Sponsored by Weinstein Law/Weinstein Real Estate
By Michael V. Hannigan/HCN
The Wisconsin-based Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) has taken aim at another Henderson County governmental entity for what it calls “unconstitutional endorsement of religion.”
In a letter to LaPoynor ISD Superintendent James Young dated Oct. 11, an FFRF attorney alleged the school district violated the U.S. Constitution by flying a Christian flag and promoting a See You At The Pole event and a baccalaureate service on it website and Facebook page.
Podcast by Tim Howard
Story by Michael V. Hannigan
Since 1986, Labor of Love has been providing free home repairs to those who can no longer maintain their homes “due to age, disability or other circumstances beyond their control.”
The faith-based organization averages 130 to 140 projects a year and has had an incredible impact on the people of Henderson County, one ramp and one repair at a time.
HCN’s Tim Howard sat down recently with Athens Samaritans Labor of Love President Roy Talbot to talk about the program. (Listen to the podcast above for some great stories from Roy Talbot)
Talbot says Labor of Love covers the entire county.
“Trinidad to Chandler and all points in between,” he said.
Applicants do go through a screening process stating their income level, age and circumstances.
“In 99 percent of the cases we see it is obvious that the home repairs are needed,” said Talbot.
Labor of Love spotlights four major groups: the handicapped, indigent elderly, single mothers raising children, and grandmothers raising grandchildren.
“Our primary focus is health and safety issues,” Mr. Talbot said.
Talbot said that includes things like installing grab bars in the bathroom, widening bathroom doors to accommodate wheelchairs, changing out bathtubs for standing showers and, of course, installing wheelchair ramps.
“One of the neat things about our organization is, for the volunteers and the project managers, they can immediately see the difference in the life of that person,” said Talbot.
Labor of Love works all year long.
“All of my searching across the internet convinces me that we are unique in the nation,” Talbot said. “That is an amazing statement to make. There are other organizations that are similar, but none do what we do.”
Major contributors for the program are Henderson County United Way, the Cain Foundation, the Murchison Foundation, other foundations, churches, businesses, and individuals.
Contact the Labor of Love office by calling 903-675-LOVE.
(Follow Michael V. Hannigan on Instagram/Twitter @mvhannigan)
https://www.facebook.com/hendersoncountynow/posts/1165944286884019
It is Homecoming Week in Malakoff! Homecoming Court includes:
Seniors: back row, from left, Adonia Dixon-Thomas, Coby Wilbanks, Desmond Sims, Judd Miller, Wes Jackson; front row, Ari Tart, Eden White, Chaney Tart, Sadie Conditt.
Junior Duke and Duchess: Caleb Adams and Kinsey Leis.
Sophomore Duke and Duchess: Brayden Raymond and Jaci Spiva.
Freshman Duke and Duchess: Haydin Thomas and Riley Crabtree.
https://www.facebook.com/councilmanedmccain/videos/1601007206632934/
By Michael V. Hannigan/HCN
The Athens City Council took a step forward on the Cain Center project Friday, according to City Councilman Ed McCain.
In a Facebook video posted Friday evening, McCain said the city gave Interim City Manager Gary Whittle authority to enter into an agreement with Gallagher Construction Company, LP, for Construction Management Services for the Cain Center project.
The action came at a special City Council meeting at the Development Services Center conference room 12:30 p.m. Friday.
The council discussed the contract during its regularly scheduled Monday meeting, but the action was delayed as the two sides negotiated Gallagher’s fee.
“The 6.7 moved to 6.5 percent, in effect saving us $14,000 and getting the project moving forward,” said McCain, who led the demand for a lower price on Monday. “That’s four days to save $14,000.”
“City Council is watching every dollar that we spend,” said McCain. “We’re trying as hard as we can to get this project completed so our citizens can begin using the Cain Center and enjoying it.”
The City announced it had entered into an agreement with the Board of the Cain Center to take over the facility in August 2016 and officially took control on Dec. 31, 2016. In December 2016, the City approved issuing certificates of obligation to raise about $12.1 million at an interest rate of 3.76 percent. About $10.5 million of that is slated for the Cain Center municipal building project.
https://www.facebook.com/hendersoncountynow/videos/1155787251233056/
Press release
Republican Lance Gooden announced this week that he is seeking re-election to the State House where he currently represents the people of Henderson and Kaufman Counties. During his comments, Rep. Gooden pointed to several key legislative victories during the recently completed 85th legislative session that further the conservative agenda and benefit the hard-working families of this district.
“When I ran for this office two years ago, one of the things I stressed was the importance of having an effective, conservative leader working for us in Austin,” Rep. Gooden said. “It’s not enough to just talk the talk. Our representative in the legislature must be able to deliver – to pass good legislation that benefits our district and to stop bad bills that don’t. I’m proud to report to you today that we not only passed one of the most fiscally responsible budgets in Texas history, but that there are also new laws on the books to help secure the border, crack down on sanctuary cities, protect the 2nd Amendment, and expand the rights of private property owners. We also took care of our retired teachers by solidifying their healthcare program, killed legislation that would harm our public schools, passed several new pro-life pieces of legislation, and took the first meaningful steps toward reducing the property tax burden on all Texans.”
Rep. Gooden concluded, “This legislative session is a testament to the fact it is possible to keep taxes and spending low while also providing for the needs of our fellow Texans. It’s been an honor to, once again, serve my neighbors in the Texas House, and I am proud of the conservative results that we provided this session. It is on that record that I will stand for re-election next year.”
The 2018 Republican Primary election will be held on Tuesday, March 6th. To view Gooden’s video announcement to supporters, visit @lancegoodenfortexas on his Facebook page.