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Floydada Teen Killed in Tragic Gun Accident
CADE WAYNE MILLER
By Alice Gilroy Thirteen year old Cade Wayne Miller, of Floydada, was killed by a .22 rifle fire in a tragic accident in a home in Halfway, December 29. Cade is the son of Mark and Patti Miller. According to reports Cade and two 14 year old friends were cleaning guns in a bedroom in the residence around midnight in preparation to go hunting the next morning. The youth had emptied the magazine of the rifle and believed it to be unloaded. One of the friends sat down on the bed causing a .22 lever action rifle to bounce and discharge a bullet, said a family friend. The bullet struck Miller in the chest. According to a press release from the Hale County Sheriff's Department, Miller was pronounced dead at 1:10 a.m. at Covenant Hospital in Plainview, Monday, December 29, 2003. An autopsy was performed in Lubbock on Monday. Funeral services for Cade Miller, 13, of Floydada will be at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 31, at 11th & Amarillo Church of Christ, with J. Henderson and Dee Teel officiating. Burial will be in Floydada Cemetery by Wood-Dunning Funeral Home. Cade was born in Lubbock, March 5, 1990. He had attended Floydada Schools where he was into sports, especially football. He was very active and a member of 11th & Amarillo Church of Christ in Plainview. Cade is survived by; his parents; one brother Luke Miller, 16, one sister Avery Miller, 10, both of the home; Grandparents, Maudine Miller of Plainview, Birt and Pat Lane of Plainview. Memorials may be made to the 11th & Amarillo Church of Christ Building Fund, Plainview, Texas 79072. A scholarship Fund has been set up at American State Bank, in Floydada, in memory of Cade Miller.
DOCTORING THE TRUMPETER--Workers at the South Plains Rehabilitation Center worked hard to save a wing and leg of a Trumpeter Swan. One young Swan was eventually euthanized.Two others were save and will be returned to the Iowa Captive Breeding Program. Shown here is Dr. Polk examining the bird and workers Debbie Tennyson and Rob Lee holding the swan. By Alice Gilroy After 8 straight days of intense around the clock investigation by game wardens, four individuals responsible with shooting 5 Trumpeter Swans, south of Lockney, were apprehended. They were formally charged by Lockney J.P. Michelle Araujo on Monday, December 22. The four individuals: Joshua Lambert, 25, of Lockney; Harry Crawford, 53, James Cade Crawford, 25, and Cristy Leann Crawford, 23, all of Paris, Texas, were each charged with 5 counts of Hunting a State and Federally protected non-game migratory waterfowl. All four pleaded guilty, and were fined $500 per person, per bird, plus additional fines to cover restitution, court costs, and medical bills for the injured birds. The total fines assessed was $17,000. An additional charge for an illegal mule deer violation was assessed against Lambert. The case, which drew statewide attention, first began for Floyd County Game Warden Mark Collins and Hockley County Game Warden Jay Oyler, after they received a call, October 13, from an alert hunter about injured swans at a pond near Lockney's wastewater plant. The swans turned out to be the large and beautiful Trumpeter Swans, which are protected as non-game birds. Two young swans were found dead and three injured swans (including an adult male) were transported to the South Plains Rehabilitation Center for surgery. One young swan was ultimately euthanized because of his injuries. Another young Trumpeter was seen flying near the area. As it turned out, the adult male was banded and the band was traced back to a captive breeding program and reinstatement program in Iowa. The injured Trumpeters will be returned there instead of being released back into the wild. "This has been quite a run," said lead investigator Collins, in reference to the sacrifice, total time invested, and the physical and psychological wear and tear required of Collins and co-investigator Oyler, to bring those responsible for the shooting to justice. "Our first difficult task was to try and determine the date and time these Trumpeters were shot," said Collins. The game wardens had few leads and little physical evidence. "We knew this was going to be a tough case to solve, but we had faith and confidence that with a little help from responsible citizens, determination on our part, and a big dose of help from the Almighty, we would catch those responsible." Monday, December 15, was the first full day the game wardens had to devote to gathering evidence and Collins said it was a difficult day. "In our investigations physical evidence begins to deteriorate, or gets displaced quickly, due to the fact that it is usually outside and exposed to the elements." December 15 brought cold sustaining winds of 50 mps and gusts of 60 mph. "All that was topped off with one of the worst dust storms to hit the area in years," said Collins. "We stayed out in that blasting wind for 5 hours, ate more than our share of dirt, and gathered critical evidence that would possibly have blown away had we delayed." In addition to compiling evidence, Oyler and Collins, began compiling a list of possible suspects and other people of interest. "All of these people had to be located and interviewed face to face." During the course of the investigation the two game wardens interviewed 51 people, several of them more than once. They traveled to 10 different Texas towns and cities and points-in-between, driving a combined total of 2,802 miles in eight days. "Our trail led from Lockney to Dimmitt, Hart, Plainview, Floydada, Lubbock, Andrews, Seminole, Midland, Odessa, and finally Paris, Texas," said Collins. "We were finally able to locate a few people that had observed the Trumpeters at different times, prior to their being shot," commented Collins. "This gave us a good time line on that end, and after countless other contacts and conversations we located several individuals that observed the swans at varying times after they were shot." These developments enabled Collins and Oyer to eliminate a host of possible suspects, and concentrate on the few remaining strong suspects. "There was always the possibility we would end up attempting to locate a group of people we knew nothing about yet, even though our evidence pointed to the contrary," stated Oyler. On the chance this was the case, the two game wardens with the assistance of Captain Rick Gully, individuals from the South Plains Rehabilitation Center in Lubbock, and others, a media blitz was initiated to put the word out regarding the incident. The story of the Trumpeter Swans was broadcast statewide in newspapers and on television. Operation Game Thief program directors with Texas Parks and Wildlife also got involved and a reward was offered. The pot got a little richer when the organization in Iowa that oversees the well being of these Trumpeters got involved and more money was added to the reward fund. Ultimately the two game wardens' hard work and persistence paid off. The primary suspects were confronted again. One of the suspects finally came forward with a confession of his involvement in shooting the Trumpeters. "From that point the remaining suspects were also confronted about the swans," said Collins. "Each in turn finally decided to cooperate and a meeting was arranged. "This was a big, and these Trumpeter Swans deserved our best efforts. Trumpeters are the largest swan species in the world--they are also the largest species of waterfowl on earth. "They are estimated to be less than 200 birds in the entire central migratory flyway, and the total population of Trumpeters anywhere is estimated to be less than 1,200." "I rate the Trumpeter Swan not very far below a Whooping Crane in terms of 'rarity'," stated Oyler. Collins and Oyler both said they wanted to thank all the people who assisted in this case. "You know who you are," said Collins. "I also want to extend a personal thanks to the Lockney Police Department for the use of their office through all of this. It was nice to have a sub-station to work in." The one uninjured swan has been sighted at several locations in Hale and Floyd Counties, and Warden Collins is asking to be notified if anyone sees the Trumpeter. The South Plains Wildlife Rehabilitation Center hopes the swan can be captured and returned, along with the two remaining swans, to the Iowa breeding program.
By Alice Gilroy Once again weather was the top news maker in Floyd County in 2003. The dismal crop year followed after the same type of year in 2002. Drought was first to take its toll on crops, but early June rains brought hope. The hope turned to despair as June weather also brought winds in excess of 100 mph in some areas. Corn was flattened and young cotton crops were lost. More bad weather came in October with hail, high winds, and heavy rains. Grain sorghum, more cotton, and some pumpkins were destroyed. The controversial closing of the Floyd County Jail was the big news in December. A failed fire marshal's report, lack of liability insurance, and Texas Jail Standard regulations force Commissioners to close. Jailers were fired and a contract was signed with Dickens County jail for the housing of Floyd County prisoners. Commissioners now wait on a report from an engineer who will be inspecting the jail building to see if it can safely house prisoners. Also in December, Floyd County made statewide news again after Trumpeter Swans were found shot and left to die in a pond near Lockney. Two of the birds were killed and three injured birds were taken to the South Plains Rehabilitation Center in Lubbock. Another young bird was subsequently euthanized because of his injuries. Four people were ultimately charged with the shootings and fined a total of $17,000. West Nile Virus was reported in Floyd County. As of September 6, Floyd County residents were diagnosed with the virus. Construction was completed and the new wings of Floydada's First Baptist Church were dedicated in March, three years after fire destroyed the Sunday School wings. A Shrine to honor the Virgin Mary was built in Muncy, courtesy of Jim Doucette. Area Catholics will make a yearly pilgrimage to the Shrine to honor the Feast of the Coming of the Holy Rosary. After the Congressional Redistricting fight was over in the State Capital, in October, Floyd County ended up in a new congressional district. The County was moved to District #19 and come November 2004, voters will decide if they will be represented by Randy Neugebauer or Charles Stenholm. A breakdown of 2003 by months follows: January The month started out with the local UPS man, Curtis Thompson, being chosen as the UPS Man of the Year. A January story featured the trail of a Floydada meteorite that was being sold on eBAy. 2002 hail storms were devastating to the cotton harvest which caused the bale count to be down by 59,000 bales from the previous year. However, a bumper milo crop brought 9 million in revenue to the county. Earning grand champion honors at the County Stock Show were: Kourtney Williams, Mason Lipham, Eddie Lee Fortenberry, Senee Foster, Ashley Norrell, Anna Sherman, and Kacy Powell. Showing Reserve Grand Champions were: Tylee Williams, Taylor Beedy, Molly Long, Jay Ragland, Tasha Powell, and Taylor Beedy. February Lindsey Nutt was crowned Miss Floydada in the Miss Floydada Pageant, February 1. Also crowned were Katie Beth Crossland, Blanca Suarez, Elizabeth Suarez, Kaylee Morren, Kylen Cochran. Skyler Cornelius was named a top 10 finalist by the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, which honors outstanding acts of volunteerism. Bill Hunter, of Lockney, was presented with the Silver Beaver Award, February 8, by the South Plains Council. The Silver Beaver is the highest honor the Council can give to a Scout. Winning medals at the State Special Olympics were: Robert Dunlap, gold; Crissy Jimenez, gold; and Krystal Garza. Alex Hall qualified to compete in state in the vocal solo and ensemble contest. Eight Lockney band members qualified for state UIL meet: Kami Keaton, J.W. McPherson, Addie Foster, Rusty Keaton, Malorie Luebano, James Orr, Marti Nolan, and Landon Cotham. Member cities of the West Texas Municipal Power Agency (which included Floydada) became embroiled in a controversy with the City of Lubbock over bills to build and repair a generating plant. WTMPA was organized to united Floydada, Brownfield, Tulia, and Lubbock in a cooperative to represent themselves in regulatory issues and to buy power in bulk. March: Floydada High School students participate in a "Shattered Dreams" program. The program is a graphic and realistic portrayal of a drinking and driving accident. EMS and police participate, as well as the local funeral home, hospital, and court system. All "actors" who were part of the drinking and driving accident were either taken to jail, hospitalized, or take to the funeral home. The driver responsible for the deaths was then taken through a mock trial to emphasize to all involved the dangers of drinking and driving. Martin Stoerner was named the Citizen of the Year at the Lockney Chamber of Commerce Banquet. New wings at the First Baptist Church, in Floydada, were dedicated three years after a fire destroyed the Sunday School wing and damaged the sanctuary. Member cities of the Mackenzie Water Authority (Floydada, Lockney, Tulia, and Silverton) joined together to insist on tough reorganization in the Mackenzie Water Authority, including the resignation of the Authority's general manager. The cost of operations had climbed and water allotments had dropped which drove the cities to call for the tough measures. The Floydada Chamber of Commerce honored Outstanding citizens March 24. Laura Farris was named Citizen of the Year. Skyler Cornelius was given the Extra Mile Award. Janet Milam was named Volunteer of the Year and Darrell Gooch was named Employer of the Year. The Floyd County Friends held another successful Gala at the Unity Center in Muncy. This was the 3rd Gala for the Unity Center. April The Floydada Economic Development Center opened the new Technology Center. The Center is used to teach computer skills to those in the community and to develop personal and job related skills. Randy Lerman is credited with using CPR to save the life of Bill Smith at a Little Dribbler's basketball game. Many students advance to State competition in different fields. Chelsea Kirk qualified for State by placing 3rd in Literary Criticism at Regionals. Rion Aufill placed 5th in Number Sense at State. 4-H'ers advance to State in Fashion Show: Molly Long, Kami Keaton, Rusty Keaton, Kayla Kelley, Katie Kelley, and Addie Foster. The FHS Dairy Team advanced to state: Tate Greer, Katy Gooch, Mallory Cooper and April Arevalo. Brady Rainwater qualified to compete at State in 800 meter run. The Floyd County Hesperian-Beacon won the Community Service Award from the Panhandle Press Association. The Senior 4-H Rifle Team also qualified for State: Jay McGaugh, Tyler Chesshir, Garrett Mathis, Justin Stoerner, Jarrett Kirk. A fierce storm on April 15 caused property and crop damage. Winds clocked at 63 mph ripped off roofs, pushed over an 18 wheeler, and snapped power line poles. The Lockney Boy Scouts received a urgently needed new roof on the Scout hut, courtesy of the Lockney Rotarians and Ed Marks. Kendis Julian retired after 16 years of managing Producer Cooperative in Floydada. May Brady Rainwater brought home the gold in the 800 meter with a time of 1:57.59. He said he won for his "Nana", Beth Faulkenberry. The first paper of the year told of Joe Nance, retiring after 32 years of managing Providence Farm Supply. Voters returned hospital and school incumbents to office in Floydada and Lockney. Re-elected to the board at the Caprock Hospital District were: Tom Farris, Kyle Smith, and Denice Payne. FISD trustees reelected were: Kerry Pratt and Bill Dean. Lockney ISD trustees reelected were: Jesse Garza. Jeff Don Terrell ran unopposed. The Longhorn Baseball Team won Area and advanced to Regional Quarterfinals. Top graduates at Floydada High School were: Chelsea Kirk and Laura Reddy. Top graduates at Lockney High School were: Will O'Connell and Garrett Mathis. Gary Brown was named Fireman of the Year by the Panhandle Fireman and Firemarshall's Association of Texas. Pioneers honored at the Old Settler's Reunion were: Cecil and Charlotte Carthel, of Lockney, as Pioneer Couple; Lillian Maxine Cunningham Hill, of Lockney, as Pioneer Woman; and Kenneth Bain Jr., of Floydada, as Pioneer Man. Alex Hall received a I Rating in the State Solo and Ensemble Competition at the State UIL Meet. June Rain comes to the County. An average of .5" fell, however Silverton got 1.25" of rain. The rain was needed, but then the weather turned through the rest of the month and brought disaster. A June 4th storm, with winds over 100 mph in some areas, destroyed the vast majority of young cotton crops in the county. Corn was also flattened. Rain also fell--at Barwise they reported 5 inches in the past 10 days. Barwise also reported 7,000 acres lost and said the same thing happened last year on the same day. Rains continued through the month. Some reported over 10 inches. 85% of the cotton is lost in the county. Gary Brown was named Runner-Up Fireman of the Year at the State Fireman's/Firemarshall's Association. Floydada ISD received word from Paul Trautman of Texas Assoc. of School Administrators that FISD campuses did not fare well in an analysis report. A lengthy report recommended relocating Junior High classes, plus add additions to Duncan. Trautman recommended replacing Andrews and Junior High on long range plans. Trautman said the Junior High had very little long term use and Andrews wasn't much better. An example of a question on the new state TAKS test was published in the paper and had most readers stumped. A deteriorating wastewater plant, in Lockney, brought threats of substantial fines by the Texas Commission of Environmental Quality. The fines, which could exceed $30,000, have prompted the City Council to pursue a grant to help the city to rebuild the wastewater plant. The cost of the project was estimated at $300,000. To win a STEP grant the city would have to come up with 40% which could be in local volunteer work. Oralia "Lolly" Garza, a 15 year old girl, died from injuries she sustained when she lost control of a vehicle she had stolen from a Floydada residence. July Floydada was the first stop for Channel 11's news team on their "Live Community Coverage Tour". Downtown Floydada was turned into a TV set on July 14 with wonderful publicity for the area. July 14 a man robbed the Lockney Allsup's clerk by knifepoint. Consumers Service Station, in Lockney, reopened under new ownership as Raceway Fuel. The full service station was purchased by Roger and Andy Stapp and is managed by Lyndall Stapp. August Lockney held their annual Old Fashioned Saturday. Local insurance agents report "millions" paid out to Floyd County farmers through crop insurance after June's storms. The Floyd County Fair was held at the Unity Center in Muncy the weekend of August 16. W.J. Mangold announces they will be adding a Physician Assistant, Ken Jackson, to their staff. The City of Floydada earned a "Storm Ready" designation which is given by the National Weather Service. It honors the communities disaster preparedness activities. The City of Floydada purchased a cardboard baler and will now be able to recycle cardboard in Floydada instead of sending the job and money out of the community. Kayla Kelley and Chance Crossland were Gold Star Winners at the annual 4-H Banquet. September The first paper of the month highlighted the West Nile virus. The Texas Department of Health said they were investigating 6 cases of the West Nile virus, in humans, in Floyd County. Health officials say there will probably be more. The hospital had treated 13 cases--from their patient area. Father Fern Courture, a local priest, died September 9 as a result of a car accident. The mini van he was driving veered off the road and slammed into a cultivator, on FM 2286, east of FM 92. Local Game Warden Mark Collins is recognized as the state's Employee of the Year in the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Pumpkin production is a success this year in Floyd County. Extension Agent J.D. Ragland says 2,000 acres of pumpkins have been planted. The winners of the Miss Floyd County Pageant are: Kimberly Garza, Kaylie Nutt, Meghan Graham, Emily Faulkenberry, Makenzi Graham, Natalie Jameson. A shrine, to honor the Virgin Mary, mother of Jesus, is being built on County Road 786 in Muncy, courtesy of Jim Doucette. Lubbock and the member cities of the West Texas Municipal Power Agency (which included Floydada) announce they have reached a settlement. The City of Lubbock relinquished any claims to debts it alleged the member city owed them. Floydada City Manager Gary Brown is elected to head up the WTMPA Board. Brown has also been named President of the Texas Public Power Association. The first bale of cotton was stripped September 23 and ginned at McCoy Gin. Gene Reed was the producer. October More bad weather moves into the County October 5 with golf ball size hail, high winds, heavy rains, and a tornado warning. More cotton is lost. Grain sorghum is stripped clean. Pumpkins are destroyed in some areas. Catholics make the pilgrimage from St. Mary Magdalen Church in Floydada to the new Queen of Heaven Shrine in Muncy on October 3. The pilgrimage celebrates the Feast of the Coming of the Holy Rosary. Floydada celebrates another very successful Punkin Day with beautiful weather and large crowds. A tripped burglar alarm inside Kirk & Sons leads to the arrest of two burglars (a 3rd one later in the week), and puts a stop to a string of burglaries in downtown Floydada. Over 6 businesses were burglarized. An escaped prisoner, Terry Lynn Williams, was captured October 8 in Sierra Blanca, Texas, four days after he escaped from Floyd County Jail. Six months of fighting in the Texas Capitol ended when the Texas Senate passed a redistricting plan. The new map moves Floyd County from Congressional District #13 to District 19. Floyd County will now be in a district with Lubbock and will have either Randy Neugebauer (R), or Charlie Stenholm (D) (depending on who wins next November), as a U.S. Representative. The County will lose Mac Thornberry. Jacob Gross, of Lockney, was sentenced to 35 years in prison for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Laura Farris is honored as a Girl Scout Woman of Distinction. The Whirlwinds recapture the coveted Floyd County Trophy with a win over Lockney, 28-18. Cotton prices soar to .74$ in Floyd County. November Jacob Gross, of Lockney, escapes from the Floyd County Jail November 2. He was apprehended about one hour later. Floyd County honored veterans in different ceremonies in schools and at the Veteran's Memorial. A special wreath is laid at the foot of the Veteran's Memorial. The wreath was made by the high school art department. Whirlwind Tony Perez qualifies to run at the State Cross Country Meet. FISD announces they are working on a "Master Facilities Plan" which would address the district's needs (in the areas of campus buildings) for the next 10-20 years. 4-H'er Kayla Kelley is given the District Gold Star Award. December The big news in December was the closing of the Floyd County Jail. After a failed fire marshals report, no liability insurance, and a letter from the Texas Jail Standards Commission, the Floyd County Commissioners voted unanimously to close the County Jail. Jailers were terminated and a contract was signed with the Dickens County Jail to house Floyd County prisoners. Also in the month of December the local game wardens investigated the shooting of rare Trumpeter Swans at a pond near Lockney. Three swans died as a result of the shooting, and two were injured. After an extensive investigation four people were formally charged with the shooting and fined a total of $17,000.00. A robbery of a Lockney Allsup's clerk, December 19, was foiled after a scuffle with the clerk's husband and the robber. The suspect escaped. The Floydada City Council discussed the possibility of erecting a new building to house City prisoners. Mark Ford was named to the All State Offensive Team and was Honorable Mention on the Defensive Team. D.J. Summers was Honorable Mention on the Defensive Team. Cade Wayne Miller, 13, of Floydada, was shot and killed in a tragic accident while cleaning a .22 rifle, December 29th.
Obituaries Cade Wayne Miller Funeral services for Cade Miller, 13, of Floydada will be at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 31, at 11th & Amarillo Church of Christ, with J. Henderson and Dee Teel officiating. He died December 29, 2003. Burial will be in Floydada Cemetery by Wood-Dunning Funeral Home. Cade was born in Lubbock, March 5, 1990. He had attended Floydada Schools where he was into sports, especially football. He was very active and a member of 11th & Amarillo Church of Christ in Plainview. Cade is survived by; his parents; one brother Luke Miller, 16, one sister Avery Miller, 10, both of the home; Grandparents, Maudine Miller of Plainview, and Birt and Pat Lane of Plainview. Memorials may be made to the 11th & Amarillo Church of Christ Building Fund, Plainview, Texas 79072. A
scholarship Fund has been set up at American State Bank, in
Floydada, in memory of Cade Miller.
J.W. JOHNSON Graveside services for J.W. Johnson, 86, of McAdoo were held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, December 27, 2003 at McAdoo Cemetery. Reverend Robby Harris, pastor of McAdoo First Baptist Church officiated. Arrangements were under the direction of Adams Funeral Home of Crosbyton. Johnson died Wednesday, December 24, 2003 at Covenant Medical Center in Lubbock. He was born on October 4, 1917 in Magnolia, Arkansas and had been on his own since the age of 8. He married Blanche White in Muskogee, Oklahoma. He was a member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Roaring Springs. He raised hogs and did landscaping and yard work. Survivors include his wife, Blanche of McAdoo. HORTENCIA R. LUNA Services for Hortencia Rendon Luna, 55, of Plainview, were held Monday, December 29, at the San Jose Catholic Church in Lockney. Father Jim McCartney officiated. Burial was in Lockney Cemetery under the direction of Moore-Rose-White Funeral Home of Lockney. She died December 26, 2003 at Covenant Medical Center in Lubbock. She was born on July 10, 1948 in Denver City, Colorado to the late Ascencion and Vicki Rendon. She married her husband, Guillermo Luna on January 31, 1972 in Lockney. She was a lifelong resident of Lockney until she moved to Plainview in 1998. She was a homemaker and a member of the San Jose Catholic Church in Lockney. She enjoyed her children and grandchildren and loved cooking for her family. She was preceded in death by her father; two brothers, Robert and Carlos Rendon; two sisters, Victoria Martinez and Juanita Rendon. She is survived by her husband and her mother; three sons, Joe Luna and wife Melissa of Plainview, David Luna and wife Monica of Lockney, Guillermo Luna, Jr. and wife Alma of Lockney; two daughters, Julia Medina and husband David, Melinda Luna and husband Hector Morales of Lockney; three brothers, Tomas Rendon and wife Eudelia of Lockney, Manuel Rendon and wife Elvia of Lockney, Ascencio Rendon and wife Rosie of Lockney; three sisters, Pauline Vasquez and husband Refugio of Lockney, Maria Peralez and husband Juan of Lockney, Eloisa Rendon of Lockney; and 12 grandchildren.
By The Way | by Alice Gilroy
A View From The Lamplighter | by Ken Towery Congressman Mac Thornberry came down to Floyd County some weeks ago to thank folks here for supporting him all these years, and to pledge his continued support in the future for whatever problems we might have in Washington. We are most grateful for his visit, and for his representation in the Congress. Mac is a good man, and we appreciate what he has done for us. The lessons he learned on a ranch near Clarendon have stood us in good stead over the years, and we are not at all happy that we will now have a different Congressman. But time and tide move on, and as much as we dislike the prospect, one of these days we will have to choose between someone from Lubbock and someone from Stamford to represent us in Washington. We will cross that bridge when we come to it. In the meantime, Mac is still our Congressman, and we will savor his presence in Washington as long as he agrees to stay there. Completely aside from our own local representation, we are not all that unhappy with what the Legislature came up with in the form of redistricting the state. Some of their labors, yes, but not all. Travis County, for instance, has been split three ways and in the process the Legislature made it a little more difficult for Lloyd Doggett to get elected. He will probably be replaced by a "Hispanic" from the Rio Grande Valley, which is not necessarily a bad thing. Doggett has represented everyone but folks in Travis County for many years. He's rich (a trial lawyer) so perhaps he can go back to his original proclivities and be happy. His district had been carved out to protect his tenure, so now he's got to accept the fact that turn about is fair play. The same thing can be said about many of the new districts. But voters have a way of confounding the politicians. A perfect example can be found right here, when Democrats, then in control of redistricting, carved out a district they thought would be "friendly" to then-Representative Bill Sarpaulis of Amarillo. It was a district that split Amarillo, placing part of the city in Congressman Larry Combest's district, (with Lubbock and Midland) and took in the upper Panhandle and stretched all the way down here, plus part of Lubbock County. Sarpaulis survived, if memory serves, only about one more election, and then voters turned to Thornberry, where they've been ever since. So sometimes the best laid plans of mice and men go astray, to quote Robert Burns. We have no idea what voters will do in our new district. Perhaps the candidates will enlighten us on their positions on matters between now and November and then we can make a choice. The new 11th Congressional District, centered in Midland, was almost a foregone conclusion. For as long as we can remember, politically, there's been an uneasy relationship between Lubbock and Midland-Odessa in terms of who most influences political representation in Washington. Midland, (and Odessa) to the South, looked to oil as the principal economic locomotive. Lubbock, where most of the votes were, looked to agriculture for its survival. It was demanded, by the people in Midland, that their Congressman champion oil. People in and around Lubbock demanded their Congressman champion agriculture. For years, Congressman Larry Combest managed to balance those interests, but it was never easy, nor were the interests harmonious. It was only a matter of time, and circumstances, until Midland went its own way. When Tom Craddick of Midland became Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives, and when it became time to reapportion the Congressional districts, it became almost certain that Midland would anchor a new Congressional District. Everything else in this part of Texas had to fit in. As far as Austin, or Travis County, goes, we could not care less. Austin is the Capitol of Texas, and one way or another ought to more or less represent Texas. That has not been the case for many years. For years Travis County was represented by someone who seldom differed from the national Democratic party. The concern of the national Democratic party during that time was essentially three things; guns, which they were against, gays, which they were for, and God, who they could take or leave, depending on the circumstances. For years the Travis County representative was Jake Pickle, an old friend of many years, but one who usually did what Lyndon Johnson, who once was a Congressman from that District, told him to do. Lyndon was leader of the national Democrats, and to remain their leader, had to do their bidding. Before that the Congressman was Homer Thornberry, a complete toadie to Lyndon (no relation, thank goodness, to our own Mac Thornberry.). The city of Austin, living off taxes from the state's taxpayers and from whatever its political leaders could scrounge from the federal government's treasury, has always voted left of center. Pickle was about as conservative as one could expect from Travis County. So now, providing the redistricting map passes federal muster, people from as far away as the Rio Grande Valley, and the Texas Hill Country, and even down toward the Texas coast, will all have a hand in Travis County's Congressional delegation. No longer will a single left-wing Congressman be able to tell the world he represents Travis County, Texas. No sleep will be lost in this household.over the changes in Travis County, but we'll miss Mac Thornberry.
The Hesperian-Beacon invites you to read a collection of thoughts and memories by Ken Towery. The "Reflections of Ken Towery" can be found on this website by clicking here.
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