Sunday, July 18, 2010
By Julie Vaughan
Monitor Staff Writer
CANTON–A man robbed the Canton Beall’s Department Store at gunpoint Tuesday evening, getting away with an unknown amount of money.
Canton Police Chief Michael Echols said the lone robber was described by witnesses as a white male wearing long white pants, a dark blue polo-style shirt with a white stripe down each sleeve, and a blue ball cap.
Echols said the man left on foot and went on the opposite side of the Tractor Supply Company, where witnesses saw him leave alone in a maroon Ford pickup.
The suspect had what appeared to be an automatic weapon, although Echols said it is unclear if the weapon was real, after viewing video surveillance tapes.
“He (the suspect) waited around until most of the customers were toward the back of the store and then demanded the cash from the register,” Echols reported.
Upon speaking with the neighboring businesses, Echols said the suspect had apparently been walking around in the Tractor Supply store prior to robbing Beall’s.
He may have been scared off by the number of customers in Tractor Supply, and decided to hit the department store instead, Echols speculated.
“Whether this is a real gun or not, this was an aggravated robbery,” Echols pointed out.
Anyone who may have been in the Traders Square Shopping Center around 6 p.m., or in Beall’s or Tractor Supply stores and witnessed a suspect that matches the description, are asked to contact the Canton Police Department at (903) 567-4991.
County sets AD building buy
By Barbara Gartman
Monitor Staff Writer
KAUFMAN–It has been awhile in coming, but the sale of the Kaufman County Appraisal
District building, located at 3950 South Houston (across from Kaufman High School), is a
done deal.
Monday, commissioners approved the purchase of the building, all its furniture,
furnishings and attachments and real property, for $350,000.
The sale takes affect Jan. 2, 2011, and is contingent upon final approval by the district
attorney’s office.
Legal approval wasn’t available Monday, as the assistant DA who usually attends the
regular meetings was on vacation.
The court also authorized sending a letter to third parties reflecting the terms of the
sale, to be signed by County Judge Wayne Gent.
In other business, commissioners:
• approved a request from 422nd District Court Judge B. Michael Chitty authorizing
the establishment os two sub-courts – a mental health and a drug court. Chitty said
he was appointed to the county Mental Health Board approximately three years ago.
Chitty said he was concerned about the lack of job training and addiction help for
non-violent repeat offenders.
• heard a letter read by Gent from a fireman in College Mound commending Fire Marshal
Larry Ewing on the work he and his crew did in the investigation of two structure arson
fires in their community.
The fires occurred on July 6 and a suspect is in custody.
• approved an agreement between Ingeo and the county clerk outlining requirements for
electronically recording land records documents.
• approved the proclamation congratulating Precinct 1 road crewman Robert Gorman on
his retirement after 33 years with the county.
• approved hiring a replacement employee for Road & Bridge, Precinct 4.
• accepted road reports for Precinct 4 and Precinct 3.
• approved requests from CenturyLink to install buried communications cable on and
under the right-of-way of County Road 141, Precinct 1 and CR 4030, Precinct 4.
• approved budget transfers as presented by county auditor Hal D. Jones.
• paid bills totaling $800,002.52.
Ag representative commends Kemp
By Barbara Gartman
Monitor Staff Writer
KEMP–Looking ahead at a better economic future, the city of Kemp has implemented
several programs and is hoping to apply for various grants.
Tuesday, Linda Parker, service presenter for the East Texas Economic Development –
Texas Department of Agriculture, told city council members she commends the city on its
foresight.
“Our office goal is helping businesses grow (in rural communities),” she said.
“The city of Kemp has taken a step forward in becoming the newest member of the GO
TEXAN Rural Community Program,” she added.
Parker pointed out that she is the only service presenter in her office, which covers 51
counties in East Texas.
If needed though, she said she can be reached on her cell phone to answer questions.
In other business, council members:
• held a public hearing as required for the State Energy Conservation Office
concerning a grant for replacing the HVAC (heating, ventilating and air conditioning) in
the city hall building.
“Because the building is more than 40 years old, we must ask the public if there is
any historical value connected to the building,” Mayor Matt Ganssle said.
No one came forward to speak on the matter, therefore the process for replacing the old
equipment will continue.
• approved a contract for animal shelter services with the Humane Society of Cedar
Creek Lake.
• tabled a discussion on providing for “truck routes” in the city.
While several people remarked they didn’t see that many heavy duty trucks on the
streets, Ganssle insisted he did.
Councilmen Todd Weber said he was more concerned about the trash trucks that traveled the
streets daily.
• approved Ordinance 2010-15 in building regulations.
The ordinance allows for one replacement of a HUD-Code manufactured home.
The replacement must be as large in living space and a newer model.
• tabled discussion on the parking of recreational vehicles in single family zoned
areas.
The council wants further discussion on permitting and the length of time an RV can be
parked.
• authorized the city to place a lien on property in the event it has to mow grass
and weeds or remove rubbish.
• approved ordinance 1010-18 concerning flood damage prevention under the building
regulation codes.
The action updates the city’s code. The last update was in 1979.
• heard routine monthly reports.
Total revenue collected in the municipal court cases was $20,011.80.
The monthly milage reported by the public works department, 3,580.
Also in public works, a new man hired to do mowing is doing well.
The department is extremely low on road materials, with only a half load of asphalt on
hand, council members heard.
• heard discussions from residents.
David Donaldson, the owner of a four-plex apartment building, queried the number of times
building inspections are needed.
He was told only one inspection per year, but when an apartment was vacated, another
inspection is due.
Shirley McSpadden said she drove through the city and found a lot of problems. She listed
street needing repairs, and shrubbery stacked in ditches, also tall grass on easements.
She was informed it is the property owner’s responsibility to maintain and mow
easements.
Donald Trout complained the city had boarded up a house he owns in Kemp.
Councilwoman Barbara McFaul reminded him for public health and safety reasons, the
building needed to be brought up to code.
• took no action following a three-hour executive session on personnel matters.