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A Johnson County News Source
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JOHNSONCOUNTYObserver.com News of interest to the residents of Johnson County, Texas
VOLUME 02 | NUMBER 07
JUNE 29, 2017
Clear As Mud “Clear as Mud” according to Judge Harmon! The Johnson County Commissioners voted on Monday June 26th by a vote of 4-1 to move to next step in the process of making AMR (American Medical Resource) the replacement for Careflite Ambulance Service in Johnson County. It has been a long haul (story) in Johnson County concerning the ambulance services provided since the days of Dillon Ambulance Service on Anglin Street or even back in 1967 when Cleburne had Jackson’s Ambulance Service located at 105 W 1st Street in Cleburne. If you go not so far back to the early 1990’s when MedTrans came to town and the Hyde family remodeled the old Bus Depot on East Henderson Street to accommodate their ambulances and employees. It was only a few years later AMR became the star in the county and then when AMR went to the county Judge and said they needed more dollars to stay active in Johnson County. The county did not respond as AMR wanted and they gave their termination notice to the county. The county put the service up for bids and as the final days of AMR contract drew near, the City of Cleburne involved to protect their residents. The then Mayor Hazlewood told the county if they did not get something worked out soon, the City would be getting into the ambulance business fulltime. This was when Cleburne purchased one used ambulance from the City of Crowley for $5,000 to let the county know the City of Cleburne was serious. Careflite was selected and was able to negotiate a contract to service all of Johnson County with exception of the city of Burleson and saved the day for Johnson County. That was in 2003. Johnson County grew during those years after 2003 and so did the work load and revenue for Careflite. The county continued to pay a subsidy to the ambulance service and in 2014 the first contract was negotiated without a subsidy being paid by Johnson County to Careflite. Careflite did an extensive marketing program through years, selling a subscription service to Johnson County residents to cover any costs their insurance company might not pay. Then the City of Cleburne ventures back into the line-up. Cleburne has one (new) ambulance used for back-up services. It was used to assist in any situation Careflite was unable to perform inside the city limits of Cleburne. Without any formal meetings with the county the City of Cleburne requested approval from the city council, within their rights, to begin full-time ambulance service inside the city limits in mid-2015. Cleburne residents pay the same county taxes as do non-Cleburne residents. The
JOHNSON COUNTY, TEXAS
Cleburne Fire Department told the city council if given permission to begin ambulance service it would more than pay for the additional 15 firefighters that they would like to hire. It would only take one more ambulance according to their projections. The request was granted. With City of Cleburne now taking the bread and butter from Careflite, taking all the close runs inside the city and leaving the east-side runs for Careflite, the revenue of Careflite began to drop. Careflite went back to the county and requested the county pay them $300,000 a year subsidy to keep them working in this county. It was agreed to and a new agreement was negotiated. In 2016, for whatever reason, the losses at Careflite for Johnson County began to amount to over $1,000,000.00 for the year. Careflite went back to the county to request more dollars and talk about another amended agreement. The county was reluctant to discuss it, so in March 2017 they presented the county with a 180 day termination letter ending their service in Johnson County at midnight September 30, 2017. Requests for RFP’s were sent out from the county to solicit interest from ambulance providers. A committee was formed to review the bids once they Commissioner Woolley makes motion to accept AMR were submitted that included, Jamie Moore, JC as the next county emergency responder subject to contract Emergency Services, Dr. Elvin Adams, MD, Tommy approval. Commissioner Stringer gives it a second. The motion Foster, JCESD#1 Director, J R Kirkpatrick, JC Auditor, to accept AMR was confirmed with a 4-1 vote. Woolley, Stringer, JC Commissioner Larry Woolley and Ralph McBroom, Harmon and Howell voting YES, Bailey votes NO! JC Purchasing Director. The committee met and spent some 60 hours reviewing the complicated bids. retorted “ it was as clear as mud.” On Monday June 26 the Johnson County Commissioners The workshop ended and the regular session was met in regular session with the #9 item on the agenda being gaveled back into session. Judge Harmon then asked if the consider ambulance service provider for Johnson County. commissioners were ready to take a vote. Commissioner County Judge Harmon elected to stop the regular meeting Woolley made the motion to move forward with AMR and go into a workshop session to allow AMR to make a to negotiate a contract subject to approval by the court. presentation to the commissioners. At this time Commissioner Commissioner Stringer gave a second with Howell, Harmon, Woolley told the court that the committee had made the Stringer and Woolley voting for AMR and Commissioner recommendation that AMR be the next service provider for Bailey voted against the motion. Johnson County. For the next two hours there were valid The entire court proceeding can be seen at the questions and some valid answers and lots of questions Johnsoncountytx.org/video website for those that want to hear unanswered. When AMR VP of Texas Operations, Steven and see the play by play movement in the court. Dralle told the court that their proposal was for only 911 emergency calls, that brought several questions from the county judge and he studied the answers momentarily and then
Billie Hopps Presented With Texas Senate Resolution No. 632 Billie Hopps was an eye witness to the transformation of the old white one-building “Keene Public School.” From a 36 student population with Albert Pauly as Teacher/ Principal/Superintendent it grew into the Keene Independent District with 4 distinct campuses and a student population of 1076 before she retired. She served with only 5 superintendents during her 42 years: Albert Pauly, Wanda Smith (31years), Kevin Sellers, Darlene Callender, and Ricky Stephens. She faithfully worked 42 years for the Keene ISD, as an elementary teacher, elementary principal, junior high teacher, special programs director and ultimately the junior high principal. Through the many good times, health, sickness and many extra-long days she worked to keep her junior high at the top of the academic world. She was ever present with her gracious (Long Island ) smile and many kind words to her staff and students over the years. This past February 1st was the end of Billie’s career at Keene ISD, she elected to retire and perhaps slow down a bit and enjoy her family including her 3 grandchildren, Landon, Garrett and Kayt Hopps. Since February Billie has been as busy as ever. There has been zero time for her to be recognized officially for her service to the district and community. On June
22nd Wanda Smith, Billie’s long time superintendent, joined by Mary Ann Hodges, a past and current school board member, Lydia Chacon, Billie’s long time administrative assistant and Heather Archer, the Keene Junior High principal and former assistant KJH principal under Billie gathered for lunch at Pulido’s in Cleburne. Wanda and Billie were able to reminisce over their days at Keene ISD with lots of smiles and a few tears of joy. After that Wanda presented Billie with the Texas Senate Resolution No. 632. Texas State Senator Brian Birdwell, District 22, had heard of Billie’s accomplishments and tenacity, he successfully had Senate Resolution No 632 adopted by the Texas Senate this past April in Austin. The resolution reads as follows:
WHEREAS, The senate of the State of Texas is pleased to recognize Billie Hopps for 40 years of exemplary service with the Keene Independent School District; and WHEREAS, Billie Hopps is the principal of the Keene Junior High; she is beloved
by students for her humor, kindness, and tireless support and admired by teachers and staff innovative and enthusiastic approach to education and leadership; and WHEREAS, Principal Hopps is a highly respected school administrator who engages with students daily and knows each of them by name; overcoming her own struggles with adversity has helped her instill in students the strength and resilience they need to build fulfilling futures and succeed in the modern world; and WHEREAS, Principal Billie Hopps sets standards for academic excellence and fosters a school-wide love of learning that allows both student and teachers to thrive, and the citizens of Keene greatly benefited from her expertise and commitment; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 85th Legislature, hereby commend Billie Hopps for 40 plus years of service to the children of Keene and extend to her best wishes for the future and, be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for her as an expression of esteem from the Texas Senate.
Picture Front is Billie Hopps. Back row, left to right, Wanda Smith, Lydia Chacon and Heather Archer.
Billie Hopps may be missing from the daily routine of classroom adventures, however, her attitude and drive will be a source of encouragement to the staff and students that knew and loved her for many generations to come.