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DISD Announces Site for Proposed High School

and Preliminary Building Plan

Special to the Free Press
By DR. RANDY MOHUNDRO

The DeLeon Independent School District has received tentative agreements with property owners to purchase property that would be utilized if the upcoming bond election is successful. The property includes the current site of the Northside Baptist Church. The property, which borders the existing “new gym”, would proceed east and include the remainder of the block, excluding for Dr. Smith’s Dentist Office.

The site would provide the school district with frontage on Texas Street/Tx. Hwy. 16 for increased visibility.

The selection of a site inside of the city limits and adjacent to the existing school was based on budget and programming needs of the school district. By constructing a new high school adjacent to the new structure in the district, the facility will be incorporated into the overall site plan for the facility.

The district is able to save money by using a site within the city limits with utilities and access already provided to the site. The cost of bringing utilities to raw land had been analyzed by the district with project costs being over $100,000 for utilities alone, and an additional $75,000 - $125,000 for roads and driveways to access the property. The selection of this site allows the district to save money and benefit the community in the process.

The building being proposed for the site would be 52,687 square feet. It would contain 13 standard classrooms, two science labs, a consumer science/homemaking classroom, library, technology lab, distance learning lab, band hall, and cafeteria/multi-use space that would accommodate 300 individuals. …

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County Burn Ban Lifted,
Commissioners Give Green Light to Deputy Constable

By JERRY MORGAN, Reporter

COMANCHE -- It was raining when the subject of extending the total outdoor burn ban came up for consideration, more rain was predicted, and the county's Emergency Services Coordinator recommended the burn ban be lifted. The quick result was that the Commissioners voted unanimously and without discussion to let the burn ban expire immediately.

While the Commissioners meeting continued, pages were sent out to the county fire departments advising them of the change.

The Comanche County Commissioners Court met on Monday, April 27, 2009, in the County Courtroom with County Judge James Arthur conducting the meeting. Commissioners Jimmy Dale Johnson, Sherman Sides, Kenneth Feist and Corky Underwood were present and participating.

Other county officials present included County Clerk Ruby Lesley, Sheriff Jeff Lambert, County Attorney Craig Willingham, Constable Mark McDonald, County Treasurer Billy Ruth Rust, Justice of the Peace Bill Koenig, Chief Deputy Chris Pounds, Dispatch supervisor Tammy Poteet, County Auditor assistant Sarah Williams and Commissioners and Emergency Services assistant Trish Grimshaw. …

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Candidates Forum Focused on School and Alcohol Issues

By JERRY MORGAN and LAURA KESTNER

A larger than normal crowd attended the Candidates Forum held by the Womens' Division at DeLeon City Hall last Friday night, April 24, 2009.

CANDIDATES FORUM. Forum moderator Marsha England, standing at table, opens the Friday evening candidates forum at DeLeon City Hall.

Although billed as a candidates forum, there is only one contested local election and relatively little time and attention was focused on it. The twin issues of the $6 million school bond and the initiative to authorize the sale of alcoholic beverages garnered the most attention, and those who appeared to be in opposition to both were the most vocal and numerous.

City Council Election

Marsha England served as moderator of the forum. She announced the ground rules and then read statements from two city council candidates.

The first statement read was from Bobby Schuman, unopposed candidate for City Council Place 4, who emphasized his business experience and public service as a county commissioner, as well as his concern for the financial condition of the city.

The second statement read was from Gayle Stroud, candidate for City Council Place 5. She opened with an apology and explanation for her absence, then told how her service was out of love for her home town and her desire to see it grow and become a better place to live, listing the recent completion of the new city park and the challenge of upgrading the wastewater treatment plant.

Marion Quade, also a candidate for City Council Place 5, spoke to the assembly, noting that she did not have the experience of length of residence as her opponent, but did share a love of the city and its people and a desire to serve and participate in making good decisions. …

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Council Discusses Trees at Community Park,

Searches for New Tax Assessor-Collector

By LAURA KESTNER, Editor

DeLeon City Councilman Lee Childers “switched hats” for a moment at the recent council meeting and spoke during the “Citizen’s Presentation” portion regarding his activities as a member of the local Lions Club.

All council members -- Gayle Stroud, Billie Lightfoot, Pauline Villarreal, Mayor Danny Owen and Childers -- were present for the meeting, as were Linda Levens, executive director of the DeLeon Chamber of Commerce; Karen Wilkerson, city administrator and secretary; Ralph Dickey, police chief; Ray Helberg, emergency management coordinator; and Rob Duncan, public works administrator.

Childers discussed the flag program that generates funds for the Lions Club’s many worthy endeavors, saying they could use more participation from the citizens of DeLeon. Childers and Mayor Owen noted that the flags help beautify the town, and serve as a reminder that DeLeon is filled with proud and patriotic Americans. …

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Grand Jury Returns 17 Indictments

The Comanche County Grand Jury met on Thursday, April 23, 2009, and the following list of 17 indictments naming 16 individuals, including three from DeLeon, were released by District Clerk Brenda Dickey.

Billy Glen Williams, Jr., DeLeon, Possession of Methamphetamine, Less Than One Gram

Leamon Merle Withers, DeLeon, Aggravated Sexual Assault of Child (three counts)

Leamon Merle Withers, DeLeon, Indecency with a Child by Contact

Simon Bill Gonzales, DeLeon, Possession of Marijuana 5 lbs. or Less but more than 4 oz.

…

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Danny Owen, the Mayor of De Leon, has a personal website.

Open Danny's website by Clicking Here

Scott Hall has creating an Internet website with history & photos of our town.

Click Here to visit his website

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