|
Thank-You
to Lighthouse Crew
Editor's
Note:
This letter
was written in appreciation for the work being done by our
local Lighthouse linemen in Louisiana and other parts
devastated by Katrina. Between August 30th, when the first
linemen left, and September 23, when the last crew came
home, Lighthouse Electric sent 18 employees to help restore
power after Katrina hit. Most of the men were from Floydada
and Lockney. One was from the Memphis office and one was
from Plainview. The first crew stayed in a Co-Op office and
the following crews stayed in "Tent City".
JOEL
EVANS, JEFF DESHOTEL, AND BRENT SANDERS
Dear
Sir/MS,
I
am writing to you to express our deepest appreciation for
your support of our recovery from the devastating effects of
Hurricane Katrina. The support of your community and our
brothers and sisters in Texas is overwhelming, but not as
overwhelming as the kindness and kinship of the workers
representing Texas and your utility company. These workers
worked tirelessly to restore life supporting utilities to
our little community in St. Tammany Parish. Our home utility
company, Washington St. Tammany Co-Op. Our utility provider
was in dire need of support in restoring power to the many
rural citizens, most of them poor, needy and elderly. Many
of our citizens were suffering and would have suffered more
if your valiant crew members had not been there to provide a
vital helping hand. They provided even more than just
electricity.
The
members of the crew, Brent, Grant, Larry, Joel, and Dickie,
worked constantly around the clock to come to the aid of our
community. Their heartfelt compassion drove them to
extraordinary feats of ingenuity and diligence in restoring
our community. They weren't just workers here to string
utility lines and perform just a job. They were personable
caring men who gave it their all to come to the aid of
fellow Americans and their brothers and sisters. Their care
was genuine! Their shared concern for our community rebuild
was evident in their actions and work. I am proud to call
them our fellow Americans. We will always remember these
Texans and their call to duty. We know they slept in tents,
ate cold meals and endured the heat and insects to help us
rebuild our community. Their compassion was real and the
presence of God and Christian love was always evident. It
was the same acts of American compassion I've witnessed
around the world as I toured with the military.
I
witnessed this crew go to the extra lengths and overcome
numerous obstacles to restore power to a poor family of a
mentally handicapped man, Jeff. They all showed Jeff and his
family love and respect as they worked hard to bring this
family power. Jeff's widowed mother never asked for any
special favor--it was Jeff's innocent presence who stole
their hearts and had them forge ahead to get this needy
family power after living weeks without electricity and
water. Out here we all live on wells and without electricity
there is no water and sewage. They not only left us with
power, they left us with hope. One of the burly linemen was
almost overcome with emotion at the delight of Jeff and his
broad grin when his lights came on. His heart overflowed
with love for a stranger. That says it all for the folks you
sent us.
While
this catastrophic disaster took its toll on human life and
our economy, it brought out the best of America and those
who serve our community. God bless you and all of those who
have answered the call to help those in need.
Very
Respectfully,
Wallace
W. Goodey, III
69663
Hwy. 41, Pearl River, LA. 70452
Local
Church Asking for Donations
"Rita"
Victims Flee Back to Floydada
A
Floydada graduate, Gilbert Llamas, has brought his family
back to Floydada and his mother's home, after Hurricane Rita
forced him from his home in Cameron, Louisiana.
The
family was awakened in Cameron, by military at 2:00 a.m.
They were told they had 15 minutes to get out and left with
only the clothes on their back.
A
1988 graduate of Floydada High School Gilbert brought his
wife and two daughters (11 years old and 7 weeks) to his
mom's house in Floydada.
Gilbert's
mother, Mary Castaneda, works at Floydada Care
Center.
Once
they learned of the situation the First United Methodist
Church of Floydada took up the cause to help the Llamas
family.
"They
lost everything," said FUMC member Sally Bradley. "The town
is now under 20 feet of water and the Llamas' lost their
home, their car, and everything else."
In
Cameron, Gilbert worked as the head of an environmental crew
for an oil company.
Here
in Floydada Gilbert has already found himself a job. He will
be taking over the operation of El Rancho
Restaurant.
"Gilbert
told me he has never had to ask for help from anyone," said
Bradley. "But he and his wife spent 14 years building a life
and now they have nothing.
"If
anyone wants to donate something to help this family please
contact Floydada's First United Methodist
Church."
FIRST
BALE OF COTTON--Jerry Davis was awarded a check for $100
from the Floydada Chamber of Commerce for having the first
bale of cotton in the county. The cotton was ginned at McCoy
4-Way Gin on Thursday, September 22. The irrigated cotton
was grown in Sterley. The cotton was 2326 variety, 32 grade,
2 leaf, with staple of 34. The government loan price is
.52.25¢ per pound (the bale weighed 512 lbs.). Shown
here are: (l-r) Chamber Manager Rachael Castillo, Jerry
Davis, ginners Tomas Delgado and Mauro Regaldo, and McCoy
Gin Managing Partner Scott Graham. Staff Photo
Floydada
Getting Ready for Crowds
Floydada's
"Punkin Day" will be held on the courthouse square,
Saturday, October 8.
The
Chamber of Commerce is encouraging Floydada businesses and
residents to decorate the town with pumpkins and fall colors
in anticipation of the hundreds of visitors Floydada will
have on Punkin Day.
The
Chamber will award cash prizes of $30 for 1st place, $20 for
second, and $10 for third place for both the best decorated
business and home.
Judging
will take place on Monday, October 3. Call the Chamber
office at 983-3434 to enter your business or home.
Floydada
Boy Scouts and chamber directors will soon be selling Cow
Patty Bingo tickets for $5.00 each. The grand prizewinner of
the bingo will collect $500, followed by a $300 and $200
winner.
Punkin
Day organizers boast of many activities to keep the whole
family entertained, including: pumpkin pie relay race,
Classic Car Show, Texas Pedal Pull, pumpkin drawing and
carving, pumpkin toss and pumpkin bowling, wheelbarrow
races, motorcycle games, rope making, Bead Run, 5K and Fun
Run, Book Fair and bake sale, cake walk, and entertainment
under the pavilion. A schedule will be printed in next
week's Hesperian-Beacon.
Punkin
Day schedules can now be picked up at the Chamber office and
Punkin Day T-shirts are also available. Office hours are
8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
The
Chamber is looking for donated cakes for the Cake Walk that
will take place on Punkin Day in the FNB motorbank lot.
Bankers
Inc., Laying More Gas Lines in County
By
Darwin Robinson
The
Floyd County Commissioners met in Special Session Monday,
September 26, and unanimously approved a request of Bankers
Petroleum, to bury a 14 inch, or larger, high pressure gas
line four feet deep in the bar ditches of county roads in
the southern part of the county.
"We
want to put in a big gas line, maybe a 24 inch line," said
Russell Henzier, Leasing/Acquisitions Manager of Banker's
Petroleum. "We believe we will be here lots of years. We
have already leased over 270,000 acres in Floyd, Motley and
Briscoe Counties. Our leases are 5 years, with a 2 year
option and we are still leasing."
According
to Henzier, the line will start just south of the Floydada
Golf Course and cross over to just south of Dougherty. "The
line will cost between 4 to 5 million dollars. It will
eventually connect with the larger cross country gas line
already running through the northern part of the county,"
said Henzier.
"Drilling
will begin within the next 30 days and we have three more
rigs coming from China. The cost of drilling is about $600
per hour and we run 24 hours a day 7 days a week. It takes
about 30 days to drill each hole," added Henzier.
"This
(gas exploration) could be huge in the whole area of
counties. There could be a spider web of lines being put in
here eventually. We are very optimistic, as long as the
prices stay up. Years before, the gas was too deep and too
cheap," said Henzier.
City
Council Considers Loan for Capital
Improvements
By
Darwin Robinson
The
Floydada City Council met Tuesday, September 20, and failed
to pass an ordinance to issue a Tax Note of $750,000 that
was to be used for capital projects improvements.
The
ordinance failed because there was not enough council
members that would vote. The agenda item will be presented
again Friday, September 30, at 7:30 a.m. at City
Hall.
Vince
Viaille, Vice President of First Southwest, Inc. of Lubbock,
explained to the council, "The tax note will be held by
First National Bank of Floydada at a 4.25 percent interest
rate. First National Bank has agreed to waive two fees, one
of $5,000 and another of $7,500. This local financing will
be more flexible and can be prepaid early."
A
Debt Service Schedule handed out to the council by Viaille
showed the $750,000 to be issued on 10/20/2005 and to be
terminated on 9/30/2012. The total amount of interest to be
paid by the City over these 7 years would be $126,419.79,
making the total paid to be $876,419.79.
City
Manager Brown said the money would be used for three monitor
wells, to sample the City's water, at a cost of $75,000.
"Other
projects needed are lift stations, sewer lines, a booster
house, pumps and water tanks' upkeep. The sewer lines to the
ponds are in bad shape. What is going to fall apart first is
hard to decide," said Brown.
Council
Member Bettye King made the motion to adopt the ordinance to
issue the tax note for $750,000. Council Member Sheldon Sue
seconded the motion. Council Member Monte Williams
abstained, because he said he was on the FNB board. Council
Member Jon Nielson abstained from voting, without giving a
reason. Council Members Clar Schacht and Ruben Barrientoz
were absent from the meeting. The vote failed for lack of a
majority vote.
City
Secretary Karen Lawson said, "We need to treat everyone the
same." Council Member Sheldon Sue asked, "How do you make a
list for this and how do you check on them each
month?"
In
order to stay up-to-date on city building codes, the council
adopted the "most recent published Codes for the City of
Floydada," which will be a continuous updating process,
according to City Manager Brown.
Two
bids for City properties were accepted by the council. One
bid of $500 was by Jesse Morales for Lots 7 & 8, Block
B, Andrews Addition, 622 W. Ross. The other bid of $500 was
by Eric Cornelius for Lots 15 & 16, Block 13, Original
Town, 515 E. Grover.
Obituaries
ANTONIA CASTENEDA
Funeral Mass will be celebrated for Antonia Casteneda,
56, of Plainview at 2:00 Thursday, September 29, 2005 at San
Jose Catholic Church in Lockney with Father Jim McCartney,
celebrant. Burial will be at Lockney Cemetery under the
direction of Moore-Rose-White Funeral Home of Lockney.
Mrs. Casteneda died Monday, September 26, 2005 at
Covenant Hospital in Lubbock.
She was born December 6, 1948 in Ralls to the late Pablo
and Dominga Gonzalez Severa. She married Filiberto Casteneda
on April 22, 1986 in Plainview. She was a dietary cook for
20 years and a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in
Plainview.
Survivors include her husband, Filiberto Casteneda of
Plainview; two brothers, David Gonzales and Albert Gonzales
both of Lockney; three sisters, San Juana Torres of
Plainview, Susan Garcia of Abernathy and Eleanor Gonzales of
Plainview.
JESSIE SMITH
Funeral services for Mrs. Jessie Smith, 103, of
Levelland, were held Monday, September 26, 2005 at Fifth
Street Church of Christ. Kenneth Avaritt of Bentonville,
Arkansas and Bob Field of Levelland officiated. Burial
followed in the City of Levelland Cemetery under the
direction of George Price Funeral Home.
She died at 5:45 p.m., Thursday, September 22, 2005 at
the Levelland Nursing Home.
Mrs. Smith was born July 16, 1902 in Georgetown, Texas.
She married Foy E. Smith on March 22, 1924 in Floydada. They
moved to Levelland in 1927. She was a member of Fifth Street
Church of Christ.
She was preceded in death by her husband on October 18,
1992. Also, her parents and all her brothers and sisters
preceded her in death.
She is survived by numerous nieces and nephews.
back
to top
Letters
to the Editor
Dear
Editor,
Why would anyone
want to live in Floyd County? Aside from lack of hurricanes
and earthquakes, I love living here because of the people.
What, one may ask, is special about folks in Floyd County?
We are all ornery, to a degree, opinionated, and fiercely
independent. I believe Floyd County folks are unique because
of, but not limited to, their big hearts, love of fellow
man, and a passion for the good quality of life in a rural
setting. It truly goes deeper than that, reflected in the
persons who volunteer to SERVE. To those I wish to say,
"Thank you, for your service."
To mention a few,
are those who serve on city councils, boards for hospital
districts, schools, museums, libraries, SOS, civic clubs,
trade organizations, committees for civic and ag related
organizations, volunteer officers of study clubs and others,
church workers, coaches for "kids", civic club members,
persons who visit others in the hospitals, or shut-ins,
build wheelchair ramps, paint widows' houses, give blood and
encourage others. Add those whom I've missed and , as you
see, we have quite an army. I have a question, "Where do you
think our community (businesses, schools, and churches) will
be in five years- ten years?"
What happens if
our "ARMY" forgets to tell others about and promote our
quality of life? What happens if we do nothing? Dwindling
jobs mean dwindling population. Less people mean less jobs.
Less jobs mean less payroll, and fewer, and fewer, and fewer
businesses.
Floyd County has
come to decision time, the "fork-in-the-road". Please join
the rest of the "army" Tuesday night, October 4, at 7:00
p.m. at Lighthouse Electric Community Room to learn, "What
Does It Take to Build a Community?" If you come for the 6:00
buffet, you MUST RSVP by 5:00 p.m. Friday at 983-3318. You
love Floyd County, I know you do.
Sincerely,
Bob
Alldredge
back
to top
By
The Way | by
Alice Gilroy
back
to top
A
View From The Lamplighter | by
Ken Towery
back
to top
Classifieds
FARM MISCELLANEOUS
WANTED: Farm land for lease. Call 983-7259.
FOR SALE-- Alfalfa, small squares. $4.50 each.
Call 983-2724 or 292-3772.
RYE SEED FOR SALE--Rye is an excellent cover crop
and great for grazing. Rye matures earlier than wehat, so it
can be terminated earlier to plant cotton. 806-292-9723.
NO-TILL DRILL--Custom drilling of wheat in milo.
Inter-seeding of grass, cotton stalks, etc.
806-292-9723.
WHEAT PASTURE WANTED--Call 806-292-9723.
GARAGE SALE
UNBEATABLE PRICES: Towels, sheets, decorative and
kitchen items, vacuum. 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. September 27th
- 906 W Kentucky.
MULTI-FAMILY GARAGE SALE--Couch, chairs, beds,
coffee table, bicycle, bicycle rack, linens, material,
clothes, kids clothes, bedding, pots n pans, cabinets,
lamps, shelves, fireplace grate, lawn mower, computer desk,
and lot and lots more items. Saturday, October 1st, 8 :00
a.m. - 5:00 p.m. NO EARLY BIRDS! 2 miles west on Sandhill
Highway (Hwy 784).
LOCKNEY
4 FAMILY GARAGE SALE--Friday and Saturday. 9:00
a.m. - 12:00 Noon. 903 Apogee, Lockney.
HELP WANTED
AMERICAN HABILITATION SERVICE, INC., a provider of
HCS and CLASS services is seeking PT personal support staff
to assist people with disabilities. Great position for extra
income or stay at home mother. 6:45 - 7:45 am and 4p - 6p
Monday - Friday. Schedule can be negotiated with family if
slight changes are needed to accommodate the hours.
Opportunity for additional hours providing PRN require for
family as needed/arranged. HS Diploma or GED preferred, but
not required. Must pass background check. Annual retention
bonus. Call to schedule interview at 749-0900.
LOCKNEY HEALTH & REHAB is currently looking
for a CNA to work 3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Monday thru Friday.
Please call Carolyn, DON at 652-3375.
HOUSES FOR SALE
Floydada
FORECLOSURE - Sold "As Is" - 3/2/1 stucco. 629 W.
Missouri. $24,900. Cash or New Loan. Cagle Realtors,
806-745-3878 or 806-777-2900.
HOUSE FOR SALE--3 bedroom, 2 bath, 2 car garage,
storm cellar. 812 S. Wall. $20,000. Call 783-0742.
READY TO MOVE IN--All electric, 3 bedroom, 1 bath.
118 W. Mississippi, New Price. Call 983-5556.
HOUSE FOR SALE--2 bedroom, 1 bath and carport.
South Plains Texas -16 miles north of Floydada -
REDUCED!! $6,000.00. Call Rhonda 979-733-8843 or
979-966-7943.
1104 S. RALLS HIGHWAY--2 bedroom, 2 bath, 2 car
garage. Home has living and family room. Close to High
School. Call Assiter and Associates for more info or to set
up viewing times. 806-983-3322.
HOUSE FOR SALE--3 bedroom. 123 J.B. Avenue. Call
983-3334.
LOST AND FOUND
LOST--Black Angus cow with a "7" marked on her
side. Lost at Sandhill going east toward Floydada. If seen
call 667-3756 in Petersburg or 293-3915, Plainview. Was
bought at Floydada Sale Barn last Wednesday, September
21st.
PETS
AKC REGISTERED LAB puppies. 6 weeks old. Both
parents on premises. Call 806-983-2203.
ALPHATEX KENNEL, AIKEN, TEXAS offers superior
quality AKC Registered, DNA Certified Collies, Golden
Retrievers and German Shepherds. Puppies and stud service
available. www.alphatexkennels.com
SERVICES
LARRY OGDEN AUCTIONEERING--Estates, Farm, Ranch,
Business, Liquidations, State Licensed and Bonded. (806)
983-5808. TX. #9240.
VEGETABLES FOR SALE
FRESH VEGETABLES-- Cucumbers, squash, jalapenos,
okra, tomatoes, cantalope and watermelon - Lots of okra and
canning tomatoes. (We pick or you pick) Location Lockney,
Texas. Call 806-652-2727 or 292-2204.
back
to top
|
