[Marlin Democrat] -- Main Street takes center stage at council meeting

Main Street takes center stage at council meeting

By Denise Schoppe
Staffwriter

The Marlin Democrat
February 16, 2005

Marlin Main Street was at the center of multiple agenda items when the Marlin City Council met for their regular session on Tuesday, Feb. 8.

The Marlin sign ordinance was amended during the meeting to define the meaning of illuminated signs, which are not allowed by the city ordinance.

The ordinance had previously been written to not allow illuminated signs as to be in compliance with Main Street guidelines. Main Street manager Amanda Jeffers explained that the ordinance was in place to help in maintaining the look and unique feel of Main Street.

However, the definition of what did or did not fall under the umbrella of an illuminated sign was left open to interpretation. A request by H&R Block to put up a sign brought up the question of what an illuminated sign exactly was, and the definition was added to the ordinance to help stop further questions.

The definition states that back-lit, interior illumination and LED-lit signs are prohibited. However, neon signs are allowed by this definition.

In other action regarding Main Street, the board unanimously approved accepting the status of a Texas Main Street City. Marlin has previously been known as a Main Street Graduate.

The City Council also unanimously approved the addition of Tanya Baker, Lucille Williams and Shirley Masters to the Main Street Advisory board. Jeffers said the women will be excellent additions to the board due to their experience and talents.

In other action the council:

- unanimously approved three contract agreements with KSA for work on the transmission main from the water plant to town; the water treatment plant, storage tank and distribution lines; and on the wastewater treatment plant.

- unanimously approved granting TRC an authorization for change-in-scope archeological survey requirements and cost estimates for the Brushy Creek Watershed Project as the Texas Historical Commission is requiring excavations which will cost an additional $84,000. There is sufficient money to cover the required work.

- approved, with one member abstaining, the authorization for Evans out of Waco to handle required motor repairs on a pump at the water treatment plant.

- unanimously approved cancelling a maintenance agreement with Utility Service Co. Inc. for maintenance work on the Depot and Royal Street water towers.

[Marlin Democrat] -- Local student turns to community for assistance in making upcoming trip

Local student turns to community for assistance in making upcoming trip

By Denise Schoppe
Staffwriter

The Marlin Democrat
February 16, 2005

When Sarah Trice-Childs received a letter inviting her to participate in People-to-People Student Ambassadors program, she drew on the strength and determination that had gotten her through many trials in her young life to secure herself a spot as one of 40 American junior high students to travel to Australia and New Zealand in the summer of 2005. Now, however, she needs the continued help of the community to get her the rest of the way.

Trice-Childs began in October 2004 needing a total of $4995, a total that quickly changed to $5195. She now sits at approximately half of the total funds raised, and less than two months to raise the rest.

"She's never been able to do anything special," her mother said. "This is her chance and she's excited."

Trice-Childs is 12 years old and a Leukemia survivor. She has a thyroid disease and a minor heart problem. However, despite her health problems, she is on the A/B honor roll at Marlin Middle School, and she sits first chair playing trombone in the band. She has been active in the community by running voting boxes during the elections, and attending church and vacation bible schools all around town. Her accomplishments garnered her the respect of the People-to-People Student Ambassador program. After filling out an application form and going through an interview process, she was chosen out of those given invitations to fill one of the coveted spots.

She will get to go on a 20-day trip in which she will, among other things, visit the Sydney Opera House and the site of the 2000 Summer Olympics, get acquainted with koala bears and kangaroos, become immersed in the Aboriginal culture as hearing their stories and learning their dances, live with a host family, master the boomerang and be offered a chance to snorkel in the unique and colorful coral reefs off the shores of the islands.

These things, however, are just a bit part of what her trip will be all about. Trice-Childs is currently attending monthly meetings in which she, along with other ambassadors, are being taught correct facial expressions and handshakes. She will shake Parliment's hand as a representative of not only the United States, but of Texas, and Marlin itself.

"I want nothing more than to be a Student Ambassador for the people of this great country and to carry my Christianity with me," Trice-Childs said.

However, her family can not afford to send her on the trip without the help of the community. They are grateful for the money that has already been donated, which has been partly used to go towards Trice-Childs' passport, lugguage and required uniform.

"The students get one People-to-People shirt given to them for free," her mother explained, "but the rest that they need must be purchased at no small fee. We are turning to the community for help, as Sarah will be representing our community in another country."

Trice-Childs and her family would like to thank the following people for their generous donations so far:

Joan Garrison, Glen Hicks, Judge Tom Sehon, Lucille Williams, County Clerks Office, Sue Morgan, Stephen Bethke, D. W. Shaeffer, Connie Christian of Christians Auto Sales, Patricia and Frankie Diagrando, Mr and Mrs Gaeke, County Commissioner Tom Zander, County Commissioner Coker, Mary Tate, Mr. Edwards of Western Auto, Big Red Co. of Waco, Elizabeth Allen, Edward Hayes Jr, the Marlin Volunteer Fire Department, Betty Cohn, JoAnnas Creative Styling, Dr. Killian DVM and Russell Hunt Attorney in Waco.

Also Gafford Auto Parts, Ricky and Donna Mills, Ham and Sarah Norton, Jim and Florance Bird, Roger Nutt with Williams Feed, Erwin and Virgie Morris, Whitney Fanning Attorney in Waco, Milton and Cara Sue Albright, Judge Allan 54th District Court in Waco, Gary and Linda Scott, Jane Young of Young Optical, and Ashley Contella.

Others include Nadine Streater, Woodson Bray, Margaret Grohoske, Willis Reese and family, Pauline Coquat, Bargers All Sports in Waco, Harry Reed, Charles Ray Evans of Evans Texaco, Waco Auto Imports, Dr. William Baur MD and Dorman Davidson.

Anyone wishing to help Trace-Childs on her way to Australia and New Zealand as a People to People Student Ambassador may do so by donating at Members Choice Federal Credit Union, Attention: Sarah Trice-Childs Fundraiser, 212 Virginia St., Marlin.

To help make this dream come true, you may donate any amount you like, and your name is registered and recorded at the bank so the family will know you donated.

[Marlin Democrat] Column -- Cows are common in Central Texas

Cows are common in Central Texas
Nise's Notes
by Denise Schoppe

The Marlin Democrat
February 16, 2005

“Cow . . . Another cow.”
“Actually, I think it was the same one.”
“I gotta go Julia, we got cows.”

That is probably my favorite part of the movie, ‘Twister’. Three words: We got cows.
Here in Texas... we got cows. Lots of them, in fact.

Last week, as I drove to work in the morning, I met a cow on Highway 77 north of Rosebud. That may not surprise anyone, but imagine a cow running perfectly down the center of the other lane. That’s exactly what I saw.

I was cruising down the highway, silently cursing myself for once again running late, when I looked up and saw a cow coming towards me. I wasn’t afraid, just surprised. Especially when it took a left and crossed between me and the suburban I was following. It didn’t changed pace until it trotted over to the fence and came to a stop.

I stared at it. I blinked slowly. Then with an amused chuckle I realized that it drives down the highway better than most humans. Short of it having not used a turn signal, it executed a perfect and beautiful left turn. Which, since hardly anyone uses turn signals these days, I guess that little mistake is excusable.

Before I take off on the tangent of driving habits, let me get back to the topic at hand. Cows.

I visited with friends from Indiana not long ago, and I was amused to listen to them tell me a tale of a friend of their’s being so amazed by cows.

“There’s so many of them!”
“Look at the cows!”

I admittedly could not hold back my giggles as being amazed by cows, to me, is like being amazed to find the grass is green. I remember as a child riding down country roads and having adults point and go, “Look! Moo-cows!”

I always gave a look of disinterest. Aside from the fact that it was far from the first cow I’d ever seen, and I never understood the need of the word “Moo” before cow.

Cows moo. It’s a fact. Until someone can show me a cow that says “Meow,” I’m going to leave that discriptive word off when I speak of these animals that bring steak to our plates and milk to our glasses.

I’ve offended a vegitarian somewhere, and for that I apologize. However, it’s a fact. Much like its a fact that we have cows, and there are indeed people who are amazed by this. There are people who grew up in other states or even deep in the cities of Texas — Houston, San Antonio, Austin, Dallas — that have not seen cows and they are amazed by them. What is, to me, as common and expected as having air to breathe, is to them as foreign as a little green man from Mars. They look at these four legged creatures with awe.

As I stiffle my laughter, I also respect that we all come from different backgrounds. One of these days, I’ll go somewhere and be amazed by something that is common to the locals. It could be something as huge as going on a safari and seeing girafes, or it could be simple as going skiing and seeing snow. Whatever it is, I’ll look upon it with the amazement and awe of a child. They’ll get a good chuckle from my reactions, and I’ll have only one thing to say in response.

“We got cows.”