and gas from the well, the Fojtik- Swoboda Unit Well #1. The city classi th e well as high impact because of its proximity to Emerald Forest and Raintree. The city will receive no royalties if the well, in the Austin Chalk field, produces oil or gas. Steve Homeyer, a civil engineer for the city, said the permit requires BEXCO to complete landscaping within 30 days of the start of drilling operations. If the oil company finds no oil or gas, it must abandon the well and restore the sur- face to its original condition, Mayor Pro Tem. Lynn Mclhaney said. Councilwoman Nancy Crouch said the city lacks power to prohibit anyone from drilling oil on his land, but has the power to require noise abatement and landscap- ing. The city ordinance on these is very stringent, she said. Messer argued that oil company trucks would destroy recently completed streets in the area. But Ernest Bruchez, an attorney repre- senting BEXCO, said, "To answer Mr. Messer' concerns, this will be the third and final attempt to try to see if the reservoir has productive oil and gas." Al Swoboda, who has a stake in the well, said he had been under the impression that previous drilling companies would landscape the area. "There hasn't been any landscaping," he said. "I'm not too pleased with it, myself. Without any protection for the citizens around, including landscaping, I would have to be against it." In T wn &Texas 1� Dispo of hazardous waste Brazos Center Got any azardous waste hanging around the h use for want of a place to dispose of i . Many ho isehold cleaners, pesticides, paints, pod chemicals and automotive products c in chemicals that can be hazardous ogle or the environment if not proper y handled or disposed of, say official if the Brazos Valley Solid Waste Man q ement Agency. Today, fr 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Brazos Cen e in Bryan, you can safely dispose of A. Used oil, tteries, solvents and caus- tic cleaners e some of the other items that will be a cepted. The coll n event, held by the solid waste agency with co-sponsorship of the cities o ryan and College Station, is free, and crganizaers say it is envi- For info tion, call the Household Hazardous W4s Hotline at 764 - 3809 or the agency's office at 7643806. C r H ow much longer will it take the gov- ernment of the City of College Station to begin implementing the system of bicycle and walking lanes approved by College Station voters in the recent refer- endum? What has caused the seemingly endless delay? Who and what is responsible for the botched up implementation of a plan that seemed clear cut and a model of good sense? Lastly, for God's sake, when will it become a reality for our city to join with progressive communities in the U.S., Europe and elsewhere in offering to its cit- izenry safer, healthier, happier alterna- tives to the automobile? BENIGNO E. AGUIRRE �'� College Station Brazos Oeautiful kicks 1� � ff `C 0! e. cap' in Cs The os Beautiful's V "CrapescapE Texas Avenue" pro- gram will officially begin at 8 a.m. Friday under the water tower near Texas. Avenue and Holleman Drive. Trees will also be planted near the inters on of Texas Avenue and Villa ria Drive . tles will t Avenue. N gallon pot resistant. The plat Bryan Fed extend sot in College planting a Maria Roa The initi nated by a committee ongoing pr If you 'A or help wi Craig, exe Brazos Bey i tely 100 crape myr- ?lanted along Texas of the trees are in 5- 3-nd all are mildew rg, to be done by the it Prison Camp, will of the water tower ation, while Bryan's i will begin at Villa ind extend north. planting was coordi- 8- member volunteer Phe planting is an A like to volunteer funding, call Diane ive director at the ful office, 776 -6227. A � . .. > BSI Atkinson, mft,president U First Amer ican Savings B nk is thankful for me quality of | ■e that this growing econo- my provides and George Noe, College Station d% manager, in thankful for his n ■| ■b and his employees. • sic torch is to B -CS certain opportunities that round once in a lifetime. lance to carry the Olympic ably one of them. But that's exact- ly what a few of our local citizens will get to do next year when the Olympic Flame comes to Bryan - College Station and Texas A &M on its way to the 1996 Olympic Games in 1 Atlanta. The Olympic Committee n- College Station as a host )r the Olympic Torch this We ,, - thrilled to learn )ur itizens would be 'C( y Heroes" and on 4etime opportu- orcher of the Olympic rids through our communi- I got around that ALL citi- (as of April 27, 1996) and 1e eligible, both cities and �� truly be an Kis- t for Bryan - tation and Texas will certainly be ettable moment in )f those who are s our community of Commerce were inun- ls from residents eager to e nomination guidelines. t that time, the Olympic d not yet informed us of , rocess. nappy to report that as of applications are in and iyone who wants to apply arer minate someone ick application at ocahj - City of Bryan lding; College Station City )liege Station Chamber of ice; Bryan- College Station d Visitors Bureau; United Texas A &M Student .ssociation office. the completed application, nit a 100 -word essay stat- 1r the person you're nomi- nmunity hero. portant to note that your .id essay must be,post• �r than November 30. Due ime frame, we encourage an application as soon as I selection of torchbearers a committee in Waco, but •eprp I tives from our ed otifled by mail number of torchbearers ined by the length of the 1 Bryan- College Station. ere wilf be approximately i ers who will carry the 5,500 community heroes, consumers and 2,000 ath- pie representatives. s will cover a distance up er (.62 miles) and actual th the torch is not a iow of a community hero the opportunity to carry vne yourself, drop by one ons and pick up an appli- ly be an historic event for Station and Texas A &M ;nly be an unforgettable lives of those who are community heroes. By TODD BERGMANN Eagle staff writer Bridgette George recently left her two families in College Station to help hun. dreds of families in Alabama following Hurricane Opal. One of George's families is her hus. band Jay and three children. "It's the longest time I've been separat- ed from the my husband, "' "These people had a win- ter's supply of folod in their freezers and lost' it all." BRIDGETTE GEORGE Red Cross volunteer in Alabama alter Hurricane Opal George said of her 15 days of Red Cross volunteer service. "Th it was the most difficult thing about the trip." However, George saaA she had an assurance her children were in good hands because her sister -in -law took care of them. Likewise, George said she had an assurance her second family, the College Station Parks & Recreation Department, was in good hands because of the high - caliber people working in it. ' have never worked with so many interesting people than here at the Parks and Recreation Department," George, a staff assistant for the department, said. •'It's really like family." The family includes Parks Director Steve Beachy and Assistant Director Ric Ploeger. At her home in the department's "World Headquarters" in Central Park, George has charge of the family computer system. She is training department members on how to use it. On the computer, she produces memos and sets appointments and meetings for Beachy, Ploeger and other employ- ees. "If they don't check their computer, they might miss an important meet. ing," she said. Meanwhile, outside her off parks employees are putt ing up C as lights. "This is my favorite time of years when the lights are put up, ' rge • Place of Birth: San Angelo Age: 34 Years in Area: 16 Education: Graduated fr m high school in Singapore; attend d Texas A &M for one year Source of inspiration: The people in the College Station Parks and Recreation Department Activity in free time: Red Cross Volunteer. Favorite television show: "Friends" Favorite movie: "An American Dream" Favorite actor; Kurt Russell Favorite actress: Goldie" Family: husband, Jay; ogle son, Jefferey, 12 two daughters, A brey, 10, and Ashlie, six. said. George said she enjoys the diversity of her job. This includes being the city's emergency management assistant The Parks and Recreation Department lends a wide v ty of equipment and people to th ty in case of an emergency. "It's an efficient use of our equip- ment," she said. - 'When we have a disaster, we're not working ball games." Two parks department buildings, the College Station Community Center and the Lincoln Center, the city makes available to the American Red Cross as emergency centers. During George's five years ' the department, the city has h three emergencies which required h lters. These were two oil-well blasts one large apartment fire. Through working these emergencies, George made contact with the American Red Cross and decided to be a volunteer. The disaster training she received through the American Red Cross will benefit the city, George said. About a month ago, George received a call from Bill Thompson of the Brazos County American Red Cross asking if she would volunteer as a mass care technician in Alabama. She said yes, packed her bag and arrived at the work site at 2:30 a.m. the next day. There, George worked with a group of volunteers which served 39,010 meals in two weeks. She served meals pri- marily to people who lost their electric- ity. These people had a winter's supply of food in their freezers and lost it all, ".she said. '•A lot of the meals we served we better for the people than the meals the people cooked themselves." Most people in Enterprise, Ala. have annual, family incomes of $8,000 to $11,000, George said. Having lived four years in Singapore, George is no stranger to low- income conditions. " there is five or six years behind the U.S." she said. - 'They don't have junk food like we have in the U.S." For use in disaster relief in Alabama, the American Red Cross bought food by the trailer from manufacturers and bought supplies from the local Wal- Mart. A nearby Baptist organization cooked the food. George and other Red Cross volunteers picked up the food from the Baptist organization, trans- ported in a truck and served from the window of the truck. "After we served one meal, we would clean up and head back to get another meal, " she said. The volunteers served two meals a day. Also, they gave people snacks and breakfast cereals for their other meal. "When it came to sandwiches, some of the Red Cross volunteers pitched in and made thousands and thousands of sandwiches every morning," she said. After returning from Alabama on Oct. 21, George encouraged other people in Bryan and College Station to help the American Red Cross. ­It would be wonderful to have more Red Cross mass care technicians local- ly, should we ever need them," she said. ' experience was wonderful and I learned more than I ever thought possible." Oklahoma City Fire Dept. offloers offer seminar Pmrrrnnry nMrlcl� (1-nrr ,i.,, i.,...1,:.... ,.r,1. .,1 1 — 11 1 -. 1 . .. You don't he fight City H( By PEGGY CALLI CS Public Relations and Mar Those of us at the ( Station know that you d "fight City Hall" to get sot plished. In fact, if you i make an appointment, and and discuss your concerr clear and calm manner, w thing in our power to help problem. I never cease tr people who are frustrated so they decide to come apl meeting and blast the Cif staff with both barrels. Th. City Council to solve their Communicating effectiv staff and elected officials is mutual respect and tour anyone else. We recognize t to help solve citizen concer those citizens we would nc We work for you and we t that. But like most peop best when there is mutuall, logue. When that takes pl ing how much progress toward problem solving. For Operational Problems, g I would like to make so dations that I think can be all, if you have an operas such as reporting a pothole down, or garbage not picks ask that you call the city sl not know who to call, yoT operator at 769,4500, tell het and she will put you in t proper person. Or if you make sure your concern is recorded, you may call the office at 764-0510 and a resp< be sent to the proper depw be tracked all the way thro lion, at which time you sh service card to report whet were satisfied with the resc For Policy Issues, Call City C Problems that have to ( making fall under the re- Mayor and City Council M are such things as the pre Ordinance that is being decisions on the budget. N contacting your elected of asked the various Council they prefer to communes constituents.. Mayor Larry Ringer says sonal letters as this gives n nity to review the informati and a chance to better preps It also gives me something to the appropriate staff met additional information. I at telephone calls at home or a prefer not to have calls at w1 to schedule a meeting. Plea it may take me some tier depending on the issue and P. 0. Box 13006, CS, 77891.60 8912) Citizen input conce Items is welcome during ings. However, the council take action on concerns that agenda. For this reason, it is izens to bring these concerr member or staff person so sary, they can be added to If Lynn McIlhaney indice "prefers telephone calls" bee the two-way dialogue. He issue is for the whole coup rather receive a letter. (1009 77845, Phone 690-0504) Tarr Hubbard Kennady both req respondence be done dui hours at their respec Kennady( 426 Tarrow, #10 7880) prefers a letter fast, call and Marriot ( P.O. B 77842, Phone 696 -1787) expre< ence. Nancy Crouch is either phone calls or letters if you make a phone call an take some action, please lea and phone number for her t calls. She will can also r through her phone number Council Members receive caller will not leave a name c ber. All indicated they do react at all to cells in which t not leave a name and nu Appomattox Drive, CS, 778 0921) David Hickson says, " happy to talk to people by office or home. I read all lett Introducing the College Station Parks and Recreation Department to computers is part of Bridgette George's many duties as a staff asssistant. Court case stalls B -CS utility rates u College Station residents juggling COLLEGE gflo� ,-s ORY may face higher electric bills. fy Tara Wilkinson THE BATTALION Depending on the outcome of a court dispute between the cities of Bryan and College Station, residents of some College Station annexes may have to pay Bryan utility rates, and all College Station residents may face higher electric bills. Judge J.D. Langley of the 85th District Court in Bryan made a par. tial ruling on the utilities disagree- ment in October. The jud ment, which favored Bryan, has little effect until a final decision is made. A court date for the final ruling has not yet been set. The dispute concerns a two -part agreement made in 1980 when Col. lege Station annexed land located on Highway 30 past the intersection of Harvey Road and Highway 6, on which a Texas Instruments plant was being built. Until it is annexed, rural Brazos Valley falls under Bryan's jurisdiction. The agreement specified that though College Station would annex the land in question, Bryan would continue to provide utility service for See DISPUTE, Pave S Tuesday • November 21, 1995 r RQ,�tOV? DISPUTE C Continued from Page 1 the Texas Instruments plant. In exchange, any land an- nexed by College Station for the next 16 years would invari- able fall under College Sta- tion's utilities jurisdiction. This agreement operated smoothly until 1993, when Bryan legal counsel realized the Bryan city charter prohibited making sales power contracts of more than 10 years in length. Bryan declared in 1994 that the utilities agreement was in- valid and began negotiations with College Station officials. Joe Brown, Bryan public in- formation officer, said negotia- tions reached an impasse, and Bryan filed a declaratory judg. ment lawsuit, which seeks only a judge's ruling and no mone- tary compensation. "I don't know what exactly we're asking for," Brown said. 'But there've been a whole lot of customers taken away from us since 1980." If the agreement is declared invalid, utilities of College Sta- tion areas annexed between 1990 and 1995 will once again be regu- lated by Bryan. Skit) Noe. Cells.. Station ments)," Calliham said. "It's a matter of dollars." Calliham said Bryan officials protested the agreement be- cause they feared that in 1996 !College Station would not renew ,its power contract with Texas Municipal Power agency of which Bryan is a partner. College Station, which does not produce any of its own power, did in fact sign a contract with a different power company, Texas Utilities, effective Jan. 1, 1996. This contract will result in lower utility rates for College Station. The argument presented in court by College Station officials was that since both cities contin- ued business as usual after the 10 -year limit had passed, the contract was, in effect, renewed. Noe likened the situation to leasing an apartment. He said that if a tenant's lease runs out, but the tenant continues to live there and continues to make pay- ments, the contract is still good. "If they never tell you other- wise„ and you keep paying, basi- cally you've renewed your lease,' he said.' Since Langley ruled to have another hearing before making a final judgment, Noe said the court must have found some mer. it in College Station's argument. However, Brown said Lang - ley's judgment against College Statinn was r1— .A �J Briefly Library fire trial moved to Falls County The trial of a Midland man accused of setting the March 28 fire at the Bryan Public Library has been moved to the Falls County Courthouse in Marlin in January. Clyde Newton Settles, 39, faces charges of arson and burglary in the library fire and the break -in at the Masonic Lodge nearby. State district Judge Carolyn Ruffino granted a defense attorney's motion Nov. 7 for the trial to be held outside of Brazos County. The defense had argued that pre -trial publicity and residents' emotional ties to the library prevented a fair and impartial trial here. No decision has been made yet on an exact trial date and on whether Ruffmo will preside over the case. Gingrich leaves a clear Republican field WASHINGTON — House Speaker Newt Gingrich ruled out a 1996 presi- dential run Monday, leaving a clearly I fle '1 b] iov¢mb¢r 28, 9995 _ ■ 1 ■ ■ ■ By TODD BERGMANN Eagle staff writer So you're a typical College Station user of the city's utility services and you thought your electricity bills were going to go down because of the city's deal with Texas Utilities? Think again. Bryan City Manager Mike Conduff says they might be going up. He says a typical College Station electric customer may well have to pay $1.84 a month indirectly to Bryan starting in January because College Station has stopped buying electricity from its neighbor to e no As of Dec. 31, College Station will buy electricity from Texas Utilities Electric Inc., instead of the Texas Municipal Power - Agency, which is jointly owned by Bryan and other municipalities. But the two cities have three connections of electric transmission lines, forming a transmission loop, and under the law, Bryan must allow College Station to use them. The city is entitled to charge College Station for the use of those lines. Under a proposal approved by the Bryan City Council, the city intends to bill Texas Utilities Electric Inc. more than $2 million a year for that. The proposal has yet to be approved by Texas Utilities. The amount homeowners will have to pay as their share of that will vary based on electric usage. A typ- ical home uses 1,000 kilowatts of electricity, Mark Caskey, division manager for dispatching for Bryan Utilities, said. - Lawyer Lambeth Townsend, of Austin, told Bryan City Council this week that although the Texas Public Utilities Commission will approve a new formula next year, the deal will remain in effect until the par- 1 J,I 1:M�1s1./ 1 ties re- negotiate or until Texas Utilities stops selling electricity to College Station. , "We believe this offer is completely consistent with all applicable law," he said. Because electricity is a regulated business, Bryan may not charge higher transmission rates to other utility companies than it charges its own customers, Townsend said. But Councilmember Ples Turner was uncertain. "I am still concerned that we are not charging enough. I thirik we should get a better return than what the city of Bryan gets," he said. "The agreement (between Bryan and Texas Utilities) provides for an adjustment to be consistent -- with your costs," Townsend said - "°When your costs go up, your rates go up." Under the deal, if agreed to by Texas Utilities, Bryan will bill the company every 30 days. The com- pany must pay the city within 16 days of the bill. clintono We must choose peace By TERENCE HUNT "That is our responsibility as Americans." Representatives The Associated Press ; �. g_ Clinton pledged that the U.S. mission — WASHINGTON (AP) — Seeking sup expected to last up to a year — would be limited, focused and under the command ■ I � CS planners present land use scenario 0 I By TODD BERGMANN Eagle staff writer The College Station comprehensive land use plan, which calls for high- densi- ty housing near the Texas A &M campus, has a variety of critics and opponents. After the Dallas -firm of Hellmuth, Obata and Kassabaum Inc. unveiled its preferred scenario, city council mem- bers, the parks and recreation board, the planning and zoning board and the pub- lic offered an array of comments. The firm envisions high - density hous- ing such as apartments, townhouses and single - family homes with at least five units an acre. The only redevelopment area in the elan is the Northgate area. velopment into high - density hous- would supply housing for students, c se to campus, Donal Simpson, senior vice president and director of planning for the firm, told more than 100 people. With students living close to campus, the city would have to spend less on road improvements, he said. Also, the plan will preserve all existing neighborhoods, add an industrial park C� near Easterwood Airport, calls for a downtown in the area bounded by Texas Avenue, Texas 6 and Krenek Tap Road, and suggests building 150- to 200 -acre vil- lages as College Station grows to the south. Flood plains would become parks and often separate the villages. Some green - ways would contain trails for biking and hiking to the campus and other places. With housing surrounding a neighbor- hood business center, these villages have been successful in Florida, California and Maryland, Simpson said. Councilman Hub Kenn�ady said, "You've shown us ones in different parts of the country that are working. But will they work in Texas ?" Simpson said a village is succeeding near Dallas. Kennady replied, "The Dallas area is a whole different area. The population of Bryan and College Station is not growing like it is in Dallas and Houston. Simpson replied, "In fact, it is." In response to other questions, Simpson said these area would be con- trolled mixed use to preserve the village flavor Ron Gay, chairman of the parks and recreation board, said retailers do not want to locate in the middle of residential areas. Simpson clarified his point by saying the business section would be along major roads with easy access to residen- tial areas. In addition, maj�et rail eas would be in the proposed ntownar ea and at the intersection of 2818 d Wellborn Road. "There really is no downtown," Simpson said. "As the city grows to 100,000 and 150,000 people, there will be a demand and a need for identity." People could identify with a downtown with a city hall, stores and offices, he said. But Wade Griffin of 108 Mile Drive said, "You wiped out our neighborhood." Downtown College Station will never become a Downtown Houston, Simpson said. Gregory Taggart, a parks and recre- ation board member and planning con- sultant said, "Texas Avenue is the eco- nomic lifeblood of our community. Texas Avenue was not planned. It just grew like wildflowers." Marianne Oprisko, a doctoral student at Texas A &M, said she likes the overall plan, but would like to enhance the plan. with a railroad system sh ilar to the interurban line that ran from 1910 to 1923. Mike Manson, a member of the parks and recreation board, said the city has to plan for growth because Brazos County may soon become a bedroom community for Houston. "When they complete the road to Houston, people who know of the reputa- tion of Brazos County schools may want to live here and drive to Houston," he said. Mayor Larry Ringer said, "These are just plans. Somebody is going to have t0 want to sell their property. Someone will have to want to build on the property." The consultants will take public com-' ment again on Dec. 6 in the College Station Community Center starting at 7 p.m. The council will consider this land use plan for adoption in early 1996. Meanwhile, additional consultants will start working on transportation and other plans for College Station. Apathy and government: Who cares? _ ** ` By TODD BERGMANN Eagle staff writer _ Suppose there was a meeting about public access to the government and no one showed up? That's what happened at this week's Bryan City Council meeting. So two council members spoke on the topic instead, and the mayor asked the council members to try again to get peo- ple to come talk to them. During its two regular November meetings, the council invited several experts to comment on citizen access to government. Tuesday's agenda allowed time for anyone to comment. Mayor Lonnie Stabler asked the coun- cil members if they had asked con- stituents to come to the meeting to dis- cuss access to government. None of the council members had. Most of the council members were in Phoenix, Ariz. last week for a conference of the National League of Cities. Stabler asked all of the council mem- bers to invite at least 10 people to come comment at the next meeting, which is set for 6 p.m. Dec. 19. City Manager Mike Conduff said if people cannot come to the meeting, they may mail, fax or bring in written com- ments or phone in comments. A city staff member will share them with the coun- cil. Councilmember Dan Galvin said one way the city can reach out to its citizens is through new technology. This could include getting a home page on the, World Wide Web or the Internet and making government available 24 hours a day. It's just like ATM cards," he said. "People have access to their money 24 hours a day. People should have access to their government 24 hours a day." Councilmember Candy Rose added that the city might also allow residents to obtain city permits by phone or com- puter hook -up. Rose also suggested that the council broadcast its meetings on cable TV. She said people from other cities at the con- ference in Phoenix called Bryan "back- ward" because it does not broadcast its meetings. Further, Rose suggested the council have one meeting next year in District Please see COUNCIL, page A8 [NEE Council From Al # I zool Three and another in District Four. Galvin suggested the council have one meeting in each of five districts next year. "It would keep us from being here on the stage and being removed from the people," Galvin said. The council agreed. In other matters Tuesday, the Rodriguez said the committees need more minorities. But Stabler said, "This is a pret- ty varied committee assignment. It has lot of different people from different parts of the communi- ty. „ Rose suggested the council add more young people to its commit- tees. City Secretary Mary Lynne Galloway said the council is not allowed to ask people their age when they apply for committee assignments. John Godfrey, who is leaving as chairman of the Planning and Zoning Commission, said that council made progress in increas- ing the number of women on the city's boards and commissions. The council appointed 18 women and 34 men to various boards and commissions for terms starting Jan. 1. Currently, 35 women and 72 men serve on boards and commis- sions for the city. Not all terms end this year. The council appointed six women and two men to the Main Street Advisory Board. Stabler said jokingly, "That's not fair," then Rose said, "It's about time." Councilmember Greg commission has a wide range of members. "As I go off, we do not have anyone with real estate and devel- opment background," he said. "Two people wouldn't be too many." After an executive session, the council appointed Professor Emeritus W.G. Roeseler, Murray Milford and Khawaja Rahman. Rahman owns a grocery store, Milford teaches soil science at Texas A &M and Roeseler, the only new member of the commis- sion, previously taught urban planning at Texas A &M. q � o & CS QJ ;9 ,4, co uni �� y TODD BERGMANN E ag l e staf w While people will - able use tw new College Station library in a few years, they will not be allowed to bring guns into the building or smoke in the restrooms under Proposed ordinances the city council will con- sider this week. Anyone who violates one of these proposed ordinances — if they pass — might be arrest- ed by a police officer using the city's new radio system. At its 4 pm. workshop meeting today and 7 P.m. regular meeting Thursday, the council will select an architect to design the new library. The staff recommends Hidell Architects of Dallas. "Libraries are not like your standard facili- ties," City Manager George "Skip" Noe said. It's not like designing an office. It's not like designing a house." Libraries need additional load capacity for the books they will contain, he said. Hidell ■ r Architects has designed more than 50 libraries nationwide, including 25 in Texas. "Everybody was i m prvss ecLwith the quali- ty of work they have done in other places," Noe said. Hidell Architects will subcontract with a local firm for some of the design work, he said. Currently, the city rents a 5,600`square-foot space for its library. The new library will be approximately 15,000 square feet. The city will use a variety of methods to get Public input as to what services the new library will provide, Linda Piwonka, execu tive director of management services, said. The architects will build the library based on what people say they want the library to have, she said. Also during today's meeting, the council will study two bids for a new radio system for all city departments, primarily Police and fire. "The current system is antiquated and not adequate," Noe said "It does not provide ade- quate coverage as the city grows." Other items on the agenda for today's meet- ing are discussion of funding $200,000 for the Proposed Brazos Valley Community – Ardw Agency Health Center in Bryan and presenta- tion of a plan for pebble Creek Park. The council will consider approving the plan dur- ing its meeting Thursday. Also Thursday, the council will discuss a Proposed ordinance banning weapons in city buildings and another to ban smoking in pub- lic restrooms and restrict use of cigarette machines to areas where minors are not allowed. The council is considering the gun ban because the state will allow licensed individu- als to carry concealed weapons starting in January, Noe said. `One of the concerns that we have is of the safety and security of our employees and the citizens who come to visit city facilities," he said. Noe said he anticipates no new security Procedures in conjunction with the ordi- nance. Similarly, the proposed ordinance against smoking in restrooms will not require addi ffO W- tY prnoedures, Noe said. Any ordinance like this requires coopera- tion on the part of the public, he said. Businesses will be required to enforce th ordinance. They do it now. It's kind of self- enforcing. "Most communities have a restriction on smoking in the restrooms. It's viewed as a common area where smokers and non -smok- ers alike intermingle.i' The ordinance, unlike one the council looked at last month, does change the law on smoking in restaurants. "That's been put on hold," Noe said. "There's a whole bunch of other restrictions that have been put on hold." Brun and College Station will likely adopt similar rules on other types of restrictions on the sale and use of tobacco, he said. Other items on Thursday's agenda include rePlats of subdivisions, renaming streets which have no homes and city purchases. considers gun ordinance Cheer volunteers deliver more than 000 bags of food By ROBERT C. BORDEN Eagle staff writer More than half of the 4,000 bags of Cheer food were delivered on Wednesday, the first day of deliveries to the 2,000 nominated families. Deliveries will continue today and Friday. Thirteen employees of the City of College Station in seven vehicles deliv- ered Cheer baskets to 210 families at Southgate Village Apartments as they have every year for the past severa Please see CHEER, page A10 C A Cheer From Al years. "This has become a tradition with the City of College Station and the Cheer Fund," said pub- lic information officer Bob Yancy. "For myself, it's very heartwarming to pull off the tie and roll up the sleeves and deliv- er food to the neledy when you know how much it helps. "Thanks to the hard work and generous hearts of volunteers froril all over the community, people less fortunate than our- selves get help right when they need it most — the holiday sea - son." Peggy Calliham, College Station's public information director, said, "College Station employees always enjoy partici- pating in such a wonderful com- munity project as the Cheer Fund. We like helping people." Bryan city workers will deliv- er Cheer baskets to residents at Mockingbird Run Apartments on Friday. Paralee Kortis, who has vol- unteered with the Cheer Fund since it began, was the first vol- unteer to arrive at Cheer Headquarters — 20 minutes before it even officially opened at 8 a.m. From then until almost 11 a.m., it was non -stop, with vol- unteers from many organiza- tions showing up to help. At the end of the day, youth and their families from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter -Day Saints arrived to deliver Cheer baskets to almost 100 families. Tuesday night, members of the church Relief Society took 35 minutes to fill the bags with the ham and eggs. After the bags to be delivered by nominating organizations had been set aside, only about 400 Cheer baskets are left to be delivered today and Friday. Among the organizations rep- resented were Littlejohn Janitorial Service, Lone Star Gas, Bryan - College Station Association of Realtors, The Eagle, H &R Block, the Department of Human Services, Black and White Ball, RSVP, Brazos Valley Community Action Agency, Meals on Wheels, North Bryan Community Center, Fairview Baptist Church, Truevine Baptist Church, The Way, the Truth and the Light Church, Twin City Church of Christ and New Testament Church helping deliver Cheer baskets. Although the food is being delivered, the purchased items still need to be paid for. Contributions may be sent to the Cheer Fund, P.O. Box 3000, � ryan 77805 -3000. They also may Ie left during normal business hours at the front desk of The Eagle, 1729 Briarcrest Drive in B ryan. The Eagle pays all administra- tive costs of the Cheer Fund, so 411 contributions from the com- ,Munity are used to buy food. II d%0 F A arary plans maybe in �I �► ` 1 � By TODD BERGMANN l/ Eagle staff writer Despite desires of some council mem- bers to use a local firm, a Dallas architec- tural firm has the inside track to getting the contract to design the new College Station Public Library. In a workshop meeting Wednesday, the College Station City Council discussed plans for several new projects: a library, a park, a health care center and a radio tower. The council will likely take action on these matters at its regular meeting, which starts 7 p.m. today at the College Station City Hall, 1101 S. Texas Ave. The city received proposals for 15 firms to design the library. Through a series of interviews, a committee narrowed the 15 to three. These include Hidell Architects of Dallas and Patterson Architects of 12.00 IL+ hands of Dallas fimn Bryan. Brett McCulley, assistant to the city engineer for capital improvements, said the committee selected Hidell for several reasons. These include experience build- ing 59 libraries, the dynamic personality of Bill Hidell and the use of loyal firm as a subcontractor. Councilman Hub Kennady asked, "Will he be doing our plans or will someone else be doing them ?" McCulley said Hidell will be involved in the plans. Hidell will listen to public concerns about the library and design a library based on what people say, said Linda Piwonka, executive director of manage- ment services for College Station, and Clara Mounce, librarian for the Bryan- College Station Library System. Also, Hidell can help with fundraisers and grant applications, Piwonka said. Councilmember David Hickson expressed concern about Hidell's fees, ask- ing, "How do you know you're not getting hosed ?" McCulley said the city is not allowed to consider fees in engineering and architec- tural contracts. Kennady said, "I feel like we often go with the best. I feel like we should go with somebody local for this job." Councilman Larry Marriot said he sees no difference between a library and a school, but Piwonka said one of the differ- ences is circulation. Patterson architects designed Bowen School and recently received a contract to design the Neal School for the Bryan Independent School District. The Bryan firm would use a Houston library consul- tant as a sub-contractor if it gets the con - Please see LIBRARY, page A10 C — Library From Al tract. After Kennady asked about Hidell's experience, Mounce said he is developing a long -range plan for the Houston Public Library and worked for the Dallas Public Library for many years. Mounce said another reason to hire Hidell is the excellent job the firm did in designing the new library in Georgetown, near Austin. "If Clara says we should go with this firm, it's good enough for me," Kennady said. In another new project, Parks Director Stephen Beachy present- ed a plan for Pebble Creek Park. The 10 -acre park, to be build adja- cent to a new school, will feature two soccer fields, two baseball fields, a basketball court, and a quarter -mile and a half-mile side- walk for walking and jogging. Also, the council discussed fund- ing $200,000 of a health care center to be built in Bryan near the tran- sit terminal. Bryan would pay $1.2 million. "There is no question that there is a need for these facilities," said Mayor Larry Ringer. "We don't have the funds available now." City Manager George "Skip" Noe suggested the city consider borrowing the money. In another building project, the council and Fire Chief Bill Kennedy discussed where the city should build a new radio tower as part of the city's proposed $2.5 mil- lion radio system. The system would serve the fire, police and all city departments. One proposal would be to build a 350 -foot radio tower near Aldersgate United Methodist Church. Currently, a 250 -foot radio tower sits on the site east of Texas 6. The city must remove tower because the manufacturer went out of business, Kennedyisaid. Another option would be to build a 300 -foot radio tower behind the police station. This would save the city $97,000 over the Aldersgate site, Kennedy said. Noe said this would put a radio tower in the middle of an area planners have selected for a civic center. Councilmembers favor the Aldersgate site, while city staff favors the police station site. The city owns both sites. T E 61�71J_ ` College Station files suit against Bryan By TODD BERGMANN Eagle staff writer The City of College Station has filed an injunction in .federal court in Houston against the City of Bryan and the Texas Municipal Power Association concerning its proposal on electric rates. The City of Bryan, through a news release, denies it has done anything illegal or unfair. Also named as defen- dants in the suit are Michael Conduff, Bryan city manager; Dan Wilkerson, Bryan Utilities director; Gailord White, TMPA manager of system plan- ning; and Texas Municipal Power Pool Inc., of which the cities of Bryan, Garland, Denton and Greenville, %6,1 Bryan , From Al 'legal experts said the proposal is �br the only rate Bryan could charge under state law. , "The City of Bryan's proposed wheeling rates were developed by industry experts and are in accor- dance with current standard util- ity practices," the released stated. TMPA, and Brazos Electric are all members. The agreement through which College Station purchases electricity from Bryan ends at the end of the year. Starting in January, College Station will purchase electricity from Texas Utilities Electric Company and trans- mit the power through Bryan's electric lines and the lines of the Texas Municipal Power Association. In November, the Bran City Council approved an offer to College Station to allow College Station to pay Bryan for use of electric lines. At the meeting where the council approved the agreement, Bryan's electrical and Please see SUIT, page All "These rates will be the same rates the City of Bryan will pay to use its own lines under the Public Utility Regulatory Act. They are the same rates any other u ility would be charged to use the City of Bryan's electric lines." However, next year, the Public Utilities Commission of Texas will issue new regulations to determine electric transmission rates. "Based on detailed analyses and a comparison of other utility companies fees for such services, the proposed contract were found c include excessively high costs as well as a number of very onerous contract provisions," said George "Skip" Noe, College Station's city manager. College Station proposed agree- ments that would follow rate guidelines that the Public Utilities Commission of Texas is currently considering. "The charges that the City of Bryan and TMPA are proposing are approximately 2 1/2 times the rates that the commission is now considering," Noe said. object to using guidelines that are still being developed. "The City of ryan and the other numerous defendants in this case are in compliance with utility rate guidelines as they stand today, not what the Public Utility Commission may deter- mine them to be in the future," the release said. Noe also said the proposals do not allow College Station to build its own transmission lines or get out of the agreement until it ends its agreement with Texas Utilities Bryan officials also expressed regret that the issue ended up in court rather than at the negotiat- ing table. "The City of Bryan and its sis- ter cities in TMPA are extremely disappointed that College Station has elected to pursue this very expensive legal approach instead of sitting down at the negotiating table and discussing the matter as neighbors." to be unacceptable. The contracts However, Bryan city officials Electric Co. 44W CS City Council sm By TODD BERGMANN ✓` Eagle staff writer People will no longer be allowed to smoke in restrooms in College Station, based on an ordinance the city council approved Thursday. Mayor Larry Ringer said there are no other changes in the smoking ordinance except for the portion dealing with public restrooms. During a November meeting, the city council considered an ordinance that would not only prohibit smoking in restrooms, but would also have changed the laws governing smoking sections in restaurants. After restaurant owners objected, the council put the restaurant changes aside for further study. 111W10 bs out Additionally, the ordinance prohibits cigarette machines in public areas where minors might get to them and it prohibits minors from possessing tobacco products. When asked what the police department will do to enforce the ordinance, Chief Ed Feldman said, "We will just roll it into the duties welhave now." That prompted Councilman David Hickson to ask, "If we can't enforce this, why should we pass it ?" Feldman said the police can enforce it. The cou cil approved the ordinance on a 6 -1 vote. Cncilman Bill Fox voted no. After the meeting, Fox said, "I think it was unwise for us to have an unenforceable ordinance.' We don't need any more ordi- nances on the books. I am a non - smoker. I have children who are in high school." (W oking in restrooms . /IO fl 1 1 11' are easier for contractors The new College Station building, mechanical, plumb- ing, gas, electrical and fire codes are easier for contrac- tors to meet and reflect new changes in construction, city officials said. The council adopted the 1994 Standard Building, Mechanical, Plumbing, Gas and Fire Codes and the 1993 National Electrical Code Thursday. "There is a one -year difference between the National Electrical Code and all the other codes," said David Moore, a city building official. The new codes will allow contractors to use the same plans in College Station as in any part of the country, he said. The codes are the most recent codes and will take effect Please see CODES, page A8 Codes From Al in 90 days so contractors do not have to change plans to comply, said Fire Marshall John Mies. They are easier for contractors to interpret than previous codes, he said, adding, "A person doesn't have to be a Philadelphia lawyer to understand what the code says." One new provision is that larger buildings must have a key box. If the fire department is called to a c fire, it will have a key to a steel box, called a key box and it will get the key to building from the box. Also, the new codes reduce the amount of hazardous liquids busi- nesses may store and they relax requirements for fire alarms and sprinklers. Further, the new codes makes a minor change in the law against parking in a fire lane. The old ordi- nance prohibits unattended vehi- cles in a fire lane and classifies a vehicle with only a 10- year -old in it as an attended vehicle. The new ordinance deletes the word "unat- tended." 12 -11v Mayor Pro Tem Lynn McIhaney asked how the ordinance would effect people who leave their cars in a fire lane while picking up chil- dren at day care centers. "We will work with owners to make loading zones in the fire lane if at all possible," Mies said. Also, the new ordinance reflects changes in construction, comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act and deals with new types of coolants. "The types of refrigerants we have today are much more danger- ous then those we had before," Moore said. On the hotter end, the new code requires a shut -off valve on all showers, not just communal show- ers. The valves shut off the shower when the water temperature reach- es 120 degrees and cost $7 -$8. Also, the new code adds dimen- sion to the existing ordinance for minimum size of bedroom win- dows. The old code specifies win- dows must be at 20 inches by 24 inches. The new code will require windows to be at least 20 inches wide and 24 inches tall. The code sets requirements for windows which people can use for escape in case of fire, Moore said. (r GS wi prohibit ' ' By TODD BERGMANN \V' Eagle staff writer Mayor Larry Ringer cast the tie - breaking vote o approve a College Station ordinance that prohibits guns in city buildings. The same ordinance now allows people to discharge firearms on tracts of 10 acres or more, but not within 300 feet of any building. This section allows hunting in some rural areas that the city recently annexed. Council members Bill Fox, David Hickson and Lynn McIlhaney voted for the ordinance. Hub Kennady, Larry Marriot and Nancy Crouch voted against the ordinance. City staff proposed the ordinance in light of a recent state statute that allows people who d monstrate proficiency and lack of a criminal record to get a �lpcense to carry a concealed weapon. The statute prohibits guns in courtrooms and at council meetings. It also allows counties, but not cities, to prohibit guns in their parks. Assistant City Attorney Steve Shively said he worded the ordinance to allow guns in public 'areas of the parks, but not in the park administrative buildings. Five members of the audience challenged the ordinance. Gregory K. Taggart, an engineer who lives in College Station and has a permit, said the state constitution allows only the state legislature to regulate the carrying of arms. "A city is not the Legislature and consequently the ordi- nance being considered is unlawful and unconstitutional," he said. "The city is opening itself up to potential civil rights litigation. Why is the law needed? At whom is it directed? The licensed concealed carrier is over 21, has paid a large fee to the state of Texas, an even larger fee to the instructor, has been fingerprinted, background checked, schooled, and firearms skill and safety tested." People with permits must be current on all taxes, child support and student loans, Taggart said. "In fact, the moral and character requirements for a concealed carry license exceed those for admission to the State Bar," he said. The Texas concealed handgun law is more strict than Florida's, he said. Less than .01 percent of Florida license- holders have caused crimes. "Does the city council of College Station feel that the law - abiding, upstanding citizens of College Station are less responsible than those of Florida? Do you distrust the elec- torate so much ?" he asked. And William D. Burdett, a lawyer, said, "Instead of wor- rying about these responsible citizens, the city should be worrying about the criminals on the streets." Similarly, Doug Williams, a concealed handgun instruc- tor, said, "If you want to do something about safety, put a traffic light at Wellborn and 2818." Jack Upham said only two of the 40 people with him in a incealed handgun class are under 35. One of these is a "female veterinary medicine student who needs to visit sev- eral buildings on campus at night. Nolan Shipman of 1602 Rock Prairie Road said the ordi- nance would require him to take off his licensed gun and I ZoleIb in city buildings Put it in the trunk of his car whenever he visits city hall. "You are setting up my car to be a target of the criminal element," he said. Shipman suggested the city construct lockers for licensed citizens to secure their guns while visiting city hall. "What fliese risen are saying is exactly true," Hickson said. "Our criminals have more rights than victims." Currently and with the new ordinance, the city has noth- ing in place to stop people from coming into city hall with a gun and st noting someone. City Manager George "Skip" Noe said the city needs the ordinance to protect its employees and visitors. "We're a business," Noe said. The statute gives business owners the right to determine if they will allow concealed weapons on their property. People with licenses to carry concealed weapons are not wearing a badge saying they have a permit, he said. Therefore, to protect its 600 employees, the city needs to pro- hibit all Wopons in city buildings other than those police carry, Noe said. Burdett said the ordinance violates civil rights of people who keep guns in the apartments they rent from the city. Ringer pointed out the ordinance applies only to build- ings used for city operations and activities. This would exclude b u ' dings the city rents to residents and retailers. McIlhane r said the council should postpone action on the portion of t ie ordinance that bans gums in city buildings. Mclhaney; s dd she needs more time to study the ordinance. Also, the c(Lincil may want to wait for the Legislature to change the state law before it passes an ordinance. "To wait for the Texas Legislature to do something is a mistake," Ringer said. The council did not wait. It voted the motion to postpone action on part of the ordinance by the same 43 vote it used ordinance. WANTED: Banner ideas to dress up city's streets n recent years, the City of College Station has dedicated itself to high quality regarding community appear- ance issues. The Community Appearance Committee, an advisory citizen commit tee appointed by the City Council, has also served to strengthen the overall awareness of these issues. Last year, the CAC organized into sev eral subcommittees to identify specific opportunities to enhance the appearance of College Station. This effort led to the idea of the Color College Station Street Banners Program. The program calls for the place- ment of vertical banners on light poles along major streets through- out Coll ege Station. These banners are intended to be color— and sea- sonal elements that will enhance JOe Dunn - current stan• Y dards. Streetscape ordinance standards weir derived from the College Statfoi Streetscape Plan, adopted by the City Council in December 1992. This plan encourages the use of stree banners because they have "proven to b very successful when used in specie areas or districts to add movement an• color to the street environment." The Color College Station program i To ensure the banners will proper ly represent the pride, spirit, an( energy of the city and its resident: the City of College Station ha teamed up with the Arts Council c Brazos Valley to issue a call fc entries for artists' designs. also intended to promote civic attra tions such as Northgate and the Geori Bush Presidential Library. The program may be expanded include special holiday banners and sp cial events promoted by the community To achieve this, the program planned in several phases related to si nificant capital projects and stre enhancements. Phase One will be considered a pil project for the placement of appro> mately 35 banners along Universi Drive East. The banners will be approximately feet long and 2.5 feet wide. They will 1 placed on the new bronze powder -coat light poles that were erected this fi along University Drive from the Ea Bypass to Texas Avenue. The pilot project will be initiated February 1996 and is planned to be coi pleted by late summer 1996. To ensure the banners will propel represent the pride, spirit, and energy the city and its residents, the City College Station has teamed up with t Arts Council of Brazos Valley to issuf call for entries for artists' designs. Three coordinated banner designs a being sought: ■ City of College Station design - g( eral city-wide banner design to be u! along corridors throughout the city. ■ Northgate design - specific banr design for the historic commercial ai north of the Texas A &M University cr pus. ■ George Bush Drive design - spec banner design for the 2.5 mile corri along which the George B! Presidential Library is sited. The banner design competition open to all residents of Texas. A ! cash award is provided to the at whose entry is selected by the jury. ' panel will be made up of artists, citiz and staff members of the ! Council. All designs are to be sent with a entry fee to the Arts Council of Br Valley, 310 University Drive 1 College Station, Texas 77890. For more information, call the Council at 268 -2787. ■ Joey Dunn is a staff planner fc City of College Station. t He knows the code. He carries a badge iarctirw ��. (,tillCtf City 0 As College Station's code enforcement officer, Wes Castolenia spends most of his time inspecting the city for rates, roaches, junked cars, broken windows and other code violations es Castolenia carries a badge, enforces ordinances and works to improve the appearance and health of College Station. Wearing jeans and a work shirt, Castolenia inspects rodents tri nuua of ordina against junk g parKUtg on the iawn ana high weeds. To get his badge and his job, Castolenia earned state certification as a code enforcem nt offi- cer. "The ultimate goal of code enforcement is have a clean city and enhance the quality of life for its citi- zens," Castolenia said. "One of our major accc mplish- ments is that we give a better quality of life for our people. "It's a good feeling when you can help people out." The scope of his enforcement excludes criminal tivity, traffic law violations, zoning violatit ins and Aiding code violations. Castolenia was a I uilding _x-- aspector before he became a code inspector ir 1990. Part of Castolenia's job is answering and f owing up on calls from the public, complaining about prob- lems, including junk vehicles. Any vehicle without ' current license plotes is a junk vehicle. "We don't send a letter out as a result of tha phone call," he said. "We go out and investigate. WO go out and make sure it is not in compliance with the city ordinance." In a typical week, Castolenia receives four' or five calls about violations. With a complaint, he will set about enforcing city ;.:des. "Before 1990, we hau reactive code enfor ment, - where we only answered cwnplaints," he said. "I real- ly don't get as many complaints now that we am proac- tive." With proactive code enforcement, Castolenia will go to a neighborhood, inspect the property me tioned the complaint and check all properties for viola- tions. "If it is a violation, we go to the tax rolls ana notify the property owner," he said. Castolenia will send the property owner a letter with details of the violation and a period of time for compliance. "For weeds and grass, it is a few days," he said. "For junk vehicles, since it's a monetary thing that needs repair, we actually give a longer time: 45 days.' If houses have siding falling off or broken w dows, owners have 30 days to repair the violation. in some cases, the city will give an extension. "Our main goal is to seek compliance," he sa d. "It's a win -win situation for both parties. The last t1 ing we want to do is find people in court. "If you don't remove the junk car 8rom the property TOM PENN NN Plrato (1y DA {'EMCDRMAND within 45 days, you can talk to the judge.' If property owners do not comply with e city ordi- nance against weeds and grass more tb an one foot tall, a contractor working for the city will xrow the lawn and the accounting department will se id the property owner a bill for the mowing charges and an adminis- trative fee. If they do not pay the bill, the city wM put a lien on the property and the city, the county and the school district may eventually take the prop , Castolenia said. When Castolenia uses the term "we," lie means the entire staff of his department — hims lf. Bryan has a code enforcement officer and other c' iep the size of College Station have as many as five code enforcement officers. "We do a good job for the number of people we have working for us," he said. "Less time is being devoted to code enforcement now. Building inspections has priority. Some people thlnX It is unnecessary to have cone enforcement. Most people don't realize how dangerous junk vehicles are." Children could suffer from heat, get trapped in a junk car or put a car in gear, Castolenia said. Rodents can make a home in junk vehicles, he said, and gas and oil can explode in junk vehicles. "Some people can't understand why you can't park in your yard," he said. "It's unsightly. It blocks the view of traffic. It causes the grass not to grow." If people rent out their yards for parking, they do not violate ordinances Castolenia enforces. Instead, they violate a city zoning ordinance by running a com- mercial business in a residential area. In enforcing ordinances, Castolenia works with the Building Inspection Department, the Planning and Zoning Department, other city departments and the Brazos County Health Department. The health depart- ment often gets involved in situations involving rats, rodents and mice. a : WES CASTOLENIA with Place of Birth: Favorite television El Campo Pitts: shows: 'Bach," a Jack Russell "Dr. Quinn, Medicine Age: rrier; "Sable," a 9 -year- Woman," "Texas Ranger" 46 Ad Arabian mare. and "High Society." Number of years in area: Favorite movie: 34 bby; "Fantasia." tering and winning horse Education: show competitions with Allen Academy, when it "Sable." Favorite actor: was a junior college, and Mel Gibson. Texas A &M. Swimming coach dies of cancer Cindy Hallaran, 8, coach at A &M Consolidated High yan and College a lifeguard instructor, lifeguard and Re 'o nal Parks and Recreation Safety their sick time to allow her to continu .ion lost a top F 1 manager. Most recently, she super- Co ittee. with the city until the end. swimmer and swim - ised the instruction of tennis and swim- received Texas Amateur Athletic Steve Beachy, College Station Park. ming coach as Cindy ing. and Recreation Director and Hallaran' Hallaran, 38, died In recent years, Hallaran's worked boss, called Hallaran "an inspiration t Sunday night, after a volved much paperwork. In a July all her fellow workers throughout her ?a Brazos County Chapter Safety Service long battle with can- nterview, Hallaran said she still years with the city." cer. Onjoyed working with children and "This was especia;iy true during difii Having lettered in dults. Part of her job included being a cult times," he said. "She had an impac swimming at Bryan HALLARAN stonier StoI Awarder service trainer for the city. on thousands of swimming student: High School, Hallaran � "Teaching customer services, coupled throughout College Station and aroun( &M coached swimming at A with meeting people, lets me interact the state. She was a friends whom weal worked a he Consolidated High School and work ith people," she said in the interview. ess, Hallaran continued working School C Bill for CS 11 Oil roadwork will exceed estimate By TODD BERGMANN Eagle staff writer The city of College Station and the state will have to pay more than $600,000 more than they had planned to wide Texas Avenue east of the Texas A campus. Work will start next year to add a lana in each direction to the four -lane r a and replace the continuous left -turn lane with a raised median on 1.2 miles of Texas Avenue from University Drive to Dominick Drive: Also, sidewalks and landscaping will be improved. The road will remain open during con- struction, although some lanes will closed from time to time, said De Fischer of the Texas Department of Transportation. Last week, Young Contractors I . made the apparent low bid of $4,786, That amount is $676,000 over the engi- neer's estimate, Bob Richardson, a dis- trict design engineer for the state, t 1 the College Station City Cou c Wednesday. Following an earlier bid letting July, the Texas Transportat' Commission rejected all bids, the lowest of which was $1 million over the esti- mate. Richardson said he expects the com- mission to accept the Young bid later this month if the city agrees to pay an increased share of the project. The $141,154.29 increase will bring the c share to $677,909.29. The state share will increase by approximately $535,000 to approximat 1 $4.1 million. The city has funds left over from othe projects to pay its increased share, s$i City Manager George "Skip" Noe. Richardson said he does not rec mend reletting the project, and Ma o Larry Ringer agreed, saying it wo delay the work. If any change orders occur during con- struction, they will result in only minor cost increases, Richardson said. In an informal vote Wednesday, the council approved the additional spend- ing. The council will likely ratify this action during its Dec. 14 meeting. community newspaper December 21, shot over utility rates In the latest episo a in the ongo- ing feud between Br an and College Station over utility ates, the City of College Station iled for a re- straining order against the City of Bryan and Texas Municipal Power Agency. College Station Assistant City Manager John Woody and City Manager Skip Noe issued the fol- lowing statement: "In order to preserve the City of College Station's abi ity to provide reporting The Government Finance Officers of the United States and Canada (GFOA) has awarded to the City of College Station the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Fi- nancial Reporting for its compre- hensive annual financial report (CAFR). The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in the area of govern- mental accounting and financial re- porting, and its attainment repre- sents a significant acicomplishment the lowest possible 'lectric rates to its customers, City o ficials have filed for an injunction today [Dec. 14] in Federal Court in Houston. The action requests h court to is- sue an order that wo 1 prevent the City of Bryan and rmPA (Texas Municipal Power Agency) from in- terfering with Col eke Station's right to change its w o esale power supplier from TM A� (cities) to Texas Utilities Electric Company (TUEC) effective January 1, 1996. College Station is asking the court to rule that College Station can begin receiving its wholesale power from TUEC effective January 1, 1996 and that the transmission ser- vice fees be determined by the most appropriate regulatory agency — either the Public Utility Commis- sion of Texas (PUCT) or Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Although College Station see CS considers, p.5A JUST SAY "I SAW IT IN THE PE !" f CS considers Bryan's offer onerous from p.1 A would agree to pay any charges appeal the transmission rates set retroactively or be rebated any under the contract for the entire pe- overcharges based on the final riod of its contract with TUEC. The regulatory authority ruling, both City of Bryan and TMPA submitted TMPA and Bryan have refused this to College Station a transmission offer. agreement that includes costs 'and "Earlier this month, TMPA pro- terms of service that College Sta- posed a contract and the Bryan tion considers onerous, including: Council approved - z - contract foi of i. - ost - farm excess -o€ -prior transmission services for College written representations and rates Station. However, based on a de- charged by other utilities. tailed analysis and a comparison of "2. Take or Pay Provision giving other utility company fees for such College Station no alternative to services, the proposed contracts construct facilities for itself. were found to be unacceptable. The "3. No Regulatory Review. contracts included excessively high "4. Life of TUEC Term. costs as well as a number of very "Moreover, Bryan and TMPA are onerous contract provisions. Col- refusing to allow College Station lege Station proposed agreements to purchase from TUEC without Which follow guidelines currently the execution of their proposed tinder consideration by the PUCT in agreement. rules to be issued this spring. Under "The decision to charge power the C'nlleoe Station nronosal. fees suppliers from the four cities com- would be paid as an interim rate and retroactively adjusted based on final determination by the PUCT or FERC. The PUCT is currently writing the rules that will soon regulate the charges for transmis- sion rates in Texas. It is expected that this regulation will be issued by May 1996. "The transmission service con- tracts proposed by City of Bryan and TMPA not only impose high charges but include clauses that, if signed by College Station, would remove College Station's ability to Letter To The Editor: For adults, the coming holiday ­­nn will he marked more by Agency (TMPA) to TUEC was made after long and thoughtful consideration of competing propos- als, and was ultimately arrived at with the best interests of the citi- zens of College Station in mind. Transmission services fees were a part of this consideration; however, the charges that the City of Bryan and TMPA are proposing are ap- proximately 2.5 times the rates that the PUCT is now considering in their rule making. "The City of College Station is disappointed that the decision to re- Capture Time W'ith A Clock For Christmas CLOQIZfi 133711D QOLr eQT0)3LeJ3 90 Harvey' Rd. #13 • Colleime Station duce electric rates is being ob- structed in such a blatant manner, and is left with no choice but to protect the viability of our earlier agreement that brings College Sta- tion's electrical rate payers more, reasonable costs in their monthly electrical bills." Of B-CS Answer Your Questions. Just mail your questions to: "Ask A Professional" c/o The PRESS, 2606 Texas Ave, Bryan, TX 77802 or fax them to: (409) 822 -3649 PnRTAL REF Q: What is tha Postal service doing about environmental concerns? A:ln the arena of elec rrical power, we make use of skylights and high eficleny lamps, our thermostats are set in winter at 68 degrees. Our feet of delivery vehicles are new and uwom designed for our pur- poses. These trucks have an alum nu m body for light weigh and long life (scheduled to last 21 years), ft ongines are an efficient 4 cylinder design which bum unleaded gasoline (a compressed natural gas in some cities). To eliminate the possibility olwaterlsoll pollution, we have removed on - site high vohirme gasoline storage tanks and pumps from our facilities. With paper being a finite resource and the backbone of our business, we recycle over 400 torts of paper a month through our Houston District post offices alone. We are proud of our people's contributions to global ecology and and seek to improve our wise use of these resources. I r , -:� Ron Glenn, Post Master 2 UNITED STATES Bryan Main Office POSTAL SERVICE., 2121 E WM J BRYAN PKY 774 -0663 This page is dedi- cated to educating our readers about A Public Forum Where The Professionals ne Ea 1411111111111F A squabble over electricity supply that at least has the theoretical possibility of blacking out College Station this week- end now appears headed for negotiation. A ruling this week by federal District Judge Nancy Atlas in Houston denying College Station's motion for an injunc- tion against Bryan means the two cities Will try to iron out their differences TMPA ends at midnight Sunday and elec- tricity from Texas Utilities is supposed to begin flowing into College Station homes at that hour. But to get to College Station, the power must come through lines in Bryan. The proposed injunction would have allowed College Station to use Bryan's electric lines without an agreement on cost. before midnight Sunday, officials said. The dispute, over how much Bryan can charge for transmitting alien electricity to its southern neighbor, theoretically could shut down power to College Station as of that hour. But Bryan City Manager Mike Conduff said Wednesday, "We remain confident that an agreement for the use of our ser- vices can be reached prior to midnight on Dec. 31. Our commitment to our neighbors in College Station is to keep the elec Icity flowing. The i ute erupted earlier this year when College Station gave notice that it would eiid its practice of buying electric- ity froth the Texas Municipal Power Agency — which is operated by Bryan and four North Texas cities. Instead, the city agreed to buy cheaper power from the Texas Utilities Electric Company at promised savings for its res- idential customers. The agreement to buy power from Power From Al In denying it, Atlas said that Bryan and TMPA officials had agreed not to interfere with transmission of electricity to College Station. And that, said George "Skip" Noe, city manager of College Station, accomplished one of the city's goals. Linn Hughes, an Austin lawyer who represented Bryan in the case, said College Station had to show irreparable harm to win its injunction. As long as Bryan agrees not to shut off electricity to College Station, the southern neighbor has no grounds to show irreparable harm, she said. "The only entities that are going to be harmed are Bryan and the Texas Municipal Power Agency, because College Station will be using our lines without paying," Hughes said. At the heart of the wrangle is the question of differences in how much the state will permit to be charged for use of electricity transmission lines. In November, Bryan City Council approved a fee structure that the city's electrical and legal experts said is the only rate "The only entities that are going to be harmed are Bryan an� the Texas Municipal Power Agency, because College Station will be using our lines without pay - ing. u LINN HUGHES Lawyer who represented Bryan Please see POWER, page A8 Bryan could charge under cur- rent state law. But next year, the Public Utilities Commission of Texas will issue new regulations to determine electric transmission rates and College Station officials want those to determine the charges. "The charges that the City of Bryan and TMPA are proposing are approximately 2 1/2 times the rates that the commission is now considering," said Noe. Together, Bryan and the TMPA propose charging College Station $45.66 per so -called kilowatt year of electricity moved through Bryan transmission lines. But Noe says that is far out of line from other electric transmis- sion agreements, which he said range from $10 to $20 a kilowatt year. A $45.66 per kilowatt year charge could increase the typical homeowner's electricity bill by between $3.40 or $4.60 a month, officials said. Bryan Mayor Lonnie Stabler said the Bryan and TMPA rates are based on the cost of depreci- ating electric transmission lines that are 10 to 12 years old. These rates will be higher than those based on the cost of depre- ciating electric transmission lines 40 to 50 years old, he said. Both Stabler and Noe said their cities have been willing to negoti- ate the situation before College Station took the matter to court. "The City of Bryan has made attempts to give the City of College Station the information they needed to calculate a fair transmission rate," Stabler said. "I would like them to have all the information they need and to put themselves in Bryan's shoes and calculate a fair and equitable rate." Asked if College Station would take further legal action or attempt to negotiate, Noe said, "We have not made a final deci- sion. We are certainly open to negotiation and we are certainly open to reasonable proposals." 'By TODD BERGMANN Eagle stat writer ■Obituaries /A10 _ ■ Opinions /Al I ■ Sports /C1 Local/State - Jim Town &Texas 9�- 1 Get your Bryan calendars before they're all gone The 1871 -1996 genealogical calendar is selling well, but calendars are still available, members of the Brazos Genealogical Association report. ......The calendar tells of events that happened on specific days in 1871, the year Bryan was incorporated as a city. The upper half of e feafi re—s a scene, perswM - happen - Ing history of Bryan. The historical calendar includes an 1878 illustration of teacher and histo- rian Anna Hardwicke Pennybacker and Stephen Curtis, a man who repre- sented Brazos County in the 1868 Texas state constitutional convention. •' -The front cover features a picture of Bryan City Hall in 1899. It had an opera house upstairs and a fire depart- went and city offices downstairs. The back contains an 1879 map of Brazos bounty. The July illustration features an early map, timetable and train of the Houston and Texas Central Railroad. Also, the calendar features newspaper accounts of the 1877 Baptist conven- tion and Texas A&M College. The calendar costs $5.50 including tax. An index of names is available for. $1. Postage and handling is $2 for up to two calendars and two indexes. y Calendars are available from Brazos s Genealogical Association members, Main Street Booksellers in Bryan and Carousel Paperbacks in College { Station. Don't take your handgun to the county, courthouse 1 Texans taking advantage'.of the con - cealed handgun law that takes effect i next week are warned to keep their six- shooters out i Brazos County Courthouse. In While weapo. ready in the courtroor,, policy will affect the entire courthouse building. ewriRrally tarowfc hn"d- Lawyer bill exceeds $300,000 in utilities case By TODD BERGMANN Eagle staff writer A s= the involved panes hunker down for some heavy tiating, outof� own lawyers are billing more than 000 to the involved parties for the lawsuit that College Station has brought against the City of Bryan and the Texas Municipal Power Agency. College Station has until midnight Sunday to try to settle the dispute over the cast of providing power to its crasbomers. --- hi September, College Station officials said they would save $8 million a year by switching from Bryan to Texas Utilities Electric Inc. But the city's electric utility fund must first pay the law firm of Jenkins and Gilchrist $137,096.45, City Secretary Connie Hooks said The firm has offices in Austin, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio and Washington. To defend the lawsuit, Bryan 's electric utility fund will have legal bills of $70,000 to $75,000, said Public hiformation Officer Joe Brown. Bryan uses the Austin law firm of McGinnis, Lochridge & Kilgore. The other defendant, the Texas Municipal Power Agency, will have bills in excess of $100,000 from F uIbright & Jaworski of Houston, said agency attorney Carl Shahady. Bryan and four other cities own the power agency. Bryan's electric utility fund pays 22 percent of the agency's legal bills. These fees do not include work done by staff attorneys or the cost of sending city officials to the Houston courtroom. The courtroom work included two days of testimony and one day of closing argument, Shahady said After three days of courtroom action in mid-Dwernber, U.S. District Judge Nancy motion for a temporary 1rdlrict1m tin The proposed injunction would have allowed College Station to use Bryan's electric lines without an agreement and would have required a federal court to set the rate which College Station would pay Bryan to use to its electric lines. When asked about the appropriateness of spending more than $137,000 to sue Bryan, George "Slip" Noe, city manager of College Statton, said, "We hate to spend money on lawyers. But there's a lot of money at stake. lb spend $ 137,000 to get the best possible rate for our cus- tomers is not an inappropriate expenditure. A successful lawsuit could save the city $3 million a year in electric utility costs for each of four years, he said He expects the switch to save the average household $6.33 a month Bryan and the Texas Municipal Power Agency's proposed charges to College Station could cart the savings by $4 a month for the average household But the city will likely absorb a portion of the increased cost, Noe said. When asked about the appropriateness of the legal fees, Bryan Mayor Lonnie Stabler said, "It's unfortunate that t1x ff ffiees have to be " a school of resolution if they can sit down and discuss a matter" Atlas in her decision said, "Before the lawsuit was filed, the parries engaged in what can only be described as stilted nego- tiations. These negotiations were never more than posturing by the parties to assert their starting positions." ' c In her 26 -page decision, Atlas said neither party is at fault for the breakdown of negotiations. When asked about appropriateness of the legal bills, Shadahy said. "I think nobody likes the cost of attorneys fees." . `For Kids Sake' workshops give eve view of divorce By CHIP LAMBERT Eagle staff writer With all of the stress that comes during the holiday season, the added weight of dealing with visitation rights of children can be over- bearing -for divorced parents. Whether the situation involves one ex spouse being uncooperative or inflexible or problems arise in getting the child to the other home miles away, emotions run even higher than normal and the parent is often left unprepared to cope. It was a meeting of the minds that attempt- ed tb give parents the skills to work through Spending a few moments together c Former CS city mai heading to new jo By TODD BERGMANN Eagle staff writer Former College Station city manager Ron Ragland is packing his bags this weekend and heading to the Dallas -Fort Worth area, another region he calls home. As town manager of Flower Mound, Ragland will eceive $83,000 a year with a car allowance of $6,000 a year. He resignedi, as city manager of College Station in October, 1994. He had held the job since 1988, after a couple of years as assistant city �rr►anager. As Collegi? Station city manager, Ragland was paid $104,000 a year. When he quit he wa given a severance pay set- tlement of $1)4,560 under terms of his contract. Before coming to College Station, Ragland worked in Coppell, Addison and Garland, all rr unicipalities near Dallas. "We had a Aan to be here five years and then head home to the Metroplex," Ragland told The Eagle. Since he reigned as College Station's city manager, ,Ragland said he has been using nationwvide head - hunting firms to find a job. The firms matched him with Flower Moun where he starts his new job on Jan. 15. Flower Mound is 20 minutes north of DFW Airport and 12 miles south of Denton. Ragland describes it as a grow- ing community of 35,000. He says Fl er Mound's population grows at 101 5 percent a year while the population of Bryan - College Station grows only 3 percent. "About the time you've opened a new library you've outgrown the new muni He tiful for i " its f nity Ragland near Dallas ' Ragland said of his new com- ys he will enjoy Flower Mound it is on Grapevine Lake. hird of the city fronts on a beau - atural resource with 60 -foot he said. "These are prime areas subdivisions. excited about Flower Mound and e, and the fact that the commu- ctively involved in shaping that Flower Mound presents unique es that don't exist in other com- The hallenges include providing water, sewer, fire and police services to new s b ivisions, Ragland said. Ragland grew up in Dallas and met his wife wh le attending college in Denton, so he ys he will be right at home in Flower ound. "Wei: y and I feel like we are coming home,' agland said. "Bu e will miss a lot of friends in Bryan d College Station. Saying good- bye w' e difficult. But we're not saying goodb . We're only 200 miles away." To g t the position in Flower Mound, Raglan I beat out a field of more than 100 Flow Mound Mayor Larry Lipscomb said hE is confident Ragland will bring effective management to the community. "He ias demonstrated effective man- agemert for over 20 years in the private and public sectors," Lipscomb said of Ragland. "He offers leadership and pro- fession ,training with an emphasis on visionary leadership, customer service, team building and coalition and consen- sus bui ding." violence By ASHLEY PETERSON Eagle staff writer Drugs and family violence: these are two of the most common and destructive criminal activities that College Station Police Officer Chadd Harkrider says plague the streets of his city. "Crack seems to be the drug of choice, along with marijuana, which will proba- bly be around forever," Harkrider said. "What's even more of a crime is how eas- ily accessible drugs are. If you know the right person you can get anything.- He says drug users and pushers vary but they are usually found in the w- income housing areas. e arrested drug users and push - oung as 14 years old and as old as 65 Years old," Harkrider said. "But the activity is usually concentrated in one specific area here in College Station." When asked what the police depart- ment could do to decrease the drug activ- ity, Harkrider replied, "The drug task force does an excellent job. We (the Police) can't do much if we don't actually see it taking place. Maybe if we had a type of Street Crime Apprehension Team like they do in Bryan ..." Family violence cases, Harkrider says, are some of the most frustrating to deal with. "There was a case where I had to arrest a man who had beat his wife up bad, and by the time he was being booked in on the charges, she was in the lobby waiting to bail him out," Harkrider said. "It's sad and frustrating, knowing that he will probably do it again.' Some parents fight and beat each other in front of their kids, Harkrider says, which sets the example that violence is acceptable and condoned in their house. Another case of setting a bad example was when a woman was caught shoplift- ing with her teen daughters. When she was caught, she denied she dil Id claimed that the two girls were 2 3 daughters. It was ridiculous, L we had it all on videotape," id. "When we got the girls �r, they told us that she was and she had told them to he Harider says that the woman was not o y teaching her children how to steal, but also how to try to beat the sys- tem by lying to the police. A case that Harkrider deems unforget- table is the Lori Ann Baker case. Baker was murdered by former Texas A &M University student Ron Scott Shamburger in the fall of 1994. Both were students at the time. I was one of the first officers on the scene that found her body. It was espe- cially hard to see her face on the news, and then picture her dead body in my mind," Harkrider said. "When we got the call ew that the house was on fire and d to get people out We also knew that there was a man there with a gun, so we had to watch our own backs while trying to get everyone out." How does a cop keep a cool head in these stressful situations? "Discipline," Harkrider said. "And, I had to -walk outside and cool off, then go back in and help handle the situation." Harkrider has been handling drug dealers, wife abusers, thieves, murder- ers and mory for five years. Harkridar started his career as a Texas A B University Police officer five years o. He was recruited by a friend, Texas A &M University Officer Ben Crenshaw. "He's the one that really got me inter- ested in being a cop. Once I got started, I loved it," Harkrider said. "I like helping People and the adrenaline rush I get in some situations. I like going to work and it not being the same every day." Harkrider joined the College Station Police Department three years ago, after completing the Texas A &M University Police Academy and working for the Texas A &M University Police Department for two years. Harkrider is married to Texas A&M University Police officer Morgen Harkrider, and says he enjoys spending time with her when he's not out on the beat. "We like to go skiing, and we are real- ly involved in our church," Harkrider said." • L • Sales ta returns f 11 Twin Citil s' coffers College Station experienc d a wind- fall in sales tax returns from e state this month compared with December 1994, although Bryan saw its coffers grow as well. The net payments to CollegE Station this month, based on sales tz xes col- lected in October and repo to the state comptroller in No rember, totaled $652,256. At this time 1 st year, the city saw returns of $545,94 i which is 19.47 percent less than 199 ebates, Net rebates to Bryan totaled $494,280, compared with ,891 in December 1994. That figurer al resents an 8.65 percent increase. Total 1995 payments for B r3 an and College Station are $6.884 m on and $9.047 million. Wixon Valley is facing a 18.6 per- cent decrease this month, down to $578 in 1995 from $711 it. 1994. Countywide totals were $1.147 rnillion for December 1995, compa.-el with $1.001 for December 1994. Th s ar, the county has received $15.94 illion this year, which is about z 500,000 increase over last year's rebates. State Comptroller John Sharp said the figures statewide represent only a small increase. "Sales tax rebates to Texas cities and counties are only up sl' gi tly, as Texans remained cautious o their spending going into the hol d y sea- son," Sharp said. Texas cities received $115 ri Li lion in local sales tax rebates, up 4. rcent over last December's pay n ant of $110.4 million. Counties re a ved a total of a little more than $11. i illion for their monthly rebates, 1. ercent below the $11.6 million pa ent a year ago. Hem's a marriage ma L El S cott and Connie Hooks are hooked on each other and on College Station. Scott is an operations supervisor in the Parks and Recreation Department. Connie is the city secre- tary. The two met 20 years ago when Scott was a 16- year -old student in Bryan High School and Connie was a 15 -year- old student at Caldwell High School. "We started dating," Connie said. tory and picture by Todd Bergmann "He gave me a promise ring when I was 16. After high school we both kind of did our own thing." " Scott said, Whe I graduated from high school, I couldn t wait to leave. To me, this was the most boring place to be. There's nothing to do around here." For six years, he worked in the oil fields of Texas and uisiana. "I couldn't wait to come home," Scott said. After graduation from Caldwell High School, Connie moved to College Station and started in a secretarial position at Texas A . In 1980, she started working in the engineering department for the city. In 1981, Connie moved to Waco to be with her parents. There, she graduated from McLennan Community College. "We started talking again in '84," Connie said. "Then in 1 85, I moved down here. We were married in '86. Then, Connie returned to work at city in 1 0 ty hall because that is something I i "I looked at it as kind of stone. I hoped to get into 1 building side. "The work we do at department is very rewardin red. Instead of working weekends, epping Connie often works nights when the of the council meets or when elections take place. Meanwhile, Scott has 'to work parks evenings and weekends to take care of i very special events. Scot and Connie Hooks share much, including their employer, the City of College Station. He is a supervisor in the Parks and Recreation Department. As city secretary, Connie is In charge of all elections.