[Marlin Democrat] - Construction to begin on new library

Construction to begin on new library
by Denise Schoppe
Staff writer

The Marlin Democrat
June 22, 2005

Ground was broken on the site of the new Marlin Public Library on Friday, June 10.

A large gathering of people attending the ceremony at the corner of Oaks and Capps Streets to celebrate the building of the new facility that should be completed by November of this year.

In attendance were many who have donated both time and money to make the new library possible.

J. T. Dickenson and Roy Topham were present to represent the Jane and John Justin Foundation which has continued the support that Jane Chilton Justin, a Marlin native and sister of Marlin Library Board member Pauline Coquat, had for the library.

The Brown Foundation was thanked for their donation in memory of Posh Oltorf, which will make possible the archive room in which the library’s collection of genealogical material, historical materials, Senator Tom Connally’s law library and volumes of old The Marlin Daily Democrat.

Elida Gonzales, who has made the new conference room possible, was in attendance as well as Michael Hines, manager of HEB, who presenting the Library with a $7,000 check for use towards the new computer lab. City and county officials came out to support the cause as well.

Friends of the Library, volunteers, former board members and past librarians came out to celebrate the new library, and current Library Board members turned the dirt to represent the first steps in construction.

Current board members are Beth Mullins, Gene Brown, Polly and Robert Brown, Pauline Coquat, Jimmie Fitzhugh, Anjanetta Lynn, Phyllis Macmillan, Bobbie Milton, Melanie Rose, Celia Stem and Noah Williams.

Library board president, Beth Mullins, gave a history of the Marlin Public Library which was established in 1928 by a group of 50 local women and was located in a part of the City Council meeting room. Sectioned off by a chicken wire cage and a screen door, the library held on reading table, a chair, a librarians desk and a few shelves a donated books.

In 1938, what was originally called the Library Study Club was reorganized into the Marlin Library Board made up of two representatives of each of the 11 local organizations.

One year later, Mullins said, a $5000 bond issue passed to build what is the current library building. Dr. Bolivar Falconer purchased the lot for $2000 and gave an additional $3100 toward the project. This was done with the agreement that the city would match his funds.

The city gave bricks from a burned disposal plant and city workmen as part of their funding of the library. The Works Progress Administration also gave $3750 toward the new library which was opened on May 2, 1941.

In 1957 the library was air conditioned, and in 1961 an addition to the building was made to bring it to 1,920 square feet in size. The city owns the building, and it continues to provide maintenance and funds towards its operation.

Mullins said that in times of segregation, when a library was needed for blacks, Dr. Falconer donated land and helped establish the Falconer-Stamps Library in 1947. The building was acquired from the War Assets Administration and was a Hearne POW Installation Building. The two facilities merged in 1972.

The contractor for the new library is Chris Martinez of Martinez Construction. The new library plan is available for viewing at http://www.marlintexas.com/library/. It will be automated, contain a conference room, computer lab, genealogy archival and it will double the current book stacks.

Projected date of completion is November of this year. The library board thanks everyone who has dontated towards the new library.

[Marlin Democrat] - Council votes to amend water rates to cover debt

Council votes to amend water rates to cover debt
by Denise Schoppe
Staff writer

The Marlin Democrat
June 22, 2005

The Marlin City Council unanimously approved an ordinance amending current water rates by 97 cents per 1,000 gallons of water used to help raise funds needed to pay $179,647 in Water and Sewer Debt Service by July 1, 2006.

An increase of $5.10 to citizen’s minimum bill was originally under consideration, but it was found that the increase would make the minimum amount paid for water at least $70 for residents.

The 97 cent increase per 1,00 gallons was proposed and at current water usage, City Manager Randall Holly said at the meeting, the city would be only $15,000 shy of the needed amount for payment of the debt. However, he pointed out that it has been a hot yea, and that water usage amounts are hard to predict based on the temperature difference from last year.

The changes in the rates, though, he explained, meant that those that use the water will pay for the water rather than everyone getting charged extra.

Holly recommended the ordinance be considered an emergency, and he pointed out that the rate can be lowered in the future if the city makes enough to cover their debt.

In a related issue, the council unanimously approved $31,000 be used from the Water Rehab Fund to purchase new water meters.

Holly informed the council that around 80% of residential water meters are over 25 years old and have stopped taking an accurate reading of water usage at homes. He said that commercial water meters are typically less than 15 years old. Holly said he felt changing out the meters would bring around a large return in water revenue.

In other action, the council received a report from James Glenn, water treatment plant supervisor, on the 2004 Annual Drinking Water Quality Report. Glenn answered questions about the city lake and the smell of city water. He said items out of compliance in the report will be put into compliance in the next year or two.

[Marlin Democrat] - Council continues discussions on fate of city staff members

Council continues discussions on fate of city staff members
by Denise Schoppe
Staff writer

The Marlin Democrat
June 22, 2005

The Marlin City Council continued discussing the reorganization of the city during a special workshop session of the council on Thursday, June 16.

Within a new proposal presented to the council by City Manager Randall Holly, the fire department is cut down to 10 members, the Street and Utility Maintenance Departments are combined, and an 8% tax increase is proposed.

In previous discussions, the fire department was proposed to either be cut completely or the staff cut in half to be only 6 drivers. Concerns from citizens and council members about the consequences of cutting the department resulted in the proposal being readjusted, by taking four positions from public works, and a compromise made of keeping 10 members of the department.

The new proposal would still require the city to rely on the Volunteer Fire Department to allow entry in a building to fight a fire. However, instead of the paid firefighters having to wait for the volunteers to be able to do anything towards battling a blaze, they could begin the first steps of fighting a fire with the added staff.

Holly also asked that the fire department be looked at as a possibility to help with the dispatch duties, as well as their enforcing of codes and helping take over janitorial and maintenance work.

However, the proposal recommended the closure of Station #2, located on Live Oak, east of the railroad tracks. Council members voiced their concerns about the delay in a response due the possibility of a train blocking fire engines from getting across town. They stated that was the reason for Station 2 being built in the first place.

Fire Chief Tony Holescher proposed to the council that the station could remain open if they would approve 11 firefighters kept on staff instead of 10, and that he change his hours of work. He explained that as of right now, he works 8 hours a day, 5 days a week. If he were placed on 24-hour combat, which means he’d work 24-hours, then off 48, he would be on duty for 52 hours a week instead of 40 hours a week, and he’d agree to do it at his current pay rate. This would aid in keeping Station 2 opens.

Marlin Police Chief Kerry Blakemore informed the council that his police staff has already dropped by four positions — two officers having found new positions elsewhere, and two due to being let go.

During closing public comments, Wesley Kingley, a Marlin police officer, recommended going to a public safety department versus a separate police and fire department. He explained that they all put their lives at risk every day in their jobs, and he suggested training the firefighters to be police officers, and training police officers to fight fires. He said he himself came to Marlin trained to be a firefighter, police officer and paramedic, he just preferred police work. The city of Woodway operates with a public safety department, and Holly said he would indeed look into it as an option for the future.

Increased revenue was also discussed during the workshop. Council members questioned the lack of code enforcement that has resulted in lots being overgrown and houses to fall into decay. It has also resulted in a lack of income from fines assessed to the property’s owners.
Holly proposed an 8% tax increase to add to the revenues within the General Fund. He explained that every penny of the current tax rate generates approximately $11,000. The tax increase would generate approximately $54,000.

The city has begun advertising for bids for the law maintenance of parks and cemeteries to see if it is more equitable to contract the work out or have it done by city employees.

[Marlin Democrat] Column - In one year...

In one year...

Nise's Notes
by Denise Schoppe

The Marlin Democrat
June 22, 2005

As of June 21, I’ll have been here at The Democrat for one year. Time seems to have flown by and the anniversary of my employment snuck up on me.

In the last year, I’ve experienced a lot which tells me it has indeed been a full year since I pulled up for the first time at the office and got out of my truck — nervous and excited all at the same time.

My first job in my career field, I felt — and still feel — I have a lot riding on my time here. I try to give the stories I write and the things I do my all, but admittedly do fall down on that here and there. Times of fatigue, shyness or just plain distraction take me away from my giving something my all. I’m still learning how to fight that; I’ll be learning how to fight it all of my days.

In the last year, though, I’ve done and learned a lot of things. I’ve professed my love for my cell phone, frustration with drivers not using a turn signal, and paid homage to my parents. I’ve ridden in a fire truck, been “arrested for good,” and revealed my inability to be on time.

I have discovered that if you pull at the way up to the line at the stoplight at the corner of Fortune Street and Business 6, you can get usually get a green light in seconds. I’ve learned many people’s names — and forgotten them all seconds later. I’ve gotten praise and criticism from opinions stated within my column, and I’ve made my mistakes within stories and the public records.

I have been a “waitress” for a morning, guest speaker to a lunch meeting, and I’ve visited the Hobby Unit — twice. City council meetings can actually be entertaining, and there is a really fun group of women in the clerks office I enjoy visiting every week.

I have met state representatives and been in the presence of the Secretary of State. I’ve done a story about a 100 year old woman, a junior high student going to Australia, and two boys that went to Washington DC. I attended Ag Awareness day where I saw a cow milked, and then watched elementary school students hold court.

There has been Relay for Life, National Night Out, MDA Lock-up, Market on Main Street and even a movie filmed right downtown!

Marlin has a spectrum of people living within its city limits. It is a cast of characters of which I’ve had the pleasure to meet many. Some of which I’d even dare call friends now. There are many more to meet, and I look forward to that.

Personally, I’m a year older, I have a different truck than I did when I started, and I have a great “personal life” that shines with the promise of more joy in the future. Friendships have come; friendships have gone. There has been heartache; there has been pure happiness.

It’s been an eventful first year here, and I have no idea what the next year is going to bring. However, I look at it with open arms, welcoming whatever life has to send my way. I take the good with the bad, and in the end will come out stronger than ever before.

Thanks, Marlin, for letting me be a part of your community for the last year. You’ve made me feel welcome and you’ve taught me a lot.