RAND Proudly Serving The High Plains Since 1901 Vol. 115, No. 68 • Hereford and Deaf Smith County, Texas
Wednesday, March 9, 2016
12 Pages, $1
Kahlich to ‘hit the ground running’
TODAY
By John Carson BRAND Managing Editor
Showers High: 59, Low: 38 FORECAST Thursday Windy High: 64, Low: 36 Friday Partly Cloudy High: 61, Low: 37 Saturday Sunny High: 75, Low: 44 Sunday
If his immediate post-election plans play out, then Precinct 1 Commissioner-elect Chris Kahlich will have not have to worry about living up to his initial comments after getting elected. Kahlich defeated Armando Gonzalez in last week’s Republican primary for the Deaf Smith County Commissioners Court Precinct 1 spot and – with no Democratic opposition in November – won the seat being
race was a rout as Kahlich vacated by Pat Smith for took a commanding 119-27 health reasons. lead through early voting Kahlich’s first public before finishing with 259 comment upon getting of the 337 votes cast (76.85 elected was that he would percent) in Precinct 1. "not be bored.” “I plan on attending as Gonzalez, who held many meetings as possible,” the Precinct 1 seat from Kahlich said. “I want to get 1998-2002, offered no the feel for what’s going insight into the race KAHLICH on so I can hit the ground – saying he had “no running in January [when reaction” to questions he takes office].” seeking comment on the In what turned out to be a low- election’s outcome and margin key campaign for both candidates, of victory before adding he had what some expected to be a tight “no reaction” to any question
I love a parade
Sunny
OF
Joan Womble, 86 Billy Sisson, 85 Jimmy Garcia, 52 PAGE 2
WHAT'S
By Jessica Gallardo BRAND Staff Writer
INSIDE
West Central Parade,
page 5
All District 3-5A, page 6
Softball, pages 7
BRAND/Jessica Gallardo
The Texas history and the history of education in Deaf Smith County were just a couple of the many subjects highlighted during West Central Elementary School’s parade celebrating Texas Public Schools Week. Student Aaron Baca was costumed in a bus, representing his school’s presence in the independent school district. For story and picture see page 5.
Agriculture, Page 8 INDEX News.................1-3 Opinion...............4 Education............5 Sports...............6-7 Agriculture.........8 Devotional..........9 Comics..............10 Classifieds.....11-12
PLEASE SEE KAHLICH | 3
Program to form leaders for Hereford
High: 77, Low: 43
IN MEMORY
that would be asked. In making his first foray into politics, Kahlich admitted the final tally was “somewhat surprising,” but not completely shocking given response to his campaign. “Talking with people, I think that [being a newcomer] became a factor,” he said. “I think being a new face helped in the long run.” With no inherent desire to enter politics, Kahlich said the need to address some county problems and improve local
Apathy may be a thing of the past thanks to a new program that helps residents learn to lead. ` The program, Leadership Hereford, endorses involvement in the community through educational courses. After two years of development, the program is about to be locally launched. Leadership Hereford was formed to help educate citizens about how their community runs. Its mission statement is “to promote, empower and perpetuate leadership within individuals for the common good of the community and citizens of Hereford, Texas through an ongoing program of comprehensive knowledge and awareness.” The program will offer classes that include a combination KITTEN of leadership, civic involvement, taxing entity operations and life skills. “We’re hoping on being more flexible and open to larger cliental than we thought in the beginning,” Leadership Hereford Board of Directors president Michael Kitten said. This flexibility would include offering night and weekend classes. Leadership Hereford is hoping to have class cycles throughout the year. The program is bringing together community entities to collaborate on its offerings. “I think that’s a wonderful program,” Hereford City Manager Rick Hanna said. “I hope the city gets to participate in teaching some of those classes. People need to know what happens in the city. PLEASE SEE LEADERS | 3
WOMEN IN DEAF SMITH COUNTY HISTORY
Patterson key to chronicling Deaf Smith history (EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the second of a month-long series highlighting notable women in the history of Deaf Smith County as March is celebrated as Women’s History Month.) By Carolyn Waters Special to the BRAND Feature stories for the BRAND, her book “A History of Deaf Smith County Featuring Pioneer Families” – published in 1964 – and husband Elmer's camera served to
record Hereford's growth during the 46 years the Bessie and Elmer Patterson lived here. Bessie's first writing project was a brochure for the chamber of commerce that included Elmer's photographs. Bessie Patterson came to
the area with her parents from Silverton in 1920. She first met her future husband in 1922 when they were baptized at Church of Christ – then on Sixth Street. However, it was in June 1931 when they married and made their
home at 410 Jowell. After remodeling the house, the address became 610 East Fifth St. The Pattersons had three daughters, who all graduated from Hereford High School and were married in the church where the family worshiped throughout their time in Hereford. From 1954-158 Bessie taught journalism, typing and speech at Hereford High School. She was active in the American Field Service Program,
Bessie Patterson Campfire Council, and she helped Elmer organize the PLEASE SEE WOMEN | 3
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