Saturday, March 14, 1998

Reporter-News salutes

Better showing

Congratulations to the 13,837 Taylor County residents -- 11,016 Republicans and 2,821 Democrats -- who took the trouble to vote in Tuesday's statewide primary elections. Given that some 60,000 people are registered to vote in the county, that puts our local turnout at about 23 percent, which is twice as good as the dismal statewide showing of only 11.5 percent -- an all-time record low for Texas. And congratulations, too, to the county Democratic and Republican parties, who combined their primaries this year in a cost-saving effort. Other counties are watching closely to find out how economically advantageous the joint primary turned out to be.

Super superintendent

Abilene school superintendent Charles Hundley was been named one of three finalists for the Association of Texas Professional Educators' Administrator of the Year Award. Hundley was nominated for the award, which will be handed out at the ATPE's state convention in April in Fort Worth, by the organization's Abilene chapter. We're pulling for you, Mr. Hundley!

Hoops, not whoops

The Comanche High School Maidens captured the Class 3A high school girls basketball state championship in Austin last Saturday, overcoming a 10-point deficit in the fourth quarter to defeat Winnsboro, 65-56, and receive their championship medals from Gov. George W. Bush after the game. Comanche's Amber Ward was most valuable player. Becky Raesz is head coach. Congratulations for an achievement to remember for a lifetime.

Anson honors

Members of the Anson Volunteer Fire Department were honored at the Anson Chamber of Commerce banquet. The 22 present members of the fire department received individual awards and a standing ovation, and members with more than five years' service were given service pins. Plus, the chamber presented a $1,000 check to the department.

Spelling for fun and funds

Spellers from the Abilene Public Library showed how valuable it can be to spend time in the library by winning this year's Fundspell spelling contest over 15 other teams in the annual event sponsored by the Taylor County Adult Literacy Council. The Taylor County and Arby's teams finished second and third. This year's contest raised more than $3,000 to support the Family Literacy Project at Ortiz Elementary, study materials, grants and scholarships. Thanks to everyone who participated in this entertaining community effort.

Philharmonic help

Andrea Molina, the Abilene Philharmonic's principal pianist and general manager, has found a new job -- not to replace her "old" duties, but to add to them. Molina has been named interim executive director to replace Wade Kelley, who resigned in December to move to a similar position in Owensboro, Ky. Molina will remain interim executive director until a permanent replacement for Kelley can be found.

Top engineer

Clint Rosenbaum, head of the civil, structural and architectural group of Abilene's Tippett and Gee, Engineers and Architects, has been named Engineer of the Year by the Abilene Chapter of the Texas Society of Professional Engineers. Rosenbaum, currently project manager for the $8 million renovation project at the Taylor County Expo Center and the additions to Zoltek Corp., has been a member of the local society for 16 years, having served as a chapter director, state liaison and officer for 11 years.