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Council splits on budget, rates during angry session (Tuesday called meeting update)

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UPDATE FROM THE SEPT. 17, CALLED CITY COUNCIL MEETING

In one of the briefest Bowie City Council meetings in recent history, the panel approved all four items of business: Adoption of the rate schedules for water and wastewater, adoption of the budget for 2018-19 and first reading of the ordinance to set the tax rate. The vote margins were the same as in the prior meetings. See the full story of the meeting in the weekend News.

 

By BARBARA GREEN
editor@bowienewsonline.com
Things got nasty and personal within the Bowie City Council last Friday night as the members debated proposed rate structures and the 2018-19 fiscal budget.
The called meeting for 5 p.m. Friday was necessary after the council tabled action on all those items on Sept. 10. With a Sept. 20 deadline to allow enough time to publish the ordinances, hours were ticking away for the budget that starts Oct. 1.
When the council met on Sept. 10, two members, Machelle Mills and Terry Gunter were absent and the motion was passed seeking a full council.
Before discussion even got under way the tension was obvious.
Councilor Chuck Malone moved to approve the water rates with a three percent increase. When it appeared Mayor Gaylynn Burris may move ahead with a vote, Councilor Craig Stallcup, who has been the most vocal council opponent of any rate increases, asked “are we not going to have a debate first, seriously?”
Stallcup then proceeded to tell the mayor they were not following parliamentary procedure anyway. It was a rocky start.
Stallcup opposes any rate increases, reiterating his earlier arguments. While he supports the restructuring of the rates, his intention was to see any increase offset in the electric rates.

In the end the budget was adopted, along with the two rate ordinances on split votes as two ties were broken by the mayor. Read the full story in the mid-week News.

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Montague County lifts burn ban

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Montague County Judge Kevin Benton has signed an order lifting the outdoor burn ban effective Oct. 7.

Persons are still urged to be cautious when they are out working in the countryside to avoid any spark that could cause a wildfire.

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Chicken and Bread Days Heritage Festival schedule, downtown map

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Oct 2
5-8 p.m. – Fall Sip & Stroll With Me, throughout downtown Bowie. Purchase the required armbands and wineglass at 101 E. Pecan or at a participating merchant for $15. Fiddlers will be jamming and horse-drawn carriage rides
Oct. 3
8 a.m. – Pickleball Tournament at The Blade in Pelham Park.
9-10 a.m. – Fiddler registration, Bowie Fire Hall, 203 Walnut
10 a.m. – Championship fiddler’s contest begins.
10 a.m. – 4 p.m. – Piston Heads Auto Club Antique and Classic Car Show, Tarrant Street between Mason and Smythe. Registration 9-11 a.m., awards at 3 p.m. Mason and Smythe for entrance
10 a.m.- 4 p.m. – Heritage Market with food vendors, crafts, gifts, home decor and more. Set up on the plaza area on Smythe Street. Kid’s Coop inflatables and pedal cars on the bank parking lot. Horse-drawn carriage rides will be offered.
10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Montague County Creative Arts exhibit and contest at the Bowie Library, 301 Walnut.
11:30 a.m.- Pumpkin sweep contest, egg toss and egg race games in front of the main stage on Smythe Street.
2 p.m. – Art exhibit awards reception at the library.
3 p.m. – Drawing for a bass guitar at fiddler stage in the fire hall,
3 p.m. – Piston Heads Auto Club Show awards, show registration table on Tarrant Street.

Live performances – Main Street stage on Smythe
10 a.m. – Bowie Youth Cheerleaders: Pee-Wee third and fourth graders.
10:30 a.m. – Bowie Intermediate students (third-fifth grade).
11 a.m. – Bowie youth cheerleaders: Juniors fifth and sixth graders.
11:15 a.m. – Ava Layne Bryan, 13-year-old singer from Alvord.
Noon – Bowie youth cheerleaders: Midgets first and second graders.
12:15 p.m. – Rising Stars Performing Arts Center.

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Hymns for the Hungry to support God’s Table

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Hymns for the Hungry is an event organized by Bowie First Methodist Church to benefit God’s Table, the food ministry operated out of First Freewill Baptist Church of Bowie six nights a week.
This event allows surrounding churches or organizations to share their gift of music to benefit God’s Table. This year’s Hymns for the Hungry will be 5 to 8 p.m. on Oct. 25 at the Bowie Community Center, 413 Pelham.
Admission fee is $1.00. Last year, this event raised more than $15,000 thanks to local sponsors and community’s participation. God’s Table depends on this fundraiser which is operated by volunteers from across the community.
Help by attending this event and supporting God’s Table. “Meal deals” of a hot dog, chips, and drink will be served for $5. Dessert is by donation.
Cakes will be auctioned off intermittently throughout the event, and anyone is welcome to bring one to donate. Drawings for gift cards to local establishments also will take place. All proceeds will go directly to God’s Table, which is now feeding approximately 100 people each night.
If you would like to participate or need more information call or text Jarae Scruggs @ 940-841-1212, or you may call the Bowie First Methodist Church office directly at 940-872-3384.

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