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A Candidates Forum, hosted by the Womens' Division Chamber of Commerce, is scheduled for Friday, February 29, 2008 at the DeLeon City Hall auditorium beginning at 7 p.m.

Any candidate who is running for public office is invited to participate in the forum. Event organizers encourage all voters to "Come out and meet the candidates and listen to what they have to say."

Womens' Division members will furnish cookies, tea and coffee for candidates and the general public who attend the forum.

Marsha England will serve as emcee for the event and Ruby Park will be the official timekeeper.

"We really hope people will come participate in this forum," said Carla Landreth, Womens' Division member. "This is a chance for people to hear what the candidates have to say and to really get involved." Landreth said that although this forum is for the candidates in the March 4 primaries, a forum is also scheduled for next month for candidates in the May 10 local elections.

My name is Lee Roy Childers, I am a resident of DeLeon.

My wife and I our buying our home here. We have kids and grandkids living here and in Eastland. We love this town, because of the friendly people and the lifestyle, a small town atmosphere. My wife and I were born in Texas. I was born in Odessa, and my wife was born in Amarillo.

I am a 100% disabled Viet Nam veteran. I was in the Army for three years, one year of that in Viet Nam. I worked for the U.S. Department of Labor, in Farmington, New Mexico, and as a truck driver.

I have an Associate's Degree in Criminal Justice, from North East Texas Community College at Mt. Pleasant, Texas. I have a Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice from West Texas A&M in Canyon, Texas.

I am a member of the DeLeon Church of Christ and have been for five years.

I feel if there is anything going to happen in DeLeon that affects the community, the residents of DeLeon have the right to say yes, or no by voting. We have a great little town here. I want to keep it that way.

My name is Zachary Paul and I'm a candidate for the DeLeon School Board. I have lived in DeLeon all my life and had the pleasure of attending DeLeon schools.

I would like to be part of the education system providing future generations of students the opportunity to receive the very best education that our school system can possibly give them.

Being a young person in the community, I do respect the educational needs for better employment and financial security for others and myself. I will strive to uphold the highest regards for students, teachers and fellow board members if elected. I would appreciate your vote in the May 10 election.

By JERRY MORGAN. Reporter

COMANCHE -- A relatively long agenda consisting primarily of non-controversial business matters awaited the Commissioners Court on Monday, February 25.

Commissioners Garry Steele, Kenneth Feist, Bobby Schuman and Jimmy Dale Johnson, in precinct order, were in attendance. County Judge James Arthur opened and presided at the meeting.

Other county officials attending the meeting at various times included County Clerk Ruby Lesley, County Treasurer Gay Green, County Auditor Joey Boswell, Sheriff Jeff Lambert, Chief Deputy Chris Pounds, County Attorney Craig Willingham and Emergency Services Coordinator Ray Helberg.

Several candidates for Commissioner in Precincts 1 & 3 were also in attendance.

Ruby Lesley read the minutes of two previous Commissioner meetings on February 11 and February 15, which were approved without change by unanimous votes.

Proposals for County to Accept Payment by Cards

Two separate sets of bankers presented proposals to allow the county to accept payment of fees and fines by credit and debit cards.

The first proposal was made by Lynn Haven and Sharolyn Cox representing Citibank First Data. Their firm primarily uses online computer software that does not necessarily involve the cost of card reading terminals.

A discount fee charged to the county would be required, ranging somewhere between 2.29 to 3.39% of the transaction value. The system could, however, offer an alternative means for some persons to pay fees or fines to the County when immediate cash payment was not otherwise possible.

County Auditor Joey Boswell expressed concerns that the County might have to establish an online web site under the CitiBank proposal. This would trigger extensive mandatory informational posting requirements required by state law.

It was suggested that a subsequent meeting involving various county departments was needed before any decision to use the services offered could be made.

Pam Hurt and Jeff Stewart of Comanche National Bank also made a presentation regarding collection of fees and fines by Visa and MasterCard debit and credit cards. Their proposal required the use of $350 electronic card terminals.

Comanche National's presentation did not involve the use of and online web site, but did also involve a 2-4% discount fee.

Garry Steele expressed his belief that the importance of being able to accept payment by card was growing when he said, "You can either get on the train or off the train, and I know which way the train is going, to Plasticville."

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Community Rehab Project has scheduled its 2008 project for June 8-13, performing exterior repair to eligible homes within Comanche County.

Home eligibility requirements are: must be a permanent structure (not formerly a mobile home), you must own the home (mortgages are okay), have no plans to sell it, taxes are paid current, and you must have a low to moderate income level.

Homes to be repaired are selected from applications submitted based on eligibility, need, extent of required repairs, etc. Examples of repairs that can be made are: painting, window and door replacement, applying siding, roof replacement, installing handicap access ramps, and yard clean up. No work is done on the interior portions of a home.

Repairs are made at no cost to the homeowner. Experienced carpenters are a part of each work crew and they supervise all work functions, helping insure quality in the work product and safety to all involved persons.

Homeowners who have applied in prior years and their home was not selected are encouraged to apply again. If your home would be eligible, application forms can be picked up in Comanche at City Offices, Higginbotham's Building Center, and Pate's Hardware. In DeLeon, they are available at City Offices, Pate's Hardware, and Comanche County Telephone.

Applications must be completed and returned to Community Rehab Project by April 1.

The Community Rehab Steering Committee has been working for several months planning for the success of this year's Project, but relies completely on volunteers and donations to accomplish its purpose. Now in its ninth year, Community Rehab Project anticipates nearly 400 volunteers, both youth and adults, to be involved.

Community Rehab Project is funded by donations (materials and monies) from generous community supporters. Volunteer participants pay a small fee to cover food and other ancillary expenses, and donation funds are primarily used to purchase the materials needed to repair the homes. Project size is only limited by available volunteers and financial support.

Donations may be sent to Community Rehab Project at P.O. Box 387, Comanche, TX 76442.

If you would like to know more information before deciding the amount to contribute, feel free to contact Neil Carroll - 325.356.2233 or Tim Beaty - 254.893.6285.

Requests for adult volunteers will be issued soon. Plan now to be a part of what could very well be a life changing week for you, working alongside our youth to improve our community.

Arther Ponds found his wife, Fonda Ponds, 67, dead on the entry porch to the couple's home on Apache Drive early Monday morning, February 25.

Ponds' death was the apparent result of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.

Arther Ponds called 9-1-1 Dispatch at 8:00 a.m. and DeLeon Police were dispatched to the scene.

Chief Ralph Dickey responded, and then called for the Comanche County Sheriff's Office to respond since the location was outside of DeLeon's city limits.

Deputy Ken Maltby responded to the second call.

According to Deputy Investigator Duane Fuquay, Ponds' husband stated she had a 6 a.m. medical appointment in Abilene and was suffering from cancer. He said he was not awakened by the gunshot, nor did anyone else in the area apparently report it.

A .38 caliber handgun was found at the death scene.

Justice of the Peace Bill Koenig responded to the scene and conducted an inquest. Autopsy results are pending but, according to Deputy Fuquay, Ponds' husband is not currently considered a suspect in her death.

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