Ruben, Aaron, and Liz Frausto
The Front Page
 |
Mountaineer Football |  |
Well it is time for some more Friday night football. The Mountaineers will travel to Zephyr for another non district game.
The Zephyr Bulldogs have had some pretty good teams in the past and I recall them coming to Santa Anna a time or two for a playoff game before we started playing six man. I think it was Zephyr versus Blackwell and it was the first six man game I had ever seen. I believe Zephyr won and remember how it seemed like such a fun game to play. Now after watching a lot of six man football over the last few years it looks like someone is cheating when I watch an eleven man game.
Anyhow the game will start at 7:30. The 2-1 Mountaineers ranked 21st are picked to win by 38 points over the 1-2 Zephyr team ranked 53rd by SixManFootball.com.
So get on your black and gold and we will see you at the game!
Ramble
Well there has been a lot going on in the city and at City Hall the last few weeks.
I can't hardly have an unbiased opinion since I live with one of those involved.
I try to be objective about most things and I generally try to see the positive side of everything. Let me start off by saying if you don't like what I have to say you can hit that little red x in the upper right hand corner at anytime, hit the back button to go back where you came from, or go somewhere else for all I care.
So... let me tell you what I know at least from where I am.
The first thing I hear from people everywhere is what is going on in Santa Anna and why? I ask myself those questions and sometimes even I don't know the answers.
What I do know is that one recently elected City Council Member has made accusations regarding City employees that are simply not true and based on nothing more than coffee shop gossip instead of facts.
You would think that one bad apple would not be all that big a deal and the rest, of what I consider to be intelligent members of the City Council, would stand up for what is right and what is wrong, but I guess I am giving them too much credit. You would also think that the city employees would stand up more for themselves, but I can tell you most of them wanted to quit after the last election and even though I encouraged at least one to be tough now I believe they all might have been better off...
I hear too that, "They must be doing something wrong or they wouldn't all be quitting...". The fact of the matter is they are tired of being harassed and harrasment is exactly what it has become and it is just not worth it anymore. Some say, "They make too much money..." but I can tell you that is not the case either.
Have you ever worked at a sewer plant? Have you ever crawled in a hole full of ice cold water all the way up to your neck in the middle of winter? How about took a cussing from someone because THEY didn't pay THEIR water bill and THEY got THEIR water cut off!
I know for a fact that at least one quit a better paying job to work for the City, has had opportunities to make more other places, and has CHOSE to work for the City because they wanted to!
I remember when my wife, Cindy, first went to work at the City. I had started working out of town and she had a job that she loved working in Brownwood at The Salon beauty shop in Commerce Square. She liked who she worked for and with and had several customers that she cared alot for, just like she does at City Hall now. She wanted a job a little closer to home so that she could be with the girls when they needed something and be there for school events. I tried to talk her out of it at the time and I remind her of it often, even sometimes when I shouldn't.
I can say also that you will never find anyone that will care more about Santa Anna and the City more than Cindy has. But now that the girls are grown and out of school, it just isn't worth it.
A few things to remember:
City Council Members make the policies of the City, set water and tax rates, and budgets.
The City Mayor rarely votes on these matters.
There is a difference in being vigilant and being a vigilante.
Hoe your own weeds.
Have a good weekend!
ATTORNEY GENERAL ABBOTT SEEKS COURT ORDER HALTING AUSTIN CREDIT DOCTOR
|
|||||||||
| AUSTIN - Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott today sued an allegedly fraudulent credit report repair company for falsely representing to consumers it can fix “negative” items on credit reports. By law, consumers are only entitled to have items removed that are inaccurate or obsolete. Steve H. McIntosh, owner of Austin Credit Doctor, has failed to register with the Texas Secretary of State as a bona fide credit repair company with security backing, which is a requirement before such companies may begin advertising their services, as McIntosh has.
“Consumers who seek to improve or repair their credit histories have a number of relief outlets available to them, including the work of nonprofit assistance organizations,” said Attorney General Abbott. “Profiting from low-income consumers while extending empty promises to them is a violation of the law and will not be tolerated in Texas.” McIntosh advertises in violation of the law by posting signs on utility poles in mainly East and South Austin, directing consumers to his Web sites: austincreditdoctor.com or americascreditdoctor.com. Further, he targets consumers in low-income neighborhoods with promises to restore their creditworthiness. Visiting the company’s Web sites, a consumer reads: “Credit issues? We have restored thousands of Americans’ credit reports. Discover how America’s Credit Doctor can improve yours.” The Web site further informs consumers that the business is a legitimate credit report repair company, “operating in accordance with all federal and state legislation,” which the Attorney General alleges is a blatantly false statement. McIntosh charges fees from $250 to $950 for a single person and up to $1,250 per couple for credit repair services. He collects these fees in advance and often exceeds the 180-day limit to complete the work, a violation of the law. He fails to inform consumers of an estimated time for completion of his services and does not provide disclosures required by the Texas Finance Code, such as an explanation of the services performed for the consumer and the total cost of those services. The law also requires McIntosh to disclose the name and address of the surety company that issued the surety bond, neither of which McIntosh has secured for services. In addition to allegedly repairing poor credit, McIntosh assures consumers his business can guarantee mortgage approvals, but he fails to disclose the inflated interest rates involved. The Attorney General seeks a court judgment ordering restitution to consumers harmed by McIntosh’s business practices, as well as penalties of $20,000 per violation of the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act and attorneys’ fees to the state. Consumers should get as much information about these companies as possible before signing a contract or agreement for services. Here are some useful tips: • Be wary of companies guaranteeing “100 percent” satisfaction on credit repair because the truth is, repairing bad credit is not easy and takes time. • Companies promising to fix “negative” items on your credit report are misleading you and may not be licensed to do business. Only items that are erroneous, inaccurate or obsolete (usually more than seven years old) may be corrected. • Check your credit history through credit bureaus, which collect such information from your creditors. You as a consumer have a right to take care of errors affecting your credit at that level. Why pay a credit repair company for doing something you can do at a small cost or for free? Consumers who believe they have been defrauded by such companies may file a complaint with the Attorney General by calling toll-free (800) 252-8011 or file a complaint online at www.oag.state.tx.us. |
|||||||||
NASA'S SPACE SHUTTLE ATLANTIS SET FOR THURSDAY LANDING
The Space Shuttle Atlantis, led by Commander Brent Jett, is scheduled to land at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Fla. on Thursday, Sept. 21, completing space shuttle mission STS-115. Touchdown is expected at about 6:21 a.m. EDT at Kennedy's Shuttle Landing Facility. Atlantis began its mission of nearly 12 days to the International Space Station on Sept. 9.
The shuttle was originally scheduled to land on Wednesday, Sept. 20, but waved off due to weather conditions and the presence of unknown objects near the shuttle. After additional inspection of the vehicle yesterday and today for possible orbital debris damage, the mission management team gave its approval for landing.
Landing is slated to occur on orbit 187 at the mission-elapsed time of 11 days, 19 hours, six minutes. The deorbit burn will occur at 5:14 a.m. EDT. A second Kennedy landing opportunity is available at 7:57 a.m. EDT, with the deorbit burn at 6:51 a.m. EDT.
Mission managers are expected to attempt a landing only at Kennedy Thursday unless there are technical reasons that would necessitate other plans.
If landing occurs as scheduled, this will be the 63rd landing at Kennedy in the history of the shuttle program. Atlantis will be serviced and prepared for its next mission, STS-117, set for February 2007.
About an hour after touchdown, the STS-115 crew members will undergo initial physical examinations and meet with their families. A post landing news conference with NASA Administrator Michael Griffin will be held no earlier than 8 a.m. EDT. A post-mission press conference with the STS-115 crew is scheduled at Kennedy's News Center no earlier than six hours after landing. Questions for both events will be taken only at Kennedy.
Kennedy's News Center will open for landing activities at 3 a.m. EDT Thursday, Sept. 21 and close at 4:30 p.m. EDT. The STS-115 mission badges are in effect through landing. The pass and identification building on State Road 3 will be open for media badging activities on Thursday from 3 to 4:30 a.m. EDT. The last bus will depart from Kennedy's Press Site for the Shuttle Landing Facility an hour before landing.
For the latest information on the STS-115 mission, visit:
http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle
City Property Taxes Raised, City Secretary and Mayor Resign
In Monday night's called meeting of the Santa Anna City Council the Santa Anna City Council voted to raise City property taxes by 4.345% for a tax rate of $.7756 per $100 in appraised value. Present for the meeting were Mayor Jean Findley, Council members Jim Spillman, Tom Bell, John Morris, and Nancy Wylie, City employees present for the meeting were Director of Public Works - Doug Watson, City Secretary - Cindy Pelton, and Chief of Police - Carlos Torres and a approximately 15 guests. Not present was Councilman Curtis Fellers who was thought to be out of town for work related business. A motion was made to accept the proposed tax rate by Councilman Spillman, seconded by Morris, with Bell and Wylie for the increase.
The tax rate increase was proposed in an earlier meeting of the Council with Fellers, Bell, Wylie, and Spillman voting for and Morris against. Monday's meeting was preceded by two public hearings, one on September 5th and another on September 12th which saw the Director of Public Works Watson resign along with three other employees including those certified to operate the city's water treatment and sewer treatment plants.
In Monday's meeting City Secretary, Cindy Pelton read her resignation followed by Mayor Jean Findley reading her's.
Most of those resigning have worked for the City for eight or more years for a combined total of more than 50 years of municipal service and experience.
The only remaining city employees are long time employee Tommy Davis who is nearing retirement, Chief of Police Torres and one part time officer, the part time Municipal Court Clerk, and the part time Municipal Court Judge both hired just last month.
|
Mountaineer Football | |
The Robert Lee Steers jumped out ahead of the Mountaineers Friday night to take a halftime lead of 26 to 12. The Mountaineers weren't going to give up all that easy though and fought back to tie it up 34-34 with 25.5 seconds left in the fourth quarter. The Mountaineers had their two first half kicks blocked and ran in their second half extra points which left Senior Rudy Enriquez on the spot for the tying extra point kick. The Steers had enough time to get off several plays including one with no time left, but the Mountaineer defense prevailed to Ned the game into overtime.
The Mountaineers didn't make it any easier on themselves to start off the first overtime by letting the Steers score on a 25 yard pass. A roughing the kicker penalty and successful Steer kick put the Mountaineers against the wall and 40 yards to go on their overtime possession. The Mountaineer offense showed lots of character and came back to score and Rudy sent another kick through the up rites to make the score 42-42 and send the game into it's second overtime.
This time the Mountaineers got to go first from the other end of the field and Senior Ben McIver connected with Senior Chris Morris on an 11 yard pass. Once again the kick failed which left the Mountaineers fate in the hands of the defense. The Steers scored another touchdown and made the kick to win the game 48-50.
The Mountaineers had lots of trouble taking care of Robert Lee's Sophomore tailback, #7 Josh Gallegos who had 40 carries for 271 yards, ran for 3 touchdowns, including a sixty nine yard gallop for the first score, and he passed for two touchdowns, had one safety, and kicked six extra points including the game winner.
McIver lead the Mountaineers with 21 carries for 161 yards and completed 13 of 18 passes for 141 yards.
See the Sports Page for photos of the game.
SSG Ruben Frausto Returns from Kuwait
SSG Ruben Frausto arrived home on Sunday September 10th from his year long deployment in Kuwait. His wife Liz and son, Aaron, were anxiously waiting his arrival with posters, balloons, and a Texas State Flag for him at the Rinehart Physical Center for a Welcome Home Ceremony.
Liz added, "I want to Thank you for Supporting our Troops. Continue to keep all of our Troops in your prayers so that they soon will return home to their loved ones."
Liz is from Coleman and did some student teaching in Sharon Greenlee's 3rd Grade Class three years ago while attending Angelo State. Liz is a teacher at Hugh Bish Elementary in Lawton Oklahoma. Her parents are Simon and Herlinda Martinez of Coleman.
Ruben, a 1990 SAHS graduate, is the son of Joe and Magdalena Frausto of Santa Anna and has been serving our country in the US Army since graduating. Ruben and Liz live in Lawton Oklahoma. He is stationed with the 1st Battalion, 77th Field Artillery, 75th BDE, Fort Sill, Oklahoma.
The unit, described as a Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) battalion in the 75th Field Artillery Brigade and III Corps Artillery, was deployed in last September to Camp Arifjan, Kuwait to provide logistical support such as housing, MWR(Morale, Welfare, Recreation) activities, and ensure force protection for Joint Forces stationed at the camp.
2006 SAHS Homecoming
Speaking of coming home, I am really getting excited about Homecoming. It is coming up in less than two weeks.
This year's Homecoming activities will start on the afternoon of Friday September 29th with a parade down Wallis Avenue at 2:00 PM followed by a pep rally at Mountaineer Stadium at 2:30. Parade prizes will be awarded at the pep rally for floats only this year: $150 - First, $100 - Second, and $50 - Third place.
There will be a recognition of former SAHS students during pre game ceremonies starting at 7:00. This year's Ex Student of the Year is Carolyn Woods Stone from the Class of 56. Coming Home Queen and King from the Class of 86 are Jeanene Jones Pricer and Russell Williams.
The Homecoming football game will feature the Mountaineers versus the Brookesmith Mustangs starting at 7:30 with SAHS Homecoming Queen to be crowned during halftime ceremonies.
Saturday will start up at 9:00 AM with registration and coffee at the Ex Student's Association Meeting at the Santa Anna High School. The meeting will begin at 10:00 in the High School Auditorium and will include recognition of this year's scholarship recipients, Ex Student of the Year, Homecoming King and Queen, faculty members, and classes. The Santa Anna Booster Club will serve lunch in the Old Gym.
This year's Ex Student Association Officers are Secretary Treasurer - Dennis Absher, 2nd Vice President - Lois Shields Harper, 1st Vice President - Betsy McIver Jones, President - James Pelton, and Directors Nancy Wylie and Curtis Fellers.
There will also be several reunions this year with one particularly large amount of interest being shown from the Classes of the 80's. This reunion effort is being lead by Charlotte Garrett Tucker and Deborah Bodine Stanton. The Classes of the 80's Reunion will be held at the Santa Anna Armory from 4-8 PM on Saturday. See Charlotte's 1980-1990 Class Reunion website for all the details.
There will also be a Homecoming Dance at the Armory from 9-12 featuring Rus Wristen and sponsored by the Ex Student Association. Rus is a DJ from Abilene that has been at the Homecoming Dance quite a few times several years ago and he offers quite a range of music. Cost of the Dance will be $5, no one under 18 without parent, BYOB - no glass containers, and security will be provided.
Portion Distortion:
Why Getting More Food for Your Money Could Be Waistful
Super-sized portions are thought to be one of the factors behind the rising prevalence of obesity in this country. While restaurants and fast food establishments are often blamed for large portions, research has shown that the sizes of food portions served at home are also increasing.
For many people, watching their food portions means weighing and measuring their food. However, there is an easier way to eat healthy portions of food. Come learn about the Healthy Weight Plate during "Portion Distortion, Why Getting More Food for Your Money Could Be Waistful," offered by Debbie Hailey, County Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences. Also included will be tips on Meal Planning. The program will be held Tuesday, September 19, at 6:00 PM, at the Loaves & Fishes, Corner of Pecan and Nueces St.
For more information about the program, call Debbie Hailey at 625-4519. Educational programs of Texas Cooperative Extension are open to all people without regard to race, color, sex, disability, religion, age or national origin.
Coleman 4H Club to Sell Poinsettias
The Coleman 4H club will be selling poinsettias from now through October 10th. The cost will be $10.00 per plant. The colors that will be available are red, pink or white. The profits that are made will be used to purchase toys for Coleman’s Citywide Toy Drive. What a beautiful way to decorate for Christmas!
You may purchase poinsettias from any Coleman 4Her or call the Coleman County Agriculture Extension office at 625-4519. The plants will be delivered to the Bill Franklin Center (at the rodeo grounds) on December 2nd. You may pick them up there or make arrangements with the 4Her you bought them from to deliver them. Payment is due when the plants are picked up.
Cooking Well with Diabetes
Classes offered to help people with diabetes plan healthful meals
For people with diabetes, maintaining healthy blood glucose levels is a matter of life and death. One way for people to better control their glucose levels is to eat healthful meals and snacks at regular times each day. To help local residents learn how to plan and prepare meals that can be enjoyed by people with and without diabetes, Texas Cooperative Extension is planning a four-part series of cooking classes called Cooking Well with Diabetes. The classes will be held at 5:30, September 25, October 3, 10, and 17, at the Senior Center, 916 S. Concho St. in Coleman.
The series will include cooking demonstrations as well as discussions of research findings on diabetes. For instance, recent research has shown that people with diabetes can enjoy a wide range of foods - including sugars - in moderation.
Years ago, the term "sugar diabetes" was in common usage because it was thought that eating too much sugar caused diabetes. In those days, people with diabetes were advised to avoid sugar all together.
Those days are gone, said Mary K. Bielamowicz, an Extension nutrition specialist. Research has shown that moderate consumption of sugars and fats can still be part of a healthful diet for people with diabetes, as long as they keep their blood glucose at healthy levels. Carbohydrates are found in grains, pasta, cereals, dairy products and vegetables, particularly starchy vegetables such as beans, corn, peas, potatoes and winter squash.
Protein foods such as meat, fish and poultry do not contain carbohydrates, unless other ingredients such as breading are added to those dishes. Many carbohydrate foods also contain fiber, which can help reduce blood cholesterol and blood glucose levels. Carbohydrate foods that contain high levels of dietary fiber include whole grains, fruits and vegetables. Because the body quickly absorbs the glucose from sugary and high-starch foods, eating large amounts of them can cause blood sugar levels to skyrocket. People with diabetes should consume some starchy or sugary foods including breads, potatoes, desserts and fruit juices only in moderation, experts say. Instead of abstaining from sugars and starches altogether, they should consume a balance of different kinds of carbohydrates, such as more whole grains, nonstarchy vegetables and whole fruits, and less starchy and sugary foods.
One way to keep a check on the amount of sugars in the foods you buy and eat is to read the nutrition labels on food packages carefully. Sugar is sometimes listed as sucrose, glucose, fructose, high fructose corn syrup, honey, lactose, maltose, dextrose and sugar alcohols such as sorbitol or mannitol.
Another way to reduce your sugar intake is to modify your recipes, Bielamowicz said. For example:
* When baking, reduce the amount of sugar by one-quarter to one-third.
* In cookies, bars or cakes, replace one-quarter of the sugar with nonfat dry milk. This cuts calories while increasing the calcium and protein in the finished product.
* Add extra flavorings or spices.
* Use unsweetened frozen fruit juice or fruit canned in its own juice instead of fruit canned in syrup.
* Replace some of the sugar in a recipe with fruit juices or purees.
Bielamowicz added that because diabetes is a problem of carbohydrate metabolism (how the body uses carbohydrates), eating about the same amount of carbohydrates at each meal will help maintain blood glucose levels throughout the day.
There will be a one-time Registration Fee of $15.00 for the series of classes, or $25.00 for a couple from the same household. This fee will be used for notebooks and hand-outs, and food to be prepared and served at each class. For more information on cooking with diabetes or on the Cooking Well with Diabetes series, contact Extension Agent Debbie Hailey, at 325-625-4519.
Update on Ethan
The last report I had on Ethan is that he is steadily improving. He is very alert and his coordination is getting better each day.
Ethan Mendoza, age 8 and a student at Santa Anna Elementary is currently hospitalized at Cook Children's Medical Center in Ft. Worth due to a diagnosis of Encephilitis. He has been there since early June and remains there for physical therapy and rehabilitation.
Ethan is the son of Sandi Watson of Santa Anna. Send well wishes to Cook Children's Hospital Center, Ethan Mendoza, Rm 6406, 801 7th Ave., Ft. Worth, TX 76104
As we return to the normal back to school activities please remember Ethan and his family as he recovers.
1 and 1 Web Hosting Service
Want your own dot com?
This is a great time to get it whether you just want it for an e-mail address of your own, like james@yourlastname.com, or for putting some family pictures on the web, or getting your business on the web
1 and 1 is by far your best bet!
Any questions just send me an e-mail and I will be happy to help you get started, or just click the 1 and 1 ad on the left, or any of the links in this article.
