Moore Appointed to Sulphur Springs City Council Place 6
Doug Moore was appointed to Sulphur Springs City Council Place 6 Tuesday night during the May regular session of the council.
City Attorney Jim McLeroy addressed the council regarding the proper procedure to fill the vacancy on the council created by the resignation of Councilman Dan Froneberger. McLeroy noted the Section 2 of the city charter: “If a vacancy occurs in the council the remaining members of the council, by a majority vote, shall appoint a qualified resident elector to serve until the next regular city election. At the next regular city election, a council member shall be chosen by the vote of the people to serve out the remainder of the term left vacant.” McLeroy told the council that they were to appoint someone to serve until the May, 2019 election and then Place 6 would be on that ballot and the ballot the following year since Place 6 would be rotate onto the ballot in 2020. Terms for city councilmen are three years. Due to staggered elections for various place, Place 6 is set for the May, 2020 ballot by rotation. In an 8-page opinion, McLeroy noted that in every instance of state law and that of other councils throughout Texas with a similar form of government noted in the opinion—Coppel, Lufkin, Commerce, Fate, Benbrook, and Big Spring—this is the rule of practice and the laws have been upheld in state and federal courts. The council, based on the legal opinion, moved forward to elect a new council member.
Several names were presented to the council of those who had expressed a desire to serve. Place 2 Councilman Clay Walker spoke to the nomination of Doug Moore and Place 4 Councilman Freddy Taylor spoke in recommendation of Brad Bergin. Five Councilpersons voted for Moore, one for Bergin.
In nominating Moore, Walker noted Moore is qualified for the council by experience and training. Moore is a Certified Public Accountant and has been in business in the city for a number of years. He is now semi-retired according to Walker. Moore has served on the Planning and Zoning Commission and the Industrial Foundation. The final vote to appoint Moore to the council was unanimous.
Moore will take the oath of office in June and serve until May, 2019. At that time Place 6 will be on the ballot for the remainder of the term to which Froneberger was elected. Place 6 will be on the ballot the following year according to the rotation of election of council members.
In other action, Mayor John Sellers proclaimed May 6-12 National Hospital Week in the city and he named May as Motorcycle Safety and Awareness Month for the city. A rate increase for Oncor was denied by the council. Two plats, one plat for 826 Camp Street and another for the Hopkins County Hospital District, were approved by the council.
May Proclaimed Motorcycle Safety and Awareness Month
A proclamation read Tuesday night by Mayor John Sellers named May “Motorcycle Safety and Awareness Month” for the city of Sulphur Springs. Sellers noted the risks of motorcyclists, who are more prone to injury or death in a crash than any other vehicle driver. he also called for citizens to become more award of the inherent danger involved in operating a motorcycle. Sellers presented the proclamation to members of a local motorcycle club.
CITY OF SULPHUR SPRINGS, TEXAS
PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, today’s society is finding more citizens involved in motorcycling on the roads of our country; and
WHEREAS, motorcyclists are roughly unprotected and therefore more prone to injury or death in a crash than other vehicle drivers; and
WHEREAS, campaigns have helped inform riders and motorists alike on motorcycle safety issues to reduce motorcycle related risks, injuries, and, most of all, fatalities, through a comprehensive approach to motorcycle safety; and
WHEREAS, it is the responsibility of all who put themselves behind the wheel to become aware of motorcyclists, regarding them with the same respect as any other vehicle traveling the highways of this country; and it is the responsibility of riders and motorists alike to obey all traffic laws and safety rules; and
WHEREAS, urging all citizens of our community to become aware of the inherent danger involved in operating a motorcycle, and for riders and motorists alike to give each other the mutual respect they deserve.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, John A. Sellers, Mayor of the City of Sulphur Springs, Texas, do hereby proclaim the month of May as
“MOTORCYCLE SAFETY and AWARENESS MONTH”
in this city. Further, I urge all residents to do their part to increase safety and awareness in our community.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have set my hand and caused the Seal of the City to be affixed this 1st day of May in the year 2018.
Mayor Proclaims National Hospital Week in Sulphur Springs.
Sulphur Springs Mayor John Sellers proclaimed the week of May 6-12, 2018 as National Hospital Week in Sulphur Springs. With the official theme, “Caring is Our Calling”, Sellers specifically noted the accomplishments and contributions of the associates at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital-Sulphur Springs and recognized their trustworthy and reliable health care for the community. Dr. Scott McDearmont, chief of the local hospital medical staff and general surgery specialist, accepted the plaque on behalf of the hospital.
CITY OF SULPHUR SPRINGS, TEXAS
PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, National Hospital Week is May 6–12, 2018, and the official theme is
“Caring is Our Calling”; and
WHEREAS, Individuals all across the country will be celebrating this time-honored event; and
WHEREAS, the hard working people that compose our hospital and clinics, deserve universal regard and appreciation for keeping our community healthy;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOHN A. SELLERS, by virtue of the authority vested in me as Mayor and on behalf of the City Council of the City of Sulphur Springs do hereby proclaim May 6th through May 12th as
“NATIONAL HOSPITAL WEEK”
in our city. I encourage all residents to recognize the accomplishments and contributions of the associates at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs, Texas, and CHRISTUS Trinity Clinics and express their appreciation for the people, facilities and technologies that make trustworthy, reliable health care possible for our community.
It is so proclaimed this the 1st day of May 2018.
City Manager’s Report Presented in Council Session Tuesday
City Manager Marc Maxwell made his report of previous month activity to the Sulphur Springs City Council Tuesday night during their regular May session. In his report he noted:
SUNSET STREET – We have begun designing the Sunset Street improvements. The project will include new water mains, new sewer mains and a new concrete street from Connally to Houston. The $275,000 CDBG grant is matched with $132,000 of city funding. We will submit construction drawings in June and begin work in the fall.
CANTEX FORCE MAIN – In April, staff began preparing the sealed bid packet for pipe and fittings for this project. This will be the final capital improvement project in the 2013-2017 C.I.P. It will replace 2,400 linear feet of aging sewer force main and 2,900 feet of gravity main. Currently the main passes through the middle of the hospital complex. This would be a nightmare if the main ever ruptures. The proposed route would go around the hospital complex rather than through it. One-third of the city’s sewage passes through this line.
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN – I will propose the 2018-2022 Capital Improvement Plan at the June city council meeting.
WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT – The work at the wastewater treatment plant is on schedule. The three primary clarifier basins have been constructed, and the effluent troughs are now finished as well. Other concrete structures adjacent to the clarifiers are finished. Now all of the pumps and associated pipe works and wiring need to be constructed. I expect to bring the clarifiers online in July, weather permitting.
CROSSTOWN TRAIL – We have begun receiving reimbursements on this project from TxDOT. This grant-funded project will connect Buford Park to Coleman Park as well as the high school/civic center complex with a concrete path. It will also replace the sidewalk on the north side of Connally Street.
CLAIMS – We did not have any workers compensation claims or liability claims in April. We did, however, submit a claim to TML for damage to two police cars. Two vehicles collided causing $5,966 in total damages.
REVENUES AND EXPENDITURES – Finance Director Lesa Smith will not give a year-to-date report of revenues and expenditures since April concluded only yesterday.
H.O.M.E PROGRAM – We have three H.O.M.E projects ongoing. The H.O.M.E program replaces old dilapidated homes owned by low income persons with new homes.
Elsewhere around the city, employees:
- Sold 2,365 gallons of AvGas and 6,888 gallons of JetA fuel.
- Conducted 13 building inspections, 30 electrical inspections, 19 plumbing inspections, 7 mechanical inspections and issued 42 building permits.
- Repaired library lighting.
- Repaired Highway 11 lift station.
- Prepared the Celebration Fountain for the coming season.
- Supervised the replacement of three library air conditioning units.
- Rebuilt the Coleman Lake waterfall pump.
- Repaired 6 water main ruptures.
- Replaced 2 water meters.
- Treated wastewater effluent to a daily average total suspended solids reading of 1.48 mg/L.
- Unstopped 18 sewer mains.
- Repaired 11 sewer mains.
- Washed 75,000 feet of sewer mains.
- Flushed 35 dead-end water mains.
- Made 9 street repairs following utility repairs.
- Patched 71 potholes.
- Replaced 2 stop signs.
- Cleaned storm drains 2 times.
- Installed cemetery signs on Houston Street.
- Conducted spring clean-up, removing 80 40-yard containers of trash and much more green waste that will be burned this summer.
- Hosted the United States Police K-9 Association Region 20 trials. Our very own Buddy Williams and his dog Kilo won first place in narcotics.
- Made 61 arrests, wrote 528 citations, recorded 55 offenses, and responded to 36 accidents.
- Made 6 felony arrests in the special crimes.
- Responded to 147 fire rescue calls including 2 structure fires.
- Conducted 57 fire inspections and prepared 57 pre-fire plans.
- Performed preventative maintenance on 77 fire hydrants.
- Treated 125 million gallons of potable water.
- Checked out 2,655 items from the library and another 554 eBooks.
- Processed 528 tickets through municipal court.
- Responded to 197 animal control calls and achieved an adoption rate of 23%.
- Fertilized and aerated athletic fields.
Mowed Coleman Dam and around Coleman Lake.
Jamael Rashod Joseph: Man Camping in Hay Meadow Charged with Aggravated Assault Public Servant with a Deadly Weapon
May 2, 2018 – A call to Hopkins County Sheriff’s Deputies regarding suspected activity on County Road 3197 led deputies to a tent set up on the property of the individual making the report. When deputies arrived at the tent set up in a hay meadow, Jamael Rashod Joseph, 29, of Dallas appeared highly aggravated and displayed a large knife.
Jamael Rashod Joseph
When asked to drop the knife, Joseph threatened to harm the officer. The officer deployed a taser but Joseph removed the probe. He then told the deputy, “You done [expletive deleted] up now, I’m gonna kill you”. Joseph then advanced towards the deputy with knife in his hand waving it at the deputy. Once additional deputies arrived, Joseph was tased and deputies were able to place him in custody.
Jamael Rashod Joseph is in Hopkins County Jail charged with three counts of Aggravated Assault Public Servant with Deadly Weapon and with Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle. He is being held on bonds totaling $205,000.
629 Early Votes Cast in City Council Election; Saturday is Election Day
A small rush on the final day of early voting as 131 voters cast ballots in the Sulphur Springs City Council election for Places 1, 2, and 3. A total of 629 registered city voters cast ballots during the early voting period. Saturday is Election Day for the municipal election.
Voting Saturday will be in the second floor Conference Room at City Hall 201 North Davis Street. A handicap ramp and elevator are available to access the voting area. Hours for voting will be from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m.
Two names on the ballot, Justin Davidson, Place 1 and Andy Lowen, Place 3, have withdrawn from the race. Any vote cast for either candidate will be discarded according to a law passed by the state legislature in a recent session.
Candidates for Place 1 are incumbent Craig Johnson and challenger Erica Armstrong. Place 2 candidates are Sara Gibson and Jimmy Lucas. Councilman Clay Walker chose not to seek reelection. Place 3 candidates are incumbent Oscar Aguilar and challenger Norman Sanders.
Election returns will be reported on KSST radio and ksstradio.com as soon as they are available Saturday evening.
North Hopkins Stew and Auction
By: Amy Sprague and Faith Wheeler
The North Hopkins annual Stew and Auction was held on Thursday, April 26. The function drew quite the crowd having over 150 attendees to come out and support the students and enjoy a stew dinner prepared by Micheal Hrabal and Charlie Vaughn. There was a total of 120 items in the auction with approximately 55 of them being projects made by the students enrolled in the multiple ag. classes at North Hopkins. The earning from this event plays a major role in building funds to permit the multiple Ag. trips taken throughout the year.
Four Wildcats Make Finals at Regional Track Meet But Do Not Advance
Wildcats Track Coach Matt Young said it is an honor just to make it to the Regional Track Meet. He was very proud of the four Wildcats he took to Mavericks Stadium at UT Arlington last Friday and Saturday (April 27-28).
Senior Dedric Godbolt had a good day at high jump getting a personal best effort. Coach Young said he came in seeded seventh of eighth out of 16 jumpers. Godbolt cleared 6-foot on his third attempt and 6-foot-2 on his third attempt. Godbolt also clear 6-foot-4 and found out that he was among only four athletes left. All jumpers also cleared 6-foot-5. Goldbolt and another jumper went out at 6-foot-6. Godbolt finished fourth due to having more misses than the other jumper, who finished third.
Sophomore Kylan Wade competed in the 110-meter hurdles and made the finals. He entered the finals with the eighth best time and finished eighth. Landry Tyson ran in the 300-meter hurdles. He did not made the finals.
Eli Sellers competed in the 800-meter run, which was a final event. Coach Young said Sellers needed to ran faster than he had before to get near the top but was unable to do so. Coach Young said going to the Regional Track Meet is great experience. He said all who went to regional would be coming back next year except for the senior Godbolt.
North Hopkins Faces Detroit in Best of Three Series
The North Hopkins Panthers’ baseball team now faces Detroit in a best two out of three playoff series. Game one at North Hopkins has been moved up to Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. to avoid expected rain on Thursday. Game two will be Friday at Detroit at 4:30 p.m. Game three, if necessary, will be at Cooper on Saturday at 1 p.m.
