|
|
|
Environmental Co-op
celebrates 10th anniversary
Special to The Monitor
KAUFMAN–Many know the Co-op as Kaufman County Solid Waste
Management Cooperative, Inc.
That is the name the organization started with, but in 2005, the board
of directors decided to shorten the name to Environmental Co-op to make
the organization easier to remember.
“Most people thought we were a trash-hauling company when they heard the
long name,” executive director of the non-profit organization Marilyn
May said.
“We are not a trash hauler. In fact, we were established to manage the
Kaufman County 20-year solid waste plan,” she said. “That is a document
outlining how the county will minimize the solid waste created in the
county, and minimize the amount of that material going to the landfill.”
Kaufman County does not have a landfill in the county, and hopes not to
have to build one, May said.
“Therefore, all the trash accumulated in this county has to be either
recycled or sent to Dallas or Ellis counties for landfilling,” May said.
“It’s much more constructive to recycle any waste materials instead of
sending them to be landfilled.”
March 13, the Environmental Co-op celebrated its 10th anniversary during
the annual membership meeting.
Kaufman County Judge Wayne Gent spoke to the organizations membership
about what Environmental Co-op has done for the county in the past 10
years.
Gent talked about all the grant funding the Co-op has brought into the
county, totalling $1.5 million, which has been used for environmental
education, equipment and convenience stations.
Grant funding has created all types of programs, from composting to
recycling, to building a new Eco Station and household hazardous waste
facility in the Kemp area off U.S. Highway 175 last year.
Precinct 2 Commissioner Ray Clark was also present for the meeting.
Environmental Co-op is a member owned 501(c)(3) non-profit organization
that accepts citizens to membership.
If you have an interest in becoming a part of an environmental
organization that is keeping pace with environmental issues and new and
innovative recycling information, please call (903) 524-0007, or e-mail
environmentalcoop@cebridge.net for membership information.
Mailbox smashing teens
arrested
Special to The Monitor
CANTON–Five Van Zandt County teens were arrested March 16, by Precinct 2
constable C.B. Wiley. They were charged with criminal mischief.
Wiley said at 3:45 p.m. March 15, he answered a complaint by Arron
Easley and others saying they witnessed five teen boys bashing mail
boxes. They were going north on VZ County Road 2501, driving a silver
older model Ford four-door car.
Easley was able to get a license plate number, which he gave to Wylie.
Wiley said with the information he was able to identify the suspect’s
car owner, who identified the actors.
After the investigation started, Wiley said he took 16 complaints of
mail boxes being smashed on county roads 2411, 2522, 2501 and 2502.
Some of the mailboxes had a value of more than $125.
Other criminal mischief cases were being investigated at different
locations.
One of the teens, 16, was arrested by Capt. Lester Alexander with the VZ
Sheriff’s Department, charged with theft and placed in the Grand Saline
Juvenile Detention Unit.
Another complaint was taken by Canton Police Officer Charlie Brown on
criminal trespassing and threats made to one of the boy’s stepfather.
Another complaint taken on the same car was a gas drive-off from
Wal-Mart.
Due to the boys being teens, their names could not be released.
Wylie said when you add the time, labor, cost of the mailbox, loss of
mail, mailbox stands and posts, it is easily more than $125.
Many of the owners of these mailboxes are elderly and depend on them for
Social Security checks and other mail.
You should report all incidents of this nature.
The five teenagers were charged with criminal mischief. This charge
carries a fine of $500 for each offense filed. These subjects could face
fines of more than $8,000 each.
If these charges were filed in federal court as interfering with the
delivery of U.S. Mail, the boys could face two to 10 years in a federal
penitentiary at Leavenworth, Kan. Usually, the government lets these
cases stay in the county.
Precinct 2 Justice of the Peace Ronnie Daniels stated he would hear each
case. In addition to the fines, three months probation will be assessed.
They will also have to face the victims and replace the mailboxes, then
report to Wiley.
“Many of these kids are not thinking they could mess up their lives over
a mailbox, but county citizens are tired of replacing mailboxes every
week while kids ‘have fun,’” Wiley said.
If you have information on mailbox smashing or stop sign theft or any
theft, call Wiley at (903) 848-HELP, or the VZ Sheriff’s office at (903)
565-4133.
Concert at the pavilion July
5th
Special to The Monitor
MABANK–We all know what a great time summer is on Cedar Creek Lake, and
this year will be no exception, because from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday,
July 5, local area businesses and entertainers will again be hosting the
second annual “Free Concert on the Lake.”
This year, the event will be staged from the pavilion at Tom Findley
Park in Gun Barrel City.
The bands will play to the water side, allowing boaters and floaters the
opportunity to watch and listen to some of the finest entertainment in
the area.
It’s also a great place to just hang out and picnic!
There will be lots of prizes and give aways, and organizers are even
trying to put together a “Regatta,” which will consist of a race by
entrants who must build their own (no store bought) human powered boats!
Entertainment already signed up for this year’s show includes Dino
“Danger” Perelli, A.J. and the Badcats, Déjà Vu, and Stagecoach Karaoke.
Last year’s event was a great success and we look forward to a huge
crowd this year on the biggest weekend on the lake!
There will also be an opportunity for local vendors to set up booths
from which they can sell food, souvenirs, etc., with the only
stipulation being that they must donate 10 percent of their proceeds to
the Tom Findley Park fund.
This is a limited space opportunity.
Organizers are also looking for additional sponsors, vendors and bands,
so if you’re interested in participating or have any questions, just
call Dino Perelli at (903) 399-2732, or e-mail him at
Dino@BestLakeInTexas.com
and get on board for a great, fun, time on the July Fourth weekend! And
it’s all free.
Come Adopt
Us At
The Humane Society of Cedar Creek Lake |
|
 |
 |
|
My name is Nelson. I am a
beautiful male Dachshund. I was brought to the shelter by animal
control, so I have no history. So far, I seem pretty laid back
and gentle. I am a wonderful boy looking for my new forever
home. |
My name is Oreo. I am a beautiful
female black Lab. I was brought to the shelter by animal
control, so I have no history. I seem to get along with other
dogs. I need help with leash training. I have been started on my
shots and need to be fixed. I am a beautiful girl looking for my
new home. |
|
 |
 |
|
We are a whole litter of Shepherd
mix babies. We were brought to the shelter by animal control, so
we have no history. We have been started on our first set of
shots. We are good kids looking for our new forever homes. |
I am a beautiful Border Collie,
who is four months old, or so. I was brought to the shelter by
animal control, so I have no history. I have not been at the
shelter long, so not much is known about me. I am a beautiful
kid looking for a new home. |
|
Pictured are just a few
animals at the Humane Society of Cedar Creek Lake in Seven
Points in dire need of a good home. Please call or stop by the
Humane Society today and rescue one of these forgotten animals.
The Humane Society of Cedar Creek Lake is located on 10220
County Road 2403 in
Seven Points. For more information, please call (903) 432-3422
after 11 a.m.
We are closed on Wednesday and Sunday.
For further information
visit our website at
petfinder.com |
|