MABANK —
The Athens Leadership Institute Splash Pad project got a boost from the Athens Economic Development Cooperation Board on Thursday, but not as big as the amount that was requested.
The AEDC voted to grant $20,000 toward the Splash Pad. The allocation pushes the fundraising effort to more than $120,000 of the estimated $200,000 cost. The $20,000 makes the AEDC the second-largest contributor to the splash pad effort to date.
“This will be considered essentially a city park project,” AEDC President and CEO Brian Malone said. “Obviously if we do approve the funds it will be subject to city council approval and also ... a public hearing.”
Athens City Administrator Pam Burton said the Splash Pad definitely falls under the definition of a public project which allows the AEDC to contribute the money.
“It is not a gray area. It is clear,” Burton said.
During the January 10 AEDC meeting, Tony Kalawe, representing the Athens Chamber of Commerce, asked for $75,000 to help build the 2,300-square-foot pad. Project organizers are hoping to have funds completely raised by March and have the pad ready to use by summer.
The AEDC also voted to give the Henderson County Black Rodeo Association $2,000 for the 2013 Juneteenth Rodeo. The AEDC action requires the approval of the City Council to take effect. The board decision came after a lengthy discussion in which members of the board voiced concern over whether the AEDC could grant money to an event.
Black Rodeo Association CEO Jeffery Enoch asked the board for $5,000 to help meet initial expenses for the rodeo. The Rodeo Association is budgeting $22,900 to produce the event, which Enoch said drew about 5,000 people last year.
Enoch said the AEDC contribution would not only help fund the June rodeo, but in turn, money raised at the event would help fund other projects the association is planning. Among the Black Rodeo Association goals, Enoch said, is to obtain a building for community services such as youth mentoring, afterschool tutoring, adult day care and GED classes.
AEDC board member Joe Masso said he would be interested to know to what degree the money raised during the Juneteenth Rodeo would be used for education and the creation of job skills. Masso said the Rodeo Association could come back at a later time and request help with those projects.
Local News
AEDC gives Splash Pad $20K
Fund-raising effort nearing $130,000 mark
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Don’t let the fire die
Brownsboro Junior High eighth-grader Yasmine Mendez lights one of the candles during Thursday's induction ceremony for the National Junior Honor Society. Mendez and this year's NJHS class helped to officially welcome 36 new members who will be in eighth grade next year.
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‘Click it or Ticket’
The Athens Police Department is part of a nationwide effort to cut down on traffic injuries and deaths by getting motorists to buckle their seat belts. It’s part of the Click It or Ticket campaign underway through June 2.
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WWII vets visit Washington, D.C.
Two Athens men who served in World War II are part of a veteran’s visit to the nation’s capital this week.
J.C. Garrett and Doug Tanner join 28 others being escorted by Brookshires Grocery Co. who will tour the WWII Memorial and other sites. The veterans were set to leave Texas on Thursday and return at 9 a.m., Saturday. -
Taking a break, just like you
Henderson County offices will close Friday through Monday for the Memorial Day weekend.
The courthouse and other county locations have traditionally closed on a Friday in May for Fiddlers Day. County employees were given May 24 as a holiday this year in anticipation of the event. The county’s 2013 holiday schedule was already set when the organizers of Fiddlers Day decided to make it a Friday night and Saturday affair on May 31 and June 1. -
Great ability, not debatable
BROWNSBORO — Brownsboro senior Caleb Cade earned a state championship in persuasive speaking at the 2013 UIL State Speech and Debate Meet in Austin on May 22.
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Wet and wild
A line of severe thunderstorms roared throughout Henderson County on Tuesday afternoon, dropping significant rainfall and taking down trees and power lines.
The storm produced heavy rains in Athens, where the National Weather Service reports 2.16 inches fell. Residents in the county were seeing three or more inches in their rain gauges. -
Strong message
A Henderson County jury delivered a strong message to a 37-year-old Kemp man in the sentencing phase of a child sexual-abuse trial on Tuesday.
The jury, in Judge Mark Calhoon’s 3rd District Court, handed Danny Ray Lusk four life sentences and one 20-year sentence, the maximum jail time on each count. -
Going to ‘WAR’
A program termed “We Are Responsible” was generated this year at South Athens Elementary School by its principal, Eugene Buford.
At first reading, the slogan appears to be for the school’s students. But, after looking at the slogan and noting that the abbreviation is WAR, Buford says the slogan is for educators. -
A need that’s very easy to see
The Greater Athens Lions Club is asking for used eyeglasses, lenses, glass cases and hearing aids for the annual Lions Club White Cane Day this Saturday.
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Too close to home
It was the kind of moment any parent would dread.
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