Lometa tabs new council member
By CHERI JAY-WIENECKE Special Correspondent

After attending last month to its mayoral vacancy by appointing Mayor Pro Tem David Ivey to the position, the Lometa City Council moved on to address the appointment of both a new mayor pro tem and a council member during its January meeting.

In opening nominations for the mayor pro tem post, Councilman Doug Brister proposed George Watson. Ivey, in asking Watson of his re-election status, voiced concerns in the appointment.

"May I throw a wrench in the plan?" Ivey queried. "Might we choose someone that is not coming up for re-election so we do not have to change signature cards?"

After some discussion, council member Cynthia Kirby nominated Brister for the position, and he ultimately was named mayor pro tem.

Options then were discussed about filling the vacant council seat. Although Ivey suggested the council generate a list of names of local residents interested in the spot, Brister suggested an immediate appointment, as an interested party was in the audience. "I have someone in mind for it is the reason," said Brister. "Kyle Walton approached with an interest."

Discussion ensued regarding the legality of taking action on the agenda item, but it was decided that a vote would be taken and if regulations were violated, the matter would come once again before the council.

On a motion by Brister and seconded by Watson, the subsequent vote yielded a 3-1 margin with Mrs. Kirby as the dissenter.

In other new business, the council approved a request by Lometa Lions Club member Dave Hamilton for permission to use the Lometa Regional Park as the site of the club's annual Diamondback Jubilee, slated for March 29. Because of its non-profit status, the Lions Club will not be assessed rental charges.

An item was OK'd on a grant application for a renewable energy pilot program which would include wastewater system improvements.

The $544,052 grant includes a pass-through contribution of $51,738 from the Lower Colorado River Authority.

Presented in a public hearing prior to Monday night's meeting, the project's solar- generated energy status attracted the attention of a number of local residents, including Lometa ISD science instructor and assistant principal Rob Moore. "Lometa ISD is very interested in the project, and we will use it for educational purposes if it is available," he said.

During open forum, Precinct 3 County Commissioner Lowell Ivey advised the council of concerns voiced by State Rep. Jimmie Don Aycock regarding attempts by a number of environmental groups to ban the use of predator controls, specifically cyanide. "He feels if they push it and get it passed, we will be in trouble across the U.S. on predator control," Ivey said. "(Aycock) is asking for our support against it from anyone who has a farm or ranch. I wouldn't have any sheep left if it hadn't been for the trappers' use of cyanide. Seventeen coyotes were taken off my little mountain."

In departmental reports, Lometa Police Chief Gary Farley presented the department's annual racial profile report for 2007. Of the city's traffic stops, 69 percent involved whites, 0.5 percent black and 23 percent Hispanics, he said.

Farley also reported on his research of a suitable monitoring system for the Lometa Regional Park. The $127 monthly cost for a company-monitored camera system appears too expensive for the municipality. Farley will continue to investigate the city's options.