Columns

Memorial Day weekend is the first unofficial weekend of the summer.

The holiday is more than a time for picnic cookouts and boating. Originally called Decoration Day, Memorial Day is a day of remembrance for those who died in the service of our country. May 30, 1868, after the end of the Civil War, was the first observance. Van Zandt County Library contains many books, videos and e-books covering the subject of war. Examples include, “The Caine Mutiny” by Herman Wouk, “WW II; The Coldest Night” by Robert Olmstead, “Korean War; the Corps” by W. E. B. Griffin, “Marines ” and “American Sniper” by Chris Kyle, “War on Terrorism.”

Three states seek clarity on federal transgender guidelines

AUSTIN — Attorneys General Ken Paxton of Texas, Patrick Morrissey of West Virginia and Scott Pruitt of Oklahoma are seeking clarification of the federal government’s guidelines regarding bathroom access and other issues involving transgender students.

On May 13, the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice and the Office for Civil Rights of the U.S. Department of Education sent a nine-page letter to schools nationwide establishing guidelines for bathroom accessibility and other issues related to the treatment of transgender students, including:

- A safe and nondiscriminatory environment;

- Identification documents, names and pronouns;

- Sex-segregated activities and facilities; and

- Privacy and education records.

Canton Herald – May 19, 1960: 

Russell and Maurice Eubank, owners of the Eubank Funeral Home in Canton, announced the open house of their new funeral home located next to peaceful Haven of Memories Cemetery on Highway 64.

Open house will be held Saturday, May 21, from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m. and Sunday, May 22, from 2 p.m. until 7 p.m. Mr. and Ms. Eubanks extend a personal invitation to everyone to inspect one of the most modern and practical funeral homes in Texas.  “Your attendance at the open house will be considered a personal complement to us,” Mr. Eubanks stated. The new funeral home and chapel contains 7000 ft. of floor space and is styled in modern architecture. The new chapel seeks 500.

High court rules school finance method is constitutional

AUSTIN — The current method devised by the Texas Legislature in 2011 to fund public education does not violate the state constitution, the Texas Supreme Court unanimously ruled May 13.

The lawsuit challenging the state’s education-funding method originally was brought in 2011 by more than 600 school districts identifying themselves collectively as the Texas Taxpayer and Student Fairness Coalition. Lawyers for the coalition argued that the state falls short of the constitution’s imperative of equitable funding by failing to provide enough money for school districts’ classroom instruction, maintenance and operation and other critical budget areas.

I’m sure many of you have heard of Court Appointed Special Advocates or CASA.  These are volunteers from all walks of life who speak up for a child’s best interests in court. They are regular people with a desire to make a real difference at a critical turning point in the child’s life.

My wife and sister are CASA volunteers in Wood County and although I know nothing about their cases, I do know first-hand how critical their role as volunteers are is in this process.

The Mission of CASA for Kids of East Texas is to support abused and neglected children in Smith, Van Zandt and Wood Counties by providing court appointed trained community volunteers who advocate for loving, safe and permanent outcomes.

CASA for Kids of East Texas serves children who have been removed from their homes due to abuse or neglect.  CASA recruits, trains, supports and monitors court appointed volunteers for Smith, Van Zandt and Wood Counties. 

Reading program begins June 10

May means high school graduation and it’s great to see these promising young adults heading into their futures. 

We at the library wish each one bright year’s ahead. Libraries have played a large part in their 19 years of schooling. 

Also in May, Armed Forces Day is May 21. The library has a varied inventory of books covering all aspects of military service.  Don’t forget to thank those who have served for their contribution to our nation’s security.

If you haven’t seen the newly renovated library, come by and be sure to visit the new release section.  New selections are arriving each week. 

There have been inquiries about a book sale, since there wasn’t one this spring.  Another sale will probably take place this fall. 

Canton Herald- May 12, 1960:

In the county-wide race incumbent Sheriff J. W. (Jew) Burnett polled the voters to win re-election to a second term his opponent John T. Trant of Van polled 838 while Barnett carried 31 of the 32 voting precincts in VZC. Trant carried the Edgewood box. The only other local race Leonard Dawson was re-elected as Constable of Precinct 1 over his opponent David Risner. Dawson polled 392 votes to Risner’s 334.

James F. Lambert Canton died in a Terrell hospital Monday morning. Services were held Wednesday at the First Presbyterian Church Wednesday afternoon at 2 o’clock, the Rev. D. S. Neal and the Rev. Edwin Ray officiated. Interment was in High Cemetery. James Floyd Lambert was born Oct. 27, 1896, in Van Zandt County. He lived his entire life on the farm on which he was born until a few years ago when he moved to Canton. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church and a veteran of World War I.

Cruz ends campaign, Perry endorses Trump for president

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, suspended his presidential campaign May 3 after losing Indiana’s GOP presidential primary to frontrunner Donald Trump of New York. 

The Indiana loss mathematically eliminated Cruz from achieving the necessary delegate count to gain the nomination at the Republican Party National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio, July 18-21.

On May 6, Rick Perry, Texas’ former and longest-serving governor (December 2000 to January 2015) endorsed Trump for president. Perry, who dropped out of the GOP presidential primaries in 2012 and 2015, also signaled his availability as a vice presidential running mate for Trump.

Cruz, who served as solicitor general under then-Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott, was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2012.

Revenue total increases

Canton Herald – May 5, 1960

The committee working on the fund drive for a swimming pool for Canton reported that half the goal has been reached. The drive began with a goal to raise $25,000 and at a recent meeting of the committee $12,800 had been raised through the sale of stock. That leaves $12,200.

When the draft started it was set up to sell 1000, $25 shares of stock. As of the recent committee meeting, 512 shares had been purchased or pledged leaving 488 shares to be sold.  It is hoped that was such a good start on a worthy project for the city of Canton that’s a citizenry will rise to the cause and go looking for shares instead of waiting to be contacted.