People, Places & Events

Kiwanis consider kid clothing drive
Monitor Staff Reports
GUN BARREL CITY–With the club’s emphasis on aiding children, the Cedar Creek Lake Kiwanis members spent much of their weekly meeting Wednesday talking about providing clothing for needy children.
Last year, the club asked teachers to refer the names of children to be helped through the club’s Project School Bell, and project chair Shannon Steakley asked members for input on any changes or additions.
Steakley noted the Rotary Club of Cedar Creek Lake provides clothing for needy children, recalling her service in that project as being most uplifting.
She asked whether the club wanted to join with Rotarians for a joint effort, but the Rotary project does not benefit children in Eustace or Trinidad schools, where the Kiwanis club has K Kids organizations.
Lisa Rhodes said the club should consider holding its benefit drive during the school year, perhaps in October or February.
Many children leave local schools and return (often several times) during the year as they are shifted from living with parents to grandparents or from grandparents to aunts/uncles.
“These kids come in literally with nothing but the clothes on their backs as they are bounced back and forth,” she said. “There is a definite need.”
Teachers and counselors would determine the children most in need, and the club would have to decide how much money would be available for the project, Rhodes said.
“This year is going to be different, with the high cost of gas,” Laddie Davis pointed out. “We’re going to see needs we didn’t have before.”
In other business, club members:
• heard a report on nominations for next year’s officers and directors. Nominations will be voted on at next week’s luncheon session at the Lakeridge RV Park’s community room.
• formed a committee to study the club’s bylaws for needed revisions.

Kids bring their dads to
‘Fishing Derby’ at Purtis Creek


Monitor Photo/Pearl Cantrell
James Blaylock, 5, of Payne Springs, proudly
holds his first catch of the day, a two-pound-three-ounce
largemouth bass. It took first place in the youngest age
group. Bass Pro Shop provided a goodie bag for every
child weighing in a fish.


Monitor Photo/Pearl Cantrell
Alex Johnson, 6, of Canton challenged his rock
climbing skills on the climbing wall. The portable
wall was carefully monitored during the windy day.
Kids enjoyed the climb without cost, thanks to the Friends.

Monitor Photo/Pearl Cantrell
The Friends of Purtis Creek served up free hot dog lunches and beverages
during the well attended event. Wal-Mart provided the vittles and Mark
Gilliland donated 80 packs of hot dog buns. Summer fishing is hot, thirsty work.

Water lines to be moved on 9th Street
By Barbara Gartman
Monitor Staff Writer
KEMP–Soon, new water lines on 9th Street in Kemp will be installed.
Tuesday, Kemp City Council members chose ADB Utility Contractors Inc. of Prosper by a 4-1 vote.
Six bids were received, with ADB presenting the lowest offer of $195,047.50.
New councilman Matt Ganssle opposed the action. He was concerned about the company not having a substantial Texas connection.
ADB, headquartered in St. Louis, Mo., has a 15-year record, but most of that is in Florida and Missouri.
KSA Engineers Inc. recommended the city accept the proposed bid.
“This will be a good thing for the city. The lines are being taken from under the pavement to the north side of Ninth Street,” City Administrator James Stroman said.
“Both the city and Texas Department of Transportation will be happy about that,” Stroman added.
In the past the, old lines located under the pavement were dug up every time a leak occurred.
Once the work is completed, the road will not have to be torn up or patched when leaks occur, Stroman explained.
Construction is due to begin in July and will last approximately 120 days, Stroman said.
In other business, councilmembers:
• named Barbara McFaul as mayor pro tem.
• approved the second reading of the Economic Development Corporation project for Rugged CCTV.
EDC president Jody Deller said the EDC has voted to help the company with parking lot construction through a three- to five-year forgivable loan.
“The contract is not final,” she said, explaining the details are still being negotiated.
• heard a presentation from student Jered Hulick concerning a skateboard park for kids.
Skatepark benefits would include attracting business from neighboring communities, he said.
Ganssle favored the suggestion. McFaul said she was not opposed, but listed several complaints against it.
Mayor Billy Teel, who also participates on the EDC board, said its members discussed the suggestions at a recent meeting.
“They thought we could ease up on the (no skating) rules on the sidewalks, take kids through a safety course and let the kids help make the rules,” he said.
• heard several members of the audience compliment the recent work done on 10th and 11th streets.
Residents especially thanked Kaufman County Precinct 4 Commissioner Jim Deller.
• heard a report from Diana Clemmo, with the Kemp Business and Civic Association, on July Fest, set for Saturday, July 5.
“The main goal is to promote Kemp,” Clemmo said.
About 15 booths are already reserved. The park opens at 1 p.m. and a parade is set for 2 p.m.
“We need more volunteers, and I would like to encourage local businesses to take part in the event,” she said.
• heard the department head reports, including a report from Police Chief Richard Clemmo.
He said his department worked 16 wrecks, 12 domestic calls and 13 fuel drive-offs, among others.
The municipal court accepted 119 payments for May, totaling $12,915.94.
The public works department reported 21 new service hookups and a total of 760 meters read.