People, Places & Events

Type 2 diabetes program scheduled
Special to The Monitor
KAUFMAN–A new series for people living with diabetes in Kaufman County called “Do Well, Be Well with Diabetes” will begin at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 13, at the meeting room at the new Kaufman County Extension Office, 2471 N. State Highway 34, Kaufman.
This five-week series helps people with Type 2 learn the skills they need to understand and manage their diabetes, to reduce the risk for complications, and to attain their highest possible level of wellness.
Diabetes is a serious illness. But the good news is, it doesn’t have to be a life-threatening one. Early diagnosis and treatment, and good management practices are the keys to a long and healthy life for persons with diabetes.
According to the American Diabetes Association, when a person has diabetes, his or her body doesn’t produce insulin (type 1) or properly use insulin (type 2), a hormone needed to convert some foods into energy.
No one knows what causes diabetes, although genetics and such factors as lack of exercise and obesity may contribute. (http://www.diabetes.org/main/application/commercewf).
Facts and figures from the ADA list about 17 million Americans with diabetes – but only about 11.1 million diagnosed.
This means nearly one-third – 5.9 million people with diabetes – doesn’t know they have it.
The costs of all these cases of diabetes are enormous. The ADA estimated the total direct and indirect cost in 1997 (the most recent year figures are available) to be $98 billion.
Of that, $44 billion was medical and treatment costs, and $54 billion was for indirect costs, such as disability.
A simple blood test by a health care provider is required for a diagnosis of diabetes.
However, being aware of the symptoms can lead to an earlier diagnosis and a better quality of life.
The ADA lists some of the symptoms to look for: frequent urination, excessive thirst and extreme hunger, blurry vision, increased fatigue, irritability and unusual and unexplained weight loss.
Once the medical diagnosis has been made, proper treatment and management can make life healthier for the person with diabetes. A combination of exercise, weight control, proper diet and sometimes medications can keep the person – not the disease – in charge of his or her life.
For more information, call (972) 932-9069.

VZ commissioners appoint board directors
By Randal Brewer
Monitor Staff Writer
CANTON–The Van Zandt Commissioners appointed directors to represent the county on a number of boards, recently.
Commissioners appointed Wylie Garland and Elaine Gothard to the board of directors for the East Texas Housing Finance Corporation.
The ETHFC has helped approximately 2,500 first time home buyers in 17 East Texas counties get financing for homes since 1981.
Benja Mize was appointed to the Van Zandt County Historical Commission.
Commissioners discussed upcoming nominations and voting procedures for board of directors of Van Zandt County Appraisal District. Commissioners are expected to review nominees at the next meeting.
In other business, the commissioners:
• heard Indigent Health Care Coordinator Sharon Smith explained various bills for the care of county inmates, including emergency services provided. She informed commissioners there is no nurse available weekends when most of the emergency charges were accrued. A part-time nursing position was discussed to cut down on those costs. Smith also answered questions regarding quotes for pharmaceutical supplies.
• proclaimed November, as American Indian month in Van Zandt County and Home Care and Hospice Month.
• heard a presentation from Robin Marshall, Van Zandt County Representative to Community Services and Paulletta Hines, a Community Services representative. Community Services helps the elderly and disabled with the payment of energy bills during the coldest and warmest months of the year. Community Services also promotes energy efficiency with the weatherization of homes, and maintenance of air conditioners and heating units.
• approved a replat of the right-of-way on VZCR 1710, pertaining to property belonging to Clint Young.
• approved a 35 m.p.h. regulation for the portion of Cherry Creek, located outside the Canton city limits; and 45 m.p.h. on VZCR 2301 and 2512.
• tabled a contract renewal with Net Data for $10,000 to maintain the system. The Net Data representative was asked for a presentation at the next meeting.
• declared an emergency to transfer $6,000 to Road and Bridge account for Precinct 1, from funds received for contract work in Wood County.
• approved setting up a petty cash account for the Ben Wheeler Vehicle Registration Substation. Vickey Looney estimated the office would open in mid-November.