Lulings Anderson, Lady Cards win state Section C

Sports

Education

The ArtsSummer Concert Series lineup finalized Section D

Serving:

Gonzales Nixon Smiley Moulton Shiner Waelder Yoakum Luling Flatonia Hallettsville Cuero Lockhart and More

Vol. 3- Issue 34

Gonzales only locally-owned newspaper www.gonzalescannon.com

CannonThe GonzalesBy DAVE MUNDYmanager@gonzalescannon.com

End-of-year activities spice up schoolwork Section E

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Thursday, May 17, 2012

Two injured in explosion at Nixon tank storage siteCannon News Servicesnewseditor@gonzalescannon.com

NIXON Two workers were injured in an explosion at a hydraulic fracturing tank storage site in the pre-dawn hours on Wednesday, officials said. The Gonzales County Sheriff s Office dispatcher said the two injured men were

flown to a hospital in San Antonio. He declined to provide further information except to say that the blast was under investigation. The Nixon Volunteer Fire Dept. is handling the investigation on the case. Firefighters from Belmont and Smiley were called in for mutual assistance in battling Firemen battle the blaze following an explosion at a site owned by Vann Energy FIRE, Page A7 LLC in Nixon on Wednesday. (Courtesy photo)

Waelder election goes viralBy CEDRIC IGLEHARTnewseditor@gonzalescannon.com

Logan, Opiela win elections in GonzalesBobby Logan will be the next mayor of the City of Gonzales, and his opponent said that while he didnt question the results of the voting, hes left to wonder about errors in some of the mechanics of the process.. Logan defeated challenger Bob Burchard by a 497393 margin in the mayors race in Gonzales, while Clarence Opiela claimed victory in a three-way race with Steve Hendershot and Johnny Ross Hunt to win the District 4 Council seat being vacated by Logan. Im looking forward to getting to work, Logan said Monday. Logan held a 265-232 advantage in early voting and claimed a 232-161 margin over Burchard on election day Saturday. Burchard said some questions had arisen over

WAELDER The fallout from the municipal election in Waelder has transcended the physical plane and gone viral. The popular social media site Facebook is the locale of the latest battle, this time pitting former city officials against members of the Waelder Police Department. It all started Saturday evening as the results from the election started trickling in. Reportedly, a faction of people supporting Mike Harris was celebrating his victory in the mayoral race. Harris claimed a win in the four-way race for mayor, defeating councilman Becky WAELDER, Page A7

Energy WatchWednesdays PricesNymex Oil Futures $92.65/bbl Nymex Gas Futures $2.63

Police stage dawn raid

Two incumbents lost their seats on the Gonzales County Underground Water Districts board of directors, and a total of four new faces will take their seats at the boards next meeting, while a recount of ballots is scheduled in the Waelder ISD following a one-vote margin in at-large voting. In GCUWCD District 1, challenger Bruce Tieken pulled 44 votes to 36 for incumbent Kurt Trammell. In District 4, challenger Barry Come and Hear It! Miller ousted incumbent Tune in to radio station Link Benson by a 116-70 KCTI 1450 AM at 8 a.m. Fri- margin. All five of the disday and 8 a.m. Tuesday for ELECTIONS, Page A7weekly updates from Gonzales Cannon news editor Cedric Iglehart and General manager Dave Mundy with KCTI personality Egon Barthels.

Business.............................. B1 Arts/Entertainment...... D1 Oil & Gas............................. B3 Classifieds.......................... B4 Comics................................ D4 Crime Beat........................ A2 Faith & Family................... A9 In Our View........................ A4 In Your View...................... A5 Obituaries.......................... A9 Puzzle Page...................... D3 Regional............................. A3 Sports.................................. C1 Little League.................... C4

GCUWCD Inside to get four This Week: new facesLucas Energy Inc. LEI $1.42

Gonzales Police, assisted by officers of several other agencies including the Guadalupe County Sheriffs Office SWAT team, staged a raid at dawn Wednesday on this house in the 600 block of St. John St. Police Chief Tim Crow said at the scene that officers were serving warrants at the home. Police remained on the site into the afternoon, and a police spokesman said that information on the incident would be withheld until the investigation was complete. See our website at gonzalescannon.com for updates as they become available. (Photo by Dave Mundy)

the handling of provisional voters and the handling of early ballots, but declined to say whether he would contest the election result. Burchard questioned whether some of his supporters may have been turned away at the polls because of an incomplete voters list. Burchard said he was himself initially denied a chance to vote in the early balloting after being told his name was not on GONZALES, Page A7

Bobby Logan

By DAVE MUNDYmanager@gonzalescannon.com

A hoppin end to the school year

The Nixon-Smiley Education Foundation held a banquet and then was entertained by The Follies, A Year in Review performed by N-SCISD students Tuesday in the old gym at the high school. Third-graders led by Trini Dominguez opened the show with RISE Up and Dance. For more photos from the event, see Page E3 (Photo by Dave Mundy)

Thursdays Forecast: Sunny and warmer. High-87, Low-62. 0% chance of rain. Winds from the south-southeast at 7 mph, 55% relative humidity. UV index: 11 (extreme)Friday: High-88, Low-64 Sunny Saturday: High-86, Low-65 Partly Cloudy Sunday: High-88, Low-64 Sunny Monday: High-89, Low-67 Sunny Tuesday: High-91, Low-67, Partly Cloudy Wednesday: High-91, Low-70 Sunny830-672-8585

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The Cannon

Thursday, May 17, 2012

Today in Texas HistoryMay 16, 1843 On this day in 1843, two ships of the Texas Navy--the sloopof-war Austin and the brig Wharton--won a decisive victory in a return engagement with two Mexican ships off the coast of the Yucatn. The Austin and the Wharton chased the powerful new Mexican steam warship Moctezuma and steam frigate Guadaloupe some fourteen miles before the Austin, having sustained seventeen hits to hull and rigging, withdrew to Campeche. The Austin, commanded by Edwin Ward Moore, and the Wharton, under John T. K. Lothrop, had sailed from New Orleans in April hoping to engage the Moctezuma and to break up a rumored amphibious assault on Galveston Island. The two Texas ships had first engaged the Moctezuma and the Guadaloupe on April 30. Their second encounter, a little more than two weeks later, was a clear victory for the Texans and was immortalized in an engraving on the cylinder of the famed Colt Navy revolver.

Thought for the DayHow did we suddenly become entranced with gangster culture? I saw it this morning on campus. When did the black community say we should all look like criminals? Tim Reid, Actor

District participants

Woman indicted for February shootingCannon News Servicesnewseditor@gonzalescannon.com

The following students from St. Paul High School participated in the Tapps 2A District Competition at Bryan Brazos Christian School. Freshmen Emily Malinovsky, Abby Irvin, Morgan Hull, Johanna Green, Emily Fikac, Loni Soefje, Emily Pokluda, Claire Spaeth, Samuel Wenske Sophomores Samantha Siegel, Kymberlie Malatek, Hannah Novosad. Juniors Justin Siegel, Jared Markham, Rachel Fikac, Ted Wenske, John Barker, Cole Hybner, Mary Adamek, Colton Spahn, Madison Kurtz, Mason Matias, Marian Grifaldo, Mitchell McElroy, Seniors Kali Kocian, Justin Natal. (Courtesy photo)

The woman who was the prime suspect in the shooting of a Gonzales area man was indicted by the Gonzales County Grand Jury on May 11. Anna Louise West, 34 of Cuero, was arrested on Feb. 18 after law enforcement officers were dispatched to a shooting, which occurred off of FM 3832 and county road 192. West was identified as the alleged shooter by her sister, Chelsea James, whom Chief Deputy Dennis Richter confirmed as the primary contact. The authorities were led to a remote area of a pasture where the shooting victim, David Dubose, had been working to get a truck unstuck from the mud. While traveling to the location of incident, deputies found a vehicle leaving the property with Dubose as a passenger. It is believed that Dubose had contacted another person to pick him up from the location. Dubose was found to be shot in the upper part of the body. Gonzales

Emergency Medical Services assessed him and he was flown to University Hospital in San Antonio, where he was subsequently released. Because of the rough and muddy terrain, deputies could only travel a short distance into the pasture where the incident occurred and then walked to the location where the truck was stuck and the alleged crime took place. Once there, deputies found evidence of the shooting but were unable to locate the suspect, West, who had apparently fled the scene on foot. Deputies attempted to locate West, but due to darkness and terrain, were unsuccessful. Sheriff Glen Sachtleben contacted DPS Sgt. Robert Haiyasoso and requested assistance from a DPS helicopter. Upon arrival of the helicopter, the suspect was located using a tracking device onboard the helicopter and sheriff deputies were directed to her location. Upon locating West, she was taken into custody and assessed by EMS, who transported her to

Gonzales Memorial Hospital to be checked out for exposure. West was later released from the hospital and placed in the Gonzales County Jail on charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Justice of the Peace Don Setliff set Wests bond at $3,000, which she posted three days after her arrest. The Gonzales County Grand Jury also returned the following indictments on: Joshua Bosse, burglary of a habitation Michael Hernandez, burglary of a building Tammy Kelsey, theft over $1,500 and under $20,000 Johnny Pinales, possession of a controlled substance 1-4 grams or more but less than 200 grams Michael Rhodes, theft less than $1,500 but more than $20,000 Victor Ruiz, possession of marijuana less than 2,000 pounds but more than 50 pounds Kavin White, aggravated assault with deadly weapon

State participants

The following students from St. Paul High School participated in the Tapps 2A State Competition: Emily Malinovsky 2nd- Solo Acting, Mason Matias 2nd- Number Sense, Abby Irvin/ Morgan Hull 4th Duet, Justin Natal 3rd Advanced Math Kali Kocian 2nd Advanced Math, Jared Markham 2nd Social Studies, Ted Wenske 1st Prose/ 4th Current Events, Cole Hybner 3rd Calculator, Hannah Novosad 4th Literary Criticism, Colton Spahn 4th- Persuasive Speaking/ 4th- Social Studies, Samuel Wenske 2nd Current Events, Madison Kurtz 1st Spelling, Katie Denson 2nd Spelling. Also (at right), Madison Kurtz won 1st at state in Spelling and Katie Denson won 2nd at state in Spelling. Also, Mason Matias won 4th at state in Number Sense. (Courtesy photos)

Lavaca County Grand JuryThe Lavaca County Grand Jury met on May 8 and returned the following indictments: Charles Evans, 34 of Shiner, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle Kirk Guenther, 34 of Milton, FL, burglary of a habitation x3 William Hack, 20 of Yoakum, aggravated sexual assault Eduardo Lopez, 20 of Yoakum, credit card abuse Brandon Ray Martin, 25 of Hallettsville, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle Rebecca McCorkle, 45 of Moulton, endangering a child - criminal negligence (three counts) Franciso Moreno, 21 of Yoakum, intoxication assault Ralph Rodriguez Jr., 52 of Yoakum, theft enhanced Ricardo Rodriguez, 20 of Hallettsville, burglary of a building Miranda Lynn Schorre, 27 of Yoakum, forgery Darrell Smith, 51 of Oklahoma City, OK, DWI felony John Stukes, 37 of Yoakum, injury to a child Terrance Washington, 31 of Yoakum, failure to register as a sex offender

Elections will keep POs openRural post offices marked for closure across the United States have received a temporary reprieve thanks to the 2012 election season. The U.S. Postal Service recently announced it plans to postpone rural post office closures in order to accommodate mail-in votes. Post offices in rural communities often are the hub of the town, said Allan Fink, president of Gonzales County Farm Bureau. While we are not happy to see these facilities close at all, we are glad that rural residents will have access to their local post office through this years elections. According to the U.S. Election Assistance Commission, 17 percent of voters in the 2010 elections submitted absentee ballots. Consequently, a disruption in U.S. Postal Service operations could affect the receipt of mail-in ballots.

The U.S. Postal Service previously announced a plan to close 223 processing centers and thousands of rural post offices in order to meet budget restrictions. The first round of post office closures is scheduled to begin May 15 and last through Aug. 15. However, the U.S. Postal Service now is expected to push the closures until later in the year.

GonzalesCounty Court FTA ListGonzales County Court Failure to Appear List May 10, 2012 Docket Adrian Herrera Alvarado-DWI Marcos Cervantez Badillo-Poss. of Marijuana Jesus Flores-Theft by Check Edward Hunt-Poss. of Marijuana Candelario ManzanoDWI Apolonio RamirezCriminal Mischief Kristi L. Vargas-Theft By Check Dimitri Diego Vigil-Assault Annalena Flores-Theft By Check Kenesha Williams-Theft The next County Court date is June 14, 2012. If these defendants appear for Court on that date, a warrant will NOT be issued for their arrest.

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Winners

BY CHOICE HOTELS

Yoakum Police ReportYoakum Police Department Weekly Incident Report for May 7-13: 05/07/12 Case #12-163, AssaultFel. 3 F/V, 203 Coke; Disposition, Investigation. 05/09/12 Case #12-164, Theft-B, 205 Walter; Disposition, Investigation. 05/10/12 Case #12-166, Disorderly Conduct(2), 104 Poth; Disposition, Court Citation. 05/11/12 Case #12-167, Violate City Ordinance, 502 Fink; Disposition, Court Citation. Case #12-168, Violate City Ordinance, 201 Jakubik; Disposition, Court Citation.2138 Water Street/Hwy. 183, Gonzales, Texas 78629 Phone 830.672.1888 ~ Fax 830.672.1884 www.SleepInnGonzales.com

$50 gift certificate for Wish basket Gonzales pendant Necklace from Storey Jewelers

Thursday, May 17, 2012

The Cannon

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Not your typical Mothers Day card

Lillie Tijerina received a special Mothers Day message in the form of poster sized message from her son, Jaime Tijerina. Jaime is deployed to Afghanistan. He is a Lt Colonel in the US Army Reserves. serving in Kabul as part of the JAG Corp. He is also a candidate for Justice of the 13th Court of Appeals, Place 4. (Courtesy photo)

Local Marine in Afghanistan To the voters in our great city for having the trust and giving me the opportunity to be your next Mayor. I look forward to representing all the city fully & equally. This is a huge privilege and honor, I look forward to the responsibilities entrusted in me.

Marine Cpl. Britt Hindman, a Cost native, is pictured with his dog Steamer. They are currently deployed to Camp Delaram, Afghanistan with the 1st Marines Mobility Assault Co. (Courtesy photo)

Come and Take It

Bobby Logan

The flag design is a little different, but the sentiments the same. One of The Cannons Facebook friends recently forwarded this photo of a Come and Take It flag flying over FOB Salerno, Afghanistan. (Courtesy photo)

Political Advertisement paid for by Bobby Logan, 1701 Neuman St, Gonzales, Texas.

KeeP Heather McMinnThe Tough, Conservative District Attorney Who Works For Us!A Proven Record Of SuccessRepublican voters elected Heather McMinn in 2008 to clean up a District Attorneys office that negotiated with criminals instead of prosecuting them. In her first three years, her office won 47 of 55 jury trials, an 85% success rate, for a total 4,543 years of jail time, compared to 11 jury trials, a 54% conviction rate and about 1,000 years of jail time in the four years prior to McMinn. McMinns opponent wants to return to the days when we negotiated with criminals, even saying, McMinns office is wasting money on unnecessary jury trials.

A Conservative, Experienced Attorney for our Next 25th District JudgeWhen Republicans go to the polls on May 29th to elect a new 25th District Judge, one conservative candidate stands above the others Bill Old. Bill Old is the only candidate with the broad, balanced and relevant legal experience required to be District Judge. His career spans hundreds of criminal and civil cases and hes the only candidate in the race to try a criminal trial before a jury in the past five years.

Bill Old

Experienced

Effective and Efficient Justice

Strong LeadershipMcMinn built a strong working relationship with law enforcement, effectively prosecuting criminals and implementing training programs for law enforcement like on-call access to her office. Heather aggressively prosecuted drug dealers with a no probation policy. And she reformed and modernized the office while driving down unnecessary expenses, bringing her office in under budget every year. McMinn will work with leaders of the counties to develop a plan to manage the pressure that growth puts on our public resources.

Bill Old is the only candidate with a plan to increase the efficiency of the court, reduce backlogs and save taxpayer dollars. He will expedite uncontested cases saving valuable court resources for time-consuming criminal cases.

A Judge, Not A Politician

Protecting Our CommunitiesHeather McMinn knows you cant put a price on our safety. She kept her promise to the citizens of the 25th Judicial District to be a tough as nails prosecutor who will not negotiate or compromise with criminals. Thats why she is endorsed by every Sheriff in the 25th Judicial District and by the Texas Municipal Police Officers Association.

Bill Old will preserve and protect the integrity of the Court. Thats why Bill pledged on the first day of his campaign not to take money from attorneys who might come before him as Judge a full year before any other candidate. As Judge, hell preside independently never legislating from the bench or bringing a political agenda to the court.

On May 29 Vote to Keep Heather McMinn Working For Us! Vote Early from May 14-25.

www.

BillOld.com

For Something New, Vote

old

Vote in the Republican Primary Tuesday, May 29th

Early Voting runs from May 14 - 25Pol. Adv. Paid for by Heather McMinn Campaign, Tuddy Dietz, Treasurer, 172 Lakeside,Seguin TX 78155Pol. adv. paid for by the Bill Old Campaign, P.O. Box 468,Seguin, TX, 78156, Sheila L. Old, in compliance with the voluntary limits of the Judicial Campaign Fairness Act.

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Texas schools rebelling against over-emphasis on testsTexas is a state in revolt. No ones fired on Fort Hood probably a wise idea to avoid that and, for all that most Texans are fed up with federal over-reach, most of us are not yet ready to chart a course as an independent realm. But there is a revolt underway in Texas nonetheless ... and its against the state government. The rebellion is about an overemphasis on testing in public schools. To give credit where its due, the states education establishment has finally heard the growing chorus of grumbling from the plebians that were putting too much emphasis on tests and not enough emphasis on learning. Around the state, school board after school board is passing resolutions essentially saying, Enough already! and urging the Legislature to listen to a little common sense. Over the past few decades, successive Legislatures have heaped new requirements on public education in just about every session while avoiding their primary duty establishing an equitable funding formula for schools. Under the

In Our ViewThe Cannon

Thursday, May 17 2012

Dances with Chihuahuas

Dave MundyGeneral Manager

They just dont get itThe mainstream media and most political pundits just dont get it. They keep citing polls that say the presidential election will be close, and they keep asking if the Tea Party is dead. Lastweeks primary election results should wake them up. First, a federal inmate won 42% of the vote in West Virginias Democratic primary against Obama on May 8. Keith Judd, who is serving time in the Beaumont Federal Correctional Institution, embarrassed the White House and Democrats with his strong showing. It seems pretty obvious that many of the Democratic voters had never heard of Judd, and simply checked the box for the other guy who is not Barack Obama when they went to the polling booth. West Virginia, which is heavily unionized by the United Mine Workers, is not leaning toward Obama anyway. But it certainly doesnt bode well for the incumbent President when 40 percent of registered Democrats would rather vote for a complete unknown than not vote at all. This was not an apathy vote, but rather an anger vote. In another shocker for the mainstream media and establishment pundits, Tea Party-backed candidate Richard Mourdock beat Sen. Richard Lugar (R-Ind.) in Indianas Republican primary election the samey night. Lugar was a six-term incumbent and had served in the Senate for 36 years. He is the first sitting senator to be defeated in a primary contest this year, but he may not be the last. Utah Republican Senator Orrin Hatch, who has served since 1975, is also facing a challenge from a Tea Party backed candidate. The common thread in these two stories is the mainstream medias storyline before and after. There seems to be an assumption that common citizens wont beat political machines, whether Democrat or Republican. The media also seems to play down the common citizens frustration, and their will to bring

guise of improving education, all theyve done is make it increasingly tougher for students who are not academically exceptional to begin with ... and every year, the dropout rate grows. Texas kids are now required to have four years of math and science just to get a high-school diploma. Thats a great plan if your kid plans to attend MIT but completely ignores the fact that 70 percent of the population does NOT need a college degree to make a decent living. Sure, the technological explosion of modern society demands more people with advanced math and science educations, but you cant manipulate the system in order to produce a specific kind of workforce. Ask the millions of unemployed

Russians how that kind of system called polytechnic education" works. The Legislature (and the federal government as well) bought into that lie back in the 1990s. It was engineered by a marketing expert named Marc Tucker, who created a group called the National Center on Education and the Economy with an eye toward creating regional workforce development boards that would steer students into specific jobs to better serve the needs of the state. His ideas were adopted wholesale by both the Bush presidents and President Clinton, in addition to Texas legislators like State Sen. Bill Ratliff. Ratliff re-wrote the states education code to emphasize school accountability with a heavy emphasis on testing. The testing requirements initially werent that bad. A homeschooled fourth-grader passed the exit exams with flying colors. And for the first few years in the latter 1990s, the state-mandated tests got progressively easier almost every school in every district showed consistent progress.

Each year, however, the Legislature pushed to make the tests more rigorous, under the false impression that a tougher test would produce better students and thus answer the call for more tech-savvy workers. The Legislature increasingly tied school funding to test results and accountability. And the states education bureaucrats, whose first job is after all to preserve their own jobs, passed along the demands from the state to local schools. The tests became the be-all and end-all of instruction; in many schools, textbooks disappeared as the emphasis shifted from the transmittal of knowledge to the transmittal of test-taking strategies. Stressed-out administrators put increasing pressure on stressed-out teachers, who put increasing pressure on stressed-out students. Test preparation began taking up an increasing amount of the school year. Several school districts have been caught cheating in order to improve their scores from having slower students suddenly turn up absent on test day to actually having administrators changing grades or test

answers. The breaking point was finally reached this year. The states newest testing gem the STARR debuted, and judging by the feedback weve seen from teachers and students alike, it was ridiculously difficult for all but the most gifted students. Rather than simply asking kids to determine how many apples are on a given tree, they all but have to explain why the tree bears apples in the first place. Parents have been complaining for several years the system needed to be changed; they could see the unnecessary stress reflected in their students. This year, school district administrators and state education officials, faced with growing dropout rates and decreased funding, came on board. The next Legislature will have a lot on its plate, but one things for certain: if our elected representatives dont provide a permanent fix for the funding problem and ease off testing and graduation requirements, were going to see a mass exodus out of public schools and a corresponding explosion in private schools.

El ConservadorGeorge Rodriguez

George Rodriguez is a San Antonio resident. He is the former President of the San Antonio Tea Party, and is now Executive Director of the South Texas Political Alliance. He is a former official in the U.S. Justice Dept. during the Reagan Administration.

change. In West Virginia, the Union bosses and the Democratic leaders are stunned and embarrassed that the party faithful would turn on their President. But how can you blame them when their living comes from coal, and when the President is anti-coal? How can you blame them when the state is 89% white, and when Obama and his party go out of their way to play the race card constantly? How can the media and politicians ignore these facts? In Indiana, the GOP political establishment ignored the new conservative wave and suffered the consequences. Whether the agents of change are called Tea Party or not, the change is sweeping the nation, and politicians who have served for over 30 years need to beware. Thomas Jefferson said that change is necessary to keep politicians from growing complacent. Voters should be careful not to accept as gospel the comments by the mainstream media and political bosses. These experts completely missed the boat in 2010 when the first wave of conservatives swept into office, and they seem completely dumb to the next wave. However, this next wave is going to be much deeper and wider, because the voter anger is aimed at the top of the ticket. Democrats should start to distance themselves from Obama, or suffer the consequences.

The end of China envy?China-envying New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman likes to muse about how wonderful it would be if the United States could be like China for a day. The scandal engulfing former rising star Bo Xilai, the cashiered Communist Party boss of the city of Chongqing, suggests how this magical day might go down. A popular governor who rose to prominence based on his anti-corruption campaign while illicitly enriching himself would fall from grace. His wife would be accused of murdering a foreign businessman. His security chief, whom he relied upon to run an extensive spying operation on potential foes, would seek asylum at a foreign consulate, fearing for his life. State and federal security forces would have a standoff outside the consulate. The entire nation would become obsessed with the case, but the government would prevent anyone from searching the Internet for information about it. Everyone would assume that the government would control the political fallout by arranging a nice show trial for the disgraced governor. Such would be the joys of China-for-aDay, according to the Bo Xilai script. The Bo affair doesnt truly tell us anything new about China. But the lurid details -the body of the allegedly murdered British businessman cremated without an autopsy; Bos privileged son partying as a student at Oxford and Harvard -- might jolt some China-enviers out of their feverish delusions about the glories of the Beijing Model. Its not just Thomas Friedman. Andy Stern, the former president of the Service Employees International Union, wrote an op-ed in The Wall Street Journal titled Chinas Superior Economic Model. He cited Bo -- and his people-oriented development in Chongqing -- as one of the impressive assets of Team China. President Barack Obama has used Chinas public investments as a prod for adopting similar policies at home and said longingly of one of Chinas technological advances, That used to be us.

Rich LowryRich Lowry is editor of the National Review and a syndicated columnist for King Features Syndicate.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Billy Bob Low Chairman Randy Robinson, Vice Chairman Myrna McLeroy Mary Lou Philippus, Secretary Alice HermannDave Mundy - Editor & General Manager manager@gonzalescannon.com Cedric Iglehart - News Editor region@gonzalescannon.com newseditor@gonzalescannon.com Debbie Toliver - Advertising Director advertising@gonzalescannon.comTHE GONZALES CANNON (USPS 001-390) is published weekly each Thursday by Gonzales Cannon Inc., 618 St. Paul Street, Gonzales, TX 78629. Periodicals Postage Paid at Gonzales, TX 78629. A one year subscription costs $22 in Gonzales County, $24 for out-of-county, and $30 for out-of-state. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Gonzales Cannon, PO Box E, Gonzales, TX 78629. An erroneous reflection upon the charactor, standing or reputation of any firm, person or corporation, which appears in the columns of this newspaper will be corrected upon due notice given to the publication at The Gonzales Cannon office. Office hours are 8:30 a.m. 4:30 p.m. Phone: (830) 672-7100. Fax: (830) 672-7111. Website:www.gonzalescannon.com.

The Gonzales CannonDorothy Voigt - Business Manager dot@gonzalescannon.com Mark Lube - Sports Editor sportseditor@gonzalescannon.com Sanya Harkey - Circulation/Classifieds subscriptions@gonzalescannon.com Letters to the Editor letters@gonzalescannon.com

The Bo scandal shows the Chinese system to be as thoroughly rotten as one would expect of a kleptocratic police state. What is unusual is only that it wasnt kept under wraps. If Chinas economic rise has been something to behold during the past three decades, it is not a tribute to the technocratic proficiency of Chinas rulers. In Chinas mixed system, it is the genuinely private companies that are more economically efficient, according to The World Bank. Chinas economic miracle may well stall out before we get the opportunity to emulate its supposed wonders. China cant convert agricultural workers into manufacturing workers and suppress domestic consumption in the cause of creating an export-driven juggernaut forever. The World Bank report recommends that China move to the next stage of development by reforming and restructuring state enterprises and banks, developing the private sector, promoting competition, and deepening reforms in the land, labor, and financial markets. In other words, it should learn from the U.S. The existence of China envy is a testament to the allure of 9 percent GDP growth coupled with a few fashionable policies like support for high-speed rail and solar energy. On this basis, Friedman calls Chinas rulers a reasonably enlightened group of people. Their spectacular repression, greed and Sopranos-like power struggles notwithstanding. Rich Lowry is editor of the National Review. (c) 2012 by King Features Synd., Inc.

Thursday, May 17, 2012

In Your ViewThe CannonThe Gonzales Cannon welcomes and encourages letters to the editor and guest commentaries. Views expressed in letters are those of the writers and do not reflect the views and opinions of the publisher, editor, or staff of The Gonzales Cannon. Submission of a letter does not guarantee publication. All letters are subject to editing for grammar, style, length (250 words), and legal standards. Letter-writers may criticize sitting office-holders for specific policies, but active electioneering is prohibited.

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The In Your View Page

The Gonzales Cannon does not publish unsigned letters. All letters must be signed and include the address and telephone number of the author for verification purposes. Addresses and phone numbers are not published. Our online edition at gonzalescannon. com also welcomes reader comments on stories appearing in the paper, but posts by anonymous users or users registered under an alias will not be published.

Something we would rather not talk about Letters toTo the Unconsiderate Jerk at Walmart on May 10: Your little stunt of trying to report someone using a handicap parking permit that didnt look handicap was an absolute FAILURE!!! Thanks to your very wrong assumption the person you tried to report was my daughter who by the way is handicap at this time thanks to a bad car wreck less than a year ago and TWO subsequent surgeries. Since obviously you dont have xray vision, you cant see that her leg is still very much broke even though she is now walking upright with no crutches, she does have a pronounced limp and is in pain daily since the bones have not healed. Due to the severity of her original injury, her bones did not grow back, which is called a non-union in the medical field. This is never a good thing especially for someone who is still growing. The only way she can be upright is due to the steel rod she had to have in her leg and by the way her last surgery was only two weeks ago. So for your information people can have handicap permits for many different medical reasons some are obvious and some are not. People can get permits for high blood pressure, diabetes, scoliosis (oh thats right you dont have xray vision so how would you see that?) etc. and many other medical conditions. There are permits for mobility impairments and the other one is for medical non mobility impairments. So unless you plan on checking everyones blood pressure, sugar, and xraying them when they exit their car: mind your own (darned) business! Yssa Schulte Gonzales

the editorthey give very freely to anyone who they realize are in need. Lucas Energy saw a strong willed, faith driven by God and a National winner for High School Rodeo Nationaly. If anything Loni works hard and along side is her Dad and Mom and extended family and friends backing her. This is what Lucas Energy saw! The Oil Companies have been very generous, the Local Youth Stockshow was supported by them. That will help some of the youth continue with their education plans. We have not had our 2012 Scholarship program from Gonzales High School, so their could be some scholarships there presented. I guess what the bottom line is no adult should belittle a young person, like Loni Kay Lester who has worked hard and did not ask Lucas Energy they chose Loni on their own. I am so proud of how Loni handles herself and rides with the faith of the Lord, her parents, family and dear friends! I know Loni plans on going to college and I know one day in the future we will see her in the Pro Rodeo circut and be in Las Vegas! I will always encourage and help the youth in the community and stand up for them. I worked at Gonzales High School for 9 years as a secretary for the two High School Counselors and saw so many great young people. They just need encouragrement and love to help them go on! Love you Loni Kay and I am so proud of you and all you have done and the beautiful young lady you are! Donna Koehler Gonzales

Dear Jerk: mind your own business

Lucas Energy right in sponsoring LoniDear Editor, I was very upset to see the letter to the Editor from Ms. Witzkoski, dated May 3, in regards to the check given to Loni Lester, from Lucas Energy. First of all to see a adult write a letter and print a under ages name without any consent is beyond my my principals and some laws. Next it was Lucas Energy who approached Loni and not Loni or her parents who went to them! I have known Loni Kay Lester since the minute she came into the world. She is such a ray of sunshine no matter what she participates in and gives it her all and has a family and dear friends as myself that are there to cheer her on. But for a Adult to write and make it sound as if Loni and her Family went to Lucas Energy and asked for sponsorship is just above what the Lester Family is about. If anything its the oppisite,

Nixon mayor thanks voters for supportDear Editor, My sincere appreciation to everyone for the special consideration you showed as an American when you voted. The voter turn out was impressive and your vote was important. The fact that you voted showed your concern for the future growth of the City of Nixon. I am excited about the challenges ahead. It will take all of us to get the job done and I encourage each and every one of you to voice your opinion. We can all work together for the common goal. Priority being, what is best for Nixon, Texas. I look forward to a positive tomorrow for our city. A very special thank you goes to those who were dedicated and worked so hard during this campaign. Nixon, Texas and Maria Blanch thank you for being there. Maria Blanch Nixon

Its true. I would really rather not talk about this and I am pretty sure you will feel the same. But, lets bite the bullet and be responsible. After all, its for our kids. You know, for their own good. Its for their health and their future. What am I talking about? I want you to think about childhood obesity. It is a serious problem in the United States today. Between 16 and 33 percent of children and adolescents are obese. Obesity is among the easiest medical conditions to recognize but one of the most difficult to treat. Unhealthy weight gain due to poor diet and lack of excercise is responsible for over 300,000 deaths each year. The annual cost to society for obesity is estimated at nearly $100 billion. Overweight children are much more likely to become overweight adults. What is obesity? A few extra pounds does not mean a child is obese. A weight of at least 10% higher than what is recommended for their height and body type is generally considered obese. What causes obesity? The causes of obesity are complex and include genetic, biological, behavioral, and cultural factors. But, to put it in simple terms to be clear, obesity occurs when a person eats more calories than the body burns. Poor eating habits, over eating or binging, lack of exercise, family history of obesity, medical illness, medications, stress, and emotional challenges can all contribute to this problem. What are the risks associated with childhood obesity? There are both immediate and long-term effects on health and well-being. Immediate health effects include being two times more likely to have asthma, needing more asthma medication than healthy-weight kids, being more likely to have high cholesterol, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, bone and joint problems, sleep apnea, and poor self-esteem. Long-term health effects can include being at a higher risk for heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, and osteoarthritis. And if thats not enough, obe-

Health Mart Pharmacist

Sharon RaleySharon Raley is a certified pharmacist with Mohrmanns Drug Store in downtown Gonzales.

sity also puts a person at a higher risk for multiple types of cancer including cancer of the breast, colon, endometrium,esophagus, kidney, pancreas, gall bladder, thyroid, ovary, cervix, and prostate, as well as multiple myeloma and Hodgkins lymphoma. Now that I have gotten your attention and you realize that this does need to be addressed, lets talk about what we can do about it. Obese children need a thorough medical evaluation by a pediatrician or family physician to consider the possibility of a physical cause. In the absence of a physical disorder, the only way to lose weight is to reduce the calories being eaten and increase physical activity. Making healthy eating a family affair can help since obesity often affects more than one family member. Starting a weight-management program, changing eating habits (eat more slowly, develop a routine), making better food selections (less fatty foods and junk food), control calories, and limiting snacking will make a dramatic difference. Summer is almost here so its a good time to focus on physical activity. Its a great time for schedule changes that include walking, swimming, organized sports, and summer camps. All these things can help making losing those extra pounds fun and rewarding. Childhood obesity must be approached as a serious health issue. Improving the childs self-esteem by emphasizing their strengths and positive qualities while working on a plan for reasonable weight loss goals, dietary and physical activity management, behavior modification, and family involvement will all work together for a successful outcome.

Nabbing the scammers, againTwo years ago, New Mexicos attorney general slammed shut a charity that was set up to help veterans. The reason given at the time was that some of the officers in the U.S. Navy Veterans Association had fictitious addresses in the paperwork. Added to that was the fact that the charity was spending barely 1 percent of the money it raised on veterans. That was the first indication that something wasnt right, and more details quickly surfaced. The 80-odd people who were supposedly on the board of directors couldnt be found, and the headquarters was a mail drop. Only Bobby Thompson could be located, but wasnt talking. With the NVA shut down and nine states and two government agencies after him, Thompson went on the run. Thompson (aka Ronnie

Veterans PostKing Features Syndicate Brittain, which was also a false identity), alleged director of the organization, was wanted for money laundering, corruption and identity theft. Fast-forward two years: Thompson, or whoever he really is, has been caught. In a bar. In Oregon. His pockets were stuffed with multiple false identification documents. The U.S. Marshals have him in hand. Hes accused of conning well-meaning folks out of $100 million over eight years. Let me repeat that amount: One Hundred. Million. Dollars. Think what that money could have bought, how many veterans could have been helped had the money been used for legitimate purposes.

Freddy Groves

If there is that much money being donated to veterans causes, if there are that many people opening their wallets, thats fantastic, but lets get it right. Know where that money is really going, and how its going to be used. If you want to donate money, check out the organization first. Use these websites to do your research: Charity Navigator: www. charitynavigator.org/ Charity Watch: www. charitywatch.org/ GuideStar: www. guidestar.org/ Write to Freddy Groves in care of King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475, or send e-mail to columnreply@gmail. com. (c) 2012 King Features Synd., Inc.

Page A6

Community CalendarE-Mail Your local information to: newseditor@gonzalescannon.com Gonzales Independent Cattlemens Association will meet at Gonzales V.F.W. Hall on May 24, 2012 at 5:30 p.m. (social), 6:30 p.m. meal, meeting & auction. (Fried Fish and all the trimmings). Nomination and election of officers for the upcoming year will be held along with the election of delegates to attend the State Convention in San Marcos. Please bring any items you would like to donate for the auction fundraiser with proceeds benefitting the Gonzales County Chapter. GCAM and local Girl Scott troop 1179 would like to invite you to 708 St. Louis on Saturday May 18, 2012 between 8am to 12pm to shop in our donation building. We do have

The Cannonin the community is invited to attend. Providence Missionary Baptist Church is under the leadership of Pastor Gary L. Clack. The church is located at 1020 St. Andrew Street in Gonzales. The Gonzales Learning Center wants to let folks know that were collecting gently used Christmas ornaments, lights, artificial trees, wreaths, dcor, and gift wrap for next years Christmas bazaar. Call 830-672-8291 to make arrangements to drop off your donation at the Learning Center, located at 1135 St. Paul. We can also pick up donations. For more information, send email to glcc@gvec.net. The Guadalupe Valley Family Violence Shelter, Inc. (GVFVS) is a non-profit organization providing services to both residents and nonresidents that are victims of domestic violence and sexual assault in the counties of Gonzales, Guadalupe, Karnes and Wilson. GVFVS provides survivors with legal advocacy, case management, counseling, assistance with crime victims compensation and other services at no cost. For more information, call 830-372-2780 or 1-800-834-2033.

Thursday, May 17, 2012invite anyone over 60 years of age to come and eat with them at 604 St. Michael St., Monday thru Friday. The center is open from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. We serve a hot delicious 1/3 RDA delicious meal noon each day. The cost of the meal is a $2.00 voluntary donation that is applied to the total cost of the meal. We would like some suggestions for activities that you would like to see at the Gonzales Center. I would also like to remind you that we have Senior Citizen Centers in Waelder, Smiley and Nixon. For more information about our activities, please call me, Helen Richter at 672-2613. For general public transportation call 672-7014 or 672-6469, and talk to Kari or Bobby. Please make your reservations as soon as you know you need transportation because it is on a first come first serve basis.

Looking for Class members of the GHS Class of 1967 addresses & phone numbers. Contact Terry Towns, 4372961, Sue Withers, 437-2322 or John Barfield, 672-3649. Early party primary voting in Caldwell County is scheduled May 14-25. In Lockhart, votes may be cast at the Scott Annex Building, 1403 Blackjack St. (FM 20) from 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. May 1418, 7 a.m.-7 p.m. May 19, 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m. May 20, and 7 a.m.7 p.m. May 21-25. In Luling, ballots may be cast at the Church of the Annunciation, 301 S. Walnut, from 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. May 1418, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. May 21-23 and 7 a.m.-7 p.m. May 24-25.

Class of 67

ICA meeting

a set suggested donation price for all items. So please come support GCAM and local girl scoot troop 1179. Gonzales Hermann Sons Lodge#175 will hold a meeting on Monday, May 21 at 6 p.m. at the Hermann Sons Hall, located on US 90A east of Gonzales. Meal will be served at 5 p.m. with the meat being furnished. Members are asked to bring side dishes. Providence Missionary Baptist Church will celebrate its 138th Church Anniversary on Sunday, May 27 at 3 p.m. The guest speaker will be Pastor Charles A. Roaches and the Mt. Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church. Everyone

GLC donations

Hermann Sons

Early voting

Church anniversary

GCAM special

Violence shelter

Get your Yard Ready for Summer.....Tractor Sprinklers

Spade & Trowel Garden ClubThe Spade and Trowel Garden Club gathered at the home of Shirley Frazier for the May meeting and Installation of Officers. Co-hostesses were Jimmie Bouldin and Mary Louise Veselka. Refreshments included Rum cake, fresh fruit and chocolate kisses. President Suzi Vrana called the meeting to order with 19 members and three associate members present. The garden club pledge was recited, roll was called and minutes were read and approved. A thank you was given to Martha Jo Whitt for making the Roundtop Pilgrimage such an enjoyable trip. The treasurers report for April and May was given by Barbara Thigpen. Lillian Barta, City Beautification, reported on the weather vane for the gazebo. She also wanted to make members aware of her concern for the life of the crepe myrtle trees that were transplanted. She informed the club that the re-landscaping of Market Square will depend on the weather and could possibly by postponed until fall. Jane Johnson let members know that Pat Ryan had again contacted her and the Youth Center would like to continue the fall scarecrow project. A discussion followed about inviting other clubs and organizations to participate. President Suzi asked for a motion to form a committee for the fall scarecrow decoration. Jane made the motion and it was seconded by Veselka. President Suzi noted the Good Cheer had sent some cards to members and would again send them out this month. Members were then advised of vacancies

in the club. A discussion was held by members regarding the Museum Star Lighting and a decision was made to keep the same lights we have. President Suzi apologized for not including the plant exchange in the proSenior Citizens gram for May. Members that brought plants would Center The Gonzales Senior Citiparticipate at the concluzens Center would like to sion of the meeting. Rita Hendershot, on behalf of the club, presented President Suzi with an engraved book mark for her excellent leadership. President Suzi then thanked her officers and all members for a fabulous year. Patty McCullough installed officers for the 2012-2013 club year. These included: President Rita Hendershot, Vice-President Rebecca Mansfield, Secretary/Reporter Kelly Caraway, and Treasurer Barbara Thigpen.

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My Promise to the people of Gonzales County. If you elect Patricia Finch to be your next District Attorney, the cases of your County will no longer be neglected or forgotten.

ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS CITY OF GONZALES GONZALES, TEXAS WASTEWATER EXTENSION FOR HIGHWAY 90A EAST Separate sealed bids addressed to the City of Gonzales (OWNER) clearly labeled WASTEWATER EXTENSION FOR HIGHWAY 90A EAST, ATTN: CITY SECRETARY will be received at Gonzales City Hall, 820 St. Joseph Street, Gonzales, Texas 78629, until 2:00 oclock p.m. on Thursday, May 24, 2012, and then publicly opened and read aloud immediately. This project includes the installation of approximately 1098 linear feet of 6 inch PVC SDR 26 wastewater line, 5 manholes ranging in depth from 3-feet to 7-feet, connection to an existing manhole, connection to an existing sewer services, installation of a sewer service with new cleanouts, trench safety, traffic controls, installation and removal of temporary erosion controls, site re-vegetation, and pavement repairs. The Contract Documents, consisting of Advertisement for Bids, Information for Bidders, Bid Proposal, Bid Bond, Agreement, Performance and Payment Bonds, General Conditions, Special Conditions, Notice of Award, Notice to Proceed, Technical Specifications and Plans, together with any Addenda are available at Doucet & Associates, Inc., 427 St. George Street, Suite 304, Gonzales, Texas 78629, (830) 672-1205. Plans, Specifications, and Contract Documents may be examined and purchased for a non-refundable fee of $30.00 at these locations. Each bid shall be accompanied by a cashiers check or certified check upon a national or state bank in an amount not less than five percent (5%) of the total actual bid price payable without recourse to the City of Gonzales, or a bid bond in the same amount from a reliable surety company as a guarantee that the bidder will enter into a contract and execute required performance and payment bonds. The contract shall be awarded to the lowest responsible bidder; however, the right is reserved, as the interests of the OWNER may require, to reject any and all bids, and to waive any informality or minor defects in bids received. Bids may be held by the OWNER for a period not to exceed thirty (30) days from the date of the opening for Bids for the purpose of reviewing the Bids and investigating the qualifications of Bidders, prior to awarding of the Contract. There will not be a pre-bid conference and site inspection. Contractors shall make their own individual site inspections and/or investigations to make themselves aware of existing conditions/issues. Failure to make adequate observations, investigations and/or ask questions prior to bidding shall not be grounds for requesting additional work or services. Questions shall be forwarded to J. Keith Schauer, P.E., 427 St. George Street, Suite 304, Gonzales, Texas 78629, (830) 672-1205, by 5:00 oclock May 22, 2012.

The Current District Attorneys Office is Broken... I Will Fix it!Look at the facts then you decide: I have been a practicing courtroom attorney for 29 years. I am a true Republican fiscal conservative. The current District Attorney has almost doubled her budget over the past three years from $541,212.00 to $912,622.00. In spite of increasing the District Attorney Offices budget to almost one million dollars, there has been no significant increase, during her term, of cases indicted and closed by her office. If it smells like a fishits a fish. The staff of the current District Attorneys office has had a more than 100% turnover rate in assistant prosecutors during her term. She has NOT proven herself to be an effective, competent leader.

The Tough, Smart, Experienced Choice.My 29 years of courtroom experience qualifies me as the best choice to be your District Attorney. The current system needs improvement. This is my promise to you: During my first elected term in office, I promise NOT to ask for a budget increase for the District Attorneys Office. I will never shy away from the tough cases presented to me by law enforcement particularly for political or personal reasons. I will move cases efficiently through the courts by obtaining indictments in a timely manner. I am an effective leader with extensive courtroom experience who IS your best choice for managing a large prosecutors office, and keeping it productive.

Early Voting: May 14-25 Republican Primary: May 29Paid political advertising by the Patricia Finch Campaign, Jack N. Walker, Jr. Treasurer, Post Office Box 2728, Seguin, Texas 78156

Campaign Hotline: (830) 433-0074

Thursday, May 17, 2012

The Cannon

WAELDER: Election fuels disputeContinued from page A1

Page A7

Ayala, Valentino Hernandez and Curtis Hadnot. Harris garnered 157 votes, while Ayala had 103, Hernandez 37 and Hadnot 35. According to published reports, a group of Ayala supporters took offense to the response of the Harris crowd and tempers began to flare. The scene became tense as both sides seemed poised to touch off a street brawl. When I pulled up I saw a lot of people coming toward each other on both sides of the street, said Billy Bob Moore, a sergeant with the Waelder Police Department. Between both parties there were probably about 40 to 50 people. In my opinion, it appeared to be politically charged. I dont think it would have happened had the election not been going on. Moore said the police was able to disperse the crowd before anyone was injured. Later that night at almost 1

a.m., Moore posted a message on his personal Facebook page which stated Rough day at work today. People are CRAZY!!!!!!! One of the followers of that thread, Waelder police officer Austin Harper, commented that Moore should have arrested that water buffalo and her wimpy crybaby husband. The comment was thought by some to reference Ayala and her husband, Richard Ayala Jr., who lost his bid for a city council seat in the same election. There was also a photo posted on Moores page that showed a sign which read Local law enforcement officers now targeting fat chicks. Responding to the comment online in defense of Ayala was former Waelder police Larry Stamps, who took offense with Harpers lack of professionalism among other things. This kicked off a war of words between Harper and Stamps that lasted through Monday night. Moore said was he became aware of Ayalas displeasure

with what was on his page, he spoke with her Tuesday morning to clear the air. I think she was upset at one of the things that was put on my Facebook, but no names were mentioned in any posts, he said. I told her it wasnt anything meant towards her, it was just something that was there. I told her I was sorry if she got offended by it and I removed it. I cant speak to what anybody else posted, but I know what I posted and it wasnt intended for her or anybody else. As far as the near fracas on Saturday evening, Waelder Police Chief Jim Taylor said the incident is still under investigation and arrests may be pending. Mayor-elect Harris, who was not present, said the situation is just the latest example of how fractured and disjointed the Waelder community has become. I was at the house waiting on the results and I heard about it over the phone, he said. The police are investigating it and Im sure they will deal with things properly. The one thing I want to do is unite the people. Thats my main goal. This community has been divided for several years now, but weve got to move forward. Weve just been spinning our wheels too long and now its time to move forward with no controversy. Calls made to Ayala were unreturned as of press time.

ELECTIONS: Recount set Friday in close Waelder ISD raceContinued from page A1

tricts seats were up for election this year because of redistricting. Also earning seats on the board were Steve Ehrig in District 3, who defeated Keith Schauer 153-46, and Louis Kuntschik in District 5, who defeated Rene De La Garza by a 172-33 margin. District 2 director Bruce Patteson ran unopposed, while current District 3 director, board president Emmett Baker Jr., did not seek re-election. A recount for 7 p.m. Friday in the Waelder ISD, where four candidates were vying

for three at-large seats and the margin between third and fourth place was a single vote. JoAnn Ibarra led the votegetters with 149, while Cathy Hernandez had 134, Rudy Orona had 131 and Delores Quintero Martinez had 130. One ballot by mail was never received, while the election administrator will rule on one provisional vote cast on Monday, May 21. In the Nixon-Smiley CISD, incumbent Bud Box defeated challenger George Blanch 134-118 for the open Place 2 seat. In the Nixon mayoral race, Mary Maria Blanch out-

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paced Jose Zuniga 97-36 to win. Two at-large seats were available in the Nixon City Council race. The winners were Doug Koenig and Hector Dominguez, who garnered 62 and 60 votes respectively. Dorothy Riojas had 57 votes and Ashley VillanuevaGonzales had 41. Cities and school districts in several surrounding communities also held local elections on Saturday. Three at-large seats on the Shiner City Council were up for election. Lawrence Kurtz polled 182 votes, while Alois Louis Herman had 158 and Bobby Boehm 167, with Linda Rigby receiving 109 and Randy Boone 73. Elorine Sitka won a spot on Yoakum City Council, taking the District 4 seat by a 142-57 margin over Cindy Martin. In Cuero, Doyle Cruz came out in front of a three-way race for the District 2 council seat. Cruz had 95 votes to 87 for Rev. Terry Glover and 69 for David L. Ruiz. Incumbent Brad Hedrick won re-election to his District 3 post, turning back Eric Pena

by a 195-61 margin. Incumbent Mayor Sara Post Meyer also won re-election, pulling 761 votes to defeat Randy Saenz (396) and Jeff Lucas (79). In the Cuero ISD, Johnny Blackwell and Araceli Shelly Pena earned at-large spots on the Board of Trustees. Blackwell had 1,200 votes and Pena had 603 to outdistance Brooke Smith (532), Monica Gomez (155) and Cynthia Santa Cruz (113). Incumbents Tyler Mica and Bryan Milson earned reelection to their at-large seats on the Flatonia City Council, defeating William Punky Richter abd Richard Valdez. Scott Mica won the race for mayor, defeating Dennis Geesaman. Two seats were up for election in the Flatonia ISD. Clay Rightmer claimed the Place 4 seat with 309 votes to 109 for Dawn Guzman and 98 for Regina Lighteard. In Place 7, Robby Wehmeyer had 333 votes to 177 for Francisco Trejo.Here are the latest results received in the various area elec-

tions:

Cuero City Council District Two: Doyle Cruz 95, Rev. Terry Glover 87, David L. Ruiz 69 District Three: incumbent Brad Hedrick 195, Eric Pena 61 Mayor: Sara Post Meyer 761, Randy Saenz 396, Jeff Lucas 79 Cuero ISD Board of Trustees Two At-Large Seats: Johnny Blackwell 1,200, Araceli ShellyPena 603, Brooke Smith 532, Monica Gomez 155, Cynthia Santa Cruz 113 Flatonia City Council Two At-Large Seats: incumbent Tyler Mica, incumbent Bryan Milson 180, William Punky Richter 131, Richard Valdez 112 Mayor: Scott Mica 209, Dennis Geesaman 145 Flatonia ISD Board of Trustees Place 4: Clay Rightmer 309, Dawn Guzman 103, Regina Lighteard 98 Place 7: Robby Wehmeyer 333, Francisco Trejo 177 Gonzales County Underground Water Conservation District District 1: Bruce Tieken 44, Kurt Trammell 36 District 3 : Steve Ehrig 153, Keith Schauer 46 District 4: Barry Miller 116, Link Benson 70 District 5: Louis Kuntschik 172, Rene de la Garza 33 Gonzales ISD Board of Trustees District 7: Thomas Lester Jr. 133, Maricella Gonzales 44

Nixon-Smiley CISD Place 2: Bud Box 134, George Blanch 118. Nixon City Council Two at-large seats: Hector Dominguez 60,Doug Koenig 62, Dorothy Riojas 57, Ashley Villanueva-Gonzales 41 Mayor: Mary Maria Blanch 97, Jose Zuniga 36 Shiner City Council Three At-Large Seats: Lawrence Kurtz 182, Alois Louis Herman 158, Bobby Boehm 167, Linda Rigby 109, Randy Boone 73 Yoakum City Council Place 4: Elorine Sitka 142, Cindy Martin 57 Place 5: Rodney Jahn 155 Waelder City Council Two At-Large Seats: Rocky Quintero Jr. 147, Robert Tovar 107, Richard Ayala Jr. 82, Dora Ramirez 70, Marie Ibarra Almaraz 66, Sharon Nichols 58, Angie Arriaga 30 Mayor: Mike Harris 157, Becky Ayala 103, Valentino Hernandez 37, Curtis Hadnot 35 Waelder ISD Board of Trustees (Three At-Large Seats): JoAnn Ibarra 149, Cathy Hernandez 134, Rudy Orona 131, Delores Quintero Martinez 130. [NOTE: There is one Ballot by Mail that was never received as of 7 pm and one Provisional Vote that the Election Administrator will rule on Monday, May 21.]

GONZALES: Logan, Opiela claim winsContinued from page A107/05

P036332

Consult your tax or legal advisor for specific advice. State Farm Home Offices: Bloomington, IL

Jerry TannerLavaca County Republican Party (LCRP) ChairmanResponsibilities of Position

for

the list. I said, youre crazy, Im a candidate, I have to be a registered voter. Im voting, Burchard said. How many others did that happen to? Voters whose name does not appear on the rolls generated by the county are supposed to be allowed to vote using a provisional ballot, according to the Texas Election Code. Provisional ballots are stored separately from normal ballots and their eligibility is

ruled on separately. However, Burchard said he didnt want to question anyones integrity, simply whether or not the process was handled properly: Lets assume no evil intent on the part of anybody, he said. Opiela will take the District 4 seat being vacated by Logan after taking a majority of votes in the three-way race. He received 139 early-voting ballots and 92 on election day for a total of 231. Hendershot had 53 early votes and an identical 53 on election

day for a total of 106, while Hunt received 58 early votes and 36 on election day for a total of 84. The Gonzales election results were counted late into the evening Saturday, finally being announced around 11:30 p.m. City of Gonzales Mayor: Bobby Logan 497, Bob Burchard 393 District 4: Clarence Opiela 231, Steve Hendershot 106, Johnny Ross Hunt 84.

1. Chief Executive Officer and spokesman for LCRP 2. Build the county Republican Party 3. Recruit, assist and support Republican candidatesWho is Jerry Tanner?

1. Retired Lt Col - Air Force 2. Pastor 3. Man of integrity and keen insightJerry Tanners qualifications for position

FIRE: Two men injured in explosionContinued from page A1

1. Has the knowledge, experience, and energy to effectively assume any leadership position 2. Proven ability to work with cross-generational groups and diverse factions 3. Fiscal and social conservative Jerry Tanners vision for LCRP I believe Lavaca County voters are conservative, family values voters. If elected, I will prepare each voter and county executive committee member to know the current issues and become a focused, efficient voice in local, state and national politics.(Pol. Ad Paid for by J. Prince, Treasurer)

The Clear ChoiCe

the blaze. A secretary for Vann Energy, which owns the site, told reporters the men were cleaning a tank at the maintenance facility that holds hydraulic fracturing or fracking tanks in Nixon when the blast happened. She declined to identify herself and said no further information was available. In February, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Hazard Administration Vann Energy Services LLC for what

inspectors called serious health and safety violations there. OSHA said that the company required workers to enter a fracturing tank for cleaning without first testing for atmospheric hazards or training them on the hazards of confined spaces. Confined space and electrical hazards like the ones found at this site can kill workers. It is fortunate these hazards were identified before anyone was seriously injured, Casey Perkins, OSHAs area director in Austin, said in a February news release.

OSHA proposed fining Vann Energy $70,200 for 17 serious violations in February. The citations included failures to: maintain electrical conductors and cords; ensure electrical equipment such as fans were approved for hazardous places; and provide covers for open pits. The violations also included failure to provide workers with proper protective clothing and chemical hazard training. Vann Energy provides trucking and oilfield support services, including cleaning fracturing tanks, at the Nixon site.

Page A8

Gonzales Family Church Assembly of God320 St. Andrew

Assemblies of God

Places of WorshipThe CannonAnd fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Matthew 10:28First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)712 Crockett, Luling

Thursday, May 17, 2012

Dewville United MethodistWest of FM 1117 on CR 121

1817 St. Lawrence St. Gonzales

First Assembly of God509 E. 3rd St. Nixon

Church of Christ

Churches of Christ

First United Methodist 426 St. Paul, Gonzales First United Methodist 410 N. Franklin, Nixon Flatonia United Methodist403 E North Main, Flatonia

Encouraging Word Christian FellowshipHwy. 80 in Leesville

1323 Seydler St. Gonzales

Jesus Holy Ghost Temple1906 Hickston, Gonzales 1805 Weimar, Gonzales

New Life Assembly of God

Corner of Church St. & Jessie Smith St. Gonzales

Church of Christ (Iglesia de Cristo)201 E. Second St. Nixon

Lighthouse Church of Our Lord New Life Temple for Jesus ChristBelmont, Corner of Hwy 466 & Hwy 80

Bahai Faith

Bahai Faith Baptist

Church of Christ

E. 3rd & Texas, Nixon

621 St. George St. Gonzales

Harris Chapel United MethodistS. Liberty St. Nixon

Clark Baptist ChurchF.M. 794, Gonzales Hwy. 87 Smiley

Community Church of God1020 St. Louis, Gonzales

Churches of God

Harwood Methodist Church

County Baptist Church Eastside Baptist ChurchSeydler Street, Gonzales

Gonzales Memorial Church of God in Christ1113 Hastings, Gonzales

North 2nd and North Gonzales, Harwood

River of Life Christian Fellowship207 Steele St., Smiley 830-587-6500

Henson Chapel United Methodist1113 St. Andrew, Gonzales

Two Rivers Bible Church

Iglesia Bautista MemorialHwy 97 Waelder

St. James Baptist ChurchHwy 80- North of Belmont SE 2nd St. Waelder

1600 Sarah DeWitt Dr., Ste 210, Gonzales

New Way Church of God in Christ514 St. Andrew, Gonzales

Monthalia United MethodistCR 112 off 97

Elm Grove Baptist Church 4337 FM 1115 Waelder, Texas 78959 First Baptist Church422 St. Paul, Gonzales 403 N Texas Nixon Hwy 108 N Smiley

Leesville Baptist ChurchE. of Hwy 80 on CR 121

Saint Paul Baptist Church Shiner Baptist Church

Faith Family Church

Inter-Denominational Pentecostal

Memorial Heights Baptist Church1330 College Gonzales 100 Capes Gonzales Hwy. 97 Bebe

Avenue F and 15th Street, Shiner

Episcopal Church of the Messiah721 S. Louis, Gonzales (830) 672-3407

Episcopal

1812 Cartwheel Dr., Gonzales

Smiley United Methodist1 blk S. of Hwy 87

Faith Temple

First Baptist Church First Baptist Church First Baptist Church406 N Ave E Waelder

Mount Pilgrim Baptist Church Oak Valley Baptist Church Old Moulton Baptist Church2287 FM 1680, Moulton

Union Lea Baptist ChurchSt. Andrew St. Gonzales

Waelder United Methodist2 blks from Hwy 90 & 97

Hwy 80 (N. Nixon Ave.) Nixon

Union Valley Baptist ChurchFM 1681 NW of Nixon

La Os del Evangelio Mission Capilla del PuebloW. Central at 87 Nixon

Evangelical

Webster Chapel A.M.E.1027 Church St. Gonzales

Holy Temple of Jesus Christ No. 21515 Dallas, Gonzales

St. James Catholic Church417 N. College, Gonzales St. John St. Gonzales

Catholic

Camp Valley Full Gospel7 mi N of Nixon on Hwy 80

Full Gospel

Agape Ministries Living Church

Non-DenominationalWaters Fellowship

Temple Bethel Pentecostal1104 S. Paul, Gonzales

512 St. James, Gonzales

Life Changing Church of Gonzales3.3 miles north on 183, Right on CR 235, Right on CR 236

Greater Church

Palestine

Baptist

Primitive Baptist Church1121 N. College Gonzales

Full Gospel Church1426 Fisher, Gonzales

Sacred Heart Catholic Church St. Joseph Catholic Church207 S. Washington, Nixon

605 Saint Joseph St. Gonzales

S of 90-A (sign on Hwy 80)

Greater Rising Star Baptist Church

Providence Missionary Baptist Church1020 St. Andrew Gonzales

First Evangelical Lutheran1206 St. Joseph, Gonzales

Lutheran

Bread of Life Ministries613 St. Joseph, Gonzales

Pilgrim Presbyterian ChurchCR 210 off FM 1116

Presbyterian

3rd Ave S of Hwy 87 Nixon

Harwood Baptist ChurchNorth of Post Office

San Marcos Primitive Baptist Church4 Miles west of Luling on Hwy. 90 P.O. Box 186, Luling 830-875-5305

St Patrick Catholic Church in Waelder613 Highway 90 East Waelder Hwy 87 Smiley

Abiding Word Lutheran Church, LCMS 1310 St. Louis Belmont United Methodist Hwy. 90-A

Cowboy Church of Gonzales CountyJ.B. Wells Showbarn El Centro Cristiano Agua Viva of Waelder Sun. Worship 10:30 a.m., 6 p.m.

Presbyterian Church of Gonzales414 St. Louis, Gonzales

Iglesia Bautista Macedonia

St. Phillip Catholic Church

Methodist

201 S Congress Nixon

Stratton Primitive BaptistFM 1447 9 miles east of Cuero

RFREE ESTIMATES

Christian

odRigueBody Shop

P.O. Box 810 1839 St. Lawrence St. Gonzales, TX 78629

Phone: 830-672-6715 Fax: 830-672-6717 Email: rbs@gvec.net

ZALL MATERIALS HAULED

Emmanuel Fellowship

Congregation Adat HaDerech Meets on Saturdays and Holy Days, 672-5953

Messianic Judaism

Family Dentistry of GonzalesGentle Quality Care606 St. Louis Gonzales, TX 78629 Office 830-672-8664 Fax 830-672-8665

Logan Insurance AgencyHOME AUTO FARM COMMERCIAL BONDS

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Sub-Contractor Specializing in Site Work Foundation Pads Road Work DemolitionStock Tanks-Brush Clearing David Ehrig 830-832-6063

Construction Company

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Office 830-437-2873Bubba Ehrig 830-832-5094

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SATURN SALES & SERVICEJames Miller 4421 Hwy. 97E, Gonzales701 North Sarah DeWitt, Gonzales, TX, 78629

FARMERS INSURANCE GROUPGets You Back Where You Belong!

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Brandi VinklarekDirector

Ph. 830.672.6511

Dry Fertilizer Custom Application & Soil Testing

BUFFINGTON FUNERAL HOME520 N. Ave C P.O. Box 64 Shiner, TX 77984 Phone (361) 594-3352 Fax (361) 594-3127 424 St. Peter St. Gonzales, TX 77984 Phone (830 672-3322 Fax (830) 672-9208

Train a child in the way he should go; and when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6

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P.O. Box 1826 Gonzales, TX 78629

830-263-1233

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Morgan Mills 830-857-4086

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210 Qualls Street Gonzales, TX 78629

830-672-2551

Soncrest Eggs925 Saint Andrew Gonzales

HOLIDAY FINANCE CORPORATION506 St. Paul St. Gonzales, TX 78629

Authentic Mexican Food Including Caldo & Menudo

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Thursday, May 17, 2012

Leesville veterans flag ceremony; ice cream social coming up, tooThe Leesville Cemetery Association will hold its 5th Annual Veterans Flag Raising Ceremony on May 19th, 2012 at the old Leesville Methodist Church and Pavilions. The breakfast starts at 8 a.m. with a full serving of biscuits, gravy, sausage, bacon, scrambled eggs, jellies, fruit, coffee and juice. At 9 a.m. we congregate to the pavilions for the program. This year we are proud to have as our speaker Cmdr. Joe Welch from the American Legion Post 547 in Nixon. We are pleased to have as a guest, Robert Young, a veteran of WWII who was involved in the Normandy Invasion. Terry Davis will lead the music and singing. Jimmie Newman will lead the Opening Prayer. We are very happy to announce that Savannah Heximer, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Gary Heximer, will sing the National Anthem. Veterans of American Legion Post 547 will be attending and supporting us for the fifth year. Pastor Bill Alex will lead the Closing Prayer as a group of helium balloons are released to the Heavens in memory of Our Veterans. Please come and share the joy of this meaningful program with us - Honoring Our Veterans ! We hope to see you there! The Belmont Community Center Club will have their meeting on May 22nd at 2PM at the Belmont Community Center. June 10th has been set for the Ice Cream Social as a Fund Raiser for the Belmont Community Center. There will also be some activities for the youngsters. Remember that the Mens Brotherhood will have their congregational Fund Raiser dinner in July to raise money for scholarships to be given to the graduating seniors. Recipients of those scholarships in the amount of $1000.00 each were Lynnea Fink and Ms. Gorden. Congrats to both of these young people. They also received their Bibles at this time Please lift the following people up in your prayers: Crystal Boyd, Rose Rivera, Joe Kotwig, Lisa Rodriguez, Christian, Diana Garcia, Ter-

The Cannon

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Obituarieszales and Leslie Allen of Austin. Lawrence also leaves behind her nieces Ashley Moore, Lauren Kentfield and Chelsea Allen and nephew Joshua Gonzales, as well as numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and many wonderful friends. Lawrence was a very loving person. The last four years she devoted her life to her daughter Madison. She loved visiting with family and friends. She is remembered by many as always smiling and so sweet. She never met a stranger. At Lawrences request, a private memorial was held for family.

Sandis Country Fried News

Sandi Gandrery Bowman, Sabrina Flores, Bill and Marie Lott, Doris and Alvin Hewell; Hester Behlen, Sarge Dunkin; Louise Jones, Katy West, Aunt Georgie Gandre; Danny and Joyce Schellenberg, Mildred ONeal, Doug Walshak, Selma Vickers, Gene Robinson, Susie Dolezal, Keith Glass, Teresa Wilke, Sandi Gandre, Carl and Vida Tindle; Rev A. C. and Evelyn Newman, Sara Roecker, Orvan Muelker, Aunt Betty Gandre, Linda Nesloney, Marie Schauer, Esther Lindemann, Anna Lindemann, Tony Black, Lanny Baker, Ann and Bubba Bond; Case, Clint, and Lindsay Martin; Lana, Shirley Dozier, Matt and Betty Lou, the family of Robert Schumann, the friends of Johnny Norris, and remember our military and their families, and praise God for the rain. On April 1st., Palm Sunday, Alexandra Finch, daughter of Kell and Jan Finch, and Brant Philippus, son of Greg Philippus and Robbie Copeland were confirmed in the Monthalia United Methodist Church. Both are Freshman at Gonzales High School. Mr. Johnny Norris lived a long life of ninety-one years. His beloved Mrs.Vera passed away when they lived in Leesville, and then he moved to Seguin to live so that he could be closer to doctors and conveniences. He loved to talk and play dominoes and fortytwo. He will be missed by his friends. The weather was wonderful for Mothers Day gatherings, picnics, barbeques, and all such things. Now we are supposed to get a little more rain. Mrs. Joy Siepmann Carson had a rose given to each Mother in the Monthalia United Methodist Church. Joy does this every year to honor all the Mothers in the congregation and we who receive that appreciate it so much. Thank you!! Palmetto State Park has been busy with tours of school children from Cuero. On Wednesday 130 students from the third grade came and did canoeing, paddle boats, boating, kayaking, and hiking. A special Park and Wildlife man came just to teach them how to paddle their canoes. They had a very enjoyable and busy day touring the park and eating their lunch of cold cuts. Then on Thursday there was another group of 140 students from Cuero who got that part of their trip rained out as they would not let them near the water because of the lightning. They did archery, and hiking and ate hot dogs. A special person was on hand to teach them about archery. This week they are to have more tours from the surrounding area. I dont know if any of the Gonzales students get to use this for a field trip or not. It seems like to me that it would

Let Us Help You Celebrate

Carra Chabot & Daniel Gray~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~May 19, 2012

Dana Donalson & Chris SuchJune 2, 2012

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Janica Garcia & Ryan D. ArellanoJuly 7, 2012

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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be fun and interesting. If it is just your family group, you could add fishing and camping to your agenda. Utilize our state parks. That is what they are there for. We had a wonderful time over at the Belmont Social Club on Saturday night with Clark Grein and Two Way Street playing. Then it got just a little better. The door opened and in walked a big group of people wearing Shiner tee shirts. They were wound up too. We soon found out why. The Shiner Comanche Baseball Team had just beat Bartlett 5-0. Wow what a win!! In our midst was the first baseman, Matt Pohler. I got to talk with him. He said that they had won Area, now QuarterFinal, and then it is Regional Semi-Final after that, then Regional Final and then State. Their next game will be played in La Grange and they will be playing Thrall. Matt is a very personable young man. He is a graduating senior this year. He calculated that six of the nine starters were seniors so they will be losing a lot of their team. Matt Pohler has four brothers and one sister, Melanie. They were also celebrating Melanies birthday. Matt is the youngest one of the family born to proud parents, Donald and Gerrie Pohler. He was awarded the prestigious Wohthers Scholarship in the amount of $30,000. He plans either to attend either Victoria College or attend Blinn College at College Station and major in Instrumentation Technology. I asked what kind of job you could get with that kind of degree. He said that two of his brothers already had a degree in this and were making a good living at it and that it was like designing technical designs electronically. In looking on Matts Facebook page I also found out that Matt ranks pretty high up there with the ranks in his golf team too. I am glad that we got to help celebrate his win and his sisters birthday out at Belmont. We wish you all the luck in the world whether it is next week in winning that baseball game, a golf game, or in the long game of life. Congratulations Matt Pohler and May God Bless you and your family. Life can sure throw you some whirly gigs. The infection is in my bone further back from my big toe, so more of my foot is going to have to be amputated to save the rest of me. So as soon as this can be set up, it is getting done. We dont want it running around in my body any longer than it has to be. Then it will have to be hit with some strong IV antibiotics. So say some big prayers for me, please. Happy Birthday to my two great nieces Amy Soefje and Sara Soefje. Esther Lindemann had a birthday on May 11th, Lynnea Fink and Carolyn Barthels had a birthday on May 10th. We wish everyone many more Happy Birthdays. Jo Ann and Don Liefeste have an anniversary on May 16th. They are off wandering around someplace doing something. I will have to enlighten you about that later. They are about as bad as Janice and Fred Martin. You couldnt keep up with them if you tried. Please say extra prayers for Tommy Schleins mother. She fell and broke her hip on Saturday and had surgery on it today. I feel for this lovely vibrant lady. However, because she is this way I know she will soon be back in the swing of things. We have had so much thunder and lightning that Squeaky has stirred up the whole animal kingdom into a pivotal fit. I honest to goodness had to give her one of her calm down pills. She is so frightened of it. I think that Sweet Pea has just about taken over the head of the dog kingdom. Squeaky has just gotten too old to cope with all of the commotion. She seems kind of glad to let go of all of the responsibility. Have a good week and God Bless.

Patsy Miller Moore, 1926-2012 Patsy Ruth Miller Moore was born on September 27, 1926, to Fay Una Carter and Frank F. Miller in Houston, Texas. She attended James S. Hogg Junior High and graduated from John H. Reagan Senior High in 1942. Patsy married and had her first child, David Alexander, in 1946, her second son, Daniel Lamar, in 1949 and a daughter, Laura Diane, in 1955. On June 9, 1967 Patsy married John B. Moore, the love of her life. Patsy began her professional career upon graduation and was a pioneer in the workforce for women. Her final place of business was the Maritime, I.L.A., where she managed pension and insurance for Longshoremen for more than 25 years. Her father was a longshoreman and she was a familiar face to his friends and colleagues for many years. She retired in 1983 and moved to Gonzales to the Moore family home, where she began her second career. She took time to take long vacations, learned to create beautiful ceramics, volunteered at the Gonzales Hospital, played bingo at the Elks Lodge and discovered a new passion playing Bridge. Patsy belonged to many Bridge clubs and made so many wonderful friends. Patsy Ruth Moore left this world much too early for those she left behind. Her heavenly family, including her mother, father, husband, son and best friends, Cousin Kathy Herzog and Aunt Fay Schudalla, welcomed her on May 6. Survivors include son Daniel Woods, his wife Joann and their son Michael Ramos as well as daughter Laura Woods. Patsy was preceded in death by her first-born son David and husband John. A graveside service was held at Hermann Sons Cemetery in Gonzales on May 13. Mothers Day will always have a special memory for her children. A Memorial Service will be held in Houston at a future date. Memorial contributions are welcome at K-9 Angels Rescue of Houston. Although Patsy loved her family and friends beyond measure, her dogs Dilly I and Dilly II were dear to her. The family offers thanks to Garden Terrace of Houston for their help and support over the past four years; their staff members are truly angels on earth. Arrangements under the care and direction of Seydler-Hill Funeral Home 906 St. Paul, Gonzales, TX 830-672-3232.

MOORE

Albert A. Rodriguez, 1926-2012 RODRIGUEZ Albert A. Rodriguez, age 86, passed away Tuesday, May 8, 2012. He was born March 1, 1926 in Gonzales to the late Albert A. Rodriguez Sr. and Julia Aguirre Rodriguez. He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church and sang in the church choir. He was also a member of the Santo Nombre. He served in the United States Army during WWII and received several medals including the EAME Campaign Ribbon with 2 Bronze Stars. He was a lifelong member of the San Antonio VFW Post #76. He is survived by his sons, Albert G. Rodriguez and wife Rose of Gonzales, John G. Rodriguez and wife Teresa of San Antonio, Robert G. Rodriguez and wife Aida, and Andrew Rodriguez and wife Leticia, both of Gonzales; daughters, Connie Camarillo and husband Chon, Mary Camarillo and husband Silberio, Rafaela Whiteley, Julia Bates and husband Clyde, and Ruth Garcia and husband Luis, all of Gonzales; 26 grandchildren; 47 great grandchildren; 2 great great grandchildren; and his special friend, Julia Soto of Gonzales. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Mary Gonzales Rodriguez; and sister, Concepcion Ugarte. Visitation was held from Friday, May 11, 2012 at Buffington Funeral Home and a Rosary was held at 7:00 pm Friday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. The Funeral Mass was held