[Marlin Democrat] -- Council accepts bid for construction of nine new homes

Council accepts bid for construction of nine new homes

By Denise Schoppe
Staff Writer

The Marlin Democrat
August 18, 2004

A bid made by J. W, Turner Construction, Ltd., of Tomball, Texas, for the construction of nine homes for the City of Marlin’s HOME Owner-Occupied Investment Partnership Program was unanimously accepted at the August 10 Marlin City Council Meeting.

Bids were opened on July 13, and four bids were made. They ranged from $50,000 down to $42,840. JW Turner Construction made the lowest bid.

Despite being the lowest bid, the cost may rise as things are added to the construction of the homes.

All nine houses will have the same floor plan and will be three bedroom homes. 960 square feet in size, the homes will have appliance such as a stove, refrigerator and air conditioning provided.

The homes will be built using minimum Texas building standards as well as the 2003 International Residential Building Codes.

Home owners will be given the chance to make choices like paint color to personalize their homes. Construction is being pushed forward as many of the new residents will be elderly and are in need of new homes now.

There will be pre-construction conference at a date to be announced later.

In other action, the council:

— unanimously approved the modification of the current City Ordinance on Fireworks Regulation to include the airport as an area where fireworks are banned from use. Signs will be posted on the property reminding citizens of the change.

— approved the adoption of the The Heart of Texas Council of Governments Hazard Mitigation Program

— approved the bid for the Harold Kasner home from Jerrod Stephens, the sole bidder

— tabled the request for an increase of the size of the property leased to Falls County Youth Fair until more information regarding the current lease could be provided

— tabled until the next meeting the proposed burn ordinance within the city limits of Marlin to allow more information regarding permits and fines to be gathered

The Marlin City Council meets the second Tuesday of every month at City Hall. The meetings are open to the public and all interested citizens are encouraged to attend. The next regularly scheduled meeting will be September 14.

[Marlin Democrat] Column -- Very nice to meet you

Very nice to meet you
Nise's Notes
by Denise Schoppe

The Marlin Democrat
August 18, 2004

One year ago last Saturday (Aug. 15), my career as a student ended. That morning, at 9:00 am, I lined up — as the proudest member of Fightin’ Texas Aggie Class of 2003 (Whoop!) — with over a thousand fellow graduates to walk across that stage and receive my diploma. It had been a long time coming, and it was an accomplishment earned after dozens of sleepless nights, hundreds of exams, heartaches, happiness, tears, laughter and thousands of dollars.

Approximately 10 months later, my professional career began when I came to work at the Democrat. I’ve been here over a month, and I still have not properly introduced myself. For weeks, readers of the Democrat have seen my column and heard me ramble about cell phones, fire trucks and teachers (among other things). So it is at this time, in a moment of reflection, not to mention with a major case of writer’s block, that I would like to introduce myself a little better.

As you probably gathered from above, I am a 2003 graduate of Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas. Before that I was a 1999 graduate from CH Yoe High School in Cameron. (Yes, my blood runs a deep maroon.) I still live in Cameron and commute every day to Marlin for work. It’s a short drive compared to the trip I took every day for two years to College Station to go to class.

I like to drive. I enjoy getting behind the wheel of my truck. It is just me, my radio and the highway in front of me. It’s fun, and as a result I’ve gotten to see a lot of this state - or at least I have gotten to explore the Central Texas area.

I was born in Marlin, and therefore finding myself back in Marlin to start my professional career definitely gives me a feeling of irony. However, it is also comforting as there are many people here I do remember from years ago, and I must say that I’ve been made to feel so welcome that it often feels like I’ve been here for years.

However, I grew up in Cameron and I have a lot of history there. My grandpa was the milkman, and my parent’s own a bookkeeping and tax service there. I have an older brother that I look up to, a sister-in-law that I consider to be one of my best friends, and a niece and nephew that I think hung the moon.

I’m a fairly quiet person, and I am most often content to sit back and watch everything going on around me. However, I do like meeting new people and my position here at the Democrat has afforded me the chance to do that with so many people here in Marlin. I look forward to meeting more people as time passes.

I told a friend awhile back that I may have grown up in Cameron, but it is in Marlin that I feel I’ve found acceptance. I do believe that if anyone asks me what the best part of Marlin is I’d have to echo what many other people have said - it’s the people. I am consistently left with a shocked, yet pleased, smile on my face as everywhere I go people say hello. When I drive through the streets, people wave. The kind and friendly way I’ve been treated here is something that will stay with me forever.

I thank everyone for welcoming me so kindly and making me feel like I’ve lived here all my life. I’ll see you on the streets of town.