Hood County News from Granbury, Texas • Page 4

4, Hood County Granbury, Texas, Sunday; June 13, 1976 More From Page 1 New Board More From Page 1 Tl Save Coop Unstesdt Mid, "If there was sale started, it might take up to 6 months to con tu mate and there should be some concern as to what mtoht tlinrvn eatn tri tirt octal wu in rcDiaix uit yit-iii ouwu hIia ummiM nvir rMoonsible to cooDerarJve menihm i I 1(7 jadded, "If the Coop was purchased and it has been widely publicized that Dallas Power and Light and Texas Electric Service are not interested in such a sale, another power company might have to go up on their rates ot serve the Coop's 4ow density areas." What are the advantages of selling a cooperative? For 37 years Tri-County Electric has been the competition, serving those areas jlhat investor-owned power companies did not want to serve. The sale would only succeed in eliminating competition for electric service in the area and would remove the incentive for private Sffn. te immediate steps to nan wc excessively riigt) -f pass through of the fuel adjustment" which is causing the higher utility bills. Third on the Committee's action list is to "keep the cooperative membership informed concerning all policy decision of the Coop board." And the fourth step, and a major one, is to strongly voice the new Tri-County board's stand concerning immediate action with the mother Brazos System of which Tri-County Coop is a member along with 18 other cooperatives. Haynes said the Committee was formed at a March meeting, -and since has done considerable research into the problem of the charge which has caused Tri-County utility bills to soar the past two years.

The Committee began as five people aitllltlM la keen elertrlr rrat Aim Tri-County Electric has an elected board of directors. Each jnember is represented by a director and can voice his opinion (during the annual meetings. This is an advantage not shared by ytivcuur-uwncu power company customers. Tri-County's records and books are open to the public. 'I I -in Investor-owned companies do not make their records available to Jhe customers.

and has been the main driving force in seeking the special stockholders meeting. He said the five met at his house March 12 to organize a protest to the high charges of Tri-County. He said the group studied a similar organization which was formed two years ago in Keller, but noted that the Keller organization was seeking relief through state and national elected officials. "TheKeller effort was slowed down and stymied by red tape," he said. "We decided to try the grass-roots route through our own Coop.

We thought we could get the local board to take a strong stand and then our representatives to the Brazos System board could take a stand and get other representatives from other coops to join in." Brazos books have been examined and audited during the oast Wear by independent audit firms as well as Coop members and power purchasers including the City of Weatherford. WHERE THE ACTION IS Hood County's Sheriffs Posse Rodeo always provides plenty of action for the rodeo fans. As shown here the stock provided plenty of excitement and area riding clubs added color to the three night Examination has determined that the skyrocketing electric bills event. A parade through Granbury Initiated the event Thursday afternoon. IHCN Photo are due to "tremendous increases in the price of natural gas at Iwell head" which is being passed on to consumers in the form of (fuel adjustment charges.

Why was the special meeting set for 2 p.m.? According to Haynes said the small group discussed the, alternatives to changing the situation and came up with two main ideas: (1) to replace the present inactive Tri-County board of directors with members who would pursue more vigorously a solution; or (2) if all else failed to sell the cooperative to an outside company which Buddy McAnally, public relations for Tri-County, "The 2 p.m. meeting was not ment to penalize anyone. We have seen from past Bulletin Board meetings that if a quorum is present, the time needed for both could promise better prices which were more in line with prices paid by jieighbors. The group was mainly Azle residents and they noted their main comparison was Texas Electric Company. hides to give their presentations, call for a vote, and count the votes make it necessary to have an early session.

It Is also possible the meeting could last on into the night, if it is necessary to have nominations and elections for directors and a vote to sell the 'cooperative." BB However, Haynes said news mema reports were present at me A .11 .1 tkal Courthouse To Receive Work Plan Members of" the Hood County Commissioners Court wfll meet Monday morning at 9 in the Judge's office for their regular meeting. Among (he items listed on their agenda are repairs on the courthouse, closing a road at Bee Creek Estates, and a contract with the Mental Health and Mental Retardation Department. Also listed on the agenda is the appointment of a county health officer, the library committee and Ronnie Boston of the Soil Conservation Service. McAnally said, "Although it may be long meeting, if there is a small turn-out from Hood County and a large turn-out from Keller, then the Keller voters could essentially elect a director to Councifnten To Review Kfafer Wcwis Granbury's City Council will meet Tuesday night at 7:30 at Ciiy Hall for iheir regular meeting. Their agenda lists Revenue Sharing's use report, second reading of the Town Square historical ordinance amendments, and ihe acquisition of a water control ordinance.

Other items on the agenda are assessment and collection of a hotel occupancy tax ordinance and the "recommffnda'ion for budget represent the Hood County members." The Granbury Ladies Golf Association will sponsor a fish dinner at the Granbury Country Club Saturday, June 19 at 8 p.m. Adult tickets are $3. children, $1.50. Make reservations at 573-2935 573-9912 before noon June 18. Hood County News Published Twice Weekly For Your Information Currently serving as directors of Tri-County Electric are: Albert Porter, Granbury; J.F.

Herring, Whitt; Ray Finney, Azle; R.E. iMcGowan, Keller; Mac A. Coalson, Weatherford; Finis G. meeting ana jumpcu quufciy mwiv whuv dissolving or selling the Coop. Hsynes named one reporter for a daily newspaper and said in subsequent stories he attempted, without success, to get the reporter to "forget about the word dissolve" and talk about "solution." Haynes said the group then prepared a petition, which included both proposals, and set up a meeting at the Azle VFW Hall two weeks later.

which was attended by a "strong" representation from all nine coop districts. He said each district group there was asked to Select a candidate for director from the district. A later meeting of the candidates selected was held and the proposed directors decided not to propose the selling of the Coop. However, Haynes said the news media would not drop the idea of the selling. iChristenberry, Springtown; Wade H.

Moore, Aledo; Austin Pearson, Weatherford; and J.M. McLaughlin, Fort Worth. Serving as directors of the "Save Our Coop" are: Harold Pipes, 'Keller (co-chairman); Harold Sprague, Azle, (co-chairman); Jim Dalton, Azle; Joe Rider, Azle; Virgil Andrews, Granbury; Burton Granbury; Doyle Hutcheson, Parker County; Ray Smith. Almdeu Wavmmt Wrieht Pt SVini-. THr-h This, representative of National Rural Electric Cooperative Association; (Jim Morris, representative of Teias Electric Cooperative; John Etheridge, manager of Area Industrial Development and Consumer Affairs of Brazos Electric Power Cooperative and Jim Cobb, general manager of Texas Electric Cooperative.

Call 573-1177 Ts Place Your ClaastfledAd That fQP Places A I ihe Other by Alice Price By Larry L. Crab tree He said the petitions soon had more than 2,000 signatures with many being declared invalid by the Tri-County Board. However, 1,236 signatures were accepted, thus making the 10 per cent membership required to call a special stockholders' meeting. 1 "After our efforts were considered more seriously by the directors and management, we were invited to attend a Tri-County board meeting," Haynes said. "We were accused of trying to' disrupt i smooth-running, well-informed board and told nothing could be done to alter the contract between Tri-County and Brazos and the supplier of natural gas.

We were not satisfied at all, but at this time did decide to drop the idea of selling the coop and t6 pursue the ideal internally through Tri-County and Brazos." The Committee is basing its claim of "poor decisions and inaction" on the part of the present Board of Directors in several areas. It claims the Brazos System directors acted in "extremely poor judgment" when it released Southwest Pipelines from a long-term contract to supply natural gas to the Brazos System. i Haynes said that Brazos then contracted with new natural gas suppliers which had some of the same exact officials as what Southwest Pipeline had. He also said the new rate for natural gas to Brazos and Tri-Coun'y was based on the top rates in the state, One of the other main arguments charging "poor management" at Tri-County and the Brazos System is the testimony before the Public Utility Commission meeting in April. The Committee points to the testimony of a chief engineer of the Public Utility Commission (PUC, who researched the high-utility problem of Tri-County and other utilities in Parker County.

4 Mrs. H.C. Bromley and Lynn visited Mr. 4 Mrs. B.P.

Lucus in Cleburne Wednesday. nfiss Jennifer Jones from Dallas is spending this week with her grandmother. Mrs. George Jones. She Is the Mr.

A Mrs. Jack Brosin moved from Granbury to Texarkana Monday. Mrs. Noma Barnhill and daughter Mrs. Shelia Faubel are visiting her daughter and family in Gulfport, Miss.

Mr. Mrs. Ed Gongaware from Sun City, Ariz, are visiting son and wife Mr. Mrs. Steve Huston.

Fella on the Lake sezi "If mankind profits from Its mistakes, we have one glorious future ahead of us." TTO Dr. Mike Mullican a couple of months ago moved into his new Animal Medical Clinic located south of town on highway 144. It is a most attractive building we must admit. As we frequently pass there we have been slowing down trying to read the signs on the doors. Now we know that Mike is very concerned about the welfare of cats and dogs.

That's obvious because one door is labeled "Dog Entrance" while another is marked "Cat Entrance." Our question is where do people enter? We have yet to find the door for us two-legged money paying creatures. visiting his parents Mr. Mrs. Marvin McCormick. Mrs.

Barbara Bean and Mr. Mrs. Smart from Huntsville, and Mrs. Tessie Williams from Fort Worth spent the weekend with Mrs. W.P.

Everitt in Tolar. Mr. Mrs. L.H. Story from Irving spent the weekend with their daughter and family Mr.

Mrs. James Webb at Nassau Bay. Mrs. Winnie Thompson spent 10 days in Burleson with Mr. Mrs.

Fred Siniath and went fishing. Mr. Mrs. Fred Siniath from Burleson visited Mr. Mrs.

Lynn Miller recently. Aimee Duvalle was bitten by i Mr. Mrs. Albert White daughter of Mr. Mrs.

Pete Jones. The G.D. Wllkerson Annual Family Reunion tu held in the home of Mr. Mrs. Dewey WUkerson Sunday.

Mrs. Jack Jordan of Holiday Estates had surgery Tuesday Harris Hospital In Fort Worth. Dusty Rhodes from Shreve-', port, La. spent the weekend with his daughter and family Mr. Mrs.

William Murphy. attended the funeral of his brother Jack White in Cleburne last week. Mr. 4 Mrs. Jesse James from Fort Worth spent Sunday with Mrs.

Elvis James and family, Mr. Mrs. Donnie McCor- mick from St. Paul, Minn, are a copperhead snake and has been tn Hood General Hospital. She is the daughter of Mr.

Mrs. Dante Duvalle. Mr. Mrs. Kenneth Turner from Denton and Mr.

Mrs. R.E. Rumfield spent the weekend with Mr. 4 Mrs. J.T.

Rumfield. 1 Miss Deborah Gayle Mobley and Jerry Wilson were married May 22 at Southside Baptist Church in Nacogdoches. She is the daughter of Mr. 4 Mrs. Ray Mobley of Nacogdoches and great-granddaughter of Mrs.

Oletha Bucalew of Mr. 4 Mrs. Grover Watson from Rome visited his parents Mr. 4 Mrs. W.L.

Buck at Tolar Thursday snd celebrated Mr. Buck's birthday. j- Mr. 4 Mrs. K.M.

VanZandt and Mr. 4 Mrs. 0.0. Plenums attended the Golden Wedding Anniversary of their aunt and uncle, Mr. 4 Mrs.

D.Y. Campbell, at Sinton Saturday. J.F. Broyles caught a 30 pound yellow catfish in Lake Granbury Thursday. Mrs.

L.V. Allen and daughter from Fort Worth visited Mr. 4 Mrs. John Allen at Lipan Thursday. Dr.

Gay Curl of Lubbock spent the weekend with his mother Mrs. Gay Curl Sr. in Tolar. Mr. 4 Mrs.

A.J. Steward from Dawsom are visiting Mr. 4 Mrs. Jack Hoffmsn at Oak Trail Shores. Cindy Bolton has been In tr R.

Thomas Sweatman, chief PUC engineer, testified about the utilities in Parker County saying he had compared the different companies and made an evaluation of the rates, services, and an estimate of the future capabilities of each company to provide adequate service at the lowest cost. Sweatman testified that Texas Electric had the lowest rates followed by TP4L, Gty of Weatherford, Wise Electric and Tri-County with the highest. Sweatman wu then questioned about his conclusion concerning a utility's rate structure: "The electric a direct reflection of the utility's management decisions, design engineering capability, and may indicate the good fortune or misfortune of the utility," Sweatman. testified. "Neglecting the future for a moment, my that there is a disparity in the rates charged by each utility." When questioned the reason for the disparity Sweatman said the main reason was fuel cost.

He said TESCO had long term fuel gas contracts combined with lignite and mixed with higher priced fuels to result in a fuel cost of about 40-45cmm BTU. He said TP4L had the same lignite capability as TESCO, but had higher gas costs. He said Brazos Electric Power. Coop, which supplies HOOD COUNTY HEWS EaUUUiMd la ISM PUBI1SHED EVERY THURSDAY 4 SUNDAY AT 111 E. BRIDGE, GRANBURY, TEXAS 76044 TTO As always the summer months in Granbury 'are packed with activities.

While visaing with people from other areas we oftenhere them say, "Itis always great to get away from home and lake a break." On the other hand Granbury people are known to make the comment. "We are afraid to leave town during the summer for fear of missing some of the activities." What's happening in Granbury this summer: The Opera House Productions are of interest to locals ss well as visitors. The Sheriff Posse Rodeo attracted many participims and spectators. Churches sre conducting Vacation Bible School and holding revivals Swimming lessons are in progress. The list of activities sponsored by Community Education includes "42" tournaments, bssketball clinic, story time for youngsters, summer camp, tennis lessons, weight-lifting classes, and the list goes on and on.

The CB Gub will sponsor a circus. Country Gubs plan golf tournaments. And the biggest event of all will be the July 4th Bicentennial Celebration. There is a list as long as your arm concerning just the events planned for July 3 and 4. Don't dare leave town.

miss something Larry Crabtrae GWmRc Edits in-wunty, currently uses only natural gas as boiler fuel and taf 7 paying about BTU. "That shows there has been little or no future planning by Tri-County and Brazos," said Haynes. "And they keep telling us they are doing something about It, but we sure can't see what is." "The meeting is at a bad 2 p.m. Friday In the Weatherford football stadium," Haynes said. "But It is Just as bad for one side as it is for the other.

I just hope as many people are there as can be there. We need to get this settled and we need the true majority speaking." AWARDS 1975 2nd Place Advertising Design West Texas Press Association 1974 1st Place Pictures West Texas Press Association Published in Granbury, Texas every Sunday and Thursday. Subscriptions: In Hood County annually Adjacent Counties annually Elsewhere in Texas annually $9.50. Any erroneous reflections upon the character, standing or reputation of any individual, firm or corporation, which may appear in the Hood County News will be gladly corrected when called to the attention of the publisher. Entered as second class matter at the Post Office in Granbury, Texas 76048 under the Act of Congress, March 3, 1879.

This newspaper and its contents are furnished exclusively for the Information of the reader and reproduction of this newspaper, in whole or In part is expressly prohibited without prior consent of the publisher, i JLjfou are gone ycry Jng. 1973 1st Place News Writing Texas Press Association Campbell Memorial Hospital In Weatherford but is home I TTO Watch For Modern 1973 2nd Place General Appearance Texas Press Association ifti 3rd Place Newt Features Texas Press Association and doing well. She is the daughter of Mr. 4 Mrs. Royce Bolton Mr.

4 Mrs. Bob Scott and children are visiting her sister and family Mr. 4 Mrs. Pete Grimes in San Rafaiel, Calif. Judith and Kim McRimmon of Greenville are visiting their grandparents Mr.

4 Mrs. Garland McRimmon of Paluxy. CarVash Coming Soon 421 E. Pearl THANK YOU. The Hood County News Night at ihe Granbury Opera House was a complete sell-out.

Il was great way to launch the new summer season. We appreciate all who quickly purchased the tickets for the production. We hope that those who were unable to attend the performance will do so before Ihe presentation of "Carnival" is over. Throughout Ihe summer make plans lo see each production, MEMBERi Texas Press AsseckiUon 7 West Texas Prete Association 1 National Newspaper Association. fi 1 i.