October 3, 2013

4 * www.DibollFreePress.com

Thursday, October 3, 2013

Amendments on the November ballot Fall brings the hope of cooler weather, the changing of the leaves, time with family and one of my favorite fall traditions… hunting season. Whether you are into archery, rifles, ducks or deer, East Texas has something for everyone.

1. Constitutional amendments 101 On November 5th, Texans have an opportunity to take part in one of the most important parts of our political system by heading to the polls to vote on nine proposed amendments to the Texas Constitution.

Through its 16 articles, including a Bill of Rights, the Constitution establishes the purposes and limits for our state government.

Amendments to the constitution must be supported by both chambers with a vote from two-thirds of the members, meaning at least 100 out of 150 votes in the Texas House and 21 out of 31 votes in the Texas Senate. The proposed amendments must then be sent to the voters and receive the majority vote to become a part of our Texas Constitution.

For more information on the nine constitutional amendments coming up for a vote on November 5th please visit www.tlc.state. tx.us/const_amends.htm.

2.ASWIFT water plan Texas has been named the top U.S. state in which to do business by various groups over the past few years. A gap begins to form between the amount of resources available and the projected demand for water as more and more people are moving to Texas for jobs and new businesses.

If passed, Proposition 6 will create the State Water Implementation Fund for Texas (SWIFT) and two billion dollars will be transferred from the state’s Rainy Day Fund to SWIFT to finance projects in the State Water Plan. SWIFT will help to put an emphasis on conservation, reuse and rural projects in the hope that we can continue our legacy of being one of the strongest state economies in the U.S. 3. Proposition 1 and 4 Two amendments that will be presented to the voters in November involve property tax exemptions related to military service. If passed, Proposition 1 would allow the surviving spouse of a U.S. armed service member, who was killed in action, to be exempt from paying local property taxes for all or part of the market value of their home. Proposition 4 would provide a property tax exemption on a home that was donated by a

53. Apiece 55. Federal procurement org.

57. *Stone that floats 60. *Reddish-brown 63. Hardship 64. Pirate’s “yes” 66. R in R.E.M. 68. Hollers 69. Seasonal blues 70. *Threat to food 71. *Like desert 72. One of Bo Peep’s flock 73. Affirmatives

ROBERT NICHOLS’ 5 Cents Worth State Senator

charitable organization to a partially or fully disabled veteran or their surviving spouse. These two propositions are a way that we as a state can honor and recognize the sacrifices of these brave men and women and their families.

4. Have your photo ready Voters will be required to show photo identification when they go to the polls beginning with early voting on October 21st.

With the exception of a U.S. citizenship certificate, the identification must be current or have expired no more than 60 days before it is presented at a polling location. Voters can use IDs that do not match the name on their voter registration exactly, but they will be required to sign an affidavit stating they are the same person.

Some of the approved forms of identification include: • Texas driver license issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) • Texas Election Identification Certificate issued

by DPS • Texas personal identification card issued by DPS • Texas concealed handgun license issued by DPS • United States military identification card containing the person’s photograph • United States citizenship certificate containing the person’s photograph • United States passport Any voter who is over the age of 65 and those with a disability may vote by mail and are not required to have a photo ID. If you have not registered to vote or have questions about your registration, I encourage you to go to www.votetexas.gov or call 1.800.252.VOTE (8683) before the October 7th deadline.

5. Friday Night Lights Fall and the familiar glow of stadium lights at your local high school on a Friday night seem to go hand in hand. With 102 school districts in Senate District 3, we are lucky to have many teams to cheer for in the upcoming weeks. Did you know that since 2000 the high school football teams in East Texas have won a cumulative 10 state championships, spanning over all divisions? I look forward to seeing more championships brought home to East Texas and I encourage you to get out and support our students at their next sporting event.

ACROSS

Theme: SCIENCE 101 ACROSS 1. Venice bank 6. A late time of life 9. *Electronic brain 13. Mountaineer’s tool 14. Hula dancer’s necklace 15. Shade of violet 16. Wimpy Kid’s journal 17. No ___ 18. *Often donated 19. Boring 21. *Diamond, e.g.

23. Telephone 24. ____ office

25. The ___, NYC museum 28. Biblical captain 30. Continually annoy 35. Gulf V.I.P. 37. *Sun, e.g.

39. Millionaire maker 40. Apple variety 41. Boot brand 43. Boyfriend 44. Middle 46. Lion’s do 47. Leo or Virgo, e.g.

48. First letter of Hebrew alphabet, pl.

50. *Chemistry Nobelist ____ Hahn 52. Homer Simpson’s neighbor

1. Auction action 2. *Opposite of base 3. Approximate 4. One of 4 Cs 5. *All around us 6. Full of elms 7. Grazing spot 8. Bee Gees’ most successful genre 9. *Low-____ diet 10. “Les Misérables” author 11. Popular Russian name 12. Used for signing 15. “Mere ______” 20. Paint choice 22. Often used to make baseball bats 24. Khufu or Khafra, e.g.

25. *Molten rock 26. Often received with a sound 27. Spanish accent 29. *Elementary particle 31. Schneider and Lowe, e.g.

32. Dined at home 33. *Microscope’s platform 34. *It travels about 768 mph 36. Coarse file 38. Monthly due 42. Fire 45. Belonging to him and her 49. *Anatomical pouch 51. Fish hawk 54. Halt 56. With rapid movements 57. Embarkation location 58. Tangelo 59. *Type of fungus 60. Formally surrender 61. Heroic poem 62. Agitate 63. Shag rug 65. Swerve 67. Insult

Wall of Honor nominations due October 4 The Diboll Athletics Wall of Honor was created in 1997 and its Selection Committee is chaired by the acting Athletic Director.

Nomination criteria for Diboll Wall of Honor are as follows:

Former Players/ Managers/Trainers:

1. Must have been out of High School competition for a minimum of 12 years.

2. Must have been recognized for outstanding athletic achievement; 3. Must have graduated and ended their Athletics career in good academic standing.

4. Must have exhibited exemplary standards of conduct during competition.

Teachers/Coaches/ Administrators

1. Must have taught, or been an administrator at Diboll ISD schools for 10 years or more. Award may be given posthumously.

2. Must have provided

outstanding service to the Diboll Athletic Program; and candidate must have exhibited exemplary standards of conduct during competition.

3. Must be recognized as being a positive role model and person of character and have demonstrated leadership.

4. Must have been recognized as being a person of uncommon dedication, going beyond the call of duty to assist students, staff and/or parents.

5. Must have retired or resigned before being considered for nomination The Selection Committee considers both a candidate’s contribution to the Diboll Athletic program and the candidate’s contributions to his/her community.

Nominators must submit: two letters of recommendation in support of the nominee’s candidacy, whether the nominee is a former studentathlete, coach or administrator. Award may be given posthumously.

NOMINATION FORM FOR DIBOLL HALL OF HONOR Nominee information

Please print or type information.

DATE OF NOMINATION: NAME OF NOMINEE: ADDRESS / PHONE NUMBER OF NOMINEE: DECEASED / LIVING YEARS EMPLOYED AT DIBOLL ISD IF APPLICABLE YEAR GRADUATED DIBOLL ISD: SPORTS PLAYED AND LETTERS EARNED:

ATHLETIC ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT:

NAME OF NOMINATING PERSON: ADDRESS/PHONE : Attach letters of recommendation to this form if applicable

Diboll Free Press

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