Ellinger Residents to Vote on Incorporation

City of Ellinger?

The community of Ellinger has a lot of history. The town was platted in 1883 and was originally a railroad stop. Local farmers shipped their tomatoes, cotton and other crops by rail. In the early 1900s, there were four general stores, three grocery stores, two furniture stores, one drug store, an implement store, one carriage house, two cotton gins, two blacksmiths and four saloons. There was also a bank, a movie theater and two additional gins. The first post office was established in 1877, the first tomato festival and parade took place in 1930 and the first oil well was drilled in 1920.

Today, most of the businesses are aligned with State Highway 71. The former Texaco/ saloon is now a tire repair shop. A funeral home/crematorium comes next (formerly Tobias Pecans). Continuing down the highway, one finds Hruska’s Store and Deli, which serves the community and many travelers by offering gifts, delicious baked goods, sandwiches, burgers and selling Chevron gasoline. The Shell station and convenience store is next to Maria’s Taqueria, which serves a variety of Mexican food. Finally, as you head past our fair town, is Peters BBQ and catering business. Off the highway a bit, you can find Koehl’s Portable Buildings, St. John Lutheran church, the Ellinger Community Center, a post office, fire station, Kubena’s Garage, Madd Taxidermy, Hobo Inn and the old ball field which will be home to the new Ellinger water system.

Well, history is in the making once again. A petition was circulated in the spring which proposed incorporation to make Ellinger a city. Enough signatures were secured and the proposal was put on the ballot for the November general election. If the proposal passes, incorporation would make Ellinger a Class C city, consisting of a mayor and two commissioners. The planners are proposing that as a city, Ellinger would be able to collect a 1% sales tax assessed on purchases within the proposed city limits. The current sales tax rate for Ellinger is 6.75%. The proposal would increase the amount to 7.75%; when we shop in La Grange we pay 8.25% tax rate, so Ellinger would still be below that rate. As a municipality, the proposed City of Ellinger would be able to request funding for various projects through grants. The purpose of establishing a city is to support infrastructure (the water and sewer system), which is in need of numerous upgrades: street lighting, fire hydrants, street signs and road maintenance. Moreover, the mayor and commissioners would work with the citizens to improve our quality of life, allowing us to govern ourselves and better plan for the future.

The proposed City of Ellinger will not assess property taxes; it will not be a homeowner’s association; it will not put restrictions on animals or livestock; it will not have a city inspector; it will not take action without the approval of its citizens. The city council, so to speak, will not be paid or build any offices, and will not spend money unless funds are received.

Citizens of Ellinger will make a choice on Tuesday, Nov. 3. We will have the opportunity to vote in the general election and say yes to incorporation, making Ellinger a City, or to vote no to incorporation, basically keeping Ellinger off the grid. A community meeting has been scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 1, at the dining hall of the Ellinger Community Center at 7 p.m. to offer more information.

For more information right now, you may contact Joe Lamer at (979) 338-9269 or visit with Matt Mikulenka. The deadline to apply for mayor or commissioner is Aug. 21.

SLM News

The Shared Lutheran Ministry will be hosting parking lot worship on Aug. 23 (Vicar Cole’s first Sunday with us), Sept. 6 and Sept. 20. The SLM will meet in Warrenton at 9 a.m. You are welcome to bring lawn chairs and sit under the trees, distanced from other worshipers. It has been lovely under the huge oaks at that time of day.

We will make decisions about in-person worship on a month-to-month basis. We will continue to broadcast the services on Facebook, YouTube and KTIM.

When we have parking lot worship, we will celebrate communion. You can use your own bread/wine/juice or pick up a pre-packaged cup from your church.

Hermann Sons Life

Ellinger Hermann Sons Life will not hold its Aug. meeting due to COVID-19. The organization will advise when the next meeting will be held. For more information, you may contact Diane Marusik.

Sewer and Water

Greg Hunger called the regular monthly meeting of the Ellinger Sewer and Water Supply Corporation to order on Monday, Aug. 10, at 7 p.m. at the Ellinger Fire Station. All board members but two were present. The minutes and financial reports were reviewed and approved. Bradley Loehr presented the engineer’s report; he noted that Russell Drilling would not be getting to Ellinger to begin drilling the water well until mid to late September. Additionally, BEFCO has received Request for Proposal packages from two different firms for management and from three soil testing/report firms–requirements for the ground storage tank development. BEFCO’s recommendation is Langford Community Management Services for management and environmental and Raba Kistner for Soils Testing. These firms will be part of the contract the Corporation awarded to BEFCO earlier in project phases.

Next, Scott Manuel presented the manager’s report. He noted that several water leaks were repaired and water well meter calibration was completed. He recommended repairs to leaks on the standpipe. One leak is substantial and Ellinger is due for another TCEQ inspection. Even though Ellinger is in the planning stages for a new storage tank, it will not be completed for at least two years, so the Board approved repairs for the standpipe and inspection of the hydro-tank at an estimated cost of $4,000. Manuel also reported that aerator no. 1 repairs have been initiated, the new gearbox has been delivered and repairs have been started but not completed. Additionally, the WWTP effluent flow meter calibration was completed and six 4,000-gallon loads of sludge were removed. This cost the Corporation approximately $9,000.

The bookkeeper reported on the renewal of the liability insurance policy and census bureau survey.

The next meeting has been scheduled for Sept. 14.

St. Mary’s Bazaar

The Annual Bazaar hosted by St. Mary Catholic Church in Ellinger that was slated for Aug. 23 has been cancelled due to COVID-19 concerns. The parishioners of St. Mary’s will miss seeing everyone this year, but look forward to seeing everyone at the Annual Bazaar next year on Aug. 22, 2021.

Karisch Family Competes

Rheagan and Rilan Karisch and family attended the Emmons Ranch Sale and JBBA show in Bryan on Saturday, Aug. 15. Rheagan placed first in class with her beefmaster heifer, Rhee, and fifth in class with Isabella. Rilan placed fifth in class with his heifer, Poly. Rheagan also won a belt buckle for placing in the top ten for junior showmanship.

Birthdays

Birthday wishes are extended to the following celebrants: Ryan Polasek and Margaret Michalsky - Aug. 22; Casey Marshall - 23; Mike Braswell - 24; Madison Krenek - 25; Patsy Hess and Douglas Minar - 27; Matt Karisch and Pastor Marcia Kifer - 29; Bradley Klesel - 30; and Emily Dollar - 31.

Have News?

If you have news for the correspondent, please call (979) 966-3275 or email bartoshcarolyn@gmail.com.