Month: January 2014

Fire Marshal Awards

Fireman 2

The recipient of the 2013 4th quarter award for the East side of Henderson County is Ike Smith from Southside Fire Department. Ike makes over 90 percent of fire drills and calls for the Southside Fire Department and is involved in several community programs. Ike is a great example of the people who serve this county. Congratulations to you Ike and thanks for everything you do. Keep up the good work.

Fireman 1

The recipient of the 2013 4th quarter award for the west side of Henderson County is Dillon Herbert from Payne Springs Fire Department. Dillon is currently the Captain with Payne Springs Fire Department and a huge asset to the citizens of Henderson County. Congratulations to you Dillon and thanks for all that you do!

Support the Athens Thrift Store

In an effort to strengthen our community through charity, Athens Thrift Store Inc. was created. Since its creation in 2010, the Thrift Store has contributed more than $75,000 to local charities.

Athens Thrift Store Inc. is located across from Felipe’s Mexican Restaurant at 1419­A East Tyler Street in Athens. Our mission is to sell donated items such as clothing, tools, toys, small and large appliances, sporting goods, books, jewelry, nick knacks, paintings, linens, furniture, kitchenware, collectibles, luggage, containers, construction supplies, antiques and odds and ends. All of our proceeds, after expenses, are given to other non­profit entities in the area including but not limited to:

  • ETMC Auxiliary
  • Henderson County Food Pantry
  • Meals of Kindness
  • Helping Hands Furniture Ministry and Clothes Closet
  • Ruby’s Safe Haven
  • Family Peace Project
  • East Texas Crisis Center
  • The Disciples Clinic
  • Henderson County Young Life

Ways the community can help the Athens Thrift Store include donations, volunteers and prayer.

Donations of the following items for resale are also appreciated: Clothes, shoes, kitchenware, small and large appliances, toys, sporting goods, tools, antiques, jewelry, dry goods, books, arts and crafts items, pictures and paintings, furniture, construction materials and automotive supplies.

Please contact store manager Matt Akin at 903-675-3160 for more information.

Bulletin Board – Jan. 30

The Bulletin Board is posted every Thursday morning on the website and every Thursday, Friday and Saturday on Facebook. It is an opportunity for our users to list garage sales, items for sale, items wanted, job listings … well, you get the idea. Just send us a message on our Facebook page and give us your information. And as always with Henderson County Now, there is no charge for advertising on the Bulletin Board.

GARAGE SALES

— Friday and Saturday, 8 a.m. until ? … Three families emptying 4 storage units and downsizing. Clothes for all ages and sizes, men, women, boys and girls (name brand); Furniture; Craft items; Home decor; repurposed furniture; antiques; collectibles; porcelain dolls; crystal; kitchen items; toys; Craftsman riding lawn mower; Honda power washer; electronics; plasma tv; boots; shoes; purses; formal and prom dresses in excellent condition; guns; ammo; chevy truck accessories and more. Lots of great items in great condition. 5545 HWY 31 E. Murchison, TX 75778.

— Estate Sale Friday and Saturday from 8:30-5:00; 4952 FM 753. Estate of Alan & Thelma Whatley. Turn on 753 off South 19 in Athens by Southside Feed. OR west on 753 at Shady Oaks Store between Athens & Cross Roads. “”OPEN @ 8:30 Friday”

SERVICES

– COMPUTERS – Affordable Computer Services … In home PC set up, WiFi setup and configuration, software installs, virus removal, hardware installation/repair. We also work on other small devices. Pickup and delivery available. Call for pricing or contact me through Facebook. Philip Mathison, 903-802-4106, Facebook.com/tricountypcs.

AMWA Rebuttal to Athens Mayor’s Letter

((Editor’s Note: The following is a letter from Athens Municipal Water Authority Executive Director Wylie Pirkle in rebuttal to a letter published last week from Athens Mayor Jerry Don Vaught. You can find the mayor’s letter, as well as links to other stories about this issue here.))

DROWNING IN LOCAL POLITICS

The Athens Municipal Water Authority (“AMWA”) has served the citizens of Athens (“City”) for over 55 years. During that time, it has been the steward of Lake Athens and current and future water resources. This article addresses several concerns mentioned in a January 24 message from the mayor.

The City of Athens maintains they are providing their services to the City in the most efficient manner possible. Over the last ten years, the city tax has doubled, going from .319 per $100 to .630 per $100, while AMWA’s has stayed the same at .125 per $100.

AMWA’s elected board members are successful businessmen, two of who are in the water business. Their business expertise has enabled AMWA to save over $8 million in assets that are currently earmarked to maintain current and develop future water sources for Athens. During the last two years, AMWA developed a water-well farm consisting of nine wells capable of producing three times the yield currently taken from Lake Athens. We estimate that within the next 10 years, the consumptive needs of Athens will surpass the safe yield of Lake Athens, and well water will be required to keep up with the needs of the community.

The members of AMWA’s board have discussed selling water to other local entities. However, Athens is our primary customer, and it will always get the water it needs before any alternative is considered. Our board has discussed bringing in industries that are in need of a consistent water source to enhance our Economic Development opportunities and the creation of jobs and additional taxes. Our thoughts on this alternative are to generate additional revenue, therefore, giving us an opportunity to reduce your taxes. After all, AMWA belongs to you.

Last year AMWA spent more than $1 million completing a well located at the water treatment plant that is capable of producing 1 million gallons per day. The well, which was paid for by AMWA, was tied to the water treatment plant and given at no cost to the City. The billing discrepancy dispute between the City and AMWA began when bills to maintain this well, that should have been the City’s responsibility, were presented to the board.

The mayor mentioned that the City would “continue development of the water-well farm and bring wells on-line when needed to serve Athens.” Since AMWA brought the water-well farm idea to Athens, we are pleased that the City recognizes our good work.

I invite you to review the findings of an independent PhD who analyzed the financial situation of the City and draw your own conclusion of what would happen to the City’s finances if they absorbed AMWA. If AMWA is absorbed by the City, the modest tax AMWA charges would be eliminated. However, after depleting AMWA’s $8 million in assets, how will the City pay for the necessary water services and improvements? Will it be necessary to increase taxes or raise water rates or both? After you read the findings of Dr. Mark Vargus, you will understand the answers to these questions.

((EDITOR’S NOTE: That document by Dr. Vargus is filed in the 173rd District Court as part of the AMWA v. City of Athens lawsuit.))

AMWA spent over two months trying to work out its differences with the City without coming to any resolution. We asked for a third party, an unbiased judge, to define the parameters of AMWA’s contract with the City in regards to the allocation of monetary responsibility. The City’s answer to being questioned was to abolish the water authority. Problem solved.

AMWA has served Athens for the past 55 years with sound fiscal and business expertise. To further support their value to the City, AMWA was granted a 20-year renewal agreement with the City in 2011. It is surprising that the City has suddenly come to the conclusion AMWA is “redundant.” AMWA was created for the citizens to protect and secure our water resources. Our performance speaks for itself. If you would like a copy of the agreement between AMWA and the City, please contact me by E-Mail at [email protected] and I will send you a copy for your review.

I firmly believe the citizens of Athens will wade through the local politics and make the right decision to vote to keep AMWA and protect their water resources.

Wylie Pirkle, Executive Director
Athens Municipal Water Authority

Obituary: Hubert Eugene Tindel

Hubert Eugene TindelHubert Eugene Tindel, 93, of Athens, Texas passed away January 26, 2014.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, January 29 from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. at the Carroll-Lehr Funeral Home in Athens. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, January 30, in Athens, Texas, at the First United Methodist Church with Rev. Nick Sholars and Rev. Becky Love officiating followed by a private burial service.

Mr. Tindel was born June 27, 1920, in Larue, to Maggie Buie and Paschal Eugene Tindel. He graduated from La Poynor High School in 1939 as student body President. After graduation, he moved to California and worked for the Consolidated Aircraft Company as a machinist before moving into management.

He joined the Army Air Corps in 1941 and entered flight training. He earned his pilot’s wings as a B-25 First Pilot for overseas combat in Japan. He was an honor graduate and Colonel of his Cadet class. During this time he attended Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio.

After leaving the service in 1946 as a First Lieutenant, Mr. Tindel was hired by Consolidated Aircraft / General Dynamics as a Supervisor at the Fort Worth plant. He attended Texas Christian University (TCU) from 1946 to 1948, during which time he met and married Louise Durham.

He left General Dynamics in 1952 and went to work for Bell Helicopter. He started there as a Superintendent and retired in 1981 as Director of Manufacturing.

After retiring from Bell, he and Louise returned to Athens for their retirement years. During this time he continued to pursue his lifelong passion of cattle ranching, and he and Louise traveled extensively.

During his retirement years he served as President of the Virginia Hill Water Supply for 30 years, from 1982 to 2012. He also served as Director for District 13 of the Texas Rural Water Association (TRWA) from 1990 to 2008. The TRWA recognized Mr. Tindel for his sharp financial mind, keen business sense, and dedication to the association. He was also instrumental in the acquisition of TRWA’s Austin headquarters.

Mr. Tindel was a long time member of the First United Methodist Church of Athens and served in numerous responsible positions. He was a member of the Builders Sunday School Class. Mr. Tindel was a thirty-second degree Scottish Rite Mason and received recognition in 2011 for 65 years as a Master Mason.

He and Louise were married for 65 wonderful years. He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather.

Mr. Tindel was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Henry Milton Tindel, and his sister, Mildred Blake.

He is survived by his wife, Louise Durham Tindel, his three children, Brenda Tindel and husband Joe Algermissen, Sherry Tindel and husband John Calhoun, Mark Tindel and wife Jaimi Tindel, grandchildren, Randi Lemongello and husband John, Christina Tindel, and Kevin Tindel, great-grandchild Elizabeth Lemongello, sister, Virginia Nadine Fisher; several cousins, and numerous nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church Building Fund or Builders Sunday School Class, 225 Lovers Lane, (P.O. Box 911) Athens, TX 75751, or to any charity of choice. Hubert Tindel will be missed by so many who knew and loved him.