August 18, 2016 - (Album) - The Tenaha Business Men's Club held their monthly meeting August 18, 2016 at First Baptist Church in Tenaha where the guest speaker for the day was Bradley Allen, Precinct 4 Commissioner.
Claudine Howard, Club President, thanked everyone at the meeting for being there to celebrate George Bowers 80th birthday.
"I know he's been a friend to everybody in this room and he's always been kind of special to me, so when I get to be his age I expect everybody to be here for mine," said Howard.
Howard said she has known Bowers for a long time and she read some biography information on him. He was born in 1928 in Flat Fork with a father named Jesse and mother Mary Etta. Bowers graduated in 1946 and he was married to Laura Petty in 1948 and they were together for 61 years before her passing in 2009. They had children Theresa and Naylor.
Bowers was a founder of the Business Men's Club in 1952 and was the initial director of Citizens State Bank from 1960 to present. He was mayor of Tenaha for an estimated 54 years.
"He's not only been a business man, an elected official, but he's been a friend to most everybody in this town and especially in this room, or you would not be here today I'm sure," said Howard.
Bowers thanked Howard and said in jest he had about a 2-hour speech planned, but the meeting was running late.
"I just want to thank all of you for coming out today, if you did come to help me celebrate. 88 years Terry, reckon you'll make it? Golden years, that's what we celebrate now, the golden years and we enjoy it. You know what the golden are preacher? The first half of the time you spend trying to remember somebody's name, the other half of the time you're trying to find a restroom. That's what you've got to look forward to," said Bowers.
Several people attending the meeting stood and shared thoughts and memories of Bowers.
During the meeting Linda Perry, Club Secretary, read the minutes from the July 14 meeting aloud.
Howard asked John Whitworth to give an update of the Back to School Bash being held in Tenaha and he deferred to Austin Barna to inform the meeting.
"The Back to School Bash is going to be on August 20 from 10am to noon, that's where we'll be handing out school supplies," said Barna.
He said donations have been received from multiple businesses including Scull Timber, First National Bank Tenaha, and Whistle Stop by the time of the meeting.
"I think right now we're at about $600 that we've received. I know the Tenaha Youth Center with Jimmy Bowlin, he's received some checks and things like that and other donations," said Barna.
He stated they're going to use the donated funds to buy as many school supplies as possible and hand them out to as many people and students as possible. He stated the Tenaha City Marshal's office would have a car at the event and Tenaha Volunteer Fire Department would also have a truck at the event for kids to view. The Tenaha Cheerleaders and Tigers Dolls are tentatively scheduled to be there. Grilled chicken and snow cones are also planned to be served.
Howard offered for the club to approve a donation to the Back to School Bash and a motion carried to approve a $200 donation.
John Whitworth informed everyone of a new ministry taking place at First Baptist Church Tenaha at 5:30pm every Wednesday night the church will have "Homework Haven" to provide tutoring for students who may need help with their studies.
Scott Tyner, Tenaha ISD Superintendent, gave a report on upcoming school activities. Regarding the Back to School Bash he stated the demographics are so diverse at the school, many can't afford a lot of the supplies that are needed and it's a great help. He thanked the Businessmen's Club for their contribution.
Tyner stated fundamental literacy is a very strong focus in the elementary school with such a diverse ethnic group as attends the school. With many barriers that may face different groups, literacy is a challenge that can take time, so they are starting early. Mathematics; however, is a more universal language and can be easier. An accelerated reading program has been started which Tyner says is built in such a way it makes students want to read.
Big initiatives at the high school level include vocational expansion. Tyner stated tuition free dual credit has always been offered for liberal arts courses and vocational courses and the budget has been expanded for this year with 21 students expected in dual credit classes. Fourteen additional students are expected in vocational, welding and things of that nature. The school has also started a new medical coding program.
"For the tax payer, good news, we're the only school district in the county that has lower taxes this year," said Tyner.
He said the school board helped a lot last year and has helped in refinancing the bonds from the building project of 2008 - 2009.
Our tax rate's at $1.16 and change, which is almost a two cent decrease from the last one," said Tyner.
Tyner stated football is moving forward and they would be scrimmaging with New Diana on August 18. He said the band is at about 87 kids now.
This is a legislative year and Tyner said there will be a lot of meeting in Austin, "I read the Lieutenant Governor's interim charges for the House Committee on Education. Just a lot of things about funding formulas. As we know the school finance lawsuit was won by the plaintiffs and then overthrown by the Supreme Court. What he's looking at is trying to base things solely on efficiency and performance, which is going to open up a lot of other questions for them and get property values out of the mix on funding."
Bradley Allen, Precinct 4 Commissioner, shared information on recent projects which were completed and upcoming projects. He spoke of an area where three bridges have just been finished in conjunction with the state in his precinct.
"When I first took office, I think we had 44 bridges and I think we're down to about 34 now. We try to culvert everything that we can culvert when we take a bridge out," said Allen.
Allen told the club members the fiscal year for the county begins on October 1 and getting toward the end of the year money runs short.
"I've got two precincts, I don't have any more mileage than any other commissioner, but I do have two precincts since I've got two towns. That's because we've got two constables, Precinct 4 which is Tenaha and Precinct 5 which is Timpson," said Allen.
He stated they try and keep the maintainers in his area on either end of his precinct so they are readily available. Allen stated their job is one that is never ending. According to Allen, there are over 205 miles of road to be maintained in his precinct.
"We've got a lot of projects, in fact we're working on one right now, we're going to pave this old Tenaha Highway and we're down there now on the far end of it trying to get everything ready for oil," said Allen.
According to Allen, the Old Tenaha Road is about eight miles and during the time Rick Campbell was the county judge, Allen sought a grant from the state to work on the road.
"That's come through and the state's gonna help us out with that, so we're planning on oiling that road, or I don't know if we're going to use oil or cold mix," said Allen
He explained whatever they put on the road they currently are shaping it, crowning it, cutting ditches and installing new culverts.
Allen said there are three bridges being replaced in his precinct including Flat Fork, West Creek and a third one. He said the state is very helpful and he thinks the roads are a lot better than they've been in a while. Allen said this is his third term and he has about two years remaining on the current one. He said he was proud of the support he received from Tenaha this last election.
