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Commissioners Vote to Vacate Jail By Alice Gilroy Responding to a letter from the Texas Commission on Jail Standards which cancelled variances for the Floyd County Jail, and a lack of liability insurance, Floyd County Commissioners voted on Monday, December 8, to close the Floyd County Jail. Within a few hours, 7 prisoners were loaded onto a van and transported to Dickens County Jail. Floyd County Jailers were terminated and given 4 weeks pay by the Commissioners, and in an emergency meeting the Floydada City Council moved to take legal action against the county if necessary. During the Commissioners Court meeting Judge Hardin read the letter from the Texas Jail Standard, which stated: "In response to the report issued by the Fire Marshall Darrell Gooch, we recommend that until a structural engineer can inspect the facility, you vacate the Floyd County Jail immediately. Due to the fact that continuation of the variances for the Floyd County Jail has been dependent upon maintaining a safe and secure facility, these variances have been cancelled." The road to closure began for the jail with a jail standards inspection around February 21st, according to Judge Hardin. The jail failed inspection and inspectors said that electrical work would have to be inspected by the fire marshall. According to Hardin, between $4,000 and $5,000 was spent to fix the electrical problems and then the fire marshall was called in to inspect. After inspection Fire Marshall (and Floydada Police Chief) Darrell Gooch issued a report which said "the front of the building has deteriorated to the point that it is unsafe. Large cracks exist between the bricks in which the mortar has weathered away. The two columns attached to the front of the building are on the verge of collapse. Concrete, mortar, and bricks have cracked with support the weight of the two pillars." Gooch also cited many electrical code violations, fire wall concerns, electrical conduit problems, and the lack of fire escapes. "One of our variances included the fire escape on the 2nd and 3rd floor," said Hardin. "Our liability insurance was cancelled because it did not pass inspection. Our variances are now gone. The Jail Standards says to vacate. I don't think we have a choice except to close the jail." A motion by Commissioner Craig Gilly and seconded by Ray Nell Bearden was made to contract with Dickens County Jail for $38.00 per day to house Floyd County prisoners. The Commissioners then unanimously voted to vacate the jail, and to give Judge Hardin the approval to hire an engineer to come look at the structure of the jail and to issue an opinion for the Commission on Jail Standards. If the jail is determined to be structurally sound the next problem for the county will be to determine if the jail can be turned into a holding facility for prisoners until Dickens County jailers can get to Floyd County to pick up prisoners. According to the Jail Standards letter if the building is considered sound, the determination as to whether the facility can be used as a holding cell will require the following: *The 2nd and 3rd floors will be closed and no longer utilized for holding or housing inmates; *Conversion of the existing detoxification cell into a holding cell will have to meet current minimum jail standards *All applicable items noted in the jail inspection and fire marshall's inspection will have to be corrected. "We (the County Commissioners) have done our best to my knowledge to do what the Jail Standards has told us to do," said Commissioner Lennie Gilroy. "Over the years we have corrected problems so we could pass inspection." Sheriff Gilmore agreed with Gilroy and said, "I've done my best to meet jail standards." "I'm not faulting Darrell Gooch," said Gilroy. "I know what he means but the Jail Standards Commission made this decision after the fire marshall report and now we don't have a choice." In an emergency Floydada City council meeting, called after the commissioner's decision, Gooch told the councilmen, "The fire inspection was not what closed the jail. The county lost their insurance carrier and flunked the jail inspection. My inspection was the last one. "We have pulled city meters on places that have had less code violations than the county jail had. "What concerns me is the front two pillars and base under those two pillars. The brick veneer is pulling away from the building and their bases are cracked all the way through. They (the commissioners) say that is what is closing the building, but they are forgetting about the other 20 fire code violations on the inside that was also part of the report." The decision by the Commissioners led to quick action by the Floyd County Jailers and Sheriff Gilmore. Prisoners were prepared and then transported by Dickens County to the Dickens County Jail. Dickens County Jail contracts with other counties, including Lubbock, and in New Mexico, to house prisoners. The immediate problem now facing the municipalities and the county is what to do with the short term "holding" of prisoners after their arrest and arraignment by the magistrate. The transport of prisoners for cities and the county who are already operating on limited manpower is of major concern to all law enforcement officers. The trip to and from Dickens County to deliver a prisoner could tie up an officer for 3-5 hours, during which time the cities would be left without a patrolman. "This will put a bind on police departments," said Gooch. "It will tax already overtaxed police officers. We average arrests of 21 people a month." In the emergency Council meeting, Floydada councilman voted to start legal action against the county, if need be, to force the county to take into custody city prisoners following their arraignment by the City Judge. By law anyone charged with a Class B misdemeanor and above will be arraigned and then placed in the custody of the Sheriff. It is then the Sheriff's responsibility to incarcerate the prisoner. Gooch also suggested to the Council that they look at buying a building and renovate it with holding cells to house city prisoners and those who are waiting for transportation to Dickens County. In response to the threatened lawsuit by the city, Commissioner Jon Jones said, "We are going to be able to work this out. We can work together and get this solved." "We will do whatever the law says we have to do," said Judge Hardin. According to Judge Hardin the engineer will not be available to inspect the structure safety of the jail until January. No plans can be made about the future of holding cells on the first floor until that time. County Jailers Out of Work By Alice Gilroy With the vote to close the jail this week, Floyd County Commissioners were then faced with the decision to terminate the 4-6 jailers employed by the County. "These are hard times for people and a terrible time to lose your job," said Commissioner Ray Nell Bearden. Commissioners said the county was paying approximately $8,000 per month in jailer's salary, and the money will now be used to house inmates at the Dicken's County Jail. Commissioner Lennie Gilroy made a motion to pay the terminated jailer 4 weeks pay beginning with the day the prisoners were picked up by the Dickens County jailers. This was approved unanimously. During open forum a citizen attending the meeting asked commissioners why they did not raise taxes to build a new jail. Bearden responded, "My constituents consist of a lot of single women and they don't have the money to pay more taxes. They are barely making it now." According to County Judge Bill Hardin the jail costs the county up to $150,000 per year, which includes jailer's salaries, inmates food, insurance, and inmate medical costs. "We average about 10 inmates and Dickens County will be charging $38 per day, per inmate," said Hardin. "This will cost the county $380 per day, or $138,700 per year." Hardin said it is impossible to know what the bottom line will be until after the engineer's report on the structure safety of the jail. "We don't know how much it will cost to fix up the jail to meet standards, and whether we will be able to open up any floors again." County Ponders Future Use of Jail Building By Alice Gilroy Confusion over the future of the jail has law enforcement and city and county officials scrambling to make immediate, and future, plans for the housing of prisoners. Police and governing officials are trying to find the best way to transfer prisoners to Dickens County, and not leave their patrol areas unprotected. The County is faced with no place to "hold" prisoners until an engineer declares the building "safe". If that ruling comes, the County will have an option to open the first floor to "hold" prisoners awaiting transfer to Dicken's County. According to Jail Standards inspector Terry Julian, the Texas Jail Standards Commission will work with the County to "resolve issues". "If the building is declared safe then the possibility of quickly turning the first floor into a holding area is very possible," said Julian. "The detox cell could easily be turned into a holding cell, and appropriate accommodations could be made to hold female prisoners separately." According to Julian jailers would not have to stay at the jail for 24 hours. Jailers would only be needed when there is a prisoner in the holding cell. "Long range decisions need to be made by the Commissioners," said Julian. "They can't continue to patch, patch, patch. This is an old building with old wiring, old plumbing, etc. It is an old and used up building." When asked if the variances would be reinstated to the county if the building was declared safe, Julian said those determinations would have to be made after the inspections. Plans in the Works for the 19th Spirit of Christmas This is the 19th year that Sudie Cochran, Fred Thayer, and their volunteers, will prepare a Yuletide meal for shut-ins, elderly, and disabled. "I remember the first year we started this," said Sudie. "My daughter was 6 or 7 months old and we held it at the Massie Activity Center." Sudie came up with the idea of the Christmas meal as a way to teach her children what Christmas was really all about. Instead of sitting down to the Christmas meal at their home on Christmas, the family donated their time and energy to those less fortunate. The event has grown every year and gathered a larger group of volunteers, and a larger serving area. Last year over 500 meals were prepared and sent out to shut-ins in Floyd, Hale, Dickens, and Motley County. The Ronald McDonald Houses in Lubbock and Amarillo are also recipients of the generosity. The meals are now prepared and delivered from the First United Methodist Church in Floydada, on Christmas Day. Volunteers are now being lined up and an account has been set up at City Bank in Floydada, under the name "Spirit of Christmas". "We need helpers in the kitchen, drivers, turkeys, and money," said Cochran. "We also need the names of people you feel will benefit." If you would like to donate your time contact Cochran at 983-5165, or Fred Thayer, at 983-3121. Money can be taken to City Bank.
Obituaries FRED D. BYRD Services for Fred D. Byrd, 83, of Lubbock, formerly of Lockney were held Saturday, December 6, 2003, at First United Methodist Church in Lubbock. Rev. Keith Wiseman and Bishop Wallis Ohl officiated. Arrangements were under the direction of Rix Funeral Directors. He died Wednesday, December 3, 2003. He was born on November 29, 1920, in Paul's Valley, Oklahoma. He graduated from high school in Lookeba, Oklahoma. He graduated from Southwestern State College in Weatherford, Oklahoma, in 1943, with a degree in Pharmacy. He served in World war II as a medic in the European theatre during the Battle of the Bulge. He received an Honorable discharge from the Army Medical Corp in 1946. He married Virginia Burt in Roosevelt, Oklahoma, in May of 1946. He practiced pharmacy in Butler, and Elk City, Oklahoma, and in Levelland, Lamesa, and Lockney. He was honored as the "Pharmacist of the Year" by the West Texas Pharmaceutical Association. He owned Byrd Pharmacy in Lockney for 38 years. He was an active and supportive member of the Lockney community, serving on the LISD School Board, President of the Lockney Chamber of Commerce, Chairman of the Administrative Board of the First United Methodist Church, and a member of the Rotary Club. He retired and sold the pharmacy in 1989 and moved to Lubbock in 1990. He continued to practice pharmacy part-time until his death. He was preceded in death by his mother, Ida Byrd; five brother, Jasper Byrd, Bill Byrd, Grady Byrd, Donald Byrd, and J.D. Byrd; and two sisters, Sybil Clark and Winifred Keeney. Survivors include his wife of 58 years; daughter Carolyn Simpson and husband John Simpson and children Corey Simpson and Kendall Simpson, all of Lubbock; and daughter Mary Ann Bobbitt and husband Lt. Colonel John Davidson Bobbitt and daughter Lee Bobbitt of San Antonio; one sister, Sadie Brehm of Okmulgee, Oklahoma; and one brother, Sidney Byrd of Lubbock; and numerous nieces and nephews. The family suggests memorials be made to the Byrd Family Pharmacy Scholarship Fund, c/o Office of Development, Texas Tech Health Sciences Center, 3601 - 4th St., Lubbock, TX, 79430. MINNIE BELLE GOWENS Funeral services for Minnie Belle Gowens, 100, of Floydada, formerly of Lubbock were conducted Wednesday, December 10, 2003 at Lubbock Primitive Baptist Church. Elders Cleveland Bass, Hulan Bass, Michael Gowens, and George Johnson officiated. Arrangements were under the direction of Resthaven Funeral Home of Lubbock. Mrs. Gowens passed away December 7, 2003, at Floydada Rehab and Care Center in Floydada. She was born to Henry and Mary Bass on December 17, 1902 in Hopkins County. She married Sylvester Gowens on December 7, 1929, in Crosby County. They moved to Lubbock County from Crosby County in 1948 where her husband was a minister. Two of her sons and grandson are also ministers today. She is preceded in death by her husband, Sylvester, on August 3, 1984, and also six brothers and five sisters. She was a homemaker and a member of the Lubbock Primitive Baptist Church. She is survived by four sons, Bernard and wife, Lynn Gowens of Friona, Norman and wife, Tippy Gowens of Waco, Clifford and wife Lenora Gowens of Wylie, Jimmie and wife, Sandi Gowens of New Deal; two daughters Gwendolyn and husband, Richard Gentry of Lamesa, and Geraldine and husband, Travis Gentry of Floydada; a brother Harvey and wife, Marie Bass of Muleshoe; 18 grandchildren; and 44 great-grandchildren. Minnie's first great-great-granddaughter is expected this month.
Dear Editor: We are living in hard economic times in rural America. Yesterdays jail closing is only the beginning of things to come. How many of the citizens of Floyd County have taken the time to go to commissioners court while they are struggling with decisions concerning the county budget? How many of you that were there Monday to gripe at the commissioners about the closing of the jail were at these budget hearings? Probably none of you. How many of you take the time to go to our city council meetings to see the process in our cities? I don't know about Floydada, but in Lockney there's not many citizens that do. But we're always ready to go gripe or state our dissatisfaction with things when it is too late or after the situation has gotten to the point of making a decision as Mondays. Have you looked around in our county to see what is going on? What is going on in rural America? We are losing tax base daily. How many of our seniors in Lockney and Floydada are going to come back to Floyd county to work and raise there families? Have you thought about that. I'm sure you have. Those of you that grew up here probably can look at your own high school class and see the low retention of our high school grads. We depend on agriculture in Floyd county. Technology has greatly changed the way we farm. It is less labor intensive that it was 20 years ago. That is fact. Our landscape is changing. Look to the north of Floydada and to the east of Lockney. Look all over our county. Where once mighty 8 inch irrigation wells stood are subs or nothing at all. Water is becoming an issue all over the county. When was the last time any one has called Dora Ross or Bobby Hall and asked how we can help them with economic development? I know I never have. But I got a wake up call this week. I just wonder how far it will go for others in the county. I am a member of the board of directors for Lockney Chamber of Commerce. We have 11 directors. At the last several meetings we have averaged somewhere around 3 to 4 directors attend these meetings. I understand that some of them have to go to work. But the job that they volunteered for is not getting done. Now let's do some bragging. Do you realize that our two fire depts. have brought in over $300,000 in grants into Floyd county in the last 18 months? $300,000 in money that did not have to come out of our tax base to equip our fire departments. WOW! You are talking about a group of men that receive no compensation for what they do. The city of Lockney recently purchased a brand new $150,000 fire truck costing the tax payers of Lockney only $20,000. What I am leading up to is that we need economic development. We have an EDC in both communities that are working hard. Their number one goal is to increase tax base so that we can maintain a quality of life in our communities without having to raise taxes. They need your help. They need all of our help to make this work. I challenge you, especially those that have "been there done that", to contact your local EDC. Ask Dora and Bobby how you can help. I love living and raising my family here. I want a place for my children to come back to if they choose. Right now they don't have the choice. Preston Belt
By The Way | by Alice Gilroy
I got a call this week from the Lockney Salvation Army. They are in desperate need of toys to give away at Christmas. Remember them if you've got some toys you would like to donate. There are lots of places in the county that could use help with charity for the holidays. Sudie Cochran and Fred Thayer are gearing up for the annual "Spirit of Christmas" meal for shut-ins. Volunteers and money are needed. Reflections of Love is collecting items to fill up baskets for the elderly. Be sure and keep you eye out for information in the paper for who is in need and what you can do to help! Internet answers given by elementary school age children about mothers: Why did God make mothers? 1. She's the only one who knows where the scotch tape is. 2. Mostly to clean the house. 3. To help us out of there when we were getting born. How did God make mothers? 1. He used dirt, just like for the rest of us. 2. God made my mom just the same like he made me. He just used bigger parts. What ingredients are mothers made of? 1. God makes mothers out of clouds and angel hair and everything nice in the world and one dab of mean. 2. They had to get their start from men's bones. Then they mostly use string. I think. Why did God give you your mother and not some other mom? 1. We're related. 2. God knew she likes me a lot more than other people's moms like me. What kind of little girl was your mom? 1. My mom has always been my mom and none of that other stuff. 2. I don't know because I wasn't there, but my guess would be pretty bossy. 3. They say she used to be nice. What did mom need to know about dad before she married him? 1. His last name. 2. She had to know his background. Like is he a crook? Does he get drunk on beer? Does he make at least $800 a year? Did he say NO to drugs and YES to chores. Why did your mom marry your dad? 1. My dad makes the best spaghetti in the world. And my mom eats a lot. 2. She got too old to do anything else with him. 3. My grandpa says that mom didn't have her thinking cap on. Who's the boss at your house? 1. Mom doesn't want to be boss, but she has to because dad's such a goofball. 2. Mom. You can tell by room inspection. She sees the stuff under the bed.. 3. I guess Mom is, but only because she has a lot more to do than dad. What's the difference between moms and dads? 1. Moms work at work and work at home, and dads just got to work at work. 2. Moms know how to talk to teachers without scaring them. 3. Dads are taller and stronger, but moms have all the real power 'cause that's who you got to ask if you want to sleep over at your friend's. What does your mom do in her spare time? 1. Mothers don't do spare time. 2. To hear her tell it, she pays bills all day long. What would it take to make your mom perfect? 1. On the inside she's already perfect. Outside, I think some kind of plastic surgery. 2. Diet. You know, her hair. I'd diet, maybe blue. If you could change one thing about your mom, what would it be? 1. She has this weird thing about me keeping my room clean. I'd get rid of that. 2. I'd make my mom smarter. Then she would know it was my sister who did it and not me.
A View From The Lamplighter | by Ken Towery
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.
Classifieds
FOR SALE--1995 Chevy 1/2 Ton extended cab, long bed Silverado, 4x4 - $7000; 1999 Dodge Quad cab, diesel, longbed, 4x4, SLT Laramie, loaded, 115,000 miles - $18,000; 1991 Buick LeSabre, 185,000 miles - $2,500. Call 806-983-5720.
FOR RENT--1 bedroom trailer house. Single person or couple only. Call 983-2797. HOUSE FOR RENT TO OWN OR SALE--Call 983-5552. FOR RENT--Farm house, 3/2/2. Call 983-2329. FOR RENT--2 bedroom, 1 car garage, central heat and air. Call 652-2252. FOR RENT--Clean, furnished apartment in Lockney. Call 652-2642. Barker Real Estate. GRAZING WANTED--Wheat pasture, milo stalks and/or grass. Call 292-9723 or 983-5431 (nights).
WANTED: Experienced farm hand. Knowledge in irrigation and tractor driving. Call 781-2461. WANTED: Experienced farm employee. Call 806-983-5720. ASSISTANT MANAGER position available at the Spur DQ. Above average pay for friendly, responsible, customer service leader. Non-smoking, drug free environment. Drug test required. Call District Manager, Jacala Ashley, 940-585-8586. FOR SALE--3 bedroom, 2 bath, 30x30 shop at 110 South First. Call Mike Giesecke, 983-3453 or 983-3787. HOUSE FOR SALE--Excellent location, 906 W. Ross. 3/2 double car garage. Call 806-983-4908 or after 5:00 p.m. 806-983-2019. FOR SALE BY OWNER!--3 bedroom, 2 bath, 2 car garage, updated throughout, corner lot, nice fenced yard, storage building.PRICE REDUCED!! Call 983-2064 or 983-2865, ask for J.
CHRISTMAS TREE--7 1/2 foot Monterey Pine. Only used one Christmas. REDUCED!!GREAT DEAL! Call 983-2186 or 983-7557. FOR SALE--Antique Mahogany sideboard. 1910-1920 era. Call 983-2609 for information. CHRISTMAS IS RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER--Arts, crafts, candles, swags and lots of other stuff. Come to Velma's Gifts for our holiday sale. 9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. 1122 S. Main Street. KITTENS TO GIVE AWAY to good, loving home. Would make a good Christmas present. Call 983-5667. 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
Floyd County, pursuant to a tax foreclosure sale, is offering for sale the following property in the City of Lockney: All of Lots No. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 in Block 35 and Lots 1 and 2 in Block G of the N.B. Davis Survey located in the City of Lockney, Floyd County, Texas also known as the Webster Service and Supply, Inc. property. Any offers should be submitted to: William D. Hardin, County Judge, Courthouse Room 105, Floydada, Texas 79235.
PHEASANT MOUNTING--28 years experience. Call Mike Anderson at 806-983-2186 or 806-983-7557. PAINTING INSIDE AND OUTSIDE. Vance Mitchell 983-6111. LARRY OGDEN AUCTIONEERING--Estates, Farm, Ranch, Business, Liquidations, State Licensed and Bonded. (806) 983-5808. TX. #9240.
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