LGISD Caught in a Legislative Squeeze

The La Grange Independent School District faced a severe economic pinch, according to Superintendent C.A. Lemmons. Even with drastic cuts in materials and supplies, 1975-76 expenditures were projected to be $35,000 higher than receipts. The squeeze was the result of House Bill 1126, passed by the Texas Legislature, which raised salaries of teachers and aides by $140,000 while giving the school district only $40,000 to meet the costs. Salaries of teachers would increase by a minimum of $140 per month and $70 a month for aides. Under the average daily attendance formula laid down by the new law, La Grange could lose eight teachers. “But we’ve already hired those teachers,” Mr. Lemmons said.

Tax collections in all categories and fees collectible by the Fayette County tax office amounted to an astounding record of $1,759,374.22 for 1974-75.

Damage was heavy but no personal injuries resulted from an accident involving a pick-up truck pulling a horse trailer that veered off E. Travis St. into the La Grange Cemetery at 11 p.m. Sunday. The vehicle clipped off one of the new metal street light standards, ripped out a section of the wrought iron fence, ran over two burial vaults and knocked down a large tombstone.

Approximately 500 people, 313 of them members who registered, turned out for the annual membership meeting of Fayette Electric Cooperative at the Round Up Hall at the fairgrounds Wednesday night. Arthur Friemel of La Grange and Ewald W. Friedrich of New Bielau were reelected to the board. Manager J.C. Warhol told members that 20.5 miles of distribution lines were added to the system in 1974, nine of which were installed underground to serve a housing subdivision and a 20-apartment complex. Employees recognized for their years of service were: John Ermis, 31; Lloydell Keilers, 16; Theodore A. Janda, 11; and retired manager John F. Luecke, 33. At the conclusion of the meeting, 39 members of the audience won door prizes valued at more than $600. Directors later reelected Friemel as president, Friedrich as vice president and Edwin G. Kruppa of Hostyn as secretarytreasurer.

The firm of Harold V. Simpson & Company was formally hired by Fayette County’s commissioners to conduct an audit of 1974 county funds and clarify discrepancies reported by the grand jury.

Dr. Leniel H. Harbers, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry B. Harbers of West Point, was on a three-month assignment in Sofia, Bulgaria, serving as an advisor to the Bulgarian government on beef and dairy nutrition. A 1953 graduate of La Grange High School, Harbers earned degrees from both Texas A&M University and Oklahoma State University.

The Plum Yankees took a one-game lead over Warda’s Aces in the south zone of the Community League on Sunday by defeating their top rivals, 7-3, as Steve Janda and Kenny Hatfield outdueled Gus and David Schramm. Hatfield was the winner and Gus Schramm the loser. A big blow for the Yankees came when Marcus Cook hit a homerun.

A Carmine student at the University of Texas at Austin, Ronald Wayne Braun, was one of 163 persons awarded a Doctor of Philosophy degree at the close of the spring semester.

Four Fayette County students achieved the Blinn College Honor Roll for the first summer semester of 1975. They were: Mary Lou Mayer with a 4.00 grade point; Suzanne Mikula, 4.00; Roger D. Schulze, 4.00; and Virginia L. Waters, 3.45.

Sister Henrietta Marie Kutra observed her 50th anniversary of sisterhood at a golden jubilee held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church and Youth Center at Frydek. Sister Henrietta, who had recently retired from a long teaching career, was a social worker in Fayetteville. The daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Anton Kutra, she entered the convent on June 22, 1922, and became a sister in 1925.

Trustees of the Round Top-Carmine Independent School District accepted the proposal of Gulf Oil Corp. to furnish gasoline and oil, Carnation Company for milk and dairy products and Schott’s Bakery for bread and pastries for the fall term.

Funeral services were held for: Paul Mai, 89, of New Ulm; Miss Albina M. Evanicky, 55, of Rock Hill; and Walter Malec, 87, well-known area newspaper publisher of Hallettsville.

The marriage of Miss Noreen Iris Jaster of Oldenburg and Bruce Dopslauf of La Grange was solemnized at St. John Lutheran Church in Warrenton on Sat., July 12 at 3:30 p.m. Officiating at the double ring ceremony were the Rev. Wayne Walther, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church at Warrenton, and the Rev. Joe Scott, pastor of Travis Street United Methodist Church. At the dance following the reception, Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Dippel led the grand march.

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