SAR recognize two county employees for public service
Special to The Monitor
ATHENS–The Sons of the American Revolution Athens Chapter recognized two county employees with public service awards at a recent meeting held at the Athens Central Fire Station.
Athens Fire Chief John McQueary nominated Emergency Management Coordinator Joy Kimbrough for the chapter’s Fire Safety Commendation award.
He also nominated firefighter Brian Davis for the Emergency Medical Service honor.
SAR Chapter secretary and treasurer Sam Whitten, assisted by chapter photographer and webmaster Wayne Stafford, presented the annual medal and certificate awards.
“Kimbrough has been vital in assisting the Athens Fire Department and county volunteer fire departments, McQueary said.
Among her efforts, include the receipt of $10,000 from the county to purchase Hazmat suits.
During the recent county and city wildfires, she compiled and reported fire loss data to the state and FEMA, a necessary requirement to retrieve fuel costs and overtime wages.
Kimbrough completed the departments’ incidents reports and obtained the number of members and apparatus on each scene.
Due to Kimbrough’s contributions and accomplishments, the city and county became eligible for reimbursement.
Davis was instrumental in helping the department achieve a first responder program with East Texas Medical Center, McQueary said.
The goal was to provide a quicker response to the community by bringing medically trained personnel to the scene that could make a positive difference to those in need.
He volunteered his time while on and off duty in order to help the department qualify for the program.
He spent many hours examining what the department would need in order to provide the best service possible, McQueary said..
Davis has voluntarily assumed the responsibility of ordering medical supplies and assigning placement for equipment on apparatus, and has taken a lead role on the EMS committee.

 

Beware of home warranty ads
Special to The Monitor
ATHENS–District 4 State Representative Lance Gooden’s District Office was recently contacted by Bill Goheen, general manager of the East Cedar Creek Fresh Water Supply District after alarmed customers had called regarding an apparent invoice from Home Service.
The invoice said: “Notice—Henderson County Resident” and states the addressee does not have Water Service Line Coverage.
East Cedar Creek FWSD’s customers were fearful they were lacking the required coverage.
While there is some confusion about HomeServe USA Repair Corporation (it appears to be a trademark of Homeserve plc, a British company), it is listed as the “delegated authority” of AMT Warranty Corp., which is licensed by the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) to sell home warranty products.
TREC has received inquiries from consumers in Garland and Gun Barrel City and is investigating to ensure the licensee has not violated consumer protection laws.
Henderson County consumers should know they are free to accept the solicitation for warranty coverage but are not obligated to do so.
This is a service similar to that sold by American Home Shield, a widely available policy that is usually offered by a home seller to the purchaser.
In this case, Home Serve is soliciting to warrant the exterior water line however, the language and advertising format can be unclear and confusing.

 

Master Gardeners present service awards
Special to The Monitor
KAUFMAN–The Kaufman County Master Gardener Association (KCMGA) December meeting celebrated 2011’s achievements and installed new officers for 2012.
During 2011, KCMGA contributed more than 4,301 hours of volunteer and training time.
At the state-determined rate of $21.36 per hour, that comes to $91,885 in benefit to Kaufman County.
The 15 Master Gardeners contributing 100 or more hours include Brad Ackerman, Lynn Ackerman, Rebecca Morrow, Frances Holmes, Richard Kozelski, Nancy Bowman, John Ballard, Hildegard Smith, Ada O’Steen, Bonnie Hoover, Michael Stevens, Margaret Ann Trail, Nancy Harris, Michele Reeves and Debra Middleton.
Each Master Gardener received a certificate, presented by Master Gardeners Debra Middleton and Hildegard Smith, showing their volunteer hours for the year.
The first Master Gardener class, which trained in 2000 and did their internship year in 2001, has completed 10 years of service.
Members completing 10 years include Pam Corder, Paula Gilligan, Richard Kozelski, Marsha Sasser and Sandra Stahlman.
County Judge Bruce Wood presented a 10 year service award to Richard Kozelski, who was present at the program.
Master Gardeners having completed five years of service include Jeanie Allen Davis, Delores Tigert and Lena Williams.
Wood also presented certificates to the members of Kaufman County’s 2011 Master Gardener training class including Gibran Abdala, Marline Ballard, Sylvia Bissell, Jim Burt, Linda Coulter, Jan Cozart, Marilyn Denmon, Samantha Keats, Wilber Lee Reid, Jal Scarborough, Tamara Stahlman and Renee Word.
To complete certification as Master Gardeners members need to contribute a minimum of 50 hours of volunteer service to Kaufman County during their internship year.
The December meeting culminated with the installation of the Association’s officers for 2012.
Rebecca Morrow will serve as president; Karen Sanders, president-elect, Monty Angell, treasurer, and Nancy Bowman, secretary.
KCMGA thanks Lynn Ackerman for her many contributions as the 2011 President.

 

Come Adopt Us At The Humane Society of Cedar Creek Lake

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