People, Places & Events

People, Places & Events

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East Cedar Creek Freshwater Supply District meets at 12:30 p.m. the third Wednesday of each month at the ECCFSD office on Hammer Road just off Welch Lane in Gun Barrel City.
Eustace City Council meets at 7 p.m. in the Eustace City Hall the first Thursday of each month. For more information, please call 425-4702. The public is invited to attend.
Eustace Independent School District meets at 7 p.m. the third Tuesday of each month at the Eustace High School Library. For more information, please call 425-7131. The public is invited to attend.
Gun Barrel City Council meets in Brawner Hall at 6 p.m. the second and fourth Tuesday of each month. For more information, please call 887-1087. The public is invited to attend.
Gun Barrel City Economic Development Corporation meets at 1831 W. Main, GBC, at 6 p.m. on the third Tuesday of each month. For more information, please call 887-1899.
Henderson County Commissioner’s Court meets the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 9 a.m. in the Henderson County Courthouse in Athens. The public is invited to attend.
Henderson County Emergency Services District #4 meets at 7 p.m. the third Tuesday of each month at 525 S. Tool Dr. in Tool.
Henderson County Historical Commission meets the first Wednesday of each month at 1 p.m. in the HC Historical Museum.
Kaufman County Commissioner’s Court meets the first, second, third and fourth Monday of each month at 9:45 a.m. in the Kaufman County Courthouse in Kaufman. The public is invited to attend.
Kemp City Council meets at Kemp City Hall at 7 p.m. the second Tuesday of each month. For more information, please call 498-3191. The public is invited to attend.
Kemp Independent School District meets the third Tuesday of each month in the Board Room in the Administration Building. For more information, please call 498-1314. The public is invited to attend.
Log Cabin City Council meets the third Thursday of the month in city hall. For more information, please call 489-2195. The public is invited to attend.
Mabank City Council meets at 7 p.m. in Mabank City Hall the first Tuesday of each month. For more information, please call 887-3241. The public is invited to attend.
Mabank Independent School District meets at 7:30 p.m. the fourth Monday of each month. For more information, please call 887-9310. The public is invited to attend.
Payne Springs City Council meets at city hall at 7:30 p.m. every third Tuesday of each month. For more information, please call 451-9229. The public is invited to attend.
Payne Springs Water Supply Corp. meets the third Tuesday of each month at 1 p.m. at the Payne Springs Community Center, located at 9690 Hwy. 198.
Seven Points City Council meets at 7 p.m. in Seven Points city hall the second Tuesday of each month. For more information, please call 432-3176. The public is invited to attend.
Tool City Council meets at 6 p.m. in the OranWhite Civic Center the third Thursday of each month. For more information, please call 432-3522. The public is invited to attend.
West Cedar Creek Municipal Utility District is held at 5 p.m. the fourth Monday of each month. For more information, please call 432-3704. The public is invited.

BBB warns consumers of ‘Census Worker’ scams
Special to The Monitor
MABANK–For years, Better Business Bureau has educated consumers about not giving out personal information over the telephone or to anyone who shows up at their front door.
With the U.S. Census process under way, BBB advises people to be cooperative, but cautious, so as not to become a victim of fraud or identity theft.
The 2010 U.S. Census is in progress, and workers have begun verifying the addresses of households across the country.
Eventually, more than 140,000 U.S. Census workers will count every person in the United States and will gather information about every person living at each address including name, age, gender, race and other relevant data.
Most people are rightfully cautious and won’t give out personal information to unsolicited phone callers or visitors, however, the Census is an exception to the rule.
Unfortunately, scammers know that the public is more willing to share personal data when taking part in the Census, and they have an opportunity to ply their trade by posing as a government employee and soliciting sensitive financial information.
The Census data will be used to allocate more than $300 billion in federal funds every year as well as determine a state’s number of Congressional representatives.
Households are actually required by law to respond to the Census Bureau’s request for information.
During the U.S. Census, households will be contacted by mail, telephone or visited by a U.S. Census worker who will inquire about the number of people living in the house.
Unfortunately, people may also be contacted by scammers who are impersonating Census workers in order to gain access to sensitive financial information such as Social Security, bank account or credit card numbers.
Law enforcement in several states have issued warnings that scammers are already posing as Census Bureau employees and knocking on doors asking for donations and Social Security numbers.
So, the big question is…how do you tell the difference between a U.S. Census worker and a con artist? BBB offers the following advice:
• If a U.S. Census worker knocks on your door, they will have a badge, a handheld device, a Census Bureau canvas bag and a confidentiality notice.
Ask to see their identification and their badge before answering their questions. However, you should never invite anyone you don’t know into your home.
• Census workers are currently only knocking on doors to verify address information.
While the Census Bureau might ask for demographic information and basic financial information, such as a salary range, workers will not ask for Social Security, bank account or credit card numbers nor will employees solicit donations.
• There may be the need for a Census Bureau employee to call you at your home.
This is not uncommon, but you may wish to confirm that the call is legitimate. You can do this by calling the National Processing Center at 1-866-226-2864.
• Census workers will not contact you by e-mail, so be on the lookout for e-mail scams impersonating the Census.
Never respond to, click on a link or open any attachments in an e-mail that are supposedly from the U.S. Census Bureau.
Census questionnaires will be sent out in March 2010 and the Census Bureau is asking that they be turned in by April 1.
For more advice on avoiding identity theft and fraud, visit www.bbb.org.

Kemp ISD sets policy for free breakfast and lunch
Special to The Monitor
KEMP–Kemp ISD announced its policy for providing free and reduced-price meals for students served under the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program.
Each school or the central office has a copy of the policy, which may be reviewed by any interested party.
The household size and income criteria identified below will be used to determine eligibility for free and reduced-price benefits.
Students from households whose income is at or below the levels shown are eligible for free or reduced-price meals.
Foster children who are the legal responsibility of the state agency or court may also be eligible for benefits regardless of the income of the household with whom they reside.
Eligibility for the foster student is based on the student’s income.
Application forms are being distributed to all households with a letter informing households of the availability of free and reduced-price meals for their children.
Applications also are available at the administration office in each school.
To apply for free and reduced-price meals, households must fill out the application and return it to the school.
Applications may be submitted anytime during the school year.
The information households provide on the application will be used for the purpose of determining eligibility and verification of data.
Applications may be verified by the school officials at any time during the school year.
For school officials to determine eligibility for free and reduced-price benefits, households receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits (formerly Food Stamps)/Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) only have to list their child’s name and SNAP or TANF case number.
An adult household member must sign the application.
Households that do not list a SNAP/TANF case number must list the names of all household members, the amount and source of the income received by each household member, and the Social Security number of the adult household member who signs the application. If the adult who signs the application does not have a Social Security number, the household member must indicate that a Social Security number is not available by writing the word “None,” “No Number,” or some indication that the person does not have a Social Security number.
The application must be signed by an adult household member.
Under the provisions of the free and reduced-price meal policy,
Raye Nelle Smith, (903) 498-1398 will review applications and determine eligibility.
Parents or guardians dissatisfied with the ruling of the official may wish to discuss the decision with the reviewing official on an informal basis.
Parents wishing to make a formal appeal for a hearing on the decision may make a request either orally or in writing to Sam Swierc, Assistant Superintendent, Kemp ISD, 905 South Main Street, Kemp, TX 75143.
If a household member becomes unemployed or if the household size increases, the household should contact the school.
Such changes may make the students of the household eligible for benefits if the household’s income falls at or below the levels shown above.
In accordance with Federal law and United States Department of Agriculture policy, this Institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.
To file a complaint of discrimination, write U. S. Department of Agriculture, Director, Office of Adjudication and Compliance, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (202) 260-1026, (866) 632-9992 (toll free) or (202) 401-0216 (TTD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Donations needed for Humane Society fund-raiser
Special to The Monitor
TOOL–The Humane Society of Cedar Creek Lake HSCCL is now accepting donations for its annual garage sale.
This is a great opportunity for you to clean out your clutter and help the animals at the same time.
Gather up your clothing, kitchen ware, furniture, toys and other items; then contact Kathy Jordan at (903) 432-3717 or Cynthia Walker at (903) 451-0159 for closest drop-off location. The fund-raiser will take place Thursday-Friday, Oct. 2-3.
The HSCCL is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization operating solely on donations.
They take in stray animals from the Cedar Creek Lake area and all of Kaufman County, with the exception of the city of Terrell.
HSCCL strives to provide animals with the best temporary care, including food, shelter, medical attention, and much needed TLC.
In 2008, the HSCCL took in more than 3,000 animals and had a 38 percent adoption/rescue rate, which is higher than the national average of 35 percent.

Come Adopt Us At The Humane Society of Cedar Creek Lake
My name is Koal (aka Smarty Pants), and I’m a young orphan German Shepherd/Catahoula Leopard mix. I’m very proud to say that German Shepherds are the third smartest dog breed. I, however, beg to differ because I know I am smarter than any other dog in the world. I am very true to my breed. German Shepherds are extremely intelligent, courageous, and have a very strong protective instinct. I would be a great guard dog. I am also a loving family companion and am excellent with children. I am an all-around fun guy who loves to rough house with my pals at the Shelter, then snuggle up to humans who can’t help but reach out to scratch my head every time they walk by.
	We have many 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