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1976 – Election News: Flournoy Wins Reelection

May 4-7, 1976

Veteran Sheriff T.J. Flournoy was reelected to another term, but longtime Precinct 1 Commissioner Gunther (Grinny) Behrens was unseated, a new constable was elected in Precinct 4 and Precinct 3 voters sent two races into the runoffs in Saturday’s first Democratic primary election. Only 4,610, or just under 49%, of the 9,502 registered voters in Fayette County cast their votes. Flournoy got 3,291 in his reelection bid against 1,259 for challenger Milton E. Zingelmann of Waldeck. Harold Harris, who was with the highway engineering department before becoming a MKT brakeman, outpolled Precinct 1 Commissioner Behrens, 683 to 474. Jerry Machicek won the constable Precinct 4 job. Headed to runoffs were S.H. (Shep) Werlein versus Alvin Holstein for Precinct 3 commissioner and Bob Krejci versus Tony Olmos for Precinct 3 constable.

Republicans of Fayette County favored presidential hopeful Ronald Reagan by 141 to 92 over Gerald Ford in the delegate race in Saturday’s primary election. A total of 230 persons voted at the two GOP boxes in the county. The total included six absentee votes.

April rainfall for La Grange officially totaled 10.25 inches, setting a new 15-year high for the month and marking only the fourth time that precipitation topped 10 inches in a calendar period in the same time span. Although it had rained only 3.94 inches here in the first three months of 1976, suddenly the year’s accumulation was a waterlogged 14.19. All told, rain was gauged on 12 days inApril.

Fayette County commissioners accepted the bids submitted by Russ Securities Corporation of SanAntonio and the La Grange Independent School District for the sale of county school bonds. The Russ offer was $180,528.30, less $17,550 offered by the La Grange district for $25,000 (par value) of La Grange ISD bonds maturing in 1992. The district’s purchase of its own bonds, bearing interest at 2.75%, would mean a saving of $7,450, plus future interest. The total LGISD share of the bond sale proceeds would be approximately $75,000.

Sacred Heart School students and faculty honored their pastor, the Rev. Harry Mazurk-iewicz, on the 25th anniversary of his ordination with special liturgical services at Sacred Heart Church, followed by a banquet dinner Friday noon at Sacred Heart School Cafeteria. Aconcelebrated Mass was held at 11:30 with Father Harry as the celebrant. Concelebrants were the Rev. Ben Mazurkiewicz of Fayetteville, the Rev. Msgr. John Hanacek of La Grange, the Rev. Edward J. Jansky and the Rev. William J. Halata, both of Hostyn. Father Ben delivered the homily. Chris Cernosek served as commentator of the Mass. Readers were Jeff Stueber and Shirley Kleiber. The responsorial psalm was led by Mark Brauner and the offertory prayers were given by Lisa Kana, Sharon Kovar and Bernard Munsch.

The newly remodeled Brooks Restaurant, formerly The Stackhouse, opened for business on Monday, featuring the only cafeteria form of food service in La Grange. The restaurant was under the management of William Brooks, who would cook and supervise the operation. Brooks had 15 years of experience in the restaurant business and was a former manager at Frisch Auf! Country Club.

Sheila Jacob of Carmine was among the new officers of the Texas Association, Future Homemakers of America.

The top students at Fayetteville High School for the 197576 term were Catherine Heimsath, class valedictorian, with a projected average of 94.48% and Ann Schmidt, salutatorian, whose projected average was 93.35%.

Eldon E. Knape Jr. was appointed as a director of the Federal Land Bank Association of La Grange, filling the unexpired term of John A. Dube Sr. of McDade, who retired.

Gerhard Janssen was presented with a pin marking his 60 years of membership in the La Grange Hermann Sons Lodge No. 8.

The annual donkey baseball game sponsored by the Schulenburg FFAandYoung Farmer chapter was set for May 12 on the Schulenburg High School football field. The donkeys were being furnished by Ralph Godfrey of Crescent, Okla. Advance tickets were $1.25 for adults and 75¢ for children.

Funeral services were held for: Miss Ida Reichardt, 65, of La Grange; Max P. Duerr, 88, of La Grange; Mrs. Anna Treybig, 82, of Oldenburg; Mrs. Mary N. Svoboda, 76, of Ellinger; Ludwig B. Polasek, 58, a native of Plum; and Mrs. Hariet Zoch, 49, of Winchester.

Mr. and Mrs. F. R. Dykes celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary with an open house at the First Baptist Church Fellowship Hall in La Grange. Felix R. Dykes and Miss Ruby Spear were married in Osyka, Mississippi, on April 30, 1916.

President Ford asked Congress to authorize a program to vaccinate every American against swine flu to prepare for a possible epidemic in the fall. Congress responded rapidly, appropriating about $135 million to manufacture and distribute the vaccine and organize a massive immunization effort.

If you’d like to reach Elaine, please email her at callacomm@ hotmail.com. You can also visit her website: www. elainethomaswriter.com.