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Early voting ends May 5
Monitor Staff Reports
CEDAR CREEK LAKE–The last day to cast ballots in person during early
voting is Tuesday, May 5.
Voting for seats on city councils and school boards are being held at
their respective city halls and school administration offices.
Mabank and Malakoff school districts are holding elections, as are the
cities of Kemp, Eustace, Log Cabin Malakoff, Seven Points, Tool and
Trinidad.
• Seven Points and Trinidad are open for early voting, 7 a.m. - 7 p.m.,
Tuesday, May 5. Trinidad also has extended voting hours on Monday, May
4.
Registered voters may present either their voter registration card or
state/license identification at the polling place to cast ballots,
either electronically or by paper ballot.
A candidates forum was held in Kemp April 28, and a meet and greet event
was set for 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 2, on the Eustace City
Square.
Polls open again at 7 a.m. election day, Saturday, May 9, and close at 7
p.m.
Check the Thursday, May 14, issue of The Monitor for complete election
results.Cornbread, Tomahawk
fests held despite rain
By Pearl Cantrell
Monitor Staff Writer
MALAKOFF–Torrential downpours early Saturday, April 25, threatened to
douse the 12th annual Cornbread Festival in Malakoff, but by noon strong
sunshine exerted its influence and ruled the rest of the day.
Competitors in the 10th annual Texas State Knife and Tomahawk
Championship are hardy folk made of the same stuff that civilized a
wilderness and were not daunted by the downpour. Of course a Rotary Club
Pancake Breakfast held nearby indoors may have contributed to its
success.
Monitor Photo/Michael Hannigan
Carson Kirk, 7, of Austin, warms up for competition in Malakoff April
25. His mother Christine holds his gear.
Competitors ranged in age from 5 to 72.
Downtown on Mitchum Street, vendors lined the sidewalks and festival
visitors enjoyed browsing the outdoor fare of antiques, food booths,
plants and crafts.
Live musical entertainment, dunking booth and more entertained
festival-goers.
Of course, the Cornbread Contest is the headliner, and this year Rhonda
Wilcox took the top prize with her Broccoli Cornbread. Kris Tomlinson of
Trinidad took second place with her Mexican Cornbread and Arlene Salazar
Luster of Log Cabin also placed with her Onion Cornbread.
 Monitor
Photo/Michael Hannigan
Terry Collins, of Port Angeles, Wash., watches the flight of his
tomahawk during the Texas State Knife and Tomahawk Championship April
25. Looking on, his son Darren (left) was also a competitor from
Waxahachie.The annual event, along with a pancake breakfast, is
sponsored by the Malakoff Rotary Club.
Other contests included the Crazy Hat Contest, the Best Pet contest
and the Cornhole Tournament.
A “Corn King and Queen” were also crowned. Crowns went to 10-year-old
Riley Robertson of Longview and to Sarah Davis, 2, of Malakoff.
Council names asst. chief
Damon Boswell police chief
Three council members attend last meeting
By Pearl Cantrell
Monitor Staff Writer
GUN BARREL CITY–It’s official. The Gun Barrel City council named Damon
Boswell police chief.
The announcement followed an executive session Tuesday.
 Boswell
has been assistant chief since October, and has filled in as leader of
the department since Mabelle Lane took an extended leave of absence for
health reasons and upon her return was named to fill a new city job as
public relations officer.
Boswell has worked in the city police department since 1999, nearly 10
straight years.
The decision to name a police chief was also on the agenda two weeks
ago, but action was tabled, following a closed session.
In other business, council members:
• gave the green light to conduct a speed limit study on roads in the
Loon Bay Subdivision.
Preliminary readings show that on average traffic is running at 35 mph,
Boswell reported. Council members discussed standardizing speed limits
in neighborhoods to 20 mph or 25 mph to answer driver confusion when
different speeds are posted.
“Give us time to do the study and talk to the POA before making a
decision,” city manager Gerry Boren said.
Councilman Todd Hogan suggested installing electronic signs clocking
speeds, so drivers become aware of their speed and the speed limit.
Councilman Melvyn Hayes, who also drives a school bus, strongly opposed
suggestions to install speed bumps. “They’re murder on buses carrying 50
kids,” he said.
Harry McCune addressed the council, saying he supports a reduction in
the speed limit and increased enforcement. “I think if we can get
drivers to stay at 35 mph on Meadow Lake (the straight away into Loon
Bay), it will be just right,” he said.
• adopted a resolution to apply for a grant from the GO TEXAN rural
community awards program.
• accepted Julia Preston’s resignation from the park board. Preston
wrote, “Thank you for giving me the opportunity as a younger person to
sit on the board, however, it does not appear that younger adults have a
voice in the scheme of things.”
• noted this is the last meeting for three members leaving the council:
Todd Hogan, Charles Townsend and Kathy Cochran decided not to seek
re-election.
Gratitude was expressed for their terms of volunteer service to the city
as representatives.
New members being seated at the next meeting on Tuesday, May 12, include
former councilman Marty Goss, Curtis Webster and newcomer Marvin Pace. |