News Archives - September 2008
U.S. Representative Conaway
Votes Against Economic Rescue Bill
9/29/2008
Washington, Sep 29 - Monday afternoon, the U.S. House of
Representatives voted on the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of
2008, which is designed to provide the Treasury Department with the
authority to purchase troubled assets on the books of private
financial institutions in an effort to resolve the current financial
crisis. The bill failed by a vote of 205 to 228. After the vote,
Congressman Mike Conaway (R-TX) made the following statement:
“While I know that something must be done to get our economy back on
solid ground, I could not support the proposal that was brought to
the floor today. Such massive government intervention is not the
answer to working out the problems on Wall Street. We cannot make it
habit to bail out companies when they make bad decisions, instead of
allowing them to learn from their mistakes the same way that
everyone else does – the hard way. We have the ability to help Wall
Street sort out this crisis, without forcing taxpayers into a
‘bailout’. I understand the severity of the current situation, and
Congress must stay in Washington as long as it takes to develop an
alternative plan that everyone, including the American taxpayer, can
agree on is best for our country.”
Annie Liddell Honored
9/29/2008
Annie Liddell, Certified Nurse's Aide at Ballinger Healthcare and
Rehab, was honored last Thursday in Abilene at the 2008 THCA Region
2 CNA of the Year Banquet. This was the first of its kind banquet in
this area designed to publicly acknowledge the hard work and
dedication CNA's exhibit on a daily basis.
Ballinger Education Foundation Approaching Matching Milestone
9/24/2008
Ballinger Education Foundation wants to
acknowledge the $10,000 donation made by an anonymous donor.
The donation will go toward meeting the $25,000 matching pledge.
The matching pledge began on February 1, 2008 and will continue to
Feburary1, 2009. We are getting closer every day to reaching
the $25,000 goal. We look forward to meeting that goal if not
going above and beyond.
Ballinger Education Foundation has been excited about the donations made and having the opportunity to reach out to the students and teachers of BISD. With the donations made to the foundation students will have a chance to receive senior scholarships and/or grants to begin their college courses while in high school. The teachers will have the opportunity at grants to bring in new classroom projects and/or programs.
October 24th Ballinger Education Foundation will hold a drive through kabob and fixings meal before the Grape Creek game. Each plate will cost $8.00 and all proceeds from this meal will benefit BISD students. There will be no presale tickets this time but look forward to seeing you out before the game.
Ballinger Education Foundation would also like to recognize its board members, Rodney & Carolyn Flanagan, Ebb Grindstaff, Jackie Gibbs, Elaine Paske, Kay Smith, Thella Henderson, Jeanette Johnson, Terilyn Bowman, Justin Busenlehner, and Tammie Virden. The dedication of these board members has been a great asset to the foundation in numerous ways.
To make a contribution to the foundation or for more information please contact Jackie Gibbs by phone at (325) 365-3588 ext. 1010 or by mail at Ballinger Education Foundation c/o Jackie Gibbs, P.O. Box 231, Ballinger, TX 76821. You can also look us up at www.ballinger4education.org.
City Council Hears Chamber
President
9/16/2008
The President of the Chamber of Commerce, Mark Heinze, spoke to the
City Council for item number 6 on the agenda. There were three other
Chamber Board members in attendance to support his request. Heinze's
request included two parts. First, the Chamber asked to use the
community center for the annual hunter dinner on November 1st.
Second, he requested that the City Council wave the liquor policy
and allow the dinner to be "BYOB." The idea, from the Chamber Board,
is to try to get more hunters to attend the hunter's event. There
will be entertainment this year, in addition to the dinner and
raffles. After a short discussion by the council, Phillip Arp made a
motion to approve both requests, but no one seconded the motion.
J.B. Teters, however, made another motion to approve the first part
of the request for the use of the community building, and reject the
request for the liquor policy waver. That motion was seconded and
the vote passed.
City Council Sets City Tax Rate
9/16/2008
All members of the Ballinger City Council were present on Monday
night. One of the items on their agenda was to consider an ordinance
to set the 2008 city tax rate. The rate was approved at 45-cents per
$100 valuation which was an increase of about 1.5-cents. Another
item approved was the proposed amendments to the contract with North
Runnels Water Corporation. The contract will be dated October 1,
2008. The garbage base rate was approved at an increase of $1.00 and
the sewer base rate was increased by $3.00. Also, the 2009 fiscal
year budget was approved.
Other items discussed and approved were: a request to close Phillips
and Murrell Avenues between 7th and 8th Streets on Halloween Night;
closing of 12th Street between East and Broad Avenues on October 3-4
for a benefit tournament given by the Ballinger Girls' Softball
Association; closing of two alleys, Sixth St. and Tenth St. located
in the Fairview Addition of Ballinger; and, building permits for
covering a patio, building a metal carport, and a kitchen add-on.
"See You at the Pole" Wednesday
9/23/2008
Wednesday, September 24 come join the Bearcats For Christ and the
Bearcubs For Christ at "See You at the Pole". Gathering starts at
7:15 at each respective campus out in front at the flagpole. See ya
There!
Roll Up Your Sleeves and Give
Blood
9/18/2008
Give blood, get a free breakfast. The Ballinger Knights of Columbus
invite everyone to their Breakfast and Blood Drive Sunday,
September 21, in St. Mary's Parish Center, 600 Sixth Street.
United Blood Services of San Angelo welcomes all blood donors to
attend from 8:00am to 11:30am. Blood supplies are typically in short
supply this time of year, so all help will be greatly appreciated to
insure a dependable blood supply for our area. Remember a few
of the guidelines for giving blood. 1. Must be 17 or older. 2.
Present a form of identification. 3. Weigh at least 110 pounds. 4.
Be in good health. 5. If taking medications in the last 30 days, be
able to list them.
Blood donors will receive a free breakfast which consists of eggs,
sausage and pancakes. For those who don't give blood, breakfast will
cost $4.00.
Bike Time!
9/18/2008
Join the Runnels County 4-H Club for a Bike-a-Thon to kick-off
National 4-H Week this Saturday, September 20th. Wal-Mart will
graciously match the money raised, up to $1,000.
Riders should be ready to go at 4:30pm at the Porter Henderson
parking lot. From there, the west service road will be used. Pledges
and donations obtained by the 4-Hers will support the Runnels County
4-H youth in district and state competitions and other events.
County Commissioners in Session
9/16/2008
Runnels Co. Commissioners will meet at 10:00am this morning (Tues.
Sept. 16) at the courthouse with a lengthy agenda as follows:
* Public Comment
* Approve payment of all current accounts and ratify payments of any
accounts that have been pre-approved between court dates
* Consider request from the City of Ballinger for an easement to lay
a 5" water line in the ditch of County Road 450
* Consider authorizing purchase of radio equipment with Homeland
Security Grant Funds
* Consider approval of continuation of fidelity bond of Karen Binder
* Consider designating second and third Tuesdays of each month
regular meeting dates of Commissioners Court during the next fiscal
year
* Consider request of Glenda Wood, Justice of the Peace, Precinct 1,
to purchase a laptop computer with wireless access to the internet
with the cost to be paid from the Justice Court Technology Fund
* Consider entering into Amendments 2-16 and 2-17 to the Contract
for Community Care for the Aged and Disabled/Home Delivered Meals
between the Department of Aging and Disability Services and Runnels
County and approved Budget / Worksheet
* Consider adopting resolution designating the County Judge as the
authorized official to apply for, accept, decline, modify or cancel
the grant application for the Indigent Defense formula Grant Program
and all other necessary documents to accept the grant
* Personnel Manual Workshop
Adult Flu Clinics in Runnels
County for September
9/15/2008
Texas Department of State Health
Services will hold Adult Flu clinics in Runnels County on the
following dates:
Winters
Wednesday, Sept. 17th
8:30 – 12 & 1:30 - 4:00
Professional Building
110 South Main, Suite 108
Ballinger
Thursday, Sept. 18th
9:30-12 & 1:30-3:00
608 Strong (old DHS Office behind the courthouse)
If on Medicare or Medicaid please bring card
For more information or appointment please call 325/754-4945
Laptops Presented to Ballinger
Jr High Students
9-10-2008
Ballinger
ISD is providing Apple laptops to every Jr. High and High School
student enrolled. The high school students received their
laptops Tuesday, and the Jr. high received theirs Wednesday morning.
Laura Strube, Ballinger Superintendent, spoke to the students and
faculty of the Jr. High in the auditorium as an introduction to the
distribution. Mike Carter, Jr High Principal, then spoke to
his students giving them instructions, encouragement and
expectations for the use of the laptops in the coming years.
He gave praises to Tim and Angela Gau, from the Technology
Department, and their staff for all the work they have done to
prepare the laptops for distribution. They also had to prepare
the school's server to be able to handle 500 computers online at
once, so their work has been ongoing all summer. Mr. Carter
also wanted the students to appreciate the time and training the
teachers have given towards this project, showing their commitment
to the changing technology needs of their students. "The
teachers believe that this will help you compete out in the world,"
said Mr. Carter about the future of Ballinger ISD students.
Mr. Carter challenged the students with, "I can't wait to see the
progress you'll make this year! The opportunity is yours, what
will you make of it?"
Following the visit in the auditorium, the students were taken back to class and called into the cafeteria to sign for and receive the laptop assigned to them. They were then able to go back into the class and start "exploring the possibilities! "
County Commissioners Approve
Tax Rate
9/10/2008
Runnels County Commissioners met Tuesday and approved a tax rate of
.6732 cents per $100 valuation. That is approximately 5 1/2 cents
lower than last year's rate of .72857. Even with a lower tax rate,
the county will generate more revenue in this year's fiscal budget,
due to increased values in minerals and commercial property.
Commissioners adopted a $5.4 million budget for 2008-2009 in late
August.
Commissioners adopted new building codes for unincorporated areas of
Runnels County. These include the 2003 International Building Code,
the 2005 International Electric Code and the 2006 International
Plumbing Code.
The next meeting of Runnels County Commissioners will be Tuesday,
September 16th.
Ike Evacuees May Be Headed to
San Angelo
9/10/2008
The City of San Angelo has set up the city coliseum to receive up to
300 people fleeing Hurricane Ike, according to reports from San
Angelo.
Ballinger Annual Garage Sale
This Saturday
9/9/2008
The Annual Garage Sale for Ballinger is this Saturday, September
13th. The city-wide Garage Sale is sponsored by the Chamber of
Commerce. You can register at the Chamber office at 700
Railroad Avenue and get your address placed on the map. Maps
can be picked up beginning at 7:00am Saturday morning at the Chamber
office.
Ballinger Education Foundation
Supports Community and Youth
9/9/2008
Ballinger Education Foundation wants to recognize all our supporters
that attended our drive through meal in July. The drive thru was a
success and we appreciate you coming out to help support the
students and teachers of Ballinger ISD. Any left over’s from the
meal were sent to benefit the Runnels County Senior Citizens Center
in Ballinger. We want to let you know also that if you enjoyed this
meal please come join us for the pre-game meal October 24, 2008. We
will be doing a repeat of the drive thru before the game against
Grape Creek.
Ballinger Education Foundation has had a great year so far. In May
we were able to present our first round of scholarships and a
teacher mini grant. Also recently we handed out our first student
mini grant. With these scholarships and grants our students can
further their education and get an early start on their future
education. Our teachers can bring in new programs to the classroom
and provide the students with new skills and/or knowledge. We are
looking forward to continuing our program by helping Ballinger ISD
students and teachers.
Ballinger Education Foundation wants to remind the community and
exes that the opportunity for matching contributions continues until
February 1, 2009. An anonymous donor has pledged matching
contributions up to a total of $25,000. All contributions to the
Ballinger Education Foundation received between February 1, 2008 and
February 1, 2009 are eligible for this matching fund. We are doing
great so far and look forward to meeting this goal of $25,000 by
next year.
For more information on the foundation or to make a contribution
please contact Jackie Gibbs by phone at (325) 365-3588 ext. 1010 or
by mail at Ballinger Education Foundation c/o Jackie Gibbs, P.O. Box
231, Ballinger, TX 76821. You can also look us up at
www.ballinger4education.org .
Ballinger School Board Meets
This Evening
9/9/2008
The Ballinger ISD Board of Trustees will have a regular meeting at
5:30pm Tuesday, September 9, in the Ballinger ISD
Administration Office.
Agenda:
Report of Administrators: Elementary, Junior High and High
School Principals
Report of Superintendent:
1. Enrollment figures
2. TASA/TASB Conference
3. Update on Elementary Construction Project
4. Update on 1 to 1 Laptop Initiative
5. Update on Wind Turbine Project
6. UIL Meeting - August 27
7. Annual Audit - September 22
8. Building and Grounds Committee Meeting - September 3
9. Transportation Committee Meeting - September 11
10. New School Board Member Training - September 16
11. Miscellaneous
Petitions and Communications
TAX A/C Report
New Business:
1. Consideration and possible action on Memorial & Plaques Policy
2. Consideration and possible action on 2008-2009 School Calendar
Revision
3. Consideration and possible action on October Board Meeting Dates
4. Personnel - Personnel Matters, Resignations, Recommendations
BISD Students to Receive
Laptops This Week
9/9/2008
Ballinger ISD will be rolling out their Apple Laptops to the
students on the following dates:
Tuesday – September 9th at 8:00am – Ballinger High School Students
will receive their laptops
Wednesday – September 10th at 8:00am – Ballinger Junior High School
Students will receive their laptops.
Hurricane Ike made landfall at 2:10am Saturday,
September 13, 2008 over Galveston Island.
Ike is shown on visible satellite, centered near Conroe,
at 9:00am
Saturday. It was still a category 1 hurricane at
the time.