The Boerne Star (Boerne, Tex.), Vol. 95, No. 1, Ed. 1 Tuesday, January 4, 2000 Page: 4 of 18
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The Boerne Star
Tuesday, January 4, 2000
Page 4
7
1 ew points
Coalition watches
state of Texas
agency computers
AUSTIN - Congress Avenue and
portions of bisecting streets were
blocked off last week as crews set
up the capital city New Year’s Eve
party for an anticipated 200,000 rev-
elers.
Meanwhile, Readiness 2000, a
coalition of 31 state agencies, pre-
pared to watch and wait in the
Department of Public Safety’s emer-
gency management center in Austin.
Over the last two years, state offi-
cials found nearly all computers
“Y2K ready” at 199 state agencies,
including 30 agencies identified as
critical to health, safety or the econ-
omy.
Don Rogers, a spokesman for
Readiness 2000, told The Dallas
Morning News his group encourages
Texas residents to have enough
water and other supplies on hand to
last three days.
Notification Law
Starts Jan. 1
The new parental-notification
abortion law, sponsored in the 1999
state legislative session by Sen. Flo-
rence Shapiro, R-Plano, goes into
effect Jan. 1.
The law requires an unmarried
woman 17 or younger to notify a
parent that she intends to have an
abortion. Also, she will be asked to
produce proof of her age.
If a parent has not signed an affi-
davit, a physician must send a regis-
tered letter to a parent’s address,
then wait 48 hours before perform-
ing the abortion.
Under the law, parents need not
approve. They only must be told an
abortion is to occur.
The Texas Department of Health
reported in 1997 that 5,523 minors
had abortions.
Lawmakers estimate that 200
young women a year, even in light
of the law, will refuse to tell a par-
ent, The Dallas Morning News
reported last week.
SW Bell Settles
Lawsuit
Southwestern Bell Telephone Co.
said it would pay $10 million to set-
tle a class-action lawsuit filed on
behalf of all its customers in 400
Texas cities, the Austin American-
Statesman reported Dec. 30.
In the preliminary settlement, the
plaintiffs, who sued over the way the
telephone company collects fran-
chise fees, will receive no payment,
and the Dallas lawyers representing
them could collect $2 million.
Instead, $3 million in cash and $7
million in service credits would go
to the state’s Telecommunications
and Infrastructure Fund, the Ameri-
can-Statesman reported.
Customers wishing to exercise
their right to sue individually have
until April 1 to “opt out” of the set-
tlement, in writing.
The Telecommunications Infra-
structure Fund was established to
STATE A
CAPITAL A
HIGHLIGHTS:
Ed Sterling 1
TEXAS PRESS
ASSOCIATION *
help communities, libraries and -
school districts get high-speed Inter-
net access.
AG Targets ‘Bidi’
Sellers
Texas will take enforcement action
against Internet merchants accused
of selling a tobacco product known
as “bidis” to minors.
Attorney General John Cornyn
said the sale of the small, brown,
hand-rolled cigarettes is an illegal
and predatory business practice that
“must come to an end.”
Offices of 16 other state attorneys
general are doing the same.
As part of its enforcement action,
Texas is sending warning letters to
online companies found selling
bidis to children.
Citing Federal Food and Drug
Administration’s regulations and the
Texas Deceptive Trade Practices
Act, the letter requires violators to
sign a cease-and-desist agreement to
avoid legal action.
Other Highlights
• The Texas Department of Public
Safety reported 23 people died on
Texas roads over the 54-hour holi-
day weekend reporting period. The
DPS predicted 32 highway deaths
would occur over the reporting peri-
od covering New Year’s weekend.
• Texas’ share of a $900 million
federal funding package to aid the
homeless will be $46 million. The
money will provide medical treat-
ment, job training and shelter.
• Texas Land Commissioner David
Dewhurst announced he is returning
almost $600,000 in unspent 1999
funding to the state of Texas, mak-
ing the Texas General Land Office
one of the few state agencies to
spend less than it was budgeted by
the Legislature in 1999, he said.
• “Marauding feral hogs” are tear-
ing up yards and parks in Austin, but
neither the city of Austin nor Travis
County has organized opposition to
the marauders, city and county offi-
cials told the Austin American-
Statesman last week. Tusked and
aggressive, the wild pigs weigh up
to 400 pounds and stand up to 3 feet
at the shoulder.
• A car chase ended on the evening
of Dec. 28 at the iron gates at the
rear driveway of the Governor’s
Mansion. Police pulled a 54-year-
old male suspect and a woman from
their late-model BMW and arrested
them. Gov. George W. Bush was out
of state at the time.
The Boerne Star
EDITOR I PUBLISHER
Edna Keasling
EDITORIAL
ADVERTISING
Let’s thank those who ensure safety
So far every expert who counts in my book has
been very wrong about the changing of the mil-
lennium. He’s my dad. Dad, who works for a
local power company, spent the night of Dec. 31
at the office to make sure that if any trouble
came, he was ready for it by rushing out to the
needy area and working on it until the situation
was solved.
But he was not the only one who had to sacri-
fice their night to ensure the safety of others.
Many workers for the City of Boerne were on
call throughout the night in case something hap-
THE POINT
AFTER
Jennifer Fierro
MANAGING EDITOR
pened. Members of the EOC were also on hand
just in case a situation came that needed imme-
diate attention. And as always, law enforcement
officials were patrolling the county and were at
key places to make sure citizens had a good time
while they celebrated their brand new millenni-
um any way they chose.
Without the efforts of these people, civilians
would not have been able to have as much fun
because our officials did our worrying for us as
we danced the night away, attended church ser-
vices, or stayed tuned to our television sets.
So on behalf of our citizens, let me be the first
to say thanks for all you do. Even if you have
been wrong about the way things have been
Dad.
Numbers make government services easy
Texas state government can be a
confusing maze for Texans who
need information or assistance, or
who want to register a complaint
with a state agency or licensing
board.
My staff answers hundreds of
phone calls from constituents who
need help finding the appropriate
agency for a particular concern.
Once constituents are directed to an
agency, they usually ask, “Is there a
toll-free number I may call?” Usu-
ally there is.
In an attempt to make government
services more accessible to you, the
customer, Texas government has
more than 100 toll-free help num-
bers.
Many of them are listed on the
IN THE
TEXAS
SENATE
Sen. Jeff Wentworth
DISTRICT 25
Internet
at
http://
www.hhsc.state.tx.us/tirn/state 1800.
htm
I always list some helpful toll-free
numbers in my annual newsletter to
voters in Senate District 25. From
time to time I will provide toll-free
numbers in this column along with a
brief description of the agency.
Right now, requests for informa-
tion about collecting child support
create the largest volume of calls.
The Office of the Attorney General
has an automated line that directs
people to their correct area. By dial-
ing (800) 252-8014, Texans can
receive answers and information on
a variety of child support issues.
Consumers’ concerns and com-
plaints collectively generate the sec-
ond largest volume of calls. The
industries at (888) 782-8477. The
Consumer Protection division of the
Attorney General’s office enforces
the Deceptive Trade Practices Act of
Texas and takes complaints about
violations of fair trade at (800) 337-
3928.
The Consumer Credit Helpline at
(800) 538-1579 provides informa-
tion about consumer credit issues
and consumer complaints.
Texans who want information
about telephone solicitors, including
those claiming to represent veterans
and public safety organizations, may
call the Secretary of State’s Solicita-
tion Hotline, (800) 648-9642.
The State Bar of Texas maintains a
barratry hotline to report possible
unlawful solicitation by an attorney.
Information on barratry for attor-
neys and the public also may be
accessed at (800) 633-6630.
For complaints against a physician,
physician assistant or acupuncturist,
Public Utility Commission accepts
consumers’ complaints about the you may call the Texas State Board
telecommunications and/or electric of Medical Examiners’ hotline at
(800) 201-9353.
The Texas Workers’ Compensation
Commission provides assistance to
employers or injured workers in
completing forms and understanding
the law at(800) 252-7031.
The Texas Workforce Commission
maintains an unemployment insur-
ance hotline. The automated line,
(800) 558-8321, provides informa-
tion on unemployment eligibility
and benefits.
In subsequent columns I will list
other toll-free numbers.
Unfortunately, there is not room to
list them all in one column. You may
want to clip and save them so they
are available even when my offices
are closed.
For constituents’ convenience, I
maintain a toll-free number, (888)
824-6984. Please call if you ever
have a problem with state govern-
ment. My staff and I will direct you
to the appropriate agency or try to
help you cut through bureaucratic
red tape.
Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor:
Responding to Rickie L. Pool Letter to the Edi-
tor dated Dec. 28.
Another of the so called silent majority trying to
get us to believe that your religious views should
be forced on those who disagree. Do you as a
retired military person really think that the gov-
ernment, local, state or federal should really
spend money on forcing one religious point of
view on anyone?
Our vaunted forefathers escaped that kind of
tyranny and came to this land knowing that they
should not do the same thing in a new land of
freedom. What is that, some kind of sarcasm
aimed at people you do not know or care to stop
and think that you might be offending someone
who does not feel as you do. Didn’t you take an
oath to protect and stand beside people and fight
for the right to be different?
I will stand and fight with you if anyone or any
government tries to take religion out of your
home or out of your church of choice, but I will
stand and fight against you if you try to force your
religious beliefs on me or my family.
Gil Mason
Boerne
this important factor. To discuss the gun, or even Who took our neighbor Mr. Hagee to the hospi-
clear up an inaccuracy if there was in fact no gun, tal “hours later”? Who took the Polaroid’s? I’m
would set a stand of truth that would help me be thinking “chain of evidence” is an issue here,
more accepting of your words. After all, what sce- How does a pair of tight handcuffs cause you to
nario would lead one to believe that he might need pass out repeatedly rather than making your hands
to arm himself against families coming to pay him go numb from the impairment of circulation?
to view his Christmas attraction with Sheriff’s Repeatedly passing out following a mere “verbal
deputies present? exchange” would send me to a doctor “pronto.”
You mentioned precious little about staffing And finally, I want to say that I very much enjoy
Managing Editor
Staff Writer
Sports Writers
Typesetter
Jennifer Fierro Director
Hal Braswell Account Executive
Jennifer/Hal Account Executive
Molly Meckel Classified
Edna Keasling
Tyler Smurr
Clara Morgan
Mary Lou Garcia
Dear Editor:
I read with great interest Hal Braswell’s article
in the Dec. 14 issue of The Boerne Star: “What
really caused lights display shutdown?” Although
you were an unusually prolific conduit for Mr.
Hagee’s political gripes about the current Sheriff,
I don’t believe you answered your own question.
I’m not saying that you are not a good writer Mr.
Braswell, I think you are. It’s just that I don’t
agree with several points presented in your article.
To pose the following questions might answer
your original question as to what “really caused
the shutdown.’
What Civil Rights were violated? (Believe me
sir, we may all rest assured that Sheriff Hodge is
a firm advocate of Civil Rights.) Was the Sheriff
or a deputy struck by Mr. Hagee during this con-
frontation?
What was the make of Mr. Hagee’s gun, which
was separated from him during the skirmish with
the Sheriff’s staff? Although the gun was men-
tioned in the original printed reports of the inci-
dent one year ago. your article doesn’t mention
issues of law enforcement in a county undergoing your paper, and the ability to our Sheriff to take
rapid growth, while giving voice to Mr. Hagee’s all the flack and keep on running an honorable
complaint about the possibility of paying the off department, and even Mr. Hagee’s spunk and
duty deputies more. feistiness.
My next question: is there a direct relationship I even respect the right to bear arms, though I
between managing a law enforcement staff given prefer it’s original intent: that everybody has the
the constraints of a county budget, and the likeli- right to own a black powder flintlock rifle (the
hood of an officer being killed because he arrives arms of the day), rather than anything from an
on the scene of a crime while off duty, before his assault weapon to a nuclear warhead. Where
on duty backups can arrive? As you know, in this DOES one draw the line in today’s new modern
county, the answer is a very painful point of standard of the “right to bear arms?’ After all, if
recent history with a very simple answer. We have you must first pour your powder down the barrel,
clear reason to honor men and women among us drop in the ball, jam a cotton wad and ram it down
who, because they choose to wear a badge, are with a rod, withdraw the rod and cock the flint
never really “off duty.” lock, aim and then pull the trigger: Well, it gives
Another question: If you are a deputy standing one a moment to think things over before he pulls
there telling cars that “it’s closed” and you tell, oh the trigger. Those precious few seconds “to think”
let’s say 99 cars in an hour (while knowing that have been gone for far too long in our nation. That
you are no longer being paid), will those people said, we should all admire the fact that neither of
spread the word and thereby close the business? these gentlemen pulled a trigger during this dis-
Only a person with hurt feelings would draw such pute.
a conclusion. / I have one final question: If the self-proclaimed
A word about Mr. Hagee from a fellow self victim sues for the alleged violation of his Civil
employed entrepreneur: I don’t agree with his Rights, who would pay? May I suggest that the
views but I do admire his feistiness and his answer may be seen in your nearest mirror? And
accomplishment of single handedly putting may I volunteer (yet another) opinion in closing?
together a great seasonal business. But I think the I don’t think Mr. Hagee will file that complaint
issues you gave voice to are getting out of hand, for the same reason I think Sheriff Hodge chose to
His attempt to sway the community’s vote by say- drop charges, rather than leave a feisty citizen
ing (via signage on East 46) that we must vote for with ruffled feathers in the county “pokey.”
a certain person to see the business reopen, looks Thanks for your consideration Mr. Braswell,
to me like a case of shooting himself in the foot. Perhaps you will craft an article that addresses my
To claim that attracting “approximately” 50,000 questions, or publish this letter, thus throwing my
paying customers is a public service and an act of questions and thoughts out to your readers for
“good will” is playing loosely with the English consideration. I’d be honored either way. Your
language. This county is not populated with peo- article has stirred this community and that is a
ple who are easily swayed by political posturing, very good thing for a living democracy such as
But of course, we all have the right to shoot our- ours.
Happy New Year to us all!
David Priest
Bergheim
selves in the foot philosophically, and I’m sure
most of us have at one time or another.
The last few questions are very brief:
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THE BOERNE STAR is published twice weekly for $28 per year in Kendall County. $35
elsewhere in Texas and $50 per year outside of Texas by The Boerne Star, 282 N. Main.
Boerne, Kendall County, TX. 78006. Periodical postage paid at Boerne, TX. POSTMAS-
TER: Send changes of address to THE BOERNE STAR. PO. Box 820. Boerne, Texas
78006-0820.
Letters to the editor are welcomed. When sending them include a name,
address and phone number. They will be edited for content and style. Names
and city of residence will be published. Unsigned letters will not be published.
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Write 'em!
KENDALL COUNTY
Judge Bill Gooden
204 E. San Antonio
Boerne, Texas 78006
249-9343
Commissioners
John Kight,
L.M. Holman,
Darrell Lux
Duane Dubose
204 E. San Antonio
Boerne, Texas 78006
249-9343
BOERNE
INDEPENDENT
SCHOOL
DISTRICT
Superintendent
John Kelly
123 W. Johns Rd.
Boerne, Texas 78006
249-2567
COMFORT
Worth Quoting-..
INDEPENDENT
SCHOOL DISTRICT
Superintendent
Marlin Marcum
232 High
Comfort, Texas 78013
995-3664
CITY OF BOERNE
Mayor Patrick Heath
402 E. Blanco
Boerne, Texas 78006
249-9511
STATE REP
Harvey Hilderbran
District 53
125 Lehmann Dr.
Kerrville, Texas 78028
(830) 257-2333
STATE SENATOR
Jeff Wentworth'
District 25
1250 N.E. Loop 410 St.
720
San Antonio, Tx 78209
(210) 826-7800
U.S.
REPRESENTATIVE
Lamar Smith
District 21
2231 Sam Rayburn
Bldg.
Washington, D.C. 20510
(202) 225-4236
Locally
1006 Junction Hwy.
Kerrville, Texas78028
(830) 895-1414
1100 N.E. Loop 410,
Suite 640
San Antonio, Texas
78209
(210) 821-5024
Phil Gramm
Russell Building Rm.
179
Washington, D.C. 20510
(202) 224-2934
Kay Bailey Hutchison
703 Hart Senate Office
Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
(202) 224-5922
GOVERNOR
George W. Bush
State Capital
Room 200
Austin, Texas 78701
(512) 463-2000
U.S. SENATOR
PRESIDENT
Bill-Clinton
White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave.
Washington, D.C.
20000
“Nothing more completely baffles
one who is full of tricks and duplicity
than straightforward
and simple integrity in another.”
— Charles C. Colton
Bible Verse...
“He who puts up secrity for another
will surely suffer, but whoever
refuses to strike hands in pledge
is safe. A kindhearted woman gains
respect, but ruthless men gain only
wealth. A kind man benefits
himself, but a cruel man brings
trouble on himself. The wicked
man earns deceptive wages,
but he who sows righteousness
reaps a sure reward.”
— Proverbs 11:15-18
New International Version
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Keasling, Edna & Fierro, Jennifer. The Boerne Star (Boerne, Tex.), Vol. 95, No. 1, Ed. 1 Tuesday, January 4, 2000, newspaper, January 4, 2000; Boerne, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1626527/m1/4/: accessed May 21, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Patrick Heath Public Library.